Steve Reed
MP for Streatham and Croydon North
Labour (Co-op)
29 Nov 2012 - Present
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Prime Minister's Questions
No PMQs questions found for this MP.
Will the Government back Labour's plan making water bosses personally criminally liable for illegally dumping sewage?
Context
The environmental regulator has condemned the state of UK waterways due to raw sewage being pumped into them by water companies.
Steve Barclay
We have already banned bonuses for those companies guilty of serious pollution, quadrupled the number of inspections as part of a tougher enforcement scheme, and brought record investment into the water industry.
Session: Topical Questions
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Last month, I visited Newcastle-under-Lyme with local campaigner Adam Jogee to meet residents who are literally choking on toxic fumes from the Walleys Quarry landfill site. More than 10,000 residents have complained about the stench, and a five-year-old child ended up in hospital. Will the Secretary of State publish all correspondence between DEFRA, the Environment Agency and the operator, so that residents in Newcastle-under-Lyme can see why the site has not been closed down?
Context
Residents in Newcastle-under-Lyme are complaining about toxic fumes from Walleys Quarry, with over 10,000 residents affected and a five-year-old child hospitalised.
Steve Barclay
No one could have done more to highlight the issue than the constituency MP. Indeed, the Minister with responsibility for water has already been to Walleys Quarry to look at first hand. Having spoken directly to the chief executive of the Environment Agency, I know that everything that can be done within the law is being done. That is the assurance that the Minister and I have had from the chief exec of the Environment Agency. Indeed, enforcement action was taken recently at that specific site.
Session: Topical Questions
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I welcome the Secretary of State to his place. He will have seen the BBC “Panorama” investigation that exposed how this Conservative Government have turned a blind eye to corruption and cover-ups at the heart of the water industry. Consumers are left facing higher water bills, while water bosses profit from pollution. Will the Secretary of State now back Labour's plan to let the regulator block any bonuses for water bosses who are responsible for the tidal wave of sewage pouring into our rivers?
Steve Barclay
We can go one better than that, in that we have already brought forward measures that allow the regulator, Ofwat, to take action, alongside tougher penalties, now with unlimited fines. In addition, all storm overflows will be monitored 100% by the end of this year, and there will be a much tougher approach on regulation, as the House heard in the strong response to the debate earlier this week.
Session: Topical Questions
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Last year saw record levels of illegal sewage discharges after cuts to enforcement and water bosses rewarded themselves with £10 million in bonuses while hiking bills for consumers. The hon. Member asks if the polluter should pay rather than consumers.
Context
The hon. Member raises issues about record levels of illegal sewage discharges under current Government oversight.
Rebecca Pow
I have already said that Labour has no credible costed plan. We changed regulation, ensuring no dividends or bonuses can be paid if there is any environmental damage. There were no fines under the previous government; indeed, they faced legal action from the European Commission.
Session: Water Companies Water Pollution and Overflows
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What is disappointing is that the Government's proposed reforms in the economic crime Bill would still allow warlords to use these tactics to silence journalists in the British courts, but there is another area of concern as well. Will the Secretary of State confirm—because this is an area of doubt—whether the reforms he is proposing would prevent wealthy tax dodgers from silencing journalists in court, as the right hon. Member for Stratford-on-Avon (Nadhim Zahawi) threatened to do when he was Chancellor of the Exchequer?
Context
The MP questions the effectiveness of the proposed economic crime Bill reforms in preventing wealthy tax dodgers from silencing journalists in court.
Alex Chalk
I hope the hon. Gentleman will join me in welcoming the measures on SLAPPs, because it is very important to ensure that those people do not use their financial advantage to try to snuff out freedom of speech, legitimate investigative journalism and all the things we want to see in a free and fair society. By common consent, the measures we are introducing will make a very significant difference. We remain open to going further and to considering further matters, but we need to take it in stages. We are looking to manage the balance between freedom of speech and people's right to access justice. These are important steps and have been widely welcomed, so it is right to see how they bed in.
Session: Topical Questions
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May I add my congratulations to Dame Sue Carr on her historic appointment?
When he was Chancellor, the current Prime Minister let the murderous boss of Russia's mercenary Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, bypass sanctions so that he could abuse our courts to silence a British journalist who was exposing his crimes. Why did the British Government side with this Russian war criminal over the British press?
When he was Chancellor, the current Prime Minister let the murderous boss of Russia's mercenary Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, bypass sanctions so that he could abuse our courts to silence a British journalist who was exposing his crimes. Why did the British Government side with this Russian war criminal over the British press?
Context
The MP congratulates Dame Sue Carr on her appointment and then questions the Government's decision to allow a Russian mercenary boss to bypass sanctions. He asks why the British Government sided with this individual over journalists.
Alex Chalk
No, no, no—that is to completely misrepresent the situation. As the hon. Gentleman knows, we have one of the most robust systems of sanctions; whether in an individual case money can be released is at the discretion of an arm's length body. Of course the Chancellor was not seeking to do that, and to suggest that, I am afraid, is discreditable.
Session: Topical Questions
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I am wondering whether the Secretary of State's handover was a little rushed, because his predecessor wrote to judges and told them not to lock up dangerous criminals, because the Government have run out of prison places. That sounds soft to me, because it tells criminals they can get away with crime. Will he withdraw the letter and tell judges to lock up criminals who deserve to be behind bars?
Alex Chalk
Well, criminals do deserve to be behind bars, which is why I am proud of the fact that when it comes to rape, which is an appalling crime that robs innocence and destroys lives, we have ensured that criminals convicted of that offence get prison sentences a third longer than they did in 2010. I am pleased to be able to record that the numbers convicted of that appalling offence, in the last 12 months for which figures are available, are 10% higher than under the Labour Government.
Session: Topical Questions
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I am delighted to welcome the Secretary of State to his place for the second day running. I have been reading his speeches with interest. He once said the Conservatives should “do away with the argument that…we are somehow soft on crime.”—[Official Report, 2 July 2018; Vol. 644, c. 90.] Is it not “soft” to tell judges that they cannot lock up dangerous criminals?
Alex Chalk
Let us just get a few things absolutely clear. We believe in criminals spending longer in custody. It is strange that when there was the opportunity to vote for rapists and serious violent criminals to spend two thirds of their sentence in custody, the hon. Gentleman voted against that. Indeed, I happen to remember, from when I was at the Bar, that his party did exactly the same in the Criminal Justice Act 2003. Whereas previously, people serving sentences over four years would serve two thirds of their sentence in custody, they cut it to half: soft on crime, soft on the causes of crime.
Session: Topical Questions
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If the right hon. Gentleman thinks the Government are doing such a fantastic job on antisocial behaviour, perhaps he could explain this. Since 2014, according to his own Department, offenders who were given community sentences have dodged over 16 million hours of unpaid work that they were sentenced to carry out but never made to do—16 million hours. Why?
Context
Offenders given community sentences have dodged over 16 million hours of unpaid work since 2014, according to the government's own data.
Dominic Raab
Actually, we toughened up community sentences, with community payback and a massive expansion in the number of hours. The use of electronic monitoring has meant that we can be far more secure and crack down harder when conditions are not met. If the hon. Gentleman wants to talk about crime, he can explain this: since 2010, crime has come down. It has more than halved, excluding fraud and computer misuse. Reoffending is lower than under Labour by 7%. We have also seen a massive reduction in the number of prison absconds. He talks a good game; we deliver.
Session: Topical Questions
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Last December, I announced Labour's plan to crack down on antisocial behaviour by forcing fly-tippers to join clean-up squads, and giving victims a voice in choosing the punishments of offenders right across the country. When the Prime Minister copied our policies, why did he shrink them down to just a handful of pilots, leaving most of the country with nothing?
Context
The Labour party announced a plan for cracking down on antisocial behaviour, but the government has only piloted these measures.
Dominic Raab
Labour does not have a plan. We are the ones delivering. [Interruption.] I say to the shadow Justice Secretary that actions speak louder than words. Labour Members voted against extra money for police recruitment and they voted against tougher sentences. The Mayor of London wants to decriminalise cannabis. The hon. Gentleman says he agrees with that. The British people would have to be smoking it themselves to vote for them on law enforcement.
Session: Topical Questions
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What discussions has he had about this reckless plan with the Government of the Republic of Ireland or with the US Government, who have made it clear that any unilateral attempt to weaken convention rights in Northern Ireland would threaten a future US-UK trade deal?
Context
Reed questioned whether there had been discussions with the Government of Ireland or US about the potential impact of the Bill.
Dominic Raab
The hon. Gentleman needs to read the Bill of Rights. It envisages that we will stay a state party to the ECHR, which is retained in a schedule, so all his other concerns melt away.
Session: European Convention on Human Rights
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The Secretary of State's proposed Bill of Rights will mandate British courts to override the European convention on human rights in certain circumstances and restrict access to convention rights through British courts. How will he achieve his plans without breaching the Good Friday agreement?
Context
Reed pointed out that the Bill of Rights would restrict access to ECHR through British courts, conflicting with the Good Friday agreement.
Dominic Raab
We can remain absolutely committed to the Good Friday agreement with the Bill of Rights, not least because—the hon. Gentleman would know this if he had bothered to read it—the ECHR is retained within a schedule to the Bill of Rights.
Session: European Convention on Human Rights
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I wonder whether drug testing is working, because drug abuse in prisons has shot up by 400% since the Conservatives came to power. Last year, crack cocaine was found being manufactured in cells inside Sudbury prison. Rising violence, rising drug abuse—does the Justice Secretary admit that the Government have lost control of our prisons?
Context
Violence, drug abuse, and rising contraband have been issues in prisons since the Conservatives came to power.
Dominic Raab
No, and as I announced just a few moments ago we are introducing more scanners so that we detect, pick up and stop the flow of contraband into prison, whether drugs, mobile phones or weapons. We also have a step change in the approach to drug treatment. For example, we have fewer heroin addicts dumped on methadone indefinitely, and more drug recovery wings and more incentivised wings for substance-free living.
Session: Topical Questions
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There were a quarter of a million violent assaults inside prison over the last decade. Last year alone, over 8,000 weapons were found inside prison. Does the Secretary of State accept responsibility for the fact that violence is now rife in our prisons?
Context
There were a quarter of a million violent assaults inside prison over the last decade, with over 8,000 weapons found inside prison last year alone.
Dominic Raab
I do not accept that categorisation. What I would say is that we have introduced a whole range of measures, from drug testing to X-ray scanners, and we are now seeing enforcement picking up contraband which, frankly, was not being dealt with before. Last year, the hon. Gentleman criticised the funding we are putting into X-ray scanners. I wonder whether he will now withdraw those remarks.
Session: Topical Questions
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Let me remind the right hon. Gentleman that the number of prosecutions has halved in that time, and today barely one in 100 reported rapes ever makes it to trial. As we just heard, he keeps trying, but there really can be no excuse for a failure to prosecute rapists. Will he take the opportunity of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women to apologise to rape survivors for his Government's decision to sack 22,000 police officers, close 160 courts and slash the number of judges, when they should have been focused on caging these dangerous criminals?
Context
The number of prosecutions has halved since the action plan on rape was launched in 2015.
Dominic Raab
The hon. Gentleman and I get on very constructively, but I have to tell him that we are not going to take lectures on standing up for victims from a party whose Members voted in this House against the recruitment of police and against the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, which increased sentences, and a party that provided a quarter of the funding for victims that we have provided.
Session: Topical Questions
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I welcome the Secretary of State back to his place on the Treasury Bench. This Friday is International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, but too often the news headlines are dominated by horrific crimes against women such as Sarah Everard, Sabina Nessa, and now Zara Aleena. How far have rape prosecutions fallen since the action plan on rape was launched in 2015?
Context
The number of rape prosecutions has halved since the action plan on rape was launched in 2015.
Dominic Raab
Because of the backlog and some of the challenges we have faced, there have been difficulties. I have set out before the House some of the initiatives, from Operation Soteria to the national roll-out of section 28 pre-recorded evidence. As I mentioned earlier, over the last year, convictions have increased by two thirds, and the trajectories of police referral, CPS charge and Crown court receipt level have all seen a substantial improvement, but we are restless to go even further.
Session: Topical Questions
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The probation service is not finding jobs for prisoners, because understaffing is at crisis point: the service now faces a shortage of nearly 1,700 officers, according to the MOJ's own figures. That allows serious offenders such as Katie Piper's acid attacker to evade monitoring and escape abroad. Will the Secretary of State apologise to victims, including Katie Piper, for letting the probation service get so run down that it can no longer control offenders?
Context
The probation service is facing a shortage of nearly 1,700 officers.
Brandon Lewis (Minister of State for Policing, Criminal Justice and Victims)
I appreciate that for political reasons the hon. Gentleman will want to do the probation service down. I have to say that I think our probation officers across the country work hard every day, not only to keep communities safe but to help prisoners to rehabilitate and get into communities. The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right to highlight situations that are not acceptable. The example of Katie Piper is a current one, and it is not acceptable. As Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State, I am determined to do everything I can, working with my ministerial team and the brilliant teams across probation, to ensure that such situations do not happen in future. It is not acceptable, and it should not have happened.
Session: Offenders Employment after Release from Prison
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When will the Government get back control of our prisons?
Context
The MP welcomed the new Secretary of State to his place and highlighted that one in four prison officers quit within a year, leading to incidents like offenders using phones or running drug empires.
Brandon Lewis
The Minister welcomed the hon. Gentleman, acknowledged a link between staffing levels and prison violence, noted an increase in the number of prison officers from under 18,000 to almost 22,000, initiated a review to prevent incidents, and highlighted unacceptable situations.
Session: Prisons Working Environments and Violence at Work
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As we have heard, Members on both sides of the House want victims' needs to be put first, so why did the Secretary of State tour the TV studios to defend the Prime Minister for ignoring the victim of predatory sexual behaviour by a former Foreign Office Minister when he promoted him to Deputy Chief Whip, despite having been alerted to that behaviour by the permanent under-secretary and despite the Minister in question having admitted to the behaviour?
Context
The question concerns the government's response to a case involving the promotion of a former Foreign Office Minister who had engaged in predatory sexual behaviour, despite warnings from officials.
Tom Pursglove
My clear understanding is that the hon. Gentleman is wrong about that, but of course it is right that the processes that have been set out should be allowed to run their course. All hon. Members take a very dim view of people being ill-treated and it is right that due process can now be followed. What is not in question is the Government's determination to ensure that outcomes for victims are better; the funding and the measures in the Bill are there, and we will get on and deliver that.
Session: Support for Victims of Crime
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I thank you, Mr Speaker, the Secretary of State and other hon. Members for their condolences on the passing of my dad, Roy Reed, a few days ago. Everyone's very kind words were a great comfort to our family at a very difficult time. Community payback is vital for reducing reoffending and giving justice to victims, but the number of hours completed by offenders has been falling since 2017. It fell in 2018 and again in 2019, before anyone had heard of covid-19. Please can the Secretary of State explain why?
Context
The question follows a discussion on the importance of community payback in reducing reoffending.
Dominic Raab (Secretary of State for Justice)
There is renewed investment going in to community payback. The number of hours completed by offenders has been affected by covid, and obligations discharged from home will be phased out by the autumn.
Session: Reoffending Rates
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According to the Minister's own Department, community payback offenders now carry out 75% fewer hours of unpaid work compared with five years ago. On average, 30,000 offenders get away without completing their community sentences every year, and now we hear the Government are letting criminals finish their unpaid work sentences at home. Why have they gone so soft on crime that they are letting those criminals get away with it?
Context
Community payback offenders now carry out fewer hours of unpaid work compared to five years ago, with around 30,000 offenders getting away without completing their sentences each year. There are concerns that the government is soft on crime.
Kit Malthouse
During the pandemic, we had to find ways to allow offenders to complete their sentence at home due to restrictions. We have systems in place to ensure that these projects are done rigorously within the given time frame, and we aim to reduce such instances moving forward.
Session: Non-custodial Sentences Enforcement
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Voters in Wakefield are furious that the Conservative party ignored a victim of child sexual abuse and allowed his paedophile abuser to become their MP. Will the Justice Secretary back an independent investigation into why his party failed to act on what this courageous victim told them?
Context
A Conservative candidate was elected despite allegations of being a paedophile abuser.
Dominic Raab
Can I just say to the hon. Gentleman first of all that to politicise a case that has been subject and potentially remains subject to judicial proceedings is quite wrong? If he wants to talk to the voters of Wakefield about the choice at the upcoming by-election, it is a choice between Labour, which is weak on crime, and us. Violent crime has fallen by more than half since Labour was in office. We can talk about tougher sentences for dangerous sexual and violent offenders, which he voted against. We can talk about reoffending, which is lower than it was under Labour, or we can talk about funding for victims, which we have quadrupled since the last Labour Government.
Session: Topical Questions
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Given what is happening in Ukraine, there is an urgency about going further than the Minister outlined. Will he consider imposing sanctions on law firms that continue to act for the Kremlin and Putin's cronies?
Context
Urgency to go further than outlined in addressing law firm actions.
James Cartlidge
It was only on 20 January that the Backbench Business Committee brought before this House a debate on SLAPPs lawfare. I responded to that debate, and at the end I said the Government would be responding. Less than two months later, the Deputy Prime Minister came before the House with detailed proposals.
Session: Sanctions Assets Seizure
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Will the Minister tell the House what has been done to stop UK law firms such as Debevoise & Plimpton, Cleary Gottleib Steen & Hamilton and Steptoe & Johnson acting as enablers of Russian criminals and the Kremlin?
Context
Some UK law firms are accused of promoting nefarious interests of the Russian state.
James Cartlidge
As I set out very recently in my written answer to the hon. Gentleman, the rule of law means that everyone has a right to access legal representation. Legal advice is often necessary to ensure that those who are subject to sanctions fully understand and comply with the restrictions.
Session: Sanctions Assets Seizure
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Will the Minister join me in paying tribute to all court staff in Aylesbury for progress in clearing backlogs, and thank Judge Sheridan for innovation focusing on victims?
Context
Aylesbury Crown court reopened first post-COVID, thanks to Judge Francis Sheridan stepping down.
James Cartlidge
The Minister pays tribute to the judiciary, including independent judges, and highlights their role during the pandemic in maintaining justice. The Minister also acknowledges his former magistrate experience regarding probation issues.
Session: Court Cases Backlog
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Are the Government making a bad situation worse because they do not have a clue what they are doing or because they have gone soft on crime?
Context
Bar Council warns that proposals to give magistrates more sentencing powers could exacerbate the backlog. Steve Reed questions if the Government is worsening the situation.
James Cartlidge
Labour opposed measures to toughen sentences for serious sexual and violent offences, so we will not take lectures from them. Positive measures include super-courts and Nightingale courts; £477 million investment in spending review.
Session: Criminal Courts Backlog of Cases
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Many rape victims live in fear of being confronted by their attacker if they have to wait so long for the case to come to trial. Can he tell victims why the delay in getting justice is still far too long?
Context
The average time between a rape report and trial is at record high, causing fear among victims. Steve Reed asks for reasons behind the delay.
James Cartlidge
Volume of rape convictions has increased, acknowledging timeliness issue. Backlog is now falling significantly in Crown courts; positive measures like the Judicial Review and Courts Bill have been implemented despite opposition from Labour.
Session: Criminal Courts Backlog of Cases
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Astoundingly, the Government do not require the Office of the Public Guardian to carry out basic identity checks on people applying for lasting power of attorney—
Context
The MP inquired about the government's response to fraudulent lasting power of attorney cases.
Dominic Raab
The hon. Gentleman actually raises an important point. We are reforming the system. If he writes to me about the specific facts of that case, I would be happy to respond.
Session: Topical Questions
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While 60,000 cases are still waiting to be heard because of a lack of court capacity, can the Secretary of State tell us how many other former courts are now in the hands of criminals, and does he regret that, under the Conservatives, courts that used to hand out justice now hand out spliffs?
Context
The MP inquired about the government's action on closed courts being used for illegal activities.
Dominic Raab
I welcome the hon. Gentleman to his place. I look forward to working with him, where we can, constructively and usefully. However, if the Labour party wants to start suggesting that it is tough on crime, it needs to deal with its voting on police numbers and the mess that it has made of voting on tougher sentences. I remind the hon. Gentleman that we have trebled funding for victim support. In relation to the courts backlog, as part of the spending review we are investing £477 million in the criminal justice system over the next three years.
Session: Topical Questions
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There is a worrying pattern with this Government of overpromising and underdelivering. We have had the great train robbery and the return of the dementia tax and now they have postponed levelling up. The community renewal fund is plagued by delays. More than £1 billion of towns fund money has not even been allocated yet, and two years after the scheme was announced, it still has not delivered anything. If this is the Minister's idea of levelling up, does he accept that it is just not good enough?
Context
There are concerns about delays with various funds such as the towns fund, community renewal fund, future high streets fund.
Neil O'Brien
The hon. Gentleman says that the scheme has not delivered anything. I was in Norwich on Friday opening the first project ever funded by the towns fund. Whether it is the towns fund, the future high streets fund, the community renewal fund, the shared prosperity fund or the levelling-up fund, this Government are determined to put the financial firepower behind communities' ambitions across this entire United Kingdom, so that we can level up and unite this country.
Session: Community Funding Scottish Borders
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Last week, the Minister for Levelling Up Communities told us that many community renewal fund projects will finish late. That will further delay the UK shared prosperity fund, under which areas such as Cornwall have so far received only 1% of the amount that they lost in European funding, having been promised that they would get all of it back. Will the Minister tell us how the latest CRF delays will affect the roll-out of the UK shared prosperity fund?
Context
There are delays reported with community renewal fund projects. Cornwall has received only 1% of lost EU funding so far.
Neil O'Brien
All the successful community renewal fund bids have been given additional time to deliver their good programmes. We have asked them all to be in touch if there is any issue and we stand by our commitments to Cornwall and other places to which we have made commitments to match EU funding.
Session: Community Funding Scottish Borders
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May I associate myself with the comments made about the former Members for Southend West, and for Old Bexley and Sidcup, who are both immensely missed by the whole House? It is a pleasure to welcome the Secretary of State and the new Ministers to their place, and to see older Ministers as well—why not? It has been four months since the deadline for community renewal fund bids. The mid-point reviews are due to start next week, but many areas still have no idea whether their bids have been successful. Some tell me that the Government's delays mean that their projects may collapse. There is no point in the Government trumpeting funding that never turns up, so will the Secretary of State commit to letting every area know the outcome of its bid before the end of this month? Can he guarantee that the Department's delays so far will not jeopardise jobs or investment linked to any of those projects?
Context
The question refers to delays in informing areas about the outcome of their community renewal fund bids.
Michael Gove
The hon. Gentleman makes an important point. The UK community renewal fund and its successor, the UK shared prosperity fund, are both examples of how we can have more effective control of the money that needs to be spent to support communities in improving productivity now that we have left the European Union. He is right that it is a cause of regret that we have not been able to respond as quickly as we might have wanted, but there will be more news later this week.
Session: Topical Questions
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How many more councils will need to do the same before he ditches the developers' charter and his plan to pay back developers by selling out communities?
Context
The House passed Labour's motion to guarantee residents' right to a say over local planning applications in their neighbourhoods. This is supported by councillors of all parties across Medway and Richmond.
Robert Jenrick
I am sure that Conservative councillors across the country were pleased to receive the hon. Gentleman's letter regarding bills increasing due to mistakes and mismanagement by his friends and cronies in Croydon. This Government will continue building houses sensitively, protecting the environment, and helping young people and those on lower incomes own homes.
Session: Planning System Modernisation
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The anti-corruption campaign Transparency International says that the Conservative party has become overly dependent on donations from developers. It is particularly concerned that Ministers failed to report the details of what they talked about to developers in over 300 meetings about which they simply disclosed generalisations such as “housing” or “planning”; it fears that that could amount to what it calls aggregate corruption. Will the Secretary of State now publish the full minutes of all those meetings so that the public can see exactly what Ministers agreed to do for their developer paymasters?
Context
The MP questioned the Conservative party's overdependence on developer donations and asked for full minutes of meetings with developers.
Robert Jenrick
As the hon. Gentleman knows, all meetings that Ministers have are correctly identified on the register of interests, but I have to say that he has been on quite a journey. One adviser who worked with him as leader of Lambeth Council has been left bemused: is this the same Champagne Steve he remembers meeting with developers? It is not just him who has invited charges of shameless hypocrisy; the Leader of the Opposition has received thousands of pounds of donations from developers, and the deputy leader of the Labour party caused a splash in the papers the other day for accepting £10,000 from developers for her leadership campaign.
Session: Planning System Modernisation
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I am sure the Minister has had a busy weekend reading the Select Committee report on the planning system. In it, he will have seen that the Committee was supportive of the Government's proposals to improve and enhance the local plan system, particularly through getting more public involvement by making the plans digital. That is to be welcomed. However, many people in our evidence-taking were concerned that once a local plan has been agreed, local people will lose their right to have any meaningful say in individual planning applications. That was a real concern that was expressed to us, so when the Government respond to the report and to its wider consultation, will they look again at how they can ensure that local people have a meaningful voice on individual applications, particularly those in the renewal areas, which are often very contentious?
Context
The Select Committee report on the planning system has been published and it was supportive of the Government's proposals to improve and enhance the local plan system, particularly through getting more public involvement by making the plans digital.
Christopher Pincher (Minister for Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I am grateful to the Chairman of the Select Committee for his report. We will consider it carefully, as we always do, and I am pleased that he has, with some caveats, been so very supportive of our proposals. He asks about the way in which we can better democratise our planning system. The fact is that 3% of all planning applications are engaged with by the local community, yet 90% of planning applications go through, so only a small number of people are engaging with the planning process and the overwhelming number of plans go through anyway. I do not think that that is particularly engaged or democratic, and we are seeking to bring forward the democratic element of plan making so that local people can have a real and meaningful place and decision-making role in what happens in their communities.
Session: New Housing Developments
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Like many, I was glad to see our high streets begin to reopen last week with retail restarting and outdoor seating enabled for hospitality venues such as those on Coniscliffe Road in Darlington. Does my right hon. Friend agree that we need to reform planning restrictions to help revitalise our town centres?
Context
The MP expressed gladness at high streets reopening, mentioning local venues. He suggested reforming planning restrictions to revitalise town centres.
Robert Jenrick
My hon. Friend is right. Changes on high streets require fundamental reforms, which the Government are doing in contrast to Labour's review-led policy without action.
Session: Topical Questions
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Organisations condemned the planning reforms for giving too much power to developers. Given their increased donations, is he paying back developers by selling out communities?
Context
The MP referred to condemnations of the Secretary of State's planning reforms by various organisations for handing too much control to developers, mentioning their increased donations.
Robert Jenrick
The hon. Gentleman's point was low. The reforms aim to help people get onto the housing ladder, supporting those in construction jobs and trying to restart after the pandemic.
Session: Topical Questions
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I offer my condolences on behalf of the Opposition to the family of Julia Clifford on their very, very sad loss. High streets need support to help them recover, so I ask if the Secretary of State can guarantee that the funding all areas receive under the levelling-up fund will be at least as much as they received under their local growth deal.
Context
The questioner expresses condolences to the family of Julia Clifford. He highlights the need for support on high streets and inquires about ensuring that funding under the levelling-up fund will be at least as much as received through local growth deals.
Robert Jenrick
I am delighted to hear the hon. Gentleman's and the Opposition's new-found enthusiasm for business and supporting the wealth creators in this country. Of course, it was just over a year ago that they were supporting the overthrow of capitalism. We will keep on supporting small businesses on the high street with measures such as the Chancellor's business rates holiday, cut in VAT, and support for business grants. The £4 billion levelling-up fund builds on the success of the £3.6 billion towns fund to ensure communities across the country receive necessary funding.
Session: High Streets
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What measures will the Government take to ensure that high street retailers can compete on equal terms with online businesses?
Context
High streets are struggling to compete with online retailers, especially in terms of business rates.
Robert Jenrick
The Chancellor announced an unprecedented business rates holiday benefiting thousands of businesses. He will consider further necessary steps in his upcoming statement and Budget, encouraging support for planning reforms such as building upwards to attract private investment.
Session: High Street Regeneration
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May I take this opportunity to congratulate Christina McAnea on being elected the general secretary of Unison? Let me turn to the Minister. How is it fair to force councils to choose between hiking up council tax for hard-working families during the worst recession in 300 years, or cutting social care for older parents and grandparents during an unprecedented global health pandemic?
Context
The Labour party criticizes the government's approach to funding local councils during a severe economic downturn, highlighting the dilemma between raising council taxes or cutting social care.
Luke Hall
We are putting in an extra £2.2 billion next year to ensure that local government has the resources it needs to emerge stronger from the pandemic. We are also giving councils the flexibility to defer any increases in council tax next year if they believe that is right for their community. If the Opposition Front-Bench team looked at the detail of what we are proposing, they would see that we have provided £670 million to help councils to support people who are least able to pay council tax.
Session: Local Authority Funding
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Local Government Reorganisation
16 July 2026
Ministerial Statement
Led by this MP
Foreign Financial Influence and Interference: UK Politics
25 March 2026
Ministerial Statement
Led by this MP
Social Cohesion Action Plan
09 March 2026
Ministerial Statement
Led by this MP
Grenfell Tower Annual Report
25 February 2026
Ministerial Statement
Led by this MP
Local Government Reorganisation
23 February 2026
Ministerial Statement
Led by this MP
Local Government Finance
11 February 2026
General Debate
Led by this MP
Moves to approve the Local Government Finance Report (England) 2026-27, laying before the House on 9 February.
Windrush Day 2025 2025-06-16
16 June 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Acknowledges the 77th anniversary of Windrush, highlighting the contributions of Caribbean migrants to Britain's post-war reconstruction. Emphasises the challenges faced by Windrush pioneers, includin...
Sewage 2025-04-23
23 April 2025
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Moves a motion regretting the dumping of raw sewage into rivers, lakes, and coastal areas by water companies. Cites figures indicating a 106% increase in duration of sewage spills over two years. Crit...
The Water (Special Measures) Bill - Not specified in the provided text
16 December 2024
Bill Debate
Led by this MP
Moves Second Reading debate on the Water (Special Measures) Bill. Emphasises the necessity of addressing water pollution and infrastructure issues due to previous government failures. Argues for regul...
Storm Bert
25 November 2024
Ministerial Statement
Led by this MP
Attendance
59.0%
49 of 83 votes
Aye Votes
21
25.3% of votes
No Votes
28
33.7% of votes
Abstentions
34
41.0% of votes
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Employment Tribunal (Extension of Time Limits) (Miscellaneous Amendments and...
Ayes: 322
Noes: 107
Passed
01 Jul 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 80
Noes: 281
Failed
01 Jul 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 4
Ayes: 173
Noes: 282
Failed
01 Jul 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 5
Ayes: 177
Noes: 308
Failed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Employment Tribunals Extension of Jurisdiction (England and Wales) (Amendment...
Ayes: 318
Noes: 107
Passed
24 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (Credit Limit) Order 2026
Ayes: 330
Noes: 93
Passed
24 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Customs (Tariff and Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 4) Regulations 2026
Ayes: 323
Noes: 160
Passed
24 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (International Aviation and International Shipp...
Ayes: 329
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Carbon Budget Order 2026
Ayes: 332
Noes: 94
Passed
23 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Opposition Day Motion: Defence spending and readiness - Prime Minister's Amen...
Ayes: 294
Noes: 110
Passed
23 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Opposition day: Defence spending and readiness
Ayes: 108
Noes: 307
Failed
23 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Opposition Day: Puberty blockers
Ayes: 112
Noes: 283
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 11
Ayes: 104
Noes: 391
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: Amendment 11
Ayes: 171
Noes: 322
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 22
Ayes: 74
Noes: 323
Failed
22 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 4
Ayes: 164
Noes: 311
Failed
17 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 144
Noes: 244
Failed
17 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Security (State Threats) Bill: Allocation of Time motion
Ayes: 233
Noes: 94
Passed
17 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 3
Ayes: 85
Noes: 317
Failed
17 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 8
Ayes: 143
Noes: 249
Failed
17 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 13
Ayes: 135
Noes: 258
Failed
16 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 77
Noes: 255
Failed
16 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 151
Noes: 258
Failed
16 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 162
Noes: 246
Failed
16 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Clean Air Zones Central Services (Fees) (England) (Amendment) Regulatio...
Ayes: 262
Noes: 86
Passed
24 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition Day: Protections for children from online harms
Ayes: 69
Noes: 279
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 156
Noes: 273
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: Amendment 1
Ayes: 161
Noes: 272
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 77
Noes: 280
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 73
Noes: 256
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Third Reading
Ayes: 361
Noes: 84
Passed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Local Government Finance Report (England) 2026-27
Ayes: 277
Noes: 143
Passed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Referendums Relating to Council Tax Increases (Principles) (England) Report 2...
Ayes: 279
Noes: 90
Passed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Marit...
Ayes: 362
Noes: 107
Passed
04 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2026
Ayes: 392
Noes: 116
Passed
03 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Second Reading
Ayes: 458
Noes: 104
Passed
28 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Medical Devices (Fees Amendment) Regulations 2026
Ayes: 294
Noes: 108
Passed
28 Jan 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Opposition Day: British Indian Ocean Territory
Ayes: 103
Noes: 284
Failed
28 Jan 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Opposition Day: Youth unemployment
Ayes: 91
Noes: 287
Failed
27 Jan 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill: Amendment 9
Ayes: 91
Noes: 378
Failed
27 Jan 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill: Amendment 2
Ayes: 61
Noes: 311
Failed
27 Jan 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill: Amendment 1
Ayes: 88
Noes: 310
Failed
21 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill Commi...
Ayes: 191
Noes: 326
Failed
21 Jan 2026
VOTED NO
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill Commi...
Ayes: 195
Noes: 317
Failed
21 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill: Thir...
Ayes: 316
Noes: 194
Passed
21 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 (Remedial...
Ayes: 373
Noes: 106
Passed
20 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill: motion to...
Ayes: 347
Noes: 185
Passed
20 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Sentencing Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 7
Ayes: 319
Noes: 127
Passed
20 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill: motion to...
Ayes: 344
Noes: 182
Passed
20 Jan 2026
VOTED AYE
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill: motion to...
Ayes: 347
Noes: 184
Passed
0
PMQs Asked
46
Ministerial Questions Asked
49
House of Commons Debates Involved
0
Westminster Hall Debates Led
26
Statements / Bills
0
Petitions Presented
83
Voting Record
Activity Compared to Peers
How does this MP's parliamentary activity compare to the national average across 1370 MPs?
Prime Minister's Questions
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+237% above average
This MP:
46
Average:
13.7
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+912% above average
This MP:
49
Average:
4.8
Statements / Bills Proposed
+174% above average
This MP:
26
Average:
9.5
Petitions Presented
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.4
Voting Attendance Rate (%)
-15% below average
This MP:
59.0
Average:
69.5
Important Context
- - Ministers answer questions rather than asking them, so have different activity patterns
- - Activity quantity doesn't measure quality or effectiveness of representation
- - Some MPs focus more on constituency work than parliamentary questions
- - Newly elected MPs will have less parliamentary history
About This Page
This page tracks Steve Reed's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.