Sureena Brackenridge
MP for Wolverhampton North East
Lab
4 Jul 2024 - Present
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
Strengthening Britain's defence capability and rebuilding our industrial base have never been more important. Will the Government's £1 billion helicopter investment with Leonardo UK support skilled jobs across the UK, including at Tata Steel in Wednesfield and throughout the supply chains in Wolverhampton North East, where we are immensely proud of our Black Country steel and manufacturing heritage? Will the Prime Minister ask relevant Ministers to meet me to discuss securing more of those good jobs in Wolverhampton and Willenhall?
Context
The question arises from the UK's need to strengthen its defence and industrial base, particularly in the context of a £1 billion helicopter investment with Leonardo UK.
Keir Starmer
I am very happy to arrange the meeting that my hon. Friend asks for. Our £1 billion investment in new helicopters is good news for steelmakers in her constituency, and secures thousands of jobs across the United Kingdom. We are making defence an engine for growth and jobs. We are building helicopters, new Typhoons in the north-west and new frigates, and creating a decade of shipbuilding on the Clyde—a Labour Government investing in our armed forces.
Session: PMQs
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On International Men’s Day, I joined Wednesfield Men Walking and Talking—a fantastic group who are strengthening our community through good company and what Stephen calls a growing band of brothers. In an age of pressure, polarisation and endless phone scrolling, they bring men together to support one another. Will the Prime Minister join me in congratulating all involved and explain how the first ever men’s health strategy will back similar grassroots initiatives?
Context
Men Walking and Talking is a group that brings men together to support one another through good company, especially in an age of pressure and polarization.
The Prime Minister (Keir Starmer)
It is so important that men have the space and support from their peers to discuss their mental health. I thank Men Walking and Talking for the work they do, which makes such a difference. We were proud to launch our men’s health strategy last week to get more men the support they need.
Session: PMQs
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Under the old guard of the Conservatives, families had to earn less than £7,400, often in low-paid and insecure work, to qualify for free school meals. Under this Labour Government, thousands more children in Wolverhampton North East and 500,000 more across the country will benefit from free school meals. Will the Deputy Prime Minister outline how Labour’s plans will put more money in parents’ pockets?
Context
Free school meals were previously restricted to families earning less than £7,400, but the government has expanded eligibility to support more children.
The Deputy Prime Minister (Angela Rayner)
We are determined to tackle child poverty, which rose catastrophically under the last Government. That is why we are expanding access to free school meals to more than half a million children, which will lift 100,000 of the poorest children out of poverty and put £500 back into parents’ pockets. This is on top of 750 free breakfast clubs, worth £450 a year to parents, and a historic uplift in the national minimum wage, worth up to £2,500 to the lowest-paid workers.
Session: PMQs
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Will the Minister consider what more help can be given upstream through relationships and sex education so that young people know where to seek help after sexual assault?
Context
The Government is rolling out specialist police rape and sexual offence teams.
Alex Davies-Jones
Prevention is at the heart of our flagship strategy to tackle violence against women and girls. That is why we are working on healthy relationship guidance so that all children can understand where to get help and what is an important relationship in their lives. Secondary pupils will be given information on where to report abuse and seek medical attention when required.
Session: Tackling Violence against Women and Girls 2026-09-09
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I was pleased to see that the Chancellor was in the west midlands yesterday meeting manufacturing apprentices alongside Mayor Richard Parker. What conversations has he had with the mayor about using new devolution powers to invest in local skills and employment, and what will he do to make sure that young people in Wolverhampton North East get more local opportunities to benefit from?
Context
The Chancellor was in the West Midlands meeting manufacturing apprentices alongside the Mayor of the West Midlands. The questioner asks about conversations on using new devolution powers to invest in local skills and employment.
John Healey
Indeed, the West Midlands Mayor, Richard Parker, is using the powers that he has, including recently by stepping in and taking action to improve bus services across the west midlands. Yesterday he stepped in to provide support for the Jaguar Land Rover workers who may face redundancy and will certainly be well placed to get further jobs.
Session: Topical Questions 2026-09-08
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Following the investment in policing Wolverhampton's night-time economy, what further action will the Government take to strengthen prevention measures?
Context
Investment in police operations targeting predatory behaviour has been made to improve safety for women and girls.
Natalie Fleet
We have provided £13.9 million to improve the policing response to violence against women and girls nationally, deploying plain-clothed officers in night-time settings and introducing new legislation.
Session: Topical Questions
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I welcome the progress made on ambulance response times and handovers. I recently visited Willenhall ambulance hub to thank the incredible staff and to hear about winter pressures, local handover delays and the strain of late finishes on their family life and childcare. What action is being taken to tackle systemic bottlenecks in A&E departments, high bed occupancy and pharmacy delays to protect staff wellbeing and ensure high-quality patient care?
Context
The MP acknowledges the progress made on ambulance response times but seeks to understand the systemic issues affecting A&E departments, including high bed occupancy and pharmacy delays.
Karin Smyth
I commend my hon. Friend for visiting her ambulance service to understand the pressures they face. We have introduced release-to-rescue 45-minute handovers to reduce delays, and we are committed to improving rest facilities to support staff wellbeing. NHS England's model emergency department will set out core principles and pathways for high-performing emergency departments to improve patient experience and flow with lower waiting times and less overcrowding.
Session: Ambulance Response Times
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I welcome the progress made on ambulance response times and handovers. I recently visited Willenhall ambulance hub to thank the incredible staff and to hear about winter pressures, local handover delays and the strain of late finishes on their family life and childcare. What action is being taken to tackle systemic bottlenecks in A&E departments, high bed occupancy and pharmacy delays to protect staff wellbeing and ensure high-quality patient care?
Context
The MP notes the progress made on ambulance response times but highlights local issues such as winter pressures, handover delays, and staff strain. She visits Willenhall ambulance hub to thank staff and hear about challenges.
Karin Smyth
I commend my hon. Friend for visiting her ambulance service to understand the pressures they face. We have introduced release-to-rescue 45-minute handovers to reduce delays, and we are committed to improving rest facilities to support staff wellbeing. NHS England's model emergency department will set out core principles and pathways for high-performing emergency departments to improve patient experience and flow with lower waiting times and less overcrowding.
Session: Ambulance Response Times
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Will the Minister explain how the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office continues to use its diplomatic networks and international partnerships to support all faith and non-faith communities worldwide?
Context
The MP welcomed the Government’s commitment to promoting freedom of religion and asked for further details on how the FCDO supports this globally.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Seema Malhotra)
My hon. Friend is right. In line with our strategy, launched this year, we continue to champion every community’s right to worship, or not, without fear or discrimination. Our special envoy works with partners and alongside our diplomatic network to protect that right via multilateral fora and through targeted interventions in key countries.
Session: Topical Questions
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Leaseholders in my constituency face unfair practices such as management fees tripling in as many years, stretching families beyond their means. Yet there are also a great number of responsible agents, including L&A Lettings, based in Ashmore Park. Can the Minister set out how the Government’s leasehold reform will strike the right balance, protecting leaseholders from poor practice without overburdening responsible agents, who already provide a transparent and fair service?
Context
Leaseholders in Wolverhampton North East face unfair practices such as management fees tripling over a few years, stretching families financially. The constituency includes responsible agents like L&A Lettings.
The Minister for Housing and Planning (Matthew Pennycook)
We know that there are good managing agents who work hard to ensure that the residents they are responsible for are safe and secure and that homes are properly looked after, but we also know that far too many leaseholders suffer from poor service at the hands of unscrupulous managing agents. In our recent consultation on strengthening leaseholder protections over charges and services, we consulted on powers to appoint a manager or replace a managing agent as well as on mandatory professional qualifications for managing agents in England. We think that those proposals strike the right balance, but we are analysing all the feedback we receive to that consultation.
Session: Leasehold System
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Wolverhampton North East has seen positive steps towards strengthening neighbourhood policing. However, there are still concerns about the underfunding and insufficient officer numbers as compared to 2010 levels. Will my right hon. Friend review the funding formula to ensure fair allocation for Wolverhampton?
Context
The West Midlands police force has fewer officers than in 2010 due to previous cuts, with a funding shortfall of £40 million per year compared to other regions.
The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Shabana Mahmood)
As a fellow west midlands Member of Parliament, I of course hear my hon. Friend’s concerns, but she will understand that, as with previous years, decisions on police force funding allocations will be made via the police funding settlement, which is taking place later in the year.
Session: Neighbourhood Policing
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I welcome the extension of the warm home discount to all households on means-tested benefits from this winter. Many low-income households were excluded because their homes were not classed as having a high cost to heat. In Wolverhampton North East, only 18% of households benefited from the discount in 2023-24. Can the Minister confirm that the new scheme is simple, fair and focused on those who are most in need?
Context
The Warm Home Discount scheme is being extended to cover more households, particularly those on means-tested benefits. This change aims to provide support for low-income families struggling with energy costs.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Miatta Fahnbulleh)
I thank my hon. Friend for raising that really important point. I can confirm that we will remove the hard-to-heat criterion, which means that support will go to low-income households that we know need help with their energy bills.
Session: Warm Home Discount Extension
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The steel industry is an important part of Wolverhampton North East’s heritage and must remain a part of our future. Will my hon. Friend outline how the £2.5 billion UK steel strategy and the new steel council will boost competitiveness and secure jobs at Tata’s Steelpark in Wednesfield, which is the UK’s largest processing and distribution centre?
Context
The steel industry in Wolverhampton North East is a significant part of the local heritage, and there are concerns about its future stability. The industry has faced declines in recent years.
The Minister for Industry (Sarah Jones)
I thank my hon. Friend for standing up for her community and protecting her industry. I would be happy to have a conversation with her about the changes she thinks we need to make. Steel output in the UK fell by 49% in 2021, by 30% in 2022 and by 11% in 2023—what an awful thing to have happened to our industry. We need to turn that around. We do not underestimate how hard that will be, but we are putting in place the money, the policies and the Government dedication to ensure that we support a thriving steel industry.
Session: Steel Strategy
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Dangerous driving is a major concern, particularly following a serious crash in my constituency last week. With West Midlands police committed to Vision Zero, what additional support is the Department for Transport providing to help local enforcement and campaigns to tackle speeding and other dangerous driving behaviours?
Context
A serious crash in the constituency prompted concerns about dangerous driving. West Midlands police are committed to Vision Zero.
Lilian Greenwood
I thank my hon. Friend for raising that vital question. Every death on our roads is a tragedy. We expect drivers to observe the speed limit, and, of course, enforcement is a matter for the police. Last week, I met Richard Parker, the Mayor of the west midlands, to discuss our shared determination to improve road safety.
Session: Topical Questions
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Does the Minister agree that GB Energy is a fantastic opportunity for Wolverhampton North East to capitalise on the opportunities for research and start-ups on our forthcoming green innovation corridor and to put Wolverhampton North East back where we belong: at the heart of industrial growth and British industry?
Context
The question addresses the potential of Great British Energy to support research, start-ups, and employment opportunities within the green innovation corridor in Wolverhampton North East.
Sarah Jones
I agree with my hon. Friend: it is a fantastic opportunity. Publicly owned Great British Energy will partner with industry to help us to deliver our mission of clean power by 2030. I have been reading about the green innovation corridor, and I am interested to see what it will deliver. Working in partnership with the private sector, we can rebuild jobs across the west midlands and far beyond.
Session: Job Creation Industrial Communities
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What assessment has been made of the potential impact of Great British Energy on job creation in industrial communities?
Context
The question centres around the impact of Great British Energy on job creation, specifically within industrial areas. It aims to assess how such initiatives can benefit local employment.
Sarah Jones
The Government have two key missions: to become an energy superpower, and to grow the economy. Great British Energy will help us deliver on both those missions. The Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, my hon. Friend the Member for Rutherglen (Michael Shanks), will be taking the Great British Energy Bill through Committee today, and I am excited for the job creation potential in our industrial communities.
Session: Job Creation Industrial Communities
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How does my right hon. Friend intend to fix the mess inherited from eliminating most BTecs in the midst of a botched T-levels roll-out? She is right that we have inherited a big mess, but we are conducting an intense review to ensure all young people have options and make a success of T-levels.
Context
The MP notes the impact of botched T-level roll-outs and BTec qualification eliminations.
Bridget Phillipson
We are conducting an intense review to ensure all young people have options available, addressing issues with T-levels.
Session: Level 3 Vocational Pathways
View All Questions -->
What steps she is taking to ensure the adequacy of the provision of level 3 vocational pathways for students. Given her background in education, I know how important it is that all our young people have opportunities to achieve and thrive. How does my right hon. Friend intend to fix the mess she has inherited and ensure diverse aspirations are met?
Context
The MP highlights the impact of previous government's roll-out failures on BTec qualifications and T-levels.
Bridget Phillipson
This Labour Government have announced a pause and review of qualifications reforms to support skills growth and students, improving training through measures like Skills England. Given her background in education, my hon. Friend knows how important it is that all our young people have opportunities to achieve and thrive.
Session: Level 3 Vocational Pathways
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Disadvantaged Communities
04 June 2025
Responding: Rushanara Ali
Main Concerns
['Mrs. Sureena Brackenridge highlights the long-term social and economic challenges faced in Wolverhampton North East, mentioning issues such as antisocial behaviour, theft, burglaries, and a decline in secure jobs. She also points out that her constituency ranked 73rd out of 543 constituencies in England according to the index of multiple deprivation, with one in three people living in highly deprived areas.']
Specific Asks
['Mrs. Brackenridge calls for a project of national renewal designed to work with communities and restore hope and dignity to places that have been left behind due to austerity measures and systematic under-investment over the past years.']
Education and Skills Reform
09 September 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Jaguar Land Rover: Redundancies
09 September 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Steel Trade Measure
25 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Steel Tariffs
17 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Social Media Ban for Under-16s
15 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Digital Safety: Children
08 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Health and Social Care Bill
01 June 2026
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, James Murray, moved the Second Reading of the Health and Social Care Bill. He emphasised the personal significance of the NHS in his life due to a ra...
Middle East: Economic Response
21 May 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Climate Change (Political Declaration) Bill - Amendment moved by the Leader of the Opposition
21 May 2026
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
Ms. Cummins has opened debate on an amendment proposed by the Leader of the Opposition, without specifying her own position or arguments.
Energy Security
19 May 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Criticises the Government's energy policy, particularly the ban on new oil and gas licences. Emphasises the negative impact of these policies on Aberdeen, the North East of Scotland, and UK economic s...
Attendance
93.9%
92 of 98 votes
Aye Votes
33
33.7% of votes
No Votes
59
60.2% of votes
Abstentions
6
6.1% of votes
11 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Closure motion
Ayes: 293
Noes: 218
Passed
11 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Second Reading
Ayes: 270
Noes: 286
Failed
10 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Social Housing Bill [Lords]: Reasoned Amendment to Second Reading
Ayes: 77
Noes: 292
Failed
09 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Plant Health, Seeds, Seed Potatoes and Plant Propagating Material (Ame...
Ayes: 371
Noes: 100
Passed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 140
Ayes: 79
Noes: 300
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 142
Ayes: 108
Noes: 357
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 143
Ayes: 106
Noes: 302
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: Amendment 1
Ayes: 162
Noes: 297
Failed
07 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 6
Ayes: 77
Noes: 317
Failed
07 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 145
Ayes: 170
Noes: 316
Failed
04 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Motion to sit in private
Ayes: 1
Noes: 79
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 65
Ayes: 166
Noes: 346
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 67
Ayes: 105
Noes: 410
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Representation of the People Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 88
Ayes: 85
Noes: 427
Failed
02 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Representation of the People Bill: Third Reading
Ayes: 411
Noes: 102
Passed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Employment Tribunal (Extension of Time Limits) (Miscellaneous Amendments and...
Ayes: 322
Noes: 107
Passed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Employment Tribunals Extension of Jurisdiction (England and Wales) (Amendment...
Ayes: 318
Noes: 107
Passed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED NO
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 80
Noes: 281
Failed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED NO
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 4
Ayes: 173
Noes: 282
Failed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED NO
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 5
Ayes: 177
Noes: 308
Failed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Customs (Tariff and Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 4) Regulations 2026
Ayes: 323
Noes: 160
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Carbon Budget Order 2026
Ayes: 332
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (International Aviation and International Shipp...
Ayes: 329
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (Credit Limit) Order 2026
Ayes: 330
Noes: 93
Passed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition day: Defence spending and readiness
Ayes: 108
Noes: 307
Failed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Opposition Day Motion: Defence spending and readiness - Prime Minister's Amen...
Ayes: 294
Noes: 110
Passed
23 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Opposition Day: Puberty blockers
Ayes: 112
Noes: 283
Failed
22 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 4
Ayes: 164
Noes: 311
Failed
22 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 11
Ayes: 104
Noes: 391
Failed
22 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 22
Ayes: 74
Noes: 323
Failed
22 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: Amendment 11
Ayes: 171
Noes: 322
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
National Security (State Threats) Bill: Allocation of Time motion
Ayes: 233
Noes: 94
Passed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 3
Ayes: 85
Noes: 317
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 8
Ayes: 143
Noes: 249
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 13
Ayes: 135
Noes: 258
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 144
Noes: 244
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 77
Noes: 255
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 151
Noes: 258
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 162
Noes: 246
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
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: Amendment 1
Ayes: 161
Noes: 272
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: 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
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Marit...
Ayes: 362
Noes: 107
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
04 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2026
Ayes: 392
Noes: 116
Passed
3
PMQs Asked
15
Ministerial Questions Asked
55
House of Commons Debates Involved
1
Westminster Hall Debates Led
0
Statements / Bills
0
Petitions Presented
98
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
-18% below average
This MP:
3
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+12% above average
This MP:
15
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-60% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+1032% above average
This MP:
55
Average:
4.9
Statements / Bills Proposed
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
9.5
Petitions Presented
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Voting Attendance Rate (%)
+36% above average
This MP:
93.9
Average:
69.2
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 Sureena Brackenridge's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.