Thangam Debbonaire
MP for Bristol West
Lab
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
Resignation of an experienced civil servant, sacking of a Government aide—with this Government it seems that allegations of bullying or just being incompetent gets you promoted, whereas standing up to it, you lose your job. What does this say about this Prime Minister?
Context
Debbonaire criticized the government for promoting individuals involved in alleged bullying incidents while penalizing those who stood against it.
The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)
I loathe bullying, but I am not taking lessons from a party that has presided over systematic bullying and discrimination against those who stick up for the Jewish community and Israel. We still have yet to hear an apology from Labour.
Session: PMQs
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On her watch the gender activity gap is wider than ever: 22% fewer girls than boys take part in team sports. Will it only be under a Labour government that women and girls will have equal access to sport? We believe we are the party of equality, committed to ensuring all women and girls have fair opportunities.
Context
The MP noted the widening gender activity gap in team sport, with 22% fewer girls than boys taking part. She questioned whether Labour would be better positioned to address this issue.
Lucy Frazer
I absolutely disagree with that statement, of course, because for a number of years now the Conservative Government have been supporting women and girls to get into sport, with a significant campaign to get more women and girls into sport, and the cross-departmental work with the Department for Education to ensure that young girls have equal access to sport in school. In fact, year on year, we have seen those numbers on participation in sport improve, and we also set up the national physical activity taskforce with the specific aim of getting 1 million more women involved in activity.
Session: Women and Girls in Sport
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Can the Secretary of State, or anyone else on the Tory Benches, honestly tell the young people in Bristol and across the UK that they are better off, after 14 years of Conservative failures on youth services, failures on education and failures on skills development, than they would be under a Government led by Keir Starmer and a changed Labour party?
Context
The MP questions the Secretary of State on whether young people in Bristol are better off after 14 years of Conservative failures.
Lucy Frazer
This Government have supported young people through education in outstanding schools—80% of young people get an outstanding education. We are up in the PISA tables for education. The creative industries tax relief has doubled employment and revenues.
Session: Youth Investment Fund
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Why are there 860,000 girls missing out on the joy of physical activity despite government commitments?
Context
The MP shared her personal experience and highlighted that more than a million girls drop out of sports from puberty onwards. She noted worsening inequality between boys and girls on physical activity, with 22% fewer girls taking part in team sports.
Lucy Frazer
We have committed to ensuring more girls and women get involved in sport, including investing £400 million for multi-sport facilities across the country. We are also working with Karen Carney on a women's football review, building pitches for priority access to sport, and prioritising inactive groups like girls.
Session: Physical Activity Lower-income Families
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Ticket touts are a scourge on our live music industry. Secondary ticketing websites inflate prices and pocket the profits, which makes cultural and sporting events unaffordable for many families and damages the relationship between fans, artists and venues. While the Government fail to act, Labour has committed to tackling soaring ticketing prices on the secondary market. Surely the Minister agrees that only Labour will put fans back at the heart of music and cultural events.
Context
The MP highlighted that ticket touts are a scourge on the live music industry and secondary ticketing websites inflate prices, making cultural events unaffordable for many families. She noted Labour's commitment to tackling soaring ticketing prices.
Julia Lopez
Surely the hon. Member would not expect me to agree with such a ludicrous statement. We brought in laws and we have anti-bot regulations, and we have had ticket touts arrested for their activities. I know that Labour has brought forward its own proposal—effectively a price cap on resale—which we do not think is workable. We have seen that in Ireland, and it simply increases fraudulent activity; it does not deliver for fans. We simply do not believe that what she is proposing will make any difference.
Session: Music Industry Ticket Prices
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On Monday it was a privilege to speak at the launch of the “State of the Sector” report, which found that charities are propping up Government services by £2.4 billion a year. Will the Minister tell me why the Government expect the charitable sector to pick up the tab for Government responsibilities in the first place?
Context
A report found that charities are propping up Government services by £2.4 billion a year, highlighting the extent to which charities are taking on responsibilities traditionally handled by the state.
Stuart Andrew
Clearly, the hon. Lady does not understand the charity sector if that is the position she is taking. Having worked in it for 16 years, I will not be lectured on this. For example, I found that the hospices I worked in were able to respond to the needs of families in a much better and more holistic way than the state sector could.
Session: Charities Cost of Living
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What are the Government doing to protect families from the illegal black market in gambling?
Context
The MP highlighted the harmful effects of unregulated black market gambling, particularly on individuals trying to quit gambling.
Stuart Andrew
The hon. Lady is right to highlight the dangers of the black market. That is why, as part of the White Paper, we said that we would give more powers to the Gambling Commission to be able to close down those black market websites which, frankly, are really quite dangerous.
Session: Gambling Consultation
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The Secretary of State mentioned the Carney review, but there has been a lack of detail on how the implementation group will work. Without senior leadership, the group will not have the necessary authority. Fans, players and clubs deserve urgent action and leadership from the top. Will she commit to chairing the implementation group, and reporting back to Parliament so that MPs can hold her to account?
Context
The government's failure to provide details about the implementation group for the Carney review recommendations is causing concern.
Lucy Frazer
I completely dispute what the hon. Member says about our support for women in sport, and women in football. I have had the pleasure of meeting Karen Carney on a number of occasions. Her report is excellent. We endorse all its recommendations, many of which are for the FA, with whom I have spoken on this subject. I will ensure that the recommendations are fulfilled. The implementation board will include all governing bodies and its first meeting is in March.
Session: Access to Sport Women and Girls
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Recently there have been disgusting sexist and misogynistic abuses towards sportswomen just for being successful. I agree that vile comments are dangerous as they put women and girls off from participating in sports. Does the Secretary of State agree that every sporting organisation should have a strategy to eliminate all forms of sexual harassment and abuse?
Context
There has been a recent spate of sexist and misogynistic abuse directed at sportswomen, with the Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport receiving such abuse.
Lucy Frazer
We should not have misogynistic, bullying behaviour in sport. All governing bodies should look at what their sports are doing. We set out in our sports strategy how we should have fair competition and integrity in sport.
Session: Access to Sport Women and Girls
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Thanks to resilience and hard work, people make the best joy and culture. The north represents only 15% of employment in the creative industries under the current government. What are they doing to protect and increase that diversity with AI advancements?
Context
The question is based on concerns about representation and growth in the creative sector, particularly regarding talent from diverse backgrounds.
John Whittingdale
The Secretary of State met representatives from various sectors including the AI sector during a conference. AI is benefiting the creative industries through real opportunities.
Session: Artificial Intelligence Creative Sector
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People working in the creative industries have been let down, including on real concerns about AI's impact. The Government hasn't responded to their own consultation or a report on AI and the creative industries. What plan will they set out to protect creators?
Context
The question is prompted by concerns that the Government has not responded adequately to consultations or addressed issues in reports.
John Whittingdale
A creative sector vision was published six months ago with an investment of £50 billion over five years. The impact of AI on creative industries is being studied, and more details will be provided before the end of the year.
Session: Artificial Intelligence Creative Sector
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What is the justification for allowing new buildings with dangerous cladding, and what will be done to ensure no first-time buyer moves into a home with such issues?
Context
The MP questioned the justification for allowing new buildings with dangerous cladding and demanded measures to ensure first-time buyers do not move into homes with such defects.
Christopher Pincher
The Government is determined to support buyers, ensure more people get on the property ladder, and build better-quality homes through a world-class building safety programme.
Session: Housing Market First-time Buyers
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Leaseholders are still living in buildings with flammable cladding despite previous assurances. The Government claims a risk-based approach but has not used time effectively for better prioritisation or responded to their own call for evidence.
Context
The question concerns the government's delay in addressing fire risks due to cladding, citing internal communications suggesting a lack of proper risk assessment.
Christopher Pincher
Safety is our priority. The 18-metre threshold is based on expert assessments indicating higher risks in taller buildings. We have also introduced finance mechanisms for lower-rise buildings to ensure proper remediation and property value reassignment.
Session: Cladding Removal
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I remind the Minister that the Government have committed to leaseholders not paying. However, recent announcements exclude buildings under 18 metres from funding, forcing those affected into debt despite a problem they did not cause. The 18-metre threshold is described as 'crude' and does not reflect risk complexity.
Context
The question addresses concerns over the 18-metre threshold for assessing risk in cladding removal, citing previous statements by government officials.
Christopher Pincher
The 18-metre threshold is established based on safety assessments by experts, including the National Fire Chiefs Council and Dame Judith Hackitt. This approach aims to address the highest-risk buildings first.
Session: Cladding Removal
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Hard-working young people saving up for their own home have been let down by successive Tory Governments, and this Government are missing their own target of increasing to 300,000 the number of homes built per year by the mid-2020s. The stamp duty holiday pushed prices out of reach of first-time buyers, and the first homes scheme built literally no homes. So what does the Secretary of State say to the young people whose dream of home ownership he has so badly let down?
Context
The MP criticises the government for failing to increase house construction and for pushing up property prices, making it difficult for first-time buyers.
Robert Jenrick
Let us remember that the last Labour Government left house building in this country at its lowest ever level in peacetime—the lowest since the 1920s. The statistics that we published at the end of last year show that this Government are building more homes than any Government has built for almost 40 years, and were it not for covid, we would have built more homes than any Government since that in which Harold Macmillan was Housing Secretary many years ago.
Session: House Building
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Millions of people are excluded from covid support schemes. Government statistics show hundreds of thousands falling behind on rent. There's a loophole where those with over six months' arrears risk eviction despite the ban. Did you mean to protect everyone when you said no one should lose their home due to coronavirus?
Context
The government's support measures have left many without adequate assistance, leading to rent arrears and potential evictions. A loophole exists where tenants with over six months in arrears face eviction risks.
Kelly Tolhurst
We have taken unprecedented steps to support renters and prevent homelessness. Our measures include banning evictions, providing a six-month notice period, extending mortgage holidays, offering £700 million to support rough sleepers, and giving £6.4 billion to local authorities for pandemic impacts.
Session: Private Rented Sector
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With concerns over rising homelessness, what does the Secretary consider different about rough sleeping in winter compared to spring? What actions are being taken?
Context
The former rough sleeping tsar warned of a 'perfect storm' this winter due to financial struggles and lack of Government action on hidden homelessness.
Robert Jenrick
Winter plans began in summer with £700 million investment and individual local authority plans backed by £100 million support. The Protect programme asks for safe accommodation for all sleeping rough, supported cross-party with councils across England.
Session: Rough Sleepers Accommodation
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With millions of people living in homes that are cold, damp and expensive to heat, in the midst of a respiratory illness pandemic, with millions more looking to the Government to give hope for the good jobs of the future, and with a climate change crisis as well, what part of cancelling Labour's zero-carbon homes standard does the Secretary of State think was a good idea? When will he commit his Government to returning to a zero-carbon—not low-carbon but zero-carbon—homes standard?
Context
Millions of people live in cold, damp and expensive-to-heat homes during a respiratory illness pandemic.
Robert Jenrick
As we have set out time and again, we are committed to net-zero homes—we do not want to see any new home built in this country that needs expensive retrofitting in future. If anyone thinks that the Labour party is going to deliver that or indeed any other strategy for homes in this country, they will be “sorely disappointed”—those are the words of The Guardian, not myself.
Session: Topical Questions
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Thangam Debbonaire pressed for a guarantee from the Minister to honour the Secretary of State's words in March stating 'no one should lose their home as a result of coronavirus'. She asked specifically if the Government would bring in measures such as raising LHA temporarily, scrapping section 21, or giving courts discretion in arrears cases.
Context
The question is prompted by the imminent end of the evictions ban on August 23rd, with criticism that the Government has not acted promptly to protect renters.
Christopher Pincher (Minister for Housing and Joint Minister for Veterans' Affairs)
The Government have brought forward an array of measures to support hard-pressed renters, including increasing local housing allowance; giving local authorities £500 million of crisis grants; and introducing the furlough scheme. The Lord Chancellor is about to introduce a measure making it difficult for landlords without 'good cause' to bring their application to court by requiring courts to describe the effect on tenants of an eviction.
Session: Renters Reform Bill
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Will the Secretary of State commit today to making sure that every single decision taken in his Department is assessed for whether it contributes to or mitigates against climate change?
Context
The previous question involved pavement parking rules.
Grant Shapps
Yes, that is absolutely the case. We are committed to 2050 and will soon be producing a decarbonisation plan, which will do precisely what the hon. Lady is after.
Session: Topical Questions
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But small businesses will be affected by the news over the weekend that there will not be frictionless trade and that the Government are insisting on not sticking to a level playing field, which will affect small businesses, whether they import or export. So what is the Chancellor of the Exchequer and his Department doing to prepare small businesses for the inevitable changes that that will bring?
Context
The MP inquires about the government's preparation for changes in trade following Brexit.
John Glen
We are working closely with the representative organisations to understand those concerns, but it is important that we move forward, secure a free trade agreement and give certainty to small businesses. Their principal concern over the past year is a lack of progress, and it is our responsibility to remove that uncertainty and reach a clear position.
Session: Small Businesses
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Will the hon. Gentleman update us on what strategic national work the Church might be doing with the Department for Education to support local schools that are experiencing changes to school rolls due to population changes? Otherwise excellent schools, such as St George's and St Michael's in my constituency, are having to experience differences in their local population.
Context
Church education supports changes in school rolls due to population shifts.
Andrew Selous
Being relatively new in post, I am afraid that I am not immediately aware of that, but I am very happy to raise the hon. Lady's concerns with Nigel Genders, our director of education at Church House, and I will get back to her.
Session: Church Schools and Universities
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She thanks Nusrat Ghani for previous assistance but expresses frustration over the long wait times and calls on the Government to admit that all necessary stations should be accessible and urges immediate action.
Context
Thangam Debbonaire is concerned about the accessibility of railway stations, specifically mentioning Lawrence Hill station in her constituency.
Nusrat Ghani
The hon. Lady will know that most of our railway stations were built in an era when no thought was given to accessibility, let alone parents and people with wheelchairs. That is why we have a £300 million fund supporting over 73 stations, and another tier of £20 million for smaller upgrades. I know that there are two stations in her constituency in the review, and she will not have to be patient for much longer.
Session: Railway Stations Accessibility
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
BBC Mid-term Charter Review
09 May 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Proposes the debate on the BBC's mid-term charter review, criticising the lack of a formal debate in Parliament and questioning whether the current system satisfies concerns about impartiality. Emphas...
Telegraph Media Group Ltd: Acquisition
30 April 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Ways and Means
11 March 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Since 2010, the economy under Conservative Government has seen significant growth despite challenging times. The Chancellor's Budget supports sectors such as the creative industries, which have grown ...
Telegraph Media Group: Proposed Sale to RedBird IMI
30 January 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Agriculture Bill - New clause 3
30 January 2024
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
To be filled in based on the content of George Eustice's speech.
BBC Funding
07 December 2023
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
The Media Bill
21 November 2023
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
Lucy Frazer moves the Second Reading of the Media Bill, arguing that it is essential to support British media in a rapidly changing digital landscape. She highlights the need for regulations fit for t...
All-party Parliamentary Groups
19 July 2023
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Moves that this House approves the Eighth Report of the Committee on Standards, Session 2022-23, which contains final proposals for APPGs. Emphasises the importance of transparency, limiting undue inf...
Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority
17 July 2023
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Moves to appoint Dame Laura Cox as a member of IPSA for the period ending on 31 July 2028. Emphasises that IPSA, an independent body, regulates and administers business costs and decides pay and pensi...
Privileges Committee Special Report
10 July 2023
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
1
PMQs Asked
22
Ministerial Questions Asked
71
House of Commons Debates Involved
0
Westminster Hall Debates Led
0
Statements / Bills
0
Petitions Presented
0
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
-73% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+61% above average
This MP:
22
Average:
13.7
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+1367% above average
This MP:
71
Average:
4.8
Statements / Bills Proposed
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
9.5
Petitions Presented
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.4
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 Thangam Debbonaire's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.