Therese Coffey
MP for Suffolk Coastal
Con
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
Will he meet me and other East Anglian MPs to discuss this matter and use the powers of his office to get that study published?
Context
Sizewell C project began a development consent order, but other developments may require ploughing up farming fields when brownfield sites are available.
Rishi Sunak
As my right hon. Friend will know, planning applications for new infrastructure are managed independently, so I cannot comment on specific cases, but I agree with her that it is important to listen to the views of local communities, such as those she represents across Suffolk and East Anglia. I know that the Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, my hon. Friend the Member for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine (Andrew Bowie) was visiting her area recently to mark the commencement of the project at Sizewell C, and I can assure her that relevant Ministers will continue to pay close attention to her concerns.
Assessment
Did not commit to meeting MPs or publishing the study
Session: PMQs
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The environment act 2021 introduced regulations for forest risk commodities. What further actions will the government take through their global supply chain measures?
Context
The MP references the Environment Act 2021 and focuses on its global supply chain measures, particularly forest risk commodities.
Steve Barclay
Our flagship announcement at COP28 was taking leading action on forest risk commodities. Many who have watched nature documentaries can see how important that is to particular species. I hope to table legislation on that later this month.
Session: Topical Questions
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I thank my right hon. Friend for that answer. The plan for water is starting to work in relation to community partnerships: next week, the East Suffolk Catchments Partnership will publish the plan for the River Deben. However, could I encourage my right hon. Friend to try to accelerate some of those partnerships, potentially by increasing the funding from £15,000 per partnership to £50,000, so that every single partnership can have a full-time employee to really drive this action forward?
Context
The MP inquired about the Department's plans to support water management through community-based initiatives, and sought an acceleration of these efforts with increased funding.
Steve Barclay
I very much agree with my right hon. Friend. What we are doing is twofold. First, we are increasing funding: she will have seen that, yesterday, we announced an uplift of £11.5 million for local community-led projects to improve river catchments. Alongside that, we are looking at some major interventions in catchments, such as on the River Wye, where we allocated £35 million. We are taking a targeted approach to catchment-specific issues; in that catchment, the issue was chicken litter. The phosphate was going into the River Wye, so we are funding anaerobic digesters as a targeted way of taking a catchment approach.
Session: Catchment Partnerships Funding
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If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities, focusing on food security, water quality improvements, environmental protection measures such as banning wet wipes with plastic, investment in schemes like the River Wye project, and global supply chain actions.
Context
The MP is asking about the government's recent activities and future plans under her department.
Steve Barclay
Since last updating the House, we have remained focused on delivering our plan to improve food security, on improving our water quality, and on leading the way both at home and abroad in protecting the environment. We are introducing legislation to ban wet wipes containing plastic, launching a £35 million scheme on the River Wye as part of our catchment plan, and reinvesting £11.5 million in water company fines and penalties into restoration schemes.
Session: Topical Questions
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How much funding his Department plans to provide for catchment partnerships in the 2024-25 financial year. The plan for water is set out with a £15,000 allocation per catchment partnership.
Context
The MP inquired about the Department's plans to support water management through community-based initiatives.
Steve Barclay
One hundred catchment-based approach partnerships are set out in the plan for water. The catchment-based approach is exactly the right one— I agree with the decision taken by my right hon. Friend on that—and is exactly the approach that we are taking. In the financial year, £15,000 is allocated to each catchment for that.
Session: Catchment Partnerships Funding
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We have all seen it: the richest Prime Minister in history has spent the weekend telling the public that his plan is working. Well, it is not working for people in Leeds East, whose taxes are going through the roof while our public services are on their knees. Would a better plan not be to go after the tax dodgers, rather than making ordinary people pay the price for this Government's abject failures?
Context
The question is about the government's tax policies and their impact on public services.
Nigel Huddleston
I have to say that I find this hypocrisy astounding. First, if the Opposition objected to the national insurance cuts, why did the Leader of the Opposition say that he supported them? If the Opposition are so keen on abolishing tax dodging, why did they not support our Finance Bill, which had measures in place to do just that? They did not support it; they abstained on it.
Session: Topical Questions
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Will my right hon. Friend ensure that £50 million allocated for subsidising Post Office branches helps cover costs for services in her constituency?
Context
A post office in Kelsale, a rural area of the constituency, has been closed and there is concern about service availability.
Kevin Hollinrake (Minister for Rural Affairs and Biosecurity)
£50 million is allocated for the uncommercial part of the network, which should assist services in her constituency. There is an alternative branch in Saxmundham 1.3 miles away.
Session: Topical Questions
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I would like to join the Economic Secretary to the Treasury and my hon. Friend the Member for Southend West (Anna Firth) in discussing the closure of banks. Barclays bank, in particular, is both shameful and shameless in this regard. Does my hon. Friend agree that we need full transparency on the decisions made by Link and the Financial Conduct Authority? Something we learned yesterday that may be of interest to those in Chorley, Mr Speaker, is that the criteria take into consideration only the town plus areas within a 1 km circumference. That is not how the rural economy works. Will the Economic Secretary work with me to ensure that the criteria take into account the wider economy?
Context
The MP is discussing the closure of Barclays bank branches, particularly in relation to Link criteria for closures.
Bim Afolami
My right hon. Friend is another good example of a Member who is an excellent champion for her constituents, on this issue and so many others. As for her specific point, it is right for the industry to work out how it will increase provision and adapt the criteria for rural areas, but I will work with her to ensure that the banking hubs are rolled out in an equitable way, to rural as well as more urban areas.
Session: Topical Questions
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Drinking water is treated with UV light and chlorine before reaching taps, but not necessarily disinfected unless heading towards designated bathing waters. France uses performic acid for treating Seine during Olympics; Southwold uses it too. Why has DEFRA been reluctant to roll out this method?
Context
Discussion about the use of performic acid in water treatment.
Robbie Moore
I am having conversations with officials from the Environment Agency and DEFRA on this issue. I am more than happy to meet to discuss further.
Session: Waterway Cleanliness
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My local housing association, Flagship Newtide, has sold off three more homes in Aldeburgh at auction since the last Levelling Up, Housing and Communities questions. However, it is failing to take action on the antisocial behaviour that is affecting several of my constituents in Saxmundham. What powers can we apply to make sure that people who do the right thing and want to live peacefully in their home are not surrounded by people who deal drugs, breed illegal pets and make other people's lives a misery?
Context
The MP is concerned about antisocial behaviour affecting constituents in social housing and the need for action to protect peaceful residents.
Jacob Young
Tackling antisocial behaviour is a priority for this Government, which is why we have published our antisocial behaviour action plan, backed with £160 million of new funding. We have committed to a “three strikes and you're out” ASB policy, and landlords will be expected to evict tenants whose behaviour is disruptive to neighbours.
Session: Topical Questions
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The Department has several ways to try to get paying parents to cough up, but we still have not had a response to the July 2022 Government consultation on child maintenance and improving our enforcement powers through curfew orders. When does the Government plan to respond? Other powers include depriving people of driving or passport abilities.
Context
The effectiveness of current enforcement measures for child maintenance payments and the status of curfew orders consultation are being questioned.
Paul Maynard
My right hon. Friend is quite right that the Government have consulted on the use of curfews, which are complex and interact with numerous Government services. Several enforcement initiatives aimed at improving compliance are currently in train, and we need to get those in place and assess their effects before we can best see how curfews might fit with them.
Session: Child Maintenance Service
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I think that my right hon. Friend is doing a great job for rural businesses. However, the Met Office, which is under her stewardship, should publish wind speeds on its app so businesses are not disrupted unnecessarily.
Context
The MP is concerned about unnecessary bridge closures due to lack of transparency in wind speed data provided by the Met Office.
Kemi Badenoch
The matter falls under the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. We can raise it with DSIT colleagues to ensure they look at it quickly.
Session: Businesses in Rural Areas
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In my constituency of Suffolk Coastal, Flagship is selling houses to second-home owners. That is a scandal. It tries to suggest that it is because it cannot repair them economically, but it is not offering them first of all, to the local council. There are restrictions and covenants that could be put in place if these were council houses, but they are not; they are housing association homes. I would love to meet my right hon. Friend to discuss this matter further to make sure that the housing that was originally given to the housing associations stays for local people.
Context
A constituency issue where a local housing association, Flagship, is accused of selling houses intended for social rent to second-home owners without offering them first to the local council. The questioner seeks assurance that such actions do not undermine the original purpose.
Michael Gove
I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for raising that issue. She represents one of the most beautiful constituencies in the United Kingdom and does so with great skill. It is because it is such a beautiful constituency that demand for housing is so high. The proportion of second homes in her constituency does create challenges for local people, which I would be more than happy to discuss with her at her convenience.
Session: Social Rented Housing
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Transparency is important in the development of the energy sector. National Grid is refusing to publish its assessment of Bradwell as a potential landfall site for cables and interconnectors. It must be logical to prioritise brownfield sites with existing connections to the electricity network. Will my right hon. Friend please require National Grid to publish fully its assessment so far?
Context
National Grid is refusing to publish its assessment on the suitability of Bradwell as a potential landfall site for cables and interconnectors.
Graham Stuart
When my right hon. Friend thinks that something is important, she does not let it go. That message will go out clearly from this Chamber, and I will happily work with her to see whether we can find a resolution and give her the information and insight that she requires.
Session: Topical Questions
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I am conscious that there was a lot of support from the Treasury previously and that we should try to accelerate the International Sustainability Standards Board standards so that we can bring in this initiative just as successfully as we have done for the TCFD—the taskforce on climate-related financial disclosures.
Context
The TNFD initiative was launched by the UK G7 presidency in 2021 and featured in the green finance strategy. The taskforce on climate-related financial disclosures has already been implemented.
Bim Afolami
I thank my right hon. Friend for her question. She mentions the Treasury's green finance strategy, which contains plans to bring forward the sustainability disclosure requirements, building on the global commitments. We have already implemented the climate-related financial disclosures, and we are looking very carefully at the nature-related financial disclosures. We hope to update the House in due course.
Session: Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures Recommendations
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If he will make mandatory the recommendations on reporting of the taskforce on nature-related financial disclosures. I am encouraged by my hon. Friend's answer. It was a year ago today that the global biodiversity framework was agreed in Montreal, and it was absolutely necessary to restore biodiversity loss. The TNFD initiative was launched by the UK G7 presidency in 2021 and featured in the green finance strategy.
Context
The taskforce on nature-related financial disclosures has recommendations for reporting. A year ago, the global biodiversity framework was agreed upon in Montreal to restore biodiversity loss.
Bim Afolami
This Government have been one of the largest donors to the global market-led taskforce on nature-related financial disclosures—TNFD—initiative. We will consider how best the TNFD's recommendations should be incorporated into policy and legislative architecture in a manner that is coherent with global sustainability reporting.
Session: Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures Recommendations
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My hon. Friend mentioned the Horley junction development, which was welcomed in October. Given its importance for improving resilience for both passengers and freight, especially concerning the port of Felixstowe, will the project receive a start date agreement next year with the business case sorted out?
Context
The Horley junction project is a small but significant rail improvement aimed at enhancing freight and passenger traffic, particularly benefiting the port of Felixstowe.
Huw Merriman
My right hon. Friend has championed this project, as have other hon. Friends present. We are keen to make rapid progress following the Prime Minister's decisions in October, which enabled bringing the project forward.
Session: Rail Infrastructure East of England
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My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has made a lot of progress in trying to bring together a holistic network, but it is too late for communities in Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex. In that regard, will she request that the electricity system operator publishes its survey of the Bradwell site, and that it undertakes a fresh one, with a full cost-benefit analysis, as a pilot for future connections?
Context
The hon. Friend wants the electricity system operator to publish its survey of the Bradwell site.
Andrew Bowie
As my right hon. Friend knows, the ESO has conducted an investigation into Bradwell and its suitability, but I am happy to meet her again to discuss Bradwell, the location of future projects, and how we might work together to ensure that her constituents see the benefits of any future energy infrastructure built in that part of the country.
Session: Topical Questions
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Does my right hon. Friend agree with me that the civil service really stood up to the challenge of dealing with imperfect data and a rapidly changing situation?
Context
The MP acknowledges the professionalism of the civil servants during the pandemic and suggests ways to strengthen analytical skills.
Oliver Dowden
I thank my right hon. Friend for her question, and I pay tribute to her for her many years of service in the Cabinet. I agree with her characterisation of the civil service. Indeed, in my time working in various ministerial roles, I have seen true professionalism and dedication. However, I think she is absolutely right that we need to improve both our data analytics and the data flow into Government.
Session: Covid-19 Departmental Effectiveness
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Rock Barracks houses the excellent 23 Parachute Regiment. Despite investment in new accommodation, people are let down by Pinnacle; constituents fear retaliation for complaints. Will the Minister visit to fix this problem?
James Cartlidge
I am alarmed to hear that my right hon. Friend's constituency neighbour faces these issues; I would be delighted to come and visit so we can fix this problem properly.
Session: Topical Questions
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief Bill - Third Reading
17 May 2024
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
Ms Fiona Bruce moves that the Bill be read a third time, emphasising its importance in securing the role of special envoy for freedom of religion or belief as a permanent fixture in statute. She highl...
Secure Schools (Placement Conditions) Bill - Third Reading
17 May 2024
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
I move that the Bill be read a Third time. Secure 16 to 19 academies are innovative new custody forms for children, trialled as per the 2019 manifesto commitment. They will offer security with educati...
Licensing Act 2003 (Extension Orders) Bill - Clause 1
17 May 2024
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
I move that the Licensing Act 2003 be amended to allow the Home Secretary or Ministers to make extension orders for events of exceptional significance without going through a costly, bureaucratic proc...
Pensions (Special Rules for End of Life) Bill - Clause 2 - Extent and Commencement
17 May 2024
Bill Debate
Led by this MP
The amendment aims to bring the provisions of the Bill into force four months after Royal Assent. This is to prevent any potential delay due to a general election and ensure that the critical provisio...
Livestock Worrying Bill - Clause 1, amendment to increase penalties for livestock worrying offences
17 May 2024
Bill Debate
Led by this MP
The right hon. Member proposed an amendment to increase the penalty that can be imposed on individuals convicted of livestock worrying offences. The proposal is designed to impose an unlimited fine, m...
Agriculture
13 May 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The draft regulations continue the agricultural reforms in England, applying progressive reductions to delinked payments for 2024. The overall farming budget is maintained at £2.4 billion annually acr...
SME Finance
09 May 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
War in Gaza
07 May 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Pension Schemes
02 May 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The debate concerns the treatment of beneficiaries in defined benefit pension schemes, particularly highlighting cases involving BP, Shell, Hewlett-Packard, and ExxonMobil. The speaker emphasises issu...
Zoological Society of London (Leases) Bill
19 April 2024
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
1
PMQs Asked
19
Ministerial Questions Asked
54
House of Commons Debates Involved
0
Westminster Hall Debates Led
2
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 1457 MPs?
Prime Minister's Questions
-73% below average
This MP:
1
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+42% above average
This MP:
19
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+1011% above average
This MP:
54
Average:
4.9
Statements / Bills Proposed
-79% below average
This MP:
2
Average:
9.5
Petitions Presented
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
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 Therese Coffey's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.