Tracey Crouch
MP for Chatham and Aylesford
Con
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
Will you utilise military expertise in PTSD treatment and invest in psychology professionals to support nurses and doctors facing psychological harm?
Context
The questioner highlights mental health impacts on frontline healthcare workers due to prolonged exposure and high mortality rates during the second wave of COVID-19.
Boris Johnson
My hon. Friend raises a significant point about PTSD in NHS staff, who do an amazing job treating us all. We will ensure that we support their mental health through the £52 billion investment package and provide necessary helplines and counselling.
Assessment
No specific military intervention or additional funding was committed
Session: PMQs
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To ensure success, funding for the 2028 Olympics needs to be secured before Paris next year. What discussions is the Minister having with the lottery provider and the Treasury to secure UK sport funding?
Context
The inclusion of new sports in the Los Angeles Olympics could provide more medal opportunities but requires funding security before Paris Olympics next year.
Stuart Andrew
The UK sports investment process for Los Angeles is under way. I welcome the fact that there are new sports including flag football and UK Sport will consider funding for all new sports.
Session: Topical Questions
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I welcome the Minister's role and congratulate him on his appointment and newborn child. I hope he is getting some sleep in these busy days. AI has huge potential benefits in hospitals, but why isn't the new safety institute tasked with finding ways to use AI for improving our public services?
Context
AI has potential benefits across the public sector, but there is no specific task for the new safety institute to find uses that improve public services.
Saqib Bhatti
The AI Safety Institute will look at risks involved. We are working with the private sector and ensuring a regulatory framework that encourages innovation and growth in both sectors.
Session: AI Regulation
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Children being able to play is something we take for granted, yet Ministers will know from their travels that it is not something that all children around the world get to do. Play instils confidence, builds life skills, enhances resilience and restores hope, so will a Minister commit to the House that they will take a lead role in the forthcoming UN General Assembly to support the resolution for an international day of play, which is spearheaded by a coalition of organisations such as Lego and IKEA, to ensure that every child's right to play is protected?
Context
Play is crucial in building life skills, resilience and hope. Many children around the world are deprived of this.
Leo Docherty
The idea of an international day of play is very important, and we take it seriously. I will pick the matter up with the noble Lord Ahmad and keep in touch with my hon Friend.
Session: Topical Questions
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As part of the Government's resettlement scheme for Afghan citizens facing threats from the Taliban, what is being done to support sportswomen who wish to come to the UK to play their sports?
Context
The Home Office granted visas to the Afghan women's junior development football team, but many other sportswomen face severe recriminations if they participate.
Robert Jenrick
The ACRS is a scheme designed to help more women and girls out of Afghanistan to a place of safety and a new life in the UK, considering the restrictions on sports participation and severe recriminations for athletes.
Session: Visa Applications from Afghanistan Women and Girls
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Suicide is the biggest killer of under-35s in the UK, with more than 200 school-aged children taking their own life every year, including two very sadly in my constituency in recent months. We have heard about the pressures on mental health services, so will the Secretary of State look at alternative ways of supporting mental health by meeting the 3 Dads team and his counterpart in the Department for Education to discuss how we can embed age-appropriate suicide awareness and prevention in schools?
Context
The UK has high suicide rates among under-35s, with over 200 school-aged children committing suicide annually. Two such cases occurred recently in the questioner's constituency.
Steve Barclay
Part of the reason why we are putting an extra £2.3 billion into mental health is to recognise the sensitivity and the importance of this issue. I am very happy to look at all practical suggestions.
Session: Topical Questions
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Poor mental health costs the economy £118 billion per annum, obesity-related diseases cost the NHS £6.5 billion every year and ill health in England's most deprived communities costs £30 billion, yet schemes that would improve the nation's wellbeing and reduce those sums are scattered across Whitehall Departments and buried low down in their priorities. Will the Minister meet me to discuss how his Department can lead a wellbeing strategy to improve the physical, mental and economic health of the nation?
Context
Schemes aimed at improving mental, physical and economic health are scattered across Whitehall Departments.
Oliver Dowden
I know my hon. Friend's passionate commitment to that cause, and I would be delighted to meet her to discuss it.
Session: Topical Questions
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With the growing awareness of how poor lifestyles contribute to an increase in cancer risk and research highlighting that exercise reduces side effects from treatment, will the Secretary of State ensure that alongside diagnostics and treatment, exercise forms a fundamental part of the forthcoming 10-year cancer strategy, not only for preventing cancer but for reducing its recurrence?
Context
Research shows that exercise can reduce side effects from treatment, anxiety, depression, and recurrence rates.
James Morris
My hon. Friend makes an important point. As part of our public health messaging, exercise as a preventive mechanism against cancer is extremely important. We have had a call for evidence; we will consider the evidence that has been provided when we look at the 10-year plan, of which exercise will be an important component.
Session: Topical Questions
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What steps is the Department taking to support Dom's family through diplomatic channels during this difficult time? This includes providing consular assistance.
Context
Dom Phillips was a journalist and environmentalist working on reporting deforestation in Brazil. His disappearance has raised concerns about the safety of such activists.
Vicky Ford
We have been in close contact with members of Dom's family. We continue to offer consular support through this difficult time and any related processes following his tragic event.
Session: Brazil Violence against Journalists and Activists
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Has the Minister or his predecessor had a chance to meet football fans to discuss their concerns ahead of publishing the Gambling Act review?
Context
The hon. Member notes concerns from football fans about gambling-related content in the sport.
Chris Philp
The Minister is keen to hear from football fans. He plans to meet various sporting organisations next week and has asked his office to arrange a meeting with the FSA in the coming days or weeks.
Session: Gambling Act 2005 Review
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Will the Minister welcome the developments in forensic science leading to last week's conviction of David Fuller, and commit to ensuring routine reviews of unsolved cases with every scientific advancement?
Context
There has been recent development in forensic science that led to the conviction of David Fuller for two murders and multiple counts of sexual abuse.
Kit Malthouse
My hon. Friend makes a really important point. She is quite right that as forensic science develops, we are able to revisit some elderly cases and reveal true perpetrators of awful crimes. The killers of Stephen Lawrence were caught nearly 20 years after the killing due to developments in blood microdot assessment.
Session: Forensic Services
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Will he join me in recognising the multidisciplinary teams throughout the country that are working non-stop to meet cancer pathway targets, including Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust? Will he consider a visit to the hospital that treated me and thousands of others?
Context
The Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust has been meeting cancer pathway targets.
Sajid Javid
Yes. I would be pleased to visit that hospital and join in congratulating the multidisciplinary teams throughout the country, especially the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells multidisciplinary trust.
Session: Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Backlogs
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Thank you, Mr Speaker. Representing a constituency in a county that has a large number of commuters to London, the future of flexible rail ticketing is an issue to which many are paying close attention. With the reality of more people enjoying hybrid working arrangements in the future, we need to ensure that is reflected in the structure of rail tickets. Therefore, can the Secretary of State confirm when the Department will be in a position to set out what rail ticketing will look like for passengers in my constituency and across the south-east, and provide an assurance that the new fares will offer genuine flexibility where it is needed?
Context
Flexible working arrangements necessitate a review of current rail ticketing structures.
Grant Shapps
May I say on behalf of everybody how fantastic it is to see my hon. Friend back in the House in her rightful place? She is absolutely right about the changes in how people will commute going forward, because the world has of course changed. I am sure that people will come back to the railway, but perhaps in a more flexible way, and I can reassure her that we will be setting out more details of our view about how ticketing should work, not least through the Williams-Shapps review.
Session: Topical Questions
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Liver disease has become one of the major causes of premature mortality in the UK, and covid has highlighted the susceptibility of people with liver disease to more serious cases of the virus. With that in mind, what plans does the Minister have to include improvements to liver care in the NHS recovery plan?
Context
The question pertains to enhancing liver disease care as a major cause of premature mortality, exacerbated by the susceptibility to serious cases during the covid pandemic.
Helen Whately
Last autumn's spending review included £1 billion of funding to address backlogs and support up to 1 million extra checks, scans, and additional operations. As the NHS recovers, we will look to not only recover backlogs but continue to improve care for liver disease patients.
Session: Liver Disease Treatment Pathways
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What plans does he have to improve liver disease treatment pathways? Liver disease has become one of the major causes of premature mortality in the UK, and covid has highlighted the susceptibility of people with liver disease to more serious cases of the virus. With that in mind, what plans does the Minister have to include improvements to liver care in the NHS recovery plan?
Context
The question pertains to enhancing treatment options for patients suffering from liver diseases, a major cause of premature mortality in the UK.
Helen Whately
The NHS is working to improve care for patients with all types of liver disease through NHS England's hepatobiliary clinical reference group, which started work on developing liver networks in England. Last autumn's spending review included £1 billion of funding to address backlogs and support up to 1 million extra checks, scans, and additional operations.
Session: Liver Disease Treatment Pathways
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Does he agree that our recovery strategy should put sport, physical activity and wellbeing at its heart? Will he consider the merits of a well-being budget looking beyond GDP as the sole measure?
Context
This follows an initial query about funding for sports and mental health recovery, aiming to deepen discussion on shifting economic priorities.
Steve Barclay (Chief Secretary to the Treasury)
I agree that sport and wellbeing should be central to our recovery plans. We are keen to work with her on opportunities around social prescribing, where sports play a crucial role in treating mental health and recovering from covid.
Session: Sport and Wellbeing Covid-19 Recovery Strategy
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What plans does he have to prioritise funding for sport and wellbeing as part of a covid-19 recovery strategy? I am concerned about the consequences of poor physical health and wellbeing on public finances, costing tens of billions annually. Given that covid has harmed both areas, should our recovery put sport, activity and mental health at its heart?
Context
The question arises from the need to address the negative impacts of the pandemic on sports and mental health, which have significant economic implications.
Steve Barclay (Chief Secretary to the Treasury)
I agree that sport and wellbeing should be at the heart of our recovery plans, recognizing the work done by my hon. Friend on these issues. We are keen to explore opportunities around social prescribing, where sports play a crucial role in mental health and recovery from covid.
Session: Sport and Wellbeing Covid-19 Recovery Strategy
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Could the Minister offer any guidance towards emergency central Government funding pots that would enable the reopening of that incredibly popular path for cyclists and walkers?
Context
Medway Council has upgraded cycling and walking routes, but a section of the Aylesford towpath collapsed into the River Medway earlier this year and is now closed to over 6,000 users monthly. Kent County Council faces a significant shortfall in funds to repair it.
Chris Heaton-Harris
The Government allocated the first tranche of active travel funds to councils earlier in the summer; a bigger second tranche will follow shortly. I am quite sure that my hon. Friend will be able to persuade her county council to make the appropriate investment in Aylesford towpath, and I would be very happy to work with her to try to help that happen.
Session: Cycling and Walking Local Authority Support
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While many people completely understood the impact of the strict global lockdown on their personal travel plans, things are beginning to change at destinations across the world. Many of our constituents are due to travel in the next few weeks but now face potential financial loss because of the lack of clarity over whether the quarantine policies are a refundable reason for cancellation under their insurance policies.
Context
The Member of Parliament for Chatham and Aylesford raised concerns about the clarity of travel quarantine policies affecting insurance claims.
The Prime Minister (Rishi Sunak)
My hon. Friend will be well aware of my comments last week about travel corridors, and specifically international travel corridors. I have been working across Government, with Transport but also the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Session: Topical Questions
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My hon. Friend asks if we are doing anything to ensure that these vital screening services can be administered outside a clinical setting to reduce health inequalities for those who are housebound.
Context
Asks about ensuring access to life-saving services such as cervical smear tests for those with severe conditions like agoraphobia, who may be unable to visit clinical settings.
Jo Churchill (Health Minister)
Responds that no woman should be denied access to vital screening, and mentions a home kit for cervical screening in development. Offers to meet the hon. Friend to discuss how to improve access further.
Session: Health Inequalities
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With so many people and businesses reliant on access to decent broadband, what assurances can the Minister give that the future roll-out of broadband infrastructure will address those more localised notspots and that they will not simply be left behind?
Context
Tracey Crouch raises concerns about notspots in both urban and rural areas within her constituency, noting that many residents and businesses are unable to access even superfast broadband.
Matt Warman
My hon. Friend is right that notspots are by no means confined to rural areas. Through the Government's voucher scheme, we are covering all of the country, and the 2025 commitment to gigabit broadband remains. The crucial issue is the universal service obligation, of which she will be aware. Fifteen per cent. of her constituents get less than the 10 megabit limit. They will benefit from that later this year.
Session: Full-fibre and Gigabit-capable Broadband
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Cycle Trails
28 February 2024
Responding: Guy Opperman
Main Concerns
['The hon. Member for Medway expressed concern about the lack of decent mountain bike trails and facilities in her constituency, which limits opportunities for young cyclists like Harrison Crick to improve their skills locally. She highlighted that it is not just an issue of funding but also of land availability and accessibility, as many areas are far from home or within local authority boundaries where such initiatives cannot be implemented. The Member also noted the poor condition of existing cycle lanes and trails, which often pose safety risks due to debris and potholes.']
Specific Asks
['The hon. Member for Medway requested that the Minister provide a proper strategy connecting transport and planning to establish a safe network of trails. She asked what more can be done in Kent to scale up provision for cycle paths and trails, especially considering the current low levels of attainment in Bikeability schemes.']
Tackling Loneliness and Connecting Communities — [Dr Rupa Huq in the Chair]
21 June 2023
Responding: Stuart Andrew
Main Concerns
["MP is concerned about the high levels of loneliness affecting people, particularly those aged 16 to 24. She mentions that 47% of people over the age of 16 experience some degree of loneliness, with 6% feeling lonely often or always. Women are more likely to be lonely than men, and poor health, disability, and living in deprived communities increase one's likelihood of experiencing loneliness. The pandemic has exacerbated existing issues such as reduced connectivity due to remote work and cuts to youth services."]
Specific Asks
['MP asks the government to urgently revamp initiatives started post-pandemic but withered away, such as social prescribing. She also requests joined-up thinking on tackling loneliness by strengthening cross-Government approach, providing long-term funding to projects, incentivising local authorities and partners to develop action plans, and investing in community infrastructure.']
Badger Culling — [Peter Dowd in the Chair]
13 July 2022
Responding: Victoria Prentis
Main Concerns
['The speaker is concerned about the indiscriminate killing of over 150,000 badgers since the first two operational culling zones opened in 2014. She highlights public opposition to the cull, as evidenced by e-petitions with signatures totaling 141,000. The speaker also acknowledges the financial and emotional pain caused by bovine tuberculosis (TB) for farmers but argues that vaccination efforts should be prioritized over culling. She mentions a large-scale badger vaccination trial in East Sussex involving an annual target of vaccinating 675 badgers across 250 sq km.']
Specific Asks
['The speaker asks the Minister to confirm whether there has been evidence of movement in the early stages of the badger vaccination trial. She also requests updates on research studies for a candidate cattle vaccine and improved skin tests, with an ambition to introduce them within five years. Additionally, she urges the Department to support farmers with costs for enhanced testing techniques that are more sensitive than traditional skin tests.']
Mental Health: Access to Nature
27 April 2021
Responding: Victoria Prentis
Main Concerns
["I am concerned about the adverse impact of lockdowns on people's mental health. Around nine in 10 people surveyed by Natural England in May 2020 agreed that natural spaces are good for mental health and wellbeing, yet over 11 million people in England live in areas deprived of local green space, with one in eight having no access to a garden. Developers have not always considered local biodiversity, leading to the decimation of wildlife."]
Specific Asks
["I ask the Minister to ensure that her officials work with those in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to align the new zonal planning system with the Government's ambitious commitments to restore nature. I also urge the Department to put into law a commitment to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030."]
Independent Football Regulator 2025-11-12
12 November 2025
Urgent Question
Contributed to this debate
Will the Secretary of State confirm that she has breached the governance code for public appointments three times in her involvement with the appointment process for the chair of the Independent Footb...
Football Governance Bill [Lords] 2025-04-28
28 April 2025
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Valedictory Debate
24 May 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
In her concluding remarks, Harriet Harman reflected on her 42-year tenure in the House of Commons, thanking her constituents for their support and expressing pride in being a Labour MP. She emphasised...
Crime (Overseas Production Orders etc) Bill - Clause 30 - Child sex offences: grooming aggravating factor
15 May 2024
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
I move that the clause be read a Second time. This amendment aims to ensure that child sex offenders who engage in online grooming receive additional punishment, reflecting the severe nature of this a...
Football (Amendment) Bill - Clause 1
23 April 2024
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
Prisons and Probation: Foreign National Offenders
12 March 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Walking and Cycling: Government Support
20 February 2024
Adjournment Debate
Contributed to this debate
The MP discussed the importance of walking and cycling, particularly focusing on the benefits for children's health. She highlighted her personal experiences teaching Bikeability courses in a primary ...
Crime and Policing Bill
28 November 2023
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
Backbench Business
19 September 2023
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The MP discusses the negative impact of the expansion of ULEZ on London residents, highlighting issues such as affordability, accessibility, and safety. He also criticises a proposed development proje...
Rape and Sexual Violence: Criminal Justice Response
10 July 2023
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
1
PMQs Asked
20
Ministerial Questions Asked
46
House of Commons Debates Involved
4
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
+46% above average
This MP:
20
Average:
13.7
Westminster Hall Debates Led
+58% above average
This MP:
4
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+850% above average
This MP:
46
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 Tracey Crouch's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.