Tracy Brabin
MP for Batley and Spen
Lab
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
The council is testing workforces and closing operations at a cost. May I ask the Prime Minister to help us with daily postcode data? Will he commit to a package of support so that businesses can close and individuals can do the right thing?
Context
Due to a covid outbreak in Kirklees, the council needs enhanced support.
The Prime Minister Boris Johnson
We are sharing as much data as we have with councils to deal locally. We will continue to support councils up and down the land as they engage in local action against the pandemic.
Session: PMQs
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Last week the Chancellor received a detailed and costed policy proposal for a targeted income grant scheme, written by Rebecca Seeley Harris and supported by the gaps in support all-party parliamentary group. That scheme would be a vital first step in giving meaningful financial support to many of the millions who have been locked out of the current schemes and who are desperate, after nearly a year of the covid pandemic. Can the Chancellor tell us today whether he plans to progress with that proposal, or does he have another scheme in mind for the millions in need of support?
Context
A detailed and costed policy proposal for a targeted income grant scheme has been submitted to the Treasury, aimed at providing financial support to those locked out of current schemes.
Rishi Sunak
I am happy to tell the hon. Lady that my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury met the authors of the report back in December and is considering it alongside all the other submissions that we receive at the Treasury.
Session: Topical Questions
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If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities. Given the range of measures worth more than £280 billion to support jobs and businesses through the crisis, can the Chancellor provide further details on these initiatives?
Context
The question follows a series of economic measures taken by the government during the pandemic, including the furlough scheme and tax deferrals.
Rishi Sunak
Throughout this crisis, our overriding economic priority has been to support people's jobs and businesses through a range of measures worth more than £280 billion, including the furlough scheme, tax cuts, tax deferrals, loans and grants. There will be a Budget on 3 March, when we will set out the next steps in our economic response to coronavirus.
Session: Topical Questions
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Today, research from the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre has shown that in the last six months there have been 55,000 job losses in music and the performing and visual arts—all that talent, dedication and diversity of voices lost. Our creative workers are desperate to get back to doing what they do best, and we know the simplest way to get money to freelancers is to make shows, but to do that producers need a safety net. Germany has just announced an indemnity fund so event organisers can plan for the second half of 2021 without the financial risk posed by a potential covid outbreak. Industry predictions suggest a three-month indemnity here could get the sector back on its feet. I know that the Minister is receptive to this idea, so can she explain what is holding things up? Has the Chancellor again said no?
Context
The question was prompted by research showing significant job losses in music and performing arts sectors, highlighting the need for a safety net to support event organisers.
Caroline Dinenage
The hon. Member is absolutely right to highlight that our creative industries are a fantastic success story. They contribute more than £112 billion to our economy, more than the automotive, aerospace and life sciences sectors combined, so we do need to do everything we can to help them. The next stage of the cultural recovery fund will be announced shortly—that is another £258 million—and we are looking very carefully at the German insurance model. It has only been announced this week so the details have not been made clear. We have to be sure that it really is the only obstacle to things being able to reopen, but we very happy to have those conversations with the Treasury.
Session: Creative Industries Highly Skilled Workers
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Millions in our country long for live performing arts to return, none more so than those who work in those industries. Some 70% of theatre workers are self-employed or freelance, but many are ineligible for the self-employed income support scheme and have been excluded from Government support since March, bringing extreme hardship.
Context
Many theatre workers are self-employed or freelance and ineligible for the self-employed income support scheme.
Caroline Dinenage
As I have already articulated, I meet the sector on a very regular basis, and actually it has been its feedback that has helped to form, to shape and to drive the cultural recovery fund as we have it today.
Session: Creative Industries Covid-19
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It is now six months since 3 million self-employed people have been excluded and locked out of the coronavirus support schemes. This week, the Trussell Trust announced an unprecedented need for support with six emergency food parcels being delivered every minute as we get to winter. I implore the Chancellor to tell hon. Members what he will do to support those who are excluded so that this disaster does not turn into a catastrophe.
Context
3 million self-employed people have been excluded from coronavirus support schemes, leading to an unprecedented need for emergency food parcels. Nearly half of the new users are first-time recipients.
Rishi Sunak
The hon. Lady is slightly confused. Those who were not eligible for the self-employment scheme earned more than £50,000 and were in the top 5% of all earners with an average median salary of £200,000.
Session: Coronavirus Job Support Schemes
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What assessment has been made of the financial effect of the covid-19 outbreak on individuals not eligible for the job retention scheme or self-employment income support scheme? The MP asks if a statement will be made regarding this issue.
Context
The MP is concerned about the financial effects of the coronavirus outbreak on people who are not eligible for either the Job Retention Scheme or the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme.
Rishi Sunak
The Government have put in place policies to support businesses and individuals through the crisis, with the job retention scheme supporting over 9 million jobs and the self-employment income support scheme assisting more than 2.7 million people. As the economy reopens, adjustments will be made to ensure continued support for livelihoods.
Session: Coronavirus Job Support Schemes
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Despite the Chancellor's claim that the self-employment support scheme is one of the most generous in the world, tens of thousands are still missing out—new starters, pay-as-you-earn freelancers, those paid through dividends and those earning over £50,000. Will the self-employed income support scheme be extended in line with the job retention scheme? Are there plans to lift the cap on profits? And will he please look again at supporting new starters?
Context
The scheme provides support worth up to £7,500 for millions of individuals. By the end of May 2020, more than 2 million claims had been made with grants totalling over £6 billion.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rishi Sunak)
We have discussed these things before, but I do not believe that removing the cap would be the right or socially just thing to do. The average income of those above the cap is £200,000 and 95% of self-employed individuals fall underneath the cap.
Session: Self-employment Income Support Scheme
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Asks what steps are being taken to ensure cost does not discriminate against disadvantaged groups in accessing technology; inquires about plans post-covid to widen access to creative industries.
Context
Raises concerns about digital divide affecting participation in arts and culture, citing specific BBC initiative.
Oliver Dowden (The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
Acknowledges importance of technology access; mentions DevicesDotNow campaign supported by government to connect vulnerable people with devices; working with Education Department to help disadvantaged families and young people get connected.
Session: Covid-19 Technology Sector
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Stakeholders will lose more than £40 million in EU funding per year, fearing costly delays and cancellations. Will Minister ensure creative industries can flourish across Europe? Are creative visas/passports planned?
Context
Creative industries are losing over £40 million annually in EU funding; stakeholders fear delays due to the complex visa system post-Brexit.
Nigel Adams
Free movement will end; a new system based on skills will replace it. We are committed to protecting rights of EU citizens, and have commissioned advice from the Migration Advisory Committee.
Session: Leaving the EU Creative Industries
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Levelling-up Fund Round 2
19 January 2023
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill
08 June 2022
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Minister of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities moves the Second Reading of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill. The Government's aim is to prioritise urban regeneration, use brownf...
Budget Resolutions and Economic Situation
03 March 2021
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The British economy is suffering from the worst economic crisis among major economies due to poor decision-making by the government, leading to high unemployment and rising debt. The Chancellor's Budg...
Covid-19: Cultural and Entertainment Sectors
02 March 2021
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The UK has a world-class cultural sector that enriches our lives. The Government's £1.57 billion culture recovery fund supports organisations across the country, with particular emphasis on small loca...
Coronavirus: Supporting Businesses and Individuals
23 February 2021
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Labour Party calls on the Government to extend business rates relief, VAT reduction, debt relief measures, furlough scheme reform, self-employment income support, and fix gaps in coronavirus suppo...
Covid-19: Road Map
22 February 2021
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Grooming Gangs
03 February 2021
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The issue of grooming gangs, highlighted by e-petitions with over 130,000 signatures and 30,000 signatures respectively, is significant. While the Home Office report has been released, many feel it do...
UK Musicians: EU Visa Arrangements
19 January 2021
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Covid-19 Financial Assistance (Gaps in Support)
13 January 2021
General Debate
Led by this MP
The Bill aims to identify gaps in financial support provided during the pandemic, particularly for those excluded from existing schemes. It calls on the Government to report steps they intend to take ...
Covid-19
06 January 2021
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
1
PMQs Asked
9
Ministerial Questions Asked
31
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
-34% below average
This MP:
9
Average:
13.7
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+540% above average
This MP:
31
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 Tracy Brabin's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.