Vicky Ford
MP for Chelmsford
Con
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
Four summers ago, the unprecedented climate change-driven heatwave caused irreparable damage to Chelmsford's flyover. Since then, people from across Essex have been getting stuck in Chelmsford's traffic jams, which are wasting time and hitting our economic growth. We badly need a new junction at the Army and Navy, but the funding decision has been stuck in Whitehall. Will my right hon. Friend use his cross-Cabinet convening power to get the Treasury and the Department for Transport to agree to the money so that we can deliver a new junction, stop the traffic jams and get Chelmsford moving again?
Context
The unprecedented climate change-driven heatwave caused irreparable damage to Chelmsford's flyover. Since then, people from across Essex have been getting stuck in Chelmsford's traffic jams.
Oliver Dowden
My right hon. Friend has been making a powerful case for this scheme, and she does so once again. The Chancellor is sitting next to me and will have heard her. I understand that the outline business case submitted by Essex County Council is being considered by Ministers right now, and all relevant Ministers will have heard her injunction.
Assessment
The Deputy Prime Minister did not commit to using his convening power but acknowledged the Chancellor's presence.
Session: PMQs
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As the child of two NHS doctors, the sister of an NHS doctor and the wife of an NHS doctor, may I, too, say thank you to everyone who works in our NHS? Will my right hon. Friend send particular congratulations to the students at the new medical school at Anglia Ruskin University in Chelmsford, who will graduate as doctors in a couple of weeks? This is the first time we have ever trained doctors in Essex, and it has been hugely successful. Will my right hon. Friend meet me to discuss doubling the size of our medical school?
Context
The MP highlights the success of the new medical school at Anglia Ruskin University in Chelmsford, and expresses her desire to meet with Health Ministers to discuss doubling the size of this programme.
Oliver Dowden
I am very happy to offer my sincere congratulations to those students, who thoroughly deserve their graduation ceremony. I know what a difficult course is required for someone to qualify as a doctor. Health Ministers would be happy to meet my right hon. Friend to discuss exactly that proposal.
Session: PMQs
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With Russia's brutal war on Ukraine reaching its one-year mark and causing immense suffering to Ukrainians, could my right hon. Friend propose a national minute of silence on February 24th as a sign of solidarity with Ukrainian citizens?
Context
Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine has resulted in thousands of casualties, including over 1,000 injured or killed children. The question arises about showing support for the people of Ukraine.
Rishi Sunak
I thank my right hon. Friend for her suggestion, and I am sure it is something we are considering as we speak.
Assessment
Confirmation of a national minute of silence on February 24th
Session: PMQs
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Thanks to Government grants, a social housing provider in my Chelmsford constituency, CHP, has made some great investments in social housing to help energy efficiency, reduce bills and lower fuel poverty, but it would like to go further. Will the Minister discuss with me the ways in which we can help to share the benefits of those savings so that some of them can be invested in improving energy efficiency and lowering bills in even more homes?
Context
A social housing provider in Chelmsford constituency has made significant investments in social housing for energy efficiency. The questioner wants to further discuss how these benefits can be shared.
Amanda Solloway
My right hon. Friend makes the important point that energy efficiency is crucial to lowering bills. That is why we have the social housing decarbonisation fund, which supports local authorities and housing associations in upgrading social housing stock below energy performance certificate level C.
Session: Fuel Poverty
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The Minister will be aware of the dire situation at Chelmsford Prison three years ago. The latest inspection report praises improvements made there. Does he agree that lessons from Chelmsford can help other prisons like Parc?
Context
Chelmsford Prison faced special measures three years ago but has since improved significantly, becoming safer and more productive.
Edward Argar
The work done at Chelmsford prison by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State, working with staff there, offers lessons that may benefit prisons such as Parc.
Session: Parc Prison
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With long delays in obtaining EHC plans and building new special schools, can the Secretary of State agree that rebuilding programmes could provide an opportunity for specialist hubs within mainstream schools?
Context
Essex has seen a delay in providing education health and care plans for children, but the county council is now recruiting additional staff. There are new special schools being built and large numbers of schools needing to be rebuilt due to RAAC issues.
Gillian Keegan
We urge local authorities to consider what will best meet the needs of young people in their area as we rebuild schools affected by RAAC, with flexibility on free school places to address local need.
Session: Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
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Chelmsford is a growing city, and while we have more clinicians now compared with pre-covid times, we need more surgeries as well. One new surgery is being built but it's difficult for developers to deliver new surgery buildings due to limits imposed by local district valuers on NHS lease costs. Will my right hon. Friend meet me to see whether we can resolve that issue?
Context
The MP raises concerns about the difficulty of delivering new surgery buildings due to limits imposed by local district valuers on NHS lease costs.
Andrea Leadsom
I would be delighted to meet my right hon. Friend to discuss the issue which several colleagues across the House have raised with me. The District Valuer Services is crucial in ensuring value for taxpayers' money from rents charged for GP practices, but I understand the point and am happy to meet her.
Session: GP Retention
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What recent progress has been made on retaining GPs? During covid and since, GPs have been exhausted and the return to primary care provision has been difficult. The Government are doing a lot such as improving digital telephony and reducing administrative workload.
Context
The MP raises concerns about the challenges faced by GPs in retaining staff post-covid and discusses efforts to support primary care.
Andrea Leadsom
GPs are the underpinning force of primary care. The Government is doing a lot such as improving digital telephony and reducing administrative workload. A future of general practice taskforce will be launched soon to look at what more can be done.
Session: GP Retention
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WhatsApp can be very handy, but it can also be very dangerous. Its end-to-end encryption means that even the most vile illegal content, such as child sexual abuse, cannot be policed or prevented. Given the obvious dangers to children, does the Secretary of State agree that it is woefully irresponsible of Meta to reduce the age for using WhatsApp to 13?
Context
The questioner is concerned about the dangers to children posed by reducing the minimum age for WhatsApp usage to 13.
Michelle Donelan
We are pro-innovation, but also pro-privacy. However, it is clearly not right for anyone to be exposed on any service to harms such as sexual abuse, extortion or grooming. Platforms must have robust processes in place to safeguard children, in line with the Online Safety Act 2023. Responsible encryption has an important role to play in protecting privacy, but it should not compromise safety, and Ofcom will take robust action when that is compromised.
Session: Topical Questions
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Does the Secretary of State agree that it is time to go even further and introduce a child-safe phone, ensuring all phones intended for children are properly fitted with parental controls?
Context
Concerns about children's online safety have prompted the suggestion of a 'child-safe phone' with enhanced parental controls.
Michelle Donelan
The Government produced world-leading legislation on online safety, which puts the onus on social media companies, not parents. I know that my right hon. Friend has spoken about information, which is particularly important to make it as easy as possible for parents. She raises an important issue about device-level controls, and I assure her that I am listening not just to Members of this House but to parents.
Session: Online Safety Act Implementation
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What steps her Department is taking to implement the Online Safety Act 2023?
Context
The question is prompted by concerns over how quickly and effectively the Department is implementing the new Online Safety Act.
Michelle Donelan
Ofcom is the independent regulator of the Online Safety Act. The Government are working with it to implement the Act as quickly as possible, including the relevant secondary legislation. Ofcom is taking a phased approach to bringing the duties into effect and is consulting on guidance and codes of practice. Offences around serious online abuse came into effect on 31 January this year.
Session: Online Safety Act Implementation
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Thank you, Mr Speaker, and on behalf of the whole shadow Home Affairs team may I place on record our sincere condolences on the loss of your father? Following the horrific killing of Kulsuma Akter in Bradford, who was tragically stabbed to death in broad daylight while pushing her three-year-old son in a pram, West Yorkshire and Greater Manchester police have referred themselves for investigation because of prior contact with Kulsuma and her husband, who has since been arrested for her murder. Cases of multiple contact with the police before violent escalation are all too common. Labour will mandate domestic abuse and wider violence against women and girls training for every police officer in the country and we will introduce Raneem's law to overhaul the policing response when reports are first made. So I ask the Minister, how many more women will have to die before the Government can do the same?
Context
Following the tragic stabbing of Kulsuma Akter in Bradford, the MP raised concerns about multiple contact with the police before violent escalation. She proposed mandatory training for all police officers.
Laura Farris
The hon. Lady is right to mention the case of Kulsuma Akter. What happened to her was appalling. I obviously cannot comment on any specifics in relation to the case, but the hon. Lady will know that the bail conditions that the perpetrator had been released under contained restrictions that were breached themselves. So it was not a case of the court refusing to apply conditions; he breached them. In relation to her wider point, of course every single one of these cases is a tragedy. She will know, because we have worked on a cross-party basis in the past, how much time and attention we dedicate to this at the Home Office, but I simply say this. We now have domestic abuse training that has been rolled out to over 80% of forces and the Home Secretary and I are working very closely with the nine outstanding ones. They are on a timetable for delivery—I want to reassure the hon. Lady of that—and we now, this month, have trained rape specialists in every single police force in England and Wales.
Session: Safer Streets Fund
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I thank the Health Minister for visiting a new medical school in Chelmsford, marking the first time Essex has trained doctors. What progress is being made to increase work placements for students?
Context
The MP mentions the new medical school in Chelmsford and its importance to training NHS staff.
Andrew Stephenson
We are working closely with NHS England and partners in health and education to ensure clinical placements, paying tribute to the MP's efforts.
Session: Topical Questions
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Parents want their children to be safe. Many parents are deeply concerned about what children are seeing on their phones. Does the Secretary of State agree that sellers of mobile phones should be doing much more to verify the age of the user? If the phone is being bought for a child, the seller should provide the parents with access to and advice on parental controls, so that parents can help to keep their children safe.
Context
The question raises concerns about children accessing inappropriate content on their phones.
Michelle Donelan
I absolutely agree with my right hon. Friend's passion when it comes to online safety. We are leading the world with our comprehensive Online Safety Act 2023. This is a matter on which we both agree and I am more than happy to discuss it further with her.
Session: Topical Questions
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What hope does the Minister have that we can end impunity, stop rapes, murders, pillage, and bring peace to the people of Sudan? Last night, the ICC prosecutor told the UN Security Council there are reasonable grounds to believe both the Sudan armed forces and rapid support forces are committing atrocious crimes in Darfur.
Context
Over 7 million people have been internally displaced and 20 million are in desperate need of humanitarian aid. The International Criminal Court prosecutor told the UN Security Council there are reasonable grounds to believe that both the Sudan armed forces and rapid support forces are committing atrocities.
Andrew Mitchell
Immediate ceasefire is called for. Talks were held in Addis before Christmas. Progress through the United Nations, Troika, IGAD, and AU is sought.
Session: Eritrea Human Rights
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The millions of children persistently absent from school is a national scandal, yet last week Government MPs joined together to vote against Labour's long-term plan to deal with that issue, putting party above country and children. So far the Government have only announced sticking plaster policies. Will the Secretary of State come forward with a long-term plan to address this properly?
Context
Millions of children are persistently absent from school, a national scandal. Government MPs voted against Labour's long-term plan to address the issue.
Gillian Keegan
Certainly not. Under a Labour Government, standards would plummet back to where they were last time—27th in maths and 28th for English. Standards fall under Labour with no plans to get children back into school. We are uniquely positioned with daily data and planning legislation on children who are not in school.
Session: Persistent Pupil Absence
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Will the Secretary of State apologise to these women who have waited long periods for gynaecology and obstetric care, or will she walk away like the Prime Minister?
Context
Sandy Simmons has been waiting nearly a year for uterine prolapse surgery. In Norfolk, 905 women are still waiting more than a year for treatment.
Victoria Atkins
I welcomed Labour candidates to the Government's women's health summit last week. We have announced a £50 million research fund into maternity disparities and female-specific conditions, and any concern she has about operation times should be taken up with the local trust.
Session: Midwifery and Maternity Services
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Will my hon. Friend arrange for me to meet the Housing Minister so that I can discuss how to make progress with my private Member's Bill on affordable housing in conversions of commercial to residential properties?
Context
Chelmsford faces high demand for affordable homes both to buy and rent, especially when converting large office blocks into flats. The local authority can put a quota on new build properties but not for converted properties.
Jacob Young
I will ensure that the Housing Minister is able to meet my right hon. Friend.
Session: Private Rented Sector
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Has the Secretary of State read the speech made by the Auditor General this week about cyber-security which said that lack of investment in upgrading our infrastructure makes the Government vulnerable to cyber-attack? Is he comfortable that we are safe from such attack?
Context
The Auditor General's recent speech highlighted the lack of investment in upgrading cyber security infrastructure, making the Government vulnerable to attacks.
Oliver Dowden
I am aware of the speech and I have spoken on many occasions about the challenges we face on cyber-security. It is an increasing threat landscape, but the Government are taking a range of actions to improve our cyber-security, not least GovAssure which was announced last year. That is about going through the cyber-security of all Departments to bring it up to scratch.
Session: Cyber-security
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I am concerned that while the government is taking action on critical infrastructure and organisations, many small businesses are not adequately protected or insured against cyber attacks. Chelmsford has a large cluster of insurance companies outside London; will the Minister meet me and representatives from these firms to discuss how an improved quality mark for cyber-security could increase insurance availability?
Context
Following cyber-attacks in her constituency in 2019, Vicky Ford asks about steps being taken to strengthen cyber security.
Oliver Dowden
I would be very happy to do so. As my right hon. Friend points out, cyber-insurance plays a vital role in helping to build resilience and we have a shared interest in developing it. The National Cyber Security Centre has stood up the cyber-insurance industry working group which is working through all these issues. I have met with Lloyd's of London, and both I and Treasury Ministers will be happy to have further such meetings.
Session: Cyber-security
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Many Chelmsford residents have already switched to electric vehicles. Those who live in houses with driveways pay just 5% VAT when they charge their cars at home, but those who live in terraced houses, who are often less well off, have to pay 20% VAT when they use a commercial charger. I fully understand that tax is a matter for the Treasury Ministers, but does my right hon. Friend agree that if we could level out this tax, we could make electric vehicles more affordable to all people and thus help with our transition towards a lower carbon economy?
Context
Many Chelmsford residents have switched to electric vehicles. Those without driveways face higher VAT when using commercial chargers, making EVs less affordable.
Graham Stuart
As we make the transition, it is essential that we do so fairly, not least for those with less. We have committed to keeping the transition to electric vehicles affordable for consumers, and we support innovations for those without a home charger such as cross-pavement cable channels and peer-to-peer charging schemes. I know that my right hon. Friend will continue to raise the VAT issue. As she rightly said, all taxes, including VAT reliefs, are kept under review by the Chancellor.
Session: Topical Questions
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Given the hotel's impact on school places, will you review policy to ensure that when people with children are placed in hotels there are available school places?
Context
The MP is concerned about the pressure on school places due to the placement of families in an Atlantic Hotel.
Robert Jenrick
The Home Office is committed not to place further young people or families without readily available school places. The hotel in Chelmsford will close soon.
Session: Asylum Seeker Accommodation
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I thank the Courts Minister for his recent letter on recruitment and retention of legal advisers in Essex and the impact that that is having on court listings. Although I know that he and I agree about the independence of the judiciary regarding individual cases, will he meet me to discuss what more might be done to fill the vacancies for legal advisers in Essex?
Context
The Minister recently sent a letter about recruitment and retention issues affecting court listings.
Mike Freer
I am always happy to meet my right hon. Friend.
Session: Topical Questions
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While raising personal allowances benefits lower-income individuals, does the Treasury now plan to focus on reducing tax burdens for hard-working, middle-income families?
Context
The MP noted the Government's efforts to raise personal allowances, benefiting low-income earners. He asked if similar focus will be given to reducing taxes for hard-working middle-income families.
Nigel Huddleston
Since 2010, we have taken over 3 million of the lowest-paid people out of paying income tax altogether; however, I cannot comment further given it is close to a fiscal event.
Session: Wealth Tax
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I thank my right hon. Friend for that answer. There should be no place for hatred in our communities. As a woman in her 50s—[Hon. Members: “No!”]—I know how challenging the menopause can be, especially when you have a busy job. What support is there for working women with the menopause?
Context
The MP addressed the challenges faced by women in their 50s due to menopause, especially those with busy jobs.
Kemi Badenoch
There will be a full debate on menopause tomorrow, led by the Minister for Social Mobility. Helen Tomlinson has made progress since her appointment as the Department for Work and Pensions menopause employment champion. The report “No Time to Step Back” outlines this progress and future workshops.
Session: Topical Questions
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A number of Members of the House have relatives or family members who are trans, and we will all have constituents who are members of the trans community. Does the Minister agree that trans people need safe spaces, too?
Context
The debate includes family members and constituents who are part of the trans community needing safe spaces.
Maria Caulfield
My right hon. Friend is absolutely right to highlight the tone in which the debate should take place. Just a few weeks ago, we had a debate in Westminster Hall where I absolutely made that point. This is not about pitting women against the trans community. Gender reassignment is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act, but it is important that biological women have the ability to access single-sex spaces, too.
Session: Single-sex Spaces
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If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities. The terrible events in the middle east have impacted religious communities across the UK, affecting their security and peace in Britain. There is a need to maintain civility and respect for diversity while condemning hate and aggressive behaviour.
Context
The speaker addressed the impact of Middle Eastern events on UK religious communities.
Kemi Badenoch with title Minister for Women and Equalities
As the Minister, she reflects on how religious communities in the UK have been impacted by Middle Eastern events. She emphasizes that citizens have a right to feel secure and condemns recent hostility towards Jewish communities and calls for jihad. Public sector organisations are reminded of their legal obligation under equality duties to consider good relations in community services.
Session: Topical Questions
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The all-party parliamentary group on Sudan and South Sudan has heard how people in Darfur still face daily bombings, killing, rape, pillage and torture. Members of the Darfur community here are deeply worried about the ethnic cleansing. What is happening to try to reduce the flow of weapons and to get urgent humanitarian aid to the 24 million people who desperately need it?
Context
People in Darfur face daily bombings, killing, rape, pillage, and torture. The question addresses efforts to reduce weapons flow and provide humanitarian aid.
Andrew Mitchell
My right hon. Friend is entirely right. We have recently contributed £600,000 to open-source investigative reporting to verify and preserve information on attacks on civilians and breaches of international humanitarian law. As she will know, we are providing £22 million of support for Sudan—£5 million was announced recently to help people who have gone across the border into Chad and South Sudan. She will also know that something like 19 humanitarian workers have been murdered, but we are doing everything we can to try to get aid and help in.
Session: Sudan Peace and Democracy
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Will my right hon. Friend look at the report from UK Finance on tokenisation of markets to be world leaders in that innovative area?
Context
The UK has a history of leading in financial services and markets.
Jeremy Hunt
Thanks to the Economic Secretary, we have repealed 100 EU rules and regulations in financial services. We will look closely at opportunities related to tokenisation.
Session: Brexit Economic Impact
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One of my Chelmsford constituents sent me a message that has been circulating recently. It suggests that asylum seekers are entitled to receive more in benefits than pensioners; I believe that is not accurate. For the record, will the Minister confirm what support is available for pensioners, compared with that for asylum seekers?
Context
A constituent of Vicky Ford's sent a message suggesting that asylum seekers receive more benefits than pensioners, which is believed to be inaccurate.
Laura Trott
Let me reassure my right hon. Friend and her constituents that asylum seekers are given no recourse to public funds. They are given payment for their food and shelter, but they are unable to claim benefits. Pensioners in her constituency will receive a state pension, if they qualify, which for the first time is worth on average more than £200 per week or over £10,000 a year. Pensioners who have not built up sufficient contributions may be eligible for pension credits, worth on average £3,500 per year, to top up their income. They are also eligible to receive the cost of living payment, if they ever receive pension credit, and the pensioner cost of living payment.
Session: Pension Credit
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What steps his Department is taking to increase the number of eligible people claiming pension credit. The DWP has conducted an extensive campaign across TV, radio and social media, and with partner organisations, to boost pension credit take-up, with a number of pushes being made before cost of living payment deadlines.
Context
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has been running a campaign to boost pension credit take-up.
Laura Trott
The DWP has conducted an extensive campaign across TV, radio and social media, and with partner organisations, to boost pension credit take-up, with a number of pushes being made before cost of living payment deadlines. Applications were up by 75% in the year to May.
Session: Pension Credit
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Teledyne e2v is the world leader in space imaging providing eyes to NASA, the European Space programme and Copernicus. Can she make sure our conversations with Horizon also include Copernicus?
Context
The company Teledyne e2v provides space imaging for NASA, European Space Programme and Copernicus. There is concern about the EU building Earth observation satellites that cannot see the Earth.
Chloe Smith
I welcome my right hon. Friend's interest in this area and she is absolutely right to say that we have enormous opportunity in our space sector, across a range of aspects. I know the Minister for Science, Research and Innovation would like to discuss her constituency interest further with her.
Session: Horizon Europe
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Murder, rape and pillage continue on a massive scale across Sudan. As well as ensuring that humanitarian aid gets to those on the borders, and the financial sanctions that we introduced last week, will the ministerial team look further at ways to cut off the source of funding for this violence, in particular by sanctioning Al-Khaleej Bank and Omdurman National Bank, which are associated with the two warring generals?
Context
Murder, rape and pillage continue on a massive scale across Sudan. Humanitarian workers have been killed during the violence.
Andrew Mitchell
My right hon Friend, who knows a lot about the subject, can rest assured that we are looking at all possible sanctions and other measures that we can take. She refers to humanitarian access. She will know that 15 humanitarian workers have been murdered during the course of the violence, but we will do everything that we can to ensure that what she wants to see happen happens.
Session: Topical Questions
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In the past few days there have been deeply alarming reports in our press that Russian forces may have placed highly destructive mines at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. What assessment has the Secretary of State made of the risk of a major nuclear incident?
Context
There have been reports about Russian forces placing mines near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
Ben Wallace
My right hon. Friend asks a very important question about the risk posed by Russian activity not only within its own borders, but in Ukraine and at the nuclear power station of Zaporizhzhia. Sadly, Russia has shown no restraint in using munitions against civilian structures, critical national infrastructure, hospitals, surgeries and so on, which add to the long list of war crimes that it has clearly been engaged in. We monitor it very closely. We work with the international community to ensure that everything that can be done is done to protect the nuclear power station, and to remind Russia, not only through us but through third countries, of its obligations to protect the civilian population.
Session: Ukraine Military Support
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What recent steps his Department has taken to provide military support to Ukraine?
Context
The UK has been providing significant military support to Ukraine.
Ben Wallace
The UK continues to be recognised as a leading nation providing military support to Ukraine, training more than 17,000 recruits and providing £2.3 billion-worth of support last year and this year. We have sent hundreds of thousands of rounds of artillery ammunition, thousands of missiles and hundreds of armoured vehicles. We have led the world on gifting vital capabilities such as multiple launch rocket systems, Challenger 2 and Storm Shadow missiles.
Session: Ukraine Military Support
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The blowing of the Nova Kakhovka dam is the biggest act of ecocide in generations. For the record, will my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary confirm again that the UK will leave no stone unturned in holding the Russian regime to account for the damage that has been caused by their war?
Context
The breaking of the Nova Kakhovka dam is seen as an act of ecocide.
James Cleverly (Foreign Secretary)
My right hon. Friend is right about the huge environmental damage that has been caused by the breaking of the dam. Although I am sure Members are already conscious of this, it is worth reminding the House that incidents such as this and the damage to other civilian infrastructure across Ukraine is happening only because of Russia's war and its illegitimate invasion of Ukraine.
Session: Topical Questions
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Climate change and conflict are causing untold misery across the horn of Africa and forcing millions of people to leave their homes. Does my right hon. Friend agree that we should be spending more of our overseas aid on stabilising lives in such places as east Africa and less on expensive asylum hotels here in the UK?
Context
Climate change and conflict are causing significant displacement in East Africa, leading to questions about UK aid priorities.
Andrew Mitchell
My right hon. Friend is right, and she can rest assured that those points are made in discussions within Government. The point I would make is that as a result, the Treasury agreed to provide an extra £2,500 million of support to compensate for that spending. I think that was the right decision, and I strongly support it.
Session: Hunger East Africa
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Given that we know employment can help to reduce reoffending, what progress is being made on helping offenders and ex-offenders into work?
Context
A GCSE project highlighted the importance of employment in reducing reoffending rates.
Alex Chalk
My right hon. Friend the Member for East Hampshire has talked about this a little. It is very important for people within jails to be given the chance to connect with opportunities outside.
Session: Topical Questions
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The humanitarian situation in Sudan is extremely serious and is spreading to affect neighbouring countries, as many thousands of people are fleeing Sudan. Many of those neighbouring countries themselves are very fragile. What are the UK Government and other international partners doing to support humanitarian efforts, not only in Sudan, but in neighbouring countries?
Context
The humanitarian situation in Sudan has worsened and is affecting neighboring countries.
Andrew Mitchell
My right hon. Friend is absolutely right; the situation is simply appalling. The head of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is expecting to be in the region within the next day or so. The essential fact that is required is a ceasefire.
Session: Topical Questions
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People in Chelmsford spend too much time in traffic jams. It is hitting our economic growth, and the Army and Navy junction is a notorious pinch point. The outline business case for the new junction has been submitted. Will our excellent team of Transport Ministers help me to get the funds that we need from the Treasury to get the new junction delivered?
Context
The Army and Navy roundabout is a notorious traffic jam in Chelmsford. The outline business case has been submitted.
Richard Holden
I thank my hon. Friend for welcoming me on my recent visit to her constituency where I saw the Army and Navy roundabout. The outline business case has been submitted by Essex County Council. It is currently proceeding through our assessment and decision-making process, which includes consideration by Ministers in my Department and also in the Treasury. I look forward to a positive announcement before too long.
Session: Topical Questions
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It is shocking that Essex Lib Dems voted against more money to fix our potholes. Local Lib Dems also voted for the ultra-low emission zone charge in London, the zoning charge in Oxford, the congestion charge in Cambridge, and the parking charges at Chelmsford's Hylands. Does my hon. Friend agree that when it comes to local roads, local Lib Dems are much more likely to be flinging out fines than filling up potholes?
Context
The MP is highlighting Liberal Democrats' negative stance on various road funding measures and questioning their priorities.
Richard Holden
I recently visited my hon. Friend in Chelmsford to see the excellent Conservative councillors there working hard on behalf of local residents, and the stats speak for themselves, with Conservative councils repairing around double the number of potholes when they are in charge, compared with Liberal Democrat-controlled councils.
Session: Repairing Potholes Funding in Spring Budget 2023
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What assessment he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the adequacy of the funding for repairing potholes announced in the spring Budget 2023?
Context
The MP is concerned about the adequacy of funding announced in the spring Budget 2023 for repairing potholes.
Richard Holden
The Government are investing more than £5 billion between 2020 and 2025 in highways maintenance. On top of that, we are putting in another £200 million announced in the spring Budget, which will allow local communities to plan effectively for managing their roads, with enough money to fill millions of potholes, repair dozens of bridges and resurface roads right across the country.
Session: Repairing Potholes Funding in Spring Budget 2023
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In Chelmsford there are many households living in temporary accommodation. New affordable homes are being built on greenfield sites, but that is not keeping pace with the need. Will the Government look at better ways to use brownfield sites, such as office block to residential conversions, to help to deliver more affordable homes?
Context
In Chelmsford, there are many households in temporary accommodation. New affordable homes are being built on greenfield sites, but the demand is not being met. The MP asks about better ways to use brownfield sites.
Rachel Maclean
My right hon. Friend is doing a superb job of pushing forward affordable homes for her constituents in Chelmsford, and we are wholly committed to that shared agenda. Since 2010, over 829,000 households have been helped to buy a home by Conservative Governments. That is a massive achievement. However, it is vital to prioritise brownfield sites such as those in Chelmsford, and we recently consulted on proposed policies to further encourage the use of those small sites. I am happy to meet her to discuss that further.
Session: New Homes Regenerated Brownfield Land
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
School Attendance
23 January 2024
Responding: Robert Halfon
Main Concerns
['The number of severely absent or persistently absent pupils has soared since the pandemic. Last spring, nearly 1.5 million children were persistently absent from school, which means one in five is missing 10% or more of their school time. This surge risks a profound impact on educational attainment and longer-term outcomes for young people. Concerns include issues such as unmet special educational needs, anxiety, mental health, part-time timetables for children with SEND, changes in attitudes towards minor ailments leading to absences, and negative impacts from addictive online gaming.']
Specific Asks
["I have tabled a Bill to make the 'Working together to improve school attendance' guidance mandatory. The Bill introduces a new general duty on local authorities to promote regular attendance and requires schools of all types to publicise a school attendance policy. I ask the Government to support these measures."]
UN Sustainable Development Goals
19 October 2023
Responding: Andrew Mitchell
Main Concerns
["The UK is severely off track in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Progress has been hindered by the global pandemic, climate change, and geopolitical tensions such as Russia's war in Ukraine. Extreme poverty increased by an estimated 150 million people globally in 2020, with sub-Saharan Africa expected to have 7% of its population living in extreme poverty by 2030. The number of out-of-school children worldwide is now 250 million, and two-thirds of the world's children cannot read or understand a simple sentence by age ten."]
Specific Asks
["The Minister should update on how stakeholder consultations for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office White Paper process are progressing. It would also be beneficial to hear more about how SDG4 on education fits into FCDO's wider SDG strategy and how the UK prioritises SDGs in policymaking."]
Essex Mental Health Independent Inquiry
31 January 2023
Responding: Neil O'Brien
Main Concerns
["The MP is concerned about the low engagement of EPUT staff in the non-statutory inquiry, which has only received evidence from 11 out of over 14,000 staff members. This includes cases where patients at high risk were able to leave facilities unmonitored and subsequently died. The MP highlights specific examples such as Jayden Booroff's death after absconding the Linden Centre. She also emphasizes the impact on survivors who have experienced horrific treatment while in care, including sexual abuse and excessive use of restraint."]
Specific Asks
['The MP calls for this non-statutory inquiry to be converted into a statutory one within one month if there is no significant change in staff engagement. This would compel witnesses to give evidence, ensure transparency, and enable greater public scrutiny.']
International Day of Education
26 January 2023
Responding: Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Main Concerns
["I am concerned about the stark impact that the lack of education has on children, particularly girls, in developing countries. Currently, an estimated 222 million children are in need of urgent educational support, with 78 million not in school or receiving any form of education. Pre-pandemic, only 9% of crisis-affected early grade children achieved minimum proficiency in maths and reading, while the World Bank research from 2019 showed that 90% of children in low-income countries could not read proficiently. Girls are disproportionately affected, with nearly two thirds of global illiteracy being made up of women. The Taliban's ban on female aid workers will mean more Afghan girls are denied their right to education."]
Specific Asks
["I urge the Minister to continue championing the cause of girls' education at international fora and to publish the long-awaited FCDO women and girls strategy urgently. I also ask for UK leadership in providing financial support during ECW's high-level financing conference next month, ensuring Education Cannot Wait has the resources needed to deliver for children."]
Early Years Funding And Support Initiatives
03 December 2020
Main Concerns
['The lead MP expressed admiration for those working in the early years sector and highlighted improvements since 2013, including a rise from 74% to 96% of settings rated good or outstanding by Ofsted. She noted that the proportion of five-year-olds reaching a good level of development increased from 52% in 2013 to 72% currently. The MP also mentioned an unprecedented investment of £3.6 billion in free childcare places, benefiting over 1 million disadvantaged two-year-olds since 2013 and an estimated 345,700 children taking up 30-hour childcare places.']
Specific Asks
["The lead MP assured the House that further details on spring term funding would be provided as soon as possible and emphasised the government's commitment to supporting early years settings through increased funding for hourly rates and reactive expert support. She also committed to continuing the long-term funding of maintained nursery schools."]
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...
School Attendance Bill - Clause not specified, debate on third reading of the bill
17 May 2024
Bill Debate
Led by this MP
The Bill aims to address rising school absences by requiring local councils and schools to use services effectively to remove barriers faced by some children. It mandates that every council will have ...
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...
Immigration Update
01 May 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Conviction Quashing Bill - Clause 1 Amendment (25)
29 April 2024
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
Amendment 25 seeks to clarify that clause 1(1) will apply only to convictions made before the Act's coming into force. This ensures that the legislation does not retroactively affect cases outside its...
Childcare Entitlements
23 April 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Sudan: Government Response
22 April 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Smoking Reduction and Tobacco Control Bill - Clause 1
16 April 2024
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
Moves the Bill, stating its purpose is to prevent future generations from starting smoking. Argues that the only product that kills two thirds of its long-term users if consumed as intended is tobacco...
Iran-Israel Update
15 April 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Cyber-security and UK Democracy
25 March 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
3
PMQs Asked
60
Ministerial Questions Asked
122
House of Commons Debates Involved
5
Westminster Hall Debates Led
8
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
-18% below average
This MP:
3
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+348% above average
This MP:
60
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
+99% above average
This MP:
5
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+2403% above average
This MP:
122
Average:
4.9
Statements / Bills Proposed
-15% below average
This MP:
8
Average:
9.5
Petitions Presented
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Voting Attendance Rate (%)
-100% below average
This MP:
0.0
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 Vicky Ford's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.