Victoria Collins
MP for Harpenden and Berkhamsted
Lib Dem
4 Jul 2024 - Present
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
This Government's top-down housing targets mean communities are seeing huge-scale development without sufficient infrastructure. New builds cost over £500,000. Will the Prime Minister review these targets and come speak to constituents about their impact?
Context
The MP noted concerns about housing targets in her constituency, with local infrastructure strained and new homes unaffordable. A constituent named Hannah expressed that she cannot dream of buying a home.
Keir Starmer
We have invested £39 billion in social and affordable homes, prioritising brownfield land. We must build more communities with strong infrastructure, but the hon. Lady's party consistently votes against planning reforms that allow those homes to be built.
Assessment
The specific ask for reviewing targets was not addressed; instead, emphasis on past investment and criticism of opposition.
Session: PMQs
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Q4. Businesses such as Hicks in Harpenden, charities such as the Hospice of St Francis in Berkhamsted, and health and social care providers such as the Elms medical practice in Harpenden, are among those up and down this country that are warning the Government about the negative impact of the proposed changes to national insurance contributions. When will the Prime Minister heed those warnings and, at the very least, look at exemptions for health and social care providers, as has been done for the NHS?
Context
Businesses, charities, and health/social care providers in Harpenden and Berkhamsted are warning the government about negative impacts of proposed changes to national insurance contributions.
The Prime Minister (Keir Starmer)
We had to deliver a Budget to wipe the slate clean, to deliver a stable basis for our economy and, at the same time, to repair our public services. That is why we invested £25.6 billion over two years in the NHS, including additional funding for GPs and hospices. We are taking measures to ensure that funding is there to support our vital services.
Session: PMQs
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The Swan Youth Project in Berkhamsted is an incredible drop-in centre that intervenes to bring hope and a better future to teenagers such as Lex and Megan, who have been facing anxiety, depression and long mental health waiting lists, as well as families coping with special educational needs and disability. Its representatives have already written to the Treasury saying that they are worried about getting the funds they need, as our communities face a tough winter and grants are depleting. Parul, the manager, also assures me that she makes a mean curry and would welcome the Prime Minister, so will he join me to discuss their concerns and ensure that the Swan Youth Project and similar organisations in the third sector get the support they need as they work tirelessly for our communities?
Context
The Swan Youth Project in Berkhamsted is facing funding depletion amid concerns about a tough winter. The manager, Parul, has requested support to address these issues.
Keir Starmer
The hon. Lady will be pleased to know that I have been to Berkhamsted a number of times, as we have very good friends who live there. I pay tribute to the work of the Swan Youth Project; too many young people—she cited some of them—are struggling with mental health and not receiving the support they need. That is why we will recruit an additional 8,500 mental health workers and are introducing long-overdue reforms to the Mental Health Act 1983.
Assessment
The Prime Minister did not directly address joining the MP to discuss concerns or ensuring support for specific organisations.
Session: PMQs
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Despite swift action from Dacorum council to tackle a 6-acre unauthorised development in the Chilterns landscape, it had to choose between occupation and restoration, as tackling both would potentially have dragged the case out for years. What are the Government doing to help councils with powers to ensure that these cases can be tackled sooner?
Context
Dacorum council had to choose between occupation and restoration of a 6-acre unauthorised development in the Chilterns landscape.
Matthew Pennycook
We have strengthened national planning policy in respect of intentional unauthorised development, making it harder to grant permission after the fact where there is evidence that development was carried out intentionally without permission. However, it has become evident that we are seeing the prevalence of a more structured pattern of unauthorised development, and we are working across Government to see what more action might be taken to bear down on that.
Session: Topical Questions 2026-09-07
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This might be the last time we face this ministerial team, but I hope that they will stay, because I know they have done a lot of hard work on online safety. With that in mind, I have recently spoken to students in Harpenden and Berkhamsted, who passionately shared their fears and hopes around AI chatbots. With the Labour leadership transition putting any major announcements on hold, what guarantees can the Secretary of State give that, alongside the support of the right hon. Member for Makerfield—the Prime Minister in waiting—there will be an announcement in July about AI online safety, and vital protections will not be sidelined?
Context
Students in Harpenden and Berkhamsted have expressed concerns about AI chatbots, which aligns with broader discussions on online safety.
Liz Kendall
I share the concerns of the good people of the hon. Member's constituency about AI chatbots. I will come back with a further statement to the House about the things I said in my last statement, not only looking at further steps on AI chatbots—we have banned sexualised companion chatbots and the features within general chatbots that allow that to happen—but on overnight curfews, brakes on infinite scrolling and various other things. I will make the fullest possible update to the House on those measures, as I said I would.
Session: Online Safety Children 2026-07-01
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My constituent Fraser puts it best when he says, 'At a time when the world is increasingly dark and uncertain, and when the UK's defence capability is well below the level required,' defence bonds are surely one which would gain support across the political spectrum. With all of us in the United Kingdom paying the price every time we check out or pay a bill, the Liberal Democrat calls to issue £20 billion of defence bonds would mean an injection of funding in our security, but also in our economy, so what are the Government waiting for?
Context
The MP is concerned about the UK's defence capability amid global instability, referencing a constituent who supports issuing defence bonds.
John Healey
I remember that for at least six months after the election, the hon. Lady and her party were urging us to raise defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2030. We have done better than that—we are hitting 2.6% next year, three years before anyone expected, including her party.
Session: Defence Bonds
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My constituent Fraser says, 'At a time when the world is increasingly dark and uncertain, and when the UK's defence capability is well below the level required,' defence bonds are surely one which would gain support across the political spectrum. With all of us in the United Kingdom paying the price every time we check out or pay a bill, the Liberal Democrat calls to issue £20 billion of defence bonds would mean an injection of funding in our security, but also in our economy, so what are the Government waiting for?
Context
The MP is concerned about the UK's defence capabilities amid global instability. She references a constituent who supports issuing defence bonds to boost security funding.
John Healey
I remember that for at least six months after the election, the hon. Lady and her party were urging us to raise defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2030. We have done better than that—we are hitting 2.6% next year, three years before anyone expected, including her party.
Session: Defence Bonds
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May I gently but urgently reiterate the previous two questions? Sam, one of my constituents, has raised Dynamic Metals, an independent British supplier working on specialised steel and metals for aerospace and motorsports. We have to champion those industries in this country. From 1 July, his business will see import tariffs go from zero to more than £3 million. That is pretty much insurmountable, and this policy could have an awful impact on industries that we must champion. Will the Minister consider the points raised in the previous two questions, as well as extending the deadline and meeting my constituents and those of many others in order to understand the full impact? That way, we can stand up for our industries and support our steel partners.
Chris McDonald
I am not familiar with the situation with Dynamic Metals. I was just having a discussion on the Front Bench with the Minister for Trade, my hon. Friend the Member for Rhondda and Ogmore (Chris Bryant), and if the hon. Lady writes to him, he will look carefully at the matter she has raised.
Session: Steel Strategy
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Having worked across Departments and with my technology counterpart in the Lords, we have published a comprehensive paper on how Britain can thrive in the age of AI. It calls for a digital sovereign strategy and an integrated approach to AI that is bold, responsible, pro-innovation, pro-trust and built alongside industry and civic expertise. I would be happy to discuss this. We see Britain having a leading place in AI services, but we have squandered leads before, and the Government have not offered a coherent, joined-up strategy on how to do this differently, in a way that is centred on trust and standards. Where is the Government’s AI Bill? Can we have guarantees that Labour’s latest internal drama will not cost Britain its most important economic opportunity in a generation?
Kanishka Narayan
Can I gently point out to the hon. Lady that there is a very clear strategy? We set out the AI opportunities action plan early on, and we then built in a public dashboard, so that people right across the country can follow progress on the plan: 75% of it has been delivered, and just this week, we found out that IT and AI have driven productivity revivals for this country. We are firing on all cylinders when it comes to UK AI.
Session: Artificial Intelligence
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Over the Easter weekend, a 6-acre site in the Chilterns national landscape saw a massive unauthorised development. Despite swift action from Dacorum borough council to issue a temporary stop notice and an injunction, the work continued, with the police powerless to stop it and the council without the resources. What will the Minister do through cross-departmental work to uphold the rule of law and protect our precious landscapes?
Darren Jones
I think any constituency MP would find those circumstances utterly unacceptable. If the hon. Member writes to me, I will ensure that I pass the information to colleagues in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to see what we can do.
Session: Topical Questions
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What steps are you taking to increase levels of funding for UK Research and Innovation?
Context
The MP is concerned about the massive investment in UKRI but also highlights issues within STFC's funding.
Liz Kendall
This Labour Government has put in the biggest investment into research and development ever, with £38 billion for UKRI, including £14 billion for curiosity-led research. We announced an ambitious plan to buy quantum computers by 2030 backed by £2 billion—world first.
Session: UK Research and Innovation
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Catherine in Redbourn faces weeks-long waits for GP appointments despite an increase of up to 70% residents. Should councils have powers to ensure planning approvals are contingent on securing healthcare? Will NHS planning cycles align with housing developments?
Context
Villagers face long waits for GP appointments due to population increases from speculative developments without securing necessary healthcare services.
Stephen Kinnock
On GP access, I am delighted that 75% of patients say it is easy to contact their GP now. Turning to planning, the integrated care board, council, and developers need to be joined up together.
Session: Topical Questions
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We have already heard from thousands of stakeholders, including concerned parents, teachers and young people, who are all crying out for help against fast-evolving online harm. That is why the Liberal Democrats have proposed a world-leading approach to ban harmful social media, based on a future-proof, harms-based approach that is backed by 42 children’s charities and online experts. As the world wakes up to this seatbelt moment for online safety, now is the time for action. A consultation is not good enough, so will the Secretary of State please assure us that it will at least look at how we ban harmful social media for under-16s, rather than if we do it?
Context
The MP referenced a proposed world-leading approach to ban harmful social media, based on a future-proof, harms-based approach backed by 42 children’s charities and online experts.
The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Liz Kendall)
We are banning harmful content for children, and this Government have taken decisive action to protect children and young people from intimate image abuse, self-harm, cyber-flashing, and strangulation in pornography. Hon. Members across the House will continually ask me this question today, but I believe that a consultation—swift, with proposals before the summer—is the right and responsible way forward to hear different views, to try to build consensus where we can, and then to act decisively.
Session: Teenagers’ Use of Social Media
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Hospitality is on its knees, and it is already too late for many of the pubs and restaurants in Harpenden and Berkhamsted that are closing down. The small café Nook in Markyate is a real lifeline for that village, but Helen, the owner, talks about business rates, national insurance costs and the minimum wage. The Liberal Democrats have long been crying out, alongside the hospitality sector, for Government help for the sector. Although we welcome the U-turn, I call on the Minister and the Government to hear that cry before the next one, when it will be too late for the next swathe of hospitality businesses that will have closed down.
Context
Victoria Collins highlights the plight of many pubs and restaurants in her constituency that are closing due to business rates, national insurance costs, and minimum wage issues.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Kate Dearden)
Over the longer term, we have committed to reviewing the methodology used for business rates purposes. If necessary, we will make changes to ensure that the next revaluation accurately reflects the rental market for these properties. We will be conducting that expert review, working closely with the hotel and pub sectors. We want to see our high streets thrive, and hospitality is key to that, in the hon. Lady’s constituency and across our whole economy. That is what I want to see, and it is what we are committed to work towards.
Session: Hospitality Sector
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Given the strength of power shown by the EU to the US, not only is the relationship with Europe more strategically important than ever, but it matters because of the £90 billion black hole in our economy. Given this context and the challenges faced by Hazel from Tring's medical devices business due to post-Brexit costs and bureaucracy, when will the Government finally start taking seriously negotiations on a new EU-UK customs deal?
Context
The EU's relationship with the US has highlighted the strategic importance of UK-EU relations, especially given an estimated £90 billion economic deficit. Constituents like Hazel from Tring have experienced increased costs and bureaucracy since Brexit.
Nick Thomas-Symonds
On the hon. Lady’s first point, we agreed the new strategic security and defence partnership with the European Union in May last year, which is absolutely crucial. On the point about the food and drink agreement, we agreed just before Christmas that that will be completed by the time of the next summit.
Session: UK-EU Relations
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Businesses across my constituency, such as Redbournbury Mill and Total Cow Burger in Redbourn, have written to me about the crippling increases in energy costs. Coupled with the increased cost of national insurance and business rates, that means they are struggling to keep going. Ahead of the autumn Budget, will the Government commit to break the link between gas and electricity prices, as the Liberal Democrats have called for, to provide much-needed relief for businesses and families?
Context
Redbournbury Mill and Total Cow Burger in Redbourn have written to Victoria Collins about the rising energy costs, which are exacerbating their financial difficulties.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Chris McDonald)
I acknowledge the work the hon. Member does in Parliament on energy-related issues and her Adjournment debate on high street businesses; that theme clearly runs through a lot of her work. She is right to point out the fundamental weakness we have that, when it comes to our investment in renewable energy, the price is ultimately set by gas. We want to address that through our clean power mission.
Session: Energy Costs Support for Businesses
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I would like to join hon. Members in really pushing on questions about AI chatbots. Their human-like, assertive nature is filling a gap and many people, including children, are entrusting chatbots with medical opinions, legal advice and emotional support, with fatal consequences and without clear accountability. I know that this has been touched on, but it is really important. Ofcom explicitly includes only user to user or search, so one to one, which is actually where there are some of the most acute harms, is not covered. Will the Minister commit to working with Ofcom on classification, so we can ensure the responsible use of this technology and protect children from the unregulated harms of the growing dependence on chatbots?
Context
Concerns have been raised about the use of chatbots for medical opinions, legal advice, and emotional support without clear accountability. The current Online Safety Act includes only live search and user-to-user engagement under its scope.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Kanishka Narayan)
Let me be very clear: of course we will. We have already both engaged with Ofcom and commissioned further work on this question, and we will report on that at the earliest opportunity.
Session: Online Safety
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Carol from Harpenden is one of many constituents who are worried about energy costs. At 70, she stressed that she never imagined that she would have to scrimp and save in the way that she does just to get by. The warm home discount is a temporary lifeline, so will the Government commit to long-lasting solutions to end fuel poverty, including an emergency home upgrade programme that will include incentives to install heat pumps that cover real costs?
Context
Carol from Harpenden, a constituent at 70 years old, is worried about energy costs and has to scrimp and save just to get by. She stressed that the warm home discount is a temporary lifeline.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Martin McCluskey)
We are currently consulting on extending the warm home discount beyond 2026. I would encourage the hon. Lady to look at that consultation and feed back her views. The warm homes plan is the route to some of the actions that she has outlined and we will be publishing it before the end of the year.
Session: Reducing Energy Bills
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From the lack of a rural crime strategy to reduced access to legal aid, our rural communities are being left behind. In Harpenden, one farm alone has reported 76 fly-tipping incidents in five years, with the injustice that the most recent incident is costing the farmer around £40,000. Proper legal support for victims of rural crime could make a world of difference, so how are the Government ensuring fair access for our rural communities, including face-to-face legal aid support?
Context
The MP noted a farm in Harpenden reporting 56 fly-tipping incidents over five years, with the most recent incident costing the farmer around £40,000.
Sarah Sackman (Minister of State, Ministry of Justice)
The hon. Lady is absolutely right that we need to ensure access to legal aid for those who live in rural areas. The Legal Aid Agency was satisfied that legal aid services across all categories are adequate in her constituency of Harpenden and Berkhamsted. Digital technology is transforming access to justice through remote consultations and Government-funded websites, such as Advicenow. I encourage her constituents to access legal aid through those means, as well as through local providers.
Session: Legal Aid Rural Areas
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Does the Minister agree that now is the time for the UK to lead on AI safety, and will he join me and the head of Google DeepMind in calling for an AI safety agency modelled on the International Atomic Energy Agency and headquartered here in the UK?
Context
The Liberal Democrat spokesperson discusses the need for the UK to lead on AI safety following criticisms of US proposals by Microsoft's chief scientist.
The Minister for Data Protection and Telecoms (Chris Bryant)
Both the Under-Secretary of State and I have been remiss in not congratulating my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West (Dame Chi Onwurah) on her damehood. The Under-Secretary of State and I work closely on AI and copyright, and on making sure that we have the AI safety and security that we need. The Liberal Democrat spokesperson makes a fair point and it is one of the things that we are considering at the moment.
Session: Artificial Intelligence Legislative Proposals
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Emma from Tring is one of my constituents who has said that these changes to disability benefits will mean that they will have to come out of a career in the NHS. What does the Secretary of State have to say to those who are terrified about losing their work after changes to disability allowance?
Context
Emma, a constituent of the MP, is worried about losing her job due to changes in disability benefits.
Liz Kendall
Nine out of 10 people who are on PIP when the changes come in will be unaffected by the end of this Parliament. Anybody who is affected will keep that benefit for three months—that is, I think, one of the longest transitional protections ever and certainly three times as long as when we move from disability living allowance to PIP. The important Access to Work fund is there precisely to help anybody who needs that sort of support to get into work. We will guarantee that during those three months, anyone who is affected and who uses their PIP for work will get access to an adviser who will help them to apply for Access to Work, because it is so important that we support them.
Session: Topical Questions
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The response to my recent written question on disability benefits applications listed the 18 most common disabilities and health conditions and showed that hundreds of thousands of people were awarded fewer than four points in all living activities and will miss out on the daily living component of PIP. They include people like Jemima in Harpenden, who suffers from severe physical disabilities and thyroid cancer and finds even walking very difficult. Will the Government please commit to reforming the criteria to better reflect the full complexity of claimants’ conditions?
Context
MP Victoria Collins cited the Office for Budget Responsibility's assessment that many people on the PIP daily living component who did not get four points in any activity at their last assessment are feeling anxious. She highlighted specific cases, including Jemima from Harpenden with severe physical disabilities and thyroid cancer.
The Minister for Social Security and Disability (Sir Stephen Timms)
I recognise that many people who are on the PIP daily living component who did not get four points on anything at their last assessment are feeling rather anxious. However, what they need to know—I hope the hon. Member will reassure her constituents on this—is that it is the view of the Office for Budget Responsibility that most of them will nevertheless still have their PIP after their fresh assessment once the changes have been introduced. They will be introduced in November next year and an individual’s assessment will take place whenever their first award review is after that date. The OBR is confident and clear that most of those people will keep their PIP.
Session: Personal Independence Payment
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A study showed that more than two in five people over 50 have been scammed for an average of £2,000 in the last five years, with half losing their money permanently. With AI advancements leading to more convincing scams, what is the Home Office doing to protect people, especially the vulnerable?
Context
The MP cited a study showing that more than two in five people over 50 had been scammed, losing an average of £2,000 each. She highlighted recent advancements in artificial intelligence making scams more convincing and realistic.
The Minister for Security (Dan Jarvis)
Among other things, we are working closely with banking, telecoms, digital and tech sectors to improve systems and share data faster with law enforcement. Over 60 stakeholders from across industry are involved in the development of our new fraud strategy. Public communications, targeted support for the most vulnerable and AI are key parts of this.
Session: Fraud
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Given growing concerns around the Online Safety Act possibly being weakened during UK-US trade negotiations and reports that the Secretary of State is meeting repeatedly with tech giants like Amazon, Google, and Meta, it is vital that children’s safety remains a red line. Can he confirm that not only are online harms not up for negotiation but also that the Online Safety Act will remain unaltered in these discussions?
Context
Concerns are raised about potential weakening of the Online Safety Act during UK-US trade negotiations, given meetings with tech giants. The questioner seeks assurances that such protections will remain intact.
Peter Kyle
We have delivered a deal with the US without weakening any legislation for children's safety. The previous Government took a decade to achieve this; we delivered it, strengthening young people’s rights instead of weakening them.
Session: UK-US Trade Agreement Digital Services Regulation
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Tragically, Ed was just 24 years old when he decided to take his own life, and that is why the family have joined us today in the Gallery. What urgent action are the Government taking to improve mental healthcare and suicide prevention for young people like Ed?
Context
A constituent tragically decided to take his own life at the age of 24, highlighting the need for urgent action in improving mental healthcare and suicide prevention.
Stephen Kinnock
The hon. Member raises an important issue. We are investing in 8,500 more mental health specialists, as well as specialists in every school, and in Young Futures hubs across the country, to ensure that we do whatever we can to prevent these tragedies.
Session: Topical Questions
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Digital services are important across the country for small businesses. However, only about 15% of UK SMEs use AI, which puts us well behind other nations such as Denmark and Finland. Will the Minister commit to publishing a detailed adoption road map covering essential upskilling, data centre capacity, tech vouchers, so that small businesses can deploy AI without being locked out by cost and complexity?
Context
Only around 15% of UK SMEs use AI, lagging behind other countries like Denmark and Finland. The need for a detailed adoption roadmap is highlighted.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Feryal Clark)
The hon. Member will have seen the AI opportunities action plan, which sets out our aspirations for this country, including opportunities for small businesses. The fusion of AI across the economy is top of the agenda. In coming months, she will see more activity on how we will do that.
Session: Access to Digital Services North-east
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Lesley from Tring is one of my constituents who just missed out on the winter fuel allowance. She said she will be spending most of the winter in bed because she is struggling with energy costs. While so many are struggling with the cost of energy, standing charges disproportionately affect those on lower incomes such as Lesley. Will the Government meet Ofgem to discuss those disparities and prepare detailed action to review standing charges for a fairer system?
Context
The MP noted constituent Lesley from Tring who missed out on the winter fuel allowance, stating she will spend most of the winter in bed due to energy costs. Standing charges disproportionately affect those on lower incomes.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Miatta Fahnbulleh)
I am sorry to hear about the case of Lesley, and I know there are people across the country who have this frustration with standing charges. I reassure the House that we have a commitment to reducing them. We are working with Ofgem on a set of options. Our challenge is to ensure that standing charges do not penalise some households and that they are as fair as possible. That is what we are committed to doing, and that is what we are working every day to deliver.
Session: Electricity Bills Standing Charges
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Many of the companies I have spoken to who are supporting technological innovation in the NHS and beyond talk about their frustration at the comparative difficulty of getting funding in the UK and say that the British Business Bank could do much more to de-risk investment and unlock innovation. What are the Government doing to reform funding and provide an oasis in what has become known as the funding valley of death?
Context
The MP discussed the challenges companies face in getting funding, citing frustration with difficulty of getting funding in the UK.
The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Peter Kyle)
The first thing that we have done is increase to record levels overall the Government’s investment in R&D. Pioneering work is also going on through Innovate UK, the Advanced Research and Invention Agency and the different funding bodies that are available to take different levels of risk when it comes to supporting, creating and upscaling innovation.
Session: NHS Diagnostic Processes Technological Innovation
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The proposed planning reforms mean that towns such as tring will see up to 40% more housing built on the green belt. What assurances can the Minister give that sacrificing that countryside will not have a negative impact on the community, and that we will have infrastructure before the occupation of homes and truly affordable homes for people in the local community?
Context
Proposed planning reforms mean that towns such as Tring will see up to 40% more housing built on the green belt.
Matthew Pennycook
We want to put in place a planning system that is geared towards meeting housing need in full. That is a clear difference between us and the Conservative party. In bringing forward its local plan and looking at development, every local area should look first at densification—that is, what it can do on brownfield land. It should only have to review green-belt land if it cannot meet the needs in that way or via cross-boundary strategic planning.
Session: Topical Questions
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Increasing levels of innovation across the UK are crucial to unlocking growth and solving some of our biggest problems. That is why I was worried to read about the Secretary of State saying that we have to apply “a sense of statecraft” to working with multinational tech companies. Does the Minister agree that what we should be doing is working with such companies as companies, not states, focusing on increasing healthy competition and supporting innovative UK businesses so that they are not left with the choice of being bought up or leaving the UK?
Context
Concern about the Secretary of State's statement on applying statecraft to tech company relationships.
Feryal Clark
Increasing productivity right across the UK is fundamental to our mission to kick-start economic growth. Through our industrial strategy and the development of local growth plans, we will build on local strengths to ensure that public and private research and development businesses right across the UK help local places to reach their potential.
Session: Innovation in the Black Country
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Many constituents will be participating in the United Nations' 16 days of activism against gender-based violence. What steps are being taken in the prison system to rehabilitate individuals whose criminal behaviour was influenced by online radicalisation?
Context
The question stems from the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, focusing on digital citizenship education for rehabilitating prisoners.
Alex Davies-Jones
The Prison Service assesses the impact of online influences on convicted terrorists in the first year after sentencing. Digital citizenship education is one aspect, but full implementation depends on controlling the prison population post-pandemic.
Session: Domestic Abuse and Violence against Women
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People and businesses in my constituency face challenges with patchy broadband access. Andy from Wheathampstead has found that expensive satellite broadband is his only option for working from home. Will the Secretary of State commit to ensuring every home and business receives gigabit broadband, particularly in rural areas, with bespoke solutions?
Context
Residents in Harpenden and Berkhamsted are facing patchy broadband access, impacting their ability to work from home and run businesses.
Peter Kyle
The government aims for 99% coverage by 2030. The programme run by BDUK is technology-neutral, encouraging the use of existing and emerging technologies to ensure every single home and business has access.
Session: Broadband Connectivity
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Residents in my constituency are already blighted by noise from Luton airport. They are highly concerned about the proposed expansion to almost double passenger capacity. What assessment has the Minister made of the compatibility of this expansion with the views of Government advisers, such as the Climate Change Committee?
Context
Local people in Harpenden and Berkhamsted are concerned about the proposed Luton airport expansion to nearly double passenger capacity, which could worsen noise pollution.
Mike Kane
Currently, Luton airport is part of a development consent order, on which I cannot comment as a Minister. However, it is important to balance noise concerns with local economic activity.
Session: Topical Questions
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In one month alone at the West Hertfordshire teaching hospitals trust, we lost 843 days because of the social care backlog. The burden of that cost is often taken up by families and individuals, which impacts not only on them, but on the rest of our NHS healthcare. I welcome the talk about working together across parties, but would the Secretary of State also consider introducing greater support for unpaid carers, including paid carers leave and a statutory guarantee of regular respite breaks?
Context
West Hertfordshire teaching hospitals trust lost 843 days due to the social care backlog.
Wes Streeting
We are absolutely committed to the new hospitals programme. On the budgets and the timescales, as I have said, we will come forward with an honest appraisal of what we have inherited from the last Government and what we will be able to deliver within reasonable timescales.
Session: Topical Questions
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Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Local Transport: Planning Developments — [Sir Desmond Swayne in the Chair]
24 February 2026
Responding: Simon Lightwood
Main Concerns
['The local people of Harpenden, Berkhamsted, Tring, Redbourn, Sandridge and surrounding villages are concerned about top-down national planning that does not serve local housing needs. Victoria Collins highlights the failure to deliver adequate transport infrastructure, with roads bursting at seams due to unplanned development and insufficient funding for road improvements. She mentions specific developments like Marshcroft east of Tring with 1,400 homes and a potential increase in population by 40%. The concern is that these areas are historically significant and lack the infrastructure to support such large-scale housing projects, leading to issues like overcrowded buses and cancelled trains on Thameslink and London Northwestern services.']
Specific Asks
['Victoria Collins calls for an infrastructure-first approach to planning. She asks the Government to empower communities to take a cumulative view of infrastructure impacts, address train capacity and service issues, provide funding for backup systems on the Thameslink line, and work with rail operators to prepare for growing pressures.']
Chalk Streams: Sewage Discharge
08 October 2024
Responding: Emma Hardy
Main Concerns
['I am concerned about the severe pollution of chalk streams in Harpenden and Berkhamsted. The River Ver, one of four chalk streams in my constituency, has seen over 2,500 hours of sewage discharge pollution. Chalk streams are unique habitats that support a diverse array of flora and fauna but have been severely threatened by pollution, road runoff, and sewage.']
Specific Asks
['I call on the Government to take urgent action to protect these precious chalk stream habitats before it is too late. We need comprehensive measures to improve water quality and ensure sustainable infrastructure investments are made regardless of financial concerns.']
Local Government Reorganisation
07 September 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Thames Water
16 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
The Bill Name (not specified in the provided text) - Schedule 1 - Enforcement and Appeals
16 June 2026
Bill Debate
Led by this MP
I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time. The speaker is moving for the second reading of Schedule 1 which focuses on enforcement measures and appeals processes in the bill.
Russian Shadow Fleet
15 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Social Media Ban for Under-16s
15 June 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Legacy of Jo Cox
11 June 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
I thank Jo’s family for their leadership and friendship, praising the tenacity and guts that have inspired others. I commend Kim Leadbeater for stepping into public life and continuing Jo Cox's legacy...
Defence Readiness
20 May 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
UK Biobank Data
23 April 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Digital ID: Public Consultation
10 March 2026
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Miscellaneous
24 February 2026
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Initiated a debate on the need for urgent legislation to protect children from harmful online content. Emphasised the importance of age-appropriate regulation, cross-party consensus, and public consul...
National Planning Policy Framework and Tring
16 June 2026
The petitioners from Tring oppose the top-down approach to planning imposed by national policy, which disregards local community concerns about large-scale development affecting the town’s character, ...
View Full Petition -->
Government Review of the National Planning Policy Framework
24 March 2026
The petition highlights residents' concerns about the detrimental impact of large-scale development proposals in Redbourn, driven by national planning laws that push development onto green and grey-be...
View Full Petition -->
Attendance
66.0%
62 of 94 votes
Aye Votes
48
51.1% of votes
No Votes
14
14.9% of votes
Abstentions
32
34.0% of votes
11 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Second Reading
Ayes: 270
Noes: 286
Failed
11 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Closure motion
Ayes: 293
Noes: 218
Passed
10 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Social Housing Bill [Lords]: Reasoned Amendment to Second Reading
Ayes: 77
Noes: 292
Failed
09 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Plant Health, Seeds, Seed Potatoes and Plant Propagating Material (Ame...
Ayes: 371
Noes: 100
Passed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED NO
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 142
Ayes: 108
Noes: 357
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Health Bill: Report Stage: Amendment 1
Ayes: 162
Noes: 297
Failed
08 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 143
Ayes: 106
Noes: 302
Failed
08 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 140
Ayes: 79
Noes: 300
Failed
07 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 6
Ayes: 77
Noes: 317
Failed
07 Sep 2026
VOTED AYE
Health Bill: Report Stage: New Clause 145
Ayes: 170
Noes: 316
Failed
04 Sep 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Motion to sit in private
Ayes: 1
Noes: 79
Failed
01 Jul 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Employment Tribunals Extension of Jurisdiction (England and Wales) (Amendment...
Ayes: 318
Noes: 107
Passed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 5
Ayes: 177
Noes: 308
Failed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 4
Ayes: 173
Noes: 282
Failed
01 Jul 2026
VOTED AYE
Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 80
Noes: 281
Failed
01 Jul 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Employment Tribunal (Extension of Time Limits) (Miscellaneous Amendments and...
Ayes: 322
Noes: 107
Passed
24 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Carbon Budget Order 2026
Ayes: 332
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (Credit Limit) Order 2026
Ayes: 330
Noes: 93
Passed
24 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Climate Change Act 2008 (International Aviation and International Shipp...
Ayes: 329
Noes: 94
Passed
24 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Customs (Tariff and Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 4) Regulations 2026
Ayes: 323
Noes: 160
Passed
23 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Opposition day: Defence spending and readiness
Ayes: 108
Noes: 307
Failed
23 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Opposition Day: Puberty blockers
Ayes: 112
Noes: 283
Failed
23 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Opposition Day Motion: Defence spending and readiness - Prime Minister's Amen...
Ayes: 294
Noes: 110
Passed
22 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: Amendment 11
Ayes: 171
Noes: 322
Failed
22 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 22
Ayes: 74
Noes: 323
Failed
22 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 11
Ayes: 104
Noes: 391
Failed
22 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Armed Forces Bill Report Stage: New Clause 4
Ayes: 164
Noes: 311
Failed
17 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
National Security (State Threats) Bill: Allocation of Time motion
Ayes: 233
Noes: 94
Passed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED NO
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 3
Ayes: 85
Noes: 317
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 144
Noes: 244
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 13
Ayes: 135
Noes: 258
Failed
17 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
National Security (State Threats) Bill Committee: Amendment 8
Ayes: 143
Noes: 249
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 77
Noes: 255
Failed
16 Jun 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Clean Air Zones Central Services (Fees) (England) (Amendment) Regulatio...
Ayes: 262
Noes: 86
Passed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 162
Noes: 246
Failed
16 Jun 2026
VOTED AYE
Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill Remainin...
Ayes: 151
Noes: 258
Failed
24 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Opposition Day: Protections for children from online harms
Ayes: 69
Noes: 279
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
Ayes: 156
Noes: 273
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Third Reading
Ayes: 361
Noes: 84
Passed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 73
Noes: 256
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 3
Ayes: 77
Noes: 280
Failed
23 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: Amendment 1
Ayes: 161
Noes: 272
Failed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Marit...
Ayes: 362
Noes: 107
Passed
11 Feb 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Referendums Relating to Council Tax Increases (Principles) (England) Report 2...
Ayes: 279
Noes: 90
Passed
11 Feb 2026
VOTED NO
Local Government Finance Report (England) 2026-27
Ayes: 277
Noes: 143
Passed
04 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2026
Ayes: 392
Noes: 116
Passed
03 Feb 2026
VOTED AYE
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Second Reading
Ayes: 458
Noes: 104
Passed
28 Jan 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Opposition Day: Youth unemployment
Ayes: 91
Noes: 287
Failed
28 Jan 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Opposition Day: British Indian Ocean Territory
Ayes: 103
Noes: 284
Failed
28 Jan 2026
DID NOT VOTE
Draft Medical Devices (Fees Amendment) Regulations 2026
Ayes: 294
Noes: 108
Passed
3
PMQs Asked
31
Ministerial Questions Asked
50
House of Commons Debates Involved
2
Westminster Hall Debates Led
0
Statements / Bills
2
Petitions Presented
94
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
-18% below average
This MP:
3
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+131% above average
This MP:
31
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-20% below average
This MP:
2
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+929% above average
This MP:
50
Average:
4.9
Statements / Bills Proposed
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
9.5
Petitions Presented
-18% below average
This MP:
2
Average:
2.5
Voting Attendance Rate (%)
-4% below average
This MP:
66.0
Average:
68.8
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 Victoria Collins's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.