National Campaigns

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Every day, I receive dozens of campaign emails from constituents concerned about a huge variety of national issues. Whilst most individual constituency enquiries will be answered by email or letter, due to the vast increase in the volume of campaign emails now being generated, I can no longer guarantee replying to these individually and will therefore be posting my responses on this section of my website. You may also be able to find the information you are looking for on the website of the relevant Government department.

Early Day Motions (EDMs)

Early Day Motions (EDMs) are something that I regularly get asked to sign.  EDMs are used to put on record the views of individual MPs or to draw attention to specific events or campaigns.  I do not sign any EDMs at all, however much I may sympathise with the cause they are highlighting. The administration around EDMs is costly to the taxpayer and they rarely have any influence on the legislative process. 

 

Network North

The Government’s defining mission is to unite and level up the whole of the UK, spreading prosperity and opportunity to all corners of our country. Previous plans would not have delivered benefits to the Midlands and the North for another two decades.

Gaza

Thank you for contacting me about the situation in Gaza. The terrorist attacks perpetrated by Hamas are heinous and unprecedented, and I firmly support Israel’s right to defend itself, as guaranteed by Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.

Aid budget spending on asylum seeker accommodation

Thank you for contacting me about the spending of our overseas aid budget on refugees. The UK has an established asylum system for the most vulnerable people in the world. I have always believed that resettlement is vital as a safe and legal pathway for the protection of vulnerable refugees fleei

Terror Attacks in Israel

The events unfolding in Israel are truly horrifying, and I join the UK Government in wholly condemning the terrorist attacks by Hamas that began on 7 October.  My thoughts are with those affected, especially the families of those civilians who have been murdered.

General Election

The United Kingdom is a Parliamentary democracy, not a Presidential one. Following the general election of December 2019, Members of Parliament of the governing party, the Conservative Party, were elected, such that there is a majority in the House of Commons. This remains the case.

State Pension Triple Lock

Thank you for contacting me about the future of the State Pension Triple Lock. I know that the Government is fully committed to ensuring that older people can live with the dignity and respect they deserve, and the State Pension is the foundation of state support for older people.

Plan for Nature

Thank you for contacting me about protections for nature. I share your wish to see nature and the environment prioritised and will outline the Government's response to the points highlighted in your correspondence. 

Farmed fish

Thank you for contacting me about the welfare of farmed fish. The Animal Welfare Act 2006 makes it an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to any protected animal, or to fail to provide for the welfare needs of an animal, including fish.

Firework regulations

Thank you for contacting me about fireworks and the impact they have on animals. While I appreciate your concerns about the impact of fireworks on animals and people, I am afraid I must tell you that the Government does not have any current plans to restrict the days when fireworks can be used, o

Disposable vapes

I share your concerns about disposable e-cigarettes being littered in the streets of our towns and countryside. I understand that around 1.3 million disposable vapes are thrown away every week in the UK.

Affordable housing and tackling homelessness

I share your belief that one person without a roof over their head is one too many. I read Shelter’s recent manifesto with interest, and I recognise the cross-government approach required to tackle homelessness. 

Animal Welfare

Thank you for contacting me about the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill. The UK has long led the way on animal welfare. In 2021, the Government's Action Plan for Animal Welfare, set out reforms for this Parliament and beyond.