Andrew Mitchell:

Written Question

Zimbabwe: Commonwealth

Tuesday 27th January 2026

Asked by: Andrew Mitchell (Conservative - Sutton Coldfield)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking with her counterparts in the Commonwealth to help support Zimbabwe rejoin the Commonwealth.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer he received on 23 June 2025 in response to Question 57617. We will update the House if there are any new developments.

Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 26 Jan 2026
Police Reform White Paper

"It must be right to look at this White Paper with an open mind, and I commend the Home Secretary’s willingness to listen. I will make two points for her to consider. First, in Royal Sutton Coldfield we are most concerned that neighbourhood policing—community policing—should be accountable, dependable, reliable and …..."
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View all Andrew Mitchell (Con - Sutton Coldfield) contributions to the debate on: Police Reform White Paper

Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 26 Jan 2026
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill

"The Minister, who is normally a reasonable fellow, always makes the point that the last Conservative Government started the negotiations. Does he now understand that, first, we were unable to conclude them and that, secondly, we would never have agreed or concluded the very one-sided deal that he and his …..."
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View all Andrew Mitchell (Con - Sutton Coldfield) contributions to the debate on: Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill

Division Vote (Commons)
21 Jan 2026 - National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill - View Vote Context
Andrew Mitchell (Con) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 95 Conservative Aye votes vs 0 Conservative No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 191 Noes - 326

Written Question

Pollution Control: Sutton Park

Wednesday 21st January 2026

Asked by: Andrew Mitchell (Conservative - Sutton Coldfield)

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 18 December 2025 to Question 98739 on Biodiversity and Pollution: Sutton Park, what recent discussions her Department has had with Severn Trent on how sewage infrastructure failures can be avoided in Sutton Park.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The most recent discussion Natural England has had with Severn Trent regarding how sewage infrastructure failures can be avoided in Sutton Park was a meeting on 13 November 2025 in conjunction with the Environment Agency. This discussion was part of ongoing discussions regarding Severn Trent's commitment within the Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) to investigate the sources and impacts of water pollution at Sutton Park. The next meeting is due on 21 January 2026.

Natural England has noted that the number of serious incidents has reduced (from four in 2021 to two in 2025). Severn Trent has recently employed a new Ranger to support this work. However, there is still more work to reduce incidents. We will continue to work with Severn Trent alongside the Environment Agency to ensure Severn Trent delivers its commitments within the WINEP.

Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 20 Jan 2026
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill

"Following the excellent point made by my hon. Friend the Member for North Dorset (Simon Hoare), does the Minister realise that the President of the United States, following his perspicacious comments last night, has had a chance to examine the deal in full? Does he therefore understand why the last …..."
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 20 Jan 2026
Oral Answers to Questions

"As the Minister will know, part of the official development assistance budget goes to investment in businesses creating employment in the poorest parts of the world, such as British International Investment, which is now undoubtedly the best development finance institution in the world. Will the Minister continue to ensure that …..."
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Written Question

Biodiversity and Pollution: Sutton Park

Tuesday 20th January 2026

Asked by: Andrew Mitchell (Conservative - Sutton Coldfield)

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 18 December 2025 to Question 98739 on Biodiversity and Pollution: Sutton Park, what official guidance has been issued by the Forestry Commission to Birmingham City Council on improving the management of Sutton Park.

Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Forestry Commission has approved a Felling Licence based on a management plan, which includes permissions for both thinning and conditional felling, alongside 4.99 hectares of heathland restoration.

This plan was approved for a 10-year period in September 2025 and will remain in effect until 14 September 2035.

The management plan sets out the following environmental objectives:

Manage woodlands towards the recovery of positive conditions on “Plantations on Ancient Woodlands” (PAWS) and “Site of Special Scientific Interest” (SSSI) through a mix of active planting and natural regeneration.
Promote good health and resilience of woodlands, diversifying age class and species composition using conventional and continuous cover forestry.
Manage priority habitat by cutting back undesirable scrub and regeneration.
Promote habitat connectivity by managing rides, footpaths, and edge woodlands.
Increase fauna and flora diversity through retention of veteran trees, standing deadwood, brash piles, and targeted thinning.

The management plan aims to ensure that Sutton Park’s woodlands are managed sustainably, enhancing biodiversity and supporting the long-term resilience of these important habitats. All of the above is in-line with the Government’s UK Forest Standard.

Division Vote (Commons)
20 Jan 2026 - Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill - View Vote Context
Andrew Mitchell (Con) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 97 Conservative No votes vs 0 Conservative Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 347 Noes - 184