Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.
If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.
If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).
Update the Equality Act to make clear the characteristic “sex” is biological sex
Gov Responded - 26 Jan 2023 Debated on - 12 Jun 2023 View Angela Eagle's petition debate contributionsThe Government must exercise its power under s.23 of the Gender Recognition Act to modify the operation of the Equality Act 2010 by specifying the terms sex, male, female, man & woman, in the operation of that law, mean biological sex and not "sex as modified by a Gender Recognition Certificate"
Commit to not amending the Equality Act's definition of sex
Gov Responded - 25 Jan 2023 Debated on - 12 Jun 2023 View Angela Eagle's petition debate contributionsIt has been reported that the Government may amend the Equality Act to "make it clear that sex means biological sex rather than gender." The Government has previously committed to not remove legal protections for trans people, an already marginalised group, but this change would do so.
Reform the Gender Recognition Act.
Gov Responded - 7 Oct 2020 Debated on - 21 Feb 2022 View Angela Eagle's petition debate contributionsReform the GRA to allow transgender people to self-identify without the need for a medical diagnosis, to streamline the administrative process, and to allow non-binary identities to be legally recognised.
Make LGBT conversion therapy illegal in the UK
Gov Responded - 21 May 2020 Debated on - 8 Mar 2021 View Angela Eagle's petition debate contributionsI would like the Government to:
• make running conversion therapy in the UK a criminal offence
• forcing people to attend said conversion therapies a criminal offence
• sending people abroad in order to try to convert them a criminal offence
• protect individuals from conversion therapy
Exempt golf courses from the list of venues required to close due to Covid-19
Gov Responded - 23 Nov 2020 Debated on - 23 Nov 2020 View Angela Eagle's petition debate contributionsIsolation essential to the Government’s strategy for fighting coronavirus, and UK citizens must remain healthy and exercise whilst keeping adequate distance between people. The Government should allow golf courses to open so families or individuals can play golf in order to exercise safely.
Prevent gyms closing due to a spike in Covid 19 cases
Gov Responded - 28 Oct 2020 Debated on - 23 Nov 2020 View Angela Eagle's petition debate contributionsIn the event of a spike we would like you not to close gyms as a measure to stop any spread of Covid. Also for gyms to not be put in the same group as pubs in terms of risk or importance. Gyms are following strict guidelines and most members are following rules in a sober manner.
These initiatives were driven by Angela Eagle, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.
MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.
Angela Eagle has not been granted any Urgent Questions
Angela Eagle has not been granted any Adjournment Debates
The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to require pension providers to publish standardised information on charges for pension products; to make provision for a cap on such charges; and for connected purposes.
Public Sector Websites (Data Charges) Bill 2023-24
Sponsor - Simon Lightwood (LAB)
Multi-storey car parks (safety) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Maria Eagle (Lab)
Public Advocate (No. 2) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Maria Eagle (Lab)
Marriage (Authorised Belief Organisations) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Rehman Chishti (Con)
Tyres (Buses and Coaches) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Maria Eagle (Lab)
In developing proposals for fiscal events, such as the Autumn Statement on 17 November, the Treasury follows a rigorous process to ensure we carefully consider the equality impact on those sharing protected characteristics, in line with both its legal obligations and its strong commitment to promoting fairness. In interests of transparency HMRC will publish a summary of equality impacts for tax measures within the Tax Information and Impact Notes (TIINs) alongside the associated legislation.
The report was sent from the Second Permanent Secretary to the Permanent Secretary of No 10 Downing Street after 10am on the day of 25 May 2022 for the purposes of providing the report to the Prime Minister to enable publication.
I understand that prior to publication, letters were sent on a confidential basis from the Second Permanent Secretary to those in the report who may be perceived to be criticised in some way, including some who were intended to be named. The letters set out a gist of the factual findings proposed for inclusion in the report so that those individuals had an opportunity to make representations to the Second Permanent Secretary before publication.
I also understand that a small number of officials were made aware, in their roles as employers, of the identity of those intended to be named and those who may be potentially identifiable in the context of the report, so that they could consider any relevant duty of care to those individuals.
Neither I, nor my private office, accessed or reviewed the report prior to publication. My officials have informed me that no other Minister of the Crown was granted access to review the report prior to 10am on the day of publication.
The report was sent from the Second Permanent Secretary to the Permanent Secretary of No 10 Downing Street after 10am on the day of 25 May 2022 for the purposes of providing the report to the Prime Minister to enable publication.
I understand that prior to publication, letters were sent on a confidential basis from the Second Permanent Secretary to those in the report who may be perceived to be criticised in some way, including some who were intended to be named. The letters set out a gist of the factual findings proposed for inclusion in the report so that those individuals had an opportunity to make representations to the Second Permanent Secretary before publication.
I also understand that a small number of officials were made aware, in their roles as employers, of the identity of those intended to be named and those who may be potentially identifiable in the context of the report, so that they could consider any relevant duty of care to those individuals.
Neither I, nor my private office, accessed or reviewed the report prior to publication. My officials have informed me that no other Minister of the Crown was granted access to review the report prior to 10am on the day of publication.
The report was sent from the Second Permanent Secretary to the Permanent Secretary of No 10 Downing Street after 10am on the day of 25 May 2022 for the purposes of providing the report to the Prime Minister to enable publication.
I understand that prior to publication, letters were sent on a confidential basis from the Second Permanent Secretary to those in the report who may be perceived to be criticised in some way, including some who were intended to be named. The letters set out a gist of the factual findings proposed for inclusion in the report so that those individuals had an opportunity to make representations to the Second Permanent Secretary before publication.
I also understand that a small number of officials were made aware, in their roles as employers, of the identity of those intended to be named and those who may be potentially identifiable in the context of the report, so that they could consider any relevant duty of care to those individuals.
Neither I, nor my private office, accessed or reviewed the report prior to publication. My officials have informed me that no other Minister of the Crown was granted access to review the report prior to 10am on the day of publication.
The report was sent from the Second Permanent Secretary to the Permanent Secretary of No 10 Downing Street after 10am on the day of 25 May 2022 for the purposes of providing the report to the Prime Minister to enable publication.
I understand that prior to publication, letters were sent on a confidential basis from the Second Permanent Secretary to those in the report who may be perceived to be criticised in some way, including some who were intended to be named. The letters set out a gist of the factual findings proposed for inclusion in the report so that those individuals had an opportunity to make representations to the Second Permanent Secretary before publication.
I also understand that a small number of officials were made aware, in their roles as employers, of the identity of those intended to be named and those who may be potentially identifiable in the context of the report, so that they could consider any relevant duty of care to those individuals.
Neither I, nor my private office, accessed or reviewed the report prior to publication. My officials have informed me that no other Minister of the Crown was granted access to review the report prior to 10am on the day of publication.
Crown Representatives help the government to act as a single customer. They work across departments to:
ensure a single and strategic view of the government’s needs is communicated to the market;
identify areas for cost savings or operational improvements;
act as a point of focus for cross-cutting supplier-related issues.
Crown Representatives cover all sectors of service provision including small and medium enterprises, voluntary sector organisations, mutually owned organisations, large suppliers and specific sectors. All Crown Representatives complete Conflict of Interest declarations every six months.
Information about the Crown Representative programme, including a list of the current Crown Representatives and strategic suppliers is available on GOV.UK here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/strategic-suppliers
We will write to the hon. Member with further information and place a copy of the letter in the House Library.
Crown Representatives help the government to act as a single customer. They work across departments to:
ensure a single and strategic view of the government’s needs is communicated to the market;
identify areas for cost savings or operational improvements;
act as a point of focus for cross-cutting supplier-related issues.
Crown Representatives cover all sectors of service provision including small and medium enterprises, voluntary sector organisations, mutually owned organisations, large suppliers and specific sectors. All Crown Representatives complete Conflict of Interest declarations every six months.
Information about the Crown Representative programme, including a list of the current Crown Representatives and strategic suppliers is available on GOV.UK here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/strategic-suppliers
We will write to the hon. Member with further information and place a copy of the letter in the House Library.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
On 23 April, the Cabinet Secretary wrote to the Chair of the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee on the management of outside interests in the Civil Service. The Committee published this letter on 26 April. It can be found here:
https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/5623/documents/55584/default/
The Cabinet Secretary’s letter sets out a series of steps to improve processes. This programme of work will also take account of any recommendations that emerge from Nigel Boardman’s review.
The Civil Service Management Code sets out, at paragraph 4.3.4, the requirement that civil servants must seek permission before accepting any outside employment which might affect their work either directly or indirectly. The applicable principles are those set out in the Business Appointment Rules. The Civil Service Management Code is published here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-servants-terms-and-conditions .
Where the civil servant is a member of the departmental board any outside employment, as well as other relevant interests will be published as part of the Annual Report and Accounts or other transparency publication.
The Union Flag is the national flag of the United Kingdom. Departments fly a variety of flags, including as appropriate the Union Flag, the Saltire, the flag of Saint David, as well as any flag of Her Majesty’s forces and the Pride flag. Government departments are responsible for procuring their own flags.
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have therefore requested the Authority to respond.
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in response to an Urgent Question in the House of Commons on 2 March 2020 (Official Record, Vol. 672, Col. 611/612).
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have therefore asked the Authority to respond.
The Cabinet Office is currently undertaking reviews on: Data Handling Practices in the Cabinet Office; the Inter-Governmental Relations Review; and the Integrated, Defence, Security and Foreign Policy Review. Lord Dunlop's Review of UK Government Union Capability has concluded and the Government is carefully considering its recommendations.
Companies House has issued a response to the hon. Member for Wallasey. Companies House regrets the delay in responding.
Members of the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) Pension Scheme, who currently work or previously worked for UKAEA, are entitled to receive their pension from the scheme based on the scheme rules in force. The scheme continues to pay pension benefits to eligible members.
The UKAEA Pension Scheme is audited annually by the National Audit Office and the latest set of audited accounts can be found on the gov.uk publications website.
Residential tenants are responsible for paying energy bills from the start date of their tenancy only. Incoming tenants will not be responsible for any unpaid energy bills from a previous tenancy and can request a new bill from their supplier to reflect this if they have been billed incorrectly.
With regard to non-domestic tenants, Ofgem's recent non-domestic market review found some issues with changing of tenancies, including debt repayment issues from previous tenants. The Retail Energy Code Company is working on new rules in this area and aims to publish a solution overview and draft legal text by early December.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Birkenhead on 1st March to Question 149667.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Birkenhead on 1st March to Question 149668.
The Government publishes data for the Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS) for Great Britain at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-bills-support-scheme-payments-made-by-electricity-suppliers-to-customers. Households received EBSS support worth £66 for October and November and £67 for December – March. The Government does not hold data on voucher redemptions by month of issue so is unable provide a specific value. The data below shows October, November and December vouchers issued and redeemed. The percentage of EBSS vouchers yet to be redeemed is 31% in England, 29% in the North West and in Wirral and 30% in Wallasey.
Region | October, November and December 2022 number of vouchers issued | October, November and December 2022 number of vouchers redeemed | % redeemed |
England | 4,888,150 | 3,356,700 | 69% |
North West | 753,210 | 535,360 | 71% |
Wirral (local authority) | 41,080 | 29,090 | 71% |
Wallasey (constituency) | 13,380 | 9,390 | 70% |
We recognise this is a challenging time for households. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology continues to work with Ofcom and providers to ensure provision of social tariffs for those on low incomes.
Social tariffs are available in 99% of the UK, from 23 providers starting from £10 per month. We are also engaging with industry to ensure they keep to their commitments to support customers struggling with bills, with payment plans, or penalty-free switching to cheaper tariffs.
The standing charge reflects the ongoing costs that fall on energy suppliers to provide and maintain a live supply, regardless of a consumer’s usage. One component of these costs relates to distribution. It costs more to distribute electricity to some regions than others, therefore there are regional variations in standing charges to reflect higher costs to serve.
Under the Energy Price Guarantee, average standing charges for customers on default tariffs remain capped in line with the levels set by Ofgem.
There are no plans for an assessment. Ofgem, as the independent regulator, is responsible for the operation of the price cap.
Electricity and gas distribution charges, which are incurred by suppliers and passed through to consumers, vary regionally. These variations reflect the costs of maintaining and upgrading the distribution network in a specific area and the number of consumers between whom those costs are spread. This cost reflective approach helps to minimise overall network costs across Great Britain by ensuring that each network company has to account to its local stakeholders for the costs it has incurred.
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy does not hold a breakdown of Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme funding by constituency. Lists of all projects funded through the scheme can be found on the scheme’s gov.uk page: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/public-sector-decarbonisation-scheme.
BEIS estimates that under the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) and Green Homes Grant (GHG) Government schemes, some households in all wards in Wallasey constituency have had external wall insulation fitted.
The Energy Bill Relief Scheme is set out clearly in legislation and will be applied in a uniform way by all licensed suppliers. The regulations include a robust compliance and enforcement regime to ensure requirements are being met. Suppliers are also required to inform customers about the details of support, including the amount of the discount and discounted supply price.
Grant funding for renewable innovation or community-based renewable schemes is open for both local authorities and private investors to bid for. The Contract for Difference scheme, the Government’s main mechanism for supporting low carbon generation, is awarded through a competitive process, ensuring that the most cost-effective projects are supported regardless of their location. We encourage projects in Wallasey to apply.
The Microgeneration Certification Scheme Installations Database shows that as of 31 October 2022, forty-four heat pump installations were registered in the Wallasey constituency.
The database does not include all heat pump installations, for example, those installed without Government funding support, such as in new buildings. These are not typically recorded in the Microgeneration Certification Scheme Installations Database.
BEIS estimates that under the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) and Green Homes Grant (GHG) Government schemes, around 1,500 cavity wall insulation measures, 1,700 loft insulation measures and 1,300 under floor insulation measures were installed in Wallasey constituency. Data for ECO covers January 2013 to September 2022. Data for the GHG schemes cover October 2020 to September 2022.
BEIS estimates that under the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) and Green Homes Grant (GHG) Government schemes, around 1,500 cavity wall insulation measures, 1,700 loft insulation measures and 1,300 under floor insulation measures were installed in Wallasey constituency. Data for ECO covers January 2013 to September 2022. Data for the GHG schemes cover October 2020 to September 2022.
BEIS estimates that under the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) and Green Homes Grant (GHG) Government schemes, around 1,500 cavity wall insulation measures, 1,700 loft insulation measures and 1,300 under floor insulation measures were installed in Wallasey constituency. Data for ECO covers January 2013 to September 2022. Data for the GHG schemes cover October 2020 to September 2022.
The day-to-day supply of sodium hypochlorite is a commercial matter for industry. The Government works closely with industry to monitor supply and to encourage diverse and resilient supply chains to protect consumers and businesses.
The day-to-day supply of sodium hypochlorite is a commercial matter for industry. The Government works closely with industry to monitor supply and to encourage diverse and resilient supply chains to protect consumers and businesses.
The day-to-day supply of sodium hypochlorite is a commercial matter for industry. The Government works closely with industry to monitor supply and to encourage diverse and resilient supply chains to protect consumers and businesses.
The British Business Bank manages the Bounce Back Loan Scheme on behalf of the Government. However, lenders are responsible for managing the direct relationship with borrowers.
The Bank challenges lenders on discrepancies and ensures lenders are abiding by the scheme rules through its guarantee assurance and audit programmes. Where issues are identified through the Audit Assurance Programme, the Bank can take remedial action including the cancellation of a guarantee.
To date, the British Business Bank has identified 22,900 Bounce Back Loan Scheme facilities which it suspects could be involved in a case of duplicate loans. This figure includes both original facilities and potential duplicates. The Bank is currently working with lenders to investigate these facilities and determine which are ineligible loans under the scheme rules.
It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Details of facilities made available under the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme will be published where required by the European Commission’s Transparency Aid Module in due course.
Our priority is to ensure borrowers are given notice before information about their loans is shared with the European Commission; we are working with lenders and the British Business Bank to facilitate this. A rolling programme of reporting will then publish details of aid granted within the preceding 12 months.
More information is available at https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/ourpartners/coronavirus-business-interruption-loan-schemes/data-reporting/.
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Bank of England had no role in the British Business Bank’s decision to accredit Greensill Capital.
All decisions taken by the British Business Bank were made independently and in accordance with the Bank’s usual procedures.
The British Business Bank (Bank) accredited Greensill Capital to offer finance via the Coronavirus Large Business Interruptions Loan Scheme.
All decisions taken by the Bank were made independently and in accordance with the Bank’s usual procedures. The then Secretary of State had no discussions with either a) the Chancellor of the Exchequer, b) Treasury Ministers or c) Treasury officials about the Bank’s decision.
All accredited lenders are subject to audit by the British Business Bank to ensure their compliance with scheme rules. If serious non-compliance is identified, the Bank is entitled to take remedial action. Such action might include termination of the Guarantee Agreement, or withdrawal of the Guarantee.
It would not be appropriate to comment on individual cases given commercial sensitivities.
The Department continues to work with other Government Departments, lenders, and law enforcement agencies to tackle fraudulent abuse of the schemes.
As part of the Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS) application process lenders are required to undertake fraud, Know Your Customer and Anti Money Laundering checks. In addition, the application form makes clear that any individual who knowingly provides false information is at risk of criminal prosecution.
The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loans Scheme is operated on the same basis as fully commercial loans, with lenders conducting the full range of checks they would usually make, subject to the specific eligibility requirements of the scheme. The Department continues to work with other Government Departments, lenders, and law enforcement agencies to tackle fraudulent abuse of the schemes.
Further details of how we expect the schemes to perform, including an estimate of fraud losses, will be set out in the BEIS Annual Report for 2020-21 published later this year.
We are unable to provide information relating to individual borrowers as it is commercially sensitive.
Details of facilities made available under the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme will be published where required by the European Commission’s Transparency Aid Module in due course.
The Recovery Loan Scheme ensures businesses of any size can continue to access finance they need once the existing Covid-19 loan schemes close.
All lenders will be subject to an assessment of their proposals, and subject to usual British Business Bank governance around approvals. Existing accredited Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme lenders have been invited to apply for accreditation. An accelerated process, for some of these lenders, will ensure that a broad range of lenders is in place to offer facilities as soon as possible.
Greensill Capital were approved by the British Business Bank (Bank) in June last year to provide finance through the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS), based on criteria set out in the CLBILS “Request for Proposals”.
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy had no role in the Bank’s decision to accredit Greensill Capital. All decisions taken by the Bank were made independently and in accordance with the Bank’s usual procedures.
All accredited lenders are subject to audit by the Bank to ensure their compliance with scheme rules. If serious non-compliance is identified, the Bank is entitled to take remedial action. Such action might include termination of the guarantee agreement or withdrawal of the guarantee.
While the Bank looks into Greensill’s position it is not able to originate new lending that benefits from a Government guarantee.