Information between 22nd February 2026 - 4th March 2026
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| Division Votes |
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23 Feb 2026 - Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill - View Vote Context Ben Lake voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House One of 4 Plaid Cymru Aye votes vs 0 Plaid Cymru No votes Tally: Ayes - 73 Noes - 286 |
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23 Feb 2026 - Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill - View Vote Context Ben Lake voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House One of 4 Plaid Cymru Aye votes vs 0 Plaid Cymru No votes Tally: Ayes - 361 Noes - 84 |
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23 Feb 2026 - Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill - View Vote Context Ben Lake voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House One of 4 Plaid Cymru Aye votes vs 0 Plaid Cymru No votes Tally: Ayes - 77 Noes - 280 |
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23 Feb 2026 - Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill - View Vote Context Ben Lake voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House One of 4 Plaid Cymru Aye votes vs 0 Plaid Cymru No votes Tally: Ayes - 156 Noes - 273 |
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23 Feb 2026 - Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill - View Vote Context Ben Lake voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House One of 4 Plaid Cymru Aye votes vs 0 Plaid Cymru No votes Tally: Ayes - 161 Noes - 272 |
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24 Feb 2026 - Online Harm: Child Protection - View Vote Context Ben Lake voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House One of 4 Plaid Cymru Aye votes vs 0 Plaid Cymru No votes Tally: Ayes - 69 Noes - 279 |
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2 Mar 2026 - Representation of the People Bill - View Vote Context Ben Lake voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House One of 2 Plaid Cymru No votes vs 0 Plaid Cymru Aye votes Tally: Ayes - 105 Noes - 410 |
| Speeches |
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Ben Lake speeches from: Spring Forecast
Ben Lake contributed 1 speech (68 words) Tuesday 3rd March 2026 - Commons Chamber HM Treasury |
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Ben Lake speeches from: St David’s Day and Welsh Affairs
Ben Lake contributed 3 speeches (1,431 words) Thursday 26th February 2026 - Commons Chamber Wales Office |
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Ben Lake speeches from: Student Loan Repayment Plans
Ben Lake contributed 1 speech (59 words) Wednesday 25th February 2026 - Westminster Hall Department for Education |
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Ben Lake speeches from: Banking Hubs: Rural and Post-Industrial Communities
Ben Lake contributed 1 speech (71 words) Tuesday 24th February 2026 - Westminster Hall HM Treasury |
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Ben Lake speeches from: Firearms Licensing
Ben Lake contributed 2 speeches (1,005 words) Monday 23rd February 2026 - Westminster Hall Home Office |
| Written Answers |
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Livestock Industry: Migrant Workers
Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion Preseli) Tuesday 3rd March 2026 Question to the Home Office: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of withdrawing the visa concession for temporary employment as sheep shearers on (a) animal welfare in Wales and (b) the Welsh sheep sector. Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office) Immigration Rules concessionary arrangements are temporary and subject to regular Ministerial review. The sheep shearing concession had been operating for 14 years and closed after the 2025 shearing season as it is reasonable to expect that over this period a long-term sustainable solution had been found to fill this workforce gap. To provide plenty of time to plan and transition to new arrangements the sector was informed last year that the concession would not be renewed again. In addition, those in the UK on visas which allow general work rights, such as dependants or Youth Mobility Scheme visa holders, are free to take up work as a sheep shearer subject to the relevant visa restrictions. |
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Livestock Industry: Migrant Workers
Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion Preseli) Tuesday 3rd March 2026 Question to the Home Office: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions her Department has had with a) British Wool, b) the Farmers' Union of Wales and c) NFU Cymru on the withdrawal of the visa concession for temporary employment as sheep shearers. Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office) Immigration Rules concessionary arrangements are temporary and subject to regular Ministerial review. The sheep shearing concession had been operating for 14 years and closed after the 2025 shearing season as it is reasonable to expect that over this period a long-term sustainable solution had been found to fill this workforce gap. To provide plenty of time to plan and transition to new arrangements the sector was informed last year that the concession would not be renewed again. In addition, those in the UK on visas which allow general work rights, such as dependants or Youth Mobility Scheme visa holders, are free to take up work as a sheep shearer subject to the relevant visa restrictions. |
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Livestock Industry: Migrant Workers
Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion Preseli) Tuesday 3rd March 2026 Question to the Home Office: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions her Department has had with the Welsh Government on the withdrawal of the visa concession for temporary employment as sheep shearers. Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office) Immigration Rules concessionary arrangements are temporary and subject to regular Ministerial review. The sheep shearing concession had been operating for 14 years and closed after the 2025 shearing season as it is reasonable to expect that over this period a long-term sustainable solution had been found to fill this workforce gap. To provide plenty of time to plan and transition to new arrangements the sector was informed last year that the concession would not be renewed again. In addition, those in the UK on visas which allow general work rights, such as dependants or Youth Mobility Scheme visa holders, are free to take up work as a sheep shearer subject to the relevant visa restrictions. |
| Early Day Motions |
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Monday 23rd February Merched y Môr and the World's Toughest Row 2 signatures (Most recent: 24 Feb 2026)Tabled by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion Preseli) That this House celebrates the achievement of Merched y Môr, the first female crew from Wales to take part and complete The World’s Toughest Row; congratulates Denise Leonard, Helen Heaton, Heledd Williams and Liz Collyer, a team from Pembrokeshire for rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic from San Sebastián de … |
| Early Day Motions Signed |
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Wednesday 11th February Ben Lake signed this EDM on Tuesday 17th March 2026 Government contract with Palantir Technologies 33 signatures (Most recent: 17 Mar 2026)Tabled by: Apsana Begum (Labour - Poplar and Limehouse) That this House notes that the Ministry of Defence signed a contract with the US firm Palantir in December 2025 worth £240,000,000, by direct award and without tender; further notes that whilst the decision may be justified under the Procurement Act 2023, there is significant public interest in how this … |
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Monday 2nd March Ben Lake signed this EDM on Monday 16th March 2026 Use of catapults against wildlife 26 signatures (Most recent: 17 Mar 2026)Tabled by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn) That this House condemns the increasing misuse of catapults against wildlife, domestic animals, private property and persons in both urban and rural settings; commends the work of Naturewatch Foundation and other animal welfare organisations in raising awareness of this issue and in seeking to reduce the number of innocent victims … |
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Thursday 5th March Ben Lake signed this EDM on Monday 16th March 2026 International Women's Day 2026 and women’s inclusion in placemaking 28 signatures (Most recent: 17 Mar 2026)Tabled by: Anna Sabine (Liberal Democrat - Frome and East Somerset) That this House celebrates International Women’s Day 2026 and recognises the challenges faced by women over the past year; expresses concern that violence against women and girls continues to result in approximately 100 to 200 deaths annually in the UK; emphasises the importance of involving women in placemaking to help … |
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Monday 9th March Ben Lake signed this EDM on Monday 16th March 2026 25 signatures (Most recent: 17 Mar 2026) Tabled by: Andrew George (Liberal Democrat - St Ives) That this House is aware of worsening failures in Royal Mail’s delivery services, which is adversely affecting residents and businesses, with consequent missed medical appointments which arrive after the appointment date, fines for non-payment of bills and numerous other significant impacts; that Royal Mail recently warned that more than 100 … |
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Monday 9th March Ben Lake signed this EDM as a sponsor on Monday 16th March 2026 Oil prices and the cost of living 10 signatures (Most recent: 17 Mar 2026)Tabled by: Carla Lockhart (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann) That this House notes the recent rise in global oil prices and the impact this is already having on the cost of living across the United Kingdom; recognises that motorists are facing higher costs at the pumps as a result; further notes that in Northern Ireland a significant proportion of … |
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Tuesday 10th March Ben Lake signed this EDM on Monday 16th March 2026 Congratulations to Hollie Davidson 13 signatures (Most recent: 16 Mar 2026)Tabled by: Sarah Dyke (Liberal Democrat - Glastonbury and Somerton) That this House congratulates Hollie Davidson on making history as the first female referee to officiate a Men’s Six Nations match, having taken charge of Ireland’s victory over Italy at the Aviva Stadium on 14 February 2026; notes that since becoming Scotland’s first full-time female referee in 2017, Davidson officiated … |
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Wednesday 11th March Ben Lake signed this EDM on Monday 16th March 2026 Creative industries and the use of AI 18 signatures (Most recent: 17 Mar 2026)Tabled by: Sarah Gibson (Liberal Democrat - Chippenham) That this House recognises that artificial intelligence presents significant opportunities for innovation and economic growth but also poses substantial risks to the United Kingdom’s world-leading creative industries; notes with concern proposals to introduce a broad text and data mining copyright exception which would permit the use of creative works to … |
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Wednesday 11th March Ben Lake signed this EDM on Monday 16th March 2026 Energy prices for households and businesses 32 signatures (Most recent: 17 Mar 2026)Tabled by: Pippa Heylings (Liberal Democrat - South Cambridgeshire) That this House notes the recent surge in global gas prices following the 2026 Iran War and disruption to liquefied natural gas supply; expresses deep concern that families could see their energy bills rise by £500 a year as a result of instability in global energy markets; recognises the millions … |
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Wednesday 11th March Ben Lake signed this EDM on Monday 16th March 2026 55 signatures (Most recent: 17 Mar 2026) Tabled by: Tim Farron (Liberal Democrat - Westmorland and Lonsdale) That this House notes with concern the sudden and severe rise in heating oil prices as a result of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, with prices almost trebling in a week; recognises that around a third of rural households rely on oil-fired heating and already face higher levels … |
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Monday 26th January Ben Lake signed this EDM on Friday 6th March 2026 Dolphin hunting in the Faroe Islands 61 signatures (Most recent: 17 Mar 2026)Tabled by: Adrian Ramsay (Green Party - Waveney Valley) That this House condemns the grindadráp (Grind) in the Faroe Islands, where pods of dolphins are driven into bays by small boats and slaughtered by hand; notes with concern that more than 1,000 cetaceans were killed in 2025, including juveniles and pregnant females; further notes that this practice is largely … |
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Monday 2nd March Ben Lake signed this EDM on Wednesday 4th March 2026 Marie Curie Great Daffodil Appeal 2026 36 signatures (Most recent: 17 Mar 2026)Tabled by: Kenneth Stevenson (Labour - Airdrie and Shotts) That this House notes the Great Daffodil Appeal 2026, which is Marie Curie's flagship annual fundraising campaign, held every March, when people from all corners of the UK wear a daffodil badge to show their support for people with terminal illness; further notes that the Great Daffodil Appeal has now … |
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Wednesday 25th February Ben Lake signed this EDM as a sponsor on Thursday 26th February 2026 Recognition of Ukrainian driving licences 24 signatures (Most recent: 11 Mar 2026)Tabled by: David Chadwick (Liberal Democrat - Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe) That this House notes that, under the agreement in force since 20 May 2021, Ukrainian driving licences may be exchanged for Great Britain licences; further notes that because tests taken before 28 December 2021 did not record whether they were completed in a manual or automatic vehicle, the Driver and … |
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Monday 23rd February Ben Lake signed this EDM as a sponsor on Thursday 26th February 2026 Papur y Bobl, Rhosgadfan community newspaper 5 signatures (Most recent: 26 Feb 2026)Tabled by: Liz Saville Roberts (Plaid Cymru - Dwyfor Meirionnydd) That this House warmly congratulates 13-year-old cousins Celyn and Caio on the creation of Papur y Bobl, a new community newspaper serving the village of Rhosgadfan in Gwynedd; notes that this initiative by the Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen pupils demonstrates exceptional commitment to local journalism, cultural expression, and civic participation; … |
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Monday 23rd February Ben Lake signed this EDM on Thursday 26th February 2026 Surveillance and political intimidation of journalists 28 signatures (Most recent: 17 Mar 2026)Tabled by: Rebecca Long Bailey (Labour - Salford) That this House recognises the vital importance for press freedom of investigative journalists being able to report the truth without fear or favour, and to protect the identity of their sources; is concerned by media reports that the organisation Labour Together commissioned public relations agency APCO Worldwide to identify the … |
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Monday 23rd February Ben Lake signed this EDM on Thursday 26th February 2026 23 signatures (Most recent: 12 Mar 2026) Tabled by: Cameron Thomas (Liberal Democrat - Tewkesbury) That this House registers its concern that Lloyds Banking Group plans to close 95 local branches this year, including in Tewkesbury; acknowledges the value of high street banks to local communities, particularly the elderly and those without easy access to public transport; recognises the harm bank closures have on rural … |
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Monday 23rd February Ben Lake signed this EDM on Thursday 26th February 2026 Funding for fire and rescue services 48 signatures (Most recent: 17 Mar 2026)Tabled by: Kim Johnson (Labour - Liverpool Riverside) That this House supports the Fire Brigade Union’s calls for urgent investment in the UK’s fire and rescue service and has heard their warning that cuts kill; expresses deep concern that proposed cuts and chronic underfunding that have hollowed out the UK’s fire and rescue services leaving communities without adequate … |
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Wednesday 25th February Ben Lake signed this EDM as a sponsor on Thursday 26th February 2026 28 signatures (Most recent: 17 Mar 2026) Tabled by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole) That this House notes that billionaire wealth is at its highest recorded level, with the number of billionaires surpassing 3,000 for the first time, while one in four people globally face hunger and 14.1 million people in the UK experienced food insecurity last year; observes growing concern that extreme concentrations … |
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Monday 23rd February Ben Lake signed this EDM on Thursday 26th February 2026 Government response to Israel’s West Bank annexation plan 70 signatures (Most recent: 17 Mar 2026)Tabled by: Richard Burgon (Labour - Leeds East) That this House notes the Israeli Government’s 15 February approval of a plan to register land in the Occupied Palestinian Territory of the West Bank as Israeli state property; strongly condemns this illegal plan to seize yet more Palestinian land; further notes the statement backed by 85 UN Member States, … |
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Wednesday 11th February Ben Lake signed this EDM on Monday 23rd February 2026 British couple detained in Iran 68 signatures (Most recent: 10 Mar 2026)Tabled by: Tony Vaughan (Labour - Folkestone and Hythe) That this House expresses deep concern regarding the ongoing detention of two British citizens, Craig and Lindsay Foreman, who have now been held in Iran for over a year without formal charges or sentencing; notes with dismay the escalating violence reported at Evin Prison and the significant risk this poses … |
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Thursday 18th December Ben Lake signed this EDM on Monday 23rd February 2026 UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons 100 signatures (Most recent: 25 Feb 2026)Tabled by: Steve Darling (Liberal Democrat - Torbay) That this House supports the protection of the rights of older people in the UK and globally; recognises that a UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons is an important step for establishing a global minimum standard of legal protection for older people everywhere; acknowledges the strong track record … |
| Live Transcript |
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Note: Cited speaker in live transcript data may not always be accurate. Check video link to confirm. |
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26 Feb 2026, 12:46 p.m. - House of Commons ">> The question is as on the Order Paper and I call Ben Lake. >> Madam Deputy. >> Speaker, and. >> Can I begin. By thanking. " Ruth Jones MP (Newport West and Islwyn, Labour) - View Video - View Transcript |
| Parliamentary Debates |
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Bill Presented
0 speeches (None words) Tuesday 3rd March 2026 - Commons Chamber Mentions: 1: None supported by Siân Berry, Carla Denyer, Adrian Ramsay, Hannah Spencer, John McDonnell, Clive Lewis, Ben Lake - Link to Speech |
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St David’s Day and Welsh Affairs
60 speeches (20,694 words) Thursday 26th February 2026 - Commons Chamber Wales Office Mentions: 1: Ruth Jones (Lab - Newport West and Islwyn) Member for Ceredigion Preseli (Ben Lake) and the hon. - Link to Speech 2: Alex Barros-Curtis (Lab - Cardiff West) Members for Ceredigion Preseli (Ben Lake) and for North Dorset (Simon Hoare), and my hon. - Link to Speech 3: Andrew Ranger (Lab - Wrexham) Member for Ceredigion Preseli (Ben Lake) for securing this debate today.The story of St David began about - Link to Speech 4: Jo Stevens (Lab - Cardiff East) Member for Ceredigion Preseli (Ben Lake). - Link to Speech 5: Mims Davies (Con - East Grinstead and Uckfield) Member for Ceredigion Preseli (Ben Lake). - Link to Speech |
| Select Committee Documents |
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Wednesday 25th February 2026
Oral Evidence - 2026-02-25 14:30:00+00:00 Welsh Affairs Committee Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Ruth Jones (Chair); Ann Davies; Gerald Jones; Ben Lake; Andrew Ranger |
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Tuesday 24th February 2026
Oral Evidence - 2026-02-24 16:15:00+00:00 Proposals for backbench debates - Backbench Business Committee Found: We have one other application, on the emerging risks of advanced AI, which is from Ben Lake, but I |
| Calendar |
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Wednesday 11th March 2026 2 p.m. Welsh Affairs Committee - Private Meeting View calendar - Add to calendar |
| Select Committee Inquiry |
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16 Mar 2026
Working towards ending child poverty in Wales Welsh Affairs Committee (Select) Submit Evidence (by 4 May 2026) The rate of child poverty in Wales has changed very little over the past two decades, with around a third of Welsh children living in poverty during that time. Currently, 31% of children in Wales live in relative income poverty after housing costs. However, that figure also varies significantly depending on a family's circumstances, with larger families, lone parent families and families with at least one disabled adult or child experiencing higher rates of child poverty. Relative low income (after housing costs) is a widely used measure of child poverty, and is based on how much income each household has after deducting taxes paid and their housing costs. It is adjusted for the number and ages of people in the household to account for different levels of need across households. This inquiry seeks to understand how the UK and Welsh governments work together towards ending child poverty, and examine what barriers might prevent Wales from realising the ambitions set out in the UK Government's child poverty strategy. Read the call for evidence for more details about the inquiry. |