Cat Smith Portrait

Cat Smith

Labour - Lancaster and Wyre

9,253 (21.5%) majority - 2024 General Election

First elected: 7th May 2015


Liaison Committee (Commons)
18th Oct 2023 - 30th May 2024
Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission
11th May 2020 - 30th May 2024
Petitions Committee
18th Oct 2023 - 30th May 2024
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
19th Jun 2023 - 30th May 2024
Environmental Audit Committee
7th Mar 2023 - 30th May 2024
Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief Bill (Formerly known as International Freedom of Religion or Belief Bill)
17th Apr 2024 - 24th Apr 2024
Zoological Society of London (Leases) Bill
21st Feb 2024 - 28th Feb 2024
Environmental Audit Sub-Committee on Polar Research
22nd Mar 2023 - 7th Feb 2024
Ballot Secrecy Bill [HL]
1st Mar 2023 - 7th Mar 2023
Offenders (Day of Release from Detention) Bill
1st Feb 2023 - 8th Feb 2023
Protection from Redundancy (Pregnancy and Family Leave) Bill
26th Oct 2022 - 2nd Nov 2022
Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Bill
20th Jul 2022 - 7th Sep 2022
Shadow Minister (Cabinet Office) (Young People and Voter Engagement)
27th Jun 2016 - 29th Nov 2021
Elections Bill
15th Sep 2021 - 26th Oct 2021
Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Commons
20th Dec 2016 - 19th Jul 2017
Junior Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities
18th Sep 2015 - 27th Jun 2016
Women and Equalities Committee
6th Jul 2015 - 26th Oct 2015


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Cat Smith has voted in 265 divisions, and 2 times against the majority of their Party.

1 Jul 2025 - Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill - View Vote Context
Cat Smith voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 49 Labour No votes vs 333 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 335 Noes - 260
1 Jul 2025 - Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill - View Vote Context
Cat Smith voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 42 Labour Aye votes vs 325 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 149 Noes - 328
View All Cat Smith Division Votes

Debates during the 2024 Parliament

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Keir Starmer (Labour)
Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury
(5 debate interactions)
Sarah Sackman (Labour)
Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
(4 debate interactions)
Jim McMahon (Labour (Co-op))
(4 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Department of Health and Social Care
(24 debate contributions)
Cabinet Office
(5 debate contributions)
Department for Work and Pensions
(4 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Universal Credit Act 2025
(742 words contributed)
View All Legislation Debates
View all Cat Smith's debates

Lancaster and Wyre Petitions

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).

Cat Smith has not participated in any petition debates

Latest EDMs signed by Cat Smith

5th November 2025
Cat Smith signed this EDM as the primary signatory on Wednesday 5th November 2025

Sodium valproate and surgical mesh redress

Tabled by: Cat Smith (Labour - Lancaster and Wyre)
That this House notes the second anniversary of the Patient Safety Commissioner formally submitting Ministerial Advice to the Department of Health and Social Care on options to deliver essential redress for the victims of sodium valproate and surgical mesh; further notes that whilst the advice was given to the previous …
6 signatures
(Most recent: 5 Nov 2025)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 1
Liberal Democrat: 1
Plaid Cymru: 1
Scottish National Party: 1
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Independent: 1
21st October 2025
Cat Smith signed this EDM on Tuesday 28th October 2025

Drug deaths (No. 2)

Tabled by: Grahame Morris (Labour - Easington)
That this House is dismayed at annual data released by the Office for National Statistics on 17 October 2025 revealing yet another record number of drug deaths; notes that 5,565 deaths related to drug poisoning were registered in England and Wales in 2024; further notes that opiates and opioids were …
17 signatures
(Most recent: 3 Nov 2025)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 8
Independent: 5
Democratic Unionist Party: 2
Green Party: 2
View All Cat Smith's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Cat Smith, 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.


Cat Smith has not been granted any Urgent Questions

Cat Smith has not been granted any Adjournment Debates

2 Bills introduced by Cat Smith


A Bill to introduce a system of proportional representation for Parliamentary elections, for elections for directly-elected mayors in England, for local authority elections in England and for police and crime commissioner elections in England and Wales.

Commons - 40%

Last Event - 2nd Reading
Friday 24th March 2023

A Bill to introduce a system of proportional representation for local authority elections in England and for parliamentary general elections; to alter the methods used for electing the Mayor of London, for electing other directly-elected mayors in England and for electing police and crime commissioners in England and Wales; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Tuesday 21st March 2023

Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
1 Other Department Questions
1st May 2025
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps she is taking to ban conversion practices.

Conversion practices are abuse, and I can assure my honourable friend that this Government is absolutely committed to introducing a fully trans inclusive ban on conversion practices.

This is a complex issue, and it is imperative that we get this right. We are working hard to draft legislation which offers protection from these harmful practices, while also preserving the freedom for individuals to explore their identity, and respecting the important roles of those supporting them.

The previous administration failed repeatedly to deliver on this issue. We will not. We will publish our draft Bill later this session, as set out in the King’s Speech.

11th Dec 2024
To ask the Solicitor General, how many alcohol industry representatives Ministers in her Department have met since July 2024.

Details of ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK. Data for the period of July to September 2024 will be published in due course.

Lucy Rigby
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
11th Dec 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many alcohol industry representatives Ministers in his Department have met since July 2024.

Details of ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK. Data for the period of July to September 2024 will be published shortly.

28th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the licensing taskforce recommendations on progress towards meeting the targets of the Mission Boards for (a) safer streets, (b) tackling violence against women and girls and (c) reducing antisocial behaviour and building safer communities.

No assessment has yet been made of the impact of any potential reforms on safer streets, tackling violence against women and girls, and reducing ASB and building safer communities. The Government is currently inviting views and evidence to inform the development of a modern, proportionate and enabling licensing system. As part of this we are reviewing a number of reform proposals recommended by the Licensing Taskforce in July. Any legislative changes subsequently taken forward will be subject to an impact assessment, consultation and parliamentary scrutiny.

A Call for Evidence is currently open until 6 November in order to gather views and evidence to inform proposals for reforms to licensing. This is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/reforming-the-licensing-system.

Kate Dearden
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
28th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether the Licensing Taskforce requested assessments of the potential impact of post-pandemic changes to drinking patterns on (a) crime, (b) violence and (c) anti-social behaviour; and whether those assessments were provided to the taskforce.

The Licensing Taskforce did not request assessments of the potential impact of post-pandemic changes to drinking patterns on (a) crime, (b) violence and (c) anti-social behaviour; however its membership included the National Police Chiefs Council’s lead for Alcohol Harm. Since the Taskforce reported, a cross-government team has been established to review its findings and a Call for Evidence was launched. This is open until 6 November. We continue to seek a wide range of views and evidence to inform the development of a modern, proportionate and enabling licensing system. Any legislative reforms will be subject to impact assessment, consultation and parliamentary scrutiny.

The Call for Evidence is currently open until 6 November in order to gather views and evidence to inform proposals for reforms to licensing. This is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/reforming-the-licensing-system.

Kate Dearden
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
28th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether each Mission Board was (a) represented, (b) involved in and (c) consulted as part of the Licensing Taskforce workstream; and what their level of involvement was.

The Licensing Taskforce reported its findings in July and relevant Government departments were involved in determining the response to that report. That included the Department for Business and Trade, the Home Office, HM Treasury, the Department for Health and Social Care, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. A cross-government team has been established with the involvement of those departments to take forward a review of the proposals and subsequent implementation where appropriate. That further stage of activity has led to the Call for Evidence which will inform next steps.

The Call for Evidence is open until 6 November in order to gather views and evidence to inform proposals for reforms to licensing. This is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/reforming-the-licensing-system.

Kate Dearden
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
28th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether members of the Licensing Taskforce were given (a) advanced sight of and (b) input into the wording of the licensing call for evidence questions.

The Government is inviting views and evidence to inform the development of a modern, proportionate and enabling licensing system.

A Call for Evidence is currently open until 6 November in order to gather views and evidence to inform proposals for reforms to licensing. This is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/reforming-the-licensing-system.

In the course of developing the Call for Evidence questions a number of stakeholders were consulted and saw drafts of the call for evidence before this was finalised. This included some members of the Licensing Taskforce.

Kate Dearden
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
28th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment she has made of the potential challenges of launching the current licensing call for evidence with a rapid 4-week window for responses.

The Government is inviting views and evidence to inform the development of a modern, proportionate and enabling licensing system.

A four week Call for Evidence is currently open until 6 November in order to gather views and evidence to inform proposals for reforms to licensing. This is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/reforming-the-licensing-system.

A rapid evidence gathering exercise is appropriate at this stage in the development of policy relating to licensing reforms. Further consultation and engagement with stakeholders is anticipated at later stages of policy development and implementation, dependent on the specific proposals that are being taken forward. Any legislative changes will be subject to an impact assessment, consultation and parliamentary scrutiny.

Kate Dearden
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
28th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to consider feedback provided during the public call for evidence on Reforming the licensing system, published on 7 October 2025; and what assessment he has made of the level of (a) opposition and (b) concern within responses that might prompt him to reconsider his proposals.

The Government is inviting views and evidence to inform the development of a modern, proportionate and enabling licensing system.

A Call for Evidence is currently open until 6 November in order to gather views and evidence to inform proposals for reforms to licensing. This is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/reforming-the-licensing-system.

Representations including any opposition or concern will be reviewed fully as part of this process and will be helpful in shaping the development of proposals.

Kate Dearden
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
28th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps did the Licensing Taskforce take to consult (a) local authorities, (b) police forces, (c) Police and Crime Commissioners, (d) directors of public health and (d) local licensing committees on proposed reforms to alcohol licensing.

The Government is inviting views and evidence to inform the development of a modern, proportionate and enabling licensing system.

A Call for Evidence is currently open until 6 November in order to gather views and evidence to inform proposals for reforms to licensing. This is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/reforming-the-licensing-system.

In July this year, the Licensing Taskforce concluded a review of licensing and its report is available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/licensing-taskforce-report-and-government-response/licensing-policy-sprint-joint-industry-and-hm-government-taskforce-report

The report lists the members of the Taskforce, including representatives from the Local Government Association, the Institute of Licensing and the National Police Chiefs’ Council, and gives an indication of how they went about their review. The Government responded to that report welcoming its recommendations and setting out next steps. As part of the current Call for Evidence and subsequent policy development, the Government is committed to engaging with local authorities, police forces, Police and Crime Commissioners, directors of public health, local licensing committees and members of the public among others.

Kate Dearden
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
28th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment has been made of the potential impact of the licensing taskforce recommendations on the workstreams of each of the five Mission Boards.

The Government is inviting views and evidence to inform the development of a modern, proportionate and enabling licensing system.

A Call for Evidence is currently open until 6 November in order to gather views and evidence to inform proposals for reforms to licensing. This is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/reforming-the-licensing-system.

While no assessment has yet been made of the impact of any reforms to be taken forward, that would form part of the further stages of this work.

Kate Dearden
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
28th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he had with experts on (a) alcohol licensing and (b) the Licensing Act 2003 on the proposals set out in the call for evidence entitled Reforming the licensing system, published on 7 October 2025.

Earlier this year the Government established a Licensing Taskforce which was co-chaired by the then Minister for Services, Small Business and Exports, Gareth Thomas MP. The Taskforce held discussions with experts on the licensing regime in reaching its conclusions.

The Government welcomed the Taskforce report and is inviting further views and evidence to inform the development of a modern, proportionate and enabling licensing system.

A Call for Evidence is currently open until 6 November in order to gather views and evidence to inform proposals for reforms to licensing. This is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/reforming-the-licensing-system.

Kate Dearden
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
16th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 5 December 2024 to Question 17421 on Fireworks: Safety, what discussions she has had with (a) businesses, (b) consumer groups and (c) charities on the adequacy of the Fireworks Regulations 2004 at protecting (i) people and (ii) animals from the negative impacts of fireworks.

The Government regularly engages with a wide range of stakeholders in relation to the impacts of fireworks. Our engagement includes with businesses, consumer groups and charities. The current regulatory framework is designed to support people to enjoy fireworks whilst lowering the risk of dangers and disruption to people, pets, and property. It is important that we ensure the safe, responsible and considerate use of fireworks for business and consumers alike.

At this stage I am examining the detail of existing legislation in relation to fireworks to decide if and where policy changes may be needed. I can assure you that the safety of the public and the impact on people, animals and property will be central in decisions on how we proceed in relation to the regulation of fireworks. To inform any future decisions I intend to engage with businesses, consumer groups and charities to gather evidence on the issues with and impacts of fireworks.

11th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many alcohol industry representatives have Ministers in his Department met with since July 2024.

As part of the Government’s transparency agenda, the Department for Business and Trade releases quarterly data on Ministerial meetings, gifts, hospitality and travel on the transparency pages of gov.uk. The next release will be for the period July to September 2024 with a yet to be confirmed date to be set by the Cabinet Office.

11th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many alcohol industry representatives have Ministers in his Department met with since July 2024.

I refer my hon Friend to the answer I gave on 14 October 2024 to Question UIN 6511.

Michael Shanks
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
11th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how many alcohol industry representatives Ministers in his Department have met since July 2024.

Details of ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK. Data for the period of July to September 2024 will be published in due course

17th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much and what proportion of the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme she plans to spend on (a) tennis and (b) padel facilities in each of the next three years.

The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, should have access to and benefit from quality sport and physical activity opportunities.

The majority of funding for grassroots sport is provided through Sport England, our arm’s length body. Sport England provides long term investment to the Lawn Tennis Association, the National Governing Body for tennis and padel in Britain, which receives up to £10.2 million for five years (between 2022-2027) to invest in community tennis and padel initiatives.

The Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities programme is focused on investment into sports pitches and ancillary facilities, like changing rooms and clubhouses.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
14th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make it her policy to support (a) sports with higher levels of female participation, (b) tennis and (c) netball through the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme.

The Government is dedicated to supporting every aspect of women’s sport and committed to ensuring all women and girls, no matter their background, have access to high quality facilities. On Friday 21 March, we confirmed that DCMS is investing £100 million in high-quality sports facilities over the next year in communities across the UK through the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme.

All projects - which primarily focus on pitches and ancillary facilities like changing rooms - funded through this programme are required to demonstrate how they increase access and participation levels among under-represented groups, which includes women and girls.

Of the funded projects, at least 40% will have a multi-sport offer so that more people can get access to a wider variety of sports and activities that appeal to them.



Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
13th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many women and girls will be impacted by the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme.

The Government is dedicated to supporting every aspect of women’s sport and committed to ensuring all women and girls, no matter their background, have access to high quality facilities. On Friday 21 March, we confirmed that DCMS is investing £100 million in high-quality sports facilities over the next year in communities across the UK through the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme.

All projects - which primarily focus on pitches and ancillary facilities like changing rooms - funded through this programme are required to demonstrate how they increase access and participation levels among under-represented groups, which includes women and girls.

Of the funded projects, at least 40% will have a multi-sport offer so that more people can get access to a wider variety of sports and activities that appeal to them.



Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
5th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she plans to consider evidence related to advertising when strengthening protections against gambling harms.

We are committed to considering the best available evidence, including on advertising, from a wide range of sources to inform decisions on strengthening protections. Developing quality evidence is a key priority for the statutory levy and funding will be directed towards high-quality, independent research to fill key gaps in the evidence base. This could include research on the impacts of advertising. We will continue to monitor developments in the evidence and take action when appropriate.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
23rd Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a revocable license to practice for youth workers.

DCMS funds the National Youth Agency to maintain a voluntary register of JNC Level 6 qualified youth workers and provide support to youth workers and organisations around safeguarding and risk management via their Safeguarding Hub.

In November, this government committed to co-producing a new National Youth Strategy, which is an opportunity to look afresh at the training, recruitment and retention of youth workers. The Strategy will be published this summer.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
23rd Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will take steps to ensure there is a minimum level of provision for youth services.

Local Authorities have a statutory duty to secure, so far as is reasonably practicable, sufficient provision of educational and recreational leisure-time activities for young people in their area. We will be launching the Local Youth Transformation pilot this year, which will support local authorities to build back capacity in the youth space and improve local youth offers.

This government has also committed to co-producing a new National Youth Strategy. As part of the Strategy, we will be consulting closely with young people and the youth sector. The Strategy will be published this summer.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
15th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much funding allocated to the National Citizen Service will be redistributed to youth services.

Funding allocations for specific programmes will be communicated in due course, following the completion of business planning.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
11th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many alcohol industry representatives Ministers in her Department have met since July 2024.

Details of ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK. Data for the period of July to September 2024 will be published in due course.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
10th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of access to tennis facilities on the physical activity levels of (a) older people, (b) disabled people, (c) women and girls and (d) other less active groups.

The Government is committed to doing more to ensure that everyone, including older people, girls and women and those with disabilities, all have access to and benefit from quality sport and physical activity opportunities. Sport and physical activity is central to achieving our health and opportunity manifesto missions, with the biggest gains coming from supporting those who are inactive to move more.

The Government provides the majority of support for grassroots sport through Sport England - which annually invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding. Sport England’s work focuses on increasing participation in sport and to boost diversity at a grassroots level to give more and better opportunities to all.

Sport England provides long term investment to the Lawn Tennis Association, the National Governing Body for tennis in Britain, which receives up to £10.2 million for five years to invest in community tennis and padel initiatives that will benefit everyone, including disabled people, women and girls and older people.

Sport England also works to ensure that each of their programmes impact directly on disabled people and those with a long-term health condition, with initiatives like the 'We are Undefeatable' campaign and partnerships with disability organisations.

Decisions with regards to future departmental budgets will be made as part of the upcoming spending review process.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
10th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of access to indoor tennis facilities on the level of participation in disability tennis.

The Government is committed to doing more to ensure that everyone, including older people, girls and women and those with disabilities, all have access to and benefit from quality sport and physical activity opportunities. Sport and physical activity is central to achieving our health and opportunity manifesto missions, with the biggest gains coming from supporting those who are inactive to move more.

The Government provides the majority of support for grassroots sport through Sport England - which annually invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding. Sport England’s work focuses on increasing participation in sport and to boost diversity at a grassroots level to give more and better opportunities to all.

Sport England provides long term investment to the Lawn Tennis Association, the National Governing Body for tennis in Britain, which receives up to £10.2 million for five years to invest in community tennis and padel initiatives that will benefit everyone, including disabled people, women and girls and older people.

Sport England also works to ensure that each of their programmes impact directly on disabled people and those with a long-term health condition, with initiatives like the 'We are Undefeatable' campaign and partnerships with disability organisations.

Decisions with regards to future departmental budgets will be made as part of the upcoming spending review process.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
10th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much funding her Department plans to provide for tennis facilities in each of the next three financial years.

The Government is committed to doing more to ensure that everyone, including older people, girls and women and those with disabilities, all have access to and benefit from quality sport and physical activity opportunities. Sport and physical activity is central to achieving our health and opportunity manifesto missions, with the biggest gains coming from supporting those who are inactive to move more.

The Government provides the majority of support for grassroots sport through Sport England - which annually invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding. Sport England’s work focuses on increasing participation in sport and to boost diversity at a grassroots level to give more and better opportunities to all.

Sport England provides long term investment to the Lawn Tennis Association, the National Governing Body for tennis in Britain, which receives up to £10.2 million for five years to invest in community tennis and padel initiatives that will benefit everyone, including disabled people, women and girls and older people.

Sport England also works to ensure that each of their programmes impact directly on disabled people and those with a long-term health condition, with initiatives like the 'We are Undefeatable' campaign and partnerships with disability organisations.

Decisions with regards to future departmental budgets will be made as part of the upcoming spending review process.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
10th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the provision of accessible (a) indoor and (b) covered tennis courts in underserved communities.

The Government is committed to doing more to ensure that everyone, including older people, girls and women and those with disabilities, all have access to and benefit from quality sport and physical activity opportunities. Sport and physical activity is central to achieving our health and opportunity manifesto missions, with the biggest gains coming from supporting those who are inactive to move more.

The Government provides the majority of support for grassroots sport through Sport England - which annually invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding. Sport England’s work focuses on increasing participation in sport and to boost diversity at a grassroots level to give more and better opportunities to all.

Sport England provides long term investment to the Lawn Tennis Association, the National Governing Body for tennis in Britain, which receives up to £10.2 million for five years to invest in community tennis and padel initiatives that will benefit everyone, including disabled people, women and girls and older people.

Sport England also works to ensure that each of their programmes impact directly on disabled people and those with a long-term health condition, with initiatives like the 'We are Undefeatable' campaign and partnerships with disability organisations.

Decisions with regards to future departmental budgets will be made as part of the upcoming spending review process.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
10th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the provision of (a) indoor and (b) covered tennis facilities, in the context of her Department's target for increasing the number of people who are physically active by 2030.

The Government is committed to doing more to ensure that everyone, including older people, girls and women and those with disabilities, all have access to and benefit from quality sport and physical activity opportunities. Sport and physical activity is central to achieving our health and opportunity manifesto missions, with the biggest gains coming from supporting those who are inactive to move more.

The Government provides the majority of support for grassroots sport through Sport England - which annually invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding. Sport England’s work focuses on increasing participation in sport and to boost diversity at a grassroots level to give more and better opportunities to all.

Sport England provides long term investment to the Lawn Tennis Association, the National Governing Body for tennis in Britain, which receives up to £10.2 million for five years to invest in community tennis and padel initiatives that will benefit everyone, including disabled people, women and girls and older people.

Sport England also works to ensure that each of their programmes impact directly on disabled people and those with a long-term health condition, with initiatives like the 'We are Undefeatable' campaign and partnerships with disability organisations.

Decisions with regards to future departmental budgets will be made as part of the upcoming spending review process.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
10th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to help increase access to (a) affordable and (b) covered or indoor community tennis courts.

The Government is committed to doing more to ensure that everyone, including older people, girls and women and those with disabilities, all have access to and benefit from quality sport and physical activity opportunities. Sport and physical activity is central to achieving our health and opportunity manifesto missions, with the biggest gains coming from supporting those who are inactive to move more.

The Government provides the majority of support for grassroots sport through Sport England - which annually invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding. Sport England’s work focuses on increasing participation in sport and to boost diversity at a grassroots level to give more and better opportunities to all.

Sport England provides long term investment to the Lawn Tennis Association, the National Governing Body for tennis in Britain, which receives up to £10.2 million for five years to invest in community tennis and padel initiatives that will benefit everyone, including disabled people, women and girls and older people.

Sport England also works to ensure that each of their programmes impact directly on disabled people and those with a long-term health condition, with initiatives like the 'We are Undefeatable' campaign and partnerships with disability organisations.

Decisions with regards to future departmental budgets will be made as part of the upcoming spending review process.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
10th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much funding her Department has provided for (a) covered and (b) indoor (i) tennis and (ii) padel courts in each of the last five years.

The Government is committed to doing more to ensure that everyone, including older people, girls and women and those with disabilities, all have access to and benefit from quality sport and physical activity opportunities. Sport and physical activity is central to achieving our health and opportunity manifesto missions, with the biggest gains coming from supporting those who are inactive to move more.

The Government provides the majority of support for grassroots sport through Sport England - which annually invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding. Sport England’s work focuses on increasing participation in sport and to boost diversity at a grassroots level to give more and better opportunities to all.

Sport England provides long term investment to the Lawn Tennis Association, the National Governing Body for tennis in Britain, which receives up to £10.2 million for five years to invest in community tennis and padel initiatives that will benefit everyone, including disabled people, women and girls and older people.

Sport England also works to ensure that each of their programmes impact directly on disabled people and those with a long-term health condition, with initiatives like the 'We are Undefeatable' campaign and partnerships with disability organisations.

Decisions with regards to future departmental budgets will be made as part of the upcoming spending review process.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
21st Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department subsidises inspections of independent schools undertaken by Ofsted.

Ofsted inspects around 50% of the 2,496 (July 2025) registered private schools in England. There is disparity between the fees charged for inspections and full cost recovery. Private school inspections carried out by Ofsted cost around £6.5 million per annum (2024/25), whilst only around £2.2 million will be recovered from fee income.

Government policy is that costs associated with inspections by government bodies should be recoverable. This will reduce the need for government subsidy. The government is considering options to close the gap.

Stephen Morgan
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
9th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much funding her Department has provided for the (a) running of the Independent Schools Inspectorate and (b) cost of inspections undertaken by that inspectorate in each financial year since March 2015.

The department does not provide funding to the Independent Schools Inspectorate, and does not cover the cost of inspections undertaken by the inspectorate.

Stephen Morgan
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
9th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the average pay was for headteachers in (a) primary and (b) secondary school in the maintained sector in each of the last five years.

Information on the school workforce is published in the ‘School workforce in England’ statistical publication, which is available here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england.

The following link provides the full-time equivalent median average salary for head teachers in local authority maintained primary schools, local authority maintained secondary schools and total state-funded schools in England, as at November each year, for the academic years 2019/20 to 2023/24: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/1a07b1b4-e474-4cf7-1e4d-08dd2d8a762c.

9th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will publish (a) the number and (b) a list of trust names of academy trusts in which the highest paid member of staff including employer pension contributions was paid (i) more than £200,000, (ii) more than £250,000, (iii) more than £300,000, (iv) more than £350,000 and (v) more than £400,000 in the last 12 months.

The department collates and publishes data annually in the academies sector annual report and accounts on the number of academy trusts with an individual staff member whose emoluments are above £100,000. The data is available in the attached spreadsheet and can also be accessed in the reports published on GOV.UK at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/academies-sector-annual-reports-and-accounts.

Emoluments include salary, employer pension contributions and other benefits received during the year. These are reported in bandings of £100,000 to £150,000 and over £150,000.

The academies sector annual report and accounts also publishes information on all trustee remuneration, including pension contributions. This covers bandings including £120,000 to £130,000, £130,000 to £140,000, £140,000 to £150,000, and £150,000 and over. The data is available in the attached spreadsheet and can also be accessed in the reports published on GOV.UK:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/academies-sector-annual-reports-and-accounts

The department also publishes an annex alongside the academy sector accounts listing academy trusts paying one or more staff member remuneration of £150,000 in that year.

The academies sector annual report and accounts is drawn from academy trusts’ accounts data. The report for 2022 to 2023 will be published shortly and the deadline for academy trusts to submit data for 2023 to 2024 to the department is 28 January 2025.

As referenced in response to Question 21323, academy trusts must publish pay information in their annual audited accounts and on their website. The Academies Sector Annual Report and Accounts includes an annex, annex E in the most recently published set, listing all the academy trusts that paid at least one member of staff in excess of £150,000.

9th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will publish a breakdown of the total number of trustees of schools multi-academy trusts that received remuneration either as a member of staff as well as a trustee, or in their capacity purely as trustee in excess of (a) £120,000, (b) £130,000, (c) £140,000 and (d) £150,000 including employer pension contributions in each of the last five years.

The department collates and publishes data annually in the academies sector annual report and accounts on the number of academy trusts with an individual staff member whose emoluments are above £100,000. The data is available in the attached spreadsheet and can also be accessed in the reports published on GOV.UK at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/academies-sector-annual-reports-and-accounts.

Emoluments include salary, employer pension contributions and other benefits received during the year. These are reported in bandings of £100,000 to £150,000 and over £150,000.

The academies sector annual report and accounts also publishes information on all trustee remuneration, including pension contributions. This covers bandings including £120,000 to £130,000, £130,000 to £140,000, £140,000 to £150,000, and £150,000 and over. The data is available in the attached spreadsheet and can also be accessed in the reports published on GOV.UK:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/academies-sector-annual-reports-and-accounts

The department also publishes an annex alongside the academy sector accounts listing academy trusts paying one or more staff member remuneration of £150,000 in that year.

The academies sector annual report and accounts is drawn from academy trusts’ accounts data. The report for 2022 to 2023 will be published shortly and the deadline for academy trusts to submit data for 2023 to 2024 to the department is 28 January 2025.

As referenced in response to Question 21323, academy trusts must publish pay information in their annual audited accounts and on their website. The Academies Sector Annual Report and Accounts includes an annex, annex E in the most recently published set, listing all the academy trusts that paid at least one member of staff in excess of £150,000.

19th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what information her Department collects on the pay of multi-academy trust chief executives.

The Academy Trust Handbook sets out the requirements for academy trusts on executive pay, including reporting and publication. Academy trusts must:

  • Publish their annual audited accounts, including the number of employees whose benefits exceeded £60,000 in £10,000 bandings and the total employee benefits paid to key management personnel.
  • Publish on their website the number of employees whose benefits exceeded £100,000, including salary, employers’ pension contributions, other taxable benefits and termination payments.

The department collates and publishes academy trust pay data in the Academy Sector Annual Report and Accounts, which also includes an annex (annex E in the most recently published set) listing all the academy trusts which paid at least one member of staff in excess of £150,000 and which is accessible here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/academies-sector-annual-reports-and-accounts.

11th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether Ministers in her Department have met with representatives of the alcohol industry since July 2024.

Details of Ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK. Data for the period of July to September 2024 will be published in due course.

31st Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will take steps to provide additional funding to Social Work England for the provision of additional fitness to practice final hearings.

The department has provided additional funding of £7.1 million to Social Work England to clear the backlog of legacy cases inherited from the previous regulator. The department continues to look at ways to provide additional support to reduce cases currently at final hearing stage.

29th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to mitigate the impact of delays to fitness to practice final hearings on (a) the public and (b) social workers.

To mitigate the impact of delays to fitness to practice final hearings on the public and social workers, the department and Social Work England have made changes to legislation for operational efficiencies. In addition, the department has provided additional funds of £7.1 million to Social Work England to clear the backlog of legacy cases inherited from the previous regulator.

The department and Social Work England continue to work together to reduce delays to fitness to hearings through increasing the number of hearings held wherever possible.

10th Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she is taking steps to increase pay in the further education sector.

The government does not set or recommend pay in further education (FE), and the FE sector does not have a Pay Review Body (PRB). Colleges are not bound by the national pay and conditions framework for school teachers and are free to implement their own pay arrangements.

The department will continue with its plans to invest in FE teachers, as part of approximately £600 million funding across the 2024/25 and 2025/26 financial years, including targeted retention incentive payments of up to £6,000 for eligible early career FE teachers.

This government will consider the important contribution of non-PRB workforces, including FE, and will consider workforce sufficiency and what this might mean for FE funding in future years, as part of the Spending Review.

21st Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of plastics industry lobbyists on the UK Government’s position at at the United Nations plastics treaty negotiations (INC-5.2).

The UK has been a strong advocate for an ambitious and effective global plastics treaty and is a founder member of the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution. During the resumed 5th session of the negotiations (INC5.2), we continued to work closely with ambitious countries to push for a treaty covering the full lifecycle of plastics. The UK has consistently argued that an effective treaty must be based on the best available science.

The Government is committed to an open and transparent process and has engaged widely with industry and other stakeholders to gather a broad range of views to inform the UK’s negotiating position. This includes engagement through the UK National Treaty Dialogues on Plastic Pollution which facilitated discussions with industries at all stages of the plastics value chain as well as NGOs and academia. The reports from these sessions can be found here. The UK’s negotiating position seeks to balance the interests of all stakeholders and is not determined by any single group.

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
10th Sep 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she expects the research her Department has commissioned into tackling gaps in the scientific evidence on the potential impact of various catching methods for farmed poultry to conclude.

Research into assessing the impact of poultry catching and handling methods on animal welfare and catching durations in Great Britain is expected to be completed in 2028, after which the Government will consider its findings.

Angela Eagle
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
3rd Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of delays to the Environment Agency’s guidance on the operation of crematoria on relevant stakeholders.

The final updated Process Guidance Note 5/2 (24) is currently being reviewed by Ministers.

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
3rd Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the Environment Agency’s guidance on the operation of crematoria will be (a) published and (b) brought into effect.

The final updated Process Guidance Note 5/2 (24) is under review.

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
11th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many alcohol industry representatives have Ministers in his Department met with since July 2024.

Details of ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK. Data for the period of July to September 2024 will be published in due course.