Christopher Chope:

Written Question

Access to Work Programme: Self-employed

Friday 12th June 2026

Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reason applications for Access to Work from self-employed customers are not being allocated for processing until over 18 months from the date of receipt; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of delays on disabled applicants.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Delays in allocating Access to Work applications for self‑employed customers are due to high demand and the additional complexity of these cases, which often require further evidence such as tax and income details.

The Department recognises the impact of these delays, particularly for disabled applicants without employer support. To address this, steps have been taken to recruit additional staff to clear the backlog and improve processing times: Huge recruitment boost to tackle backlog in vital disability work scheme - GOV.UK.

Priority is given to customers starting work within four weeks and to those renewing awards, to minimise disruption to employment.

Written Question

Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme

Tuesday 9th June 2026

Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the Government accepts the recommendations of the Covid-19 Inquiry (Module 4) published on 16 April 2026 in relation to the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

As set out by the Prime Minister in his Written Ministerial Statement of 16 April responding to the publication of Module 4 of the COVID-19 Inquiry, the Government is carefully considering the findings of the inquiry, including the recommendations on reform of the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS), and will respond within six months of publication.

The Government is actively considering the recommendations of the inquiry on reform of the VDPS.

Division Vote (Commons)
3 Jun 2026 - Agriculture - View Vote Context
Christopher Chope (Con) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 90 Conservative No votes vs 1 Conservative Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 302 Noes - 153

Division Vote (Commons)
2 Jun 2026 - Armed Forces Bill - View Vote Context
Christopher Chope (Con) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 91 Conservative Aye votes vs 0 Conservative No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 170 Noes - 301

Division Vote (Commons)
2 Jun 2026 - Armed Forces Bill - View Vote Context
Christopher Chope (Con) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 85 Conservative Aye votes vs 0 Conservative No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 99 Noes - 371

Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 14 May 2026
Business of the House

"Next week, can the Leader of the House produce a Government statement in response to the Hallett review on covid-19 vaccines? Lady Hallett recommended major reform of the vaccine damage payment scheme. The Government said that they were considering the matter, but it is now more than five years since …..."
Christopher Chope - View Speech

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Written Question

Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme

Wednesday 29th April 2026

Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what has been the cost to his Department of assessing claims under the Vaccine Damage Payments Scheme in each of the last four years for which information is available.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 28 Apr 2026
Referral of Prime Minister to Committee of Privileges

"No, I will not give way; I think we need to make progress.

The effect of using the word “whatsoever”, I think, was that the Prime Minister probably inadvertently misled himself. I am being generous, but what I am really saying to Labour Members is: “Watch out. You are probably …..."
Christopher Chope - View Speech

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Speech in Westminster Hall - Tue 28 Apr 2026
Park Home Owners

"It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Alec. I have been involved with the park homes issue for the best part of 30 years; I have 2,000 people in my constituency living in park homes, and I am much concerned by the abuses so many of them …..."
Christopher Chope - View Speech

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