Claire Coutinho Portrait

Claire Coutinho

Conservative - East Surrey

7,450 (15.1%) majority - 2024 General Election

First elected: 12th December 2019

Shadow Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero

(since July 2024)

Shadow Minister (Equalities)

(since November 2024)

Claire Coutinho is not a member of any APPGs
1 Former APPG membership
Sustainable Finance
Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
31st Aug 2023 - 5th Jul 2024
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
27th Oct 2022 - 31st Aug 2023
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
21st Sep 2022 - 27th Oct 2022
Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Bill [HL]
19th Jan 2022 - 27th Jan 2022
Local Government (Disqualification) Bill
24th Nov 2021 - 1st Dec 2021
National Insurance Contributions Bill
16th Jun 2021 - 22nd Jun 2021


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Claire Coutinho has voted in 33 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
View All Claire Coutinho 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
Lindsay Hoyle (Speaker)
(11 debate interactions)
Ed Miliband (Labour)
Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
(6 debate interactions)
Bridget Phillipson (Labour)
Minister for Women and Equalities
(3 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Cabinet Office
(4 debate contributions)
HM Treasury
(2 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Great British Energy Bill 2024-26
(6,403 words contributed)
View All Legislation Debates
View all Claire Coutinho's debates

East Surrey 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).

Claire Coutinho has not participated in any petition debates

Latest EDMs signed by Claire Coutinho

2nd September 2024
Claire Coutinho signed this EDM as a sponsor on Thursday 29th August 2024

Social Security

Tabled by: Rishi Sunak (Conservative - Richmond and Northallerton)
That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, praying that the Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment Regulations 2024 (S.I., 2024, No. 869), dated 22 August 2024, a copy of which was laid before this House on 22 August 2024, be annulled.
81 signatures
(Most recent: 10 Sep 2024)
Signatures by party:
Conservative: 75
Independent: 3
Democratic Unionist Party: 2
Scottish National Party: 1
View All Claire Coutinho's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Claire Coutinho, 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.


Claire Coutinho has not been granted any Urgent Questions

Claire Coutinho has not been granted any Adjournment Debates

1 Bill introduced by Claire Coutinho


To make provision about licences to search and bore for and get offshore petroleum.

Commons Completed
Lords - 60%

Last Event - Committee Stage
Tuesday 23rd April 2024
(Read Debate)

1 Bill co-sponsored by Claire Coutinho

Marriage (Prohibited Degrees of Relationship) Bill 2024-26
Sponsor - Richard Holden (Con)


Latest 24 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
2 Other Department Questions
15th Nov 2024
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what her planned timetable is for the publication of the response to the call for evidence on single-sex spaces; and how many responses to the call for evidence have been received.

We will publish a response to the call for input on single-sex spaces guidance, including the number of valid responses, in due course.

Anneliese Dodds
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
15th Nov 2024
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what guidance the Office for Equality and Opportunities has produced on whether positive discrimination on the basis of gender identity is permitted under the Equality Act 2010.

Positive discrimination is treatment which favours someone solely because he or she has a particular protected characteristic such as their sex or race. Positive discrimination is generally unlawful under the Equality Act 2010 and therefore guidance has not been issued.

Anneliese Dodds
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
11th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when he plans to publish his Department's assessment of the full systems costs of a fully decarbonised, renewables-based grid by 2030.

The Government published the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan ‘a new era of clean electricity’ on 13 December 2024 detailing our plan to achieve deliver clean power by 2030.

Michael Shanks
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
5th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate he has made of carbon prices in 2030.

The price of carbon allowances in the UK Emissions Trading Scheme is set by the market and not the Government. A market-determined price of carbon is the most efficient way to decarbonise the traded sector.

It is the role of the UK ETS Authority to set the scheme’s cap, which sets a limit on the volume of greenhouse gases participants captured by the scheme can emit. This ensures the covered sectors will reduce their emissions in line with net zero and establishes a long-term investment signal.

Sarah Jones
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
30th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what budget he has allocated for legal costs in the event of legal action from businesses following from his decision not to issue new oil and gas licences.

We do not intend to issue new licences to explore new fields and will share more details on our plans in due course. We do not speculate on possible future legal costs.

Michael Shanks
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
30th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what is his expected timetable for GB Energy to cut household energy bills by £300 per year.

The Government's mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower is a sustainable, long-term plan to protect billpayers for good. That’s because in an unstable world, the only way to guarantee our energy security and protect billpayers permanently is to speed up the transition away from fossil fuels and towards homegrown clean energy.

The exact impact and timetable of Great British Energy’s interventions will be determined by detailed development and design of the organisation’s functions which will follow in the coming months.

Michael Shanks
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
30th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether GB Energy will operate energy infrastructure.

Yes. Great British Energy will own, manage, and operate clean energy projects across the country; which could include energy infrastructure. As set out in the Founding Statement, Great British Energy will have five key functions. This means the exact role of Great British Energy will vary from project to project, providing important flexibility to ensure Great British Energy works collaboratively with private companies, local authorities, and communities already operating in the energy space. To meet immediate needs, Great British Energy will initially focus on project development and investment.

Michael Shanks
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
30th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate he has made of the increase in quantum of energy that GB Energy will generate; and by what timeline.

Great British Energy will invest in, own and operate energy projects which will produce clean, cheap and homegrown energy and make Britain energy secure.

The exact impact and timeline of Great British Energy’s interventions will be determined by detailed development and design of the organisation’s functions.

Michael Shanks
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
30th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department plans to reduce the standing charge on household energy bills.

The Government has worked constructively with the regulator on the issue of standing charges, and we are committed to lowering the cost of them. Ofgem’s recently published discussion paper sets out the options for how standing charges could be reduced, including by moving supplier operational costs off standing charges onto the unit rate, increasing the variety of tariffs available for consumer in the market, and in the longer term, reviewing how system costs are allocated. We will continue to support Ofgem in this work and ensure that standing charges are reduced.

Miatta Fahnbulleh
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
24th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his policy on decarbonising the grid by 2030 on the cost of constructing Sizewell C.

The capital costs for Sizewell C are commercially sensitive, and subject to ongoing development. We cannot comment further on the cost at this time, but we are committed to Sizewell C, which with other new nuclear projects will play an important role in the Government’s vision for achieving energy independence, lowering consumers’ bills, and securing thousands of good, skilled jobs. Work continues at pace to secure a final investment decision.

Michael Shanks
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
24th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his policy on decarbonising the grid by 2030 on the cost of constructing Hinkley Point C.

Hinkley Point C is not a government project and therefore construction costs are a matter for EDF and its development partners on the project.

Michael Shanks
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
8th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what legal costs have been incurred by her Department for the appeal by the Freedom of Speech Union against her decision to pause the implementation of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 as of 1 November 2024.

The requested information is not known while this claim is in process and it is not appropriate to comment on live legal proceedings.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
17th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will meet the senior Jewish academics who wrote to her on 11 August 2024 on the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023.

My noble Friend, the Minister for Skills Baroness Smith confirmed to the House of Lords on 10 October 2024 that she will meet with the Jewish academics who wrote to my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education on 11 August. That meeting has now been arranged by her office.

Departmental officials and Minister Smith have met with over 40 individuals to discuss the future of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023, including academics with concerns about constraints on freedom of speech and academic freedom, as well as representatives from minority groups. These meetings will inform decision making on the future of the Act.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
17th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to help counter the influence of the Chinese state in British universities.

The UK welcomes international partnerships and students, including from China, who make a very positive impact on the UK’s higher education (HE) sector, our economy and society as a whole. However, the government will always protect its national security interests, human rights and values.

There are a set of measures that protect against undue foreign interference in our universities. These range from the Academic Technology Approval Scheme, which vets students and researchers seeking to study in sensitive areas, to the provisions of the Education Act 1986, which require HE providers to uphold freedom of speech within the law for staff, students and visiting speakers. In England, all registered providers must also uphold applicable public interest governance principles to meet the regulatory requirements of the Office for Students, including principles on academic freedom and accountability, such as operating openly and with integrity.

To support the HE sector to maximise the opportunities of international collaboration whilst managing the risks, the government offers practical advice through the National Protective Security Authority, the National Cyber Security Centre and the Research Collaboration and Advice Team. The department works alongside these partners and engages directly with the sector to increase their understanding of the risks and their ability to respond to them.

This government will take a consistent, long term and strategic approach to managing the UK’s relations with China, rooted in UK and global interests. The department will co-operate where we can, compete where we need to, and challenge where we must. We are contributing towards the government’s audit of the UK’s relationship with China as a bilateral and global actor, to improve our ability to understand and respond to the challenges and opportunities China poses.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
4th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many unfilled state-funded (a) primary and (b) secondary school places there are in East Surrey.

Information on unfilled state-funded school places as at May 2023 is published at local authority level in the annual School Capacity statistics publication found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-capacity.

The number of unfilled primary and secondary school places in Surrey can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/f7aaa7c5-c62c-4112-40d8-08dce44cbd16.

School Capacity data is also published at school level. This can be combined with information from ‘Get Information About Schools’ (GIAS) to identify parliamentary constituency, which can be accessed here: https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/. GIAS currently reflects the changes made following the general election parliamentary constituency changes.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
4th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate she has made of the potential impact of the implementation of VAT on independent school fees on (a) number of pupils requiring SEND services in the state education sector and (b) associated costs; and whether she plans to amend the funding available for those services.

Projections by the Institute for Fiscal Studies indicate that the number of pupils who may switch schools as a result of these changes is likely to represent a very small proportion of overall pupil numbers in the state sector, with any displacement expected to take place over several years. This research can be found here: https://ifs.org.uk/publications/tax-private-school-fees-and-state-school-spending.

The department works to support local authorities to ensure that every local area has sufficient places for children that need them and works to provide appropriate support for pupils with special educational needs.

Where pupils’ places in private schools are being funded by local authorities because their needs can only be met in private school, for example in England, where attendance at a named private school is required by a child’s education, health and care plan, local authorities will be able to reclaim the VAT.

The government will publish a Tax Information and Impact Note setting out the impacts of the VAT changes alongside the Finance Bill.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
4th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the evidential basis is for the statement by her Department's spokesman quoted in the Telegraph of 24 August 2024 that the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 could expose students to harm and appalling hate speech on campuses.

The department has not collected data on individual cases of employment tribunals related to freedom of speech. Cases such as these are rare and are rightfully seen as a last resort.

The department has heard concerns from many in the sector, including minority groups, that the Act and its implementation may have unintended consequences. Many raised concerns that the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act could push providers to overlook the safety and wellbeing of minority groups over fears of sanction and costly legal action.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
4th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has had discussions with the signatories of the open letter by Academics for Academic Freedoms, published on 2 August 2024, on the implementation of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023.

Departmental officials and my noble Friend, the Minister for Skills have engaged with a wide range of stakeholders on the future of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023. This includes representatives of higher education providers and academics, including from the Committee for Academic Freedom, Academics for Academic Freedom and the London Universities’ Council for Academic Freedom, who jointly set up the open letter.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
4th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she had discussions with relevant stakeholders on the potential impact of pausing the implementation of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 on income from China for UK universities as part of discussions relating to that decision.

Departmental officials and my noble Friend, the Minister for Skills have engaged with a wide range of stakeholders on the future of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023. This includes representatives of higher education providers and academics, including from the Committee for Academic Freedom, Academics for Academic Freedom and the London Universities’ Council for Academic Freedom, who jointly set up the open letter.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
30th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people received the Winter Fuel Payment in each constituency in the last financial year.

This Government is committed to pensioners – everyone in our society, no matter their working history or savings deserves a comfortable and dignified retirement.

Given the substantial pressures faced by the public finances this year and next, the government has had to make hard choices to bring the public finances back under control.

The relevant latest statistics can be found at: Winter Fuel Payment statistics for winter 2022 to 2023 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) (Winter Fuel Payment statistics, Great Britain, European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland: winter 2022 to 2023).

Emma Reynolds
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
3rd Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when his Department plans to respond to the suggested guidance on single-sex spaces in the NHS drafted by the Darlington Nurses Union.

My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care met with five nurses from the Darlington Nursing Union last month, to hear about their concerns regarding single-sex spaces for staff in National Health Service hospitals

Since the meeting the nurses have shared correspondence setting out suggested policy on single-sex spaces for staff in the NHS. My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care will reply at the earliest opportunity. The Government is clear that everybody deserves to feel safe and to be treated with respect at work.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
30th Jul 2024
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of ending the investment allowance within the Energy Profits Levy on investment in the (a) economy and (b) energy transition.

In July, the Government announced its intention to remove the Energy Profits Levy’s (EPL) 29% main investment allowance. Further details of final policy and impacts will be announced at Budget.

A key outcome of the government’s clean energy mission will be greater energy security and independence. The government will achieve a phased and responsible transition by taking a proportionate approach that ensures the oil and gas sector continues to play a role whilst contributing more towards our clean energy transition.

James Murray
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)