First elected: 8th June 2017
Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.
If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.
If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).
Do not sign any WHO Pandemic Treaty unless it is approved via public referendum
Gov Responded - 27 May 2022 Debated on - 17 Apr 2023 View Esther McVey's petition debate contributionsWe want the Government to commit to not signing any international treaty on pandemic prevention and preparedness established by the World Health Organization (WHO), unless this is approved through a public referendum.
Prohibit employers from requiring staff to be vaccinated against Covid-19
Gov Responded - 25 Nov 2021 Debated on - 24 Jan 2022 View Esther McVey's petition debate contributionsMake it illegal for any employer to mandate vaccination for its employees. This should apply to all public sector (including the NHS, armed forces, care workers), third sector and all private sector.
Reduce University student tuition fees from £9250 to £3000
Gov Responded - 26 Jan 2021 Debated on - 25 Oct 2021 View Esther McVey's petition debate contributionsCall on the government to consider holding debates in Parliament between MPs and university students to raise/discuss issues that affect them. It will allow students to voice their opinions and concerns about tuition fees of £9250 a year which are too high, particularly as grants have been removed
Stop work on HS2 immediately and hold a new vote to repeal the legislation
Gov Responded - 14 Jan 2021 Debated on - 13 Sep 2021 View Esther McVey's petition debate contributionsWe ask Parliament to repeal the High Speed Rail Bills, 2016 and 2019, as MPs voted on misleading environmental, financial and timetable information provided by the Dept of Transport and HS2 Ltd. It fails to address the conditions of the Paris Accord and costs have risen from £56bn to over £100bn.
Require universities to reimburse students' tuition fees during strike action
Gov Responded - 21 Apr 2020 Debated on - 16 Nov 2020 View Esther McVey's petition debate contributionsThe University and College Union has repeatedly called on its members to strike. However, strikes are ineffective if students, not employees are the main source of revenue. For this to change, government needs to step in and require universities to reimburse tuition fees lost due to strike action.
Reimburse all students of this year’s fees due to strikes and COVID-19
Gov Responded - 5 Jun 2020 Debated on - 16 Nov 2020 View Esther McVey's petition debate contributionsAll students should be reimbursed of this years tuition fees as universities are now online only due to COVID-19, with only powerpoints online for learning materials which is not worthy of up to £9,250. Furthermore, all assessments are being reconsidered to ‘make do’ and build up credits.
Refund university students for 3rd Semester Tuition 2020
Gov Responded - 19 May 2020 Debated on - 16 Nov 2020 View Esther McVey's petition debate contributionsAs students are unable to access facilities or continue with their eduction at their university setting in the following semester, we would like to request that the government considers refunding tuition payments for Semester 3.
Require universities to partially refund tuition fees for 20/21 due to Covid-19
Gov Responded - 24 Sep 2020 Debated on - 16 Nov 2020 View Esther McVey's petition debate contributionsThe quality of online lectures is not equal to face-to-face lectures. Students should not have to pay full tuition fees for online lectures, without experiencing university life. The Government should require UK universities to partially refund tuition fees while online teaching is implemented.
Lower university tuition fees for students until online teaching ends
Gov Responded - 30 Oct 2020 Debated on - 16 Nov 2020 View Esther McVey's petition debate contributionsStudents across the UK have returned to University to be told our learning will be predominantly online for the foreseeable future. The Government should therefore lower our tuition fees and we should receive a partial refund for the effects this will have on our learning and university experience.
Increase Number of Guests Permitted at Weddings, according to Venue Capacity
Gov Responded - 11 Sep 2020 Debated on - 9 Nov 2020 View Esther McVey's petition debate contributionsWeddings take months and even years of intricate planning. Myself and many others believe the maximum number of guests authorised at wedding ceremonies should be increased. The number of guests permitted at weddings should be calculated according to venue capacity.
Let Us Dance - Support nightclubs, dance music events and festivals
Gov Responded - 14 Oct 2020 Debated on - 9 Nov 2020 View Esther McVey's petition debate contributionsExtend funding to nightclubs, dance music events and festivals as part of the £1.57bn support package announced by the government for Britain's arts and culture sector to survive the hit from the pandemic. #LetUSDance
These initiatives were driven by Esther McVey, 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.
Esther McVey has not been granted any Urgent Questions
Esther McVey has not been granted any Adjournment Debates
Esther McVey has not introduced any legislation before Parliament
Employee Share Ownership (Reform) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - George Howarth (Lab)
Social Media Platforms (Identity Verification) Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Siobhan Baillie (Con)
Banking Services (Post Offices) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Duncan Baker (Con)
Desecration of War Memorials Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Jonathan Gullis (Con)
Covid-19 Financial Assistance (Gaps in Support) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Tracy Brabin (LAB)
Freedom of Speech (Universities) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - David Davis (Con)
June Bank Holiday (Creation) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Peter Bone (Ind)
Online News Platforms (Regulation) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Damien Moore (Con)
Drone (Regulation) (No. 2) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Peter Bone (Ind)
Hospital (Parking Charges and Business Rates) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Peter Bone (Ind)
Voter Registration (No. 2) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Peter Bone (Ind)
Hereditary Titles (Female Succession) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Philip Davies (Con)
Student Loans (Debt Interest) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Christopher Chope (Con)
Public Sector Exit Payments (Limitation) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Christopher Chope (Con)
Voter Registration Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Christopher Chope (Con)
Business of the House Commission Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Peter Bone (Ind)
BBC Licence Fee (Civil Penalty) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Christopher Chope (Con)
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.
A response to the Hon lady’s Parliamentary Question of 20 March is attached.
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.
A response to the Hon. Member's Parliamentary Question of 23 February is attached.
In his interim report of 29 July, Sir Brian Langstaff recommended that the amount of interim compensation should be "no less than £100,000, as recommended by Sir Robert Francis QC." The Government made a commitment to accept in full the recommendations of Sir Brian's interim report.
I can confirm infected individuals and bereaved partners who are registered with any of the four UK infected blood support schemes will receive interim compensation payments of £100,000 by the end of October. The administrators of the four schemes are writing to beneficiaries this week confirming the £100,000 alongside details of how the money will be paid.
In his interim report of 29 July, Sir Brian Langstaff recommended that the amount of interim compensation should be "no less than £100,000, as recommended by Sir Robert Francis QC." The Government made a commitment to accept in full the recommendations of Sir Brian's interim report.
I can confirm infected individuals and bereaved partners who are registered with any of the four UK infected blood support schemes will receive interim compensation payments of £100,000 by the end of October. The administrators of the four schemes are writing to beneficiaries this week confirming the £100,000 alongside details of how the money will be paid.
In his interim report of 29 July, Sir Brian Langstaff recommended that the amount of interim compensation should be "no less than £100,000, as recommended by Sir Robert Francis QC." The Government made a commitment to accept in full the recommendations of Sir Brian's interim report.
I can confirm infected individuals and bereaved partners who are registered with any of the four UK infected blood support schemes will receive interim compensation payments of £100,000 by the end of October. The administrators of the four schemes are writing to beneficiaries this week confirming the £100,000 alongside details of how the money will be paid.
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.
A response to the Rt hon. Member'sParliamentary Questions of 10 June is attached.
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.
A response to the Rt hon. Member'sParliamentary Questions of 10 June is attached.
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.
A response to the Rt hon. Member's Parliamentary Questions of 14 April is attached.
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.
A response to the Rt hon. Member's Parliamentary Questions of 14 April is attached.
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.
A response to the Rt hon. Member's Parliamentary Questions of 14 April is attached.
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.
A response to the Rt hon. Member's Parliamentary Question of 22 March is attached.
Departments are responsible for their individual operating model decisions.
The Government has committed to ensuring that the administration of Government is less London-centric by relocating 22,000 Civil Service roles out of central London and into the regions and nations of the United Kingdom by the end of the decade.
The Government continues to work closely with stakeholders in the wedding industry, to enable weddings and civil partnerships to continue to take place.
We recognise that the limit on attendees may be disappointing for those planning such events. By their nature, weddings and civil partnership ceremonies are events that bring families and friends together from across the country and sometimes across the world, making them particularly vulnerable to the spread of COVID-19. We do not wish to keep restrictions in place for any longer than we have to, and it will be kept under review in line with the changing situation. For further information, please refer to the guidance https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-small-marriages-and-civil-partnerships/covid-19-guidance-for-small-marriages-and-civil-partnerships
Government analysis suggests around 90% of fossil fuel heated homes, including 70% of fossil fuel heated homes built before 1919, are suitable for low temperature heat pumps, based on evidence of their energy efficiency and electrical connections.
A higher proportion of properties are likely to become suitable following energy efficiency upgrades or by using a high temperature heat pump.
The Government has published an online tool setting out the potential costs to households seeking to upgrade their energy efficiency.
The Government recognises that not all properties will be suitable for a heat pump and there will be a role for alternative low carbon technologies where heat pumps cannot be used.
The Government is committed to accelerating the delivery of new electricity network capacity to accommodate new renewable generation, as set out, jointly with Ofgem, in the Electricity Networks Strategic Framework. Through Ofgem’s Accelerating Strategic Transmission Investment work, approximately £20bn worth of network projects have been accelerated to support new renewable generation. In addition, Ofgem have removed or reduced the contribution to distribution network reinforcement costs which may be required to accommodate a connection. This has made it cheaper for customers, including horticulture growers, to connect renewables and other low carbon technologies to the electricity distribution network.
The Government has no plans to extend the sectors included within the energy and trade intensive industries element of the Energy Bill Discount Scheme. The Energy Bill Relief Scheme review assessed qualitative and quantitative evidence from stakeholders on sectors that may be most affected by rising energy prices based on energy and trade intensity.
The outcome of the review informed the criteria of the Energy Bill Discount Scheme (EBDS) and the higher level of support to be provided for the most energy and trade intensive sectors which meet agreed thresholds for energy and trade intensity.
The methodology for determining the eligibility of SIC Codes for the higher Energy and Trade Intensive Industry (ETII) support is available on GOV.UK.
At the Autumn Statement, my Rt. Hon. Friend Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer announced £13.6 billion of support for businesses over the next five years, reducing the burden of business rates for SMEs.
The Government is providing a range of support to help small and medium-sized businesses across the UK with rising costs, including those in rural communities. Government has cut fuel duty for 12 months, raised the Employment Allowance to £5,000, and is zero-rating VAT on energy-saving materials.
The ‘Help to Grow’ schemes help SME businesses learn new skills, reach more customers and boost profits. The Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS) provides a price reduction to ensure that all businesses and other non-domestic customers are protected from high energy bills.
Furthermore, the British Business Bank’s Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund, Midlands Engine Investment Fund and Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Investment Fund all work with Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), combined authorities and Growth Hubs, as well as local accountants, fund managers and banks, to provide a mixture of debt and equity capital to SMEs across their entire regions, including in rural locations.
As set out in the Heat and Buildings Strategy, flexible use of energy, including through the use of thermal storage, can help create a cost-effective, efficient and secure energy system.
The Government is supporting the development of novel thermal storage technologies through the Net Zero Innovation Programme, the Energy Entrepreneurs Fund, the long duration energy storage competition and at universities through research council funding; for example, through the “Heat Pump Fully Integrated with Thermochemical Store” innovation work at the University of Warwick. This will help inform future policy on such technologies.
The Government published analysis which examined future requirements of flexible low carbon technologies including electricity storage and flexible heating alongside the joint BEIS and Ofgem Smart Systems and Flexibility Plan 2021 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/transitioning-to-a-net-zero-energy-system-smart-systems-and-flexibility-plan-2021). Additionally, as part of our response to the Call for Evidence on Large Scale Long Duration Electricity Storage from Aug 2022, the Government published external analysis (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/benefits-of-long-duration-electricity-storage) the role that long-duration electricity storage could play in the system.
As set out in the 2021 Smart Systems and Flexibility Plan, the Government is working with Ofgem and industry to support the increased provision of “smart” tariffs that reward consumers for changing their pattern of consumption to benefit the electricity system. We will set out next steps on the future of the retail market in due course.
The Government published analysis which examined future requirements of flexible low carbon technologies including electricity storage, alongside the joint BEIS and Ofgem Smart Systems and Flexibility Plan 2021.
The Government has not made an assessment of whether the Energy Price Guarantee will impact electricity storage on the grid.
The Government is facilitating the deployment of electricity storage at all scales through the joint 2021 BEIS and Ofgem Smart Systems and Flexibility Plan.
The Energy Price Guarantee scheme, which the Government implemented on the 1st October, reduces the cost of electricity and gas meaning that consumers can expect to pay well below the price cap figure of £3,549 for a typical dual fuel household.
The EPG does not incentivise increased energy use. Even with the EPG in place energy prices remain significantly above historic levels, incentivising consumers to use energy prudently. The Department will closely monitor the impact of prices on consumption over the months ahead and is actively considering how storage heaters are affected by the guarantee.
The Government is supporting industry to deliver community trials of 100% hydrogen heating. BEIS and Ofgem received Gas Distribution Network Operators’ outline proposals for the village trial in December 2021. The Government expects that one or more of these will be selected to be developed into detailed proposals. The final decision on where the village trial will take place is expected in 2023 ahead of a trial start date of 2025.
Assessing the environmental benefits of remote working is complex. Account needs to be taken of issues beyond commuter transport – for instance, the energy efficiency of our housing compared with that of commercial buildings and the increase in local travel which home-working can bring. Overall, the evidence on the net environmental benefits is mixed.
The policy opportunities associated with homeworking from a climate perspective are more likely to concern how we promote low carbon actions and behaviours when people are working from home, rather than simply asking people to work remotely.
The Government is committed to safeguarding the Post Office network and protecting existing rural services as we recognise the important role post offices play in serving their communities. The Government promotes access to rural post offices by setting accessibility criteria which the Post Office must meet. This ensures that in rural areas over 95% of people are within 3 miles of their nearest post office service. In remote and rural areas where it is difficult to deliver services to consumers via a permanent site, Post Office Limited use outreach services, such as a mobile van, or a village hall. These offer the same products and services as bricks-and-mortar branches. Within the Tatton constituency, there is one outreach service in Chelford.
The Government recognises how important access to post is for all, especially for those that are homeless or without stable abode. Government is working with a wide range of stakeholders to consider how to support these vulnerable groups. The universal postal service is intended to provide an accessible postal service for all.
Royal Mail operates two services to help vulnerable customers access their post. The first is its redirection service, which can be specially accessed by people with personal safety concerns. The second is its PO Box service, which provides options for vulnerable customers and is designed to meet specific circumstances and preferences.
The Government will continue to work with a wide range of stakeholder to find the best ways to support vulnerable people.
In the most recent Spending Review for 2021/2022, the Government announced Post Office investment funding of £177 million. This reflects the Government’s commitment to the role that post offices play in our communities. This funding will allow Post Office Ltd to invest for the future and to ensure the Post Office remains a vital force on our high streets.
The management of the Post Office network is an operational matter for the Company.
The Government is committed to improving the provision of support to SMEs across the country. Following the completion of the programme, the Help to Grow: Management Programme will provide participants with further direct business-to-business support, through the alumni network.
Participants will also be signposted to other leadership programmes on the market if they wish to progress with further learning. This programme is one of range of opportunities that the Government provides to businesses to support their growth.
We are currently developing the mentoring element for the Help to Grow Management programme. We are looking at how mentors are onboarded and matched to participants. Our aim is to develop a high quality mentoring offer, which will support SMEs to boost their business performance, resilience and long term growth.
The Help to Grow: Management Programme will be delivered by Business Schools who have obtained the Small Business Charter (SBC) accreditation.
A list of the SBC schools can be found here: https://smallbusinesscharter.org/find-business-school/.
We are currently in the process of determining the criteria for eligible providers for the Help to Grow Digital scheme. These will be published in due course.
The Government’s new ‘Help to Grow’ scheme will help small businesses across the UK learn new skills, reach new customers, and boost profits. We have consulted with key stakeholders from industry when designing this scheme including those who represent the breadth of UK SMEs.
Businesses across all sectors are welcome to apply for the Help to Grow Scheme so long as they meet the eligibility criteria as follows:
- Size of 5 to 249 employees
- More than a year old
- Attendee should be a decision-maker within the business e.g. CEO, Finance Director
- Must have at least one line of management in business employment structure
Those interested in participating can find further details about the Help to Grow Scheme by visiting: https://helptogrow.campaign.gov.uk/.
Throughout the national restrictions, we have sought to keep as much of the retail sector open as possible, whilst balancing the need to reduce our day-to-day contact. All along we have taken evidence from SAGE into account when making decisions.
Click-and-collect services allow goods to be pre-ordered and collected without customers entering the premises. Customers thus remain in well ventilated spaces - which are, by definition, safer environments and where transmission is less likely to occur.
All retailers, both essential and non-essential, can offer click-and-collect services during the current national restrictions.
We have published safer workplace guidance which provides information to help employers make their workplaces COVID-Secure for their employees, visitors, and customers. The guidance does not replace existing employment, health and safety or equalities legislation. It provides information to employers on how best to meet these responsibilities in the context of COVID-19.
Each individual business should complete a risk assessment which should be shared with their employees.
Throughout the national restrictions, we have sought to keep as much of the retail sector open as possible, whilst balancing the need to reduce our day-to-day contact. Throughout this we have taken evidence from SAGE into account when making decisions.
It is also important that consumers have access to food and essential items that they need.
Restrictions have been brought in because we have to limit social contact. That is why the decision to close non-essential retail is part of a wider package of measures to make clear that people should stay at home except for a limited set of exemptions – allowing non-essential retail to remain open would run contrary to that aim.
On 22 February, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister published the Government’s COVID-19 Response-Spring 2021. The roadmap is a step-by-step plan to ease restrictions in England gradually , starting with education. Across the four steps, the roadmap sets out the sequencing and indicative timing for easing restrictions, including those on the wedding sector.
A breakdown on the number of loans provided through the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme and the Bounce Back Loan Scheme, as of 24 January 2021, are provided in the table below.
Scheme | Number of Facilities Approved | Value of Facilities Approved | Total Number of Applications |
Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme | 87,529 | £20.84 billion | 201,343 |
Bounce Back Loan Scheme | 1,471,001 | £44.74 billion | 1,953,564 |
The figures reported under the heading Total Number of Applications includes: approved applications; applications that are still to be processed; applications that have been declined; and applications that may turn out not to be eligible or cases where customers will decide not to proceed.
Decisions on whether to specifically capture information relating to declined loans are at the discretion of the lender.
We are not able to disclose details of commercially sensitive contracts between the Government and vaccine manufacturers while negotiations are ongoing.
The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine has met the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s robust standards of safety, quality, and effectiveness, and the safety data from the trials has set out how the COVID-19 vaccine works in different types of people. A robust and proactive safety monitoring strategy for COVID-19 vaccines is in place, which allows for rapid, real-time safety monitoring at population level.
The latest data shows that, in 2018, an estimated 6.0 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e) were emitted from waste incineration in the energy supply sector and 0.3 MtCO2e from waste incineration in the waste sector.
The UK’s climate change framework enables the Government to determine how best to balance emissions reductions across the economy. Emissions are managed within the Government’s overall strategy for meeting carbon budgets and the 2050 net zero target, as part of an economy-wide transition.
The UK Government has reduced carbon emissions by over 40% since 1990.
The Government Response to the Future of UK Carbon Pricing set out that the scope of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme will provide continuity and a smooth transition for participants. Most consultation respondents agreed with this approach. Energy from waste plants will not be in scope of the UK ETS for the period of 2021 to 2025. We do recognise the case for expanding carbon pricing and we committed to considering the option of expanding the scope of the UK ETS in the 2023 review.
UKRI have acted to support PhD students during the pandemic. In March, UKRI worked to ensure that all the students it funds would continue to receive their maintenance stipend during the lockdown and would not have to suspend their studies; UKRI-funded students in receipt of a costed extension will continue to receive this stipend during their extension period. In April it was announced that UKRI-funded PhD students in the final year, whose studies have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic would be provided with additional support.
A review of the initial UKRI COVID-19 extension policy was published, bringing together evidence from students, grant holders and university management teams. On the 11th November, UKRI provided a further £19.1 million of funding, which particularly aims to support students who have recently gone into their final year of study (funding end date before or on 30 September 2021) and those with ongoing support needs. Students with ongoing support needs include disabled students, students with a long-term illness, those who are neurodivergent or those with caring responsibilities.
Combined, these two interventions have meant that UKRI has made over £60 million of financial support available to students most impacted by the pandemic. It is estimated that this funding is available for up to 12,000 students (over half of the students that UKRI funds). We are encouraging all PhD students to discuss with their supervisors how projects can be adjusted to complete their doctoral education within their funded period. We will continue to monitor how the pandemic is affecting PhD students and the wider research system.
In regard to the long term research environment, all UKRI funded PhD students are guaranteed their funding within their funded period. The support noted above should ensure the vast majority of students are able to complete their studies on time, or later with support, and able to embark on the next step of their research career.
My Rt. Hon. Friend Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer has laid out the Government’s Winter Economy Plan. This includes measures to support all businesses, such as extending the current government-backed loan schemes and introducing the Pay as You Grow and Job Support Schemes. There are also specific measures to support the self-employed, such as the SEISS Grant Extension.
The Government has put in place a package of support to help employees and businesses through these exceptional times. These include business support grants for qualifying businesses, extended government-backed loans and the Job Support Scheme.
My Rt. Hon. Friend Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer has laid out the Government’s Winter Economy Plan. This includes measures to support all businesses, such as extending the current government-backed loan schemes and introducing the Pay as You Grow and Job Support Schemes. There are also specific measures to support the self-employed, such as the SEISS Grant Extension.
Celebrations such as wedding receptions pose increased risks for transmission of COVID-19 as they involve people from multiple households meeting and spending extended periods of time together. They are by their nature events which bring people closely together. Wedding receptions and celebrations are one of the few exceptions to the gatherings limit of 6 people, which has applied from 14 September 2020.
We have now provided close contact services like Soft Tissue Therapists in England, except Leicester, with the certainty they need to reopen from Monday 13 July, subject to them following the COVID-secure guidelines.
We appreciate that this has been difficult for some businesses. Our approach is guided by the scientific and medical advice, and every step is weighed against the evidence, remembering that the more we open up the more vigilant we will need to be.