Gareth Bacon
Conservative - Orpington
5,118 (11.1%) majority - 2024 General ElectionFirst elected: 12th December 2019
Shadow Minister and Shadow Minister for London
(since July 2024)Shadow Secretary of State for Transport
(since November 2024)10 Former APPG memberships
Access to Justice, Better Roads, Housing and Planning, International Trade and Investment, Legal Aid, London as a Global City, London's Planning and Built Environment, Single Parent Families, Small and Micro Business, SME (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) House BuildersDivision Voting information
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
(4 debate interactions)
(4 debate interactions)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
(3 debate interactions)
Department Debates
(14 debate contributions)
(4 debate contributions)
(2 debate contributions)
(2 debate contributions)
Legislation Debates
(1,471 words contributed)
(831 words contributed)
Orpington 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).
of 121,524 signatures (0.27%)
of 111,456 signatures (0.25%)
of 59,423 signatures (0.19%)
of 80,117 signatures (0.15%)
of 121,524 signatures (0.27%)
of 111,456 signatures (0.25%)
of 144,468 signatures (0.12%)
of 2,159 signatures (7.83%)
Latest EDMs signed by Gareth Bacon
Emma Raducanu, 2021 US Open women's champion
Tabled by: Toby Perkins (Labour - Chesterfield)That this House is delighted, amazed and inspired by the performances of Emma Raducanu in winning the US Open without losing a set; notes that she is the first qualifier in the history of tennis to win a grand slam event; congratulates Emma and all those involved in her success; …
(Most recent: 25 Oct 2021)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 6
Scottish National Party: 5
Conservative: 4
Independent: 3
Democratic Unionist Party: 2
Liberal Democrat: 1
Big Ben chiming on the day of Brexit
Tabled by: Mark Francois (Conservative - Rayleigh and Wickford)That this House notes the ongoing refurbishment works on the Elizabeth Tower and the fact that during this period Big Ben currently only chimes for Remembrance Sunday and New Year's Eve; further notes that the United Kingdom will now leave the European Union at 11.00pm GMT on 31 January 2020; …
(Most recent: 7 Jan 2020)
Signatures by party:
Conservative: 42
Independent: 5
Democratic Unionist Party: 4
Labour: 1
Reform UK: 1
Commons initiatives
These initiatives were driven by Gareth Bacon, 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.
Gareth Bacon has not been granted any Urgent Questions
Gareth Bacon has not been granted any Adjournment Debates
1 Bill introduced by Gareth Bacon
A Bill to make unauthorised development without planning permission an offence; to prohibit retrospective planning applications; and for connected purposes.
5 Bills co-sponsored by Gareth Bacon
Greater London Authority Act 1999 (Amendment) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Theresa Villiers (Con)
Multi-Academy Trusts (Ofsted Inspection) Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Jonathan Gullis (Con)
Road User Charging (Outer London) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Gareth Johnson (Con)
Conveyancing Standards Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Marco Longhi (Con)
Aviation Banning Orders (Disruptive Passengers) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Gareth Johnson (Con)
Latest 50 Written Questions
(View all written questions)Small and Medium Enterprises make a significant contribution to economic growth, they currently represent 99.9% of the UK’s business population, account for 16.7 million jobs (61% of total UK employment), and generate £2.4 trillion in annual turnover (53% of the total) for the UK economy. We continue to expect Small and Medium Sized enterprises to significantly contribute to UK growth.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Audit standards for UK companies are adopted and set by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), with reference to internationally-agreed standards. The law sets other requirements, such as which companies require audit.
The Government will publish a draft Audit Reform and Corporate Governance Bill. The Bill will include provisions for transitioning the FRC into a new regulator, the Audit, Reporting and Governance Authority (ARGA), with powers to monitor and address the resilience of the audit market. The Government is also considering the case for deregulatory changes to the audit of public interest entities (PIEs), which include all listed companies.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Small businesses are the beating heart of our communities. The Government will boost small business growth and productivity by delivering upon the commitments within Labour’s Plan for Small Business published prior to the election.
On 19th September 2024, we announced new measures to tackle the scourge of late payments and long payment terms. We are providing access to the support and finance needed to scale-up and to break into new markets. We are also transforming the apprenticeships levy into a new growth and skills levy, offering greater flexibility for learners and employers, including shorter duration apprenticeships in targeted sectors.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government is reviewing non-financial reporting requirements and company size thresholds to simplify, streamline and reduce reporting obligations for all companies. Small quoted companies will benefit from the removal of unnecessary and duplicative reporting. However the Government believes that small quoted companies should provide enhanced transparency compared to similar sized private companies. Accountability and transparency are necessary to protect investors and maintain trust in financial markets.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government is committed to delivering the Plan to Make Work Pay in full. The Employment Rights Bill will be introduced within the first 100 days in Government and will play a key role in delivering aspects of the Plan to Make Work Pay.
Ministers are identifying the most appropriate delivery mechanisms for all the Make Work Pay measures.
Work is already underway deliver measures through non-legislative routes.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
All DBT employees have an existing set of Terms and Conditions which confirm their expected hours of work. Given the nature of private office roles, employees may need to work additional or irregular hours, which is taken into account when determining their remuneration. The private offices operate as a team which ensures responsibility for being available to support Ministers outside of regular working hours is shared, work/life balance is monitored, and all employees can switch off regularly.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government is committed to ensuring there is sufficient facilities time for all trade union representatives, in both the public and private sector, so that they have capacity to represent and defend workers, negotiate with employers and conduct training.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government is committed to bringing in a new era of partnership that sees employers, unions and Government work together in co-operation and through negotiation – putting an end to the worst strikes chaos seen in decades under the previous administration. The Employment Rights Bill will be introduced in the first 100 days in Government and will play a key role in delivering aspects of the Plan to Make Work Pay. This will include legislation on sectoral collective bargaining, with Adult Social Care being the first sector for this to be introduced
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Employment Rights Bill will be introduced in the first 100 days in Government and will play a key role in delivering aspects of the Plan to Make Work Pay. This will include legislation on sectoral collective bargaining, with Adult Social Care being the first sector for this to be introduced.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government is committed to delivering the plan to Make Work Pay in full. The Employment Rights Bill will be key to delivery and we are committed to introducing this legislation to improve the rights of workers within 100 days.The details of this are in rapid development
Some parts of the plan to Make Work Pay will take longer to review and implement. Work is underway to prepare consultations on several aspects of the plan. There are also parts of the plan that will not require primary legislation to implement. Ministers are identifying the most appropriate delivery mechanisms for the commitments in the plan and are committed to carrying out full and comprehensive consultation on the implementation of the plan to Make Work Pay.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government is committed to introducing statutory rights for trade union equality representatives to strengthen equality at work for all. Further information including impact assessments will be published in due course.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government has no intention of changing the law in relation to secondary action, including secondary picketing. We are working on establishing a Fair Pay Agreement in the social care sector and will bring forward proposals in due course.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government is committed to introduce modern, secure, electronic balloting and workplace balloting for trade union ballots. In doing so, we will ensure that the secrecy of the ballot is maintained.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government has committed to introducing modern, secure, electronic balloting, while ensuring we maintain high standards of engagement, participation, and cyber security. Further information on the implementation of electronic balloting will be outlined in due course.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government is committed to delivering the plan to Make Work Pay in full. The Employment Rights Bill will be key to delivery and we are committed to introducing this legislation to improve the rights of workers within 100 days.The details of this are in rapid development
Some parts of the plan to Make Work Pay will take longer to review and implement. Work is underway to prepare consultations on several aspects of the plan. There are also parts of the plan that will not require primary legislation to implement. Ministers are identifying the most appropriate delivery mechanisms for the commitments in the plan and are committed to carrying out full and comprehensive consultation on the implementation of the plan to Make Work Pay.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government is committed to delivering the plan to Make Work Pay in full. The Employment Rights Bill will be key to delivery and we are committed to introducing this legislation to improve the rights of workers within 100 days.The details of this are in rapid development
Some parts of the plan to Make Work Pay will take longer to review and implement. Work is underway to prepare consultations on several aspects of the plan. There are also parts of the plan that will not require primary legislation to implement. Ministers are identifying the most appropriate delivery mechanisms for the commitments in the plan and are committed to carrying out full and comprehensive consultation on the implementation of the plan to Make Work Pay.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The government will consult next year on proposals to bring remote gambling (meaning gambling offered over the internet, telephone, TV and radio) into a single tax, rather than taxing it through a three-tax structure. This will aim to simplify, future-proof and close loopholes in the system.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Official statistics from a range of sources provide the Government with insights into the economic contribution of the betting and gaming industry, including estimates for gross value added (GVA), employment generated and tax revenue raised.
The latest headline statistics show that the gambling sector contributed £4.9bn to GVA in 2022, accounting for 0.2% of UK GVA. In the financial year 2023/24, the gambling sector employed around 94,000 people in Britain (provisional), accounting for 0.2% of UK jobs and paid approximately £3.4bn in betting and gaming duty.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The government will consult next year on proposals to bring remote gambling (meaning gambling offered over the internet, telephone, TV and radio) into a single tax, rather than taxing it through a three-tax structure. This will aim to simplify, future-proof and close loopholes in the system.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The government will consult next year on proposals to bring remote gambling (meaning gambling offered over the internet, telephone, TV and radio) into a single tax, rather than taxing it through a three-tax structure. This will aim to simplify, future-proof and close loopholes in the system.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The government is transforming the Apprenticeship Levy into a new Growth and Skills Levy. The new levy will build on the apprenticeships programme to create opportunities for learners of all ages, give employers of different sizes greater flexibility to address critical skill shortages in their workforces and drive economic growth.
The department is working across government to develop the design of the Growth and Skills Levy and will set out more detail in due course. This will include further information on the role of Skills England in ensuring that levy-funded training delivers value for money and meets the needs of levy paying and non-levy paying businesses.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The government is transforming the Apprenticeship Levy into a new Growth and Skills Levy. The new levy will build on the apprenticeships programme to create opportunities for learners of all ages, give employers of different sizes greater flexibility to address critical skill shortages in their workforces and drive economic growth.
The department is working across government to develop the design of the Growth and Skills Levy and will set out more detail in due course. This will include further information on the role of Skills England in ensuring that levy-funded training delivers value for money and meets the needs of levy paying and non-levy paying businesses.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The government is transforming the Apprenticeship Levy into a new Growth and Skills Levy. The new levy will build on the apprenticeships programme to create opportunities for learners of all ages, give employers of different sizes greater flexibility to address critical skill shortages in their workforces and drive economic growth.
The department is working across government to develop the design of the Growth and Skills Levy and will set out more detail in due course. This will include further information on the role of Skills England in ensuring that levy-funded training delivers value for money and meets the needs of levy paying and non-levy paying businesses.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The government is transforming the Apprenticeship Levy into a new Growth and Skills Levy. The new levy will build on the apprenticeships programme to create opportunities for learners of all ages, give employers of different sizes greater flexibility to address critical skill shortages in their workforces and drive economic growth.
The department is working across government to develop the design of the Growth and Skills Levy and will set out more detail in due course. This will include further information on the role of Skills England in ensuring that levy-funded training delivers value for money and meets the needs of levy paying and non-levy paying businesses.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The government is transforming the Apprenticeship Levy into a new Growth and Skills Levy. The new levy will build on the apprenticeships programme to create opportunities for learners of all ages, give employers of different sizes greater flexibility to address critical skill shortages in their workforces and drive economic growth.
The department is working across government to develop the design of the Growth and Skills Levy and will set out more detail in due course. This will include further information on the role of Skills England in ensuring that levy-funded training delivers value for money and meets the needs of levy paying and non-levy paying businesses.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
1 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Questions
(View all Gareth Bacon's Defra questions)The Secretary of State has asked his department to convene a taskforce of experts from across Government, industry, academia and relevant non-governmental organisations. The Taskforce will help to develop a Circular Economy Strategy for England and a series of roadmaps detailing the interventions that the Government will make on a sector-by-sector basis. The Taskforce will consider the evidence for action right across the economy, and as such the Taskforce will evaluate what interventions may need to be made in the textiles sector as it helps to develop the Circular Economy Strategy.
In the meantime, we continue to fund action in this area through the Textiles 2030 voluntary initiative which supports businesses and organisations within the fashion and textiles industry to transition to more sustainable and circular practices.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Regular contract payments will take account of the increase in the cost of changes to employer National Insurance contributions made at the Autumn Budget 2024.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Maritime has a key role to play in supporting the Governments missions, from clean energy, to growth, and supporting public health through tackling air pollution. We will shortly set our next steps for reducing the emissions from both shipping and the wider maritime sector in a forthcoming maritime decarbonisation plan, which will include a package of policy and regulatory measures.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Funding for the Support for Maritime Training (SMarT) scheme will be determined as part of the ongoing departmental business planning process for the financial year 2025/26. We will share more when we are able to do so.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Secretary of State has not held discussions or met with her counterpart in Scotland since her appointment on 29th November. Louise Haigh held discussions with her Scottish counterpart.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
In line with the contracts, the Department receives revenue collected and pays most operating costs incurred by TOCs through a regular contract payment.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department for Transport’s Organisational AI Programme, sets out a holistic framework for the adoption of AI within the Department itself, and shares learning across the wider operational agencies and arm’s length bodies. It is led and coordinated out of the Decarbonisation, Technology and Strategy Group.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The HS2 Environmental Minimum Requirements contain a range of controls to ensure compliance with (amongst other things) the environmental provisions in the High Speed Rail (London - West Midlands) Act. More information is available in the HS2 Information Paper E1: Control of Environmental Impacts https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a82e5cae5274a2e87dc386e/E1_-_Control_of_Environmental_Impacts_v1.7.pdf
HS2 Ltd publishes regular reports on compliance with the Code of Construction Practice provisions on managing noise, vibration, air quality and dust impacts on local communities. Latest reports are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/monitoring-the-environmental-effects-of-hs2-2024. This is supplemented by annual reports setting out an assessment of how the HS2 programme is affecting the environment, how contractors are reducing their impact and examines progress in setting and meeting environmental controls. These reports are available here: https://www.hs2.org.uk/documents/collections/hs2-environmental-sustainability-progress-reports/
HS2 Ltd is required by the General Principles of the High Speed Rail (London – West Midlands) Environmental Minimum Requirements to report any new significant environmental effects that exceed those which were reported in the Phase 1 Environmental Statement (as amended). A Supplementary Environmental Information report for each case is published on Gov.UK here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sei-reports-for-new-significant-environmental-effects-on-the-hs2-phase-one-route.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
We know that too often assistance for passengers falls short of what they need and what they deserve. Train and station operators are required by their operating licences to establish and comply with an Accessible Travel Policy (ATP) which must be approved by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR). An ATP sets out, amongst other things, the arrangements and assistance that an operator will provide to protect the interests of disabled people using its services and to facilitate such use and is enforceable by the ORR.
Going forward this Government will take advantage of the benefits of an integrated and unified network to deliver a more reliable and consistent customer experience for everyone with accessibility needs. Lord Hendy committed to developing a roadmap for accessibility during the passage of the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Act, and this is part of our customer-focused approach to the much-needed reform of the railways.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Following the opening of Ashington and Seaton Delaval on 15 December, the final four stations on the Northumberland line at Newsham, Blyth Bebside, Bedlington, and Northumberland Park are expected to open next year.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Passenger trains will return to the Northumberland Line from Sunday 15 December 2024. The stations at Ashington and Seaton Delaval will open from that date with regular services to and from Newcastle. This is a major boost to the region and for the local communities bringing with it greater opportunities for employment, education and leisure activities plus attracting significant private sector investment.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Ensuring accessibility for all passengers is at the heart of our passenger-focused approach. As modern ticketing and payment methods roll out more widely on the railways, we will ensure that all passengers, including those who need to use cash or do not have access to smartphones or the internet, are able to buy a ticket across the different retail options.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The government is committed to working with Network Rail and train operators to enhance cyber security and resilience across railway stations and the wider rail network. Within Network Rail and train operating companies there are dedicated security teams, whose job it is to monitor systems and networks to deter, detect and respond to cyber threats and recover systems should a cyber incident occur, getting them up and running again as quickly as possible.
DfT is committed to improving the management of cyber risks within the rail industry and provide greater protection to the travelling public by improving the understanding of cyber risk. DfT continues to work with Operators of Essential Services (OES) who are regulated through the Network and Information Systems (NIS) Regulations 2018, to ensure the UK’s most critical businesses are compliant with the necessary cyber regulations to safeguard the British public and businesses against the growing cyber threat.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Secretary of State currently has no plans to change the way rolling stock is leased. The private sector play an important role in the rolling stock market in Great Britain. We expect rolling stock owners to continue to use their commercial, engineering and technical expertise to engage with the Department, operators and local authorities to ensure that rolling stock solutions continue to meet passenger demands whilst delivering value for money to the public purse.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Rail freight is a highly efficient way of transporting goods and it will be critical to supporting the Government’s target to build 1.5 million homes by the end of this parliament.
The mode used to transport materials for housebuilding is a commercial decision for developers to make. However, in the financial year 2023-24, 5.3 billion net tonne kilometres of construction materials were moved by rail, an increase of 8% on the previous year.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government has been clear that it is not opposed to airport expansion as long as it provides economic growth and is compatible with strict environmental standards.
This Government recognises the importance of maintaining a thriving and competitive aviation sector in the UK to deliver connectivity, including the provision of Public Service Obligations that enable protection of existing domestic routes that are in danger of being lost.
I am unable to comment on any future planning application should it come before ministers for consideration.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department for Transport does not hold data on the number of people that have used the fare cap.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The UK National Screening Committee’s (UK NSC) evidence review for prostate cancer screening is already underway, and plans to report within the UK NSC’s three-year work plan.
The evidence review includes modelling the clinical cost effectiveness of several approaches to prostate cancer screening, and will encompass different potential ways of screening the whole population from 40 years of age onwards, and targeted screening aimed at groups of people identified as being at higher than average risk, such as black men or men with a family history of cancer.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government is committed to reinvigorating our capital markets to ensure they deliver for investors and firms to support global and UK growth.
The UK is Europe’s leading hub for investment, and the Government is taking forward reforms to build on these strong foundations by boosting the competitiveness of UK markets and optimising the capital raising process for large and small companies.
This includes a once in a generation reform to our listings rulebook which will revolutionise our markets, directly align us with leading international counterparts and providing greater flexibility to firms and founders raising capital on UK markets.
The Chancellor has also announced a landmark review into pension fund investments which will explicitly consider the role of pension funds in capital and financial markets to boost returns and UK growth.
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government is committed to reinvigorating our capital markets to ensure they deliver for investors and firms to support global and UK growth.
The UK is Europe’s leading hub for investment, and the Government is taking forward reforms to build on these strong foundations by boosting the competitiveness of UK markets and optimising the capital raising process for large and small companies.
This includes a once in a generation reform to our listings rulebook which will revolutionise our markets, directly align us with leading international counterparts and providing greater flexibility to firms and founders raising capital on UK markets.
The Chancellor has also announced a landmark review into pension fund investments which will explicitly consider the role of pension funds in capital and financial markets to boost returns and UK growth.
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
Borrowing for the first four months of the financial year was £51.4bn, £4.7bn higher than the OBR forecast in March. This adds to the challenging fiscal position the government has inherited, with debt at its highest level since the 1960s. The Chancellor has commissioned a full economic and fiscal forecast from the Office for Budget Responsibility for the Budget on 30th October.
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
This Government will treat tackling violence against women and girls as a national emergency and will ensure that every tool is used to target perpetrators and address the root causes of violence and misogyny.
In measuring the level of VAWG we are taking a whole of government approach, building on prevalence measures in the CSTW and working across sectors on the design of metrics to sit behind the government: safer streets mission.
More information will be set out in due course.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)