Gavin Williamson Portrait

Gavin Williamson

Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge

5,466 (12.8%) majority - 2024 General Election

First elected: 6th May 2010


1 APPG membership (as of 20 Nov 2024)
Democratic Republic of Congo
2 Former APPG memberships
Snooker, Somaliland
Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Minister without Portfolio)
25th Oct 2022 - 8th Nov 2022
Secretary of State for Education
24th Jul 2019 - 15th Sep 2021
Secretary of State for Defence
2nd Nov 2017 - 1st May 2019
Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury and Chief Whip
14th Jul 2016 - 2nd Nov 2017
Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
26th Jul 2010 - 28th Nov 2011


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Gavin Williamson has voted in 36 divisions, and 3 times against the majority of their Party.

12 Nov 2024 - House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill - View Vote Context
Gavin Williamson voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 15 Conservative Aye votes vs 18 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 41 Noes - 378
13 Nov 2024 - Exiting the European Union - View Vote Context
Gavin Williamson voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 3 Conservative No votes vs 4 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 412 Noes - 16
26 Nov 2024 - Tobacco and Vapes Bill - View Vote Context
Gavin Williamson voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 23 Conservative Aye votes vs 35 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 415 Noes - 47
View All Gavin Williamson 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
Ellie Reeves (Labour)
Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
(14 debate interactions)
Nick Thomas-Symonds (Labour)
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
(11 debate interactions)
Gareth Snell (Labour (Co-op))
(9 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Cabinet Office
(66 debate contributions)
HM Treasury
(10 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all Gavin Williamson's debates

Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge 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).

Petitions with highest Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge signature proportion
Petitions with most Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge signatures
Gavin Williamson has not participated in any petition debates

Latest EDMs signed by Gavin Williamson

20th November 2024
Gavin Williamson signed this EDM as the primary signatory on Wednesday 20th November 2024

Somaliland presidential election

Tabled by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
That this House congratulates Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi for his victory in Somaliland’s presidential election; thanks Muse Abdi Bihi for his hard work during his time as president; notes Somaliland’s success in holding a free and fair election; and calls on the Government to recognise the Republic of Somaliland as an …
1 signatures
(Most recent: 20 Nov 2024)
Signatures by party:
Conservative: 1
2nd September 2024
Gavin Williamson signed this EDM on Monday 2nd September 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 Gavin Williamson's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Gavin Williamson, 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.


Gavin Williamson has not been granted any Urgent Questions

Gavin Williamson has not been granted any Adjournment Debates

2 Bills introduced by Gavin Williamson

Introduced: 12th May 2021

A Bill to make provision in relation to freedom of speech and academic freedom in higher education institutions and in students’ unions; and for connected purposes.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 11th May 2023 and was enacted into law.


A Bill to require His Majesty’s Government to recognise formally the Republic of Somaliland; to make provision in connection with the establishing of diplomatic relations with the Republic of Somaliland; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Tuesday 4th July 2023

Latest 20 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
28th Oct 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what is the estimated carbon footprint of the Prime Minister's recent visit to Samoa.

Ministerial travel is undertaken using efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements. Security considerations are also taken into account. It has been the practice that official Prime Ministerial flights are carbon offset and use Sustainable Aviation Fuel where either are possible.

Georgia Gould
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
14th Oct 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the salary for a Minister will be in each of the next five financial years.

Salary entitlements for ministers are set out by the Ministerial and other Salaries Act 1975. The salaries ministers will claim in this government will be confirmed in due course and published on gov.uk.

Georgia Gould
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
4th Oct 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much was spent on energy bills for the residential section of 11 Downing Street in the last year.

The Downing Street estate is metered as one and no residential split is available.

Georgia Gould
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
4th Oct 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much was spent on energy bills for the residential section of 10 Downing Street in the last year.

The Downing Street estate is metered as one and no residential split is available.

Georgia Gould
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
4th Oct 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many times Lord Alli has entered 10 Downing Street since 5 July 2024.

I refer the Rt Hon Members to the answer given by the then Prime Minister on 7 February 2017, Official Report, PQ 62542.

Following the practice followed by past administrations, the Government does not comment on security matters.

Georgia Gould
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
4th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to sign a free trade agreement with Algeria.

In 2023, the UK and Algeria established a Trade Taskforce, a forum for the two countries to discuss how we can strengthen our trade and investment relationship on a regular basis, which may include formal trade agreements. The Taskforce had its inaugural meeting earlier this year, and there was a strong willingness to drive trade between the two countries. There are, presently, no plans for the UK to negotiate a Free Trade Agreement with Algeria.

Douglas Alexander
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
28th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what is the estimated carbon footprint of his recent visit to Washington DC.

All Ministerial travel is subject to an assessment of the value of the engagement against a number of factors, including the mode of travel.

Kerry McCarthy
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
8th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what proportion of funding for the carbon capture, utilisation and storage scheme will be raised by a levy on energy bills from 2029 onwards.

Track 1 projects are expected to be funded through a mixture of levy and exchequer funding. We expect levy funded projects to become operational from late 2028. The exact split of levy and exchequer funding across Track 1 will be determined in due course and is subject to further negotiation, consultation, and statutory processes. DESNZ will consider potential impacts on energy bills as part of the statutory processes for drawing down on any other new or existing levies that may further support CCUS Track-1.

Sarah Jones
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
8th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the carbon capture, utilisation and storage scheme on energy bills.

Track 1 projects are expected to be funded through a mixture of levy and exchequer funding. We expect levy funded projects to become operational from late 2028. The exact split of levy and exchequer funding across Track 1 will be determined in due course and is subject to further negotiation, consultation, and statutory processes. DESNZ will consider potential impacts on energy bills as part of the statutory processes for drawing down on any other new or existing levies that may further support CCUS Track-1.

Sarah Jones
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
26th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an estimate of (a) the number of students who will not be charged the increased annual tuition fee due to their contracts preventing a change in fees once they have started their degree and (b) the total cost of this differential for universities.

Higher education providers are autonomous and responsible for setting their own fees under the fee cap.

In deciding whether or not to increase fees, providers will want to ensure that they can continue to deliver courses which are fit for purpose and help students achieve their ambitions. For continuing students, this will depend on providers’ individual contracts with students, and they will wish to make their own legal assessment of this.

The department plans to publish an assessment of impacts, including on equality, of the planned tuition fee and student finance changes shortly.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
12th Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate she has made of the cost of compliance with the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023.

An estimate of costs associated with the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech Act) 2023 was provided in the Impact Assessment published with the Act.

The Act was paused to consider options for its future, including repeal, and no final decision has been made on this. One of the reasons for pausing the Act was to consider the burden on higher education providers before making a final decision, and the department is currently engaging with stakeholders on this. The department will undertake all required impact assessments before making a final decision.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
12th Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has made an estimate of the cost to educational institutions of stopping the implementation of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023.

An estimate of costs associated with the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech Act) 2023 was provided in the Impact Assessment published with the Act.

The Act was paused to consider options for its future, including repeal, and no final decision has been made on this. One of the reasons for pausing the Act was to consider the burden on higher education providers before making a final decision, and the department is currently engaging with stakeholders on this. The department will undertake all required impact assessments before making a final decision.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
6th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many people in Staffordshire have not yet been paid compensation for land and properties compulsorily purchased by HS2 Ltd.

Individual properties and claimants can have multiple active claims at any given time so data in the form requested is not available.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
6th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many people have not yet been paid compensation for land and properties compulsorily purchased by HS2 Ltd.

Individual properties and claimants can have multiple active claims at any given time so data in the form requested is not available.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
4th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether funding allocated for ticketless travel in the Network North plan is now being used to implement the scheme.

This government remains committed to improving the passenger experience and improving the railways. We are already working with local authorities to improve ticketing in the West Midlands and Greater Manchester. The previous Government made a number of funding commitments in the Network North Command Paper, and these will be examined closely in the coming months.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
4th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when she plans to respond to the letter of 12 August 2024 from the Rt hon. Member for Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge on the M54/M6 Link Road.

I responded to the honourable member’s letter on 27 September 2024.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
28th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what is the estimated carbon footprint of his recent visit to Samoa.

An essential aspect of the Foreign Secretary's role is to represent the UK's interests on the global stage and ministerial travel is undertaken using efficient and cost-effective arrangements. The information required to calculate the carbon footprint of official overseas ministerial travel will be published as part of the Cabinet Office transparency returns and made available on the GOV.UK website. It has been the practice that official FCDO flights to attend major events are carbon offset where that is possible. The Foreign Secretary travelled via a commercial flight to Samoa for CHOGM, following travel to South Korea, China and Indonesia.

Catherine West
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
28th Oct 2024
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what is the estimated carbon footprint of her recent visit to Washington DC.

Due to the recent nature of the trip it is not currently possible to estimate the carbon footprint of this visit.

Further details for the trip will be published as part of the quarterly Ministers overseas travel at the following link.

HMT ministers' meetings, hospitality, gifts and overseas travel - GOV.UK

The final CO2e will be included within in the Sustainability Report section of HM Treasury 2024-25 Annual Report and Accounts.

James Murray
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
4th Oct 2024
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether gifts of clothing are a taxable benefit in kind.

The normal rules for employment-related benefits apply to employment-related gifts, as described in HMRC guidance at https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/employment-income-manual/eim20020

James Murray
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
4th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to maintain the single occupancy council tax discount.

The Government currently has no plans to change the single person discount. Decisions on future local authority funding will be a matter for the next Spending Review and Local Government Finance Settlement. The Government is committed to keeping taxes on working people as low as possible.

Jim McMahon
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)