First elected: 4th July 2024
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).
Don't change inheritance tax relief for working farms
Gov Responded - 5 Dec 2024 Debated on - 10 Feb 2025 View Graham Leadbitter's petition debate contributionsWe think that changing inheritance tax relief for agricultural land will devastate farms nationwide, forcing families to sell land and assets just to stay on their property. We urge the government to keep the current exemptions for working farms.
These initiatives were driven by Graham Leadbitter, 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.
Graham Leadbitter has not been granted any Urgent Questions
Graham Leadbitter has not been granted any Adjournment Debates
Graham Leadbitter has not introduced any legislation before Parliament
Graham Leadbitter has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting
The UK and the EU allow for visa-free short-term travel in line with their respective arrangements for third country nationals. The UK allows EU citizens short-term visa-free travel for up to six months. Meanwhile, the EU allows for travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period; this is standard for third countries travelling visa-free to the EU. UK nationals planning to stay longer will need permission from the relevant Member State. This may require a visa and/or permit.The UK Government will continue to listen to and advocate for UK nationals.
The Companies House identity verification (IDV) system is provided by GOV.UK One Login (‘the service’) delivered by the Government Digital Service (GDS).
Inclusivity and accessibility is a top priority. The service offers simple online content, in-person IDV at the Post Office where appropriate and contact centre assistance. Regular user research and testing with people from various backgrounds and needs ensures the service works for as many people as possible.
Some parts of the service are provided by third-parties. The service is centrally funded to provide IDV across central government, including Companies House
As an alternative, Companies House accepts IDV via Authorised Corporate Service Providers.
The UK government provides guidance to British businesses on potential business risks which may affect economic and financial activity in Western Sahara and Occupied Palestinian Territory on the Overseas Business Risk webpage on gov.uk. This guidance is routinely updated.
The UK Government has a clear position that Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories are illegal under international law. Goods produced in these settlements are not entitled to benefit from preferential tariff treatment under the UK's current trade agreements with the Palestinian Authority and Israel. There are clear risks related to economic and financial activities in the settlements, and we do not encourage or offer support to such activity. The UK is committed to international law and respects the independence of the ICJ. We are carefully considering the Court's advisory opinion with the rigour it deserves.
It is for companies to take their own decisions on whether to do business in Western Sahara. The UK continues to support UN-led efforts to reach a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution.
The UK Government has a clear position that Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories are illegal under international law. Goods produced in these settlements are not entitled to benefit from preferential tariff treatment under the UK's current trade agreements with the Palestinian Authority and Israel. There are clear risks related to economic and financial activities in the settlements, and we do not encourage or offer support to such activity.
Similarly, it is for companies to take their own decisions on whether to do business in Western Sahara.The UK continues to support UN-led efforts to reach a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution.
The Government regularly engages with its counterparts in Scotland on fireworks. These discussions include antisocial use and the impact of noise. The current regulatory framework is designed to support people to enjoy fireworks whilst lowering the risk of dangers and disruption to people, pets, and property.
No assessment has been made in bringing forward legislative proposals to protect wildlife parks and zoos from the impacts of fireworks. To inform any future decisions on fireworks policy I intend to engage with businesses, consumer groups and charities to gather evidence on the issues and impacts with fireworks, including on animal welfare.
As I sent out in my Written Ministerial Statement on 1 July 2025, the Government is providing the Official Receiver with short-term funding to cover the essential operating costs of the refinery as a result of the unexpected insolvency of the company. The final operating cost will depend on market conditions and the strategy adopted by the Official Receiver, and this will be subject to close scrutiny and governance by the Government and the insolvency office holders. This funding is necessary to provide the Official Receiver with the necessary tools to fulfil their statutory duties and to avoid an immediate, unsafe shutdown of the refinery.
Great British Energy (GBE) has announced £300 million to invest in offshore wind supply chains, and £700 million to help build manufacturing facilities in the UK. That totals £1 billion in funding, available across all four nations.
GBE is also providing £4.85 million for Scotland, £2.88 million for Wales, and £1.62 million for Northern Ireland to support clean energy projects. This may be combined with existing or new funding from the three governments, which host their own community energy schemes.
In England, GBE is providing £90 million for solar panels on schools and hospitals. A further £10 million is committed for the Mayor Renewables Fund.
Great British Energy is committed to working with the Devolved Governments to help enhance community energy across the UK, whilst respecting the devolution settlements. £9.3 million is being provided to the devolved governments to support clean energy projects and may be combined with existing or new funding from the three governments to support specific clean energy projects in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. This funding is part of the £100m announced in October 2024 to kick-start GBE’s work investing in clean energy project development.
The Government is working closely with the RTS Taskforce, industry and Ofgem to ensure the phase out process of RTS is planned effectively and consumers are appropriately protected.
The Government has made clear to industry that energy suppliers must fulfil their obligations to customers and must increase the rate of Radio Teleswitch (RTS) meter replacements. We expect suppliers to be taking measures, such as deploying roaming teams of installers, to ensure consumers receive replacement meters in a timely manner.
I am meeting with Energy UK and Ofgem on a fortnightly basis to discuss progress.
The electricity networks in Great Britain are owned and operated by private companies and regulated independently by Ofgem, who ensure the network companies are investing to operate, maintain and upgrade their infrastructure. To enable the Government’s Clean Energy Superpower and Growth missions, significant investment in new capacity ahead of need is required. This will be based on, among other considerations, strategic planning and projections of future demand across the network and will support the connection of new on-site renewable generation and demand projects, including electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
As of 1 May 2025, the Government and industry have supported the installation of 79,326 publicly available charging devices (including 15,856 rapid charging devices). This reflects a year-on-year percentage increase of 30%. Policy on charging infrastructure is devolved in Scotland.
Communal areas in apartment blocks are charged on a non-domestic energy contract as the organisation who is responsible for them is a business.
A Call for Evidence regarding domestic customers with a non-domestic energy supply was published in July 2023 and explored the advantages and disadvantages of these arrangements. The responses highlighted the complexity of energy supply and contract arrangements, and due to the physical set-up of these residences, the majority of these consumers will continue to receive their energy via a non-domestic contract. The Call for Evidence is now closed, and a summary of responses was published in April 2024.
Ofgem is taking action to ensure these consumers are protected by raising awareness of the Maximum Resale Price direction, and planning work with network companies to produce a clear route for vulnerable consumers to be added to the Priority Services Register.
Communal areas in apartment blocks are charged on a non-domestic energy contract as the organisation who is responsible for them is a business. As such, domestic consumers living in the apartment block are usually charged a non-domestic energy rate for these areas. Ofgem’s Maximum Resale Direction protects tenants from being charged inflated electricity costs from their landlord. It sets a maximum price that can be charged for electricity and gas which has already been bought from a licenced supplier.
Suppliers are ultimately responsible for correctly classifying the customers they contract with as domestic or non-domestic, in line with Ofgem criteria. Suppliers are also responsible for the correct classification of electricity meters, in accordance with ‘meter profile classes’ managed by Elexon in the Balancing and Settlement Code (BSC).
Ofgem has made clear in guidance on this subject that ‘meter profile class’ should not be the deciding factor in whether a customer is domestic or non-domestic, this should be based on the intended purpose of consumption at the premises (i.e. domestic or non-domestic) Bespoke contracts should be offered where needed
The classification of whether a communal electricity supply is considered domestic or business depends on whether the organisation or individual who manages the building has a domestic or commercial energy contract. Businesses are required to have a commercial energy contract, even if they provide electricity to domestic properties.
Ofgem provides guidance to consumers on whether they need a business energy contact on its website - https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-businesses/get-energy-your-business.
Communal areas in apartment blocks are charged on a non-domestic energy contract as the organisation who is responsible for them is a business.
A Call for Evidence regarding domestic customers with a non-domestic energy supply was published in July 2023 and explored the advantages and disadvantages of these arrangements. The responses highlighted the complexity of energy supply and contract arrangements, and due to the physical set-up of these residences, the majority of these consumers will continue to receive their energy via a non-domestic contract. The Call for Evidence is now closed, and a summary of responses was published in April 2024.
Ofgem is taking action to ensure these consumers are protected by raising awareness of the Maximum Resale Price direction, and planning work with network companies to produce a clear route for vulnerable consumers to be added to the Priority Services Register.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero works collaboratively with other government departments and relevant regulators to understand the water impacts of a developing hydrogen economy, including the potential impact of abstraction on water bodies.
The Government expects all planned hydrogen production projects to have robust plans in place for sustainable sourcing of water that comply with relevant regulations.
The Data Communications Company (DCC) is required to assess opportunities to increase the overall level of communications network coverage for Great Britain beyond its currently provisioned minimum level of 99.25%.
The DCC are examining a number of options to reach homes not currently able to get smart metering network coverage as part of its Future Connectivity strategy, which includes consideration of a full range of technical solutions including cellular options.
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State gave on 4th July 2025 to Question 64258.
GOV.UK One Login’s total budget to onboard all central government services for the three years from 2022/23 to 2024/25 was £305.4 million, and is currently undergoing HMT approvals for a new Business Case which will run until 2027/28.
GOV.UK One Login works with third-party providers to help verify a user’s identity. These costs are included in the programme budget.
Companies House provides an alternative IDV route via Authorised Corporate Service Providers.
Project Gigabit is the government’s programme to roll out fast, reliable broadband to UK premises that are not included in suppliers' commercial plans. Over 35 contracts, with a combined value of over £2.3 billion, have already been signed to deliver gigabit-capable broadband to over 1 million premises, predominantly in rural areas.
Last week we announced a £157 million contract with Openreach to deliver gigabit-capable broadband to up to 65,000 rural and hard-to-reach premises across Central, Northern and Western Scotland, including in the Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey constituency.
The government wants all areas of the UK to benefit from reliable, high quality mobile coverage. We continue to work with Ofcom to ensure that their coverage reporting is as accurate as possible to allow us to reliably and accurately identify underserved areas.
4G geographic coverage from at least one mobile operator has now reached over 95% of the UK landmass, and we continue to work with the industry to deliver 4G mobile connectivity to places where there is either limited or no coverage.
Our ambition is to go further, and for all populated areas, including rural communities, to have access to higher-quality standalone 5G by 2030. We continue to work closely with the mobile network operators and are committed to ensuring we have the right policy and regulatory framework in place to support investment and competition in the market.
The UK offers one of the strongest science bases in the world, with world-leading universities and research institutions, with opportunities in growing areas like quantum and AI. The UK’s immigration offer enables talented scientists, researchers and innovators to come here through various fast-track visa routes, such as the Global Talent, High Potential Individual and Skilled Worker visas. Our Global Talent Network aims to grow our science and technology power by attracting top international science talent to pursue opportunities in the UK. The UK's association to Horizon Europe enables international researchers to come to UK research establishments and collaborate across Europe.
The Government is determined to ensure that any and all risks of the industry-led migration from the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) are mitigated, for all customers across the UK.
The Department has acknowledged that customers who may be considered vulnerable in the context of the digital switchover may require additional support. A definition of a vulnerable customers was published in November 2024. It includes those who are telecare users and those dependent on their landline. Any customer, including the elderly, can also self-identify as requiring additional support.
Communication providers and network operators signed voluntary charters in December 2023 and March 2024, committing to protect vulnerable consumers during the PSTN migration. On 18 November 2024, the major communication providers agreed to adhere to further safeguards set out in the non-voluntary migrations checklist before restarting non-voluntary migration of customers.
Travel requirements can differ for British golfers and other professional sportspeople across Europe. For instance, as UK nationals, British golfers are able to travel visa-free to the Schengen Area for short-term visits (up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period) to compete in events.
Professional golfers undertaking paid work in any country they are visiting should check the entry requirements and rules for that country, in case they need to apply for a visa, work permit, or provide other documentation.
The Hon Member was issued with a response on 26th March.
The UK Government supports the video games sector across the UK, including in Scotland, through the video games tax relief and the Dundee-based UK Games Fund.
DCMS estimates the UK video games sector generated £3.7bn in GVA in 2021, £2.1bn in 2022, and £2bn in 2023, expressed in 2022 prices accounting for inflation. While these figures have declined since 2021, this is largely due to unprecedented demand during the Covid-19 pandemic, and represents over 300% growth in GVA since 2014. We recognise that due to existing Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code structures, this figure may not fully reflect the sector’s value.
A breakdown of these figures for Scotland is not available. Culture, including video games, is a devolved matter.
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is the independent body responsible for regulating advertising in the UK across traditional forms of media (print, radio, TV) and online. The Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) and Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP), sister organisations of the ASA, are responsible for codifying the standards for advertising to the marketing industry as part of their CAP and BCAP Codes. The government is not involved in these codes, nor in the investigations and enforcement delivered by the ASA.
However, as part of the Gambling Commission’s licence conditions, gambling operators who advertise in the UK must comply with the advertising Codes. The ASA has the power to take action where there is evidence of advertising in breach of the Codes, wherever it appears, and the ASA can and does refer operators’ advertising to the Gambling Commission for possible regulatory action.
This Government is committed to moving to a circular economy for plastics – a future where we keep our resources in use for longer, waste is reduced, we accelerate the path to net zero, we see investment in critical infrastructure and green jobs, our economy prospers, and nature thrives. We will publish proposals for the first ever Circular Economy Strategy for England this autumn. It will include a series of roadmaps detailing the interventions that the government and others will make on a sector-by-sector basis. One of the six sectors we will start with is the chemicals and plastics sector. As a part of the transition to a circular economy, managing and reducing plastic waste will be crucial. This will build upon the existing Collection and Packaging Reforms (CPR) programme which is central to the Government’s mission to minimise waste, promote resource efficiency and move towards a more circular economy.
We will continue to review the latest evidence on problematic products and/or materials to take a systematic approach, in line with circular economy principles, to reduce the use of unnecessary single-use plastic products and encourage reuse solutions.
The Government is committed to reaching agreement on an ambitious and effective treaty to end plastic pollution when negotiations resume in August 2025 and will be working closely with a range of countries both within the High Ambition Coalition and outside it to achieve this.
The UK is committed to an open, transparent and inclusive approach to negotiations to ensure that all have equal opportunity for their views to be heard.
The UK Government, at all stages of the INC process, has made it a priority to engage with a broad range of stakeholders. We partnered with the Ocean Plastics Leadership Network to run the UK Treaty Dialogues ahead of each round of negotiations. These brought together stakeholders from across the plastics value chain, including trade associations representing fossil fuel and petrochemical industries, but also academia, eNGOs and other civil society organisations.
For too long, plastic has littered our ocean and threatened our wildlife. We urgently need an ambitious and effective international agreement to end plastic pollution by 2040.
The UK has been a leading voice in the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee and as a founding member of the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution (HAC), the United Kingdom is committed to achieving an ambitious treaty.
Negotiations will resume in August with the aim of concluding negotiations on a new treaty. The UK is working with other countries, including allies in the High Ambition Coalition to achieve this.
For all pesticides, there are legal requirements to store the product securely and dispose safely of any surplus. It is illegal to use or store any plant protection product (pesticide) that is no longer authorised. Professional users in possession of unauthorised plant protection products should contact an authorised business to dispose of them. While there are currently no specific government schemes for the disposal of banned pesticides, guidance for businesses needing to dispose of hazardous waste such as pesticides can be found on gov.uk. Amateur users should contact their local Civic Amenity site and ask them for guidance on disposal.
The Irish Whiskey Association, representing 95% of Irish Whiskey producers across the island of Ireland, report that Irish Whiskey exports exceeded €1billion in 2024 and reached 114 markets around the world.
Irish Whiskey produced in Northern Ireland is an important part of that economic impact. The oldest Irish Whiskey distillery in NI, Bushmills, reported a 9.7% rise in volume sales in 2022, reaching 1 million nine-litre cases for the first time. In 2024 the newest Irish Whiskey distillery in NI, McConnell’s, opened its £12m distillery in Belfast which is expected to produce half a million litres of alcohol and attract 100,000 visitors annually.
No formal assessment has been made by the department, but upon registration of Single Malt Welsh Whisky as a geographical indication in 2023, it was forecast to generate a revenue of £23 million in the 2023-24 financial year and is exported to more than 45 countries.
SOURCE: https://businesswales.gov.wales/foodanddrink/news-and-events/news/single-malt-welsh-whisky-protected
No formal assessment has been made by the department, but a report by the Scotch Whisky Association, using figures from industry and the Government from production to employment, concluded that Scotch Whisky’s contribution to the UK economy reached £7.1 billion in 2022.
Exports of Scotch Whisky were valued at £5.4 billion in 2024, of which £1.7 billion was Single Malt Whisky.
The entire country is proud of Scotch Whiskey as one of the world’s most loved products.
SOURCE:
https://www.scotch-whisky.org.uk/newsroom/2024-export-figures/
https://www.scotch-whisky.org.uk/newsroom/scotch-whisky-boosts-uk-economy-by-71bn/
We do not yet have an estimate of the required timber and waste wood required to meet the Government's housing targets. The current forecast of softwood availability for Great Britain is a total average of 25.2 million cubic metres of softwood timber per annum over 50 years (2013-16 to 2057-61) from public and private estates.
We are aiming to increase softwoods to at least 30% of total planting and bring more hardwoods to market through increased woodland management. To support this goal, the Government launched the Timber in Construction Roadmap on 27 February 2025 which sets out our vision for a sustainable, integrated industry that meets the needs of the future.
The Government is committed to protecting human health and the environment.
Requirements for the export of hazardous chemicals are agreed at the international level under the Rotterdam Convention. In GB, the export of certain hazardous chemicals is regulated through the GB Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Regulation.
The regulatory requirements under GB PIC are the same as under the EU PIC Regulation but the UK now makes its own decisions under PIC and other chemicals legislation.
We continue to monitor developments in other countries and learn from their experiences.
Road vehicle lighting is governed by combination of national and international regulations. As per the advice in the Highway Code drivers must use appropriate vehicle lighting for the prevailing conditions and should ensure that they are familiar with the operation of all vehicle controls.
No assessment has been made of the merits of a public information campaign to support the correct use of daytime running lamps.
The Department for Transport engages regularly with Distribution Network Operators, and with National Grid, on work related to accelerating the delivery of electric vehicle (EV) charging. This includes discussions on power capacity, grid infrastructure, and standardisation required to meet growing demand for EV charging.
In December 2024, the Government published the outcome of a review on improving the grid connection process for electric vehicle charging infrastructure. In March, I met with Distribution Network Operators and other industry groups to understand industry’s perspective on improving EV charging on the Strategic Road Network (England’s motorways and major A roads).
The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles engages regularly with devolved governments, local authorities and regional transport partnerships on a range of issues related to improving electric vehicle charging. This includes work through the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund which is supporting local authorities to scale up local EV charging provision across England. Support includes £381m of funding, one-to-one guidance, regional workshops and an online knowledge repository to share practice. This is in addition to a dedicated electric vehicle training course, completed by over 150 local authority officers to date.
The Department for Transport continues to review all policy options that may support the continued rollout of public electric vehicle chargepoints. This includes reviewing the potential for inclusion of electricity in the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation.
The ZEV Mandate remains the Government’s largest single carbon saving measure. The carbon impacts of the ZEV mandate were summarised within the cost benefit analysis published alongside the original legislation.
On 7 April 2025, the Government announced policy changes to the ZEV Mandate to further support the UK’s automotive industry. The policy changes are expected to have a minor carbon impact when compared to the savings delivered by the ZEV Mandate as a whole. We estimate a 1% decrease (-4.2 Mt CO2) in CO2 savings from the original ZEV mandate (420 Mt CO2) across 2024 to 2050. A breakdown of this carbon analysis has been published alongside the government response.
As part of its consideration of the evidence, the Department for Transport has assessed the potential environmental impacts in accordance with the Environment Act 2021 which requires Ministers of the Crown to have ‘due regard’ to the environmental principles policy statement when making policy.
Current exemptions to weight limits for VCMs will expire in 2028. This policy is being maintained.
My Department engaged with hon. Members and industry stakeholders through correspondence prior to the announcement. In addition, industry and interested parties were given the opportunity to present views and evidence on this topic as part of the Call for Evidence between October and December 2023.
Temporary exemptions to weight limits for VCMs will expire in 2028. This policy is being maintained.
The Department ran a call for evidence from October to December 2023 seeking views on three potential options on weight limits for Volumetric Concrete Mixers (VCMs). The outcome of my Department’s review into volumetric concrete mixers was published on 18 March. This can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/volumetric-concrete-mixers-review
Whilst some VCM operators have argued that heavier VCMs could reduce overall trips and emissions, the increased road and bridge damage would result in more frequent repairs, offsetting these potential benefits.
VCMs will continue to be permitted on our roads, but as planned, a temporary weight limit exemption for this type of vehicle will end on 31 March 2028. This is not a ban or change in policy.
The call for evidence conducted from October to December 2023 was an opportunity for respondents to present evidence, but it did not reveal significant new evidence supporting a change in policy.
The outcome of my department’s review into VCMs was published on 18 March. This can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/volumetric-concrete-mixers-review
Current exemptions to weight limits for VCMs will expire in 2028.
A call for evidence ran from October to December 2023 seeking views on three potential options on weight limits for Volumetric Concrete Mixers (VCMs). The following factors were considered: reduction in payload per journey, increased waste, and increased vehicle mileage. Information received did not provide any compelling evidence for permitting a weight limit exemption specifically for VCMs on the grounds of increased lorry journeys.
The outcome of the Department’s review into volumetric concrete mixers was published on 18 March. This can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/volumetric-concrete-mixers-review.
Current exemptions to weight limits for VCMs will expire in 2028.