Greg Clark Portrait

Greg Clark

Conservative - Tunbridge Wells

First elected: 5th May 2005


5 APPG memberships (as of 24 Jan 2024)
Chemical Industry, Colombia, Japan, Motor, Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia
2 Former APPG memberships
Italy, Terminal Illness
Protection from Sex-based Harassment in Public Bill
8th Feb 2023 - 22nd Feb 2023
Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission
12th Jul 2022 - 7th Sep 2022
Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
7th Jul 2022 - 6th Sep 2022
Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
29th Jan 2020 - 13th Jul 2022
Science and Technology Committee
29th Jan 2020 - 13th Jul 2022
Liaison Committee (Commons)
20th May 2020 - 7th Jul 2022
Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
14th Jul 2016 - 24th Jul 2019
Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government
8th May 2015 - 14th Jul 2016
Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation and Skills) (Universities and Science)
15th Jul 2014 - 8th May 2015
Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
7th Oct 2013 - 30th Mar 2015
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
6th Sep 2012 - 7th Oct 2013
Minister of State (Department for Communities and Local Government) (Decentralisation and Cities) (also in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills)
13th May 2010 - 6th Sep 2012
Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation and Skills) (Decentralisation and Cities) (also in the Department for Communities and Local Government)
19th Jul 2011 - 6th Sep 2012
Shadow Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change
6th Oct 2008 - 6th May 2010
Shadow Minister (Cabinet Office)
3rd Jul 2007 - 6th Oct 2008
Public Accounts Committee
12th Jul 2005 - 17th Jul 2007
Shadow Minister for Charities, Voluntary Bodies and Social Enterprise
7th Nov 2006 - 2nd Jul 2007


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Greg Clark has voted in 829 divisions, and 6 times against the majority of their Party.

1 Dec 2020 - Public Health - View Vote Context
Greg Clark voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 53 Conservative No votes vs 290 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 291 Noes - 78
2 Jun 2020 - Proceedings during the Pandemic - View Vote Context
Greg Clark voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 31 Conservative Aye votes vs 240 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 185 Noes - 242
20 Oct 2021 - Environment Bill - View Vote Context
Greg Clark voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 22 Conservative No votes vs 265 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 268 Noes - 204
23 Nov 2021 - Health and Care Bill - View Vote Context
Greg Clark voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 18 Conservative Aye votes vs 276 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 219 Noes - 280
30 Nov 2021 - Public Health - View Vote Context
Greg Clark voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 32 Conservative No votes vs 259 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 431 Noes - 36
30 Mar 2022 - Health and Care Bill - View Vote Context
Greg Clark voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 72 Conservative Aye votes vs 175 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 215 Noes - 188
View All Greg Clark Division Votes

Debates during the 2019 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
Matt Hancock (Independent)
(46 debate interactions)
Boris Johnson (Conservative)
(23 debate interactions)
Sajid Javid (Conservative)
(19 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Department of Health and Social Care
(50 debate contributions)
Cabinet Office
(40 debate contributions)
Home Office
(24 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all Greg Clark's debates

Tunbridge Wells 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).

Petition Debates Contributed

Being the first to close and still no clue as to when we can open, this seasonal industry is losing its summer profits that allows them to get through the first quarter of next year.

Even if we are allowed to open in December, 1 months profit won't be enough to keep us open in 2021. We need help

The UK hospitality industry. Responsible for around 3m jobs, generating £130bn in activity, resulting in £38bn in taxation. Yet, unlike the Arts or Sports, we do not have a dedicated Minister.

We are asking that a Minister for Hospitality be created for the current, and successive governments.

Isolation essential to the Government’s strategy for fighting coronavirus, and UK citizens must remain healthy and exercise whilst keeping adequate distance between people. The Government should allow golf courses to open so families or individuals can play golf in order to exercise safely.

In the event of a spike we would like you not to close gyms as a measure to stop any spread of Covid. Also for gyms to not be put in the same group as pubs in terms of risk or importance. Gyms are following strict guidelines and most members are following rules in a sober manner.


Latest EDMs signed by Greg Clark

Greg Clark has not signed any Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Greg Clark, 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.


3 Urgent Questions tabled by Greg Clark

1 Adjournment Debate led by Greg Clark

Tuesday 29th September 2020

9 Bills introduced by Greg Clark


A Bill To make provision about nuclear safeguards; and for connected purposes.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 26th June 2018 and was enacted into law.

Introduced: 13th October 2015

A Bill to make provision about housing, estate agents, rentcharges, planning and compulsory purchase.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 12th May 2016 and was enacted into law.

Introduced: 28th May 2015

A Bill to make provision for the election of mayors for the areas of, and for conferring additional functions on, combined authorities established under Part 6 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009; to make other provision in relation to bodies established under that Part; to make provision about local authority governance and functions; to confer power to establish, and to make provision about, sub-national transport bodies; and for connected purposes.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 28th January 2016 and was enacted into law.


A Bill to make provision about causing intentional harassment, alarm or distress to a person in public where the behaviour is done because of that person’s sex; and for connected purposes.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 18th September 2023 and was enacted into law.


A Bill to extend the period for the Secretary of State to exercise powers relating to smart metering and to provide for a special administration regime for a smart meter communication licensee.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 23rd May 2018 and was enacted into law.


The Bill was considered at and  on Tuesday 21 March 2017 and passed and will now be returned to the House of Lords without amendment and so awaits Royal Assent. A Bill to amend the law relating to unjustified threats to bring proceedings for infringement of patents, registered trade marks, rights in registered designs, design right or Community designs.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 27th April 2017 and was enacted into law.


A Bill to make provision for the imposition of a cap on rates charged to domestic customers for the supply of gas and electricity; and for connected purposes.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 19th July 2018 and was enacted into law.


To make provision approving for the purposes of section 8 of the European Union Act 2011 draft decisions under Article 352 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union on the participation of the Republic of Albania and the Republic of Serbia in the work of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights and on the signing and conclusion of an agreement between the European Union and Canada regarding the application of their competition laws.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 7th December 2017 and was enacted into law.

Introduced: 3rd July 2013

This Bill received Royal Assent on 17th July 2013 and was enacted into law.


Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
2 Other Department Questions
8th Feb 2022
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, how many meetings she had with her Department's Chief Scientific Adviser from (a) 1 March to 31 May 2021, (b) 1 June to 31 August 2021 and (c) 1 September to 30 November 2021.

The Cabinet Office, where the Equality Hub is based, draws from a range of scientific advice and expertise. The Equality Hub does not have its own Chief Scientific Adviser.

Mike Freer
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
8th Feb 2022
To ask the President of COP26, how many meetings he had with his Department's Chief Scientific Adviser from (a) 1 March to 31 May 2021, (b) 1 June to 31 August 2021 and (c) 1 September to 30 November 2021.

The Chief Scientific Adviser and his team attended COP26. The COP26 Unit draws from a range of scientific advice and expertise. In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of internal meetings are not normally disclosed.

Alok Sharma
COP26 President (Cabinet Office)
8th Feb 2022
To ask the Attorney General, how many meetings she had with her Department's Chief Scientific Adviser from (a) 1 March to 31 May 2021, (b) 1 June to 31 August 2021 and (c) 1 September to 30 November 2021.

The Attorney General’s Office does not have a Chief Scientific Adviser.

Alex Chalk
Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
5th Dec 2022
To ask the Prime Minister, how many meetings (a) he and (b) his predecessors had with the Government Chief Scientific Adviser from (i) 1 December 2021 to 28 February 2022, (ii) 1 March to 31 May 2022 and (iii) 1 June to 31 August 2022.

I refer my right hon. Friend to the answer of 16 February 2022, Official Report, PQ 120718.

Rishi Sunak
Prime Minister, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service, and Minister for the Union
1st Dec 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many meetings (a) they and (b) other Ministers in their Department have had with the Department's Chief Scientific Adviser from (i) 1 December 2021 to 28 February 2022, (ii) 1 March to 31 May 2022 and (iii) 1 June to 31 August 2022.

The Cabinet Office draws from a range of scientific advice and expertise. In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of internal meetings are not normally disclosed.

8th Feb 2022
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many meetings he had with his Department's Chief Scientific Adviser from (a) 1 March to 31 May 2021, (b) 1 June to 31 August 2021 and (c) 1 September to 30 November 2021.

The Cabinet Office draws on a range of scientific advice and expertise, including from the Government Chief Scientific Adviser, Chief Scientific Advisers in individual Government Departments as well as academics and researchers.

The Cabinet Office does not have its own Chief Scientific Adviser.

8th Feb 2022
To ask the Prime Minister, how many meetings he had with his Chief Scientific Adviser from (a) 1 March to 31 May 2021, (b) 1 June to 31 August 2021 and (c) 1 September to 30 November 2021.

I draw on a range of scientific advice and expertise. In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of internal meetings are not normally disclosed. My Rt Hon Friend will be aware of this long-standing position from his time as a Minister (for example, as noted in Official Report, 25 February 2016, UIN 28557 and Official Report, 19 April 2012, Col. 520W.

17th Mar 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many meetings he had with the Government's Chief Scientific Adviser from (a) 1 March 2020 to 31 May 2020, (b) 1 June 2020 to 31 August 2020, (c) 1 September 2020 to 30 November 2020 and (d) 1 December 2020 to 28 February 2021.

The Cabinet Office draws from a range of scientific advice and expertise, including from the Government Chief Scientific Adviser, the Chief Scientific Advisers in individual Government Departments, and academics and researchers. In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of internal meetings are not normally disclosed.

Penny Mordaunt
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
18th May 2020
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many meetings he had with the the Government's Chief Scientific Adviser (a) from 1 September to 30 November 2019 and (b) from 1 December 2019 to 29 February 2020.

The Cabinet Office draws from a range of scientific advice and expertise, including from the Government Chief Scientific Adviser, the Chief Scientific Advisers in individual Government Departments, and academics and researchers. In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of internal meetings are not normally disclosed.

Penny Mordaunt
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
30th Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the incident at Sellafield Nuclear site on 28 November 2023.

The Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 imposes duties on employers to protect employees and other persons against ionising radiation arising from working with radioactive substances and other sources of ionising radiation. These duties have been used to create safe working procedures at Sellafield which are regulated by the Office of Nuclear Regulation. The adequacy of these procedures are the subject of regular review by the Office for Nuclear Regulation. There has been no impact to the public or the environment as a result of this event. Safety is the overriding priority at Sellafield.

Andrew Bowie
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
1st Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many meetings (a) they and (b) other Ministers in their Department have had with the Department's Chief Scientific Adviser from (i) 1 December 2021 to 28 February 2022, (ii) 1 March to 31 May 2022 and (iii) 1 June to 31 August 2022.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) draws from a range of scientific advice and expertise. I meet with both the BEIS Chief Scientific Adviser and the Government Chief Scientific Adviser regularly. In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of internal meetings are not normally disclosed.

8th Feb 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many meetings he had with his Department's Chief Scientific Adviser from (a) 1 March to 31 May 2021, (b) 1 June to 31 August 2021 and (c) 1 September to 30 November 2021.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy draws from a range of scientific advice and expertise. In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of internal meetings are not normally disclosed.

4th Jun 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when he plans to publish a response to the consultation on carer's leave, which closed on 3 August 2020.

The Government is committed to delivering the manifesto commitment to introduce a new right of an additional week of leave for unpaid carers.

The consultation on Carer’s Leave ran from March to August 2020, setting out detailed policy proposals to create a new employment right for one week’s unpaid leave. The consultation received a significant number of responses, demonstrating the importance of this issue.

The Government response to the consultation will be published in due course, setting out the way forward.

17th Mar 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many meetings (a) he and (b) his predecessor had with his Department’s Chief Scientific Adviser from (a) 1 March 2020 to 31 May 2020, (b) 1 June 2020 to 31 August 2020, (c) 1 September 2020 to 30 November 2020 and (d) 1 December 2020 to 28 February 2021.

The CSA, at the time Prof. John Loughhead, has been in meetings with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 3 times between 1 March 2020 and 31 May 2020.

The CSA, at the time Prof. John Loughhead, has been in meetings with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 3 times between 1 June 2020 and 31 August 2020.

The CSA, at the time Prof. John Loughhead, has been in meetings with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 2 times between 1 September 2020 and 30 September 2020. Prof. Paul Monks took over as CSA on 1 October 2020 and met with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 11 times between 1 October 2020 and 30 November 2020. This is a total of 13 meetings between 1 September 2020 and 30 November 2020

The CSA, Prof. Paul Monks, has been in meetings with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 23 times between 1 December 2020 and 28 February 2021.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
28th Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to ensure that the duties of the Director of Labour Market Enforcement are undertaken while that post is vacant; and if he will make a statement.

We are in the process of recruiting a new Director of Labour Market Enforcement and will announce an appointment in due course.

The main duties of the Director are to prepare a yearly strategy, an annual report, and maintain an information hub. The previous Director has already submitted his Strategy for 2021/22 and it will need to be considered by the Government and enforcement bodies before approval for publication, as required by the Immigration Act 2016.

The three enforcement bodies themselves are responsible for their overall work and enforcement responsibilities. They will continue to work hard to protect workers and bring enforcement action against employers who break the rules.

1st Jun 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what guidance he plans to issue to dressmakers on conducting consultations and fittings in (a) retail settings and (b) home work based settings as restrictions on the lockdown due to the covid-19 outbreak are eased.

The Government has published updated guidance on 25 May to include other types of shops that have been closed for some weeks. In addition to the shops that have been open through the lockdown, this guidance covers shops selling clothing, books, shoes and cars, as well as banks, auctions houses, photography studios and indoor and outdoor markets. The second taskforce under non-essential retail will focus on work environments where there is close proximity to the client, e.g. hair and beauty salons, tattoo studios, etc. Guidance for these businesses will be published in June. Some of the guidance published in this document will be useful for tailors and dressmakers. For example, it provides guidelines on safety in fitting rooms and on how to manage clothes that have been tried on.

Employers have a legal duty to carry out a risk assessment, and all businesses must now consider the COVID-19 risks before re-opening. In this case, the Government is clear that businesses should only reopen when they can adhere to the COVID-19 safety guidance.

18th May 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many meetings (a) he and (b) his predecessor had with his Department’s Chief Scientific Adviser (i) from 1 September to 30 November 2019 and (ii) from 1 December 2019 to 29 February 2020.

The Department’s Chief Scientific Adviser ensures that the department’s policies are supported by the best science and engineering advice available by advising senior officials, as well as ministers, on science and engineering matters, and working with the wider community of Chief Scientific Advisers to share good practice and resolve cross departmental problems.

The Secretary of State’s predecessor, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Member for South Northamptonshire, did not meet with the Department’s Chief Scientific Adviser from 1 September to 30 November 2019 and from 1 December 2019 to 13 February 2020.

My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy did not meet with his department’s Chief Scientific Adviser from 13 February to 29 February 2020.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
1st Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many meetings (a) they and (b) other Ministers in their Department have had with the Department's Chief Scientific Adviser from (i) 1 December 2021 to 28 February 2022, (ii) 1 March to 31 May 2022 and (iii) 1 June to 31 August 2022.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport draws from a range of scientific advice and expertise. In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of internal meetings are not normally disclosed.

Julia Lopez
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
14th Apr 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to help ensure that (a) telecoms and (b) network providers meet Ofcom's requirement to have at least one solution that enables access to emergency organisations for a minimum of one hour in the event of a power outage in the premises.

Ofcom, the independent telecoms regulator, has issued guidance to telecoms companies to explain how they can meet their regulatory obligations following the transition from the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to IP-based telephony.

It is ultimately the role of Ofcom to ensure telecoms companies and network providers are compliant with this guidance, however, both DCMS and Ofcom meet regularly with telecoms companies and network providers to understand their migration processes and ensure that they meet their regulatory obligations.

Julia Lopez
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
8th Feb 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many meetings she had with her Department's Chief Scientific Adviser from (a) 1 March to 31 May 2021, (b) 1 June to 31 August 2021 and (c) 1 September to 30 November 2021.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport draws from a range of scientific advice and expertise. In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of internal meetings are not normally disclosed.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
17th Mar 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many meetings he had with his Department’s Chief Scientific Adviser from (a) 1 March 2020 to 31 May 2020, (b) 1 June 2020 to 31 August 2020, (c) 1 September 2020 to 30 November 2020 and (d) 1 December 2020 to 28 February 2021.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport draws from a range of scientific advice and expertise, including from the Chief Scientific Advisers in individual Government Departments, and academics and researchers. In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of internal meetings are not normally disclosed.

2nd Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on financial support for the inbound tourism sector.

We have introduced a number of measures since the start of the pandemic which businesses in the UK inbound tourism sector can access. This includes the extended furlough and self-employed schemes and various government-backed loans, discretionary grant schemes, business rates relief and a reduced VAT rate.

The Chancellor also announced that Local Authorities in England will be given an additional £594 million discretionary funding to support their local businesses. This builds on the £1.1 billion discretionary funding which local authorities in England have already received to support their local economies and help businesses impacted. The guidance for the Additional Restriction Grant funding encourages Local Authorities to develop discretionary grant schemes to help those businesses which - while not legally forced to close - are nonetheless severely impacted by the restrictions. We encourage local authorities to be sympathetic to applications from businesses who may not have been eligible for other grants.

We continue to gather intelligence from stakeholders such as UKInbound and other members of the Tourism Industry Council in order to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on inbound tourism.

We are regularly engaging across Government to consider how we can most effectively support the recovery of travel and tourism across the UK, including via the development of a Tourism Recovery Plan. In the longer term, the ambitions and recommendations of the Global Travel Taskforce to restart international travel safely still stand.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
2nd Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what support the Government has provided to inbound tour operators since the start of the covid-19 pandemic.

We have introduced a number of measures since the start of the pandemic which businesses in the UK inbound tourism sector can access. This includes the extended furlough and self-employed schemes and various government-backed loans, discretionary grant schemes, business rates relief and a reduced VAT rate.

The Chancellor also announced that Local Authorities in England will be given an additional £594 million discretionary funding to support their local businesses. This builds on the £1.1 billion discretionary funding which local authorities in England have already received to support their local economies and help businesses impacted. The guidance for the Additional Restriction Grant funding encourages Local Authorities to develop discretionary grant schemes to help those businesses which - while not legally forced to close - are nonetheless severely impacted by the restrictions. We encourage local authorities to be sympathetic to applications from businesses who may not have been eligible for other grants.

We continue to gather intelligence from stakeholders such as UKInbound and other members of the Tourism Industry Council in order to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on inbound tourism.

We are regularly engaging across Government to consider how we can most effectively support the recovery of travel and tourism across the UK, including via the development of a Tourism Recovery Plan. In the longer term, the ambitions and recommendations of the Global Travel Taskforce to restart international travel safely still stand.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
18th May 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many meetings (a) he and (b) his predecessor had with his Department’s Chief Scientific Adviser (i) from 1 September to 30 November 2019 and (ii) from 1 December 2019 to 29 February 2020.

DCMS draws from a range of scientific advice and expertise, including from the Government Chief Scientific Adviser, the Chief Scientific Advisers in individual Government Departments, and academics and researchers. In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of internal meetings are not normally disclosed.

1st Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many meetings (a) they and (b) other Ministers in their Department have had with the Department's Chief Scientific Adviser from (i) 1 December 2021 to 28 February 2022, (ii) 1 March to 31 May 2022 and (iii) 1 June to 31 August 2022.

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education had two meetings with the Department’s Chief Scientific Advisor between 1 December 2021 and 28 February 2022, one meeting between 1 March and 31 May 2022, and one meeting between 1 June and 31 August 2022. Baroness Barran also met with the Chief Scientific Advisor on 15 March 2022.

Following the Department’s Chief Scientific Adviser’s regular attendance at the Scientific Advisor Group for Emergencies (SAGE), advice was shared with the Secretary of State, ministers, and senior officials consistently via email. More generally, the Department draws from a range of scientific advice and expertise.

8th Feb 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many meetings he had with his Department's Chief Scientific Adviser from (a) 1 March to 31 May 2021, (b) 1 June to 31 August 2021 and (c) 1 September to 30 November 2021.

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education had meetings with the Department’s Chief Scientific Advisor on the following dates:

  • 0 meetings between 1 March 2021 to 31 May 2021
  • 0 meetings between 1 June 2021 to 31 August 2021
  • 1 meeting between 1 September 2021 to 30 November 2021

Furthermore, following the department’s Chief Scientific Advisors regular attendance at the Scientific Advisor Group for Emergencies (SAGE), advice is shared with the Secretary of State, ministers and senior officials consistently via email.

Michelle Donelan
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
17th Mar 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many meetings he had with his Department’s Chief Scientific Adviser from (a) 1 March 2020 to 31 May 2020, (b) 1 June 2020 to 31 August 2020, (c) 1 September 2020 to 30 November 2020 and (d) 1 December 2020 to 28 February 2021.

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, had meetings with the Department’s Chief Scientific Adviser on the following dates:

(a) 4 meetings between 1 March 2020 to 31 May 2020

(b) 3 meetings between 1 June 2020 to 31 August 2020

(c) 0 meetings between 1 September 2020 to 30 November 2020

(d) 6 meetings between 1 December 2020 to 28 February 2021

It should be noted that key scientific evidence and advice from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies and other sources is made available to the Secretary of State on a weekly basis.

18th May 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many meetings he had with his Department’s Chief Scientific Adviser (a) from 1 September to 30 November 2019 and (b) from 1 December 2019 to 29 February 2020.

The Chief Scientific Advisor for the Department, attended 1 meeting with my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education during the time period a) from 1 September to 30 November 2019. He also attended 1 meeting with the Secretary of State during the time period b) from 1 December 2019 to 29 February 2020.

1st Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of using fines collected from water companies to support angling societies to replenish fish stocks.

In the Plan for Water, we announced the Water Restoration Fund which will channel environmental fines and penalties collected from water companies into projects that improve the water environment. The Fund will support a wide range of projects to improve the environment such as removing invasive non-native species; creating and restoring water-dependent habitats; removing barriers to enable fish and other species’ natural movement in rivers. Further details will be announced later in the year.

Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
1st Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many meetings (a) they and (b) other Ministers in their Department have had with the Department's Chief Scientific Adviser from (i) 1 December 2021 to 28 February 2022, (ii) 1 March to 31 May 2022 and (iii) 1 June to 31 August 2022.

Defra draws from a range of scientific advice and expertise. In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of internal meetings are not normally disclosed.

Mark Spencer
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
8th Feb 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many meetings he had with his Department's Chief Scientific Adviser from (a) 1 March to 31 May 2021, (b) 1 June to 31 August 2021 and (c) 1 September to 30 November 2021.

The Secretary of State attended 13 meetings with his Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) between 1 March 2021 and 31 May 2021; 11 meetings between 1 June 2021 and 31 August 2021; and 16 meetings between 1 September 2021 and 30 November 2021.

The Department’s junior Ministers also attend meetings with their CSA.

Victoria Prentis
Attorney General
14th Jun 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to his oral response to the Urgent Question from the hon. Member for Barnsley East of 8 February 2021, Official Report, column 37, on UK Shellfish Exports, what progress his Department has made on that matter; and if he will make a statement.

In 2019 correspondence between the UK CVO and the EU Commission, the Commission assured us that aquaculture Live Bivalve Molluscs (LBMs) for purification could be exported to the EU after the end of the Transition period. We understood that there would be a temporary export ban on wild harvested LBMs only, pending the introduction of new European Health Certificates (EHCs) in April 2021. The relevant correspondence was placed in the House of Commons library on 17 February. Following the end of the transition period, the Commission stated that LBMs from GB class B waters cannot be imported to the EU for purification. It is unacceptable that the Commission has changed its position regarding the export of live bivalve molluscs from Class B waters. There is no scientific or technical justification for this, and it is already impacting businesses on both sides of the channel. Defra intends to raise this issue through the SPS Committee under the TCA, now that the agreement has been ratified.

Defra officials have continued to engage with the Shellfish Association of Great Britain and individual businesses to understand the impacts of this issue and adaptation options. The number of businesses experiencing significant direct impacts is small, but those impacts are extensive. The UK Government provided up to £23m in early 2021 through the Seafood Response Scheme (SRF) and Seafood Disruption Support Scheme. The SRF provided fixed cost support for eligible seafood business across the UK. Some LBM businesses benefitted from grants of up to £10k. In addition, £32.7m was committed to replace previous European seafood funding across the UK. In England the Fisheries and Seafood Scheme launched in April 2021. This scheme is open to shellfish fishers, cultivators, and processors, including those wishing to invest in infrastructure to help them adapt to new markets.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has considered proposals from industry for changes to the process for classifying shellfish harvesting areas. The FSA agreed there was scope for improvement and, as a first step has reviewed its approach for Class A beds. The FSA is extending the criteria for excluding E. coli testing results that are uncharacteristically higher than those usually seen in an area. These changes will help ensure decisions affecting classification of harvesting areas are proportionate, provide appropriate levels of public health protection, and remain compliant with the legislation in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The FSA advises that there is no added risk to consumers from the changes. It has applied rigorous scientific evidence so public health will continue to be protected. In addition, the FSA has reviewed monitoring data for borderline Class B areas and, to date, 20 shellfish harvesting areas in England and Wales have been awarded Class A status for all or part of the year. These changes and updated classifications have the potential to impact a small number of individual harvesting areas and exports to the EU, illustrating the Government's commitment to support businesses while maintaining the existing high standards of consumer protection.

Victoria Prentis
Attorney General
27th Apr 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the performance of Urbaser Ltd in respect of (a) local authority refuse and recycling collections and (b) street cleaning.

Defra has made no assessment of the performance of Urbaser Ltd or any other waste company in respect of local authority refuse and recycling collections or street cleaning.

Local councils are responsible for keeping their public land clear of litter and refuse. It is up to councils to decide how best to meet their statutory duty to keep their relevant land clear of litter and refuse.

Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
18th May 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many meetings (a) he and (b) his predecessor had with his Department’s Chief Scientific Adviser (i) from 1 September to 30 November 2019 and (ii) from 1 December 2019 to 29 February 2020.

The current Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has been in post since 13 February 2020. Between 13 February and 29 February 2020, he attended one meeting with his Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA).

The previous Secretary of State attended one meeting with her CSA between 1 September and 30 November 2019, and two meetings between 1 December 2019 and 12 February 2020.

Between 1 September and 1 October 2019, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs did not have a CSA in post.

The Department’s Junior Ministers also attend meetings with their CSA.

Victoria Prentis
Attorney General
18th May 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many meetings (a) she and (b) her predecessor had with her Department’s Chief Scientific Adviser (i) from 1 September to 30 November 2019 and (ii) from 1 December 2019 to 29 February 2020.

The DFID Chief Scientific Adviser met with the previous Secretary of State, Alok Sharma, 3 times during the period 1 September to 30 November 2019.

She also met with the previous Secretary of State Alok Sharma on 4 occasions between 1 December 2019 and 12 February 2020 and with the current Secretary of State, Anne Marie Trevelyan, on 4 occasions between 13 February and 29 February 2020.

The Chief Scientific Adviser continues to provide all Ministers with regular written submissions and briefings on DFID science and research activities.

1st Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many meetings (a) they and (b) other Ministers in their Department have had with the Department's Chief Scientific Adviser from (i) 1 December 2021 to 28 February 2022, (ii) 1 March to 31 May 2022 and (iii) 1 June to 31 August 2022.

The Department for International Trade draws from a range of scientific advice and expertise, including its Chief Scientific Adviser. In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of internal meetings are not normally disclosed.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
8th Feb 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many meetings she had with her Department's Chief Scientific Adviser from (a) 1 March to 31 May 2021, (b) 1 June to 31 August 2021 and (c) 1 September to 30 November 2021.

The Department for International Trade draws from a range of scientific advice and expertise, including its Chief Scientific Adviser. In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of internal meetings are not normally disclosed.

Penny Mordaunt
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
17th Mar 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many meetings she had with her Department’s Chief Scientific Adviser from (a) 1 March 2020 to 31 May 2020, (b) 1 June 2020 to 31 August 2020, (c) 1 September 2020 to 30 November 2020 and (d) 1 December 2020 to 28 February 2021.

I refer the hon. Member to my answer given on 27 May 2020 to Question UIN: 48351.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
18th May 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many meetings she had with her Department’s Chief Scientific Adviser (a) from 1 September to 30 November 2019 and (b) from 1 December 2019 to 29 February 2020.

The Department for International Trade draws from a range of scientific advice and expertise, including from the Government Chief Scientific Adviser, the Chief Scientific Advisers in individual Government Departments, and academics and researchers. In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of internal meetings are not normally disclosed.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
8th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent estimate he has made of when the contactless pay as you go scheme will be extended to (a) Tunbridge Wells, (b) High Brooms and (c) Paddock Wood Stations.

I would like to assure you that our commitment to improving ticketing for passengers by expanding contactless pay as you go (PAYG) does not end with these initial 53 stations we announced this year. We are still developing our proposals for the next phase of contactless PAYG rollout. We will announce further details of any wider expansion of PAYG in due course.

Huw Merriman
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
1st Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many meetings (a) they and (b) other Ministers in their Department have had with the Department's Chief Scientific Adviser from (i) 1 December 2021 to 28 February 2022, (ii) 1 March to 31 May 2022 and (iii) 1 June to 31 August 2022.

(i) 1 December 2021 to 28 February 2022

(a) The Secretary of State for Transport had no meetings with his Department’s Chief Scientific Adviser from 1 December 2021 to 28 February 2022.

(b) The Department’s Chief Scientific Adviser met with Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister Harrison) on two occasions and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Baroness Vere of Norbiton) on one occasion during this time.

ii) 1 March to 31 May 2022

a) The Secretary of State for Transport had no meetings with his Department’s Chief Scientific Adviser from 1 March to 31 May 2022 and (iii) 1 June to 31 August 2022.

b) The Department’s Chief Scientific Adviser met with Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister Harrison) on three occasions and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Baroness Vere of Norbiton) on 2 occasions during this time.

iii) 1 June to 31 August 2022

a) The Secretary of State for Transport had no meetings with his Department’s Chief Scientific Adviser from 1 June to 31 August 2022.

b) The Department’s Chief Scientific Adviser met with Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Baroness Vere of Norbiton) on one occasion, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister Harrison) on two occasions and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Karl McCartney) on one occasion during this time.

8th Feb 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many meetings he had with his Department's Chief Scientific Adviser from (a) 1 March to 31 May 2021, (b) 1 June to 31 August 2021 and (c) 1 September to 30 November 2021.

Between 1 June to 30 November 2021 the Department’s Chief Scientific Adviser met with Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, with portfolio responsibility for research and science, (Minister Maclean and Minister Harrison) on seven occasions, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Baroness Vere of Norbiton) on two occasions, Minister of State (Minister Heaton Harris) on two occasions, Minister of State (Minister Stephenson) on one occasion and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister Courts) on one occasion.

Andrew Stephenson
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
15th Oct 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to help tackle the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency’s delays in dealing with applications arising from working from home, industrial action and recent increases in demand.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing staff who are working from home are mainly from support areas. These staff are fully productive and are not contributing to delays. Staff working from home is in line with Welsh Government guidance and allows the DVLA to maximise office space for operational staff processing paper applications as these roles cannot be carried out remotely.

The quickest and easiest way to make an application to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is by using its extensive suite of online services. There are no delays in successful online applications and customers should receive their documents within a few days.

However, many people still choose or have to make a paper application. The DVLA receives around 60,000 items of mail every day and industrial action by members of the Public and Commercial Services union has led to delays for customers. The DVLA has also been working with a significantly reduced number of staff on site to ensure social distancing in line with Welsh Government requirements.

The DVLA has introduced additional online services and is urgently securing extra office space to house more staff. This will help reduce waiting times while providing future resilience and business continuity.

The DVLA understands the impact that delays can have on people’s everyday lives and is working to process paper applications as quickly as possible.

15th Oct 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to help improve communication between the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency and its customers.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has added new ways and updated existing methods to ensure clear communication for customers. A guidance is in place to advise customers of the latest processing times. To date, this page has had almost two million unique views. The information contained in this page is based on customer feedback and designed to help customers with their most common queries.

The DVLA regularly posts information on its social media channels signposting followers to different sources of information designed to help customers transact quickly and easily with DVLA. Since September 2020, the DVLA has run two communication campaigns targeted at encouraging customers to use the DVLA’s extensive suite of online services instead of a paper alternative as online services are not subject to delays. Content is regularly updated on GOV.UK and incorporates customer feedback.

17th Mar 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many meetings he had with his Department’s Chief Scientific Adviser from (a) 1 March 2020 to 31 May 2020, (b) 1 June 2020 to 31 August 2020, (c) 1 September 2020 to 30 November 2020 and (d) 1 December 2020 to 28 February 2021.

Between 1st March 2020 and 31st May 2020, the Secretary of State for Transport attended one meeting with DfT CSA. Parliamentary under-Secretary of State Rachel Maclean who has responsibility for Research, Science, Technology and Innovation, attended three meetings with DfT CSA, during the same period.

Between the 1st June 2020 and 31st August 2020, the Secretary of State for Transport did not attend meetings with DfT CSA, Phil Blythe. Parliamentary under-Secretary of State Rachel Maclean attended three meetings with DfT CSA, Phil Blythe during the same period. Minister of State Chris Heaton-Harris attended one meeting with DfT CSA during the same period.

Between the 1st September 2020 and 30th November 2020, the Secretary of State for Transport did not attend meetings with DFT CSA. Parliamentary under-Secretary of State Rachel Maclean attended one meeting with DfT CSA during the same period.

Between the 1st December 2020 and 28th February 2021, Ministers did not attend any meetings with DfT CSA.

Chris Heaton-Harris
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland