Jamie Wallis Portrait

Jamie Wallis

Conservative - Bridgend

First elected: 12th December 2019


1 APPG membership (as of 24 Jan 2024)
Devolution
Women and Equalities Committee
29th Nov 2022 - 4th Jul 2023
Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Bill
14th Dec 2022 - 11th Jan 2023
Social Housing (Regulation) Bill [HL]
28th Nov 2022 - 29th Nov 2022
Nuclear Energy (Financing) Bill
15th Nov 2021 - 25th Nov 2021
Committee on the Future Relationship with the European Union
2nd Mar 2020 - 16th Jan 2021


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Jamie Wallis has voted in 642 divisions, and 3 times against the majority of their Party.

1 Dec 2020 - Public Health - View Vote Context
Jamie Wallis 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
30 Mar 2022 - Health and Care Bill - View Vote Context
Jamie Wallis 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
1 Mar 2024 - Conversion Practices (Prohibition) Bill - View Vote Context
Jamie Wallis voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 10 Conservative Aye votes vs 14 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 68 Noes - 15
View All Jamie Wallis 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
Priti Patel (Conservative)
(10 debate interactions)
Nigel Adams (Conservative)
(9 debate interactions)
Boris Johnson (Conservative)
(8 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Cabinet Office
(18 debate contributions)
Home Office
(14 debate contributions)
Department of Health and Social Care
(14 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all Jamie Wallis's debates

Bridgend 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

I would like the Government to:
• make running conversion therapy in the UK a criminal offence
• forcing people to attend said conversion therapies a criminal offence
• sending people abroad in order to try to convert them a criminal offence
• protect individuals from conversion therapy

I would like the government to review and increase the pay for healthcare workers to recognise the work that they do.

To revoke the Immigration Health Surcharge increases for overseas NHS staff. The latest budget shows an increase of £220 a year for an overseas worker to live and work in the UK, at a time when the NHS, and UK economy, relies heavily on them.

We would like the government to support and regard social care: financially, publicly and systematically on an equal par as NHS. We would like parliament to debate how to support social care during COVID-19 and beyond so that it automatically has the same access to operational and financial support.

Give NHS workers who are EU and other Nationals automatic UK citizenship if they stay and risk their own lives looking after the British people during the COVID crisis.


Latest EDMs signed by Jamie Wallis

7th June 2023
Jamie Wallis signed this EDM on Monday 12th June 2023

Pride Month 2023

Tabled by: Nadia Whittome (Labour - Nottingham East)
That this House celebrates Pride Month 2023 and the LGBTQ+ community; recognises that generations of LGBTQ+ people have had to fight for the rights they have today; regrets that this year’s Pride Month is taking place in a climate of heightened hostility, particularly towards trans people; is deeply concerned that, …
36 signatures
(Most recent: 6 Jul 2023)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 24
Scottish National Party: 3
Plaid Cymru: 3
Liberal Democrat: 2
Independent: 2
Conservative: 1
Green Party: 1
3rd December 2020
Jamie Wallis signed this EDM on Wednesday 30th December 2020

Nadine Marshall and revised probation instructions

Tabled by: Liz Saville Roberts (Plaid Cymru - Dwyfor Meirionnydd)
That this House congratulates Nadine Marshall for securing vital revisions to the probation instructions on Serious Further Offending; recognises that these changes mean that families of victims will now be entitled to timely and transparent information when an offender subject to supervision goes on to kill; remembers Nadine’s son, Conner, …
8 signatures
(Most recent: 30 Dec 2020)
Signatures by party:
Plaid Cymru: 3
Conservative: 2
Independent: 1
Scottish National Party: 1
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
View All Jamie Wallis's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Jamie Wallis, 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.


Jamie Wallis has not been granted any Urgent Questions

2 Adjournment Debates led by Jamie Wallis

Jamie Wallis has not introduced any legislation before Parliament

1 Bill co-sponsored by Jamie Wallis

Pensions (Extension of Automatic Enrolment) Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - None ()


Latest 34 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
3 Other Department Questions
13th Jun 2023
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what progress her Department has made on bringing forward legislative proposals for the proposed ban on conversion therapy.

The Government remains committed to protecting everyone who is at risk of conversion practices from harm, and will shortly publish a draft Bill and consultation response setting out our approach to banning these abhorrent practices. The draft legislation will go for pre-legislative scrutiny by a Joint Committee in this parliamentary session.

Stuart Andrew
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
17th Nov 2022
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, whether she has had recent discussions with (a) medical, (b) counselling and (c) psychological organisations that support the Government's policy on conversion therapy for transgender people.

Equality Hub Ministers and officials have engaged widely on the issue of conversion practices with victims, LGBT groups, healthcare professionals, faith groups, groups advocating for sex-based rights and parliamentarians. This engagement was an important part of developing proposals for the public consultation that closed earlier this year and many such organisations responded to that consultation.

We are carefully considering all the responses to that consultation and will respond in due course. We will continue to work closely with a full range of stakeholders.

Stuart Andrew
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
6th May 2020
What steps the Government is taking to make it easier for people to share parental leave.

We are evaluating our Shared Parental Leave and Pay scheme, which will allow us to gather information on the barriers and enablers to take up. We are also working on a digital tool to help parents understand the options available to them and make it easier to access Shared Parental Leave.

11th May 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of whether amendments to the Computer Misuse Act 1990 will be required to deliver the National Cyber Strategy.

The Home Office recently carried out a review of the Computer Misuse Act, which led to a public consultation on proposals for new powers to assist law enforcement agencies in tackling these threats. They are currently analysing the responses to these proposals.

The Cabinet Office will work with the Home Office to consider implications.

23rd Sep 2021
What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on strengthening the Union.

The Government is committed to protecting and promoting the combined strengths of our Union, the most successful political and economic union in history. It is vital that we continue to work together across the UK on our common challenges including recovering from Covid-19 and supporting the NHS.

My Right Honourable Friend, the Secretary of State for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities, is now the Minister responsible for the Union portfolio.

8th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether it is her Department's policy to roll out the made smarter programme nationally.

The Government has committed almost £200 million for Made Smarter to help UK manufacturers capitalise on Industrial Digital Technologies.

The £50m Made Smarter Adoption programme is available in 5 English regions.

It is complemented by a £147m Innovate UK-led Made Smarter Innovation programme.

The £9m invested in the Adoption programme’s pilot phase added an estimated £68m gross value added to the region and an increase in 800 SME manufacturing jobs. Further evidence is being gathered including through a full evaluation of the programme. This will inform any future iterations of the programme, as part of the usual policy-making process.

Nusrat Ghani
Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
7th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of introducing a Help to Grow Green scheme for businesses.

Government recognises the role businesses play in helping meet our net zero target, and already offers a range of support. The Government has relaunched the UK Business Climate Hub, providing free net zero advice to small businesses and signposts funding opportunities. The Hub will soon be complemented by a new Energy Advice Service for small businesses.

Alongside local support schemes, Government offers the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, Workplace Charging Scheme and Cycle to Work scheme.

The Net Zero Council has also established a working group to address the barriers small businesses face in reducing their emissions.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
17th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to encourage growth in community-driven renewable energy projects.

Ofgem supports community energy projects and welcomes applications from community interest groups, co-operative societies, and community benefit societies to the Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme.

The Government is enabling local areas to tackle net zero goals through UK-wide growth funding schemes. The Government encourage community energy groups to work closely with their local authority to support the development of community energy projects within these schemes.

The Government has also reintroduced the Community Energy Contact Group to strengthen our engagement with the sector.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
23rd Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to encourage further and higher education providers to work with businesses to help meet local skills needs.

We are transforming skills through local skills improvement plans, which bring together businesses with further and higher education institutions. The plans are supported by £165 million of funding which helps providers respond to the skills needs identified by local businesses. We are also investing £300 million in Institutes of Technology, which are collaborations between business, higher education and further education, further driving our employer-led reforms.

1st Mar 2021
What steps his Department plans to take to implement the Government's levelling up agenda.

We are implementing an exciting and ambitious reform programme to level up the further education sector, ensuring it becomes a powerhouse that supplies the skills employers need, and equips young people and adults to have productive and fulfilling careers.

On 21 January 2021 we published the Skills for Jobs white paper focused on giving people the skills they need, in a way that suits them, so they can get great jobs in sectors the economy needs and boost this country’s productivity. Area based planning is a key focus; Local Skills Improvement Plans will be introduced to help providers to better serve the needs of their local area.

We are also ensuring people have opportunities to upskill and reskill at different points in their life by delivering my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee. This includes introducing a Lifelong Loan Entitlement from 2025, funding people for their first level 3 (A level equivalent) course, and short, flexible ways to train through employer-led bootcamps. These measures will be a key enabler in levelling-up for those who do not have university level education.

We have put in place a number of programmes and policies to address the long-term impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, such as the COVID-19 catch-up premium and the Skills Recovery Package, which is focused on supporting young people. This includes incentives for employers to take on new apprentices, tripling the number of traineeships, and a new high-value course offer for school leavers.

Gillian Keegan
Secretary of State for Education
19th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she last discussed with her EU counterparts the award to Great Britain of Part 1 listed status for UK citizens wishing to take their pets to EU countries.

We are continuing to engage with the European Commission on awarding Great Britain 'Part 1' listed status and recognition of the UK's tapeworm-free status.

12th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if her Department will publish the Animal Welfare Committee's Opinion on the Welfare of Farmed Fish at the Time of Killing 2023.

We will publish the Animal Welfare Committee’s updated Opinion on the Welfare of Farmed Fish at the Time of Killing, and will study its recommendations carefully.

Mark Spencer
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
22nd Apr 2021
What steps he is taking to progress the Red Meat Levy Redistribution Scheme.

The Red Meat Levy Redistribution Scheme came into operation on 1 April 2021. It enables the transfer of levy, collected at slaughter, between the English, Scottish and Welsh levy bodies. This will recognise that in some cases, animals have spent some of their life and gained some of their value in another part of Great Britain. The levy will be apportioned on how long animals have spent in each country.

Victoria Prentis
Attorney General
17th May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department is taking steps to simplify the way Railcards are purchased.

I am committed to further simplifying the way Railcards can be purchased.

Railcards are current available for purchase by eligible passengers through a variety of channels including third-party retailers, online, by telephone and station ticket offices.

Railcards are typically available as a plastic card or digitally using the railcard app on a mobile device, and passengers can buy a one year or a three-year version, depending on their preferences.

Huw Merriman
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
8th Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what diplomatic steps he is taking to help ensure recognition of Blue Badges for motorists are recognised in (a) Spain and (b) other European countries.

The Government remains committed to confirming the status of UK issued Blue Badges for motorists visiting Europe. Twenty countries have already committed to recognising Blue Badges and are listed on gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/blue-badge-using-it-in-the-eu/using-a-blue-badge-in-the-european-union

Discussions continue with a number of countries. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on the progress of discussions while they are on-going.

19th Apr 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure equal access to IVF for LGBTQ+ couples.

Funding decisions for health services in England, including IVF, are made by integrated care boards and are based on the clinical needs of their local population.

We published the first Women’s Health Strategy on 20 July 2022, which contained a number of important changes and future ambitions to improve the variations in access to National Health Service-funded fertility services. This includes improving access to IVF for female same-sex couples by removing the additional financial burden they face when accessing treatment. We expect this to take effect during 2023.

Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
31st Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential use of human rights legislation by Russian oligarchs to circumvent sanctions.

In response to Putin's assault on Ukraine we have introduced the largest and most severe economic sanctions that Russia has ever faced, targeting Putin's war machine. Since the invasion we have sanctioned over 1400 individuals and businesses/entities. We are targeting oligarchs close to Putin without fear or favour, and we will continue to do so.

In making designations under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 (SAMLA) the Government is required to act in accordance with rights conferred by the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998. SAMLA provides designated persons with a right to review their designation and designated persons are able to challenge that decision in UK courts.

James Cleverly
Home Secretary
30th Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he plans to take to seek an extension of the UN conventional arms embargo on Iran before it expires.

The UN conventional arms embargo on Iran is due to expire on 18 October. The UK, alongside our E3 partners (France and Germany), remain concerned about the impact of the expiry on the region. Despite E3 efforts to find a compromise in the UN Security Council, there was no consensus to extend the embargo. We remain committed to countering Iranian proliferation to non-state actors in the region. The EU arms embargo and UN ballistic missile restrictions will remain in place as will other prohibitions on the proliferation of weapons, including to Lebanese Hezbollah, Iraqi militia groups and the Houthis. Regional security needs to be addressed through any renewed negotiations with Iran, regional dialogue and by working with partners in the region.

James Cleverly
Home Secretary
22nd Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the upcoming expiry of the UN conventional arms embargo on Iran.

The UK has been clear that the scheduled expiry of the UN conventional arms embargo in October 2020 would have major implications for regional security and stability. The UK Government continue to engage regional partners, the US, and others, to find a solution to Iranian proliferation in the region, whilst upholding the authority and integrity of the UN Security Council. In the meantime, the EU arms embargo and UN ballistic missile restrictions on Iran will remain in place until at least 2023. We will also continue to enforce sanctions regimes including those under UNSCRs 1540, 1701, and 2216 which prohibit the proliferation of weapons to Lebanese Hizballah and the Houthis in Yemen. The UK encourages all states to implement national export control best practice in support of these regimes.

James Cleverly
Home Secretary
22nd Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effect of the Israel-UAE and Israel-Bahrain peace agreements on stability in that region.

We warmly welcome the agreement between Israel, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. This is an historic step which sees the normalisation of relations between three great friends of the UK. We welcome both the decision to normalise relations, as well as the suspension of plans for annexation - a move the UK has opposed as it would have been counterproductive to securing peace in the region. The UK is committed to making progress towards a two-state solution and is strongly supportive of a regional approach to peace. We profoundly hope that this moment can be used as a step towards direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

James Cleverly
Home Secretary
25th Mar 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent steps his Department has taken to repatriate UK citizens from (a) Australia and (b) New Zealand during the covid-19 outbreak.

The Foreign Secretary announced on 30 March an important new partnership between the Government and airlines to fly home more stranded British travellers, where commercial routes do not exist. The Government will provide up to £75 million financial support to enable special charter flights to priority countries, operated by airlines including Virgin, Easyjet, Jet 2 and Titan. This service has already begun, with flights earlier this week from Ghana and Tunisia.

Our High Commissioner in Canberra has written to the Australian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister on this issue. We are signposting British nationals to commercial flight options and continuing to explore new routes by which they can travel home. We have also set up an online registration tool for any British Nationals in Australia who require our support. Found at: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/australia/return-to-the-uk. Over 50,000 British Nationals have left Australia on commercial flights in the last month.

In New Zealand, the British High Commission in Wellington is fully staffed and doing all it can to support British Nationals at this time, including finding routes home. Our High Commission remains open to issue emergency travel documents. However, given the New Zealand Government's directive on social distancing, we are asking people not to visit our High Commission in Wellington or our Consulate in Auckland in person, and instead reach out via our online webform. https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/new-zealand/coronavirus. Between commercial and charter flights, over 4,200 British Nationals have departed since 31 March.

7th Sep 2023
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of expanding research and development tax relief to include capital equipment relating to industrial decarbonisation.

The Government provides a Research & Development Allowance (RDA) which gives relief for capital expenditure on R&D incurred by a trader. This includes plant, machinery and buildings used for R&D activity.

In 2021, the Government previously consulted on targeting the R&D tax reliefs towards R&D with specific social value, for example green technology. It was noted that differentiated tax relief for specific R&D would increase complexity and compliance costs, widen the scope for abuse, and could be less effective than direct government spending.

Victoria Atkins
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
12th Jun 2023
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent progress he has made on implementing the recommendations in Sir Patrick Vallance’s Pro-innovation Regulation of Technologies Review: Digital Technologies report, published on 15 March 2023.

The Pro-innovation Regulation of Technologies Review is working closely with industry to identify barriers to innovation and getting emerging technologies to market. The Review has now published reports on Green Industries, Life Sciences and Creative Industries, as well as Digital Technologies.

The government is moving quickly to implement the recommendations from the Digital Technologies report. For example, the government outlined four options for an AI Sandbox in the AI Regulation White Paper and will provide further detail in the forthcoming response to the White Paper consultation. The government is also working with the Intellectual Property Office and industry to develop a Code of Practice on copyright and AI, with the aim of publishing a draft before summer Parliamentary recess. On the review of the Computer Misuse Act, we have created a multistakeholder group including representatives from the cybersecurity industry and system owners’ to consider these issues, and reach a consensus on the best way forward.

Gareth Davies
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
1st Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on the South Wales Fire and Rescue Authority.

The law in relation to fire and rescue services in Wales is devolved to Senedd Cymru.

The Home Office are in dialogue with Welsh Government as part of routine engagement with the Four Nations. This engagement has featured integrity related issues, including most recently, the Welsh Government take-over of the South Wales Fire and Rescue Authority functions.

The Home Office will prioritise the actions needed to ensure fire and rescue services are welcoming, respectful workplaces that enable all individuals who work in them to thrive. We expect all partners and sector leaders to play their part.

Chris Philp
Minister of State (Home Office)
17th Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to implement the recommendations of the Law Commission report Hate crime laws: Final report, HC 942, published in December 2021 on hate crime towards LGBTQ+ people.

We are grateful for the detailed consideration the Law Commission has given to its review of hate crime laws. In April 2023, the Government published a response to Recommendation 8 on misogyny as a hate crime. The Government will respond to the remaining recommendations in due course.

Laura Farris
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Ministry of Justice) (jointly with Home Office)
17th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to help reduce the severity of ransomware attacks.

Tackling cyber crime is at the heart of the Government’s new National Cyber Strategy which is supported by £2.6bn of new investment over the three-year Spending Review period. The National Cyber Strategy (2022-2025) has set the direction and ambition for investment and efforts in UK Cyber.

Delivery of the National Cyber Strategy is driving significant improvements in the UK’s response to cyber crime. It is strengthening the law enforcement response and driving greater collaboration with the National Cyber Security Centre and the National Cyber Force.

Ransomware is a top priority for the Government. It is clear that ransomware attacks are increasingly common globally and represent one of the most significant, and growing, international cyber threats.

The Home Office launched a focused campaign to accelerate our response to this growing threat in June 2021. Key work strands include understanding the threat landscape; incident reporting, ransom payment, cyber sanctions; crypto assets policy, cyber insurance; and collaborating with colleagues across Government, law enforcement, industry and our international partners to tackle threat.

It is clear that ransomware attacks are increasingly common globally and represent one of the most significant, and growing, international cyber threats. As a transnational problem, any solution will need to be developed in close step with our international partners.

The UK works closely with allies across the world to disrupt ransomware gangs and the infrastructure they use to target UK businesses and organisations. In December 2021, the UK held a G7 Senior Officials’ Forum on ransomware to combat the threat, and the UK is taking a leading roles in the international US-led Counter Ransomware Initiative.

Resilience against these attacks is our best defence. The Home Office works alongside law enforcement and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to mitigate any harm to the UK from ransomware. The NCSC and the National Crime Agency (NCA) continues to advise organisations which fall victim to ransomware and provide guidance on how to protect yourself and your business.

Tom Tugendhat
Minister of State (Home Office) (Security)
31st Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions she has had with international counterparts, such as her Danish counterpart, on cybersecurity.

I continue to speak regularly to my international counterparts on a wide range of security issues, including the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The UK works closely with our international partners on Cyber Security through bilateral and multilateral fora including via the G7 meeting of Interior Ministers I hosted in London in September 2021.

We have recently launched the National Cyber Strategy supported by £2.6 billion of new investment and a Government Cyber Security Strategy. This investment will strengthen the response from law enforcement, who partner with the National Cyber Security Centre and the National Cyber Force in order to keep the UK safe.

Damian Hinds
Minister of State (Education)
8th Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of re-establishing the Civil Defence Corps.

The Ministry of Defence has no plans to consider the establishment of a Civil Defence Force at this time. Such matters would fall within the remit of the Home Office. Defence support to Government Departments or civilian authorities in the UK is undertaken via the Military Aid to the Civil Authorities (MACA) system which is the mature and well-understood process that enabled Defence to support the Government's successful response to COVID-19 over the last two years.

31st Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether he has plans to (a) enable businesses and community organisations, such as charities, to directly sponsor refugees under the Homes for Ukraine scheme and (b) provide financial support to those organisations for doing so.

The initial phase of the Homes for Ukraine scheme is designed for sponsors with a named Ukrainian beneficiary. We are exploring ways in which connections can be built between Sponsors and Ukrainians that do not yet know each other, including working with NGOs.

20th Feb 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the need for debt enforcement companies to have (a) clear complaints procedures and (b) accessible avenues available for people trying to resolve a problem.

This government strongly supports the Enforcement Conduct Board’s work, as an independent oversight body for enforcement companies, to develop standards for enforcement work and processes for handling complaints. The Enforcement Conduct Board will ensure that the rules are being followed and that those facing enforcement action are treated fairly.

Mike Freer
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
9th Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will include provisions to strengthen freedom of speech in the legislative proposals for a Bill of Rights announced in the Queen's Speech 2022.

Freedom of expression is a fundamental freedom that underpins our democracy. The Bill of Rights will strengthen protections that support and preserve the space for wide and democratic debate.

James Cartlidge
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
11th May 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the suitability of the (a) Atlantic Hotel site in Porthcawl and (b) Sunnyside site in Bridgend as locations for a Women's Residential Centre in South Wales.

The Residential Women’s Centre in south Wales will offer women an intensive residential support package in their own community to address the underlying causes of their offending.

Following an extensive search earlier this year, the Atlantic Hotel and Sunnyside House were two of the properties put on a shortlist of possible suitable sites for the Residential Women’s Centre.

We have now completed further technical assessments of the Atlantic Hotel. Following consideration of the changes that would be needed to make it suitable for the vulnerable women with whom we will be working, we have decided the site is no longer an option for the residential women’s centre.

We are still reviewing the results of the technical assessments of Sunnyside House.

Alex Chalk
Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
27th Feb 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent steps he has taken to improve staff retention in the prison service.

We want prison officers to have a long and successful career within HM Prison and Probation Service. We have recruited some 4,200 more prison officers over the past three years and we are working hard to retain our staff, investing in additional pay, training and the tools staff need to do their jobs safely.

There has been a specific focus on improving the induction processes that aim to ease the transition into the prison officer job whilst also providing care and support for new recruits and the offer of additional training. These interventions are intended to reduce staff turnover in the early stages of employment.

The Prison Officer Entry Level Training has recently been redeveloped into an apprenticeship that will launch in Summer 2020. The apprenticeship aims to improve retention and build a portfolio of experience through on-site training and reflective learning over a longer period.

All staff have access to services including 24/7 counselling, trauma support and occupational health assessments. In addition, there is work being undertaken directly with Governors to address local issues that will support experienced staff and new recruits to remain in the service.

Staff are provided with the appropriate equipment and training to enable them to maintain a safe and secure work place and to create an environment which is rewarding to work in and which promotes the values needed to rehabilitate offenders. This includes the introduction of introduce body-worn cameras, police-style restraints and PAVA incapacitant spray.

For sites where the local labour/employment market make it hard to recruit and retain staff, market supplements (regional adjustments and weightings) are used together with a tailored approach to recruitment advertising to ensure that we are competitive in the local labour market.

Lucy Frazer
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
10th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential economic impact of the two proposed new freeports in Scotland.

Colleagues across Cabinet are delighted that the UK and Scottish Governments have made a landmark agreement to establish two new Freeports in Scotland.

With up to £52 million of UK government funding, freeports will support regeneration of communities across Scotland by creating higher quality, better-paid jobs whilst helping achieve our Net Zero agenda.

This builds on the UK Government's plan to level up the whole of the UK.

Alister Jack
Secretary of State for Scotland