John Baron Portrait

John Baron

Conservative - Basildon and Billericay

First elected: 7th June 2001


European Scrutiny Committee
4th Jul 2022 - 14th Nov 2023
Foreign Affairs Sub-Committee
5th Jan 2016 - 3rd May 2017
Foreign Affairs Committee
8th Jul 2015 - 3rd May 2017
Foreign Affairs Committee
12th Jul 2010 - 30th Mar 2015
Opposition Whip (Commons)
3rd Jul 2007 - 6th May 2010
Shadow Minister (Health)
1st Jul 2003 - 3rd Jul 2007
Shadow Minister (Health)
1st Jun 2002 - 18th Mar 2003
Education & Skills
12th Nov 2001 - 16th Dec 2002


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, John Baron has voted in 702 divisions, and 19 times against the majority of their Party.

22 Mar 2021 - Fire Safety Bill - View Vote Context
John Baron voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 33 Conservative No votes vs 320 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 322 Noes - 253
20 Jan 2021 - National Security and Investment Bill - View Vote Context
John Baron voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 6 Conservative Aye votes vs 350 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 269 Noes - 351
17 Jun 2020 - Health and Personal Social Services - View Vote Context
John Baron voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 104 Conservative Aye votes vs 124 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 253 Noes - 136
27 Apr 2021 - Fire Safety Bill - View Vote Context
John Baron voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 31 Conservative No votes vs 320 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 320 Noes - 256
28 Apr 2021 - Fire Safety Bill - View Vote Context
John Baron voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 32 Conservative No votes vs 321 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 322 Noes - 256
20 Oct 2021 - Environment Bill - View Vote Context
John Baron 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
22 Nov 2021 - Health and Care Bill - View Vote Context
John Baron voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 19 Conservative No votes vs 269 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 272 Noes - 246
7 Dec 2021 - Nationality and Borders Bill - View Vote Context
John Baron voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 7 Conservative Aye votes vs 305 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 245 Noes - 309
14 Dec 2021 - Public Health - View Vote Context
John Baron voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 97 Conservative No votes vs 224 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 369 Noes - 126
7 Mar 2022 - Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Bill - View Vote Context
John Baron voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 4 Conservative Aye votes vs 302 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 229 Noes - 303
7 Mar 2022 - Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Bill - View Vote Context
John Baron voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 9 Conservative Aye votes vs 296 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 234 Noes - 300
29 Jun 2022 - Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill - View Vote Context
John Baron voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Conservative Aye votes vs 269 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 191 Noes - 271
29 Jun 2022 - Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill - View Vote Context
John Baron voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Conservative Aye votes vs 267 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 175 Noes - 271
30 Nov 2022 - Finance Bill - View Vote Context
John Baron voted No - against a party majority - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 4 Conservative No votes vs 282 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 285 Noes - 210
6 Jun 2023 - Committee on Standards - View Vote Context
John Baron voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 28 Conservative Aye votes vs 32 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 185 Noes - 40
13 Sep 2023 - Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill - View Vote Context
John Baron voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 4 Conservative No votes vs 267 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 276 Noes - 210
25 Oct 2023 - Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill - View Vote Context
John Baron voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Conservative No votes vs 269 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 280 Noes - 207
25 Oct 2023 - Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill - View Vote Context
John Baron voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Conservative No votes vs 271 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 280 Noes - 208
25 Oct 2023 - Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill - View Vote Context
John Baron voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 3 Conservative Aye votes vs 267 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 208 Noes - 274
View All John Baron 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
Boris Johnson (Conservative)
(22 debate interactions)
Ben Wallace (Conservative)
(17 debate interactions)
Rishi Sunak (Conservative)
Prime Minister, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service, and Minister for the Union
(16 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Cabinet Office
(30 debate contributions)
HM Treasury
(27 debate contributions)
Ministry of Defence
(19 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all John Baron's debates

Basildon and Billericay 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).

John Baron has not participated in any petition debates

Latest EDMs signed by John Baron

John Baron has not signed any Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by John Baron, 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.


2 Urgent Questions tabled by John Baron

Monday 12th December 2022
Thursday 26th May 2022

2 Adjournment Debates led by John Baron

Thursday 18th November 2021

4 Bills introduced by John Baron


A Bill To make provision for the holding of a referendum in the United Kingdom and Gibraltar on whether the United Kingdom should remain a member of the European Union.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 17th December 2015 and was enacted into law.


A Bill to repeal sections 146(4) and 147(3) of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.

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


A Bill to make provision in relation to the presumed death of missing persons; and for connected purposes.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 26th March 2013 and was enacted into law.


The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to make provision for a referendum in the next Parliament on the question of whether the United Kingdom should remain a member of the European Union; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Wednesday 6th February 2013

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
14th Nov 2022
To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the House of Commons Commission, what plans there are to use the space previously occupied by fig trees in the Portcullis House Atrium.

The trees in Portcullis House were removed as they had become root bound, and as a result were no longer viable.

House teams are developing plans for the space in the Portcullis House atrium now the trees have been removed. The Administration Committee will be consulted later this year on the plans as they evolve.

16th Dec 2021
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, when she plans to respond to the correspondence from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay of the 27 September, 27 October and 1 December 2021 regarding his constituent with reference JB34361.

I apologise for the delay in responding to the hon. Member's correspondence. The response was sent on 17 December 2021.

Mike Freer
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
23rd Feb 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he plans to respond to the correspondence from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay of 1 December 2020, 6 January 2021 and 9 February 2021 on a constituency case, reference JB30241 MC2020/20662.

I apologise for the delay in considering and responding to the issues the hon. Member has raised. The response to this correspondence will be issued shortly.

Julia Lopez
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
6th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when she plans to respond to the correspondence from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay of (a) 8 November 2022, (b) 14 December 2022, (c) 11 January 2023 and (d) 20 February 2023 relating to a constituent with case reference JB38051.

My hon. Friend, Kevin Hollinrake MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Business and Trade, wrote to you on 8 March in response to your letter relating to a constituent with case reference JB38051.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
17th Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, when she plans to respond to correspondence from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay of (a) 22 September, (b) 25 October, (c) 23 November, and (d) 20 December 2023 regarding a constituent, case reference JB42595.

The Department attaches great importance to the timely processing of correspondence. The Department offers sincere apologies for exceptional delay in processing this case to the member for Basildon and Billericay and will expedite a reply as soon as possible.

Michelle Donelan
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
11th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when he will respond to correspondence of (a) 1 September 2022, (b) 5 October 2022 and (c) 13 December 2022 from the Hon. member for Basildon and Billericay on a constituent, reference JB38749.

My Rt. Hon. Friend, the Minister of State for Energy and Climate wrote to the Hon. Member on 11 January 2023 about the cost of oil and gas.

Kevin Hollinrake
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
20th Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, further to the Government's announcement on 5 January 2021 of extra support for the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors, when the one-off grants of up to £9,000 will be made available to eligible businesses.

Local authorities were informed of their allocations for this grant on 14th January and funding was transferred on 15th January. The Department is working closely with local authorities to ensure that grants may now be made as quickly as is practicable.

27th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, which Minister in her Department is responsible for chess.

A range of Government departments have an interest in chess. For example, the Department for Education would lead on chess in schools.

Within the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, ultimately the Secretary of State would have overall responsibility, while other issues would fall to different Ministers depending on the nature of the issue. For example, the Minister for Sport, Gambling and Civil Society would have an interest in questions related to promoting chess to young people outside school - while the Minister for Media, Tourism and Creative Industries would engage the gaming industry on online forms of chess.

Stuart Andrew
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
20th Apr 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what plans the Government has to purchase more advertising slots on community radio stations.

The Government is strongly supportive of the community radio sector and recognises the great value that it offers to those communities they serve, in terms of providing quality local news, information and entertainment. We are committed to community radio's long-term sustainability, which is why we are currently holding discussions with the Community Media Association (CMA) on how to support it through Covid-19. We recognise that community radio is a useful conduit for disseminating information to hard to reach groups, however decisions regarding the funding and distributing of advertisements is dealt with by the Cabinet Office. I understand that the Community Media Association is liaising with them and OmniGov, the government’s media planning and buying partner.

22nd Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when he plans to respond to the correspondence from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay of 10 December 2020, 12 January 2021 and 9 February 2021 on a constituency case, reference JB30327.

I can confirm that a response has been sent to the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay.

30th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when he plans to respond to the correspondence from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay of 19 August, 17 September and 15 October 2020 regarding his constituent Ms Halton.

I can confirm that a response to the letters dated 19 August, 17 September and 15 October 2020, regarding his constituent Ms Halton, has been sent to the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay.

10th Jul 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when he plans to respond to the correspondence of 2 April, 1 May, 28 May and 25 June 2020 from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay on Sunnymede Pre-school.

A response has been sent to the letters dated 2 April, 1 May, 28 May and 25 June 2020, from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay. A response was sent via email to the hon. Member on 16 July 2020.

25th Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to reply to the correspondence of (a) 1 September 2023, (b) 2 October 2023, (c) 30 November 2023 and (d) 11 January 2024 from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay relating to a constituent, case number JB43004.

A response to the hon. Member is being prepared and will be issued in due course. I apologise for the delay in responding to the hon. Member.

Mark Spencer
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
17th Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to respond to the correspondence of (a) 22 September, (b) 23 October, (c) 23 November and (d) 21 December 2023 from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay, case reference JB42936 and MC2023/18620.

A reply was sent to the hon. Member on 23 January 2024. On behalf of the Department, I sincerely apologise for the delay.

Robbie Moore
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
13th Dec 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to respond to the correspondence of (a) 8 September, (b) 2 October, (c) 2 November and (d) 7 December 2023 from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay, case reference JB42739.

A reply was sent to the hon. Member on the 3rd January. On behalf of the Department, I sincerely apologise for the delay.

Robbie Moore
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
27th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she plans to respond to correspondence of (a) 2 March, (b) 3 April, (c) 3 May and (d) 7 June 2023 from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay relating to a constituent's case, reference JB40823 and MC2023/04425.

A reply was sent to the hon. Member on 29 June 2023.

Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
14th Apr 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she plans to respond to correspondence of 19 December 2022 and 9 January, 20 February and 13 March 2023 from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay on a constituent with reference JB40073.

I apologise for the delay in responding to the hon. Member. The correspondence has been transferred to the Government Legal Department who will respond directly.

Mark Spencer
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
1st Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to respond to the correspondence of (a) 17 October 2022, (b) 14 November 2022, (c) 15 December 2022 and (d) 17 January 2023 from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay on a constituency case, references JB39225 and MC2022/21132.

I apologise for the delay in responding to the hon. Member. A reply will be sent shortly.

11th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he will to respond to correspondence of (a) 3 October 2022, (b) 1 November 2022, (c) 1 December 2022 and (d) 15 December 2022, from the Hon. member for Basildon and Billericay on a constituent, reference MC2022/19778 and JB39102.

I apologise for the delay in responding to the hon. Member. A reply will be sent in due course.

Mark Spencer
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
11th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to respond to correspondence of (a) 8 September 2022, (b) 10 October 2022, (c) 31 October 2022, (d) 1 December 2022 and (e) 15 December from the Hon. member for Basildon and Billericay on a constituent, reference MC2022/17880 and JB38817.

I apologise for the delay in responding to the hon. Member.

A reply has been sent to the hon. Member today.

Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
10th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to respond to correspondence about a constituent from the Hon. member for Basildon and Billericay dated (a) 20 September 2022, (b) 19 October 2022, (c) 16 November 2022 and (d) 20 December 2022, reference JB38900.

A reply was sent to the hon. Member on 19 January 2023.

Mark Spencer
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
7th Jul 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to respond to the correspondence of (a) 31 March, (b) 29 April, (c) 9 June and (d) 23 June from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay, reference JB37073.

A reply was sent to the hon. Member on 19 July.

I apologise for the delay in responding to the hon. Member.

Victoria Prentis
Attorney General
6th Jul 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to respond to correspondence of (a) 28 February, (b) 28 March, (c) 26 April and (d) 25 May 2022 from the on. Member for Basildon and Billericay on a constituent, reference JB36531.

I apologise for the delay in responding to the hon. Member. A reply was sent to the hon. Member on 8 July 2022.

1st Nov 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to reply to the correspondence from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay of 10 August 2021, and letters chasing up that correspondence of 14 September 2021 and 12 October 2021, regarding his constituent, reference JB33695.

A reply to the hon. Member is being prepared and will be issued very shortly. I apologise for the delay in responding to the hon. Member.

Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
26th Apr 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to respond to the correspondence from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay of 3 February, 3 March and 6 April 2021 on his constituent with reference JB31264.

I apologise for the delay in responding to the hon. Member. A reply has been prepared and will be issued very shortly.

Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
23rd Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to respond to the correspondence from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay of (a) 26 November 2020, (b) 5 January 2021 and (c) 10 February 2021 on constituency case reference JB30163 MC2020/31397.

A reply to the hon. Member is being prepared and will be issued very shortly. I apologise for the delay in responding to the hon. Member.

Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
22nd Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to respond to the correspondence of (a) 8 December 2020, (b) 7 January 2021 and (c) 9 February 2021 from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay, constituency case reference JB30306 MC2021/03746.

I sincerely apologise for the delay in replying. I can now confirm that the response to the correspondence has been prepared and sent.

Victoria Prentis
Attorney General
19th Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to respond to the correspondence of (a) 17 November 2020, (b) 6 January 2021 and (c) 3 February 2021 from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay, constituency case reference JB30050.

Defra has transferred the hon. Member’s correspondence to the Department of Health and Social Care for response.

Victoria Prentis
Attorney General
10th Dec 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to respond to the correspondence from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay of 16 September, 14 October and 19 November 2020 on his constituent Mr Howell.

A reply to the hon. Member is being prepared and will be issued very shortly.

Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
5th Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to answer the letter of 17 August from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay and follow up correspondence of the 17 September and 8 October 2020 regarding a constituent.

I apologise for the delay in responding to my hon Friend. Defra is currently dealing with unprecedented volumes of correspondence due to COVID-19. A reply to my hon. Friend's correspondence is being prepared and will be sent out very shortly.

Victoria Prentis
Attorney General
1st Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to respond to the correspondence from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay of 13 July 2020 and follow-up correspondence of 13 August 2020 and 17 September 20202 regarding a constituent, Mr Philpot.

I apologise for the delay in responding to the hon. Member.

A reply will be sent to the hon. Member in due course.

Victoria Prentis
Attorney General
28th Aug 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to respond to the correspondence from the hon. Member for Basildon an Billericay of 24 April 2020 and follow up correspondence of 29 May 2020,18 June 2020 and 16 July 2020 regarding constituent Ms Greene.

I apologise for the delay in responding to my Hon Friend. A reply to my Hon Friend’s correspondence will be sent out very shortly.

Victoria Prentis
Attorney General
16th Jul 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to respond to the correspondence from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay of 16 March 2020, 14 April 2020, 14 May 2020 and 18 June 2020 on the campaign on the number of deaths of horses in horse racing.

I apologise for the delay in responding to my Hon Friend. A reply to my Hon Friend’s correspondence has been prepared and will be sent out very shortly.

Victoria Prentis
Attorney General
13th Jul 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to respond to the (a) letter referenced Home Office ref MIN/6357/20 from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay of 21 April 2020 which was transferred to his Department by the Home Office on 12 May 2020 and (b) further correspondence dated 18 June 2020 and 25 June 2020.

I apologise for the delay in responding to my Hon Friend. Defra is currently dealing with unprecedented volumes of correspondence due to COVID-19. A reply to my Hon Friend’s correspondence is being prepared and will be sent out very shortly.

Victoria Prentis
Attorney General
7th Feb 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what responsibilities local authorities have to ensure high standards of animal welfare in their area.

Local authorities respond to individual cases of animal welfare and can allocate resources based on local priorities. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, local authorities in England and Wales have powers to enforce the Animal Welfare Act 2006, which includes powers of entry and seizure in order to inspect allegations of poor animal welfare and cruelty.

Local authorities also have primary responsibility for the enforcement of legislation concerning animal welfare on farm, in transport and at markets. In addition, in England, local authorities have a statutory duty to enforce The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, which regulate pet selling, dog breeding, dog and cat boarding, riding schools and exhibiting animals. Under the 2018 Regulations, local authorities have powers to issue, refuse and revoke licences for the five regulated activities. Local authorities are also responsible for licensing zoos under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981 and independent racing greyhound tracks under The Welfare of Racing Greyhounds Regulations 2010”.

Anyone concerned about a local authority’s handling of animal welfare cases can raise this in the first instance with the relevant local authority, of if not satisfied with the outcome, can refer the matter to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.

17th Oct 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made a recent estimate of the potential cost savings of (a) cancelling and (b) postponing HS2.

There are no plans to cancel or postpone HS2, which remains at the heart of this Government’s plans to boost economic growth. HS2 is transformational and will act as a catalyst to help level-up the economies of the Midlands and the North.

With construction now well underway, HS2 and its supply chain is already supporting 27,000 jobs, including over 950 apprenticeships and over 2,500 businesses, 97% of which are UK-registered.

I look forward to updating the House shortly on the progress of the programme through the next six- monthly update.

26th Jun 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that cruise ship companies pass refunds on to their customers in line with timeframes set in regulations.

The Government recognises the challenges consumers and many businesses are facing regarding refunds for cancelled cruise ship holidays, which are governed by the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018.

The Department for Transport has held regular discussions with cruise ship companies and is continuing to work closely with the sector and consumer groups to help ensure cruise ship companies deliver on their commitments. The Government’s position is clear – if a customer asks for a refund, that refund needs to be paid.

25th Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he plans to respond to the correspondence of (a) 1 September (b) 18 October, (c) 21 November, (d) 21 December 2023 and (e) 11 January 2024 from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay, case reference JB42509.

A reply to the correspondence from the hon. Member was sent on 30 January.

Paul Maynard
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
2nd Sep 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when she plans to respond to the correspondence of 19 May, 23 June and 14 July 2022 from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay regarding the CMS, reference JB32918.

A DWP Complaint Resolution Manager provided a full response to Mr John Baron MP’s correspondence on 4 August 2022. A copy of this has been reissued via email on 5th September 2022.

Victoria Prentis
Attorney General
4th Jul 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when she plans to respond to correspondence of 8 March, 30 March, 25 April and 25 May 2022 from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay regarding a constituent, reference JB36639.

Unfortunately, DWP did not have a record of receiving the correspondence referred to. A DWP official contacted the hon. members office on 5 July, where a copy of the original email was provided to DWP. This has shown the original email was sent to an invalid email address.

When DWP receive correspondence from a Member of Parliament, they aim to fully resolve or agree a resolution within 15 working days of receipt. The Child maintenance Service will provide a further update to the MP by 26 July.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
14th Dec 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when she plans to respond to the correspondence of (a) 1 September, (b) 2 October, (c) 2 November and (d) 7 December 2023 from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay, case reference JB42596.

We replied to this correspondence and its three chasers on 21 December 2023. With apologies, this case was delayed as part of our continued backlog of cases following the pandemic and we are currently working through an urgent recovery plan to resolve this.

Andrea Leadsom
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
13th Dec 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when she plans to respond to the correspondence of 3 September, 5 October, 2 November and 7 December 2023 from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay, case reference JB42634.

I responded to the hon. Member’s letter on 14 December 2023.

Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
9th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to respond to the correspondence of (a) 1 August, (b) 5 September, (c) 5 October and (d) 19 October 2023 from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay, case reference JB39890.

The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Lord Markham) replied to the hon. Member on 10 November 2023.

Andrew Stephenson
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
12th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System plans to take to increase the number of endoscopy procedures for patients in Basildon and Billericay constituency.

£2.3 billion was awarded at the 2021 Spending Review to transform diagnostic services over the next three years to increase diagnostic capacity, including for endoscopy services. This funding will also increase the number of Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs) up to 160 by March 2025, including a number delivering endoscopy services.

Cutting National Health Service waiting lists, including for endoscopy services, is one of this Government’s top priorities. This is a shared ambition amongst integrated care systems (ICSs), including the Mid and South Essex ICS. Priorities are set locally through joint strategic needs assessments as part of joint forward plans across the ICS and partnering National Health Service trusts.

As the principal provider of diagnostic services in the ICB footprint, Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is currently formulating and confirming its recovery plans with the integrated care board. The Trust intends to increase both internal capacity and insourcing with external support.

Additional endoscopy capacity from new Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs) currently being established across the ICS will start to come onstream later this year. On the border of the Basildon and Billericay constituency, the Pitsea area will host Pitsea CDC. Once open, endoscopy services may be offered to the local population, where convenient, to improve their access to diagnostic care, including endoscopy services.

12th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to reduce endoscopy waiting lists in (a) Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System and (b) Basildon and Brentwood constituency.

£2.3 billion was awarded at the 2021 Spending Review to transform diagnostic services over the next three years to increase diagnostic capacity, including for endoscopy services. This funding will also increase the number of Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs) up to 160 by March 2025, including a number delivering endoscopy services.

Cutting National Health Service waiting lists, including for endoscopy services, is one of this Government’s top priorities. This is a shared ambition amongst integrated care systems (ICSs), including the Mid and South Essex ICS. Priorities are set locally through joint strategic needs assessments as part of joint forward plans across the ICS and partnering National Health Service trusts.

As the principal provider of diagnostic services in the ICB footprint, Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is currently formulating and confirming its recovery plans with the integrated care board. The Trust intends to increase both internal capacity and insourcing with external support.

Additional endoscopy capacity from new Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs) currently being established across the ICS will start to come onstream later this year. On the border of the Basildon and Billericay constituency, the Pitsea area will host Pitsea CDC. Once open, endoscopy services may be offered to the local population, where convenient, to improve their access to diagnostic care, including endoscopy services.

29th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to respond to the correspondence from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay of (a) 14 March 2023, (b) 14 April 2023, (c) 16 May 2023 and (d) 16 June 2023 regarding his constituent, case reference JB40904.

I replied to the hon. Member on 30 June 2023.

Helen Whately
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
25th May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to increase the early diagnosis of cancer.

The earlier we diagnose cancer, the better the outcomes for patients.

That’s why we’re speeding up diagnosis of the most common cancers e.g., skin cancer with tele-dermatology, bowel cancer through Faecal Immunochemical Testing, and prostate cancer through multiparametric MRI; increasing targeted screening for breast cancer and lung cancer; investing in 160 new community diagnostic centres; and tackling variation in cancer waiting times around the country.

Thanks to the hard work of so many people in cancer services around the country, the NHS hit the ‘faster diagnosis standard’ for the first time in February.

And – looking ahead - we’re investing in innovations like the Galleri blood test which may be able to detect cancer before people even have symptoms.

Helen Whately
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
15th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to respond to correspondence from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay dated (a) 23rd August, (b) 5th October, (c) 17th October, (d) 17th November and (e) 1st December, case reference JB38684.

We replied to the hon. Member on 14 October 2022.

Helen Whately
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)