Laurence Robertson Portrait

Laurence Robertson

Conservative - Former Member for Tewkesbury

First elected: 1st May 1997

Left House: 30th May 2024 (Dissolution)


Panel of Chairs
15th Jan 2020 - 30th May 2024
Pensions (Special Rules for End of Life) Bill
17th Apr 2024 - 24th Apr 2024
British Citizenship (Northern Ireland) Bill
20th Mar 2024 - 17th Apr 2024
Panel of Chairs
11th Sep 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Liaison Committee (Commons)
10th Sep 2015 - 3rd May 2017
Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
18th Jun 2015 - 3rd May 2017
Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
10th Jun 2010 - 30th Mar 2015
Liaison Committee (Commons)
19th Jul 2010 - 30th Mar 2015
Shadow Minister (Northern Ireland)
10th May 2005 - 6th May 2010
Shadow Minister (Treasury)
30th Oct 2003 - 10th May 2005
Shadow Minister (Trade and Industry)
1st Jun 2003 - 30th Oct 2003
Opposition Whip (Commons)
1st Jun 2001 - 1st Jun 2003
European Scrutiny Committee
26th Jul 1999 - 23rd May 2002
Education & Skills
16th Jul 2001 - 12th Nov 2001
Social Security
22nd Nov 1999 - 11th May 2001
Consolidation etc. Bills (Joint Committee)
28th Jul 1997 - 11th May 2001
Environmental Audit Committee
12th Nov 1997 - 18th Jan 2000


Division Voting information

Laurence Robertson has voted in 3231 divisions, and 66 times against the majority of their Party.

18 Jul 2019 - Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 57 Conservative No votes vs 65 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 328 Noes - 65
9 Jul 2019 - Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 65 Conservative No votes vs 105 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 383 Noes - 73
9 Apr 2019 - Section 1 of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2019 - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 97 Conservative No votes vs 131 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 420 Noes - 110
8 Apr 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 5) Bill - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 71 Conservative No votes vs 118 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 396 Noes - 83
8 Apr 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 5) Bill - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 74 Conservative Aye votes vs 112 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 85 Noes - 392
8 Apr 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 5) Bill - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 71 Conservative No votes vs 114 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 390 Noes - 81
3 Apr 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 5) Bill - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 91 Conservative No votes vs 212 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 220 Noes - 400
3 Apr 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 5) Bill - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 110 Conservative Aye votes vs 190 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 123 Noes - 488
3 Apr 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 5) Bill - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 95 Conservative Aye votes vs 203 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 105 Noes - 509
29 Mar 2019 - United Kingdom’s Withdrawal from the European Union - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 34 Conservative No votes vs 277 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 286 Noes - 344
27 Mar 2019 - EU Exit Day Amendment - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 93 Conservative No votes vs 150 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 441 Noes - 105
12 Mar 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) Act - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 75 Conservative No votes vs 235 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 242 Noes - 391
15 Jan 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) Act - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 118 Conservative No votes vs 196 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 202 Noes - 432
24 Oct 2018 - Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Exercise of Functions) Bill - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 15 Conservative No votes vs 195 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 344 Noes - 26
23 Mar 2016 - High Speed Rail (London – West Midlands) Bill - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 19 Conservative Aye votes vs 242 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 43 Noes - 245
23 Mar 2016 - High Speed Rail (London – West Midlands) Bill - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 21 Conservative No votes vs 238 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 399 Noes - 42
7 Sep 2015 - European Union Referendum Bill - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 37 Conservative No votes vs 276 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 285 Noes - 312
15 Jul 2015 - Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (Statutory Requirement) - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 10 Conservative Aye votes vs 39 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 183 Noes - 44
21 Jan 2015 - Onshore Wind Turbine Subsidies (Abolition) Bill - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 2 Conservative No votes vs 55 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 59 Noes - 57
16 Dec 2014 - Equal Pay (Transparency) - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 8 Conservative No votes vs 29 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 258 Noes - 8
19 Nov 2014 - EU Justice and Home Affairs Measures - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 26 Conservative No votes vs 162 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 421 Noes - 29
10 Nov 2014 - Criminal Law - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 36 Conservative No votes vs 223 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 464 Noes - 38
28 Apr 2014 - High Speed Rail (London – West Midlands) Bill - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 31 Conservative Aye votes vs 221 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 50 Noes - 451
28 Apr 2014 - High Speed Rail (London – West Midlands) Bill - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 25 Conservative No votes vs 220 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 452 Noes - 41
5 Mar 2014 - Judgments - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 83 Conservative No votes vs 123 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 360 Noes - 104
5 Mar 2014 - Registration of Births, deaths and marriages etc - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 81 Conservative No votes vs 124 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 363 Noes - 100
5 Mar 2014 - Registration of births, deaths and marriages etc - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 83 Conservative No votes vs 123 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 366 Noes - 103
5 Mar 2014 - Marriage - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 81 Conservative No votes vs 126 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 367 Noes - 100
5 Mar 2014 - Marriage - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 84 Conservative No votes vs 123 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 365 Noes - 103
5 Mar 2014 - Marriage - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 79 Conservative No votes vs 126 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 368 Noes - 98
10 Feb 2014 - Children and Families Bill - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 99 Conservative No votes vs 127 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 376 Noes - 107
10 Feb 2014 - Children and Families Bill - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 17 Conservative No votes vs 201 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 453 Noes - 24
27 Jan 2014 - European Union (Approvals) Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 31 Conservative Aye votes vs 202 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 37 Noes - 243
27 Jan 2014 - European Union (Approvals) Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 31 Conservative Aye votes vs 199 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 36 Noes - 240
27 Jan 2014 - European Union (Approvals) Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 25 Conservative No votes vs 202 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 246 Noes - 28
22 Jan 2014 - Commission Work Programme 2014 - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 14 Conservative No votes vs 221 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 330 Noes - 20
13 Jan 2014 - European Union (Approvals) Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 22 Conservative No votes vs 207 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 366 Noes - 30
4 Dec 2013 - Recall of Elected Representatives - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 10 Conservative No votes vs 66 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 127 Noes - 17
22 Nov 2013 - European Union (Referendum) Bill - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 14 Conservative Aye votes vs 244 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 15 Noes - 249
26 Jun 2013 - High Speed Rail (Preparation) Bill - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 20 Conservative Aye votes vs 197 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 37 Noes - 325
5 Feb 2013 - Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 28 Conservative No votes vs 207 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 464 Noes - 38
31 Oct 2012 - Multiannual Financial Framework - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 51 Conservative Aye votes vs 235 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 307 Noes - 294
10 Jul 2012 - House of Lords Reform Bill - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 89 Conservative No votes vs 192 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 462 Noes - 124
19 Apr 2012 - Finance (No. 4) Bill - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 10 Conservative Aye votes vs 243 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 240 Noes - 283
22 Feb 2012 - Annual Statements of Healthcare Costs - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 16 Conservative No votes vs 78 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 81 Noes - 176
25 Jan 2012 - London Local Authorities Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 12 Conservative Aye votes vs 64 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 16 Noes - 159
24 Oct 2011 - National Referendum on the European Union - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 81 Conservative Aye votes vs 209 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 111 Noes - 483
7 Sep 2011 - Health and Social Care (Re-committed) Bill - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 94 Conservative Aye votes vs 115 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 118 Noes - 368
1 Dec 2010 - Fixed-term Parliaments Bill - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 5 Conservative Aye votes vs 244 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 6 Noes - 498
24 Nov 2010 - Fixed-term Parliaments Bill - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 7 Conservative Aye votes vs 248 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 235 Noes - 314
13 Sep 2010 - Fixed-term Parliaments Bill - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 10 Conservative No votes vs 255 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 311 Noes - 23
1 Apr 2009 - Nick Cousins - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 20 Conservative No votes vs 79 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 362 Noes - 21
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] (Programme) (No. 2) - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 30 Conservative Aye votes vs 85 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 322 Noes - 157
20 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 40 Conservative Aye votes vs 70 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 71 Noes - 393
20 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 50 Conservative Aye votes vs 67 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 84 Noes - 387
6 May 2008 - Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 36 Conservative Aye votes vs 48 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 0 Noes - 0
7 Mar 2007 - House of Lords Reform - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 80 Conservative Aye votes vs 96 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 196 Noes - 375
27 Apr 2021 - Delegated Legislation - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 77 Conservative No votes vs 222 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 431 Noes - 89
14 Dec 2021 - Public Health - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson 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
22 Jun 2022 - Health and Personal Social Services - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 61 Conservative No votes vs 106 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 215 Noes - 70
18 Oct 2022 - Public Order Bill - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 103 Conservative No votes vs 113 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 297 Noes - 110
7 Mar 2023 - Public Order Bill - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 107 Conservative Aye votes vs 109 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 116 Noes - 299
16 Jan 2024 - Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 57 Conservative Aye votes vs 262 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 58 Noes - 525
16 Jan 2024 - Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 58 Conservative Aye votes vs 262 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 68 Noes - 529
17 Jan 2024 - Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 59 Conservative Aye votes vs 266 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 65 Noes - 536
16 Apr 2024 - Tobacco and Vapes Bill - View Vote Context
Laurence Robertson voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 58 Conservative No votes vs 179 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 383 Noes - 67
View All Laurence Robertson Division Votes

All Debates

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
Theresa Villiers (Conservative)
(54 debate interactions)
Owen Paterson (Conservative)
(34 debate interactions)
John Bercow (Speaker)
(22 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Northern Ireland Office
(126 debate contributions)
HM Treasury
(85 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all Laurence Robertson's debates

Latest EDMs signed by Laurence Robertson

1st February 2023
Laurence Robertson signed this EDM on Wednesday 1st February 2023

Exiting the European Union

Tabled by: Jeffrey M Donaldson (Independent - Lagan Valley)
That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, praying that the Official Controls (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2023 (S.I., 2023, No. 17), dated 11 January 2023, a copy of which was laid before this House on 12 January 2023, be annulled.
20 signatures
(Most recent: 7 Feb 2023)
Signatures by party:
Conservative: 12
Democratic Unionist Party: 7
Independent: 1
1st February 2023
Laurence Robertson signed this EDM on Wednesday 1st February 2023

Exiting the European Union (No. 2)

Tabled by: Jeffrey M Donaldson (Independent - Lagan Valley)
TThat this House calls upon the Government to withdraw the Official Controls (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2023 (S.I., 2023, No. 17) because they are injurious to the integrity of the UK Internal Market in circumstances where the Northern Ireland Protocol has not been replaced by new arrangements that respect and protect …
19 signatures
(Most recent: 7 Feb 2023)
Signatures by party:
Conservative: 11
Democratic Unionist Party: 7
Independent: 1
View All Laurence Robertson's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Laurence Robertson, 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.


1 Urgent Question tabled by Laurence Robertson

Monday 14th June 2021

1 Adjournment Debate led by Laurence Robertson

Tuesday 1st March 2011

1 Bill introduced by Laurence Robertson


A Bill to change the period of life expectancy relevant to certain pension rules.

Commons Completed
Lords - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Monday 20th May 2024

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
21 Other Department Questions
6th Jan 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, for what reason his Department sets an age limit for the receipt of funding for Masters degrees; and if he will make a statement.

The new loan to support Master’s study has an upper age limit to ensure the scheme overall is affordable and offers value for money. The new postgraduate loan will be repaid from earnings on an income contingent basis, in this case 6% of earned annual income above the threshold of £21,000. We are therefore limiting eligibility to cover those likely to continue in employment and enter repayments.


14th Dec 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the effect on businesses which have entered into long-term supply contracts of the introduction of the national living wage.

Businesses can respond to the introduction of the National Living Wage in a number of ways. In the case of supply contracts, the response is likely to vary from contract to contract according to specific circumstances. For example, some contracts will include provision for changes in statutory pay requirements.


The Government published a full impact assessment for the introduction of the National Living Wage on 7th December 2015.

14th Dec 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether UK universities are required to admit support dogs for adults with autism.


Higher Education Institutionsare autonomous and independent bodies, and have clear legal responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 to support their students, including those with autism.


Under the Equality Act 2010 institutions have a duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people to ensure students are not placed at a substantial disadvantage compared to non-disabled students.


24th Nov 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what her policy is on the future of the Warm Home scheme; and if she will make a statement.

The Government announced in the Spending Review on 25 November 2015 that the Warm Home Discount scheme would be extended to 2020/21 at current levels of £320m per year, rising with inflation, to help households who are at risk of fuel poverty with their energy bills.

13th Oct 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, whether the announced reductions in feed-in tariff support will apply to existing contracts or new ones; and if she will make a statement.

Any changes which we make to the feed-in tariff (FIT) scheme as a result of the FIT review, which is currently open for consultation until 23rd October, will only apply to new applicants entering the scheme after the necessary legislation to effect the changes has passed through Parliament.

9th Oct 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what recent assessment he has made of the progress achieved by the UK Business and Human Rights Action Plan against the aims and objectives set out in it.

Progress on the UK’s National Action Plan to implement the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights is covered in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Human Rights and Democracy annual report, last published in March 2015. We have made considerable progress, for example on improved reporting requirements. We will continue to update our action plan, reflecting the progress we have made as well as covering other related action taking place across Government such as the Modern Slavery Act.

15th Sep 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what her policy is on siting solar farms in open countryside.

We have been clear in previous statements to Parliament that our strong preference is for deployment of solar PV to take place on buildings and on previously used land, over high grade agricultural land.

For example, on 22nd June 2015 (Official Report, Column 624), my rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State said:

“We are trying to support solar so that we have as much as possible through community energy, on people’s houses and on other buildings. There is a great opportunity there”. [1]

The National Planning Policy Framework and the Planning Practice Guidance for Renewable and Low Carbon Energy ensures that decisions on siting of ground mounted takes into account the views and needs of the local community.

[1] http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201516/cmhansrd/cm150622/debtext/150622-0001.htm

15th Sep 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, for what reasons maintenance grants are not available to people who are over 60 years old; and if he will make a statement.

Students aged 60 or over at the start of the first academic year of their course do not qualify for a Maintenance Grant in the 2015/16 academic year. They can instead get a means-tested Special Support Grant toward the costs of books, equipment, travel and childcare. This has the same income thresholds and maximum amounts as the Maintenance Grant. The Special Support Grant, unlike the Maintenance Grant, is not taken into account as student income when DWP calculates means-tested DWP benefits for students aged 60 or over.

16th Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what recent assessment he has made of possible health effects on consumers of use of methylchloro isothiazolinone in cosmetics, household goods and industrial items; and if he will make a statement.

The European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has regularly considered MCI both on its own and in a mixture with MI. The SCCS last considered MCI on its own in 2009, and in a mixture with MI in the ratio of 3:1 in 2014

With respect to cosmetics, Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI or CMI) can only be used as a permitted preservative under the EU Cosmetic Products Regulation as a mixture of MCI and Methylisothiazolinone (MI) in a ratio of 3:1 up to a maximum authorised concentration of 0.0015 % in rinse-off cosmetic products.

As the SCCS has recently reviewed the use of MCI, I have made no additional assessment.

11th Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will reopen the inquiry into the nature of the warranties sold by ScottishPower to its customers between 1980 and 1999 and potential losses to those customers.

I am aware of concerns regarding the warranties sold by Scottish Power. The Insolvency Service has reviewed information from the liquidators of two companies that administered warranties sold between 1997 and 2001, in order to determine whether or not further investigation is warranted using powers available in the Companies Act.

Investigations conducted under section 447 Companies Act 1985 are confidential, so it is not usually possible to announce whether an investigation is taking place. I can say that in practical terms an investigation of warranties sold between 1980 and 1999 is unlikely to be able to recover meaningful evidence.

25th Feb 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, how much electricity was generated from each type of source in the most recent year for which figures are available.

The table below shows electricity generation by fuel type for the year to 2014 Q3, as well as the calendar year 2013. Data for 2014 Q4 will be published on 26 March 2015.


UK electricity generation by fuel (TWh)

2013 calendar year

12 months to 2014 Q3

TWh

Coal

130.8

104.0

Oil

2.1

2.1

Gas

95.6

98.1

Nuclear

70.6

67.8

Hydro (natural flow)

4.7

5.9

Wind and Solar1

30.5

35.0

Bioenergy

18.5

20.6

Pumped Storage

2.9

2.9

Other fuels

3.5

3.5

Total

359.1

339.6

1 Includes wave and tidal.

Source: Energy Trends, table 5.1. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/electricity-section-5-energy-trends.

14th Oct 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he is taking to protect small businesses from vexatious claims by employees; and if he will make a statement.

The new Employment Tribunal rules of procedure, which implemented the recommendations of the Underhill Review, were implemented on 29 July 2013. These rules allow tribunals to identify weak or vexatious claims at an early stage through an initial sift and to manage them effectively through measures such as deposit orders. Greater flexibility to apply a deposit order to parts of a claim or response helps to manage the expectations of claimants as to the strength of their claim and encourage them to consider more carefully what parts of their claim they want to take forward.

13th Oct 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what plans he has to change funding of the Apprenticeship scheme.

We are planning to route funding for apprenticeship training directly through employers. This will put employers in the driving seat in terms of securing the most appropriate training, giving them a greater stake in guaranteeing that the training provision their apprentices receive is high quality. We are trialling a simplified funding model for apprenticeships based on new employer-designed standards in the 2014/15 Academic Year.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/336036/BIS-14-975-Trialling-our-new-apprenticeship-funding-model.pdf

13th Oct 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether he plans to include both non-compulsory and non-guaranteed overtime in calculations of holiday pay; and if he will make a statement.

The Government wants to get the right balance between the needs of employers and employees. We want to see jobs created and protected, and for those jobs to provide employees with appropriate reward for their hard work.

The Government does not believe that overtime that is non-compulsory or non-guaranteed should be included in holiday pay. We argued accordingly when we intervened in the case of Fulton v Bear Scotland which was heard by the Employment Appeal Tribunal in late July. The Tribunal has not yet issued its ruling.

2nd Sep 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what recent discussions he has had with small and medium-sized enterprises on the planned changes to the funding of the apprenticeship scheme; and if he will make a statement.

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has had regular discussions with employers of all sizes and with the Federation of Small Businesses about the apprenticeship reform programme.

2nd Sep 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the inclusion of non-compulsory and non-guaranteed overtime in the calculation of holiday pay; and if he will make a statement.

My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and other BIS Ministers regularly meet other European Ministers and discuss a wide range of issues. Regular discussions also take place at official level.

1st Sep 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what contribution the UK is making to the development of fusion technology; and if he will make a statement.

The UK Atomic Energy Authority manages the UK’s fusion research programme at the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy, funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, and operates JET, the European fusion research facility, under a 285 million euro contract from the European Commission. The Authority is now building on the expertise in engineering and technology from fusion research to make Culham a centre of excellence for fusion technology, in collaboration with UK academia and industry, and in support of the international ITER next-step fusion project currently under construction in France.

New fusion technology facilities at Culham are planned in the areas of nuclear materials and remote handling and robotics to support fusion and other related technologies and are working towards the EU design of a DEMO (prototype) fusion power station.

26th Jun 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what plans he has to make changes to mandatory green energy charges on consumer bills; and if he will make a statement.

We have recently consulted on proposed changes to the Energy Company Obligation and expect to announce our response shortly. These proposed changes form part of the package of measures announced in December last year that has led to reductions this year of around £50 on the average household bill. We have no plans to make further changes.

6th Jun 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what plans he has for the future of the Land Registry; and if he will make a statement.

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has conducted a consultation on Introduction of a new Land Registry service delivery company, and a response will be published shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will make a statement on the future status of the Land Registry.

It has not proved possible to respond to my hon. Friend in the time available before Prorogation.

22nd Jun 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what methodology his Department uses when calculating excess deaths.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have, therefore, asked the Authority to respond.

22nd Jun 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many excess deaths there have been in (a) England and (b) UK in each of the last ten years.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have, therefore, asked the Authority to respond.

10th Oct 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent assessment he has made of the health outcomes in the UK for recovery from (a) cancer and (b) heart attacks in comparison to other EU countries.

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.

17th Mar 2016
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps has he taken to monitor the conduct of charities when marketing commercial products.

This is a matter for the Charity Commission which, as independent regulator of charities in England and Wales, issued a regulatory alert on this topic on 29 February 2016 reminding charity trustees of their legal duties. The alert was published and sent to the 1,700 charities that the Commission identified to have some form of commercial arrangement. It made clear that trustees should review existing commercial arrangements and that failure to meet the relevant requirements could result in regulatory action.

Engaging in commercial activities can be a valuable way for charities to raise funds or generate awareness of its cause. It is the responsibility of the trustees to ensure that where a charity engages in commercial activity, either through a trading subsidiary or through a commercial partnership, they follow the legal framework, they have effective oversight and ensure this activity in the best interests of the charity. This includes protecting the charity’s name and reputation which are valuable assets.

15th Oct 2015
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent discussions he has had with charities on respondents being required to tick boxes if they do wish to receive further communications; and if he will make a statement.

Government is supporting all of therecommendations of the recent review by Sir Stuart Etherington following the high profile cases of poor charity fundraising practice earlier this year. In line with the review charities should have clear consent to contact donors andcurrent reliance on 'opt out' boxes hidden in the small print is not acceptable.


23rd Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps she is taking to increase trade with African countries.

The Department is actively expanding trade with Africa through 9 agreements across 18 nations, offering preferential access to UK markets. The Department’s recently launched Developing Countries Trading Scheme, effective in 65 countries, including 37 in Africa, simplifies rules and lowers tariffs to boost exports and stimulate growth. In Spring, the Prime Minister will host the second UK-African Investment Summit in London, fostering modern partnerships in trade and investment. Bilaterally, the Department is also working to enhance market access across the continent, solidifying our commitment to mutually beneficial economic ties with African nations.

28th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment she has made of the viability of businesses in the hospitality sector, in the context of (a) the rates of VAT applicable to them and (b) increases in the cost of (i) living and (ii) energy; and if she will make a statement.

My Department regularly engages with businesses in the hospitality sector and is actively working with Hospitality Sector Council to support businesses with the costs they face.

The Government introduced a temporary reduced rate of VAT for hospitality on 15 July 2020 to support businesses that were severely affected by COVID-19. This relief ended on 31 March 2022. At the Autumn Statement 2022 the Chancellor brought forward a package of changes to business rates worth £13.6bn to businesses over the next 5 years.

This is in addition to the Energy Bills Relief Scheme, which discounted businesses’ energy bills until 31 March 2023, and the new Energy Bills Discount Scheme.

Kevin Hollinrake
Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade
28th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will hold discussions with Ofgem on the potential merits of allowing businesses to renegotiate their energy contracts with suppliers; and if he will make a statement.

Contract negotiations are a matter for businesses and their energy suppliers. Businesses should contact their supplier to discuss renegotiations. The Government is providing support to businesses through the Energy Bill Discount Scheme until April 2024. Ministers from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Department for Business and Trade met recently with non-domestic suppliers, Ofgem and industry representatives to discuss what more could be done to support customers who may have fixed in at higher prices in Autumn 2022. The Government is working with Ofgem on this matter and the on-going non-domestic market review.

23rd Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what additional support with fuel payments is available for people with Parkinson's Disease; and if he will make a statement.

The Autumn Statement set out a commitment to work with consumer groups and industry to consider the best approach to consumer protection from April 2024.

At present there is no specific support for people with Parkinson’s. In addition to the Energy Price Guarantee and Energy Bills Support Scheme, for 2023/24, households on eligible means-tested benefits will get up to £900 in Cost of Living payments. A payment of £150 will be made available to individuals in receipt of eligible disability benefits.

23rd Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of using the gas network to carry green hydrogen; and if he will make a statement.

National Grid and the Gas Distribution Networks are assessing the viability and potential costs of using the natural gas transmission and distribution networks to transport 100% hydrogen and early results from this work are promising.

The Government is also planning to take a strategic policy decision in 2023 on whether to seek to enable the blending of hydrogen in the existing gas distribution network. Further details will be provided this year including through the government response to the consultation on hydrogen transport and storage infrastructure, which the Government aims to publish in Q2 2023.

23rd Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to encourage the conversion of excess energy into green hydrogen by electrolysis; and if he will make a statement.

Hydrogen could provide flexible low carbon generation capacity as the Government integrates more renewables into its energy system. At least half the Government’s ambition for up to 10GW of low carbon hydrogen production capacity by 2030 will come from electrolytic hydrogen. The Government’s first electrolytic hydrogen allocation round opened last year, with shortlisted projects announced shortly and contracts awarded later this year. The Government aims to run annual allocation rounds for electrolytic hydrogen, moving to price competitive allocation by 2025 subject to legislation and market conditions. This could enable up to 1GW of green hydrogen production in construction or operational by 2025.

6th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of authorising the Information Commissioner’s Office to arbitrate on data protection claims.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is responsible for regulating the UK’s data protection legislation and has a range of criminal and civil enforcement tools at its disposal. People can already complain to the ICO about the way an organisation has handled their personal information. In response to a complaint the ICO may make recommendations to the organisation to put things right or to improve their practice. The UK legal system also provides for independent judicial remedies. People may seek a judicial remedy from the start, or they may proceed to court after having already complained to the ICO. They may also in some instances seek a judicial remedy against the ICO or lodge a complaint in relation to its activity.

Julia Lopez
Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
1st Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to help increase the use of solar panels on roofs; and if he will make a statement.

The Government is supporting the installation of rooftop solar photovoltaic panels through provision of fiscal incentives for business, removal of VAT for residential accommodation, availability of grants under several energy efficiency schemes and the right to be paid for any electricity exported to the grid under the Smart Export Guarantee. The Government is also exploring options to facilitate low cost finance from retail lenders for solar installations.

16th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what powers exist for local authorities to restrict the use of fireworks; and if he will make a statement.

The Government recognises that people want to enjoy fireworks while reducing the risks and disturbances to individuals, animals and property. The majority of individuals who use fireworks do so in a responsible and safe manner.

Enforcement powers exist for local authorities to take action when fireworks are unsafe, sold illegally or misused. Local authorities and the police also have powers to tackle anti-social behaviour caused by the misuse of fireworks. It is for local areas to decide how best to deploy these powers, based on their specific circumstances.

Kevin Hollinrake
Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade
10th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes to the Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing Access rebate on (a) foreign direct investment into UK research and development, (b) employment levels and (c) the size of the life sciences industry.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 10th January 2023 to Question 113163.

19th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent assessment he has made of the impact of changes to the Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing Access (VPAS) rebate on (a) foreign direct investment into UK R&D and (b) employment levels and footprint of the UK life sciences industry.

The Government is working to better understand the impacts the operation of the current Voluntary Scheme on investments and the footprint of the UK life sciences industry. We are therefore in direct conversations with companies to understand these impacts. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is in close discussions with the Department of Health and Social Care, the Department responsible for the Voluntary Scheme, about the business environment for life sciences and its impact on investment.

27th Oct 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent estimate he has made of the level of investment into the national grid that will be required to ensure there will be sufficient infrastructure in place to cater for the charging of electric vehicles after 2035; and if he will make a statement.

In August 2022, the Government and Ofgem jointly published the Electricity Networks Strategic Framework, setting out a vision for the transformation of the electricity network to ensure it enables a clean, secure and low-cost energy system. The Framework included analysis suggesting that the network could require an additional £100-£240bn of investment to meet net zero and could support 50,000-130,000 jobs and contribute £4-11bn to the economy by 2050. Network regulation, including ensuring sufficient investment to meet demand from electric vehicles in both rural and urban areas, is a matter for Ofgem.

27th Oct 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent estimate his Department has made of the additional electricity generation that will be required following the ban on petrol and diesel cars in 2035; and if he will make a statement.

Figure 3.2 of the Energy White Paper[1]shows indicative demands from electric vehicles for 2035 and 2050 that align with the ban on petrol and diesel vehicles in 2035.

Annex O of the Energy and Emission Projections[2]provides indicative scenarios to show how the power sector might evolve to meet this additional demand.

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-white-paper-powering-our-net-zero-future

[2] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-and-emissions-projections-net-zero-strategy-baseline-partial-interim-update-december-2021

25th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what proportion of domestic consumers' energy bills are made up of green taxes on average; and if he will make a statement.

Environmental and social policy costs currently represent 8% of the average dual fuel bill. A full breakdown of these costs was published by Ofgem in April and is available at: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/energy-data-and-research/data-portal.

25th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy or Industrial Strategy, what the total amount of revenue collected in green taxes placed on domestic energy bills has been in each of the years for which those taxes have been levied.

This information is available from the Office for Budget Responsibility: https://obr.uk/efo/economic-and-fiscal-outlook-march-2022/.

23rd Feb 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of space based solar power; and if he will make a statement.

The Government recognises that space based solar power has the potential to contribute significantly to our Net Zero ambition. Because of this, BEIS has recently commissioned an independent assessment and report that calculates both benefits and cost of developing space based solar power. The report was published on 27th September 2021 and is available on the Government website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/space-based-solar-power-de-risking-the-pathway-to-net-zero.

7th Sep 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make it his policy to allow companies to adopt policies to abide by Wates Review principles, rather than impose a public interest entities system; and if he will make a statement.

The Wates Principles provide a way to complying with corporate governance reporting requirement on large private companies in the Companies (Miscellaneous Reporting) Regulations 2018. Reporting started from January 2020. The Government and the Financial Reporting Council are in the process of evaluating its effectiveness, including use of the Wates Principles.

The Government’s White Paper ‘Restoring trust in audit and corporate governance’ set out proposals to introduce a wider definition of ‘public interest entity’ to ensure that large businesses of all types which are of public importance are subject to appropriate regulation. The Government is currently considering responses and will respond in due course.

1st Mar 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he plans to take to encourage more clinical trials of vaccines in the UK; and if he will make a statement.

The UK has an existing national clinical trial infrastructure, which has enabled a rapid rollout of new clinical trials, such as that for the Oxford/AstraZeneca, Novavax, Janssen, and Valneva vaccines. The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) provides support and critical infrastructure for clinical trials, making the UK well-suited to facilitate clinical trials that are essential to the development of any vaccine.

The Government launched an NHS service in July 2020 to enable people across the UK to sign up to participate in COVID-19 vaccine trials. The NHS COVID-19 vaccine research registry, developed in partnership with NHS Digital, has helped to facilitate the rapid recruitment of large numbers of people into trials. As of 2 March 2021, over 453,000 individuals have signed up to the vaccine registry.

11th Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is planning to take to help increase the turnover of hospitality businesses once the covid-19 restrictions begin to be lifted; and if he will make a statement.

Over the course of the pandemic, the Government has worked closely with the hospitality sector to understand the impact of COVID-19 on their businesses and has responded with a substantial package of business support. We keep all restrictions under constant review.

3rd Dec 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the extent to which utility companies have responsibility to replace worn-out cut-out fuses in domestic properties; and if he will make a statement.

Fuses and the fuse box (consumer unit) are the responsibility of the property owner, but some customers may have included maintenance of the consumer unit as part of a contract for the supply of electricity, or as a separate contract.

The regional Distribution Network Operator is responsible for maintenance of the main cut-out fuse (usually a 60, 80 or 100 amp fuse).

1st Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of the UK remaining on British Summer Time to help (a) people's health and wellbeing and (b) limit the spread of covid-19.

The Government believes that the current daylight-saving arrangements represent the optimal use of the available daylight across the UK.

27th Apr 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent discussions he has had with national suppliers and wholesalers on encouraging them to provide (a) reduced minimum orders, (b) priority deliveries and (c) small and more frequent deliveries to rural and isolated community shops; and if he will make a statement.

We recognise the vital role played by Community shops in our rural communities, acting as hubs for local people and having a positive impact on the communities they serve.

We are working across Government as well as with industry to ensure the needs of the sector are addressed. Ministers and officials have regular engagement with a large number of businesses and representative organisations across all sectors. Ministers have hosted a series of calls in recent weeks, where they have had the opportunity chance to speak to and directly hear from a wide range of organisations and businesses.

Decisions taken regarding contractual relationships are best taken by individual suppliers and wholesalers who know their operations and customer demand in far greater detail than Government can.