Margaret Ferrier

Independent - Former Member for Rutherglen and Hamilton West

First elected: 12th December 2019


European Scrutiny Committee
9th Mar 2020 - 1st Aug 2023
Pensions (Extension of Automatic Enrolment) (No. 2) Bill
8th Mar 2023 - 15th Mar 2023
Workers (Predictable Terms and Conditions) Bill
1st Mar 2023 - 8th Mar 2023
Child Support (Enforcement) Bill
22nd Feb 2023 - 1st Mar 2023
Pension Schemes (Conversion of Guaranteed Minimum Pensions) Bill
26th Jan 2022 - 2nd Feb 2022
Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Manufacturing)
7th Jan 2020 - 1st Oct 2020
Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Scotland Office)
20th May 2015 - 3rd May 2017
Scottish Affairs Committee
6th Jul 2015 - 3rd May 2017


Division Voting information

Margaret Ferrier has voted in 839 divisions, and 1 time against the majority of their Party.

11 Sep 2015 - Assisted Dying (No. 2) Bill - View Vote Context
Margaret Ferrier voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 11 Scottish National Party No votes vs 14 Scottish National Party Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 118 Noes - 330
View All Margaret Ferrier 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
Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party)
Shadow DUP Spokesperson (Human Rights)
(100 debate interactions)
Penny Mordaunt (Conservative)
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
(58 debate interactions)
Jacob Rees-Mogg (Conservative)
(43 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Cabinet Office
(99 debate contributions)
Department for Work and Pensions
(96 debate contributions)
Leader of the House
(95 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all Margaret Ferrier's debates

Rutherglen and Hamilton West 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

1.Restaurants to put all information about allergens in their food on the face of the main menu so customers have full visibility on what they're ordering.
2.Servers must initiate a discussion with customers about allergies on all occasions.
3.National register for anaphylaxis deaths

The Government should appoint an Allergy Tsar to act as a champion for people with allergies to ensure they receive appropriate support and joined up health care to prevent avoidable deaths and ill health.

Make it illegal for retailers and services to decline cash payments.

All businesses (excepting internet-based ones) and public services in which monetary transactions take place should be required by law to accept cash as a method of payment

Continue to give free NHS prescriptions to over 60s. The Government is consulting on aligning the upper age exemption for NHS prescription charges with the State Pension age (SPA), which would render many people in their 60s ineligible.

The Government should create an emergency fund to deal with the massive waiting lists for autism & ADHD assessments for children AND adults. This would provide resources for local health services deal with current waiting lists and new patients.

The Government should commission a review of how Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) assessments are managed by the NHS, including through Shared Care Agreements, and increase funding to reduce waiting times.

The Home office is charging almost ten times the actual processing cost of indefinite leave to remain application fee from overseas health care workers. The Government should stop making profit from foreign health workers and instead seek to retain those foreign doctors and nurses in our NHS.

Revoke all licences (PEL) for commercial breeders of laboratory animals. Require all Project Licences (PPLs) applications be reviewed by an independent Non Animal Methods (NAMs) specialist committee. Revise s24 ASPA 1986 to allow review. Urge International Regulators to accept & promote NAMs.

Amend legislation to make it a legal requirement for a driver to stop & report accidents involving cats.

The Government should prohibit the sale, use and manufacture of free-running snares under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, putting them in the same category as self-locking snares, which are already illegal.

The Government needs to take back ownership of strategic energy assets. It needs to accept that the Free Market has failed the energy sector, that it is in the national interest to renationalise our energy assets. The Government must therefore renationalise all the UK energy assets.

The proposed Human Rights Act reforms must be withdrawn. The Government must not make any changes to the Human Rights Act, especially ones that dilute people's human rights in any circumstances, make the Government less accountable, or reduce people's ability to make human rights claims.

There is no excuse for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to continue to effectively fund the slaughter of bears for ceremonial headgear since an indistinguishable alternative has been produced, which is waterproof, and mimics real bear fur in appearance and performance.

In 2019 UK Government finalised a free trade agreement (FTA) with Faroe Islands which allows for £100 million of exports of wild caught and farmed fish to Britain per annum (20% of the Faroe Islands global trade). This FTA should be suspended until all whale & dolphin hunts on Faroe Islands end

Every year across the UK, millions of farmed animals are kept in cages, unable to express their natural behaviours and experiencing huge suffering. These inhumane systems cannot be the future of British farming. The UK Government must legislate to ‘End the Cage Age’ for all farmed animals.

The Government should repeal breed specific provisions in dangerous dogs legislation. We believe these provisions are a flawed approach to public safety and an ethical failing with regards to animal welfare.

The Government should reduce the cost of fuel through a reduction of 40% in fuel duty and VAT for 2 years. This can effectively offset the rise in fuel prices since 2020.

Join other nations in providing a route to safety for refugees. Waive all visa requirements for Ukrainian passport holders arriving in the UK.

The Government needs to change the law so laboratory animals are included in the Animal Welfare Act. Laboratory animals are currently not protected by the Act and are therefore victims of 'unnecessary suffering' (see section 4 of the Act: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/45/section/4).

Given how many animals are sold online, we want Government to introduce regulation of all websites where animals are sold. Websites should be required to verify the identity of all sellers, and for young animals for sale pictures with their parents be posted with all listings.

In 2014 the Human Medicines Act was amended so that schools could keep emergency stocks of salbutamol inhalers without prescription. Asthma is increasing in the UK and we believe that adult sufferers of Asthma working in high-risk commercial kitchens should have similar life-saving support.

Endometriosis and PCOS are two gynaecological conditions which both affect 10% of women worldwide, but both are, in terms of research and funding, incredibly under prioritised. This petition is calling for more funding, to enable for new, extensive and thorough research into female health issues.

We would like the Government to ban all animal testing UK, including for the development of cosmetics, household products and medicines. Alternatives need to be actively funded. Many products that are tested on animals end up not being suitable for humans. Animal testing is outmoded and should end.

The Government must recognise the urgent need to use animal-free science and publish a clear and ambitious action plan with timetables and milestones to drive the phase-out of animal experiments. As well as preventing animal suffering, this will benefit public health and business.

Cervical screening needs to be every year.

This is because women are dying, mothers, wives, daughters, granddaughters and sisters are dying.


Latest EDMs signed by Margaret Ferrier

17th July 2023
Margaret Ferrier signed this EDM on Monday 4th September 2023

The two-child benefit cap

Tabled by: Jon Trickett (Labour - Hemsworth)
That this House strongly opposes the continuation of the cruel and unnecessary two child limit for benefits, introduced by the Government in 2017; notes that recent research shows that one in 10 children live in households affected by the two-child limit, that is 1.5 million children; highlights the University of …
34 signatures
(Most recent: 25 Oct 2023)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 21
Independent: 6
Plaid Cymru: 3
Democratic Unionist Party: 2
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 1
Green Party: 1
Alba Party: 1
17th July 2023
Margaret Ferrier signed this EDM as the primary signatory on Friday 14th July 2023

Flowers 2 Go

Tabled by: Margaret Ferrier (Independent - Rutherglen and Hamilton West)
That this House congratulates Stephen Reid, owner of Flowers 2 Go in Blantyre, on being nominated as a finalist for the Scottish Funeral Awards 2023; notes that Stephen and his business are being recognised for the excellent service they provide to customers and the wider funeral industry; further notes that …
1 signatures
(Most recent: 14 Jul 2023)
Signatures by party:
Independent: 1
View All Margaret Ferrier's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Margaret Ferrier, 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.


Margaret Ferrier has not been granted any Urgent Questions

3 Adjournment Debates led by Margaret Ferrier

Thursday 12th May 2022
Thursday 16th December 2021
Monday 2nd March 2020

2 Bills introduced by Margaret Ferrier


A Bill to make provision about the amendment of pension schemes so as to provide for the conversion of rights to a guaranteed minimum pension.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 28th April 2022 and was enacted into law.


A Bill to prohibit charges for the use of cash machines; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Wednesday 2nd September 2020

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
14 Other Department Questions
1st Dec 2021
What assessment he has made of the potential effect of agreements made at COP26 on the aviation sector.

COP26 saw 24 states, representing around half of global aviation emissions, commit to negotiating for a 1.5°C-consistent climate goal for aviation next year.

14th Apr 2021
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what plans she has for the replacement of the recently-disbanded LGBT Advisory Panel.

The LGBT Advisory Panel was created under the previous administration and the term of all panel members ended on 31 March. The Minister for Women & Equalities has written to panel members to thank them for their contributions. I will shortly set out further details on our plans for the International LGBT Conference and banning conversion therapy, including how we will engage those with relevant expertise.

Kemi Badenoch
President of the Board of Trade
22nd Feb 2021
To ask the President of COP26, what representations he has made to Cabinet colleagues on the effect of the Woodhouse Colliery project on the UK's Paris Climate Agreement obligations.

I have regular meetings with Cabinet colleagues on a variety of issues. It is for councils to make a decision on the planning proposals which are submitted to them, applying the Government’s national planning rules and weighing up each case on its merits. Coal generated only 1.6% of the UK’s electricity mix in 2020, compared with almost 25% five years ago.

The UK is fully committed to decarbonising industry and phasing out coal for power generation by 2024 (subject to consultation) as part of our pathway to net zero emissions by 2050.

Alok Sharma
COP26 President (Cabinet Office)
1st Feb 2016
To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what recent assessment the Electoral Commission has made of the potential effect of the date of the EU referendum on mayoral, local, and devolved institutions' elections.

The Electoral Commission recently wrote to the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, following that Committee’s recent evidence session, on a number of issues, including the potential impact of the date of the referendum if it were to be held in June. A copy of the letter is available on the Committee’s website.

10th Dec 2015
To ask the Prime Minister, when he plans to reply to the letter of 26 November 2015 from the hon. Member for Rutherglen and Hamilton West regarding mass executions in Saudi Arabia.

A reply has been sent.

3rd Dec 2015
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what recent discussions she has had with her Cabinet colleagues on the legal recognition in Northern Ireland of same-sex marriages which have been registered elsewhere in the UK.

The UK government has demonstrated its commitment to marriage for same sex couples by introducing it for England and Wales, and has welcomed its introduction in other jurisdictions, including Scotland.

We recognise and respect the devolution settlement in Northern Ireland. The constitutional arrangements in place mean that any decision to extend marriage to same-sex couples in Northern Ireland is a matter for the Northern Ireland Assembly. Officials from the Government Equalities Office speak regularly with colleagues in the Northern Ireland Office regarding these and other equality related matters.

27th Nov 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, with reference to paragraph 1.203 of the Spending Review and Autumn Statement 2015, when the energy intensive industry exemption from the cost of Renewable Obligation and Feed-in Tariff will come into effect.

Following consultation, state aid clearance and necessary amendments to Renewables Obligation and Feed in Tariff scheme legislation, we intend to switch from compensation to exemptions as soon as possible.



Andrea Leadsom
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
23rd Nov 2015
To ask the Prime Minister, what discussions he had with his Indian counterpart during his recent visit on the death of Sikh people at the Golden Temple in Amritsar in June 1984.

The events between 5-7 June 1984 at the Golden Temple in Amritsar led to a tragic loss of life, and I understand the pain that they still cause to Sikh communities around the world, including in the UK.


During the visit of Prime Minister Modi we discussed a wide range of issues and in those conversations he emphasised his commitment to upholding the Gandhian traditions of diversity and religious tolerance. In his Wembley address, he underlined the important role that Indians of all faiths are playing in India’s economic and social development.

21st Oct 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the level of energy prices on the steel industry; and if he will make a statement.

The Government recognises that energy costs are among the factors that have an impact on the competitiveness of the steel industry and for that reason has provided over £50 million compensation to steel makers for energy costs.

We are also in advanced discussions with the European Commission to approve millions of pounds of further compensation for energy intensive industries, including steel makers. Many years of underinvestment in the UK’s energy infrastructure has meant wholesale prices of energy are higher in the UK than in some other EU countries. The Government is committed to addressing this long term issue through, for example, new nuclear plants and our support for shale gas extraction.

13th Oct 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment her Department has made of the environmental effects of underground coal gasification.

In recognition of the need for a better understanding of the potential impacts of underground coal gasification, the Department has commissioned an assessment of the greenhouse gas emissions related to underground coal gasification, which we expect to publish in due course.


Andrea Leadsom
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
13th Oct 2015
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps the Government is taking to reduce the gender pay gap.

The gender pay gap has fallen to its lowest ever level, but any gap is unacceptable. The Prime Minister has pledged to eliminate this gap in a generation. Our recent consultation will inform new regulations that will deliver our manifesto commitment to require large companies to publish details of their gender pay gap. We will also tackle the causes by encouraging girls to consider a wide range of careers and ensuring that workplaces are fit for the 21st century.

15th Jul 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the effect of the privatisation of Royal Mail on (a) residential properties and (b) businesses in Scotland.

Royal Mail was privatised in October 2013. Regardless of ownership, Royal Mail as the designated Universal Service Provider for the United Kingdom is required to deliver the universal postal service in accordance with minimum requirements set by Parliament and quality of service standards set by Ofcom, the postal services regulator.

Royal Mail publishes reports on its quality of service each quarter on its website. Ofcom closely monitors Royal Mail’s quality of service to ensure that service standards are maintained throughout the country.

29th Jun 2015
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps she is taking to address the reduction in the number of sex discrimination cases brought before employment tribunals.

On 11 June, we announced the start of the post-implementation review of the introduction of fees in the Employment Tribunals. The review will consider how successful the change has been in achieving its original objectives and seek to assess the impact fees have had.

25th Nov 2021
To ask the Attorney General, what estimate he has made of the (a) number and (b) proportion of criminal prosecutions in which gambling is a relevant factor.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not maintain a central record of criminal prosecutions involving gambling or in which gambling has been a factor. This information could only be obtained by an examination of CPS case files, which would incur disproportionate cost.

Alex Chalk
Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
24th Nov 2016
To ask the Attorney General, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the implementation of the UK's domestic and international legal obligations on human rights.

I regularly meet Ministerial colleagues to discuss important issues of common interest, including on domestic and international human rights law. I am not able to talk about any legal content of those discussions because, by convention, the fact that the Law Officers have advised or have not advised and the content of their advice must not be disclosed outside Government without their authority.

18th Jul 2016
To ask the Attorney General, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on the rate of criminal prosecutions.

It is not possible to make any such assessment, as the answer will depend on the terms of the agreement reached on the UK’s future relationship with the EU.

We will now need to negotiate the best deal we can with Europe, and part of that process will focus on tools and mechanisms for cooperation that can help keep Britain’s citizens secure.

13th Oct 2015
To ask the Attorney General, what recent discussions he has had with his Cabinet colleagues on the implementation of the UK's domestic and international legal obligations on human rights.

By long-standing convention, observed by successive administrations and embodied in the Ministerial Code, the fact that I may or may not have advised or have been requested to advise on a particular issue, and the content of any advice, is not disclosed outside Government.

16th Mar 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an estimate of the number of UK citizens that emigrated to (a) Australia, (b) New Zealand, (c) the US and (d) Canada in the last 12 months.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon. Member's Parliamentary Question of 16 March is attached and the completed answer will be deposited in the House of Commons Library.

Alex Burghart
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
8th Nov 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the new ONS method for recording and reporting veteran suicide, whether he plans to regularly publish this data.

The Office for National Statistics will trial a new method of of recording veteran suicide from early 2023 by working closely with the Office for Veterans’ Affairs and the Ministry of Defence. As part of a 10-year retrospective study, analysis of veteran suicide data is expected to be completed by the ONS in 2023. Details on how and when this data might be published will be finalised following agreement between the MOD, ONS and OVA.

Johnny Mercer
Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Minister for Veterans' Affairs)
1st Nov 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the removal of the UK from the Eurostat database.

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

Professor Sir Ian Diamond | National Statistician

Margaret Ferrier MP

House of Commons

London

SW1A 0AA

4 November 2021

Dear Ms Ferrier,

As National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority, I am responding to your Parliamentary Question asking what recent assessment has been made of the implications of the removal of the UK from the Eurostat database (67174).

Since the UK’s departure from the EU, the UK statistical system has continued to collect and publish our wide range of high-quality data and analysis to inform the UK on social and economic matters. This ensures Government, Parliament, and the public continue to have the statistics they need to inform their decisions.

Our statistics continue to be produced according to our Code of Practice for Statistics, ensuring official UK statistics are trustworthy, quality-assured, and meet society’s needs. Furthermore, in line with our strategy, Statistics for the Public Good, we continue to apply the highest international standards to our work, enabling comparability both over time and internationally.

Outside of the EU, it is no longer appropriate for the UK to be bound into European regulations on statistics, however, we remain strongly committed to co-operating with our colleagues in other national statistical institutes across Europe and the rest of the world, with a view to making UK statistics as widely and easily available as possible for international comparison, analysis and research.

Yours sincerely,

Professor Sir Ian Diamond

23rd Jun 2021
To ask the Prime Minister, whether he discussed human rights in Bahrain with the Crown Prince, the Prime Minister of Bahrain, Salman Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa and accompanying Bahraini officials at their meeting on 17 June.

The Crown Prince and I discussed a wide range of matters. We regularly raise human rights issues with the Government of Bahrain and continue to engage with the Government of Bahrain to support its reform agenda.

12th Nov 2020
What steps he is taking with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to ensure the adequacy of fuel and electricity supplies in the event of no agreement on the future relationship with the EU at the end of the transition period.

The end of the transition period will not alter the fact that our energy system is resilient, and our supplies secure. We are planning extensively for the end of the transition period, alongside industry, the Devolved Administrations, and key delivery partners to ensure energy demands continue to be met.

Penny Mordaunt
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
29th Apr 2020
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many staff in his Department have formal arrangements to work from home during the covid-19 outbreak.

Where possible Cabinet Office officials are working from home during the COVID-19 crisis, and as a result the vast majority of civil servants are working from home on any given day. The Department has issued staff with working from home guidance. However, only a small number of staff are formally 'designated homeworkers'. Of those who have declared, 20 members of staff are 'designated homeworkers' as of 30 April 2020.

21st Apr 2017
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government plans to bring forward legislative proposals to extend the franchise to EU nationals for the 8 June 2017 UK general election.

The franchise for the Parliamentary election remains unchanged as set out in the Representation of the People Acts 1983 and 1985.

19th Apr 2017
To ask the Prime Minister, whether in her meeting with King Salman of Saudi Arabia in April 2017 she discussed with him the cases of Ali Mohammed al-Nimr, Dawood al-Marhoon and Abdullah al-Zaher.

I refer the hon. Member to the statement issued on 5 April following my meeting with King Salman of Saudi Arabia and which is available on the gov.uk website: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-meeting-with-king-salman-of-saudi-arabia-5-april-2017.

I also refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my noble Friend, the Minister of State, the right hon. Baroness Anelay of St Johns to the noble Lord Hoyle on 24 April 2017 in the House of Lords, HL6712.

19th Apr 2017
To ask the Prime Minister, whether she discussed future arms sales to Saudi Arabia in her meeting with King Salman in April 2017.

I refer the hon. Member to the statement issued on 5 April following my meeting with King Salman of Saudi Arabia and which is available on the gov.uk website: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-meeting-with-king-salman-of-saudi-arabia-5-april-2017.

I also refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my noble Friend, the Minister of State, the right hon. Baroness Anelay of St Johns to the noble Lord Hoyle on 24 April 2017 in the House of Lords, HL6712.

19th Apr 2017
To ask the Prime Minister, whether she discussed the Saudi Arabia-led coalition participation in the conflict in Yemen at her meeting with the King of Saudi Arabia in April 2017.

I refer the hon. Member to the statement issued on 5 April following my meeting with King Salman of Saudi Arabia and which is available on the gov.uk website: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-meeting-with-king-salman-of-saudi-arabia-5-april-2017.

I also refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my noble Friend, the Minister of State, the right hon. Baroness Anelay of St Johns to the noble Lord Hoyle on 24 April 2017 in the House of Lords, HL6712.

30th Jan 2017
To ask the Prime Minister, whether she raised the use of torture as an interrogation technique by US intelligence services at her meeting with President Trump on 27 January 2017.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Mrs West) on 31 January 2017, UIN 50210.

30th Jan 2017
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if the Government will take steps to make the consultation process operated through the Sewel Convention a statutory requirement.

The Sewel convention recognises that the Parliament of the United Kingdom will not normally legislate with regard to devolved matters without the consent of the relevant devolved legislature. Both the Scotland Act 2016 and the Wales Act 2017 place the Sewel convention on a statutory footing, as committed to in the cross-party Smith Commission and St David’s Day agreements.

26th Jan 2017
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the average salary was in (a) Rutherglen and Hamilton West constituency, (b) Scotland and (c) the UK in each of the last five years.

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

24th Jan 2017
To ask the Prime Minister, when she was made aware of the results of the tests of the UK's nuclear deterrent in June 2016; and if she will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the Statement made by the Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for Sevenoaks (Mr Fallon) on 23 January 2017, Official Report, columns 23-42.

13th Jan 2017
To ask the Prime Minister, if she will publish minutes of her meeting with the Wall Street Editorial Board in September 2016.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Denton and Reddish (Mr Gwynne) on 28 October 2016, UIN 50210.

20th Dec 2016
To ask the Prime Minister, when information on her external meetings from July to September 2016 will be published.

Information covering the period from July to September 2016 was published on 21 December 2016 and is available on the gov.uk website.

25th Nov 2016
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if the Government will bring forward legislative proposals to extend the franchise to 16 and 17 year olds for the next UK general election.

The Government has no plans to lower the voting age for the next UK general election.

3rd Nov 2016
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government has appointed a UK Digital Champion to replace Martha Lane Fox; and if he will make a statement.

Baroness Lane-Fox of Soho CBE, stepped down from her role as UK digital champion in 2013. She continues to be a member of the Government Digital Service Advisory Board, whose remit includes supporting government to deliver better services for users, reviewing progress, sharing experience, providing external expertise and raising public awareness. The current membership can be found here:

- https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/gds-advisory-board

The Government’s focus on digital is comprehensive and expanding, something underlined by the creation of three new senior roles. The Government Digital Service has been strengthened with the appointment of its first Director General of Digital, Kevin Cunnington. In addition, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has appointed Matthew Gould, as its first Director General for Digital and Media, and Liam Maxwell as the Government’s first National Technology Adviser.

10th Oct 2016
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the remit is of the Gulf Strategy Unit; when the Unit was established; how many staff the Unit is intended to employ; and what the proposed budget for the Unit is.

The Gulf Strategy Integrated Delivery Team was established in 2015.

Its remit is to coordinate the Government’s strategic approach to UK engagement with the Gulf States as set out in the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015.

It employs three full-time and one part-time Government employees. One is military and three are civilian.

Administration costs were £70,004 in the 2015-16 financial year and the budget for administration costs in the 2016-17 financial year is £423,000. The 2015-16 figure reflects the fact the unit was established later in the financial year.

23rd Feb 2016
To ask the Prime Minister, what recent representations he has made to officials working on the Chilcot Inquiry; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to Sir John Chilcot’s letter to me of 28 October 2015, and my reply of 29 October, copies of which can be found on the Iraq Inquiry website.

8th Feb 2016
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 4 February 2016 to Question 25009, what proportion of people in the Senior Civil Service were based in London in each year since 2010.

The Civil Service requires a variety of skills and professions within its workforce and many senior civil servants, by nature of their remit, work closely with Ministers, which is why the majority of these positions are based in London.

The proportion of SCS based in London has remained relatively stable from 2010 to 2015.

1st April 2010

65.1%

1st April 2011

65.0%

1st April 2012

65.5%

1st April 2013

63.9%

1st April 2014

65.4%

1st April 2015

67.0%

Although the proportion has increased, this represents an overall decrease in headcount, from 2,840 at 1st April 2010 to 2,660 at 1st April 2015.

4th Feb 2016
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the estimated total cost to the public purse is of the Independent Commission on Freedom of Information review of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Sheffield Central on 19 October 2015 to UIN: 10764.

4th Feb 2016
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the cost to the public purse has been of the Independent Commission on Freedom of Information since its establishment.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Sheffield Central on 19 October 2015 to UIN: 10764.

28th Jan 2016
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 9 December 2015 to Question 902477, when he expects the Independent Commission on Freedom of Information to publish its review of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

It is for the independent Commission to determine the timing for submitting its response to Government.

26th Nov 2015
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what plans he has to bring forward legislative proposals to amend the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

We are committed to the Freedom of Information Act. An independent commission was established review the workings of the Act. The Government will consider the Commission’s report when it is received.

9th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to tackle barriers around planning and consent in developing the transmission network required to support a net zero grid.

In the British Energy Security Strategy the Government committed to accelerating the delivery of electricity transmission infrastructure. The network blueprint, the Holistic Network Design for onshore-offshore transmission, will be referenced in the energy National Policy Statements (NPS) for England and Wales, supporting the needs case for transmission projects.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
9th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what progress has been made in updating the Energy National Policy statements which have been under review since November 2021.

To enable delivery of the commitments in April’s British Energy Security Strategy, the Department has reviewed and strengthened these NPSs. This includes the EN-1 Overarching need case for energy infrastructure, EN-3 Renewable electricity infrastructure and EN-5 Electricity networks infrastructure. The review is to ensure they fully reflect the strategic importance of new energy infrastructure for delivering the UK’s energy security and affordability and to deliver on Net Zero. The importance of this has been underlined by global events in the last 12 months since the end of the previous consultation. DESNZ will re-consult on these documents.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
28th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether it is her policy to secure funding for the Office for Life Sciences’ respiratory healthcare mission.

The Government, via the National Institute for Health and Care Research and the Medical Research Council, invest significantly in research and development into respiratory diseases. This investment is aligned to the aims and ambitions of the proposed Respiratory Mission, outlined in the Life Science Vision, to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with respiratory disease.

The Office for Life Sciences will continue to work with public, private and philanthropic partners to identify options and funding opportunities that could allow a specific Respiratory Mission to be set up and delivered.

29th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Rosebank oil field development in the North Sea on the UK’s international climate obligations and commitments.

Supporting domestic oil and gas production is not incompatible with our international climate obligations. Oil field developments under existing licences, including Rosebank, are assessed by the North Sea Transition Authority, who integrate net zero considerations into the development consent process.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
3rd Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the development the Rosebank oil field on decarbonisation targets in the North Sea Transition Deal.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave the Hon. Member for Norwich South on 1st November 2022 to Question 69713.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
3rd Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department has made an assessment of the compatibility of the oil and gas licensing round on the UK's (a) carbon budgets, (b) net zero target and (c) legal obligations and commitments towards international climate targets.

The opening of the most recent licensing round by the North Sea Transition Authority followed the publication of the Climate Compatibility Checkpoint.

The North Sea Transition Deal includes emissions reduction targets consistent with the Government’s Net Zero Strategy, which establishes the UK pathway for carbon budgets and international targets.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)