First elected: 12th December 2019
Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
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).
'Owen's Law' - Change the law around allergy labelling in UK restaurants
Gov Responded - 14 Jul 2021 Debated on - 15 May 2023 View Margaret Ferrier's petition debate contributions1.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
Appoint an Allergy Tsar as a champion for people living with allergies
Gov Responded - 25 Aug 2021 Debated on - 15 May 2023 View Margaret Ferrier's petition debate contributionsThe 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 unlawful for shops to refuse cash payments.
Gov Responded - 25 Apr 2022 Debated on - 20 Mar 2023 View Margaret Ferrier's petition debate contributionsMake it illegal for retailers and services to decline cash payments.
Require all businesses and public services to accept cash payments
Gov Responded - 22 Sep 2022 Debated on - 20 Mar 2023 View Margaret Ferrier's petition debate contributionsAll 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
Protect free NHS prescriptions for over 60s
Gov Responded - 28 Jan 2022 Debated on - 6 Mar 2023 View Margaret Ferrier's petition debate contributionsContinue 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.
Create an emergency fund for ASD (autism) & ADHD assessments
Gov Responded - 14 Dec 2021 Debated on - 6 Feb 2023 View Margaret Ferrier's petition debate contributionsThe 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.
Review management of ADHD assessments and increase funding
Gov Responded - 21 Apr 2022 Debated on - 6 Feb 2023 View Margaret Ferrier's petition debate contributionsThe 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.
Reduce Indefinite leave to remain fees from £2389 to £243 for Health workers
Gov Responded - 1 Feb 2022 Debated on - 30 Jan 2023 View Margaret Ferrier's petition debate contributionsThe 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.
Ban commercial breeding for laboratories. Implement reform to approve & use NAMs
Gov Responded - 27 May 2022 Debated on - 16 Jan 2023 View Margaret Ferrier's petition debate contributionsRevoke 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.
Make it a legal requirement for drivers to stop & report collisions with cats
Gov Responded - 22 Feb 2022 Debated on - 9 Jan 2023 View Margaret Ferrier's petition debate contributionsAmend legislation to make it a legal requirement for a driver to stop & report accidents involving cats.
Make the use of free-running snares illegal for trapping wildlife
Gov Responded - 13 Jan 2022 Debated on - 9 Jan 2023 View Margaret Ferrier's petition debate contributionsThe 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.
Nationalise Energy Companies
Gov Responded - 1 Sep 2022 Debated on - 31 Oct 2022 View Margaret Ferrier's petition debate contributionsThe 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.
Do not reform the Human Rights Act
Gov Responded - 17 Mar 2022 Debated on - 24 Oct 2022 View Margaret Ferrier's petition debate contributionsThe 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.
Replace the real bearskins used for the Queen’s Guard’s caps with faux fur
Gov Responded - 11 Feb 2022 Debated on - 11 Jul 2022 View Margaret Ferrier's petition debate contributionsThere 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.
Suspend trade agreement with Faroe Islands until all whale & dolphin hunts end
Gov Responded - 26 Oct 2021 Debated on - 11 Jul 2022 View Margaret Ferrier's petition debate contributionsIn 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
End the Cage Age for all farmed animals
Gov Responded - 20 Aug 2021 Debated on - 20 Jun 2022 View Margaret Ferrier's petition debate contributionsEvery 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.
Repeal Breed Specific Legislation
Gov Responded - 13 Jan 2022 Debated on - 6 Jun 2022 View Margaret Ferrier's petition debate contributionsThe 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.
Reduce fuel duty and VAT by 40% for a period of 2 years
Gov Responded - 17 Nov 2021 Debated on - 23 May 2022 View Margaret Ferrier's petition debate contributionsThe 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.
Waive visa requirement for Ukrainian refugees.
Gov Responded - 6 Apr 2022 Debated on - 14 Mar 2022 View Margaret Ferrier's petition debate contributionsJoin other nations in providing a route to safety for refugees. Waive all visa requirements for Ukrainian passport holders arriving in the UK.
Change the law to include laboratory animals in the Animal Welfare Act.
Gov Responded - 20 Aug 2021 Debated on - 7 Feb 2022 View Margaret Ferrier's petition debate contributionsThe 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).
#Reggieslaw - Regulate online animal sales
Gov Responded - 1 Jul 2021 Debated on - 13 Dec 2021 View Margaret Ferrier's petition debate contributionsGiven 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.
To allow non-prescribed storage of Salbutamol Inhalers in Commercial Kitchens
Gov Responded - 25 Aug 2021 Debated on - 29 Nov 2021 View Margaret Ferrier's petition debate contributionsIn 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.
Increase funding for research into Endometriosis and PCOS.
Gov Responded - 24 Aug 2020 Debated on - 1 Nov 2021 View Margaret Ferrier's petition debate contributionsEndometriosis 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.
Ban Animal Testing - Fund, accept & promote alternatives to animal testing
Gov Responded - 4 Aug 2021 Debated on - 25 Oct 2021 View Margaret Ferrier's petition debate contributionsWe 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.
Plan to phase out animal experiments
Gov Responded - 4 Aug 2021 Debated on - 25 Oct 2021 View Margaret Ferrier's petition debate contributionsThe 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.
FIONA'S LAW - Women should be allowed a yearly Cervical screening
Cervical screening needs to be every year.
This is because women are dying, mothers, wives, daughters, granddaughters and sisters are dying.
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
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.
Scotland (Self-Determination) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Neale Hanvey (Alba)
Immigration and Nationality Fees (Exemption for NHS Clinical Staff) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Rob Roberts (Ind)
High Income Child Benefit Charge (report to Parliament) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Jim Shannon (DUP)
Energy Costs (Pre-payment Meters and Social Tariffs) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Kenny MacAskill (Alba)
Consumer Telephone Service Standards Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Robert Halfon (Con)
Gaming Hardware (Automated Purchase and Resale) (No. 2) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Douglas Chapman (SNP)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
The franchise for the Parliamentary election remains unchanged as set out in the Representation of the People Acts 1983 and 1985.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
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.
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.
Information covering the period from July to September 2016 was published on 21 December 2016 and is available on the gov.uk website.
The Government has no plans to lower the voting age for the next UK general election.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Sheffield Central on 19 October 2015 to UIN: 10764.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Sheffield Central on 19 October 2015 to UIN: 10764.
It is for the independent Commission to determine the timing for submitting its response to Government.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave the Hon. Member for Norwich South on 1st November 2022 to Question 69713.
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.