First elected: 8th June 2017
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).
Remain neutral in Israel-Palestine conflict and withdraw support for Israel
Sign this petition Gov Responded - 6 Nov 2023 Debated on - 11 Dec 2023 View Matt Western's petition debate contributionsWe want the UK to be neutral in the conflict between Israel and Palestine, and withdraw offers of support for Israel.
Seek a ceasefire and to end Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip
Sign this petition Gov Responded - 13 Nov 2023 Debated on - 11 Dec 2023 View Matt Western's petition debate contributionsWe want the Government to seek a ceasefire and also seek to address the root cause of the current conflict by promoting dialogue and advocating for the end of Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Urge the Israel Government to allow fuel, electricity and food into Gaza
Sign this petition Gov Responded - 10 Nov 2023 Debated on - 11 Dec 2023 View Matt Western's petition debate contributionsThe UK Government should urge the Israeli Government to stop the blockade of Food, Fuel and Electricity to the already impoverished city of Gaza
Create statutory legal duty of care for students in Higher Education
Gov Responded - 20 Jan 2023 Debated on - 5 Jun 2023 View Matt Western's petition debate contributionsNo general statutory duty of care exists in HE. Yet, a duty of care is owed to students, and the Government should legislate for this. HE providers should know what their duty is. Students must know what they can expect. Parents expect their children to be safe at university.
Make it a legal requirement for nightclubs to thoroughly search guests on entry
Gov Responded - 4 Nov 2021 Debated on - 8 Nov 2021 View Matt Western's petition debate contributionsI would like the UK Government to make it law that nightclubs must search guests on arrival to prevent harmful weapons and other items entering the establishment. This could be a pat down search or metal detector, but must involve measures being put in place to ensure the safety of the public.
Reduce University student tuition fees from £9250 to £3000
Gov Responded - 26 Jan 2021 Debated on - 25 Oct 2021 View Matt Western's petition debate contributionsCall on the government to consider holding debates in Parliament between MPs and university students to raise/discuss issues that affect them. It will allow students to voice their opinions and concerns about tuition fees of £9250 a year which are too high, particularly as grants have been removed
Stop work on HS2 immediately and hold a new vote to repeal the legislation
Gov Responded - 14 Jan 2021 Debated on - 13 Sep 2021 View Matt Western's petition debate contributionsWe ask Parliament to repeal the High Speed Rail Bills, 2016 and 2019, as MPs voted on misleading environmental, financial and timetable information provided by the Dept of Transport and HS2 Ltd. It fails to address the conditions of the Paris Accord and costs have risen from £56bn to over £100bn.
These initiatives were driven by Matt Western, 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.
Matt Western has not been granted any Urgent Questions
A Bill to introduce a presumption in planning decision-making against approving quarry development in close proximity to settlements; to require the risks of proposed quarrying sites to health and the environment, including through silica dust, to be assessed as part of the planning process; to make provision about the use of quarries for waste disposal; and for connected purposes.
The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to limit bus drivers on local routes to driving for no more than 56 hours in any one week and 90 hours in any two consecutive weeks; and for connected purposes.
Planning (Quarries) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Paul Holmes (Con)
Digital Devices (Access for Next of Kin) Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Ian Paisley (DUP)
Welfare (Terminal Illness) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Jessica Morden (Lab)
Disabled Facilities Grants (Review) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Liz Twist (Lab)
Ground Rents (Leasehold Properties) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Eddie Hughes (Con)
Unauthorised Encampments Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Toby Perkins (Lab)
Packaging (Extended Producer Responsibility) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Anna McMorrin (Lab)
National Health Service Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Eleanor Smith (Lab)
As part of a wider package to support the growth of the creative industries, the Government is committed to supporting the UK’s video game sector which brings economic, cultural and social benefits across the UK.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has committed to an £8 million expansion of the UK Games Fund (UKGF) (2022-25). The UKGF provides grants to support new intellectual property (IP) and talent development in the UK games sector. Its Tranzfuser programme supports graduates across the UK to develop valuable business skills. Games companies making interactive narrative games can access the International Business Development strand of the £21 million UK Global Screen Fund which provides financial support for business strategies that drive growth, as well as intellectual property support.
In addition, DCMS is delivering a £17.5 million Create Growth Programme which supports high-growth creative businesses, including games companies, to access finance across six regions in England outside of London to reach their growth potential.
The Government is also investing over £100 million to support innovation in the creative industries. This includes the £75.6 million Convergent Screen Technologies and Performance in RealTime (CoSTAR) programme to build a new national R&D infrastructure for the screen industries and the £30 million Creative Catalyst Programme to fund small and micro creative businesses to innovate.
The Government will set out interventions to support skills and workforce development in the upcoming Creative Industries Sector Vision. The Government is building a skills system that is employer-focused, high-quality, and fit for the future. This includes supporting more people to complete an apprenticeship, including the Level 7 game programmer standard, or a Higher Technical Qualification, rolling out more T Levels, and establishing our network of 21 Institutes of Technology. We are also expanding our Skills Bootcamps in 2024 and are considering how games and other creative sectors can best make use of these.
As part of a wider package to support the growth of the creative industries, the Government is committed to supporting the UK’s video game sector which brings economic, cultural and social benefits across the UK.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has committed to an £8 million expansion of the UK Games Fund (UKGF) (2022-25). The UKGF provides grants to support new intellectual property (IP) and talent development in the UK games sector. Its Tranzfuser programme supports graduates across the UK to develop valuable business skills. Games companies making interactive narrative games can access the International Business Development strand of the £21 million UK Global Screen Fund which provides financial support for business strategies that drive growth, as well as intellectual property support.
In addition, DCMS is delivering a £17.5 million Create Growth Programme which supports high-growth creative businesses, including games companies, to access finance across six regions in England outside of London to reach their growth potential.
The Government is also investing over £100 million to support innovation in the creative industries. This includes the £75.6 million Convergent Screen Technologies and Performance in RealTime (CoSTAR) programme to build a new national R&D infrastructure for the screen industries and the £30 million Creative Catalyst Programme to fund small and micro creative businesses to innovate.
The Government will set out interventions to support skills and workforce development in the upcoming Creative Industries Sector Vision. The Government is building a skills system that is employer-focused, high-quality, and fit for the future. This includes supporting more people to complete an apprenticeship, including the Level 7 game programmer standard, or a Higher Technical Qualification, rolling out more T Levels, and establishing our network of 21 Institutes of Technology. We are also expanding our Skills Bootcamps in 2024 and are considering how games and other creative sectors can best make use of these.
As part of a wider package to support the growth of the creative industries, the Government is committed to supporting the UK’s video game sector which brings economic, cultural and social benefits across the UK.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has committed to an £8 million expansion of the UK Games Fund (UKGF) (2022-25). The UKGF provides grants to support new intellectual property (IP) and talent development in the UK games sector. Its Tranzfuser programme supports graduates across the UK to develop valuable business skills. Games companies making interactive narrative games can access the International Business Development strand of the £21 million UK Global Screen Fund which provides financial support for business strategies that drive growth, as well as intellectual property support.
In addition, DCMS is delivering a £17.5 million Create Growth Programme which supports high-growth creative businesses, including games companies, to access finance across six regions in England outside of London to reach their growth potential.
The Government is also investing over £100 million to support innovation in the creative industries. This includes the £75.6 million Convergent Screen Technologies and Performance in RealTime (CoSTAR) programme to build a new national R&D infrastructure for the screen industries and the £30 million Creative Catalyst Programme to fund small and micro creative businesses to innovate.
The Government will set out interventions to support skills and workforce development in the upcoming Creative Industries Sector Vision. The Government is building a skills system that is employer-focused, high-quality, and fit for the future. This includes supporting more people to complete an apprenticeship, including the Level 7 game programmer standard, or a Higher Technical Qualification, rolling out more T Levels, and establishing our network of 21 Institutes of Technology. We are also expanding our Skills Bootcamps in 2024 and are considering how games and other creative sectors can best make use of these.
The government does not hold data on the passport status of sportspeople or sports coaches divided by sport or leagues.
The government does not hold data on the passport status of sportspeople or sports coaches divided by sport or leagues.
Offences of hare coursing may be prosecuted using offences created by the Game Act 1831, the Night Poaching Act 1828 and the Hunting Act 2004.
The CPS does not maintain a central record of the number of prosecutions for offences of hare coursing. This information could only be obtained by examining CPS case files, which would incur disproportionate cost.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is working closely with colleagues across the Criminal Justice System to ensure that these offences continue to be brought to justice. Cases are still being referred to the CPS for charging decisions, trials are being listed and domestic abuse cases are treated as a high priority.
The CPS has worked with police colleagues to introduce an Interim Charging Protocol to ensure that the most serious cases are prioritised effectively and put before the courts at the earliest opportunity. The CPS is committed to working closely with CJS partners and the third sector to make sure victims and witnesses remain at the heart of the process.
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.
A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 1 September is attached.
Details of Ministerial overseas travel are published on gov.uk on a quarterly basis.
The specific information requested is not centrally held and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. I would refer the Hon. Member to the previous Cabinet Office Annual Accounts and Reports that holds some information on departmental business travel since 2010.
The Disproportionate Cost Threshold is set at £850. This is set out in the Guide to Parliamentary Work (2018) published at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/740236/Guide-to-Parliamentary-Work-2018.pdf.
Details of expenditure on the Downing Street estate, including spending under the annual allowance for the official residence, will be published in the Cabinet Office’s annual report and audited accounts in due course.
As with previous administrations, the cost of moving-in or removing personal property from a Ministerial residence is funded by the incoming or departing Minister.
The Government developed a strong national campaign to provide information and reassurance to the public. As part of this, we utilised advertising in over 600 national, regional and local titles across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
As with any media planning approach, titles were selected on their ability to engage with audiences at a national, regional and local level. All of these titles have been selected independently by our media planning and buying agency, OmniGOV.
The spend breakdown requested is not held by the Cabinet Office as this information will be held by OmniGov. The Cabinet Office also publishes expenditure, including on public information campaigns, on a rolling monthly basis on GOV.UK as part of routine government transparency arrangements.
The Government developed a strong national campaign to provide information and reassurance to the public. As part of this, we utilised advertising in over 600 national, regional and local titles across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
As with any media planning approach, titles were selected on their ability to engage with audiences at a national, regional and local level. All of these titles have been selected independently by our media planning and buying agency, OmniGOV.
The spend breakdown requested is not held by the Cabinet Office as this information will be held by OmniGov. The Cabinet Office also publishes expenditure, including on public information campaigns, on a rolling monthly basis on GOV.UK as part of routine government transparency arrangements.
The Government developed a strong national campaign to provide information and reassurance to the public. As part of this, we utilised advertising in over 600 national, regional and local titles across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
As with any media planning approach, titles were selected on their ability to engage with audiences at a national, regional and local level. All of these titles have been selected independently by our media planning and buying agency, OmniGOV.
The spend breakdown requested is not held by the Cabinet Office as this information will be held by OmniGov. The Cabinet Office also publishes expenditure, including on public information campaigns, on a rolling monthly basis on GOV.UK as part of routine government transparency arrangements.
The Government developed a strong national campaign to provide information and reassurance to the public. As part of this, we utilised advertising in over 600 national, regional and local titles across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
As with any media planning approach, titles were selected on their ability to engage with audiences at a national, regional and local level. All of these titles have been selected independently by our media planning and buying agency, OmniGOV.
The spend breakdown requested is not held by the Cabinet Office as this information will be held by OmniGov. The Cabinet Office also publishes expenditure, including on public information campaigns, on a rolling monthly basis on GOV.UK as part of routine government transparency arrangements.
The Government developed a strong national campaign to provide information and reassurance to the public. As part of this, we utilised advertising in over 600 national, regional and local titles across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
As with any media planning approach, titles were selected on their ability to engage with audiences at a national, regional and local level. All of these titles have been selected independently by our media planning and buying agency, OmniGOV.
The spend breakdown requested is not held by the Cabinet Office as this information will be held by OmniGov. The Cabinet Office also publishes expenditure, including on public information campaigns, on a rolling monthly basis on GOV.UK as part of routine government transparency arrangements.
The Government developed a strong national campaign to provide information and reassurance to the public. As part of this, we utilised advertising in over 600 national, regional and local titles across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
As with any media planning approach, titles were selected on their ability to engage with audiences at a national, regional and local level. All of these titles have been selected independently by our media planning and buying agency, OmniGOV.
The spend breakdown requested is not held by the Cabinet Office as this information will be held by OmniGov. The Cabinet Office also publishes expenditure, including on public information campaigns, on a rolling monthly basis on GOV.UK as part of routine government transparency arrangements.
The Government developed a strong national campaign to provide information and reassurance to the public. As part of this, we utilised advertising in over 600 national, regional and local titles across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
As with any media planning approach, titles were selected on their ability to engage with audiences at a national, regional and local level. All of these titles have been selected independently by our media planning and buying agency, OmniGOV.
The spend breakdown requested is not held by the Cabinet Office as this information will be held by OmniGov. The Cabinet Office also publishes expenditure, including on public information campaigns, on a rolling monthly basis on GOV.UK as part of routine government transparency arrangements.
The Government developed a strong national campaign to provide information and reassurance to the public. As part of this, we utilised advertising in over 600 national, regional and local titles across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
As with any media planning approach, titles were selected on their ability to engage with audiences at a national, regional and local level. All of these titles have been selected independently by our media planning and buying agency, OmniGOV.
The spend breakdown requested is not held by the Cabinet Office as this information will be held by OmniGov. The Cabinet Office also publishes expenditure, including on public information campaigns, on a rolling monthly basis on GOV.UK as part of routine government transparency arrangements.
The Government developed a strong national campaign to provide information and reassurance to the public. As part of this, we utilised advertising in over 600 national, regional and local titles across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
As with any media planning approach, titles were selected on their ability to engage with audiences at a national, regional and local level. All of these titles have been selected independently by our media planning and buying agency, OmniGOV.
The spend breakdown requested is not held by the Cabinet Office as this information will be held by OmniGov. The Cabinet Office also publishes expenditure, including on public information campaigns, on a rolling monthly basis on GOV.UK as part of routine government transparency arrangements.
The Government developed a strong national campaign to provide information and reassurance to the public. As part of this, we utilised advertising in over 600 national, regional and local titles across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
As with any media planning approach, titles were selected on their ability to engage with audiences at a national, regional and local level. All of these titles have been selected independently by our media planning and buying agency, OmniGOV.
The spend breakdown requested is not held by the Cabinet Office as this information will be held by OmniGov. The Cabinet Office also publishes expenditure, including on public information campaigns, on a rolling monthly basis on GOV.UK as part of routine government transparency arrangements.
The Government developed a strong national campaign to provide information and reassurance to the public. As part of this, we utilised advertising in over 600 national, regional and local titles across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
As with any media planning approach, titles were selected on their ability to engage with audiences at a national, regional and local level. All of these titles have been selected independently by our media planning and buying agency, OmniGOV.
The spend breakdown requested is not held by the Cabinet Office as this information will be held by OmniGov. The Cabinet Office also publishes expenditure, including on public information campaigns, on a rolling monthly basis on GOV.UK as part of routine government transparency arrangements.
The Government developed a strong national campaign to provide information and reassurance to the public. As part of this, we utilised advertising in over 600 national, regional and local titles across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
As with any media planning approach, titles were selected on their ability to engage with audiences at a national, regional and local level. All of these titles have been selected independently by our media planning and buying agency, OmniGOV.
The spend breakdown requested is not held by the Cabinet Office as this information will be held by OmniGov. The Cabinet Office also publishes expenditure, including on public information campaigns, on a rolling monthly basis on GOV.UK as part of routine government transparency arrangements.
The House of Lords Appointments Commission (HoLAC) was established in 2000 as an independent body. HoLAC is responsible for the vetting for propriety of all life peerages to the cross-bench and political benches of the House. HoLAC seeks advice from the appropriate vetting agencies and then will either advise the Prime Minister that it has no concerns about the appointment, or will draw its concerns to the Prime Minister’s attention. These vetting procedures and the advice to the Prime Minister are confidential.
Where HOLAC does not support a nomination, and a Prime Minister has exercised their right to recommend it anyway, this information is communicated in general terms to the relevant select committee (PACAC) whilst also protecting the identity of the nominee in question.
According to the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC), the UK produced 80,000 battery electric passenger cars and vans in 2022 - forecasted to increase to 970,000 by 2030.
We are investing in the technologies of the future, positioning the UK as one of the best locations in the world to manufacture electric vehicles through the Automotive Transformation Fund and the long-term Advanced Propulsion Centre R&D programme.
Globally 8 million battery electric passenger cars and vans were produced in 2022 - expected to rise to 44milllion by 2030.
Source: APC Q1 2023 Automotive Demand Forecast
We do not hold data on OECD electric vehicle production volumes.
The Department for Business and Trade does not hold this information about trading standards, which is a local government service.
Of the 1,800,000 businesses that were set up over the five years from 2016 to 2020, 39% had closed by 2021. (ONS, Business Demography, 2022)
Of the 14,500 businesses in the ‘Creative, arts and entertainment activities’ sector that were set up over the five years from 2016 to 2020, 32% had closed by 2021. (ONS, Business Demography, 2022)
HM Land Registry (HMLR) registers legal ownership, interests, mortgages and other secured loans against land and property in England and Wales. Land Registration is a devolved matter in Scotland and in Northern Ireland.
HMLR does not hold information on the nationality of individuals. While some individuals may provide non-UK correspondence addresses, this does not necessarily indicate nationality.
Published information on overseas companies that own property in England and Wales is accessible here: https://use-land-property-data.service.gov.uk/datasets/ocod.
The Department for Business and Trade, working with industry partners, delivers a trade promotion programme for UK video games firms at major international video games trade shows to support their exporting journey. An example of this support is the video games trade mission this department is taking to the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco in March 2023. We also deliver a dedicated campaign programme ‘Made in the UK, Sold to the World’ which encourages new exporters, including those from the video games sector, to pursue export opportunities. Video games firms can also access the Creative Industries Faculty of the Export Academy, which builds their export capability through a programme of online learning.
The latest statistics for the number of households in fuel poverty in parliamentary constituencies in England, can be found in the published sub-regional fuel poverty Official Statistics, in Table 4: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fuel-poverty-statistics
The estimates covering 2019 to 2021 are published using the current fuel poverty metric and 2010 to 2018 using the previous metric. Information on the number of people in fuel poverty is not held at local area level.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Businesses, including public houses, have already benefitted from the Energy Bill Relief Scheme which ended on 31 March and provided £7.4 billion of support. Eligible businesses will continue to get a baseline discount on energy bills under the Energy Bills Discount Scheme (EBDS) from 1 April 2023 until 31 March 2024.
We are also helping the industry by cutting their business rates by 75%, as well as increasing the Draught Relief duty differential from 5% to 9.2% to ensure the duty on a draught pint served in a pub did not increase from August.
The Government does not hold comprehensive information on the total number of households with a heat pump installed.
However, since 2007, heat pumps installed under Government grants have been recorded on the Microgeneration Certification Scheme Installations Database, which shows the number of recorded heat pumps installed across the UK as:
• 9,057 in July 2011 (approximately 0.03% of total households).
• 29,810 in July 2013 (approximately 0.11% of total households).
• 200,422 in July 2023 (approximately 0.71% of total households).
The database does not include all heat pump installations. For example, heat pumps installed without Government funding support, such as in new buildings, are not typically recorded in the Microgeneration Certification Scheme Installations Database.
The number of solar PV schemes installed in households at the end of July 2023 accounted for around 4.3 percent of all UK households.
In July 2013, domestic solar installations accounted for 1.7 percent of all UK households.
In July 2011, domestic solar installations accounted for 0.3 percent of all UK households.
Like other businesses, the video games industry benefited from Energy Bill Relief Scheme support and will continue to be provided a baseline discount under Energy Bills Discount Scheme if eligible.
The Government is also supporting UK SMEs in dealing with cost-of-living pressures by cutting fuel duty for 12 months as well as helping businesses with £6bn of investment in energy efficiency. The Government would encourage all businesses to do what they can to improve their energy efficiency.
The Government is keeping energy efficiency support for all non-domestic organisations under review. Existing initiatives which may be applicable include an exemption on business rates for green technology and providing grants under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
The Government is reviewing what additional levers can be introduced to help organisations to be more energy efficient, including financial support. As part of this, the Government has launched a new Energy Efficiency Taskforce to help achieve its target to reduce energy consumption from buildings and industry by 15% by 2030.
The Government has not made an assessment on the Solar Together scheme, which has been adopted by a number of local authorities.
The Government welcomes more deployment of rooftop solar panels and is supportive of innovative solutions that deliver cost effective installations for consumers.
The Government has not made an assessment on the Solar Together scheme, which has been adopted by a number of local authorities.
The Government welcomes more deployment of rooftop solar panels and is supportive of innovative solutions that deliver cost effective installations for consumers.
The Government has not made an assessment on the Solar Together scheme, which has been adopted by a number of local authorities.
The Government welcomes more deployment of rooftop solar panels and is supportive of innovative solutions that deliver cost effective installations for consumers.
The new Energy Bill Discount Scheme will run from April until March 2024 and continue to provide a discount to eligible non-domestic customers including pubs. A Treasury-led review into the operation of the current Energy Bill Relief Schemes was conducted with the objective of significantly reducing the overall burden on public finances, and ensuring support is targeted at those most in need and unable to adjust to recent energy price rises. The Government recognises these are difficult times for pubs, therefore, alongside the continued support with energy bills, the Government is also cutting business rates by 75% as well as a six-month extension to the alcohol duty freeze.