Max Wilkinson Alert Sample


Alert Sample

View the Parallel Parliament page for Max Wilkinson

Information between 7th February 2026 - 17th February 2026

Note: This sample does not contain the most recent 2 weeks of information. Up to date samples can only be viewed by Subscribers.
Click here to view Subscription options.


Division Votes
11 Feb 2026 - Climate Change - View Vote Context
Max Wilkinson voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 52 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 0 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 362 Noes - 107
11 Feb 2026 - Local Government Finance - View Vote Context
Max Wilkinson voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 50 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 0 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 277 Noes - 143


Speeches
Max Wilkinson speeches from: Police Grant Report
Max Wilkinson contributed 10 speeches (2,019 words)
Wednesday 11th February 2026 - Commons Chamber
Home Office
Max Wilkinson speeches from: Oral Answers to Questions
Max Wilkinson contributed 1 speech (66 words)
Tuesday 10th February 2026 - Commons Chamber
Department for Energy Security & Net Zero
Max Wilkinson speeches from: Oral Answers to Questions
Max Wilkinson contributed 2 speeches (198 words)
Monday 9th February 2026 - Commons Chamber
Home Office


Written Answers
Child Maintenance Service
Asked by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
Monday 9th February 2026

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the Child Maintenance Service's arrears department is (i) office based and (ii) staffed through home working; how many people work for that team; what their response time is; and whether that response time is in line with their service level agreement.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) arrears department operates using a combination of office‑based and hybrid working arrangements. CMS currently offers the opportunity to work a minimum of 60% of time in the office with 40% at home, although staff can choose to work more time in the office if they wish. Some choose to work in the office full time. The only exceptions to this are individual requirements as part of a reasonable adjustment. Hybrid working is not a contractual right and is therefore subject to change. There are currently 771 employees working in the arrears team.

CMS monitors the performance of the arrears function. Caseworker response times remain consistent across both office‑based and home‑working arrangements and continue to operate fully within the Service Level Agreement for the arrears function.

Universal Credit: Fraud
Asked by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
Thursday 12th February 2026

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to prevent fraud relating to Universal Credit recipients claiming for properties they no longer occupy.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Since Autumn Budget 2024, the Government has committed to gross savings of £14.6bn up to the end of 2030/31 from fraud, error and debt activity in GB, which includes savings from the new powers contained within the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Act, an extension to continue Targeted Case Reviews to check accuracy of Universal Credit (UC) claims at risk of being incorrect until 2031 and the introduction of periodic redeclaration for UC claims to ensure claim accuracy, reduce fraud and error, and prevent avoidable debt.

Immigration
Asked by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
Tuesday 10th February 2026

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to publish an impact assessment of the policies contained in the White Paper, Restoring Control over the Immigration System; and if she will set out a timetable for publication.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Home Office has published the Technical Annex accompanying the White Paper (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/restoring-control-over-the-immigration-system-white-paper/restoring-control-over-the-immigration-system-technical-annex) and two subsequent Impact Assessments covering the Spring and Autumn Immigration Rules which implemented many of the policies set out in the White Paper (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/impact-assessments-covering-migration-policy)

Immigration
Asked by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
Tuesday 10th February 2026

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what impact assessments, internal modelling or economic analyses were produced to inform the policies set out in the White Paper “Restoring Control over the Immigration System”.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Home Office has published the Technical Annex accompanying the White Paper (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/restoring-control-over-the-immigration-system-white-paper/restoring-control-over-the-immigration-system-technical-annex) and two subsequent Impact Assessments covering the Spring and Autumn Immigration Rules which implemented many of the policies set out in the White Paper (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/impact-assessments-covering-migration-policy)

Asylum: Appeals
Asked by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
Wednesday 11th February 2026

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what data her Department holds on outcomes of asylum appeals since March 2023.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

Data on asylum appeals is published in table Asy_D06 and Asy_D07 of the ‘Asylum appeals lodged and determined detailed datasets’. The latest data relates to the year ending March 2023.

Information on how to use the datasets can be found in the ‘Notes’ page of the workbooks.

Appeals data from April 2023 onwards is currently unavailable for publication due to ongoing work as immigration data transitions to a new caseworking system. Work is ongoing to make this information available, and it will be included in a future edition of the Immigration System Statistics Quarterly release.

Please note that figures for immigration and asylum appeals at First-Tier Tribunal and subsequent stages are published by the Ministry of Justice as part of their Tribunal Statistics release. The latest data relates to January to March 2025.

Asylum
Asked by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
Wednesday 11th February 2026

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what quality assurance data her Department holds on the outcomes of initial asylum decisions since 2023-24.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Department publishes asylum decision quality data annually. Asylum decision quality data is published in the ADQ_01A table found in Migration transparency data - GOV.UK(opens in a new tab) of the Immigration and Protection data.

The publication of 2024/25 data has been delayed because we are reviewing the methodology and thresholds for what is published in order to provide greater transparency across all decisions.

Asylum: Human Rights
Asked by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
Wednesday 11th February 2026

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of implementing the recommendations in the report Externalised asylum and migration policies and human rights law, published by the Council of Europe.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

The UK has a long-standing commitment to protecting those in need, in line with our international obligations. All asylum claims that are lodged from within the UK and admitted to the UK asylum system, are given full and careful consideration. We have noted the Council of Europe’s report, and we will never remove anyone to a country where they would face persecution or serious harm. We remain firmly committed to this principle.

As required through the Public Sector Equality Duty, Home Office officials consider equality impacts throughout the policy development process. Protecting children and vulnerable people is and will remain a priority.

The reforms set out in the Asylum Policy Statement (Restoring Order and Control: A statement on the government’s asylum and returns policy - GOV.UK) introduce a comprehensive package of measures designed to restore order, control, fairness, and public confidence in the system. These reforms are fully compliant with our international obligations.

Further policy development is needed on the details of these reforms. We are in the process of consulting meaningfully with affected stakeholders and will carefully assess equalities impacts.

Retail Trade: Crime
Asked by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
Wednesday 11th February 2026

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's White Paper entitled From local to national: a new model for policing, published on 26 January 2026, whether the funding announced for Opal is an yearly increase on past and current funding.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

Opal is the National Policing Intelligence Unit for serious organised acquisitive crime. In 2023/4 and 2024/5, the Home Office provided £30,000 each year to help set up and run Pegasus which provides for a retail crime desk within Opal.

The Home Office is providing £5 million over the three financial years from 2025/6 to continue to fund Opal’s work with retailers and police forces to identify and dismantle organised crime groups and prolific offenders.

Retail Trade: Crime
Asked by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
Wednesday 11th February 2026

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much funding has been allocated to Opal in the National Policing Intelligence Unit in each year since 2021.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

Opal is the National Policing Intelligence Unit for serious organised acquisitive crime. In 2023/4 and 2024/5, the Home Office provided £30,000 each year to help set up and run Pegasus which provides for a retail crime desk within Opal.

The Home Office is providing £5 million over the three financial years from 2025/6 to continue to fund Opal’s work with retailers and police forces to identify and dismantle organised crime groups and prolific offenders.

Biometrics: Data Protection
Asked by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
Wednesday 11th February 2026

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that data collected by live facial recognition technology cannot be accessed by foreign states.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

Police use of live facial recognition (LFR) is governed by data protection legislation, which requires that any processing of biometric data is lawful, fair, proportionate and subject to appropriate safeguards.

The Home Office does not collect or store data generated through police use of LFR. Police forces act as data controllers for the operational use of the technology and are responsible for ensuring that data is stored and handled securely, in line with data protection law and established policing standards.

LFR systems used by the police must be procured and operated in accordance with UK law and national security requirements. Police procurement decisions are subject to procurement legislation and Cabinet Office guidance on supply‑chain and national security risk. This includes having regard to cyber security standards and advice from the National Cyber Security Centre, which supports public sector organisations in protecting systems and sensitive data from cyber threats, including risks associated with third‑party suppliers and foreign access.

Operational guidance on the use of LFR is set out in the College of Policing’s Authorised Professional Practice (APP). The APP is national guidance developed and maintained by the College, following engagement with policing practitioners and relevant stakeholders. It sets out best practice and legal standards for police forces, making clear that any use of LFR must be lawful, necessary and proportionate, and must comply with data protection, equality and human rights legislation.

The APP sits alongside the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice, issued by the Home Secretary, which provides statutory guidance on the responsible and transparent use of surveillance cameras including facial recognition.

Police: Biometrics
Asked by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
Wednesday 11th February 2026

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will publish a list of stakeholders that ministers have met to develop a best practice guidance for the use of Live Facial Recognition technology by the police.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

Police use of live facial recognition (LFR) is governed by data protection legislation, which requires that any processing of biometric data is lawful, fair, proportionate and subject to appropriate safeguards.

The Home Office does not collect or store data generated through police use of LFR. Police forces act as data controllers for the operational use of the technology and are responsible for ensuring that data is stored and handled securely, in line with data protection law and established policing standards.

LFR systems used by the police must be procured and operated in accordance with UK law and national security requirements. Police procurement decisions are subject to procurement legislation and Cabinet Office guidance on supply‑chain and national security risk. This includes having regard to cyber security standards and advice from the National Cyber Security Centre, which supports public sector organisations in protecting systems and sensitive data from cyber threats, including risks associated with third‑party suppliers and foreign access.

Operational guidance on the use of LFR is set out in the College of Policing’s Authorised Professional Practice (APP). The APP is national guidance developed and maintained by the College, following engagement with policing practitioners and relevant stakeholders. It sets out best practice and legal standards for police forces, making clear that any use of LFR must be lawful, necessary and proportionate, and must comply with data protection, equality and human rights legislation.

The APP sits alongside the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice, issued by the Home Secretary, which provides statutory guidance on the responsible and transparent use of surveillance cameras including facial recognition.

Biometrics: Data Protection
Asked by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
Wednesday 11th February 2026

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department plans to take to ensure that data collected by live facial recognition will be stored safely.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

Police use of live facial recognition (LFR) is governed by data protection legislation, which requires that any processing of biometric data is lawful, fair, proportionate and subject to appropriate safeguards.

The Home Office does not collect or store data generated through police use of LFR. Police forces act as data controllers for the operational use of the technology and are responsible for ensuring that data is stored and handled securely, in line with data protection law and established policing standards.

LFR systems used by the police must be procured and operated in accordance with UK law and national security requirements. Police procurement decisions are subject to procurement legislation and Cabinet Office guidance on supply‑chain and national security risk. This includes having regard to cyber security standards and advice from the National Cyber Security Centre, which supports public sector organisations in protecting systems and sensitive data from cyber threats, including risks associated with third‑party suppliers and foreign access.

Operational guidance on the use of LFR is set out in the College of Policing’s Authorised Professional Practice (APP). The APP is national guidance developed and maintained by the College, following engagement with policing practitioners and relevant stakeholders. It sets out best practice and legal standards for police forces, making clear that any use of LFR must be lawful, necessary and proportionate, and must comply with data protection, equality and human rights legislation.

The APP sits alongside the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice, issued by the Home Secretary, which provides statutory guidance on the responsible and transparent use of surveillance cameras including facial recognition.

Vulnerable Adults
Asked by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
Thursday 12th February 2026

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of financial abuse by negligent Financial Deputies on vulnerable adults under the court of protection.

Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

When the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) receives notice that the court has appointed a deputy to manage the finances or a person who lacks mental capacity, it provides the deputy with access to the Mental Capacity Act Code of Practice and supporting guidance known as Deputy Standards. Those standards are published on gov.uk and provide information on legal duties and responsibilities.

OPG expects Public Authority and professional deputies to have a higher level of technical knowledge and expertise than lay deputies, such as family members. For lay deputies, OPG provides initial support to help them meet their responsibilities competently. All deputies are subject to supervision by OPG and that process requires the deputy to submit annual accounts. Where a deputy fails to meet the Deputy Standards, they may be asked to complete a number of corrective actions. A significant breach of the standards may result in an application to the Court of Protection to remove the deputy.

If someone believes a deputy has breached their duties, they can report the matter to OPG. Under Section 58 of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 OPG has the power to deal with complaints or representations about the way in which a deputy is exercising their powers, including any alleged financial mismanagement or abuse. Where necessary, OPG refers cases to the Court of Protection and other agencies such as local authorities or the police.

Vulnerable Adults: Housing
Asked by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
Thursday 12th February 2026

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment has his department made of the potential benefits of introducing mandatory regular building surveys and maintenance plans in support of vulnerable adults under the court of protection.

Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

No such assessment has been made. The court can appoint a range of persons to fulfil the role of deputy in managing the financial affairs, and if appropriate the property affairs, of a vulnerable adult who lacks the capacity to make decisions about their assets.

Where a deputy is authorised to manage such property, they must act in accordance with the terms of the deputyship order and must act in the best interests of the vulnerable adult. The deputy must protect the property by ensuring it is secure and that appropriate insurance is in place. Keeping the property secure includes ensuring that any necessary maintenance is carried out by an appropriately qualified contractor.

Police: Finance
Asked by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
Friday 13th February 2026

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to Part 3 of her Department's White paper entitled From local to national: a new model for policing White Paper, published on 26 January 2026, what her planned timetable is for the review of the police funding formula.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The White Paper represents the most significant reforms to policing for nearly 200 years. The reforms to our policing system set out in the White Paper will have significant consequences for the way policing is funded in future.

Changes to police governance, force mergers and the creation of the National Police Service require a new way of allocating funding between forces, aligned with these new structures. We will therefore review the police funding formula once the implementation of police reform is underway so that the new formula reflects the new police force structures.

Police
Asked by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
Friday 13th February 2026

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to Pillar 1 entitled Police Back on the Beat within the white paper entitled From local to national: a new model for policing, published on 27 January 2026, CP 1489, how many police officers constitute a team; and whether neighbourhood policing area teams would be assigned to single council wards.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee (NPG) commitments means every neighbourhood now has named, and contactable officers. The commitments were delivered in line with police forces’ existing team structures and neighbourhood areas based on local needs shaped by a range of factors, including geography, crime types, urban or rural context, and population size and density. The constitution of a neighbourhood policing team therefore varies by force.

The White Paper confirms that we will work with police forces to define and implement neighbourhood areas to ensure they are of a size that makes sense locally and are recognisable to communities. Ultimately, we aim to have neighbourhood areas aligned with local council wards.

Policing and Crime Boards
Asked by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
Friday 13th February 2026

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to Part 3 of her Department's White paper entitled From local to national: a new model for policing White Paper, published on 26 January 2026, how many (a) strategic authority mayors and (bi) council leaders will be placed on a Policing and Crime Board.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

Policing and Crime Boards will be made up of upper-tier local authority leaders, and where they are present in the force area, Strategic Authority Mayors. This will ensure that the whole force area is represented by elected individuals. The exact number will be influenced by the number of upper-tier local authorities and Strategic Authorities in that area; we anticipate Policing and Crime Boards will be between 5 to 11 members.

Policing and Crime Boards will also include two independent members, to bring unique skills and expertise. They will be required to be supported by a Policing and Crime Lead, who will exercise many of the functions of the Board on their behalf, ensuring that there is a dedicated lead for policing on a day-to-day basis.

Police
Asked by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
Friday 13th February 2026

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what are the current boundaries of operational independence for police forces.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

Operational independence of the police is a longstanding fundamental principle of British policing. This ensures that Chief Constables maintain direction and control over their police force so that they can perform their role without fear or favour.

There is no statutory definition of operational independence or its boundaries. However, the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 and the Policing Protocol Order 2023 set an expectation that Chief Constables, their officers, and staff exercise professional judgement free from improper political or operational interference.

The Government’s recently published White Paper ‘From Local to National: A New Model for Policing’ announced plans to clarify the boundaries of operational independence to provide policing with direction and support to drive improvement where necessary.

Police: Reorganisation
Asked by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
Friday 13th February 2026

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of aligning strategic authority mayoral boundaries with new regional policing boundaries.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Police Reform White Paper, published on 26 January 2026, represents the most significant reforms to policing in England and Wales since the service was professionalised nearly 200 years ago. As part of this, the White Paper sets out an ambition to significantly reduce the number of police forces by the end of the next Parliament.

An Independent Review of police structures, which will report this Summer, will examine the optimal configuration of police forces. The review will consider alignment of public service boundaries, including mayoral and local authorities. Mayors and elected local leaders will continue to be a core part of the governance and accountability arrangements for policing.

Roads: Safety
Asked by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
Monday 16th February 2026

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to promote the new road safety strategy to the public.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

Injuries and fatalities from road collisions caused by driving are unacceptable, and this Government will work hard to prevent these tragedies for all road users.

That is why on 7 January 2026, we published our new Road Safety Strategy, setting out our vision for a safer future on our roads for all.

The Government’s THINK! road safety campaign delivers paid advertising to change attitudes and behaviours among those at most risk on the road, currently focused on the priority issues of speed, drink driving and drug driving. THINK! campaigns will play a key role in encouraging safer road user behaviours to support delivery of the strategy.

This will include paid campaign activity to raise awareness of any potential significant changes to road safety legislation, with the introduction of these potential changes also supported by wider communications including via DfT social channels and GOV.UK, media engagement and partner and stakeholder networks.

As our road environment and technologies evolve, providing education for all road users throughout their lifetime is vital to improving road safety. As announced in the strategy to support a Lifelong Learning approach in the UK, the Government will publish for the first time national guidance on the development and delivery of road safety education, training and publicity. Alongside this, the Government will publish a manual to support the implementation of a Lifelong Learning approach for road safety.

Infected Blood Compensation Scheme
Asked by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
Monday 16th February 2026

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he plans to reassess compensation amounts under the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

In line with recommendations of the Infected Blood Inquiry, the Government has publicly consulted on proposed changes to the compensation scheme. The consultation closed on 22nd January, and we will publish our response within 12 weeks of the consultation’s closing date. The Government is keen to prioritise amendments to the compensation scheme as recommended, while continuing to focus on the swift delivery of compensation to all victims of this scandal.

Anti-social Behaviour
Asked by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
Monday 16th February 2026

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to Section 22 of the Department's White Paper entitled From local to national: a new model for policing, published on 26 January 2026, how does her Department define dangerous behaviour; and what criteria do they use to identify it.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

There is no one specific definition of ‘dangerous behaviour’ or any exhaustive list of the criteria for identifying it, as this changes as crime changes and evolves. However, the College of Policing (CoP) provide a non-statutory definition of Potentially Dangerous Persons (PDPs) which states that:

'A PDP is a person who is not currently managed under one of the three Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) categories, but reasonable grounds exist for believing that there is a risk of them committing an offence or offences that will cause serious harm.’

The MAPPA categories are explained Multi-agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA) | College of Policing

Pupil Premium: Health Services
Asked by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
Monday 16th February 2026

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what consideration her department has given to the potential benefits of changing Pupil Premium rules so that funding goes directly towards supporting the eligible child’s care.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The purpose of pupil premium funding is to improve educational outcomes for disadvantaged pupils in state-funded schools in England.

Pupil premium is not a personal budget for individual pupils. It is for schools to decide how to allocate the funding, after assessing the needs of their disadvantaged cohort, including previously looked after children.

To ensure that pupil premium is focused on effective approaches to raising the educational attainment of disadvantaged pupils, schools must use their pupil premium in line with the evidence-informed 'menu of approaches'. Under the ‘wider strategies’ category this can include supporting pupil’s social and emotional needs.

Previously looked after children and young people under adoption orders, special guardianship orders and child arrangements orders are eligible for funding for therapy through the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund.

Pupil Premium: Health Services
Asked by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
Monday 16th February 2026

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment has her department made of the potential benefits to allowing parents of previously looked after children to make financial contributions to the Pupil Premium for therapy.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The purpose of pupil premium funding is to improve educational outcomes for disadvantaged pupils in state-funded schools in England.

Pupil premium is not a personal budget for individual pupils. It is for schools to decide how to allocate the funding, after assessing the needs of their disadvantaged cohort, including previously looked after children.

To ensure that pupil premium is focused on effective approaches to raising the educational attainment of disadvantaged pupils, schools must use their pupil premium in line with the evidence-informed 'menu of approaches'. Under the ‘wider strategies’ category this can include supporting pupil’s social and emotional needs.

Previously looked after children and young people under adoption orders, special guardianship orders and child arrangements orders are eligible for funding for therapy through the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund.

Pupil Premium: Health Services
Asked by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
Monday 16th February 2026

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her department is taking to help ensure that the Pupil Premium is spent on supporting the needs of the eligible children’s needs.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The department is providing £3.2 billion of pupil premium funding in 2026/27 to improve educational outcomes for disadvantaged pupils in state-funded schools in England.

To ensure pupil premium is focused on effective approaches, schools must use their pupil premium in line with the evidence-informed 'menu of approaches'.

Schools with more than 5 eligible pupils must publish a strategy statement annually on their school website using the department template. Schools are held accountable for the outcomes they achieve with all their funding, including through Ofsted inspections and by governors and trustees, and pupil premium is no exception.

An evaluation of pupil premium and recovery premium, published in March 2025, found that overall schools were positive about the impact of the funding, and 85% agreed that having pupil premium meant they had a better strategy for meeting the needs of disadvantaged pupils. The evaluation is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pupil-premium-and-recovery-premium-evaluation.

A report published by the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) in October 2025 found that generally schools’ planned spending of pupil premium aligned with the challenges identified, and that schools used a variety of evidence sources to support their choice of approaches. The report is available here: https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/projects-and-evaluation/projects/pupil-premium-statement-research-project.

Pupil Premium: Health Services
Asked by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
Monday 16th February 2026

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her department has made of the efficacy of schools’ use of the Pupil Premium to support eligible children.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The department is providing £3.2 billion of pupil premium funding in 2026/27 to improve educational outcomes for disadvantaged pupils in state-funded schools in England.

To ensure pupil premium is focused on effective approaches, schools must use their pupil premium in line with the evidence-informed 'menu of approaches'.

Schools with more than 5 eligible pupils must publish a strategy statement annually on their school website using the department template. Schools are held accountable for the outcomes they achieve with all their funding, including through Ofsted inspections and by governors and trustees, and pupil premium is no exception.

An evaluation of pupil premium and recovery premium, published in March 2025, found that overall schools were positive about the impact of the funding, and 85% agreed that having pupil premium meant they had a better strategy for meeting the needs of disadvantaged pupils. The evaluation is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pupil-premium-and-recovery-premium-evaluation.

A report published by the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) in October 2025 found that generally schools’ planned spending of pupil premium aligned with the challenges identified, and that schools used a variety of evidence sources to support their choice of approaches. The report is available here: https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/projects-and-evaluation/projects/pupil-premium-statement-research-project.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Research
Asked by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
Tuesday 17th February 2026

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress the MRS has made in delivering mechanistic research into ME/CFS.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

We do not know what ‘MRS’ refers to in this context. The Department funds research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). A limited amount of mechanistic research is funded through the NIHR, but the majority of mechanistic research is funded through the Medical Research Council (MRC), a UK Research and Innovation Council sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. Mechanistic research into myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome, is within the remit of the MRC.



Early Day Motions
Monday 9th February

Refugee homelessness and the asylum move-on period

25 signatures (Most recent: 3 Mar 2026)
Tabled by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
That this House notes with concern reports that the number of refugee households in England who are homeless or at risk of homelessness has increased fivefold in four years, rising from 3,560 in 2021-22 to 19,310 in 2024-25; further notes evidence from charities and local authorities that this rise is …


Early Day Motions Signed
Monday 2nd February
Max Wilkinson signed this EDM on Monday 2nd March 2026

Role of the House of Lords in scrutinising legislation

54 signatures (Most recent: 2 Mar 2026)
Tabled by: Andrew George (Liberal Democrat - St Ives)
That this House believes that the use of filibuster tactics in the House of Lords to frustrate the majority will of the democratically elected House of Commons is unacceptable, including where the elected Commons has given its majority support to a Private Members’ Bill; further believes that the case for …
Monday 23rd February
Max Wilkinson signed this EDM on Friday 27th February 2026

1st Ram Hill Scout Group

12 signatures (Most recent: 2 Mar 2026)
Tabled by: Claire Young (Liberal Democrat - Thornbury and Yate)
That this House congratulates the 1st Ram Hill Scout Group in Coalpit Heath on its successful launch in September 2024; notes that the group is already thriving with a full range of sections including Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs, and Scouts; further notes the significant demand for scouting in the local area …
Monday 23rd February
Max Wilkinson signed this EDM on Friday 27th February 2026

Girlguiding Bristol and South Gloucestershire

12 signatures (Most recent: 2 Mar 2026)
Tabled by: Claire Young (Liberal Democrat - Thornbury and Yate)
That this House celebrates the remarkable history and enduring contribution of Girlguiding Bristol and South Gloucestershire to the lives of girls and young women; pays tribute to the thousands of dedicated volunteers, leaders, and commissioners, both past and present, who have given their time and expertise to inspire and nurture …
Thursday 18th December
Max Wilkinson signed this EDM on Tuesday 24th February 2026

UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons

100 signatures (Most recent: 25 Feb 2026)
Tabled by: Steve Darling (Liberal Democrat - Torbay)
That this House supports the protection of the rights of older people in the UK and globally; recognises that a UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons is an important step for establishing a global minimum standard of legal protection for older people everywhere; acknowledges the strong track record …
Monday 27th October
Max Wilkinson signed this EDM on Tuesday 24th February 2026

Water bills

45 signatures (Most recent: 24 Feb 2026)
Tabled by: Tim Farron (Liberal Democrat - Westmorland and Lonsdale)
That this House is deeply concerned by the news that the Competition and Markets Authority has agreed to allow water companies including Anglican, Northumbrian, Southern, Wessex, and South East Water to increase bills by an additional 3% on average, compared to the amount agreed by the regulator Ofwat; notes that …
Tuesday 6th May
Max Wilkinson signed this EDM on Tuesday 24th February 2026

Safe sleep standards in early years settings

51 signatures (Most recent: 24 Feb 2026)
Tabled by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
That this House expresses its heartfelt condolences to the family of nine-month-old Genevieve (Gigi) Meehan, who tragically died in May 2022 while in the care of a nursery in Cheadle, Greater Manchester; pays tribute to her mother Katie Wheeler and father John Meehan for their courage and determination in campaigning …
Monday 10th February
Max Wilkinson signed this EDM on Tuesday 24th February 2026

Royal Mail's universal service obligation

50 signatures (Most recent: 24 Feb 2026)
Tabled by: Anna Sabine (Liberal Democrat - Frome and East Somerset)
That this House expresses its concern over Ofcom’s proposed changes to Royal Mail’s universal service obligation which would allow Royal Mail to alternate second-class deliveries, scrap second-class deliveries on Saturday and reduce delivery targets for first and second-class post; acknowledges the importance of a reliable Royal Mail service for rural …
Monday 21st July
Max Wilkinson signed this EDM on Thursday 12th February 2026

Greyhound racing

34 signatures (Most recent: 12 Feb 2026)
Tabled by: Liz Jarvis (Liberal Democrat - Eastleigh)
That this House calls for a ban on greyhound racing in the UK; notes with serious concern figures from the animal welfare charity Blue Cross indicating that between 2017 and 2024, over 4,000 greyhounds died or were put to sleep and more than 35,000 injuries were recorded by the racing …
Thursday 5th February
Max Wilkinson signed this EDM on Monday 9th February 2026

Public inquiry into Epstein links

89 signatures (Most recent: 27 Feb 2026)
Tabled by: Nadia Whittome (Labour - Nottingham East)
That this House stands with Jeffrey Epstein’s victims whose relentless courage and pursuit of justice has led to the publication of the Epstein files; notes with concern the number of British public figures included in these files; recognises that child sexual abuse on this scale is likely to have involved …



Max Wilkinson mentioned

Live Transcript

Note: Cited speaker in live transcript data may not always be accurate. Check video link to confirm.

10 Feb 2026, 12:38 p.m. - House of Commons
" Max Wilkinson Mr Speaker is a brilliant renewable energy business "
Max Wilkinson MP (Cheltenham, Liberal Democrat) - View Video - View Transcript
9 Feb 2026, 3:03 p.m. - House of Commons
" Max Wilkinson Liberal Democrat spokesperson. >> Thank you. >> Mr. Speaker. British people have watched in horror over the past weeks as President Trump's Ice "
Max Wilkinson MP (Cheltenham, Liberal Democrat) - View Video - View Transcript
9 Feb 2026, 3:26 p.m. - House of Commons
" Some point. Max Wilkinson Liberal Democrats. "
Max Wilkinson MP (Cheltenham, Liberal Democrat) - View Video - View Transcript
11 Feb 2026, 1:48 p.m. - House of Commons
">> I call the Liberal Democrat spokesperson Max Wilkinson. >> Thank you very much. Madam Deputy Speaker, I'd like to start by declaring an interest. My father "
Andy McDonald MP (Middlesbrough and Thornaby East, Labour) - View Video - View Transcript
11 Feb 2026, 1:53 p.m. - House of Commons
"the end of the debate as well. >> Max Wilkinson I thank I thank the Minister for intervening. I "
Max Wilkinson MP (Cheltenham, Liberal Democrat) - View Video - View Transcript


Parliamentary Debates
Police Grant Report
180 speeches (20,263 words)
Wednesday 11th February 2026 - Commons Chamber
Home Office
Mentions:
1: Nusrat Ghani (Con - Sussex Weald) Before I call Max Wilkinson, I note that the Front Benchers will have an opportunity to respond at the - Link to Speech
2: Ben Obese-Jecty (Con - Huntingdon) Member for Cheltenham (Max Wilkinson), about the number of police officers per ward. - Link to Speech
3: Clive Jones (LD - Wokingham) Friend the Member for Cheltenham (Max Wilkinson) said earlier, Liberal Democrats have long called for - Link to Speech

Independent Water Commission: Final Report
68 speeches (14,474 words)
Tuesday 10th February 2026 - Westminster Hall
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Mentions:
1: Edward Morello (LD - West Dorset) Friend the Member for Cheltenham (Max Wilkinson). - Link to Speech



Select Committee Documents
Monday 16th February 2026
Formal Minutes - Formal minutes 2024-26

Administration Committee

Found: Bob Blackman Alberto Costa Gill Furniss Mary Glindon Carolyn Harris Joe Morris Tessa Munt Max Wilkinson