Robert Syms Portrait

Robert Syms

Conservative - Former Member for Poole

First elected: 1st May 1997

Left House: 30th May 2024 (Dissolution)


Robert Syms is not a member of any APPGs
4 Former APPG memberships
British Hindus, Finland, Relocation, SME (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) House Builders
Panel of Chairs
20th Oct 2022 - 30th May 2024
Statutory Instruments (Select Committee)
27th Jan 2020 - 24th Jan 2023
Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee)
27th Jan 2020 - 24th Jan 2023
Finance Committee (Commons)
2nd Mar 2020 - 9th Mar 2020
Finance Committee (Commons)
30th Oct 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee)
30th Oct 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Statutory Instruments (Select Committee)
30th Oct 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Lord Commissioner (HM Treasury) (Whip)
17th Jul 2016 - 15th Jun 2017
Administration Committee
28th Nov 2016 - 3rd May 2017
High Speed Rail (London - West Midlands) Bill (Commons)
8th Jun 2015 - 22nd Feb 2016
High Speed Rail (London - West Midlands) Bill (Commons)
29th Apr 2014 - 22nd Feb 2016
Draft Detention of Terrorist Suspects (Temporary Extension) Bills (Joint Committee)
15th Mar 2011 - 30th Mar 2015
High Speed Rail (London - West Midlands) Bill (Commons)
6th May 2014 - 30th Mar 2015
Finance and Services Committee
10th Dec 2013 - 30th Mar 2015
Administration Committee
28th Oct 2013 - 8th Dec 2014
Assistant Whip (HM Treasury)
6th Sep 2012 - 7th Oct 2013
Liaison Committee (Commons)
27th Jul 2010 - 10th Dec 2012
Regulatory Reform
26th Jul 2010 - 3rd Dec 2012
Regulatory Reform
27th Jul 2010 - 3rd Dec 2012
Health and Social Care Committee
22nd Oct 2007 - 6th May 2010
Draft Marine Bill (Joint Committee)
8th May 2008 - 22nd Jul 2008
Shadow Minister (Communities and Local Government)
10th May 2005 - 3rd Jul 2007
Shadow Minister (Office of the Deputy Prime Minister)
1st Jun 2003 - 5th May 2005
Opposition Whip (Commons)
28th Feb 2003 - 1st Jun 2003
Transport Committee
22nd Jul 2002 - 25th Mar 2003
Vice-Chair, Conservative Party
1st Jul 2001 - 1st Jul 2002
Shadow Spokesperson (Environment, Transport and the Regions)
1st Jun 1999 - 1st Jun 2001
Health and Social Care Committee
14th Jul 1997 - 13th Nov 2000
Procedure Committee
5th Nov 1998 - 26th Nov 1999


Division Voting information

Robert Syms has voted in 3706 divisions, and 52 times against the majority of their Party.

25 Mar 2021 - Coronavirus - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 35 Conservative No votes vs 305 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 484 Noes - 76
6 Jan 2021 - Public Health - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 12 Conservative No votes vs 322 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 524 Noes - 16
4 Nov 2020 - Public Health - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 33 Conservative No votes vs 308 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 516 Noes - 38
13 Oct 2020 - Public Health: Coronavirus Regulations - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 42 Conservative No votes vs 298 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 299 Noes - 82
6 Oct 2020 - Public Health - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 12 Conservative No votes vs 285 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 287 Noes - 17
2 Sep 2020 - Recall of MPs (Change of Party Affiliation) - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 41 Conservative No votes vs 47 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 55 Noes - 52
10 Mar 2020 - Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Bill - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 36 Conservative Aye votes vs 301 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 282 Noes - 306
4 Sep 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 6) Bill - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 57 Conservative Aye votes vs 180 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 65 Noes - 495
18 Jul 2019 - Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 57 Conservative No votes vs 65 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 328 Noes - 65
9 Jul 2019 - Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 65 Conservative No votes vs 105 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 383 Noes - 73
9 Apr 2019 - Section 1 of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2019 - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 97 Conservative No votes vs 131 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 420 Noes - 110
8 Apr 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 5) Bill - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 71 Conservative No votes vs 118 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 396 Noes - 83
3 Apr 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 5) Bill - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 110 Conservative Aye votes vs 190 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 123 Noes - 488
27 Mar 2019 - EU Exit Day Amendment - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 93 Conservative No votes vs 150 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 441 Noes - 105
27 Mar 2019 - EU: Withdrawal and Future Relationship Votes - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 122 Conservative No votes vs 126 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 139 Noes - 422
27 Feb 2019 - UK’s Withdrawal from the EU - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 20 Conservative No votes vs 204 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 502 Noes - 20
15 Jan 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) Act - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 118 Conservative No votes vs 196 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 202 Noes - 432
23 Jan 2018 - Electoral Commission - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 32 Conservative Aye votes vs 40 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 46 Noes - 77
11 Mar 2015 - Ark Pension Schemes - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 103 Conservative No votes vs 122 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 367 Noes - 113
24 Nov 2014 - Recall of MPs Bill - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 63 Conservative No votes vs 79 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 236 Noes - 65
10 Nov 2014 - Criminal Law - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 36 Conservative No votes vs 223 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 464 Noes - 38
13 Oct 2014 - Palestine and Israel - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 6 Conservative No votes vs 39 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 274 Noes - 12
5 Mar 2014 - Judgments - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 83 Conservative No votes vs 123 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 360 Noes - 104
5 Mar 2014 - Registration of Births, deaths and marriages etc - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 81 Conservative No votes vs 124 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 363 Noes - 100
5 Mar 2014 - Registration of births, deaths and marriages etc - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 83 Conservative No votes vs 123 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 366 Noes - 103
5 Mar 2014 - Marriage - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 81 Conservative No votes vs 126 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 367 Noes - 100
5 Mar 2014 - Marriage - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 84 Conservative No votes vs 123 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 365 Noes - 103
5 Mar 2014 - Marriage - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 79 Conservative No votes vs 126 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 368 Noes - 98
10 Feb 2014 - Children and Families Bill - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 99 Conservative No votes vs 127 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 376 Noes - 107
20 May 2013 - Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 99 Conservative No votes vs 121 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 150 Noes - 340
20 May 2013 - Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 95 Conservative No votes vs 125 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 148 Noes - 339
20 May 2013 - Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 92 Conservative No votes vs 126 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 163 Noes - 321
21 Feb 2012 - London Local Authorities Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 12 Conservative No votes vs 71 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 149 Noes - 12
13 Oct 2011 - Procedure Committee Reports - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 43 Conservative Aye votes vs 124 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 63 Noes - 206
13 Oct 2010 - London Local Authorities Bill [Lords] (By Order) - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 17 Conservative No votes vs 227 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 293 Noes - 21
21 Jul 2010 - Use of the chamber (united kingdom youth parliament) - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 16 Conservative No votes vs 242 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 499 Noes - 21
15 Jun 2010 - Backbench Business Committee - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 75 Conservative Aye votes vs 188 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 171 Noes - 263
30 Apr 2009 - Members’ Allowances - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 21 Conservative No votes vs 55 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 355 Noes - 39
30 Apr 2009 - Members’ Allowances - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 22 Conservative Aye votes vs 55 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 96 Noes - 285
30 Apr 2009 - Members’ Allowances - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 25 Conservative No votes vs 55 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 280 Noes - 100
1 Apr 2009 - Geneva Conventions and United Nations Personnel (Protocols) Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 16 Conservative No votes vs 130 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 452 Noes - 16
3 Mar 2009 - Select Committees (Chairmen), Liaison Committee and Green Book - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 11 Conservative Aye votes vs 26 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 242 Noes - 73
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 60 Conservative No votes vs 79 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 163 Noes - 342
27 Apr 2021 - Delegated Legislation - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 77 Conservative No votes vs 222 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 431 Noes - 89
30 Nov 2021 - Public Health - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 19 Conservative No votes vs 268 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 434 Noes - 23
30 Nov 2021 - Public Health - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 32 Conservative No votes vs 259 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 431 Noes - 36
14 Dec 2021 - Public Health - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 38 Conservative No votes vs 271 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 441 Noes - 41
14 Dec 2021 - Public Health - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 97 Conservative No votes vs 224 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 369 Noes - 126
14 Dec 2021 - Public Health - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 60 Conservative No votes vs 258 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 385 Noes - 100
22 Jun 2022 - Health and Personal Social Services - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 61 Conservative No votes vs 106 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 215 Noes - 70
18 Oct 2022 - Public Order Bill - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 103 Conservative No votes vs 113 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 297 Noes - 110
7 Mar 2023 - Public Order Bill - View Vote Context
Robert Syms voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 107 Conservative Aye votes vs 109 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 116 Noes - 299
View All Robert Syms Division Votes

All Debates

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Mel Stride (Conservative)
Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
(15 debate interactions)
John Bercow (Speaker)
(14 debate interactions)
Robert Jenrick (Conservative)
(13 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
HM Treasury
(95 debate contributions)
Leader of the House
(54 debate contributions)
Home Office
(44 debate contributions)
Department of Health and Social Care
(33 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Finance Act 2023
(1,264 words contributed)
Finance Act 2019
(1,214 words contributed)
Finance (No. 2) Act 2023
(1,044 words contributed)
View All Legislation Debates
View all Robert Syms's debates

Latest EDMs signed by Robert Syms

28th February 2022
Robert Syms signed this EDM as the primary signatory on Monday 28th February 2022

Pre-legislative scrutiny and delay for the Government's proposed conversion therapy legislation

Tabled by: Robert Syms (Conservative - Poole)
That this House notes Government plans to legislate to ban conversion therapy; further notes that any legislation will cover sexual orientation and gender identity but that no definition of conversion therapy has been agreed and that there is already primary legislation which prohibits coercive conversion practices; is concerned that rushed …
4 signatures
(Most recent: 7 Mar 2022)
Signatures by party:
Conservative: 3
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
15th November 2021
Robert Syms signed this EDM as a sponsor on Monday 15th November 2021

The 40th anniversary of the Penlee lifeboat disaster

Tabled by: Tracey Crouch (Conservative - Chatham and Aylesford)
That this House commemorates the Penlee Lifeboat disaster 40 years ago on 19 December 1981; honours the bravery of the eight man crew of the Solomon Browne who in severe conditions went to sea to rescue eight people on board the stricken coaster The Union Star; remembers the tragedy of …
12 signatures
(Most recent: 3 Dec 2021)
Signatures by party:
Conservative: 5
Independent: 3
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Liberal Democrat: 1
Scottish National Party: 1
Labour: 1
View All Robert Syms's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Robert Syms, 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.


Robert Syms has not been granted any Urgent Questions

3 Adjournment Debates led by Robert Syms

Thursday 15th March 2018
Monday 17th January 2011

Robert Syms has not introduced any legislation before Parliament


Latest 29 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
12 Other Department Questions
27th Oct 2022
To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what assessment the Church of England has made of the implications for its policies on the proper use of Church moneis of the case in the ecclesiastical Parish of Longfleet, St Mary's, Poole; what episcopal oversight was there of that case and when the Commisioners were informed of the details; and if the Commissioners will take steps to share lessons learned for best practice with other diocese.

The parochial church council is a charitable body subject to the oversight of the Charity Commission. I understand that the Charity Commission is aware of the case following a referral by the Diocese of Salisbury and the office of the Bishop of Salisbury. The National Church Institutions cannot provide guidance to trustees on particular cases, but the Legal Advisory Commission regularly provides updates for PCCs and other trustee bodies on their general duties and obligations.

Andrew Selous
Second Church Estates Commissioner
12th Jun 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, in determining the reduction in UK carbon dioxide emissions arising from Navitus Bay, what allowance his Department for UK carbon dioxide emissions from backup baseload generation to cover (a) for maintenance and repair downtime and (b) for the failure of the wind to blow in the operating range.

The Department does not undertake analysis or hold information of this nature relating to specific developments. The average load factor for offshore wind farms using five year historical data from 2008 to 2012 inclusive is 33.1%.

12th Jun 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what the global mean carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere and partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the oceans will be (a) at the outset and (b) at the end of the Navitus Bay lifetime, if the project goes ahead, (c) at the end of the Navitus Bay lifetime, if the project does not go ahead.

The Department does not undertake analysis or hold information of this nature relating to specific developments. The average load factor for offshore wind farms using five year historical data from 2008 to 2012 inclusive is 33.1%.

12th Jun 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what fraction of mean rated output will be achieved on average throughout the lifetime of Navitus Bay.

The Department does not undertake analysis or hold information of this nature relating to specific developments. The average load factor for offshore wind farms using five year historical data from 2008 to 2012 inclusive is 33.1%.

12th Jun 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what fraction of global carbon dioxide emissions will be represented by UK carbon dioxide emissions over the lifetime of the proposed wind farm at Navitus Bay.

The Department does not undertake analysis or hold information of this nature relating to specific developments. In 2012 it was estimated that UK carbon dioxide emissions accounted for approximately 1.5% of global total carbon dioxide emissions.

12th Jun 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what proportion of the carbon dioxide emissions will be represented by UK electricity generation over the lifetime of the proposed development at Navitus Bay.

The Department does not undertake analysis or hold information of this nature relating to specific developments.

12th Jun 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, how much of mean electricity generation in the UK will be represented by the proposed development at Navitus Bay over its lifetime.

The Department does not undertake analysis or hold information of this nature relating to specific developments. Provisional data for 2013 is that total UK electricity generation was 356,649 Gigawatt hours (GWh). Based on the average 5 year offshore wind load factor from 2008 to 2012 inclusive of 33.1% a wind farm of 1 Gigawatt (GW) of installed capacity is expected to produce 2.9GWh of electricity generation. The Department publishes estimated energy and emissions projections to 2030, the latest update can be accessed at this link:-

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/updated-energy-and-emissions-projections-2013

12th Jun 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what the radioactive forcing from the increase in carbon dioxide concentration will be over the lifetime of Navitus Bay (a) if the project goes ahead and (b) if the project does not go ahead.

The Department does not undertake analysis or hold information of this nature relating to specific developments.

12th Jun 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what estimate he has made of the cost of abating all global warming projected to occur over the lifetime of Navitus Bay in sterling and in US dollars; and what intertemporal discount rate has been used in such calculations.

The Department does not undertake analysis or hold information of this nature relating to specific developments.

12th Jun 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what the unit mitigation cost of Navitus Bay in sterling and in US dollars per Kelvin of global warming abated will be as a result of the proposed wind farm.

The Department does not undertake analysis or hold information of this nature relating to specific developments.

12th Jun 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, how much in public subsidy he expects to allocate to the proposed wind farm at Navitus Bay.

The Government set out the Allocation Framework for Contracts for Difference (CfDs) on 13 May 2014, which has the potential to improve value for money, encourage new entry and drive innovation.

Indicative CfD budgets will be published in July. CfD allocation rounds will then determine which projects are successful and receive CfD contracts and at what level of support. It is not possible to say in advance which projects will receive support and at what level.

Offshore wind projects, classified as ‘less established' technologies, are able to receive support in this Delivery Plan period (2014/15-2018/19) at the administrative strike prices published on 4 December 2013, unless there is insufficient budget in a CfD allocation round to satisfy all bids then an auction (competitive allocation) will apply. Those technologies would then have to compete against each other on price whereby each project is paid the clearing price for its delivery year within the auction, capped at its administrative strike price.

6th Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions he has had with multinational companies based in the UK on relocation regulations for employees being relocated into the UK by firms in the EU after the transition period; and if he will make a statement.

Employees of EU firms who are not UK nationals being relocated into the UK can apply under the intra-company transfer route that our immigration system provides for. Under the UK’s domestic immigration rules, intra-company transferees may be admitted for up to 5 years (and for up to 9 years in the case of high earners) to all successful applications, regardless of where they come from, including from the EU. The UK-EU Trade & Cooperation Agreement commits to 90-day processing times for intra-corporate transfer applications. In addition, both parties have agreed to provisions for accompanying family members of such intra-company transferees.

The provisions for intra-company transferees were informed through detailed conversations with hundreds of stakeholders across UK business sectors, including multinational companies who benefit from the intra-company transfer route.

23rd Mar 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what estimate he has made of the number of public houses which have gone out of business since 1 July 2007.

The Government does not compile statistics on pub closures and has made no estimate of the number of pubs that have closed.

21st Apr 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what progress her Department has made on securing UK membership of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

The UK recently reached a major milestone in the accession process to CPTPP, by moving to market access negotiations with this trading bloc.

These negotiations will see new, beneficial trading relationships agreed with CPTPP members. Tariffs will be reduced on UK goods exports, and services markets will open up further to British business, through advanced provisions that facilitate digital trade and modern rules on data. We aim to conclude negotiations by the end of 2022.

17th Dec 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if (a) she and (b) her officials will meet with the Chair of the Association of Relocation Professionals on supporting high value jobs through relocation to the UK after the transition period.

My officials regularly meet with businesses and associations across the country. I have asked them to make contact with the Association of Relocation Professionals to initiate a meeting to discuss supporting the relocation of high value jobs to the UK.

Our country has a proud and hard-won reputation as one of the most open economies and one of the foremost destinations for inward investment in the world. The Department supported 1,449 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects during the 2019/20 financial year, which created almost 45,000 new jobs and safeguarded a further 8,000.

18th Jul 2019
What progress he has made on helping to ensure that flights between the UK and Europe continue after the UK leaves the EU.

The UK and EU have both put in place measures to ensure that flights can continue in any EU Exit scenario. In a no deal scenario, the EU’s adopted Regulation on connectivity gives UK airlines the right to fly to and from the EU from the day of exit until March 2020, allowing time to progress longer-term arrangements. The UK has stated we will reciprocate these rights for EU airlines. Both sides are committed to maintaining connectivity.

8th Mar 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what progress his Department has made on reducing the number of workless households.

Since 2010 the number of workless households has fallen by over 680,000 to its lowest level since records began.

23rd Mar 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the cumulative loss in revenue to HM Treasury has been as a result of the effect of tobacco control measures over the last 10 years.

The Department assesses the impact of all proposed measures before laying legislation using standard government methodology. These assessments are set out in Impact Assessments which are scrutinised by the Regulatory Policy Committee before publication alongside the Statutory Instrument. Impact Assessments include a thorough analysis of the costs, benefits and risks associated with policy options.

A number of the tobacco measures contain commitments to further review the impact of the legislation within five years of them coming into force.

23rd Mar 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions his Department has had with police forces on the level of enforcement of legislation on smoking in vehicles with children present; and if he will make a statement.

Discussions are ongoing between Departmental officials and the relevant authorities about enforcement action. Guidance on the enforcement process has been sent to police forces and, as with other smokefree legislation, we expect high levels of compliance with this change.

23rd Mar 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will postpone the start date for the introduction of standardised packaging on tobacco products in order to undertake an assessment of the implications of the post-implementation review of a similar measure in Australia on his policies in this area.

The Government has no current plans to postpone the introduction of standardised packaging of tobacco products. The Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Products Regulations 2015 come into force on 20 May 2016. Standardised packaging is an important public health measure and any delay in implementing the policy would also delay the health benefits from accruing. The Government continues to consider relevant information and evidence on standardised packaging, including the Post-Implementation Review of Tobacco Plain Packaging published by the Australian Government last month.

23rd Mar 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the potential reduction in revenue to the public purse resulting from the EU Tobacco Products Directive.

The Department assesses the impact of all proposed measures before laying legislation using standard government methodology. These assessments are set out in Impact Assessments which are scrutinised by the Regulatory Policy Committee before publication alongside the Statutory Instrument. Impact Assessments include a thorough analysis of the costs, benefits and risks associated with policy options.

A number of the tobacco measures contain commitments to further review the impact of the legislation within five years of them coming into force.

17th Dec 2020
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much income tax revenue was generated from people holding a work visa in the category of skilled work visa in the 2018-19 financial year; and if he will make a statement.

HMRC do not hold information on the visa status of workers paying income tax.

17th Dec 2020
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, by how much has the relocation allowance been updated in line with inflation since its introduction in 1994.

The tax exempt relocation allowance has remained at £8,000 since it was introduced in 1994. The Government keeps all reliefs and allowances under review to ensure that they continue to meet policy objectives.

1st Jul 2020
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many local authority staff are furloughed in each local authority; and what the cost to the public purse is of furloughed staff in each local authority.

Applications for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) opened on Monday 20th April. By midnight 28 June 2020, 1.1m employers had submitted claims to HMRC representing 9.3m employees furloughed and £25.5bn.

On 11 June HMRC released analysis of employer take up, which can be found on GOV.UK. HMRC do not require employers to provide addresses of their employees as part of their CJRS claim and so is unable to provide an accurate picture of employee take up by location.

17th Dec 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many individuals were relocated into the UK using the intra-company visa system in the most recent period for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement.

The available published data shows the numbers of visas granted in each work route but does not provide any information on where the applicant resided (inside / outside the EU) or if the individual was “relocating”. There is also no guarantee these visas are used.

Data on visas granted by category can be found in Vis_D02 at:

entry-clearance-visa-outcomes-datasets-sep-2020.xlsx

17th Dec 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many and what proportion of individuals in who were granted start-up visas in 2019 earned over £73,900 per annum; and if she will make a statement.

The Home Office is responsible for this question, not the Treasury.

The Home Office is unable to provide the statistical answer to this question as it asks for information which is not obtainable from our systems.

The latest published migration statistics (Sept 2020) that are available, can be found at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/immigration-statistics-year-ending-september-2020

17th Dec 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many foreign nationals from (a) inside and (b) outside the EU were relocated for work purposes into the UK in 2019 by each of the visa categories prescribed by the Government; and if she will make a statement.

The available published data shows the numbers of visas granted in each work route but does not provide any information on where the applicant resided (inside / outside the EU) or if the individual was “relocating”. There is also no guarantee these visas are used once issued.

Data on visas granted by category can be found in Vis_D02 at:

entry-clearance-visa-outcomes-datasets-sep-2020.xlsx

17th Dec 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Home Affairs, what assessment she has made of whether travel restrictions during the covid-19 pandemic have reduced the number of professional staff being relocated to the UK for the purpose of taking up professional employment; and if she will make a statement.

In the period in question, the relocation of non-EEA national personnel by a multinational business to a UK branch or subsidiary of that business was facilitated primarily through the Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) category of the Immigration Rules.

The most recent published migration statistics can be viewed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/migration-statistics.