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Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 15 Sep 2026
Tourism: Overnight Visitor Levy

"Tourists visiting Torbay already pay double the rate of VAT compared with those visiting Italy, France or Spain. The reality is that a cost of living crisis is just the wrong time to implement a tourism tax. Can the Minister please share what investigations he has made of the impact …..."
Steve Darling - View Speech

View all Steve Darling (LD - Torbay) contributions to the debate on: Tourism: Overnight Visitor Levy
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 15 Sep 2026
Petitions

"Further to our online petition on NHS dentistry, which had over 1,000 signatures, there continues to be a desperate need in many coastal communities, including mine in Torbay, for more NHS dentists. That is why I am delighted to present a petition that calls on the Government to reform the …..."
Steve Darling - View Speech

View all Steve Darling (LD - Torbay) contributions to the debate on: Petitions
Written Question
Water: Standards
Tuesday 15th September 2026

Asked by: Steve Darling (Liberal Democrat - Torbay)

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the risks posed to recreational water users, including paddlers, by sewage discharges such as those affecting Torbay; and what steps she is taking to ensure the Clean Water Bill addresses the health and safety of people who use rivers, lakes and coastal waters for recreation.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Public health is being prioritised. The Clean Water Bill will deliver cleaner rivers, lakes, and seas, including by providing the legislative tools to ensure targets are ambitious and enabling pre-pipe solutions to reduce sewage spills.

The Environment Agency (EA) monitors water quality at designated bathing waters, including 15 in Torbay, testing for bacteria which indicate faecal contamination and potential risks to human health. Where bathing waters have poorer or deteriorating water quality, the EA works with partners to understand the causes and identify opportunities for improvement. This helps people to make informed choices about where and when to enter the water.

Division Vote (Commons)
11 Sep 2026 - Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Darling (LD) voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 17 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 52 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 270 Noes - 286
Division Vote (Commons)
11 Sep 2026 - Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Darling (LD) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 52 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 13 Liberal Democrat No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 293 Noes - 218
Division Vote (Commons)
10 Sep 2026 - Social Housing Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Steve Darling (LD) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 37 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 0 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 77 Noes - 292
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 10 Sep 2026
Business of the House

"Families across Torbay are struggling to receive adequate special educational needs and disabilities provision. I know that other MPs are able to engage meaningfully with their local authorities to support those families, but sadly, the leader of Conservative-led Torbay council has written to me saying that it will not deal …..."
Steve Darling - View Speech

View all Steve Darling (LD - Torbay) contributions to the debate on: Business of the House
Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 09 Sep 2026
Summer Health and Resilience

"The tower block at Torbay hospital was like an oven this summer; it is no longer fit for purpose, and it is even seen to be a fire risk for staff and patients alike. On 5 February, myself and my hon. Friends the Members for South Devon (Caroline Voaden) and …..."
Steve Darling - View Speech

View all Steve Darling (LD - Torbay) contributions to the debate on: Summer Health and Resilience
Division Vote (Commons)
9 Sep 2026 - Plant Health - View Vote Context
Steve Darling (LD) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 43 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 0 Liberal Democrat No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 371 Noes - 100
Division Vote (Commons)
8 Sep 2026 - Health Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Darling (LD) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 55 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 0 Liberal Democrat No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 162 Noes - 297