Information between 21st April 2025 - 11th May 2025
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Division Votes |
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23 Apr 2025 - Sewage - View Vote Context Steve Witherden voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House One of 297 Labour Aye votes vs 0 Labour No votes Tally: Ayes - 301 Noes - 69 |
23 Apr 2025 - Sewage - View Vote Context Steve Witherden voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House One of 300 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes Tally: Ayes - 77 Noes - 302 |
23 Apr 2025 - Hospitals - View Vote Context Steve Witherden voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House One of 304 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes Tally: Ayes - 77 Noes - 307 |
28 Apr 2025 - Football Governance Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context Steve Witherden voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House One of 273 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes Tally: Ayes - 74 Noes - 337 |
28 Apr 2025 - Football Governance Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context Steve Witherden voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House One of 271 Labour Aye votes vs 0 Labour No votes Tally: Ayes - 342 Noes - 70 |
30 Apr 2025 - Sentencing Guidelines (Pre-sentence Reports) Bill - View Vote Context Steve Witherden voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House One of 210 Labour Aye votes vs 0 Labour No votes Tally: Ayes - 214 Noes - 3 |
30 Apr 2025 - Sentencing Guidelines (Pre-sentence Reports) Bill - View Vote Context Steve Witherden voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House One of 211 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes Tally: Ayes - 88 Noes - 226 |
30 Apr 2025 - Sentencing Guidelines (Pre-sentence Reports) Bill - View Vote Context Steve Witherden voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House One of 208 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes Tally: Ayes - 86 Noes - 222 |
7 May 2025 - Data (Use and Access) Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context Steve Witherden voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House One of 287 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes Tally: Ayes - 160 Noes - 294 |
7 May 2025 - Data (Use and Access) Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context Steve Witherden voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House One of 288 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes Tally: Ayes - 97 Noes - 363 |
7 May 2025 - Data (Use and Access) Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context Steve Witherden voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House One of 283 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes Tally: Ayes - 88 Noes - 287 |
7 May 2025 - Data (Use and Access) Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context Steve Witherden voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House One of 292 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes Tally: Ayes - 76 Noes - 295 |
Speeches |
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Steve Witherden speeches from: Personal Independence Payment: Disabled People
Steve Witherden contributed 1 speech (257 words) Wednesday 7th May 2025 - Westminster Hall Department for Work and Pensions |
Written Answers |
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Carbon Emissions and Renewable Energy
Asked by: Steve Witherden (Labour - Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr) Monday 28th April 2025 Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to hold Ofgem accountable for (a) achieving net zero and (b) supporting growth in renewables as part of its remit. Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero) The industry regulator Ofgem is directly accountable to Parliament. However, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State and DESNZ Ministers have regular meetings with Ofgem on a range of issues.
In December, the Government launched its first comprehensive review of Ofgem. The review will establish Ofgem as a strong consumer champion, driving up standards for household and business consumers both now, and as energy use evolves with smarter and greener technology. It will also consider Ofgem’s duties and mandate, including how it delivers on its existing set of duties such as net zero.
The path to Net Zero and supporting growth in the renewable energy sector are both at the heart of this Government’s mission to deliver clean power by 2030. |
Electricity Generation
Asked by: Steve Witherden (Labour - Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr) Monday 28th April 2025 Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of the P441 modification to the Balancing and Settlement Code. Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero) The Government recognises that local energy will play an important role in achieving our mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower by 2030, and some suppliers are already working with community energy groups to support local supply.
The Secretary of State recently commissioned Ofgem to explore some of the policy and regulatory barriers to local supply, including route to market challenges. An industry working group is currently considering proposals to make a code modification (P441) to Balancing and Settlement Code, which may be beneficial for certain community energy projects. A final decision on modification will be made by Ofgem. |
Religious Buildings: Security
Asked by: Steve Witherden (Labour - Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr) Monday 28th April 2025 Question to the Home Office: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department is taking steps to protect places of worship from police raids. Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office) The enforcement of the law is an operational matter for the police. It is for them to decide whether a particular action warrants police involvement, based on their operational expertise and the circumstances of the case. |
Climate Change: Costs
Asked by: Steve Witherden (Labour - Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr) Monday 28th April 2025 Question to the HM Treasury: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the cost to (a) the public purse (b) businesses and (c) individual people from climate change. Answered by Emma Reynolds - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury) Illustrative analysis in the Office for Budget Responsibility's 2024 Fiscal Risks and Sustainability Report suggests that UK GDP could be around 3% lower by 2074 under a below 2°C warming scenario and around 5% lower under a below 3°C warming scenario. The publicly available report contains further analysis of the fiscal impact of climate change as well as impacts affecting businesses and individuals such as labour productivity and health. This Government is committed to mitigating the negative impacts of climate change. The transition to net zero will support the creation of jobs across the UK, protect the economy from future price shocks and deliver a range of social and health benefits. |
Economic Growth: Climate Change
Asked by: Steve Witherden (Labour - Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr) Monday 28th April 2025 Question to the HM Treasury: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of climate change on economic growth. Answered by Emma Reynolds - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury) Illustrative analysis in the Office for Budget Responsibility's 2024 Fiscal Risks and Sustainability Report suggests that UK GDP could be around 3% lower by 2074 under a below 2°C warming scenario and around 5% lower under a below 3°C warming scenario. The publicly available report contains further analysis of the fiscal impact of climate change as well as impacts affecting businesses and individuals such as labour productivity and health. This Government is committed to mitigating the negative impacts of climate change. The transition to net zero will support the creation of jobs across the UK, protect the economy from future price shocks and deliver a range of social and health benefits. |
Private Rented Housing: Wales
Asked by: Steve Witherden (Labour - Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr) Monday 28th April 2025 Question to the HM Treasury: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with the Welsh Government on the potential merits of providing support for the delivery of social homes in Wales through (a) increased capital funding and (b) expanded borrowing powers. Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury We remain committed to working in partnership with the Welsh Government to ensure the Fiscal Framework, which sets out their borrowing arrangements, continues to deliver value for money while upholding our shared commitment to fiscal responsibility. Discussions regarding the Welsh Government’s request to amend the budget management tools outlined in the Framework are ongoing. The Welsh Government is currently receiving at least 20% more per person than equivalent UK Government spending in the rest of the UK. That translates into over £8.5 billion more in 2025-26. It is for the Welsh Government to allocate its funding in devolved areas, including social housing, as it sees fit. It can therefore take its own decisions on managing and investing available resources, reflecting its own priorities and local circumstances, and it is accountable to the Senedd for these decisions. |
Ground Rent
Asked by: Steve Witherden (Labour - Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr) Tuesday 22nd April 2025 Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of outlawing ground rents. Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government) The government remains firmly committed to its manifesto commitment to tackle unregulated and unaffordable ground rents, and we will deliver this in legislation. |
Homelessness: Wales
Asked by: Steve Witherden (Labour - Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr) Wednesday 23rd April 2025 Question to the Department for Work and Pensions: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions she has had with the Welsh Government on the potential impact of the spare room subsidy on homelessness in Wales. Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions) The Secretary of State has not had discussions with the Welsh Government specifically about the Removal Spare Room Subsidy (RSRS) and homelessness in Wales. Housing is devolved to the Welsh Government and social security is reserved to the UK Government.
The causes of homelessness are multi-faceted and often complex, they interact dynamically making it very difficult to isolate the relative importance of individual factors.
The RSRS policy applies to claims for housing support where the household living in a social rented property with more bedrooms than their household’s bedroom entitlement.
Easements are available allowing an additional bedroom to support disabled people and carers, the families of disabled children, foster carers, parents who adopt, parents of service personnel and people who have suffered a bereavement. The deduction does not apply to pensioners in receipt of Housing Benefit.
Further, those unable to meet the shortfall in their rent can seek a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) from their local authority. DHPs can be paid to those in receipt of qualifying housing support who face a shortfall in meeting their rental housing costs.
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Press: Regulation
Asked by: Steve Witherden (Labour - Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr) Friday 25th April 2025 Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of introducing a press regulator that is independent of (a) the media industry and (b) politicians. Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport) This Government is committed to an independent and free media, one that is completely separate from the Government and politicians. An independent self-regulatory regime is important to ensure the press adheres to clear and high standards. We are also clear, however, that with this freedom comes responsibility, and newspapers must operate within the bounds of the law. This includes ensuring access to clear, timely and effective routes to redress. The Government currently has no plans to change the current system.
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Media: Privacy
Asked by: Steve Witherden (Labour - Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr) Friday 25th April 2025 Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to prevent (a) phone hacking and (b) press intrusion. Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport) The press have a responsibility to behave ethically and they must also operate within the bounds of the law. Any illegal conduct such as phone hacking would be a matter for the police. The Government does not intervene in or oversee the work of the UK’s independent press regulators. If a member of the public objects to practices of the press they can complain directly to the publication, or the relevant independent regulator, including Impress or the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). These regulators enforce codes of conduct which provide guidelines on a range of areas, including discrimination, accuracy, privacy, and harassment. If they find that a newspaper has broken the code of conduct, they can order corrections. Both regulators also offer arbitration schemes for legal claims relating to defamation, privacy and harassment.
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Media: Privacy
Asked by: Steve Witherden (Labour - Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr) Friday 25th April 2025 Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many newspapers have been (a) investigated and (b) fined by the Independent Press Standards Organisation since 2014. Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport) The Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), which is independent of Government, publishes annual reports on their website that include details on the number of complaints and enquiries received and their outcomes: https://www.ipso.co.uk/what-we-do/transparency-accountability/.
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Local Housing Allowance: Wales
Asked by: Steve Witherden (Labour - Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr) Tuesday 22nd April 2025 Question to the Department for Work and Pensions: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of not uprating local housing allowance rates on homelessness in Wales. Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions) The causes of homelessness are multi-faceted and often complex, they interact dynamically making it very difficult to isolate the relative importance of individual factors. Responsibility for housing and homelessness is devolved to the Welsh Government, while social security is reserved to the UK Government.
At last year’s Autumn Budget, the Secretary of State’s decision to maintain Local Housing Allowance (LHA) at current levels for 2025/26 was taken after a range of factors were considered, including rental data, the impacts of LHA rates, the fact that rates were increased in April 2024, and the wider fiscal context. The April 2024 one-year LHA increase cost an additional £1.2bn in 2024/25, and approximately £7bn over 5 years.
Any future decisions on LHA policy will be taken in the context of the Government’s missions, goals on housing, and the fiscal context.
For those who need further support, Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) are available from local authorities. DHPs can be paid to those entitled to Housing Benefit or Universal Credit who face a shortfall in meeting their housing costs |
Personal Independence Payment
Asked by: Steve Witherden (Labour - Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr) Tuesday 22nd April 2025 Question to the Department for Work and Pensions: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people in receipt of the Daily Living Element of Personal Independence Payment do not score more than four points in any of the daily living activities, by subcategory of psychiatric disorder. Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions) Information on the impacts of the Pathways to Work Green Paper will be published in due course, and some information was published alongside the Spring Statement. These publications can be found in ‘Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper’.
A further programme of analysis to support development of the proposals in the Green Paper will be developed and undertaken in the coming months. |
Personal Independence Payment
Asked by: Steve Witherden (Labour - Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr) Tuesday 22nd April 2025 Question to the Department for Work and Pensions: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people in receipt of the Daily Living Element of Personal Independence Payment do not score more than four points in any of the daily living activities (a) in total and (b) by category of disability. Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions) Information on the impacts of the Pathways to Work Green Paper will be published in due course, and some information was published alongside the Spring Statement. These publications can be found in ‘Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper’.
A further programme of analysis to support development of the proposals in the Green Paper will be developed and undertaken in the coming months. |
Personal Independence Payment
Asked by: Steve Witherden (Labour - Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr) Tuesday 22nd April 2025 Question to the Department for Work and Pensions: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people in receipt of the Daily Living Element of Personal Independence Payment do not score more than four points in any of the daily living activities, by category of disability. Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions) Information on the impacts of the Pathways to Work Green Paper will be published in due course, and some information was published alongside the Spring Statement. These publications can be found in ‘Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper’.
A further programme of analysis to support development of the proposals in the Green Paper will be developed and undertaken in the coming months. |
Private Rented Housing: Wales
Asked by: Steve Witherden (Labour - Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr) Tuesday 22nd April 2025 Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions she has had with the Welsh Government on their decision not to legislate to end no-fault evictions for private rented sector tenants in Wales; and what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of this decision. Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government) The Department has engaged with a wide range of stakeholders during the development of our reforms to the private rented sector, and we have sought to learn from the experience of the devolved nations.
However, housing within Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for the respective devolved government. Respect for devolution and collaboration with the devolved governments is central to this government’s approach to rebuilding the country. |
Security of Tenure: Wales
Asked by: Steve Witherden (Labour - Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr) Tuesday 22nd April 2025 Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions she has had with the Welsh Government on the potential difference of security of tenure that will exist between England and Wales following the passage of the Renters Rights Bill. Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government) The Department has engaged with a wide range of stakeholders during the development of our reforms to the private rented sector, and we have sought to learn from the experience of the devolved nations.
However, housing within Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for the respective devolved government. Respect for devolution and collaboration with the devolved governments is central to this government’s approach to rebuilding the country. |
Infected Blood Compensation Scheme
Asked by: Steve Witherden (Labour - Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr) Tuesday 22nd April 2025 Question to the Cabinet Office: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of requiring the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme to distinguish between people subjected to deliberate, non-consensual trials and other people. Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office The Infected Blood Inquiry Report highlights many ethical failings that happened as part of the Infected Blood Scandal. The impact of these ethical failings on infected people has been recognised in the compensation scheme's core autonomy award.
In his summer 2024 report Sir Robert Francis recommended that an additional autonomy award be made available specifically to infected people subjected to unethical research. The Government accepted this recommendation, which led to the development of the Unethical Research Practices award as part of the Compensation Scheme's supplementary route. The award focuses specifically on research that has failed to meet established ethical standards.
Specifically, the eligibility for the award is determined by the presence of documented unethical research. This includes a lack of informed consent, inadequate oversight, and other breaches of ethical obligations in research settings.
In December last year, the Government engaged with key representatives and organisations in the community on the particular eligibility criteria for the Unethical Research Practices Award. The Government was grateful for the submissions and feedback it received from key stakeholders and considered the evidence provided in each one carefully. The Regulations which became law on 31 March 2025, detailed, specifically the criteria and centres that will be covered as part of this award. The Government is able, through further secondary legislation, to add additional centres or studies to the list if new evidence is presented. The Government wants to ensure that those who were subject to unethical research are provided with the additional autonomy award.
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Infected Blood Compensation Scheme
Asked by: Steve Witherden (Labour - Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr) Tuesday 22nd April 2025 Question to the Cabinet Office: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of recognising mono-HCV haemophiliacs as a separate cohort under the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme. Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office In March, Parliament approved the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme Regulations 2025, which established the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme in full and gave the Infected Blood Compensation Authority the powers it needs to begin making payments to all people eligible for compensation under the Scheme.
In line with the recommendations from the Infected Blood Inquiry’s second interim report and Sir Robert’s compensation framework study, the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme takes a tariff based approach to compensation based on infection severity bands. The Government sought advice on the infection severity bandings and consequent tariffs from the Infected Blood Inquiry Response Expert Group.
In regards to an additional award for haemophiliacs, the scope of the scheme’s supplementary route is in line with the recommendations Sir Robert Francis KC made to the Government in August 2024. The Government accepted Sir Robert’s recommendation that, with the exception of autonomy awards to victims of unethical research, supplementary route awards should only be available for care and financial loss.
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Infected Blood Compensation Scheme
Asked by: Steve Witherden (Labour - Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr) Tuesday 22nd April 2025 Question to the Cabinet Office: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people will be eligible for compensation under the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme in (a) Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr constituency, (b) Wales and (c) the UK. Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office Due to the nature of the Infected Blood scandal there is uncertainty over the number of people who might be eligible for compensation. The final number of eligible people will ultimately depend on the number of victims who come forward. While there is no way of knowing exactly how many people were infected as a result of this scandal, the findings of the Statistical Expert Group, established by the Infected Blood Inquiry, has provided valuable insight into the numbers of infections from blood and blood products in the UK between 1970 and 1991. The central estimates approximately total 30,000, which includes both living and deceased victims. This information is not available on a constituency basis. |
Infected Blood Compensation Scheme
Asked by: Steve Witherden (Labour - Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr) Tuesday 22nd April 2025 Question to the Cabinet Office: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, on what evidential basis the level of compensation for people with (a) Hepatitis C and (b) haemophiliacs infected with HIV under the Infected Blood Compensation scheme was determined. Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office As recommended by the Inquiry, the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme has been designed as a tariff-based framework. The proposed tariffs were developed on the advice of the Infected Blood Inquiry Response Expert Group, which included clinical and legal advisors assisted by social care specialists. You can find more information about the work of the Infected Blood Inquiry Response Expert Group on gov.uk here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/infected-blood-inquiry-response-expert-group-summary-report |
Employment: Disability and Visual Impairment
Asked by: Steve Witherden (Labour - Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr) Tuesday 29th April 2025 Question to the Department for Work and Pensions: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to support employers to employ more (a) people with sight loss and (b) disabled people. Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions) The Department for Work and Pensions and Department for Health and Social Care are committed to supporting disabled people and people with health conditions, including people with sight loss, with their employment journey.
The Disability Confident Scheme encourages employers to create disability inclusive workplaces and to support disabled people to get work and get on in work. A digital information service for employers, (Support with Employee Health and Disability), has been developed to offer guidance on making reasonable adjustments, supporting employees to remain in work, and understanding legal requirements.
Earlier this year, we formed an independent academic panel, building on the Buckland Review, to enhance neurodiversity awareness and inclusion at work. The panel's recommendations are expected to include actions for employers to support neurodivergent individuals in recruitment and daily workplace practices.
In addition to this work, the Secretaries of State for Work and Pensions and Business and Trade have launched the Keep Britain Working Review. This review will consider how to support and enable employers to recruit and retain more disabled people and people with health conditions; promote healthy workplaces and support more people to stay in or return to work from periods of sickness absence.
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Work Capability Assessment
Asked by: Steve Witherden (Labour - Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr) Tuesday 29th April 2025 Question to the Department for Work and Pensions: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how her Department will determine which claimants will be exempt from the new baseline expectation of engagement or work-related requirements once the Work Capability Assessment is scrapped. Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions) We recognise that some people may not be able to engage with new baseline expectations. We are consulting on how we should determine who should be subject to attend meetings only rather than also have wider conditionality requirements, and how we should determine which individuals or groups of individuals should be exempt from requirements completely. |
Social Security Benefits: Wales
Asked by: Steve Witherden (Labour - Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr) Tuesday 6th May 2025 Question to the Department for Work and Pensions: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she plans to publish an assessment of the potential impact of the Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper, published on 18 March 2025, on Wales. Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions) Information on the impacts of the Pathways to Work Green Paper will be published in due course, and some information was published alongside the Spring Statement. Future publications will include some information on people in Wales affected. These publications can be found in ‘Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper’(opens in a new tab). A further programme of analysis to support development of the proposals in the Green Paper will be developed and undertaken in the coming months. |
Ambulance Services: Medals
Asked by: Steve Witherden (Labour - Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr) Tuesday 6th May 2025 Question to the Department of Health and Social Care: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of extending eligibility for The Ambulance Service (Emergency Duties) Long Service and Good Conduct Medal to paramedics employed by air ambulance charities. Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care) No assessment has been made and there are no current plans to extend the eligibility of the Ambulance Service (Emergency Duties) Long Service and Good Conduct Medal to paramedics employed by air ambulance charities. |
Pylons: Powys
Asked by: Steve Witherden (Labour - Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr) Wednesday 7th May 2025 Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of (a) the Vrynwy Frankton pylon project and (b) other pylon projects on farm animals. Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero) Developers of electricity network projects in England & Wales must assess the impacts of their proposals in line with the National Policy Statement for electricity network infrastructure (NPS EN-5). Alongside this, developers undertake Environmental Impact Assessments which can include considerations related to farm animals if there are impacts on agricultural land. The Government does not make assessments of specific projects until they come to the Secretary of State for a final planning decision. |
Pylons: Powys
Asked by: Steve Witherden (Labour - Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr) Wednesday 7th May 2025 Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Vrynwy Frankton pylon project on net zero. Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero) Electricity networks are a critical enabler for net zero, linking new low-carbon generation to electricity demand. To accommodate both the generation needed for clean power as well as increasing demand as heating, transport and industry electrification will require an expansion of electricity networks at a scale and pace not seen for decades, at both transmission and distribution level. Though the department does not conduct analysis for individual projects, the Vrynwy Frankton pylon project is part of this transformation. |
Pylons: Powys
Asked by: Steve Witherden (Labour - Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr) Wednesday 7th May 2025 Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of (a) the Vyrnwy–Frankton pylon project and (b) other pylon projects on local businesses that rely on tourism. Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero) Developers of electricity network projects in England & Wales must assess the impacts of their proposals in line with the National Policy Statement for electricity network infrastructure (NPS EN-5). Government assesses specific projects only once they come to the Secretary of State for a final planning decision. Businesses with pylons sited on their land are entitled to compensation for the value of their land, as well as for any losses or expenses incurred. Acquiring authorities are also able to offer extra discretionary payments.
Government published relevant guidance in March 2025 outlining how communities should benefit from new transmission infrastructure.
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Early Day Motions Signed |
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Wednesday 21st May Steve Witherden signed this EDM on Thursday 22nd May 2025 28 signatures (Most recent: 22 May 2025) Tabled by: Adnan Hussain (Independent - Blackburn) That this House calls on the United Nations, alongside the Security Council, to take urgent action to facilitate humanitarian aid access to Gaza, in light of the statement by the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs that 14,000 babies will die in Gaza if aid supplies do not get in … |
Wednesday 21st May Steve Witherden signed this EDM on Thursday 22nd May 2025 42 signatures (Most recent: 23 May 2025) Tabled by: Zarah Sultana (Independent - Coventry South) That this House calls on the Government to immediately suspend all arms exports to Israel in line with majority public opinion and urgently provide full transparency over Britain’s military relationship with Israel considering new evidence of significantly increased military shipments during the war on Gaza; notes a new report evidencing … |
Monday 7th April Steve Witherden signed this EDM on Monday 19th May 2025 Securing habitat for endangered swifts and other cavity nesting birds 41 signatures (Most recent: 22 May 2025)Tabled by: Barry Gardiner (Labour - Brent West) This House notes with concern the dramatic decline in the breeding population of swifts whose numbers have dropped by 60% since 1995; recognises that the loss of natural nesting habitat for swifts and other cavity nesting birds has meant that four species of these birds are now on the International … |
Wednesday 14th May Steve Witherden signed this EDM on Thursday 15th May 2025 Import of goods from Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory 28 signatures (Most recent: 20 May 2025)Tabled by: Ellie Chowns (Green Party - North Herefordshire) That this House notes that the International Court of Justice has called for all states to abstain from entering into economic or trade dealings with Israel concerning the Occupied Palestinian Territory or parts thereof which may entrench its unlawful presence in the territory and to take steps to prevent trade … |
Monday 12th May Steve Witherden signed this EDM on Tuesday 13th May 2025 Support for the trans community 21 signatures (Most recent: 23 May 2025)Tabled by: Siân Berry (Green Party - Brighton Pavilion) That this House celebrates the contribution that the trans community, binary and nonbinary, makes to the UK; recognises that transgender transition liberates trans people to be their true selves; notes that there is no such thing as gender ideology, but that term is used to oppose acceptance of trans people … |
Monday 12th May Steve Witherden signed this EDM on Tuesday 13th May 2025 Future of the UK baking industry 21 signatures (Most recent: 20 May 2025)Tabled by: Rebecca Long Bailey (Labour - Salford) That this House notes with concern recent media reports that Associated British Foods, parent company of Allied Bakeries which produces Kingsmill bread, are in talks over a potential merger with Hovis, owned by Endless LLP; further notes that this comes as a response to reports of unsustainable losses in the … |
Monday 12th May Steve Witherden signed this EDM on Tuesday 13th May 2025 Long Service and Good Conduct Medal for Police Community Support Officers 8 signatures (Most recent: 22 May 2025)Tabled by: Grahame Morris (Labour - Easington) That this House recognises the vital contribution made by Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) in communities across the UK; notes with deep appreciation the commitment and professionalism shown by PCSOs who dedicate their careers to public service and community safety, often facing great risk; further notes with concern the current … |
Thursday 1st May Steve Witherden signed this EDM on Wednesday 7th May 2025 67 signatures (Most recent: 22 May 2025) Tabled by: Clive Lewis (Labour - Norwich South) That this House declared an environment and climate change emergency on 1 May 2019, recognising the urgent need for action; notes that the Second Reading debate of the Climate and Nature Bill was adjourned, but not concluded, on 24 January 2025; further notes that the Secretary of State for Environment, … |
Monday 7th April Steve Witherden signed this EDM on Tuesday 6th May 2025 British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme 31 signatures (Most recent: 21 May 2025)Tabled by: Ann Davies (Plaid Cymru - Caerfyrddin) That this House is deeply concerned regarding the impact of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme (BCSSS) scandal; notes that, in the Autumn Budget, the Government released equivalent funds from the Miners’ Pension Scheme (MPS), but this welcome move to improve former miners’ pensions was not extended to the BCSSS; … |
Tuesday 6th May Steve Witherden signed this EDM on Tuesday 6th May 2025 Better Jobs, Better Services campaign 34 signatures (Most recent: 22 May 2025)Tabled by: Kim Johnson (Labour - Liverpool Riverside) That this House notes that the Government has committed to oversee the biggest wave of insourcing for a generation; welcomes the RMT’s new Better Jobs, Better Services campaign, calling for an end to outsourcing of essential rail services such as cleaning, station staffing, catering, security, infrastructure and engineering across the … |
Thursday 1st May Steve Witherden signed this EDM as a sponsor on Thursday 1st May 2025 47th anniversary of the murder of Altab Ali 14 signatures (Most recent: 15 May 2025)Tabled by: Apsana Begum (Independent - Poplar and Limehouse) That this House marks the anniversary of the racially motivated murder of the 25-year-old textile factory worker, Altab Ali, on 4th May 1978; notes that in the 1970s far right activity and racism was prevalent in East London and that Asian and Black people were frequently attacked; recognises that Altab … |
Wednesday 30th April Steve Witherden signed this EDM on Wednesday 30th April 2025 65 signatures (Most recent: 22 May 2025) Tabled by: Kate Osborne (Labour - Jarrow and Gateshead East) That this House welcomes the second annual Trans+ History Week; notes the week held from 5 to 11 May 2025 will celebrate the millenia-old history and contributions of transgender, non-binary, gender-diverse and intersex people; highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Trans+ communities that includes high rates in hate crimes and … |
Wednesday 23rd April Steve Witherden signed this EDM as a sponsor on Tuesday 22nd April 2025 Second state visit by Donald Trump 20 signatures (Most recent: 6 May 2025)Tabled by: Kate Osborne (Labour - Jarrow and Gateshead East) That this House notes the record of US President Donald Trump, including his misogynism, racism and xenophobia; condemns his previous comments on women, refugees and torture; further notes several problematic diplomatic developments since the invite for a second state visit was issued; also notes concerns on his comments about the … |
Select Committee Documents |
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Friday 25th April 2025
Report - 1st Report - Appointment of Delyth Evans as S4C Chair Welsh Affairs Committee Found: Ynys Môn) Andrew Ranger (Labour; Wrexham) Henry Tufnell (Labour; Mid and South Pembrokeshire) Steve Witherden |
Wednesday 23rd April 2025
Oral Evidence - S4C Welsh Affairs Committee Found: David Chadwick; Ann Davies; Simon Hoare; Claire Hughes; Ben Lake; Llinos Medi; Andrew Ranger; Steve Witherden |
Bill Documents |
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May. 12 2025
Consideration of Bill Amendments as at 12 May 2025 Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill 2024-26 Amendment Paper Found: Ellie Chowns Carla Denyer Richard Burgon Ben Lake Liz Saville Roberts Neil Duncan-Jordan Steve Witherden |
May. 12 2025
Notices of Amendments as at 12 May 2025 Planning and Infrastructure Bill 2024-26 Amendment Paper Found: 5A))” COMMITTEE STAGE Monday 12 May 2025 6 _17 Chris Hinchliff John McDonnell Kim Johnson Steve Witherden |
May. 09 2025
Notices of Amendments as at 9 May 2025 Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill 2024-26 Amendment Paper Found: Blake Ian Byrne Rachael Maskell Kim Johnson Ellie Chowns Carla Denyer Neil Duncan-Jordan Steve Witherden |
May. 09 2025
Notices of Amendments as at 9 May 2025 Planning and Infrastructure Bill 2024-26 Amendment Paper Found: _16 Chris Hinchliff John McDonnell Kim Johnson Steve Witherden Neil Duncan-Jordan 11 COMMITTEE |
Apr. 29 2025
Consideration of Bill Amendments as at 29 April 2025 Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill 2024-26 Amendment Paper Found: REPORT STAGE Tuesday 29 April 2025 24 _10 Neil Duncan-Jordan Steve Witherden Paula Barker Alex Sobel |
Apr. 29 2025
Consideration of Bill Amendments as at 29 April 2025 - large print Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill 2024-26 Amendment Paper Found: is necessary and proportionate. 49 REPORT STAGE Tuesday 29 April 2025 _10 Neil Duncan-Jordan Steve Witherden |
Apr. 29 2025
Report stage proceedings as at 29 April 2025 Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill 2024-26 Bill proceedings: Commons Found: REPORT STAGE Tuesday 29 April 2025 24 Not called_10 Neil Duncan-Jordan Steve Witherden Paula Barker |
Apr. 28 2025
Notices of Amendments as at 28 April 2025 Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill 2024-26 Amendment Paper Found: _10 Neil Duncan-Jordan Steve Witherden Paula Barker Alex Sobel Marsha De Cordova Siân Berry Zarah |
Apr. 25 2025
Notices of Amendments as at 25 April 2025 Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill 2024-26 Amendment Paper Found: _10 Neil Duncan-Jordan Steve Witherden Paula Barker Alex Sobel Marsha De Cordova Siân Berry Zarah |
Apr. 24 2025
Notices of Amendments as at 24 April 2025 Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill 2024-26 Amendment Paper Found: REPORT STAGE Thursday 24 April 2025 22 _10 Neil Duncan-Jordan Steve Witherden Paula Barker Alex Sobel |
Calendar |
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Wednesday 30th April 2025 2 p.m. Welsh Affairs Committee - Private Meeting View calendar - Add to calendar |
Wednesday 14th May 2025 2 p.m. Welsh Affairs Committee - Oral evidence Subject: Promoting Wales for inward investment View calendar - Add to calendar |
Wednesday 21st May 2025 2 p.m. Welsh Affairs Committee - Oral evidence Subject: Prisons, Probation and Rehabilitation in Wales At 2:30pm: Oral evidence Elisabeth Davies - National Chair at Independent Monitoring Boards Charlie Taylor - Chief Inspector at His Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons At 3:15pm: Oral evidence Su McConnel - Executive Member at NAPO Cymru Hugh McDyer - Regional Organiser at UNISON Cymru Terry McCarthy - National Executive Committee Representative for North Wales at Prison Officers’ Association View calendar - Add to calendar |
Wednesday 21st May 2025 2 p.m. Welsh Affairs Committee - Oral evidence Subject: Prisons, Probation and Rehabilitation in Wales At 2:30pm: Oral evidence Elisabeth Davies - National Chair at Independent Monitoring Boards Charlie Taylor - Chief Inspector at His Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons At 3:15pm: Oral evidence Su McConnel - Executive Member at NAPO Cymru Hugh McDyer - Regional Organiser at UNISON Cymru Terry McCarthy - National Executive Committee Representative for North Wales at Prison Officers’ Association Gethin Jones - Executive Committee Member at Public and Commercial Services Union View calendar - Add to calendar |
Wednesday 21st May 2025 2 p.m. Welsh Affairs Committee - Private Meeting View calendar - Add to calendar |
Wednesday 14th May 2025 2 p.m. Welsh Affairs Committee - Oral evidence Subject: Promoting Wales for inward investment At 2:30pm: Oral evidence Mark Hallan - Director of Global Investment at Scottish Development International Joe Manning - Managing Director at MIDAS View calendar - Add to calendar |
Wednesday 21st May 2025 2 p.m. Welsh Affairs Committee - Oral evidence Subject: Prisons, Probation and Rehabilitation in Wales At 2:30pm: Oral evidence Elisabeth Davies - National Chair at Independent Monitoring Boards Charlie Taylor - His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons at HM Inspectorate of Prisons At 3:15pm: Oral evidence Su McConnel - Executive Member at Napo Cymru Hugh McDyer - Regional Organiser at UNISON Cymru Terry McCarthy - National Executive Committee Representative for North Wales at Prison Officers’ Association Gethin Jones - Executive Committee Member at Public and Commercial Services Union View calendar - Add to calendar |