Tony Cunningham

Labour - Former Member for Workington

First elected: 7th June 2001

Left House: 30th March 2015 (Retired)


Tony Cunningham is not a member of any APPGs
International Development Committee
4th Nov 2013 - 30th Mar 2015
Shadow Minister (International Development)
7th Oct 2011 - 7th Oct 2013
Opposition Pairing Whip (Commons)
8th Oct 2010 - 7th Oct 2011
Lord Commissioner (HM Treasury) (Whip)
5th Oct 2008 - 6th May 2010
Assistant Whip (HM Treasury)
10th May 2005 - 5th Oct 2008
European Scrutiny Committee
16th Jul 2001 - 26th Apr 2004
Human Rights (Joint Committee)
7th Jun 2001 - 19th Jul 2001


Division Voting information

Tony Cunningham has voted in 1725 divisions, and 23 times against the majority of their Party.

23 Feb 2015 - Serious Crime Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Tony Cunningham voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 28 Labour Aye votes vs 178 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 201 Noes - 292
5 Feb 2013 - Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill - View Vote Context
Tony Cunningham voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 22 Labour No votes vs 216 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 400 Noes - 175
11 Jul 2012 - Sittings of the House - View Vote Context
Tony Cunningham voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 69 Labour Aye votes vs 138 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 241 Noes - 256
11 Jul 2012 - Sittings of the House - View Vote Context
Tony Cunningham voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 66 Labour No votes vs 139 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 267 Noes - 233
11 Jul 2012 - Sittings of the House - View Vote Context
Tony Cunningham voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 51 Labour No votes vs 141 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 280 Noes - 184
19 Oct 2011 - Deferred Division - View Vote Context
Tony Cunningham voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 28 Labour Aye votes vs 71 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 306 Noes - 95
12 Nov 2008 - MODERNISATION OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS (STANDING ORDERS) - View Vote Context
Tony Cunningham voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 28 Labour Aye votes vs 33 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 165 Noes - 87
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Tony Cunningham voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 48 Labour Aye votes vs 230 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 215 Noes - 299
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Tony Cunningham voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 49 Labour Aye votes vs 227 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 206 Noes - 298
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Tony Cunningham voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 47 Labour Aye votes vs 226 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 194 Noes - 306
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Tony Cunningham voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 45 Labour Aye votes vs 226 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 183 Noes - 308
20 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Tony Cunningham voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 47 Labour Aye votes vs 226 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 217 Noes - 292
20 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Tony Cunningham voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 48 Labour Aye votes vs 227 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 222 Noes - 290
20 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Tony Cunningham voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 39 Labour Aye votes vs 240 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 190 Noes - 332
20 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Tony Cunningham voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 42 Labour Aye votes vs 229 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 173 Noes - 309
20 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Tony Cunningham voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 56 Labour Aye votes vs 231 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 233 Noes - 304
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Tony Cunningham voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 61 Labour Aye votes vs 215 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 176 Noes - 336
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Tony Cunningham voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 62 Labour Aye votes vs 216 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 223 Noes - 286
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Tony Cunningham voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 58 Labour Aye votes vs 217 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 181 Noes - 314
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Tony Cunningham voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 23 Labour Aye votes vs 233 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 149 Noes - 318
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Tony Cunningham voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 51 Labour Aye votes vs 225 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 163 Noes - 342
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Tony Cunningham voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 51 Labour Aye votes vs 216 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 200 Noes - 293
7 Mar 2007 - House of Lords Reform - View Vote Context
Tony Cunningham voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 152 Labour No votes vs 162 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 416 Noes - 163
View All Tony Cunningham 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
Jamie Reed (Labour)
(12 debate interactions)
Stephen O'Brien (Conservative)
(11 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Department of Health and Social Care
(11 debate contributions)
Home Office
(7 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Tony Cunningham has not made any spoken contributions to legislative debate
View all Tony Cunningham's debates

Latest EDMs signed by Tony Cunningham

24th March 2015
Tony Cunningham signed this EDM on Tuesday 24th March 2015

NATIONAL EXPRESS

Tabled by: Jim Sheridan (Labour - Paisley and Renfrewshire North)
That this House condemns the anti-trade union activities of UK-listed National Express PLC in its operations in the US, largely ignoring the safety concerns raised by employees and parents alike when transporting children to and from school; notes that these practices contrast with those of competing companies such as First …
33 signatures
(Most recent: 25 Mar 2015)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 15
Independent: 3
The Independent Group for Change: 1
19th March 2015
Tony Cunningham signed this EDM as a sponsor on Monday 23rd March 2015

EXTENSION OF THE BADGER CULL

Tabled by: Kelvin Hopkins (Independent - Luton North)
That this House believes that commencing the next badger cull in June 2015 is completely misguided and that it will result in many badger cubs being killed when they do not have TB; and calls on the Government to abandon plans for the 2015 cull since this has been found …
35 signatures
(Most recent: 25 Mar 2015)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 14
Independent: 1
Conservative: 1
Green Party: 1
View All Tony Cunningham's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Tony Cunningham, 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.


Tony Cunningham has not been granted any Urgent Questions

1 Adjournment Debate led by Tony Cunningham

Wednesday 16th March 2011

Tony Cunningham has not introduced any legislation before Parliament

Tony Cunningham has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting


Latest 17 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
3 Other Department Questions
10th Mar 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, whether he plans that upgrading of (a) oil boilers and (b) LPG boilers will be mandated to installing energy companies as being available to qualifying householders under the revised Green Deal Home Improvement Fund.

The Department has a strong package of policies delivering assistance to those in need, including: the Energy Company Obligation (ECO), the Warm Home Discount and the Big Energy Saving Network. The Government also provides financial support through Winter Fuel Payments and Cold Weather Payments. The All-Party Parliamentary Group and Ministerial Roundtable on heating oil and LPG supply will continue working to determine whether further action is required.

The Department does not have plans to include oil and LPG boilers as measures available under the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund.

4th Mar 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what information his Department holds on the value of (a) Green Deal levies collected from and (b) Green Deal measures delivered to off grid areas to date.

The Green Deal is not funded through a levy.

There were 52,214 Green Deal Assessments in off-gas grid properties in Great Britain up to 30th September 2014, representing around 15 per cent of all properties with a Green Deal Assessment*.

However, the Department does not publish breakdowns of measures by property type.

*Source, Table 1.4 https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/green-deal-energy-company-obligation-eco-and-insulation-levels-in-great-britain-quarterly-report-to-september-2014

4th Mar 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps he plans to take to improve targeting of the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund to deep rural areas and off gas grid areas.

The Green Deal Home Improvement Fund is open to applications from owners or occupiers of a residential property in England or Wales. The scheme does not distinguish between applicants from rural or urban areas, or between applicants who are on or off gas grid. Over 25,000 households have received vouchers to date.

4th Mar 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, with reference to page eight of her Department's Annual Report and Accounts, published on 15 July 2014, what the content was of the commercial skills training received by senior civil servants in her Department; what accreditation those staff received upon completion of that training; and how many people at each grade in her Department received that training.

DFID’s Commercial training focuses on improving commercial capability across the department, in-line with the requirements of the Civil Service Reform plan as stated in DFID Annual Report and Accounts 2013–14. To date, ninety nine DFID Senior Civil Servants have completed the training.

4th Mar 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what accreditation staff in her Department undertaking professional programme management training receive; and how many people at each grade in her Department have received such training.

Since 1st June 2014, when the scheme first started, 253 staff members have demonstrated sufficient expertise and knowledge, through a rigorous process of accreditation, into the Programme Management Cadre. They include three Senior Civil Servants and 15% have been senior advisors or team leaders. As would be expected, the remaining are made up of programme managers across the department.

Programme Management Training within DFID started in 2013 since when over 400 have attended a three day Delivering Effective Aid Programme. Following the introduction of the Smart Rules and the new programme management architecture, the course has been modified and a further 200 have attended from all grades across the department. Each month one course is held in the UK (alternating between London and Glasgow) and one course is held in a country programme.

4th Mar 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many Heads of Profession there are in her Department; and what professional programme management qualifications each of those Heads of Profession holds.

Table A3.1 in Annex A3 the Independent Commission on Aid Impact Report 34 on ‘How the Department for International Development (DFID) Learns’ lists the 13 technical advisory professions. There are also 7 heads of corporate professions (Communications, Finance, Human Resources, Internal Audit, Information Technology, Knowledge and Procurement & Commercial); a Head of Policy Profession and a Head of Programme Management Profession.

We do not provide personal information on individuals and cannot give precise details on the qualifications of each Head of Profession as requested.

All the Heads of the Advisory, Programme and Policy Professions have completed essential DFID internal programme management courses (or the equivalent in a European donor), and have at least 5 years programme management experience. Several hold post-graduate qualifications in fields related to programme management as well as qualifications in their technical area. In addition three of the heads of the Corporate professions are qualified in PRINCE (Projects in Controlled Environments).

4th Mar 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to tackle micronutrient deficiencies in countries defined by the World Health Organisation on high burden countries; and what further steps she plans to take in relation to such countries.

Tackling undernutrition in the first 1,000 days of life is central to DFID’s strategy to improve child health and wellbeing, and tackling micronutrient deficiencies is a key part of that strategy. Details of DFID’s bilateral support is published on its Development Tracker website: http://devtracker.dfid.gov.uk/.

In addition to bilateral programmes, DFID provides support to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Food Programme (WFP), the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), all of which contribute to tackling micronutrient deficiencies in WHO high burden countries.

4th Mar 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how much her Department (a) spent on infrastructure in 2013-14 and (b) will spend on infrastructure in 2014-15 via (i) bilateral and (ii) multilateral channels.

Details of DFID’s spend by sector, including Infrastructure, is shown in Table 11 of our publication ‘Gross Public Expenditure Tables 2013/14’, which is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/statistics-on-international-development-2013-to-2014-gpex-tables. Figures for 2014/15 will be published in the autumn.

9th Sep 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what proportion of her Department’s funding is spent on providing adequate housing; and how much such funding is available to be spent in Sierra Leone.

We do not collect the information in the form requested however DFID promotes affordable housing centrally through the Community-Led Infrastructure Finance Facility (CLIFF) that works across 14 countries in Africa and Asia. By December 2015, CLIFF will have constructed 28,000 new core housing units and improved access to water and sanitation services for up to 445,000 people. CLIFF does not currently work in Sierra Leone.

4th Mar 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions his Department has had with Novartis during price negotiations on the meningitis B vaccine on risk sharing in the development and implementation of that vaccine.

The meningitis B (MenB) vaccine has already been developed by Novartis. Implementation of the MenB programme is dependent on the vaccine being obtained at a cost effective price as recommended by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.

The Department is continuing to negotiate with the manufacturer and the content of these negotiations is confidential. GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) completed its purchase of Novartis’s non-influenza vaccine business on 2 March 2015 and therefore, further negotiations are continuing with GSK.

14th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, which post in his Department is responsible for leading negotiations on setting a cost-effective price for the meningococcal B vaccine Bexsero; and when the next meeting to continue those negotiations is scheduled.

The Department’s Director General for Innovation, Growth and Technology is leading negotiations with the manufacturer for the supply of the meningococcal B vaccine, Bexsero. The most recent negotiating meeting took place on 8 December 2014 and, following subsequent technical discussions, the next such meeting will take place shortly.

14th Jan 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how the Government's approach to negotiating a cost-effective price for the meningococcal B vaccine Bexsero takes account of fluctuations in disease levels characteristic of that virus and the recent emergence of another strain of meningitis which may be treated using Bexsero.

The independent cost-effectiveness analysis of the use of the meningococcal B vaccine, Bexsero took account of the incidence and case fatality rates of all meningococcal disease, including meningococcal W in England during the period 2005-06 to 2011-12. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) considered that these data gave a reasonable range. JCVI are the independent experts responsible for advising the Government on immunisations following due consideration of the evidence on the burden of disease, vaccine safety and efficacy and cost effectiveness.

Further information is available in Christensen H, Trotter CL, Hickman M, Edmunds WJ. Re‑evaluating cost effectiveness of universal meningitis vaccination (Bexsero) in England: modelling study. BMJ 2014; 349: g5725.

8th Jul 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the approval of his Department's business case for the meningococcal B vaccine.

Senior officials in the Department and Her Majesty's Treasury have discussed the business case for meningococcal B immunisation.

8th Jul 2014
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when his Department received the business case for the meningococcal B vaccine; and when he expects to make a decision whether or not to approve the business case.

On 21 March 2014, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommended that there should be a national Meningococcal B immunisation programme for infants, if the vaccine, Bexsero ®, could be purchased at a cost-effective price. The Treasury is working closely with the Department of Health on this business case. The Government would like to secure the vaccine from the supplier at the cost-effective price recommended by the JCVI.

2nd Dec 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many of the responses to his Department's consultation on Local Welfare Provision 2015 to 2019 expressed a preference for each of options 1, 2, 3 and 4.

The Government received more than 5,000 responses to the consultation which are being considered, alongside the review by Department for Work and Pensions into existing provision. The Government will make a decision based on this analysis in time for the provisional local government finance settlement due shortly.

4th Jun 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, for what reasons legal aid funding in relation to the case of the constituent of the hon. Member for Workington, Gary Tomlinson, Claim Number OWH0080, Cert number JBIRQK61BB77/A/E/1, was withdrawn.

The receipt of legal aid is considered to be personal data and the Department has obligations under the Data Protection Act 1998 which would prevent it from disclosing this type of information. Furthermore, the Legal Aid Agency is further prohibited by statute from disclosing information relating to the provision of legal aid in individual cases (under section 34 of the LASPO Act 2012, section 20 of the Access to Justice Act 1999, and before this under section 38 of the Legal Aid Act 1988).