Vicky Foxcroft
Labour - Lewisham North
15,782 (35.7%) majority - 2024 General ElectionFirst elected: 7th May 2015
5 Former APPG Officer Positions
Domestic Violence, Domestic Violence and Abuse, Knife Crime and Violence Reduction, Votes at 16, Youth AffairsDivision Voting information
Vicky Foxcroft voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 129 Labour Aye votes vs 200 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 243 Noes - 279
Vicky Foxcroft voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 127 Labour No votes vs 206 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 288 Noes - 239
Debates during the 2024 Parliament
Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
Department Debates
(10 debate contributions)
(5 debate contributions)
(4 debate contributions)
(4 debate contributions)
Legislation Debates
(1,278 words contributed)
(765 words contributed)
(38 words contributed)
(9 words contributed)
Lewisham North Petitions
e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.
If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.
If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).
of 28,175 signatures (1.44%)
of 19,466 signatures (0.78%)
of 38,664 signatures (0.32%)
of 34,663 signatures (0.29%)
of 73,916 signatures (0.26%)
of 2,960,687 signatures (0.12%)
of 1,043,712 signatures (0.05%)
of 28,175 signatures (1.44%)
of 219,627 signatures (0.15%)
of 639,544 signatures (0.04%)
Latest EDMs signed by Vicky Foxcroft
High street gambling reform
Tabled by: Dawn Butler (Labour - Brent East)That this House notes with concern that local authorities currently lack sufficient powers to regulate the spread of gambling premises due to the statutory aim to permit duty set out in the Gambling Act 2005; further notes that this duty restricts councils’ ability to reject applications for new gambling venues …
(Most recent: 13 Oct 2025)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 12
Independent: 5
Plaid Cymru: 4
Liberal Democrat: 3
Democratic Unionist Party: 2
Green Party: 2
Job reductions at news publisher Reach plc
Tabled by: Rebecca Long Bailey (Labour - Salford)That this House recognises the skill and experience of journalists across Reach titles in the UK and Ireland; notes with alarm and dismay plans announced on 10 September 2025 proposing 321 editorial redundancies; urges the publisher to recognise the detrimental impact of huge swathes of cuts on journalists and journalism; …
(Most recent: 28 Oct 2025)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 12
Green Party: 4
Plaid Cymru: 4
Liberal Democrat: 3
Conservative: 1
Scottish National Party: 1
Commons initiatives
These initiatives were driven by Vicky Foxcroft, 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.
Vicky Foxcroft has not been granted any Urgent Questions
Vicky Foxcroft has not been granted any Adjournment Debates
1 Bill introduced by Vicky Foxcroft
A Bill to reduce the voting age to 16 in general elections, elections to the Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, the Northern Ireland Assembly and the European Parliament, local government elections and referendums; to make provision about young people’s education in citizenship and the constitution; and for connected purposes.
Friday 11th September 2015
4 Bills co-sponsored by Vicky Foxcroft
Methanol Poisoning (Travel Advice) Bill 2024-26
Sponsor - Laura Trott (Con)
Teenagers (Safety and Wellbeing) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Alex Norris (LAB)
Representation of the People (Young People's Enfranchisement and Education) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Jim McMahon (LAB)
Automatic Electoral Registration (No. 2) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Jo Stevens (Lab)
Latest 22 Written Questions
(View all written questions)These are matters for His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver. I have asked him to write to my hon. Friend, the Member for Lewisham North and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
Minister of State (Education)
These are matters for His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver. I have asked him to write to my hon. Friend, the Member for Lewisham North and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
Minister of State (Education)
The department is working with the sector to re-establish teaching as an attractive profession across all subjects, including citizenship. As a first step, this government has increased teacher pay by almost 10% over two years.
Our Plan for Change is committed to recruiting 6,500 new expert teachers across secondary and special schools, and our colleges over the course of this Parliament to ensure sufficient teachers across all subjects. We are making good progress with the workforce has grown by 2,346 on a full-time equivalent basis between 2023/24 and 2024/25 in secondary and special schools, where it is needed most.
Trainee bursaries are reviewed annually to ensure we are focusing on the subjects most in need. Our commitment of over £200 million for bursaries in 2026/27 follows improved recruitment, with 10% more acceptances to start initial teacher training courses this year compared to last year and the teacher leaver rate falling to 9%, one of the lowest on record. In 2024/25 3,685 teachers taught citizenship.
Minister of State (Education)
The department is working with the sector to re-establish teaching as an attractive profession across all subjects, including citizenship. As a first step, this government has increased teacher pay by almost 10% over two years.
Our Plan for Change is committed to recruiting 6,500 new expert teachers across secondary and special schools, and our colleges over the course of this Parliament to ensure sufficient teachers across all subjects. We are making good progress with the workforce has grown by 2,346 on a full-time equivalent basis between 2023/24 and 2024/25 in secondary and special schools, where it is needed most.
Trainee bursaries are reviewed annually to ensure we are focusing on the subjects most in need. Our commitment of over £200 million for bursaries in 2026/27 follows improved recruitment, with 10% more acceptances to start initial teacher training courses this year compared to last year and the teacher leaver rate falling to 9%, one of the lowest on record. In 2024/25 3,685 teachers taught citizenship.
Minister of State (Education)
Information on the school workforce, including the number of teachers in state-funded schools, is published in the ‘School workforce in England’ statistical publication available here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england/2024.
41,736 qualified teachers joined state-funded schools in England for the 2024/25 academic year, the latest date for which data is available. This has been available since 5 June 2025 and, can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/3d4415a2-a099-427d-d209-08de2129b4fd..
A breakdown of the above figure by subject taught is not available.
Minister of State (Education)
Officials and Ministers from the department regularly meet with stakeholders, including further education sector professionals and their representative bodies.
During the Review of Qualifications Reform in 2024, we held an extensive programme of engagement, to ensure that the views of colleges, schools, teachers and wider stakeholders fed into the review. We spoke to over 250 people through the more than 40 hours of engagement, including over 100 teachers, practitioners, and college leaders.
The department held a Ministerial chaired round table with key leaders in the college sector and undertook a series of focus groups and interviews with colleges, schools and other organisations to ensure that the views of stakeholders were fully considered.
We will continue to work closely with the sector, drawing on their insight to ensure future reforms deliver high quality qualifications for young people.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
Through our Plan for Change, the government is building a skills system that will drive forward opportunity and deliver the growth that our economy needs. Students deserve high quality qualifications, and we must continue to develop and improve qualifications, so that they provide for the needs of students and employers. Qualifications are being reformed so that they are better quality and deliver improved outcomes.
The outcomes from the Review of Post-16 Qualifications Reform were published in December 2024. The Curriculum and Assessment Review published its interim report earlier this year and aims to ensure meaningful, rigorous and high-value pathways for all learners aged 16-19. The Review will publish their final recommendations in autumn 2025.
The Review’s interim report said that they were interested in developing a third pathway at level 3 alongside A levels and T Levels and noted the absence of 'vocational' options in the reformed system. The department is working with the Review panel on the approach to qualifications at levels 2 and 3 and will set out further detail shortly.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
Through our Plan for Change, the government is building a skills system that will drive forward opportunity and deliver the growth that our economy needs. Students deserve high quality qualifications, and we must continue to develop and improve qualifications, so that they provide for the needs of students and employers. Qualifications are being reformed so that they are better quality and deliver improved outcomes.
The outcomes from the Review of Post-16 Qualifications Reform were published in December 2024. The Curriculum and Assessment Review published its interim report earlier this year and aims to ensure meaningful, rigorous and high-value pathways for all learners aged 16-19. The Review will publish their final recommendations in autumn 2025.
The Review’s interim report said that they were interested in developing a third pathway at level 3 alongside A levels and T Levels and noted the absence of 'vocational' options in the reformed system. The department is working with the Review panel on the approach to qualifications at levels 2 and 3 and will set out further detail shortly.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
On 20 October 2025, the department set out plans to introduce V Levels, a third, vocational pathway at level 3 that will sit alongside A levels and T Levels, and offer a vocational alternative to these academic and technical routes. They will blend applied learning with practical assessment, with content linked to occupational standards set by Skills England. We have launched a consultation on post-16 level 3 and below pathways : https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/post-16-level-3-and-below-pathways.
This government is fully committed to T Levels, which are out-performing other large qualifications in T Level areas. In line with this, funding for qualifications of 720 guided learning hours and over in T Level areas will be removed in 2026 and 2027.
We are keeping funding for most existing qualifications in place until new V levels and other qualifications come in.
As detailed in the Post-16 Education and Skills white paper, we will transform our approach to supporting young people who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET) or at risk of becoming NEET by reforming how they are identified, tracked and supported. The Youth Guarantee will guarantee young people aged 18 to 21 access to education, training and/or help to get into work.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
Access to Work is only available to individuals who are in employment. The Department for Work and Pensions does not therefore collect data on employment outcomes for Access to Work applicants, including after reassessments.
In the Pathways to Work Green Paper, we consulted on the future of the Access to Work scheme. We are considering responses to the consultation and will set out our plans in due course.
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Department for Work and Pensions does not close Access to Work applications. Instead, applications may be approved or not approved following assessment. The Department holds data on the number of applications that were not approved at the application outcome stage for each financial year as follows:
- 2022/23: 31,482 applications were not approved (30% of all decisions)
- 2023/24: 33,886 applications were not approved (24% of all decisions)
- 2024/25: 34,874 applications were not approved (27% of all decisions)
- 2025/26 (to October 2025): 27,297 applications were not approved (33% of all decisions)
This represents a total of 108,314 applications not approved between April 2022 and October 2025, accounting for 28% of all decisions made during that period.
Data on non-approvals is only recorded at the application outcome stage.
The reasons for non-approval include:
- No contact from the applicant
- Insufficient evidence provided
- Applicant not eligible
- Application not pursued
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Department for Work and Pensions has not assessed the (a) number and (b) percentage of Access to Work applicants who may have lost their employment following a reassessment that resulted in a reduction in the support they receive. The programme does not collect data on employment outcomes following reassessment decisions. Customers who disagree with a reassessment outcome may request a reconsideration of their award.
The scheme is there to support disabled people to start and stay in employment by providing tailored support based on individual needs. However it has not been substantially changed since its introduction in 1994. Given that, the government has consulted on the future of Access to Work and how to improve the scheme so that it helps more disabled people in work. We are reviewing all aspects of Access to Work as we develop plans for reform following the conclusion of the consultation.
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Department for Work and Pensions does not record award terminations in a way that allows for data extraction. This process would incur disproportionate cost.
Access to Work has not been substantially changed since its introduction in 1994. There is a strong case for updating the role it plays in making work accessible for disabled people. We recognise that Access to Work is providing a poor experience for some applicants with processing delays affecting employees’ ability to start or continue in employment, and employers’ ability to support them.
In the Pathways to Work Green Paper, we consulted on the future of Access to Work and how to improve the scheme so that it helps more disabled people in work. We are reviewing all aspects of Access to Work as we develop plans for reform following the conclusion of the consultation.
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Department for Work and Pensions does not terminate Access to Work applications. Instead, applications may not be approved following assessment.
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Department has made no specific assessment of this criterion alone.
As with all surgery, body mass index would be considered as part of a holistic, personalised, perioperative evaluation of the risks versus the clinical need for joint replacement surgery of an individual patient. However, body mass index should not be considered in isolation and in and of itself should not act as a barrier to surgery.
For example, blanket body mass index thresholds for surgery should not be in place or used as a means of determining eligibility for surgery.
As part of the NHS Elective Reform Plan there is a commitment to expand access to the NHS Digital Weight Management Programme for patients waiting for hip and knee surgery.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The 10 Year Workforce Plan will ensure that the National Health Service has the right people in the right places, with the right skills to care for patients, when they need it. To support this, the Department and NHS England will be engaging with key stakeholders to ensure that the particular needs of different patient groups and relevant health professionals are reflected in this work.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Good work is generally good for health and wellbeing, so we want everyone to get work and get on in work, whoever they are and wherever they live. Backed by £240 million of investment, the Get Britain Working White Paper launched last November and will drive forward approaches to tackling economic inactivity and work toward the long-term ambition of an 80% employment rate.
Disabled people and people with health conditions are a diverse group, so access to the right work and health support, in the right place, at the right time, is key. The Government is committed to supporting disabled people and people with health conditions, including arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions, with their employment journey. We therefore have a range of specialist initiatives to support individuals to stay in work and get back into work, including those that join up employment and health systems.
Measures include support from work coaches and disability employment advisers in Jobcentres and Access to Work grants, as well as joining up health and employment support around the individual through employment advisors in NHS Talking Therapies, individual placement and support in primary care, and WorkWell.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Improving health and work outcomes of people with arthritis and musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions will help deliver the Government’s missions to build a National Health Service fit for the future and kickstart economic growth.
The 10-Year Health plan sets out our vision for a neighbourhood health service. Neighbourhood teams will bring together professionals, including nurses, doctors, social care staff, pharmacists and health visitors, to provide comprehensive care that fits around people’s lives. Neighbourhood health approaches can help ensure that people with MSK conditions receive more personalised and coordinated support, reducing unnecessary hospital visits and enabling earlier, community-based interventions. We expect neighbourhood teams and services to be designed in a way that reflects the specific needs of local populations, and involve NHS, local authority and voluntary sector services.
People with MSK conditions will also soon be able to bypass their general practitioners (GPs) and directly access community services, including physiotherapy, pain management and orthopaedics, in the NHS App. The landmark change will deliver faster treatment for the flare up of existing conditions including arthritis, backpain and joint pain, while enabling GPs to focus on more complex cases, reducing pressure on hospitals and freeing up general practices.
We have launched the National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme, which will support systems across the country by driving innovation and integration at a local level, to accelerate improvements in outcomes, satisfaction and experience for people by ensuring that care is more joined up, accessible and responsive to community needs.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department has made no specific assessment of this criterion alone.
As with all surgery, body mass index would be considered as part of a holistic, personalised, perioperative evaluation of the risks versus the clinical need for joint replacement surgery of an individual patient. However, body mass index should not be considered in isolation and in and of itself should not act as a barrier to surgery.
For example, blanket body mass index thresholds for surgery should not be in place or used as a means of determining eligibility for surgery.
As part of the NHS Elective Reform Plan there is a commitment to expand access to the NHS Digital Weight Management Programme for patients waiting for hip and knee surgery.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Motability Scheme allows those eligible for a qualifying mobility allowance to lease a new car, Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle, scooter or powered wheelchair. The Motability Scheme receives relief from VAT and Insurance Premium Tax.
The level of advanced payments is commercially determined by the Motability Operations Group, which is independent of Government. A number of vehicles are currently available through Motability without any additional payment beyond the enhanced Mobility component of PIP.
The Government keeps all taxes under review, and the Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events in the context of the overall public finances.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)