Wera Hobhouse Portrait

Wera Hobhouse

Liberal Democrat - Bath

First elected: 8th June 2017

Liberal Democrat Shadow Leader of the House of Commons

(since September 2020)

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Transport)

(since July 2022)

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Energy and Climate Change)

(since July 2022)

Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Bill
16th Nov 2022 - 23rd Nov 2022
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Justice)
7th Sep 2020 - 10th Jul 2022
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Women and Equalities)
7th Sep 2020 - 10th Jul 2022
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Environment and Climate Change)
7th Feb 2019 - 7th Sep 2020
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Energy)
6th Jan 2020 - 7th Sep 2020
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Transport)
21st Aug 2019 - 6th Jan 2020
Committee on Exiting the European Union
11th Sep 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Committee on the Future Relationship with the European Union
11th Sep 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Justice)
7th Feb 2019 - 21st Aug 2019
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
16th Jun 2017 - 8th Feb 2019


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Wera Hobhouse has voted in 729 divisions, and 1 time against the majority of their Party.

26 Oct 2022 - Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Wera Hobhouse voted No - against a party majority - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 10 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 1 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 106 Noes - 286
View All Wera Hobhouse Division Votes

Debates during the 2019 Parliament

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
Jacob Rees-Mogg (Conservative)
(86 debate interactions)
Penny Mordaunt (Conservative)
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
(85 debate interactions)
Robert Jenrick (Conservative)
(25 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Leader of the House
(111 debate contributions)
Cabinet Office
(79 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Energy Act 2023
(2,202 words contributed)
Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022
(1,476 words contributed)
View All Legislation Debates
View all Wera Hobhouse's debates

Bath 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).

Petition Debates Contributed

We want the Government to abandon the planned implementation of affordability checks for some people who want to place a bet. We believe such checks – which could include assessing whether people are ‘at risk of harm' based on their postcode or job title – are inappropriate and discriminatory.

Reverse the plan to withdraw funding for most applied general qualifications such as BTECs and guarantee they will continue to play a major role in the qualifications landscape. Students should not be forced to choose between studying A levels or T levels from the age of 16.

The Government should bring forward legislation to allow assisted dying for adults who are terminally ill and have mental capacity. It should be permitted subject to strict upfront safeguards, assessed by two doctors independently, and self-administered by the dying person.

Ensure any ban fully includes trans people and all forms of conversion therapy.

Reform the GRA to allow transgender people to self-identify without the need for a medical diagnosis, to streamline the administrative process, and to allow non-binary identities to be legally recognised.

The Government needs to change the law so laboratory animals are included in the Animal Welfare Act. Laboratory animals are currently not protected by the Act and are therefore victims of 'unnecessary suffering' (see section 4 of the Act: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/45/section/4).

I would like the UK Government to make it law that nightclubs must search guests on arrival to prevent harmful weapons and other items entering the establishment. This could be a pat down search or metal detector, but must involve measures being put in place to ensure the safety of the public.

Much like the existing mandatory requirement for employers with 250 or more employees must publish their gender pay gap. We call upon the government to introduce the ethnicity pay gap reporting. To shine a light on race / ethnicity based inequality in the workplace so that they can be addressed.

We have the second most expensive childcare system in the world. A full time place costs, on average, £14,000 per year, making it completely unaffordable for many families. Parents are forced to leave their jobs or work fewer hours, which has a negative impact on the economy and on child poverty.

Currently, it is not compulsory for primary or secondary school students to be educated on Britain's role in colonisation, or the transatlantic slave trade. We petition the government to make education on topics such as these compulsory, with the ultimate aim of a far more inclusive curriculum.

The right to peaceful assembly and protest are fundamental principles of any democracy and the proposed part of this bill that gives the police new powers to tackle disruptive peaceful protests should be removed from The Policing, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.

Black Women in the U.K. are 5 times more likely to die during pregnancy and after childbirth compared to White Women (MBRRACE, 2019). We need more research done into why this is happening and recommendations to improve health care for Black Women as urgent action is needed to address this disparity.

The threat of covid19 is real. Children can’t be expected to maintain sufficient social distancing to keep this virus from spreading. They are social creatures. Allowing them back to school could cause a new spike in cases. They could bring it back home, even if they are a-symptomatic.

The Government should cancel GCSEs and A Levels in 2021 due to the disruption of Covid-19. By the time students go back to normal learning, 6 months will have passed since schools were closed to most pupils. This has already had a huge impact on the studying of so many.

Schools should move to online learning from 9 December so that all students and school staff have a chance to isolate for two weeks and then can safely meet older relatives.

Close down schools and colleges due to the increase in COVID-19 cases. We are seeing cases of students and teachers catching the virus since schools have reopened.

Football is a powerful tool of which allows a range of benefits such as employment, and other important aspects of life. Football can be associated with passion, emotion, excitement and dedication across the community. With Fans attending football games a range of economic benefits are there too.

We want the Education Secretary and the Government to step in and review the exam board’s decision on how GCSE and A-Level grades will be calculated and awarded due to the current coronavirus crisis. We want a better solution than just using our previous data to be the basis of our grade.

A significant number of students will sit their final 2021 examinations. The outcome of which undoubtedly will be their passport, for many of their future life chances and successes. In order for this to be done fairly, it is imperative that the amount of content they are tested on is reduced.

In light of the recent outbreak and lock down, those on maternity leave should be given 3 extra months paid leave, at least. This time is for bonding and social engaging with other parents and babies through baby groups which are vital for development and now everything has been cancelled.

The UK's departure from the EU looms but questions remain about the legitimacy of the Referendum. The Electoral Commission said illegal overspending occurred during the Referendum. Were the vote/any subsequent political acts affected? Article 50 was triggered. Was the overspend known about then?

There is now strong evidence of serious misconduct during the 2016 EU Referendum, including intereference by foreign actors and governments. This must be investigated under the Inquiries Act (2005).

The government should consider delaying negotiations so they can concentrate on the coronavirus situation and reduce travel of both EU and UK negotiators. This would necessitate extending the transition period; as there can only be a one off extension, this should be for two years.


Latest EDMs signed by Wera Hobhouse

26th February 2024
Wera Hobhouse signed this EDM on Thursday 29th February 2024

Conduct of the hon. Member for Ashfield

Tabled by: Christine Jardine (Liberal Democrat - Edinburgh West)
That this House censures the hon. Member for Ashfield for his comments on 23 February 2024 regarding the Mayor of London, which were Islamophobic, damaging, divisive and risk bringing the House collectively into disrepute; and calls on the hon. Member for Ashfield to come to the House and apologise for …
21 signatures
(Most recent: 29 Feb 2024)
Signatures by party:
Liberal Democrat: 15
Plaid Cymru: 3
Alliance: 1
Scottish National Party: 1
Green Party: 1
29th February 2024
Wera Hobhouse signed this EDM as the primary signatory on Thursday 29th February 2024

Withdrawal from the Energy Charter Treaty (No. 2)

Tabled by: Wera Hobhouse (Liberal Democrat - Bath)
That this House welcomes the UK’s withdrawal from the Energy Charter Treaty; regrets that the UK has lagged behind nine EU member states including France, Germany, Spain and Italy in withdrawing; recognises the need for a new global framework to incentivise global investment in the renewable energy sector to meet …
11 signatures
(Most recent: 14 Mar 2024)
Signatures by party:
Liberal Democrat: 3
Plaid Cymru: 3
Scottish National Party: 2
Independent: 1
Green Party: 1
View All Wera Hobhouse's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Wera Hobhouse, 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.


1 Urgent Question tabled by Wera Hobhouse

Wednesday 11th May 2022

1 Adjournment Debate led by Wera Hobhouse

Tuesday 17th November 2020

11 Bills introduced by Wera Hobhouse


Parallel Parliament Note:

The substantive text of this bill was re-introduced by the Government as the Voyeurism Offences Act which received Royal Assent during the 2017-2019 Parliament.

A Bill to make certain acts of voyeurism an offence.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Tuesday 6th March 2018

A Bill to make provision in relation to the duties of employers and the protection of workers under the Equality Act 2010

This Bill received Royal Assent on 26th October 2023 and was enacted into law.


The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to raise the age of criminal responsibility

Lords Completed
Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Monday 17th June 2019

A Bill to establish an independent review of rape conviction rates and of the effects on the victims of rape; and to require the Secretary of State to act on the recommendations of the review.

Commons - 40%

Last Event - 2nd Reading
Friday 6th May 2022

A Bill to make motivation by misogyny an aggravating factor in criminal sentencing; to require police forces to record hate crimes motivated by misogyny; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 40%

Last Event - 2nd Reading
Friday 6th May 2022

A Bill to prohibit sexual orientation and gender identity conversion therapy; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 40%

Last Event - 2nd Reading
Friday 6th May 2022

A Bill to prohibit the installation of new pre-payment meters for domestic energy customers before 31 March 2023; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Wednesday 7th December 2022

A Bill to amend the Equality Act 2010 to permit political parties to use all-ethnic-minority shortlists for the selection of election candidates.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Wednesday 14th October 2020

A Bill to make motivation by misogyny an aggravating factor in criminal sentencing; to require police forces to record hate crimes motivated by misogyny; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Monday 9th March 2020

The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to increase penalties for stationary vehicle idling offences; to grant local authorities increased powers to issue such penalties; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Wednesday 5th June 2019

The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to require routine six week National Health Service check-ups for new mothers to include mental health assessments and advice; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Thursday 7th March 2019

26 Bills co-sponsored by Wera Hobhouse

Schools (Mental Health Professionals) (No. 2) Bill 2023-24
Sponsor - Munira Wilson (LD)

Shared Parental Leave and Pay (Bereavement) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Darren Henry (Con)

Primary care services (report) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Daisy Cooper (LD)

Carers and Care Workers Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Helen Morgan (LD)

Bullying and respect at work Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Rachael Maskell (LAB)

Fire and Building Safety (Public Inquiry) Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Daisy Cooper (LD)

Recognition of Armenian Genocide Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Tim Loughton (Con)

Sewage Discharges Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Tim Farron (LD)

Digitally Altered Body Images Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Luke Evans (Con)

Decarbonisation and Economic Strategy Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Caroline Lucas (Green)

Wellbeing of Future Generations (No. 2) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Caroline Lucas (Green)

School Toilets (Access During Lessons) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Layla Moran (LD)

School Breakfast Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Emma Lewell-Buck (Lab)

Environment (Regulation) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Tim Farron (LD)

Digitally Altered Body Images Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Luke Evans (Con)

Local Electricity Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Peter Aldous (Con)

Hong Kong Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Alistair Carmichael (LD)

International Development (Women’s Sanitary Products) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Wendy Chamberlain (LD)

Clean Air (No. 3) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Geraint Davies (Ind)

Prime Minister (Confidence) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Tom Brake (LD)

Charity Trustees (Time Off for Duties) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Susan Elan Jones (Lab)

Gender-based Pricing (Prohibition) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Christine Jardine (LD)

House of Peers Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Christine Jardine (LD)

Bus Drivers (Working Hours on Local Routes) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Matt Western (Lab)

Homelessness (End of Life Care) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Ed Davey (LD)

Vagrancy (Repeal) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Layla Moran (LD)


Latest 50 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
20 Other Department Questions
19th Oct 2023
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, whether the Government plans to increase protections against harassment in the workplace.

The Government has been supporting the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Bill first introduced in the Commons by the Hon Member for Bath.

I am delighted that Parliament has agreed the final version of the Bill on Friday 20 October and it will now receive Royal Assent.

This Bill will strengthen protections for employees against workplace sexual harassment.

Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
13th Jul 2022
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what recent steps she has taken with Cabinet colleagues to tackle spiking.

In recent months, we have been specifically focused on preparedness at summer events to prevent and respond to spiking incidents. The government has been working closely with the police, and the festivals and outdoor events sector to ensure that action is taken to protect potential victims and deter would be offenders.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
5th Jul 2022
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what discussions she is having with her Cabinet colleagues on ensuring that those with LGBTQ+ identities are able to choose the terminology used by the Government to indicate their community.

The government firmly believes that everyone should be free to live their lives as they wish. The Equalities Ministerial team regularly engage with Cabinet and other Ministerial colleagues on the full range of equality issues.

Ministers and officials meet regularly with a variety of stakeholders, including LGBT organisations, faith groups, health professionals and international bodies to build a full range of experiences and expertise into our work.

Data from Census 2021, which included voluntary questions on sexual orientation and gender identity for the first time, will also provide insight into what terms individuals choose to use.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
22nd Jun 2022
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what discussions she is having with her Cabinet colleagues on ensuring that ethnic minority communities are able to choose the terminology used by the Government to indicate their community.

On 17 March 2022 I published ‘Inclusive Britain’. It includes an action for the Cabinet Office Race Disparity Unit to lead work to engage with people from different ethnic groups to better understand the language and terminology with which they identify.

This work, which is being delivered in partnership with the Office for National Statistics, is underway and I will report back to Parliament on progress with this, and the other 73 actions in Inclusive Britain, in March 2023.

Kemi Badenoch
President of the Board of Trade
12th Jul 2021
To ask the President of COP26, when the Government plans to make a decision on the number of in-person participants at COP26.

As hosts, we recognise how urgently world representatives must come together to agree on action to tackle climate change. To be successful, COP26 needs to be in person in Glasgow this November.

We are working closely with the UNFCCC, which is responsible for the accreditation and registration for COP, on determining the number of attendees for COP. This will be informed by the capacity of the venue, taking into account any COVID mitigation requirements.

We continue to monitor the COVID situation and will ensure the most appropriate protection measures are implemented, ensuring that the health of participants and the local community is foremost in our mind.

We will communicate the full set of measures to delegates in a timely manner once approved. Our focus remains on delivering a safe, successful, in-person COP26.

Alok Sharma
COP26 President (Cabinet Office)
12th Jul 2021
To ask the President of COP26, with reference to the announcement of 29 June 2021 that the UK will provide vaccinations to COP26 delegates, how the Government plans to vaccinate COP26 delegates ahead of the conference in Glasgow.

As announced at the G7 Summit, the UK is working alongside the UNFCCC and other partners, to provide COVID-19 vaccines to Registered COP26 Attendees who would be unable to get them otherwise, including delegates from lower income countries.

We are now asking all those individuals looking to take up this vaccine offer to identify themselves through the UNFCCC COP registration process as soon as possible and no later than 23 July. Further logistic detail will be provided to the individuals involved via UNFCCC.

Alok Sharma
COP26 President (Cabinet Office)
9th Jul 2021
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to ensure that transgender people are not subjected to gender identity conversion practices.

As set out in the Queen’s Speech in May, we will bring forward legislation to ban conversion therapy. The Minister for Women and Equalities has confirmed that the ban will protect people from harmful conversion therapy practices in relation to sexual orientation and/or gender identity. We will ensure the action we take to stop this practice is proportionate and effective, with no unintended consequences.

Kemi Badenoch
President of the Board of Trade
8th Jun 2021
To ask the President of COP26, whether the Government has plans to provide financial support for covid-19 quarantine measures to international delegates to COP26.

We want COP26 to be a physical event in Glasgow this November. That is the basis on which we are planning, and we are ensuring that we are exploring all measures to ensure the event is safe for participants and safe for the people of Glasgow.

We are working through the process to determine what mitigation measures are needed to safely host COP26, including for people from countries on our amber and red lists at the time of the conference. We will continue to work with colleagues in the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council, Public Health bodies and the UN to explore the most appropriate measures; including testing, quarantine, vaccines and other COVID security measures. As announced at the G7 Summit, in order to enable more representatives to attend safely the UK will work to provide vaccines to those accredited delegations who would be unable to get them otherwise.

We will provide delegates and the House with an update in due course.

Alok Sharma
COP26 President (Cabinet Office)
8th Jun 2021
To ask the President of COP26, what assessment he has made of the likelihood of reduced attendance by international delegates at COP26.

We want COP26 to be a physical event in Glasgow this November. That is the basis on which we are planning, and we are ensuring that we are exploring all measures to ensure the event is safe for participants and safe for the people of Glasgow.

We are working through the process to determine what mitigation measures are needed to safely host COP26, including for people from countries on our amber and red lists at the time of the conference. We will continue to work with colleagues in the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council, Public Health bodies and the UN to explore the most appropriate measures; including testing, quarantine, vaccines and other COVID security measures. As announced at the G7 Summit, in order to enable more representatives to attend safely the UK will work to provide vaccines to those accredited delegations who would be unable to get them otherwise.

We will provide delegates and the House with an update in due course.

Alok Sharma
COP26 President (Cabinet Office)
8th Jun 2021
To ask the President of COP26, what the deadline is for the decision on whether COP26 will be held in person or online.

We want COP26 to be a physical event in Glasgow this November. That is the basis on which we are planning, and we are ensuring that we are exploring all measures to ensure the event is safe for participants and safe for the people of Glasgow.

We are working through the process to determine what mitigation measures are needed to safely host COP26, including for people from countries on our amber and red lists at the time of the conference. We will continue to work with colleagues in the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council, Public Health bodies and the UN to explore the most appropriate measures; including testing, quarantine, vaccines and other COVID security measures. As announced at the G7 Summit, in order to enable more representatives to attend safely the UK will work to provide vaccines to those accredited delegations who would be unable to get them otherwise.

We will provide delegates and the House with an update in due course.

Alok Sharma
COP26 President (Cabinet Office)
8th Jun 2021
To ask the President of COP26, whether delegates to the COP26 conference arriving from a red or amber list country will be (a) required to self-isolate on arrival or (b) exempt from covid-19 quarantine measures.

We want COP26 to be a physical event in Glasgow this November. That is the basis on which we are planning, and we are ensuring that we are exploring all measures to ensure the event is safe for participants and safe for the people of Glasgow.

We are working through the process to determine what mitigation measures are needed to safely host COP26, including for people from countries on our amber and red lists at the time of the conference. We will continue to work with colleagues in the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council, Public Health bodies and the UN to explore the most appropriate measures; including testing, quarantine, vaccines and other COVID security measures. As announced at the G7 Summit, in order to enable more representatives to attend safely the UK will work to provide vaccines to those accredited delegations who would be unable to get them otherwise.

We will provide delegates and the House with an update in due course.

Alok Sharma
COP26 President (Cabinet Office)
24th May 2021
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what assessment she has made of Australia's Victoria State Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Act 2021 as a model of best practice for banning conversion therapy.

As set out in the Queen’s Speech earlier this month, we will bring forward legislation to ban conversion therapy. We will also launch a consultation before details of the ban are finalised to hear from a wide range of voices on how best to protect people from conversion therapy while protecting the medical profession, defending freedom of speech, and upholding religious freedom. We are considering all options for the scope of a ban and will be engaging the appropriate stakeholders, including organisations who support survivors of conversion therapy, to gather views. We have also already met with conversion therapy survivors, to hear about their experiences.

We have also undertaken research to understand practices, experiences and impacts associated with conversion therapy and will publish this in due course. Officials are also in discussion with international policy counterparts, to fully understand the detail and impact of other jurisdictions’ measures, in order to inform the UK’s next steps.

Kemi Badenoch
President of the Board of Trade
24th May 2021
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps she will take to consult (a) survivors of conversion therapy and (b) organisations who support those who have been subjected to conversion therapy as part of any consultation on banning conversion practices.

As set out in the Queen’s Speech earlier this month, we will bring forward legislation to ban conversion therapy. We will also launch a consultation before details of the ban are finalised to hear from a wide range of voices on how best to protect people from conversion therapy while protecting the medical profession, defending freedom of speech, and upholding religious freedom. We are considering all options for the scope of a ban and will be engaging the appropriate stakeholders, including organisations who support survivors of conversion therapy, to gather views. We have also already met with conversion therapy survivors, to hear about their experiences.

We have also undertaken research to understand practices, experiences and impacts associated with conversion therapy and will publish this in due course. Officials are also in discussion with international policy counterparts, to fully understand the detail and impact of other jurisdictions’ measures, in order to inform the UK’s next steps.

Kemi Badenoch
President of the Board of Trade
24th May 2021
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, when she plans to publish the findings of her Department's research into conversion practices in the UK that was conducted in 2020.

As set out in the Queen’s Speech earlier this month, we will bring forward legislation to ban conversion therapy. We will also launch a consultation before details of the ban are finalised to hear from a wide range of voices on how best to protect people from conversion therapy while protecting the medical profession, defending freedom of speech, and upholding religious freedom. We are considering all options for the scope of a ban and will be engaging the appropriate stakeholders, including organisations who support survivors of conversion therapy, to gather views. We have also already met with conversion therapy survivors, to hear about their experiences.

We have also undertaken research to understand practices, experiences and impacts associated with conversion therapy and will publish this in due course. Officials are also in discussion with international policy counterparts, to fully understand the detail and impact of other jurisdictions’ measures, in order to inform the UK’s next steps.

Kemi Badenoch
President of the Board of Trade
14th Apr 2021
To ask the President of COP26, what steps he is taking to ensure that large polluting industries do not have an outsized influence on the climate ambition of the UK and other nations preceding and during COP26.

I have set climate criteria for businesses who will be involved in COP26, including for our corporate sponsorship and for those organisations which have applied for space at COP26 itself.

The climate criteria include requiring businesses to commit to the most ambitious and robust action possible, joining the Race to Zero by committing to net zero by 2050 at the latest and setting science based targets to meet this goal.

Alok Sharma
COP26 President (Cabinet Office)
19th Mar 2021
To ask the President of COP26, what steps he is taking to ensure that the formulation of his policy is evidence based.

All climate-related work for COP26 is informed by the best available science, encapsulated in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports. The IPCC reports are the primary tool for providing the best available science to the UNFCCC. The first part of the IPCC’s 6th Assessment Report is due to be released this year, and its findings will inform the negotiations and the wider COP26 conference.

We are also working with leading experts including a global group of Friends of COP, who are sharing their expertise in support of a successful summit.

Alok Sharma
COP26 President (Cabinet Office)
2nd Mar 2021
To ask the President of COP26, whether the UK will negotiate as part of the EU grouping in COP26.

Our European partners remain important allies in driving efforts towards a net zero, climate resilient future. I recently visited Brussels and Paris, and have had positive conversations with the European Commission and several Member State governments, including Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Poland, Italy and Spain, to discuss our cooperation ahead of COP26. We look forward to working closely with the EU and all negotiating groups and parties to ensure COP26 is a success.

The UK left the EU climate change negotiating group upon exiting the European Union. At COP26, the UK’s priority will be impartially presiding over the negotiations.

Alok Sharma
COP26 President (Cabinet Office)
3rd Jul 2020
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what support her Department has provided to BAME LGBTQ+ youth who have been victims of (a) hate crime, (b) serious violence and (c) malicious communications in the last 12 months.

The Government is clear that all hate crimes are completely unacceptable and have no place in British society. To support LGBT youth, we have invested £4m since 2016 to prevent and address homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying, reaching 2250 schools in England.

The Government is committed to tackling homophobic, biphobic and transphobic hate crime. Our commitments include a Law Commission review of current hate crime legislation, an assessment of local support for hate crime victims, and improving reporting and recording of LGBT hate crimes through supporting additional police training.

Kemi Badenoch
President of the Board of Trade
2nd Jul 2020
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what support her Department has provided to trans youth who have been victims of (a) hate crime, (b) serious violence and (c) malicious communications in the last 12 months.

The Government is clear that all hate crimes are completely unacceptable and have no place in British society. To support LGBT youth, we have invested £4m since 2016 to prevent and address homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying, reaching 2250 schools in England.

The Government is committed to tackling homophobic, biphobic and transphobic hate crime. Our commitments include a Law Commission review of current hate crime legislation, an assessment of local support for hate crime victims, and improving reporting and recording of LGBT hate crimes through supporting additional police training.

Kemi Badenoch
President of the Board of Trade
3rd Jul 2020
To ask the Attorney General, how many estates of people who died without known entitled relatives and left a will were referred to the Bona Vacant Division of the Government Legal Department in (a) March, (b) April and (c) May in (i) 2019 and (ii) 2020.

The Bona Vacantia Division (BVD) of the Government Legal Department (GLD) deals with the solvent estates of people domiciled in England & Wales who appear to have died without leaving a valid will or relatives entitled to share in their estates in priority to the Crown. It therefore does not generally deal with estates where there is a valid will.

If the referral contains information which suggests the deceased has left a valid will disposing of their entire estate, it will be returned to the person who referred it. The Division does not keep a record of these estates.

If the deceased does not appear to have left a valid will or entitled relatives, the estate will be advertised on the Division’s website.

Occasionally the Division determines that the deceased has left a valid will which disposes of the entire estate after it has been advertised. There were two such estates referred in March 2019; two in April 2019; none in May 2019; one in March 2020; one in April 2020 and one in May 2020.

Estates where the deceased has left a valid will but it does not dispose of the entire estate are sometimes referred to the Division because the undisposed residue passes by intestacy to the Crown. One such estate was referred to the Division in March 2019 and one in April 2019. There have been no other referrals in the months concerned.

During the corresponding period, the number of estates referred to the Division where there was no will or no will has subsequently come to light were: March 2019 = 296; April 2019 = 187; May 2019 = 160; March 2020 = 192; April 2020 = 204; May 2020 = 81.

10th Jun 2020
To ask the Attorney General, if she will make it her policy to strengthen the guidance issued by the Government Legal Department to local authorities on handling the estates of people who have died without (a) known entitled relatives and (b) leaving a will to ensure that they refer all eligible estates as soon as possible after death to the Bona Vacantia Division and do not pass the details directly to a single heir hunting firm.

The Bona Vacantia Division of the Government Legal Department (GLD) handles the estates of people who die without known entitled relatives, and without leaving a will. There is no statutory obligation to refer estates to GLD. However, GLD publishes guidance on the matter. In addition, local authorities can and do seek advice from GLD about the referral of specific cases.

GLD does not provide advice to local authorities on the use of heir hunters.

10th Jun 2020
To ask the Attorney General, whether she has made a recent assessment of levels of compliance among local authorities with the guidance issued by the Government Legal Department on the referral to the Bona Vacantia Division of estates of people who have died without (a) known entitled relatives and (b) leaving a will and instead passing the details directly to a single heir hunting firm.

The Bona Vacantia Division (BVD) of the Government Legal Department (GLD) deals with the estates of people domiciled in England & Wales who appear to have died without leaving a valid will or relatives entitled to share in their estates in priority to the Crown. Estates which potentially fall to be dealt with as bona vacantia may be referred to BVD by a variety of routes, for example, banks, other financial institutions, solicitors or members of the public.

There is no statutory obligation to refer estates to BVD but guidance on the referral process and the circumstances in which a referral will be accepted are published on BVD’s website (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/bona-vacantia). It is for local authorities to determine whether an estate should be referred to BVD.

In 2017-2018, 2768 estates were referred to BVD of which 909 were referred by local authorities. In 2018-2019, 1971 estates were referred to BVD of which 575 were referred by local authorities.

In 2019-2020, 2336 estates were referred to BVD of which 561 were referred by local authorities

GLD has no responsibility for overseeing local authorities or their compliance with guidance issued by GLD about the handling of estates. Such information – including whether an estate has been referred to the Bona Vacantia Division of GLD, or whether the local authority has instructed an heir hunter – will be held by the particular local authority concerned.

5th Sep 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the real terms cost of travelling by air was in each year since 2010 using 2010 as the baseline.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Member’s Parliamentary Question of 5th September is attached.

5th Sep 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an estimate of the change in the relative cost of travelling by (a) car, (b) train and (c) bus in each year since 2003, using 2003 as the base figure of 100 and discounting inflation.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Member’s Parliamentary Question of 5th September is attached.

13th Mar 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many official trips the Prime Minister has taken by (a) train, (b) plane and (c) helicopter since 25 October 2022.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer of 24 February 2023, PQ 143902. The location of official Prime Ministerial visits is published each quarter on gov.uk.

13th Mar 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will provide (a) the length in miles of each official trip the Prime Minister has taken by (i) train, (ii) plane, (iii) helicopter and (iv) car since 25 October 2022, (b) the length of time each of those trips took in minutes and (c) the start and end points for each of those trips.

It has been the practice of successive Administrations not to publish granular information relating to the official movements of protected individuals and those accompanying them within the United Kingdom. The location of official Prime Ministerial visits is published each quarter on gov.uk.

13th Mar 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much the Government has spent on helicopter travel in each of the last ten years.

The requested information is not centrally held, and complying with this request would incur a disproportionate cost to the department. Comprehensive details of Senior Officials’ Business Expenses, encompassing domestic flights are available on GOV.UK.

Alex Burghart
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
14th Jul 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent estimate he has made of the length of time it takes a baggage handler to complete counter terrorism checks.

The Cabinet Office acknowledges the pressures that the aviation sector is under and has been working with the industry to offer support and speed up the security processes for prospective airport staff. UK Security Vetting (UKSV) has prioritised applications from the aviation sector since April of this year.

UKSV can only provide overall statistics for the aviation industry and are unable to separate out statistics for baggage handlers. On average, Accreditation Checks are being completed in five days or less. Counter Terrorist Checks (CTC) in the Aviation sector are being processed in under ten days on average.

In line with the practice followed by successive administrations, the Government does not otherwise comment on security matters.

16th Nov 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what progress has been made on the Government’s review of central Government land.

Following the Spending Review 2021, we plan to update the Government Estate Strategy to reflect our vision and objectives for the government estate. We expect the strategy will continue to focus on disposal of government land and property and on reducing the size of the estate - albeit with more focus on divesting of property with high operating costs and maintenance liabilities than capital receipts. Work is already underway and we anticipate that this work will be completed by spring/summer 2022.

22nd Mar 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his oral contribution of 12 November 2020, Official report, column 1047, what steps he has taken to meet representatives of the slavery memorial campaign.

I am grateful to the hon. Member for raising these issues in the House. The UK deplores the human suffering caused by slavery and the slave trade. They are among the most dishonourable and abhorrent chapters in the history of humanity. I remain eager to meet to discuss this important work when time allows.

Michael Gove
Minister for Intergovernmental Relations
19th Jun 2020
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much publicly owned land has been sold by the Government in each of the last five years.

Details of publicly owned land sold by the Government are available on GOV.UK:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sales-of-government-assets

13th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how much funding from the Automotive Transformation Fund she plans to allocate to (a) existing legacy car and van manufacturers and (b) new entrants to the market.

The Automotive Transformation Fund offers funding for capital and associated industrial research projects that support the industrialisation of a high value, electrified automotive supply at scale in the UK. We continue to work with industry to unlock private investment in our EV supply chain via the ATF. This includes unlocking strategic investments in gigafactories, motors and drives, power electronics, and fuel cell systems.

Nusrat Ghani
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)
13th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how much funding from the Automotive Transformation Fund (a) has been spent and (b) has been allocated for the spending review period to March 2025.

In 2020, £500m of Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF) funding was announced in the Ten Point Plan. The 2021 Net Zero Strategy announced a further £350m funding for the ATF between 2022/23-2024/25. £136m of this budget, for financial year 2022-23, was later reprioritised by BEIS (predecessor department) for investment in Sizewell C

As of September 2023, the total value of offers made under the ATF is over £550 million. In addition, we are in active discussions with investors on a wide range of exciting new projects for the UK's electric vehicle supply chain.

Nusrat Ghani
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)
16th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether the review into the Government’s approach to attracting foreign direct investment led by Lord Harrington of Watford will consider the Government’s approach to attracting new foreign direct investment into recycling infrastructure.

Lord Harrington’s review into attracting foreign direct investment is primarily, though not exclusively, focused on the Chancellor’s five key growth sectors. One of the key growth sectors is Green Industries, and the review will consider actions to improve investment across Green Industries, including recycling infrastructure.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
16th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether she plans to encourage investment in (a) chemical recycling and (b) other new green technology.

Chemical recycling covers a range of emerging technologies that could potentially offer a complementary recycling route for plastics where mechanical recycling is impractical or uneconomic. The Government has funded innovative demonstrator projects, including on chemical recycling, through UK Research and Innovation’s Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging programme. In April of this year HM Treasury announced plans to consult on whether and how chemically recycled content could be accounted for in the Plastics Packaging Tax using a mass balance chain of custody model.

The Government works with public finance institutions such as UK Infrastructure Bank, British Business Bank, UK Research and Innovation, Export Credit Agency and UK Export Finance, to support investment in green technologies.

Nusrat Ghani
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade) (jointly with the Cabinet Office)
7th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how much of the funding the UK committed to the NDC Partnership from 2019–25 has been disbursed.

The amount of funding the that the UK has disbursed to NDC Partnership can be found at https://devtracker.fcdo.gov.uk/projects/GB-GOV-13-ICF-0008-NDCP/transactions.

Kevin Hollinrake
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
5th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate she has made of the number of heat pumps the Clean Heat Market Mechanism will deliver as part of the target to install 600,000 heat pumps in private domiciles by 2028.

In the response to the Clean Heat Market Mechanism consultation published in November 2023, the Government estimated that the scheme targets would amount to around 60,000 installations in 24/25 and around 90,000 in 2025/26. The Government said targets for 2026/27, and further future years, would be set at least six months in advance of the start of the year in question.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
5th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether it remains her Department's schedule to deliver the Clean Heat Market Mechanism with the associated fines in April 2024.

As set out in the recently published Clean Heat Market Mechanism Consultation Response Addendum, the Government plans to adjust the launch of the scheme from 1 April 2024 to 1 April 2025.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
29th Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps her Department is taking to develop the (a) expertise and (b) capabilities of Local Planning Authorities to deliver new (i) renewable generation and (ii) battery projects.

We work closely with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on addressing Local Planning Authorities’ capabilities, as set out in the Government’s Action Plan for Planning Reform published in March last year, and the Prospectus published in November alongside the Autumn Statement.

Andrew Bowie
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
29th Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether her Department plans to hold a public consultation on proposals to decouple electricity from wholesale gas prices.

As part of the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA) programme, the Government is considering a range of potential options to shield consumers from the impacts of potential future commodity price spikes and to ensure they benefit from renewables. The Government plans to publish a second REMA consultation in early 2024.

The CfD scheme already insulates consumers against electricity price spikes. Over time this scheme will significantly reduce dependence on fossil fuelled power generation, lowering consumer exposure to gas prices.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
29th Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if her Department will allocate funding to (a) planning authorities and (b) statutory consultees to help reduce approval times for renewable (i) generation and (ii) storage projects.

Measures for improving resource and capability in the Planning Inspectorate and statutory consultees were set out in the Nationally significant Infrastructure Planning Action Plan published by the Department for Levelling Up Housing and Local Communities in February last year (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationally-significant-infrastructure-projects-nsip-reforms-action-plan/nationally-significant-infrastructure-action-plan-for-reforms-to-the-planning-process), and were then consulted on in July last year. In parallel, provisions for cost recovery were included in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act. That is now being taken forward. This Department does not plan to allocate additional funding to these bodies.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
9th Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that prepayment meters are not involuntarily installed in people's homes.

Prepayment meters can continue to play a role in the market, however it is important that the rules around their use are sufficient to protect consumers and are properly enforced. Involuntary installations should only ever be a last resort for managing customer debts.

Ofgem implemented new rules regarding the involuntary installation of prepayment meters on 8th November and suppliers must refrain from all involuntary installations for high-risk customers. The Government will continue to work closely with Ofgem and industry to see that the new rules lead to positive changes for consumers and won't hesitate to intervene again if necessary.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
27th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to her Department's publication entitled Evaluation of the Green Homes Grant Voucher Scheme, published in June 2023, how many (a) leaseholders and (b) freeholders (i) applied for and (ii) received funding from the Green Homes Grant Voucher Scheme.

Information on the number of household applications and the number of households with at least one measure installed under the Green Homes Grant Voucher scheme can be found in Table 1.1 of the latest Green Homes Grant Voucher statistical release.

The Department does not hold data on the leasehold or freehold status of property owners under the scheme.

Andrew Bowie
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
27th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what data her Department holds on the number of (a) leaseholders and (b) freeholders on behalf of leasehold properties who have successfully accessed retrofitting grants in the last 12 months.

The Government does not record this data.

Under the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, Home Upgrade Grant, and Local Authority delivery schemes, grants are allocated to local authorities rather than individual households. For these schemes the Government does not hold data on whether the property is leasehold or freehold. For the Energy Company Obligation, grants are not given to individual households as energy companies are obligated to install measures.

For the Boiler Upgrade scheme where grants go directly to households, the Government also does not collect information about the leasehold or freehold status of a property owner that applies for the grant.

Andrew Bowie
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
27th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what data her Department holds on the number of (a) leaseholders and (b) freeholders that have received retrofitting grants in the last 12 months.

The Government does not record this data.

Under the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, Home Upgrade Grant, and Local Authority delivery schemes, grants are allocated to local authorities rather than individual households. For these schemes the Government does not hold data on whether the property is leasehold or freehold. For the Energy Company Obligation, grants are not given to individual households as energy companies are obligated to install measures.

For the Boiler Upgrade scheme where grants go directly to households, the Government also does not collect information about the leasehold or freehold status of a property owner that applies for the grant.

Andrew Bowie
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
20th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether she has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of launching a consultation on a social energy tariff.

The outlook for energy prices has improved significantly since the 2022 Autumn Statement, with the Ofgem price cap falling 55% since its peak earlier this year.


The Government is providing Cost of Living Payments to UK households on eligible means tested benefits, including over 6 million people across the UK eligible ‘extra-costs’ disability benefits’, for those who face wider affordability challenges. This is in addition to ongoing winter support payments such as the Warm Home Discount, Winter Fuel Payment and Cold Weather Payments

Government will continue to monitor the situation and keep options under review.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
13th Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how much from the public purse the Government has provided to local authorities to support Net Zero initiatives in each of the last three years.

It is not possible to provide this information because it depends on the decisions local authorities make about using the funding available to them, such as their core local authority settlement. In addition to their core funding, local authorities can also use other funding to support net zero, such as UK growth funding and grant funds for specific programmes.

Furthermore, DESNZ funds the Local Net Zero Hubs Programme which supports local authorities to develop net zero projects and attract commercial investment.

The Government has also established the UK Infrastructure Bank with an initial £12 billion of capital for the twin goals of tackling climate change and levelling up. This includes a loan facility for local government.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)