Lord Dubs Portrait

Lord Dubs

Labour - Life peer

Became Member: 27th September 1994


Human Rights (Joint Committee)
4th Jul 2019 - 31st Jan 2023
EU External Affairs Sub-Committee
12th Jun 2015 - 2nd Jul 2019
Communications and Digital Committee
16th May 2012 - 30th Mar 2015
Human Rights (Joint Committee)
14th Nov 2007 - 15th May 2012
Procedure and Privileges Committee
16th Dec 2008 - 12th Nov 2009
Procedure and Privileges Committee
2nd Dec 2004 - 30th Oct 2007
Committee on Regulators
23rd Nov 2006 - 30th Oct 2007
European Union Committee
19th Nov 2002 - 8th Nov 2006
Chair of Labour Peers
1st Jul 2000 - 1st Jul 2005
Committee of Selection (Lords)
21st Jun 2001 - 18th Nov 2004
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Northern Ireland Office) (Environment and Agriculture)
6th May 1997 - 31st Dec 1999
European Union Committee
20th Nov 1995 - 8th Apr 1997
Home Affairs Committee
30th Jan 1981 - 9th Jun 1983


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Lord Dubs has voted in 406 divisions, and 1 time against the majority of their Party.

17 Jan 2022 - Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Dubs voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Labour Aye votes vs 94 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 141 Noes - 205
View All Lord Dubs 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
Baroness Williams of Trafford (Conservative)
Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
(49 debate interactions)
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative)
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
(26 debate interactions)
Lord Bethell (Conservative)
(24 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Home Office
(133 debate contributions)
Department of Health and Social Care
(43 debate contributions)
Cabinet Office
(24 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all Lord Dubs's debates

Lords initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Lord Dubs, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.


2 Bills introduced by Lord Dubs


A Bill to make provision for the presumption against the granting of planning permission in respect of subterranean development where certain conditions apply; and for connected purposes

Lords - 40%

Last Event - 2nd Reading : House Of Lords
Friday 20th November 2015

First reading took place on 15 May. This stage is a formality that signals the start of the Bill's journey through the Lords.Second reading - the general debate on all aspects of the Bill - is yet to be scheduled. A Bill to make provision for members of the House of Lords to vote at elections to the House of Commons

Lords - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Lords
Tuesday 15th May 2012

Lord Dubs has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting


Latest 26 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
11th Dec 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effect of the licence fee settlement on BBC news and current affairs programmes.

In 2022, His Majesty’s Government agreed a settlement with the BBC which saw the licence fee remain at £159 until 2024 to protect licence-fee-payers from inflationary pressures, and then rise in line with inflation until the end of 2027 when the BBC’s current Royal Charter is due for renewal.

HM Government will use the annual rate of inflation as calculated by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) in September 2023 to calculate the licence fee uplift in April 2024. This decision will ensure the additional cost to licence-fee-payers is kept as low as possible while giving the BBC over £3.8 billion in annual licence fee funding to spend on world-leading content and to deliver on its mission as set out in its Royal Charter: to serve all audiences with impartial, high-quality, and distinctive output and services which inform, educate, and entertain.

The BBC is operationally and editorially independent of the Government and decides how it delivers its services, including its news and current affairs programming. We are, however, clear that the BBC must deliver its remit to serve all audiences with impartial, high-quality, and distinctive output and services which inform, educate, and entertain. The Royal Charter makes clear that the BBC has a vital role to play in enabling all audiences to engage fully with major local, regional, national, and global issues, and to participate in the democratic process, at all levels. The Government expects Ofcom, as the BBC’s regulator, to ensure that the Corporation is robustly held to account in delivering its public service duty.

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
4th Mar 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking (1) to support the establishment of a Digital Markets Unit within the Competition and Markets Authority, (2) to provide the necessary financial support for the recruitment of personnel to the new Digital Markets Unit, and (3) to ensure the new Digital Markets Unit has the necessary powers to intervene on a statutory basis.

The Government established a new non-statutory Digital Markets Unit (DMU), housed within the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), in April 2021 to begin to put into effect the pro-competition regime. We will legislate to put the Digital Markets Unit on a statutory footing as soon as parliamentary time allows.

At the recent Spending Review, the Government agreed to provide the CMA with an additional £20 million by 2024-25 to support the dedicated Digital Markets Unit and other CMA functions.

The DMU will have a range of powers to monitor and enforce the regime. The focus of the regime will be on resolving concerns through constructive engagement with firms, without the need for formal investigations. The DMU will need, however, robust powers to deter and tackle non-compliance. We set out our proposals for these powers in our 2021 consultation, and will publish our response to that consultation in due course.

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
4th Mar 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure a level playing field is established by legislative and regulatory means to allow UK news publishers to negotiate for proper and fair payment by technology companies for the news content they generate.

Newspapers play an invaluable role in the fabric of our society and the Government is committed to considering all possible options in the interest of supporting the sustainability of the press. We understand concerns about the effect of the power and position of some online platforms when dealing with news publishers, as was identified by the Cairncross Review.

The Government set out its proposals for a new pro-competition regime for digital markets in a public consultation in July 2021. The regime will drive a more vibrant and innovative economy across the UK. In line with codes proposed in the Cairncross Review, the regime’s conduct requirements will improve competition and transparency and make an important contribution to the sustainability of the press. We have also sought advice from the Competition and Markets Authority and Ofcom on how the regime would govern the relationship between platforms and content producers including news publishers. No final decisions have been made.

A consultation response will be published in due course and we will legislate to put the regime on a statutory footing as soon as parliamentary time allows.

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
4th Mar 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will introduce legislation to provide the Digital Markets Unit with statutory powers in the next parliamentary session.

The Government consulted on our proposed approach to a new pro-competition regime, overseen by the Digital Markets Unit, last year. The consultation closed in October, and we are carefully considering the responses. We will set out the final design of the regime in our response shortly, and will introduce legislation as soon as parliamentary time allows.

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
28th Oct 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to provide more funding for public libraries.

The Government is providing local councils with unprecedented support during the pandemic with a £4.3 billion package, including £3.7 billion which is not ringfenced and £600 million to support social care providers. This is part of a wider package of almost £28 billion which the Government has committed to support local areas, with funding going to councils, businesses and communities. The 2020 Spending Review will look at pressures facing the sector and provide them with the certainty they need to aid financial planning.

Baroness Barran
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
16th May 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the report by the Department for Work and Pensions Health is everyone's business: Proposals to reduce ill health-related job loss, published in July 2019, what steps they have taken to bring forward its proposals (1) to allow statutory sick pay to be available from the first day of absence, and (2) to change statutory sick pay rules to help an employee returning from a period of absence to have a phased return to work.

Health is Everyone’s Business (2019) consulted on a broad package of measures related to the work and health agenda. This included some proposals related to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).

In the response to the consultation (2021), Government stated that the pandemic was not the time to introduce significant changes to SSP. As we learn to live with COVID-19, Government is continuing to take a broader look at the role of SSP and is keeping the system under review.

26th Apr 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to make employers aware of the 'Access to Work' scheme to ensure that people with long term progressive conditions can remain in work for longer.

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.

26th Apr 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to improve the support that people with long term degenerative conditions like multiple sclerosis receive when they are no longer able to work.

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.

26th Apr 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many multiple sclerosis specialist nurses work in the NHS; and what plans they have, if any, to ensure all people with multiple sclerosis have access to a specialist nurse.

Data on the number of multiple sclerosis (MS) specialist nurses working in the National Health Service is not held centrally. Services for adults with MS are part of local neurology services commissioned by clinical commissioning groups. NHS England is leading a programme to develop optimal neurology pathways including, MS services. The MS pathway includes access to specialist nurses for all patients diagnosed with MS.

NHS England commissions a highly specialised service for children with MS across seven centres. All children with MS have access to a specialist paediatric nurse with an expertise in paediatric MS. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence advises a multidisciplinary approach and recommends the involvement of professionals to best meet the needs of the patient, including MS nurses.

14th Jan 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made on the impact of COVID-19 on the rehabilitation needs of people living with neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis; and what plans they have to work with NHS England on a long term strategy for delivering (1) physiotherapy, (2) speech and language therapy, and (3) occupational therapy to people with neurological conditions to help them maintain their wellbeing.

On 23 December 2020, NHS England outlined priorities for the remainder of 2020-2021, including maximising capacity to treat non-COVID-19 patients. This capacity includes services to people with neurological diseases, for example physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy. The provision of rehabilitation support in England is a local matter, and local commissioners are best placed to provide services according to local need.

NHS England and NHS Improvement have commenced work on updating their guidance for clinical commissioning groups on commissioning accessible, high quality rehabilitation services. This has included engagement with professional bodies’ clinicians, alongside other stakeholders, societies and third sector organisations who represent the patient voice.

14th Jan 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made about the barriers to prescribing Sativex to treat spasticity in people with multiple sclerosis; and what plans they have to work with NHS England and organisations such as the MS Society to address any such barriers.

The Department has made no recent assessment. However, Departmental officials regularly engage with stakeholders and organisations such as the MS Society, to discuss a range of issues, including concerns relating to access to treatments.

2nd Jun 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of COVID-19 on the sustainability of charities working to support people with neurological conditions.

The Government is aware of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on a range of sectors, including charities.

To support charities in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 8 April 2020, of a funding package of £750 million for the wider voluntary and charity sector. Of this, £370 million will support charities working with vulnerable people. In England, £200 million of this support will be provided through the National Lottery’s Coronavirus Community Support Fund, to which charities can apply for funding. Applicants will be assessed on the extent to which they meet the objectives of the fund, which are to reduce temporary closures of essential charities and to reduce the burden on the public services, including the National Health Service.

In addition, charities can access the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme and are able to benefit from the three-month VAT deferral scheme. Charity shop premises will benefit from the new enhanced retail rate relief at 100%.

2nd Jun 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure the long-term sustainability of charitable organisations providing support to people with neurological conditions.

The Government is aware of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on a range of sectors, including charities.

To support charities in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 8 April 2020, of a funding package of £750 million for the wider voluntary and charity sector. Of this, £370 million will support charities working with vulnerable people. In England, £200 million of this support will be provided through the National Lottery’s Coronavirus Community Support Fund, to which charities can apply for funding. Applicants will be assessed on the extent to which they meet the objectives of the fund, which are to reduce temporary closures of essential charities and to reduce the burden on the public services, including the National Health Service.

In addition, charities can access the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme and are able to benefit from the three-month VAT deferral scheme. Charity shop premises will benefit from the new enhanced retail rate relief at 100%.

2nd Jun 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many (1) outpatient neurology appointments have been cancelled to date, and (2) neurology inpatients were sent home from hospital early in England, as a result of COVID-19.

NHS England and NHS Improvement have advised that this information is not collected.

2nd Jun 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of COVID-19 on the delivery of NHS secondary care services to people with neurological conditions.

No specific assessment has been made.

In co-operation with the Royal College of Physicians and the Chief Medical Officer’s team, the Association of British Neurologists (ABN) published COVID-19 specific guidance for patients with neurological conditions, as well as clinicians, on 22 March 2020. The guidance identified patient groups at increased risk from COVID-19 and those for whom shielding was recommended. Early in the pandemic, the ABN recommended a reduction in face to face appointments for non-emergency care in services such as neurology, while maintaining essential care to protect patients. NHS England and NHS Improvement advised the system that in-person consultations should quickly be phased out and “should only take place when absolutely necessary”.

During the pandemic, digital and remote general practitioner consultations and outpatient appointments as means to support patients have become the norm across England. Providers have been rolling out remote consultations using video, telephone, email and text message services as a priority, including for those with neurological conditions. NHS England and NHS Improvement have also published a range of guidance for primary and community health service to identify, support and engage people, such as those with neurological conditions, during the COVID-19 outbreak, including:

- the NHS England and NHS Improvement Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) standard operating procedure: Community Health Services; and

- the NHS England and NHS Improvement Guidance and standard operating procedures General practice in the context of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Copies of these as well as the ABN guidance Association of British Neurologists Guidance on COVID-19 for people with neurological conditions, their doctors and carers are attached.

24th Mar 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the level of diplomatic protection accorded to the EU Ambassador to the UK; and what plans they have, if any, to grant them full diplomatic status.

We continue to engage with the EU on the long-term arrangements for the EU Delegation to the UK, and it would not be right to pre-empt the outcome of those discussions. Pending the conclusion of an Establishment Agreement, the Head of the EU Delegation and their staff enjoy privileges and immunities under Protocol 7 to the EU Treaties.

4th Nov 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the return of women and children to the UK from the Al Hol and Roj camps in north-east Syria.

We are aware that some British nationals are living in internally displaced persons camps in Syria. This Government's highest priority is to ensure the safety and security of the UK. It is essential that we do not make judgements about the national security risk someone poses based on their sex or age. Women who travelled to join Daesh can, and in many cases do, pose as significant a risk to our national security as returning male fighters. Her Majesty's Government's assessment remains that risks posed by those adults who travelled to Syria are best managed outside the UK, however each case is considered on its own merits. Where we become aware of British unaccompanied or orphaned children, or if British children are able to seek consular assistance, we will work with relevant UK and international partners to facilitate their return where feasible, subject to national security concerns. Each request will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
4th Nov 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what information they have, if any, that British nationals may be put on trial in north-east Syria.

The UK Government is clear that those individuals who have fought for, or supported Daesh, whatever their nationality, should face justice and accountability through prosecution in the most appropriate jurisdiction: often in the region where the crimes took place. Her Majesty's Government is not aware of any current trials in north-east Syria involving British nationals.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
4th Nov 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what presence they have, if any, in the (1) Al Hol, and (2) Roj, camps in north-east Syria.

Her Majesty's Government does not have any presence in Al Hol or Al Roj internally displaced persons camps in north-east Syria. The UK suspended all services of the British Embassy in Damascus and withdrew all diplomatic personnel from Syria in 2012.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
3rd Jun 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Nigeria about the arrest and detention of Mubarak Bala, the President of the Humanist Association of Nigeria.

The UK Government is monitoring the arrest of Mr Bala closely. The Minister for Africa raised Mr Bala's case with the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs during a call on 21 May. Our High Commission in Abuja has also discussed the case with the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Police. The recent update from the Nigerian authorities is that Mr Bala has been charged with 'insulting contempt of religious creed and insulting public disturbances' under the penal code and racist and xenophobic offences under the cybercrime act. The charges are made under Kano State Law.

The Prime Minister's Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, Rehman Chishti MP, is also personally looking into Mr Bala's case on an urgent basis, and has raised this matter with international counterparts. On 6 May, Mr Chishti spoke with the Chief Executive of Humanists UK and stressed the UK's engagement on this case. The Minister of State responsible for Human Rights, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, also discussed Mr Bala's case with the Chief Executive on 20 May.

We will continue to stress the importance of a transparent investigation that respects Mr Bala's human rights, the rule of law, and the Nigerian constitutional right to freedom of religion or belief. Defending freedom of religion or belief for all remains a UK policy priority and we will continue to use our voice internationally to protect this human right, championed by Mr Chishti.

15th Dec 2022
To ask His Majesty's Government how many people they expect to resettle under Pathway 2 of the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme in the first year of this pathway.

We anticipate receiving referrals from UNHCR for up to 2,000 refugees during the first year of this pathway and this number will be kept under review.

The pace of arrivals in any particular period will necessarily depend on some key factors, including the flow of referrals from UNHCR, and the availability of suitable accommodation and support in the UK.

15th Dec 2022
To ask His Majesty's Government how many Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme dependent visas have been issued to family members of Afghans resettled in the UK under Pathway 1 of the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme.

At 4th November 2022:

  • 22,833 individuals from Afghanistan have been brought to safety in the UK (since the end of June 2021).
  • We have granted Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) to 6,314 people under ACRS Pathway 1.

Whilst I am not able to provide a breakdown of this data for family members, work is underway to assure information relating to all the individuals relocated under the ARAP and ACRS on case working systems. Once this work concludes, further statistics on both schemes - including the number of people resettled under each - will be included in the published Immigration Statistics.

21st Apr 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many unaccompanied child refugees have been admitted to the UK under (1) section 67 of the Immigration Act 2016, and (2) the Dublin Treaty, since 2016.

Over 220 children were transferred to the UK under section 67 of the Immigration Act 2016 when the Calais camp was cleared in late 2016. Since then we have been making continuous progress towards achieving our commitment of relocating 480 unaccompanied children. We will publish the current number of transfers under section 67 on 21 May 2020 along with the publication of the quarterly immigration statistics.

Between 2016 and 2019, 590 unaccompanied asylum-seeking children were transferred to the UK under articles 8.1 and 8.2 of the Dublin III Regulation – the two principle articles in Dublin that allow an unaccompanied child to join a family member lawfully present in the UK.

Baroness Williams of Trafford
Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
19th May 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to recruit retired judges and magistrates to serve on a temporary basis to reduce delays in court hearings; and, in bringing forward any such plans, what assessment they have made of their potential contribution to reducing these delays.

The mandatory retirement age for most judicial office holders, including magistrates and judges, is 70. The Lord Chief Justice (or in some instances the Senior President of Tribunals) may, with the agreement of the Lord Chancellor, extend the appointment of judges below the High Court following their compulsory retirement date for a period of one year and for further one-year periods, up to the point at which the judge turns 75, where it is in the public interest to do so. In addition, many salaried judges may be authorised to sit in retirement on a fee paid basis.

The government intends to legislate to raise the judicial mandatory retirement age (MRA) to 75 through the Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Bill, to be introduced shortly. The legislation will include a transitional provision to enable retired magistrates who are younger than the new MRA to apply to return to the bench, subject to business need. The process by which such applications are to be made and considered will be set out in due course.

These and other measures to increase judicial capacity to meet demand are crucial to ensure we can continue to support the recovery of our courts and tribunals and reduce delays in hearings.