Oral Answers to Questions

Esther McVey Excerpts

Thursday 29th February 2024 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Gwynne (Denton and Reddish) (Lab)]

16. What assessment his Department has made of trends in the diversity of appointments to the House of Lords.

[The Minister without Portfolio (Esther McVey)]

Since 2010, female representation has risen to 29.1% and ethnic minority representation had risen by November 2021—those are the latest verified figures I have—to 6.6%.

[Andrew Gwynne]

That is good progress, but can the Minister explain why her right hon. Friend the Member for South West Norfolk (Elizabeth Truss)—Liz of the 50-day reign—was allowed to award her mates for their part in her failure with jobs for life in the legislature? Is she proud of that?

[Esther McVey]

It is a long-standing tradition that anybody who reaches the height of Prime Minister—irrespective of which party that is for—has a resignation list. The former Prime Minister has appointed accomplished people, and I am quite sure that they will contribute significantly to the other House.

[Steven Bonnar (Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill) (SNP)]

17. Whether he has had recent discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of the publication of the resignation honours list of the right hon. Member for South West Norfolk on public trust in (a) politicians and (b) political institutions.

[The Minister without Portfolio (Esther McVey)]

It is a long-standing convention under successive Governments that outgoing Prime Ministers can draw up a resignation list. That has been the case under past Governments from across the political spectrum, and any names proposed are subject to the usual propriety checks.

[Steven Bonnar]

Political polarisation is more prevalent than ever, but polling consistently shows that voters across the political spectrum are united in their opposition to an unelected House of Lords. The trouble the public face is that this place and this Government do not want to know—they merrily carry on stuffing the House of Lords full of loyal stooges. When will the Government finally take their fingers out of their ears, listen to the public and begin to consider long-required reform of the place through those doors?

[Esther McVey]

Many people in the other House are probably somewhat insulted by the hon. Member’s words. Many of them are highly accomplished in a variety of specialisms and bring much insight as they scrutinise the legislation that comes from this House.

[Wendy Chamberlain (North East Fife) (LD)]

18. If he will undertake a review of the effectiveness of gov.uk for the public and businesses.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Minister without Portfolio (Esther McVey)]

My hon. Friend is a champion and a campaigner on behalf of all those people who have suffered covid vaccine damage. We have met, and I have taken the issue to the permanent secretary to see what we can do, whether it would involve extending the timeframe that he was talking about or not starting the clock ticking until a decision had been made.

[Tonia Antoniazzi (Gower) (Lab)]

T5.   Given that Ministers are piloting the use of artificial intelligence in Departments to answer parliamentary questions, which Ministers will the Secretary of State wish to replace first?