Faisal Rashid Portrait

Faisal Rashid

Labour - Former Member for Warrington South

First elected: 8th June 2017



Division Voting information

Faisal Rashid has voted in 391 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
View All Faisal Rashid Division Votes

All Debates

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Greg Hands (Conservative)
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
(16 debate interactions)
Bill Esterson (Labour)
Shadow Minister (Transport)
(12 debate interactions)
Barry Gardiner (Labour)
(12 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Department for International Trade
(35 debate contributions)
HM Treasury
(25 debate contributions)
Department of Health and Social Care
(18 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Trade Bill 2017-19
(7,863 words contributed)
Finance Act 2019
(1,936 words contributed)
Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019
(1,422 words contributed)
View All Legislation Debates
View all Faisal Rashid's debates

Warrington South 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

Parliament must not be prorogued or dissolved unless and until the Article 50 period has been sufficiently extended or the UK's intention to withdraw from the EU has been cancelled.

Please introduce concrete safeguards that will make sure our NHS is kept out of any future trade deals after Brexit.

Schools are having to make difficult choices on how to spend their limited funding as their income has not kept pace with the rise in costs since 2010. All schools are working very hard to “make ends meet” but this is becoming increasingly difficult and verging on almost impossible.

We believe it is the parent’s fundamental right to teach their child RSE topics or to at least decide who teaches them and when and how they are taught. We want the right to opt our children out of RSE when it becomes mandatory in Sept 2020.

We call on the Government to urgently increase college funding to sustainable levels, including immediate parity with recently announced increases to schools funding. This will give all students a fair chance, give college staff fair pay and provide the high-quality skills the country needs.

The appeals process for Family Visit Visa was removed on 25 June, 2013 to save costs. My recent personal experience confirmed that the UKBA seem to have cut the process of justice and accountability while cutting their costs. How can this be justified?
Is UKBA now the Judge, Jury and Executioner?

Family members of UK Citizens shouldn’t have to meet the same criteria as other applicants for a visit visa. Not being a citizen doesn’t make our parent, siblings, children or grandchildren any less a part of our family. The only requirement should be that a British relative sponsors them.

Parents for British citizens are treated differently if they reside in countries outside the EU and are not EU citizens and government has made the settlement of parents under ADR practically impossible so we are looking for a middle ground as it is done in Canada with SUPER VISA

We call for a ban on the outsourcing (privatisation) of NHS services, and stop the renewal of any outsourcing contracts already signed. Companies should not be profiteering from NHS contracts, when every pound of NHS budgets is desperately needed for more doctors and nurses, and to pay them more.

Every single person who works in public services needs and deserve a pay rise. It’s time for the pay cap to be scrapped, for the government to provide additional funding for public sector pay and for employers to put public sector workers pay up now.


Latest EDMs signed by Faisal Rashid

21st October 2019
Faisal Rashid signed this EDM on Tuesday 22nd October 2019

Racism in football

Tabled by: Catherine West (Labour - Hornsey and Wood Green)
That this House condemns the appalling racism at the Haringey Borough v. Yeovil Town FA Cup game on 19 October; applauds the Haringey players and management for their brave and principled decision to walk off in the face of such abuse; calls on the Football Association to ensure that those …
59 signatures
(Most recent: 16 Dec 2019)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 32
Independent: 7
Conservative: 6
Liberal Democrat: 5
Scottish National Party: 4
Democratic Unionist Party: 3
Plaid Cymru: 1
Green Party: 1
The Independent Group for Change: 1
16th October 2019
Faisal Rashid signed this EDM on Friday 18th October 2019

Compass PLC and Blackpool and St Helens workers

Tabled by: Gordon Marsden (Labour - Blackpool South)
That his House notes that hospital cleaning workers employed by the private contractor Compass Group PLC at Blackpool Victoria are currently in dispute with Compass over that company's failure to award them a decent pay rise to give them the same hourly rates as the NHS colleagues they work alongside, …
17 signatures
(Most recent: 28 Oct 2019)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 12
Independent: 2
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Conservative: 1
Scottish National Party: 1
View All Faisal Rashid's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Faisal Rashid, 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.


Faisal Rashid has not been granted any Urgent Questions

Faisal Rashid has not been granted any Adjournment Debates

1 Bill introduced by Faisal Rashid


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 remove certain restrictions on trade unions conducting business in workplaces; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Wednesday 15th May 2019
(Read Debate)

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
14th Dec 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, for what reasons students are included in migration statistics.

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.

22nd Feb 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what criteria the Government uses to award contracts to private companies.

Public sector procurers are required to assess value for money using criteria linked to the subject matter of the contract, including compliance with the published specification.

Regulations covering selection and award criteria are included in the Public Contracts Regulations 2015:

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/102/contents/made

Oliver Dowden
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
31st Jan 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 11 January 2018 to Question 121455, if he will publish the robust contingency plans referred to.

Our arrangements contain commercially sensitive information it would not be appropriate to publish them.

Oliver Dowden
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
16th Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when she plans to bring forward legislative proposals to ensure that restaurant staff receive 100 per cent of their tips.

The Employment (Allocation of Tips) Bill, announced as part of the Queen’s Speech, is a key part of the Government’s commitment to building fairer workplaces for all.

The Government plans to introduce this legislation in the current Parliamentary session, requiring employers to pass on 100 per cent of tips and service charges to their workers. Where employers distribute tips, they will be required to do so fairly and transparently.

We expect over 1 million workers to benefit from this legislation, many of whom earn the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage.

14th Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to ensure that executive (a) salaries and (b) bonuses reflect the performance of the companies they run.

The existing legal framework provides full transparency about directors’ remuneration arrangements, including on salaries and bonuses, and gives shareholders a strong say on pay.

Since 2013, the law has required quoted companies to prepare a directors’ remuneration policy. This must set out how the company proposes to pay directors, including every element of remuneration that a director is entitled to and how it supports the company’s long-term strategy and performance. Companies are required to put the remuneration policy to a binding shareholder vote at least once every three years.

Companies must also publish an annual remuneration report showing how the approved pay policy has been implemented, including a single figure for the total pay directors received that year. This report is subject to an annual advisory vote. If the company loses this vote, it is required to put a new remuneration policy to shareholders the following year.

Alongside the legislative requirements, the UK Corporate Governance Code includes principles and provisions setting out how companies should approach executive remuneration, including a principle that executive remuneration should be “aligned to company purpose and values and be clearly linked to the successful delivery of the company’s long-term strategy”. The Financial Conduct Authority’s Listing Rules require companies to make a report in their corporate governance statement to enable shareholders to evaluate how the principles have been applied.

23rd May 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make it his policy to nationalise British Steel.

Nationalisation would change the ownership of the plant, but not how it operates. It would require the Government to take on the company’s outstanding financial obligations and may not provide the necessary legal security and protection for taxpayers’ investment.

Once nationalised, in line with strict state aid rules for steel, the Government would have to act in the same was as any private owner, thinking principally of making a profit.

Andrew Stephenson
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
19th Feb 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether the Government has taken steps to ensure that the new Smart Export Guarantee scheme will be in place before the Feed-in Tariffs scheme ends.

The Feed-in Tariffs scheme will close to new applicants, subject to certain time limited grace periods and extensions, on 31 March 2019.

On 8 January, the Government published a consultation on the future for small-scale low-carbon generation, providing visibility of the proposals for a Smart Export Guarantee. This consultation will close on 5 March; responses will be analysed to inform future policy development, and government will respond in due course.

15th Feb 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, apart from Hinkley Point, what plans the Government has to construct new nuclear power stations.

As my rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State said in his statement to the House on 17 January, this Government continues to believe that nuclear has a vital role to play in the UK’s energy future as we transition to the low carbon economy, but it must represent good value for taxpayers and consumers. We understand that developers are actively engaged in planning of nuclear power stations at Sizewell C and Bradwell. Discussions with Hitachi in respect of the future of the Wylfa and Oldbury sites are ongoing.

30th Oct 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the Industrial Strategy for Construction 2025, published in 2013, what progress his Department has made on the introduction of a licensing scheme for building companies to protect consumers from rogue traders.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 2nd November to Question 184422. We remain in a dialogue with the industry about this and other issues, as part of our regular discussions with the construction sector.

26th Oct 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the Government’s Industrial Strategy for Construction 2025, published in 2013, whether his Department has made plans to introduce a licensing scheme for building companies to protect consumers from rogue traders.

The Construction Sector Deal sets a strategy for improving the competitiveness of the UK construction sector through investing in innovation and skills development, and through improving business practices within the sector. It does not include a commitment to introduce a licensing scheme for the construction sector. We remain is a dialogue with the industry about this and other issues, as part of our regular discussions with the construction sector.

21st May 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an assessment of the effect on productivity of excluding under 25 year olds from receiving the National Living Wage.

Workers under 25 are entitled to the National Minimum Wage (NMW), which is designed to ensure younger workers are fairly rewarded, while protecting the employment prospects of those workers. For younger workers, the priority in those years is to secure work and gain experience – something that has always been reflected in the NMW rate structure.

Age-related rates protect younger workers who are more vulnerable in the labour market. For example, between January to March 2018, the unemployment rate for people aged 16 to 24 was 12 per cent compared to 3 per cent for those aged 25 and over.

All of the NLW and NMW rates are recommended by the independent Low Pay Commission (LPC). The LPC is carrying out a review of the youth rate structure to see if the current structure best supports their remit. They are due to provide their advice to Government in Spring 2019.

6th Mar 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the US’s proposed tariffs on steel and aluminium imports on the British steel and aluminium industries.

Total US imports of steel from the UK in 2017 were 351 thousand tonnes with a value of £360m. This represents 5% of UK steel production in 2017, in tonnage. For aluminium, the equivalent figures were nine thousand tonnes with a value of £29m. We are working closely with the steel and aluminium industries to assess the potential impact of these measures.

4th Jan 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether his Department has plans to provide free TV licences to people over the age of 75 after the end of the current scheme in 2020.

The government agreed with the BBC at the 2015 funding settlement that responsibility for the concession will transfer to the BBC in 2020. It is entirely the BBC’s decision on the future of the concession. However, we have been clear that we would want and expect the concession to continue.

13th Nov 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has had discussions with the Rugby Football League on women's rugby league.

I have regular discussions with national governing bodies of sport, including the Rugby Football League (RFL), on a range of issues including women's rugby league. I recently wrote to the Chief Executive of RFL to outline the progress made in women’s sport and make clear that I am keen that they continue to improve investment in women's rugby league.

26th Jun 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will increase funding for Sure Start in the next Budget.

Local authorities have a duty under the Childcare Act 2006 to ensure there are sufficient Sure Start children’s centres to meet the needs of local families. Funding for children’s services (including children’s centres) is made available through the local government finance settlement. In addition, other government funding, including that for public health, adult skills training and troubled families may also be used locally to support services delivered wholly, or in part, through children’s centres. Children’s services funding for 2020-21 and beyond will be determined in the Spending Review.

6th Jun 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if the Government will bring forward plans to reduce university tuition fees to £7,500.

The independent panel’s report to government forms an important step in the Review of Post-18 Education and Funding. The government will consider the panel’s recommendations carefully and will conclude the review at the Spending Review. The government has not yet taken decisions with regards to the recommendations put forward.

3rd Jun 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of making yoga available as part of the school curriculum; and if he will make a statement.

The Department for Education recognises the benefits that activities such as yoga and meditation can have on promoting the mental health and wellbeing of pupils and in helping the building of character. The department has no plans to review the national curriculum. It will remain up to schools to decide what specific activities to offer to their pupils.

Schools are free to organise and deliver a diverse and challenging curriculum that suits the needs of all of their pupils. Pupils can participate in yoga as part of the PE curriculum, which is designed to ensure that all pupils develop competence to excel in a broad range of physical activities, are physically active for sustained periods of time and lead healthy and active lives.

1st Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will (a) bring forward legislative proposals to require local authorities to provide food waste bins and (b) allocate funding to local authorities to provide those waste bins.

The Government set out its commitment to working towards zero food waste to landfill by 2030 in the Resources and Waste Strategy which we published in 2018.

Our recent ‘consultation on consistency in household and business recycling collections in England’ sought views on the collection of food waste from households. The majority of respondents were in favour of this measure. Government has therefore said that it will bring in legislation so that all English local authorities have a duty to collect food waste separately from other waste every week so that this food waste can be recycled or composted.

The Government has committed to funding any new additional burdens arising from this new statutory duty to local authorities including provision of equipment such as food waste bins.

Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
17th Jun 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to designate areas in England and Wales for wild camping.

Access is a devolved matter and this answer relates only to England. Landowners may permit people to camp outside of designated campsites. There are no current plans for the Government to designate any areas for wild camping in England. Dartmoor National Park Authority has a map of wild camping areas.

22nd May 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to respond to the public consultation on the Deposit Return Scheme for drinks containers, published in February 2019.

The consultation on proposals to introduce a deposit return scheme in England, Wales and Northern Ireland closed on 13 May. Policy officials are currently analysing the responses, and the analysis of responses and the Government’s response will be published in due course.

29th Jan 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Government plans to match the funding provided by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development after the UK leaves the EU.

In line with its manifesto promise, the Government will continue to commit the same cash total in funds for farm support until the end of this parliament. Future funding decisions will reflect the Government’s aim of securing a better future for UK agriculture, for rural communities and for the environment.

24th Sep 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what funding his Department has allocated to programmes supporting the payment of living wages in global value chains; and whether that funding is supporting workers in the cocoa sector.

DFID is investing more than £1.2 billion in bilateral agriculture programmes, many of which support smallholders in global value chains, including cocoa. DFID does not categorise its programme spend according to the nature of different value chains given the significant additional burden this would place on projects if the data was to be robust.

DFID is a founding member of the Living Income Community of Practice and is partnering with the UN Foundation, CARE, and the Fourth Sector Group, to explore how we can encourage the growth of more “for benefit” businesses in the cocoa supply chain. It also supports the Ethical Trade Initiative to improve worker’s rights in global supply chains. This includes working with companies to improve the application of human rights and providing direct remediation of labour rights violations for vulnerable workers.

Andrew Stephenson
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
24th Sep 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, with reference to his Department's Economic Development Strategy, what steps he is taking to track progress towards the achievement of living incomes in developing countries.

DFID tracks progress on living incomes for the poor through global progress against the targets under Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8) – to deliver sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all. DFID measures the contribution its projects make by reporting on the “Number of people supported to have raised incomes and better jobs or livelihoods”. This includes beneficiaries who we have supported to raise their income, which alone amounted to 2.2 million people between 2015/16 and 2018/19.

Andrew Stephenson
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
5th Sep 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what funding her Department has allocated to programmes supporting the payment of living wages in global value chains; and whether this funding is supporting workers in the cocoa sector.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

5th Sep 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, with reference to her Department's Economic Development Strategy, what steps she is taking to track progress towards the achievement of living incomes in developing countries.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Andrew Stephenson
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
17th Jul 2019
What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the humanitarian situation on the US-Mexico border.

I share the hon Gentleman’s concerns about the reports of poor conditions and overcrowding in US detention facilities on the border with Mexico.

I very much welcome the steps already taken by the Administration and Congress to address these issues, including the emergency funding signed off by the President on 1 July.

These are difficult issues, and the UK has also struggled sometimes to get this right.

But we very much encourage our US friends to continue to work to improve the conditions in these facilities.

I have seen the excellent work the US has done around the world to promote human rights, and so it is important that they uphold these standards as they continue to tackle the situation at the US-Mexico border.

24th Sep 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if she will guarantee continued market access to the UK on current terms for exports from (a) Ghana, (b) Cameroon, (c) Côte d’Ivoire, (d) Kenya and (e) South Africa in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

The Government is seeking continuity in our trading arrangements on leaving the EU.

Most recently, on 10 September 2019, the UK initialled an Economic Partnership Agreement with the Southern African Customs Union and Mozambique (including South Africa). We will work at pace with our Southern African partners to sign the agreement and subsequently bring it into effect as quickly as possible.

We are continuing to work with other partner countries, including Ghana, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire and Kenya, to maintain their market access and replicate the effects of EU arrangements for when we need them, whether that is in the event of a no deal, or after an implementation period.

24th Sep 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what plans he has to develop fair and ethical trade.

As outlined in the White Paper, Preparing for our future UK trade policy, the Government is committed to a fair and rules-based approach to international trade. The UK has long supported the promotion of our values globally and this will continue as we leave the European Union.

The Department for International Trade and the Department for International Development are working together to ensure development and global prosperity are at the heart of UK trade and investment policy. We do this in several ways, including:

  • enhancing market access for poor countries through our trading arrangements;

  • ensuring that they can take advantage of this access through trade-related assistance (Aid for Trade); and

  • using our voice in organisations like the World Trade Organisation to argue for better and fairer trading rules for developing countries.

The Government will pursue economic prosperity for the UK and lead by example through our pursuit of free and fair trade.

5th Sep 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment she has made of the effect of the UK leaving the EU without a deal on exporters to the UK based in developing countries.

Our first priority is to deliver continuity in our trading arrangements with developing countries on leaving the EU to minimise trade disruption.

The Taxation (Cross-Border Trade) Act enables the UK to put in place a UK trade preferences scheme for developing countries. This will provide the same level of access as the current EU trade preference scheme by granting duty-free, quota-free access to around 48 Least Developed Countries and tariff reductions to other developing countries.

It remains our priority to replicate the effects of seven EU Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries. The UK has signed EPAs with Eastern and Southern Africa states, Pacific states and CARIFORUM states. This will provide continuity for businesses, exporters and consumers as the UK prepares to leave the EU. We are continuing to work with other partner countries to have agreements in place ready for when we need them, whether that is in the event of no deal, or after an implementation period.

5th Sep 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if she will guarantee continued market access to the UK on current terms to (a) Ghana, (b) Cameroon, (c) Côte d’Ivoire, (d) Kenya and (e) South Africa in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

5th Sep 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what plans she has to develop fair and ethical trade.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

6th Mar 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the US’s proposed tariffs on steel and aluminium imports on international trade relations.

We have a long-standing and special relationship with the US. The US and UK are strong partners and allies and the US-UK economic and security relationship is crucially important.

As the Prime Minister outlined to President Trump, when she raised the UK's concerns relating to these tariffs on 4 March, multilateral action is the best way to resolve the problem of global overcapacity, in commodities such as steel and aluminium. The Government is continuing to make representations to the US Administration, at the highest levels on the proposed tariffs on steel and aluminium imports.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
6th Mar 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the US’s proposed tariffs on steel and aluminium imports on the future negotiation of a strong trading partnership between the US and UK after the UK has left the EU.

The United States and United Kingdom are strong partners and allies. The US-UK bilateral trading relationship is an important one and vital to our economy. Total trade between the UK and US in 2016 was £167.6bn and both sides have committed to deepening our commercial relationship further.

The Government has made representations to the US Administration at the highest levels, on the proposed tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, including when the Prime Minister raised the UK's concerns with President Trump.

We will continue our positive and productive conversations with the US, on strengthening our bilateral trade and investment relationship, through the UK-US Trade and Investment Working Group.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
17th Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress has been made on replacing the Northern Rail franchise.

We are developing contingency plans for the replacement of the current franchise with either a new short-term management contract with Northern or the Operator of Last Resort (OLR). If we find the operator to be in default of its current contract and that default was material and not capable of remedy, we have the right to terminate the current franchise. If such a right is exercised, a decision on next steps will be based on a full and rigorous analysis into what delivers the best outcomes for passengers and taxpayers and what would best enable the implementation of the forthcoming recommendations of the Williams Review.

We will take a decision once we have the full information, and will provide Parliament with a full update on these next steps at the appropriate time.

Chris Heaton-Harris
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
17th Jul 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to ensure that the rail industry is accountable to Government.

The Department works closely with the rail industry to ensure it is held accountable, with regular meetings between industry and Ministers and officials. A number of robust reporting and risk management processes are in place to support this work. The Williams Rail Review will also consider the role of the Department as part of its thinking on wider reform.

3rd Jul 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make it his policy to allow the Northern Rail franchise to be publicly run.

Alongside Transport for the North, who co-manage the franchise, our absolute priority is delivering the services that passengers expect. At a time when performance is improving and brand-new trains have been successfully introduced onto the network only this week to replace the unpopular and dated Pacers, major change could result in significant disruption. We see no reason at this stage to consider making changes to the franchise.

3rd Jun 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of making the wearing of helmets compulsory for cyclists.

The Government’s 2018 cycling and walking safety review considered this matter carefully. The Government’s response to the safety review, published in November 2018, summarises the arguments for and against making helmets compulsory, and explains the Government’s position. In short, the Government will continue to encourage cyclists to wear helmets, but believes that this should remain a matter of individual choice. The Government has committed to undertake three actions over the next two years as part of its cycling and walking safety action plan. First, it will continue to promote and encourage cyclists to wear helmets, especially children. Secondly, the Government will provide strengthened advice on fitting of cycle helmets for children, as part of wider advice on use of safety equipment and attire when cycling. Thirdly, the Government will review evidence and international experience on mandatory helmets for children and provide clear guidance to help parents choose what is appropriate for their child.

3rd Jun 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will fund local authorities to provide free bus travel for people under the age of 25.

Local authorities are currently empowered to offer local travel concessions under concessionary travel legislation. If they wish to do so, local authorities are able to offer discounted travel to young people. In addition, bus operators can offer discounted travel for young people - bus operators in 71 of the 89 TCA areas in England outside of London offered some form of discounted travel for young people in 2018/19. In addition, there is a statutory scheme for certain eligible children to receive free school transport.

Nusrat Ghani
Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
14th Mar 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much Government subsidy the Northern railway franchise will receive in the next financial year.

The originally contracted annual subsidy amount payable to Arriva Rail North for 2019/20 was £221m in 2015/16 prices.

However, these amounts will be subject to a number of changes in line with the provisions of the contract, many of which are not currently quantified and won’t be finalised until the after the financial year has ended.

17th Jan 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to resolve the industrial dispute affecting the Northern Rail network.

The industrial dispute is a matter between Northern, its employees and their union representative in which the Government cannot intervene directly. However, the Government is keen for these strikes to end. They are having a big impact on the people and businesses of so many communities across the North. The Government has written to the Rail North Partnership (through which the Department and Transport for the North co-manage the Northern franchise) expressing our clear support for a second member of staff on Northern trains who is focused on delivering excellent customer service. Northern have now confirmed to the RMT that there will continue to be a second appropriately trained member of staff on board the trains, and have guaranteed jobs and pay will be protected. The Government therefore continues to call on both parties to engage in talks and resolve the dispute.

18th Dec 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will end the toll on the Mersey Gateway Bridge.

The Government has no plans to end tolling on the Mersey Gateway Bridge. This is a responsibility for Halton Borough Council.

11th Dec 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment the Government has made of merits of lowering the age of eligibility for the older person’s bus pass to 60 years old nationwide.

Restoring the previous age of eligibility for concessionary bus travel to sixty would re-create the anomaly of some non-disabled people of working-age, some of whom may be on significant wages, being entitled to a free bus pass, which was not the original intention of the national bus concessionary scheme. Re-establishing the link between concessionary bus pass eligibility and the state pension age addresses that issue and will also help the financial sustainability of the scheme.

Local authorities have the discretion to offer concessionary travel to those who are yet to reach the qualifying age, such as have been introduced in London and Liverpool.

Nusrat Ghani
Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
29th Jan 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his Department’s policy is on awarding contracts to companies which have recently issued profit warnings.

The Department’s remit within the transport sector is primarily delivered through its Arm’s Length Bodies: Network Rail, Highways England and High Speed Two Ltd. Assessments of a company’s ability to deliver its obligations is performed during each procurement exercise by those bodies.

Nusrat Ghani
Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
14th Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will take steps to amend the Pension Protection Fund rules to allow people with pre-April 1997 pensionable service to receive increases to their pension of up to 2.5 per cent.

The Pension Protection Fund is a well-established compensation scheme with cross party support. Without the Pension Protection Fund, most company insolvencies would mean that members of Defined Benefit pension schemes could be facing significant financial insecurity in retirement. The Pension Protection Fund was never intended to replicate scheme benefits in their entirety.

There are ongoing court cases relating to the Pension Protection Fund compensation and so it would be inappropriate to comment further until the final judgments have been handed down. Once the litigation is concluded we will review the position.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
4th Sep 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will publicise to eligible pensioners their right to claim pension credit.

It is important to highlight that there are over 1.6 million people already claiming some £5.4 billion in Pension Credit but the Government wants to ensure that all pensioners eligible can claim the Pension Credit to which they are rightly entitled.

On a national basis the DWP targets activity on engaging with people who may be eligible to Pension Credit at pivotal stages, such as when they claim State Pension or report a change in their circumstances. The DWP uses a wide range of channels to communicate information about benefits including Pension Credit to potential customers; including information on https://gov.uk/, in leaflets and by telephone.

We know that often the best ways to reach eligible customers is through trusted stakeholders working in the community. That is why we have developed and resourced the Pension Credit toolkit which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pension-credit-toolkit and contains resources for anyone working with pensioners and includes guides to Pension Credit. It also contains publicity material and guidance designed to help older people understand how they could get Pension Credit and help organisations support someone applying for Pension Credit as well as ideas for encouraging take-up.

In addition, the Pension Credit calculator https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator enables potential customer to check if they are likely to be eligible and get an estimate of what they may receive; and of course the easiest way to make a Pension Credit claim is via the Freephone number 0800 99 1234.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
2nd Sep 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will take steps to ensure that state pensions for UK citizens living overseas increase at the same rate as pensions for pensioners who remain in the UK.

The UK State Pension is payable worldwide. It is up-rated for overseas residents where there is a legal requirement to do so and it is up-rated abroad at the same rate as in the UK.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)