First elected: 1st May 1997
Left House: 30th March 2015 (Defeated)
Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
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).
These initiatives were driven by Jim Murphy, 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.
Jim Murphy has not been granted any Adjournment Debates
Jim Murphy has not introduced any legislation before Parliament
Jim Murphy has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting
There are no direct employees in this Department paid less than the living wage, either nationally or in Scotland.
We do not centrally hold details of the pay levels of staff working for companies contracted by the Department. However on 1 April 2014 my Rt hon Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills confirmed a requirement for companies contracted by the Department to increase the wages of their lowest paid workers to £7.85.
I can confirm that none of the Department's staff or staff working for companies contracted by the Department are paid less than the Living Wage as defined by the Living Wage Foundation.
As the campaign is still ongoing the actual final spends are not yet available, but we have allocated a budget for the Power to Switch Campaign as follows:
The Power to Switch Campaign encourages people to switch supplier and save money by visiting:
Details of meetings between Ministers and external organisations are published quarterly on the www.gov.uk website at:
Meetings from July 2014 to December 2014 are currently being collated and checked prior to publication.
Details of ministerial meetings are published quarterly on the gov.uk website and are available at
Details of ministerial meetings are published quarterly on the gov.uk website and are available at
Details of ministerial meetings are published quarterly on the gov.uk website and are available at
Details of ministerial meetings are published quarterly on the gov.uk website and are available at
The problem gambling rate among adults in England and Wales, as assessed by the Health Surveys which are published by the NHS information centre, is estimated to be less than 1%, which is lower than in comparable jurisdictions such as the USA, South Africa or Australia. Successive British Gambling Prevalence Survey results - 1999, 2007 and 2010 - as well as the more recent Health Survey results in 2012, which cover the period from when FOBTs were introduced to present, demonstrate that levels of problem gambling have been static over this period.
The Government is not complacent about levels of problem gambling. We consider the future of the regulation of FOBTs to be unresolved and will continue to be led by the evidence to devise effective measures to bear down hard on gambling-related harm wherever it is found.
Details of ministerial meetings are published quarterly on the gov.uk website and are available at
The Gaming Machine (Circumstances of Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I., 2015 No. 121) were laid alongside an Impact Assessment carried out by DCMS (http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukia/2015/69/pdfs/ukia_20150069_en.pdf). In assessing the potential impact, the Impact Assessment took into account problem gambling levels as measured by Health Surveys for England and Scotland, the potential impact on staking behaviour and the profits of bookmakers.
The Department for International Development (DFID) has no members of staff paid less than the Living Wage as defined by the Living Wage Foundation.
None of our contracted workers are paid less than the Living Wage.
MoD personnel are performing an invaluable role in the UK response to the Ebola crisis, working alongside DFID and NGO staff. All deployments are consistent with the Oslo Guidelines which define how military assets can be used for humanitarian purposes.
MoD and DFID have worked together in this way in Haiti, Chile and Indonesia, cyclones in Burma and the Philippines, flooding in Pakistan, the conflict in Iraq and the current Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
MoD personnel are performing an invaluable role in the UK response to the Ebola crisis, working alongside DFID and NGO staff. All deployments are consistent with the Oslo Guidelines which define how military assets can be used for humanitarian purposes.
MoD and DFID have worked together in this way in Haiti, Chile and Indonesia, cyclones in Burma and the Philippines, flooding in Pakistan, the conflict in Iraq and the current Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
DFID is co-funding clinical trials to find a safe vaccine for Ebola as well as providing critical care on the ground. Britain is a world leader in medical research and mobilising our unique strengths to find a vaccine could be pivotal to containing Ebola and preventing future outbreaks.
DFID is co-funding clinical trials to find a safe vaccine for Ebola as well as providing critical care on the ground. Britain is a world leader in medical research and mobilising our unique strengths to find a vaccine could be pivotal to containing Ebola and preventing future outbreaks.
The UK government welcomed the emphasis on Universal Health Coverage in the report of the High-Level Panel, chaired by the Prime Minister, and was pleased to see its inclusion as a target in the proposal of the Open Working Group for Sustainable Development Goals.
Ebola has clearly placed a huge strain on the health care system of those countries most affected and the UK is leading the international effort to tackle the disease. However, we recognise that we need to continue to support the health system and mitigate impact on wider health outcomes. The UK is the biggest bilateral donor to Sierra Leone and commenced a major health systems programme in 2012.
Ebola has clearly placed a huge strain on the health care system of those countries most affected and the UK is leading the international effort to tackle the disease. However, we recognise that we need to continue to support the health system and mitigate impact on wider health outcomes. The UK is the biggest bilateral donor to Sierra Leone and commenced a major health systems programme in 2012.
Ebola has clearly placed a huge strain on the health care system of those countries most affected and the UK is leading the international effort to tackle the disease. However, we recognise that we need to continue to support the health system and mitigate impact on wider health outcomes. The UK is the biggest bilateral donor to Sierra Leone and commenced a major health systems programme in 2012.
The UK is leading the international response to the Ebola crisis in Sierra Leone and has now committed £205 million to tackle the disease, including the delivery of 700 beds in Ebola Treatment Centres to provide treatment for individuals infected with Ebola. £50m of UK funding will support the delivery of Community Care Centres, where people who suspect they might be suffering from the disease can seek swift and accurate diagnosis, isolation if needed, and appropriate care. The UK will fund 200 of these centres as part of our broader approach to tackling the Ebola crisis.
The UK is leading the international response to the Ebola crisis in Sierra Leone. The UK is working with partners to ensure that people carrying out critical work to tackle the Ebola virus have the protection suits needed and is procuring suits in line with projections and clinical requirements.
The Department for International Development used the expertise and experience of the UK Military, and worked with other international partners including the US, to ensure aid packages reached civilians most in need in Northern Iraq.
The UK is doing all it can to minimise the risks of aid being diverted or misused in Iraq. UK funds are channelled through organisations that have a strong track record of delivering humanitarian aid in difficult and dangerous places. We also apply a rigorous process of due diligence, where they must demonstrate clear and accountable governance structures, with transparent and accountable financial procedures. All partners that receive UK funding must also demonstrate full compliance with humanitarian principles.
The UK, through our Troika, have made statements in the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals on the importance of monitoring progress for marginalised groups across the targets and “leaving no one behind” as an overarching principle for the post 2015 framework.
The final goals and targets in the post-2015 development framework will be subject to international negotiations in the United Nations, in which the UK will play an active role.
The UK supports a stand-alone education goal in the Sustainable Development Goals to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and life-long learning opportunities for all.
The final goal and targets in the post-2015 development framework will be subject to international negotiations in the United Nations, in which the UK will play an active role.
The UK is contributing to the achievement of the 5% target by supporting the development of payments infrastructure, with a focus on digitisation to reduce transaction costs.
We also support piloting and scaling up mobile banking through a Technology Programme for Branchless Banking which is co-funded with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Master Card Foundation and the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP). As of December 2013, the Programme has helped an estimated 31 million poor people globally to access financial services.
DFID is supporting the development of payments infrastructure, with a focus on digitisation to reduce the cost of sending remittances to developing countries including in Africa.
DFID is also working through the Action Group on Cross Border Remittances to prevent a reduction in competition in UK remittance markets, which could increase sending costs. Information on the Action Group can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/helping-developing-countries-economies-to-grow/supporting-pages/enabling-the-continued-flow-of-remittances
The UK supports a post-2015 target on universal health coverage. This language is included in the most recent draft goals and targets list released by the co-chairs of the Open Working Group (OWG) on 2 June.
The final targets in the post-2015 development framework will be subject to international negotiations in the United Nations, in which the UK will play an active role.
The UK, through our Troika, have made statements in the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals on the importance of “leaving no one behind” as an overarching principle for the post 2015 framework.
The final goals and targets in the post-2015 development framework will be subject to international negotiations in the United Nations, in which the UK will play an active role.
The UK supports a target to hold the increase in global average temperature below a 2°C rise in accordance with international agreements.
The final targets in the post-2015 development framework will however be subject to international negotiations in the United Nations, in which the UK will play an active role.
The UK supports a target to reduce the number of people living on less than $1.25 a day and a target on reducing poverty according to national definitions. This language is included in the most recent draft goals and targets list released by the co-chairs of the Open Working Group (OWG) on 2 June.
The final targets in the post-2015 development framework will however be subject to international negotiations in the United Nations, in which the UK will play an active role.
Since February 2011, DFID has undertaken several visits to Gambella and to Gambellan refugees residing in Kenya and South Sudan. These visits have included discussions about allegations of abuse and forced movement in relation to the Commune Development Programme.
DFID, together with partners from the Development Assistance Group in Ethiopia (the ‘DAG'), is planning a further visit to Gambella later this year.
Ministers and officials regularly discuss all aspects of the bilateral programme with the Government of Ethiopia.
Incidents of substantiated fraud are set out in both the Department's Annual Report and, where appropriate, in the notes of the Annual Accounts.
The Secretary of State has final approval of all GPAF funding decisions. All grants approved by the Secretary of State are subject to satisfactory completion of pre-grant due diligence.
Full information on Conflict Pool programmes managed by DFID can be found on the online Development Tracker at:
Full information on funding to the Rapid Response Facility can be found on the online Development Tracker at: http://devtracker.dfid.gov.uk/
The following amounts have been spent in countries through the Rapid Response Facility since its launch:
Sierra Leone: £2m
India: £2.3m
Philippines: £8m
South Sudan: £6m
Bosnia: £0.3m
Iraq: £2m
Triple Line Consulting Ltd is the contracted Fund Manager of the Global Poverty Action Fund. To manage the Global Poverty Action Fund, Triple Line Consulting Ltd has been paid:
£0.2m in 2010/11
£0.8m in 2011/12
£0.7m in 2012/13
£1.3m in 2013/14
As we have already made clear, the UK supports a target to promote an open, rules-based, non-discriminatory and equitable multilateral trading system that complies with the mandate for agriculture, services and non-agricultural products of the World Trade Organisation Doha Round and implements the outcomes of the World Trade Organisation Bali Declaration. This language is included in the most recent draft goals and targets list released by the co-chairs of the Open Working Group (OWG) on 2 June.
The UK is a firm supporter of an open, rules-based, non-discriminatory and equitable multilateral trading system. The UK is using its influence within the WTO to push for an achievable and pro-development outcome of Doha Round negotiations, whilst also ensuring full and swift implementation of the WTO Bali agreements.
The final targets in the post-2015 development framework will however be subject to international negotiations in the United Nations, in which the UK will play an active role.
As we have already made clear, the UK supports the provision of trade-related capacity-building assistance to developing countries, and the importance of enhancing Aid for Trade commitments. Language on this is included in the most recent draft goals and targets list released by the co-chairs of the Open Working Group (OWG) on 2 June.
Aid for Trade is a vital ingredient for helping developing countries build their capacity to trade. The UK spends around £1 billion annually on Aid for Trade, and DFID is working alongside other donors, multilateral organisations, and recipient countries, to enhance the effectiveness of Aid for Trade initiatives.
The final targets in the post-2015 development framework will however be subject to international negotiations in the United Nations, in which the UK will play an active role.
As we have already made clear, the UK supports a target to cooperate globally to reduce substantially international tax evasion and avoidance. This language is included in the most recent draft goals and targets list released by the co-chairs of the Open Working Group (OWG) on 2 June.
At last year's Lough Erne G8 summit, leaders agreed to introduce a new international standard of automatic exchange of information to help countries combat tax evasion. We are working in the G20 to develop a roadmap that identifies obstacles to developing country participation in this new global standard. We are also working in the G20 to identify Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) issues most relevant to developing countries and to recommend actions to address them.
The final targets in the post-2015 development framework will however be subject to international negotiations in the United Nations, in which the UK will play an active role.
As we have already made clear, the UK supports the target to by 2020, substantially strengthen capacities for data collection and statistical analysis relevant to sustainable development with a focus on generating timely and high-quality data disaggregated, as appropriate, by income, gender, age, race, ethnicity, and rural/urban location. This language is included in the most recent draft goals and targets list released by the co-chairs of the Open Working Group (OWG) on 2 June.
The final targets in the post-2015 development framework will however be subject to international negotiations in the United Nations, in which the UK will play an active role.
As we have already made clear, the UK agrees with the importance of ensuring that developing countries design and own national policies for poverty eradication and sustainable development. Language on the adequate policy space is included in the most recent draft goals and targets list released by the co-chairs of the Open Working Group (OWG) on 2 June.
The final targets in the post-2015 development framework will however be subject to international negotiations in the United Nations, in which the UK will play an active role.
As we have already made clear, the UK supports the target that by 2030 countries progressively introduce broader measures of progress beyond gross domestic product into national accounting, with supportive statistical capacity building in developing countries. This language is included in the most recent draft goals and targets list released by the co-chairs of the Open Working Group (OWG) on 2 June.
The final targets in the post-2015 development framework will however be subject to international negotiations in the United Nations, in which the UK will play an active role.
As we have already made clear, the UK agrees that all cities should be accessible and offer opportunities to persons with disabilities by 2030. This language is included in the most recent draft goals and targets list released by the co-chairs of the Open Working Group (OWG) on 2 June.
The final targets in the post-2015 development framework will however be subject to international negotiations in the United Nations, in which the UK will play an active role.