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Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 26 Jan 2026
Oral Answers to Questions

"As a result of this Government’s economic vandalism, unemployment continues to rise, particularly among young people and those with disabilities. Now more than ever, it is crucial that we support people back into work, but the Access to Work scheme is overly bureaucratic and faces significant delays. Indeed, at the …..."
Peter Bedford - View Speech

View all Peter Bedford (Con - Mid Leicestershire) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Written Question
Water Supply
Monday 26th January 2026

Asked by: Peter Bedford (Conservative - Mid Leicestershire)

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment the Department has made of the potential regulatory implications of treating water stress and water efficiency as separate classifications; and whether her Department plans to require Ofwat to link leakage performance to water stress designations.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Defra has not made any assessment of the regulatory implications of treating water stress and water efficiency as separate classifications. The department defines serious water stress as ‘the current household demand for water is a high proportion of the current effective rainfall which is available to meet that demand; or, the future household demand for water is likely to be a high proportion of the effective rainfall which is likely to be available to meet that demand’ and water efficiency as practices that reduce the demand on potable water.

The department does not plan to link leakage performance to water stress designations as we continue to drive reform in both individual areas.

Defra concluded a consultation on revising the water efficiency standards in the Building Regulations in December last year. As part of our response to the consultation, Defra will be assessing how water stressed classifications are used to drive water efficiency in homes.

In the Water White Paper released this month, Defra committed to enabling smart metering implementation, which includes reviewing how charging scenarios differ for water stress classified areas and the ways in which this drives water efficiency.

Scheduled Event - 21 Jan 2026, 2:30 p.m. - Add to calendar
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Commons - Westminster Hall debate - Westminster Hall
The potential merits of referendums on local government re-organisation
MP: Peter Bedford
Division Vote (Commons)
21 Jan 2026 - Northern Ireland Troubles: Legacy and Reconciliation - View Vote Context
Peter Bedford (Con) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 88 Conservative No votes vs 0 Conservative Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 373 Noes - 106
Division Vote (Commons)
21 Jan 2026 - National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill - View Vote Context
Peter Bedford (Con) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 98 Conservative No votes vs 0 Conservative Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 316 Noes - 194
Division Vote (Commons)
21 Jan 2026 - National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill - View Vote Context
Peter Bedford (Con) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 98 Conservative Aye votes vs 0 Conservative No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 195 Noes - 317
Division Vote (Commons)
21 Jan 2026 - National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill - View Vote Context
Peter Bedford (Con) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 95 Conservative Aye votes vs 0 Conservative No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 191 Noes - 326
Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 21 Jan 2026
Local Government Reorganisation: Referendums

"The hon. Gentleman makes a passionate point about his constituency. I know that he has been working on this issue for many years and I hope the Minister will take heed of what he just said. I know he will continue to champion those causes.

My constituents have watched Leicester …..."
Peter Bedford - View Speech

View all Peter Bedford (Con - Mid Leicestershire) contributions to the debate on: Local Government Reorganisation: Referendums
Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 21 Jan 2026
Local Government Reorganisation: Referendums

"As I said to the hon. Members who intervened earlier, this Government should definitely learn from the mistakes of previous Governments. That is particularly true in relation to the example the hon. Gentleman just gave of local government reform being introduced against the wishes of local people, resulting in an …..."
Peter Bedford - View Speech

View all Peter Bedford (Con - Mid Leicestershire) contributions to the debate on: Local Government Reorganisation: Referendums
Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 21 Jan 2026
Local Government Reorganisation: Referendums

"I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend. As I said to the hon. Member for Harrogate and Knaresborough (Tom Gordon) earlier, this Government should reflect on the mistakes that previous Governments of different colours have made and ensure that the views of local people are always taken on board before …..."
Peter Bedford - View Speech

View all Peter Bedford (Con - Mid Leicestershire) contributions to the debate on: Local Government Reorganisation: Referendums