Surveys and Responses to Email Campaigns

FairFuel UK Reception

I cannot guarantee to attend the events you mention on Wednesday, because I have other pre-scheduled Parliamentary commitments. However, I am pleased that the Government has consistently done a great deal to help motorists fight costs by freezing fuel duty.

Stand up for Local Educators

I am very aware of the issues as I work closely with the NEU and am on the Education Select Committee. However, I am disappointed that teachers are striking as children can ill-afford to miss any more school after covid.

Cat Theft

Thank you for contacting me about pet theft.

Conversion Therapy

I take this issue very seriously and I know that my colleagues in the Equalities Office remain committed to tackling conversion therapy in the UK. I am absolutely clear that this practice has no place in civilised society.

Unaccompanied child migrants in the UK

I am aware that the rise in small boat crossings to the UK has placed a significant strain on the asylum accommodation system.

Mileage Rates

The Government sets the Approved Mileage Allowance Payments (AMAPs) rates to minimise administrative burdens. AMAP rates aim to reflect running costs including fuel, servicing and depreciation. Depreciation is estimated to constitute the most significant proportion of the AMAP rate.

Westminster Hall Debate: ‘Use of bee-killing pesticides in agriculture'

Unfortunately, due to diary commitments, I was unable to attend the Westminster Hall debate on 1 February. However, I followed the Minister’s comments in the debate closely.

EU Retained Law Bill

Thank you for contacting me about the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill. I understand your concerns on this issue.

Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill

I firmly believe that transgender people deserve respect, support and understanding.

Onshore Wind

Protecting the beauty and local amenity of our countryside is something I consider with the utmost importance. At the same time, I fully appreciate the need to boost our national capacity for renewable energy.

Plastic Reduction Targets

The Resources and Waste Strategy for England sets out the Government’s plans to reduce, reuse, and recycle more plastic than we do now. Ministers have committed to work towards all plastic packaging placed on the market being recyclable or reusable by 2025.

Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill

I appreciate the strength of feeling around this issue. Ministers take the welfare of all animals extremely seriously and are committed to strengthening and supporting long-term conservation of animals both internationally and at home.

Email Campaigns

Each day I receive several hundred emails and letters, and while I am keen to understand the views of constituents on issues which are important to you, I have to prioritise how I respond to them.

Many of the emails I receive are template campaign emails about Government policy generated by organisations or lobby groups. While I try to respond directly to as many as I can as quickly as I can, I cannot prioritise this over assisting constituents with casework queries – people who are asking for my help with an issue affecting them urgently.

I do take note of all the points made in the course of these campaigns, and I regularly discuss issues with charities or organisations when they raise issues of concern, as well as with Ministers.

I will collate on this page my response to the issues raised by click-and-send campaigns as they arise, and I hope the information these responses contain will be useful to you. Please see the links to the right.

EDMs and Petitions

Please note that, like many Members of Parliament in all parties, I do not sign Early Day Motions as these are never debated or voted on in Parliament, and cannot bind Government policy in any way.

While I am sometimes contacted about signing petitions, there is a process for raising these in Parliament, and only those generated by the official process can be considered. There is no method for bringing non-Parliamentary petitions to the official attention of Parliament or the Government.