Commons
Oral Questions
Energy Security and Net Zero
7 July 2026
2 contributions
Small Modular Reactors: Jobs
9. What assessment he has made of the potential impact of small modular reactors on job opportunities. [R]
I refer the House to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests relating to Rolls-Royce.
By backing SMRs, which the previous Government failed to do, this Government are backing Britain, delivering stronger energy security and good, skilled jobs in Derby and across the UK. Does the Mi…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
22 June 2026
East Midland Railway Collision
Recently, I was proud to join EMR driver Ross and driver manager Peter in travelling from Derby to St Pancras. From the cab, I saw at first hand the skill, dedication and immense responsibility that every single journey requires of our dedicated train drivers. Friday’s crash has tragically demonstra…
Commons
Westminster Hall
17 June 2026
High Street Shops: Illicit Activity
It is shocking that, in some hotspot areas, 50% of convenience stores or vape shops are linked to organised crime. My constituents in Derby South are really fed up with that, and so are legitimate business owners. Does my hon. Friend think it is time to crack down and shut down these dodgy shops onc…
Commons
Oral Questions
Housing, Communities and Local Government
15 June 2026
Retirement Home Exit Fees
Unfair terms on retirement village leases are leaving grieving families in Derby trapped, facing huge exit fees while extortionate service charges rack up on their empty properties. Will the Minister support those families by addressing the unfair terms that they face when a parent or loved one pass…
Commons
Oral Questions
Energy Security and Net Zero
2 June 2026
Cost of Energy: Support for Businesses
From Denby Pottery to Royal Crown Derby, soaring energy costs are hitting our ceramics industry hard, putting more skilled jobs at risk. I welcome the recently announced ceramics support package, which will help bring costs down, but can the Minister confirm that he will work with colleagues across …
Commons
Oral Questions
Justice
19 May 2026
Topical Questions
Sexual assaults and harassment on trains have risen by more than a third over the past 10 years, yet too many trains and stations still lack adequate CCTV. That evidence gap lets criminals evade justice and fails victims. What steps are the Secretary of State and his colleagues taking to improve CCT…
Commons
Oral Questions
16 April 2026
Business of the House
Last month it was brilliant to see Derby, the home of rail, host the Community Rail Network awards, recognising the fantastic work people do on behalf of their communities and the railways, and welcoming over 600 people to our city. I saw that dedication at first hand when I went litter picking with…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
14 April 2026
Knife Crime
In Derby and Derbyshire, 71% of habitual knife carriers are aged 25 or under. Does the Minister agree that, in Derby and throughout the country, we need to provide a tailored support package so that we can break the cycle of young people’s involvement in knife crime and keep our communities safe?
Commons
Westminster Hall
17 March 2026
Productivity and Economic Growth: East Midlands
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Dr Huq. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Rushcliffe (James Naish) for securing this important debate. I refer the House to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests with respect to Rolls-Royce.
I have said it before, and I will say…
Commons
Westminster Hall
17 March 2026
Immigration Reforms
On the point of fairness, constituents in Derby tell me that they are working hard to make a living and put their kids through school, but they are worried by retrospective changes to ILR. Does my hon. Friend agree that, to make the system completely fair, changes to ILR should not be retrospective?
Commons
Debate
9 March 2026
Middle East: Economic Update
My constituents in Derby will be worried about the devastation that they see across the middle east, and they will agree that de-escalation must remain a priority. They are also worried, though, about the impact on their weekly shopping bills, petrol prices and energy bills. Does the Chancellor agre…
Commons
Ministerial Statement
3 March 2026
Spring Forecast
I thank my right hon. Friend for her statement. Whether by delivering a record-breaking fair funding settlement for our council or backing Team Derby, this Government are definitely turning the page on years of brutal Tory austerity. However, many in our city still feel left out and left behind beca…
Commons
Westminster Hall
3 March 2026
Community Cohesion
I thank my hon. Friend for securing this really important debate. Will he join me in recognising the work that brilliant charities such as the Derby County Community Trust do to bring communities together, whether through the Harrison’s Hub, where it provides meals for those across communities, or i…
Commons
Westminster Hall
24 February 2026
Gaza Healthcare System
I thank my hon. Friend for securing the debate. I have read that Gaza is now home to the largest number of child amputees but, according to Save the Children, the prosthetic centres there are not functioning. Does my hon. Friend agree that Israel needs to lift all restrictions on aid getting into Ga…
Commons
Oral Questions
Housing, Communities and Local Government
23 February 2026
High Streets
In Derby, we have heard concerns about the impact of food delivery drivers on our high streets and the city centre, particularly on St Peter’s Street. Will the Minister work across Departments to ensure that food delivery companies are operating safely on our high streets and in our city centres?
Commons
Westminster Hall
3 February 2026
10 contributions
Town and City Centre Safety
I beg to move,
That this House has considered town and city centre safety.
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mr Dowd. I declare my interest as a city councillor in Derby and former council leader, but most importantly as a proud Derby-born resident since 1972—yes, the year we won the…
Thank you, Mr Dowd. I also thank my hon. Friend the Member for Derby North (Catherine Atkinson)—my fantastic MP—for her intervention. She is absolutely right: it is a partnership of investment, but people need to feel safe in our city centre.
As my constituent John told me, we can see how much effo…
+8 more contributions in this session
Commons
Ministerial Statement
29 January 2026
Business of the House
Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting Ali Davies-Marsh, the fantastic founder of Greener Littleover in Derby, which does outstanding work bringing people closer to nature, through initiatives such as the Great Big Green Week, and by doing outreach in our local schools. Does the Leader of the House…
Commons
Committee Stage
29 January 2026
Railways Bill (Seventh sitting)
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mr Western. I think this is an opportune moment to ask a question, as a Derby MP with Alstom in my constituency— the only place in the UK now where a train can be designed, engineered, manufactured and tested. Under the previous Government, Alstom had …
Commons
Oral Questions
Women and Equalities
28 January 2026
2 contributions
Children in Poverty
8. What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help reduce inequalities experienced by children in poverty.
In Arboretum in my constituency, half the children are growing up in poverty. That means hungry mornings, cold homes and kids who are four times more likely to face mental health problems by the time they are 11. What urgent action are the Government taking, across Government, to tackle child povert…
Commons
Oral Questions
Work and Pensions
26 January 2026
2 contributions
Topical Questions
T1. If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.
Whether it is at Kia, Alstom or others, apprentices in Derby are thriving at our large manufacturing companies, but we also want our small and medium-sized businesses to take on more apprentices. Will the Government set out what is being done to help smaller businesses to take on more apprentices?
Commons
Ministerial Statement
21 January 2026
Warm Homes Plan
The Secretary of State will recall a visit to Derby where he officially opened Vaillant’s heat source cylinder facility. Will he outline what today’s announcement will mean for such facilities and how it will create more clean energy jobs in Derby and across the UK?
Commons
Westminster Hall
19 January 2026
Sale of Fireworks
Brave Derby veterans have contacted me. Those who suffer from mental health or are recovering from PTSD are really concerned about the negative effect that fireworks have on their lives. I am sure that the hon. Member would agree that those brave men and women who have put their lives on the line fo…
Commons
Proceedings
8 January 2026
Business of the House
Every parking fine from rip-off private operators hurts drivers and our city centres, and Derby is no exception. Last October, Jumpin Fun play centre closed its doors for good because families could not trust that they would be treated fairly at the nearby Copeland Street car park. I welcome the Gov…
Commons
Oral Questions
Transport
8 January 2026
Topical Questions
Many constituents tell me how fed up they are with the long waiting times for driving tests. By the time they secure a practical test, their theory certificate has expired, forcing them to pay again. What steps will the Minister take to help people who cannot afford to pay for another test?
Commons
Oral Questions
Energy Security and Net Zero
6 January 2026
2 contributions
Fuel Poverty
11. What steps he is taking to help tackle fuel poverty.
Everyone deserves a warm and safe place to call home, but for the 20% of families in Derby South who live in fuel poverty this week’s cold snap is a nightmare as they struggle to heat their homes. What longer-term plans are being made so that families can see the benefits of a Labour Government and …