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01
Jan
MPs Watch: Waspi women, Yorkshire Water bonuses and family farm tax petition
Every month, the Stray Ferret tries to find out what our local MPs have been up to in their constituencies and in the House of Commons.
In December, the government rejected compensation for women affected by changes to the state pension age. The campaigners calling for compensation are commonly known as Waspi women.
The House of Commons adjourned on December 19 until January 6.
Here’s what we discovered analysing our MPs’ online presence.
Tom Gordon, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough.
Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat – Harrogate and Knaresborough
What did he do in Parliament?
Mr Gordon voted in Parliament 17 times in December.
Most recently, he voted against the third reading of the National Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions Bill) on December 17.
He also voted in favour of the draft amendment of the Home Detention Curfew and Requisite and Minimum Custodial Periods Order 2024, as well as the UK Farming and Inheritance Tax on Opposition Day.
The Lib Dem was appointed as one of 20 MPs to sit on the Public Bill Committee for the Terminally Ill Adults Bill, which will scrutinise the new legislation.
Mr Gordon also made several spoken contributions in both Westminster Hall and the House of Commons in December.
He spoke in a debate on home-to-school transport for children with special educational needs and disabilities on December 3.
Mr Gordon also spoke about the government’s decision to reject compensation for the Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) group. He said he represents thousands of Waspi women who would be disappointed by the government’s decision. Mr Gordon asked:
A number of references have been made to the campaigning that the Secretary of State has done with Waspi women.
Does she feel regret that she has led them up the garden path towards believing that they might get some compensation, and while she has apologised for the government’s part in the maladministration, will she apologise directly to the Waspi women in her constituency?
What did he do in his constituency?
On December 1, Mr Gordon took on the role as 'chief elf' at the Knaresborough Mental Elf 5k run. The event raised money for mental health charity Mind in Harrogate District.
He also shared his support for Merry Christmas Harrogate – a Christmas single about the town. Mr Gordon even submitted a parliamentary motion to celebrate the song’s launch.
Mr Gordon met sports minster Stephanie Peacock on December 11 to discuss challenges confronting Knaresborough Town Football Club.
He also visited the Police Treatment Centre in Harrogate.
On December 14, he visited the Christmas market in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens.
“The Sachertorte whoopie pie with custard was a particular highlight”, Mr Gordon said.
He also launched his website, whic you can see here.
What else?
Mr Gordon attended a Cats Protection event in Parliament this month. He said online he is a cat lover, but added "in true Lib Dem fence-sitting-style" he also loves dogs.
In an interview with BBC Politics North, he criticised Yorkshire Water boss Nicola Shaw for not repaying her £371,000 bonus after it was announced water bills will rise.
Mr Gordon called Ms Shaw’s response “quite frankly tone deaf”.
He said on social media:
Yorkshire Water has seen continuous sewage discharges, had to pay tens of millions in fines, all whilst hiking up costs on consumers and paying out to shareholder & bosses. The whole thing stinks. Ban water bosses’ bonuses now.
Sir Alec Shelbrooke
Sir Alec Shelbrooke, Conservative – Wetherby and Easingwold
What did he do in Parliament?
Sir Alec voted eight times in December.
He voted in favour of the UK Farming and Inheritance Tax motion on Opposition Day but against the third reading of the National Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions Bill) on December 17.
Sir Alec made three spoken contributions in Parliament. During a farming and inheritance tax debate, he said:
Does my right honourable friend agree that what is quite frightening about this policy is that perhaps the government know exactly what they are doing, and that, a bit like Animal Farm, they think everything should be collectivised?
Sir Alec also spoke three times during a debate on pelvic mesh use in the NHS.
What did he do in his constituency?
On December 16, Sir Alec went to Skelton-on-Ure to meet The Churches Conservation Trust and visit The Church of Christ the Consoler at Newby Hall.
He also visited and campaigned for other parts of his constituency, but they do not fall into the former Harrogate district.
What else?
Sir Alec joined the Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and other Tory MPs to deliver a petition to the Treasury against the government’s changes to inheritance farm tax on December 18.
Julian Smith
Sir Julian Smith, Conservative – Skipton and Ripon
What did he do in Parliament?
Sir Julian voted 12 times in Parliament this month.
He voted against the draft amendment of the Home Detention Curfew and Requisite and Minimum Custodial Periods Order 2024. However, he voted in favour of the UK Farming and Inheritance Tax motion on Opposition Day.
Sir Julian spoke once in the commons chamber during the month. It was during a debate on the legacy of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, where he was once the government minister.
What he did in his constituency?
On December 2, Sir Julian visited a pharmacy in Pateley Bridge to learn about the Pharmacy First rollout.
He also said he “pressed” Yorkshire Water to ensure the firm completed ongoing roadworks in Kirkby Malzeard before Christmas. On December 20, he said the road had reopened.
Sir Julian also visited a number of places in his constituency that do not fall into the Harrogate district.
What else?
Sir Julian responded to news of water bills rising as part of Ofwat’s £104 billion investment plan into the UK’s water infrastructure.
Locally, bills will increase by £177 by 2029-2030.
Sir Julian said:
The announcement by Ofwat to increase water bills over the next five years is a decision that will understandably create anxiety for some households across Skipton and Ripon as this rise will place an additional burden on household finances.
There is also a clear and pressing need to modernise our water infrastructure, and investment is needed in order to tackle pollution, safeguard our drinking water supplies, and address climate change.
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