MPs Press Ministers; Reviews Promised, No New Policies

High-Level Summary

Westminster Hall considered five topics: prohibiting MPs’ second jobs; regeneration priorities in Reddish; the impact of HMRC guidance on coastguard volunteers’ remuneration; the adequacy of early years funding in Hampshire; and government support for the fishing industry. Across debates, Members pressed Ministers on transparency, local investment, volunteer retention, childcare funding, and fisheries policy. Ministers outlined existing rules, funding streams and forthcoming reviews, but did not announce new policy changes. Each debate concluded with agreement that the House had considered the subject (with formal resolutions recorded in some cases).

Detailed Summary

MPs’ Second Jobs: Prohibition

Richard Burgon opened by moving that the House consider prohibiting MPs’ second jobs and cited outside earnings: “In total, MPs have taken an eye-watering £11 million in outside earnings since the general election”. He argued a ban would help restore trust—“Banning MPs’ second jobs is one of the key steps to restore trust in politics”—and referenced his Bill allowing limited exceptions. Supporters called for a total ban, with Phil Brickell saying “there should be a total proscription on all secondary employment”, and Ellie Chowns arguing, “there should be no time available in an MP’s day for doing a second job”. Others opposed a blanket ban: Jim Shannon said “a complete restriction on second jobs would be an unfair limitation on Members”, and Lisa Smart stated, “The Lib Dems do not feel that there is a strong enough argument for a blanket ban”. Mike Wood emphasised existing safeguards and the focus on lobbying: “The threat is and always has been paid advocacy and lobbying, which is why the rules were fundamentally overhauled”.

Responding, Anna Turley said Government had already tightened rules (closing advice‑for‑pay loopholes) and restated its position that second jobs should be banned except in limited cases: “The Government are committed to the principle that second jobs… should be banned outside very limited exceptions”. She pointed to ongoing work by the Modernisation Committee and the Committee on Standards. The question was put and agreed to; the House resolved that it had considered the motion.

Regeneration in Reddish

Navendu Mishra sought Government support for regeneration focused on community assets and infrastructure, reporting local backing to reopen Reddish Baths: “86% of respondents placed swimming or fitness facilities in their top three preferred future uses”. He relayed residents’ frustration—“It feels like Reddish is a cash cow, the residents pay lots in and get absolutely nothing in return”—and highlighted library maintenance issues and digital exclusion.

Minister Nesil Caliskan outlined devolved and local funding levers, citing Greater Manchester’s allocation of “£141 million of local growth funding over the next four years” and the Pride in Place programme providing “£2 million per year directly to the local community in Brinnington”. She accepted an invitation to visit the area: “I very much welcome and accept the kind invitation… to visit”. The question was put and agreed to. No specific immediate interventions for Reddish were announced; the Minister pointed to existing programmes and collaboration with local leaders.

Coastguard Volunteers: Remuneration and HMRC Guidance

Alistair Carmichael moved the debate amid concern that the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s (MCA) response to a court ruling would end call‑out remuneration and risk volunteer retention. He urged a pause and consultation: “I believe that the changes should be paused so that a proper and meaningful consultation can be held”, later pressing, “Pause what is being done, bring in someone from outside the service to examine…”. Nia Griffith said she was “horrified” by the planned cut to “even the small financial token of appreciation”, and several Members warned of impacts on availability and safety.

Minister Keir Mather explained the legal position: “on 14 January the Court of Appeal handed down a judgment that changed the status of CROs” and, due to past payments, “the court deemed them to be workers”. He said that to retain volunteer status, “the existing model of remuneration cannot legally stay the same”, noted initial monitoring—“Since the announcement was made, 29 CROs have left the service”—and committed to engagement: “I will reflect on what has been raised and… consider in the long term how our coastguard volunteers can be recognised”. No pause was announced. The House resolved that it had considered the issue.

Early Years Funding in Hampshire

Alex Brewer highlighted provider cash‑flow pressures and rising costs, quoting a local manager: “Sometimes the funding arrives so late that we are genuinely worried about making wages”. She cited increases in insurance and rates—“liability insurance had risen by 19% this year alone… a 59% jump in business rates”—arrears payment timing pressures, and challenges for children with SEND.

Minister Olivia Bailey set out current support, stating investment of “over £9.5 billion for the early years entitlements”, with uplifts to hourly funding rates and specific Hampshire rates. She said the Government “plan to review early years funding and consult on changes to how we distribute that funding”, and referred to workforce measures including a “£4,500 payment to attract and retain qualified nursery teachers”. The question was put and agreed to.

Government Support for the Fishing Industry

Seamus Logan emphasised the scale of Scotland’s sector and criticised the allocation of the fishing and coastal growth fund, saying Scotland received “less than 8% of it—£28 million out of a £360 million pot”. He and others raised labour shortages and called for a bespoke visa approach: “The north-east fishing industry cannot get local people to apply for these posts or, when they do, to stay in post for more than one shift”. Ashley Fox questioned an EU access extension “until 2038” and sought clearer objectives for the fund.

Minister Stephen Morgan highlighted recent achievements and plans, including “640,000 tonnes of fishing opportunities for the 2026 fishing year, estimated to be worth just over £1 billion”, and progress towards an EU sanitary and phytosanitary agreement “by the end of 2027”. He undertook to engage with industry and accepted an invitation to visit. No immediate policy changes or reallocations were announced; the debate concluded with a formal resolution that the House had considered the subject.