As a result of COVID-19, some MPs have been less able to vote in Parliament, and this will be reflected in their voting record.
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- 11th May to 2nd June 2020
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All MPs could vote remotely through an online voting tool. Votes cast remotely are shown as normal on the TheyWorkForYou voting record.
- 2nd to 9th June 2020
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The option of online voting was removed, and a number of MPs may have been unable to vote because they were not physically able to attend.
- 10th June 2020 onwards
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The requirements on proxy voting were relaxed, allowing MPs to designate another MP to cast a vote on their behalf.
If an MP votes by proxy, it is effectively exactly the same as if they cast the vote in person and it shows up on their TheyWorkForYou voting record.
MPs are not required to designate a proxy, and may instead pair with an opposing MP to miss a vote. Parliament does not record when two MPs have come to a pairing arrangement, so on TheyWorkForYou, they will both appear to have been absent for the vote.
We will update this information if the situation changes. See more detail on votes during the COVID-19 period here.
How Sarah Newton voted on Welfare and Benefits #
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Consistently voted against paying higher benefits over longer periods for those unable to work due to illness or disability Show votes
0 votes for, 12 votes against, between 2011–2016. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted against (18 votes, between 2011–2016).
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Consistently voted for a reduction in spending on welfare benefits Show votes
42 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2012–2016. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (63 votes, between 2010–2016).
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Consistently voted for reducing housing benefit for social tenants deemed to have excess bedrooms (which Labour describe as the "bedroom tax") Show votes
15 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, between 2012–2018. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (18 votes, between 2011–2018).
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Generally voted against spending public money to create guaranteed jobs for young people who have spent a long time unemployed Show votes
0 votes for, 6 votes against, 3 absences, between 2011–2014. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against (10 votes, between 2011–2014).
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Consistently voted against raising welfare benefits at least in line with prices Show votes
0 votes for, 5 votes against, in 2013. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted against (6 votes, in 2013).
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Almost always voted for making local councils responsible for helping those in financial need afford their council tax and reducing the amount spent on such support Show votes
3 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2012. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (8 votes, in 2012).
Last updated: 8 May 2018.
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