Guy Opperman

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

Conservative MP for Hexham

@GuyOpperman https://facebook.com/guyoppermanMP

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Education
Welfare and Benefits
Environmental Issues
Transport
Business and the Economy
Health
Constitutional Reform
Foreign Policy and Defence
Miscellaneous Topics
Taxation and Employment
Social Issues
Home Affairs
Housing

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.

Show more detail

11th May to 2nd June 2020

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

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

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 Guy Opperman voted on Education #

Almost always voted for academy schools Show votes 9 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2010–2016. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (17 votes, between 2010–2016).
Almost always voted for greater autonomy for schools Show votes 13 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2010–2014. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (16 votes, between 2010–2014).
Voted for raising England’s undergraduate tuition fee cap to £9,000 per year Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2010. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for (1 votes, in 2010).
Consistently voted for ending financial support for some 16-19 year olds in training and further education Show votes 2 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2011. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (2 votes, in 2011).
Consistently voted for university tuition fees Show votes 4 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2010–2017. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for (5 votes, between 2010–2017).

Last updated: 29 June 2017. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Guy Opperman voted on Welfare and Benefits #

Almost always voted for a reduction in spending on welfare benefits Show votes 39 votes for, 1 vote against, 7 absences, between 2012–2016. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (63 votes, between 2010–2016).
Consistently 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 4 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2012. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (8 votes, in 2012).
Almost always voted against spending public money to create guaranteed jobs for young people who have spent a long time unemployed Show votes 0 votes for, 8 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2014. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against (10 votes, between 2011–2014).
Generally voted for reducing housing benefit for social tenants deemed to have excess bedrooms (which Labour describe as the "bedroom tax") Show votes 12 votes for, 0 votes against, 6 absences, between 2012–2018. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (18 votes, between 2011–2018).
Generally voted against raising welfare benefits at least in line with prices Show votes 0 votes for, 2 votes against, 3 absences, in 2013. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted against (6 votes, in 2013).
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, 1 absence, between 2011–2016. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted against (18 votes, between 2011–2016).

Last updated: 8 May 2018. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Guy Opperman voted on Environmental Issues #

Voted a mixture of for and against lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes 2 votes for, 6 votes against, 8 absences, between 2010–2013. Comparable Conservative MPs voted a mixture of for and against (21 votes, between 2010–2013).
Generally voted for higher taxes on plane tickets Show votes 8 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, between 2013–2017. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (17 votes, between 2012–2017).
Voted a mixture of for and against greater regulation of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to extract shale gas Show votes 2 votes for, 2 votes against, in 2015. Comparable Conservative MPs voted a mixture of for and against (4 votes, in 2015).
Consistently voted for new high speed rail infrastructure Show votes 7 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2013–2019. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for (9 votes, between 2013–2019).
Has never voted on selling England’s state owned forests Details 0 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, in 2011.
Generally voted against measures to prevent climate change Show votes 4 votes for, 18 votes against, 2 absences, between 2011–2020. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against (28 votes, between 2011–2020).
Generally voted against financial incentives for low carbon emission electricity generation methods Show votes 2 votes for, 4 votes against, between 2012–2018. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against (11 votes, between 2011–2018).
Generally voted for culling badgers to tackle bovine tuberculosis Show votes 2 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2013–2014. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for (4 votes, between 2012–2014).

Last updated: 12 October 2020. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Guy Opperman voted on Transport #

Generally voted against a publicly owned railway system Show votes 0 votes for, 2 votes against, 1 absence, between 2014–2016. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against (4 votes, between 2014–2016).
Generally voted for higher taxes on plane tickets Show votes 8 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, between 2013–2017. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (17 votes, between 2012–2017).
Consistently voted against slowing the rise in rail fares Show votes 0 votes for, 5 votes against, in 2013. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against (5 votes, between 2012–2013).
Voted a mixture of for and against lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes 2 votes for, 6 votes against, 8 absences, between 2010–2013. Comparable Conservative MPs voted a mixture of for and against (21 votes, between 2010–2013).
Almost always voted against greater public control of bus services Show votes 1 vote for, 2 votes against, in 2016. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against (3 votes, between 2014–2016).

Last updated: 31 October 2017. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Guy Opperman voted on Business and the Economy #

Generally voted for stronger tax incentives for companies to invest in assets Show votes 5 votes for, 4 votes against, 5 absences, between 2010–2014. Comparable Conservative MPs voted a mixture of for and against (18 votes, between 2010–2015).
Almost always voted for reducing the rate of corporation tax Show votes 20 votes for, 1 vote against, 5 absences, between 2010–2016. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (28 votes, between 2010–2016).
Consistently voted for new high speed rail infrastructure Show votes 7 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2013–2019. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for (9 votes, between 2013–2019).
Voted a mixture of for and against measures to reduce tax avoidance Show votes 5 votes for, 7 votes against, 2 absences, between 2013–2020. Comparable Conservative MPs voted a mixture of for and against (16 votes, between 2013–2020).

Last updated: 1 July 2020. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Guy Opperman voted on Health #

Consistently voted against restricting the provision of services to private patients by the NHS Show votes 0 votes for, 7 votes against, between 2011–2012. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against (7 votes, between 2011–2012).
Voted for allowing terminally ill people to be given assistance to end their life Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2015. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against (1 votes, in 2015).
Generally voted for smoking bans Show votes 2 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2010–2015. Comparable Conservative MPs voted a mixture of for and against (4 votes, between 2010–2015).
Almost always voted for reforming the NHS so GPs buy services on behalf of their patients Show votes 7 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2019. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (10 votes, between 2010–2019).

Last updated: 23 October 2019. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Guy Opperman voted on Constitutional Reform #

Consistently voted for greater restrictions on campaigning by third parties, such as charities, during elections Show votes 12 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2013–2016. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (14 votes, between 2013–2016).
Voted a mixture of for and against a wholly elected House of Lords Show votes 1 vote for, 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 2011–2016. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against (3 votes, between 2011–2016).
Generally voted for fewer MPs in the House of Commons Show votes 6 votes for, 1 vote against, 2 absences, between 2010–2020. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for (10 votes, between 2010–2020).
Generally voted against a more proportional system for electing MPs Show votes 1 vote for, 2 votes against, 2 absences, between 2010–2020. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against (8 votes, between 2010–2020).
Almost always voted against a lower voting age Show votes 0 votes for, 4 votes against, 1 absence, between 2015–2016. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against (5 votes, between 2015–2016).
Generally voted against transferring more powers to the Senedd/Welsh Parliament Show votes 3 votes for, 21 votes against, 9 absences, between 2014–2020. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against (37 votes, between 2011–2020).
Consistently voted for a veto for MPs from England, Wales and Northern Ireland over laws specifically impacting their part of the UK Show votes 3 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2015. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for (5 votes, in 2015).
Almost always voted for reducing central government funding of local government Show votes 7 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2010–2019. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (12 votes, between 2010–2019).
Generally voted against more powers for local councils Show votes 14 votes for, 23 votes against, 12 absences, between 2010–2018. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against (52 votes, between 2010–2018).
Consistently voted for an equal number of electors per parliamentary constituency Show votes 11 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2020. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (17 votes, between 2010–2020).
Consistently voted for local councils keeping money raised from taxes on business premises in their areas Show votes 6 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2012–2019. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (7 votes, between 2012–2019).
Almost always voted against transferring more powers to the Scottish Parliament Show votes 4 votes for, 42 votes against, 3 absences, between 2011–2020. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against (51 votes, between 2011–2020).
Generally voted for fixed periods between parliamentary elections Show votes 2 votes for, 1 vote against, 2 absences, between 2010–2014. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for (8 votes, between 2010–2014).
Voted a mixture of for and against removing hereditary peers from the House of Lords Show votes 1 vote for, 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 2011–2016. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against (4 votes, between 2011–2016).

Last updated: 1 September 2020. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Guy Opperman voted on Foreign Policy and Defence #

Voted against investigations into the Iraq war Show votes 0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2016. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against (1 votes, in 2016).
Almost always voted against a right to remain for EU nationals already in living in the UK Show votes 0 votes for, 18 votes against, 4 absences, between 2016–2020. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against (22 votes, between 2016–2020).
Generally voted against strengthening the Military Covenant Show votes 0 votes for, 2 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2012. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against (4 votes, between 2011–2012).
Almost always voted for replacing Trident with a new nuclear weapons system Show votes 4 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2015–2016. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for (8 votes, between 2010–2019).
Generally voted for a referendum on the UK's membership of the EU Show votes 6 votes for, 3 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2016. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for (23 votes, between 2011–2016).
Generally voted against UK membership of the EU Show votes 3 votes for, 18 votes against, 3 absences, between 2016–2019. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against (24 votes, between 2016–2019).
Generally voted against more EU integration Show votes 35 votes for, 68 votes against, 5 absences, between 2012–2020. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against (129 votes, between 2010–2020).
Almost always voted for use of UK military forces in combat operations overseas Show votes 5 votes for, 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 2010–2015. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (8 votes, between 2010–2015).
Consistently voted for military action against ISIL (Daesh) Show votes 3 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2014–2015. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for (3 votes, between 2014–2015).

Last updated: 15 July 2020. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Guy Opperman voted on Miscellaneous Topics #

We don’t have enough information to calculate Guy Opperman’s position on Labour's anti-terrorism laws. Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2010.
Generally voted for the policies included in the 2010 Conservative - Liberal Democrat Coalition Agreement Show votes 55 votes for, 7 votes against, 19 absences, between 2010–2015. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for (84 votes, between 2010–2015).
Generally voted for a statutory register of lobbyists Show votes 3 votes for, 2 votes against, in 2013. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for (6 votes, in 2013).
Generally voted for allowing national security sensitive evidence to be put before courts in secret sessions Show votes 5 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2012–2013. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (8 votes, between 2012–2013).
Generally voted for restricting the scope of legal aid Show votes 10 votes for, 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 2011–2014. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for (15 votes, between 2011–2014).
Generally voted against requiring pub companies to offer pub landlords rent-only leases Show votes 1 vote for, 3 votes against, between 2014–2016. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against (5 votes, between 2013–2016).
Consistently voted for capping civil service redundancy payments Show votes 6 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2010–2020. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for (6 votes, between 2010–2020).
Consistently voted for the privatisation of Royal Mail Show votes 3 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2010–2011. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (3 votes, between 2010–2011).
Consistently voted against restrictions on fees charged to tenants by letting agents Show votes 0 votes for, 6 votes against, between 2014–2018. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against (6 votes, between 2013–2018).
Consistently voted for limits on success fees paid to lawyers in no-win no fee cases Show votes 6 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2012–2013. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (6 votes, between 2011–2013).
Almost always voted against greater regulation of gambling Show votes 0 votes for, 6 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2014. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against (7 votes, between 2011–2014).

Last updated: 30 September 2020. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Guy Opperman voted on Taxation and Employment #

Almost always voted for more restrictive regulation of trade union activity Show votes 8 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, between 2010–2017. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (11 votes, between 2010–2017).
Consistently voted against increasing the tax rate applied to income over £150,000 Show votes 0 votes for, 10 votes against, 2 absences, between 2012–2015. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against (23 votes, between 2011–2015).
Generally voted for higher taxes on plane tickets Show votes 8 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, between 2013–2017. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (17 votes, between 2012–2017).
Generally voted against a banker’s bonus tax Show votes 1 vote for, 12 votes against, 5 absences, between 2011–2015. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against (20 votes, between 2011–2015).
Generally voted for higher taxes on alcoholic drinks Show votes 11 votes for, 3 votes against, 7 absences, between 2010–2017. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (25 votes, between 2010–2017).
Generally voted against higher taxes on banks Show votes 3 votes for, 9 votes against, 3 absences, between 2011–2018. Comparable Conservative MPs voted a mixture of for and against (20 votes, between 2011–2018).
Almost always voted against an annual tax on the value of expensive homes (popularly known as a mansion tax) Show votes 0 votes for, 3 votes against, 1 absence, in 2013. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against (4 votes, in 2013).
Generally voted for increasing the rate of VAT Show votes 17 votes for, 5 votes against, 4 absences, between 2010–2019. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for (33 votes, between 2010–2019).
Consistently voted for allowing employees to exchange some employment rights for shares in the company they work for Show votes 5 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2012–2013. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (8 votes, between 2012–2014).
Consistently voted for encouraging occupational pensions Show votes 2 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2011. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (3 votes, between 2010–2011).
Almost always voted for reducing capital gains tax Show votes 7 votes for, 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 2010–2016. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for (9 votes, between 2010–2016).
Almost always voted for raising the threshold at which people start to pay income tax Show votes 24 votes for, 0 votes against, 5 absences, between 2011–2018. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (29 votes, between 2011–2018).
Voted a mixture of for and against lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles Show votes 2 votes for, 6 votes against, 8 absences, between 2010–2013. Comparable Conservative MPs voted a mixture of for and against (21 votes, between 2010–2013).
We don’t have enough information to calculate Guy Opperman’s position on automatic enrolment in occupational pensions. Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2010.

Last updated: 25 June 2019. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

Consistently voted for allowing marriage between two people of same sex Show votes 7 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2014–2019. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for (12 votes, between 2013–2019).
Voted for allowing terminally ill people to be given assistance to end their life Show votes 1 vote for, 0 votes against, in 2015. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against (1 votes, in 2015).
Consistently voted for equal gay rights Show votes 9 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2013–2019. Comparable Conservative MPs voted a mixture of for and against (13 votes, between 2013–2019).
Generally voted against laws to promote equality and human rights Show votes 2 votes for, 6 votes against, 4 absences, between 2011–2019. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against (16 votes, between 2011–2019).
Generally voted for smoking bans Show votes 2 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 absences, between 2010–2015. Comparable Conservative MPs voted a mixture of for and against (4 votes, between 2010–2015).

Last updated: 18 July 2019. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Guy Opperman voted on Home Affairs #

Consistently voted for a stricter asylum system Show votes 11 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2015–2020. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for (13 votes, between 2015–2020).
Almost always voted for the introduction of elected Police and Crime Commissioners Show votes 7 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2010–2012. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (9 votes, between 2010–2012).
Consistently voted for merging police and fire services under Police and Crime Commissioners Show votes 0 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2016. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for (3 votes, in 2016).
Consistently voted for requiring the mass retention of information about communications Show votes 6 votes for, 1 vote against, between 2014–2016. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (8 votes, between 2014–2016).
Consistently voted for stronger enforcement of immigration rules Show votes 9 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2015–2016. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for (10 votes, between 2015–2020).
Consistently voted for mass surveillance of people’s communications and activities Show votes 3 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2016. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (3 votes, in 2016).

Last updated: 30 June 2020. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

How Guy Opperman voted on Housing #

Consistently voted for phasing out secure tenancies for life Show votes 5 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2015–2016. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for (5 votes, between 2015–2016).
Consistently voted for charging a market rent to high earners renting a council home Show votes 5 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2015–2016. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for (5 votes, between 2015–2016).

Last updated: 3 May 2016. Learn more about our voting records and what they mean.

More on their full voting record on Public Whip

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