Lord Field of Birkenhead, former MP

Votes
Appearances
Profile
Register of Interests

As a result of COVID-19, some MPs were less able to vote in Parliament in certain periods, and this will be reflected by absences in their voting record.

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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.

A selection of Lord Field of Birkenhead’s votes

See full list of topics voted on

Generally voted for a referendum on the UK's membership of the EU Show votes 6 votes for, 0 votes against, 7 absences, between 2008–2016.
Generally voted against reducing central government funding of local government Show votes 0 votes for, 6 votes against, 3 absences, between 2011–2019.
Generally voted for removing hereditary peers from the House of Lords Show votes 6 votes for, 2 votes against, 3 absences, between 1999–2016.
Almost always voted against reducing housing benefit for social tenants deemed to have excess bedrooms (which Labour describe as the "bedroom tax") Show votes 0 votes for, 13 votes against, 5 absences, between 2012–2018.
Generally voted against increasing the rate of VAT Show votes 4 votes for, 16 votes against, 7 absences, between 2008–2019.
Generally voted for paying higher benefits over longer periods for those unable to work due to illness or disability Show votes 9 votes for, 0 votes against, 6 absences, between 2011–2016.

We have lots more plain English analysis of Lord Field of Birkenhead’s voting record on issues like health, welfare, taxation and more. Visit Lord Field of Birkenhead’s full vote analysis page for more.

Recent appearances

Written Answers — Department of Health and Social Care: Cannabis: Prescriptions 26 Sep 2022

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Kamall on 22 July (HL1593), how many (1) NHS, and (2) private, (a) licensed, and (b) unlicensed, prescriptions for cannabis medicines were made for severe treatment-resistant epilepsy in 2022.
Written Answers — Treasury: Monetary Policy 22 Sep 2022

To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the extent of quantitative easing for each quarter since the beginning of 2021.
Written Answers — Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities: Homelessness: Death 20 Sep 2022

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many homeless people have died on the street in each of the last five years.

More of Lord Field of Birkenhead’s recent appearances

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Profile

Crossbench Peer

Entered the House of Lords on 11 September 2020

Previously MP for Birkenhead until 6 November 2019 — Dissolved for election

Entered the House of Commons on 3 May 1979 — General election

Party was Labour until 29 Aug 2018; Independent until 6 Nov 2019; Non-affiliated until 5 Oct 2020

Also represented Birkenhead

Social Media

@frankfieldteam

Expenses

Topics of interest

Lord Field of Birkenhead campaigned to leave the European Union Source: BBC

Work and Pensions
Department for Work and Pensions
Treasury
Home Department
Health
Universal Credit
Tax Credits
Social Security Benefits
Welfare Tax Credits
Child Support Agency

Currently held offices

Member, Ecclesiastical Committee (Joint Committee) (since 26 Jan 2021)

Other offices held in the past

Member, Liaison Committee Sub-committee on the effectiveness and influence of the select committee system (13 Feb 2019 to 6 Nov 2019)
Member, Liaison Committee (Commons) (6 Nov 2017 to 6 Nov 2019)
Member, Ecclesiastical Committee (Joint Committee) (31 Oct 2017 to 6 Nov 2019)
Chair, Work and Pensions Committee (12 Jul 2017 to 6 Nov 2019)
Chair, Work and Pensions Committee (12 Jul 2017 to 6 Nov 2019)
Member, Ecclesiastical Committee (Joint Committee) (28 Oct 2015 to 3 May 2017)
Member, Liaison Committee (Commons) (10 Sep 2015 to 3 May 2017)
Chair, Work and Pensions Committee (18 Jun 2015 to 3 May 2017)
Chair, Work and Pensions Committee (18 Jun 2015 to 3 May 2017)
Chair, Draft Modern Slavery Bill Committee (9 Jan 2014 to 3 Apr 2014)
Chair, Draft Modern Slavery Bill Committee (9 Jan 2014 to 3 Apr 2014)
Member, Ecclesiastical Committee (Joint Committee) (26 Oct 2010 to 30 Mar 2015)
Member, Ecclesiastical Committee (Joint Committee) (6 Jul 2005 to 8 Apr 2010)
Member, Public Accounts Committee (15 May 2002 to 12 Jul 2005)
Member, Ecclesiastical Committee (Joint Committee) (31 Jan 2002 to 5 May 2005)
Minister (Department of Social Security) (Welfare Reform) (3 May 1997 to 28 Jul 1998)
Chair, Social Security Committee (18 Nov 1993 to 21 Mar 1997)
Chair, Social Security Committee (18 Nov 1993 to 21 Mar 1997)
Member, Social Security Committee (27 Apr 1992 to 18 Nov 1993)
Member, Liaison Committee (Commons) (17 Jun 1987 to 21 Mar 1997)
Chair, Social Services Committee (17 Jun 1987 to 22 Oct 1991)
Shadow Spokesperson (Education) (1 Jun 1980 to 1 Jun 1981)
Member, Social Services Committee (3 May 1979 to 23 Jan 1981)

Public bill committees (Sittings attended)

Merchant Shipping (Homosexual Conduct) Bill Committee (0 out of 1)
Local Government (Review of Decisions) Bill Committee (0 out of 1)
Daylight Saving Bill Committee (0 out of 1)
Rights of Savers Bill Committee (0 out of 2)
Criminal Law (Amendment) (Householder Protection) Bill Committee (0 out of 3)
Pension Annuities (Amendment) Bill Committee (1 out of 2)
Housing Benefit (Withholding of Payment) Bill Committee (3 out of 3)

Register of Members’ Interests

Last updated: 5 Nov 2019.

8. Miscellaneous

Non-executive chairman of Medicash Health Benefits Ltd (non–executive). Address: Merchants Court, 2-12 Lord Street, Liverpool, L2 1TS. I have waived remuneration for this role, but Medicash may choose to make a donation to a charity or charities of its choice, at its discretion. (Updated 14 January 2014)

Co-Chair of the Cross Party Group on Balanced Migration. Migrationwatch UK provides secretarial, research and administrative support, pays for printing costs and maintains the group’s website. Quiller Consultants, which is a consultancy, is paid by its client, Migrationwatch UK, to act as consultants to the group. (Registered 24 May 2011)

View the history of this MP’s entries in the Register

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Note for journalists and researchers: The data on this page may be used freely, on condition that TheyWorkForYou.com is cited as the source.

This data was produced by TheyWorkForYou from a variety of sources. Voting information from Public Whip.

Lord Field of Birkenhead