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.
Show more detail
- 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.
A selection of Lord Field of Birkenhead’s votes
See full list of topics voted on
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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.
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Generally voted against reducing central government funding of local government Show votes
0 votes for, 6 votes against, 3 absences, between 2011–2019.
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Generally voted for removing hereditary peers from the House of Lords Show votes
6 votes for, 2 votes against, 3 absences, between 1999–2016.
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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.
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Generally voted against increasing the rate of VAT Show votes
4 votes for, 16 votes against, 7 absences, between 2008–2019.
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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
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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.
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To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the extent of quantitative easing for each quarter since the beginning of 2021.
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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
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)
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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