A selection of Lord Willetts’s votes

See full list of topics voted on

• Voted a mixture of for and against removing hereditary peers from the House of Lords Show votes 1 vote for, 4 votes against, 5 absences, between 1999–2012.
• Generally voted for a reduction in spending on welfare benefits Show votes 16 votes for, 0 votes against, 15 absences, between 2010–2015.
• Almost always voted for increasing the rate of VAT Show votes 17 votes for, 0 votes against, 5 absences, between 2008–2013.
• Generally voted for greater restrictions on campaigning by third parties, such as charities, during elections Show votes 5 votes for, 0 votes against, 6 absences, between 2013–2014.
• Generally voted for reducing housing benefit for social tenants deemed to have excess bedrooms (which Labour describe as the "bedroom tax") Show votes 6 votes for, 0 votes against, 11 absences, between 2012–2014.
• Generally voted for encouraging occupational pensions Show votes 2 votes for, 1 vote against, 2 absences, between 2004–2011.

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

Recent appearances

• Autumn Statement 2023 - Motion to Take Note 29 Nov 2023

  My Lords, it gives me great pleasure to welcome my noble friend Lady Vere to her post in the Treasury. I also draw her attention to my entry in the register of interests, especially my role as president of the Resolution Foundation, on whose analysis of the Autumn Statement I will draw. I agree with my noble friend Lord Frost that we must not fall into the trap of miserabilism, but I could...

• King’s Speech - Debate (5th Day) 14 Nov 2023

  My Lords, I begin by congratulating the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Newcastle on her excellent maiden speech. We look forward to her future contributions to our debates in this House, and I think her powerful speech today was part of a Newcastle theme that is already running through this debate. The right reverend Prelate spoke of her commitment to that city. We heard from the noble...

• Lifelong Learning (Higher Education Fee Limits) Bill - Report: Amendment 1 5 Sep 2023

  My Lords, the amendments reflect widespread cross-party support for the Bill and its principles; they are not intended to destroy the Bill in any way. I see the case for the Bill, which of course I warmly welcome, as opening up new possibilities. We genuinely do not know the circumstances in which people may take them up and we do not know whether debt aversion is much more of an issue among...

More of Lord Willetts’s recent appearances

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Profile

Conservative Peer

Entered the House of Lords on 23 November 2015

Previously MP for Havant until 30 March 2015 — General election

Entered the House of Commons on 9 April 1992 — General election

Also represented Havant

• Personal website
• Wikipedia page
• BBC News profile
• Early Day Motions signed by this MP
• Newspaper articles written by this MP

Expenses

• Expenses from 2004 to 2009
• Expenses from 2010 onwards

Topics of interest

• Work and Pensions
• Innovation
• Universities and Skills
• Treasury
• Education and Skills
• Business
• Innovation and Skills
• Apprentices
• Tax Credits
• Pensions
• Students: Loans
• Pension Credit

Other offices held in the past

• Member, Risk Assessment and Risk Planning Committee (15 Oct 2020 to 24 Nov 2021)
• Minister of State (Universities and Science) (12 May 2010 to 15 Jul 2014)
• Shadow Minister (Education) ( 3 Jul 2007 to 6 May 2010)
• Shadow Secretary of State for Education ( 8 Dec 2005 to 3 Jul 2007)
• Shadow Secretary of State (Trade and Industry) (10 May 2005 to 8 Dec 2005)
• Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (18 Sep 2001 to 10 May 2005)
• Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (15 Jun 1999 to 18 Sep 2001)
• Shadow Secretary of State for Education ( 2 Jun 1998 to 15 Jun 1999)
• Paymaster General (HM Treasury) (20 Jul 1996 to 15 Dec 1996)
• Parliamentary Secretary (Duchy of Lancaster Office) (28 Nov 1995 to 15 Dec 1996)
• The Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury ( 8 Jul 1995 to 28 Nov 1995)
• Assistant Whip (HM Treasury) (20 Jul 1994 to 7 Jul 1995)
• Member, Social Security Committee (27 Apr 1992 to 6 Dec 1993)

Public bill committees (Sittings attended)

• Intellectual Property Bill Committee (4 out of 4)
• Commonwealth Bill Committee (1 out of 1)