Lord Benyon, former MP

Votes
Appearances
Profile
Register of Interests

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.

A selection of Lord Benyon’s votes

See full list of topics voted on

Generally voted for fewer MPs in the House of Commons Show votes 5 votes for, 1 vote against, 2 absences, between 2010–2016.
Consistently voted for university tuition fees Show votes 4 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2010–2017.
Consistently voted for replacing Trident with a new nuclear weapons system Show votes 7 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2007–2016.
Almost always voted against paying higher benefits over longer periods for those unable to work due to illness or disability Show votes 0 votes for, 13 votes against, 2 absences, between 2011–2016.
Almost always voted for a reduction in spending on welfare benefits Show votes 45 votes for, 0 votes against, 9 absences, between 2012–2016.
Consistently voted against raising welfare benefits at least in line with prices Show votes 0 votes for, 5 votes against, in 2013.

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

Recent appearances

Written Answers — Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Avian Influenza 30 Dec 2021

Defra’s avian influenza disease control measures aim to minimise the economic burden of the outbreak on the food, farming and tourism industries and the wider economy. The Department works closely with poultry industry stakeholders and the impacts of the avian influenza outbreak are being monitored closely. Where avian influenza is confirmed on a premises, the producer receives...
Written Answers — Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Food: Production 30 Dec 2021

The UK has a highly resilient food supply chain, as demonstrated throughout the Covid-19 response. It is well equipped to deal with situations with the potential to cause disruption. Our high degree of food security is built by supply from diverse sources; strong domestic production as well as imports through stable trade routes. This provides us with the resilience we need in the face of...
Written Answers — Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Horticulture: Seasonal Workers 30 Dec 2021

Defra is considering the latest data and working with the ornamental horticulture production industry to understand labour demand and supply, including both permanent and seasonal workforce requirements. We will continue to monitor the labour needs of the ornamental horticulture sector and help to ensure that these are met. In December 2020, a Defra-led review into automation in horticulture...

More of Lord Benyon’s recent appearances

RSS feed (?)

Profile

Conservative Peer

Entered the House of Lords on 26 January 2021

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

Entered the House of Commons on 5 May 2005 — General election

Party was Conservative until 3 Sep 2019; Independent until 6 Nov 2019

Also represented Newbury

Social Media

Expenses

Topics of interest

Lord Benyon campaigned to remain in the European Union Source: BBC

Environment Food and Rural Affairs
Home Department
Business
Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
Defence
Department for Environment
Food and Rural Affairs
Whales: Conservation
Fisheries: Quotas
Defence: Exports
Fisheries
War Pensions Committee

Currently held offices

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (since 13 May 2021)

Other offices held in the past

Member, Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament (16 Nov 2017 to 6 Nov 2019)
Member, Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament (16 Nov 2017 to 6 Nov 2019)
Member, Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament (20 Oct 2016 to 3 May 2017)
Member, Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament (20 Oct 2016 to 3 May 2017)
Member, Defence Sub-Committee (8 Sep 2015 to 31 Oct 2016)
Member, Defence Committee (6 Jul 2015 to 31 Oct 2016)
Member, Committees on Arms Export Controls (3 Nov 2014 to 30 Mar 2015)
Member, Committees on Arms Export Controls (3 Nov 2014 to 30 Mar 2015)
Member, Committees on Arms Export Controls (3 Nov 2014 to 30 Mar 2015)
Member, Defence Committee (3 Nov 2014 to 30 Mar 2015)
Member, Environmental Audit Committee (26 Jul 2010 to 25 Nov 2013)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (17 May 2010 to 7 Oct 2013)
Shadow Minister (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) (19 Jan 2009 to 6 May 2010)
Opposition Whip (Commons) (3 Jul 2007 to 19 Jan 2009)
Member, Home Affairs Committee (12 Jul 2005 to 22 Oct 2007)

Public bill committees (Sittings attended)

Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Bill Committee (6 out of 6)
Marine and Coastal Access Bill Committee (9 out of 9)
Planning Bill Committee (17 out of 18)
Sustainable Communities Bill Committee (6 out of 11)
Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Bill Committee (4 out of 7)

Register of Members’ Interests

Last updated: 5 Nov 2019.

1. Employment and earnings

From 15 October 2015, director and Chair of the UK Water Partnership, a not for profit company set up to promote the interests of the UK water sector. Until further notice, I will be paid £15,000 a year (£3,750 quarterly) for an expected annual commitment of 12-14 days. (Registered 28 October 2015)

2. (a) Support linked to an MP but received by a local party organisation or indirectly via a central party organisation

Name of donor: Sir Philip Wroughton
Address of donor: private

Amount of donation, or nature and value if donation in kind: £3,000

Donor status: individual

(Registered 12 December 2018)

6. Land and property portfolio: (i) value over £100,000 and/or (ii) giving rental income of over £10,000 a year

Landholdings in Hampshire and Berkshire (some in my constituency) comprising farmland, residential and commercial property, some potential development land, woodlands and gravel workings, for some of which rent is received: (i) and (ii)
Residential and commercial property in Hackney, for which rent is received: (i) and (ii)

Rural land and property in Inverness-shire: (i)

The majority of property in these estates is held in family trusts in the trusteeship of Englefield Estate Trust Corporation Limited, of which I am Director. This is the trustee of various family trusts in all of which either I or members of my wider family have beneficial interests. (Updated 9 January 2014)

9. Family members employed and paid from parliamentary expenses

I employ my sister, Catherine Haig, as part time Senior Researcher. (Registered 26 January 2017)

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

More about the register

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 Benyon