Commons debate: Energy and Climate Change: Topical Questions
Jonathan Ashworth: The Secretary of State will be aware that in the last few days the National Grid Company has said it would welcome greater independent auditing of its contracting arrangements with STOR-short-term operating reserve-aggregators. Given that the National Grid admits that it buys 500 phantom MW a year, which it presumably passes on to consumers, will the Secretary of State now insist... More...

Commons debate: Business of the House
Jonathan Ashworth: Given that the Leader of the House seems, if I may say so, to be struggling somewhat to bring forward items of business, may I suggest that he schedules a debate on the important work of faith organisations in what I presume he would describe as the big society? Will he also join me in congratulating Leicester's council of faiths, now in its 25th year, on its successful inter-faith week? More...

Written Answers - Education: Children's Centres
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what estimate he has made of the number of Sure Start children's centres there will be in 2015. More...

Living Standards
Opposition Day — [Un-allotted Day]
Jonathan Ashworth: I think it was the Governor of the Bank of England who said earlier this year that households in 2011 would experience the toughest squeeze in living standards since the 1920s.

That has been endorsed by the OBR, which stated yesterday that household disposable income is forecast to have fallen by 2.3 per cent this year, a post-war record... Click to read entire speech...

Photo right shows Jon speaking during the debate on living standards on Wednesday November 30 2011.

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Oral Answers to Questions: Prime Minister: Industrial Action
Jonathan Ashworth: Does the Paymaster General not recognise that many public sector workers taking industrial action today do so reluctantly, with a heavy heart and because they feel that what is on offer is simply not fair?

May I press him a little further on his answers to my hon. Friends the Members for Birmingham, Northfield (Richard Burden) and for West Dunbartonshire (Gemma Doyle)? Is he now saying that he is definitely prepared to countenance meaningful negotiations on the 3% increase?

Photo right shows Jon speaking during the debate on industrial action on Wednesday November 30 2011

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London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (Amendment) Bill (Programme) (No. 2):
Schedule 5 - Power to modify or transfer functions: bodies and offices
Jonathan Ashworth: Like my hon. Friend, I supported the British Legion's campaign throughout the Bill's passage. I want to put something on the record briefly. Many representatives of faith communities in the city of Leicester have approached me because of their concerns that coronial services need to be improved across the piece and be sensitive to faith communities's needs. I wanted to put... More...

Oral Answers to Questions - Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Autumn Statement
Jonathan Ashworth: May I push the Chancellor a little further on borrowing, because so far in the exchanges he has not quite brought himself to admit that he is going to be borrowing £158 billion more than he planned to borrow a year ago? Will he confirm that that is the case-yes or no? More...

Written Answers - Energy and Climate Change: Electricity Generation
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) if he will re-open his Department's consultation on possible models for a capacity mechanism to seek views on the issue of phantom megawatts; (2) what consideration his Department gave to phantom megawatts in its recent consultation on possible models for a capacity mechanism. More...

Written Answers - Transport: Departmental Consultants
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which consultants and advisers her Department has employed in respect of the (a) Thameslink programme, (b) Thameslink rolling stock procurement and (c) Intercity Express programme; how much she has budgeted in respect of each such contractor; and how much each contractor has invoiced to date. More...

Written Answers - Education: Children's Centres: Leicester
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many children have participated in Sure Start services in Leicester South constituency since its introduction. More...

Oral Answers to Questions - Education: Northern Rock
Jonathan Ashworth: Will the Financial Secretary confirm, so that we are clear, that the Treasury did not apply to the European Commission for an extension of the 2013 deadline? Will he also confirm, further to his answer to the hon. Member for North West Leicestershire (Andrew Bridgen), that given the price of shares in Lloyds and RBS, the Government and UKFI have no immediate plans to sell off their... More...

Written Answers - Transport: Aviation: Security
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 8 November 2011, Official Report, column 186W, on aviation: security, what representations she has received from faith groups on the trial of alternative screening processes for religious headgear at airports. More...

Written Answers - Business, Innovation and Skills: Higher Education: Admissions
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many UCAS applications have been submitted by residents of (a) Leicester South constituency, (b) the City of Leicester, (c) Leicestershire and (d) the East Midlands in the 2011-12 admissions cycle to date; and how many such applications had been submitted on the same date in the 2010-11 admissions cycle. More...

Written Answers - Justice: Bereaved Organisations Committee
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 8 November 2011, Official Report, column 256W, on coroners, whether representatives of any faith groups will sit on his proposed Bereaved Organisations Committee. More...

Written Answers - - Treasury: Bank Services: Islam
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with financial institutions on the provision of Sharia compliant bank accounts, savings accounts and mortgages; and what estimate he has made of the take-up of such accounts and mortgages in the latest period for which figures are available. More...

Written Answers - Women and Equalities: Hate Crime
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what steps she is taking to tackle hate crime. More...

Written Answers - Energy and Climate Change: Electricity Generation
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) what assessment he has made of the effect of phantom megawatts on the security of the national electricity supply; (2) what steps his Department has taken to audit the use of publicly-owned generators by short-term operating reserve aggregators... More...

Written Answers - Transport: Aviation: Security
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions she has had with her EU counterparts on the UK's trial of the swabbing of religious and cultural headgear at airports. More...

Written Answers - Transport: Aviation: Security
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions she has had with airport operators on the extension of the trial of the swabbing of religious and cultural headgear to all airports in the UK. More...

Written Answers - Justice: Coroners
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what discussions he has had with faith groups on his proposals for the future of the Office of Chief Coroner. More...

Written Answers - Prime Minister: Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Prime Minister how many of his (a) officials and (b) special advisers accompanied him on his recent visit to the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting. More...

Business of the House - Commons debate
Jonathan Ashworth: Could the Leader of the House find time for a debate on the future of local and regional newspapers, many of which have been under some strain recently? Is the right hon. Gentleman as delighted as I am that following my representations, the Leicester Mercury is now available in the Library? More...

Written Answers - International Development: Developing Countries: Disability
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which of his Department's country programmes specifically tackle exclusion of children with disabilities from education. More...

Written Answers - Business, Innovation and Skills: Students: Finance
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies spent on hotel expenses incurred (i) in the UK and (ii) abroad in 2010-11. More...

Written Answers - Treasury: Hotels
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 17 October 2011, Official Report, column 759W, on students: finance, on how many occasions he has exercised his discretion to allow a student who has interrupted studies due to illness... More...

Oral Answers to Questions - Cabinet Office: Third Sector Contracts
Jonathan Ashworth: What recent progress he has made in increasing the number of central Government contracts secured by the third sector. More...

Written Answers - International Development: Developing Countries: Disability
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what work his Department is undertaking with local disabled people's organisations in partner countries to reduce discrimination against children with disabilities in education. More...

Written Answers - International Development: Developing Countries: Disability
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what work his Department is undertaking with local disabled people's organisations in partner countries to reduce discrimination against children with disabilities in education. More...

Commons debate : Business, Innovation and Skills: Eurozone Crisis
Jonathan Ashworth: : May I just press the Chancellor a little further on the Prime Minister's desire to repatriate powers over employment and social policy? What discussions has he had so far with eurozone Finance Ministers on these matters and how many of them would he expect to support the Prime Minister's position? More...

Written Answers - Transport: Departmental Magazine Press
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether her Department produces a staff magazine; and with what frequency. More...

Written Answers - Culture Media and Sport: Libraries
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much he expects to save through the abolition of the Library Council for England. More...

Written Answers - Treasury: Jobcentre Plus
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last visited a Jobcentre Plus centre in an official capacity. More...

Oral Answers to Questions - Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Public Bodies Bill [Lords] (Programme)
Jonathan Ashworth: On that point, my hon. Friend will be aware that many people who work in those public bodies are very concerned about TUPE arrangements and feel that the arrangements in the Bill are not strong enough. It would have been good to hear from them in Committee and to get a chance to debate those issues in full then and today. More...

Oral Answers to Questions - Foreign and Commonwealth Office: New Clause 7 - Agricultural wages
Jonathan Ashworth: : I will speak briefly, as I am conscious of the comments of my right hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff South and Penarth (Alun Michael). I do not represent a rural constituency, but a city-centre constituency which, as the House of Commons Library tells me, has approximately zero agricultural workers living in it. It seems to me that this is about fairness. As many speakers have pointed out... More...

Oral Answers to Questions - Work and Pensions: European Council
Jonathan Ashworth: Ahead of tonight's vote, with a rebellion apparently looming, will the Prime Minister tell us what advice he has taken from the former Prime Minister, John Major? More...

Written Answers - Treasury: 11 Downing Street: Official Hospitality
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which charities have held receptions at No. 11 Downing street in the last 16 months. More...

Written Answers - Culture Media and Sport: Sportsgrounds: Safety
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much he expects to save through the abolition of the Sports Ground Safety Authority. More...

Written Answers - Prime Minister: Departmental Speeches
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Prime Minister whether (a) special advisers and (b) civil servants employed in his Office were given responsibility for checking the content of ministerial speeches delivered at the 2011 Conservative party conference. More...

Written Answers - Business, Innovation and Skills: Students: Finance
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what support his Department provides for care leavers after they turn 18 years. More...

Written Answers - Health: Children in Care
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what information his Department holds on the number of students who interrupted their studies due to illness in each of the last five years, but returned to study in the following academic year. More...

Business of the House
Jonathan Ashworth: Will the Leader of the House find time for a debate on the Prime Minister's attitude to youth unemployment? Last week, the Prime Minister told me that the future jobs fund provided only phoney jobs. Since then, I have been inundated with young people getting in touch with me to tell me that they had found genuine employment through the future jobs fund. Does the Leader of the House... More...

Oral Answers to Questions - Prime Minister: Cabinet Secretary Report (Government Response)
Jonathan Ashworth: A few moments ago, the Leader of the House said-if I heard him correctly-that other Ministers would be perfectly happy to reveal whether they had meetings with Mr Werritty. Will he therefore tell the House when we will get a full and comprehensive list of all meetings between Ministers and Mr Werritty and whether it will extend to senior officials, too? More...

Written Answers - Treasury: Departmental Disclosure of Information
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 10 October 2011, Official Report, column 126W, on departmental disclosure of information, if he will place in the Library the guidance setting out the timetables and processes for obtaining the necessary approvals or collective agreement ahead of party conferences. More...

Written Answers - Treasury: Departmental Theft
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what items worth more than £100 were stolen from his Department in 2010-11. More...

Written Answers - Business, Innovation and Skills: Students Loans Company
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what information his Department holds on the number of occasions the Student Loans Company has reassessed a student loan following representations from a university in the academic year 2010-11.More...

Written Answers - Transport: Departmental Official Hospitality
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what official (a) lunches, (b) dinners and (c) receptions he has hosted in each of the last 12 months; and what the (i) location, (ii) total cost to the public purse and (iii) purpose was of each such event. More...

Business of the House: Middle East and North Africa
Jonathan Ashworth: What estimate has the Foreign Office made of the number of Libyan students currently studying in the UK? There are a number in Leicester who have made representations to me. Will the Foreign Secretary update the House on what arrangements are in place to ensure that those students continue to get funding from Libya so that they can continue in their studies? More...

Written Answers - Treasury: Dorneywood
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a list of visitors he has hosted at Dorneywood who have received Government hospitality. More...

Written Answers - Treasury: News International
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a list of all meetings he has had with (a) proprietors, (b) senior executives and (c) editors of media organisations since his appointment. More...

Written Answers - Justice: Victims' Advisory Panel
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much he expects to save through the abolition of the Victims' Advisory Panel. More...

Answers to Questions - to the Prime Minister
During the session of questions from Members of Parliament to the Prime Minister on October 12, Jon Ashworth raised a question concerning people trying to find work.

In particular, Jon referred to a conversation he had with Hafsah Ali and Joseph Hayat from the Ready for Work campaign in Leicester.

Jon tackled the Prime Minister, saying "This week, I had the privilege of meeting Hafsah Ali and Joseph Hayat from the Ready for Work campaign. They are impressive young people campaigning against rising youth unemployment. Will the Prime Minister tell us what has happened to his vow earlier this year to reverse the trend of rising youth unemployment? Will he also tell the House when he last met a young unemployed person?"

Photos show Jon speaking during questions to the Prime Minister on October 12 2011.

Click to read the debate here:

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Public Bill Committee: Public Bodies Bill [Lords]: Schedule 5 - Power to modify or transfer functions: bodies and offices
Jonathan Ashworth: I wanted to speak on this amendment because I have received a considerable number of representations on this issue from the British Legion and people who supported its campaign. I want to say at the outset that I wholeheartedly support the British Legion and what it is trying to achieve. More...

Written Answers - Transport: Departmental Job Satisfaction
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport with what frequency his Department produces a staff survey; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the report of the most recent such survey. More...

Written Answers - Work and Pensions: Redundancy: Manufacturing Industries
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will calculate the cost to the public purse of redundancies in rail manufacturing in the East Midlands, including support for affected individuals and families in the comprehensive spending review period. More...

Written Answers - Business, Innovation and Skills: English Language: Education
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for (a) Communities and Local Government and (b) the Home Department on the effects on measures to promote community cohesion and integration of planned reductions in funding for English for Speakers of Other Languages. More...

Written Answers - Treasury: Departmental Job Satisfaction
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how often his Department conducts a staff survey; and if he will place a copy of the report of the most recent staff survey in the Library. More...

Written Answers - Treasury: Departmental Disclosure of Information
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether the Chief Secretary to the Treasury has issued guidance and instructions to Cabinet colleagues regarding the sign-off and agreement of policy announcements over the party conference season; and if he will place in the Library a copy of any such guidance; (2) when he plans to answer question 68179 on policy announcements during the party... More...

Written Answers - Treasury: 11 Downing Street: Official Hospitality
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what (a) official and (b) charity receptions he has held at 11 Downing street in 2010-11; and what the (i) date and (ii) cost to the public purse was of each. More...

Written Answers - Transport: Thameslink Railway Line: Rolling Stock
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his Department plans to spend on rail procurement consultants in (a) 2011, (b) 2012 and (c) 2013; and how much his Department expects to spend on consultants for the (i) Thameslink Rolling Stock programme and (ii) Intercity Express Programme. More...

Public Bill Committee: Public Bodies Bill [Lords]: Schedule 2 - Power to merge: bodies and offices
Jonathan Ashworth: I am absolutely delighted to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Amess. As a new Member elected four months ago and serving on my first Bill Committee, I hope the Committee will forgive and indulge me if my mastery of parliamentary etiquette has not reached the right level yet. More...

Written Answers - Transport: Railways: Manufacturing Industries
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessments his Department has made of the risks to the train building supply chain in the UK since January 2011; and what support his Department (a) has and (b) plans to provide to small and medium-sized enterprises in the train building industry in the East Midlands. More...

Oral Answers to Questions - Transport: Rolling Stock (Procurement)
Jonathan Ashworth: What recent assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of its procurement policy for rail rolling stock. More...

Oral Answers to Questions - Transport: Rolling Stock (Procurement)
Jonathan Ashworth: I am sorry that the Secretary of State feels that he is talking to a brick wall when Members raise legitimate concerns about the impact on jobs of the Bombardier decision. I am concerned about the impact on Leicester, where many firms are part of the supply chain. What reassurance can he give those firms now that the majority of our trains will be built abroad? More...

Written Answers - Treasury: Departmental Press: Subscriptions
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his Department spent on newspapers and periodicals in 2010-11. More...

Written Answers - Treasury: Taxis
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his Department spent on taxis in 2010-11. More...

Written Answers - Business, Innovation and Skills: English Language: Education
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to raise awareness of the symptoms of bladder cancer. More...

Written Answers - Health: Bladder Cancer
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the potential effects on community cohesion and integration of planned reductions in funding for English for speakers of other languages. More...

Written Answers - Business, Innovation and Skills: Overseas Trade: East Midlands
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to encourage the development of business and trade links between India and (a) Leicester and (b) the east midlands. More...

Public Bill Committee: Public Bodies Bill [Lords]:
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to encourage the development of business and trade links between India and (a) Leicester and (b) the east midlands. More...

Oral Answers to Questions - Cabinet Office - Public Disorder (Financial Cost)
Jonathan Ashworth: The Prime Minister will be aware that, in Leicester city centre, in my constituency, we had some instances of thuggish criminality, but thankfully not on the scale of other cities. However, the most disgraceful incident was the torching of Age Concern's ambulance bus, which takes many frail, elderly people to day care on a daily basis. Will the Prime Minister consider putting aside... More...

Prime Minister's Question Time - Leicester Police
Jon Ashworth, Labour MP for Leicester South, uses his first question at Prime Minister's Question Time to raise the effect of the cuts that Leicestershire Constabulary have to make.

Speaking in the Commons for the first time at PMQs, Jon Ashworth made reference to the TV documentary shown earlier in the year depicting alleged crime and anti social behaviour on the Saffron Lane Estate in his Constituency.

He then asked David Cameron: “In his assessment would the Prime Minister expect crime and anti-social behaviour in [Saffron Lane] estate and across Leicester to increase or decrease following his cut of 200 Police Officers in Leicestershire's Force?”

Photos show Jon speaking during Prime Minister's question time.

See the whole debate here> PM Question Time
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Written Answers - Treasury: Departmental Operating Costs
Jonathan Ashworth asked The Minister for the Cabinet Office : What estimate he has made of the financial cost to the voluntary and community sector organisations of recent public disorder in England. More...

Written Answers - Treasury: Departmental Operating Costs
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the running costs were of No. 11 Downing Street in 2010/11. More...

Written Answers - Business, Innovation and Skills: Education: English Language
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate his Department has made of the net saving to the Exchequer of proposed changes to the English for speakers of other languages provision. More...

Written Answers - Prime Minister: Cabinet: Chequers
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Prime Minister how many political cabinet meetings have taken place at Chequers since May 2010. More...

Public Disorder
Jonathan Ashworth: The Prime Minister will be aware that, in Leicester city centre, in my constituency, we had some instances of thuggish criminality, but thankfully not on the scale of other cities. However, the most disgraceful incident was the torching of Age Concern's ambulance bus, which takes many frail, elderly people to day care on a daily basis. Will the Prime Minister consider putting aside... More...

Public Disorder
Jonathan Ashworth: The Prime Minister will be aware that, in Leicester city centre, in my constituency, we had some instances of thuggish criminality, but thankfully not on the scale of other cities. However, the most disgraceful incident was the torching of Age Concern's ambulance bus, which takes many frail, elderly people to day care on a daily basis. Will the Prime Minister consider putting aside... More...

Commons debate: Betting Shops: Business, innovation and skills
Jonathan Ashworth: Let me begin by congratulating my hon. Friend the Member for Inverclyde (Mr McKenzie) on his eloquent and passionate maiden speech. Having made a maiden speech myself only two months ago, I can imagine the relief that he is feeling now that he has got through it and sat down, but his speech was excellent. I am also pleased that I am no longer the new boy in the House. I welcome the equality... More...

Written Answers - Business, Innovation and Skills: English Language: Education
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) what estimate he has made of the average student contribution to course fees for each level of study that will be required for those on inactive benefits to access English for speakers of other language courses in the 2011-12 academic year; (2) what the average course cost will be for English for speakers of other... More...

Business of the House
Jonathan Ashworth: Does the Leader of the House share my disappointment that the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has still not published the equality impact assessment of cuts to the provision of English for speakers of other language? He will be aware that many Members are seeking to raise the issue of ESOL provision... More...

Oral Answers to Questions - Health: Electricity Market Reform
Jonathan Ashworth: Many of my constituents are understandably angry about increased electricity and gas prices-British Gas is a striking example-so can the Secretary of State guarantee that these reforms will not contribute to increased energy prices in the short to medium term? More...

Written Answers - Business, Innovation and Skills: English Language
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) pursuant to the answer of 28 June 2011, Official Report, column 724W, on English language: Leicester, how many adult learners in (a) Leicester South constituency and (b) Leicester local authority area are eligible for a level of fee remission for English for Speakers of Other Languages courses; and how many of these will... More...

Written Answers - Business, Innovation and Skills: English Language
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) what estimate he has made of the number of people employed in teaching English for speakers of other languages courses; what estimate he has made of the likely number so employed after the implementation of his proposed funding changes; and if he will make a statement; (2) how many representations he has received (a) in... More...

1 Westminster Hall debate
Jonathan Ashworth: The hon. Gentleman and I have something in common, inasmuch as we have both been Leicester South by-election candidates, so I know that he is familiar with the city of Leicester. Does he agree not only that the games held there in 2009 were a great success for the city, and hugely beneficial and inspiring for many of the athletes, but that they played a great role in countering what might be... More...

Written Answers - Home Department: Counter-terrorism: Leicester
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to her Department's Prevent Strategy, what criteria she used to identify Leicester as a priority area. More...

Written Answers - Treasury: Revenue and Customs: Leicester
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what guidance has been issued to staff in the Leicester office of HM Revenue and Customs working in high risk renewals on dealing with self-assessment tax credit claims received by post. More...

Business of the House
Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, (1) how many women in Leicester South constituency, born between 6 December 1953 and 5 October 1954, will be required to wait an additional 18 months to claim a state pension under his plans to accelerate the change in the state pension age; (2) how many women from Leicester South constituency, born between 6 March 1954 and 5 April 1954. More...

Finance (No. 3) Bill: New Clause 11 - High cost credit lending
Jonathan Ashworth: May I commend my hon. Friend the Member for Walthamstow (Stella Creasy) for her tenacity in pursing this issue and say that her speech was a tour de force? Equally, I commend her for getting this issue discussed on Twitter, as this must be the first new clause on a Finance Bill to have generated this much interest on that site. I wish to make only a few brief remarks... More...

Business of the House
Jonathan Ashworth: The Leader of the House will be aware of the Government's upcoming cuts to provision for ESOL-English for speakers of other languages. He will also be aware that the Minister for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning has promised an equality impact assessment. Can he guarantee that that impact assessment is published before the recess and that there is a debate on its... More...

Oral Answers to Questions - Justice: Higher Education White Paper
Jonathan Ashworth: Does the Minister agree that higher education should be one of our greatest exports? Over many years, thousands of students have come over to study at the two universities in Leicester, yet with his comments on contact hours, the mess over student visas and the cuts to the teaching budget, more and more international students will choose institutions in Australia, Singapore and the USA... More...