Behind the scenes: what does your MP do?

File photo dated 17/5/2000 of the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, central London. Politicians with "poor ethical standards" should face tougher sanctions, including apologies, fines, and resignations, a review by the anti-corruption watchdog has claimed while calling for a radical overhaul of the system. The investigation by Lord Evans of Weardale, chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, was commissioned after the Greensill scandal, which saw former prime minister David Cameron escaping punishment, despite privately lobbying ministers in efforts to secure access to an emergency coronavirus loan scheme for Greensill before its collapse.

With MPs back in the House of Commons following the Easter break, we take a look at what contribution Matthew Pennycook makes to Parliament.

In the second of this series, analysis of figures from the House of Commons Library shows some of the work that the Labour MP for Greenwich and Woolwich does behind the scenes.

Much of the day-to-day business of being an MP takes place in committees, which examine issues in detail, from government policy and proposed new laws, to wider topics like the economy.

Matthew Pennycook, who has an opposition role, was sitting on one committee, as of March 7 this year – Nuclear Energy (Financing) Bill.

The average sitting MP was a part of two committees, while around a quarter were not part of any.

Meanwhile, two Labour MPs were members of 11 each.

Members can also be active in informal, cross-party All-Party Parliamentary Groups, for those who share a common interest in a particular policy area, region or country.

Mr Pennycook, 39, had a role in one APPG – the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Short Lets Sector.

The vast majority of bills that the House passes into law come from the ruling party, but MPs – typically those not in Government – can also introduce legislation through Private Members' bills.

Very few of them become law but it can create publicity around an issue, or affect future legislation indirectly.

Matthew Pennycook presented none of these bills between the state opening of Parliament on December 16 2019 and March 7.

The same was true for the majority of his parliamentary colleagues.

Over this period, he has signed three Early Day Motions – which are another way an MP can draw attention to a particular issue, though they rarely result in any action being taken.

MPs can also bring forward petitions, calling for Government action, on behalf of their constituents – but Matthew Pennycook has not presented any.

Finally, Members can apply for certain types of debates or Urgent Questions to initiate discussions on a topic in the Commons or Westminster Hall.

Matthew Pennycook, who was elected to his seat on May 7, 2015, has been granted one of these applications during this Parliament.

John O'Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "These figures give taxpayers some much-needed insight into the workloads of their Westminster representatives.

"Given the average MP now costs over £200,000 in total, constituents are right to expect them to deliver on their duties.

"It's up to the electorate to decide if parliamentarians are earning their keep."

The Institute for Public Policy Research said the essence of democracy is MPs linking citizens to policymaking.

But Dr Parth Patel, research fellow at the think tank, said their research shows that the vast majority of citizens no longer believe they have the most sway over policy decisions made by their representatives, and that trust in MPs is nosediving.

"We need an active and empowered Parliament, with MPs on all sides of the house able to speak their minds and act in the interests of their constituents.

"When participating in debates, MPs must remember to put citizens at the heart of everything they do and say in their name."