Claire Coutinho · Conservative and Unionist Party
South East, England
: 73,307
Con held for 5 consecutive elections.
MP News Approval i
+30
Claire Coutinho
Conservative and Unionist PartyThe Rt Hon Claire Coutinho is the Conservative MP for East Surrey, and has been an MP continually since 12 December 2019. She currently undertakes the roles of Shadow Minister (Equalities), and Shadow Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Sign up free to read the full briefing on Claire Coutinho.
Sign up freeCoverage of East Surrey has been mixed for Claire across 40 recent articles.
Positive coverage
“Fossil Fuels - No2NuclearPower” — No2NuclearPower
“Tories call for more drilling in North Sea with new draft law” — STV News
Critical coverage
“GB News star skewers MP with three words as energy row explodes” — EXPRESS
“Kemi the attention-seeker somehow always makes two plus two equal five | John Crace” — The Guardian
Represented by Con since 2024. Covers Caterham, Oxted and South Merstham. Population 94,718.
Abolished UK county could return in major change to maps - axed in 1965
EXPRESS · 7 Apr 2026
Sign up free to see how Claire Coutinho votes, their stance profile, speeches, and committee roles.
Sign up freeMedian Income▼
£35,700
per year (HMRC 2022-23)
Mean Income▼
£57,900
per year (HMRC 2022-23)
Businesses▼
5,355
VAT/PAYE registered (ONS 2024)
Schools▼
52
26 primary, 4 secondary, 22 other
Total Income Tax▼
£761m
from 57,000 taxpayers
Median Tax▼
£4,090
per taxpayer / year
Mean Tax
£13,400
per taxpayer / year
Source: HMRC Survey of Personal Incomes, tax year 2022-23. Allocated by taxpayer residence. Covers income tax only — excludes NI, VAT, and capital gains. Sample-based estimate (~8% confidence interval).
Attainment 8▼
42.3
average score (DfE)
GCSE Pass Rate▼
61.1%
5+ GCSEs 9-4 (DfE)
5 towns, 16 villages, rural areas — 99,163 total population
Source: ONS Built-Up Areas (Census 2021) + data.police.uk — crime rates are per 1,000 population (last 3 months)
Source: data.police.uk — street-level crime data aggregated from LSOA to constituency
23 councillors across 9 wards · Last elections: May 2024
| Ward | Party | Councillor | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bletchingley Nutfield | Independent Berwick Hills Resident | Helena Mary Windsor | May 2024 |
| Bletchingley & Nutfield Residents | Louise Case | May 2024 | |
| Liberal Democrats | Richard Fowler | May 2024 | |
| Burstow Horne Outwood | Burstow, Horne & Outwood Residents | Ashleigh Bolton | May 2024 |
| Burstow, Horne & Outwood Residents | Richard John Smith | May 2024 | |
| Burstow, Horne & Outwood Residents | Sue Farr | May 2024 | |
| Dormansland Felbridge | Conservative and Unionist Party | Lesley Steeds | May 2024 |
| Dormansland & Felbridge Residents | Nicholas White | May 2024 | |
| Dormansland & Felbridge Residents | Nicola O'Riordan | May 2024 | |
| Hooley Merstham Netherne | Green Party of England and Wales | Joel Gabriel | May 2024 |
| Lingfield Crowhurst | Lingfield & Crowhurst Residents | Julie Margaret Duggan | May 2024 |
| Independent Berwick Hills Resident | Liz Lockwood | May 2024 | |
| Lingfield & Crowhurst Residents | Peter Richard George Killick | May 2024 | |
| Oxted North | Oxted & Limpsfield Residents Group | Catherine Mary Sayer | May 2024 |
| Oxted & Limpsfield Residents Group | Chris Bassett | May 2024 | |
| Oxted & Limpsfield Residents Group | Peter John Damesick | May 2024 | |
| Portley Queens Park | Liberal Democrats | Ben Horne | May 2024 |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Michael John William Cooper | May 2024 | |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Richard Mark | May 2024 | |
| Tatsfield Titsey | Independent Berwick Hills Resident | Martin William Allen | May 2024 |
| Warlingham East Chelsham Farleigh | Liberal Democrats | Anna Serena Patel | May 2024 |
| Independent Berwick Hills Resident | Jeremy Pursehouse | May 2024 | |
| Liberal Democrats | Perry Chotai | May 2024 |
Source: DCLEAPIL v1.0 by Jason Leman, LEAP (Andrew Teale) & Democracy Club. CC BY-SA 4.0. Data last refreshed: 1 Apr 2026.
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
✓ Won 2019 GE | Con | 17,502 | 35.6% |
| Lab | 10,052 | 20.4% | |
| LD | 8,833 | 17.9% | |
| Ref | 8,380 | 17.0% | |
| Green | 2,957 | 6.0% | |
| Ind | 1,145 | 2.3% | |
| Ind | 327 | 0.7% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
✓ Won 2024 GE | Con | 35,624 | 59.7% |
| LD | 11,584 | 19.4% | |
| Lab | 8,247 | 13.8% | |
| Green | 2,340 | 3.9% | |
| Ind | 1,374 | 2.3% | |
| Ind | 521 | 0.9% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
✓ Won 2015 GEWon 2010 GE | Con | 35,310 | 59.6% |
| Lab | 11,396 | 19.3% | |
| LD | 6,197 | 10.5% | |
| Ind | 2,973 | 5.0% | |
| Ind | 2,227 | 3.8% | |
| Green | 1,100 | 1.9% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
✓ Won 2017 GEWon 2010 GE | Con | 32,211 | 57.4% |
| Ind | 9,553 | 17.0% | |
| Lab | 6,627 | 11.8% | |
| LD | 5,189 | 9.3% | |
| Green | 2,159 | 3.9% | |
| Ind | 364 | 0.7% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
✓ Won 2017 GEWon 2015 GE | Con | 31,007 | 56.8% |
| LD | 14,133 | 25.9% | |
| Lab | 4,925 | 9.0% | |
| Ind | 3,770 | 6.9% | |
| Ind | 422 | 0.8% | |
| Ind | 383 | 0.7% |
Claire Coutinho appeared in 1 national article across 2 topics (14 Apr 2026 – 14 Apr 2026)
Positive (+0.60)Ranked #120 of 286 MPs mentioned in national coverage
Effectively criticises government inaction and defends women's rights, positioning the Opposition as more committed to women's safety.
5 articles hidden as not sufficiently relevant to this constituency
The UK government is reorganising local authorities and replacing the two-tier system with unitary councils by 2029. East Surrey will become one of two new unitary councils when Surrey County Council is split in 2027, alongside West Surrey.
Analysis shows the UK saved £2.5bn in 2025 by using North Sea gas instead of importing LNG, sparking renewed debate over expanding domestic drilling. The government is divided on whether to approve new North Sea projects, with energy sector advocates arguing for more drilling while environmental groups warn it won't lower bills and delays renewable transition.
The article outlines UK-wide financial changes from April 2026, including increases to benefits, pensions, minimum wage, and household bills. East Surrey residents will be affected by a notable 11% water bill increase from Sutton and East Surrey Water, alongside rises in council tax (4.9%), broadband, and TV licences.
Multiple articles discuss oil and gas drilling policy amid energy security concerns following Iranian action. Claire Coutinho, the shadow energy secretary, criticises the Labour government's refusal to expand North Sea drilling, arguing it weakens Britain's energy independence and makes households more vulnerable to global price shocks.
The article criticizes Labour's plans to reintroduce the 'socioeconomic duty' in the Equality Act and introduce mandatory ethnicity and disability pay-gap reporting for large employers, arguing these create bureaucratic burden and potential discrimination. The piece quotes shadow equalities minister Claire Coutinho opposing the new reporting requirements.
Multiple UK household bills are rising from 1 April 2025, including council tax (average 4.9% in England), water bills (5.4% average with Sutton and East Surrey facing 11% increases), broadband, mobile phones, car tax, and air passenger duty. Energy bills are falling by 7%, but charities warn households are being stretched to breaking point despite government support measures.
A 32-year-old man from East Grinstead died at East Surrey Hospital in July 2024 after not receiving prescribed anti-clotting medication for two weeks due to staff safety concerns, an inquest heard. The hospital consultant apologised and confirmed changes have been made to prevent similar incidents.
A teacher at Warlingham School in Surrey was banned from the profession indefinitely after a panel found he engaged in inappropriate relationships with pupils, including giving one a vape, driving her alone, and having sexual conversations. The school acted promptly in suspending and dismissing him when the misconduct came to light.
UK households face significant bill increases from April 2026, including a 4.9% council tax rise, 5.4% water bill increases, and hikes in broadband and mobile costs, though energy bills will fall 7%. East Surrey Water customers specifically face an 11% water bill increase, making this directly relevant to the constituency.
Ofgem's energy price cap is forecast to rise 18 per cent to £1,929 annually in July due to global oil and gas price volatility, particularly from Middle East conflict disruptions. Shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho calls for greater exploitation of North Sea oil reserves to generate tax revenue for household support.
Household energy bills are forecast to rise by £288 annually from July due to geopolitical tensions affecting global oil and gas supplies. The article highlights pressure on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to provide support, with Shadow Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho (East Surrey MP) calling for immediate £200 bill cuts through VAT removal rather than targeted bailouts.
British households face significant bill increases in April 2026 across council tax, water, broadband, and mobile services, with Sutton and East Surrey water customers facing an 11% hike. While energy bills will drop 7%, this is offset by broader cost-of-living pressures that consumer groups warn will push many families to financial limits.
Shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho criticises the government's energy policy, arguing that increased North Sea drilling could reduce energy bills but the government prioritises net zero ideology over cost-of-living relief. The article reports on government tax windfalls from oil and gas levies and a private energy company's bill-reduction scheme.
The Conservative Party has published draft legislation to remove legal obstacles to North Sea oil and gas drilling, reversing the Rosebank project block. Shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho argues the measures will cut energy bills by £200, boost energy security, and create jobs, while attacking Labour's energy policy.
Hassan Moosa, a teacher at Warlingham School in Surrey, has been banned from the teaching profession after admitting to buying vapes for a pupil, having inappropriate sexual conversations with students, and giving a girl unsupervised lifts home. The Teaching Regulation Agency issued a prohibition order, finding his conduct unacceptable and potentially damaging to public trust in teachers.
John Crace's opinion piece criticizes Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch for contradictory and attention-seeking policy positions on the Iran war and energy policy, specifically calling out her flawed understanding of North Sea oil extraction and energy costs. The article mentions that Claire Coutinho, the current East Surrey MP and shadow energy secretary, previously understood the limitations of North Sea drilling when in government but has now shifted positions to support Badenoch's energy agenda.
East Surrey Hospital in Redhill has declared a critical incident due to a Norovirus outbreak combined with high demand on emergency services, resulting in temporary visiting restrictions across all wards. The trust is asking the public to avoid attendance if they have had recent gastrointestinal symptoms and is implementing additional infection control measures.
Claire Coutinho, East Surrey's MP, criticizes Labour's Ed Miliband for refusing to allow North Sea drilling, arguing the government should use British resources to reduce energy bills. Coutinho outlines her alternative plan claiming it would cut household energy bills by £200 and business electricity costs by 20% through reduced taxes and levies.
GB News presenter Stephen Dixon engaged in a heated on-air clash with Tory MP Claire Coutinho over energy policy during a discussion of the fuel crisis. The confrontation involved the Shadow Energy Secretary and reflected broader political tensions around energy costs.
Kemi Badenoch, Conservative leader, is proposing a 'Cheap Power Plan' involving VAT cuts on energy bills and North Sea drilling to save families £200 annually. Claire Coutinho, East Surrey's MP and Shadow Energy Secretary, is quoted supporting the plan and criticising Labour's energy policy.
Tandridge District Council has approved plans to use a Government-backed High Street Rental Auction to force a long-empty post office building on Station Avenue in Caterham back into use, addressing what councillors described as a significant eyesore. The project, expected to cost around £15,000, faces challenges including multiple property owners, high asking prices, and uncertainty about recovering costs, though councillors view it as a potential way to revive the town centre.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch clashed with the BBC over energy policy, defending the Tory 'Get Britain Drilling' campaign to maximise North Sea oil and gas reserves. The article highlights Claire Coutinho, MP for East Surrey and shadow energy secretary, as having previously stated the plan wouldn't necessarily save much money—a position Badenoch attempted to defend during the interview.
Southern trains serving Croydon will face cancellations, diversions, and bus replacements on Sunday, March 29 due to engineering work between East Croydon and Purley. Multiple rail lines will operate on reduced or amended timetables, affecting commuters across the region including connections to Reigate and surrounding areas.
Lance Percival, a taxi driver from Oxted in East Surrey, had his prison sentence increased from 12.5 years to 20 years following intervention by the Solicitor General under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme. Percival had repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted a vulnerable passenger over five years, with evidence found on an SD card.
Subscribe to unlock AI parliamentary agenda analysis: what's coming up, how it affects this constituency, and how your MP is likely to vote.
See plansSign up free to ask AI questions about Claire Coutinho — 3 questions per month on the free tier.
Sign up freeMore constituency data is being added, including local issue analysis and historical trends. Learn about our methodology. View data sources & attribution.