Commons Sense

House of Commons · General Debate

Prime Minister

01 December 2021 · 19 other contributors

Opened by Bim Afolami Con Hitchin and Harpenden

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

At a glance

Bim Afolami raised concerns about prime minister in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • Minister responded to concerns about the Downing Street Christmas party, denying any breach of rules.
  • Addressed progress on the hospital building programme, noting opposition's previous vote against funding.
  • Government responses covered issues including air pollution, Pfizer's drug Paxlovid, and rail funding in Wales.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Government Response

Responded to concerns about the Downing Street Christmas party, denied any breach of rules and emphasised following current guidance. Addressed the hospital building programme and assured that progress is being made despite opposition voting against funding. Government responses addressed issues such as air pollution, Pfizer's drug Paxlovid, rail funding in Wales, levelling-up fund bids for Labour-run councils, criticism of nationality and borders bill, support for small businesses, and recognition of the Hillsborough disaster.

Other contributors (19)
  • Asked the Prime Minister about his engagements on Wednesday and inquired about plans to strengthen protections for the countryside while ensuring sustainable housing developments.

  • Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras

    Joined the Prime Minister's recognition of World AIDS Day and criticised the Government for hosting a Christmas party during lockdown. He also questioned the progress on building 40 new hospitals as promised in the manifesto.

  • Andrew Rosindell Con Romford

    Suggested breaking free from constraints of the European convention on human rights to tackle illegal immigration and called for a British Bill of Rights.

  • Boris Johnson Con UK

    The Prime Minister discussed reviewing the human rights system, supporting the Nationality and Borders Bill to distinguish illegal from legal migrants, and defended his actions regarding lockdown rules. He also addressed concerns about travel restrictions during the pandemic, childcare costs, farming support, online safety regulations, women's health issues, levelling-up agenda, police funding, and Gibraltar’s future relationship with the EU.

  • Ian Blackford SNP Ross, Skye and Lochaber

    Mr. Blackford raised concerns about the Prime Minister's misconduct during lockdowns and questioned the effectiveness of current international travel restrictions based on SAGE advice, urging for tighter measures to protect public health.

  • John Penrose Con South West Devon

    Mr. Penrose advocated for a review of childcare costs, arguing they reduce opportunities for working families and deepen gender pay gaps, proposing an immediate review to design out internationally uncompetitive costs while ensuring quality care.

  • Edward Davey Lib Dem Kingston and Surbiton

    Mr. Davey highlighted the plight of farmers facing reduced payments under the new support system and urged for a temporary halt to cuts until the new scheme is fully rolled out to prevent farm bankruptcies.

  • Damian Collins Con Folkestone and Hythe

    Mr. Collins questioned Facebook's role in allowing human trafficking gangs to operate on their platforms, advocating for stricter regulation through the Online Safety Bill to remove illegal content promoting such activities.

  • Emma Hardy Lab Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice

    Ms. Hardy raised concerns about women suffering from mesh implant damage, recommending redress based on the Cumberlege report’s recommendations for affected individuals.

  • Brendan Clarke-Smith Con Bassetlaw

    Mr. Clarke-Smith discussed the need for regeneration and flood solutions in Worksop, expressing disappointment over missed grant deadlines and seeking support to improve future bids.

  • Colleen Fletcher Lab Wolverhampton South East

    Ms. Fletcher highlighted the shortage of police officers in the West Midlands despite planned recruitments, urging for a fairer funding deal to return officer numbers to 2010 levels.

  • David Jones Con Clwyd West

    Mr. Jones asked about supporting Gibraltar's future as being British, excluding any role for the European Court of Justice in its relationship with the EU.

  • Christine Jardine Lib Dem Edinburgh West

    My constituency of Edinburgh West has some of the most polluted streets in our country, with one in 29 deaths related to air pollution. We do not meet World Health Organisation guidelines and will the Prime Minister meet me to discuss my private Member’s Bill to tackle the issue?

  • David Davis Con Goole and Pocklington

    The drug company Pfizer has announced a new treatment called Paxlovid, which is roughly 90% successful at stopping death. As a supplement to vaccines, this could prevent future emergency restrictions globally. What are the Government doing to secure supplies of this revolutionary treatment and build factories in Britain?

  • Jessica Morden Lab Newport East

    Wales receives only 2% of UK rail enhancement funding despite having 11% of the network. The country is being denied billions from HS2 consequential funding, and there has been under-delivery on rail in both Wales and northern regions. Why should anyone trust this Government to deliver promises?

  • Getting investment into Gedling is important. A levelling-up fund bid by the Labour-run council was unsuccessful, but help from the Government will be available for future bids.

  • Imran Hussain Lab Bradford East

    The Home Secretary’s Nationality and Borders Bill could revoke British citizenship based on minor wrongdoings. Given past treatment of minorities by the Government, when is this policy coming to affect them?

  • Gareth Davies Con Grantham and Bourne

    This Saturday is Small Business Saturday with support from local businesses like Kays of Grantham, Stamford Notebook Company, and the Bourne Bookshop. Will the Prime Minister assure continued commitment to high streets long into the future?

  • Ian Byrne Lab Liverpool West Derby

    Next week marks the awarding of the Freedom of Liverpool to Andrew Devine, a Hillsborough victim who passed away this year at 55. The inquest ruled he was unlawfully killed as a result of the disaster. Will the Prime Minister meet me to discuss adding the Hillsborough disaster to the national curriculum?

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