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Prime Minister
02 March 2022
Lead MP
Graham Stuart
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
UkraineTaxationAgriculture & Rural AffairsStandards & Ethics
Other Contributors: 19
At a Glance
Graham Stuart raised concerns about prime minister in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Questions the Prime Minister about accelerating military supplies to Ukrainians and maintaining support for refugees fleeing war.
Keir Starmer
Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Asks the Prime Minister why Roman Abramovich is not facing sanctions despite his links with Putin's regime, questions the delay in sanctioning Igor Shuvalov, and seeks immediate action to expose ill-gotten Russian loot.
Ian Blackford
SNP
Ross, Skye and Lochaber
Joined Neil Parish's sentiments and condemned Putin as a war criminal. Urged the UK to sign up for prosecution of crime of aggression by the International Criminal Court. Also called on the Prime Minister to waive visa requirements for Ukrainian refugees.
James Daly
Con
Bury North
Disagreed with the Mayor's plan to impose a clean air charging zone in Greater Manchester, believing it would harm jobs and be based on flawed data. Sought support from the Prime Minister to scrap this plan.
Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Expressed concern for 173 Ukrainian colleagues of a constituent who are unable to enter the UK due to visa requirements. Criticised lack of humanitarian corridor and asked why UK would not waive all visa requirements like Ireland.
Andy Carter
Con
Warrington South
Asked for support from Prime Minister on campaign for new hospital in Warrington to address health inequalities and level up opportunities.
Judith Cummins
Lab
Bradford South
Highlighted the need to break economic dependency on Russia and China, emphasising national security must include secure energy sources. Called for a doubling of hydrogen production target for 2030.
Ruth Edwards
Con
Waveney
Asked Prime Minister to review VAT rate for commercial defibrillators and meet with Dylan's family to discuss this issue, following tragedy involving a young footballer who collapsed and died during a game.
Bill Esterson
Lab
Sefton Central
Called on the Prime Minister to instruct Conservative party to give £2 million accepted from Lubov Chernukhin to Ukrainian humanitarian causes. Highlighted suspicious origin of money and the need for transparency.
Liam Fox
Con
North Somerset
Emphasised that choices have consequences in the context of Putin's actions against Ukraine, calling on Russian military and oligarchs to dissociate themselves from regime.
Kate Osborne
Lab
Jarrow and Gateshead East
Over half a million people in the UK are immunocompromised, and many charities such as the MS Society are not reassured by the Government’s lifting of restrictions around free testing and isolation. To protect this group, free covid-19 testing must continue for them and their families, friends, and unpaid carers.
Asked about a foreign lobbying Bill and an economic crime Bill. He also expressed concern over the influence of Russian law firms in ensuring safe passage for money flows offshore and intimidating those who would investigate state corruption.
Chris Bryant
Lab
Rhondda and Ogmore
Putin is the only enemy, but the UK has not sanctioned key Russian figures or used parliamentary privilege to bring out information about these sanctions. We need to sanction individuals like Sergei Shoigu, Igor Osipov, Usmanov, Sechin, Peskov, Abramovich, Roldugin and Members of the Russian Duma who voted for this war.
The Prime Minister should step in before it is too late to slash red tape to make Britain more internationally competitive. The Government abandoned a proven one-in, two-out regime which added billions in red tape costs instead of reducing them.
Alec Shelbrooke
Con
Wetherby and Easingwold
Satellite images show a 40-mile convoy heading towards Ukraine. The Prime Minister has led the world's reaction to what is going on, but he needs to use every second remaining until tragedy unfolds to try to prevent it.
Debbie Abrahams
Lab
Oldham East and Saddleworth
Corrupt Russian money worth £100 billion a year is in our country, enabled by enablers like lawyers, accountants, PR specialists who challenge independent journalists. The Prime Minister did not fully respond to how he will tackle the activity of these enablers.
Mary Foy
Lab
City of Durham
The community sponsorship route is a slow process and will struggle to meet the challenge that we face in offering sanctuary to refugees from Ukraine. We need a faster and more effective route than the Government’s current proposals.
Asked for assurances that the Prime Minister would continue to look at every single possible option to ensure Putin feels the toughest range of punitive sanctions—through financial measures, but also focusing on his inner circle.
Scotland stands ready to welcome any fleeing Ukrainians. However, this Government have failed to follow the example of the European Union of a red tape and visa-free approach. Will this Prime Minister commit to an unconditional rapid, safe and legal approach to settlement for Ukrainians?
Boris Johnson
Con
Uxbridge and South Ruislip
The Prime Minister emphasised that the UK will not impede Ukrainians fleeing war but will have checks to ensure national security. He pointed out the UK's history of taking in refugees from various conflict zones such as Afghanistan and Hong Kong, encouraging Members to take pride in these efforts.
Government Response
Reaffirms commitment to NATO, condemns Russia for violating international law, and emphasises ongoing efforts to impose economic sanctions on Russia and support Ukraine. He highlights the UK's role in exposing ill-gotten Russian wealth and implementing targeted sanctions. Responded to all questions with emphasis on supporting Ukraine, enhancing domestic food production, addressing health inequalities through hospital development, reviewing VAT rates for commercial defibrillators, and urging Russian associates to dissociate from Putin regime. Addressed concerns about free testing for immunocompromised individuals; discussed potential foreign lobbying Bill and economic crime Bill; outlined plans to tackle Russian enablers; emphasised ongoing military support and sanctions against Russia; committed to continue looking at every single possible option to ensure Putin feels punitive sanctions.
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About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.