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Prime Minister
02 November 2022
Lead MP
Meg Hillier
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
Asylum & RefugeesNHSEconomyEmploymentClimateAgriculture & Rural AffairsStandards & Ethics
Other Contributors: 22
At a Glance
Meg Hillier 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
The Prime Minister promised integrity, professionalism and accountability in Government. His Home Secretary has leaked information, is overseeing chaos in the Home Office and has broken the law. What will she actually have to do to get the sack?
Meg Hillier
Lab Co-op
Hackney South and Shoreditch
The Prime Minister promised integrity, professionalism and accountability in Government. His Home Secretary has leaked information, is overseeing chaos in the Home Office and has broken the law. What will she actually have to do to get the sack?
My 19-year-old constituent Marie, who has been in care for much of her life, has worked long and hard, by childminding and in other ways, to save £3,600 to help support herself at university. Marie now faces her university studies with no savings and no means of recovering them because they were all stolen in a few seconds by a heartless scammer pretending to be her bank. What assurance can the Prime Minister give that the Government are working hard to help prevent this all too common type of despicable crime and bring the perpetrators to book?
Keir Starmer
Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
The Prime Minister’s Home Secretary says the asylum system is broken. Who broke it? No one on the Labour side of the House wants open borders. It is the Government who have lost control of our borders. Four Prime Ministers in five years and it is the same old, same old. The Prime Minister stands there and tries to pass the blame.
Jerome Mayhew
Con
Broadland and Fakenham
Right now we are suffering the worst outbreak of avian flu ever recorded. Hundreds of thousands of birds are being destroyed to stem the spread of this terrible disease. The Government have acted quickly to bring forward compensation for live birds culled to 48 hours after confirmation of disease, but even that short delay is causing significant losses to farmers in Broadland as the disease wreaks havoc on flocks. Dead birds are not compensated. Today is Back British Farming Day. Will my right hon. Friend take this opportunity to back British farmers and agree compensation for all affected birds from the date when disease is confirmed?
Ian Blackford
SNP
Ross, Skye and Lochaber
Asked the Prime Minister to reiterate a promise made only five months ago regarding benefits and pensions. Criticised the Conservative party for their approach towards austerity measures and suggested implementing windfall taxes on profits, reinstating bonus caps, and scrapping tax avoidance schemes.
Gagan Mohindra
Con
South West Hertfordshire
Welcomed the Inter-Parliamentary Union delegation from Madagascar. Inquired about the progress of Project Gigabit for better connectivity in his constituency, specifically Wigginton and Dudswell.
Questioned whether Scotland is treated as a voluntary and respectful union of equals or as hostages in a territorial British colony, highlighting the contribution of Scottish energy resources to the UK Treasury.
Scott Benton
Con
High Peak
Discussed the issue of illegal immigrants crossing the channel and the financial burden this places on taxpayers. Called for firm action from the Government in accordance with their 10-point plan.
Jamie Stone
Lib Dem
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Brought attention to a constituent’s situation regarding universal credit eligibility due to her payment cycle. Inquired about cost of living support for those affected.
Presented a case involving his constituent Aaron Horsey, who lost his wife during childbirth and was not eligible for shared parental leave under current rules. Asked the Prime Minister to meet with him and relevant Minister to address this issue.
Deidre Brock
SNP
Edinburgh North and Leith
Condemned opaquely funded think-tanks that influence politicians, particularly those who nearly crashed the UK economy. Asked for a meeting with the Prime Minister to discuss their influence over him.
Julian Lewis
Con
New Forest East
Inquired about assistance for people at risk of losing homes due to unaffordable mortgage increases, ahead of the autumn statement.
Asked the Prime Minister to recommit his Government to pursuing accountability and rigorous application of international laws in relation to Russian invasion and illegal annexation of Ukraine.
Simon Hoare
Con
North Dorset
Urged the Government to ensure initiatives support rural healthcare recruitment and retention, emphasising the challenges faced by constituents.
Chris Bryant
Lab
Rhondda and Ogmore
Critiqued the Conservative government's economic policies, citing high taxes, food inflation, mortgage rates, and public finance deficits as evidence of economic mismanagement under their leadership.
Asked for assurances that the UK would continue to lead on climate change initiatives post-COP26, highlighting the impacts of climate change in both Essex and Ethiopia.
Taiwo Owatemi
Lab
Coventry North West
Questioned the Prime Minister's record on fairness towards deprived areas like Coventry, pointing out ongoing parking fees for NHS staff despite previous promises of free car parking for those in need.
Called for recognition and support of British farming, advocating for public money to go into food production and trade deals that benefit farmers, referencing Australia as a market opportunity.
Welcomed the Prime Minister from Yorkshire but criticised his time as Chancellor, urging him to tax non-doms and introduce windfall profits tax on gas and oil industries.
Asked the Government to work with him to address the low employment rate among autistic adults, seeking ways to close the employment gap for this group.
Sarah Jones
Lab
Croydon West
Challenged the Prime Minister on his record regarding the asylum system, questioning who is responsible for its current state with high backlogs and low decision-making efficiency.
Asked the Government to support Ipswich's levelling-up fund bid for £18 million towards sports facilities, emphasising it as a national mission to spread opportunity across every part of the UK.
Government Response
Asylum & RefugeesNHSEconomyEmploymentClimateAgriculture & Rural AffairsStandards & Ethics
Government Response
The Home Secretary made an error of judgment, but she recognised her mistake and took accountability for her actions. She has now set out, transparently and in detail, a full sequence of events in a letter to the Labour Chair of the Home Affairs Committee and offered to share relevant documents with the Chair. She is now getting on with the job: cracking down on crime and defending our borders, something that the Labour party has no interest in supporting. Responded to various questions by reiterating the government's stance on fairness, compassion, support for Scottish energy producers, progress with Project Gigabit, assistance through welfare system, condolences for tragic loss of life, free speech and debate of ideas, gathering evidence for future prosecutions at the ICC. Responded to multiple questions regarding healthcare, climate change, parking charges for NHS staff, farming support, economic policy as Chancellor, autism employment gaps, asylum system issues, and the levelling-up fund bid in Ipswich. Emphasised government's commitment to addressing these areas.
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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.