← Back to House of Commons Debates
Prime Minister
01 December 2021
Lead MP
Bim Afolami
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
EconomyBusiness & Trade
Other Contributors: 19
At a Glance
Bim Afolami 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:
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.
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.
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?
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
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.