Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Since Middlesbrough council returned to Labour control, it is no longer under Government intervention for children's services and is financially stable. The MP wants to confirm that the spending review will not only end austerity but also provide necessary resources for councils.
I associate myself with the Prime Minister's remarks welcoming the fall of Assad, and with his hope for the Syrian people. Since Middlesbrough council has returned to Labour control under Mayor Chris Cooke, it is no longer subject to Government intervention in its children's services or to a best value notice—and it is on track to become financially stable. I know that the Prime Minister will want to join me in congratulating Mayor Cooke and the council on their recent successes. Can he confirm that the spending review will not simply end 14 years of Conservative austerity, but will unwind it, and provide the resources that councils need to properly serve our communities?
I join my hon. Friend in paying tribute to that mayor, and to all local representatives across the country, who did a fantastic job even when funding was cut to the bone during the past 14 years of Tory government. We are boosting local government funding by £4 billion, and investing £1.6 billion to improve roads. I was proud to see the work on the carbon capture cluster in Teesside, which will create 2,000 new jobs.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm unwinding austerity specifically; only stated boosting funding
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The Prime Minister relaunched immigration targets and milestones, but the MP questions why cutting immigration was not a priority.
Last week, the Prime Minister did not seem to want to talk about appointing fraudsters to his Cabinet. In fact, he seemed to want to talk about immigration, so let us talk about immigration. He has relaunched yet again, with many new targets, six milestones and five missions, but why was cutting immigration not a priority?
I am glad that the Leader of the Opposition now wants to talk about immigration. Last week, she said that she did not want to—and for good reason, because the previous Government presided over record high levels of immigration. The figures just a few weeks ago showed net migration of nearly 1 million. That is unprecedented—a one nation experiment in open borders under the last Government. She was the champion; she stood up and praised the then Tory Home Secretary for listening to her on removing caps on migration visas. She was applauding it. Now, she is furious about what she was campaigning for. We will drive down lawful migration; we will drive down illegal migration.
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Assessment & feedback
Shifted blame onto previous government's record
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP questions the Prime Minister about his record of signing letters demanding foreign criminals stay in Britain.
The Prime Minister talks about open borders, but he was the one campaigning for free movement. I was, in this House, asking for a lift in skilled migration; he was supporting all the people who should not have been in this country. He wanted us to relax immigration, but as he is so keen to talk about the past, let us look at his record. Four years ago, the Prime Minister signed a letter demanding that foreign criminals be allowed to stay in Britain. Dozens of Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs repeatedly signed these letters, insisting that rapists and murderers be allowed to stay here. One of those criminals, Ernesto Elliott, had 17 convictions, including for knife crime. After his deportation was blocked, Elliott went on to murder someone. He was able to stay here and murder because people like this man campaigned against deporting criminals. Will he apologise for signing these letters?
First, I remind the Leader of the Opposition that the number of migrants coming to this country under her Government's watch—nearly 1 million—was over four times the number who did so when we were in the EU. They lost control of the borders, and the particular example she puts to me is an example of failure, under her Government, to take the necessary measures to keep our country safe.
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Assessment & feedback
Shifted blame onto previous government's record on migration
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP questions the Prime Minister's past record on immigration, including signing letters to stop deportations.
That is a ludicrous assertion. The Prime Minister is the one who was repeatedly signing those letters. He even asked us to pause all deportations. He does not want to talk about his past, but that letter is just the tip of the iceberg; there is more. The Prime Minister actually complained that the immigration system was working to 'deter migrants rather than provide support.' He said that he was 'proud to have served as Jeremy's Shadow Immigration Minister'. He boasted that he 'took the last Labour Government to court for cutting benefits for asylum seekers' and said that he would never take a target-based approach to immigration. If he wants to talk about immigration, let us talk about his record; we can talk about it all day. The Prime Minister says that he wants to talk about immigration. I have committed to a cap on migration—why won't he?
The Leader of the Opposition talks about my record. For five years, I was the chief prosecutor, prosecuting people who went to prison, many of whom were then deported. While she was talking, I was actually doing the hard yards, convicting those who should be in prison. She presided over record numbers of asylum seekers in this country—a record number of lawful and irregular migrants—in 14 years in which her Government lost control of the borders. They set a cap for each of those 14 years, but it was not hard, it did not stop people coming, and they got a record number. They should apologise for what they have done with their open borders policy.
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Assessment & feedback
Shifted blame onto previous government's immigration record
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP questions the Prime Minister's promise to end asylum hotels, highlighting increased use of them under current government.
The Prime Minister says that he wants to smash the gangs; the only thing he has smashed is his own reputation. What he has been agreeing is not going to do anything. The cost of the Iraq agreement is half a million pounds. That would not even buy a house in his constituency. Many of the things that he is taking credit for are our agreements. Let us talk about what he put in his manifesto. The Prime Minister promised to end asylum hotels. He promised, and he is Prime Minister now. But in Altrincham and Peterborough, his Government are expanding the use of asylum hotels, because he unilaterally disarmed the deterrent. In fact, a man who arrived by small boat told Sky News he was “happy” Labour was in power. That man said the Conservatives 'wanted to deport us' but Labour is 'making the procedure easier for us'. He is right, isn't he?
The Leader of the Opposition should welcome the Iraq deal. Anybody who wants to deal with this vile trade would have welcomed it. She should also welcome the German deal that we did this week. Many of the boats that are finding their way to the channel are coming through Germany. That is well documented. There has been a difficulty in taking enforcement action, which, if she spent more time researching that than her terrible jokes, she would know about. We have signed an agreement to take enforcement action in Germany to stop those boats getting to the coast. That is effective action. She should welcome it; it is really good news. All law enforcement thinks that it is a good thing. Why does she think it is a bad thing?
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Assessment & feedback
Shifted focus to praising recent deals rather than addressing asylum hotels
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP criticises the government's approach to law enforcement, citing specific incidents and voting records that allegedly show a lack of support for tough measures against criminal activity.
Because the numbers are going up, under his watch. The Prime Minister has consistently backed criminals over law-abiding British people. He defended terrorists like Hizb ut-Tahrir in the European Court. He argued that “all immigration law” had a “racist undercurrent”. He voted against life sentences for people smugglers. He voted against more than 100 measures to control migration. He even said it was wrong when the Conservatives took away Shamima Begum's citizenship. Now he has appointed her defence lawyer as his Attorney General. Events in Syria mean that we may see more small boat arrivals. For once, will he take the side of the British people, and strip citizenship from jihadi terrorists and supporters of Assad who want to come back and destroy this country?
I was Director of Public Prosecutions for five years. Unlike anyone on the Conservatives' Benches, for five years, I was prosecuting hundreds of thousands of criminals. That includes huge terrorist gangs and rapists. For three of those five years, I was working with the then Home Secretary, Theresa May, who commended the work that I did at the end of those five years.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about stripping citizenship from jihadi terrorists and supporters of Assad was not addressed.
Deflection
Personal Attack
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP highlights recent progress in Cornwall, including shared prosperity funding, international interest in clean energy industries, and a roadmap to political autonomy. He seeks assurance from the PM about joining his minister for a visit to meet representatives of these industries.
In the last couple of months since I spoke to the Prime Minister here about the need for social and industrial investment in Cornwall, we have had a fresh tranche of shared prosperity funding, a huge boost to international interest in our cleanest energy industries, and a road map to greater political autonomy that reflects Cornwall's unique national identity. Will the PM join his Minister on that visit in the spring to meet representatives of those industries at first hand, and spell out a roadmap for Cornwall, to help Britain become a clean energy superpower?
I thank my hon. Friend. He is a champion of the extraordinary potential of Cornwall, particularly in our transition to clean power by 2030. Next week, we will publish our English devolution White Paper, setting out our ambitions to move power from Westminster into every part of England, including Cornwall, and I know that he and his colleagues are meeting the Deputy Prime Minister to discuss this next week.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm PM's attendance for the visit in Cornwall.
Future Plans
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP expresses concern about the potential instability following the fall of Assad, stressing the need for an international community effort to secure peace.
While Syrians are rejoicing at the overthrow of the brutal Assad regime, many people there and around the world are worried about what comes next, as indeed the Prime Minister said, with threats of extremism, ISIS terrorism and unsecured chemical weapons. Only an open political process can bring peace and stability, but that will require the full backing of the international community. Does the Prime Minister share my concern that President-elect Trump said about Syria: 'The United States should have nothing to do with it'? If America steps away, will the Prime Minister step up and work with other allies to provide British leadership over Syria?
The right hon. Gentleman is right that this is a very serious moment. We all welcome the fall of Assad and I hope that this can be a much-needed turning point for Syria, but that is by no means guaranteed. That is why we have been speaking intently and intensely with our allies in the region and across the globe about how we ensure that this is peaceful, political and a rejection of terrorism and violence.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to specific actions if America withdraws support.
Acknowledgement Without Commitment
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP highlights the importance of British family farms but criticises government policies, such as botched transition to new payment schemes and unfair trade deals, which he claims have undermined them. He asks for reassurances on future support.
I thank the Prime Minister for that reply and hope that we can continue to work on a cross-party basis regarding Britain's role in securing peace and stability in the middle east. Moving on to another subject, British farmers are the best in the world, and that is because of our tradition of family farms, where from generation to generation a commitment to high-quality food, to our precious environment and to animal welfare is passed down. But family farms were let down badly by the last Conservative Government, with their botched transition to new payment schemes and their unfair trade deals with Australia and New Zealand, which have undercut British farmers. Now, many family farms feel that this Government's Budget will be the final blow. Will the Prime Minister change course and recognise the vital role that British family farms play?
As the right hon. Gentleman knows, we put £5 billion into farming over the next two years, which is a record number, under the Budget, and last week alone there was £350 million to support farmers in the United Kingdom.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address concerns about trade deals or change of course.
Future Plans
Response accuracy
Q10
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP raises concern about the scheduled end to the Government's listed places of worship grant scheme, which provides tax relief for restoring religious buildings. He asks for assurances that support will continue.
Places of worship are vitally important not just for practising one's faith, but for local heritage. The Government's listed places of worship grant scheme currently provides much-needed tax relief for religious buildings in need of renovation, but it is scheduled to end next year. What assurances can the Prime Minister provide my constituents that the Government will continue to support restoring our much-cherished places of worship, such as Holy Trinity church in Horwich?
I thank my hon. Friend for that question and recognise the important roles that these buildings play at the heart of communities, particularly at a time like Christmas. A wide range of funds are available for maintenance and restoration, including the National Lottery Heritage Fund's places of worship scheme.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific assurances on continuation of support post 2023.
Future Plans
Response accuracy
Q11
Partial Answer
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The crisis in Gaza has worsened, with Israeli airstrikes causing significant civilian casualties. The MP's constituents have family affected by the situation.
My neighbours Omar and Delal Al Shaqaqi received tragic news about their family members killed in Gaza. None of us can end this nightmare but we can do more. When will Israel be held to the same standards as Russia, with sanctions for genocide? Will the Government confirm further sanctions on Israel, recognise Palestine, and offer hope to Gazans?
I am sorry about the families' loss. There are intense talks for a ceasefire, which would allow aid to go in at speed and scale, but no mention of sanctions on Israel or recognition of Palestine.
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Assessment & feedback
Further sanctions against Israel and recognising the state of Palestine
Response accuracy
Q12
Direct Answer
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Context
Housing crisis in Cumbernauld, with lack of houses for families and those fleeing domestic abuse. Housing repair needs are high.
My constituents are experiencing a housing emergency due to lack of homes and poor conditions. The Scottish Government have the powers and funding but what excuses do they now have? Will the Prime Minister agree that repairing this situation is urgent?
House building in Scotland has halted, homelessness and children in temporary accommodation are at record levels. The Budget provides settlement for Scotland without more excuses.
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Q13
Partial Answer
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Context
Promised health centre in Thornbury to be rebuilt after years of delays. Funding confirmed but final plans not signed off.
Residents have been promised a new health facility for over 20 years, with recent confirmation of funding availability. What reassurances can the Prime Minister give that this is not another hollow promise and that approval will be swift?
The Department of Health, NHS England, and local care board are working together to deliver for patients. Proper business case is crucial but a meeting with relevant Minister will be arranged.
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Assessment & feedback
Speedy approval assurances
Response accuracy
Q14
Partial Answer
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Context
St Catherine's hospice in Crawley has made redundancies due to funding cuts. Palliative care is vital for communities.
St Catherine's hospice has recently made redundancies due to years of real-terms cuts. Will the Prime Minister thank St Catherine's for its work and outline how the Government will support palliative care moving forward?
Hospices play a vital role in end-of-life care. Funding is received through providing NHS services, set out in the usual way.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific support for palliative care
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Q15
Partial Answer
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Context
Prime Minister's previous statement about farmers losing their farms being unique. Farmers now question whether the current administration is trustworthy.
Mr Speaker, 'losing a farm is not like losing any other business—it can't come back.' Can the Prime Minister understand why farmers now think his Administration is duplicitous?
The Budget includes £5 billion for farming over two years, with £350 million announced last week. Threshold for ordinary family case is £3 million.
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Assessment & feedback
Why farmers think the government is duplicitous
Changed Subject
Response accuracy
Q16
Partial Answer
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Context
Local government cuts have led to proposed closures of the Museum of Cannock Chase and Prince of Wales theatre.
Fourteen years of Conservative party gutting local government has left councils making impossible choices. My constituents are shocked by the proposed closure of cultural facilities. Will the Prime Minister ask the Culture Minister for a meeting to see what can be done to save our museum and theatre?
Closures will be a huge loss. £4 billion in additional funding for local government was announced, real-terms increase in core spending power.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific meeting with Culture Minister to save cultural facilities
Response accuracy
Q17
Direct Answer
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The Scottish National Party criticises the UK government's policies towards Scotland, particularly welfare benefits.
These last months have shown that cruel Westminster Governments of whichever party continue to target the weakest in society while the Scottish Government will continue to protect them. Given that support for Labour is plummeting and support for Scottish independence is once again leading in the polls, who does the Prime Minister believe makes the best decisions for Scotland?
Those who were elected in the general election on 4 July. They are sitting here on the Government Benches.
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Q18
Partial Answer
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The city of Carlisle has faced severe flooding from the three rivers that converge there, leading to thousands being devastated. Previous promises for flood defences have not been fulfilled.
What assurances can the Prime Minister give my constituents that the flood defences that the Conservatives promised but failed to deliver will be completed under this Government?
May I start by wishing my hon. Friend a happy birthday? She raises a really important matter for her constituents, who have faced appalling flooding too many times. The last Government left our defences in a state of absolute disrepair. We are investing £2.4 million this year, and the Environment Agency is currently studying options to improve protection in Carlisle. I will make sure that she gets a meeting to discuss the specific options.
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Q19
Partial Answer
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Sir Richard Dearlove, former head of MI6, warns about the urgency of military spending in response to Russia's increased military expenditure.
Will the Prime Minister recognise the urgency of the situation and commit to spending at least 2.5% of GDP on defence without further delay?
The hon. Member is right about the importance of national security, particularly at the moment. At the Budget we delivered a £2.9 billion increase in the Ministry of Defence budget. We are pleased to deliver the largest pay rise for our armed forces in 22 years, and we will set out the path to 2.5% in due course.
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Q20
Partial Answer
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A constituent of the MP has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease at a young age and is raising awareness through his foundation.
Will my right hon. and learned Friend join me in recognising the work of Mark Somerville, who set up the Mark Somerville Foundation to raise awareness of MND, and commit the Government to doing all they possibly can to support efforts to find a cure for this devastating disease?
I thank my hon. Friend for raising this case, which he mentioned to me last night. I pay tribute to Mark, who is in the Gallery, and the work of his foundation. This diagnosis can so obviously be absolutely devastating, and it is testament, if I may say so, to his bravery and compassion that he is raising awareness of the condition.
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Q21
Partial Answer
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An individual has been detained arbitrarily in Dubai for 17 years, with his property seized. The situation is recognised by the United Nations as a violation of international law.
Did the Prime Minister demand that Ryan Cornelius be freed when he went to the United Arab Emirates, given that the United Nations concluded that his detention was arbitrary and in violation of international law? Will he make Magnitsky sanctions deliverable on those responsible for this after his release?
That is an important case. It has, of course, been raised by the Government a number of times, including by the Foreign Secretary as part of the trip that I was on. I myself raised human rights issues.
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Q22
Partial Answer
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Stellantis has threatened job cuts at the Vauxhall plant in Luton, where workers have consistently met and exceeded targets. The CEO of Stellantis recently resigned.
Does the Prime Minister agree that in light of the sudden departure of the CEO, Stellantis should review its decision to threaten more than 1,000 jobs in Luton? Will he ensure dedicated support for workers and families at this uncertain time?
I thank my hon. Friend for raising this issue, which is of grave concern to her constituents. The Government are totally committed to supporting the workers and their families at this uncertain time.
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Q23
Partial Answer
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Context
Ben and Henry, rowing across the Atlantic for charity, aim to raise £50,000 for children's hospice in Maidenhead. Rising costs and planned increases in employer national insurance contribute to financial strain on hospices.
Will the Prime Minister join me in wishing Ben and Henry the best of luck on their journey, and will he take this opportunity to scrap the NI rise for hospices?
I pay tribute to Ben and Henry, and to everyone supporting their campaign. It is an important issue, and the funding arrangements will be set out in due course.
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Q24
Partial Answer
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Shoplifting is a major issue affecting retail workers in Bolton North East, with the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers identifying it as the leading cause of abuse, threats, and assaults. The previous government's commitment to tackling shoplifting was welcomed at a police drop-in event.
For retail workers in Bolton North East, the busy Christmas season is overshadowed by shoplifting which triggers abuse, threats and assaults. What more can the Government do to tackle shoplifting and support retail workers and businesses during the critical holiday season?
The issue of shoplifting has gone out of control due to the previous Government's approach. Funding is being dedicated to train police and retailers, and specialist analyst teams will crack down on gangs targeting retailers.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific measures or timeline for addressing shoplifting and supporting retail workers beyond general statements about training and cracking down on gangs.
Response accuracy
Q25
Partial Answer
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Context
Funding was awarded to remote train stations under the Access for All scheme by the previous government but scrapped in the first two weeks of the current government. This has affected stations such as Hedge End and Swanwick.
Millions of pounds were awarded to remote train stations like Hedge End and Swanwick under the Access for All scheme, but this was scrapped in the first two weeks by the new Government. Will the Prime Minister give my constituents and stations across the country their money back?
The previous government made many promises but did not set aside the necessary funds, leaving a £22 billion black hole. Balancing the books and stabilising the economy is prioritised before addressing specific issues like returning money to remote train stations.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address whether funding will be returned but discussed general economic challenges instead.
Discussed Previous Government'S Promises And Financial Mismanagement
Response accuracy
Q26
Partial Answer
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Context
Kirkby Lonsdale suffered a devastating fire, resulting in the loss of life and affecting many local businesses. Sunday was meant to be a day of celebration with Christmas markets but turned into a tragic event.
My market town Kirkby Lonsdale suffered a devastating fire this past weekend, leading to the closure of the town centre and impacting many local businesses. How can the Government support communities like mine in rebuilding and recovering from such tragedies?
The community of Kirkby Lonsdale has come together extraordinarily well in the aftermath of this tragic event. A meeting with the relevant Minister to discuss how the Government can support the town is promised.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific details on government support measures or timeline for recovery.
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Q27
Partial Answer
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Context
A constituent, Sally, a GP, reported critical issues with ambulance services being unable to respond due to congestion at A&E. Additionally, the issue of medically fit patients not being discharged due to the social care crisis.
My constituent contacted me regarding an inability to get an ambulance for a critically ill patient because all ambulances were outside Hereford A&E waiting to unload their patients. Meanwhile, medically fit patients cannot be discharged due to the social care crisis. What is being done to fix social care and improve patient flow through hospitals?
The previous government broke the NHS, leading to current challenges. The Lord Darzi report outlines priorities for the NHS, including a record £25 billion funding increase announced in the Budget.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific actions or timeline but blamed previous government and referenced general reports and budget allocations without addressing the core issue directly.
Blamed Previous Government
Referenced General Nhs Priorities
Response accuracy