PMQs 2024-10-16

2024-10-16

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Danny Chambers Lib Dem
Winchester
Context
The previous government's unfunded new hospitals programme proposed removing consultant-led maternity services from Winchester hospital, causing concern among constituents. The hospital also faces a backlog of maintenance issues.
In last week's debate on maternity services, the devastating impact of the removal of consultant-led services was highlighted. Under the current government, can I have reassurance that consultant-led maternity and A&E services will remain in Winchester? Will he commit to funding properly the backlog of maintenance issues at our hospital?
We are committed to safe, compassionate and personalised care for women and babies. Service reconfiguration is a matter for integrated care boards, ensuring local decision-making based on evidence and clinical leadership. This ensures better outcomes for patients.
Assessment & feedback
Commitment to fund maintenance backlog
This Is A Matter For The Integrated Care Boards
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Alison Hume Lab
Scarborough and Whitby
Context
Whitby InterActive, which provides inclusive play schemes and holiday activities for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), is facing closure due to a funding shortfall. The charity has been active for 26 years.
Whitby InterActive has provided vital services for 26 years but is now set to close due to a funding shortfall. Does the Prime Minister agree that urgent action on SEND provision is needed and that charities like InterActive deserve support?
Children with special educational needs have been failed for too long. We must raise standards to ensure every child can succeed in education, fixing the foundations so they achieve their potential.
Assessment & feedback
Specific support for charities like InterActive
We Will Fix The Foundations
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Rishi Sunak Con
Richmond and Northallerton
Context
China has carried out aggressive military exercises in the Taiwan strait, raising concerns among allies. There are reports that the government may have intervened to stop a visit by former Taiwanese President.
Given China's unwarranted and intimidatory military exercises in the Taiwan strait, will the Foreign Secretary use his meetings in Beijing this week to condemn these acts?
Stability in the Taiwan strait is in our interests. We will engage where we can on issues like net zero and health, compete where necessary, and challenge when it is needed to protect national security, human rights and values.
Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment during meetings with Chinese officials
We Will Put That Challenge In
Response accuracy
Q4 Direct Answer
Rishi Sunak Con
Richmond and Northallerton
Context
Jimmy Lai, a British citizen and democracy campaigner, has been wrongly imprisoned in Hong Kong for four years. Previous governments pressured China for his release.
The case of Jimmy Lai is a priority. Does the Prime Minister agree that this is a politically motivated prosecution and breach of China's legal obligations to Hong Kong under the Sino-British declaration?
Yes, we call for his immediate release. The Foreign Secretary raised this case in his first meeting with China's Foreign Minister and will continue to do so.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q5 Direct Answer
Rishi Sunak Con
Richmond and Northallerton
Context
China has enabled Russia's war against Ukraine, providing a significant portion of military micro-electronics and components. Previous sanctions have been expanded by the US.
Will the Prime Minister confirm readiness to sanction any Chinese business or individual involved in aiding Russia's invasion of Ukraine, including imposing secondary sanctions on financial institutions?
Yes. We have called for this in the past and continue to do so. We hope for unity across the House on this issue.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q6 Partial Answer
Rishi Sunak Con
Richmond and Northallerton
Context
A new system of registration and monitoring was established to protect the UK from foreign state interference, including China. Implementation has been halted since the Prime Minister took office.
Why is the Prime Minister halting the implementation of a registration and monitoring scheme essential for protecting Britain from foreign state interference?
That is not correct.
Assessment & feedback
Halt in implementation of foreign influence registration scheme
That Is Not Correct
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Rishi Sunak Con
Richmond and Northallerton
Context
The Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act was passed to defend universities from Chinese political influence. The new government has reportedly paused or blocked its implementation.
That is very clearly what the Government have said. Only last week, the Prime Minister said at the Dispatch Box that he would give the security forces “the powers that they need”.—[Official Report, 9 October 2024; Vol. 754, c. 297.] If he is to fulfil that promise, I urge him to get up to speed on this issue and implement the scheme. Furthermore, Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee has warned that British universities are increasingly a rich feeding ground for China to exert political influence over us. That is why we passed the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023, with new powers to help to defend universities from that threat, but the new Education Secretary has since blocked it. Can the Prime Minister tell us how, without that tool, the Government will prevent Chinese influence over our universities?
I really do not think that party political points on security and intelligence—[Interruption.] Throughout the last Parliament, we stood with the Government on all questions of security and intelligence, because it was important to the outside world that we did so. I worked with the security and intelligence services for five years prosecuting cases. I know at first hand, as a lawyer, the work that they do. I have known at first hand, as the Prime Minister, the work that they do. We support them in everything that we do, and the right hon. Gentleman knows that.
Assessment & feedback
How to prevent Chinese influence without the Act
Deflecting Onto Past Cooperation Repeating General Support
Response accuracy
Q8 Partial Answer
Rishi Sunak Con
Richmond and Northallerton
Context
The FIR scheme and the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act were new tools designed to help universities and security services tackle threats. Reports suggest that their implementation has been paused or scrapped.
The FIR scheme and the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act were new tools—new sets of powers—that the previous Government passed in order to give our universities and security services the powers that they need to tackle a growing threat. The Opposition will of course continue to support the Government in protecting our national security, but we believe that those tools are needed, and we are concerned by reports that the new Government have paused their implementation or indeed scrapped them. Finally, the Chinese Government have sanctioned multiple Members of our Parliament for championing human rights. As a result, they have faced intimidation, abuse and surveillance. I commend you, Mr Speaker, for your defence of the right of every Member of this House to speak out on crucial issues without fear of retaliation from foreign states. I know that the Prime Minister will agree with that too, so this week will the Foreign Secretary in his meetings not just raise the issue but tell the Chinese Government to lift those sanctions on our colleagues?
Yes—we speak with one voice. The right hon. Gentleman speaks about the record of the last Government. That record was 14 years of failure. Six years of austerity, three years of Brexit logjam, then Johnson, Truss and the present Leader of the Opposition—utter failure. This Government were elected to do things differently, make fairer choices, and most importantly, give Britain its future back. We will fix the foundations, with a long-term plan to grow our economy, protect working people and rebuild our country.
Assessment & feedback
Implementation of FIR scheme and Higher Education Act
Criticizing Previous Government
Response accuracy
Q9 Partial Answer
Jennifer Craft Lab
Thurrock
Context
Two years ago, Thurrock Council faced effective bankruptcy due to a solar farm scheme run by a conman. A public inquiry has been called for to hold those responsible accountable.
Two years ago, Thurrock Council was led into effective bankruptcy by the then Conservative Administration, in no small part due to an investment of hundreds of millions of pounds in a solar farm scheme run by a conman. Given the Prime Minister's commitment to integrity in public life, will he support my call, and those of my constituents, for a public inquiry, so that those responsible can finally be held to account?
I thank my hon. Friend for her question, because years of underfunding have left councils facing huge budget pressures—[Interruption.] Opposition Members yawn; they do not know the impact that it has on working people up and down the country, who rely on public services. What has happened in Thurrock is shocking. We are committed to resetting the relationship, and helping those under intervention to recover and reform. Fourteen years is a long time of destroying local services, and it is clear that it will take time to fix them. We will get councils back on their feet by providing multi-year funding settlements, but ultimately we have to grow our economy. I am surprised that the Leader of the Opposition did not welcome the £63 billion of investment that we were able to announce on Monday.
Assessment & feedback
Support for public inquiry into Thurrock Council bankruptcy
Criticizing Previous Government Shifting Focus To Economy
Response accuracy
Q10 Partial Answer
Edward Davey Lib Dem
Kingston and Surbiton
Context
Ministers are reviewing the carer's allowance repayment scandal after campaigns by carers organizations, The Guardian, and the Liberal Democrats.
I echo the Prime Minister's tributes to Alex Salmond, Sir David Amess and Lily Ebert. I welcome the news that Ministers are going to review the carer's allowance repayment scandal, after campaigns by carers organisations, The Guardian and the Liberal Democrats, culminating in our motion on the Order Paper today, but does the Prime Minister agree that the evidence needed for the review is already long established, and many of the decisions self-evident? Will he and his colleagues vote for our motion today, so that we can write off the overpayments, end the crazy cliff edge to the earnings limit now, and have a fuller review of the support that carers deserve?
I thank the right hon. Gentleman for raising that really important issue, which is affecting a number of people. We have launched an independent review into the carer's allowance overpayments, to look at the circumstances of the overpayments and see what went wrong and what can be done to put it right, because carers must get the support that they deserve. I am grateful to him for raising it and I am glad that we have been able to take this action today to go forward on that really important issue.
Assessment & feedback
Agreement with evidence being self-evident, voting in favor of the motion
Launching An Independent Review
Response accuracy
Q11 Partial Answer
Edward Davey Lib Dem
Kingston and Surbiton
Context
Israeli Finance Minister Smotrich and National Security Minister Ben-Gvir have made controversial statements. The Liberal Democrats are calling for their sanctions.
I thank the Prime Minister for that answer, and ask him that Ministers listen to the voices of carers throughout the review. Let me turn to the middle east. Israeli Finance Minister Smotrich has said that starving 2 million people in Gaza might be “justified and moral”. National Security Minister Ben-Gvir called settlers who killed a 19-year-old on the west bank “heroes”. After my visit to Israel and Palestine last February, having witnessed the damaged that those extremist Ministers in the Netanyahu Government are doing, I called on the last UK Government to sanction them. They refused, but we now learn that the former Foreign Secretary was considering it. Will the Prime Minister now sanction Ministers Ben-Gvir and Smotrich?
We are looking at that, because those are obviously abhorrent comments, as the right hon. Gentleman rightly says, along with other really concerning activity in the west bank and across the region. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is dire: the death toll has surpassed 42,000 and access to basic services is becoming much harder. Israel must take all possible steps to avoid civilian casualties, to allow aid into Gaza in much greater volume, and to provide the UN and humanitarian partners the ability to operate effectively. Along with France, the UK will convene an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council to address that.
Assessment & feedback
Sanctioning Israeli Ministers
Focusing On Humanitarian Situation Calling For Un Security Council Meeting
Response accuracy
Q12 Partial Answer
Mary Glindon Lab
Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend
Context
Young person Tom Morton, sitting in the Public Gallery, is concerned about criminal exploitation through county lines affecting those in care.
It has been an honour to meet my constituent Tom Morton, a young person in care who cares so deeply about politics and communities—he is sat in the Public Gallery today. Young people in care are at disproportionate risk of criminal and cynical exploitation by drug barons through county lines. Will the Prime Minister tell Tom and the House what steps the Government will take to prevent vulnerable children in care from becoming involved in county lines operations?
I welcome Tom to the House. It is encouraging to see young people engaging in democracy. County lines is a real problem, and all of us will have experienced its effect and impact in our constituencies. Our county lines programme focuses on preventing young people from being exploited and lured into criminal gangs, which is far too common, and we are committed to introducing a new offence of child criminal exploitation—that is long overdue. We will also create a network of Young Futures hubs, staffed with professional youth workers, mental health support workers and career advisers, to provide focused support for young people, helping them to fulfil their ambitions and preventing them from being drawn into crime.
Assessment & feedback
Under Review Committed
Response accuracy
Q13 Partial Answer
Liz Saville-Roberts PC
Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Context
One in five people in Wales are on an NHS waiting list. The Secretary of State for Wales and the Labour First Minister contradict each other about a cross-border NHS plan's impact.
Plaid Cymru, too, pays tribute to Alex Salmond and Sir David Amess. One in five people in Wales are on an NHS waiting list. The Secretary of State for Wales says that a new cross-border NHS plan would bring down Welsh surgery waiting lists, but the Labour First Minister of Wales contradicts her and denies that it has anything to do with bringing down waiting lists. Are they making it up as they go along?
The difference is that we now have a Westminster Government who want to work with the Welsh Government to deliver for the people of Wales. For 14 long years the Welsh Government were in a position where the then UK Government were in conflict with them. Now, we will work together, collaborate and ensure that we deliver across Wales.
Assessment & feedback
Changed Subject
Response accuracy
Q14 Direct Answer
Chris McDonald Lab
Stockton North
Context
The Labour police and crime commissioner for Cleveland is working to tackle knife crime, drug crime, and antisocial behaviour.
Will my right hon. and learned Friend the Prime Minister join me in praising our Labour police and crime commissioner for Cleveland, Matt Storey, who is working with me to tackle knife crime, drug crime and antisocial behaviour in Stockton North, and will he assure my constituents that under this Labour Government we will see more police officers in Stockton and Billingham?
I welcome my hon. Friend's work with the new Labour police and crime commissioner. It is sad to say that in Cleveland, the number of full-time equivalent police officers fell by over 12% under the last Government; when you fail on the economy and growth, those are the types of things that happen across the country. As part of our neighbourhood policing guarantee, we will put 13,000 more neighbourhood police and police community support officers back on our streets and ensure that every community has a named local officer. Through our safer streets mission, we will tackle illegal drugs, halve knife crime and crack down on antisocial behaviour, and go after the gangs that lure young people into violence.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q15 Partial Answer
Simon Hoare Con
North Dorset
Context
Issues surrounding SEND, local government finance, and adult social care affect all constituents. Previous governments have avoided taking necessary decisions.
As evidenced by some earlier questions, issues surrounding SEND, local government finance and adult social care affect all of our constituents. Let us be honest: for too long, both parties have ducked and dodged taking the difficult but necessary decisions. In order to give certainty to our constituents and confidence to those who provide those vital services, does the Prime Minister share my assessment that there is considerable merit in formal cross-party working on those issues, so that we can share taking those difficult decisions in order to improve outcomes for our constituents?
I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for raising the question of SEND, because it is a really important issue—I think this is the fourth time in two Prime Minister's Question Times that it has been raised, by Members on both sides of the House. I quibble with his suggestion that it is both parties, since his party was in power for 14 years, but the spirit in which he proposes that this work should be cross-party is something that we should take up, because SEND is such an important issue. It affects so many children and parents, so notwithstanding that quibble, I am very happy to work across the House on an issue as important as SEND.
Assessment & feedback
Quibbles Committed
Response accuracy
Q16 Partial Answer
Katrina Murray Lab
Cumbernauld and Kirkintilloch
Context
The Fairways Networking Group is a group of small businesses in tight margins, concerned about the Employment Rights Bill.
The Fairways Networking Group is a group of small businesses in my constituency, all of which operate on tight margins. Can my right hon. and learned Friend help me to reassure this group that not only do they have nothing to fear from the Employment Rights Bill, but they have plenty to gain as exemplar employers?
Yes: the Employment Rights Bill is pro-worker and pro-growth, and proudly so. I do not believe we can build a strong economy by having people in insecure work. The Conservative party goes against every protection for workers—it was against the minimum wage, and it is against these new protections—but the vast majority of businesses, large and small, already know that investing in their human capital and treating people properly at work is what produces growth. Here is the big political divide: the Conservatives always oppose workers' rights, and we will always champion them.
Assessment & feedback
Committed
Response accuracy
Q17 Partial Answer
Adrian Ramsay Green
Waveney Valley
Context
99.7% of new patients in the east of England are unable to find an NHS dentist, making it the worst-affected area in the country.
I associate the Green party with the Prime Minister's tributes to Alex Salmond and Sir David Amess. Some 99.7% of new patients in the east of England are unable to find an NHS dentist—it is the worst-affected area in the country. My constituents want urgent action, so when will the Government begin the critical negotiations on dental contract reform so that no one in the 21st century has to pull out their own teeth? Will it be by the end of this year?
The hon. Gentleman raises a really important issue. Dentistry was left in a shocking state by the last Government: I was shocked to hear that the commonest cause of A&E admission for six to 10-year-olds in this country's children's hospitals is to have teeth taken out, because of the failure of the last Government. That is shocking on any analysis, and we will put it right; we will take the necessary steps, and we will work across the House to do so as quickly as possible.
Assessment & feedback
Committed
Response accuracy
Q18 Partial Answer
Cat Smith Lab
Lancaster and Wyre
Context
Smith noted her meeting with the Let's End Poverty coalition, discussing the cyclical nature of poverty in many communities.
Last night we took steps to abolish the hereditary principle in the House. At my meeting, people said that for them, experiencing poverty feels hereditary too. Will the Prime Minister meet me and those with lived experience to find ways to hear their voices and break this cycle?
My hon. Friend raises an important point about winter fuel payments, which we inherited with a £22 billion deficit. We are committed to the triple lock, ensuring pensions increase by £460 next year.
Assessment & feedback
Meeting individuals affected by poverty to break intergenerational cycle of it
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q19 Partial Answer
Ann Davies PC
Caerfyrddin
Context
Davies mentioned her constituent Janette Crawford, who suffers from ME and chronic pain, losing winter fuel payments due to a small savings pot.
My constituent Janette has ME and chronic pain. Due to the Welsh winter conditions and loss of winter fuel payments, she faces more muscle soreness and fatigue. With 86% of pensioners in poverty or just above it, will the PM establish a social energy tariff for people like her?
On this issue of winter fuel payments, we have inherited a £22 billion black hole. Conservative Members should be apologising for leaving the country in such a state. We are committed to the triple lock and will increase pensions by £460 next year.
Assessment & feedback
Establishing a social energy tariff
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q20 Direct Answer
Shaun Davies Lab
Telford
Context
Davies highlighted that suicide is the biggest killer of men under 50 in Britain, with poor paternity leave provisions and boys being less likely to pursue higher education.
In Britain, the biggest killer for men under 50 is suicide. We have subpar paternity leave and boys are half as likely to get higher education compared to girls. The PM's commitment on reducing suicides is welcome. Can he update us on this work?
I thank my hon. Friend for raising a vital issue. The statistics on male suicides are shocking. We will recruit 8,500 mental health workers trained to support those at risk of suicide.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q21 Partial Answer
Alicia Kearns Con
Rutland and Stamford
Context
Kearns discussed Group Captain Lizzy Nicholl, who resigned from the RAF due to illegal recruitment orders but received inadequate compensation.
Group Captain Lizzy Nicholl had an exemplary career with the RAF until she was forced to resign. Despite inquiries vindicating her, the RAF and MOD failed to offer fair compensation. Will the PM meet Lizzy and help ensure those responsible face consequences?
I thank the hon. Member for raising this important case. It needs to be looked into. I will ensure she gets a meeting with the relevant Minister to lay out details and get answers.
Assessment & feedback
Meeting Group Captain Nicholl and addressing compensation and accountability issues
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q22 Direct Answer
Jake Richards Lab
Rother Valley
Context
Richards noted that children's social care in the UK is in a state of emergency, with vulnerable children placed far from home and private companies profiting.
Vulnerable children are regularly placed far from home, often in unsafe accommodation. Private firms profit from this crisis. I will present my Bill offering modest reforms. Will the PM ensure his Government prioritises fixing social care crises and family courts?
I thank my hon. Friend for raising this issue. One in four children are in absolute poverty, and too many vulnerable children live in unregulated accommodation. Through our Bill, we will put children's wellbeing at the heart of education and social care systems.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q23 Partial Answer
Kit Malthouse Con
North West Hampshire
Context
Malthouse mentioned a promise made during the election campaign about rebuilding a local hospital.
During the campaign, the PM promised to rebuild our local hospital. Can we rely on that commitment?
I am grateful for raising this matter of great importance to constituents. We are reviewing the programme as it had flaws like not being fully funded. I will ensure he has a meeting with the relevant Minister.
Assessment & feedback
Commitment on rebuilding the local hospital
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q24 Partial Answer
Luke Myer Lab
Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland
Context
The question relates to the Government's recent investment in carbon capture and storage technology for Teesside and Merseyside, which follows years of delays. The conference highlighted Teesside's potential.
I welcome the Government's historic investment in carbon capture and storage technology for Teesside and Merseyside. This week I have been at the sector's conference, and the feeling there is that this is a Government who are delivering after years of delay. Will the Prime Minister recognise the unique potential that Teesside has for jobs, prosperity and economic growth into the future?
Yes, and you will have observed, Mr Speaker, that on Monday we had a very successful investment summit, with £63 billion coming into this country, jobs in every part of the UK, and a clear message from businesses that they are prepared to invest now under this new Labour Government. Part of that was a £22 billion commitment to carbon capture, usage and storage, creating the first clusters in the world including, as my hon. Friend points out, in various parts of the country. We will support those jobs and investment. We will grow our economy and rebuild our country.
Assessment & feedback
The specific potential for Teesside was not directly addressed beyond a general commitment to carbon capture investments across the UK.
Transferred Focus To Overall National Investment Success
Response accuracy
Q25 Direct Answer
Ben Maguire Lib Dem
North Cornwall
Context
Public services in North Cornwall are underfunded, with young people moving away and a lack of affordable housing. The question seeks devolution for Cornwall to unlock economic potential through a Cornish assembly.
North Cornwall is an amazing place to live and work, but a top-down approach from Westminster has failed us. Public services are chronically underfunded, with young people forced to move away to pursue careers elsewhere, and affordable housing is a promise that is simply never kept. Will the Prime Minister meet all six Cornish MPs to discuss devolution for Cornwall, with a Cornish assembly that recognises our unique culture, language and national minority status, so that we can finally unleash Cornwall's economic potential?
I am grateful to the hon. Member for raising that. I do believe in transferring power out of Westminster and into the hands of leaders who know their communities best. Those with skin in the game know what is best for their communities. We are already making steps in the south-west by signing the devolution agreement for Devon and Torbay, and I encourage local authorities to work with their neighbours to pursue deeper and wider devolution for their area. I will ensure that the hon. Member has the meeting that he is asking for.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q26 Direct Answer
Blair McDougall Lab
East Renfrewshire
Context
The Prime Minister is working for a ceasefire to return hostages, noting comments from the White House on urgent action to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
As the Prime Minister works for a ceasefire and the return of the hostages, he will have the support of Members across the House. He will have noted the comments from the White House calling for urgent action to deal with the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and for the Netanyahu Government to increase access to aid and the amount of aid getting through. Does the Prime Minister agree with those comments from the White House, and what representations is he making on that matter?
Yes, I do agree with those remarks, and we are constantly making representations on this with our partners. There is an urgent need, as there has been for a long time, for more aid to get into Gaza. It is a desperate situation, and Israel must comply with its international humanitarian law obligations. That is why we are convening a session of the UN Security Council, with others, to address that issue.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy