PMQs 2025-02-12

2025-02-12

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Imran Hussain Lab
Birmingham Perry Barr
Context
A new poll shows that three-quarters of the British public support stronger workers' rights in the Employment Rights Bill, including better sick pay. The Conservative Party and Reform voted against the bill.
I am proud to have played my part in helping to draft what has become the Employment Rights Bill. A new poll shows that three quarters of the British public back the stronger workers’ rights in the Bill, including better sick pay, yet that lot over there—the Tories and Reform—disgracefully voted against it. In fact, the Leader of the Opposition does not even believe in maternity pay or the living wage. Our statutory sick pay is ranked as one of the lowest in Europe; it needs to be brought in line with the living wage. Will the Prime Minister back my campaign to strengthen the Bill further so that sick pay is at a level that will finally stop punishing workers for being sick?
Our plan for change delivers the biggest upgrade in workers’ rights in a generation through our Employment Rights Bill, ending exploitative zero-hours contracts and the scandal of fire and rehire and expanding statutory sick pay to 1.3 million employees. Of course, that is on top of the pay rise for 3 million of the lowest paid. I would have thought the Leader of the Opposition might support the protection of day one employment rights, given where she is going, but she thinks maternity pay is excessive.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address Imran Hussain's specific ask about strengthening statutory sick pay to match living wage standards. Instead focused on defending current measures and criticising opposition stance.
Deflecting Criticising
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Kemi Badenoch Con
North West Essex
Context
A family of six from Gaza has been granted sanctuary in the UK through the Ukraine family scheme, despite not being part of the original scheme's intended beneficiaries. A judge has ruled in favour of this ruling.
The Conservative Government established the Ukraine family scheme. In total, more than 200,000 Ukrainians—mostly women, children and the elderly—have found sanctuary in the UK from Putin’s war. However, a family of six from Gaza have applied to live in Britain using this scheme, and a judge has now ruled in their favour. That is not what the scheme was designed to do. This decision is completely wrong, and cannot be allowed to stand. Are the Government planning to appeal on any points of law, and, if so, which ones?
Let me be clear: I do not agree with the decision. The Leader of the Opposition is right that it is the wrong decision. She has not quite done her homework, however, because the decision in question was taken under the last Government, according to their legal framework. However, let me be clear: it should be Parliament that makes the rules on immigration; it should be the Government who make the policy.
Assessment & feedback
Did not explicitly state whether an appeal will take place or which points of law would be challenged, instead focusing on broader arguments about rule-making and policy formulation.
Criticising
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Charlotte Nichols Lab
Warrington North
Context
Long-standing traders in the CPS Centre in Culcheth received eviction notices giving them just 28 days to vacate due to a new owner, the shell company Shivat Haminim Capital. The tenants have not had their concerns heard or negotiated with.
The long-standing traders in the CPS Centre in Culcheth were devastated to receive eviction notices giving them just 28 days to vacate the premises on spurious pretexts from the new owner, Shivat Haminim Capital. So far, the owner and its legal representatives have failed to hear tenants’ concerns and mine, and to negotiate a way forward. Does the Prime Minister share my concern about this situation, and will he set out our plans to protect independent businesses that are the heart of our high streets and communities?
I thank my hon. Friend for raising an issue that is obviously of real concern to businesses in her constituency. We expect landlords to meet their obligations to make buildings safe, and we support robust enforcement action from the regulators if they fail to do so. I will ensure that my hon. Friend secures a meeting with the relevant Minister to discuss what steps can be taken in this particular case to support the businesses on which her constituents rely.
Assessment & feedback
The PM did not outline specific plans to protect independent businesses but promised a meeting with the relevant minister.
Promised A Meeting With The Relevant Minister
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Context
The Conservatives voted against the borders Bill that includes measures backed by the National Crime Agency to combat small boat crossings and protect lives at sea.
I was baffled on Monday when, given the chance to support legislation, backed by the National Crime Agency, to crack down on criminal smuggler gangs and secure our borders, Conservative and Reform Members linked arms in the voting Lobby to vote against it. The Conservatives spent three years and £700 million on their ludicrous Rwanda scheme, and saw four volunteers returned. Does the Prime Minister agree that there is only one party that is serious about repairing our broken immigration system?
Yes, and let me remind Reform and the Tories what they voted against earlier this week in our borders Bill. They voted against making it an offence to organise the buying, selling and transport of small boats, against making it an offence to endanger lives at sea, and against powers to arrest suspected people smugglers before the smuggling takes place. They voted against. They voted for open borders—both of them.
Assessment & feedback
The PM did not confirm agreement with Preet Kaur Gill but highlighted what they voted against in the borders Bill.
Highlighted What They Voted Against
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
David Reed Con
Exmouth and Exeter East
Context
The Prime Minister has given multiple explanations for the Chagos islands deal, but cannot provide a clear cost estimate. The Times called this deal 'insane', and Cabinet members reportedly think it is impossible to understand.
Last week, the Prime Minister gave yet another threadbare excuse for why he and his north London lawyer friends are giving away the Chagos islands. This is his decision, and he must own it. More importantly, he cannot tell us, British taxpayers, how much this is going to cost. Is it £9 billion? Is it £18 billion? Is it £52 billion? The Times has called this botched deal “insane”, members of his own Cabinet reportedly think it is impossible to understand, and one of his own MPs thinks it is the worst thing that the Labour party has ever done. Can the Prime Minister tell us which word he thinks best describes this deal?
No response provided in the given text.
Assessment & feedback
The PM did not respond to David Reed's question about describing or costing the Chagos islands deal.
Did Not Provide A Description Or Cost Estimate
Response accuracy
Q6 Partial Answer
Chi Onwurah Lab
Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Context
The MP references National Apprenticeship Week and the 600 apprentices involved in the Tyne bridge restoration. She also mentions the funding gap left by previous government.
In National Apprenticeship Week, will he congratulate the 600 apprentices learning trades as part of the Tyne bridge restoration programme? While I know that he cannot confirm bridging the funding gap left by the Tories, will he confirm that he is looking forward to seeing the Tyne bridge restored in time for its 100th birthday in 2028?
I am going to struggle to sound delighted with the result of that particular football match, but it will be a special day for Newcastle fans. The Tyne bridge is an iconic north-east landmark and I congratulate the apprentices who are helping to restore that vital piece of infrastructure. As usual, the Tories made empty promises that they had no intention of keeping, including £2.9 billion-worth of transport commitments that were never funded. We will look at the capital projects around the spending review and let my hon. Friend know as soon as we can.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not confirm a timeline for completion of the Tyne Bridge restoration.
Tories Made Empty Promises
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Liz Jarvis Lib Dem
Eastleigh
Context
The MP raises the case of her constituents Peter and Maureen, who have been married for 70 years. She mentions that Peter is stuck in a hospital ward waiting to go home due to an unarranged care package.
My constituents Peter and Maureen have been married for 70 years. Peter is 93 and has been stuck in a hospital ward for weeks waiting to go home because a care package has not been arranged. Will the Prime Minister reassure my constituents that the social care crisis will be tackled this year?
I thank the hon. Member for raising this issue and the particular case of her constituents. I also know that this is deeply personal to her and, if I may, I extend my deepest sympathies to her and her family for their loss. We have taken immediate action on social care. We have already delivered £3.7 billion of additional investment. We are working on the first ever fair pay agreement for the sector and, of course, we are boosting carer’s allowance.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not address the specific case of Peter and Maureen or provide a timeline to resolve their situation.
Extended Sympathies
Response accuracy
Q8 Partial Answer
Julie Minns Lab
Carlisle
Context
The MP mentions the school James Rennie in her constituency, which is already at its capacity and facing a shortage of special education needs and disabilities provision.
James Rennie is an outstanding specialist school that has converted every spare corner into classrooms and exceeded its published admissions numbers. What assurances can the Prime Minister give my constituents that his Government will put children before ideology and allow local authorities to tackle the shortage in special educational needs and disabilities provision?
I thank my hon. Friend for raising this vital issue. We are supporting mainstream schools to increase SEND expertise while also establishing dedicated SEN units, because we need to make sure that special schools can also cater for those with the most complex needs. We are working on this.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not provide concrete assurances or a timeline for addressing the shortage of SEND provision.
Working On It
Response accuracy
Q9 Partial Answer
Anna Sabine Lib Dem
Frome and East Somerset
Context
The MP mentions Dorothy House, a hospice in her constituency that will face an additional cost of £422,000 due to the increase in employers’ national insurance contributions.
Dorothy House is an amazing hospice supporting terminally ill people and their families. Next year, it will be looking forward to celebrating 50 years of service but faces an additional cost of £422,000 due to the increase in employers’ national insurance contributions. Will the Prime Minister commit to meeting me and representatives of the hospice sector to hear at first hand about the impact of the increase in NICs, and to working to find a solution?
Everyone deserves high-quality and compassionate end-of-life care. The hon. Member knows that we inherited a £22 billion black hole in our public finances, and that is why we took the difficult but right decisions to invest in our public services. I do recognise the pressures that hospices are facing, and that is why we are investing £100 million into hospices, with an additional £26 million to support children and young people’s hospices.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not commit to a meeting or provide a timeline for addressing the increase in NICs.
Inherited Financial Black Hole
Response accuracy
Q10 Partial Answer
Sharon Hodgson Lab
Washington and Gateshead South
Context
The MP mentions the chronic underfunding of transport infrastructure by the previous government, particularly in the north-east. She also refers to the redevelopment of the disused Leamside line and increasing capacity on the east coast main line.
Does the Prime Minister agree with me and the North East Mayor that redevelopment of the disused Leamside line would reconnect Gateshead with north Durham, and that increasing the capacity on the east coast main line would help to bring the Metro to Washington in my constituency, bringing much-needed jobs, growth and opportunities to my region?
Both my hon. Friend and the North East Mayor are dedicated campaigners on this issue. The Conservative party left us with a host of unfunded promises, and public transport is in dire condition. Expanding the Metro network has huge potential to drive growth and unlock new housing. I am pleased that progress is being made on the business case.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not provide a definitive agreement or commitment to the specific proposal.
Progress On Business Case
Response accuracy
Q11 Partial Answer
Olly Glover Lib Dem
Didcot and Wantage
Context
The MP noted his Oxfordshire constituency has seen a significant population increase, leading to challenges in meeting the needs of residents. He highlighted that while housing numbers are important, local targets for health services and wider infrastructure are equally crucial.
My Oxfordshire constituency of Didcot and Wantage has seen a 35% population increase in the last 20 years. My constituents recognise the need for affordable housing, but the current planning system is not delivering the GP surgeries, dentists and transport options they need. Will the Prime Minister restore faith in the planning system and, as well as focusing on housing numbers, deliver the local targets for health services and wider infrastructure that growing communities need?
We are, of course, delivering 1.5 million homes, but we are also creating communities for the future. The hon. Gentleman is right that that must include good schools, GPs and reliable transport links, which is what makes a good community. Just today we have announced an additional £350 million to deliver more affordable homes so that more people can realise the dream of home ownership.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific commitments for local targets for health services and wider infrastructure in growing communities
Discussed Housing But Avoided Specifics On Health Services And Infrastructure
Response accuracy
Q12 Partial Answer
Harriet Cross Con
Gordon and Buchan
Context
The MP referenced a statement by the farming Minister suggesting that farming is not high on the Government’s agenda, questioning if this was accurate given recent tax policies affecting farmers.
Yesterday, the farming Minister, the hon. Member for Cambridge (Daniel Zeichner), told a conference of farmers that farming is “not high on the pecking order”for this Government. Given the heartless family farm tax, will the Prime Minister say if his Minister is correct—yes or no?
Farming is top of the agenda, as far as I am concerned. That is why we put £5 billion to support farmers in the Budget—[Interruption.] The Conservatives failed to spend £300 million on farming on their watch. We have set out our road map, which has been welcomed by the National Farmers Union, as the hon. Lady very well knows. It was described as “long overdue”; I wonder who did not do it before?
Assessment & feedback
Did not directly answer whether farming is high on the Government’s agenda but instead defended government actions and criticized previous administration.
Redirected To Defend Recent Budget Allocations For Farming
Response accuracy
Q13 Partial Answer
Andrew Mitchell Con
Sutton Coldfield
Context
The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI), also known as Gavi, is a UK-founded initiative that has vaccinated over one billion children under five against deadly diseases. The organisation presents significant value for money to British taxpayers.
The Prime Minister will be well aware of the global vaccination fund, Gavi. One of the United Kingdom’s great success stories, it has vaccinated from deadly diseases more than a billion children under five, it presents real value for money to British taxpayers and more than 80% of our constituents support it. Will he give the House an undertaking that Britain will continue that leadership and make a decisive pledge at next month’s replenishment conference?
This is a really important issue, as the right hon. Gentleman rightly points out. I have long supported it and will continue to support it, and I will share details with him just as soon as I can.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not provide specific details or a concrete pledge for the upcoming replenishment conference.
Will Share Details Just As Soon As I Can
Response accuracy