Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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The Leader of the Opposition is addressing the collapse of a case against two people spying on Members of Parliament, which has raised concerns about national security. The previous Government classified China as a threat to the UK's economic security.
In 2021, the previous Government’s integrated review described China as ‘the biggest state-based threat to the UK’s economic security’. In November 2022, MI5’s director general also classified China as a threat. However, in September 2024, the Leader of the Opposition said: 'I have shied away from calling China a threat'. How is it possible that the Government failed to provide evidence that the CPS needed to prosecute?
The substantive evidence was provided in 2023 by the previous Government. That is when the witness statement was submitted. I am going to disclose it; Members will all be able to read it. The substantive evidence was written, disclosed and submitted in 2023, under the previous Government. I note that the Leader of the Opposition did not indicate whether Ministers were involved in that at the time.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific details on why the CPS needed evidence was insufficient for prosecution
Redirecting To Previous Government
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Q2
Partial Answer
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The CPS has stated that the prosecution was dropped due to lack of provided evidence. Mrs Badenoch is pressing for transparency on how and why this happened, referencing Lord Butler's criticism of the Government.
Why should we believe a man who at the last Prime Minister’s questions said he had full confidence in the best friend of a convicted paedophile? Forgive us if we do not trust a word he says. This all stinks of a cover up. Given his statement earlier, will the Prime Minister publish today not just the Government witness statements, but also the meeting minutes, and all the correspondence that he had with the CPS?
Let me be clear: the only process I want to go through is in relation to some of the individuals in the statements to make sure that they know this is coming up. I can assure the House there is no substantive delay here. The right hon. Lady asks about minutes etc., but there are usual rules and processes for Government. The Opposition are asking me to disclose discussions had under previous Governments.
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Assessment & feedback
Publication of meeting minutes and full correspondence with CPS
Usual Rules And Process
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Q3
Partial Answer
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The Prime Minister is under pressure to explain the collapse of a serious case involving national security due to lack of evidence provided by his Government.
A serious case involving national security has collapsed because this Government are too weak to stand up to China. If the Prime Minister cannot protect Members of this House, what does that say about his ability to protect this country?
The case did not proceed because the policy of the past Government did not meet the test that was necessary. Instead of taking responsibility for their failure to update law—the review into legislation was in 2015—Conservatives took eight years to change it. Had they done that more quickly, this case would have proceeded.
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Assessment & feedback
His own Government's role and timeline for updating the law
Former Government'S Failure
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Q4
Partial Answer
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The city of Derby has been severely affected by knife crime and the community demands action rather than words from the Government.
Can the Prime Minister update my constituents on the action that this Government are taking to ensure that all our residents, visitors, and workers can enjoy our city centre safely?
We have delivered Ronan’s law to tackle sale of ninja swords; banned zombie knives and strengthened controls for online knife sales. Pay tribute to my hon. Friend's work in setting up city safety summits.
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Specific actions addressing Derby's knife crime issues
General Measures
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Q5
Partial Answer
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Hong Kongers who fled repression in China are concerned about the UK Government's approach to China, including refusal of targeted sanctions on Chinese officials.
What is the Prime Minister’s answer to Hongkongers who see a British Government making it harder for them to settle here permanently and failing to impose targeted sanctions on Chinese officials?
No. We will continue to give support to Hongkongers who need it. The hon. Lady should be assured that the Jimmy Lai case is raised regularly by my Ministers.
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Assessment & feedback
Concrete measures for reassurance and action
Regular Raising Of Cases
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Q6
Partial Answer
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Elon Musk's financial support for Tommy Robinson, a hate preacher on trial for alleged refusal to comply with counter-terror police, raises concerns about the threat to democracy.
Will the Prime Minister commission security services to assess the threat that Elon Musk poses to our democracy and recommend measures this House can take?
We look across the board at threats to our democracy. I will not comment on particular case given state of legal proceedings.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific assessment and measures for Elon Musk's influence
Legal Proceedings
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Q7
Direct Answer
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Local families urgently need a new SEND school to open at the Osprey Quay site on Portland, with around 70 new places for children. This is part of addressing the shortage of specialist school places in Lloyd Hatton's constituency.
For the past year, I have been campaigning for a new special educational needs and disabilities school to open at the Osprey Quay site on Portland. There are far too few specialist school places for children with SEND in my part of the world, so local families urgently need to see that school open its doors. A new school there would provide around 70 new places for local children. Given the urgent need to finally get this school up and running, will the Prime Minister commit to working with the Department for Education and Dorset council to ensure that a SEND school opens on Portland without further delay?
I thank my hon. Friend for his question. I know just how important that school is to parents and children in his constituency, and share his determination to fix the broken SEND system. That is why we have boosted investment in SEND to £12 billion, to put new facilities and tailored support in place for children who have long been failed. We want decisions to be taken swiftly, and I will ask the schools Minister to update my hon. Friend about that particular school.
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Q8
Direct Answer
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A tragic case involving Zoe Panayi, who was told that her mole was harmless but later found to be malignant. Her family is working with Ben Goldsborough and his colleague to campaign for Zoe’s law: compulsory testing of all removed moles.
As many Members know, I am currently being treated for stage 2C skin cancer. I am responding well, but only because it was caught early and because I have had the very best of NHS care. Not everyone is so fortunate. Zoe Panayi, a 26-year-old from the Isle of Wight, was told that her mole was harmless. She had it removed privately, but it proved to be malignant. She tragically died in 2020. Her family—Charlie and Eileen are in the Gallery today—have shown extraordinary courage, working with my hon. Friend the Member for Isle of Wight West (Mr Quigley) and me to campaign for Zoe’s law: compulsory testing of all removed moles. Will the Prime Minister meet us, and Zoe’s family, to discuss how we can make this a reality?
On behalf of the House, I wish my hon. Friend the very best for his recovery. I know that this is a deeply personal campaign for him—a campaign that is also supported by our hon. Friend the Member for Isle of Wight West. May I send my deepest sympathies, and pay tribute to, Zoe’s family, who are with us today? Their bravery is staggering, and I share their determination to improve cancer survival rates. That is why we are investing billions to see earlier diagnosis and faster treatment of cancer, and are developing a national cancer plan. Of course, we will get a meeting set up, and if the family are available and it is convenient —I do not know whether it is—I will ask the Health Minister to meet them later today, or, if that is not convenient, at the earliest possible opportunity, so that they can have that discussion.
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Q9
Direct Answer
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Between 2021 and 2023, 41 mental health patients in the care of the Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust lost their lives. This has led to a public inquiry call from Sam Rushworth's constituents.
Between 2021 and 2023, 41 mental health patients in the care of the Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust lost their lives. That led to a damning report from NHS England and calls from my constituents for a public inquiry. This is not just historic; my surgeries are still filled with harrowing stories of failure. Will the Prime Minister join my calls for that public inquiry, to get to the bottom of what went wrong and to rebuild confidence with new, more appropriately sized local NHS mental health trusts that are fit to serve our constituents?
My hon. Friend has been a strong advocate for his constituents on this issue. The Health Secretary has met the families affected by these failures twice, I think, this year to hear their stories, and I want to make it clear that what happened to their loved ones is unacceptable. The Health Secretary is currently considering the best way forward so that families get the answers that they deserve. It is right that they receive any update first, but I can assure my hon. Friend that we will provide that update as soon as we are able to do so.
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Q10
Partial Answer
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The MP is launching a small business survey to gather feedback from constituents' small and medium-sized enterprises about their experiences under Labour's government.
I am concerned about the impact of running a business under this Labour Government. Will the Prime Minister provide words of hope by confirming that he will scrap business rates for hospitality, leisure businesses, family businesses, and farms? Additionally, can the Government commit to no further tax rises for businesses?
We published our small business strategy based on what small businesses told us. I will provide the hon. Lady with a copy of this strategy so she can distribute it to her constituents before their survey responses are collected.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific commitments about scrapping taxes and avoiding future hikes were not addressed
Redirect
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Q11
Direct Answer
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The A226 Galley Hill Road collapsed more than two years ago, and there is no fix in sight. The MP wants to highlight the importance of infrastructure improvement.
Does the Prime Minister agree that the announcement of the transport structures fund shows this Government are ending Conservative decline by fixing broken roads like Galley Hill?
My hon. Friend is correct; we are rebuilding Britain's infrastructure with £1 billion allocated for repairing bridges, tunnels, and flyovers, and £92 billion for major road and rail upgrades. The Conservatives neglected this aspect of governance.
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Q12
Direct Answer
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The MP's constituents face long distances to mental health facilities due to inadequate local in-patient beds.
What steps will the Prime Minister take now to reassure our constituents about the continued failings of TEWV and rebuild trust?
We are recruiting 6,700 additional NHS mental health staff, building new dedicated mental health emergency departments, and increasing NHS spending on mental health by almost £700 million. We acknowledge the unacceptable situation faced by constituents.
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Q13
Direct Answer
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The MP wants to express support for unity in the face of division and racial hatred.
Does the Prime Minister agree that parties seeking to stoke division and accept Russian bribes cannot be trusted to govern?
We can either give in to division or come together as a country. Attacks on our diverse nation are unacceptable, and we must uphold the values of tolerance and inclusivity.
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Q14
Partial Answer
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The MP is concerned about high financial burdens on small businesses.
Does the Prime Minister believe it is fair that a business owner contributes more to the Exchequer than she earns in a year? Does he think this encourages entrepreneurship?
We have protected business rates bills from inflation, extended relief at 40%, introduced lower rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure, and are providing £3 billion for small business loans. We are also addressing late payments issues.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific fairness of current tax contributions
Redirect
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Q15
Direct Answer
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The MP is concerned about the Government's response to recent court cases involving Russian influence.
Can the Prime Minister update the House on the Government’s elections Bill? Does he agree that parties whose leaders accept Russian bribes cannot be trusted?
Labour is introducing an elections Bill to protect our democracy from foreign interference. However, parties whose leaders accept Russian bribes cannot be trusted due to serious questions about their integrity and knowledge.
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