Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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The tourist industry in Torbay and other areas of Devon and Cornwall is facing financial strain due to the government's national insurance contribution hikes. Many businesses fear these measures could be detrimental to their survival.
After a cost of living crisis overseen by the chaotic Conservative Government, many in the tourist industry in Torbay believed that they had weathered the storm, as did those in Devon and Cornwall. However, many in the tourist industry in Torbay fear that the Government’s national insurance contribution hikes and effective jobs tax could be the last nail in the coffin for some of those businesses. In the light of that, will the Prime Minister give me the pleasure of showing him round Paignton zoo this summer, so he can see this outstanding, amazing tourist attraction in Torbay? It is one of many across the west of England that, sadly, are massively impacted by the jobs tax.
May I start by wishing Jennie, the hon. Gentleman’s guide dog, a very happy birthday for yesterday? She is six years old—although she does not look particularly interested in my answer, I have to say. I recognise the importance of tourism to the hon. Gentleman’s beautiful constituency—I have been there many times, and worked there for a short time—in driving growth and creating jobs. We have announced a new Visitor Economy Advisory Council, which will work with business to deliver a new strategy that is focused on supporting growth and the tourism industry. VisitBritain has also launched a new international marketing campaign to showcase Britain’s incredible heritage, culture and landscapes, and I know the Minister for Creative Industries, Arts and Tourism will be happy to keep the hon. Gentleman updated.
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Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not address the specific impact of national insurance contribution hikes on businesses in Torbay or provide a commitment to visit Paignton Zoo.
Changed Subject
Provided General Information About Tourism Support
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Q2
Partial Answer
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The criminal injuries compensation scheme has not been uprated with inflation since 2012, leading to a significant reduction in the real value of compensation for victims of violent crime. Despite expert advice and recommendations from the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse, the government has claimed there is insufficient funding.
The criminal injuries compensation scheme has not been uprated with inflation since 2012, which means that in real terms, compensation for victims of violent crime, including rape and child abuse, is worth less than half of what it was then. The consultation response published before Easter said that there was not the money to look at changing the scope, tariffs or time limits, despite expert advice and the recommendations of the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse. Will the Prime Minister commit to properly funding the Ministry of Justice to do this vital reform work, so that victims and their needs can become a priority, instead of an afterthought?
My hon. Friend knows my personal commitment to delivering justice for victims of crime, who have been completely failed over the last 14 years. We are improving access to compensation through better online systems, and are equipping staff with the skills that they need to better support victims. We are of course also consulting on a revised victims code, which will increase the powers of the Victims’ Commissioner to ensure more accountability. I am happy to ensure that she meets the relevant Minister to discuss those issues.
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Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not commit to specific funding for reforms in the criminal injuries compensation scheme.
Provided General Measures For Supporting Victims
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Q3
Direct Answer
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The MP highlighted a £350 million investment by National Grid in Peterborough, including at least 100 new jobs. He noted that one of the challenges is the lack of available skills and training for young people.
I recently had the pleasure of visiting the National Gas operations in Peterborough, where the company was announcing a £350 million investment in the UK, including at least 100 new jobs in my constituency. The investment will make Peterborough the centre of the nation’s core gas and hydrogen network. One of the big challenges faced by infrastructure projects is the lack of available skills and training for young people. What more can the Prime Minister do to boost apprenticeships in places such as my constituency to ensure we create the opportunities this country so desperately needs?
The net zero transition is a huge economic opportunity for this country, despite the naysayers on the Opposition Benches. We have had almost £44 billion of investment since July, which will deliver jobs across the country, including in my hon. Friend’s constituency—investment that the Opposition presumably do not want. We are ensuring we have the skilled workers that we need, launching Skills England and our new growth and skills offer to encourage even more apprenticeships, and supporting the industry-led plan for hydrogen to deliver the workforce needed for the industry of the future.
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Q4
Direct Answer
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The MP raised concerns about the previous Government's broken promise to rebuild North Devon District Hospital and the need for new hospitals. He also questioned the Prime Minister on the guarantee of a vote in Parliament on any trade deal agreed with the United States.
I have previously raised with the Prime Minister the issue of North Devon district hospital. The previous Government promised to rebuild it, as they did hospitals across the south-west, in places such as Torbay and Musgrove Park. Unfortunately, they broke that promise, leaving appalling conditions like sewage leaks and patients being treated in corridors. Will the Prime Minister reconsider his decision to delay further the construction of new hospitals, and ask his MPs to vote for our motion today for new hospitals? Additionally, will the Prime Minister guarantee a vote in this House on any trade deal that he agrees with the United States?
The previous programme, introduced by the Conservative party, was undeliverable and unaffordable, as I think the right hon. Gentleman knows and accepts. We have put the new hospital programme on a sustainable footing with a timeline that can be met—we are not prepared to trade on false promises, as the Conservatives did—and obviously we have also put record investment into the NHS. The right hon. Gentleman raises a point that is of real interest and importance to farmers. We will negotiate, as he would expect, in the national interest and uphold the highest animal welfare standards.
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Q5
Direct Answer
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Alstom train manufacturing in Derby faced significant challenges last year, including a mass walkout by experienced workers. The city rallied with support from the government.
This time last year, train manufacturing at Alstom in Derby was grinding to a halt. On a single day, workers with a combined welding experience of nearly 1,000 years walked out of its doors, but the whole city came together with crucial backing from this Prime Minister. What a difference a year makes, with Alstom saved and set to host the greatest gathering to celebrate 200 years of rail and our railways coming back into public ownership, with the headquarters of Great British Railways in Derby. Does the Prime Minister agree that, with Labour, we are back on track?
My hon. Friend is a fantastic champion for Derby. She is right: whether it is the workforce I met at Alstom or the workers at Hitachi in County Durham, we will support our rail industry, providing certainty that delivers jobs, investment and security. I met those workforces. I know how worried they were a year ago, as she rightly says, when the previous Government were in charge. I am really proud that Derby will be the home of Great British Railways, because we are bringing railways back into public ownership to provide better services for passengers, cutting delays and cancellations and boosting growth across the country.
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Q6
Direct Answer
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After 14 years of Conservative government, many constituents live on low incomes or in poverty. The Government's welfare Green Paper proposes employment support measures.
Happy St George’s Day, Mr Speaker. May I associate myself with the Prime Minister’s remarks about Pope Francis? After 14 years of a Conservative Government, too many of my constituents live on low incomes or in real poverty. I very much welcome the employment support proposals in the welfare Green Paper, but the Government have to be clear about the real opportunities they are offering to the more than 3 million families who they say will lose out financially as a result of this package. Before asking MPs to vote, can the Prime Minister confirm that we will see fresh analysis from the Office for Budget Responsibility, evidence on who will be affected by the personal independence payments changes, and the Government’s own assessment of the employment impact of their measures? Will he confirm that this policy will not result in increased experience of poverty?
We are reforming a broken system—the system that we inherited. I think most people accept that it needs reform, because it traps people in unemployment and inactivity, and we need to reform it for that reason. The principles will be that we will provide support where support is needed. Where people want to get into work, we will help them into work. The current system operates against people who want to get into work and make that transition; if they can work, they should work. Moving into work is what halves the risk of being in poverty, and that is why we have invested £1 billion in tailored employment support. Of course, we are also introducing a new premium for those with the most severe lifelong disabilities who will never be able to work.
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Q7
Direct Answer
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The Prime Minister's government has taken steps to improve the NHS in England, but in Scotland, the SNP government faces criticism for its approach.
I commend the Prime Minister and his Government for the action taken to reform the NHS in England and make it fit for the modern day, with improved technology, more GPs and appointments, and waiting lists cut for consecutive months. However, it is deeply unfortunate that in Scotland the SNP Government have made the political choice to waste taxpayer money on vanity projects, flawed legislation and failed court cases rather than focus on improving our health service. Does the Prime Minister agree that the people of Airdrie and Shotts, who have been promised a new hospital for almost a decade, deserve far better than to suffer in pain while on waiting lists or to receive treatment in crumbling buildings as a direct consequence of SNP incompetence?
We are committed to improving the NHS and ensuring that it is fit for the modern day. We have made significant progress in England, including improved technology, more GPs and appointments, and a reduction in waiting lists. However, I understand the frustration of those who feel let down by their local health service.
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Q8
Partial Answer
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The MP is concerned about the UK government's approach to China, considering it a hostile state.
I am sure the Prime Minister will join me in celebrating the opening of the new Brixton blood donation centre in my constituency, which in three months has seen over 3,700 people donate, more than 1,000 of them first-timers and 10% of them black. However, given that sickle cell anaemia is the fastest growing genetic condition in the UK, that is not enough. Demand for the Ro blood subtype—more common in people of African descent—is rising by 10% to 15% annually, and it is crucial for treating sickle cell. Rules around travellers as well as inaccurate iron tests mean that we are seeing willing black donors turned away for four to twelve months.
I will leave that to you, Mr Speaker. I do not think it is for me to suggest that you donate your blood, although I am sure that you do and that we can support this jointly. We should take that up across the House under your leadership, Mr Speaker. Let me join my hon. Friend in welcoming the new Brixton blood donor centre and the lifesaving support that it provides. Increasing donor diversity is a priority for the NHS, and we are working to increase Ro blood donations by engaging with communities who are more likely to have that blood type.
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Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not commit to reviewing specific rules but suggested involving Mr Speaker in facilitating a biannual blood drive in Parliament.
Leaving It To Mr Speaker
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Q9
Partial Answer
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The MP is concerned about the impact of current blood donation rules on black donors, particularly in relation to sickle cell anaemia.
I am sure the Prime Minister will join me in celebrating the opening of the new Brixton blood donation centre in my constituency, which in three months has seen over 3,700 people donate, more than 1,000 of them first-timers and 10% of them black. However, given that sickle cell anaemia is the fastest growing genetic condition in the UK, that is not enough. Demand for the Ro blood subtype—more common in people of African descent—is rising by 10% to 15% annually, and it is crucial for treating sickle cell. Rules around travellers as well as inaccurate iron tests mean that we are seeing willing black donors turned away for four to twelve months.
I will leave that to you, Mr Speaker. I do not think it is for me to suggest that you donate your blood, although I am sure that you do and that we can support this jointly. We should take that up across the House under your leadership, Mr Speaker. Let me join my hon. Friend in welcoming the new Brixton blood donor centre and the lifesaving support that it provides. Increasing donor diversity is a priority for the NHS, and we are working to increase Ro blood donations by engaging with communities who are more likely to have that blood type.
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Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not commit to reviewing specific rules but suggested involving Mr Speaker in facilitating a biannual blood drive in Parliament.
Leaving It To Mr Speaker
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Q10
Partial Answer
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The MP is concerned about a constituent's long delay in accessing primary care services, which resulted in a stage 4 cancer diagnosis.
My constituent Billy spent months trying to see a GP to investigate his symptoms. It took four months of telephone appointments before he was finally seen in person and got the test that diagnosed stage 4 cancer. That delay in diagnosis has dramatically changed the prognosis, and as someone who has become a friend, it hurts me to see the pain that he is now living in. Does the Prime Minister agree that primary care is a vital part of the healthcare system and that we need wider access to both in-person and telephone appointments?
I am deeply sorry to hear about Billy’s case; I am sure the whole House is. Our focus has to be on making sure that GPs spend more time caring for patients. That includes the investment of an additional £889 million in general practice in England, which has put over 1,500 GPs into surgeries since October.
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Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not directly address the issue of GP appointment delays but highlighted investment and new GPs in surgeries.
Highlighting Investment
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Q11
Partial Answer
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The MP is concerned about proposed changes to personal independence payments that may affect people with lifelong conditions such as learning disabilities.
Proposed changes to personal independence payments mean that people who require various levels of support due to lifelong conditions such as learning disabilities will not meet the new eligibility criteria. However, the Green Paper introduces a group of people with lifelong conditions who will not be subject to reassessment. Can the Prime Minister confirm that people with a learning disability—a lifelong condition that will not change—will be included in the group of claimants who will not be subjected to repeated reassessments?
I thank my hon. Friend for her question; I know this issue means a lot to her. We are clear on the principles for reform: protecting those with the most severe disabilities, who will never be able to work, as she refers to, and making sure that people with the most severe disabilities and health conditions will never again face the prospect of being constantly reassessed. We are making sure that extra financial support is based on the impact of a health condition or disability, not the capacity to work.
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Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not confirm specific protections for people with learning disabilities but highlighted general principles and protections for severe disabilities.
Highlighting General Principles
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Q12
Partial Answer
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The MP is concerned about attracting more capital into the City of London's capital markets.
Through the ages, an innovative and vibrant City of London has underpinned investment and growth in the wider economy, but the main challenge the City currently faces is how to get more capital into capital markets. Like many, I believe that London could gain new momentum if the Government took bold action to challenge and empower those who steward our pension assets to do things in new ways. Following the Chancellor’s decision to offer continuity of leadership at the Financial Conduct Authority, will the Prime Minister convene an urgent No. 10 summit with City leaders and the regulators to provide a reset and to maximise the chances that the City can lead economic growth and recovery in these times of grave uncertainty and turmoil?
The right hon. Gentleman is right that we need to go further and faster in kick-starting growth and attracting the investment we need to create jobs, and that our regulators must regulate for growth and not just for risk. We do want that continuity of leadership that he mentioned, and we are convening and getting people together to drive growth.
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Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not commit to a specific summit but indicated ongoing efforts to drive growth.
Indicating Ongoing Efforts
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Q13
Partial Answer
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Humanitarian law organisations have applied for an arrest warrant for Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar over allegations of war crimes in Gaza, including the siege of Kamal Adwan hospital and torture of its director, Dr Hussam Abu Safiya. The Prime Minister's decision to allow Sa'ar's visit has been criticised.
Last week, humanitarian law organisations applied for an arrest warrant for Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar over alleged war crimes in Gaza, including the siege of Kamal Adwan hospital and the torture of its director, Dr Hussam Abu Safiya. The Prime Minister is a human rights lawyer, so surely he knows that the UK has a legal duty to uphold international law. Why did he block the arrest of an unindicted war criminal?
I didn’t block the arrest of an unindicted war criminal. I did not take any action to prevent the issuance or execution of an arrest warrant for Gideon Sa’ar.
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Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister's exact role and decision-making process regarding the arrest warrant.
Didn'T Block
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Q14
Partial Answer
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The Chancellor’s economic policies, Energy Secretary’s high energy prices for Scotland, and the Foreign Secretary’s diplomatic support for actions in Gaza have all contributed to dissatisfaction among Scottish constituents. The questioner references the independence movement gaining popularity.
His Chancellor’s economic policies started off badly and have headed rapidly downhill from there, his Energy Secretary’s policies ensure that energy-rich Scotland lives under the highest domestic and commercial energy prices in the world, and his Foreign Secretary provides diplomatic cover for the atrocities committed in Gaza by the Israel Defence Forces. Does he understand why the people of Scotland are so dissatisfied with his latest iteration of dysfunctional British rule in Scotland?
Does the hon. Gentleman understand that the electorate in Scotland answered that question in July of last year? I remember that there used to be quite a few SNP Members sitting on the Opposition Benches; now it is a distant cry from up on the Back Benches.
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Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not address the dissatisfaction and reasons for Scottish independence support directly.
Electorate Answered In July
Fewer Snp Members
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