PMQs 2025-10-29

2025-10-29

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Kemi Badenoch Con
North West Essex
Context
The Leader of the Opposition asked about Labour's economic promises made in their manifesto, specifically regarding income tax, national insurance, and VAT. She noted that previously, the Prime Minister had replied with a single-word answer.
Last year, in its manifesto, Labour promised not to increase income tax, not to increase national insurance, and not to increase VAT. Does the Prime Minister still stand by his promises?
I am glad that the Leader of the Opposition is now finally talking about the economy. I can update the House: retail sales are higher than expected; inflation is lower than expected; growth has been upgraded this year; and the UK stock market is at an all-time high. The Budget is on 26 November, and we will lay out our plans then, but I can tell the House now that we will build a stronger economy, cut NHS waiting lists and deliver a better future for our country.
Assessment & feedback
Did not directly confirm or deny commitment to manifesto promises about taxes
Talks About Economic Improvements Without Addressing Tax Commitments
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Kemi Badenoch Con
North West Essex
Context
The Leader of the Opposition criticised the Prime Minister for not providing a clear answer to her previous question about economic promises. She also highlighted specific measures proposed by Conservatives, such as abolishing stamp duty.
Well, well, well; what a fascinating answer. It is not the same answer that I received when I asked exactly the same question, word for word, on 9 July. Then, the Prime Minister replied with just one word—yes—and then he sat down with a smug grin on his face. What has changed in the past four months?
As the Leader of the Opposition well knows, no Prime Minister or Chancellor will ever set out their plans in advance. But I can say this: the figures from the productivity review that is being undertaken—which is a judgment on the Tories’ record in office—are now coming through, and they confirm that the Tories did even more damage to the economy than we had previously thought. We will turn that around. We have already delivered the fastest growth in the G7 in the first half of this year, five interest rate cuts in a row, and trade deals with the US, EU and India. The Tories broke the economy; we are fixing it.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide clear answer about previous confirmation on economic promises
Shifts Focus To Criticism Of Conservative'S Economic Record
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Jeff Smith Lab
Manchester Withington
Context
The situation in Gaza where Israeli airstrikes have caused significant civilian casualties and damage, leading to a humanitarian crisis. The conflict involves breaches of peace agreements and international law.
As Palestinians try to rebuild their lives amid the rubble of Gaza, last night once again dozens of innocent people were killed by Israeli airstrikes. What will the UK do, along with our international partners, to hold the Israeli—the Netanyahu—Government to account for their actions, and what more can we do to ensure that aid gets in as the Israel Defence Forces block aid in breach of both the peace agreement and international law?
I thank my hon. Friend for raising this point. I am deeply concerned by the strikes. This underlines the fragility of the ceasefire deal. All sides need to uphold President Trump’s peace plan. It is the only route to long-term peace for Israelis and Palestinians. We are of course in close touch with the US and regional allies pushing for de-escalation. The scale of destruction in Gaza is unimaginable. The immediate priority remains getting aid in at the speed and the volume needed.
Assessment & feedback
No specific steps or commitments were provided to hold Israel accountable for their actions or address the humanitarian crisis directly.
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Jonathan Brash Lab
Hartlepool
Context
The 3UP campaign seeks to grant a third promotion place from the National League to League Two, aiming to benefit historic clubs and ensure stability in football. The current structure is seen as unfair by many clubs.
Football is a game based on fairness, yet brilliant clubs that unite communities every week, like Hartlepool, are being held back by a fundamental unfairness. The 3UP campaign—backed by 72 national league clubs, including Hartlepool United, and championed by Hartlepool legend Jeff Stelling—seeks to grant a third promotion place from the National League to League Two. This simple change would be transformational for these historic clubs, many of which are over a century old. While I accept Arsenal may never directly benefit from such a change, does the Prime Minister agree that this campaign to put football first would help the new football regulator to protect club heritage, ensure stability, and put fairness and fans back at the heart of our game?
Can I start by wishing Hartlepool United the best for this season? My hon. Friend will appreciate that the structure of the leagues is a matter for the leagues themselves, but I commend his campaign and everything that he is putting behind it. I also pay tribute to the staff, fans and players of Sheffield Wednesday at this difficult time. We have delivered the Independent Football Regulator to stand up for fans and to make sure that clubs have fit and proper owners. The Conservatives used to support that, but now they oppose it.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not explicitly state whether he supports or opposes the 3UP campaign but highlighted his support for the Independent Football Regulator instead.
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
Gavin Robinson DUP
Belfast East
Context
The PSNI faces an ongoing national security threat and additional costs due to historical legacies. It has been underfunded, with a shortfall in police officers despite recommendations for 7,500 officers.
Does the Prime Minister know that the Treasury did not look favourably on a request to draw on reserves for a £120 million data breach cost? Can he recognise that this incident matches Treasury criteria and ensure engagement with the Chancellor to support the PSNI's financial needs?
I thank the right hon. Gentleman for raising this important issue, which I know is of real concern to him. I reassure him that I am in regular contact with Chief Constable Jon Boutcher and the PSNI on it. As he is aware, we provided a record settlement of £19.3 billion a year on average for the Executive, and we invested £113 million in additional security funding for the PSNI to help address specific security challenges.
Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address the request for reconsideration of the funding issue or engagement with the Chancellor.
Reassurance Acknowledgement
Response accuracy
Q6 Partial Answer
Alan Strickland Lab
Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor
Context
Hudson's parents lost their two-year-old son after a misdiagnosis over the phone. An online petition has gained 80,000 signatures.
Will the Prime Minister send best wishes to Hudson’s family and ensure they meet with a Health Minister to discuss better access to face-to-face NHS appointments for children under five?
I thank my hon. Friend for raising that tragic case and I am sure that I speak for the whole House in saying that we send our sympathies and thoughts to Hudson’s parents, Shannon and Tyler. I will make sure that they get the meeting that he has asked for.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
James McMurdock Ind
South Basildon and East Thurrock
Context
Basildon hospital has been downgraded to inadequate by the Care Quality Commission.
Will the Prime Minister or Secretary of State for Health and Social Care visit Basildon with him so they can thank staff and address problems?
I thank the hon. Gentleman for raising this issue and for the two examples that he has given. The downgrading of Basildon hospital is deeply disappointing. The Care Quality Commission has set out immediate actions for the trust leaders to deliver improvements.
Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address the request for a visit, instead pointed out political affiliation and NHS stance.
Disagreement Reassurance
Response accuracy
Q8 Partial Answer
Anneliese Midgley Lab
Knowsley
Context
Reform party members voted against the Employment Rights Bill multiple times, while Labour has been working on improving workers' rights.
Does the Prime Minister agree that only this Government are on the side of working people? It is Labour that is creating tens of thousands of jobs and protecting workers from unfair dismissal.
I am proud that we have delivered the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation—which the Tories and Reform have voted against at every turn, as they always do with any form of workers’ rights and protections. The deal that we struck on Monday with Turkey is worth £8 billion, 20,000 jobs and 10 years of work in manufacturing the Typhoons.
Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address the question regarding Labour's stance on workers' rights.
Disagreement Reassurance
Response accuracy
Q9 Partial Answer
Clive Jones Lib Dem
Wokingham
Context
Targets for cancer patients starting treatment within 62 days have not been met for a decade.
Will the Prime Minister ensure that the national cancer plan makes it possible to meet the 62-day target, recruit specialists and replace outdated equipment?
I thank the hon. Gentleman for raising this matter, which I know is personal to him. We are investing £600 million to improve diagnostic capacity and are rolling out new radiotherapy machines, including in his local trust. We have seen real improvements, but I acknowledge that there is more to do.
Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address the recruitment of specialists or equipment replacement.
Reassurance Acknowledgment
Response accuracy
Q10 Partial Answer
Mike Wood Con
Kingswinford and South Staffordshire
Context
The previous Government introduced the triple lock, a commitment to increase state pensions in line with inflation. The Chancellor had previously stated that extending the freeze on personal allowances would breach Labour's manifesto commitments.
The triple lock was a great achievement of the previous Government, and we will be keeping it. From April, pensioners with private pensions as low as £2 a month will be paying income tax for the first time. At last year’s Budget, the Chancellor was clear that extending the freeze on personal allowances would breach Labour’s manifesto commitment. Will the Prime Minister prove the media speculation wrong, keep his promise and guarantee that there will be no extension to the freeze on personal allowances?
The freeze was introduced by them. That is why it is coming in next year.
Assessment & feedback
Guarantee about no extension to the freeze on personal allowances
Blaming Previous Government
Response accuracy
Q11 Partial Answer
Graham Stringer Lab
Blackley and Middleton South
Context
The Home Office has faced criticism over disarray and defeatism. There have been numerous Home Secretaries in the past 30 years, each inheriting challenges from previous administrations.
The hon. Member for West Suffolk (Nick Timothy), when he was an official, produced a devastating report on the Home Office. Reading it, it shows a Department characterised by disarray and defeatism. There have been 12 Home Secretaries over the past 30 years. Some were better than others, but none managed to get the Department to deliver the services that people should be able to expect in this country. Will the Prime Minister give the new Home Secretary the necessary resources and policy interventions to ensure that she can be successful?
Yes. She is bearing down on the challenges at the Home Office—most of them inherited from the last Government. We will make the changes necessary, and I have every confidence in the Secretary of State to do so.
Assessment & feedback
Specific resources and policy interventions for the new Home Secretary
Blaming Previous Government
Response accuracy
Q12 Partial Answer
Daniel Zeichner Lab
Cambridge
Context
The United Kingdom is home to a significant science and innovation cluster. The country faces global competition for attracting well-qualified individuals, particularly from American universities.
Cambridge is one of the most intensive science and innovation clusters in the world, and that success is based on openness to talent. At the moment, in many American universities there are many well-qualified people pondering their futures. That presents a fantastic opportunity, but it is a global competition. What are our Government doing to make the destination of choice for those people the United Kingdom?
My hon. Friend’s constituency is just one example of why the United Kingdom is a world leader in educating and attracting the brightest minds. Our immigration White Paper includes changes to make sure that more of the world’s best graduates and entrepreneurs start their careers and businesses here. We are also boosting our research and development sector with more than £86 billion, to ensure that we continue to attract the best and the brightest.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q13 Partial Answer
Alison Griffiths Con
Bognor Regis and Littlehampton
Context
Small business owners in the constituency have reported difficulties due to new taxes, regulations, and costs imposed by the government.
Last weekend I spoke to Paul, who runs Bah-Humbug Sweets in Littlehampton, and yesterday I heard from Matt, a tech entrepreneur whose British company employs thousands worldwide. Their businesses could not be more different, but they both told me the same thing: this Government are piling on new taxes, regulation and costs that are making it harder to create jobs, invest and grow. So when will the Prime Minister stop choking opportunity and start backing the people who create jobs in the first place?
Our small business plan was widely welcomed by small businesses across the country, not least because of their input into it. The hon. Lady complains about the measures we had to take at the last Budget, including national insurance—[Interruption.] The Conservative Front Benchers are saying that we chose to take them, but they still cannot say whether they would reverse them. They know nothing about the damage they did to our economy.
Assessment & feedback
Specific actions to support small businesses
Blaming Opposition
Response accuracy
Q14 Partial Answer
Olly Glover Lib Dem
Didcot and Wantage
Context
There is an urgent need for more funding for additional special schools to spread expertise to mainstream schools. The government announced a delay in reforms to the special educational needs and disabilities system.
I recently had the privilege of visiting Fitzwaryn school, the only special school in my Oxfordshire constituency, to see the excellent care and education it provides. Given the urgent need for more funding for additional special schools and to enable special schools to spread their expertise to mainstream schools, what does the Prime Minister say to parents and education workers who are desperately worried by his Government’s decision announced last week to delay reforms to the special educational needs and disabilities system?
I am grateful to the hon. Member for raising that. I think the broken SEND system has been raised with me more frequently than any other issue at Prime Minister’s questions. We need to review it because it is not working for any of those involved, particularly children and parents. It is important that we get it right and, in so far as we can, that we get a consensus on how we go forward. That is what we are attempting to do.
Assessment & feedback
Specific actions to address concerns over delays in reforms
Promising Review But No Immediate Action
Response accuracy
Q15 Partial Answer
Caroline Voaden Lib Dem
South Devon
Context
Independent local traders in Totnes are upset about the imminent closure of the last bank and Link's refusal to consider a banking hub. 1,100 constituents have signed a petition.
The hon. Member recently met 20 independent local traders in Totnes who are furious that the last bank will close in January and that Link has refused to consider a banking hub. My businesses and constituents—1,100 of them have signed a petition—deserve better. The Prime Minister just told the hon. Member for Blyth and Ashington (Ian Lavery) that a banking hub can be rolled out wherever a community needs one, so will he now back my campaign, ask his Ministers to write to Link and instruct it to grant a banking hub to Totnes, and review the eligibility of rural towns for such hubs so that we can keep our vital high streets alive?
I thank the hon. Member for raising that. She will have heard the answer I gave a few moments ago. I will ensure that she gets a meeting with the relevant Minister so that she can put the case for the banking hub in question.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not commit to asking his Ministers to write to Link or instruct it to grant a banking hub to Totnes, nor did he promise to review eligibility criteria for rural towns.
Response accuracy