Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
Evans
Lab
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Dr Evans raised concerns about the government's recent budget decisions, particularly regarding social benefits for pensioners and changes to inheritance tax.
Could the Prime Minister tell this House whether the outcome of his Budget was by design or by mistake? Did he mean to push 100,000 pensioners into poverty with his own analysis when he removed the winter fuel allowance, or was that a mistake? Did he mean to decimate family farming when he changed inheritance tax, or was that a mistake? Did he mean to tax GPs, care homes and hospices when he raised national insurance contributions, or was that a mistake? Can the Prime Minister tell the House whether they are acceptable collateral damage in his path for change, or simply mistakes that need rectifying?
I will tell the hon. Member what was a mistake: leaving a £22 billion black hole that we had to sort out. We took the difficult decisions, investing in our NHS, and I would have thought he would have welcomed the 2 million extra appointments that we have achieved in the first seven months of a Labour Government.
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The Prime Minister did not directly address whether pushing pensioners into poverty or decimating family farming were intentional mistakes, instead focusing on overall budget decisions and NHS investment.
Working With Partners
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Q2
Partial Answer
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Calton and Grange primary schools in Gloucester are among the first to receive free breakfast clubs, which is part of a Labour Government's promise to support children's education.
I am delighted that Calton and Grange primary schools in my city of Gloucester will be among the first 750 schools to get free breakfast clubs, and I am pleased that this Government are already delivering on their manifesto promises in less than a year. So will the Prime Minister agree with me that, by helping working parents with childcare and delivering the best start to the day for every single child, we are delivering opportunity for the next generation?
I agree with my hon. Friend. We are pleased that two of the early adopter schools will be in his constituency. We are ensuring that all children of primary school age can get access to free breakfasts and at least 30 minutes of free childcare.
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Q3
Partial Answer
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The Leader of the Opposition asked about Ukraine's representation in peace negotiations and questioned inconsistencies in figures related to additional defence spending.
I wish the Prime Minister every success on his trip to Washington. The visit to see President Trump must serve our national interest. The Prime Minister and I are completely united in our support for Ukraine as a proud and sovereign nation. What specific steps will he take to ensure Ukraine is at the negotiating table for any peace settlement?
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for her words about the forthcoming trip. It is right, and I think the whole House will think it is right, that Ukraine must be at the table at negotiations. There can be no negotiations about Ukraine without Ukraine.
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Q4
Partial Answer
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Continuing the discussion on Ukraine, Mrs Badenoch questioned the discrepancy in figures related to additional defence spending announced by the Prime Minister.
Turning to the details of the plan the Prime Minister set out yesterday, over the weekend I suggested to him that he cut the aid budget, and I am pleased that he accepted my advice—[Laughter.] It is the fastest response I have ever had from the Prime Minister. However, he announced £13.4 billion in additional defence spending yesterday. This morning, his Defence Secretary said the uplift is only £6 billion. Which is the correct figure?
If you take the numbers for this financial year and the numbers for the ’27-28 financial year, there is a £13.4 billion increase. That is the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the cold war, and will put us in a position to ensure the security and defence of our country and of Europe.
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The Prime Minister did not directly address which figure was correct, instead restating his own figures.
Repeating Same Answer
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Q5
Direct Answer
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The MP noted the higher cancer incidence, later diagnosis and treatment times, and earlier mortality rates in coastal areas compared to other regions.
Will the Prime Minister give an update on the Government’s plans to implement the chief medical officer's recommendations for tackling poor health in seaside towns?
Addressing healthcare inequity is part of our 10-year health plan, which aims to halve the gap in healthy life expectancy between the richest and poorest regions. We are already making progress on that.
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Q6
Direct Answer
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The MP referenced recent controversial rhetoric from the U.S. and expressed concern about potential divergence between UK-US relations and European alliances.
Will the Prime Minister assure that standing with Ukraine, working closely with European allies, upholding international law, and remaining a strong part of NATO will form a central part of his message at this week’s summit?
We certainly stand with Ukraine, as I think I speak for the whole House when I say that. NATO is the bedrock of our security; it has been our most important alliance for many years and needs to hold the peace for many years to come.
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Q7
Direct Answer
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The MP highlighted the case of a constituent who died by suicide and noted higher suicide rates in the north-west compared to London.
Will the Prime Minister outline what more can be done, working across Government, to help Warrington meet its target of eliminating suicides?
We are committed to taking forward the suicide prevention strategy for England and recruiting an additional 8,500 mental health workers trained to support people at risk of suicide. One death by suicide is one too many, and reducing the number is a vital part of our health mission.
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Q8
Direct Answer
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The question relates to the Prime Minister's visit to Washington and his role in bridging UK-US relations, invoking historical parallels with Winston Churchill during WWII.
I welcome the Prime Minister’s statement committing us to increased defence spending and reaffirming the UK’s support for Ukraine and its democratically elected leader, President Zelensky. He is a wartime leader like Winston Churchill, who also had to delay elections because his country faced an existential threat. As the Prime Minister travels to Washington, with this House and the country willing him to succeed, will he invoke the legacy of Churchill in making the case for the UK to be the key in bridging transatlantic relations, to bring us all together for the sake of freedom and democracy across the world?
I thank the hon. Member for his question, and may I pick up on both elements? First, President Zelensky is a democratically elected leader and suspending elections was precisely what we did in this country when we were fighting in the second world war. Secondly, yes, the UK has successfully been a bridge between the US and Europe for many years. It is vital that we continue in that role. That is why my message to President Trump is that the relationship between our two countries needs to go from strength to strength—it is already strong—while we work at the same time with our European allies.
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Q9
Direct Answer
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The question addresses a recent stabbing incident in Bournemouth, emphasizing the need for more action to tackle knife crime and highlight local organizations providing positive activities for youth.
On Monday night, there was a brutal double stabbing in my constituency, which adds to a long line of horrific knife attacks that have included three fatalities over the past two years. I know that the Prime Minister is aware of the particular challenges we face in Bournemouth. Although crime has been going down, I know there is much more that he will want to do. Will he join me in praising the crucial work done by organisations such as Changes Are Made, which provide positive activities such as boxing to young people, and will he share what more the Government can do to tackle knife crime in communities such as mine?
I thank my hon. Friend for raising that really important issue. Yesterday, we introduced our Crime and Policing Bill, which is central to our plan for change and to halving knife crime. It involves new powers to seize and destroy knives found on private property and a new criminal offence of possessing a bladed article with the intent to cause harm, plus tougher penalties for selling dangerous weapons to under-18s and stricter rules for online sales under Ronan’s law. We will continue that work.
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Q10
Direct Answer
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The question concerns the ongoing flood risk faced by constituents of Datchet, Horton, and Wraysbury due to the current proposal for the River Thames scheme.
The floods of 2013-14 devastated Datchet, Horton and Wraysbury, and the flooding last January was not much better. But shockingly, the River Thames scheme as currently proposed continues to leave my constituents at risk. The council was asked to cough up tens of millions but, like many, it is cash-strapped. Does the Prime Minister agree that the only option to protect my constituents is to fund channel 1 of the River Thames scheme as national strategic infrastructure, which really it is?
The hon. Member has raised this issue before, which obviously is important for his constituents. We inherited flood defences in their worst state on record, which is why we are investing £2.6 billion to protect over 50,000 properties. I understand that the options to reduce flood risk to these communities are being considered as part of the Datchet and Hythe End flood alleviation scheme. I will ensure that he has a meeting with the relevant Minister to take forward the work.
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Q11
Direct Answer
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The question highlights the importance of Doncaster Sheffield Airport in supporting local industry and economic growth.
In order for the Government’s growth agenda to be a success, it must be felt in all areas of the country, including Doncaster and South Yorkshire, where we have green growth transport companies such as Hybrid Air Vehicles and Clean Power Hydrogen, alongside the reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport. Will the Prime Minister put on record his support for Mayor Ros Jones, who has led on the airport reopening? Will he set out how the growth agenda will override traditional investment patterns mainly in the south of England and bring prosperity to South Yorkshire and the north as a whole?
Yes, I will. Doncaster has a proud industrial heritage of rail, steel and coal, and extraordinary potential for industries of the future, from hydrogen to artificial intelligence. We are focused on devolving more power and funding to metro Mayors to support regional industry. We will work with the Mayors of Doncaster and South Yorkshire to support efforts to reopen Doncaster Sheffield airport.
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Q12
Direct Answer
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The question pertains to proposed changes in the definition of single malt whisky that could negatively impact Scottish distilleries.
I have the privilege to represent the home of Speyside malts, one the finest Scotch whiskies. Last week, the UK Government unveiled damaging plans to grant a different definition of single malt to English producers from that of Scottish single malts. That is entirely inconsistent with the global reputation of the quality of single malts, and seeks to tear up the well-established definition of a single malt, pulling the rug yet further from under the Scottish whisky industry. Given the backlash from the industry and the damage that it could cause to Scotch whisky exports and jobs, will the Prime Minister’s word on whisky be his whisky bond? Will he back the industry to the hilt and scrap these plans?
We do support Scotch whisky. It is a really important part of our economy, and that is why we allocated £5 million in the Budget to it and why we are working with Brazil, which is worth £25 million for Scotch whisky. That is what we are doing to support that sector in Scotland. In another sector, at the weekend I was very pleased to announce the £200 million investment in Grangemouth and in future generations there.
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Q13
Direct Answer
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The question relates to the Prime Minister’s support for Ukraine following a visit by the MP to the country.
Yesterday I returned from Ukraine, having spent four days with a cross-party delegation of parliamentarians. The Ukrainians we met from across society had one simple message: they were deeply thankful for our partnership, and they wanted us to know that they can overcome the Russian invasion because they must. Does the Prime Minister agree that alongside our welcome 100-year partnership, now is the time for the UK to redouble our efforts alongside our European partners to help secure Ukraine’s future as a free, democratic and sovereign European nation?
Yes, I do. I am proud of the way that the United Kingdom has risen to the challenge of the past three years in a united way, through the capability and funding that we have provided to Ukraine and also by throwing open homes here to those fleeing. I was privileged to welcome some of the families to Downing Street on Monday. It was a human reminder of the impact on them, their children and their families.
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Q14
Partial Answer
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The question follows concerns about the Prime Minister's visit to Washington and discussions with former US President Donald Trump.
While discussing his meeting in Washington, will he undertake to raise with President Trump the fact that Canada is a valued, respected and much-loved member of both NATO and our Commonwealth? This childish nonsense of a 51st state should be called out by the Prime Minister for what it is.
I thank the hon. Member for raising this issue. The UK and Canada are close allies and have been for a long time, with a partnership based on a shared history and a shared set of values and a determination to be an active force for good in the world.
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Working With Partners
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Q15
Partial Answer
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The MP raises concerns about a planning decision regarding a battery energy storage system application in her constituency, which she argues undermines local green belt protections.
In my constituency, the planning inspector chose to use the term 'grey belt' to pass a battery energy storage system application before the order was laid in the House to change the national planning policy framework and without recognising the moratorium for local authorities to manage their local plans. Can the Prime Minister define what grey belt actually is?
I am not across the details of the right hon. Member’s case, as she will understand, but I am in favour of making sure that we can have the infrastructure and the houses we need to grow our economy.
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Not Across The Details
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Q16
Partial Answer
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The MP raises concerns about the transition process in Northern Ireland, highlighting previous failed transitions and the need for robust measures against paramilitarism.
In light of the announcement yesterday on transition, does the Prime Minister recognise that people will be highly sceptical of the process? There must be real learnings from the failed transitions of the past. There can be no rewards for paramilitaries for hanging on.
I thank my hon. Friend for raising this important and obviously sensitive issue. We are committed to making progress towards ending paramilitarism once and for all in Northern Ireland. That is why we have agreed to support a short independent exercise to look at a formal process.
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Supporting An Independent Exercise
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Q17
Direct Answer
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The question follows the Prime Minister's announcement about NATO, focusing on the importance of American leadership in NATO.
Does the Prime Minister agree that our biggest single foreign policy priority is the preservation of NATO with America at its heart? If so, following his welcome announcement yesterday, is the next step to talk to our European allies and for all of us to agree to spend 3% of GDP on defence within a specified timescale, so we can look the President in the eye and say that Europe is finally pulling its weight on defence?
I agree with the right hon. Gentleman entirely on the priority in terms of NATO. Putin thought he could weaken NATO. He has only made it stronger and larger. NATO’s strength comes from the US, European partners and others working together, and that is absolutely the focus of my work at the moment. It is right, as he says, that European countries, including the United Kingdom, need to do more on capability, co-ordination and defence spend.
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Q18
Direct Answer
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The Grangemouth refinery in central Scotland has been facing potential closure since November 2023, leading to discussions about securing permanent good jobs at the site.
The Grangemouth refinery closure has loomed over central Scotland since Petroineos’s announcement in November 2023. Two weeks ago, Scottish Labour colleagues and I met the National Wealth Fund to make the case for investment in Grangemouth. I strongly welcome the exceptional commitment that this Labour Government have shown to Grangemouth by committing £200 million from the National Wealth Fund. Can I ask the Prime Minister what steps the Government will be taking to secure permanent good jobs at Grangemouth?
I thank my hon. Friend for being such a great champion for Scotland and his constituency. Grangemouth is really important to communities in Scotland and to the economy in Scotland. It is not a charity case; it has incredible potential and huge opportunity. That is why, at the weekend, I was pleased to announce £200 million from the National Wealth Fund to incentivise private investment. That follows the £100 million in the growth deal that we announced earlier. This is about securing jobs for decades to come in Grangemouth.
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