PMQs 2024-04-17

2024-04-17

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Context
The Liberal Democrat-run North Devon Council has not reopened the Barnstaple bus station since the pandemic.
Does my right hon. Friend agree that towns such as Barnstaple—the main transport hub in North Devon, serving hundreds of square miles—should have a fully functioning bus station? The Liberal Democrat-run North Devon Council has not reopened ours since the pandemic, leaving residents out in the cold with no public facilities. Does my right hon. Friend agree that, as people start to feel the difference as a result of tax cuts and falling inflation, we should be making it easier for people to use the bus, come to town and support Barnstaple's local economy? Will he join me in calling on the Lib Dems to get on with reopening the bus station?
We know how vital bus services are for communities right across the country. That is why we are providing Devon with £17 million to deliver better bus services, and we introduced the £2 fare bus cap. I know that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport recently visited my hon. Friend and saw the benefits of reopening Barnstaple bus station, and it is clear that the local Liberal Democrats should just get on and do it.
Assessment & feedback
Did not explicitly commit to joining the MP in calling on the Lib Dems to reopen the bus station
Changed Subject To Government Actions
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The former Prime Minister's new book mentions the 'happiest moment' as her time in office when she triggered chaos for millions due to a disastrous kamikaze Budget.
I, too, welcome the postmasters in the Gallery, in their quest for justice. This week we marked 35 years since the disaster at Hillsborough, and the enduring courage and determination of the families must be marked by the passing of a Hillsborough law. We also lost Lord Richard Rosser, a lifelong member of the Labour party. He will be greatly missed, and our thoughts are with his wife Sheena and his family and friends. I am privileged to be the proud owner of a copy of the former Prime Minister's new book. It is a rare unsigned copy; it is the only unsigned copy. It is quite the read. She claims that the Tory party's disastrous kamikaze Budget, which triggered chaos for millions, was the “happiest moment” of her premiership. Has the Prime Minister met anyone with a mortgage who agrees?
All I would say is that the right hon. and learned Gentleman ought to spend a bit less time reading that book, and a bit more time reading the Deputy Leader's tax advice.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address whether any homeowners agreed with former Prime Minister's statement about Budget being happy moment
Criticized Labour
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The questioner criticizes the current Prime Minister for being a billionaire with family tax avoidance schemes, linking this to economic issues.
We have a billionaire Prime Minister, and a billionaire—[Interruption.] Both of whose families have used schemes to avoid millions of pounds of tax, smearing a working-class woman. [Interruption.] The former Prime Minister has a long list of people to blame for the economic misery. Conservative Members do not want to hear it, but they made her Prime Minister, and millions of people are paying the price. She blames the Governor of the Bank of England, the Treasury, the Office for Budget Responsibility. The American President is blamed at one point. We even learn that the poor old lettuce was part of the “deep state”. Does the Prime Minister agree that it is actually much simpler than that? It was the Tories' unfunded tax cuts—tens of billions of pounds of unfunded tax cuts—that crashed the economy and left millions paying more for their mortgages, wasn't it?
Everyone knows that two years ago I was not afraid to repeatedly warn about what my predecessor's economic policies would lead to, even if it was not what people wanted to hear at the time. I was right then, but I am also right now when I say that the right hon. and learned Gentleman's economic policies would be a disaster for Britain. He would send inflation up, mortgages up and taxes up, and working people would pay the price.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address whether Tory tax cuts were responsible for crashing the economy
Criticized Labour'S Economic Policies
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The questioner argues that the Tory party's obsession with unfunded tax cuts has crashed the economy.
I appreciate the Prime Minister having the stomach to say that out loud, but everyone knows that it is the Tory party's obsession with wild, unfunded tax cuts that crashed the economy. We know it, he knows it and his party knows it, and the whole country is living it. When is he finally going to learn the lesson from his predecessor's mistakes and explain where the money is coming from for his own completely unfunded £46 billion promise to scrap national insurance?
When my predecessor was running for leader, I did have—to use the right hon. and learned Gentleman's words—the stomach to argue out loud about her economic policies. I had the conviction to say that they were wrong—not once, but twice. He tried to make his predecessor Prime Minister, despite him opposing NATO and Trident, ignoring antisemitism and siding with our enemies. It is clear what the right hon. and learned Gentleman did: he put his own interests ahead of Britain's.
Assessment & feedback
Did not explain where funding comes from for scrapping national insurance
Criticized Labour'S Political Stances
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The questioner criticizes the Prime Minister for refusing to address where funding comes from for his £46 billion promise to scrap national insurance.
Actually, when the Prime Minister was running for leader, he explained how he was funnelling money from poor areas to pay it into richer areas. We know what his record is. I notice the Prime Minister is not denying the £46 billion promise to scrap national insurance, but he is refusing to say where the money will come from. We have been trying for months to get to the bottom of this, so now is his chance. No more spin, no more waffle, no more diversion—I know that will be difficult. This is the choice: either he can cut the state pension or the NHS, which national insurance funds—that is route one—or he can put up income tax. Which one is it?
We have just cut taxes by £900 for a typical worker. We have delivered the biggest tax cut for businesses since the 1980s. But while we are cutting taxes, Labour is already putting them up. In Wales, it is putting up taxes right now for small businesses. In Birmingham, it is putting up council tax by 21%. In London, the Labour Mayor has put up taxes by 70%. This is just a glimpse of what they would do if they got into power. A few weeks ago, the right hon. and learned Gentleman finally admitted it to The Sun. What did he say he would do? He said, “We would put up taxes.” It is always the same: higher taxes, and working people paying the price.
Assessment & feedback
Did not specify funding source for scrapping national insurance
Criticized Labour'S Tax Policies
Response accuracy
Q6 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The question arises from the Prime Minister's refusal to rule out tax hikes or service cuts to fund his promise of scrapping national insurance.
No single politician has ever put tax up more times than the Prime Minister. Will he now rule out cutting NHS funding or state pensions to pay for scrapping national insurance?
I make absolutely no apology about wanting to end the unfairness of double taxation on work. The NHS is receiving record funding under this Conservative Government and Pensioners have just received a £900 increase.
Assessment & feedback
Cuts to state pensions or tax increases were not directly addressed.
Avoided Ruling Out Cuts
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The issue revolves around the Prime Minister's promise to scrap national insurance without providing details on how this will be funded.
Two chances were given for ruling out cuts to state pensions or tax hikes. Will he now rule out these measures?
We have delivered a £900 increase to state pensions and committed to the triple lock. The NHS is better run under Conservatives than Labour in Wales.
Assessment & feedback
Cuts to state pensions or tax increases were not directly addressed.
Highlighted Achievements Instead
Response accuracy
Q8 Direct Answer
Context
The allocation of £20 million to Carlton in the long-term plan for towns has prompted a call for resident consultations.
Welcomes the £20 million allocated to Carlton but urges residents to take part in upcoming consultations to ensure that their voices are heard and priorities are met.
75 towns will benefit from £20 million each for local investment, including Carlton. Local people should decide on priorities such as high street regeneration and green spaces.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q9 Direct Answer
Stephen Flynn SNP
Aberdeen South
Context
Gordon Brown's comments about the forces pulling Britain apart being stronger than those holding it together.
References Gordon Brown's statement that the forces pulling Britain apart are greater than those holding it together. Does PM agree with this former Prime Minister?
Strongly agrees that Scotland would be far stronger inside the United Kingdom.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q10 Partial Answer
Stephen Flynn SNP
Aberdeen South
Context
The Scottish Trades Union Congress general secretary's statement that the issue of Scotland's future remains unresolved.
Gordon Brown was correct about Scottish independence not being off the agenda. Does PM welcome Labour party support in denying Scots a say over their future?
A democratic vote was held, but SNP should focus on schools, hospitals, jobs instead of independence. Criticises SNP for wasting time.
Assessment & feedback
Focus on future priorities rather than addressing the specific question about denying a vote.
Shifts To Other Issues
Response accuracy
Q11 Partial Answer
Context
The Labour police and crime commissioner's actions in handing a three-year contract to the chief constable during an ongoing investigation.
Abhors a two-tier policing system. Does PM agree that complete transparency is vital throughout this investigation?
Agrees that there are same rules for everyone and Labour should show leadership by publishing legal advice.
Assessment & feedback
Publication of legal advice instead of addressing transparency.
Shifts Focus To Legal Advice Publication
Response accuracy
Q12 Partial Answer
Colum Eastwood Social Democratic & Labour Party
Social Democratic and Labour Party
Context
The Kenova report highlighted the involvement of IRA agents in crimes against British and Irish citizens, with knowledge by successive British Governments. The report calls for an apology to victims.
The recently published Kenova report makes it clear that the IRA was riddled with British agents from top to bottom. Those agents were involved in the abduction, torture and murder of British and Irish citizens. The British Government—successive British Governments—knew all about it and did nothing. The report also calls for an apology from the Government to those victims. Will the Prime Minister take this opportunity to make that apology?
As the hon. Gentleman will know, the report is an interim one. As the Secretary of State has laid out, we cannot comment on the findings until we get the final report, but we would never condone wrongdoing where there is evidence of that.
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to apologizing or recognizing specific wrongdoing; avoided commenting on interim nature of the report without direct answer
Cannot Comment Until Final Report
Response accuracy
Q13 Partial Answer
Context
Ben Houchen, the Strong Mayor of the Tees Valley, has implemented several initiatives including a freeport, airport savings, and steelmaking revival without charging mayoral tax.
Does my right hon. Friend agree—we do not agree on everything—that anyone who want to see why the Government introduced strong Mayors need look only at Ben Houchen in the Tees Valley? From saving our airport to introducing our freeport to bringing steelmaking back, Ben delivers. Does my right hon. Friend also agree that the best thing is that Ben has done this without charging any mayoral tax, which his Labour opponent would need to do to fund his unfunded spending plans?
My right hon. Friend is absolutely right to raise the great work of Ben Houchen. I share his concerns about the pledges of the Labour candidate—over £130 million of unfunded spending, showing that Labour cannot be trusted. The story of Labour in local government is one of working people paying the price.
Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address Ben Houchen's achievements or support them specifically; focused on criticizing Labour
Does Not Agree On Everything Concerns About Labour'S Spending
Response accuracy
Q14 Partial Answer
Helen Morgan Lib Dem
North Shropshire
Context
Last year, over 10,000 people waited for more than 24 hours in A&E in Shropshire; constituents want to know how long they will have to wait for improvements.
Last year, in Shropshire, 10,000 people waited for more than 24 hours in A&E. That is 10,000 people over 65 waiting on hard plastic chairs or on trolleys in our accident and emergency department. The Prime Minister tells us that he has got a plan for the NHS, but people in North Shropshire want to know how long they will have to wait for him to get on and fix the issues where we are.
With the record funding that we are putting into the NHS, our urgent and emergency care plan is delivering more ambulances and more beds, with faster discharge through our hospitals to speed the flow, and that plan is working. Of course there is more to do, but this winter we saw ambulance and A&E waiting times improve from the year before for the first time in many years.
Assessment & feedback
Did not specify timeline or concrete action for improvements; focused on general progress
Record Funding More To Do
Response accuracy
Q15 Partial Answer
Context
In 2010, a person earning £15,000 paid £1,700 in income tax; today it is less than £500. Questioner believes this helped create jobs and growth.
In 2010, somebody earning £15,000 a year paid £1,700 in income tax. Today, somebody earning £15,000 a year pays less than £900 of tax. Does the Prime Minister agree that this has helped to create jobs, growth and self-reliance?
My hon. Friend is quite right. Because of our plan, the economy has, after a tough few years, turned the corner. Inflation has fallen from over 11% to 3.2%, and it is forecast to return back to target in just a few months—a year ahead of expectations. That is why we have been able to cut people's taxes.
Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address the impact on employment and self-reliance; focused on general economic performance
Economy Turned Corner
Response accuracy
Q16 Partial Answer
Sarah Olney Lib Dem
Richmond Park
Context
A constituent was quoted £7,000 and others up to £22,000 for the right to read trial transcripts that are part of their own story. The Liberal Democrats propose an amendment to the Victims and Prisoners Bill to allow free access.
Four years ago, my constituent Juliana was drugged and raped by her then boyfriend. After his conviction, Juliana was advised that reading a transcript of his trial would help her to come to terms with her experience. But when she requested that transcript, she was told that she would have to pay more than £7,000. Astonishingly, Juliana is not alone. I have heard about victims who have been quoted fees of up to £22,000 just to read trial transcripts that are part of their own story. Justice should not have a price tag. The Liberal Democrat amendment to the Victims and Prisoners Bill would give all victims the right to read sentencing remarks and summings-up free of charge. Julian is here in the Gallery today, and she asks whether the Prime Minister will support that amendment. Will he look her in the eye and say yes?
I am extremely sorry to hear about Juliana's case, and my sympathy is with her and her family. We are committed to improving victims' access to court transcripts to help them move on and rebuild their lives. That is why we have already committed to a one-year pilot to help identify the current demand and to inform our next steps.
Assessment & feedback
Did not directly support or reject the amendment; focused on commitment to improving access through a pilot study
Sympathy Commitment To Improvement
Response accuracy
Q17 Partial Answer
Context
Bracknell Forest Council faces special educational needs challenges and has received funding through the safety valve programme but needs additional school places now.
Bracknell Forest Council has a particular challenge with special educational needs, and I am keen to support it. I am grateful to the Government for the recent SEND review, the significant increase in resources and the bespoke safety valve programme for Bracknell, but additional school places are needed now. Will the Prime Minister please agree today to release the funding for our new SEND units at Sandhurst and Edgbarrow schools, and commit to fully funding up front our new SEND school in Crowthorne?
I thank my hon. Friend for highlighting how Bracknell Forest Council has worked positively with the Department for Education through the safety valve programme. As part of that agreement, the council will receive £16 million in extra funding over the next few years to provide the vital education that his constituents deserve.
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to immediate release of funding; focused on long-term commitments
Extra Funding Over Next Few Years
Response accuracy
Q18 Partial Answer
Daniel Zeichner Lab
Cambridge
Context
In earlier exchanges, the current Prime Minister did not defend his predecessor.
In earlier exchanges, we did not hear much of a defence from the Prime Minister of his predecessor. Could he tell the House what he considers to be her greatest achievement?
While the Labour party was busy trying to take us back into the EU and reverse the referendum result, my predecessor was signing trade deals around the world that have seen Brexit Britain overtake the Netherlands, France and Japan to become the fourth largest exporter in the world.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address achievements; focused on defending stance against rejoining EU
Focus On Trade Deals
Response accuracy
Q19 Partial Answer
Context
Claire Massey and her child nearly died in a fire in February 2023. Since then, she has faced bullying by aggressive claims handlers from Policy Expert and Trinity Claims. Claire has raised issues with the Financial Conduct Authority but lacks resolution due to insurer delaying tactics.
My constituent Claire Massey and one of her two children almost lost their lives in a fire at her home in February 2023. Since then, Claire has been a victim of bullying by aggressive claims handlers, and of negligent and unprofessional conduct, including violating a policy and withdrawing alternative accommodation, by the insurer Policy Expert—part of the Accredited Insurance (Europe)— and Trinity Claims. Claire has raised institutional failings with the Financial Conduct Authority, which appears toothless. She has also successfully raised individual issues with the financial ombudsman, but the delaying tactics of the insurers mean that she is no closer to a resolution. Claire is here in the Gallery today and asks whether the Prime Minister will meet her and me to look at how we can better protect consumers against bad practices in the insurance industry.
My hon. Friend is an excellent campaigner on behalf of her constituent, and I extend my sympathy to Claire and her family. While I cannot comment on individual cases, as I am sure she will understand, I know that the Financial Conduct Authority has the powers it needs to take action against firms that breach its rules. Further, customers can contact the Financial Ombudsman Service, whose decisions are binding on insurers. I will immediately ensure that the relevant Minister meets my hon. Friend to look more closely at this specific issue and the case that she raises.
Assessment & feedback
The PM did not commit to meeting Claire Massey himself but promised a meeting with the relevant Minister instead.
Will Immediately Ensure That The Relevant Minister Meets My Hon. Friend
Response accuracy
Q20 Direct Answer
Context
Mykola Stefanchuk, a Ukrainian Member of Parliament, is present in the Public Gallery. Russian forces attacked Chernihiv today, killing at least 10 people and injuring many more.
Ukrainian Member of Parliament, Mykola Stefanchuk, is in the Public Gallery this afternoon. I am sure we all wish to welcome him and wish Ukraine “Slava Ukraini”. Mykola has told me that Ukraine has the people and the courage, but does not currently have the weapons and the air defence to secure her freedom. In light of the Russian attacks on Chernihiv this morning, which have killed at least 10 people and injured many more, will the Prime Minister respond to President Zelensky's statement that this “wouldn't have happened” if Ukraine had received sufficient air defence equipment?
It was a pleasure to address Members of the Ukrainian Parliament when I visited Ukraine earlier this year. Indeed, it was my first foreign visit of the year; I was the first foreign leader to visit Ukraine and President Zelensky to demonstrate our strong support for the Ukrainian people at their moment of struggle against Russian aggression. We have increased the amount of support we have given to Ukraine this year—the first major country to do so—and a big part of that support concerns air defence. Where we have led in supporting Ukraine's efforts, we will continue to do so and continue to encourage other countries around the world to step up and match our leadership, because we all want to see a future for Ukraine based on freedom from tyranny.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q21 Direct Answer
Context
The Prime Minister heard from local people in Pimlico about the concerning rise in violent crime and robbery. The London Labour Mayor has not taken advantage of extra Government funding to recruit more police.
On a recent visit to Pimlico, in my constituency, the Prime Minister heard directly from local people concerned about the eye-watering rise in violent crime and robbery. Does my right hon. Friend agree that the London Labour Mayor has failed to take advantage of extra Government funding to recruit more police, and that on 2 May Londoners can send him a very clear message that he has let them down?
Sadiq Khan is failing London. While burglary is down across England, it is up in London. Violent crime is down across England, but up in London. The Labour Mayor is the only one of 43 police and crime commissioners to have missed his police recruitment target. Londoners will have the chance to speak when they cast their votes on 2 May. I hope that they kick him out because we all know they will be safer with Susan Hall.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q22 Partial Answer
Emma Hardy Lab
Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice
Context
The community in Kingston upon Hull is dealing with the discovery of 35 bodies and unidentifiable cremated ashes at a local funeral home, resulting in fraudulent funeral plans.
My local community is reeling from the discovery of 35 bodies and unidentifiable cremated ashes at a local funeral home. The pain was made worse when people realised that the funeral plans they had used their life savings for were fake. Does the Prime Minister agree that in these unique and limited circumstances banks should offer discretion when deciding if chargeback applies to payment refunds?
I express my sympathies to the families affected by the case that the hon. Lady raises. I believe the Ministry of Justice is urgently looking at the matter. I will ensure someone gets in touch with her as soon as possible.
Assessment & feedback
The PM did not directly address whether banks should exercise discretion regarding chargebacks.
I Express My Sympathies To The Families Affected By The Case That The Hon. Lady Raises
Response accuracy
Q23 Partial Answer
Context
Residents of Cornwall must travel long distances for robotic surgery procedures due to lack of local facilities, causing health inequalities.
Robotic surgery allows laparoscopic surgery to be performed with increased precision, flexibility and control. This can result in reduced patient complication rates, reduced lengths of stay in hospital and reduced hospital readmission. However, there is currently no robotic surgery provision in Cornwall. As a result, residents of Cornwall must travel to Devon for robotic procedures, a journey of more than 80 miles for those from west Cornwall and 120 miles for those from the Isles of Scilly. Will the Prime Minister commit to ringfence capital funding for Cornwall to establish a robotic surgery service, and address the health inequalities our constituents have lived with for far too long?
I thank my hon. Friend for highlighting the potential of this innovative technology for patient care. I am delighted that more generally Cornwall is benefiting from our new hospital programme, providing a new women and children's hospital at the Royal Cornwall Hospital, in the centre of Cornwall, which he and I discussed when I was last with him. NHS England is actively exploring opportunities to expand robotic-assisted surgery. Any decisions on funding new allocations will factor in health inequalities, such as areas with less access to robots to date. I will ensure that the current access to robotic surgery in my hon. Friend's local community is appropriately considered by the relevant health Minister.
Assessment & feedback
The PM did not commit to ringfencing specific capital funding for Cornwall but acknowledged ongoing exploration and consideration of inequalities.
Nhs England Is Actively Exploring Opportunities To Expand Robotic-Assisted Surgery
Response accuracy
Q24 Partial Answer
Context
The PM told the House that he spoke on the phone with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, urging restraint amidst escalating tensions.
The Prime Minister told us on Monday that he was off to make a telephone call to Mr Netanyahu, to urge restraint on a Government that have killed and maimed well over 100,000 people in six months, 72% of them women and children. Will he tell us how the telephone call went? What will he do if his advice is not taken and an unrestrained war begins?
I was pleased to speak with Prime Minister Netanyahu, who thanked the UK for its support of Israel's security over the weekend. We discussed the situation and how Iran is isolated on the world stage. I also made the point to him that significant escalation is not in anyone's interest and that it is a time for calm heads to prevail. I also reiterated our concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza. I welcome the statements and commitments that the Israeli Government have made about significantly increasing aid into Gaza, and now we need to see those commitments delivered.
Assessment & feedback
The PM did not provide specific details about the phone call or outline clear actions if restraint is not maintained.
I Welcome The Statements And Commitments That The Israeli Government Have Made
Response accuracy
Q25 Partial Answer
Context
Residents in Smalley and Denby are facing two large-scale solar farm applications, each within a short distance and located entirely within the green belt.
Residents in Smalley and Denby now face two huge solar farm applications. There is only a 500-metre gap between them and both sites are wholly in the green belt. Does the Prime Minister agree that we should change planning guidance to make it absolutely clear that productive farms in the green belt are not the right place for solar farms, and that the investment and the time being spent should go on sites that might be appropriate, such as car parks, brownfield land or roofs of industrial buildings, rather than wasting people's time and causing fear?
My hon. Friend is right that, particularly at a time of increased geopolitical risk, we must protect our nation's food security and therefore our most valuable agricultural land. We do want to see more solar, which is one of the cheapest forms of energy, but, as he said, on brownfield sites, rooftops and away from our best agricultural land. That is why our recently published national infrastructure planning rules set out the requirement for solar not to be placed on what is described as the best and most valuable versatile land where possible.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not explicitly state agreement with changing guidance but acknowledged the need to protect agricultural land and directed developers away from green belt farmland towards more suitable locations.
Response accuracy
Q26 Partial Answer
Catherine McKinnell Lab
Newcastle upon Tyne North
Context
Residential burglary rates are significantly higher than elsewhere in the country, with crime levels also high.
I went out recently with Chris McEwan, the mayoral candidate in Teesside. It was clear that residents are really worried about crime. Levels in Tory-run Teesside are among the highest in the country. The residential burglary rate is 52% higher than anywhere else in the country. When will the Prime Minister realise that he has lost control not only of his party, but of crime in this country?
Mr Speaker, what a joke! We have police and crime commissioner elections across the country, and the hon. Lady really should look at the record. Under this Government, crime has been cut by 50%, and we have 20,000 more police officers. Let me give her the facts, because this is why it is so extraordinary to hear what she said. People with a Labour police and crime commissioner are more likely to be victims of burglary and twice as likely to be victims of robbery. The facts completely speak for themselves, so people should vote Conservatives for safer streets.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not address the high burglary rates in Tory-run areas but instead criticized Labour police and crime commissioners.
Criticized Opposition
Response accuracy
Q27 Partial Answer
Context
The council spends nearly £4.5 million monthly on interest payments due to a debt of over £1.8 billion, resulting from poor financial decisions like purchasing an energy company that went bankrupt.
Every month in my constituency, the Labour-run Warrington Borough Council spends nearly £4.5 million on interest payments to cover its £1.8 billion debt. It has used borrowing to spend on an energy company that went bust, offices in Birmingham and Manchester, and even a business park that it purchased through an offshore company, presumably to avoid paying tax. Does the Prime Minister agree that it is time to send in the inspectors? Warrington Borough Council has gone too far in its money-making schemes. Local councils should be focusing on delivering great services, and the way to achieve that is by voting Conservative on 2 May.
This year, the Government announced a further £600 million in extra funding for local councils—a real-terms increase, as has been the case in every single year of this Parliament. But we all know what happens when Labour is in charge—whether it is racking up debt in Warrington, as my hon. Friend said, increasing council tax by 21% in Labour-run Birmingham, slashing services in Nottingham, or, as I have just said, higher crime on average in each Labour police and crime commissioner area. It is crystal clear that, whenever Labour is in charge, it is working people who pay the price.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not address the mismanagement at Warrington Borough Council but instead criticized other Labour-run councils for similar issues.
Criticized Opposition
Response accuracy
Q28 Partial Answer
Context
Families are living in hotels and substandard housing due to long waiting lists for social housing, with 64,000 people on such a list in the west midlands.
While 64,000 people are on the waiting list for a council house in the west midlands, families are living in hotels, cold and damp homes and mouldy flats. The Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, has built 46 social homes in eight years. Does the Prime Minister think that that is good enough?
Andy Street is absolutely delivering for the west midlands. Unlike the Labour Mayor in London, he has delivered on all his housing targets. It is the Labour-run council in Birmingham that is imposing on the hon. Lady's constituents and others a 21% council tax rise, and what are they getting in exchange? Six hundred job losses and cuts to services. On some streets, they are even turning off the lights. What Labour has done to Birmingham the Conservatives will never let it do to Britain.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not address Andy Street's record but instead compared him favourably to other Labour mayors and criticized their policies.
Criticized Opposition
Response accuracy
Q29 Direct Answer
Context
There is ongoing support from the government to ensure a robust supply chain and investment in rail, particularly in the north.
I ask the Prime Minister to thank my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport for holding further meetings with Hitachi this morning—and, indeed, with the union representatives. We were all glad to see what happened with Alstom yesterday, but it is important that we do the same to support the factories up at Hitachi in Aycliffe.
I thank my hon. Friend for his role in championing the rail industry in the UK. As he rightly said, the Department for Transport and the Secretary of State have been actively engaged with companies to ensure that we have a robust supply chain. As my hon. Friend knows, we are investing record amounts in rail, particularly in the north, and we are pleased to see that that is being delivered.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q30 Partial Answer
Naseem Shah Lab
Bradford West
Context
Many people are facing significant financial losses following the collapse of a legal firm, with some having to sell their wedding gifts or raid pension pots.
The Prime Minister is no doubt aware of the collapse of SSB Law, and many constituents, including hundreds in my constituency, have been affected and have bills of up to hundreds of thousands. One constituent had to sell his wedding gifts, and his father had a heart attack with the stress. People are having to raid their pension pots; they are getting bills, and bailiffs are knocking on the door. Will the Prime Minister meet me and my constituents' representatives on the collapse of SSB Law, and make sure that the Government respond to this injustice that has happened to people across the country?
I am sorry to hear about the situation impacting the hon. Lady's constituents. I will be more than happy to make sure that the right Minister looks into it and that we get back to her as soon as possible.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not commit to a specific meeting but promised to look into the issue through relevant ministers.
Response accuracy