Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Over one in five teenagers are vaping, with new research suggesting toxic metal exposure risks. A bill aims to reduce smoking and vaping harms.
More than one in five teenagers are vaping, with some experts describing it as an epidemic. New research suggests vapers could be at risk of toxic metals, harming brain or organ development. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill aims to reduce smoking and vaping harms. Does permitting football strips to be sponsored by vaping companies send the wrong message to young people? Should vape companies be banned from advertising on sports strips?
Decisions about kit sponsorship rest with individual teams. The Government agrees it is important to tackle teenage vaping. The Bill will clamp down on marketing and availability of flavours, target point-of-sale purchases, and improve funding for trading standards to clamp down on illegal sales to children.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address whether sponsoring sports kits with vaping brands sends a negative message or should be banned from advertisements.
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Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The defence of the country is a Government's first duty. Defence spending has increased to 2.5% of GDP, making the UK the biggest spender in Europe under NATO.
Can the Prime Minister reassure that he has a plan in place for backing our armed services? Does he know why the Opposition refuse to back his plan?
The Government has increased defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, making us the biggest spender in Europe under NATO. The Labour leader should stop dithering and confirm if they will back our plan.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a concrete plan backing armed services, only mentioned spending increase.
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Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The Prime Minister expressed condolences for the Hainault attack. A Labour MP has switched to the Labour party, concluding that a changed Labour party can cure NHS issues.
Joining the Prime Minister's remarks about recent attacks and King's recovery. Welcoming new Labour MP from Conservative background. When lifelong Tory and doctor says only a Labour Government can fix NHS issues, should not the PM admit failure?
The hon. Member for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich recently pointed out that under local Labour council, residents pay more in council tax but receive lower quality services.
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Assessment & feedback
Avoided addressing the NHS or acknowledging failure by focusing on a former Tory's comment about local services.
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Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Prime Minister has a £46 billion promise to scrap national insurance but no found money. Labour's shadow Education Secretary says it's not how it works.
Has the Prime Minister managed to find the money for his £46 billion promise to abolish national insurance? The Institute for Fiscal Studies said the link between NI and public services funding is illusory, like Labour's economic plans. Only the Conservative party can deliver tax cuts for working Britain.
Economics may not be his strong point, but he should listen to his shadow Education Secretary who said it's not how it works. IFS has also said the link between NI and public services funding is illusory.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address finding money for scrapping national insurance, only dismissed Labour's economic stance.
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Prime Minister did not address the date of election or pension questions. Cutting £46 billion from NI would reduce state pension value by half.
Has the Prime Minister found funds to keep his promise of scrapping national insurance? If £46 billion were cut, state pension value would almost halve. Why is he avoiding answering straightforward questions?
We can rule that out and Labour should stop scaremongering. Thanks to the triple lock, pensions increased by £3,700 since 2010. Under Blair and Brown, pension taxes were raised by £118 billion with an insulting rise in state pension.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address funding for scrapping national insurance, instead criticized previous Labour governments' impact on pensions.
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The question follows criticism of the government's £46 billion spending plans without clear funding sources. Lord Frost suggested raising the state pension age to 75 as a solution.
No, he has not said where it is coming from. Understandably, that will cause some alarm. Will the Prime Minister rule out forcing people to delay their retirement by years and years in order to fulfil his £46 billion black hole?
The Conservative party is the party that has delivered and protected the triple lock. Ultimately, he is not worried about any of this, because as we all remember, he has his very own personal pension plan. Indeed, it comes with its very own special law: it was called the Pensions Increase (Pension Scheme for Keir Starmer QC) Regulations. It is literally one law for him and another one for everyone else.
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Assessment & feedback
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Personal Attack
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Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
The question follows criticism of the government's £46 billion spending plans without clear funding sources. The Winter Fuel Payment is a key concern.
Last year, the Prime Minister was apparently drawing up plans to remove the winter fuel allowance from pensioners. Will the PM now rule out taking pensioners' winter fuel payments off them to help fund his £46 billion black hole?
It was this Government who, just this winter, provided double the winter fuel payment to support pensioners. What is crystal clear is that we believe that the double taxation on work is unfair. We believe that hard work should be rewarded, which is why this week, we are cutting taxes by £900 for everyone in work.
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Assessment & feedback
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Personal Attack
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Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
The question follows criticism of the government's £46 billion spending plans without clear funding sources. The PM is facing internal party pressure.
Is it any wonder that the Prime Minister's MPs are following Tory voters in queuing up to dump his party? Until he starts setting out how he is paying for his fantasy economics, he has a completely unfunded £46 billion promise that puts people's retirement at risk. How does it feel to be one day out from elections with the message, “Vote Tory, risk your pension”?
Tomorrow, voters will have a choice. It will be a choice between Mayors like Andy Street and Ben Houchen, who are delivering, or Mayors like Sadiq Khan, who simply virtue-signal. It is higher taxes, more crime and the ultra low emission zone with Labour, or lower taxes and better services with the Conservatives—that is the choice.
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Assessment & feedback
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Changed Subject
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Q9
Direct Answer
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Context
The question follows the successful deportation of an illegal migrant to Rwanda. Labour has criticised the plan.
We can see the Rwanda deterrent is working, and we have now deported our first illegal migrant. Is it not right that only the Conservatives will stop the boats and cut legal migration?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Our plan is working. Legal migration, the latest figures show, is down by 24% and student dependants down by 80%. We all know Labour's big idea: it is to scrap the Rwanda plan even when it is operational.
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Assessment & feedback
null
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Q10
Partial Answer
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Context
There are concerns about potential UK military involvement in the Middle East, particularly regarding aid delivery to Gaza.
On Monday, the Armed Forces Minister could neither confirm nor deny that UK troops may soon be deployed on the ground in the middle east. Can I ask the Prime Minister to provide some much-needed clarity: is he giving active consideration to the deployment of UK forces in the middle east—yes or no?
Mr Speaker, you would not expect me to get into any operational planning details, but what I will say is that we are absolutely committed to supporting international effort to get more humanitarian aid into Gaza, which I think the whole House would support, by land, sea and air.
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Assessment & feedback
not providing a yes or no answer
Refusal To Disclose Operational Details
Response accuracy
Q11
Partial Answer
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Context
There are concerns about potential UK military involvement in the Middle East, particularly regarding aid delivery to Gaza.
Let us all be in no doubt: aid is required in Gaza. Will the PM confirm that before he makes a decision, all Members will be afforded a vote?
I am not going to apologise for our armed forces playing a leading role in supporting international effort to get more aid in. Indeed, we are sending Royal Navy support ship RFA Cardigan Bay to the region to support that effort.
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Assessment & feedback
not committing to parliamentary vote before decision
Refusal To Commit To Procedural Steps
Response accuracy
Q12
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP noted various government actions, including cancelling HS2, which led to £207 million for Herefordshire's transport infrastructure.
My right hon. Friend's decision to cancel HS2 led to £207 million for Herefordshire's potholes and transport infrastructure; Hereford hospital has a new ward, more beds and a new diagnostic centre on the way; £35 million has been allocated to the River Wye recovery plan; inflation is down; the Rwanda Bill has been passed; and defence spending is increasing. Does my right hon. Friend agree with me that, if he carries on like this, he is going to win the next election?
I am thankful for my hon. Friend highlighting the work that the Government are doing, whether that is increasing our defence spending to keep us safe, securing our borders with our Rwanda Act, cutting taxes by £900 or raising the state pension by £900. I am also pleased that, locally in Herefordshire, we are filling in potholes, helping to save the River Wye and improving local health services. It is crystal clear that it is the Conservative Government who have a plan and are delivering a brighter future for our country.
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Assessment & feedback
The PM did not directly address whether winning the next election was likely based on current actions.
We Are Delivering A Brighter Future
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Q13
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP cited the Deputy Foreign Secretary's admission that an attack on Palestinians could violate international humanitarian law, questioning when arms exports would be banned.
In February, the Foreign Secretary said that it would be difficult for a ground offensive on Rafah to avoid harming civilians and destroying homes, and just yesterday, the Deputy Foreign Secretary admitted that he was struggling to see how such an attack could be compliant with international humanitarian law. All the signs are that Netanyahu is about to defy the international community, and that an attack on the 1.5 million Palestinians sheltering in Rafah is imminent. If that attack begins, will that be the moment when the Prime Minister finally finds the moral backbone to ban arms exports to Israel, and if not, how much more suffering has to happen before he acts to prevent further UK complicity in crimes against humanity?
What the hon. Lady did not acknowledge at all is that Israel suffered an appalling terrorist attack that killed hundreds of its citizens, and it does have the right to defend itself. Of course, as I have been crystal clear, we want to see humanitarian law respected and adhered to by all parties. Too many civilians have been killed, and we want to see Israel take greater care to avoid harming civilians. I have made these points repeatedly to Prime Minister Netanyahu, specifically about the impact of any military incursion into Rafah, and we continue to say to the Israelis at all levels that we want to see more aid going in, and bring about a hostage deal so that we can move towards a sustainable ceasefire.
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Assessment & feedback
The PM did not commit to banning arms exports if an attack begins.
Israel Has The Right To Defend Itself
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Q14
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP highlighted challenges in attracting community paediatricians, noting a 60% increase in funding for special educational needs and disabilities.
The 60% increase in funding for special educational needs and disabilities is extremely welcome, but challenges around the recruitment of community paediatricians mean that some children in Leighton Buzzard, Dunstable and Houghton Regis are waiting too long for an assessment. What can the NHS do to attract more of the 39,000 additional doctors recruited under this Government into community paediatrics, as a specialty that is incredibly rewarding and important?
My hon. Friend is right, and he joins me in welcoming the significant action that we have already taken to improve children's health, whether that is reducing sugar in children's food, or the £600 million we have invested to improve the quality of sport and physical activity in schools. The NHS has established a special group to ensure that the recovery of paediatric services keeps pace with that of adult elective care, and he will be pleased that the NHS long-term workforce plan, which we have fully backed, doubles the number of medical school places in England and increases specialty training places. That will increase the size of the pool from which community paediatricians can be drawn in the future.
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Assessment & feedback
The PM did not specify actions to attract doctors into community paediatrics now.
Nhs Has Established A Special Group
Doubles Medical School Places
Response accuracy
Q15
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP noted the end of longwave radio transmission, affecting access to electricity tariffs relied upon by almost 1 million households.
I know that you, Mr Speaker, want to join me in sending condolences to the friends, family and colleagues of our former colleague, Lord Andrew Stunell, who served with exceptional diligence and grace as MP for Hazel Grove in this House, and who passed away very suddenly on Monday. When the BBC ends longwave radio transmission next year, that will also end access to electricity tariffs such as Total Heating Total Control, which is relied on by almost 1 million households across the United Kingdom. Switching to smart meters will not fix that for most people, not least because the roll-out programme is so far behind. Will the Prime Minister, or possibly the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, get energy companies, the regulator and customer groups together, so that we can stop passing the blame around, and find a solution that does not yet again leave people in the highlands and island behind and out in the cold?
I understand that an agreement has now been reached to ensure that radio teleswitch services will continue until June next year. Ofgem is also engaging with energy suppliers on their plans to support consumers through the transition. While households currently covered by the service should not be disadvantaged by the switch-off, energy suppliers are best placed to advise on tariffs for those who have been switched to a smart meter. However, I will ensure that the right hon. Gentleman gets a meeting with the relevant Minister, to ensure that his constituents are not left behind during the transition.
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Assessment & feedback
The PM did not commit to convening a meeting now but promised one later.
Households Should Not Be Disadvantaged
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Q16
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP highlighted the east of England's role in energy security, noting coastal projects such as flood defences being postponed due to weather impacts.
The east of England is playing a lead role in delivering the UK's energy security, and without our contribution the country will not be able successfully to transition to a renewable energy supply system. In recent months, our coast has taken a battering, and projects such as the Lowestoft flood defence scheme have been postponed. Will my right hon. Friend ensure that Departments are fully co-ordinated, so as to provide the region with good supporting infrastructure, proper protection for coastal communities, and every opportunity for local people to take up exciting new jobs?
We are levelling up across the United Kingdom and investing in places that need it the most, including, as my hon. Friend rightly highlights, our coastal communities. Almost £1 billion of levelling-up funding has been allocated to the east of England, including £75 million for coastal places. I know that he welcomes the town deal for Lowestoft in particular. I will ensure that he gets a meeting with the relevant Minister to discuss how we can further support his region with its role in our energy security, and, in particular, its coastal communities.
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Assessment & feedback
The PM did not commit to departmental coordination now but promised meetings later.
Levelling Up Across The Uk
Allocating Levelling-Up Funding
Response accuracy
Q17
Partial Answer
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Context
Greenpeace Unearthed reported 36 Conservative-administered campaign groups using vile racism, antisemitism and Islamophobic attacks against Sadiq Khan. Funding and links to the party are questioned.
Greenpeace Unearthed found 36 supposed grassroots campaign groups that were actually administered by Conservative staff and activists and which were forums for vile racism, antisemitism and Islamophobic attacks on Sadiq Khan. While the Prime Minister is above such co-ordinated efforts against 20 mph zones in Wales, will he shed some light on these shady groups spreading abuse, including on their funding and their links to his party, and whether he is aware of similar operations existing elsewhere in the UK? If he will not, will he at least commit today to investigating and taking action to tackle the sources of this grubby gutter politics?
I am not aware of the topic that the hon. Lady raises, but I am not going to make any apology for Conservatives pointing out the record of the SNP in Scotland or the Labour Government in Wales, because that is exactly what the democratic process is about. She might not like it when we highlight their record, but we will keep doing that so that we can deliver for people across the United Kingdom.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address specific ask to investigate and take action against groups spreading abuse.
She Might Not Like It When We Highlight Their Record, But We Will Keep Doing That
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Q18
Direct Answer
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Context
The Government has pledged support to Ukraine with over £12 billion in aid since the war began.
I welcome our Government's commitments to boosting defence spending and supporting Ukraine, made possible by this Conservative Prime Minister's international leadership and sound management of the economy. My constituents have been doing us proud supporting Ukraine, with the Pot Place Garden Centre delivering ambulances, medical equipment and supplies, and Steve Hodgson providing vital aid. Will the Prime Minister join me in paying tribute to my constituents and people up and down the land for their support for Ukraine and reaffirm that we will continue to stand with Ukraine for the sake of freedom, democracy and global security?
I join my hon. Friend in thanking people up and down the country, including his constituents, for their fantastic work in supporting the Ukrainian community in the face of Putin's illegal invasion. We remain steadfast in support of Ukraine. In total, since the war began, we have pledged over £12 billion of aid to Ukraine. Last week, we announced an additional half a billion pounds of funding, which will be used to deliver much-needed ammunition, air defence and engineering support and drones. More importantly—President Zelensky welcomed this—we are now able to say, because of the historic increase in our defence spending, that we will continue with this level of support for as long as it takes.
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Q19
Partial Answer
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In 1969, a baby named Robert was born asleep and buried without the mother's knowledge. Georgina Jacobs has since located over 60 babies for grieving parents.
In 1969, my constituent Georgina Jacobs gave birth to a baby boy whom she named Robert. Sadly, Robert was born asleep. In those days, the hospitals would ask the father to collect the baby's body, take it to the cemetery and leave it there for burial. For 53 years, Georgina did not know exactly where Robert was buried. When she eventually found him, she shared her story on social media, and other mothers who had been through the same experience got in touch. Since then, she has located over 60 babies on behalf of grieving parents and has deservedly been presented with the Wirral award for her achievements. Will the Prime Minister join me in congratulating Georgina on her award and on having brought comfort to so many parents and families? Will he, on behalf of all previous Governments, apologise for that former practice, which left grieving parents with nowhere to visit their buried children?
I thank and commend the hon. Lady for raising that case, and I pay tribute to Georgina for what she is doing. She is a prime example of someone who has used tragedy in their life to campaign and inspire others, bringing comfort to many people.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address the specific ask to apologise for past burial practices.
Response accuracy
Q20
Partial Answer
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Since Mark Pawsey was elected, employment in Rugby has grown by nearly 6,000 with 10% more of his constituents in work.
Since I was elected in 2010, Rugby has seen employment grow by nearly 6,000, with 10% more of my constituents in work. Much of that has been driven by investment in advanced manufacturing in places such as Ansty Park, where we have got the Manufacturing Technology Centre, which the Prime Minister visited, the High Temperature Research Centre, Rolls-Royce, Parker Meggitt, Fanuc and the London Electric Vehicle Company. Given that every Labour Government have left office with unemployment higher than when they came in, can the Prime Minister see any reason why anybody would want to put this fantastic progress at risk?
On a recent visit, I was pleased to see for myself that my hon. Friend is a great champion for his constituents. I was very pleased to see the thriving local technology and manufacturing industry, which will help us deliver on our ambitions to make the UK a science and technology superpower.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address employment growth or economic progress mentioned.
He Is Right That We Have A Record 1 Million Fewer Workless Households, And Unemployment Near Record Lows
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Q21
Partial Answer
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The hypocrisy of the Irish Government position on a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland is questioned.
Hypocrisy needs to be called out. Everyone in this House will recall the former Irish Prime Minister in Brussels with a photograph of a bombed customs post, lamenting that any border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland was unworkable, in breach of the Belfast agreement and could result in such troubles again. The hypocrisy of the Irish Government position has not been lost on us, with the Irish police now tasked to patrol the border to protect from the unsubstantiated, unfounded 80% of asylum seekers who supposedly—actually, the reverse is true—make their way to the Republic of Ireland from the UK via Northern Ireland. Will the Prime Minister challenge and call out those actions, and confirm what representations he has made to the Irish Prime Minister and the Irish Justice Minister about the integrity of our UK border?
The House will be aware that we have made commitments to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland. The hon. Lady makes a very important point that the Irish Government must uphold their promises, too. We cannot have cherry-picking of important international agreements. The Secretary of State is seeking urgent clarification that there will be no disruption or police checkpoints at or near the border.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm representations regarding the UK-Ireland border.
The Hon. Lady Makes A Very Important Point
Response accuracy
Q22
Direct Answer
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Desmond Swayne signed into law a special pension for Keir Starmer. He questions whether Labour's proposed £75p increase in pensions was an insult to pensioners.
I am concerned about Labour's 75p pension increase and the dignity of pensioners. The triple lock has afforded pensioners the highest increase in 30 years, yet Labour's proposal is seen as insulting. Will the Prime Minister continue to deliver dignity in retirement through measures like the triple lock?
We will provide dignity to all those in retirement, which is why we introduced the triple lock. This year the state pension rises by £900 and 200,000 pensioners have been lifted out of poverty. The state pension will increase each year of the next Parliament.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q23
Partial Answer
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Only one local authority area in England meets the national response time targets for potential heart attack and stroke victims. The question asks if the Prime Minister knows which it is.
In only one of the 194 local authority areas in England are NHS ambulances meeting the national response time targets for potential heart attack and stroke victims. Does the Prime Minister know which one it is?
Ambulance waiting times in A&E require improvement, but they are worse in Labour-run Wales compared to England. We have 800 more ambulances on the road, faster discharge from care centers and 10,000 virtual ward beds.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific area was not mentioned
Changed Subject To Wales
Response accuracy
Q24
Partial Answer
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Context
A landfill site owned by an individual with criminal convictions is polluting the air in Pembrokeshire, and there are allegations of corruption involving this person and Labour officials.
Thousands of constituents have suffered from foul polluted air due to a landfill site. The owner has environmental crimes, gave £200,000 to Vaughan Gething, and his company was loaned £400,000 by the Development Bank of Wales under Vaughan Gething's oversight. Does this demand an independent investigation?
My right hon. Friend raises a critical issue requiring transparency and an investigation regarding the Welsh Labour leader because the situation lacks clarity.
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Assessment & feedback
Changed Subject To Transparency
Response accuracy
Q25
Partial Answer
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Context
The Conservative candidate for Mayor of London is a member of Facebook groups that incite hate, with death threats directed at Sadiq Khan.
The Conservative candidate for the Mayor of London is part of Facebook groups filled with Islamophobic content. There are also death threats against current Mayor Sadiq Khan. Will the PM close down these pages and investigate the candidate's role in them?
The election will focus on issues like house building, knife crime, mayoral taxes, and ULEZ charges. Labour's record shows a collapse in house building, rising knife crime, high mayoral taxes, and negative impacts on London's night-time economy.
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Assessment & feedback
Changed Subject To Election Issues
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Q26
Partial Answer
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Context
Today is Staffordshire Day, celebrating the county with a tribute to their police force and fire services. The question asks for support in voting for Ben Adams.
It's Staffordshire Day. Will my right hon. Friend join me in paying tribute to our brilliant police and crime commissioner, Ben Adams, and encourage people to vote for him to ensure Staffordshire remains safe?
I wish everyone a happy Staffordshire Day. Under this Government we have cut crime by over 50% and delivered 20,000 more police officers. People with Labour police commissioners are twice as likely to be victims of robbery.
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Assessment & feedback
Changed Subject To Crime Statistics
Response accuracy