PMQs 2024-05-08

2024-05-08

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Context
The question is prompted by a rise in teenage vaping and the Scottish chief medical officer's concerns about football companies promoting unhealthy behaviors through sponsorship.
At last week's Prime Minister's questions, I highlighted the shocking rise in the number of teenagers trying vaping, and I asked the Prime Minister if he would take decisive action to stop vape advertising on football strips. He declined to do that. Since then, I have had an exchange with the Scottish chief medical officer, Professor Sir Gregor Smith, during a sitting of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill Committee, and he said: “Where I become very uncomfortable, and I am not supportive, is where the massive attraction of sports companies is used in a way that promotes behaviours that are known to be unsafe or unhealthy.” Can I ask the Prime Minister again: does he still think it is right that vape companies should sponsor football kits?
I am glad the hon. Lady agrees with me and the Government that we should do more to tackle youth vaping, and that is why we are bringing forward measures in the new Bill to restrict the availability and appeal of vapes to children specifically, whether that is flavours or, indeed, marketing. As she knows, advertising of vapes is already heavily restricted by UK regulations, including a ban on advertising on television, radio and most places online. We have seen football take positive voluntary action in the past on issues such as this, but I will say to the hon. Lady that the Government will respond to her specific amendment in the usual way.
Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address whether vape companies should sponsor football kits; focused on existing restrictions and voluntary actions by football organizations.
Heavily Restricted By Uk Regulations
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Context
The MP is questioning whether the Leader of the Opposition supports the Government's plans to control welfare, increase defence spending and deport migrants.
I declare that my daughter is a serving officer in the armed forces. In recent weeks, my right hon. Friend has announced plans to control welfare and get people back to work and to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, and has passed legislation to get flights off to Rwanda. Does he agree with me that these are all issues that real people such as my constituents in South East Cornwall care about, and that the Leader of the Opposition should do the right thing and back them?
My hon. Friend is a fantastic champion for her local area, and can I also thank her daughter for her service in the armed forces? My hon. Friend is right: I am not surprised that Labour Members do not back our plans to stop the boats and I am not surprised they do not back our plans to get people into work and reform welfare, but I do think that they should do the right thing when it comes to the security of our nation, and that is to back our plans to increase defence spending and give our brave armed forces personnel the resources they need to keep us safe.
Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address whether the Leader of the Opposition supports government policies; focused on Labour's stance against them instead.
Not Surprised That Labour Members Do Not Back Our Plans
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The MP welcomes new Labour MPs but questions the Prime Minister about the recent loss of Conservative MPs to Labour, including those who criticized the Government's handling of NHS and border security.
May I warmly welcome my hon. Friend, the new Member for Blackpool South (Chris Webb)? After the representation that fine town has had recently, it is good to know that it has a proper champion back at last. May I also warmly welcome the new Labour MP, my hon. Friend the Member for Dover (Mrs Elphicke), to these Benches? If one week a Tory MP who is also a doctor says that the Prime Minister cannot be trusted with the NHS and joins Labour, and the next week the Tory MP for Dover—on the frontline of the small boats crisis—says that the Prime Minister “cannot be trusted” with our borders and joins Labour, what is the point of this failed Government staggering on?
Can I join the right hon. and learned Gentleman in welcoming his newest MP for Blackpool? He looks a lot happier than the Member sitting in that spot last week. Let me also join the right hon. and learned Gentleman in congratulating all new and paying tribute to all former councillors, police and crime commissioners and Mayors across the country. I hope that his new ones do him as proud as I am proud of all of mine, including such great leaders as Andy Street. They leave behind a strong legacy of more homes, more jobs and more investment, in sharp contrast to the legacy left by the last Labour Government, which was a letter joking that there was no money left.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address why MPs are joining Labour or lack of trust in government; focused on comparing current policies with previous Labour government's record instead.
Leave Behind A Strong Legacy
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The MP highlights recent political losses for the Government, including by-election swings, loss of councillors, Mayors, and a leadership election defeat to someone representing lettuce.
In addition to losing two Tory MPs in two weeks, the Prime Minister has been on the receiving end of some of the biggest by-election swings in history. He has also lost 1,500 Tory councillors, half of his party's Mayors and a leadership election to a lettuce. How many more times do the public and his own MPs need to reject him before he takes the hint?
This time last year, I reminded the right hon. and learned Gentleman of some advice from his own mentor, Tony Blair, who said at the time that he “can be as cocky as he likes about the local elections; come a general election, policy counts.” One year on from that advice, what has he managed? He has £28 billion of tax rises, 70 new business regulations, 30 U-turns and a deputy leader under a police investigation.
Assessment & feedback
Did not answer how many rejections the Prime Minister needs; instead criticized Labour's policy record.
£28 Billion Of Tax Rises 70 New Business Regulations
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The MP references the Prime Minister's past police investigations and his recent electoral losses in various areas, questioning if he truly understands these results.
I am surprised that the Prime Minister brought up a police investigation; his record is played one, lost—well, actually it is two, there was the seatbelt as well. His record is played two, lost two in relation to police investigations. The voters keep telling him that it is not good enough. Instead of listening, he keeps telling them that everything is fine, if only they would realise his greatness. He just does not get it, but at least after Thursday night he can go to the many places he calls home and enjoy the fruits of his success. In Southampton or Downing Street, he has great Labour councils. At his mansion in Richmond, he can enjoy a brand-new Labour Mayor of North Yorkshire. At his pad in Kensington, he can celebrate a historic third term for the Mayor of London. Now that he, too, can enjoy the benefits of this changed Labour party, is he really still in such a hurry to get back to California?
I must say that I was surprised to see the right hon. and learned Gentleman in North Yorkshire, although probably not as surprised as he was when he realised he could not take the tube there. I can tell him that the people of North Yorkshire believe in hard work, secure borders, lower taxes and straight-talking common sense. They will not get any of that from a virtue-signalling lawyer from north London.
Assessment & feedback
Did not answer whether the Prime Minister understands voter rejection; instead criticized Labour's values and policies.
Virtue-Signalling Lawyer
Response accuracy
Q6 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The MP criticises the Prime Minister's claim of victory on Rwanda, highlighting a lack of action since then.
It was great to be in Northallerton, where they have just voted to reject the Prime Minister's proposition. He has finally found something in common with the British public: no matter where he calls home, all his neighbours are backing this changed Labour party. They keep rejecting him, because they have sussed him out. They know there is nothing behind the boasts, the gimmicks and the smug smile. Sixteen days ago, when he held a press conference claiming victory on Rwanda, he said: “The next few weeks will be about action…people want deeds not words.” Let us test that. How many small boat crossings have there been since he said that 16 days ago?
The right hon. and learned Gentleman had the opportunity to condemn the comments of his Mayor—a Mayor who said that there is an “equivalence” between Hamas and Israel—and he did not do that. Everyone will see: that is the changed Labour party right there. Since I became Prime Minister, small boat crossings are down by a third. That is because we have doubled National Crime Agency funding, increased enforcement rates, closed bank accounts, deported 24,000 people and processed more claims.
Assessment & feedback
The number of small boat crossings since the press conference was not directly addressed, only a general statement about reduction in crossings since becoming Prime Minister.
Changing Subject To Criticism Of Labour Mayor
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The MP criticises the Prime Minister's lack of action since claiming victory on Rwanda.
I know that was the last run-out before the general election, but the Prime Minister is getting ahead of himself in asking me questions. I notice that the Prime Minister did not even attempt to answer the question. He knows the answer: since he claimed victory 16 days ago, there have been a staggering 2,400 small boat crossings. That is a gimmick, not a deterrent, and those 2,400 will be added to the Tories' asylum perma-backlog, which is forecast to rise to 100,000 by the end of the year. The Prime Minister pretends that he will remove them all to Rwanda, but Rwanda can take only a few hundred a year. At that rate, his grand plan would take over 300 years to remove them all. There are tens of thousands of people with their claims going unprocessed, who will be here for their entire lifetime, living in hotels at the taxpayers' expense. It is absurd to call that anything other than an amnesty handed to them by the Tory party, isn't it?
The right hon. and learned Gentleman had the opportunity to condemn the comments of his Mayor—a Mayor who said that there is an “equivalence” between Hamas and Israel—and he did not do that. Everyone will see: that is the changed Labour party right there. Since I became Prime Minister, small boat crossings are down by a third. That is because we have doubled National Crime Agency funding, increased enforcement rates, closed bank accounts, deported 24,000 people and processed more claims.
Assessment & feedback
The number of small boat crossings since the press conference was not directly addressed.
Changing Subject To Criticism Of Labour Mayor
Response accuracy
Q8 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The MP criticises the Prime Minister's claim of victory on Rwanda.
The whole country knows that removing less than 1% of asylum seekers is not stopping the boats; it is granting an amnesty—a Tory amnesty. If the Prime Minister thinks the voters are wrong, that his own MPs who have joined the Labour party are wrong, and that anyone believes any of the nonsense that he spouts, why does he not put it to the test and call a general election?
The right hon. and learned Gentleman talks about removing people—this is a person who campaigned to stop the deportation of foreign national offenders. That shows how out of touch his values are with the British people. It is yet another week where we have heard nothing about the right hon. and learned Gentleman's plan to do anything on the issues that matter to the country.
Assessment & feedback
The call for a general election was not addressed.
Changing Subject To Criticism Of Labour'S Values
Response accuracy
Q9 Partial Answer
Edward Leigh Con
Gainsborough
Context
The MP is concerned about the safety of children attempting illegal crossings.
When it comes to small boat crossings, there is a lot of talk of human rights, but surely the only human right and life that matters is the life of children who are being taken across the channel. In that respect, will the Government now do the only thing that will actually be a real deterrent and arrest and detain all those who land illegally on our shores and then offshore them promptly so that, once and for all, we can save lives and end this cruel and callous trade?
My right hon. Friend is right that these crossings are incredibly dangerous and risk people's lives. Just weeks ago, a seven-year-old girl died attempting a crossing. That is why, as a matter of basic compassion, we must do everything we can to break the cycle of the criminal gangs. That is why we need a deterrent. That is what the National Crime Agency says, and that is how we dealt with illegal migrants from Albania.
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask was not directly addressed, only general statements about deterrence.
Response accuracy
Q10 Partial Answer
Stephen Flynn SNP
Aberdeen South
Context
The MP references the imminent Israeli incursion into Rafah.
May I begin by also congratulating the fantastic John Swinney on becoming Scotland's First Minister? Our opponents should be very careful what they wish for. As we await the imminent Israeli incursion into Rafah, where 1.2 million people are sheltering, including 600,000 children, it has been reported that the United States has paused an arms shipment to Israel. The UK will now follow suit, will it not?
The right hon. Gentleman may not realise that the UK Government do not directly provide or ship arms to Israel. When it comes to the situation in Rafah, I have been very clear that we are deeply concerned about a full military incursion, given the devastating humanitarian impact; I have made that point specifically to Prime Minister Netanyahu whenever we have spoken.
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask was not directly addressed regarding pausing arms shipment.
Response accuracy
Q11 Partial Answer
Stephen Flynn SNP
Aberdeen South
Context
UK arms and technology are supporting Israel's military activities in Rafah, which may lead to further devastation. The question arises from the silence of UK allies regarding this issue.
Let us be clear: the confidence that Israel has shown in its military ambitions in Rafah stems from the silence of its allies on the Front Benches in this place and elsewhere across the world. We all know that UK arms and tech are supporting Israel's activities in Gaza, and will be used in any attack on Rafah. Knowing that, and the devastation that will occur, surely the time has come to end our complicity and halt arms sales to Israel.
Of course we take our defence export responsibilities extremely seriously. That is why we operate one of the most robust licensing control regimes anywhere in the world. We periodically review advice on Israel's commitment to international humanitarian law, and Ministers always act in accordance with that advice. Following the most recent assessment, our position on export licences is unchanged.
Assessment & feedback
Specific request to halt arms sales was not directly addressed
We Take Our Defence Export Responsibilities Extremely Seriously Operating Robust Licensing Control Regimes
Response accuracy
Q12 Partial Answer
Martin Vickers Con
Brigg and Immingham
Context
Villages in the constituency are worried about overdevelopment due to overloaded highway infrastructure and public services. Local plans and decisions made by local planning authorities are being overridden by planning inspectors.
My constituents in rural villages and on the fringes of the Grimsby-Cleethorpes urban area are very concerned about overdevelopment. They recognise that highway infra- structure and public services are already overloaded. Could my right hon. Friend consider amending planning guidance, so that local plans and decisions taken by local planning authorities are not overridden by planning inspectors? They would be greatly encouraged if he would agree to meet me and my colleagues from neighbouring constituencies, my right hon. Friend the Member for Gainsborough (Sir Edward Leigh) and my hon. Friend the Member for Great Grimsby (Lia Nici), to discuss this further.
My hon. Friend is right that sustainable development must be at the heart of the planning system. That is why we are committed to meeting housing needs by building the right homes in the right places, and protecting the environmental assets that matter most. The national planning policy framework is clear that we should be responsive to local circumstances.
Assessment & feedback
Specific request to amend planning guidance was not directly addressed
Sustainable Development Must Be At The Heart Of The Planning System Commitment To Building Homes In Right Places
Response accuracy
Q13 Partial Answer
Edward Davey Lib Dem
Kingston and Surbiton
Context
Ann King, an 88-year-old woman, died after being subjected to abuse in her care home. It took nearly a year for the Care Quality Commission to launch a criminal investigation.
The abuse suffered by 88-year-old Ann King at the hands of staff in her care home was captured on a hidden camera. The footage is stomach churning. Ann died in October 2022, and it took nearly a year for the Care Quality Commission to launch a criminal investigation. Ann's children are working to protect other care home residents from being subjected to such appalling abuse. Her son came to see me, as his MP, to ask for my help with their campaign. Will the Prime Minister join me in backing Ann's law, a proposal for measures, including a national register, to professionalise the care workforce and hold abusive staff to account? Will he meet Ann's family and me to discuss this idea?
Let me first extend my sympathies to Ann's family for what she went through. Obviously that is not appropriate, and I will ensure that the Department engages with the right hon. Gentleman and Ann's family on the proposed law. He is right to say that we should have high standards across the care industry, and we are working towards more investment to support our care home staff, making sure that they have training qualifications and development, and that we have a regime that can hold everyone to account for delivering the high standards that we would all expect.
Assessment & feedback
Specific request for Ann's law was not directly addressed
Sympathies Extended High Standards Across Care Industry
Response accuracy
Q14 Partial Answer
Context
Derbyshire common sense led the rejection of Sadiq Khan ULEZ rules and Welsh 20 mph rules. The question relates to supporting local campaign for Ashbourne bypass.
Does my right hon. Friend agree that one of the greatest qualities that those on these Back Benches bring to Westminster is plain old-fashioned common sense? Derbyshire common sense led the good people of Ashbourne and surrounding villages to reject the Sadiq Khan ULEZ rules, and even the Welsh 20 mph rules. Will my right hon. Friend join me, and perhaps ask his neighbour the Chancellor if he will pay for the Ashbourne bypass?
I know that my hon. Friend has been a dedicated campaigner for the Ashbourne bypass. The Government are committed to investing more in the midlands, and in particular to putting every penny of the £9.6 billion from High Speed 2 back into the local area.
Assessment & feedback
Specific request for support was not directly addressed
Commitment To Investing More In Midlands Penny Of Hs2 Back Into Local Area
Response accuracy
Q15 Partial Answer
Emma Lewell Lab
South Shields
Context
Figures show that infant and child death rates have increased in the most deprived areas, with some expectant mothers terminating wanted pregnancies due to financial concerns.
Our cross-party child of the north all-party parliamentary group found that expectant mothers were terminating wanted pregnancies because they could not afford another mouth to feed. Recent figures show that infant and child death rates have increased in the most deprived areas, and 50 children have died alone in unregulated accommodation. Is this the Prime Minister's plan for a brighter Britain in action?
Obviously, what the hon. Lady has described is a tragedy. No one wants to see children grow up in those circumstances, and that is why I am proud that since 2010, with a range of measures, the Government have overseen a significant fall in poverty, particularly child poverty.
Assessment & feedback
Specific request for explanation was not directly addressed
Fall In Poverty Range Of Measures
Response accuracy
Q16 Partial Answer
Context
Weston General Hospital is treating more patients for a wider variety of problems than before, GPs' surgeries are offering thousands more appointments this year than last, and a new diagnostic centre means faster tests and treatments. However, there's concern about dental service availability.
Weston-super-Mare is a growing town, so local health services are rightly growing as well. Weston General Hospital is treating more patients for a wider variety of problems than before, GPs' surgeries are offering thousands more appointments this year than last, and our new diagnostic centre means faster tests and treatments. However, there is a fly in our NHS-prescribed ointment: dentistry is not fixed yet. The new dental recovery plan is very welcome, but when will it mean appointments that Westonians can book?
Our dentistry recovery plan will make dental services faster, simpler and fairer for patients, funding about 2.5 million more appointments.
Assessment & feedback
Specific timeframe not provided
Dentistry Recovery Plan Funding 2.5 Million More Appointments
Response accuracy
Q17 Partial Answer
Chris Law SNP
Dundee Central
Context
The parliamentary ombudsman's report on pension injustices has been released, but no action regarding recommendations has occurred.
It is more than a month since the parliamentary ombudsman delivered the long-awaited report on pension injustices, but women born in the 1950s are still waiting to hear whether the UK Government will listen and deliver compensation. Can the Prime Minister tell us when WASPI women will receive the compensation they deserve?
Following the ombudsman's five-year investigation, a thorough review of the comprehensive findings will be conducted. An update will be given to the House once those findings have been fully considered. The government is committed to ensuring pensioners have dignity and security in retirement, including recent increases in the state pension.
Assessment & feedback
Commitment without specific timeline or compensation details
We Are Conducting A Thorough Review
Response accuracy
Q18 Partial Answer
Context
Reports suggest civil servants and trade union activists oppose the implementation of Rwanda deportations.
Is the Prime Minister appalled by reports of militant civil servant and trade union political activists seeking ways not to implement Rwanda deportations? Does he agree they should look for alternative employment if unwilling to comply with Government plans?
Civil servants are expected to support the Government's priority of stopping boats and deliver in accordance with the civil service code. Specific changes were made to ensure compliance, and it is noted that only the Conservative party has a plan to stop the boats.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address specifics on actions against non-compliant civil servants
Civil Servants Will Deliver We Are Committed
Response accuracy
Q19 Direct Answer
Context
China's largest wind turbine manufacturer, Ming Yang Smart Energy, is planning to build a facility in Scotland. There are concerns about China's involvement in UK critical national energy infrastructure.
Does the Prime Minister agree that now is the time for this project to be paused and reviewed by the Government on national security grounds?
China has different values from ours, and we take firm steps to protect ourselves. The National Security and Investment Act 2021 was passed to screen transactions for protection, and it has been used to block Chinese investment in sensitive areas.
Assessment & feedback
null
Response accuracy
Q20 Direct Answer
Context
Five-year-old Benedict Blythe died from anaphylaxis at a primary school. On average, two children in every class have food allergies.
Will the Prime Minister meet me and Benedict's parents to discuss ways forward to ensure safer conditions for allergic children in schools, including allergy policies and adrenalin pens?
Sympathy is extended to Benedict's family. The seriousness of severe allergies is understood, and legal duty on governing bodies exists for supporting pupils with medical conditions. A meeting will be arranged between Shailesh Vara and the Health Secretary.
Assessment & feedback
null
Response accuracy
Q21 Partial Answer
Context
The Chancellor confirmed abolishing national insurance at a £46 billion annual cost without specifying funding sources.
Can the Prime Minister rule out further freezes in tax allowances or an 8p increase in income tax to pay for the national insurance abolition?
There is no unfunded policy, and we have a long-term ambition to keep cutting national insurance. Recent cuts include a £900 tax cut while increasing investment in NHS and state pension.
Assessment & feedback
Did not rule out tax allowance freezes or income tax increase explicitly
There Is No Unfunded Policy
Response accuracy
Q22 Partial Answer
Navendu Mishra Lab
Stockport
Context
Major structural deficiencies reported at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport. The hospital's major out-patient building, radiology department and critical care unit have been condemned due to a lack of capital investment.
Last Friday, reported major structural deficiencies at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport. The hospital's major out-patients building, the radiology department and the critical care unit have all been condemned. In March, I met with senior officials at Stockport NHS Trust who said a sustained lack of capital investment was the root cause of problems at my local hospital. Does the Prime Minister believe that our hospitals are crumbling is the price worth paying for 14 years of successive Conservative failure?
We fully recognise the need to invest in health infrastructure across the country, including at Stepping Hill Hospital. We are currently spending around £4 billion a year for trusts to spend on necessary maintenance and repairs, on top of the £20 billion new hospital programme and additional funding for RAAC maintenance. The hon. Gentleman talks about a legacy of NHS failure in Wales with poor A&E performance.
Assessment & feedback
Specific ask about whether crumbling hospitals is worth paying due to Conservative failures
Talks About Labour'S Record In Wales
Response accuracy
Q23 Partial Answer
Context
Nottingham City Council is expected to miss its housing target by 6,000 new homes. This will put pressure on Rushcliffe's green spaces and public services.
Nottingham City Council is expecting to fall short of its housing target by 6,000 new homes. Last time this happened, Rushcliffe was forced to take thousands of homes leading to huge pressures on our green spaces and public services. Can my right hon. Friend reassure me that the changes we have made to the planning system will mean that this time Rushcliffe will be protected from Labour's failure in Nottingham?
My hon. Friend makes an important point. The Conservatives believe in building homes with local input while Labour imposes top-down targets, decimating countryside. In Nottinghamshire, the Conservative county council outperforms bankrupt Nottingham Council leaving residents to pay for profligacy.
Assessment & feedback
Specific ask about reassurance against housing pressures
Discusses Different Councils' Performance
Response accuracy
Q24 Partial Answer
Context
Untreated sewage was pumped into English waterways for over 3.6 million hours last year, with three incidents off Sussex beaches in the past day alone.
Untreated sewage was pumped into English waterways for more than 3.6 million hours last year and into the sea off Sussex beaches three times in the last 24 hours. Since privatisation, water companies have racked up £64 billion in debts while shareholders received £78 billion in dividends. The majority of public want to end this legalised scam of privatisation. When is the Prime Minister going to listen and bring water back into public hands?
Our plans tackle sewage issues further than previous Governments. We monitor 100% of overflows, invest £56 billion into infrastructure, and enforce strict targets with unlimited fines for companies, holding them accountable.
Assessment & feedback
Specific ask about when PM will listen to public demand against privatisation
Emphasises Conservative'S Record
Response accuracy
Q25 Direct Answer
Matt Vickers Con
Stockton West
Context
The questioner visited Stockton Town football club and heard about their promotion battle.
Everybody knows that Stockton is a great place with great people and a great football team. My right hon. Friend recently visited the mighty Stockton Town to see the incredible work they do in the local community, and he heard about their promotion battle. I am sure that he will want to join me in congratulating Micky Dunwell and the mighty Anchors on their promotion.
It was fantastic to visit Stockton Town football club with my hon. Friend, who is a brilliant champion for his local community. I join him in congratulating everyone at the club on their well-deserved promotion.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy