PMQs 2024-01-10

2024-01-10

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Lee Anderson Reform
Ashfield
Context
A former constituent of Lee Anderson was sent to jail for three years as a result of the Horizon Post Office scandal, where hundreds of innocent people were wrongly imprisoned.
Happy new year. The Horizon Post Office scandal saw hundreds wrongfully jailed. During this scandal, the Liberal Democrats leader was in charge and now calls for resignations due to job mistakes; should he take his own advice?
This is a major miscarriage of justice where innocent people lost their lives, liberty and livelihoods due to no fault. £150 million compensation has been paid to over 2,500 victims. I will introduce new primary legislation for swift exoneration and compensation of those wrongly convicted in the Horizon scandal.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not address whether the Lib Dem leader should resign as suggested by Lee Anderson.
Changed Subject To The Miscarriage Of Justice Rather Than Addressing Resignation
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
In 2022, Boris Johnson proposed sending asylum seekers to Rwanda; an MP criticized it as ineffective. Keir Starmer wants to know what happened to that MP who had reservations.
Back in 2022, when Boris Johnson proposed the Rwanda asylum scheme, one Tory MP had reservations but now supports it. What happened to that MP?
The document referred to by Keir Starmer has not been seen by me or him. As PM, I am clear on needing an effective deterrent for illegal immigration, unlike those opposing it despite evidence from other countries like Australia.
Assessment & feedback
Keir Starmer's question was about the Tory MP who changed stance; Sunak talked generally about deterrence instead.
Changed Subject To General Migration Policy
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
Starmer criticizes the £400 million cost of the Rwanda scheme, noting no one has been sent there and small boats continue to arrive. He questions the Prime Minister's credibility given past reservations.
£400m wasted on failed Rwanda plan; PM opposed it then but now supports. Which MP should we believe: him before or after becoming leader?
I have always been clear on needing a deterrent for illegal immigration, with 93% drop in illegal Albanian arrivals after negotiating deal. Labour opposes effective measures because they do not believe in controlling migration.
Assessment & feedback
Keir Starmer asked about previous opposition; Sunak talked about current policy stance without addressing past reservations.
Changed Subject To General Effectiveness Of Deterrent
Response accuracy
Q4 Direct Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
Starmer outlines Labour's approach: smash gangs, process claims efficiently, end hotel use for asylum seekers. He challenges the PM on progress made.
We can see our plan: smashing gangs, processing claims faster, ending hotel stays. Unlike PM, I believe in it. What does he think?
Labour's checklist: 112k decisions made last year, highest since 20 years; first 50 hotels to close with more to come; number of arrivals down by over a third. Labour opposed powers in Nationality and Borders Act that arrested hundreds linked to illegal trade.
Assessment & feedback
null
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
Starmer criticizes the PM for knowing that debt is rising, taxes going up, and that the Rwanda plan won't work but refusing to admit it due to party pressure.
PM knows costs rise, taxes go up, Rwanda scheme fails. Does he regret not sticking to his guns against this now-flagship policy?
We are delivering toughest migration plan ever with new measures to stop legal challenges and get flights going. Labour does not have practical ideas on stopping boats because they oppose controlling migration.
Assessment & feedback
Keir Starmer asked about regret; Sunak talked about Labour's stance against immigration control instead.
Changed Subject To Labour'S Approach
Response accuracy
Q6 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The Prime Minister's party is accused of failing to address various issues such as school attendance, healthcare, and border control.
I think we should smash the gangs and I spent five years of my life doing exactly that. The Prime Minister's party has lost control of the borders. While he is tending to the Tory party, the country is left without government—a collapse in dentistry, leaving people literally pulling out their own teeth; flood defences completely exposed; and hundreds of thousands of children still out of school. His Government appear blissfully uninterested in what is going on outside the walls of Westminster. Does he realise how ludicrous it looks when he spends his time boasting while Britain is breaking?
I am glad that the Leader of the Opposition has brought up our schools; there is nothing more important than ensuring that our children get a world-class education. That is why I am pleased that, in spite of Labour opposing every reform we have made, our children are now the best readers in the western world. But he is right that attendance is important. That is why we are investing millions of pounds more to provide support for absent pupils. We have launched a national campaign just this week. We have doubled the number of attendance hubs to support more than 1,000 at the most vulnerable schools.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not address the broader issues of border control, healthcare collapse and flood defences mentioned by Keir Starmer. It focused narrowly on school education.
Working With Partners
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The Prime Minister is criticized for failing to understand the economic struggles faced by the public.
New year, new nonsense. Every week, the Prime Minister stands here and tells the country that they should be thanking him, not questioning him. If you point out that the view on the ground is very different to that from his private jet, he says that you are talking the country down. He just does not get it. He does not get what a cost of living crisis feels like. He does not know any schools where kids no longer turn up, and he does not understand what it is like to wait for a hospital appointment. Does the country not deserve so much better than a Prime Minister who simply does not get Britain?
Last week, we had yet another half-hour speech from the right hon. and learned Gentleman, and—what a surprise—it did not contain a single new idea. We have had four years of him as Labour leader and it is still all slogan and no plan. Just this weekend, we are delivering on our plan to cut people's taxes; he does not have a plan. We have a plan to stop the boats; he does not have a plan. And we have a plan to get people off welfare and into work; he does not have a single idea.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not address the questioner's criticism about the Prime Minister being out of touch with economic reality.
Politicising
Response accuracy
Q8 Direct Answer
Context
In Scotland and Wales, there are plans to increase taxes on individuals and businesses.
It is almost spring, when a young man's fancy turns to tax. In Scotland, the nationalists have decided to increase taxes on hard-working people. In Wales, businesses are being clobbered by a 5% increase on rates. Does my right hon. Friend agree that there is only one party in this Chamber that can be trusted to cut taxes for hard-working people across the country, and that is the Conservative party?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Just this weekend, we are cutting taxes for an average person in work by £450. In Wales, where Labour is in charge, the Welsh Government are raising them, with businesses there now seeing double the rate of business rates this year. It is the same in Scotland under the SNP.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q9 Partial Answer
Stephen Flynn SNP
Aberdeen South
Context
The Horizon system has caused significant harm to sub-postmasters over decades, with the current government addressing it now.
The Horizon system was introduced by Tony Blair, the former Labour party leader and of course now a Knight of the Garter. The Horizon system was defended by the current leader of the Liberal Democrats, himself a Knight Bachelor. The Horizon system scandal was overseen by a former Conservative Prime Minister who now hides in the House of Lords as a baron. The reality is that sub-postmasters never stood a chance against the Westminster establishment, did they?
As I have said, this is actually one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in our country's history. All our thoughts are with those who have worked so hard for their communities and have seen their lives and reputations destroyed. As the hon. Gentleman pointed out, this scandal has unfolded over decades, with multiple people clearly at fault.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not acknowledge any specific commitment or action by the current government but recognized it as a miscarriage of justice.
Politicising
Response accuracy
Q10 Partial Answer
Stephen Flynn SNP
Aberdeen South
Context
The public perceives Westminster as unresponsive to their needs, citing numerous historical injustices.
I do not think that the Prime Minister quite gets it. This is not just a plague on all their houses; it is a plague on this House itself, because injustice goes far beyond the sub-postmasters—just ask the Women Against State Pension Inequality Campaign, the victims of the Equitable Life scandal, the victims of the infected blood scandal, or the families of the victims of Grenfell or Hillsborough. The reality is that when the public come knocking on the doors of this Chamber seeking justice, the Government only ever answer when they have no options left. The Leader of the Opposition said last week that the public are right to be angry at Westminster. They are angry at Westminster because they know that this place never really changes, does it, Prime Minister?
I am sad that the hon. Gentleman is trying to politicise something that has happened over multiple decades, with multiple people at fault. The key thing is that after the 2019 High Court case the Government acted to establish an independent inquiry and independent compensation schemes, and as I said, we have paid out compensation to 2,500 people.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not address the questioner's criticism about systemic failures in Westminster but instead highlighted government actions post-High Court case.
Politicising
Response accuracy
Q11 Partial Answer
Context
A constituent's grandad shared concerns about a school's approach to discussing gender identity with his grandson, highlighting the potential risks of open engagement in current societal tensions.
I made a promise to a grandad in my constituency after he told me that he had not dared to speak up when his grandson came home saying, 'Today, we were learning if we were in the wrong body.' Draft schools guidance to support gender-questioning children was published just before Christmas and is out to public consultation. Given the risks of individuals being publicly cancelled for supporting biological reality or championing fairness, women's safety or child protection, how will honest and open engagement be managed through this sensitive consultation process?
I thank my hon. Friend for her important question. She is right about the safety and wellbeing of children being paramount in our thoughts. That is at the heart of the guidance that we have published for consultation. Parents fundamentally must be involved in decisions about their children's lives, and their involvement is a key part of the guidance. She is right that there is a consultation process. That is an opportunity for everyone to engage with the guidance. I also agree that those championing safety or talking about the importance of biological sex should absolutely have the freedom to express those views. She will see those views expressed in the guidance too.
Assessment & feedback
Did not specify how engagement will be managed without fear of retribution
Response accuracy
Q12 Direct Answer
Context
A £3.3 billion financial package was announced for the Northern Irish Executive, but ongoing negotiations with the DUP are needed to address public sector pay pressures and restore the local government.
I thank the Prime Minister for the £3.3 billion financial package that is now available to any restored Northern Ireland Executive; however, we still need a discussion around the long-term financial framework before the next spending review. At present, Northern Ireland's public services are in a huge crisis, especially health, with urgent public sector pay pressures that must be addressed. Last month, the Secretary of State said that the negotiations with the Democratic Unionist party over the Windsor framework had concluded. Does the Prime Minister recognise the real dangers of continued drift in Northern Ireland and the urgent need for Northern Ireland to have a Government?
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. Our focus has always been on delivering for the people of Northern Ireland, who rightly expect and deserve their locally elected decision-makers to address the issues that matter to them. We have held talks with the DUP and believe that significant progress has been made, and that there is now a very good basis for the Executive to be restored. I thank him for his comments about the £3 billion financial package. With that, there is a real chance to restore the Executive, resolve pay for public sector workers rapidly, and get Northern Ireland and its public services moving again.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q13 Partial Answer
Context
The Atherleigh Way bypass, proposed over 60 years ago for Leigh, remains unfinished despite an agreement in principle between local councils and the mayor to bring forward proposals.
The Atherleigh Way bypass in Leigh was first proposed over 60 years ago but is still unfinished. I recently met representatives of Wigan Council, Warrington Borough Council and St Helens Borough Council, as well as the Mayor of Greater Manchester, and am pleased to say that an agreement in principle has been reached to bring forward proposals to complete the bypass. Will the Prime Minister also throw his support behind this vital project for my constituents in Leigh?
I commend my hon. Friend for all his work bringing local authorities and the mayor together to drive this important project forward. I know that the Rail Minister is meeting my hon. Friend to discuss this proposal and ensure that we can deliver things like this. As part of Network North, there will be significant new funding announced for local highway improvements. I would encourage my hon. Friend to work with stakeholders to progress this important scheme and ensure that they can bid for that funding when it becomes available.
Assessment & feedback
Did not directly state support but mentioned network north funding
Response accuracy
Q14 Partial Answer
Context
Mr Tripathi, who gave the PM £38,000 for a private jet hire in April last year, has been cited as an individual of interest.
Can I ask the Prime Minister very simply, for the public record, whether he personally met Mr Akhil Tripathi in April last year prior to Mr Tripathi giving him £38,000 for the hire of a private jet?
All my declarations are made in the usual way according to the usual processes.
Assessment & feedback
Did not answer the specific question about the meeting
All My Declarations Are Made In The Usual Way
Response accuracy
Q15 Partial Answer
Context
The River Severn, which passes through numerous constituencies, has experienced repeated flooding events leading to significant damage and economic impact.
The Prime Minister knows that I set up and chair the caucus of 35 Conservative Members of Parliament who have Britain's longest river flowing through their constituencies—the River Severn. We have submitted a business case to the Chancellor for £500 million to finally tame the River Severn, and I know that his officials are currently looking at those proposals. To tame the River Severn would lead to a gross-value-added uplift in the west midlands of over £150 billion. The Prime Minister has seen this week the horrendous damage and misery caused in Shropshire and all the way along the River Severn by the river flooding yet again. We really need to see in the spring Budget further assistance for communities such as mine finally to deal with these annual floods.
I start by saying that my thoughts are with all those affected by the devastating impact of Storm Henk and the flooding that we have seen over the past week or two, including those in my hon. Friend's constituency. Action is already being undertaken under our six-year, £5.2 billion investment programme to better protect land across the River Severn catchment area and elsewhere, but I know the Minister responsible for flooding met my hon. Friend, along with the Environment Agency, in his constituency just before Christmas to discuss the specific plans he mentions. I know the Chancellor has received and started reviewing them. I assure my hon. Friend that the Environment Agency is working closely with other partners to explore his plans in more detail.
Assessment & feedback
Did not specify inclusion of additional funding but mentioned ongoing review
Response accuracy
Q16 Partial Answer
Rushanara Ali Lab
Bethnal Green and Stepney
Context
Over 23,000 Palestinians have been killed, including 10,000 children, due to the conflict. There is a humanitarian crisis with forced displacement.
Since the outbreak of war in Gaza, over 23,000 Palestinians have been killed, including 10,000 children, and forced displacement is causing a humanitarian catastrophe. Will the Prime Minister make public the legal advice that our Government requested and received on suspected breaches of international law by Israel?
We continue to call for international humanitarian law to be respected. Our current legal assessment says that Israel plans to act within international humanitarian law and has the ability to do so. But we are deeply concerned about the impact on the civilian population in Gaza, which is why we have trebled the amount of aid provided to the region.
Assessment & feedback
The specific legal advice requested was not made public.
We Continue To Call For International Humanitarian Law To Be Respected.
Response accuracy
Q17 Partial Answer
Context
The new Hillingdon hospital has full planning permission and funding, with enabling works progressing.
In my constituency, the new Hillingdon hospital has full planning permission and full funding. Does the Prime Minister agree that this new state-of-the-art hospital will uplift health benefits for the residents of Uxbridge and South Ruislip?
My hon. Friend has been a fantastic campaigner for the new Hillingdon hospital and I agree that it will provide fantastic care to him and his constituents. Planning permission and funding have now been granted, and work is progressing.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not commit to visiting the project site but said he would look at his diary.
I Will Look At My Diary.
Response accuracy
Q18 Partial Answer
Context
Residents in Mid Bedfordshire are looking for support from the Prime Minister to progress a strategy to help kinship carers.
Will the Prime Minister meet some fantastic kinship carers in Mid Bedfordshire to talk through how we can progress the strategy to make it go further and faster?
I pay tribute to all kinship carers for their incredible work. I would be happy to review the plans mentioned and make sure Ministers have a look at them too.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not commit to meeting with kinship carers or discuss why Bedfordshire might be suitable as a pilot area.
I Pay Tribute
Response accuracy
Q19 Partial Answer
Context
The Prime Minister has given £900 million for Hampshire Hospitals NHS foundation trust to build a new hospital.
Does the Prime Minister agree that this is a once-in-a-lifetime investment and must not just modernise NHS healthcare, but support his plan to double medical training places by 2031?
I am pleased that through our new hospitals programme Hampshire Hospitals NHS foundation trust will receive significant investment. We look forward to delivering the project as quickly as possible.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not commit to doubling medical training places by 2031 or build faster.
We Look Forward
Response accuracy
Q20 Partial Answer
Bill Esterson Lab
Sefton Central
Context
Reports suggest that the Prime Minister's family investment company, Catamaran Ventures, is being wound up.
Will the Prime Minister confirm whether he has forgotten to register any of his financial interests? Will he publish all details of Catamaran Ventures' investments?
I take very seriously my responsibilities to register and declare all relevant interests in accordance with the ministerial code. My wife has been an investor in British companies, but that is now something she has ceased to do going forward.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not confirm whether he had forgotten to register any financial interests or publish all details of Catamaran Ventures' investments.
I Take Very Seriously My Responsibilities
Response accuracy
Q21 Partial Answer
Context
New, large shellfish beds have been discovered in the Thames estuary.
Will my right hon. Friend join me in congratulating local fisherman Mr Paul Gilson on his proactive work? Will he come to Leigh-on-Sea to meet my local fishermen?
I join my hon. Friend in welcoming this fantastic discovery. We have been capitalising on the benefits of Brexit since we left the European Union and we are making sure that we can transform opportunity in the UK, particularly in fishing communities.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not commit to visiting Leigh-on-Sea or discussing specific plans with Essex fishermen.
I Join My Hon. Friend
Response accuracy
Q22 Partial Answer
Paulette Hamilton Lab
Birmingham Erdington
Context
The question arises from growing NHS waiting lists despite government pledges to reduce them.
I was a nurse in our NHS for 25 years. It is an offence to my colleagues and our patients when the Prime Minister pretends that he has a grip on NHS waiting times. Despite his big pledge to cut waiting lists, they have grown by half a million patients in the last year alone.
I thank the hon. Lady for her decades of service in the NHS, and commend all the work of our fantastic hard-working nurses in the NHS. I am pleased that we have delivered early on our manifesto pledge to have 50,000 more nurses in the NHS, together with record numbers of doctors, elective surgical hubs and community diagnostic centres, all of which means that we are now treating more people in the NHS than we have ever done before.
Assessment & feedback
Growth in waiting lists
Blaming Industrial Action
Response accuracy
Q23 Partial Answer
Context
An issue of antisemitic views among young students in schools is being raised.
Pro-Palestinian activists were invited to another school in the north-west of England to educate pupils on the history of Palestine, and displayed slides to those students that denied the existence of the state of Israel. This is completely unacceptable. Will the Prime Minister look at what is going on in our schools and hold an independent review of how we can do more in our curriculum to educate about the perils of antisemitism?
I thank my hon. Friend for raising what is a deeply concerning issue. As I have said before, there is no place for antisemitism or the glorification of terrorism in Britain, especially not in our classrooms. That is why we welcomed the recent report from Lord Mann, the Government's independent adviser on antisemitism.
Assessment & feedback
Specific review
Not Committing To A New Review
Response accuracy
Q24 Direct Answer
Context
A constituent lost her husband and was left struggling with three young children.
When my best friend and constituent Dr Laura Williams lost her husband suddenly at 35, she was left alone with three children under the age of five. Nothing could have prepared her for that grief and loss. I have witnessed at first hand what a remarkable job she has done to carry on and stay afloat, but that has been made much harder by the fact that bereavement support payments have been cut to just 18 months.
I am very sorry to hear about the hon. Lady's constituent and her tragic loss. I would be very happy to meet her at the earliest opportunity.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q25 Partial Answer
Context
A ferry service between Tilbury and Gravesend in the questioner's constituency is under threat due to local authority funding withdrawal.
Passengers have been crossing the Thames between Tilbury and Gravesend in my constituency since 1307, but the ferry service today is currently under threat because of the withdrawal of local authority funding. With so many people using that ferry service to come to work in Tilbury docks, and given the upcoming expansion of the Thames freeport, will my right hon. Friend encourage the local authorities to do all they can to ensure that we take full advantage of the opportunities through a new contract for the service?
My hon. Friend is right to highlight that the Tilbury to Gravesend ferry service forms an important part of the local transport services provided by local authorities. Obviously, those funding decisions are for the relevant councils, but I encourage them to consider the importance of cross-river transport in their local community, which she highlights, as part of their upcoming local transport plan.
Assessment & feedback
Specific encouragement
Not Committing To Specific Action
Response accuracy
Q26 Partial Answer
Context
A UNICEF report shows a rise in child income poverty in the UK compared to other countries.
Has the Prime Minister seen the utterly damning new UNICEF report showing that in the decade to 2021, child income poverty rose way faster in the UK than in any of the other 39 countries analysed? Scrapping the benefits cap, scrapping the two-child limit and rolling out the Scottish child payment UK-wide could reverse a decade of utter failure.
I point out to the hon. Gentleman that since 2010 the number of people living in poverty has actually reduced by 1.7 million, including hundreds of thousands of children, but the best way to make sure that children do not grow up in poverty—which no one wants to see—is to make sure that their parents are in work, and then to make sure that they can keep as much of their hard-earned money as possible.
Assessment & feedback
Specific policies
Focusing On Employment
Response accuracy
Q27 Partial Answer
Context
The Labour-controlled Bradford Council declared bankruptcy just before Christmas, with subsequent meetings focusing on unrelated topics rather than the financial crisis. This situation is affecting constituents' daily lives.
My constituents know only too well the disaster of living under a Labour regime. Just before Christmas, the Labour council in Bradford announced that it was bankrupt, and then spent the first three hours of the subsequent council meeting debating Gaza and Israel rather than the perilous financial situation it was in. Will the Prime Minister support my campaign and that of my hon. Friend the Member for Keighley (Robbie Moore) to get our constituencies out of Bradford Council's control? It is more urgent than ever. Will he also make sure that the Government deliver a swimming pool in Bingley, which is something that was run down and then closed down as part of the mismanagement of Bradford Council?
My hon. Friend makes an excellent point: whether it is local councils in his area, in Nottingham or indeed in Birmingham, we see a track record of Labour mismanagement of finances in local areas. We all know, as my hon. Friend points out, that when that happens—when Labour is in power—it is working people who pay the price. That is why we have to stick to our plan.
Assessment & feedback
Support for campaign and swimming pool delivery in Bingley
Attacking Labour Mismanagement Referring To A General Plan Without Specifics
Response accuracy