Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Food prices in January were rising at a rate of 16.8% annually, increasing to 19.1% as per the most recent figures. This contradicts the Prime Minister's pledge to halve inflation.
May I associate myself with the words of the Prime Minister? Our hearts are with the city of Nottingham. We also remember the 72 people killed at Grenfell and support those still fighting for justice and safe homes. According to the Office for National Statistics, in January food prices were rising at 16.8% a year. The most recent figures show food prices rising by a whopping 19.1%, making a mockery of the Prime Minister's pledge to halve inflation. Does he honestly think that people will not notice?
Of course, I acknowledge that the cost of living is rising for families, and that is why my first priority at the beginning of the year is to halve inflation. I am pleased to say that inflation is now falling, and in the latest estimates we remain on track. With regard to food prices, we are not alone in experiencing high food price inflation, like many other countries in Europe. That is why the Chancellor has already spoken to the Competition and Markets Authority, which is looking at the grocery industry. We continue to support families with the cost of living, notably by paying half their energy bills.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address whether people will notice or if public perception is affected
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
Figures released yesterday showed that the number of people in employment is now at a record level, with 4 million more employed compared to when Labour was last in power.
It is a fact that Labour has never left government with unemployment lower than when it came in. Figures released yesterday show that there are now 4 million more people in work than when Labour was last in power. Does the Prime Minister agree that the security of a good job will always be better than Labour's dependency culture?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right to point out Labour's poor record on jobs. Yesterday's figures showed that the UK economy is resilient, with the number of people in employment now at a record level. We are by no means complacent, but the inactivity rate continues to fall and the unemployment rate remains at historically low levels. That is a Conservative Government delivering for our country.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The Prime Minister acknowledged the attack in Nottingham and remembered those affected by Grenfell Tower. The public is concerned about rising bills, food prices, and mortgage rates.
I join with the Prime Minister in his comments about the terrible attack in Nottingham yesterday, and in tribute to the work of our emergency services. The thoughts of the whole House are with the victims and the people of that great city. I also join him in remembering the 72 people who lost their lives in the Grenfell Tower fire. The victims and their families are always in our hearts, but six years on, the justice they are fighting for is long overdue. All across the country, people are worried about their bills, the price of the weekly shop and the spiralling mortgage rates, so why has the Tory party spent this last week arguing over which of them gets a peerage?
My points on this are very clear. In line with a long-established convention of previous Prime Ministers having the ability to submit honours, I followed a process to the letter, in convention with long-standing process. It is, by the way, a long-standing convention that Prime Ministers on both sides of this House have followed in the same way that I did.
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Assessment & feedback
Changed subject from public concerns to process for submitting honours
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The Prime Minister signed off the honours list despite concerns raised about those who threw a party at Downing Street before the Queen sat alone at her husband's funeral.
The truth is that for all his tough talk after the event, the Prime Minister did sign off the honours list. That means that those who threw a Downing Street party the night before the late Queen sat alone at her husband's funeral will now receive awards from the King. If the Prime Minister is so tough, why didn't he block it?
As I said, I and the Government followed due process and convention. Prime Ministers of both parties have always upheld the convention of non-interference on political honours. My predecessors may not have agreed with Labour's choices of Tom Watson or Shami Chakrabarti, but the same precedent stood then as it does now. I would expect a knight like the right hon. and learned Gentleman to understand that.
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Assessment & feedback
Changed subject from blocking honours to previous Labour choices
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The Prime Minister acknowledged the honours list despite concerns about those who threw a party at Downing Street before the Queen sat alone at her husband's funeral.
Honours should be for public service, not Tory cronies. Is it not the case that the Prime Minister was too weak to block Johnson's list? That also means that those who spent their time helping to cover up Johnson's lawbreaking are rewarded by becoming lawmakers for the rest of their lives. Is his message to the British public, “If you don't like it, tough”?
It is right that we use the honours system to recognise people—almost 2,000 a year—from members of the England Lionesses to the first Asian police officer in Greater Manchester. The right hon. and learned Gentleman talks about putting people in the House of Lords, so perhaps he could explain why he put forward for a peerage the former Labour MP Tom Watson, who spread vicious conspiracy theories that were totally and utterly untrue, damaged public discourse, and inflicted misery on innocent people.
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Assessment & feedback
Changed subject from covering up lawbreaking to previous Labour choices
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The public is concerned about rising mortgage rates, and the Tory economic crisis means millions of mortgage holders will pay thousands more next year.
The truth is that the country is paying the price of this endless cycle of chaos and distraction. The Tory economic crash means that millions of mortgage holders will pay thousands of pounds more next year, and the blame lies squarely at the door of a Government who are more focused on the internal wars of the Tory party than the needs of the country. Does the Prime Minister not think that those responsible should hang their heads in shame?
As I said right at the beginning of the session, our No.1 economic priority is to reduce inflation so that we can restrain the increase in interest rates. One thing we know we need to do is to reduce our borrowing and debt. That is how we will bring interest and mortgage rates down. Last week what did we see? Labour confusion. The shadow Chancellor attempted to water down Labour's plans to borrow £28 billion more a year, and she was promptly overruled by the shadow Energy Secretary, the former Leader of the Labour party, who said that Labour was “100% not abandoning” its pledge. It really looks like Labour's offer never changes. It is uncontrolled borrowing and more “Chaos with Ed Miliband.”
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Assessment & feedback
Changed subject from focus on internal conflicts to Labour's economic policies
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
The Labour party criticises the government for rewarding individuals associated with a previous problematic economic policy.
There is only one party that broke the economy: they are sitting opposite. They cannot fix the problems facing the country because they never take responsibility for the damage they have done. It is not just Johnson but the Prime Minister's immediate predecessor who hopes to reward those who made her reign such a rip-roaring success. On her honours list are the masterminds of that kamikaze Budget and the economic extremists of the Institute of Economic Affairs—those whose disastrous ideas crashed the economy and left the country to pick up the pieces. Will the Prime Minister block that honours list, or will he buckle to her as well?
If you want disastrous economic ideas, all you have to do is Labour's economic policy on energy. It is an energy policy that seeks to ban all new British oil and gas drilling, jeopardising 200,000 jobs and our energy security at a time of international conflict. Despots like Putin are the only people who will welcome such a policy.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific honours list was not addressed, instead focusing on Labour's economic policies.
Redirecting Criticism
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
The Labour party criticises the government for focusing on past issues rather than addressing current economic, health, and asylum problems.
If the Prime Minister spent as much time focused on the economy, the NHS and the asylum system as he does haggling with his predecessors about who gets honours, the country would be in a far better state, but once again he has lost control, and once again it is working people paying the price. If he disagrees with that, why not put it to the test: end the boasting, the excuses and Tory chaos and see if he can finally find somebody—anybody, anywhere—to vote for him, and call a general election now?
The Leader of the Opposition talked about asylum. Just this week, it was the Labour party that voted against plans to tackle illegal migration. Just this week, it was the Labour party that voted against plans to tackle disruptive protests by its eco-zealot funders. We are getting on and delivering for the country. We are delivering record employment and the fastest wage growth in years.
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Assessment & feedback
The request for a general election was not addressed, instead focusing on Labour's asylum policy.
Redirecting Criticism
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
The current police funding formula penalises counties like Hampshire by millions of pounds, and previous Administrations made a commitment to have a new funding formula in place.
Crime is down significantly and falling, and police officer numbers are at an all-time high, but the police funding formula remains elderly and out of date. It penalises counties such as mine, Hampshire, to the tune of many millions of pounds. Previous Administrations made the commitment that a new police funding formula would have been in place by the general election. May I invite the Prime Minister to make the same commitment, please?
We recognise that the current police funding formula no longer accurately reflects demands on policing. That is why a review is carefully considering local factors for each police force. Our priority is to deliver a robust, future-proofed funding formula, but it is important that we take the time to get that right.
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Assessment & feedback
The commitment to have a new funding formula in place by the general election was not made explicitly.
Hedging Language
Response accuracy
Q10
Partial Answer
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Context
The Prime Minister previously warned of the perils of mortgage rate rises and stated it would mean no chance of winning the next election. Mortgage rates continue to rise.
I echo the sentiments of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition in relation to the terrible incident in Nottingham. Our thoughts are also with all those still reeling from the tragedy at Grenfell all these years later. During the Prime Minister's ill-fated leadership bid late last summer, he warned of the perils of mortgage rate rises. He stated: “It's going to tip millions of people into misery and it's going to mean we have absolutely no chance of winning the next election”. Given that mortgage rates continue to rise, does he still agree with his own electoral analysis?
Which is absolutely why our economic policy sets reducing inflation as our No. 1 priority. By the way, interest rates have also risen in pretty much every developed economy around the world; more so in places like America and New Zealand and similarly in other countries like Australia.
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Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister's previous statement was not addressed directly.
Redirecting To International Context
Response accuracy
Q11
Partial Answer
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Context
The Scottish National Party believes that Brexit is causing economic hardships in Scotland, including food prices, energy prices, and mortgage prices.
Respectfully, I think the Prime Minister needs to grow up. There is an elephant in this here Chamber when it comes to the dire economic circumstances facing the UK, and that is Brexit. Those on the Tory Benches do not want to accept it, and the Labour party does not want to talk about it, but whether it is on food prices, energy prices or indeed mortgage prices, households in Scotland are being shafted by Brexit. Will the Prime Minister apologise for the cycle of misery that Westminster has caused?
While the hon. Gentleman's party leader calls Nicola Sturgeon the most impressive politician in Europe, we are getting on with delivering for the people of Scotland: paying half of their energy bills, making sure pensions rise, making sure there is direct support with the cost of living for those who need it, and, crucially, ensuring that we secure over 200,000 jobs by supporting Scotland's North sea oil and gas industry—something opposed by his party.
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Assessment & feedback
The request for an apology was not addressed.
Redirecting To Achievements
Response accuracy
Q12
Partial Answer
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Context
Lincoln will benefit from £20 million of levelling-up funding for a traffic bridge project.
Lincoln will soon benefit from £20 million of levelling-up funding to deliver a traffic bridge over the railway to stop the city being permanently gridlocked by the Labour city council's huge western growth corridor housing development. This is truly levelling up for areas of the north in action. Will my right hon. Friend affirm his commitment, for my Lincoln constituents and businesses, that he and his Government will continue to help level up Lincoln and other areas in the north of our great country?
My hon. Friend is a fantastic advocate for his constituents. I am glad that he and City of Lincoln Council were successful in their £20 million levelling-up fund bid. The scheme will see two new bridges built across the railway line, improving access and reducing congestion.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific commitment to continue such funding was not made explicitly.
Hedging Language
Response accuracy
Q13
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from the Leader of the Opposition's visit to Scotland, where he did not address key issues related to Scottish autonomy and economic policies.
Why has the government's programme failed to recognise the impact on organisations across Bristol South? Does the Prime Minister agree that the Leader of the Opposition is not the right person to lead our country?
Mr Speaker, I apologise, because I did not hear fully the hon. Gentleman's question, but from what I could gather, I think he probably agrees with me that the Leader of the Opposition is not the right person to lead our country.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q14
Partial Answer
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Context
The question addresses concerns about the cost of living in light of Labour's proposed Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) charges.
Does the Prime Minister agree that it is wrong for Labour to introduce new ULEZ charges on driving in London suburbs, raising costs on working families?
My right hon. Friend is absolutely right to raise this important issue. While we are getting on providing significant support to families with the cost of living, the Labour Mayor of London, to whom transport is devolved, is busily putting it up, imposing the ULEZ charge against the overwhelming views of residents and businesses.
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Assessment & feedback
Providing specific commitments or actions to address increased costs on working families in outer London
Working With Partners
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q15
Partial Answer
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New data from the End Child Poverty coalition indicates that austerity measures have increased child poverty, particularly in working households.
Will the Prime Minister commit to scrapping the two-child limit, lifting 250,000 children out of poverty, and meeting anti-poverty organisations?
I gently point out to the hon. Lady that there are, in fact, 400,000 fewer children in absolute poverty than in 2010. We know that work is the best route out of poverty for families, so with employment at record levels, as we saw yesterday, I am pleased that there are now over 600,000 fewer children in workless households than in 2010.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment to scrapping the two-child limit and lifting 250,000 children out of poverty
Under Review
Working With Partners
Response accuracy
Q16
Partial Answer
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Context
The APPG on coalfield communities published a report recommending further action for the economic development of former coalfields.
Will the Prime Minister commit to reading and considering recommendations from the APPG on coalfield communities, and working out what more can be done to level up these areas?
I very much welcome the work of the APPG on coalfield communities and, indeed, the breadth and ambition of its policy contributions. We are committed to levelling up the UK by spreading opportunity more equally across the country and by investing in and empowering places that need it the most.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment or timeline for addressing recommendations from the report
Working With Partners
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q17
Partial Answer
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Context
A constituent was wrongly billed by defunct energy companies, highlighting the lack of consumer protection in the energy market.
Does the Prime Minister agree that we need a charter of rights for consumers given recent issues with billing and no resolution?
I will happily ensure that the appropriate Minister writes to the hon. Lady with a specific response on her constituent, so that we can try to resolve that issue.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment or timeline for implementing consumer rights in energy sector
Working With Partners
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q18
Partial Answer
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Context
The regulator of social housing issued a notice against Birmingham City Council for failing to meet decent homes standard, asbestos checks, electrical safety checks, and fire risk assessments.
Does the Prime Minister agree that it is time for serious intervention in Birmingham to ensure people have decent homes to live in given identified failings?
The failings identified in Birmingham are wholly unacceptable. The regulator of social housing has made it clear that Birmingham must take immediate action to address those issues, and it will be monitoring the council's progress closely.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment or timeline for regulatory intervention in Birmingham City Council
Working With Partners
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q19
Partial Answer
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Context
Ilke Homes, a modular housing builder, faces the risk of collapse, putting homes and jobs at risk.
Given that new housing units could drop to just 120,000 next year due to Ilke Homes facing collapse, does the Prime Minister now accept that scrapping housing targets was the wrong decision?
It would not be right for me to comment on the circumstances of any individual company, but I make absolutely no apology for respecting what local communities want in their local areas. While the Labour party may want to ride roughshod over the views of local communities, impose top-down housing targets and carpet over the green belt, that is not something that this Government will do.
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Assessment & feedback
Deflecting
Response accuracy
Q20
Direct Answer
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The Royal Air Force is operating the Hercules farewell flypast, which has been a key part of British defence for over 50 years.
As we speak, my constituents at 47 Squadron are standing down after defending our country for more than 107 years. Will the Government join me in paying tribute to their remarkable service?
I join my hon. Friend in paying tribute to 47 Squadron for its association with the Hercules now stretching to 45 years, serving our country professionally and distinguishedly.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q21
Partial Answer
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Context
A constituent's elderly father, a veteran living with cancer, was turned away for a heart appointment due to long wait times.
My constituent Sarah's father, who is a veteran with cancer and a heart problem, had an urgent appointment delayed. She paid for private care. The NHS must do better. When will the Prime Minister call a general election?
I am very sorry to hear about Sarah's father; we are investing record sums in the NHS, more doctors, nurses, diagnostic scans, and elective surgical hubs. We are seeing progress in eliminating 18-month waits.
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Assessment & feedback
Calling a general election
Under Review
Considering
Response accuracy
Q22
Direct Answer
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Context
Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust is planning to build a new hospital in Sutton.
The Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust is ready to proceed with the new hospital plan. Can the Prime Minister assure me that when they are ready, the Treasury will be ready to give them the green light?
We remain committed to the new hospital scheme for Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, delivering state-of-the-art facilities. The Department is working closely with the trust to progress work as soon as possible.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q23
Direct Answer
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The largest mobile operator in Ukraine has kept services running at 93% during the war.
Will the Prime Minister use next week's Ukraine recovery conference to invest in telecoms recovery, ensuring people are connected throughout the war?
We are hosting next week's Ukraine recovery conference summit to bring in private capital to help rebuild Ukraine. We admire companies providing essential services.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q24
Direct Answer
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Context
Carers across Hastings and Rye were celebrated last week.
Will the Prime Minister join me in thanking carers for their invaluable contributions, congratulating organisations on receiving awards, and celebrating national achievements?
I join my hon. Friend in congratulating carers on all their awards, recognising their extraordinary commitment.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q25
Partial Answer
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Context
Funding for in-patient mental health services is sitting unused due to capital spending limits.
Can the Prime Minister meet with East London NHS Foundation Trust, apply common sense, and release funds to fix mental health facilities so constituents do not have to travel far?
We are putting more money into mental health services than any previous Government. The largest expansion of mental health services in a generation is at the heart of the NHS long-term plan.
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Assessment & feedback
Releasing funds for repairs
Under Review
Considering
Response accuracy
Q26
Direct Answer
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Context
The eurozone is facing a recession while the UK economy is growing.
What assessment has the Prime Minister made of the eurozone being in recession and the UK experiencing growth?
The OBR, OECD, Bank of England, and IMF have all upgraded growth forecasts for the UK economy.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q27
Partial Answer
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39 women have died violently in Northern Ireland since 2017. Police are called to a domestic violence incident every 16 minutes, making it one of the most dangerous regions for women.
Some 39 women have died violently in Northern Ireland since 2017. The police are called to a domestic violence incident every 16 minutes and ours is now one of the most dangerous regions in Europe to be a woman. Stormont officials have consulted on a strategy to tackle violence against women, but there are no Ministers to take it forward. The outstanding Women's Aid Federation learned last month that its core funding is being taken away. In the demoralising absence of a Government, will the Prime Minister work with me and others to ensure that strategy is enacted and funded, so that we can tackle the cultures and behaviours that are having such a devastating impact on women in Northern Ireland?
I join the hon. Lady in saying that it is absolutely right that we do everything possible to stamp out violence against women and girls. That is why the Government passed the landmark Domestic Abuse Act 2021, set up a 24/7 victims line and quadrupled funding for victim support.
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Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not commit to enacting or funding the specific strategy mentioned by the questioner.
Response accuracy
Q28
Partial Answer
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Context
The Prime Minister inherited a policy from his predecessor to ban special offers on unhealthy products. The questioner argues this is an idiotic triumph of the nanny state during a cost of living crisis.
One of the socialist landmines that the Prime Minister has inherited from the former Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip— I am sure the Prime Minister remembers him: he is the one who said that we should be more Conservative; if only he had had a majority of 80 and been Prime Minister, he might have been able to do something about it—is the banning of “buy one, get one free” and other special offers on products that the Department of Health and Social Care thought were unhealthy. At the best of times that is an idiotic triumph of the nanny state, but during a cost of living crisis it is utterly bonkers. Will the Prime Minister intervene, pursue a more Conservative agenda—as the former Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip would want him to—and scrap this ridiculous policy?
I thank my hon. Friend, who has long highlighted this policy. As he knows, after I took office, given the concerns that he and others had raised about the impact on the cost of living of this policy, we postponed its introduction. No final decisions have been made, but I will continue to take what he says very seriously in all our deliberations.
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Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not commit to scrapping the ban on special offers, only that it is under consideration and postponed its introduction.
Response accuracy
Q29
Partial Answer
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Context
Citizens Advice Cymru reported soaring numbers of people struggling to afford housing. The monthly cost of a new mortgage on an average semi-detached house rose by 61% last year.
Those at Citizens Advice Cymru have told me of the soaring numbers of people coming to see them who are struggling to afford housing. Last year, the monthly cost of a new mortgage on an average semi-detached house rose by 61%, and most fixed-rate mortgages that are ending in the current 12-month period were set at interest rates below 2%, so the crisis will worsen for both homeowners and renters. What advice does the Prime Minister have for my constituents who are suffering the consequences of Tory economic chaos? Should they cut back on food, switch off the gas and electricity, or get further into Tory-fuelled, expensive debt?
Our No. 1 priority is to halve inflation so that we can reduce the upward pressure on interest rates. The hon. Gentleman's constituents should know that what would make that task absolutely worse is his party's plans for tens of billions of pounds of unfunded borrowing, which would just exacerbate the situation. What I will say, however, is that homeowners who are worried can ask for help through the support for mortgage interest scheme, which has recently been adjusted.
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Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not provide specific advice on what constituents should do to manage housing affordability but referenced a government scheme and blamed Labour's plans.
Response accuracy
Q30
Partial Answer
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Context
The questioner delivered a report on the opportunities provided by deep geothermal energy.
Last week I was pleased to deliver my report on the opportunities provided by deep geothermal energy, and I look forward to my visit next week to the opening of the Eden project's deep geothermal plant, championed by my hon. Friend the Member for St Austell and Newquay (Steve Double). Will the Prime Minister join me in meeting Members who want to emulate my hon. Friend by enjoying the benefits of a deep geothermal plant in their own constituencies?
I thank my hon. Friend for his work on that report: I know that he is rightly passionate about this area. The Government support the development of geothermal projects in the UK, provided that it can be done at an acceptable cost to consumers and in an environmentally friendly manner, and I will ensure that he gets a meeting with the relevant Minister to discuss his report and ideas further.
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Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not commit to personally joining meetings but stated government support for geothermal projects under certain conditions.
Response accuracy
Q31
Partial Answer
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Context
The city of Nottingham was devastated by senseless attacks that took place on the streets, resulting in fatalities and injuries.
Nottingham is devastated by the senseless attacks that took place on our streets yesterday. The thoughts and prayers of the whole city are with the family and friends of those who were killed, and with those who were injured. It is absolutely heartbreaking to see the pictures of Barnaby and Grace, the University of Nottingham students whose young lives, so full of potential, have been tragically cut short. As ever, we thank the emergency services, who acted quickly and courageously to save lives. Will the Prime Minister ensure that his Government provide the police, the universities and others in our city with everything they need to support our constituents following these horrendous events?
Like the rest of the country, I have been moved by the heartbreaking tributes from their loved ones. This is an extraordinarily difficult time and every parent's worst nightmare. The hearts of the whole country are with the families and all those who have lost their lives. The hon. Lady will, I am sure, understand that I cannot comment further at this stage, given that there is an ongoing situation, but the Home Secretary will be making a statement after Prime Minister's questions.
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Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister avoided addressing whether support would be provided and deflected to the Home Secretary's future statement.
Deflecting To An Unspecified Future Statement
Response accuracy
Q32
Partial Answer
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Context
The questioner's constituents benefit from the Uxbridge police station, which remains open due to campaigning by the Conservative-led council against the Mayor of London.
My constituents in Ickenham and South Harefield benefit enormously from the work of the police based in the nearby Uxbridge police station, which remains open only because of the campaign by the Conservative-led council to stop the Mayor of London closing it down. Does my right hon. Friend agree that, as we invest in more police, those police need good local police stations to work from?
My hon. Friend puts the point very well. Whether it is campaigning to keep open their local police station or opposing the ULEZ charge that would put up costs for hard-working families, it is the Conservatives in Uxbridge who are delivering for their community.
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Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not directly confirm agreement but praised his friend's stance on local police stations.
Response accuracy