PMQs 2023-03-22

2023-03-22

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Context
The National Day of Reflection is a Marie Curie-led initiative to commemorate lives lost. A constituent's child tragically died from ingesting a button battery, leading to a campaign for safer product standards.
Tomorrow is the National Day of Reflection... Will the Prime Minister join me in thanking Stoke-on-Trent City Council for supporting my call for a post box to heaven in Carmountside cemetery? On the second anniversary of the tragic death of my constituent, two-year-old Harper-Lee Fanthorpe... will he back my call for legislation to ensure greater product safety?
Of course I join my hon. Friend in thanking Stoke-on-Trent City Council... We are aware of the concerns about button batteries... The law is very clear that products available in the UK must be safe.
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to specific legislation for product safety
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The Casey report revealed institutional homophobia, misogyny, and racism within the Metropolitan police. The questioner seeks acknowledgment of these findings.
Today we remember the innocent lives lost six years ago... I accept those findings in full. Does the Prime Minister?
I join the right hon. and learned Gentleman in paying tribute to PC Palmer... Let me be clear: that is and was unacceptable and should never have happened... We have taken a series of steps already, and the Government will also now work with the Mayor and the Metropolitan Police Commissioner to ensure that culture, standards and behaviour all improve.
Assessment & feedback
Did not fully accept the findings without reservation
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The questioner seeks the Prime Minister's support for Labour's plan for national vetting standards to ensure uniform police recruitment criteria.
I take it from that answer that the Prime Minister does accept... If the Government backed Labour's plan for proper mandatory national vetting, we could end the farce...
There is no need to back that plan... We are already taking action to tackle the issues raised in the Casey report... The College of Policing is currently updating the statutory code of practice for police officer vetting...
Assessment & feedback
Did not support Labour's plan for national mandatory vetting
Already Taking Action
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The Casey report highlighted failures in handling rape cases with inadequate storage of evidence kits. The questioner seeks support for proper rape units in every police force.
The problem with the Prime Minister's answer is that... On his watch, the rape charge rate is 1.6%...
What Louise Casey also says is that primary public accountability of the Met sits with the Mayor of London... That is why the Government published an ambitious rape review action plan... We have tripled the number of independent sexual violence advisers, improved processes for collecting phone evidence and cross-examination...
Assessment & feedback
Did not support Labour's plan for rape units in each force
Mayor Of London Ambitious Action Plan
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
Concern over high crime levels under Conservative government, specifically noting that over 98% of rapists are never put before a court. A case in Armthorpe highlights the issue with ongoing burglaries.
People are fed up to the back teeth with a Government who never take responsibility and just try to blame everyone else—If Government Members are proud of the fact that over 98% of rapists are never put before a court, let them shout about it. They should be ashamed of themselves. The truth is simple: after 13 years of Tory Government, crime is out of control and people are paying the price. Before Christmas, the BBC reported the shocking case of a woman in Armthorpe, who had been beaten with a baseball bat by burglars three years ago. No one has been charged with that burglary, and she could not sleep at night. Under this Government's watch, tragically, that is not an unusual case. Can the Prime Minister tell us what is the charge rate for theft and burglary across the country?
Actually, since 2019, neighbourhood crime is down by 25%. The Leader of the Opposition rightly asked about what is happening with rape cases, so let me tell him that we are on track to meet our target of doubling the number of rape cases that are reaching our courts. Since the rape review action plan was published, we have seen police referrals double and charges double, and last year there was a 65% increase in rape convictions. Importantly, we also changed the law to ensure that rapists spend more time in prison.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide current charge rate for theft and burglary cases as requested
Diverting To A Related But Different Topic (Rape Cases)
Response accuracy
Q6 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The Prime Minister is criticised for being out of touch with rising crime rates in the country.
The Prime Minister stands there and pretends that everything is fine. He is so totally out of touch. He needs to get out of Westminster, get out of Kensington—
First of all, let me say that North Yorkshire is a lot further away than north London.
Assessment & feedback
N/A - did not address the criticism
Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The Prime Minister is criticised for past involvement in a criminal investigation.
The only criminal investigation that the Prime Minister has ever been involved in is the one that found him guilty of breaking the law. I have prosecuted countless rapists—
Let me just address the issue that the right hon. and learned Gentleman raised, because I said at the time that I respected the decision that the police reached, and I offered an unreserved apology. For the avoidance of doubt, at the moment that that happened, there was a full investigation by a very senior civil servant, the findings of which confirmed that I had no advance knowledge about what had been planned, having arrived early for a meeting.
Assessment & feedback
N/A - did not address the criticism directly
Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q8 Partial Answer
Context
Concern over potential job losses at British Steel in Scunthorpe.
I thank my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister for the efforts he has made to support the UK's steel industry. We remain very concerned about job losses at British Steel in Scunthorpe, so will he today reassure my constituents in north Lincolnshire that we will never see the end of UK steelmaking under his watch?
The UK steel industry can have no greater champion than my hon. Friend. I know this must be a concerning time for British Steel employees, and we stand ready to work with her to support them. She is right that industrial sectors, including steel, have been able to bid into competitive Government funds worth £1 billion to help support them to cut emissions and become more energy efficient, and the Government's recently announced British industry supercharger fund can help boost competitiveness in the UK's key energy-intensive industries.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide direct reassurance about job losses or future of steelmaking specifically
Providing General Support Measures
Response accuracy
Q9 Partial Answer
Stephen Flynn SNP
Aberdeen South
Context
Concern over the economic impacts of Brexit, including potential productivity hit and Tory leadership challenges.
I would like to begin by paying tribute to PC Palmer, who so tragically lost his life in defence of this Parliament and, indeed, what we all stand for—democracy. What worries the Prime Minister most about Brexit right now: is it the likely 4% hit to UK productivity, or is it three former Tory leaders planning to vote down his deal this afternoon?
The Windsor framework represents—
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a clear answer to the specific concerns raised about productivity hit and leadership instability.
Stating Process, Not Substance
Response accuracy
Q10 Partial Answer
Stephen Flynn SNP
Aberdeen South
Context
Concern over economic impacts including inflation at 10.4%, tax burden, and productivity hit.
The reality is that while Westminster is once again consumed by the damage being caused by Brexit, the public at home are facing the biggest fall in living standards ever, the highest tax burden since the end of the second world war and inflation at 10.4%. When are the Conservative party and, indeed, the Labour party going to realise that Brexit cannot work?
The actions that this Government are taking are ensuring that fully half of most families' energy bills are being supported by this Government. We are also making sure that we are delivering for people by cutting NHS waiting lists. That is something we are happy to work with the Scottish Government to learn and share best practice with them on.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address economic viability of Brexit directly
Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q11 Partial Answer
Context
Commends efforts to reduce unemployment, with specific focus on Arnold jobcentre and over-50 employment.
Gedling's unemployment claimant rate has declined significantly over the last decade, but there are still vacancies to fill and specific groups to help. On Monday, the Employment Minister and I visited Arnold jobcentre, where Kelsie and her team are welcoming local employers to speak directly to jobseekers and a dedicated 50-plus work coach is getting more people from that bracket into work. Would my right hon. Friend join me in congratulating the staff at Arnold jobcentre on the proactive work they are doing and, when time allows, would he come to visit Arnold jobcentre in person to see the great work it is doing?
I thank my hon. Friend and join him in thanking all the staff at Arnold jobcentre for their hard work. I shall keep his kind invitation to visit in mind. He mentioned the over-50s, who my right hon. Friend the Chancellor described as more experienced workers. He was right to focus on them because, together with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, we are putting in place a range of measures to help support them to return to and stay in the labour market.
Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm personal visit to Arnold jobcentre
Providing General Commitment Without Specifics
Response accuracy
Q12 Partial Answer
Context
Scotland generates significant energy but receives no revenue or jobs from it.
The UK Government recently confirmed that Scotland generated and sent south 35 billion kWh of energy in 2021. That number will rise to 124 billion kWh in less than eight years' time. For this multibillion-pound bounty, Scotland will see no revenue and no manufacturing or supply chain jobs. In our land of energy plenty, why should our people be cold and hungry and businesses failing as a result of his Government's robbery? What has the Prime Minister to say in defence of this naked exploitation of Scotland's people and resources?
Actually, this Government are a strong supporter of Scotland's North sea oil and gas industry. It is the economically illiterate policy of almost all Opposition parties to prohibit any new exploration of fossil fuels in the North sea, which would have us pay billions of pounds to foreign energy companies and then ship that energy here, with twice the carbon emissions. It is a completely absurd policy that is bad for our security and bad for our economy, and that is why we are better off with the Conservatives in charge.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address Scotland's lack of revenue or manufacturing jobs from energy exports
Changing Subject To Criticize Opposition Policy
Response accuracy
Q13 Partial Answer
Context
The Isle of Wight has not received a funding uplift for local government services despite evidence showing it costs more to provide such services there.
The Island has been getting a better deal in recent years. I thank the Prime Minister for that, because before he was the Prime Minister, he worked with me in different roles when he was in government to make that happen, and I am grateful. However, the Island remains the only sizeable island in the UK without a fixed link and separated from the mainland by sea that does not receive a funding uplift to support local government services. This injustice has been ongoing now for 50 years. All the evidence shows that it costs more to provide local services on an island than on the mainland. Will the Prime Minister work with me and his Ministers to overcome this injustice this year?
I thank my hon. Friend for his continued campaigning on behalf of his constituents. It was a pleasure to spend many happy childhood holidays on the Island, and I enjoyed visiting him more recently there as well. Isle of Wight Council will benefit from a 10% increase in its funding in cash terms for the next financial year and has been awarded an additional £1 million in recognition of the unique circumstances of the Island, but I will ensure that he gets a meeting with the Minister for local government—the Under-Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, my hon. Friend the Member for North East Derbyshire (Lee Rowley)—to carry on the good work that he and I started, and to make sure that his local constituents get the support that they need.
Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address 50-year injustice of funding without uplift
Acknowledged Past Efforts Offered Meeting
Response accuracy
Q14 Partial Answer
Graham Stringer Lab
Blackley and Middleton South
Context
During the lockdown, government science was not followed leading to dire consequences.
We now know from 's lockdown files that, during covid, at the very heart of Government science was not being followed and rational discourse had been abandoned. This had dire consequences for children's education, mortality rates among the elderly, the economy and access to the health service. Lessons must be learned, but we cannot wait 10 years for the independent inquiry to tell us what we should do next time when the inevitable epidemic arrives. Will the Prime Minister agree to a short-term, focused inquiry that can give us recommendations, so that we do better next time?
As with any public inquiry, the process and timing of the inquiry stages are for the independent chair to decide. As Baroness Hallett has set out, she intends to gather written evidence throughout this year, with public hearings also starting this year. The inquiry held a preliminary hearing in February that covered pandemic preparedness and resilience, and it has set out dates for preliminary hearings into core political and administrative decision making across the UK throughout this month. Most importantly, as the hon. Gentleman will recognise, it is an independent inquiry, and it is for the independent chair to set the terms.
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to short-term focused inquiry
Deferred Decision Making To Independent Chair
Response accuracy
Q15 Partial Answer
Jerome Mayhew Con
Broadland and Fakenham
Context
The Mayor's new London-wide ULEZ charge affects commuters outside of London.
More than 1.5 million people living outside London stand to be impacted by the Mayor's new London-wide ultra low emission zone. Labour and the Liberal Democrats are all for the ULEZ charge; they do not care about the cost of living crisis. Does my right hon. Friend agree that the best way to protect commuters and small businesses from the spread of this unfair, £12.50-a-day tax is to vote Conservative on 4 May?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. He failed to mention that just this week, Labour in Wales has introduced plans for further road charging as well, increasing cost pressures for the public and businesses. I urge Opposition parties to listen and to stand up for the public and small businesses, just as the Conservatives do.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address ULEZ charge protection
Attacked Opposition'S Policies
Response accuracy
Q16 Partial Answer
Context
One in four people wait more than a year for diagnosis of Crohn's or colitis.
When my wee brother was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis eight years ago, it is fair to say that it turned our lives upside down. I am incredibly proud of the man he is and all that he has achieved while living with that life-limiting condition. My Livingston constituent, Steven Sharp, manages local football team the Fulshie in Stoneyburn. He has Crohn's disease and he lives with a stoma. He is like many of our constituents up and down the UK who are living with a life-limiting condition and trying to provide for their families, while holding down a job, with a condition and disease that wreaks havoc on their body. Given that one in four people wait more than a year for diagnosis, will the Prime Minister and the House support the campaign to Cut the Crap and get people diagnosed early for Crohn's and colitis? Will he meet me and my constituent Steven, to consider what more can be done for awareness, research and funding?
I thank the hon. Lady for her question, and pay tribute to her brother and to Steven for everything they are doing to raise awareness of this issue. I would be happy to meet her and Steven. This is something I am familiar with. It is a very difficult condition for people to live with, and it is right that they get the support and attention they deserve. I look forward to that discussion with her.
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to supporting the campaign or actions for early diagnosis
Acknowledged Awareness Offered Meeting
Response accuracy
Q17 Partial Answer
Jeremy Wright Con
Kenilworth and Southam
Context
Jamie Scott, a constituent, suffered serious disability following a COVID vaccination. The current compensation limit is £120,000.
My constituent Jamie Scott spent four weeks in a coma and remains seriously disabled as a result of a covid vaccination. Despite believing mass vaccination is right, he should be properly compensated for the injury. Currently, the maximum compensation is £120,000, even for severe lifelong injuries. Will my right hon. Friend urgently review this?
I recognise the importance of vaccines in protecting us all and acknowledge the case raised by my right hon. and learned Friend. In rare cases, a one-off payment can be awarded under the scheme without preventing legal claims against manufacturers. We are modernising operations to provide timely outcomes but would discuss this matter further with him.
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about changing compensation limits was not directly addressed.
Acknowledges The Case Without Committing To A Change
Response accuracy
Q18 Partial Answer
Kate Osborne Lab
Jarrow and Gateshead East
Context
Food inflation has reached 18%, highest in 45 years, causing food and fuel poverty.
New inflation stats show that food inflation is at 18%, the highest since 1977. Millions are struggling due to high costs of living. How can the Prime Minister claim his plan is working when so many people find it hard to afford weekly groceries?
Since 2010, 2 million fewer people are in poverty due to actions by Conservative Governments. Our plan is crucial as we aim to halve inflation this year per OBR forecasts. Meanwhile, programmes like free school meals and holiday activities support vulnerable families.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address the specific ask about admitting economic strategy failures.
Acknowledges Issues Without Conceding
Response accuracy
Q19 Direct Answer
Context
Investment in transport links, high street regeneration, and town centre upgrades have been announced.
With £60 million for better transport links from Wednesbury to the Black Country, £4 million for the high street, and £22.5 million for Tipton's town centre, my communities are receiving investment after 50 years of neglect. Will my right hon. Friend ensure timely delivery using his good offices?
I pay tribute to my hon. Friend's campaigning and am delighted about investments in places like Wednesbury and Tipton, working with local councils, Transport for West Midlands and the Combined Authority to deliver these projects.
Assessment & feedback
null
Response accuracy
Q20 Partial Answer
Context
Households in Gateshead have seen significant increases in energy bills, especially daily electricity standing charges.
Residents of Gateshead face tripled energy bills over two years. Standing charges increased from 22p to 58p, a rise of 155%, affecting low-income households disproportionately. Will the Prime Minister commit to reversing these regressive increases and returning them to 2019 levels or eliminating them completely?
The Government support households with around half of their winter energy bills, extending this in the Budget. We aim for £1,500 per typical family and extend unit price reductions to prepayment meter users.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address standing charges specifically or commit to Ofgem instructions.
Focuses On Broader Support Measures
Response accuracy
Q21 Direct Answer
Martin Vickers Con
Brigg and Immingham
Context
Two constituents have set up a support group for veterans to help them cope with mental health issues following their son's suicide.
My constituents, Adrian and Carol Ellis, are here today. Their son George was in the Yorkshire Regiment and died by suicide after losing a comrade. In his memory, they started 'Getting Emotions Out', pairing veterans for support. Will the Prime Minister offer condolences to Adrian and Carol and support their work?
I join my hon. Friend in sending our condolences and supporting the work of George's parents to raise awareness about veterans' mental health. The government is working on Op Courage for veteran mental health support, with increased funding.
Assessment & feedback
null
Response accuracy
Q22 Partial Answer
Context
Maryam Amiri, a constituent from Glasgow who came to the UK on a spousal visa in 2016 and works as an educator due to start university in September, had her visa renewal refused by the Home Office. Her family is being persecuted in Afghanistan where she originally worked against the Taliban.
My constituent Maryam Amiri came to the UK from Afghanistan on a spousal visa back in 2016. The Home Office has just refused her renewal and advised that she should return to Afghanistan. She is an educator who is due to start a university course in September. Can the Prime Minister think of any barriers or hardships Maryam might face in returning to a country where there is not even any means of applying for a visa? Will he personally intervene, as the Minister for Immigration has yet to reply despite my raising this matter three weeks ago?
Obviously, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on an individual's visa case, but I will ensure that the hon. Lady gets a response from the Home Office on that particular case.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister avoided addressing any specific barriers or hardships and did not commit to personal intervention beyond ensuring she receives a Home Office response.
It Would Not Be Appropriate
Response accuracy
Q23 Direct Answer
Context
Max Woosey, a constituent of Selaine Saxby known as 'the boy in the tent,' has been camping outside for three years to raise £750,000 for the North Devon Hospice. His final camping festival is set to take place at Broomhill Estate.
Will the Prime Minister pay tribute to and congratulate my constituent Max Woosey, best known as the boy in the tent, whose three-year adventure camping outside is drawing to a close? To date, he has raised more than £750,000 for the excellent North Devon Hospice. Will my right hon. Friend wish everyone taking part in his final adventure, a camping festival at Broomhill Estate, great success?
I join my hon. Friend in paying tribute to Max and everyone else taking part in this fantastic initiative. I congratulate them on raising such a considerable sum of money for a very worthy local cause, and I look forward to hearing how the rest of it goes. Very well done.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q24 Partial Answer
Context
The Treasury has received £65 billion in revenue from Scotland's oil and gas industry but allocated only £20 billion to carbon capture, cut the renewable energy budget by a third, and provided minimal funding for tidal stream projects despite interest in Sizewell C nuclear power station.
The Treasury receives an additional £65 billion in revenue from Scotland's oil and gas, but it has allocated only £20 billion to carbon capture and there is nothing for Scotland. It has cut the renewable energy budget by a third. It has allocated only £10 million to Scotland's world-leading tidal stream, and has failed to back pumped storage hydro, yet it wants us to contribute our share towards the £35 billion Sizewell C nuclear power station. Is it not the case that within the Union, Scotland is the energy but Westminster takes the powers?
We are not only supporting Scotland's North sea oil and gas industry but providing £20 billion of funding for further carbon capture and storage. We want to work with and provide clarity for Acorn on its future path. The hon. Gentleman raised tidal power; I am pleased to tell him that it is now included in the contracts for difference allocations. There has been 40 MW of new tidal stream power from four projects across Scotland and Wales in the last year. That is this Government delivering energy security across the United Kingdom.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister acknowledged some support but did not address the specific funding cuts or the £35 billion Sizewell C nuclear power station contribution request.
Under Review
Response accuracy