PMQs 2023-06-28

2023-06-28

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Luke Evans Con
Hinckley and Bosworth
Context
Since being elected, the MP has campaigned for better health services in his constituency. A community diagnostic centre received £14 million funding, while improvements are planned at Leicester Royal Infirmary and Glenfield Hospital.
I have been campaigning to improve health facilities in Hinckley since I was elected three years ago. There is significant investment but a day case unit is needed for which the funds exist but are tied up in bureaucracy. Will the Prime Minister look into freeing these funds and would he like to open the unit next year?
I am pleased with the significant progress made by the CDC in Hinckley since last month. The allocation of NHS funds is determined locally, but I encourage my hon. Friend to continue advocating for a day case unit.
Assessment & feedback
Funding release and Prime Minister's attendance at opening were not specifically addressed
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The Labour party criticized Tory adverts against building 300,000 homes yearly while the Housing Minister supports this target.
The Labour Party's first female general secretary Margaret McDonagh passed away recently. The Prime Minister's party spent thousands on ads against housing targets despite their minister supporting them. Is he for or against building 300,000 new homes annually?
Since we took office, over 2.2 million additional homes have been built, more than any Labour government in recent history. Local people control housing now instead of targets set by the state.
Assessment & feedback
Questioner's specific ask about PM stance on target was not directly addressed
Change Of Subject To Government Achievements
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The Prime Minister's party opposes mandatory housing targets despite previous Labour criticism of voluntary measures.
Can the PM point to anyone who believes his target will be met?
In the past three years, we have seen record home building numbers. We put local people in charge of new housing instead of targets imposed by Labour.
Assessment & feedback
Specific ask about identifying supporters was not addressed
Change Of Subject To Delivery Records
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The Prime Minister's party opposes mandatory housing targets despite previous Labour criticism of voluntary measures.
If he could identify a supporter, why not name them? The inconsistency in their stance has led to a drop in house building and economic chaos. Will the PM admit they will miss their target?
The right hon. gentleman claims to support home building but contradicts himself later. Labour's policy of concreting over the green belt is inconsistent and untrustworthy.
Assessment & feedback
Specific ask about missing targets was not addressed
Change Of Subject
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The Prime Minister's failure to hit housing targets is harming home ownership aspirations.
Mortgage holders are £2,900 a year poorer due to government's economic mismanagement. Will the PM admit they will not meet their housing target?
Most of the mortgage market is now covered by a new charter allowing term extensions, interest-only mortgages, saving hundreds monthly. We introduced schemes like 95% mortgage guarantee to boost home ownership.
Assessment & feedback
Admitting failure on targets was not addressed
Change Of Subject
Response accuracy
Q6 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The Prime Minister's failure to hit housing targets is harming home ownership aspirations.
He no longer claims his party supports home ownership. The Prime Minister's softly-softly approach risks leaving a million households without support. How many will lose their homes before he acts?
The new mortgage charter is helping homeowners extend terms and switch mortgages, saving money. We introduced schemes like 95% mortgage guarantee to boost home ownership and cut stamp duty leading to record first-time buyer numbers.
Assessment & feedback
Risk of losing homes was not directly addressed
Change Of Subject
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The MP criticises the government's record on house building, citing a significant decrease in housing construction since 2010. He references the impact of high mortgage costs and lack of support for families.
It is 'housing crisis, what crisis?,' with this Prime Minister. House building at its lowest rate since the war because he cannot stand up to his party; a Tory mortgage bombshell because they crashed the economy; millions left without support because he will not make lenders put families first. Rather than lecturing the rest of the country on holding their nerve, why does he not try to locate his?
It is right that we provide support for mortgage owners, which is why we improved the generosity of the Support for Mortgage Interest scheme. On house building, we are proud to protect the green belt and invest millions more in developing brownfield sites. The simple truth is that I deliver on my promise.
Assessment & feedback
The answer does not provide specific details or timelines about increasing housing construction or addressing the mortgage crisis directly.
We Are Proud To Protect The Green Belt I Deliver On My Promise
Response accuracy
Q8 Direct Answer
Context
The MP raises concerns about section 106 agreements in Kirklees Council's local plan, where developers' funds for local infrastructure seem to be mismanaged.
Labour-run Kirklees Council's local plan is seeing hundreds of homes being built on greenfield sites, but the agreed developer levies, the section 106 agreements, which are supposedly for local infrastructure spending, seem to be disappearing into a black hole. Does the Prime Minister agree that agreed infrastructure levies from developers should not be going into a general slush fund? They should be spent on local roads, local schools and local health services for the communities impacted by those developments.
The Government are reforming the section 106 payment system to ensure that new development is matched by new infrastructure. The current system sees far too little of developers' profits going to build new schools, hospitals or transport infrastructure. It will be replaced by a new, non-negotiable, locally determined infrastructure levy.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q9 Partial Answer
Stephen Flynn SNP
Aberdeen South
Context
The MP criticises the Prime Minister's advice to homeowners facing high mortgage bills, questioning his understanding of financial struggles.
I wish to start by paying tribute to SNP legend Winnie Ewing and former manager of Scotland men's national team, Craig Brown. On Sunday, the Prime Minister patronised the public when he told them that in the face of ever-increasing mortgage bills, they simply need to hold their nerve. What a nerve! May I ask him, the near billionaire, when was the last time that he struggled to pay a bill?
Mortgage rates are rising because of inflation. That is the root cause, which is why it is absolutely the right policy to halve inflation and reduce it back to target. In the meantime, we are taking practical steps to support mortgage holders across the United Kingdom through the Support for Mortgage Interest scheme and the new mortgage charter.
Assessment & feedback
The answer does not address when he last struggled with bills directly, only explains inflation impact.
Mortgage Rates Are Rising Because Of Inflation
Response accuracy
Q10 Partial Answer
Stephen Flynn SNP
Aberdeen South
Context
The MP criticises the Conservative party's refusal to accept proposals for public sector pay rises, citing economic damage from Brexit.
That answer confirms what we already know—this Prime Minister is out of touch and the Tory party is soon to be out of time. What the public really want is change but, in a week when the Conservative party and indeed the Labour party both refused to accept proposals for public sector pay rises, while at the same time accepting the economic damage of Brexit, is it not the case that Westminster offers the people neither real change, nor real hope for the future?
The hon. Gentleman exposes the complete economic illiteracy of the SNP's position. His next question supports a policy that would increase Government borrowing and make the situation worse, demonstrating why the SNP's approach to economic management is simply not fit for anyone in the United Kingdom.
Assessment & feedback
Supports A Policy That Increases Government Borrowing
Response accuracy
Q11 Direct Answer
Wendy Morton Con
Aldridge-Brownhills
Context
The MP advocates for keeping the Aldridge police station open, citing the extra funding provided to local police teams.
Local police stations are a key part of communities such as Aldridge in my constituency. I continue to make the case to Labour's police and crime commissioner for saving and strengthening the role of Aldridge police station rather than forcing it to close. Does the Prime Minister agree that any such closure would be reckless, and that police and crime commissioners should be working with local communities and local police teams to provide greater certainty?
I am concerned to hear about the planned closure of Aldridge police station. I thank her for raising such an important issue. As she will know, unfortunately, that is a decision of the locally elected Labour police and crime commissioner, and I join her in urging them to think again.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q12 Partial Answer
Liz Saville-Roberts PC
Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Context
The MP criticises the government's approach to inflation, citing an IMF statement on corporate profits fuelling inflation.
Diolch yn fawr, Lefarydd. The Prime Minister's solution to inflation is to push families into poverty while letting corporate profits pile up. Economic illiteracy? The International Monetary Fund said this week that the way to cut inflation is for companies to cut their profit margins. It is corporate greed that is fuelling inflation, not workers' need for fair play. Can he explain to the one in five people in Wales facing hunger because they cannot afford to buy decent food why they must pay his price for lowering inflation?
My right hon. Friend the Chancellor met with all the economic regulators this morning and they will be making an announcement later about their plans to ensure fairness of pricing in supply chains to ease the burden on consumers. I am glad the right hon. Lady brought up the IMF when it comes to tackling inflation. The IMF, in its words, strongly endorsed our plan to halve inflation and called our steps 'decisive and responsible'.
Assessment & feedback
The answer does not directly address families' struggle with high prices but mentions plans for pricing fairness.
Imf Strongly Endorsed Our Plan To Halve Inflation
Response accuracy
Q13 Direct Answer
Context
Woking Council issued a section 114 notice due to financial difficulties, affecting vulnerable residents and local finances.
As my right hon. Friend knows, I have been liaising closely with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and with the Treasury regarding Woking Council's recent section 114 notice. Does he agree that, in this scenario, the vulnerable must be protected and local councillors of all parties must work together to try to put the council's finances back on the right track?
I know my hon. Friend is a great champion for his Woking residents. As he knows, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up has intervened in that authority and appointed commissioners to ensure that decisions are taken that provide the best outcomes for residents, including the most vulnerable, and for the public purse. I agree with him that local councillors should be working together with the commissioners to put the council's finances in order.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q14 Partial Answer
Chris Bryant Lab
Rhondda and Ogmore
Context
The Prime Minister has been in charge of the UK economy for over three years, during which time national debt, tax burden, inflation, interest rates, and living standards have worsened.
The Prime Minister has had responsibility for the UK economy now for 1,323 days, and he has delivered—the largest national peacetime debt ever, the largest tax burden since the second world war, the highest core inflation since 1991, the fastest interest rate rises since 1989 and the biggest fall in living standards in our history. Will he stop lecturing my constituents about holding their nerve, ditch the lame excuses and admit that he is literally the worst person to be leading this country through a cost of living crisis, because he created it?
Again, what do we hear from the Labour party? Only ideas that would make the situation far worse. The hon. Gentleman has sat there and supported plans to borrow tens of billions of pounds more. That would make inflation worse. He has sat there and said that we should not stand up to unaffordable union pay demands. That would make the situation worse. And he has sat there and supported plans to not exploit our domestic sources of energy, imperilling our energy security.
Assessment & feedback
Acknowledging responsibility for economic issues
Attacking Labour'S Policies Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q15 Partial Answer
Greg Smith Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
Context
Milton Keynes Hospital, Stoke Mandeville Hospital, and Wycombe Hospital face various challenges including infrastructure issues at Wycombe Hospital that prevent around 2,000 operations from being performed annually.
My constituents rely on many nearby hospitals: Milton Keynes, where the Government have committed to a new women and children's hospital; Stoke Mandeville, which has just completed the build of a new children's A&E; but also Wycombe, where infrastructure and maintenance issues in the ageing tower are preventing about 2,000 operations from going ahead every year. My local NHS trust has a plan for a new £200 million clinical centre at Wycombe Hospital. Will my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister work with me and Buckinghamshire colleagues to make that a reality?
Although, as my hon. Friend knows, we are no longer inviting further schemes to join the new hospital programme, I can tell him that new schemes will be considered through the rolling programme of capital investment in hospital infrastructure. That will secure the building of new hospitals beyond 2030, and it will mean investment to upgrade the NHS estate across the country.
Assessment & feedback
Support for a specific £200 million clinical centre at Wycombe Hospital
Hedging Language Broad Commitments
Response accuracy
Q16 Direct Answer
Chris Elmore Lab
Bridgend
Context
Hundreds of steelworkers are protesting outside Parliament to demand the Prime Minister back their vital steel industry through competitive energy prices, investment in green steel production, procurement with UK steel, and protection from dirty imports.
Hundreds of steelworkers are outside Parliament today, and some are in the Gallery, to call on the Prime Minister to act now to back our vital steel industry before it is too late. Will he confirm today that he will match the ambition of the Labour party, and our international competitors, to deliver competitive energy prices, invest in green steel production, use UK steel in our procurement systems, and protect us from dirty steel imports by introducing climate measures? When will he get on with protecting and supporting the industry?
We are proud to support the steel industry and value the contribution that it makes to this country. That is why we put in place the energy-intensive industries exemption scheme, which provides hundreds of millions of pounds of support to steel companies for their energy bills; we have also introduced the industrial energy transformation fund so that companies can apply for capital grants to help them with the transition and are taking forward plans in the Treasury for carbon border adjustment mechanisms to ensure a level playing field.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q17 Partial Answer
Context
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association international branch is planning to leave the UK and seek special status through a short Bill or an amendment to existing legislation.
Sadly, despite five years of lobbying, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association international branch will leave the United Kingdom. As you know, Mr Speaker, that is of great concern to the House and, although it is perhaps a little niche for our constituents, it is important. The CPA needs special status, but the Government have not granted that by way of a short Bill or an amendment to an existing Bill. Could the Prime Minister, at this late stage, this month, do something about that because otherwise the association will be gone, never to come back?
The United Kingdom values the work of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has made it clear that he does not want the CPA international to relocate. He wrote to it in March to confirm that officials from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office would work with the CPA to find a mutually acceptable solution to the status issue.
Assessment & feedback
Immediate action this month for special status
Hedging Language Reference To Ongoing Discussions
Response accuracy
Q18 Partial Answer
Alison McGovern Lab
Birkenhead
Context
The Prime Minister has committed to reducing inflation to or below 5% by the end of this year, but there are concerns about what will happen if that promise is not met.
Mr Speaker, your constituents and mine have been made a promise by the Prime Minister: inflation at or below 5% by the end of this year. So let me ask the Prime Minister what will happen if he fails to meet that promise. Will it be yet more ranting on about the Labour party, or will it be the general election that my constituents crave?
No, we are sticking to the course of bringing inflation down. What the Labour party needs to understand is that that requires making difficult and tough decisions; it requires prioritising; it requires being able to say no when people come asking you to borrow more money.
Assessment & feedback
Commitment regarding consequences if inflation target not met
Attacking Labour'S Policies Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q19 Partial Answer
Context
Sefton Council closed the historic grade II-listed Southport pier, causing concern for local businesses and tourism.
For over 160 years, Southport pier has been at the centre of our visitor economy. Businesses are concerned about the impact on tourism due to the closure by Sefton Labour-controlled Council. Will the Prime Minister condemn this action and support efforts to reopen the pier?
The Government have provided £2 million for improvements at Southport pier as part of the coastal community fund. A landmark £35.5 million town deal is also being provided for Southport.
Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address condemning Sefton Council's actions or supporting efforts to reopen the pier
Response accuracy
Q20 Partial Answer
Samantha Dixon Lab
Chester North and Neston
Context
Sewage is being pumped into the River Dee, a beautiful river flowing through Chester, for the next 27 years.
Why does it seem acceptable to pump sewage into the River Dee, impacting tourism and local communities? The Prime Minister needs to address this unacceptable situation immediately.
The Government have committed £56 billion to upgrade infrastructure and monitor storm overflows, with strict targets and unlimited fines for non-compliance. However, Labour did not vote on these policies.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address why sewage pollution is acceptable or commit to immediate action against it
Response accuracy
Q21 Direct Answer
Context
Parliament is welcoming apprentices from around the UK, including Collins Aerospace apprentices Callum and Britney.
The Prime Minister should celebrate apprenticeships in the aerospace industry. Will he join me to meet apprentices today?
I join my hon. Friend in celebrating everyone doing an apprenticeship and encourage colleagues to meet their apprentices. The aerospace industry will create thousands of jobs, many through apprenticeships.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q22 Partial Answer
Context
1.7 million children missed more than 10% of schooling last year, with some completely missing out on formal education.
The Prime Minister must commit to bringing forward legislation for a national register of children missing from education immediately to combat this crisis.
We have invested £5 billion to help children catch up on lost learning. We will continue delivering these plans and working with the sector to ensure more children attend school regularly.
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to bringing forward necessary legislation urgently
Response accuracy
Q23 Direct Answer
Context
Economic recovery is vital for Ukraine, especially with plans to build a new generation of fighter aircraft.
The UK's private sector expertise should be leveraged to support Ukraine's economic reconstruction and recovery. Will my right hon. Friend help galvanise this?
We are doing our part to support Ukraine's reconstruction, including a $3 billion World Bank loan guarantee. The UK hosted a successful recovery conference with 400 companies pledging support.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q24 Partial Answer
Janet Daby Lab
Lewisham East
Context
A Lewisham East student is facing homelessness due to a £200 monthly rent increase and is using food banks despite working two part-time jobs.
The Government must help students like this one who are struggling with rising mortgage rates, risking debt and depression while falling behind in studies.
We have provided £1,500 in support to families via tax on energy company profits. Energy bills are forecasted to fall by £430 with the price cap reset in a couple of days.
Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address rising mortgage rates or specific student hardships
Response accuracy
Q25 Partial Answer
Context
The Sandwell Labour council's refusal workers are on strike, affecting services and causing conflicts between unions and the police.
We have had flying pickets, reports of the GMB blocking ambulance workers from getting out of their depot as a result of its picket lines. I ask my right hon. Friend to convene a meeting urgently so that we can resolve this, and perhaps he will join me in telling Labour politicians—one in particular—to grow a spine and put people before their paymasters.
The Labour party is unable to stand up to its union paymasters and back our plans to introduce minimum service and safety levels in critical industries. That is the type of practical action that supports working families, and it is action that the Labour party is not strong enough to support.
Assessment & feedback
Shaun Bailey's request for an urgent meeting was not addressed
Talking About Labour'S Inability To Act
Response accuracy
Q26 Partial Answer
Context
The Wagner Group, a Russian private military company, is accused of numerous human rights violations in Ukraine and other regions.
Despite the catalogue of crimes committed by the Wagner Group across Africa and the middle east and in Ukraine, there is no permanent Cabinet Office official to co-ordinate government efforts against it. Will the Prime Minister appoint one and fund evidence collection for future justice?
We have designated both the Wagner Group and its leader under our sanctions regime, support mechanisms holding individuals accountable for violations of international law, but I reassure that we are working closely with partners to counter malign use by Russia. No mention of appointing an official or funding evidence collection.
Assessment & feedback
Appointment of a permanent Cabinet Office official and funding for evidence collection were not addressed
Talking About Sanctions And Support Mechanisms
Response accuracy
Q27 Direct Answer
Context
An illegal Traveller encampment was established in Bretton Park, threatening the annual local festival.
The House passed legislation giving police more powers to tackle illegal encampments. Will the Prime Minister make it clear that he expects the police to use those powers against these encampments which blight public spaces and parks?
We recognise the misery unauthorised encampments cause. We delivered legislation giving police necessary powers, but how they use them is an operational matter for chief constables. Home Office liaises regularly with the National Police Chiefs' Council on this.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q28 Partial Answer
Context
A Member of the House of Lords was appointed despite MI5 advising against it.
Given that a Lord was appointed contrary to MI5 recommendations, does the Prime Minister agree with MI5 or his predecessor on this peer's appointment?
The House of Lords Appointments Commission vets nominations and seeks advice from Government Departments. It would write publicly to relevant parliamentary Select Committee were a Prime Minister to recommend a peerage against the commission's formal advice.
Assessment & feedback
Specific agreement or disagreement with MI5 or predecessor was not stated
Talking About Vetting Process
Response accuracy