Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Labour has previously asked the government three times for a police response commitment to every domestic abuse call.
I associate myself with the Prime Minister's comments about the bravery of the Ukrainian people. Labour has asked his Government on three occasions to commit to a police response to every domestic abuse call. To date, no answer has been forthcoming. Can the Prime Minister provide a response today?
Just this week we announced new measures to tackle violence against women and girls. This is the Government that introduced the landmark Domestic Abuse Act 2021, which is rolling out specialist advisers for those who suffer and putting in more funding to support victims.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about police response commitment was not addressed.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Home Office has taken over a hotel that was booked for weddings and other special events.
My constituents are upset about their bookings being cancelled when the Home Office took over a much-loved hotel. Will he redouble his efforts to put an end to this practice?
My hon. Friend's constituents can be proud of the welcome given to people from Ukraine over the last year. We are committed to reducing the number of asylum seekers living in hotels at vast cost to taxpayers, and we will make a formal update on progress in the coming weeks.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Specific ask about redoubling efforts was not addressed.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Labour party supports the Good Friday agreement and wants to improve the protocol's implementation.
Does the Prime Minister agree that the Northern Ireland protocol has been poorly implemented, and that removing unnecessary checks on goods should be part of any deal?
We are still in active discussions with the European Union. The agreement needs to ensure sovereignty for Northern Ireland, safeguard its place in the United Kingdom, and find practical solutions for businesses.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Specific ask about removing checks on goods was not addressed.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The former trade Minister said the EU Court of Justice has no role in Northern Ireland.
Will the Prime Minister confirm that any deal he negotiates will see Northern Ireland continue to follow some EU law to avoid a hard border?
We are still in intensive discussions. The agreement needs to meet tests for sovereignty, Northern Ireland's place in the UK, and practical solutions for businesses.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Specific ask about following EU laws was not addressed.
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The former trade Minister stated there can be no role for the European Court of Justice in Northern Ireland.
Will the Prime Minister be honest with his Benches that he cannot achieve a deal without the involvement of the EU Court of Justice?
We need to keep going to secure an acceptable agreement. The right hon. and learned Gentleman is talking about a deal that we are still negotiating.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Specific ask about ECJ involvement was not addressed.
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Prime Minister's predecessors wasted time pushing the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill.
If there is a deal, will he pull the protocol Bill to avoid battles with EU, US and others?
The right hon. and learned Gentleman wants to put the EU first; I want to put Northern Ireland first.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Specific ask about pulling the protocol Bill was not addressed.
Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
▸
Context
On the anniversary of the Good Friday agreement, Keir Starmer is pressing for a Parliamentary vote on any Northern Ireland deal. He references Tony Blair and John Major's approach to politics in Northern Ireland.
Mr Speaker, the sound you hear is Conservative Members cheering the Prime Minister pulling the wool over their eyes. It is the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday agreement and the 30th anniversary of the Downing Street declaration. Tony Blair and John Major both recognised that politics in Northern Ireland is built on trust, not telling people what they want to hear, and on the need to take seriously the concerns of both communities—nationalists and Unionists. It is vital their voices are heard. Can the Prime Minister confirm that whatever deal he brings back, this House will get a vote on it?
Of course Parliament will express its view, but what is crucial here is that this is not about the right hon. and learned Gentleman's desire to play political games with this situation in this House; it is about what is best for the people and communities of Northern Ireland, and that is what I will keep fighting for.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm whether Parliament would get a vote on any deal
Playing Political Games
What Matters To The People And Communities Of Northern Ireland
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Keir Starmer urges the Prime Minister to ignore opposition on his side and get the Northern Ireland deal passed.
I take it from that that this House will get a vote, and I look forward to that vote in due course. Everyone knows that the basis of this deal has been agreed for weeks, but it is the same old story: the country has to wait while the Prime Minister plucks up the courage to take on the malcontents, the reckless and the wreckers on his own Benches. I am here to tell him that he does not need to worry about that, because we will put country before party and ensure that Labour votes to get it through. He should accept our offer and ignore the howls of indignation from those on his side who will never take yes for an answer. Why does he not just get on with it?
What I am doing is talking and listening to the people of Northern Ireland. That is the right thing to do—to make sure that we can respond to and resolve the concerns of the Unionist communities and businesses in Northern Ireland—and that is what I will keep doing.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not answer why he does not get on with it, instead talked about listening to people in NI
Talking And Listening
Resolving The Concerns Of Unionist Communities
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
▸
Context
A coroner determined that Molly Russell's death was partly due to content promoting self-harm and suicide, but only after years of campaigning by the family. Damian Collins wants data relevant to a child's death to be more readily available to families and coroners.
Last year, the coroner determined that content promoting self-harm and suicide which was promoted to Molly Russell contributed to her death, but they were able to make that determination only after years of campaigning by the Russell family and coroners to gain access to that information. Does the Prime Minister agree that other families should not have to suffer as the Russell family have suffered, and that data relevant to the death of a child should be more readily available both to families and to the coroner service?
I join my hon. Friend in paying tribute to the Russell family for their tireless and dignified campaigning on behalf of all families who have been bereaved in such tragic circumstances. Coroners already have statutory powers to require evidence to be given or produced for the purposes of their investigation, but the Government are listening carefully to the concerns of parliamentary colleagues and to bereaved families. The Ministry of Justice and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology are leading those discussions to ensure that we have the right set of procedures in place.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not directly confirm if data should be made more readily available, instead said they were listening carefully
Statutory Powers Already Exist
Listening Carefully To Concerns
Response accuracy
Q10
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The UK government intends to increase energy bills by £500 despite wholesale gas prices falling by 75%. Stephen Flynn questions the rationale behind this decision.
Wholesale gas prices have fallen by 75% since their peak, yet in just a matter of weeks the British Government—the Westminster Government—intend to increase energy bills by a further £500. What would motivate a Prime Minister to do such a thing?
What we are doing is providing tens of billions of pounds of support for people with their energy bills, particularly the most vulnerable. What we are also doing—opposed by the SNP—is investing in producing more home-grown gas here in the UK and the North sea.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not address what motivates an increase of £500 on bills, instead focused on support provided
Providing Tens Of Billions Of Pounds Of Support
Opposed By The Snp
Response accuracy
Q11
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Flynn argues that a £15 billion windfall to the government means they can afford to protect households and reduce bills by £500 instead of increasing them.
I am not sure that implying that energy bills do not matter to the people of Scotland is a winning strategy for this Prime Minister. Let us get real: the fact that wholesale gas prices have fallen by 75% means a windfall to the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of around £15 billion, so what they are saying is that they intend to raid the pockets of ordinary Scots while lining the pockets of Westminster. It is time to set aside any notion of an energy price increase, but instead to protect households and perhaps to reduce bills by £500. Does the Prime Minister not agree?
We are saving households across the United Kingdom, including in Scotland, £900 on their energy bills as a result of our energy bills guarantee. In the coming years, we will spend £12 billion protecting particularly the most vulnerable families and pensioners across the United Kingdom. But the best way to reduce people's bills is to halve inflation, as we have promised to do, and to produce more home-grown energy here in the United Kingdom.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not agree to protect households or reduce bills by £500, instead focused on savings made and future promises
Saving Households £900
Halving Inflation
Response accuracy
Q12
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The hospital is constructed from failing aerated concrete, with ceilings supported by over 3000 wooden and metal props. Jerome Mayhew campaigns for a rebuild.
The Prime Minister will be well aware of the dogged campaign of my hon. Friend the Member for North West Norfolk (James Wild) for a rebuild of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn. That hospital is constructed from failing aerated concrete, and its ceilings are now supported by more than 3,000 wooden and metal props. Is the Prime Minister also aware of the strength of feeling locally in support of the rebuild, not just in North West Norfolk, but in Broadland, North Norfolk, Norwich North, Mid Norfolk, South West Norfolk, Huntingdon, North West Cambridgeshire and South Holland and the Deepings, whose populations are all served by that hospital? Will he support our campaign?
I thank my hon. Friend and, indeed, my hon. Friend the Member for North West Norfolk (James Wild), because I know that they are great supporters of this project. I know that over the last year or so the Queen Elizabeth Hospital has been allocated over £50 million to address the most immediate issues at the site. I also know that they have expressed their interest in being part of the new hospital programme—the Department of Health and Social Care is looking through all those bids.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to support rebuild, instead noted allocated funds for immediate issues and pending review by department
Allocated £50 Million
Pending Bid Review
Response accuracy
Q13
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Northern Ireland protocol imposes EU laws without democratic scrutiny or consent, affecting the UK's internal market and constitutional integrity.
It is unacceptable that Northern Ireland has been put in this place with a protocol that harms our place in the United Kingdom. It must be replaced to restore our place in the United Kingdom and its internal market. Does he accept how important the constitutional and democratic issues are? Does he agree it's unacceptable EU laws are imposed on Northern Ireland without democratic scrutiny or consent? Will he address those fundamental constitutional issues by rewriting the legally binding treaty text?
I agree addressing the democratic deficit is essential in negotiations with the EU. The Government are working at pace on legislation to deliver a system where those who arrive illegally will not be able to stay, but I can assure him that constitutional and legal framework issues are at the heart of ongoing discussions.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Rewriting legally binding treaty text
Working At Pace On Legislation
Constitutional And Legal Framework Issues
Response accuracy
Q14
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Prime Minister has made fixing illegal immigration a top priority, stating legislation will be required. However, sorting out this issue did not feature in the Home Office permanent secretary's stated priorities.
Fixing illegal immigration is one of my top priorities. The Home Secretary said legislation would be necessary to stop it. When can we expect to see that legislation? Why didn't this priority feature in the Home Office permanent secretary's top three priorities?
We are working at pace on the legislation which is important, and our deals with Albania and France have already yielded benefits. We want a system whereby if someone arrives illegally, they will be detained and removed to their country of origin or safe third alternative.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Specific timeline for legislation
Working At Pace On Legislation
Already Yielding Benefits
Response accuracy
Q15
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Prime Minister's policies have led to the highest tax burden since World War II, wasted taxpayer money on ineffective test and trace systems, and crony covid contracts. Taxpayers feel betrayed.
Thanks to our policies, we now face the highest tax burden and biggest drop in disposable income since WWII. We also suffered tens of billions lost on a test and trace system that was not fit for purpose, along with crony covid contracts. When will he help us recover some of this money so striking nurses and teachers can get the decent wage they deserve?
We are in intensive talks with the Royal College of Nursing to find a way forward. The hon. Gentleman should back our minimum service laws if he cares about working people.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Recovering wasted taxpayer funds, decent wages for public servants
Backing Minimum Service Laws
Response accuracy
Q16
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The new regulatory reform group aims to improve accountability and economic potential in key areas such as financial services, AI, and advanced manufacturing.
I thank the Prime Minister for supporting our launch. Will he commit to working with us on two specific areas: first, improving regulator accountability; secondly, enhancing economic potential in critical sectors like finance, AI, and manufacturing?
My right hon. Friend is correct about the importance of getting our regulatory framework right for growth. The Chancellor has set out an extensive review in five key areas, including life sciences, green industries, and digital tech.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Improving accountability and economic potential directly
Extensive Review Of Retained Eu Law
Response accuracy
Q17
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Conservative manifesto promised 40 new hospitals, but progress is slow. St Helier Hospital in London and Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Cambridgeshire face crumbling conditions.
The Conservative manifesto promised 40 new hospitals, but after three years most do not have planning permission. Communities feel betrayed. St Helier Hospital is crumbling, and Hinchingbrooke has sewage leaking into wards. Does the Prime Minister agree no patients or staff should put up with these conditions? Can he tell us?
We are investing record sums in NHS capital, upgrading almost 100 hospitals, and developing 40 large-scale developments. The most recent statistics show considerable improvement in urgent emergency care.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Specific conditions at St Helier and Hinchingbrooke Hospitals
Record Sums Invested
Considerable Improvement
Response accuracy
Q18
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Concerns over government proposal to relocate single male asylum seekers to Beaconside, Stafford. Large number of objections from constituents.
I welcome the Government's commitment to tackling illegal migration, particularly the issue of small boats. Will my right hon. Friend reconsider the Government's proposal to relocate approximately 500 single male asylum seekers to Beaconside in Stafford? Will he meet me urgently to discuss it, given the huge number of objections that I have received from constituents on the issue?
First, I welcome my hon. Friend back to her place. I know that this issue concerns her and her constituents, which is why we must absolutely stop the boats and stem the tide of illegal migrants to relieve this pressure on our local communities. I will ensure that she meets the Home Secretary as soon as possible to discuss her concerns—hopefully we can arrange that meeting in the coming days.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not explicitly address reconsideration of relocation proposal, instead focused on stopping boats and arranging meetings.
Working With Partners
Response accuracy
Q19
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Scottish child payment marks its two-year anniversary, providing support to hundreds of thousands of people in Scotland during cost of living crisis.
This month, the Scottish child payment marks its two-year anniversary. In a cost of living crisis, that policy has been a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of people in Scotland. Will the Prime Minister therefore follow the leadership of the Scottish Government by introducing an equivalent child payment?
The best way to ensure that children do not grow up in poverty is to make sure that they do not grow up in a workless household. That is why I am proud that, under the record of the Conservative Government, there are almost 1 million fewer children growing up in workless households and hundreds of thousands fewer children in poverty. That is because this Government are on the side of parents and will make sure that they have the jobs they need, because ultimately the best poverty strategy is to have everybody in work.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not address whether an equivalent child payment would be introduced.
General Principles
Response accuracy
Q20
Direct Answer
▸
Context
TransPennine had the largest number of cancellations in UK last month; trains cancelled before 10.30pm were not included in statistics.
Mr Speaker, I have previously called out in this House the appalling level of service that my constituents and yours receive from train operator TransPennine. Last month, TransPennine had the largest number of cancellations of any service provider in the UK, but it turns out that even that figure was fiddled, because TransPennine had cancelled over 1,000 trains before 10.30 the night before so that they would not show up in the statistics. Does the Prime Minister agree that this practice is totally unacceptable, as is TransPennine's level of service?
I agree with my right hon. Friend: the current service levels are unacceptable. The Rail North partnership, which is managing the contract, is working with the company on an improvement plan. The Rail Minister, my hon. Friend the Member for Bexhill and Battle (Huw Merriman), is having weekly meetings with the Rail North partnership to monitor its progress, and although the TransPennine contract expires in May and we are working on a new contract, if Ministers conclude that the operator cannot be turned around, other decisions may have to be made.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q21
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Of the 40 promised new hospitals, only eight have planning permission in the south-west of England. Staff at Eastbourne District General Hospital were told their town would not get a new hospital despite promises.
Of the 40 promised new hospitals referred to by my right hon. Friend the Member for Kingston and Surbiton (Ed Davey), 11 are in the south-west of England. Three of them—in Barnstaple, Dorchester and Taunton—surround my constituency, but none has planning permission. It has been reported that staff at Eastbourne District General Hospital were told that their town would not get a new hospital, and that it was a “barefaced lie”. Given that the Prime Minister claims his mandate rests on a manifesto that promised 40 new hospitals, when will we see them?
The Government are committed to building 40 new hospitals as part of the new hospital programme. In the south-west, eight out of the 11 schemes do have full outline planning permission approved, and the remaining three schemes would not be expected to have planning permission at this stage, due to when they are due to be delivered. We are working with the trust to go through that process, so everything is on track, and we will bring those hospitals to the people in the south-west.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific timeline for planning permission.
Working With Partners
Response accuracy
Q22
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Wolverhampton to trial Better Health app, supporting diet and fitness choices. Celebrating Wednesfield Aces cycle speedway club's diamond jubilee.
I am grateful for the £3 million that the Government have sent to Wolverhampton to trial the new Better Health app, which will support Wulfrunians to make better choices about their diet and fitness. Will the Prime Minister welcome this, and also celebrate our grassroots sports clubs in Wolverhampton, especially Wednesfield Aces cycle speedway club, which celebrated its diamond jubilee last year?
I join my hon. Friend in commending all her local sporting organisations for the job they do. She is absolutely right that prevention is better than cure, and ensuring that we can support people to live healthy, fulfilling lives is absolutely part of our plan. That is why we are investing in football pitches, tennis courts and youth facilities right up and down the country, and I am glad that my hon. Friend's constituents are benefiting.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not explicitly welcome Better Health app trial or grassroots sports.
General Principles
Response accuracy
Q23
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Government failed to recruit 6,000 more doctors as promised; number of qualified GPs fell. Shropshire GP seeing 400 more patients than in 2016.
Not only have the Government broken their promises on new hospitals; they have also broken their pledge to have 6,000 more doctors, with the number of qualified GPs having actually fallen. GPs in Shropshire are seeing 400 more patients each than they were in 2016, which is one of the biggest rises in the country. Places across the country—East Sussex, Devon, Cambridgeshire and Hampshire—have also seen their number of qualified GPs fall. When will the Prime Minister end his and the Government's neglect of local health services, and recruit and retain the GPs we need?
The facts are these: there are 2,200 more GPs in general practice today, there are 15,000 more doctors in the NHS, and there are 30,000 more nurses. That is because we are putting record funding in, backing the NHS and getting patients the care that they need.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not address specific GP recruitment pledge.
Working With Partners
Response accuracy
Q24
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Government seeking to negotiate an agreement on the Northern Ireland protocol. Frustration expressed about comments made before deal is reached.
I commend my right hon. Friend for grasping the nettle and seeking to negotiate an agreement on the Northern Ireland protocol. Does he share my frustration with the expressed views of people who are commenting on a deal that has yet to be reached, and does he agree that the best way to reduce or even end the jurisdiction of the Court of Justice of the European Union is through treaty change itself, not through domestic legislation in this Parliament?
My right hon. and learned Friend is absolutely right that we need to keep going, but he is also right that we need to find enduring solutions to the challenges faced by the people of Northern Ireland. That is why, as my right hon. Friend the Member for Lagan Valley (Sir Jeffrey M. Donaldson) mentioned earlier, it is absolutely right that we address the constitutional and legal framework of our arrangements and ensure that we can put in place new arrangements that secure Northern Ireland's place in the UK.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not explicitly express frustration with pre-deal comments.
General Principles
Response accuracy
Q25
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Prime Minister paid a £2.3 billion fine to the EU after allowing Chinese fraudsters to flood Europe with cheap goods.
If he can find £2.3 billion to pay a fine, why can he not pay NHS workers and others the pay increases they deserve?
The hon. Gentleman may not have seen that the Royal College of Nursing is now in talks with the Government about resolving the disputes, and I am grateful to it for entering those talks with a constructive attitude, and for calling off its strikes next week.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The questioner asked why the government cannot provide wage increases given recent large payments. The answer did not address this issue but mentioned ongoing talks with the Royal College of Nursing about resolving disputes.
Changing Subject To Ongoing Talks
Response accuracy
Q26
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Prime Minister is focused on stopping the entry of small boats into UK waters.
I wholeheartedly support my Prime Minister's priority of stopping the boats, so can he please bring in the small boats Bill next week?
I thank my hon. Friend for his support. I share the same desire to stop the boats, for all the reasons we have discussed. He should rest assured that the Home Secretary and I are working intensely and as quickly as possible to bring forward that legislation.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not specify when the Small Boats Bill would be introduced, only stating it is being worked on intensively.
Hedging With 'As Quickly As Possible'
Response accuracy
Q27
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The community in Warrington was shocked by the murder of a 16-year-old schoolgirl named Brianna Ghey.
What support will the Prime Minister offer to our community, and to our local schools, so that they can support Brianna's classmates and her family as we try to heal from this appalling tragedy?
I thank the hon. Lady for raising this issue, and express my sympathies to Brianna's family and friends for what has happened. I know that the Home Secretary is shortly due to visit the area, and she will be able to discuss with the hon. Lady what support can be provided for the community at this time.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not specify concrete support measures but promised a discussion on possible support during the Home Secretary's visit.
Promising A Future Discussion
Response accuracy
Q28
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Slapton line, an important link in south Devon, is being eroded away due to natural forces.
I need him to help me lobby the Department for Transport and the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to see that we get the repairs done. Natural England is standing in the way and stopping us from doing what we need to do for this vital link. Will he support me?
My hon. Friend is a fantastic campaigner and advocate for his constituents. I know that this particular issue is causing frustration and concern in his community. He is absolutely right to raise it, and I will ensure that he gets the appropriate meetings he needs with the Ministers in question.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not specify concrete actions but offered support for securing meetings.
Promising Meetings
Response accuracy