Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Teesworks project has faced criticism over the involvement of Ian Waller, a major backer who donated to three Conservative MPs including the Levelling Up Minister. A National Audit Office investigation was called for.
Does the Prime Minister agree with his friend the Tees Valley Mayor that the National Audit Office must investigate the Teesworks affair? Will the PM share details of all conversations he has had on this subject with his former Chief Secretary to the Treasury and the current Levelling Up Minister, given they have received donations from Ian Waller?
My right hon. Friend the Levelling Up Secretary has already announced an investigation into this matter.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The PM did not commit to disclosing details of conversations or addressing donation issues.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has significantly reduced A&E waiting times ahead of the Government's deadline. The Opposition criticises the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board in north Wales for poor performance under Labour control.
Can I highlight the commitment and hard work of Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in reducing waiting lists? Does my right hon. Friend agree that those who imagine the Opposition have a magic wand to solve problems need look no further than the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board under Labour control?
As my hon. Friend says, Gloucestershire has seen a significant reduction in A&E waiting times since December. We recognise there is more to be done and are delivering on our plan to recover urgent and emergency care.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The PM did not address the comparison to Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board under Labour control directly.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The number of work visas issued last year has been a point of contention between Labour and the Government. The PM had previously avoided giving statistics.
How many work visas were issued to foreign nationals last year?
The new statistics will be out later this week. The most recent stats include unique circumstances including welcoming people for humanitarian reasons.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The PM avoided giving current figures, citing the release date for new data.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The figures on work visa issuance have been released, showing a quarter of a million issued last year. The PM has promised to reduce immigration multiple times without success.
A quarter of a million work visas were issued last year. Each Tory manifesto promised to reduce immigration but failed. Why does he think his Home Secretary won't address this issue?
Mr Speaker—[Interruption.]
▸
Assessment & feedback
The PM deflected by addressing the speaker instead of answering.
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Government's record on immigration has been criticised, with the Leader of the Opposition arguing that uncontrolled immigration is evident in tomorrow's headlines.
If anyone wants to see what uncontrolled immigration looks like, all they have to do is wake up tomorrow morning. The Prime Minister has stood on three Tory manifestos promising to reduce immigration but failed each time. Why?
The Leader of the Opposition talks about immigration, but we know his position because Labour would like to see even more people coming. His own Front Bencher says having a target is “not sensible” and that numbers might have to go up.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The PM did not address the failure to control immigration, instead criticising Labour's stance on immigration targets.
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Government has been criticised for economic mismanagement, poor public services and immigration control. The Labour party suggests focusing on wages, skills and training instead.
They have lost control of the economy, public services and now immigration. If serious about weaning off the immigration lever, get serious about wages in Britain and skills training. The apprenticeship levy is not working; why won't he address this?
We are talking about education and skills. Our young people are now the best readers in the western world thanks to Conservative reforms opposed by Labour. The IMF raised our growth forecast, crediting this Government with positive effects on future growth.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The PM did not address economic policies or the apprenticeship levy directly; instead he highlighted education and economic growth forecasts.
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Government has been criticised for losing control of immigration. The Home Secretary suggested British workers could become fruit pickers, a comment that was widely condemned.
Is breaking the economy, public services and losing control of immigration some sort of plan? His policies hold back working people; he offers more of the same. The Home Secretary's big idea is for British workers to become fruit pickers. Does the Prime Minister support this ambition?
The Leader of the Opposition talks about public services and the economy but fails to notice positive developments. The IMF forecasts stronger growth than Germany, France, and Italy. We prioritise what is right for the British people.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The PM did not address fruit picker comments or support his Home Secretary's suggestion; instead he focused on economic performance and public service improvements.
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Starmer criticises the government's approach to immigration, citing it as a failure for working people in Britain.
The Home Secretary may need a speed awareness course, but the Prime Minister needs a reality check. This mess on immigration reveals a Tory party with no ambition for working people and no ambition for Britain, just the same old failed ideas, low wages and high tax. Labour would fix the apprenticeship levy, fill the skills gap and stop businesses recruiting from abroad if they do not pay properly.
I think the right hon. and learned Gentleman has said this six times, but I do not think we actually know how he is going to do any of these things. That is the difference between us: every week, we hear a lot of empty rhetoric from him, but in the past week we can measure ourselves by actions. What have the Government done? We have introduced new powers to curb disruptive protest; we have protected public services against disruptive strike action; and we have new laws to stop the boats.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about not recruiting from abroad if businesses do not pay properly was avoided in favour of a critique of Labour's rhetoric.
Criticising Opposition
Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q9
Direct Answer
▸
Context
The war in Ukraine has reached a critical point, prompting questions about the UK's role and commitment to supporting Ukrainian forces.
We have all witnessed how Putin is carrying out his savage war against Ukraine. He commenced it, he is the aggressor and he cannot be allowed to win. That war is now at a pivotal point, so will the Prime Minister use his friendship with President Zelensky to ensure that whatever military equipment Ukraine needs, it will get, be it missiles, drones or jets?
It was an honour to welcome my friend President Zelensky to the UK last week. Everyone will be collectively proud of the UK's leading role at the forefront of supporting Ukraine: we were the first country to provide support for Ukrainian troops; the first country in Europe to provide lethal weapons; the first to commit main battle tanks; and, most recently, the first to provide long-range weapons.
▸
Assessment & feedback
null
Response accuracy
Q10
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Food prices have risen significantly, causing a cost of living crisis.
We learned today that the price of milk, cheese and eggs is up by 29%, the price of pasta is up by 27% and the price of a loaf of bread is up by 18%. Does the Prime Minister agree that this is no longer just a cost of living crisis—this is a cost of greed crisis?
It was welcome that inflation has fallen today, but, as the Chancellor said, we should not be complacent because there is more work to do. The hon. Gentleman is right to highlight the impact of food inflation, which is too high, in common with levels we have seen in other European countries, such as Sweden and Germany.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Specific ask on cost of greed crisis was not directly addressed
General Principle
Response accuracy
Q11
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Competition and Markets Authority is reviewing food supply chains to address high food prices.
Let's get real, because food inflation remains at a near 45-year high. Yesterday, the Treasury indicated that the Chancellor “stands ready” to act, but his actions seems to be predicated on the outcome of a review by the Competition and Markets Authority. So will the Prime Minister enlighten us: when does he expect that review to conclude? Working families cannot afford to wait much longer.
The hon. Gentleman will know that the CMA is independent of Government, but the Chancellor did meet it recently to discuss the situation in the grocery industry. It will be for the CMA to make decisions on that, but we are doing everything we can to help consumers manage the challenges on the cost of living.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about when the review concludes was not addressed
Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q12
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The primary care access plan is intended to reduce NHS waiting lists.
The primary care access plan, published this month, is a welcome and substantive one, and my constituents want to see rapid delivery of it. So how quickly will the Government start providing the £645 million to pharmacists and how quickly will the SAS—specialty and specialist—doctors come to GP surgeries to make prompt access to primary care a reality for my constituents?
I thank my hon. Friend for his contributions to our primary care plan. He and I know that pharmacies already work to help many people with their health needs, and to help deliver on our priority to cut NHS waiting lists they will be put at the front and centre of our primary care recovery, with £645 million of additional funding.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Timeline for SAS doctor availability was not specified
General Principle
Response accuracy
Q13
Partial Answer
▸
Context
There are significant challenges in Northern Ireland including high health waiting lists, strikes for fair pay, and financial instability.
One quarter of the population of Northern Ireland is on a health waiting list, our workers are on strike for fair pay, and our public finances are in a mess. Will the Prime Minister give a commitment that the Treasury will begin work immediately on a public sector rescue package so we can transform the health service and ensure that our public sector workers are given a decent wage—and will he join the people of Northern Ireland in telling the DUP to get back to work now?
As I have been clear, I firmly believe that Northern Ireland is governed best when governed locally. I agree wholeheartedly with the hon. Gentleman that the major challenges he raises can only be properly addressed by the restoration of the institutions, but I also understand the immediate and pressing concerns he raises.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Commitment to start work immediately on a public sector rescue package was not given
Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q14
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Firms such as BT have announced tens of thousands of jobs will be lost due to AI, but many new positions will also be created. The issue has been raised previously with the Prime Minister.
Two weeks ago, I raised with the Prime Minister the issue of artificial intelligence. Just since then, we have had announcements from firms such as BT that tens of thousands of jobs are likely to be lost to this new technology, but many will be created, too. Does he agree that we need to map the jobs and the regions that will be most affected by AI so that we can target the skills to best prepare Britons for the jobs of the future?
My hon. Friend makes an excellent point. Like him, I believe that AI has the potential to transform our economy and society, but of course it has to be introduced safely and securely. We are investing more in AI skills, not only in top-tier talent but in enabling those from non-science, technology, engineering and maths backgrounds to access the opportunities of AI.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The question specifically asked about mapping jobs affected by AI, which was not directly addressed. Instead, the response focused on skills investment without committing to job mapping.
Response accuracy
Q15
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Prime Minister is upgrading his local energy grid for a swimming pool, providing oil and gas companies with £11.4 billion in tax breaks while scrapping the energy price guarantee scheme.
While the Prime Minister upgrades his local energy grid to heat his 40-foot swimming pool and hands oil and gas companies—the likes of BP and Shell—£11.4 billion in tax breaks, he scraps the energy price guarantee scheme, plunging record numbers of people into poverty. Is it just a coincidence that those same energy giants funded the Prime Minister's leadership campaign, or is he simply out of touch?
What we are doing is taxing the windfall profits of energy companies and using that money to help pay around half of a typical household's energy bill. That support is worth £1,500—it was extended in the Budget by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor—and we all look forward to energy bills coming down, which hopefully will happen very soon.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The questioner asked about a potential conflict of interest and support from oil giants. The answer shifted focus to current government initiatives without addressing these concerns.
Response accuracy
Q16
Direct Answer
▸
Context
The Prime Minister gave a commitment in January to invest in Torbay Hospital under the building a brighter future plan.
The Prime Minister will recall the commitment he gave back in January to the building a brighter future plan for major investment at Torbay Hospital. Does that commitment remain unchanged?
I congratulate my hon. Friend on his continued campaign to improve Torbay Hospital. I am delighted to reconfirm the Government's commitment to major new facilities there as part of our new hospitals programme, and I look forward to further work progressing in the months ahead.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q17
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The UK is losing promising businesses to other countries, with a solar power company citing lack of incentives as the reason for choosing not to base its business here.
Under the Conservatives, so much of the UK's potential is going untapped, with anaemic growth, falling living standards and declining international competitiveness. Just this morning, a solar power company developing an innovation from Oxford University said that the UK is the “least attractive” market in which to base its business due to a lack of incentives. That is a home-grown company that could have provided well-paid green jobs—lost to this country thanks to the Government's lack of an industrial strategy. Why does the Prime Minister think that each week more and more promising businesses choose to leave the UK?
The hon. Lady obviously missed the comments by the International Monetary Fund yesterday upgrading our growth performance, she obviously missed the survey of thousands of global chief executives just recently placing the UK as their No. 1 European investment destination, and it sounds like she also missed my trip to Japan last week, when we announced £18 billion of new investment in the UK economy.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The question was about businesses leaving the UK; the answer provided positive economic data instead without addressing business outflows.
Response accuracy
Q18
Direct Answer
▸
Context
Liberal Democrat-run South Cambridgeshire District Council is the first to implement a four-day working week without pay reduction, leading to increased costs and reduced services.
Liberal Democrat-run South Cambridgeshire District Council is the first in the country to put its staff on a four-day week without any reduction in pay, which has led to a reduction in services and an increase in costs. Yet last week the Liberal Democrats decided to extend the trial to a year. Why? Because the staff were happier. Now unions are pushing to spread the four-day working week across the public sector, something that the TaxPayers' Alliance estimates will cost £30 billion. Does my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister agree that the public sector is here to serve the public and that the Liberal Democrats are not working?
Public servants should rightly focus on delivering for the public and taxpayers. It is disappointing to hear from my hon. Friend that his local Liberal Democrat council is not doing that—instead reducing, as I have heard, staff contact hours and costing residents more. I urge the council to reconsider its decision, because his residents and constituents under South Cambridgeshire District Council clearly deserve better.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q19
Partial Answer
▸
Context
In Lewisham, events are being organized for the 75th anniversary of HMT Empire Windrush's arrival in the UK, while families still await support from the Windrush compensation scheme.
In Lewisham we are gearing up to mark the 75th anniversary of HMT Empire Windrush arriving in the UK. Our deputy mayor Brenda Dacres is co-ordinating our local events and is herself a daughter of Windrush generation parents. Sadly, at the same time, she is organising advice surgeries for families who have been denied their rights and are still waiting for support from the Windrush compensation scheme, four years after it opened. With that landmark anniversary coming next month, will the Prime Minister commit to ensuring that everyone finally gets the compensation they deserve?
I pay tribute to the hon. Lady's constituents for all the work they are doing locally. The Home Office and the Government are delivering on the vast majority of the recommendations from Wendy Williams's report into the situation. We have already paid out or offered more than £70 million in compensation, I believe, and there are hundreds of engagement events happening to ensure that people are aware of what they are able to access. We will continue that engagement, as we promised.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The question specifically asked for a commitment on ensuring everyone receives compensation by the anniversary date; the answer did not commit to this timeline or specify future actions.
Response accuracy
Q20
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Retford constituents feel neglected by the Labour district council while Bassetlaw has benefited from levelling-up funds.
My constituents in Retford feel neglected by the Labour district council, which is yet to apply for any funds for the town. Can the Prime Minister confirm that there is no reason whatsoever why Retford cannot benefit from that latest investment?
I thank my hon. Friend for his kind invitation to visit and I shall certainly ask my office to keep it in mind. As he says, levelling-up partnerships are a commitment to work hand in hand with 20 different places in England most in need of levelling up, to make sure that they can realise their potential and ambitions. They are backed by £400 million-worth of investment so that they can be supported to thrive.
▸
Assessment & feedback
No commitment was made about Retford's eligibility for the funds
Response accuracy
Q21
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Prime Minister in 2016 said the UK would take back control from unelected officials; now he wants to give Downing Street more say over laws than this Chamber.
In 2016, the Prime Minister told people to vote for Brexit because it would stop “unelected officials in Brussels” having more of a say than his constituents. Why is he going to let “the blob” have more say over things such as holiday entitlements than this Chamber?
That is just simply not the case. It is the elected Government who will be making decisions about what the right regulations are for our country, and it is absolutely right that as a result of Brexit we can now do that.
▸
Assessment & feedback
No explanation was provided for why Downing Street should have more control
Response accuracy
Q22
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP wants a full Rotherham-style review of child exploitation in Keighley but Bradford Council's leader and the West Yorkshire Mayor refuse to back one.
I want to see a full Rotherham-style review of child exploitation across my area, but Bradford Council's leader and our West Yorkshire Mayor both refuse to back one. Will the Prime Minister work with me to ensure that our local leaders do the morally right thing and instigate a full Rotherham-style inquiry across the Bradford district?
May I thank my hon. Friend for campaigning on this? As I have said before, we should not let political correctness stand in the way of keeping vulnerable girls safe or of holding people to account.
▸
Assessment & feedback
No commitment was made to instigate a review
Response accuracy
Q23
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP will present the Ministerial Conduct (Training) Bill to ensure training is available for encouraging innovation and compliance.
Given that that seems to be a particular issue for the Prime Minister's Cabinet, will he support my Ministerial Conduct (Training) Bill, which I will present later today?
As the hon. Lady knows, there are processes and procedures in place for ensuring professional standards across Government.
▸
Assessment & feedback
No explicit support was given to the bill
Response accuracy
Q24
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Owen Carey died from a severe allergic reaction after eating a chicken burger marinated in buttermilk.
Will the Prime Minister meet me and Owen's family to see how we can ensure that something positive comes of that tragic loss of a young life?
I thank my hon. Friend for raising Owen's case, and I know that the whole House will join me in expressing our condolences to Emma and all of Owen's family for what happened.
▸
Assessment & feedback
No commitment was made to meet and discuss food labelling regulations
Response accuracy
Q25
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Northern Ireland faces a shortage of veterinary medicines due to post-grace period regulations. The Ulster Farmers Union seeks clarification on the list of affected medications.
Will the Prime Minister instruct his officials to publish the list of 1,700 veterinary medicines that will no longer be made available to Northern Ireland vets and agrifood sector after the grace period has ended? Will he explain why this list hasn't been given to the Ulster Farmers Union?
As the hon. Gentleman knows, when we concluded the Windsor framework, we made sure there was an extension in the grace period for veterinary medicines to give us time to find a long-run solution to that issue.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a specific commitment or timeline on publishing the list of affected medications.
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q26
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Protests against climate change led to disturbances in London, despite the Public Order Act 2023 being in place.
Does the Prime Minister agree that eco-protesters should be immediately removed from roads as they are causing havoc? The Prime Minister is asked if he agrees with the sentiment expressed.
This Government have passed the serious disruption order, which will ensure that the police have powers to tackle slow-moving protests. The Labour party tried to block this legislation.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address the question about immediate removal of protesters from roads.
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q27
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Despite the UK being one of the richest economies, there are still 4 million children living in poverty.
Why does the Prime Minister not support universal free school meals for all children to help end child poverty?
Since 2010, there are 1.7 million fewer people living in poverty as a result of actions by this Government, including hundreds of thousands fewer children. The best way to ensure children do not grow up in poverty is to ensure they do not grow up in a workless household.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to universal free school meals.
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q28
Direct Answer
▸
Context
Nancy Spencer, an 80-year-old constituent from Darlington, has raised £35,000 for St Teresa's Hospice in the last 25 years and is planning a wing walk.
Will my right hon. Friend join me in wishing Nancy well as she takes to the skies this Saturday?
May I join my hon. Friend in thanking Nancy for all her fantastic fundraising work, and of course I wish her the best of luck for Saturday? I pay tribute to all the staff and volunteers working in palliative and end-of-life care.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q29
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Concern over schools encouraging young people under the age of 18 to socially transition without parental consent.
Does the Prime Minister agree that it is inappropriate for schools to encourage social transitioning without parental consent or knowledge? Will he instruct the Department for Education to order schools to stop?
I have been very clear that when it comes to matters of sex and education, and of personal, social, health and economic education, it is absolutely right that schools are sensitive in how they teach those matters and that they should be done in an age-appropriate fashion. The Department for Education is currently reviewing the statutory guidance and curriculum.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to instructing schools to stop encouraging social transitioning without parental consent.
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q30
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Independent members of the health board arranged for a forensic accountancy report revealing serious misconduct by senior executives, but Labour Welsh Minister demanded resignation of independent board members instead.
Does the Prime Minister agree that this disgraceful state of affairs should be investigated by police? Does he further agree that it demonstrates why Labour is unfit to run public services?
I am deeply worried about the Betsi Cadwaladr hospital trust in Labour-run north Wales. It has been in special measures for six of the last eight years and the official audit said there was worrying dysfunctionality. I hope that this issue is investigated properly.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to an investigation by police, nor commented on whether Labour is unfit to run public services.
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q31
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The question concerns the current legal aid threshold, which excludes individuals earning £12,750 a year from receiving assistance. The cost for the inquiry into the alleged lying by Boris Johnson is estimated to exceed £250,000.
Working people are barred from receiving legal aid if they earn £12,750 a year. Why is the Prime Minister forcing the British public to foot the bill—which I think is currently £250,000-plus—for the inquiry into the alleged lying of Boris Johnson? Is it because he is too weak?
It is a long-established process across multiple Administrations that former Ministers are supported with legal representation after they have left office to deal with matters that relate to their time in office. That has been the practice for many years, as I say, across multiple political Administrations, both Labour and Conservative.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The questioner asked why the Prime Minister cannot stand up for the British people regarding legal aid and the cost of Boris Johnson's inquiry. The answer did not address this specific ask but provided general context about support for former Ministers.
Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q32
Direct Answer
▸
Context
Watford General Hospital recently received £350,000 for improvements to mental health facilities.
I welcome the Government's ongoing engagement to ensure that mental health is treated equally with physical health. Watford General Hospital received about £350,000 for improvements to mental health facilities. Will the Prime Minister join me in encouraging colleagues from across the House to attend an event I will be hosting for the Baton of Hope on the Terrace Pavilion after Prime Minister's questions today?
My hon. Friend is a fantastic campaigner on mental health, and I am pleased to learn about all the work he is doing with the Baton of Hope. We are putting more Government money into mental health services and taking more action than any previous Government, investing an extra £2.3 billion a year.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy