Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from a tweet by the Prime Minister suggesting that victims of modern slavery would be denied access to support, which could discourage them from seeking help. The MP highlights an increase in UK citizens being trafficked within Britain.
I have worked with women brought here illegally as sex slaves and raped daily. Last week, the Prime Minister tweeted they'd deny these victims access to modern slavery support, a message traffickers can use against them. Despite increases in British adults and children trafficked for sex and crime, how will you prevent the next woman I meet from being repeatedly raped if she is denied such support?
Just to correct the hon. Lady, it is now a minority of people in our modern slavery referral system that are from the UK. That was not the intention of the legislation when it was introduced. We have a proud record of supporting victims of modern slavery. Thousands of victims are supported every year here in the UK and that will not change as we grip illegal immigration.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about preventing women from being repeatedly raped without support was not directly addressed.
Correcting The Hon. Lady'S Statement
Referring To A Minority Of Cases
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Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The question addresses the Home Secretary's statement about immigration being too high, contrasting it with opposition support for higher levels of immigration. The MP suggests investing in domestic skills rather than importing foreign labor.
On Monday, the Home Secretary said that recent decades have seen too much immigration to this country and Opposition members strongly disagreed. They want higher immigration, not lower. Does my right hon. Friend agree we need to invest in our own young people's skills instead of importing cheap foreign labour?
My hon. Friend is right to say that we need to encourage long-term investment in the domestic workforce. We will hear more on that from the Chancellor later this afternoon, but the Department for Work and Pensions is directing support at sectors with labour shortages, such as construction and social care, and our new skills bootcamps are part of a dramatic rebooting of our skills system to support workers to get the skills they need.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about investing in domestic workforce was addressed but without concrete actions or commitments.
Directing Support At Sectors With Labour Shortages
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Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from the Prime Minister's claim of defending free speech, while Tory MPs campaigned to cancel Gary Lineker's show at the BBC. The MP questions the inconsistency.
Last summer, the PM said he wanted to protect free speech and stop no-platforming, but last week, Tory MPs campaigned against a broadcaster. How concerned is the Prime Minister about this campaign by his own MPs?
As I said at the time, the issues between Gary Lineker and the BBC were for them to resolve. I am very glad they did so and that we can look forward to watching “Match of the Day” on our screens again.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about inconsistency was not directly addressed.
Referring To Issues For Bbc To Resolve
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Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The question addresses the campaign by Tory MPs to cancel a broadcaster at the BBC, perceived as an attack on free speech. The MP calls for the Prime Minister to take responsibility.
Conservative Members calling for more from a PM who does not understand that we can disagree with what someone says while still defending their right to say it led to a farcical weekend with national broadcaster accused of dancing to Government's tune by its own employees. Why doesn't the Prime Minister take responsibility and stand up to his snowflake MPs waging war on free speech?
It is just the usual political opportunism from the leader of the Labour party. I do not know if he noticed, but first the shadow Attorney General and then the shadow Home Secretary actually criticised the language used in the tweet.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about responsibility was not addressed; instead, it attacked the opposition.
Calling It Political Opportunism
Criticizing Labour'S Criticism
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Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from concerns about the impartiality of BBC following a controversial appointment. The MP questions whether putting someone with close ties to the Prime Minister in charge undermines trust.
Conservative Members are calling for more from a PM who does not understand that we can disagree with what someone says while still defending their right to say it led to a farcical weekend with national broadcaster accused of dancing to Government's tune by its own employees. Does the Prime Minister accept concerns about BBC's impartiality due to putting a Tory donor in charge?
As he well knows, the BBC chairman was appointed before I became Prime Minister.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about impartiality and trust was not addressed; instead, it deflected to when the appointment occurred.
Referring To Timing Of Appointment
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Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The question addresses concerns about the impartiality of BBC following a controversial appointment. The MP questions whether people with links to the Prime Minister should be involved in senior BBC positions.
When people with links to the Tory party find themselves in senior BBC positions, it is important that their impartiality is seen to be beyond reproach. Has the PM received assurances that no one with links to the Tories lobbied or was involved in the decision affecting “Match of the Day”?
As I just said, these are matters for the BBC to resolve. The independent Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments is reviewing what was a rigorous, independent process to appoint the chairman.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about assurances was not directly addressed.
Referring Matters To Bbc
Mentioning Review By Office Of Commissioner
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
The question addresses concerns about the impartiality of BBC following a controversial appointment. The MP questions whether people with links to the Prime Minister should be involved in senior BBC positions.
When people with links to Tory party find themselves in senior BBC positions, it is important that their impartiality is seen to be beyond reproach. Has the PM received assurances that no one with links to Tories lobbied or was involved in decision affecting “Match of the Day”?
As I just said, these are matters for the BBC to resolve. The independent Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments is reviewing what was a rigorous, independent process to appoint the chairman.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about assurances was not directly addressed.
Referring Matters To Bbc
Mentioning Review By Office Of Commissioner
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from the perception of political influence over public broadcasters and concerns about cancel culture within the government's ranks.
An impartial public broadcaster, free of Government interference, is a crucial pillar in our country, but is that not put at risk by the cancel culture addicts on his Benches, a BBC leadership that caves into their demands and a Prime Minister too weak to do anything about them?
We are not going to take lectures on cancel culture from the Labour party. We have concluded a new migration deal with France; signed a new defence partnership with the US and Australia; protected British start-ups; and boosted defence spending.
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Assessment & feedback
Addressing concerns over BBC independence and political influence
Changing Subject
Attacking Opposition
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Q9
Direct Answer
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Context
Surrey Research Park in Guildford has been home to pioneering space companies and recently received £300,000 for training and recruitment of space engineers.
Will my right hon. Friend join me in welcoming that investment? When his diary allows, will he visit Guildford to celebrate successful local innovation and job creation?
We are continuing to invest in the UK's thriving space sector, including £6.5 million for high-impact projects and recognition of Space South Central as a leading regional cluster.
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Q10
Partial Answer
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Context
Households in Scotland are facing freezing temperatures and high energy costs, with the average bill nearing £3,500.
Was it while he was taking a leisurely dip that he decided to leave households drowning in their energy bills?
Thanks to our actions, over £1,300 has been provided to help families with energy bills over the last year. More support will be announced by the Chancellor.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific details about future cost of living measures
Vague Commitment
Response accuracy
Q11
Partial Answer
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Context
Households in Scotland face high energy costs, with the Chancellor planning to scrap the £400 energy rebate.
Is it not the case that the Tories are not freezing energy bills; they are looking to freeze households?
The Government are delivering for people across the UK with £1,300 support on energy bills. We have learned that SNP governance issues include poor train services, police pressures, and NHS waiting lists.
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Assessment & feedback
Addressing concerns about rising energy costs in Scotland
Attacking Opposition
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Q12
Direct Answer
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Context
Independent retailers are crucial to high street regeneration and the economy, with recent winners of a competition highlighting their importance.
Will the Prime Minister join me in congratulating the winners of my competition for Newcastle's best loved independent shops?
I agree about the benefit small businesses bring, and I congratulate Anasma Greek Bakery on winning the competition. The Government are investing in my hon. Friend's constituency through town deals and funding from the future high streets fund.
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Q13
Partial Answer
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Context
The Northern Ireland Executive faces budget cuts, which will affect public services transformation and a focus on key areas like health, education, skills, and infrastructure.
Will the Prime Minister and Chancellor work with the Northern Ireland parties on a financial package to transform Northern Ireland?
We appreciate constructive involvement from the hon. Gentleman in the Windsor framework discussions and will work closely with Northern Irish parties on wide-ranging issues, including the public finances.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific financial package details for Northern Ireland transformation
Vague Commitment
Response accuracy
Q14
Direct Answer
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Context
There have been 135 days of strikes on the London Underground since a promise was made for zero strikes in 2016.
In 2016, the current Mayor of London promised zero strikes on the London underground. Today is the 135th day of strikes since then. Will my right hon. Friend join me in condemning those strikes, which have brought misery to the travelling public in London, and condemn the Mayor of London for his failure to address this issue?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right about the misery being inflicted on Londoners by the incompetent running of TfL. It is worth bearing in mind that not only does the Labour party vote against our minimum service levels, which will provide respite for the hard-working British public, but since the pandemic the Mayor of London has received £6 billion of additional funding for transport services—so for us to be in the situation that we find ourselves in today is simply unacceptable.
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Q15
Direct Answer
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Context
An investigation revealed that sewage has leaked into cancer wards, maternity units and A&E departments over 450 times in the last year.
An investigation reported in and by the BBC revealed that on more than 450 instances in the last year sewage was leaking into cancer wards, maternity units and A&E departments. Without urgent action, the legacy of this Conservative Government on the NHS will be an image of a nurse cleaning up sewage around a patient in a crumbling hospital. Will the Prime Minister commit to that pledge of building 40 hospitals by 2030, including in West Hertfordshire, and will he establish a fund to repair those hospitals that are in a dire state of disrepair?
We are investing record sums in NHS capital to upgrade dozens of hospitals across the country, but in particular to build 40 new hospitals. We are committed to a new hospital scheme at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust as part of that programme. The programme is working closely with the trust on its plans, in line with the approach we have taken nationally.
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Q16
Direct Answer
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Context
Harper Adams University in Shropshire is a leading institution for agritech research.
Does the Prime Minister agree that agritech—in particular, the excellent work of the Crop and Environment Research Centre at Harper Adams University in Shropshire—is a vital part of the UK economy? I know that he has a busy schedule, but will he dispatch the Secretary of State to come and look at that research centre, and in particular to see the women at Harper Adams leading science and maths—and, indeed, leading the world?
I agree with my right hon. Friend. Harper Adams is a fantastic example of the type of innovation and skills provision that we need in our agritech sector. That is why I am pleased that, post Brexit, we can introduce the gene editing Bill, which will help to drive productivity and efficiency in our agricultural sector even further.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q17
Partial Answer
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Context
St Mary's Hospital in Paddington faces structural issues, including a ceiling collapse and flooding.
The Government promised the 40 new hospitals three years ago and the Prime Minister has just expressed again his intention to proceed. Two years ago in St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, which serves my constituency, a ward ceiling fell in during floods, the eye hospital was closed by a fire, and the birth centre and maternity wards were threatened by structural problems. This week, trust managers said that “the infrastructure is having an increasing impact on staff and patients…we just can't afford to continue to waste money on failing buildings.” However, the hospital is waiting for the commitment from the Government for the funding under the new hospitals programme. Will today be the day that the Prime Minister commits to that specifically?
As I said in a previous answer, the Government are committed to the new hospitals programme; we have committed record sums to NHS capital, not just for that programme, but for smaller-scale upgrades across the country. The conversations with her trust and others are happening in the same way across the country and I look forward to those conversations continuing.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment to funding St Mary's Hospital infrastructure
Response accuracy
Q18
Partial Answer
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Context
Westminster Council raised council tax, rent for council tenants, and senior councillor allowances.
Government at all levels, national and local, should always strive to deliver value for money for the taxpayer, particularly in a cost of living crisis. Therefore, does the Prime Minister share my astonishment that my local Labour-led Westminster Council voted last week to raise council tax by 2% and council housing tenants' rent by 7%, and increase allowances for its senior councillors by up to a staggering 45%?
That is disappointing to see. I think it has been just under a year that the now Labour-run Westminster Council has put its own councillors' pay ahead of everything else. I cannot quite believe the figures we heard from my hon. Friend—a staggering, eye-watering 45% pay increase when people across our country and abroad are suffering cost of living pressures. It is clear that it is only Conservative-run councils that deliver for their residents.
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Q19
Partial Answer
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Context
80% of practices do not accept children as new patients despite free NHS dental treatment for every child.
Every child in the UK is entitled to free NHS dental treatment, but with 80% of practices not accepting children as new patients, is the Prime Minister proud of his record on our children's dental health?
We are investing £3 billion in NHS dentistry. Because of the reforms to the contract, there will be about 10% more activity this year above contracted levels. There are 500 more dentists in the NHS today and, I think, almost a 45% increase in the amount of dental care being provided to children.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific pride or lack thereof regarding his record on children's dental health
Response accuracy
Q20
Partial Answer
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Context
Only a quarter of the £40 million public funds set aside for brain tumour research have been deployed to researchers.
Five years ago, £40 million of public funds were set aside for brain tumour research, but recent Government figures suggest that as little as a quarter of that money has been deployed to researchers. The mechanism to distribute research funding effectively is broken. As a result, the brain tumour community has not seen the breakthroughs in treatment and survival rates that many of us believe they should have. Does my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister agree that a unique and complex disease needs a unique response, and, in Brain Tumour Awareness Month, will he make brain cancer a critical research priority across all cancers?
I thank my hon. Friend for his thoughtful and powerful question. He is absolutely right about the importance of expediting medical research so that we can deliver better care for the people affected. I will make sure that he gets a meeting with the relevant Minister so we can ensure that that funding gets out to the people who need it and we can bring relief to them as quickly as we can.
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Assessment & feedback
Will Make Sure That He Gets A Meeting With The Relevant Minister
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Q21
Partial Answer
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Context
Female prosecutors and judges in Afghanistan face mortal danger after the fall of the Afghan government. The question arises from previous discussions with Foreign Office officials who suggested a relocation option.
With encouragement from the British Government, female Afghan prosecutors and judges stood for rule of law and inclusivity. Those left behind are at risk. Last year, I met senior Foreign Office officials open to relocating these women but nothing has happened since. This requires prime ministerial intervention. Will he meet me directly to address this situation?
I am happy to meet the hon. and learned Lady. We take our obligations seriously through the Afghan relocations and assistance policy, bringing 20,000 refugees from Afghanistan to the UK via legal routes with UNHCR. I would be glad to meet her to ensure compassion and generosity are targeted on those who need it most.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not explicitly commit to a direct meeting, only offered general willingness to discuss the issue
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Q22
Partial Answer
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A constituent named Lara is battling cancer and will miss her GCSE exams due to her condition. Centre-assessed grades were used during the pandemic.
Lara, a young constituent battling cancer, cannot sit GCSE exams but has worked hard towards them. In exceptional cases like this, why can't centre-assessed grades be applied again? Will my right hon. Friend look compassionately at Lara's case?
Sending best wishes to Lara and thanking Caroline Ansell for raising her case. Schools can make reasonable adjustments in such circumstances, but I will ensure my hon. Friend works with her to find a resolution.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to the principle of using centre-assessed grades for exceptional cases; only offered to work on finding a resolution
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Q23
Partial Answer
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Context
Adult literacy is a major issue costing the UK economy £25 billion annually. The Read Easy organisation is tackling this problem effectively at a low cost.
Welcoming the Prime Minister's numeracy drive, but pointing out that 7.1 million adults in England are functionally illiterate. Will he thank and support Read Easy for their work? Will he commit to a national strategy to eradicate adult literacy issues costing £25 billion yearly?
Agreeing with the importance of literacy, praising Read Easy's work while emphasizing the focus on early childhood education reforms as the solution.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to a national strategy for adult literacy; instead focused on early childhood education solutions
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Q24
Partial Answer
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Context
Major regulators oversee significant portions of the UK's economic output, but historically have not been thoroughly overseen.
Over a quarter of UK economic sectors are regulated by bodies like Ofwat and Ofgem. Historically, there has been little oversight to ensure these regulators meet best practices. Can the Prime Minister address this issue?
Acknowledging the importance of regulators in economic growth, promising accountability but deferring specific measures to later statements by the Chancellor.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to specific actions or timeline for regulatory oversight review; instead promised future consideration
Response accuracy
Q25
Partial Answer
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Japan built a high-speed rail link in 1964, while HS2's completion is delayed. The question challenges the government's commitment to infrastructure.
In Japan, a bullet train ran between Tokyo and Osaka in 1964. Is it not indicative of incompetence that HS2 connecting Birmingham, Manchester, and London has been delayed beyond Conservative promises?
Claiming record rail investment since Victorian times, noting higher annual investment in the north under current Government compared to Labour's last term.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address the specific delay of HS2; instead highlighted general infrastructure investments
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Q26
Partial Answer
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The Mayor of London's ultra-low emission zone charge will impact motorists and small businesses in outer London.
Motorists and small businesses are set to be affected by the Mayor of London's ULEZ charge. Is it not time to revise the Local Government Act for such charges require borough consent?
Agreeing that the Mayor should listen to commuters, families, and small businesses regarding the damaging tax. The Budget will support these groups.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to revising the Local Government Act; only supported those affected by ULEZ charges
Response accuracy