PMQs 2022-03-30

2022-03-30

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Gareth Davies Con
Grantham and Bourne
Context
The MP highlights concerns from Baltic states regarding Russian aggression. The joint expeditionary force's role is questioned.
While our focus is rightly on Ukraine, the Prime Minister will be aware of the great concern of many people across the Baltic states. Will he outline the role that the joint expeditionary force can play in countering Russian aggression and improving the defensive posture for our allies in the Baltics?
The joint expeditionary force, or the JEF, is an increasingly important grouping of the Nordic countries, the Baltic countries, the Dutch and ourselves, and we are committed to working together in an active way to counter Russian aggression and support our Ukrainian friends. We had a successful meeting a couple of weeks ago and will have further such meetings in the course of the next few weeks.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific details on how the JEF will improve defensive posture for Baltic allies, nor mention any new commitments or timelines.
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The MP questions the government's assertion of being tax-cutters given historical context and recent policies.
Does the Prime Minister still think that he and the Chancellor are tax-cutting Conservatives?
Yes, I certainly do, because this Government have just introduced not only the biggest cut in fuel duty ever but the biggest cut in tax for working people in the last 10 years. Seventy per cent of the population paying national insurance contributions will have a substantial tax cut as a result of what the Chancellor did.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address concerns about overall higher taxes and historical context of Labour's economic policy critiques.
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The MP criticizes the government for tax rises amid falling living standards.
Cut the nonsense and treat the British people with a bit of respect. Let me take the Prime Minister through this slowly: 15 tax rises and the highest tax burden for 70 years. For every £6 the Government are taking in tax rises, they are handing only £1 back. Prime Minister, is that cutting taxes or is that raising taxes?
I do not know where the right hon. and learned Gentleman has been for the past two years, but even by the standards—[Interruption.] Yes, he has. Even by the standards of Captain Hindsight, to obliterate the biggest pandemic for the past century from his memory and to obliterate the £408 billion that we have had to spend to look after people up and down the country is quite extraordinary.
Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address tax burden or living standards issues; shifted focus to pandemic response criticisms instead.
Changing Subject Mentioning Pandemic Response
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The MP questions the timing of proposed tax cuts, suggesting they are politically motivated.
I can only hope that the Prime Minister's police questionnaire was a bit more convincing than that. This year, the British people face the worst fall in living standards on record. While they are counting every penny, the Prime Minister is hitting them with higher taxes, but in 2024, when there just so happens to be a general election, the Government will introduce a small tax cut. That is not taking difficult decisions; that is putting the Tory re-election campaign over and above helping people pay their bills.
What we have is a Chancellor who took the tough decisions to look after the UK economy throughout the pandemic, and who protected people up and down the land with £408 billion-worth of support. By the way, if we had listened to Captain Hindsight—and this is the truth—we would not have come out of lockdown in July last year.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address political timing or economic necessity; focused on pandemic response instead.
Changing Subject Mentioning Pandemic Response
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The MP discusses the need for a windfall tax on oil companies amidst economic hardship.
The tough decisions—give me a break! We know who those two always ask to pay: income stealth tax—a tax on working people; the tuition fee raid—a tax on working people; the national insurance hike—a tax on working people. All of this while oil and gas companies see unexpected bumper profits. A windfall tax would raise billions and ease the burden on working people. The former chief executive office of BP, Lord John Browne, says a windfall tax is “justifiable”.
That is a classic example of what Labour got wrong during its period in office. The oil and gas companies are now investing £20 billion in ensuring that we have long-term energy supplies.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address windfall tax benefits or opposition reasons; shifted focus to investment decisions of oil companies.
Changing Subject Mentioning Company Investments
Response accuracy
Q6 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The MP questions the Prime Minister's position in light of police investigation findings on Downing Street events during the pandemic.
There we have it: the Conservatives are the party of excess oil and gas profits; we are the party of working people. Talking of parties, the Prime Minister told the House that no rules were broken in Downing Street during lockdown. The police have now concluded that there was widespread criminality. The “Ministerial Code” says that Ministers who “knowingly” mislead the House should resign.
Hang on a minute. The right hon. and learned Gentleman has just changed his position. We do at least expect some consistency from this human weather vane. It was only a week or so ago when he said that I should not resign.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address police conclusions or Ministerial Code; attacked MP's consistency instead.
Attacking Questioner Questioning Opposition
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The question is prompted by concerns about the Prime Minister's adherence to ministerial conduct rules.
There are only two possible explanations. Either the Prime Minister is trashing the ministerial code, or he is claiming he was repeatedly lied to by his own advisers and did not know what was going on in his own house and his own office. Come off it! He really does think it is one rule for him and another rule for everyone else—that he can pass off criminality in his office and ask others to follow the law, that he can keep raising taxes and call himself a tax cutter, and that he can hike tax during a cost of living crisis and get credit for giving a bit back just before an election. When is he going to stop taking the British public for fools?
This Government has helped reduce unemployment, grow the economy and create record vacancies compared to the situation before the pandemic. The UK is leading in the number of tech companies worth over $1 billion, surpassing France, Germany, and Israel combined.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not address any of the specific issues raised about adherence to ministerial conduct rules or misleading the public.
Changing Subject Highlighting Achievements
Response accuracy
Q8 Partial Answer
Context
The Welsh Government is withdrawing matched funding for a scheme to connect rural areas like Brecon and Radnorshire to superfast broadband.
Welsh Labour's decision means that my constituents will lose out, as local authorities in England continue to fund the scheme. Does my right hon. Friend agree that broadband is critical to the growth of the rural economy, and will he double his Government's efforts to connect my constituents, despite Welsh Labour's letting us down yet again?
Yes. We are spending £69 million already to support the roll-out of superfast broadband in Wales, and we will do our best to make up the difference as fast as possible.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not commit to doubling funding but indicated willingness to make up for withdrawn funds.
Response accuracy
Q9 Partial Answer
Context
Millions of families face a £700 energy price increase, while Tory MPs held a champagne bash in the Park Plaza.
Last night, millions of families will have been desperately trying to figure out how they will possibly afford the £700 energy price hike that will hit them this Friday. At the very same time, Tory MPs were gathering across the street for a champagne bash in the Park Plaza. We all know that the Tories partied during lockdown, and now they are—
The living wage is going up again by record amounts, and thanks to what the Chancellor has done we are putting £9.1 billion into helping people up and down the country.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not address any specific issue raised about energy price hikes or Tory MPs' partying.
Changing Subject Highlighting Achievements
Response accuracy
Q10 Partial Answer
Context
Food banks are warning that people are having to choose their food based on whether they can afford the gas to boil it. The Chancellor's £200 loan is forcing people into energy debt.
Families are having to choose what rooms to heat or whether they can turn on the heating at all. Some in the Tory Cabinet clearly believe that better weather means that they can happily sit on their hands and do nothing until next winter. The Chancellor thinks his £200 loan, which is forcing people into energy debt, is somehow a solution, but it clearly is not. So before the Prime Minister and his Chancellor go off on their Easter holidays, will they, at the very least, turn this loan into a grant and finally put some cash into people's pockets when they need it, right now?
The Government is making huge investments in supporting people right now through the household support fund and cold weather payments, and there are another £1 billion of funds available.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not commit to converting the loan scheme into a grant but indicated ongoing support measures.
Response accuracy
Q11 Direct Answer
Context
There is currently no post-16 educational provision within the Bolsover constituency, requiring young people to travel long distances at considerable cost.
One of my most important campaigns is to secure provision of quality post-16 education within the Bolsover constituency, where there is currently none. Young people in my constituency have to travel long distances at considerable cost to access their education. Will my right hon. Friend meet me to discuss how we can right this wrong for the young people of the Bolsover constituency and give them the education that they deserve?
Free and subsidised travel is provided to Bolsover students travelling, so far, to two of the three excellent colleges that are going to be offering T-levels from 2023, but I will make sure that he gets a meeting with my right hon. Friend the Education Secretary to discuss further what we can do.
Assessment & feedback
null
Response accuracy
Q12 Partial Answer
Edward Davey Lib Dem
Kingston and Surbiton
Context
The MP referenced the WWII history of evacuees in his constituency, emphasizing the public's willingness to support Ukrainian refugees. He cited personal encounters with Ukrainian families on the border facing bureaucratic hurdles despite government claims otherwise.
My grandmother opened her home to German Jewish boys during WWII, showing Britain's historic generosity towards refugees. I spoke to Ukrainian refugee families on the Polish-Ukrainian border who were denied entry due to complex visa requirements. Despite this, the PM's figures suggest no upper limit exists for taking in Ukrainians. If wealthy businessmen from over 50 countries can enter the UK without a visa, why must Ukrainian mothers and children fill out forms?
The right hon. Gentleman's family history of generosity is noted, and he rightly points out the number of people offering homes to refugees is impressive. Over 25,000 Ukrainians have secured visas; we process 1,000 applications daily with no upper limit on intake. Our country has been remarkably generous in accepting Afghans and Hong Kong residents under threat.
Assessment & feedback
The PM did not address the specific discrepancy between wealthy businessmen's visa-free entry versus Ukrainian refugees needing to apply for visas.
Response accuracy
Q13 Partial Answer
Context
The MP highlighted the bravery of Ukrainians defending their country and criticised the idea that other nations might tire of supporting Ukraine, urging for increased support.
During my recent visit to Ukraine, I witnessed firsthand the courage of Ukrainians in defending their nation. Given the lethal aid provided by this Government, do you agree we should double down on our military assistance to Ukraine? Could this lead to breaking Russia's poorly equipped army and securing peace?
Absolutely right, my hon. Friend recently visited Ukraine and saw the bravery firsthand. We will indeed double down on military defensive aid to Ukraine. No Labour Government could match this commitment; they voted against our nuclear deterrent and would not provide such support.
Assessment & feedback
The PM did not commit to doubling down militarily but acknowledged the bravery of Ukrainians.
Response accuracy
Q14 Partial Answer
Context
The MP raised concerns over high grid connection charges for Scotland's renewable energy sector, comparing costs with Norway and Germany.
Households are facing soaring energy bills amid a climate emergency. Norway can feed electricity into our grid at £1.36 per megawatt-hour, while France pays 17p. Germany, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg pay nothing. Why does Scotland face charges of £7.36 per megawatt-hour?
Scotland leads in renewable energy, and I thank the Scottish Government for their support. However, I believe there is a role for hydrocarbons during our transition to green energy. Ensuring our grid can handle electricity from offshore resources will be addressed in the British energy security strategy.
Assessment & feedback
The PM did not address why Scotland faces higher grid connection charges compared to other countries.
Response accuracy
Q15 Partial Answer
Greg Smith Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
Context
The MP discussed the refusal of a planning application for a new prison in his constituency, emphasizing fairness to communities already suffering from major infrastructure projects.
Following a large community campaign, my parish council and residents successfully opposed a mega-prison project near HS2 and East West Rail. Given its proximity to existing state infrastructure, is it fair to expect these communities to bear more burden? Will you instruct the Ministry of Justice not to appeal this decision?
My hon. Friend campaigned vigorously; he makes a valid point about fairness but I refrain from commenting on specific planning matters, though relevant Ministers will certainly consider his concerns.
Assessment & feedback
The PM did not commit to instructing the MoJ against appealing the decision.
Response accuracy
Q16 Partial Answer
Mary Glindon Lab
Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend
Context
The MP highlighted estimated £4 billion losses to the Government from furlough scheme fraud, including instances of party staff claiming furlough while working.
With an estimated £4 billion in furlough fraud, shouldn't we have tackled it more aggressively? In North Tyneside, even our own party's member was on furlough but continued to work. How could this happen?
The hon. Lady questions if we should have moved faster with furlough; everyone understood its urgency despite Labour's past demands for speed. We added £100 million to combat fraud, amounting to £23 billion lost under the previous Labour government.
Assessment & feedback
The PM did not address why they didn't tackle fraud more aggressively but defended their response timing and Labour's past record.
Response accuracy
Q17 Direct Answer
Context
The MP praised the high number of good or outstanding state schools in his constituency, and welcomed the new education White Paper.
I am delighted to report that 37 out of 39 state schools in Bracknell are now rated good or outstanding. Can we thank our teachers, staff, governors, and pupils for this achievement? Does the Prime Minister agree that the new White Paper sets a proud blueprint for our schools?
Yes, we can thank everyone involved. The new education White Paper is indeed fantastic.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q18 Partial Answer
Context
Over 2 million tonnes of edible food is wasted annually. Funding introduced in 2019 to cover costs for food delivery to charities has been cut to zero, affecting community projects such as the Threehills community supermarket.
Over 2 million tonnes of edible food is wasted on farms and in factories every year. Funding was introduced in 2019 to cover the costs of getting food to charities to reach those in need. The Prime Minister will know, however, that the Government have now cut that critical funding to zero. Funding for food waste diversion helps to support community projects such as the Threehills community supermarket in Glasgow, so can he explain why he is ignoring calls from Feeding Britain, Good Food Scotland and FareShare to continue that worthwhile initiative and is instead cutting off a lifeline to those struggling with the cost of living crisis?
I thank the hon. Gentleman very much. I think he is referring to the strategy that we have for food waste. As far as I know, we continue to support it, but I would be happy to update him by letter.
Assessment & feedback
Specific details on funding cuts and future plans were not provided
I Would Be Happy To Update Him By Letter
Response accuracy
Q19 Direct Answer
Context
The Donna Ockenden report details avoidable maternity deaths and injuries at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust. Hayley Matthews, a constituent, lost her son Jack after begging for a C-section during her 36-hour labour.
I thank the Prime Minister for his earlier remarks concerning the Donna Ockenden report into avoidable maternity deaths and injuries at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust. The report makes for devastating reading, the more so because women's voices were ignored. My constituent Hayley Matthews begged staff for a C-section throughout her 36-hour labour, but was forced into a natural birth. Her son Jack arrived blue and floppy and, within hours of his birth, he tragically died. Will the Prime Minister join me in offering heartfelt sympathies to all the families affected and grateful thanks to the 1,862 women who shared their experiences with the Ockenden review to ensure that maternity care is safer, kinder and more compassionate for the women who come after them?
I thank my hon. Friend for her question. I think everybody will thank the women concerned for taking up the issue in the way that they have and we extend our heartfelt sympathies to the victims and their families for what they have suffered. It is very important that people get the answers that they deserve and that we have the right approach to the issue in the future.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q20 Partial Answer
Sarah Champion Lab
Rotherham
Context
The Office for Budget Responsibility estimates that the Government's measures will only offset falling living standards by a third, leading to the biggest financial squeeze since the 1950s. Constituents are struggling with food, energy, and car fuel expenses.
Prime Minister, every day I hear from more and more of my Rotherham constituents who are struggling to put food on the table, to keep their lights on and to fuel their cars. The Office for Budget Responsibility estimates that the Government's measures will only offset falling living standards by a third. This is the biggest financial squeeze since the 1950s. Prime Minister, do not blame Ukraine and do not blame covid. This is down to your Government's policies and your political choices. How do you sleep at night?
I do agree that people are facing a very tough time at the moment, and we have to do everything we can. I do not agree with the hon. Member's analysis, but I think that the causes are certainly to do with the inflationary impact of the world coming out of covid, and the energy price spike is at the root of it.
Assessment & feedback
Specific government policies causing hardship were not addressed
I Do Not Agree With The Hon. Member'S Analysis
Response accuracy
Q21 Direct Answer
Context
Shire Hall in Stafford is being reopened this summer, with £1.6 million provided for a small business hub. The questioner seeks additional support to regenerate the rest of Stafford town centre and high streets.
One of my earliest campaigns was to reopen Stafford's Shire Hall, so I am delighted that this iconic building is finally set to reopen this summer. Can I thank the Government for providing £1.6 million in funding to create a hub for small businesses in Shire Hall, but can I also ask my right hon. Friend to help regenerate the rest of Stafford town centre and our high streets to help level up the west midlands and support our local businesses?
I thank my hon. Friend for her fantastic work to reopen Shire Hall—she is a passionate campaigner for Stafford—and Stafford was awarded over £14 million lately through the future high streets fund.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q22 Partial Answer
Apsana Begum Lab
Poplar and Limehouse
Context
The constituency has one of the highest rates of child poverty in the country. Recent social security cuts will push more families, children, and pensioners into desperation.
My constituency has one of the highest rates of child poverty in the entire country, with too many already struggling between heating and eating. The Government's recent real-terms social security cut will now push even more families, children and pensioners into desperation. Does the Prime Minister agree that the biggest squeeze in household finances since records began does not come out of the blue, but is due to Conservative economics and the notion that, while some have the pleasure of partying, the rest of us should suffer?
No, we are absolutely dedicated to levelling up across our entire country and making sure that we reduce poverty. That is why I am proud that there are now half a million fewer kids actually in workless households, 200,000 fewer kids—200,000 fewer—in poverty and 1.3 million fewer in absolute poverty.
Assessment & feedback
Specific impact of recent social security cuts was not addressed
I Am Proud That There Are Now Half A Million Fewer Kids Actually In Workless Households
Response accuracy
Q23 Direct Answer
Context
UK judges have withdrawn from the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal due to constraints imposed by the national security law. The decision is supported by the UK government.
Today's announcement by our serving United Kingdom judges of their withdrawal from the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal is now the right decision, and I support it, as does my right hon. Friend. Does he agree with me that, on this sad day for the people of Hong Kong and at a time when the international rule of law is under unprecedented challenge, it is for us here in Britain to stand up for what is right, to be resolute in the face of tyranny and to make sure that the international rules-based order is defended at every opportunity?
I thank my right hon. and learned Friend. I know how passionately he has campaigned on this issue. I also thank the judges in Hong Kong's court for everything that they have been doing. Evidently, they have concluded that the constraints of the national security law make it impossible for them to continue to serve in the way they would want.
Assessment & feedback
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Q24 Partial Answer
Catherine West Lab
Hornsey and Friern Barnet
Context
Local constituents are struggling with high energy bills, leading to financial strain. Previous government statements have highlighted the need for action.
Gas and electric prices and bills are through the roof. The 'just about managing' are no longer managing; they are coming to surgeries and queuing at food banks. Last week, the Government had a golden opportunity to tackle this. Why the devil did they not take that opportunity to do something to relieve the pressure on our constituents?
I understand the pressure that people are under, but the best thing we can do is support people through this tough time and ensure a strong economy in which we get people into work. We are cutting the cost of energy.
Assessment & feedback
Did not specify how they will alleviate financial pressures or address high energy costs specifically.
Supporting People Through Tough Times
Response accuracy
Q25 Direct Answer
Roger Gale Con
Herne Bay and Sandwich
Context
There are 28,300 applications under the sponsorship scheme for people displaced in Putin's war. Only 1,000 have been processed per day.
Today's updated Government figures show that of 28,300 applications submitted under the sponsorship scheme by people displaced in Putin's war, just 2,700 have been processed. Can my right hon. Friend tell the House how many to date of those people have actually arrived in the United Kingdom? Will he give his support to my noble Friend Lord Harrington to cut through the Home Office red tape, simplify the application process and get people into the country?
We are processing 1,000 a day. Twenty-five thousand visas have already been issued; almost 200,000 families have opened their homes to Ukrainians coming in fear of their lives.
Assessment & feedback
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Q26 Partial Answer
Context
The previous Conservative manifesto guaranteed a state pension rise of 2.5%, but the current increase is less than half of the inflation rate.
A cornerstone of the last Conservative manifesto was a guarantee that the basic state pension would rise by 2.5%, the rate of inflation, or earnings growth, whichever was the highest. Instead, from April the state pension will rise by less than half of the current inflation rate. How does the Prime Minister explain this abject betrayal of some of the most vulnerable people in our communities, who are squeezed by rocketing energy and food prices on the one hand and the miserliness of this Government on the other?
Actually, what we have done is protected pensioners so that their incomes are £720 higher than they would have been had we just relied on inflation.
Assessment & feedback
Did not justify the specific lack of a 2.5% increase, only mentioned overall income protection.
Response accuracy
Q27 Partial Answer
Context
The British Council's operations and international footprint may be affected by an imminent government funding decision.
On Monday, the Foreign Secretary agreed that in these uncertain times we need to expand our soft power capabilities, yet the Government are imminently to make a funding decision that may result in the closure of British Council country operations and a reduction in its international footprint. Will the Prime Minister intervene to ensure that that does not happen, given how much I know he understands and appreciates the important work the British Council does?
I am very happy to meet my hon. Friend to talk about this issue, which he has campaigned on many times, but I can tell him that the British Council, for which I have huge regard, has received a massive grant and loans.
Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm intervention or funding status directly.
Meet To Discuss
Response accuracy
Q28 Partial Answer
Matt Western Lab
Warwick and Leamington
Context
The cost of energy bills, food prices, and fuel are rising sharply. Constituents express concern about the government's handling of financial reality.
You will forgive me, Mr Speaker, if I start by saying that, given the Prime Minister's preferences for fantasy castles and Peppa Pig, he is welcome to come and visit Zog Playland at Warwick castle. In Warwick and Leamington, as across the country, the cost of living crunch is really serious. As we have heard, energy bills are set to double by the end of this year and food prices to rise by 10% to 15% by year end, and fuel is already 22% up year on year.
We are tackling the cost of living by dealing with the spike in energy prices and making sure that we take the right long-term decisions to take this country forward.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific measures or funding details for addressing the crisis.
Long-Term Decisions
Response accuracy
Q29 Partial Answer
Context
There is a serious housing crisis in North Devon and the south-west, requiring urgent action from the government.
I welcome what the Government are doing to help, where they can, with the cost of living crisis, but in North Devon and across the south-west we have a housing crisis that needs urgent action. Will my right hon. Friend meet me to better understand the severity and complexity of our housing shortage and steps that the Government may take?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right about the need to provide local homes for local people. We are building a record number of homes despite difficulties, and have introduced higher rates of stamp duty on second homes, removed the second home discount.
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to meeting or specific steps.
Meeting To Discuss
Response accuracy
Q30 Partial Answer
Sarah Olney Lib Dem
Richmond Park
Context
An oil spill in Beverley Brook is threatening local wildlife and water quality. The Environment Agency investigates but faces staffing and funding challenges.
Last Friday, it emerged that there had been an oil spill in Beverley Brook, a river that flows through Richmond Park to the Thames. Black waste oil and iridescence can now be seen along 13 km of the watercourse, posing a serious threat to fish and local wildlife. The Environment Agency is investigating, but it is understaffed and underfunded while also battling water companies over sewage discharge.
We want to ensure that we use our landmark Environment Act 2021 to continue to improve the quality of our rivers, and that is what we are doing.
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to strengthening Office for Environmental Protection powers specifically.
Use Environment Act
Response accuracy