PMQs 2022-12-07

2022-12-07

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Context
The United Kingdom turned 100 years old, but the Prime Minister did not acknowledge the Supreme Court ruling on the nature of the Union. The question arises from this context.
Yesterday, the UK turned 100 years old. Neither the Prime Minister nor the Labour leader recognised the challenge posed by the Supreme Court ruling regarding the nature of the Union. Can the PM clarify whether he still believes the UK is a voluntary Union and explain how Scotland can choose to stay in it or not?
We respect the Supreme Court decision and believe strongly in the United Kingdom. We will work constructively with the Scottish Government to deliver for Scotland.
Assessment & feedback
Did not clarify whether he believes UK is a voluntary union or explain democratic route for Scotland's status within it
Hedging Language Vague Commitment
Response accuracy
Q2 Direct Answer
Context
Financial scams are the most common form of crime, causing immense emotional and financial distress to millions. Current government efforts focus on compensating victims after scams.
Does my right hon Friend agree that departments, regulators and industry could do far more to prevent scams from happening in the first place? Will he meet me to discuss this?
My hon Friend is right. We are working closely with industry to block fraudulent calls and our new Online Safety Bill will tackle scam ads. I would be happy to meet him to discuss this further.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
Conservative party promised to build 300,000 houses a year. This week, the Prime Minister scrapped mandatory targets without consulting voters.
What changed that made the Prime Minister break his promise on housing targets? Does he expect us to believe Back Benchers cheered him on?
The right hon Gentleman focuses on process and politics. We are protecting the green belt, investing in brownfield sites, and supporting local neighbourhood plans. The shadow Housing Secretary agrees that communities should have control over home building decisions.
Assessment & feedback
Did not explain why housing targets were scrapped or if Back Benchers cheered him on.
Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
Prime Minister scrapped mandatory housing targets without consulting voters. Keir Starmer criticizes the decision.
Does the Prime Minister expect us to believe that his Back Benchers are cheering him on for scrapping housing targets? He did a deal with MPs and sold out home ownership aspirations. Was it worth it?
The right hon Gentleman engages in petty politics, not substance. We are delivering on protecting local communities, cracking down on irresponsible developers and giving people more control over decisions.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address support from Back Benchers or the deal with MPs.
Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
Prime Minister scrapped mandatory housing targets without consulting voters. Former Housing Secretary criticised the decision as a failure of leadership.
Why did the Prime Minister rather cripple house building than work with Labour to pass housing targets?
We are not going to work with Labour on housing. In London, the former Conservative Mayor built 60,000 affordable homes in five years compared to half that amount by the current Labour Mayor. In Wales, we aim to build 12,000 homes.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address reasons for not working with Labour on housing targets.
Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q6 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
Prime Minister made a u-turn on wind farms. Keir Starmer questions if there is an issue the PM will not give in to his Back Benchers.
Is there no issue on which the Prime Minister will not give in to his Back Benchers? How did Baroness Mone end up with nearly £30 million of taxpayers' money?
Shocked by allegations against Baroness Mone. She is no longer attending the House of Lords and has lost Conservative Whip. The right hon Gentleman should listen to advice from a former Minister who criticised Labour for not standing up for workers.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address why PM gives in to Back Benchers or details about Baroness Mone's funds.
Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The Prime Minister's Transport Secretary criticized the government's flagship legislation on strikes as ineffective. A Tory politician was involved in providing substandard PPE with taxpayers' money.
He should stop grandstanding, stop sitting on his hands, get round the table and resolve these issues. How much is he going to get back?
The Government have been reasonable, accepting recommendations of an independent pay body giving pay rises higher than the private sector. If union leaders continue to be unreasonable, it is my duty to take action to protect lives and livelihoods. Since I became Prime Minister, I have been working for new laws to protect people from disruption caused by industrial action.
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask was not directly answered; instead, the PM provided context on actions taken but did not confirm support for legislation or standing up for workers specifically.
Response accuracy
Q8 Direct Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
Recent weeks saw a higher than usual number of cases of strep A, with tragic deaths. There are concerns among parents about the measures being taken to keep children safe this winter.
The Prime Minister has obviously not heard what his Transport Secretary said about that legislation this morning... I want to raise something that is worrying parents across the country... can the Prime Minister take the opportunity to update the country on the measures being taken to keep children safe this winter?
The NHS is working hard to make sure parents are aware of symptoms and there are well-established procedures in place. The UK Health Security Agency is monitoring the situation, confirming it's not a new strain, so people should be reassured that it has not become more lethal or resistant to antibiotics.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q9 Direct Answer
Context
Airbnb-type short-term lets provide positive experiences for many but cause issues in local communities. Westminster alone has 13,000 Airbnb properties.
Does my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister agree that it is now time to consider a registration scheme, managed by local authorities, so that councils can properly manage this growing sector?
The Levelling Up Secretary has said we will deliver a new tourist accommodation registration scheme, increasing appropriate regulation of the sector. We will also consult on whether planning permissions should be required for new short-term holiday lets, especially in tourist hot spots.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q10 Direct Answer
Stephen Flynn SNP
Aberdeen South
Context
The Scottish National Party member seeks to challenge the Prime Minister on the Conservative party's achievements or failures since leaving the single market, ending freedom of movement, and denying Scotland its democracy.
What does he consider to be the greatest achievement of the Conservative party in Government since 2019: leaving the single market and customs union, ending freedom of movement, denying Scotland her democracy or getting the Labour party to agree with all the above?
The thing we are most proud of in the last couple of years is making sure that we protected this country through the pandemic with furlough and the fastest vaccine roll-out.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q11 Partial Answer
Stephen Flynn SNP
Aberdeen South
Context
Support for Scottish independence has reached 56% and the SNP party's support is north of 50%, likely due to increasing energy bills in Scotland, despite it being an energy-rich region.
Does the Prime Minister consider that increasing energy bills for households in energy-rich Scotland by a further £500 will cause those poll numbers to rise or fall?
We are delivering £55 billion of support for households across the UK, including Scotland, saving a typical homeowner about £900 this winter with extra support for the most vulnerable.
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask was not directly answered; instead, the PM provided context on energy bill support without addressing the impact on poll numbers.
Response accuracy
Q12 Partial Answer
Context
The Eden Project North has progressed through round 2 of the levelling-up fund and secured planning permission and land allocation.
Prime Minister, when are we going to get Eden Project North?
The Secretary of State will be making decisions by the end of the year regarding levelling-up fund bids.
Assessment & feedback
Providing a specific timeline or commitment for Eden Project North funding was avoided.
Response accuracy
Q13 Partial Answer
Context
There is growing frustration and concern about the slow progress in talks between the UK and the European Union on resolving issues with the Northern Ireland protocol.
What steps can the Prime Minister take to inject momentum into those negotiations? Can I encourage him to visit Northern Ireland as soon as possible—preferably before Christmas—to engage with local stakeholders?
The Foreign Secretary and Vice-President Šefčovič are in regular dialogue, and the PM is interested in visiting Northern Ireland to engage with stakeholders.
Assessment & feedback
A specific timeline or detailed steps for injecting momentum into negotiations was not provided.
Response accuracy
Q14 Direct Answer
Context
Small and medium enterprises face challenges due to the pandemic and rising energy costs. The Prime Minister visited Fred Hallam in Beeston earlier this year.
How will the Prime Minister ensure that businesses such as Fred Hallam will be supported in the coming months so that they may thrive?
Savings from relief schemes, business rates tax cuts worth over £13 billion, annual investment allowance, and Help to Grow initiatives will be used to support businesses like Fred Hallam.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q15 Partial Answer
Ian Byrne Lab
Liverpool West Derby
Context
The author of the Government's national food strategy and UN special rapporteur called for universal free school meals to address child hunger in the UK.
Will the Prime Minister meet me to discuss how investment in universal free school meals will benefit children and their families?
An expansion of free school meals, holiday activities and food programme are in place. The PM welcomes ideas on further support.
Assessment & feedback
A specific commitment to meeting or investing in universal free school meals was not given.
Response accuracy
Q16 Direct Answer
Gareth Davies Con
Grantham and Bourne
Context
The Government recognise the importance of the Indo-Pacific to UK security and prosperity, but challenges exist.
Can the Prime Minister confirm that the Indo-Pacific remains a UK priority and that he will take a holistic approach within Government?
The Government reaffirmed their commitment in the integrated review, pursuing free trade agreements and AUKUS partnership.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q17 Direct Answer
Siobhain McDonagh Lab
Mitcham and Morden
Context
As banks close branches, free cash machines are disappearing, hitting the most vulnerable hardest.
Surely it cannot be right that a quarter of ATMs charge people to access their own money. Will the Prime Minister join dozens of his Back Benchers in backing my cross-party amendment?
The Government are legislating to safeguard access to cash through the Financial Services and Markets Bill, and initiatives are in place with the industry to subsidise free-to-use ATMs in deprived areas.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q18 Partial Answer
Context
The MP is concerned about the allocation of resources for new hospital projects in Medway, an area with high health inequalities and significant impact from COVID-19.
I very much welcome the Government's commitment to their hospital buildings programme. Can the Prime Minister clarify what criteria will be applied for the allocation of those new hospitals? Will it be done in line with the Prime Minister's personal commitment to a merit-based system of government? My hospital in Medway serves half a million people, is the busiest hospital A&E in Kent and we have some of the highest health inequalities in the country. Medway was one of the hardest-hit areas during covid-19. We need our fair-share allocation of resources in Medway.
My hon. Friend is a fantastic champion for his local area, but especially for his local hospital. He will know that I cannot comment on any specific scheme, but I can tell him that submissions to be one of the new hospitals are being reviewed in the Department and an announcement will be made shortly.
Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm visit or criteria for hospital allocation
I Cannot Comment On Any Specific Scheme
Response accuracy
Q19 Direct Answer
Mary Foy Lab
City of Durham
Context
The MP highlights the challenge faced by small businesses due to outdated business rates, using Daisy Rose Coffee House as an example.
On Small Business Saturday, I was delighted to name Daisy Rose Coffee House as the City of Durham's small business of the year 2022 after a public vote in my inaugural award. Like so many small businesses, Daisy Rose Coffee House is the beating heart of the local community and the cornerstone of the high street. So many business owners I meet feel utterly ignored by the Government as they are clobbered by outdated business rates year after year. The Government must pick a side: are they going to continue to back the online giants, or will they join the Labour party in backing small business and scrap and replace the outdated business rates?
I congratulate Daisy Rose on winning its award and being the beating heart of its high street. I very much hope that it will benefit—I am almost certain that it will—from our discounts on business rates. Our retail, hospitality and leisure relief gives a 75% discount on business rates in the next financial year, and that comes on top of the support that we will be providing Daisy Rose and others with their energy bills, with bills being about half of what they would have otherwise been without our support.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q20 Partial Answer
Context
The MP invites the Prime Minister to visit his constituency, highlighting a school rebuild project.
Mr Speaker, can I thank you and colleagues across the House for your kindness and encouragement in recent weeks? I ask my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister this afternoon to recommit the Government he leads to our ambition of levelling up communities in every part of our great United Kingdom. To that end, I invite him to visit my Bournemouth West constituency to see the latest school rebuild, the multimillion-pound rebuild of Oak Academy, which will stand as a lasting tribute to opportunity for the people I have the privilege of serving in this House.
It is very nice to hear from my right hon. Friend today. He is absolutely right: there is no better way to spread opportunity around the country than by investing in our children's future. I am absolutely delighted that Oak Academy in his constituency is benefiting from our school rebuilding programme, and I will certainly ask my office to keep his kind invitation in mind.
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to levelling up communities directly
I Am Absolutely Delighted That Oak Academy...
Response accuracy
Q21 Partial Answer
Context
The MP is seeking a meeting with the Prime Minister to discuss how the case of PC Yvonne Fletcher's murder can be taken forward.
I have raised this matter before, but despite meeting with a previous Prime Minister in 2020 the matter has not progressed. In 1984, I was a serving police officer in the Metropolitan Police when, on 17 April, WPC Yvonne Fletcher was shot in the back and killed while policing a political demonstration outside the Libyan Embassy. No one has ever been charged in connection with her murder. In November last year, delivering his judgment in a civil case, a senior High Court justice, Mr Justice Spencer, said: “I am satisfied that on the balance of probabilities the defendant”—Saleh Mabrouk—“is jointly liable for the shooting of WPC Yvonne Fletcher on the doctrine of common design.” Will the Prime Minister meet with me to see how this case may be taken forward, to finally bring those responsible for the murder of Yvonne to justice in a criminal court?
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his continued work on this case. As he said, it is something that he has raised before. He will appreciate that, while I cannot speak in detail on any particular case, there are differences in the standard of proof required for civil and criminal proceedings. That said, the Crown Prosecution Service will consider any new information that is referred to it by the police in relation to this case. Of course, I would be very happy to meet with him.
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to a specific meeting
I Cannot Speak In Detail On Any Particular Case
Response accuracy
Q22 Partial Answer
Context
The MP is concerned about the obstacles faced by Thurrock Council in delivering housing obligations due to a standing objection from National Highways.
Returning to the theme of communities being able to decide where to build, in Thurrock we embrace our obligations to deliver more new homes. At Arena Essex, we have an application to deliver 2,500 new homes ready to go; however, there is a standing objection to any development of over 300 homes from National Highways because of the impact on junction 30 of the M25. What advice will my right hon. Friend give to Thurrock Council on how it can deliver its housing obligations with that national constraint?
I thank my hon. Friend for her question. She highlights a great example of a council that is trying to do the right thing and put the right homes in the right places. It should have our support. I ask her please to write to my right hon. Friend the Levelling Up Secretary with the details of the issues so that we can give her a full response, but I praise her council for trying to make sure that we can build homes where we need them.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific advice on overcoming constraints
I Ask Her Please To Write To My Right Hon. Friend...
Response accuracy
Q23 Direct Answer
Diana R. Johnson Lab
Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
Context
The MP is questioning the Government's inability to process asylum claims within six months, citing a £5.6 million daily cost.
Why can the Government not process asylum claims within six months, thereby saving £5.6 million a day on asylum seekers' accommodation, granting asylum to those who need it quickly, and stopping the abuse of the system, which currently has a backlog of 147,000 asylum claims?
What we are doing is significantly increasing the number of caseworkers. We are on course to double it by next spring, with several hundred already in place. The right hon. Lady is right that the process takes longer than it should. Often that is because people are able to exploit some of the rules in our system and make sequential claims. That is exactly the type of thing that the Home Secretary and I are working on fixing, and I look forward to having the Labour party's support when we do.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q24 Partial Answer
Context
Concern about reported deaths and adverse reactions following mRNA vaccinations compared to conventional vaccines. Not recommended for pregnant women or those who are breastfeeding.
There have been more reported deaths and adverse reactions following mRNA vaccinations in 18 months than there have been following every conventional vaccine administered worldwide in the last 50 years. Given that mRNA vaccines are not recommended for pregnant women or those who are breastfeeding, would my right hon. Friend overturn the big pharma-funded Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency's recent recommendation that those experimental vaccines be administered to children as young as six months of age?
First, I believe that covid vaccines are safe and effective. No vaccine—covid or otherwise—will be approved unless it meets the UK regulator's standards of safety, quality and effectiveness. An independent body, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, determines in which age groups the vaccine is recommended for use as part of the vaccination programme. Of course, the ultimate decision lies with parents.
Assessment & feedback
Did not explicitly state whether he would overturn the MHRA's recommendation
Referred To Independent Bodies And Parent Decisions
Response accuracy
Q25 Partial Answer
Context
Concern about Tory spivs benefiting financially from PPE procurement processes during the pandemic.
During covid, we all applauded our NHS nurses, who put their lives on the line to help millions of our constituents and loved ones. We know now that, at the same time, Tory spivs were helping themselves—using their connections and covid—to millions of pounds of public money. Why is the Prime Minister on the side of the spivs and not on the side of the nurses?
What everyone was doing at the time was working as hard and as quickly as they could to get the PPE needed for our frontline workers, including our nurses. There was an independent procurement process; Ministers were not involved in the decision making. It was right, however, that people gave their ideas about where to get PPE from. Indeed, the shadow Chancellor, the right hon. Member for Leeds West (Rachel Reeves), suggested that we should get it from a law firm and ventilators from a football agent. Everyone was trying as hard as they could. We should remember the context and stop playing politics.
Assessment & feedback
Redirected focus to the shadow Chancellor's suggestions instead of addressing PPE procurement issues
Redirecting To Others Emphasizing Everyone Tried Their Best
Response accuracy
Q26 Direct Answer
Context
Community concern about the use of seafront hotels in Skegness to house asylum seekers, citing economic and social impacts.
Two weeks ago, more than 350 people attended a meeting in Skegness to discuss the use of five seafront hotels to house asylum seekers. They were united in their view that there was a long-term economic impact and pressure on public services. They told me loud and clear that they think, as the Prime Minister does, that hotels are the wrong place for asylum seekers. Does he agree that the Government urgently need to lay out a plan that moves beyond the use of hotels and puts asylum seekers in the right place for them and for coastal communities such as Skegness?
I completely agree with my hon. Friend. We are now spending £6 million a day housing asylum seekers—hotels are incredibly expensive. We will urgently bring forward proposals to reduce the pressure but, as he and I know, the best way to solve the problem sustainably is to reduce the number of illegal migrants coming to the United Kingdom, and that is what the Government will deliver.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q27 Partial Answer
Chris Elmore Lab
Bridgend
Context
Concern about awarding billions of pounds-worth of covid contracts to Tory donors, suggesting misuse of public funds.
Audit Wales has confirmed that the Welsh Labour Government responded well and got on with the job of delivering value for taxpayers' money. Can the Prime Minister tell the House what first attracted him to awarding billions of pounds-worth of covid contracts to Tory donors and supporters? What is he doing to claw back taxpayers' money?
Again, we delivered 32 billion pieces of PPE to the frontline at a time when there was a global shortage. As I have already said, everyone tried to do their bit. We heard recommendations from the shadow Chancellor, but it was right that her suggestions, and everyone else's, went through an independent process where Ministers were not involved in the decisions.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address awarding contracts or misuse of funds
Redirecting To Ppe Procurement
Response accuracy
Q28 Partial Answer
Context
Concern about the delay in publishing a response to Josh MacAlister's independent review of children's social care.
Josh MacAlister's independent review of children's social care has been with the Government since May. I understand that there has been some disappointment that the response to it will not be published before Christmas. Can the Prime Minister ensure that, given its important recommendations about some of the most vulnerable children in our society and the families and people who support them, there will be a strong and robust Government response as early in the new year as possible?
Yes, my hon. Friend obviously knows the subject area well. He is right to highlight the importance of making sure that we provide good quality support for vulnerable children. The report has a lot of interesting suggestions in it and he is right. I can commit to him that we will respond in due course.
Assessment & feedback
Did not specify an early new year response timeline
General Commitment To Responding
Response accuracy
Q29 Partial Answer
Claire Hanna Social Democratic & Labour Party
Social Democratic and Labour Party
Context
Concern about the proposed electronic travel authorisation potentially impacting Northern Ireland's international tourism, a key economic driver.
Over 70% of Northern Ireland's international tourists arrive in Dublin and travel across the land border, and the UK Government's proposed electronic travel authorisation is likely to mean the north being struck off the itinerary of operators and many independent travellers. The last thing we need is a barrier to one of our biggest economic drivers, to say nothing of the impact on non-Irish and British people living in Ireland. Members from across the House have acknowledged that our border is not a normal one. Will the Prime Minister commit to scrapping this unworkable proposal?
I can give the hon. Lady my assurance that we remain very committed to the common travel area, and indeed do not want to see any checks on the island of Ireland. That is why we are working very hard to resolve the issues with the protocol and ensure Northern Ireland's place in the United Kingdom.
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to scrapping the proposed electronic travel authorisation
General Commitment To Common Travel Area
Response accuracy