Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question follows criticisms of Sadiq Khan's Transport for London management and the Welsh Labour-nationalist coalition in Cardiff Bay, both accused of mismanagement.
With Sadiq Khan's Transport for London in tatters and the Welsh Labour-nationalist coalition in Cardiff Bay an unfunded devolved disaster, does the Prime Minister agree that the great British public do not need to look back at the last UK Labour Government to see what the Opposition's answer to all our problems is? It is to bang at the doors of the Treasury and demand that the taxpayer bail them out of their own ineptitude and incompetence.
It is not just Labour's record in London or in Wales: every Labour Government in history since the second world war has left office with unemployment higher than when they came in. That is because only Conservatives can be trusted to deliver on the economy and on the people's priorities, which is why, thanks to the policies that we have pursued, this country now has the fastest economic growth in the G7.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address whether Labour's current mismanagement reflects poorly on past Labour Governments
Changed Subject To Historical Record Of Labour Governments
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Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
In October, the Prime Minister claimed fears about inflation were unfounded. However, working people across the country are now facing rising bills and prices.
Over the Christmas break, the world lost a giant in the fight for equality and human rights: the great Desmond Tutu. I offer my condolences to his family and to the people of South Africa. In October, the Prime Minister said that fears about inflation were “unfounded”, but working people across the country are starting the new year facing rising bills and ballooning prices, so how did he get it so wrong?
Of course, I said no such thing, because inflation is always something that we have to be careful about. We are making sure that we protect the people of this country throughout what is unquestionably going to be a difficult period, which is why we have lifted the living wage by record sums and why we make sure that people have cold weather payments, the warm home discount and all the other protections, including the £500 million fund we have put in to help local councils look after people through what will be a difficult period.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address how inflation predictions were wrong
Changed Subject To Protections For People
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Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Inflation is at its highest rate since the early '90s. The Prime Minister promised wage rises would offset inflation, but this has not happened.
Inflation is about to hit 6%. That is the highest rate since the early '90s, when the Conservatives had been in power for more than a decade—when they were mired in sleaze, with a divided party and a Prime Minister losing the support of his Back Benchers and governing shambolically. The Prime Minister promised that wage rises would offset inflation. They have not and they will not. Millions of British workers now face a further pay cut and the Chancellor is handing them a tax hike. What will the Prime Minister do to get a grip of this?
It is great to be here with the right hon. Lady, the shadow Secretary of State for the Future of Work—we know the future job that she has in mind. I wish her well. What we are focused on is delivering jobs for the British people. It is a quite extraordinary thing that there are now record numbers of people in work—420,000 more than there were before the pandemic began. We have youth unemployment at a record low.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address measures to tackle inflation or economic situation
Changed Subject To Employment Figures
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Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The Prime Minister is blamed for failing to invest in long-term energy security, leading to increased household bills.
I have heard on the grapevine that there might be a vacancy for Prime Minister soon, so perhaps I should have aspirations. The Prime Minister pretends that it is not his fault. He blames the global forces. He blames the markets. We are an aspirational party. Perhaps the Prime Minister needs to be more aspirational for this country. His Government have failed to invest in long-term energy security. His Government decided to let gas storages collapse. 27 energy companies have gone bust in the past year, and now household bills are going through the roof.
The right hon. Lady talks about energy. I think the House would agree that she has a lot more energy than the current Leader of the Opposition. I welcome her point, because what the Government are doing is supporting people throughout the pandemic: 2.2 million people supported with the warm home discount, worth £140 per week, which we introduced; pensioners supported with the £300 winter fuel payments; and there are cold weather payments worth £25 a week for 4 million people up and down the country.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address rising energy costs directly
Changed Subject To Support Measures During Pandemic
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Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Concern over the impact of rising energy bills on low-income households, exacerbated by the government's decision to increase taxes.
I will tell you what this Prime Minister is doing. He is increasing taxes for hard-working people. That is not what he promised in his manifesto but it is what he is doing now with energy bills set to rise again in April. Even Tory Back Benchers have accepted Labour's call for a VAT cut on energy bills, so will the PM finally stand up to his Chancellor and do the same?
The Government supports low-income households with £140 per week through the warm home discount for 2.2 million people and £300 winter fuel payments for pensioners, plus cold weather payments for 4 million people. The Opposition's call for VAT cuts on energy would be impossible if we were to go back into the EU single market as Labour plans.
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Assessment & feedback
Direct question about cutting VAT was not addressed; instead PM criticized Labour's Brexit stance
Dismissing The Opposition'S Argument
Changing Subject To Brexit
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Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
Worries over economic downturn caused by rising taxes and energy costs affecting families, leading to a £1,200 hit on average.
The Prime Minister presides over low growth, neglect of public services, and is now raising taxes further. The combination with soaring energy prices will hit the average family by £1,200. This is an iceberg ahead; will he stop and change course?
The Government has made progress on universal credit and the living wage, helping single mothers with two kids by £1,200 annually. The focus is on keeping the economy open compared to other European countries, leading to lower youth unemployment and increased job numbers.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific ask about changing policies was not directly addressed; PM highlighted economic benefits instead
Highlighting Positive Aspects Of Current Policy
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Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
Concern about the Prime Minister's perceived incompetence and denial of economic problems, causing harm to people's lives.
The PM denies there are problems and blames others. He has presided over a country worse off with soaring prices hitting savings and wages. Inflation impacts real lives; we need serious solutions but get this incompetent leadership instead. Does he accept his incompetence is taking the country backwards?
Labour has a history of poor governance, leaving office with higher unemployment than when they came in. Labour's proposed energy nationalisation would worsen costs. This Government took tough decisions on pandemic and economy, leading to low youth unemployment and more jobs now than pre-pandemic.
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Assessment & feedback
Direct question about leadership was not answered; PM criticized Labour instead
Dismissing The Opposition'S Argument
Changing Subject To Past Performance
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Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
Concern over rising energy prices driven by international gas market conditions, with the need for structural reforms beyond short-term fixes.
The biggest factor driving up fuel bills is high international gas prices due to global markets. Labour's proposals shift costs from bill payers to taxpayers without addressing underlying issues like structural reform of the price cap and energy self-sufficiency. Does PM agree this demands such structural reforms?
The Government invests in renewables and nuclear to ensure long-term energy supply, unlike Labour's past failures which reduced nuclear capacity. Addressing current high gas prices requires investment rather than nationalising the energy sector as suggested by some.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific ask about structural reforms not fully addressed; PM focused on investment approach instead of direct policy commitment
Highlighting Long-Term Investments
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Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
Research from the Resolution Foundation indicates that UK families will be £1,200 worse off as a result of Tory policies, with low-income households being hit hardest.
I wish you, Mr Speaker, colleagues and all staff a guid new year. Over the last few weeks, serious warnings have grown over the Tory cost of living crisis, which will hit the majority of families over the coming months. For the vast majority of families, losing £1,200 a year will be catastrophic. So will the Prime Minister apologise for leaving millions of families worse off, and will he commit to an emergency financial package to reverse his Tory cost of living crisis?
I find that criticism hard to take from the humble crofter, if I may say so—with whom, I stress, I normally have very good relations off the pitch. What we are doing is helping families up and down the country with the taper rate, ensuring that a single mother with two kids gets £1,200 more on universal credit, £1,000 more as a result of the increase to the living wage.
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Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister avoided apologising for leaving families worse off and did not commit to an emergency financial package
Deflecting Criticism
Offensive Language
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Q10
Partial Answer
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Context
Economists have warned that UK living standards will worsen in 2022 due to Tory policies, with the poorest households being hit hardest. The Scottish Government are mitigating this by doubling the Scottish child payment.
So much for a new year, a new start: it is the same nonsense from this failing Prime Minister. We have had the year of Tory sleaze, but now we have the year of Tory squeeze for family budgets. Economists have warned that UK living standards will worsen in 2022, with the poorest households hit hardest by Tory cuts, tax hikes and soaring inflation driven by his Government's policy. In Scotland, the SNP Government are mitigating this Tory poverty crisis by doubling the Scottish child payment to £20 per week. Will he match the Scottish Government and introduce a £20 child payment across the UK?
The right hon. Gentleman is talking, I am afraid, total nonsense. This Government are absolutely determined, as I have said throughout this pandemic, to look after particularly the poorest and the neediest. That is what the Chancellor did: all his packages were extremely progressive in their effect.
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Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister avoided committing to a £20 child payment across the UK
Offensive Language
Denying Economic Warnings
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Q11
Direct Answer
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Context
The London Borough of Bromley has achieved the fastest and most significant improvement in children's services, largely due to its chief executive Ade Adetosoye.
The London Borough of Bromley has achieved the fastest and most significant improvement in children's services of any local authority in England. Much of the credit is due to its exceptional chief executive, Mr Ade Adetosoye. Will my right hon. Friend join me in congratulating Mr Adetosoye on his appointment as a Commander of the British Empire in the new year honours list?
I cannot believe that Hillingdon is not included in that list, but it is no surprise to me that Bromley runs such a tight ship; I have been familiar with Bromley over many years and my hon. Friend and I have campaigned there together.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q12
Partial Answer
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Context
People's heating bills are set to rise by more than 50%, with average energy bills rising by nearly £700 a year, pushing millions of families into fuel poverty.
Happy new year, Mr Speaker! I am sure the Prime Minister will want to join me and my Liberal Democrat colleagues in welcoming my hon. Friend the new Member for North Shropshire (Helen Morgan). People's already high heating bills are about to jump by more than 50%, with average energy bills rising by nearly £700 a year. Does the Prime Minister accept that he could be doing much more than he is to prevent millions of people from going hungry and cold this year?
Of course I welcome the hon. Member for North Shropshire (Helen Morgan) to her place; but as for the rest of what the right hon. Gentleman had to say, I think balls was the word—you were right first time, Mr Speaker.
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Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister changed the subject and insulted the questioner instead of addressing energy bill increases
Offensive Language
Changing The Topic
Response accuracy
Q13
Partial Answer
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Context
Hospitalisations in London have peaked, but the NHS faces permanent staffing shortfalls in nearly every specialty.
Hospitalisations in London have peaked, so the Prime Minister was absolutely right to hold his nerve on new restrictions in the last few weeks, but does he agree that the NHS faces not just omicron staffing absences, but permanent and dangerous staffing shortfalls in nearly every specialty? Will he end the cycle whereby those shortfalls continually threaten not just patient care, but sometimes even our freedoms, by overhauling workforce planning?
I think my right hon. Friend's amendment may have re-emerged in another place, and I thank him. We are taking a different approach, and that is having record numbers of people working in our NHS—more than ever before, with 5,000 more doctors this year than last year, and 10,000 more nurses.
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Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister avoided committing to overhauling workforce planning
Changing The Topic
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Q14
Partial Answer
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Context
Dr Nancy Saville, the MP's mother, was diagnosed with dementia and had a stroke. The MP raises concerns about family separation due to staff shortages in hospitals.
My mother was diagnosed with dementia before Christmas and had a stroke last year. Due to a covid staff shortage, I was called to sit with her but fear we may be separated indefinitely when she moves into an EMI nursing home. John's Campaign has successfully campaigned for person-centred care in every UK nation under the Equality Act 2010, yet many care homes and hospitals deny even minimal visits leading to isolation and damage to wellbeing. Do you agree that everyone with dementia wherever they live has a right to family life?
I extend my deepest sympathies regarding your mother's condition. We must balance care home safety with visitation rights. Three nominated visitors are allowed, no time limit on visits. I suggest you meet with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.
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Assessment & feedback
The MP asked about the right to family life under human rights laws; the PM did not address this specifically but acknowledged distress due to restrictions.
Sympathy Statement
Offer Of Meeting
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Q15
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP's constituents are concerned about rising utility bills and fuel costs, particularly impacting those living in colder regions without gas grid access.
My constituents worry about high utility and fuel costs. Rural areas like Sleaford and North Hykeham face unique challenges due to lower temperatures, lack of gas grid, reliance on cars for transport, and distant public services. What additional measures can be taken to ensure affordable energy and fuel sources in rural communities?
We have frozen fuel duty for 12 years, capped energy prices, and invested in sustainable clean energy. Our efforts aim to help with home energy efficiency and support affordability through cheaper, cleaner forms of energy.
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Assessment & feedback
The MP asked for specific actions to address rural communities; the PM did not provide concrete steps but outlined general measures already taken.
General Policy Statement
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Q16
Partial Answer
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Context
Statutory sick pay is worth £3 less in real terms since the pandemic, forcing workers to choose between isolating or putting food on the table. Germany covers 100% of salaries with sick pay compared to UK's 19%. The MP criticises low statutory sick pay.
Statutory sick pay is worth £3 less in real terms since the pandemic, forcing workers to choose between isolating and putting food on the table. Germany covers 100% of salaries with sick pay while UK only pays 19%. If the Prime Minister thinks earning £250k from a second job is “chicken feed”, how does he expect working people to survive on £96 per week when they get sick? Will he commit to raising it to the real living wage?
We made sure statutory sick pay was payable from day one during covid, making it up to 75% more generous for self-isolation. More than half of employees get better contractual sick pay from employers.
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Assessment & feedback
The MP asked about increasing statutory sick pay; the PM responded with general facts but did not commit to specific changes.
General Policy Statement
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Q17
Partial Answer
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The MP is presenting a Bill to extend auto-enrolment in pensions to everyone over 18, including part-time workers. The initiative aims to benefit workers across the UK.
I will present a Bill later today to extend auto-enrolment in pensions to all people aged over 18, including part-time workers, aiming to level up retirements especially for women. Will the Prime Minister support these changes as he seeks to rebuild better from the pandemic?
Over 10 million people have been automatically enrolled into workplace pensions, adding £28.4 billion to pension funds.
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Assessment & feedback
The MP asked for PM's support on the Bill; the PM did not commit but highlighted past successes in pension auto-enrolment.
Previous Achievements
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Q18
Partial Answer
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Residents in Southwark face rising energy bills, shopping costs, a new Tory tax, and huge fire safety work costs due to Government regulations. The MP requests exemption from VAT for such works.
Residents in Southwark face high energy bills, shopping costs, a new Tory tax, and massive fire safety work costs post-Grenfell required by the Government. Will the Prime Minister protect all leaseholders from these costs? Will he support exempting these works from VAT to add £1 billion to the building safety fund?
We will deliver on our pledge to protect residents from serious fire risks and manage injustices faced by leaseholders. The House will be updated shortly.
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Assessment & feedback
The MP asked for protection from costs and VAT exemption; the PM acknowledged pledges but did not commit to specific actions or exemptions.
Future Updates
Acknowledgement Of Existing Pledges
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Q19
Partial Answer
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Context
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has a focus on making the UK a hub for life sciences and innovation.
The very best of British science has been on display over the past 18 months, being responsible for the design and manufacture of many of the vaccines that have kept us safe during this pandemic. Will my right hon. Friend back Ulverston as the pioneer place for the cluster strategy to be rolled out?
Yes, because we are going to get on with our job of levelling up across the whole of the UK, making sure that every part of this United Kingdom shares in our ambition to be a science superpower. Ulverston has a rich history in the life sciences, and we are in regular consultation—not just officials in BEIS—with my hon. Friend and with officials in the sector to see what more we can do to further investment in the area.
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Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not commit specifically to Ulverston as a pioneer location for the cluster strategy, instead mentioning regular consultation without concrete details.
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Q20
Partial Answer
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Several constituents have contacted the MP about difficulties accessing NHS dentists and the high cost of private treatment.
A number of people in my constituency have contacted me about the lack of NHS dentists and the prohibitive cost of private dental treatment. The issue is not being addressed due to insufficient capacity in regular practices compared to emergency services. Does the Prime Minister agree that such stories amount to nothing less than a national scandal? What steps will he take to reduce the backlog of NHS dental appointments, and will he commit to increasing the number of NHS dentists across England?
I thank the hon. Gentleman, but that goes to show why it is so important to keep this country going and to keep people going to the dentist. One of the troubles we have had during lockdown is that people have not been going—there are 10 million unfilled fillings, I am told. That is why we are putting record investment into dentistry and into the NHS—£36 billion.
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Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not address the backlog or commit to increasing NHS dentist numbers specifically.
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Q21
Partial Answer
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Context
There is a need for commensurate GP infrastructure when building new homes, but the current process does not ensure this.
Can we remedy the current flawed budgetary process whereby it is possible to build 14,000 new homes in my constituency without any commensurate increase in general practice capacity? As we house the next generation, we must make sure that the infrastructure goes in at the same time.
Yes. I thank my hon. Friend, and he is completely right: we cannot build new homes without putting in the infrastructure to go with it. That is why we have a colossal programme of infrastructure investment—the biggest for a century. That is why we are not only investing in more GPs but investing another £250 million into more GP practices.
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Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not commit specifically to ensuring commensurate GP capacity increases with housing developments, although he referenced investments without concrete details on timing or specific commitments.
Response accuracy
Q22
Partial Answer
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Context
Many UK residents are facing difficulties with their energy bills, driven in part by VAT and green levies.
Millions across the United Kingdom are facing great difficulty with their energy bills. Some 30% of those bills is actually driven by Government, in the form of VAT and various green levies. Now that we have left the EU, can we use our Brexit freedom to at least review the VAT on those bills? Given that some of the green levies are spent on madcap ideas such as subsidising Drax B power station to the tune of £1 billion a year, can we have a review of the green levies as well so that people are not faced with the burden of unsustainable fuel bills?
I thank the right hon. Gentleman. I can tell him that we are addressing the issue of fuel. We should not forget that the cap is still in place, and all the mitigations that I have talked about are there, but we are determined to do what we can to help people through this pandemic.
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Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not commit to reviewing VAT or green levies on energy bills specifically.
Response accuracy
Q23
Direct Answer
Last week my constituent Edna Constable turned 100 years old. She lived through the second world war, and now she is living through a pandemic. Will my right hon. Friend join me in wishing her a belated happy birthday, and will he pay tribute not just to the care workers taking care of her in Fountains care home but to care workers across my constituency and across the rest of the country, who go over and above to protect the most vulnerable in our society?
I thank my hon. Friend very much. I want to thank all the staff at Fountains care home for everything they have been doing to look after people throughout the pandemic. In particular, I want to join my hon. Friend in wishing the centenarian Edna a very happy 100th birthday.
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Q24
Partial Answer
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Context
Research has established that psilocybin can be safely administered and may have therapeutic benefits in treating treatment-resistant depression and PTSD.
Groundbreaking research published yesterday in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, from King's College London in partnership with Compass Pathways, has now established that psilocybin can be safely administered and may have significant therapeutic benefit in treatment-resistant depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. As someone who knows first-hand how debilitating PTSD is, as well as hearing from many constituents who have developed the condition as a result of sexual assault or their experience serving in our armed forces, I ask the Prime Minister to commit today to a review of the regulatory regime that would allow further and more rapid research in this vital area of mental health support.
I thank the hon. Lady for her question, and I appreciate the personal experience that makes her interested in psilocybin. I am aware of interest in the area and it has been talked about several times. I propose that she has a meeting, as soon as it can be arranged, with the relevant Minister in the Department of Health and Social Care.
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Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not commit to reviewing the regulatory regime for psilocybin research specifically but suggested a meeting instead.
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Q25
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from concerns about the potential relaxation of visa controls for India to secure a free trade deal, and its implications on immigration levels.
I am concerned that while a free trade deal is valuable in itself, we should not be held to ransom. Our new working-class voters who voted for Brexit did not vote to replace immigration from Europe with more immigration from the rest of the world. Does the Prime Minister agree that they would lose control of the channel if he allows this? Will he convince us that he is determined to connect to our supporters and control immigration?
Yes. I do not recognise the account that my right hon. Friend has given: we do not do free trade deals on that basis. Indeed, since we took back control, net immigration has gone down. Our Nationality and Borders Bill is so important—it will enable us to take back control of our borders properly and tackle illegal immigration.
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Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not explicitly address the specific concerns about visa controls for India or pledges regarding free trade negotiations.
We Do Not Do Free Trade Deals On That Basis
Everywhere And Always, Uncontrolled Immigration
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Q26
Partial Answer
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Context
Five years ago, Luke Symons was taken captive by the Houthis in Yemen. The questioner seeks assurance that efforts will be made to secure his release.
My constituent Luke Symons has been held captive by the Houthis in Yemen since five years ago. Other nations have managed to secure releases for their citizens, including the Americans. Will the Prime Minister pledge that his Government will do everything they can to get Luke released from captivity? I request a meeting with the Foreign Secretary to discuss how to achieve this.
I thank the hon. Gentleman for raising this case again. I know that our staff work hard to try to release people from captivity around the world. Luke Symons is no exception, but I will certainly make sure that the hon. Gentleman has a meeting with the relevant Minister to report on the progress we are making.
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Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not explicitly pledge to do everything possible to secure Luke's release and only offered assurance of ongoing efforts without concrete commitments.
I Will Certainly Make Sure That The Hon. Gentleman Has A Meeting With The Relevant Minister
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