PMQs 2022-03-09

2022-03-09

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Context
The MP's son died from an aortic dissection, highlighting the lack of public knowledge about this condition which claims 2,000 lives annually.
My son Ben died of an aortic dissection at age 44, leaving a wife and two young children. It is a condition that kills 2,000 every year needlessly—more than those who die on the roads—yet most people do not know anything about it until it devastates their family, as it did mine. So many of these cases are preventable by identifying those at risk and through early and accurate diagnosis. Will the Prime Minister commend the work of the Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust in working with all aspects of the patient pathway for this condition? In particular, will he commit to public funding for research into the diagnosis of aortic dissection and into genetic screening for it?
May I first say to my hon. Friend how very sorry I am, as I am sure the whole House is, for the loss of her son Ben? She is a passionate advocate for this work, and I also thank the Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust. She is completely right that accurate and fast diagnosis and treatment is crucial, which is why I am pleased that the National Institute for Health Research is looking to do further work in this area, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care will meet her at his earliest convenience.
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to public funding for research into diagnosis or genetic screening specifically
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
Households are facing a £700 increase in energy bills due to the spike in costs before Russia invaded Ukraine. The government introduced a forced loan scheme which is not effective.
The typical energy bill is going up by £700 next month, and that is because of pressures before Russia invaded Ukraine. What is the Chancellor's solution? A forced £200 loan for every household, to be paid back in mandatory instalments over five years. The big gamble behind that policy was that energy costs would drop quickly after a short spike. That bet now looks certain to fail. When will the Prime Minister force the Chancellor into a U-turn?
My right hon. Friend the Chancellor has set out plans to help families with energy costs and unprecedented measures to abate council tax by £150, in addition to all the other schemes that we are putting forward. Yes, the right hon. and learned Gentleman is absolutely right that we need to meet the long-term impacts of the spike in energy prices, which is why I will be setting out an energy independence plan for this country in the course of the next few days, to ensure that we undo some of the damage of previous decisions—not least the Labour Government's decision not to invest in nuclear—and so that we prepare our people for the long term, with a sustainable, cost-efficient energy supply.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address when the Chancellor will be forced into a U-turn
Changing Subject To Long-Term Independence Plan
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
Households are facing a £700 increase in energy bills next month. The Chancellor's loan scheme is not effective as it does not address the immediate spike.
I do not think the Prime Minister understands the mess he is in. Working families are facing a £700 spike in April. They will not even receive their £200 loan from the Chancellor until October. The wholesale price of oil and gas is now ballooning, so by October when the loan finally comes in, household bills are set to shoot up by another £1,000. It is a total mess, so I ask again: when is the Prime Minister going to force the Chancellor to U-turn?
If the right hon. and learned Gentleman is asking for the Chancellor to U-turn on the support we are giving families and households, I think that he is absolutely out of his mind. We are going to continue to give people support throughout this difficult period, as we did throughout the coronavirus epidemic, with unprecedented levels of support. We have a £200 discount on bills, a £150 non-repayable reduction in council tax, and £144 million extra to help councils support vulnerable families with their energy bills. Altogether, there is a £20 billion package of financial help that we are giving the British people, and we will continue to do more.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address when the Chancellor would change his approach
Reiterating Existing Support Measures
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
Energy companies are making substantial profits amid rising international oil and gas prices. The government is not addressing the issue.
We will see how long that position lasts. Let me try to help the Prime Minister by coming at this from a different angle. Before Russia invaded Ukraine, North sea oil and gas companies were making bumper profits. BP made £9.5 billion, Shell made £14 billion—in their own words,
“more cash than we know what to do with.” Since then, the international price of oil and gas has skyrocketed, and so will their profits. When will the Prime Minister admit he has got this badly wrong, put a windfall tax on those super-profits, and use the money to cut household energy bills?
The net result of that would simply be to see the oil companies put their prices up yet higher and make it more difficult for them to do what we need them to do—which, by the way, I think they are doing very responsibly at the moment—which is divesting from dependence on Russian oil and gas. That is the way forward for this country: to take a sober, responsible approach to end our dependence on hydrocarbons altogether, particularly Russian hydrocarbons. We are taking steps to rectify some of the mistakes made by the Labour Government and have a long-term, sustainable, independent energy supply policy.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address imposing a windfall tax or reducing bills
Changing Subject To Divestment From Russian Hydrocarbons
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The government's policies are making Britain dependent on foreign gas, with a ban on new onshore wind hindering energy independence.
Protecting energy profits, not working people—doesn't that say it all? Britain cannot afford another crisis like this. We need to improve our long-term energy security. That starts with supporting new nuclear and renewables, but the Conservatives have effectively banned new onshore wind. As a direct result of this short-sighted approach, we are using more gas every year than we import from Russia. That is ludicrous, so will the Prime Minister relax planning laws, end the block on onshore wind, and stop supporting policies that make us so dependent on foreign gas?
It is thanks to the policies that this Government have pursued that we are dependent on Russian gas for only 3% of our gas needs, unlike virtually every other European country. It is thanks to the massive investment we have made in renewables that we are—as I have said many times in this House—the Saudi Arabia of wind power, producing more offshore wind than virtually any other country in the world.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address changing planning laws or supporting onshore wind and nuclear
Highlighting Achievements In Renewables
Response accuracy
Q6 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The Labour Party criticises the government's failure to lay bricks for a new nuclear plant. They argue that the housing stock is inefficient, costing families £400 annually and increasing gas imports by 15%.
Labour set out a plan to upgrade Britain's homes within a decade, saving £400 on energy bills and cutting UK gas imports by 15%, while criticising the government's failed policy as taking 75 years. The Prime Minister must urgently address this issue.
The Government helped households with £9.1 billion towards energy bills and have faster G7 growth. They aim to rectify Labour's reduction of nuclear output from 25% to 10%. The current policy is independent in energy supply, maximising renewables and transitional hydrocarbons.
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about home upgrades within a decade was not addressed with a timeline or commitment.
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The Ukrainian people are fighting for democracy, necessitating strong measures against Putin. Labour argues for a windfall tax to control domestic energy costs and supports new nuclear power, renewables, and home upgrades.
Labour criticises the Prime Minister's failed energy policies that led to dependency on foreign dictators' energy supplies, high bills, and security crises. They propose standing with Ukraine through tough measures and a new era of energy policy.
The Government's policies maximise renewables and transitional hydrocarbons, support nuclear power after years of neglect, and maintain military support for Ukraine. They reject Labour's failed policies.
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about the Prime Minister's current policy was not addressed with a commitment or timeline.
Response accuracy
Q8 Direct Answer
Context
Thames Water has proposed a reservoir in the constituency, but the local community is sceptical about its necessity and environmental impact. The proposal covers over 2,500 football pitches and is more than 30 metres high.
The company must prove the need for the reservoir, alternatives to it, and its environmental impact before proceeding with construction in Wantage.
The Government expect Thames Water to consult further on the Abingdon reservoir proposal, taking into account the points raised by the hon. Member for Wantage.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q9 Partial Answer
Context
The Home Secretary has granted only 760 visas in two weeks, while other countries like Poland, Hungary, Germany, and Ireland have taken hundreds of thousands of refugees.
Poland has taken over 1.2 million refugees; Hungary, over 190,000; Germany, over 50,000; Italy, over 7,000; and Ireland, three times its population in proportion to the UK's response of only 760 visas. Is this an acceptable record?
The Government aim to increase the number of refugees welcomed from Ukraine, with a plan for hundreds of thousands. The Home Secretary's record since 2015 resettles more vulnerable people than any other European country.
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about finding it acceptable was not directly answered with a commitment or stance.
Response accuracy
Q10 Partial Answer
Context
The UK Home Office is criticised for its handling of Ukrainian refugees, with concerns over excessive bureaucracy and the continued application of the 'hostile environment' policy.
We have seen that too many times from a Tory Home Office: the Windrush scandal, the “Go home” vans, and the inhumane Nationality and Borders Bill. The UK Home Office is raising barriers and bureaucracy when we should be offering care and compassion. I say to the Prime Minister that he should not let the history of failure repeat itself. Scotland stands ready to offer sanctuary and refuge, so will he join the rest of the European continent and waive the visa restrictions for refugees fleeing war in Ukraine?
This country has an unparalleled record—Just since I have been Prime Minister, look at the numbers we have taken from Afghanistan and Hong Kong. We will be generous and we are being generous. What we are doing is making sure that, in those neighbouring countries, the UK is out in front giving humanitarian assistance and we are in every capital. This country is leading in every respect. We are also the single biggest donor of humanitarian aid to the Ukraine warzone—the single biggest donor.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not commit to waiving visa restrictions for Ukrainian refugees, focusing instead on the UK's record of generosity and humanitarian assistance.
Changed Subject
Response accuracy
Q11 Partial Answer
Julian Smith Con
Skipton and Ripon
Context
Concerns over the bureaucracy and tone of the UK Government's response to Ukrainian refugees.
I urge him to look again at resetting our policy and taking control of a more humane approach to those women and men fleeing from Ukraine.
This Government are unlike any other in understanding what refugees can give and the benefits to this country. We have done more than any other to resettle vulnerable people since 2015. That is why my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Levelling Up will be setting out a route by which the British people—not just the family reunion route, but a route by which everybody in this country—can offer a home to people fleeing Ukraine.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not commit to resetting policy but stated an intention for more people to be able to offer homes to refugees from Ukraine.
Changed Subject
Response accuracy
Q12 Partial Answer
Context
Households across the UK, including Northern Ireland, face significant pressures due to rising costs for heating homes and running vehicles.
Heating a home has more than doubled for many households in recent weeks. Will the Prime Minister commit to bringing forward a package of measures designed to help households, including a cut in VAT on home heating fuel and reducing or cutting excise duty on fuel for motorists?
We will make sure that we do everything to support the people of the whole of the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland. We have already extended a further £250 million to help the people of Northern Ireland with the costs of living, particularly heating. As the right hon. Gentleman knows, excise on fuel has been frozen for the last 12 years.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not commit to specific measures like VAT cuts or duty reductions but acknowledged existing support and future policy.
Changed Subject
Response accuracy
Q13 Partial Answer
Context
The food supply chain is crucial for national resilience, especially amid global uncertainties like the war in Ukraine.
Given the importance to our country of this sector and the need to ensure its competitiveness, its resilience and a high degree of self-sufficiency, will the Prime Minister now take the opportunity to review many of the proposed regulatory burdens such as on HFSS products?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right that food security is a crucial issue. It is affected of course by the cost of energy, and the energy inputs into agriculture are certainly something that we need to address.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not commit to reviewing regulatory burdens but acknowledged concerns over energy costs impacting food security.
Changed Subject
Response accuracy
Q14 Partial Answer
Grahame Morris Lab
Easington
Context
UK energy companies are increasing standing charges, with EDF raising UK customer prices by 54% while France caps increases at 4%. This prompts questions about regulatory oversight.
In addition to the increase in fuel prices, our constituents are reporting to us that the energy companies are doubling standing charges. In France, energy supply company EDF has had energy price rises to domestic customers capped at 4%, but this Government's price cap allows EDF to increase prices to UK customers by 54%. My question is: why?
We have an overall cap, and obviously EDF is incorporated differently in the UK from its incorporation in France. We will do everything in our power to abate the costs of energy across the country.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not explain why price caps differ between the UK and France, focusing instead on efforts to reduce energy costs generally.
Changed Subject
Response accuracy
Q15 Partial Answer
Richard Holden Con
Basildon and Billericay
Context
An eight-bed community hospital in Shotley Bridge, Basildon and Billericay constituency was replaced with a zero-bed unit. After campaigning, a new 16-bed unit is now planned.
Soon after I was elected, an eight-bed community hospital at Shotley Bridge was replaced by a zero-bed unit. A new 16-bed unit is in the final stages of planning and confirmed as part of this Government's hospital building programme. Can you confirm that the new community hospital will proceed with full steam ahead? Will you commit to coming to Consett to kick off the building works if the plan goes ahead by the end of next year?
Yes, I am delighted that there will be a new hospital at Shotley Bridge, and I congratulate my hon. Friend on the work he has done to lobby for that. It proves that, in spite of the pandemic and in spite of war in Ukraine, this Government are getting on with the job.
Assessment & feedback
Commitment to attend Consett for groundbreaking ceremony not confirmed
Response accuracy
Q16 Partial Answer
Peter Dowd Lab
Bootle
Context
Families have been restricted from seeing their relatives in care homes and hospitals despite the post-COVID environment.
I have just had a meeting with families whose loved ones are in care homes and hospitals, facing unjustifiable denial of access. Is the Prime Minister prepared to introduce legislation to make it legal for people to visit their loved ones in such facilities?
I thank the hon. Gentleman very much. I think everybody understands the anguish of people who have not been able to see their loved ones during the pandemic, and as he knows, we have relaxed the restrictions in care homes. I would be happy to offer a meeting between him and the relevant Health Minister to discuss his further concerns.
Assessment & feedback
Legislation commitment not made
Offer Of Meeting
Response accuracy
Q17 Direct Answer
Context
Golden visa holders potentially linked to oligarchs or crime lords are in London flats bought with dirty cash.
The Government have stopped issuing golden visas to prevent exploitation by oligarchs and crime lords. Will the Prime Minister pledge that anybody put on the sanctions list who is already in the UK will have their golden visa revoked?
Yes, I thank the House for what we have done to accelerate the economic crime measures. We will be able to whip aside the veil of anonymity. Ownership of luxurious dwellings to which my hon. Friend refers will be exposed and yes, we will be able to take away the ability to remain in this country.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q18 Partial Answer
Context
People using extra electricity for medical equipment face unmanageable debt due to rising energy costs.
As energy costs rise, people with disabilities or serious medical conditions are facing debt or going without food. Why is the Prime Minister not considering tapping into North Sea oil and gas company profits to help these vulnerable families?
I thank the hon. Lady very much and she raises an important issue. Clearly, the spike in energy prices is going to fall most heavily on vulnerable people such as the ones she mentioned, and we will certainly be looking at ways to abate their costs.
Assessment & feedback
No specific action or timeline given for tapping into company profits
Response accuracy
Q19 Direct Answer
Paul Holmes Con
Hamble Valley
Context
A quarry is proposed for Hamble, Eastleigh, with 144 lorries per day in a congested area.
Residents in the village of Hamble are facing planning permission for a quarry with 144 daily lorries. Will my right hon. Friend agree to meet me to discuss how we can tighten regulations on where quarries can be built, considering health implications and local communities?
I thank my hon. Friend. He is a great champion for Eastleigh. The planning framework is robust and should ensure that quarries do not have an adverse impact on the environment or on health. I will ensure that he gets a meeting with the relevant Minister to discuss his concerns further.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q20 Partial Answer
Abena Oppong-Asare Lab
Erith and Thamesmead
Context
Russia's covert influence in Britain is serious. Putin seeks to influence culture, media, and politics.
With Russia's covert influence being dangerous, has the Prime Minister ever overruled Security Service advice when appointing a peer?
No, and actually the Kremlin has singled out the UK for being in the lead on global sanctions—[Interruption.] Yes it has, and in leading the world in defiance of the odious war that Putin is leading in Ukraine.
Assessment & feedback
Answering a different question about Russia's opinion of UK sanctions
Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q21 Direct Answer
Context
Flight Lieutenant Colin Bell DFC celebrated his 101st birthday, flying in WWII.
Yesterday President Zelensky referenced Churchill here. Meeting the courage of Ukrainians reminds us that our freedom today comes from a generation who defended against annihilation. My friend Flight Lieutenant Colin Bell flew 50 missions over Nazi Germany during WWII and is with us today for his 101st birthday. Will the PM join me in wishing him a happy birthday?
The whole House will want to join me in thanking Colin Bell and wishing him a very happy 101st birthday.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q22 Partial Answer
Brendan O'Hara SNP
Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber
Context
The question addresses the disparity between public willingness to take in Ukrainian refugees and the government's restrictive refugee admission policies.
People across these islands have displayed remarkable generosity, including in Argyll and Bute, where Oban Helps Ukraine has been overwhelmed by donations of money, clothes and offers of shelter. Sadly, the Government's reluctance to allow fleeing women and children to come here lags far behind the desire of the people here to provide them with a roof and a bed. Does not the Prime Minister fear that, when this war is concluded, and despite whatever else they may have done, his Government will stand accused of lacking the one thing that the Ukrainian people needed most: basic humanity?
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. The whole House wants to do as much as we can as fast as possible, but it is important to have checks. We are moving heaven and earth because we understand the value of refugees fleeing a war zone in terror. We will help people open their arms through the family reunion route that could bring hundreds of thousands of people here and a new humanitarian route.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not address the specific criticism about lacking basic humanity or match public desire for more welcoming policies.
Response accuracy
Q23 Direct Answer
Context
The MP expresses interest in discussing how the levelling up initiative can be a showcase for positive impact on his constituency of Blackpool.
We were pleased to welcome both the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to Blackpool the day after the launch of the levelling up White Paper. Will he meet me to discuss how we can ensure that Blackpool is not just a testbed for innovation in many areas of levelling up but a showcase for the impact that it can have on the community that I represent?
I thank my hon. Friend for his wonderful work in Blackpool for the communities he represents. It was fantastic to be with him and to see the extension and upgrading of the tram network in Blackpool, which will help to drive the economy and bring high-wage jobs.
Assessment & feedback
null
Response accuracy
Q24 Partial Answer
Edward Davey Lib Dem
Kingston and Surbiton
Context
The question highlights historical precedents of the UK welcoming refugees during crises, asking why current policies are less welcoming.
In the months before world war two, the UK took in more than 60,000 Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi persecution. Over half a century ago, we took in more than 27,000 Ugandans expelled by Idi Amin. Since then, we have taken Tamils escaping civil war, Bosnians escaping genocide and Syrians escaping Assad. But this week, the Home Office turned away hundreds of Ukrainian refugees escaping Putin's bombs because they did not have the right paperwork. Can the Prime Minister not see that that flies in the face of our country's proud tradition of providing sanctuary? Since the Home Office is clearly not up to the task, will he send in armed forces personnel to speed up the process so that Ukrainian refugees can come here quickly and safely?
I thank the right hon. Gentleman very much. The whole House wants to do as much as we can as fast as possible, but it is important to have checks. We will be generous and moving heaven and earth because we understand the value of refugees fleeing a war zone in terror.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not address speeding up admission with military support directly or admit any delay in process.
Response accuracy
Q25 Partial Answer
Context
The MP seeks reaffirmation on the government's commitment to honouring a tragic industrial accident from Dudley Port in Tipton.
My community in Tipton came together on Sunday to commemorate the 100 years since the devastating explosion at the Dudley Port munitions factory and the 19 girls who were recklessly murdered by the owner of that factory. In the Black Country, it is vital that we acknowledge both the pride and the pain of our industrial heritage. May I ask my right hon. Friend, therefore, to reaffirm his commitment today to the Black Country to ensure that we honour the legacy of those girls from that factory in Dudley Port 100 years ago? The one way that he can do that for my community in Tipton is to come to Tipton to see that beating heart of the Black Country, and we will welcome him with open arms.
Long ago, when I was a reporter, Tipton was on my beat—many years ago—and wild horses could not keep me away from Tipton. I'll be back.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not reaffirm his commitment to honouring the industrial heritage tragedy but instead made a vague statement about returning.
Response accuracy
Q26 Partial Answer
Context
The MP discusses the difficulties faced by elderly relatives of a constituent seeking refuge in the UK from Ukraine.
I have a constituent whose elderly parents are seeking refuge in the United Kingdom from Ukraine. Her parents are both in their 80s. They have made it to Hungary. They went to the visa application centre, as instructed by the Home Office hotline, and they were told, “Come back on 22 March.” Then, and only then, will their biometrics be processed. That is the harsh reality—no spin, no subterfuge. Prime Minister, when will refugees from Ukraine be welcomed into the United Kingdom?
I thank the hon. Gentleman. If he would be kind enough, I would be grateful if he passed me the details of the case that he mentioned and I would be happy to give it to my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary. We are moving heaven and earth because we understand the value of refugees fleeing a war zone in terror.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not address expediting the process for elderly Ukrainian refugees directly but referred the matter to the Home Secretary.
Response accuracy