PMQs 2022-06-08

2022-06-08

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Angela Eagle Lab
Wallasey
Context
The Prime Minister is facing internal party divisions and criticism.
I associate myself with the Prime Minister's remarks about the importance of carers in our country. This week's events have demonstrated just how loathed this Prime Minister is—and that is only in his own party. As his Administration is too distracted by their internal divisions to deal with the challenges we face, can he explain why on earth the country should support him if 148 of his Back Benchers do not trust him?
I thank the hon. Lady very much for her question, and I can assure her that in a long political career so far—but barely begun—I have of course picked up political opponents all over the place. That is because this Government has done some very big and remarkable things they did not necessarily approve of. What I want her to know is that absolutely nothing and no one, least of all her, is going to stop us from getting on with delivering for the British people.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister avoided addressing why his own party members do not trust him or why the country should support him given these divisions.
Changed Subject
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Andrew Mitchell Con
Sutton Coldfield
Context
Five alleged Rwandan war crimes perpetrators have been living in the UK for 16 years without being extradited or tried under British laws.
The whole House will unite behind the Prime Minister on his determination to hold Ukrainian war criminals to account, but is he aware that there are five alleged Rwandan war crimes perpetrators living freely in the UK, who have been doing so now for 16 years and have neither been extradited nor put before the British courts under our existing laws? As he prepares to go to the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Rwanda, will he look carefully at this issue, because it is bound to be raised with him? Will he reassure the House and the Rwandan Government that he takes these matters extremely seriously, and that what has so far been justice massively delayed for 16 years will not be grotesquely denied?
I thank my right hon. Friend for his question. He raises an issue on which the UK has campaigned for a long time, and no country is more committed than we are to bringing war criminals to justice. I know that my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister has raised the subject recently with the International Criminal Court. However, as he knows—it is the subject of an ongoing investigation—and it would not be appropriate for me to comment on it further.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not provide a clear commitment to take up the issue before his visit to Rwanda or give assurances about reassurances to the House and Rwandan government.
Ongoing Investigation
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The Prime Minister agreed with the Culture Secretary that successive Conservative Governments left our health service wanting and inadequate when the pandemic hit.
I could not make out whether that introductory noise was cheers or boos. I join the Prime Minister in his comments about carers. Why did his Culture Secretary, who I think is hiding along the Front Bench, say that successive Conservative Governments left our health service wanting and inadequate when the pandemic hit?
Everybody knows that when the pandemic hit, it was an entirely novel virus for which the whole world was unprepared. Nobody at that stage knew how to test for it and nobody knew what the right quarantine rules should have been. But, as it happens, not only did the UK Government and our amazing NHS approve the first vaccine anywhere in the world but we were first to get it into anybody's arms and we had the fastest roll-out anywhere in Europe, none of which would have been possible if we had listened to the right hon. and learned Gentleman.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not address why the Culture Secretary made such a statement about the NHS being wanting and inadequate prior to the pandemic.
Changed Subject
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The Prime Minister agreed with the Culture Secretary that GP services were wanting and inadequate when the pandemic hit.
I think the Prime Minister just agreed with the Culture Secretary. He did not deny it. Perhaps she said it because it is true. It starts with GPs. People were unhappy with the service they were getting before the pandemic—there were not enough GPs and it was too hard to get an appointment—and that is why he promised 6,000 new GPs, but his Health Secretary admits that he will not keep that promise. Despite the hard work of doctors, people cannot see a GP in person, and they are unhappier than ever with GP services. If GP provision was wanting and inadequate before the pandemic, what is it now?
I am afraid that the right hon. and learned Gentleman is simply wrong. He is wrong about what we are doing. Of course, we have got to clear the covid backlogs. Everybody understands that, and everybody understands the pressure that the NHS is under, but it is responding magnificently. I can tell him that, thanks to the investments that the Government have put in, we now have 4,300 more doctors and record numbers in training, we have 11,800 more nurses this year than last year and 72,000 in training. That is because of the investment that we put in, which was opposed by the Opposition.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not address the current state of GP provision or acknowledge it as wanting and inadequate but focused on past investments and future plans instead.
Wrong About What We Are Doing
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The Prime Minister lacks a sense of mission according to some members of his party.
The Prime Minister talks big but I have a letter here to the Prime Minister from the right hon. Member for Hereford and South Herefordshire (Jesse Norman) in which he said, “under you”—that is you, Prime Minister—“the Government seems to lack a sense of mission. It has a large majority, but no long-term plan.” The Prime Minister's “big plan” act is so tired that even once-loyal MPs do not believe him. It is not just about waiting for a GP appointment but waiting for all NHS treatment. Take cancer: for over a decade, waiting times for cancer care have been going up. The Prime Minister's solution was supposed to be diagnostic hubs. The Health Secretary has been on a victory lap this week, but here is the rub: since those hubs were opened last year, 135,000 extra people are now waiting for scans and tests. Can the Prime Minister think of a better way to describe soaring cancer waiting lists than “wanting and inadequate”?
It is entirely right that, after the pandemic, people are now coming forward to get their cancer tests. We have actively encouraged that and that is the right thing for people to do. But as a result of the community diagnostic hubs that we are bringing in—100 of them across the country—we are able to cut the times for cancer diagnosis and help people to get their scans and tests faster. Above all, we can do that because we are hiring more radiographers, we are hiring more nurses and we are hiring more professionals in our NHS because of the investments that we made, which, as I say, the party of Bevan tragically opposed.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not address the issue of soaring cancer waiting lists or provide a better description than 'wanting and inadequate', instead focusing on past investments and future plans.
Changed Subject
Response accuracy
Q6 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The National Audit Office had highlighted NHS buildings as a risk to patients before the pandemic, but the government's response has been criticised for being superficial.
The problem is that the cancer waits have been going up for 10 years and they are even higher now, so blaming the pandemic just will not wash. Perhaps the Culture Secretary was talking about the state of NHS buildings. Before the pandemic, the National Audit Office said that they were a risk to patients. The Government's response: paint jobs and fix-ups, pretending that is the same as building new hospitals. The Treasury and the Cabinet Office apparently do not think the refurbs will even be delivered. Take University Hospital of North Tees: the ceiling is falling in, the roof leaks and staff have to hose down the pipes to stop them freezing over. Failure to fix “wanting and inadequate” NHS buildings is putting patients at risk, isn't it?
This line of criticism is satirical coming from Labour, attacking our hospital building programme when the Labour Government were the authors of the PFI scheme that bankrupted so many hospitals. We are building 48 new hospitals thanks to the biggest capital investment programme in the history of the NHS. From memory, we put in £33 billion as soon as we came in, then another £92 billion to cope with the pandemic, plus another £39 billion in the health and care levy.
Assessment & feedback
The answer criticises Labour's past actions but does not directly address the specific issue of inadequate NHS building maintenance and its impact on patient safety.
Attacking Opposition Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The Prime Minister proposed changing the NHS contract to extend the waiting time for surgery from one year to two years, which has been met with criticism.
Pretending no rules were broken did not work, pretending the economy is booming did not work and pretending to build 40 new hospitals will not work either. Conservative Members want him to change, but he cannot. As always with this Prime Minister, when he is falling short he just changes the rules and lowers the bar. In March, he proposed changing the NHS contract. He wants to double the length of time patients can be made to wait for surgery from one year to two years. On top of that, he scrapped zero tolerance of 12-hour waits at A&E.
I have to tell the right hon. and learned Gentleman that I just think this line of attack is not working because they refused to approve our funding for the NHS.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not address the specific question about changing waiting times and scrapped zero tolerance policies in A&E, instead focusing on Labour's refusal to support previous funding measures.
Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q8 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The NHS faces numerous issues including understaffing, longer wait times, crumbling infrastructure, and inadequate response to public health crises.
Raising taxes because you have failed to grow the economy is not a plan for the NHS. Members of his Cabinet admit that the Conservatives left our health system wanting and inadequate when the pandemic hit. There are fewer GPs, more waits for cancer tests, buildings are crumbling, and he is changing rules to cover up failure. Constituents like Hamza Semakula and Akshay Patel highlight real human pain due to NHS inadequacies.
Everybody in the House has sympathy with Akshay and his constituents. We are making colossal investments in our NHS by cutting waiting times, raising standards, paying nurses more, and supporting the NHS. The UK economy's strength allows us to invest heavily in the NHS.
Assessment & feedback
The questioner asked for an admission of inadequacies but was instead given reassurances about investment without acknowledging past failures or specific improvements.
Changing Rules Unemployment Rates
Response accuracy
Q9 Partial Answer
Context
Sewage overflows are damaging the flora and fauna in North East Hertfordshire's chalk streams, limiting their recreational use.
Concerned about sewage overflows into precious chalk streams. The Environment Act 2021 includes important measures; when can we expect meaningful improvements and reductions in storm overflow sewage?
Share the questioner's concern. The Government's sewage plan is the biggest investment by any Government, ensuring water companies do more to deliver on their obligations under regulatory oversight.
Assessment & feedback
No specific timeline or details about future reductions were provided.
Response accuracy
Q10 Partial Answer
Context
MP noted that at least 41% of Conservative MPs have no confidence in the Prime Minister.
I am concerned about the Prime Minister's continued leadership given that at least 41% of his own MPs do not support him, and even Unionist leaders in Scotland will not back him. How does he expect to continue?
The right hon. Gentleman's support for the United Kingdom has been consistent, though I disagree with his methods. The Prime Minister stated that he respects the mandate given in 2014 and believes that independence is not desirable.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address the specific ask about continuation of leadership despite lack of support
Redirecting To Past Referenda
Response accuracy
Q11 Partial Answer
Context
MP noted that Scotland has a choice of an independent future due to lack of support for the current government.
Scotland has the option of independence as it is undemocratic to be stuck with a Prime Minister and party we do not trust or support. Can you explain how this situation is democratic?
We had a referendum in 2014 and the mandate was to remain part of the UK. The only way to reverse this would be through another referendum, but there is no indication of one happening.
Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address democratic legitimacy issue
Reiterating Past Referenda Results
Response accuracy
Q12 Partial Answer
Esther McVey Con
Tatton
Context
MP agreed with the Prime Minister's statement about cutting government costs and suggested scrapping HS2.
Given that we agree on cutting unnecessary spending, could you consider scrapping HS2 to save billions of pounds?
We are cutting national insurance contributions and HS2 will deliver long-term growth, prosperity, and level up the UK. It is crucial for future tax cuts.
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to scrapping HS2
Stating Benefits Of Hs2
Response accuracy
Q13 Direct Answer
Colum Eastwood Social Democratic & Labour Party
Social Democratic and Labour Party
Context
MP questioned the Prime Minister's refusal to consult on protocol changes.
Given his history of lawbreaking, can you commit not to break international law in relation to Northern Ireland?
Reports about refusing consultations are incorrect. The priority is the balance and symmetry of the Belfast/Good Friday agreement, which we aim to uphold.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q14 Direct Answer
Context
MP noted that the north Wales mainline railway has had little investment for over a century.
Given the poor accessibility of Manchester airport due to lengthy commutes from North Wales, will you ensure that the north Wales line features in the updated rail network enhancements pipeline?
Network Rail has received funding for feasibility work to improve journey times on the north Wales mainline.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q15 Partial Answer
Kim Leadbeater Lab
Spen Valley
Context
MP noted that the Brontë birth centre is temporarily shut due to staff shortages.
Despite promises of new hospitals and more staff, the Brontë birth centre is at risk of closure. Can you explain why expectant parents are forced to travel far for childbirth despite your commitments?
I will look into the situation at Batley and Spen. Nationally, we invest heavily in staff, premises, technology, and diagnostic centres. Opposition Members criticised but voted against the health and care levy funding billions for the NHS.
Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address the closure of the birth centre or explain why patients need to travel far
Redirecting Blame To Opposition
Response accuracy
Q16 Partial Answer
Context
Bradford has won the title of UK City of Culture 2025, beating Durham. The Ferryhill station development and Leamside line are crucial infrastructure projects for the north-east.
Will my right hon. Friend join me in complimenting Bradford on becoming the city of culture? Will he praise the team from Durham? In 2025, Durham will celebrate the bicentenary of the Stockton and Darlington passenger railway. Will he encourage progress on Ferryhill station development, reinvigorate the Leamside line, and deliver a great county deal for County Durham?
I thank my hon. Friend for what he has said. He and I have campaigned on this, and I have been following his campaign for a long time. I am told that the Department for Transport is currently reviewing the business case for exactly what he has just requested. We are putting the funding in, which is unlike anything that the Labour party could ever have delivered.
Assessment & feedback
Specific timelines and actions not provided
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q17 Partial Answer
Context
In a recent confidence vote, the Prime Minister received minimal support from Scottish MPs. The SNP is advocating for Scotland to break away from the United Kingdom.
In Monday's confidence vote, the Prime Minister secured the support of just two Scottish MPs. Given this lack of support, should he resign as Prime Minister or write a letter of resignation to himself?
I redirect the hon. Gentleman to what I said to my friend the leader of the SNP, the right hon. Member for Ross, Skye and Lochaber (Ian Blackford). The more SNP Members campaign, in the current circumstances, for breaking up our United Kingdom—with all its strength and all its merits—the more damage they do to their own case.
Assessment & feedback
Directly avoided question about resignation by shifting focus to SNP's stance on Scotland
Redirecting
Response accuracy
Q18 Partial Answer
Greg Smith Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
Context
The Princes Centre provides support to adults with various mental health challenges, learning disabilities, and conditions such as dementia. It celebrated its 10-year anniversary recently.
Last week, the Princes Centre in Princes Risborough celebrated its 10th year as an independent daycare provider. Will my right hon. Friend join me in thanking Kim Challoner and her team for their first-class service? As Chequers is near Princes Risborough, will he visit to deliver these congratulations personally?
I thank my hon. Friend, who, among his many other distinctions, is my Member of Parliament, and I join him in thanking the entire team at the Princes Centre for everything that they do. I will certainly keep his kind invitation in mind.
Assessment & feedback
No concrete commitment to visit
Keeping An Open Mind
Response accuracy
Q19 Partial Answer
Afzal Khan Lab
Manchester Rusholme
Context
The Prime Minister previously stated that everybody is getting their passport within four to six weeks. However, many constituents are now waiting longer than ten weeks due to a backlog.
Two weeks ago, the Prime Minister told the House: 'To the best of my knowledge, everybody is getting their passport within four to six weeks'. However, the Passport Office quotes a 10-week service time and many constituents wait much longer. Cancelled summer trips could cost families more than £1 billion due to this backlog. Given the cost of living crisis, does the Prime Minister accept that the Passport Office's backlog is placing additional pressure on these families?
Actually, I can tell the hon. Gentleman that 91% of people are getting their passports within six weeks, and we are putting hundreds and hundreds more staff members into the Passport Office. The strength of demand is a sign of the robustness of the economy.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address financial burden on families
Providing Statistics
Response accuracy
Q20 Partial Answer
Context
The constituency is facing unrealistic housing targets, which pressures the council to develop a plan that would close down a successful working docks and lead to loss of open spaces. This could harm local businesses and residents.
My constituency faces unrealistic housing targets, putting pressure on the council to develop plans closing successful working docks and losing beloved sites like Deangate Ridge. Can my right hon. Friend reassure constituents that there will be flexibility in meeting numbers so the council can produce a plan delivering appropriate housing while protecting important local sites?
I know that my hon. Friend speaks for colleagues up and down the country. We want to make sure that councils are able to build in the right place and sensitively to local needs. Part of levelling up is encouraging us to take some pressure off the south-east, which has been overburdened for decades.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide concrete policy changes or timelines for flexibility
Broad Principles
Response accuracy
Q21 Partial Answer
Tulip Siddiq Lab
Hampstead and Highgate
Context
My constituent Mark is trying to sponsor two sisters from Ukraine. The younger sister was sent back to her home town in Ukraine under siege because she is 13 years old and travelling without parents.
My constituent Mark is sponsoring two Ukrainian sisters. While the older one has been allowed into London, the younger one (a minor) was sent back to a war zone. Is sending vulnerable children back to a war zone the right policy?
Of course I understand the hon. Lady's indignation about the case she mentions, and I know that my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary will be looking into it. The record of this country in processing well over 100,000—120,000—visas for Ukrainians so far is very creditable.
Assessment & feedback
No clear stance on whether sending children back to war zones is right
Promising An Investigation
Response accuracy
Q22 Partial Answer
Context
The Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust has called for increased research funding and support. The MP raised this issue in March.
I asked my right hon Friend about increased research funding for aortic dissection as called for by the Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust. Will he update me on progress? Also recognise the value of patient awareness videos featuring Bob Harris, survivors and relatives?
The National Institute for Health Research is looking at what more we can do to support research on aortic dissection. My hon Friend will be meeting the Health Secretary shortly.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific updates or recognition for patient awareness videos.
Response accuracy
Q23 Partial Answer
Context
Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra and Kyiv Symphony Orchestra are due to visit the UK this summer but face visa delays and high costs.
The Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra and the Kyiv Symphony Orchestra should be supported in their tour of the UK by expediting visa applications and waiving fees, as done by European neighbours. Will the Prime Minister do so?
The hon Lady needs to bring this case to my right hon Friend the Home Secretary. Many Members are supporting Ukrainians through a scheme put in place by the UK Government.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address visa delays or costs, instead discussed support schemes for Ukrainians.
Response accuracy
Q24 Direct Answer
Context
Fishermen in Redcar and Cleveland have been impacted by thousands of dead and dying crustaceans washing ashore since October last year.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs investigated the cause being algal bloom. Will the Prime Minister look at how to support this vital industry affected by this freak event?
We have ruled out chemical pollution and are making £100 million investment in communities, working with the fishing industry to help them recover from this problem.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q25 Partial Answer
Context
The poorest in the UK pay highest fuel costs through prepayment meters with higher standing charges and tariffs compared to Belgium's social tariff.
Belgium provides a social tariff for the poorest. Is it time to provide a similar social tariff and end injustice of prepayment meters?
Currently helping 8 million households with £1,200 support, including £300 for pensioners and cold weather payments, plus £400 for every household in the country.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address social tariff or prepayment meters specifically.
Response accuracy