Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The UK's coastal areas face shared challenges and high levels of deprivation, impacting their economic potential. The levelling-up White Paper aims to address these issues.
As a proud maritime nation, the United Kingdom has long relied on its coastal communities for national prosperity, but today too many of them face shared challenges and disproportionately high levels of deprivation. Does my right hon. Friend agree that to ensure beautiful constituencies such as Hastings and Rye can unleash their full potential, a specific and targeted Government strategy focusing on coastal communities is needed; and will he meet me to discuss this?
Yes indeed, and if my hon. Friend looks at the levelling-up White Paper she will find that it is clearly directed at enhancing and improving the lives of people in our coastal communities, tilting resource and attention to those fantastic communities. I will make sure that she gets a meeting with the relevant Minister as soon as possible.
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Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The UK's economy is facing a crisis with slow growth and high inflation, leading to concerns about the government's economic management.
I know the Prime Minister has whipped his Back Benchers to scream and shout, but I hope he has also sent a clear message that there is no place for sexism and misogyny or looking down on people because of where they come from in his party, this House, or modern Britain. Next year, the UK is set for the slowest growth and the highest inflation in the G7. Why is the Prime Minister failing to manage the economy?
First, in response to what the right hon. and learned Gentleman said about sexism and misogyny, let me say that I exchanged messages with the right hon. Member for Ashton-under-Lyne over the weekend, and I will repeat what I said to her. There can be absolutely no place for such behaviour or such expression in this House, and we should treat each other with the respect that each other deserves. On the right hon. and learned Gentleman's point about the economy, yes of course it is true that there is a crisis of inflation around the world, but this Government are tackling it in all the ways you would expect, Mr Speaker. We are helping people with the cost of their energy—putting in far more than Labour would—and we have a British energy security strategy to undo the mistakes made by previous Labour Governments.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific details on managing the economy were not provided, only general statements about tackling inflation and helping with energy costs.
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The UK's economic growth is set to be slower than every G20 country except one, with inflation double that in the rest of the G7.
The Prime Minister sounds like the Comical Ali of the cost of living crisis. He pretends the economy is booming and where there are problems they are global, but in the real world our growth is set to be slower than every G20 country except one—Russia—and our inflation is going to be double that in the rest of the G7. Does he think that denying the facts staring him in the face makes things better or worse for working people?
The facts are, as the International Monetary Fund has said, that the UK came out of covid faster than anybody else. That is why we had the fastest growth in the G7 last year. That would not have happened if we had listened to Captain Hindsight. If the right hon. and learned Gentleman studies its forecasts, he will see that we will return to being the fastest by 2024 and the fastest in 2025. That is what the IMF forecast says—read it.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific details on how denying economic facts affects workers were not provided, only general statements about growth forecasts.
Under Review
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Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The Prime Minister raised taxes during a cost of living crisis, leading to concerns about its impact on working people.
These must be the Oxford Union debating skills we have been hearing so much about: failing to answer the question, rambling incoherently, throwing in garbled metaphors. Powerful stuff, Prime Minister. Here is the problem: it is not just his words that are complacent; it is his actions as well. The cost of living crisis was blindingly obvious months ago, but he said that worries about inflation were unfounded and he backed a tax-hiking Budget. Does he think that his choice to be the only leader in the G7 to raise taxes during a cost of living crisis has made things better or worse for working people?
As I have just explained to the House, and will repeat once more, this Government and our Chancellor cut taxes on working people. The national insurance contribution went down by an average of £330. If the right hon. and learned Gentleman is talking about the health and care levy—maybe that is what he is droning on about—that is what is enabling us to pay for 50,000 more nurses and to pay for clearing the covid backlog.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific details on how raising taxes during a cost of living crisis affects workers were not provided, only general statements about cutting other taxes.
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The Prime Minister raised taxes during a cost of living crisis, leading to concerns about its impact on working people.
The Prime Minister is an ostrich, perfectly happy keeping his head in the sand. Working people are worried about paying their bills. They are spending less and cutting back. That is bad for business and bad for growth. Working people are looking for help, but this week millions will look at their payslip and see a tax rise with his fingerprints all over it. Does he think that his 15th tax rise has made things better or worse for working people?
What we are doing for working people is not only lifting the living wage by a record amount and helping people on universal credit with a £1,000 tax cut, but cutting national insurance contributions and lifting the threshold so that, on average, people pay £330 less. What we are also doing is taking our country and our economy forward, investing in our NHS, which is a priority for the people of this country—unlike for the Labour party—and ensuring that we have record creation of jobs.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific details on how his 15th tax rise affects workers were not provided, only general statements about other tax cuts and job creation.
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The cost of energy bills has risen dramatically due to the cost of living crisis, impacting households significantly. The North Sea oil producers have reported substantial profits.
Does he think that protecting oil and gas company profits instead of using those funds to lower household energy bills or provide tax relief for working people makes things better or worse? Labour proposes asking oil and gas companies to pay a fair share, reduce energy costs, insulate homes, and close tax avoidance schemes.
We are doing more to support people with their energy costs than Labour would, including £9.1 billion in support and a £150 cut in council tax. We are also investing in clean, green energy and reversing the Labour mistake on nuclear investment.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address whether his choices have made things better or worse for working people
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
The cost of living has increased significantly, with Labour proposing different economic strategies to address the situation. The Prime Minister is facing criticism for his approach to the economy.
A vote for Labour next week would result in a plan to ask oil and gas companies to pay their fair share, reduce energy costs, insulate homes, close tax avoidance schemes. Why does the Prime Minister not get on with making choices that make things better rather than worse?
The Government has a plan to fix NHS and social care, borders with Rwanda deal, and take the economy forward. In contrast, Labour-run councils have failed financially.
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Assessment & feedback
Shifted focus to Labour's performance in local government without addressing proposed economic policies
Response accuracy
Q8
Direct Answer
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Context
The regeneration of the Heanor town centre in his constituency has made significant progress with the purchase of a run-down building using towns fund money.
Will the Prime Minister join me in welcoming the huge step forward this week in the regeneration of Heanor town centre, and does he agree that it is exactly the sort of local delivery people should be voting on next week?
My hon. Friend is entirely right: those are the issues on which people will be voting for better value, services, and lower council tax.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
The Trussell Trust confirmed that 830,000 children across the UK are relying on emergency food parcels due to the cost of living crisis.
May I associate myself with remarks about misogyny and sexism witnessed by the deputy leader of Labour? The Prime Minister should act to help families through the cost of living emergency. Will he match Scotland's game-changing child payment?
We have increased funds available to local councils and introduced a holiday activities fund. We are supporting families throughout this period dealing with the aftershocks of the covid pandemic.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not directly commit to matching Scotland's child payment
Response accuracy
Q10
Partial Answer
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Context
The Scottish Government introduced the child payment to support children facing poverty. The SNP is concerned about lack of action from the UK government despite previous promises.
We have children facing poverty, and the Scottish Government are responding with the child payment, but we get nothing but empty words from the Prime Minister. We heard plenty of desperate pre-election waffle, but I will take it as a no: there is no support for hard-pressed families. Here are three other ideas for the Prime Minister that would help families with their soaring costs right now: scrapping his national insurance tax hike, reversing the Tory cuts to universal credit and matching Scotland's 6% benefits rise instead of imposing a real-terms cut. Has the Prime Minister come to terms with the reality that if he fails to act now, the voters will send him and his sleaze-ridden party a message by voting SNP next Thursday?
We are helping families up and down the country with the universal credit taper. The right hon. Gentleman asks about universal credit; we are tapering it so that working people get another £1,000 in their pocket. We believe in championing work, championing employment and helping people into high-wage, high-skill jobs.
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Assessment & feedback
The PM acknowledged providing support through the universal credit taper but did not commit to specific measures requested (scrapping national insurance tax hike, reversing cuts to universal credit, matching Scotland's benefits rise).
Working With Partners
Response accuracy
Q11
Partial Answer
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Context
The West Berkshire child and adolescent mental health services received £120 million last April to tackle waiting times for autism and ADHD diagnoses. Some parents are still waiting two years for their children to be seen.
Last April, the West Berkshire child and adolescent mental health services received an additional £120 million to tackle waiting times for autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder diagnoses. Twelve months on, it has outlined a general ambition to reduce delays but has set no targets or timescales for improvement, and some parents are still waiting two years for their children to be seen. Does my right hon. Friend agree that when a significant amount of public money is invested, people have a right to know how and when services will be improved, and will he support my campaign for a 12-month maximum wait for any family in West Berkshire seeking a diagnosis of this kind?
My hon. Friend is running a great campaign, and she is absolutely right: the Government are indeed providing funds to improve autism and learning disability services, but it is also important for people to receive the diagnoses and assessments that they need within 12 weeks, and the measures in our Health and Care Bill will improve local accountability for those services.
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Assessment & feedback
The PM acknowledged providing funds and supporting campaigns but did not commit to a specific 12-month target.
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q12
Partial Answer
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Context
The cost of moving goods from the UK to Northern Ireland has risen by 27% due to the Irish sea border, harming the economy and political stability in Northern Ireland.
The Road Haulage Association has confirmed that the cost of moving goods from this part of the United Kingdom to Northern Ireland has risen by 27% in the first year of the operation of the protocol. The Irish sea border is harming our economy and undermining political stability in Northern Ireland. Next week, the people of Northern Ireland will go to the polls to elect an Assembly. What hope can the Prime Minister give them that the protocol will be removed and Northern Ireland's place in the UK internal market will be restored?
I think the whole House will want to support the balance and symmetry of the Good Friday agreement. That is what really matters, and it is a great legacy for all of us. It is vital for the protocol—or the arrangements that we have in Northern Ireland—to command the support of all sides, and that is what this Government will undertake to ensure.
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Assessment & feedback
The PM did not provide any assurance about removing the protocol or restoring Northern Ireland's place in the UK internal market. Instead, he focused on the importance of the Good Friday agreement.
Changed Subject
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Q13
Partial Answer
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Mansfield has received additional funds and support in recent years, but residents want to see tangible outcomes from these investments.
I am grateful to the Prime Minister for the additional funds and support that Mansfield has received in recent years for education and skills, for tackling crime, and for our town centre, which will be bidding for the levelling-up fund this spring, but Mansfield residents now want to see the tangible outcomes of those capital funds for the town centre. Will my right hon. Friend look seriously at how we might help to accelerate the often lengthy process of moving from successful funding announcement to spades in the ground, so that our residents can benefit from those investments?
My hon. Friend is a fantastic champion for Mansfield and, indeed, the wider area. I am delighted that Mansfield was awarded £12 million as part of the towns fund. I cannot endorse any specific project, but the next round is coming up shortly and will be announced in the autumn.
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Assessment & feedback
The PM acknowledged the awarding of funds to Mansfield but did not commit to looking into ways to accelerate the process.
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q14
Direct Answer
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There are currently 56 Members of the House under investigation for sexual misconduct, including three Cabinet members.
Fifty-six Members of this House are under investigation for sexual misconduct, and that includes three members of the Prime Minister's Cabinet. He has just rightly said that there can be no place for sexism and misogyny in the House. Can he now confirm that he considers sexual harassment—unlike, apparently, bullying and lying—to be grounds for dismissal under the ministerial code?
Of course sexual harassment is intolerable, and it is quite right that Members should now have a procedure whereby they can bring it to the attention of the House authorities. I think that that is a good thing, and of course sexual harassment is grounds for dismissal.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q15
Partial Answer
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Financial scams have increased dramatically in recent years, and many are facilitated by online platforms such as Facebook and Google.
Financial scams have increased dramatically in recent years and are now the most common form of crime, harming millions of families every year. Most of them are made possible by online platforms such as Facebook and Google, which make vast profits from advertising fraudsters. Does my right hon. Friend agree that companies that profit from promoting fraud should help to pay the costs of fraud, and online platforms should compensate the victims whom they have helped to create, and will he work with me to achieve that end?
I have known my hon. Friend for many years, and this is typical of his creativity. We will be looking at exactly how we could make that kind of measure work. I think it is important for us to proceed with care and get it right, and I will ensure that my hon. Friend has a meeting with the relevant Minister in the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport as soon as possible.
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Assessment & feedback
The PM did not commit directly to working on the issue but agreed to have a meeting.
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q16
Partial Answer
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Immunocompromised people still at risk despite vaccines; Evusheld approved by MHRA on March 17 but government not ordering any.
Hundreds and thousands of people are still shielding. They live in fear of covid as the vaccine has not mounted an antibody response for them, leaving them at increased risk. However, there is hope with Evusheld offering 83% protection for six months. Yet, despite approval by MHRA on March 17, the Government have not ordered any. Will the Prime Minister meet me to discuss this life-saving drug?
I thank the hon. Lady for speaking up for those who are shielding and anxious. We are doing everything possible to protect them. On Evusheld, we are evaluating it but will ensure she has a meeting with the Department of Health as soon as possible.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm any action on ordering Evusheld
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Q17
Partial Answer
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Kensington and Chelsea Conservative council charges £500 less per annum than Labour-controlled Camden, with four times more bin collections.
My Conservative council in Kensington and Chelsea charges £500 less council tax than neighbouring Labour-controlled Camden. It also has four times as many bin collections. Does my right hon. Friend agree that everyone who wants low council tax and good services needs to vote Conservative?
Do I agree with my hon. Friend? There is not a syllable with which any sensible person in this country could possibly dissent.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address the specific comparison of council tax and services
Did Not Answer Question
Used Rhetorical Flattery
Response accuracy
Q18
Partial Answer
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Headline claims that Northern Ireland could be forced to follow EU rules on covid tests; financial and non-financial costs of the protocol.
A headline stated that Northern Ireland could be forced to follow EU rules on Covid tests due to the protocol. The Chancellor has said Northern Ireland cannot benefit from VAT scrap on energy efficiency measures because of the protocol, posing a threat to COVID test availability in NI. What are the financial and non-financial costs of the protocol?
I thank the hon. Gentleman very much. The protocol has an economic cost, turning into a political problem and imbalance in sentiment about it. We need to rectify this balance for the sake of the Good Friday agreement.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide concrete actions on restoring UK's place for Northern Ireland
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Q19
Partial Answer
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By 2025, Eastleigh Borough Council will have a £650 million debt, equivalent to £6,300 per resident. The council plans to become a speculative property developer.
By 2025, Liberal Democrat Eastleigh Borough Council will be in £650 million debt, or £6,300 for each resident. Does the Prime Minister think it acceptable for this council to become a speculative property developer? What advice would he give to constituents wanting to stop the 'casino council'?
My hon. Friend is right about Eastleigh Borough Council and its debts, but I cannot see the leader of the Liberal Democrats here. He is not delivering value for money to his constituents.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address acceptability or advice on speculative property development
Did Not Answer Question
Attacked Political Party
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Q20
Partial Answer
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Household food bills expected to rise by £271 this year due to soaring prices. Supermarkets are lowering their prices, but the government is not protecting those struggling.
The cost of household food bills will rise by £271 as prices soar. The Resolution Foundation reported that 1.3 million low-income Britons could be pushed into absolute poverty by the cost of living crisis. With supermarkets helping customers, what will the Prime Minister do?
We have put £22 million towards helping with the cost of living. I thank businesses for protecting consumers from global inflation by not raising prices.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific actions beyond existing measures
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Q21
Direct Answer
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Ukrainian Treasury Committee chair contacted with ideas to tighten sanctions against Russia. UK companies are already careful about investments in Putin's Russia.
I was contacted by Ukrainian Treasury Committee Chair with ideas for tightening the screw on Russia's economy through international tax regime. My right hon. Friend has promoted sanctions internationally. Will he meet me to consider these new proposals?
I thank my right hon. Friend for his work on tightening screws on Putin's regime. UK companies are careful about investments in Russia, and we banned new outward investment there. I am happy to have a meeting as soon as possible.
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Q22
Partial Answer
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Home Secretary put Imran Ahmad Khan, under police investigation for alleged assault of a minor, on an expert panel offering advice on sexual exploitation. He was found guilty.
The Home Secretary appointed Imran Ahmad Khan, who was under police investigation and later found guilty of assaulting a minor, to an expert panel offering advice on sexual exploitation after receiving a complaint from his victim. Is the Prime Minister ashamed that his party did not take the victim seriously? Does he wish to apologise?
The Home Office has already made a statement about it. If there is further comment, they will make another statement.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address whether PM wishes to apologise
Referred Issue To The Department
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Q23
Partial Answer
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Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council has secured millions of pounds for the high street, but faces a persistent problem with antisocial behaviour.
Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council has secured millions of pounds of Government investment for our high street, but we have a problem with persistent antisocial behaviour on the high street. Will my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister therefore welcome the recent appointment of a new chief constable for Staffordshire and a new borough commander for Newcastle, and the fact that Newcastle will get its own dedicated response unit? Will he also set out what further measures the Government are taking to combat crime and antisocial behaviour?
There are now 13,576 more police on the streets of this country as a result of the actions taken by this Government. We are cracking down on drugs gangs and cross-channel gangs risking migrants' lives in the English channel. The Labour party is soft on drugs and would scrap the economic and migration partnership with Rwanda.
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Assessment & feedback
Welcoming appointments and further measures against crime and antisocial behaviour
Changed Subject To Broader Issues Like Drug Gangs, Migration Partnerships
Response accuracy
Q24
Partial Answer
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4.5 million people pay for their gas and electricity through a prepayment meter, with the number of disconnections increasing due to financial constraints.
Some 4.5 million people pay for their gas and electricity through a prepayment meter. They are already paying more for their energy than direct debit customers, and the number of people who are disconnecting themselves because they have run out of money for the meter is increasing. What is the Prime Minister going to do to ensure that all our constituents have a right to light and warmth?
We are working with Ofgem and all the companies to protect people at this difficult time. We have given £0.5 billion more to councils to support those who find it particularly tough, including through cold weather payments and winter fuel payments.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific measures for prepayment meter users
General Commitment Without Specifics
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Q25
Direct Answer
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287 Members of the House have been sanctioned by the Russian state.
Within the past hour or so, it has been reported that some 287 Members of this House have been sanctioned by the Russian state. I am sure nobody here is rushing to change their summer holiday plans, but perhaps the Prime Minister will assure us that he will continue his excellent relationship with President Zelensky and continue to provide the Ukrainian people and military with the support they need.
All those 287 should regard it as a badge of honour. We will keep up our robust and principled support for the Ukrainian people, and defend themselves.
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Q26
Partial Answer
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A court has found that the Government acted unlawfully when discharging untested patients from hospitals to care homes at the start of the pandemic, leading to transmission risk.
Today, a court has found that the Government acted unlawfully when their policies led to the discharge of untested patients from hospitals to care homes at the start of the pandemic. The court also found no evidence that the former Health Secretary addressed the issue of the risk to care home residents of such transmission despite insisting on a protective ring around care homes. Will the Prime Minister apologise to families and care workers for these issues?
I want to renew my apologies and sympathies to all those who lost loved ones during the pandemic, including in care homes. I want to remind the House of the difficult decisions we made, especially regarding transmission risks that were not fully understood at the time.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific apology requested for discharges and comments
General Sympathy Without Direct Admission
Response accuracy