Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
John Stevenson
Con
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Context
The UK aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, and hosting COP26 underscores the commitment to environmental policies.
Prime Minister, we are to host COP26. Our goal is net zero by 2050. To achieve that target will require innovative policies and a free market approach would help. Therefore, if we were to make solar panels compulsory for all new residential builds, we immediately create a large market. It will lead to innovation, lower prices, job creation and contribute towards our 2050 target. Will the Prime Minister support such a policy initiative?
My hon. Friend makes a very interesting suggestion which I will certainly look into, though I should caution that some homes do not have enough space on their roof or indeed have their roofs angled in the right way to make solar panels viable. What we are already doing is tightening our standards to ensure that new homes produce at least 75% lower carbon dioxide emissions compared to current standards, on our way to net zero by 2050.
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Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not directly state support or opposition for the policy but stated he would look into it.
Look Into
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The number of rape convictions has fallen to a record low under the current government. The trend started in 2016, before the pandemic.
Why, under this Government, has the number of rape convictions and prosecutions fallen to a record low?
One of the first things I said when I came to the Dispatch Box as Prime Minister was that I thought that rape prosecutions and convictions were too low. That is why we have the end-to-end rape review, that is why we have been investing in independent sexual violence advisers and domestic violence advisers—another £27 million—and that is why we have been investing more in the Crown Prosecution Service, with another £85 million.
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Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not address the specific reasons for the decline but stated actions taken to address it.
End-To-End Rape Review
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The number of rape prosecutions has halved since 2016, despite the number of reported cases increasing significantly.
We all agree that the figures are appalling. The question is why. The Government's own review makes it clear that rape convictions and prosecutions have halved since 2016—halved. We know that that is nothing to do with the pandemic, because this is a five-year trend and we know it is not because there are fewer rape cases being reported, because that number has gone up significantly, so let me return to the question that the Prime Minister has not answered: why does the Prime Minister think that rape prosecutions and convictions have plummeted on his watch?
Because, as the right hon. and learned Gentleman knows very well because he has some experience of this matter, there are considerable evidential problems, particularly in recovering data from mobile phones, and that has been an obstacle to the speedy preparation of cases.
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Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not address specific reasons but mentioned evidentiary challenges.
Evidential Problems
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
98.4% of reported rapes do not end in a charge and the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill was criticized for prioritizing statue protection over women's rights.
The Prime Minister knows very well why we voted against his Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill: precisely because it did more to protect statues than women. But since he has brought it up, let us address the central question. Prime Minister, 98.4% of reported rapes do not end in a charge—98.4%—and therefore the question of sentence never arises in those cases. Since he has brought up the Bill—it is his main defence, it seems—can he point to what provision, what clause, what chapter, what part of that Bill will do anything to change the fact that 98.4% of reported rape cases do not end in charges and do not get to sentence? Which clause, part, chapter or words in that Bill? Point to one thing.
Let me point to sections 106 and 107 of that Bill, which Labour voted down, which would have stopped the early release of rapists at the halfway point of their sentences.
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Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not directly address the issue but pointed to specific sections addressing sentence length.
Early Release
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Victims of rape are being failed according to the Government's own report, with only 1.6% of reported rapes ending in charges.
What an appalling answer. I asked the Prime Minister why 98.4% of cases are not getting into the system and he talks about sentence. That is the problem. If he thinks that is the answer, that is why we have got these terrible rates of conviction and of prosecution. The answer is: there is nothing in that Bill. The truth is, victims of rape are being failed. Those are not just my words; they are in the Government's own report: “Victims of rape are being failed.” There is no escaping that appalling figure: 98.4% of rape cases ending without anybody being charged, and those that do get into the system take years to go through. Does the Prime Minister accept that cuts to the criminal justice system have contributed to that appalling situation?
No, because we have increased the numbers of people in the CPS by at least 200, and they are specifically dedicated to helping to prosecute the crime of rape and sexual violence.
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Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not acknowledge any cuts but stated increases in personnel dedicated to prosecuting rape cases.
Increase
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP references significant cuts made by the government in the Crown Prosecution Service, Ministry of Justice, and court closures.
I spent five years as Director of Public Prosecutions, prosecuting thousands of rape cases. The Government cannot make significant cuts to the CPS, 25% cuts to the Ministry of Justice, close half the courts in England and Wales and now pretend that a small budget increase will solve the problem. Despite these shameful figures—the Government's Victims' Commissioner described the review as “underwhelming”—the Government are still not showing the urgency needed to tackle violence against women and girls.
No, because we have also brought in the landmark domestic violence Bill and no, because the Government have brought in much tougher sentences for serious sexual and violent offenders. We are fixing that by investing another £1 billion in clearing the court backlogs.
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Assessment & feedback
The question was about cuts to services and urgency, but the response focused on new legislation without addressing the specific impact of budget cuts or timeline for improvement.
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP criticizes the government for not showing urgency in tackling violence against women.
You can always tell when he is losing, Mr Speaker. [Interruption.] Despite these shameful figures—the Government's Victims' Commissioner described the review as “underwhelming”—the Government are still not showing the urgency needed to tackle violence against women and girls.
The fastest, most efficient way to do that, as the right hon. and learned Gentleman knows, is to get our country moving again, which is what we are doing with the fastest vaccination roll-out anywhere in Europe. We are getting on with the job. They jabber, we jab. They dither, we deliver.
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Assessment & feedback
The question was about urgency in tackling violence against women but the response focused entirely on the vaccine rollout without addressing the specific issue of urgency in criminal justice services or funding cuts.
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
Craig Whittaker
Con
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Context
The MP expresses concern over Calderdale Council's submission to the levelling-up fund and asks for serious consideration.
With that aim, will my right hon. Friend take a serious look at Calderdale's submission, which lacks support, has no consultation nor consensus with partners, and instead of relieving infrastructure problems, ploughs on with one of the council's failed and doomed projects?
I thank my hon. Friend for his question. The levelling-up fund has the potential to do massive good for Calderdale, and indeed the whole country, and I hope that Calderdale Council has listened to his strictures this afternoon and will act.
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Assessment & feedback
The response acknowledges the issue but does not commit to any specific actions or timeline. It also lacks concrete details about whether the submission will be reconsidered in light of concerns raised.
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
Ian Blackford
SNP
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Context
The MP raises a concern about the use of emergency covid contracts to conduct constitutional campaigning on the Union.
This morning, The Herald newspaper revealed that, in the middle of a pandemic, Tory Ministers secretly directed funds from an emergency covid contract to carry out polling on the Union. And it is a very simple question: did the UK Government use a £560,000 emergency covid contract to conduct constitutional campaigning on the Union?
I am afraid I am not aware of the contract to which the right hon. Gentleman refers, but what I can tell him is that I think that the Union, and the benefits of the Union, have been incalculable throughout the covid pandemic.
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Assessment & feedback
The response evades the specific question about misuse of funds by highlighting general benefits of the Union without addressing the misuse allegation or providing details on the contract in question.
Response accuracy
Q10
Partial Answer
Ian Blackford
SNP
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Context
The MP criticizes the government for using emergency covid funds to commission political research on attitudes towards the Union.
These emergency covid contracts were supposed to be used for things like personal protective equipment for our brave doctors and nurses fighting covid. Instead, during the height of this deadly pandemic, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster used these emergency contracts to commission political research on—and I quote—'attitudes to the UK Union'. If the Prime Minister has even a shred of credibility, will he now commit to a full public inquiry on this gross misuse of public funds?
I cannot think of a better use of public funds than making sure that the whole of the UK fights the covid pandemic together, and that is what we are doing. Thanks to the UK Treasury, we were able to spend £407 billion supporting jobs and families in Scotland.
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Assessment & feedback
The response avoids addressing misuse allegations by emphasizing overall support for Scotland during the pandemic without directly responding to the question of a public inquiry into fund misuse.
Response accuracy
Q11
Partial Answer
Mark Pawsey
Con
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Context
The Prime Minister's plan for electric vehicles includes ambitious targets and support for manufacturing. Coventry, home of Jaguar Land Rover, is ready to contribute.
I am concerned about the proposal to build a gigafactory at Coventry airport that would support electric vehicle production in line with the Prime Minister's green industrial revolution plans. Will he give his full support?
I have fond memories of visiting my hon. Friend's constituency and using an electric taxi, which was thought impossible 15 years ago but we got it done. We will make sure his constituency and others lead in building new electric vehicles for this country and the world.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm or deny support for the specific gigafactory proposal
Response accuracy
Q12
Partial Answer
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Context
Carers struggle to balance jobs with caring responsibilities in Chesham and Amersham, reflecting a national issue affecting millions of people.
I heard from constituents struggling week-to-week to care for loved ones while working. They feel ignored by the Prime Minister. With 7 million juggling unpaid care and work last year, what is he doing to ease their burdens?
I salute working family carers who cared during the pandemic. We supported families through furlough and schemes, putting unprecedented sums into social care. But no words or actions can fully requite their care.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific steps to support carers
Response accuracy
Q13
Partial Answer
Steve Double
Con
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Context
Local people are being priced out of the housing market by inflated prices due to demand from those moving or buying holiday homes, worsening a long-standing problem.
As the Government reform planning systems, can my right hon. Friend ensure that this will not be about building homes for wealthy buyers and instead ensure locals have access to homes they need?
My hon. Friend raises an issue raised repeatedly with me in Cornwall, and we are determined to address it by working with the new Conservative Cornwall Council to build homes for locals so young Cornish people have a chance of owning their home.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify how reforms will prevent building for wealthy buyers
Response accuracy
Q14
Partial Answer
Julie Elliott
Lab
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Context
During the pandemic, schools and families struggled to provide devices for learning while Amazon discarded brand-new tech.
Will the Prime Minister join me in condemning Amazon's practice of throwing new technology into landfill when children need it for learning?
I was shocked to hear about computers being sent to landfill and think this practice is bizarre. We are ensuring that tech giants pay fair share tax, thanks to the G7 agreement.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not condemn Amazon's practices directly
Response accuracy
Q15
Partial Answer
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Context
New houses mean new infrastructure, and the growing population in Aylesbury needs better transport links.
Will my right hon. Friend ensure that the Aylesbury spur of East West Rail is approved, given its strong business case and advantage over HS2?
I confirm the Department for Transport's review looks at design and construction of the Aylesbury spur, but caution that costs are currently high and we need to look at numbers.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to approval despite reviewing it
Response accuracy
Q16
Partial Answer
John Nicolson
SNP
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Context
The Prime Minister's recent trade deal with Australia is seen as unfair competition for Scottish food producers due to low-welfare standards.
When will the PM visit Scotland next? His assurances on Brexit were substance-free hot air, and this trade deal sees Scottish producers face unfair competition from low-welfare Australian firms.
I am seldom away from Scotland and cannot wait to be back, after securing a record poll for Scottish Conservatives. Yet again we hear abuse of Australia's high welfare standards and negativity about free trade opportunities.
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Assessment & feedback
Attacked the opposition rather than addressing visit plans or fairness concerns
Response accuracy
Q17
Direct Answer
Heather Wheeler
Con
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Context
A murder in Swadlincote, Derbyshire has caused concern among residents. The incident is rare and the swift action of Derbyshire police has been praised.
Will my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister join me in thanking Derbyshire police for their excellent work in rounding up, arresting and charging people involved in recent stabbing incidents, where one young man was murdered and others were badly hurt? The murder in Swadlincote, a rare event, has caused concern among residents, but swift action by Derbyshire police has taken perpetrators off the street. Clearly, more police in South Derbyshire would be welcomed.
My hon. Friend is right to raise the issue of the murder in Swadlincote and we are making sure with our Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill that such crimes are dealt with more expeditiously, with greater powers for the police. We are also recruiting 20,000 additional police officers, including an extra 85 in Derbyshire.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q18
Partial Answer
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Context
During the Brexit referendum, the Prime Minister promised that EU citizens would retain their existing rights in the UK. However, those without settled status are facing losing key rights such as working and accessing healthcare.
During the Brexit referendum the Prime Minister promised no change to the rights of EU citizens in the UK, yet now they face losing work, rental housing, and free healthcare access without settled status. Given repeated grace periods during Brexit negotiations, will he extend this deadline?
The EU settlement scheme has been a success with 5.6 million applications; it was initially estimated at 3.2 or 3 million. Everybody knows what the deadline is and I hope people will come forward like those who have already done so.
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Assessment & feedback
extension of the deadline for EU citizens to apply for settled status
Everybody Knows What The Deadline Is
Response accuracy
Q19
Partial Answer
James Davies
Con
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Context
Residents of the Waen near St Asaph are experiencing poor broadband connections, with a shortfall of funding to improve services.
Large sections of the Waen near St Asaph have very poor broadband connections. Top-up gigabit vouchers can help raise £200,000 needed but there is a 24% shortfall. What assistance will my right hon. Friend provide for constituents in this situation?
BT Openreach has recently extended its offer of commercial coverage to gigabit broadband services in my hon. Friend's area due to recent tax incentives announced by the Chancellor.
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Assessment & feedback
bridging the funding gap for better broadband connectivity
Recent Tax Incentives
Response accuracy
Q20
Partial Answer
Owen Thompson
SNP
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Context
The Government is seeking to alter the role of the Electoral Commission, an independent body overseeing UK elections and tackling electoral fraud.
The Electoral Commission performs a crucial independent role in regulating UK elections. What does the Prime Minister plan that requires his Government to attempt to direct this independent regulator?
For brevity, I can say absolutely nothing about any specific plans.
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Assessment & feedback
plans to direct the independent regulator
For Brevity
Response accuracy
Q21
Partial Answer
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Context
The Foreign Office has announced a significant reduction in support for tackling neglected tropical diseases, which will affect millions of people globally.
Has the Prime Minister reviewed the recent Foreign Office announcement to cut UK support for neglected tropical diseases by 95%? Will he accept Mr Speaker's statement on the need for a meaningful vote on this issue and ensure it happens before the summer recess?
There will be an estimates day debate on overseas aid. Despite criticisms, we are contributing £10 billion this year to official development assistance and £458 million to COVAX.
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Assessment & feedback
meaningful vote on the overseas aid reduction
Estimates Day Debate
Response accuracy
Q22
Partial Answer
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Context
The Windrush generation faces delays and bureaucracy in receiving justice through the government's compensation scheme, with at least 21 people having died while waiting.
Yesterday was Windrush Day, marking the arrival of Caribbean people from Commonwealth countries in 1948. Yet this year it highlights the failure of the government's compensation scheme for the Windrush generation. Given repeated delays and Home Office failures to provide justice, will the Prime Minister now hand over the scheme to an independent body?
I accept the injustice done to the Windrush generation and I want to accelerate the compensation scheme. The name Windrush should be associated with their contribution to the UK.
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Assessment & feedback
handing over the Windrush compensation scheme to an independent body
Accelerate The Compensation Scheme
Response accuracy
Q23
Partial Answer
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Context
The cost of High Speed 2 has significantly increased, raising concerns about its value for money. The question also addresses the importance of gigabit broadband.
When High Speed 2 was first proposed, the estimated cost was £37.5 billion. The latest estimate is over £150 billion, and rising fast. Is there a price at which the Prime Minister will accept that High Speed 2 is no longer value for money, or is he determined to build it irrespective of the final cost, whatever that will be? Would it not be better to put this white-elephant project out of its misery and get rid of High Speed 2, and instead deliver high-speed broadband—reliable 1 gigabit capability—at a fraction of the cost to every household?
My right hon. Friend is absolutely right about the importance of gigabit broadband. That is why the coverage has gone up, just since I have been Prime Minister, from 9% to 60% this year and we hope to get up to 100% in the course of the next few years. However, I cannot agree with her about HS2 as it has the potential to do a massive amount of good in levelling up across the whole UK.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific cost threshold at which High Speed 2 would no longer be considered value for money was not addressed.
Response accuracy
Q24
Partial Answer
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Context
Emerging variants of the coronavirus are causing surge testing, further lockdowns, and delays in ending restrictions. Intellectual property rights are contributing to global supply shortages.
Scientists warned about more dangerous variants emerging with rapid transmission and vaccines losing efficacy due to mutations during the pandemic. Now many variants have sparked surge testing, further lockdowns, and a recent delay in lifting restrictions. With 41 people already reported to have the delta-plus variant, does the Prime Minister understand why his vaccine donation policy is seen as insufficient when people are dying now? Will he reconsider supporting the vaccine intellectual property waiver?
The G7 agreed another billion doses on top of a billion already contributed. The UK is putting in 100 million up to June next year. The current advice is that the vaccines are effective against all known variants.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not explicitly address the request for reconsidering vaccine donation policy or supporting intellectual property waiver.
Response accuracy
Q25
Partial Answer
Theresa Villiers
Con
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Context
Concerns over the forthcoming planning Bill affecting residents' ability to have a say on local development.
Can the Prime Minister promise that the forthcoming planning Bill will not restrict the right of residents to have their say over what is built in their neighbourhood?
Yes, indeed. What we want to do is ensure that young people get home ownership opportunities and help them across the country by our levelling-up agenda.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address concerns about limiting resident participation rights in planning decisions.
Response accuracy