PMQs 2021-11-17

2021-11-17

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Context
Public concern over political donations influencing nominations to the House of Lords. The Bill by Angus Brendan MacNeil aims to prohibit large donors from being nominated for five years.
The Prime Minister will be aware of considerable public concern about significant political donations helping acquire a peerage. The hon. Member for Na h-Eileanan an Iar will publish a Bill later today prohibiting large party donors from being nominated to the other place for five years. Will the Prime Minister offer full Government support to my hon. Friend's efforts?
I will study his proposals with care when the Opposition parties commit to stop taking funds from the unions in order to control their politics.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not directly state support or opposition for the Bill.
When The Opposition Parties Commit To Stop Taking Funds
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Context
A&E at Barnet Hospital is seeing twice as many patients as it was designed for. NHS funding has increased, but the demand for healthcare continues to rise.
During a recent visit to Barnet Hospital, I was told that A&E there routinely sees twice the number of people for which it was designed. Thanks to hard work and big funding increases, the NHS is seeing more patients and delivering more tests, treatments, and operations than ever before. What are the Government doing to urgently assist the NHS tackle spiralling demand for healthcare and a tough winter ahead?
I thank my right hon. Friend for what she does to represent her hospital, and I thank the NHS staff for their amazing work. We are supporting them by recruiting 50,000 more nurses and putting another £4.5 billion into the NHS over the rest of this financial year. The best thing we can do to protect our NHS is for everybody to come forward and get their booster vaccination.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not provide specific actions beyond funding increases and vaccinations, despite the question asking about urgent support.
The Best Thing We Can Do Is
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The Prime Minister promised a new high-speed line between Manchester and Leeds. This promise is central to the Government's commitment to northern England.
Trust matters, and after last fortnight, the Prime Minister has got a lot of work to do. A central plank in this Government's promise to the north of England is a Crossrail of the north with at least an entirely new high-speed rail line between Manchester and Leeds. The whole of HS2—that is what was promised. Will the Prime Minister stick by that promise, yes or no?
He should wait and see what is going to be announced tomorrow, because we will produce a fantastic integrated rail plan.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not confirm or deny the commitment but shifted focus to an announcement in the future.
Wait And See What Is Going To Be Announced Tomorrow
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The Prime Minister previously confirmed the eastern leg of HS2 will be developed. The question is about consistency with this promise.
That was a lot of words, but it was not a yes, so that is one important promise to the north that he will not stand by. Let us look at another. In February this year, the Prime Minister told this House: “I can certainly confirm that we are going to develop the eastern leg as well as the whole of the HS2.”—[Official Report, 10 February 2021; Vol. 689, c. 325.] The whole of HS2—that is a new high-speed line, running continuously, no gaps, between Birmingham and Leeds. Will the Prime Minister confirm that he stands by that promise?
I am afraid that the right hon. and learned Gentleman is in danger of getting hoist by his own petard. He needs to wait and see what we announce tomorrow, because I think he will find that the people of Leeds, Nottingham, Sheffield and the whole of the north-west and the north-east of this country will benefit massively from what we are going to announce.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not confirm or deny the commitment but shifted focus to an announcement in the future.
Wait And See What We Announce Tomorrow
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
There is agreement across the country that Owen Paterson broke rules. Government members have apologised for their parts in supporting him.
Again, a lot of words, but not a yes. So that is two important promises to the north that the Prime Minister will not stand by. No wonder trust in the Prime Minister is at an all-time low. Across the country, and belatedly across this House, there is now agreement that Owen Paterson broke the rules and that the Government should not have tried to let him off the hook. Many Government Members have apologised—the Business Secretary has apologised for his part, and the Leader of the House has apologised for his part—but they were following the Prime Minister's lead. Will he do the decent thing and just say sorry for trying to give the green light to corruption?
Well, yes, as I have said before, it certainly was a mistake to conflate the case of an individual Member, no matter how sad, with the point of principle at stake. We do need a cross-party approach on an appeals process. We also need a cross-party approach on the way forward and that is why we have tabled the proposals to take forward the report of the independent Committee on Standards in Public Life of 2018.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not apologise but stated it was a mistake to conflate the case with principle.
It Certainly Was A Mistake
Response accuracy
Q6 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
Government members have apologised for their roles in the Owen Paterson case. The Prime Minister has not apologised.
That is not an apology. Everybody else has apologised for the Prime Minister, but he will not apologise for himself—a coward, not a leader. Weeks defending corruption and yesterday a screeching last-minute U-turn to avoid defeat on Labour's plan to ban MPs from dodgy second contracts. Waving one white flag will not be enough to restore trust. There are plenty of Opposition days to come, and we will not let the Prime Minister water down the proposals or pretend it is job done. There still are cases that stain this House. Two simple steps to sorting it out: proper independence and powers for the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments, and banning these job swaps. Will the Prime Minister take those steps?
I have called for, as you know Mr Speaker, and as you have called for, a cross-party approach to this. What I think we need to do is work together on the basis of the independent report by the Committee on Standards in Public Life to take things forward and address the appeals process.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not confirm or deny support for steps proposed but suggested a cross-party approach to reforms.
A Cross-Party Approach
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
Keir Starmer questioned the government's commitment to transparency in light of recent controversies.
That new-found commitment to upholding standards did not last long. Here is the difference: when somebody in my party misbehaves, I kick them out. When somebody—[Interruption.]
I am very happy to publish all the Randox contracts, which have been investigated by the National Audit Office already. But talking of cover-ups, I am sorry, Mr Speaker, but we still have not heard why the right hon. and learned Gentleman will not tell us—[Interruption.]
Assessment & feedback
Avoided addressing the specific ask about kicking out misbehaving members.
Changed Subject To Publishing Randox Contracts
Response accuracy
Q8 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
Keir Starmer criticized the government for its handling of recent controversies.
I think the Prime Minister just said he is happy to publish all the Randox papers in relation to these contracts, so we will take that and we will pursue it. I remind the Prime Minister that when I was Director of Public Prosecutions, I prosecuted MPs who broke the rules. He has been investigated by every organisation he has ever been elected to. That is the difference.
It is plain from listening to the right hon. and learned Gentleman that he seeks to criticise this Government while refusing to explain his own position. You have ruled on that, Mr Speaker—[Interruption.] You have ruled on that, Mr Speaker, and I hear you, I hear you—but his own “Mishconduct” is absolutely clear. [Interruption.] His own “Mishconduct” is absolutely clear.
Assessment & feedback
Avoided addressing the specific ask about publishing Randox papers.
Attacked Keir Starmer'S Conduct Instead Of Answering
Response accuracy
Q9 Partial Answer
Context
James Grundy asked about the possibility of getting a separate council for Leigh.
The people of Leigh have never accepted our forced merger with the rival town—friendly rivals—of Wigan back in 1973. Will the Prime Minister tell me how we can escape the big government of big Wigan by getting our own council back?
I thank my hon. Friend for his campaign against local Labour government overtaxing and delivering inadequate services. The local boundary commission will look at the boundary reviews, but in the meantime I will support him in any way that I can.
Assessment & feedback
Avoided specific commitment to getting a separate council for Leigh.
Promised To Support Without Specifics
Response accuracy
Q10 Partial Answer
Context
Ian Blackford criticized the government's recent reforms as insufficient in addressing scandals.
This Tory sleaze scandal has now been hitting the headlines for the past 14 days, yet it is pretty obvious that the Prime Minister spent less than 10 minutes coming up with yesterday's half-hearted, half-baked, and already half-botched proposals. These so-called reforms do not even scratch the surface.
I thank the humble crofter, as the right hon. Gentleman refers to himself, for his question. What I think we can do is pursue a cross-party approach, based on the report of the independent Committee on Standards in Public Life, which has much of profit in it.
Assessment & feedback
Avoided addressing proposed reforms' effectiveness.
Changed Subject To Cross-Party Approach
Response accuracy
Q11 Partial Answer
Context
Ian Blackford questioned the Prime Minister's definition of corruption.
This is about Tory sleaze and Tory corruption, and the Prime Minister has basically admitted that not one of this Government's sleaze scandals would have been stopped by his so-called plan. Perhaps we should not be surprised, considering that the Prime Minister has been at the rotten core of all these scandals.
I will not comment on the missing £600,000 from the Scottish National party's accounts, but what I will say, in all sincerity and heeding what you said earlier, Mr Speaker, is that I think that these constant attacks on the UK's levels of corruption and sleaze do a massive disservice to billions of people around the world who genuinely suffer from Governments who are corrupt.
Assessment & feedback
Avoided addressing whether appointing ex-treasurers is corruption.
Changed Subject To Global Corruption Issues
Response accuracy
Q12 Direct Answer
Context
Simon Baynes asked for support in preserving Offa's Dyke.
Will the Prime Minister join me in celebrating the 50th anniversary this year of the formation of the 177-mile path for walkers along Offa's Dyke, which runs through Clwyd South, and give his support to the recently launched Offa's Dyke rescue fund to repair and preserve this monument and nature reserve for future generations?
I had the good fortune to walk Offa's Dyke very recently. I am delighted that English and Welsh organisations are working together to protect that fantastic national monument, and Historic England has committed to give almost £300,000 more to that great cause.
Assessment & feedback
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Q13 Partial Answer
Edward Davey Lib Dem
Kingston and Surbiton
Context
Ambulance response times are at record lows, with longer waits for ambulances and patients stuck outside hospitals due to A&E crises. The West Midlands Ambulance Service is closing up to 10 community stations.
Why has the government closed ambulance stations in parts of England? Why is the West Midlands ambulance service closing up to 10 community stations, including Rugby, Oswestry and Craven Arms? With this health crisis for our ambulance services and A&Es, injured, sick and elderly people are being hit. When will the Prime Minister deal with this health crisis?
I appreciate that ambulance crews and ambulance services are doing an amazing job, particularly at this time of year. We are supporting them with more cash. Another £450 million was awarded to 120 trusts to upgrade their facilities, and as the right hon. Gentleman knows, we are putting another £36 billion into dealing with the backlog through the levy.
Assessment & feedback
The closure of ambulance stations in parts of England was not addressed directly.
Response accuracy
Q14 Direct Answer
Context
Domestic heating accounts for 30% of UK carbon emissions. The Government's incentive scheme aims to replace old gas boilers with environmentally friendly alternatives.
Now that we are building more homes than ever, can the Government build on the success of COP26? What progress is being made on the standards for new-build homes to ensure they are fit for the future?
I thank my hon. Friend, who is totally right to focus on the issue of future-proofing homes and making them low carbon. By 2025, our future homes standard will ensure that new homes produce at least 75% fewer CO2 emissions.
Assessment & feedback
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Q15 Partial Answer
Gill Furniss Lab
Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough
Context
Staff at a local GP practice are experiencing abuse and extreme pressure due to high workloads. The Prime Minister has failed on his manifesto pledge to recruit 6,000 more GPs.
Will the Prime Minister apologise for this broken promise to GPs and their staff, who are under increasing pressure with depleted staffing resources?
First of all, I want to thank GPs for everything they are doing, particularly during the booster roll-out. As well as recruiting as many GPs as we can, we have 10,000 more nurses this year than last year and 25,000 more healthcare professionals altogether. There are more people now working in the NHS than at any time in its history, and because of our investment—the extra £36 billion that we are putting in—there will be even more.
Assessment & feedback
The PM did not apologize for failing to recruit 6,000 GPs as promised.
Response accuracy
Q16 Partial Answer
Context
Following COP26, carbon capture and storage capacity is a priority for the Government.
Can my right hon. Friend confirm that maximising carbon capture and storage capacity across the whole United Kingdom is a priority for the Government? Will he also confirm that the Acorn carbon capture and storage and hydrogen project in my constituency has a key role to play in this country's future carbon capture and storage capacity targets to meet net zero?
My hon. Friend is quite right to champion carbon capture and storage, which has a great future in Scotland in spite of all the gloomstering of the SNP. The Scottish cluster remains on the reserve. We will continue to study it and, we hope, bring it forward in due time.
Assessment & feedback
The PM did not confirm the priority status or role of the Acorn project specifically.
Response accuracy
Q17 Direct Answer
Mary Glindon Lab
Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend
Context
The River Tyne has been repeatedly sidelined by the Government despite constant lobbying for investment in employment opportunities and net zero transition.
Will the Prime Minister commit his Government to work with us to realise the full potential of our great river, given that local authorities have set up a new Tyne taskforce?
The hon. Lady is absolutely right that the River Tyne is a massive economic asset for the whole of the north-east. It has suffered from historic contamination, but we are going to work with the North East local enterprise partnership to invest another £6 million to help to develop clear plans for sustainable economic growth along the whole of the estuary.
Assessment & feedback
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Q18 Partial Answer
Context
Crawley constituency was severely affected by the pandemic, but recovery is underway with decreasing unemployment. A platinum jubilee city-status bid has been made.
In light of Crawley's recovery and its platinum jubilee city-status bid, will my right hon. Friend please look favourably on this?
I am very grateful to my hon. Friend. I was not aware until today that Crawley was bidding to become a city—
Assessment & feedback
The PM did not address the favourability of the bid.
Response accuracy
Q19 Partial Answer
Context
Every year, 100,000 babies are born premature or sick in the UK. There is cross-party agreement for neonatal leave and pay legislation.
Will the Prime Minister bring forward a standalone Bill to legislate for neonatal leave and pay so that parents do not have to choose between spending time in hospital or unpaid leave from work?
The hon. Gentleman is a passionate campaigner in this area. One way or another—I will get back to him on the exact way—we will legislate to allow parents of children in neonatal care to take extended leave, giving them more time during the most vulnerable and stressful days of their lives.
Assessment & feedback
The PM did not commit to a standalone bill specifically.
Response accuracy
Q20 Partial Answer
Context
Hopwood Hall College supports over 8,000 learners annually and has introduced six new T-level courses.
Further education colleges like Hopwood Hall College in my constituency will play an essential part in building back better. The team at Hopwood have supported over 8,000 learners on courses as diverse as small business management and animal management, as well as six new T-level courses. May I invite my right hon. Friend to come and visit the inspirational team and the students at Hopwood Hall?
I thank my hon. Friend for his kind invitation. I will certainly keep it mind. The Government are absolutely committed to reforming technical education through new T-levels. That is why we are investing a further £65 million to develop teacher retention, and support and recruitment for teachers in further education.
Assessment & feedback
The PM did not confirm a visit to Hopwood Hall College.
Response accuracy
Q21 Direct Answer
Context
Laura, a constituent of the MP, has expressed her concerns about Remembrance Sunday and the lack of recognition for service members involved in nuclear weapons tests overseas.
My constituent Laura told me that Remembrance Sunday hurts. It hurts because there have been no medals for her grandad's service and the thousands of men involved in nuclear weapons tests overseas between 1952 and 1991. It hurts because studies of such veterans have shown increased miscarriages, increased birth defects and the same rate of genetic damage as clean-up workers at Chernobyl. And it hurts because the UK is the only nuclear power on earth that has denied recognition. So I ask the Prime Minister: will he recognise nuclear testing veterans today and agree to meet them? The Leader of the Opposition has.
I am grateful to the hon. Lady for bringing this to my attention. I will certainly make sure that we get a proper meeting with the representatives of the nuclear veterans that she mentions.
Assessment & feedback
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Q22 Direct Answer
Context
The MP has concerns about migrants and asylum seekers crossing illegally between countries, particularly in Eastbourne.
When I was in Greece with Save the Children, I learned that change at any border was quickly communicated down the line. If migrants and asylum seekers knew that they would be directly returned to France or taken to a third country pending application, would they risk a dangerous and illegal crossing and make their way to France in the first place? I ask my right hon. Friend: what further measures are being considered? This is an issue of great concern in Eastbourne, along the coast and across the country, and I am anxious to be able to reassure my constituents that there are plans ahead.
I thank my hon. Friend very much, and she has much relevant experience from her work for Save the Children in Greece. Our only credible way of fixing this is with our new plan for immigration. That will be made possible with our new Nationality and Borders Bill, which will make it possible for us to distinguish at last between those who come here legally and those who come here illegally.
Assessment & feedback
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Q23 Partial Answer
Context
Part of Northwich station in the MP's constituency collapsed, and he has asked for intervention to build back better and fairer.
In May, part of Northwich station in my constituency collapsed. I have asked the Transport Secretary to intervene and build back better and fairer to allow access for people with disabilities. He has declined my kind offer, so I ask the Prime Minister to intervene: no bluster, substance, build back better and fairer Northwich station—it is in the north of England.
I am tempted to invite the hon. Gentleman to wait and see what we do for rail funding tomorrow, but I will certainly look at what he had to say about Northwich station with keen interest.
Assessment & feedback
The PM did not provide any direct intervention or commitment for Northwich station.
Response accuracy
Q24 Partial Answer
Context
Servicewomen and veterans provided input to a Defence Committee inquiry on women in the armed forces, raising issues such as sexual assault and harassment.
Over 4,200 servicewomen and veterans used a democratic process to contribute to the Defence Committee's inquiry into women in the armed forces. A formal response is still awaited from the Ministry of Defence. While the majority of women enjoy a fulfilling career in the military, shocking issues were raised around sexual assault, bullying and harassment. I know that the Prime Minister agrees that our armed forces are the best in the world. Would he also agree that we need to make sure that the British Army is the best place to serve as a woman?
I thank my hon. Friend; she is campaigning on a very important issue. Too often, we find that our armed forces fail to provide the wonderful women in our armed forces with the support they deserve. That is why I am pleased that my right hon. Friend the Defence Secretary has secured a parliamentary inquiry into this for the first time.
Assessment & feedback
The PM did not commit to any formal actions or response from the Ministry of Defence.
Response accuracy
Q25 Partial Answer
Context
Businesses in Northern Ireland have incurred costs due to issues related to the Northern Ireland protocol.
It has cost businesses in Northern Ireland £850 million to date to operate the failed and suffocating protocol. Lord Frost is today in Belfast. When will the Prime Minister fix this by legitimately activating article 16?
I thank the hon. Gentleman, and I think the word that I would fasten on in his question is “legitimately”. There is no question but that the use of article 16, which, after all, has been done by the EU Commission to stop vaccines being exported to this country, is something that is perfectly legal and within the bounds of the protocol.
Assessment & feedback
The PM did not specify when Article 16 would be activated.
Response accuracy
Q26 Partial Answer
Context
Students at Humphrey Perkins School in Barrow upon Soar have asked about the Government's efforts to encourage young people from all backgrounds to consider a career in politics.
I recently visited Humphrey Perkins School in beautiful Barrow upon Soar. The students asked me, “What are the Government doing to engage children and students from all backgrounds to encourage them to aspire to become an MP, or even Prime Minister?”
What I would say to my hon. Friend and her students is that nothing that is said or takes place in this House—none of the argy-bargy, the repartee and the occasional abuse to which we subject each other—should in any way deter anybody from seeking a career in politics, because it is a wonderful privilege and we are all very lucky to be here.
Assessment & feedback
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Q27 Partial Answer
Christine Jardine Lib Dem
Edinburgh West
Context
Residents in Edinburgh West are experiencing delays from the DWP with pensions and benefits, adding to delays faced by others for passports and driving licenses.
In my constituency of Edinburgh West, numerous people come to us with delays from the Department for Work and Pensions with pensions and benefits. Can the Prime Minister tell us who—among the many jobs being done at the moment—is making sure that the Departments of Government are running smoothly and quickly?
I think that actually the Department for Work and Pensions has performed outstanding service. Among the things that it has achieved is helping to get millions of people effectively back into employment despite difficulties faced in this pandemic and as we come out of furlough.
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about who ensures government departments run smoothly was not addressed, instead focusing on DWP achievements.
Response accuracy
Q28 Partial Answer
Context
The Prime Minister committed to building Northern Powerhouse Rail between Manchester and Leeds in July 2019, reaffirmed in the party manifesto and conference speech.
In July 2019, I was in Manchester when the Prime Minister committed to building a new line, Northern Powerhouse Rail, between Manchester and Leeds. That commitment was reaffirmed in our manifesto in November 2019, and last month it was reaffirmed in the Prime Minister's conference speech in Manchester. Were the voters of the north right to take the Prime Minister at his word?
Yes, and they should wait and see what is unveiled tomorrow, when my right hon. Friend may learn something to his advantage.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not provide a direct answer about the commitment's status or timeline for Northern Powerhouse Rail.
Wait And See Unveiling Tomorrow
Response accuracy