PMQs 2021-07-07

2021-07-07

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Context
Many constituents in Falkirk and across the UK are facing financial hardship due to the retrospective loan charge imposed by HMRC, which is causing widespread distress.
Prime Minister, we hear a great deal about the rule of law and justice. Can you tell me what you will do about the injustice my constituents face because of the retrospective loan charge? The hounding by HMRC has managed to mislead Treasury Ministers and appears to lack legal basis or justification. Therefore, will you accept this matter needs further immediate investigation?
I am acutely aware of the pain suffered by those who entered into loan charge schemes, but I think the line taken by the Treasury is right on this.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not accept the need for further investigation as requested.
The Line Taken By The Treasury Is Right
Response accuracy
Q2 Direct Answer
Context
The United Kingdom needs improved connectivity to remain united. The interim connectivity review has suggested some improvements.
Improved connectivity is vital for the UK's unity. Will the Prime Minister support investment in roads like A75, A69, and extend the borders railway? What is the timescale for such investments?
I thank my hon. Friend for his excellent question. The final recommendations from Sir Peter Hendy about the A75 will be forthcoming soon, but we have already agreed £5 million from the UK and Scottish Governments to extend the Edinburgh-Tweedbank borders railway to Carlisle.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The Health Secretary stated that under the Government's plan, infections could go as high as 100,000 a day.
If infections reach 100,000 per day, what will be the expected number of hospitalisations and deaths, and how many people with long covid can we expect?
There are projections available from SAGE. We have severed the link between infection and serious disease thanks to vaccines. However, I need clarity on whether Labour supports our progress towards fully reopening the economy on 19 July.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not provide specific numbers as requested.
I Need Clarity On Whether Labour Supports Our Progress
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
SAGE papers highlighted that high infection rates increase the chance of new variants emerging, strain NHS capacity, cause more long COVID cases, and make test-and-trace less effective.
Given the high infection rates due to letting in the delta variant, will 100,000 daily infections mean greater pressure on the NHS, more people with long COVID, ineffective test and trace, and a higher chance of new variants? Is this plan really comfortable?
We have rolled out the fastest vaccination programme in Europe, providing more than 90% protection against hospitalisation. We will continue with a balanced approach, and I need clarity from Labour on whether they support reopening.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not address his comfort level with the plan as requested.
I Need Clarity From Labour On Their Stance
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
There are 100,000 daily infections, which could lead to millions of people being asked to isolate weekly. This raises concerns about the effectiveness of the test and trace system.
How many people does he expect will be asked to isolate if infection rates continue to rise at this rate? The Financial Times estimates around 2 million people per week, while the Daily Mail suggests it could be 3.5 million weekly. This means huge disruption for families and businesses as summer holidays begin.
I thank everybody who self-isolates; they are doing the right thing. We are moving away from self-isolation towards testing in the course of the next few weeks. The programme of self-isolation will continue for as long as necessary.
Assessment & feedback
The number of people expected to isolate was not provided.
We Are Moving Away From Self-Isolation Towards Testing
Response accuracy
Q6 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
There are 100,000 daily infections leading to massive disruptions for families and businesses. The FT estimates this could result in millions isolating weekly.
How many people will be asked to self-isolate if there are 100,000 infections a day? There are already too many stories of people deleting the NHS app because they can see what is coming down the track. What is he going to do to stop people from deleting the NHS app?
Of course we are going to continue with the programme of self-isolation for as long as that is necessary. We are also moving towards a system of testing rather than self-isolation.
Assessment & feedback
Specific actions to prevent app deletions were not addressed.
We Are Moving From Self-Isolation To Testing
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The debate concerns whether face masks should be mandatory or advisory on public transport.
Why can the Prime Minister not see that it is common sense to make face masks mandatory on public transport?
Of course we can see that it is common sense for people in confined spaces to wear a face mask out of respect and courtesy. We are moving from legal diktat to allowing personal responsibility.
Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment on mandatory masks was not given.
Allowing Personal Responsibility
Response accuracy
Q8 Partial Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The Prime Minister faces criticism for his approach to lifting restrictions.
Instead of a careful, controlled approach, are we heading for a summer of chaos and confusion?
No. These decisions need to be taken in a balanced way, cautiously, pragmatically, and sensibly. We are proceeding with the reopening of society and economy.
Assessment & feedback
Specific plans for controlled opening were not detailed.
We Are Proceeding Cautiously
Response accuracy
Q9 Direct Answer
Context
The MP visited Penketh South Community Primary School to discuss cleaner energy generation with year 6 children. The HyNet North West project aims to secure thousands of green jobs in the north-west by 2030 and reduce emissions significantly.
Does the Prime Minister agree that, besides backing electric vehicle production in the north-west, there is an opportunity to shift towards low-carbon hydrogen by supporting projects such as HyNet North West which will secure thousands of green jobs while reducing emissions?
Yes, I believe that the north-west will be a world leader in hydrogen technology. The HyNet project is an excellent example. We have already put £45 million into supporting the HyNet project.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q10 Partial Answer
Context
The Tory Government introduced the Electoral Integrity Bill, which the MP argues is designed to impose Trumpian voter ID laws in the UK. The Electoral Reform Society warns it could lead to disenfranchisement on an industrial scale, particularly affecting working-class communities and black and minority ethnic groups.
Why are the Tory Government trying to introduce voter ID laws that will disenfranchise millions of people from voting?
What we are trying to protect is the democratic right of people to have a one person, one vote system. Plenty of other countries have voter ID laws.
Assessment & feedback
specific ask about withdrawing proposals
Mountain Out Of Molehill Reassurance Without Specifics
Response accuracy
Q11 Partial Answer
Context
The MP reiterates that there were only 34 allegations of impersonation in the 2019 election. He argues that the proposals will disenfranchise millions who do not have a form of photo ID.
Why is the Prime Minister seeking to make it harder for people to vote, particularly those from working-class and black and minority ethnic communities?
The right hon. Member is making a bit of a mountain out of a molehill. Councils will be under an obligation to provide free photo ID to anybody who wants it, and I do think it reasonable to protect the public in our elections from voter fraud.
Assessment & feedback
specific ask about withdrawing proposals
Mountain Out Of Molehill Voter Fraud Protection
Response accuracy
Q12 Partial Answer
Context
The MP is concerned about frequent flooding issues in the town of Looe, South East Cornwall.
Will he speak to Government Departments to get this issue sorted?
Through my hon. Friend, I thank again the people of South East Cornwall and everywhere in Cornwall. The Environment Secretary has met Cornwall Council to discuss the matter.
Assessment & feedback
specific ask about government intervention
Reassurance Without Specifics
Response accuracy
Q13 Partial Answer
Context
The MP references accurate surveillance as important for vaccines. The Department of Health and Social Care promised jobs and security to domestic diagnostics tests but is now supporting discredited Chinese imports worth £3 billion.
Why are the Government undermining superior domestic diagnostics tests while propping up discredited Chinese imports?
I do not think that is an entirely fair characterisation of what the Government are doing. On the contrary, we have worked night and day to build up our domestic lateral flow capacity.
Assessment & feedback
specific ask about procurement actions
Discrediting Accusation Reassurance Without Specifics
Response accuracy
Q14 Partial Answer
Context
The MP refers to President Xi's threats and human rights violations in China, as recognised by this House. Five MPs remain sanctioned due to these issues.
Will the Prime Minister support a motion calling for a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics until basic international standards of decency are met?
This country has led the world in condemning human rights abuses in Xinjiang and putting sanctions on those responsible. I will certainly consider the proposals debated, but I must say that I am instinctively against sporting boycotts.
Assessment & feedback
specific ask about supporting diplomatic boycott
Consideration Without Commitment Reassurance Of Condemnation
Response accuracy
Q15 Partial Answer
Wendy Chamberlain Lib Dem
North East Fife
Context
The Government committed two years ago to reform a welfare system aspect that requires terminally ill people to prove they have six months or less to live before fast access to benefits is granted.
May I associate myself with the remarks of the Prime Minister and others on the anniversaries being marked today? This Sunday, 11 July, marks two years since the Government committed to reforming a cruel aspect of the welfare system that forces terminally ill people to prove they have six months or less to live before fast access to benefits. The Motor Neurone Disease Association and Marie Curie estimate that in that time, 7,000 people have died waiting for a decision on their benefits claim. With the pandemic and NHS backlog, the situation will become only more acute. When will the Government publish their review and finally scrap the six-month rule?
I am aware of the issue that the hon. Lady has raised. To the best of my knowledge, we are making that change, but I will write to her as soon as I have that information.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a specific timeline for publishing the review and scrapping the six-month rule
Response accuracy
Q16 Partial Answer
Context
The extension of the grace period for supply of chilled meat from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is seen as a temporary solution.
While the extension of the grace period for the supply of chilled meat from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is welcome, Lord Frost is entirely right to say that it amounts in truth to no more than a temporary 'sticking plaster', so can my right hon. Friend please confirm that, unless the European Union adopts a more proportionate approach to the application of the Northern Ireland protocol, this country will do whatever is necessary, legislative or otherwise, to fix the problem permanently?
My right hon. Friend is, sadly, completely right in his analysis. There remain very serious problems in what I believe is the misapplication—the excessively legally purist application—of that protocol. What we are hoping for is some progress from the European Commission—some repairs that I think that they should make to the way this is working—but to echo what he has said, we certainly rule nothing out in our approach.
Assessment & feedback
Did not specify any concrete action or commitment beyond ruling things out without further detail
Response accuracy
Q17 Partial Answer
Context
One in four pregnancies ends in miscarriage, and parents often resort to sick pay or unpaid leave if their miscarriage occurs before 24 weeks.
One in four pregnancies ends in miscarriage. Does the Prime Minister agree that parents' grief for this profound loss is not an illness and therefore that parents should receive formal miscarriage leave rather than resorting to sick pay or unpaid leave if their miscarriage occurs before 24 weeks? Will he support my private Member's Bill and introduce paid miscarriage leave for parents?
I sympathise deeply with anybody who has suffered the loss of a baby by miscarriage, of course. What I can tell the hon. Lady is that we did introduce, in 2020, paid parental bereavement leave. That entitles those who lose a child after 24 weeks of pregnancy to some payment, but, of course, nothing I can say, and no payment we could make, would be any consolation to those who experience a miscarriage in that way.
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to supporting the private Member's Bill for paid miscarriage leave before 24 weeks
Response accuracy
Q18 Partial Answer
Kevin Hollinrake Con
Thirsk and Malton
Context
Ian Foxley, a key whistleblower in the GPT Special Project Management Ltd case, has been financially devastated for his whistleblowing despite achieving rare success for the Serious Fraud Office.
The Serious Fraud Office achieved a rare success in Southwark Crown court in April with the successful prosecution of GPT Special Project Management Ltd, which resulted in £28 million of penalties for corruption. The key whistleblower in this case was my constituent Ian Foxley, without whom the prosecution would never have happened, yet he has been totally hung out to dry by the Serious Fraud Office, despite 10 years of financial devastation. Does my right hon. Friend agree that, unless we properly compensate whistleblowers, they simply will not come forward, and will he consider making a payment out of the £28 million received by Her Majesty's Treasury to compensate him for his losses?
I thank my hon. Friend for his excellent question. I want to thank Mr Foxley for his whistleblowing, because he has seen justice done. The trouble is that we do not normally compensate whistle-blowers in the way that my hon. Friend recommends, but I know that my right hon. and learned Friend the Solicitor General has offered to meet my hon. Friend to discuss the matter further.
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to making a payment out of the £28 million penalty
Response accuracy
Q19 Direct Answer
Bell Ribeiro-Addy Lab
Clapham and Brixton Hill
Context
The NHS celebrated its 73rd birthday, but Opposition Members and constituents remain concerned about threats to public health services including no staff pay rise, cuts in mental health beds, sell-off of GP practices.
On Monday, we celebrated the 73rd birthday of the NHS—one of the very best things about our country. Many Opposition Members, and our constituents, remain committed to protecting the fundamental right to universal healthcare, free at the point of delivery, but this Government remain a constant threat to our public health service, with no staff pay rise, a 25% cut in the number of mental health beds, and the widespread sell-off of GP practices, such as the Edith Cavell Surgery in my constituency to American private insurance giant Centene. There is also the Health and Care Bill, which will only open the doors wider for privatisation. Why is the Prime Minister continuing to eviscerate our most essential public services, and why will he not listen to the thousands of essential workers who demonstrated on Saturday to end NHS privatisation, chronic underfunding and understaffing, and to keep the NHS public?
With great respect to the hon. Lady, I do not think that I have ever heard a question that was more inversely related to reality. This is a Government that from the beginning invested the biggest amount in the NHS for a generation. Then, in the last year, we put another £92 billion into frontline care. We have increased nurses' starting pay by 12.8% over the last three years. Above all, not only are we building 48 more hospitals, but there are another 59,000 people working in the NHS this year than there were this time last year. This is a Government who are putting our NHS first.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q20 Direct Answer
Context
There is significant investment in battery-powered vehicles, but the questioner emphasizes the role of zero-carbon hydrogen combustion engines.
I am sure that the whole House welcomes the fantastic news of Nissan's investment in an electric battery gigafactory in Sunderland, but does the Prime Minister agree that batteries are only part of the solution in pursuit of net zero by 2050, and that zero-carbon hydrogen combustion engines, such as those recently developed by Midlands-based JCB, have an important role to play in our country's decarbonisation plans?
My hon. Friend is completely right. The investments that we have seen in just the last week or so—Nissan's investment in a gigafactory in Sunderland and what Stellantis is doing at Ellesmere Port—are tremendously exciting for battery-powered vehicles. It is fantastic, but we must not forget hydrogen. As I said in an earlier answer, we want this country to be a world leader in hydrogen technology as well.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q21 Partial Answer
Context
Fatal and serious road accidents on St Albans Road and Redbourn Road have raised concerns among constituents.
I know that the Prime Minister is aware of the fatal and serious road accidents that have taken place on St Albans Road and Redbourn Road in my constituency. Will he advise the House on what more the Government are doing to improve road safety, not just in the case of fatal accidents but where there are serious accidents or near misses?
My hon. Friend is right to raise this. Although the number of those who have been killed or seriously injured on the roads has been coming down over a long period, it is vital that we invest in this area. We have put another £100 million through the safer roads fund to invest in 50 of the most dangerous stretches on A roads. I also draw his attention to the THINK! campaign.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not address improvements beyond fatal accidents specifically.
Hedging
Response accuracy
Q22 Partial Answer
Matthew Pennycook Lab
Greenwich and Woolwich
Context
The Fire Safety Act 2021 promised support to affected leaseholders, but the Building Safety Bill does not provide adequate protection.
To their bitter disappointment, and despite the assurances given during the passage of the Fire Safety Act 2021 that it would do so, the Building Safety Bill, published on Monday, does little to help the hundreds of thousands of leaseholders who right now face financial ruin as a result of the building safety crisis. My question to the Prime Minister is a simple one: why are his Government seemingly intent on failing to honour the commitments given to those leaseholders, and to Members of this House, by refusing to legislate to fully protect all the blameless victims of this scandal?
That is not accurate. We are continuing to support all those who have to remediate their buildings. I remind Members that the £5 billion that we have provided is five times what Labour offered for support in their last manifesto. We will ensure that all the leaseholders—the people who have suffered from the consequences of the Grenfell conflagration—get the advice and support that they need.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not address why the government failed to honor its commitment specifically.
Hedging
Response accuracy
Q23 Direct Answer
Jeremy Wright Con
Kenilworth and Southam
Context
The pandemic has negatively impacted the fundraising capacity of independent hospices.
My right hon. Friend will recognise the huge service done by independent hospices to those at the end of their lives, to their families and to the NHS, because those people would be likely to otherwise be in hospital. He will also understand the huge impact that the covid pandemic has had on the fundraising capacity of those hospice charities, so may I ask him to consider carefully and personally the case that is being made by independent hospices for greater Government support for their clinical costs—costs which, if they were no longer there, would undoubtedly be borne by the taxpayer and by the hard- pressed NHS?
My right hon. and learned Friend is totally right to draw attention to the incredible selfless work of hospices up and down the country. Charitable hospices receive £350 million of Government funding annually, but he is also right to draw attention to the difficulties they have had in fundraising this year and over the pandemic. That is why they have received an additional £257 million in national grant funding arrangements.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q24 Partial Answer
Imran Hussain Lab
Bradford East
Context
Despite promises, many constituents remain excluded from vital support to protect jobs, businesses and incomes.
In January, the Prime Minister promised me that he would listen to the calls of those that the Government had excluded from vital support to protect their jobs, businesses and incomes during the coronavirus pandemic, yet over the last six months many of my constituents have still been coming to tell me that they have been shut off and ignored, and millions across the country continue to be excluded. I have to ask the Prime Minister: why did he give those who have been excluded false hope instead of the support they desperately needed?
Of course I know how tough it has been for millions of people up and down the country and for business. That is why this Government put in an extraordinary £407 billion to support jobs and livelihoods across the country throughout the pandemic.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not address why excluded individuals were given false hope specifically.
Hedging
Response accuracy
Q25 Partial Answer
Caroline Nokes Con
Romsey and Southampton North
Context
Diesel has been spilling into the River Test since May, affecting a significant environmental resource.
The River Test is one of the finest chalk streams in the world, but since May, diesel has been spilling into the river. What matters most is that the flow is stopped and that there is an effective clean-up, but there are many agencies involved, which has made a co-ordinated response challenging. Please will my right hon. Friend ensure that the Environment Agency, Natural England, Southern Water, local authorities and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs are all involved in solving this environmental catastrophe together?
My right hon. Friend is completely right. All those bodies are involved, but the lead agency is the Environment Agency, and I know that it is in touch with her. I must say that I have a very high regard for the agency and for its work.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not confirm coordination between agencies specifically to stop spillage.
Hedging
Response accuracy
Q26 Partial Answer
Matt Western Lab
Warwick and Leamington
Context
MP Rob Roberts has faced allegations of sexual harassment.
I am not sure that the Prime Minister actually welcomed my hon. Friend the new Member for Batley and Spen, but perhaps he will want to correct the record after this.
They say that where there's a will there's a way, and the public will clearly welcome the Government's move to introduce emergency legislation tomorrow for pubs and bars to be able to stay open later on Sundays. However, the public will wonder why the hon. Member for Delyn (Rob Roberts) will be allowed to return to this House tomorrow and not be subject to a recall, despite there being a serious case of sexual harassment. The public do not understand why there should be one rule for Conservative MPs and another for the rest of us. Will the Prime Minister therefore allow time tomorrow for a motion to close this loophole and make the hon. Member for Delyn the subject of a recall?
First of all, the gentleman in question's sanction has come to an end. Secondly, the hon. Member for Warwick and Leamington (Matt Western) is in error: the hon. Member for Delyn (Rob Roberts) is not a Conservative MP.
Assessment & feedback
The answer changed the subject entirely without addressing why there should be one rule for MPs.
Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q27 Partial Answer
David Davis Con
Goole and Pocklington
Context
The government has implemented significant reductions in international aid, leading to top lawyers advising that this policy is unlawful. The previous estimates vote did not allow for an increase in spending on this aid.
This year thousands of children will die because of the Government's dramatic cuts in international aid. Top lawyers advise us that this policy is unlawful, and it has never been presented to this House for approval. When previously asked by my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister suggested the estimates vote was appropriate but does not allow increasing spending on aid. I ask again: when will we get a binding vote on the Government's aid policy?
The House was given a chance to vote on this matter in the estimates votes, but it mysteriously chose not to.
Assessment & feedback
Specifics about when there will be a binding vote were avoided
Mysteriously Chosen Not To
Response accuracy
Q28 Partial Answer
Tan Dhesi Lab
Slough
Context
The questioner describes personal experiences of losing loved ones without proper mourning due to public health restrictions. He criticizes government ministers for defending such measures, suggesting hypocrisy.
When my grandmother was on her deathbed, we were not allowed to comfort her; I could not carry her coffin. My uncle's funeral and my brother-in-law's father's passing in a care home due to covid were also painful experiences under these restrictions. After such sacrifices, it disgusted me when government ministers defended their guidance as 'time to move on'. They should be ashamed for not showing integrity and firing the chief adviser who flouted rules.
The Government sympathises deeply with those who have lost loved ones during the pandemic. We aim to minimise human suffering and loss of life, apologising for any endured suffering but noting that actions cannot reverse past losses.
Assessment & feedback
Specific apology or action requested by the questioner was not addressed
Sympathises With Those Who Have Lost Loved Ones Minimising Human Suffering
Response accuracy