Commons Sense

House of Commons · PMQs

PMQs

Wednesday 8 January 2020 · 22 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

At a glance

Answered 22 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Boris Johnson acknowledges the DWP is reviewing special rules for terminal illness and invites Andrew Lewer to meet with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.
  • Boris Johnson confirms the UK is enhancing readiness of HMS Defender and HMS Montrose in the Gulf and relocating non-essential personnel from Baghdad to Taji.
  • Boris Johnson states that determining the legality of the US operation against General Soleimani is not for the UK to decide, emphasizing the US's right to protect its interests.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Lewer Con Northampton, South
Context

The Motor Neurone Disease Association is campaigning to scrap the six-month rule that requires people with terminal illnesses like motor neurone disease to wait six months before claiming certain benefits.

Question

Paying tribute to his work, Andrew Lewer asks Boris Johnson to join him in pressing the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to complete its review of special rules for terminal illness announced last July and to scrap six months from the rule.

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

Paying tribute to Andrew Miller's work, Boris Johnson acknowledges the importance of the welfare system for those suffering from motor neurone disease and confirms that the DWP is reviewing special rules for terminal illness. He invites Andrew Lewer to meet with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions at the earliest opportunity.

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Q2 Jeremy Corbyn Your Party Labour
Context

Following the assassination of General Soleimani, Jeremy Corbyn raises concerns about further escalation or retaliation in the region.

Question

In light of the attack on US bases in Iraq, Jeremy Corbyn asks Boris Johnson if he opposes any further retaliation or escalation in violence, as this could lead to a full-scale war. He also questions whether UK troops and civilians are at risk following the Government's support for the United States' actions.

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

Boris Johnson confirms that the UK is doing everything possible to protect its interests, including enhancing readiness of HMS Defender and HMS Montrose in the Gulf. He relocates non-essential personnel from Baghdad to Taji and expresses hope for preventing an escalation.

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Q3 Jeremy Corbyn Your Party Labour
Context

Corbyn inquires about the evidence supporting the U.S. action that led to the death of General Soleimani.

Question

Following government support for US actions, Jeremy Corbyn asks Boris Johnson what evidence he has suggesting the attack on and killing of General Soleimani was not an illegal act by the United States. He highlights international law concerning such matters.

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

Johnson confirms that determining strict issues of legality is not for UK to decide as it was not their operation. He notes that most reasonable people would accept the US has a right to protect its bases and personnel, citing Soleimani's history of supporting attacks on civilians and British troops.

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Q4 Jeremy Corbyn Your Party Labour
Context

Corbyn questions the UK's role in ensuring that Iranian officials who want to attend the UN Security Council can do so, especially if the US Administration blocks them.

Question

Jeremy Corbyn asks Boris Johnson about representations made by the Government to ensure Iranian officials can attend the Security Council for discussions on regional stability. He also queries what personal efforts will be made by the Prime Minister to President Trump in this regard.

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

Johnson confirms the US has a duty under international law to allow people to visit the UN and states the UK supports this position.

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Q5 Jeremy Corbyn Your Party Labour
Context

Corbyn raises the Iraqi Parliament's resolution for foreign troops to leave Iraq, asking if the UK government will respect any decision made by a sovereign Parliament.

Question

In response to the resolution passed by the Iraqi Parliament calling for foreign troops' withdrawal, Jeremy Corbyn inquires whether Boris Johnson can confirm that Britain respects the sovereignty of Iraq and complies with its decisions.

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

Johnson expresses his wish that coalition forces, including British troops, continue to support Iraq's security and integrity. He states the current significant NATO mission in Iraq assists against Daesh.

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Q6 Jeremy Corbyn Your Party Labour
Context

Questions US government's actions in Iraq and Iran.

Question

Asks if the Government respects sovereignty of Iraq, criticizes PM for prioritizing relationship with President Trump over regional security.

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

Refutes claims as fiction, states UK's commitment to de-escalation in the region and working with US and Iran for peace, criticizes Labour for receiving money from Iranian Press TV.

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Context

Refers to Winterbourne View scandal and numerous reports calling for an end to inappropriate in-patient care.

Question

Asks how many people are still trapped in inappropriate care settings and instructs the Department of Health to act on recommendations.

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

Acknowledges unacceptable number of 2,190 people in inappropriate care settings, states reduction is underway and will meet her soon.

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Q8 Ian Blackford SNP Ross, Skye and Lochaber
Context

Welcomes new year, discusses democracy in Iraq.

Question

Asks who should determine the future of Scotland—Prime Minister or people living there?

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

Claims people of Scotland voted to stay in UK, accuses SNP of mismanaging healthcare and education with £9 billion funding from UK Exchequer.

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Q9 Fiona Bruce Con Tewkesbury
Context

Refers to manifesto commitment to strong families.

Question

Questions about extending troubled families program and manifest pledge for championing family hubs.

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

Acknowledges inclusion of family hubs in manifesto thanks to Fiona Bruce, working with local authorities to champion and deliver them.

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Context

References Northern Rail's issues with delays, overcrowding, cancellations.

Question

Requests commitment to stripping Northern Rail of its franchise and devolving power/money to regions for local control over transport.

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

Shares outrage, developing contingency plans for Northern Rail replacement, looking at franchising system through Keith Williams report.

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Context

Inquires about the vision for constitutional ties between Wales and England in light of potential Irish reunification and Scottish independence.

Question

The Prime Minister is a man of vision, apparently. What is his vision for the constitutional relationship between Wales and England in the event of Irish reunification and Scottish independence?

Answer from The Prime Minister

Our relationship, like the relationship of the whole United Kingdom, will go from strength to strength.

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Context

Concerns about an American company's track record of breaching environmental regulations in the USA, seeking to build a massive incinerator with potential adverse effects on local residents.

Question

American company Wheelabrator has a track record of breaching environmental legislation in the USA and now seeks to build a massive incinerator in the beautiful Test Valley. Local residents are looking to this Government because of their concerns about emissions levels and are seeking reassurance from my right hon. Friend that regulations on emissions from incineration will be further enhanced and greener alternatives encouraged.

Answer from The Prime Minister

I see my right hon. Friend's point with great concern. As we move to a net zero economy by 2050 under this groundbreaking Conservative Government, it is vital that we tackle those kinds of emissions. That is why we are establishing the Office for Environmental Protection, and I will chair a new Cabinet Committee to drive forward action on climate change across the whole of Government.

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Context

Critiques the Prime Minister's slogan 'Get Brexit done' as vacuous, pointing out that it is not even the end of the beginning with no deal still on the table.

Question

Happy new year to you and all your staff, Mr Speaker, and everyone in the House. The Prime Minister knows that his “Get Brexit done” slogan was vacuous. He also knows that it is not even the end of the beginning, with no deal firmly back on the table. Will he now acknowledge that any job lost and any impact on British industry as a result of his Brexit policy is firmly at his door?

Answer from The Prime Minister

Contrary to the predictions of the gloomsters, unemployment is at a record low—we have put on about 800,000 jobs since the referendum—and we will indeed get Brexit done by 31 January.

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Q14 Brendan O'Hara SNP QQ6
Context

Inquires about the mechanism for Scottish people to give their consent or otherwise on maintaining the Union, especially after winning three elections seeking to test that consent.

Question

Margaret Thatcher—Hon. Members: Hurrah! Lindsay Hoyle: Order. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Margaret Thatcher, John Major and the right hon. Gentleman's immediate predecessor all accepted that the Union of the United Kingdom can only be maintained by consent. Yet despite winning three elections seeking to test that consent, the Prime Minister insists that the SNP Government do not have a mandate to hold another independence referendum, so could he tell me exactly what mechanism is available to the Scottish people to give their consent or otherwise for maintaining this Union, and how they should go about exercising that?

Answer from The Prime Minister

I can only repeat my point, which is that the Scottish people do have a mechanism. They used it in 2014: it is a referendum. It took place, and as I think SNP Members all confirmed, it was a once-in-a-generation event.

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Q15 Neil Gray SNP QQ7
Context

Campaigns on behalf of Roadchef workers for their rightful share ownership money, highlighting a breakthrough in 2018 with HMRC agreeing to repay millions but now attempting to recoup taxes.

Question

For more than two years, I have been campaigning on behalf of my constituents in Harthill and 4,000 other low-income Roadchef workers across the UK who have waited more than 20 years to receive share ownership money that is rightfully theirs. In 2018 there was a breakthrough, when Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs agreed to repay millions of pounds in wrongfully paid tax. However, I understand that it is trying now to recoup tax on every penny possible from those low-income workers. Given that the trust was set up as a non-tax employee ownership scheme, does the Prime Minister think it is fair that HMRC would seek to run roughshod over that, and will he now meet me to discuss this projected saga?

Answer from The Prime Minister

Yes, of course. I make a general point that we have done a huge amount to lift the burden of taxation on the low-paid, and we are lifting the living wage by the biggest ever increase, but I know that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor will welcome the opportunity to discuss the particular matter that the hon. Gentleman raises in person.

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Q16 Dehenna Davison Lab Conservative
NHS
Context

A local NHS trust is consulting on closing a stroke rehabilitation service, causing concern among staff and residents.

Question

Dehenna Davison asks the Prime Minister to work with herself and the Health Secretary to address concerns about the closure of the stroke rehabilitation service at Bishop Auckland hospital.

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

Johnson congratulates Dehenna Davison and welcomes her to Prime Minister's Question Time. He thanks her for raising concerns and informs her that the Health Secretary is addressing the matter quickly, despite record NHS investment.

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Q17 Colleen Fletcher Lab Walsall North
NHS
Context

A&E waiting times in Coventry have been under constant pressure, with almost a quarter of attendances waiting four hours or more to be seen.

Question

Colleen Fletcher asks the Prime Minister if he is willing to meet a delegation from Coventry to discuss opening a second walk-in centre in the city to alleviate some of the pressure on A&E departments.

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

Johnson thanks Colleen Fletcher for her question but offers no direct commitment, instead suggesting that she raise it with the Health Secretary.

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Q18 Matt Western Lab Coventry North West
Context

The Government have made commitments to work with Germany and France in helping to restore the Iran nuclear deal since July.

Question

Matt Western asks for details on steps taken by the Prime Minister working with Germany and France to help restore the Iran nuclear deal, post his appointment as Prime Minister.

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

Johnson acknowledges the importance and states that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action remains the best way forward for preventing nuclear proliferation in Iran. He suggests it is a shell that can be filled again if circumstances allow.

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Q19 Harriett Baldwin Con West Worcestershire
Context

Performance of West Midlands Trains for constituents has been woeful, prompting concerns from local authorities.

Question

Harriett Baldwin inquires if the PM agrees with Andy Street's view that poor performance by West Midlands Trains warrants an inspection and potential franchise revocation by the Secretary of State for Transport.

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

Johnson confirms that he has discussed this with Andy Street and is looking at the whole issue. He mentions that the bell tolls for West Midlands rail, indicating potential scrutiny or action.

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Q20 Douglas Chapman SNP Coatbridge and Chryston
Context

The SNP won a majority in Scotland, leading to demands for discussions on an Edinburgh agreement regarding Scottish independence.

Question

Douglas Chapman welcomes the PM's mandate but asserts that it is insignificant compared to the SNP's mandate. He urges the PM to commence discussions on Scottish independence.

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

Johnson reiterates that the people of Scotland decided in favour of remaining part of the UK and that this decision should be respected without giving any indication of willingness to discuss independence further.

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Q21 Steve Double Con St Austell and Newquay
Context

Cornwall continues to be one of the poorest parts of the UK, despite government commitments to level up across the country.

Question

Steve Double welcomes the PM's commitment to invest and level up and specifically asks for confirmation on continued investment in infrastructure projects in Cornwall.

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

Johnson confirms commitment to invest in Cornwall, mentioning specific projects like the A303 upgrade, rail transport improvements, and NHS services for various towns in Cornwall.

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Q22 Karl Turner Ind Kingston upon Hull East
Context

A constituent serving life for a crime, Steven Gallant, showed significant bravery by wrestling a knife-wielding attacker to the ground on London Bridge.

Question

Karl Turner asks the Prime Minister if he will pay tribute to and congratulate Steven Gallant for his brave actions that saved lives despite being in prison.

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

Johnson thanks Karl Turner and expresses admiration for Steven Gallant's bravery. He hopes that such gallantry will be recognized in the proper way, though it is not within government's purview to decide these matters.

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