Commons Sense

House of Commons · PMQs

PMQs

Wednesday 26 February 2020 · 15 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 14 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Prime Minister committed to increasing infrastructure spending on flood defences.
  • Prime Minister announced plans to launch an independent investigation into the Post Office Horizon IT system scandal.
  • Prime Minister pledged to work closely with the Welsh Administration to provide flood relief funding.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Philip Dunne Con South Derbyshire
Climate Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Record high water levels in the Rivers Severn and Trent have led to over 100 properties being flooded, causing significant distress.

Question

Will the Prime Minister use his influence in the Budget and comprehensive spending review later this year to increase infrastructure spending on flood defences for at-risk communities as part of his determination to show global leadership in taking action on climate change adaptation and mitigation?

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

Indeed I can, and I thank my right hon. Friend. We have been ensuring that the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is able to extend the Bellwin scheme where appropriate. Of course, we are also investing massively in flood defences—£2.6 billion has already gone in and, as he knows, we have pledged to commit another £4 billion to defend this country against flooding.

Answered
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Q2 Jeremy Corbyn Your Party Islington North
Economy Agriculture & Rural Affairs Environment
Context

The question arises from criticism of the government's handling of recent floods and its perceived lack of action.

Question

Mr Speaker, the Prime Minister was keen to pose for cameras during election times when there was a crisis, but he often goes AWOL: he was late responding to the London riots because he was on holiday; he was on a private island when the Iranian general was assassinated; and last week he had his head in the sand in a mansion in Kent. The hon. Member for Calder Valley said that it “is not good enough”. How can the country trust a part-time Prime Minister who, instead of supporting people suffering from floods, schmoozed Tory party donors at an expensive black-tie ball? This Government need to invest in defences and ensure real insurance for those affected by these floods.

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

Not only have we been investing massively in flood defences and compensating those who have suffered from flooding, but we have also stopped early release of terrorists; restored the nurses' bursary; begun work on 40 new hospitals; and recruited 20,000 more police officers. Our economy is strong with record employment, lowest unemployment since the '70s, rising wages, and increasing home ownership.

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Q3 Martin Docherty SNP Linlithgow and East Falkirk
Standards & Ethics
Context

The question arises from the resignation of a Prime Minister's advisor due to promoting eugenicist policies.

Question

Graham, born with cerebral palsy and unable to perform basic tasks independently, brought joy to those who knew him. After an adviser resigned when it was discovered they promoted eugenicist views that could have ended the life of my brother Graham, will the Prime Minister explain why Andrew Sabisky remained in his Government until the issue was revealed?

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

Let us be absolutely clear that I certainly do not share those views, and nor are they the views of anybody in this Government. That individual no longer works for the Government.

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Q4 Saqib Bhatti Con Glasgow Central
Climate Environment
Context

The question addresses the establishment of an Office for Environmental Protection to monitor environmental commitments.

Question

Does the Prime Minister agree that through the creation of the Office for Environmental Protection, which will oversee this Government's and future ones' adherence to their environmental pledges, it is the Conservatives who are driving the environmental agenda? Will he join me in praising the Conservative-led Solihull Borough Council for its commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030?

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

It of course brings me great joy to congratulate Solihull Borough Council on its path-breaking leadership. The council is following in the footsteps of the national Government and my right hon Friend, who led the way in setting a target for carbon zero by 2050. This Conservative Government are going to leave our country and our environment in a better state for the next generation.

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Q5 Mhairi Black SNP Paisley and Renfrewshire North
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question discusses the insufficient amount of money received under Universal Credit for a constituent preparing to give birth.

Question

I have a pregnant constituent with her due date in the next couple of weeks. She is currently on universal credit, and after deductions, including for an advance, she is left with £111 per month to feed herself, heat her home and prepare for her child. I will provide more details about this case if needed, but can the Prime Minister confirm whether he believes that £111 a month is enough for anyone to live on?

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

I am of course very happy indeed to look at that case and for us to do whatever we can to help with that individual case, but I must say to the hon Lady that, in the round, universal credit has helped and is helping 200000 people into work. An estimated 1 million disabled households will get around £100 more per month as a result of universal credit. I am proud to stand by our record of helping people into work and off welfare. As I said before, I am more than happy to look at the case—Mhairi Black: Answer the question.—The answer to her question, in a word, is no.

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Q6 Kate Osborne Lab Hornsea
Justice & Courts Employment

Question

Like many other sub-postmasters, my constituent Chris Head has been affected by the Post Office Horizon IT system scandal. These errors have resulted in bankruptcies, imprisonment and even suicide. Will the Prime Minister today assure Chris and others that he will commit to launching an independent inquiry?

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

I am indeed aware of the scandal to which the hon Lady alludes and the disaster that has befallen many Post Office workers—I have met some of them myself. I am happy to commit to getting to the bottom of the matter in the way that she recommends.

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Q7 Jack Lopresti Con Margoudstown
Veterans
Context

John Downey received a letter from the government and his trial collapsed. Dennis Hutchings was also investigated but no further action taken.

Question

Does the Prime Minister accept that if Dennis Hutchings goes to trial on 9 March, all assurances will amount to nothing more than empty platitudes?

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

It is to rectify matters such as the one to which my hon. Friend draws attention that this Government are finally bringing in a law to prevent vexatious prosecution of veterans when no new evidence has been produced.

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Q8 Siobhain McDonagh Lab Mitcham and Morden
NHS
Context

Epsom and St Helier trust is set to lose services, potentially becoming a walk-in centre.

Question

Will the Prime Minister reassure me that he will look at this issue of health inequalities between rich and poor areas?

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

In addition to the 40 new hospitals that we are building, as part of the £33.9 billion initial investment—the record investment—that we are making in the NHS, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust will receive £500 million to redevelop its estate and world-class facilities on that site.

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Q9 Theresa Villiers Con Harrow East
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Concerns about the sell-out of fishing communities and control over UK waters from January next year.

Question

Will the Prime Minister promise to resist in all circumstances the sell-out of our fishing communities?

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

I will indeed, and I hope that my right hon. Friend's words were listened to very carefully by members of the Scottish National party, because they would hand back control of our fishing to Brussels.

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Q10 Gerald Jones Lab Pontypridd
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Families and businesses devastated after Storm Dennis. No funding announced by UK Government.

Question

Will the Prime Minister provide major new funding that Wales needs to recover from the floods?

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

Of course it is a devolved matter, but none the less the Government are committed to working flat out with the Welsh Administration to ensure that everybody gets the flood relief that they need. Yes, of course, that cash certainly will be passported through.

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Q11 Marco Longhi Con Dudley South
Education
Context

£25 million investment via the Government's towns fund to secure a university campus near town centre.

Question

Will the Prime Minister lend his support to this scheme to level up and generate greater opportunity for Dudley people?

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

I will certainly look at what I can do—be careful what you wish for! Is it to be there in person? Is that what he is asking for?

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Q12 David Linden SNP Aberavon
Foreign Affairs Religion & Faith
Context

Growing religious intolerance, especially against Muslims and Christians.

Question

Will the Prime Minister meet me to look more closely at religious freedom issues in India?

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

I would be more than happy to meet the hon. Gentleman to discuss protecting those of a Christian faith in India and around the world.

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Q13 Daniel Kawczynski Con Shrewsbury and Atcham
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Severe flooding in Shrewsbury, proposals for a more holistic approach to managing the River Severn.

Question

Will the Prime Minister ensure that the Department looks at serious proposals to manage the River Severn holistically?

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

My hon. Friend is absolutely right to raise this. I will ensure that Defra, working with the Environment Agency, takes the necessary steps.

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Q14 Ian Mearns Lab Gateshead
NHS
Context

Sir Michael Marmot's findings highlight the devastating impact of government cuts on health inequalities.

Question

What does the Prime Minister intend to do as a matter of urgency to reduce stark health inequalities between north and south, rich and poor?

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

Answer not provided in the given context.

Not addressed: Health inequality reduction measures

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Q15 Full Name
NHS Education Children & Families
Context

The question relates to the government's stance on reducing health disparities across different regions of the UK.

Question

Given your past work with Professor Marmot, can you elaborate on how this Government intends to continue addressing and mitigating health inequalities in England?

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

I have the highest respect for Professor Marmot, and during my time as Mayor of London we did a lot of work together. While there is no denying that more needs to be done, I can assure you that this Government remains committed to uniting and levelling up across our country through substantial investments in the NHS, education, and early years provision. We will not shy away from the campaign for levelling up that lies ahead.

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