Commons Sense

House of Commons · PMQs

PMQs

Wednesday 3 June 2020 · 22 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 22 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Prime Minister thanked Rachael Maskell for her question regarding the Public Health England report on inequality and poverty during the coronavirus pandemic.
  • Scott Benton highlighted concerns about visitors not social distancing in Blackpool and praised additional funding provided to the local area.
  • Keir Starmer expressed shock and anger over George Floyd's death and urged the Prime Minister to address this issue in discussions with President Trump.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op)
NHS Women & Equalities
Context

The question addresses the Prime Minister's response to the Public Health England report on inequalities during the coronavirus pandemic.

Question

As the Prime Minister obfuscates over his adviser, the real scandal of the coronavirus pandemic has been exposed in the Public Health England report published yesterday on inequality and poverty. If you are black or Asian, if you are poor, if you have a low-skilled job, the mortality risk is up to double that of the rest of the population, with the poorest having the greatest exposure, risk and fate. Now the Government are seriously increasing that exposure and risk with their easement announcements. Why will the Prime Minister not publish a full health and economic risk assessment for scrutiny, to protect us all from this deadly virus?

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

I thank the hon. Lady for her question. This Government commissioned the review from PHE and we take its findings very seriously, because there obviously are inequalities in the way the virus impacts on different people and different communities in our country. The Minister for Equalities, my hon. Friend the Member for Saffron Walden (Kemi Badenoch) will be looking at what next practical steps we need to do to protect all our country from coronavirus.

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Q2 Scott Benton Con Blackpool North and Cleveleys
Environment
Context

The question concerns the influx of visitors in Blackpool, an area with a high local infection rate, and how the Government is providing support.

Question

In the past few weeks, Blackpool has been inundated with visitors, and the images of people not social distancing and leaving our beach strewn with litter have angered my constituents, at a time when they are doing the right thing and following the Government's advice. The fact that Blackpool has one of the highest local infection rates in the nation has only served to heighten these fears. What assistance are the Government providing to areas such as Blackpool to deal with the influx of visitors, at a time when local services are already under pressure?

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

My hon. Friend well represents Blackpool and his constituents, sticking up for the interests of Blackpool. In addition to the £3.2 billion we are already giving to local councils to help combat corona, Blackpool is receiving another £9 million, as well as the funding from the high street funds and the town fund to deal with the particular problems he rightly identifies.

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Q3 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
Context

The question addresses the Prime Minister's response to the death of George Floyd and concerns about a loss of public trust in the Government.

Question

May I start by expressing shock and anger at the death of George Floyd? This has shone a light on racism and hatred experienced by many in the US and beyond. I am surprised the Prime Minister has not said anything about this yet, but I hope that the next time he speaks to President Trump he will convey to him the UK's abhorrence about his response to the events.<br/>This morning, The Daily Telegraph is reporting that the Prime Minister has decided to take “direct control” of the Government's response to the virus, so there is an obvious question for the Prime Minister: who has been in direct control up till now?

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

Let me let me begin by associating myself absolutely with what the right hon. and learned Gentleman had to say about the death of George Floyd. I think that what happened in the United States was appalling and inexcusable. We all saw it on our screens. I perfectly understand people's right to protest at what took place, although obviously I also believe that protests should take place in a lawful and reasonable way.<br/>On the right hon. and learned Gentleman's more polemical point, let me just say that I take full responsibility for everything that this Government have been doing in tackling coronavirus, and I am very proud of our record. If you look at what we have achieved so far, it is very considerable. We have protected the NHS. We have driven down the death rate. We are now seeing far fewer hospital admissions. I believe that the public understand that, with good British common sense, we will continue to defeat this virus and take this country forward, and what I think the country would like to hear from him is more signs of co-operation in that endeavour.

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Q4 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
Education
Context

The question addresses Keir Starmer's offer of assistance to the Prime Minister regarding getting children back into schools, followed by concerns about public trust and confidence in the Government.

Question

The Prime Minister asks for a sign of co-operation—a fair challenge. I wrote to him, as he knows, in confidence two weeks ago, to ask if I could help build a consensus for getting children back into our schools. I did it confidentially and privately, because I did not want to make a lot of it. He has not replied.<br/>This is a critical week in our response to covid-19. Whereas “lockdown” and “stay at home” were relatively easy messages, easing restrictions involves very difficult judgment calls. This is the week, of all weeks, where public trust and confidence in the Government needed to be at its highest. But as the director of the Reuters Institute, which commissioned a YouGov poll this weekend, said,<br/>“I have never in 10 years of research in this area seen a drop in trust like what we have seen for the UK government”.<br/>How worried is the Prime Minister about this loss of trust?

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

I am surprised that the right hon. and learned Gentleman should take that tone, since I took the trouble to ring him up, and we had a long conversation in which I briefed him about all the steps that we were taking. He did not offer any dissent at that stage—he thoroughly endorsed our approach, and I believe that he should continue to endorse it today. I think that he is on better and firmer ground when he stands with the overwhelming majority of the British people who understand the very difficult circumstances we are in and who want clarity across the political spectrum but who believe that we can move forward, provided that we continue to observe the basic rules on social distancing, on washing our hands and on making sure that when we have symptoms, we take a test and we isolate. I think everybody understands that. That is why the incidence of this disease is coming down, and his attempts to distract the public from that have not been successful, because they continue to pay attention to our guidance.

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Q5 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
NHS
Context

Keir Starmer questions the Prime Minister on public trust in the test, track and trace system.

Question

Keir Starmer welcomes news from the PM but expresses concerns about public trust and confidence given that the number of people traced is still far short of what is needed. He highlights the UK Statistics Authority's concerns over data adequacy which has led to widespread criticism and mistrust.

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

The PM dismisses Starmer's concerns, arguing that what matters most is providing clear guidance on defeating the virus. He defends the test and trace system as a vital tool and praises the achievement of reaching 200,000 tests daily by early June.

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Q6 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
NHS
Context

Starmer asks about the current alert level and R rate, noting that on May 10th when restrictions were lifted, the alert level was 4 and the R rate between 0.5-0.9.

Question

Keir Starmer enquires what is the present alert level and R rate as these are critical for understanding decision-making transparency.

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

Johnson responds that the alert level remains at 4 but states they have managed to protect the NHS, reduce deaths and infections. He claims progress has been made on PPE, care home issues and lowering the R rate.

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Q7 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
Democracy & Elections
Context

Starmer criticizes the scenes of MPs queuing to vote, calling it shameful. He argues this is unacceptable and indirect discrimination under the Equality Act 2010.

Question

Keir Starmer urges the Prime Minister to allow for online voting and resume hybrid Parliament sessions, pointing out that if any other employer behaved like this, it would be a clear case of indirect discrimination.

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

Johnson apologizes for the inconvenience but argues it is necessary that parliamentarians return to work. He says he will ensure those who cannot vote due to shielding or age can do so via proxy.

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Q8 Jeremy Hunt Con South West Surrey
NHS
Context

Jeremy Hunt congratulates the Prime Minister on reaching 200,000 daily capacity for testing. He inquires about the current turnaround time for tests.

Question

Could he tell us how many of the tests are currently being turned around within 24 hours and whether he would be willing to publish that number on a regular basis?

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

Johnson acknowledges that 90% of tests are already completed within 48 hours, including those from fixed and mobile testing sites. He commits to achieving 24-hour turnaround for all tests by end June, excepting postal test issues.

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Q9 Ian Blackford SNP Ross, Skye and Lochaber
Business & Trade
Context

Following George Floyd's death, there have been protests against police brutality and racial injustice in America. The UK government has not made any representations.

Question

Asks what representations the Prime Minister has made to Donald Trump regarding recent events. Asks if he will urgently review exports of riot control equipment to the US based on their use on American streets, considering the UK's guidance against such usage.

Answer from The Prime Minister

I am happy to look into any complaints, but as the right hon. Gentleman he knows, all exports are conducted in accordance with the consolidated guidance, and the UK is possibly the most scrupulous country in that respect in the world.

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Q10 Jane Hunt Con Rochford and Southend East
Community Security Religion & Faith
Context

There is an urgency to reopen places of worship and allow access to wedding venues for bookings, observing social distancing.

Question

Asks if religious faiths can be allowed to let people into their places of worship under social distancing measures and if wedding venues can have access for bookings.

Answer from The Prime Minister

I very much understand the urgency that many people in this country feel about the need to reopen places of worship. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government is leading a taskforce on this matter.

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Q11 Lloyd Russell-Moyle Lab Bridgwater and West Somerset
Care & Healthcare Workers
Context

Local fire authorities are planning to remove fire trucks and frontline firefighters. The Fire Brigades Union has called for a moratorium on such cuts.

Question

Asks if the Prime Minister will respond to the FBU's letter regarding a moratorium on firefighter cuts, noting their assistance during the pandemic.

Answer from The Prime Minister

I will certainly respond to his letter.

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Q12 Paul Howell Lab Sedgefield
Economy Taxation Transport
Context

Proposes economic measures to stimulate the UK economy, including housing market support, broadband investment in rural areas, and railway investments.

Question

Asks if the PM agrees with stimulating the UK economy post-pandemic through various initiatives such as supporting the housing market, investing in broadband, railways, and opening a new station at Ferryhill.

Answer from The Prime Minister

What a brilliant idea. I think Sedgefield should be careful what it wishes, but I will certainly investigate that possibility. My hon. Friend will know what we were doing, whether it is the 300,000 homes that we want to build every year, massive investment in gigabit broadband, or the huge investment in railways and roads.

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Q13 Alan Whitehead Lab Southampton, Test
Immigration
Context

Most European countries have quarantine measures in place. This country is now introducing them.

Question

Asks why the UK did not introduce quarantine arrangements earlier while most other European countries have had them.

Answer from The Prime Minister

For the simple reason that as we get the rate of infection down, with the efforts that we are making as a country, it is vital that we avoid reinfection from elsewhere.

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Q14 Mel Stride Con Central Devon
Taxation Employment
Context

Proposes including dividend income in the furlough support calculation for self-employed individuals.

Question

Asks if the PM has had a conversation with the Chancellor regarding the inclusion of self-employment income received by way of dividend in the calculation of furlough support and if there is any good news on this matter.

Answer from The Prime Minister

I am grateful to my right hon. Friend, who raises a very important point. I have an answer of fantastic complexity here before me, but the gist of it is that at present HMRC would be forced to rely on all sorts of information that it would not be able to verify very easily in order to comply with his wishes.

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Q15 Paul Blomfield Lab Bolsover
Immigration Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question addresses a policy concerning migrants who are lawfully in the UK but have no recourse to public funds, potentially leading them into unsafe conditions or extreme poverty.

Question

In front of the Liaison Committee last week, the Prime Minister was clearly shocked to learn that many migrants living and working lawfully in the UK have no recourse to public funds. Without support, many have been forced to continue working in unsafe conditions or have been pushed into extreme poverty. He promised the Liaison Committee that he would do all he could to help. Scrapping the policy would be the best step, so will he update the House on his progress?

Answer from The Prime Minister

What I can tell the House is that everybody knows that no recourse to public funds is a long-standing condition that applies to people here with temporary immigration status, but it does not mean that they are necessarily excluded from all public funds. For instance, they may be eligible for coronavirus job retention scheme funds or self-employed income support scheme funds. Indeed, if they have paid into the benefit system, they may be eligible also for certain benefits.

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Q16 Mark Fletcher Con Nelson and Colne
Economy Climate
Context

The MP proposes establishing a green enterprise zone in Bolsover to promote low-carbon manufacturing and research, aiming at economic recovery.

Question

As we come out of lockdown, it is vital that we get our economy firing on all cylinders. In Bolsover, to level up we need more skilled jobs, so will my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister meet me to discuss my proposal for Bolsover to lead the country with a green enterprise zone so that we can bring low-carbon manufacturing and research to our region?

Answer from The Prime Minister

My hon. Friend has exactly the right vision for Bolsover. Indeed, it is the vision that I have for the whole country. The green recovery will be essential to this country's success in the next few years. I am happy to meet him to discuss it.

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Q17 Judith Cummins Lab Stockton South
Standards & Ethics
Context

The question highlights concerns over the Communities Secretary's decision to overrule a planning inspector's recommendation, potentially benefiting a Conservative party donor.

Question

The Communities Secretary has admitted unlawfully overruling his own planning inspector to allow the Westferry development to go ahead, potentially saving the developer, Richard Desmond, who is a Conservative party donor, £40 million in tax. The Secretary of State did so just weeks after sitting next to the developer at a Tory fundraising dinner. Given that this was the same scheme that the Prime Minister tried to push through when he was Mayor of London and which reappeared after he entered Downing Street, will he now tell the House what conversations he has had with the Secretary of State about the scheme? Will he publish all relevant correspondence between No. 10 and the Department?

Answer from The Prime Minister

I am happy to tell the hon. Lady that I have had no conversations on that matter whatever, nor any exchanges of any kind.

Answered

Not addressed: Disclosure of conversations and correspondence regarding controversial planning decisions.

How: Denial

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Q18 Fleur Anderson Lab Putney
Crime & Law Enforcement Community Security
Context

Anderson raises concerns about racism, highlighting the killing of George Floyd, higher rates of death among black teachers during the pandemic, and disproportionate lockdown fines affecting London's black population.

Question

I hope that the Prime Minister will join me in standing together not only in grief at the killing of George Floyd but in determination that we will work together against racism, both in the US and here in the UK. In Putney, black teachers have told me that they are scared of going back to school because of the higher rates of death, and today's figures from the Metropolitan police show that more than a quarter of lockdown fines have been for black people, although they are an eighth of our London population.

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

The hon. Lady raises a very important series of points. I certainly condemn the killing of George Floyd, and we will certainly make sure that everything that we export to any country around the world is in accordance with the consolidated guidance on human rights.

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Q19 Laura Farris Lab Conservative
Crime & Law Enforcement Women & Equalities
Context

Farris raises an issue about the 'rough sex' defence in domestic violence cases, which she believes is unacceptable.

Question

This Government have taken the lead on tackling domestic abuse, but there is an ugly dimension that remains unresolved, where men who kill their partners in appalling acts of sexual violence establish in court that “she asked for it” and avoid a murder conviction. Does my right hon. Friend agree that the time is now to end the rough sex defence?

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

My hon. Friend raises an incredibly important point. We are committed to ensuring that the law is made clear on this point, and that defence is inexcusable.

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Q20 Tim Farron Lib Dem Westmorland and Lonsdale
Economy Employment
Context

Farron asks for a support package to help the tourism industry in Cumbria, which has been severely impacted by the pandemic.

Question

The virus effectively turned summer into winter for Cumbrian tourism. Ending Government funding in October, though, will mean three winters in a row, causing severe hardship on top of the 312% increase in unemployment we have already had locally. Will the Prime Minister provide a support package for tourism and hospitality in the lakes, the dales and elsewhere to see them through the spring of 2021?

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman. We are certainly looking at all sorts of packages—creative ideas—to help the tourism industry over the winter period so that its winter, as it were, can continue to be a kind of summer once we can get things open again. There are all sorts of packages that we will be bringing forward, but I do not want to extend some of the schemes that we currently have.

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Q21 Holly Mumby-Croft Lab Scunthorpe
Business & Trade
Context

Mumby-Croft asks for reassurance that High Speed 2 will support the UK steel industry.

Question

I am very proud to tell the House that we have 2,500 world-class steelworkers in Scunthorpe. Like steelmakers across this land, they stand ready to make steel for High Speed 2. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has said in the House that he wants to see that happen. Will he reassure me that he will press for HS2 to sign the UK steel charter, and that steel for HS2 will be made in Britain?

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

We are doing everything we can to support the UK steel industry and to make sure, as HS2 goes forward, that it maximises the use of UK steel. I am proud to say that 98% of the companies that have signed up to deliver for HS2 are based in this country.

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Q22 Andrew Slaughter Lab Harrow West
Women & Equalities
Context

Slaughter criticises the government for removing references from a review on the disproportionate impact of coronavirus on black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.

Question

When the Prime Minister was forced to publish the review of the risks covid-19 poses to black and minority ethnic groups yesterday, why did he remove reference to the 1,000 responses to the review, many of which cited structural racism and discrimination as root causes of higher risk? If, unlike Trump, he seeks to represent the whole country that he is elected to lead, what action is he going to take to show that in tackling covid-19 and wider racism in society, black lives matter?

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

I think that the hon. Gentleman may have missed some of the earlier answers I have given, but he is wrong when he says that this Government were somehow forced to publish a review. This Government commissioned the review because we take it incredibly seriously. It is our review, and yes, I do think it intolerable that covid falls in such a discriminatory way on different groups and different communities in our country, and that is why we are going to ensure that our Minister for Equalities takes up that report and sees what practical steps we need to take to protect those minorities.

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