Commons Sense

House of Commons · PMQs

PMQs

Wednesday 8 July 2020 · 13 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 13 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Keir Starmer questions Boris Johnson about apologizing to care workers for past guidance on coronavirus.
  • The Prime Minister emphasizes the changing understanding of coronavirus and the need for new procedures.
  • Boris Johnson responds to a question about NHS staff parking by defending the Government's manifesto commitments.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
Care & Healthcare Workers NHS
Context

Prime Minister Johnson previously stated that 'too many care homes didn't really follow the procedures in the way they could have,' causing offence to frontline care workers.

Question

Keir Starmer quotes Mark Adams of a social care charity, who criticises the Prime Minister for blaming care workers and expresses frustration. He then questions if the PM will apologise to careworkers again, asking him directly: 'will he apologise to careworkers? Yes or no?'

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

Boris Johnson denies that he blamed the care workers and emphasizes that changing procedures was necessary due to new information about asymptomatic transmission of coronavirus. He thanks care workers for their efforts and promises further investment in care homes.

Answered

Not addressed: The Prime Minister did not directly address whether he would apologise to careworkers, instead focusing on praise for care workers and promising future investment.

How: Denial Of Blame, Promising Future Action

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Q2 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
NHS Social Care
Context

The questioning focuses on past government actions regarding care homes, specifically early guidance on protective equipment and testing protocols.

Question

The Prime Minister continues to insult those on the frontline by not taking these issues seriously. The right hon. Member highlights that huge mistakes were made two months ago when early guidance was given about care homes without proper protective equipment or routine testing. He mentions the decision to discharge 25,000 people to care homes without tests as a clear mistake.

Answer from The Prime Minister Boris Johnson

The understanding of the disease has changed dramatically in the months since its arrival. The PM acknowledges the vast amount of work done by care workers, with PPE and testing supplied, helping reduce disease incidence to record lows. He argues that sticking to a plan for gradual cautious reopening is what the country wants.

Answered
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Q3 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
NHS
Context

Concerns are raised about the potential removal of free hospital car parks for NHS staff, which could cost staff hundreds of pounds per month.

Question

There are reports that the Government plans to remove free hospital parking for NHS workers. The questioner argues this is wrong and asks if the Prime Minister will reconsider and rule it out.

Answer from The Prime Minister Boris Johnson

The hospital car parks are currently free for NHS staff during the pandemic. The Government plans to make them free for patients as part of their manifesto commitment, unlike under previous Labour governments. The PM suggests that Keir Starmer takes his bandwagon elsewhere and criticises him for changing positions frequently.

Answered
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Q4 Ian Blackford SNP Ross, Skye and Lochaber
Economy Employment
Context

The SNP Member of Parliament raises concerns about prematurely ending the furlough scheme and calls for its extension or devolution of powers to Scotland.

Question

Just this week, we have seen Spain extend its furlough scheme into 2021. Research shows that prematurely ending the job retention scheme risks higher unemployment and a weaker economy, with potential GDP losses up to £50 billion. The Resolution Foundation and TUC are calling for financial support extension for hardest-hit sectors and those in difficulties, such as shielders.

Answer from The Prime Minister Boris Johnson

I believe it is absolutely essential to invest in people and protect them from the effects of this epidemic at huge expenditure, but also essential to get the economy moving. I hope he supports that objective as well.

Answered

Not addressed: Devolution of furlough scheme powers to Scotland

How: Avoided Addressing Devolution Of Furlough Powers

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Q5 Paul Holmes Con Oxford West and Abingdon
Taxation
Context

Concerns are raised about the negative impacts of wealth taxes proposed by Labour on hard-working families.

Question

Does the Prime Minister agree with me that calls for a raid on homes, pensions and savings would hammer hard-working families and undermine Britain's economic recovery?

Answer from The Prime Minister Boris Johnson

Absolutely right. I have been amazed to hear Labour proposing to bring forward a wealth tax—a tax on homes. New leader, same old Labour policies—exactly what this country does not need.

Answered
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Q6 Colum Eastwood Social Democratic & Labour Party Belfast North
Economy Northern Ireland Brexit
Context

Requests for economic improvement in Northern Ireland, particularly through the establishment of a freeport area to address long-term economic imbalance.

Question

Given the devastating impact of Brexit on my constituency and decades of under-investment by British Governments, will the Prime Minister agree to work with the Northern Ireland Executive to ensure that a freeport area is developed in Derry to try to address the long-term economic imbalance?

Answer from The Prime Minister Boris Johnson

I note the paradox that he wants a freeport in Londonderry/Derry, which can only be achieved by Brexit. I am more than happy to study the plans and see what we can do to take them forward.

Answered
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Q7 Geoffrey Clifton-Brown Con The Cotswolds
Employment
Context

Acknowledgment of the negative impact of coronavirus on young workers and those entering the jobs market.

Question

The coronavirus has hit young people in work and those about to enter the jobs market particularly hard. Will my right hon. Friend continue to build on his excellent package of announcements so that young people have hope, encouragement and the very best prospects for the start of their working life?

Answer from The Prime Minister Boris Johnson

Absolutely. We want young people to have self-confidence brought by work experience, to keep learning on the job and get jobs they need.

Answered
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Q8 Angela Crawley SNP Leyton and Wanstead
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

Many constituents are left behind from the furlough scheme or support for self-employed due to gaps in legislation.

Question

Hundreds of my constituents have been excluded from the furlough scheme or support for the self-employed due to real-time information cut-off dates and 50% cap on non-trading income. The Government's solution is taking out loans, untenable for many leading to unemployment and bankruptcy. Will the Prime Minister commit to widening access to these schemes for those left behind?

Answer from The Prime Minister Boris Johnson

There are 12,000 people who have taken advantage of the furlough scheme in her constituency. They get 80% income up to £2,500 a month. We have massively increased universal credit, which is up by £1,040 for families across the country.

Answered
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Q9 Nicholas Fletcher Con Woodford
NHS
Context

Recognition of the hard work during the covid pandemic and requests for a new hospital in Doncaster to level up healthcare.

Question

I am sure that the Prime Minister will join me in thanking Richard Parker, CEO of Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and staff for all their hard work. Does the Prime Minister agree with me that Doncaster needs a new hospital? Will he send a clear message to people in Don Valley by building a new hospital there?

Answer from The Prime Minister Boris Johnson

I thank him for his question, because the Health Secretary has committed not just to building 40 new hospitals but to visiting Doncaster shortly to discuss investment in healthcare there.

Answered
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Q10 Rachel Hopkins Lab Luton North
Economy Housing Local Government
Context

Concerns about financial cuts faced by Luton Borough Council due to loss of commercial income from Luton airport.

Question

Luton airport provides direct funding to Luton Borough Council and many local charities, but covid-19 has had a huge impact on that commercial and charitable income. Without urgent Government action, the council will be forced into £22 million of cuts next week. Will the Prime Minister meet me to discuss how emergency funding for Luton council would save crucial local services and jobs?

Answer from The Prime Minister Boris Johnson

The hon. Lady raises a very important issue. The aviation industry has been hard hit, we support the sector with various measures to help employees and airports, and have supported local councils with billions of pounds.

Answered
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Q11 Simon Fell Con Wyre Forest
Climate Energy
Context

Proposition for a tidal barrage off the Cumbrian coast to supply up to 5% of UK's energy needs, creating thousands of jobs.

Question

Off the Cumbrian coast, we have an opportunity with a tidal barrage that would supply 5% of the UK's energy needs in a green, sustainable way. It would leave a legacy of 7,000 jobs and allow us to build our way into a green revolution by connecting communities with poor transport links. Will the Prime Minister agree to meet me and my Cumbrian colleagues to explore this deal further?

Answer from The Prime Minister Boris Johnson

I am grateful for his bringing that attractive idea to attention, several projects are considered along the coast, he should get in touch with BEIS Secretary of State to see what can be done to take it forward.

Answered
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Q12 Alex Norris Labour (Co-op)
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The Government published a response to their call for evidence regarding violence and abuse against shopworkers after a delay of over a year, during which there have been 150,000 such incidents.

Question

Will the Prime Minister make a commitment that if his plans do not reduce the more than 400 incidents every day within six months, he will support legislative change?

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

I think we should have absolutely zero tolerance for violence or aggression towards people who work in shops, just as we have zero tolerance for people who are aggressive towards those who work in our public services, and we will do everything we can to ensure that that is the case.

Answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment to support legislative change if current measures fail

How: Generic Statement About Zero Tolerance

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Q13 Liz Saville-Roberts PC UKIP
Wales
Context

The Welsh Secretary took to Twitter arguing that Wales is too poor for success, which contradicts the PM's rhetoric on levelling up.

Question

I am fully supportive of the Prime Minister's pledge to redistribute funds from the south-east but cannot understand why his Welsh Secretary would claim Wales lacks sufficient resources and businesses. Does he agree with this pessimistic view?

Answer from The Prime Minister Boris Johnson

I have never met a more enthusiastic advocate for Wales than my Welsh Secretary. This Government is dedicated to levelling up across the UK, investing in infrastructure, education, and technology in Wales. We will address issues like the Brynglas tunnels and provide necessary support, unlike previous Labour governments.

Answered
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