Commons Sense

House of Commons · PMQs

PMQs

Wednesday 15 July 2020 · 11 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 11 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Keir Starmer questioned the Prime Minister about the government's support for sectors at risk, particularly aviation, and the rehiring of BA staff on worse terms.
  • The Prime Minister assured that the government is implementing preparations for a potential new spike in the epidemic and highlighted the NHS investment of 34 billion.
  • Ian Blackford criticized the UK government's actions post-Brexit and questioned if plans would be imposed on Scotland without its consent.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
Economy Employment
Context

The Chancellor announced economic measures but did not provide specific support to industries like aviation facing job cuts.

Question

Over the past few months, we have supported many of the economic measures announced by the Government, but the decision last week not to provide sector-specific support to those most at risk could end up costing thousands of jobs. One of the sectors, aviation, has already seen huge redundancies: BA has announced 12,000 redundancies; Virgin 3,000; and easyJet 1,900. If the Government's priority really is to protect jobs, why did the Chancellor not bring forward sector-specific deals that could have done precisely that?

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

No one should underestimate the scale of the challenge that this country faces. That is why the Chancellor has brought forward a range of measures, which, by the way, the right hon. and learned Gentleman supported last week. They include the job retention bonus and the kick-starter programme for young people. We are also doing a huge amount to support the aviation sector.

Answered
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Q2 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
Employment
Context

British Airways is trying to force the rehiring of remaining workers on worse terms and conditions after announcing 12,000 redundancies.

Question

The Prime Minister knows exactly what I am talking about: it is the rehiring of 30,000 people at BA on worse terms and conditions, and he should call it out. The Office for Budget Responsibility yesterday projected 3.5 million unemployed next year. I want to press the Prime Minister further on the situation at BA, which is a huge employer and the national flag carrier.

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

We have been absolutely clear that we want our great companies across the country to support their workers and keep them in employment where they possibly can. I have made that point clear on the Floor of the House just in the past couple of weeks.

Answered
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Q3 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
NHS
Context

The report assessed the reasonable worst-case scenario for autumn and winter, including a second covid spike and seasonal flu.

Question

Yesterday, the Government's expert advisory group published a report on the challenges this autumn and winter. The report was clear: July and August must be a period of intense preparation—i.e., now. Could the Prime Minister make it clear that he intends to implement the recommended actions in the report in full and at speed?

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

Not only are we getting on with implementing the preparations for a potential new spike but the right hon. and learned Gentleman will know that the Government are engaged in record investments in the NHS of £34 billion.

Answered
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Q4 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
NHS
Context

Starmer questions the effectiveness of the government's test and trace operation, citing a decline in its performance.

Question

It is perfectly possible to support track and trace and to point out the problems. Standing up every week saying, “It's a stunning success” is kidding no one. That is not giving people confidence in the system. They would like a Prime Minister who stands up and says, “There are problems and this is what I am going to do about them,” not this rhetoric about “stunning success” when it is obviously not true.

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

I join with, I think, every Member of the House in mourning the loss of everybody who has died in this epidemic. I can assure the right hon. and learned Gentleman, and through him the victims and their families, that we will do absolutely everything we can to prevent a second spike in this epidemic.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q5 Ian Blackford SNP Ross, Skye and Lochaber
Scotland Brexit
Context

Blackford criticises the UK Government's Brexit policies as an assault on Scottish devolution.

Question

The document tomorrow will discuss benefits of the single market; regrets PM not understanding its economic value. Criticizes UK government's actions post-Brexit, such as the immigration system and governance, which Scotland rejected in 1997. Asks if PM guarantees plans won't be imposed on Scotland without their choice.

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

Repeats point about right hon. Gentleman attacking unelected bureaucrats, claims proposal would transfer power back to Brussels; refers to 2014 referendum on Scottish independence and calls for promises to be kept.

Answered

Not addressed: The Prime Minister did not directly address the guarantee asked about Scotland's decisions.

How: Attacking The Questioner, Referencing Past Referendums

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Q6 Craig Mackinlay Con Thanet South
Transport
Context

A development consent order was granted for Manston airport, but funding is needed to build Thanet Parkway station.

Question

There is great celebration in Thanet and east Kent with the positive development consent order for Manston airport. Unfortunately, due to covid pressures, Kent County Council feels unable to raise £17 million by a Public Works Loan Board loan to support the final part of the jigsaw, Thanet Parkway station. Can my right hon. Friend use his influence to encourage the Chancellor and Ministers to find that £17 million?

Answer from The Prime Minister Boris Johnson

The Department for Transport has received a bid for funding Thanet Park railway station, which is going to be assessed in the third round of the new stations fund.

Answered
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Q7 Darren Jones Lab Birmingham, Hayes and Yeading
Employment Business Compliance
Context

The Prime Minister had promised on June 23 and 24 that nobody should be penalised for doing the right thing in regard to financial support for businesses and workers during local lockdowns.

Question

On 23rd and 24th of June, the PM stated that nobody should be penalised for doing the right thing. However, details regarding future local support were not provided by the BEIS Secretary last week. Can the Prime Minister today confirm whether businesses and workers will or will not be penalised for doing the right thing?

Answer from The Prime Minister Boris Johnson

In addition to £160 billion of support, areas in lockdown have received considerable grants like £20 million to Leicester with business rates relief of £44 million and £68 million in spending on business grants.

Answered
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Q8 Tracy Brabin Lab Batley and Spen
Local Government
Context

Due to a covid outbreak in Kirklees, the council needs enhanced support.

Question

The council is testing workforces and closing operations at a cost. May I ask the Prime Minister to help us with daily postcode data? Will he commit to a package of support so that businesses can close and individuals can do the right thing?

Answer from The Prime Minister Boris Johnson

We are sharing as much data as we have with councils to deal locally. We will continue to support councils up and down the land as they engage in local action against the pandemic.

Answered
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Q9 Kirsten Oswald SNP East Ayrshire and Arran
NHS
Context

Daniel Caplan, a 17-year-old constituent of Kirsten Oswald's, has been diagnosed with a diffuse midline glioma.

Question

Oswald calls for renewed focus on researching childhood brain stem tumours and increasing awareness to prevent similar heartbreak in future families facing terminal diagnoses like Daniel's.

Answer from The Prime Minister Boris Johnson

Johnson agrees to sympathise with Daniel Caplan and his family, promising to assist in making representations to the Department of Health regarding childhood brain stem cancers.

Answered
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Q10 Hannah Bardell SNP Livingston
NHS
Context

The report highlights historical mistreatment of women by male medical experts, including cases related to Primodos and sodium valproate.

Question

Bardell calls for the implementation of all recommendations in Baroness Cumberlege's report and requests a meeting with the Prime Minister to ensure women are heard and compensated appropriately.

Answer from The Prime Minister Boris Johnson

Johnson agrees that the Government takes the issue seriously, confirms direct representations from constituency MPs regarding affected women, and offers to meet Bardell either personally or through the Department of Health.

Answered
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Q11 Helen Hayes Lab Dewsbury
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

Hayes highlights the murder of Donnell Rhule and the Youth Violence Commission's interim report, advocating for a cross-government approach to tackle serious violence.

Question

She urges immediate acceptance and implementation of the Youth Violence Commission's final report recommendations to introduce a public health approach against serious violence.

Answer from The Prime Minister Boris Johnson

Johnson acknowledges the need for cross-departmental medical approaches and tough policing solutions, emphasizing the importance of zero tolerance towards kids carrying knives in public.

Answered
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