Commons Sense

House of Commons · PMQs

PMQs

Wednesday 22 July 2020 · 17 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 15 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Keir Starmer questions Boris Johnson about the Intelligence and Security Committee's report on Russian interference, noting the PM received it 10 months ago.
  • Johnson defends his government's actions against Russian interference, citing the expulsion of Russian diplomats and new legislation to protect critical infrastructure.
  • Starmer inquires about reassessing Russia Today's license to operate in the UK, but Johnson responds by questioning Labour's past stance on similar issues.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
Democracy & Elections Foreign Affairs
Context

The Intelligence and Security Committee reported that Russia poses an immediate and urgent threat to UK national security.

Question

Welcoming progress in vaccine trials, Starmer asks the Prime Minister about a serious report by the Intelligence and Security Committee which concludes that Russia is engaged in activities such as espionage and interference in democratic processes. The PM received this report 10 months ago. Given the 'immediate and urgent threat', why did he sit on it for so long?

Answer from Boris Johnson (Prime Minister)

Johnson asserts that his Government is vigilant against Russian interference, expelling 130-153 Russian diplomats around the world and introducing new legislation to protect critical national infrastructure. He accuses Starmer of sitting on his hands while Labour parroted Kremlin lines.

Answered
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Q2 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The High Court has ruled that Russia Today broadcasts pose actual and potential harm.

Question

Does the Prime Minister agree that it is time to look again at the licensing for Russia Today to operate in the UK?

Answer from Boris Johnson (Prime Minister)

I think this would come more credibly from the Leader of the Opposition had he called out the former Leader of the Opposition when he took money for appearing on Russia Today. He protested neither against the former Leader of the Opposition's stance on Salisbury nor against his willingness to take money from Russia Today.

Not addressed: The PM did not directly address the question about reassessing RT's license, instead focusing on perceived hypocrisy regarding previous Labour leaders' stances.

How: Redirect, Personal Attack

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Q3 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
Foreign Affairs
Context

The Labour party supports the Foreign Secretary's condemnation of China's treatment of Uyghurs.

Question

What further steps will the Prime Minister take? In particular, will he consider targeted sanctions against those responsible? Will he lead a concerted diplomatic action with our international partners to make it clear that this simply cannot be allowed to stand in the 21st century?

Answer from Boris Johnson (Prime Minister)

That is why the Foreign Secretary, only this week, condemned the treatment of the Uyghurs. That is why this Government, for the first time, have brought in targeted sanctions against those who abuse human rights in the form of the Magnitsky Act.

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Q4 Ben Bradshaw Lab Worcester
Democracy & Elections Foreign Affairs
Context

Four years ago, Ben Bradshaw was the first MP to raise concerns about Russian interference. The Russia report was blocked before an election and later its committee was attempted to be fixed.

Question

Is it not clear that this Prime Minister has knowingly put personal and party interests before national security by blocking publication of the Russia report and attempting to fix the Intelligence and Security Committee?

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

No, it is a lamentable question. The right hon. Gentleman would be saying if there was something to show that Russian interference undermined the Brexit referendum but he is not doing so.

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Q5 Paul Bristow
Education Children & Families
Context

Heads, teachers and support staff are working hard to facilitate e-learning but it is no substitute for classroom learning.

Question

Is it vital that children get back into classrooms in September and will the PM agree that Labour should stand up against their friends in unions and instruct them accordingly?

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

Yes, it would be a fantastic thing to hear the Labour party stand up against their friends in unions and instruct them as such.

Answered
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Q6 Emma Hardy Lab Hull West and Hessle
Economy Employment Transport
Context

The Social Market Foundation report identified Hull as facing the worst economic hit and slowest recovery. The Government has not provided adequate support.

Question

What new support will be given to prevent job losses in Hull West and Hessle, recognising that you cannot level up by shutting down?

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

More than £21 million has been given to the East Riding of Yorkshire. 90% of caravan manufacturers have been supported by the furlough scheme, and there is a £640 billion package overall.

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Q7 Rob Butler Lab Aylesbury
Education
Context

Schools have done a tremendous job balancing online learning with physical classes.

Question

Will my right hon. Friend join me in thanking the teachers and will he agree that it is right to have increased funding for all pupils, providing them with the best prospects?

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

Yes, proud of fulfilling manifesto promise. School funding has been levelled up across the country.

Answered
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Q8 Ben Lake PC Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Taxation
Context

Face coverings are mandatory on public transport in Wales from next Monday, but VAT is not applied to non-medical face coverings.

Question

Will the Prime Minister extend zero rating to items so that members of the public, especially those on low incomes, are not financially penalised for following rules?

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

Removed VAT from all PPE, including face masks that protect from infection. Covering home-made face masks meeting Public Health England guidance.

Answered
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Q9 Maria Miller Con Basingstoke
Economy Parliamentary Procedure Local Government
Context

Friday is the first anniversary of Boris Johnson becoming Prime Minister and he has focused on record funding for NHS, schoolchildren, and police officers.

Question

Can my right hon. Friend ensure that levelling up remains central to his vision for our country for every single year of his premiership?

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

Yes, can absolutely give her that guarantee. Now is the time to double down on levelling up and will roll out a colossal programme of investment in infrastructure.

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Q10 Gavin Robinson DUP Belfast East
Employment Women & Equalities
Context

Bethany from Crewe raised the campaign for extending maternity leave during PM's Questions, highlighting difficulties in accessing childcare support and building bonds with family.

Question

Has he considered the petition on maternity leave extension and can he give an indication as to when the Government will respond?

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

Yes, well remembers Bethany and her question. Understands the difficulty of this problem for many people. Will look at it in detail and see what can be done.

Answered
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Q11 Caroline Nokes Con Romsey and Mere
NHS
Context

The unequal impact of COVID-19 on certain groups, including those affected by body mass index inaccuracies.

Question

Covid has an unequal impact on various communities. Can the PM update the House on steps being taken to empower people against fat-shaming and promote individual wellbeing without relying solely on BMI?

Answer from The Prime Minister Boris Johnson

Thanking Caroline Nokes for her tactful question, the PM acknowledges significant comorbidities associated with obesity and plans to bring forward a strategy addressing this issue.

Answered
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Q12 Clive Betts Lab Sheffield South East
Housing
Context

A report by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government found numerous deficiencies in properties built under permitted development rules.

Question

The Minister commissioned a report on homes delivered under permitted development. The report highlights severe issues such as properties with no windows and minimal space standards met. Will he now change these rules to prevent substandard housing?

Answer from The Prime Minister Boris Johnson

Boris Johnson responded that as Mayor of London, he changed the London plan to ensure space standards were met. He stated they will build back better and give people the space needed in homes.

Answered
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Q13 Rachel Hopkins Lab Luton South
Economy
Context

Businesses in Luton South are fighting for survival, similar to the football team's fight in the championship.

Question

If Luton needs to go back into lockdown, will the Government introduce targeted financial support so local people can afford to adhere to health guidance?

Answer from The Prime Minister Boris Johnson

Acknowledging Luton's efforts in containing the epidemic, Boris Johnson stated that the Government is supporting them with £3.7 billion of investment, £600 million for infection control and a further £300 million for local track and trace.

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Q14 Kirsten Oswald SNP Dumfirkshire
Economy Employment
Context

The Chancellor is ending the furlough scheme, which will result in significant job losses and economic downturn.

Question

As manufacturing group Make UK describes the impending situation as a 'jobs bloodbath' due to the end of the furlough scheme, what measures will be taken to support strategic sectors and prevent unemployment from reaching 1980s levels?

Answer from The Prime Minister Boris Johnson

Acknowledging the economic impact of ending furlough, Boris Johnson outlined various measures including a job retention scheme and bonus for employers keeping on workers. He also mentioned £2 billion kick-starter fund and VAT cut.

Answered
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Q15 Cherilyn Mackrory Con Cornwall North
Economy Housing Local Government
Context

Coastal towns like St Mawes and Falmouth have been severely affected economically due to the pandemic.

Question

Will the Government confirm further financial measures are being looked at to help these coastal towns that have been hit hardest by the economic impact of the pandemic?

Answer from The Prime Minister Boris Johnson

Confirming further support, Boris Johnson stated they are funding 178 projects through their £180 million coastal communities fund and Truro will receive at least £500,000 from the towns fund.

Answered
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Q16 Layla Moran Lib Dem Cotswold
NHS
Context

The all-party parliamentary group on coronavirus is leading a cross-party inquiry to ensure lessons are learned from the UK Government's handling of the pandemic.

Question

With over 900 submissions, including from bereaved families and those with long covid, will the Prime Minister take these recommendations seriously when they come back in September?

Answer from The Prime Minister Boris Johnson

No specific response was given by Boris Johnson regarding the taking of recommendations seriously.

Not addressed: Taking recommendations seriously

How: None

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Q17 Full Name
Justice & Courts
Context

2-4 sentences with concrete details.

Question

Could the Prime Minister set out what progress he has made on his promise to introduce a victims' law that would provide for independent reviews of cases where there is evidence of miscarriages of justice and establish a new compensation scheme?

Answer from The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

Of course, I would be very happy to look at whatever the hon. Lady's group produces.

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