PMQs

Question

The unanimous decision by Highland Council to grant consent for the UK's vertical space launch site in Sutherland is clearly extremely good news. I hope that the Prime Minister agrees that this will be extremely good for the local economy of the highlands, and will provide a huge opportunity for the UK economy in the international satellite market.

Question

Yesterday evening, in order to keep the spread of the virus as low as possible, the Prime Minister announced a series of changes that none of us ever wanted to see; and residents of my constituency are understandably concerned and anxious. Will he reassure us all, and my constituents in North East Derbyshire, that the primary focus of the Government remains protecting both lives and—just as importantly—livelihoods?

Question

Three months ago today the Prime Minister said that Test and Trace could be a “real game changer” for us. He was backed up by the Health Secretary, who said: Finding where the people who test positive are is the single most important thing that we must do to stop the spread of the virus. Yesterday the Prime Minister said the complete opposite. Standing at that Dispatch Box, he said: Testing and tracing has very little or nothing to do with the spread or the transmission of the disease. Both positions cannot be right. Which one is it, Prime Minister?

Question

So why yesterday did the Prime Minister say: Testing and tracing has very little or nothing to do with the spread or the transmission of the disease?

Question

I listened to the answer that the Prime Minister gave to the questions; that is why I asked him the question, because yesterday he said the complete opposite of what he said today. Everybody who was in the Chamber, and everybody who reads Hansard, will see it. He talks about testing. May I remind the Prime Minister that last week, before the Liaison Committee, he admitted that testing currently “has huge problems”? Dido Harding said, plainly we don't have enough testing capacity. The Health Secretary said that fixing testing would take weeks. Pretending that there isn't a problem is part of the problem, Prime Minister. Let us test what the Prime Minister's explanation is—it is unclear. Is the explanation for the problems that we do not have enough capacity? [Interruption.] He says, “Which problem?” The problem that he acknowledged one week ago before the Liaison Committee. Is the explanation from the Prime Minister that we do not have enough capacity because nobody could have expected the rise in demand? That is the Dido Harding defence. Or is it that we have all the capacity we need; it is just that people are being unreasonable in asking for tests? That is the Hancock defence. Which is it?

Question

My wife works for the NHS. My mother worked for the NHS. My sister works for the NHS. Millions of children went back to school. But there is no effective system in place to deal with coughs, bugs, flu. Many cannot get tests quickly; schools allocated only 10 tests and wait days for results. This leads to child and siblings off school; mum, dad or carer off work; and all-year groups off school. How did we get into this mess?

Question

One in eight children are off school due to symptoms. This disrupts education, whether it's from covid or other causes. The Prime Minister is losing control of the virus because testing is out of sync with health measures and economic measures. The CBI director-general warned that new restrictions will bring a crushing blow for thousands of firms without clarity on business support. Why was this not announced yesterday?

Question

Yesterday, 6,000 jobs were lost at Whitbread. The CBI, TUC and trade unions, FSB, BCC, and Bank of England all call for support to protect businesses affected by new restrictions. When will the Prime Minister act?

Question

Mansfield Town is important to the community. Many Football League clubs rely heavily on gate receipts. Given their hopes dashed, will my right hon. Friend assure me he will do everything possible to support these clubs both as businesses and for communities that rely on them?

Question

I am concerned about protecting jobs today due to millions of people facing job loss if the furlough scheme ends without an extension. The Bank of England advises rethinking this approach to prevent putting 61,000 Scottish jobs at risk. Workers need security now, not promises of support. Will the Government instruct the Chancellor to extend the furlough scheme?

Question

Why did the Scottish National party not support a Bill that would protect 500,000 jobs by enshrining Scotland's most important market—the internal UK market—in statute?

Question

The Government failed to reach 17 out of 20 targets they signed up to regarding biodiversity. With the UN biodiversity summit approaching, will the Prime Minister commit now to protecting a minimum of 30% of land and sea by 2030 and deliver funding through the spending review?

Question

Concerns are growing about illegal crossings across the channel. To deter these dangerous journeys, save lives and protect borders, will my right hon. Friend assure constituents that a comprehensive Bill dealing with this problem will be brought before the House following the next Queen's Speech?

Question

I hope respectfully that the Prime Minister is not having problems with his memory. Yesterday he promised support for jobs and the economy. A tsunami of job losses is imminent within 38 days. Will the PM please listen to advice from businesses, unions, and the Bank of England and take urgent action? I would like a yes or no answer.

Question

Like the Prime Minister, one of my top priorities is improving education. I welcome the £1 billion school rebuilding programme. Tiverton High School in my constituency faces flooding risks. May I make an early bid for Tiverton High School to have a new school built next year? Will the PM back us?

Question

Does the Prime Minister understand that as long as these powers are reserved, the Government must cover pandemic-related costs? Will he extend job retention schemes or provide sector-specific support? What is his vision for 'building back better'?

Question

I was at Norwich City's match as part of the pilot to let fans back into football, but now it is delayed. With clubs facing real threats, will my right hon. Friend look at a sports recovery fund to ensure their viability?

Question

Sometimes doing the right thing is essential, but it has a cost. Will the Prime Minister look at extending the furlough scheme and expanding the limited universal credit uplift to legacy benefits and making it permanent?

Question

My constituents understand the need for more housing, but they want to protect the precious green belt. Can the PM confirm that his Government will be brownfield first and do everything to protect our green belt?

Question

Unsafe cladding is leaving hundreds of leaseholders across Vauxhall unable to sell or remortgage their properties. The EWS1 forms are not being used as intended, leaving my constituents trapped between risk-averse lenders and irresponsible building owners. They have been waiting three years already, so can the Prime Minister tell me what steps he is taking now to resolve this really dangerous situation?

Question

In 2006, Menheniot parish council was told of improvement plans to the dangerous junction on the A38—something I have long campaigned for. However, two months ago, the regional director of the south-west part of Highways England told me that this was not going to happen, blaming the change from the old Highways Agency. Can my right hon. Friend tell me when, if ever, the people of Menheniot will finally see shovels in the ground?

Question

Before lockdown, children on free school meals finished education on average 18 months behind their classmates and the gap was getting worse. Schools closed and a quarter of these children did less than one hour's schoolwork a day. Lockdown was temporary, but the impact could be lifelong. To help these children catch up, and in the spirit of togetherness invoked by the Prime Minister earlier, will his Government give time for my Bill to close the digital divide and give children on free school meals access to the internet in their homes?

Question

Does my right hon. Friend agree that, as the UK's performing arts are a global gold standard that are not only the envy of the world but a vital showcase for UK plc across the world, we should treasure them and look after that industry? We have had the furlough and other job retention schemes, but those who have fallen through the cracks are the freelancers. We must do something to protect the freelancers—the actors, the costumiers, the prop makers and many others. Can we do something to look after those people?

Question

The word is that Downing Street is taking control of the upcoming review of gambling legislation. Is this true, and if so, will No. 10 consider all the recommendations made by all-party parliamentary group on gambling related harm in our report published in June?

Question

Like the vast majority of the British public, I support the new restrictions. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said we will get through this, but long term, there are only three routes out of this pandemic: one, eradicate the virus; two, gain herd immunity; or three, suppress the virus and reduce deaths until a vaccine or highly effective treatment arrives, such as the ones that the brilliant researchers of South Cambridgeshire are working on. Will my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister tell me which of these three routes are the Government taking?

Question

The predictions made this week by medical advisers about coronavirus deaths and infections are disputed. However, it is clear that the scare tactics used and regulatory actions taken will have immediate negative impacts on high streets, hospitality industry, and cause further devastation in the aviation industry. Will the Government commit to continued employment support, provide resources to devolved authorities for local economies, and suspend air passenger duty to prevent bankruptcies and save jobs?