PMQs

Question

Next month, my book 'Ayes and Ears: a Survivor's Guide to Westminster' will be published, discussing Brexit among other topics. Does my right hon Friend agree that the last general election was not about handling coronavirus but ensuring the result of the 2016 referendum is implemented in full? Will he confirm his intention to see this happen?

Question

For eight days nearly 16,000 positive tests were missed by the Government leading to about 48,000 contacts not being traced. As of yesterday, thousands had still not been reached. Does the Prime Minister accept that this mistake has put lives at risk?

Question

This is not just a technical issue; it's human too. The PM's reassurance does not address the seriousness of missing cases going back to 18 September, leading to hard-to-reach contacts and expired self-isolation periods. Why did it take so long to fix this basic Excel error given £12 billion investment in the system?

Question

The Prime Minister says restrictions have not altered basic distribution but thousands walked around when they should isolate. This error shows a pattern of ignoring warnings and failing in hindsight. In 20 local areas under restrictions for two months, infection rates rose, even tenfold in some places. What will the PM do about it?

Question

The Prime Minister needs to understand local communities are angry and frustrated. In Bury, when restrictions were introduced the rate was 20 per 100,000; now it is 266. In Burnley, it went from 21 to 434. Bolton saw a rise from 18 to 255. What does he think the problem is here?

Question

The Prime Minister cannot explain why an area goes into restriction, he cannot explain what the different restrictions are and he cannot explain how restrictions end. This is getting ridiculous. Next week, this House will vote on whether to approve the 10 pm rule. The public deserve to know and Parliament deserves to know. If there is a basis, why do the Government not publish it? Will the Prime Minister commit to publishing the scientific basis for the 10 pm rule before this House votes on it next Monday?

Question

Is there a scientific basis for the 10 pm rule? The public deserve to know and Parliament deserves to know. If there is a basis, why do the Government not publish it?

Question

The Government could move parts of Government Departments out of London to help with their levelling up agenda. Would the Prime Minister let me know when he proposes to move a Government Department to Carlisle?

Question

Will the Prime Minister now commit to making the £20 uplift to universal credit permanent?

Question

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has painted a clear picture for his Government: strip the £20 universal credit uplift away, and 700,000 more people, including 300,000 children, could move into poverty, and 500,000 more people could end up in severe poverty. The Resolution Foundation has called the £20 uplift a “living standards lifeline” for millions of families during the pandemic. Challenge Poverty Week is a moment for all of us to take unified action against poverty. Will he do the right thing and make the £20 uplift permanent?

Question

Does he agree that this review demonstrates his Government's commitment to building back better in a strong United Kingdom?

Question

Does he agree that while it is good to consider connectivity across the Irish sea, it would be devastating to Northern Ireland to have barriers to trade in the Irish sea? May I urge him to commit to protecting Northern Ireland's place within the internal market of the United Kingdom by ensuring full and unfettered access for businesses that trade in either direction?

Question

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is right to be talking about levelling up and building back better, but building back fairer. Can my right hon. Friend outline what support is available for towns that have not received any towns or high street funding in recent tranches?

Question

Across the UK, our universities are struggling to contain the coronavirus, with some 5,000 cases reported in recent weeks. In Leamington, Deloitte will not deliver on its testing facility until the end of this month. My question is simple: were the Government not expecting students to return to university?

Question

Could he tell the House when that package will be coming forward, and will it include the conference and exhibition industry?

Question

Yesterday, the Chancellor suggested musicians and others in the creative industries who cannot work because of covid restrictions should 'find new opportunities'. Can the Prime Minister tell me what jobs the hundreds of thousands of people working in this sector should do? The Chancellor's response is not adequate for these talented individuals.

Question

Following the Prime Minister's speech on a green economy, can he commit to championing greater protections for our chalk streams? Will he redesignate the Chilterns area of outstanding natural beauty as a national park following Julian Glover's recommendation?

Question

With unemployment at 8% and furlough ending soon, will tighter local lockdown restrictions trigger automatic Government support for local business? Can he commit today to a targeted support package for Merseyside?

Question

Welcoming the confirmation of 40 new hospitals this decade, including one for mid and north Hampshire, does he agree that it is also a good opportunity to optimise healthcare provision across the wider area?

Question

In areas facing tougher restrictions around opening times and socialising, what assurance can the PM give that he will provide necessary finance to mitigate effects on people's income? Will he meet local leaders to discuss support?

Question

Welcoming the Prime Minister's new lifetime skills guarantee, does he agree that it is vital to include adult learners in our vision for further education so people in working cities such as Peterborough can have the right skills?

Question

I am concerned that the Government are due to remove the £20 a week increase in universal credit next April, which was put in place to help families with extra costs during the pandemic. Will the Prime Minister commit to making it permanent?

Question

Just 12% of our journalists and chief execs come from a working-class background, and just 6% of doctors and barristers. Does my right hon. Friend agree that we need a renewed focus on social mobility so that all the country's talent can be utilised?

Question

Yesterday, the Prime Minister said it would be easy to build new homes without destroying green spaces. Many constituents are concerned that this will happen again with dodgy figures. As Coventry has run out of brownfield sites, precisely where does he expect those new homes to be built?