Commons Sense

House of Commons · PMQs

PMQs

Wednesday 16 December 2020 · 16 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 8 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Prime Minister advised constituents to exercise extreme caution during Christmas due to asymptomatic transmission risks.
  • Keir Starmer questioned the Prime Minister's handling of the pandemic, citing the Office for Budget Responsibility's critique.
  • Prime Minister defended the tiering system and vaccine rollout as effective measures against the virus.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Michael Fabricant Con
NHS
Context

The question arises from the ongoing concerns about the spread of COVID-19 during Christmas gatherings.

Question

My constituents in Lichfield and Burntwood, and those in the rest of the country, have had a torrid year with the covid pandemic. We have this very small break over Christmas. People must use common sense: do not start hugging granny; do not go wild over Christmas; let us be jolly careful over Christmas. I want to say to my Prime Minister that it would not be helpful if some smarmy lawyer, or somebody now at this late stage, were to argue for a change in the laws. May I ask my right hon. Friend here and now who is neither smarmy nor a lawyer?

Answer from Boris Johnson

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. We must remember that transmission takes place asymptomatically in so many cases: one in three people are currently asymptomatic with covid. That is why my hon. Friend is absolutely right that we should exercise extreme caution in the way we celebrate Christmas. We can celebrate it sensibly but we have to be extremely cautious in the way we behave.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP asked for a confirmation on no change in laws, which was not directly addressed.

How: Change Of Subject

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Q2 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
Economy
Context

The question addresses the Prime Minister's decision-making during the beginning of the pandemic, particularly in comparison to other European countries.

Question

Does the Prime Minister now accept that his slowness to respond led to more deaths, a longer lockdown, and deeper economic damage?

Answer from Boris Johnson

No, because at every stage we followed the scientific guidance. Thanks to the tiering system in place and the heroic efforts of people in affected areas, we are seeing rates coming down. We will make sure with our adjustments that we address these issues. That is how we will defeat the virus—with vaccines, community testing, and tough tiering.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The PM did not directly acknowledge any shortcomings in his response.

How: Denial

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Q3 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
Economy
Context

The question highlights Britain's economic performance during the pandemic, citing high death rates and deep recession despite being a wealthy country with advanced medical capabilities.

Question

If the Prime Minister will not listen to me, let me quote his own spending watchdog, the Office for Budget Responsibility. It said that the UK locked down later and for longer than some of its European neighbours and experienced a deeper fall and slower economic recovery. Why does he think this has happened?

Answer from Boris Johnson

The UK is the first to produce a viable treatment for coronavirus and the first country in the world to roll out a clinically tested stage 3 vaccine. This Government have continued to take tough decisions necessary to beat it. I would take criticisms of our approach more seriously if he had decided last week or the week before whether he supported or opposed it, but he abstained.

Not addressed: The MP asked about economic performance and death rates, which were not addressed.

How: Changing Subject

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Q4 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
NHS
Context

Two weeks after the Prime Minister's latest COVID plan, infections are rising in tier 2 and tier 3 areas. In three out of four tier 2 areas, infections are increasing, and over half of tier 3 areas also see increases.

Question

The Prime Minister unveiled a new covid plan two weeks ago, claiming it would suppress the virus but the latest figures show the opposite with infections rising in tier 2 and tier 3. Does he recognize his plan has failed to control the virus and protect the NHS?

Answer from Boris Johnson

The Government's efforts have seen significant reductions in the virus in some surging areas, thanks to the British people's hard work. We will continue with the tiering approach, rolling out vaccines and community testing.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Prime Minister did not directly address whether his plan has failed to control the virus and protect the NHS and economy.

How: Criticising The Opposition, Trivializing Efforts Of British People

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Q5 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
Standards & Ethics
Context

There is a significant pay disparity for key workers versus Dominic Cummings, which has eroded public trust. The British Medical Journal warns against easing restrictions over Christmas.

Question

The Prime Minister's lack of public trust and losing it at Barnard Castle was a tipping point. Now, while key workers are getting a pay freeze, Dominic Cummings received a £40,000 pay rise. How does the PM justify this disparity?

Answer from Boris Johnson

The right hon. and learned Gentleman trivialises the efforts of British people in controlling the virus; lockdown measures have worked. The tiering system will continue to get the virus under control.

Not addressed: Avoided addressing the pay disparity issue for key workers compared to Dominic Cummings.

How: Attacking Economic Consequences Of Lockdowns, Suggesting Labour'S Solution Is Only A Full Lockdown

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Q6 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
NHS
Context

The British Medical Journal warns against easing Christmas restrictions, fearing it could cost many lives. There are concerns about the impact of eased regulations on infection rates and pressure on the NHS.

Question

The British Medical Journal advises not to ease Christmas restrictions as it would be a major error costing lives. If the Prime Minister is pressing ahead with this plan, can he tell us what assessment has been done of its impacts?

Answer from Boris Johnson

There is unanimous agreement across UK Government and devolved Administrations to proceed with existing regulations, as criminalising people's long-made plans would be detrimental. Personal responsibility should be exercised when coming into contact with elderly individuals.

Not addressed: Avoided discussing the specific impact assessment of easing Christmas restrictions.

How: Suggesting Labour'S Aim Is To Cancel Christmas, Discussing Personal Responsibility

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Q7 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
NHS Economy
Context

UK has high numbers of Covid deaths in Europe and significant economic damage. Questioner criticizes government's approach to the pandemic based on a local party newsletter's advice.

Question

We have ignored medical advice, leading to high covid death rates and severe economic consequences. The Prime Minister's newsletter advises giving wrong answers at the right time. Is he inspired by or the author of this advice?

Answer from Boris Johnson

The Government is delivering on priorities, such as 20,000 more police officers, 50,000 nurses, and new hospitals. We are rolling out vaccines, community testing, and tough tiering to defeat coronavirus and move forward into a great 2021.

Not addressed: Avoided answering the question about his political tactics by praising government's actions

How: Changed Subject

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Q8 Henry Smith Con
Brexit
Context

UK delivered Brexit as per people's votes. Questioner seeks reassurance on global opportunities after Brexit.

Question

At the beginning of this year, the Prime Minister delivered the historic British people's votes for Brexit. Regardless of the outcome of current talks with EU, does he agree that UK has a world of global opportunities ahead?

Answer from Boris Johnson

We have set up a points-based immigration system and done free trade deals. We will use Brexit's economic advantages to make the UK attractive for investment, enterprise around the world, and resist socialists who would take us back into EU.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address opportunities post-Brexit but discussed immigration system and trade deals

How: Broad Statements

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Q9 Ian Blackford SNP
Economy Brexit
Context

President of European Commission said decisive days ahead for Brexit negotiations. UK and Scotland businesses and people face uncertainty with potential food and medicine shortages.

Question

Ahead of any vote in Parliament, will the Prime Minister commit to releasing a detailed economic impact assessment of the cost to the UK of his extreme Tory Brexit plans?

Answer from Boris Johnson

There is every opportunity that our friends and partners across channel will do a deal. The UK has natural right to control laws and fishing grounds. We can go forward with high heart and confidence into 2021, knowing there are great opportunities for Scotland and rest of the UK.

Not addressed: Avoided addressing economic impact assessment and instead talked about potential deal outcomes

How: Changed Subject

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Q10 Ian Blackford SNP
Economy Scotland Brexit
Context

Warwick study estimates that Scotland has already lost £4 billion due to Brexit. Bloomberg Economics estimates UK will lose £200 billion by the end of this year.

Question

Ahead of any vote in Parliament, will the Prime Minister commit to releasing a detailed economic impact assessment of the cost to the UK of his extreme Tory Brexit plans?

Answer from Boris Johnson

Despite gloom that right hon. Gentleman seeks to spread, UK currently has highest youth employment in G7 and lower unemployment than France, Italy, Spain, US and Canada. Threat to Scottish economy is high tax regime and mismanagement by SNP.

Not addressed: Avoided economic impact assessment and instead praised UK's employment figures compared to other countries

How: Changed Subject

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Q11 Sarah Dines
Economy Taxation
Context

The tourism and hospitality sectors in Derbyshire Dales have been severely affected by the pandemic, leading to significant financial distress for local businesses.

Question

As my right hon. Friend knows, the tourism and hospitality sector in constituencies across the country, but particularly in Derbyshire Dales, has been severely affected by the pandemic and the national restrictions. That includes places such as the Flying Childers Inn in Stanton in the Peak. What support and hope can the Government give that sector in the weeks and months ahead?

Answer from Boris Johnson

I thank my hon. Friend for everything she does to campaign for Derbyshire Dales and for hospitality. It has been a terrible time for hospitality. That is why we have cut VAT overall, as she knows, from 20% to 5% in those sectors until the end of March, and we are going to develop, with her help, a tourism recovery plan to help people come to see the beauties of the Derbyshire Dales in particular.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response did not address specific support for businesses like the Flying Childers Inn.

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Q12 Colum Eastwood Social Democratic & Labour Party Social Democratic and Labour Party
Northern Ireland Brexit Business & Trade
Context

Northern Ireland's economic recovery depends on having access to both UK and EU trade deals following negotiations with the European Union.

Question

Last week, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster said that Northern Ireland would have the “best of both worlds” as a result of the talks with the European Union. For that to be true, we need access to both UK and EU trade deals. Will the Prime Minister confirm whether he is pushing for that in those talks?

Answer from Boris Johnson

Of course, as the agreement with our friends has already made clear, the whole of the UK, including Northern Ireland, will participate fully in all trade deals that the UK does, and Northern Ireland will continue to have unfettered access to the whole of the UK market.

Answered
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Q13 James Davies Con
NHS Science & Technology
Context

Charity-funded medical research has been hit hard by the pandemic, raising concerns about its future funding and viability.

Question

At the recent spending review, over £14 billion was allocated for research and development. That was excellent news, but there is a concern that charity-funded medical research, which has been hit hard by the pandemic, will still be left behind. Will my right hon. Friend intervene to ensure that some of that funding is used to set up a life sciences charity partnership fund to boost medical research, protect thousands of skilled jobs and promote the UK's position as a science superpower?

Answer from Boris Johnson

Yes indeed. I know that my hon. Friend, as a doctor, knows the vital importance of medical research and pure science. That is why this Government are investing record sums in science R&D—£14.6 billion in 2021-22. That is going to support all the life sciences sectors.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response did not confirm the establishment of a specific partnership fund for charity-funded medical research.

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Q14 Alex Norris Labour (Co-op)
Transport
Context

The eastern leg of HS2 was promised to transform the east midlands and north but recent National Infrastructure Commission review reduces it, raising concerns about broken promises.

Question

HS2, in full, will transform the east midlands and the north, reversing a 40-year trend of losing skilled work. In February, the Prime Minister promised that it would be built in full. Yesterday's National Infrastructure Commission review reduces the eastern leg to a small line between Birmingham and the disliked station at East Midlands Parkway. That will not deliver the connectivity or the economic uplift that the midlands and the north need. Will the Prime Minister reaffirm his previous commitment and reject the NIC's plan, or is this yet another broken promise to our community?

Answer from Boris Johnson

I am afraid that the hon. Gentleman is quite wrong. What the NIC is saying is that there are other things we can do as well, including massively improving the midland main line—I think everybody would want to do that—but the ambition to do the eastern leg, as I have said in the House before, remains absolutely unchanged.

Answered
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Q15 Anthony Browne
Education
Context

Cambridgeshire schools started with some of the lowest funding levels nationally and have been left with significant financial deficits due to the pandemic.

Question

Like schools and teachers across the country, those in South Cambridgeshire have been working miracles to continue providing education throughout the pandemic. They are grateful for the support they have had from the Government, they welcome the new exams regime and they also very much welcome the new testing regime for coronavirus. But schools in Cambridgeshire started with some of the lowest funding of any in the country, and many have been left with deficits that they cannot fill. Will my right hon. Friend work with me to make sure that schools in Cambridgeshire get the resources they need? Will the Prime Minister be Santa for Cambridgeshire's schoolkids?

Answer from Boris Johnson

Mr Speaker, the whole of the country and the taxpayers of this country play that role; it is our job to make sure that we spend the money sensibly, and that is what we were doing. I am delighted that, thanks in part to the campaigning by my hon. Friend, his constituency is attracting an average of 3.8% more per pupil next year compared with this year through the national funding formula—a total of £4.8 million more, in addition, of course, to our commitment to pay every teacher a starting salary of £30,000.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response did not directly address addressing financial deficits but mentioned additional per pupil funding and teacher salaries.

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Q16 Liz Twist Lab Blaydon and Consett
Economy Business & Trade
Context

Pubs in the constituency have been devastated by pandemic restrictions, with existing compensation schemes inadequate to ensure their survival.

Question

The hospitality sector, and in particular pubs in my constituency such as the Black Bull in Blaydon, a wet pub with a fine live local music tradition, has been devastated by the restrictions placed on it, in our case since September. Pubs such as the Black Bull are at the heart of our communities. The various compensation schemes do not offer enough support to allow those pubs to survive. Will the Prime Minister commit to bringing forward a financial support scheme that will allow our pubs and hospitality sector to survive?

Answer from Boris Johnson

The hon. Member is quite right to raise the problem in the hospitality sector. We are committed to doing everything we can. She knows about the £3,000 grant, the additional £2,100, plus the £1,000 for wet pubs.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response did not commit to bringing forward a new financial support scheme beyond existing grants and aid.

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