Commons Sense

House of Commons · PMQs

PMQs

Wednesday 27 January 2021 · 24 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 16 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Rehman Chishti expressed frustration over the slow vaccine roll-out in Medway despite it being one of the hardest-hit areas.
  • Keir Starmer questioned why the UK had the highest number of deaths in Europe during the pandemic, citing the government's slow responses in various critical areas.
  • Keir Starmer asked if the Prime Minister would commit to vaccinating key workers and all teachers during the February half-term.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rehman Chishti Con
NHS
Context

The constituency of Gillingham and Rainham has a high number of unvaccinated elderly residents and was one of the hardest-hit areas for the mutant variant. The local community is concerned about the availability of vaccines.

Question

I thank the Prime Minister and the Government for all their hard work in these difficult times with regard to the delivery of the covid-19 vaccination. However, my constituents who are in their 80s and 90s have not yet had the vaccination despite Medway being one of the hardest-hit areas in the country. Will the Prime Minister please ensure that we have a mass vaccination centre in Medway?

Answer from Boris Johnson

I share my hon Friend's sense of frustration about the pace of the vaccine roll-out. In spite of the fact that we have the fastest roll-out anywhere in Europe, it is entirely right that a constituency MP should want to see more done as fast as possible. I can tell my hon Friend that we have vaccinated more than 80% of those over 80 across the country, and we are certainly looking at establishing a large-scale vaccination centre near him. In his immediate vicinity, we have done 127,000 vaccines already, providing the hope of long-term immunity for the people of Medway and Gillingham and Rainham.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Prime Minister did not commit to a specific timeframe or location for establishing a mass vaccination centre near Gillingham and Rainham.

How: Looking At, Certainly Looking

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Q2 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
NHS Mental Health
Context

The United Kingdom has reached the tragic milestone of 100,000 deaths due to the pandemic. Keir Starmer wants an explanation for why the UK has one of the highest death tolls in Europe.

Question

May I begin by joining the Prime Minister in his remarks about Holocaust Memorial Day? This evening, I will be joining the UK ceremony and lighting a candle to remember the 6 million Jews murdered in the holocaust, along with the other genocides and persecutions that have taken place around the world. Yesterday, we passed the tragic milestone of 100,000 covid deaths in the United Kingdom. That is not just a statistic: behind every death is a grieving family—a mum, a dad, a sister, a brother, a friend, a colleague, a neighbour. The question on everyone's lips this morning is: why? The Prime Minister must have thought about that question a lot, so will he tell us why he thinks that the United Kingdom has ended up with a death toll of 100,000—the highest number in Europe?

Answer from Boris Johnson

Like the right hon. and learned Gentleman, I mourn every death in this pandemic and we share the grief of all those who have been bereaved. Let him and the House be in no doubt that I and the Government take full responsibility for all the actions that we have taken during this pandemic to fight this disease. Yes, there will indeed be a time when we must learn the lessons of what has happened, reflect on them and prepare. I do not think that moment is now, when we are in the throes of fighting this wave of the new variant, when 37,000 people are struggling with covid in our hospitals.

Not addressed: The Prime Minister did not provide a direct answer to why the UK has one of the highest death tolls from COVID-19 and instead talked about taking responsibility for actions taken during the pandemic.

How: Not Now

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Q3 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
NHS
Context

Keir Starmer is questioning the Prime Minister about why the UK has a higher death rate than other countries, including the slow response to new variants of the virus.

Question

I am sure that the Prime Minister regrets the fact that 100,000 people have lost their lives. The question is: why—why has the United Kingdom the highest number of deaths in Europe? Why has the United Kingdom a death rate that is higher than almost anywhere in the world? The Prime Minister is going to have to answer that question one day and he should have the decency to answer it today. A few days ago, the chief scientific officer said: 'You've got to go hard, early and broader if you're going to get on top of this. Waiting and watching simply doesn't work.' Does the Prime Minister agree with that?

Answer from Boris Johnson

Mr Speaker, when you have a new virus and, indeed, when you have a new variant of that virus of the kind that we have in this country, and when you have dilemmas as hard and as heavy as this Government have had to face over the last year, I must tell the right hon. and learned Gentleman that there are no easy answers. A perpetual lockdown is no answer, but we will continue to do everything we can to roll out our vaccine programme to give the public the protection that they want and deserve.

Not addressed: The Prime Minister did not address whether a rapid response was necessary or agree with the Chief Scientific Officer's statement, instead stating there are no easy answers.

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Q4 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
Immigration NHS
Context

The UK government has faced criticism for delays in implementing lockdown measures and changes to mixing rules. Keir Starmer is questioning the Prime Minister about the continued delay in securing borders.

Question

The problem with the Prime Minister avoiding the question of why is that vital lessons will not be learned. The reality is this: the Prime Minister was slow into the first lockdown last March; slow in getting protective equipment to the frontline; slow to protect our care homes; slow on testing and tracing; slow into the second lockdown in the autumn; slow to change the Christmas-mixing rules; and slow again into this third lockdown, delaying 13 days from 22 December before implementing it. I fear that he still has not learned that lesson. The latest example is the continued delay in securing our borders. We have known about the variants to the virus since early December, when it was announced in the House of Commons. We know some of those variants are coming from abroad, but we do not know the route. Surely the Prime Minister can see that what is required now is that everybody coming into the country from anywhere in the world should be tested and subject to quarantine in a hotel. Why can that not be put in place today?

Answer from Boris Johnson

Throughout this pandemic, it has been the habit of the Opposition first to support one approach and then to attack it and to twist and to turn. It was only recently that the shadow Transport Secretary was saying that quarantine measures should be relaxed. We have one of the toughest regimes in the world. We ask people to test 72 hours before they fly. They have to produce a passenger locator form, otherwise they are kicked off the flight. They already have to quarantine for 10 days and my right hon Friend the Home Secretary will be setting out later today even tougher measures for those red list countries where we are particularly concerned about new variants.

Not addressed: The Prime Minister did not address why testing and quarantine measures have not been implemented for all incoming travelers, instead focusing on the opposition's stance on quarantines.

How: Opposition Support, Tough Regime

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Q5 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
NHS Education
Context

The Home Secretary criticised the Prime Minister for not addressing border issues adequately, raising concerns about repeating the same mistake with new virus variants.

Question

Everybody agrees that reopening our schools should be a national priority, but that requires a plan. The Prime Minister has not got a plan. Does he agree to vaccinate key workers and all teachers during the February half-term?

Answer from Boris Johnson

Of course it follows that all teachers in JCVI groups 1 to 9 will be vaccinated as a matter of priority. I pay tribute, by the way, to the huge efforts that parents are making across the country struggling to educate their kids. No one has worked harder than my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education to keep schools open. We all want to open schools. It is absolutly critical that he says that schools are safe.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Prime Minister did not directly confirm whether key workers and teachers should be vaccinated during the February half-term break, focusing instead on school safety and reopening plans.

How: Working Harder Than My Right Hon. Friend To Keep Schools Open, Wanting To Hear That Schools Are Safe

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Q6 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
Education
Context

The questioner mentioned a significant number of families lacking the necessary devices for remote learning, despite government challenges previously.

Question

Does the Prime Minister realise how angry many families are that he still has not got to grips with providing laptops or home computers to children unable to learn from home?

Answer from Boris Johnson

As I said just now, I do fully understand the frustration and impatience of families across the country who are educating their kids at home. That is why we have provided 1.3 million laptops and a £1 billion catch-up fund. A statement will be made soon setting out further support for pupils and teachers.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Prime Minister did not directly address the issue of anger among families or provide specifics about plans to resolve technology access issues beyond previously announced measures.

How: Fully Understand The Frustration, Provided 1.3 Million Laptops And £1 Billion Catch-Up Fund

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Q7 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
NHS Education
Context

The questioner raised concerns about the Prime Minister's approach to managing the pandemic, including school closures and open borders.

Question

With 100,000 people dead from COVID-19, does the Prime Minister have a plan for addressing the lack of resources for home schooling and the current state of the pandemic?

Answer from Boris Johnson

I am grateful to meet bereaved families and deeply regret their loss. The best way to honour those grieving is by working together to bring down the virus. Throughout this pandemic, the Leader of the Opposition has made political points rather than contributing positively.

Not addressed: The Prime Minister did not address what he would say to bereaved families or provide a plan for addressing the current state of the pandemic and home schooling resources.

How: Deeply Regret Their Loss, Working Together To Bring Down The Virus, Political Points Rather Than Contributing Positively

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Q8 Pauline Latham Con
Economy Transport
Context

The eastern leg of HS2 is crucial for job creation in the Midlands and North, with potential to unlock capacity for local transport schemes.

Question

The importance of levelling up to constituencies like mine is critical as we look to build back better from covid. With that in mind, can the Prime Minister commit to delivering the eastern leg of HS2 in full, creating 150,000 jobs and billions of pounds of investment in the midlands and the north, as well as unlocking the capacity for local transport schemes in Derbyshire, in which cycling and walking must play a crucial part?

Answer from Boris Johnson

My hon. Friend is absolutely right, and she is right to be militating for the eastern leg of HS2. We will be publishing the integrated rail plan early this year, and I am delighted that the £161 million from the transforming cities fund for Nottingham and Derby includes £10 million for a new cycle route between Nottingham, Derby and East Midlands airport.

Answered
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Q9 Ian Blackford SNP
NHS
Context

Scientists have criticised the UK Government for poor decisions during the pandemic.

Question

May I associate myself with the Prime Minister's remarks on the holocaust? We all remember the 6 million Jews who lost their lives and those terrible crimes against humanity. We should never forget that, nor, indeed, those who have sadly followed them in genocides around the world. Last night, the Prime Minister claimed that “we truly did everything we could” to avoid the deaths of 100,000 people across the UK from covid-19, but we all know that that is simply not true. The UK Government response has been defined by a lack of leadership, last-minute U-turns, mixed messaging and devastating policies. All of this has had an effect on the scale of the pandemic. Professor Linda Bauld has said that nearly a quarter of all deaths we have seen have occurred in the last month. Since the start of the pandemic, the Prime Minister has promised to always follow the advice of scientists. This morning, scientists have said that this Government are responsible for a “legacy of poor decisions” during the pandemic. Does the Prime Minister still agree with the scientists?

Answer from Boris Johnson

We have throughout followed scientific advice and done everything we can to minimise disease and suffering throughout the country. The right hon. Gentleman will have heard my answer to the Leader of the Opposition: there are no easy solutions when we are facing dilemmas as tragic as the ones being confronted by countries around the world.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Scientists' claim that Government decisions were poor and lack of leadership was ignored. Only acknowledged following scientific advice in general terms without specifics or timeline.

How: Under Review, No Easy Solutions

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Q10 Ian Blackford SNP
Immigration NHS Benefits & Welfare
Context

The PM has repeatedly ignored scientific advice on border controls, lockdowns, and furlough support.

Question

I must respectfully say that this is not about apportioning blame for honest mistakes; it is about learning lessons from a Prime Minister who has repeatedly ignored the scientific advice. When we called on the Prime Minister to introduce tough border controls last spring, he refused. When we told the Prime Minister it was a mistake to end lockdown prematurely and push millions of workers back to the office, he ignored us. When we said that tough restrictions and full furlough support were still needed, he dithered, delayed and left it too late. People have been asked to make huge sacrifices by his Government. They at least now deserve financial certainty. Tell people straight, Prime Minister: will this UK Government extend furlough, maintain the universal credit uplift and finally offer support to the 3 million excluded, or will he leave families struggling with the uncertainty while he dithers and delays?

Answer from Boris Johnson

On the subject of dithering and delaying, I am delighted that the British Army is helping the Scottish National party Government to roll out the vaccine faster. That is extremely important and one of the benefits of the Union of the UK. On the right hon. Gentleman's point about the support for people and families across this country, I do not think anybody could seriously deny that this Government have given absolutely unprecedented—and unequalled, by global standards—support throughout the pandemic.

Not addressed: Questioner's request to extend furlough, maintain universal credit uplift, and provide support to the 3 million excluded individuals was not addressed. Instead, PM discussed vaccine roll-out and Union of the UK.

How: Changed Subject, Union Benefits

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Q11 Peter Aldous Con
Economy Employment
Context

Self-employed individuals who set up businesses after April 2019 have been struggling to receive support due to tax return submission issues.

Question

The Government have put in place an extensive system of support to help employers and employees through the pandemic. However, a group that has been overlooked, many of whom are now really struggling, are those self- employed who set up their own businesses after April 2019 and were unable to submit a complete tax return. Ten months on, that obstacle to providing support no longer applies. To assist them, will the Prime Minister emulate the Northern Ireland Government's newly self-employed support scheme, which is subject to straightforward criteria and guards against fraud?

Answer from Boris Johnson

My hon. Friend is right to raise those concerns, because there are some people in the self-employed group whom it has been hard to reach and to support in the way that we want. They are fewer in number than is sometimes suggested in this House, and I can tell him that 2.7 million self-employed people have received support totalling over £18.5 billion.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific request to emulate Northern Ireland's scheme was not directly answered. Instead, PM provided general numbers about support given to self-employed individuals.

How: Under Review

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Q12 Caroline Lucas Green
Climate Environment
Context

The UK Government broke their election manifesto promise to ban the export of plastic waste to developing countries, causing environmental damage and health risks.

Question

There is a yawning gulf between the Government's green rhetoric and their action. Hot on the heels of sanctioning the first deep coalmine in 30 years, Ministers have broken yet another election manifesto promise and will keep sending plastic waste to developing countries, where they are regularly dumped or burnt. Nine-year-old schoolgirl Lizzie knows that this is wrong, and she has a simple message for the Prime Minister: protect our oceans and people living in poorer countries by banning these dirty plastic exports now. Will he listen to Lizzie and to the 90,000 signatories to her petition and stop this damaging and unethical practice—yes or no?

Answer from Boris Johnson

First of all, I must absolutely contest and deny what the hon. Member has said about action. She talks about coalmines, and she may not know that in 1970—I was alive; she may not have been alive—this country got 90% of its energy from fossil fuels, from coal, and we now get 5%. That is thanks to the green, active, technologically optimistic policies driven by Conservative Governments.

Not addressed: Questioner's request for a ban on plastic waste exports was not addressed. PM discussed historical energy statistics instead.

How: Changed Subject, Historical Comparison

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Q13 Holly Mumby-Croft
NHS
Context

A constituent, David Hopkins, suffers from grade 4 glioblastoma and requires pioneering immunotherapy unavailable in the UK.

Question

My constituent David Hopkins lives with grade 4 glioblastoma. The pioneering immunotherapy treatment he needs is not yet available in the UK. He and his wife Nicki continue to fundraise for his treatments in Germany, and I know that the wonderful people of Scunthorpe have been incredibly supportive in this. Will the Prime Minister join me in wishing the Hopkins family well, and will he work with me and the Brain Tumour Charity to improve research and treatments for patients like David?

Answer from Boris Johnson

Yes, indeed. I thank my hon. Friend for what she is doing to campaign for such an excellent charity and, indeed, for her constituent David. I can tell her that the Department of Health is working with Tessa Jowell's Brain Cancer Mission, announcing £40 million over five years on brain tumours of the type that she describes.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not explicitly commit to work directly with MP and charity

How: Did Not Mention Working Directly With The Questioner Or Brain Tumour Charity

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Q14 Christine Jardine Lib Dem Edinburgh West
Business & Trade
Context

The industry has lost half a billion pounds in exports to the US due to punitive tariffs on Scotch whisky.

Question

Can I associate myself and the Liberal Democrats with the Prime Minister's comments on the holocaust? A year ago next week, in a speech at Greenwich, the Prime Minister said that it was “high time” that the US cut their punitive tariffs on Scotch whisky. Since then, the industry has lost half a billion pounds in exports to the US, and the Government have failed to reach a deal to have the 25% tariff on single malt removed. So will the Prime Minister commit to working urgently with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to comply with the World Trade Organisation rules that led to the issue, and can he promise that in the Budget his Government will take steps to support this vital industry and employer?

Answer from Boris Johnson

I do not want to anticipate the Budget, but I know that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor habitually does things to support fantastic industries such as Scotch whisky.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to urgent work with BEIS or steps in the Budget

How: Did Not Address Urgency Of Action, Refrained From Committing To Specific Actions

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Q15 Damian Collins Con
NHS
Context

The acceleration of the vaccination programme necessitates better data sharing at local levels.

Question

This week, Kent's first covid mass vaccination centre opened in Folkestone, and is working now along with our three GP-led hubs in Folkestone, Hythe and Lydd. As we accelerate the delivery of this protection against the virus, does my right hon. Friend agree with the vaccines Minister that we need greater sharing of data at local level so that we can target the resources of the largest vaccination programme in our history at both hard-to-reach groups of individuals and the most vulnerable communities?

Answer from Boris Johnson

My hon. Friend makes a very important point, and I know that it is something that everybody wants to see across this House—the sharing of data at local levels.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to specific action or timeline for data sharing

How: Did Not Provide Specifics On Actions

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Q16 Seema Malhotra Labour (Co-op)
Housing
Context

Ministers have promised at least 15 times that leaseholders will not have to pay unfair costs, but no delivery has been seen.

Question

Almost four years on from the Grenfell tragedy, Government inaction on the cladding crisis means that hundreds of thousands of leaseholders, including my constituents, remain trapped in unsafe, unsellable blocks. Ministers have promised at least 15 times that leaseholders will not have to pay unfair costs, but, as ever with this Government, there have been a lot of promises not matched by delivery. So will the Prime Minister finally act, end this injustice and come forward with a plan to fix the cladding crisis that does not burden leaseholders with the cost?

Answer from Boris Johnson

Of course we will, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government will be bringing forward a plan very shortly.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific timeline or details of the plan

How: Did Not Commit To Specifics

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Q17 Geoffrey Clifton-Brown Con North Cotswolds
Education Economy
Context

People need certainty about when schools can reopen and businesses can restart.

Question

This has been an extraordinarily difficult year for both the Prime Minister and the people of this country, since the coronavirus was first detected, and their fortitude is being severely tested. People need to know when they can get their children back to school and businesses can start to reopen. Will my right hon. Friend assure the House that when he announces his comprehensive plan in mid-February, it will deal with how we lift every area out of its tier, and with the long-term problems with covid with which we will have to live? Furthermore, can we try to avoid making changes in future with 24 hours' notice, so that at long last the people of this country can start to plan their daily lives?

Answer from Boris Johnson

In a few moments, later this afternoon, I will set out in more detail what my hon. Friend would like to know about our approach to schools, and in the course of the next few weeks, assuming that the vaccine roll-out continues well, and assuming that we do not find new variants of concern or have to change our calculations, I will be setting out a broader roadmap for a way forward for the whole country.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details on lifting tiers or future planning certainty

How: Did Not Commit To Specifics On Lifting Tiers, Refrained From Providing Definite Timeline

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Q18 Peter Dowd Lab Bootle
Veterans
Context

96-year-old Anne Puckridge, a world war two veteran who lives in Canada, and 60,000 other veterans who served their country courageously but live abroad are not receiving UK rates of pension.

Question

My grand-mother received a war widow's pension for 67 years. My mother received one for 49 years. Two of my nephews are veterans, and a veterans' network operates in my constituency. They would agree that a pension should be paid at UK rates, wherever a veteran, or any pensioner, lives in the world. When will 96-year-old Anne Puckridge, a world war two veteran who lives in Canada, and 60,000 other veterans who served their country courageously and live abroad, stop being treated as second-class veterans and get the full pension they deserve? Will the Prime Minister commit to ending that injustice, and agree to meet representatives from the End Frozen Pensions campaign? As a start, that is the very least that a British Prime Minister could do for Britain's greatest generation.

Answer from Boris Johnson

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for raising that issue. I have come across this problem before, but the case he describes is obviously acute and I will ensure that he gets the meeting he desires with the relevant Minister.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to ending injustice or specific actions

How: Did Not Provide A Commitment To End The Injustice, Only Committed To Arranging A Meeting

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Q19 Sally-Ann Hart
Brexit Energy Business & Trade
Context

Chapman's of Rye is facing difficulties in exporting fish across the English channel due to red tape. The business aims to develop Rye as a vital export hub but faces challenges.

Question

In my constituency, Chapman's of Rye acts as an export hub for local fish going across the English channel but encounters challenging and expensive regulations. Mr Chapman seeks support for developing Rye as a crucial export center in Kent and Sussex. Would the Prime Minister visit this enterprise to provide assistance?

Answer from Boris Johnson

The government is addressing red tape issues with an immediate £23 million fund for affected businesses. Additionally, a long-term programme of £100 million investment in the UK fishing industry will provide equipment and processing support.

Answered
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Q20 Steven Bonnar
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The questioner seeks to make the £20 weekly universal credit increase permanent, addressing income crisis for Scottish families.

Question

Will you commit to making the £20 per week universal credit boost permanent or will your Government be responsible for worsening financial hardship among Scottish families?

Answer from Boris Johnson

We will continue to support the people through the pandemic but no specific commitment was made regarding the permanency of the £20 weekly universal credit increase.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question specifically asked for a commitment to making the £20 per week uplift permanent, which was not addressed.

How: Looking After The People

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Q21 Christian Wakeford Lab Bury South
Education
Context

Radcliffe has been without a high school since 2014 and is campaigning for the free school programme support.

Question

The Prime Minister, can you help my campaign to establish a new secondary school for Radcliffe by supporting the free schools programme?

Answer from Boris Johnson

We are indeed expanding the free school programme. Wave 14 of free schools will be announced soon, providing hope that Radcliffe's campaign might see success.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific timeline or commitment to Radcliffe's new high school was not provided.

How: Free School Programme Expansion

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Q22 Bill Esterson Lab Sefton Central
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Alison Powell did not qualify for any financial support due to the tax return system, leading to a lack of assistance during the pandemic.

Question

Given Alison Powell's case and others like her who have been financially excluded from support, when will you start providing adequate help?

Answer from Boris Johnson

Acknowledging the difficulty some face in qualifying for support. £18 billion has been spent on aiding self-employed individuals during the pandemic, with ongoing commitment to further assistance.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No new commitments or specific plans were given for Alison Powell's case or similar issues.

How: £18 Billion Support, Continue Putting Arms Around

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Q23 Paul Bristow
NHS Mental Health
Context

Schoolchildren in Peterborough expressed concerns about their mental health due to the ongoing pandemic restrictions.

Question

With rising mental health issues among students and others, should this factor into decisions regarding lifting specific pandemic-related restrictions?

Answer from Boris Johnson

Recognizing the stress underlined by school pupils and NHS workers. Investing in mental health with £13.3 billion spent in 2019-20, aiming for an additional £2.3 billion annually to support over 725,000 adults and children.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No direct commitment was given regarding easing lockdown based on mental health considerations.

How: Mental Health Investment

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Q24 Carolyn Harris Lab Neath and Swansea East
Transport
Context

The DVLA sites in the constituency experienced a significant outbreak, causing disruption.

Question

Given your full responsibility for pandemic actions, will you confirm accountability for poor management of the covid outbreak at Government-owned DVLA sites? Will the Transport Secretary be held accountable?

Answer from Boris Johnson

Acknowledging the issue, all staff work from home where possible. Over 2000 tests have been conducted recently at the sites, with no positive results.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question asked for confirmation of accountability and holding the Transport Secretary responsible; these were not addressed directly.

How: Working Flat Out, Tests

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