Commons Sense

House of Commons · PMQs

PMQs

Wednesday 10 February 2021 · 26 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 4 Partly answered 16 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Prime Minister thanked for supporting the vaccine programme and urged to extend business rates relief.
  • Prime Minister declined to commit to extending the furlough scheme beyond April.
  • Prime Minister committed to extending the ban on residential evictions during the pandemic.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gary Sambrook
NHS
Context

Recent South African variant cases in the constituency prompted extensive testing efforts involving Dr Justin Varney and Birmingham City Council.

Question

Over the past week, thousands of people across Frankley Great Park and south Northfield have done what has been asked of them and gone and got a test because of a small number of South African variant cases. Will the Prime Minister join me in thanking Dr Justin Varney, Councillor Simon Morrall and Birmingham City Council for everything they have done to scale up mass testing across Frankley Great Park? Will he encourage anyone who has not had a test so far to get one at one of the designated sites?

Answer from Boris Johnson

Yes, indeed. I thank my hon. Friend for raising this issue and join him in thanking the NHS staff who are scaling up the surge testing in the way that he describes. I encourage everybody in the area and throughout the country to get a vaccine when they are asked to do so.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address encouraging people to take tests at designated sites.

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Q2 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
NHS Economy
Context

The vaccine roll-out has been successful with over 12.6 million people vaccinated, but many businesses are seeking extended support beyond the initial business rates relief period.

Question

I thank everybody involved in the vaccine roll-out; we have now vaccinated 12.6 million people and are on course to vaccinate the first four priority groups by the end of this week. Can the Prime Minister confirm today that the Government will extend business rates relief beyond 31 March?

Answer from Boris Johnson

I am glad to hear the right hon. and learned Gentleman join in the praise of the vaccine roll-out, which is indeed a tribute to NHS staff, the Army, volunteers and many others. On his point about extending business rates relief, he knows that this Government are committed to supporting businesses, people and livelihoods throughout the pandemic.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to extend business rates relief beyond March 31st; said they will support businesses but did not give specifics.

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Q3 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
Employment
Context

Businesses are concerned about the lack of clarity regarding the continuation of the furlough scheme beyond April, with many organisations urging immediate decisions.

Question

The Prime Minister cannot give an answer yet despite businesses needing one now; as the British Chambers of Commerce says, businesses simply can't wait until the March Budget. Can the Prime Minister confirm today that the furlough scheme will be extended beyond April?

Answer from Boris Johnson

Most people in this country are aware we are going through a very serious pandemic with infection rates steadily brought down thanks to the efforts of the British people. In just a few days, we will set out a roadmap for getting out of the pandemic that I hope the right hon. and learned Gentleman and his colleagues will support.

Not addressed: Did not confirm extension of furlough scheme beyond April; instead talked about upcoming road map to ease restrictions.

How: Changed Subject Entirely

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Q4 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
Business & Trade
Context

The Prime Minister is delaying decisions on crucial business support measures, leading to criticism from the Labour party about his handling of these issues.

Question

Let me let the Prime Minister into a secret: he can take decisions himself and does not need to wait until the last minute. The CBI, FSB, IoD, and BCC all agree that they cannot wait until the Budget for answers on business support measures. Why does the Prime Minister think he knows better than British businesses?

Answer from Boris Johnson

Most businesspeople I have talked to would agree no Government around the world has done more to support business. The Labour party stood on a manifesto to destroy capitalism and dismantle the pharmaceutical industry; will he repudiate this policy?

Not addressed: Did not address why he disagrees with businesses.

How: Attacked Opposition'S Economic Policies

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Q5 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
Economy Housing
Context

No decisions have been made on business rates or furlough schemes, but there is urgency to decide whether to extend the eviction ban beyond February 21st.

Question

We know what the Prime Minister once said about wanting to do to business. We would rather listen to businesses. No decision yet on business rates or furlough; will he now commit to extending the evictions ban on residential properties beyond 21 February?

Answer from Boris Johnson

What we will do in this Government and throughout the pandemic is put our arms around British people, support them and make sure they are not unfairly evicted during the pandemic. I hope that the right hon. and learned Gentleman has a Damascene conversion to supporting all the Government's policies to support business.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to extending eviction ban beyond February 21st; instead encouraged support for government policies.

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Q6 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
Immigration NHS
Context

The MP criticises the government for failing to secure borders against variants of covid, citing Oxford University's tracking that ranks UK below 33 other countries in terms of border restrictions.

Question

I am not going to take lectures from a man who not only wrote two versions of every column he ever wrote as a journalist, but proposed Donald Trump for a Nobel peace prize and gave Dominic Cummings a pay rise. Let us go back to the question. Another area where the Prime Minister has repeatedly delayed and now changes his policy pretty well every day is securing our borders against variants of covid. Every week, the Prime Minister comes here and says, “We have one of the toughest regimes in the world”. We know that his Home Secretary disagrees with him. We know that the Health Secretary disagrees with him. Luckily, Oxford University keeps track of how tough border restrictions are in every country. It says that there are at least 33 countries around the world that currently have tougher restrictions than the United Kingdom—33, Prime Minister—including Canada, Denmark, Japan, Israel and many others. In fact, Oxford University says that we are not even in the top bracket of countries for border restrictions. It is 50 days after we first discovered the South African variant —50 days. How does the Prime Minister explain that?

Answer from Boris Johnson

There are some countries in Europe that do not even have a hotel quarantine scheme such as the one that we are putting in on Monday. We have among the toughest border regimes anywhere in the world. People should understand that, on a normal day at this time of year, we could expect about 250,000 people to be arriving in this country. We have got it down to about 20,000, 5,000 of whom are involved in bringing vital things into this country, such as medicines and food, as we discussed last week and which the right hon. and learned Gentleman agreed was a good idea. Unless he actually wants to cut this country off from the rest of the world, which, last week, I think he said that he did not want to do—unless of course he has changed his mind again—I think that this policy is measured, it is proportionate, and it is getting tougher from Monday. I hope that he supports it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Prime Minister avoided explaining why the UK's border restrictions were initially less stringent compared to other countries

How: Disagreement With Questioner

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Q7 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
Economy Business & Trade
Context

The MP argues that the Prime Minister is failing to provide economic security for businesses, suggesting measures such as extending furlough, business rates relief, and VAT cuts.

Question

The truth is this: the Prime Minister is failing to give security to British businesses and he is failing to secure our borders. The Prime Minister often complains that we never put forward constructive proposals, so here are two for him: support businesses and protect jobs now by extending furlough, business rates relief and VAT cuts for hospitality; and, secondly, secure our borders with a comprehensive hotel quarantine on arrival. No more delays: will he do it?

Answer from Boris Johnson

We have just announced the quarantine policy, which, as I have said to the House, is among the toughest in the world and certainly tougher than most other European countries. I am delighted that the right hon. and learned Gentleman is now supporting business—not a policy for which he was famous before—in his latest stunt of bandwagoneering. He has moved from one side of the debate to the other throughout this crisis. Some people have said that this is a “good crisis”. Some people have said that this crisis is “a gift that keeps on giving”. Those people sit on the Labour Front Bench. It is disgraceful that they should say those things. This is one of the biggest challenges that this country has faced since the second world war and, thanks to one of the fastest vaccine roll-outs anywhere in the world, it is a challenge that this country can meet and is meeting. I believe that this vaccine roll-out programme is something that this House and this country should be very proud of.

Not addressed: The Prime Minister did not address extending furlough or business rates relief, and focused on attacking the opposition instead.

How: Personal Attack

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Q8 Julian Smith Con Skipton and Ripon
NHS
Context

The MP thanks the Prime Minister for decisions that have led to a successful vaccine programme but asks about ensuring supply chain readiness as variants emerge.

Question

I thank the Prime Minister for the decisions he took last year that have meant that the vaccine programme is in such a good position this week. Despite that success, it is vital that the programme keeps pace with the changing variants. Will he update the House on where the UK stands on ensuring that the UK supply chain is in place and that we do not get behind as the virus mutates?

Answer from Boris Johnson

My right hon. Friend asks an extremely important question. We recently announced an agreement for 50 million doses with the manufacturer CureVac because we believe that that may help us to develop vaccines that can respond at scale to new variants of the virus. As the House will have heard from the chief medical officer, the deputy chief medical officer and others, I think we are going to have to get used to the idea of vaccinating and then revaccinating in the autumn as we come to face these new variants.

Answered
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Q9 Ian Blackford SNP
Benefits & Welfare Children & Families
Context

The MP cites research revealing that 1.3 million children under five live in poverty, urging the Prime Minister to make the £20 uplift to universal credit permanent and extend it to legacy benefits.

Question

New research from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the baby bank charity Little Village has revealed that 1.3 million children under five in the United Kingdom are living in poverty. That is a truly shocking figure that should make this Tory Government utterly ashamed. The Scottish National party has repeatedly called for a financial package to boost household incomes and reverse this Tory child poverty crisis. The Prime Minister has the power to tackle child poverty right now by making the £20 uplift to universal credit permanent and extending it to legacy benefits. The Tory Government have been stalling on this for months. Will the Prime Minister finally act, or will he leave millions of children out in the cold?

Answer from Boris Johnson

The whole House and this country should be proud of the way in which we have tried to look after people—the poorest and neediest families throughout the country—not just with universal credit, which the Opposition would actually abolish, but by helping vulnerable people with their food and heating bills through the £170 million winter grant scheme, and looking after people with the free school meal vouchers. As I have said before, we will put our arms around the people of the entire country throughout the pandemic.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Prime Minister did not commit to making the £20 uplift permanent or extending it to legacy benefits.

How: Disagreement With Questioner

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Q10 Ian Blackford SNP
Scotland Children & Families
Context

A report from Citizens Advice Scotland warns Tory cuts could reduce the value of universal credit by up to a quarter, pushing more children into poverty. This follows years of austerity measures under Conservative governments.

Question

We are discussing 1.3 million children under five in poverty. A baby bank worker named Emilie stated that a mother cried on her doorstep because I gave her nappies, wipes and winter clothes for her child. Will the Prime Minister meet me and other Opposition parties before the Budget to discuss tackling child poverty, or will he be another Tory PM leaving a generation of children in poverty?

Answer from Boris Johnson

I reject entirely what you have said about my Government. We have done much to help people during this pandemic and will continue to support them as we set out in our plans. There is a profound philosophical difference between me and the Scottish National Party, which is moving towards an ever more left-wing position.

Not addressed: The specific ask for an urgent summit on child poverty was not addressed directly

How: Rejecting The Premise Of The Question, Claiming Philosophical Differences

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Q11 Lee Anderson Reform Ashfield
Economy Employment Business & Trade
Context

After decades of Labour rule, Ashfield voted Conservative for the first time in the last election. The Prime Minister thanked these voters for lending their votes and promised never to let them down again.

Question

A new freeport will create over 60,000 jobs in the east midlands and provide a massive boost to employers such as Caunton Engineering and Abacus. My mum and dad voted Conservative for the first time at the last general election and were touched when the Prime Minister acknowledged their votes. Can my right hon. Friend please reassure them that our area will never be let down again?

Answer from Boris Johnson

Absolutely, I thank my hon. Friend for all he is doing in Ashfield and for campaigning there alongside me. Our commitment to levelling up across the country remains rock solid.

Answered
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Q12 Liz Saville-Roberts PC Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Scotland Science & Technology
Context

The Government claims a levelling-up agenda but Wales receives the lowest R&D spend per person of all four nations at around 40% of England's spending. The government is focused on Oxford, Cambridge and London.

Question

As we heard, the Government claim to have a levelling-up agenda underpinned by a research and development road map. However, Wales receives much less R&D spend per person than other parts of the UK. Will the Prime Minister now commit to a further devolved R&D funding settlement to the Senedd?

Answer from Boris Johnson

I disagree with the right hon. Lady's assessment that Wales is being downgraded or neglected. I think the aerospace sector in Wales alone bears witness to our commitment to innovation and development, with massive spending on R&D over £22 billion by the end of this Parliament.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask for a devolved funding settlement was not addressed directly

How: Claiming Commitment To Wales Despite Low Figures

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Q13 Kieran Mullan Con Bexhill and Battle
Energy
Context

The UK has fallen behind Europe in tapping the potential of geothermal heat and energy. Deep geothermal exploration is now happening in Crewe.

Question

The UK lags behind in geothermal heat and energy. Will the Prime Minister meet me to discuss how we can ensure that geothermal helps us build back better with a revitalised package of incentives for industry?

Answer from Boris Johnson

I am very happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss furthering geothermal energy in Crewe, diary permitting.

Answered
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Q14 Yasmin Qureshi Lab Bolton South and Walkden
Local Government
Context

The Chancellor said he would do everything to help councils during the pandemic, yet Tory-controlled Bolton Council has announced £35 million of cuts and a 3.8% increase in council tax.

Question

This Government promised no council would suffer as a result of the pandemic, but Bolton Council has just announced £35 million of cuts and an increase in the council tax budget by 3.8%. Can the Prime Minister assure my constituents that this money will be given to them?

Answer from Boris Johnson

I congratulate the Conservative-controlled council of Bolton on its work and investment in local government. We have invested £4.6 billion so far in supporting local councils during this pandemic.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask for assurance that money will go to constituents was not addressed directly

How: Praising The Council Without Addressing Cuts

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Q15 Sajid Javid Con
Climate Environment
Context

The Dasgupta review concluded that ecosystems worldwide are at risk of catastrophic decline, presenting an economic as well as moral failure. The UK will host COP26 and the G7.

Question

From rainforests to coral reefs, the world's ecosystems are at risk of catastrophic decline. My right hon. Friend welcomed this conclusion from Professor Dasgupta's review. Given that COP26 has been delayed until later this year alongside our presidency of the G7, does my right hon. Friend agree that the UK now has a unique opportunity to show global leadership in protecting nature?

Answer from Boris Johnson

My right hon. Friend is absolutely correct, and I thank him for his work in this area. We want COP26 to be a landmark event not just for tackling climate change but also for biodiversity, aiming to reverse habitat and species loss seen over the last century.

Answered
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Q16 Layla Moran Lib Dem Oxford West and Abingdon
NHS Veterans
Context

Up to 400,000 people are affected by long covid, including NHS staff who contracted it while working. Some have faced severe consequences such as permanent disability.

Question

It is estimated that up to 400,000 people are living with the debilitating effects of long covid, and some of them are NHS heroes, who caught covid in that first wave. Nearly a year later, I have heard from a doctor who says she wonders whether she will ever be able to walk unaided again, let alone manage a full day of work. Does the Prime Minister recognise that, for this group, long covid is an occupational disease, and will he set up a compensation scheme similar to what we offer our armed forces, so that we ensure that those who have lost their livelihoods by saving lives are fully supported?

Answer from Boris Johnson

I thank the hon. Lady, because she is right to highlight the incredible sacrifice and effort of NHS staff, many of whom, sadly, have contracted covid in the course of their duties, and a great many of them have sadly continued to be affected by that disease. We must study the long-term effects of covid and ensure that we continue to look after our wonderful NHS staff throughout their careers.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Establishment of a compensation scheme for NHS staff with long covid

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Q17 Julian Sturdy Con
Education
Context

There is concern about the impact of prolonged school closures on children's education and mental health.

Question

Can the Prime Minister confirm today that all students will be back in school no later than 8 March, and will he commit to starting any phased return straight after half term, so that the damaging effects of being away from school are not drawn out for any longer than is absolutely necessary?

Answer from Boris Johnson

I can certainly confirm that we will do everything we can, and I know that the settled will of most people in this House is to get our schoolchildren back on 8 March, if we possibly can. I will be setting out for my hon. Friend as much as we can say on Monday, and then in the week of 22 February, we will be setting out a road map and the way forward for schools.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to starting phased return after half term

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Q18 Ian Mearns Lab
Transport
Context

HS2 is a critical infrastructure project aimed at improving rail connectivity in the north of England. The Prime Minister has made repeated promises to level up and connect regions.

Question

Having sat on the High Speed Rail (London – West Midlands) Bill Committee for 15 months, I was a sceptic as to the economic benefits of the project for the north-east, but HS2 is going ahead, at least in the south. It is therefore crucial that the eastern leg of HS2 goes ahead, not just for Yorkshire and the east midlands, but for the north-east. The Prime Minister has made repeated promises to the people of the north-east of his intention to level up and to connect and create opportunities for people here, in places like Gateshead. As we strive to recover from the damage done to so many families and businesses by the pandemic, will the Prime Minister commit to beginning the work on the eastern leg of HS2, starting in the north-east and to run simultaneously with the construction in the south, so that our region is not forced to wait another couple of decades for 21st-century rail connectivity?

Answer from Boris Johnson

I can certainly confirm that we are going to develop the eastern leg as well as the whole of the HS2. The hon. Gentleman will be hearing a lot more about what we are going to do with our national infrastructure revolution and about what we will do to improve not just rail transport, but road transport in the north-east.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Starting work on eastern leg now

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Q19 Caroline Ansell Con
Housing
Context

Eastbourne Borough Council is struggling to cope with the number of homeless people being sent from neighbouring Brighton, leading to three deaths. There are further 51 placements made in recent weeks.

Question

There is no shortage of commitment or compassion in my town of Eastbourne for homeless people, who are vulnerable and need complex support. However, neighbouring Brighton continues to send its homeless to our town, and we do not have the resources to meet this need. Three homeless people have died, and I believe that there will be inquests. Brighton is not engaging with Eastbourne Borough Council in any meaningful way, and a further 51 placements have been made in recent weeks. Will my right hon. Friend join me in urging Brighton and Hove City Council leaders to engage on this as a matter of urgency?

Answer from Boris Johnson

Yes, indeed. I thank Brighton and Hove City Council for co-operating with Eastbourne Borough Council in getting this done. There must be co-operation. No one in this country should be sleeping rough or homeless as a result of this pandemic or, indeed, through any other cause. We have invested £700 million this year to help people off the streets, and it continues to be a national priority.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific engagement between councils on urgent basis

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Q20 Geraint Davies Lab
Employment
Context

There have been numerous cases of coronavirus at the DVLA in Swansea, including a recent outbreak affecting 90 people before weekend closure. Concerns about workplace safety and potential strike due to working conditions.

Question

At the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency in Swansea, there have been 526 cases of coronavirus since last September. The Prime Minister told us at Prime Minister's Question Time:<br/>'All staff who can work from home are doing so'—[Official Report, 28 January 2021; Vol. 688, c. 374.]<br/>But in March last year, 250 people were working on site, and now the numbers are in their thousands, and they are facing a more infectious and widespread disease. Yesterday, 90 people were sent home following the latest outbreak of coronavirus just before the weekend. Given that BT is on standby to install home secure technology to allow homeworking, will the Prime Minister meet me and the Public and Commercial Services Union ahead of the strike ballot next week, so that workplace numbers can be reduced until the vaccine is rolled out, to keep people safe and avoid an unnecessary strike?

Answer from Boris Johnson

I thank the hon. Gentleman for raising this with me again. Thanks to the working from home strategy that the DVLA has been pursuing, of a workforce of 6,000, there are currently thankfully only nine cases of covid to the best of my knowledge, and three of those individuals are working from home.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Meeting with union before strike ballot

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Q21 Nicola Richards
NHS
Context

Macmillan Cancer Support research indicates there are over 50,000 missing cancer diagnoses across the UK due to the ongoing pandemic.

Question

Families across West Bromwich East who have been affected by cancer, just like my own, know all too well that early diagnosis and treatment can save a life. According to research by Macmillan Cancer Support, there are over 70 people in my constituency and 50,000 across the UK with a missing cancer diagnosis. Cancer has not stopped during the pandemic, so with that in mind, will the Prime Minister commit to making the resurgence of cancer diagnosis services a top priority as restrictions begin to ease?

Answer from Boris Johnson

I thank my hon. Friend; I know that this issue is very close to her heart, and she is right to raise it. Of course there are pressures from covid, but we are also worried that some people may not be coming forward for the cancer treatments that they need.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to top priority post-restrictions

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Q22 Lucy Powell Labour (Co-op)
Energy Environment
Context

The £1.5 billion green homes grant was promised to be extended until March 2022, but only £71 million has been spent so far, leaving a shortfall of £1 billion.

Question

With just seven weeks to go, why is the government cutting £1 billion from the green homes grant that it promised for businesses, homeowners and the environment despite promising an extension until March 2022?

Answer from Boris Johnson

The hon. Lady is on to something, but she is barking up the wrong tree. We are not cutting the green homes grant. The problem is that there has not been enough take-up, and we want to encourage people to take it up and make use of the opportunity to reduce the carbon emissions of their homes.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address why the funding shortfall exists or explain how the promised extension will be implemented

How: Barking Up The Wrong Tree

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Q23 Roger Gale Con Herne Bay and Sandwich
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

There are plans to build housing on prime agricultural land, despite the need for such land for food production that would reduce carbon emissions.

Question

The Prime Minister has pledged to protect the countryside. If he is serious about this commitment, will he announce an immediate moratorium on using farmland for housing until a review of the policy?

Answer from Boris Johnson

I think I have just heard my right hon. Friend say that he wants an immediate moratorium on the construction of all housing. Maybe I misunderstood; this Government's commitment to nature and to the countryside is unmatched.

Not addressed: Did not address whether there would be a moratorium or review, instead questioned whether Roger Gale wanted no building at all

How: Questioning The Intent Of The Questioner

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Q24 Neil Gray SNP
NHS Employment
Context

Public sector workers have been struggling with real-term pay cuts over decades, and constituents are concerned about the need for a proper increase in public sector wages.

Question

What will the Prime Minister say to convince the Chancellor of the need to properly reward those who have been on the frontline during the pandemic? Will he follow Scotland's lead and fully fund a rise in public sector pay?

Answer from Boris Johnson

We have seen above-inflation increases in public sector pay. The hon. Gentleman will know of the package we have put in place for nurses. However, the single best thing we can do is support the living wage, which this Government introduced and has increased two years in a row.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address if he would follow Scotland's lead or convince the Chancellor of a proper raise for frontline workers

How: Mentioning Support For Living Wage

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Q25 Ian Liddell-Grainger Con
Democracy & Elections
Context

The Somerset County Council is facing accusations of misuse of covid funds, and there are calls for a referendum to test public opinion on the council's actions.

Question

Mr Speaker, my right hon. Friend is defending democracy by pushing ahead with local elections. However, here in Somerset, the people want a quick referendum on the County Council which has been spending pandemic money on unrelated projects. Does he agree that it's time to put Somerset back together under local control?

Answer from Boris Johnson

I thank my hon. Friend who has raised this issue twice now, but may I humbly suggest that the best way forward is for the consultation to proceed and for local people to decide what form of local government they want?

Not addressed: Did not commit to supporting a referendum or reunification of Somerset governance

How: Suggestion That Consultation Should Proceed

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Q26 Gregory Campbell DUP East Londonderry
Northern Ireland
Context

Problems with the Northern Ireland protocol are expected to worsen in April, affecting free trade across the UK.

Question

The Prime Minister is aware of problems warned about before the introduction of the Northern Ireland protocol. These issues will get worse from April. Will he outline a timeline for people in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK to enjoy free trade as enjoyed by other independent trading nations?

Answer from Boris Johnson

Yes, indeed. We will do everything we can to ensure untrammelled free trade and exchange of goods, people, services and capital through all parts of the UK, including invoking article 16 if necessary.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a specific timeline for when free trade would be restored

How: General Commitment To Ensuring Free Trade

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