Commons Sense

House of Commons · PMQs

PMQs

Wednesday 21 April 2021 · 25 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 5 Partly answered 6 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ronnie Cowan extended birthday wishes to the Queen on her 95th birthday, which the Prime Minister acknowledged but redirected to criticize Scottish National Party's stance on the UK.
  • Luke Evans raised concerns about body image pressures and eating disorders among young people, to which the Prime Minister responded with plans to consult on the online advertising programme.
  • Keir Starmer questioned the Prime Minister about perceived favouritism in tax rules and procurement during the pandemic, challenging the government's actions and statements regarding support for businesses and the self-employed.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ronnie Cowan SNP
Economy Parliamentary Procedure
Context

Councils across the UK have expressed interest in running basic income pilot schemes to understand their pros and cons.

Question

May I extend my good wishes to the Queen today in what must be a difficult time? I hope that she finds herself surrounded by friends and family and that she can find it within herself to take some time to celebrate her 95th birthday. I know that the Prime Minister is not a supporter of basic income, but given that Hull, Belfast, Norwich, Leeds, Lambeth, Guildford, Swansea, Glasgow and 24 other councils around the United Kingdom have expressed a desire to run pilot schemes that would enhance our knowledge of all the pros and cons, would he consider facilitating any pilot projects in the United Kingdom? Have the UK Government considered any research into basic income, and if so, what?

Answer from Boris Johnson

I am grateful to the hon. Member for his support for a UK-wide proposal. I trust that he understands the irony of that, when we consider that his party is, as I understand it, still hellbent on calling an irresponsible referendum on breaking up the United Kingdom.

Not addressed: The question about basic income pilot schemes and research was not addressed; instead, the answerer brought up criticism of the SNP's policy stances.

How: Brought Up Unrelated Political Issues, Changed Subject To Referendum

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Q2 Luke Evans Con Hinckley and Bosworth
Women & Equalities Mental Health
Context

There are concerns about the impact of doctored photos promoting unobtainable body images, leading to issues such as eating disorders and steroid use.

Question

As we come out of lockdown and look to the summer, many people are going to be concerned about their body image. There are 1.25 million people who suffer from eating disorders and 1 million people using steroids, and the number is getting worse. Two weeks ago, the Women and Equalities Committee released a report on body image, which concluded that the use of doctored photos promoting unobtainable or unrepresentative body images was having a 'detrimental' impact. Will the Prime Minister consider all options, including labelling digitally altered images, to help deal with the issues raised on body image?

Answer from Boris Johnson

My hon. Friend raises an important point. He and the whole House are aware of the pressure that young people, in particular, can feel as a result of doctored images. As part of the consultation on the online advertising programme, we will look at what we can do, and I know that we will be responding to the Select Committee's report in due course.

Not addressed: The question about labelling digitally altered images was not directly addressed; instead, it referred to a future consultation process.

How: Brought Up Planned Consultations Without Concrete Commitments

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Q3 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
Context

There are concerns about preferential treatment given to wealthy supporters of the Prime Minister through text message lobbying.

Question

May I join the Prime Minister in wishing Her Majesty a very happy birthday? The last few weeks have been a time of incredible personal anguish and we all send Her Majesty and the royal family our very best wishes. May I also join the Prime Minister in his comments about the verdict in the George Floyd case? There has been justice in that case. Even as an Arsenal season ticket holder, I join the Prime Minister in his comments about the European super league, which would have destroyed football. We now need to get on with the other changes that are necessary. Finally, Mr Speaker, may I send my condolences to the family of Frank Judd, who died earlier this week? Frank was a much-loved Member of this House and the other place for many decades and was highly respected as a Labour Minister. He was a great internationalist and campaigner for peace and human rights and he will be sadly missed. What does the Prime Minister think is the right thing to do if he receives a text message from a billionaire Conservative supporter asking him to fix tax rules?

Answer from Boris Johnson

First, I echo the right hon. and learned Gentleman's remarks about Frank Judd. In response to the right hon. and learned Gentleman's question, if he is referring to the requests from James Dyson, I make absolutely no apology at all for shifting heaven and earth and doing everything I possibly could—as I think any Prime Minister would in those circumstances—to secure ventilators for the people of this country, to save lives and to roll out a ventilator-procurement process that the Labour-controlled Public Accounts Committee itself said was a benchmark for procurement.

Not addressed: The question about text messages from wealthy supporters was not addressed; instead, it talked about securing ventilators during the pandemic.

How: Brought Up Unrelated Topic Of Ventilator Procurement

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Q4 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
Taxation Standards & Ethics
Context

There are concerns about preferential treatment given to wealthy supporters of the Prime Minister through text message lobbying.

Question

Let us be clear what the texts show. The Prime Minister was lobbied by a wealthy businessman and close friend for a change in the tax rules; the Prime Minister responded: “I will fix it”. Then, after a discussion with the Chancellor, whom everybody seems to be lobbying these days, the Prime Minister texted his friend to say, “it is fixed”. How many other people with the Prime Minister's personal number has he given preferential treatment to?

Answer from Boris Johnson

I recall the right hon. and learned Gentleman saying at the time that we should do everything that we could to get more ventilators. Indeed, he congratulated the roll-out—he said well done to everybody involved in the ventilator challenge. May I just remind the House of what we were facing in March last year? We had a new virus that was capable of killing people in ways that we did not understand. The only way to help them, in extremis, was to intubate them and put them on ventilation. We had 9,000 ventilators in this country; we secured 22,000 as a result of that ventilator challenge. I think it was entirely the right thing to do to work with all potential makers of ventilators at that time. And by the way, so does the former leader of the Labour party—a man to whom I think the right hon. and learned Gentleman should listen—Tony Blair.

Not addressed: The question about text messages from wealthy supporters was not addressed; instead, it talked about securing ventilators during the pandemic.

How: Brought Up Unrelated Topic Of Ventilator Procurement, Criticised Labour Party

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Q5 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
Economy Taxation Business & Trade
Context

There are concerns about preferential treatment given to wealthy supporters of the Prime Minister through text message lobbying.

Question

I am surprised the Prime Minister brings up former leaders as it is his former leader—his friend Dave—who is at the heart of much of this. I acknowledge that thousands of businesses stepped up during the pandemic. That was a good thing and we celebrate that. The difference is that they did not all have the chance to text the Prime Minister to ask him to fix the tax situation in exchange for doing so. That is the difference. At the heart of this scandal are people's jobs and wasted taxpayers' money. Take, for example, the thousands of jobs at Liberty Steel that are on the line in Hartlepool, Rotherham and elsewhere following the collapse of Greensill Capital. The Prime Minister has not fixed that—in fact, he has done nothing to help steelworkers. Is it now quite literally one rule for those who have the Prime Minister's phone number and another for everybody else?

Answer from Boris Johnson

The right hon. and learned Gentleman calls it a scandal; he voted for the changes that we brought in. He called our ventilator challenge an outstanding success and I think he was completely right. This is a Government who get on, deliver for people in distress and deliver on the people's priorities. Yes, of course I am concerned for the families of steelworkers up and down the country. That is why the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has been meeting the unions and the management of Liberty Steel repeatedly over the past few days. We believe in British steel. It was under the last Labour Government that jobs in steel fell by more than 50% and output fell by more than 50%. We now have a 5 million-tonne pipeline of British steel, with our massive infrastructure investments, and we intend to use our new freedoms under Brexit to make sure that procurement goes to British companies.

Not addressed: The question about preferential treatment through text messages was not addressed; instead, it talked about the government's response to steelworker job losses and criticized Labour's past record.

How: Brought Up Unrelated Topic Of Liberty Steel, Criticised Labour Party

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Q6 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
Employment Business & Trade
Context

Steelworkers are facing difficulties, including job insecurity due to underfunding from the government.

Question

The Prime Minister says, 'We believe in British steel'. Well, do something. Steelworkers waking up this morning will find it deeply offensive to hear the Prime Minister boasting about backing for them when he does not provide support they need.

Answer from Boris Johnson

This Government have supported the self-employed with more than £14 billion throughout the pandemic. That is part of a vast package of support for jobs and livelihoods across the country.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific backing for British steel industry not addressed

How: Off-Topic Defence, Procedural Evasion

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Q7 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
NHS Employment
Context

The government's support measures are not reaching all those in need, particularly the self-employed who have been excluded from Government support.

Question

If I had to correct the Prime Minister for everything that he gets wrong, I would be here all day. There we have it: an open door for those with the Prime Minister's number; a closed door to the 3 million self-employed people facing bankruptcy. If an NHS nurse has the Prime Minister's phone number, would they get a pay rise?

Answer from Boris Johnson

I am proud of what this Government have done to support the NHS with record investment of another £92 billion. To help nurses, we put in a bursary of £5,000 plus £3,000 for training and childcare costs; and a 12.8% increase on starting salary.

Not addressed: Support for self-employed not addressed

How: Off-Topic Defence, Procedural Evasion

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Q8 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
Standards & Ethics
Context

The Prime Minister is under scrutiny for personal relationships with individuals involved in significant government decisions during the pandemic, leading to allegations of corruption.

Question

Every day there are new allegations about this Conservative Government: dodgy PPE deals; tax breaks for friends; Health Secretary meeting Greensill for drinks. With this scandal now firmly centred on him, how does he expect people to believe that he can clean up the mess?

Answer from Boris Johnson

I will tell the right hon. and learned Gentleman why this Government are doing the right thing at the right time. The difference between us and the Labour party is, I am afraid, staringly obvious.

Not addressed: Measures to address corruption not addressed

How: Attacking Opposition, Off-Topic Defence

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Q9 Philip Davies Con
Transport Local Government
Context

A feasibility study for the Shipley eastern bypass was commissioned but delayed by a Labour council in Bradford.

Question

The Government gave the Labour council in Bradford hundreds of thousands of pounds to carry out a feasibility study for the Shipley eastern bypass, yet there is still no sign of it. Will the Prime Minister intervene to ensure this vital infrastructure project is delivered? Will he meet me and my colleague to see how we can progress our campaign to break away from Bradford Council?

Answer from Boris Johnson

On my hon. Friend's second point, I am sure that the relevant Minister would be happy to meet and consult him. On his point about the Shipley bypass, the matter is currently with Bradford Council.

Not addressed: Local governance intervention not addressed

How: Off-Topic Defence, Procedural Evasion

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Q10 Ian Blackford SNP
Standards & Ethics
Context

Revelations about the Prime Minister's interference in COVID contracts are serious, raising concerns about personal relationships influencing government decisions.

Question

The revelations surrounding the Prime Minister's interference in covid contracts are incredibly serious. Whether it is cash for questions in the '90s or texts for contracts during this pandemic, people know that this is how Tories do government. Will he reveal today how many more covid contracts he personally fixed? If he has nothing to hide, will he publish all personal exchanges on these contracts before the end of the day?

Answer from Boris Johnson

Of course, there is absolutely nothing to conceal about this. I am happy to share all the details with the House, as indeed I have shared them with my officials, immediately.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Transparency in personal exchanges not fully addressed

How: Off-Topic Defence

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Q11 Ian Blackford SNP
Employment Standards & Ethics
Context

The question is prompted by allegations that the Prime Minister and his associates have been involved in secretive contract negotiations with friends and donors, while neglecting support for self-employed individuals during a crisis.

Question

Last March the Prime Minister and the Chancellor had all the time in the world to fix contracts for a cosy club of friends and Tory donors, but did not have any time to support the millions of self-employed. Those 3 million people did not have a David Cameron or a James Dyson to text the Prime Minister for them; they were on their own and they were left behind by this Prime Minister. This Tory texts for contracts scandal is growing more and more serious with every revelation—Will he be as quick to commit to a public and comprehensive inquiry into himself and his own Government?

Answer from Boris Johnson

Well, Mr Speaker—the right hon. Gentleman says we had all the time in the world. In fact, as the House will recall, at the end of March last year the pandemic was taking off very fast and we had to act very fast, as I think people up and down the country understand.

Not addressed: Commitment to a public inquiry into government exchanges

How: Changed Subject, Denied Having 'All The Time In The World'

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Q12 Fay Jones
Agriculture & Rural Affairs Environment
Context

Farmers in Brecon and Radnorshire have faced challenges due to a nitrate vulnerable zone (NVZ) policy implemented by the Welsh Labour and Liberal Democrat government, which has been perceived as harmful to farmers' interests.

Question

Farmers in Brecon and Radnorshire have worked tirelessly to give us world-class British food throughout the pandemic. In return, the Welsh Labour and Liberal Democrat Government have given them a slap in the face with their nitrate vulnerable zone policy, which will do nothing for water quality and ignores the water companies dumping thousands of tonnes of sewage into our rivers. Does the Prime Minister agree that this demonstrates Welsh Labour's absolute contempt for rural areas such as mine?

Answer from Boris Johnson

Yes, my hon. Friend is entirely right, because agriculture is of course devolved in Wales. If people want to send a clear signal and they want change in the way farmers are treated in Wales, then I hope they will vote Conservative in the Welsh Assembly elections in just two weeks' time and vote for a party that actually champions agriculture and believes in it.

Not addressed: Agreement on NVZ policy harming farmers

How: Changed Subject To Voting

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Q13 Jeffrey M. Donaldson DUP
Northern Ireland Veterans
Context

The Prime Minister committed in his election manifesto to introduce legislation protecting veterans from vexatious prosecutions, particularly relevant to those involved in the Northern Ireland conflict.

Question

Prime Minister, I was proud to put on the uniform of the Crown and to serve with tens of thousands of men and women from our armed forces and our police in protecting the entire community in Northern Ireland from the ravages of terrorism during our troubled past. The Prime Minister gave a commitment in his election manifesto to introduce legislation to protect those men and women from vexious prosecutions. Will he stand by and honour that commitment?

Answer from Boris Johnson

I thank the right hon. Gentleman very much, first of all, for his service, and I know that the whole House will agree. We have protected many veterans with the Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill. There is more to be done, as the right hon. Gentleman rightly says, in the case of veterans of the Northern Ireland conflict, and we will be bringing forward further measures in due course.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific legislation timeline for Northern Ireland veterans protection

How: Acknowledged Need, Broad Statements

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Q14 Ian Levy
Economy Climate Energy
Context

Blyth Valley has received significant investment for levelling up, including the towns fund, future high streets fund, and rail line reinstatement. The area will now host a gigafactory developed by BritishVolt.

Question

Since 2019 Blyth Valley has benefited from significant investment for levelling up, including the towns fund, the future high streets fund, and the reinstatement of the rail line. We know now that Blyth will be the home of the UK's first gigafactory developed by BritishVolt, further demonstrating the commitment to build back better. Can I congratulate my right hon. Friend on his drive and commitment to helping areas that have been neglected for so long and ask him to assure the House that he will do all that he can to help those areas realise their full potential? I would like to offer him an open invitation to visit this fabulous constituency of Blyth Valley, where I am sure he will receive a very warm welcome.

Answer from Boris Johnson

I thank my hon. Friend very much. It was only lately that he and I stood on the seafront at Blyth and looked out at some of the incredible wind farms—the harbingers and the prelude to the huge Dogger Bank wind farms that are going to be built in the North sea. I am delighted that a gigafactory for batteries is being established in Blyth Valley.

Not addressed: Assurance on supporting full potential of Blyth Valley

How: Broad Statements, General Principles

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Q15 Kim Johnson Lab Liverpool Riverside
Employment
Context

Hundreds of GMB gas engineers were recently sacked for refusing to sign new contracts that would make them work harder for less pay. The Government have called the practice unacceptable but refuse to take action.

Question

Last week, hundreds of GMB gas engineers were sacked for refusing to sign new contracts expecting them to work harder and get paid less. Fire and rehire abuses by rogue employers are spreading through workplaces like a virus. The Government have called the practice “unacceptable” and “bully-boy tactics” but refuse to take action to ban it. I am giving the Prime Minister the chance to show us all where he stands. Will he commit, here and now, to include proposals to end this shameful and immoral practice of fire and rehire in next month's Queen's Speech—yes or no?

Answer from Boris Johnson

I repeat what I have said about that practice. If the hon. Lady would be kind enough to send me details about the case that she raises, I will be happy to take it up.

Not addressed: Commitment in Queen's Speech

How: Delay Tactics

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Q16 Ben Spencer Con Runnymede and Weybridge
Science & Technology
Context

Many residents in Runnymede and Weybridge struggle to access superfast broadband, affecting their ability to work from home or engage in other activities requiring high-speed internet.

Question

Access to superfast broadband is critical in today's society but many people living in Runnymede and Weybridge cannot access it. While this question is essential viewing, my constituents may struggle to watch it streaming at home this evening if someone else is catching up on the “MasterChef” final. Does my right hon. Friend share my ambition that everyone in Runnymede and Weybridge should have access to superfast broadband just as every house should have access to water and electricity?

Answer from Boris Johnson

My hon. Friend is entirely right. That is why we have massively accelerated the roll-out of superfast broadband and gigabit broadband. Coverage of reliable gigabit broadband was just 9% when this Government took over; it will be 60% by the end of this year.

Answered
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Q17 Anna McMorrin Lab Cardiff North
NHS Economy Standards & Ethics
Context

Concern over increasing corruption allegations and constituents' lack of access to government support.

Question

Day after day, we see more corruption come to light, yet I speak to desperate constituents who are excluded from the Government's support—people who have lost livelihoods, homes and businesses built up over years. Will the Prime Minister and Chancellor take calls from my constituents in Cardiff North to discuss how they can rebuild their lives?

Answer from Boris Johnson

Proud of the ventilators roll-out, vaccines at record speed, and overall £407 billion support package during the pandemic. Criticised Labour for an impossible economy going into crisis.

Not addressed: The PM avoided discussing meeting constituents or rebuilding their lives after losses.

How: Changed Subject To Praise Government'S Pandemic Response

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Q18 Andrew Rosindell Reform Conservative
Context

Concern over the removal of a statue of President Reagan from Grosvenor Square.

Question

The statue of US President Ronald Reagan that once stood in Grosvenor Square has been removed. Does the PM agree it should be moved to Parliament Square so visitors can honour this remarkable man?

Answer from Boris Johnson

Reagan was a distinguished president but not up to me to install a statue; it's for the Greater London Authority and Mayor of London.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not confirm support for moving the statue, instead shifted responsibility.

How: Shifted Responsibility

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Q19 Philippa Whitford SNP
Foreign Affairs
Context

Concern over honouring the commitment to fund polio eradication.

Question

In 2019, the then International Development Secretary pledged £400 million to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Will the Prime Minister now reassure that this commitment will be honoured?

Answer from Boris Johnson

UK aid for polio eradication since 1995 is £1.37 billion; success due to British taxpayer support.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not confirm the specific £400 million commitment.

How: Acknowledged The Programme'S Success But Did Not Commit To Funding

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Q20 Saqib Bhatti Con Meriden and Solihull East
Context

Concern over ensuring that football clubs put fans at the heart of decision-making.

Question

Common sense prevailed with all English clubs withdrawing from the European super league. Should clubs further protect the game by putting fans at the heart of decisions?

Answer from Boris Johnson

Agrees with the need for governance investigation to promote fan involvement in decision-making.

Answered
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Q21 Alan Brown SNP
Scotland
Context

Concern over opinion polls showing majority support for Scottish independence.

Question

Opinion polls show a majority in favour of Scottish independence. Does the PM agree this is due to being 'lumbered with' a Prime Minister who values £1 spent elsewhere more than in Scotland?

Answer from Boris Johnson

Claims SNP is failing on education, crime, and taxation; supports an Administration who spends money better.

How: Attacked The Scottish National Party

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Q22 Andrew Griffith Con Arundel and South Downs
Local Government Environment
Context

Praising West Sussex County Council for its high recycling rate.

Question

West Sussex County Council recycles almost double the level of neighbouring Brighton and Hove City Council. Will my right hon. Friend join me in congratulating them?

Answer from Boris Johnson

Conservative-led councils keep council tax low, deliver better services like recycling; praised the council.

Answered
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Q23 Karl Turner Ind Kingston upon Hull East
Policing & Resources
Context

The Home Secretary claimed that only Conservative police and crime commissioners are responsible for increasing police officer numbers. However, Humberside's police and crime commissioner Keith Hunter has recruited over 500 additional officers since 2016.

Question

In a recent Conservative party political broadcast, the Home Secretary claimed that only Conservative police and crime commissioners are responsible for increasing police officer numbers, yet Humberside's police and crime commissioner, Keith Hunter, has put well over 500 additional officers on our streets since 2016—the largest proportional increase in the country—and was doing so well before the Government pledged to reverse their own cuts. Will the Prime Minister take this opportunity to do the decent thing: correct the record and congratulate Keith Hunter on taking Humberside police from the worst-performing force to one of the best in his time as police and crime commissioner?

Answer from Boris Johnson

I do not wish to sound like a stickler for accuracy—[Laughter]—which is my normal position, Mr Speaker, as you know, but since becoming Humberside's PCC in 2016, the force has recruited 434 officers. Of those, 129 have been recruited as part of the Government's 20,000 drive, and Mr Hunter himself praised the Government's police recruitment strategy, saying that the Government's target had lifted officer numbers in Humberside above 2,000.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not acknowledge Keith Hunter's efforts or correct any inaccurate claims about his role in increasing police officers.

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Q24 Andrew Mitchell Con Sutton Coldfield
Transport
Context

Mayor Andy Street of the west midlands has significantly increased transport investments, adding 108 new carriages to the cross-city line.

Question

When my right hon. Friend visited the west midlands earlier this week to meet our brilliant Mayor, Andy Street, was he aware that the Mayor has increased sevenfold the investment in transport, and we now have 108 shiny new carriages for the cross-city line? What advice does he have for my constituents in the royal town of Sutton Coldfield on 6 May?

Answer from Boris Johnson

Andy Street is rolling out not only 50 new stations but 150 miles more track, linking up communities across the west midlands, delivering job opportunities, delivery growth and delivering hope for the west midlands, and that is why I think the people of the west midlands should vote for another term for Mayor Andy Street.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q25 John Spellar Lab
Economy Employment Brexit
Context

Difficulties in PPE provision and vaccine production have highlighted the risks of neglecting British production capacity, impacting prosperity and levelling-up agendas.

Question

I shall decline that invitation, as a west midlands voter. The Prime Minister said earlier that he would use new freedoms to ensure that we buy British steel. Over the last year, the difficulties with PPE provision and vaccine production have demonstrated clearly the risks of neglecting British production capacity, let alone the impact on the prosperity and levelling-up agendas. So will the Prime Minister now instruct Government Ministers, civil servants and public bodies that when purchasing goods and services they must buy British first?

Answer from Boris Johnson

Yes, of course—look at what we are achieving. Since the PPE crisis began—we have procured 32 billion items of PPE, and 85% of it can now be made in this country, which was completely impossible before the pandemic. Look at what is happening on vaccines: we have the Valneva factory in Scotland, and we have Novavax in Teesside, which is going to be absolutely indispensable for our future success.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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