PMQs

Question

My right hon. Friend will be aware that the Health and Social Care Act 2012 resulted in local authority commissioning of addiction services. Ten years later, almost all addiction services are now run by non-NHS providers. The result is that the numbers in alcohol treatment have fallen, many alcohol detoxes take place in an unplanned manner, and opiate and alcohol deaths are at record levels. Does my right hon. Friend agree that, for the sake of patients, we must bring the commissioning and provision of addiction services back to the NHS?

Question

May I join the Prime Minister in his comments about Hillsborough and Mike Weatherley? This morning, the Prime Minister's former closest adviser said: “When the public needed us most the Government failed.” Does the Prime Minister agree with that?

Question

Can I remind the Prime Minister that one year ago, almost to the day, he said of his former adviser “in every respect he has acted responsibly, legally and with integrity”? This morning that same adviser has said that senior Ministers—these are his words—“fell disastrously short of the standards that the public has a right to expect of its government” and that lives were lost as a result. Does the Prime Minister accept that central allegation?

Question

It is no good the Prime Minister attacking me. It is his former chief adviser who is looking back and telling the world how useless the Prime Minister was in taking key decisions—his former adviser. One of the most serious points made this morning is that the Prime Minister failed to recognise the severity of this virus until it was too late, dismissing it as another “scare story” like the swine flu. Does the Prime Minister recognise that account of his own behaviour?

Question

I can see that the evidence of his former adviser is really getting to the Prime Minister this morning in that response. Another incredibly serious statement from the Prime Minister's former adviser this morning concerns the conduct of the Health Secretary, including an allegation that the Health Secretary misled other Ministers and officials on a number of occasions. I do not expect the Prime Minister to respond to that, but can he confirm: did the Cabinet Secretary advise the Prime Minister that he—the Cabinet Secretary—had “lost confidence in the Secretary of State's honesty”?

Question

Having been told of the evidence, does the Prime Minister accept that he used the words 'Covid is only killing 80-year-olds' or words to that effect?

Question

Does the Prime Minister now recognise he must bring forward the timing of the public inquiry into covid, and that it should start this summer and as soon as possible?

Question

Will he join Tony, Tony's parents, Paula and Mark, me and many others around the country in campaigning for Tony's law—new clause 56 to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill?

Question

When even a disgraced figure like Dominic Cummings is willing to own up and apologise, is it not time that the Prime Minister does the same?

Question

I am concerned about the evidence heard this morning which indicates negligence by the Prime Minister. When people were dying, he was more interested in self-interest than the public good. Is it not true that when leadership was most needed, the Prime Minister was absent? Thousands have paid with their lives for his failure; will he now accept responsibility?

Question

I visited a country house with an alpaca named Boris. With the opportunity for UK tourists to holiday locally this year, will my right hon. Friend consider visiting my constituency to support local businesses? I can facilitate meeting the alpaca.

Question

With the closure of the EU settlement scheme and lack of clarity from the Home Office regarding guidance on late applications, what will happen to those who miss the deadline and face potential illegal working legislation? Can I be assured that no criminal liability will apply?

Question

Will the Prime Minister join me in praising Wrexham and Denbighshire councils for their dynamic proposals to regenerate Trevor Basin, improve Chirk and Llangollen, and invest in Corwen station through the levelling up fund?

Question

The Prime Minister mentioned closing loopholes in legislation. Will he introduce emergency legislation to close this loophole where a Member can exploit suspension without facing recall? Should such members resign?

Question

During the pandemic, three young people saw a fire and immediately called the fire brigade, recruited help, and ensured residents were safe. Does the Prime Minister share my admiration for Kim, Zach, Shania, and Robin, and will he join me in thanking them?

Question

Will the Prime Minister put right a previous error and commit to publishing a child poverty strategy? This would ensure no child is left behind due to their background or socio-economic status.

Question

I very much welcome the fact that the Government are investing heavily in upgrading rail networks across the country, including opening lines that have previously been closed. The business case for East West Rail in my constituency is largely based on commuting, but the pandemic means we are in the middle of a workplace revolution. If in future people work from home on average two days a week, that will mean a 40% reduction in commuting. Will my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister commit to doing a review of East West Rail's business case to ensure it remains value for money and to take into account the long-term impact of the pandemic?

Question

A global minimum rate for corporate tax would help to tackle tax avoidance by large multinational corporations and online giants. It would stop them undercutting British businesses who pay their fair share, and it would make a transformational difference to high streets and town centres at the heart of communities across the UK. Why is the Prime Minister the only G7 leader not to support this proposal? Why is he on the side of tax avoiders, instead of British businesses and communities?

Question

Like me, the Prime Minister represents a constituency in London's commuter land, so he will be well aware of the small businesses—sole traders, many of them—who operate the coffee stores, newsagents and so on at our railway stations. Their incomes have been absolutely decimated during the pandemic, but they are finding, like my constituent Sanjay Sharma at Chislehurst station, that when they seek to get a reduced level of rent to reflect their reduced turnover, the train operating companies claim that the funding agreement put in place with the Department for Transport does not give them the discretion to do so. The Department appears to say differently, and they have been going around in circles for months trying to get an answer. Will the Prime Minister use the authority of his office, please, to bang heads together and get a solution for them, because if they go broke and we have empty units, that is no income for anybody?

Question

I have asked the Prime Minister a series of questions about charities. In November, he promised support. By March he had turned his back, but this month, he broke that promise, giving them nothing this winter. His words and deeds are as unfaithful as his principles and beliefs. He has neither the commitment to honour his word, the capacity to care, nor the compassion to act. Does the Prime Minister really believe that charity is all about supporting him and his lifestyle or recognise that charities now £10 billion in debt and struggling to survive need Government support to help people in real need?

Question

The fishing industry in East Anglia has had a hard time of it in recent years. However, with Brexit done, albeit in a way that left many disappointed, there is now an opportunity to turn the corner. The REAF—renaissance of East Anglian fisheries—strategy sets out an exciting and ambitious programme for the future. Is the Prime Minister able to say how the Government will work with fishing communities, such as that in Lowestoft, to revive the industry in East Anglia?

Question

NHS and social care staff in Wales are due to receive a £500 bonus in recognition of their hard work during the pandemic, but staff on universal credit stand to lose out due to the way in which the award is recognised in the regulations as earned income, so instead of receiving a thank you bonus at the end of the month, many NHS and social care staff will be punished with a deduction of up to 63% from their universal credit. Will the Prime Minister look to amend regulation 55 of the Universal Credit Regulations 2013 to create an exemption to ensure that all NHS and social care staff in Wales benefit fully from this well-deserved bonus?

Question

On behalf of my constituent Seema Misra and other wrongly convicted sub-postmasters, I am grateful for the enhanced investigation into this scandal. However, there is concern that the compensation received by civil litigant sub-postmasters was not fair. I urge the Prime Minister to ensure these individuals will be included in any Government compensation scheme.

Question

Referendums are important. In 2016, the UK's Brexit referendum was conducted without interference from outside parties. However, the Scottish referendum on independence faced different treatment and promises made by London politicians were broken. Will Scotland be shown the same respect as the UK received in its EU referendum?

Question

For almost 500 years, the Royal Navy has protected our country from enemies and promoted freedom around the world. As HMS Queen Elizabeth sails from the Mediterranean to the South China Sea carrying British values, what are your plans for the future of her white ensign?

Question

Covid has triggered a global rise in extreme poverty, but at the G7 summit, leaders could take action by reallocating special drawing rights and restocking development association funds. Will the Prime Minister commit to leading efforts against the pandemic of poverty?

Question

One of the hardest things about the past year has been not being able to see loved ones in hospital. We are seeing some progress locally, but when will normal visiting hours resume across all hospitals nationwide?

Question

Three Palestinian children were killed by Israeli airstrikes, and many more Palestinians died as a result of conflict. The call for Palestinian freedom has never been louder, but the UK government continues to approve arms sales to Israel. Can you look me in the eye and tell me that British-made weapons or components were not used in these war crimes?