PMQs

Question

Prime Minister, we are to host COP26. Our goal is net zero by 2050. To achieve that target will require innovative policies and a free market approach would help. Therefore, if we were to make solar panels compulsory for all new residential builds, we immediately create a large market. It will lead to innovation, lower prices, job creation and contribute towards our 2050 target. Will the Prime Minister support such a policy initiative?

Question

Why, under this Government, has the number of rape convictions and prosecutions fallen to a record low?

Question

We all agree that the figures are appalling. The question is why. The Government's own review makes it clear that rape convictions and prosecutions have halved since 2016—halved. We know that that is nothing to do with the pandemic, because this is a five-year trend and we know it is not because there are fewer rape cases being reported, because that number has gone up significantly, so let me return to the question that the Prime Minister has not answered: why does the Prime Minister think that rape prosecutions and convictions have plummeted on his watch?

Question

The Prime Minister knows very well why we voted against his Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill: precisely because it did more to protect statues than women. But since he has brought it up, let us address the central question. Prime Minister, 98.4% of reported rapes do not end in a charge—98.4%—and therefore the question of sentence never arises in those cases. Since he has brought up the Bill—it is his main defence, it seems—can he point to what provision, what clause, what chapter, what part of that Bill will do anything to change the fact that 98.4% of reported rape cases do not end in charges and do not get to sentence? Which clause, part, chapter or words in that Bill? Point to one thing.

Question

What an appalling answer. I asked the Prime Minister why 98.4% of cases are not getting into the system and he talks about sentence. That is the problem. If he thinks that is the answer, that is why we have got these terrible rates of conviction and of prosecution. The answer is: there is nothing in that Bill. The truth is, victims of rape are being failed. Those are not just my words; they are in the Government's own report: “Victims of rape are being failed.” There is no escaping that appalling figure: 98.4% of rape cases ending without anybody being charged, and those that do get into the system take years to go through. Does the Prime Minister accept that cuts to the criminal justice system have contributed to that appalling situation?

Question

I spent five years as Director of Public Prosecutions, prosecuting thousands of rape cases. The Government cannot make significant cuts to the CPS, 25% cuts to the Ministry of Justice, close half the courts in England and Wales and now pretend that a small budget increase will solve the problem. Despite these shameful figures—the Government's Victims' Commissioner described the review as “underwhelming”—the Government are still not showing the urgency needed to tackle violence against women and girls.

Question

You can always tell when he is losing, Mr Speaker. [Interruption.] Despite these shameful figures—the Government's Victims' Commissioner described the review as “underwhelming”—the Government are still not showing the urgency needed to tackle violence against women and girls.

Question

With that aim, will my right hon. Friend take a serious look at Calderdale's submission, which lacks support, has no consultation nor consensus with partners, and instead of relieving infrastructure problems, ploughs on with one of the council's failed and doomed projects?

Question

This morning, The Herald newspaper revealed that, in the middle of a pandemic, Tory Ministers secretly directed funds from an emergency covid contract to carry out polling on the Union. And it is a very simple question: did the UK Government use a £560,000 emergency covid contract to conduct constitutional campaigning on the Union?

Question

These emergency covid contracts were supposed to be used for things like personal protective equipment for our brave doctors and nurses fighting covid. Instead, during the height of this deadly pandemic, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster used these emergency contracts to commission political research on—and I quote—'attitudes to the UK Union'. If the Prime Minister has even a shred of credibility, will he now commit to a full public inquiry on this gross misuse of public funds?

Question

I am concerned about the proposal to build a gigafactory at Coventry airport that would support electric vehicle production in line with the Prime Minister's green industrial revolution plans. Will he give his full support?

Question

I heard from constituents struggling week-to-week to care for loved ones while working. They feel ignored by the Prime Minister. With 7 million juggling unpaid care and work last year, what is he doing to ease their burdens?

Question

As the Government reform planning systems, can my right hon. Friend ensure that this will not be about building homes for wealthy buyers and instead ensure locals have access to homes they need?

Question

Will the Prime Minister join me in condemning Amazon's practice of throwing new technology into landfill when children need it for learning?

Question

Will my right hon. Friend ensure that the Aylesbury spur of East West Rail is approved, given its strong business case and advantage over HS2?

Question

When will the PM visit Scotland next? His assurances on Brexit were substance-free hot air, and this trade deal sees Scottish producers face unfair competition from low-welfare Australian firms.

Question

Will my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister join me in thanking Derbyshire police for their excellent work in rounding up, arresting and charging people involved in recent stabbing incidents, where one young man was murdered and others were badly hurt? The murder in Swadlincote, a rare event, has caused concern among residents, but swift action by Derbyshire police has taken perpetrators off the street. Clearly, more police in South Derbyshire would be welcomed.

Question

During the Brexit referendum the Prime Minister promised no change to the rights of EU citizens in the UK, yet now they face losing work, rental housing, and free healthcare access without settled status. Given repeated grace periods during Brexit negotiations, will he extend this deadline?

Question

Large sections of the Waen near St Asaph have very poor broadband connections. Top-up gigabit vouchers can help raise £200,000 needed but there is a 24% shortfall. What assistance will my right hon. Friend provide for constituents in this situation?

Question

The Electoral Commission performs a crucial independent role in regulating UK elections. What does the Prime Minister plan that requires his Government to attempt to direct this independent regulator?

Question

Has the Prime Minister reviewed the recent Foreign Office announcement to cut UK support for neglected tropical diseases by 95%? Will he accept Mr Speaker's statement on the need for a meaningful vote on this issue and ensure it happens before the summer recess?

Question

Yesterday was Windrush Day, marking the arrival of Caribbean people from Commonwealth countries in 1948. Yet this year it highlights the failure of the government's compensation scheme for the Windrush generation. Given repeated delays and Home Office failures to provide justice, will the Prime Minister now hand over the scheme to an independent body?

Question

When High Speed 2 was first proposed, the estimated cost was £37.5 billion. The latest estimate is over £150 billion, and rising fast. Is there a price at which the Prime Minister will accept that High Speed 2 is no longer value for money, or is he determined to build it irrespective of the final cost, whatever that will be? Would it not be better to put this white-elephant project out of its misery and get rid of High Speed 2, and instead deliver high-speed broadband—reliable 1 gigabit capability—at a fraction of the cost to every household?

Question

Scientists warned about more dangerous variants emerging with rapid transmission and vaccines losing efficacy due to mutations during the pandemic. Now many variants have sparked surge testing, further lockdowns, and a recent delay in lifting restrictions. With 41 people already reported to have the delta-plus variant, does the Prime Minister understand why his vaccine donation policy is seen as insufficient when people are dying now? Will he reconsider supporting the vaccine intellectual property waiver?

Question

Can the Prime Minister promise that the forthcoming planning Bill will not restrict the right of residents to have their say over what is built in their neighbourhood?