Commons Sense

House of Commons · PMQs

PMQs

Wednesday 8 September 2021 · 15 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 11 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Mick Whitley questioned the Prime Minister about the impact of the 20 cut to universal credit on food bank usage.
  • Craig Mackinlay inquired about the government's commitment to technologically feasible solutions to reduce Britain's carbon footprint.
  • Keir Starmer pressed the Prime Minister on the guarantee that no one needing care would have to sell their home.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mick Whitley
Benefits & Welfare Children & Families
Context

Research by the Trussell Trust shows that one in six people fear needing to use a food bank due to the £20 cut to universal credit, affecting 500 families and over 1,000 children in Birkenhead.

Question

In the run-up to the last election, the Prime Minister said it was wrong that hundreds of thousands rely on food banks. Research now shows one in six fear needing a food bank due to the £20 cut to universal credit, affecting over 500 families and 1,000 children in Birkenhead alone. Will he concede this cut is wrong and change course?

Answer from Boris Johnson

Of course I am very grateful to everybody who helps with food banks, and they do a fantastic job. What this Government have done throughout the pandemic is to put the most protection for those who need it most across society, and I am proud of what we have done by uplifting the living wage.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Prime Minister did not acknowledge that cutting the £20 uplift was wrong or commit to reversing the decision.

How: Grateful For Food Banks, Proud Of Lifting Living Wage

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Q2 Craig Mackinlay Con
Climate Energy
Context

The Prime Minister is facing criticism about the cost of energy due to inefficient heating units and electric cars.

Question

My constituents worry about paying for an air source heating unit, an electric car they did not want, while watching other economies build gas and coal stations. Why do this? Will the PM commit to technologically possible solutions to reduce Britain's carbon footprint?

Answer from Boris Johnson

Not only has the price of batteries fallen vertiginously, as has the cost of solar power, but I can tell my hon. Friend and the people of Thanet South that they have huge opportunities. The cost of wind power in this country has fallen by 70% just in the last 10 years.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Prime Minister did not commit to specific technological solutions addressing energy costs but referenced falling prices in renewable technology.

How: Mention Of Battery And Solar Cost Reductions

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Q3 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
NHS Social Care
Context

The Prime Minister promised to guarantee no one needing care would have to sell their home.

Question

I want to ask the PM about his promise to guarantee that no one needing care has to sell their home. Does this guarantee still stand?

Answer from Boris Johnson

What this plan for health and social care does is deal, after decades, with the catastrophic costs faced by millions of people up and down the country, and the risk that they could face the loss of their home, their possessions and their ability to pass on anything to their children.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Prime Minister did not confirm or deny whether the guarantee still stands but discussed broader health and social care issues.

How: Mention Of Fixing Catastrophic Costs

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Q4 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
Social Care
Context

Someone with £186,000 including home value under the plan would have to pay £86,000 before living costs.

Question

The Prime Minister's plan means someone with £186,000 who faces large care costs will need to pay £86,000. Where does he think they get that money without selling their home?

Answer from Boris Johnson

As I think everybody understood in the long statement yesterday, this is the first time that the state has come in to deal with the threat of these catastrophic costs, thereby enabling the private sector—the financial services industry—to supply the insurance products that people need to guarantee themselves against the cost of care.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Prime Minister did not address how someone would afford £86,000 without selling their home but mentioned state support and private sector involvement.

How: Mention Of State Intervention Enabling Insurance Products

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Q5 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
Taxation
Context

The Prime Minister's plan includes an unfair tax on working people.

Question

My plan is to ensure that those with the broadest shoulders pay their fair share. That is the difference between my plan and his, which imposes a regressive tax on workers.

Answer from Boris Johnson

Actually, the Institute for Fiscal Studies has confirmed that this is a broad-based and progressive measure. The top 20% of households by income will pay 40 times what the poorest 20% pay; the top 14% will pay half of the entire levy.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Prime Minister did not address fairness compared to a broader shoulders approach but cited IFS data on progressive measures.

How: Mention Of Institute For Fiscal Studies Confirmation

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Q6 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
NHS Social Care Taxation
Context

The Prime Minister's plan involves a new tax.

Question

Mr Speaker, let me tell you what an ambitious young Member for Henley said in 2002: “national insurance increases are regressive”. If the PM is going ahead with this unfair tax, can he at least tell us if his plan will clear NHS waiting list backlogs by end of Parliament?

Answer from Boris Johnson

I think the whole House, indeed the whole country, can appreciate that we at least have a plan to fix the backlogs and we at least understand that the only way to fix the long-term underlying problems in the NHS and the problem of delayed discharges is to fix the crisis in social care as well.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Prime Minister did not confirm clearing waiting lists by Parliament's end but discussed addressing backlogs and social care issues.

How: Mention Of Fixing Long-Term Nhs Problems

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Q7 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
Social Care Taxation Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question arises from the government's tax policies affecting working people, including a national insurance rise and a £1,000 annual universal credit cut for 2.5 million families.

Question

Working families face a national insurance tax rise and a £1,000 per year reduction in universal credit, impacting 2.5 million households. How does the government justify raising taxes on working people while failing to address NHS backlogs and underfunding social care?

Answer from Boris Johnson

We are proud of what we have been doing throughout the pandemic, including providing an extra £9 billion through universal credit. The government believes in higher wages and better skills, investing in 13,500 work coaches and a £3,000 per year training programme for 11 million adults under the lifetime skills guarantee.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about justifying tax rises on working families was not addressed directly. The answer focused on government initiatives without addressing why working people are being taxed.

How: We Are Proud Of What We Have Been Doing

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Q8 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
Economy Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

A constituent named Rosie, a single mother working minimum wage in a nursing home, will lose £87 monthly due to the universal credit cut and face national insurance tax rise. She also struggles with childcare availability.

Question

Rosie, a single mother on minimum wage, faces significant financial hardship from the universal credit cut (£87/month) and new national insurance tax rises while struggling to get more shifts or childcare support. What does the government say to Rosie?

Answer from Boris Johnson

The economy is growing rapidly, faster than any other G7 country due to our vaccine roll-out and reopening. Labour's opposition to the Vaccine Taskforce would have delayed recovery.

Not addressed: Specific assistance for individuals like Rosie was not addressed; instead, economic growth was highlighted.

How: We Are Proud Of What We Have Been Doing, The Economy Is Growing Rapidly

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Q9 David Jones Con
Northern Ireland
Context

The extension of grace periods for goods movement between Great Britain and Northern Ireland under the protocol is seen as a temporary measure by Lord Trimble, indicating it may be harmful to the Belfast agreement.

Question

Will the Government in negotiations with the EU highlight the Centre for Brexit Policy's mutual enforcement proposal to address issues arising from the Northern Ireland Protocol's application?

Answer from Boris Johnson

The interim period extension is welcome, but the protocol's application by the EU is not protecting the Belfast/Good Friday agreement in all its aspects. The government will work to sort this out.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Details on specific actions or proposals (like mutual enforcement) were not provided.

How: We Must Sort It Out

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Q10 Ian Blackford SNP
NHS Economy Scotland
Context

The Prime Minister announced a new tax which the Joseph Rowntree Foundation estimates will affect 2 million families in Scotland, adding an average £100 annually for those on low incomes.

Question

With no consultation from the government, millions of Scottish workers face a poll tax hike. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation projects this impacts around 2 million households with an additional £100 yearly cost. Is it true that this tax is regressive and balances the books on the backs of the poor?

Answer from Boris Johnson

The Scottish government requested additional funding for the NHS in Scotland. The UK Government has put another £1.1 billion into the NHS there.

Not addressed: Details about consultation or whether the tax is regressive were not addressed; instead, NHS funding was highlighted.

How: The Scottish Government Requested Additional Funding

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Q11 Ian Blackford SNP
Taxation Scotland Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question arises from criticism of the government's economic policies and their impact on poverty and inequality in Scotland.

Question

This is a tax hike on the poor and young, leading to furlough scrapping, universal credit cuts, and more austerity. The UK has worst levels of poverty and inequality in north-west Europe, with record in-work poverty under this government. Is independence needed to protect Scotland from these cuts?

Answer from Boris Johnson

The right hon. Gentleman should get his story straight; the 1p increase in National Insurance was welcomed by John Swinney when it funded the NHS. The current policy provides more cash for Scotland, supporting families and healthcare.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address whether independence is needed to protect from cuts and tax hikes

How: Changed Subject

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Q12 Gareth Davies Con Grantham and Bourne
NHS
Context

The question is prompted by the need to address healthcare provision in Grantham and Stamford, facing population growth.

Question

Growing populations require a long-term integrated healthcare strategy. Can the Government confirm what action they are taking to ensure regular reviews of healthcare provision meet future needs in my constituency?

Answer from Boris Johnson

My hon. Friend, a great advocate for his constituents, will see the Health and Care Bill ensuring integrated healthcare partnerships; local authorities and health care working together. More details are to come in the forthcoming White Paper.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specifics on what actions are being taken currently

How: Promised Future Action

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Q13 Edward Davey Lib Dem Kingston and Surbiton
Social Care Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question arises from criticism of the social care plan that neglects family carers, who provide unpaid services such as personal care.

Question

Yesterday's social care plan forgot family carers. We are millions wiping bottoms and washing, yet we want a fair deal: will you raise the carer's allowance? Will you guarantee proper breaks for carers? Change employment law to balance caring with work? Ensure enough professional carers through new visas?

Answer from Boris Johnson

Unpaid carers are acknowledged for their hard work; support from private sector and Government investment will ease anxiety of elderly loved ones losing possessions. Half a billion pounds invested in unpaid carers' training to ensure dignity and career progression.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address specific asks about raising allowance, breaks or employment law changes

How: Promised General Support

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Q14 Rob Roberts
Business & Trade Local Government
Context

The question arises from an enforcement notice served by a local council to a dairy business offering self-serve milk, with almost 9,000 locals signing a petition in support.

Question

Einion and Elliw Jones at Mynydd Mostyn dairy have created buzz with a self-serve milk facility but were served an enforcement notice. Will my right hon. Friend agree businesses surviving pandemic deserve support, not threats from local authority?

Answer from Boris Johnson

Planning is a devolved matter but Government provided over £100 billion of support during pandemic, including 1.5 million bounce back loans to SMEs like the one mentioned.

Not addressed: Did not address local authority's role or threats to businesses

How: Changed Subject

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Q15 Ben Lake PC Ceredigion Preseli
Employment Transport
Context

The question arises from concerns about the HGV driver shortage and its impact on transportation, with specific proposals to improve working conditions and reduce waiting times.

Question

At a time of widespread concern over HGV drivers, I have been contacted by many who believe increasing their hours won't solve the problem. Long-term solutions need improved working conditions, action on parking spaces, and measures to reduce waiting times at distribution centres. Will you consider these proposals?

Answer from Boris Johnson

We are funding apprenticeships, ramping up vocational test capacity to get more people into HGV driving. Career structure affecting EU countries; suggest hon. Gentleman take proposals directly to Secretary of State for Transport.

Not addressed: Did not address whether the Government will consider proposed long-term solutions

How: Changed Subject

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