Commons Sense

House of Commons · PMQs

PMQs

Wednesday 15 December 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 5 Partly answered 13 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Prime Minister thanked for kind words and congratulated on the birth of his daughter.
  • Sewa Day's contributions to the community in Sandwell were praised by the Prime Minister.
  • Prime Minister emphasized the Government's focus on the vaccine roll-out and booster program.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Nick Smith Lab Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

Last week was designated as 'crime week'. The questioner seeks an assessment of its success.

Question

I congratulate the Prime Minister and his wife on the birth of their baby daughter. Last week was crime week. Was it a success for you, Prime Minister?

Answer from Boris Johnson

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his kind words. Yes, it was because last week we showed that we are not only the party that is putting in the resources to fight crime, with 10,000 more police already recruited, but the party that is finally getting tough on the drugs gangs that blight the lives of children and communities up and down this country. We will not tolerate middle-class drug use any more than any other kind of drug use.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address whether crime week was successful in terms of concrete outcomes or metrics, instead focusing on resources allocated and rhetoric about tackling drugs gangs.

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Q2 Nicola Richards
Religion & Faith
Context

The questioner mentions her participation in Sewa Day, a charity event for distributing Christmas gifts to local communities. She seeks the Prime Minister's support and recognition.

Question

May I start by wishing the Prime Minister and his family a happy Christmas? Last Christmas, I joined the charity Sewa Day in wrapping Christmas presents at Durga Bhawan Temple. I delivered a small number of the thousands of gifts the Hindu community had donated for children and adults across Sandwell. Will the Prime Minister join me in thanking Sewa Day, Deepak, Madhu and Reena, who I will be joining again this Friday at West Bromwich Shree Krishna Mandir?

Answer from Boris Johnson

I thank my hon. Friend for raising the work of Sewa Day and all the people of the West Bromwich Hindu community, who make an incredible contribution to this country. I am delighted that the charity is again distributing donated gifts. Thank you to everyone involved, particularly my hon. Friend for her efforts.

Answered
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Q3 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
NHS
Context

The questioner highlights the rapid spread of the omicron variant, with over 200,000 infections reported daily. He emphasizes the importance of vaccinations to prevent the NHS from being overwhelmed.

Question

Can I also wish you, Mr Speaker, everybody who works in this House and all Members a merry Christmas and a happy new year? Can I also send my congratulations to the Prime Minister and his wife on the birth of their daughter, and join the Prime Minister in supporting our armed forces and all those on the front line?<br/>There were 200,000 omicron infections on Monday. That is doubling every two or three days and the NHS could be overwhelmed, so I want to start by encouraging everyone listening to this session to get their jabs and boosters. It is the best way to protect themselves, the NHS and their loved ones. Given the seriousness of the situation, does the Prime Minister agree that the 100 Conservative Members who voted against plan B measures last night, voted against steps that are necessary to protect the NHS and to protect lives?

Answer from Boris Johnson

The Government are taking a balanced and proportionate approach to dealing with the pandemic. The House voted through plan B with Conservative votes and we will continue with the massive booster roll-out, to which the right hon. and learned Gentleman is a late convert. Since Friday, when I decided that we had to accelerate the booster programme in view of the data about omicron, we have cut the timetable in half. Monday was the biggest vaccination Monday in the history of this country, and yesterday was the second biggest vaccination achievement by the NHS ever. More than 500,000 jabs were delivered and the campaign continues to grow.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly acknowledge that voting against plan B measures is harmful for the NHS but emphasized the government's approach towards dealing with the pandemic.

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Q4 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
NHS
Context

The questioner reiterates the importance of protecting the NHS during the current health crisis, urging for leadership in taking necessary steps if further measures are needed.

Question

We all hope that, combined with the booster programme, plan B will be sufficient to prevent the NHS from being overwhelmed. Nobody wants to see further restrictions, but the Prime Minister has rightly not ruled anything out, so can I take this opportunity to make it clear to him that, if further votes are needed to save lives and protect the NHS, Labour MPs will follow my leadership and we will always put the national interest first? Can I ask the Prime Minister to get his house in order so he can say the same about the Members behind him?

Answer from Boris Johnson

Yes, if further measures are needed, as the House will understand—if further regulation is needed—of course this House will have a further say. As for hon. Members following the right hon. and learned Gentleman's leadership, they wibble-wobbled over plan B, they wibble-wobbled over quarantine, and if we had listened to him, we would not even have the vaccine roll-out because we would have remained in the European Medicines Agency—[Interruption.] It is true. And we would not have opened up on 19 July; we would have remained in lockdown.

Not addressed: Did not directly address whether further measures will be implemented without delay, instead focusing on criticizing the opposition's actions and leadership.

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Q5 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
NHS Economy Employment
Context

The questioner criticizes the Prime Minister for his lack of leadership during the current health crisis, citing examples such as voting against public health measures.

Question

Let me put that straight back in its box: the Labour party showed the leadership yesterday that the Prime Minister lacks. If it was not for Labour votes, his Government would not have been able to introduce the vital health measures we need to save lives and protect the NHS—so weak is his leadership. His own MPs were wrong to vote against basic public health measures, but I can understand why they are angry with him. After all, the Health Secretary said this summer that relaxations of restrictions were “irreversible”. They were not.

Answer from Boris Johnson

There he goes again—the right hon. and learned Gentleman comes to this House pompously claiming that he wants to rise above party politics and support the efforts of the nation in delivering the vaccine roll-out, and then he talks endlessly about party politics and plays political games. What the people of this country can see is that, as a result of what this Government have done, with the tough decisions that we have taken—which he ducked—to deliver the fastest vaccine roll-out in Europe and now the fastest booster roll-out, we have the fastest growing economy in the G7 and 500,000 more jobs today than there were when the pandemic began.

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Q6 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
NHS
Context

The question follows a week of Conservative MPs questioning the Prime Minister's authority to enforce public health rules given their own doubts about his leadership.

Question

His MPs are wrong to vote against basic public health measures but they are not wrong to distrust him. A Tory MP last week asked why people should follow new rules when Downing Street did not follow them last year. The Prime Minister has had a week to come up with an answer. Has he done so?

Answer from Boris Johnson

The Government is focusing on delivering vaccine roll-out, which has been successful. We have boosted 86% of over-80s and 91% of those aged 75 to 79 in the fastest booster roll-out in Europe.

Not addressed: Specific question about answering Downing Street rule-breaking was not addressed, instead focusing on vaccine roll-out achievements

How: Changed Subject, Highlighting Success

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Q7 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
NHS Standards & Ethics
Context

Conservative MPs questioned the Prime Minister's moral authority due to rule-breaking incidents in Downing Street last Christmas.

Question

For weeks, the PM claimed no rules were broken. He claims he did not know what was happening in his own house last Christmas. The public does not believe him and it is dangerous for delivering difficult messages now. Can the Prime Minister regain moral authority if he cannot be straight about rule-breaking?

Answer from Boris Johnson

A report by the Cabinet Secretary will deliver information on what happened last Christmas. The focus should be on vaccine roll-out, with 45% of people over 18 now vaccinated.

Not addressed: Specific question about rule-breaking was not addressed, instead focusing on vaccine roll-out

How: Changed Subject, Highlighting Success

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Q8 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
Democracy & Elections
Context

The Labour party criticized the Prime Minister for lack of leadership, noting that Conservative MPs do not support him or propose basic public health measures.

Question

Instead of burdening Britain with a poor PM at this time, the British public are looking for trust and authority. The Labour party has stood up and shown leadership. Will the PM regain moral authority to lead through the crisis?

Answer from Boris Johnson

The approach taken by the Government is balanced, proportionate, and right for this country. The PM took tough decisions such as staying out of European ventilator schemes and opening society on 19 July ahead of Europe.

Not addressed: Specific question about leadership was not addressed, instead highlighting decision-making

How: Changed Subject, Highlighting Decisions

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Q9 Liam Fox Con
Children & Families
Context

The Down Syndrome Bill aims to improve life outcomes for people with Down syndrome, and the question seeks personal commitment from the Prime Minister.

Question

Thanking the Government for supporting the Down Syndrome Bill, will the PM give his personal commitment to ensure the Bill is passed before World Down Syndrome Day on 21 March? This would make Britain first in the world. Is that not a great place to start?

Answer from Boris Johnson

The Government will support and ensure prompt progress of the Down's syndrome Bill, which aims to improve life outcomes for people with Down's syndrome.

Answered
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Q10 Ian Blackford SNP
NHS Economy Scotland
Context

The UK Government had announced new financial support but later U-turned. Scotland has committed £100 million from its fixed budget to support businesses.

Question

Mr Speaker, I wish you, all your staff and all Members of the House a merry Christmas and a guid new year when it comes. The public understand the threat that omicron poses to our NHS. The Scottish Government are delivering £100 million from our fixed budget to support businesses, but more is needed. Yesterday, the UK Government put out a press release saying that new financial support was coming, but last night the Treasury U-turned, saying no new money was available. So, Prime Minister, which is it? Is there any new money to support businesses or was it all just smoke and mirrors once again?

Answer from Boris Johnson

I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman, and I share some of the views he expressed about the importance of being vigilant about omicron. It is good that he set that out. There are more money through Barnett consequentials, and there are also further powers under the existing devolutionary settlement for the Scottish Administration to raise money if they choose to—they have that option—but we will of course continue our discussions with them.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not confirm or deny new financial support specifically, only referred to Barnett consequentials and powers under devolutionary settlement.

How: Referring To Existing Devolutionary Mechanisms Without Addressing The Specific Ask For New Money

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Q11 Ian Blackford SNP
Scotland
Context

The UK government struggled to pass restrictions through the House that Scotland had implemented months ago. The Prime Minister is accused of not acting effectively.

Question

Last night, this UK Government struggled to get measures through the House that Scotland has had for months. A Prime Minister who cannot do what is needed to protect the public is no Prime Minister at all. No one wants further restrictions, but Scotland cannot afford to be hamstrung if the Prime Minister cannot act because he has 99 problems sitting behind him. Will he give the devolved Governments the powers and the financial support that we need to protect our people?

Answer from Boris Johnson

I think we are going to need a bigger waistcoat to contain the synthetic indignation of the right hon. Gentleman, quite frankly. I can tell him that the Scottish Administration have the powers, and, moreover, that we have delivered a record settlement for Scotland of £41 billion. But let me also say, in all friendship with the right hon. Gentleman—with whom I am actually quite cordial behind the scenes—that we will work with the Scottish Government to make sure that we get through this thing together.

Not addressed: Did not address the specific ask for additional powers and financial support, instead criticized the tone of the questioner's statement.

How: Personal Attack On The Tone Of The Question

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Q12 Bob Neill Con
NHS
Context

Stroke is a leading cause of adult disability in the UK. Key treatments have stalled and gone backwards, with most survivors receiving less than half the recommended levels of rehabilitation.

Question

Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability in the United Kingdom. We have made much progress but regrettably, in the last couple of years, key treatments such as thrombectomy, thrombolysis and timely interventions in hospital have stalled and gone backwards. In particular, most stroke survivors receive less than half the recommended levels of rehabilitation. Can we urgently look towards upgrading the very good national stroke plan to a fully fledged national strategy for stroke, with a Minister responsible for it and a dedicated team of officials in the Department to roll it out?

Answer from Boris Johnson

I thank my hon. Friend for his question. There are 20 integrated stroke networks in England already, but we want to increase their capacity about tenfold. I shall be happy to ensure that my hon. Friend has the right meeting with the relevant Minister to discuss the matter.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not confirm upgrading to a full national strategy or appointing a dedicated minister, only offered a meeting and increased capacity for existing networks.

How: Offering A Future Meeting Instead Of Committing To Specific Actions

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Q13 Colum Eastwood Social Democratic & Labour Party Social Democratic and Labour Party
NHS Democracy & Elections
Context

The Prime Minister's recent actions have led to a loss of public trust, especially during the pandemic. His MPs are seen as breaking rules.

Question

The Prime Minister's actions over the last number of months have absolutely eroded public confidence at the worst possible time, during a public health crisis. Excusing rule-breaking by his own MPs, ignoring rule-breaking in his own house—he cannot even lead Tory MPs to vote for his public health guidance, so how can he expect to lead anybody else? Surely it is now time for him to do the right thing, the only thing left to him to restore public confidence, and resign.

Answer from Boris Johnson

No, Mr Speaker, I am going to get on with protecting the public of this country, making sure that we get through this pandemic together as one United Kingdom, and making sure that we protect trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the way that I know the hon. Gentleman would want it protected.

Not addressed: Did not address resignation or loss of public trust directly, instead focused on pandemic response and trade issues.

How: Changing Subject To Broader Policy Areas

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Q14 Peter Aldous Con
Economy Climate Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

East Anglia has opportunities for low-carbon energy and sustainable fishing but faces challenges like deep pockets of deprivation, especially in coastal areas. Investment has been made, but there is concern that the Government do not fully grasp the potential.

Question

In East Anglia, there are, on the one hand, tremendous opportunities in such sectors as low-carbon energy and sustainable fishing, and yet, on the other hand, significant challenges with deep pockets of deprivation, particularly in coastal communities. I acknowledge the investment that has been made, but there is a concern locally that the Government are yet to comprehend the scale of the opportunity that our region has to be a global exemplar in new and revitalised industries, and in doing so to bring transformative and long-term benefits to local people. Will my right hon. Friend meet me and other East Anglian MPs so that together we can put in place a strategy to realise the full potential of the east of England?

Answer from Boris Johnson

Yes, but I also want to say that I understand completely the massive opportunity and the potential that exists in those coastal communities. That is why we are already investing £120 million in five new town deals, including for Lowestoft.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to a specific meeting but acknowledged existing investments and opportunities in coastal areas.

How: Mentioning Current Investments Without Committing To Future Meetings

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Q15 Stephen Flynn SNP Aberdeen South
Brexit Democracy & Elections
Context

The MP references public sentiment towards the Prime Minister's leadership, citing various criticisms and controversies.

Question

Does the Prime Minister believe that it is the damage being caused by Brexit, his litany of broken promises, his condoning of Conservative party corruption, or just simply his complicity in lockdown-busting Christmas parties and quizzes that has caused the public to so dramatically, so rapidly lose faith in his leadership?

Answer from Boris Johnson

What I observe is that actually it was our freedom from the rules of the European Union that enabled us to deliver the fastest vaccine roll-out in Europe and that has enabled us to have the fastest economic growth in the G7. That is of massive benefit to each and every one of the hon. Gentleman's constituents, and I think he should acknowledge that point.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Prime Minister did not address why public faith has declined but instead focused on positive outcomes from Brexit.

How: Shifted Focus To Economic Growth

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Q16 Laura Farris
Housing
Context

The MP highlights the success in reducing rough sleeping through local authority efforts but emphasizes the need for additional support to address drug addiction.

Question

One of the significant achievements of this Government is the work they have done with local authorities to tackle rough sleeping. Five years ago, 36 people were sleeping rough in the Newbury area; this Christmas, West Berkshire Council has reduced that to zero. But it can only sustain that success with the help of additional support services to tackle the complex causes of homelessness. What action will the Government take through their new 10-year drugs strategy to intercept the link between addiction and life on the streets?

Answer from Boris Johnson

My hon. Friend is completely right to draw the link between drug addiction and rough sleeping. That is why our drugs strategy is so absolutely vital for tackling this problem. I also want to thank local councils and everybody involved in the Everyone In campaign. Homelessness and rough sleeping are a blight and a disgrace—a shame for our society. I am proud to say that our rough sleeping snapshot shows that levels have fallen by 43% since 2017, although clearly, as we come out of the pandemic in the next year or so, we must make sure that we continue to reduce rough sleeping. It remains an absolute priority for this Government.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Prime Minister did not provide specific actions from the drugs strategy but acknowledged the importance and past achievements.

How: Highlighted Past Achievements

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Q17 Ben Lake PC Ceredigion Preseli
NHS Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP discusses the rising number of people needing to self-isolate due to covid and highlights individuals excluded from isolation support payments.

Question

With the emergence of the omicron variant and the rising number of covid infections, more and more people are being asked to self-isolate or stay at home to look after isolating children. I have been contacted by people in Ceredigion who have been excluded from isolation support payments as they are not in receipt of benefits or are above the weekly earnings threshold. Will the Prime Minister act urgently to increase statutory sick pay, which currently stands at a mere £96.35 a week, so that people in this position do not have to choose between following public health regulations and putting food on the table?

Answer from Boris Johnson

I thank the hon. Gentleman very much. I understand the difficulty that some families will find themselves in. We want to look after everybody throughout the pandemic. That is why we have done things like lifting the living wage in the way we have and increasing the funds available for childcare, but also making sure that councils have an extra hardship fund of half a billion pounds to help families of the kind that he describes through this winter.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Prime Minister did not commit to increasing statutory sick pay but highlighted other support measures.

How: Highlighted Alternative Support

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Q18 Kieran Mullan Con Bexhill and Battle
Transport
Context

The MP references the importance of Crewe in railway history and its recent successes with High Speed 2.

Question

Following confirmation of the Crewe to Manchester leg of High Speed 2, the Alstom factory in Crewe winning an HS2 rolling stock contract and Crewe's long history at the heart of our railway industry, does the Prime Minister agree that Crewe is a strong contender for the headquarters of Great British Railways? Can he tell me when the process to choose a location for the new HQ will start?

Answer from Boris Johnson

My brief says I should be very careful of what I say. I have no doubt that Crewe is a strong contender, but further details of the competition will be announced in the coming weeks. Expressions of interest from places such as Crewe will be very welcome.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Prime Minister did not confirm Crewe's status but stated it was welcome to apply.

How: Stated Process Timeline

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Q19 Maria Eagle Lab Liverpool Garston
Justice & Courts Standards & Ethics
Context

The MP references the Hillsborough disaster and the government's repeated blocking of a public advocate bill.

Question

After inquest verdicts that the 97 people who died in the Hillsborough disaster were unlawfully killed, the right hon. Gentleman stood for election to this House on a manifesto that included legislating to introduce a public advocate. Why, then, have his Government repeatedly blocked my Public Advocate Bill, which has cross-party support and would prevent families bereaved by public disasters from ever again having to endure what the Hillsborough families have had to cope with over the past 32 years? Is it an oversight or yet another broken promise?

Answer from Boris Johnson

I thank the hon. Lady and, no, we do recognise the importance of putting the bereaved, such as the bereaved of Hillsborough, at the heart of investigations. In certain circumstances funding may be available for representation of the bereaved at a public inquiry or interest. We are considering what steps should be taken, and I will ensure she has a meeting with the relevant Home Office Minister as soon as possible.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Prime Minister did not provide specific reasons for blocking the bill but acknowledged its importance and promised further discussion.

How: Promised Further Discussion

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Q20 Bernard Jenkin Con Harwich and North Essex
Ukraine Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP discusses the ongoing concerns about Russian aggression in cyber-attacks, assassinations, gas as a political weapon, illegal territory holding, intimidation of the west, and interfering in elections.

Question

As we see Russian forces massing on the Ukrainian border, can we be reminded that Russia is also continuing to carry out cyber-attacks, to attempt assassinations, to use gas as a political weapon, to illegally hold territory in Crimea and Georgia, to intimidate the west and to attempt to interfere in western elections? How much do the Government understand that President Putin is conducting a hybrid war against the west, and how are they responding?

Answer from Boris Johnson

I am afraid my hon. Friend is absolutely right in what he says. He is right to stress the particular urgency of the situation, and he is right in what he says about hybrid warfare and all the other interventions. We face a particular crisis on the border with Ukraine, where Russian troops have been massing for some time, as the House knows. I told President Putin on Monday that I think everybody in the G7 and more widely is agreed that, if Russia were so rash and mad as to engage in an invasion of the sovereign territory of Ukraine, an extremely tough package of economic sanctions would be mounted by the UK and our friends around the world. Of course, there would also be support for Ukraine, and there would inevitably be a build-up of NATO forces in the periphery regions. As I told President Putin, I believe any such action would be catastrophic not just for Russia and Ukraine but for the world.

Answered
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Q21 Kate Hollern Lab
NHS
Context

The Prime Minister addressed the nation about getting covid boosters before New Year. However, other health leaders and organisation representatives have expressed doubt about this timeline.

Question

The PM made an address to the nation on Sunday about covid booster jabs and said that every eligible adult will have a chance to get their booster before the New Year. That is roughly two weeks away. However, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and our national health leaders have said otherwise. We know that those who deliver our health service were not adequately consulted and that the infrastructure to deliver it was not prepared. Will this be yet another broken promise, Prime Minister?

Answer from Boris Johnson

Yes, this is a massive national effort and, yes, it will be incredibly hard to achieve, but do I believe that our NHS, our GPs and our volunteers can do it? Yes, I do. That is the spirit in which the hon. Lady and the whole House should approach it. Rather than talking down our approach, I advise all Labour Members and all colleagues in this House to tell our constituents to get boosted now.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not confirm if the timeline is achievable given recent doubts from health leaders

How: Rather Than Talking Down Our Approach, I Advise All Labour Members And All Colleagues In This House To Tell Our Constituents To Get Boosted Now.

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Q22 Thomas Tugendhat Con Tonbridge
Foreign Affairs
Context

Reports suggest a significant cut of 10% across the board in Foreign Office funding, which raises concerns about the UK's ability to uphold its global commitments and partnerships.

Question

I very much welcome my right hon. Friend's answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Harwich and North Essex (Sir Bernard Jenkin), with its emphasis on global Britain and partnership in standing up to autocracies. Does he therefore share my concern about reports that I have just got from the Foreign Office of a staff cut of 10% across the board? How is that compatible with global Britain?

Answer from Boris Johnson

We are investing massively in overseas aid—this country is spending £10 billion a year on overseas aid. I think that if you look at what we are doing on aid, on the Foreign Office and on Defence, we are, at £54 billion, the biggest spender on overseas activities of any country in Europe. My hon. Friend is an expert on foreign affairs, but I am assured by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary that the information that has recently trickled into his ears is fake news.

How: I Am Assured By My Right Hon. Friend The Foreign Secretary That The Information That Has Recently Trickled Into His Ears Is Fake News.

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Q23 Ruth Cadbury Lab Brentford and Isleworth
Transport
Context

Transport for London faces serious financial challenges due to the pandemic, with its emergency covid funding expiring in a few days. The previous Mayor's policies are blamed for leaving a black hole in TfL finances.

Question

Transport for London faces serious financial difficulties solely due to the pandemic causing a collapse in fares income. Emergency covid funding to TfL expires the day after tomorrow. Prior to the pandemic, the Mayor of London spent four years improving TfL's finances after—

Answer from Boris Johnson

This happens to be one of the subjects that I know more about than probably anybody else in the House. When I was Mayor and chairman of Transport for London, we had our finances in balance because I ran a responsible fares policy. When I left the mayoralty, we had Crossrail in surplus and our reserves in surplus. Actually, what happened was that the Labour Mayor of London embarked on a reckless, unfunded fares policy, cutting fares recklessly so as to leave a huge black hole in Transport for London's finances. Yes, we have the greatest capital—[Interruption.] We will of course help the stricken Labour Mayor in any way that we can, but the blame lies fairly and squarely with City Hall.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific assistance plan to address TfL's financial crisis

How: We Will Of Course Help The Stricken Labour Mayor In Any Way That We Can, But The Blame Lies Fairly And Squarely With City Hall.

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Q24 Paul Howell
Employment Transport
Context

The Prime Minister is urged to support local economic development by confirming the feasibility study for Ferryhill station will be approved at the earliest convenience.

Question

I wish all our constituents across the country a merry Christmas and a safe 2022. What matters to my Sedgefield constituents is jobs, jobs, jobs. Will the Prime Minister join me in congratulating Hitachi and Alstom on securing the HS2 rolling stock contract? It is a tremendous vote of confidence in the people of Newton Aycliffe and Sedgefield. Will he encourage the Secretary of State for Transport to confirm that the feasibility study for Ferryhill station will be approved at his earliest convenience so that we can get on with levelling up and building back better for Ferryhill, Bishop Middleham, Sedgefield and the Cornforths?

Answer from Boris Johnson

My hon. Friend is a great advocate for Sedgefield, his constituents and levelling up. I congratulate Hitachi and Alstom on securing the HS2 stock order and the proponents of Ferryhill station for completing the initial business case for the scheme. That is part of the £96 billion investment that we are making in our railway infrastructure, which is the biggest in 100 years, dwarfing anything that the Labour party has ever embarked on. We will get on with uniting and levelling up across our country.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to approving the feasibility study for Ferryhill station at his earliest convenience

How: We Will Get On With Uniting And Levelling Up Across Our Country.

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Q25 Carolyn Harris Lab Neath and Swansea East
Context

The MP is serving hampers to families in need for the holiday season, expressing gratitude towards those who are helping.

Question

I am sure the Prime Minister would like to thank me, as he was kept in the dark about last year's festivities, for my assistance in lighting the Christmas tree in Downing Street this year. Unlike the Prime Minister, I am not in the dark about what my staff are doing this year: we are serving and delivering over 1,000 hampers and gifts to families across Swansea to ensure that they get a Christmas. Will he join me in congratulating and thanking everyone involved in Everyone Deserves a Christmas? If he would like to come and light a tree in my constituency, I will ensure there is one available for him.

Answer from Boris Johnson

That is one of the nicest things somebody has said to me from the Opposition Benches for a long time. I do want to thank and congratulate everybody in the hon. Lady's constituency who is helping to bring hampers to those who need them this Christmas. It is a wonderful thing.

Answered
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Q26 Robbie Moore Con Keighley and Ilkley
Standards & Ethics Children & Families Local Government
Context

Star Hobson's tragic death highlights the systemic failings within Bradford Council children's services, which raises concerns over the council's ability to deliver these critical services effectively.

Question

My thoughts and I am sure the thoughts of the whole House are with those who loved Star Hobson, who was brutally murdered in Keighley by a monster while Star's evil mother allowed it to happen. The court heard that numerous referrals were made to Bradford Council children's services months in advance of Star's murder, but they were not taken seriously—in fact, the case was closed. The Prime Minister will be aware that this is the latest in a long list of failings at Bradford Council children's services, where political correctness appears to have been put before the welfare of children. I have no confidence in Bradford Council's leadership to deliver children's services. Since the death of Star, I am pleased that the Government have sent in a commissioner—

Answer from Boris Johnson

I am grateful for your direction, Mr Speaker. I just want to say that I think the whole House will once again be filled with incredulity at the cruelty of people who could perpetrate a child killing such as this, but also sadness and bewilderment that it could not have been prevented. As my hon. Friend knows, we will appoint a commissioner to assess the capability and capacity of the relevant council, Bradford, to improve on its handling, and they will report in January. That will also feed in to the report we have commissioned on the death of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes. I say to those who are responsible in the authorities concerned that we will not hesitate to remove service control if that is what is necessary to drive the improvements we need to see.

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