Commons Sense

House of Commons · PMQs

PMQs

Wednesday 23 February 2022 · 27 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 8 Partly answered 14 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Prime Minister agreed to arrange a meeting for David Johnston with a relevant Minister to discuss local concerns.
  • Prime Minister stated that the UK is intensifying military support and sanctions against Russia due to the invasion of Ukraine.
  • Prime Minister confirmed that the Department for Transport is updating the circular on the use of speed and red-light cameras.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 David Johnston
NHS Housing
Context

The constituency is rapidly expanding with new housing developments.

Question

By 2027, Didcot in my constituency will be 42% larger than it was a decade earlier; Wantage and Grove will be 59% larger. There are thousands more houses going up in Wallingford, Faringdon and all the villages I represent, but not a single new GP surgery. Does my right hon. Friend agree that where we build new houses, we have to build new infrastructure so that people can still access the services they need?

Answer from Boris Johnson

Yes, of course my hon. Friend is right. That is why we are making record investments in the NHS and in schools and roads—as we can, thanks to the strong growth in our economy. I will make sure that he gets a meeting with the relevant Minister to discuss his immediate local concerns.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify commitment or timeline for building GP surgeries in growing areas

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Q2 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
Ukraine
Context

Russia has invaded Ukraine, prompting questions about the effectiveness of sanctions.

Question

I join the Prime Minister in his comments in relation to Sir Richard Shepherd. We all want to deter aggression in Europe. We are not dealing with breakaway republics, and Putin is not a peacekeeper; a sovereign nation has been invaded. The Prime Minister promised that in the event of an invasion, he would unleash a full package of sanctions. If not now, then when?

Answer from Boris Johnson

As I said, the UK has been out in front in offering military support to Ukraine, and I am grateful for what the right hon. and learned Gentleman said yesterday about the need to make sure we keep ammunition in reserve for what could be a protracted struggle over this issue.<br/>Let the House be in no doubt about the extent of the package set out yesterday and about what we are already doing, because I do not think people quite realise that the UK is out in front. We have sanctioned 275 individuals already, and yesterday we announced measures that place banks worth £37 billion under sanctions, in addition to more oligarchs. There is more to come. We will be stopping Russia raising sovereign debt, and we will be stopping Russian companies raising money or, as I said yesterday, even clearing in sterling and dollars on international markets.<br/>That will hit Putin where it hurts, but it is vital that, after this first barrage, we work in lockstep with friends and allies around the world to squeeze him simultaneously in London, Paris and New York. Unity is absolutely vital.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify timing for full sanctions package implementation

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Q3 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
Ukraine Foreign Affairs
Context

There is concern about the current strategy of sanctions.

Question

I hear what the Prime Minister says about sequencing and further sanctions, but there has already been an invasion. There is clearly concern across the House that his strategy could—unintentionally, I accept—send the wrong message. If the Prime Minister were now to bring forward his full package of sanctions, including excluding Russia from financial mechanisms such as SWIFT and a ban on trading in Russian sovereign debt, he will have the full support of the House. Will he do so?

Answer from Boris Johnson

I am grateful for the general support that the Opposition have given not just to our economic sanctions but to the package of military support, which will intensify. We want to see de-escalation by Vladimir Putin. There is still hope that he will see sense, but we are ready to escalate our sanctions very rapidly, as I have set out.<br/>Under the measures that this House has already approved, we can now target any Russian entity or individual. Not only can we already target the so-called breakaway republics in the oblasts of Donetsk and Luhansk but we can target members of the Duma who voted to recognise them. This is the most far-reaching legislation of its kind, and I am glad that it has the right hon. and learned Gentleman's support.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify timing for full sanctions package implementation

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Q4 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
Foreign Affairs Culture, Media & Sport
Context

There is concern about the continued broadcasting of Russia Today.

Question

It does have my support, and we will support it if it is used. We must also do more to defeat Putin's campaign of lies and disinformation. Russia Today is his personal propaganda tool. I can see no reason why it should be allowed to continue broadcasting in this country, so will the Prime Minister now ask Ofcom to review its licence?

Answer from Boris Johnson

I believe my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has already asked Ofcom to review that matter, but we live in a democracy and a country that believes in free speech. I think it is important that we leave it to Ofcom to decide which media organisations to ban, rather than politicians—that is what Russia does.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not confirm or deny asking Ofcom for review of license

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Q5 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
Ukraine Foreign Affairs
Context

There is a need to act swiftly on sanctions.

Question

The request was for a review, and I am glad to hear that the review is now happening. [Interruption.] I will not be deflected from the unity that this House needs at the moment.<br/>At the weekend, the Prime Minister said that if Russia invades Ukraine, he will “open up the matryoshka dolls” of Russian-owned companies and Russian-owned entities to find the ultimate beneficiaries within. Well, Russia has invaded and it is time to act. If he brings forward the required legislation to do this, he will have Labour's support. Will he commit to doing so in the coming days?

Answer from Boris Johnson

As I said, we are bringing forward in the next wave of sanctions measures that will stop all Russian banks, all oligarchs, all Russian individuals raising money on London markets. We are also accelerating the economic crime Bill, which will enable us in the UK to peel back the—[Interruption.] In the next Session. It will enable us to peel back the façade of beneficial ownership of property in the UK and of companies. It has gone on for far too long and this Government are going to tackle it. But on all these measures it is very important that the House remembers that they are more effective when all financial centres move forward together, and that is what the UK has been organising.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to bringing forward legislation in coming days

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Q6 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
Democracy & Elections
Context

The Elections Bill raises concerns about foreign donations.

Question

I think I heard the Prime Minister say that the economic crime Bill will be in the next Session, but I hope I misheard that. I can assure him that if he brings it forward in this Session, in the coming days, it will have our support. There is no reason to delay this.<br/>Let me turn to the Elections Bill. As it stands, the Bill would allow unfettered donations from overseas to be made to UK political parties from shell companies and individuals with no connections to the UK. Labour has proposed amendments that would protect our democracy from the flood of foreign money drowning our politics. We can all now see how serious this is, so will the Prime Minister now change course and support these measures in the House of Lords?

Answer from Boris Johnson

We have very tough laws—tough rules—in this country to stop foreign donations. We do not accept foreign donations; people have to be on the UK electoral register in order to give to a UK political party. Before the right hon. and learned Gentleman starts chucking it around, I just remind him that the largest single corporate donation to the Labour party came from a member of the Chinese communist party.

Not addressed: Did not address whether he will support amendments regarding foreign donations

How: Attack

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Q7 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
Ukraine Democracy & Elections
Context

The House agreed to stand united against the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Prime Minister did not agree to changes in the Elections Bill proposed by the Lords.

Question

Given that Putin has invaded a sovereign European nation fearing openness and democracy, will the Prime Minister work across the House to ensure this is the end of the era of oligarch impunity?

Answer from Boris Johnson

The Government could not be doing more to root out corrupt Russian money. The UK has been instrumental in bringing the western world together to deal with sanctions against Russia, and unity of the House is vital in standing against aggression in Ukraine.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to working across the House or ending oligarch impunity explicitly

How: General Support For Unity

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Q8 Mark Eastwood
Transport
Context

The MP received complaints from constituents about speeding in Shepley, Dewsbury, Mirfield, Kirkburton, and Denby Dale. The Department for Transport circular 2007 needs a review.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend agree that rather than action being taken after people have been killed or seriously injured in collisions, prevention is better than cure and the Department for Transport circular 2007 needs a long overdue review?

Answer from Boris Johnson

The Department for Transport is updating the circular on the use of speed and red-light cameras, and I urge the MP to get in touch with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport.

Answered
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Q9 Ian Blackford SNP
Ukraine Foreign Affairs
Context

The SNP Benches stood united against the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The MP raised concerns about limited partnerships moving $20.8 billion out of Russian banks.

Question

Why did the Prime Minister do nothing back then, and why is he still doing nothing now?

Answer from Boris Johnson

We are going much further to uncloak the true owners of Russian companies and Russian properties in this country. No country is doing more than the UK to tackle this issue.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address why nothing happened when first raised by the MP five years ago

How: General Commitment Without Specifics

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Q10 Ian Blackford SNP
Foreign Affairs Standards & Ethics
Context

The MP offered to work with the Prime Minister five years ago. The Conservative Party has raised £2.3 million from Russian oligarchs since the PM took office.

Question

How can our allies trust this Prime Minister to clean up dirty Russian money in the UK when he will not even clean up his own political party?

Answer from Boris Johnson

People who give money to this country are registered on the UK register of interests, and we do not raise money from Russian oligarchs.

Not addressed: Did not commit to giving up £2.3 million raised by his party from Russian oligarchs

How: Redirecting Criticism

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Q11 Bill Wiggin Con
Environment
Context

The MP's right hon. Friend is concerned about the River Wye, pollution, flooding, house building and the wider environment.

Question

Will he meet me to discuss the future of the Environment Agency?

Answer from Boris Johnson

The PM is happy to meet the MP. The Environment Agency faces many challenges but does an outstanding job, with 314,000 homes better protected since 2015.

Answered
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Q12 Caroline Lucas Green
Democracy & Elections Foreign Affairs
Context

A report claims credible evidence of Russian interference in UK elections, contradicting the PM's previous statement.

Question

Yesterday when I asked about Russian election interference, the PM looked shifty and said he was unaware. Yet in 2017 as Foreign Secretary, he corrected Lavrov by saying there was no 'successful' interference but evidence of 'unsuccessful'. Can the PM tell us what evidence he has seen of unsuccessful interference? Given his Defence Sec's statement that info is powerful like a tank, why turn a blind eye to Russian disruption?

Answer from Boris Johnson

I repeat what I told the hon. Lady: no evidence has been seen by me of successful Russian interference in any UK election event.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific evidence of unsuccessful interference and explanation for ignoring credible reports were not provided

How: Repeating A Previous Statement

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Q13 Gareth Bacon Con Orpington
Housing Energy
Context

The Government is providing financial assistance to help UK residents with their energy bills.

Question

I welcome the steps taken by the government to assist families in Orpington with their energy costs. The majority receive at least £350 of support via various measures. Can you confirm that those not eligible for council tax rebates will still get additional support through discretionary funding set aside for local authorities?

Answer from Boris Johnson

Yes, my hon. Friend is correct. People in Orpington and elsewhere will receive support if they do not qualify for the council tax rebate thanks to a £144 million fund.

Answered
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Q14 Kerry McCarthy Lab Bristol East
Economy Benefits & Welfare
Context

The country is facing a cost of living crisis, making it difficult for constituents to afford basic necessities.

Question

How does the PM think it looks when our struggling constituents cannot buy food or clothing while his Cabinet members are demanding luxury items like foie gras and fur?

Answer from Boris Johnson

We are tackling the cost of living crisis, which is caused by global inflation with everything we can. Lifting the living wage, helping those on universal credit and getting millions back into work are key steps.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details about addressing food poverty or luxury demands of Cabinet members were not provided

How: General Statement

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Q15 Saqib Bhatti Con Meriden and Solihull East
Employment Business & Trade
Context

The Woodlands Campus of Solihull College trains apprentices in various industries, and Flybe chose Birmingham Airport as its headquarters.

Question

Last month I hosted a careers fair at the Woodlands campus where talented apprentices were trained. Will the PM visit Solihull College to meet these apprentices and then also visit Birmingham Airport to see aviation industry recovery from the pandemic?

Answer from Boris Johnson

I am thrilled to visit my hon. Friend in Meriden at any time.

Answered
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Q16 Nickie Aiken
Transport
Context

A meeting took place discussing the Pedicabs (London) Bill, which faces opposition.

Question

After a meeting with operators, TfL and DfT, my hon. Friend will object to my Pedicabs (London) Bill this Friday. Does the PM agree we should legislate for safe pedicab use? Will he work with me to regulate them properly?

Answer from Boris Johnson

When Mayor of London I always yearned for this legislative change. We will give parliamentary time to make it possible as a boon for cyclists and taxi drivers.

Answered
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Q17 Ian Byrne Lab Liverpool West Derby
Education Economy Benefits & Welfare
Context

There is a food poverty crisis, with more food banks than McDonald's in the UK.

Question

We have a humanitarian crisis of food poverty and people are starving or freezing due to high costs. In 2015, the Government signed up to ending hunger via sustainable development goals. Can you tell me who is responsible for delivering this goal domestically and can I see the plan?

Answer from Boris Johnson

The whole of Government is engaged in this campaign. We have expanded free school meals, boosted Healthy Start vouchers, and run a £200m holiday food programme fund.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific Department or plan was named for ending domestic hunger

How: General Statement

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Q18 Miriam Cates
Employment Energy Business & Trade
Context

Liberty Steel faces financial uncertainty following the collapse of Greensill Capital, threatening jobs.

Question

Liberty Speciality Steels is important for high-quality steel and job generation. After Greensill's collapse, it faced financial uncertainty. Does my right hon Friend agree steel sits at heart of levelling-up agenda? Will he commit to supporting Liberty Steel as effectively as Sheffield Forgemasters and British Steel?

Answer from Boris Johnson

Steel is strategically important for our country. We will help with cheaper, low-carbon energy and have provided £600m since 2013 to help costs.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No commitment on all options being considered or concrete support plans

How: General Statement

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Q19 Barbara Keeley Lab
Care & Healthcare Workers Benefits & Welfare
Context

Carers' allowance is increasing by only £2 to £69 a week, insufficient given rising food and energy costs. The allowance will be less than the cost of a single lateral flow test.

Question

Unpaid family carers are treated appallingly by this Government. While food and energy costs skyrocket, carer's allowance is increasing in April by only £2 to a miserly £69 a week. That insulting amount will be more than swallowed up by the £2.50 cost of a single lateral flow test so that carers can keep the person they care for safe. How can the Prime Minister justify this tax on caring?

Answer from Boris Johnson

The whole House understands the pressures on carers and the immense amount that they contribute to our society. We are doing our best to support people throughout our country. We cannot indefinitely support universal free testing. The carers allowance is being uprated, and of course carers are also entitled to increases in universal credit.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific justification for the increase or address it as a 'tax on caring'

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Q20 Andrew Jones Con
NHS
Context

The NHS needs to review the system for identifying immunosuppressed individuals, such as those with blood cancers, and ensure testing, antiviral drugs, and boosters are readily available.

Question

Can I follow up my right hon. Friend's statement on removing the covid restrictions? Will he ensure that the NHS reviews the system for identifying the most vulnerable, including those with blood cancers, and will he then ensure that the relevant testing and antiviral drugs will be readily available, alongside boosters, for the immunosuppressed but also for their carers?

Answer from Boris Johnson

The current system identifies around 1.3 million immunosuppressed individuals. Yes, they will have access not only to testing but also to vaccines, boosters, and priority access for new therapeutics and antivirals.

Answered
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Q21 Sam Tarry
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

A young footballer, Kamran Khalid, was murdered in Samina's home after being stabbed 24 times. One of the perpetrators is as young as 15.

Question

Last October, a promising young footballer in my constituency called Kamran Khalid, a former winner of Chelsea FC's Asian Star scheme who had played for Senrab FC in Wanstead, was on his way home to see his mum after finishing at the gym, and he was stabbed 24 times—murdered just yards from his front door. One of the alleged perpetrators was as young as 15. I hope that the Prime Minister would agree with me that far more needs to be done to stamp out the scourge of knife crime, including addressing the underlying causes. Will he agree to meet me and Kamran's mother Samina to discuss what more can be done to make our streets safer?

Answer from Boris Johnson

We must crack down on knife crime, put more police out on the streets, round up county lines drugs gangs, recruit many more police officers, and give them powers they need to come down hard on those gangs.

Answered
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Q22 Andy Carter
Transport
Context

The Government has committed £25 million for a new electric bus fleet in Warrington to improve public transport.

Question

The Government's commitment to £25 million for a new electric bus fleet in Warrington will have a transformational effect on public transport across Warrington. Does the Prime Minister agree that the right way to spend that £25 million is by buying British-made buses, supporting highly skilled manufacturing jobs right across the United Kingdom?

Answer from Boris Johnson

Warrington has secured £20 million for new zero-emission buses. We want to see more domestic production; 80% of buses in Britain's urban areas are already produced domestically.

Answered
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Q23 Margaret Hodge Lab
Ukraine Foreign Affairs
Context

There is confusion regarding whether sanctions against Duma members can be implemented through the new regime or existing rules. The Foreign Secretary stated that legislation for these sanctions will take weeks to be legally watertight.

Question

Yesterday the Prime Minister told me that we can sanction Duma members through the Government's new sanctions package. However, this morning the Foreign Secretary said that the legislation for sanctions against Duma members will take weeks to be made legally watertight. So, Prime Minister, who is right? How can we say that we are standing strong against Russian aggression when our sanctions response is such a muddle and mess?

Answer from Boris Johnson

We have put forward the biggest package of sanctions against Russia that this country has ever introduced, targeting Duma Members and people who voted for secession in Donetsk and Luhansk. We are coming forward with even more sanctions to impact the entire Putin regime.

Not addressed: Did not address the confusion or confirm which method of sanctioning is correct

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Q24 Huw Merriman Con
Energy Environment
Context

Thousands of households in East Sussex have been without power for days. The situation has highlighted the need for utility companies to better prepare for such disruptions.

Question

This is day six for thousands of households across East Sussex who have no power and no water. As we become more and more reliant on electricity, we must become more resilient. Can I ask the Prime Minister to ensure that the utility companies work together, that water companies have to have generators in place so that the water does not fail when the power does, and that local resilience forums are fit for purpose and communicate with their local communities?

Answer from Boris Johnson

97% of those who lost power have now been reconnected. We are working with local authorities and electricity companies to reconnect households quickly and ensuring future resilience.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not explicitly address the specific ask about utility company coordination, water generators, or communication between forums

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Q25 Jamie Stone Lib Dem Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Scotland
Context

A Privy Counsellor, adviser to the Queen, and former First Minister of Scotland has been broadcasting his views on Russian television.

Question

Let us be clear about this: is it not an absolute disgrace that a Privy Counsellor, adviser to the Queen and former First Minister of Scotland sees fit to broadcast his half-baked world views week after week on Russian television?

Answer from Boris Johnson

The whole House assented to this question. It would have been more powerful if it had come from the leader of the Scottish National party.

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Q26 Daniel Kawczynski Con
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP notes that Shrewsbury has faced severe flooding from the River Severn for three consecutive years, affecting residents significantly. The MP chairs a caucus representing 44 Conservative MPs with constituencies along the River Severn.

Question

I chair the caucus of 44 Conservative MPs who have the River Severn flowing through their constituencies. Will my right hon Friend help me and our caucus to find a long-term solution to managing Britain's longest river? In the meantime, we have put forward four opportunities for flood defences in Shrewsbury. Can he take an interest in these as Shrewsbury cannot afford another year of flooding?

Answer from Boris Johnson

We are working hard to implement remedial measures for those affected by flooding along the River Severn, including investing £5.2 billion in national flood defences.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Prime Minister did not provide a specific commitment or timeline regarding long-term solutions or interest in Shrewsbury's proposed flood defence projects.

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Q27 Wayne David Lab
Ukraine Foreign Affairs
Context

The Times newspaper has published a critical article regarding the limited sanctions imposed by the UK government on Russia, following its aggression in Ukraine.

Question

If the Prime Minister will not listen to Members of this House, will he at least listen to The Times newspaper?

Answer from Boris Johnson

The PM dismisses criticism from The Times and asserts that the UK's package of sanctions is leading the world. He also criticises Labour MPs who claim NATO aggression in Ukraine, suggesting they should face disciplinary action.

Not addressed: Instead of addressing the question about considering The Times' criticism or strengthening sanctions, the PM changed the subject to criticising Labour MPs.

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