Commons Sense

House of Commons · PMQs

PMQs

Wednesday 13 July 2022 · 16 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 7 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Prime Minister thanked for interest in Aberconwy and commitment to levelling up the UK.
  • Response to tax status inquiries focused on economic growth and job creation.
  • Government plans for increased police presence and hospital construction were discussed.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Robin Millar
NHS Economy
Context

The question follows discussions about the Prime Minister's visit to Aberconwy and the constituency's appreciation for government programmes like vaccines and furlough.

Question

I thank the Prime Minister for his personal interest in Aberconwy. He has heard from people their gratitude for the vaccine and furlough programmes. Will my right hon. Friend now support our plan to level up Aberconwy and provide almost £20 million of funding to invest in community and cultural programmes?

Answer from Boris Johnson

I thank my hon. Friend; we are committed to uniting and levelling up the UK. The second round of the levelling up fund announcements will be coming this autumn.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The amount (£20 million) and specifics about community and cultural programmes were not addressed

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Q2 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
Economy Taxation
Context

The question arises from comments on the new Cabinet members, their qualifications, and the Prime Minister's past actions. The focus is on tax avoidance schemes.

Question

Does he agree that it is time to scrap the absurd non-dom status that allows the super-rich to dodge tax in this country?

Answer from Boris Johnson

From tomorrow £326 is arriving in the bank accounts of 8 million vulnerable people due to our strong economy. Growth in May was at 0.5%, and 620,000 more people are in payroll employment than before the pandemic.

Not addressed: The question about non-dom status was not addressed

How: Changed Subject To Economic Growth

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Q3 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
Taxation
Context

The question follows from previous discussions on the Prime Minister's future prospects and his current caution. It focuses on offshore tax avoidance.

Question

Does he agree that offshore schemes can pose a risk because some people use them to avoid tax that they owe here?

Answer from Boris Johnson

I am proud of the investment this country attracts from around the world. We have had £12 billion of tech investment alone over the last couple of months.

Not addressed: The question about offshore schemes was not addressed

How: Changed Subject To Foreign Investment

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Q4 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
Taxation Standards & Ethics
Context

The question follows previous discussions on the Prime Minister's comments about revenge. It focuses on tax avoidance rules.

Question

Does he agree that anyone running to be Prime Minister should declare where they and their family have been domiciled for tax purposes, and whether they have ever been a beneficiary of an offshore tax scheme?

Answer from Boris Johnson

To the best of my knowledge, everybody in this Parliament pays their full whack of tax. The Opposition are very happy to see people languish on benefits while we believe in getting people into good jobs.

Not addressed: The question about tax avoidance disclosure was not addressed

How: Changed Subject To Job Creation

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Q5 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
Policing & Resources
Context

The question follows discussions on the candidates' promises, including £330 billion in giveaways. It focuses on funding sources.

Question

Does the Prime Minister agree that rather than desperately rewriting history, they should at least explain exactly where they are getting all this cash from?

Answer from Boris Johnson

All commitments I have heard are clear. Whoever is elected will continue to put more police out on the street, build 40 new hospitals, and there are already 13,576 more police.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question about funding sources was not directly addressed

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Q6 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
NHS
Context

No specific background provided, the question is a direct critique of government policy on NHS funding and staffing.

Question

Totally deluded to the bitter end. The party that voted against £39 billion necessary for 50,000 nurses and hospital infrastructure does not have a leg to stand on.

Answer from Boris Johnson

This is really pitiful stuff from the party that voted against the £39 billion, which is necessary to pay for those 50,000 nurses—who we are recruiting and will recruit by 2024—and which is necessary to pay for those hospitals, those doctors, those scans and that treatment. Labour Members do not have a leg to stand on.

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Q7 Keir Starmer Lab Holborn and St Pancras
Economy
Context

Question prompted by Rishi Sunak's resignation citing poor economic management. The Prime Minister is accused of not conducting government properly, competently or seriously.

Question

The former Chancellor claimed the Prime Minister cannot tell the public the truth about the economy. Can the Prime Minister think of any jobs that his former Chancellor may have had that mean he bears some responsibility for an economy that he now claims is broken?

Answer from Boris Johnson

I think everybody who has played a part in the last three years has done a remarkable job in helping this country through very difficult times. I just want to say to the right hon. and learned Gentleman that the next leader of my party may be elected by acclamation, so it is possible that this will be our last confrontation over this Dispatch Box.

Not addressed: The question about economic responsibility was not addressed; instead, Johnson discussed future confrontations.

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Q8 Alberto Costa Con South Leicestershire
Justice & Courts
Context

Colin Pitchfork, a convicted child rapist and murderer, was granted parole despite opposition. He has another hearing in September.

Question

The Prime Minister assured me he would do everything in his power to deal with the situation of Colin Pitchfork being released on parole despite enormous opposition. Will he confirm before he leaves office that his Government will make all necessary submissions lawfully to ensure this dangerous man stays behind bars?

Answer from Boris Johnson

I thank my hon. Friend for his campaign. The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice will submit views on the Pitchfork case to the Parole Board before the hearing. A review of the parole system is under way, including plans for greater ministerial oversight.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question asked for a specific confirmation which was not provided; instead, general measures were mentioned.

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Q9 Ian Blackford SNP
Scotland
Context

Discussion on the current Tory leadership contest, its implications for Scotland, and concerns over extreme Brexit policies.

Question

The Tory leadership contest is descending into a race to the right. Will the Prime Minister endorse any of these candidates who pledge extreme policies, or does he fear whoever wins will make Genghis Khan look like a moderate?

Answer from Boris Johnson

I feel a twinge that this may be the last time I answer a question from the right hon. Gentleman. The next leader will ensure working with the Scottish Government to protect and secure our Union. My view is we are much better together.

Not addressed: The question about endorsing candidates was not addressed; instead, future leadership and union were discussed.

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Q10 Ian Blackford SNP
Economy Energy
Context

Scottish constituents are facing economic challenges due to high energy costs and cost-of-living issues, exacerbated by potential future increases.

Question

The energy price cap could rise by 65% in October to £3,244 a year. Many families cannot afford food or heating. Does the Prime Minister understand that people in Scotland want rid of Westminster?

Answer from Boris Johnson

The Government is cutting taxes for working people and low-income households. We used fiscal firepower to deliver the furlough scheme, supporting the whole country through massive transfers.

Not addressed: The PM did not address the cost of living crisis or energy price cap increases in Scotland specifically

How: Changed Subject, General Statements

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Q11 Mary Robinson Con
Economy Transport
Context

The Cheadle towns fund bid secured almost £14 million, with a new railway station and £4 million for an eco-business park. The community is eager to see improvements in connectivity.

Question

After securing funds for Cheadle's rail station and business park, will the PM agree that improving connectivity is key to economic growth?

Answer from Boris Johnson

The Government's levelling up agenda includes £650 billion investment, with a new railway station in Cheadle. Department for Transport is studying further bids from my hon. Friend.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not explicitly join the MP in thanking the board or agree on connectivity's importance

How: General Statements

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Q12 Stephen Farry
Northern Ireland
Context

Only 5% of people trust the UK government, citing issues such as power sharing collapse, Good Friday agreement undermining, and an unwanted protocol Bill.

Question

With Northern Ireland facing numerous challenges, will the PM apologize for his legacy there?

Answer from Boris Johnson

A Bill to fix the problem of the protocol is being prepared. I accept that there is a problem and hope that the whole House will support it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not apologize for his legacy or directly address Northern Ireland issues

How: General Statements, Changed Subject

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Q13 Jacob Young
Brexit
Context

The questioner is addressing the PM for possibly the last time, expressing gratitude and optimism about the future as an independent nation.

Question

As this might be my last address to the PM, can I say how grateful we are for his support on Brexit? Is he as optimistic about our future?

Answer from Boris Johnson

I am even more optimistic. My anxiety is that there are people around the world who hope this will be the end of Brexit, but they are wrong.

Answered
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Q14 Martyn Day SNP
Scotland
Context

The questioner asks about the democratic process for member nations to withdraw from a voluntary union, specifically regarding Scotland's vote.

Question

If the UK is a voluntary union of equal nations, should the UK respect the mandate given by the people of Scotland to their government and Parliament?

Answer from Boris Johnson

The SNP should focus on educational standards in Scotland instead of asking for a repeat referendum, which was held in 2014.

Not addressed: Did not address the democratic process or mandate given to Scottish Government

How: Changed Subject

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Q15 Katherine Fletcher
Economy Local Government
Context

The Old Tram Bridge, an industrial heritage site crossing the Ribble, needs to be reopened for utility and pride in the area's history. The community is waiting on Preston City Council's decision.

Question

Does the PM share my hope that Preston City Council will include plans to reopen the historic bridge as part of its levelling-up fund bid?

Answer from Boris Johnson

I could not promise this bridge, but my hon. Friend has eight people to whom she can direct her request.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not confirm support for the specific levelling-up fund bid inclusion

How: General Statements

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Q16 Liz Saville-Roberts PC Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Benefits & Welfare Children & Families
Context

Child poverty has increased in every part of Wales over the past seven years due to cuts to public services and welfare policies. In Dwyfor Meirionnydd, 37% of children are now living in poverty.

Question

Diolch yn fawroedd, Lefarydd. Child poverty has increased in every part of Wales under Tory cuts to public services and malign welfare policies. In the communities I represent, 37% of children are now growing up in poverty. The Prime Minister has one last chance to make a real difference to those children's lives before he leaves office. Will he scrap the two-child limit and reinstate the £20 uplift for all families entitled to welfare?

Answer from Boris Johnson

Of course the Labour Government in Wales is responsible for schools, but what we have been doing is not only increasing the living wage by £1,000 and providing the £37 billion-worth of financial support that I mentioned, but helping councils with a £1.5 billion household support fund to get families such as those the right hon. Lady mentions through the tough times. We will come out very strongly the other side.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question asked about scrapping the two-child limit and reinstating a £20 welfare uplift, but no commitment to these specific measures was made

How: Changed Subject

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