PMQs

Answer from Rishi Sunak (Prime Minister)

I send my warmest wishes to my hon. Friend and his father. I recognise the importance of timely dementia diagnosis for care support. NHS England is conducting a pilot project to improve dementia diagnosis in care homes, and our major conditions strategy includes a focus on dementia. We are doubling funding for dementia research.

Answer from Rishi Sunak (Prime Minister)

In spite of opposition efforts, we have reduced illegal immigration by over a third last year and removed more than 20,000 individuals from the UK. We carried out 70% more illegal immigration enforcement raids, arrested hundreds, closed thousands of bank accounts, processed 100,000 cases—the biggest number in over two decades.

Answer from Rishi Sunak (Prime Minister)

We have actually identified and removed over 20,000 people from this country back to their home countries. The right hon. and learned Gentleman asks about the detail of those things but we all know he does not care solving the problem.

Answer from Rishi Sunak (Prime Minister)

We have increased illegal immigration enforcement raids by 70%, leading to thousands of arrests. We closed down thousands of bank accounts for illegal workers—powers that were blocked in this House.

Answer from Rishi Sunak (Prime Minister)

I have conviction in our plan because it is important to grip this problem. The right hon. and learned Gentleman should listen to lawyers who say our Bill limits removal grounds effectively.

Answer from Rishi Sunak

Inflation halved from 11% to 4%, real wages rising for fifth month in a row, rates falling, tax cut worth £450. Stick with plan delivering brighter future.

Answer from Rishi Sunak

Ministry of Justice considering issue, including legislation, and will keep House updated on progress.

Answer from Rishi Sunak

SNP making Scotland highest taxed part of UK, average worker in Scotland paying more tax than England.

Answer from Rishi Sunak

Stopping boats is important as illegal migration is not fair. Gangs exploit people and many lose lives, so we must break gangs and stop boats.

Answer from Rishi Sunak

Thanking NHS staff for life-saving work, backing them with record resources and doctors to ambulance service. Grateful for their work.

Answer from Rishi Sunak

Of course we want to see a peaceful resolution to this conflict as soon as possible. A sustainable permanent ceasefire with an end to the destruction, fighting and loss of life, the release of hostages and no resumption of hostilities would of course be the best way forward, but in order to achieve that a number of things need to happen: Hamas would have to agree to release all the hostages; Hamas would have to no longer be in charge of Gaza; the threat of more rocket attacks from Hamas into Israel would have to end; and the Palestinian Authority, boosted with assistance, would need to return to Gaza in order to provide governance and aid.

Answer from Rishi Sunak

Thanks to my hon. Friend's fantastic campaigning on behalf of his constituents, City of Doncaster Council has received more than £80 million in levelling-up funding to support its regeneration projects and most recently Doncaster has been awarded £20 million in our long-term plan for towns over the next 10 years, which I know he is working very hard to make sure is prioritised for local people. I will be delighted to discuss both projects and his other ideas when I come and visit him as soon as my diary allows.

Answer from Rishi Sunak

I set up the community ownership fund when I was Chancellor and it is doing fantastic work funding hundreds of projects across the country, including, I believe, one in the hon. Lady's constituency—the back on the map scheme. It is there to support local communities, take over assets—whether pubs, village halls or other community assets—and is doing a fantastic job. It is right that there is a competitive process because we want to make sure the money is deployed in the areas where it can make the most difference.

Answer from Rishi Sunak

I agree with my hon. Friend that the performance on Chiltern has not been good enough in recent times. I know that Chiltern has recently begun engagement with the rolling-stock leasing market, which will help reduce overcrowding, but also, together with DfT, it is looking at providing additional capacity at peak times. I know that the rail Minister my hon. Friend the Member for Bexhill and Battle (Huw Merriman) will ensure that these plans continue to progress and keep my hon. Friend the Member for Buckingham (Greg Smith) updated.

Answer from Rishi Sunak

It is not that there is anything wrong with it; it is just that it is not the United Kingdom. And I have to point out to the hon. Gentleman that deterrence works: we know that it works because our scheme with Albania has ensured a 90% reduction in arrivals from that country.

Answer from Rishi Sunak

As my right hon. Friend will know, planning applications for new infrastructure are managed independently, so I cannot comment on specific cases, but I agree with her that it is important to listen to the views of local communities, such as those she represents across Suffolk and East Anglia. I know that the Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, my hon. Friend the Member for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine (Andrew Bowie) was visiting her area recently to mark the commencement of the project at Sizewell C, and I can assure her that relevant Ministers will continue to pay close attention to her concerns.

Answer from Rishi Sunak

I am acutely aware of the strength of feeling on this issue and the suffering of all those impacted by this dreadful scandal. Interim payments have been made in some cases, and we are absolutely committed to responding to the final report as quickly as possible following its publication.

Answer from Rishi Sunak

It is perhaps not quite on my way to Doncaster, but I will bear it in mind. I join my hon. Friend in paying tribute to Bromley Council and all the officers involved in providing an incredibly important service in their local community and looking after some of the most vulnerable children in our society.

Answer from Rishi Sunak

Old Oak Common is destined to be one of the foremost stations in the country because of the extra connectivity it will have across London and as the initial terminus for HS2 trains. We are working with the private sector, as we have in other developments in London, to raise private money, save the taxpayer money and deliver the connection to Euston as planned.

Answer from Rishi Sunak

I thank my hon. Friend for raising this matter. I know that the whole House will want to convey its sympathies to Jessica's family. We are committed to our women's health strategy, and I am grateful for her support and advice so that we can ensure it delivers the care that we want it to across the country.

Answer from Rishi Sunak

As I said last week, in our party candidate selection is done locally.

Answer from Rishi Sunak

I thank my hon. Friend for the question. He is absolutely right: the use of hotels is unfair on local communities and costs taxpayers £8 million a day. Our plans to reduce the number of people coming have meant that we can close the first 50 hotels across the country, with more to follow.

Answer from Rishi Sunak

I am sorry to hear about the situation in the hon. Lady's constituency. The Health Secretary heard what she said and is in touch with the relevant drug bodies to ensure that we can have the provision of ADHD medicine for all those who need it.

Answer from Rishi Sunak

I am sorry to hear about my hon. Friend's case. I will ensure that the Government look into the details and get back to him in the shortest order about how we can support him and his constituents.