PMQs

Question

I have helped to reopen Tunstall Town Hall with a new library and family hub; secured funding for additional CCTV, new alley gates and better lighting in Tunstall to ensure that our streets are safe; and helped breathe new life into Tunstall's old library and baths, thanks to this Government's levelling-up fund of £56 million to Stoke-on-Trent. Sadly, Labour-led Stoke-on-Trent City Council seeks to undermine that progress by introducing a brand new tax on residents for garden waste collection, refusing to take planning enforcement against rogue landlords who plague Tunstall High Street, and increasing crime and antisocial behaviour by dumping undesirable people in the centre of Tunstall. Does the Deputy Prime Minister agree that Stoke-on-Trent Labour is undermining this progress?

Question

Natalie from Brighton has been served with two no-fault eviction notices in 18 months. She joins nearly a million families at risk of homelessness due to the Deputy Prime Minister's failure to ban this cruel practice. Instead of obsessing over my house, when will he get a grip and show the same obsession with ending no-fault evictions?

Question

This week, the Housing Minister said that there is no solid date for banning no-fault evictions. The Secretary of State says it will not happen before an election. If the Deputy Prime Minister can give us a date, will he name it now?

Question

The Deputy Prime Minister's proposed ban on new leaseholds applies only to houses but the majority of leaseholds are in flats. What is the point of a ban if it does not apply to flats?

Question

Once again, he has not read his own Bill. Their ban on leasehold will not apply to the majority of people. It is like banning non-doms but exempting Tory Prime Ministers. Families are trapped in temporary accommodation and stuck on waiting lists. The Conservative Mayor of Birmingham has used a multi-million pound housing budget to build just 46 social homes in eight years, which is almost as many as in the Chancellor's property portfolio.

Question

People in glass houses should not throw stones; councils across the country face significant funding issues. More than 16,000 families could lose their homes due to Tory policies and mortgage bills are increasing. Will he apologise for these impacts?

Question

We agree on defence at 2.5%, but we did not cut the Army to its smallest size since Napoleon's time. The Tories have failed renters, leaseholders and mortgage holders after 14 years in power. Will he call an election as urged by his neighbour?

Question

In the Calder Valley, £196.5 million is allocated for hospital reconfiguration, flood defences, 11 new schools, town centre regeneration and a new railway station. Does my right hon. Friend agree this shows success in levelling up?

Question

Two years ago, when mass graves were found in Ukraine, the House condemned them as evidence of war crimes Russia must answer for. Now, two mass graves have been found in Gaza after hospital bombings. Do these constitute war crimes?

Question

300 bodies, including the elderly and injured with hands tied behind backs, were found outside bombed hospitals in Gaza. Given all this, why hasn't the Prime Minister halted arms sales?

Question

People of Lincoln want their beloved Christmas market back after it was unjustly shut down by the Labour council last year. What message does he send to voters?

Question

I am concerned about unpaid carers who are facing hounding from the DWP and huge fines for minor infringements of carer's allowance earning rules. Yesterday, a dementia adviser resigned over the Government's treatment of these carers. Will you apologise to all unpaid carers failed by your Government and commit to a full review of the system?

Question

My island constituency of Ynys Môn needs a third crossing to improve access and support economic development through the Anglesey freeport and new nuclear projects at Wylfa. However, the Welsh Labour Government scrapped all new road projects including our third bridge. Will you use your influence to ensure that north Wales is not ignored by Cardiff and gets its third bridge?

Question

In the week marking 31 years since Stephen Lawrence's murder, I am concerned about the candidate's views on Islamophobia and crime. Does the Deputy Prime Minister really endorse these views?

Question

On 12 May, we will see the first ever national fishing remembrance day. Will the Deputy Prime Minister remember those who have died bringing food to our tables and ask the Prime Minister to do so?

Question

Lord Houchen has gifted 40% of the Teesworks project worth £500 million to two local business mates in a deal that the Boro chairman describes as unforgiveable. Will the Government admit Lord Houchen and the Conservatives have sold Teesside taxpayers down the river?

Question

The theft from Boots on Station Road involved two threatening individuals who robbed thousands of pounds within eight minutes. This is not petty crime but a threat of violence and massive robbery that should be a priority for the police. Will you say to the Home Secretary, and through him to the police, that this needs effective policing that gets criminals off the streets?

Question

Who does he think caused the instability?

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Does my right hon. Friend agree with me that only Mayor Andy Street has a plan and a track record to be trusted to deliver for the West Midlands?

Question

So who does the Deputy Prime Minister blame for that?

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Would the Deputy Prime Minister agree that voting for Conservative candidates in upcoming elections will ensure local voters are heard, local democracy is upheld and better services are delivered?

Question

With thousands of steelworkers' jobs on the line, the likelihood of industrial action and reports of a deal for India to be exempt from carbon taxes, will this Government now back the detailed, serious and robust multi-union proposal as the only way to keep primary steel making in the UK?

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However, would my right hon. Friend do what he can to ensure that some of that increased money is spent on additional recruitment—including, if necessary, increasing wages sufficiently—to ensure that the Navy can manage ships, the Air Force can maintain its aircraft and the Army can dominate ground?

Question

My constituent Lisa cares for her mother. She works part-time at WHSmith and was sure to keep the Department for Work and Pensions informed so that she would not be overpaid carer's allowance. However, because of a DWP blunder, she now faces a bill for £4,000. The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology cares for her career. She works part-time as a woke detector. However, when she blundered, calling a top scientist a Hamas supporter, the bill—tens of thousands of pounds in costs and damages—was picked up by taxpayers like Lisa. Why?

Question

May I urge my right hon. Friend to use his good offices across Government to ensure that we secure a multi-year settlement for the continuance of the holiday activities and food fund?

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Will the Government consider a cross-sector summit with the aim of helping communities to secure the resources to deliver food security programmes at the necessary scale?

Question

Will the reduction in capital gains tax from 28% to 24% on residential properties apply retrospectively?

Question

Will the Deputy Prime Minister commit to finally ending this gay tax for same-sex couples who want to start a family?