PMQs

Question

I associate myself with the Prime Minister's remarks welcoming the fall of Assad, and with his hope for the Syrian people. Since Middlesbrough council has returned to Labour control under Mayor Chris Cooke, it is no longer subject to Government intervention in its children's services or to a best value notice—and it is on track to become financially stable. I know that the Prime Minister will want to join me in congratulating Mayor Cooke and the council on their recent successes. Can he confirm that the spending review will not simply end 14 years of Conservative austerity, but will unwind it, and provide the resources that councils need to properly serve our communities?

Question

Last week, the Prime Minister did not seem to want to talk about appointing fraudsters to his Cabinet. In fact, he seemed to want to talk about immigration, so let us talk about immigration. He has relaunched yet again, with many new targets, six milestones and five missions, but why was cutting immigration not a priority?

Question

The Prime Minister talks about open borders, but he was the one campaigning for free movement. I was, in this House, asking for a lift in skilled migration; he was supporting all the people who should not have been in this country. He wanted us to relax immigration, but as he is so keen to talk about the past, let us look at his record. Four years ago, the Prime Minister signed a letter demanding that foreign criminals be allowed to stay in Britain. Dozens of Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs repeatedly signed these letters, insisting that rapists and murderers be allowed to stay here. One of those criminals, Ernesto Elliott, had 17 convictions, including for knife crime. After his deportation was blocked, Elliott went on to murder someone. He was able to stay here and murder because people like this man campaigned against deporting criminals. Will he apologise for signing these letters?

Question

That is a ludicrous assertion. The Prime Minister is the one who was repeatedly signing those letters. He even asked us to pause all deportations. He does not want to talk about his past, but that letter is just the tip of the iceberg; there is more. The Prime Minister actually complained that the immigration system was working to 'deter migrants rather than provide support.' He said that he was 'proud to have served as Jeremy's Shadow Immigration Minister'. He boasted that he 'took the last Labour Government to court for cutting benefits for asylum seekers' and said that he would never take a target-based approach to immigration. If he wants to talk about immigration, let us talk about his record; we can talk about it all day. The Prime Minister says that he wants to talk about immigration. I have committed to a cap on migration—why won't he?

Question

The Prime Minister says that he wants to smash the gangs; the only thing he has smashed is his own reputation. What he has been agreeing is not going to do anything. The cost of the Iraq agreement is half a million pounds. That would not even buy a house in his constituency. Many of the things that he is taking credit for are our agreements. Let us talk about what he put in his manifesto. The Prime Minister promised to end asylum hotels. He promised, and he is Prime Minister now. But in Altrincham and Peterborough, his Government are expanding the use of asylum hotels, because he unilaterally disarmed the deterrent. In fact, a man who arrived by small boat told Sky News he was “happy” Labour was in power. That man said the Conservatives 'wanted to deport us' but Labour is 'making the procedure easier for us'. He is right, isn't he?

Question

Because the numbers are going up, under his watch. The Prime Minister has consistently backed criminals over law-abiding British people. He defended terrorists like Hizb ut-Tahrir in the European Court. He argued that “all immigration law” had a “racist undercurrent”. He voted against life sentences for people smugglers. He voted against more than 100 measures to control migration. He even said it was wrong when the Conservatives took away Shamima Begum's citizenship. Now he has appointed her defence lawyer as his Attorney General. Events in Syria mean that we may see more small boat arrivals. For once, will he take the side of the British people, and strip citizenship from jihadi terrorists and supporters of Assad who want to come back and destroy this country?

Question

In the last couple of months since I spoke to the Prime Minister here about the need for social and industrial investment in Cornwall, we have had a fresh tranche of shared prosperity funding, a huge boost to international interest in our cleanest energy industries, and a road map to greater political autonomy that reflects Cornwall's unique national identity. Will the PM join his Minister on that visit in the spring to meet representatives of those industries at first hand, and spell out a roadmap for Cornwall, to help Britain become a clean energy superpower?

Question

While Syrians are rejoicing at the overthrow of the brutal Assad regime, many people there and around the world are worried about what comes next, as indeed the Prime Minister said, with threats of extremism, ISIS terrorism and unsecured chemical weapons. Only an open political process can bring peace and stability, but that will require the full backing of the international community. Does the Prime Minister share my concern that President-elect Trump said about Syria: 'The United States should have nothing to do with it'? If America steps away, will the Prime Minister step up and work with other allies to provide British leadership over Syria?

Question

I thank the Prime Minister for that reply and hope that we can continue to work on a cross-party basis regarding Britain's role in securing peace and stability in the middle east. Moving on to another subject, British farmers are the best in the world, and that is because of our tradition of family farms, where from generation to generation a commitment to high-quality food, to our precious environment and to animal welfare is passed down. But family farms were let down badly by the last Conservative Government, with their botched transition to new payment schemes and their unfair trade deals with Australia and New Zealand, which have undercut British farmers. Now, many family farms feel that this Government's Budget will be the final blow. Will the Prime Minister change course and recognise the vital role that British family farms play?

Question

Places of worship are vitally important not just for practising one's faith, but for local heritage. The Government's listed places of worship grant scheme currently provides much-needed tax relief for religious buildings in need of renovation, but it is scheduled to end next year. What assurances can the Prime Minister provide my constituents that the Government will continue to support restoring our much-cherished places of worship, such as Holy Trinity church in Horwich?

Question

My neighbours Omar and Delal Al Shaqaqi received tragic news about their family members killed in Gaza. None of us can end this nightmare but we can do more. When will Israel be held to the same standards as Russia, with sanctions for genocide? Will the Government confirm further sanctions on Israel, recognise Palestine, and offer hope to Gazans?

Question

My constituents are experiencing a housing emergency due to lack of homes and poor conditions. The Scottish Government have the powers and funding but what excuses do they now have? Will the Prime Minister agree that repairing this situation is urgent?

Question

Residents have been promised a new health facility for over 20 years, with recent confirmation of funding availability. What reassurances can the Prime Minister give that this is not another hollow promise and that approval will be swift?

Question

St Catherine's hospice has recently made redundancies due to years of real-terms cuts. Will the Prime Minister thank St Catherine's for its work and outline how the Government will support palliative care moving forward?

Question

Mr Speaker, 'losing a farm is not like losing any other business—it can't come back.' Can the Prime Minister understand why farmers now think his Administration is duplicitous?

Question

Fourteen years of Conservative party gutting local government has left councils making impossible choices. My constituents are shocked by the proposed closure of cultural facilities. Will the Prime Minister ask the Culture Minister for a meeting to see what can be done to save our museum and theatre?

Question

These last months have shown that cruel Westminster Governments of whichever party continue to target the weakest in society while the Scottish Government will continue to protect them. Given that support for Labour is plummeting and support for Scottish independence is once again leading in the polls, who does the Prime Minister believe makes the best decisions for Scotland?

Question

What assurances can the Prime Minister give my constituents that the flood defences that the Conservatives promised but failed to deliver will be completed under this Government?

Question

Will the Prime Minister recognise the urgency of the situation and commit to spending at least 2.5% of GDP on defence without further delay?

Question

Will my right hon. and learned Friend join me in recognising the work of Mark Somerville, who set up the Mark Somerville Foundation to raise awareness of MND, and commit the Government to doing all they possibly can to support efforts to find a cure for this devastating disease?

Question

Did the Prime Minister demand that Ryan Cornelius be freed when he went to the United Arab Emirates, given that the United Nations concluded that his detention was arbitrary and in violation of international law? Will he make Magnitsky sanctions deliverable on those responsible for this after his release?

Question

Does the Prime Minister agree that in light of the sudden departure of the CEO, Stellantis should review its decision to threaten more than 1,000 jobs in Luton? Will he ensure dedicated support for workers and families at this uncertain time?

Question

Will the Prime Minister join me in wishing Ben and Henry the best of luck on their journey, and will he take this opportunity to scrap the NI rise for hospices?

Question

For retail workers in Bolton North East, the busy Christmas season is overshadowed by shoplifting which triggers abuse, threats and assaults. What more can the Government do to tackle shoplifting and support retail workers and businesses during the critical holiday season?

Question

Millions of pounds were awarded to remote train stations like Hedge End and Swanwick under the Access for All scheme, but this was scrapped in the first two weeks by the new Government. Will the Prime Minister give my constituents and stations across the country their money back?

Question

My market town Kirkby Lonsdale suffered a devastating fire this past weekend, leading to the closure of the town centre and impacting many local businesses. How can the Government support communities like mine in rebuilding and recovering from such tragedies?

Question

My constituent contacted me regarding an inability to get an ambulance for a critically ill patient because all ambulances were outside Hereford A&E waiting to unload their patients. Meanwhile, medically fit patients cannot be discharged due to the social care crisis. What is being done to fix social care and improve patient flow through hospitals?