PMQs 2020-06-24

2020-06-24

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Direct Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
Starmer questioned the Prime Minister's assessment of the track, trace and isolate system.
Yesterday, the Government announced the next stage of easing lockdown restrictions. If that plan is to work—and we want it to work—we need an effective track, trace and isolate system. The Prime Minister promised a world-beating system by 1 June. However, only two thirds of people with covid-19 are being reached for contact details. This gap poses significant risks as it could lead to another surge in infections if not addressed.
On the contrary. I think that the right hon. and learned Gentleman has been stunned by the success of the test and trace operation. Contrary to his prognostications of gloom, it has got up and running much faster than the doubters expected. They are getting it done—Dido Harding and her team have recruited 25,000 people and so far they have identified and contacted 87,000 people who have voluntarily agreed to self-isolate to stop the disease spreading.
Assessment & feedback
The gap between those with positive tests and those entering the system
Brushing Aside Challenge
Response accuracy
Q2 Direct Answer
Keir Starmer Lab
Holborn and St Pancras
Context
The opposition criticizes the government's failure to develop a contact tracing app while praising the NHS test and trace programme.
Germany has had its app working since 15 June with 12 million downloads. The Health Secretary promised the app by mid-May, but it won't be ready until winter after spending £12 million. Other countries are ahead of us. When will we have a functional app?
No country has a working contact tracing app. The app is the icing on the cake and not essential; the NHS test and trace operation is up and running, improving, and indispensable for future success.
Assessment & feedback
The Prime Minister did not address when the UK will have a functional app.
Redirecting To Nhs Test And Trace Instead Of Contact Tracing App
Response accuracy
Q3 Direct Answer
Robbie Moore Con
Keighley
Context
The community of Keighley is suffering from drug gangs operating openly on the streets.
Can you update me on what progress has been made to deliver on our manifesto commitment to ensure that West Yorkshire police have the resources and personnel they need to tackle drug dealers?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right to point out the evil that is done by drug gangs around the whole country. County lines operations have spread across our country, and we must roll them up. That is why we are tackling them directly with every technological resource at our disposal, and that is why we are making sure that we invest in another 20,000 police officers going to Keighley and across the country as well.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q4 Direct Answer
Liz Saville-Roberts PC
Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Context
There are outbreaks of coronavirus in Welsh food factories.
Will the Prime Minister now commit to local furlough-like schemes for self-isolating workers to support them financially?
As I said in my statement yesterday, the coronavirus job retention scheme—the furlough scheme—as well as what we have done for self-employed people, which has also been considerable, and the expansion of universal credit have been massive commitments by our Government to the workforce of this country. We will continue to make those commitments and, as I said yesterday, if we have to move back—obviously we do not want to—to local lockdowns, or indeed a national lockdown, nobody should be penalised for doing the right thing.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q5 Direct Answer
Caroline Ansell Con
Eastbourne
Context
Eastbourne relies heavily on tourism and has been severely impacted by the pandemic.
May I ask my right hon. Friend to look at a reduction in VAT so that the hospitality sector can get back on its feet?
I will certainly look at all proposals that my hon. Friend makes on taxation. As she must know, they are a matter for the Chancellor and for the next Budget, although what we have already done is give business rates holidays—pushing back business rates right until the end of next year—and huge coronavirus loans, bounce-back loans and grants of £25,000 for every business.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q6 Direct Answer
Jessica Morden Lab
Caerphilly
Context
People with unpredictable terminal conditions are having difficulties accessing their full benefits.
When will the Government act on reviewing access to benefits for terminally ill people?
We have massively increased our spending on universal credit, but the hon. Lady raises an important point about access to benefits for terminally ill people, and I will undertake, if I may, Mr Speaker, to revert to her as soon as possible by writing.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q7 Direct Answer
Aaron Bell Lab
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Context
The town of Newcastle-under-Lyme is proud of its early-evening and night-time economy.
Can I ask him what the Government intend to do to support the hospitality sector?
I refer my hon. Friend to what I said to our hon. Friend the Member for Eastbourne (Caroline Ansell) just now. We will continue to support the hospitality sector in all the ways that I have described, but, of course, what could also happen is that people in Newcastle-under-Lyme could be encouraged to enjoy themselves sensibly, in a covid-secure way, and keep the purple flag flying above it.
Assessment & feedback
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Q8 Direct Answer
Philippa Whitford SNP
Central Ayrshire
Context
The aerospace sector is threatened by the pandemic.
Will the Prime Minister commit to protecting vital aerospace jobs and invest in a green aviation recovery?
The hon. Lady has an extremely important point. It is one that we are working on very intensively now in Government, so that we use the opportunity of this crisis to bounce forwards with new low-carbon technology that will continue to drive the UK's formidable aerospace industry.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q9 Direct Answer
Rob Butler Lab
Conservative
Context
Independent business owners in Aylesbury have received significant help from the Government during the coronavirus crisis, but many face potential job losses.
Many market traders and independent business owners appreciate the tremendous help they have received from the Government. However, many people will lose their jobs in the future. Will the Prime Minister ensure that Government Departments work together to provide necessary resources for learning new skills?
Yes, indeed. Investing in people's skills during economically difficult times is vital. The Government is investing through the £2.5 billion national skills fund and encouraging as many in-work placements as possible to get people live experience.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q10 Direct Answer
John Spellar Lab
Birmingham Sparkhill
Context
The rehabilitation of offenders is supported across the political spectrum, but issues with the Disclosure and Barring Service are preventing people from turning their lives around.
Prime Minister, the current operation of the DBS is an obstacle to rehabilitation. It is inefficient, unfair, and discriminatory. The Lammy report dealt with this issue two years ago; we do not need more inquiries but action. Can you break the logjam?
The right hon. Gentleman raises an important point about the DBS system, which is important for protecting children and young people. The Government is considering the Supreme Court's judgment and will set out its opinion in due course.
Assessment & feedback
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Q11 Direct Answer
Sammy Wilson DUP
Strangford
Context
The Prime Minister stated that Northern Ireland will remain a full part of the United Kingdom when leaving the EU, but there are concerns about border control posts.
The Prime Minister stated that Northern Ireland will still be part of the UK after Brexit. However, a letter received by the port of Larne indicates preparations for customs infrastructure. Can he explain how Northern Ireland can remain fully part of the UK if people coming from GB into NI have to pass through border control posts?
Absolutely categorically, there will be no new customs infrastructure because under the protocol, it is clear that Northern Ireland is part of the customs territory of the whole UK. We will join the whole UK in our independent trade policy and do free trade deals around the world.
Assessment & feedback
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Q12 Direct Answer
Stephen Crabb Con
Beckenham
Context
Many employers are speaking to their staff about potential redundancies as the furlough scheme unwinds, and many families will face a hard landing moving from furlough to benefits.
My right hon. Friend has done a huge amount already in supporting people during this crisis, but can he also consider ways to strengthen the safety net at this time while thinking about his going for growth strategy?
Thanking my right hon. Friend, and agreeing that there will be tough times ahead for people and families. We have massively increased universal credit to help British people through these challenging times.
Assessment & feedback
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Q13 Direct Answer
Emma Lewell-Buck Lab
South Shields
Context
A constituent of Emma Lewell-Buck's contracted COVID-19 in a care home but was denied hospital admission, leading to their death. The Health Secretary acknowledged responsibility for deaths in care homes.
My constituent Elizabeth Smurthwaite contracted coronavirus in her care home and was refused admission to hospital. This Government's policy of discharging patients with coronavirus into homes has led to over 16,000 deaths. Sadly, Elizabeth has since passed away. Last week, the Health Secretary said that he accepted responsibility for these deaths in our care homes. Does the Prime Minister?
Of course this Government accept responsibility, and I accept responsibility, for everything that has happened throughout this crisis, but I will say that what happened with the discharge of patients into care homes was all done according to clinical decisions, as the NHS has confirmed, and actually there was a 40% reduction between January and March in the number of people going from the NHS into care homes. Thankfully, we are now seeing a massive reduction, thanks to the efforts of care workers and our care home action programme, to get the numbers of deaths in care homes down to the levels we would expect to find this year.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy