Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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The Health Secretary acknowledged an outbreak of COVID-19 in parts of Leicester on June 18, but restrictions were only introduced eleven days later.
Keir Starmer supports the Government's decision made on Monday regarding Leicester but points out that 4,000 businesses and 160 schools are now shut due to this delay. He raises concerns about data availability for local authorities, highlighting that the local authority in Leicester had only pillar 1 test data until last Thursday, leading to a lack of accurate figures.
Boris Johnson states that both pillar 1 and pillar 2 data have been shared with all authorities, not just Leicester. He acknowledges particular difficulties in implementing advice in Leicester but affirms the Government's commitment to protect public health moving forward.
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The Prime Minister did not directly address why there was a delay in sharing accurate data with the local authority.
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Q2
Direct Answer
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Keir Starmer criticizes the Prime Minister's lack of contact tracing efforts in addressing the growing number of uncontacted individuals with COVID-19.
If the Prime Minister cannot see that three quarters of those with covid-19 are not being contacted and asked for their own contacts, that is a real gap in the system. He cannot just brush it away by referencing those that are contacted. It is a real problem and it is growing; it is going to have to be addressed. The Prime Minister did this at phase 1, brushing away serious concerns. I want to turn to the Prime Minister's speech yesterday, if I may. Amid the normal bluster, there was a really striking line in that speech. The Prime Minister said: “We…know the jobs that many people had in January are…not coming back”. I fear that this is the equivalent of the line in the Prime Minister's speech of 12 March when he said: “I must level with you…Many more families are going to lose loved ones before their time.” We know what happened next. That is why there needs to be a laser-like focus on protecting jobs, so how many jobs does the Prime Minister think yesterday's announcement will protect?
The right hon. and learned Gentleman might first pay tribute to the work of this Government in protecting 11 million jobs throughout this crisis. He might draw attention to the fact that we have supported huge sectors of the UK economy at a cost of £120 billion. I am not going to give a figure for the number of job losses that may or may not take place, but of course the risk is very serious, as he rightly says. That is why we are proceeding with the new deal, the fair deal for the British people, which will be not just massive investment in our national health service—£34 billion in our NHS—and £14 billion more into our schools but an investment in infrastructure going up to £100 billion. We are going to build, build, build and deliver jobs, jobs, jobs for the people of this country.
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Assessment & feedback
Keir Starmer's criticism about lack of contact tracing was not directly addressed.
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Q3
Direct Answer
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The theatres and cultural venues in London's West End are crucial for tourism and economic recovery.
My constituency sits at the heart of our great metropolis. Cities of London and Westminster is home to the west end, whose theatres and cultural venues attract visitors from across the globe and will help power our economic recovery. Does my right hon. Friend share my aspiration to see these venues open as soon as it is safe to do so?
Yes, the show must go on. I know the power of the theatres of London's west end and the entire cultural industry in London, not just as a magnet for our country, but for the sheer revenues they deliver. We want that to get going as fast as we possibly can, and we want life for theatres and theatregoers to get back to normal as fast as we possibly can, but to do that we have to defeat the disease.
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Q4
Direct Answer
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The Northern Ireland Protocol will involve checks and infrastructure which the business community is seeking detailed answers about.
Exactly six months from today, the Northern Ireland protocol will come into operation. The Government have recognised that it will involve checks and infrastructure with regard to regulation. Will he commit to providing clarity on how these processes will work in detail before the end of the summer?
It is very clear from the existing text of the protocol that Northern Ireland is, and remains, a part of the customs territory of the United Kingdom. There should be unfettered access between all parts of the UK, and that is what we are going to ensure.
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Q5
Direct Answer
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China has passed a new national security law for Hong Kong.
What message might the Prime Minister have for the people of Hong Kong following the passage this week of China's new national security law?
We stand for rules and obligations, and think that they are the soundest basis for our international relations. The enactment and imposition of this national security law constitutes a clear and serious breach of the Sino-British joint declaration. It violates Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy and is in direct conflict with Hong Kong Basic Law.
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Q6
Direct Answer
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Context
Victims of the Troubles are rejecting Government's troubles legacy proposals.
The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee heard from victims and survivors about the Government's troubles legacy proposals. Victims have rejected these proposals, saying they close the door on truth and justice. Will the Prime Minister resile from the March statement and return to the principles embedded in the Stormont House agreement?
The victims have waited too long for these payments, and the way to unblock the progress is through the designation of a department to provide support for the victims' payments board. The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice, my hon. and learned Friend the Member for South East Cambridgeshire has indicated that she is prepared to take on that role.
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Q7
Direct Answer
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Context
The Government have provided support to employed and self-employed people through the furlough scheme.
There are 3 million people in this country who get no support at the moment because they are self-employed or on contract. Our black, Asian and ethnic minority communities have an unemployment rate that is twice the national average and women are disproportionately affected by covid-19. Will he look at a universal basic income so that these people can get the help that they need now?
As she knows, we have provided very considerable support as part of the overall package of £120 billion—I think we have given £22 billion altogether through the furlough scheme for employed and self-employed people. Her further suggestion for a universal basic income is one that we have looked at.
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Q8
Direct Answer
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The Prime Minister visited the Black Country and announced a new vision for the area.
It was great to have my right hon. Friend in the Black Country announcing his new vision yesterday. I was recently contacted by two students from Sandwell Academy and Q3 Academy Tipton who want reassurance that his announcement means that our communities will finally get the recognition they deserve.
I am trying to stick off the pies at the moment, but my hon. Friend can tell his communities in Tipton that we are investing massively not just in education, with £14 billion more into our schools, but in infrastructure that will reach every corner of the country, particularly the west midlands.
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Q9
Direct Answer
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Context
The Met arts centre is an important community asset, but its income has been decimated due to the inability to stage events.
The Met arts centre in my constituency is rightly proud of the work it has done during lockdown. Its income has been decimated due to the fact that it is unable to stage events. Will the Prime Minister continue to do everything possible to support the cultural and creative sectors in Bury, Ramsbottom, Tottington, and elsewhere?
Absolutely; I thank my hon. Friend for making those representations. We will do everything we can to get all those sectors going as fast as we can and get life back as close to normal as possible for as many people as possible in this country.
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Q10
Direct Answer
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Chickenshed Theatre is an inclusive youth theatre company in financial trouble due to the pandemic. The arts sector contributes over £5.2 billion annually to the UK economy.
Enfield Southgate houses Chickenshed Theatre, which has been financially struggling for more than 40 years and is now hurtling towards collapse because of the coronavirus pandemic despite its significant economic contribution. Will the Prime Minister heed calls from unions such as the Musicians Union, and provide financial support to ensure the survival of the arts sector?
This is becoming a theme today. I am a fan of Chickenshed Theatre and its work. We will do everything we can to assist; the economic case for doing so is overwhelming. Keep supporting your workers with the furloughing scheme until times get better, rather than laying people off.
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Q11
Direct Answer
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Newton Rigg College, a land-based further education college in Penrith, is facing possible closure next year. It provides opportunities to upskill, strengthen rural economies and supports the Government's levelling-up agenda.
Will my right hon Friend ask Government Departments to work with me and local stakeholders to secure a sustainable future for this vital institution, Newton Rigg College in Penrith? If successful, may I invite the Prime Minister to visit?
I am grateful for my hon Friend's concern. This will be a difficult time for the community and college. I propose having a proper conversation about what we can do to help, with my right hon Friend the Secretary of State for Education.
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Q12
Direct Answer
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Several major UK companies, including British Airways, GE, Rolls-Royce, and Airbus, are at risk of significant job cuts. Workers want to know what the Government will do to save these jobs.
The Prime Minister does not want to talk about numbers of job losses: British Airways 12,000; GE 1,400; Rolls-Royce nearly 6,000 in Derby, Solihull, Glasgow, and Rotherham; Airbus 1,700 in north Wales and the south-west. What is he going to do to protect these jobs beyond the furlough scheme?
In addition to £120 billion of support for the economy, we recognise people's worries about their jobs. We have a plan to build, build, build with a £600 billion programme of investment and to deliver jobs, jobs, jobs. For sectors needing to keep young people in employment, an opportunity guarantee offers apprenticeships or training.
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Q13
Partial Answer
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The Prime Minister is urged to support the creative industries struggling due to venues not being open for activities like the Marsden jazz festival or concerts.
Will the Prime Minister look at replenishing Arts Council funds redirected during the emergency covid response so that we can have vibrant creative industries coming out of this crisis?
We will open theatres carefully to avoid a second spike. We are balancing opening up the economy while ensuring it is covid-compliant and secure.
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Restoring Arts Council funds
Striking A Balance
Covid Compliance
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Q14
Partial Answer
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The Prime Minister announced an initiative to produce zero-emissions buses for the UK and was praised by the questioner during a Christians in Parliament event.
Will he ensure that 4,000 new zero-emissions buses will produce jobs and deliver a new green economy for the whole of the United Kingdom? Will he invest, invest, invest in hydrogen?
We will certainly invest massively in hydrogen. I cannot make any particular undertakings about contract locations now but as the hon Gentleman knows, I am a big fan of buses made in Ballymena.
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Specific investment commitment
Undertaking
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Q15
Direct Answer
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The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government report highlights the risks of fraud and corruption in local government procurement.
Does the Prime Minister agree that procurement fraud betrays taxpayers? It erodes public trust and wastes money. Should we take firm action against those who waste our public money?
I certainly do. Fraud is corrosive of public trust and wasteful of public money. All councils should learn the lessons from that report.
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Q16
Partial Answer
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Children on free school meals are falling behind their classmates, with some 700,000 having no online access during lockdown. The questioner seeks support to level up education and provide internet access and devices.
At year 6, children on free school meals are nine months behind their better-off classmates. By GCSE, it is 18 months. Some 700,000 have no online access for schoolwork during lockdown. Will the Prime Minister give Government time to pass a cross-party Bill giving internet access and devices to all such children?
I passionately support IT fairness. We have rolled out laptops across the country for pupils on free school meals. But all year 6 pupils should now be back in school, not just partial attendance.
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Cross-party Bill support
Supporting It Fairness
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Q17
Direct Answer
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Silverstone Park and Westcott in Buckinghamshire have been critical in bringing high-tech innovators across various fields.
Will the PM join me in congratulating those wealth creators, innovators and entrepreneurs and commit to extending their enterprise zone status and business rates relief period from 2021 to 2024 for continued economic growth?
I will certainly look at the proposal that my hon. Friend makes, and I am sure my right hon. Friend the Chancellor will want to study it, but I also congratulate everybody involved with the Aylesbury Vale enterprise zone on the cutting-edge technology that exemplifies the very best of this country and shows the way to our future.
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