Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
David Amess
Con
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Context
The MP is releasing a book about his experiences in Westminster, including commentary on Brexit. The election was primarily focused on delivering the outcome of the 2016 referendum.
Next month, my book 'Ayes and Ears: a Survivor's Guide to Westminster' will be published, discussing Brexit among other topics. Does my right hon Friend agree that the last general election was not about handling coronavirus but ensuring the result of the 2016 referendum is implemented in full? Will he confirm his intention to see this happen?
I can indeed. This country has not only left the European Union but on 1 January we will take back full control of our money, borders and laws.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
There was a technical issue where nearly 16,000 positive test results were missed for eight days. This led to untraced contacts amounting to around 48,000 people.
For eight days nearly 16,000 positive tests were missed by the Government leading to about 48,000 contacts not being traced. As of yesterday, thousands had still not been reached. Does the Prime Minister accept that this mistake has put lives at risk?
This is certainly a problem that we have fixed. The computer glitch and error has been addressed. All 16,000 people have their positive test results and should be self-isolating. 800 people were brought in to chase up the index cases and continue contacting their contacts.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The issue with missing positive tests has serious consequences, including difficulty in reaching contacts after two weeks and expired self-isolation periods. There are concerns about inaccurate local restriction decisions made using incorrect data.
This is not just a technical issue; it's human too. The PM's reassurance does not address the seriousness of missing cases going back to 18 September, leading to hard-to-reach contacts and expired self-isolation periods. Why did it take so long to fix this basic Excel error given £12 billion investment in the system?
The data points do not change the distribution of disease. The cases are considerably up across the country, with specific infection rates per 100,000 in Liverpool (497), Manchester (522) and Newcastle (422). Two thirds of hospital admissions on Sunday were from the north-west, north-east and Yorkshire.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address why it took two weeks to resolve the issue or how this impacts data accuracy for local restrictions decisions
Changed Subject
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Local areas under restrictions for two months show rising infection rates. The PM's response was that it is too early to judge effectiveness, despite clear evidence of issues.
The Prime Minister says restrictions have not altered basic distribution but thousands walked around when they should isolate. This error shows a pattern of ignoring warnings and failing in hindsight. In 20 local areas under restrictions for two months, infection rates rose, even tenfold in some places. What will the PM do about it?
We continue to provide £5 billion of support for lockdowns in the north-west and north-east. We go forward with national measures like intensifying the rule of six, supported by Labour two weeks ago but now they abstain.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address rising infection rates despite restrictions being in place
Criticised Opposition For Inconsistency
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Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Infection rates have risen dramatically in areas under restrictions, such as Bury, Burnley, and Bolton. Local communities are angry and frustrated.
The Prime Minister needs to understand local communities are angry and frustrated. In Bury, when restrictions were introduced the rate was 20 per 100,000; now it is 266. In Burnley, it went from 21 to 434. Bolton saw a rise from 18 to 255. What does he think the problem is here?
The disease continues to spread as described earlier. Figures given by Keir Starmer are no surprise because they reflect what I have already told the House. The problem is that Labour supports national measures one week and abstains from supporting them next week.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address rising infection rates or frustration of local communities
Criticised Opposition For Inconsistency
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
Keir Starmer questioned inconsistencies in local restriction enforcement. He cited specific infection rates, noting that Hillingdon had higher cases but no restrictions while Kirklees with lower cases did.
The Prime Minister cannot explain why an area goes into restriction, he cannot explain what the different restrictions are and he cannot explain how restrictions end. This is getting ridiculous. Next week, this House will vote on whether to approve the 10 pm rule. The public deserve to know and Parliament deserves to know. If there is a basis, why do the Government not publish it? Will the Prime Minister commit to publishing the scientific basis for the 10 pm rule before this House votes on it next Monday?
The basis on which we set out the curtailment of hospitality was the basis on which the right hon. and learned Gentleman accepted it two weeks ago, which is to reduce the spread of the virus. That is our objective. We are taking tough decisions necessary, imposing restrictions locally and nationally to fight the virus.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to publishing scientific basis for 10 pm rule
Redirecting Criticism Back At Opposition
Mentioning Previous Support Despite Current Abstention
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
Following concerns about inconsistency in local restrictions, Keir Starmer pressed on whether there was a scientific rationale behind the specific time curtailment of hospitality.
Is there a scientific basis for the 10 pm rule? The public deserve to know and Parliament deserves to know. If there is a basis, why do the Government not publish it?
The right hon. and learned Gentleman has heard repeatedly from the Government why we are bringing in differentiated local restrictions, based on reducing virus spread.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to publishing scientific basis for 10 pm rule
Repeating General Objectives Without Specifics
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
John Stevenson
Con
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Context
John Stevenson highlighted Carlisle's potential for housing and infrastructure development, linking it to the Government's 'levelling up' policy.
The Government could move parts of Government Departments out of London to help with their levelling up agenda. Would the Prime Minister let me know when he proposes to move a Government Department to Carlisle?
I will certainly look with interest at my hon. Friend's suggestion. We have an ambitious programme to disperse and to unite and level up across our country.
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Assessment & feedback
No commitment to specific relocation timeline or department proposed for Carlisle
Promising To Look Into The Idea
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
Ian Blackford
SNP
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Context
With Challenge Poverty Week, Ian Blackford emphasized the need for sustained social security measures due to looming mass unemployment and cited the Chancellor's refusal to make a £20 universal credit uplift permanent.
Will the Prime Minister now commit to making the £20 uplift to universal credit permanent?
I welcome the right hon. Gentleman's support for universal credit, which the Conservative party introduced... The result of universal credit so far has been that there are 200,000 fewer people in absolute poverty now than there were in 2010.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to making £20 uplift permanent
Mentioning Past Achievements Without Addressing Current Commitment
Response accuracy
Q10
Partial Answer
Ian Blackford
SNP
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Context
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation reported that removing the £20 universal credit uplift could push an additional 700,000 people into poverty, including 300,000 children and more than half a million into severe poverty. The Resolution Foundation described the £20 uplift as a “living standards lifeline”.
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has painted a clear picture for his Government: strip the £20 universal credit uplift away, and 700,000 more people, including 300,000 children, could move into poverty, and 500,000 more people could end up in severe poverty. The Resolution Foundation has called the £20 uplift a “living standards lifeline” for millions of families during the pandemic. Challenge Poverty Week is a moment for all of us to take unified action against poverty. Will he do the right thing and make the £20 uplift permanent?
I do not want in any way to underestimate the importance of what the right hon. Gentleman is saying. It is vital that we tackle poverty in this country. That is why this Government are so proud of what we did with the national living wage. We are putting another £1.7 billion into universal credit by 2023-24. If that does not give him the answer he wants, he can ask again next week.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment to make the £20 uplift permanent was avoided
If That Does Not Give Him The Answer He Wants, He Can Ask Again Next Week
Response accuracy
Q11
Partial Answer
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Context
The Prime Minister announced a review of transport connections across the Union which includes infrastructure such as a new M4 relief road, faster railway journey times in north Wales, and an upgrade to the A483/A5 in Clwyd South.
Does he agree that this review demonstrates his Government's commitment to building back better in a strong United Kingdom?
I thank my hon. Friend, who represents a constituency that I once fought for—he represents it well, but I do not think I fought for it very well. I know the A483/A5 connection well, and Sir Peter will certainly look at that scheme and many others in his Union connectivity review.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific agreement on whether the transport review demonstrates commitment to building back better was avoided
I Know The A483/A5 Connection Well, And Sir Peter Will Certainly Look At That Scheme And Many Others In His Union Connectivity Review.
Response accuracy
Q12
Partial Answer
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Context
The Prime Minister is passionate about the union and announced a review of connectivity across it, including consideration of transport links between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
Does he agree that while it is good to consider connectivity across the Irish sea, it would be devastating to Northern Ireland to have barriers to trade in the Irish sea? May I urge him to commit to protecting Northern Ireland's place within the internal market of the United Kingdom by ensuring full and unfettered access for businesses that trade in either direction?
The right hon. Gentleman is entirely right, and I am sure his words will have been heard loud and clear by our friends in Brussels, but just in case they have not, of course we have the excellent United Kingdom Internal Market Bill to prevent such barriers from arising.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment to protecting Northern Ireland's place within the internal market was avoided
Just In Case They Have Not, Of Course We Have The Excellent United Kingdom Internal Market Bill
Response accuracy
Q13
Partial Answer
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Context
The Prime Minister is focusing on levelling up and building back better, but the questioner asks for support for towns that have not received recent high street or town funding.
My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is right to be talking about levelling up and building back better, but building back fairer. Can my right hon. Friend outline what support is available for towns that have not received any towns or high street funding in recent tranches?
Yes, I can indeed confirm to my hon. Friend that, in addition to the particular support that he mentions, we are directing another £160 billion of support for business and local authorities and business improvement districts.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific support details for towns like Radcliffe and Prestwich were avoided
Yes, I Can Indeed Confirm To My Hon. Friend That, In Addition To The Particular Support That He Mentions
Response accuracy
Q14
Partial Answer
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Context
Universities across the UK are struggling with coronavirus cases, and some communities are concerned about delays in the delivery of local testing facilities.
Across the UK, our universities are struggling to contain the coronavirus, with some 5,000 cases reported in recent weeks. In Leamington, Deloitte will not deliver on its testing facility until the end of this month. My question is simple: were the Government not expecting students to return to university?
It is very important that students should return to university in the way that they have, and I want to thank the overwhelming majority of students for the way that they have complied with the guidance, complied with the regulations and are doing what they can to suppress it. Clearly, there are particular problems in some parts of the country, which we have discussed at length already, and we will be pursuing the measures that we have outlined to bring them down in those areas.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific preparation for student return and testing facilities were not addressed directly
Clearly, There Are Particular Problems In Some Parts Of The Country
Response accuracy
Q15
Partial Answer
Andrew Jones
Con
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Context
The Prime Minister announced a support package for sports clubs that rely on paying spectators, but the questioner wants to know if this includes the conference and exhibition industry.
Could he tell the House when that package will be coming forward, and will it include the conference and exhibition industry?
I totally agree with my hon. Friend about the importance of the conference and exhibition industry. It is worth about £90 billion to this country. Of course, they have had a lot of support—the £190 billion package is there to help businesses of all kinds—but the best way forward is to get the kind of testing systems that will enable not just conferences and businesses of that kind but all types even theatres to reopen and get back to normality.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific timeline for releasing support package was avoided
Of Course, They Have Had A Lot Of Support—The £190 Billion Package Is There To Help Businesses Of All Kinds—But The Best Way Forward Is To Get The Kind Of Testing Systems That Will Enable Not Just Conferences And Businesses Of That Kind
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Q16
Partial Answer
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Context
The Chancellor's suggestion that those in the creative industry should find new opportunities was criticised.
Yesterday, the Chancellor suggested musicians and others in the creative industries who cannot work because of covid restrictions should 'find new opportunities'. Can the Prime Minister tell me what jobs the hundreds of thousands of people working in this sector should do? The Chancellor's response is not adequate for these talented individuals.
The Chancellor has already provided £1.7 billion of support for the creative culture industries and sport. The Government is supporting these industries through tough times by working to get the virus down and return the economy to normal as fast as possible.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific jobs or opportunities were not mentioned
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q17
Partial Answer
Cheryl Gillan
Con
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Context
The Prime Minister outlined plans for a green economy at the Conservative party conference.
Following the Prime Minister's speech on a green economy, can he commit to championing greater protections for our chalk streams? Will he redesignate the Chilterns area of outstanding natural beauty as a national park following Julian Glover's recommendation?
The Government is committed to protecting areas like the Chilterns area of outstanding natural beauty. DEFRA is considering Julian Glover's review recommendations, and the UK will lead globally in protecting biodiversity.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment on redesignation was not given
Under Consideration
Response accuracy
Q18
Partial Answer
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Context
Unemployment in Liverpool has doubled, and local lockdown restrictions are expected to worsen the situation.
With unemployment at 8% and furlough ending soon, will tighter local lockdown restrictions trigger automatic Government support for local business? Can he commit today to a targeted support package for Merseyside?
The north-west has received £2.6 billion, including £12 million and £40 million for Knowsley and Liverpool respectively. The Government will continue to provide support across the country as we have done throughout the pandemic.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment on automatic trigger was not given
Continuing Support
Response accuracy
Q19
Direct Answer
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Context
The Prime Minister confirmed plans for new hospitals, including one for mid and north Hampshire.
Welcoming the confirmation of 40 new hospitals this decade, including one for mid and north Hampshire, does he agree that it is also a good opportunity to optimise healthcare provision across the wider area?
The Government is building a new hospital at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, and there will be a major refurbishment at Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester. Support for Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will continue.
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Q20
Partial Answer
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Context
Restrictions in the north-east are affecting custom, income, and employment in the hospitality sector.
In areas facing tougher restrictions around opening times and socialising, what assurance can the PM give that he will provide necessary finance to mitigate effects on people's income? Will he meet local leaders to discuss support?
In areas facing tougher restrictions, the Government will continue to provide support. The hon. Lady should decide whether she supports reducing transmission or not.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific financial assurances were not provided
If They Are In Favour Of
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Q21
Direct Answer
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Context
The Prime Minister introduced a new lifetime skills guarantee.
Welcoming the Prime Minister's new lifetime skills guarantee, does he agree that it is vital to include adult learners in our vision for further education so people in working cities such as Peterborough can have the right skills?
The Government will fuel a green economic recovery by putting £14 million into Peterborough for an educational and research facility. Another £1 million is given to build back better.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q22
Partial Answer
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Context
The increase of £20 per week in Universal Credit was implemented during the pandemic. The current government policy is to remove this increase next April.
I am concerned that the Government are due to remove the £20 a week increase in universal credit next April, which was put in place to help families with extra costs during the pandemic. Will the Prime Minister commit to making it permanent?
We keep all these things under constant review, but I am glad that the right hon. Gentleman joins the Opposition in support and approval for what the Government have done with universal credit.
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Assessment & feedback
Commitment to making the £20 per week Universal Credit increase permanent
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q23
Partial Answer
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Context
Only a small percentage of journalists, chief executives, doctors and barristers come from working-class backgrounds.
Just 12% of our journalists and chief execs come from a working-class background, and just 6% of doctors and barristers. Does my right hon. Friend agree that we need a renewed focus on social mobility so that all the country's talent can be utilised?
This Government were elected in 2019 to build more hospitals, put more police on the streets and level up across the country. That is what we are going to do.
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Assessment & feedback
Renewing focus on social mobility
Changing Subject
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Q24
Partial Answer
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Context
Many residents in Coventry are worried about the Government's plans to build new homes, especially on green spaces. The city is running out of brownfield sites.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister said it would be easy to build new homes without destroying green spaces. Many constituents are concerned that this will happen again with dodgy figures. As Coventry has run out of brownfield sites, precisely where does he expect those new homes to be built?
There is abundant brownfield space across the whole UK. In many cases, restrictions are due to cumbersome planning procedures and young people's inability to get mortgages for homes they want.
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Assessment & feedback
Exact location of new home construction in Coventry
Changing Subject
Response accuracy