Starmer vs Badenoch FULL PMQs Showdown — UK Parliament Clash on Economy, Energy & Welfare — AC15

[0:00] Questions? Gurinder Singh Jozan. [0:02] Number one, Mr Speaker. [0:04] Prime Minister. [0:06] Mr Speaker, the state visit by His Majesty the King [0:10] is a powerful reminder of the deep and special relationship we have with the United States. [0:17] Mr Speaker, in this session of Parliament, this Labour government has delivered [0:20] the biggest upgrade in workers' rights in a generation, [0:25] the biggest improvement in renters' rights in a generation, [0:28] action than any other government to tackle child poverty. [0:32] And at the King's speech, I look forward to setting out what more we will do [0:38] to change our country for the better. [0:41] Mr Speaker, this morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. [0:44] I shall have further such meetings later today. [0:47] Rinder Singh Jozan. [0:48] Thank you, Mr Speaker. [0:49] I can firstly thank you for meeting with me recently [0:52] to view a thousand paper crane folded by residents in Beirwood [0:56] as a recognition of the diversity of Smebik, [0:59] in which neighbours and communities just get on with each other. [1:02] Mr Speaker, residents in my Smebik constituency [1:06] and across Sandwell benefit from the lowest council tax in the West Midlands, [1:09] investment in new leisure centres, parks and all our libraries kept open. [1:14] Sandwell is the third best in the country for fixing potholes, [1:17] expanded Brexit clubs, free school meals and cheaper school uniform for our children. [1:22] Does the Prime Minister agree that this is all down to a well-run Labour Sandwell council, [1:27] and the changes brought back by this Labour government, [1:30] opposed at every opportunity by the Tories and reform? [1:34] Can I thank him for his work to give every child the best start in life in his constituency? [1:41] And I'm very glad that this government has done more than any other government [1:44] to lift children out of poverty. [1:46] Mr Speaker, thanks to our work this session, on this side of the House, [1:50] we've passed laws needed to deliver more rights at work, [1:52] build new homes, save British steel, clean up waterways, secure our borders [1:57] and record funding of our NHS, and so much more. [2:01] Change delivered by Labour, opposed by the Tories and reform. [2:06] And to the Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Bairdnall. [2:10] Thank you. [2:14] It's the end of this session, and what a contrast with the beginning, Mr Speaker. [2:18] Back in July 2024, those benches were full of sycophantic questions from adoring new MPs. [2:27] Yesterday, the Prime Minister was reduced to begging those same MPs to save his own skin. [2:38] Mr Speaker, he's broken his promise to grow the economy. [2:42] The only thing that's grown is the welfare bill. [2:45] The only thing that's grown is the welfare bill. [2:47] So can the Prime Minister tell us, can the Prime Minister tell us [2:52] how many more people are out of work and claiming universal credit since he took office? [3:00] Mr Speaker, she talks about what we've done in Terminal 2, raising people out of work. [3:05] We have the youth guarantee that we've put in place for young people. [3:09] We've raised the national minimum wage, thanks to our Chancellor. [3:13] We've helped young people into work by cutting NHS waiting lists, [3:17] thanks to the work of the Health Secretary. [3:19] We've put more police on the streets, thanks to the work of the Home Secretary. [3:23] And we've cut energy bills for young people, thanks to the work of the energy. [3:26] I'm very proud of what this Labour government has delivered in the first session of this parliament. [3:31] Mr Speaker, the Prime Minister doesn't want to say how many people, [3:37] how many more people, in fact, are out of work and claiming universal credit since he took office. [3:42] Perhaps he doesn't know. [3:44] So let me tell him, the number is 1.5 million people. [3:49] That is the entire population of Leeds, Cardiff and Edinburgh put together. [3:56] Hard-working people are being taxed more and more to pay for a ballooning benefits bill. [4:02] So can the Prime Minister tell us why, on his watch, for the first time ever, [4:09] we are now spending more on welfare than we earn in income tax? [4:14] Mr Speaker, the welfare system she complains of, is the one they've put in place. [4:20] Mr Speaker, we are reforming it to improve it. [4:27] And what did they do when we put that forward? [4:29] They voted to keep the same broken welfare system. [4:35] Mr Speaker, that answer was as honest as his reason for sacking Olly Robbins. [4:40] Perhaps he'd like to apologise for that right now. [4:42] Let me tell him, let me tell him why we're spending more on welfare than we're earning in tax. [4:48] It's because of him and his terrible policies. [4:51] This is all under him. [4:52] We are spending so much on welfare, we cannot afford to defend the country. [4:58] And if he won't listen to me, Mr Speaker, perhaps he'll listen to the former Labour Defence Secretary, [5:04] Lord Robertson, who is saying, and I quote, [5:08] we cannot defend Britain with an ever-expanding welfare budget. [5:13] I agree with Lord Robertson. [5:15] Why doesn't he? [5:17] Mr Speaker, this is the Labour government that increased defence spending, [5:21] sustained spending since the Cold War. [5:25] What did they do, Mr Speaker? [5:28] When they came into power, defence spending was 2.5%. [5:31] And when they left power, it was 2.3%. [5:35] And even their own Secretary of State admitted they hollowed out our armed forces. [5:40] So we'll take no lectures from them on defence. [5:43] Mr Speaker, talking about more defence spending is not the same as giving more money for defence. [5:50] He had been in office for nearly two years, Mr Speaker. [5:55] What he does have, he's got a welfare plan until 2031, but he's not produced a defence investment plan. [6:02] We have gone backwards on defence under him because we are borrowing, we are borrowing to pay for welfare. [6:11] Yesterday, we learned that the cost of government borrowing is now the highest in two decades. [6:18] That's under him. [6:19] Instead of getting a grip on the economy, the Chancellor is briefing out rent controls to curry favour. [6:26] Curry favour with left-wing back ventures. [6:28] This is not a serious way to run the economy. [6:32] It is time the Prime Minister gives her an easier job. [6:37] So will he listen to businesses, listen to the country and reshuffle the Chancellor? [6:42] Mr Speaker, at the spring statement, the Chancellor is very proud to say inflation was down to 3% and falling. [6:49] Six interest rates in a cut. [6:52] We've seen the growth figures for the early part of this year. [6:55] And she says, well, the cost of borrowing has gone up. [6:58] Yes, because there's a conflict in Iran. [7:00] And what did she want to do when I said we wouldn't be dragged into that wall because I thought through the consequences, including the economic consequences? [7:13] What did she do? [7:15] She said we should jump in with both feet without regard to the consequences. [7:19] She can't complain now about the implications. [7:22] Mr Speaker, I didn't hear him say he's not reshuffling the Chancellor. [7:27] It sounds like she's toast. [7:31] Meanwhile, the former Deputy Prime Minister is on manoeuvres. [7:35] This government is like a bad episode of Game of Thrones. [7:38] His own people have turned against him. [7:40] And all the while, the Prime Minister is holed up in his castle, wetting himself about a visit from the King in the North. [7:47] Yesterday, Mr Speaker, yesterday, one Labour MP actually said that his days are numbered. [7:54] That's one of them. [7:55] I wonder who it was because they're all looking guilty as hell. [7:59] Isn't the real reason, Mr Speaker, isn't the real reason, Mr Speaker, Mr Speaker, isn't the real reason the Prime Minister can't cut welfare that he squandered all his political capital saving his own skin? [8:16] Mr Speaker, she talks about political games. [8:20] That's what she was doing yesterday. [8:21] I've considered our motion and rejected it decisively because everyone saw it for what it was, a desperate, baseless political stunt ahead of the May elections. [8:33] And, Mr Speaker, whilst she and they were playing games here, I was chairing a meeting in Cobra, going through the contingencies and managing our war in the Middle East. [8:44] Mr Speaker, they think political games here is more important than managing the implications of the war in the Middle East, which will affect every single one of their constituents. [8:55] And none of them ask any questions about it. [8:57] None of them want to debate it. [8:58] They just want to debate silly political stunts. [9:01] Mr Speaker, even though we didn't join the war, no thanks to her, my duty is to protect the British public from the consequences. [9:11] And nothing is going to distract me from what matters to the British public. [9:15] Mr Speaker, I think the whole country is sick of this man's tone-deaf, pompous moralising. [9:25] Last week, last week, last week, we all saw him punch the Speaker's chair. [9:37] This is not a man who is in control. [9:40] Since the last King's speech, it's been one disaster after another. [9:45] Cronyism, jobs for friends of convicted paedophiles, peerages for other friends of convicted paedophiles, broken promises on taxes, U-turn after U-turn after U-turn. [9:58] He's lost a deputy prime minister, two chiefs of staff, two cabinet secretaries, the support of his backbenchers and all his credibility. [10:07] Yes, yes. [10:08] They can jeer, Mr Speaker, they can jeer as much as they like. [10:12] They're going to have to go to their constituencies and explain to all those people why they did what they did last night. [10:19] The fact is, the prime minister was reduced to whipping his MPs to save him and pleading with a tax dodger to rejoin his cabinet. [10:28] How much longer do we all have to put up with his shambles? [10:32] Mr Speaker, I changed my party and I won a general election. [10:38] She's changed her party, Mr Speaker, because when I became leader of my party, their party was three times the size it is now. [10:47] She's changed it. [10:49] It's now even smaller than when she started at leader, because half of them are up there. [10:55] And Mr Speaker, the stunt they played yesterday, because they don't like what we're delivering. [11:00] More security for renters, lifting half a million children out of poverty. [11:06] That's our mandate, that's our mission, and nothing's going to hold us back. [11:15] It was 18 months ago, I remember, that my late friend Terry Etherton was sitting up there, beaming down at the prime minister, [11:22] because he had just announced the government scheme to give compensation to those who had been wrongly sacked from the armed forces for simply being gay. [11:30] But I have a constituent, Mr Speaker, who lost his job in MI6 in the 1980s for his sexuality, and he's got no compensation. [11:41] The security services also put their lives on the line for their country. [11:44] It's just not fair. [11:46] Would the prime minister find the time to sit down with my constituent and me, [11:49] so that we can work out together a way in which we can extend Terry's scheme, so that the security services can also get justice? [11:57] The Prime Minister. [11:59] Can I thank her for her dedicated work on this? [12:02] I am very proud of the work we've done to recognise LGBT veterans. [12:07] Mr Speaker, on top of that, people in our security service are some of the bravest and most talented professionals who served our country. [12:15] That some of them lost their jobs because of their sexuality is a historic wrong. [12:21] And I can confirm today the security minister is assessing this closely, and I'll make sure that she's updated and has the meetings she's asked for. [12:28] Send David, leader of the Liberal Democrats. [12:31] Thank you, Mr Speaker. [12:34] Yesterday, we heard Christian Turner, Peter Mandelson's replacement as U.S. ambassador, [12:40] say that the only country Trump has a special relationship with is Israel, [12:46] that the prime minister's job is in danger after next week's elections, [12:49] and that in the U.S. Jeffrey Epstein's associates have evaded responsibility for their actions. [12:56] The prime minister has had to fire one U.S. ambassador for lying. [13:02] Does he fear he'll now have to fire a second one for telling the truth? [13:07] Mr Speaker, given what I've had thrown at me in the last two weeks by all the opposition parties, [13:12] that's the least of my problems. [13:14] But, Mr Speaker, I know he likes stunts, but I was surprised he joined in the one yesterday. [13:19] Because his own business spokesman said last week, satisfied I had not misled the House. [13:25] He, of course, his opening position was it was inconceivable that officials would give clearance to Mandelson [13:30] and not tell ministers it was against the U.S.V. recommendation. [13:34] That's what he said, and it didn't happen. [13:37] I expect frivolous accusations from the leader of the opposition. [13:40] Clearly, I was wrong to expect anything better from the man in the wetsuit. [13:45] Mr Speaker, I've got my dry suit on today. [14:07] And let me tell the prime minister that when Boris Johnson was faced with that motion, [14:16] he didn't whip his MPs. [14:19] There was a difference there. [14:22] And, Mr Speaker, experts are warning that food prices will rise by 10% this year, [14:33] as farmers' costs soar. [14:36] Trump's war has exposed how weak Britain's food security is. [14:41] Yet, under the system brought in by the Conservatives, [14:45] England is the only country in Europe where farm payments don't actively support farmers to produce food. [14:53] So, will the King's speech include a good food bill to fix that mistake [14:59] and make sure people can afford the food they need? [15:04] Mr Speaker, of course food security is important, [15:09] and that's why I was considering that, amongst other issues, [15:13] in the ministerial meetings yesterday in COBRA. [15:17] That's what I was spending my afternoon doing, [15:19] making sure that we were prepared and managing the risks [15:22] of a conflict that will affect every single one of our constituents. [15:25] What was he doing? [15:27] He was wasting his time in here on a baseless allegation [15:31] on engaging a party political. [15:33] He should have been working on the single most important issue today, [15:36] but he wasted his time on a baseless political stunt. [15:39] Thank you, Mr Speaker. [15:43] The war in Iran has exposed how dangerously reliant we are [15:46] on imports for our food, fuel and medicine. [15:50] But the reality is that climate breakdown will make the current instability look trivial. [15:58] Will the Prime Minister use the upcoming King's speech [16:01] to address this fact and redirect our economy [16:05] towards food security, energy security and security in supply of our medicines? [16:10] The Prime Minister is absolutely right to highlight the real risk of climate change, [16:16] both internationally and at home. [16:18] And I'm proud, Mr Speaker, we've restored the UK's position [16:21] as a global leader on climate action. [16:24] And that means cutting emissions with our carbon budget, [16:27] investing £7 billion in nature recovery [16:30] and driving ahead with renewables. [16:32] They're the right steps to protect supply chains, [16:35] protect our economy and to protect working people. [16:38] Stephen Flynn. [16:40] Mr Speaker, depending upon results in the elections next week, [16:45] this may well be my final PMQs. [16:49] I suppose... [16:52] Come back! [16:54] I suppose, Mr Speaker, the same is perhaps true for the Prime Minister as well. [17:03] But before then, does he understand that, [17:09] yes, it's because of an action on the cost of living crisis. [17:12] Yes, it's because of the debacle of the winter fuel payment. [17:15] Yes, it's because of the thousand jobs being lost a month [17:18] in Scotland's North Sea and the closure of Grangemouth. [17:21] Yes, it's because of his judgment on Matthew Doyle and Peter Mandelson. [17:27] But above all else, [17:28] the reason why his time in office will soon be coming to a close [17:32] is because he promised change, but has delivered chaos. [17:38] Prime Minister, I am proud of what this Labour government has achieved [17:41] and I'm proud of what we will achieve. [17:44] If it is his last session here, [17:45] let's reflect on his great achievements in Westminster. [17:48] He kicked out his predecessor [17:50] and then lost 39 MPs at the next election. [17:54] I hope he can keep up that record in Holyrood next week. [18:00] Rajanara Ali. [18:01] Thank you, Mr Speaker. [18:03] This Labour government's £29 billion of investment in the NHS [18:06] and £2 billion in life sciences [18:09] is critical to fixing our NHS and tackling health inequalities. [18:13] The Barts Life Sciences cluster in Whitechapel [18:15] will become one of Europe's leading NHS-centred clusters [18:18] and we've already secured £800 million in private investment. [18:22] Will the Prime Minister direct the Office for Investment [18:25] to co-sponsor this initiative [18:26] and ensure the National Wealth Fund co-invest [18:29] so we can turn East London's health inequalities [18:31] into a driver for UK life sciences growth, [18:34] transforming the future of health care in London, the UK and globally? [18:38] Prime Minister. [18:39] I'm proud that Labour is investing in life sciences [18:42] and I thank my honourable friend [18:44] for championing this project for over a decade. [18:47] The National Wealth Fund is designed [18:48] to co-invest alongside private investors [18:51] and ministers are happy to discuss those proposals with her. [18:54] Mr Speaker, today I can announce [18:57] a significant new investment by AstraZeneca [18:59] investing £300 million in UK life sciences [19:03] made possible by the pharmaceutical arrangement [19:06] we have struck with the United States [19:08] to future-proof thousands of jobs [19:10] in Macclesfield and in Cambridge. [19:12] That is a major vote of confidence in the UK [19:15] and Labour's plans to strengthen our economy. [19:18] Mr Speaker, in an earlier answer, [19:23] the Prime Minister made clear that he understands [19:25] that global uncertainty [19:26] makes national economic resilience ever more important [19:30] and energy security and food security are central to that. [19:34] So why is policy making one the enemy of the other? [19:39] As the 12% of our most fertile, productive land, [19:43] the food we need to feed the nation, [19:45] is being eaten up by giant industrial developments, [19:50] pylons with accompanying infrastructure [19:52] and huge solar developments. [19:54] With a Prime Minister to meet me [19:56] and colleagues that feel similar, [19:58] because by corroding Britain's food security now, [20:03] we risk compromising our nation's future. [20:07] It is right to raise food security [20:10] and obviously that is one of the resiliences [20:12] that we need in this country [20:14] and we need to protect in this country. [20:17] But we also do need to move [20:19] to secure independence of energy [20:23] because one thing that is making life so much harder [20:26] for all of those in the food sector [20:28] is that their energy prices go up [20:30] every time an international conflict [20:32] affects the prices here. [20:34] By getting energy independence, [20:35] which requires the infrastructure, [20:38] we can protect them from that [20:39] and therefore make them more resilient. [20:42] Anna Dixon. [20:43] Thank you, Mr Speaker. [20:44] Like many MPs, [20:45] I'll be heading up to my constituency later [20:48] to campaign in the local elections. [20:50] When I'm out on the doors [20:51] talking to voters in the Shipley constituency, [20:54] I'm proud of the difference [20:56] this Labour government is making. [20:58] Thanks to secure tenure, [21:02] families supported by free breakfast clubs [21:05] and extended free childcare support [21:07] and workers no longer on [21:10] exploitative zero-hours contracts. [21:13] What is the Prime Minister most proud of [21:15] and what is his message [21:17] for voters in my Shipley constituency [21:19] and across the UK? [21:21] Yeah, Mr Speaker. [21:22] I thank you for our question [21:24] and this is the first government [21:26] for generations to take key services [21:27] back into public ownership, Mr Speaker. [21:30] The first government to give rights [21:31] and powers to workers, [21:33] rents and the less fortunate [21:34] and the first government [21:36] in a generation to invest [21:37] in public services [21:38] and lift children out of poverty. [21:40] And as we face a war on two fronts, [21:42] we will do more, [21:43] a stronger economy, [21:45] stronger energy security [21:46] and stronger on defence. [21:47] That's the difference [21:48] this government is making. [21:49] Sir Jeremy Wright. [21:51] Very much, Mr Speaker. [21:53] Many of us across this House [21:55] worked hard to pass [21:56] the Online Safety Act, [21:58] not because we thought [21:59] it would be the last word [22:00] on online safety, [22:02] but because we believed [22:03] it was an important step forward [22:05] in making online platforms [22:07] more accountable [22:08] for the content on their services [22:09] and for the algorithms [22:11] that curate it. [22:12] So can the Prime Minister [22:13] reassure us [22:14] that whatever his government [22:15] decides to do [22:16] to restrict access [22:18] for our young people [22:19] to social media, [22:21] it will not be used [22:22] as cover [22:23] by social media companies [22:25] to do less themselves [22:26] to keep young people [22:28] safer online. [22:30] Can I give him that assurance [22:31] because those platform providers [22:34] do need to take responsibility [22:35] and he will have noticed [22:37] the fight we had with Grok [22:39] just a few months ago [22:40] where disgusting images [22:43] were being created [22:44] on social media [22:45] and we took them on [22:47] in a fight [22:48] a fight that we won [22:49] across the House [22:50] also with chatbots [22:52] but we need to build [22:53] on the legislation we've got. [22:55] We definitely need [22:56] more protection [22:56] in general [22:58] and particularly for children [22:59] but his point is valid [23:00] that that shouldn't be [23:01] to take any responsibility [23:03] away from those [23:04] that are providing [23:05] the platforms [23:05] in the first place. [23:06] Thank you Mr Speaker [23:09] £158 million [23:10] in fair funding [23:11] £20 million [23:12] in Pride in Place [23:13] for New Addington [23:14] and funding for New Trams [23:15] Mr Speaker [23:16] it is this Labour government [23:17] that is finally giving [23:18] Croydon the backing [23:19] that it needs. [23:20] The building of Croydon [23:22] for all starts [23:22] with ensuring our residents [23:23] have the dignity [23:24] and stability [23:25] of a decent home. [23:26] So with hundreds of families [23:27] in my constituency [23:28] facing homelessness [23:29] through no fault evictions [23:30] will the Prime Minister [23:31] outline how this government [23:33] is progressing on its plans [23:34] to fix the private [23:35] renter sector [23:35] and ensure that renters [23:37] in Croydon [23:37] have the security [23:38] and peace of mind [23:39] that they deserve. [23:41] My Honourable Offender [23:42] is a brilliant representative [23:43] for Croydon [23:45] and she's right [23:46] for too long [23:47] renters have been [23:47] at the mercy [23:48] of rogue landlords [23:49] pushing thousands [23:51] into homelessness. [23:52] I'm delighted to confirm [23:53] that this Friday [23:54] no fault evictions [23:56] will be scrapped [23:57] once and for all. [23:59] That sends an important message [24:02] to anyone living [24:02] in a damp [24:03] unsafe home [24:04] anyone who's suffered [24:05] an unfair rent increase [24:06] and to every family [24:08] forced to move [24:08] over the last year to year. [24:11] Change is here [24:12] delivered by Labour [24:12] opposed by the Tories [24:14] and reform [24:14] every step of the way. [24:16] Dr Luke Evans [24:18] Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. [24:19] Please could the Prime Minister [24:21] explain to the House [24:23] if he's done nothing wrong [24:25] and process has been followed [24:27] why did he need to force [24:30] his MPs to vote [24:31] against an investigation? [24:33] Is it because he's worried [24:34] they don't believe [24:35] his version of the truth? [24:37] Yes. [24:38] No, it's because they can see [24:39] a baseless allegation [24:40] a political stunt [24:41] when they see it. [24:41] Yeah! [24:43] Mr Speaker [24:44] as a former GP [24:46] here's the truth [24:47] we've recruited 82 more GPs [24:49] upgraded his medical centre [24:51] they want all the benefits [24:53] but they never want [24:54] to pay for them. [24:55] Yeah! [24:56] Thank you, Shankfield. [24:57] Thank you, Mr Speaker. [24:59] Derby is a manufacturing powerhouse [25:01] but too many people [25:03] in our city [25:04] have not felt [25:05] the benefit [25:05] of that success [25:06] and that's why tomorrow [25:08] we're absolutely delighted [25:10] to be launching [25:10] Team Derby [25:11] with our East Midlands Mayor [25:13] Clare Ward. [25:15] Does the Prime Minister [25:16] agree [25:16] that with our brilliant Chancellor [25:18] and our Labour government [25:19] backing our city [25:21] Team Derby [25:22] can make sure [25:23] every pound of investment [25:25] in Derby [25:26] delivers real change [25:27] for our residents [25:29] so everyone [25:30] feels part [25:31] of our success story. [25:32] Yeah! [25:32] Prime Minister [25:33] I think we should all [25:36] back Team Derby [25:37] our investment [25:38] is helping [25:39] to renew [25:40] our submarine fleet [25:41] building new nuclear reactors [25:42] and creating jobs [25:43] and growth [25:44] I'm proud to see [25:45] Labour MPs [25:46] working with the Labour Mayor [25:47] and a Labour government [25:48] to deliver a brighter future [25:49] for Derby. [25:51] Oli Glover [25:52] Thank you, Mr Speaker [25:54] Despite the government's [25:55] ambitious house building targets [25:56] the charity Shelter [25:57] believes the current approach [25:58] is not providing enough [26:00] social and genuinely [26:00] affordable homes [26:01] so will the Prime Minister [26:03] end his government's [26:04] warm embrace [26:04] of the developer-led model [26:05] and instead heed [26:07] Liberal Democrat calls [26:08] for 150,000 social homes [26:09] per year [26:10] and new powers [26:11] for local councils [26:12] to build them? [26:15] Mr Speaker [26:16] we are going to build [26:18] 1.5 million homes [26:20] we're upgrading [26:21] the rights of renters [26:23] because we know [26:25] how important it is [26:26] for everyone to have [26:26] a safe and secure roof [26:27] over their head [26:29] his challenge to me [26:30] would have more force [26:31] if they hadn't abstained [26:33] on the measures [26:33] that we're taking [26:34] in order to take [26:35] these measures forward [26:36] Thank you Mr Speaker [26:40] whilst our NHS [26:42] across England [26:43] has seen noticeable [26:44] improvements [26:45] thanks to the work [26:46] of this Labour government [26:48] Southend Hospital [26:50] and the wider [26:51] Mid and South Essex [26:52] NHS Trust [26:53] has continued [26:54] to struggle [26:55] I thank the Department [26:56] for Health and Social Care [26:58] for working with me [26:59] and my colleagues [26:59] on this issue [27:00] and for placing the trust [27:02] on the intensive [27:03] recovery programme [27:04] does the Prime Minister [27:06] agree with me [27:07] that this is the right [27:08] action to take [27:09] and will he meet with me [27:10] to discuss our wider plans [27:12] to improve healthcare [27:14] in Southend [27:15] as part of our [27:16] Opportunity Southend [27:17] initiative [27:18] Prime Minister [27:19] after years of failure [27:21] being tolerated [27:22] failing staff [27:23] and patients [27:23] our new intensive [27:24] recovery programme [27:25] is targeting sites [27:27] that need tailored support [27:28] Mr Speaker [27:29] there's more to do [27:30] but we're seeing [27:31] real progress [27:31] across our NHS [27:32] they've never heard [27:35] this from a government [27:36] waiting list lowest [27:37] for three years [27:38] that didn't happen [27:39] for 14 years [27:39] any waiting time [27:41] is best for five years [27:42] they don't recognise [27:43] any of this [27:43] because they didn't [27:44] do any of it [27:44] fastest ambulance response [27:46] in half a decade [27:47] and don't forget [27:49] the parties opposite [27:50] opposed the record [27:51] investment that was necessary [27:52] to make all of that [27:53] happen [27:54] Ibn al-Mohamid [27:55] thank you Mr Speaker [27:56] everything international law [27:59] is supposed to protect [28:00] is being violated [28:01] a genocide against [28:02] the Palestinian people [28:04] the catastrophe in Sudan [28:05] the Gazification [28:07] of Lebanon [28:08] against this backdrop [28:10] the government last week [28:11] closed the international [28:12] humanitarian law unit [28:14] and stopped funding access [28:16] to the CIR database [28:18] of 26,000 human rights [28:21] and conflict incidents [28:22] across Israel [28:23] Palestine [28:24] and Lebanon [28:25] this database [28:26] underpins decisions [28:27] on IHL breaches [28:29] arms export suspensions [28:31] and whether the UK [28:32] itself is acting [28:33] within the law [28:34] usually criminals [28:36] or their accomplices [28:37] are the ones destroying [28:39] evidence of their crimes [28:40] instead [28:42] not a human rights lawyer [28:45] or a government [28:47] apparently committed [28:49] to upholding international law [28:50] so my question is [28:52] Prime Minister [28:54] Prime Minister [28:55] Prime Minister [28:56] Sir [28:56] you've gone taken far too long [28:58] Prime Minister [28:58] Mr Speaker [28:59] let me reassure the House [29:00] that the work of the [29:01] international law unit [29:02] has not ended [29:03] it will simply be done [29:04] by a different team [29:05] under a restructure [29:07] we will of course [29:08] continue to monitor [29:09] international humanitarian law [29:11] in Gaza and elsewhere [29:12] and invest in conflict [29:14] prevention [29:14] and resolution [29:15] new picture [29:17] thank you Mr Speaker [29:19] this Labour government [29:21] has backed the reopening [29:22] of Doncaster Sheffield Airport [29:24] it means jobs [29:28] investment [29:28] growth [29:29] and opportunities [29:30] not just for Doncaster [29:32] Eastern the Isle of Axome [29:33] but for the whole region [29:34] now the reform councillors [29:36] in Doncaster [29:37] are considering reversing [29:39] their decision [29:39] to support [29:40] to support the investment [29:42] which would currently [29:44] facilitate that airport [29:46] from reopening [29:47] does the Prime Minister [29:49] agree with me [29:50] that the airport [29:51] remains a huge priority [29:52] for the area [29:53] and will he continue [29:54] to work with us [29:55] to find a way forward [29:57] to make sure [29:58] that we get our airport [29:59] back open [30:00] well my honourable friend [30:04] is a champion [30:05] for this crucial local project [30:06] and I thank him [30:07] for his work [30:08] and I know [30:09] from visiting Doncaster [30:10] just how vital [30:11] reopening the airport [30:12] is for local residents [30:14] it will be a huge boost [30:16] for South Yorkshire [30:17] and unlock thousands [30:18] of jobs [30:19] I'm deeply concerned [30:20] by reports [30:21] that decisions [30:22] by reform in Doncaster [30:24] could put the reopening [30:25] in jeopardy [30:26] Labour put the plan [30:28] in place [30:29] reform should honour [30:30] their promises [30:31] stop playing games [30:33] and get the airport open [30:34] thank you very much [30:38] Mr Speaker [30:39] in a parliamentary session [30:40] which started out [30:41] with a degree [30:43] of anticipation [30:44] a level of expectation [30:46] and a promise of change [30:48] and what could be [30:49] the Prime Minister's [30:50] last Prime Minister's [30:51] question time [30:52] can I ask him [30:54] why does he think [30:55] it went so wrong [30:57] was it his failure [30:59] to support [30:59] our waspy women [31:00] his failure to support [31:02] our farmers [31:03] or his failure [31:04] to support [31:05] our Northern Ireland [31:06] veterans [31:06] and victims [31:07] of the Northern Ireland [31:08] troubles [31:09] or was it [31:10] those around him [31:12] who seemed more [31:13] interested in themselves [31:14] than the country [31:15] Prime Minister [31:17] Mr Speaker [31:18] I'm very proud [31:19] this government's [31:19] very proud [31:20] of the biggest [31:20] upgrade in workers' rights [31:22] in a generation [31:23] the biggest upgrade in [31:24] renters' rights [31:25] in a generation [31:26] and the most [31:27] any government [31:28] has ever done [31:29] to reduce child poverty [31:30] they will have [31:31] a lasting impact [31:32] on working people [31:33] across the United Kingdom [31:34] that's the change [31:35] we're bringing about [31:36] and I look forward [31:36] to continuing it [31:37] Thank you Mr Speaker [31:40] as this parliamentary session [31:42] draws to a close [31:43] it seems a good moment [31:44] to reflect on the legislation [31:46] passed since the general election [31:47] not all of it of course [31:48] but many of us [31:51] have walked through the lobbies [31:52] to pass 60 bills [31:54] that have touched [31:56] almost every aspect [31:58] of British life [31:59] from the care of [32:00] cats, dogs and ferrets [32:02] to the space industry [32:04] indemnities [32:05] along with a whole host [32:07] of measures [32:08] seeking to improve life [32:09] for renters, carers [32:10] investors, football fans [32:12] NHS patients [32:13] serving personnel [32:14] and more [32:15] Would the Prime Minister [32:18] agree with me [32:19] that this is a pretty good [32:22] first session report card [32:24] and would he agree [32:25] that the best is yet to come [32:26] Mr Speaker [32:28] she's right to highlight [32:29] the 50 pieces of legislation [32:31] the 50 bills [32:32] that we've put through [32:33] we whipped to change the country [32:35] we all voted [32:36] to change the country [32:37] they of course [32:39] opposed almost all of it [32:40] that's why we've got [32:42] stronger rights for renters [32:43] that's why we've got [32:44] stronger rights for workers [32:45] investing in our roads [32:47] and railways [32:47] reforming send [32:49] and driving down waiting lists [32:51] all opposed [32:52] by the party's opposite [32:53] and we're only just [32:54] getting started [32:55] Mr Speaker [32:55] we're going to go further [32:57] on a stronger economy [32:57] on energy security [32:59] and a stronger defence [33:00] question Sarah Gibson [33:04] thank you Mr Speaker [33:06] before we leave this house [33:08] for several weeks [33:09] I feel absolutely necessary [33:12] to raise an issue [33:13] within my constituency [33:14] which I have been trying [33:16] to get an answer [33:17] from DEFRA [33:18] and from the EA [33:19] where we have a landfill site [33:21] in Cannes [33:22] that is producing [33:23] sulphurous smells [33:25] that is causing residents [33:26] to need to close their windows [33:28] causing children [33:29] to have sore throats [33:30] and yet I am not getting [33:32] any answer [33:32] except that the [33:34] Environment Agency itself [33:35] admits that controls [33:37] may not be working [33:38] effectively [33:38] like my constituents [33:40] I find it really disappointing [33:42] that we are not getting [33:43] any serious response [33:45] this is not the kind of thing [33:46] you expect in the UK [33:48] you do not expect [33:49] the air you breathe [33:50] not to be safe [33:52] and I would like to urge [33:53] the Prime Minister [33:54] to help me [33:55] in getting a response [33:56] from DEFRA and from the EA [33:58] on what measures [33:59] can be put in place [34:00] to reassure my constituents [34:02] that they are not suffering [34:04] ill health [34:05] thank you [34:06] can I thank you [34:08] for raising the issue [34:09] now she has raised it with me [34:12] I will make sure [34:13] that I go away [34:14] and chase up [34:15] that she gets the reply [34:17] and importantly [34:18] that they are entitled to [34:20] that completes [34:23] the question [34:23] Catherine West [34:24] points of order [34:24] thank you very much [34:26] Mr Speaker [34:26] the whole house [34:27] will be very concerned [34:28] to hear about [34:29] the dreadful stabbings [34:30] this morning [34:31] in the borough of Barnett [34:33] and as a member [34:34] for Hornsey and Friar Barnett [34:35] I'm very worried [34:36] about this repeated [34:37] violence against [34:39] the Jewish community [34:40] and Mr Speaker [34:41] I just wanted to [34:42] reach out to the whole house [34:44] to say [34:44] we condemn these [34:46] alleged attacks [34:47] and we wish [34:48] the police [34:49] the council [34:50] and all the community [34:51] services [34:51] the very best [34:52] in solving this [34:53] and bringing to justice [34:54] those perpetrators [34:55] of these violent crimes [34:56] yes [34:57] Prime Minister [34:59] would you want to respond [35:00] yes [35:01] can I first thank her [35:03] for raising this issue [35:04] which I had learnt about [35:07] before Prime Minister's [35:08] questions [35:08] it is deeply concerning [35:09] to everyone [35:11] in this house [35:13] there is now [35:13] a police investigation [35:15] and I think [35:16] we all need to do [35:16] everything we can [35:17] to support that [35:18] investigation [35:19] and be absolutely clear [35:21] in our determination [35:22] to deal with [35:23] any of these [35:24] offences [35:25] the like of which [35:26] we've seen [35:26] too much [35:27] recently [35:28] point of order [35:31] John MacDonald [35:32] Mr Speaker [35:33] as you know [35:34] as Secretary [35:35] of the NEJ [35:36] Parliamentary Group [35:37] I raised earlier [35:38] this week [35:38] a point of order [35:39] concerning the US [35:40] agency APCO's [35:41] role [35:41] in undertaking [35:42] the investigation [35:43] of journalists [35:44] for Labour together [35:45] which resulted [35:45] in the smearing [35:46] of those journalists [35:47] I explained [35:48] as a result [35:49] of concern [35:49] about the reach [35:51] of APCO's [35:51] investigation [35:52] a number [35:53] of honourable members [35:54] have submitted [35:54] subject interest request [35:56] to the company [35:56] and to Labour together [35:57] there's been a delay [35:59] in the response [36:00] from Labour together [36:01] to these requests [36:01] but APCO has confirmed [36:03] in a very redacted form [36:05] that information [36:06] on MPs [36:06] was being collected [36:07] and I referred [36:09] this week [36:09] to information [36:10] from a whistleblower [36:11] a freelancer [36:12] involved in the [36:13] Labour together inquiry [36:14] indicating that APCO [36:16] had instructed [36:16] this person [36:17] to destroy files [36:18] of material [36:19] related to the inquiry [36:20] only hours ago [36:22] on the Financial Times [36:24] online [36:25] we have confirmed [36:26] that tapes [36:27] do exist [36:28] that include [36:28] conversations [36:29] by APCO's [36:30] head of media [36:31] relations for Europe [36:32] Tom Harper [36:33] discussing the deletion [36:35] of an email account [36:36] and saying [36:38] I quote [36:39] whether they will [36:41] be able to see [36:42] that through [36:42] digital forensics [36:43] or something like [36:44] that [36:45] references with regard [36:47] to this inquiry [36:48] he also refers [36:49] to processes [36:50] to muddy the waters [36:51] than the audit trail [36:52] there is also [36:54] now I can report [36:56] if I can [36:57] Mr. Speaker [36:57] I'm sorry for the delay [36:59] I can also report [37:00] that evidence [37:01] was submitted [37:01] to the inquiry [37:02] by Sir Laurie Magnuss [37:04] the Prime Minister's [37:05] ethics advisor [37:06] by Paul Holden [37:07] one of the journalists [37:08] who were victims [37:08] of the smear [37:09] but the evidence [37:10] was not supplied [37:11] by the cabinet office [37:12] to the secretary [37:13] to the inquiry [37:14] to Laurie Magnuss [37:15] on behalf of the [37:17] NUJ Parliamentary Group [37:18] I want to express [37:19] our concern [37:19] but also [37:21] it is important [37:24] it is important [37:25] from the NUJ [37:27] Parliamentary Group [37:28] we are concerned [37:29] about the smearing [37:30] of journalists [37:31] but we also need [37:32] to know [37:33] what if any surveillance [37:34] of honorary members [37:35] was taking place [37:36] and for what purposes [37:37] and we call again [37:39] for an independent inquiry [37:40] into APCO's role [37:42] and Labour Together's [37:43] role in this issue [37:44] can I say [37:46] it is a very [37:47] very serious allegation [37:48] that I do take seriously [37:50] members of Parliament [37:52] are here [37:53] to carry out [37:54] their duties [37:54] and what is being alleged [37:57] is very serious [37:58] I do believe [37:59] it needs to be [38:00] investigated thoroughly [38:01] from my point of view [38:02] I would expect [38:03] as the Honourable [38:04] Mentelman's been here [38:05] a long time [38:06] no doubt he will use [38:07] the table office [38:08] as part of the [38:09] avenues [38:09] to pursue [38:10] what he has said [38:11] there may be [38:12] other ways [38:12] and there may be [38:14] serious security [38:15] implications [38:16] to this house [38:16] as well [38:17] that I will also [38:18] take up [38:19] in other avenues [38:19] thank you for that [38:20] point of order [38:23] on a point of order [38:25] the right number [38:26] of Member for Newark [38:27] visited my constituency [38:28] yesterday [38:28] without notifying me [38:30] this is not the first time [38:31] the usual courtesy [38:32] to this house [38:33] have been disregarded [38:34] by Reform UK [38:35] when visiting Portsmouth [38:36] further to that [38:37] is it in order [38:38] Mr Speaker [38:39] for a former [38:40] immigration minister [38:40] who helped shape [38:41] the current asylum system [38:42] to visit constituencies [38:43] and push campaigns [38:44] that mislead [38:45] and cause hatred [38:46] and division [38:47] Mr Speaker [38:48] given this blatant [38:49] disregard for this convention [38:50] and curtsies to the house [38:51] and absolute lack of [38:53] integrity and respect [38:54] can you advise [38:55] what recourse is available [38:56] to me [38:56] as a constituent seat member [38:58] I think there's another one [39:01] on the same point of order [39:02] to be clear [39:02] and now complete [39:03] very busy yesterday [39:07] as alarmed residents [39:09] in the town of Seaford [39:09] in my constituency [39:10] reported [39:11] sighted in the [39:12] 5-2 [39:12] Mr Speaker [39:14] he was apparently there [39:15] campaigning to support [39:16] the reform candidate [39:18] for Seaford North [39:18] who is set to lose [39:19] his seat [39:20] to the Liberal Democrats [39:21] I understand there's a [39:22] common courtesy in this place [39:23] for members to inform [39:25] one another [39:25] of official visits [39:26] to their constituencies [39:27] on this occasion [39:28] that did not happen [39:29] Mr Speaker [39:30] could you advise me [39:31] on this issue [39:31] can I say to both of you [39:34] I thank all members [39:35] for the punch [39:35] for the raise [39:36] and I reminded the house [39:38] on numerous occasions [39:39] members must notify [39:41] their colleagues [39:42] if they intend to visit [39:44] another member's constituency [39:46] except for purely [39:47] private purposes [39:48] I expect members [39:50] on all sides of the house [39:51] to show that courtesy [39:53] to their colleagues [39:54] whether the front bench [39:55] or not [39:56] it is courtesy [39:57] I expect it to be done [39:59] that way [40:00] those members [40:01] who have failed [40:02] to do so [40:02] I do hope [40:03] they will apologise [40:04] to the members concerned [40:06] it's election fever time [40:08] we don't need [40:09] any more of it [40:09] so please [40:10] carry out the curse [40:12] of this house [40:12] Dame Chiamwara [40:14] thank you Mr Speaker [40:16] the Leader of the Opposition [40:18] who is not in her place [40:19] said that [40:20] 1.5 million extra people [40:23] were on universal credit [40:25] now she will know [40:26] that this is [40:27] a deeply misleading number [40:29] because it is largely [40:31] a consequence [40:32] of the transition [40:33] from legacy systems [40:35] to universal credit [40:36] and her background [40:37] is in IT [40:38] she should know [40:39] how it works [40:39] I was just happy [40:40] in fact more people [40:42] are in work [40:43] now than under [40:45] the Tories [40:45] so given [40:47] I'm not quite sure [40:48] it's a point of order [40:49] for me [40:49] because [40:50] no let me finish [40:51] it would be easier [40:52] for both of us [40:52] it's a pinetal judgment [40:54] that you were correcting [40:55] the record on [40:56] to try and say [40:57] if somebody [40:58] inadvertently [40:59] has misled the house [41:00] it is for them [41:01] to correct the record [41:02] not for me [41:03] and I certainly [41:04] don't want to reopen [41:05] the questions [41:06] that we've just closed [41:07] so thank you [41:08] for making it [41:08] and bringing it [41:09] to the attention [41:10] of the house [41:10] and know it will be [41:11] in hand [41:11] so [41:12] point of order [41:13] thank you Mr Speaker [41:15] how do I gain your advice [41:17] from a point of order [41:18] that actually is [41:19] inadvertently misleading [41:20] what the leader [41:21] of the opposition said [41:22] where the leader [41:23] and that's the danger [41:25] of what I started [41:26] can I just say [41:28] that's the problem [41:29] we've had some [41:30] very serious [41:31] points of order [41:32] let's leave it [41:33] with a serious [41:33] punch of order [41:34] before [41:35] we haven't got the time [41:37] to play around [41:37] right [41:38] Richard Holden [41:41] I seek your guidance [41:43] on two matters [41:44] relating to [41:45] completeness of [41:46] ministerial answers [41:47] to this house [41:48] in a recent answer [41:49] to my honourable friend [41:50] the member for Leicester East [41:51] on the 24th of April [41:52] the Minister for Transport [41:53] the member for Wakefield [41:54] and Rothwell [41:54] referred to an attached [41:56] spreadsheet [41:56] to a written parliamentary [41:57] question which wasn't [41:58] provided [41:59] this is a third time [42:00] this has happened [42:00] in recent months [42:01] in addition [42:02] I wrote to the same [42:03] Minister on March 2nd [42:04] seeking clarification [42:05] of an earlier written [42:06] answer [42:07] in light of remarks [42:08] he made in Westminster [42:09] Hall [42:09] on the 27th of January [42:10] and have still yet [42:11] to receive a reply [42:12] could you advise me [42:14] Mr Speaker [42:14] how members can secure [42:15] timely and complete [42:17] information [42:17] when matters referred [42:19] for answers [42:19] are still [42:20] I think we both [42:21] grasp it [42:22] and you know the answer [42:24] better than I do [42:25] as do [42:25] Mr Holder [42:26] as a former [42:27] Secretary of State [42:27] and Minister [42:28] you know very well [42:29] how these things happen [42:30] look [42:31] let me just say [42:32] I thank the right [42:32] member for his [42:33] point of order [42:34] he will know [42:34] that I'm not [42:35] responsible [42:36] for ministerial answers [42:37] however [42:37] all members [42:39] should receive [42:40] full and timely answers [42:41] the Treasury bench [42:42] will have heard [42:43] his concerns [42:43] and I hope [42:44] ask you to subscribe to our