Transcripts For CSPAN Prime 20240706 : vimarsana.com

Weve come to questions of the Prime Minister. Tim wallupton. Walton. Prime minister. Mr. Speaker, the u. K. Will continue to work to end the bloodshed in sudan and support a democratic government. We have begun a large scale evacuation of british nationals, mr. Speaker, this morning i had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others, in addition to my other duties in the house. I i shall have later such meetings. Mr. Speaker, yesterday opposition grabbed a crude headline about teaching boys to have respect for women, an important issue, im sure the Prime Minister will agree. But given that the leader of the. Decision apparently doesnt know what a woman is [inaudible conversations] that he wont stand up to defend women in his own party [inaudible] and according to failed to prosecute when he was in charge of does my right honorable friend think that the labour party are in any position to teach anyone about respect for women, and is irony kid . [inaudible conversations] further responsibility the answer of the opposition. Mr. Speaker, my honorable friend is absolutely right. The leader, the leader of oppositions record on women is questionable at best, mr. Speaker, and before labour do stop teaching about those issues, they should work out the answer to one simple question. Im certain what a woman is, is he . If. Weve now come to the leader of the opposition, kier starmer. Mr. Speaker, can i join the Prime Minister in awe paying tribute with to the brave brush personnel involved in the evacuation effort from sue can. The sudan. The government must do everything in its power to evacuate u. K. Nationals still trapped in sudan. Mr. Speaker, yesterday George Osborn said that the of the economy makes them vandals. Hes right, isnt he . Prime minister. Well, mr. Speaker, while were in the business of quoting former chancellors, i dont know if he saw the remarks from a former labour shadow chance record who said our country has faced four once in a century threats to our economy, and the pact that weve come through it is a triumph, mr. Speaker. [cheers and applause] that former chancellor, i i think he said [inaudible] he also said theres a selfinduced financial crisis on the country. And and they like to pretend that it was all just one week with of madness last autumn, but the truth 1st the been 13 years truth is its been 13 years of failure. Real wages, the money in peoples pockets has fallen by 1600 pounds per household. 1600 pounds. The Prime Ministers response . To impose 24 tor ily tax rises in three years. 24. How on everett does he think his low growth, high tax economy is working for working people . Prime minister. Mr. Speaker, because of the action that weve taken on the National Living wage at record levels, on pension, on universal credit and the generous cost of living payments. Just yesterday, mr. Speaker, almost 8 million households receiving direct support from this government. We also support working people. But just this week, mr. Speaker, weve seen his party side with protesters and with picketers. He should actually try back working people. [cheers and applause] kier starmer. Were 1600 pounds worse off. Mr. Speaker, im genuinely fasts nateed to know the, does he really think everythings fine, or is he just clueless about life outside of his bubble . Prime minister. Mr. Speaker, because of the actions we have taken, lets just go over it. A single mother, a single mother working full time on the National Living wage this year will get 1,300 pounds more support from the government. A working couple on low income with two children will get 1,800 pounds, mr. Speaker. Thats what delivering for working persons hooks like. But if he has any actual ideas for the economy, he should say so. This is all i hear from the Party Opposite is more spending, more borrowing, higherren inflation, higher interest rates. Its same old labour party. 4 the tax rises. 24 tax rises. And ive never heard anything so out of touch as the answer that he has just given. Its not just his refusal to take any responsibility for the damage theyve done, the crashed economy, hit to the living standards. Its also he refuses to to take the action thats needed. Finish he could stop the handouts hes giving to oil and and gasp giants. He could scrap his beloved [inaudible] he could put that money back in the hands of working people been back on their feet. Thats what a labor government would do. Why doesnt he . Mr. Speaker, the record look at it right now, record, Railroad Numbers of people in work Record Numbers of people in work, mr. Speaker. Record number of people in work. The number of people in poverty the lower, those many in low pay, the lowest numbersen on record, mr. Speaker. I think hes already spent the money that he claims hes raised on five different things, mr. Speaker. Its the same old labour party. Theyre always running out of other peoples money. [cheers and applause] order, order. I had enough last week, or im certainly not having this continuous noise. So just be aware that somebody will be going back on the tee today. Prime minister. Mr. Speaker, he calls this [inaudible] lets be honest about what his refusal to scrap the [inaudible] status means. It means that at every possible opportunity he has voted to put taxes up on working people. While at the same time taking every possible opportunity to the protect a tax avoidance scheme that helps his own finances. Why telling people across the country that their taxes must go up so that his can stay low . Prime minister. Mr. Speaker, the very wealthiest pay more taxes and the or poorest pay less tax than under any year of the last Labour Government, mr. Speaker. Weve also boosted the National Living wage, boosted universal credit and pensioners. Mr. Speaker, the rank hypocrisy of it as we saw, as we saw last week when it comes to his own special Pension Scheme [inaudible conversations] i mean, i said it last week, ill say it again, its literally one for hum and a tax rise for everybody else. [cheers and applause] mr. Speaker, heres the difference. Our pension giveaway [inaudible] or not. He refuses, he refuses to scrap the status that benefits him and his family. I can see why this Prime Minister is so removed from the country that he boasted that he didnt know a single working [inaudible] so insulate from reality that that he proudly told the torrey party how he moved money from poor areas and handed it to rich ones. So out of touch that that he looks at a petrol and a debit card like theyve just arrived from mars. [laughter] is it any wonder in that hes fouled his way through the cost of living crisis while putting other peoples taxes up . Is it any wonder he doesnt have a clue how food prices are hammering families across the country in and is it any wonder that under him people are paying more and more and getting less and less . [cheers and applause] mr. Speaker, lets just, well just look at whats happened just in this week, mr. Speaker, where the labour party have put themselves. On monday in the ore place they decided to side with extremist protesters. Just yesterday they sided with polluters, mr. Speaker. And tonight [inaudible conversations] and tonight and tonight, and tonight we will see them siding with the people smugglers, mr. Speaker. Ill tell you this, whilst were in the business of serving back the 1,000 Illegal Migrants from albania, delivering cost payments to millions of households just yesterday and today, weve announced weve put 20,000 more Police Officers on the streets, mr. Speaker. Were siding with the british people, mr. Speaker. Thats what this government does. Thank you, mr. Speaker. 60 years ago urban District Council wrote to the government about the urgent need for a bypass to my constituency in leeds. 40 40 years ago the central portion was conducted, but to the day the bypass remains unfinished leading to daily gridlock in some areas of the community. Will the Prime Minister support my proposal to complete it, and will he meet with me to discuss it further so we can get leeds moving again . Mr. Speaker, i commend my. Honorable friends campaigning on this issue, and i know there have been a number of proposals for improvements in this area. He will know this, the local Highway Authority to develop those plans, but i know a meeting is planned many if june to move proposals forward. I know he will take his energy and enthusiasm for his campaign to that meeting, and i wish him well. [inaudible] leader. Thank you, mr. Speaker. Can i ask the, can i ask the Prime Minister to outline the safe and legal route available to a child refugee seeking to flee sudan and come to the united king come . Can kingdom . Mr. Speaker, as i announced earlier, our priority in sudan, first and foremost, was to evacuate our diplomats and their families which im very pleased we were one of the first countries to be able to do, mr. Speaker. And since yesterday weve been conducting a large scale evacuation of british nationals [inaudible conversations] we have some of the largest numbers of british nationals on the ground and rightly, and im sure the whole house would agree me, thats the reasonable, legal and fair to prioritize those most vulnerable families, particularly those with elderly people in them, medical conditions but also children, mr. Speaker. Thats what were in the process of doing, and i pay tribute to the all those who are making it possible. Leader of the spp. But, mr. Speaker, to be clear, and i think everyone in the house is aware of this, children in sudan are already dying. Whether its stopping small boats, we need some more humanity [inaudible] rather than a race to the bottom which we see here today. Can i i ask the Prime Minister new that he hasen confirmed that there is no safe and legal route, will he therefore confirm that it was the governments intention to a child refugee could flee sudan and and come to the United Kingdom . Mr. Speaker, in fact, because of the efforts of our 18th, weve invested almost 250 Million Pounds in humanitarian support in sudan over the past five years. And, mr. Speaker, the honorable gentleman doesnt always, but actually this country has a proud record of compassionately supporting those who need our assistance. Just over the last few years we have welcomed almost half a million vulnerable if people to our country including many children, and its that that compassion that we want to make sure that we continue, mr. Speaker, which is why its precisely right that we make sure our system is not exploited by those coming here illegally x thats what our bill will deliver. [inaudible] mr. Speaker [inaudible] so that every day that goes past we have housing applications that put pressure on the infrastructure. Now, locally the 300,000 target the government has, yet the have a target of 380,000. [background sounds] will the Prime Minister change the laws to insure that communities like burrbridge and will get the infrastructure and protection they need for the housing that we need maniesome be enter Prime Minister. Well, mr. Speaker, my if honorable friend is right to point out the hypocrisy of the local level democrats on this issue, and hes right to highlight this issue locally because the new infrastructure that does give local areas the power to deliver the local infrastructure that he. Supports and wants few his area. But also hes right [inaudible] a local plan because it is precisely that having a local are plan is what gives communities the power to insure that that Development Many in their area is happening in the way that they want it to, and the council is failing to do that for communities by not putting forward that local plan. [inaudible] roberts. Incredibly, any traveler who wants to go has to go via [inaudible] now, the pm talks about running away with other peoples money, but his government is depriving rails to the iewn of 6 billion pounds by ruling that northsouth england rail links like hs2 somehow benefit wales. Will he plead guilty to the great welsh train robbery . Mr. Speaker, as the honorable lady knows how transport matters are handled in wales, and we do always want to work cooperate i havely cooperatively with the welsh government. Were investing record sums in communities up and down through wales through the leveledup fund and the Community Ownership fund. And i think hopefully she will join me in saying is what the people of wales do not need is a Labour Government plan to ban all new roads. [inaudible] thank you, mr. Speaker. Will the Prime Minister back our local plan to reopen our [inaudible] college, and does he agree that to the negotiate the sales in good faith and not resort to using public money to sue our Prime Minister. Well, mr. Speaker, i thank my honorable friend for raising this issue. I, of course, recognize the valuable work that all colleges do in meeting local skills needy right honorable friend, the education secretary, is in cushion with the college, and i know in discussion with the college, and i know my honorable friend will continue making recommendations to her. [inaudible] mr. Speaker, my constituents many greenwood tragically lost a 1 theyearold daughter in a road traffic collision that should never have happened. They are now campaigning for l are eeds vision zero which aims to run serious injuries by 2040. We really have to make our roads much safer. So will the Prime Minister commit to giving local authority to efficient funding in order to the insure that these vehicle collisions can never take a young life again . Prime minister. Well, mr. Speaker, im incredibly sorry to the hear about the tragic loss of the daughter. Of course we should do everything we can to improved road safety. I know actually at the moment that we are doing an enormous amount, and the a statistics show that its improving, but were happy to do more, and i know the transportation secretary will look into the [inaudible] mr. Speaker, a village in my community has about a thousand residents, a hotel was bought and there are now proposals to house 400 single male migrants in the building and in shipping containers around the grounds. Can the Prime Minister facilitate a meeting for myself and some local residents with the home secretary to hear the concerns of the local residents who are worried that the government just isnt listening to them . Prime minister. Mr. Speaker, the honorable gentleman raised exactly why we need to take action, because its not right that our local hotels many in all our communities are being used to such degree to house illegal asylum seekers, not least because its costing the british taxier manager like 5. 56 Million Pounds a day, and were bringing forward legislation that will enable us to swiftly detain and send back those who should not be here, but i will make sure he gets a meeting with the immigration minister. [inaudible] figures out today show that the food banks gave out a Record Number of meals over or the past year, at least 3 million years, a billion of which went to children. Now the Prime Ministers fortunate, hes a wealthy man, but all these families want to be abled to do is put food on their table, period their own children without having to resort to food banks. Because he think thats too much to ask . Prime minister. Well, mr. Speaker, as i said previously, we absolutely dont want anyone to have to rely on ad food bank on a food bank. Im very grateful to all of those who volunteer their time to make sure they are providing their local community. Weve put substantial provision in place not only preschool meals which are helping 2 million children, but also last year the investment in the holiday activity and food program which provides not just food, but also activitieses outside of and well continue to do everything we can to help those in low pay which is why were raising the National Living wage to record levels. And if im pleased to say that those living in poverty today is 2 million lower hand when we first came into office. [inaudible] thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, is he correct the remarkably cheap, brightlycolored with face nees such as unicorn, milk shake, bubble gum and green gummy bear have proved remarkably attractive to children, potentially harmful nick teen addictions. Nicotine addictions. Will my honorable friend meet with me to talk about how Government Departments can the. [inaudible] and will he back my bill [inaudible] Prime Minister. Can i commend my honorable friend for her work in this area. I absolutely recognize the concern that she raises both on the environmental impacts of disposable vape ises but also their appeal to children. Dhsc have announced a call for evidence to look at reducing youth vaping including flavors and marketing. Weve also been clear that all electrical waste should be disposed of properly and looking at what changes in legislation might be needed to insure that the vaping sector foots the bill for the collection and treatment of their used product. [inaudible] thank you, mr. Speaker. As we celebrate the turning point u. K a drag story thyme event in my con stitch went city on saturday for the third time this year. These events are friendly, includes i opportunities for children to hear a story and learn about equality. Turning point u. K. Members, by contrast, seek to intimidate our young people. They share misleading images on social media and pioneer [inaudible] but will the Prime Minister condemn turning point opinion u. K. s attempts to spread hatred and division in my constituency and across the country . Prime minister. Yeah. Well, mr. Speaker, im not aware of the specific allegations the honorable but in general we should treat everybody with respect and understanding and compassion, mr. Speaker, and people should be allowed to gather and associate freely within the bounds of the law. When it comes to children, as we said, its important that the material that children are exposed to in classrooms is sensitive and ageappropriate, and thats why were reviewing the guidance currently. [inaudible] thank you, mr. Speaker. This year marks the 400th anniversary of the publication of shakespeares first folio, and his plays are not only a central part of our national culture, but many people around the world see them as a beacon of hope in darkest times. I recently met with professor if natalia the director of the Shakespeare Institute in ukraine, who told stories of actors, directors and scholars putting on shakespeare plays in air raid shelters in ukraine as an act of defiance against russian aggression and bombs. So what the Prime Minister would the Prime Minister agree with me that notwithstanding the sound and fury of domestic politics, that in shakespeares works we have a force for freedom in a world often dominated by the brutality and tyranny of of oppressive regimes . I join my honorable friend in his comments. And coincidentally, one of the first gifts that i gave president zelenskyy was an old copy of henry v. And so i think his comments are well made, and thats why were training and arming the Ukrainian Forces with the equipment they need to Push Back Russian forces, and we know and i know the whole house join me in saying that the people of ukraines incredible strength and inspiring bravery will ultimately defeat tyranny. [inaudible] thank you, mr. Speaker. Month marks 23 years since the passing of the late, great bernie grant, former member of this house, and the founder of the reparations within the u. K. Many his last Prime Ministers questions before his death, he offered an apology to the people of african descent living and dead for our countrys role in slavery and colonialism. But since then Prime Ministers and heads of state is have only ever expressed sorrow or to deep regret. These are not sentimentses that are befitting one of the greatest atrocities in human history. And theres been no acknowledgment of the wealth that has been amassed or the fact that our country took out the largest loan it ever had to the pay off the slave owners and and not the slaves. So i want to ask the Prime Minister today if he will do what bernie grant asked all those years ago, what i i have asked and what countless other have asked, offer a full, meaningful apology for our countrys ole in slavery and colonialism and commit to the repertory justice. No, mr. Speaker. Thats what i think our focus should now be on doing. Of course, understanding our history, not running away from it. Right now making sure that we have a society which is inclusive and tolerant of people from all backgrounds. Thats manager that we on this side of the house are committed to do and will continue to deliver, but trying to [inaudible] is not the right way forward, and its not something that we will focus our energies on. [inaudible] thank you, mr. Speaker. The Prime Minister will recall his visit to rugby to the see our great work in delivering new homes in the community of where 1,600 homeses are now occupied. Regrettably, Urgent Care Centers [inaudible] are not keeping pace with this growth. And as a consequence, 80,000 of my constituents now live more than 50 minutes drive from from a major or concern may i, therefore, violate the president to the return to rugby to see for himself to need the need to upgrade our Emergency Care division . Prime minister. Mr. Speaker, its absolutely vital that people can access the services they need, particularly energy care, and thats why were investing an extra billion pounds of dedicated funding to support urgent emergency and my honorable friend will know that the specific proto vision is a matter for local nhs commissioners and providers because plans need to be developed locally and take into account the expanding needs of local populations, and i know my honorable friend will continue to engage to insure views of his constituents and community are well known and adequately provided for. [inaudible] thank you, mr. Speaker. Prime minister, every day i meet with constituents struggling to make ends meet. Food banks barely managing to meet the command. Businesses up and down the country struggling to meet their energy bills, yet the bank of england once again which will affect [inaudible] once again. Does the Prime Minister after 13 years of agree with bank of englands chief economist that the should just accept being Prime Minister. Mr. Speaker, were doing an enormous amount to support those who most need our help with the cost of living and some of the pressure particularly on energy bills a that they face. Thats why we made a decision to tax the windfall profits of Energy Companies and use that money to pay around half of a typical familys energy bill. That is support worth 1500 pounds, it applies across the United Kingdom. And on op of that, there are direct payments going to the most vulnerable families in our society. Just yesterday the first of those payments was put out, 300 pounds, the first of three, and that went to one in three households, mr. Speaker, including many in scotland. And that is our conservative government delivering for the people of scotland and making sure they have the help they need to manage some of the pressures that theyre facing. Robert dublin. In yorkshire, we say you should judge a person by the company they keep, so what was the Prime Ministers view of an individual who cannot only bear to pend more than 10 minutes in the presence of vladimir putin, but refer toes to him referring the refers to him as a dear friend . Prime minister. Well, mr. Speaker, i think our views of president putin are well known. His illegal war in ukraine has caused untold misery for many people, its caused a human aaron crisis, and its still ongoing in defiance of International Condemnation and sanction, mr. Speaker. We will do everything we can to bring those responsible for war crimes to justice, continue to support ukraine militarily and make sure that we support them all the way to victory, mr. Speaker. And i know the whole house is united in wanting that outcome. Sir george thank you, mr. Speaker. Given the chronic lack of capacity at the nhs, the Prime Minister will be aware that Community Pharmacies can help deal with minor illnesses. But there is a problem. On average, ten pharmacies close every in england. Will he take urgent action to prevent further closures and commission of properlyfunded Pharmacy First Service for minor illnesses . Mr. Speaker, rare agreement between the honorable gentleman and myself. Im a wholehearted champion and believer in the role pardon me says can play, and we want to make sure that they can, they can do everything to ease some of the pressures in primary care. Its something were actively talking to the sector about. Well continue to do everything we can for communities because i know firsthand how respected they are in their communities, and i think they can be more [inaudible]. Will the Prime Minister join me in congratulating agile at the club including the loyal supporters and the owners, rob mcaleenan and will the greek brexit is no longer a neglected place to quickly becoming a jewel in the crown of the United Kingdom . Well, mr. Speaker, can i join my honorable friend in congratulating everyone at wrexham from the owners, players and supporters and everyone in the committee. An incredible rise. Weve all enjoyed watching them and we wish them every future success. They are indeed a jewel in the crown and she deserves enormous credit for championing them in this place. Thank you, mr. Speaker. After an investigation, i would ask the Prime Minister, senior conservative mp was guilty of behavior that was aggressive and intimidating. The mp in question [inaudible] the whole string of conservative mps choose to defendant what does it say about the Prime Ministers own values that he has done nothing to investigate this . Prime minister. Mr. Speaker, we informal complaints were made i rightly initiated and independent investigation and this is it reported action was taken. To follow due process and let the process play out, mr. Speaker, but it do think in some odd to be talking about those values from the mp