01/03/2017 Prime Minister's Questions

Government's internal discussions on Brexit. What I have committed to do

is deliver the best possible deal for Scotland in these negotiations.

Questions to the Prime Minister. I'm sure the people here would like

to join me in wishing the people across the world a happy St David's

Day. I'm sure the whole house will also want to join me in paying

tribute to our former colleague, Sir Gerald Kaufman, who died over the

weekend. He was an outstanding MP who dedicated his life to the

service of his constituents. As father of the House, his wisdom and

experience will be missed right across the House. I'm sure our

thoughts are with his friends and family. I had meetings with

ministerial colleagues and others, in addition to my duties with the

House I will have further such meetings today. I would like to

associate myself with the Prime Minister's remarks and assure the

many relatives and friends of our former colleague that they are very

much in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Mr Speaker,

following last week's historic by-election victory in Copeland...

CHEERING Does my right honourable friend

believe this is an endorsement of her government's plans to maintain a

strong economy, bring our society together, and ensure that we make a

huge success of leaving the European Union? I thank my honourable friend.

First of all, I would like to congratulate my honourable friend,

the new member for Copeland, and I look forward to welcoming her to

this house very shortly. But my honourable friend is absolutely

right that last week's historic result in Copeland was an

endorsement of our plans to keep the economy strong. And our plans to

ensure places like Copeland to share in the economic success after years

of Labour neglect. It was also an endorsement of our plans to unite

communities where Labour seeks to sow division. And I think it was an

endorsement of offering strong, competent leadership in the face of

Labour's chaos. Jeremy Kerley bin. Thank you, Mr Speaker. -- Jeremy

Corbyn. Could I join the Prime Minister in wishing everyone in

Wales and all Welsh people all around the world a very happy St

David's Day. And could I also expressed the hope that the workers

at the Ford plant in Bridgend gets today daily assurances they need

about their job security and job futures. Mr Speaker, I also want to

echo the Prime Minister's tribute to Gerald Kaufman who served in this

house since 1970 - the longest serving member. He started in

political life as an adviser to Harold Wilson. He was an iconic

figure in the Labour Party and British politics. He was a champion

for peace and justice in the Middle East, and around the world.

Yesterday at his funeral, the rabbi who conducted the service, radio

message on behalf of the House to his family, which was so much

appreciated. -- conveyed your message on behalf of the House.

Yesterday I spoke to his family and I asked how would they describe

Gerald. They said he was an awesome uncle. I think we should remember

Gerald as that. We convey our condolences to all of his family. Mr

Speaker, just after the last budget, we then Work and Pensions Secretary

resigned, accusing the Government of balancing the books on the backs of

the poor and vulnerable. Last week, the Government sneaked out a

decision to overrule a court decision to extend personal

independence payments to people with severe mental health conditions. A

government that found ?1 billion in inheritance tax cuts to benefit

26,000 families seems unable to find the money to support 160,000 people

with debilitating mental health conditions. Will the Prime Minister

change her mind? Let me be very clear about what is being proposed

in relation to personal independence payments. This is not a policy

change. This is not a cut in the amount that is going to be spent on

disability benefits. And no one is going to see a reduction in their

benefit from that previously awarded by the DWP. What we are doing is

restoring this particular payment to the original intention that was

agreed by the coalition government, agreed by this parliament after

extensive consultation. Extensive consultation is an

interesting idea because the court made its decision last year. The

Government did not consult the Social Security advisory committee

and instead at the last minute snaked out its decision. The court

ruled that the payment should be made because the people who are

going to benefit from it were suffering overwhelming psychological

distress. Just a year ago, the new Work and Pensions Secretary said you

can tell the House were not going ahead with the changes to Pip that

were put forward. Her friend, the member for South Cambridgeshire,

said that in her view, the courts were there for a reason. If both,

with a warning that raise the criteria should be extended, she

believed there should be a duty to honour that. Isn't she right? First

of all, on the issue of these payments and those with mental

health conditions, actually, Personal Independence Payment is

better for people with mental health conditions. Two thirds of people

with mental health conditions who are in receipt of Personal

Independence Payment, two thirds of them get awarded the higher daily

living rate allowance. That compares, that two thirds compared

to less than a quarter under the previous DLA arrangements. But it

second time that the right honourable gentleman has suggested

that somehow this change was sneaked out. It was in a written ministerial

statement to Parliament. And I... Can I remind him, week after week he

talks to me about the importance of Parliament. We accepted the

importance of Parliament and maybe statement to Parliament. But also

she referred to the Social Security advisory and they can look at this.

My right honourable friend the Work and Pensions Secretary called the

chairman of the Social Security advisory committee and spoke to him

about the regulations on the day they were being introduced. He

called the chairman of the work and pensions select committee and spoke

to him about the regulations being introduced. He called both officers

of the Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, but there was no answer

and they didn't come back to him for four days. Mr Speaker... Mr Speaker,

calling the... Mr Speaker, calling the chairs of two committees and

making a written statement to the House does not add up to scrutiny.

And as I understand it, there was no call made to the office of my

friend, the shadow Secretary of State. Mr Speaker, the reality is

this is a shameful decision that will affect people with dementia,

those suffering cognitive disorders due to a stroke, military veterans

with post-traumatic stress disorder, and those with schizophrenia. Can

she looked at the effects of her decision to override what an

independent court has decided and think again? The issues that he

raised, the conditions that he raised, is these are taken into

account when decisions are made about Personal Independence

Payments. What the court said was the regulations were unclear. That

is why we are clarifying the regulations and ensuring that they

respect and inflect the original intention agreed by this Parliament.

If the right honourable gentleman wants to talk about support being

given to people with disabilities, this government is spending more

than ever on support for people with disability and health conditions. We

are spending more than ever on people with mental health

conditions. As I say to him, what we are doing with the Personal

Independence Payments is ensuring that those who are most in need get

most support. The Government has overridden an independent court

decision on this, and they should think very long and hard about that.

Her friend, the member for North East Bedfordshire, said this week

the Government had to make it very clear that physical and mental

health of the same priority. In 2002, the Prime Minister made a

speech at the Conservative Party conference. I was watching on

television. She described her party as we Nasty Party. She said some

Tories have tried to make political capital by demonising minority. This

week, her policy chair suggested people with debilitating conditions

were those who, and I quote, take a at home, who suffer from an anxiety,

and were not really disabled. Isn't that prove the Nasty Party is still

around? My honourable friend has rightly apologised for the comment

that he made, and I hope that the whole house will accept his apology.

He asks me about the parity between mental health and physical

conditions. It is this Conservative government that has introduced

parity of esteem in relation to dealing with mental health in the

National Health Service. How many years where labour in government and

did nothing about that? 13 years! It was a Labour amendment to the health

and social care bill that resulted in parity of esteem being put on the

face of the bill. I'm surprised she's forgotten that, because she

could take this opportunity to thank the Labour Party for putting that

forward. Earlier this... The Prime Minister made a speech earlier this

year supporting parity of esteem for mental health, and I'm glad she did.

40% of NHS mental health trusts are having their budgets cut. There are

6600 fewer mental health nurses, and 160,000 people with severe mental

health conditions about to lose out on support. Can she not recognised

parity of esteem means finding it properly, and not overriding court

decisions that would benefit people suffering from very difficult

conditions? We should reach out to them, not deny them support they

need. As I say, we are spending more than ever on mental health. That's

?11.4 billion a year. More people each week are now receiving

treatment in relation to mental health than have done previously. Is

there more for us to do mental health? Yes, there is. I've said

that in this chamber on answer two questions I have seen previously.

"We Will -- "Well, do it!" Shouts the Shadow Health Secretary from her

normal sedentary position. We are doing it, that's why we are putting

more money into mental health in seeing more people being provided

with mental health treatment every week and this government. But there

is one thing that I know. If you're going to be able to provide that

extra support for people with these conditions, if you're going to be

able to provide treatment, you need to have the strong economy that

enables us to pay for it. And the one thing we know about labour is

that they would bankrupt Britain. Coming from a government that by

2020 will have borrowed more and increased the national debt by the

total borrowing of all Labour governments, that comes rich! Mr

Speaker, the mental health charity Rethink says the Government has

spoken forcefully about the importance of parity of esteem

between physical and mental health. Yet when presented with a chance to

make this a reality, has passed the opportunity by. Mr Speaker, as a

society where judged by how we treat the most vulnerable. The respected

mental health charity Mind has said this misguided legislation must be

reversed. Can the Prime Minister look again? Look again at the

decision of the court. Look again at the consequences of it. And withdraw

this deep decision, this nasty decision. I accept the court's

judgment and support those going through a difficult time in their

life. -- accept the court's judgment. That is how we will all be

judged. The way we are dealing with disability benefits is to ensure

payments are going to those who are most vulnerable. What we are doing

in relation to Personal Independence Payments is ensuring that the

agreement of this Parliament is being put into practice. But he

talks about funding and he talks about boring. I understand that

today. Siam have a constant debate -- have a constant debate while the

high minister is answering a question. The question was heard and

the answer was heard. I understand that the Labour Shadow

Health Secretary today when asked how Labour would pay for the

increase if it was put in place, said we've not outlined that yet.

That just sums up the Labour Party and the Labour Party leadership, you

know, after the result in Copeland last week, after the result in

Copeland, the honourable member for Lancaster and Fleetwood summed up

the result by saying it was an incredible result for the Labour

Party. You know, I think that word describes the right honourable

gentleman's leadership. Incredible. Thank you Mr Speaker. On Monday...

Thank you. On Monday I chaired a seminar at the rote society looking

at the priority for the science committee. A report of the meeting

will be launched here on 21st March. I understand the Prime Minister

might be too busy to attend that herself will she agree to meet me so

I present the collective concerns to her in person, round collaboration

and people in particular. I thank him for raising this, this it is San

important issue, he is right to raise it. We want the UK to be the

go to place for innovators, we want to secure the best possible outcomes

for the UK research base as we leave the European Union, indeed it is one

of the objectives I have set out in our negotiation, are lates to

science and research, we are already a leading destination for sign and

innovation and we welcome agreement to continue to collaborate with our

European partners I am interested in what he has said and I am sure that

report will be looked at carefully. We on these benches join the Prime

Minister and the Leader of the Labour Party in entending our

condolences to the family and friend of Gerald Kaufman. Prior to PMQ

today in Scottish questions minute stirs were unable to answer basic

questions about Government plans for agriculture and fisheries. They are

devolved areas to the Scottish Government and Parliament. With

Brexit ending the role of Brussels, will all decision about agriculture

and fisheries be made at Holyrood, yes or no? Well, the right

honourable gentleman knows very well we are discussing with the devolved

administration the question of the UK framework and devolution of

issues as they come back from Brussels. The overriding aim I think

for everything we do, when we make those decisions is making sure we

don't damage the very important single market of the United Kingdom.

A market which I might remind him is more important to Scotland and that

the European Union is. There is a very interesting answer

because during the Brexit referendum, people in Scotland,

including those working in the agriculture and fisheries sectors

were told the powers would be exercised fully by the Scottish

Government and the Scottish Parliament. Now it seems judging by

the PM's answer that that is not going to be true. Will the Prime

Minister confirm today, she has the opportunity, will she confirm today,

that it is her intention to ensure that it is UK ministers that will

negotiate and regulate over large areas that impact on Scottish

fisheries and agriculture post-Brexit. I repeat to the right

honourable gentleman he seems no to have quite understood this point, we

are in the process of discussing with the devolved administration the

question of which of those powers that currently reside in Brussels,

will be returned and remain at a UK level for decision and which would

be further devolved into the devolved administrations, that is

taking place at the moment. When he asks about the negotiations for

Brexit with the European Union, it will be the UK Government that will

negotiating with the European Union, taking full account of the interests

and concerns of the devolved area of the devolved administration and the

other regions of England. Does the Prime Minister aglee when

tickets to a teenage cancer charity gig by Ed Sheeran are being resold

on a ticket website for over ?1,000 with none of that money going to the

charity, and tickets to the hit musical Hamilton, are touted for up

washed of ?5,000 when via go go know the tickets are invalid, what will

the Government do ensure genuine fans are not fleeced by ticket touts

and rogues? I thank hill for raising this

important issue. I know he has been working on it for some time. He is

right to identify those circumstances as he does where there

are websites that are causing, that are acting in the way he talks about

and causing the problems for people who believe they are able to buy

tickets for what they wish to attend. I understand he has met by

right honourable gentleman the Minister of State for digital and

cultural matters to discuss this issue, as he will by a wear the

consumer rights act introduced new rules on ticketing and that will be

responded to. But we are as a government looking at the general

issue of where markets are not working in the interest of

consumers. Can I add my condolences to those expressed about the former

father of the house and welcome to his place the new member for Stoke

on Trent. Mr Speaker, young black men using mental Health Services are

more likely to be subject to detention extreme forms of

medication and severe physical restraint and others and this has

led to death in extreme case, too many black people with mental ill

health are afraid to seek treatment from a service they fear will not

treat them fairly. Will the Prime Minister meet with me and some of

the of effected families to discuss the need for an inquiry into

institutional racism in their mental Health Services? I thank the

honourable gentleman, I am happy to member the new member for

Stoke-on-Trent to this house. It is because of concern about how many

various people were being treated within our public services, that

this Government has introduced, I introduced an audit of disparity of

treatment within public service, I saw this as Home Secretary when I

looked at the way that particularly people with, black people with

mental health issues were being dealt with in terms of police and

detention in various ways and that is the sort of issue we are looking

at. I am happy for him to write to me with the details of the issue he

has set out. Le Thank you. Would the Prime

Minister join me in congratulating my West Suffolk college, all the

staff and the principal who last week in the times education

alfurther education award won the teaching and learning initiative for

the whole country. By combining maths, art, religion and science,

this initiative drives forward inquisitive minds and grows future

generations we will need for the skills they need succeed. I am very

happy to join my right honourable friend for the award they have been

given in this category for best teaching and learning initiative. It

is a really interesting initiative they have put in place. Congratulate

all the staff and this is a sign, I think, this award of the dedication

of the staff and the students at West Suffolk college. All colleges

across the country should be aspiring to reach #24ez standards,

she is is right, we need to ensure that young people have not just a

skill set, but also the entiring mind that enables them as they look

forward to what might be different career, to emgreats new skills and

change throughout their careers. My constituent Joanne Good's

16-year-old daughter Megan tragically died after drinking half

a three litre bottle of Frosty Jack cider which is 7.5% proof and at

under ?4 a bottle contains 22 vodka shot equivalents. Does the Prime

Minister accept that cheap super-strength white cider is a

health hazard and should be banned or at the very least carry a much

higher duty per unit. First of all. I am sure that members across the

whole house will want to join me in offering our deepest similar thinks

to the family of this former constituent of the honourable lady.

She does raise a very important issue. That is why we do as a

government recognise the harm that is associated with problem

consumption of alcohol. These high strength cider and beer are taxed

more, we have taken action on the very cheap alcohol by banning sales

below duty plus vat. Young people must be made assure of the danger

and hashes of alcohol abuse. Campaign have had been run offering

advice and support and they work with charities and in schools to

help raise awareness which I think is San important part.

We are rightly proud that young people regardless of race, creed or

colour with study at our colleges and university, yet this week Jewish

students are being subjected to intimidation, fear, and to

anti-Semitism as a result of so-called Israel apartheid group,

what action willry of make that Chancellorings and principles ensure

that anti-Semitism is not allow to prosper on campuses. Well, first of

all I want to assure my right honourable friend hiring education

institution have a responsibility to ensure they provide a safe and

inclusive environment for all students and we expect them to have

robust policies in place to comply with the law, to ingaes gate and

address hate crime including anti-Semitic incidents reported. I

know the universities minister has written to remind institutions of

these expectations and urged them to follow the Government's lead.

There is a flaw in the legislative reform order with which the

Government is seeking to create private fund limited partnerships

which allows criminal owned cosh limited partnerships to easily

convert to to these new types of partnerships. Will the Prime

Minister delay that until such times as the current review into SLPs is

completed? Completed? Well we have taken important steps to tackle

money launders and other crimes. On the question think raises of

Scottish limited partnerships, I understand that the Department for

Business consulted last year on further transparency requirements

and they will be publishing proposals soon. The Business

Secretary is gathering evidence which may lead to further reform. My

right honourable friend will be aware of the concern overs the new

business rates and why there is a welcome for many of the businesses

who have been taken out of business rate there's is a concern among

those who have Ian an increase. Can she give me an assurance that we

will do all we can for these people who work very hard to be the engine

room of our economy and a rise of this size threaten their livelihood

itself. Business rates are based on property value. It has opinion seven

years since those, this property values were last looked at. It is

right that we update them. Of course, as I recognised last week it

is important we have put already put -- so that we help the companies who

are facing increased bills but as I said in this House, have asked my

right honourable friends the Chancellor and the Communities

Secretary to make sure that support that is provided is appropriate and

is in place for the hardest cases and I would expect my right

honourable friend the Chancellor to say more about this next week in the

budget. A recent national awe deaf report

showed massive overspend on free school sites with the department ex

mating it will need to respond more. Schools in my constituency are

reporting chronic levels of underfunding. Will the Prime

Minister provide our existing schools with the ininvestment they

need. #4s... The Secretary of State for Wales has

been working with colleagues across Government. Does the Prime Minister

agree that Welsh interests must remain at the heart of our United

Kingdom and the future has My honourable friend is right to be

raising the importance of Wales and my honourable friend the Welsh

Secretary is reminding people that Wales is one of the best places in

the UK to trade with and we are committed to getting a deal for all

parts of the UK including Wales and I think the best part of the UK to

do that is for devolved administrations to continue to work

together. I will be holding a St David's Day reception in Downing

Street tonight and again I wish all members of this House a happy St

David's Day. Congestion, journey times between Bradford and Leeds and

among the worst in the country. Will the Prime Minister support our

campaign for our West Yorkshire powerhouse? I apologise to the

honourable lady because I missed the first part, I think she was talking

about investment and infrastructure, HS3. We've already set out

commitments as a Government we made in relation to infrastructure. It

plays an important part in encouraging the growth of the

economy and ensuring that we do see that we increase productivity around

the rest of the country and we'll be looking at further projects that can

do just that. Canvassing in Cortland recently, people wanted to talk

about the future of their local maternity unit -- Copeland. It was

like being at home in Banbury. Rather than politicise the NHS, with

the Prime Minister agree to a review of maternity services, encouraging

not just care that is safe but also clear that is kind and close to

home. My honourable friend raises an important point in relation to local

maternity services. I am looking forward to welcoming the new member

for Copeland in this House but during the campaign, she made it

very clear that she did not want to see any downgrading of the west

Cumberland Hospital services but she also put forward a very powerful

case for what my honourable friend has just suggested, which is a

review to tackle the recruitment issues that affect these maternity

services out there and the professionally led review does seem

very sensible and then know the health minister is looking at it. A

90-year-old constituent of mine faces being discharged by the mental

health trust for a second time because they have neither the skills

nor the cash to provide the support he needs. What's the Prime

Minister's message to him? I don't not the individual details of the

case the honourable gentleman has raised. I know we are ensuring all

money is being put into mental health conditions over the year and

will continue to be, but if you wish to write to me at the Secretary of

State for Health, I'm sure we can look into it. As a leader who wants

to spread wealth and opportunity as widely as possible, will the Prime

Minister insurer that we end the practice of developers buying

freehold land on which they sell new house is on a leasehold basis? Many

first-time buyers on help to buy feel they're being ripped off by

this practice and look to the Government for help. I thank my

honourable friend for raising this point, an issue he has raised

previously. I know he is working on it. Our house on the White Paper --

housing White Paper says there should be house developed for people

to live in for fairness for leaseholders but we will be

consulting on a range of measures to tackle unfair unreasonable abuses of

leasehold as my friend has said. Other than exceptional

circumstances, I don't see why new homes can't be built and sold at the

point. I add my condolences to the family of Gerald Kaufmann. Yesterday

I received a new mill from your local pharmacist who since the

Government announcement in October has cemented cost-cutting measures

including staff and services. -- implemented. He has had a reduction

of nearly ?9,000 which represents 18.8%, well beyond the 4% the

pharmacy ministers spoke about in October. Will the Government commit

to revisiting community pharmacy funding as a matter of urgency? We

all recognise the important service that pharmacists provide that is by

spending them has risen in recent years and also we have seen an

increase of over 80% in the past decade. The system does need to

reform so that the NHS resources are spent efficiently and effectively

and just look at some of the figures, two thirds of

pharmacies are within ten minutes walk of two others. Many receive a

subsidy regardless of size or quality. What we did do is to look

at this concern when it was raised last summer and make changes to

ensure there was greater support available to pharmacies in

particular areas. One of David Cameron's greatest legacies were his

efforts to fight human trafficking and modern-day slavery under the

act. Last year this country looked after 800,000 children in Syria or

the surrounding countries for the same investment of looking after

3000 in this country. By doing that, we helped defeat human trafficking.

Could the Prime Minister confirm that we will continue with that

policy? I'm very happy to join my honourable friend in paying tribute

to David Cameron. I was very pleased he supported the modern slavery act

when I propose we should introduce it and we had indeed committed to

continuing our policy in relation to this area. I have setup a modern

slavery task force at number ten, which I chair, bringing together

various parties to ensure that across Government, we are doing what

is necessary both to break the criminal gangs, deal with the

perpetrators and provide necessary support for the victims. May I on

behalf of my honourable friend join with the Prime Minister and Leader

of the Opposition in expressing condolences to the family of the

late father of the House, he will be greatly missed. The Prime Minister

I'm sure cannot have failed to notice the intervention by two

former Prime Ministers recently with the Brexit debate and as helpful as

they were, I'm sure, I'm sure the Prime Minister will know, of course,

what they and everyone else means by hard Brexit, soft Brexit, but we all

wondering what is meant by a soft coup!

LAUGHTER When indeed it may be triggered and

when we bother it has been triggered or not! Perhaps the Prime Minister

can elucidate on that since she has been so helpful in so many other

ways. Which eg the opportunity today however to make it clear that

whatever former Prime Ministers for the unelected upper house might say,

the reality is that her plan to trigger Article 50 by the end of

March is now clearly on track? CHEERING

I thank the honourable gentleman for the question that he has asked. It

is my plan to trigger Article 50 by the end of March, rather than

triggering any kind of coup. It is still our intention to do that. It

is important the Article 50 builders respond to the judgment of the

Supreme Court but also responds to the voice of the United Kingdom when

people voted to ensure we do leave the European Union and that is what

we will do. Mr Speaker, perhaps you like many here today took a shower

this morning. LAUGHTER

I am sure, Mr Speaker, you are very careful to check whether the shower

gel contained micro beads. Products containing them can result... The

thrust of this fascinating question! Let's hear it. Shower gel products

containing them can result in 100,000 micro beads or plastics

being washed down the drain every time you use them. This damage is

precious habitats. With the Prime Minister join with me in welcoming

the steps this Government is taking to introduce a ban on micro beads

used in cosmetics and care products. The consultation ended just a few

days ago. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I think I should say for clarity to

members of this House that I am not in a position to know whether or not

you took a shower this morning. LAUGHTER

My honourable friend has raised a very important point and it is

completely unnecessary to add plastics to products like face

washes and body scrub were harmless alternatives can be used. As she

referred to at the end of her question, our consultation to ban

micro beads in products closed recently. We were aiming to change

legislation by October 20 17th and we also ask for what more can be

done in future to prevent other sources of plastic from entering the

marine environment because we are committed to being the first

generation ever to leave the environment in a better state than

it was inherited and I'm sure we can work together to bring an end to

these harmful plastics clogging up our oceans. I think people are

assured by what the Prime Minister just said! Along the corridor in

South Wales, families woke up this morning worried about potential job

losses at Ford in Bridgend. Families are particularly frightened that

Ford is not going to be able to bring new contracts into the factory

with the uncertainty of Brexit ahead of them. Can I have an assurance

from the Prime Minister that she will ensure our ministers meet with

Ford and the union to see what can be done to support Ford to ensure

continuity of engine production in the Bridgend Ford plant? Can I

reassure the honourable lady that one of our automotive sectors is one

of the most productive in the world and be what is she going from

strength to strength? That's why ministers in this Government have

been engaging with various companies within the sector including Ford and

other companies. Ford is an important investor here. It has been

established for over 100 years. We now account for around a third of

its global engine production and Bridgend continue to be an important

part of that. We have had dialogue with Ford and will continue to have

regular dialogue with Ford about the ways Government can help to make

sure the success continues. Will the member wishing to take her seat

please come to the table? CHEERING