0:00:25 > 0:00:31I shall have further such meetings later today.
0:00:31 > 0:00:35The Royal College of Midwives has called the government's plans to cut
0:00:35 > 0:00:38nurses' student grants appalling.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41The Royal College of Nursing says they are deeply concerned.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44Meanwhile, the honourable member for Lewes who is a nurse
0:00:44 > 0:00:48says she would have struggled to undertake her training given
0:00:48 > 0:00:52the proposed changes to the bursaries scheme.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55Why does the Prime Minister still think he is right to scrap
0:00:55 > 0:00:59grants for student nurses?
0:00:59 > 0:01:02For the very simple reason that we want to see more nurses
0:01:02 > 0:01:06in training and more nurses in our NHS.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08We believe there will be an additional 10,000 nurses
0:01:08 > 0:01:11because of this change, because the facts are today that two
0:01:11 > 0:01:15out of three people who want to become nurses cannot
0:01:15 > 0:01:20because it is constrained by the bursary scheme.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23Moving to the new system, those people will be able
0:01:23 > 0:01:27to become nurses.
0:01:27 > 0:01:28Andrew Griffiths!
0:01:28 > 0:01:30Mr Speaker, the number one responsibility of any government
0:01:30 > 0:01:33is the protection of its people.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36Does the Prime Minister agree with me that the nuclear deterrent
0:01:36 > 0:01:39and our membership of Nato are key to our defences,
0:01:39 > 0:01:41and that any move that would put it at risk
0:01:41 > 0:01:47would jeopardise our national security?
0:01:47 > 0:01:49My honourable friend is absolutely right.
0:01:49 > 0:01:52It has been common ground on both sides of this House of Commons
0:01:52 > 0:01:55that the cornerstone of our defence policy is our membership of Nato
0:01:55 > 0:01:59and our commitment to an independent nuclear deterrent, which must be
0:01:59 > 0:02:03replaced and updated.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07They are necessary to keep us safe, and at a time when we see
0:02:07 > 0:02:10North Korea testing nuclear weapons, with the instability in the world
0:02:10 > 0:02:14today, we recommit ourselves to both Nato and our independent nuclear
0:02:14 > 0:02:17deterrent, and I think the party opposite has got some very serious
0:02:17 > 0:02:22questions to answer.
0:02:22 > 0:02:23Jeremy Corbyn!
0:02:23 > 0:02:32Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35This week, the Prime Minister rather belatedly acknowledged
0:02:35 > 0:02:38that there is a housing crisis in Britain.
0:02:38 > 0:02:43He announced a ?140 million fund to transform 100 housing estates
0:02:43 > 0:02:48around the country, which actually amounts to ?1.4 million per housing
0:02:48 > 0:02:51estate, to bulldoze and then rebuild.
0:02:51 > 0:02:55My maths is perfect!
0:02:55 > 0:02:59This money, Mr Speaker, is a drop in the ocean.
0:02:59 > 0:03:04It isn't even going to pay for the bulldozers, is it?
0:03:04 > 0:03:07What we have done is doubled the housing budget,
0:03:07 > 0:03:11we are going to be investing over ?8 billion in housing,
0:03:11 > 0:03:14and that comes after having built 700,000 homes since becoming Prime
0:03:14 > 0:03:17Minister.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19We have got over 250,000 more affordable homes,
0:03:19 > 0:03:22and here is a statistic he will like - in the last
0:03:22 > 0:03:24Parliament, we built more council houses than in 13 years
0:03:24 > 0:03:29of Labour government.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32Jeremy Corbyn!
0:03:32 > 0:03:36Well, Mr Speaker, he has not clearly thought this thing
0:03:36 > 0:03:39through very carefully.
0:03:39 > 0:03:44Because every estate that he announces he wishes
0:03:44 > 0:03:48to bulldoze will include tenants and people that have
0:03:48 > 0:03:52bought their homes under right to buy.
0:03:52 > 0:03:56Will those people, the leaseholders, will they be guaranteed homes
0:03:56 > 0:04:02on those rebuild states that he is proposing to build?
0:04:02 > 0:04:05Look, of course, I accept this isn't as carefully
0:04:05 > 0:04:07thought
0:04:07 > 0:04:11through as his reshuffle!
0:04:11 > 0:04:14Which I gather is still going on, it hasn't actually finished yet!
0:04:14 > 0:04:18Of course, what we want to do is go to communities where there are sink
0:04:18 > 0:04:21estates and housing estates that have held people back and agree
0:04:21 > 0:04:24with those local councils, agree with those local people
0:04:24 > 0:04:27and make sure that tenants get good homes,
0:04:27 > 0:04:31make sure homeowners are housed in good houses.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33That is exactly what we want.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36Look at what we have done on housing, we reform the planning
0:04:36 > 0:04:38rules, they opposed them.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41We introduced help to buy, they opposed it.
0:04:41 > 0:04:45We introduced help to save, they opposed it.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47They have nothing to say about people trapped in housing
0:04:47 > 0:04:55estates who want a better start in their life.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58Mr Speaker, I notice the Prime Minister did not give any
0:04:58 > 0:04:59guarantee to leaseholders
0:04:59 > 0:05:02on estates, and so there is another
0:05:02 > 0:05:06probably larger group on most estates that I have a question
0:05:06 > 0:05:10to ask him on behalf of, a tenant by the name of Darryl,
0:05:10 > 0:05:17who says, will the Prime Minister guarantee that all existing tenants
0:05:17 > 0:05:22of the council estates earmarked for redevelopment will be rehoused
0:05:22 > 0:05:25in new council housing in their current communities
0:05:25 > 0:05:32with the same tenancy conditions as they currently have?
0:05:32 > 0:05:35We are not going to be able to deal with these sink estates
0:05:35 > 0:05:39unless we get the agreement of tenants, unless we show how
0:05:39 > 0:05:41we are going to support homeowners, how we are going to support
0:05:42 > 0:05:43communities.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47But isn't it interesting, Mr Speaker, who here is the small
0:05:47 > 0:05:52C conservative who is saying, stay in your sink estate,
0:05:52 > 0:05:57have nothing better than what Labour gave you after the war?
0:05:57 > 0:06:01We are saying, if you are a tenant, have the right to buy,
0:06:01 > 0:06:07here is help to save, we will help you out.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10And that is the fact of politics today, a party on this side
0:06:10 > 0:06:13of the house that wants to give people like chances and they Labour
0:06:13 > 0:06:19opposition that says, stay stuck in poverty.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21Jeremy Corbyn!
0:06:21 > 0:06:24Mr Speaker, the Prime Minister does not seem to understand the very
0:06:24 > 0:06:32serious concerns that council tenants have when they feel
0:06:32 > 0:06:38they are going to be forced away from the community where they live,
0:06:38 > 0:06:43where their children go to school, and their community is so strong.
0:06:43 > 0:06:47But there is another area where the Prime Minister might be
0:06:47 > 0:06:48able to help us today.
0:06:48 > 0:06:52His party manifesto said everyone who works hard should be able
0:06:52 > 0:06:56to own a home of their own.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59So will families earning his so-called national living wage be
0:06:59 > 0:07:06able to afford one of his discount starter homes?
0:07:06 > 0:07:09I very much hope they will, because also, as well as starter
0:07:09 > 0:07:11homes...
0:07:11 > 0:07:14As well as starter homes, we're having shared ownership homes,
0:07:14 > 0:07:17and so if you take...
0:07:17 > 0:07:21When I became Prime Minister, a young person trying to buy a home
0:07:22 > 0:07:27needed ?30,000 for that deposit.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30Order, I apologise for interrupting, I say to the honourable lady,
0:07:30 > 0:07:35the member for Bishop Auckland, who aspires to be a stateswoman,
0:07:35 > 0:07:38that is not the appropriate behaviour of a would be stateswoman,
0:07:38 > 0:07:39shrill shrieking
0:07:39 > 0:07:41from a sedentary position.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44I want to hear the Prime Minister's answer!
0:07:44 > 0:07:47You needed ?30,000 for a deposit on a home, and that is now down
0:07:47 > 0:07:53to ?10,000 because of schemes we have introduced.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56I want people to own our own homes, so let's consider this issue -
0:07:56 > 0:08:00we are saying to the 1.3 million tenants of housing associations,
0:08:00 > 0:08:04we are on your side, you can buy your own home.
0:08:04 > 0:08:11Why does he still oppose that?
0:08:11 > 0:08:16Well, Mr Speaker, I hope this word "hope" goes a long way,
0:08:16 > 0:08:22because research by Shelter found that families on his so-called
0:08:22 > 0:08:26living wage will not be able to afford the average starter home
0:08:26 > 0:08:33in 98% of local authority areas in England.
0:08:33 > 0:08:37So there is only the 2% that may benefit from this.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39So instead of building more affordable homes,
0:08:39 > 0:08:43isn't the Prime Minister branding more homes as affordable?
0:08:43 > 0:08:46Which is not a solution to the housing crisis.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49Will he confirm that home ownership has actually fallen since he became
0:08:49 > 0:08:53Prime Minister?
0:08:53 > 0:08:56There is a challenge of helping people to buy their own homes,
0:08:56 > 0:08:58that is what help to buy was about, which they opposed,
0:08:58 > 0:09:00help to save, which they opposed.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03Isn't it interesting?
0:09:03 > 0:09:06He did not answer the question about the 1.3 million
0:09:06 > 0:09:08housing association tenants.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12No...
0:09:12 > 0:09:14I want what is best for everybody.
0:09:14 > 0:09:15Let's put it like this,
0:09:15 > 0:09:19he owns his home, I own mine, why won't we let those 1.3 million
0:09:20 > 0:09:24own their homes?
0:09:24 > 0:09:26What are you frightened of?
0:09:26 > 0:09:29Prime Minister...
0:09:38 > 0:09:43When the noise disappears...
0:09:43 > 0:09:44Order!
0:09:44 > 0:09:46The Leader of the Opposition will be heard.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49Jeremy Corbyn.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51I thank the Conservative backbenchers for their deep concern
0:09:51 > 0:09:55for the housing crisis in this country, it is noted.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59The Prime Minister gave no assurances to tenants,
0:09:59 > 0:10:03no assurances to leaseholders, no assurances to low-paid people
0:10:03 > 0:10:05who want to get somewhere decent to live.
0:10:05 > 0:10:10Can I ask him one final question on this?
0:10:10 > 0:10:13And it is a practical question that is faced by many people
0:10:13 > 0:10:15all around this country who are deeply worried
0:10:15 > 0:10:19about their own housing situation and how they are going to live
0:10:19 > 0:10:20in the future?
0:10:20 > 0:10:26It comes from Linda, who is a council tenant,
0:10:26 > 0:10:31who is a council tenant for the last 25 years.
0:10:31 > 0:10:35And she says, I will eventually look to downsize to a property suitable
0:10:35 > 0:10:39for our ageing circumstances.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42Due to the Housing Bill being put through Parliament at present,
0:10:42 > 0:10:46if we downsize, we will have to sign a new tenancy agreement.
0:10:46 > 0:10:50If we stay, we face having to pay the bedroom tax and debt.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54If we downsize, we lose our secure home.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58It is a real problem that Linda and many like her are facing.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01If she was in the Prime Minister's advice bureau, what advice
0:11:01 > 0:11:05would he give her?
0:11:05 > 0:11:08The first thing I would say to Linda, we are cutting social
0:11:08 > 0:11:12rents in this Parliament, so she will be paying less in rent.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15The second thing, if she is concerned about the spare room
0:11:15 > 0:11:17subsidy, it is not paid by pensioners, a point
0:11:17 > 0:11:21that he fails to make.
0:11:21 > 0:11:25The other point I would make to Linda, the other point
0:11:25 > 0:11:28I would make to Linda and all those who are in council houses
0:11:28 > 0:11:32or in housing association homes, is that we believe in giving
0:11:32 > 0:11:36you the chance to buy your own home and are helping you to do that.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39Isn't it interesting what this exchange has shown?
0:11:39 > 0:11:43We have a Labour Party who have got a housing policy that doesn't
0:11:43 > 0:11:45support home ownership, just as they have got a defence
0:11:45 > 0:11:48policy that does not believe in defence, just as we have got
0:11:48 > 0:11:50a Labour Party that does not believe in work,
0:11:50 > 0:11:57and a Labour leader who does not believe in Britain!
0:12:07 > 0:12:11Mr Speaker, as someone who grew up in social housing,
0:12:11 > 0:12:14may I welcome the Prime Minister's commitment to tear down poor
0:12:14 > 0:12:19quality, soulless high-rise estates and replace them
0:12:19 > 0:12:21with affordable homes?
0:12:21 > 0:12:25Will he seize this opportunity to make sure these new homes
0:12:25 > 0:12:27are attractive, well designed places where people will actually
0:12:27 > 0:12:33want to live for generations to come?
0:12:33 > 0:12:35I think my honourable friend is absolutely right.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38If Labour wanted to have a constructive opinion,
0:12:38 > 0:12:41they would come along and say, how can we help knock down these
0:12:41 > 0:12:45sink estates, rebuild new houses, help people to own their own homes?
0:12:45 > 0:12:48That is what you are going to see, Mr Speaker, in this Parliament,
0:12:48 > 0:12:54one side committed to opportunity, life chances, helping people get on,
0:12:54 > 0:13:00and another side wanting to keep people trapped in property.
0:13:00 > 0:13:04Angus Robertson.
0:13:04 > 0:13:05Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.
0:13:05 > 0:13:11The economic and intellectual contribution of college
0:13:11 > 0:13:13and university graduates to the UK is immense.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16The Smith Commission said the UK and Scottish Government should "work
0:13:16 > 0:13:20together to explore the possibility of introducing formal schemes
0:13:20 > 0:13:23to allow international higher education students graduating
0:13:23 > 0:13:27from Scottish further and higher education institutions to remain
0:13:27 > 0:13:31in Scotland and contribute to economic activity for a defined
0:13:31 > 0:13:35period of time".
0:13:35 > 0:13:38Why did the UK Government this week unilaterally rule out a return
0:13:38 > 0:13:41of a post-study work visa without stakeholder discussions
0:13:41 > 0:13:46and before key Parliamentary reports?
0:13:46 > 0:13:49What I say to the honourable gentleman is we have an excellent
0:13:49 > 0:13:51scheme that covers, of course, Scotland,
0:13:51 > 0:13:53England, Wales and Northern Ireland, to say to world students
0:13:53 > 0:13:58that there is no limit on the number of people that can come and study
0:13:58 > 0:14:02in British universities, as long as they have two things,
0:14:02 > 0:14:06an English-language qualification and a place at the university.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08That is an incredibly generous and open offer.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11And there is no limit on the number of people who can stay
0:14:11 > 0:14:17after they have graduated, as long as they have a graduate level job.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20I think that is a clear message, that all of us, whether involved
0:14:20 > 0:14:24in the Scottish Government, Northern Ireland or Welsh or UK
0:14:24 > 0:14:29administrations, should get out and sell around the world.
0:14:29 > 0:14:33It is a world beating offer, we want the brightest graduates
0:14:33 > 0:14:35to study here and then work here.
0:14:35 > 0:14:40What a great deal!
0:14:40 > 0:14:41Thank you.
0:14:41 > 0:14:45The return of post study visas is supported by amongst others,
0:14:45 > 0:14:47all of Scotland's 25 publicly funded colleges,
0:14:47 > 0:14:51the University of Scotland, the representatives of higher
0:14:51 > 0:14:55education institutions, many other organisations
0:14:55 > 0:14:59and businesses, all parties, including the Scottish Conservative
0:14:59 > 0:15:03Party, so why does the Prime Minister think they are all wrong
0:15:03 > 0:15:07and he is right?
0:15:07 > 0:15:08For the reason I have given.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11I think the clarity of our offer is world beating.
0:15:11 > 0:15:17The disadvantage of inventing a new post-work study route,
0:15:17 > 0:15:20where you are effectively saying to people coming
0:15:20 > 0:15:24to our universities, it is OK to stay with a less
0:15:24 > 0:15:26than graduate job, frankly, there are lots of people
0:15:26 > 0:15:29in our own country desperate for those jobs and we should be
0:15:29 > 0:15:31training them up and skilling them up.
0:15:31 > 0:15:35We don't need the world's brightest and best to come here and study
0:15:35 > 0:15:38and then to do menial labour jobs which actually,
0:15:38 > 0:15:41that is not what our immigration system is for.
0:15:41 > 0:15:46What we want is a system where people can come here,
0:15:46 > 0:15:51study and work and that is the system we should keep.
0:15:51 > 0:15:56Would the Prime Minister join me in welcoming the fact that Aldi
0:15:56 > 0:16:00are building a distribution centre in my constituency,
0:16:00 > 0:16:07bring more jobs to local people.
0:16:07 > 0:16:13It is situated off one of the busiest trunk roads
0:16:13 > 0:16:15in the south-east of England.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18Could I ask my right honourable friend if he would encourage
0:16:18 > 0:16:22the Department of Transport to take a review of A429 to ensure
0:16:22 > 0:16:26it can cope with the increase of traffic being generated
0:16:26 > 0:16:30by the expanding business activity in my constituency.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32I certainly join him in welcoming the investment.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36The claimant count down in his own constituency has fallen
0:16:36 > 0:16:39by 39% since 2010 and this is welcome news.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42I will take up the point he says because obviously,
0:16:42 > 0:16:45we will only continue to attract investment if we make sure our road
0:16:45 > 0:16:51and rail network is up to date.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55The Prime Minister will be aware that last week this House discussed
0:16:55 > 0:16:59the equalisation of the state retirement age between
0:16:59 > 0:17:01men and women.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04Can I ask him, does he feel the outrage of a generation of women
0:17:04 > 0:17:07born in the 1950s who feel robbed and cheated out of their state
0:17:07 > 0:17:11pension, and will he give an undertaking, giving the unanimous
0:17:11 > 0:17:15decision of this House, to ask him to look at further
0:17:15 > 0:17:21improvements to transitional arrangements that he will do so?
0:17:21 > 0:17:24I know this is an issue that many colleagues have been written
0:17:24 > 0:17:27to and there are some important cases to look at.
0:17:27 > 0:17:31What I would say is we looked very carefully at this at the time
0:17:31 > 0:17:33and decided no one should suffer more than an 18-month increase
0:17:33 > 0:17:37in the time before they were expecting to retire.
0:17:37 > 0:17:41I would also say that if you look at what we are putting in place
0:17:41 > 0:17:43with the single tier pension starting at ?150 a week,
0:17:43 > 0:17:47combined with the triple lock that we have, I think we have a very
0:17:47 > 0:17:49good settlement for pensioners.
0:17:49 > 0:17:56It is affordable for the taxpayer and generous into the future.
0:17:56 > 0:18:03By the 8th of January, within a period of just eight days,
0:18:03 > 0:18:07parts of London had exceeded the annual limit
0:18:07 > 0:18:11for nitrous dioxide pollution.
0:18:11 > 0:18:15Giving this medically serious news, will the Prime Minister and ensure
0:18:15 > 0:18:22that the Department for Transport's current consideration of airport
0:18:22 > 0:18:30expansion prioritises air pollution concerns?
0:18:30 > 0:18:38And will he pledge never to expand Heathrow Airport while nitrous
0:18:38 > 0:18:47dioxide levels are risking the health of millions of people?
0:18:47 > 0:18:50I think my right honourable friend is absolutely right to raise this.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52There are problems of air quality and air pollution,
0:18:52 > 0:18:56not just in London but elsewhere in our country, and that is one
0:18:56 > 0:19:01of the reasons why we decided to delay the decision about airport
0:19:01 > 0:19:03capacity expansion, because we need to answer the question
0:19:03 > 0:19:08about air quality before we provide the answer to that question.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10That is what the Environmental Audit Committee recommended
0:19:10 > 0:19:14to this government.
0:19:14 > 0:19:16They said on air quality, the Government will need
0:19:16 > 0:19:18to re-examine the commission's findings in light of
0:19:18 > 0:19:20the air quality strategy.
0:19:20 > 0:19:27The point she makes is being taken on by the Government.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30Can I say to the Prime Minister, he has answered the honourable
0:19:30 > 0:19:33member for Edinburgh East for the transitional arrangements
0:19:33 > 0:19:36for women born in the 1950s, it is not good enough.
0:19:36 > 0:19:46As he is talking to other EU leaders, can he ask why some
0:19:46 > 0:19:54countries are not implementing the changes till 2044,
0:19:54 > 0:19:57and can he look at what Italy, the Netherlands and Germany did
0:19:57 > 0:20:03about their transitional arrangements to protect the people
0:20:03 > 0:20:07who have been affected?
0:20:07 > 0:20:09What other European countries do is a matter for them.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12We have the ability to make sovereign decisions about this
0:20:12 > 0:20:15issue, that is entirely right.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18What we have decided to do is put in place a pension system
0:20:18 > 0:20:22that is long-term affordable for our country, but also sustains
0:20:22 > 0:20:26a very strong basic state pension right into the future.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29That is why the single tier pension will make such a difference
0:20:29 > 0:20:31to people in our country, and the triple lock never put
0:20:31 > 0:20:35in place by Labour, we all remember that miserly increase
0:20:35 > 0:20:39to the pension we had under Gordon Brown, that can never happen
0:20:39 > 0:20:45again under our arrangements.
0:20:45 > 0:20:49Since 2010, my constituency has seen the generation of 200
0:20:49 > 0:20:53new businesses, with the youth unemployment rate falling to below
0:20:53 > 0:20:581%, with a ?240 million investment in Bracknell town
0:20:58 > 0:21:03regeneration, falling unemployment is of genuine possibility.
0:21:03 > 0:21:07Does the Government agree with me that it is the Government's sound
0:21:07 > 0:21:12stewardship of the economy that has led to this economic success
0:21:12 > 0:21:14in the Bracknell constituency?
0:21:14 > 0:21:16I'm delighted to hear the news from Bracknell.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20We have low interest rates, inflation right on the floor,
0:21:20 > 0:21:24real wages growing so people are feeling better off.
0:21:24 > 0:21:28People are investing in this country in huge numbers in terms
0:21:28 > 0:21:29of inward investment.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33Business investment has been going up because people
0:21:33 > 0:21:36are confident about the future of our economy, and all
0:21:36 > 0:21:38that is based on a long-term economic plan of dealing
0:21:38 > 0:21:41with our debts, getting our deficit down and making this a country
0:21:41 > 0:21:44where people can start a business, run a business, expanded business
0:21:44 > 0:21:45and therefore create jobs and prosperity for all
0:21:46 > 0:21:49our people.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52Over the last four years, excess winter death figures
0:21:52 > 0:21:57from the ONS have shown a staggering 117,000 people have died
0:21:57 > 0:22:00unnecessarily as a result of the cold.
0:22:00 > 0:22:0343,000 people tragically died last winter.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06I wonder if the Prime Minister agrees with me that not only is that
0:22:06 > 0:22:09appalling, but it is also avoidable.
0:22:09 > 0:22:14Can I ask the Prime Minister why he thinks so many people are dying
0:22:14 > 0:22:16needlessly in our country and what will he do
0:22:16 > 0:22:19to stop that happening?
0:22:19 > 0:22:21I think the honourable gentleman is right to raise this.
0:22:21 > 0:22:23The winter death figures are published every year.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26They are standing rebuke to all governments about what more
0:22:26 > 0:22:28needs to be done.
0:22:28 > 0:22:33First of all, we have maintained the cold weather payments.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35They may kick in if the cold weather continues.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37There are also the winter fuel payments.
0:22:37 > 0:22:41The increase in pension going up by prices, earnings or 2.5%.
0:22:41 > 0:22:49We also have falling energy prices because of the falling oil price.
0:22:49 > 0:22:53I agree they're not falling as fast as I would like and that is why
0:22:53 > 0:22:56I think it is right that we have this competition commission enquiry
0:22:56 > 0:22:59into the energy industry, to make sure it is a fully
0:22:59 > 0:23:01competitive industry. It has come a long way.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05When I became Prime Minister, the independent energy companies
0:23:05 > 0:23:09were just 1% of the market, they are now 15% of the market.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12The big six are being broken down through competition.
0:23:12 > 0:23:17All of those changes, plus home improvements,
0:23:17 > 0:23:24all of those things can make a difference.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27Implementation of the Iran nuclear deal, in which British
0:23:27 > 0:23:31diplomacy was crucial is imminent.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34Can my right honourable friend inform the House what steps
0:23:34 > 0:23:40are being taken to ensure that Iran abides by its side of the deal?
0:23:40 > 0:23:43I think my honourable friend is absolutely right about this.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46Let me pay tribute to the Secretary of State John Kerry
0:23:46 > 0:23:49for the incredible work he did, but also the Foreign Secretary
0:23:49 > 0:23:52who was by his side all the way through, negotiating what is a very
0:23:52 > 0:23:55tough and difficult deal.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58Where we have got to is that the adoption day for this deal
0:23:58 > 0:24:00was in October, and since then, Iraq has started shipping
0:24:00 > 0:24:0712.5 tonnes of enriched uranium to Russia.
0:24:07 > 0:24:09Now we're getting close to what is called the implementation
0:24:09 > 0:24:14day for this deal to...
0:24:14 > 0:24:15Sorry, Iran... ..for this deal.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18The key point is Iran has granted the International Atomic Agency
0:24:18 > 0:24:21unprecedented access to make sure it is doing all the things it said
0:24:21 > 0:24:24it would do in this deal.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27As I said, it is a good deal, it takes Iran away from a nuclear
0:24:27 > 0:24:30weapon, but we should enter into it with a very heavy heart
0:24:30 > 0:24:34and a very clear eye and a very hard head
0:24:34 > 0:24:41in making sure this country does everything it said it would.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44When the Government pushed through their changes
0:24:44 > 0:24:48to undergraduate funding four years ago, they said that providing
0:24:48 > 0:24:52maintenance grants for the poorest students was key
0:24:52 > 0:24:55to their participation in higher education.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57No mention was made in the Conservative manifesto
0:24:57 > 0:25:00of ending those grants.
0:25:00 > 0:25:02Is it not completely unacceptable to make that fundamental change
0:25:02 > 0:25:10tomorrow, by the backdoor without a vote in this House.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13This issue has been fully debated in this House.
0:25:13 > 0:25:18We have shown that espite all the warnings from the party
0:25:18 > 0:25:22opposite, more people are taking part
0:25:22 > 0:25:23in higher education and more people
0:25:23 > 0:25:25from lower income backgrounds are taking part in higher education
0:25:25 > 0:25:29and I'm confident that will continue to be the case.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31Thanks to this government's long-term economic plan,
0:25:31 > 0:25:41unemployment in North West Leicestershire now stands
0:25:41 > 0:25:48at an all-time low of 522.
0:25:48 > 0:25:52This Saturday, East Midlands Airport will hold jobs fair
0:25:52 > 0:25:53with 350 more positions available.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56Will the Prime Minister join with me in wishing all the businesses
0:25:56 > 0:25:59in North West Leicestershire more success at recruitment and retention
0:25:59 > 0:26:07that the Leader of the Opposition?
0:26:07 > 0:26:10I'm delighted to hear there are only 522 people are unemployed
0:26:10 > 0:26:11in his constituency.
0:26:11 > 0:26:15May I praise him and all the people who have run jobs fairs
0:26:15 > 0:26:18in their constituencies which have made a huge difference
0:26:18 > 0:26:23in people finding opportunities.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26Since 2010, 64% of the rise in private sector
0:26:26 > 0:26:29employment has taken place outside London
0:26:29 > 0:26:37and the south-east.
0:26:37 > 0:26:41This is, in growing terms, a balanced recovery and we need
0:26:41 > 0:26:46to keep working to make sure it is.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49Last year, the Energy Secretary scrapped support for under
0:26:49 > 0:26:52the renewables obligation for new onshore wind projects,
0:26:52 > 0:26:57which will impact the ?3 million investment by Nissan
0:26:57 > 0:27:01at their wind farm in my constituency.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03Does the Prime Minister realise that his attacks on clean
0:27:03 > 0:27:13energy are detrimental to businesses like Nissan?
0:27:13 > 0:27:15We had some extensive exchanges about this
0:27:15 > 0:27:16at the liaison committee yesterday.
0:27:16 > 0:27:21If you look at onshore wind, we will see another 50% increase
0:27:21 > 0:27:26in onshore wind investment during this Parliament.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29If we look at offshore wind, Britain has the biggest offshore
0:27:29 > 0:27:31wind market anywhere in the world.
0:27:31 > 0:27:37If we look at solar, Britain has the fourth largest solar
0:27:37 > 0:27:42installation of any country anywhere in the world.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45And my new favourite statistic, 98% of those solar panels have been
0:27:45 > 0:27:50installed since I was Prime Minister.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53This is all good news and means we have a genuine claim to be
0:27:53 > 0:27:57leading a renewables revolution.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00But every single subsidy you give to these technologies is extra money
0:28:00 > 0:28:03that we put onto people's bills making energy more expensive.
0:28:03 > 0:28:05It is right that we seek a balance between decarbonising our economy
0:28:05 > 0:28:09but making sure we do it at a low cost to our consumers and the people
0:28:09 > 0:28:18who pay the bills. That's what our policy is all about.
0:28:18 > 0:28:21With the numbers of workless households in the UK at an all-time
0:28:21 > 0:28:27low, and with 1.4 million children being taught in schools ranked good
0:28:27 > 0:28:31or outstanding since 2010, does my right honourable friend
0:28:31 > 0:28:34agree with me that the marker for one nation government is not
0:28:34 > 0:28:37the amount of money we spend on benefits, but is what we do
0:28:37 > 0:28:39to tackle the root causes of poverty?
0:28:39 > 0:28:40My honourable friend is absolutely right.
0:28:40 > 0:28:47As far as I can see, Labour's only answer to every single
0:28:47 > 0:28:49problem is to spend more money.
0:28:49 > 0:28:53It ends up with more borrowing, more spending, more debt,
0:28:53 > 0:28:56all the things that got us into this problem
0:28:56 > 0:28:57in the first place.
0:28:57 > 0:29:00Our approach is to look at all the causes of poverty,
0:29:00 > 0:29:01all the things holding people back.
0:29:01 > 0:29:04Let's fix the sink estates, let's reform the failing schools,
0:29:04 > 0:29:07let's give people more childcare, let's deal with the addiction
0:29:07 > 0:29:11and mental health problems people have, and in that way,
0:29:11 > 0:29:17we will demonstrate that this is the government and party helping
0:29:17 > 0:29:20people with their life chances where Labour just want to stick
0:29:20 > 0:29:22people where they are!
0:29:22 > 0:29:25The draft Wales Bill contains provisions which reverses the 2011
0:29:25 > 0:29:28settlement which was endorsed in the last Welsh referendum.
0:29:28 > 0:29:33Unless amended, the National Assembly will unanimously,
0:29:33 > 0:29:35including Tory AMs, oppose the bill
0:29:35 > 0:29:37during the legislative consent motion process
0:29:37 > 0:29:40sparking a constitutional crisis.
0:29:40 > 0:29:42The veto and consent clauses do not apply
0:29:42 > 0:29:44in the case of Scotland and Northern Ireland.
0:29:44 > 0:29:49Why is this government treating Wales like a second-class nation?
0:29:49 > 0:29:54What this government has done is first of all hold a referendum
0:29:54 > 0:29:56so the Welsh Assembly has those lawmaking powers.
0:29:56 > 0:29:59Secondly, the first government in history to make sure
0:29:59 > 0:30:01there is a floor under the Welsh level of spending,
0:30:01 > 0:30:05something never done by a Labour government.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08And now in the Wales Bill, we want to make sure we give Wales
0:30:08 > 0:30:10those extra powers.
0:30:10 > 0:30:15We are still listening to the suggestions made by him
0:30:15 > 0:30:18and the Welsh Assembly Government, but this government has a proud
0:30:18 > 0:30:25record, not only of devolution for Wales but in delivery for Wales.
0:30:25 > 0:30:29$30 oil is great for petrol prices, but it is potentially catastrophic
0:30:29 > 0:30:33in other respects.
0:30:33 > 0:30:37If it goes on like this, we risk seeing regimes under
0:30:37 > 0:30:40pressure, dramatic corporate failures and financial default,
0:30:40 > 0:30:46enormous financial transfers out of our markets to pay for other
0:30:46 > 0:30:48country's deficits, a possible collapse in share prices
0:30:48 > 0:30:52and dividends for pensions, and a liquidity problem
0:30:52 > 0:30:53in our banking sector.
0:30:53 > 0:30:56May I invite the Prime Minister to initiate an urgent review
0:30:56 > 0:31:01across Whitehall, to assess the effects of continuing low oil
0:31:01 > 0:31:05prices on our economy and beyond, and in particular, work out how
0:31:05 > 0:31:09we can avoid the destruction of our own oil industry
0:31:09 > 0:31:14in the North Sea?
0:31:14 > 0:31:16My right honourable friend makes an important point,
0:31:16 > 0:31:18which is this very big move in the oil price.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21It has a highly beneficial effect for all our constituents are able
0:31:21 > 0:31:27to fill up their cars for less than a pound a litre,
0:31:27 > 0:31:29and that is a very big increase in people's disposable income
0:31:29 > 0:31:31and holy welcome.
0:31:31 > 0:31:35A low oil price is good for the British economy
0:31:35 > 0:31:42which is a substantial manufacturing and production economy.
0:31:42 > 0:31:45We need to look carefully at how we can help our own
0:31:45 > 0:31:49oil and gas industry.
0:31:49 > 0:31:53He did mention one other calamity which is it has led to a complete
0:31:53 > 0:32:00and utter collapse of the SNP's policy.
0:32:02 > 0:32:06Recent press reports suggest...
0:32:06 > 0:32:10The honourable lady must be heard!
0:32:10 > 0:32:14Recent press reports suggest that although some on the Government's
0:32:14 > 0:32:18backbenches would agree with me, despite the fact that my background
0:32:18 > 0:32:24would be what the Prime Minister would consider to be menial,
0:32:24 > 0:32:27in calling for a reduction on the ?100 fixed odds
0:32:27 > 0:32:30betting terminals.
0:32:30 > 0:32:36This Cabinet refuses to bring this industry under scrutiny.
0:32:36 > 0:32:41Can the Prime Minister ensure that his government will undertake
0:32:41 > 0:32:47a review of this dangerous, addictive and ever-growing problem?
0:32:47 > 0:32:50We have looked at this problem and this industry and we did make
0:32:50 > 0:32:55a series of changes, including planning changes,
0:32:55 > 0:33:03but we keep this important situation under review.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06Whilst the floods over Christmas were bad for many areas in the North
0:33:06 > 0:33:09of England and Scotland, Calder Valley residents
0:33:09 > 0:33:19were hit the hardest.
0:33:19 > 0:33:212,100 homes and 13,000 businesses flooded, three bridges lost,
0:33:21 > 0:33:24four schools flooded or part-flooded,
0:33:24 > 0:33:27and a tip of asbestos which has slid keeping 20 families out
0:33:27 > 0:33:29of their homes.
0:33:29 > 0:33:31Will the Prime Minister meet with me to discuss how we can
0:33:31 > 0:33:34help to discuss the damage, the shortfall in future flood
0:33:34 > 0:33:40schemes and the rebuilding of Todmorden High School as well?
0:33:40 > 0:33:43My honourable friend and I have discussed Todmorden High School
0:33:43 > 0:33:45but I think we should meet again and discuss it again
0:33:46 > 0:33:48and try and make progress on this.
0:33:48 > 0:33:50First of all, may I say my sympathies and the sympathies
0:33:50 > 0:33:53of the whole House go out to those people
0:33:53 > 0:33:54and businesses who were flooded.
0:33:54 > 0:33:59We will do everything we can to help those communities
0:33:59 > 0:34:01get back on their feet.
0:34:01 > 0:34:04The very large investment programme is in place.
0:34:04 > 0:34:07And the maintenance programme, which is being protected,
0:34:07 > 0:34:10in real terms.
0:34:10 > 0:34:12But there are number of other infrastructure pieces of work that
0:34:12 > 0:34:13needs to be done.
0:34:13 > 0:34:17I would commend the Highways Agency which have been quick to examine
0:34:17 > 0:34:23roads and in some cases have taken over repairs to local authority
0:34:23 > 0:34:27roads because they have the capacity to act and act quickly.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30As I said last week, this time, the army was in faster,
0:34:30 > 0:34:35the money was distributed faster, the EA worked faster
0:34:35 > 0:34:37and round-the-clock but there are always more lessons to learn
0:34:37 > 0:34:40to demonstrate we want to get these communities back on their feet
0:34:40 > 0:34:44as soon as possible.