0:00:25 > 0:00:26Question one.
0:00:26 > 0:00:27Thank you.
0:00:27 > 0:00:29This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues
0:00:29 > 0:00:32and in addition to my duties in this house I shall have
0:00:32 > 0:00:40further meetings today.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42Mr Speaker, is that it, is that the best the Prime Linister
0:00:42 > 0:00:47can do?
0:00:47 > 0:00:51Nothing for British pensiondrs?
0:00:51 > 0:00:53Nothing for British workers and as the Office for
0:00:53 > 0:01:00Budget Responsibility and the Treasury have confirmed
0:01:00 > 0:01:02his long-term economic plan is reliant on over 1 million
0:01:02 > 0:01:08new migrants entering this country before 2020.
0:01:08 > 0:01:10Has the Prime Minister got the bottle to confirm
0:01:10 > 0:01:15this inconvenient truth?
0:01:15 > 0:01:18I'll tell you what we are doing for pensioners.
0:01:18 > 0:01:19A triple
0:01:19 > 0:01:22lock on pensions.
0:01:22 > 0:01:32Never again the 75p rise that they got from Labour
0:01:35 > 0:01:40with prices or wages or 2.5$.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43What we are doing from people who work hard in Britain is create
0:01:43 > 0:01:452.3 million more jobs since I became Prime Minister.
0:01:45 > 0:01:49Of course I believe we will succeed more as a country if we get a good
0:01:49 > 0:01:51deal in Europe and stay in a reformed Europe.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54It will be good for jobs, good for investment, good for growth
0:01:54 > 0:01:56and that is what I'm fighting for.
0:01:56 > 0:01:57Marcus Fish.
0:01:57 > 0:01:59People in my constituency, Yeovil, are rightly proud
0:01:59 > 0:02:07of their contribution to thd defence of this country, whether through
0:02:07 > 0:02:10the skill and readiness of the fleet arm at Yeovilton or the loc`l
0:02:10 > 0:02:11high-tech industry making and maintaining helicopters
0:02:11 > 0:02:14and equipment for ships, submarines and aircraft and those
0:02:14 > 0:02:15who bravely serve on them.
0:02:15 > 0:02:17In the current circumstances of increasing security challenges
0:02:17 > 0:02:19and responsibilities and a worrying lack of commitment to defence
0:02:19 > 0:02:22in many European countries, I welcome the leadership,
0:02:22 > 0:02:25the Government has shown in committing to spend 2% of GDP
0:02:25 > 0:02:31on defence and I ask whether my right honourable friend
0:02:31 > 0:02:34will meet with me to discuss ideas that I have to build
0:02:34 > 0:02:38on local capability?
0:02:38 > 0:02:41My honourable friend is absolutely right that Yeovil makes a htge
0:02:41 > 0:02:44contribution to the defence of our country, not least
0:02:44 > 0:02:48through AgustaWestland, a great British business.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51We are committed to spending ?178 billion on defence equhpment
0:02:51 > 0:02:53over the next decade, something we can only do
0:02:53 > 0:02:58because we have a strong economy.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01We are committed to that 2% and will make sure the monex is well
0:03:01 > 0:03:03spent, making sure we have the right equipment for our
0:03:03 > 0:03:05brave Armed Forces.
0:03:05 > 0:03:09Jeremy Corbyn.
0:03:09 > 0:03:15Thank you, Mr Speaker.
0:03:15 > 0:03:19Tomorrow, Mr Speaker, is World Cancer Day.
0:03:19 > 0:03:21Cancer is a disease that allost every family in this countrx has
0:03:21 > 0:03:26been affected by.
0:03:26 > 0:03:28Two and a half million people in this country have cancer.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31There are members on both shdes of this House who have recehved
0:03:31 > 0:03:32or are receiving treatment.
0:03:32 > 0:03:361,000 people every day diagnosed with cancer and go through ` trauma
0:03:36 > 0:03:38as soon as they are diagnosdd.
0:03:38 > 0:03:42But in the last year there's been a 36% increase in the number
0:03:42 > 0:03:46of people waiting more than six weeks for vital diagnostic tests.
0:03:46 > 0:03:55Could the Prime Minister do something to bring that down?
0:03:55 > 0:03:58First I agree with the right honourable gentleman that the fight
0:03:58 > 0:04:00against cancer is one of thd great fights of our time, one
0:04:00 > 0:04:02we are determined to win.
0:04:02 > 0:04:07When we look at how we treat cancer in this country we are putthng
0:04:07 > 0:04:10an extra ?19 billion into the NHS and specifically while he is right,
0:04:10 > 0:04:14everyone in this House and dvery family will know somebody affected
0:04:14 > 0:04:16by cancer, we are treating more patients.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19The figures.
0:04:19 > 0:04:25Compared with 2010, over 644,00 more patients with suspected
0:04:25 > 0:04:28cancers have been seen, an increase of 71% and almost 4 ,000
0:04:28 > 0:04:31more patients have been tre`ted
0:04:31 > 0:04:34An increase of 17%.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37We have more doctors, more nurses, more cancer
0:04:37 > 0:04:38specialists but the fight against it is something
0:04:38 > 0:04:41we need to continue with.
0:04:41 > 0:04:45Jeremy Corbyn.
0:04:45 > 0:04:46Mr Speaker, early diagnosis is essential when
0:04:46 > 0:04:49dealing with cancer.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52I think we all know that from personal experience.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55The Government's independent task force into cancer reported last
0:04:55 > 0:04:58year, and I quote, we currently have a serious shortage
0:04:58 > 0:05:01of radiologists in England.
0:05:01 > 0:05:06We need more of them so could the Prime Minister explain
0:05:06 > 0:05:09why we are cutting by 5% thd number of training places availabld
0:05:09 > 0:05:15for therapeutic radiographers?
0:05:15 > 0:05:20We need more radiologists and we are getting them
0:05:20 > 0:05:22because we are putting more money into the NHS.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24Where he is right is that waiting times...
0:05:24 > 0:05:26A moment ago the honourable lady was shouting about waiting times,
0:05:27 > 0:05:28there are three key targets on them.
0:05:28 > 0:05:33First that people should be seen by a specialist within two weeks
0:05:33 > 0:05:37of an urgent GP referral, and we're meant to be
0:05:37 > 0:05:40on 93% of occasions, we are currently on 94.7,
0:05:40 > 0:05:44we need to make sure that the first treatment comes within 31 d`ys
0:05:44 > 0:05:48of diagnosis, that's very ilportant, there's a 96% standard and we're
0:05:48 > 0:05:51meeting that by 97.7%.
0:05:51 > 0:05:55But I accept that when it comes to the first treatment withhn 6
0:05:55 > 0:06:00days the standard is 85% and we are at 83.5 so we must improve.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03With training, we are incre`sing training places in the NHS,
0:06:03 > 0:06:08we discussed nurses last wedk where we are opening up nurse
0:06:08 > 0:06:12training by making sure that we train an extra 10,000 nurses
0:06:12 > 0:06:16but the crucial point is that the money is there
0:06:16 > 0:06:19in the NHS because we've got a strong economy.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22?19 billion more, money that would never be there
0:06:22 > 0:06:24if we followed his crazy economic plans.
0:06:24 > 0:06:25Jeremy Corbyn.
0:06:25 > 0:06:31Mr Speaker, my question was on therapeutic radiographers.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34The Prime Minister did not answer on that.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36Without an improvement in the numbers available
0:06:36 > 0:06:39there will be a problem with treatment, that must bd
0:06:39 > 0:06:43obvious to everyone.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46The cancer task force also `sks and I quote, for a radical tpgrade
0:06:46 > 0:06:50in prevention and public he`lth
0:06:50 > 0:06:54Programmes like stopping smoking and anti-obesity are absolutely
0:06:54 > 0:06:58essential to stop the spread of cancer and indeed to help people
0:06:58 > 0:07:03live better lives so they don't develop cancer at all.
0:07:03 > 0:07:07But if we cut, as he proposds, ?200 million from the public health
0:07:07 > 0:07:12budget, surely that is going to lead to an increase in cancer,
0:07:12 > 0:07:15with all the trauma that gods with it, and indeed the gre`ter cost
0:07:15 > 0:07:16for the rest of the community.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18Could he explain why he is making this cut?
0:07:18 > 0:07:21First of all, let me come b`ck to diagnostic radiographers,
0:07:21 > 0:07:27because there are 1,800 mord diagnostic radiographers
0:07:27 > 0:07:32than when I became Prime Minister in 2010.
0:07:33 > 0:07:38That is a 15% increase.
0:07:38 > 0:07:42The reason that there is an increase is that we said that we would put
0:07:42 > 0:07:44more money into the NHS, a real terms increase,
0:07:44 > 0:07:46something we were told by the then Shadow Health Secretary
0:07:46 > 0:07:49was irresponsible.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52We ignored Labour and we put money into the health service.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54As a result, there's been a 15% increase
0:07:54 > 0:07:58in diagnostic radiographers.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01When it comes to the rest of the cancer plan, the mondy
0:08:01 > 0:08:04is being invested, there is a key difference,
0:08:04 > 0:08:07though, between England and Wales and something he can help whth,
0:08:07 > 0:08:11which is that there is a Labour government in Wales.
0:08:11 > 0:08:17Whereas we have a Cancer Drtgs Fund, they don't have one in Wales.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20So he needs to sort that out with that Labour Administration
0:08:20 > 0:08:26As for public health, under this Government,
0:08:26 > 0:08:29real advances have been made on public health,
0:08:29 > 0:08:35including smoking rules in the backs of cars,
0:08:35 > 0:08:36including plain paper packaging, and ring fencing
0:08:36 > 0:08:37public health budgets.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40All done under the Conservatives, not done under Labour.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43Jeremy Corbyn.
0:08:43 > 0:08:45Mr Speaker, the Prime Minister is responsible for the health
0:08:45 > 0:08:46service in England.
0:08:46 > 0:08:48Wales is a devolved matter.
0:08:48 > 0:08:49He must be aware...
0:08:49 > 0:08:55SHOUTING.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58And he must be aware that c`ncer survival rates are improving better
0:08:58 > 0:09:02in Wales than in any other part of the UK.
0:09:02 > 0:09:12But my question was...
0:09:14 > 0:09:20My question, Mr Speaker, was about the cuts in public health
0:09:20 > 0:09:23budgets and the effect that has on cancer care.
0:09:23 > 0:09:27Could the Prime Minister tell us when was the last time that the NHS
0:09:27 > 0:09:31target for starting cancer treatment was met within the 62 days required?
0:09:31 > 0:09:40As I have said, of the thred big targets we are meeting
0:09:40 > 0:09:44the specialist within two wdeks target, and meeting the first
0:09:44 > 0:09:47treatment within 31 days of diagnosis treatment,
0:09:47 > 0:09:51we are currently falling short of the 62 days target,
0:09:51 > 0:09:53something I actually said in the answer to question two,
0:09:53 > 0:09:58but he has not got around to it until question five.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01The cogs need to turn a little faster.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03He can't wash his hands of the situation in Wales,
0:10:03 > 0:10:07Labour run Wales.
0:10:07 > 0:10:09And what have they done in Wales?
0:10:09 > 0:10:13Labour have cut the NHS in Wales.
0:10:13 > 0:10:17Now it is emerging, what Labour's great plan is,
0:10:17 > 0:10:20cut the NHS in Wales and rahse income tax on hard-working
0:10:20 > 0:10:22people in Scotland.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24That's right.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26What will they do to radiographers in Scotland?
0:10:26 > 0:10:27Put up their taxes.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29What will they do to nurses in Scotland?
0:10:29 > 0:10:35Put up their taxes.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37What will they do to dentists in Scotland?
0:10:37 > 0:10:37Put up their taxes.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39We now know the Labour plan.
0:10:39 > 0:10:40Higher taxes for more welfare.
0:10:40 > 0:10:44They have learned nothing in the last decade.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46Mr Speaker, the last time the two months target was met
0:10:46 > 0:10:49was 19 months ago.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52The Prime Minister must be aware of that.
0:10:52 > 0:10:58I am pleased if he is taking action to make sure that doesn't
0:10:58 > 0:11:01continue or get worse.
0:11:01 > 0:11:06Another issue that affects cancer patients is the recently deleted
0:11:06 > 0:11:10provisions in the Welfare Rdform and Work Bill that would have taken
0:11:10 > 0:11:12?30 per week from ESA claim`nts in the work related activitx group.
0:11:12 > 0:11:16Martin contacted me this week and says...
0:11:16 > 0:11:26OK, it is funny for many melbers opposite, it isn't funny for Martin.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28Martin has a close friend who has breast cancer,
0:11:28 > 0:11:32and I quote, is obviously too unwell to work, and cuts
0:11:32 > 0:11:36will put her into hardship `t a time when she is most vulnerable.
0:11:36 > 0:11:41There are 3,200 people with cancer hit by this cut to the ESA.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44Will the Prime Minister now confirm that when that matter returns
0:11:44 > 0:11:48to the House of Commons, he would ensure that the Lords'
0:11:48 > 0:11:51position is upheld and people like her don't suffer the ctt
0:11:51 > 0:11:54that he wanted to make in the first place?
0:11:54 > 0:11:59Let me explain the situation.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03There are two sorts of employment and support allowance,
0:12:03 > 0:12:08the work-related activity group who are able to train for work
0:12:08 > 0:12:11and the support group who go on getting employment and stpport
0:12:11 > 0:12:12allowance indefinitely.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15That's the situation.
0:12:15 > 0:12:17We have said that in future the work-related activity group
0:12:17 > 0:12:20should be paid at the same rate as jobseeker's allowance
0:12:20 > 0:12:25but that is for future clailants, not for existing claimants.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28They will continue to be pahd at the same rate.
0:12:28 > 0:12:32Of course if someone has cancer and cannot work they should be
0:12:32 > 0:12:33in the support group.
0:12:33 > 0:12:37We've had this issue looked at again and again and again.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39If they cannot work they go on getting the welfare
0:12:39 > 0:12:41payments they need.
0:12:41 > 0:12:46That is what a compassionatd Conservative Government does.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49But I have to come back to him because he cannot wash his hands
0:12:49 > 0:12:55for the situation in Wales.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58Hip operations in England t`ke 5 days' waiting times on aver`ge,
0:12:58 > 0:13:05in Wales, it's 197 days.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08Diagnosis of pneumonia takes two weeks longer,
0:13:08 > 0:13:10treatment of cataracts, hernias, heart operations,
0:13:10 > 0:13:11take two months longer than in England.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14Labour are running Wales.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17He is responsible for Labour.
0:13:17 > 0:13:21Pick up the phone and tell them to stop cutting our NHS.
0:13:21 > 0:13:26Mr Corbyn.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29Mr Speaker, it is interesting that the Prime Minister did not
0:13:29 > 0:13:33answer the question I asked which is whether or not
0:13:33 > 0:13:37he will proceed with the cut in the ESA to 3,200 people
0:13:37 > 0:13:41with cancer at present.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43I hope he thinks seriously about this and doesn't procded
0:13:43 > 0:13:47with this proposal.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50He'll find that MacMillan C`ncer Support, Rethink Mental Health
0:13:50 > 0:13:56Illness, Parkinson's UK are all united in opposing this cut
0:13:56 > 0:13:59because of the effect it will have on people with a range
0:13:59 > 0:14:00of serious conditions.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02The Prime Minister used to say that those with the broadest
0:14:02 > 0:14:06shoulders should bear a greater load.
0:14:06 > 0:14:12Can it be right that cancer patients and those with disabilities on 102
0:14:12 > 0:14:14a week really are those with the broadest shoulders
0:14:14 > 0:14:17who should bear this cut?
0:14:17 > 0:14:21Please, Prime Minister, think again, and don't
0:14:21 > 0:14:23try to reverse the decision of the House of Lords
0:14:23 > 0:14:26on this important matter.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28The people with the broadest shoulders are the highest e`rners
0:14:28 > 0:14:32in this country and they ard paying a higher share of tax than they ever
0:14:32 > 0:14:34did under labour.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37That money is paying for thd NHS and the welfare system.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40I answer the question very directly.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42If you are an existing claimant on Employment
0:14:42 > 0:14:46and Support Allowance your welfare is not changing.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49But in future those people who are able to get back to work,
0:14:49 > 0:14:51we should help them to get back to work,
0:14:51 > 0:14:53that is what a compassionatd country does.
0:14:53 > 0:14:59But it is quite clear what the Labour policy is,
0:14:59 > 0:15:02cut the NHS in Wales and rahse taxes in Scotland to pay for more welfare.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05That's not the approach this country needs.
0:15:05 > 0:15:06David Warburton.
0:15:06 > 0:15:12My right honourable friend will know the West Country is becoming ever
0:15:12 > 0:15:15more the envy and the engind room of the rest of the country,
0:15:15 > 0:15:18with dozens of companies moving from the dark recesses of London
0:15:18 > 0:15:23to the bright sunlight of the West.
0:15:23 > 0:15:28Will he keep supporting what they are now calling
0:15:28 > 0:15:30Somerset's Silicon Gorge by maintaining investment
0:15:30 > 0:15:38in our roads, rail and digital infrastructure?
0:15:38 > 0:15:39I am certainly keen to support Silicon Gorge.
0:15:39 > 0:15:47For a moment, I thought he said Silicon George!
0:15:47 > 0:15:56It is essential that we have a balanced economy,
0:15:56 > 0:15:59and that means a strong economy in the West of our country
0:15:59 > 0:16:01as well as in the South and the north.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04We are investing in the transport infrastructure, not least the vital
0:16:04 > 0:16:06roads to the West Country, and improving rail links as well,
0:16:06 > 0:16:08as I saw for myself yesterday in Chippenham.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11We also need to make sure this broadband roll-out is effective
0:16:11 > 0:16:14across the country, and there has to be a big focus getting
0:16:14 > 0:16:17to the last 10% of homes in so many rural areas.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19It is crucial to make sure they are not left out.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22Angus Robertson.
0:16:22 > 0:16:24The timing of the forthcoming European Union referendum
0:16:24 > 0:16:27is extremely important.
0:16:27 > 0:16:31Today, the first ministers of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
0:16:31 > 0:16:35have jointly called for a commitment by the UK Government not to hold
0:16:35 > 0:16:37the EU referendum in June, which would clash with elections
0:16:37 > 0:16:41to the devolved legislatures.
0:16:41 > 0:16:46Will the Prime Minister givd that commitment today?
0:16:46 > 0:16:48First of all, there is no agreement.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51And, so, no day has been fixed for the referendum.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55We discuss this a lot in thhs House of Commons and we legislated to make
0:16:55 > 0:16:59sure we wouldn't hold the rdferendum at the same time as Scottish
0:16:59 > 0:17:01or Welsh elections.
0:17:01 > 0:17:05The former First Minister of Scotland who is not in hhs place
0:17:05 > 0:17:08today said it would be wrong to hold the referendum within six wdeks
0:17:08 > 0:17:12of those elections and I can guarantee that won't happen.
0:17:12 > 0:17:16The first ministers of Scotland Wales, and Northern Ireland have
0:17:16 > 0:17:19written today saying that they believe holding
0:17:19 > 0:17:26the referendum in June, and I quote, confuses issues when claritx
0:17:26 > 0:17:30is required and call on the Prime Minister to ag`in,
0:17:30 > 0:17:39I quote, defer the EU referdndum, at least until later in the year.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41Why will the Prime Minister not respect the electorate
0:17:41 > 0:17:43and the governments of Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland `nd give
0:17:43 > 0:17:50that commitment today?
0:17:50 > 0:17:53First of all, I do respect the former First Minister
0:17:53 > 0:17:55of Scotland who said that shx weeks was what was necessary.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58I also respect the electorates of England, Scotland, Wales,
0:17:58 > 0:18:01and Northern Ireland, on the basis that I think pdople
0:18:01 > 0:18:03are perfectly capable of making up their minds in a local election
0:18:03 > 0:18:06or in the Scottish parliamentary election or in a Welsh asselbly
0:18:06 > 0:18:09election, and then a period of some weeks afterwards, making thdir minds
0:18:09 > 0:18:12up all over again on the vital question of the European Unhon.
0:18:12 > 0:18:14So, no date has been fixed.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17There must be a six-week gap but I think, frankly,
0:18:17 > 0:18:19he is looking for things to complain about.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21This House has voted for a referendum.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24It would be pretty old if h`ving voted for a referendum,
0:18:24 > 0:18:33we then spent ages debating about not having one.
0:18:33 > 0:18:37The Prime Minister will be `larmed to hear that the shopping Ghllingham
0:18:37 > 0:18:39selling illicit tobacco was making ?25,000...
0:18:39 > 0:18:40Order!
0:18:40 > 0:18:42Excessive chuntering from a sedentary position from
0:18:42 > 0:18:45a number of Scottish Nation`l Party members who wanted an orderly
0:18:45 > 0:18:47hearing for their leader.
0:18:47 > 0:18:48The honourable gentleman is entitled to be heard.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51I appeal to the honourable gentleman to start his question again.
0:18:51 > 0:18:52Let's hear it.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55Thank you, Mr Speaker.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58The Prime Minister will be `larmed to hear that a shop in Gillhngham
0:18:58 > 0:19:03selling illicit tobacco was making ?25,000 a week destroying the local
0:19:03 > 0:19:07economy, damaging people's health, and nationally this trade is costing
0:19:07 > 0:19:10the economy ?2 billion a ye`r.
0:19:10 > 0:19:14Will the government look at increasing the statutory maximum
0:19:14 > 0:19:17penalty for this offence to bring in-line with the supply
0:19:17 > 0:19:20of class C drugs?
0:19:20 > 0:19:23I will certainly look at thd issue my honourable friend raises.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27As far as I can see, HMRC, working very closely with border
0:19:27 > 0:19:32force, has been highly effective at reducing the tax gap of people
0:19:32 > 0:19:35selling illegal tobacco and have closed off 1.3 billion of t`x gap
0:19:35 > 0:19:38since the year 2000.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41They do have a wide range of sanctions to deal with illicit
0:19:41 > 0:19:43sales, including seizure, penalties, and criminal
0:19:43 > 0:19:45prosecutions.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47They prosecuted almost 800 different people,
0:19:47 > 0:19:49I think, in the last two ye`rs.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52So, I think the powers are there.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55But I will have a check to see if more is needed.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58My constituency works for the DWP and he tells me that the government
0:19:58 > 0:20:01is correct when they denied that staff have targets set
0:20:01 > 0:20:03for sanctioning benefits.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06They are not called targets, they are called aspirations.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09Can I asked the Prime Minister, with the roll-out of in work
0:20:09 > 0:20:13benefits sanctions, how many of his own low-paid DWP
0:20:13 > 0:20:19colleagues should my constituent aspire to sanction this year?
0:20:19 > 0:20:24What I would say to the honourable lady is that sanctions in a benefit
0:20:24 > 0:20:27system are important.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30We want to benefit system that is there for people
0:20:30 > 0:20:33who can't find a job, who need support, but it shouldn't
0:20:33 > 0:20:35be a lifestyle choice, and if people can work,
0:20:35 > 0:20:37they should work.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39That is why we have the sanction system.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42And I believe that sanctions system is fairly applied.
0:20:42 > 0:20:47May I share my right honour`ble friend's disappointment that
0:20:47 > 0:20:52despite all his hard work, the European Union is forcing him
0:20:52 > 0:20:57to abandon our manifesto plddge to change the benefits
0:20:57 > 0:21:00system for migrants.
0:21:00 > 0:21:04And we'll my right honourable friend confirm that badly the only way
0:21:04 > 0:21:07in which we are going to be able to regain control
0:21:07 > 0:21:12over our own borders is by leaving the European Tnion?
0:21:12 > 0:21:15I have great respect from mx right honourable friend but we don't agree
0:21:15 > 0:21:16on this one.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20We said in our manifesto th`t anyone coming to Britain from the DU
0:21:20 > 0:21:23searching for work should not get unemployment benefit and we have
0:21:23 > 0:21:25fulfilled that promise.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28We have said if within six lonths, they don't have a job,
0:21:28 > 0:21:31they should go home, we have fulfilled that promhse.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34We said that people should not be able to come here and send British
0:21:34 > 0:21:37child benefit back to their families and we have secured that thdy will
0:21:37 > 0:21:41only get child benefit at the local rate, and we said no more
0:21:41 > 0:21:43something for nothing.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46The idea that you could comd here, claiming immediately
0:21:46 > 0:21:49from our in work benefits sxstem, out paying in, was not right.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52And I said we would secure a four-year gap and we have.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55People said it would be impossible but that is what we
0:21:55 > 0:21:58have put in place.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01Now, it is a negotiation but these are the good proposals that I think
0:22:01 > 0:22:04we'll have the backing of the British people
0:22:04 > 0:22:07because they mean no more something for nothing and that is a vhtal
0:22:07 > 0:22:10value for Britain.
0:22:10 > 0:22:14Over two and a half thousand people are directly employed
0:22:14 > 0:22:20by the ceramics industry in Stoke-on-Trent.
0:22:20 > 0:22:26These and tens of thousands of British manufacturing jobs
0:22:26 > 0:22:31are at risk if China is granted manufacturing,
0:22:31 > 0:22:33market economy status.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35That is my first question.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37The Prime Minister is very happy to sell off the family silvdr
0:22:37 > 0:22:43but can he guarantee it that he won't sell off
0:22:43 > 0:22:45the family crockery?
0:22:45 > 0:22:48We want to support industry in the potteries and that is
0:22:48 > 0:22:50what we are helping manufacturing with the tax credits,
0:22:50 > 0:22:52we're helping with apprenticeship schemes, we're helping with a whole
0:22:52 > 0:22:55range of measures, not least the energy intensive industry
0:22:55 > 0:22:58measures which are very, very important for the constituency
0:22:58 > 0:23:00she represents.
0:23:00 > 0:23:02That is what we want to see.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05The issue with market econoly status is a separate issue.
0:23:05 > 0:23:09Even if they get that status, they cannot dump steel prodtcts
0:23:09 > 0:23:13or other things into Europe`n markets and they can be findd.
0:23:13 > 0:23:17And what we should be doing is making sure we are driving open
0:23:17 > 0:23:20markets for us to sell to China
0:23:20 > 0:23:24They are the ones that the lassive growth in the middle-class taking
0:23:24 > 0:23:27place of hundreds of millions of people joining that
0:23:27 > 0:23:31and there are a great many products made in Stoke that should bd
0:23:31 > 0:23:34sold in China.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37Sir, the Isle of Wight Council can balance the books this year but fear
0:23:37 > 0:23:40they will be an able to do so next year.
0:23:40 > 0:23:46Would my right honourable friend confirm the government's willingness
0:23:46 > 0:23:49to work with them over the coming months to help them to access
0:23:49 > 0:23:54existing sources, finance, or find new ways to address
0:23:54 > 0:23:58the Ireland's unique circumstances?
0:23:58 > 0:24:02We are very happy to work with the authorities
0:24:02 > 0:24:06on the Isle of Wight.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09I think I am writing is sayhng that when it comes to spending power
0:24:09 > 0:24:11actually the spending power is increasing slightly
0:24:11 > 0:24:13in the next year.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16What we are doing with this settlement for an open government
0:24:16 > 0:24:20is because overall it is a relatively flat cash settlement,
0:24:20 > 0:24:22over the five-year period, we are allowing councils
0:24:22 > 0:24:27to use their reserves and also to sell unwanted property and use
0:24:27 > 0:24:32that money directly to provhde services to bridge over the period
0:24:32 > 0:24:33of the next five years.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36I am very happy to look at the circumstances of the Isle
0:24:36 > 0:24:41of Wight but I believe this is a fair settlement.
0:24:41 > 0:24:45The Prime Minister has told us today that more money
0:24:45 > 0:24:49is going into the NHS.
0:24:49 > 0:24:53Let me tell him that my loc`l hospital trust is spending
0:24:53 > 0:24:56?1.5 million a week on interest payments alone to industry
0:24:56 > 0:24:59for its PFI deal.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04Wait for it.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07Come on.
0:25:10 > 0:25:14The Prime Minister eventually saw sense about the need to deal
0:25:14 > 0:25:18with the damage that high cost credit was doing to individtals
0:25:18 > 0:25:24when will he deal with thesd legal sharks of the public sector?
0:25:24 > 0:25:29Well, you know, sometimes, it takes a long time to unlock wind
0:25:29 > 0:25:34the damage done by a Labour government.
0:25:34 > 0:25:38She is absolutely right, one of the first things we did
0:25:38 > 0:25:41in government was to launch a review of Labour's PFI,
0:25:41 > 0:25:45begin an initiative to attr`ct savings and give better valte
0:25:45 > 0:25:48for money for all of the projects, including Barts.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51What we are seeing in her own health economy is we are seeing
0:25:51 > 0:25:55there are more GPs in the NHS and in terms of the NHS
0:25:55 > 0:25:59Waltham Forest clinical commissioning group,
0:25:59 > 0:26:02next year, they are getting a cash increase of 3.7%,
0:26:02 > 0:26:04that is money provided because we are putting more money
0:26:04 > 0:26:10into the NHS.
0:26:10 > 0:26:14A lone parent in my constittency has described her experience of child
0:26:14 > 0:26:17maintenance group as appallhng, with a lack of communication
0:26:17 > 0:26:20being passed from pillar to post.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23But failure to act on evidence and not progressing
0:26:23 > 0:26:25with enforcement.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27Will the Prime Minister arr`nge for the Secretary of State to meet
0:26:27 > 0:26:31with my constituent to disctss the particular issues around
0:26:31 > 0:26:35the enforcement of child mahntenance when nonresident parents ard taking
0:26:35 > 0:26:38advantage of the system and depriving children
0:26:38 > 0:26:41of the support they are enthtled to?
0:26:41 > 0:26:43I am very happy to help arrange that meeting.
0:26:43 > 0:26:46I know my honourable friend speaks, as many of us find in our own
0:26:46 > 0:26:50constituency services, particularly about the behaviour
0:26:50 > 0:26:53of nonresident parents and how they give everyone the runaround
0:26:53 > 0:26:57and don't fulfil their dutids by helping to pay for the children
0:26:57 > 0:26:59that they are responsible for.
0:26:59 > 0:27:03We introduced a new statutory child maintenance service for pardnts
0:27:03 > 0:27:06who are unable to make a family-based arrangement.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08It should bring speedier processing of applications,
0:27:08 > 0:27:12simple calculations and faster enforcement action.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15But I will make sure that she has the meeting that she needs
0:27:15 > 0:27:18to straighten out this case.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20I wonder if the Prime Minister can comment on recent events
0:27:20 > 0:27:24in Northern Ireland regarding the investigations
0:27:24 > 0:27:26into steak knife, the allegdd and the former.
0:27:26 > 0:27:30And will he ensure that thex are equal investigations into the likes
0:27:30 > 0:27:34of the Enniskillen bomb and other major atrocities
0:27:34 > 0:27:36by terrorist organisations?
0:27:36 > 0:27:39I will look carefully at what he says.
0:27:39 > 0:27:43We have to make sure that wd look at all of these things in a fair
0:27:43 > 0:27:46and reasonable way and perh`ps I can write to him about the issud.
0:27:46 > 0:27:53?38 billion a year is currently spent on pensions tax relief,
0:27:53 > 0:27:58with three quarters going to higher rate taxpayers who need
0:27:58 > 0:27:59it the least.
0:27:59 > 0:28:03Will the Prime Minister agrde with me that it would be a huge
0:28:03 > 0:28:06boost to social justice in this country if pensions tax relhef
0:28:06 > 0:28:10was reformed to a single fl`t rate which would benefit millions
0:28:10 > 0:28:12of hard-working Britons?
0:28:12 > 0:28:17I know my honourable friend speaks on this issue with consider`ble
0:28:17 > 0:28:20expertise because of the career he had before coming to this House
0:28:20 > 0:28:23so he brings a lot of knowlddge about this sector.
0:28:23 > 0:28:27He is right that there are great costs related to pension tax relief.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29That is why the Chancellor published a consultation last summer to see
0:28:29 > 0:28:33whether the system should bd reformed but as the saying goes
0:28:33 > 0:28:36taxes are for the Chancellor and his budget.
0:28:36 > 0:28:41I welcome the government's announcement of further support
0:28:41 > 0:28:44for child refugees last week, as far as it goes.
0:28:44 > 0:28:48A nine-year-old girl who lives in my constituency has recently
0:28:48 > 0:28:51asked me what we are doing to help refugee children.
0:28:51 > 0:28:53Of course, what a child reftgee needs most is a home.
0:28:53 > 0:28:56When are we going to offer home to 3000 other refugee
0:28:56 > 0:28:59children in Europe?
0:28:59 > 0:29:02First of all, let me say to the honourable lady what we have
0:29:02 > 0:29:04done so far.
0:29:04 > 0:29:07She knows about the 20,000 relocation schemes where we got 1000
0:29:07 > 0:29:09people in by Christmas, including many vulnerable children.
0:29:09 > 0:29:11That is going well.
0:29:11 > 0:29:14Fewer people are aware of the fact that in the last year,
0:29:14 > 0:29:17through our normal asylum processes, we took something like 2500
0:29:17 > 0:29:20unaccompanied children last year.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23If you look at Kent social services and the pressure they are under
0:29:23 > 0:29:26they have something like 1000 children that they are lookhng
0:29:26 > 0:29:29after, and obviously facing great pressures on.
0:29:29 > 0:29:33Another point people don't `lways recognise is that unaccompanied
0:29:33 > 0:29:37children in Europe, if they claim asylum in the country they `re in,
0:29:37 > 0:29:41under the Dublin regulation, if they have direct family
0:29:41 > 0:29:43in Britain, they can come to Britain.
0:29:43 > 0:29:47We think that is the right `pproach, taking some people from the region,
0:29:47 > 0:29:50but being very cautious because all the evidence shows that
0:29:50 > 0:29:53even if it is an orphaned child they may well have some bro`der
0:29:53 > 0:29:56family they are connected to and it is better to keep
0:29:56 > 0:29:58them with them.
0:29:58 > 0:30:03Given the security threats faced by this country,
0:30:03 > 0:30:05whose policies are most dangerous?
0:30:05 > 0:30:08Those in Scotland who want to scrap our nuclear deterrent compldtely?
0:30:08 > 0:30:12Or those on the party opposhte who want to keep Trident submarines
0:30:12 > 0:30:15without nuclear missiles?
0:30:15 > 0:30:20Well, it is hard to choose from the wrong and the bizarre.
0:30:20 > 0:30:22You can take your pick.
0:30:22 > 0:30:27Labour's latest plan is to tse Trident submarines to transport
0:30:27 > 0:30:29military personnel around the world.
0:30:29 > 0:30:33It is the most expensive Ubdr service that anyone has
0:30:33 > 0:30:35ever thought of.
0:30:35 > 0:30:39You really do wonder what on earth they will think of next.
0:30:39 > 0:30:46Prime Minister, you may be `ware of the case of my
0:30:46 > 0:30:48constituent Lisa Brown.
0:30:48 > 0:30:53Her family were notified by Spanish police authorities on the 10th
0:30:53 > 0:30:57of November 2015 as a missing person, though could have bden
0:30:57 > 0:30:59missing since the 6th of November.
0:30:59 > 0:31:02Lisa's mother Catherine, her sister Helen and her brother
0:31:02 > 0:31:05Craig has visited Spain sevdral times since and have met both
0:31:05 > 0:31:09with Spanish authorities and with UK Council staff.
0:31:09 > 0:31:13While the Spanish authoritids are actively working on this case,
0:31:13 > 0:31:17there have been various pieces of misinformation in the Sp`nish
0:31:17 > 0:31:21media which we know not to have been helpful.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24Can I call upon the Prime Mhnister to seek assurances on behalf
0:31:24 > 0:31:28of Lisa's family from the Spanish authorities here in London
0:31:28 > 0:31:32and in Madrid as well as thd Foreign and Commonwealth Office that
0:31:32 > 0:31:36everything possible is being done to ensure that Lisa's
0:31:36 > 0:31:38family can get the answers they so desperately need.
0:31:38 > 0:31:42I will certainly look into this case and make surd,
0:31:42 > 0:31:45after the honourable gentlelan has raised its so clearly,
0:31:45 > 0:31:48that the Europe minister medts with him to try and make sure
0:31:48 > 0:31:51everything is done for Lisa's family as possible.
0:31:51 > 0:31:59Further to the question from the honourable lady
0:31:59 > 0:32:04from Walthamstow, my Sherwood Forest Hospital Trtst
0:32:04 > 0:32:08is also wrestling with the disastrous PFI signed under
0:32:08 > 0:32:10the Labour government.
0:32:10 > 0:32:13Luckily, there is light at the end of the tunnel as Nottingham Derby
0:32:13 > 0:32:15Trust look to take over Sherwood Forest Hospital.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18But can the Prime Minister `ssist them in any way in solving this
0:32:18 > 0:32:23enormous mess left to them by the previous Labour government?
0:32:23 > 0:32:27They are extremely difficult to solve, these PFI contracts.
0:32:27 > 0:32:31My understanding is that the monitoring Care
0:32:31 > 0:32:34and Quality Commission are absolutely clear that Sherwood
0:32:34 > 0:32:37needs a long-term partnershhp and I understand, the trust plans
0:32:37 > 0:32:41to announce its preferred p`rtner in mid-February and that, I hope,
0:32:41 > 0:32:44will help it to support the services they need but I will look
0:32:44 > 0:32:47carefully and make sure that the Health Secretary looks
0:32:47 > 0:32:49carefully at the suggestion he makes.
0:32:49 > 0:32:53Following the shocking official report into the murder
0:32:53 > 0:32:58here in London of Alexander Litvinenko, when will he and his
0:32:58 > 0:33:02Chancellor takes some meaningful action to tackle the dirty Russian
0:33:02 > 0:33:06money and to property here hn London that helps sustain the Putin regime?
0:33:06 > 0:33:10First of all, the report was shocking, although,
0:33:10 > 0:33:12as the Home Secretary said at the time, this confirmed
0:33:12 > 0:33:16for the previous Labour govdrnment understood to have happened.
0:33:16 > 0:33:18But nonetheless, when you rdad the report all over again,
0:33:18 > 0:33:21it is deeply shocking what happened, and that is why we have takdn
0:33:21 > 0:33:25action, in terms of asset freezes and the other measures described
0:33:25 > 0:33:28by the Home Secretary.
0:33:28 > 0:33:31In terms of the problem of so-called hot money coming into London,
0:33:31 > 0:33:33I made a speech recently explaining that we are doing more,
0:33:33 > 0:33:37in terms of other countries, in terms of transparency,
0:33:37 > 0:33:41in terms of beneficial ownership, who owns what in terms of companies
0:33:41 > 0:33:44and we are also going to do the same in terms of property.
0:33:44 > 0:33:48I think that is one of the best ways, not just to make sure we don't
0:33:48 > 0:33:50have a legal Russian money but to make sure that corrupt monies
0:33:50 > 0:33:54stolen from African taxpayers and other continents
0:33:54 > 0:33:56doesn't end up in London.
0:33:56 > 0:34:02When I first came to this House I spoke about that great st`in
0:34:02 > 0:34:05upon this nation when it comes to the care of our
0:34:05 > 0:34:07Armed Forces veterans.
0:34:07 > 0:34:11Here is a sentence from an e-mail on the weekend.
0:34:11 > 0:34:15I have not had any letter or any warning, I was told that was it not
0:34:15 > 0:34:19to think about it any more, but now I dread the post evdry day.
0:34:19 > 0:34:21The Prime Minister has alre`dy intervened to tighten up
0:34:21 > 0:34:25the historical allegations process and for that I thank him,
0:34:25 > 0:34:28but will my right honourabld friend look even more closely
0:34:28 > 0:34:31at the support we are giving, so that what we want to delhver
0:34:31 > 0:34:34and what is actually delivered the same thing?
0:34:34 > 0:34:37I am very happy to look at that specifically.
0:34:37 > 0:34:41I have been very clear about what went wrong and how
0:34:41 > 0:34:43unacceptably it was a let md repeat again we will continue
0:34:43 > 0:34:46to provide our support to those going through investigations,
0:34:46 > 0:34:48including providing legal advice.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51And we will crack down on any legal firm that has abused the system
0:34:51 > 0:34:57Because we have got the milhtary covenant now written into l`w
0:34:57 > 0:35:00and a covenant group that mdets under the excellent chairmanship
0:35:00 > 0:35:04of friend the member for West Dorset, we have
0:35:04 > 0:35:08an opportunity not just to raise but to try and properly tackle these
0:35:08 > 0:35:11issues in a systematic way.
0:35:11 > 0:35:16The dumping of Chinese steel is crippling the British Stdel
0:35:16 > 0:35:17industry.
0:35:17 > 0:35:22The granting of market economy status to China would dramatically
0:35:22 > 0:35:25reduce scope for taking and dumping measures.
0:35:25 > 0:35:29Why, then, is the Prime Minhster supporting market economy
0:35:29 > 0:35:30status for China?
0:35:30 > 0:35:34Is it because he puts cosying up to Beijing ahead of
0:35:34 > 0:35:36protecting British industry?
0:35:36 > 0:35:39I put helping British industry first.
0:35:39 > 0:35:42That is why we cut taxes for British industry,
0:35:42 > 0:35:45we are cutting the energy bhlls for British industry we're helping
0:35:45 > 0:35:47with apprenticeships, we're busting open markets `broad
0:35:47 > 0:35:50so the British industries can succeed.
0:35:50 > 0:35:53And, crucially, for this industry, we are investing in our
0:35:53 > 0:35:55infrastructure and trying to make sure there is a real forward
0:35:55 > 0:35:58movement for British Steel.
0:35:58 > 0:36:00But I think the honourable gentleman is wrong.
0:36:00 > 0:36:02We should take these two issues separately.
0:36:02 > 0:36:05If there is illegal dumping, we will support action
0:36:05 > 0:36:07in the European Union.
0:36:07 > 0:36:10And that can be done in spite of the status that country has.
0:36:10 > 0:36:14We have actually put those sorts of burdens on America beford today
0:36:14 > 0:36:17so I don't think it is right to connect the two issues in the way
0:36:17 > 0:36:18that he does.
0:36:18 > 0:36:24Mental health issues take m`ny forms and services for those suffdring
0:36:24 > 0:36:28from eating disorders are often overlooked.
0:36:28 > 0:36:31And, yet, they cause intolerable stress and suffering.
0:36:31 > 0:36:34As health devolution in Manchester gathers pace,
0:36:34 > 0:36:37does the Prime Minister agrde with me that it is an important
0:36:37 > 0:36:41opportunity to secure better mental health service provision,
0:36:41 > 0:36:45particularly for children and young adults?
0:36:45 > 0:36:50I think my honourable friend is absolutely right.
0:36:50 > 0:36:53I don't see any reason why the devolution of resources
0:36:53 > 0:36:55to Greater Manchester under this landmark deal
0:36:55 > 0:36:57will disadvantage mental he`lth
0:36:57 > 0:37:00If anything, it will lead to a greater priority being given
0:37:00 > 0:37:03to mental health as people can see the connections between mental
0:37:03 > 0:37:06health and holding back opportunities for so many pdople.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09We are investing more, in terms of children's ment`l health
0:37:09 > 0:37:12and giving a greater focus particular to eating disorddrs,
0:37:12 > 0:37:16where we do seek tragically real growth in this problem.
0:37:16 > 0:37:18So, the money is there and the devolution should hdlp.