Commons Chamber
11:33
Private Business
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Private Business
Order, Order, order. Order, order. The Order, order. The clerk Order, order. The clerk will Order, order. The clerk will now proceed to read the titles of the private Bill set down for consideration.
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Cheltenham Borough Council (Markets) Bill. Third Reading. Now, Mr. Speaker. The question is that the bill now be read a third time. As many of that opinion say, I. The country. No, I think the ayes have it. The No, I think the ayes have it. The ayes have it. The question is that the bill now be considered as many Royal Albert Hall Bill.
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Royal Albert Hall Bill. Royal Albert Hall Bill Lords Report stage.
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Report stage. Objection taken. Debate to be taken. What day? Wednesday the 22nd.
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Sorry. Hang on a minute. We've already got one objection. I object
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already got one objection. I object to that. How's that? Sorry. Wednesday, the 22nd of April, Mr. Speaker. Wednesday the 22nd of April. The
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Wednesday the 22nd of April. The presumed. The bill relating to City presumed. The bill relating to City of London. Objection. Two objections. What? Reading.
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Secretary. Permission. What day? Wednesday. The 22nd of April.
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Wednesday. The 22nd of April. We now come to motion related. Royal Albert Hall Bill. The chairman of
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Albert Hall Bill. The chairman of Ways and Means formally. Objection taken. Motion to protect. What day? Wednesday. The 22nd of April.
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Wednesday 22nd of April. Thank you. Thanks, everyone. Right. Order. you. Thanks, everyone. Right. Order. Before we begin today's proceedings,
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Cheltenham Borough Council (Markets) Bill. Third Reading. Now, Mr. Speaker. The question is that the bill now be read a third time. As many of that opinion say, I. The country. No, I think the ayes have it. The No, I think the ayes have it. The ayes have it. The question is that the bill now be considered as many Royal Albert Hall Bill.
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Royal Albert Hall Bill. Royal Albert Hall Bill Lords Report stage.
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Report stage. Objection taken. Debate to be taken. What day? Wednesday the 22nd.
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Sorry. Hang on a minute. We've already got one objection. I object
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already got one objection. I object to that. How's that? Sorry. Wednesday, the 22nd of April, Mr. Speaker. Wednesday the 22nd of April. The
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Wednesday the 22nd of April. The presumed. The bill relating to City presumed. The bill relating to City of London. Objection. Two objections. What? Reading.
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Secretary. Permission. What day? Wednesday. The 22nd of April.
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Wednesday. The 22nd of April. We now come to motion related. Royal Albert Hall Bill. The chairman of
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Albert Hall Bill. The chairman of Ways and Means formally. Objection taken. Motion to protect. What day? Wednesday. The 22nd of April.
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Wednesday 22nd of April. Thank you. Thanks, everyone. Right. Order. you. Thanks, everyone. Right. Order. Before we begin today's proceedings,
11:35
Speaker's Statement
Mr Speaker
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Speaker's Statement
Mr Speaker
I would like to remind members of the continuing need to follow the conventions and courtesies of the House as we approach the local elections. Members must inform colleagues in advance if they plan to table questions that specifically affect a colleague's constituency, or if they intend to visit another member's constituency, except for private purposes. I would also stress that the deputy speakers have no opportunities to raise issues relating to these conventions, or wider issues from their constituency in the chamber, so I would urge colleagues to be particularly mindful of any activity in their constituency that might be deemed discourteous.
And I don't think it will help the member's career in this chamber, either. So all colleagues across the House should take care that we
And I don't think it will help the member's career in this chamber, either. So all colleagues across the House should take care that we
11:36
11:36
11:36
Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, The Secretary of State for Scotland (Lothian East, Labour )
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Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, The Secretary of State for Scotland (Lothian East, Labour )
Question number one. >> Mr Speaker. >> Minister. >> Mr Speaker. >> Tackling child poverty is fundamental to the work of this fundamental to the work of this Labour government. In December, we published our ambitious and comprehensive UK wide child poverty strategy. It sets out the steps we are taking to reduce child poverty in the short term, as well as putting in place the building blocks. We need to create long term change across the United Kingdom. On its own, our decision to lift the two child cap, which came into effect just last week, will benefit 95,000 children in Scotland.
11:37
Pamela Nash MP (Motherwell, Wishaw and Carluke, Labour)
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Pamela Nash MP (Motherwell, Wishaw and Carluke, Labour)
Pamela Nash thank the Secretary of State for that answer, Mr. Speaker. Does he agree with me that the SNP have failed Scotland's children over the past two decades, leaving thousands in poverty, including 1 in 4 in my constituency in more rural West Tyrone could look. And it is only Labour that will prioritise our children, shown by lifting the two child cap, which is now benefiting over 13,000 children in Lanarkshire.
11:37
Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, The Secretary of State for Scotland (Lothian East, Labour )
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Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, The Secretary of State for Scotland (Lothian East, Labour )
Minister. >> Minister. >> Firstly, on the conduct of the government, Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives in government push kids into poverty, Labour and kids into poverty, Labour and government lift kids out of poverty. But we would have hoped for a better approach from the Scottish Government. The fact is that there are 10,000 kids in Scotland without a home to call their own, and at the same time, the judgement and the challenge that was set by the previous First Minister, Minister Nicola Sturgeon, was to close the educational attainment gap in Scotland.
And of course, education along with employment, is the best route out of poverty. That gap has widened rather than narrowed. What a damning indictment of the Scottish Government.
And of course, education along with employment, is the best route out of poverty. That gap has widened rather than narrowed. What a damning indictment of the Scottish Government.
11:38
Rt Hon David Mundell MP (Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale, Conservative)
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Rt Hon David Mundell MP (Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale, Conservative)
Mr. Speaker. Well, obviously I do not agree with the Secretary of State's analysis, but I think we can agree that child poverty and the other challenges which face real people in Scotland should be the focus of this Scottish Parliament election campaign and not independence, which incredibly Mr Speaker. The reform UK candidate in Dumfriesshire, voted for. So will the Secretary of State agree with me that anybody in Scotland who does not want to see Scotland spend five more years in a constitutional cul de sac, should use their votes wisely to stop an SNP majority.
11:38
Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, The Secretary of State for Scotland (Lothian East, Labour )
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Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, The Secretary of State for Scotland (Lothian East, Labour )
Mr. speaker, it is always >> Mr. speaker, it is always important for the electorate to use their votes wisely, but the fact is that there are two parties that are that there are two parties that are deeply threatened by Scottish Labour's emergence as the credible alternative to the SNP, and those are, on one hand, the Scottish National Party and on the other hand reform their interests. If one thinks about it, are completely aligned in talking reform up and talking Scottish Labour down.
So I certainly hope that people act wisely and make sure this Scottish election is about Scotland.
So I certainly hope that people act wisely and make sure this Scottish election is about Scotland.
11:39
11:39
Kirsty McNeill MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Midlothian, Labour )
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Kirsty McNeill MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Midlothian, Labour )
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Question number two. >> With permission, Mr. Speaker. I will answer his questions two and five together, through our ambitious Pride in Place programme, we are empowering local people to shape the future of their neighbourhoods. The Pride in Place Impact Fund is investing 12 million across Scotland over two years, including £1.5 million in North Ayrshire, and we will invest up to £480 million in 24 Scottish communities over the next decade, including £20 million each for the urban and three town neighbourhoods in North Ayrshire and the Fauldhouse and Blackburn neighbourhood in West Lothian.
This locally led funding can be used to directly support regeneration, high streets and heritage and best of all, decisions will be made by local people, those who know and love the places the best.
This locally led funding can be used to directly support regeneration, high streets and heritage and best of all, decisions will be made by local people, those who know and love the places the best.
11:40
Irene Campbell MP (North Ayrshire and Arran, Labour)
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Irene Campbell MP (North Ayrshire and Arran, Labour)
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to say that after a huge amount of hard work put into a amount of hard work put into a Pride in Place application, investment has been successfully allocated to the three towns of Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston in my constituency. Does the Minister agree with me that the £20 million UK government Pride in Place funding will provide great opportunities for community projects which can improve our town centres and regenerate our shorefront areas?
11:40
Kirsty McNeill MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Midlothian, Labour )
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Kirsty McNeill MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Midlothian, Labour )
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And first of all, huge congratulations first of all, huge congratulations to the hon. Friend and her constituents. The. These three towns have tremendous untapped potential which has been long neglected and underutilised. Our coastal towns are a huge part of our identity on these islands, and I look forward to working with her to champion the pride people rightly feel about living in this beautiful part of Ayrshire.
11:40
Kirsteen Sullivan MP (Bathgate and Linlithgow, Labour )
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Kirsteen Sullivan MP (Bathgate and Linlithgow, Labour )
Kirsteen Sullivan thank you, Mr. >> Kirsteen Sullivan thank you, Mr. Speaker. Years of underinvestment and the loss of major employers once left Whitburn and Blackburn once left Whitburn and Blackburn facing deep economic and health inequalities, weakened high streets and people generally feeling left behind. Yet the strength of local organisations and businesses shows great ambition for renewal. With £20 million of Pride in Place funding from this Labour government. Finally, local people are at the heart of deciding local regeneration. How does the Minister see this programme? Rebuilding community cohesion and inclusion so people feel valued and that their contribution matters.
11:41
Kirsty McNeill MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Midlothian, Labour )
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Kirsty McNeill MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Midlothian, Labour )
Minister. The communities of Fauldhouse, Blackburn and Whitburn Fauldhouse, Blackburn and Whitburn all face long standing economic challenges. But as my hon. Friend rightly says, there is so much pride and passion locally to which she is a great champion. Our Pride in Place programme is there to ensure that all local people have a stake and a say, and that they can work together for a future that is truly worthy of their ambitions for the place that they love.
11:41
Christine Jardine MP (Edinburgh West, Liberal Democrat)
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Christine Jardine MP (Edinburgh West, Liberal Democrat)
Josh Dean thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I wonder if the Minister shares my disappointment that my constituency of Edinburgh West was the only one in Edinburgh which was not considered for a Pride in Place programme, including areas like Drylaw and Stenhouse, which have particular problems which could have been helped by this programme.
11:42
Kirsty McNeill MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Midlothian, Labour )
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Kirsty McNeill MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Midlothian, Labour )
Minister. >> Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, and the hon. Member and I have had a chance to discuss this previously and as I have indicated, these are and as I have indicated, these are Labour Party's guided by Labour values. We have committed to targeting, targeting, targeting the funding at the places that need it most, targeting the funding at the places that need it most on a double deprivation index, in which I am afraid her constituency simply did not qualify.
11:42
11:42
Kirsty McNeill MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Midlothian, Labour )
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Kirsty McNeill MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Midlothian, Labour )
Minister Mr. Speaker, this is >> Minister Mr. Speaker, this is precisely one of the focuses of the Pride in Place programme. Our high streets have been neglected for far streets have been neglected for far too long and that the real heart of community pride and. I am delighted that so many of the Pride in Place bids that have already come forward are focussed on exactly that.
11:43
Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, The Secretary of State for Scotland (Lothian East, Labour )
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Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, The Secretary of State for Scotland (Lothian East, Labour )
Wendy Chamberlain Mr. speaker. >> Sir. >> Mr. Speaker, the UK government stands ready to provide the support that is needed for families in response to recent events in the response to recent events in the Middle East. The Prime Minister has set out her plan to deal with the immediate impact of the conflict on the cost of living, which includes cutting energy bills by an average of £117 per household, extending the cut in fuel duty until September, while closely monitoring prices at the pump, providing £4.6 million for low income families in Scotland who heat their homes with oil to tackle surging prices and, of course, continuing to push for de-escalation in the conflict itself.
11:43
Wendy Chamberlain MP (North East Fife, Liberal Democrat)
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Wendy Chamberlain MP (North East Fife, Liberal Democrat)
Wendy Chamberlain thank you, Mr. Speaker. I welcome what the Minister has said, but the challenge is, is that the government has yet to correct the challenges from the Eco four scheme, which in North East Fife has simply blighted houses with not only lack of insulation but poor installation of inappropriate heat pumps, etc. Can the the Secretary of State advise me when the government is going to start inspecting these properties and consider a compensation scheme for constituents such as mine?
11:44
11:44
Tracy Gilbert MP (Edinburgh North and Leith, Labour)
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Tracy Gilbert MP (Edinburgh North and Leith, Labour)
My constituents in Edinburgh North and Leith welcome. The fall in energy prices at the beginning of this month. Does my right hon. Friend agree with me that the best way to reduce energy prices in Scotland is by securing our energy independence, by progressing the government's Clean power mission as quickly as possible, not with more constitutional divide.
11:44
Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, The Secretary of State for Scotland (Lothian East, Labour )
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Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, The Secretary of State for Scotland (Lothian East, Labour )
Mr. speaker, my hon. Friend makes a powerful point. Global instability, including recent events in Iran, have exposed the risk of relying on fossil fuel markets that inevitably, the United Kingdom does not control. We are delivering on our work to ensure our energy independence and also to bring down bills for the British people for good. What we absolutely do not need right now is the added distraction of political point scoring at the expense of our national security in what is a dangerous and troubled world.
11:45
Andrew Bowie MP (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, Conservative)
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Andrew Bowie MP (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, Conservative)
Andrew Bowie very much. Thank >> Andrew Bowie very much. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. On this side of the House, Mr. Speaker, we are very clear. We need to get Britain drilling and unlock the potential of our North Sea, cutting bills, saving Scottish jobs and making us more energy secure. Now, Mr. Speaker, apparently the Scottish Secretary is running the election campaign for the leader of the Scottish Labour Party, so presumably he agrees with him when he said that the balanced approach we need to take is to support our oil and gas sector, which also presumably means he disagrees with the Secretary of State for energy and the Prime Minister.
So tell me, who is right, the Prime Minister or the leader of the Scottish Labour Party, because it can't be both.
So tell me, who is right, the Prime Minister or the leader of the Scottish Labour Party, because it can't be both.
11:45
Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, The Secretary of State for Scotland (Lothian East, Labour )
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Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, The Secretary of State for Scotland (Lothian East, Labour )
Secretary of State. they are in denial of their record. We lost 70,000 jobs in the North Sea when he was in office. The fact is, the challenge for the North Sea did not emerge in July 2024, but in fact reflected the complete absence of a plan by the previous government. The reality is that oil and gas will be a central part of our energy mix for many years to come, and this is a government that recognises and understands that.
11:46
Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, The Secretary of State for Scotland (Lothian East, Labour )
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Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, The Secretary of State for Scotland (Lothian East, Labour )
Mr. Speaker, the economic illiteracy is not limited to the benches of the House of Commons, benches of the House of Commons, but extends to the First Minister. Let us take the example of Berwick Bank, the largest offshore wind farm in Europe, paid for in no small measure due to the actions of the UK government. The fact is, when the First Minister and the hon. Gentleman make their claims that somehow the affordability of renewables is determined by the Scottish taxpayer, they ignore the contribution being paid by UK bill payers.
The reality is that the level of investment we have seen in renewables in Scotland is a direct consequence of being part of the UK energy market.
The reality is that the level of investment we have seen in renewables in Scotland is a direct consequence of being part of the UK energy market.
11:47
Stephen Gethins MP (Arbroath and Broughty Ferry, Scottish National Party)
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Stephen Gethins MP (Arbroath and Broughty Ferry, Scottish National Party)
Stephen Gethins Kerr And right there we're seeing the alignment of labour and reform, right? Because it's Labour's Brexit isolationism that's taking us away from Europe, away from our key markets. So why is it that independent Ireland, European Ireland has announced 700 million in support package, yet a Scotland that has given 350 billion to the Treasury yet in heating oil support got £35 per household. So what is it as a fuel crisis spirals, we see little or no action from the Labour government.
Will they turn their back on this alignment and towards the taxpayer.
Will they turn their back on this alignment and towards the taxpayer.
11:48
Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, The Secretary of State for Scotland (Lothian East, Labour )
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Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, The Secretary of State for Scotland (Lothian East, Labour )
Mr. Speaker? There they go again, talking up reform. When will the SNP learn that you can be anti-nationalist and not anti-scottish? The reality is that this was the party that promised a publicly owned energy company almost a decade ago. Maybe when he next gets on his feet, he can tell us where did that energy company ever go?
11:48
Kirsty McNeill MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Midlothian, Labour )
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Kirsty McNeill MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Midlothian, Labour )
Clive Jones thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Cancer research UK is Mr. Speaker. Cancer research UK is sorry, number four. >> Mr. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Tragically, cancer remains one of the leading causes of death in Scotland and I want Scots to benefit from the very best research. benefit from the very best research. The National Institute for Health and Care Research works in partnership with the Scottish Government to support and enhance health and social care research across the UK. Despite healthcare being devolved, researchers in Scotland can now apply for funding which has, for example, allowed the truly outstanding researchers at the University of Dundee to identify a newer, simpler type of mammogram that can reliably show how breast cancer responds to chemotherapy before surgery.
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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Tragically, cancer remains one of the leading causes of death in Scotland and I want Scots to benefit from the very best research. benefit from the very best research. The National Institute for Health and Care Research works in partnership with the Scottish Government to support and enhance health and social care research across the UK. Despite healthcare being devolved, researchers in Scotland can now apply for funding which has, for example, allowed the truly outstanding researchers at the University of Dundee to identify a newer, simpler type of mammogram that can reliably show how breast cancer responds to chemotherapy before surgery.
11:49
Clive Jones MP (Wokingham, Liberal Democrat)
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Clive Jones MP (Wokingham, Liberal Democrat)
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Cancer research UK's manifesto for cancer research and care in Scotland recommends that the government should increase strategic institutional research and innovation funding, investing in and supporting the delivery of a new Scottish Health and Biomedicine Institute to deliver new innovations that will benefit people and the economy of Scotland. What is the Minister doing to support Cancer Research's manifesto?
11:49
Kirsty McNeill MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Midlothian, Labour )
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Kirsty McNeill MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Midlothian, Labour )
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. First of all, can I commend you for. Can I commend the hon. Member for his ongoing and dogged advocacy on this cause? As you all know, the UK government is committed to ensuring that there is a partnership approach between the health services of both Scotland and the rest of the UK. And of course, we are focussed on making sure that higher education and other forms of cancer.
11:50
Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, The Secretary of State for Scotland (Lothian East, Labour )
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Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, The Secretary of State for Scotland (Lothian East, Labour )
Good step by. >> With permission, Mr. Speaker, I will answer question six and nine together. The UK Government's Industrial Strategy set out how we will grow our economy by doubling down on our national strengths. Despite the global uncertainty we are living through. This includes investing in Scotland's huge contribution to the UK economy. Our free trade agreements with India and the EU will have huge benefits for Scottish businesses and of course, Scotland will benefit hugely from the defence dividend created by our increased investment in our national security.
This is a government backing growth and jobs in Scotland. Economy. Taxpayer
This is a government backing growth and jobs in Scotland. Economy. Taxpayer
11:50
Euan Stainbank MP (Falkirk, Labour)
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Euan Stainbank MP (Falkirk, Labour)
money must be used far more strategically. The SNP Scots granted the majority of taxpayer funded subsidy to Chinese bus manufacturers again, directly contributing six days later to 115 contributing six days later to 115 jobs being put at risk in Falkirk when demand for zebs is rising. But domestic market share is reducing and Scottish manufacturing jobs are and Scottish manufacturing jobs are being lost with the assistance of taxpayer money, something must change. What discussions has the change. What discussions has the Secretary of State had with Cabinet colleagues to ensure that future taxpayer funded orders are met by manufacturing workers in Scotland
11:51
Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, The Secretary of State for Scotland (Lothian East, Labour )
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Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, The Secretary of State for Scotland (Lothian East, Labour )
and across the UK? Thank you sir. Mr. speaker, this is of course, an incredibly difficult time for the incredibly difficult time for the Alexander Dennis workers and their families, many of whom face an uncertain future through no fault uncertain future through no fault of their own. But this is, alas, yet another example of failure on the part of the Scottish Government. the part of the Scottish Government. They sent the majority of a £45 million funding pot for million funding pot for zero-emission buses to China, blocking comparative bids to build and invest in Falkirk.
Labour mayors have shown what is possible across the rest of the UK, stepping forward with bus orders and backing British manufacturing when it mattered not so much an example of being stronger for Scotland, but being stronger for China.
Labour mayors have shown what is possible across the rest of the UK, stepping forward with bus orders and backing British manufacturing when it mattered not so much an example of being stronger for Scotland, but being stronger for China.
11:52
John Grady MP (Glasgow East, Labour)
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John Grady MP (Glasgow East, Labour)
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good transport is essential for economic growth, be it ferries for our wonderful islands or rail links for wonderful islands or rail links for the west coast of Scotland to our airport. After almost 20 years of SNP, Glasgow is in gridlock. Workers worry about getting to work on time and this holds back business. Would my right hon. Friend agree with me that Glasgow needs change and only Anas Sarwar can get Glasgow moving.
11:52
Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, The Secretary of State for Scotland (Lothian East, Labour )
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Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, The Secretary of State for Scotland (Lothian East, Labour )
So stay. wholeheartedly in agreement with my hon. Friend. Glasgow is of course, the city of my birth and has been badly neglected on any objective measure by the Scottish Government in recent years. Scottish local authorities have been starved of cash over decades by this SNP led Scottish Government. They have hoarded powers and resources in Edinburgh at the centre, to the detriment of Scotland's local authorities and cities. People make Glasgow and Glasgow and its people deserve a whole lot better.
11:52
Harriet Cross MP (Gordon and Buchan, Conservative)
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Harriet Cross MP (Gordon and Buchan, Conservative)
Harriet Cross Mr. speaker. >> Harriet Cross Mr. speaker. >> A strong job and business market is key for economic growth, but Labour's huge rise in national Labour's huge rise in national insurance is a direct job tax and the SNP's huge increase in business rates is a direct tax on our businesses. The Scottish Conservatives have a plan to revitalise our high streets through support jobs and to get businesses investing. Justice Secretary. Agree that his government's decision since coming to power has cost, jobs, businesses and investment in Scotland.
11:53
Graham Leadbitter MP (Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey, Scottish National Party)
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Graham Leadbitter MP (Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey, Scottish National Party)
Graham Leadbitter thank you, Mr. >> Graham Leadbitter thank you, Mr. Speaker. In our Westminster Hall debate this morning on heating oil debate this morning on heating oil support, the hon. Member for. Na h-Eileanan an Iar suggested that the Scottish Government should be supporting businesses with energy costs. I agree with them that powers for energy should be devolved to the Scottish Government. Does he agree with that?
11:54
Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, The Secretary of State for Scotland (Lothian East, Labour )
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Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, The Secretary of State for Scotland (Lothian East, Labour )
Here, here. >> Mr. speaker, if the SNP want any guidance on how to deal with energy costs, they could look at the £100 million emergency package announced million emergency package announced by Scottish Labour only a few days ago. But I have to worry. I have to express concern if they are serious about energy. Maybe they could tell us what happened to the publicly owned energy company promised so long ago by Nicola Sturgeon, because the Scottish public are still waiting?
11:54
Andrew Bowie MP (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, Conservative)
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Andrew Bowie MP (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, Conservative)
Secretary Sir Andrew. Speaker in a long litany of failure, surely the most egregious of all that the Scottish National Party has inflicted on Scotland has been the lack of any discernible growth whatsoever. Indeed, had Scotland's economy grown at the same rate as the rest of the UK from 2010, Scotland could be up to £10 billion a year richer. At the same time, its benefits bill is set to soar to £9 billion by 2030. Does the Secretary state agree with me that Scotland needs change?
11:54
Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, The Secretary of State for Scotland (Lothian East, Labour )
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Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, The Secretary of State for Scotland (Lothian East, Labour )
I certainly agree that Scotland >> I certainly agree that Scotland needs change, whether it's the industrial level waste of the Scottish Government in relation to Scottish Government in relation to money. Half £1 billion on ferries. The First Minister went to Stornoway last week. This week the boat that he travelled on broke down a third of the CalMac fleet out of commission over Easter. So whether it is their waste of resources, whether it's their failure on public services or their abject failure in economic growth, Scotland needs and deserves change.
11:55
Andrew Bowie MP (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, Conservative)
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Andrew Bowie MP (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, Conservative)
Mr. speaker, I couldn't agree more. But change won't come from a weak and feeble Labour Party that over the last five years has nodded through and supported every single one of the SNP's madcap schemes, including though they won't admit it now. The dangerous gender recognition reform stopped by us. The SNP has failed Scotland, but Scotland now has the worst of both worlds. Two economically illiterate socialist governments engage in a staggeringly depressing game of top Trumps in a desperate race to the bottom National Insurance family farm tax, the North Sea business rates Labour and the SNP strangling economic growth in.
Mr.
Mr.
11:56
Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, The Secretary of State for Scotland (Lothian East, Labour )
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Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, The Secretary of State for Scotland (Lothian East, Labour )
Mr. speaker, the last time I >> Mr. speaker, the last time I checked, it was actually Scottish Conservative votes in Holyrood that sustained Alex Salmond's government sustained Alex Salmond's government in power. So we are not going to take any lectures from that party about somehow being the SNP's little helpers. The reality is reform are the SNP's literary helpers in this election and after the comments last night, it is pretty clear the SNP are Reform's little helpers too.
11:56
Susan Murray MP (Mid Dunbartonshire, Liberal Democrat)
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Susan Murray MP (Mid Dunbartonshire, Liberal Democrat)
Liberal Democrat spokesperson Susan Murray. are willing to support the Chinese economy in buying buses from China that raise serious security concerns. But when it comes to supporting defence jobs that are British owned Rolls-Royce site in Glasgow, they pulled the funding. Does the Minister agree with me that the SNP are failing Scotland, both on jobs and on security?
11:56
Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, The Secretary of State for Scotland (Lothian East, Labour )
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Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, The Secretary of State for Scotland (Lothian East, Labour )
Mr. speaker, thank you for that >> Mr. speaker, thank you for that question. It tells you everything you need to know about the base politics of the SNP, that they politics of the SNP, that they suggest that if you are pro-national security, you are somehow anti-scottish. That helps explain why they were not willing to fund the welding centre on the Clyde, delivering hundreds of apprenticeships and secure jobs for decades to come. It explains why they are weak on our own defence, supporting unilateral nuclear disarmament.
Notwithstanding the arrival of Vladimir Putin's ambitions on the international stage. If Scotland wants to benefit from being part of a strong and secure United Kingdom, I hope we
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will decisively reject the SNP on May 7th. Rebecca Paul. Preston.
Notwithstanding the arrival of Vladimir Putin's ambitions on the international stage. If Scotland wants to benefit from being part of a strong and secure United Kingdom, I hope we
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will decisively reject the SNP on May 7th. Rebecca Paul. Preston.
11:57
Q7. What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of the Energy Profits Levy on the oil and gas sector in Scotland. (908696)
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Q7. What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of the Energy Profits Levy on the oil and gas sector in Scotland. (908696)
>> Number seven. Mr Speaker.
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Minister. There we are. I got there in the end, Mr.
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Minister. There we are. I got there in the end, Mr.
11:57
Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, The Secretary of State for Scotland (Lothian East, Labour )
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Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, The Secretary of State for Scotland (Lothian East, Labour )
>> I got there in the end, Mr. Speaker, last month, alongside the Chancellor, I met oil and gas industry leaders to discuss the impact of geopolitical volatility on energy prices. The Chancellor reaffirmed her commitment to backing Britain's oil and gas industry, recognising its pivotal role in supporting growth and jobs, especially in Scotland. The Chancellor has been clear that she wants the energy profits levy to come to an end. But the crisis in the Middle East has had real time consequences on oil and gas prices.
As we can all see, and it is right that we respond to this robustly.
As we can all see, and it is right that we respond to this robustly.
11:58
Rebecca Paul MP (Reigate, Conservative)
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Rebecca Paul MP (Reigate, Conservative)
Rebecca Paul, let me go through. for that answer. And I welcome the warm welcome. Lovely. The oil and gas sector is a vital industry, not just in Scotland, but for the whole of the UK. Does the Secretary of State share the disappointment of this side of the House that the Chancellor deterred a reported 17.5 billion of private investment into the oil and gas sector by choosing to retain the energy profits levy last month, money that would have supported thousands of Scottish jobs, delivering growth and energy security for the UK.
11:58
Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, The Secretary of State for Scotland (Lothian East, Labour )
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Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, The Secretary of State for Scotland (Lothian East, Labour )
Mr. speaker, I respectfully point out that it was actually the conservative government who introduced EPL. Why did they introduce EPL to deal with excess profits generated by a geopolitical crisis? What we are living through at the moment, in the conflict in the Middle East makes the case for dealing with excess profits from some of the largest energy companies in the world.
11:59
Melanie Ward MP (Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy, Labour)
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Melanie Ward MP (Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy, Labour)
Melanie Ward.
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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The ExxonMobil. Plant at Mossmorran in. My constituency has now ceased. Production after the.
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Production after the. Company said last year that they have not made a profit for five years. News that our UK Labour years. News that our UK Labour government has made £9 million available to support the workforce and find a future for the site, has and find a future for the site, has been warmly welcomed by my constituents, especially in Cowdenbeath. Does the Secretary of Cowdenbeath. Does the Secretary of State agree that it is in the interests of the people of Fife? For the Scottish and UK governments to work together to utilise all available funding and find a viable future that brings jobs back to the site.
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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The ExxonMobil. Plant at Mossmorran in. My constituency has now ceased. Production after the.
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Production after the. Company said last year that they have not made a profit for five years. News that our UK Labour years. News that our UK Labour government has made £9 million available to support the workforce and find a future for the site, has and find a future for the site, has been warmly welcomed by my constituents, especially in Cowdenbeath. Does the Secretary of Cowdenbeath. Does the Secretary of State agree that it is in the interests of the people of Fife? For the Scottish and UK governments to work together to utilise all available funding and find a viable future that brings jobs back to the site.
12:00
Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, The Secretary of State for Scotland (Lothian East, Labour )
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Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, The Secretary of State for Scotland (Lothian East, Labour )
Mr. speaker, firstly, can I pay tribute to the tireless efforts of the hon. Lady on behalf of her constituents in relation to the challenge faced by the Mossmorran workforce? She has been a powerful and consistent advocate for the workforce and the changes that we needed to see. That is why I am proud that the UK government has been actively marketing the site to potential investors and stands ready, as she says, to invest up to £9 million to secure a successful future for the site and to support
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the local economy. I'm just sorry we didn't get to John Lamont question. He's 50 today John Lamont question. He's 50 today and I believe his parents are watching it. We now come to Prime
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the local economy. I'm just sorry we didn't get to John Lamont question. He's 50 today John Lamont question. He's 50 today and I believe his parents are watching it. We now come to Prime
12:00
Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)
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Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)
>> Prime Minister. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Southport inquiry report is truly harrowing, and I cannot imagine the pain that it will cause the families of all those affected. We will make the changes needed to honour the victims, the injured and the families, and our thoughts remain with the loved ones of Elsie, Bibby and Alice and all of those impacted. Mr. speaker, today marks 37 years since the Hillsborough disaster, when 97 men, women and children went to a football match and never returned.
My promise remains. Working with families, we will deliver a Hillsborough law to end the injustice that they have suffered and ensure the state will always act for the people that it serves. Earlier this morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in this House. I shall today.
My promise remains. Working with families, we will deliver a Hillsborough law to end the injustice that they have suffered and ensure the state will always act for the people that it serves. Earlier this morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in this House. I shall today.
12:01
Lauren Edwards MP (Rochester and Strood, Labour)
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Lauren Edwards MP (Rochester and Strood, Labour)
But thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Prime Minister was right to resist us being drawn into an ill conceived war in the Middle East. Apparently with apparently no clear plan for how it may end. And despite the welcome cost of living support he referenced in his statement on Monday, we are all rightly angry that our constituents will feel the impact of this war in their pockets and in their daily lives. How can he outline what steps he is taking, both to support our armed forces and to plan for all future contingencies? We all hope for a swift resolution and progress at the summit later this week, but must be prepared for all potential scenarios.
12:02
Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)
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Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)
Prime Minister. >> Can I thank my hon. Friend, the Royal Engineers in her constituency and all those serving our country at home and abroad? We are proud to at home and abroad? We are proud to be investing a record £9 billion to deliver quality homes that they deserve. We're turning around our Army recruitment after the party opposite missed targets for 14 years, but the foremost responsibility to our armed forces are the decisions we take on military actions. My principles are clear.
That is a sharp contrast to the Leader of the Opposition, who wants to jump into the war with both feet without thinking through the consequences.
That is a sharp contrast to the Leader of the Opposition, who wants to jump into the war with both feet without thinking through the consequences.
12:03
12:03
Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)
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Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)
Mr. speaker, let me start by saying I respect Lord Robertson and I thank him again. I thank him again for carrying out the strategic review. My responsibility is to keep the British people safe and that is a duty I take seriously. That is why I don't agree with his comments. Last February. That was seven months after taking office. I took the decision to increase defence spending from 2.3 to 2.6%, paid for by a difficult decision on overseas aid.
Last June at the NATO summit. I committed to raising defence spending to 3.5% last November. Mr. speaker, the Budget committed record funding to defence. I reaffirm those commitments now. The spending the Strategic Defence Review is a ten year blueprint for national security. The Defence Investment Plan will put that into effect. It will be published as soon as possible. We need to get it right. We inherited plans that were uncosted and undeliverable, and we're not going to repeat those mistakes.
Last June at the NATO summit. I committed to raising defence spending to 3.5% last November. Mr. speaker, the Budget committed record funding to defence. I reaffirm those commitments now. The spending the Strategic Defence Review is a ten year blueprint for national security. The Defence Investment Plan will put that into effect. It will be published as soon as possible. We need to get it right. We inherited plans that were uncosted and undeliverable, and we're not going to repeat those mistakes.
12:04
Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP (North West Essex, Conservative)
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Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP (North West Essex, Conservative)
Mr. speaker, he says he doesn't >> Mr. speaker, he says he doesn't agree with Lord Robertson. Lord Robertson is a former Labour Robertson is a former Labour defence secretary, a former NATO secretary general. He also said, and I quote, we are under-prepared. We are under-insured. We are under attack. He said. He said.
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Order, sorry, I don't think it looks good. Shouting somebody down
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at the despatch box. Come back. Mr Speaker. Lord Robertson's criticisms were of the Prime Minister, and he said Britain's national security is in peril. Our armed forces are at the end of armed forces are at the end of their tether, waiting for this government to fund the strategic government to fund the strategic defence review. There are still two weeks of the parliamentary session left, so why won't the Prime Minister publish the defence investment plan before then?
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Order, sorry, I don't think it looks good. Shouting somebody down
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at the despatch box. Come back. Mr Speaker. Lord Robertson's criticisms were of the Prime Minister, and he said Britain's national security is in peril. Our armed forces are at the end of armed forces are at the end of their tether, waiting for this government to fund the strategic government to fund the strategic defence review. There are still two weeks of the parliamentary session left, so why won't the Prime Minister publish the defence investment plan before then?
12:05
Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)
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Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)
Yes, Prime Minister. >> Mr. speaker, I remind the House that we have put in place the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War. defence spending since the Cold War. Mr. speaker, let me spell that out. That means we're spending £270 billion over this parliament. That's £5 billion more this year, with defence funding increasing every year. These are record amounts, Mr. Speaker. Decisions of a Labour Prime Minister, a Labour Chancellor and a Labour government. And what a contrast when they came into office, defence spending was 2.5%.
When they left it was 2.3. When they came into office, the army was 100,000. When they left office, 72,000, they cut frigates and destroyers by 25%. They cut minehunters by 50%, she said at the weekend. Our defence of the week is for 400 years. That is what they left behind.
When they left it was 2.3. When they came into office, the army was 100,000. When they left office, 72,000, they cut frigates and destroyers by 25%. They cut minehunters by 50%, she said at the weekend. Our defence of the week is for 400 years. That is what they left behind.
12:06
Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP (North West Essex, Conservative)
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Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP (North West Essex, Conservative)
Mr. speaker, he's talking about >> Mr. speaker, he's talking about the biggest sustained increase. Talking about an increase is not Talking about an increase is not the same as giving an increase. The military and the defence industry want to hear about what he is going to do. Not him prosecuting past governments. He promised the defence investment plan would be published. He promised that the Defence Investment plan would be published last autumn. I asked him at PMQs six weeks ago when it would be published.
He had no idea. It is now the middle of April. What's the hold up?
He had no idea. It is now the middle of April. What's the hold up?
12:07
Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)
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Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)
I Minister. >> Mr. Speaker, I've set out my position. The Defence investment Plan is the first line by line review of defence budgets for 18 review of defence budgets for 18 years. She talks about talking. If you're going to support and make your country safe, you have to get the right calls on the big issues. She called for us to jump into the war. They could pretend otherwise. I remember walking in, standing here for the first time, saying we would not get drawn into the war.
We would not join the offensive. And they all shouted shame. They remember it, I remember it. They're just embarrassed by it now. A week later, when she realised she'd made a massive error of judgement, she attempted the mother of you all U-turns. That didn't work. So this weekend she said when I said we should jump into the war, she said this weekend, Mr. Speaker, that what she meant, she was talking about verbal support. Oh.
We would not join the offensive. And they all shouted shame. They remember it, I remember it. They're just embarrassed by it now. A week later, when she realised she'd made a massive error of judgement, she attempted the mother of you all U-turns. That didn't work. So this weekend she said when I said we should jump into the war, she said this weekend, Mr. Speaker, that what she meant, she was talking about verbal support. Oh.
12:08
Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP (North West Essex, Conservative)
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Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP (North West Essex, Conservative)
Prime Minister, it's Prime >> Prime Minister, it's Prime Minister's Questions. We've got to question.
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question. Mr. Speaker. The Prime Minister loves to misrepresent my position loves to misrepresent my position on Iran. So he does. He loves him. Misrepresented. Let's stop talking about what I didn't say. Let's start talking about what he isn't doing. Mr. speaker, you will recall that on Monday, I offered to work with the Prime Minister to identify the welfare savings we need. What did he say? No, thanks. Now that Lord Robertson, now that Lord Robertson has said, and I quote, we cannot defend Britain with an ever expanding welfare Budget, will the Prime Minister think again and work with us to find savings to fund defence?
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question. Mr. Speaker. The Prime Minister loves to misrepresent my position loves to misrepresent my position on Iran. So he does. He loves him. Misrepresented. Let's stop talking about what I didn't say. Let's start talking about what he isn't doing. Mr. speaker, you will recall that on Monday, I offered to work with the Prime Minister to identify the welfare savings we need. What did he say? No, thanks. Now that Lord Robertson, now that Lord Robertson has said, and I quote, we cannot defend Britain with an ever expanding welfare Budget, will the Prime Minister think again and work with us to find savings to fund defence?
12:09
Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)
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Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)
Prime Minister. >> She was clear in what she was saying. She said we should give. She said we should give verbal support. I suppose that's standing on the side saying get in there. on the side saying get in there. Good luck mate. You've got this. Mr. Speaker. That is her approach. We are reforming welfare and spending more on defence. They did neither. The welfare bill rose by £88 billion. On their watch, it soared by £33 billion under the shadow Chancellor's watch.
We're fixing it. What did they do? They voted against it. They voted to keep the broken system. So taking advice from the party opposite on reforming welfare and defence spending is like asking Liz Truss
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how to keep your mortgage down. This is so poor from the Prime
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This is so poor from the Prime Minister. This is this is Labour. MPs are laughing, Labour MPs are laughing. Mr. speaker, this is a laughing. Mr. speaker, this is a moment of profound national seriousness. And what are they doing? They're promoting sex toys doing? They're promoting sex toys in Parliament. That's what they're doing. Mr. speaker, it gives a whole new meaning to fiddling while Rome burns. Mr. speaker, it is being. That's what they're doing. Mr. speaker, let's get back to the issue of the defence investment plan and defence spending.
It is being reported that the Treasury is asking the MoD to make £3.5 billion worth of cuts this year. He won't fund our military because he wants to fund more welfare. That's why he has a welfare plan to 2031, but no defence investment plan at all. Now that the Chagos surrender deal is dead. Will the Prime Minister put the billions saved from ditching Chagos into defence, or is that going into welfare as well?
We're fixing it. What did they do? They voted against it. They voted to keep the broken system. So taking advice from the party opposite on reforming welfare and defence spending is like asking Liz Truss
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how to keep your mortgage down. This is so poor from the Prime
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This is so poor from the Prime Minister. This is this is Labour. MPs are laughing, Labour MPs are laughing. Mr. speaker, this is a laughing. Mr. speaker, this is a moment of profound national seriousness. And what are they doing? They're promoting sex toys doing? They're promoting sex toys in Parliament. That's what they're doing. Mr. speaker, it gives a whole new meaning to fiddling while Rome burns. Mr. speaker, it is being. That's what they're doing. Mr. speaker, let's get back to the issue of the defence investment plan and defence spending.
It is being reported that the Treasury is asking the MoD to make £3.5 billion worth of cuts this year. He won't fund our military because he wants to fund more welfare. That's why he has a welfare plan to 2031, but no defence investment plan at all. Now that the Chagos surrender deal is dead. Will the Prime Minister put the billions saved from ditching Chagos into defence, or is that going into welfare as well?
12:11
Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)
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Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)
defence, £270 billion in this Parliament, 5 billion extra. And she talks about the Chancellor. It's because of the decisions of this Chancellor. We've got the biggest boost to defence spending biggest boost to defence spending since the Cold War. We've also got the biggest pay rise for our armed forces for over 20 years. We've forces for over 20 years. We've also got the biggest investment in military housing for over half a century. What did they do with the
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century. What did they do with the Budget? They voted against all of that. It may not.
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century. What did they do with the Budget? They voted against all of that. It may not.
12:11
Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP (North West Essex, Conservative)
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Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP (North West Essex, Conservative)
That sounds like he doesn't want to spend the money on defence, but, Mr. Speaker, Labour MPs will know Lord Robertson, a former defence secretary, a former NATO secretary general. He is Labour through and through. They all need to think about why he stuck his head above the parapet. I went through the strategic defence review with Lord Robertson last year. The Lib Dems and Reform refused to meet him. No other party is taking this seriously. So, Mr. Speaker, I want to ask the Prime Minister a very specific question.
In January 2024, conservatives approved an upgrade of destroyers like HMS Dragon so they can better intercept ballistic missiles. In July 2024, the Prime Minister paused that plan. Will he immediately approve and fund that critical upgrade now?
In January 2024, conservatives approved an upgrade of destroyers like HMS Dragon so they can better intercept ballistic missiles. In July 2024, the Prime Minister paused that plan. Will he immediately approve and fund that critical upgrade now?
12:12
Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)
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Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)
Prime Minister. commissioned by a Labour government. As it happens. But she she stands and says, please forget the fact that we hollowed out the armed forces. Please clear up our mess. I went to the Gulf last week and thanked our armed forces for protecting British lives. She said we should have jumped into the war without thinking about the consequences, then said, oh no, we shouldn't be in the war the next week. Now, she says what I meant was we should give verbal support.
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Order, order Order, order the frontbench. Expect them to be quiet here. I also expect it, but it's here. I also expect it, but it's the same people. I suspect next week you won't be in for PMQs if it carries on. Prime Minister.
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carries on. Prime Minister. In addition to saying her position is. We should just say to the Americans, get in there. She insulted our armed forces, Mr. Speaker, saying they were just hanging around. These were pilots who, within two hours of this who, within two hours of this conflict, were up risking their lives taking missiles out of the sky. And she insulted them. And she's never apologised for that. She said a few weeks ago that serious times call for serious people.
She is not one of them.
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Order, order Order, order the frontbench. Expect them to be quiet here. I also expect it, but it's here. I also expect it, but it's the same people. I suspect next week you won't be in for PMQs if it carries on. Prime Minister.
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carries on. Prime Minister. In addition to saying her position is. We should just say to the Americans, get in there. She insulted our armed forces, Mr. Speaker, saying they were just hanging around. These were pilots who, within two hours of this who, within two hours of this conflict, were up risking their lives taking missiles out of the sky. And she insulted them. And she's never apologised for that. She said a few weeks ago that serious times call for serious people.
She is not one of them.
12:13
Ian Byrne MP (Liverpool West Derby, Labour)
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Ian Byrne MP (Liverpool West Derby, Labour)
Ian Byrne thank you. innocent children, women and men went to a football match and were lawfully killed at the hands of a corrupt state. I was at Hillsborough and I was one of the lucky ones who survived and walked away. As parliamentary leader to the Hillsborough law. I stand here with a huge sense of obligation to the 97. All the families, including my constituent Debbie Matthews, every survivor and every victim of a state covered up. They were all part of this collective campaign.
There are signs of progress after last night's government concessions, but we've heard this before, Prime Minister, this is your responsibility. It is within your power to take control of this process and make good on your promise to deliver this legislation. So will you commit today to ruling out any carve out for security services and finally delivering a full Hillsborough law worthy of the name, or will they be failed by the state? Once again.
There are signs of progress after last night's government concessions, but we've heard this before, Prime Minister, this is your responsibility. It is within your power to take control of this process and make good on your promise to deliver this legislation. So will you commit today to ruling out any carve out for security services and finally delivering a full Hillsborough law worthy of the name, or will they be failed by the state? Once again.
12:14
Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)
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Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)
Prime Minister. >> I know, as my hon. Friend has just said, that he himself was at Hillsborough and can I thank him Hillsborough and can I thank him for his decades of campaigning for justice? I am personally committed to working with the families to get this bill right. It is integral that their views are heard. We are discussing this precise issue with the families and will I make sure that he is fully updated? I reaffirm my commitment to delivering the legislation to ensure that the duty of candour applies to all public servants.
12:15
Rt Hon Ed Davey MP (Kingston and Surbiton, Liberal Democrat)
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Rt Hon Ed Davey MP (Kingston and Surbiton, Liberal Democrat)
Ed Davey. Leader of the Liberal Democrat. Minister about the Southport inquiry and also the 37th anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy? Our thoughts are with all the families affected and the survivors, and I hope he will deliver on the Hillsborough law today, Mr. speaker, also marks the third anniversary of the start of the devastating civil war in Sudan. I hope you will recommit to real action in the face of the world's greatest humanitarian catastrophe. Mr. speaker, in a phone call with Sky news last night, President Trump has threatened to rip up his trade deal with the UK as punishment for us not joining his idiotic war in Iran.
Mr. speaker, this must be the last straw. Surely the Prime Minister can't send our king to meet a man who treats our country like a Mafia boss running a protection racket.
Mr. speaker, this must be the last straw. Surely the Prime Minister can't send our king to meet a man who treats our country like a Mafia boss running a protection racket.
12:16
Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)
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Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)
Minister. fact that this is the greatest humanitarian crisis facing the world at the moment. My position on the Iran war has been clear from the start. We're not going to get dragged into this war. It is not our war. And a lot of pressure has been applied to me to take a different course. And that pressure included what happened last night. I'm not going to change my mind. I'm not going to yield. It is not in our national interest to join this war, and we will not do so.
I know where I stand, Mr. Speaker, in relation to the King's visit. This. The purpose of the visit is to mark the 250th anniversary of relations and independence. Obviously, of the US. The monarchy is an important reminder of the long standing bonds and enduring relationship between our two countries, which are far greater than anyone who occupies any particular office at any particular time.
I know where I stand, Mr. Speaker, in relation to the King's visit. This. The purpose of the visit is to mark the 250th anniversary of relations and independence. Obviously, of the US. The monarchy is an important reminder of the long standing bonds and enduring relationship between our two countries, which are far greater than anyone who occupies any particular office at any particular time.
12:17
Rt Hon Ed Davey MP (Kingston and Surbiton, Liberal Democrat)
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Rt Hon Ed Davey MP (Kingston and Surbiton, Liberal Democrat)
Ed Davey Mr. Speaker, the >> Ed Davey Mr. Speaker, the President Trump is one of the most unpredictable people we have seen on the world stage, and I hope he does not embarrass our monarch. But does not embarrass our monarch. But moving on, Mr. Speaker, last year, the Prime Minister claimed he'd done some special deal so Brits will be able to sail through e-gates at EU airports. But that's not the experience of families returning from holiday this week. Long queues at borders and passport controls are the latest symbol of the Brexit disaster, but they're also a symbol of this government's failure to repair that damage.
So will the Prime Minister apologise for misleading British travellers, and can he tell them when they will be able to sail through passport control?
So will the Prime Minister apologise for misleading British travellers, and can he tell them when they will be able to sail through passport control?
12:18
Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)
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Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)
Prime Minister. with the EU on defence, security, energy and the economy, and I was very pleased that at last year's summit, we did negotiate an agreement on E-gates, and we're pushing hard on that. We have another summit this year where I intend not just to make good on what we've already agreed, but to go closer to the EU in the relations that we have.
12:18
Jo White MP (Bassetlaw, Labour)
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Jo White MP (Bassetlaw, Labour)
Jo White yeah, thank you.
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I was promised a Prime Minister's Questions a meeting with the Prime Minister for myself and the Prime Minister for myself and Arsenal hero, Michael Thomas. We are still waiting and I cannot back down, not just for working class down, not just for working class footballers and others. Lost hundreds of millions to financial mis selling, but the v 11 group is mis selling, but the v 11 group is still being pursued by HMRC for tax on money that they have never had. The Post Office and other
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The Post Office and other injustices justices have been actioned. Why not the v 11. Prime Minister?
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I was promised a Prime Minister's Questions a meeting with the Prime Minister for myself and the Prime Minister for myself and Arsenal hero, Michael Thomas. We are still waiting and I cannot back down, not just for working class down, not just for working class footballers and others. Lost hundreds of millions to financial mis selling, but the v 11 group is mis selling, but the v 11 group is still being pursued by HMRC for tax on money that they have never had. The Post Office and other
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The Post Office and other injustices justices have been actioned. Why not the v 11. Prime Minister?
12:19
Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)
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Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)
Can I thank her for her dedicated campaigning on this really important issue? I have met Michael Thomas and heard his experiences and I share her concern about young, predominantly working class people being exploited. I do want to make progress as quickly as possible. I've asked the Chief Secretary to meet the v 11 group on what further steps the government can take to support those affected, and I'll make sure that that's reported back to her. So she's fully updated on what's going on.
12:19
Sorcha Eastwood MP (Lagan Valley, Alliance)
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Sorcha Eastwood MP (Lagan Valley, Alliance)
Sorcha Eastwood thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. speaker, two years ago, people voted for change, but what have they got? More of the same. But it hasn't been them that have let down their end of the bargain. My constituents are working themselves to the bone. And let's be absolutely clear, they are working and still having to claim benefits. There's not a single section of society, whether it's farmers care workers, students union, that they have been let down. And I don't want that to be the case.
We need to show that this House works for them, because actors will step into that space. People would love nothing more than our democracy to be toppled, because we cannot show our people a better way of life. We used to say to people, if you work hard, you get on in life. That hasn't been the case for years. Will this government now change economic and fiscal course and deliver for people in the worst cost of living crisis here?
We need to show that this House works for them, because actors will step into that space. People would love nothing more than our democracy to be toppled, because we cannot show our people a better way of life. We used to say to people, if you work hard, you get on in life. That hasn't been the case for years. Will this government now change economic and fiscal course and deliver for people in the worst cost of living crisis here?
12:20
Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)
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Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)
Prime Minister? >> Prime Minister? >> Mr. speaker, wages are going up higher in the first year of this Labour government. They did in the Labour government. They did in the ten years of the party opposite being in power. We've taken the decision that the Budget to cut energy bills across the country. I was in Northern Ireland, as she knows, just a few weeks ago, and making the announcement about heating oil, which is obviously a huge concern in Northern Ireland, hearing what people had to say, putting in place £53 million for the authorities in Northern Ireland will administer that.
But we're looking more widely at what we can do.
But we're looking more widely at what we can do.
12:21
Jodie Gosling MP (Nuneaton, Labour)
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Jodie Gosling MP (Nuneaton, Labour)
Jodie Gosling thank you. >> Mr. Speaker. >> Under this government, George Eliot Hospital in my constituency is thriving rapidly soaring up is thriving rapidly soaring up league tables, ending corridor care and now welcome an expansion to our community diagnostic centre with a new breast cancer diagnosis. Yet the same staff delivering this life saving care for Nuneaton are suffering horrific abuse, much of which appears to be racially
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12:56
Rt Hon Tom Tugendhat MP (Tonbridge, Conservative)
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Rt Hon Tom Tugendhat MP (Tonbridge, Conservative)
before his. But yes, wearing the same colour tie. We can all point to the past. The question for him is not what happened in the past, but what are you going to do about it in the future? The defence investment plan, the Minister says, is not urgently needed because he's spending anyway. Well, why is he wasting his time in producing the thing? He could spare those civil servants who actually get contracts delivered instead of messing around with games, or actually put his heart behind the fight with the Treasury.
That needs to be had right now. As his own friend Lord Robertson has already made clear.
That needs to be had right now. As his own friend Lord Robertson has already made clear.
12:57
Luke Pollard MP, The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, Labour )
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Luke Pollard MP, The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, Labour )
But I really like the right hon. Gentleman. Actually, I think he's a I think he's a very jovial chap and he raises some good points. And let me say to him, the defence investment plan is needed. It is being worked on by our Department. We will be delivering it when it is ready, but we are not waiting for the defence investment Plan to make announcements. I've spoken about the £879 million contract I announced this morning in Andover for our Apaches and Chinook fleet, but I could also point to the announcement we made on Friday a multi-million pound deal with the veteran led Start-Up Cambridge aerospace to provide new missiles to intercept drones not just for our forces, but for our allies in the Middle East.
So when he says we're looking to the future, we are exactly looking to the future. And that is why the Defence Investment Plan will set out the kit and capabilities that we need and will buy for the next ten years, but also the upgrades that we're making to the kit we have today to give our fighting forces the edge. But importantly, it also talks about how we value our people, something that I don't think has been spoken about enough in defence for far too addressing.
So when he says we're looking to the future, we are exactly looking to the future. And that is why the Defence Investment Plan will set out the kit and capabilities that we need and will buy for the next ten years, but also the upgrades that we're making to the kit we have today to give our fighting forces the edge. But importantly, it also talks about how we value our people, something that I don't think has been spoken about enough in defence for far too addressing.
12:58
Jayne Kirkham MP (Truro and Falmouth, Labour )
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Jayne Kirkham MP (Truro and Falmouth, Labour )
Jayne Kirkham thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm sitting on the Armed Forces Bill committee, and we've heard terrible testimony about the state of military housing, and we've heard how it's already improving. So does the Minister agree that that 9 billion investment that we're making into military housing to deal with that botched privatisation can only be a good thing and raise morale of our troops?
12:59
Luke Pollard MP, The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, Labour )
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Luke Pollard MP, The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, Labour )
Yeah. also she is a thorough champion for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. Many of those ships that are in her Falmouth and Truro constituency. She's right to talk about the £9 billion commitment that we have made to deliver an improvement in armed forces housing. I see the the front bench opposite is chattering. They had an option to deal with
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this when they were in power. They could have dealt with the black mould. Please. I'm trying to hear as
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Please. I'm trying to hear as well and it's not helpful. Mr Speaker they could have dealt with the black mould in our armed with the black mould in our armed forces kids bedrooms. They could have dealt with the broken boilers and the leaky roofs. We have dealt decent home by Christmas 2025. And now we're starting work on the next tranche of the worst homes so our people can live in a decent home if they serve.
That's the minimum we should offer those brave men and women who serve our forces.
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this when they were in power. They could have dealt with the black mould. Please. I'm trying to hear as
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Please. I'm trying to hear as well and it's not helpful. Mr Speaker they could have dealt with the black mould in our armed with the black mould in our armed forces kids bedrooms. They could have dealt with the broken boilers and the leaky roofs. We have dealt decent home by Christmas 2025. And now we're starting work on the next tranche of the worst homes so our people can live in a decent home if they serve.
That's the minimum we should offer those brave men and women who serve our forces.
13:00
Mike Martin MP (Tunbridge Wells, Liberal Democrat)
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Mike Martin MP (Tunbridge Wells, Liberal Democrat)
Jeremy Hunt, I'll get you that. just put this political blame game to one side. You know, the fleet halved under the previous Labour government. We all have our fingerprints on the current state of the UK military. It's unedifying of us, of this House and of the state that we are in as a nation. Can I draw the minister's attention to the APPG for rearmament, which I've recently set up with the hon. Member for Macclesfield and for Spelthorne, who's longer in his place, and also Field Marshal the Lord David Richards in the other place.
Our aims are to highlight the scale of the threat that we face, but also the parlous current state of the British military. Can I ask if he shares those aims with us? Because both talking about both is necessary for this national conversation that was highlighted in the SDR? That hasn't happened. Will he join us in talking about the threat, but also honest depiction of the state of the UK military so that our public is informed and they can tell us what they would like us to do.
Our aims are to highlight the scale of the threat that we face, but also the parlous current state of the British military. Can I ask if he shares those aims with us? Because both talking about both is necessary for this national conversation that was highlighted in the SDR? That hasn't happened. Will he join us in talking about the threat, but also honest depiction of the state of the UK military so that our public is informed and they can tell us what they would like us to do.
13:01
Luke Pollard MP, The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, Labour )
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Luke Pollard MP, The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, Labour )
Thank you for those questions. I follow him on Twitter. So I'm very much keen to see the end of the political blame game with his tweets, and I look forward to seeing what he tweets next. That might be the embodiment of that spirit that we've just heard here, but he's right to talk about especially munitions and the stockpiles that we inherited far too low for the threat that we're facing. That's the reason why we have already made announcements about increasing the amount of munitions that we're buying for our armed forces.
And he's also right to talk about the threat. The Defence Secretary from this Dispatch Box has spoken about the increasing threat that Russia in particular, plays face opposes to the United Kingdom. And our allies will continue to do that. I'm very happy meeting him and his new all party group to have that conversation, because I think it is an important one about how we address the underfunding and the hollowing out of our forces that we inherited, but also I'll be able to help him understand the progress that we are now making under this Labour government, to restock and to rearm, which is a lot work done, but a lot of work still to do.
And he's also right to talk about the threat. The Defence Secretary from this Dispatch Box has spoken about the increasing threat that Russia in particular, plays face opposes to the United Kingdom. And our allies will continue to do that. I'm very happy meeting him and his new all party group to have that conversation, because I think it is an important one about how we address the underfunding and the hollowing out of our forces that we inherited, but also I'll be able to help him understand the progress that we are now making under this Labour government, to restock and to rearm, which is a lot work done, but a lot of work still to do.
13:02
Laurence Turner MP (Birmingham Northfield, Labour)
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Laurence Turner MP (Birmingham Northfield, Labour)
Laurence Turner thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Will the much, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister look at the sorry tale of Glen Castle mess in Longbridge, Birmingham? This is armed forces accommodation not from decades ago, but open just in 2017 at a cost of a taxpayer of £36 million. It was built with 95% flammable external cladding, and now the fire defects within the accommodation have been judged to be so severe that the facility is going to be closed for up to a year at further great cost to the taxpayer.
This was hopelessly mismanaged by the previous government, the armed forces personnel who work at the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine in Birmingham do an essential job. They deserve better here.
This was hopelessly mismanaged by the previous government, the armed forces personnel who work at the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine in Birmingham do an essential job. They deserve better here.
13:03
13:03
Rt Hon Sir Andrew Mitchell MP (Sutton Coldfield, Conservative)
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Rt Hon Sir Andrew Mitchell MP (Sutton Coldfield, Conservative)
Doctor Andrew Murrison well, sources are suggesting that the
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number of type 26 hulls. On the order book may be reduced
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On the order book may be reduced or. Transferred to our Norwegian allies. Now, I appreciate that allies. Now, I appreciate that Labour has a track record in reducing the number of frigate and reducing the number of frigate and destroyer hulls, but nevertheless, will the Minister confirm that will the Minister confirm that there are no such plans and that we will proceed with a minimum of eight type 26 frigates, particularly given the increase in Russian submarine activity discussed by his colleague, the hon.
Member for Selly Oak on Monday. Yes.
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number of type 26 hulls. On the order book may be reduced
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On the order book may be reduced or. Transferred to our Norwegian allies. Now, I appreciate that allies. Now, I appreciate that Labour has a track record in reducing the number of frigate and reducing the number of frigate and destroyer hulls, but nevertheless, will the Minister confirm that will the Minister confirm that there are no such plans and that we will proceed with a minimum of eight type 26 frigates, particularly given the increase in Russian submarine activity discussed by his colleague, the hon.
Member for Selly Oak on Monday. Yes.
13:04
Luke Pollard MP, The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, Labour )
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Luke Pollard MP, The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, Labour )
I can indeed, and he will know >> I can indeed, and he will know as a Defence Minister in the last government, the state of the forces that he passed over to this government as well. But when it government as well. But when it comes to frigates, which, Mr. Speaker, I could bore the House on because it is one of my favourite subjects, he will also know that the deal that we've signed with Norway, an incredible deal that sustains type 26 production on the Clyde for many, many years to come, sees not only the eight British Royal Navy type 26 seconds, but the five Norwegian ones.
We're working with Norway on build slots currently, but that will create a combined force, a truly interoperable, interchangeable force. Indeed, the only things different between a Royal Navy and a Norwegian type 26 will be the language on the signs. That is interchangeability. That is at the heart of the new defence agreement that we've signed with Norway, and part of an agreement about how we can work more closely with our allies in northern Europe, which I hope can be expanded to other nations as well.
As we look to sell the type 31 frigates to more of our partners.
We're working with Norway on build slots currently, but that will create a combined force, a truly interoperable, interchangeable force. Indeed, the only things different between a Royal Navy and a Norwegian type 26 will be the language on the signs. That is interchangeability. That is at the heart of the new defence agreement that we've signed with Norway, and part of an agreement about how we can work more closely with our allies in northern Europe, which I hope can be expanded to other nations as well.
As we look to sell the type 31 frigates to more of our partners.
13:05
Tim Roca MP (Macclesfield, Labour)
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Tim Roca MP (Macclesfield, Labour)
Tim Roca thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister will have recognised the strength of feeling on all sides of the House to see the Defence Investment Plan published as soon as possible, and I hope Treasury Ministers share that understanding as well. I do think history is important, actually. When Russia annexed the Crimea, we saw no meaningful increase in defence spending. When Russia violated Minsk one, we saw no increase when they violated Minsk. Two, we saw no increase. And when they launched a full scale invasion of a sovereign European country, we saw no meaningful increase as well.
So does the Minister agree with me that the debate about defence needs to be one that is constructive, hopefully cross-party, and that the country expects us to fund defence properly and urgently?
So does the Minister agree with me that the debate about defence needs to be one that is constructive, hopefully cross-party, and that the country expects us to fund defence properly and urgently?
13:05
Luke Pollard MP, The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, Labour )
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Luke Pollard MP, The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, Labour )
Can I thank thank him for the way that he asked his questions. And I noticed that the Shadow Minister was agreeing with every word that I think he said in relation to the cuts, also the lack of increase in defence spending. But can I recommend to him and to all colleagues in the House that the. The right hon. Gentleman's report, when he was in charge of the Defence Select Committee, called Shifting the Goalposts, sets out the amount of GDP spend on defence.
Going back a number of governments. It shows that the last Labour government left defence spending at 2.5% of GDP in 2010, a figure sadly never matched. In the 14 years we are getting back to 2.5% of GDP, April 2027 is when we will hit that and we'll set out how we're spending that in the defence investment plan. That'll be published shortly.
Going back a number of governments. It shows that the last Labour government left defence spending at 2.5% of GDP in 2010, a figure sadly never matched. In the 14 years we are getting back to 2.5% of GDP, April 2027 is when we will hit that and we'll set out how we're spending that in the defence investment plan. That'll be published shortly.
13:06
Graham Leadbitter MP (Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey, Scottish National Party)
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Graham Leadbitter MP (Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey, Scottish National Party)
But better. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. armed forces to record lows, dismantling our navy, slashing Scottish regiments and hollowing out investment in essential equipment and training. There is a continued refusal to join safe, even when Canada are joining. Delays to the. Are no certainty as to why the Defence Investment plan will be released, and no urgency from the Prime Minister to act on the recommendations which make it clear that there is a £28 billion black hole in the existing plan. So what is the plan to deal with the Prime Minister's corrosive complacency and how our Scottish voters are supposed to trust US? Labour government when, according to the SDR authors, they are failing so categorically to keep us safe and are threatening the security of Scotland.
13:07
Luke Pollard MP, The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, Labour )
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Luke Pollard MP, The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, Labour )
What I say to him is look at our record, a type 26 deal that record, a type 26 deal that sustains shipbuilding on the Clyde, investment in a welding school in Scotland that we had to step in and fund because the SNP government chose not to. It's good that the SNP government has now finally realised that the defence of the realm is important, and I would ask him to pass on back to the SNP government that I'm still waiting for a proper reply to the offer to match fund a second defence Technical Excellence College in Scotland.
We want to have two in Scotland. We provided the funding for one. I hope his government will match fund the second. I'm still waiting for a reply on that and when that goes on we are moving further and further away of more young Scots able to access the courses from September onwards, that if they agreed to it, they could be doing Scott Arthur.
We want to have two in Scotland. We provided the funding for one. I hope his government will match fund the second. I'm still waiting for a reply on that and when that goes on we are moving further and further away of more young Scots able to access the courses from September onwards, that if they agreed to it, they could be doing Scott Arthur.
13:08
Dr Scott Arthur MP (Edinburgh South West, Labour)
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Dr Scott Arthur MP (Edinburgh South West, Labour)
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm proud to be part of a government that is building ships in Scotland, whereas our Scottish Government colleagues are building ferries in Poland, Turkey and now China. Quite incredible. Mr. speaker, would be very pleased to hear that I always use security guards at my surgeries. And the young chap who attended my surgery last year in Oxgangs library, he had just left three rifles, and he said he left because he joined some years ago on the promise of travel and excitement.
But he spent a lot of time in barracks because of the lack of funding in our armed services. The last time I visited three rifles, they had just come back from Finland, and some were about to go back there to serve alongside our allies. Some were due to go to Iraq, but I understand that trip may not have happened and they are all now better paid. Outside the barracks site, people can see the homes getting renovated. There's a little bit of jealousy about the quality
But he spent a lot of time in barracks because of the lack of funding in our armed services. The last time I visited three rifles, they had just come back from Finland, and some were about to go back there to serve alongside our allies. Some were due to go to Iraq, but I understand that trip may not have happened and they are all now better paid. Outside the barracks site, people can see the homes getting renovated. There's a little bit of jealousy about the quality