Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Northern Ireland Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Rupert Lowe Excerpts
Wednesday 21st May 2025

(1 day, 19 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Keir Starmer Portrait The Prime Minister
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I thank my hon. Friend and celebrate Lisa and all those who have saved this important source of local support. The Conservatives left local councils on the brink, unable to provide these vital services, letting down patients across the country. We are committed to improving dementia care through our plan for change, which is why we provided a £69 billion boost for local government, invested £26 billion in the NHS and made £3.7 billion available for social care, including an £880 million increase in the social care grant.

Rupert Lowe Portrait Rupert Lowe (Great Yarmouth) (Ind)
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Q14. Does the Prime Minister agree that imprisoning Lucy Connolly, a young mother with a 12-year-old daughter, for one foolish social media post that was soon deleted is clearly not an efficient or fair use of prison?

Keir Starmer Portrait The Prime Minister
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Sentencing is a matter for our courts, and I celebrate the fact that we have independent courts in this country. I am strongly in favour of free speech. We have had free speech in this country for a very long time, and we protect it fiercely. But I am equally against incitement to violence against other people, and I will always support the action taken by our police and courts to keep our streets and people safe.