WATCH: British Prime Minister Starmer takes questions in parliament

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[00:00:00]more VC funding for tech and II in this country than France, Germany, uh combined. We are going to back Britain because we believe in Britain.

[00:00:12]500 million pounds in a sovereign AI fund. Four AI growth zones in parts of the country that have been leveled up more under this government and under 14 years under members opposite. We are going to seize this powerful technology to build a future that works for all.

[00:00:27]And I am very proud of our work. Sarah Smith.

[00:00:30]>> Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

[00:00:35]>> My constituent Debbie Duncan set up a petition calling on the government to tackle tragedy trolling which has attracted over 18,000 signatures. Does the minister agree with me that it is time for action? And will he or she support a debate to help take this forward? Yeah, >> we are absolutely focused on those precisely those features that so many parents are worried about. Children doom scrolling. Uh the fact that they are on their phones overnight and the impact that that can have on their anxiety, mental health, and sleep. The question isn't whether we will act, we will. We will put forward our proposals by the summer and I intend to legislate if required by the end of the year.

[00:01:17]>> We now come to Prime Minister's questions. We start with Christine Sullivan.

[00:01:24]>> Question number one, Mr. Speaker, >> Prime Minister.

[00:01:29]>> Thank you. May I extend my deepest condolences and I'm sure the condolences of the House to the family and colleagues of Lance Bombardier, Kira Sullivan, >> who lost her life in a tragic incident on Friday. Uh she was an exceptional soldier and will be deeply missed.

[00:01:51]Mr. Speaker, it would be remiss of me not to comment on one of Manchester's great heroes, moving on after almost a decade.

[00:02:01]So, let me congratulate Pep Guardiola on all his success at Manchester City.

[00:02:09]And Mr. Speaker, if I could declare an interest, I'd also like to say congratulations to Arsenal Football Club on becoming the Premier League champions. Mr. Speaker, this morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in this house, I shall have further such meetings later today.

[00:02:26]>> Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and may I share the condolences expressed by the prime minister from the Russian invasion of Ukraine to the Iran war. People have struggled with the cost of living. In my constituency of Basque and Liskco in the heart of Scotland, road travel and logistics are key to everyday life and local industry with the Road Hol Association headquartered in Bathgate.

[00:02:54]What reassurance can the Prime Minister offer my constituents that this government will tackle household bills and business cost pressures?

[00:03:06]Well, families across the United Kingdom are facing impacts of a war uh that we did not choose. So, it's welcome news today that inflation is falling.

[00:03:16]>> Mr. Speaker, there is more that we can do. And I can announce today that we're giving our holers a 12 month road tax holiday, helping to keep prices down.

[00:03:28]>> And we're backing drivers by extending the freeze in fuel duty for the rest of the year.

[00:03:34]This is possible because of the decisions taken by the chancellor, making us the fastest growing economy in the G7, and she will set out further action tomorrow. Mr. Speaker, this is not our war. But while the parties opposite wanted to jump into it, Labor will always protect working people.

[00:03:52]>> LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION, KEVIN BENN.

[00:03:57]>> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I'd like to associate myself with the words of the prime minister regarding the tragic death of Lance Bombardia Kira Sullivan.

[00:04:06]We send our condolences to her family for this terrible loss. Um I welcome uh some of what the prime minister has said on fuel duty. Yes, it's it's still a freeze, but we asked him about this on the 11th of March and the 25th of March, and he said he wasn't going to do it.

[00:04:20]So, thank you for the U-turn.

[00:04:22]>> Thank you for the U-turn.

[00:04:26]Labour MPs are shaking their heads. It would make more sense if they did just did what we were doing because they get there in the end anyway.

[00:04:34]>> But Mr. Speaker, yesterday Labour MPs voted to ban new British oil and gas licenses. Why?

[00:04:44]>> Mr. Speaker, in relation to uh fuel duty, uh under the plans that we inherited, uh fuel duty was due to go up by 5% in April.

[00:04:54]We stopped that and they voted against it. We're now extending the freeze because of events in the Middle East.

[00:05:01]And I know the leader of the opposition likes to claim responsibility for things that have got literally nothing to do with her. In her mind, she won Eurovvision on Saturday and scored the winning goal in the FA Cup final. But she's never takes any responsibility for what they did for 14 long years. Mr. Speaker, in relation to oil and gas, oil and gas is coming out of the North Sea 24/7. It will play an important role for many years to come. We're we're supporting existing oil and gas fields throughout their lifespan. We made changes actually in November to allow neighboring fields to be exploited. But families across the UK are fed up with their bills going up and down because of global contract. The only way to take control is through renewables.

[00:05:50]>> Mr. Speaker, we've now consented renewables to power 23 million households. The leader of the opposition wants to stick with the old Tory energy policy, which is leaving households exposed to higher bills year after year.

[00:06:05]>> Mr. Speaker, what's uh causing problems for British consumers is the high energy prices which are caused by his policies.

[00:06:14]I asked him why they voted for this. He had no answer. So, let me make clear what is going on. We are losing a thousand jobs a month in oil and gas. I asked him about new licenses, not about existing drilling.

[00:06:27]>> And then late last night, Mr. Speaker, the government snuck out an announcement that it was removing sanctions on Russian oil.

[00:06:38]So, can the prime minister explain why oil from Russia is acceptable, but oil from Abedine is not?

[00:06:48]>> Well, Mr. Speaker, let me address the sanctions head on. Um, because we have been united across this house on these issues uh since the beginning of the conflict. What we announced yesterday was a strong new package of new sanctions >> going well beyond existing sanctions.

[00:07:05]So, it's a new package. This includes new bans on maritime services on LNG and new bans on refined oil products from Russia.

[00:07:15]>> We also issued two targeted short-term licenses >> to phase the new sanctions in and to protect UK consumers. Mr. Speaker, that is standard practice. Yeah, >> this government has used this government has phased in sanctions in this way before and the last government used exactly the same technique when they introduced sanctions and when they did so, Mr. Speaker, we supported them because we could see the sanctions were the right thing to do to bear down on on on Russia. So these are new sanctions being phased in. This is not a question of lifting existing sanctions in any way whatsoever and we will continue to work with our allies on further sanction packages.

[00:08:03]>> Amen.

[00:08:04]>> Not this very weak set of cheers from the MPs who are trying to get rid of him. Could I just say Mr. Speaker, he doesn't know what he is talking about.

[00:08:12]This level of processology is not going to get him out of these difficult answers. Okay, let me tell him what is going on. Labor are giving money to Russia. Reform are taking money from Russia. There's only one party that is standing up to Russia and that is the Conservative Party.

[00:08:30]I CANNOT I CANNOT BELIEVE I cannot believe that he is actually saying that he's doing something good on the war in Ukraine. What's he talking about this morning? Ukraine's sanction chief disagrees with what the prime minister's approach is. That's what Ukraine is saying. In March, when the United States the United States ease sanctions on Russia, the prime minister said all partners should maintain pressure on Russia and its war chest. The prime minister said our sanctions our sanctions remain and there is no question about that. What's changed?

[00:09:06]Yeah, you're not listening. I >> I really think on an issue of this importance uh which is about further sanctions on Russia in relation to Ukraine, it it is really important that the position is not misrepresented.

[00:09:19]>> Exactly.

[00:09:20]>> This is a new package of sanctions. None of the existing sanctions are being lifted in any way. So this is not less pressure on Russia. It is more pressure uh on Russia. More pressure than there was the day before yesterday. more pressure there was under the last government.

[00:09:38]>> What is happening is that those sanctions are being phased in in a way which was used by the last government when they introduced new sanctions. We bothered to do the processology and work out what we were doing and supported it because we could see that it put more uh pressure on Russia. Similar methods are used by other countries. They are done because of the impact on the market and to protect UK consumers. These are new sanctions putting more pressure on Russia. And I think if she'd done her homework, she'd actually support us on this.

[00:10:14]>> Mr. Speaker, being patronizing is not a substitute for understanding policy.

[00:10:20]AND I'VE HEARD I'VE HEARD THIS TERM, MR. SPEAKER, I've heard this tone before.

[00:10:27]This is the same tone he used during the Mandlesson scandal. and they were all cheering and then it turned out that he was wrong, wrong, wrong. He says that other countries are doing this. The EU is not doing this. Let me make it clear.

[00:10:39]I know it hurts him to hear it. He is now choosing to buy dirty Russian oil.

[00:10:45]That money will be used to fund the killing of Ukrainian soldiers. Isn't he ashamed?

[00:10:55]I I I really think that to misunderstand and misrepresent what is happening >> this really this is a very serious issue where we're working with other >> these are new bans they're new sanctions they're new bans on maritime services on LNG as of yesterday they're new bans on refined oil products from Russia as of yesterday they are being phased in in the same way that previous sanction regimes have change phased in exactly in the way the last government did and we have done. Other countries do exactly the same. The EU has its own way of doing it. Australia and Canada have their own way of doing it. And and and to play party politics on Ukraine on Ukraine where we have stood firm and the only people that benefit when we play party politics in here on Russia and Ukraine is Putin.

[00:11:53]>> Mr. Speaker, that pompous tone does not cover for the fact that he has got his policy all wrong. I have asked him about oil and gas again and again and again.

[00:12:02]The last time he told me that it was the energy secretary's job and it had nothing to do with him. That's what's destroying this country. It's not playing politics. It's speaking up for the people who are out there. The fact is more people are buying Russian oil because British oil isn't being drilled.

[00:12:17]He's sanctioning British oil, but not Russian oil. And he should be ashamed, Mr. Speaker, he should be ashamed. I cannot believe that this prime minister, even when he has nothing to lose, continues to defend banning new British oil and gas licenses. In April, Britain saw the single biggest drop in employment ever since the pandemic.

[00:12:40]That's under them. 210,000 people have lost their jobs in the last year. what he is doing is going to cost thousands more people their jobs especially in cities like Abedine which rely on oil and gas. So can he tell us why is he doing everything to save his job and doing nothing to save other people's jobs?

[00:13:06]>> Mr. Speaker, there is drilling uh in the North Sea and on her she said there's no she said there's no drilling in the North Sea. She's going to have to refer herself refer herself to the privileges committee. Uh Mr. Speaker, there is drilling. It's 247 and oil and gas are coming out and that will be important for many many years to come. We are expo we are supporting those existing oil and gas fields throughout their lifespan. We made changes in November to allow neighboring fields to be exploited. But it is because we are on the international market that our prices of businesses and households go up every time there's an international conflict.

[00:13:43]We saw it with Ukraine or we saw it with Iran. And people are fed up with a government, the last government that didn't take control of their bills.

[00:13:51]We're taking control of their bills. The way to do that is through renewables and that's what we're doing.

[00:13:58]>> Mr. Speaker, it gets worse and worse. He doesn't understand the policy. I am asking him about new oil and gas licenses. New oil and gas licenses which they voted against yesterday. If they had approved those licenses for Jack Door and Rosebank like we did, we would have that oil in this country now. We would. And just listen to him and I wonder if he is okay. He is so deep in the bunker, Mr. Speaker. He is importing sanctioned Russian oil. He's nationalizing steel. He's imposing price controls in the supermarket. It's like the Soviets won. This country needs a government that has got its acts together. Mr. Speaker, instead what we have is a prime minister hanging by a thread, fake support from his backbenches, too scared to take difficult decisions, losing his moral compass by backsliding on Ukraine. Yes, he is. Mr. Speaker, look, the the the shakes of their head are so feeble.

[00:14:54]They're so so feeble. He has got they can >> it's absolutely laughable, Mr. Speaker.

[00:15:05]It's absolutely laughable. Yesterday we saw them huddled in the corridors talking about Andy Burnham and West Streeting. The fact is he's got a cabinet fighting to replace him. And the worst part is they aren't getting rid of him over his terrible agenda. No, they actually like it. They just want a better salesman. So, isn't it the case, Mr. Speaker, that it doesn't matter who replaces him, the real problem is the Labor Party?

[00:15:36]>> Uh, Mr. Speaker, uh, uh, >> I think, Prime Minister, >> Mr. Speaker, look, a lot's been happening in recent days, so she may have overlooked the fact that last last week the ONS announced we've got the fastest growing economy in the G7.

[00:15:54]Last week, we had the biggest fall in NHS waiting list for 17 years.

[00:16:01]>> Today, inflation's come down more than expected.

[00:16:06]>> And Mr. Speaker, if you'd offered me that and Arsenal becoming Premier League champions, I'd take it every day of the week.

[00:16:14]>> B.

[00:16:16]>> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

[00:16:24]>> 20 years of duty, courage, and for 23 of its soldiers, the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

[00:16:33]>> Across Scotland, more than 20 councils have already recognized their service by granting the regiment the freedom of the area.

[00:16:41]>> Quite right, >> reflecting Scotland's long and proud tradition of respecting our armed forces.

[00:16:48]Earlier this month, however, Glasgow SNP and Green Councilors rejected Labour's motion to grant the Royal Regiment freedom of the city.

[00:16:59]>> Shameful.

[00:17:01]>> It is a shameful snub to our servicemen and women >> and a decision that has left many Glaswegians feeling ashamed and embarrassed.

[00:17:11]>> Does the prime minister agree that this is an insult to those who serve? and will he join me in urging urging Glasgow City Council to reconsider him?

[00:17:23]>> Can I join my honorable friend in paying tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of the Royal Regiment of Scotland?

[00:17:30]>> Uh I've had the privilege of meeting Scott serving in our armed forces across the world. They deserve our deepest gratitude.

[00:17:38]I cannot understand how the SMP and Greens have arrived at this decision, >> particularly when Glaswegians have contributed so much to the Royal Regiment.

[00:17:50]>> It's not too late to do the right thing, and I'd urge them to reconsider.

[00:17:55]>> Leader of the Liberal Democrat, Sir Ed, >> thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can I join the prime minister sending our condolences to the family of Lance Bombardier, Kira Sullivan, uh the death, the tragic accident, and to all her colleagues. And I hope the prime minister will also join me in sending condolences to the family of Scott Hastings, the former Scottish and Lions rugby player who sadly passed away at the weekend.

[00:18:21]>> Mr. Speaker, in 2025, Donald Trump and Elon Musk abolished America's international aid program. At the same time, the government made huge cuts in the UK's own program.

[00:18:35]>> We now see a dangerous outbreak of Ebola in central Africa, and many people fear it's going to spread and get much worse.

[00:18:44]Yet, there are rumors across Whiteall that the prime minister is planning further cuts to Britain's international aid program this year.

[00:18:54]>> Shame.

[00:18:54]>> Will he today rule that out entirely?

[00:19:00]Mr. Speaker, he raised a very important um issue in relation to Ebola and Africa and obviously we're working at pace and with others uh in relation to that um issue. We did take a decision in relation to aid in order to uh fund defense um spending because we needed to increase defense um spending, but we are committed uh to our overseas um aid and we mitigated that with some of the measures that we've put in place.

[00:19:27]>> Mr. Speaker, I'm not sure if the prime minister completely ruled out further cuts to the international aid uh program. And with defense chiefs this week writing to the times saying cutting aid for defense is a mistake, I hope he and his ministers will rule that out today. And if he doesn't, I hope Labor Party members will ask all the Labour leadership candidates their position on the future of Britain's aid program.

[00:19:50]>> Mr. Speaker, in the past few days, two of those Labour leadership candidates, the right on gentleman, the member for Ilford North and the mayor of Manchester have ruled out any support for Britain joining the UK uh customs union with the EU despite the fact that it would boost growth and help us uh uh cut the cost of living.

[00:20:13]>> Is the prime minister relieved that he has finally something that he can agree with his colleagues on?

[00:20:20]>> Mr. speaker. Um, in the last two years, I've been negotiating serious trade deals which are vital for our most important sectors of the economy.

[00:20:28]They're trade deals with the EU, but also with India, North Korea, and the United States. And I remind him of the value the the value of those deals.

[00:20:38]Before the deal with the United Well, before the deal with the United States, I went to JLR in Solihal and I talked to the workforce there. They were worried sick about their jobs and the jobs of their and their communities. When we agreed terms, I went back to JLR because of the deal we got with the EU because their jobs, thousands of jobs were safeguarded. His approach would throw all that away. He would have to go and see those work forces and tell them their jobs are gone. I'm not going to do that.

[00:21:09]>> What happened?

[00:21:10]>> Mr. Speaker, I welcome the steps taken to clean up British politics via the landmark elections bill, but we must go further. If I had a 5 million pound gift from a billionaire living halfway across the world and not come clean about what that money was for, my constituents would be furious.

[00:21:29]>> And if the same billionaire had then bankked rolled my party to the tune of 12 million pounds, my constituents would be knocking on my door and calling for me to resign.

[00:21:41]DOES THE PRIME MINISTER agree that the electoral must ensure that no British politician is ever for sale to the highest bidder?

[00:21:50]>> Well, I I thank my honorable friend who makes a powerful case. We have already committed to a moratorum on crypto donations to political parties and the king's speech introduces tougher rules to protect our democracy. But the5 million pound question is why did the reform leader keep this donation secret?

[00:22:13]>> I see here is not here to answer. And what what did the billionaire lining his pockets ask for in return?

[00:22:21]>> Those questions need to be answered.

[00:22:23]That's why he's not here.

[00:22:26]>> Dave Dugen, thank you, Mr. speaker for calling me for my first PMQ since becoming SNP Westminster leader following the S&P's stunning victory in Scotland.

[00:22:38]>> Can I say Can I say about how much I'm enjoying the sense of challenge and opportunity that a new job can provide a sense of renewal I'm certain the prime minister will be enjoying in the weeks ahead. But we saw this week, Mr. Speaker, the latest chapter of Labor infighting where Andy Bernham Brexit wants the UK to stay out of the EU, but Peter Manderson's pal, the former health minister, wants us to go back into the EU. Can the prime minister advise us?

[00:23:09]Which of his potential successors does he agree with?

[00:23:14]Well, can I congratulate um him uh on his new post and thank him for the calm, reasonable approach uh that is that I've come to expect. Um my position is very clear. We have already negotiated a closer relationship with the EU. We did that last year. Uh we have another negotiation and agreement this year in a summit where we'll get even closer and take a big step forward in relation to uh our relationship uh with the EU which is in our national interest. Chris Vince from Hollo. Thank you.

[00:23:50]>> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And the prime minister will priest know I'm going to ask him a question about his favorite topic, which is football. Um, there are people in this house that seek to blame the prime minister for everything. But I thought it was a bit rich when one national newspaper blamed the prime minister for Harow Town going into administration because he once went to visit them. As I know, Harlow Town is very much the prime minister's second team. He will please to be know they are now out of administration, looking forward to a strong future. Um, can I ask the prime minister um what his government will do to support really important community assets like our football teams like Harlow Town and Roden who also won their league this season.

[00:24:33]But I got very fond memories of visiting Harlow Town uh with my honorable friend.

[00:24:38]But the point he makes is a really important one because football clubs bring our communities together. Um they're part of our social fabric and in some places they're one of the last places left where members of the community can come uh together and that's why my government fought so hard to create the independent football regulator to protect our national game.

[00:24:56]And we should remind everyone and every football fan across the country from Harlow uh to Wigan Athletic. It was Labour on the side of football fans and the tourism reforms opposed us every step of the way.

[00:25:08]>> A big lover.

[00:25:10]>> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This month's local election saw the biggest ever gap between votes and seats in England. Over five parties won more than 15% of the vote uh were estimated to have done so.

[00:25:22]The public have increasingly clear that the public have had had enough of Westminster business as usual. So, does the prime minister still have full confidence in the first pass the post system to deliver strong and stable government?

[00:25:34]>> Uh, yes, I do.

[00:25:38]>> Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

[00:25:39]>> Trump's war in Iran means the world will have to contend with a spike in inflation throughout this year. Many of my can chase constituents struggle to afford their weekly shop, whilst our farmers struggle to make a living producing what goes on the shelves.

[00:25:53]Labor governments should always be on the side of working people, whether they are in the supermarket or on the farm.

[00:25:58]If we aren't, we will not be forgiven.

[00:26:00]Will the prime minister follow the example of our European neighbors, including Ireland, and bring in a package of support for our farmers to help them stay afloat and protect our constituents from the worst of Trump?

[00:26:12]>> U Mr. Speaker, um before I answer that, I've just been handed notes saying that I inadvertently uh said we did a trade deal with North Korea rather than South Korea.

[00:26:24]That would be breaking news. Uh uh and not very good. So, uh before I'm referred to the privilege committee, can can I um can I correct the record uh Mr. Speaker, in that uh regard? It was a slip of the tongue, but a pretty unfortunate one. Uh um uh in relation to the question, uh families and farmers are rightly frustrated about being impacted by a war that the UK didn't start. We're protecting working people is our priority. And today, Mr. Speaker, we're cutting red diesel costs for farmers by a third. Uh delivering the lowest rate for 20 years. That's alongside a record 11.8 billion pounds on farming budget and a new national program to redistribute surplus food. will make sure no one in this country goes hungry.

[00:27:10]Uh and I can confirm the chancellor will make further announcements tomorrow.

[00:27:15]>> Spencer.

[00:27:17]>> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, in Gordon and Denton, we have to pay full price for a pint. But here, for some reason, it's cheaper and some MPs some MPs drink before voting. And that that really shocked me when I came to parliament because it is our workplace.

[00:27:37]Now, does the prime minister agree with his own MPs who've defended their right to drink cheap alcohol at work? Or does he agree with me that MPs shouldn't be drinking on the job given that we vote on huge things like the climate crisis, disabled people's rights, housing, child poverty?

[00:27:56]Um >> can I c >> can I firstly welcome her to our place because I think this is her first uh PMQ and look there are going to be different uh views on whether people should be able to enjoy a drink here or or not.

[00:28:11]But I think we can agree that the majority of people in this country want an economy that works for them, public services that are there when they need them and every child going as far as their talent or ability uh will take them. But the only way to deliver that is through a Labor government as we are doing.

[00:28:28]>> And I know the Greens think that their leader walks on water. It turns out that he just lives on water and doesn't pay his council tax.

[00:28:38]>> What a Kirk Smith.

[00:28:44]>> What a Kirk Smith.

[00:28:53]Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

[00:28:56]On a more serious note, um uh sometimes we all have those sometimes we all have those meetings with constituents that really stick with us.

[00:29:06]For me, it was the lady who came to my surgery and told me about the character AI chatbot that had groomed her 12-year-old son. The chatbot turned him against his school, against his parents, made sexual advances, and even suggested that the bot and the boy might meet in the afterlife.

[00:29:23]Since this happened last year, I have been on the case with the government, and I'm pleased that we've taken new powers uh to regulate AI services. But still, every day, more young people are being harmed in this way, and they won't be safe until the tech companies can no longer access them in this. SO, CAN THE prime minister tell me how and when he will act to finally make the online world a safe place for our children?

[00:29:48]>> The story of her constituent is deeply uh concerning. I thank her for raising it. It underlines why we must and we will act. Uh we have already acted by shutting legal loopholes. So, AI chatbots must abide by the online safety act. But we have obviously got to look at what further measures we can take including age related bans restricting children's use of chat bots and stronger parental controls and I'm meeting parents teenagers and civil society later on this afternoon to discuss further stronger protections for children. We'll make sure that she is updated on those steps.

[00:30:21]>> Griff, >> thank you Mr. Speaker. At 19, I was in a coma after contracting bacterial menitis. I lost 70% of my hearing and needed open heart surgery.

[00:30:38]The MENB vaccine has saved lives since its introduction in 2015 for infants.

[00:30:44]But there remains a gap for high-risk adolescents whom the JCVI has not vaccinated.

[00:30:51]Following the devastating outbreaks within this cohort in Reading, Canterbury, and Weimoth, the JCVI is finally reviewing the evidence base. So, can the Prime Minister tell the House what are the government's next steps?

[00:31:08]When will they happen? And will he make tackling menitis a priority for his new Secretary of State and arrange a meeting for menitis now and me?

[00:31:21]Yes, I will do both of those uh things.

[00:31:23]And can I thank her for uh raising her own experience here to highlight um the issue. Um and um I think the thoughts of the whole house will be with families and friends of uh the young person who um died. Um can I thank all the public health specialists working in Reading um to make sure those affected are receiving appropriate uh treatment. uh and her question reminds us that vaccines do save lives and we must do everything we can in relation to that.

[00:31:52]>> Deb.

[00:31:52]>> Uh thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, littering and fly tipping is a blight on our communities. This isn't just an issue for Lewisham. It's an issue for towns and cities across our countries and indeed rural areas. Nobody wants to see a dirty mattress or cans or bottles up against roads or gates. It's awful.

[00:32:13]And I welcome the government's strategy and plans to give councils more powers to manage flight tipping, but I absolutely believe more needs to be done. And does the prime minister agree with me? It's absolutely time to have a national conversation about how we manage and deal with littering.

[00:32:31]>> Well, can I thank her for raising this because the government is cracking down on disgraceful waste criminals. Mr. Speaker, that includes tougher penalties for fly tippers, including service in cleanup squads and potentially losing their driving license, more powers and funding for the Environment Agency, and stronger checks across the industry to tackle fly tipping at its source.

[00:32:51]>> Glen Builder.

[00:32:52]>> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Gallows Brook in my constituency has the highest concentration of forever chemicals in the country. The BBC reports today that the concentrations are 47,000 times higher than the environmental quality standard. Yet the environment agency has no plan for regular monitoring. A stream flows through the garden of my resident Lee. She has suffered from ill health for eight years. She took chickens. They have died. She had a dog. It developed a tumor and died. She's concerned that she may be poisoning her neighbors when she gives them vegetables. Will the prime minister agree for the environment and health secretaries to meet with me and my constituents to explore what more can be done?

[00:33:32]>> Uh yes, I will and I thank him for raising that and I'll make sure uh that uh the detail is looked at um and that appropriate steps are taken. Can I also take this opportunity through him to mark the tragic anniversary of the devastating fire in his constituency and I know the thoughts of the whole house remain with the families and colleagues of Martin, of Jenny and of Dave. I know he's done a lot to support them.

[00:33:59]>> Mr. Speaker, a stroke happens every five minutes. That's six lives changed in the time that we have been sat in this chamber. Two years ago when I was sat in this chamber, my husband suffered a stroke.

[00:34:11]>> We know that when it comes to the right care and treatment, every single second counts. We know firsthand why the work of the stroke association is so important. Everyone ensuring that everyone knows the signs and symptoms because when a stroke uh strikes, acting fast matters. Would the prime minister join me in marking stroke awareness month and update the house on what he's doing to ensure every stroke survivor gets the care they need to support uh to recover and to thrive?

[00:34:38]>> My honorable friend raises an important issue and government is investing in our NHS to make sure that every second counts. Can I um I know her husband um and I know the impact that this had on him and on her and their wider uh family and can I thank her for raising such a personal issue in this chamber to um highlight this point. Um because of the choices we've made, ambulance response times are at their fastest for five years. And we're investing 10 billion pounds to innovate technology and transformation with the NHS already using AI to cut treatment time for stroke patients by an hour and tripling full recovery rates.

[00:35:18]>> Mr. B.

[00:35:19]>> Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

[00:35:21]For clarity, does the prime minister agree with Andy Burnham when he says we should rejoin the European Union or does he agree with Andy Burnham when he says we shouldn't rejoin the European Union?

[00:35:40]>> Yes, >> I agree with what we said in our manifesto which we are implementing. We are closer to the EU by the agreement we reached last year. We'll be closer again by the agreement we reached this year.

[00:35:54]We're building on the botch Brexit deal that they did which did such damage to our country.

[00:36:01]>> Mr. Speaker, my community in Crew and Nansich has been left in deep shock and concern following allegations of serious sexual offenses, forced marriage, and modern slavery against members of the Armadi religion of peace and light. Will the prime minister join me in thanking Cheshire Constabulary, Cheshire East Council and wider agencies for their response to these concerning events? And will he commit to ensuring that we receive the necessary resources to deliver justice where crimes have been committed and to reassure the wider community that this government is on their side.

[00:36:39]Well, um, thank my honorable friend and I'm grateful to all the agencies involved in enforcement action, including Cheshire, uh, police. It is vital that local public services get the funding that they need, and that's why we've increased Cheshire's police budget by over 15 uh million pounds. Uh, Mr. Speaker, and we've recruited 3,000 more neighborhood police officers while bringing forward wide-ranging reforms to ensure that everyone has access to swift and equal justice.

[00:37:06]>> All name.

[00:37:07]>> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm sure the prime minister will join me in congratulating the 54 Liberal Democrats who won all 54 seats on Richmond upon 10's council at the recent local elections. But would he also agree with me that first pass the post system that produced this result doesn't give our communities the representation that they voted for and that this failure to respond to voters preferences is fueling disengagement with our democracy? Will the prime minister declare his support for changing electoral systems in the UK to ensure that every vote matters?

[00:37:41]>> Well, I'm I'm I'm really sorry the answer is no and and I can't bring myself to congratulate uh the counselor, so I apologize.

[00:37:49]>> Gold China. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. From 1997, the prime minister campaigned to scrap single judge trials in Northern Ireland.

[00:38:03]Yet, when I opposed his government's plan to bring in single judge trials in England and Wales, I received hostile briefings and smears about my mental health from the lads in number 10 Downing Street.

[00:38:23]The chief whips shaking his head, but he knows about it. Mr. Speaker, the prime minister knows that my nephew Matty took his own life as a result of work related stress as a young criminal lawyer. So during mental health awareness week, while ministers spoke with compassion about health and well-being, did the prime minister reflect on those hostile discrimin discriminatory briefings which he knew about and he allowed to happen?

[00:39:00]Well, can I um thank him and I he has told me previously about um Matty and the impact that that had uh on him. Um and um I I totally understand that and I want to be absolutely clear that nobody should be smeared um in relation to mental health. Nobody on any issue, whatever they may argue on any other issue. Nobody. And I will do everything I can to make sure that that is the position.

[00:39:26]>> Jip Mol. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In five weeks time, the government will be introducing penal tariffs on steel imports into the UK and at the same time massively reducing tariff-free uh quotas. This will cause enormous damage to the UK manufacturing base in the absence of adequate steel making capacity in the UK. More than that, the way the tariffs are drawn uh mean that for my constituent company Stannis Stairlifts, a worldbeating company based in Andover, for them to import steel in the UK and manufacture their product will face tariffs. But for a competitor import finished product made from the self-sane steel will not attract tariffs. This cannot be a situation that could be allowed to persist. So could I ask the prime minister please to arrange for his secretary of state to focus on this issue and get it sorted out?

[00:40:18]>> Can I thank him for raising this really um important issue and can I give him assurance it's not just the secretary of state. Um I am also absolutely focused on this because we're all very well aware of the consequences that would otherwise follow. So I'm personally vested in this and the entire cabinet is because it is a very important issue as he rightly points out.

[00:40:38]>> That completes Prime Minister's questions. That front bench change What?

[00:41:28]Right. We now come to the urgent question.

[00:41:33]>> Sh Secretary Underbar.

[00:41:35]>> Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, to ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade to make a statement regarding the government's decision to issue general trade licenses for sanctioned process all products prohibited under the Russia sanctions EU exit regulations 2019.

[00:41:49]Minister.

[00:41:50]>> Uh, Mr. Speaker, Putin must never be allowed victory in Ukraine, and we will do everything we can as a government and as a country to debilitate and degrade the Russian war machine. That is precisely what our sanctions regime is designed to do. We sanctioned more than 3,300 individuals and organizations and hundreds of shadow fleet tankers. It's as tough a sanctions regime as any in the world and we are proud of it. I want to make it absolutely clear that our sanctions regime today is tougher than it was yesterday or last week. In fact, thanks to the Russian Russia sanctions EU exit amendment regulations 2026 statutory instrument, we will for the first time from today for the first time ban the import not only of uranium but also the import of Russian oil products processed in a third country. We are not lifting any existing sanctions at all.

[00:42:55]We are like other countries phasing in these sanctions which is why in the light of the situation in the Middle East we have issued a targeted temporary license to allow the continued import of diesel and jet fuel. These licenses are temporary and targeted. We will review them regularly and repeatedly and will suspend them as soon as we possibly can.

[00:43:19]As a result of all of the measures that we have taken, um there will be less Russian oil on the market, not more.

[00:43:27]Russia will be poorer, not richer, and Putin will be weaker, not stronger.

[00:43:34]>> Thank you very much, uh Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in its 18th packet of sanctions in January this year, his majesty government prohibited the import of Russian petroleum products produced in third countries from Russian oil, obliging importers to provide proof of the origin of oil used in petroleum product production. Yet, yesterday evening at 7 p.m., whilst we in this very chamber were debating the future of our own North Sea oil and gas industry and Labor MPs were being equipped to vote against new oil and gas licenses in the North Sea, the government slipped out an announcement that general trade license for sanctioned processed oil products now permits certain activities prohibited under the Russian sanctions regulations 2019, such as the import of diesel and jet fuel to the UK. In other words, Mr. Speaker, this government has rolled back on its commitments to Ukraine and given the green light to purchase Russian oil from third countries while at the same time as they were whipping their MPs to vote to shut down our own oil and gas production the exact same time. It's an absolute disgrace and they should all be utterly ashamed of themselves. What message does this send the international community?

[00:44:35]What message does this send the people of Ukraine? And what message, Mr. speaker does this send to our workers in our own North Sea oil and gas industry which is being crushed by the misguided ecoatry of the sector of state for energy security and net zero and also Mr. Speaker we are not only rewarding the thuggish and criminal behavior of the Russian state we are punishing ourselves and the skilled workforce here in the United Kingdom and who loses out Mr. Speaker whilst we signal to Russia that we are willing once again to buy their oil the British people Mr. Speaker, we are seeing 1,000 job losses in oil and gas in the UK every single month, losing out on 25 billion pounds in tax revenue over the next 10 years, which we could be investing in our public services. Just yesterday, Mr. Speaker, I pointed out that Moscow would be celebrating the useful idiots opposite. And today, the government has proved my point. According to the government website where the announcement was made yesterday, the Secretary of State does have the power to vary, revoke, or suspend this license at any time. So, can the minister say if the Secretary of State will consider this decision? Can I ask the minister why he believes that increased reliance on foreign imports improves British energy security? What alternatives did the government consider? And who on earth is in charge of our energy security? The energy secretary, the prime minister, or is it Vladimir Putin?

[00:45:50]>> Uh, Mr. Speaker, first of all, I think the sec the member must have missed the fact that there was a statute instrument which implements the ban on um on refined Russian uh crude oil uh products uh processed in a third country for the first time coming into force today. It didn't come into force earlier on the year. It didn't, incidentally, Mr. speaker come into force when he was in government because when they were in government they allowed the continued processing of oil products to come into the UK and he personally did absolutely nothing about it.

[00:46:23]>> The truth is both sides of the house agree um and and in fact I think all sides of the house agree well we we've not heard from reform yet but I think all sides of the house agree um that we need to make sure that Putin doesn't u prosper. One of the key ways of doing that is making sure that we tackle the um the shadow fleet which we've been doing very successfully. More than 500 um tankers have been disrupted. 1.6 billion uh um US dollars worth less oil um being transported this year than last year because of those sanctions. Um and and to be precise about the question that he's asked um will we re review the um licenses? I've already said that we will review the licenses. They are there for a very simple reason which is that just as when he was a minister the previous government nearly always introduce sanctions in a uh in a phased way. That's precisely what we are doing in relation to these um sanctions on uh on oil um products that have been processed in a third country. We're doing the right thing here. And I would have thought that he he would want to praise us. Um, unfortunately I think he's tried to to find a political headline rather than look into the facts.

[00:47:34]>> Alex, >> thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um, this this package of sanctions has come very quickly to us and I am slightly concerned in how it's been communicated today. So, a bit of clarity would be really welcome. So how long will these regulations made under the sanction money