Member News
The economy, NHS reforms and the Big Society were among the questions asked by backbench MPs at prime minister's questions today.
John Mann (Lab, Bassetlaw) called on the prime minister to look at the case of a constituent who is living in a care home that is being "fattened for privitisation" and has increased fees by £400 per week.
The prime minister said that far from cutting money to social care the government has increased spending by £2bn.
He added that he did not think it was right to call it a "false distinction between care homes that are run by local authorities and those that are run by the private sector" and that as seen in hospitals in recent days there needs to be a change in culture in caring for the elderly.
Mark Lancaster (Con, Milton Keynes South) referred to a constituent with the rare genetic disorder MLD, the family are trying to raise £200,000 for treatment in Holland. Lancaster called on the PM to look at the case and ensure they get the care they deserve.
Cameron said he will look at the case and the government is looking at the issue of value based pricing and making sure its get more treatments to more people, more quickly.
Nicholas Soames (Con, Mid Sussex) he called on the prime minister to introduce and speed up the deregulation of business as it is an "important tool in economic reform".
The prime minister said new regulations cannot be introduced without scrapping others and that the government will be more ambitious in assisting job creation.
Nick Raynsford (Lab, Greenwich and Woolwich) said that government policy will increase homelessness and that visitors to England for the Olympics will witness this.
Cameron said if the Greenwich MPcan't speak up for the Olympics then there really is a problem. He added the event will be a success.
Julian Smith (Con, Skipton and Ripon) noted the introduction of superfast broadband in north Yorkshire and the government commitment to rural broadband.
The prime minister said £530m has gone into broadband investment that is "vital for rural areas".
Bernard Jenkin (Con, Harwich and North Essex) told MPs the public administration select committee would launch a review into the Big Society. He said he hoped that all sides of the House would make positive contributions to the inquiry.
Cameron told MPs the Big Society was about opening up public services and devolving power to the lowest levels because the big state approach had not worked.
The big state approach has failed.
Ben Bradshaw (Lab, Exeter) asked if the upheaval of the health service is resulting in longer or shorter waiting times.
Cameron said he wants waiting times to be as short as possible and says in the health service not all is "right and rosy" and the system must change to what GPs want.
Andrew Bridgen (Con, NW Leicestershire) said his local council has made savings.
Cameron said the government has given local people the tools to hold their local councils to account.
Brian H. Donohoe (Lab, Central Ayrshire) asked whether being part of the Big Society will get more young people off of housing benefit.
The prime minister said that people should not be given the benefit to pay for homes that taxpayers "can't afford".
Duncan Hames (LD, Chippenham) called for ministers to look again at proposed changes to DLA. He added that the issue should not just be about ensuring those in care homes were treated the same as those in hospitals.
In response, Cameron said that reforms would ensure that people in hospitals and care homes were treated equally, adding that the Welfare Reform Bill would address the member's concerns.
Michael Connarty (Lab, Linlithgow and East Falkirk) accused the government of ending all government initiatives in place on human trafficking. He said the PM has "lost his moral compass".
The prime minister said this is "completely wrong" and the government is supporting organisations that are helping in terms of tackling human trafficking.
Jason McCartney (Con, Colne Valley) called on the prime minister to confirm that the Localism Bill will give his constituents a greater say over what developments take place in their area.
Cameron confirmed that this will be the case.
Tony Lloyd (Lab, Manchester Central) said that cuts in local government spending are "cruel and politically motivated".
Cameron said the moves by the Labour Manchester council are "politically motivated".
Philip Davies (Con, Shipley) said it is time to scrap the Human Rights Act, which incorporates the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law following the news that many sex offenders can appeal against being kept on the Sex Offenders Register for life.
In response, Cameron said he is "appalled" by the ruling that "flies in the face of common sense". He said that a planned commission to look at the impact of the convention on British law will take place shortly.
Nia Griffith (Lab, Llanelli) called for "much harder hitting labels" on alcoholic drinks, to raise awareness of the dangers of alcohol misuse.
Cameron said there is a particular problem with people "pre-loading" on cheap alcohol before going out, which should be dealt with before labeling.
Jonathan Evans (Con, Cardiff North) told the chamber that the EU gender equality directive was leading to higher insurance premiums for women drivers and called for better risk assessments.
Cameron said that many people who face lower insurance premiums are going to have to pay more. He added that women on the whole have better driving safety records than men.
Hazel Blears (Lab Salford and Eccles) raised the case of apprenticeships and expressed support for the new Speakers placements that will give people from working class backgrounds the chance to get involved in politics.
Cameron noted the "very important scheme" and said the government will work with the Social Market Foundation on offering internships.
Charlie Elphicke (Con, Dover) asked about allegations that the IMF had been bullied into “toning down its assessment of the dangers facing the UK economy” under the previous Labour administration.
Cameron said the Labour government had attempted to "gag" the IMF over the size of the UK's deficit.
He added: "Even now they are still denying the fact that they left us with a dangerous fiscal deficit which is the cause of many of the problems we face today."
Jim Shannon (DUP, Strangford) asked about coastguards.
The prime minister highlighted the ongoing consultation on coastguards.
Gavin Williamson (Con, South Staffordshire) asked about the universal credit.
Cameron said the universal credit will ensure that people are always better off in work.
Nigel Dodds (DUP, North Belfast) expressed concerns about pension changes to use the CPI rather than the RPI, which he suggested would cost pensioners lost incomes.
In response, Cameron said the government was relinking the state pension, to whatever will be fairest.
Julian Huppert (Lib Dem, Cambridge) asked about the extension of control orders for terror suspects. He called for MPs to see the full details of their replacements before deciding on the issue.
The prime minister agreed with him and said the Commons will be consulted properly.
Sharon Hodgson (Lab, Washington and Sunderland W) asked about raising awareness of speech care therapy.
Cameron said there will be details in the green paper on SEN and like every other area there will be constraints in terms of resources.
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