ePolitix.com: PMQs briefing

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Pensions, child poverty and football governance were among the issues raised by backbenchers at PMQs today.

Jackie Doyle-Price (Con, Thurrock) called on the prime minister to condemn Syria's leaders for violence against its own people.

David Cameron said there are credible reports that more than 1,000 people have been killed, and the UK will not stay silent.

He said the EU has already instituted a travel ban and asset freeze on Syrian leaders and the UK and France will push for a resolution at the UN security council demanding an end to violence and humanitarian access.

Robin Walker (Con, Worcester) said schools in his constituency suffer from long-term underfunding because of the last Labour government.

He said some schools are using the pupil premium to make ends meet rather than target funds at children from deprived families.

The PM said there is a discrepancy of up to £1,800 per pupil between the best and worst funded schools and the government is committed to reforming the system.

Chuka Umunna (Lab, Streatham) raised the issue of gun and knife crime in inner cities, a problem "we are not getting to grips with".

Cameron said there is not one single answer to the problem, but noted that young people are drawn to gangs and not their families or communities.

Richard Harrington (Con, Watford) asked if he should listen to the IMF or the letters pages of the Guardian newspaper on economic policy.

The PM said Labour do not want to hear that the IMF has rejected calls for the UK to adjust its macro-economic policy.

Lindsay Roy (Lab, Glenrothes) said more than some women in their mid-50s in his constituency face a longer working life due to changes to the state pension age.

Cameron said it is right to lift the pension age, and 85 per cent of the women affected will have to work one extra year or less. He also said the decision to link pensions to earnings will benefit pensioners.

Philip Hollobone (Con, Kettering) asked why magistrates have to retire at 70, while justice minister Ken Clarke, who appoints them, will be 71 at his next birthday.

The PM said it is important to get turnover among magistrates, and Clarke has only been in his job for a year and "has plenty more fuel in his tank".

Michael McCann (Lab, East Kilbride) said companies in his constituency manufacturing wind turbines are laying staff off because planning applications are being delayed.

Cameron said he is reforming the planning system to ensure local people benefit.

Annette Brooke (Lib Dem, Mid Dorset) said the government's pension plans are an injustice and discriminate against women.

The PM said there has been a huge increase in life expectancy and raising the pension age will allow for a good provision in the future.

Nic Dakin (Lab, Scunthorpe) said Tata has shed 1,200 jobs in his constituency and asked for backing for a new taskforce on jobs for Scunthorpe.

Cameron said he supports the taskforce, was disappointed by the job losses but noted that Tata is investing hundreds of millions of pounds in the UK.

James Wharton (Con, Stockton South) said there is no place for corruption in football and Fifa is now in disrepute.

The PM said he is not impressed with international football governance and Fifa's reputation is at an all-time low. He called on the FA to press for more transparency and accountability at Fifa.

Virendra Sharma (Lab, Ealing Southall) asked for an assurance that Ealing hospital will not close or lose its A&E.

Cameron said there are no plans to close the hospital and a new urgent care unit is due to open in July.

Gareth Johnson (Con, Dartford) said one in seven couples suffers from fertility problems yet three out of four PCTs are not offering the right IVF treatments.

The PM said that the NHS is writing to PCTs to remind them of the Nice guidelines that couples should be given three IVF cycles.

John Woodcock (Lab, Barrow in Furness) asked the prime minister to do more to ensure people sign up to become bone marrow donors.

Cameron said £4m of new money has been set aside to encourage people to sign up.

Simon Hart (Con, Carmarthen West) raised the explosion at a Chevron plant in his constituency in which four people died. He noted the company has a good safety record.

The PM said it was a tragic incident and there will be lessons to be learned.

Russell Brown (Lab, Dumfries and Galloway) raised a recent BBC documentary on child poverty.

Cameron said the biggest challenge in the UK is to improve social responsibility, and the pupil premium will help with that.

Mark Pawsey (Con, Rugby) praised New Zealand for going ahead with the Rugby world cup despite the recent earthquake.

The PM said he will be supporting "the rugby team" and then clarified that he hopes one of the home nations brings the trophy back to the UK.

Tom Watson (Lab, West Bromwich East) said he suspects powerful forces are at work trying to cover up the News of the World phone hacking scandal.

Cameron said the police are investigating and they have the power to investigate any line of inquiry.

Marcus Jones (Con, Nuneaton) asked what is being done to help town centres face up to the challenge of out of town shops and the internet.

The PM said he wants to give local people a say in planning matters and the chancellor has announced rate relief for high street shops.

Gisela Stuart (Lab, Birmingham Edgbaston) asked the prime minister to remind the Russians of their pledge to withdraw from Georgian territory.

Cameron said Georgia wants democracy and to join Nato and he will make his views clear to the Russians when he visits later this year.

Stephen Dorrell (Con, Charnwood) said the key challenge for the NHS is to improve productivity and provide more integrated care.

The PM said the government is listening and getting its changes to the NHS right, and his recent speech was backed by cancer charities, the RCN and Royal College of Physicians.

Ian Paisley (DUP, Antrim North) asked for an assurance that the Irish authorities will not be allowed to rush the results of an inquiry into the alleged collusion of Irish police officers in the deaths of two senior RUC officers in 1989.

Cameron said he would look very carefully at the point raised, and added that many people in Ireland have huge concern about events in the past, but most seek only the "unvarnished truth".