ePolitix.com: PMQs briefing

Bookmark and Share

29th June 2011

Strikes, renewable energy and water bills were among the issues raised by backbenchers at PMQs today.

Karen Lumley (Con, Redditch) asked about the teacher's strike tomorrow.

As talks continue, Cameron said there "isn't any case for industrial action tomorrow", only a minority of unions are due to strike and that pension reforms are "fair".

He added that he wants to see "as many mums and dads as possible" able to take their children to school.

Guto Bebb (Con, Aberconwy) welcomed the government’s additional spending on the health service, as the Labour administration in Wales cuts spending on the NHS.

Cameron recommended that people look to Wales as an example of what the Labour Party has done to the NHS.

Ian Lucas (Lab, Wrexham) told MPs that feed-in tariffs had helped create 200 new jobs in Wrexham, however he attacked the government over changes in renewable energy subsidies, a decision also criticised by Renewable Energy Association.

Sir Peter Tapsell (Con, Louth and Horncastle) said the Bank of England was preparing contingency plans and welcomed the government's treaty changes in the EU.

Emily Thornberry (Lab, Islington South and Finsbury) asked the prime minister if he agreed with his deputy, Nick Clegg that introducing a married tax allowance would be "patronising drivel".

The prime minister said that he and Clegg agree on many things but not on this matter.

Andrew Selous (Con, South West Bedfordshire) asked about illegal workers being issued with national insurance numbers.

Cameron said the government will look into the issue, as he accepted that national insurance numbers are issued to those not entitled to work.

Alison McGovern (Lab, Wirral South) asked about tax breaks for people who choose private health care and whether it should be a priority.

The prime minister said the short answer is "no".

Ian Austin (Lab, Dudley North) said Cameron pledged to ban Hizb ut-Tahrir when he was in opposition. He asked why he has not been banned.

In response, Cameron said he is looking into the issue. In his opinion, Hizb ut-Tahrir has made statements that go "well beyond what is acceptable". But he said the government has to act within the law.

Bob Blackman (Con, Harrow East) raised tomorrow’s strike action.

Cameron reiterated that the Labour Party "simply don't want to talk about it". He added that the government does not want to undermine public sector pensions but safeguard systems for the future.

Nigel Dodds (DUP, North Belfast) asked about the new arrangements being made for the repatriation of servicemen killed abroad.

In response, the prime minister said a lot of "care and thought" has gone into how the arrangements will work when repatriation takes place at Brize Norton.

Natascha Engel (Lab, North East Derbyshire) noted the one year anniversary of the backbench business committee and offered the help of the committee in dealing with government legislation.

In response, Cameron said the backbench business committee has made a difference since it was set up a year ago. He added that it was the coalition government that gave up power and allowed this to happen.

Anne Marie Morris (Con, Newton Abbot) said water bills are higher in Devon than anywhere else, despite family incomes being below the country average.

The prime minister said this has been the case for years and that the government will address the issue, with plans to be set out in November.

Nick Smith (Lab, Blaenau Gwent) asked about the Southern Cross crisis and raised concerns about the care sector.

Cameron said he was concerned about what has happened and that the Department of Health is following it closely. He said there are powers in the Health Bill to regulate them properly.

Robert Halfon (Con, Harlow) called on the prime minister to support the Fair Fuel UK campaign.

The prime minister said he would like to see the lower wholesale prices be passed on to the consumer.

He said the government has already introduced measures to cut duty on fuel and that the sector must be competitive and pass on price cuts.

Dr William McCrea (DUP, South Antrim) asked about the continuation of flights between Northern Ireland and New York.

The prime minister said the connection is "absolutely vital" for the province's economic health.

Gary Streeter (Con, South West Devon) asked about the Olympic Truce and congratulated Lord Bates who is currently participating in a 3,000 mile walk to highlight it.

He hoped that specific recommendations on peace and reconciliation would be included in UN resolutions reconfirming the Olympic Truce.

Cameron congratulated the peer on his "great feet".

He added that the government was considering what further action it can take to promote peace.

Diana Johnson (Lab, Hull North) said that under the Protection of Freedoms Bill, a person convicted of raping a child would not be automatically put on the barred list.

Julian Huppert (Lib Dem, Cambridge) asked about drugs policy.

Cameron said that drug policy has been a failure in recent years and that he does not support the legalisation of drugs. He added that education and treatment need to be better.

Alok Sharma (Con, Reading West) asked whether the government's policies to safeguard pensions were fairer than Labour's "smash-and-grab" on private pensions.

Cameron said "myth and misinformation" have been put around by the unions. He said the government is protecting defined benefit pensions.

Clive Efford (Lab, Eltham) asked about rising crime and falling budgets. He said that crime in London had increased. He attacked the Mayor of London for cutting 1,800 police officers.

Cameron said that overall crime is falling and a lot was being done. He added that "Operation Target" run by the Metropolitan Police, has seen a drop in the most serious offences.

Graham Evans (Con, Weaver Vale) asked about a relative of his who died serving with Bomber Command during the Second World War.

The prime minister agreed that those killed fighting for Bomber Command should be remembered.

Pamela Nash (Lab, Airdrie and Shotts) highlighted that pensioners saw their quality of life improve under the last government by implementing measures such as the winter fuel allowance, pension credit and free bus passes.

She asked how government policies are affecting women and questioned the fairness of increasing the pension age for women at a quicker rate than expected.

Cameron said they are reforming pensions so that there will be a more generous state pension.

Claire Perry (Con, Devizes) suggested that MPs should reform their own pensions.

She asked: "Do you agree with me that we should be in the vanguard of reforming our own pensions so we can look our public sector constituents in the face?"

In response, the prime minister agreed.

He said: "The increase in contributions should apply to the MPs system, even though it is a system where we pay in quite a lot.

"We are saying right across the board that the increase in pensions contributions is right to create a healthier, long-term system."

Bookmark and Share

Have your say...

Please enter your comments below.

Name

Your e-mail address


Listen to audio version

Please type in the letters or numbers shown above (case sensitive)

Related News

Three cheers for Milton Keynes

ePolitix.com PMQs briefing

Cameron accused of sexism over 'calm down dear' quip

Cameron defends 'tough rules' on tuition fees

Nobody mocks David Cameron’s Big Society



Latest on Parliament & Government

Labour hold Inverclyde


Test for Labour and SNP as Inverclyde votes


ePolitix.com: PMQs briefing




Latest news

Parliament Square camp 'like Glastonbury'


Peer calls for nations to set own time zones


Labour hold Inverclyde


More from Dods