, servants to arrange ,servants to arrange a private civil servants to arrange a private speed awareness course? asi as i have made clear, last summer i was speeding and i regret that i was speeding. i was notified of the matter, i paid the fine and i took the points. at no point did anything untoward happen and at no point did i try and avoid the sanction. it is a bliuht i try and avoid the sanction. it is a blight on _ i try and avoid the sanction. it is a blight on the _ i try and avoid the sanction. it is a blight on the lives _ i try and avoid the sanction. it 3 a blight on the lives of too many of my constituents and their frustration is often exacerbated because it is not always clear who can resolve their problems, whether it is the local council or the police, despite the best intentions of both to help. how can my right honourable friend ensure that people are not passed from pillar to post but do have their complaints about bad behaviour tackled swiftly? my honourable friend is raising a very

important issue, the government recently published anti—social behaviour action plan. my right honourable friend the home secretary and her colleague are jointly chairing a task force to make sure action is taken. we are setting up hotspot patrols around the country to make sure the blight of anti—social behaviour is heavily policed against and to make sure that where it occurs it is dealt with thoroughly and no one is left behind. . ~ with thoroughly and no one is left behind. ., ~ i. with thoroughly and no one is left behind. . ~' ,, ~ with thoroughly and no one is left behind. ., ~ ~ .~ behind. thank you, mr speaker. if the home secretary _ behind. thank you, mr speaker. if the home secretary insists - behind. thank you, mr speaker. if the home secretary insists on - the home secretary insists on exacting private landlords from asylum seekers, this means that local councils and fire authorities will not be able to enforce basic safety and overcrowding standards. does not mean the worst landlords, instead of improving their properties, will make a fortune from government funding while exploiting vulnerable families young children waiting for years that a decision on the asylum application? i can ensure

the asylum application? i can ensure the honourable _ the asylum application? i can ensure the honourable lady— the asylum application? i can ensure the honourable lady that _ the asylum application? i can ensure the honourable lady that our - the honourable lady that our intentions, there is no diminution intentions, there is no diminution in standards of accommodation, whether it is for asylum seekers or anybody else, but it is absolutely critical we get those people out of hotels, save the taxpayer hundreds of millions of pounds a year and has asylum seekers in the most appropriate forms of accommodation. thank you, mr speaker. my constituents in newcastle—under—lyme are rightly appalled by the organised nature so much immigration crime and so can my right honourable friend set out what work is being done to tackle those group operations at source and what impact thatis operations at source and what impact that is happening on the reduction of number of arrivals of illegal immigrants?— of number of arrivals of illegal immigrants? of number of arrivals of illegal immiurants? ., ., ., , . ., , immigrants? part of our plan to stop the boats are — immigrants? part of our plan to stop the boats are very _ immigrants? part of our plan to stop the boats are very much _ immigrants? part of our plan to stop the boats are very much focuses - immigrants? part of our plan to stop the boats are very much focuses on | the boats are very much focuses on the boats are very much focuses on the causal factors like the serious organised immigration crime gangs. they are networked and they are highly resourced. we've had some success in arresting people involved in this gangs but we are increasing

the officers working with the fronts that we can come down on this problem at cause.— that we can come down on this problem at cause. thank you, mr seaker. problem at cause. thank you, mr speaker- in _ problem at cause. thank you, mr speaker. in her— problem at cause. thank you, mr speaker. in her previous - problem at cause. thank you, mr i speaker. in her previous resignation letter, the current home secretary rate, pretending that we have not made mistakes, carrying on as if everyone cannot see what we have made them and hoping things will magically come right is not serious politics. was she right? and has he made a mistake? will she accept responsibility and will she resign? as i have said earlier, in the summer of last year i was speeding. i regret i was speeding and i took the penalty, i paid the penalty and i accepted the points. i no time did i accepted the points. i no time did i seek to avoid any sanction or consequence. i seek to avoid any sanction or consequence-— i seek to avoid any sanction or conseuuence. . ~ ~ . ~ consequence. thank you, mr speaker. given that the — consequence. thank you, mr speaker. given that the 5696 — consequence. thank you, mr speaker. given that the 56% rise _ consequence. thank you, mr speaker. given that the 56% rise in _ given that the 56% rise in transphobe it hate crime between

2021 and 2022, what strategies are they going to put in place to get this horrifying number down? transphobic crimes are hateful they represent as much as 3% of all hate crimes recorded. the government is determined to stamp out the sort of work, which is why we are funding groups at such a true vision who are working very hard in this area and i know the honourable gentleman is working hard too. we finding things such as the national online hate tab which is a central capability to allow individuals to have specialist intervention i workforce that we are working on education, three billions of pounds of funding between august 2021 march 2024 to five organisations. it is only with better education on the back of the honourable gentleman that we will progress in this area. that completes _ progress in this area. that completes questions. - progress in this area. that completes questions. we | progress in this area. that completes questions. we now come to the statement on the g7. i call the

prime _ the statement on the g7. i call the prime minister.— prime minister. thank you, mr seaker. prime minister. thank you, mr speaker- the _ prime minister. thank you, mr speaker. the whole _ prime minister. thank you, mr speaker. the whole house - prime minister. thank you, mr speaker. the whole house will prime minister. thank you, mr - speaker. the whole house will join speaker. the whole house willjoin me and remembering the victims of the horrific manchester arena bombing six years ago today. our thoughts are with them and their families. and thoughts are also with the family of lee rigby on the tenth anniversary of his murder and i pay tribute to his sonjack who is honouring his father's memory who is raising money for other bereaved children. as jack's mum said, lee would be very proud. i havejust returned from the g7 summit injapan were as humble to be the first prime minister of the united kingdom to visit hiroshima. in behalf of this house and the british people, i recorded our great sorrow at the destruction and human suffering that occurred there and our fervent resolve it should never again be necessary to use nuclear weapons. as i reported to the house on the g7 summit, iwant i reported to the house on the g7 summit, i want to address a head—on

and mistaken view that is heard too often, the idea that britain is somehow in retreat on the world stage or that our influence is in decline. i reject that utterly. what we have seen in recent months is this conservative government delivering the priorities of the british people and bringing about global influence to bear and some of the world's biggest challenges. nowhere is that clearer than ukraine. it was a pleasure and privilege to welcome my friend president zelensky back to the uk last week. his attendance at the g7 summit was a historic moment, when putin launched his war he gambled that our resolve would falter but he was wrong then and he is wrong now. russia's military is failing on the battlefield. their economy is failing at home as we tighten the stranglehold sanctions, and the image of the g7 leaders standing

shoulder to shoulder with president zelensky in hiroshima sent a powerful message to the world that we will stand with ukraine for as long as it takes. of course, we have seen a huge collective effort across our allies, seen a huge collective effort across ourallies, not least seen a huge collective effort across our allies, not least the united states, but i am incredibly proud of our role at the forefront of international support for ukraine. the first country in the world to train ukrainian troops, the first in europe to provide lethal weapons, the first to commit tanks and just this month the first to provide long—range weapons. and we have now at the forefront of a coalition to train and equip the ukrainian efforts. we gave £2.3 billion of military aid last year, second only to the united states, and will match or exceed that this year. putin should know that we are not going anywhere. and we note that ukraine will not only when the war, but can

and will win a just and lasting peace. based on respect for international law, the principles of the un charter and territorial integrity and sovereignty. and mr speaker, we bring that same result of the biggest challenge to the long—term security and prosperity of our age, long—term security and prosperity of ourage, china. as the long—term security and prosperity of our age, china. as the g7 showed, the uk response is completely aligned with our allies. we are working with others to strengthen our defence ties across the indo—pacific, diversify our supply chains in areas like critical minerals and semiconductors and prevent china using economic question to interfere with the sovereignty of others. concrete actions, not rhetoric. but our economic security is notjust actions, not rhetoric. but our economic security is not just about managing the risks of china, mr speaker. we are taking advantage of our post—brexit freedoms with a hugely ambitious trade policy. we have concluded negotiations on the

cptpp, trade deal with the world's fastest growing region four is that we have signed critical mineral partnerships with canada and australia, a semiconductor partnership with japan, the windsor framework secures the free flow of trade within our uk internal market, and on friday, we announced almost £18 billion of new investment into the uk from japanese businesses. that is a huge vote of confidence in the united kingdom, creating significant numbers of good, well—paid jobs and helping grow the economy. and, mr speaker, we are acting globally to tackle illegal migration. it is the british government who will determine who comes to britain. we must stop the boats and break the business model of the criminal gangs. to do that, we are deepening international cooperation to tackle illegal migration through a new deals with albania, france and just last week's council of europe, starting with the

eu border force too. and at this weekend's summit, we secures agreement that we will increase it g7 co—operation too. so, mr speaker, ourforeign policy is g7 co—operation too. so, mr speaker, our foreign policy is clearly delivering to the british people, by strengthening our relationships with old friends and new, from the indo—pacific to washington to europe, we are delivering a diplomatic dividend for the uk. and thatis diplomatic dividend for the uk. and that is not all. we have announced billions more for our defence, the largest contributor in europe to nato. we have signed a historic agreement to design and build the awk is submarine, giving the uk australia and us interoperable submarine fleet is in the atlantic and specific. we have launched a new programme to build the fighterjets of the future with italy and japan. announced on 25 the carrier strike group will concern dilly make a return to the end once more and in and with the largest evacuation of

any country. and if anyone think the uk can no longer wield hard power in defence of our values, just ask the ukrainian soldiers driving british tanks orfiring our long—range tanks or firing our long—range missiles. tanks orfiring our long—range missiles. all that, mr speaker, is how we will prosper at home and defend our values abroad. that is how ourforeign policy defend our values abroad. that is how our foreign policy is delivering for the british people. and that is why on the world stage, britain is forging ahead, confident, proud and free. and i commend this statement to the house. i free. and i commend this statement to the house-— to the house. i call the leader of the opposition. _ to the house. i call the leader of the opposition, keir— to the house. i call the leader of the opposition, keir starmer. . to the house. i call the leader of. the opposition, keir starmer. thank ou, mr the opposition, keir starmer. thank you. mr speaker- — the opposition, keir starmer. thank you, mr speaker. and _ the opposition, keir starmer. thank you, mr speaker. and i _ the opposition, keir starmer. thank you, mr speaker. and i thank - the opposition, keir starmer. t�*ufii�*ué you, mr speaker. and i thank the prime minister at the advanced site for statement? prime minister at the advanced site forstatement? can prime minister at the advanced site for statement? can ijoin with him and his comments of remembering the victims of the manchester arena bombing and in marking the awful murder of lee rigby? the war in

ukraine is entering a critical stage, freedom must win over tyranny and putin must fail. as the ukrainians continue to defend themselves and prepare for an offensive putin's forces up, it is crucial they know the nations of the g7 continue to support their fight. we will stand with them for a song that takes, we will stand them because their decisive victory is the route to a competitive, just and lasting peace. —— stand with them for as long as it takes. labour welcomes the strong show of support for president lenski. we welcome the decision by our partners on f—i6 fighterjets. —— president zelensky. we welcome restrictions on exports that aid to the russian war machines and we welcome the advice on the mineral trade that is funding putin has my progression. i would urge the prime minister to prescribe the

wagner group as terrorists and ensure britain's sanctions are not just in pace but enforced. mr speaker, as i told president zelensky when i met him in kyiv, whichever party is in power in the uk, there will be no letup in britain resolve. we will continue to support ukraine's military and its people in their quest for freedom, the piece and the justice. people in their quest for freedom, the piece and thejustice. and people in their quest for freedom, the piece and the justice. and when their moment of victory comes, we will be there to help them rebuild from the rubble of war. does the prime minister agree with me that when it comes to ukraine, it is important that we continue to show that we are united across this house? at mr speaker, i also welcome the commitment to de—risk our economic relationship with china. it is in our national interest to engage with china. there will be crucial global partners in the effort to reach net zero and we have

a trading relationship worth £100 billion. but that pursuit should never come at the cost of economic security. and we should never leave ourselves vulnerable to economic question. we must be clear eyed about the facts. china is increasingly aggressive in the pacific, they show disdain for democratic values and human rights and they are seeking to exploit economic lavage. decades of ignoring these facts and tory governments cosying up to beijing have gifted the chinese communist party a stake in britain's key infrastructure. is microeconomic leveraged. we need to change tack labour is willing to work on the government with this and it is time for a full audit of uk china relations and to work more consistently with our allies to develop a long—term plan for western engagement and a long—term plan for economic security. because as this winter has shown us, and the modern

world, economic security is national security. as the world races to invest in new technologies, and to make their supply chains more robust, we must make sure that british businesses can take advantage. the prime minister has rightly pointed out the importance of the semiconductor industry. they are the brains of our electronic devices, indispensable components of cutting—edge manufacturing. the us and the eu have big plans to grow and the eu have big plans to grow and nurture their sectors, to remove any vulnerabilities from their supply chains. now we have waited a long time to the uk to present its strategy. it finally arrived last week and an industry leader described it as frankly flaccid. does that worry the prime minister as much as it worries me? whilst others build resilience and seize opportunities, this government seems content with managed decline. and this isn't the

only area where i fear we have been left behind. the us and the eu used the g7 to continue important talks that would allow european companies to share in billions of dollars of us tax incentives for electric vehicles and green technologies and vice versa. last week, we saw warnings about the future of the uk car industry. people who work in the sector are very worried. they want leadership. so can the minister confirmed his government will secure the same or better access for british manufacturers? and when can we expect to hear progress on this? when the inflation reduction act was passed, the government's response wasn't to outline what opportunities this offered to britain, it was to say it was dangerous and to suggest that an active industrial strategy is not the british way. wake up, it is not the british way. wake up, it

is not the 1980s any more. the race is not the 1980s any more. the race is on, we need to be in it and we need to win our share of the jobs of the future. we can't afford to be stuck in the changing room complaining about how a unfair life is. as the war in ukraine continues to rage, he she met was a fitting stage of the g7 summit, a city which has seen unimaginable horrors has risen from its past. it can serve as an inspiration for those in ukraine who fight daily for their freedom. there future can be bright. from uk to china to climate change, today's challenges are big but if we stay united with our allies and partners, if we work together they are not insurmountable. and if we are focused, if we have a plan, the economic opportunities of the future are bigger still. britain must seize the whip with both hands and our future can be bright too. mr speaker. — future can be bright too. mr speaker. i _ future can be bright too. mr speaker, i thank the honourable gentleman for his comments at the

beginning with regard to ukraine. just with regards to the second group, we have sanctioned on it in its entirety. —— the wagner group. those who are aiding and abetting the sections of the russian oligarchs. we have launched a new economic deterrent initiative that will work on compliance and enforcement in cooperation with our allies. with regard to china, he asked about our approach and clarifying it to china. that was done, he may have missed it, in the integrated review refresh. it was spelt out clearly and indeed warmly welcomed by notjust foreign policy commentators in the uk but internationally around the world and has been mentioned to me specifically by leaders and statesmen from many different countries as a template that they have followed in their own national security strategies. with regard to

cooperation with our allies, again, thatis cooperation with our allies, again, that is something that is already happening and we are leading the way, mr speaker. he may have missed that the g7 communique launched a communication platform on coercion, something that we spoke about in integrated review refresh and has now been brought to fruition which will be a cooperation notjust g7 allies but will be broadened beyond to ensure that we are working together to combat countries when they attempt to coerce other countries economically. with regard to his final comments on the economy, mr speaker, in climate change. he points out these various points on climate change and the g7's points on climate change and the g7�*s record. what he failed to mention that out of all the g7 countries, the country that has the best record on reducing climate emissions is the united kingdom. so it is very welcome that other countries are catching up with our record, on climate change. we applaud them and it is something we

have fought very hard for them to do. so it is great that they are doing. i won't mention his other points, just to say that we do have a different point of view, we do not believe that the way to drive economic success and prosperity is to subsidise, mrs baker. it is not the route that will lead to the best outcomes and that is something that the g7 themselves acknowledge. i would point him to the language in the communique the particularly warned against subsidy races, pointing out that they were a zero—sum game when it comes at the expense of others and actually we should be working cooperatively as we are. and lastly, for all his negative talk, mrs baker, the proof is in the simple fact, on friday —— mr speaker, on friday we announced £18 billion of new investment into the uk economy from a range of leading japanese businesses. they have enormous faith and confidence in the united kingdom, why doesn't a? . ~ , ., ~ , in the united kingdom, why doesn't

a? . ~ ~, in the united kingdom, why doesn't a? thank you, mrs baker. i applaud the rime a? thank you, mrs baker. i applaud the prime minster's _ a? thank you, mrs baker. i applaud the prime minster's recognition - a? thank you, mrs baker. i applaudj the prime minster's recognition that the prime minster's recognition that the chinese common estate is our biggest threat. we will engage when in the global interest but we cannot allow the chinese communist party to cast defence as escalation. so can i urge my right honourable friend consider three test when it comes to de—risking. we must be strong at home if we wish to deter abroad. the second is techno authoritarianism. we must prevent a lion that he might reliance on their technology which is stealing our data and undermining us. and finally we must uphold international rules —based system because they're trying to undermine and catch it. i'm... we have failed to suffocate the financial war machine which is allowing putin to continue with this one. —— continue this war. it would make a meaningful impact and end this war sooner. i

thank my honourable friend for her words and work on these issues. at the g7 we announced more sanctions, particularly targeting the military complex of the russian war machine which will go some way to addressing to her concerns but i look forward to her concerns but i look forward to engaging with her on this. with regard china, her points are all very well made. i look forward to discussing with her how we can strengthen the new anti—coercion platform that we have established. it is something i know she has talked about in the past and work working with other countries can make an enormous difference to more vulnerable nations ability to stand up vulnerable nations ability to stand up to economic coercion, whether it comes from china or other hostile states. t comes from china or other hostile states. ., ., _, , comes from china or other hostile states. ., ., , , _ states. i would of course begin by echoin: states. i would of course begin by echoing the _ states. i would of course begin by echoing the sentiments _ states. i would of course begin by echoing the sentiments of- states. i would of course begin by echoing the sentiments of the - states. i would of course begin by. echoing the sentiments of the prime minister and leader of the opposition in relation to the manchester bombing and of course the appalling death of lee rigby so many years ago. mr speaker, the symbolic

importance of the g7 summit taking place in hiroshima goes without question, so too does the importance of the presence of president zelensky injapan. it goes without saying that ukraine's war on their fight for democracy is our fight too. and all of us on these benches and across this house are united in our support for the president and indeed the people of ukraine. in orderfor ukraine to be indeed the people of ukraine. in order for ukraine to be successful however we need unity among all those nations who believe in peace. in that regard, can i ask the prime minister whether he had any conversations with those nations who still are at this moment in time importing crude oilfrom russia and indeed whether he expressed any concern about other nations who may well be benefiting from products that have been derivative from that crude oil itself. secondly, mr speaker, in relation to china, we

did of course hear strong words from the g7 in relation to that situation. however, i'm quite intrigued by the instagram intervention of the former prime minister. i would intervention of the former prime minister. iwould be intervention of the former prime minister. i would be grateful for the current prime minister's view in respect of whether that was helpful and whether he agrees with her that china poses a strategic threat to the uk and whether he would echo those sentiments. and finally, mr speaker, in terms of the economy, it would be remiss of me not to reflect upon the fact that the uk has the lowest growth in the entire g7, our economy is still below pre—pandemic levels. in contrast, the likes of united states has seen their economy grow by around 5.3% in the intervening time. does the prime minister and did he take any lessons from those allies injapan about how to secure proper economic growth? ?

well, mr speaker, on china our approach is laid out in detail in the integrated review refresh, i reiterated that i won't go over it again but china as i said represents again but china as i said represents a systemic challenge. it is the greatest challenge we face and in fact i said it was in a pot defying challenge given its ability and intent to reshape the world order and it increasingly authoritarian at home and assertive abroad, which is why we should be robust in defending ourselves against that. on sanctions where working in tandem with the european union and the us to intensify diplomatic engagement with third country partners to highlight potential circumvention risks on sanctions and we will continue to do so and more generally on the question of peace and discussing with partner countries it was excellent to have a discussion on ukraine and peace with partner countries outside of the g7. perhaps one of the most meaningful sessions of the summit where countries agree to the principles of a just and

lasting peace being based on the un charter and indeed on the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty. that is very welcome, mrs baker. because whilst many people may have ideas of what peace in ukraine looks like, a ceasefire is not a just and durable peace and we will continue ensuring that the piece that ukraine has is one that it deserves and one that is truly just and lasting. flan it deserves and one that is truly just and lasting.— it deserves and one that is truly just and lasting. can i welcome the statement on _ just and lasting. can i welcome the statement on the _ just and lasting. can i welcome the statement on the work _ just and lasting. can i welcome the statement on the work of - just and lasting. can i welcome the statement on the work of the - just and lasting. can i welcome the| statement on the work of the prime minister at the g7. we have rightly rekindling those international statecraft skills as we see ukraine going from any laws to main battle tanks. the storm shadows and of course securing the f—i6s. and in trying out more robust language as we deal with china's aggression. but of course as we rightly step forward, this will place an ever greater burden on our armed forces. i think he knows where i'm going with this. can i ask him when we are likely to see an increase in the defence budget to 2.5% gdp? mr

speaker, my honourable friend has long championed for this and rightly so, which is why i was pleased the chancellor to increase our defence budget by 24 billion to lima million pounds. recently he added a further £5 billion of the next two years to both strengthen our nuclear enterprise and rebuild stockpiles, which i know he has been interested in the past. and we outlined an ambition to increase defence spending to 2.5%. we are on track to get to 2.25 in the next couple years at which point we will take stock of where we are economically and fiscally. but threats against the country are increasing and it is right that we invest to defend ourselves. right that we invest to defend ourselves-_ right that we invest to defend ourselves. . ., ourselves. can i 'oin the prime minister in — ourselves. can ijoin the prime minister in paying _ ourselves. can ijoin the prime minister in paying tribute - ourselves. can ijoin the prime minister in paying tribute to i ourselves. can ijoin the primel minister in paying tribute to the victims of the manchester arena the

rimus of victims of the manchester arena the primus of she cynically answered questions on the g7, issue of security, role of ukraine and to what extent china should be economically isolated. prior to that was an exchange involving the home secretary suella braverman and the question of whether she to support ukraine. that includes encouraging individuals in this country who are directly invested in countries still active in russia to sell their personal shares now. does the prime minister agree that these people should end their investment, so they stop supporting the russian economy and thereby put in's war efforts? mr economy and thereby put in's war efforts? ~ ,,, . ~ ., efforts? mr speaker, we were one of the first countries _ efforts? mr speaker, we were one of the first countries to _ efforts? mr speaker, we were one of the first countries to put _ efforts? mr speaker, we were one of the first countries to put in _ efforts? mr speaker, we were one of the first countries to put in place - the first countries to put in place an incredibly comprehensive sanctions regime against russia. we have sanctioned at this point over 1500 people, tens of billions of dollars of

ipaid i paid the points. i was speeding. asi as i have said earlier, in the summer i was speeding. i regret that i was speeding, i accepted the points and paid the fine and at no points and paid the fine and at no point did ice to avoid the sanction. as i have made clear, last summer... laughter

i was speeding and i regret that i was speeding. i was notified of the matter. i paid define and i took the points. at no point did anything untoward happen and at no point did i try and avoid the sanction. home secretary suella _ i try and avoid the sanction. home secretary suella braverman - secretary suella braverman responding to questions in the commons about her dealing with a speeding fine in the summer of last year. live to westminster and our political correspondent. she repeatedly failed to answer the question as to whether she approached several servants. she would not approached several servants. 5ue: would not deviate from approached several servants. 5u2 would not deviate from the script at all which the home secretary suella braverman you said i hope this does not get repetitive and it did get repetitive. why this matters as although it's embarrassing for the person is the home secretary is in charge of law and order to pay a speeding fine, it is the question whether she broke the rule book for ministers which is what everyone is asking here today, whether she put civil servants in an uncomfortable position by requesting this idea of

a