ha?e ha’xre fihe vulnerable families. now we have the etitions vulnerable families. now we have the petitions committee. _ vulnerable families. now we have the petitions committee. but _ vulnerable families. now we have the petitions committee. but it _ vulnerable families. now we have the petitions committee. but it is - vulnerable families. now we have the petitions committee. but it is not - petitions committee. but it is not workin: , petitions committee. but it is not working. prime — petitions committee. but it is not working, prime minister. - petitions committee. but it is not working, prime minister. do - petitions committee. but it is not working, prime minister. do you| petitions committee. but it is not - working, prime minister. do you take responsibility for the fact the uk has the highest inflation in the g7 at the lowest growth projections? we have had this debate. if we look at the grove — have had this debate. if we look at the grove productions, we were the fastest _ the grove productions, we were the fastest growing in the g7... —— growth — fastest growing in the g7... —— growth productions. do fastest growing in the g7. .. -- growth productions.— fastest growing in the g7. .. -- growth productions. do you take resnonsibility — growth productions. do you take responsibility for _ growth productions. do you take responsibility for it? _ growth productions. do you take responsibility for it? of - growth productions. do you take responsibility for it? of course, | growth productions. do you take i responsibility for it? of course, as the government, _ responsibility for it? of course, as the government, but _ responsibility for it? of course, as the government, but to _ responsibility for it? of course, as the government, but to correct i responsibility for it? of course, as i the government, but to correct what you are _ the government, but to correct what you are saying, as... we the government, but to correct what you are saying, as...— you are saying, as... we have the hiuhest you are saying, as... we have the highest inflation _ you are saying, as... we have the highest inflation rate _ you are saying, as... we have the highest inflation rate in _ you are saying, as... we have the highest inflation rate in the - you are saying, as... we have the highest inflation rate in the g7 - you are saying, as... we have the | highest inflation rate in the g7 and the lowest, i'm asking if he disputes the facts. j the lowest, i'm asking if he disputes the facts.- the lowest, i'm asking if he disputes the facts. i am putting them in context, _ disputes the facts. i am putting them in context, as _ disputes the facts. i am putting them in context, as the - disputes the facts. i am putting them in context, as the head i disputes the facts. i am puttingj them in context, as the head of disputes the facts. i am putting - them in context, as the head of the imf themselves said, they said at a press _ imf themselves said, they said at a press conference in the uk which i'm sure you _ press conference in the uk which i'm

sure you were listening to, it is not right— sure you were listening to, it is not right to _ sure you were listening to, it is not right to focus on one specific year— not right to focus on one specific year when — not right to focus on one specific year when it comes to growth forecasts— year when it comes to growth forecasts and if you look at any period. — forecasts and if you look at any period, like the two years before when _ period, like the two years before when we — period, like the two years before when we were the fastest growing, or the projections after, we are not the projections after, we are not the lowest — the projections after, we are not the lowest growing. she asked about inflation _ the lowest growing. she asked about inflation which is important. i have . uite inflation which is important. i have uuite a inflation which is important. i have quite a few — inflation which is important. i have quite a few questions _ inflation which is important. i have quite a few questions i _ inflation which is important. i have quite a few questions i have - inflation which is important. i have quite a few questions i have got i inflation which is important. i have quite a few questions i have got to j quite a few questions i have got to ask. we have got to focus on reality. people contacting us about the realities they face and one in seven are cutting back or going without food because of a lack of money at the moment. that is one in fourin money at the moment. that is one in four in my region of the north—east. what level of food insecurity dusty government assets as being in this country quite —— does the. j do government assets as being in this country quite -- does the.- country quite -- does the. i do not want anyone _ country quite -- does the. i do not want anyone living _ country quite -- does the. i do not want anyone living with _ country quite -- does the. i do not want anyone living with food - want anyone living with food insecurity. want anyone living with food insecurity-— want anyone living with food - insecurity._ allow insecurity. yes, but that... allow the prime _ insecurity. yes, but that... allow the prime minister _ insecurity. yes, but that... allow

the prime minister to _ insecurity. yes, but that... allow the prime minister to answer. i insecurity. yes, but that... allow| the prime minister to answer. the first thing is _ the prime minister to answer. the first thing is to — the prime minister to answer. first thing is to support people with energy bills because that is the number—one cast they are facing and support— the number—one cast they are facing and support is worth £1500, half of and support is worth £1500, half of a typical— and support is worth £1500, half of a typical family's energy bill benefiting families around the country— benefiting families around the country and the second thing is for the most _ country and the second thing is for the most vulnerable families, the ones _ the most vulnerable families, the ones you — the most vulnerable families, the ones you are talking about, 7 billion— ones you are talking about, 7 billion most vulnerable, they will receive _ billion most vulnerable, they will receive direct cost of living support _ receive direct cost of living support —— 7 million. people in receipt — support —— 7 million. people in receipt of— support —— 7 million. people in receipt of universal credit, additional payments for pensioners, those _ additional payments for pensioners, those who— additional payments for pensioners, those who are disabled, and making sure those _ those who are disabled, and making sure those on low incomes are benefiting, the national living wage has gone _ benefiting, the national living wage has gone up top so why are people going _ has gone up top so why are people going hungry? people can use the nroney— going hungry? people can use the money in — going hungry? people can use the money in the best way they want but the cost _ money in the best way they want but the cost of— money in the best way they want but the cost of living payments can be spent _ the cost of living payments can be spent on — the cost of living payments can be spent on food. so that does help people — spent on food. so that does help people. very specifically on food.

we have — people. very specifically on food. we have extended the holiday activity— we have extended the holiday activity and food programme which is funded _ activity and food programme which is funded by— activity and food programme which is funded by hundreds of millions of pounds _ funded by hundreds of millions of pounds per year, also food and activities — pounds per year, also food and activities on disadvantaged children and we _ activities on disadvantaged children and we have a healthy start vouchers for expectant, pregnant or new mothers, — for expectant, pregnant or new mothers, and also the free school meals _ mothers, and also the free school meals programme. if you put all of that together, and i accept that things— that together, and i accept that things are challenging, there are a range _ things are challenging, there are a range of— things are challenging, there are a range of measures in place to help people _ range of measures in place to help people with the cost of living, targeted at the most vulnerable in our society. in targeted at the most vulnerable in our society-— targeted at the most vulnerable in our socie . , ., ., ., , our society. in terms of mortgages, millions are — our society. in terms of mortgages, millions are terrified _ our society. in terms of mortgages, millions are terrified about - our society. in terms of mortgages, millions are terrified about what - our society. in terms of mortgages, millions are terrified about what is i millions are terrified about what is going to happen with their mortgage as it comes up for review, and have been ever since the disastrous mini budget last year of liz truss and kwasi kwarteng. do you know the number of people who are due to remortgage by the end of 202a? i remortgage by the end of 2024? i don't have those numbers, but what i can do— don't have those numbers, but what i can do is— don't have those numbers, but what i can do is to _ don't have those numbers, but what i can do is to explain to all the people — can do is to explain to all the people you are talking about who are

anxious— people you are talking about who are anxious about that, what support is in place _ anxious about that, what support is in place to— anxious about that, what support is in place to help them, so a typical mortgage — in place to help them, so a typical mortgage outstanding in the country is about— mortgage outstanding in the country is about £114,000, about 17 years left, _ is about £114,000, about 17 years left, and — is about £114,000, about 17 years left, and if— is about £114,000, about 17 years left, and if the mortgage was to be repriced _ left, and if the mortgage was to be repriced now, it would go up from around _ repriced now, it would go up from around £770 up to about a thousand, that is— around £770 up to about a thousand, that is a _ around £770 up to about a thousand, that is a significant increase, so in that— that is a significant increase, so in that situation, people can extend the term _ in that situation, people can extend the term of— in that situation, people can extend the term of our mortgage thanks to our mortgage charter, that will reduce — our mortgage charter, that will reduce the monthly payments, basicatty— reduce the monthly payments, basically back down to where they are, they— basically back down to where they are, they can switch for an interest only period — are, they can switch for an interest only period which will also reduce it by hundreds of pounds so they are a couple _ it by hundreds of pounds so they are a couple of— it by hundreds of pounds so they are a couple of things they can do and for those — a couple of things they can do and for those who are most vulnerable, there _ for those who are most vulnerable, there is— for those who are most vulnerable, there is support for mortgage scheme which _ there is support for mortgage scheme which provides support for people, much _ which provides support for people, much more — which provides support for people, much more quickly than it used to, so they— much more quickly than it used to, so they are — much more quickly than it used to, so they are the practical examples of how— so they are the practical examples of how someone in the circumstances

you are _ of how someone in the circumstances you are describing can access support— you are describing can access support which will actually ease some _ support which will actually ease some of— support which will actually ease some of the burdens for them and yes, not— some of the burdens for them and yes, not make them disappear but considerably eased them. what about the 1596 who are _ considerably eased them. what about the 1596 who are not _ considerably eased them. what about the 1596 who are not taking _ considerably eased them. what about the 1596 who are not taking part - considerably eased them. what about the 1596 who are not taking part in - the 15% who are not taking part in the 15% who are not taking part in the government scheme? abouti million mortgage borrowers affected. is it enough to say to the banks? the vast majority of the mortgage market _ the vast majority of the mortgage market is — the vast majority of the mortgage market is included and the chancellor is having a conversation with the _ chancellor is having a conversation with the remaining 15% but the vast nraiority_ with the remaining 15% but the vast majority are covered and that support — majority are covered and that support can potentially help offset hundreds of pounds on their monthly mortgage _ hundreds of pounds on their monthly mortgage costs when they come to repriced _ mortgage costs when they come to repriced as — mortgage costs when they come to repriced as well as the support which — repriced as well as the support which is — repriced as well as the support which is there through the welfare system _ which is there through the welfare system. and they can do that without any impact _ system. and they can do that without any impact on their credit rating and because of the consumer duty

that the _ and because of the consumer duty that the chancellor has introduced, anyone _ that the chancellor has introduced, anyone fearing repossession will have _ anyone fearing repossession will have 12 — anyone fearing repossession will have 12 months before that can happen— have 12 months before that can happen at the banks have a duty to act fairly— happen at the banks have a duty to act fairly and responsibly. —— and the banks — act fairly and responsibly. —— and the banks it _ act fairly and responsibly. —— and the banks. it is a worrying time but there _ the banks. it is a worrying time but there are _ the banks. it is a worrying time but there are very specific steps which can help _ there are very specific steps which can help people. now there are very specific steps which can help peeple-— there are very specific steps which can help people. now william wragg on constitutional _ can help people. now william wragg on constitutional matters. _ can help people. now william wragg on constitutional matters. thank- on constitutional matters. thank ou, on constitutional matters. thank you. good _ on constitutional matters. thank you, good afternoon, _ on constitutional matters. thank you, good afternoon, prime - on constitutional matters. thank- you, good afternoon, prime minister. i hearalarming you, good afternoon, prime minister. i hear alarming reports of a block wondering down whitehall thwarting the ambitions of ministers? do you recognise that? pia. where does it recognise that? no. where does it come from? it _ recognise that? no. where does it come from? it does _ recognise that? no. where does it come from? it does not _ recognise that? no. where does it come from? it does not come - recognise that? no. where does it| come from? it does not come from recognise that? no. where does it - come from? it does not come from me and my general— come from? it does not come from me and my general experience _ come from? it does not come from me and my general experience has - come from? it does not come from me and my general experience has been . and my general experience has been at the _ and my general experience has been at the jobs _ and my general experience has been at the jobs t — and my general experience has been at the jobs i have had whether starting — at the jobs i have had whether starting out or i spent much time with clive, — starting out or i spent much time with clive, and at the treasury in the last— with clive, and at the treasury in the last four years and now at number— the last four years and now at

number ten, the last four years and now at numberten, i have the last four years and now at number ten, i have always been supported — number ten, i have always been supported by very hard—working and diligent _ supported by very hard—working and diligent civil servants who have responded to what i needed and who have worked all hours day and night to deliver— have worked all hours day and night to deliver what i wanted.— to deliver what i wanted. some former ministers, _ to deliver what i wanted. some former ministers, one - to deliver what i wanted. some former ministers, one night - to deliver what i wanted. some former ministers, one night of| to deliver what i wanted. some i former ministers, one night of the realm has talked about this, as this may be an excuse for weak ministers? the elected government is the day —— of the _ the elected government is the day —— of the day— the elected government is the day —— of the day is — the elected government is the day —— of the day is responsible for the policies — of the day is responsible for the policies put forward and i have found — policies put forward and i have found that the civil service is responsive to implementing them and of course _ responsive to implementing them and of course that requires strong leadership from ministers over what is happening and things may sometimes feel harder to work through— sometimes feel harder to work through then you would like but in my personal experience i have not found _ my personal experience i have not found that — my personal experience i have not found that to be an issue. with your experience. — found that to be an issue. with your experience. do _ found that to be an issue. with your experience, do you _ found that to be an issue. with your experience, do you sometimes i found that to be an issue. with your experience, do you sometimes takej experience, do you sometimes take those ministers to one side with a

friendly arm and tried to remind them of the sense of work ethic? i them of the sense of work ethic? i think everyone is working hard to deliver— think everyone is working hard to deliver for— think everyone is working hard to deliver for the country, elected and appointed _ deliver for the country, elected and appointed ministers and also the civil service who work for them, and the last— civil service who work for them, and the last four — civil service who work for them, and the last four years had not been easy— the last four years had not been easy for— the last four years had not been easy for anybody giving the —— given the various— easy for anybody giving the —— given the various challenges like the pandemic and that demands that has put on _ pandemic and that demands that has put on the _ pandemic and that demands that has put on the system but everyone remains — put on the system but everyone remains committed to delivering and i would _ remains committed to delivering and i would expect them all to work very hard to— i would expect them all to work very hard to do— i would expect them all to work very hard to do so. i would expect them all to work very hard to do so-_ hard to do so. reports of relations between the _ hard to do so. reports of relations between the government - hard to do so. reports of relations between the government and i hard to do so. reports of relations between the government and the l hard to do so. reports of relations i between the government and the civil service being at an all—time low are exaggerated? service being at an all-time low are exaggerated?— service being at an all-time low are exaggerated? from my perspective, that is not conducive _ exaggerated? from my perspective, that is not conducive to _ exaggerated? from my perspective, that is not conducive to delivering i that is not conducive to delivering for the _ that is not conducive to delivering for the country, and my view is that i for the country, and my view is that t have _ for the country, and my view is that t have lreen— for the country, and my view is that i have been very fortunate to be served _ i have been very fortunate to be served lry— i have been very fortunate to be served by brilliant civil servants who have — served by brilliant civil servants who have given me everything i have asked _ who have given me everything i have asked and _ who have given me everything i have asked and more at all hours of the day. asked and more at all hours of the day i_ asked and more at all hours of the day t have — asked and more at all hours of the day. i have been very fortunate and grateful _ day. i have been very fortunate and grateful for — day. i have been very fortunate and grateful for that support and i continue _ grateful for that support and i continue to find that in my current 'ob continue to find that in my current job and _ continue to find that in my current

job and i_ continue to find that in my current job and i have no reason to expect that to _ job and i have no reason to expect that to change and my general view is that— that to change and my general view is that theirjob is to support government and we should do that in a constructive way and that is what i would _ a constructive way and that is what i would like — a constructive way and that is what i would like to see and expect to happen — i would like to see and expect to ha en. ., ., , i would like to see and expect to ha--en. ., ., , ., ., happen. onto matters to do with house of lords _ happen. onto matters to do with house of lords appointments, i happen. onto matters to do with i house of lords appointments, could you explain what you understand to be the conventions around resignation honours and the nomination of new peers? mr; nomination of new peers? my understanding is that previous prime ministers _ understanding is that previous prime ministers are entitled to resignation honours but they would io resignation honours but they would go through the normal vetting process— go through the normal vetting process and i followed what i understand to believe the long—standing convention of forwarding those names to the powers forwarding those names to the powers for clearance after they have been approved — for clearance after they have been approved by the vetting process, without _ approved by the vetting process, without any active interference in that process. without any active interference in that process-— without any active interference in that process. you conducted your constitutional _ that process. you conducted your constitutional role _ that process. you conducted your constitutional role entirely - constitutional role entirely properly?— constitutional role entirely --roerl ? . ., ., properly? yes, i had no active involvement _ properly? yes, i had no active involvement in _ properly? yes, i had no active

involvement in that _ properly? yes, i had no active involvement in that process i properly? yes, i had no active i involvement in that process and i received — involvement in that process and i received a — involvement in that process and i received a list and forwarded it on unaltered — received a list and forwarded it on unaltered. .. . , , unaltered. having been vetted by the house of lords _ unaltered. having been vetted by the house of lords commission? - house of lords commission? absolutely. house of lords commission? absolutely-— house of lords commission? absolutel . .. , , ., absolutely. the example is lord cruddas who _ absolutely. the example is lord cruddas who the _ absolutely. the example is lord cruddas who the next _ absolutely. the example is lord cruddas who the next day i absolutely. the example is lord cruddas who the next day gave l absolutely. the example is lord i cruddas who the next day gave the party a donation which contradicts that. ~ .. . party a donation which contradicts that. . .. , ., . that. whatever list i have received has been through _ that. whatever list i have received has been through the _ that. whatever list i have received has been through the vetting i that. whatever list i have received i has been through the vetting process and i forwarded it on without interference and active involvement. thank _ interference and active involvement. thank you _ interference and active involvement. thank you for clarifying that. is there any circumstances in which a resignation honours list is inappropriate? it resignation honours list is inappropriate?— resignation honours list is inauroriate? ., inappropriate? it is a long-standing convention which _ inappropriate? it is a long-standing convention which has _ inappropriate? it is a long-standing convention which has been - inappropriate? it is a long-standing convention which has been adhered| inappropriate? it is a long-standing i convention which has been adhered to try convention which has been adhered to by parties _ convention which has been adhered to by parties both sides of the house and i_ by parties both sides of the house and t have — by parties both sides of the house and i have fulfilled what i believe to be _ and i have fulfilled what i believe to be my — and i have fulfilled what i believe to be my constitutional role in following _ to be my constitutional role in following convention in forwarding on a list _ following convention in forwarding on a list i — following convention in forwarding

on a list i received which had been vetted _ on a list i received which had been vetted for— on a list i received which had been vetted for approval without interfering and that has generally been _ interfering and that has generally been the — interfering and that has generally been the case for political honours more _ been the case for political honours more broadly. they are forwarded without _ more broadly. they are forwarded without the person in charge necessarily agreeing with political honours _ necessarily agreeing with political honours more generally, and that is how the _ honours more generally, and that is how the system has worked. are you still reviewing _ how the system has worked. are you still reviewing the _ how the system has worked. are you still reviewing the former _ how the system has worked. are you still reviewing the former prime i still reviewing the former prime minister liz truss's list? process is ongoing _ minister liz truss's list? process is ongoing and — minister liz truss's list? process is ongoing and has _ minister liz truss's list? process is ongoing and has not _ minister liz truss's list? process is ongoing and has not reached l minister liz truss's list? process i is ongoing and has not reached me yet. is ongoing and has not reached me et. . . , , yet. this is entirely hypothetical ou yet. this is entirely hypothetical you understand, _ yet. this is entirely hypothetical you understand, so _ yet. this is entirely hypothetical you understand, so don't - yet. this is entirely hypothetical you understand, so don't take i yet. this is entirely hypothetical i you understand, so don't take this the wrong way, but if the eventuality was that in circumstances, would you think it appropriate to have an honest list? it is not something i am focused on. -- honours— it is not something i am focused on. —— honours list. it is not something i am focused on. -- honours list-— -- honours list. laughter thank you _ -- honours list. laughter thank you very _ -- honours list. laughter thank you very much. i -- honours list. laughter thank you very much. 25 i -- honours list. laughter - thank you very much. 25 years since

the scotland act and it would be fair to say that relationships between the governments have not been so poor, characterised by mistrust and suspicion and antagonism, what are you personally doing to improve the situation? it doing to improve the situation? it is important to have a constructive relationship with the devolved governments in the uk and clearly we are not— governments in the uk and clearly we are not going to agree on everything. i think it is important which _ everything. i think it is important which is — everything. i think it is important which is why when i first had this 'ob which is why when i first had this job i_ which is why when i first had this job i spoke — which is why when i first had this job i spoke on the first day to them — job i spoke on the first day to them to— job i spoke on the first day to them, to the first minister of scotland _ them, to the first minister of scotland and wales and i was the first prime minister in over a decade — first prime minister in over a decade to— first prime minister in over a decade to attend the british irish council— decade to attend the british irish council that brought together the leaders _ council that brought together the leaders from across the uk and the republic— leaders from across the uk and the republic of ireland which was warmly received _ republic of ireland which was warmly received and i met with first ministers _ received and i met with first ministers in my role and have done with the _ ministers in my role and have done with the new first minister and continue — with the new first minister and continue to try and find ways to

work— continue to try and find ways to work together, freeports being a good _ work together, freeports being a good example of that, whilst acknowledging it is not that we are going _ acknowledging it is not that we are going to _ acknowledging it is not that we are going to agree on everything. that is a very lengthy — going to agree on everything. trust is a very lengthy response but the uk government routinely ignores the scottish government and the uk can legislate in devolved areas. you have the option of a section 35 being used for the first time and scottish ministers are being reprimanded for saying that brexit is bad for scotland when meeting foreign delegations, do you think this muscular unionism is working for you? this muscular unionism is working for ou? .. ., , , ., for you? there are examples of the uk government _ for you? there are examples of the uk government and _ for you? there are examples of the uk government and the _ for you? there are examples of the uk government and the scottish i uk government and the scottish government working together to deliver— government working together to deliver things like freeports but you mention the section 35 and we have _ you mention the section 35 and we have had _ you mention the section 35 and we have had the debate in the past. it is clear— have had the debate in the past. it is clear there were concerns about the operation of that law on a uk wide _ the operation of that law on a uk wide basis — the operation of that law on a uk wide basis and the areas of competence and it was reasonable in

that sense _ competence and it was reasonable in that sense for the scottish secretary of state after taking significant legal advice to issue a section— significant legal advice to issue a section 35 — significant legal advice to issue a section 35. yes, the first time it has been — section 35. yes, the first time it has been used, but it was always envisaged — has been used, but it was always envisaged that it might be used including i think by the snp at the time _ including i think by the snp at the time i_ including i think by the snp at the talked about reports which is a good time. i don't think people can take examp don't iales and the uk talked about reports which is a good examp don't think and the uk talked about reports which is a good the principle of it being used. gk. examp don't think people uk talked about reports which is a good examp don't think people can take time. i don't think people can take the principle of it being used. gk. the principle of it being used. ok. it is also subject _ the principle of it being used. ok. it is the principle of it being used. p it is also subject to the principle of it being used. op it is also subject to a legal proceeding now. it it is also subject to a legal proceeding now.— it is also subject to a legal proceeding now. it is also subject to a legal -aroceedin now. . ., , proceeding now. it is not 'ust the scottish government i proceeding now. it is not 'ust the scottish government but i proceeding now. it is notjust the scottish government but the i proceeding now. it is notjust the i scottish government but the welsh labour government recently criticised the unilateral and destructive approach to devolution by the uk government and is seeking to have a judicial review. scotland and wales feel under real threat. it is devilish and working? —— devolution working? fin is devilish and working? -- devolution working? is devilish and working? -- devolution workin: ? . ._ devolution working? on the first day i not this devolution working? on the first day i got this job. _ devolution working? on the first day i got this job. i _ devolution working? on the first day i got this job, i spent _ devolution working? on the first day i got this job, i spent time _ devolution working? on the first day i got this job, i spent time and i devolution working? on the first day i got this job, i spent time and met. i got thisjob, i spent time and met with the _ i got thisjob, i spent time and met with the scottish first minister and talked _ with the scottish first minister and talked about reports which is a good

example _ talked about reports which is a good example of wales and the uk