i was couple years ago. since i was chancellor, we have consistently updated welfare. other than this past year, when it has been higher, when we have provided extra support. again, things can change, going into next year, while there will be updated at twice the forecast rate of inflation so whatever happened in the past, the change in wealth i will be higher than the forecast change in inflation by quite a considerable margin and i think that is worth, it is quite significant amount of extra support. it's the right thing to do to focus on that but i think it is worth just appreciating that those two things together are quite significant. i would ask you, fine minister, but the cost—of—living crisis and its

impact on women. we known a financial crisis that the risk of domestic abuse increases. as the government put in place and of practical steps to help victims of domestic abuse? i practical steps to help victims of domestic abuse?— practical steps to help victims of domestic abuse? , . ., , ,., domestic abuse? i very much hope so because it is — domestic abuse? i very much hope so because it is uppermost _ domestic abuse? i very much hope so because it is uppermost in _ domestic abuse? i very much hope so because it is uppermost in our - domestic abuse? i very much hope so because it is uppermost in our line . because it is uppermost in our line of suggestions and would be very happy to hear it as a piracy for me as chancellor that there are fiscal amendments and funding for domestic violence initiatives to help reduce it and support those living with it and continue with that with additional funding to help with both the economic impacts of domestic abuse but also more or less flexible funding which will be familiar with to provide support. 50 funding which will be familiar with to provide support.— to provide support. so the flea fund, to provide support. so the flea fund. which — to provide support. so the flea fund, which i _ to provide support. so the flea fund, which i very _ to provide support. so the flea fund, which i very much - to provide support. so the flea - fund, which i very much welcome, is capped at £300,000 —— the flee fuind. a look at the pilot and i appreciate it as the pilots but is

that enough to help individual victims who might leave abusive partners? figs victims who might leave abusive artners? �* , victims who might leave abusive artners? a ,., victims who might leave abusive artners? a , ., partners? as you say, it is a pilot fund. my understanding - partners? as you say, it is a pilot fund. my understanding is - partners? as you say, it is a pilot fund. my understanding is it - partners? as you say, it is a pilot fund. my understanding is it willl fund. my understanding is it will provide quite a significant uplift in the funding for it if you would say that as was something which is already exists. i think the other thing we're doing is again something that has been called for, making changes to the child support system to make sure that people can request an switch to the collective pay methodology or means of collection which was, i think, an important innovation. the government has committed to accepting, i think i am almost all of the recommendations of the independent report about how we can improve the working of the cms system for domestic abuse. i’m can improve the working of the cms system for domestic abuse. i'm glad ou've system for domestic abuse. i'm glad you've moved _ system for domestic abuse. i'm glad you've moved on _ system for domestic abuse. i'm glad you've moved on to _ system for domestic abuse. i'm glad you've moved on to the _ system for domestic abuse. i'm glad you've moved on to the cms. - system for domestic abuse. i'm glad you've moved on to the cms. we - system for domestic abuse. i'm glad i you've moved on to the cms. we heard that the women and equalities committee the week before last that the cms is still not using all of the cms is still not using all of the powers at its disposal to collect payments from nonpaying parents, particularly the removal of passports when none of been read in

the last 12 months. should the cms speeding better on that? i the iast 12 months. should the cms speeding better on that?— speeding better on that? i don't have the figures _ speeding better on that? i don't have the figures to _ speeding better on that? i don't have the figures to hand - speeding better on that? i don't have the figures to hand but - speeding better on that? i don't have the figures to hand but i i speeding better on that? i don't i have the figures to hand but i tend to agree with you, they should be using all the powers that they have a go after people who are reneging on their commitments to their children and their former partners. that's not right, it's not acceptable, and if the cms have those powers, they should use them. the collect and pay request was a big request that i believe it is now implemented but i will very happily look at areas where we could do more if powers are not being used and could make a difference to people. the government response to the review into cms and domestic abuse which was published back injuly still says that it wishes to progress the recommendation strongly. i would like to get any sort of timescales on that? i’m sort of timescales on that? i'm ha - to sort of timescales on that? i'm happy to get _ sort of timescales on that? in happy to get back to you. as i said, that remains our overall view of the recommendations. we have accepted, i think, almost all of them and we are

committed to taking them forward as soon as practically possible. i will happily go through and make sure we're doing it is genuinely quickly as we can because i completely agree with you about the importance of this and people who are in the situation deserve all our support and people walking away from their commitment should be pursued with all the means we have. bs’s commitment should be pursued with all the means we have.— all the means we have. 8496 of lone arents all the means we have. 8496 of lone parents are — all the means we have. 8496 of lone parents are women _ all the means we have. 8496 of lone parents are women and _ all the means we have. 8496 of lone parents are women and yet - all the means we have. 8496 of lone parents are women and yet all- all the means we have. 8496 of lone parents are women and yet all we i all the means we have. 8496 of lone i parents are women and yet all we are guessing on the reviewers we accept the recommendations and we are going to the them strongly. i think it is important that there is some sort of timetable set so those lone parents know they are going to be supported. could ijust move on to the issue of collect and pay? we have heard evidence on the committee and indeed from the constituents that collect and pay cannot be used if the individual nonpaying parent is not traceable by an address, even when the government, the cms has bank details because they can't write a

letter informing the individual they are going to change to collect and pat’- are going to change to collect and pay. shouldn't it be possible to do so? i pay. shouldn't it be possible to do so? , _, , , pay. shouldn't it be possible to do so? , , , ., , so? i will be completely honest, i will have to _ so? i will be completely honest, i will have to get _ so? i will be completely honest, i will have to get back— so? i will be completely honest, i will have to get back to _ so? i will be completely honest, i will have to get back to when i so? i will be completely honest, i will have to get back to when that and i will have to do that because the board lost of what we're trying to do is make it easier parents to request click and pay where there is an evidence of domestic abuse against any of the partners involved. that is the aspiration and the thrust of what we're trying to do but on that kind of detail or have to get back she that's ok. i will very happily look into it because i think we are in agreement about what we're trying to achieve here. �* , ,., , about what we're trying to achieve here. �* , we about what we're trying to achieve here._ we know - about what we're trying to achieve here._ we know that i about what we're trying to achieve l here._ we know that the here. absolutely. we know that the avera . e here. absolutely. we know that the average age — here. absolutely. we know that the average age of _ here. absolutely. we know that the average age of a — here. absolutely. we know that the average age of a female _ here. absolutely. we know that the average age of a female carer i here. absolutely. we know that the average age of a female carer is i average age of a female carer is between 55 and 59 years old, and i love this figure. 350 million hours. i am familiar love this figure. 350 million hours. iam familiarwith love this figure. 350 million hours. i am familiar with the number 350 million hours of unpaid care are done every single year, 59% of which is done by women. is it fair to say that without the unpaid labour of women the entire system would collapse? women the entire system would colla se? , women the entire system would collase? , i. ., collapse? yes, you are right. i will

unaid collapse? yes, you are right. i will unpaid carers _ collapse? yes, you are right. i will unpaid carers do _ collapse? yes, you are right. i will unpaid carers do an _ collapse? yes, you are right. i will unpaid carers do an extraordinaryl unpaid carers do an extraordinary job and they deserve our thanks. pick the dwp appointed i think earlier this year helen tomlinson specifically to help women over 50 back into work. what evaluation is being done and how successful it has been? i being done and how successful it has been? .�* being done and how successful it has been? ., �* ~ ., being done and how successful it has been? .�* «'., , ., , being done and how successful it has been? «m, , ~, . been? i don't know precisely what i am to net been? i don't know precisely what i am to get back _ been? i don't know precisely what i am to get back to _ been? i don't know precisely what i am to get back to you _ been? i don't know precisely what i am to get back to you and - been? i don't know precisely what i am to get back to you and more i am to get back to you and more genuinely the thrust of dwp supported by the chancellor is to supported by the chancellor is to support those to be able to come back or enter the labour market. we have seen a particular drop of post—pandemic in the over 50s and the chancellor has talked about that a lot so we investing even more in the dwp, £2.5 billion, in a range of initiatives to support people back in. i think there was a midlife mot and various other initiatives but my senseis and various other initiatives but my sense is they are relatively early in their role of initiatives to support people back in. i think there was a midlife mot and various other initiatives but my sense is they are relatively early and never let but i'm not sure where the formal valuation has been done yet and happy to get back to you. can formal valuation has been done yet and happy to get back to you. cami and happy to get back to you. can i aet a and happy to get back to you. can i get a formal _ and happy to get back to you. can i get a formal evaluation _ and happy to get back to you. can i get a formal evaluation of - and happy to get back to you. can i get a formal evaluation of the mobility for social motivation and

everything else in the dwp. i think she's done an amazing job and is absolutely the right appointment that role. is it not a little bit shameful that she is still doing that as a parliamentary undersecretary roland doesn't have the of being a peep minister of state? her predecessor tom pursglove said he needed to get a grip across government to make sure disability temping is working effectively. doesn't she deserve the same recognition?— doesn't she deserve the same recounition? ~ . . , , ., recognition? what matters is action on what we — recognition? what matters is action on what we actually _ recognition? what matters is action on what we actually doing _ recognition? what matters is action on what we actually doing and i recognition? what matters is action on what we actually doing and she i on what we actually doing and she will completely remain may actually maintain our relentless focus on improving the lives of disabled people and again we have got a record we are proud of them will talk more broadly about the welfare system and specific cost of living payments to those who are disabled this year. the disability employment rate is up by ten points over the last several years because of all the initiatives were done. we have improving access at stations around the country, something i'm personally proud of the work idea as local government minister improving the provision of changing places,

toilets across the country which he funded, and we also maintaining our support for disabilities facilities grant, again something i am familiar with my old role as local government minister, which supports those who are living with disabilities to live more independent lives, so there's an enormous amount going on. i talked on the £2.5 billion of support into the back to work programmes. much of that is going to those with disabilities to help them enter the labour force as many who want to do. the enter the labour force as many who want to do-— want to do. the sector of every disappointment _ want to do. the sector of every disappointment that _ want to do. the sector of every disappointment that it - want to do. the sector of every disappointment that it looks i want to do. the sector of every. disappointment that it looks like the role of disability minister has now been downgraded and indeed spread across a lot of responsibilities, other responsibilities. should it have remained as a stand—alone job? has responsibilities. should it have remained as a stand—alone job? than remained as a stand-alone “ob? as i sa , it is remained as a stand-alone “ob? as i say. it is levied * remained as a stand—alone job? elsi say, it is levied over remained as a stand—alone job? isi say, it is levied over the past several years in if a new roles. what is important is what the government is actually done you can see the range of things ijust highlighted. just highlighted. —— it has a rare varied over the past several years. whether that is

making accessible transport, changing places, support and getting to work, disability grant to enable independent living on indeed support through the welfare system. an enormous amount is committed to spot those of the disability that will remain and it was completely committed to the roll—out and i know she will do a greatjob. despite an enormous amount is committed to support those disabilities.- support those disabilities. family is particularly _ support those disabilities. family is particularly low _ support those disabilities. family is particularly low income - support those disabilities. family| is particularly low income families are still facing cost of living pressures this christmas. we have seen inflation levels not seen for more than a generation and they've been primarily driven by food and fuel and we saw food inflation around 18% at one point. we all understand that when crude oil prices for the price of petrol and diesel also comes down but this does not seem to be the same case with food where gate prices of things like milk been falling but we haven't seen the commensurate reduction is on the supermarket shelves. my committee said that increasing food prices have not been reflected in prices paid to farmers,

with producers carrying the inflation increases in energy, fertiliser, feed another input costs. what steps are the government taking to ensure greater fairness in the food supply chain?— the food supply chain? farmer... i previously — the food supply chain? farmer... i previously agreed _ the food supply chain? farmer... i previously agreed and _ the food supply chain? farmer... i previously agreed and that - the food supply chain? farmer... i previously agreed and that the i previously agreed and that the government previously established the groceries code adjudicator and it's important that the groceries code adjudicator does its job, it's important that the groceries code adjudicator does itsjob, which is to enforce the code of practice, which has been set up with the big retailers to ensure fairness to the supply chain. there was a review of it earlier this year and it is doing and can now do specific interventions in the various subsectors, eggs, dairy and others you mentioned, will be a cognizant of the pressures on farmers, which is why we also remove the tariff, the 25% tariff on maize imports to help with animal feed costs as well because i know it's a challenging time. ~ , .,

because i know it's a challenging time. . , ., ., time. we understand that supermarkets _ time. we understand that supermarkets are - time. we understand that supermarkets are very i time. we understand that i supermarkets are very powerful. time. we understand that _ supermarkets are very powerful. 6596 supermarkets are very powerful. 65% of the market is controlled by the biggest for supermarkets. and we have heard in our committee that produce above often frightened to speak out about abusive practices. the adjudicator only looks at the relationship of those who definitely deal with supermarkets are concerned. do you think we should maybe give more powers to the grocery store adjudicator to look through the whole supply chain rather than just those that deal directly with supermarkets? it rather than just those that deal directly with supermarkets? it has been 'ust directly with supermarkets? it has been just review _ directly with supermarkets? it has been just review this _ directly with supermarkets? it has been just review this year - directly with supermarkets? it has been just review this year and i i been just review this year and i think was broadly found to be working well. i think obviously it has the ability to find retailers up to i% has the ability to find retailers up to i% of turnover which is a significant deterrent, i think, and i think what is more pressing is that it uses the existing powers it has under the agricultural act to make sure it can go into the subsectors that i mentioned, so specifically dairy, pork, eggs,

horticulture, and the death of a able to use those powers to ensure that their supply chains are working p0p, that their supply chains are working pop, probably —— the defra are able to use those powers. i completely agree that farmers deserve a fair price for their produce. um? agree that farmers deserve a fair price for their produce. why haven't we seen the — price for their produce. why haven't we seen the price _ price for their produce. why haven't we seen the price of— price for their produce. why haven't we seen the price of food _ price for their produce. why haven't we seen the price of food in - price for their produce. why haven't we seen the price of food in the i we seen the price of food in the supermarket shelves falling on farm gate prices have been falling? you will know gate prices have been falling? gm, will know better than me that there is often a lag because of contracting and other things. i am not privy to the individual contracting. where we have seen practices in other areas, which we haven't, like for example the cma's investigation of food prices and road watch, the government and regulators have acted. the cma, this will yeah, you will be familiar, has been looking at the tarmac this year has been looking at the operation of the grocery market more generally anything between the gca in the cma we do have two bodies that are very

cognizant of the issues and keeping rightly close eye on them and if there was something to be found making sure they talk dominic took action... ., ., ., action... the association of international _ action... the association of international retail - action... the association of international retail told i action... the association of international retail told my | international retail told my committee that the absence of tax—free shopping for overseas visitors means the uk economy could be missing out on as much as £12 billion in lost spending. now there is evidence of that level of economic harm of the chancellor look at this again because my i economic harm of the chancellor look at this again because my— at this again because my i hope you will for: ive at this again because my i hope you will forgive me _ at this again because my i hope you will forgive me for— at this again because my i hope you will forgive me for not _ at this again because my i hope you will forgive me for not commenting | will forgive me for not commenting on specific tax policy on the committee that will be a matter for the chancellor. i think the range of different views about that policy and remember when i was chancellor i think fewer than one in ten non—eu visitors to the uk actually used it and the average amount claimed with something like £250, from memory,

compared to an average trip price of closer to 5000, so there over a range of different visas to this and the impact it is having but obviously fiscal policy tax matters are not something we are expected to get into detail on.— get into detail on. don't you think mum needs _ get into detail on. don't you think mum needs to — get into detail on. don't you think mum needs to be _ get into detail on. don't you think mum needs to be done _ get into detail on. don't you think mum needs to be done on - get into detail on. don't you think mum needs to be done on this? | get into detail on. don't you think| mum needs to be done on this? it get into detail on. don't you think. mum needs to be done on this? it is not only retailers affected when the tories, and how long they stay. that is having an impact on hospitality, retail, heritage destination, theatres. surely he should ensure theatres. surely he should ensure the treasury at least look again at the treasury at least look again at the knock—on effects of this? the treasury at least look again at the knock-on effects of this? again, i think the chancellor _ the knock-on effects of this? again, i think the chancellor has _ the knock-on effects of this? again, i think the chancellor has already i i think the chancellor has already said i think the chancellor is already open to getting peoples submissions, thoughts, evidence and a general sense way would refer you to his remarks but more generally i agree with you with the importance on supporting terrorism and that is where the gunmen had invested more in our various tourism initiatives to take advantage of the fact that things like the coronation, eurovision, the open while happening. —— this is where the government have invested more. visit

britain had invested and it has had a knock—on effect on business rates for the next financial year which will help all of those particular small businesses is since we left the eu it is more attractive the... ,, . , the... since we left the eu it is more complex, _ the... since we left the eu it is more complex, challenging i the... since we left the eu it is| more complex, challenging that the... since we left the eu it is i more complex, challenging that the schools don't oversee school groups to bring tourists here. i don't remember one of the selling points of brexit freedoms meaning it would make a tourism industry less competitive, do you? i’m make a tourism industry less competitive, do you? i'm not sure i completely — competitive, do you? i'm not sure i completely agree. _ competitive, do you? i'm not sure i completely agree. obviously, i competitive, do you? i'm not sure i | completely agree. obviously, things are going to be different after we left the eu. no point in my reprising all those debates. but this remains an incredibly attractive country to visit an parser that is the flexibility to ease of people the visa regime and actually amassed weed ranked incredibly favourably if you benchmark most european countries to how they do their visa regime for visitors from the middle east or

asia and our visa regime is far easier to use for those visitors and provides more flexibility in most of our european competitors and that is something when i was recently in the gulf was remarked on and welcomed because we have ahead of all our european neighbours and allies in providing that level of flexibility and ease for people who visit here. well, i think the hospitality industry would beg to differ. they are really struggling to get people over to spend their money over here, to work in the industry and i think what the culture, media and sport sectors are struggling to understand as to what extent brexit could in any way be supporting them. i mean, it is less attractive overseas visitors to come here and spend their money. it is harderfor uk performers to go to the eu on tour and there is a haulage industry which is to be a massive employee in the uk which is undermined now by these restrictions so what actual plans does the prime ministers have

to ensure any of our culture, media and sport sectors can begin to see any of the upside is a brexit? broadly, i mean, our culturalsector more generally and our creative industries are, you know, enjoying one of the biggest beams that they've experienced because the government's policy and supporting them over theatre tax relief, film tax relief, leading to record investment in our creative industries and it is booming in terms of the investment and studio space that are all far outpacing our european neighbours in terms of attracting that investment and i will be hosting a reception for them just this evening where we will be celebrating other success. so actually, when it comes to creative industries more broadly defined, actually i think we're doing an incredibly dualjob and so because they contribute a huge amount not only to our cultural fabric and wider society and policies on tax policy to have in place are working on attracting that investment and

creating jobs. on attracting that investment and creatingjobs. best on attracting that investment and creating jobs. best match i think we are doing an incredibly good job. it are doing an incredibly good job. if we look at our theatres and our cultural industries more broadly, i wonder to what extent the government really value the global economic impact of them? is itjust about how they make us feel or do they really know understand the global economic impact? is take the national theatre for example. i know the prime minister came to celebrate the 60th birthday at downing street and the explore overly in cultures like war horse reach a global audience where around about 17.5 million people a year of each by that british export but they are operating despite underinvestment in their infrastructure rather than with the benefit of infrastructure investment. you understand how much this is risking their economic

reputation and damage by not investing on it. i reputation and damage by not investing on it.— reputation and damage by not investing on it. i think you and i have spoken — investing on it. i think you and i have spoken at _ investing on it. i think you and i have spoken at an _ investing on it. i think you and i have spoken at an event - investing on it. i think you and i have spoken at an event at i investing on it. i think you and i have spoken at an event at the| have spoken at an event at the national theatre some years ago celebrates the success of the cultural recovery fund so hopefully that gives us reassurance about our personal commitment to the sector and i agree with you that it is not just about how it makes us feel and while it was talking at the creative industries as our previous answer i specifically was talking about economy as well because they have a powerhouse in one of our big global growth industries where we are genuinely world—class so we cannot forget the economic contribution and i completely agree with that. with regard to the national, i think it is the third largest recipient of arts council funding. is the third largest recipient of arts councilfunding. it is the third largest recipient of arts council funding. it also benefits quite considerably from the £200 million of theatre tax release that the chancellor and i introduced in the chancellor improved as well as the support from the new culture recovery from so that's on them specifically. i know there are some

questions on the capital side and the culture secretary recently met with a member of the national theatre to discuss that but broadly there is a public body infrastructure fund that dcms have which is investing hundreds of millions of pounds. i think i rated it when i was chancellor and it's been topped up since. things like national museums, the british library and others benefit from the capital funding. library and others benefit from the capital funding-— library and others benefit from the capital funding. thank you very much indeed. in short _ capital funding. thank you very much indeed. in short the _ capital funding. thank you very much indeed. in short the transport - indeed. in short the transport committee. indeed. in short the transport committee-— indeed. in short the transport committee. ., ,, , ., ., ~' committee. thank you. i would like to start with _ committee. thank you. i would like to start with a _ committee. thank you. i would like to start with a long-term _ committee. thank you. i would like to start with a long-term future i committee. thank you. i would like to start with a long-term future of| to start with a long—term future of industry. the king's speech included the draft reform bill. my committee will expedite its parliamentary scrutiny. but it is unlikely to become law this side of the election, possibly not for a little while after that. in the interim, what is the government doing to help operators to raise revenue passenger numbers and close the revenue gap? i

numbers and close the revenue gap? i think the rail industry received unprecedented support from the government during the pandemic to the tune of tens of billions of pounds to keep it running, to supportjobs and maintain the network. �* ., _ supportjobs and maintain the network. ., _ ., " network. and obviously covid-19 has chanced network. and obviously covid-19 has changed travel _ network. and obviously covid-19 has changed travel patterns _ changed travel patterns considerably. it is right the industry response of us there is no sustainable futures for it unless it does respond to change travel patterns. none of this is held by industrial action which, you know, you will be very familiar with. —— know if this is helped by industrial action. that is a significant barrier to formal progress being made on the government, for its part, is with a decision on nature making quite a significant change in how we allocate funding going forward to support the types of transport people are using more often, more regularly. i transport people are using more often, more regularly. i appreciate. iwill often, more regularly. i appreciate. i will come — often, more regularly. i appreciate. i will come under _ often, more regularly. i appreciate. i will come under h52 _ often, more regularly. i appreciate. i will come under h52 in _ often, more regularly. i appreciate. i will come under h52 in a - often, more regularly. i appreciate. i will come under h52 in a minute. l i will come under hs2 in a minute. but given that the gb are on the changes it will make is legally some way off, what can be done in the interim, for example, involving the current national rail contracts,

encouraging open access? that can be done. i engaging with rail operators to make that happen? yes. done. i engaging with rail operators to make that happen?— to make that happen? yes, service transort to make that happen? yes, service transport secretary... _ to make that happen? yes, service transport secretary... that - to make that happen? yes, service transport secretary... that we i transport secretary... that we shouldn't wait for legislation to ensure greater stability of the rail networks. i completely agree with the sentiment. the transport secretary is in regular dialogue with industry partners about ways we can increase and improve sustainability, resistance of the rail network. an important part of us in the immediate future is industrial action because that is having an enormous impact on revenues of the network and that is absolutely the biggest thing that could change in this short term to improve the financial sustainability of our network is no industrial action. so i will call very strongly on the same unions, not all of them because many of them have now settled without operators which is very welcome, but some of them are still going on strike and that is damaging the sustainability of the rail network that we have in this country. when i i would like to turn to turn to hs2 now. you make that

controversial change in october to scrap the second phase in favour of a bundle of other projects, which are very valuable in themselves, collectively they don't address strategic capacity issues on the network, particularly the west coast main line, which is the busiest rail line in europe. passenger numbers are taking up. the change in travel patterns driven covid—19 may turn outjust patterns driven covid—19 may turn out just to be patterns driven covid—19 may turn outjust to be a temporary phenomenon. given that the west coast main line north of birmingham will soon be at capacity and there will soon be at capacity and there will be no room for extra passenger and freight trains, but of the work is the government doing to address that long—term capacity issue? 50. i that long-term capacity issue? so, i think on capacity. — that long-term capacity issue? so, i think on capacity, because _ that long—term capacity issue? so, i think on capacity, because the government is completing phase one provides capacity along the route and i think it means that there will be space for about a quarter a million passengers. on the new...

and it can handle, from memory, about triple the amount of demand thatis about triple the amount of demand that is currently travelling on the west coast main line. i think the memory that is the scale of what the increase in capacity that is provided by proceeding with the government's plan. so given where we are post—covid—19 you know, that seems like quite a significant increase in capacity that is provided by an investment the government is making but, again, i know that whenever option is to focus on pinch points and other things, the government will always look at those, but some of those going to be done anywhere as part of the significant investment that is going into phase one to handle, as they say, a tripling of the demand thatis they say, a tripling of the demand that is currently in the network. phase one will certainly address the capacity south of birmingham to london but there will be a bottleneck, really, between birmingham and manchester and that will affect services further north to scotland and so on. in the hs2 phase two was a solution to that capacity. that is gone, whether that

is right or wrong. but network north does not find that additional capacity. so can i ask you to ask network rail to look at other options to address that long—term issue because otherwise ten, 20, 30 years from now we will be regressing this decision?— this decision? yes, again, my understanding _ this decision? yes, again, my understanding is _ this decision? yes, again, my understanding is by _ this decision? yes, again, my. understanding is by completing this decision? yes, again, my - understanding is by completing phase one there is benefits across the whole network and it said it can handle i think about triple the level of demand that is currently on the network. that is my understanding when i last looked at it. but i don't disagree. in general, of course, network rail should be doing forward planning to make sure that the network can handle forecast needs, freight and passenger, and that should form its thinking as it decides exactly once hsi thinking as it decides exactly once hs1 phase one isjohn there are questions about which services are used which lines and they will be think about all those things when they do the work on finalising those decisions. iiii they do the work on finalising those decisions. iii they do the work on finalising those decisions. ., , they do the work on finalising those decisions. . , ., decisions. ifi may, iwill write to

ou with decisions. ifi may, iwill write to you with my _ decisions. ifi may, iwill write to you with my concern _ decisions. ifi may, iwill write to you with my concern the - decisions. ifi may, iwill write to you with my concern the furtherl you with my concern the further detail on this. thank you. thank you very much- — detail on this. thank you. thank you very much. prime _ detail on this. thank you. thank you very much. prime minister, - detail on this. thank you. thank you very much. prime minister, the i detail on this. thank you. thank you | very much. prime minister, the game has very— very much. prime minister, the game has very kindly agreed to forego her remaining _ has very kindly agreed to forego her remaining time and that leaves the chairman— remaining time and that leaves the chairman of the health committee is defined _ chairman of the health committee is defined ask a question, if that's all right — defined ask a question, if that's all riuht. ~ ., defined ask a question, if that's all riuht. . ., ., .,, , defined ask a question, if that's all riuht. ~ ., ., .,, , ., all right. well done and hopefully a resolution on _ all right. well done and hopefully a resolution on the _ all right. well done and hopefully a resolution on the nhs _ all right. well done and hopefully a resolution on the nhs consultantsl all right. well done and hopefully a i resolution on the nhs consultants to speed. how is he going to end union doctors action, find some peace on earth with the bma, given that the head of the nhs, fed said that the strikes thatjunior head of the nhs, fed said that the strikes that junior doctors head of the nhs, fed said that the strikes thatjunior doctors have announced, the six days, is the worst fear of health leaders come true? 50 worst fear of health leaders come true? . ., , worst fear of health leaders come true? ,, ., , , worst fear of health leaders come true? , , , true? so it is very disappointing that the junior _ true? so it is very disappointing that the junior doctors - true? so it is very disappointing that the junior doctors have i that the junior doctors have rejected the offer. as you may appoint, we have now reached a resolution with every other part of the public sector and every other part of the nhs, so over1 million workers through the agenda for change deal that we did several months ago, including all our

nurses, and they have most recently with consultants and the other doctor grades. so the only remaining people who have not settled the junior doctors, and we had a clear set of terms of the consultants near the junior doctors. there set of terms of the consultants near thejunior doctors. there is a clear template here. and it would also say that it was the junior doctors who received the biggest increase in their pay through the independent public setting pay process of around 10% increase for a typicaljunior doctor, so they will already were starting with the largest increase of any public sector workforce going into these talks and, as i said, every other part of the nhs including all the other doctor grades, have now found resolution with the government. timer;r grades, have now found resolution with the government.— with the government. they are indisputable — with the government. they are indisputable facts, _ with the government. they are indisputable facts, but - with the government. they are indisputable facts, but how i with the government. they are indisputable facts, but how are with the government. they are i indisputable facts, but how are you and your new secretary of state going to end it? because one your main pledges stands at risk as a result of this ongoing industrial action which, like you said... {lin action which, like you said... on waitin: action which, like you said... on waiting lists, i am pleased that action which, like you said... (in waiting lists, i am pleased that the longest waiters we have successfully

eliminated a number of people waiting two years or 1.5 years, virtually, which is good progress, but over waiting lists, obviously, and impacted by industrial action. what we have seen in the last month orso what we have seen in the last month or so and it has been no industrial action, we have seen the waiting list come down, and the amount a lecture of activity that is happening in the nhs when there is no industrial action is at record levels, so you are right. industrial action does have a big impact. ultimately, the government has demonstrated its considerable reasonableness and the papers and the fact which tarmac that it is reached resolution with every other workforce, notjust on the nhs for the public sector more broadly, to the public sector more broadly, to the question was for the junior doctors as to why they are refusing to accept something that everyone else has now accepted on top of having a pay increase, which is more generous than anyone else's, set by the independent body going into this. , ~ ., , ., this. every mp in the house would have a story _ this. every mp in the house would have a story for _ this. every mp in the house would have a story for you _ this. every mp in the house would have a story for you about - this. every mp in the house would have a story for you about nhs i have a story for you about nhs dentistry. you seen the story in the press today, the nuffield trust saying it is in its most perilous

position 75 years. wait until we see the dental recovery plan at the india present? —— when will we see a dental recovery plan? at the end of the ever present? it dental recovery plan? at the end of the ever present?— the ever present? it will be in the works and — the ever present? it will be in the works and a _ the ever present? it will be in the works and a £2 — the ever present? it will be in the works and a £2 billion _ the ever present? it will be in the works and a £2 billion invested i the ever present? it will be in the works and a £2 billion invested in| works and a £2 billion invested in nhs dentistry in the amount of activity this year is 20% higher thanit activity this year is 20% higher than it was a year before so progress has been made but, of course, as i have acknowledged, there are still things which need addressing, which is why it is important we do get the dentistry recovery plan. we important we do get the dentistry recovery plan-— recovery plan. we do that early in the new year? _ recovery plan. we do that early in the new year? i _ recovery plan. we do that early in the new year? i couldn't - recovery plan. we do that early in the new year? i couldn't give i recovery plan. we do that early in the new year? i couldn't give you recovery plan. we do that early in i the new year? i couldn't give you a precise date and it is being worked on. it builds on the progress we've made this year where there has been a considerable increase in the amount of reforms to the contract and the funding. about 20% more activity than previously so that is good progress but there is obviously more today. like thank you. i’m good progress but there is obviously

more today. like thank you. i'm very crateful more today. like thank you. i'm very grateful vou — more today. like thank you. i'm very grateful you have _ more today. like thank you. i'm very grateful you have been _ more today. like thank you. i'm very grateful you have been skilful - more today. like thank you. i'm very grateful you have been skilful at i grateful you have been skilful at helping — grateful you have been skilful at helping us keep to time and i thank my colleagues too. it just remains to wish— my colleagues too. it just remains to wish everyone including the prime minister_ to wish everyone including the prime minister and to wish everyone including the prime ministerand it to wish everyone including the prime minister and it would to wish everyone including the prime ministerand it would in to wish everyone including the prime minister and it would in the government and everyone present a very merry— government and everyone present a very merry christmas and happy new yeah _ very merry christmas and happy new yeah -- _ very merry christmas and happy new year. —— everyone including the prime _ year. —— everyone including the prime minister and everyone in the government. order. a prime minister and everyone in the government. order.— government. order. a very merry christmas — christmas. studio: that is the prime and so �*s appearance in front of the liaison committee answering a whole range of questions. —— that is the prime minister's appearance. i correspond and has been listening to others and are covered a lot of ground, delay, hannah? to tell us what stood out for you. hannah? to tell us what stood out for ou. , ., , , for you. they absolutely did. in these committee _ for you. they absolutely did. in these committee meetings i for you. they absolutely did. in i these committee meetings there was cover a whole range of areas from foreign policy, climate change, child poverty, domestic abuse, whole wide spectrum of issues and the primacy�*s desk. i think the most challenging interactions were really around israel— gaza and also about his policy on asylum seekers. he was

asked a question which he, frankly,