-- i treasury would like to join me in congratulating the sterling work being done in these services and home to guarantee that >> i certainly join him. as he knows, there are well tried in testing procedures to make sure the central government stands behind them when there are excessive costs, and i am happy to support you on that issue. >> ed miliband. >> how many experience believe saucers are being forcefully retired? >> the decisions about police of lesser numbers will depend on the positions made by individual chief constables in individual parts of the country.

the point i would make is this, that we can see in case after case, there are far too many police of a service in back- office jobs, in doing paperwork, carrying out corporate development work who should be on the frontlines, and responsible chief constable's are getting those officers out on the front line to fight crime, and crime under this government is falling. >> ed miliband: i do not know whether the prime minister does not know the answer to the question of whether he chooses not to answer it. let me tell him the answer. 2100 experienced police officers with more than 30 years experience are being forcefully retired. let us dig the case of a former beat officer, martin heard, who was forced to retire from wolverhampton police.

he is now being asked to come back to the force as a volunteer special constable, unpaid, to fill the gaps left by the cuts. >> when is absolutely clear is that what we are getting from the labor party is complete and utter hypocrisy. can you guarantee fee form the next government that police numbers will not fail -- fall? the question is not whether the budget should be reduced. of course, the budget has to be reduced. the question is, who is going to cut out the paperwork? who is going to get rid of the bureaucracy? there is going to trust the local managers to make sure we get police on the front lines. those are steps we are taking, those are steps the government never took. >> ed miliband: he is the guy who came along and said the cuts of 12% of 20% were necessary for efficiency savings and the police budget. it is his choice.

why does he not defend it? on the eve of the election, he said more would be sent packing. he has just broken another promise? >> with the undersecretary is doing is what police up and down the country are doing, trying to get more police on the beat. that is exactly what is happening, and when it comes to defending frontline services, is it not time he talked to local label authorities like the manchester city council, the although the average cut in spending power of government is just 4.5% is cutting services by 25%? are they not playing politics with people's jobs? >> ed miliband: >> he knows he cannot defend the broken promises on policing. let's talk of a the other broken promises led by the deputy prime

minister. we know the majority of universities are proposing to charge 9,000 pounds per year. can the prime minister tell us how many of them he expects will have their proposed fees cut by the office for fair access? >> that decision will depend on the office of fair access, but the right honorable general -- german talks about broken promises. the fact is, it was the last government introduced the tuition fees, and we have from the leader of the labor party a new doctrine. we have in doctrine about his attitude towards the last government, which she announced in an interview with the newspaper. he said this. i am not going to defend what happens in the past just because i happen to be in the past government. presumably, we should not listen to him now because he just happens to be the leader of the opposition. >> ed miliband: once again, he does not answer the question.

we know from the office of fair access that they are not want to cut the fees at the university. we are not a fee pricing regulator. that is not our role. we would not say it would be x or y, so will the prime minister not admit that on top of a broken promise not to raise x -- tuition fees, he is now breaking another promise? >> the fact is, we're going to up to wait until july. but let me make this point to the honorable gentleman. degrees have not started to suddenly cause 7, 8, or 9,000 pounds. degrees have always cost that much. the question is, who are they going to pay for in them? successful graduates earning over 20 dozen pounds to pay for them, rather than citizens, many of whom never went to college.

having a program by the end of last year, where is it? another broken promise. >> ed miliband: this and mint -- this prime minister hazy on the facts and unable to give a straight answer. remember what is that one year ago, the two parties working together in the national interests. now, what do we have? two parties threatening to sue each other in their own interests. what the public are saying is on police cuts come on tuition fees, on the nhs, this is not what we voted for. have been broken so many of their promises, how can the public believe anything that these elections tomorrow? >> even the jokes were bad this week. the fact is, what this coalition government has done over the past year is frozen the council tax, that immigration, and

introduced a pupil premium, cut corporation tax, and set up more academies in 10 months than the last government set up in 10 years. and with council elections tomorrow, people should remember the mess that labour left us in. do not let them do to your counsel what we let them do to our country. >> caroline dinenage. order. the minister for children is under no obligation to behave like a child. it is not required. caroline dinengage -- dinenage:

does the prime minister agree with a comment of lord glasman, special advisor to the leader of the opposition? >> it is something that i said many times. there was under the less government very hard rhetoric combined with britain's policy, and that was the worst of all. >> jack straw. >> thank you, mr. speaker. can i ask the prime minister whether he shares the opinion about the average general to the european court of justice, for a european wideband on stem cell research based on human embryos? does he agree with me that were such a ban to be confirmed by the european court of justice, it would have profoundly damaging effects on our science

base and on our pharmaceutical industry? we would not be able to say what contingency plans the government is putting in place to minimize the effect of such bans. >> the right honorable general makes an important point, and i appreciate him giving me notice of this issue. the house and the house of lords, we had an extensive debate on this issue to ride a policy that we have, and i believe is right to try to maintain the u.k. as a leader in stem cell research. under the order, some are exempted from protection. as i understand it, the advocate general's opinion is advisory and does not bind the court. as such, the penis of has no impact on british -- british researchers, but we should keep this under review. >> jeremy lefroy: several

manufacturers in my constituency have committed to some investments and are increasing their work force. what is necessary to welcome growth in manufacturing? >> it has been strong over the past year, and we want to see that growth maintained. i was slightly less successful in winning stafford as he was in the last election, but it is plants like that but they will benefit from our policies of boosting apprenticeships and investing in capital projects and in doing everything we can as a government and country to support our export industries and sell britain around the world. >> bob ainsworth: the prime minister told our armed forces that he would enshrine the military, and in law. why is the watering this down with useless referencing? >> i do not believe for a minute that is what is being done.

what is going to happen is we're going to clearly reference the coveted in law, and then the government itself will be debated in this house every year, and i think it is vital that we're able to update and improve it every year, because there are so many changing circumstances that our military personnel face, and we are looking across government to all the things that we can do, looking at things like the tax when our soldiers are serving overseas. frankly, many of the things that the less government failed to do to make sure we look after our own. >> jane ellison: last month, edward lister, the conservative leader of wandsworth council for nearly 20 years, moves on to be the chief of staff to the mayor of london. will the prime minister join me in paying tribute to him? >> i think the right honorable

lady. it gives me the opportunity not just to praise edward lister, who has done a terrific job over the past years, but also to pay tribute to the person who will be occupying that position, simon milton. it is possible to combine low taxes with the services of all the time you're trying to improve efficiencies. that is what counsel's up and down our country should be focusing on, particularly in a year when we have to make spending reductions. >> pamela nash: one of scottish manifestoe commitments is the first initiative, which will help thousands of first-time buyers to get a foot on the property ladder. what is the prime minister doing

to help this generation of homebuyers? >> this is quite like the proposal that we made in the budget for first buy, which is to of tens of thousands of people to get on the property ladder by helping them with a deposit, which many families may find difficult to raise, and we see the age of the first-time buyer getting older and older, and so many families are finding that unless in a family held behind you, you cannot get on the housing ladder. we have to make sure that is not the case, and first buy is important, and a look for to see what happens in scotland. >> stephen -- what does my right honorable friend think about helping them reach fair an offense --

sensible decisions? >> i would encourage all councils to look at costs that can be cut that are not on the front line. many conservative councils are sharing to exhibit does with their neighboring councils. they are cutting wages and pay. there are too many examples, a particular label councils -- examples, particularly labour councils. we have to keep these services going. >> the government is cutting care to the elderly and disabled. there is this may in my constituency but i and employment birmingham is being hit harder. can the prime minister answer therefore the question put to me by my constituents, why do they have it in for birmingham? >> it is a coalition between conservatives and liberal democrats that have been doing a great job for birmingham, making

sure taxes are cut down. investing in housing. making sure there are good public services, and many things are targeted on areas like birmingham, so i think he should go back to his constituents, and after apologizing to them for being the winner of an all- women's shortlist, he should say that he is working in westminster and working in birmingham. >> james clappison: in 2005, the previous labor government agreed to hand back part of the eu3 khe -- eu rebate. remarkable generosity. >> my right honorable friend makes an important point, which is a part of the rebate was given up, and was not given up for any proper promised in

return. we were told there is going to be a promise of real reform, and that did not appear, and what that shows to me is that we have to be incredibly tough and the budget negotiations but this year and next year and that we go into the financial framework for the next seven or eight years. that is where we have to make sure -- the cost of this organization under control. >> kelvin hopkins: the government cuts are set to destroy a half-million jobs. some are paying no taxes. the deficit will increase not reduce. we're going to see a collapse in the housing market, a collapse in the support of the tories, and a return to labor government. would the prime minister enjoys saying good-bye to most of his colleagues on this side of the house? >> he is in ferry dairyland.

this is what happens from getting the deficit under control and making sure we do with the mess that we were left with from the party opposite. >> andrew ?s -- selous: the conservative run central bedfordshire council has been rated as the highest performing council. >> my honorable friend is absolutely right. well run councils, making sure that they're cutting back on costs and making sure they provide the services, and it is not just those conservative councils are costing less, they are doing better on measures like recycling and other service delivery. it is simply not true to say that by cutting costs you harm services. you have to be effective in keeping your coughlin down.

bob -- >> kerry mccarthy: next wednesday, they're looking at severe disabilities and chronic illnesses. will the prime minister have the courage to meet some of these campaigners face-to-face next week, so he can hear from them firsthand about the devastating impact this government is having on their lives? >> i made two points to the honorable lady. first of all, the most important line of defense to actually help people with severe disabilities is the national health service, and this government is putting more money into the national health services, 11.5 billion pounds extra, money that would not be available if we had a labour government, which we know because they are cutting it from the nhs in wales. support from the party opposite

to reform benefits and make sure they're helping those who need the help most. >> jason mccartney: -- mccartney: last week, i joined with other cycling to raise money for the ambulance. will the prime minister join me in praising them for raising that money, but willie also look into what the ambien lists has to pay vat on their fuel, and yet another does not. >> first of all, i would like to congratulate my honorable friend for his bicycling and for all of those who took place -- took part. i also pay tribute to those across the country to do an amazing and brilliant job. i have looked specifically at this. the eu that directive does make an exemption. there is no equivalent provision for supplies from other charities, and we are not able to change that. however, we are able to do more

for charity. we did that, including the inheritance tax exemption, which will make a huge difference for charities up and down our country, and i hope he will do everything he can to make sure they did the advantage of that. >> account for which these children, the prime minister will be aware of the recent television report that says that the great progress made is now stalled, and if the prime minister agrees with me, which i think he will, this is a moral imperative for our government, can you tell us what he will do now to change policy, to make sure that our children will not be the victims? >> i do believe it is a moral imperative, and i looked at the report carefully. it does show that things stalled under the last government in recent years. what i would say is this. first of all, despite having to make difficult decisions in the

budget, we did have to make sure there has been no increase in child poverty as a result, but i think it is time frankly for a more mature cross party debate for how we make sure you actually get people out of poverty rather than just actually look at the transfer of money between rich and poor. that is why we are looking at things like the education for decry 2-year-olds and others, because that is what will help children get out of poverty in a more sustainable way. >> greg hands: this week, the top three councils are discussing extending the combined services to save 35 million pounds a year while still improving frontline services. this involves cutting mental

health services. >> i do think this is a very important point, and i hope that cancels up and down the country will look at it. you have three large councils coming together and syrup -- saving 35 million pounds by sharing services. frankly, they can do it as large councils with big responsibilities, and we should of many other council doing it in london and elsewhere, and until we see that happening, i do not think it is necessary for them to cut from mine services. >> mr. speaker, more than 100 years ago, parliament legislated to make sure that local authorities provide allotments. healthy local food is a good part. why, therefore -- why, therefore, is the prime minister's government scrapping

the authority to provide allotments? >> i was as concerned as the honorable gentleman when i read that report and it rejects, and that is not the case. it is extremely important allotments are made available. many people will find in this house, there are mass of mines were a lot with as many people want to take part in the activity of growing their own vegetables and growing their own food. it is a great movement, and it has my full support. >> mark menzies: the chief executive of conservative-run fylde borough council has taken a 5% pay cut. what can the prime minister do to encourage cancels' to be a more responsibly like them? >> this government has increased massively the transparency that councils have to go through.

every council in the country now has to declare its spending of any item over 500 pounds, and people of relief valve is useful to find out a much council executives are paid and making sure they bear down on these costs, so i commend what is happening in fylde, and i think it is a matter of great regret that the one council, labour- cop -- controlled nottingham has not made and information available. >> given that private baring was falling, why does the government plan to ramp up >> it is an important point to make, particularly on a day when we read about portugal going for an enormous bailout. it is worth reminding ourselves that today, we have a bigger

budget deficit and portugal does. the reason we are not in their position is because we took action in two british budgets and a spending round to claim -- clean up the mess left by my honorable friend. >> enjoying the good wedding, but to the last week and at the royal wedding. but just down the road from those spots, there are farmers suffering from potential drought and generally concerned about the lack of rain and their ability to have fresh water. it may be limited. will he meet with me to discuss the genuine concerns about restricting water for our farmers? >> i am very happy to meet with the honorable lady korea of is the, everyone has been enjoying the recent weather, and it was fantastic that the weather was so good for the royal wedding. farmers are facing a lot of issues. at a time when they were expecting rain, they have virtually none.

>> mary glindon: -- >> with the strong likelihood that the lib dems will come off worst in tomorrow's local election, what political words of comfort to the prime minister have for them? >> we are having a referendum. we are having a debate about it, but the reason to have a coalition government coming to sort out the problems in the nationals interest is as good an argument today when we went in to clear the mess that was left by the party opposite. >> rory stewart. >> does he believe there is a different narrative for the diamond jubilee, the olympics, in terms of what it can do for britain's international reputation?

>> well, i think we have a fantastic opportunity next year to show all phases of britain, both modern and traditional. we're going to be celebrating the jubilee, and i think people will want to celebrate the incredible public service that her majesty the queen has given as an absolute model public servants, but i think people want to celebrate the olympics, in celebration of sport and all that is best about britain. in many ways, this was a dry run in terms of how we handle it, and a think everyone in this country has a lot to look forward to next year. >> alison mcgovern: many of my constituents in wirral were in the quality of care that older people, particular those with dementia, received.

>> one of the changes we are making is to better link of the national health service and social service provision and local authorities with how we look after the elderly, and all of us have seen too many cases a hospital where people and should be an either residential or inertia -- nursing care are stuck in either large district hospitals or in community hospitals, when they should begin in alternative pathways of care. that is what the change should be about. what i find out is that we must make sure that we take this opportunity to get this absolutely right. that is what the reform should be about. >> last year, 49% of the votes cast went to conservatives, with 95 percent of the seeds going to conservative mps.

>> it was announced, that was an embarrassment. this is now a labor free zone. does the prime minister think that that result was there? >> in some parts of essex, they all had a vote. but i have to say, would enact -- black and number, they make up in stature. >> each week that the house of commons is in session, we air "prime minister's questions," live on c-span2 and then sunday night on c-an