women and equalities >> women and equalities questions will be finishing in a moment. but paul, they've hit the ground running. you're just carping from the sidelines. well i don't think so because as chris said, there's nothing in the grid. >> and you know, the bills that they've brought forward don't consist of anything. >> we are going to the chamber. it's prime minister's question time. >> prime minister. >> prime minister. >> mr speaker, earlier this week, this house marked the one year anniversary of the horrific attacks on october the 7th. and itake attacks on october the 7th. and i take this opportunity to reiterate that the hostages must be released. and i reiterate our call for an immediate ceasefire in gaza and lebanon . mr speaker, in gaza and lebanon. mr speaker, this week, the government will deliver on our promise to the british people of the biggest upgrade to workers rights in a generation . the employment generation. the employment rights bill will ensure that work pays. it will forge a new partnership with business and reset the dreadful industrial

relations that have cost our economy and our nhs so much in recent years . we are also recent years. we are also preparing for the international investment summit next week, bringing hundreds of global ceos to the uk and unlocking billions of pounds of investment . to the uk and unlocking billions of pounds of investment. mr speaken of pounds of investment. mr speaker, this morning i had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others in addition to my duties in this house.i addition to my duties in this house. i shall have further such meetings later today. >> guy anker mahendra. thank you, mr speaker. the commitment of £400 million in funding for a new hospital at watford general was one of the many brilliant things that the previous conservative government and my good friend, the former member of parliament for watford, dean russell, did and would have been life changing as well as life saving. so for so many of my constituents, why is the prime minister cancelling this funding commitment and spending billions of pounds giving pay rises to train drivers instead .7 prime train drivers instead? prime minister , because the promise of

minister, because the promise of 40 new hospitals did not involve 40, did not involve hospitals, they weren't new and they weren't funded. >> sarah homes. >> sarah homes. >> the biggest issues in my west bromwich constituency is poor access to gp services. our gp satisfaction rate is 15% below the national average . so can the national average. so can i thank the government for their focus on improving this situation and ask the prime minister what the government is doing to make sure that everyone in west bromwich can actually see their gp. >> yeah, well, i thank her for her question. the most visible sign of failure of the last government was the nhs, and we are going to expand the role of community pharmacies and accelerate the rollout of independent prescribers. we need much more care to be delivered in local communities to spot problems earlier, and we will train thousands more gps. we were elected to change the country and that means getting the nhs back on its feet. and my hon. friend the chancellor will have much more to say about that

in the budget and about fixing the foundations of our economy so we can put money in people's pockets, fix our public services, and rebuild britain. >> the leader of the opposition, rishi sunak . rishi sunak. >> mr speaker, tomorrow the government will publish their anticipated changes to employment law, given the weekend's events . given the weekend's events. given the weekend's events. given the weekend's events, when did the prime minister first become a convert to fire and rehire ? convert to fire and rehire? minister ? well, i'm i'm very minister? well, i'm i'm very pleased and proud that tomorrow, tomorrow , we will publish the tomorrow, we will publish the bill, which will be the biggest upgrade of workers rights in a generation. >> and that will do two things, mr speaker. >> firstly, it will give people bafic >> firstly, it will give people basic dignity at work and secondly, it will help grow our economy , something that the last

economy, something that the last government absolutely failed on for 14 long years. >> the opposition. >> the opposition. >> well, mr speaker, when he talks about security at work, once again, it's one rule for him and another rule for everyone else. but i know that not. i know that not everything. i know that not everything or everyone has survived his first 100 days in government. so can he confirm that when he promised not to raise income tax, national insurance or vat ? that national insurance or vat? that commitment applies to both employer and employee national insurance contributions. >> minister. mr speaker, as he well knows, i'm not going to get drawn on decisions that will be set out. we made an absolute commitment in relation to not raising tax on working people. he, of course, was the experts expert on raising taxes. and what did we get in return for it? we've got a broken economy, a broken public services and a £22 billion black hole in the

economy. we're here to stabilise the economy and we will do so. >> leader of the opposition. >> leader of the opposition. >> mr speaker, i do not think even lord alli is buying any of that nonsense, but i'm not. >> but i'm not asking. >> but i'm not asking. >> mr speaker, i'm not. i'm not asking about the budget. i'm not asking about the budget. i'm not asking about the budget. i'm not asking about the budget. i'm asking about the budget. i'm asking specifically. i know i'm asking specifically. i know i'm asking specifically. i know i'm asking specifically . i'm asking asking specifically. i'm asking specifically about the promise he made to the british people. so let me ask him again, just to clarify his own promise. does his commitment not to raise national insurance apply to both employee and employer national insurance contributions ? insurance contributions? >> prime minister. we set out our promises in our manifesto. we return with a huge majority to change the country for the better, and i stick to my promises in the manifesto. but i noficeifs promises in the manifesto. but i notice it's question three and it hasn't yet welcomed the

investment into this country. we have had in recent months £8 billion from amazon for jobs across the country, £10 billion from blackstone's jobs across the north east, £22 billion on carbon capture jobs in the north east and north—west, £500 million for uk buses in northern ireland. while we're investing in our economy . what are they in our economy. what are they doing? they're arguing about whether to scrap maternity pay . whether to scrap maternity pay. the leader of the opposition. >> mr speaker, i'm very happy to welcome the investments that this government negotiated . but this government negotiated. but when it comes when it comes to his answer, when it comes to his answer on tax. mr speaker, businesses across the country would have found his answer just would have found his answerjust about as reassuring as sue gray did when he promised to protect herjob. mr did when he promised to protect her job. mr speaker, did when he promised to protect herjob. mr speaker, so let me turn. it's no wonder confidence is plummeting on his watch, which you didn't mention. but turning to another commitment

before the election, his chancellor said changing the debt target in the fiscal rules would be tantamount to fiddling the figures. does he still agree with the chancellor? the prime minister ? minister? >> this is literally the man who was in charge of the 14 years they crashed the economy . and they crashed the economy. and what did what did they leave? a £22 billion black hole in the economy. >> unlike them, we won't walk past it. >> we will fix it. and it's only because we're stabilising the economy that we are getting the investment into this country. >> but i still notice he hasn't really talked about that investment. >> we're powering ahead with clean british energy. we are changing the rules to build 1.5 million homes and returning railways to public ownership, and they have got nothing to say about any of this. >> prime minister. mr speaker, on debt, we left them the second lowest debt in the g7. mr speaken lowest debt in the g7. mr speaker, and as the institute,

as the institute of fiscal studies, as the institute of fiscal studies have said . fiscal studies have said. >> order. order! >> order. order! >> i will hear the leader of the opposition. >> rishi sunak. mr speaker, as the institute of fiscal studies have said, it's hard to escape the suspicion that the government is attracted to this change because it would allow for significantly more borrowing. now, his chancellor previously said that this change, and i quote her words, would be fiddling the figures. so it is a simple question. does he still agree with the chancellor? >> prime minister? >> prime minister? >> i say this back to this old script. they've never had it so good. that didn't work so well at the election. >> might be time to change that. >> might be time to change that. >> i'm not going to get drawn on issues for the budget justice, just as he wouldn't when he was standing at this despatch box. but meanwhile, we're investing. we are building the nhs fit for the future back on its feet, better opportunities for young people and protections at work. after 14 years of tory failure,

we are giving the country its future back. and that's the difference that labour delivers . difference that labour delivers. >> speaker it is clear he has opened the door to raising employer national insurance contributions , including on contributions, including on pensions and fiddling the figures that he can borrow more. and he talks about what he's achieved. well, economic confidence is plummeting. growth is now stalling and the uk's borrowing costs are rising on his watch. mr speaker, but, mr speaken his watch. mr speaker, but, mr speaker, can i close on another important topic , because important topic, because yesterday's intervention from the head of mi5 will have been sobering for the whole house, and not least his warning that britain faces the most complex and interconnected threats in our country's history. now, i know the prime minister will agree with me that we all owe our security services a debt of gratitude for what they do to keep us safe. but can the prime minister confirm that the forthcoming terrorism bill will give our security services the powers they need to tackle evolving threats? and i can assure him of our constructive support on these vital questions

of national security. in the same spirit that he provided that support to me. >> prime minister? >> prime minister? >> well, i can confirm that we will give the security forces and services the powers that they need. and i hope that is a shared objective across the house. they do an incredibly important job for us. but he talks about the economy. it's a real shame the party opposite can't simply. well, he did at the beginning of his question a moment ago. listen on. it's a shame they can't celebrate britain's success under this government. of course we have got to take tough decisions. but when investment is pouring in, as it has been in recent weeks, when the nhs strikes are coming to an end , when houses are to an end, when houses are getting built, we're delivering the biggest upgrade of workers rights in a generation. it's time for them to accept that we are fixing the foundations. so whilst they fight amongst themselves in the comfort zone of unfunded promises threatening to scrap the minimum wage, we are going to get on with the job

of clearing up the mess that they made and making a better country, that people are crying out for. adam jogee. >> thank you, mr speaker. >> thank you, mr speaker. >> mr speaker, cancer is hard on the patient and it's hard on their families. as my family knows all too well this year. can i ask the prime minister to commit to doing all he can to improve research, early diagnosis and patient care for those with cancer? and will he join me in thanking the nhs staff who have looked after my dad in recent weeks and thousands of cancer patients like him in newcastle—under—lyme and up and down our united kingdom ? kingdom? >> prime minister. i was sorry to hear about my hon. friend's father, and i think we would all pass him our best wishes. cancer is another example of the dreadful state the last government left the nhs . in the government left the nhs. in the darzi report, published just a few weeks ago, showed that some cancer standards have not been met since 2015 and no progress was made in diagnosing cancer at

stage one and stage two between 2013 and 2021. so i'm really pleased that we have just announced £6.4 million research network developing new a! software to identify cancer early. we will get the nhs catching cancer on time , catching cancer on time, diagnosing it earlier and treating it faster. >> leader of the liberal democrats, sir ed davey . democrats, sir ed davey. >> thank you, mr speaker. across this house, we all agree that we need to get our economy growing strongly again so we can improve people's lives and raise the money for our public services. liberal democrats believe that one of the best ways of doing thatis one of the best ways of doing that is to improve our relationship with our european neighbours on things like trade, and i welcome the fact that the prime minister has made this a priority in his first few weeks . priority in his first few weeks. but what i just don't understand is that he's ruled out negotiating a youth mobility scheme with our european partners. this could be so for good young people, for

businesses for and re—establishing that relationship. so will he reconsider this? >> prime minister? >> prime minister? >> well , he's >> prime minister? >> well, he's right. we do need a better deal with the eu than the bad deal we got under the last government . and that's why last government. and that's why i was very pleased to meet the president of the commission last week to talk about how we can improve on the deal in our manifesto. we had clear red lines about the single market, customs union, freedom of movement, and we will negotiate with those red lines in place. >> ed davey. >> ed davey. >> well, i am disappointed about the youth mobility scheme. maybe we can come back to that, but he's right to say one of the many problems for our economy coming from the dreadful brexit deal was the red tape that's been put on businesses. now there are many examples of that, mr speaker, but a new example came to me earlier this week and it affects fishermen in the falklands who are otherwise having to pay huge amounts in tariffs to be able to sell, to be able to sell to, to be able to sell their produce into the

european market or sail under a spanish flag. so when the prime minister renegotiates the trade deal minister renegotiates the trade deal, can you remember the overseas territories and why? and ensure that british citizens fishing off the falklands can sail proudly under the union jack ? jack? >> the prime minister. >> the prime minister. >> my uncle nearly lost his life when his ship was torpedoed defending the falklands. they are british and they will remain british. and sovereignty in gibraltar is equally not to be negotiated. of course, we will do everything we can to make it easier for all businesses to trade more freely so that we can grow our economy. i've been very clear about the falklands. it's personal to me. jon pearce . personal to me. jon pearce. thank you, mr speaker. conservative led derbyshire county council are proposing to cut adult day centres and care

homes across derbyshire. >> my constituents. >> my constituents. >> pat was diagnosed with dementia in 2016. >> the jubilee centre in new mills is a lifeline for her and her family. she always returns happier, less confused and less anxious. and for her partner david and main carer, it provides vital respite while she's there. they do not know how they'll survive without it. will the prime ministerjoin with me in asking the conservatives on derbyshire county council to think again and oppose these devastating cuts to older people and their families ? families? >> well, i'm shocked to hear of the impact on derbyshire council, but that he has just described to are proposing cutbacks on adult social care and councils across the country were at the front line of the last government's ruinous economic failure. and it's left people who rely on services counting the cost. now there is no quick fix to this, but we

will provide councils with more stability and certainty through multiyear funding settlements, ensuring councils can plan their finances for the future properly. and we will work with local leaders to deliver this . local leaders to deliver this. >> thank you. >> thank you. >> prime minister, any sense of unease that, though he is the prime minister of great britain and northern ireland, there are over 300 areas of law in northern ireland where the legislation is made in a foreign parliament. has the prime minister any ambition of recovering uk sovereignty over those 300 areas of law, and thereby restoring the equal citizenship of my constituents and ending their disenfranchising in respect of making laws that govern much of their economy . their economy. >> prime minister, i thank you

for raising that issue, which of course is an important issue. the windsor framework was negotiated by the last government. we supported it and we continue to support it and will work to make sure it is implemented properly and fully. >> dame meg hillier. >> dame meg hillier. >> mr speaker, 1 in 2 children in my constituency live in poverty after housing costs are taken into account. >> so i welcome the government's commitment to tackling child poverty. but we all know that every year of poverty has a long term impact. so could the prime minister tell us that the welcome child poverty taskforce, which is underway? could he tell us when he expects that to report? so we can see action? >> well, i thank my hon. friend for her important question. it is appalling that child poverty went up £700,000 since 2010, and after the last labour government did so much to bring it down and tackling. this is at the heart of our mission to break down the barriers to opportunity. the taskforce is developing the

strategy to reduce child poverty, and it will be published in spring of next year. >> giovanna may speak for leicester. >> the prime minister's decision to impose vat on independent schools strips hard working families off the choice for what is best for their children, while risking job losses for teachers, increasing class sizes and squeezing state school resources to their absolute limit. with these impending threats, what actions is the prime minister taking to mitigate these effects? if he is not undertaking an impact assessment to understand them ? assessment to understand them? >> i do understand that many parents across the country save hard to be able to send their children to private school because they have aspiration for their children. so does every parent who sends their children to a state school. and the problem we have is we do not have enough teachers in key

subjects in our state. secondary school. now, the party opposite may be prepared to tolerate that i am not and that is why we've made this to change fund 6500 teachers. and they chunter on. but they have to answer the question which none of them are answering. if they're not going to make this change, are they going to leave our state secondaries without the teachers? they need, or are they going to cut the education budget by £1.5 billion? which is it? alex macintyre . it? alex macintyre. >> mr speaker, gloucester has a proud military history, from the battle of imjin river to raf quedgeley and the glorious glosters. >> in fact, almost 10% of gloucester households are home to a veteran. so can the prime minister update this house on what this government is doing to support veterans, and in particular, how he will meet his promise to make sure that every veteran in gloucester has a roof over their head? >> prime minister , we owe an >> prime minister, we owe an enormous debt to all of our veterans, and it was a great

honour to announce that our party conference, that our plans to build new homes across the country will ensure that homeless veterans are at the front line of the queue for new social housing, recognise the incredible sacrifice and contribution that they make. >> we will repay all those who served us and house all veterans in housing needs, ensuring homes are there for heroes . we are are there for heroes. we are also ensuring veterans have access to support , including access to support, including with mental health and employment . employment. >> sir julian smith, employment. >> sirjulian smith, mr speaker, >> sir julian smith, mr speaker, special education needs budgets in north yorkshire and across the uk are under huge pressure. >> could i ask the prime minister and the chancellor as they prepare for the budget? could they look carefully at how increased funding and changes to the funding formula could make a massive difference to thousands of lives of children across the country? >> prime minister, i'm grateful to the honourable member for raising this issue, which is of real concern across the country. to many parents who are

concerned about the provision, and i do agree that children with special educational needs and disabilities are being failed with parents struggling to get their children the support that they need and deserve, and we have to change that. i am determined to raise standards for every child so that they succeed in education, and we will work with the sector and we will work with the sector and across the house where we can to deliver on that mission, which is very important for many parents who will be watching this today. luke murphy . this today. luke murphy. >> thank you, mr speaker. can i welcome the prime minister's focus on economic growth and i look forward to the international investment summit next week. one area where constituents across the country want to see thrive is their local high street. and the prime minister will know from his own visit to the top of town in basingstoke that it has huge potential, that it has huge potential, that it has huge potential, but it's not what it could be. could i ask the prime

minister what support this government will give to ensure that high streets across the country are able to grow and thrive? >> prime minister, i too remember that visit. and here is the new political divide. invest with labour or decline with the tories. and that's why i was very pleased to read out the investments we have had in the last few weeks . we have got a last few weeks. we have got a big summit coming up on monday, hundreds of ceos coming and i am confident we'll be making further such investment announcements in weeks to come . announcements in weeks to come. and that is what will fix our economy, stabilise our economy. it's because we are taking the tough decisions . the investment tough decisions. the investment is now coming, flowing into this country . fulfil on our country. fulfil on our obugafion country. fulfil on our obligation to raise living standards across the country. helen morgan, thank you very much, mr speaker. >> the a483 runs through my constituency from llanymynech to oswestry, and it's one of the busiest and most dangerous roads in the constituency. and national highways say that the crossroads at hinckley is the worst accident black spot in the

midlands. they've got a proposal to improve the situation, but treasury rules place a higher value on road speed than they do on the lives of north shropshire's residents. so will the prime minister look at flexing these rules to back national highways and back my residents to give them the safe road they deserve? >> prime minister well, i thank the honourable member for raising this, and it's obviously a really big, important issue in her constituency. >> and it is vital that as we invest, we do improve safety and deliver better journeys for drivers. national highways, i think, is continuing to study the case for safety improvements to the a483 and will continue to do so. decisions, as you probably know, will be set out under the third road investment strategy. and i know that the roads minister will have heard her representations and i'm sure will agree to a meeting if that is what she would like. >> philbrick has committed. >> philbrick has committed. >> milton hospice provides vital services to individuals with life limiting conditions . yet,

life limiting conditions. yet, like hospices across the country, it faces a difficult financial future and is reliant on fundraising , including the on fundraising, including the kind donations i was able to raise when i climbed mount kilimanjaro last year , and from kilimanjaro last year, and from the campaign run by the local papen the campaign run by the local paper, the bolton news. can the prime minister tell me what steps he is taking to ensure hospices like the one in bolton are put on a sustainable financial footing? yeah, well, look , i first congratulate him look, i first congratulate him on his efforts in relation to the local hospice. >> we want everyone to have access to high quality care and end of life care, and that is why we require all local nhs bodies to commission services from hospitals to meet the needs of their local populations . most of their local populations. most hospices are charitable, independent organisations who also receive funding for providing nhs services. we have inherited a huge problem with the £22 billion black hole, but nonetheless we are determined to move forward on this one.

>> mr speaker, since the signing of the belfast agreement in 1998, more people in northern ireland have now sadly lost their lives to suicide than those that were killed during the 30 years of the troubles. would the prime minister agree that the challenges with poor mental health in northern ireland, some of which are directly related to the violence of our past, is a unique and pressing legacy of the troubles. so would he therefore commit to tasking his government to work collaboratively with the department of health and northern ireland to explore how these issues can be properly recognised and resolved? good question. >> mr . well, i question. >> mr. well, i thank him for raising this important issue. i do know first hand the deep impact that the troubles have had on so many in northern ireland, and we must ensure that those with mental health issues receive the support and the care that they need . now, public that they need. now, public services obviously devolved in

northern ireland, but we will work with the executive and leaders to support them in delivering better outcomes, which is why my secretary of state for health spoke to the health minister in northern ireland. in the first week he was in the department, and i'm sure that he'd be prepared to follow up should the honourable member wish so. >> joe morris. >> joe morris. >> thank you, mr speaker. >> thank you, mr speaker. >> in my constituency of hexham, frightened parents and their families are having to fight tooth and nail and travel extremely long distances to secure fair treatment and full education for their children. >> can the prime minister outline the steps that the government will to take improve outcomes and results for send families , particularly in the families, particularly in the most rural parts of the north east? the prime minister? well, ithank east? the prime minister? well, i thank him for his question. i think this reinforces that the sven provisions were a failure of the last government, particularly in rural communities. this has come from both sides of the house. it's a really important issue. we have a duty now to pick this up to

and ensure that all children with send receive the right support to succeed in their education, and we will continue to do so. >> david davis. >> david davis. >> on the assisted dying private member's bill, the government is quite rightly staying neutral. but the real issue with that bill is the time constraints of private legislation make it very difficult to get it right first time. if we get this wrong first time, the consequences are too terrible to contemplate . in terrible to contemplate. in 1967, the government of the day gave the government time to allow david steel's abortion bill to go through. would the prime minister commit to giving extra time out of government time to this bill to ensure that we get this right first time? yes, prime minister. >> i thank him for raising this question on a really important issue, and i do understand there are strongly held views across the house and on both sides and within both sides. if i can put it in that way, i do agree with him that it is important that we

ensure that any change to the law, if there is to be one, is effective. now, if this house gives the bill a second reading, it will of course, then go to the committee as usual, which will allow that more detailed scrutiny. but we do need the discussion more broadly on this important issue. >> no law . with shared >> no law. with shared prosperity funding drawing to a close and cornwall having some of the greatest potential in europe in critical minerals and renewable energy , it's time for renewable energy, it's time for our aspiring celtic tiger to identify much more strategic sources of investment funding, which take us away from the short termist begging bowl politics of the last decade. will the prime minister meet with the cornish mps to discuss the future of industrial and social funding in cornwall? yes, minister. >> well, my hon. friend is a proud cornish mp and he is absolutely right that economic growth must be spread across the country. it cannot simply be

focused in the south east and london. and he'll have seen today, no doubt the floating offshore wind taskforce report, which sets out that the uk's industry can support tens of thousands of jobs, including huge opportunities, job opportunities in the south west and i will ensure that a meeting is arranged with him with the appropriate minister when the chamberlain cancer awareness day paediatric edition that affects thousands of children, potentially across the uk. >> i first raised it in this chamber 18 months ago, when i heard about the devastating impact from a constituent. does the prime minister agree with me that it should not be for a charity to fund the pathway analysis and research that is needed to ensure that people and children get the support that they need? and will he help facilitate a meeting for me with the charity and the department for health? >> the prime minister? >> the prime minister? >> well, can i first thank her for raising this important issue and reminding the house of the

impact that it has? and certainly i think i can arrange that meeting so that we can take that meeting so that we can take that further forward . thank you. that further forward. thank you. >> mary kelly foy . thank you, mr >> mary kelly foy. thank you, mr speaker . speaken >> constituents in the city of durham are anxious about the financial situation at durham county council. >> the tories unfair funding formula has seen essential pubuc formula has seen essential public services hollowed out, such as social care , whilst the such as social care, whilst the demand is increasing. >> so what assurances can the prime minister give me that essential services will be restored and that a new funding formula will be genuinely a fair one? focusing on the needs of my constituents, especially the most vulnerable. >> the prime minister. >> the prime minister. >> well, she highlights, yet another failing of the last government , because successive government, because successive years of underfunding have left councils experiencing significant budget pressures and thatis significant budget pressures and that is felt by constituents and residents and individuals across the country. this government

will clear up the mess. we'll get councils back on their feet. partly multiyear funding settlements will help to allow longer term work to be done, but we recognise the importance of councils. they know their communities best and with greater stability we can support them in ensuring the service that they provide get to the people that need it. >> caroline dinenage . >> caroline dinenage. >> caroline dinenage. >> in april, over 50 homes and businesses in gosport found themselves underwater when storm pierrick hit. some have still not been able to return to their properties, and it's now been upgraded to a 1 in 20 year risk. >> we still haven't had a decision from the environment agency about flood and coastal erosion risk management funding, which we have applied for , and which we have applied for, and despite requests, i still haven't been able to secure a meeting with his defra team. winter is coming. my constituents are worried when is he going to grip this? >> the prime minister. >> the prime minister. >> well, look, this is a really important issue in terms of well, look, we're not going to

take lessons from the party opposite year after year after yeah opposite year after year after year. we visited constituencies and areas which were flooded because there had been a failure to take adequate protection. so i won't take lightly what i said in the election campaign is that we would set up a flood resilience taskforce to get ahead of this. we will do that and i'll ensure that she can get such further information as she needs. >> tom butler. final question. >> tom butler. final question. >> thank you, mr speaker. >> thank you, mr speaker. >> october is black history month, and the theme this year is reclaiming the narrative. >> i want to thank, mr speaker, for the event that you are doing in your apartments with the temptations and the prime minister . minister. >> the temptations tribute band and the prime minister will be having an event in number 10 this evening. will the prime minister agree with me that it's important that we continue to have a debate on the floor of this house in government's time on black history month ?

on black history month? >> prime minister? well, i'm not sure. >> just at the moment, going to something that's labelled temptations is quite where i need to go . but but look, this need to go. but but look, this is a really important initiative. the will be it is important. it's being marked and i'm very pleased to be hosting the event this evening, to which i think she is coming. thank you. >> right. that completes prime minister's questions . minister's questions. >> that was prime minister sir keir starmer taking questions by mps in the house of commons. we're still joined here in the studio by labour mp for bolsover , studio by labour mp for bolsover, natalie fleet, and shadow immigration minister paul holmes. >> you've been sending your questions in. we'd like more of them . gbnews.com/yoursay , them. gbnews.com/yoursay, because this is where we ask the questions that you send in. you're the only thing that matters on this programme. >> that's right. well, good, good. interesting conversation, i thought. natalie fleet, you heard there from the prime minister, the rishi sunak asking the prime minister questions about the national insurance. he

wouldn't say that employers contributions won't go up in the budget. is that an issue? >> we have got a budget coming out at the end of the month, and we have got an economist, the first female chancellor , doing first female chancellor, doing the maths and working out where we're spending. we will see what happensin we're spending. we will see what happens in that budget. >> it's going to be quite weird, isn't it, because rishi sunak, if i understand your rules correctly, he will be responding to that budget just a couple of days before you elect a new leader. bit weird, but nevertheless , those are the nevertheless, those are the rules you're backing. james cleverly. yeah, now i read natatorium police. i don't get a vote. neither do people who are watching at home. i read about all sorts of jiggery pokery going on . so your man, he's in going on. so your man, he's in the lead. but tory mps will narrow it down to two to send out to the membership for a month. for a month . but there month. for a month. but there are sort of suggestions that the person with loaves of oats might lend some votes to the person he

or she thinks they're most likely to beat, with the membership. dispel that myth. >> it's not true . i mean, do you >> it's not true. i mean, do you expect me to say that? but james cleverly has run a positive campaign he wants and has said all the way through from his conference speech, which really reinvigorated the conference and the membership, that he wants a clean, positive campaign. that's what he's done, and that's why he had that huge upsurge in his vote yesterday. and we are not taking any votes for granted. we're working colleagues all day to day. there'll be a ballot today, i expect, and want him to lead that ballot, because i think he is the best to man unite liberal facing voters, reform voters that we lost in 2024. and we're working very hard to get that through. >> stephen portsmouth has emailed in questions and please do send in your questions to our to our email address. do send in your questions to our to our email address . he says he to our email address. he says he believes that if tory mps don't put kevin badenoch through to the last two paul homes, then party members who had the final vote will desert your party for reform and he wouldn't blame them either. he says the party needs a change in direction , not needs a change in direction, not the same old, cleverly same old

jenrick. >> i don't agree because if you look at robert, if you look at james cleverly's record, particularly on some of the reasons why we lost voters to reform on immigration, he reduced immigration by the highest amount. he brought in the rules. that meant that fewer people would come here, unlike the labour party that scrapped all of those things. he talks, the talk, walks, the walk. and that's why i support him to take us forward. >> natalie fleet, from labour. there's going to be a new tory leader. the government . i think leader. the government. i think most people would accept, have not had the smoothest start to their administration. who are you least looking forward to facing out of the potential three candidates left in that race? >> it genuinely doesn't matter, because what they've not done is any of them owned up to their role in the mess that they made . role in the mess that they made. people remember they voted for change, and there's a reason that there was a conservative wipe—out at the election . wipe—out at the election. whichever one of them takes oven whichever one of them takes over, it's the same circus with a different face. doesn't matter, and the voters won't forget they voted for change. that's what we're delivering .

that's what we're delivering. >> natalie, we heard a clear statement there from sir keir starmer. the falcons are british and will stay british. why didn't he say that five days ago when he first asked that by gb news last friday? >> i don't know, but i'm very pleased to have him say it the same about gibraltar sovereignty really matters and i'm glad that we're committing to this . absolutely. >> you say that, but the chagos islands have been handed back to mauritius. aren't they on your watch? >> it's really important in terms of delivery, that we get in and we make the tough decisions. so this has been something that 50 years governments have been debating over a negotiating round. there is a military base that we have made secure. we've improved regional and international global security because we've taken that decision, and i'm pleased we have. i don't know why it wasn't taken sooner. >> it wasn't taken sooner because we shouldn't be giving the chagos islands back under this treaty. >> but you must have loads of negotiations . there must have negotiations. there must have been. it was under active consideration. >> keir starmer believes in sovereignty until it comes to the chagos islands. under the last government. i was pps to

lord cameron, who blocked the negotiations. i'm backing james cleverly, who delayed the negotiations. he was foreign secretary, still negotiating , so secretary, still negotiating, so it's not unreasonable that it's on the table. >> so it's reasonable that it was always on the table? >> no, because there was legal advice that was offered. we disagreed with that legal advice . disagreed with that legal advice. we delayed the negotiations because actually we didn't believe we would not have delivered this deal. there was a straightforward capitulation on this. keir starmer believes in sovereignty up until the point that it's a british overseas territory. >> and this is what we get kicked into the long grass. 50 years is a very long time to not make a decision. it doesn't matter whether it's the nhs, whether it's a gb energy and the cost of to families, education, health, the labour government have come in and are making the real change that we need, that people voted for very quickly. >> in two weeks they capitulated on this deal and gave away british sovereign territory. >> okay, listen back to what happenedin >> okay, listen back to what happened in the house of commons just now. steven's emailed in to say, anyone can see that your government is deliberately targeting people who, as they

approach or reach retirement age, have worked all their lives, pay their taxes and relied on themselves, not the state. has labour got it for in pensioners? >> natalie fleet we are literally the party of working people and it breaks my heart that we have had to come into government and make this decision. this is not what i wanted to do or keir or rachel. the truth is that the last government overspent in every single area , and then called an single area, and then called an election that nobody was expecting, and we wondered why it was that soon, because they'd left us with a £22 billion black hole. we've had to come in and we've had to make difficult decisions. we didn't want to, because if we didn't, we'd have another liz truss and we would all be worse off. we're making sure that our pensioners are looked after. we're introducing gb energy so that their their bills will be stable. we've got the household support fund , the household support fund, we've got the triple lock that we've got the triple lock that we've committed to the end of parliament 900 this year, 460 next year. we want to make sure that we look after our

pensioners and everybody else that needs it . they'll be cold that needs it. they'll be cold this winter. >> you're taking away £300 of their winter fuel allowance. >> those that need it, the most will absolutely have that support in my constituency alone, we're making sure that those that need pension credit and therefore the winter fuel allowance will get it. we're looking after our most vulnerable and making sure that everybody else is looked after , everybody else is looked after, too, whether they're pensioners or not. >> except they won't get it . >> except they won't get it. 18,000 people in my constituency got the winter fuel allowance and the triple lock. >> some of them wouldn't have needed it. do you accept that? well, labour said that they would know because labour said that they would freeze energy bills. >> they're going to be a 10% increase in energy bill costs for most pensioners, 18,000 people in my constituency got that winter fuel payment. labour said they wanted to save money by putting people on the pension credit. it will cost £2 billion a year more than keeping people in winter. fuel allowance . in winter. fuel allowance. >> but your government introduced the triple lock. the labour government of old. they introduced the universal winter fuel payment. there is an argument that because you introduce a triple lock and the

labour party have kept it, there is not the same need. you heard the figures from labour's natalie fleet about the sort of sums that pensioners are going to see their pension increase by. you don't accept that argument. a tory government whenever it may come. absolutely. recommitting to bringing back the winter fuel payment for everyone. >> well, we're sticking by our manifesto pledge. our manifesto pledge was to keep the winter fuel allowance. that was what we were doing. that's why we've opposed this measure that rachel reeves absolutely did not have to make that decision. she was bounced into it by treasury officials. she's doubled down on it. it will save £1 billion a yeah it. it will save £1 billion a year. but the pension credit that they're bringing forward will cost £3 billion a year. so it's just nonsense. >> natalie fleet, christine and christine , please do tell us christine, please do tell us where you're from when you send these messages. we only love to hear where you're from. i do a shout out for your hometown, christine says. natalie feet the gb energy on that issue. my bills haven't gone down. gb energy isn't up and running and won't be. how can you reassure her? >> it isn't up and running yet. keir starmer has spoken many

times about a decade of national renewal. we've got to take awful decisions like this so that we can fix the foundations and then we can build on it. things are difficult now, but they won't always be. we are being honest with the electorate about the challenges, but optimistic about the future. gb energy is about having home grown energy that absolutely helps with our climate goals. will she start to feel her bills getting cheaper because of gb energy? >> when will that happen? >> when will that happen? >> we've already made sure that we won't have any crazy cries for price, price, price increases like we did have. that's a commitment already. the price cap won't go up like it did in 2223 because of gb energy already. >> okay, it's going up by 10% and gb energy will not produce any energy for people in this country. that's a fair point. there's a bill going through parliament that's three pages long because it's an umbrella bill and the government haven't outlined how they're going to produce that energy , while also produce that energy, while also at the same time tackling our scottish oil and gas reserves, which will actually drive

dependence on foreign fuels up, and make sure that pensioners and make sure that pensioners and people across this country will be paying more in energy costs, not less. it simply won't work. >> kate's been in touch. natalie fleet from labour. labour keeps talking about delivering and you have talked a lot about that today. but what have they actually delivered in the first 100 days, apart from a cut to the winter fuel payment? >> i don't feel super comfortable in parliament being an mp doing media because i'm a normal person, and the reason that i am here and the reason i believe strongly that we need normal people in politics, is because of the difference politics makes. already we've introduced the child poverty taskforce. the last labour government took kids out of poverty, including me, 30% of kids in every class now are hungry and they are struggling . hungry and they are struggling. we're introducing breakfast clubs. we're making sure they can go in and they can learn. we're smashing down barriers to opportunity. we're making sure

that their parents can afford to get into work because we've got the energy bill. we're making sure they're not evicted from their homes because we've got renters rights. we have. we have got a review into our nhs and we are absolutely tackling border security, which is so important to voters in my area. politics makes a difference and even though we haven't been in power for long, we are showing that and i'm really proud of what we've achieved so far, and i look forward to what comes next. >> but your party has been buffeted by the freebie row, the spectacles, the suits , the flats spectacles, the suits, the flats being loaned by or given by. lord alli has an mp for bolsover. how has that gone down with your voters? >> so the difference is that i absolutely love is that keir starmer was very honest . that starmer was very honest. that was part of his declaration. he told everybody. he didn't hide that he was having these. when i knock on people's doors they say you're all the same and i don't trust any of you. and he is working hard to make sure that people do trust us. now he's using this as an opportunity to improve the ministerial code and

get a new code of conduct to look at what we can do moving forward. he's absolutely tackling it , forward. he's absolutely tackling it, and i think that he's working really hard to restore trust in politicians nationally. as i am locally in bolsover. things have to be better. you also found out how has he found out? >> he criticised he criticised bofis >> he criticised he criticised boris johnson for donations and we made mistakes over that and then did exactly the same, was found out and now wants to retrospectively change the rules because he was found out and had to pay stuff back. let's not say that this is keir starmer being honest. he was found out he absolutely was found out and has now made sure that he's trying to get away with it, as well as other cabinet ministers too, like taylor swift tickets and making sure that she gets security on the way to her gig. you know, let's not pretend this is honesty, have denied that they did intervene in that in terms of our achievements as well. >> my ten year old would love to go to taylor swift. so would i, and exactly. and my daughter got scammed my older daughter got scammed my older daughter got scammed thinking she'd got tickets. one of the things we've already said is that we're going to sort out those tax, write you

two letters, and then we can say, let's see then. >> this is a tough one. do you think you could because people watching at home, they would they would love to go and see taylor swift for free. of course they would. and they think, hang on a minute, why do politicians get to do these lovely things when we would like to do these lovely things? can you think of a of a way because you get i know this and you know this, politicians get offered freebies all the blooming time. it's very, very nice. i had some great nights out at the brits. yeah, hands up . but what do you yeah, hands up. but what do you think the rules could change to? to pass that sort of public trust test? the just say no to freebies . freebies. >> yes, i think you should. i would love a free night out of the brits. i would love oasis. i would love chasing what you're saying because it'll be on record forever. >> yeah, i would love that. >> yeah, i would love that. >> and you know, if i'm offered it, i'm going to have to say no. >> and do you, do you, do you? >> and do you, do you, do you? >> i've never been offered a freebie. i've not been here long enough. it's not it's not a thing i would love. there's lots of tickets. and you know what ? of tickets. and you know what? if i'm lucky enough to get them, then i'm going to have to pay

for them. and that's what people expect. and that's. >> that's the sad thing, because actually, natalie, being a new mp, should be able to take some of those. i don't like to call them freebies, but some businesses would say that there are way to engage with decision makers in an informal environment and to put their case. so i'm shadow northern ireland minister, i'm shadow immigration minister. i you know, we are in opposition now and i will need to go to northern ireland to meet relevant parties, to go and meet businesses. there , to find out businesses. there, to find out what's going on within northern ireland. there is a way in which ireland. there is a way in which i should be able to do that within my shadow ministerial responsibilities or within ministerial responsibilities. but the reason that the way in which this has been handled has actually made mps really reticent to take those freebies, which actually means that we can go and do our jobs and find out go and do ourjobs and find out what's going on out there. there's a balance to strike there. >> there's probably a reason why it didn't come up in pmqs because everyone gets them. yeah, probably. so no one's going to call them out. but i'm sorry. >> journalists. i mean, let's, you know, journalists. yeah. >> we're not we're not in power. not yet. and rotherham asks

having watched pmqs with us, could could natalie fleet tell us what's happening with smashing the gangs and what's the deterrent for illegal immigrants? clearly a big issue in rotherham. >> yeah. and it is a big issue in bolsover. two, it comes up so much on the doorstep. and one of the things in bolsover is that they saw the rwanda scheme as an absolute gimmick. £700 million to get four people to rwanda that went there voluntarily, 300 million voluntarily. it's everybody saw it as a gimmick and what they want is people actually taking the change that we need. so what we have done is we've got 100 specialist investigators that are looking at tackling the gangs. we've also now got martin hewitt in place, a new border security commander, and we all we've had 12 flights in two months. we get elected in july, in august, the very next month, we've got the biggest ever return flight. this is what government and real change looks like. no more

gimmicks, actual action. >> i mean, you left the situation in a right mess, didn't you? i mean, you couldn't. you had this pledge. stop the boats. you just couldn't do it. you made no progress . the numbers kept going up. >> the waiting list was coming down, were coming down. we had the deterrent. that meant that 30% fewer journeys were being made across the channel. as soon as they came into office, labour stopped that. that deterrent is gone. so to answer the question, there is no deterrent now under this government. and the reason that there are so many flights going back now is because the backlog was coming down under this, under the last government, and they're claiming credit for it. the labour party have never been serious about border security. they've scrapped every deterrent that we've had. they've inherited actually quite a good story from james cleverly when he was home secretary. and bringing back some of those people in hotels because you weren't processing them. >> they were £3 million per day. >> they were £3 million per day. >> that was going down. and we did have a plan to get that sorted. but labour voted against every measure that we brought forward. >> good talk. and then people on the doorstep. it wasn't. and that's the thing they knew that

they saw that in their communities. the difference wasn't being made and that's what they're going to see now. real action. >> well, why not try and see if rwandan might work for six months before scrapping? >> i think we've already tried. i mean, if we've got four people going voluntarily, everybody knew it was a joke . knew it was a joke. >> it was a safe country, wasn't it? >> no, it was a joke. >> no, it was a joke. >> the flights were taking off after the election. right. >> okay . question for both of >> okay. question for both of you. very interesting. both your perspective. you've been an mp, conservative mp for five years. you have seen about five probably prime minister's questions time now . helen. questions time now. helen. helen, i wish i knew where you were from. please do let us know in future where you're from. we like to feel that you're part of our community and we like to know where you're from, helen says.i know where you're from, helen says. i hate prime minister's questions on a wednesday. what a massive waste of time as they never actually answer any questions. and the speaker does not make them do it either. it's just a performance. >> it's the only opportunity we have to scrutinise the prime minister and the viewers. right? actually, keir starmer doesn't answer any questions, but that's his responsibility. and i would say that. but you know, i mean,

look, it's a big thing internationally . they like internationally. they like people do like watching pmqs outside of the country because it's a circus. it's a bit of theatre. of course it is. we all have a bit of fun. i think it's therapy when i go in there every week. but you know, we do have to find a way of scrutinising the prime minister. it may not be the right way to do it, but it's bloody good fun. >> i thought the last question , >> i thought the last question, the opposition leader , rishi the opposition leader, rishi sunak gets two gets six questions. the last one was about security and keir starmer read out his answer about, i think the economy. i mean he wasn't really trying to answer the question was he ? the question was he? >> i agree that prime minister's questions isn't the ideal way to relate to the country. i think that a lot of people see that. i never watched it because it just seems like a bit ridiculous. and then when we get in the chamber, i couldn't believe we're not allowed to clap. instead, we have to jeer or say, hey, hey, hey, i sound ridiculous. >> you say, here, here. >> you say, here, here. >> i've not done it yet and i'm going to try to avoid it because no normal person in the world would say that. what i'm

thrilled about is that lucy powell, the leader of the house, has set up a modernisation committee. there are parts of our democracy that i am absolutely privileged to be part of. there are parts that need bringing into this century, and i think things like being able to clap and not having to bang the table instead would be a good thing to bring into this century. >> i'm going to be fairto century. >> i'm going to be fair to you guys. i think both of you tried to engage with the questions that our viewers have put to you today. what annoys helen is when politicians don't answer the questions. it's the common refrain. do you have any tips for your colleagues who just stonewall and don't engage? >> well, natalie's been perfect on this program and she works with bolsover really, really hard. i've seen her in the chamber and i said to her during the break, you know, she doesn't need any lessons from me. just be honest with people. show integrity . you've been sent to integrity. you've been sent to your constituents. you've been sent to to parliament represent the people that you represent. and you know, i hope that my constituents think that i'm honest to them. i always sometimes to my disadvantage, i answer questions far too straightforward. there you are, natalie. >> peace. breaking out in the gb

news studio. >> thank you. that's really kind. i know when i knocked on doors, they said not voting for any of you. you're all the same. and that's when i said i am a real person from our community that wants to go to down parliament and make a difference. i've got to stand by that now. i'm here, i've got to answer the question. they'll call me out if i don't. rightly so . 50. >> so. >> absolutely. what a pleasure you've both been. thank you. coming up, it's good afternoon, britain with tom and emily, who i think are going to tell us what's coming up in their show. >> we certainly are, gloria. and it's a busy , busy show in less. it's a busy, busy show in less. >> well, in just around half an hours >> well, in just around half an hour's time , mps vote in that hour's time, mps vote in that final ballot in the tory leadership will be live in westminster for that . westminster for that. >> and we hear that rachel reevesis >> and we hear that rachel reeves is now considering a tax raid on pension withdrawals. is this war on pensioners ever going to stop? what exactly is going to stop? what exactly is going on there? and of course, we're going to be bringing you the very latest from florida, where millions of people have been forced to evacuate. we may well speak to someone who's decided not to. >> it's a really fascinating situation out there in florida.

we've got some dramatic images that we want to show you that up next. >> thrilling show. thanks, tom. emily i'll be there for you in westminster hall as those results come in. the tories leadership contest. what a thrilling show coming up . and thrilling show coming up. and that's all from us. >> it is. we'll be back next week with a pmqs right up until the 18th of december. we'll be with you for all of them with more great guests. don't go anywhere. next up, good afternoon, britain . afternoon, britain. >> heavy showers first thing will be followed by a warm, cosy day. boxt boilers sponsors of weather on gb news . weather on gb news. >> hi. very good day to you. here's your latest gb news. weather update from the met office whilst tomorrow is going to be a drier but colder day for many of us today it is still pretty wet and there are some strong winds to watch out for. we are still under the influence of low pressure and it's this that's leading to some fairly wet weather already across some parts of northern england. >> we have seen some flooding in

places and totals building up, which is why there is still a warning for the next couple of hours across some parts of northeast england . otherwise. northeast england. otherwise. and whilst the persistent rain is gradually going to ease as we go through the day and pushes its way southwards, there will still be a few showers elsewhere and some of them could be on the heavy side, albeit not as intense as yesterday. still quite warm towards the south with temperatures getting into the high teens but a bit fresher further north because there's a northerly wind, and on that northerly wind, and on that northerly wind, and on that northerly wind we are going to see some showers pushing their way through as we go through this evening, particularly around some northern coastal parts of scotland. but some will feed further inland and that northerly wind will be a bit chilly, so we could see some wintriness, some sleet or snow over the higher ground, some showers across parts of northern ireland to end the day. still some rain continuing, albeit not as heavy across parts of northern england, pushing into the midlands and parts of wales further south. a few showers to watch out for as we go through into the end of the day. otherwise, and as we go overnight, the northerly wind continues. we will see any cloud, any rain gradually

pushing its way southwards. and with that then things will be breaking up , turning a bit drier breaking up, turning a bit drier for many of us. but some clear skies developing across the north and west. here it is going to turn chilly. could be some frost in places, staying a bit milder towards the south, but nonetheless a bit chillier than some recent nights. a bit of a cloudy , damp start for some of cloudy, damp start for some of us across southern parts, but that rain will quickly clear away towards the south as we go through tomorrow morning . and through tomorrow morning. and then for many, like i said at then for many, like i said at the start, a drier, brighter day with some decent sunny spells developing, a few showers still, especially in areas exposed to that chilly northerly wind and temperatures will be quite a bit lower than today as well. >> by despite the morning rain, it'll be a nice warm r , cosy day ahead.

well . well. >> good afternoon britain. it's 1:00 on wednesday the 9th of october. >> i'm emily carver and i'm tom harwood. >> more on pensioners rachel reevesis

>> more on pensioners rachel reeves is now considering a fresh tax raid on pensions. this as it's revealed more than 80% of pensioners in poverty are set to lose out on the winter fuel payment. >> a race against time. millions of people across florida are rushing to evacuate before what's been dubbed the storm of the century smashes into tampa tonight. the city's mayor warns that those who refuse to leave will likely die and head to head. >> less than half an hour now until the final tory mp leadership ballot, as conservative mps decide which final two contenders will fight it out to become leader of his majesty's most loyal opposition. we'll be slap bang in the middle of the action. >> and what a fascinating prime minister's questions it was. did you see the prime minister slightly flounder on those two important and specific questions

put