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Boris Johnson faces Keir Starmer at PMQs – UK politics live PMQs: Starmer challenges Johnson over record low rate of rape prosecutions – live
(32 minutes later)
Latest updates: prime minister answers questions from Labour leader in CommonsLatest updates: prime minister answers questions from Labour leader in Commons
Sir Keir Starmer asks why under this government rape prosecutions and convictions are at a record low. Johnson says he does not want to allow his planning reforms to be misrepresented. He says it is intended to extend home ownership, and to allow levelling up.
Johnson says prosecutions and convictions were too low when he became PM. That is why he commissioned the rape review. He quotes figures for the amount invested in this area. He says he is addressing the “misery” of victims having to hand over their phones. And Labour should back tougher sentences, he says. And that’s it. PMQs is over.
John Stevenson (Con) asks if the PM supports a plan to make solar panels compulsory for all new-build homes. Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Lab) asks about the Delta Plus variant, and asks if the PM will support a vaccine intellectual property waiver. The G7’s efforts were negligible, she claims.
Johnson says this is an interesting idea. He will look at it. But some new homes do not have enough space on the roof. Johnson says he does not accept Ribeiro-Addy’s point about the G7. And she says the scientists say the current vaccines are effective against all variants.
Boris Johnson says today marks five years since the UK voted to leave the EU. He reads a short statement, making some of the points made in the statement issued overnight. (See 9.34am.) He says any EU residents who have not yet applied for the EU settlement scheme to do so. Esther McVey (Con) urges the PM to ditch HS2 and invest in high-speed broadband instead.
PMQs is starting now. Johnson says the government is rolling out gigabit broadband. But he does not agree with McVey on HS2.
In Scottish questions in the Commons Mhairi Black (SNP) has just asked Alister Jack, the Scottish secretary, about this Herald story. Janet Daby (Lab) says yesterday was Windrush day. It was a reminder of the “appalling failure” of the government’s compensation scheme. Does the PM accept this scheme must be handed over to an independent body?
Jack said he had spoken to the the Cabinet Office about this and it told him that it did not commission political polling. Johnson says he accepts the injustice done, and he renews the apologies already offered. He says he hopes in time the name Windrush will be a positive name, associated with the amazing contribution of that generation. He says he hopes Windrush will be seen as the UK’s Mayflower.
In evidence to the Commons education committee this morning, Gavin Williamson, the education secretary, complained that too many schools are still closing early. This is from the Mail’s Jack Maidment. Andrew Mitchell (Con) asks the PM if he accepts that there must be a meaningful vote on the decision to cut the aid budget, as the Speaker demanded.
PMQs will be starting in 10 minutes. Johnson says there will be an estimates day debate on overseas aid. But he says he does not accept Mitchell’s account of how calamitous the aid cuts will be.
Here is the list of MPs down to ask a question. Owen Thompson (SNP) asks what the government is planning that requires it to neuter the Electoral Commission.
In her Telegraph article (paywall) Priti Patel, the home secretary, confirmed that the deadline for EU citizens resident in the UK who want to apply to stay through the EU settlement scheme is 30 June - a week today. But she said people with “reasonable grounds for missing the deadline” would still be able to apply. Absolutely nothing, Johnson replies.
Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, said today the deadline should be extended. In a statement she said: James Davies (Con) asks about poor broadband in his constituency.
Priti Patel, the home secretary, has accused some EU countries of not doing enough to respect the rights of Britons living on the continent. In an article in the Daily Telegraph (paywall) to mark the fifth anniversary of the Brexit vote, she said: Johnson says BT has agreed to extend its service in the area.
Dame Vera Baird QC, the victims’ commissioner for England and Wales, told the Commons home affairs committee this morning that the government’s recently-published rape review was “underwhelming” but also a “watershed” moment. She explained: Philippa Whitford (SNP) says the PM claimed during the referendum there would be no change to the rights of EU citizens after Brexit. Will he extend the deadline for the EU settlement scheme.
Baird also described the current treatment of victims as “appalling”. Johnson says the scheme has produced 5.6m applications already. He says they were told only 3m EU citizens were living in the UK.
Malta and the Balearic Islands could be included in an update to the government’s green list for foreign travel, which is otherwise expected to be lean for holidaymakers hoping for a getaway, according a report in today’s Times (paywall). John Nicolson (SNP) condemns the trade deal with Australia, and says he hopes Johnson is coming to Scotland soon, because every visit he makes is “toxic” for the unionist cause.
As PA Media reports, the paper says the Mediterranean islands are among a “handful” of places being considered for quarantine-free trips ahead of the update to the lists under the traffic light system tomorrow. The weekly rate of coronavirus cases per 100,000 people on Malta is just 1.6, compared with 108.4 in the UK, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). Johnson says he can’t wait to return to Scotland. And he says Nicolson should have more faith in Scottish farmers.
Nadhim Zahawi, the vaccine deployment minister, will hold a press conference at Downing Street at 5pm, No 10 has said. Julie Elliott (Lab) says Amazon was throwing brand new equipment into landfill when parents were searching for laptops to help children learn at home. Will the PM condemn this?
Here is the full quote from Brandon Lewis, the Northern Ireland secretary, speaking about the Northern Ireland protocol at the start of his evidence to the Northern Ireland affairs committee this morning. He said: Johnson says he was “shocked and amazed” by this. He says all MPs will think this is “bizarre and unacceptable”. He says he is sure Amazon will rectify this.
Steve Double (Con) says the housing crisis in Cornwall is getting worse. Will the planning reforms help local people buy homes?
Johnson says this point has been raised with him repeatedly. He wants to ensure local homes are built for local people.
Sir Ed Davey, the Lib Dem leader, says at the Chesham and Amersham byelection he spoke to carers who felt the PM was not interested in them. When will he stop taking working family carers for granted?
Johnson says he salutes carers. The government has supported carers, and it putting unprecedented sums into social care. But no words could express the value of what carers do.
Mark Pawsey (Con) asks if the PM will support plans for a gigafactory at Coventry airport.
Johnson says he wants to ensure that Coventry is in the lead for building new electric vehicles.
Ian Blackford, the SNP leader at Westminster, asks about the Herald story (see 12.04pm) saying Covid funds were used to carry out polling on Scottish independence. Did the government use this fund for political campaigning?
Johnson says he is not aware of this contract.
Blackford says Johnson has demonstrated his does not have a clue. The answer is yes. The Tories cannot be trusted, he says. He says these emergency contracts were meant to be used for things like PPE. But this emergency contract was used to research attitudes to the union. He says this was political campaigning. He calls for an inquiry into the misuse of public funds.
Johnson says he cannot think of a better use of public funds than ensuring the UK fights Covid together.
Starmer seems unimpressed by Johnson’s reply, saying you can always tell when Johnson is on weak ground. He says the justice secretary has apologised. Will Johnson?
Johnson says of course he is sorry for what people have experienced. He says the government is addressing that. The government wants to get the courts moving, and the best way to do that is to get the country moving. He says Labour vacillates, while the government vaccinates.