Transcripts For CSPAN Prime Ministers Questions Prime Ministers Questions 20240713

I will also essentially call for the questions from opposition front bench. In order to maximize participation can ask i asked the short questions and short answers . We now start Prime Ministers questions. Have further such meetings later today. Like to pay tribute to the Prime Minister and his ministers through these unprecedented times. Workingy constituents in nhs for your truly homework work. No one can afford to be complacent. I applaud my friends address to the nation. Governmentre me the will assure the people have the support they need in order to do so . Her tribute to our amazing nhs workers and it is in order to protect them and help them that we are taking the extraordinary measures that this country is, and i repeat my advice to the nation, which is to stayathome and save lives. Jeremy corbyn. For making the best arrangements possible today to ensure as many members can take questions. Many people have been mourning the loss of loved ones as a result of coronavirus this week. Our hearts go out to all of them and to those suffering the disease at the present time. Staff, police, firefighters, teachers, civil servants, local government staff and social care, all of them showing the value of public service. They are the unsung heroes. Keeping utilities running and our supermarkets properly stocked. Id like to pay special mention to one group who are usually ignored, forgotten, and cried as unskilled workers. Cleaners all around the country, and in this building, are doing their best to keep our places hygienic and safe. I have asked Prime Minister many times what action is being taken to ensure testing has been prioritized. I have received assurances that everything that could was being done. Three days ago the Prime Minister wrote to u. K. Research ,ngine arts to ask for help why was this not done weeks, if not months ago, when the government was first warned about the threat of global pandemic, and what action is now being taken to get testing machines . Perhaps i could begin by pointing out this is the last primes questions and it will be a Quick Program to pay tribute to him. We may not agree about everything, but no one can doubt his sincerity, and his determination to build a better society. I want to pay particular tribute and thanks to colleagues for cooperation in the current emergency as far as possible across party lines. I greeted him very much about what he said about cleaners. They do an extraordinary job and they deserve all the protection and support that we can give them in this difficult time. And on testing, he is quite right that testing is vital to our success in beating the coronavirus. The Health Secretary has explained many times we are massively increasing our testing 5000 to, going from 10,000 to 25,000 a day. In answer directly to his question, this has been a priority of this government ever since a crisis was upon us, for weeks and weeks. Ministerk the prime for his very kind remarks. I believe in a decent, socially just society. He was talking as though this were sort of a victory. Campaigning,und, arguing, and demanding justice for the people of this country and indeed, the rest of the world. Only protect the health of us all if we protect the health of our carers. At the charities who provide care for people with neurological conditions have said that their workforce is depleting daily as they have no access to tests. When will all the social care staff have regular access to testing . They are very important and obviously very vulnerable in this crisis. The answer to the question is we will do it as fast as possible. Obviously, if they have to selfisolate because they suspect they have the disease and cannot get a test, then their work is lost for a week, and obviously, those that need the care and support do not get in time. There are reports care house workers are being turned away from supermarkets in relation to priority shopping, not be allowed to buy certain items they desperately need to feed their residents. What is the Prime Ministers plan for making sure care workers can get the vital food and supplies they need for the people that they are caring for . Well, mr. Speaker, as the as you can imagine, we have been in regular contact with all the retailers, all the supermarket chains. They were absolutely determined to ensure that key workers do get time in supermarkets. If there is a particular problem, i will visit with them again. I hope the Prime Minister will because care workers are on the front line, looking after the most Vulnerable People within our society and keeping our care homes safe and well should be and must be an absolute priority. The Prime Minister has been saying for quite a long time that nhs staff will get the equipment they need. Yet, the Health Care Supply association the Health Care Supply Association Just get that has been forced to use totter to ask diy shops donate protective equipment to dhs staff. This is an appalling situation. Nhs staff some social kill staff and community nurses, and all other staff relating to Health Care Get the ppe equipment they absolutely, desperately need . Well, mr. Speaker, i can tell him, hes absolutely right to raise this issue. I know this has been a concern and we had a long meeting on it this morning but im assured the armies that distributing the supply to all the nhs come all the hospitals that needed. In the last 24 hours theyve distributed 7. 5 million pieces of equipment. Its important they did it because yesterday 7 7 of nhs chiefs who responded to a survey sedlak of staff testing Staff Shortages with the two biggest areas of concern for them. Last week the Prime Ministers stood in this chamber at the dispatch box and said he would come adequate, protect ryberg renters from eviction to casserly said that. Yet some renters we getting eviction notices as early as next week. The Prime Minister appears to have gone back on his word so will he now finally absolutely banned evictions for six months in line with the renewal period of the emergency legislation which is going through its parliamentary process at the moment . He raises a very important point about renters which are entered in the way i did last week. We have actually gone further now as he knows by lifting up local Housing Allowance to 30 of the median rate which be important for many people on low incomes across the country. But were also as he knows making sure that nofault evictions are no longer a part of the bill. Will come in for to you, this what reality is on the ground. Many of my colleagues will point out we are getting constituents touch with us who are being threatened with eviction now. Because they are in rent arrears because they can that would because of the shutdown over coronavirus. Can we just be absolutely clear will he make sure it is legislated that nobody can be infected during this First Six Months period of this emergency from the private rented sector . Im going to continue my question shortly, mr. Speaker, in the second part of the session but i just want to ask this question to the Prime Minister. Many british people abroad feel a bit abandoned by their government with many fast running out of medicines, with the host countries in lockdown, flights been canceled, accommodation canceled and assurance visas about to expire not coming the muchneeded costs until theyre able to return home. These british citizens have a right to turn to the own government for help and delays on phone calls on not acceptable. They feel abandoned. Can the Prime Minister as a foreign secretary was asked to do yesterday update the house on what his government is doing to bring people home and provide the emergency costs to the medical needs that many british residents abroad actually have at the present time . Mr. Speaker, he can take it were certainly doing everything we can to bring back british, National British citizens from abroad, a huge operations going on now to repatriate them as he wouldve heard from both the Health Secretary and the foreign secretary where we are protecting renters in spite of what he says. We are doing everything we can to protect our fantastic nhs. We are putting as a society know, were doing, and as a country, were doing quite an extra everything, which is for the first time in our history to get through this crisis we are putting our arms as a country around every single worker, every single employee in this country. [shouting] and it is a quite, it is a quite unprecedented step, and he will be hearing more. I know there are concerns about the selfemployed but he will be hearing more in the next couple of days from a right honorable friend chancellor. I can tell him, he said something the other day of this country would come through this experience changed and change for the better. And there he and i complete the agree. And we will get this country through this crisis with these exceptional steps. And i can tell him that we will do absolutely everything that it takes. We will do what ever it takes to get our country through it together. We will beat it. The most important advice i can give him as he retires to his hes not retiring. That will be warmly welcomed by his successor. The most important thing, the most important thing we can all do is stay at home to protect our nhs and to save many thousands of lives. Mr. Speaker, can i think my right honorable friend for his leadership at this incredibly difficult time. And for the measures already to support millions of people and protect them from from financial archer. The government advice is clear, stay home and support the nhs, protect allies. Can he help more people to make the right decision by giving to the 5000 self employed people that he is considering [inaudible] i think my honorable friend very much for racing that. Hes entirely right. I know that the leader of the opposition, quite incredible package to support to the businesses and the workforce of this country. We do need to ensure that we protect the self employed as well and he will be hearing more about that in the next couple of days. Thank you, mr. Speaker. There must be in response to questions from the leader of the opposition we all need to do a weekend. Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister said the uk is putting its arms around all our workers. I hope that would become the case because as of today its not. This morning the Resolution Foundation estimates 13 people in self employment are total of 1. 7 million workers are now at risk of losing their income. In scotland, that means 320,000 selfemployed people are deeply concerned about the jobs and the families they support. Thats failing. The selfemployed were promised by the Prime Minister and by his chancellor that help was coming. Only yesterday that told them we have not forgotten you, help is coming. These are the same promises that have now been made for weeks. And yet they and we are still waiting. Can that Prime Minister now explain why he package support the selfemployed wasnt put in place before we announced . Mr. Speaker, as he will understand we done huge amount already to strengthen the safety net for everybody in this country and not just those currently in employment. As i say a package that will get 80 of earnings up to 2. 5 thousand pounds per month but this country never done anything on this scale before. Weve increase universal credit a thousand pounds a year as he knows. We deferred income tax Self Assessment for the selfemployed until july. We are deferring vat into the next quarter. Theres access to Government Finance loans but their particular complexities about the selfemployed, which you need to be addressed. Theres also in the same position and all i can say is where working as fast as it possibly can to get the appropriate package of support for everybody in this country and that is what were going to do and we will get through it together. Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister knows we want to work with them on this but there is frustration because they have gone into lockdown and what goes without income . This is an emergency. The truth is the health and Economic Cost of this virus are people deserve strong leadership, Financial Support and they deserve straight answers. As we stand here, these people are losing their incomes. Telling them to wait another day simply isnt good enough. And norway and denmark in weight support has artie been expended to cover the incomes of the selfemployed. Germany, theres a 50 billion unique program to ensure soft blue delco makeup in ireland the selfemployed are eligible for a special pandemic payment of 350 euros a week. Scottish government has written to the chancellor asking him to expand the jobs to include the selfemployed. And the Prime Minister confirmed that when the chancellor will eventually does announce measures that will be clarity and quality of support between the already announced jobs retention scheme and the new scheme for the selfemployed . They must not be left behind, Prime Minister. Mr. Speaker, hes making a very important point. I share his desire to get clarity of support your eye which is reminded we are having extended mortgage holidays. Were getting all sorts of help, all sorts of interestfree loans to everybody across the whole country. You are particular difficulties of those are not on the schemes as i think the whole house understands. We are bringing for the package to assure everybody gets the support that they need. Thats the way to get this country to it, but if i may say so, the better we tackle the epidemic now, the more vigorously we are able to suppress the disease now, the faster we will come through it and that means, and that means yet it certainly means testing, but it means staying at home, protecting the nhs and thereby saving the lives. Thank you, mr. Speaker. The house has seen many cases of cobr 19 unsure the Prime Minister would like to join me in thanking all the staff at Newcastle Hospital in my constituency. We also thank the many volunteers coming forward to help, but also say to the few people are trying to flout the advice to stay home that their actions will cost lives . Mr. Speaker, i i would inded like to thank all the staff at new cross hospital. For everything they do. Everybody in the nhs across our country. Just since yesterday when we asked for volunteers to come forward, weve seen a huge number of people, hundreds of thousands of people asking to volunteer to whatever they can to support, thousands and thousands of doctors and nurses coming back to our fantastic nhs. I pay tribute to everyone, some of them in this house of commons. Given the Critical Incident last week and tragically that is recorded one of the highest levels of deaths so far, the Prime Minister will understand that theres considerable concern about the situation at the hospital visitors my constituents and many others. Can he tell the house there for when he expects the staff at the hospital to have access to the ppe they need and crucially to the testing equipment as and when they need to keep themselves, prevent the risk of cross infection . Hes right to raise the issue, and theyve had a concern within the last few two days ae will keep those supplies coming. Thank you, mr. Speaker. Theres no doubt our nation and the world is under attack from i virus which intends to take everyone of us sometimes [inaudible] it seems to me in Uncertain Times we need to clarity, leadership and want to commend the Prime Minister for leadership on the clarity has given in the messages coming from cover. What we know very clearly is protect the nhs, save lives by staying at home. But can ask the Prime Minister, will he confirm he will lift in of these measures imposed at the earliest possible opportunity once he knows that our nation is safe . Yes, of course, mr. Speaker, and we keep them under constant review. The more the whole country is able to Work Together to conform with those stipulations, the faster you will get on top of it, the faster, mr. Speaker, we come out of it. Mr. Speaker, to the Prime Minister, thank his ministers have been working constructively particularly for department felt with members from across the house in this difficult time. They have asked to report back difficult situation in our patch it in the light i like to mers to the fact that the oaklands care home in my constituency has had a difficult time lately. A 94yearold resident developed the symptoms of coronavirus. Ten days later, ten days later when the test by an happen, 14 of the 20 were exhibiting symptoms. Seven of the staff were also sick. They were agency staff would also been working in other care homes. None of the protected equipment requested had a right. Can the tell the house come in the 80,000 care homes around britain, what date of the expect tests to be carried out on the day the symptoms emerge . And everything a person working in this care homes will get the protective equipment they need. On the tests, as i said earlier on the edges we want to roll it out as soon as we possibly can. And on the personal protective equipment, the answer is by the end of this week. Thank you, mr. Speaker. , right honorable friend Prime Minister shamir that regular contact in supermarket and Food Supplies to assure that food are getting to the shelter needed . Will determine calling on people to only take what they need, not stockpile . Yes, indeed to trai turner think the profiteering is something we should be looking at from a legislative point of view in this house as happened before in this country. But i can tell him that the supermarkets to have adequate supplies. Our supply chains as my honorable friend knows are very good. We have lacked delivery hours but it is very, very important that everybody in their shopping acts reasonably and considerately for other people. I would like to convey of health workers, social care workers, teachers, cleaners and all those fighting this on the front line. [inaudible] starting to get food. All our self isolating. They even told the next available delivery food slot is april 16. What support can the government offer to ensure Vulnerable People in remote or rural areas are prioritize food delivery . Mr. Speaker, im told there is an army of local volunteers were delivering Food Supplies but if he wishes to you mitigate that directed to us we will take it up. Does the Prime Minister share my concern that the contractors are not following the record government advice of coronavirus . It is about the safety of us all. My constituents have seen that only contracting fail about rules of social distancing. Causing great success. Should this get home to save lives . Mr. Speaker, weve been very clear that everybody should work at home if they possibly can, and construction should only take place in a way that it is a in accordance with Public Health, england. Thank you, mr. Speaker. Charities include those on the front line of our nasa responds to coronavirus working with the susanville, the elderly, Domestic Violence and providing food to the volvo. They are in dire straits in the face a 4. 3 billion drop in income, providing essential service to the vulnerable. It is frankly not an option. When is the Prime Minister going to come forward with an urgent package as my honorable friend, and 150 colleagues from eight parties across the house have been calling for so that they can continue their life saving work . Mr. Speaker, shes absolutely right to pay tribute to the workers and voluntary sector, the charitable sector. They are crucial to our National Response to this crisis and so we are indeed looking at my honorable friend the chancellor are looking at the package of measures to support charities as well. The Prime Minister, commend the Prime Minister and all those on the front line further handling of the situation. He will know ive race with an prepas its important working out to all the elderly and the vulnerable who lived alone regardless of health so no one is left behind. But as former secretary may i raise with him the plight of the British Council . It is running out of money. Theyve had to cease the commercial activities in the reserves will be exhausted within weeks. Can he make funding available . Mr. Speaker, i tend to love the british was doing the job he refers to people continue to support it in any way that we can and we are actively looking for what we can do. When the all this is over i think the mr. Speaker, will genuinely have [inaudible] and in that regard can i commit to them where we have a fantastic offer built up over many decades but which [inaudible] overwhelming self employed. So will the Prime Minister give an assurance to the selfemployed people that when the offer of help comes they will not be in any worse position than they would be if it were in employment . Mr. Speaker, i cannot in all candor promise the house that will be able to get through this crisis with any kind of hardship at all. But what i can tell him, he and i talked facetoface about the issue that he races. Raises. We will do whatever we can to support the selfemployed just as would put our arms run every single employed person in this country. I will understand the point he makes. As for his generous invitation he should be careful on what he wishes for. Thank you, mr. Speaker. May i join colleagues from across the soused in congratulating and thanking the Prime Minister for strong leadership at this difficult time which is provided great reassurance to my constituents. Will the Prime Minister continue to work with the voluntary sector and Charity Groups to ensure Vulnerable People continue to get the support they need from this government during this challenging time . Yes, indeed, mr. Speaker, and thats why weve given in the first instance another half a billion pounds to counsel to look after the poorest and most vulnerable members of society and and i thank him for his support. Thank you, mr. Speaker. There are companies defying [inaudible] Public Health and to save lives. So can he tell the house and for those watching what the consequences are of still operating that shouldnt be today . Mr. Speaker, where businesses are blatantly ignoring the instructions of the government, then they will face the consequences as being [inaudible] mr. Speaker, can i salute the tone of the Prime Ministers a difficult some address to the nation on monday night. I know the heroic efforts are happening to run the amounts of testing. Could Prime Minister give us some idea as to win we will be able to get back to reaching testing in the community as that happens in korea, germany and other countries . And she would not know institute weekly tests for nhs staff so we can remove from them the fear that it might be infecting their own patient . Well, mr. Speaker, i can tell the house that on Antibody Testing and on antigene testing were making huge progress. We are buying millions of antibody tests. To share with you, and on his point is that sometimes about how soon can we get that nhs staff in of the Public Sector workers tested, to see if they come have, that is as soon as we possibly can. [inaudible] the chancellor enchanter secretary by yesterday [inaudible] i can tell the honorable tillman westerly not washed our hands on any sets and uk business or industry. We are in regular contact with the aviation sector doing everything we can to help, and already that sector and others, and many other loan supports can already available. But i can assure you there are other contacts going on as we speak. We will now start the second part of Prime Ministers questions. I will start with agenda coven. Thank you, mr. Speaker. And again thank you for making the arrangements that you have today so the more colleagues can come into the chamber. It is a little odd, however, that were having to have a double session of Prime Ministers question time to question the Prime Minister when he himself should have volunteered to come here and make the statement of some length of the subject rather than just doing it to press conferences and television addresses. This house is the place where the government should be held to account. Construction sites, mr. Speaker, are still operating, still working on nonemergency work, despite the new rules for the chancellor said yesterday that sites will continue to stay open. We heard this morning on the radio a call from a selfemployed construction worker who said that he had contracted coronavirus. He was suffering from it. He knew he had got it but had no other option but to get on the london tube and go on to cite to work. Obviously putting itself at greater risk of putting all of the passengers and all of the workers on that site at risk. Why was he doing it . Because he cited up and close it down. He had no other source of income to feed his family. So is going to work making all of us more at risk as a result. So can the Prime Minister be absolutely clear and give unequivocal guidance now that construction work on nonemergency work should stop now . Mr. Speaker, everybody should work at home unless they must go to work. And every business if you have alternative if businesses continue constructor probably, they should do so in accordance with the guidance of Public Health, and they have a duty of care to their employees. But overwhelmingly what we are saying to the people of this country is about unless you need to leave the house to take exercise, for medical reasons, or to buy essential supplies, you should stay at home, protect nhs and save lives. Clearly people should stay at home and protect others but if theres no other source of income, then the very difficult to my personal choices are going to be made and as a result we are all put at greater risk as a result of it. The selfemployed having to choose whether they go to work or stay at home, or face losing their entire livelihood, relying instead on an overstretched welfare system which could pay as little as 94 pounds per week. One selfemployed person said they need to pay for baby food, rent, council tax and insurance for the card that used to work. Faced with the decision to intrafamily, feed your family, and not get paid, why has it taken so long to get income for all selfemployed workers . There are millions of them. Our economy has changed. Mr. Speaker, we are making it absolutely clear to everybody in this country that they should stay at home and save lives. When it comes to the selfemployed and the particular pressure he raises, i think i have now said several times already in the chamber in answer to other honorable members that we are shortly bringing forward a package. And i think he would recognize that the steps the government has taken to provide support for workers, for employees in this country are quite exceptional and unprecedented. And when the welcome by the trade unions themselves. Mr. Speaker, im asking questions about the selfemployed and those on zero hours contract and those with no recourse to public funds who have no support. They are in a very difficult situation, and he should understand that are many of our constituents for every member of this house, our constituents did hansen handsome house existence. A few days paid loss is catastrophic for them. The time of the gentleman has expired again government ministers to toast the workers affected by the crisis could get help by universal credit. Last night there were queues of over 110,000 people trying to get on to the dwp system in order to register to apply for universal credit. Will the Prime Minister now put extra resources and funding to boost the dwp capacity and relax the often quite draconian requirements on people claiming so that money gets where its needed quickly to this people who have got to feed the kids, got to pay the rent, got to survive somehow . Mr. Speaker, hes perfectly right, and thats why weve increased the funding of universal credit, echoes by at 1000 pounds a year. That will that will bennett 4 million of those on household in the country and over were putting several billion pounds in two the system altogether. And as i say we will be bringing forward a package for the selfemployed but what we are not doing and this is fully in accordance with the scientific and medical advice, what we are not doing is closing down the whole uk economy. He will understand the reasons for that. Im not asking for the entire uk economy too close to. We want people to be safe but clearly things have to go one. My question was about the dwp resources which the Prime Minister didnt answer. Well, it wasnt an answer that was satisfactory to me. [inaudible] one of his colleagues, what of his colleagues is claiming it was a yes. Ill take that. So that means most staff now for the d deputy quickly so we 10,000 people waiting. I havent finished yet. [laughing] my question, my question is, mr. Speaker, while these is a given time to think of the answer, [inaudible] the sick pay level of 94pound and 25 week which Health Secretary despite promising he would ensure workers get the support they need we are still not action on that so unless we increase statutory sick pay and give protection and exit the benefits of those on zero hours contract then, the dated were all aware of the people going to work, trying to work when they shouldnt is going to continue. We do need very urgent action on this. Mr. Speaker, hes actually right, its not a time this is time for sears action at anss response to the crisis and that what he seen from this government and thats why from day one we made it so sick pay should be payable from day one. Thats why weve advanced universal credit. And repeat the answer i gave a moment ago, mr. Speaker, with increase universal credit by 1000 pounds a year. That will benefit for the people, the poor stomach and the country. And yes, we do want to see i pretreated by the way, many fantastic work since country not just in the nhs, not just in social care but, of course, in the teaching professions, but in the dwp itself. Theyre doing an an incredible job. They are facing huge, huge new demands. And yet we will support them and thats why were putting another sevenpoint pounds as a said just now, mr. Speaker, into our welfare system. I do want to appear totally negative, mr. , mr. Speaker, but would be better if the whole place would be better step in the first place. But i will take it for what the Prime Minister said that theres going to be increased in dw staff in order people can access universal credit more quickly. Mr. Speaker, its quite right parliament is set to be closed today and its right that the Prime Minister and cabinet ministers continue to deliver daily Public Information sessions and that is absolutely correct. However, i understand its going to be possibly sometime before the house meets again. And there has to be scrutiny of what government to do. That is what part of it is for. That is what oppositions exist for. And so id be grateful if the Prime Minister would indicate how over the weeks until parliament opens again hes going to put himself open to some form of scrutiny, electronic, whatever it happens to be so that parliament can hold government to account because of the levels of stress and concern of both constituents that we represent. Mr. Speaker, the honorable gentleman is entirely correct. I think the way we tried handle this crisis is to be as open and transparent as it possibly can with all our working, our thinking and all the work about how we can make sure the part of it is also kept informed throughout the recess. Thank you. Thank you, mr. Speaker. All i can say to the Prime Minister, this is please make sure you make yourselves available for scrutiny by this house and buy everybody else. Because we represent people who are desperately worried about their health, about the economic wellbeing, and if youre living in a small flat and youre told to isolate and you have a large family and a large number of children, the level of stress are going to be huge. The levels of stress throughout our society are huge. Its up to all of us to do what we can to reduce those levels of stress and obviously bring this whole situation to a conclusion as quickly as we can. So we need clarity, not confucian. We need delivery, not dither. This crisis shows us how deeply we depend on each other. We will only come through this as a society through a huge collective effort. A time of crisis no one is an island. No one is selfmade. The wellbeing of the wealthiest corporate chief executive officer depends on the outsourced worker cleaning the office. At times like this, mr. Speaker, we have to recognize the value of each other and the strength of the society that cares for each other and cares for all. Hear, hear. Well, mr. Speaker, i really want to do nothing else except to associate myself only with the closing words of the lead of the opposition. And i think what this country is doing now is utterly extraordinary. We are coming together as a nation in a way i have not seen in my lifetime, to help to defeat a disease and to help save the lives, many, many thousands of her fellow citizens. And we all understand that that will involve a sacrifice. But we are gladly making that sacrifice. In the most important point i can pass to the house today is that that sacrifice is inevitable and it is necessary. But the more we followed the advice of the government, the more strictly we obey the measures that we put in place, then the swifter and more surely this country will come back from the current crisis, the better we will recover, and i will just repeat my message in case the right honorable judgment would like to get one more time. The best thing we can do, stay at home, protect our nhs and save many, many thousands of lives. Hear, hear. Mr. Speaker, i echo the words of my right honorable friend. The current position on transport is the services have been severely curtailed. In fact, the journey from his constituency in Central London around 15 minutes a post every five minutes. Theres also the result is huge packed trains with people who potentially are infecting other people. Clearly sometimes those people are being selfish. What advice does my right honorable friend have for his successor mayor of london in resolving this particular problem . Well, mr. Speaker, the mayor of london, i can assure him, i understand very well that job that the mayor is doing and my own views we should be able to run a better tube system, at the moment should be able to get more tubes going. But we will do everything we can. I do not wish, i do not wish any way to cast aspersions on whats going on at the moment but it is an outstanding organization. What we will do is give the mayor ever support and help that we can to help them through what seems to me to be his present logistical difficulties. Thank you, mr. Speaker. As of monday, over 3300 nhs staff seeking to return to work and are to help us defeat this coronavirus. These people and all is already working tirelessly within our nhs, every last one of them from consultants declares, to cares to nurses, from drivers to clearance, they are performing vital work to save the lives of others. When this crisis is over we in this house will need to find some way to honor those amazing heroes. But there is one way that the public and other support nhs staff know, that is by staying at home. Staying in your home and it uses social distancing will save life, protect our health and social care centers and begin to flatten the curve. We can avoid unnecessary deaths but only if we all act together. Does the Prime Minister agree with me that we owe it to everyone in our nhs and to those willing to return to nonessential workers to stay at home . County congratulate him for the splendid way in which he expressed himself just now . I think i message that i think that message need to be heard loud and clear across the uk. Can i think the Prime Minister for he has said. Many members in the south, around it fictions. Will the Prime Minister join in pricing scotlands security secretary who announced scottish governments intention to use the room by the coronavirus built to protect people from losing their homes . The scottish governments plan to have a sixmonth plan in fiction is welcome as they are necessary. And will the Prime Minister also join me in sending a message out from the south that in times like this when he to be truly loving and Compassionate Society . No one, no one, mr. Speaker, should be facing the threat of eviction at the time of national emergency. Will the Prime Minister send out that message today . Yes, indeed, mr. Speaker. I want to repeat what we are doing, not just supporting nhs am putting a billion pounds more back into supporting the renters affected by local Housing Allowance, but also stopping nofault evictions. The difference is, what i can tell the right honorable gentleman we will certainly keep the protection under review. Id like to thank the leader and the chief executive and all that stuff for the brilliant work they are doing coordinating aid and support across my bro. Fantastically for which with a range of heroes. Prime minister there is an army of like like a cab drives and d london itching to get involved like the spitfires in 1914. Can we find a way if we need to get doctors and nurses safety across london to use these black cabdrivers, not on the meat it contracted basis . Mr. Speaker, my honorable friend makes a super point and, indeed, that is already been raised in our considerations, the black cabdrivers are a fantastic service. They are an Unsung Service and i believe they can certainly rise to the challenge. Mr. Speaker, weve all heard about huge increase in applications for universal credit. Whatever measures the chancellor comes forward with to help the selfemployed will take time to implement. What is the governments plan to all people with no job and no income and no savings where the dont have any money at all to buy food . What with the government do to make sure that no family goes hungry . We have already increased universal credit but what we are doing immediately, mr. Speaker, to help you get cash to the poorest and neediest is to give an immediate grant of 500 million the local counsels, and it will be more to come. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I keep looking for the [inaudible] will the Prime Minister agree with me that this is the opportunity to plan for future and make sure we can rebuild a Strong Economy and become more Community Minded than ever before . I do believe that this country will emerge better and stronger from this experience, and i can certainly tell my honorable friend theres been a great deal of thought being given to the lessons we need to learn from this crisis, and how we can turn to the advantage of the british people in the futur future. People are being evicted now this week as a result of losing their income, including all those people who are being tossed out of lowcost hotels when irving house either on all right or the local authority. Is he aware all of these emergency legislation will do is differ in evictions for two and half months, story of the problem or the down the line . Can he tell us that what hes going to do to fulfill his governments to midnight in full that no one will lose their home . Shes told the right to raise this record the bill comes into force of the but as i said in answer to the leader of the snp, we will keep the three month, it is three months, the three months under review. Like so many comics collegey constituents have mini me selfemployed. Food production for a much selfemployed businesses. Can he assure it wont be bureaucracy and the difficulty of study of the system that stops help getting to selfemployed because its absolute essential we cut through the bureaucracy to make it work . That is indeed the issue, mr. Speaker, the issue, the difficulty is not devising the scheme. We can devise the steam. The difficulties getting the cash to the people who need it in a timely way. Anybody whos worked on any of these projects will know that is the real issue. Some firms have shamed themselves by other businesses are trying to do the right thing but of being let down by their Insurance Companies to defend sporting and Conference Companies and my constituents. Will the government give a clear direction that no large events involving large groups of people should be taken place it have in your future Adventures Companies need to get their act together . The enforcement is there. It is going to be applied in the message should go out not only to those companies but to the insurers as well. Thank you, mr. Speaker. Can i think the Prime Minister and can associate my words with but the need to support rural and coulson communities with fatima what for the support what might we be able to expect for help for fishman or sitting on the line . I think is absolutely right, and he and i have seen the wonderful work thats done by the Fishing Community in his constituency and they will receive all sorts of benefits, not least of course our ability in due time to take back control of the resources of the uk. Thank you, mr. Speaker. Yesterday i talked with some of who suffered from autoimmune disease and symptoms of conditioner so much about of coronavirus. Shes concern she wont be shes concern she will end up needing emergency medical health. Can the tragic and from the government is to ensure she will be [inaudible] indeed. China make sure the guidance essences as we possibly can but in your particular case and i perhaps advisor to get cash directly and will make sure that she is included. Thank you, mr. Speaker. The police are asking local employees to get paid leave to special constables during this crisis. Does the Prime Minister agree every business should be playing its part and all special constables should be able to report to duty . Yes, indeed, mr. Speaker, and i should value the police and specials come and but who in our Incredible Police force for what they do and they should certainly be added to the role of honor. Thank you, mr. Speaker. Tens of thousands of our constituents are stranded abroad. This into thousands of planes and pundits are sitting. Ministers of defense have unparallel experience chartered plane and organizing flights. What they need is your instruction to do that. So when you go back, get on minister of defense and tell them get here and bring out bring our people home. Yes, mr. Speaker, we certainly, though not every country in the world necessary welcomes a great tailspin as work but we will make sure, we have come were working with most of them do i should say, but truckers where certainly commissioning right now and theres a massive repatriation effort going on. Mr. Speaker, have put on record the gratitude to my constituents for the leadership on both the Prime Minister and house second or during this time for the whole country . Coronavirus issuing our nhs, doctors, nurses and support staff that might but is also showing the stream some parts of our nhs including all or parts of nhs. Coronavirus pandemic outbreak has passed people he worked with me for the delivery and you can hospital [inaudible] mr. Speaker, the short answer to the question is yes. The long answer is this government is in no way going to build, continue record investment in our nhs and build 14 new hospitals. Protecting the most marginalized among us and all access to public funds. Will the Prime Minister encourages the home office to radically reformist policies so everybody can access support and accommodation in need to get through this crisis . Mr. Speaker, this country will know all the most Malay Society in the way we always have and the groups he mentioned will certainly receive the Home Office Funding that they need and deserve. Thank you very much, mr. Spe. This will put extra pressure and limited precincts in my concern is certain criminal elements will likely exploit this moment of national emergency. Will the Prime Minister promised me and my constituents that we wont come down like a like a f bricks in such individuals . Yes, indeed, mr. Speaker. The early signs are criminal activity is not up. Its down at the moment but we will come down like like a tonf bricks and anybody who seeks to exploit the situation. Thank you, mr. Speaker. The people of newcastle are desperately trying to do the right thing, although my inbox tells me that they are angry, confused, running out of money, isolated and stranded in some cases. However, not all businesses are doing the right thing and im particularly thinking of forcing workers into empty Sports Direct shops. The Prime Minister said businesses should stand with their staff to what is his message to those who dont . Mr. Speaker, the advice to the gentleman as instruction of genuine question and every business is to follow what the governor has said, to obey the rules or to expect the consequences. That is the best way to look after not just their employees, but their businesses as well. The. And welcome dash of wales has two governments, weve delivered legislation and sufficient health. Any you need to on policy or communication causes anxiety for my constituents. The sector of health, volunteers cant take place crossborder will he get on the phone to the welsh, essay lets Work Together . Yes, mr. Speaker, the formations of United Kingdom have been working very, very well together will get on to the welsh, this afternoon on issue he addresses. Thank you, mr. Speaker. We are desperate trying to replace home provision. How can we make sure those who reside in those mills can get hold of the food they need so they can get healthy while they are home . Yes, mr. Speaker, i thank her. It is our schools, are tedious, everybody who works in schools who were dealing with an incredibly difficult situation looking after the pupils of key workers can helping to keep our country going in a very difficult time and the administration of preschool meals and supporting kids who need preschool meals is absolutely toprated of our. We are working at the moment on a voucher scheme. Supermarkets have much more in their delivery hours. One thing we want to make sure to do to support people, at the moment, at the moment an expanding sector of the employment market and we dont want to be putting up any barriers to online delivery at all. Can i just say i wish the leader of the opposition well on his question. And can you have been watching Prime Ministers questions. Right now, members are in recess for easter and will return wednesday, april 20 second. When the house of commons returns, you can see it live at 7 00 a. M. Eastern on cspan two or watch it sunday night at 9 00 eastern and pacific on cspan. You can also go to cspan. Org and watch past Prime Ministers questions and other British Public affairs programs. Miss any of the live coverage to the response of atonavirus, watch it anytime cspan. Org coronavirus. From briefings by the president and White House Task force, to updates by governors, it is all there. Use the chart to track the virus global spread and confirm the cases in the u. S. County by county