Transcripts For GBN Peoples 20240704

You gb news for hosting this you to gb news for hosting this first kind, event. First of its kind, kind event. Now out and about now ive been out and about across the country for the past couple of months, talking to people their people everywhere about their priorities and what were doing to them. And tonight to deliver on them. And tonight i want to do the same thing with all of you. Now now, i know things havent been easy over the past couple of years. We had covid and the impact that had on pubuc covid and the impact that had on Public Services , the backlogs Public Services, the backlogs were seeing and just as we were recovering from that, a war in ukraine that drove up all of yours and everyone elses energy bills. But but even though were not out of the woods yet, at the start of this year, i believe that we have made progress and that we have made progress and that were heading in the right direction now. At the beginning of last year, you may have seen that i set out five priorities. Your priorities that i wanted to focus on and they were to halve inflation, grow the economy, reduce debt, cut waiting lists and stop the boats. Now, of course , theres more work to do course, theres more work to do on all of them, but we are making progress. On all of them, but we are making progress. Inflation on all of them, but we are making progress. Inflation has been more than halved from 11 when i got this job, to around 4. Now the economys outperformed expectations. Debt is on track to fall and because of all of that, weve been able to start cutting taxes as the number of Illegal Migrants crossing the channel is down by a third. Last year. Crossing the channel is down by a third. Last year. And although a third. Last year. And although of course, there are challenges in the nhs, weve eliminated the longest waits. People waiting two years or a year and a half, and that is progress. But as i said, theres more to do and thats what the election this yearis thats what the election this year is about. Thats the choice. Do we stick with this plan . Our plan that is starting to deliver the change that you all want, and the country deserves, or do we go back to square one with keir starmer and the labour party . Now weve just seen in the last week , sukh the absolute the last week, sukh the absolute chaos over the £28 billion decarbonisation policy , that decarbonisation policy, that labour simply dont have a plan. And if you dont have a plan, you cant deliver any change. In contrast, what i want to do is give all of you the peace of mind that comes from knowing that your children can look forward to a Brighter Future and that all of us can have a renewed sense of pride in our country. Thats what i know you country. Thats what i know you want. And if we stick to the plan that is starting to deliver change, thats what i know that i can deliver for all of you. But this is about your questions and whats on your mind. So, stephen, over to you. Yeah. Lets get things going. Thank you, Prime Minister now the rules here are very simple. If you are asking questions tonight , then youve tonight, then once youve stepped microphone , stepped up to the microphone, please name. And if you please say your name. And if you want to, where youre from and what do. So lets have the what you do. So lets have the first question. Good evening, Prime Minister my good evening, Prime Minister my name is david from darlington. My question is very simple. My question is very simple. Since the 2019 election, when the conservative party won an 80 seat majority, do you believe that the conservative party have delivered anything of real substance and value since then . Substance and value since then . Perfect. David well, great to hear from you. I was in darlington earlier today working out of the campus that i set up there when i was chancellor, which is a great example, actually, of levelling and actually, of levelling up. And youre we youre asking, what have we delivered over the past few years . You know, you dont have to further than to look much further than teesside, actually, to see what were delivering people. Were delivering for people. Now. That is an area that had been neglected the labour been neglected by the labour party decades. And you party for decades. And if you look at whats happened over the last years, got a last few years, weve got a great conservative mayor ben great conservative mayor in ben houchen fantastic houchen whos doing a fantastic job. Taken advantage of job. Weve taken advantage of brexit to create a brand new freeport in teesside. And whats a freeport . Its something that a freeport . Its something that we properly inside we couldnt properly do inside the outside of we couldnt properly do inside theweve outside of we couldnt properly do inside theweve created outside of we couldnt properly do inside theweve created them. Tside of we couldnt properly do inside theweve created them. It de of it, weve created them. It attracts businesses with tax incentives and businesses are investing in teesside, creating jobs in the industries of the future. I put the treasury future. I put the treasury campus in darlington. Just think about that for a second. In darlington, right. Forget about not being in london. Thought about putting in the north. Its not in one of the big northern cities, not in manchester, leeds or newcastle. Its in darlington because its places like darlington getting darlington that are now getting the a conservative the focus from a conservative government. You can see it in the Infrastructure Improvements that are happening. Darlington station , the high station being upgraded, the high streets and town centres and stockton and thornaby not so far from here. Spennymoor, all of these places getting record amounts of investment. Blythe amounts of investment. Blythe new railway line. So look those are the changes that are happening. That is the plan. Thatis happening. That is the plan. That is working. And what is it about . Its about spreading opportunity because thats what i care about. Its about making sure that wherever you live in our country, you grow up and our country, you can grow up and know that your dreams be know that your dreams can be realised. You have to move know that your dreams can be realisfrom u have to move know that your dreams can be realisfrom your have to move know that your dreams can be realisfrom your home. E to move know that your dreams can be realisfrom your home. And move know that your dreams can be realisfrom your home. And irove know that your dreams can be realisfrom your home. And i was away from your home. And i was speaking to young people today at that darlington campus who were me about that all were telling me about that all from the north east, up from newcastle, from york, from durham , from teesside, from durham, from teesside, from nonh durham, from teesside, from North Yorkshire , all of them North Yorkshire, all of them working at the heart of government in darlington. All of government in darlington. All of them said to me, this is incredible. I never thought id be able to do this. I didnt want to move down to london. Thats what this conservative government has done for young people as well people across the north, as well as improvements, which people across the north, as well as sure nprovements, which people across the north, as well as sure that vements, which people across the north, as well as sure that people ;, which people across the north, as well as sure that people can1ich people across the north, as well as sure that people can have makes sure that people can have pride place that they pride in the place that they call and pride does come call home and pride does come down to simple things like making high streets making sure your high streets clean is safe, making sure clean and is safe, making sure the your area the transport in your area works, we can youth works, that we can build youth clubs. What that clubs. Thats what all that levelling is doing levelling up money is doing across east. And across the north east. And actually today its just funny. You had the first question. Actually today its just funny. You ind the first question. Actually today its just funny. You in darlingtonquestion. Actually today its just funny. You in darlington inastion. Actually today its just funny. You in darlington in that1. Actually today its just funny. You in darlington in that office was in darlington in that office today. It happening today. You can see it happening around that is the change around you. That is the change that you feel. Talk to that you can feel. Talk to anyone in teesside and they will tell you. And thats what i want to delivering. And if i can to keep delivering. And if i can win election , i can make win another election, i can make sure that keep delivering sure that we can keep delivering that you have that change. All of you can have the peace of mind that your kids can that Brighter Future. Can have that Brighter Future. We sense we can have a renewed sense of pride country. And thats pride in our country. And thats what im fighting for. Okay, Prime Minister thank you much indeed. Okay lets you very much indeed. Okay lets see whos got our next question. Good evening, Prime Minister. Im from london, and im im alex from london, and im a student. As you know, the nhs is a key priority to most voters. A key priority to most voters. And you said recently that you didnt make progress as didnt make as much progress as you to last year. How you wanted to last year. But how can you convince us today that this year were going to see some real, meaningful change in the nhs and well see waiting lists for thank you. So look , lists for thank you. So look, why should you trust me on the nhs . Well, first and foremost, i come from an nhs family, but my dad was a gp, my mum was a pharmacist. I actually grew up working in my mums pharmacy , working in my mums pharmacy, delivering medicines to people who couldnt come in. That was my world. That was my parents world. Those were their patients, that was our community. Saw first hand community. And i saw first hand the incredible impact that primary health care in particular has on peoples lives, the dependency that they have on it. So its really important to me that we support our nhs gps. Now, i dont need to tell you the damage that covid has done to so many things in our country, but particularly its caused backlogs in the nhs. Right . And whoever was Prime Minister, was standing right . And whoever was prime miniztonight was standing right . And whoever was prime miniztonight , was standing right . And whoever was prime miniztonight , there as standing right . And whoever was prime miniztonight , there would|ding right . And whoever was prime miniztonight , there would beig here tonight, there would be backlogs because of here tonight, there would be backlhappened. Because of here tonight, there would be backlhappened. You because of here tonight, there would be backlhappened. You all ause of here tonight, there would be backlhappened. You all know of here tonight, there would be backlhappened. You all know that what happened. You all know that your fair minded people, right . But what we doing about it . But what are we doing about it . Well, were well, first of all, were putting in record amounts of money. Money than the money. So more money than the nhs has ever had. And some of you might say, well, you reasonably might say, well, hang should stop hang on, maybe we should stop focusing the money focusing so much on the money were in and actually were putting in and actually focus as so focus on the reform as well. So were doing more doctors were doing that to more doctors and nurses because no one and more nurses because no one has ever trained enough doctors and nurses for the long terme. But ive done that. Now, look, were the best in the world. I probably will not be around in the 14 years that it takes to train the consultant that were now starting to invest in, but its the right long terme thing to do for our country, which is why ive done it massive why ive done it so massive expansion in the number of doctors nurses. Were doctors and nurses. Were training ever, training here first ever, long time plan in time workforce plan so that in the future were less reliant on people from people having to come from abroad. And were doing lots of abroad. And were doing lots of new things. Right. I could bore new things. Right. I could bore you death with all the you to death with all the innovations Surgical Innovations elective surgical hubs, Community Diagnostic Centres so you dont have to go to the big hospital to get your elective surgery your or elective surgery or your mri or ct scan. All of these things speed things up. Discharge hubs speed things up. Discharge hubs in , connecting up in hospitals, connecting up social care with the hospital so people can get home back to their communities quickly. Speeds up times in a e and ambulances. Use of the ambulances. Use of the independent sector. So all of you now if you and your families get referred by your gp for elective treatment , you can go elective treatment, you can go on your app or talk to your gp and choose where to have your treatment and that choice giving you the power to choose where you the power to choose where you want to go. Speed things up improves competition and quality and thats also helping. But look, we havent made enough progress in spite of all those things ive told you about, which is a lot. The nhs is doing more than its ever done before. We havent made enough of a dent in the waiting list. Weve in the waiting list. Now weve practically the practically eliminated the number of people waiting the longest two years, one and a half years. Overall the half years. But overall the waiting list has largely risen over the year. The good over the past year. The good news is , though, we saw that it news is, though, we saw that it started to fall because we didnt have strikes for a period at the last year, and at the end of last year, and that has been a real challenge. And ill just be honest with you about november, about that. But in november, first we had first month, where we had absolute no strikes in the nhs, do you know what the waiting list by . 100,000. Biggest list fell by . 100,000. Biggest one month fall in the waiting list in well over a decade outside of covid. So that gives me the confidence that our plans can work and will work. And the industrial action is something we to work through, and we need to work through, and were continue to have were going to continue to have those conversations with the doctors, we can doctors, and im sure we can talk that later. But if we talk about that later. But if we stick the plan, im confident stick to the plan, im confident that we can bring down. Weve that we can bring it down. Weve got a sense that was got a sense that that was possible end of last year possible at the end of last year without and because without strikes, and because of all things ive told all those things that ive told you i know that it will you about, i know that it will just get better over time. If we can get the strikes behind us. Prime minister, thank okay. Prime minister, thank you. Talking long terms plans, though, it, though, is difficult, isnt it, in this . Doesnt in all of this . It doesnt bring you results, is you immediate results, which is often for politicians. Often a problem for politicians. We do to in the long we do need to think in the long terme. Okay lets have our next question, please. Hi rishi, its keith edinburgh. Keith from edinburgh. My question is about social care. Social care is chronically care. Social care is chronically underfunded and government has abdicated responsibility to local government, effectively making it a Postcode Lottery for many. Do you agree that it needs radical reform and if so, what . So social care is something thatis so social care is something that is a particular challenge for councils. And youre right. If you talk to most local council leaders, theyll talk to you about the challenges in social care. I think you all know weve got ageing know weve got an ageing population pressure know weve got an ageing popand on pressure know weve got an ageing popand thats pressure know weve got an ageing popand thats why pressure know weve got an ageing popand thats why justassure know weve got an ageing popand thats why just the re on. And thats why just the other announced an other week, we announced an extra £600 million for local government across the country, and it will mean that on average, this coming financial yean average, this coming financial year, councils will have about 7. 5 more money to invest in local Services Like social care than they did last year. So that gives you a sense of the scale and of that extra money that weve put in the bulk of it is ring fenced specifically for social care , because thats social care, because thats where the challenge is. Now. Where the challenge is. Now. I dont have an overnight fix to the challenges in social care. Of course, i dont. But i do of course, i dont. But i do know that if we improve, how social care works with hospitals , as i was talking about, it will make a difference because thats where there isnt enough join up. And thats why were , join up. And thats why were, as i said, working hard and it wont happen overnight because the nhs is a big system and social care obviously is spread across the country. Lots of individual local authorities, but by bit were joining but bit by bit were joining those things up closer together. And how i think we will and thats how i think we will bnng and thats how i think we will bring real improvements to bear, because of course its important, right . I believe in a country where you work hard, country where if you work hard, all you have all your life, you should have dignity in retirement and social care is part of that contract. We have with our grandparents and those who have come before us. So its important that we get it right. I cant promise you its going to fix overnight, but i can tell you weve just put a lot of extra cash in to help councils with some of that pressure going into next year. Okay. Minister, thank okay. Prime minister, thank you. Of you be you. I know a lot of you be wanting get in touch with us wanting to get in touch with us about that one. Its such a difficult which faced difficult issue which has faced so many governments. But do we ever get answer where ever seem to get an answer where we see any we can really see any significant difference within a short at least let us short timescale, at least let us know what you about that know what you think about that one. Our next one. Lets have our next question, please. Good evening, Prime Minister. My good evening, Prime Minister. My linda and from my name is linda and im from middleton teesdale, and im middleton in teesdale, and im retired. Why are retired. My question is, why are you adamant about rwanda when you so adamant about rwanda when pubuc you so adamant about rwanda when public documentation shows it isnt working and that its not going to work . So can you be open and honest with everybody today and tell us what the next steps are . Steps are . Yeah. Well, linda , great yeah. Well, linda, great question. Right. Im sure this is on all of your minds. So i might take a few extra minutes if thats all right. To stephen, kind of get into this properly. Like why why did i say stopping the boats was one of my five priorities, right . Is because i think illegal migration often is profoundly unfair, right . I actually think our country is based on a sense of fairness, right . We are a people that we wait our turn. We put in our fair share. We play by the rules right . And illegal migration right . And illegal migration actually breaks that sense of fairness. It erodes a sense of fairness. It erodes a sense of trust in our system. Um, and i also think as a matter of compassion, its the right thing to do because there are very Vulnerable People who are being exploited by criminal gangs. And tragically, them losing tragically, some of them losing their and that isnt, their lives and that isnt, i think, something that any of us can countenance carrying on. And then lastly, of course, theres then lastly, of course, theres the pressure Public Services. The pressure on Public Services. Many your communities many of you in your communities would local hotel would have seen your local hotel like and like many others, like mine, and like many others, taken over to house Illegal Migrants. Its costing all of you and everyone watching Something Like 7 or £8 million a day. Right . And that is not something that is sustainable. So for all those reasons, linda and everyone else, i think stopping the boats has got to be a national priority. Its certainly one priorities certainly one of my priorities now. I certainly one of my priorities now. I said right at the beginning of my opening remarks, the weve in place are the plans weve put in place are working. Were making progress. Illegal migration is a good example that. Last year , for example of that. Last year, for the First Time Since the small boats thing became a phenomenon , boats thing became a phenomenon, the numbers were down. They werent down by little , they werent down by little, they werent down by little, they were down by over a third. Meanwhile in the rest of europe, they were up by quite a lot. Right. That didnt happen by accident. It happened because we worked really hard on lots of Different Things to start getting the numbers down. You may have heard about the new deal with albania, which means that when people illegally migrate from albania to here, because of the deal that i struck with albania, were able to return them. We returned Something Like 5000 last year. What do you know . They stopped what do you know . They stopped coming. What do you know . They stopped coming. Numbers were what do you know . They stopped coming. Numbers were down by 90. Coming. Numbers were down by 90. Weve increased our cooperation with the french joint patrols on the beaches, sharing intelligence, placing barriers and some of the rivers that lead up to the beaches in france. Thats helped make sure that the interception rates remain strong. We started fighting crime upstream in europe before people get anywhere close to the channel people get anywhere close to the channel, we pass laws that allow us to arrest people connected with this awful trade. And in with this awful trade. And in the last 15, 18 months, weve arrested almost a thousand people. Were starting to sentence them to hundreds of years in jail. Sentence them to hundreds of years in jail. Weve done years in jail. Weve done thousands of illegal enforcement raids. Again, all of those raids. Again, all of those things are helping us to get the numbers down, which is why theyre down by a third. The plan is working. But to answer lindas question in order to fully solve this problem , we fully solve this problem, we need a deterrent. We need to be need a deterrent. We need to be able to say pretty simply and unequivocally that if you come to our country illegally , you to our country illegally, you wont get to stay. We want to be wont get to stay. We want to be able to remove you either to your home country, if its safe , your home country, if its safe, like weve done with albania and for everyone else, we need an alternative. And thats what rwanda about. So yes, weve rwanda is about. So yes, weve made progress down by a third. But in order to fully solve this problem, we need a deterrent. Problem, we need a deterrent. Thats what rwanda is all about. And that is why im absolutely committed to getting bill committed to getting this bill through and getting through parliament. And getting this scheme up and running. And without that, we wont be able this scheme up and running. And wifully that, we wont be able this scheme up and running. And wifully solve we wont be able this scheme up and running. And wifully solve thisvont be able this scheme up and running. And wifully solve this problem. Ble this scheme up and running. And wifully solve this problem. And this scheme up and running. And viliiiiik solve this problem. And this scheme up and running. And vithink you ve this problem. And this scheme up and running. And vithink you allhis problem. And this scheme up and running. And vithink you allhis prmezm. And this scheme up and running. And vithink you allhis prme to. And this scheme up and running. And vithink you allhis prme to solve i think you all want me to solve this the country this problem. The country certainly i to certainly does. And i want to deliver for all of you. Prime minister im not meant to interject with any to really interject with any questions, ive got say, questions, but ive got to say, a lot people will be a lot of people will be wondering, how you this wondering, how do you get this through parliament . Is through parliament . This is a big problem. Yeah, well. Well, its actually less one sense, less a question for me. And its a question for me. And its a question for me. And its a question for keir starmer. And the labour party. Right. We are committed to getting it through parliament. Unfortunately we parliament. But unfortunately we dont have a majority in the house lords, as you and house of lords, as you know, and everyone now as we everyone else right now as we speak , is lining up to do deals speak, is lining up to do deals in the house of lords to block us right. Weve already seen that in the commons. They will keep in the lords. Keep doing that in the lords. But i will going. I am but i will keep going. I am absolutely committed. Ive fought very for fought very hard for this legislation. Toughest legislation. Its the toughest legislation. Its the toughest legislation that anyones seen. It will sure we can it will make sure that we can implement and operationalise this scheme and get flights off, get deterrent working. And get that deterrent working. And thats what im going to do. And thats what im going to do. And the question really is why is everyone up to try everyone else lining up to try and stop me . Because i dont think thats right. I dont think thats right. I dont think what the country think thats what the country wants. We cant stop boats wants. We cant stop the boats unless scheme up and unless we get this scheme up and running. Running. Prime minister. Thank you. Thats from thats the last question from me, everybody. Promise you. Me, everybody. I promise you. Because. Not because. Because this is not about about you. So about me. Its about you. So lets our next question , please. Hi, rishi sunak. Ive got so much to say, but such little time. My name is john wyatt, and im one of the Covid Vaccine injured in this country. I want you to look into my eyes. Rishi sunak. I kind of want you to look at the pain, the trauma and the regret i have in my eyes. We have been left with no help at all. Not only am i in here, this vaccine and there is another man over there whose lifes been ruined by that covid 19 vaccine. I know people who have lost legs, amputee nations. I know people with heart conditions like myself. Rishi sunak why . Like myself. Rishi sunak why . Why have i had to set up a support group in scotland to look after the people that have been affected by that covid 19 vaccine . Why are the people who are in charge who told us all to do the right thing , have left us do the right thing, have left us all to rot and left me and the thousands in the tens of thousands in the tens of thousands in the tens of thousands in this country to rot 7 thousands in this country to rot . Rishi sunak look me in the eye when are you going to start to do the right thing . The vaccine damage Payment Scheme is not fit for purpose in scotland right now. According to the yellow card system, there are over 30,000 people that have had an adverse reaction to that vaccine. Okay, deaths. John, thank you very much indeed for your question, for you to start doing the right thing. Mr rishi sunak and the us, you, youve youve made a really strong point, john. Prime ministerjohn, im very sorry to hear about your personal circumstance. Personal circumstance. And you said someone over here also seems to have suffered by the similar by similar thing. Now, obviously , i dont know now, obviously, i dont know about the individual situation in that youre in and while silenced, well, i dont social media and everything we are silenced. Silenced. We are the most silenced people in this country. Silence in the press. Because my story in the press. Okay, lets go to the government for comment. And they made the take all out. Comment. And they made the take all forgive out. Comment. And they made the take all forgive me,|t. Comment. And they made the take all forgive me, forgive me. Both forgive me, forgive me. Both and happy. And im happy. No, no. No one. Okay john. No one. No one is saying no ones saying. Yeah, okay. Apology. Apology. My wife. My wife. Successful career. And sir, you raised some very valid points. Im sure ive got to say is though we havent got you on microphone. And as you know, microphone. And as you know, weve to get through this. Weve got to get through this. Im we can can raise im sure we can we can raise your points with the Prime Minister a later date. But in minister at a later date. But in the Prime Minister, minister at a later date. But in the have Prime Minister, minister at a later date. But in the have no Prime Minister, minister at a later date. But in the have no coverne minister, minister at a later date. But in the have no cover the viinister, minister at a later date. But in the have no cover the issues. , you have no cover the issues. Very to. So there im very happy to. So there is a vaccine Compensation Scheme thats in as you alluded thats in place as you alluded to the nhs. Obviously, to in the nhs. Obviously, everyone we will to in the nhs. Obviously, everythrough we will to in the nhs. Obviously, everythrough their we will to in the nhs. Obviously, everythrough their cases. Will to in the nhs. Obviously, everythrough their cases. Its. Work through their cases. Its difficult for me to comment on anyones case. Im anyones individual case. Im sure appreciate that. Im sure youll appreciate that. Im very to go and look at the very happy to go and look at the cases, im youll get cases, and im sure youll get them team here. I mean, them to the team here. I mean, im very and shocked to im very saddened and shocked to hear youve been silenced hear that youve been silenced by thatis hear that youve been silenced by that is surprising by anybody. That is surprising to do get your to me. So please do get your details to stephen in the team and i will happily take that away. You should be away. Of course, you should be able to speak about your experience. Whats to experience. Whats happened to you. We have you. And as i said, we have a compensation in place for Compensation Scheme in place for that. Sure that that. And ill make sure that were through that. Were working through that. Obviously, youll obviously, i think youll appreciate hard for to appreciate its hard for me to comment your specific comment on your specific circumstances not knowing circumstances just not knowing them. And things them. And those things are forgive we havent got forgive me, sir, we havent got a on you. A microphone on you. Our view is listeners so our view is and listeners will be to, i think, look, will be able to, i think, look, the thing say is, you the last thing id say is, you know, we went through a pandemic like everyone else at the points when the vaccine. When it came to the vaccine. Decisions always those decisions were always taken on the basis of medical advice from medical experts advice from our medical experts to tell us as politicians who are obviously not doctors, about how best to roll out the vaccine, what was in the Public Health interest, the priority order, how that should be done, who eligible. That was who should be eligible. That was something the doctors something that the doctors recommended on and thats something that followed. Now something that we followed. Now obviously, if there are individual circumstances which havent worked out, then thats why have the compensation why we have the Compensation Scheme ill make scheme in place. And ill make sure we follow your sure that we follow up on your cases. Okay. Prime minister, you. Prime minister, thank you. And you do give and gents, both of you do give us your details. We will get that Prime Minister and that to the Prime Minister and as said, he will, im sure. As he said, he will, im sure. Look for you. The look at that for you. In the meantime, lets move on to another question, sir. Good evening, minister. Evening, Prime Minister. Jack. Im 28. Im my name is jack. Im 28. Im from york. My question is, the reform surging the reform party are surging in the polls, hitting a note with polls, the hitting a note with many disillusioned conservative voters are you voters like myself. What are you going to to convince going to do to convince traditional conservative traditional conservative tradition voters traditional conservative traditheir voters traditional conservative traditheir vote voters traditional conservative traditheir vote is voters traditional conservative traditheir vote is still voters traditional conservative traditheir vote is still better that their vote is still better off with you . Off with you . Yeah, in one sense. In one sense, i can completely appreciate your frustration. Appreciate your frustration. Right. And thats because its been a tough couple of years, right . When we go through the things that weve been through as a country, as i said, energy bills more than doubling again, starting to come down. The economic strain that thats put on all your family budgets, the impact of covid on backlogs , nhs impact of covid on backlogs, nhs waiting like waiting for appointments like all things, real all of those things, are real things that will cause you and everyone else enormous amount everyone else an enormous amount of frustration. I can completely understand but i think understand that, but i think fundamentally what want and fundamentally what you want and what want are the same , right . What i want are the same, right . What talked about at the what i talked about at the beginning things im beginning, the things that im focussed on, right. The values that are important to me. I think are things that we probably share. And all of you who probably say who clapped, id probably say the same thing. I think actually we want the same things for our country. Share same country. We share the same values, whether thats on control, spending, control, doubling spending, cutting to ease the cutting your taxes to ease the cost living, making sure that cost of living, making sure that we have strong borders and we tackle illegal migration. Right. These are things that we have in common. Are all things common. These are all things that and what id say that we want. And what id say to you and everyone else is the next is next election is a straightforward at the straightforward choice. At the end either keir starmer end of it, either keir starmer or i am going to be Prime Minister right. And a vote for anyone who is not a conservative candidate is simply a vote to put keir starmer into number 10. So the question for you and everyone else who clapped, i completely appreciate your frustration is who do you want to see in government after the next election . Who you think next election . Who do you think its more likely to deliver on the things that care about . The things that you care about . Right. Talked about those right. You talked about those traditional conservative things, right . Spending , right . Controlling, spending, cutting economy, cutting taxes, a strong economy, bringing Mortgage Rates and inflation borrowing down inflation and borrowing down strong. Police on the strong borders. Police on the streets. Right. All those things streets. Right. All those things that you care about whos more likely to deliver them because its not keir starmer its certainly not keir starmer right now. Thats the pink. Thats the thing. And thats the choice right . A vote for anyone who is not us as a vote for him. Right. Weve just seen over the last i mean, last few days, youve seen whats happened, right . Keir starmer been right . Keir starmer has been running around for the last year trying tell everybody, okay, trying to tell everybody, okay, the labour partys changed right. What just happened. Well look what just happened in rochdale. A candidate saying in rochdale. A candidate saying the most vile, awful conspiracy theories, anti semitic nick and what happened . He stood by him, sent cabinet ministers to support him right up till as apparently literally five minutes before i walked on tonight, under enormous media pressure, has decided to change his mind. Thats not principled , his mind. Thats not principled, right . Not principled at all. So no, the labour party hasnt changed. Its not changed. Its a con , right . And thats what a con, right . And thats what you have to remember. A vote for anyone whos not me, whos not your conservative candidate is a vote to put him with his values and his party in power. You saw it last week. What that would mean for the economy. We cant tell you how hes going to pay for £28 billion. Decarbonising policy, means taxes policy, which means higher taxes for everyone else stood for you and everyone else stood by person in rochdale until by this person in rochdale until the pressure got too much. The media pressure got too much. Like thats the values hes doing everything right doing everything he can right now to frustrate the passage of our rwanda bill in the house of lords. Do you want of that . Lords. Do you want any of that . No, i dont think you do. Right and im going to keep delivering for you. You and want the same for you. You and i want the same things. And thats how were going to get because im going to get them, because im going to get them, because im going win the next election. Going to win the next election. Minister, you. Prime minister, thank you. Well, thats a thats thats the big argument, isnt it . That is the big argument. Youll be able to have your say on that. Of course, as always on gb news. Lets have our next question, please. My name is john from darlington. Im retired and im worried about the local council finances that are in such a parlous state. So why not review the Council Tax System so that a bandin the Council Tax System so that a band in darlington, no longer has to pay the same council tax as the, uh band in london when a house in darlington might be 150. Okay and the same house in london would be 1. 5 million. Right so council tax , local so council tax, local government funding, i mean, a little bit what we touched on before , right. Council tax and before, right. Council tax and local government funding are all mixed together. So in all your local areas, the money that your council is going to spend is a mix of what they raise locally and they get centrally and what they get centrally from government. Now, ultimately, government. Now, ultimately, those decisions are those individual decisions are for your local councils, right . For your local councils, right . They set their council tax levels. And thats not something levels. And thats not something that we do centrally at government. We do is say , government. What we do is say, look, theres a limit to what we think. They put look, theres a limit to what we think. They put up your think. They should put up your council without asking you council taxes without asking you in a referendum. Right. So in a referendum. Right. So thats involvement in thats our involvement in the Council Tax System. But ultimately your local ultimately its your local councillors who are going to set those taxes. And you those council taxes. And you know what say you know what id say to you a couple things. First all, couple of things. First of all, just reiterating what i said previously. Weve provided an extra million for local extra £600 million for local councils means year councils, which means this year theyll have about 7. 5. As i said, more to invest in local services than they did last yeah services than they did last year. Now, of course, that will vary by council, but on average and last year they had Something Like 9 more to invest in local services than the year before. Right. So thats been the last two years worth of increases in funding for local services. Now i know theres never enough money. People always more. Money. People always want more. But make up your but you guys can make up your own about whether own minds about whether you think that seems reasonable, given all the priorities given all the other priorities that we also have. Weve talked about for example, about the nhs, for example, particularly call particularly being the big call on Public Services, and we havent got into the cost of living and tax, im sure we living and tax, but im sure we will and, you know, thats will soon. And, you know, thats one want to do is keep one thing i want to do is keep all your taxes coming down. So thats balance we thats the balance that we strike. Ultimately think strike. And ultimately i think its you elect your its right that you elect your own councillors. They set council tax. And the simple thing look, if you thing id say is, look, if you want lower tax it want Lower Council tax when it comes the local elections in comes to the local elections in may, conservatives because may, vote conservatives because thats in local government. Okay. Prime minister, thank you. Going you. Its going to be interesting tax brought interesting if tax is brought up. I no idea, ive to up. I have no idea, ive got to say. But perhaps tax is going to be a question that that arises. Lets see from our next questioner, white. Lets see from our next queim ner, white. Lets see from our next queim aer, white. Lets see from our next queim a barristernhite. Lets see from our next queim a barrister from. Im a barrister from somerset. Why should lgbt people vote. Conservative vote. Conservative well, robin , thank you for well, robin, thank you for the question. Now, if you look at our record over the past few years, its one that i hope you and everyone else is proud of. It was a conservative government under one of my predecessors who made sure that we had same sex marriage and more recently, were making sure that all our pubuc were making sure that all our Public Services work better, that weve made changes in the nhs for provision of Health Care Services for same sex couples. Services for same sex couples. And that gives hopefully you and everyone else a sense that this is a country whose values are reflected in our party and in government, and that is that its a compassionate, tolerant place and we want to make sure that people, whatever their background , respected and background, are respected and treated with dignity. Thats the kind of country that i believe in and its not just about lgbt, its about absolutely everything. Right . Quite frankly , this is a place which has always been welcoming, tolerant and inclusive. Who we are and inclusive. Thats who we are as a country. And i think thats what we will always will be. And ill always sure that ill always make sure that thats case while im prime thats the case while im Prime Minister thats the case while im prime ministe forgive me slightly, but but forgive me slightly, but i some the issue may be i think some of the issue may be less about the lgbt and more about Prime Minister more about the t. Prime minister more about the t. Prime minister more about the t. Prime minister more about the trans issue. Well, on that issue, look, well, on on that issue, look, my view on that relatively my view on that is relatively straightforward. Look, first of all, right, for people who are going through that , particularly going through that, particularly children. Right . We have to be really sensitive about it. We really sensitive about it. We should be understanding. We should be understanding. We should be understanding. We should be tolerant and compassionate, as i said, because who we are as a because thats who we are as a people, and people, respecting everyone. And their differences. But i also think on that issue that particularly when it comes to questions around womens safety, Womens Health, that biological sex is important. And i dont think that should be a controversial thing to say. I think that is a relatively common sense view that i think is held by the vast majority of people. And unfortunately, this debate over the past few years has become incredibly charged and polarised. But i really dont think anything i just said, quite frankly, should be controversial. Are we respectful and people and their and tolerant of people and their differences . Particularly differences . Its particularly when through when theyre going through things yes, when theyre going through thicourse yes, when theyre going through thicourse we yes, when theyre going through thicourse we are. Yes, when theyre going through thicourse we are. Do yes, when theyre going through thicourse we are. Do we yes, when theyre going through thicourse we are. Do we think of course we are. Do we think biological sex is important when were about womens were thinking about womens safety, health . Yes, safety, Womens Health . Yes, of course. Most people course. I think most people would think that is important. And id particular i think and id in particular i think these are important these things are important when were children , were considering our children, which weve recently which is why weve recently published for schools published guidance for schools about to with these about how to deal with these issues classrooms. Issues in our classrooms. Teachers unions ask the government to do that , and government to do that, and youll see what ive said reflected in that guidance, but also making it clear that parents should be involved when these issues arise at school and concern children. Its of course concern children. Its of course right that parents should be involved and those things, and we be particularly we should be particularly sensitive these issues we should be particularly sensitite these issues we should be particularly sensitit comes these issues we should be particularly sensitit comes to iese issues we should be particularly sensitit comes to children. S we should be particularly sensitit comes to children. Okay. When it comes to children. Okay. Prime minister, thank you. Robin. Thank you for the question, sir. Over to you. Good evening, Prime Minister good evening, Prime Minister good evening, Prime Minister good evening. What a jacket. Look at that. How kind of you. Name is john slater, and, my name is john slater, and, um , im in performing arts are um, im in performing arts are only for the last 50 years. Am i . Question, um, concerns devolution. I live in bridlington , which, as you bridlington, which, as you probably know, is part of the east riding of yorkshire and shortly we are to be combined with hull to become a new devolved area. Now in previous developments , if thats the developments, if thats the correct word, there have been provision and proposals with regard to spending on culture and the arts. As far as were and the arts. As far as were aware , for our devolution in aware, for our devolution in hull and east riding of yorkshire , there is no proposal yorkshire, there is no proposal for spending on culture and the arts. Why is that right . Arts. Why is that right . Well, it sounds like a great shame and losing out on your talent, john. Right so look, i dont know is the simple answer. So i will go away and take a look at that. Ill say two quick broad points. Um one is you have the most wonderful priory, dont you, or church or you, the priory or church or cathedral . Ive done any questions there . Years and questions from there . Years and years really lovely. Years ago it was really lovely. Um, lucky you for living um, so lucky you for living there. Say couple of there. Id say a couple of things. Is devolution. You things. One is devolution. You touched on. We havent touched on think thats a on it tonight. I think thats a good thing. Weve done a lot of it. Good thing. Weve done a lot of h. Does good thing. Weve done a lot of it. Does that mean . It it. What does that mean . It means you in charge means putting you more in charge of things are happening of the things that are happening in sure that in your area, making sure that we devolve powers and funding and to and responsibility to politicians that are more local to talked the first to you. I talked for the first question. It david from question. Was it david from darlington we talked about darlington when we talked about ben houchen, whos the mayor here you can here in teesside . You can see the change that the incredible change that hes brought street in the brought here. Andy street in the west again doing an West Midlands again doing an incredible we think thats incredible job. We think thats a good for the country. So a good thing for the country. So weve a decent amount weve done a decent amount of that, the that, particularly here in the north. But then secondly, culture look i, i think the cultural sector in our country is something that we should be enormously enormously enormously proud of, enormously proud of. Right. And for a couple of reasons, you know, one is it obviously is very important in all our communities. And i remember as a kid performing quite probably not brilliantly in a Christmas Carol at my local theatre in southampton and it was an incredible experience. That was and well all have fond memories of that. So its an important part of our social fabric. Its also part of soft power, also part of our soft power, right . Its we project right . Its how we project ourselves the world ourselves across the world through our creative industries. The film , productions, the film, tv productions, everything that you know. But the thing that people probably dont appreciate about that sector is the Economic Contribution it makes to our economy. It is contribution it makes to our economy. It is a contribution it makes to our economy. It is a powerhouse economy. It is a powerhouse industry for us. It employs millions of people all across the country and, you know, were here in the north east, actually , the north east is one of the areas which is booming when it comes to film production. I went to hartlepool not so long ago, where were making one of our levelling up investments in an enormous studio facility there, and they literally cant grow fast enough. We just need to help them train more more help them train more and more young apprentices get into young apprentices to get into the i think its the industry. So i think its fantastic industry. I cared about that in the about it so much that in the pandemic now, you know, its probably where of you got probably where most of you got to where i popped up on to know me, where i popped up on your screens talking about your tv screens talking about this thing called furlough, which one knew it was at which no one knew what it was at the but the other thing we the time. But the other thing we did pandemic that im did in the pandemic that im proud called the proud of is something called the cultural fund, because Cultural Recovery Fund, because i if we didnt do i knew that if we didnt do anything all our incredible, precious theatres, whether thats or thats in bridlington or anywhere else, the Georgian Theatre in richmond , where i am theatre in richmond, where i am in North Yorkshire, all these places will be lost a year without any business. Wed lose all these wonderful venues that are so important to our communities. So we actually put communities. So we actually put together a fund which which supported them all and as a result of that, weve protected thousands across the country, probably in every one of probably in every single one of your communities , in your local your communities, in your local areas, there be something areas, there will be Something Like theatre, maybe like a small theatre, maybe a comedy store, Something Like that, that will have been supported cultural supported by this Cultural Recovery Fund we could Recovery Fund so that we could keep all of them together. So we emerged on the side. They emerged on the other side. They were to entertain us and were there to entertain us and ennch were there to entertain us and enrich our lives all over again, which is what theyre doing. So look, i think its look, im with you. I think its really important. Will go really important. And i will go and that out for your and check that out for your devolution thats all devolution deal, if thats all right. Fine and that right. Good. Fine and that really is a great jacket. Thank you. Prime minister i mean, im glad this hasnt turned into a pantomime tonight. Thats all im saying. Um, next question please. Question please. Hi, im josh , im a student hi, im josh, im a student from shrewsbury and im 19. The uk is estimated to be short of over a million homes, but despite this, your party have scrapped the housebuilding target and youve scrapped Michael Goves proposed planning reforms that would have liberalised the building of houses. You say you have a plan, rishi, do you have a plan to fix the supply crisis in British Housing . Yeah. So first of all, you said youre 19. Josh is that right . Right. So look, i want you. Im assuming you dont own your own home at the moment, right . Want you to experience right . I want you to experience what i experienced and what probably of us, look probably most of us, if i look around room, have around the room, have experienced at point, and experienced at one point, and that getting the keys your that is getting the keys to your first right . Mean, its first home, right . I mean, its an special feeling. An incredibly special feeling. Those of us who experienced it remember it, right . Start in remember it, right . We start in a and hopefully build up a flat and hopefully build up over family over time. Create a family there, life there. Its there, build a life there. Its a magical , there, build a life there. Its a magical, wonderful thing. And when think about the type of when i think about the type of country that i want to build as Prime Minister its one where aspiration ambition are aspiration and ambition are celebrated and aspiration is about owning your own home. Right . So look, i think its really important that we make sure that you and everyone of your generation can do that. Now look, to be honest, look, im going to be honest, i dont look, im going to be honest, i dont an look, im going to be honest, i dont an overnight fix. Dont have an overnight fix. Its become trickier, particularly the south east particularly in the south east right. And varies by by right. And it varies by by region. Actually, funnily enough, again, was talking to enough, again, i was talking to some in office in some people in the office in darlington today they had darlington today and they had just bought their first home and they in their late 20s. They were in their late 20s. Right. And yeah, so it does vary where you are. Um, but can where you are. Um, but what can we do . We need to build we do . Well, we need to build more homes and thats what were doing. In this parliament we doing. So in this parliament we talked about a million homes. You are going to deliver you said we are going to deliver a homes in this a million homes in this parliament. We said we were going to deliver a million parliament. We said we were going t thisiver a million parliament. We said we were going t this parliament,n parliament. We said we were going t this parliament, we are homes. This parliament, we are on deliver million on track to deliver a million homes this parliament. So homes in this parliament. So yes, the plan is working right. Were making easier to yes, the plan is working right. Weon making easier to yes, the plan is working right. Weon the making easier to yes, the plan is working right. Weon the housing easier to yes, the plan is working right. Weon the housing ladder. � to yes, the plan is working right. Weon the housing ladder. So get on the housing ladder. So stamp duty, you know , when stamp duty, you know, when youre to buy that first youre trying to buy that first home. That duty was a real home. That stamp duty was a real problem. But now weve cut stamp duty First Time Buyers. Duty for First Time Buyers. Its really know but really wont know this, but Something Like of first time Something Like 85 of First Time Buyers now dont pay any buyers right now dont pay any stamp duty when they buy their first home. So it saves them thousands pounds. Thats a thousands of pounds. Thats a tax that we introduced and tax cut that we introduced and most recently, though, we wanted to go further. There are these old eu called nutrient old eu rules called nutrient neutrality. I wont get into the details of it. These legacy rules from the eu, theyre defective. They dont actually do anything to help the environment, but they are blocking 100,000 homes from being very quickly delivered across the country. Now, we were across the country. Now, we were going to pass a law to change that and to protect the environment, and that would have very quickly unlocked 100,000 homes for you and people of your generation. What does the labour party in house of lords . Party do in the house of lords . They it. Right. And party do in the house of lords . They it. Right. And this they blocked it. Right. And this is what i talk about when i talk about keir starmer. I say doesnt have a plan, doesnt have principle. This is guy have principle. This is a guy whos saying, yes, weve whos saying, oh yes, weve changed. Want to build homes. Changed. We want to build homes. All the rest of it. But there was an opportunity. We put a law down in the house of lords to change this defective eu law that weve inherited, and thats blocking 100,000 homes. What blocking 100,000 homes. And what do they blocked it do they do . They blocked it right. Know weve right. So look, do i know weve got more do . Course we do. Got more to do . Of course we do. Because is too hard. And id because it is too hard. And id love it to be easier. Right. But we are making progress. We are building and we will building the homes and we will keep actually well keep going. And actually well be more be making some more announcements about that this week. You may have seen week. And you may have seen a little bit that over the little bit about that over the weekend michael making it weekend from michael making it easier certain easier to build in certain places need to do places where we do need to do homes. Do that in a way that homes. But do that in a way that bnngs homes. But do that in a way that brings everyone with us. But there was an opportunity for keir do the right keir starmer to do the right thing make easier for you thing and make it easier for you and generation have and your generation to have those 100,000 he said those 100,000 homes. And he said no. Going keep no. So were going to keep them and because want you to and go, because i want you to feel what i feel and what many of us did, because its a very special thing. Thats the special thing. And thats the kind country we want, where kind of country we want, where you and your friends can own that home. So it certainly is a very special thing. I know think special thing. I know i think most probably feel very most of us probably feel very lucky we we own lucky now when we know we own our homes. It a it is a our own homes. It is a it is a really important thing. Okay . We talk whole different talk about a whole different range of subjects that were covering tonight, which is really important because its about what matters to you. And to our audience who to our audience here. Who representative of the nation, we should point out, okay, lets have question, sir. Have our next question, sir. Minister. My evening, Prime Minister. My name come name is naresh. Ive come up from question why from london. My question is, why arent you making the uk more self sufficient in power rather than exorbitant prices to than paying exorbitant prices to other countries e. G. France . Other countries e. G. France . Right. Uh, naresh. Thanks for the question. Excellent question. So so i agree with you , right . So so i agree with you, right . We need to be more energy secure, right . I agree with you so much that actually created an entire Government Department for it. So for the first ever time, we now have a department for Energy Security , right . So its Energy Security, right . So its not just the department for net zero and Climate Change, its the department for Energy Security and net zero. Because i think youre right. Security and net zero. Because i think youre right. And the war think youre right. And the war in ukraine just highlighted why we to improve our energy we need to improve our Energy Security. So look, we are doing that right. Were building new nuclear for the first time in a long time, not just the big gigawatt power stations, but were looking at small modular reactors as well. Were investing in renewables right now , orsted is building one of now, orsted is building one of the worlds biggest offshore wind farms off the east coast. Weve already got not just the worlds biggest offshore wind farm, but the second, the third and the fourth so we are and the fourth two. So we are doing home grown renewables doing more home grown renewables. Nuclear. But. Were doing nuclear. But crucially were couple crucially, were doing a couple of things too. These of other things too. And these are bit controversial. Are a bit more controversial. Right think in to order right i think that in to order have Energy Security, we need to focus on the energy we have here at home. And that means the nonh at home. And that means the north sea oil and gas right now, even the independent committee for Climate Change say that we will some and in will need some oil and gas in 2050. Right so the question is, well, where would you rather get that are better off that from . Are we better off getting at home . Good getting it here at home . Good for economy, for jobs, for the economy, good for jobs, good for Energy Security . Are we better importing from better off importing it from halfway around the world with three times Carbon Emissions three times the Carbon Emissions 7 three times the Carbon Emissions . Me, thats pretty . And to me, thats pretty straightforward , right . Thats . And to me, thats pretty strai weve ivard , right . Thats . And to me, thats pretty strai weve said , right . Thats . And to me, thats pretty strai weve said wejht . Thats . And to me, thats pretty strai weve said we willthats . And to me, thats pretty strai weve said we will keep; why weve said we will keep issuing licences the north issuing licences in the north sea. Right. Energy here sea. Right. Use our energy here at home, build our Energy Security. Thats the right thing security. Thats the right thing to do for the country. Its a right long terme thing for our national interests. What a keir starmer in the labour party do. What expect them to do . What do you expect them to do . Virtue signalling and they opposed it. Right. Thats not going our energy going to help our Energy Security also not going security and its also not going to bills. Right. To help cut your bills. Right. Because other because thats the other thing i want to do is make sure that as we transition on to this more secure, greener future, which we all right the end of the all want right at the end of the day, all have kids, we have day, we all have kids, we have grandkids. Leave grandkids. We want to leave them the environment better the environment in a better state found it. But we state than we found it. But we need to do that in a pragmatic way, right . There far way, right . And there are far too many people who view that project as something ideological. Race to net zero,. They want to race to net zero, right . Regardless of the cost on right . Regardless of the cost on you. And your families. I dont think at all. Think that is right at all. Right. We have decarbonised faster country in the faster than any country in the world, but you might have seen just only major just last week only major economy to have halved Carbon Emissions. Whos that . Well, that would be the uk, right . Im not going to take any lectures from so i changed from anyone else. So i changed course in autumn. You may course in autumn. You may remember i made a speech. I got remember i made a speech. I got a lot of criticism for it. A lot of criticism for it. People came at me, but i said, no, this is the right thing to do. Weve done more than anyone else. Were to do more else. Were going to do more than else. So we can do than anyone else. So we can do this a proportionate, this in a more proportionate, pragmatic to pragmatic way. Thats going to save you and your families. Five, ten, £15,000. That was the plans i inherited, forcing plans that i inherited, forcing you out things, replace you to rip out things, replace things before that was necessary. Said , no, were not necessary. I said, no, were not going do of those things, going to do any of those things, right . Because i want to save you of pounds. You those thousands of pounds. Were get zero. Were going to get to net zero. Were going to get to net zero. Were going to get to net zero. Were going do it in were going to do it in a proportionate way. And the proportionate way. And at the same were going to build same time, were going to build our Energy Security. Our domestic Energy Security. Thatis our domestic Energy Security. That is a common sense approach to and i think its to this issue, and i think its one i hope the vast one that i hope the vast majority you in this room and majority of you in this room and everyone absolutely everyone else, absolutely supports, right supports, because its the right one country. Okay one for our country. Okay prime Prime Minister, thank you. Naresh, i think you struck a note with the audience there. Thanks very much indeed. Whos got our next question for us tonight, Prime Minister my names daniel. Im assistant head of an Independent School on teesside. Independent schools in regions such as the nonh schools in regions such as the north east are not the eatons of this world. And one of labours few remaining policies is to charge vat on Independent School fees. Now many of our families are middle income families that make lifestyle compromises to be able to invest in their childrens education any rise in fees would be very difficult for them to manage , meaning their them to manage, meaning their children would likely end up back in a swamped state sector. Back in a swamped state sector. And what are your plans for education, and why are you not doing more to call out a policy that is, at best, ideological grandstanding, but at worst, fiscally responsible and playing politics the education of politics with the education of young people . Oh very well, said daniel. Daniel. Well put you in front of a tv camera. I solved that problem. Um, yeah. So what . What are we doing on education . I got into politics partly because of education. Right . I think education. Right . I think education is the most powerful thing that you can do to transform peoples lives. I often say that there isnt a Silver Bullet in my job in pubuc Silver Bullet in my job in public policy. But the closer thing, although we have to a Silver Bullet , thing, although we have to a Silver Bullet, is thing, although we have to a Silver Bullet , is education. If Silver Bullet, is education. If we can create a world class Education System in this country , that is the best way to transform young peoples lives. And we are making progress. When i say the plan is working by god, is it working in education . Thanks reforms that have thanks to the reforms that have happened under the conservative governments over the past few years , now, when came in years, now, when we came in office in 2010, we were plummeting down the league table. Standards were slipping because of our reforms. All of because of our reforms. All of thatis because of our reforms. All of that is reversed. We are just that is reversed. We are just marching up those International League tables. Thats how well our kids are doing at school, outperforming s p run scotland schools, labour run schools in wales. Right. Because of our reforms, our kids here now are the best readers in the western world. Thanks to the phonics reforms that youll be familiar with in your school. Right. We with in your school. Right. We changed how we teach our kids. We focussed on rigour and standards in the classroom, giving parents more information and of that has and choice. All of that has worked. The other thing that we focussed on and well keep focusing on, is skills. Because i dont believe in this idea that everyone has to go to university to fulfil all their dreams. I dont think thats right. I really that there right. I really think that there are multiple routes for young people to achieve success and fulfil their aspirations, fulfil all their aspirations, which invested which is why weve invested hugely apprenticeship ships, hugely in apprenticeship ships, right . Not just improving the quality them, not just quality of them, not just spreading them out. So theyre available almost job, available in almost every job, but just changing how they but also just changing how they are perceived. It really bugged me in a classroom and me that in a classroom and youll be familiar with this, right . Had a bunch of kids right . You had a bunch of kids who going to who were going off to university, they all university, and they would all focus system that i focus on the ucas system that i did. Right. Everyone will be obsessed with their ucas forms and everything and if you and everything else. And if you werent university, and everything else. And if you werent bit university, and everything else. And if you werent bit a university, and everything else. And if you werent bit a second ty, you felt a bit like a second class citizen because you werent and i dont werent doing that. And i dont think thats right. So for the first time, this past year, weve put apprenticeships on the ucas to start to show ucas system to start to show people look, hang on, there isnt one thats better than the other. Here and you know, if i am fortunate enough get your am fortunate enough to get your support to have another turm, the big reforms i want to do in education, them out in the education, i set them out in the autumn. I want make sure that autumn. I want to make sure that our education is our post 16 education is reformed. So it raises the standards. So we reformed. So it raises the standards. So we make sure all our young people have a basic Foundation Maths and english. Foundation in maths and english. It means that we will bring together the best of technical and academic education. So there isnt this artificial divide in the classroom into a high quality qualification. Well make sure that people spend more time in the classroom to get us in line with our International Peers so the next bit of peers. So thats the next bit of reform. I think we do in the reform. I think we can do in the Education System, particularly focussed and that focussed on skills. And that technical side, sure it technical side, making sure it has the resources and the parity of esteem it needs. Because if we can get this right, it i we can get this right, it as i say, we will do the most wonderful thing for our young people. And thank you to you and all your colleagues you all your colleagues for what you do , because its incredible. Do, because its incredible. Youre changing lives youre changing peoples lives every just want to youre changing peoples lives every supporting just want to youre changing peoples lives every supporting you want to youre changing peoples lives every supporting you because that keep supporting you because that is were going to make this is how were going to make this an country that an incredible country that spreads opportunity far and wide. Incredibly wide. And its an incredibly conservative to do. Its conservative thing to do. Its how i was raised and its what i want to do for everyone else. And actually, you talked about the thing at the the private school thing at the beginning, on beginning, so i might touch on that for a second. But the people about people youre talking about are people youre talking about are people like my parents, right. My parents came without my parents came here without a huge amount with my grandparents. But they grandparents. Right. But they worked hard give their worked really hard to give their kids better life. And for kids a better life. And for them, they thought education was them, they thought education was the best way to do that. They put everything into making sure my brother and sister and i had a great education. And look, we got help along the way with scholarships and things as well. But what was important but that was what was important to them. What aspiration to them. Thats what aspiration means you know, i get means to me. You know, i get attacked keir starmer because attacked by keir starmer because of i went to school and of where i went to school and i said to him once, actually, i said, youre really said, youre not really attacking youre attacking attacking me, youre attacking my youre attacking my parents and youre attacking everybody. Them. Works everybody. Like them. That works hard to aspire for a better life for them. And their family. I think thats wrong. I dont think thats wrong. I dont think british thats think its british and thats not type country that im not the type of country that im going build. Not the type of country that im going build. Prime minister going to build. Prime minister thank you. Thank you. Weve still yet to touch on that tax question. I dont know that tax question. I dont know if its coming up next, sir. It isnt. It isnt. Uh , good evening, prime uh, good evening, Prime Minister. Im colin from North Yorkshire, retired. Given the yorkshire, retired. Given the number of conservative mps not standing at the next general election and the number of factions within the party, there appears to be a lack of leadership at the head of the party. What are your plans to bnng party. What are your plans to bring the factions together to build team and to stop voter build a team and to stop voter defections to reform and other parties . Yeah. From . Whereabouts are you from . Whereabouts are you from . North yorkshire. Colin North Yorkshire. Colin North Yorkshire. Whereabouts North Yorkshire . Oh, right. Malton. Oh, right. Malton. Oh, right. Right. Fine. Im not okay. Right. Fine. So im not a million miles from in northallerton. Quite here. Not quite here. Not quite here. Yeah. Uh, so, look, i think actually all conservative mps do have a unity of purpose and that is that we want a conservative government returned at the next election. And it brings us back election. And it brings us back to a simple choice right at that election, there is a choice between me and keir starmer as Prime Minister, between the conservatives and labour conservatives and the labour party whatever the party and whatever the differences within our party. And of course there are going to be differences, of course were going to debate things. Thats what democracy thats what what democracy is. Thats what parliament there for. But we parliament is there for. But we are purpose are united in our purpose of wanting country for wanting to deliver a country for you, where your children can look forward to a Brighter Future, where you have that peace of mind , where we can have peace of mind, where we can have a renewed sense of pride in your country. Those are that country. Those are things that unite all of us and actually, as we come into focussed election we come into a focussed election yeah we come into a focussed election year, know that thats what my year, i know that thats what my colleagues all believe. And i think they will focus their think that they will focus their attention on keir starmer in the opposition, thats what opposition, because thats what this is about, right . Its not about small minute about the small minute differences between us on issues. You know, theres a lot of coverage about the conversations and debates we were having on the illegal migration bill right. There may be some right. Okay there may be some differences of opinion about how best to implement the rwanda scheme. Right those differences are an inch. But the real difference is the difference between us and the labour party. That difference is a mile right. And thats the choice for all of you everyone else. Right . You and everyone else. Right . Thats choice at the thats the choice at the election , right . On issue election, right . On that issue in particular. But on every other and actually other issue. And i actually think colleagues think, you know, my colleagues are that purpose of are united in that purpose of wanting conservative wanting to see a conservative government next government returned at the next election believe election because they believe that right thing for our that is the right thing for our country. And im confident that we hard to deliver we will fight hard to deliver that. E e minister, thank okay. Prime minister, thank you. Lets have our next question. Question. Im julie , a pharmacy hi, im julie, a pharmacy technician. Technician. Oh, could you, julie, forgive me . Could you just edge a little bit closer to the mic . I know, so im a pharmacy technician. Ive worked within the nhs for 25 years and im currently working in Mental Health hospital conditions. Now are hardest are the hardest that ive ever seen within the nhs. Ive ever seen within the nhs. Um, but without thinking about the staff, the people working within it, i want to focus on the patients themselves. How do you plan to improve conditions for the patients and put money towards resources to treat the patients and stop wasting money unnecessarily . Unnecessarily . Yeah, well, julie, im going to give you one specific example and thank you for what you do specifically because as i said, my mum was a pharmacist, so i know exactly what you did. And i spent probably most of my childhood doing what youre doing doing a kind of doing now or doing a kind of kids it. When i was kids version of it. When i was working and the one thing im going tell you about that going to tell you about that makes life easier for all of you and for patients concerns. Pharmacy it the pharmacy and we announced it the other you may or may not other week. You may or may not have seen but i think its have seen it, but i think its going be brilliant. And that going to be brilliant. And that is of the most common is for seven of the most common ailments we all have. Ailments that we all have. Things sore throats, ear things like sore throats, ear infections, sinusitis. Now, right now you dont have to go and see your gp for those things. You can go and see your pharmacist. You can go and see your pharmacist. So julie and her colleagues and you can get the medicines you need direct from your pharmacist without having to make a gp appointment with the hassle that that is the time you have to take work you might have to take off work or your kids. If you have young kids, out of school. Kids, take them out of school. All things away all those things done away with all you can go and see all of that. You can go and see your pharmacist for those seven common now that is common things. Now that is something going make something thats going to make a major difference to patients, to families, of you and families, to all of you and everyone country. Everyone else in our country. Its us doing its an example of us doing something reforming something practical, reforming to just improve quality of health care, improve the speed of health care. And i said, based in my experience of working in a pharmacy , and many working in a pharmacy, and many of you will know your pharmacist , youll know the difference. , youll know the difference. They make in their communities. Thats certainly what my mum did growing up. It was inspiring to me. I saw it firsthand and our pharmacist today are so well trained. Theyre able all trained. Theyre able to do all of you. Pharmacies have of this for you. Pharmacies have consultation rooms you may have seen, so that change seen, so that is that change that weve worked hard on and now just implemented in the past few weeks means that think now just implemented in the past few save s means that think now just implemented in the past fewsave allneans that think now just implemented in the past fewsave all ofins that think now just implemented in the past fewsave all of you. Iat think now just implemented in the past few save all of you. Hopefully ill save all of you. Hopefully the when you next get ill the time when you next get ill with one of those seven things, you just go straight your you just go straight to your pharmacy, medicines you pharmacy, get the medicines you need, youll need, and hopefully youll remember julie and all remember this. And julie and all her colleagues are going to have all this work which all this extra work to do, which is because it means were is great because it means were also supporting pharmacy is great because it means were also statiorting pharmacy is great because it means were also slat the ng pharmacy is great because it means were also slat the same pharmacy is great because it means were also slat the same phariand sector at the same time. And thatis an sector at the same time. And that is an example of us that is just an example of us practically improving health care in this country. Look, is that solve all our that going to solve all our problems . Of course its not. That going to solve all our protitsis . Of course its not. That going to solve all our protitsisegoodourse its not. That going to solve all our protitsisegood practical not. But its a good practical example that will example of something that will make your lives a bit make all your lives a bit eafien make all your lives a bit easier. Empowering patients. And thats doing. Thats what we should be doing. Thank you much julie, thank you very much indeed. Julie, thank you very much indeed. Now, right. Look julie, thank you very much indeed. Now, right. Look solely indeed. Now, right. Look solely worried by this. Worried by this. What on earth is this fear in your eyes, Prime Minister . I just thought it might not. I just thought it might not. Conservative party raffle. So conservative party raffle. So no, just thought because no, i just thought because weve to get weve got so much to get through, were going to delve your in here. Weve got your hand in here. Weve got some questions. Questions some questions. More questions guys. Just you guys. Um, and if you just you cant read them first. Get your hand. Well, you know what, actually. So im very happy to do i dont know much time i dont know how much time weve left. I am genuinely weve got left. I am genuinely surprised had any surprised weve not had any questions about the economy, the cost right. So im cost of living right. So im just genuinely puzzled cost of living right. So im justallnuinely puzzled cost of living right. So im justallnuinelhere zled cost of living right. So im justallnuinelhere wej cost of living right. So im justallnuinelhere we go. So all right, here we go. So that would be the first time ive ever one of these. Ive ever done one of these. Well, hasnt come well well, that hasnt come up. Well come on, i cant imagine all of you are really happy about the tax and want tax youre paying and dont want to well, i mean, to complain. Well, so i mean, no, no one got an economy cost of living tax, right . Here we now weve got here we go. Now now weve got some gently are some people. Right. Gently are you getting out your payslip all right. Youve your first right. Youve got your first i tell i tell you what. Tell you what, i tell you what. Let let me grab this. Oh, let me let me grab this. Oh, here we go. This is what we call working hop, sir. Right. Working on the hop, sir. Right. Well i want my name in it. Sorry. My name well i want my name in it. Sorry. My name is well i want my name in it. Sorry. My name is john. John sorry. My name is john. John from glasgow. I as an from glasgow. I work as an aircraft engineer , and im also aircraft engineer, and im also aircraft engineer, and im also a company director. Question a company director. My question is with the high tax rates in scotland and the inferior Services Compared to what you have in england, and education, health care , what would your. Health care, what would your. Plan be to make scotland vote for the conservatives and make them more valuable . Right. Well did everyone hear johns question right . No. So actually johns question was about the difference in tax rates between scotland and england and not being very happy with that. Weve got good reason not to be very happy about them. Not to be very happy about them. Right. Because theyre higher. Right . So if you right . Theyre higher. So if you earn a bit more than £28,000 you pay earn a bit more than £28,000 you pay higher tax in scotland. Pay higher tax in scotland. Right . And thats because of the budget that the snp government just put in place recently. And if you earn a lot more than £28,000, youll be a lot more tax. Right. But they try and say, oh, this is just for high earners. Its not anyone earning just over £28,000 is paying higher tax in scotland. Right . For the exact figures at the top of my head. But something 28,000 something. Now why that . Something. Um now why is that . Is to cut is because were starting to cut taxes right . For all of taxes now, right . For all of you. And this is something i really wanted to deliver. And lots probably got lots of you probably got frustrated i hadnt frustrated with me that i hadnt done a year ago, and all the done it a year ago, and all the rest of it. But i said to you then, look, this is something i want do. Course i want to want to do. Of course i want to do it right. I believe so deeply. Be that hard work should be rewarded. Type of be rewarded. Thats the type of country i want to build, country that i want to build, right . You guys so hard. Right . You guys work so hard. Everyone works want everyone works hard. I want hard work means work to be rewarded. That means i want to cut your taxes so you can keep more of your hard earned money. But when i got this was running this job, inflation was running at and like margaret at 11. And just like Margaret Thatcher lawson many thatcher and nigel lawson many years i knew that the years before me, i knew that the right to do our right thing to do for our country was get country economically was to get inflation down control inflation down first, control spending and borrowing, get inflation down, and then we could start responsibly cutting taxes. And we were able to taxes. And we were able to deliver that in the budget at the end of last year. It kicked in. In all of your january pay in. In all of yourjanuary pay slips. So for everyone in work that is not small , that tax cut is not small, right . The National Insurance rate has been cut from 12 to 10. So for someone earning an average salary, about £35,000, that tax cut is worth £450 this yeah that tax cut is worth £450 this year. And it kicked in in january. Now year. And it kicked in in january. Now you might say yes about time. What next . I can appreciate that. Right. And ive said, look, when its responsive to do so of course we want to keep cutting your taxes because thatis keep cutting your taxes because that is important to me because its, as i said, about rewarding hard work, but its got to be done as part of a plan. And because weve got a plan and because weve got a plan and because that plan, as i said right at the beginning, is starting and you can starting to work. And you can see if we with it, then see it if we stick with it, then there are better times ahead, right . Because weve got plan there are better times ahead, righweiecause weve got plan there are better times ahead, righwe stucke weve got plan there are better times ahead, righwe stuck to veve got plan there are better times ahead, righwe stuck to it. e got plan there are better times ahead, righwe stuck to it. Inflation lan there are better times ahead, righwe stuck to it. Inflation isn and we stuck to it. Inflation is down from to 4, right. Wages down from 11 to 4, right. Wages have rising for have now been rising for steadily for the last six months, above prices. Mortgage rates to come down rates are starting to come down right. Were controlled welfare. And so were in a position where because the Economic Conditions have improved, we can start cutting your taxes. Now thats the type of party we are. Thats the type of party we are. Thats the type of government will the type of government we will be. Contrast very be. And the contrast is very clear. Can it in clear. You can see it in scotland with snp. You can scotland with the snp. You can see it in wales with the labour party. Many of you will be Small Business people, many people watching be small watching will be Small Businesses. Or businesses. If you own a pub or restaurant cafe, weve cut restaurant at a cafe, weve cut your Business Rates by 75. This year to support our high streets , businesses and , support those businesses and the labour, government and the jobs labour, government and wales hasnt done that right. Those are all paying more those pubs are all paying more and starmer cant tell you and keir starmer cant tell you how going to pay for his how hes going to pay for his £28 billion green decarbonisation policy. What does that mean . That means higher taxes and that go right back to where i said at the beginning, stick with the plan. The plan is working. Can see the plan is working. You can see that economy. Can see that on the economy. You can see it taxes. The it in lower taxes. The alternative going back to alternative is going back to square one with the labour party. Cant you what hes party. Cant tell you what hes going differently. Going to do differently. He doesnt a plan. And that doesnt have a plan. And that means wont get the change means we wont get the change that our country deserves. Thats that i want to thats the change that i want to deliver for all of you. Prime minister, thank you very much indeed. Right. Okay. Were gonna get into the box. I, i made that box as well. I, i made that box as well. I, i made that box as well. I have, you know, its a shame it hasnt been used well, thank you, Prime Minister, very much indeed forjoining us for much indeed for joining us for the news Peoples Forum the first gb news Peoples Forum of this election year. And thank you, of course, to our studio audience part. Thank audience for taking part. Thank you very much indeed. Now you very, very much indeed. Now we are hoping that labour we are hoping that the labour leader, keir starmer , will leader, sir keir starmer, will accept invitation to take accept our invitation to take part in one of these Peoples Forums. Lets hope he does. Um, forums. Lets hope he does. Um, but for now, lets take you back to london from the glorious nonh to london from the glorious north east to patrick christys. North east to patrick christys. Well, welcome to this very special edition of patrick