we're going straight nowjulie hasl we're going straight nowjulie has house of commons and to have a minister. celebrate christmas with over 4 million people now boosted and anyone who has not yet done so should come forward and get boosted now. this morning we had meetings with ministers and colleagues in addition to my duties in this house, i will have further meetings later today. i will have further meetings later toda . ., ~ i will have further meetings later toda. . ~' ~ i will have further meetings later toda. ., ~ ,, today. thank you, mr speaker. the welsh labour— today. thank you, mr speaker. the welsh labour nationalist _ today. thank you, mr speaker. the welsh labour nationalist coalition l welsh labour nationalist coalition in cardiff bay have undergone a disaster. mrspeaker, does the in cardiff bay have undergone a disaster. mr speaker, does the prime minister agreed with me that the great british public don't need to look back at the last uk labour government to soothe this opposition�*s answer to all our problems are. demanding the taxpayer bail them out of their own ineptitude and incompetence! it is not 'ust ineptitude and incompetence! it 3 notjust labour's record ineptitude and incompetence! it 1 notjust labour's record in london notjust labour�*s record in london or wales, every notjust labour�*s record in london orwales, every labour notjust labour�*s record in london or wales, every labour government in history since the second world war has left office with unemployment higher than when they came in and thatis higher than when they came in and that is because only conservatives can be trusted to manoeuvre on the economy and on the peoples priorities and that is why this country not, thanks to the pulses we are pursued has the fastest economic growth in the g7. bud are pursued has the fastest economic growth in the 67-— growth in the g7. and it comes to the deputy _ growth in the g7. and it comes to the deputy leader— growth in the g7. and it comes to the deputy leader of _ growth in the g7. and it comes to the deputy leader of the - growth in the g7. and it comes to i the deputy leader of the opposition. thank you, mr speaker and a happy new year to you and the rest of the house. mrspeaker, over new year to you and the rest of the house. mr speaker, over the christmas break, the role of most of the fight of a giant in the fight of equality and human rights, the great desmond tutu and i would like to offer my condolences to his family and the people of south africa and i would also like to thank all of those cute workers who have kept our essential services over the christmas period and all of those staffers working at vaccination sites and our amazing nhs working incredibly hard with incredibly stretch circumstances. but i never to come on after on after that after the prime minister's questions and sue grey, who has been busy over the festive period. mr speaker. sue grey, who has been busy over the festive period. mrspeaker. in october, the prime minister said that fears about inflation were unfounded. but working people across the country are starting the new year facing the country are starting the new yearfacing rising bills and ballooning prices. so, how did he get it so wrong? government has been... and of course i said no such thing because inflation is always something that we have to be careful about. but what we are doing, mr speaker, is making sure, making sure, that we protect the people of this country throughout what is unquestionably going to be a difficult period, and that's why we are ensuring that we've lifted the living wage by record sums, mr speaker, we've made sure people have cold weather payments, making sure that they have the warm homes discount, all the other protections, the £500 million fund that we have put into help local councils look after people throughout what will be a difficult period. but the most important thing we can do to look after people during this very difficult time, mr speaker, is to ensure that we take the balanced and proportionate approach that we are, to ensure that we're able to keep our country and our society going, mr speaker, we're able to keep our country and oursociety going, mr speaker, and thatis oursociety going, mr speaker, and that is exactly what we are doing. and that is why we've doubled down on the booster programme and that is why we're sticking with plan b, mr speaker. and that is the right approach for the country. mr speaker. _ approach for the country. m speaker, inflation is about to hit 6%. that's the highest rate since the early 90s, when the conservatives had been in powerfor over a decade. marred in their sleaze with a divided party, a prime minister losing the support of his backbenchers and governing shambolic lee, and a labour party, mr speaker, who is ready to take over and provide britain with a better future. familiarstuff, mr speaker. future. familiar stuff, mr speaker. the future. familiarstuff, mr speaker. the prime minister promised wage rises would offset inflation. they haven't and they won't. millions of british workers now face a further pay cut, and his chancellor is handing them a tax hike. what will the prime minister do to get a grip of this? mr the prime minister do to get a grip of this? ~ ,,, ., ,, ., ~ ., ., of this? mr speaker, and i know that she, it is of this? mr speaker, and i know that she. it is great _ of this? mr speaker, and i know that she, it is great to _ of this? mr speaker, and i know that she, it is great to be _ of this? mr speaker, and i know that she, it is great to be here _ of this? mr speaker, and i know that she, it is great to be here with - of this? mr speaker, and i know that she, it is great to be here with the i she, it is great to be here with the right honourable lady the shadow secretary of state, for the future of work, we know the future of the job that she has in mind, and i wish her well, job that she has in mind, and i wish herwell, but job that she has in mind, and i wish her well, but what we are focused on, what we are focused on, mr speaker, is delivering jobs for the british people. and it is a quite extraordinary thing that there are now record numbers of people in work, mr speaker, 420,000 more than there were before the pandemic began, mr speaker, we have youth unemployment at a record low, mr speaker, and never let it be forgotten that when omicron hit this country, mr speaker, what was their instinctive response? they said, that's right, mr speaker, they said they needed a roadmap, that we needed a roadmap to lockdown. if we listened to them, we wouldn't have anybody working at all, mr speaker. mr speaker, i've heard on the grapevine there might be a vacancy for prime minister soon, so maybe i should have aspirations! the prime minister pretends it's not his fault. he blames the globalforces, he blames the market. mr speaker, we are an aspirational party, maybe the prime minister needs to be more aspirationalfor this prime minister needs to be more aspirational for this country. but mr speaker, the prime minister has made political choices that have led us into this place, his government has failed to invest in long—term energy security. his government decided to let gas storages collapse. his government let the energy market run out of control. 27 energy market run out of control. 27 energy companies have gone bust in the last year. and now household bills are going through the roof, or, as the money saving expert martin lewis put it, there will be a seismic hit on energy bills. can't the prime minister see what's happening yet again, working families are picking up the tab for his incompetence?— families are picking up the tab for his incompetence? well, mr speaker, she talks about _ his incompetence? well, mr speaker, she talks about energy, _ his incompetence? well, mr speaker, she talks about energy, i _ his incompetence? well, mr speaker, she talks about energy, i think- his incompetence? well, mr speaker, she talks about energy, i think the - she talks about energy, i think the house would agree, she's got a lot more energy than the current leader of the opposition, and i welcome her point, because actually, what the government is doing is supporting people throughout the pandemic, 2.2 million people, supported with the warm homes discount, mr speaker, worth £140 per week, which we introduced. pensioners are supported with a £300 winter fuel payments, mr speaker, cold weather payments worth £25 a week for 4 million people up and down the country, mr speaker, thatis and down the country, mr speaker, that is what we are doing, mr speaker, and that is on top of everything they're doing to support people on low incomes, cutting taxes for those on universal credit, increasing the living wage £1000 more for everybody on the living wage, and mr speaker, let mejust remind the house of the fundamental difference between that party and this government. they would have kept us in lockdown injuly, mr speaker, and when omicron it, they were calling forfurther were calling for further restrictions. that's right, mr speaker. we've been able to keep this country moving and keep the economy growing and keep the money coming into people's pockets, mr speaker. mr coming into people's pockets, mr seaker. ~ .,~ coming into people's pockets, mr seaker. ~ �* speaker. mr speaker, i'll tell you what this prime _ speaker. mr speaker, i'll tell you what this prime minister - speaker. mr speaker, i'll tell you what this prime minister is - speaker. mr speaker, i'll tell you| what this prime minister is doing, is increasing taxes to the hard—working people of this country. that's what he's doing, that's what he didn't promise in his manifesto but that's what he's doing to the people. and i quote, mr speaker, the poorest households spent three times more on their income on household energy bills than the richest households spend. vat on energy bills makes gas and electricity more expensive, not my words, mr speaker, but the words of the prime minister himself. when energy bills are going to be hiked again in april, any decent government would find a way to help british families. even the tory backbenchers have finally accepted labours call to put vat on energy bills. so, will he finally stand up to his chancellor and do the same? mr stand up to his chancellor and do the same?— the same? mr speaker, let me remind- -- _ the same? mr speaker, let me remind... she _ the same? mr speaker, let me remind... she obviously - the same? mr speaker, let me! remind... she obviously wasn't listening to the previous answer, let me remind her, the warm homes discount, already 2.2 million people supported to the tune of £140 a week. pensioners supported with £300 through the winter fuel payments. the cold weather payments for 4 million people, and they now have the effrontery, mr speaker, having campaigned, and she did, too, i think, didn't she...? 0h, campaigned, and she did, too, i think, didn't she...? oh, yes, she campaigned to remain in the eu. 0h campaigned to remain in the eu. oh yes, she did. they now have the barefaced cheek to come to this house of commons and say that they want to cut vat on fuel. when everybody knows, and he did, too, mr speaker, everybody knows full well it would be absolutely impossible if they were to do what labour would do and go back into the eu, remain aligned with the eu single market. that is the objective of the labour party, they can't be trusted on brexit, mr speaker, and they can't be trusted on the economy. 50. brexit, mr speaker, and they can't be trusted on the economy. so, prime minister, be trusted on the economy. so, prime minister. how's _ be trusted on the economy. so, prime minister, how's it _ be trusted on the economy. so, prime minister, how's it going? _ be trusted on the economy. so, prime minister, how's it going? are - be trusted on the economy. so, prime minister, how's it going? are you - minister, how's it going? are you okay? the prime minister and his chancellor have presided over economic mismanagement, low growth and neglect of our public services, and neglect of our public services, and their resolution to fix this? whacking more taxes on working people. combine the tax rise with soaring energy prices and the average family faces a hit above £1200. this is an iceberg, mr speaker, right ahead. £1200. this is an iceberg, mr speaker, rightahead. so, will £1200. this is an iceberg, mr speaker, right ahead. so, will he finally stop and change course...? order. we started the new year not in the _ order. we started the new year not in the way— order. we started the new year not in the way we — order. we started the new year not in the way we left _ order. we started the new year not in the way we left the _ order. we started the new year not in the way we left the last _ order. we started the new year not in the way we left the last one, - in the way we left the last one, you did give _ in the way we left the last one, you did give me — in the way we left the last one, you did give me an— in the way we left the last one, you did give me an assurance _ in the way we left the last one, you did give me an assurance we - in the way we left the last one, you did give me an assurance we were. did give me an assurance we were going _ did give me an assurance we were going to _ did give me an assurance we were going to try— did give me an assurance we were going to try and _ did give me an assurance we were going to try and calm _ did give me an assurance we were going to try and calm down, - did give me an assurance we were going to try and calm down, so. did give me an assurance we were going to try and calm down, so ifi did give me an assurance we were . going to try and calm down, so if we can it _ going to try and calm down, so if we can it would — going to try and calm down, so if we can it would he _ going to try and calm down, so if we can it would be helpful. _ going to try and calm down, so if we can it would be helpful. mr- going to try and calm down, so if we can it would be helpful. mr speaker, £1200 ri ht can it would be helpful. mr speaker, £1200 right away. _ can it would be helpful. mr speaker, £1200 right away. so, _ can it would be helpful. mr speaker, £1200 right away. so, will— can it would be helpful. mr speaker, £1200 right away. so, will he - £1200 right away. so, will he finally stop and change course or will he plough on towards what will be a disaster for thousands of families? mr be a disaster for thousands of families? ~ ,,, ., ,, ., , be a disaster for thousands of families? ~ ., ,, ., , ., . families? mr speaker, as a direct result of what _ families? mr speaker, as a direct result of what we've _ families? mr speaker, as a direct result of what we've already - families? mr speaker, as a directj result of what we've already done families? mr speaker, as a direct i result of what we've already done on universal credit, a single mother with two kids is £1200 better off, mr speaker, as a result of what we've done with the living wage, mr speaker, introduced by this conservative government, never let it be forgotten, everybody on the living wage has seen another £1000 in their income every year, mr speaker. but that's not the point. and we will continue to look after people throughout the pandemic. but the fundamental point is that because of the steps the government has taken, because of the tough decisions we've taken, because of the balanced and proportionate approach that we've taken to covid, we've been able to keep this country open, keep our economy moving, more open, keep our economy moving, more open than any other comparable economy in europe, and they know it, mr speaker, and they opposed it every step of the way, and that's why people are seeing increases in employment and increases in their pay packets as well. mr employment and increases in their pay packets as well.— pay packets as well. mr speaker, this rime pay packets as well. mr speaker, this prime minister— pay packets as well. mr speaker, this prime minister always - pay packets as well. mr speaker, this prime minister always givesl this prime minister always gives with one hand and takes away with the other. under this prime minister, the country is worse off. prices for every day goods are soaring out of control, hard earned savings will be hit, and the wages of working people won't go as far. inflation isn't an economic theory, it has serious consequences for people's lives. we need serious solutions, mr speaker, to stop people falling into poverty or deck. instead, mr speaker, we have this prime minister and his incompetent leadership, and every time we are faced with a challenge, he denies there is a problem, he tries to laugh it off, he looks for someone else to blame. so, can i suggest to the prime minister, it's not about brushing your hair, it's about brushing your hair, it's about brushing up on your act. does he accept his incompetence is taking our country backwards and costing our country backwards and costing our country backwards and costing our country dear? trio. our country backwards and costing our country dear?— our country backwards and costing our country dear? no, mr speaker, what i tell the — our country dear? no, mr speaker, what i tell the house _ our country dear? no, mr speaker, what i tell the house and _ our country dear? no, mr speaker, what i tell the house and tell - our country dear? no, mr speaker, what i tell the house and tell the i what i tell the house and tell the country is that labour incompetence has ruined this country time again, and there has never been a labour government that has left office with unemployment lower than when they came in. and what is her answer, mr speaker, to the energy crisis? it is to nationalise our energy. it was in fact prevail�*s failure to invest over a decade or more that reduced our ability to have cheaper, cleaner energy, mr speaker. we are rectifying that, we are taking the tough decisions that this country needs for the long—term, and it is because we've taken these tough decisions, mr speaker, because we've taken the balanced and proportionate approach that we have, that they opposed every step of the way, that we have youth unemployment at a record low, we have 420,000 more people injobs now than record low, we have 420,000 more people in jobs now than there were before the pandemic began, and, mr speaker, we not only have the most open society and economy in europe but we also have the fastest economic growth in the g7. completely contrary to what she has just said, and that is because of our stable, just said, and that is because of ourstable, balanced just said, and that is because of our stable, balanced and proportionate approach, and never let it be forgotten, when omicron presented itself, what did they vote for? they reached for the lever of more restrictions. they said lockdown, mr speaker, we said boosters. they can't from the sidelines, we get on with the job. you want more? you won't get more at this rate. _ you want more? you won't get more at this rate. mr— you want more? you won't get more at this rate. mr penrose has been waiting — this rate. mr penrose has been waiting patiently.— this rate. mr penrose has been waiting patiently. john penrose. thank you. _ waiting patiently. john penrose. thank you. mr _ waiting patiently. john penrose. thank you, mr speaker. - waiting patiently. john penrose. thank you, mr speaker. the - waiting patiently. john penrose. - thank you, mr speaker. the biggest factor driving up a few bills is the skyrocketing international price of gas which is currently dancing to a tune set in moscow. will the prime minister agreed with me that this will not address this fundamental, underlying problem at all and the crisis demands structural form to the energy price cap rather than resetting it later this year and energy self—sufficiency to uncouple us from russian gas as well? yes. energy self-sufficiency to uncouple us from russian gas as well? yes, i thank my honourable _ us from russian gas as well? yes, i thank my honourable friend - us from russian gas as well? yes, i thank my honourable friend and - us from russian gas as well? yes, i thank my honourable friend and he| us from russian gas as well? yes, i l thank my honourable friend and he is completely right. that is why this government is taking the tough decision in investing in the long term energy supply by investing in renewables and also nuclear and that is the right way forward for this country. i think it was labour who completely failed to take those decisions, with the result that nuclear, in particular, fell away dramatically. it is absolutely farcical that they answer today, labour's on saturday to the energy price rises which my honourable friend mentions, is to nationalise our energy. yes it is. maybe they have changed their minds are now. but their answer was to nationalise our energy sector and send bills even higher and that is not the way forward. ian even higher and that is not the way forward. . �* ., . ,, ., even higher and that is not the way forward-_ can - even higher and that is not the way forward._ can irish i forward. ian blackford. can irish colleagues— forward. ian blackford. can irish colleagues and _ forward. ian blackford. can irish colleagues and all _ forward. ian blackford. can irish colleagues and all staff- forward. ian blackford. can irish colleagues and all staff a - forward. ian blackford. can irish colleagues and all staff a good l forward. ian blackford. can irish i colleagues and all staff a good new year. mr speaker, overthe last colleagues and all staff a good new year. mr speaker, over the last few weeks, serious warnings have grown over the tory cost of living crisis, which will hit the majority of families over the coming months. new research from the resolution foundation has found that on average that families will be £1200 worse off from april as a result of tory cuts, tax hikes and soaring energy bills. four members of the tory government, £1200 might not seem very much... for the foreign secretary, just another taxpayer from mayfair, for the prime minister, it isjust from mayfair, for the prime minister, it is just a from mayfair, for the prime minister, it isjust a roll of from mayfair, for the prime minister, it is just a roll of fancy wallpaper for minister, it is just a roll of fancy wallpaperfor his minister, it is just a roll of fancy wallpaper for his taxpayer funded flat. but for the vast majority of families, losing £1200 a year will be catastrophic. for some, families, losing £1200 a year will be catastrophic. forsome, it families, losing £1200 a year will be catastrophic. for some, it will mean that they cannot afford to pay their rent and bills, heat their homes or put food on the table. will the prime minister apologise for leaving millions of families worse off and will he commit to an emergency financial package to reverse his tory cost of living crisis? ~ ,,, ., ,, ., reverse his tory cost of living crisis? ~ .,~ ., ., crisis? mr speaker, i find that hard to take from _ crisis? mr speaker, i find that hard to take from the _ crisis? mr speaker, i find that hard to take from the humble _ crisis? mr speaker, i find that hard to take from the humble crofter, . crisis? mr speaker, i find that hard to take from the humble crofter, if| to take from the humble crofter, if i may say. what we are doing, i am normally very good with relations off the pitch. but what we are doing is helping families up and down the country, tapering, making sure single mother with two kids gets 1200 more on universal credit. £1000 more as a result of the increase to the living wage. the crucial thing i am to get over this afternoon, like virtually any other european economy, we have been able to keep going, keep people in work and we have more people in work before the pandemic began, because of the balanced and proportionate approach we have been taking on his support would be welcomed and deserve. irate would be welcomed and deserve. we are would be welcomed and deserve. - are talking about the tory cost of living crisis. so much for a new year and a new start, it is the same nonsense from this failing prime minister. we have had a year of tory sleaze, now we have a year of tory squeeze for family budgets. the sleaze, now we have a year of tory squeeze forfamily budgets. the uk living standards will worsen in 2022 with the poorest households hit hardest by tory cuts, tax hikes and soaring inflation, driven by his government's policy. under this prime minister, the uk already has the worst levels of poverty and inequality in north—west europe. now the tories are making millions of families poorer. in scotland, the snp government is mitigating this tory poverty crisis by doubling the scottish child payment to £20 thai week. can i ask the prime minister, will he match the scottish government and introduce a £20 child payment across the uk? or will the tories push hundreds and thousands of children into poverty as a direct result of his policies? mr speaker, he is talking _ result of his policies? mr speaker, he is talking total _ result of his policies? mr speaker, he is talking total nonsense. - result of his policies? mr speaker, he is talking total nonsense. this | he is talking total nonsense. this is a government that is absolutely determined, as i have said throughout this pandemic, particularly to look after the poorest and the neediest, which is what the chancellor did with all his packages, we were extremely progressive. when i came into office we made sure we upgraded the housing allowance because we understand how important it is. supporting vulnerable renters are putting money into local authorities to help families up and down the country who are facing tough times. his fundamental point is wrong, just wrong about what is happening in this country. if you look at the statistics, inequality, economic inequality is down, mr speaker, in this country. income inequality is down, poverty is down. i tell you why, we get people into work, we get people intojobs, that is why, we get people into work, we get people into jobs, that is our answer. people into “obs, that is our answer. ., ., ., ., answer. the london borough of bromle answer. the london borough of itromlev has — answer. the london borough of bromley has achieved - answer. the london borough of bromley has achieved the - answer. the london borough of. bromley has achieved the fastest answer. the london borough of- bromley has achieved the fastest and most significant improvement of children's services of any local authority in england, much of the credit is due to its chief executive. will my right honourable friend join me in congratulating him upon his appointment as the commander of the british empire in the new year's honours list and congratulate the conservative majority on the council in delivering the only debt free council in london. i delivering the only debt free council in london.— delivering the only debt free council in london. i cannot believe hillindon council in london. i cannot believe hillingdon isn't _ council in london. i cannot believe hillingdon isn't included _ council in london. i cannot believe hillingdon isn't included in - council in london. i cannot believe hillingdon isn't included in that. hillingdon isn't included in that list, mr speaker. it is no surprise that bromley runs such a tight ship, i have been familiar with bromley over many years. he and i have campaigned there together. i commend the cbe. happy new year, mr speaker. i am sure the prime minister will want to join me and my liberal democrat colleagues in welcoming the new memberfor north colleagues in welcoming the new member for north shropshire. colleagues in welcoming the new memberfor north shropshire. mr speaker, people's already high heating bills are about to jump by over 50%, with average energy bills rising by nearly £700 a year. gas price rises will push millions more families into fuel poverty when we know many are already afraid even to open their heating bills. does the prime minister accepted that he could be doing much, much more than he is doing to prevent millions of people going hungry and cold this year, while he remains for now, at least, in the warmth and comfort of number ten? least, in the warmth and comfort of numberten? mr least, in the warmth and comfort of number ten?— least, in the warmth and comfort of number ten? ~ ., ,, ., , number ten? mr speaker, of course i welcome the — number ten? mr speaker, of course i welcome the honourable _ number ten? mr speaker, of course i welcome the honourable lady - number ten? mr speaker, of course i welcome the honourable lady to - number ten? mr speaker, of course i welcome the honourable lady to her l welcome the honourable lady to her place. but for the rest of what he had to say, ball�*s was the word. you are right first time, your word, mr speaker, not mine. i simply advise the house to go back over what i have just said about all the protections we are putting in place already, the warm homes going to feel allowance and the thousands putting into local councils. if he talks about long—term energy solutions, is this the same ed balls,, ed davey he was an energy minister? , ., ., , ., ., minister? hospitalisations in london have peaked — minister? hospitalisations in london have peaked so _ minister? hospitalisations in london have peaked so the _ minister? hospitalisations in london have peaked so the prime _ minister? hospitalisations in london have peaked so the prime minister. have peaked so the prime minister was right to hold his nerve in the last few weeks. but does he agree the nhs faces notjust omicron staffing absences, but permanent and dangerous staffing shortfalls in nearly every specialty? will he end the cycle, whereby those shortfalls continually threatened, notjust patient care but sometimes even our freedoms by overhauling workforce planning by backing baroness amendment to the health bill in the house of lords, having a word with his neighbours in downing street are making 2022 the year we finally solve this problem? i making 2022 the year we finally solve this problem?— making 2022 the year we finally solve this problem? i think my right honourable friend's _ solve this problem? i think my right honourable friend's amendment - solve this problem? i think my right| honourable friend's amendment may have re—emerged in another place and he knows a great deal about this issue and i understand what he is trying to do. we are taking, for the time being, a different approach which is record numbers of people working in our nhs, more than ever before. 5000 more doctors this year than last year, 10,000 more nurses. that is thanks to the investment that this house voted through and that this house voted through and that opposition unbelievably opposed. my my mother, doctor nancy savill was diagnosed with dementia just before christmas. she had a stroke a year ago. i was called to sit with her on monday because of a covid staff shortage, but like myself and my constituents as are likely to be separated indefinitely when she is moved into a nursing home. we have successfully campaigned in every uk nation, people with dementia have a special need for personal centred care under the equality act 2010. in reality there remain many care homes and hospitals for even the most minimal visitors can be denied is into isolation and separation which causes irreversible damage. does he agree with me that the human rights of disabled people, sick people and the elderly are not fair weather luxuries and not everyone with dementia, wherever they live, has the right family life? mr dementia, wherever they live, has the right family life?— the right family life? mr speaker, can i the right family life? mr speaker, can i extend _ the right family life? mr speaker, can i extend my _ the right family life? mr speaker, can i extend my deepest - the right family life? mr speaker, i can i extend my deepest sympathies to the right honourable lady and i am sure the whole house and everybody who has listened will have shared herfeelings everybody who has listened will have shared her feelings and simply wish to extend their condolences in view of her mother's current condition. i know how her feelings must be exacerbated by the difficulties that so many people up and down the country are facing, because of the restrictions we are having to put on care homes. i sympathise deeply. we do have to try to strike a balance and to keep care homes and residents safe and do what we can to prevent the epidemic from taking hold in care homes. we continue to allow three nominated visitors to care homes and there should be no limit to the duration of those visits, mr speaker. but i understand the particular distress and anxiety that the right honourable lady's circumstances are causing. can i suggest she has a meeting as soon as it can be arranged and my right honourable friend, the secretary of state for health. mr honourable friend, the secretary of state for health.— honourable friend, the secretary of state for health. mr speaker, many of my constituents _ state for health. mr speaker, many of my constituents had _ state for health. mr speaker, many of my constituents had contacted i state for health. mr speaker, many l of my constituents had contacted me with their concerns about rising utility bills and the high cost of fuel. people in rural constituencies are particularly affected by this because rural areas are colder in the winter, many of the homes are not on the gas grid and rural people are more reliant on their cars and public services are further from home. what more can he do for people particularly in rural communities to ensure my constituents have a reliable and affordable source of energy and fuel? i reliable and affordable source of energy and fuel?— reliable and affordable source of energy and fuel? i thank her very much and she — energy and fuel? i thank her very much and she is _ energy and fuel? i thank her very much and she is drawing - energy and fuel? i thank her very| much and she is drawing attention energy and fuel? i thank her very - much and she is drawing attention to a very important consideration as we try to deal and debate the increases in gas, in the cost of gas and the cost of energy. so for people in rural constituencies such as her own, it will be an important point we have frozen fuel duty for the 12th year in a row, the energy price cap itself remains in place, clearly and we are doing everything we can to help people with the energy efficiency of their homes. what we are also doing and the other measures i have explained to the house, but mr speaker the most important thing we can do to help people in her constituency and across the country is to have sustainable, clean, cheaperforms of energy. and that is what this government is investing in now and