Prime Minister

In the House of Commons debate, the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, began by congratulating Team GB's Olympic and Paralympic athletes and expressing condolences for the tragic incident in the Channel. He also acknowledged the Grenfell Tower inquiry report and its impact on the bereaved and local community. The Leader of the Opposition, Rishi Sunak, then questioned the Prime Minister's decision to remove the winter fuel allowance from low-income pensioners while awarding pay rises to highly paid train drivers. The Prime Minister defended the decision, stating that the government had inherited a £22 billion black hole and had to take tough decisions to stabilize the economy. The debate then covered a range of topics, including the government's decision to suspend arms export licences to Israel, the closure of the Bibby Stockholm barge in Dorset, the impact of the government's proposed windfall tax on the oil and gas sector, the planning process for new housing developments, the issues faced by RAAC hospitals, and the government's plans to reform Ofsted. The Prime Minister addressed these issues, highlighting the government's commitment to compliance with international law, ending gimmicks, supporting the transition to renewable energy, and improving the education system. The discussion also touched on the government's approach to tackling crime and antisocial behaviour, the rebuilding of Haygrove School in Bridgwater, and the future of the A66 northern trans-Pennine project. The Prime Minister emphasized the government's focus on action over slogans, devolving power to local communities, and addressing the challenges inherited from the previous administration. Throughout the debate, the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition engaged in a robust exchange, with the Prime Minister defending the government's decisions and the Leader of the Opposition challenging the impact of those decisions on vulnerable groups, such as pensioners and low-income families.