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Blair's climate crisis views 'absolutely aligned' with government policy, Starmer says
Sammy Wilson (DUP) says Starmer’s net zero policy “is not only bad, it is mad”. Even Tony Blair says so, he says.
Starmer says Blair said there should be more carbon capture. The government agrees. He called for more use of AI. That is happening too, he says. And Blair said domestic targets were needed too, he says.
What Tony Blair said is we should have more carbon capture, we’ve invested in carbon capture. That’s many jobs across different parts of the country.
He said that AI (artificial intelligence) should be used, we agree with that. We’ve invested huge amounts in AI and the jobs of the future. He also said we need domestic targets so that businesses have their certainty.
If you look at the detail of what Tony Blair said, he’s absolutely aligned with what we’re doing here, these are the jobs and the security of the future.
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Mark Francois (Con) asks if Starmer will back a campaign to erect a memorial to Vera Lynn.
Starmer says he will support this campaign.
Deidre Costigan (Lab) asks about fly-tipping. (See 11.10am.)
Starmer says the Tory record on fly-tipping was terrible, and he says the government is cracking down on this.
Layla Moran (Lib Dem) asks about a victim who suffered sexual misconduct in the workplace, and who was made to sign a non-disclosure agreement. Will Starmer back plans to ban their use in cases like this?
Starmer says the government is looking at what it can be done to stop the misuse of NDAs.
Bernard Jenkin (Con), a member of the parliamentary choir, asks Starmer if he will support a concert by the choir to mark the 80th anniversary of the VE day. He says during the Blitz German music continued to be played in London, and they are singing Bach at this year’s concert.
Starmer says he hopes the concert goes well.
Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Lab) asks what the government is doing to bring down rent.
Starmer says the renters’ rights bill will improve conditions for renters.
Paul Kohler (Lib Dem) asks if the government will back the Lib Dem plan to stop people playing music on public transport.
Starmer criticises the Tories for laughing at this. He says anti-social behaviour is an important issue. But he claims tough measures are in place already.
Julie Minns (Lab) asks about breakfast clubs.
Starmer says the first 750 have opened, and there are “many more to come”.
And he says the government is making school uniforms cheaper. The Tories voted against this, he says.
Josh Babarinde (Lib Dem) asks about a constituent who has had their pension credit cut because her military compensation is treated as income.
Starmer says he will set up a meeting with a minister where this case can be discussed.
Sam Carling (Lab) asks about crime.
Starmer says the Tories “decimated neighbourhood police”. The government is hiring more, he says.
Liz Jarvis (Lib Dem) says her constituents’ water bills are going up 47%. Does Starmer understand why people are so angry?
Starmer says the Tories should apologise for their record on this. He says the Water Act will tighten controls on water companies.
Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, asks Starmer to declare a national emergency in relation to illegal immigration. He claims ‘smash the gangs’ was just a slogan.
Starmer says Reform UK voted against Labour’s plans to crack down on smuggling gangs. And he quotes reports saying Reform UK have now got Liz Truss as an adviser.
In a subsequent answer, he accuses Farage of “fawning over Putin and taking Liz Truss’s advice”.
Davey asks if Starmer will back a change to the law that would make it easier for parents to get a mental capacity assessment for their children. He mentions this in the context of the Fiona Laskaris case.
Starmer says this was a horrific case. He says he will look into this.
Starmer refuses to commit to giving MPs vote on any potential trade deal with US
Ed Davey, the Lib Dem leader, says he asked last week for a vote on any trade deal with the US, and Starmer did not answer last week, or when Clive Jones asked the question earlier.
Starmer says any deal will go through the known procedures of this house.
