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Prime Minister's Questions: 22 April 2020

22 April 2020 (updated on 22 April 2020)

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During PMQs today MPs questioned the First Secretary, Dominic Raab about testing for Covid-19, the number of deaths of NHS and social care workers, economic support for businesses and more .

Questions from the Leader of the Opposition

In his first PMQs as Leader of the Opposition, Keir Starmer, began by thanking House authorities and staff for allowing the House to meet virtually.

Mr Starmer asked the First Secretary:

  • why the country is behind other European countries in testing for Covid-19. He asked what the First Secretary is expecting to happen in the next eight days to get us from 18,000 tests a day to 100,000 tests a day.
  • why the Government isn't using all the tests available everyday
  • why testing centres are often many miles away for social care workers in parts of the country.
  • how many NHS workers have now died from coronavirus? And how many social care workers have now died from coronavirus.
  • when will frontline workers at risk finally get the equipment they need to keep them safe?

Questions from the Scottish National Party's Westminster Leader

The Scottish National Party's Westminster Leader, Ian Blackford, asked about universal basic income and financial support for businesses.

Mr Blackford asked the Prime Minister

  • why 34 days since the Chancellor first announced the package of economic support, thousands of businesses and individuals have found themselves with no income, no support because of arbitrary cut-off dates and bureaucratic barriers.
  • will the Government implement a universal basic income.

Full list of topics and questioners

  • Conservative MP, Peter Bone (Wellingborough) asked the First Secretary, about when the banks going to act in the National interest.
  • Labour (Co-op) MP, Lucy Powell (Manchester Central) asked the First Secretary if he will extend cash grants and come up with a rescue package to stop thousands of hospitality businesses from disappearing.
  • Conservative MP, Sally-Ann Hart (Hastings and Rye) asked the First Secretary about what measures are needed to encourage domestic tourism.
  • Labour MP, Barry Gardiner (Brent North), asked the Prime Minister why the Government hasn't been following scientific advice from the beginning.
  • Conservative MP, Nick Fletcher (Don Valley) asked the First Secretary what recent steps the Government has taken to ensure the NHS has adequate supplies of personal protective equipment.
  • Labour MP, Naz Shah (Bradford West) asked the First Secretary if he will confirm the Government will meet its promise to fund whatever is necessary and fully compensate local councils for all costs and loss of income related to the Covid-19 crisis.
  • Conservative MP, Matt Vickers, (Stockton South) asked the First Secretary if he can confirm that the Government remains committed to record levels of investment in the NHS.
  • Labour MP, Stephen Kinnock, (Aberavon) asked the First Secretary if the Government will urgently take steps to lift the loan cap on the Coronavirus Large Business Loan scheme.
  • Conservative MP, James Sunderland, (Bracknell) asked the First Secretary if he will join him in commending the remarkable spirit of the British people.
  • Labour MP, Ruth Cadbury, (Brentford and Isleworth) asked the First Secretary when will the Government start to deliver solutions that fit their promises.
  • Labour MP, Nicola Richards, (West Bromwich East) asked the First Secretary if he can provide the House with an update on the progress of the scheme to bring back British Nationals stuck abroad.
  • Liberal Democrat MP, Ed Davey (Kingston and Surbiton), asked the First Secretary if the Government will commit itself now into a future independent judge led inquiry into how this crisis has been handled.
  • Conservative MP, Fay Jones (Brecon and Radnorshire), asked the First Secretary if he will join her in thanking the join military command in Wales.
  • Plaid Cymru MP, Liz Saville Roberts (Dwyfor Meirionnydd), asked the First Secretary if he will confirm that lifting the lockdown can only happen with the unanimous agreement of all the governments of all four Nations.
  • Conservative MP, Luke Evans (Bosworth), asked the First Secretary if the Government will commit to support zoos.
  • Labour MP, Angela Eagle (Wallasey), asked the First Secretary if he can ensure the House that Britain believes that the World Health Organisation is critical to the future of global health security.

Catch up on the full PMQs

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Image: UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor

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