to benefit rules, but as we changes to benefit rules, but as we said, it was in september the chancellor said it was virtually impossible to deliver tax cuts so what exactly has changed? there might be a bit more room for manoeuvre because tax receipts have been a bit higher than initially thought and forecast and the cost of servicing government debt has fallen as well but it inflation, prices are rising, and that above the bank of england's target and will fuel the cost of living crisis on the chancellor really will be wary of making any big announcements i could spark even more inflation. it's all rather big balancing act to perform in the country's finances. with the details of what exactly we could expect is our economics correspondent andy verity. ina in a cold damp day in the south london market, ask what they want the government to do about and you will hear two big concerns that have not gone away — energy and food.

used to get six oranges for a pound and i was five per pound. limbs were ten and now there are seven for a pound. it's hard for the customer and hard for us.— and hard for us. food may not be auoin u- and hard for us. food may not be going up as _ and hard for us. food may not be going up as the _ and hard for us. food may not be going up as the rises _ and hard for us. food may not be going up as the rises early - and hard for us. food may not be going up as the rises early this i going up as the rises early this year but now there are prices getting cheaper. and the benefit of cheaper energy has not yet flung through. cheaper energy has not yet flung throu~h. �* ., ., ., [1111 cheaper energy has not yet flung throu~h. �* ., ., ., ;;:: :: , through. before we paid to a 300 but now it's more — through. before we paid to a 300 but now it's more than _ through. before we paid to a 300 but now it's more than £2000. _ through. before we paid to a 300 but now it's more than £2000. with - through. before we paid to a 300 but now it's more than £2000. with the l now it's more than £2000. with the economy stuck— now it's more than £2000. with the economy stuck in _ now it's more than £2000. with the economy stuck in a _ now it's more than £2000. with the economy stuck in a slowdown - now it's more than £2000. with the economy stuck in a slowdown posedl now it's more than £2000. with the i economy stuck in a slowdown posed by soaring prices and higher interest rates, the chancellor is expected to cut national insurance and today's autumn statement. the treasury is in a position to give some money away in the cost of tax cuts without breaking his own self—imposed fiscal rules but there is one big reason the treasury can do that and that's because of how much money we have been sending the treasury in the form of higher income tax and national insurance since rishi sunak took the decision to freeze the thresholds above which we start paying tax. in march last year the

average earner got £29,000 of year would pay tax on earnings above the frozen personal tax allowance of 12,570. the difference of their taxable pay would be 16,500. by september this year, the average pay packet had grown to more than £32,000 dragging more of it above the frozen tax threshold. means the average arable pay is up by £3000 and much bigger slice for the chancellor to take a bite from. that is it low and middle earners hardest and of the chance goes ahead and give some love back by cutting national insurance rates, it is likely to be higher earners who will benefit most.— benefit most. ultimately what we exect to benefit most. ultimately what we exoect to see _ benefit most. ultimately what we exoect to see is _ benefit most. ultimately what we expect to see is a _ benefit most. ultimately what we expect to see is a tax _ benefit most. ultimately what we expect to see is a tax reshuffle i expect to see is a tax reshuffle rather than a tax cut. most households will be worse off as a result of the frozen tax threshold, only those earning between a0 and £50,000 would expect to see their tax burden fall so this is a shift

of the tax burden from high income britain to middle—income britain. the government has also announced the minimum wage up by 10% for many of the lowest paid but also a higher cost for employers which may force many of them to push up prices again. andy verity, bbc news, elephant and castle. that is the economic picture in which the chancellor finds himself delivering this autumn statement. let's talk about the political implications and with me as a political correspondent. interesting times and a turnaround of what we heard from jeremy hunt a few months ago saying no, time is not now for tax cuts. some things change and that something could be a general election. , ., election. there is a political context and _ election. there is a political context and the _ election. there is a political| context and the government election. there is a political- context and the government would election. there is a political— context and the government would say they argued they did not want to do anything as a government that could help boost inflation so they would say they are not going to do tax cuts because that would have

inflationary effect but now they say, look, inflation has come down and rishi sunak had promised to cut inflation in half and he has actually done that, not completely down to the government, i will have to say but they will claim credit for that but he would say they're in a new economic landscape and the time has come to start tax rises. and that's what the government would say has changed but the economics and inflationary picture has changed but there has been a change in context as well because rishi sunak has tried variously to reset his premiership and he said that he spent the first year stabilising the economy, doing things that were necessary and there was time for me to do the things i want to do. he tried to do that the conservative party conference and to pitch himself as a change candidate and scrapping h s two, the second leg of that and a net zero commitments as well so that was a one moment and then he had another moment of the kings beach and he talked with the smoking ban and all of these things are really failing to move the die when it comes to the polls in terms of how the party is perceived and how voters are approaching so this

is another moment to say look, we have this new landscape and we can do something with it and now was the moment they will say we can start cutting taxes and showing what we are about and start to show our offering and build on it at the next budget which will come in the spring and really start to reveal our true colours as a conservative government because that's the other thing that rishi sunak is known for, he is under pressure from his conservative party backbenchers to cut taxes. they want him to deliver what they think is a true conservative budget by having a lower tax base and i think that's what has changed. and the government would argue they have a bit more room for manoeuvre on this idea they do have a bit more money to spend given their own spending predictions going forward and they have laid this groundwork that they have more money to play with, let's spend it on cutting taxes. ., ., ., ., , with, let's spend it on cutting taxes. ., ., ., ., taxes. you laid out a couple of thins. taxes. you laid out a couple of things- the — taxes. you laid out a couple of things. the midterms. - taxes. you laid out a couple of things. the midterms. the - taxes. you laid out a couple ofl things. the midterms. the idea taxes. you laid out a couple of- things. the midterms. the idea that a vote winner is a tax cut and we know that but at the same time the focus on inflation is key and

anything that perhaps is too generous or too expensive could actually do the opposite it could fuel inflation. find actually do the opposite it could fuel inflation.— actually do the opposite it could fuel inflation. and it depends on which taxes _ fuel inflation. and it depends on which taxes you _ fuel inflation. and it depends on which taxes you are _ fuel inflation. and it depends on which taxes you are cutting. - fuel inflation. and it depends on l which taxes you are cutting. there would be a difference in how inflationary attacks could would be inflationary attacks could would be in terms of where it's targeted so a lot of the tax because the government wants to focus on is stimulating business investment so business taxes. a little less on personal tax as there had been talk about inheritance tax being one thing that could come in for a cut, stamp duty as well and we think those things will be pushed back to the spring but we will have to wait and see but it's a question of who benefits from these tax cuts and what the behavioural changes will be? but it's also important to remind people of the context and we saw abid and andy's piece to mention we are at a record high in terms of the taxes on people... a year high. and there's this thing that we heard about how people are paying more income tax because the thresholds at

which income tax has been targeted has been frozen and wages have gone up has been frozen and wages have gone up a bit to keep in line with inflation so people are actually paying more income tax so we are starting from that base and then we are looking at cuts in national insurance contributions and that's taking you bit back but also from a wide base. h. ., taking you bit back but also from a wide base. h. . ., wide base. fiscal drag we will hear about a lot- _ wide base. fiscal drag we will hear about a lot. good _ wide base. fiscal drag we will hear about a lot. good to _ wide base. fiscal drag we will hear about a lot. good to see _ wide base. fiscal drag we will hear about a lot. good to see you. - wide base. fiscal drag we will hear about a lot. good to see you. that| about a lot. good to see you. that is a word we will hear a lot, fiscal drag and we will explain it as you need to know us throughout the day. less talk to our economics correspondent andy verity who has been crunching those numbers. we saw in your report and laying out the economic case for what could happen today. and we should be clear, this is about choices, isn't it? we often talk about money or no money or whether the government has anything to spend. they have the money and this is about choosing what they

spend it on. this is about choosing what they spend it on-_ spend it on. yes, exactly. the government — spend it on. yes, exactly. the government has _ spend it on. yes, exactly. the government has a _ spend it on. yes, exactly. the government has a huge - spend it on. yes, exactly. the government has a huge of- spend it on. yes, exactly. the i government has a huge of choice spend it on. yes, exactly. the - government has a huge of choice and we saw this in 2020. nobody talked about finding the money to pay for the pandemic, we live in economy where the government essentially issues the currency and what it did back then was conjure nearly £300 billion into existence and people didn't talk about where you could find the money or borrow it from because that's how it can work in an emergency which shows this is a question of priorities. as the mini budget showed a year ago, if you don't observe any kind of boundaries, if there is no attempt to cover whatever additional spending or tax because you are doing by for example spending cuts or tax rises, then the markets might take fright and say, oh, gosh, the bank of england will have to raise interest rates and mortgage rates my job and that's whatjeremy hunt does not want because that's the problem. he was brought to fix the problem and a few weeks ago he said that any tax cuts would be impossible. what

we should really remember perhaps is that part of the reason there is no talk of tax cuts is because we are all paying more. what leila was saying is the concept of fiscal drag is simple. fiscal means taxing and spending at the drag bit is that we are all dragged above the threshold above which we stop paying high rates of tax for the policy between 2010 and 2016 of the conservative was to raise those thresholds so that fewer and fewer people were paying tax on the lowest paid didn't paying tax on the lowest paid didn't pay any tax at all. now that goes into reverse and it means it heats the lowest paid workers much harder whereas if there is a cut in national insurance, that is distributed across the income spectrum and it benefits those who pay most taxed the most. whereas on the one hand, we have been paying more tax with the emphasis on people lower down the income scale, if there is a cut in national insurance, the benefit would go mostly to a greater extent are those higher up the income strata. find

higher up the income strata. and it's interesting _ higher up the income strata. and it's interesting when we start to get a sense of how intertwined these numbers are. your assessment if you will on that wiggle room. that room for manoeuvre of the chancellor may or may not have because that's based on economic forecasts. and they tell us how the economy will grow and therefore at the economy is growing all of us are paying tax and they have a bit more money to play with. but they are at this stage just assumptions and forecasts and we know a lot of things could change and we have not felt the real impact of higher interest rates, we are still grappling with the cost of living crisis and high inflation so there are a lot of moving parts here and the chancellor cannot be too confident in his predictions and therefore how much money he has got to play with. therefore how much money he has got to -la with. ., �*, therefore how much money he has got to play with-— to play with. that's right and we should be clear _ to play with. that's right and we should be clear about _ to play with. that's right and we should be clear about what - to play with. that's right and we should be clear about what we l to play with. that's right and we | should be clear about what we do to play with. that's right and we - should be clear about what we do and don't mean by wiggle room. if you say i can wiggle this much to the right and dismiss to the left without coming the cameras you can see me, well that's a symptom poll i'm choosing to stay within these

boundaries but if the boundaries are here i do have greater make wiggle room. the calculation the chancellor has to make is what fiscal targets does he need in order to have credibility with the markets that they don't take fright and boost interest rates? he has made a judgment that you have to have debt falling as a proportion of the size of the overall economy in five years' time. that's very uncertain and based on a forecast for what the economy is going to do, how much tax money will come in and also based on an arbitrary political choice. he could have chosen another target. we took the wiggle room we need to remember its wiggle room against his own self imposed fiscal targets. but it's certainly the case that if the treasury gets a lot more money in in taxes because we are all paying more in taxes... it's easier for them to turn around and say we could spend some now or give tax breaks or cut tax cuts in order to boost the

economy. tax cuts in order to boost the economy-— tax cuts in order to boost the econom . �* y , . economy. andy, where “ust catching the end of the h economy. andy, where “ust catching the end of the prime _ economy. andy, where just catching the end of the prime minister- the end of the prime minister leaving number ten and also on his way to the house of commons and so it is a house of commons prime minister's questions. while you are with us and you see the prime minster there, with us and you see the prime minsterthere, he with us and you see the prime minster there, he said of his pledge of the start of his premiership and a lot of them focused on the economy and we know one of them was having inflation and that has happened, not necessarily to do a proper government has done, it's possibly more than what it has not done. it hasn't done inflationary thing so inflation has come down as global energy prices and things start to fall. the other thing he talked about was cutting the debt and growing the economy. much less successful on those two scores. that's right and we are likely to have a downgrade to the forecast for economic growth next year and the year after. what the picture was backin year after. what the picture was back in march was the office for budget responsibility which forecast these things officially so we have

some sort of projections for what tax money is going to come in etc, they were thinking that actually inflation will be over quite quickly so we would have a lot this year but we do better next year. in fact, inflation has proved more persistent and interest rates will stay high for longer and that has changed the expected outlook for economic growth. most forecasters are saying now it will be pretty flat next year and will not really get back to growth until the year after, whereas before, they were saying we would have chunky growth next year and thereafter. that's quite a marked change but we do expect some sort of downgrade there to economic growth but at the same time, some pictures, some elements of the economic pick sure are improving and there's a stronger picture for the public finances than was predicted a year ago. we may even see slightly larger giveaways on the tax side that have been tried so far but who knows? andy, great to have you and i let

you go to crunch the numbers. that economics correspondent, andy verity. i will stay here in westminster as far as that autumn statement is concerned but also pointing out the covid inquiry continues today and we've been hearing from chris whitty giving his second day of evidence and we will hear from sir second day of evidence and we will hearfrom sirjonathan second day of evidence and we will hear from sirjonathan van tam later on who are both familiar names on the pandemic. he is due later today bliss returned now and hear more from chris whitty. the key takeaway is all the cm owes, is highlighted that this is a big issue. ., ., ,, is highlighted that this is a big issue. ., ., _ , , issue. you caveat in it by properly drawin: issue. you caveat in it by properly drawing the _ issue. you caveat in it by properly drawing the distinction _ issue. you caveat in it by properly drawing the distinction between i drawing the distinction between transmission and infection but nevertheless, this is a key issue and continues to be a key issue for

the reasons you have admitted to a few minutes ago. this is an issue of testing, ppe, infection control. all of those are massively contributed to those issues by asymptomatic transmission.— to those issues by asymptomatic transmission.- 0k - to those issues by asymptomatic transmission.- ok so - to those issues by asymptomatic - transmission.- ok so moving transmission. correct. ok so moving on a week. — transmission. correct. ok so moving on a week. this _ transmission. correct. ok so moving on a week, this same _ transmission. correct. ok so moving on a week, this same written - on a week, this same written briefing that we just referred to going to another attack on the 28th, —— nerve tract. the same document goes to sage on the government website we know the same document is not updated goes to the sage meeting a week later which are also present.

and from the note of that sage meeting, there is no mention of your assumption that there should be happening. there is no mention of the chinese government position on the chinese government position on the 26th or 28th of january. and in fact the only reference to asymptomatic transition for the record, again i can put it up if you want, and tried to avoid doing that but it is 51925. paragraph 19, the sage minette says that asymptomatic cannot be ruled out. that is very different issue to the chinese government saying it is happening or you saying we should assume it is happening, isn't it? i you saying we should assume it is happening, isn't it?— happening, isn't it? i considered all of those _ happening, isn't it? i considered all of those are _ happening, isn't it? i considered all of those are compatible - all of those are compatible

statements. i think probably we could _ statements. i think probably we could have written that one slightly more _ could have written that one slightly more strongly but it was still the view_ more strongly but it was still the view of— more strongly but it was still the view of most people at this point that even— view of most people at this point that even if it was a caring, it was a small_ that even if it was a caring, it was a small part — that even if it was a caring, it was a small part of the transmission. i think_ a small part of the transmission. i think that — a small part of the transmission. i think that is — a small part of the transmission. i think that is a critical part of... trying — think that is a critical part of... trying to— think that is a critical part of... trying to think this through. the oint in trying to think this through. ii�*ué point in trying to trying to think this through. the point in trying to make as this is a massive issue so why are you talking about it in the sage minute the week after the chinese government, your view, why is it not been ruled out? that is not objectively accurate. lt that is not objectively accurate. it depends what you're trying to think through— depends what you're trying to think through and if you wish i can look at context— through and if you wish i can look at context and we can go through it but at _ at context and we can go through it but at this— at context and we can go through it but at this point we were still thinking _ but at this point we were still thinking it was probably not a major driver— thinking it was probably not a major driver of— thinking it was probably not a major driver of the epidemic. we certainly were not— driver of the epidemic. we certainly were not excluding and it is clear

from _ were not excluding and it is clear from this, — were not excluding and it is clear from this, excluding the possibility of individual cases were occurring. those _ of individual cases were occurring. those are — of individual cases were occurring. those are incompatible things. i'm not scribbling with the semantics of it. you and sage and everyone else were trying to work out what to do next and i'm putting to you that this was a point of alarm where the testing and other things discussed needed to be ramped up because of this. that's right isn't it? you certainly _ this. that's right isn't it? you certainly need _ this. that's right isn't it? you certainly need to _ this. that's right isn't it? you certainly need to be - this. that's right isn't it? you certainly need to be aware of the possibility and if there is a substantial amount of asymptomatic transmission, you have taken of the table _ transmission, you have taken of the table potential rules such as case finding _ table potential rules such as case finding and isolation as released. in terms— finding and isolation as released. in terms of— finding and isolation as released. in terms of testing, you don't take it off the table in terms of care homes or hospitals. in fact, asymptomatic transmission would mean more tests not less. but asymptomatic transmission would mean more tests not less.— more tests not less. but we didn't have any at _ more tests not less. but we didn't have any at this _ more tests not less. but we didn't have any at this point, _ more tests not less. but we didn't have any at this point, there - more tests not less. but we didn't have any at this point, there were | have any at this point, there were

almost _ have any at this point, there were almost no — have any at this point, there were almost no tests at this point in the uk so _ almost no tests at this point in the uk so therefore if you didn't have symptoms— uk so therefore if you didn't have symptoms as your principal, you could _ symptoms as your principal, you could say— symptoms as your principal, you could say anyone could have it, all the tools— could say anyone could have it, all the tools are essentially taken off the tools are essentially taken off the table — the tools are essentially taken off the table. it's important to understand the context where i had to rewrite _ understand the context where i had to rewrite those minutes, i might change _ to rewrite those minutes, i might change the words slightly but the general— change the words slightly but the general principle seems to be a reasonable one. | general principle seems to be a reasonable one.— general principle seems to be a reasonable one. i want to move on but in terms _ reasonable one. i want to move on but in terms of _ reasonable one. i want to move on but in terms of not _ reasonable one. i want to move on but in terms of not having - reasonable one. i want to move on but in terms of not having the - but in terms of not having the tests, you did in fact have it but didn't have it at scale. the tests, you did in fact have it but didn't have it at scale. we didn't have them _ didn't have it at scale. we didn't have them at — didn't have it at scale. we didn't have them at the _ didn't have it at scale. we didn't have them at the ability - didn't have it at scale. we didn't have them at the ability to... if| have them at the ability to... if you are — have them at the ability to... if you are only aiming to set people with symptoms and only from a gym graphically constrained area, a small— graphically constrained area, a small number of tests are sufficient. —— geographically. saying — sufficient. —— geographically. saying anyone regardless of symptoms you would _ saying anyone regardless of symptoms you would need tests more widely. at this point— you would need tests more widely. at this point we were far from clear whether— this point we were far from clear whether even if there was a symptomatic infection whether the tests were accurate and this is

debated — tests were accurate and this is debated in sage. these are the things— debated in sage. these are the things i— debated in sage. these are the things i want to add, these layers of technical importance. i'm not disagreeing. of technical importance. i'm not disagreeing-— of technical importance. i'm not disarareein. :, h , ., , disagreeing. that's very fair but in terms of care _ disagreeing. that's very fair but in terms of care homes _ disagreeing. that's very fair but in terms of care homes and - disagreeing. that's very fair but in | terms of care homes and hospitals, theissue terms of care homes and hospitals, the issue of asymptomatic transmission should have been an issue of getting on with the test, scaling up the test. tn a issue of getting on with the test, scaling up the test.— issue of getting on with the test, scaling up the test. in a sense, my views are all _ scaling up the test. in a sense, my views are all of _ scaling up the test. in a sense, my views are all of those _ scaling up the test. in a sense, my views are all of those happened i views are all of those happened anyway — views are all of those happened an a . :, , views are all of those happened an a. :, y :, , views are all of those happened an a. ~ anyway. finally on this point, mr keith has already _ anyway. finally on this point, mr keith has already raised - anyway. finally on this point, mr keith has already raised the - anyway. finally on this point, mr - keith has already raised the diamond princess. by the end of february, when the analysis came out i was in public domain, it had gone from the possibility of asymptomatic transmission in earlyjanuary to the possibility of asymptomatic transmission and now we know it was having a real impact so again it is another stage isn't it? yes

having a real impact so again it is another stage isn't it?— having a real impact so again it is another stage isn't it? yes and we are moving _ another stage isn't it? yes and we are moving on _ another stage isn't it? yes and we are moving on that. _ another stage isn't it? yes and we are moving on that. to _ another stage isn't it? yes and we are moving on that. to go - another stage isn't it? yes and we are moving on that. to go forwardj another stage isn't it? yes and we i are moving on that. to go forward a bit, are moving on that. to go forward a bit. we _ are moving on that. to go forward a bit. we still— are moving on that. to go forward a bit, we still don't have confidence about— bit, we still don't have confidence about what the proportion of asymptomatic transmission at that point _ asymptomatic transmission at that point was — asymptomatic transmission at that point was. and even now with all that information. but point was. and even now with all that information.— that information. but it is clearly a ma'or that information. but it is clearly a major issue- — that information. but it is clearly a major issue. and _ that information. but it is clearly a major issue. and with - that information. but it is clearly| a major issue. and with hindsight duping enough was done as a result of the —— do you think enough was done? of the -- do you think enough was done? . of the -- do you think enough was done? :, , , :, , , of the -- do you think enough was done? :, , i. , , ., done? two things you suggested would have been necessary _ done? two things you suggested would have been necessary either— done? two things you suggested would have been necessary either way. - done? two things you suggested would have been necessary either way. the i have been necessary either way. the scaling _ have been necessary either way. the scaling above testing did not depend on an— scaling above testing did not depend on an of— scaling above testing did not depend on an of asymptomatic understanding transmission neither did the need for ppe _ transmission neither did the need for ppe of— transmission neither did the need for ppe of an appropriate nature. those _ for ppe of an appropriate nature. those were — for ppe of an appropriate nature. those were not predicated on asymptomatic transmission. the thing it would _ asymptomatic transmission. the thing it would have at this point, other things— it would have at this point, other things it — it would have at this point, other things it would have made a different situation, this was the point _ different situation, this was the point where cases were imported, it

would _ point where cases were imported, it would have — point where cases were imported, it would have made a difference potentially to our approach to contact — potentially to our approach to contact tracing and so on. but that is a slightly— contact tracing and so on. but that is a slightly different point which i don't _ is a slightly different point which i don't think is where you are going — i don't think is where you are anoin. i don't think is where you are hoin _ ., . , i don't think is where you are anoin. :, : , ., i don't think is where you are a oin a . :, : , :, :, , going. the agency getting all those thins in going. the agency getting all those things in place _ going. the agency getting all those things in place was _ going. the agency getting all those things in place was underlined - going. the agency getting all those things in place was underlined by i things in place was underlined by the reality of asymptomatic transmission. l the reality of asymptomatic transmission.— the reality of asymptomatic transmission. ~ , :, ., transmission. i think we should have had the either _ transmission. i think we should have had the either way. _ transmission. i think we should have had the either way. second - transmission. i think we should have had the either way. second topic, i had the either way. second topic, ruickl , had the either way. second topic, quickly. h — had the either way. second topic, quickly. h cm. — had the either way. second topic, quickly, h cid, hikers— had the either way. second topic, quickly, h cid, hikers and - quickly, h cid, hikers and infectious disease, 1st of march, your abilities analyse tests, you are engaged in an e—mail exchange and i don't think i need to put this up, if i need to get the reference. you say to professor tom evans, the p h se you say to professor tom evans, the

p h se ——, you say to professor tom evans, the p h se --, i think this you say to professor tom evans, the p h se ——, i think this will grow fast and we should plan for that. we now have a much better fix on mortality rate on those symptomatic with covid—19 but a large number of asymptomatic cases are in the hundreds and potentially thousands a day may happen within weeks given what is happening elsewhere. testing will obviously be well above that and i'm keen to diagnose them. what you are asking for in this e—mail chain is a downgrading of the bio—safety provision for lab analyses, the facilities for analysing cover tests, is that right? analysing cover tests, is that riuht? , :, analysing cover tests, is that ri. ht? , ., . ., analysing cover tests, is that riuht? ,:, , ., analysing cover tests, is that riuht? , ., :, right? yes and can put a background on wh it? right? yes and can put a background on why it? hi— right? yes and can put a background on why it? hi consequence - right? yes and can put a background| on why it? hi consequence infections diseases— on why it? hi consequence infections diseases are — on why it? hi consequence infections diseases are ones in general where you have _ diseases are ones in general where you have high risk for those

treating _ you have high risk for those treating or processing samples of the individual. there are significant disadvantages to the individual patient from something being _ individual patient from something being treated as a hcid if it is not _ being treated as a hcid if it is not it— being treated as a hcid if it is not. it will slow down testing substantially because only a small numbers— substantially because only a small numbers of laboratories can do it and it— numbers of laboratories can do it and it had — numbers of laboratories can do it and it had to move down the country to places _ and it had to move down the country to places with particular facilities and in _ to places with particular facilities and in extreme cases,... can to places with particular facilities and in extreme cases,...- to places with particular facilities and in extreme cases,... can i cut across the? _ and in extreme cases,... can i cut across the? i _ and in extreme cases,... can i cut across the? i think _ and in extreme cases,... can i cut across the? i think it's _ and in extreme cases,... can i cut across the? i think it's important. across the? i think it's important because as _ across the? i think it's important because as the _ across the? i think it's important because as the debate _ across the? i think it's important because as the debate as - across the? i think it's important because as the debate as he - across the? i think it's important i because as the debate as he raised it has— because as the debate as he raised it has been— because as the debate as he raised it has been fully misunderstood. the consequences for high infectious disease — consequences for high infectious disease only exist if something is a very high— disease only exist if something is a very high significance of someone catching _ very high significance of someone catching it— very high significance of someone catching it and advance significant public— catching it and advance significant public health risks to the population and risks to the individual patient if it is used

inappropriately. i thought it was a sensible _ inappropriately. i thought it was a sensible thing to have that discussion with the relevant bodies who could — discussion with the relevant bodies who could then make an independent assessment. i�*m who could then make an independent assessment-— who could then make an independent assessment. �* :, ., ., assessment. i'm not asking you about the hcid designation _ assessment. i'm not asking you about the hcid designation generally. - assessment. i'm not asking you about the hcid designation generally. you i the hcid designation generally. you are not involved in that in this e—mail. what you're saying in this e—mail. what you're saying in this e—mail is the laboratory safety precautions following from it being a hcid should be relaxed effectively.— a hcid should be relaxed effectively. a hcid should be relaxed effectivel . ~ :, ., , , a hcid should be relaxed effectivel . ~ :, ., , a hcid should be relaxed effectivel . ~ :, :, , , ., . effectively. what it means is a much laraer effectively. what it means is a much larger number _ effectively. what it means is a much larger number of _ effectively. what it means is a much larger number of laboratories - effectively. what it means is a much larger number of laboratories can i larger number of laboratories can then do— larger number of laboratories can then do tests than otherwise would have been— then do tests than otherwise would have been able to. so then do tests than otherwise would have been able to.— have been able to. so that is the oint of have been able to. so that is the point of this _ have been able to. so that is the point of this e-mail _ have been able to. so that is the point of this e-mail effectively. i point of this e—mail effectively. and that is the point i'm trying to distinguish. you are not here saying to professor evans or others to change the designation, you are saying to relax the provisions that follow from the designation with respect to laboratories and that is a very necessary and sensible step. my a very necessary and sensible step. my views on the laboratory side, you

clearly— my views on the laboratory side, you clearly would not have been able to provide _ clearly would not have been able to provide a _ clearly would not have been able to provide a safe service were that relaxation — provide a safe service were that relaxation to occur. but provide a safe service were that relaxation to occur.— provide a safe service were that relaxation to occur. but you are not sa in: relaxation to occur. but you are not saying other _ relaxation to occur. but you are not saying other things _ relaxation to occur. but you are not saying other things should - relaxation to occur. but you are not saying other things should relax. i saying other things should relax. no, i thought we were likely to head that way— no, i thought we were likely to head that way fairly soon.— that way fairly soon. finally, travel restrictions. _ that way fairly soon. finally, travel restrictions. you - that way fairly soon. finally, travel restrictions. you set i that way fairly soon. finally, i travel restrictions. you set out your views on border controls and your views on border controls and your statements so i won't go into any detail on those but you do say in respect to denmark in november of 2020 that it was sensible to take a different view. that was to impose restrictions on travel to and from denmark. that is different, is it, to the position injanuary 2020 when the virus emerges from china? we to the position in january 2020 when the virus emerges from china? we had a secific the virus emerges from china? we had a specific problem _ the virus emerges from china? we had a specific problem there _ the virus emerges from china? we had a specific problem there with _ a specific problem there with outbreaks in mink farms and the danish— outbreaks in mink farms and the danish government had taken a

decision— danish government had taken a decision to stop the entire trade and therefore eliminate this risk of and therefore eliminate this risk of a potentially different and vaccine escaping — a potentially different and vaccine escaping variant so our view was that this — escaping variant so our view was that this was the temporary measure where's _ that this was the temporary measure where's a _ that this was the temporary measure where's a high chance of the danish states— where's a high chance of the danish states getting on top of this completely by the actions taken so simply— completely by the actions taken so simply for— completely by the actions taken so simply for the short period until they had — simply for the short period until they had achieved that, it was sensible — they had achieved that, it was sensible to have measures in place. but that's— sensible to have measures in place. but that's different to what we were facing _ but that's different to what we were facing coming from china. 30 but that's different to what we were facing coming from china.— but that's different to what we were facing coming from china. so on the outside of china, _ facing coming from china. so on the outside of china, your _ facing coming from china. so on the outside of china, your view - facing coming from china. so on the outside of china, your view was - facing coming from china. so on the outside of china, your view was thati outside of china, your view was that the outbreak in china had, was likely to, escape china and effectively it was impossible to put travel restrictions other than delays minimally of the virus to the uk. ' , ., , delays minimally of the virus to the uk. ~ , :, , , delays minimally of the virus to the uk. my view was the danish position that they were _ uk. my view was the danish position that they were taking _ uk. my view was the danish position that they were taking extreme - that they were taking extreme

measures of getting on top of this with a _ measures of getting on top of this with a quick turn around and we would _ with a quick turn around and we would only— with a quick turn around and we would only need to consider this for a very— would only need to consider this for a very limited time.— a very limited time. picking that oint u - , a very limited time. picking that point up. you — a very limited time. picking that point up. you are _ a very limited time. picking that point up, you are saying - a very limited time. picking that point up, you are saying there i a very limited time. picking that| point up, you are saying there is a very limited time. picking that i point up, you are saying there is a role for travel restrictions and border controls but on a targeted basis. .,. , :, border controls but on a targeted basis. .: , :, basis. exactly and we did the same if ou basis. exactly and we did the same if you recall — basis. exactly and we did the same if you recall for _ basis. exactly and we did the same if you recall for example _ basis. exactly and we did the same if you recall for example with - basis. exactly and we did the same if you recall for example with the i if you recall for example with the omicron — if you recall for example with the omicron variant and it's largely to -ive omicron variant and it's largely to give us _ omicron variant and it's largely to give us a — omicron variant and it's largely to give us a pause for information to understand — give us a pause for information to understand the impact on vaccine amenity— understand the impact on vaccine amenity and so on. there are definitely— amenity and so on. there are definitely areas and i think i explained that where i to go back, i would _ explained that where i to go back, i would have — explained that where i to go back, i would have done things differently. finally, _ would have done things differently. finally, one example of that, you asked about mask gatherings and i went —— mass gatherings. but with respect to a particular mass gathering of consent some of my families, the liverpool football match. would there be a role here

from travel restrictions? here you have thousands of spanish fans coming over on flights for a match and then being in hospitality and milling around liverpool for the match. at that point it was well known that spain and madrid were hotspots. is this an area as an example where travel restrictions would go outside of your general view that they don't make an offer little difference? would it be sensible to take a targeted approach in that sort of situation? suggesting you could stop transmission to the uk or community transmission? but it doesn't seem sensible to actually facilitate thousands of people from a hotspot. i think it would be difficult to differentiate have travel restrictions for one legal activity compared — restrictions for one legal activity compared to another so i think the targeted _ compared to another so i think the targeted way to deal with this and

we discussed this yesterday, it would — we discussed this yesterday, it would have been around the mass gatherings themselves and as we showed _ gatherings themselves and as we showed yesterday, were we to do things— showed yesterday, were we to do things again, that's an area we would — things again, that's an area we would have done differently. but i don't _ would have done differently. but i don't think travel restrictions specifically would have been the appropriate tool to do that necessarily.— appropriate tool to do that necessarily. those were my questions- _ necessarily. those were my questions. thank _ necessarily. those were my questions. thank you. - morning. professor, iwill ask morning. professor, i will ask you some questions on topics on behalf of the northern ireland covid approved justice campaign. the first topic i want asking about is the recognition on sage to the unique problems facing northern ireland in responding to the pandemic. to do that, could we have... on screen.

while it is coming up, this is an e—mail that doctor michael mcbride, chief medical officer or northern ireland centre on tenth march in which he said not only had he sought to secure tiring but there was a risk of mixed messages and confusion are not understanding the complexity of the politics. all arrangement would serve as well. i need to look... they only need to be addressed. it must follow therefore that even though you must have been aware of it before, you were particularly conscious of the unique problem of responding to a pandemic

on the island of ireland. n problem of responding to a pandemic on the island of ireland.— problem of responding to a pandemic on the island of ireland. n was. and on the island of ireland. i was. and which we agree _ on the island of ireland. i was. and which we agree with _ on the island of ireland. i was. and which we agree with the _ on the island of ireland. i was. and which we agree with the timing of introducing measures to combat covid would complicate northern ireland with its shared border with the republic? with its shared border with the re - ublic? , with its shared border with the reublic? , , with its shared border with the re ublic? , .:, , .., ., republic? yes, complicated into dimensions- _ republic? yes, complicated into dimensions. the _ republic? yes, complicated into dimensions. the republic- republic? yes, complicated into dimensions. the republic of - republic? yes, complicated into i dimensions. the republic of ireland has a _ dimensions. the republic of ireland has a clear— dimensions. the republic of ireland has a clear implication for northern ireland _ has a clear implication for northern ireland and — has a clear implication for northern ireland and vice versa and secondly complicated politically because, and to some _ complicated politically because, and to some and fairly, sinn fein and others _ to some and fairly, sinn fein and others from _ to some and fairly, sinn fein and others from the political tradition were _ others from the political tradition were very— others from the political tradition were very keen to stay in touching distance _ were very keen to stay in touching distance of— were very keen to stay in touching distance of the republic of ireland approach — distance of the republic of ireland approach to covid and stay in touch with the _ approach to covid and stay in touch with the uk's approach. these are issues _ with the uk's approach. these are issues of— with the uk's approach. these are issues of policy not science so since — issues of policy not science so since we — issues of policy not science so since we had to acknowledge they were there and let the political

leaders — were there and let the political leaders take their final decisions. might _ leaders take their final decisions. might be — leaders take their final decisions. might be an idea to take politics out of it. this might be an idea to take politics out of it. : , :, .. might be an idea to take politics out of it. : , :, ,, ,:, ., out of it. as making the point that both are relevant _ out of it. as making the point that both are relevant in _ out of it. as making the point that both are relevant in terms - out of it. as making the point that both are relevant in terms of - out of it. as making the point that both are relevant in terms of the i both are relevant in terms of the policy— both are relevant in terms of the policy development. in both are relevant in terms of the policy development.— both are relevant in terms of the policy development. in terms of the epidemiological _ policy development. in terms of the epidemiological aspect, _ policy development. in terms of the epidemiological aspect, do - policy development. in terms of the epidemiological aspect, do you - policy development. in terms of the l epidemiological aspect, do you agree the sage minutes had no reference to these particular difficulties in dealing with the early part of covid? .. dealing with the early part of covid? ,,., , ., covid? the sage minutes in general onl took covid? the sage minutes in general only took national _ covid? the sage minutes in general only took national within _ covid? the sage minutes in general only took national within uk - covid? the sage minutes in general only took national within uk or- only took national within uk or original— only took national within uk or original approach when there was a strong _ original approach when there was a strong reason to do so. this is because — strong reason to do so. this is because sage was taking an overarching science policy approach. once you _ overarching science policy approach. once you get down to later in the pandemic, — once you get down to later in the pandemic, much more detail, the epidemiology of course, northern ireland _ epidemiology of course, northern ireland has a different

epidemiological profile and some situations. but that wasn't a sage issue. _ situations. but that wasn't a sage issue. that — situations. but that wasn't a sage issue, that was about operations and policy— issue, that was about operations and policy and _ issue, that was about operations and policy and ministers. in a sense, this was— policy and ministers. in a sense, this was what sage was for, overarching high level pure scientific advice. it didn't have a policy— scientific advice. it didn't have a policy role — scientific advice. it didn't have a policy role and i think it's important to separate that. in terms ofthe important to separate that. in terms of the geographical _ important to separate that. in terms of the geographical representation i of the geographical representation on sage, on monday, sir patrick vallance said one of the things you would like to change in terms of scientific input from bodies like sage was to make sure it got in his words, the geographic diversity right. do you agree? ilitei’ith words, the geographic diversity right. do you agree?— right. do you agree? with big caveat. right. do you agree? with big caveat- if _ right. do you agree? with big caveat. if you _ right. do you agree? with big caveat. if you have _ right. do you agree? with big caveat. if you have a - right. do you agree? with big caveat. if you have a small. right. do you agree? with big - caveat. if you have a small group, we had _ caveat. if you have a small group, we had a — caveat. if you have a small group, we had a long debate about this yesterday and i won't repeat it, if your— yesterday and i won't repeat it, if your aim — yesterday and i won't repeat it, if your aim is — yesterday and i won't repeat it, if your aim is to have the best scientists— your aim is to have the best scientists in the uk, potentially internationally but certainly in the

uk, available, you must start with the centres — uk, available, you must start with the centres of expertise and for any given— the centres of expertise and for any given problem, sometimes one part of the uk, _ given problem, sometimes one part of the uk, sometimes another, often, theyare _ the uk, sometimes another, often, they are highly concentrated in particular areas at universities or departments. that'sjust particular areas at universities or departments. that's just a scientific reality. whilst balancing the need — scientific reality. whilst balancing the need for representation where that is— the need for representation where that is useful, you have to ensure the best— that is useful, you have to ensure the best people are around the table — the best people are around the table. getting that balance right is a judgment call. table. getting that balance right is a judgment call-— a judgment call. certainly by late march 2020 _ a judgment call. certainly by late march 2020 the _ a judgment call. certainly by late march 2020 the inquiry - a judgment call. certainly by late march 2020 the inquiry is - a judgment call. certainly by late march 2020 the inquiry is heard i a judgment call. certainly by late | march 2020 the inquiry is heard in a judgment call. certainly by late i march 2020 the inquiry is heard in a statement from professor young who you will know was the chief scientific adviser for northern ireland that it was only after he became a full attendee in late march 2020 on sage that northern ireland had full participation in sage. taste had full participation in sage. we should have allowed it earlier and we all _ should have allowed it earlier and we all agree that. he was a good scientific—

we all agree that. he was a good scientific colleague and had insights different from others and his expertise was an additional contribution so that's an example where _ contribution so that's an example where you — contribution so that's an example where you get both benefits, geographically and a different disciplinary background. that was useful— disciplinary background. that was useful for— disciplinary background. that was useful for everybody. to disciplinary background. that was useful for everybody.— disciplinary background. that was useful for everybody. to be fair to ou and useful for everybody. to be fair to you and the _ useful for everybody. to be fair to you and the full— useful for everybody. to be fair to you and the full context _ useful for everybody. to be fair to you and the full context of - useful for everybody. to be fair to you and the full context of what i you and the full context of what professor young said, he stated that although sage didn't have the full participation from northern ireland, it was made aware through the cmo of the main conclusions and i imagine he's referring to the formal and informal contact he talked about yesterday. informal contact he talked about esterda . , :, ~' informal contact he talked about esterda. , :, ~' , informal contact he talked about esterda . , :, ~ . , ., yesterday. they worked closely as a irou -. yesterday. they worked closely as a i-rou. m yesterday. they worked closely as a group- my question _ yesterday. they worked closely as a group. my question is _ yesterday. they worked closely as a group. my question is this, - yesterday. they worked closely as a group. my question is this, are - yesterday. they worked closely as a group. my question is this, are you | group. my question is this, are you aware it's one _ group. my question is this, are you aware it's one thing _ group. my question is this, are you aware it's one thing to _ group. my question is this, are you aware it's one thing to be - group. my question is this, are you aware it's one thing to be aware i group. my question is this, are you aware it's one thing to be aware of| aware it's one thing to be aware of the advice of sage but quite another, particularly if you don't have the expertise within the discipline, to have a complete understanding of the range and views and opinions expressed within the

scientific discussions which led to the conclusion is? l do scientific discussions which led to the conclusion is?— the conclusion is? i do so i agree with his comments. _ the conclusion is? i do so i agree with his comments. in _ the conclusion is? i do so i agree with his comments. in terms - the conclusion is? i do so i agree with his comments. in terms of i the conclusion is? i do so i agree i with his comments. in terms of how ou with his comments. in terms of how you relate. — with his comments. in terms of how you relate. no _ with his comments. in terms of how you relate, no doubt— with his comments. in terms of how you relate, no doubt the _ with his comments. in terms of how you relate, no doubt the best - you relate, no doubt the best ability, what was said to sage to your northern ireland counterpart, is there any record of how that withstands? as any informal contact she didn't tell us about yesterday that wasn't recorded? l she didn't tell us about yesterday that wasn't recorded?— she didn't tell us about yesterday that wasn't recorded? i can't recall but i was that wasn't recorded? i can't recall but i was in _ that wasn't recorded? i can't recall but i was in continual— that wasn't recorded? i can't recall but i was in continual discussions i but i was in continual discussions with sir_ but i was in continual discussions with sir michael mcbride and that was the _ with sir michael mcbride and that was the principal conduits. but there _ was the principal conduits. but there are — was the principal conduits. but there are different mechanisms for communicating amounts itself. most of these _ communicating amounts itself. most of these are unlimited, informal but still effective because people know one another and have an effective communication. | one another and have an effective communication.— one another and have an effective communication. i was trying to gauge what we have — communication. i was trying to gauge what we have to _ communication. i was trying to gauge what we have to look _ communication. i was trying to gauge what we have to look back _ communication. i was trying to gauge what we have to look back on, - what we have to look back on, particularly the whatsapp chain. that is one thing we might look at. you might want to but this is, going

back to _ you might want to but this is, going back to my— you might want to but this is, going back to my repeated comment, whatsapp is an appalling device for communicating issues. we didn't use it unless _ communicating issues. we didn't use it unless it— communicating issues. we didn't use it unless it was extremely straightforward. something of greater— straightforward. something of greater scientific subtlety which you are — greater scientific subtlety which you are driving at, whatsapp would not be _ you are driving at, whatsapp would not be an _ you are driving at, whatsapp would not be an appropriate approach to do that. :, .. not be an appropriate approach to do that. :, ,, , :, not be an appropriate approach to do that. :, ,, i. :,, . that. thank you. next topic, the independent _ that. thank you. next topic, the independent sage _ that. thank you. next topic, the independent sage observed - that. thank you. next topic, the j independent sage observed that managing the risks of importing cases from other countries with the consequent higher risk of transmission was vital. this should be introduced as soon as possible, treating great britain and island of ireland as health territories. the garment decided that everyone coming to the uk except those travelling from the republic of ireland are transport workers, should be

required to self—isolate for a period of 1a days. they welcomed that measure although pointed out that measure although pointed out that there was a serious loophole that there was a serious loophole that it would be possible for someone to fly from somewhere with a level of high infection such as new york to dublin and then change planes to travel to london. and this is the point i want to bring your attention to. they save for this and other reasons related to the extent to movement on the border, it makes sense to treat the two islands as separate entities for health purposes as it is already the case for animal health or for the purposes as it is already the case for animal health orfor the uk and republic of ireland to agree on a common approach. plainly there are political issues raised in that as well. but would you agree it makes more sense for those responding to the pandemic in the uk to either treat the two main islands of written and ireland as separate entities or for the uk and written and ireland as separate entities orfor the uk and republic

of ireland to agree on an approach? you gave me advance sight of the document— you gave me advance sight of the document you are referring to four independent sage as a self referred. if independent sage as a self referred. if you _ independent sage as a self referred. if you read _ independent sage as a self referred. if you read that document carefully, you will— if you read that document carefully, you will see it is much more easily described — you will see it is much more easily described as a policy document than a science _ described as a policy document than a science document. if you compare that to _ a science document. if you compare that to use — a science document. if you compare that to use sage minutes, not a criticism — that to use sage minutes, not a criticism but simply a statement, this policy— criticism but simply a statement, this policy document... there we will leave professor chris - this policy document... there we will leave professor chris whitty | will leave professor chris whitty giving evidence for a second day at the covid inquiry. if you want to follow events there, you can do so. check out iplayer for full coverage of that. we are focusing on events as it approaches midday, wednesday midday which means prime minister's questions will have full coverage of that. today is important in

westminster because it is the autumn statement when the government will lay out its tax and spending plans. in the last hour, jeremy hunt left number 11 and in the last hour, jeremy hunt left number11 and is in the last hour, jeremy hunt left number 11 and is in the building behind me where as we said we will outline the tax and spending cuts for the year ahead. the details in the book. mr hunt is expected to cut national insurance, that is tax paid by millions of workers. he is also expected to extend a tax break for businesses designed to give the economy a boost. in the last hour we also heard from the prime minister leaving for parliament too. he will first faced pmqs and keir starmer, the leader of the opposition will also ask questions. let's talk about both of those things. with me is our political correspondent. let's talk festival about what we hear from the

prime minister. the message from downing street has been about rewarding hard work, getting people back into jobs, rewarding hard work, getting people back intojobs, rebuilding the economy. there is a lot of work to do though and it's interesting what we had from the chancellor about how now could be a time to start cutting taxes. that's probably because there is a general election on the horizon. , :, is a general election on the horizon-— is a general election on the horizon. , ., :, , horizon. they want to define this recent conversion _ horizon. they want to define this recent conversion to _ horizon. they want to define this recent conversion to tax - horizon. they want to define this recent conversion to tax cuts, i horizon. they want to define this recent conversion to tax cuts, it| recent conversion to tax cuts, it was only a few weeks ago thatjeremy hunt was rolling out the idea, talking about them saying now is not the time, they are now keen to stress that this is a new economic era, we reach the point where we've restored stability. it is interesting to read what rishi sunak told the cabinet. it gives you a flavour of the arguments we will hear from jeremy flavour of the arguments we will hearfrom jeremy hunt, flavour of the arguments we will hear from jeremy hunt, talking about this idea that the government has restored stability, has halved inflation. they would claim credit for that. , �* ., :, :, for that. they didn't have to do that, did they? _ for that. they didn't have to do that, did they? -- _ for that. they didn't have to do

that, did they? -- do - for that. they didn't have to do that, did they? -- do much. it| for that. they didn't have to do i that, did they? -- do much. it has halved from _ that, did they? -- do much. it has halved from earlier— that, did they? -- do much. it has halved from earlier this _ that, did they? -- do much. it has halved from earlier this year - that, did they? -- do much. it has halved from earlier this year when i halved from earlier this year when he proposed to do that but they have done what they said according to them so they are keen to stress that they have kick—started growth to get us into this new era. there is a change to political context now because there have been loud demands from the party to do this, getting ready for a general election with a further budget in the spring to build on some of these measures but this will be the start of the direction of travel the garment are trying to set. direction of travel the garment are trying to set-— direction of travel the garment are trying to set. looking at the house of commons _ trying to set. looking at the house of commons while _ trying to set. looking at the house of commons while we _ trying to set. looking at the house of commons while we wait - trying to set. looking at the house of commons while we wait for - trying to set. looking at the house | of commons while we wait for rishi sunak, talk to me about the pledges they made it the beginning of his premiership. one was to halve inflation. another couple related to the economy, one was to cut debts and grow the economy. on those scores there are still a lot of work to do. t scores there are still a lot of work to do. :, �* ~'

to do. i don't think we will get urowth to do. i don't think we will get growth forecasts _ to do. i don't think we will get growth forecasts today - to do. i don't think we will get i growth forecasts today alongside to do. i don't think we will get - growth forecasts today alongside the autumn statement. that will set the trajectory and what the garment has to work with. but they have been stressing that they won the autumn statement to be all about growth. they are aware the picture is bleak, growth is basically nonexistent for next year. they think putting all measures in place to kick—start growth quickly, getting things up, there will be focused on people currently not in work back to work. that will be a big theme of the statement we are told. there will be the idea that measures to stimulate business investment, trying to get economic growth going, that will be what they are trying to do, but they are nowhere near achieving that interns pledges, reducing debt, national debt, interest payments are very high, limiting jeremy hunt's room for manoeuvre to. but also pmqs discussion will be more general

ahead of the autumn statement. there is a stop the boats pledge and there is a stop the boats pledge and there is a stop the boats pledge and the rwanda plan, this time last week they were talking about the implications of the rwanda plan and what the government full do now to address the issues raised byjudges. there is a lot of work, a lot to go on but they're starting now. i'm sure we will touch on it later but we welcome the agreement reached overnight for a humanitarian pause in gaza. this is something we have consistently pushed for and is a crucial step towards ending the nightmare for families of those taken hostage in the terrorist attack and also addressing the humanitarian crisis in gaza. this morning her meeting with mr colleagues in addition to my duties in this house and i shall have further meetings later today. thank ou, further meetings later today. thank you. mistress- _ further meetings later today. thank you, mistress. today _ further meetings later today. thank you, mistress. today it _ further meetings later today. thank you, mistress. today it will- further meetings later today. thank you, mistress. today it will be - further meetings later today. thank you, mistress. today it will be said | you, mistress. today it will be said that disabled people have a duty to

work from home or lose their benefits. as if a suitable job of this kind is something that can be conjured up at will. it should be obvious to anyone that any kind of punitive policy is not incentivising for work and simply punishes disabled people who are already of the most marginalised in our community. can the prime minister do his duty and tell us now how many of the 137,000 jobs in the find a job website are roles which specify that you can work from home? lt website are roles which specify that you can work from home? it wouldn't be riaht to you can work from home? it wouldn't be right to pre-empt _ you can work from home? it wouldn't be right to pre-empt the _ you can work from home? it wouldn't be right to pre-empt the chance - be right to pre—empt the chance plasma autumn statement later but let me say i am proud of this government's in supporting those with disabilities, not only have we closed the disability employment gap and increased the number of employers who are disability confident but we are also supporting those most vulnerable in our

society, not least of the cost of living payments this year which include £150 for all those on means tested disability benefits. does ats tested disability benefits. does apts agree _ tested disability benefits. does apts agree the _ tested disability benefits. does apts agree the measures - tested disability benefits. hire" apts agree the measures taken to get us through the economic shocks caused by covid and put in's war were right for that time but they are not the blueprint for the long—term success of the economy for the future. it's innovation and skills and the imminent rebuild of harrogate college and the 12,000 apprentices we have scenes since 2010. these are our foundations and not the fantasy fairy tale tens of billions are borrowing from the labour party. mt; billions are borrowing from the labour party-— billions are borrowing from the labour pa . g :, :, :,, labour party. my honourable friend is riaht and labour party. my honourable friend is right and i— labour party. my honourable friend is right and i am _ labour party. my honourable friend is right and i am proud _ labour party. my honourable friend is right and i am proud that - labour party. my honourable friend is right and i am proud that since i is right and i am proud that since 2010 we have created five and a half million apprenticeships. and that's the difference between us. we now know the party opposite want to have the number of apprenticeships if they were in office and meanwhile we want to make an apprentice education secretary. but my honourable friend

is right, labour's plans to borrow £20 billion a year would push up inflation interest rates and taxes and undermine all the progress we have made on the economy and it's only the conservatives that will give people the opportunity to build wealthier and more secure lives for them and theirfamilies. wealthier and more secure lives for them and their families. keir starmer- _ them and their families. keir starmer. thank— them and their families. keir starmer. thank you, - them and their families. keir starmer. thank you, mr - them and their families. keir- starmer. thank you, mr speaker. like the prime minister _ starmer. thank you, mr speaker. like the prime minister i _ starmer. thank you, mr speaker. like the prime minister i know— starmer. thank you, mr speaker. like the prime minister i know the - starmer. thank you, mr speaker. like the prime minister i know the whole i the prime minister i know the whole house will welcome the agreement reached overnight. we repeat our calls for hamas to release all hostages immediately. this humanitarian pause must be used together hostages out safely, to tackle the urgent and unacceptable humanitarian catastrophe in gaza and to make progress to a full cessation of hostilities. mr speaker, in recent years, the international community has treated the two state solution as a slogan rather than a serious strategy and that must now change. like the prime minister, i

also speakfor everyone change. like the prime minister, i also speak for everyone in the house in saying our hearts go out to the families and friends of the four young men from shrewsbury who tragically lost their lives this week. it's a living nightmare for any parent and i can hardly begin to imagine their loss. mr speaker, this week, the prime minister unveiled the latest version of his five pledges for the country. let's hope we have more success with these in the last ones. did he forget the nhs? mr the last ones. did he forget the nhs? ~ ,,, ., ~ :, the last ones. did he forget the nhs? ~ ., ., , the last ones. did he forget the nhs? ~ ., ., nhs? mr speaker, not only one i roclaim nhs? mr speaker, not only one i proclaim my _ nhs? mr speaker, not only one i proclaim my prime _ nhs? mr speaker, not only one i proclaim my prime minister, - nhs? mr speaker, not only one i i proclaim my prime minister, weeks after i became prime minister we injected record funding into the nhs and in social care and we unveiled the first of long—term workforce plan in the nhs's 75 year history but i'm pleased to mention the five pledges because as he knows, three

of them are economic and on a day where we will focus on the economy, i am pleased to report that we have indeed halved inflation, no thanks to the opposition and we have growing the economy and we have reduced debt and thus a conservative government delivering for this country. government delivering for this count . ., , :, government delivering for this count . ., ,:, :, country. the reason he ignored the nhs, not country. the reason he ignored the nhs, not only _ country. the reason he ignored the nhs. not only in — country. the reason he ignored the nhs, not only in as _ country. the reason he ignored the nhs, not only in as new— country. the reason he ignored the nhs, not only in as new pledges i country. the reason he ignored the. nhs, not only in as new pledges but just now is because 7.8 million people are currently on the waiting lists. that is half a million more than when he pledged to bring them down nearly a year ago. the prime ministerjust claimed it's all about economic growth. let me ask him, if a labourer or care worker is forced to wait a year for an operation, how are they meant to help grow the economy? mr are they meant to help grow the econom ? ~ ,,, ., ,, are they meant to help grow the economy?— are they meant to help grow the econom ? ~ ,,, ., ,, ., :, are they meant to help grow the econom ? ~ ., ,, ., :, ., economy? mr speaker, we are doing an enormous amount _ economy? mr speaker, we are doing an enormous amount to _ economy? mr speaker, we are doing an enormous amount to bring _ economy? mr speaker, we are doing an enormous amount to bring waiting - enormous amount to bring waiting lists down, expanding patient choice, rolling out new diagnostic

centres, new surgical hubs and putting more doctors and nurses in our words and i guess the question, mr speaker, is when he talks about targets on waiting lists, i hope the welsh labour government are not listening because after 25 years in power, they are missing every single one of his targets. were they not meant to be his blueprint? you have doubled the — meant to be his blueprint? you have doubled the entire _ meant to be his blueprint? you have doubled the entire population - meant to be his blueprint? you havej doubled the entire population of was dan... he needs to take responsibility. 2.5 million people are too sick to work with the majority also suffering from mental health issues. on top of his failures on waiting lists, could he tell this how many people are waiting for mental health treatments? mr waiting for mental health treatments? ~ .,~ ., treatments? mr speaker, we have in'ected treatments? mr speaker, we have injected record _ treatments? mr speaker, we have injected record sums _ treatments? mr speaker, we have injected record sums to _ treatments? mr speaker, we have injected record sums to expand i treatments? mr speaker, we have| injected record sums to expand the number of mental health treatments in our country but i talked about the practical things we are doing

with the cdcs and surgical hubs but he doesn't also seem to realise that the union action that the union action but he fails to condemn and his members of parliaments support for the picket lines have led to several hundred thousand cancelled appointments, all making witton waiting list worse and we look at wales and in wales over 70,000 people are waiting over 18 months for treatment, compared to an england where thanks to our efforts we have virtually eliminated 18 months wait and that's the difference. he wants to play politics, we get things done. raising the waiting lists by half a million is getting things done? he's through the looking glass this one. i asked the prime minister how many people are waiting for mental health treatments? he knows the answer, he just doesn't want to give it. 1.2

million. 200,000 children, some waiting nearly two years to be seen. would the prime minister except those kind of delays everyone of his family or friends? those kind of delays everyone of his family orfriends? mr those kind of delays everyone of his family or friends?— family or friends? mr speaker, one ofthe family or friends? mr speaker, one of the key things _ family or friends? mr speaker, one of the key things we _ family or friends? mr speaker, one of the key things we are _ family or friends? mr speaker, one of the key things we are doing - family or friends? mr speaker, one of the key things we are doing to i of the key things we are doing to bring down waiting lists is to expand the access of patient choice and it's a very straightforward idea to make sure that patients can choose where they get treated and that way we will bring down waiting lists for mental health and other treatments. the labour party policy and this is a total and utter mess. first he promised in his words to ban nhs use of the independent sector, then he said he wants more use of the independent sector and his shadow health secretary agreed with that but then the deputy leader said she would ended and as ever, you simply don't know what they stand for and you can't trust a word they say. shes stand for and you can't trust a word the sa . : , :, stand for and you can't trust a word thesa. :, , they say. as ever, no responsibility for the shocking _ they say. as ever, no responsibility for the shocking state _ they say. as ever, no responsibility for the shocking state of _ they say. as ever, no responsibility for the shocking state of the - they say. as ever, no responsibility for the shocking state of the nhs. . for the shocking state of the nhs. the truth is the prime minister

would not accept those waits for his family and neither should anyone else. this morning i spoke to an nhs nurse and for many months she struggled to find time to see her 1a—year—old son until he became seriously unwell and now he hasn't been able to be in mainstream education for over a year. like his mum, he is having to balance nursing with caring and being a parent. this is not a one—off. there are families up is not a one—off. there are families up and down the country in exactly the same situation, working hard, trying to get through the cost of living crisis whilst desperately worried about relatives who cannot get the treatment they need. how does he think they feel when they feel they might see the prime minister refusing to take responsibility and boasting that everything is fine? we responsibility and boasting that everything is fine?— responsibility and boasting that everything is fine? we are doing absolutely everything _ everything is fine? we are doing absolutely everything we - everything is fine? we are doing absolutely everything we can - everything is fine? we are doing absolutely everything we can to | everything is fine? we are doing i absolutely everything we can to put

money into the nhs, to bring down the waiting this because i do want families up and down the country to have access to the health care that they need and he is right, they do deserve it, but it's incredibly galling to hear this from someone who when there are strikes happening in our hospitals and people are being denied access to emergency medical care, not only does he not have the strength to condemn it, he refuses to back legislation that would guarantee all the families that he talked about get access. this is on his watch, it's his responsibility. 13 years and all he has to offer is trying to blame the opposition for his failures. over and overagain, like opposition for his failures. over and over again, like his mum —— mikey�*s mum said to me this morning, and i will quarter, "whatever spin

the government puts on it, you can't hide the reality for ordinary working people." those are her words and worth reflecting on. i am glad that in recent years, real progress has been made in tackling the stigma surrounding mental health, but the fact remains that the suicide rate for 15—19 —year—olds has doubled since 2010 and suicide is now the biggest killer of men under a5. they are notjust statistics, every single one is a tragic loss to families and to friends. politics has the ability to turn this around. it means tough choices, if we were to scrap tax loopholes, we could have thousands more staff and support in our schools and more support in our schools and more support in our communities and that will allow us to treat patients on time, getting them back to work,

back to theirfamilies time, getting them back to work, back to their families and crucially, giving them their lives back. this is about mental health, thatis back. this is about mental health, that is labour's plan, when he back it? ' that is labour's plan, when he back it? ~ ,, , ., ~ that is labour's plan, when he back it? ~ , it? mr speaker, it was this government _ it? mr speaker, it was this government that _ it? mr speaker, it was this government that for - it? mr speaker, it was this government that for the i it? mr speaker, it was this i government that for the first it? mr speaker, it was this - government that for the first time in the nhs's history ensure that had a long term workforce plan providing it with record funding so that we could eliminate waste and also ensuring that it has the money it needs to train record numbers of doctors and nurses and radically reforming how they work to improve productivity because the only way we will get everyone in the treatment they need is to make sure the nhs has a fantastic staff it needs and is this government has put that in place and we can look because it talks about records and this is something that no government has donein something that no government has done in the past and i'm proud we have done it. label�*s record is clear on this. it was a disastrous failure of workforce planning. —— labour�*s record. that was the verdict of the labour shared health

select committee. it was labour that did not train the consultants we need now that came 13 or 1a15 years to train and assist government that is for the first time making sure every family would have the doctors and nurses they need.— and nurses they need. access to housin: and nurses they need. access to housing that _ and nurses they need. access to housing that local _ and nurses they need. access to housing that local people - and nurses they need. access to housing that local people can i and nurses they need. access to i housing that local people can afford is the biggest challenge we face in cornwall and whilst we need to build more houses we need to ensure that they are available and affordable to people and meet the needs of our rural and coastal communities. local knowledge, particularly from elected representatives, is an important part in ensuring we achieve this but the leader of the opposition has made clear that his intention is to ignore or override the views of local people in decisions on planning. can the prime ministers sure me and the people of cornwall that under his government the views of local communities will play a part in the planning process? l

part in the planning process? i thank my honourable friend for his excellent campaigning on behalf of his constituents and i agree with him. housing must meet the needs of local communities and our affordable homes programme is delivering hundreds of thousands of homes across the country, but crucially, on the side of the house we believe that local communities must be consulted. and that's in contrast to labour's plan which is top—down housing projects, concreting over the green belt and destroying our precious countryside.— the green belt and destroying our precious countryside. thank you, mr seaker. i precious countryside. thank you, mr speaker. i think _ precious countryside. thank you, mr speaker. i think all— precious countryside. thank you, mr speaker. i think all of _ precious countryside. thank you, mr speaker. i think all of us _ precious countryside. thank you, mr speaker. i think all of us in - precious countryside. thank you, mr speaker. i think all of us in the - speaker. i think all of us in the chamber are united in our relief that reports of hostages being released by mac to gaza but we cannot afford to lose sight of what comes to the other side of the temporary pause in hostilities that we allow to say. —— hamas. do we simply see the return to the killing of killing in of children in gaza or

do we instead back a permanent ceasefire? taste do we instead back a permanent ceasefire? ~ :, do we instead back a permanent ceasefire?— ceasefire? we do welcome the agreement _ ceasefire? we do welcome the agreement overnight - ceasefire? we do welcome the agreement overnight and - ceasefire? we do welcome the agreement overnight and as i i ceasefire? we do welcome the - agreement overnight and as i said, this is something we have consistently pushed for and it's a crucial first step as we try and resolve the situation and indeed the humanitarian crisis in gaza and we want to see all hostages released as quickly as possibly, including british nationals and i would urge all parties to deliver the agreement in full. i would like to put on record. life thanks to qatar for the role and will continue to work with the united states and israel to ensure the safe return of hostages and maximise the opportunity of this temporary pause to step up aid for the suffering civilians in gaza and it's something we have pushed for and continue to do and the uk is playing a leading role in delivering.— playing a leading role in deliverinu. :, , �*, playing a leading role in deliverinu. :, , 2 :, playing a leading role in deliverinu. :, , �*, :, ., delivering. ultimately, it's not a -ause delivering. ultimately, it's not a ause in delivering. ultimately, it's not a pause in the _ delivering. ultimately, it's not a pause in the killing _ delivering. ultimately, it's not a pause in the killing of _ delivering. ultimately, it's not a pause in the killing of children i pause in the killing of children that we need, it's an end to the

killing of children that we need and i can think of no better time than now for the prime minister to advocate for that permanent ceasefire. given that he will not currently do that, will he instead lay the foundations for that two state solution, by finally recognising the state of palestine? what the agreement that has been reached demonstrates is that it wasn't right to have a unilateral ceasefire in what was right was to do, as we have done, consistently push for a pause that would allow, not just for push for a pause that would allow, notjust for aid to reach the people in gaza, who need it, but also the hostages to be released. that's what we pushed for and i'm glad that has been delivered, but not as ceasefire which would have emboldened hamas. we do support a negotiated settlement leading to a safe and

secure is relieving alongside a viable and sovereign palestinian state and i have spoken to president of hamas about this and i hope we are clear about strengthening the palestinian authority and reinvigorating efforts to find a two state solution and a long—standing position is that we would recognise the state of palestine when it best serves the interests of peace. flan the state of palestine when it best serves the interests of peace. can t serves the interests of peace. can i welcome the _ serves the interests of peace. can i welcome the prime _ serves the interests of peace. can i welcome the prime minister's - serves the interests of peace. cagh f welcome the prime minister's network north project which will see the full £1.7 billion put into the midland rail hub which will reopen the central platforms at... can i ask him to bring forward the cash that we can increase capacity on the line and improve journey times? and can you look at my campaign to extend a newly in to longbridge with access to longbridge business park which she visited earlier in the year which will bring back manufacturing jobs to longbridge for

the first time since mj collapsed in 2005? == the first time since mj collapsed in 2005? ., the first time since mj collapsed in 2005? :, , ., , ., the first time since mj collapsed in 2005? . , ., , ., y ., 2005? -- mg. i am pleased that you will benefit — 2005? -- mg. i am pleased that you will benefit from _ 2005? -- mg. i am pleased that you will benefit from this _ 2005? -- mg. i am pleased that you will benefit from this and _ 2005? -- mg. i am pleased that you will benefit from this and benefit - will benefit from this and benefit significantly from new network north funding and an additional billion pounds to deliver the midlands rail hub in fall pounds to deliver the midlands rail hub infalland pounds to deliver the midlands rail hub in fall and i pounds to deliver the midlands rail hub infalland i know pounds to deliver the midlands rail hub in fall and i know that decisions about kings norton are to be made later this year which would be made later this year which would be good news to him and the extension of the forthcoming camphill line services between birmingham and kings norton and longbridge will be assessed in due course as well so i hope the prime minister will keep you date on progress. minister will keep you date on rouress. �* , progress. i'm sure the prime minister will _ progress. i'm sure the prime minister willjoin _ progress. i'm sure the prime minister will join me - progress. i'm sure the prime minister will join me in - progress. i'm sure the prime minister willjoin me in the i minister willjoin me in the community they represent in sending heartfelt sympathies to the families and friends grieving the loss of four young men lost to the tragic accident this week. people in north wales pay the highest standing charges of energy bills at £3a0 per year, a third more than london. that

is despite having lower average incomes and people are living in older, poorly insulated houses and a further increase in standing charges due next april, he must recognise that he can't leave this to offjim. when his government tackle unfair standing charges before winter sets in? taste standing charges before winter sets in? ~ :, standing charges before winter sets in? . ., , :, standing charges before winter sets in? ~ :, , :, ., in? we have provided an extraordinary _ in? we have provided an extraordinary package i in? we have provided an| extraordinary package for in? we have provided an - extraordinary package for houses across the country to help in energy bills totalling £100 billion over the past year or two and the ofgem price gap has fallen to £1800 currently and our price guarantee will remain in place until the spring of next year, but crucially, the chancellor announced previously that we have removed the premium paid by households using prepaid metres until the epg and is bringing their costs into line with those paid by direct debit customers and we continue to provide considerable support for vulnerable families throughout the winter with their

energy bills. throughout the winter with their energy bills-— throughout the winter with their ener: bills. ,, , ., , energy bills. setting strategic aims for the middle — energy bills. setting strategic aims for the middle east _ energy bills. setting strategic aims for the middle east requires - energy bills. setting strategic aims for the middle east requires to - energy bills. setting strategic aims for the middle east requires to be. for the middle east requires to be precise about the terms we use and that includes the workpiece. this is notjust that includes the workpiece. this is not just the absence that includes the workpiece. this is notjust the absence of that includes the workpiece. this is not just the absence of war or conflict, but the freedom from the fear of conflict of oppression or terror. peace requires mutual respect, freedom of persecution are living without fear of destitution and comes with self—determination and comes with self—determination and liberation from arbitrary justice and it means hope and dignity and enforceable rights. does my right and friend agree that only when all the people of the middle east can achieve all of these things can any of us talk about having achieved peace? l can any of us talk about having achieved peace?— achieved peace? i agree wholeheartedly - achieved peace? i agree wholeheartedly with - achieved peace? i agree wholeheartedly with my| achieved peace? i agree - wholeheartedly with my right honourable friend and i know his advice will continue to be a value to the government as we find a way for a more secure future for everyone living in the region. the

scottish surcharge on energy, according to ofgem, means people in scotland pay 50% more in standing charges and londoners, despite exporting 3.2 million hours of electricity to england in the last two months alone. meanwhile, scottish green energy producers pay higher charges than english companies to connect to the grade. does is to think this is fair to scotland's consumers and businesses? i refer to my previous answer about the considerable support that we are providing the families across the united kingdom with their energy bills and actually, what would be good, she mentioned scottish businesses, what would be good if it's the snp realised they should support the 200,000 people employed in scotland's north sea oil and gas industries. :, .. in scotland's north sea oil and gas industries. :, ~' , :, in scotland's north sea oil and gas industries. :, ,, , :, ., , industries. thank you. the latest film from torquay's _ industries. thank you. the latest film from torquay's unleashed i industries. thank you. the latest i film from torquay's unleashed film company, three steps, outlines homelessness and what further steps as a government going to make sure that everybody has a place of their

own? t that everybody has a place of their own? .. , that everybody has a place of their own? ~' , :, :, ., , own? i think my honourable friend for highlighting — own? i think my honourable friend for highlighting the _ own? i think my honourable friend for highlighting the important - own? i think my honourable friend| for highlighting the important work of his local theatre company and i wish them well in their future endeavours. we are investing an unprecedented two winning pounds of the next three years to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping, including building thousands of move on homes and implementing our landmark homelessness reduction act which has already prevented or relieved almost 600,000 households from suffering from homelessness. why are 3a% of children in my constituency living in poverty? mr speaker, it is this government that has ensured across our country 1.7 million fewer people are living in poverty as a result of the actions of this government. that is true, not only that, hundreds of thousands fewer people are living in poverty. with the lower level way inherited

from the party opposite. but we don't want any child to grow up in poverty and the best way to make sure that happens is to ensure they do not grow up in a workless household and that is why the right strategy is to ensure we provide as many children the opportunity to rob parents in work and because of the actions of previous governments, several hundred thousand more families are in... t several hundred thousand more families are in. . ._ several hundred thousand more families are in... i have a question about apprenticeships _ families are in... i have a question about apprenticeships and - families are in... i have a question about apprenticeships and it - families are in... i have a question about apprenticeships and it is - about apprenticeships and it is vital that individuals of any age can train and retrain with good localjobs. further education schools opportunities available. will the prime is to work with me and my campaign to establish an apprenticeship hub in my constituency? t apprenticeship hub in my constituency?— apprenticeship hub in my constituen ? ~' , :, :, constituency? i think my honourable friend for his — constituency? i think my honourable friend for his campaigning _ constituency? i think my honourable friend for his campaigning of- constituency? i think my honourable friend for his campaigning of this i friend for his campaigning of this important issue and we have delivered 9000 apprenticeships in his constituency and great local businesses including some i visited as chancellor. while we continue to

invest in friendships we know the party opposite one to have that number and that's the difference between us. on the side of the house we want to give people a hand up at labourjust we want to give people a hand up at labour just wants to we want to give people a hand up at labourjust wants to keep them in their place. labourjust wants to keep them in their place-— labourjust wants to keep them in their lace. :, ~ ~ .,~ their place. thank you, mr speaker. with 316 arrivals _ their place. thank you, mr speaker. with 316 arrivals by _ their place. thank you, mr speaker. with 316 arrivals by small _ their place. thank you, mr speaker. with 316 arrivals by small boat - their place. thank you, mr speaker. with 316 arrivals by small boat this. with 316 arrivals by small boat this week, last week's supreme court ruling on rwanda has left this government's lack of a compassionate and functioning asylum system totally exposed with refugees are suffering as a result in chaos at our borders. can i ask the prime minister, yes, or no, does he now intend to disapplied human rights laws in order to continue wasting time and money on this cruel and discredited gimmick? t am time and money on this cruel and discredited gimmick?— time and money on this cruel and discredited gimmick? i am glad the honourable gentleman _ discredited gimmick? i am glad the honourable gentleman mentioned i discredited gimmick? i am glad the i honourable gentleman mentioned the small boat arrivals and i'm pleased to tell on that thanks to the actions of this government the number of arrivals are down by over 33% so far this year. and thus no

thanks to the party opposite that is opposed each and every measure we have taken to stop the boats. thank ou, mr have taken to stop the boats. thank you. mr speaker- — have taken to stop the boats. thank you, mr speaker. while _ have taken to stop the boats. thank you, mr speaker. while the - have taken to stop the boats. thahe; you, mr speaker. while the labour leadership at kirklees council are looking to close a leisure centre, high parking charges are being criticised by their auditors for the way in which they manage their resources, there has been lots of good news for my bit of yorkshire this week. £6a million of levelling up this week. £6a million of levelling up cash. for huddersfield market and the rail line upgrade and the west yorkshire investment zone. and i will focus on the national health innovation campus at the university of huddersfield. will the prime minister continue to invest in west yorkshire and come and see some of these fantastic... mr

yorkshire and come and see some of these fantastic. . ._ these fantastic... mr speaker, what treat these fantastic... mr speaker, what great news! — these fantastic. .. mr speaker, what great news! i— these fantastic... mr speaker, what great news! i was _ these fantastic... mr speaker, what great news! i was delighted - these fantastic... mr speaker, what great news! i was delighted to - these fantastic... mr speaker, what great news! i was delighted to hear| great news! i was delighted to hear that the investment zone was announced in west yorkshire and indeed money for the penistone line rail upgrade and regeneration funding for huddersfield open market. while the labour run kirklees council is not investing in closing things, it's this conservative government is communities across the north. fin communities across the north. 0h monday, the government's chief scientific adviser told the covid inquiry that the now prime minister had not asked for advice regarding eight out to help out. on the 9th of march two years ago, the prime minister told this house and i quote, "and all stops in the crisis we have taken the advice of our science advisers. ” we have taken the advice of our science advisers.— we have taken the advice of our science advisers. " who's right? as he knows. — science advisers. " who's right? as he knows, there _ science advisers. " who's right? as he knows, there is _ science advisers. " who's right? as he knows, there is an _ science advisers. " who's right? as he knows, there is an ongoing - he knows, there is an ongoing statutory inquiry into covid and it's right that process is followed and i look forward to providing my

own evidence in the coming weeks and addressing all these questions, but it was the case that the government took advice from scientific advisers and that's what this inquiry will go over. ,, : : y and that's what this inquiry will go over. ,, . . , , ., , ., over. since i recently shared my own experience — over. since i recently shared my own experience of— over. since i recently shared my own experience of birth _ over. since i recently shared my own experience of birth trauma _ over. since i recently shared my own experience of birth trauma in - over. since i recently shared my own experience of birth trauma in this i experience of birth trauma in this chamber, i have been inundated with mums writing to me from across the uk to share their stories. i received a concerned e—mail about raising her concerns about royal stock hospital. she explains birth trauma and have been told that due to the time elapsed they would not be able to investigate her concerns. it is not acceptable to me that my constituents are not having complaints investigated by my local hospital. can i ask the prime minister to urge urgently meet with me and discuss this and to include birth trauma and refresh the update of the women strategy? we must do better to provide africa to all

mothers. :, :, .. , better to provide africa to all mothers. :, .,~ , :, :, mothers. can i take my honourable friend for raising _ mothers. can i take my honourable friend for raising this _ mothers. can i take my honourable friend for raising this important - friend for raising this important issue and continuing to be a fantastic campaigner on birth trauma and i am pleased the first ever debate in parliament on birth trauma was held recently in october and it was held recently in october and it was powerful, moving and it highlighted just what a significant impact birth trauma can have on so many women's lives. we are working to make sure we can improve maternity care and making sure that mental health care is also improved to deal with this and i will ensure the health secretary meets my honourable friend so we can ensure we get this right for all the women who are depending on it. the we get this right for all the women who are depending on it.— we get this right for all the women who are depending on it. the last 13 ears, the who are depending on it. the last 13 years. the six _ who are depending on it. the last 13 years, the six oil— who are depending on it. the last 13 years, the six oil and _ who are depending on it. the last 13 years, the six oil and gas _ who are depending on it. the last 13 years, the six oil and gas licensing i years, the six oil and gas licensing is given by the tories have produced only 16 days worth of oil and gas for the uk. can the prime minster explain how doubling the number of licensing would have any impact on the insanely high energy bills my constituents are facing? if you care about energy security, jobs or the environment, he would surely be

better matching the scottish government's £500 million investment in a just transition and providing £a00 rebate to bill payers. in a just transition and providing £400 rebate to bill payers. £500? where investing _ £400 rebate to bill payers. £500? where investing tens _ £400 rebate to bill payers. £500? where investing tens of _ £400 rebate to bill payers. £500? where investing tens of billions i £400 rebate to bill payers. £500? where investing tens of billions of| where investing tens of billions of pounds in this transition with things like carbon capture and storage which the north sea can play a starring role but you are wrong. in order to have energy security it's right to exploit the resources we have here at home. even in independent committee for climate change projects we will still need oil and gas as we make the transition and in decades' time so the question for the honourable ladies are we better off getting that here at home, supporting jobs or businesses? or are we better off putting that money in the hands of foreign dictators and shipping it here with two or three times the carbon emission? today i'm hosting 1a ukrainian children here in the house of commons whose parents are fighting

the russians in ukraine. six of them have been orphaned. they will be in the ipu room from 1pm tilt 2pm this afternoon. all colleagues are welcome to drop by. will the prime ministerjoin me in paying tribute to these children and take this opportunity to reiterate our support for ukraine in theirfight opportunity to reiterate our support for ukraine in their fight for independence, freedom and survival? ijoin my honourable friend in paying tribute to the parents of these children and many others but also to take the opportunity to say that while events in the middle east have been dominating the headlines, i assure my friend that rain our allies are steadfast in our resolve to support ukraine for as long as it takes to achieve victory. that is why the foreign secretary visited last week and confirmed the uk's unwavering support. putin cannot outlast the hope or spirit of the

ukrainian people and they should continue to have our support for