Direction of Government

Debate between Andy Burnham and Nusrat Ghani

Tuesday 1st September 2026 Commons Chamber

[Lincoln Jopp (Spelthorne) (Con)]

I wish you, Madam Deputy Speaker, many happy returns.

I welcome the Prime Minister to his place, and I welcome his words. In an answer to someone else, he said that he will always demand the highest level of recognition for those who put themselves at risk to keep us safe. I am sure that after six weeks of being Prime Minister he includes in that our amazing armed forces, yet our Northern Ireland veterans face a never-ending process of prosecution, absent any new or compelling evidence. Does he think that our Northern Ireland veterans need more protection? If he does, what will he do about it?

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Ms Nusrat Ghani)]

Before the Prime Minister responds, let me say that questions need to be super short. Let us keep the responses tight as well, Prime Minister.

[The Prime Minister]

I mentioned the Good Friday agreement earlier. It is important to deal properly and fully with all the issues that are still there and need to be addressed. I do not think it is a case of leaving anything hanging over anybody. The commission proposed in the Bill allows answers to be given for those who are still seeking answers. This is about the right protections for veterans, too. Amendments will be brought forward soon, and we can discuss them as a House then.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Prime Minister]

The climate commitments in our manifesto are not at risk. I have made clear today that we need to plan for a carbon-neutral future. I am not one of those who will pander to those going in a different direction. I was convinced as Mayor of Greater Manchester that our future lay in adopting renewables, and I am of the same view as Prime Minister. Where I differ from the Green party is on its ideological, rather than pragmatic, approach to getting there. That, I am afraid, might delay the transition that the hon. Member seeks.

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Ms Nusrat Ghani)]

I call Chris Vince—and how I have missed him!

--- Later in debate ---

[The Prime Minister]

That was put very well, and this is exactly the agenda that I have been talking about from the Dispatch Box today. All parts of the UK need to have control over basic services, and I look forward to working with my hon. Friend to support what he is saying.

[Madam Deputy Speaker]

For the final and 125th question, I call Gideon Amos.

[Gideon Amos (Taunton and Wellington) (LD)]

Over the summer, the national maternity review confirmed what we all feared in Taunton: Musgrove Park hospital’s maternity unit is the most challenging estate in the country. It cannot be right that mums are giving birth in 30° heat, and that staff are fainting when they are looking after them. If that is the most challenging estate in the country, they cannot wait until 2033. Will the Prime Minister please look at moving forward the new maternity unit at Musgrove Park as an urgent priority?