Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Wales Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Anthony Browne Excerpts
Wednesday 25th May 2022

(2 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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The Prime Minister was asked—
Anthony Browne Portrait Anthony Browne (South Cambridgeshire) (Con)
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Q1. If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 25 May.

Boris Johnson Portrait The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)
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Mr Speaker, I want to begin by echoing what you have just said about the reports of the fatal shooting in a Texan primary school. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this horrific attack.

Yesterday, I welcomed the Emir of Qatar to Downing Street. It is excellent news that Qatar announced that it will invest up to £10 billion in the UK through our new strategic investment partnership. Not only will that boost local economies and support jobs; it will support our green economy and decarbonisation.

This morning, I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in this House, I shall have further such meetings later today.

Anthony Browne Portrait Anthony Browne
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Cambridge is one of the most expensive places in the country to live, but unlike many cheaper places, NHS workers in the city get no high cost of living supplement. NHS workers in Cambridge pay higher rents than NHS workers in outer-London boroughs, such as Redbridge, Croydon, Bexley and Barking, and yet they get paid 15% less. That makes it very difficult for the NHS in Cambridge, including Addenbrooke’s Hospital, to retain and recruit staff. Will my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister work with me to make sure that NHS workers in South Cambridgeshire and Cambridge get paid fairly?

Boris Johnson Portrait The Prime Minister
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My hon. Friend is a fantastic champion for his constituents and for Addenbrooke’s. We are very proud of our NHS, which is why we are putting in record investment. I hope that the independent NHS Pay Review Body will listen carefully to what he has just said.