Oral Answers to Questions

Lewis Cocking Excerpts

Wednesday 21st May 2025 Commons Chamber

The Prime Minister was asked—

[Lewis Cocking (Broxbourne) (Con)]

Q1. If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 21 May.

[The Prime Minister (Keir Starmer)]

My deepest condolences—and those of the whole House, I am sure—are with the families and friends of Jennie, Martyn and David, who were tragically killed in the fire in Bicester last week.

I welcome to the Under-Gallery Cheryl Korbel, the mother of Olivia. I am always humbled by those with the courage to respond to appalling heartbreak by campaigning for change. I know that the whole House will pay tribute to her extraordinary courage and extraordinary resolve.

Because of the actions taken by this Government, the UK is now the fastest growing economy in the G7, interest rates have been cut four times, and we have secured our third trade deal in three weeks—deals with India, the US and the EU. These deals are in the national interest and will improve the lives of working people and businesses across the United Kingdom.

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.

[Lewis Cocking]

This Labour Government have been in power now for almost 12 months. When will the Prime Minister stop defying the will of the British people, stop dancing around the subject, and stop all illegal immigration into the United Kingdom, which has been rising on his watch?

[The Prime Minister]

It was the previous Government who lost control of immigration; they had record numbers for net migration, and lost control of the borders. We are bringing forward legislation to give law enforcement the greatest possible powers. What are the Conservatives doing? They are voting against it.

Oral Answers to Questions

Lewis Cocking Excerpts

Wednesday 24th July 2024 Commons Chamber

[Lewis Cocking (Broxbourne) (Con)]

Q9. It is a privilege to be the first Conservative Back-Bench Member to ask the new Prime Minister a question at PMQs. Can he assure me and my constituents in Broxbourne that they will have not just a say, but a meaningful say, over new development in the green belt in their area?

[The Prime Minister]

I welcome the hon. Member to his place. Let me be clear: we intend to get Britain building. We will change the planning regime in order to do so; it has held us back for far too long. Young people have not been able to own a home until they are way past the age of 35, denying them the basic dream of home ownership. Of course we will work with communities, but we will take the tough decisions that the last Government ran away from.