Defending the UK and Allies

Debate between Nigel Evans and Rishi Sunak

Monday 15th January 2024 Commons Chamber

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans)]

Order. I think the hon. Lady has asked a question.

[The Prime Minister]

I have said to all Members consistently not to conflate these conflicts and, when calling on the UK to de-escalate tensions, to recognise that the people causing these situations in the first place are the Hamas terrorist organisation and the Houthis. It has nothing to do with anything other than recognising the instigators of this violence and illegality, and ensuring that that is uppermost in everybody’s minds when we have these conversations about the best way to respond.

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[The Prime Minister]

I do not believe that we can outsource our foreign policy to the perception in other countries. We should recognise the risks of inaction. To do nothing, as I said, would be to weaken international security and the rule of law. It would further damage freedom of navigation and the global economy, including for British families. Crucially, to do nothing would send a dangerous message that British vessels, British interests and British lives are fair game. That would be completely unacceptable, which is why it is right that we acted.

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans)]

I thank the Prime Minister for his statement and for responding to questions for five minutes short of two hours.

G20 Summit

Debate between Nigel Evans and Rishi Sunak

Monday 11th September 2023 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

I agree wholeheartedly with my hon. Friend, and pay tribute to him and his constituents for all they are doing to support Ukraine and Ukrainian families. UK support for Ukraine now amounts to over £9 billion, and 29 different states have now signed up to the declaration we helped to initiate to provide long-term security support to Ukraine, so he can be confident in our steadfast support for Ukraine. It is not going away; we are here to stay, which is why we will tell Russia that now is the time to lay down arms and come to a sensible, peaceful resolution.

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans)]

I thank the Prime Minister for his statement today, and for responding to questions for 55 minutes.

COP27

Debate between Nigel Evans and Rishi Sunak

Wednesday 9th November 2022 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

The hon. Gentleman knows that these are quasi-judicial processes and it would not be right for me to comment on them.

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans)]

I thank the Prime Minister for his statement on COP27 and for answering questions for just short of an hour.

Economic Update

Debate between Nigel Evans and Rishi Sunak

Thursday 3rd February 2022 Commons Chamber

[Rishi Sunak]

This Government and previous Conservative Governments have a proud track record of supporting those who are retired and are pensioners. Because of the triple lock, which has been in place because of a Conservative Government, pensions are now at their highest level relative to earnings in 30-odd years, and we are protecting pensioners with a double lock this forthcoming year. Of course, the winter fuel payment, with up to £300 of support for those over the state pension age, will address exactly the hon. Member’s concerns.

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans)]

I call Matt Vickers—[Interruption.] Sorry, Martin Vickers.

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[Rishi Sunak]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. He has championed his constituents who are working hard and doing the right thing, and today’s announcement will give them reassurance that this Government and their Member of Parliament are on their side.

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans)]

Finally, my former constituent, Mr Holden.

[Mr Richard Holden (North West Durham) (Con)]

Thank you very much, Mr Deputy Speaker; it is always a pleasure to see you in the Chair. Could my right hon. Friend confirm that all UK households will benefit from the £200 smoothing rebate, and that almost 95% of County Durham residents will benefit from the £150 council tax rebate, including those who are off-grid—a similar proportion to the constituency of the right hon. Member for Doncaster North (Edward Miliband), who I see has now scuttled away? That £150 is over 50% more than Labour’s VAT plan, which would have benefited the richest people most. Will the Chancellor continue to pursue a one-nation Conservative approach, not an inner London two-kitchen one?

[Rishi Sunak]

There were so many excellent points in my hon. Friend’s question. The only thing on which I will correct him is that the energy rebate is Great Britain-wide, because the Northern Ireland energy market is devolved and we do not have the legal powers or the regulator to do it there. Everything else he said is spot on, and I can confirm that this Government will continue to be on the side of his hard-working constituents, whom he does a great job of championing. Today’s announcement will give them the reassurance they need that, at a time of rising prices, this Conservative Government are stepping in to help, as we have and always will.

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans)]

I thank the Chancellor for his statement and for answering questions for well over an hour.

Spending Review 2020 and OBR Forecast

Debate between Nigel Evans and Rishi Sunak

Wednesday 25th November 2020 Commons Chamber

[Mrs Latham]

So many things will be damaged, and our relations with the developing world will lose the soft influence that we have today. I cannot condone this, and therefore I will not be supporting this statement.

[Rishi Sunak]

My hon. Friend makes a passionate case, and a right case, for our ability to help provide immunisation to the world’s poorest children. It is something that I proudly support, and I am happy to tell the House that we are the largest donor to the Gavi consortium globally, of any country in the world. That is the multilateral body that provides immunisation against infectious diseases for 75 million children, and as I have said, we are proudly the largest donor to that effort.

[Mr Deputy Speaker]

I just remind Members that we must not have a speech and eventually a question. Can we get quickly to the questions in order that we can get everybody in?

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[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans)]

Did the Chancellor get that?

[Rishi Sunak]

Yes, Mr Deputy Speaker, I think it was something about the Eden Project. I would be very happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss his ambitions for his area and this project. I know he has put a lot of thought and energy into it, as has his community, and I very much hope we can make progress in the coming years.

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[Rishi Sunak]

I thank my hon. Friend for his kind words in support. He is absolutely right: we want to ensure that this record investment in infrastructure brings tangible benefits to our constituents wherever they live, whether that is in the rural south-west or a town up in the north-east. All the people of this country should see measurable improvement in the quality of their lives and see the opportunities that they can seize ahead of them. That is something that the Government will focus relentlessly on and intend to deliver.

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans)]

It is not often that I get to bring a smile to the Chancellor’s face, but that is it. I thank him for his statement today and answering the questions. He was on his feet from 12.45, which is over two and a half hours. I am extremely grateful, as I am sure is the entire House of Commons.

I have now to announce the result of today’s deferred Division on the motion relating to the draft European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (Relevant Court) (Retained EU Case Law) Regulations 2020. The Ayes were 354 and the Noes were 261, so the Ayes have it.

[The Division list is published at the end of today’s debates.]

We will now suspend for a brief period for the sanitisation of the Dispatch Boxes and the safe departure and entrance of Members of Parliament.

Virtual participation in proceedings concluded (Order 4 June)

Economy Update

Debate between Nigel Evans and Rishi Sunak

Thursday 5th November 2020 Commons Chamber

[Rishi Sunak]

A fitting place to end, I think. My hon. Friend is absolutely right. It is a demonstration of the strength of the Union, and an undeniable truth of this crisis, that we have been able to provide this level of economic support because we are one United Kingdom.

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans)]

I thank the Chancellor for his statement today, and for responding to 38 questions in just over one hour. We are now suspending for three minutes.