Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Paul Davies and Keir Starmer

Wednesday 5th March 2025 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

On the question of assets, we are using the interest on the assets to help fund Ukraine and we are looking, with others, at whether it is possible to go further. Obviously, I will update the House if that is possible. But I have to say that, at a time when defence and security in Europe and the UK must be ramped up for all the reasons that the hon. Gentleman readily understands, the SNP maintaining its position of wanting to get rid of the single most effective deterrent that we have—the nuclear deterrent—really has to be explained in its historical context.

[Paul Davies (Colne Valley) (Lab)]

Q10. Labour is rolling out free breakfast clubs in primary schools, starting with 750 schools including Scapegoat Hill junior and infant school in my constituency. Under the Tories, only one in 10 schools had these clubs. Labour will make them available for all children. That will help to break down barriers to opportunity for every child. I know that the Prime Minister is as determined as I am to tear away the link between background and success, so will he update the House on how we will do that through Labour’s plan for change?

[The Prime Minister]

Labour promised free breakfast clubs in every primary school, and the first 750 will open in April, giving every child the best start in life through our plan for change. It will also put up to £450 a year back in the pockets of working families. I am delighted to say that two of the breakfast clubs will be opening in the constituency of the Leader of the Opposition in April, and I hope she will welcome them when they do.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Paul Davies and Keir Starmer

Wednesday 22nd January 2025 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

We have just won a landslide victory and we have massive majority. We are getting on with the job—[Interruption.] Look at the sheer number of Ministers that the Conservatives got through on a yearly basis, causing instability in every conceivable Department.

[Paul Davies (Colne Valley) (Lab)]

Q10. In 2016, I was diagnosed with colon cancer and had excellent treatment at Huddersfield royal infirmary. I was one of the lucky ones, because after 2015 the Tory Government failed in the fight against cancer, with over 380,000 patients in England not treated on time. What assurance can the Prime Minister offer Colne Valley residents that the reforms and extra investment he has announced will address that issue?

[The Prime Minister]

I wish my hon. Friend a speedy recovery from his recent treatment, and I thank the doctors and nurses who treated him. Under the previous Government, there was no progress made in diagnosing cancer at stage 1 and 2 between 2013 and 2021. That is an appalling inheritance. We are spending £1.5 billion on new surgical hubs and diagnostic scanners to ensure cancer patients get the care they need.