Covid-19 Update

Robert Jenrick Excerpts

Wednesday 5th January 2022 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

Actually, the UK Government have supplied tests to the whole country. We are very proud to collaborate with people and testing organisations throughout the country.

[Robert Jenrick (Newark) (Con)]

I thank the Prime Minister, whose judgment was proven to be absolutely correct over the holidays.

As a parent, I know that although the wearing of masks at school may seem a small price to pay to ensure that kids are back in the classroom getting the vital face-to-face teaching they deserve, it is not cost free and does affect the quality of teaching and our children’s wellbeing. What assurance can my right hon. Friend give to me and parents throughout the country that the measure will be constantly reviewed and last only as long as is absolutely necessary?

[The Prime Minister]

I can give my right hon. Friend a categorical assurance that masks in schools will last not a day longer than we need them.

COP26

Robert Jenrick Excerpts

Monday 15th November 2021 Commons Chamber

[Robert Jenrick (Newark) (Con)]

The Prime Minister is right to say that the whole country should take pride in the manner in which the UK has hosted the COP talks in the last few weeks. One of the elements that distinguished COP26 from previous COPs was the much greater and more meaningful involvement of business. How can we ensure that that continues and becomes one of the defining characteristics of the remainder of the UK’s COP presidency?

[The Prime Minister]

My right hon. Friend makes an excellent point. I think that that was one of the most important defining characteristics of this COP, and the role of business is now seen to be critical by partners around the world. The new country platforms that we are creating will only be possible with the help of the trillions of private sector investment.

Oral Answers to Questions

Robert Jenrick Excerpts

Wednesday 3rd November 2021 Commons Chamber

[Robert Jenrick (Newark) (Con)]

I commend the Prime Minister on his diplomatic efforts in recent weeks and ask him about another serious and grave issue that was raised at the G20 in Rome: the strong likelihood of a nuclear-ready Iran within a matter of weeks or months. What will the UK do with our international partners to tackle that? If it is via an agreement, will it be stronger and more enduring than the last one? If it is not, as many people suspect, what is our plan B?

[The Prime Minister]

I thank my right hon. Friend for his question on an issue that he knows a great deal about. This is a case of making it clear to the Iranians that there is an opportunity for them to do something that would be massively in the interests of their people and of Iran: to come back to the table and do a further agreement—a son of the joint comprehensive plan of action—and restore the JCPOA at the Vienna talks. That is what needs to happen. That is the posture of the G20 and of our friends and allies around the world.