Oral Answers to Questions

Theresa Villiers Excerpts

Wednesday 6th July 2022 Commons Chamber

[David T. C. Davies]

The Wrexham-Bidston line is one of a number of lines that are being looked at, including the south Wales relief line and the north Wales coast line. The reality is that constituents in Wales are fed up with having to wait more than 12 months for treatment, and the reason for that is 21 years of Labour Government running the NHS in Wales. Their record is an absolute disgrace.

[Theresa Villiers (Chipping Barnet) (Con)]

6. What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on providing support with the cost of living for people in Wales.

[Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con)]

8. What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the cost of living support for households in Wales.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (David T. C. Davies)]

My ministerial colleagues and I fully accept that there is a cost of living challenge, but this country has faced some exceptional challenges over the past few years, including a global pandemic and a European land war. We have responded vigorously by providing £37 billion to help households across the UK through these challenges.

[Theresa Villiers]

Does the Minister agree that the best way to help people in Wales with the cost of living is to deliver our long-term plan to grow the economy, increase productivity and reduce people’s taxes?

[David T. C. Davies]

I agree completely with my right hon. Friend. Households across the whole United Kingdom will be receiving a cost of living support payment worth £650 this month. By contrast the Welsh Labour Government want to spend £100 million to increase the number of Welsh Senedd Members. Some people believe in levelling up, but I am afraid that Opposition Members believe in leaving people behind and spending more money on further politicians.

--- Later in debate ---

[Theresa Villiers (Chipping Barnet) (Con)]

13. Just over a fortnight ago, two horrific fatal stabbings took place on a quiet street in East Barnet. With the Metropolitan police now in special measures for the first time in its history, will the Prime Minister urge the Mayor of London to start living up to his responsibilities as police and crime commissioner? The Mayor needs to get a grip on crime, give Barnet its fair share of new officers and abandon his plan to sell Barnet police station.

[The Prime Minister]

I notice that crime has spiked since the previous Mayor of London, and it is the Labour party that voted against stop and search and against increased funding for the police. As for the London Mayor, he would do better to get out of California and take control of crime in his city.