PMQs 12th February 2025
It’s the week of Valentine’s Day, but it seems that love is in short supply for many in the Labour Party. Last week saw the release of private WhatsApp messages that culminated in the dismissal of Health Minister Andrew Gwynne, as well as the withdrawal of the Whip from his fellow Labour MP Oliver Ryan. Now sitting as an Independent in the Commons, Ryan joins Gwynne and 11 other Labour councillors suspended over their involvement in the WhatsApp group. If Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership needed testing, this week has certainly delivered: it’s clear from this episode that any hint of unsavoury behaviour is a red line in Starmer’s government.
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, President Trump’s favourite word, “tariffs,” is re-entering the global lexicon. As the Prime Minister prepares for a visit to the US, questions loom over how Starmer might respond if tariffs—particularly those targeting the UK’s steel industry—are introduced. Douglas Alexander even hinted that the controversial Chagos deal might be dropped in exchange. At home, the embattled Attorney General, Lord Hermer, faces growing calls for his resignation, as his conduct comes under increasing scrutiny. With the February recess on the horizon, Starmer and his team will likely be counting the days until they can escape this storm, but it’s unlikely they’ll be out of the headlines for long.
On a more positive note, the British economy is set to expand by 1.5% this year, fuelled by a public spending boost in the recent budget. However, there’s a large asterisk attached to this forecast: if Donald Trump goes ahead with his threatened tariffs, many of these gains could quickly be undone.
The big announcement today comes from the Home Office, under Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, who has unveiled tighter laws regarding citizenship. The new rules make it nearly impossible for anyone who entered the UK illegally to achieve British citizenship. Labour’s efforts to undo the Tory laws affecting small boat arrivals may be in vain, as the Home Office’s
stance on citizenship has shifted. While Labour’s focus has largely been on whether refugees should be allowed to stay, the government’s new policy makes it clear that citizenship will be an even harder prize to claim. This has sparked significant backlash, with the Refugee Council arguing that the policy undermines refugees’ ability to integrate and contribute to British society. Labour MP Stella Creasy, no stranger to outspoken positions, voiced her opposition in no uncertain terms, calling for the policy to be reconsidered. Immigration barrister Colin Yeo has also weighed in, describing the new rules as “spiteful,” warning that they will only create a permanent underclass of non-citizens, excluded from civic life no matter how long they’ve lived in the country.
During the Leader’s exchange, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer focused on the government's progress with the Border Bill, emphasising its role in dismantling criminal smuggling gangs and the £350 million investment in housing, including the delivery of 1.5 million new homes. He also highlighted efforts to reduce red tape and create 10,000 new apprenticeships. In contrast, Leader of the Opposition Kemi Badenoch raised concerns over a recent court ruling that allowed a Gaza family to settle in the UK under the Ukraine family scheme, questioning whether the government would appeal the decision or amend legislation to prevent similar cases in the future. The PM responded by stating that while he disagreed with the ruling, it was made under the previous government, and the Home Secretary was addressing the issue.
Badenoch, pushing for clarity, suggested the PM’s responses were insufficient, calling for new legislation to clarify the right to family life under the scheme. She also questioned the PM's stance on the importance of British citizenship, challenging his previous remarks on the matter. The Prime Minister retorted that Badenoch was sticking to a script and not listening to the answers, accusing the previous government of losing control over immigration. The debate also touched on broader concerns about the government’s position on Israel and internal party divisions, with Badenoch questioning the PM’s confidence in the Attorney General and the appointment of a new Chief Inspector of Borders. Starmer dismissed her remarks as “tedious” and reaffirmed that the Home Secretary was handling the situation.
As the day unfolds, Reform UK’s Nigel Farage and Richard Tice are set to hold a press conference, promising a “stark warning” about the state of the economy and renewable energy. Given the turbulent backdrop of the global economy and domestic political challenges, this promises to be another one of those events that could turn the political conversation on its head.
See below for PoliMonitor’s full rundown of today’s PMQs.
Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition
● The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, began questions today highlighting the Government’s work this week in progressing the Border Bill being introduced to tackle “the vile criminal smuggling gangs”, referenced the announcement of £350m to get Britain building including 1.5m new homes and the government slashing red tape and creating 10,000 more apprentices.
● The Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch, began by referencing that the last Conservative government established the Ukraine family scheme, and that lots of people have found sanctuary in the UK under it. She continued by drawing on a current court case where a family from Gaza have applied to live in Britain using the scheme and a Judge has ruled in their favour. Badenoch asked the PM whether he agreed if this decision should be allowed to stand and if the government would appeal it.
● The PM said he did not agree with the decision but it was a decision taken under the last government. He set out that it is Parliament who makes the rules, government who makes the policy and that the Home Secretary is on to this specific court case.
● The Leader of the Opposition responded that if he plans to appeal the decision in this case then it may be unsuccessful and the law may need to change. Badenoch continued by saying the PM talks about a decision made under the last government highlighting that it was made by the courts, reiterating this question is “about judicial decisions”. Badenoch continued that large numbers of people cannot exploit these laws, setting out that the UK “cannot help everyone or bring them all here” and asked if the PM will bring forward new legislation to ensure a similar such case cannot occur or amend the current borders bill.
● The PM said that the Home Secretary’s team is on it and that his government is “taking control”, comparing the action to the last government and accusing them of having “lost control of immigration”.
● The Leader of the Opposition said that if the PM was on top of his brief may he could “answer some questions”. Badenoch continued by saying that given this “crazy decision and so many others like it”, new legislation is needed to clarify the right to family life under this scheme. Badenoch referenced that the PM wrote a book on the ECHR asking if he agreed with the need to legislate even if lawyers warn this might be incompatible with human rights.
● The PM retorted that “her script does not allow her to listen to the answers”. The answer is still yes, he stated, that they would close the loophole.
● The Leader of the Opposition said he did not give an answer to whether the government would appeal the decision itself. Badenoch continued by saying that this case has arisen because a Palestinian came from Gaza in 2007 and that he is now a British citizen. She called for the need to “break the conveyor belt to a British passport”. Badenoch set out that last week, the PM claimed that a British passport was not a core factor for people coming to the UK, and asked if the PM will support the Conservative’s plans to toughen the process of indefinite leave to remain, which would make getting a British passport “a privilege, not a right”.
● The PM said that the last government effectively had an open border policy, and that she should reflect on her own record.
● The Leader of the Opposition asked what he was going to do now, retorting that he needed to do “less winging about the last government” and instead do his job. Badenoch continued by asking for clarity about the government’s position on Israel following the same court case, and whether Government lawyers were changing their position on Israel’s actions.
● The PM responded that “she has no idea what she is talking about”, reiterating the Home Secretary was already looking into the case and looking at closing the gap. He called the “script” from the Leader of the Opposition “tedious”.
● The Leader of the Opposition then asked about the Attorney General, raising that even Labour ministers are concerned and quoted a scathing criticism from Labour peer Lord Glasman. Badenoch asked if the PM had confidence in the Attorney General. She stated that the Government is now recruiting a new Chief Inspector of Borders, who lives in Finland and wants to work from home. She said this was not serious and asked why the British public should put up with this.
● The PM said that the official in question was appointed to a senior government role in 2019 under the Conservatives where they worked for 5 years, whilst living in Finland and working from home. He stated that they had stopped this practice and that the official in question has now agreed to work full time in the UK in this role. In closing, he reminded the Leader of the Opposition that she had sat at a Cabinet table with an Attorney General who was later sacked for breaching national security.
Questions from the House
1. Imran Hussain MP, Labour, Bradford East
○ Question: Polls show that voters are supportive of the Employment Rights Bill which I supported the drafting of. Sick pay needs to be brought in line with the living wage. Does the PM agree with the Bill and with supporting workers rights.
○ Answer: This government’s Plan for Change delivers the biggest uplift for workers rights in a generation.
2. Charlotte Nichols MP, Labour, Warrington North
○ Question: Does the PM share my concerns about business tenants being evicted out of the blue and set out what this government is doing to protect
independent businesses.
○ Answer: We expect landlords to meet their legal obligations and we support robust enforcement actions and will arrange a meeting
Sir Ed Davey MP, Liberal Democrats, Kingston and Surbiton, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Party
○ Question: 80 years ago this week British, Canadian and American soldiers stood shoulder to shoulder to fight facism. President Trump seems to have forgotten this. Will the PM prepare a plan for tariffs in return, starting with American electric cars?
○ Answer: He is right to reference our history. British steel is an essential part of our heartlands and we will not abandon them. We need a level headed assessment of any implications.
○ Question: Seems to be that Trump and Musk need to hear strong words. If Ukraine is forced to surrender its own sovereign territory it will be a great betrayal. Trump has said that Ukraine may end up Russian and we all fear where this might end and the implications for our own defence and security. Can the PM reassure this House that he and other European leaders are supporting President Zelensky during this.
○ Answer: I met President Zelensky a few weeks ago and our position is that we must put Ukraine in the strongest possible position.
3. Kim Leadbeater MP, Labour, Spen Valley
○ Question: Two years ago I published a Healthy Britain report and was delighted that we have started implementing it. I welcome the increase to public health grants announced last week. Can the PM confirm that this is just the start for a long term strategy for the country.
○ Answer: Thank her and this government is working to improve the health of the whole country.
4. Sorcha Eastwood MP, Alliance, Lagan Valley
○ Question: Don’t want to get in a trade war but sometimes you have to stand up for what you believe in.
○ Answer: The US and UK share a strong and balanced relationship and will continue to work with President Trump and will always act in the best interest of businesses and working people across the whole UK.
5. Preet Kaur Gill MP, Labour, Birmingham Edgbaston
○ Question: Baffled that the parties opposite voted against the new Borders Bill. Does the PM agree that only one party is serious about fixing our immigration system and that’s Labour.
○ Answer: I agree. They voted against making it an offence in many policies. They voted against. They voted for open borders.
6. David Reed MP, Conservative, Exmouth and Exeter East
○ Question: Last week the PM gave another threadbare excuse about why they were giving away the Chagos Islands. He cannot even say how much it will cost. Can the PM tell us which word he thinks best describes this decision.
○ Answer: I set out the position last week and offered the Leader of the Opposition a briefing but they haven’t taken that up.
7. Chi Onwurah MP, Labour, Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
○ Question: The PM will I am sure want to congratulate Newcastle United on reading the League Cup final and congratulate the apprentices under the National Apprenticeship Week who are supporting the restoration of Tyne Bridge restoration.
○ Answer: Tyne Bridge is iconic and congratulate the apprentices working to restore it.
8. Liz Jarvis MP, Liberal Democrat, Eastleigh
○ Question: Constituent is stuck in hospital because a care package cannot be arranged. Can the PM confirm the care crisis will be tackled this year.
○ Answer: I know this is deeply personal. We have taken immediate action on social care and delivered additional investment.
9. Julie Minns MP, Labour, Carlisle
○ Question: A SEND school in my constituency is bursting at the seams and what is needed is a new special school. What assurances can the PM give that children will be put before ideology to tackle the shortage in SEND provision.
○ Answer: We are supporting mainstream schools to increase SEND expertise while also making sure that SEND schools can cater for those who need them.
10. Anna Sabine MP, Liberal Democrat, Frome and East Somerset
○ Question: Dorothy House is an amazing hospice and will be celebrating 50 years next year but will also be faced with a tax bill following the increase of NICs. Will he meet with me to discuss this?
○ Answer: We inherited a £22bn black hole which is why we took the difficult but right decisions to tackle public services. I will arrange a meeting.
11. Sharon Hodgson MP, Labour, Washington and Gateshead South
○ Question: Does the PM agree that better transport will help connect all local areas in my constituency.
○ Answer: Yes and pleased that progress is being made.
12. Saqib Bhatti MP, Conservative, Meriden and Solihull East
○ Question: Earlier this week we learnt more about what the Attorney General has previously done. Given the track record, does he have faith in the motives of the AG and represent best value for the British taxpayer.
○ Answer: Everyone is entitled to legal representation in this country. Conservatives used to believe in that principle. But if they don't they should go and see the victims of very serious crimes.
13. Becky Gittins MP, Labour, Clwyd East
○ Question: Allergy school launched this week. Does the PM agree it has never been more important to launch an Allergy Strategy and Allergy Tsar.
○ Answer: There is an increase in the number of people being hospitalised as a result of allergies and agree that this should form part of our work on improving the health of the country.
14. Olly Glover MP, Liberal Democrat, Didcot and Wantage
○ Question: My constituency has seen a 35% population increase in the last 20 years and understands the need for affordable housing. Will the PM restore faith in the planning system and ensure that there is wider infrastructure to support new homes.
○ Answer: He’s right new homes must include the building of other infrastructure to support the new people who live there.
15. Toby Perkins MP, Labour, Chesterfield
○ Question: National Apprenticeship Week this week. What more is the PM going to do to support young people to get apprenticeships.
○ Answer: Welcome the changes around the need for qualifications to undertake apprenticeships. We are delivering for young people and supporting them to contribute to the economy.
16. Harriet Cross MP, Conservative, Gordon and Buchan
○ Question: Yesterday at a conference, the farming minister said farming wasn’t much of a priority. Does the PM agree?
○ Answer: Farming is top of the agenda and our roadmap has been welcomed by the NFU.
17. Natasha Irons MP, Labour, Croydon East
○ Question: With youth services seeing funding being cut, will he set out how this government will support youth services.
○ Answer: We are setting out plans for a new national youth strategy to support all young people.
18. Christine Jardine MP, Liberal Democrat, Edinburgh West
○ Question: Every 22 mins a child loses a parent. Charities like Winston Trust do a great job to support them but there is no simple way to know who the charities are or how to access them. Will the PM support my Private Members’ Bill on this.
○ Answer: The cross government bereavement group continues to look at this and will arrange a further meeting to discuss.
19. David Taylor MP, Labour, Hemel Hempstead
○ Question: 20 years ago since the Make Poverty History campaign. Does the PM welcome this and pay tribute to the work?
○ Answer: Of course.
20. Alex Brewer MP, Liberal Democrat, North East Hampshire
○ Question: Local Hospital still waiting for funding. What is this government doing to increase capacity for local people?
○ Answer: The last government made unfunded promises and we are doing the work to ensure there are long term funded plans in place.
21. Dr Beccy Cooper MP, Labour, Worthing West
○ Question: Welcome the work on the devolution plan. Can the PM assure residents and all constituents that this plan will give meaningful control.
○ Answer: The devolution priority programme will see a wave of Mayors being elected.
22. Andrew Mitchell MP, Conservative, Sutton Coldfield
○ Question: The PM will be aware of the GAVI programme, a great success story. Will he confirm that Britain will continue leadership in this programme.
○ Answer: I’ve long supported and will continue to support.
