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| LIVE: Prime Minister's Questions | LIVE: Prime Minister's Questions |
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| Health Secretary Alan Johnson's statement on Stafford Hospital | Health Secretary Alan Johnson's statement on Stafford Hospital |
| By Emma Griffiths 1250 Charles Clarke, who has of course been quite outspoken in his descriptions of Gordon Brown in the past, said he thought the "phoney" remark was not such a big deal but had been a mistake. | |
| 1249 From BBC political correspondent Gary O'Donoghue: So there was an apology from the Prime minister, just not that apology. Nick Clegg's suggestion that 'frenzied target setting" had contributed to the events at Stafford hospital was rejected by the prime minister, promising instead independent reviews of each case if families wanted it. The PM's argument: we apologise for what happened there, but it was an aberration. | |
| 1248 Gordon Brown can do the country a big favour and take a ride to Buckingham Palace and ask the queen to disolve parliament so we can have a general election.Mark, Cannock | |
| 1244 How dare Brown try to divert blame by alleging what the tories may of may not do. The worst excuse I've heard. This is PMQ's not Opposition Q's. Brown is far too slippery!Piers, England | |
| 1244 Didn't Cameron say he would end punch and judy politics? Surely our economic crisis is big enough for him to stop playing politics with our jobs.Tom, Nottingham | |
| 1243 In reply to Daren-Marc: Why should he stand up an apologise for an economic crisis that is part of an over-due recession after a prolonged period of exceptional growth and is also part of a world-wide down-turn? He surely can not apologise for something that was caused by a combination of world-wide countries, and he had little ability to control.Stephen, Fife | |
| 1240 Conservative MEP Daniel Hannan said it would have been wrong for Mr Cameron to "play games" with the unemployment figures and said he was right to refer to the PM being "in the bunker" and claim the PM was unaware of what was happening in the country. For Labour Charles Clarke says carrying through any announcement made is difficult. | |
| 1239 Lib Dem David Laws says the Tory leader's attack did not "come off" and the PM was able to flag up the gap between Tory policies and their pledge to cut back on spending. | |
| 1238 Back in the Daily Politics studio, Nick Robinson said he thinks Mr Cameron may feel he "blew it" on the unemployment figures because the most memorable thing about the debate was the Speaker rebuking him and telling him to withdraw his "phoney" remark. | |
| 1235 PM's questions has now ended, with Health Secretary Alan Johnson on his feet delivering a statement about "astonishing failures" at Stafford Hospital. | |
| 1234 Another pop at targets imposed on NHS hospitals by the government. Tory MP James Arbuthnot talks about a locally run hospital service and says it is much better than those run by "Whitehall imposed" targets. Mr Brown again says cancer targets and others must be something everyone can support. | 1234 Another pop at targets imposed on NHS hospitals by the government. Tory MP James Arbuthnot talks about a locally run hospital service and says it is much better than those run by "Whitehall imposed" targets. Mr Brown again says cancer targets and others must be something everyone can support. |
| 1234 Labour MP Hywel Francis pays tribute to one of the soldiers killed who was a constituent. He wants to know if benefits for carers can be improved - Mr Brown says he wants to do everything he can to help carers and is happy to meet a delegation. He says the government is looking at the allowances available for carers. | 1234 Labour MP Hywel Francis pays tribute to one of the soldiers killed who was a constituent. He wants to know if benefits for carers can be improved - Mr Brown says he wants to do everything he can to help carers and is happy to meet a delegation. He says the government is looking at the allowances available for carers. |
| 1230 Conservative MP Bill Cash says measures announced to deal with the problems at Stafford Hospital are not enough and a full public inquiry is needed. Mr Brown says there has been a healthcare commission report which will be followed up by a review and another inquiry. | 1230 Conservative MP Bill Cash says measures announced to deal with the problems at Stafford Hospital are not enough and a full public inquiry is needed. Mr Brown says there has been a healthcare commission report which will be followed up by a review and another inquiry. |
| 1229 Labour MP Jim Devine asks about the torture claims by Binyam Mohamed - the PM says he wants to update the House of Commons about what the government is doing. He said guidance to intelligence officers would be published and former Lord Justice Peter Gibson would be asked to monitor complaints and report annually - to some shouts from MPs. He says he "has faith" in the security services. The Speaker tells those shouting that if they want a statement they need to request one. | 1229 Labour MP Jim Devine asks about the torture claims by Binyam Mohamed - the PM says he wants to update the House of Commons about what the government is doing. He said guidance to intelligence officers would be published and former Lord Justice Peter Gibson would be asked to monitor complaints and report annually - to some shouts from MPs. He says he "has faith" in the security services. The Speaker tells those shouting that if they want a statement they need to request one. |
| 1228 From BBC political correspondent Gary O'Donoghue: It's the sort of heavyweight bout that would have the judges divided on the points. David Cameron was lighter on his feet, but having to withdraw his charge of "phoney" interrupted his momentum. In Gordon Brown's replies you saw the Labour strategy for the next election - yes things are bad, but the Tories would spend less, walk by "on the other side" and, in a bit of red meat for the left, the accusation that the Tories were the party of the "few" not "the many". | 1228 From BBC political correspondent Gary O'Donoghue: It's the sort of heavyweight bout that would have the judges divided on the points. David Cameron was lighter on his feet, but having to withdraw his charge of "phoney" interrupted his momentum. In Gordon Brown's replies you saw the Labour strategy for the next election - yes things are bad, but the Tories would spend less, walk by "on the other side" and, in a bit of red meat for the left, the accusation that the Tories were the party of the "few" not "the many". |
| 1227 Another Lib Dem MP Adrian Sanders stands up to ask a question about funding blockages at a local college - Mr Brown says he will take a look at the case | 1227 Another Lib Dem MP Adrian Sanders stands up to ask a question about funding blockages at a local college - Mr Brown says he will take a look at the case |
| 1226 'A matter of personal regret' - when is Gordon going to stand up and give an actual apology for the economic crisis and the subsequent job losses? Daren-Marc, Port Talbot | 1226 'A matter of personal regret' - when is Gordon going to stand up and give an actual apology for the economic crisis and the subsequent job losses? Daren-Marc, Port Talbot |
| 1224 Lib Dem MP Annette Brooke asks about the green belt and says local communities should be able to develop housing plans, rather than having them imposed from central government. Mr Brown says "we are doing more than any government to protect the green belt". | 1224 Lib Dem MP Annette Brooke asks about the green belt and says local communities should be able to develop housing plans, rather than having them imposed from central government. Mr Brown says "we are doing more than any government to protect the green belt". |
| 1223 Labour's Stafford MP David Kidney says relatives are entitled to an independent assessment about what happened. Mr Brown says every relative who asks for it has a right to see the case notes which ahd ben reviewed independently. | 1223 Labour's Stafford MP David Kidney says relatives are entitled to an independent assessment about what happened. Mr Brown says every relative who asks for it has a right to see the case notes which ahd ben reviewed independently. |
| 1222 Mr Clegg says doctors at the hospital say they were told to abandon seriously ill patients to treat the less ill - he says "mad" targets should be scrapped. Mr Brown says what happened was "unacceptable" but a report by the NHS watchdog found "low standards of management" at the hospital. He said it was "not unreasonable" to expect high standards of care - met within a certain waiting time. | 1222 Mr Clegg says doctors at the hospital say they were told to abandon seriously ill patients to treat the less ill - he says "mad" targets should be scrapped. Mr Brown says what happened was "unacceptable" but a report by the NHS watchdog found "low standards of management" at the hospital. He said it was "not unreasonable" to expect high standards of care - met within a certain waiting time. |
| 1221 Mr Brown said they would look into whether there was a problem at a specific hospital or whether it was more generic. He said it was right to look at mistakes made at the hospital and said there were inquiries underway. | 1221 Mr Brown said they would look into whether there was a problem at a specific hospital or whether it was more generic. He said it was right to look at mistakes made at the hospital and said there were inquiries underway. |
| 1220 Mr Brown says "we do apologise" for anyone who has suffered at the hospital - which has been condemned by the NHS watchdog. | 1220 Mr Brown says "we do apologise" for anyone who has suffered at the hospital - which has been condemned by the NHS watchdog. |
| 1218 Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg stands up, and repeats a tribute to the soldiers killed in Afghanistan. He asks whether the PM believes "frenzied target setting in the NHS" had any role to play in the "horrific events" at the Staffordshire hospital. | 1218 Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg stands up, and repeats a tribute to the soldiers killed in Afghanistan. He asks whether the PM believes "frenzied target setting in the NHS" had any role to play in the "horrific events" at the Staffordshire hospital. |
| 1217 Again asked to apologise for the economic crisis - a failure Mr Cameron said the British people would never forget - Mr Brown says that while Labour were spending money to help the unemployed the Tories would help the rich, by raising the inheritance tax limits | 1217 Again asked to apologise for the economic crisis - a failure Mr Cameron said the British people would never forget - Mr Brown says that while Labour were spending money to help the unemployed the Tories would help the rich, by raising the inheritance tax limits |
| 1216 Mr Cameron says Mr Brown is a "complete phoney" for saying the day before he did not think "who said what when" rows helped. After shouts from Labour MPs and an order from the Speaker for Mr Cameron to withdraw the comment, the Tory leader withdrew the comment. | 1216 Mr Cameron says Mr Brown is a "complete phoney" for saying the day before he did not think "who said what when" rows helped. After shouts from Labour MPs and an order from the Speaker for Mr Cameron to withdraw the comment, the Tory leader withdrew the comment. |
| 1214 Speaker Michael Martin intervenes to restore order. Mr Cameron accuses the PM of hyperactivity and inaction. The PM says the Tories do not know if the schemes they propose will cost money, or not. He says Mr Cameron needs to "wake up to the fact" that global action is needed. | 1214 Speaker Michael Martin intervenes to restore order. Mr Cameron accuses the PM of hyperactivity and inaction. The PM says the Tories do not know if the schemes they propose will cost money, or not. He says Mr Cameron needs to "wake up to the fact" that global action is needed. |
| 1213 Another pension related dig, this time at Labour veteran Dennis Skinner who is, as usual, vocal from the Labour benches. Mr Cameron says he knows the left winger wanted miners to join the government. Now he had it - Lord Myners. Tory MPs cheers and shout "speechless" at Mr Skinner. | 1213 Another pension related dig, this time at Labour veteran Dennis Skinner who is, as usual, vocal from the Labour benches. Mr Cameron says he knows the left winger wanted miners to join the government. Now he had it - Lord Myners. Tory MPs cheers and shout "speechless" at Mr Skinner. |
| 1211 Mr Brown says the Tory leader proposes things he will not fund. He says that is "not credible". Mr Cameron said employment minister Tony McNulty had "left the bunker" this morning to admit there was a "frustration" about schemes not working quickly enough. | 1211 Mr Brown says the Tory leader proposes things he will not fund. He says that is "not credible". Mr Cameron said employment minister Tony McNulty had "left the bunker" this morning to admit there was a "frustration" about schemes not working quickly enough. |
| 1209 A dig from Mr Cameron about ex-RBS boss Sir Fred Goodwin's generous pension deal - he says it's another sign that the government is incompetent. | 1209 A dig from Mr Cameron about ex-RBS boss Sir Fred Goodwin's generous pension deal - he says it's another sign that the government is incompetent. |
| 1209 Mr Brown says £1.3bn is being spent to help people who are made unemployed. He says the Tory leader is "asking us to do more by saying he will spend less and it just doesn't add up". Mr Cameron calls that the "view from the bunker". In the real world, he said, things are not happening. | 1209 Mr Brown says £1.3bn is being spent to help people who are made unemployed. He says the Tory leader is "asking us to do more by saying he will spend less and it just doesn't add up". Mr Cameron calls that the "view from the bunker". In the real world, he said, things are not happening. |
| 1208 Mr Cameron queries figures the PM refers to about when the recession started and says he's also wrong about further education colleges. He says no unemployed person has been helped by recruitment subsidies and another scheme to help homeowners had helped no-one yet. | 1208 Mr Cameron queries figures the PM refers to about when the recession started and says he's also wrong about further education colleges. He says no unemployed person has been helped by recruitment subsidies and another scheme to help homeowners had helped no-one yet. |
| 1207 Mr Cameron asks Mr Brown to "admit" he was wrong to say the UK was well placed to deal with the recession. Mr Brown says £110m will be spent this year on further education colleges and goes on to list other measures the government has pledged. He says he knows it is "little comfort" that unemployment is higher elsewhere - and that's why, he said, the government was doing everything it could do to help. | 1207 Mr Cameron asks Mr Brown to "admit" he was wrong to say the UK was well placed to deal with the recession. Mr Brown says £110m will be spent this year on further education colleges and goes on to list other measures the government has pledged. He says he knows it is "little comfort" that unemployment is higher elsewhere - and that's why, he said, the government was doing everything it could do to help. |
| 1205 Mr Brown says unemployment is higher in many other European countries but the government is taking "urgent action" to help - he says the Conservatives would not help. Mr Cameron says 144 further education colleges were having building projects halted and there is an "enormous gulf" between what the PM says, and what his government is doing. He says the PM is "incapable" of admitting he got things wrong. | 1205 Mr Brown says unemployment is higher in many other European countries but the government is taking "urgent action" to help - he says the Conservatives would not help. Mr Cameron says 144 further education colleges were having building projects halted and there is an "enormous gulf" between what the PM says, and what his government is doing. He says the PM is "incapable" of admitting he got things wrong. |
| 1204 David Cameron adds his tributes to the soldiers killed in Afghanistan. He also brings up unemployment figures and says the increase in the claimant count is the sharpest since records began. He says the PM was wrong to say the UK was well placed to withstand the recession. | 1204 David Cameron adds his tributes to the soldiers killed in Afghanistan. He also brings up unemployment figures and says the increase in the claimant count is the sharpest since records began. He says the PM was wrong to say the UK was well placed to withstand the recession. |
| 1203 Labour MP Jim Sheridan brings up unemployment figures right at the start - he asks Mr Brown not to "abandon" the unemployed and invest in skills and training. Mr Brown says it is a matter of "personal regret for me and the whole government" that people are losing their jobs and says he will do all he can to help | 1203 Labour MP Jim Sheridan brings up unemployment figures right at the start - he asks Mr Brown not to "abandon" the unemployed and invest in skills and training. Mr Brown says it is a matter of "personal regret for me and the whole government" that people are losing their jobs and says he will do all he can to help |
| 1201 Over in the Commons the PM has stood up and begins by expressing condolences about the deaths of soldiers killed in Afghanistan over the last week. | 1201 Over in the Commons the PM has stood up and begins by expressing condolences about the deaths of soldiers killed in Afghanistan over the last week. |
| 1159 The BBC's Nick Robinson said he thinks David Cameron will tackle the unemployment figures first - but says the written statement from the PM on torture - an issue raised by the Tory leader last week - will also crop up. The PM has said in future he will publish guidelines on what is and is not acceptable and will get someone to oversee them. Mr Brown wants there to be a process to deal with allegations on torture made in the newspapers, he said. | 1159 The BBC's Nick Robinson said he thinks David Cameron will tackle the unemployment figures first - but says the written statement from the PM on torture - an issue raised by the Tory leader last week - will also crop up. The PM has said in future he will publish guidelines on what is and is not acceptable and will get someone to oversee them. Mr Brown wants there to be a process to deal with allegations on torture made in the newspapers, he said. |
| 1156 Charles Clarke tells Daily Politics stories that Gordon Brown and German Chancellor Angela Merkel were at odds over fiscal stimulus plans ahead of the G20 summit have been "talked up" and Germany had already had a substantial fiscal stimulus. | 1156 Charles Clarke tells Daily Politics stories that Gordon Brown and German Chancellor Angela Merkel were at odds over fiscal stimulus plans ahead of the G20 summit have been "talked up" and Germany had already had a substantial fiscal stimulus. |
| 1153 From BBC political correspondent Gary O'Donoghue: Unemployment is a tragedy for those affected, but with the figures now hitting two million, it's also a political opportunity for David Cameron. Add to that another damning report from the IMF suggesting that Britain will be hit hardest among the big nations during the slump, and there are no prizes for guessing that it will be "the economy stupid" will dominate prime minister's questions today. And now that Mr Cameron has "apologised" for not seeing the recession coming, perhaps he'll have another bash at getting Gordon to say sorry too - don't hold your breath on that one though. | 1153 From BBC political correspondent Gary O'Donoghue: Unemployment is a tragedy for those affected, but with the figures now hitting two million, it's also a political opportunity for David Cameron. Add to that another damning report from the IMF suggesting that Britain will be hit hardest among the big nations during the slump, and there are no prizes for guessing that it will be "the economy stupid" will dominate prime minister's questions today. And now that Mr Cameron has "apologised" for not seeing the recession coming, perhaps he'll have another bash at getting Gordon to say sorry too - don't hold your breath on that one though. |
| 1151 We can probably expect questions on the prediction by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that the UK's recession will last longer than any other major economy and on Stafford Hospital, which has been condemned by the NHS watchdog for "appalling" emergency care which resulted in hundreds of patient deaths. Health Secretary Alan Johnson is to make a statement after PM's questions about it. | 1151 We can probably expect questions on the prediction by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that the UK's recession will last longer than any other major economy and on Stafford Hospital, which has been condemned by the NHS watchdog for "appalling" emergency care which resulted in hundreds of patient deaths. Health Secretary Alan Johnson is to make a statement after PM's questions about it. |
| 1150 Hello - welcome to our live text coverage of this week's prime minister's questions as Gordon Brown goes head to head with David Cameron and Nick Clegg. Expect the economy to dominate questions as the latest figures show unemployment has topped 2m for the first time since 1997. Rows continue over ex-RBS boss Sir Fred Goodwin's generous pension and whether British agents were complicit in the alleged torture of former Guantanamo Bay detainee Binyam Mohamed. My colleague Gary O'Donoghue will be providing some analysis throughout PMQs. Lib Dem frontbencher David Laws is on the Daily Politics, as are former home secretary Charles Clarke for Labour and Conservative MEP Daniel Hannan. You can send your comments via the form on the top right of this page. | 1150 Hello - welcome to our live text coverage of this week's prime minister's questions as Gordon Brown goes head to head with David Cameron and Nick Clegg. Expect the economy to dominate questions as the latest figures show unemployment has topped 2m for the first time since 1997. Rows continue over ex-RBS boss Sir Fred Goodwin's generous pension and whether British agents were complicit in the alleged torture of former Guantanamo Bay detainee Binyam Mohamed. My colleague Gary O'Donoghue will be providing some analysis throughout PMQs. Lib Dem frontbencher David Laws is on the Daily Politics, as are former home secretary Charles Clarke for Labour and Conservative MEP Daniel Hannan. You can send your comments via the form on the top right of this page. |