00:00Mr Speaker, the anti-Semitic terror attack on Bondi Beach was sickening. It has had a
00:08profound impact around the world, including on Jewish communities here in the United Kingdom.
00:15These incidents are not isolated. We think of the appalling attack at Heaton Park earlier
00:21this year, and these incidents are chillingly focused on some of the holiest days in the
00:26Jewish calendar. I have been in touch over the last few days with the Community Security Trust,
00:33the Home Office and the Chief Rabbi about security for Hanukkah events here in the United Kingdom.
00:39Last night, we held a Hanukkah reception in Downing Street, where I reaffirmed our fight
00:45against the poison of anti-Semitism. We will use all of our powers to make sure Jewish communities
00:51are safe and secure, as they should be. May I also take this opportunity to wish you,
00:59all the staff in Parliament, every member and their families across the House, a very happy Christmas
01:09and a little festive advice to those in reform. If mysterious men from the East appear bearing gifts,
01:16this time report it to the police.
01:31This morning, I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties
01:35in this House, I shall have further such meetings later today.
01:38New Ward.
01:39Thank you, Mr Speaker. I associate myself with the Prime Minister's condemnation of the horrific
01:46attacks in Australia. We must be clear that anti-Semitic terrorism is always an outrage.
01:53Mr Speaker, at Christmas time, many across our country will be thinking of Bethlehem,
01:57where the situation remains extremely difficult. The government's important scheme for students from
02:02Gaza with scholarships to study in the UK expires on 31 December, but a number of scholarship holders
02:09and their children have not yet been permitted to leave Gaza. If this scheme closes, these brilliant
02:13Palestinians will lose their university places, and we will lose their talent. Will the Prime Minister
02:18extend the UK's existing scheme into next year to prevent this from happening?
02:22The Prime Minister
02:24The Prime Minister, I know that Gaza students face huge challenges in taking up their places,
02:30and we are considering solutions for those yet to arrive. But I do want to be clear. I want them
02:35to be able to take up their places and continue their education in the United Kingdom. I am proud we have
02:41also created the medical evacuation scheme for children from Gaza, and last week I met some of
02:47those who have been brought to the United Kingdom for specialist treatment in the NHS. Mr Speaker,
02:52we continue to focus on aid into Gaza, and I will make sure my hon. Friend is kept updated on the next
02:57steps for students.
03:03Mr Speaker, can I thank the Prime Minister for his words on anti-Semitism. What happened at Bondi
03:09Beach was an atrocity. But words of solidarity are not enough. We know the evil we face. Islamic
03:18extremism is a threat to Western civilisation. It abuses our democracies and subverts our institutions.
03:25It is incompatible with British values. So it is not enough just to protect Jewish communities.
03:32We must drive Islamic extremism out of this country.
03:37Mr Speaker, I would also like to send my best wishes to our armed forces,
03:41to the emergency services and to everyone who will be working over Christmas. And I would also
03:46like to take this opportunity to wish you, Mr Speaker, the House staff and all members of this House,
03:51including the Prime Minister, a very Merry Christmas. Mr Speaker, it is the Prime Minister's
03:58second Christmas in Downing Street. And by his own admission, he's not in control. He says nothing
04:05happens when he pulls the levers. Does he blame himself or the levers?
04:10Mr Speaker, I will just set out what we have achieved this week. We are setting out our
04:19violence against women and girls strategy tomorrow. That will meet specialist support for abuse victims
04:27and the 999 calls experts. The Prime Minister, I expect better from you. Ex-serving officer,
04:35we expect the standards of a good office. Prime Minister. The next lever was 500 jobs protected
04:41at Grangemouth, partnering with INEOS to safeguard the plant's future. The next lever was Erasmus
04:50scheme, which is being announced later on today from January 2027. The next lever, Mr Speaker,
04:56the Employment Rights Bill, became law, the biggest uplift in workers' rights in a generation. I have
05:01got a whole more list, Mr Speaker. I could go on for a very long time.
05:07Not sure exactly what that had to do with the question, Mr Speaker. The fact is, the Prime Minister
05:12promised economic growth, promised economic growth, but the only thing that's grown is his list of
05:18broken promises. He promised to reduce unemployment, but yesterday, unemployment hit its highest level
05:26since the pandemic. It has gone up every single month since he came into office. Why is that?
05:35Mr Speaker, the facts are these 350,000 people, more people in work this year. We've got the lowest
05:42inactivity rate for five years. We are taking a number of measures to address this, particularly with
05:48the young unemployed. I would remind them that, under their watch, unemployment averaged 5.4 percent,
05:54higher than it is today. Mr Speaker, I don't know what planet the Prime Minister is living on,
06:04but unemployment has gone up every single month under him. Youth unemployment, record levels,
06:09graduate recruitment, lowest ever. He promised that he wouldn't increase taxes on working people,
06:15but he has. Last year, he increased national insurance. Last month, he froze income tax
06:22thresholds. So will the Prime Minister finally be honest and admit he broke his promise on tax?
06:29Mr Speaker, I'm very proud of the Budget. We had record investment into our public services.
06:34We stabilized the economy and we bore down on the cost of living. They voted against all those measures.
06:40But Mr Speaker, it is the season of goodwill. Let me congratulate the Leader of the Opposition.
06:45She has broken her own record since last week. Last week, 21 former Tory MPs had walked away to reform.
06:53She has broken that record because this week it has gone to 22. The former Vice-Chair has now gone.
07:00So the question is, who is next? Now, it is hard to name anyone. Mr Speaker, it is hard to name anyone.
07:15Who is next?
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