In full: Starmer to face Badenoch at PMQs after 11th U-turn

Key Concepts: Economic policy and local government funding in the UK and Scotland; significant infrastructure investment in Northern Powerhouse Rail; the UK's record-breaking offshore wind energy auction (AR7) and its economic implications; and a major controversy surrounding West Midlands Police's flawed decision-making, use of AI, and accountability regarding a football fan ban.

Economic Policy and Public Finances

The parliamentary session extensively debated economic policy and local government funding. Accusations were made that the Scottish Government mismanaged funds from Westminster, with a projected 2.1% annual reduction in real terms for Scottish local government finance, necessitating an 8% council tax increase to maintain current budgets. The SNP was accused of pushing local government “to the brink of failure.” Counterarguments from SNP MPs highlighted Scotland’s economic growth of 10.5% since 2007 compared to the UK’s 5.1%, criticizing UK government policies as damaging.

The UK budget was presented as ambitious, including £1 billion for rates relief, £5 billion for energy and climate change, and a 10% uplift for Scottish colleges. However, opposition MPs questioned the impact, citing a 20% cut in real terms for further education colleges since 2021 and £2,000 less funding for students in Scottish universities compared to England. Concerns were also raised about the lack of investment in rural communities, specifically the Highlands and Islands, which had received no funding from the UK government’s local growth fund, though the Secretary of State countered with figures of over £300 million in investments, including £80 million for neighborhood support and £25 million for the Inesse and Chromy Green Free Port.

On child poverty and social welfare, the Labour opposition highlighted the Scottish Child Payment as a successful initiative, while the Prime Minister defended the Labour government’s record, citing the abolition of the two-child cap and increases in the minimum wage.

Infrastructure and Regional Development

Discussions included the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, with concerns about the slow delivery of projects, specifically referencing damaged bridges at Anen, despite £65 million invested in the area. The Secretary of State committed to working with local partners, emphasizing the need for effective local leadership.

A significant portion of the session focused on the government’s plans for Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR), described as the "biggest rail investment in a generation." The government will invest up to £45 billion to create a “turn-up-and-go” railway along the northern growth corridor, connecting Liverpool, Manchester, Bradford, Leeds, Sheffield, and York, with onward connections to Newcastle, Hull, and North Wales. This project aims to boost the UK economy by an estimated £40 billion annually if Northern productivity reaches national averages, leveraging private investment, creating jobs, and regenerating city centers.

The project will be implemented in three phases:

• Phase 1 (2030s): Electrification and upgrades east of the Pennines, including Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield, York corridors, and a new station in Bradford.
• Phase 2 (2030s): Construction of a new route between Liverpool and Manchester, improving access to Manchester Airport.
• Phase 3 (2040s): Further improvements across the Pennines, upgrading routes like Bradford to Manchester, Leeds to Manchester, and Sheffield to Manchester.

The Secretary of State emphasized that NPR is not a “reheated HS2” and that lessons were learned, including direct collaboration with northern mayors. £1.1 billion is available for the first four years, with potential for local contributions. The government also expressed a long-term aim to build a new north-south line from Birmingham to Manchester, retaining land purchased for HS2. The announcement was positioned as a departure from historical underinvestment in the North by previous governments, particularly highlighting perceived opposition from the Reform Party. York was highlighted as a major beneficiary, with plans for a new Haxby York North station, a York station master plan upgrade, and improvements to the TransPennine Route Upgrade (TPRU). Labour criticized the plan for lacking concrete detail, questioning funding and timelines, and arguing it was a tactic to appease northern mayors. Specific concerns included York capacity, exclusion of Cumbria and Lancashire, the need to upgrade Manchester Piccadilly station, and slower journey times on the proposed Liverpool-Manchester route.

Energy Policy and Renewable Investment

The 7th Contract for Difference (CfD) allocation round (AR7) for offshore wind was declared a "record-breaking" success, securing 8.4 Gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind capacity, enough to power over 12 million homes, making it the "most successful offshore wind auction in British history" and "anywhere in Europe." This includes projects like Dogger Bank South (Yorkshire), Vanguard (East Anglia), Berwick Bank (North Sea, Scotland), Awel y Môr (Wales), Erebus (Celtic Sea), and Pentland (Scotland), backed by Great British Energy and the National Wealth Fund.

The Secretary of State highlighted three key reasons for these results:

1. Clean Energy Mission: Puts the UK "firmly on track" for clean power by 2030, reducing vulnerability to volatile international fossil fuel markets, which have caused half of UK recessions since 1970 and led to gas price spikes (e.g., 15% in a single week last year).
2. Costs: Offshore wind is "40% cheaper to build and operate than new gas." The Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) metric was cited, stating new gas-fired power stations cost £147 per Megawatt-hour (MWh), while fixed offshore wind in AR7 averaged £90.91 per MWh. Independent research was noted, showing renewables reduced wholesale electricity prices by a quarter in 2024.
3. Jobs and Growth: The projects will unlock £22 billion in private investment and support at least 7,000 jobs across the country, with a target of 100,000 offshore wind jobs by 2030. AR7 included a "clean industry bonus" to reward investment in UK ports and factories.

The Shadow Secretary of State for Energy criticized AR7, claiming prices are the "highest... in a decade," 24% more expensive than last year (like-for-like, with 20-year contract extensions). She advocated for a "full systems cost" approach, which she estimated at £95/MWh plus inflation and additional costs for curtailment, backup gas plants, and grid connection. She argued new gas plants are still necessary for "wintry days" and that, without the carbon tax, gas power is "roughly a third cheaper" than offshore wind. The Energy Secretary rebutted, stating the opposition "presided over the worst cost of living crisis" and defended the LCOE metric, reiterating that offshore renewables are 40% cheaper. Other MPs raised concerns about the tight schedule for the next allocation round (AR8), the need for UK-made technology, the impact of transmission charges on Scottish projects, and the cost of floating wind farms (£216/MWh).

Police Conduct and Accountability: Maccabi Tel Aviv Controversy

A major controversy centered on the decision by Birmingham City Council, based on West Midlands Police (WMP) advice, to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from a football match at Villa Park following the October 7th terrorist attacks. The Home Secretary initially expressed concern, desiring the game to proceed with all fans present.

Sir Andy Cook’s interim report was described as “damning” and “devastating,” revealing "significant failures" and a "serious mistake" in WMP’s handling of the situation. The report found that police engaged in “confirmation bias,” seeking only evidence to support a pre-determined decision. Intelligence gathering was deeply flawed, with inaccurate claims about fan violence in Amsterdam, exaggerated threats, and a failure to consult with other countries where Maccabi Tel Aviv had played peacefully.

A key revelation was the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), which generated “hallucinations” – false information – contributing to the risk assessment. Police were accused of making misleading public statements, overstating the threat from Maccabi fans and understating the risk to them. An officer attributed errors to an “AI hallucination,” a claim the Home Secretary called "deeply embarrassing" and "pretty damning." The Home Office plans to set out a broader vision for AI use in policing, including accountability and monitoring regulations. Critically, WMP failed to engage with the Jewish community before making the decision.

The Home Secretary explicitly stated she no longer has confidence in the Chief Constable, Craig Guilford, declaring his position "no longer tenable" due to "totally fabricated reasons" for the ban. She called for him to "consider his position and go now," accepting the reasoning for not removing him immediately but pleased that the power to do so would be reintroduced. The Shadow Home Secretary raised Section 40 of the Police Act 1996, arguing the Home Secretary does have the power to direct the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) to dismiss the Chief Constable. Calls were made for an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The incident was also used to bolster arguments for the swift passage of the Hillsborough Law, specifically its “duty of candour” provision.

An MP countered the narrative of "completely fabricated" incidents, citing evidence from Sir Andy Cook's letter that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans targeted Muslims and pro-Palestinians in Amsterdam. The MP also referenced a Kick It Out Israel report identifying 118 incidents of racist chanting by Maccabi Tel Aviv fans in 2024-2025, the highest in the Israeli Premier League, and a UEFA fine of €20,000 with a suspended away ban. The Home Secretary reiterated that the independent inspector's findings were clear on "overstated" and "understated" evidence, "confirmation bias," and "very significant failings" by West Midlands Police, stressing the importance of preventing division among minority communities and ensuring police apply the law equally.

Regarding the Prime Minister's knowledge, the Home Secretary refuted being definitively told about a ban on October 8th or any intelligence about armed attacks, stating she was only informed that "all options were on the table," and maintained it would have been "wholly inappropriate" for her to conduct her own risk assessment.

Other Parliamentary Business and Constituent Concerns

Various other issues were raised during Prime Minister's Questions:

• Leasehold Reform: An MP pressed for a timeline on legislation addressing the financial burden on 4.8 million leaseholders in England.
• Medical Cannabis Access: Concerns were raised regarding access for 35,000 children with uncontrolled, life-threatening epilepsy, advocating for removing control from the Home Office, streamlining trials, and ensuring NHS access. The Prime Minister noted ongoing clinical trials and offered a meeting.
• Southern Water Pollution: An MP detailed severe pollution issues, including sewage discharge and millions of plastic beads onto beaches, calling for legal action. The Prime Minister acknowledged the scandal, highlighted the Environment Agency’s investigation, and announced measures to end polluting water boss bonuses, abolish Offwat, and introduce tougher penalties.
• Local Government Reorganization: Concerns were raised about potential government interference in local council decisions regarding unitary authority structures in Huntington District, with the Prime Minister asserting no decisions were predetermined.
• NHS Staff Recognition: An MP praised the West Hart’s Teaching Hospitals Trust for winning “Trust of the Year” and advocated for continued support, particularly regarding a new hospital, while Stepping Hill Hospital was cited as facing significant repair backlogs.
• Northern Ireland Troubles Bill: The Prime Minister confirmed amendments to the bill and acknowledged the need for agreement with the Irish government.
• Screen Industry: Ardros Castle and "The Traitors" were highlighted as successful examples of the screen industry benefiting Scotland, bringing jobs and investment to the Highlands.

Conclusion

The parliamentary session covered a broad spectrum of critical national issues, from the intricacies of economic policy and inter-governmental funding disputes to ambitious infrastructure projects like Northern Powerhouse Rail aimed at rebalancing regional economies. A significant focus was placed on the UK's renewable energy strategy, with the latest offshore wind auction hailed as a major success for clean power and economic growth, despite criticisms regarding costs and implementation. However, the session was also dominated by a serious controversy regarding West Midlands Police's conduct, highlighting profound concerns about flawed intelligence, the integrity of police decision-making, the alarming use of AI "hallucinations," and the urgent need for greater accountability and transparency in policing. These debates collectively underscore the government's efforts to address economic disparities, transition to clean energy, and uphold public trust, while facing intense scrutiny and calls for reform across multiple sectors.