🤔 Point of Order
Commons Chamber
During a parliamentary session, Alison Bennett raised a point of order about misleading statements made by the Minister for Secondary Care regarding a £100 million funding boost for hospices. Bennett pointed out that the Minister failed to mention that the funds were only for capital spending and could not be used for staff costs, which was crucial amidst rising national insurance costs. Madam Deputy Speaker acknowledged the issue and suggested that if a mistake was made, the Minister should correct it soon. This highlights a potential oversight in how government funding announcements are communicated to the public and parliament.
Summary
- Point of Order Raised: Alison Bennett raised a concern regarding a statement made by the Minister for Secondary Care, Karin Smyth, during an urgent question session.
- Clarification on Funding: The Minister mentioned a “£100 million boost for adult and children’s hospices,” but did not specify that this funding is limited to capital spending, not covering staff costs like national insurance increases.
- Request for Correction: Alison Bennett asked if the Speaker had been informed of the Minister’s intention to correct the record, as the funding’s limitations were only detailed in a subsequent written statement.
- Response from Deputy Speaker: Judith Cummins acknowledged the point of order and stated that while the Chair does not control Ministerial content, she hoped the Minister would correct any inaccuracies if an error was made.
Divisiveness
The session shows a moderate level of disagreement centered around the point of order raised by Alison Bennett. The disagreement stems from the clarification sought regarding the Minister’s statement on the allocation of £100 million for hospices, where it was suggested that the funding was misrepresented as it applies only to capital spending, not staff costs. However, the disagreement is not intense as it remains a formal request for clarification rather than a heated exchange. Madam Deputy Speaker’s response is neutral and procedural, suggesting a potential correction without indicating a strong dispute.