0:00:00 > 0:00:00Chancellor, the Business Secretary and myself, and leading businesses
0:00:00 > 0:00:08representative organisations.Thank you. Order. Urgent question, Rachel
0:00:08 > 0:00:17Reeves.To ask the Minister of the Cabinet Office to make a statement
0:00:17 > 0:00:22on the risk to public finances and public services as a result of the
0:00:22 > 0:00:24serious financial concerns at capita and the government's contingency
0:00:24 > 0:00:36plans.Minister Oliver Dowden.I have been asked to comment on the
0:00:36 > 0:00:42stock market update issued by capita plc yesterday and its impact on the
0:00:42 > 0:00:47delivery of public services. I completely understand that this is a
0:00:47 > 0:00:49matter of significant interest to many in the House following the
0:00:49 > 0:00:54recent failure of brilliant but I can assure members that this company
0:00:54 > 0:01:01is in a very different situation. To be clear, this was primarily a
0:01:01 > 0:01:05balance sheet strengthening exercise, not Peter Willey a profit
0:01:05 > 0:01:12warning, and as has been widely recorded, we do not believe it is in
0:01:12 > 0:01:18a comparable position. Indeed, it has a very different business model
0:01:18 > 0:01:23and I will update the House on that. The issues that led to the
0:01:23 > 0:01:28insolvency previously will come out in due course but our current
0:01:28 > 0:01:33assessment is that they primarily flowed from difficulties in
0:01:33 > 0:01:38construction contracts, including overseas. By contrast, Capita is
0:01:38 > 0:01:42primarily a services business and 92 present of revenues come from within
0:01:42 > 0:01:47the UK. As members would expect, we regularly monitor the financial
0:01:47 > 0:01:52stability of all our strategic suppliers, including Capita, and we
0:01:52 > 0:01:56do not believe that any of them are in a compatible position. The
0:01:56 > 0:02:00measures that Capita have announced are designed to strengthen its
0:02:00 > 0:02:05capital sheet, reduce its debt, arguably these are exactly the
0:02:05 > 0:02:11measures that could have prevented the other company from getting into
0:02:11 > 0:02:14the difficulties they did. The impact of these measures has
0:02:14 > 0:02:19actually been to reduce dividends and shareholder returns in favour of
0:02:19 > 0:02:24others. So this is further evidence of shareholders and not the taxpayer
0:02:24 > 0:02:29taking the burden on this. My officials met with senior executives
0:02:29 > 0:02:33of Capita yesterday to discuss the impact of the announcement. We
0:02:33 > 0:02:36continue to work closely with the company to monitor the execution of
0:02:36 > 0:02:40this plan and to ensure the continued delivery of public
0:02:40 > 0:02:53services and we continue to engage with all
0:02:55 > 0:02:56our strategic suppliers and make continuing assessments as
0:02:56 > 0:02:58appropriate of our contingency plans where necessary. It would not be
0:02:58 > 0:03:01appropriate for me to comment in any further detail on the specifics of
0:03:01 > 0:03:03those plans, given the commercial sensitivity of them. But to
0:03:03 > 0:03:05reiterate, the priority of this government and the reason why we
0:03:05 > 0:03:08contract with these companies is to deliver public services. Our
0:03:08 > 0:03:12priority is the continued delivery of those public services. As members
0:03:12 > 0:03:17will have seen in respect of the collapse, whatever the shortcomings
0:03:17 > 0:03:21of air, public services continue to be delivered and we are confident
0:03:21 > 0:03:24that public services will continue to be delivered as provided by
0:03:24 > 0:03:32Capita.Rachel Reeves.I can't help but conclude that the government's
0:03:32 > 0:03:37thinking on this is both muddled and complacent. The Minister has told us
0:03:37 > 0:03:42that the situation that completely different but let's look in more
0:03:42 > 0:03:47detail at the circumstances of both companies. Both have debts of more
0:03:47 > 0:03:52than £1 million and pension deficit in the hundreds of millions. They
0:03:52 > 0:03:57both paid dividends of more than £1 billion in the last five years. They
0:03:57 > 0:04:01rely on the public purse for half of their contracts. Both were audited
0:04:01 > 0:04:05by KPMG. Both grew through acquisition and not through organic
0:04:05 > 0:04:11growth. Mr Speaker, it seems there are more similarities than
0:04:11 > 0:04:15differences between these two companies. I joined the minister in
0:04:15 > 0:04:19welcoming the decision by the new CEO to face up to some of these
0:04:19 > 0:04:25problems. But can the Minister honestly say that Capita could not
0:04:25 > 0:04:31come to the same fate? And can he honestly say that those people
0:04:31 > 0:04:36working for Capita have nothing to fear? And can he honestly say that
0:04:36 > 0:04:41those saving prudently for a pension with Capita can rely on that pension
0:04:41 > 0:04:48paying out fully on the time it? And can he say to people who rely on
0:04:48 > 0:04:56Capita who rely on public services, can rely on Capita to fulfil its
0:04:56 > 0:05:00contractual obligations for the life of those contracts? And let me ask
0:05:00 > 0:05:05questions about what happens now. What is the contingency planning and
0:05:05 > 0:05:08do the government have representatives in the business? How
0:05:08 > 0:05:12long have the government been aware of the problems at Capita? And how
0:05:12 > 0:05:17many contracts have been issued to Capita since then? What risk
0:05:17 > 0:05:21assessment has the government made of other large outsourcing firms?
0:05:21 > 0:05:26They are currently bidding for the defence fire risk management
0:05:26 > 0:05:35contract. Will the government now revealed that process? And, Mr
0:05:35 > 0:05:39Speaker, will the government commit to urgently review what looks like a
0:05:39 > 0:05:43cosy relationship between the big accountancy firms, the financial
0:05:43 > 0:05:48reporting Council and the caucus they are supposed to be auditing. Is
0:05:48 > 0:05:51it not time to split up the big accountancy firms and stop auditors
0:05:51 > 0:05:54from being paid for other consultancy work at the firms they
0:05:54 > 0:05:58are supposed to be auditing? Capita have announced they will be having a
0:05:58 > 0:06:03fire sale of assets. Will the Minister confirm that capita are in
0:06:03 > 0:06:09consultation with the trade unions about redundancies and should be
0:06:09 > 0:06:14arrangements in the event that services are sold off. Jobs,
0:06:14 > 0:06:17pensions and small businesses and vital public services now depend on
0:06:17 > 0:06:21these outsourcing companies but it's time we rethought the old strategy
0:06:21 > 0:06:23for public service provision. How many more warning signs does this
0:06:23 > 0:06:29government need?I thank the honourable lady for her questions
0:06:29 > 0:06:33and I know she takes a very close interest in this very important
0:06:33 > 0:06:37issue. She has raised a very large number of questions. I shall seek to
0:06:37 > 0:06:41address as many of them as I can. I am pleased that she has acknowledged
0:06:41 > 0:06:48the fact that Capita is facing up to its problems. The effect of Capita
0:06:48 > 0:06:53facing up to its problems will create a contrast. For example, she
0:06:53 > 0:06:59talked about the financial situation and the fact that the chief
0:06:59 > 0:07:04Executive has faced up to this, he has strengthen the balance sheet, it
0:07:04 > 0:07:09is widely reported that Capita now has over £1 billion on its balance
0:07:09 > 0:07:14sheet. That gives us confidence in their ability to continue to deliver
0:07:14 > 0:07:18services. She talked about the issuing of dividends. Again, as a
0:07:18 > 0:07:23result of this announcement, Capita will not be issuing dividends, so
0:07:23 > 0:07:30many will be able to go back into the pension scheme, allowing £200
0:07:30 > 0:07:34million extra to be spent in relation to those core services
0:07:34 > 0:07:37rather than being given out in dividends. I think it is evident
0:07:37 > 0:07:43that the Chief Executive is creating a different situation to that which
0:07:43 > 0:07:54retained in respect to currently in. She referred to the accountancy
0:07:54 > 0:08:00firms such as KPMG, and that is being looked into, which we expect
0:08:00 > 0:08:04to hear run in about six months' time and we will respond as
0:08:04 > 0:08:10appropriate to that. She mentions whether there is a Crown
0:08:10 > 0:08:13representative for Capita. I can assure her that there is a Crown
0:08:13 > 0:08:20representative for Capita. And as I said to honourable members in my
0:08:20 > 0:08:23original answer, the role of the Cabinet Office and the role of the
0:08:23 > 0:08:28government and the reason why we are contracting with private companies,
0:08:28 > 0:08:31just as the previous Labour government did, just as others have
0:08:31 > 0:08:44done, this has been reported many times, why do those companies do
0:08:44 > 0:08:50that, why do the governments do that, to deliver public services. So
0:08:50 > 0:08:55our role as a government is to ensure the continued delivery of
0:08:55 > 0:09:00those public services. The test for me and the test for my colleagues
0:09:00 > 0:09:05and officials in the Department are, are those companies capable of
0:09:05 > 0:09:09delivering those public services and can we ensure that if there is an
0:09:09 > 0:09:15interruption to the delivery, if there is a problem with that
0:09:15 > 0:09:20company, will public services continue to be delivered? All those
0:09:20 > 0:09:23public services have continued to be delivered and I am confident it will
0:09:23 > 0:09:29continue to be delivered.Will my right honourable friend look at the
0:09:29 > 0:09:33total contempt which the Labour Party has today for the private
0:09:33 > 0:09:41sector? And will he take on time to actually published in due course a
0:09:41 > 0:09:46full list of all those contracts which were entered into with the
0:09:46 > 0:09:53private sector between 1997 and 2010? That will give a fine example
0:09:53 > 0:09:57as to how the Labour Party of today is nothing like the Labour Party of
0:09:57 > 0:10:03that particular period.
0:10:03 > 0:10:13I think he makes a very important point here. This government and the
0:10:13 > 0:10:16last government have engaged with private sector companies for the
0:10:16 > 0:10:23delivery of public services. This is what Gordon Brown said. He was your
0:10:23 > 0:10:31last successful Prime Minister. Well, the last person to hold the
0:10:31 > 0:10:41office. The last person to hold the office. He said this. It simply
0:10:41 > 0:10:46would not have been possible to build or refurbish such a number of
0:10:46 > 0:10:57schools and hospitals without using the PFI model. Why is it we use
0:10:57 > 0:11:02these contractors? Because we know with bacon delivered it. Frankly,
0:11:02 > 0:11:06Labour's position is confusing. Are they seriously saying to us now, is
0:11:06 > 0:11:10that their position that we will not use the private sector at all? Is
0:11:10 > 0:11:15the state going to start building roads again? Or do they draw the
0:11:15 > 0:11:20line?It's complete confusion. I'm keen to accommodate the substantial
0:11:20 > 0:11:23interest in this matter, but can I remind the house that there is a
0:11:23 > 0:11:27business question to follow and thereafter to debates to take place
0:11:27 > 0:11:31under the auspices of the backbench business committee, and I am anxious
0:11:31 > 0:11:39that time for those debates should not be artificially truncated. Pithy
0:11:39 > 0:11:47answers, pithy questions and we'll make progress.Only two weeks ago I
0:11:47 > 0:11:51warned that this whole outsourcing problem was in danger of becoming a
0:11:51 > 0:11:56set of dominoes, one of which would fall after another. But the
0:11:56 > 0:11:58government behaviour in response that and the minister's response
0:11:58 > 0:12:04today has been marked by indifference to corporate
0:12:04 > 0:12:07mismanagement, incompetence and offers an complacency in the face of
0:12:07 > 0:12:16a crisis. The Minister will not tell the house, but I will, Capita were
0:12:16 > 0:12:21given 154 government contracts last year. And only last week, Carillion
0:12:21 > 0:12:28contracts were being brokered to Capita. And yet, the company was
0:12:28 > 0:12:32clearly in trouble, share values were plummeting. Profit warnings
0:12:32 > 0:12:36were being issued. Short selling on the stock market, allegations of
0:12:36 > 0:12:41fraud against M1 in the handling of public contracts. Yesterday, the
0:12:41 > 0:12:45total value on the exchange was barely more than the total debt. The
0:12:45 > 0:12:52company is in serious trouble. Is a familiar tale of war with strong
0:12:52 > 0:12:58echoes of Carillion. We need to know that government contingency plans
0:12:58 > 0:13:02will assure drops from employees, protect the pensions of those
0:13:02 > 0:13:07employed there and that their pensions of public sector workers
0:13:07 > 0:13:11will be managed. Will he confirm that the public service which Capita
0:13:11 > 0:13:17managers will be protected in the face of disaster and does the
0:13:17 > 0:13:23government contingency plan allow for that? What will be the combined
0:13:23 > 0:13:27impact of Carillion and now Capita on the spiralling cost of each is
0:13:27 > 0:13:34too? Does he agree that not a single penny should be used to prop up
0:13:34 > 0:13:36outsourcing companies? This government is blinded to the
0:13:36 > 0:13:41corporate greed of these outsourcing companies. Will he agreed, isn't it
0:13:41 > 0:13:44clear that the justice minister himself said that the government
0:13:44 > 0:13:56should be driven by evidence about outsourcing, not by dogma?I thank
0:13:56 > 0:14:01him for his questions. I think the cord of his questions was in
0:14:01 > 0:14:05relation to support for these outsourcing companies. He said, will
0:14:05 > 0:14:11be not provided any more to prop up outsourcing companies? That is
0:14:11 > 0:14:16exactly what we did in respect of Carillion. We took the decision that
0:14:16 > 0:14:21this was a private company and it should bear the loss. That is why
0:14:21 > 0:14:24shareholders in Carillion are unlikely to get more than a few
0:14:24 > 0:14:28pennies in the pound back for that investment. The private sector has
0:14:28 > 0:14:33taken a risk. But the job of the government to is to ensure the
0:14:33 > 0:14:36continued delivery of those public services, to ensure that the dinner
0:14:36 > 0:14:41ladies get paid, that the hospitals get cleans, that the railways
0:14:41 > 0:14:52continue to be built.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55That is exactly what we did in respect of Carillion and that is
0:14:55 > 0:14:57exactly what our contingencies involved in respect of all of our
0:14:57 > 0:15:00strategic suppliers. That is the test for the government. The test
0:15:00 > 0:15:02for the government is can be ensure the continued delivery of those
0:15:02 > 0:15:04public services? Those public services continue to be delivered.
0:15:04 > 0:15:11He made a point about pensions. The fact that Capita has embarked on
0:15:11 > 0:15:15this course of restructuring means they are effectively choosing to
0:15:15 > 0:15:18switch resources away from the continued payment of dividends
0:15:18 > 0:15:21towards their pension funds. That should give pensioners confidence in
0:15:21 > 0:15:30respect of that pension funds. He also asked in relation to jobs.
0:15:30 > 0:15:37Again, in respect of jobs, because the restructuring, we can give
0:15:37 > 0:15:40confidence on the continued delivery of those jobs. But I keep coming
0:15:40 > 0:15:45back to the same point, this is a private company, the interest from
0:15:45 > 0:15:52the government is to ensure the delivery of public services. I come
0:15:52 > 0:15:56back to Labour's position. What they seem to be suggesting is that the
0:15:56 > 0:16:07private sector has no role in public life. If that's not their position,
0:16:07 > 0:16:10are they going to tell us where they choose to draw the line? They have
0:16:10 > 0:16:14gone from pumping billions of pounds to private companies for the
0:16:14 > 0:16:19delivery of public services when Gordon Brown and Tony Blair were
0:16:19 > 0:16:21Prime Minister, to the position now where they're saying they shouldn't
0:16:21 > 0:16:26have a penny. Some clarity would be helpful, because otherwise people
0:16:26 > 0:16:29may draw the conclusion that there is more than an element of
0:16:29 > 0:16:37opportunism to this.Would he agree with me that it would be
0:16:37 > 0:16:42irresponsible of this government to cancel private companies' contracts
0:16:42 > 0:16:50simply on the basis of a single profit update?This is an important
0:16:50 > 0:16:55point about profit warnings. A profit warning does not mean that
0:16:55 > 0:16:59accompanies imminently going to collapse. It's a warning to the
0:16:59 > 0:17:04market that its results will not be in line with what they had
0:17:04 > 0:17:08previously thought. If we are in the position where every time it company
0:17:08 > 0:17:11issued a profit warning, we as a government said we will cease to
0:17:11 > 0:17:15contract with them, they would be very few companies we could contract
0:17:15 > 0:17:20with. I will not name leading companies, because I do not want to
0:17:20 > 0:17:25influence their market value, but I could name a huge list of FTSE 100
0:17:25 > 0:17:28companies that routinely issued profit warnings. That does not mean
0:17:28 > 0:17:35these companies are about to disappear.The second time in two
0:17:35 > 0:17:39weeks, we are discussing a private firm, responsible for the delivery
0:17:39 > 0:17:46of vital services, which has issued a profit warning. Will the Minister
0:17:46 > 0:17:51now acknowledge that that is a role for a proper public sector? Will the
0:17:51 > 0:17:55government now start rolling back on the privatisation agenda that it the
0:17:55 > 0:17:59last Labour government have obsessed about? Can we look forward to a
0:17:59 > 0:18:05proper plan for taking public services back into the public
0:18:05 > 0:18:10sector? And will he now acknowledge that public sector employees should
0:18:10 > 0:18:17public services?Of course we acknowledge there is a proper role
0:18:17 > 0:18:23for the public sector. That's why, for example, this government has
0:18:23 > 0:18:27committed £8 billion more for the NHS, a further 6 billion for the
0:18:27 > 0:18:34NHS. Took all of her argument, the reason why successive governments of
0:18:34 > 0:18:38all political persuasions have chosen to engage with the private
0:18:38 > 0:18:42sector for the delivery of services is because those companies have a
0:18:42 > 0:18:47speciality in it. They have a speciality in delivering the
0:18:47 > 0:18:52services and as a result, they can deliver them more efficiently. That
0:18:52 > 0:18:59means there are savings for the taxpayer. If the SNP position is
0:18:59 > 0:19:04seriously that we should not have any outsourcing, they need to
0:19:04 > 0:19:09explain to taxpayers why they are choosing, instead of using those
0:19:09 > 0:19:12efficiency savings to plough back into our schools and hospitals, they
0:19:12 > 0:19:16are using them to pay far less efficient ways of delivering public
0:19:16 > 0:19:24services.Would the Minister agree with me that the biggest risk to
0:19:24 > 0:19:27jobs and pensions and the delivery of public services would be to
0:19:27 > 0:19:32withdrew draw support for Capita on the basis of a reactionary profits
0:19:32 > 0:19:40warning?He is absolutely right. If we were to choose overnight in the
0:19:40 > 0:19:45face of one profit warning to stop contracting with that company, there
0:19:45 > 0:19:49would be a significant risk of the delivery of public services falling
0:19:49 > 0:19:53over. The objective of the government is the continued delivery
0:19:53 > 0:19:56of public services, and we have continued to pay the cleaners, we
0:19:56 > 0:20:00have continue to have the dinner is served, we have continued to make
0:20:00 > 0:20:03sure that what the people out there in the country came about, which is
0:20:03 > 0:20:10either Bob and services being delivered, they are being delivered.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14Yesterday, the chief executive of Capita said his organisation was far
0:20:14 > 0:20:19too complex. If he finds it difficult to understand how his own
0:20:19 > 0:20:24organisation works, how does the government monitor the stability and
0:20:24 > 0:20:27performance of these very large complex outsourcing companies like
0:20:27 > 0:20:38Capita and cervical and others?He's absolutely right about what the
0:20:38 > 0:20:42chief executive said and that's why he has embarked on this
0:20:42 > 0:20:47restructuring. Is precisely because of that complexity. I well remember
0:20:47 > 0:20:49working with the honourable gentleman when I was an adviser in
0:20:49 > 0:20:56Downing Street and Hugh was there. He will have knowledge of that, that
0:20:56 > 0:20:59a third of the contracts with the Carillion were agreed by the
0:20:59 > 0:21:03coalition. The process we have then and we continue to strengthen is
0:21:03 > 0:21:08twofold. First of all, we look at the published results of these
0:21:08 > 0:21:11companies and use third parties to properly understand and verify them
0:21:11 > 0:21:17and secondly, we continue to engage on a one on one basis with each of
0:21:17 > 0:21:23those companies, through the Cabinet Office, to understand their
0:21:23 > 0:21:28financial position in order to make sure that we deliver what the public
0:21:28 > 0:21:35expects, which is the continued delivery of public services.The
0:21:35 > 0:21:40honourable lady for Leeds West has raised concerns on the failure of
0:21:40 > 0:21:44regulation. Does the Minister agree with me that the answer to this
0:21:44 > 0:21:47dilemma is not to nationalise those companies but to make sure those
0:21:47 > 0:21:54bodies do the job for the taxpayer and the public service user?She is
0:21:54 > 0:22:02correct. That is why we welcome the fact that the FRC is looking into
0:22:02 > 0:22:05the four major accountancy firms and see what lessons we need to learn
0:22:05 > 0:22:11from that. We will respond to that and act appropriately.Can I bring
0:22:11 > 0:22:14him back to the core issue, which is that there are two separate but
0:22:14 > 0:22:20linked problems, the business problem and the performance of these
0:22:20 > 0:22:25companies. Like Carillion, Capita seems to be part of the over
0:22:25 > 0:22:29concentrated dividend and bonus exploiting culture, which relies on
0:22:29 > 0:22:34the state to bail out failure. Capita incompetence is only too
0:22:34 > 0:22:38clear from its lamentable performance on the recruitment
0:22:38 > 0:22:41contract for the armed services. When is this government going to
0:22:41 > 0:22:51finally get a grip?He raises, behind the question, an important
0:22:51 > 0:22:56point about the diversity of supplies on this market. I think we
0:22:56 > 0:23:03do need to look to diversify further. That's why we set up target
0:23:03 > 0:23:07of 33% of our government contracting going to small and medium-sized
0:23:07 > 0:23:11enterprises, precisely to make sure we have greater diversity. We have
0:23:11 > 0:23:17done precisely the opposite of a state bailout. Because Carillion
0:23:17 > 0:23:21went into liquidation, its shareholders paid the price. Because
0:23:21 > 0:23:25Capita has decided to stop paying dividends, its shareholders are
0:23:25 > 0:23:29paying a price. It's not correct to say the state is booming about the
0:23:29 > 0:23:36situation.The government rule here is to continue to act as a prudent
0:23:36 > 0:23:40customer, to continue to monitor its suppliers and the services they
0:23:40 > 0:23:43provide. The best thing the government can do right now is to
0:23:43 > 0:23:50allow the company to get on with its plan to restructure its business.He
0:23:50 > 0:23:56is right. Capita and its executives and shareholders are responsible for
0:23:56 > 0:24:00Capita. Our responsibility as the government is for the continued
0:24:00 > 0:24:04delivery of public services, to make sure the services on which the
0:24:04 > 0:24:07public rely, continue to be delivered. This is exactly what we
0:24:07 > 0:24:11did in respect of Carillion and that is what we are doing for all our
0:24:11 > 0:24:18strategic supplies including Capita. The Minister said that Capita has a
0:24:18 > 0:24:23positive record of delivery, but Capita has been responsible for the
0:24:23 > 0:24:27£1 billion contract for the delivery of NHS England's primary care and
0:24:27 > 0:24:33support services from 2015. From the outset, GPs and local medical
0:24:33 > 0:24:36committees identified serious issues with the service, including patient
0:24:36 > 0:24:41safety, GP workload and GP finances being affected. While some progress
0:24:41 > 0:24:46has been made, two and a half years on, the service short of what is
0:24:46 > 0:24:50acceptable and there's still an urgent need to resolve these to give
0:24:50 > 0:24:54practices and GPs across this country confidence in the service.
0:24:54 > 0:24:57What is he and his government doing to improve the quality of the
0:24:57 > 0:25:12service provided by Capita?
0:25:12 > 0:25:16The Department of Health have to ensure that Capita or any other
0:25:16 > 0:25:23contractor delivers on what is has promised to deliver. The function of
0:25:23 > 0:25:27the Cabinet Office in respect of this is to ensure if there is a
0:25:27 > 0:25:30failure of the company, that the overall public services continue to
0:25:30 > 0:25:36be delivered.If I understand the Minister correctly, this company is
0:25:36 > 0:25:39raising funds from its shareholders in order to strengthen its balance
0:25:39 > 0:25:44sheet, strengthen its pension fund, and these actions should be
0:25:44 > 0:25:47welcomed. Will you share my frustration that the attitude of the
0:25:47 > 0:25:50opposition seems to be to the private sector, you are dammed if
0:25:50 > 0:25:58you do and dammed if you don't.He is precisely right. It would be
0:25:58 > 0:26:01helpful if Carillion had considered these actions, it would not have got
0:26:01 > 0:26:07these position. You can't say the government is bankrolling these
0:26:07 > 0:26:09companies and at the same time the government is allowing these
0:26:09 > 0:26:17companies to go bust if things go wrong with them and the shareholders
0:26:17 > 0:26:23pay the price. You can't accept two propositions at once.Does the
0:26:23 > 0:26:28Minister agree with me that with Carillion and now Capita,
0:26:28 > 0:26:34outsourcing our services has failed? So instead of expensive bailouts,
0:26:34 > 0:26:39they should be brought back into public ownership.Well, the
0:26:39 > 0:26:47government has not bailed out a single supplier. It is the
0:26:47 > 0:26:51shareholders who have paid the price. It is the shareholders of
0:26:51 > 0:26:58brilliant who will not be receiving the money -- of Carillion, will not
0:26:58 > 0:27:01be receiving their money back, depending on what the outcome of the
0:27:01 > 0:27:07liquidation is.Can my right honourable friend assure the House
0:27:07 > 0:27:11that the confident steps the government has taken up to date in
0:27:11 > 0:27:15relation to Carillion have protected services and make sure there is
0:27:15 > 0:27:19minimal disruption to citizens and that the government is taking a
0:27:19 > 0:27:23similar competent approach to the Capita situation so that we can
0:27:23 > 0:27:31protect services like NHS admin, which are so important to us all?
0:27:31 > 0:27:33Yes, my honourable friend is absolutely right. Our focus has been
0:27:33 > 0:27:40to make sure -- ensure the continued delivery of public services and in
0:27:40 > 0:27:43respect of all these key suppliers, we make sure that we are confident
0:27:43 > 0:27:49if there is an interruption to those companies, public services continue
0:27:49 > 0:27:54to be delivered. That is what the House saw in respect of ebony macro
0:27:54 > 0:27:57and that is exactly what we are preparing for all the time in
0:27:57 > 0:28:06respect of all of our strategic suppliers.This is a very worrying
0:28:06 > 0:28:10time for Carillion employees in Wales, including hundreds employed
0:28:10 > 0:28:18in a call centre in my constituency. All PIP assessments in Wales are
0:28:18 > 0:28:22carried out by them. Can the Minister give a cast iron guarantee
0:28:22 > 0:28:26that their jobs are safe and that the benefit assessments will be
0:28:26 > 0:28:33carried out properly and accurately? I believe the honourable gentleman
0:28:33 > 0:28:40was referring to Capita, not brilliant. I can assure him that the
0:28:40 > 0:28:49-- not Carillion. I can assure him that there will be no interruption,
0:28:49 > 0:28:53whatever happens, to the delivery of those services. That is what
0:28:53 > 0:28:59happened in respect of Carillion. The very day it was announced in the
0:28:59 > 0:29:03morning that Carillion was going into liquidation, those people
0:29:03 > 0:29:08delivering public services could continue to turn up to work,
0:29:08 > 0:29:12continue to be paid and the public services continued to be delivered.
0:29:12 > 0:29:17Before any new government contracts are awarded to Capita, will the
0:29:17 > 0:29:23government seeks fresh assurances in respect of existing and future
0:29:23 > 0:29:28pension obligation to its employees? I can assure the honourable
0:29:28 > 0:29:33gentleman that in fact officials from my department met with Capita
0:29:33 > 0:29:38just yesterday. This is an ongoing process of engagement with all the
0:29:38 > 0:29:40strategic suppliers asking exactly those sort of questions to ensure
0:29:40 > 0:29:45that we have public services delivered and we are cognisant of
0:29:45 > 0:29:51things like the public fund -- pension fund as well.One of the
0:29:51 > 0:29:57real issues that comes through with Carillion and Capita is this growth
0:29:57 > 0:30:02of the conglomerate structure is that these countries are vulnerable
0:30:02 > 0:30:05when any part begins to fail and that puts at risk the whole. Where
0:30:05 > 0:30:16is the risk assessment that his Minister has done?As I have said,
0:30:16 > 0:30:21there is a continuing process of engagement. Over the years, the
0:30:21 > 0:30:26government commercial services has been beefed up. We have brought in
0:30:26 > 0:30:29people with expertise who understand these companies, who are engaging
0:30:29 > 0:30:34with those companies on a day-to-day basis to understand their business
0:30:34 > 0:30:39models. But as I say, the purpose of doing that is to understand those
0:30:39 > 0:30:42business models and ensure we are confident that we can continue to
0:30:42 > 0:30:47deliver those public services.Can my honourable friend confirmed that
0:30:47 > 0:30:52what matters to this government is what delivers the best public
0:30:52 > 0:30:56service outcomes to our constituents in terms of quality and value for
0:30:56 > 0:30:59money, exactly the same considerations that motivated the
0:30:59 > 0:31:13party opposite.Yes, the party offices -- opposite leg many
0:31:13 > 0:31:16contracts to private companies and the reason they did that was because
0:31:16 > 0:31:20they believed they had expertise to deliver them. That is exactly what
0:31:20 > 0:31:25we are doing. But interestingly, since the surge in the use of PFI
0:31:25 > 0:31:33which took place under Gordon Brown, we have tightened up the terms of
0:31:33 > 0:31:37PFI so we are learning the lessons from some of those excessive PFI
0:31:37 > 0:31:41contracts that we saw. We had a ludicrous service fees for some of
0:31:41 > 0:31:47the services being derided underneath them.A significant
0:31:47 > 0:31:51employer of mine in Huddersfield in the shared transport business as a
0:31:51 > 0:31:58very important role and they are a very important company. Nobody on
0:31:58 > 0:32:02this side wants to see it fail. Like all businesses, we wanted to
0:32:02 > 0:32:07succeed. There is nothing wrong with a Private partnership. Getting the
0:32:07 > 0:32:11contract and the relationship right is what is important. What went
0:32:11 > 0:32:15wrong in many PFI will rot in contracts which still bedevil local
0:32:15 > 0:32:20hospitals and local schools.I think the honourable gentleman raises a
0:32:20 > 0:32:25very important point. He is precisely right, there is nothing
0:32:25 > 0:32:29wrong per se with engaging with the private sector for the delivery of
0:32:29 > 0:32:32public services, but we need to ensure there is rigour in those
0:32:32 > 0:32:36contracts. Many contracts in the past have not been properly
0:32:36 > 0:32:38negotiated and they have not delivered value for the public
0:32:38 > 0:32:46sector. They will continue to burden as for many decades to come but that
0:32:46 > 0:32:50is not an invalidation of the model, that is problems with specific
0:32:50 > 0:32:56contractual negotiations.It is quite clear that Capita is unique
0:32:56 > 0:33:01because it grew out of outsourcing from the public sector, but as it
0:33:01 > 0:33:05grew, the structures have outstripped its proper corporate
0:33:05 > 0:33:13responsibility. It is clear we also need to argue the case for
0:33:13 > 0:33:19outsourcing to the public sector and can we outline the benefits of
0:33:19 > 0:33:22outsourcing and give a couple of examples of where it has been a
0:33:22 > 0:33:26success in delivering better public services.I am very happy to do so
0:33:26 > 0:33:30and that is precisely why private sector companies use outsourcing.
0:33:30 > 0:33:35Every company engages in outsourcing because they recognise there are
0:33:35 > 0:33:41some areas where there are greater expertise than can be delivered by
0:33:41 > 0:33:47our companies. Exactly the same with the public sector. We focus on what
0:33:47 > 0:33:50actually works, what delivers for the public sector, and what delivers
0:33:50 > 0:33:53at the best price and the best value. I can tell the honourable
0:33:53 > 0:34:00gentleman that over 4500 project have been delivered since 2010 and
0:34:00 > 0:34:08over a quarter of £1 trillion has been invested in infrastructure and
0:34:08 > 0:34:13over 70% of our long-term projects identified are now complete, under
0:34:13 > 0:34:16construction or part of the programme being delivered. This is
0:34:16 > 0:34:22delivering the public services people want.Capita employs 450
0:34:22 > 0:34:24people in my constituency, principally engaged in administering
0:34:24 > 0:34:29public sector pensions. When he has met with Capita, what discussions
0:34:29 > 0:34:34did he have about the pensions function and about that site
0:34:34 > 0:34:38specifically and will he meet with me to discuss it?I would be very
0:34:38 > 0:34:41happy to meet with the honourable lady to discuss all those points.
0:34:41 > 0:34:53Alan Brown.What is the size of the pension deficit and what has that
0:34:53 > 0:34:59arrangement has the government put in place to cover that black hole?
0:34:59 > 0:35:02Capita is a private company and Capita is responsible for the
0:35:02 > 0:35:09running of its business. But if the honourable gentleman looks at the
0:35:09 > 0:35:13announcement that was made yesterday by Capita, the fact they have chosen
0:35:13 > 0:35:20not to issue a dividend and release more cash which means they can shore
0:35:20 > 0:35:22up their pension fund, so it is a positive announcement in that
0:35:22 > 0:35:27respect.Will the government review all major outsourced contract as a
0:35:27 > 0:35:34matter of urgency and in particular the contracts awarded to Capita for
0:35:34 > 0:35:40Personal Independence Payments for disabled people who have come in for
0:35:40 > 0:35:44criticism for the way it treats disabled people during the process?
0:35:44 > 0:35:49The government routinely publishes all significant outsourcing
0:35:49 > 0:35:53contracts and I would be happy to provide the website and a link to
0:35:53 > 0:35:57the honourable lady so she can get a full list of all of those. That is
0:35:57 > 0:36:03the process for doing it.Isn't it time that private companies
0:36:03 > 0:36:07providing public services were subject to the same rules of
0:36:07 > 0:36:10openness and transparency as the public sector so that they can no
0:36:10 > 0:36:17longer hide behind the cloak of commercial confidentiality?Of
0:36:17 > 0:36:22course there are lessons to be learned from this and this is
0:36:22 > 0:36:25exactly what things like the Public Administration Committee is looking
0:36:25 > 0:36:28into, but there is a distinction between a private sector and a
0:36:28 > 0:36:31public body, and I don't think it would be appropriate to extend the
0:36:31 > 0:36:42full provisions of FOIA to all private companies.Drew Henry.If
0:36:42 > 0:36:45the Minister is serious about getting the best value for the
0:36:45 > 0:36:48public, will the Minister committed to learning from the Scottish
0:36:48 > 0:36:51Government, with the Scottish futures trust latest independently
0:36:51 > 0:36:57audited statement has recorded over £1 billion in savings since being
0:36:57 > 0:37:03established?Of course I welcome his question and of course we will
0:37:03 > 0:37:06learned those lessons but it is worth noting that the Scottish
0:37:06 > 0:37:12Government gave a contract to Capita in 2015. Capita was appointed by the
0:37:12 > 0:37:15Scottish Government pensions agency to deliver its integrated pensions
0:37:15 > 0:37:22IT software solutions. An example of how the government is choosing to
0:37:22 > 0:37:27use the expertise of the private sector.There are echoes of Corporal
0:37:27 > 0:37:33Jones from Darren Sammy from the Minister's response this morning --
0:37:33 > 0:37:40Dad's Army. Can I ask him why does he think that Barnet Council, a
0:37:40 > 0:37:46flagship Tory council, known as easy council because of its extreme
0:37:46 > 0:37:49outsourcing, has put in place contingency plans based on the
0:37:49 > 0:37:56possible failure of this company?I can assure the honourable lady that
0:37:56 > 0:38:01we are not in any way complacent, that is why we continue to engage,
0:38:01 > 0:38:04and I believe Barnet councillors will be doing the same thing in
0:38:04 > 0:38:09ensuring there are contingency plans in place. Indeed, those contingency
0:38:09 > 0:38:15plans have worked in respect of the collapse of the one company we have
0:38:15 > 0:38:19seen, Carillion, those public services continue to be delivered.
0:38:19 > 0:38:23Carillion has got a £1 billion contract in the primary sector of
0:38:23 > 0:38:32the NHS. The Minister has sought to minimise... Don't you think this
0:38:32 > 0:38:35House and the general public deserve to know exactly what plans the
0:38:35 > 0:38:41government have in the situation that Capita cannot deliver the
0:38:41 > 0:38:46services to the public?I have given that reassurance and I can give the
0:38:46 > 0:38:52reassurance to the House again that we, in respect of all our strategic
0:38:52 > 0:38:57suppliers, including Capita, we are understanding their financial
0:38:57 > 0:39:01position and taking appropriate contingency measures. I hope the
0:39:01 > 0:39:03honourable lady will understand that all these things are very
0:39:03 > 0:39:08commercially sensitive and it would not be helpful to go into excessive
0:39:08 > 0:39:20detail on that.Mr Speaker, Capita's stock has dropped 84% since its 2015
0:39:20 > 0:39:23peak. Are there plans for a ministerial task force to grip this
0:39:23 > 0:39:30situation should it worsen?Well, it is worth noting with respect to the
0:39:30 > 0:39:34drop in the share price, a large chunk of that came yesterday and was
0:39:34 > 0:39:38in respect of the restructuring of the business so it was a consequence
0:39:38 > 0:39:44of the rights issue, but we are engaging and I, alongside my
0:39:44 > 0:39:47honourable friend the Minister for small businesses, have established a
0:39:47 > 0:39:52task force in respect of Carillion and we are ensuring that in relation
0:39:52 > 0:39:57to the private sector side of Carillion's delivery, we are
0:39:57 > 0:40:03providing all the support we can. For example, we are ensuring that
0:40:03 > 0:40:08HMRC is showing flexibility in relation to payments, the banks are
0:40:08 > 0:40:11showing some flexibility, and should the need arise in respect of
0:40:11 > 0:40:17capital, we would do exactly the same thing.
0:40:17 > 0:40:22Poor service delivery is often an early warning sign of financial
0:40:22 > 0:40:25difficulties. GP practices in my constituency have been complaining
0:40:25 > 0:40:29for at least two years about the poor service are receiving. We know
0:40:29 > 0:40:34the contract that the assessment of personal independence payments has
0:40:34 > 0:40:39been failing. We've heard other examples. Shouldn't the Cabinet
0:40:39 > 0:40:43Office, rather than leaving this to end dependent individual government
0:40:43 > 0:40:52departments, have been overlooking to to see services failing?Yes, we
0:40:52 > 0:40:58should be we take an overall view in respect of the delivery of those
0:40:58 > 0:41:02public services, the financial position and contingency. Clearly,
0:41:02 > 0:41:05in respect of the specifics of public service delivery, that has to
0:41:05 > 0:41:09be contracted by the relevant department, because the relevant
0:41:09 > 0:41:14department has a deeper understanding of the need, like
0:41:14 > 0:41:17health and education, they're in a better position to negotiate
0:41:17 > 0:41:23contracts.Last year a press Association investigation revealed
0:41:23 > 0:41:28that Capita received £200 million more than originally planned from
0:41:28 > 0:41:38the Department for Work and Pensions for PIP payments. Can he is surely
0:41:38 > 0:41:47the government would be rewarding public recklessness?-- corporate
0:41:47 > 0:41:52recklessness. Now, we would be rewarding corporate recklessness and
0:41:52 > 0:41:55the Carillion shareholders have paid the price by not getting their
0:41:55 > 0:42:00investment back. That is correct. The role of government is to make
0:42:00 > 0:42:03sure public services continue to be delivered, and the private sector
0:42:03 > 0:42:12bears the risk.Business question. Can he update the house on the
0:42:12 > 0:42:21forthcoming business.The business for next week will include, on
0:42:21 > 0:42:29Monday the 5th of February, motions related to the draft Social Security
0:42:29 > 0:42:32benefits and the draft guaranteed minimum pensions increase order
0:42:32 > 0:42:402018. Followed by the remaining stages of the Smart Meters Bill.
0:42:40 > 0:42:46Tuesday, remaining stages of the Space Industry Bill in the Lords,
0:42:46 > 0:42:50followed by housing, planning and the green belt. The subject was
0:42:50 > 0:42:55determined by the backbench business committee. Wednesday, motions
0:42:55 > 0:42:59related to the police grant and local government finance reports.
0:42:59 > 0:43:05First the 8th of February, debate on a motion on community bank closures,
0:43:05 > 0:43:10followed by a debate on matters to be raised before the forthcoming
0:43:10 > 0:43:14adjournment. The subject for this debate was determined by the
0:43:14 > 0:43:17backbench business committee. Friday the 9th of January, the house will
0:43:17 > 0:43:27not sitting. The provisional business for the week commencing the
0:43:27 > 0:43:3119th of February will include, on Monday the 19th of February, the
0:43:31 > 0:43:37house will not be sitting. On Tuesday the 20th of February, the
0:43:37 > 0:43:44second reading of the Sanctions And Anti-money Laundering Bill, Lords.
0:43:44 > 0:43:48The house to the historic decision to choose action to restore and
0:43:48 > 0:43:53renew the Palace of Westminster. And I would like to congratulate all
0:43:53 > 0:43:56members and right Honourable members across the house for their attention
0:43:56 > 0:44:02to this debate and for their contributions to it. I will now be
0:44:02 > 0:44:06taking forward the decision of this house, following a debate as to take
0:44:06 > 0:44:15place in the other place as soon as one can be arranged. Thank you.I
0:44:15 > 0:44:24thank her for next week's business. A robin in the chamber, a blue blood
0:44:24 > 0:44:29Moon, but I will not mention the other thing that you weren't happy
0:44:29 > 0:44:35about and that is Swansea beating Arsenal. Can I start by thanking the
0:44:35 > 0:44:39Honourable member for Gainsborough and other members and the backbench
0:44:39 > 0:44:45business committee, for suggesting that the debate could take place
0:44:45 > 0:44:48today. If it wasn't for them agreeing that debate, we wouldn't
0:44:48 > 0:44:51have had it yesterday. They wouldn't have bridged the government into it.
0:44:51 > 0:44:56As the later rightly said, a decision has been made. I also want
0:44:56 > 0:45:02to make my thanks to everyone who took part as signed the amendments.
0:45:02 > 0:45:05It was well tempered, people made their points and now we have made a
0:45:05 > 0:45:11decision. Can I also note that the reader mentioned the adjournment
0:45:11 > 0:45:15debate. I hope she will get her deputy very soon, because her hands
0:45:15 > 0:45:19are full with restoration and renewal. I know she has been
0:45:19 > 0:45:22assiduous in trying to engage members, particularly on the
0:45:22 > 0:45:26northern estate programme, and I know she will do the same with
0:45:26 > 0:45:30restoration and renewal. Can I pressed her on the date for the
0:45:30 > 0:45:33summer recess? Is only one date, sorrow she can give is that date
0:45:33 > 0:45:39very soon. The leader mention the Sanctions And Anti-money Laundering
0:45:39 > 0:45:43Bill, which provisionally will come to those in February. It started in
0:45:43 > 0:45:49the other place, so can she confirm if there are any plans for other
0:45:49 > 0:45:53bills to start on the other place? It was published on the same day of
0:45:53 > 0:45:56the first reading, so can she reassure the house that this will
0:45:56 > 0:45:59not be the case for the other 15 Brexit bills when they are
0:45:59 > 0:46:05published? Is one year since the speech on the government negotiating
0:46:05 > 0:46:09objectives were exiting the EU, but the government appeared to have
0:46:09 > 0:46:13abandoned the financial sector. They've shelved a position paper and
0:46:13 > 0:46:16setting out its trade calls for financial services after Brexit. As
0:46:16 > 0:46:21the leads are aware that the policy chair at the City of London
0:46:21 > 0:46:24Corporation said, the sectors is counting on the position paper to
0:46:24 > 0:46:27cook clarified the government position and the city is left in the
0:46:27 > 0:46:32dock. And so say all of us. When can we expect publication of the
0:46:32 > 0:46:36position paper on financial services, which affects 1 million
0:46:36 > 0:46:40people. It seems the government has annoyed the city and have also
0:46:40 > 0:46:44annoyed the Secretary of State were exiting the European Union and all
0:46:44 > 0:46:48the opposition. I know the government has said the briefing
0:46:48 > 0:46:51will be published, could the Leader of the House say exactly when it
0:46:51 > 0:46:56will be provided to the committee and to members, but not on a
0:46:56 > 0:46:59restricted basis? The minister said that civil servants who do their
0:46:59 > 0:47:03work over was wrong. The Minister appears to have a bizarre
0:47:03 > 0:47:08understanding of what the civil servants do. They are independent.
0:47:08 > 0:47:11They follow government instructions and government policy. Could we have
0:47:11 > 0:47:16an apology from the Minister to the civil service. Next week also there
0:47:16 > 0:47:21will be a motion on the police grant. Quarterly police figures show
0:47:21 > 0:47:26with 14% rise in recorded crime in England and Wales. Domestic
0:47:26 > 0:47:30burglaries up by 32%, exactly mirrored in my constituency. A young
0:47:30 > 0:47:34couple just married at their wedding jewellery stolen. Another
0:47:34 > 0:47:44constituent has actually given me a video of the gang entering their
0:47:44 > 0:47:46house, a home and actually matching people upstairs to rob them. There
0:47:46 > 0:47:49was only one police station in my constituency and that is now
0:47:49 > 0:47:54closing, despite being upgraded. It's not fair to say that the
0:47:54 > 0:47:58government is protecting the police budget. Could we have an urgent
0:47:58 > 0:48:03debate, maybe the Minister can make a statement on how much more money
0:48:03 > 0:48:07will be given to local councils to protect local services? It's not
0:48:07 > 0:48:10right and it's not fair that the government is shifting the burden on
0:48:10 > 0:48:18taxes on local councils. I know you allowed an urgent question on Capita
0:48:18 > 0:48:23earlier, but I do want the leader's reassured and says that the
0:48:23 > 0:48:27government is jobseeker's allowance helpline and the helpline that
0:48:27 > 0:48:30administers the teachers pension scheme is also going to be
0:48:30 > 0:48:35protected. Also a statement of how much the government has outsourced
0:48:35 > 0:48:39to Capita. Finally, we are celebrating the centenary of the
0:48:39 > 0:48:43representation of the people act 1918, which gave 6 million women the
0:48:43 > 0:48:48right to vote. We still have to put up with men only clubs, and the test
0:48:48 > 0:48:52should be, would the Prime Minister have been invited to the President's
0:48:52 > 0:48:56club? And the answer is no. But the Prime Minister has been invited to
0:48:56 > 0:49:08give a speech on Tuesday Westminster Hall and 730, which will watch the
0:49:08 > 0:49:13UK Parliament's vote 100 campaign. Women have moved from their place
0:49:13 > 0:49:18behind the grill up there to the chamber. As we celebrate that, let's
0:49:18 > 0:49:22all think of those unseen men and women who speak out and fight every
0:49:22 > 0:49:35day for equality for all.Thank you. I share her excitement about this
0:49:35 > 0:49:39centenary of the representation of the People's act, which is on next
0:49:39 > 0:49:44Tuesday. I would just like to point out to the chamber that 100 years
0:49:44 > 0:49:49later, our head of state as a woman, we have our second female Prime
0:49:49 > 0:49:52Minister. The First Minister of Scotland as a woman, our Home
0:49:52 > 0:49:57Secretary is a woman, the leaders and Shadow leaders of the House of
0:49:57 > 0:50:02Commons and House of Lords are both women. And the Commissioner of the
0:50:02 > 0:50:07Metropolitan police is a woman. I could go on. There have been some
0:50:07 > 0:50:11changes for the better, but there is so much more to do to make sure
0:50:11 > 0:50:16women play an equal part in every aspect of our society, both in the
0:50:16 > 0:50:21United Kingdom and around the world. I share her commitment to do
0:50:21 > 0:50:26whatever we can to make sure that comes to pass. She asks for a summer
0:50:26 > 0:50:32recess date. That'll be provided as soon as we can. I absolutely accept
0:50:32 > 0:50:35honourable members want to get on and think about what else they might
0:50:35 > 0:50:40like to do with their lives other than sit there. I share that
0:50:40 > 0:50:43enthusiasm. She asks about Brexit bills being introduced on the other
0:50:43 > 0:50:49place. In my role as chairman of the
0:50:49 > 0:50:50Parliamentary and business Legislation committee, I have to
0:50:50 > 0:50:54make sure that bills are ready to be introduced and then we have to look
0:50:54 > 0:50:58at the parliamentary timetable, to look at what else is going on in
0:50:58 > 0:51:01either house and make those decisions based on the volume of
0:51:01 > 0:51:07business that is available to go. So is not possible to say with
0:51:07 > 0:51:12certainty at any one time that it will be this one about one. Through
0:51:12 > 0:51:16the usual channels, we will all was good as much notice as possible. She
0:51:16 > 0:51:22talks specifically about the financial sector. It's not 1
0:51:22 > 0:51:25million, its 2 million people, if you include all the professional
0:51:25 > 0:51:29services that surround the financial services sector, ranging from
0:51:29 > 0:51:32Edinburgh to Bournemouth to Birmingham to Manchester and of
0:51:32 > 0:51:38course the City of London. It is a blast and very successful sector for
0:51:38 > 0:51:43this country. And recently was declared to have extended our
0:51:43 > 0:51:45pre-eminence over all other financial services sectors in the
0:51:45 > 0:51:53world. It is absolutely vital to the UK and there will be positional work
0:51:53 > 0:51:59going on and it will be announced in due course when the moment is right
0:51:59 > 0:52:04to do that. She asks me to confirm that the government will comply with
0:52:04 > 0:52:09the terms of the address and I'm happy to do so. She asks about
0:52:09 > 0:52:12economic forecast. If honourable members want to ask the Bank of
0:52:12 > 0:52:16England how many times their forecasting is right, they will
0:52:16 > 0:52:21demonstrate. Forecasting is not an exact science, it is an art. It is
0:52:21 > 0:52:24not a criticism of the civil service to say that economic forecasts are
0:52:24 > 0:52:31rarely correct, as is the case pre-referendum. Certain forecasts
0:52:31 > 0:52:35presumed our economy would be around 6% smaller than it is today. Those
0:52:35 > 0:52:44were wrong. About the police grant, real terms over police spending has
0:52:44 > 0:52:50increased since 2015 by over £475 million, including increased
0:52:50 > 0:52:54investment in transformation and technology. In the settlement, we
0:52:54 > 0:52:58propose to increase investment in the police system by a further 450
0:52:58 > 0:53:09million year-on-year. She's absolutely right to point out the
0:53:09 > 0:53:13very concerning rise in particularly high impact crimes, such as knife
0:53:13 > 0:53:18crime. Hope she welcomes an operation many police forces are
0:53:18 > 0:53:22joining in to try and tackle this appalling crime that has such a
0:53:22 > 0:53:27terrible impact on victims and their families. Finally, she asks for
0:53:27 > 0:53:30reassurance about Capita. I know there has just been an urgent
0:53:30 > 0:53:35question we are a number of points have been answered about Capita and
0:53:35 > 0:53:39Carillion. What can see is that there is a web page set up by the
0:53:39 > 0:53:43insolvency service for those affected and seeking advice over the
0:53:43 > 0:53:49failure of Carillion. There is a dedicated website set up by PwC, as
0:53:49 > 0:53:56well as a dedicated helpline. The job centre rapid response service is
0:53:56 > 0:54:00also available for advice and support for those whose jobs may be
0:54:00 > 0:54:05affected. In the case of Capita, however, the government closely
0:54:05 > 0:54:10monitors all of those firms to whom it outsources contract and it does
0:54:10 > 0:54:14not believe that Capita is unlike anything like a similar situation to
0:54:14 > 0:54:22Carillion.Does my right honourable friend agree there should be a
0:54:22 > 0:54:27debate on government time to mark International Women's Day on the
0:54:27 > 0:54:31eight of March, to perhaps demonstrate the respect that this
0:54:31 > 0:54:34government has for the immense contribution that women have made it
0:54:34 > 0:54:43to this place over the last 100 years?Can I first commend my right
0:54:43 > 0:54:47honourable friend for all she does to advance the cause of women and
0:54:47 > 0:54:52equality. She's a real champion for women's rights and she quite right,
0:54:52 > 0:54:57the centenary of women's suffrage year should ensure we mark this
0:54:57 > 0:55:00important day. Time for this debate is traditionally provided by the
0:55:00 > 0:55:04backbench business committee, but I have raised with the Chief Whip the
0:55:04 > 0:55:08view is right across the house that it would be good for the hosts to
0:55:08 > 0:55:11have an appropriate opportunity to mark International Women's Day, and
0:55:11 > 0:55:17I'm optimistic.
0:55:17 > 0:55:20Can I thank the leader of this crumbling house for that. What a
0:55:20 > 0:55:26week, Mr Speaker. They may or may not be enough Conservative
0:55:26 > 0:55:31backbenchers to trigger a challenge and the party 's Civil War, they are
0:55:31 > 0:55:37raging in the ranks over there. Can we perhaps have a debate on peace,
0:55:37 > 0:55:40love and understanding so all the rest of us can wish all the best to
0:55:40 > 0:55:44our conservative friends with their current and faculties. And as they
0:55:44 > 0:55:48are securing another defeat, this government will go to the whole
0:55:48 > 0:55:52business of trying to defy the will of the House once again by revealing
0:55:52 > 0:55:57as little as possible about these latest disastrous Brexit papers.
0:55:57 > 0:56:02After degreasing our opposition debates, refusing to be held to
0:56:02 > 0:56:04account, this government are now making a mockery of these humble
0:56:04 > 0:56:09addresses. If we can't get this government to vote on humble
0:56:09 > 0:56:13addresses, how about getting them to change standing orders, because
0:56:13 > 0:56:16there is one issue that unites this whole house against this government
0:56:16 > 0:56:20and that is opposition to the procedure of English votes for
0:56:20 > 0:56:25English laws, a procedure that is as useless as it is divisive. No other
0:56:25 > 0:56:31party in this House will support it. They would look singly stupid if
0:56:31 > 0:56:36they voted for a procedure that continues to emasculate them in this
0:56:36 > 0:56:40House. We may not be able to secure the time for this but the Labour
0:56:40 > 0:56:44Party has loads of time, why don't you help this defeat this government
0:56:44 > 0:56:51and get rid of this divisive procedure in the House? And isn't it
0:56:51 > 0:56:54delicious watching all these Brexiteers rage about the unelected
0:56:54 > 0:56:59House of Lords as it chews up the pressure is hard Brexit. People who
0:56:59 > 0:57:07have no second thought of going there if it was offered, and now
0:57:07 > 0:57:11they are starting to wail against these unelected Lords. Mr Speaker,
0:57:11 > 0:57:21you could not make it up.It is just as well I generally -- genuinely
0:57:21 > 0:57:25like the honourable gentleman because I do sometimes have to
0:57:25 > 0:57:29extend my disbelief at some of the remarks he makes, but if I can
0:57:29 > 0:57:34gently correct him, this House is not crumbling, the infrastructure
0:57:34 > 0:57:39within it is the problem. The House, as he will see, is beautiful and is
0:57:39 > 0:57:43not crumbling. In terms of his recommendation for lessons on peace,
0:57:43 > 0:57:47love and understanding, I'm sure you, Mr Speaker, would like to see
0:57:47 > 0:57:51more of that in this place. We all work together and I do whatever I
0:57:51 > 0:57:57can as leader of this House to ensure that we show each other that
0:57:57 > 0:57:59love and understanding. He talks about opposition debates and clearly
0:57:59 > 0:58:04we set up a proposal that way there is a motion approved by the House,
0:58:04 > 0:58:08that the government would provide a statement within 12 weeks of that
0:58:08 > 0:58:11motion being passed to set out to the House exactly what steps have
0:58:11 > 0:58:14been taken to address the issues raised by the House. That continues
0:58:14 > 0:58:23to be the Blake -- case. He talks about English votes for English laws
0:58:23 > 0:58:28and is designed to stop Scottish votes for English laws. It is very
0:58:28 > 0:58:33important that members across this House that as a consequence of
0:58:33 > 0:58:36devolution, where many of the nations that make up the United
0:58:36 > 0:58:41Kingdom were quite keen and rightly so to be able to manage their own
0:58:41 > 0:58:45affairs more closely, it is therefore right that the members who
0:58:45 > 0:58:48come to this place should not then be able to vote on laws that only
0:58:48 > 0:58:55affect England or England and when. And finally on the Lords, he laughs
0:58:55 > 0:58:59at those who are frustrated by the Lords, but nevertheless, surely he
0:58:59 > 0:59:04can see their role as a revising house with very useful expertise
0:59:04 > 0:59:07that very often improves legislation and makes a genuine contribution to
0:59:07 > 0:59:15the work of this House.It is vital that the decal is as short as
0:59:15 > 0:59:20possible, on that we are all agreed, and I personally believe they should
0:59:20 > 0:59:24work triple shifts and not do what builders do and stay as long as
0:59:24 > 0:59:27possible. Is it my friends honourable opinion that these
0:59:27 > 0:59:32sponsoring body should have MPs and peers only voting so that we get a
0:59:32 > 0:59:39grip on this?So, I would like to pay tribute to my honourable friend
0:59:39 > 0:59:41because he has been a passionate advocate for the restoration and
0:59:41 > 0:59:47renewal of this place and I am sorry because he will no doubt be
0:59:47 > 0:59:51disappointed by yesterday's decision because while it does confirm
0:59:51 > 0:59:55action, it is not action along the lines he would wish to see and I am
0:59:55 > 0:59:58very sympathetic to his personal view that in staying in this place,
0:59:58 > 1:00:02we could do actually the job more efficiently and effectively. In
1:00:02 > 1:00:07direct response to his question about how the sponsor body will be
1:00:07 > 1:00:11set up, it will have a majority of parliamentarians and their role will
1:00:11 > 1:00:17be to reflect the views, the range of views across both houses on
1:00:17 > 1:00:19precisely what the delivery authority should be tasked with
1:00:19 > 1:00:26delivering.Could I thank the leader for the business statement and for
1:00:26 > 1:00:32announcing that the business will include a debate on housing planning
1:00:32 > 1:00:35and the green Belt, which is sponsored by the backbench business
1:00:35 > 1:00:41committee. We note that the space industry Bill isn't likely to go the
1:00:41 > 1:00:43distance but we don't yet know how many government statements or urgent
1:00:43 > 1:00:51questions may be granted so could we therefore ask for protection of
1:00:51 > 1:00:55that, the housing planning and green belt debate for 90 minutes or until
1:00:55 > 1:01:01seven o'clock, so that we guarantee it will get a good airing? Secondly,
1:01:01 > 1:01:08could I bring all right honourable members' attention to page 15 of the
1:01:08 > 1:01:12order paper, which is application for committee debates on the
1:01:12 > 1:01:17estimates. In order to debate estimates, members would have to
1:01:17 > 1:01:20submit applications by the 16th of February, which is during the
1:01:20 > 1:01:25recess. I am just bringing attention to that so members will be able to
1:01:25 > 1:01:32debate in full estimates debates of their choosing. And lastly, another
1:01:32 > 1:01:35plea. The backbench business committee is effectively now down to
1:01:35 > 1:01:41five members. We have one member who is out on a Bill committee and we
1:01:41 > 1:01:45have the loss of two other members do do promotions within the
1:01:45 > 1:01:49government so we are effectively down to five members but we have a
1:01:49 > 1:01:54core of four. It is getting very tight. If we can have a relaxation
1:01:54 > 1:01:57of a forum or a quick appointment to replace those who have been
1:01:57 > 1:02:03promoted.A&E ring the honourable gentleman and I will absolutely take
1:02:03 > 1:02:11that and see how we can support what sounds like a very real threat and
1:02:11 > 1:02:14practical problem. I urge all colleagues on his behalf to look at
1:02:14 > 1:02:19page 15 of today's order paper. This is very important, that all
1:02:19 > 1:02:25colleagues to set out their applications for backbench committee
1:02:25 > 1:02:30debates on the estimates. He is absolutely right that the deadline
1:02:30 > 1:02:34is during recess so with all colleagues could look at that, that
1:02:34 > 1:02:38would be extremely helpful. I will also take away his request for
1:02:38 > 1:02:42protected time during that particular debate.My honourable
1:02:42 > 1:02:50friend will have seen early day motion 783 and will also know about
1:02:50 > 1:02:55the debate later this afternoon in my name and that of other honourable
1:02:55 > 1:02:59members. If the House passes the motion this afternoon, will my
1:02:59 > 1:03:01honourable friend arrange for a government minister to make a
1:03:01 > 1:03:05statement to the House about how we will scrap those car parking
1:03:05 > 1:03:11charges?My honourable friend has been a strong champion for resolving
1:03:11 > 1:03:15the issue of hospital car parking charges for a very long time and I
1:03:15 > 1:03:20wish him well with his debate this afternoon. I can assure him I will
1:03:20 > 1:03:29write to the Secretary of State for health and put forward his request.
1:03:29 > 1:03:33The all-party group for suicide and self harm prevention heard a
1:03:33 > 1:03:40harrowing presentation this week from two professes from the study of
1:03:40 > 1:03:44self harm in England. We learned that 200,000 hospital presentations
1:03:44 > 1:03:50a year in England for self harm and almost the same number two community
1:03:50 > 1:03:56health facilities, particularly of 12-17 -year-olds. One in 100 of
1:03:56 > 1:04:02those will die by suicide a year after the presentation. 50% of those
1:04:02 > 1:04:07dying by suicide have been involved in self harm. This is an epidemic
1:04:07 > 1:04:11that is hitting this country. Could we have a statement from the
1:04:11 > 1:04:14government expressing how they intend to deal with the major risk
1:04:14 > 1:04:20of self harm presentation in our hospitals?The right honourable lady
1:04:20 > 1:04:24raises some very harrowing evidence about the extent of self harming. It
1:04:24 > 1:04:29is something the government is extremely concerned about and in
1:04:29 > 1:04:33particular the need to see more support for those with mental health
1:04:33 > 1:04:37issues. What I can say to the right honourable lady about mental health
1:04:37 > 1:04:42in the context of children is that the government is investing a record
1:04:42 > 1:04:46£1.4 billion into children and young people's mental health, with a
1:04:46 > 1:04:53record number of mental health beds at 1440. What we are also doing,
1:04:53 > 1:04:57importantly, by this time next year we will have trained 2000 staff in
1:04:57 > 1:05:01secondary schools in mental health first aid to try and provide support
1:05:01 > 1:05:07to young people. And by 2021, 70,000 additional children and young people
1:05:07 > 1:05:15a year will be accessing NHS specialist mental health services.
1:05:15 > 1:05:20In the village in my constituency, a company owning 70 rented homes has
1:05:20 > 1:05:24put in for planning permission to demolish these and make them into
1:05:24 > 1:05:27private dwellings and on Friday I met with some of my constituents who
1:05:27 > 1:05:32may soon receiving eviction notices. Could I ask for a statement from the
1:05:32 > 1:05:37Housing minister to the power and council may have to purchase these
1:05:37 > 1:05:41homes, instead, and I kid you not, wanting to build a lighthouse in the
1:05:41 > 1:05:50landlocked city of Leeds.Well, Mr Speaker, that is an extraordinary
1:05:50 > 1:05:54tale. Whether they are planning on floods is anyone's guess, but my
1:05:54 > 1:05:58honourable friend is a strong champion for his community and he is
1:05:58 > 1:06:03raising a very important issue. I recommend that he seeks a debate so
1:06:03 > 1:06:14that a minister can answer the specific concerns he has.Thank you
1:06:14 > 1:06:20so much, Mr Speaker. You took me by surprise. In the old days, less
1:06:20 > 1:06:24enlightened days, when I went to primary school, you could have a
1:06:24 > 1:06:28good old bench and a pinch for the first day of the month. Could we
1:06:28 > 1:06:34have an early debate so many of us can give a good pinch and a bunch to
1:06:34 > 1:06:40the private sector partnerships that absolutely blight so many hospitals
1:06:40 > 1:06:46in our land. So many of us want a new deal for our health sector, for
1:06:46 > 1:06:51our hospitals, but we are dragged down by PFI, badly negotiated many
1:06:51 > 1:06:57years ago. Let's have a debate on it, please.I encourage the
1:06:57 > 1:07:01honourable gentleman to seek a debate on it. When I was on the
1:07:01 > 1:07:08Treasury Select Committee about five years ago, my honourable friend, the
1:07:08 > 1:07:15member for Jesse Norman... I am grateful to you, Mr Speaker.
1:07:15 > 1:07:23Herefordshire. We had an enquiry on the Treasury Select Committee into
1:07:23 > 1:07:29PFI and it was quite clear that many of those deals, the private sector
1:07:29 > 1:07:32so the public sector coming, and those deals have not been in the
1:07:32 > 1:07:37best interests of the taxpayer or the patient. Of course, the
1:07:37 > 1:07:41honourable gentleman must reflect that those PFI deals were signed up
1:07:41 > 1:07:49under Labour governments and Labour agreed to those... John Major did a
1:07:49 > 1:07:56few of those PFI objects but the vast majority were done under Labour
1:07:56 > 1:07:59and now there is a much better track record of ensuring that the interest
1:07:59 > 1:08:04of the taxpayer are much more closely cared for. But I absolutely
1:08:04 > 1:08:11agree a debate would be a good break to raise this issue again.Mr
1:08:11 > 1:08:16Speaker, I would like to share some good news with you which we have
1:08:16 > 1:08:22just heard this morning, that the bid to the housing infrastructure
1:08:22 > 1:08:27fund, more than £7.2 million to build the spine Road in Taunton has
1:08:27 > 1:08:35been successful and this will make the building of 1600 houses in that
1:08:35 > 1:08:40area viable. What the Leader of the House join with me in welcoming this
1:08:40 > 1:08:44announcement, which demonstrates that this government fully realises
1:08:44 > 1:08:48to make the delivery of much-needed housing viable, we must have the
1:08:48 > 1:08:55right infrastructure.My honourable friend is a fantastic champion for
1:08:55 > 1:09:01the constituency and it is good news that houses are being built. We are
1:09:01 > 1:09:06committed to building homes so that everyone can afford a safe, decent
1:09:06 > 1:09:12place to live. Today, an extra £866 million has been confirmed for local
1:09:12 > 1:09:16housing projects to unlock the potential of 200,000 new homes. So I
1:09:16 > 1:09:28am delighted that the road is one of the beneficiaries.77% of the
1:09:28 > 1:09:39public, 98 MPs across this House, over 20 national charities, new
1:09:39 > 1:09:42figures this week show that one in eight adults have gone the whole day
1:09:42 > 1:09:48without food. UN estimates of UK food and security staggering 8
1:09:48 > 1:09:51million. Can we have a statement from government explaining why their
1:09:51 > 1:10:00position on this is one of total silence?The honourable lady raises
1:10:00 > 1:10:04an issue that is of concern right across this House. Food insecurity
1:10:04 > 1:10:10is a major challenge. What this side of the House has done is to ensure
1:10:10 > 1:10:14that more people get to keep more of their hard earned cash, raising the
1:10:14 > 1:10:20personal allowance so that a basic rate taxpayer is £1000 better off,
1:10:20 > 1:10:24raising the national living wage to ensure that people are
1:10:24 > 1:10:28significantly, thousands of pounds better off than in 2010. It is
1:10:28 > 1:10:31absolutely vital that the government does everything we can to ensure
1:10:31 > 1:10:42people can afford to live well.
1:10:42 > 1:10:45In Taunton Deane, they borrowed a fortune to do up their headquarters,
1:10:45 > 1:10:50which affects my constituency. They have not only not signed a contract,
1:10:50 > 1:10:54which I think is illegal and pretty silly, but they are pouring so much
1:10:54 > 1:11:01money, it's only going to be valued at what half what they borrowed.
1:11:01 > 1:11:07Could we have a debate on borough councils?Can I ask if he consulted
1:11:07 > 1:11:10the honourable member for Taunton Deane in advance of asking this
1:11:10 > 1:11:21question? If he didn't, it is rather unseemly.I did, I sent an e-mail.
1:11:21 > 1:11:26Yes... I'm not sure that's very collegiate, to be honest. But I will
1:11:26 > 1:11:29have to leave members on the same side of the house to sort these
1:11:29 > 1:11:40matters out. Can I gently say, there is genuinely a slight unseemly nurse
1:11:40 > 1:11:45about continued reference to another member's constituency. In the
1:11:45 > 1:11:48politest possible way, I would exhort the honourable gentleman, who
1:11:48 > 1:11:52I'm sure has a fertile minds and a wide range of potential political
1:11:52 > 1:11:58interests, perhaps to focus on some of the other interests, rather than
1:11:58 > 1:12:03on those, which might affect his constituency, I don't dispute that,
1:12:03 > 1:12:10but which most certainly affect those of his, if I could remind him,
1:12:10 > 1:12:16honourable friend.The Leader of the House. Thank you. I encourage my
1:12:16 > 1:12:24honourable friend to take this up with GG LC ministers.My constituent
1:12:24 > 1:12:30was trafficked to the UK as a child and forced to work in a cannabis
1:12:30 > 1:12:35factory. But the Home Office want to send him back to the Nam. So could
1:12:35 > 1:12:40we please have a debate on the interaction between the protection
1:12:40 > 1:12:48of victims of modern slavery and the Asylum and immigration system?She
1:12:48 > 1:12:52raises what sounds like a very concerning case, and of course, for
1:12:52 > 1:12:58all of us as constituency MPs, week to raise particular cases with the
1:12:58 > 1:13:01Home Office. I'm sure they will be happy to look again at this case and
1:13:01 > 1:13:05if she wants to e-mail me about it, I can take it up with them on her
1:13:05 > 1:13:14behalf.The Community Security Trust has published there are no report,
1:13:14 > 1:13:18showing a growth of anti-Semitic attacks in this country, and it's a
1:13:18 > 1:13:21pernicious growth of anti-Semitism generally. At the same time, the
1:13:21 > 1:13:25chief inspector of schools is making a speech today about the growth of
1:13:25 > 1:13:29religious extremism in our schools. Could we have a debate on how we
1:13:29 > 1:13:34combat religious extremism and its pernicious attacks on people's
1:13:34 > 1:13:41religion?He raises a very concerning story. We will all have
1:13:41 > 1:13:47heard in the press recently about the rise in anti-Semitic attacks and
1:13:47 > 1:13:51words, which can also be extremely hurtful. He is right to suggest a
1:13:51 > 1:13:56debate and I do encourage him to perhaps topped the backbench
1:13:56 > 1:13:58business committee about posting a debate so all members can share
1:13:58 > 1:14:08their views on this.The government has expressed its support for
1:14:08 > 1:14:14refugees and I now support is being, funding is being reviewed. I know
1:14:14 > 1:14:20that time is running out for some places. Could she allows government
1:14:20 > 1:14:24time, so we have time to assess what urgent steps can be taken to avoid
1:14:24 > 1:14:33any closures?What I can say is that we have committed £40 million until
1:14:33 > 1:14:402020 and we have delivered support to 80 domestic abuse refuges across
1:14:40 > 1:14:45England. She's raising an issue that is at the heart of government
1:14:45 > 1:14:51priorities, which is why we've committed to creating a draft bill.
1:14:51 > 1:15:02We've created new stocking offences and will continue to take action.
1:15:02 > 1:15:09Next Tuesday is Safer Internet Day and on Monday, I will be visiting a
1:15:09 > 1:15:17primary school in my constituency to find out more about promoting safe
1:15:17 > 1:15:20use among pupils. That is concern about what's happening online, so
1:15:20 > 1:15:23could we have a debate to consider what measures we can take to keep
1:15:23 > 1:15:29our young people safe?I congratulate him for raising such an
1:15:29 > 1:15:33important issue. I hope he enjoys his visit to his school. The
1:15:33 > 1:15:42government for the supporters Safer Internet Day. Schools will be joined
1:15:42 > 1:15:44by charities, businesses, football clubs and police forces. The day is
1:15:44 > 1:15:50marked in 100 countries worldwide to help children everywhere remain safe
1:15:50 > 1:16:07online.I'm sure she will be aware of what's been happening with equal
1:16:07 > 1:16:13pay for women at the BBC. Will she take the lead over pensions denied
1:16:13 > 1:16:21to a woman over a certain age?He raises an issue that has been raised
1:16:21 > 1:16:24in this house many, many times. Conservatives and government
1:16:24 > 1:16:29committed over £1 billion to supporting those affected so that no
1:16:29 > 1:16:33one will see their pension age change by more than 18 months. The
1:16:33 > 1:16:38new state pension is going to be much more generous for many women.
1:16:38 > 1:16:42By 2030, of 3 million women stand to gain an average of £550 extra per
1:16:42 > 1:16:52year.
1:16:55 > 1:16:59I'm very grateful. I'm sure that my honourable friend will share the
1:16:59 > 1:17:03concern and the Saudis and we had yesterday in Redditch that our local
1:17:03 > 1:17:07Marks & Spencer is closing. I'm delighted that those employees will
1:17:07 > 1:17:11find alternative jobs, but it is very sad, because it is the last
1:17:11 > 1:17:17food shop in town centre and is badly needed. Can we have a debate,
1:17:17 > 1:17:21because how we work together with council colleagues to create vibrant
1:17:21 > 1:17:24town centres that are communities where everyone to enjoy intimate and
1:17:24 > 1:17:31to work? She's a huge champion for her constituency and now she has her
1:17:31 > 1:17:36own vision for a sustainable and thriving town centre in Redditch.I
1:17:36 > 1:17:40do share her concern. It's always a shame when a much loved and use
1:17:40 > 1:17:45shock causes any town centre and I encourage her to do all she can to
1:17:45 > 1:17:55revitalise that time.Nottingham was not selected as one of Sport England
1:17:55 > 1:18:00pilot areas for new models of activity, but not in people have
1:18:00 > 1:18:03developed lots of good ideas and with their typical fortitude, we
1:18:03 > 1:18:09will be making those ideas happen anyway that we can. Will the Leader
1:18:09 > 1:18:12of the House supporters in this venture by accommodating a
1:18:12 > 1:18:17discussion on parliamentary time?I congratulate him for the innovative
1:18:17 > 1:18:23nature of the effort to raise sporting activities in Nottingham
1:18:23 > 1:18:27and also for his desire to see a debate on government time. I
1:18:27 > 1:18:30encourage him to seek an adjournment debate with a sports Minister might
1:18:30 > 1:18:38be able to give him some specific tips.Yesterday in Westminster Hall,
1:18:38 > 1:18:43there was consideration given to the terrible situation facing disabled
1:18:43 > 1:18:48people in North West Durham and across the UK, when being assessed
1:18:48 > 1:18:54for their Personal Independence Payments. Many members or not heard
1:18:54 > 1:18:59at the debate because demand was so high. That the Leader of the House
1:18:59 > 1:19:01advise how we can have this urgent situation facing disabled people
1:19:01 > 1:19:09heard in government time?I understood that there was a fairly
1:19:09 > 1:19:12well attended debate yesterday, and it's quite right that there should
1:19:12 > 1:19:16be. What I can say to the honourable lady is that she should welcome the
1:19:16 > 1:19:22fact that we have seen almost 600,000 more disabled people able to
1:19:22 > 1:19:27come into the workforce over the last four years, with 3.5 million
1:19:27 > 1:19:33disabled people now in work. That is good news, and what's that PIP
1:19:33 > 1:19:37benefit is designed to do is to give people more power over how the user
1:19:37 > 1:19:40benefits to support their lifestyle and their ability to make the most
1:19:40 > 1:19:50of all the opportunities that they have.Can we have a debate on
1:19:50 > 1:19:56banning the use of plastic straws. I visited a primary school who are
1:19:56 > 1:20:01doing sterling work to ban the use of plastic straws. These people will
1:20:01 > 1:20:07be here a lot longer than we will. Will the government take action? I
1:20:07 > 1:20:10certainly shared his enthusiasm for doing more to reduce plastics in all
1:20:10 > 1:20:15of the things we use, whether it's recyclable cups, whether it's any
1:20:15 > 1:20:19form of plastics. The government has taken strong action in banning micro
1:20:19 > 1:20:23beads in certain cosmetics and body wash products. There is a lot more
1:20:23 > 1:20:28to do in protecting our marine areas, where 80% of our plastic
1:20:28 > 1:20:32send-up, so this government will be committed to doing everything we can
1:20:32 > 1:20:41to our environment.Nairn, Granton and Aviemore in my constituency are
1:20:41 > 1:20:45just three of the Highland towns will be negatively affected by The
1:20:45 > 1:20:49Royal Bank of Scotland's planned branch closures. Given that the UK
1:20:49 > 1:20:52Government is a major shareholder, in addition to the plans debate, can
1:20:52 > 1:20:57we have a statement on the government's responsibility for the
1:20:57 > 1:21:00range of responsibilities the government has for holding shares on
1:21:00 > 1:21:09behalf of the public?He will be aware that the Secretary of State
1:21:09 > 1:21:12for Scotland has raised the concerns of the house in his meeting with RBS
1:21:12 > 1:21:15recently. You will also be aware, as has been mentioned in this house
1:21:15 > 1:21:20many times, that we have established the access to banking standard to
1:21:20 > 1:21:24make sure that is proper consultation before there is any
1:21:24 > 1:21:28closure of any branch. He will also be aware that the government has
1:21:28 > 1:21:33invested significantly in the post office network, and that around 99%
1:21:33 > 1:21:36of personal customers will be able to carry out their day-to-day
1:21:36 > 1:21:40banking at a post office as a result of new agreements facilitated by
1:21:40 > 1:21:50government.We know it is government policy to replace sold council
1:21:50 > 1:21:55houses need a one-to-one basis. A three bed semi in my constituency
1:21:55 > 1:22:01was recently sold for just £27,000. The council possibly replace a house
1:22:01 > 1:22:06with that much money, unless it is made of Lego. Across the country, or
1:22:06 > 1:22:12make one in five council houses are sold in being replaced. Can we have
1:22:12 > 1:22:18a statement about how this policy can be put into practice?What I
1:22:18 > 1:22:24would say is that it is important that any money raised goes back into
1:22:24 > 1:22:28social housing and affordable housing, but what I can reassure him
1:22:28 > 1:22:33is that the government's own investment in social, council and
1:22:33 > 1:22:40low-cost homes is no more than £9 billion. We have delivered about
1:22:40 > 1:22:44350,000 new affordable homes. That number needs to continue to rise,
1:22:44 > 1:22:47but the government is committed to making sure that everybody has a
1:22:47 > 1:22:56secure a decent home to live in. Companies like Bright house charge
1:22:56 > 1:23:02eye watering interest rates when essential goods. The financial
1:23:02 > 1:23:06conduct authority have just revealed that the average debt for their
1:23:06 > 1:23:11customers has doubled. Can we have a statement and real action from the
1:23:11 > 1:23:18government and the FCA to keep this sector in check?He raises a very
1:23:18 > 1:23:23concerning point about the debts that people get into by using these
1:23:23 > 1:23:26high-cost lenders to facilitate the purchase of essential white goods
1:23:26 > 1:23:32and furniture and so on. I know from my time as city minister that the
1:23:32 > 1:23:37FCA takes this incredibly seriously. They have capped the interest rates
1:23:37 > 1:23:40such companies are allowed to charge and they are doing further work to
1:23:40 > 1:23:44make sure we protect consumers from the practices of some of those
1:23:44 > 1:23:52companies.Now that the house has maybe in principle decision on what
1:23:52 > 1:23:57we're going to do about restoration and renewal, can I ask the reader to
1:23:57 > 1:24:00get together her ministerial colleagues in the Department for
1:24:00 > 1:24:03business and work and pensions, to put together the parliamentary
1:24:03 > 1:24:06skills strategy, because we will meet thousands of people working on
1:24:06 > 1:24:12this building, who will meet high-tech engineering skills and
1:24:12 > 1:24:15craft trade schools, which presently are not available in this country.
1:24:15 > 1:24:19This is an opportunity for every single constituency to have
1:24:19 > 1:24:26apprenticeships working here on the building.Firstly, I would like to
1:24:26 > 1:24:30congratulate him for his tenacity and also I'd like to congratulate
1:24:30 > 1:24:35his honourable friend, the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee for
1:24:35 > 1:24:39succeeding in her amendment yesterday. I'm delighted the house
1:24:39 > 1:24:44voted to take action. There are huge opportunities, already been
1:24:44 > 1:24:48fulfilled in some cases. For example, as he will know, the
1:24:48 > 1:24:52reverse of the cast iron roofs being carried out in the United Kingdom.
1:24:52 > 1:24:56There will be lots of opportunities for new apprenticeships. I can
1:24:56 > 1:25:01assure him that I will be taking every opportunity to create jobs for
1:25:01 > 1:25:05young UK people.
1:25:09 > 1:25:13With £15 million available in year one, Scottish organisations were
1:25:13 > 1:25:19given just two weeks notice before the fund closed and Sport Relief
1:25:19 > 1:25:25invited 45 institutions to a meeting. With the year three
1:25:25 > 1:25:29criteria making it almost impossible for Scottish organisations to apply,
1:25:29 > 1:25:34isn't it time this fund was devolved?I think the honourable
1:25:34 > 1:25:38gentleman raises an important point. If he would like to e-mail me with
1:25:38 > 1:25:47details about that, I could write to the Department on his behalf.On the
1:25:47 > 1:25:503rd of November, I wrote to the Secretary of State for communities
1:25:50 > 1:25:54and local government about the gas storage facility plans in my
1:25:54 > 1:25:58constituency. I am still waiting on a reply to this letter. Will the
1:25:58 > 1:26:02Leader of the House look into this on my behalf?Yes, I will certainly
1:26:02 > 1:26:11do so.Today, BT open Reach announced plans to roll out fibre
1:26:11 > 1:26:17broadband to 3 million homes by 2020. Far too often slow action is
1:26:17 > 1:26:20followed by a new announcement and this is an issue of growing urgency.
1:26:20 > 1:26:25Not just outside London but pockets of my constituency suffer from very
1:26:25 > 1:26:31slow broadband speeds. It is having a huge impact on businesses and also
1:26:31 > 1:26:38students wanting to study at home. Could we have an urgent debate on
1:26:38 > 1:26:43government time to focus on how we move from announcements to outcomes,
1:26:43 > 1:26:46which will hugely impact the prosperity, well-being and quality
1:26:46 > 1:26:52of life of all of our constituents? I certainly share the honourable
1:26:52 > 1:26:56lady's concerned about pockets with no broadband. It is absolutely
1:26:56 > 1:27:00devastating for people who work from home, people who just want to study
1:27:00 > 1:27:09and so on. It is extremely difficult.However, it is now
1:27:09 > 1:27:15available to 95% of UK homes and businesses, and that is up from 45%
1:27:15 > 1:27:19coverage in 2010. It is not really a case of action -- announcements with
1:27:19 > 1:27:24no action. There is a plan. I share your frustration and she may wish to
1:27:24 > 1:27:27seek a debate so she can hear first-hand the prospects for the
1:27:27 > 1:27:36constituents.A number of residents in the town of Llangollen in my
1:27:36 > 1:27:40constituency are concerned that there is no Department for Work and
1:27:40 > 1:27:45Pensions or careers Wales present in that town. This means that residents
1:27:45 > 1:27:50must travel some considerable distance. This is not just a problem
1:27:50 > 1:27:54for Llangollen, I think it is nationwide, for many of our rural
1:27:54 > 1:27:59communities and small towns across the UK. Can the Leader of the House
1:27:59 > 1:28:01provides time for a debate where we might seek to persuade the minister
1:28:01 > 1:28:12of our case?The honourable lady is raising an important point for the
1:28:12 > 1:28:17constituents. In my constituency, quite often, there are online
1:28:17 > 1:28:22opportunities in libraries and in town councils to be able to gain
1:28:22 > 1:28:28support from DWP, but I can take it up with the Department or she might
1:28:28 > 1:28:37want to seek an adjournment debate. On the 19th of January, the
1:28:37 > 1:28:40Parliamentary Undersecretary of State for education told a house
1:28:40 > 1:28:44that the government is launching local pilot schemes to combat
1:28:44 > 1:28:48holiday hunger amongst our poorest children. As proposed by my right
1:28:48 > 1:28:52honourable friend, the member for Birkenhead, using a small fraction
1:28:52 > 1:28:58of the £530 million the Treasury expects to raise from April from the
1:28:58 > 1:29:01sugary drinks levy would be an excellent use of this money in
1:29:01 > 1:29:05places like my constituency. Given the obvious merits of getting pilots
1:29:05 > 1:29:08and way as quickly as possible for this summer's long holidays, can we
1:29:08 > 1:29:14please have a statement on how you apply for these pilots from the
1:29:14 > 1:29:20Department for Education?I think members across the House will be
1:29:20 > 1:29:25delighted to hear of those pilot schemes and I do pay tribute to the
1:29:25 > 1:29:27right honourable member for Birkenhead for his commitment to
1:29:27 > 1:29:32making progress in that area. I will certainly ask the Department her
1:29:32 > 1:29:35question and see whether they can provide a further update to the
1:29:35 > 1:29:43House.In Bristol, a case has arisen of restaurant owners charging their
1:29:43 > 1:29:49waiters and waitresses to work by demanding that their waiters
1:29:49 > 1:29:53themselves pay a percentage of the total price of orders that they sell
1:29:53 > 1:29:58to customers regardless of tips received. This employer 's tax on
1:29:58 > 1:30:02working is then being used to pay their wages. Remarkably, I'm into
1:30:02 > 1:30:06right that this is legal. Can we have a debate to decide whether this
1:30:06 > 1:30:13needs to change.Well, that sounds quite extraordinary and I would
1:30:13 > 1:30:19encourage the honourable gentleman to take that with the Home Office in
1:30:19 > 1:30:23terms of whether it is actually legal or not. That seems to me to be
1:30:23 > 1:30:32an extraordinary account.It is a great privilege with many members of
1:30:32 > 1:30:36this House to represent Britain's great cities in this House but I was
1:30:36 > 1:30:43alarmed to read a recent report by the new statement -- new statesman
1:30:43 > 1:30:47that many cities are lacking significantly behind our European
1:30:47 > 1:30:51peers in terms of productivity. Sometimes half the rate of cities
1:30:51 > 1:30:55like Munich, Seville or Barcelona. Will the leaders of the House call a
1:30:55 > 1:30:58debate to work out what the government is doing to address this
1:30:58 > 1:31:01in balance and make sure our cities are competing with their European
1:31:01 > 1:31:06peers.The honourable gentleman raises an important point and he
1:31:06 > 1:31:10will be please no doubt that in the budget we announced a £1.7 billion
1:31:10 > 1:31:16investment in the transforming cities fund, specifically develop
1:31:16 > 1:31:20transport infrastructure which adds so much to productivity. He may be
1:31:20 > 1:31:23aware that the north-eastern Scotland have seen faster
1:31:23 > 1:31:28productivity growth than London since 2010 and so while there is a
1:31:28 > 1:31:34long way to go, it is quite clear that to our initiatives, such as the
1:31:34 > 1:31:36northern Powerhouse, we are committed to ensuring that we see
1:31:36 > 1:31:37growth and a