25/10/2017

0:00:37 > 0:00:38Morning, folks.

0:00:38 > 0:00:43Welcome to the Daily Politics.

0:00:43 > 0:00:45How much wiggle room does the Chancellor have

0:00:45 > 0:00:46for his Budget next month?

0:00:46 > 0:00:49Latest figures show the economy picked up a little bit of speed

0:00:49 > 0:00:51in the third quarter of this year.

0:00:51 > 0:00:54Could that mean a small rise in interest rates next week?

0:00:54 > 0:00:57Labour MP Jared O'Mara should be suspended according to two

0:00:57 > 0:01:01MPs from his own party.

0:01:01 > 0:01:03He denies abusing a young woman in an incident in March.

0:01:03 > 0:01:12We'll have the latest.

0:01:12 > 0:01:17When will Parliament vote on a Brexit deal? David Davis said it

0:01:17 > 0:01:20could happen after March 20 19.

0:01:20 > 0:01:22And we'll full coverage of today's big parliamentary clash -

0:01:22 > 0:01:28Prime Minister's Questions will be live and uninterrupted from midday.

0:01:28 > 0:01:30All that in the next 90 minutes.

0:01:30 > 0:01:32With me for the duration

0:01:32 > 0:01:35the Business Minister Margot James and the Shadow Treasury

0:01:35 > 0:01:36Minister Anneliese Dodds.

0:01:36 > 0:01:42Welcome to you both.

0:01:42 > 0:01:47Jared O'Mara is the Labour MP who defeated Nick Clegg in the Sheffield

0:01:47 > 0:01:52Hallam seat in the election and has been in trouble since the website

0:01:52 > 0:01:57Guido Fawkes published details of comments he made many years ago and

0:01:57 > 0:02:04then more today from 2009, and an allegation we will show you more

0:02:04 > 0:02:11recently. As we came on air, the Labour Party announced Jared O'Mara

0:02:11 > 0:02:18had been suspended. The Labour whip has been withdrawn from him pending

0:02:18 > 0:02:25an investigation into what he is alleged to have said. That will now

0:02:25 > 0:02:28go one. He will not be covered by the Labour whip until the

0:02:28 > 0:02:33investigation is finished.

0:02:33 > 0:02:36Sophie Evans told this programme yesterday that O'Mara verbally

0:02:36 > 0:02:43abused her while out in with friends - a claim

0:02:43 > 0:02:44more recent that he strongly denies.

0:02:44 > 0:02:48JoCo asked Sophie what exactly he said to her.

0:02:48 > 0:02:50Some of the things are not broadcastable.

0:02:50 > 0:02:53But there were some transphobic slurs in there.

0:02:53 > 0:02:56He called me an uglyBLEEP.

0:02:56 > 0:03:00I just thought, wow, he's not a very nice man,

0:03:00 > 0:03:03and kind of just forgot about it.

0:03:03 > 0:03:06I knew that he was kind of involved in

0:03:06 > 0:03:10politics, but I had no idea at the time that he was running

0:03:10 > 0:03:18for MP for Sheffield Hallam, which is my constituency.

0:03:18 > 0:03:23The news this morning Jared O'Mara the Labour MP, the whip has been

0:03:23 > 0:03:27suspended, taken away while the investigation goes on.Labour should

0:03:27 > 0:03:32have done this from the start? To be fair, the allegations and

0:03:32 > 0:03:37information about what he said has only come out the last couple of

0:03:37 > 0:03:41days and Labour acted quickly, saying they need to be an

0:03:41 > 0:03:47investigation. The suspension has been agreed as of now and it is

0:03:47 > 0:03:51important we have a proper investigation and find out what has

0:03:51 > 0:04:01happened. Jared O'Mara came to the PLP meeting on Monday night and

0:04:01 > 0:04:03apologised, but an apology is not enough we need an investigation. It

0:04:03 > 0:04:09shows it is being taken seriously. It is Labour Party process that if

0:04:09 > 0:04:12someone is investigated, you suspend them during the investigation and

0:04:12 > 0:04:23that did not happen.I am not sure that is always the case.I quote one

0:04:23 > 0:04:27saying they have rules in the Labour Party, we suspend and investigate

0:04:27 > 0:04:32and make a decision, fellow Labour MP.About that specific person,

0:04:32 > 0:04:35perhaps but generally the Labour Party will deal with issues within

0:04:35 > 0:04:40the rules, which I do not think say you have to suspend an individual

0:04:40 > 0:04:43but clearly the party came to the decision in this case it was right

0:04:43 > 0:04:47to suspend him while the investigation goes on and it should

0:04:47 > 0:04:52happen because what he said was not acceptable and we need to find out

0:04:52 > 0:05:00if the latest allegations are true. Jared O'Mara was essentially chosen

0:05:00 > 0:05:09to stand against Nick Clegg by the NEC. He was essentially forced onto

0:05:09 > 0:05:16the constituency. Did not one in the NEC vet him?As you know all

0:05:16 > 0:05:20candidates certainly for the Labour Party and most other parties are

0:05:20 > 0:05:23chosen through an accelerated process, normally they would be

0:05:23 > 0:05:32chosen by a vote through members... Does the NEC not to vet candidates

0:05:32 > 0:05:36they are essentially forcing onto the constituency?There was a panel

0:05:36 > 0:05:42and in my case there was a panel formed from the NEC that would go

0:05:42 > 0:05:45through the different candidates and party at the investigation will be

0:05:45 > 0:05:52finding out exactly how that process went.He had been a Labour candidate

0:05:52 > 0:05:58before, so this was the second time, so he was known to the party, it was

0:05:58 > 0:06:03not the constituency decision, it was an NEC decision he stand against

0:06:03 > 0:06:08Nick Clegg. Did not one in Labour headquarters vet him?You are also

0:06:08 > 0:06:14required, as a candidate, to say if there is anything in your history

0:06:14 > 0:06:18that could cause embarrassment to the party and it is important to

0:06:18 > 0:06:23people take that seriously.He must've said no. I do not know. If

0:06:23 > 0:06:27you said yes, surely you would not let him run? There has to be a

0:06:27 > 0:06:35balance. If you knew he had said things that cannot be repeated on

0:06:35 > 0:06:41daytime television, if he had said these things, the homophobic, the

0:06:41 > 0:06:45sexist comments, racist comments about Spaniards and Danes, are you

0:06:45 > 0:06:49telling me, if you knew that, he would have been allowed to stand as

0:06:49 > 0:06:54a candidate?It would not have been my decision and I do not think as an

0:06:54 > 0:06:58elected politician it would be right for me to choose.Would your party

0:06:58 > 0:07:05have allowed him to stand?I would say around this, on Monday evening,

0:07:05 > 0:07:10he said that he was very embarrassed and ashamed about what he said back

0:07:10 > 0:07:16then and accepted it was wrong and said he had changed as a person. We

0:07:16 > 0:07:19have had more recent allegations since but the issue is, if you have

0:07:19 > 0:07:25people, who in the past held views that are horrible, but they now

0:07:25 > 0:07:29renounce the views and say they are ashamed of them and they are a

0:07:29 > 0:07:33different person and want to work to help the people they were being

0:07:33 > 0:07:38horrible about before, should we say in every case we turn our backs?

0:07:38 > 0:07:44Only when a Tory says it, that is the Labour attitude. When it is

0:07:44 > 0:07:48Tories, they should be hung, drawn, quartered. When it is a fellow

0:07:48 > 0:07:54Labour MP you say he is on a journey.He is being investigated. I

0:07:54 > 0:08:03am not saying it is the case with him. I have never been like that, to

0:08:03 > 0:08:06be fair. In the past, if they were announced it and said they regretted

0:08:06 > 0:08:13it and want to right wrongs, that is the right thing to do.The most

0:08:13 > 0:08:18recent remarks involving Angelina Jolie, I think. In some ways more

0:08:18 > 0:08:24horrendous than the previous ones, they were in 2009 and he had already

0:08:24 > 0:08:29been a Labour candidate.I have not seen the most recent remarks but

0:08:29 > 0:08:32there is an investigation within the Labour Party that will decide about

0:08:32 > 0:08:37his future within the party which is the right thing to do. It is

0:08:37 > 0:08:43appropriate we look at evidence and decide the way forward.Mr Omar Rowe

0:08:43 > 0:08:48denies the allegations made on the Daily Politics yesterday. -- Jared

0:08:48 > 0:08:52O'Mara denies those allegations from yesterday on the programme. The

0:08:52 > 0:08:59original ones are from 15 years ago and he has apologised. He was very

0:08:59 > 0:09:03young 15 years ago. Should he be allowed to apologise and get on with

0:09:03 > 0:09:11it?If it just pertains to remarks made as a young man and he said he

0:09:11 > 0:09:15was going through a troublesome patch, I do not feel, these days, we

0:09:15 > 0:09:22can necessarily condemn people out of hand, never shall they represent

0:09:22 > 0:09:27people in Parliament, for remarks made at a young age. I am

0:09:27 > 0:09:30sympathetic to the decision by the Labour Party not to suspend him

0:09:30 > 0:09:36straightaway. The more recent allegations are more serious and

0:09:36 > 0:09:41need to be investigated. Sophie who was on a few minutes ago seemed a

0:09:41 > 0:09:45credible witness and serious allegations to be answered.We will

0:09:45 > 0:09:53see how the investigation goes.

0:09:53 > 0:09:56Brexit Secretary David Davis says Parliament may not get a chance to

0:09:56 > 0:10:01vote on any deal with the EU before we leave. He has been speaking in

0:10:01 > 0:10:08the Commons to the Brexit Select Committee.Let's listen. You have

0:10:08 > 0:10:13made two observations, the first is your answer when you said it is

0:10:13 > 0:10:20possible Parliament might not vote on the deal until after the end of

0:10:20 > 0:10:23March 20 19. I am summarising correctly what you said?In the

0:10:23 > 0:10:33event we do not do the deal until then.That was Hilary Benn, the

0:10:33 > 0:10:37chairman of the Brexit Select Committee. We used him to clarify

0:10:37 > 0:10:42what had been said.

0:10:42 > 0:10:48Will Parliament get a vote on the deal?Parliament has agreed, the

0:10:48 > 0:10:53government agreed for a vote on the deal by Parliament and that was

0:10:53 > 0:10:59agreed in March.So there will be a vote. Whatever, assuming a deal is

0:10:59 > 0:11:04done, what ever is agreed with Michel Barnier and David Davis, the

0:11:04 > 0:11:09deal is there, Parliament will get a vote for and against?That is what

0:11:09 > 0:11:15Parliament agreed in March. When will that vote the? You heard what

0:11:15 > 0:11:18David Davis said. I think the government is confident of getting a

0:11:18 > 0:11:27deal before the actual deadline of March 19. In any case, we are

0:11:27 > 0:11:30pressing for an implementation period of approximately two years

0:11:30 > 0:11:36after that date.That will be part of the deal?We would hope to get

0:11:36 > 0:11:41that agreed sooner than the final deal because we need that certainty.

0:11:41 > 0:11:46The implementation period will be part of the deal? The implementation

0:11:46 > 0:11:51period I imagine would be part of the deal that we have to remember

0:11:51 > 0:11:55nothing is agreed until everything is agreed and I would not want to be

0:11:55 > 0:12:00too pronounced on that but the objective the Prime Minister set

0:12:00 > 0:12:04out, which is a two-year roughly implementation period will be

0:12:04 > 0:12:09agreed, hopefully by the end of this year, early next.You say it is

0:12:09 > 0:12:14clear, but it is not clear, some of the finest minds in the building

0:12:14 > 0:12:21spent the morning trying to work out what David Davis was saying. Let me

0:12:21 > 0:12:27continue with basic questions. What would be the point of a vote in

0:12:27 > 0:12:35parliament after March 2019? When in effect we would have left?You only

0:12:35 > 0:12:40played a short clip from the hearing and my impression from what David

0:12:40 > 0:12:46Davis was saying was that, in theory, if the negotiations went up

0:12:46 > 0:12:49to midnight on D-Day, Parliament might have a vote immediately

0:12:49 > 0:12:57afterwards. What with the? I think his tone was such that would be

0:12:57 > 0:13:03unlikely.He he raised it. The committee raised it. He answered it

0:13:03 > 0:13:08saying yes. If there were a vote after 2019 on a deal, the deal has

0:13:08 > 0:13:13been done, it went to the wire, which has happened in Europe, but

0:13:13 > 0:13:18the vote cannot happen until after the end. Surely the Parliament's

0:13:18 > 0:13:22choices Hobson's Choice, to vote for the deal or to vote to leave without

0:13:22 > 0:13:30a deal.That is the choice? I think we are getting ahead of ourselves.

0:13:30 > 0:13:34We want to negotiate the implementation period and we have

0:13:34 > 0:13:38had a good response from Europe in that they also want that and that

0:13:38 > 0:13:43should be in place.If it goes to the wire, there will not be a vote

0:13:43 > 0:13:48until after the Article 50 process is done and dusted?If the

0:13:48 > 0:13:54implementation period is agreed as part of the overall length of time,

0:13:54 > 0:14:00there will not be any change.Either we get out with the deal, or get out

0:14:00 > 0:14:06without one. Parliament having a vote is no real choice on that.I

0:14:06 > 0:14:10think if there is a serious threat of Britain leaving without a deal we

0:14:10 > 0:14:15will know before March 20 19.That is not what David Davis said this

0:14:15 > 0:14:21morning so it is not that clear. What do you make of it? I think we

0:14:21 > 0:14:26are in a worrying situation. The Prime Minister sowed more seeds of

0:14:26 > 0:14:30confusion because she said, and does not seem to have gone against this,

0:14:30 > 0:14:34that we could not sort out the transition deal until we sort of the

0:14:34 > 0:14:39trade deal which is part of the final deal. The government seems all

0:14:39 > 0:14:44over the place and it is worrying because it has an impact on

0:14:44 > 0:14:49businesses already and on individual citizens, particularly EU citizens,

0:14:49 > 0:14:55so I implore the government to get more of a grip on this.Will the

0:14:55 > 0:14:59trade deal, the future relationship with the EU, be part of the deal, or

0:14:59 > 0:15:02will it be decided in the transition?

0:15:02 > 0:15:07I would hope that would be part of the deal. Article 50 actually states

0:15:07 > 0:15:12when we leave the European Union we leave with our future arrangements

0:15:12 > 0:15:16agreed, at least in principle. So I expectYou don't know?I think what

0:15:16 > 0:15:20you have to remember, Andrew, there are two parties to this negotiation.

0:15:20 > 0:15:23But I am remembering - I am not asking about the EU's position. I am

0:15:23 > 0:15:26trying to get the Government's position and you are not able to

0:15:26 > 0:15:35tell me.The Government's position is that we will leave the European

0:15:35 > 0:15:39Union in March 2019 with an proximate length of two years for an

0:15:39 > 0:15:43implementation period for business to get used to...I asked if there

0:15:43 > 0:15:46would be a trade teal or not.I would hope...You would hope.Of

0:15:46 > 0:15:53course.We will see if things get clarified as the day goes on. It was

0:15:53 > 0:16:00a confusing session in place that MrDavis had with the Commons Select

0:16:00 > 0:16:03Committee: Committee.

0:16:03 > 0:16:05The latest figures show that economic growth has picked up

0:16:06 > 0:16:11month, and has prompted fresh speculation that a rise in interest

0:16:11 > 0:16:13rates could be in the offing when the Bank of England

0:16:13 > 0:16:16meets next week.

0:16:16 > 0:16:17So how is the economy doing?

0:16:17 > 0:16:20Elizabeth Glinka is here with the details.

0:16:20 > 0:16:22That's right, Andrew.

0:16:22 > 0:16:25The economy is estimated to have grown by 0.4% in the third

0:16:25 > 0:16:28quarter of this year.

0:16:28 > 0:16:31That's a slightly higher growth rate than we saw in the previous quarter.

0:16:31 > 0:16:35Earlier this month, the Office for Budget Responsibility

0:16:35 > 0:16:37said that productivity, that's the amount generated

0:16:37 > 0:16:42by each worker per hour, has grown by just 0.2% per year

0:16:42 > 0:16:45on average over the last five years.

0:16:45 > 0:16:48However, the monthly deficit, that's the amount the Government

0:16:48 > 0:16:53borrows every month, fell to £5.9 billion in September.

0:16:55 > 0:16:58That's the lowest Government borrowing in any

0:16:58 > 0:17:00September since 2007.

0:17:00 > 0:17:03But inflation remains high, it's currently at 3%,

0:17:03 > 0:17:10according to the latest figures, and that will squeeze people's

0:17:10 > 0:17:11incomes and spending power.

0:17:11 > 0:17:13The unemployment rate is still at an historic low,

0:17:13 > 0:17:16it's currently at 4.3% which is the joint lowest

0:17:16 > 0:17:18it's been since 1975.

0:17:18 > 0:17:23And next week the Bank of England will have to decide

0:17:23 > 0:17:25whether to raise the interest rate.

0:17:25 > 0:17:26Last month, the bank hinted that the rate,

0:17:26 > 0:17:29which is currently a quarter of a percent, may rise

0:17:29 > 0:17:31in the near future.

0:17:31 > 0:17:35That would be bad news for people with mortgages and other debts.

0:17:35 > 0:17:38And Philip Hammond will, of course, have to make all these figures add

0:17:38 > 0:17:40up in his Budget which is exactly four weeks away on

0:17:40 > 0:17:47Wednesday 22nd November.

0:17:47 > 0:17:52Let's speak now to our economics editor Kamal Ahmed, who's

0:17:52 > 0:17:55at the Francis Crick Institute in central London where

0:17:55 > 0:18:00the Chancellor has been visiting this morning.

0:18:00 > 0:18:06In the glorious sunshine as well in this late autumn. So growth a wee

0:18:06 > 0:18:17bit better than the case in the first and second quarters, but --

0:18:17 > 0:18:20rises the chance of interest rates too, what's your take on it?I

0:18:20 > 0:18:24think, as you say, it's sunnier here today, and I have just been with the

0:18:24 > 0:18:29Chancellor at the Francis Crick Institute where he has announced

0:18:29 > 0:18:35more money for science research, £17 million. They won't be hanging the

0:18:35 > 0:18:39bunting out at the Treasury, but he felt in a slightly better mood about

0:18:39 > 0:18:44the economic news. It's not euphoria, but it's resilience as he

0:18:44 > 0:18:46would describe it, the economy at the moment. That's around services,

0:18:46 > 0:18:51we are still buying stuff. The consumer is still feeling confident,

0:18:51 > 0:18:55despite that income squeeze that you have been talking about. Also

0:18:55 > 0:18:59manufacturing, of course, sterling has declined in value, meant that

0:18:59 > 0:19:03exports, for example, abroad are more competitive. That seems to be

0:19:03 > 0:19:05reflected in the manufacturing figures. Still big problems over

0:19:05 > 0:19:11productivity. I have spoken to the Chancellor, he is under pressure

0:19:11 > 0:19:15from some Cabinet ministers, on housing, for example, saying we

0:19:15 > 0:19:18should borrow more. Cool note on that to me from the Chancellor. I

0:19:18 > 0:19:23think he still is trying to reveal he is a true fiscal Conservative as

0:19:23 > 0:19:26he would describe himself, he wants to get that budget into balance by

0:19:26 > 0:19:30the middle of the next decade. Didn't seem to signal he wanted to

0:19:30 > 0:19:34open the taps to me, despite the claims from education, from health,

0:19:34 > 0:19:38from housing, that more money needs to be spent. So he says he still

0:19:38 > 0:19:42wants to go steady as we go. He said Brexit uncertainty was still there.

0:19:42 > 0:19:46Certainly today a sense of slightly better news on the British economy

0:19:46 > 0:19:49and, frankly, that notion of resilience, there is still momentum

0:19:49 > 0:19:57in the way we are performing.Thank you.

0:19:57 > 0:20:02So, growth is rising again. The fiscal deficit is down. Unemployment

0:20:02 > 0:20:07is as low, has never been lower since Harald Wilson was in Downing

0:20:07 > 0:20:11Street. It's not quite what Remainers like you told us would

0:20:11 > 0:20:14happen to the British economy.It's important nobody talks down the

0:20:14 > 0:20:17British economy, I am proud of it. There are two areas that weren't

0:20:17 > 0:20:20covered in the otherwise very good reports there. First of all, around

0:20:20 > 0:20:28living standards. We have had the longest squeeze on wages in Britain

0:20:28 > 0:20:32since Napoleonic times. When people are spending a lot is driven by debt

0:20:32 > 0:20:34which is concerning, we are seeing record levels of consumer debt.

0:20:34 > 0:20:38Secondly, we need to put Britain into the context of other comparable

0:20:38 > 0:20:44countries. We are 31st out of 34OECD countries at the moment for our GDP

0:20:44 > 0:20:47growth. That's not a record we should be proud of. We are behind

0:20:47 > 0:20:50the eurozone countries when it comes to growth. Yes, a little bit more

0:20:50 > 0:20:54growth, that's positive. But put us into international comparison...

0:20:54 > 0:20:58Your side of the Brexit argument didn't tell us growth was going to

0:20:58 > 0:21:02continue. Didn't tell us the deficit would continue continue to come

0:21:02 > 0:21:07down. Rather than unemployment continue to fall, you told us it

0:21:07 > 0:21:10would soar. So you were wrong?I never made claims saying that birds

0:21:10 > 0:21:15were going to fall out of the sky the day after...I didn't mention

0:21:15 > 0:21:19birds, just talked about jobs and growth.I have a lot of concerns

0:21:19 > 0:21:22about the problems with the British economy and you can see that in

0:21:22 > 0:21:27international comparison. Yes, we may have a little tick up in GDP

0:21:27 > 0:21:31growth, but as I said, into comparison with other developed

0:21:31 > 0:21:36countries, we are really doing very, very poorly.Actually that's not

0:21:36 > 0:21:41quite true. You are taking it short-term. Since the great crash,

0:21:41 > 0:21:46all right, you tell me, compare the growth rates of the eurozone since

0:21:46 > 0:21:49the great crash with Britain, what answer do you get?Actually, since

0:21:49 > 0:21:54the great crash we have had the slowest growing three quarters

0:21:54 > 0:22:00recently in Britain.That's been this year. This economy is now about

0:22:00 > 0:22:038% bigger than it was before the crash. How big is the eurozone

0:22:03 > 0:22:08economy?In overall terms, some of those countries fell faster than we

0:22:08 > 0:22:12did. Greece, etc had enormous problems. Currently...No, how big

0:22:12 > 0:22:18is it?I can't tell you off the top of my head.It's still smaller, I

0:22:18 > 0:22:23will tell you. Britain and America have. You don't know your figures.

0:22:23 > 0:22:27The eurozone, is that actually, people's as growth is kicked in,

0:22:27 > 0:22:32people's incomes have been going up. That has not happened in Britain. We

0:22:32 > 0:22:43are unique pretty much...We are not going up in 2011, 12, 13. Let me

0:22:43 > 0:22:48come to Margaret James. You told us growth would collapse, the deficit

0:22:48 > 0:22:52would rise, joblessness would soar in the short-term. You were wrong,

0:22:52 > 0:22:56as well.Well, certainly the Treasury forecasts were wrong, yes.

0:22:56 > 0:23:02I certainly didn't use any of those Treasury forecasts in anything that

0:23:02 > 0:23:08I campaigned on or wrote about.It was just George Osborne was it?It I

0:23:08 > 0:23:13appreciate it sounds like I am trying to disown it. I would never

0:23:13 > 0:23:18have gone with those rather extreme projections.Did you say that to

0:23:18 > 0:23:20George Osborne at the time, you didn't believe the projections?I

0:23:20 > 0:23:23said it to everybody involved in the campaign that I knew at the time,

0:23:23 > 0:23:28yes.You didn't cast doubt on them in public?I never used them.

0:23:28 > 0:23:35Because I thought they weren't the real problem. The real worries for

0:23:35 > 0:23:39me were much longer term. It was really around foreign and direct

0:23:39 > 0:23:44investment, which accounts for approximately 50% of our economy,

0:23:44 > 0:23:48inspired by foreign direct investment in the British economy.

0:23:48 > 0:23:53The FDI doesn't account for 50% of GDP.In terms of the number of

0:23:53 > 0:23:57companies foreign investors invest in and drive, it is a huge

0:23:57 > 0:24:01proportion. I think it is almost 50%.Have you seen signs of that

0:24:01 > 0:24:04falling?I think there are concerns. I think that we need to be alive to

0:24:04 > 0:24:11those concerns.Is FDI falling?It's not falling yet.You are the

0:24:11 > 0:24:15business Minister.There are threats on the horizon. We have managed, I

0:24:15 > 0:24:21think, if I could just finish, we have managed to allay a lot of the

0:24:21 > 0:24:25concerns in the short-term about foreign direct investment in

0:24:25 > 0:24:29industries like the auto industry. The key word is yet, in area answer.

0:24:29 > 0:24:34Exactly.So you still fear it could fall?We have to be alive to this.

0:24:34 > 0:24:40This is why it's so important that we secure a good deal on our exit

0:24:40 > 0:24:44from the European Union. And we give investors, both British investors

0:24:44 > 0:24:46and foreign investors confidence that we can continue to trade

0:24:46 > 0:24:51effectively and easily with the single market.The British economy

0:24:51 > 0:24:55has slowed this year. Even with the latest figures for quarter three

0:24:55 > 0:24:59which show a bit of a rise again. Do you put that down to Brexit?Well,

0:24:59 > 0:25:02the British economy is, the last quarter is slightly better than

0:25:02 > 0:25:11people forecast.Overall, it's slowed.I think...Probably less.

0:25:11 > 0:25:15That was the figure I was given this morning. It's a respectable level of

0:25:15 > 0:25:20growth, considering the adjustment we are making and obviously the

0:25:20 > 0:25:24uncertainty that Brexit has aroused, we have to take that on board and

0:25:24 > 0:25:28despite the economy is growing. And the other things that were outlined

0:25:28 > 0:25:33in the film.Of the major economies, who is growing more slowly than us

0:25:33 > 0:25:38this year?Of the G7 we will have to wait...Not just that, make it the

0:25:38 > 0:25:42G20.There is no doubt our growth has slowed relative to our

0:25:42 > 0:25:46neighbours. But don't forget that it was fast above our neighbours prior

0:25:46 > 0:25:52to the beginning of this year.Who is growing more slowly now?Within

0:25:52 > 0:25:56the G7 I think that, we will have to wait until the year end, we will be

0:25:56 > 0:26:02one of the slower growing economies. Among the OECD countries, only

0:26:02 > 0:26:06Portugal and Turkey are growing more slowly.You always have the answer

0:26:06 > 0:26:10to questions you pose, Andrew. Let's wait until the year end.Very well.

0:26:10 > 0:26:17Not long to go, actually! How many shopping days to Christmas!

0:26:17 > 0:26:20Let's not go there.

0:26:20 > 0:26:23The big news today isn't Brexit, it isn't the GDP figures,

0:26:23 > 0:26:24it isn't even Donald Trump.

0:26:24 > 0:26:27It is, of course, the news that Jeremy Corbyn has agreed to appear

0:26:27 > 0:26:29on the hit Channel 4 show Gogglebox.

0:26:29 > 0:26:31As you would expect, there's been a lot of speculation

0:26:31 > 0:26:33about what Mr Corbyn's favourite show will be.

0:26:33 > 0:26:35Could it be that BBC documentary on manhole covers?

0:26:35 > 0:26:40Perhaps it's a Gardeners World special on allotments.

0:26:40 > 0:26:42Well, wonder no longer, because here on the Daily Politics

0:26:42 > 0:26:47we've been given exclusive access to the show.

0:26:47 > 0:26:51Look at this.

0:26:51 > 0:26:54It was, of course, in no doubt, Jeremy Corbyn likes nothing better

0:26:54 > 0:26:56than putting his feet up and watching the best political

0:26:56 > 0:26:59banter in the business - the Daily Politics.

0:26:59 > 0:27:02The more eagled eyed amongst you will also notice that Mr Corbyn

0:27:02 > 0:27:05is lucky enough to have that full Daily Politics experience

0:27:05 > 0:27:08by enjoying a cup of tea from a Daily Politics mug.

0:27:08 > 0:27:11We're not sure how he got hold of one, an inquiry

0:27:11 > 0:27:16is being launched, but if you'd also like the opportunity

0:27:16 > 0:27:21to get your hands on one of these beauties, you need to tell us

0:27:21 > 0:27:28when this happened.

0:27:35 > 0:27:37MUSIC.

0:27:54 > 0:28:03And all the visitors who have come to see what this old country can do.

0:28:06 > 0:28:09# My heart cries for you.

0:28:11 > 0:28:14Would you care to say a few words to the newsreels?

0:28:16 > 0:28:24# And my arms long for you. # Please come back to me.

0:28:30 > 0:28:38# Unforgettable. # That's what you are.

0:28:39 > 0:28:45# Unforgettable. # Though near or far.

0:28:59 > 0:29:05The sounds of Nat King Cole.

0:29:05 > 0:29:08To be in with a chance of winning a Daily Politics mug

0:29:08 > 0:29:10send your answers to our special quiz e-mail address.

0:29:10 > 0:29:11That's dpquiz@bbc.co.uk.

0:29:11 > 0:29:12Entries must arrive by 12.30 today.

0:29:12 > 0:29:14You can see the full terms and conditions

0:29:14 > 0:29:16for Guess The Year on our website.

0:29:16 > 0:29:19That's bbc.co.uk/Daily Politics.

0:29:19 > 0:29:24It's coming up to midday here.

0:29:24 > 0:29:28Big Ben is there. Dark clouds behind. It's sunny here, though,

0:29:28 > 0:29:31despite the best efforts of the scaffolders to hide that beautiful

0:29:31 > 0:29:37face. Prime Minister's questions will be with us in a few minutes.

0:29:37 > 0:29:40What do you think is going to happen, what areas do we believe

0:29:40 > 0:29:44will be covered by the front bench exchanges?We will see. You would

0:29:44 > 0:29:48imagine the Prime Minister might be invited to take up where David Davis

0:29:48 > 0:29:53left off, although Jeremy Corbyn as herself seen in the past is a little

0:29:53 > 0:29:56bit allergic to the subject of Brexit, something to do one imagines

0:29:56 > 0:30:00with divisions on the Labour benches. We will see. It may be very

0:30:00 > 0:30:05tempting. Why do I say that? David Davis, the Secretary of State has

0:30:05 > 0:30:11been giving evidence to MPs on a Commons committee this morning. We

0:30:11 > 0:30:15know David Davis, amiable chap though he is is not the sort of guy

0:30:15 > 0:30:17to duck a fight. Watching that committee, I am sure you were

0:30:17 > 0:30:21watching too, it looked at times like the political equivalent of a

0:30:21 > 0:30:28special forces training video.He is ex-special forces.Might or might

0:30:28 > 0:30:31not come in handy. We saw the Secretary of State effectively

0:30:31 > 0:30:33telling the House of Commons, including some on his own side who

0:30:33 > 0:30:37will not I think be happy with this, telling them we could get to the

0:30:37 > 0:30:41point at the Brexit negotiations right to the midnight hour, the last

0:30:41 > 0:30:45minute, and then the deal is done. Problem with that is these MPs want

0:30:45 > 0:30:49a vote for parliament on the deal which would mean effectively

0:30:49 > 0:30:54presenting parliament with a fait Au Complete. There are scenarios if we

0:30:54 > 0:30:59get to that. They all add up to one or other constitutional crisis. Also

0:30:59 > 0:31:02in the course of this interesting interview session he spoke of the

0:31:02 > 0:31:06negotiations to come and made it clear in his view he was sticking

0:31:06 > 0:31:11absolutely to the idea of concluding all negotiations until the moment at

0:31:11 > 0:31:17the moment of exit in March of 2019, if not before, including trade.So

0:31:17 > 0:31:22his aim is to get a trade deal as part of the overall deal.The whole

0:31:22 > 0:31:27thing done by that deadline. Even though Michel Barnier has spoken

0:31:27 > 0:31:30about three years to get that trade deal done. Others in the field who

0:31:30 > 0:31:35know something about it have spoken about much longer periods. There was

0:31:35 > 0:31:37David Davis ambition but the choice on offer effectively was do the

0:31:37 > 0:31:42whole deal by then, or we go away, there is no deal, it's WTO. The

0:31:42 > 0:31:45World Trade Organisation rules and the threat in the background or

0:31:45 > 0:31:49inducement was you don't want that any more than we do. We will see.

0:31:49 > 0:31:51You mentioned the midnight hour, what a great programme that was.

0:31:51 > 0:31:53Let's go over to the House of Commons.

0:32:02 > 0:32:09Mr Speaker... Mr Speaker. I'm sure all members across the house will

0:32:09 > 0:32:13wish to join me in wishing all of the home nations teams the best of

0:32:13 > 0:32:19luck in the rugby league World Cup starting this week. This morning I

0:32:19 > 0:32:21had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others and in

0:32:21 > 0:32:28addition to my duties in this House I will further meetings today.

0:32:28 > 0:32:33Social care services in England are in crisis. Since 2010 the local

0:32:33 > 0:32:38council in Manchester had its annual social care budget cut by 32

0:32:38 > 0:32:43million. By March the government will have taken 6.3 billion out of

0:32:43 > 0:32:46social care. Why won't the Prime Minister match Labour's commitment

0:32:46 > 0:32:53to invest 8 billion in social care in the budget?As I have said in

0:32:53 > 0:32:58this House we recognise the pressure on social care as we see an ageing

0:32:58 > 0:33:05population. There are short-term and medium term and long-term answers

0:33:05 > 0:33:09and in the short-term we have made extra funding available to local

0:33:09 > 0:33:15authorities and the announcement made in the budget was for an extra

0:33:15 > 0:33:21£2 billion for local authorities and in the medium term we need to ensure

0:33:21 > 0:33:26best practice is observed in local authorities and NHS trusts and in

0:33:26 > 0:33:29some cases delayed discharges are higher than others and in the

0:33:29 > 0:33:33long-term we need a sustainable footing for social care which is why

0:33:33 > 0:33:40we will be publishing an open consultation on ideas and proposals

0:33:40 > 0:33:48to ensure we can have that system in future.The Prime Minister will be

0:33:48 > 0:33:52aware of the roles supported housing plays with many vulnerable people in

0:33:52 > 0:33:56Torbay. What reassurance can she give about the ongoing support the

0:33:56 > 0:34:01government is giving to those vital services?He raises an important

0:34:01 > 0:34:06issue and something we have looked at closely. Since my right

0:34:06 > 0:34:09honourable friend the first Secretary of State commissioned work

0:34:09 > 0:34:14on this when he was Work and Pensions Secretary. I confirmed we

0:34:14 > 0:34:18will publish our response to that consultation on Tuesday, 31st of

0:34:18 > 0:34:23October and it will look at a range of issues, and we need to ensure

0:34:23 > 0:34:28funding is right so all providers are able to access it effectively

0:34:28 > 0:34:35and we need to look at issues such as the increase in service charges,

0:34:35 > 0:34:40making sure we are looking at cost control in the sector. As part of

0:34:40 > 0:34:46our response to the review we will not apply if the cap to supported

0:34:46 > 0:34:53housing and we will not implement it in the wider social rented sectors.

0:34:53 > 0:34:57The details will be made available when we publish our response.

0:34:57 > 0:35:07Jeremy Corbyn.

0:35:13 > 0:35:16Mr Speaker, Mr Speaker, I joined the Prime Minister in wishing the rugby

0:35:16 > 0:35:22league team the best in the competition and I hope they win it.

0:35:22 > 0:35:31Last week, the house voted by 299-0 to pause the roll-out of Universal

0:35:31 > 0:35:43Credit. Will the Prime Minister respect the will of the house?As I

0:35:43 > 0:35:48have said we acknowledge that there are concerns people have raised and

0:35:48 > 0:35:52as we have been rolling it out we have listened to those changes have

0:35:52 > 0:35:57been made. Perhaps I could update the house on where we are on the

0:35:57 > 0:36:03roll-out of Universal Credit. Currently, people claiming benefits,

0:36:03 > 0:36:078% are on Universal Credit and by January next year it will rise to

0:36:07 > 0:36:1210%. The roll-out is conducted in three phases and the intention is it

0:36:12 > 0:36:18will complete by 2022. It is being done in a measured way and I am

0:36:18 > 0:36:25pleased to say four out of five people are satisfied or very

0:36:25 > 0:36:35satisfied with the service they are receiving. Universal Credit helps

0:36:35 > 0:36:41people into the workplace and make sure work pays and that's what the

0:36:41 > 0:36:46system should do.I would have thought that if only 8% of the

0:36:46 > 0:36:53roll-out has taken place, and 20% of the people in receipt are

0:36:53 > 0:36:57dissatisfied, that is the cause for thought, maybe a pause in the

0:36:57 > 0:37:03process. Last week only one Conservative MP had the courage of

0:37:03 > 0:37:07their convictions to vote with us on suspending Universal Credit

0:37:07 > 0:37:16roll-out. For... Then, Mr Speaker, a Conservative member of the Welsh

0:37:16 > 0:37:22Assembly, Angela Burns said, and I quote, for the life of me I cannot

0:37:22 > 0:37:28understand why a six week or four week gap is deemed acceptable. She

0:37:28 > 0:37:33called Universal Credit Kallis at best and downright cruel at worst

0:37:33 > 0:37:38and concluded by saying she is ashamed of her government. Can the

0:37:38 > 0:37:41Prime Minister ease her colleague's shame by pausing and fixing

0:37:41 > 0:37:50Universal Credit?We have been making changes to the implementation

0:37:50 > 0:37:57as it has gone through the roll-out. Let's be clear about why we

0:37:57 > 0:38:03introduced Universal Credit. It is a system...Members are getting

0:38:03 > 0:38:11overexcited. The question has been put and the answer will be heard.We

0:38:11 > 0:38:16introduced Universal Credit is a more straightforward system that

0:38:16 > 0:38:21ensures the work pays and helps people into the workplace. Let's

0:38:21 > 0:38:26look at what happened in the system under Labour. Under Labour the low

0:38:26 > 0:38:32paid page tax and had it paid back to them in benefits. Under Labour,

0:38:32 > 0:38:39people were trapped on a life of benefits for years. Under Labour,

0:38:39 > 0:38:47the number of workless households doubled. Labour's benefits system

0:38:47 > 0:38:55cost households extra £3000 a year. What the Conservatives have done is

0:38:55 > 0:39:00give the low paid a pay rise, given the work as a tax cut and ensure we

0:39:00 > 0:39:09have the benefit system that helps people into work.Under Labour, 1

0:39:09 > 0:39:17million children were lifted out of poverty. Under Labour we introduced

0:39:17 > 0:39:21the principle of the national minimum wage, opposed by all Tories

0:39:21 > 0:39:27over there. If the Prime Minister is not prepared to listen to Angela

0:39:27 > 0:39:33Burns, perhaps she could listen to the architect of Universal Credit,

0:39:33 > 0:39:36The Right Honourable member for Chingford, who said one of the

0:39:36 > 0:39:40reasons I resigned from the government was I did not actually

0:39:40 > 0:39:43agree with the additional waiting days. This is something the

0:39:43 > 0:39:50government needs to look at. Does the Prime Minister agree with him?

0:39:50 > 0:39:57This is not just the answer I have given three or four times in this

0:39:57 > 0:40:02PMQs but in previous PMQs. As we look at Universal Credit roll-out we

0:40:02 > 0:40:06look at the way in which we introduce it. He talks about what

0:40:06 > 0:40:09happened under Labour and I am happy to talk about what happened under

0:40:09 > 0:40:22Labour.Order! Too much noise and finger-pointing on both sides of the

0:40:22 > 0:40:29chamber. The responses from the Prime Minister will be heard as more

0:40:29 > 0:40:32questions from the opposition and every other member, without fear or

0:40:32 > 0:40:38favour.Under the Labour Party, The right honourable gentleman is

0:40:38 > 0:40:42talking about rolling out of a new benefit system. Let's think about

0:40:42 > 0:40:47what happened when the Labour Party rushed to introduce tax credits. I

0:40:47 > 0:40:52was not the only member of Parliament who had people in my

0:40:52 > 0:40:56constituency surgery who had filled in the force properly, given their

0:40:56 > 0:41:00information to the authorities, and years later, the government came

0:41:00 > 0:41:06back and landed them with bills for thousands of pounds. That is what

0:41:06 > 0:41:09happens when you rush into a system rather than introducing it properly,

0:41:09 > 0:41:16as we are.I thought we had passed the threshold last week when the

0:41:16 > 0:41:19Prime Minister was going to answer questions but we have not achieved

0:41:19 > 0:41:27that yet. Labour introduced working tax credits to help people on low

0:41:27 > 0:41:34pay out of poverty and it made a very big difference. The sad truth

0:41:34 > 0:41:40is that Universal Credit is in such a mess that councils are forced to

0:41:40 > 0:41:45pick up the Bill. An example, Croydon Council, which piloted the

0:41:45 > 0:41:51scheme, is now spending £3 million of its own budget to prevent tenants

0:41:51 > 0:41:55from being evicted due to rent arrears caused by Universal Credit.

0:41:55 > 0:42:01Does the Prime Minister think it is right or fair that hard-pressed

0:42:01 > 0:42:04local authorities, having their budget cut by central government and

0:42:04 > 0:42:08having to dip in what little they have got left to prevent people

0:42:08 > 0:42:13being evicted when they know it is the responsibility of this

0:42:13 > 0:42:18government and its Universal Credit system that is causing the problem.

0:42:18 > 0:42:21Labour introduced working tax credits and then called back

0:42:21 > 0:42:25thousands of pounds from people working hard. He raises the issue of

0:42:25 > 0:42:30rent arrears. Members have concerns over people managing budgets to pay

0:42:30 > 0:42:39their rent. The majority, for the majority, it is not an issue,

0:42:39 > 0:42:44managing their budget and after four months, the number of people on

0:42:44 > 0:42:51Universal Credit in arrears has fallen by one third. We recognise

0:42:51 > 0:42:58the issue so we're working with landlords and have built flexibility

0:42:58 > 0:43:04into the system so landlords can be paid directly. Nobody can be legally

0:43:04 > 0:43:08evicted from social housing due to short-term rent arrears. I think

0:43:08 > 0:43:14that is an important point to get across to people. I come back to the

0:43:14 > 0:43:18essential point about Universal Credit. It is about a welfare system

0:43:18 > 0:43:23that helps people into work and makes work pay and does not trap

0:43:23 > 0:43:29people in benefits for years.I note the Prime Minister could not say

0:43:29 > 0:43:35anything about people being evicted from the private rental sector

0:43:35 > 0:43:38because of Universal Credit problems. The costs are driven by

0:43:38 > 0:43:46low pay and high rents. In 2015 the then Chancellor promised £9 and our

0:43:46 > 0:43:52living wage. In the March budget who was sneaked out the minimum wage

0:43:52 > 0:43:59would only reach £8 75. The welfare state was not created to subsidise

0:43:59 > 0:44:08low-paying employers and overcharging landlords. Will the

0:44:08 > 0:44:16budget in November put the onus back...Order! I expect better of

0:44:16 > 0:44:24you. You were better behaved when you were at Oxford University. What

0:44:24 > 0:44:31has happened to you, man?Calm yourself. My question is this, will

0:44:31 > 0:44:37the budget in November put the onus back on to employers to pay a decent

0:44:37 > 0:44:45wage so that workers can make ends meet?Of course we want to ensure

0:44:45 > 0:44:50there are higher paid jobs, that is why we are investing in the economy

0:44:50 > 0:44:55and why we are investing in infrastructure and in schools for

0:44:55 > 0:44:58young people and why we are introducing a modern industrial

0:44:58 > 0:45:04strategy. He says that he did... The welfare system was not created to

0:45:04 > 0:45:09subsidise employers paying low wages. That is what Labour's working

0:45:09 > 0:45:17tax credit system did!

0:45:17 > 0:45:22The Government's own social mobility commission reported that low pay was

0:45:22 > 0:45:26endemic in the United Kingdom, one in four workers permanently stuck in

0:45:26 > 0:45:33low paid jobs. That's why Labour backs a real living wage of £10 per

0:45:33 > 0:45:38hour to make work pay. This Government doesn't really know

0:45:38 > 0:45:49whether it's coming or going. They say... Mr Speaker, the Conservative

0:45:49 > 0:45:52Party and the Government says they have full confidence in universal

0:45:52 > 0:46:02credit. But won't vote for it. They say they will end the NHS pay cap

0:46:02 > 0:46:08but won't allocate any money to pay for it. The communities Secretary

0:46:08 > 0:46:13backs £50 billion of borrowing on housing, but the Chancellor says

0:46:13 > 0:46:17it's not policy. The Brexit Secretary says they're planning for

0:46:17 > 0:46:26a no deal Brexit. The Chancellor says they're not. Isn't the case, Mr

0:46:26 > 0:46:32Speaker, this Government is weak, incompetent, divided and unable to

0:46:32 > 0:46:39take a decision...Order, order! Order. I said that the responses

0:46:39 > 0:46:45from the Prime Minister would be heard. And the remarks of the right

0:46:45 > 0:46:49honourable gentleman will be heard. You can try to shout him down and

0:46:49 > 0:46:54other members can try to shout the Prime Minister down. It won't work.

0:46:54 > 0:47:01End of. Jeremy Corbyn.Isn't it the case that this Government is weak,

0:47:01 > 0:47:05incompetent and divided and unable to take the essential decisions

0:47:05 > 0:47:13necessary for the good of the people of this country?Now, I will tell

0:47:13 > 0:47:16the right honourable gentleman, of course we want to see people earning

0:47:16 > 0:47:20higher wages. Of course we want, as we are doing, to be able to ensure

0:47:20 > 0:47:23we can invest in our public services. But the way to do that,

0:47:23 > 0:47:26the way to have a higher standard of living, to have higher wages, to

0:47:26 > 0:47:31invest in our public services, to have a better future for people in

0:47:31 > 0:47:35this country, is to build and continue to build that stronger

0:47:35 > 0:47:39economy and you don't build a stronger economy by losing control

0:47:39 > 0:47:43of public finances. You don't build a stronger economy by uncontrolled

0:47:43 > 0:47:47borrowing. You don't build a stronger economy by hitting people

0:47:47 > 0:47:52with the highest taxes in our peacetime history. You don't build a

0:47:52 > 0:48:02stronger economy by voting against progress in our Brexit negotiations.

0:48:02 > 0:48:06And you don't... You don't build a stronger economy by planning for

0:48:06 > 0:48:12capital flight and a run on the pound. That's what Labour would do

0:48:12 > 0:48:21and we will never let it happen. Thank you, MrSpeaker. Some people in

0:48:21 > 0:48:27Plymouth are campaigning by way of a petition to say that lifeboats must

0:48:27 > 0:48:33be launched immediately a fishing vessel is overdue, I believe this is

0:48:33 > 0:48:36irresponsible and puts our valiant lifeboat crews in peril if they

0:48:36 > 0:48:40don't know where they're going. We know this in Cornwall. Would the

0:48:40 > 0:48:44Prime Minister look at making safety grants available so that all fishing

0:48:44 > 0:48:50boats can have an AIS locater beacon on board, this cost well under £4

0:48:50 > 0:48:55million, even if every registered fishing vessel under 15 metres got a

0:48:55 > 0:49:00full grant for covering the whole cost, my late husband had one of

0:49:00 > 0:49:03these aboard his boat.Can I thank my honourable friend for raising

0:49:03 > 0:49:08this issue and as she has just said I know this is an area where she

0:49:08 > 0:49:12tragically has personal experience and I would like to commend her for

0:49:12 > 0:49:15the work she has done in this important area and for championing

0:49:15 > 0:49:18these causes. I think she is right, launching a lifeboat whenever a

0:49:18 > 0:49:21fishing vessel is overdue may be the wrong decision, it could as she says

0:49:21 > 0:49:27be dangerous for the crew involved, that's why the coastguard do take

0:49:27 > 0:49:30time to gather valuable information before deciding how best to respond.

0:49:30 > 0:49:34On the issue she has raised, there are a number of grants available

0:49:34 > 0:49:36from various safety schemes and I would encourage all those involved

0:49:36 > 0:49:44in fishing to make the most of those grants that are available.Thank

0:49:44 > 0:49:50you, MrSpeaker. Does the Prime Minister agree with me that

0:49:50 > 0:49:53migration is key to delivering sustainable economic growth?What I

0:49:53 > 0:49:57think is absolutely key is to ensure that we have controlled migration in

0:49:57 > 0:50:02this country, that's what the people of this country want and that's what

0:50:02 > 0:50:11this Government is delivering.An American couple moved to Scotland

0:50:11 > 0:50:15and invested £400,000 to run an award-winning guesthouse in

0:50:15 > 0:50:22Inverness. They contribute to their community in the local economy. Yet,

0:50:22 > 0:50:28they will be deported because of a retro spective change by how was

0:50:28 > 0:50:35rules. Will the Prime Minister meet with me to discuss this case and the

0:50:35 > 0:50:41systemic problems with UK migration? My right honourable friend, the Home

0:50:41 > 0:50:45Secretary, is happy to meet with the honourable friend in order to

0:50:45 > 0:50:48discuss this specific case he has raised. It's absolutely right is

0:50:48 > 0:50:51that the Home Office does work to ensure that the immigration rules

0:50:51 > 0:50:54are being properly applied and that action is being taken according to

0:50:54 > 0:51:09those rules.Now it is time to hear MrSimon Hoare.Thank you, I have

0:51:09 > 0:51:13composed myself. I was greatly cheered last week as I am sure many

0:51:13 > 0:51:15colleagues were, the German Chancellor say that a final deal

0:51:15 > 0:51:19with regards to protection is going to happen. Does my right honourable

0:51:19 > 0:51:23friend agree with my assessment that we are going to get a good deal,

0:51:23 > 0:51:28that works for our country, for the European Union and possibly more

0:51:28 > 0:51:34importantly, for my conconstitute yepts of North Dorset.I do agree

0:51:34 > 0:51:40with my honourable friend, I believe that we are - our job is to get the

0:51:40 > 0:51:43bes Brexit deal for Britain. I we can. I believe it's a deal that will

0:51:43 > 0:51:45benefit the United Kingdom, that will benefit the United Kingdom

0:51:45 > 0:51:50across all parts of the UK, including his constituency. That we

0:51:50 > 0:51:55maximise the benefits from leaving the EU, while ensuring we maintain

0:51:55 > 0:51:58the greatest possible access to EU markets. That's what we are

0:51:58 > 0:52:01continuing to work on, that's what vision I set out in my Florence

0:52:01 > 0:52:06speech, and the European Union as we know are now preparing their

0:52:06 > 0:52:13response to that.The Prime Minister has previously stated her commitment

0:52:13 > 0:52:17to apprenticeships. However, in my constituency the apprenticeship levy

0:52:17 > 0:52:23has not been helping those for whom it was designed. What steps will she

0:52:23 > 0:52:29take to ensure apprenticeships help those from lower income backgrounds?

0:52:29 > 0:52:33Well, apprenticeships are important. We have already in the Government

0:52:33 > 0:52:36from 2010 to 2015, we saw two million more apprenticeships

0:52:36 > 0:52:41created.

0:52:42 > 0:52:45The important point about apprenticeships is that this is an

0:52:45 > 0:52:51opportunity for young people, not to feel they just have to be -

0:52:51 > 0:52:53encouraged to go down an academic route when that doesn't work for

0:52:53 > 0:52:58them. When I meet apprentices they say, many of them this is the best

0:52:58 > 0:53:04thing they've done and we want to make sure it's available for all

0:53:04 > 0:53:15those who will benefit from it.Can the Prime Minister assure me that

0:53:15 > 0:53:21the right road, school places, post boxes and of course especially

0:53:21 > 0:53:24healthcare provision will be in place to support both my new

0:53:24 > 0:53:30constituents and the up withes I have got at the moment.Well, can I

0:53:30 > 0:53:34first of all congratulate my honourable friend and say that I am

0:53:34 > 0:53:38pleased that the district is doing what we recognise we need to do to

0:53:38 > 0:53:41build, to tackle dysfunctional housing marringet, which is to build

0:53:41 > 0:53:43more homes. She is right, infrastructure is also an important

0:53:43 > 0:53:49part of that. That's why we have committed to £15 billion for road

0:53:49 > 0:53:52investment strategy, over half a trillion will be spent on the NHS in

0:53:52 > 0:53:56England during this parliament. A record £41 billion will be spent on

0:53:56 > 0:54:01core funding for schools this year. That I am pleased to say is the

0:54:01 > 0:54:08record of Conservatives in Government.In 24 hours the people

0:54:08 > 0:54:13of Dundee will wave off the bid for the 2023 European capital of

0:54:13 > 0:54:19culture. A fantastic bid which will generate some 1500 jobs and add 5%

0:54:19 > 0:54:25to local GDP. Can I ask the Prime Minister, notwithstanding her

0:54:25 > 0:54:30current difficulties with Europe, to back this bid, given it comes from

0:54:30 > 0:54:38the most innovative and forward looking city in the whole of the UK.

0:54:38 > 0:54:43Well, can I say to the honourable friend that of course we are always

0:54:43 > 0:54:49willing to back bids from any city in the United Kingdom to become the

0:54:49 > 0:54:53European City of Culture. But I welcome the fact that Dundee has put

0:54:53 > 0:54:57a bid forward. And is part of this. As I say, we want to support all

0:54:57 > 0:55:04cities in the United Kingdom who are doing it.It is a criminal offence

0:55:04 > 0:55:10for those like teachers in a position of trust to have a sexual

0:55:10 > 0:55:14relationship with those young people under 18. But a constituent came to

0:55:14 > 0:55:17me recently distressed about exactly such a relationship between his

0:55:17 > 0:55:2217-year-old daughter and a middle aged driving instructor. Now while

0:55:22 > 0:55:27if consensual it's not illegal, I am concerned that there might be risks

0:55:27 > 0:55:31to young drivers being groomed by a predatory instructor. Does my right

0:55:31 > 0:55:35honourable friend agree that driving instructors are by the nature of

0:55:35 > 0:55:38their work in a position of trust, should be covered by the same rules

0:55:38 > 0:55:44as teachers and if so would she ask the relevant Minister to work with

0:55:44 > 0:55:52me on this?I am concerned to hear the case of of his constituent

0:55:52 > 0:55:55raised and I recognise the position and the role that driving

0:55:55 > 0:55:58instructors play. Can I say to my honourable friend I think it's

0:55:58 > 0:56:00something that I will ask the appropriate department to look at

0:56:00 > 0:56:08and to get in touch with him to get further details of this case.In

0:56:08 > 0:56:11March 2019 the Prime Minister told this house that parliament would be

0:56:11 > 0:56:17given a meaningful vote on the tems of the Article 50 withdrawal bill.

0:56:17 > 0:56:20This morning, in the Brexit Select Committee the Secretary of State

0:56:20 > 0:56:25told us that vote may not take place until after March 2019. Can the

0:56:25 > 0:56:29Prime Minister please explain how it's possible to have a meaningsful

0:56:29 > 0:56:35vote on something that's already taken place?As the honourable

0:56:35 > 0:56:38friend knows we are in negotiations with the European Union but I am

0:56:38 > 0:56:42confident that we will - the timetable under the Lisbon Treaty

0:56:42 > 0:56:46does give time until March 2019 for negotiations to take place. But I am

0:56:46 > 0:56:48confident, because it is in the interests of both sides, it's not

0:56:48 > 0:56:51just this parliament that wants to have a vote on that deal, but

0:56:51 > 0:56:55actually there will be ratification by other parliaments that we will be

0:56:55 > 0:56:59able to achieve that agreement and that negotiation in time for this

0:56:59 > 0:57:07parliament to have the vote that we committed.We enter a week of

0:57:07 > 0:57:11commemorations around the centenary of the balance Ford declaration.

0:57:11 > 0:57:15Would the Prime Minister rededicate us to the pursuit of peace and

0:57:15 > 0:57:20justice for both the Israelis and the Palestinians, but celebrate with

0:57:20 > 0:57:24pride our small national contribution to the creation of a

0:57:24 > 0:57:29democracy in the Middle East, a sanctuary for those who suffered

0:57:29 > 0:57:34from anti-Semitism and fear its rise again and in the state of Israel a

0:57:34 > 0:57:39true friend of the United Kingdom. Well, can I first of all say to my

0:57:39 > 0:57:42honourable friend that we are proud of the role that we played in the

0:57:42 > 0:57:47creation of the state of Israel and we will certainly mark the centenary

0:57:47 > 0:57:51with pride. I am also pleased at the good trade relations and other

0:57:51 > 0:57:55relationships that we have with Israel and that we have are building

0:57:55 > 0:58:00on and enhancing. We also must be conscious of the sensitivitying some

0:58:00 > 0:58:03people do have about the declaration and we recognise that there is more

0:58:03 > 0:58:09work to be done. We remain committed to the two-state solution in

0:58:09 > 0:58:13relation to Israel and the Palestinians. That is an important

0:58:13 > 0:58:18aim. I think it's important that we all recommit to ensuring that we can

0:58:18 > 0:58:23provide security, stability and justice for both Israelis and

0:58:23 > 0:58:31Palestinians through such a lasting peace.Trying to get a decision on

0:58:31 > 0:58:38the Swansea tidal lagoon is becoming like Groundhog Day. Can I ask the

0:58:38 > 0:58:42Prime Minister when she will be ready?I say to the honourable lady

0:58:42 > 0:58:46as she knows this raises a number of complex issues, we are grateful for

0:58:46 > 0:58:50the review that was conducted and the relevant department is still -

0:58:50 > 0:58:54the business department is considering this and we will respond

0:58:54 > 0:59:01in due course.Does the Prime Minister agree that as we leave the

0:59:01 > 0:59:05EU and take control of our land management policy our manifesto

0:59:05 > 0:59:10commitment to planned 11 million trees is a critical part of a

0:59:10 > 0:59:13holistic countryside management framework which we can now build to

0:59:13 > 0:59:18ensure long-term home grown wood for our housing industry alongside

0:59:18 > 0:59:21increasing our natural carbon capture potential and reducing flood

0:59:21 > 0:59:26risks.Well, my honourable friend is absolutely right, we did commit in

0:59:26 > 0:59:28our manifesto to plant 11 million trees. We are putting that at the

0:59:28 > 0:59:32heart of our work to protect the environment for future generations.

0:59:32 > 0:59:36I am pleased to say that since April 2015 we have planted just over two

0:59:36 > 0:59:40million trees. But we do have much more to do and we will be continuing

0:59:40 > 0:59:43to work with landowners and stakeholders on this particular

0:59:43 > 0:59:54issue. But it is also about the role that trees play in reducing flood

0:59:54 > 1:00:01risks and helping to hold carbon dioxide.

1:00:01 > 1:00:07The banister has spoken on mental health.Can I thank her for that?

1:00:07 > 1:00:11When she was Home Secretary she outlawed police cells used for those

1:00:11 > 1:00:17in mental health crisis but today parts of the system are in crisis.

1:00:17 > 1:00:22In my constituency, children, young people and families, weighted two

1:00:22 > 1:00:30years for autism assessments. The Secretary of State agrees it is not

1:00:30 > 1:00:35acceptable. Can I ask the Prime Minister if she will turn her

1:00:35 > 1:00:38well-intentioned statements into action?We are taking a number of

1:00:38 > 1:00:43courses of action and he has raised the issue of the autism diagnosis

1:00:43 > 1:00:49and the length of time it takes. I know my right honourable friend the

1:00:49 > 1:00:52Health Secretary has looked into this and will do so because we are

1:00:52 > 1:00:56clear we want to insure adults and children should not have to face too

1:00:56 > 1:01:01long for period of diagnosis to take place. The Department of Health is

1:01:01 > 1:01:13working with partners to address these issues. And the clinical

1:01:13 > 1:01:16guidance sets out assessment should begin within three months of

1:01:16 > 1:01:20referral. It is within the Department of Health to work in

1:01:20 > 1:01:27those areas to make sure it is possible to achieve.Tomorrow at

1:01:27 > 1:01:30Cornwall airport the bloodhound will carry out its first test run in the

1:01:30 > 1:01:35next step on its quest to achieve the land speed record. Will the

1:01:35 > 1:01:40Prime Minister join me in wishing the team, especially the driver Andy

1:01:40 > 1:01:44Greene a successful test run and does she agreed these projects show

1:01:44 > 1:01:50the UK continues to lead the world in innovation in science and

1:01:50 > 1:01:56engineering?I am very happy to join him in wishing the team well and I

1:01:56 > 1:02:01have met some of the members of the team. I agree with the point he

1:02:01 > 1:02:06makes that this continues to show what a world leader in science and

1:02:06 > 1:02:11innovation UK ears. We have some of the best universities with four in

1:02:11 > 1:02:16the world top ten and more Nobel prizewinners than any country

1:02:16 > 1:02:21outside of the United States. I am sure we will all be proud of the

1:02:21 > 1:02:31Bloodhound team.Does the Prime Minister agree that as a result of

1:02:31 > 1:02:36the potential downgrading of Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, 479

1:02:36 > 1:02:42professionals lost, over 300 hospital beds cut and a 90 minute

1:02:42 > 1:02:45journey to the nearest A&E are not in the best interests of

1:02:45 > 1:02:50constituents? And will she meets to discuss the detrimental impact this

1:02:50 > 1:02:58will have on the area?The principle we want to base their decisions on

1:02:58 > 1:03:04is service changes should be based on clear evidence and led by

1:03:04 > 1:03:09clinicians who best understand what the local needs are. I understand

1:03:09 > 1:03:12that councils have referred the changes to the Health Secretary and

1:03:12 > 1:03:16I know he will consider those issues carefully and come to a decision in

1:03:16 > 1:03:25due course.Next year sees the centenary of the first woman member

1:03:25 > 1:03:29of Parliament. Would my right honourable friend tell us what

1:03:29 > 1:03:33leadership and encouragement to the women and girls in his constituency

1:03:33 > 1:03:38to take part in public life is a member for Sheffield Herm has shown

1:03:38 > 1:03:48in his remarks?Can I say -- Sheffield Hallam. It is important we

1:03:48 > 1:03:53mark the centenary and recognise the role women have played in this House

1:03:53 > 1:03:59and in public life. I want to see young women and women able to see

1:03:59 > 1:04:04this House is the place they want to come to, they want to contribute to

1:04:04 > 1:04:08their society, want to respond to needs of local constituents and make

1:04:08 > 1:04:14a difference to people'slives. That is what I am in it for and why I

1:04:14 > 1:04:17encouraged women to come into this House and I'm pleased to say we have

1:04:17 > 1:04:28more women on our benches ever before. Finally, all of us in this

1:04:28 > 1:04:32House should have due care and attention to the way in which we

1:04:32 > 1:04:38refer to other people. And should show women in public life the

1:04:38 > 1:04:52respect they deserve.Yesterday the Scottish Parliament voted by 91-28

1:04:52 > 1:04:58to ban fracking in Scotland. Could I ask why the Prime Minister would not

1:04:58 > 1:05:02consider following Scotland's lead and introducing a moratorium on the

1:05:02 > 1:05:08rest of the UK in order that there can be an evaluation of the health

1:05:08 > 1:05:11and environmental consequences of this controversial technology and in

1:05:11 > 1:05:19order of the public can be consulted?This is an issue on which

1:05:19 > 1:05:24he and I will disagree because I think shale gas has the potential to

1:05:24 > 1:05:28power economic growth and it will support thousands of jobs in the oil

1:05:28 > 1:05:32and gas industry and other sectors and it will provide a new domestic

1:05:32 > 1:05:38energy source. We have more than 50 years of drilling experience and one

1:05:38 > 1:05:41of the best records for economic development while protecting the

1:05:41 > 1:05:50environment. Shell wealth funds will provide additional resources and

1:05:50 > 1:05:56local councils will be able to retain hundred per cent collected

1:05:56 > 1:06:00from shale gas developments. We will bring in further proposals but this

1:06:00 > 1:06:07is a potential new source of energy and it is right we use this and take

1:06:07 > 1:06:15the benefits for the economy and people'sfutures.I'm sure the Prime

1:06:15 > 1:06:19Minister is aware of the terrifying incident on Sunday where a gunman

1:06:19 > 1:06:24held hostages at a bowling alley in my neighbouring constituency

1:06:24 > 1:06:31Nuneaton, a facility enjoyed by my constituents. Will she join me in

1:06:31 > 1:06:36praising the excellent work in Warwickshire Police and West

1:06:36 > 1:06:40Midlands ambulance did in ensuring the situation was brought to a swift

1:06:40 > 1:06:46conclusion without casualties?Can I say of course we were concerned to

1:06:46 > 1:06:52hear of the incident and I am happy to join him and the honourable

1:06:52 > 1:06:55member for Nuneaton in commending the professionalism and bravery of

1:06:55 > 1:07:00Warwickshire Police in bringing this to a swift conclusion and to the

1:07:00 > 1:07:05Ambulance Service in ensuring there were no injuries. The emergency

1:07:05 > 1:07:09services do an amazing job and this is the sort of incident when they do

1:07:09 > 1:07:12not know whether this is the sort of thing they will have to be called to

1:07:12 > 1:07:17and I was pleased to welcome emergency services personnel to a

1:07:17 > 1:07:22reception in Downing Street on Monday, and what they all say and

1:07:22 > 1:07:26always say is they were just doing their job but my goodness me, what a

1:07:26 > 1:07:34job they do.On the 29th of March, I asked the Prime Minister if she

1:07:34 > 1:07:38would help the people of new ferry after the huge explosion that

1:07:38 > 1:07:42devastated the town centre. She said she was happy to help and they would

1:07:42 > 1:07:47be support offered to the community. Two weeks later she called a general

1:07:47 > 1:07:52election and her government seems to have forgotten about the people in

1:07:52 > 1:07:57new ferry. While she may have forgotten, my constituents have not.

1:07:57 > 1:08:01I ask again, precisely when will Heard government put their hands in

1:08:01 > 1:08:06their pockets so the people in new ferry can rebuild their town and

1:08:06 > 1:08:11lives?The government has not forgotten about the issue and I

1:08:11 > 1:08:15understand that we are waiting for the local council to produce

1:08:15 > 1:08:22proposals and a business case and we will look at those seriously.In

1:08:22 > 1:08:26acknowledging the hard work of the men and women at RAF Benson in my

1:08:26 > 1:08:31constituency for the work they did in the Caribbean, will she

1:08:31 > 1:08:35acknowledged the Puma to helicopter was ready and available for work in

1:08:35 > 1:08:40the Caribbean within a couple of hours of having arrived?I am very

1:08:40 > 1:08:46happy to commend the work of those at RAF Benson and those in the

1:08:46 > 1:08:51military and volunteers who provided support after the devastating

1:08:51 > 1:08:55hurricanes that took place and I am also happy to agree with him that

1:08:55 > 1:09:04contrary to some stories put about, we were there, on time, and able to

1:09:04 > 1:09:10act quickly in getting people support.We can all agree no one

1:09:10 > 1:09:16should ever be persecuted on account of their sexuality. Last week at the

1:09:16 > 1:09:21Pink News awards, the Prime Minister said we had come a long way on LGBT

1:09:21 > 1:09:28rights that there is more to do. Can I ask to start that work today by

1:09:28 > 1:09:34promising that never again will the Home Office deport LGBT asylum

1:09:34 > 1:09:39seekers to countries where they are unlikely to be persecuted with the

1:09:39 > 1:09:45instruction that they pretend to be straight?Can I say to the

1:09:45 > 1:09:51honourable lady this is an issue that we take seriously. I think I'm

1:09:51 > 1:09:54right in saying the Conservative government changed the rules on

1:09:54 > 1:09:58asylum seeking to introduce the category of those who could face

1:09:58 > 1:10:03persecution in their home of origin because of their sexuality. I am

1:10:03 > 1:10:08pleased that was done and I am sure the Home Office treats all cases

1:10:08 > 1:10:18with a sensitivity that is appropriate.As of 2016, 17% of the

1:10:18 > 1:10:23premises in Scotland were without superfast broadband compared to 11%

1:10:23 > 1:10:29for the UK as a whole. Will she join me in calling on the Scottish

1:10:29 > 1:10:34Government to do more and constructively engage with

1:10:34 > 1:10:37departments in Westminster to deliver this crucial service in

1:10:37 > 1:10:51communities in Scotland?Can I say...Can I say? Order! All sorts

1:10:51 > 1:10:56of curious hand and finger gestures are being deployed, each trying to

1:10:56 > 1:11:01outdo the other in terms of eccentricity but I am interested in

1:11:01 > 1:11:07hearing the Prime Minister's reply. Can I say that we all recognise the

1:11:07 > 1:11:12importance of broadband and fast broadband being available to people

1:11:12 > 1:11:17but he is right, the members of the Scottish Nationalist party come to

1:11:17 > 1:11:27Westminster. They spend a lot of time talking about Powell is for the

1:11:27 > 1:11:30Scottish Government. It is time the Scottish Government got on with

1:11:30 > 1:11:39using its powers for the benefit of people in Scotland.Mr Speaker, in

1:11:39 > 1:11:42the past fortnight we have heard the announcement of the loss of many

1:11:42 > 1:11:49hundreds of jobs in Lancashire at BAE Systems sites which is a hammer

1:11:49 > 1:11:55blow to workers and families. Today I want to raise a proposed closure

1:11:55 > 1:12:00impressed and that will mean the loss of another 180 jobs. We keep

1:12:00 > 1:12:06hearing the hype about the Northern Powerhouse. Why are aerospace and

1:12:06 > 1:12:11trade manufacturers in the North shedding jobs by hundreds?I

1:12:11 > 1:12:17recognise this is a worrying time for workers involved. Obviously, we

1:12:17 > 1:12:20will ensure through the Department for Work and Pensions they have

1:12:20 > 1:12:25support to look for new jobs which includes the rapid response service

1:12:25 > 1:12:30which gives particular support to people in these areas. In relation

1:12:30 > 1:12:37to the decision by BAE Systems, I assure the house we will continue to

1:12:37 > 1:12:41promote this industry and I hope all Labour members will continue to

1:12:41 > 1:12:52promote the defence industry. I am glad that last month we signed a

1:12:52 > 1:12:56statement of intent with Qatar and last year the Ministry of Defence

1:12:56 > 1:13:03spent £3.7 billion with Bae and are working with them to maximise export

1:13:03 > 1:13:11opportunities for Typhoons in Hawks to retain jobs in the UK.When it

1:13:11 > 1:13:15comes to tackling homelessness, prevention is better than cure, so I

1:13:15 > 1:13:19am delighted the government backed my Homelessness Reduction Act. One

1:13:19 > 1:13:26of the obstacles to people is putting together a deposit for rent

1:13:26 > 1:13:30and help with the rent. Will my right honourable friend look at a

1:13:30 > 1:13:35scheme that will provide 32,000 people a year the opportunity to

1:13:35 > 1:13:40rent for an investment of £3.1 million per year, and not only that,

1:13:40 > 1:13:48to save the public purse up to £1.8 billion over a three-year period?I

1:13:48 > 1:13:53thank him for the issue he has campaigned on, the issue of

1:13:53 > 1:13:56homelessness and preventing homelessness and I am pleased we

1:13:56 > 1:14:00supported his Homelessness Reduction Act and I think that will be an

1:14:00 > 1:14:05important contribution. I understand on the specific issue he has raised,

1:14:05 > 1:14:11he has made a representation to the Chancellor and I am sure he will

1:14:11 > 1:14:14look at that representation carefully. On the general issue of

1:14:14 > 1:14:19helping people to buy and helping with deposits, I'm pleased to

1:14:19 > 1:14:24announce the extra £10 million of the to buy scheme, which makes a to

1:14:24 > 1:14:34people to get into homes.The workforce, the unions and management

1:14:34 > 1:14:37at Bombardier in Belfast deserve credit for the way they responded to

1:14:37 > 1:14:43the threats coming from the United States and Boeing, which is a threat

1:14:43 > 1:14:49to their jobs. Can the Prime Minister given assurance she will

1:14:49 > 1:14:54continue building on the good work that has happened through herself

1:14:54 > 1:14:57the Secretary of State for business and also the Northern Ireland

1:14:57 > 1:15:01Secretary and work with the unions and management to ensure the threat

1:15:01 > 1:15:07of tariffs is removed. The C series is a success story and thousands of

1:15:07 > 1:15:12jobs in Belfast are protected and across the United Kingdom, as well?

1:15:12 > 1:15:17I am very happy to give that commitment. A lot of work has been

1:15:17 > 1:15:21done in relation to this by myself and by the Business Secretary and

1:15:21 > 1:15:26Chancellor and other ministers with their opposite numbers in America

1:15:26 > 1:15:32and Canada. We will continue to do that work. Most recent announcement

1:15:32 > 1:15:38made in relation to Airbus and the C series is important, but we want to

1:15:38 > 1:15:41ensure those jobs stay in Northern Ireland because we recognise the

1:15:41 > 1:15:45importance of the jobs for the economy of Northern Ireland and for

1:15:45 > 1:15:47the people and their families. Order.

1:15:53 > 1:16:02Jeremy Corbyn went on universal credit. He probably thinks he is

1:16:02 > 1:16:09scratching -- scratching at a bruise. We have some figures. Only

1:16:09 > 1:16:148% of those in receipt of benefits are now being covered by the

1:16:14 > 1:16:20rollout. 10% by January and won't finish until 2022. The Prime

1:16:20 > 1:16:23Minister claimed four out of five subject to this rollout are

1:16:23 > 1:16:29satisfied. Jeremy Corbyn pointed out that meant 20% were not happy with

1:16:29 > 1:16:33what happened and caused problems getting into rent arrears and so on.

1:16:33 > 1:16:37Then a walk down memory lane on Labour's welfare policies versus

1:16:37 > 1:16:41Tory welfare policies. Going all the way back to Labour's introduction of

1:16:41 > 1:16:49tax credits. Jeremy Corbyn finished on the problem of low pay and rising

1:16:49 > 1:16:54rents and problems with universal credit being paid in time, of which

1:16:54 > 1:16:59there have been a number of cases. Interestingly, earlier on, the Prime

1:16:59 > 1:17:03Minister made an important announcement, particularly for those

1:17:03 > 1:17:07in the private rented sector, if you are on low pay in the private

1:17:07 > 1:17:12represented sector you qualify for what is called local housing

1:17:12 > 1:17:17allowance. MrOsbourne when he was Chancellor had frozen that allowance

1:17:17 > 1:17:20and as inflation is getting higher that becomes a cut in real terms.

1:17:20 > 1:17:28Although we haven't got all the details it would seem that freeze on

1:17:28 > 1:17:35LHA, which goes to the poorer of the 1. 5 million private renters, then

1:17:35 > 1:17:40that freeze is now over. It could be worth several hundred pounds, I

1:17:40 > 1:17:45understand. We will get more details of that as the day goes on. It was -

1:17:45 > 1:17:48the announcement was rather hidden. I think the Prime Minister may also

1:17:48 > 1:17:51referred they were going to look at the social housing element of this,

1:17:51 > 1:17:54as well. You have been following this, haven't you?Yes, I think she

1:17:54 > 1:17:57just said they would be looking at the cap on the local housing

1:17:57 > 1:18:01allowance...Which was the freeze. Indeed. There has been changes that

1:18:01 > 1:18:06have meant that much wider areas are covered. For example, for a high

1:18:06 > 1:18:09cost we are assessed as having the same cost as the whole of

1:18:09 > 1:18:13Oxfordshire. I think she was talking about social rented sector. If it

1:18:13 > 1:18:19was...Not the private side?I think that would have a very big impact,

1:18:19 > 1:18:23just covering councils, I hope this will be adequate funded because a

1:18:23 > 1:18:26lot of them are already very stretched but I suppose we need to

1:18:26 > 1:18:31see the detail.There are 4. 5 million people who now rent

1:18:31 > 1:18:35privately, households, not people. It's a big increase, twice what it

1:18:35 > 1:18:40was in the year 2000. Partly because people can't afford their own homes

1:18:40 > 1:18:46any more. 1. 5 million of these people are on the poorer end of the

1:18:46 > 1:18:51income scale, they depend on this LHA to be able to pay their rent. It

1:18:51 > 1:18:54would be a case for doing something about them too if they're not

1:18:54 > 1:18:58covered.As you rightly say, people in social housing are all covered by

1:18:58 > 1:19:03that now. You make a good point about the rising rents in the

1:19:03 > 1:19:09private sector. I think that we will hear more details today about a

1:19:09 > 1:19:15separate proposal to use at least a third of the savings that we managed

1:19:15 > 1:19:19to make from the freeze that has come to an end.The freeze has come

1:19:19 > 1:19:27to an end?I believe so.For private as well as social?No, for social -

1:19:27 > 1:19:33we have made savings and we are going to make a third of those

1:19:33 > 1:19:37savings available to areas in the country where private rents are even

1:19:37 > 1:19:40higher than the average. So that we are doing something to help people

1:19:40 > 1:19:46who are renting in the private sector.Well, you will be aware,

1:19:46 > 1:19:50according to the ONS that the problem, because the demand for

1:19:50 > 1:19:55private rent has been growing so much and this applies not so much,

1:19:55 > 1:20:00people on low incomes find it hard to meet the rent rises, particularly

1:20:00 > 1:20:07if they have problems with universal credit and so on, according to the

1:20:07 > 1:20:12ONS the ending of private sectors tenancies is the single biggest

1:20:12 > 1:20:16cause of statutory homelessness in England. These are people made

1:20:16 > 1:20:20homeless because they - the rent has gone up in the private sector and

1:20:20 > 1:20:26they can't afford the rent rise. That would seem to be rather serious

1:20:26 > 1:20:30social problem.I quite agree, I think it is a serious problem that's

1:20:30 > 1:20:35why we are trying to address it at the higher end of rent increases in

1:20:35 > 1:20:39areas where they are significantly above the average. There will be

1:20:39 > 1:20:44money made available to assist people.BrieflyIf I may that's

1:20:44 > 1:20:47short-term, we need to deal with precious in the first place, if you

1:20:47 > 1:20:50are taking money from a previous cost savings that's going to run out

1:20:50 > 1:20:54quickly. We need to have a long-term solution and Labour set out some

1:20:54 > 1:20:59ways.One of the ways is to build more houses.When are you going to

1:20:59 > 1:21:04do that?The Prime Minister is going to take charge of this area of

1:21:04 > 1:21:08policy, she has the former housing Minister...We know all that.We

1:21:08 > 1:21:12will see progress.We will keep an eye on whether there is that

1:21:12 > 1:21:17progress, we have heard it before. I want to talk about Brexit. Before we

1:21:17 > 1:21:22do, more on this story about whether parliament would get a vote on the

1:21:22 > 1:21:28final Brexit deal before we leave in March 2019.

1:21:28 > 1:21:29The Brexit Secretary this morning suggested that,

1:21:29 > 1:21:32if negotiations went up to the wire, that any Parliamentary vote

1:21:32 > 1:21:34might not happen till AFTER we leave in 2019.

1:21:34 > 1:21:36Number Ten has issued a clarification saying,

1:21:36 > 1:21:38"the Government's intention and expectation is to get a deal

1:21:38 > 1:21:44in good time for the vote to happen before we leave in March 2019.

1:21:44 > 1:21:53David Davis was asking a hypothetical question."

1:21:53 > 1:21:58I thought that was my job! He answered a hypothetical question.

1:21:58 > 1:22:01Let's speak now to Nicky Morgan, former Education Secretary and now

1:22:01 > 1:22:05Chairman of the Treasury Select Committee.

1:22:05 > 1:22:12What do you make of the idea that if negotiations went down to the wire

1:22:12 > 1:22:15in March parliament wouldn't get a vote until after Article 50 had

1:22:15 > 1:22:19already been triggered or done?It would be completely pointless to

1:22:19 > 1:22:23have a vote at that stage, it's clearly unacceptable. The Prime

1:22:23 > 1:22:26Minister's been very clear and she just made it clear again in Prime

1:22:26 > 1:22:29Minister's questions she's expecting there will be a deal and a good

1:22:29 > 1:22:33deal, and also parliament, the UK parliament, will have time to vote

1:22:33 > 1:22:37on it. As will the European Parliaments and that's always been

1:22:37 > 1:22:40understood, the EU parliament and other parliaments around Europe will

1:22:40 > 1:22:44want to have their say. So, it would be completely wrong and go against

1:22:44 > 1:22:48all that ministers have said that we wouldn't get a vote.Right. But what

1:22:48 > 1:22:53if it does go down to the wire? What if it goes to the last week of

1:22:53 > 1:22:58March, it's not unprecedented in the way Europe's done its business, I

1:22:58 > 1:23:01have been at European summits where they stopped the clock at one stage

1:23:01 > 1:23:06they were running so far, what if that happens and then by the end of

1:23:06 > 1:23:09March we are out, a deal may have been done for the final minute, but

1:23:09 > 1:23:16you don't get to vote and after it's a done deal. ?Well, I have also

1:23:16 > 1:23:20been at EU summits as a Minister and you are right often negotiations do

1:23:20 > 1:23:24go down to the wire. The danger of answering hypothetical questions as

1:23:24 > 1:23:29David Davis said this morning is that you end up in hotter water. But

1:23:29 > 1:23:34of course there is a procedure for the 27 to mutually agree to extend

1:23:34 > 1:23:39obviously the Article 50 deadline for a period of time, I suppose what

1:23:39 > 1:23:42could happen is if everyone was clear a final deal was there, but

1:23:42 > 1:23:46there wasn't enough time to have the votes, then there will be time

1:23:46 > 1:23:51extended to be able to do that. I cannot see the Europeans, the EU

1:23:51 > 1:23:55member states, the parliament, not having a final say and the whole

1:23:55 > 1:23:59point about Brexit is to take back control, that control has to come

1:23:59 > 1:24:03back to the Sovereign parliament, they have to have a final meaningful

1:24:03 > 1:24:08vote.But you will know as well as I, because you will have poured over

1:24:08 > 1:24:13Article 50, for an extension for that period to be given all 27 of

1:24:13 > 1:24:18the other members have to agree. It would only take one, Czech Republic,

1:24:18 > 1:24:26maybe in a bad mood, Austria, is in a bad mood at the moment, just one

1:24:26 > 1:24:30and you can't extend it.Well, you are right. It has to be absolutely

1:24:30 > 1:24:34unanimous. I think to be honest the EU parliament and the member states

1:24:34 > 1:24:38have made clear they want to have a say. The danger of all of this issue

1:24:38 > 1:24:42about Brexit is we are all busy dealing in what ifs and what might

1:24:42 > 1:24:46happen, the Prime Minister was right when she said I am working on the

1:24:46 > 1:24:49basis and you talked about clarification put out by Number 10,

1:24:49 > 1:24:53they're working on the basis there will be a good deal and time for

1:24:53 > 1:24:56parliaments here and in Europe to have their say. I think that's the

1:24:56 > 1:25:02basis on which we have to proceed. That's why MPs like me, MPs like

1:25:02 > 1:25:08Dominic Grieve put down an amendment to say there has to be a final

1:25:08 > 1:25:11meaningful vote. It's not yet in legislation. That's why the

1:25:11 > 1:25:15amendment to the withdrawal bill which we are told we are going to

1:25:15 > 1:25:18discuss from mid-November onwards is so important to secure.Thank you

1:25:18 > 1:25:30for rushing out of the chamber to join us. So, John, clear as mud!

1:25:30 > 1:25:35Pretty much, yeah. The Prime Minister fell back on the argument

1:25:35 > 1:25:39that she imagines that the Brexit talks will be done and dusted with

1:25:39 > 1:25:43time to spare, months to spare. Time to come back to Westminster and no

1:25:43 > 1:25:48doubt as she would hope get a clear nod from parliament, good on you, go

1:25:48 > 1:25:52and finish and sign. That looks like an optimistic reading of the way

1:25:52 > 1:25:59this may well pan out. We have seen Brexiteers around the Tory Party and

1:25:59 > 1:26:03beyond arguing that if the EU gress to demands and allows frictionless

1:26:03 > 1:26:09trade now after Brexit we can do that deal in a moment.Because you

1:26:09 > 1:26:14are coming off free trade to something less.And then carry on

1:26:14 > 1:26:16because that's what we all want. Problem is it's not what everyone

1:26:16 > 1:26:22wants. If you listen to Donald Tusk, the President of the Council of

1:26:22 > 1:26:26Ministers, he says, Europe has to win and win was pretty much his

1:26:26 > 1:26:29word. Arguing that for these negotiations to succeed, you have to

1:26:29 > 1:26:33be worse off outside the European Union than at least you were in.

1:26:33 > 1:26:41That means if nothing else, difficult negotiations ahead. Not

1:26:41 > 1:26:46arguably months to spare. Are they going to force the Government to

1:26:46 > 1:26:51guarantee this sort of final say? You are shaking your head.Well, I

1:26:51 > 1:26:57don't shaur your pessimistic view about the likelihood of achieving a

1:26:57 > 1:27:02good trade deal, of course, the European Union are not going to let

1:27:02 > 1:27:06us leave without what in their view is a status which isn't the same and

1:27:06 > 1:27:12isn't as good, but in our view if we can get control of our borders and

1:27:12 > 1:27:15end free movement that is a big bonus which our electorate decided

1:27:15 > 1:27:20upon last year. If we can get, with - don't forget we are leaving with

1:27:20 > 1:27:22regulatory equivalents on everything, so that we should be

1:27:22 > 1:27:27able to be in a position to have a good trade deal.That would require

1:27:27 > 1:27:31the goodwill of the Commission. I suppose it's reasonable as Nicky

1:27:31 > 1:27:35Morgan said, if the deal is done on the 11th hour of the 11th day sort

1:27:35 > 1:27:40of thing, the last minute t would be reasonable for the other 27 to say,

1:27:40 > 1:27:43all right, we will, for the ratification period, we will do

1:27:43 > 1:27:46another three months or four months. Well, I think it would be but what I

1:27:46 > 1:27:50am concerned about is the Government is presenting these negotiations as

1:27:50 > 1:27:55if they're some poker game where there is just effectively Theresa

1:27:55 > 1:27:59May in the room with perhaps others, it's more complex and we have been

1:27:59 > 1:28:02saying for a long time the Government should be much clearer

1:28:02 > 1:28:08that we need to commit to pushing for this transition period now, get

1:28:08 > 1:28:10that organised, once we have done that... Again I mentioned this

1:28:10 > 1:28:13earlier, that Theresa May seems to be now saying we can't decide on it

1:28:13 > 1:28:17until we have all the details.We can't decide because we have run out

1:28:17 > 1:28:22of time. And I am still confused. Let's put you out of your misery and

1:28:22 > 1:28:28give you the answer to Guess The Year. It was...

1:28:28 > 1:28:431951. Now, we will find out who has won. Don't hold back!

1:28:45 > 1:28:50Black and white pictures there. The 1 o'clock news is starting on BBC

1:28:50 > 1:28:53One. Jo will be here tomorrow at afternoon with another Daily

1:28:53 > 1:28:56Politics. Bye.