13/12/2017

0:00:38 > 0:00:44Morning folks - welcome to the Daily Politics.

0:00:44 > 0:00:47The general election of 2017 saw a rise in abuse and intimidation

0:00:47 > 0:00:50of candidates fuelled primarily by social media.

0:00:50 > 0:00:53That's according to the Government's own ethics watchdog.

0:00:53 > 0:01:00So will ministers legislate to hold tech firms responsible?

0:01:00 > 0:01:02As the Prime Minister prepares for the EU summit tomorrow

0:01:02 > 0:01:05which will give the green light to start trade talks,

0:01:05 > 0:01:08she faces a potential rebellion at home on her flagship Brexit Bill.

0:01:08 > 0:01:10Tory rebels say they want a "meaningful vote"

0:01:10 > 0:01:11on the final Brexit deal.

0:01:11 > 0:01:19So will the Government back down?

0:01:19 > 0:01:22Jeremy Corbyn will be hoping to land a few metaphorical blows

0:01:22 > 0:01:25on Theresa May when they square off at Prime Minister's Questions.

0:01:25 > 0:01:34We'll have all the action live at noon.

0:01:34 > 0:01:41And, in a major upset, a Democrat has won election

0:01:41 > 0:01:43to the US Senate in the solidly Republican state of Alabama,

0:01:43 > 0:01:53defeating President Trump's preferred candidate.

0:01:55 > 0:01:58All that in the next 90 minutes, and with me for the duration

0:01:58 > 0:02:00is the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, George Eustice,

0:02:00 > 0:02:02and the Shadow Brexit Minister, Jenny Chapman.

0:02:02 > 0:02:04Welcome to you both.

0:02:04 > 0:02:08Now, according to the Government's own ethics watchdog,

0:02:08 > 0:02:10social media is primarily responsible for fuelling abuse

0:02:10 > 0:02:20and intimidation towards candidates in the recent general election.

0:02:21 > 0:02:24The independent committee on Standards in Public Life also

0:02:24 > 0:02:26suggests legislation should be introduced to force social media

0:02:26 > 0:02:29companies to deal with illegal content to stop the intimidation

0:02:29 > 0:02:30of those in public life.

0:02:30 > 0:02:36Let's hear from Lord Bew, the committee chair.

0:02:36 > 0:02:40Millions of people in this country have an interest in everybody who

0:02:40 > 0:02:44lives here and the quality of our Parliamentary democracy, the quality

0:02:44 > 0:02:48of the people who feel able to come forward. They have an interest in a

0:02:48 > 0:02:52form of political deate which is Frank, sometimes tough and

0:02:52 > 0:02:57aggressive, it has always been so, but contains an element of respect,

0:02:57 > 0:03:01within it for the other side. It is really important that the parties

0:03:01 > 0:03:06come together, this report will not work if the parties don't come

0:03:06 > 0:03:13together, and agree some kind of common Code of Conduct.

0:03:13 > 0:03:17Do you get much online abuse Jenny Chapman?Not like some.You are not

0:03:17 > 0:03:21at the bad end of it.I don't seem to be, I have been fortunate in that

0:03:21 > 0:03:25respect. I have had some, but nothing like I've seen some

0:03:25 > 0:03:29colleagues get, and it is disgusting.Some that is, well

0:03:29 > 0:03:33unrepeatable.I don't care which party they are from.George, do you?

0:03:33 > 0:03:37I am not on Twitter, one of the reasons is I have...So you might

0:03:37 > 0:03:43but you don't know.I have had the view though, that 140 characters

0:03:43 > 0:03:49when people are anonymous, it is too easy for people to say things,

0:03:49 > 0:03:52anonymously they wouldn't say do your face, we have seen that

0:03:52 > 0:03:58spilling over into debate. At the election I detected a coarsening in

0:03:58 > 0:04:02our political debate, hustings where sensible people were walking away

0:04:02 > 0:04:06because they couldn't take the acrimony and people were being

0:04:06 > 0:04:11shouted down. It is not helpful. Does the Government yet have a

0:04:11 > 0:04:14policy to deal with this online abuse?Well, you know, there is a

0:04:14 > 0:04:19limit to what you can do with regulation on this, where you have

0:04:19 > 0:04:24the extreme things, death threats and the like, obviously, the content

0:04:24 > 0:04:26providers and the social media platforms have a responsibility to

0:04:26 > 0:04:31act. So this is an interesting report.At the moment they don't.

0:04:31 > 0:04:35Under the law, they don't, because they are regarded as hosts, rather

0:04:35 > 0:04:40than publisher, so if a newspaper or broadcaster published that sort of

0:04:40 > 0:04:46stuff, we would be held responsible, because we are publisher, the online

0:04:46 > 0:04:49platforms are not, so does the Government, should the Government

0:04:49 > 0:04:54have a policy to change that?It is a difficult area. We have said that

0:04:54 > 0:04:58we are going to look carefully at this report and we are open to

0:04:58 > 0:05:02taking steps in this area, the social media is a new phenomenon,

0:05:02 > 0:05:08new platform.It is not that new now.It takes a why for the

0:05:08 > 0:05:11regulatory environment to be able to catch up with it. We have to be

0:05:11 > 0:05:14careful we protect free speech. Where you have extreme death threats

0:05:14 > 0:05:18and the like, we need them to act and we should be looking at that.

0:05:18 > 0:05:22Does Labour have a policy for this? I think the approach has been taken

0:05:22 > 0:05:26by the Home Affairs Select Committee, is the right one, and

0:05:26 > 0:05:30Yvette Cooper let on -- led on, where the publishers, the Facebook,

0:05:30 > 0:05:35Twitter.But they not publisher at the moment.I think they ought to be

0:05:35 > 0:05:39and they ought to be held accountable. Let us not forget it is

0:05:39 > 0:05:44sick individuals...I understand Making posts in the first place.We

0:05:44 > 0:05:49understand that, but what I am trying to get to do either of you

0:05:49 > 0:05:54have a credible policy towards it? The committee recommends rather than

0:05:54 > 0:06:00regarding these social media sites at simply contenting a gay for, they

0:06:00 > 0:06:05should be regarded as publishers which brings a legal liability, does

0:06:05 > 0:06:07Labour support the committees policy?My understanding is that we

0:06:07 > 0:06:12are looking at it, me personally, I think that we ought to move closer

0:06:12 > 0:06:18to that position, and I think it isn't, we are not just talking about

0:06:18 > 0:06:23Facebook and Twitter and Instagram. Look at the chatrooms on newspaper

0:06:23 > 0:06:27websites, there are lots of different ways that this kind of

0:06:27 > 0:06:31abuse is meted out not just to people in the public eye but people

0:06:31 > 0:06:35who are the subject of newspaper story, it needs to be looked at in

0:06:35 > 0:06:41the round.Newspapers are subject to the law.You look at some of the

0:06:41 > 0:06:43comment sections on newspaper websites and think you will find

0:06:43 > 0:06:51very few of those comments would find their way into a story or...

0:06:51 > 0:06:57They are subject to this...It is not being enforced. Look at it.I do

0:06:57 > 0:07:03look at a lot of comments, they are fog like the social media, certainly

0:07:03 > 0:07:06not in the mainstream newspaper comment sites because they are

0:07:06 > 0:07:12moderated.They are not. That is not true. They are not.The Guardian

0:07:12 > 0:07:16website is moderated for example. The Telegraph website is moderated.

0:07:16 > 0:07:21The Times is moderated. So they, my business, I know what is happening.

0:07:21 > 0:07:25When somebody makes a complaint, That is a different matterIt takes

0:07:25 > 0:07:30somebody to make that complaint. Could you do this without EU

0:07:30 > 0:07:39legislation?Yes, we have to come to stick laws.Under EU legislation

0:07:39 > 0:07:45social media platforms are class as hosts. That is EU law.Well

0:07:45 > 0:07:50obviously EU law is about to be less of a problem. For the UK, we have

0:07:50 > 0:07:53got our own domestic approaches now, on broadcasters which are very

0:07:53 > 0:07:59strict and on newspapers as well, where we have common law developed

0:07:59 > 0:08:03in areas like privacy, and defamation, it is open to us to be

0:08:03 > 0:08:07able to extend...Is it your understanding you would change the

0:08:07 > 0:08:13way Jenny Chapman has been talking about making these social platforms

0:08:13 > 0:08:17publisher, could you do that under existing EU law?II am not sure

0:08:17 > 0:08:20that is the right way to approach it. My view is they are not

0:08:20 > 0:08:24publishers but they are a platform. The fact they are a platform

0:08:24 > 0:08:29shouldn't mean you can't do anything about abusive content. You might say

0:08:29 > 0:08:33they are not responsible gpsUnder EU law they are not liable for the

0:08:33 > 0:08:38content.It is possible in my view to bring forward some kind of

0:08:38 > 0:08:41approach where you could make them have responsibilities on them to

0:08:41 > 0:08:46take down conmeant that was clearly against the law. While not making

0:08:46 > 0:08:49them personally liable for the comment somebody put up. There are

0:08:49 > 0:08:55ways round this. It is a new platform, a new way of doing things.

0:08:55 > 0:08:59The report found that Conservative candidates were significantly more

0:08:59 > 0:09:04likely to be subjected to intimidation than Labour. Why do you

0:09:04 > 0:09:09think that is?I think that is, I mean if that is the case, it doesn't

0:09:09 > 0:09:13matter which party somebody is standing for, they shouldn't be

0:09:13 > 0:09:17subject...Why do you think Conservatives are more subjected...

0:09:17 > 0:09:23I don't know. If we knew why people did this we might be more successful

0:09:23 > 0:09:28in trying to do something about it, but I would hate for this to put

0:09:28 > 0:09:31somebody off standing for any party. The point of the committee is, it

0:09:31 > 0:09:40is.That is why we have to take it seriously.Professor Tim Bell told

0:09:40 > 0:09:43the inquiry politics has become more polarised since 2015 when Jeremy

0:09:43 > 0:09:46Corbyn took over the Labour Party, there has been an influx of people

0:09:46 > 0:09:51into the Labour Party, who are rather more used to a kind of

0:09:51 > 0:09:57faction liced culture of politics. What to you say to that?Well, if

0:09:57 > 0:10:01that is happening and there will be members of the Labour Party

0:10:01 > 0:10:03conducting this behaviour, then, they need to be brought to book,

0:10:03 > 0:10:07kicked out of the party and dealt with, but I don't think it is as

0:10:07 > 0:10:13simple as that. I think that people in the public eye, whether they are

0:10:13 > 0:10:17Parliamentary candidates or other high profile people have become

0:10:17 > 0:10:22almost legitimate targets to say what ever you like, make whatever

0:10:22 > 0:10:27comments you want about them or their family, I don't think we need

0:10:27 > 0:10:33to...I understand all that, what I was trying to get this morning was

0:10:33 > 0:10:36what the political policy response would be, but clear from both of you

0:10:36 > 0:10:40we will have to wait.

0:10:40 > 0:10:44Now, as I'm sure you all know, today is day seven of the Committee Stage

0:10:44 > 0:10:47of the EU Withdrawal Bill - a date I'm sure you've had

0:10:47 > 0:10:48in the diary for a long time.

0:10:48 > 0:10:51But before your eyelids really do close shut,

0:10:51 > 0:10:54I should explain that today's debate could result in a damaging

0:10:54 > 0:10:57defeat for the Government over its flagship Brexit Bill.

0:10:57 > 0:10:59Tory rebels, backed by Labour, are demanding that Parliament be

0:10:59 > 0:11:01given a "meaningful vote" on the final Brexit deal.

0:11:01 > 0:11:02So what does that mean?

0:11:02 > 0:11:12Fortunately Lizzie Glinka is here to explain.

0:11:16 > 0:11:19The European Union Withdrawal Bill is a key part of the

0:11:19 > 0:11:23government's Brexit strategy.

0:11:23 > 0:11:24It'll repeal the 1972 Communities Act, ending

0:11:24 > 0:11:27the supremacy of EU law, and copying existing EU law

0:11:27 > 0:11:33onto the UK statute book.

0:11:33 > 0:11:36Over 350 amendments and 75 new clauses were put forward,

0:11:36 > 0:11:39but the government has yet to lose a vote and so far the Bill

0:11:39 > 0:11:43remains unamended.

0:11:43 > 0:11:47MPs could vote this evening on an amendment tabled by Tory MP

0:11:47 > 0:11:50Dominic Grieve calling for a "meaningful vote"

0:11:50 > 0:11:53on the final Brexit deal.

0:11:53 > 0:11:55Mr Grieve says his amendment would make it "possible

0:11:55 > 0:11:58for Parliament to say to the Government 'I'm sorry,

0:11:58 > 0:12:00I don't think you've negotiated a good enough deal'."

0:12:00 > 0:12:02The Labour Party says it will support the amendment

0:12:02 > 0:12:05if it comes to a vote, with Shadow Brexit Secretary Keir

0:12:05 > 0:12:10Starmer tweeting:

0:12:10 > 0:12:13And around 20 other Tory MPs are reported to support

0:12:13 > 0:12:17Grieve's amendment.

0:12:17 > 0:12:21But the Government is trying to head off the rebellion,

0:12:21 > 0:12:24with Brexit Secretary David Davis writing to Tory MPs this morning,

0:12:24 > 0:12:28committing the Government to holding a vote on the final deal

0:12:28 > 0:12:31in Parliament "as soon as possible" after the negotiations conclude.

0:12:31 > 0:12:35This vote, he says, would cover both the Withdrawal agreement

0:12:35 > 0:12:40and the terms for the UK's future relationship with the EU.

0:12:40 > 0:12:43He pledges that the Government would not implement any parts

0:12:43 > 0:12:50of the Withdrawal Agreement until the vote has taken place.

0:12:50 > 0:12:55Joining me now from central lobby is the Conservative MP Heidi Allen,

0:12:55 > 0:12:58who is one of those who says she will vote

0:12:58 > 0:13:03for Mr Grieve's amendment.

0:13:03 > 0:13:07David Davis said there will be a vote on the deal, when it is made,

0:13:07 > 0:13:13if and when it is made, there will be a vote if the House demapedz on

0:13:13 > 0:13:18the treaty, and -- demands, and there will be legislation on the

0:13:18 > 0:13:22withdrawal and implementation process. Why is that not enough?

0:13:22 > 0:13:25Because without being disrespectful, this is difficult, we have heard

0:13:25 > 0:13:29that before, we need this amendment to be accepted by the Government

0:13:29 > 0:13:34this evening so that vote can be meaningful and well timed, because

0:13:34 > 0:13:38currently the way the legislation stands, our vote could come after

0:13:38 > 0:13:42ward, so a Ritzen -- written statement is a good step in the

0:13:42 > 0:13:47right direction but it needs to be binding, so that needs a vote, so if

0:13:47 > 0:13:51the deal isn't good enough we can push back. But it doesn't give us

0:13:51 > 0:13:55fall back plan if there is no deal. Phase one of the negotiations have

0:13:55 > 0:14:00gone well and that is unlikely, but saying to people political tectonic

0:14:00 > 0:14:04plates are shifting like never before, anything is possible and we

0:14:04 > 0:14:08want the very best possible outcome for in country, we accept we are

0:14:08 > 0:14:12leaving but we don't want to bind our hands.More important from what

0:14:12 > 0:14:17you have told the viewer you do not trust a written ministerial

0:14:17 > 0:14:20statement from a minister of the Crown, in your own Government?It is

0:14:20 > 0:14:25not about that. It's a complicated process, and you know, the dynamics

0:14:25 > 0:14:29are shifting all the time. The Government is determined rightly...

0:14:29 > 0:14:34You said you had heard it all before which implies you don't trust it.

0:14:34 > 0:14:38Why don't you trust a minister of your own Government?Because the

0:14:38 > 0:14:42timing can change, and as I say, the writ instatement doesn't deal with

0:14:42 > 0:14:47the situation where there might not be a deal brokered at all. So it

0:14:47 > 0:14:52only fixes half the problem. Dominic's amendment seven, he is a

0:14:52 > 0:14:55knowledgeable guy, this is an ex-Attorney General, he says the

0:14:55 > 0:14:59legislation is not strong enough to protect our country, then believe he

0:14:59 > 0:15:02is right, and the Government, which we still hope there is a good nine

0:15:02 > 0:15:06hours to go, we are hoping the Government will be able to improve

0:15:06 > 0:15:10op that and accept our amendment or put something in a similar format

0:15:10 > 0:15:15inno the bill themselves.Let me ask for clarification again, I don't

0:15:15 > 0:15:20understand what more you want, the Government has committed to having a

0:15:20 > 0:15:25vote on the deal, it is committed to having a vote on the treaty, it is

0:15:25 > 0:15:31committed to having legislation to implement the deal. I think people

0:15:31 > 0:15:33will not understand why a Conservative doesn't find that

0:15:33 > 0:15:38enough.

0:15:38 > 0:15:44Because it is about the timing.When will the deal be ratified? When will

0:15:44 > 0:15:49Parliament get the vote? Will there be enough time? The government have

0:15:49 > 0:15:55tabled another amendment for next week with a drop dead close to the

0:15:55 > 0:16:02bill. There just isn't enough time. The MPs in Parliament are here to

0:16:02 > 0:16:07scrutinise and vote, and what we are asking is perfectly reasonable.We

0:16:07 > 0:16:11have George Eustice of the government here. Why shouldn't Heidi

0:16:11 > 0:16:15Allen get what she wants?Because we have addressed all the concerns she

0:16:15 > 0:16:20has raised with the announcement today. This debate about the

0:16:20 > 0:16:25referendum last year was divisive, and we have a big responsibility in

0:16:25 > 0:16:30Parliament, whatever side we are on, to put the country together.

0:16:30 > 0:16:35Parliament has a responsibility to drive through the necessary

0:16:35 > 0:16:40compromises to get agreement. That is what is going on now.What about

0:16:40 > 0:16:46the direct point?What we have made clear today is when that withdrawal

0:16:46 > 0:16:50agreement is concluded, likely to be in October, which is what Michel

0:16:50 > 0:16:55Barnier has said, it will be laid before Parliament in the usual way,

0:16:55 > 0:17:01and Parliament has an opportunity to pass a resolution against it. If

0:17:01 > 0:17:07they don't do that and they accept it, as we hope they will, there will

0:17:07 > 0:17:12then be another bill, on EU withdrawal and how we implement the

0:17:12 > 0:17:19agreement, and covering things like the transition. Parliament will have

0:17:19 > 0:17:23ample opportunity to discuss this. So you will not move on your

0:17:23 > 0:17:30position, the government?The government has heard all of the

0:17:30 > 0:17:37concerns raised, and answered them today. We have addressed this. If

0:17:37 > 0:17:41Heidi wants to debate this, she has plenty of opportunity to pray

0:17:41 > 0:17:46against the treaty when it is agreed.Heidi Allen, what do you say

0:17:46 > 0:17:51to George Eustice?Thank you, Andrew. You are behaving a little

0:17:51 > 0:17:59bit like a marriage counsellor! We saw it yesterday with the Henry VIII

0:17:59 > 0:18:02powers, that the government have moved, and that they are listening.

0:18:02 > 0:18:07He is right that this has been so divisive for our country, but giving

0:18:07 > 0:18:13Parliament a vote at the right time with everything that comes forward,

0:18:13 > 0:18:19whether that is no deal as well. This is how we heal the country, by

0:18:19 > 0:18:24those people who voted to remain as well is to leave, having a vote in

0:18:24 > 0:18:31parliament.You had a chance to do this when the Article 50 resolution

0:18:31 > 0:18:35came up, which triggered the whole process. You could have put this

0:18:35 > 0:18:40into that process at the time. Why not?I don't think that was the

0:18:40 > 0:18:45right time, because that was the starting gun for leaving the EU, and

0:18:45 > 0:18:48that is what every single one of us who are backing Dominic Grieve today

0:18:48 > 0:18:55are being clear about. Voting to change Article 50 would have looked

0:18:55 > 0:19:00like we were trying to stop it, and that is not right, and that is

0:19:00 > 0:19:04disloyal to the people who voted in the referendum to leave the EU. It

0:19:04 > 0:19:09is about making sure the deal is the right one.If Parliament voted

0:19:09 > 0:19:14against the deal, if a deal is done and Parliament voted against it,

0:19:14 > 0:19:19that would effectively be a vote of no-confidence in the government, and

0:19:19 > 0:19:24the beginning a constitutional crisis, which you would probably

0:19:24 > 0:19:28welcome because you might be able to reverse the result.That is 100% not

0:19:28 > 0:19:32the case at all. This is about making sure we have the right deal.

0:19:32 > 0:19:38The European Parliament will get to vote on whether the withdrawal

0:19:38 > 0:19:43deal...Was so will the British Parliament. How can you vote on a

0:19:43 > 0:19:49deal if there is no deal?That is the whole point.What do you want?

0:19:49 > 0:19:54You cannot vote on a deal if there is no deal. That is not what David

0:19:54 > 0:19:57Davis was addressing. What do you think should happen if there is no

0:19:57 > 0:20:02deal?We think Parliament should have the opportunity to say, the

0:20:02 > 0:20:10deal is good enough, or the deal isn't. I believe the UK and Europe

0:20:10 > 0:20:13who want a deal, but these things can take time. Negotiations don't

0:20:13 > 0:20:17always happen to the time tell you one.Why do you think the 27 members

0:20:17 > 0:20:21would want to extend this process? Because if we haven't reached a deal

0:20:21 > 0:20:29that is good for the both sides... Our economies rely on each other.

0:20:29 > 0:20:35But the other 27 will not agree a deal if it is not good for them.

0:20:35 > 0:20:41That's the whole point. It is pantomime season coming early. This

0:20:41 > 0:20:45is about Parliament and MPs doing their job to scrutinise this piece

0:20:45 > 0:20:50of legislation.Thank you for joining us. Jenny Chapman, Labour

0:20:50 > 0:20:55will vote with the Tory rebels tonight?Yes. We vote for Dominic

0:20:55 > 0:21:02Grieve's amendment if it should go to a vote.Which it probably will.I

0:21:02 > 0:21:08hope so. I expect he's still waiting to hear what the Minister says.To

0:21:08 > 0:21:13see if there is some movement?The threat of a rebellion can sometimes

0:21:13 > 0:21:23be as powerful as the rebellion itself, but we will certainly vote

0:21:23 > 0:21:26with Dominic.Is there a three line whip on Labour's side?Yes.How many

0:21:26 > 0:21:32of your colleagues will ignore that. We usually have about seven, as you

0:21:32 > 0:21:38will know, because we have this conversation a lot.About seven, but

0:21:38 > 0:21:45some may not turn up as well.Who may not turn up?I don't know.

0:21:45 > 0:21:49Whipping is not an exact science, but there is a whip on. We expect we

0:21:49 > 0:21:53would have enough to defeat the government should the Tory rebels

0:21:53 > 0:21:59stay true to what they have indicated.And you will get a solid

0:21:59 > 0:22:04Labour turnout?Yes.Do you expect to win or lose?All of these

0:22:04 > 0:22:08amendments we have one so far. We are listening to Parliament and we

0:22:08 > 0:22:15have addressed all of these concerns that Dominic Grieve has raised. What

0:22:15 > 0:22:20we have done today has outlined how we would deal with that.Will you

0:22:20 > 0:22:24win the vote with what you have already said, or do you need to say

0:22:24 > 0:22:32more?Through Parliamentary procedure, they are going to get

0:22:32 > 0:22:37that vote, and there is also a whole bill, which they can argue ad in

0:22:37 > 0:22:45tonight.So you have listened to, you have made your statement?I

0:22:45 > 0:22:50haven't heard anything from Heidi Allen that explains why what we have

0:22:50 > 0:22:55done today isn't enough. It does address the issue.If there was no

0:22:55 > 0:22:58deal, what would happen?We are going to get it. We are working on

0:22:58 > 0:23:06it.It is the point Heidi Allen raises, not me. If there is no deal,

0:23:06 > 0:23:12will we still leave?We will get a deal if the other side now we are

0:23:12 > 0:23:16serious about leaving, so part of our planning is planning for a no

0:23:16 > 0:23:21deal scenario. You have to do that to be taken seriously. If our

0:23:21 > 0:23:25European partners see that people back here may be trying to play a

0:23:25 > 0:23:30game to stay in the EU, they will not negotiate properly with us. We

0:23:30 > 0:23:35have to be serious that we have a partnership that answers our

0:23:35 > 0:23:40concern...I asked something simple. What will happen if there is no

0:23:40 > 0:23:46deal?We are planning for a no deal scenario.Will Parliament get a vote

0:23:46 > 0:23:51on that?Parliament can vote on anything it wants at any time, but

0:23:51 > 0:24:00we have true good Article 50 and we are going to get a deal.If there is

0:24:00 > 0:24:05no deal, what is then the of Parliament?It can put down

0:24:05 > 0:24:08amendments or motions...Not on something that doesn't exist?We are

0:24:08 > 0:24:14going to get this withdrawal bill through, and then there will be an

0:24:14 > 0:24:19endless debate about it.That's not what I asked, but clearly it's all

0:24:19 > 0:24:21I'm going to get.

0:24:21 > 0:24:23Now, I'm sure you've all been hashtagging

0:24:23 > 0:24:25and tweeting your way through the programme so far.

0:24:25 > 0:24:26I have.

0:24:26 > 0:24:29The Daily Politics is, after all, the third most-tweeted about current

0:24:29 > 0:24:30affairs programme in the land.

0:24:30 > 0:24:32Oh, yes!

0:24:32 > 0:24:36Only Question Time and the Andrew Marr show prompt more political

0:24:36 > 0:24:40reactions in the Twittersphere - I've never heard of them either.

0:24:40 > 0:24:44But what's the secret of our success I hear you ask?

0:24:44 > 0:24:51Could it be down to this - the humble Daily Politics mug?

0:24:51 > 0:24:54Or should I say #Mug?

0:24:54 > 0:24:57Yes, these little gems are a staple of social media chatter.

0:24:57 > 0:24:59But, to win one, you can't just tweet us.

0:24:59 > 0:25:01You have to use something called electronic mail.

0:25:01 > 0:25:11Just watch this and guess the year.

0:25:11 > 0:25:13# Why do birds suddenly appear

0:25:13 > 0:25:17# Every time you are near...

0:25:17 > 0:25:19It's a victory for traditional unionism.

0:25:19 > 0:25:22# Just like me, they long to be

0:25:22 > 0:25:29# Close to you...

0:25:29 > 0:25:32# Now there's some sad things known to man

0:25:32 > 0:25:35# But ain't too much sadder than

0:25:35 > 0:25:39# The tears of a clown

0:25:39 > 0:25:42# When there's no-one around

0:25:42 > 0:25:46# Raindrops keep falling on my head...

0:25:46 > 0:25:49There are men walking the streets today, with eggs in their pocket

0:25:49 > 0:25:51just on the off chance they will bump into the leader

0:25:51 > 0:25:55of the Labour Party!

0:25:55 > 0:25:58# In everything I do

0:25:58 > 0:26:01# That's the wonder...

0:26:01 > 0:26:04I just think it's the greatest aeroplane I've ever been on.

0:26:04 > 0:26:07# The wonder of you

0:26:07 > 0:26:12# Like a bridge over troubled waters...

0:26:12 > 0:26:15Do you agree with the national decision to go on strike?

0:26:15 > 0:26:16Yes.

0:26:16 > 0:26:25# I will ease your mind. #

0:26:34 > 0:26:40To be in with a chance of winning a Daily Politics mug,

0:26:40 > 0:26:43send your answer to our special quiz email address -

0:26:43 > 0:26:48that's dpquiz@bbc.co.uk.

0:26:48 > 0:26:51Entries must arrive by 12.30 today, and you can see the full terms

0:26:51 > 0:26:55and conditions for Guess The Year on our website - that's

0:26:55 > 0:27:03bbc.co.u/dailypolitics.

0:27:03 > 0:27:10It's coming up to midday here - just take a look at Big Ben -

0:27:10 > 0:27:11and that can mean only one thing.

0:27:11 > 0:27:14Yes, Prime Minister's Questions is on its way.

0:27:14 > 0:27:22And that's not all - Laura Kuenssberg is here.

0:27:22 > 0:27:27It's process, process, process these days.I'm afraid it is, and

0:27:27 > 0:27:31Parliament and MPs like nothing more than talking about process,

0:27:31 > 0:27:35particularly if their own importance is in question. What ever Jeremy

0:27:35 > 0:27:41Corbyn chooses to go on today, and we know that he doesn't really like

0:27:41 > 0:27:45talking about Brexit, Westminster is abuzz with all of the questions

0:27:45 > 0:27:50about this vote. Who is going to blink? The rebels or the government?

0:27:50 > 0:27:55It's early to know. Both sides are saying they are not shifting. At

0:27:55 > 0:28:025pm, that might feel...It could change our world by our?It could.

0:28:02 > 0:28:12There will be notes passed backwards and forwards. Yesterday, Dominic

0:28:12 > 0:28:16Grieve and some other MPs were huddled together on the backbenches

0:28:16 > 0:28:21during the bill. Theresa May does not like to lose. It is not unusual

0:28:21 > 0:28:26for the government to lose on amendments, but when you are a

0:28:26 > 0:28:29minority government, the fragility of that gives it a different

0:28:29 > 0:28:36context. She's got to go to Brussels tomorrow, supposedly to say, hurrah!

0:28:36 > 0:28:44Is done.I concede that that would not look good if she turns up having

0:28:44 > 0:28:50lost the vote. But if she loses the vote, it means the amendment is

0:28:50 > 0:28:57carried, that there is a vote that the label rebels wanted on the deal.

0:28:57 > 0:29:03Job done, not a lot to say?The problem for the government, as the

0:29:03 > 0:29:08Prime Minister is heroically trying to defend, MPs would believe they

0:29:08 > 0:29:12have the chance to get into the guts of the deal before giving it a

0:29:12 > 0:29:17thumbs up or a thumbs down at the end of the process. That is at root

0:29:17 > 0:29:23here. If they vote it down? What happens? Does Theresa May have to go

0:29:23 > 0:29:28back to the negotiating table? What ever potential deal she is going to

0:29:28 > 0:29:33get, if there is one, are we really going to be in a situation where

0:29:33 > 0:29:37Theresa May has to come back and actually have proper, full debates

0:29:37 > 0:29:48with MPs about

0:29:51 > 0:29:53whether or not she's done the right thing? So the kind of nightmare

0:29:53 > 0:29:56scenario for the government is for MPs to be having a say and debates

0:29:56 > 0:29:59and votes on the different bits of the actual deal itself. You can see,

0:29:59 > 0:30:04from the government's point of view, what the negotiators are asking for?

0:30:04 > 0:30:07Are they asking for carte blanche to say no to the deal, or are they

0:30:07 > 0:30:11trying to get into the guts of it, trying to get the government to go

0:30:11 > 0:30:17back to Brussels and discuss it. This will amount to a treaty. The

0:30:17 > 0:30:22Commons cannot really to gay treaties. The Commons either has to

0:30:22 > 0:30:27accept the treaty as presented by the government, or reject it. That

0:30:27 > 0:30:33is true in the US Congress. It rejected the treaty of Versailles.

0:30:33 > 0:30:39It is an either or proposition.That is the problem. MPs do not like that

0:30:39 > 0:30:44they are being offered a take it or leave it vote. They do not

0:30:44 > 0:30:52necessarily trust the government.It is remarkable to say -- it is

0:30:52 > 0:31:03unremarkable to say that they do not trust their own government.You do

0:31:03 > 0:31:09sometimes wonder, in a parallel universe, had to reason may not

0:31:09 > 0:31:19appear to be so sky-high in the polls, so far ahead, being able to

0:31:19 > 0:31:23do what she did in the early months of her office, you wonder if taking

0:31:23 > 0:31:28a more conciliatory approach to Parliament, if she would have ended

0:31:28 > 0:31:32up in this situation?She didn't think she had to at the time.

0:31:32 > 0:31:38Exactly. People are digging in today because they feel it is a pattern of

0:31:38 > 0:31:45behaviour. Also, the Tory rebels are mindful that, if they don't walk the

0:31:45 > 0:31:50walk today, having talked the talk on plenty of occasions, will they

0:31:50 > 0:31:57still be taken seriously? It's going to be very, very tight. It could

0:31:57 > 0:32:04change in a flash.As things stand, David Davis's written statement

0:32:04 > 0:32:10placed before Parliament, that has not done enough?No, it hasn't. Six

0:32:10 > 0:32:13rebels have told us that they are going with Dominic Grieve, and we

0:32:13 > 0:32:20haven't been able to get round many. To be a real rebel, you have to vote

0:32:20 > 0:32:26against, not just abstained?That's right. There are 20 or so Tory MPs

0:32:26 > 0:32:40who have this very deeply held concern. It's also become quite

0:32:40 > 0:32:46unpleasant, I'm told.We will talk more about this after PMQs.

0:32:53 > 0:32:58This is the six month anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire. I will be

0:32:58 > 0:33:02attended the service tomorrow and I am sure I speak for members across

0:33:02 > 0:33:06the House that it remains at the forefront of our minds as a tragedy

0:33:06 > 0:33:09that should never have happened. Many who survived the fire lost

0:33:09 > 0:33:12everything that night and I can assure the House we continue to do

0:33:12 > 0:33:15everything we can, to support those affected, and take the necessary

0:33:15 > 0:33:20steps to make sure it can never happen again. Mr Speaker, this

0:33:20 > 0:33:24morning I had meetings with ministerial colleaguings and others

0:33:24 > 0:33:28in addition to my duties I shall have further such meetings today.Mr

0:33:28 > 0:33:32Speaker I think the Prime Minister will be able to take to that

0:33:32 > 0:33:36memorial service the thoughts and prayers of every single member in

0:33:36 > 0:33:42this House across all parties. My right honourable friend said at

0:33:42 > 0:33:45the end of the Brexit process members of Parliament will have an

0:33:45 > 0:33:51opportunity to vote on the deal. Can she confirm that it is still her

0:33:51 > 0:34:00intention to hold such a votesome I am happy to confirm we will put

0:34:00 > 0:34:04the final withdrawal agreement between the UK and the EU, to a vote

0:34:04 > 0:34:08in both Houses of Parliament before it comes into force.

0:34:08 > 0:34:13As we have said we expect the UK Parliament to vote ahead of the

0:34:13 > 0:34:17European Parliament, so we fully expect Parliament to vote well

0:34:17 > 0:34:22before March 2019. So to be clear, the final deal will be agreed before

0:34:22 > 0:34:25we leave, and right honourable and honourable members will get a vote

0:34:25 > 0:34:30on it. As my right honourable friend the Secretary of State has said

0:34:30 > 0:34:34today, we will bring forward, withdrawal agreement and

0:34:34 > 0:34:39implementation bill, to give the withdrawal agreement domestic legal

0:34:39 > 0:34:44effect, which will be subject to full Parliamentary scrutiny. After

0:34:44 > 0:34:49believe the withdrawal agreement will be followed up by one or more

0:34:49 > 0:34:51agreements and will introduce further legislation where it is

0:34:51 > 0:34:55needed to implement this into UK law, providing yet another

0:34:55 > 0:35:01opportunity for proper Parliamentary scrutiny.

0:35:01 > 0:35:06Thank you Mr Speaker, this week does indeed mark six months since the

0:35:06 > 0:35:09avoidable and tragic fire at Grenfell Tower which took the lives

0:35:09 > 0:35:13of 71 people and injured and traumatised many more, I too will be

0:35:13 > 0:35:17at the service tomorrow in memory of them. But that fire also shone a

0:35:17 > 0:35:21light on the neglect of working class communities all over this

0:35:21 > 0:35:28country. And since this Government came to power, homelessness is up by

0:35:28 > 0:35:3350%, rough sleeping has doubled. Homelessness and rough sleeping have

0:35:33 > 0:35:39risen every single year, since 2010. Will the Prime Minister pledge today

0:35:39 > 0:35:46that 2018 will be the year when homelessness starts to go down?

0:35:46 > 0:35:49Across this House, we don't want to see anybody who is homeless or

0:35:49 > 0:35:55anybody who is sleeping rough on our streets. That is why the Government

0:35:55 > 0:35:58is putting £500 million into the question of homelessness. It is why

0:35:58 > 0:36:04we backed the bill that was brought forward by my honourable friend the

0:36:04 > 0:36:10member for Brent, sorry for harrow, and it is why we have ensured we are

0:36:10 > 0:36:12putting into place a number of projects that will deal with this

0:36:12 > 0:36:16issue of rough sleeping. But I have to say to the right honourable

0:36:16 > 0:36:20gentleman that when we look at the question Hoff housing we need to

0:36:20 > 0:36:23look at ensuring that there are more homes available to people, that we

0:36:23 > 0:36:28are giving people support, to get into those homes, that is why, in

0:36:28 > 0:36:31the budget my right honourable friend the Chancellor set out a

0:36:31 > 0:36:36whole range of ways in which we will be helping people to ensure they

0:36:36 > 0:36:40have their own roof over their heads. Compared to Labour, where

0:36:40 > 0:36:48house billing went down by 45%. Where the number of homes bought and

0:36:48 > 0:36:57sold went down by 40%. And social housing went down by 400,000.Mr

0:36:57 > 0:37:01Speaker, the last Labour Government cut homelessness by two thirds

0:37:01 > 0:37:07during its time in office. When Labour left office the number of

0:37:07 > 0:37:11children in temporary accommodation was a lot less than it is now. I

0:37:11 > 0:37:15asked the Prime Minister for a pledge to reduce the amount of

0:37:15 > 0:37:21homelessness next year, the pledge was not forthcoming. 128,000

0:37:21 > 0:37:26children will spend Christmas with out a home to call their own. 60% up

0:37:26 > 0:37:32on 2010. It is too late for this Christmas, but will the Prime

0:37:32 > 0:37:37Minister promise that by Christmas 2018, fewer children will be without

0:37:37 > 0:37:45a home to call their own?Again, we of course want every child to wake

0:37:45 > 0:37:49up in their own home, particularly at Christmas, but, it is incredibly

0:37:49 > 0:37:53important people know they can keep a roof over their heads even in the

0:37:53 > 0:37:56most desperate circumstances, that is we are making sure that councils

0:37:56 > 0:38:00can place families in a broader range of homes if they fall into

0:38:00 > 0:38:04these circumstances, so since 2011 councils have been able to place

0:38:04 > 0:38:07families into private rented accommodation so they can get a

0:38:07 > 0:38:12suitable place sooner. We have changed the law in relation to, so

0:38:12 > 0:38:16families with children shouldn't find themselves in B&B accommodation

0:38:16 > 0:38:20except in an emergency. And through implementing the homelessness rezhun

0:38:20 > 0:38:25act we are making sure families at risk can get support before they

0:38:25 > 0:38:29find themselves homeless. I say to the honourable gentleman, I have

0:38:29 > 0:38:33been very clear, as I was a few weeks ago, that this Government is

0:38:33 > 0:38:38going to be a government that puts a clear focus on housing, on building

0:38:38 > 0:38:41the homes that people need, on ensuring, on ensuring that people

0:38:41 > 0:38:48are given help to get into those homes, and also, on acting to

0:38:48 > 0:38:50prevent homelessness before it happens a. That is what we are

0:38:50 > 0:38:57doing, that is what will make a real difference to people's lives.

0:38:57 > 0:39:01Mr Speaker, the sad reality is that one in 100 children in this country

0:39:01 > 0:39:06are homeless at any one time. It is a national disgrace, and it is

0:39:06 > 0:39:10getting worse. And for all she says about the private rented sector, can

0:39:10 > 0:39:15I just quote from a letter I received from Rachel this week.

0:39:15 > 0:39:17Lives. Mr Speaker, the sad reality is that

0:39:17 > 0:39:19one in 100 children in this country are homeless at any one time. It is

0:39:19 > 0:39:22a national disgrace, and it is getting worse. And for all she says

0:39:22 > 0:39:25about the private rented sector, can I just quote from a letter I

0:39:25 > 0:39:27received from Rachel this week. She says "I have a knot in my stomach,

0:39:27 > 0:39:30every New Year period, when we are due to sign a new tenancy agreement.

0:39:30 > 0:39:33After renting the same flat for ten years, never being in arrears and

0:39:33 > 0:39:36keeping the property in good order, we were given notice to quit out of

0:39:36 > 0:39:41the blue." Will the Prime Minister help people like Rachel and back

0:39:41 > 0:39:46secure three year tenancies for all private renters?Well, I say to the

0:39:46 > 0:39:50right honourable gentleman, that if I think he was present in the

0:39:50 > 0:39:54chamber when the budget was given to this chamber, and that is why

0:39:54 > 0:40:01precisely why we said that we are looking at ways in which we can

0:40:01 > 0:40:11encourage longer term tenancies. The point is, what is important, what is

0:40:11 > 0:40:15important is ensuring that people have the ability to have the

0:40:15 > 0:40:18accommodation they need, that they want and on the basis they, that is

0:40:18 > 0:40:23right for them. That is why, as I say, we are dealing with this issue

0:40:23 > 0:40:29of longer term tenancies but he talks about renting, people renting

0:40:29 > 0:40:34their homes, and his response on renting is to bring in rent

0:40:34 > 0:40:42controls. Rent controls have never worked. They result in reducing the

0:40:42 > 0:40:45number of homes available for people who want to be able to have

0:40:45 > 0:40:49accommodation and a roof over their own head. It is not just me that

0:40:49 > 0:40:52says that Labour Party party policy won't help people who are renting.

0:40:52 > 0:41:00Renting. Shelter say they won't help people who are renting.

0:41:00 > 0:41:03Mr Speaker, evictions by private landlords have quadrupled since

0:41:03 > 0:41:092010. There is not security in the private rented sector and the Prime

0:41:09 > 0:41:14Minister well knows it. She also promised one for one replacement of

0:41:14 > 0:41:20council housing sold off through right to buy. But just one in five

0:41:20 > 0:41:24council homes have been replaced. Hundreds of thousands of people are

0:41:24 > 0:41:29on housing waiting lists. Will the Prime Minister apologise for what

0:41:29 > 0:41:34she said and tell the house when she will deliver this one for one

0:41:34 > 0:41:40replacement?And as the right honourable gentleman knows we are

0:41:40 > 0:41:42increasing the flexibilities to enable councils to build homes, we

0:41:42 > 0:41:45have put more money into affordable housing, he talks about the right

0:41:45 > 0:41:51the buy. What a contrast, we want to give people the opportunity to buy

0:41:51 > 0:41:54their own home, the Labour Party would take that opportunity away

0:41:54 > 0:42:00from them. What do we see, what do we see on housing? The shadow

0:42:00 > 0:42:04Housing Minister, the shadow Housing Minister recently said that fewer

0:42:04 > 0:42:09people owning their own home is not such a bad thing. Well, I have to

0:42:09 > 0:42:12say to the right honourable gentleman, that what he is offering

0:42:12 > 0:42:16to people on housing, if you live in a council home he will take eye your

0:42:16 > 0:42:23right to buy. If you are looking to rent sheller say his policies will

0:42:23 > 0:42:27harm you. It is only the Conservative that will deliver the

0:42:27 > 0:42:37homes this country needs. If only it were true Mr Speaker.

0:42:37 > 0:42:44Under the Tories, the home ownership has fallen by 200,000. Under Labour,

0:42:44 > 0:42:50it rose by one million. And 40% of all homes sold through right to buy

0:42:50 > 0:42:55are now in the private rented sector. The latest figures Mr

0:42:55 > 0:43:00Speaker, show that a quarter of all privately rented homes are not up to

0:43:00 > 0:43:04decent standards. Meaning many families are living in homes with

0:43:04 > 0:43:11damp, that are not secure, or very poorly insulated. Does the Prime

0:43:11 > 0:43:18Minister support homes being fit for human habitation?Of course we want

0:43:18 > 0:43:21homes to be fit for human habitation, can I just remind the

0:43:21 > 0:43:25right honourable gentleman that the number of homes failing to meet the

0:43:25 > 0:43:34decent homes standard is down by 49% since the peak under the Labour

0:43:34 > 0:43:52Government. And while I am... While I am talking about the record of the

0:43:52 > 0:43:56Labour Government, statutory homelessness, statutory homelessness

0:43:56 > 0:44:00peaked under the Labour Government is down by over 50% since then. It

0:44:00 > 0:44:06is this Government that is delivering for people on housing, it

0:44:06 > 0:44:12is his Government that Labour failed to deliver over 13 years.I would

0:44:12 > 0:44:18just remind the Prime Minister, Mr Speaker, that under Labour, a

0:44:18 > 0:44:22million homes are brought up to decent standard. I would assume from

0:44:22 > 0:44:27what she said she will be here on 19th January to support my

0:44:27 > 0:44:31honourable friend the member for Westminster North's bill to make

0:44:31 > 0:44:35privately rented homes fit for human habitation.

0:44:35 > 0:44:39When it comes to housing Mr Speaker, this Government has been an absolute

0:44:39 > 0:44:46disgrace. After seven years, more people are living on the streets,

0:44:46 > 0:44:50more families in temporary accommodation, more families in

0:44:50 > 0:44:56homes not fit for human habitation, and fewer people owning their own

0:44:56 > 0:45:01home. When is this Government going to get out of the pockets of

0:45:01 > 0:45:05property speculators and rogue landlords, and get on the side of

0:45:05 > 0:45:16tenants and people without a home of their own this Christmas.

0:45:16 > 0:45:21Under Labour, House building down, homes built and sold down, social

0:45:21 > 0:45:25housing down... I will tell him one thing that went up under the last

0:45:25 > 0:45:30Labour government, the number of people on the social housing waiting

0:45:30 > 0:45:36list. 1.74 million people waiting for a home under a Labour

0:45:36 > 0:45:44government. We have delivered over 346,000 new, affordable homes since

0:45:44 > 0:45:472010. More affordable homes have been delivered in the last seven

0:45:47 > 0:45:52years than in the previous seven years under a Labour government. We

0:45:52 > 0:45:59are building more homes. Last year we saw 217,000 more homes being

0:45:59 > 0:46:11built in this country. That is

0:46:16 > 0:46:19a record for the last 30 years. It is the Conservatives that are doing

0:46:19 > 0:46:21what is necessary. Labour will produce failure for this country

0:46:21 > 0:46:24once again. It is the Conservatives that is delivering the standard of

0:46:24 > 0:46:28living that people need.A 14-year-old constituent of mine lost

0:46:28 > 0:46:33both her arms and legs at the age of six when she was a victim of

0:46:33 > 0:46:39meningitis. I was one of many MPs campaigning for the meningitis

0:46:39 > 0:46:44vaccine to be introduced into the NHS. Isabel is on the way to

0:46:44 > 0:46:48becoming one of the UK's most proficient junior gymnasts, one of

0:46:48 > 0:46:52the most talented trampoline lists in the country. She was recently

0:46:52 > 0:46:57handed the pride of sports award as a young achiever. Will the Prime

0:46:57 > 0:47:04Minister join me in congratulating Isabel in receiving this prestigious

0:47:04 > 0:47:09national award?I'm very happy to congratulate Isabel on receiving

0:47:09 > 0:47:14this award and on her sporting achievements, but also on her

0:47:14 > 0:47:19incredible bravery. She is an inspiration to all of us. My

0:47:19 > 0:47:22honourable friend has mentioned about the meningitis vaccine, and

0:47:22 > 0:47:27she is one of those campaigning on this issue. Meningitis can be a

0:47:27 > 0:47:31devastating disease, so we have taken steps to increase the

0:47:31 > 0:47:38availability of the vaccine. In September 2015 we became the first

0:47:38 > 0:47:43country to have a meningitis B vaccination programme. It is

0:47:43 > 0:47:47necessary that Public Health England continues to raise awareness of the

0:47:47 > 0:47:51symptoms, and its campaigns are reaching hundreds of thousands of

0:47:51 > 0:47:56parents. The NHS has been running a programme to vaccinate teenagers,

0:47:56 > 0:48:00school leavers and university freshers against four different

0:48:00 > 0:48:03strains of meningitis. I think my honourable friend can be pleased

0:48:03 > 0:48:11with the work she did in relation to this.Thank you, Mr Speaker. In

0:48:11 > 0:48:172008, we collectively bailed out the Royal Bank of Scotland at a cost of

0:48:17 > 0:48:21£45 billion. In 2017, the Royal Bank of Scotland are paying us back by

0:48:21 > 0:48:28turning their backs on 259 of our communities. Given we are the

0:48:28 > 0:48:32majority shareholder, will the Prime Minister step in and tell the Royal

0:48:32 > 0:48:36Bank of Scotland to stick to their commitment and not close the last

0:48:36 > 0:48:41bank in town?I think the honourable gentleman knows that the decision to

0:48:41 > 0:48:47close branches is a commercial decision for banks, without

0:48:47 > 0:48:51intervention by the Government. We do recognise the impact this has on

0:48:51 > 0:48:54communities, and the Secretary of State for Scotland raised concerns

0:48:54 > 0:48:59on this issue in his meeting with RBS. More people are banking online,

0:48:59 > 0:49:05which is having an impact, but we do want to ensure that all customers

0:49:05 > 0:49:10can access over-the-counter services, so we have established the

0:49:10 > 0:49:14access to banking standard, which commits banks to carry out a number

0:49:14 > 0:49:18of steps before closing branches. The post office has also reached an

0:49:18 > 0:49:27agreement with thanks to allow more customers to use post office

0:49:27 > 0:49:30services. We recognise the impact of this on communities.The Prime

0:49:30 > 0:49:34Minister should be summoning Ross McEwan in to see her. We will not

0:49:34 > 0:49:39accept towns and villages up and down the United Kingdom losing tank

0:49:39 > 0:49:43services. There are 30 towns in Scotland where the last bank will be

0:49:43 > 0:49:49going. This is not acceptable. Will she summon Ross McEwan and will she

0:49:49 > 0:49:58tell the Royal Bank of Scotland this must be reversed?The decisions on

0:49:58 > 0:50:02opening and closing branches is a commercial matter for the banks, as

0:50:02 > 0:50:07I say. This is an issue for the Secretary of State, that he has

0:50:07 > 0:50:12raised with the Royal Bank of Scotland. But what is important is

0:50:12 > 0:50:16that services are available to individuals, which is why those are

0:50:16 > 0:50:21being provided and alternatives are available. I would also say that an

0:50:21 > 0:50:26awful lot more people are banking online these days, not requiring the

0:50:26 > 0:50:31use of a branch. We want to ensure that vulnerable customers

0:50:31 > 0:50:40particularly, who don't have access to online banking, are able to have

0:50:40 > 0:50:43services provided, which is what we are doing with the access to banking

0:50:43 > 0:50:47standard and our work with the post office.In 2015, the heart of

0:50:47 > 0:50:49England Trust will trust got into major trouble due to poor

0:50:49 > 0:50:55management. In response, the management of universities hospitals

0:50:55 > 0:51:00Birmingham was brought in to take charge. As a result, services and

0:51:00 > 0:51:08patient care have in improved dramatically. Would the Prime

0:51:08 > 0:51:12Minister join me in praising this turnaround and agree that we must

0:51:12 > 0:51:16support good management in the NHS. Can I say to my honourable friend

0:51:16 > 0:51:21that I am happy to join him in paying tribute to the work that's

0:51:21 > 0:51:26been undertaken by University hospitals Birmingham? We do want to

0:51:26 > 0:51:30see strong management across the NHS. I understand there are a number

0:51:30 > 0:51:34of practical and financial issues still to resolve, and I would

0:51:34 > 0:51:40encourage all of those involved to make progress on this issue, but I

0:51:40 > 0:51:43congratulate all those NHS staff who have worked hard to ensure that

0:51:43 > 0:51:48improvement takes place.Does the Prime Minister agree that the

0:51:48 > 0:51:57resignation of lurve Kerslake does put the Government on a... --

0:51:57 > 0:52:06resignation of Lord Kerslake. In my constituency, it is disgraceful that

0:52:06 > 0:52:13people have to travel at least 15 miles to get to the nearest A&E.Can

0:52:13 > 0:52:17I say to him that I think Lord Kerslake made the right decision in

0:52:17 > 0:52:22stepping down as chairman of King's College Hospital? I'm not surprised

0:52:22 > 0:52:27the Labour Party are interested in this, given that Lord Kerslake is a

0:52:27 > 0:52:31key adviser to the Labour Party. If I can say to the honourable

0:52:31 > 0:52:37gentleman, he might care look at what NHS improvement said about

0:52:37 > 0:52:41King's College Hospital. The financial situation at Kings has

0:52:41 > 0:52:47deteriorated seriously over recent months, and we have now placed the

0:52:47 > 0:52:53trust in special measures. It is not acceptable for organisations to run

0:52:53 > 0:52:57up such significant deficits when the majority of the sector is

0:52:57 > 0:53:02working extremely hard to hit their financial plans, and in many cases

0:53:02 > 0:53:08have made real progress. They called the situation the worst in the NHS.

0:53:08 > 0:53:12Perhaps it's no surprise that noble lord Kerslake is advising the Labour

0:53:12 > 0:53:22Party on matters of debt and deficit.At the end of their first

0:53:22 > 0:53:26and successful term, will my right honourable friend congratulate the

0:53:26 > 0:53:31teachers, parents and students of the Newark free school, a school

0:53:31 > 0:53:34designed to raise standards and performance of schools. Would she

0:53:34 > 0:53:41agree with me that Conservatives, great teaching like this is not just

0:53:41 > 0:53:45about education, it is a daily battle for social justice, and we

0:53:45 > 0:53:51will never be distracted from that? My honourable friend is right.

0:53:51 > 0:53:56First, I'm very happy to join him in congratulating those who were

0:53:56 > 0:54:00involved in setting up this much-needed free school. I know my

0:54:00 > 0:54:05honourable friend will ensure the school provides young people in his

0:54:05 > 0:54:08constituency with an excellent education, despite the school being

0:54:08 > 0:54:12opposed by the party opposite. My honourable friend is right, this is

0:54:12 > 0:54:18not just a question of education, it's a question of social justice. A

0:54:18 > 0:54:24good quality education opens the door to the future for the lives of

0:54:24 > 0:54:27those young people. That's why it's so important to ensure the quality

0:54:27 > 0:54:32of education is there to give young people the best start in life.

0:54:32 > 0:54:37Tonight, this House will hopefully have the chance to vote on my new

0:54:37 > 0:54:41clause 22 to the EU Withdrawal Bill, which would give Parliament the

0:54:41 > 0:54:46power, at a future date, to determine whether we leave the

0:54:46 > 0:54:52single market by coming out of the European Economic Area. It doesn't

0:54:52 > 0:54:58dictate how honourable members should then votes, but it does

0:54:58 > 0:55:03ensure proper, democratic oversight. Shouldn't it be our sovereign

0:55:03 > 0:55:07parliament, and not the Prime Minister, that decides our country's

0:55:07 > 0:55:15economic future?First, as I indicated earlier in response to the

0:55:15 > 0:55:21member for Cheshire and Amersham, this parliament will have the

0:55:21 > 0:55:25opportunity to vote on withdrawal arrangements. Can I say that the

0:55:25 > 0:55:28honourable lady says it should be parliament that makes the decision

0:55:28 > 0:55:34about our membership of the single market. This parliament gave that

0:55:34 > 0:55:37decision about membership of the European Union to the people of this

0:55:37 > 0:55:42country. It is the people of this country that voted to leave the

0:55:42 > 0:55:48European Union, and this government will deliver for them.Mr Speaker,

0:55:48 > 0:55:52today thousands of profoundly disabled children are denied the

0:55:52 > 0:55:56opportunity to enjoy a day out with their families simply because there

0:55:56 > 0:56:01isn't an adequate changing room. The stories of parents at the Dales

0:56:01 > 0:56:06School in my constituency deeply moved me, so can I ask the Prime

0:56:06 > 0:56:15Minister to consider updating our building regulations, and ensure all

0:56:15 > 0:56:18relevant buildings voluntarily install changing facilities to give

0:56:18 > 0:56:22these children the opportunities they deserve?My honourable friend

0:56:22 > 0:56:27is right to raise this very important issue, which might seem

0:56:27 > 0:56:30such a small issue, but actually is very important in the lives of those

0:56:30 > 0:56:37disabled children, to enable them to lead the life they want to lead. I

0:56:37 > 0:56:42agree that the provision of changing places can make a real difference to

0:56:42 > 0:56:47disabled children and their carers. I understand the Department for

0:56:47 > 0:56:54Communities and Local Government has been working hard for this. I'm sure

0:56:54 > 0:56:57that the Communities Secretary will be happy to discuss this matter

0:56:57 > 0:57:04further with my honourable friend. Thank you, Mr Speaker. This week,

0:57:04 > 0:57:09the right reverend bishop of Stafford wrote to the Conservative

0:57:09 > 0:57:16Stoke on Trent City Council to plead not to cut £100 million from the

0:57:16 > 0:57:19homelessness support budget. Does the Prime Minister agree that the

0:57:19 > 0:57:24measure of society can be found in the way we treat our vulnerable

0:57:24 > 0:57:30people, and will she join his calls to the city to not cut the

0:57:30 > 0:57:34homelessness support budget, and will she agreed to fund local

0:57:34 > 0:57:36government properly so it can play its part in dealing with

0:57:36 > 0:57:43homelessness?We don't want to see people without a roof over their

0:57:43 > 0:57:47head. That's why we are working in a number of ways to deal with this

0:57:47 > 0:57:56situation, and why we are committed to cutting rough sleeping in half by

0:57:56 > 0:58:042022, and eliminating it by 2027. We are dedicating over £1 billion to

0:58:04 > 0:58:10cutting homelessness and rough sleeping. That is to tackle what we

0:58:10 > 0:58:17agree is something we don't want to see on our streets.It is now one

0:58:17 > 0:58:27year since I was sworn in as an MP. During the last year, the biggest

0:58:27 > 0:58:31issue in my postbag has been the provision of broadband to rural

0:58:31 > 0:58:36areas. The Government has invested heavily in this area, but many are

0:58:36 > 0:58:40still struggling with slow connections. Would my right

0:58:40 > 0:58:47honourable friend reassure my constituents that we will do

0:58:47 > 0:58:50everything to ensure that everybody gets superfast broadband, and nobody

0:58:50 > 0:58:56is left behind?Can I congratulate my honourable friend, not only on

0:58:56 > 0:59:01her election a year ago yesterday, but also on her re-election earlier

0:59:01 > 0:59:08this year. And on her year in this House. She's raised an issue that is

0:59:08 > 0:59:14a matter of concern to many rural areas across the country, and we do

0:59:14 > 0:59:17remain committed to universal broadband coverage of at least 10

0:59:17 > 0:59:22megabits so that no home or business is left behind. Superfast broadband

0:59:22 > 0:59:28is available to over 90% of premises in Lincolnshire, and we have

0:59:28 > 0:59:33committed over one billion pounds for next generation digital

0:59:33 > 0:59:38infrastructure. I can reassure her we have not forgotten any community

0:59:38 > 0:59:43across the UK. We recognise the importance of broadband to

0:59:43 > 0:59:48communities, and we are working to ensure we deliver further.In 2016,

0:59:48 > 0:59:54the then Home Secretary launched the ending violence against women and

0:59:54 > 0:59:58girls strategy, emphasising the need for an national network of domestic

0:59:58 > 1:00:06violence refuges. In 2017, Women's Aid save the Government is proposals

1:00:06 > 1:00:10for short-term housing threatens this network. Will the Prime

1:00:10 > 1:00:16Minister support Women's Aid and step in to save our refuges?

1:00:16 > 1:00:21I recognise the importance of dealing with domestic violence, we

1:00:21 > 1:00:25ring-fenced funding to support the victims, we have continued to

1:00:25 > 1:00:30ring-fence that funding, we have also made a number of step, we will

1:00:30 > 1:00:36be introducing a new laws, we have introduced the coercive criminal act

1:00:36 > 1:00:40of coercive control, we have introduced changes that have

1:00:40 > 1:00:45improved the support for people suffering from domestic violence, we

1:00:45 > 1:00:48are proposing a new funding model in relation to the provision of housing

1:00:48 > 1:00:51homes for people who have suffered from domestic violence and there is

1:00:51 > 1:00:56a good reason for wanting to see a change, which is to make this more

1:00:56 > 1:01:00responsive to the needs of the individuals, at a time of crisis in

1:01:00 > 1:01:04their lives, to make the system work better because at the moment the

1:01:04 > 1:01:07funding isn't responsive enough to their needs in local area, they have

1:01:07 > 1:01:12to worry about meeting housing costs themselves, at this time of crisis,

1:01:12 > 1:01:17and access relies on welfare claims and eligible. We are proposing a new

1:01:17 > 1:01:21model that frees women from worrying about meeting the housing costs

1:01:21 > 1:01:33themselves and the funding available will remain the same.

1:01:37 > 1:01:41Will she give her personal assurance they and their families will have

1:01:41 > 1:01:47the right to remain after Britain leaves the European Union?I, first

1:01:47 > 1:01:57of all I am happy to join her. They do do incredible work, and it is

1:01:57 > 1:02:00right we recognise the contribution, that EU nationals are making in this

1:02:00 > 1:02:04sector, but also across our economy, and our society. That is why we want

1:02:04 > 1:02:08people to be able to stay and we want families to be able to stay

1:02:08 > 1:02:12together and that is why I am pleased that the arrangements that

1:02:12 > 1:02:15we have and were published in the joint progress report between the

1:02:15 > 1:02:20United Kingdom and the European Union last Friday, show very clearly

1:02:20 > 1:02:24on citizens rights that where people have made that life choice to be

1:02:24 > 1:02:28here, we will support them and enable them to carry on lovelying

1:02:28 > 1:02:32their lives as before.In her answers so far the Prime Minister

1:02:32 > 1:02:38has shown she hasn't got a clue about the concerns of... Today, and

1:02:38 > 1:02:41on the 14th June she said that no-one and no community would be

1:02:41 > 1:02:47left behind but the Doncaster market towns have been told their NatWest

1:02:47 > 1:02:53branches are to close. That is two more on top of a record-breaking 700

1:02:53 > 1:02:58branch closures this year and that is despite the Big Four banks

1:02:58 > 1:03:02delivered 13.5 billion half year profits. Will the Prime Minister

1:03:02 > 1:03:07admit that the Government's access to banking protocol has failed to

1:03:07 > 1:03:11keep a single branch open, and will she restore the bank Levy and use

1:03:11 > 1:03:20some of it to stop communities losing their last bank branch.

1:03:20 > 1:03:25Can I say to the right honourable lady, first of all I have responded

1:03:25 > 1:03:29to the leader of the Scottish National Party in relation to

1:03:29 > 1:03:35closures. But, I think, also she and others need to accept that people's

1:03:35 > 1:03:40behaviour in relation to banking branches has changed over the years,

1:03:40 > 1:03:44and there is less demand but we have the access to banking standard in

1:03:44 > 1:03:50place, she referred to the Levy, let us be very clear there is a bank

1:03:50 > 1:03:54Levy there is a corporation tax surcharge for banks and this

1:03:54 > 1:03:57Government is raising more money from the banks than the Labour

1:03:57 > 1:04:05Government ever did.Would my right honourable friend join me in

1:04:05 > 1:04:10congratulating the UK's community found disagrees who have just

1:04:10 > 1:04:13reached the notable milestone distributing £1 billion to local

1:04:13 > 1:04:17communities across the country, should she agree the community

1:04:17 > 1:04:23foundations are perfect example of her shared society, and that funds

1:04:23 > 1:04:27from dormant assets, once available should be provided to them, to

1:04:27 > 1:04:34continue their very important work. I am happy to join him in

1:04:34 > 1:04:36congratulating community foundations across the UK, I was pleased to be

1:04:36 > 1:04:42able to have a meeting with the chief executive of the Berkshire

1:04:42 > 1:04:47foundation a couple of weeks a, I know from what my honourable friend

1:04:47 > 1:04:50said across communities across the country these are an important

1:04:50 > 1:04:53contributor to the shared, an example of the shared society adds

1:04:53 > 1:04:57he say, and I understand dormant accounts scheme has already

1:04:57 > 1:05:02distributed over 362 million for the benefit of good causes and there has

1:05:02 > 1:05:07been a report on possible expanding the scheme that would have the

1:05:07 > 1:05:15potentially significantly build on the success of the current scheme.

1:05:15 > 1:05:21Mr Speaker, can I remind the Prime Minister of June 2nd 1997 when I

1:05:21 > 1:05:26heard her make a very competent maiden speech in which she stressed

1:05:26 > 1:05:29the importance of vocational practical education for young people

1:05:29 > 1:05:37in our country, is she wear there is now a crisis -- crisis for

1:05:37 > 1:05:41apprenticeships, a 62% fall in apprenticeship starts? Many

1:05:41 > 1:05:46independent excellent trainers going out of business, a FE college in

1:05:46 > 1:05:51dire financial straits. Will she break a few heads, crack a few eggs

1:05:51 > 1:05:59and get this sorted?We see growing number going into apprenticeships,

1:05:59 > 1:06:04we are putting £500 million into technical education to ensure for

1:06:04 > 1:06:09the first time this country has first class technical education, I

1:06:09 > 1:06:16called for it 1997, in 2017 I am delivering.

1:06:16 > 1:06:19As an enthusiastic member of the women and equalities committee, I

1:06:19 > 1:06:25aim to be a strong champion for the equality of women, and I aspire to

1:06:25 > 1:06:32the title of honorary sister as best towed on you Mr Speaker, so will the

1:06:32 > 1:06:36Prime Minister join me in congratulating Ruth Cook on her

1:06:36 > 1:06:39appointment as chief executive of collar Ron group, the largest

1:06:39 > 1:06:42housing association in the country, proving that exceptional women can

1:06:42 > 1:06:53get the top job in housing and politics.

1:06:53 > 1:07:03I am very, I am very very happy to agree with honourable friend and to

1:07:03 > 1:07:07congratulate her on her appointment for the clarion group. It shows that

1:07:07 > 1:07:14women can take on senior job, I have to say he is aspiring to an accolade

1:07:14 > 1:07:18that I don't think the right honourable friend member for

1:07:18 > 1:07:23Camberwell and Peckham has given to me, despite being only it could

1:07:23 > 1:07:27second female Prime Minister in this country and one day, maybe the

1:07:27 > 1:07:35Labour sisterhood will manage to get a female leader of the Labour Party.

1:07:35 > 1:07:39Assessing the impact of leaving the European Union on the different

1:07:39 > 1:07:47sectors of the UK economy, is surely basic spade work for thing in, yet

1:07:47 > 1:07:55the Brexit secretary said none of it has been done why not?It isn't the

1:07:55 > 1:08:02case no work has been done in looking at the, as the right

1:08:02 > 1:08:07honourable gentleman knows from the over 800 pages of analysis that have

1:08:07 > 1:08:19been published.The Prime Minister has made clear that Brexit means

1:08:19 > 1:08:25Brexit. When it comes to the closure of Grantham A&E now the trust

1:08:25 > 1:08:31believes it has recruited enough doctors does she agree with me that

1:08:31 > 1:08:36temporary means temporary?Can I say, I know my right honourable

1:08:36 > 1:08:41friend has been a strong champion on his constituents, I know he will

1:08:41 > 1:08:47agree with me the first priority must be to ensure patient safety and

1:08:47 > 1:08:52that is why a report was commissioned. I understand NHS

1:08:52 > 1:08:56improvement will, are continuing to work closely with the trust and I am

1:08:56 > 1:09:04sure the Health Secretary will be happy to discuss the detail with him

1:09:04 > 1:09:13In the run to Christmas people will take on extra seasonal work to earn

1:09:13 > 1:09:18extra cash but many employers will be offered unpaid trial work with a

1:09:18 > 1:09:22job doesn't exist. It is affecting tens of thousands up and down the

1:09:22 > 1:09:29UK, but I have a bill coming to end unpaid trial shift, will she ensure

1:09:29 > 1:09:33this is the last Christmas of this exploitation and give Government

1:09:33 > 1:09:39backing for it?We already have a legal position in this country in

1:09:39 > 1:09:45relation to the payment of the national minimum wage, and ensuring

1:09:45 > 1:09:56people are paid for the work they do.Given the Scottish National

1:09:56 > 1:10:03Party has an extra £2 million to play with, will the Prime Minister

1:10:03 > 1:10:12join me in calling on the film to rule out higher taxes for

1:10:12 > 1:10:18hard-working ScotsThis is a very real test of the First Minister and

1:10:18 > 1:10:21Government in Scotland as to whether they are willing to recognise, last

1:10:21 > 1:10:26week I recall, or in previous weeks we have had strange claims being

1:10:26 > 1:10:31made by the Scottish Nationalists in this House about the I impact of

1:10:31 > 1:10:35decisions on Scotland but he is right. £2 billion extra going into

1:10:35 > 1:10:41Scotland. Let us watch carefully how the SNP Government choose to spend

1:10:41 > 1:10:47that money.Last week I tabled a written question to the Chancellor,

1:10:47 > 1:10:51asking for the evidence behind his extraordinary claim to the Treasury

1:10:51 > 1:10:55Select Committee, that disabled workers are responsible for the UK's

1:10:55 > 1:11:00productivity problem, last night I received his written answer. Up sur

1:11:00 > 1:11:04-- unsurprisingly there is no evidence for that claim. So

1:11:04 > 1:11:08disgracefully, since he has declined to express regret, will the Prime

1:11:08 > 1:11:13Minister take back control and order the Chancellor to withdraw his

1:11:13 > 1:11:20remark and apologise for inaccurate and offensive comments.

1:11:20 > 1:11:23The Chancellor did not express the views she claimed he was expressing,

1:11:23 > 1:11:27this is a government that values the contribution that disabled people

1:11:27 > 1:11:31make, to our society and to our economy in the workplace n is a

1:11:31 > 1:11:36government that is working to ensure that we can see more disabled people

1:11:36 > 1:11:39getting into the workplace. We have had some success, there is more to

1:11:39 > 1:11:42do but we will continue to work, to ensure those disabled people who

1:11:42 > 1:11:53want to work are able to do so.I sponsored an event in this place for

1:11:53 > 1:11:57the United Kingdom -- UN, the draw the line campaign which helped 6,000

1:11:57 > 1:12:02women and girls to have a better life. One in four women in the UK

1:12:02 > 1:12:07and 70% of girls around the world will expect to see physical or

1:12:07 > 1:12:10sexual violence in their life. Can this Prime Minister confirm this

1:12:10 > 1:12:16Government will continue to lead the world, on tackling trafficking and

1:12:16 > 1:12:25exploitation?She raises a very important issue once again, this

1:12:25 > 1:12:31Government introduces the modern slave react. It is continuing to

1:12:31 > 1:12:34work not only to increase our ability to deal with the

1:12:34 > 1:12:38perpetrators of these crimes but also to provide support for the

1:12:38 > 1:12:41victim, I want a world in which women and girls have the confidence

1:12:41 > 1:12:45to be able to be what they want to be, and know they won't be subject

1:12:45 > 1:12:50to exploitation, to violence, to trafficking, to slavery, slavery

1:12:50 > 1:12:54applies to men as well but I think our commitment as a government to

1:12:54 > 1:12:59ending violence and exploitation of women and girls is absolute.

1:12:59 > 1:13:05Thank you Mr Speaker, last week it was announced that my wonderful city

1:13:05 > 1:13:10of Coventry had been successful in its bid to become UK City of Culture

1:13:10 > 1:13:172021. We are bursting with pride. Will the Prime Minister join me in

1:13:17 > 1:13:23congratulating every one who was instrumental in this great

1:13:23 > 1:13:27achievement and which Coventry success, prosperity, hope and some

1:13:27 > 1:13:34fun in the next few years up to 2021, and beyond.

1:13:34 > 1:13:39Can I say that I will join her in congratulating Coventry, on being

1:13:39 > 1:13:43selected as City of Culture as she will be aware from exchanges that

1:13:43 > 1:13:47have taken place, there will be a number of honourable MEPs of this

1:13:47 > 1:13:51house who are disappointed because their cities have not achieved that

1:13:51 > 1:13:54particular status but I am happy to congratulate all those involved in

1:13:54 > 1:13:58putting the bid together, and ensuring that Coventry is that city

1:13:58 > 1:14:05of churl, including the mayor for the West Midlands.

1:14:05 > 1:14:09,Mr Speaker the Prime Minister and I have many things in common,

1:14:09 > 1:14:14including if I may say being proud of being called bloody difficult

1:14:14 > 1:14:22women. My Right Honourable and learned friend member for be cobs

1:14:22 > 1:14:28field is not in that category for many reasons. He is obviously a man,

1:14:28 > 1:14:32he is a respected seasoned Parliamentarian and like many on

1:14:32 > 1:14:37these benches has been for many decades loyal to his party, nobody

1:14:37 > 1:14:43wants to be disloyal or to bring about more disunity, the Prime

1:14:43 > 1:14:48Minister says she wants a meaningful vote on Brexit, before we leave the

1:14:48 > 1:14:53European Union, even at this last moment would she be so good as to

1:14:53 > 1:15:00accept the Right Honourable and learned gentleman's amendment in the

1:15:00 > 1:15:05spirit of unity for everybody here and in the country.My right

1:15:05 > 1:15:08honourable friend makes an important point about the concerns people have

1:15:08 > 1:15:12had in this house about having a meaningful vote on this particular

1:15:12 > 1:15:18issue before we complete the deal. As I is set out in the earlier

1:15:18 > 1:15:21answer I gave to my right honourable friend, that is what we will have,

1:15:21 > 1:15:26we will ensure that there is a meaningful vote on this, in this

1:15:26 > 1:15:30House, there will be of course be an opportunity for Parliament to look

1:15:30 > 1:15:34at the withdrawal agreement and implementation bill, this, the fact

1:15:34 > 1:15:38that there will be that meaningful vote has been set out an confirmed

1:15:38 > 1:15:44by the Brexit secretary in a written ministerial statement today. We were

1:15:44 > 1:15:48clear that we won't commence any statutory instruments until that

1:15:48 > 1:15:53meaningful vote has taken place, but as currently drafted what the

1:15:53 > 1:15:57amendment says, is that we shouldn't make any of those, put any of those

1:15:57 > 1:16:01arrangements into place, until the withdrawal agreement and

1:16:01 > 1:16:05implementation bill has reach the statute book. That could be at a

1:16:05 > 1:16:09very late stage in the proceedings, which could mean that we are not

1:16:09 > 1:16:13able to have the orderly and smooth exit from the European Union that we

1:16:13 > 1:16:26wish to have.

1:16:26 > 1:16:30You are on! The honourable gentleman is trying to overcome his natural

1:16:30 > 1:16:35reticence. I know he is a shy fellow, but I'm trying to encourage

1:16:35 > 1:16:44them.Mr Speaker, not 1p to fit sprinklers to Birmingham's 213 tower

1:16:44 > 1:16:50blocks from government. Now the city is suffering the biggest cuts in

1:16:50 > 1:16:56local government history, is to suffer another £100 million further

1:16:56 > 1:17:02funding cut, yet made in hand is the least hard-hit of any local

1:17:02 > 1:17:08authority in Britain. How can the Prime Minister justify one law for

1:17:08 > 1:17:14her own constituency and another law for her own constituency?Can I say

1:17:14 > 1:17:17that of course the local government settlement has yet to come before

1:17:17 > 1:17:22this House. We have been very clear in relation to fire safety

1:17:22 > 1:17:27arrangements and any action that needs to be taken by local

1:17:27 > 1:17:31authorities, that they should discuss this with the Department for

1:17:31 > 1:17:35Communities and Local Government. We will ensure it is possible for the

1:17:35 > 1:17:42Nasa street safety work to be under an taken.2017 marks the 100th

1:17:42 > 1:17:47anniversary of the foundation of the women's Royal navy service. Will the

1:17:47 > 1:17:52Prime Minister join with me in marking the outstanding service of

1:17:52 > 1:17:56women for over 100 years in the Royal Navy, but also the Royal Air

1:17:56 > 1:18:02Force and the Army? Will she welcomed the fact that they are no

1:18:02 > 1:18:07longer restricted to dibs on shore, but can take part in every aspect of

1:18:07 > 1:18:13the service?It is right then when marking the centenary for the

1:18:13 > 1:18:15Women's Royal Naval Service, we recognise the contribution women

1:18:15 > 1:18:20have made across our Armed Forces, and it's important they can now

1:18:20 > 1:18:25contribute across all aspects of work in the armed services and are

1:18:25 > 1:18:30no longer restricted to jobs on shore. This is an important step

1:18:30 > 1:18:34forward and strengthens our Armed Forces, and I congratulate all women

1:18:34 > 1:18:37in our Armed Forces.

1:18:45 > 1:18:49Mr Corbyn went on housing, particularly homelessness and rough

1:18:49 > 1:18:53sleeping, we will come to that in a moment. There are a number of

1:18:53 > 1:18:57questions about the big vote tonight, whether the Government has

1:18:57 > 1:19:01changed its position, let me just come to Laura first, did we learn,

1:19:01 > 1:19:09was there any change in the Government's stance there

1:19:09 > 1:19:13Theresa May gave a long and complicated answer talking through

1:19:13 > 1:19:19various bits of the procedure. But there was no budge as far as I could

1:19:19 > 1:19:23see. We could see the reactions of the backbenchers, shaking their

1:19:23 > 1:19:28heads furiously. No change so far. Still hours to go. And it might

1:19:28 > 1:19:36change very fast.We will talk about housing in a moment.

1:19:36 > 1:19:40Now, in the US, Doug Jones has become the first Democrat in 25

1:19:40 > 1:19:42years to win a Senate seat in Alabama, after an unexpected

1:19:42 > 1:19:46victory over Republican Roy Moore.

1:19:46 > 1:19:48The Democrat win is a blow to President Donald Trump,

1:19:48 > 1:19:51who had shown enthusiastic support for Moore, despite allegations

1:19:51 > 1:19:52of sexual misconduct against him.

1:19:52 > 1:19:54Mr Moore, who arrived on horseback to cast his vote,

1:19:54 > 1:20:02has so far refused to concede, saying "it's not over".

1:20:02 > 1:20:08But it almost certainly is.

1:20:08 > 1:20:11President Trump has distanced himself from the candidate, saying

1:20:11 > 1:20:20that he was right all along, that Mr Moore could not win. Mr Moore is a

1:20:20 > 1:20:24controversial character, having faced allegations of sexual

1:20:24 > 1:20:26misconduct from a number of women, particularly when they were

1:20:26 > 1:20:33children. The winner, Mr Jones, told his supporters that the entire

1:20:33 > 1:20:42election race had been about dignity and respect.

1:20:42 > 1:20:48I am truly overwhelmed. I am truly, truly overwhelmed. But you know,

1:20:48 > 1:20:53folks, and you have all heard me say this at one point or another in this

1:20:53 > 1:20:58campaign, I have always believed that the people of Alabama had more

1:20:58 > 1:21:03in common than to divide us. SHE COUGHS

1:21:06 > 1:21:12The way it works is that he has to fight for the seat again in 2020.

1:21:12 > 1:21:18We can speak now to Gary O'Donoghue, who's in Montgomery, Alabama for us.

1:21:18 > 1:21:23Gary, good to see you. The question is, is this a harbinger of things to

1:21:23 > 1:21:28come from Mr Trump and the Republicans, or did they just have a

1:21:28 > 1:21:33really bad candidate that allowed the Democrats to win this state?He

1:21:33 > 1:21:42was a bad candidate, no question. Really you only need a pulse in

1:21:42 > 1:21:45Alabama to get elected normally. They normally way the votes rather

1:21:45 > 1:21:50than count them, so you have to do something rather stupendously wrong

1:21:50 > 1:21:56to lose out here, as a Republican, and Roy Moore did that. He had

1:21:56 > 1:22:01allegations against him of sexual abuse and assault, which ate away at

1:22:01 > 1:22:06some of the Conservative support he would have banked on in the north.

1:22:06 > 1:22:10Democrats did spend ten times as much as the Republicans here during

1:22:10 > 1:22:14the race. They managed to galvanise things like the black vote, which

1:22:14 > 1:22:21was higher by a couple of percentage points than Barack Obama managed to

1:22:21 > 1:22:28get in 2012. So that worked fantastically well for them. The gap

1:22:28 > 1:22:35is 49.9 two Jones at the moment. He says that Roy Moore hasn't conceded,

1:22:35 > 1:22:41but really he has no chance. He is 20,000 odd vote adrift. There are

1:22:41 > 1:22:47some military votes to come in, but only 8000 people from Alabama served

1:22:47 > 1:22:52in the military. To cap it all, the Republican party have said they will

1:22:52 > 1:22:57not pay for a recount if he wants one. He may be the man who never

1:22:57 > 1:23:02actually concedes, but he has lost. Mr Trump's majority in the Senate

1:23:02 > 1:23:12now down to 51-49. It looked, the black turnout in Alabama was huge by

1:23:12 > 1:23:17relative standards. A lot of suburban Republicans looked to me

1:23:17 > 1:23:20that either they voted Democrat or just didn't vote at all. That must

1:23:20 > 1:23:29worry the White House.That's right. In the north of the state, where the

1:23:29 > 1:23:33most Christian and most Conservative residents live, they are still

1:23:33 > 1:23:39solidly behind Donald Trump, as you would expect. It is those in

1:23:39 > 1:23:44suburban areas just outside the city centres, around places like

1:23:44 > 1:23:48Montgomery and Birmingham, where there is more moderate Republicans,

1:23:48 > 1:23:52and they either held their noses and voted Democrat or didn't vote at

1:23:52 > 1:23:57all. You have to remember that when this Senate seat came up last time,

1:23:57 > 1:24:05there wasn't a Democratic opponent, but the Republic 197% of the vote.

1:24:05 > 1:24:12You couldn't really do any better. The last time this state voted for a

1:24:12 > 1:24:16Democrat presidential candidate was Jimmy Carter in 76. So the White

1:24:16 > 1:24:20House will be worried. In the immediate term, they will be worried

1:24:20 > 1:24:25about the maths in the Senedd. This is now the slimmest of majorities.

1:24:25 > 1:24:29The tax reform bill is still coming through the process of

1:24:29 > 1:24:33reconciliation between the two houses. They will need Democratic

1:24:33 > 1:24:39votes to get that through the Senate anyway. This makes that process even

1:24:39 > 1:24:44harder. For the Democrats, coming up to the mid-term elections at the end

1:24:44 > 1:24:48of next year, there's now a real chance of flipping the Senate, as

1:24:48 > 1:24:56well as having a go at house. Montgomery will need 72% for the

1:24:56 > 1:25:02Democrats. Thank you for joining us. Let's come back here to British

1:25:02 > 1:25:08politics. George Eustice. Why has homelessness and rough sleeping

1:25:08 > 1:25:14risen by so much under your government?This has been a

1:25:14 > 1:25:19long-standing challenge. We have not been building enough homes, but as

1:25:19 > 1:25:23the Prime Minister pointed out, last year for the first time, we saw it

1:25:23 > 1:25:29go above 200,000, at 217,000. This is something the Prime Minister is

1:25:29 > 1:25:34very passionate about. She has committed £1 billion to this and

1:25:34 > 1:25:41have set an objective of halving rough sleeping.There are now 77,000

1:25:41 > 1:25:46more homeless households living in temporary accommodation than in

1:25:46 > 1:25:522010, a rise of 60%. Why?We need to be building more homes. Sometimes

1:25:52 > 1:26:00when you have rough sleeping, there are wider issues.Rough sleeping has

1:26:00 > 1:26:09gone up from 1700 2/4000 last year. That is a much bigger rise than 60%.

1:26:09 > 1:26:14That is the brutal definition of homelessness.That can be affected

1:26:14 > 1:26:21by things like drug and alcohol problems.But let's stick to the

1:26:21 > 1:26:2677,000 families living in temporary accommodation. 60% up. These

1:26:26 > 1:26:32families include 124,000 children. Why has this happened under your

1:26:32 > 1:26:37watch?This problem has been developing for a while. Under Labour

1:26:37 > 1:26:41there were long queues of people trying to get into social housing.

1:26:41 > 1:26:45But there was no rise in homelessness the same. Homelessness

1:26:45 > 1:26:52had been coming down under Labour, but since 20% it has clearly gone up

1:26:52 > 1:26:59by 60%, including 124,000 children. What happened to caring for the just

1:26:59 > 1:27:04about managing?What matters is the action you are taking about this,

1:27:04 > 1:27:12which is why it is a major projects Almac priority in the budget. It is

1:27:12 > 1:27:19a personal priority for her. It 37,000 families in temporary

1:27:19 > 1:27:28accommodation in England alone. An increase of 73% since March 2011. I

1:27:28 > 1:27:34would suggest that is what matters. What matters is what you are doing

1:27:34 > 1:27:39about it, and fundamentally we have to be building more homes. Over the

1:27:39 > 1:27:43last year, house-building went above 200,000 for the first time in a long

1:27:43 > 1:27:53time.It is not the highest it's been for decades. In 2007-2008, it

1:27:53 > 1:28:02was higher. We have run out of time. I need you just to say something!We

1:28:02 > 1:28:07would do a great job, much better than this government is doing,

1:28:07 > 1:28:10homelessness declined dramatically under the Labour government. How

1:28:10 > 1:28:17about that?Your house-building record was pretty poor.But

1:28:17 > 1:28:22homelessness declined because we built what was needed.

1:28:22 > 1:28:25There's just time to put you out of your misery and give

1:28:25 > 1:28:27you the answer to Guess The Year.

1:28:27 > 1:28:28The year was...

1:28:28 > 1:28:301970.

1:28:30 > 1:28:34They are all useless. They got it wrong. Press that red button, and

1:28:34 > 1:28:39the winner is...

1:28:39 > 1:28:40That's all for today.

1:28:40 > 1:28:41Thanks to all my guests.

1:28:41 > 1:28:44The One O'Clock News is starting over on BBC One now.

1:28:44 > 1:28:47JoCo will be here at noon tomorrow with all the big political

1:28:47 > 1:28:50stories of the day.

1:28:50 > 1:28:55Bye bye.

1:28:59 > 1:29:02There's a laugh or two on Two this Christmas.