10/01/2018

0:00:40 > 0:00:43Morning folks, welcome to the Daily Politics.

0:00:43 > 0:00:47Theresa May has put a newish Cabinet in place with some difficulty.

0:00:47 > 0:00:50And she didn't always get what she wanted.

0:00:50 > 0:00:53The reshuffle of the minions went a bit more smoothly,

0:00:53 > 0:00:54if anybody noticed.

0:00:54 > 0:00:57So, another shambles, or a fresh-faced reflection

0:00:57 > 0:00:59of modern Britain?

0:00:59 > 0:01:00The NHS.

0:01:00 > 0:01:01Housing.

0:01:01 > 0:01:02Brexit.

0:01:02 > 0:01:05There won't be much of a breather for the new cabinet -

0:01:05 > 0:01:09we take a look at government priorities for 2018.

0:01:09 > 0:01:11Theresa May will square up to Jeremy Corbyn in the first

0:01:11 > 0:01:13Prime Minister's Questions of 2018.

0:01:13 > 0:01:21We'll bring you that live and uninterrupted at noon.

0:01:23 > 0:01:27All that coming up in the next hour and a half.

0:01:27 > 0:01:32And with us for the duration two people doing exactly the same job

0:01:32 > 0:01:35now as they did last week - the Leader of the House of Commons,

0:01:35 > 0:01:37Andrea Leadsom, and the Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary,

0:01:37 > 0:01:38Debbie Abrahams.

0:01:38 > 0:01:41Welcome.

0:01:41 > 0:01:45Happy new year to you both.

0:01:45 > 0:01:48Now, if you read the papers at the weekend, you may have read

0:01:48 > 0:01:51that Andrea Leadsom was going be moved from her post as Leader

0:01:51 > 0:01:54of the House in the reshuffle, but we knew that wasn't going

0:01:54 > 0:01:55to happen when we spotted this -

0:01:55 > 0:02:03Andrea chopping vegetables in her very own Leader of the House apron.

0:02:05 > 0:02:13I've now got my own apron and, Debbie Abrahams,

0:02:17 > 0:02:21we're going to bullet proof you against a future

0:02:21 > 0:02:23Labour reshuffle with your very own Shadow Work

0:02:23 > 0:02:31and Pensions Secretary apron.

0:02:34 > 0:02:39Can we scratch that bit out?You may have to change it. Come the time. We

0:02:39 > 0:02:46will do that as well. If Andrea can keep her post wearing an apron, you

0:02:46 > 0:02:53can too. Let's talk about the reshuffle. We learned in 2017 that

0:02:53 > 0:02:57when it came to election campaigns, Mrs May couldn't organise them for

0:02:57 > 0:03:03toffee. We have learned already in 2018 when it cops to reshuffle --

0:03:03 > 0:03:13comes to reshuffles, it is the a party in a brewery.I disagree, we

0:03:13 > 0:03:18have a new cabinet focussing on the Prime Minister's priority,

0:03:18 > 0:03:22particularly housing, social care, we have new female members of

0:03:22 > 0:03:25cabinet.You haven't got any more. But we have some fresh faces and

0:03:25 > 0:03:28let's be clear what the Prime Minister was setting out to achieve

0:03:28 > 0:03:34was to improve the pipeline of newer, younger MPs who are diverse.

0:03:34 > 0:03:39Many more women.I take that at the lower levels, but you say it is new,

0:03:39 > 0:03:44it is not a new cabinet, the big beasts haven't changed, we perhaps

0:03:44 > 0:03:49include yourself in that. There is no more women than before. There is

0:03:49 > 0:03:58no change in the racial diversity of the cabinet. There is a net loss of

0:03:58 > 0:04:04one LGBT cabinet minister and there is fewer from comprehensives. Fewer

0:04:04 > 0:04:09non-Oxbridge. How is this a new cabinet for the 21st Century.That

0:04:09 > 0:04:14is to miss the point. The cabinet is a core part of government, so are

0:04:14 > 0:04:19the Whitehall teams.Why was the cabinet not changed?You need to

0:04:19 > 0:04:23give people the opportunity to get experience and understand the

0:04:23 > 0:04:29machinery of government and we have some fantastic new people who are at

0:04:29 > 0:04:33under-Secretary of state level. They're integral to policy

0:04:33 > 0:04:36development and thinking and new ideas. And of course the next step

0:04:36 > 0:04:42is with that experience they then will be looking at cabinet posts.

0:04:42 > 0:04:47Some have been around for a while. You can't just look at the cabinet.

0:04:47 > 0:04:50You mentioned the cabinet in your first answer to my question. You

0:04:50 > 0:04:54mentioned the cabinet. Not me. So I told you what had changed in the

0:04:54 > 0:04:58cabinet, which is very little. What does it say of Prime Minister that

0:04:58 > 0:05:02she wasn't strong enough to move her health Secretary.I don't think any

0:05:02 > 0:05:06of us know exactly what happened in those conversations.We do, she

0:05:06 > 0:05:10tried to move him and he said he wouldn't go.Jeremy Hunt has been

0:05:10 > 0:05:15doing an incredibly good job.So why try to move on.He is determined to

0:05:15 > 0:05:20take on the challenge of social care. Great news we are living

0:05:20 > 0:05:24longer bs but the challenge is there. I don't know that she tried

0:05:24 > 0:05:30to move him.You must be the only person in the country who doesn't.

0:05:30 > 0:05:34The press have speculated on it. Downing Street and Jeremy Hunt's

0:05:34 > 0:05:39people have briefed the press. Did she try to move you?I had a very

0:05:39 > 0:05:41brief and very pleasant conversation with the Prime Minister where she

0:05:41 > 0:05:45told me there is a lot of important work to do and asked me to stay in

0:05:45 > 0:05:51my job and I was delighted to do. She didn't mention moving you.No.

0:05:51 > 0:05:55Were you nervous she might, you were tweeting and playing for position.

0:05:55 > 0:06:04No, I was relaxed about my position. All right. On the lower ranks, the

0:06:04 > 0:06:08minute yons, there is a big change in the diversity, and these will

0:06:08 > 0:06:11probably be the Tory cabinet ministers of tomorrow. Does that

0:06:11 > 0:06:17worry you?No, I think we should welcome any increase in diversity at

0:06:17 > 0:06:21all levels within government. However, you have raised the points

0:06:21 > 0:06:26already, in terms of the cabinet that is not the case. If you compare

0:06:26 > 0:06:33that to our Shadow Cabinet which has 50% women a range of ages and then

0:06:33 > 0:06:40people from across the groups as well. It is quite a difference. Your

0:06:40 > 0:06:47point around the shambolic reshuffle is well made. We had Chris Grayling

0:06:47 > 0:06:52as chairman and then he wasn't.That was a good Tory head quarters,

0:06:52 > 0:07:00they're still trying to get to grips with social media, or the quill pen!

0:07:00 > 0:07:06The point around Jeremy Hunt doing a good job and being retained, look at

0:07:06 > 0:07:11it.We will come on to it. Let me stop you, not because I don't want

0:07:11 > 0:07:16you to talk about that, because we are coming on to that as you would

0:07:16 > 0:07:19expect us.

0:07:19 > 0:07:21With the reshuffle done, it's now time for Theresa May

0:07:21 > 0:07:24and her team to get on with the job, as they say.

0:07:24 > 0:07:27There won't be much of a breather for the new cabinet

0:07:27 > 0:07:29as the Prime Minister tries to refocus onto the domestic agenda.

0:07:29 > 0:07:32So what are the Government priorities for the year ahead?

0:07:32 > 0:07:35Here's Elizabeth Glinka with the details.

0:07:35 > 0:07:38Theresa May began the year saying that fixing the housing crisis

0:07:38 > 0:07:41was her "personal mission" - she promptly added it

0:07:41 > 0:07:45to Communities Secretary Sajid Javid's title.

0:07:45 > 0:07:49Jeremy Hunt continues on at Health amidst a crisis in the NHS.

0:07:49 > 0:07:51He was forced to apologise last week, after he approved

0:07:51 > 0:07:53the cancellation of 55,000 non-urgent operations

0:07:53 > 0:07:57until February.

0:07:57 > 0:08:00He also adds social care to his brief,

0:08:00 > 0:08:03with a white paper due by the summer.

0:08:03 > 0:08:05Meanwhile, the ink was barely dry on Justine Greening's

0:08:05 > 0:08:08social mobility strategy before she left her post as Education Secretary

0:08:08 > 0:08:11this week.

0:08:11 > 0:08:14So one question is, will her successor, Damian Hinds,

0:08:14 > 0:08:17pick up where she left off?

0:08:17 > 0:08:22But, despite the push on domestic policy, Brexit will inevitably

0:08:22 > 0:08:25dominate this year's agenda.

0:08:25 > 0:08:27In the Commons, the Trade Bill received its second reading

0:08:27 > 0:08:32yesterday, and the EU Withdrawal Bill will be

0:08:32 > 0:08:35back in front of MPs again later this month.

0:08:35 > 0:08:37There will be a new Immigration Bill later this year.

0:08:37 > 0:08:40And that is all before the Government needs

0:08:40 > 0:08:43to conclude its negotiations with Brussels by October if a deal

0:08:43 > 0:08:46is to pass all the democratic hurdles in time for the UK to leave

0:08:46 > 0:08:47in March next year.

0:08:47 > 0:08:50As the Cabinet only met just before Christmas to discuss what that final

0:08:50 > 0:08:58deal might look like, the clock is certainly ticking.

0:09:00 > 0:09:06First let's look at the Conservatives and Andrea Leadsom.

0:09:06 > 0:09:11Since the election in June last year, and putting aside Brexit

0:09:11 > 0:09:17issues, what has to Government achieved?Certainly right across a

0:09:17 > 0:09:21range of portfolio areas. To take the NHS, which is a priority for

0:09:21 > 0:09:26everybody in the country, we have seen huge efforts made to try and

0:09:26 > 0:09:31solve the issue of delayed transfer, so freeing up many more beds for

0:09:31 > 0:09:36people.You have not solved that.It is not solved, but it has gone a

0:09:36 > 0:09:41long way to being solved.Hold on, you have cancelled 55,000

0:09:41 > 0:09:47operations.That is a different issue. The delayed transfer of care

0:09:47 > 0:09:52is the issue sometimes known as bed blocking.Because you have not

0:09:52 > 0:09:58resolved enough of that, you have to cancel operations.The key thing to

0:09:58 > 0:10:02remember is that the demands on the NHS in the winter are always

0:10:02 > 0:10:07increased. That is an inevitable part. So always what the NHS staff

0:10:07 > 0:10:13seek to do is prioritise the urgent over the routine operations and that

0:10:13 > 0:10:18is so in winter it is difficult. We have been...Winter is never a

0:10:18 > 0:10:23surprise. It does come around every year and doesn't go to maybe late

0:10:23 > 0:10:29March. The one thing that isn't seasonal is the situation in which

0:10:29 > 0:10:34one in ten nursing posts are vacant. One in ten. Why?Since 2010 there

0:10:34 > 0:10:39has been an increase in the numbers of nurses on wards. I don't know

0:10:39 > 0:10:43where that figure you have got has come from.They're official figures,

0:10:43 > 0:10:56one in ten, there are...10,000.You may may have, there are 45,000

0:10:56 > 0:11:02unfilled roles and 40,000 are in nursing. If you name the NHS ace an

0:11:02 > 0:11:07achievement -- as an achievement, why?The numbers you're giving, I'm

0:11:07 > 0:11:11not sured if you're talkeded about registered to nurse.Qualified

0:11:11 > 0:11:21nurses. A 50% rise in the number of nurses quitting compared to 2014.I

0:11:21 > 0:11:29think there you're talking about deregistering.No I'm talking about

0:11:29 > 0:11:35nurses quitting. Let he bring it down to a practical example. A

0:11:35 > 0:11:42prestige hospital in Oxford is now talking, is saying it will have to

0:11:42 > 0:11:47stop giving chemotherapy or reduce chemotherapy to people who are

0:11:47 > 0:11:55dying.That is... Incredibly worrying. But you will also be aware

0:11:55 > 0:11:58that that commissioning group has said they're not in fact doing that

0:11:58 > 0:12:05at all. It was apparently a leaked e-mail.What they're saying is that

0:12:05 > 0:12:09that is in the plan to do it, because of... The reason I bring it,

0:12:09 > 0:12:14it is staff shortages. They're down, this is a hospital, these are not

0:12:14 > 0:12:18global figures, this is a real hospital, one of the richest parts

0:12:18 > 0:12:22of country too, 40% of the establishment nurses are down.

0:12:22 > 0:12:27They're down 40% on what it should be. Which is why they have had to

0:12:27 > 0:12:32talk about delaying chemotherapy, which is... A terrible thing to go

0:12:32 > 0:12:38through any ware and to be told it is delayed.I agree it worrying, but

0:12:38 > 0:12:43I say again that trust have said that is not the case. So just to be

0:12:43 > 0:12:47clear about...They have said this what is they will have to do if the

0:12:47 > 0:12:50staffing shortage doesn't change. It has not happened yet. You're right.

0:12:50 > 0:12:58Exactly.It was bigged up in the times story. The head of the

0:12:58 > 0:13:02hospital has said that they will have to make cuts to treatment of

0:13:02 > 0:13:08the terminally ill.They have not said that. Just to be clear, there

0:13:08 > 0:13:13are 10,000 more nurses now than there were in 2010.Still one in ten

0:13:13 > 0:13:18vacancies.We have a huge recruitment drive for nor nursing

0:13:18 > 0:13:21staff and GPs and there is much more support for people wanting to come

0:13:21 > 0:13:25into the profession and it is right to do that. But nevertheless, just I

0:13:25 > 0:13:31want to say...This, we got to this, because I asked you other than

0:13:31 > 0:13:37Brexit and everything associated with what what the Government's

0:13:37 > 0:13:41achieved, you surprised me by mentioning the NHS. Having heard the

0:13:41 > 0:13:45figures, would you reconsider that? The NHS is doing an incredible job.

0:13:45 > 0:13:50We have just been again for the second year in a row, called the

0:13:50 > 0:13:56best health system in the world. That is by... The common wealth fund

0:13:56 > 0:14:02is an American fund that wants America to adopt a British system.

0:14:02 > 0:14:08So it always finds the British system. You're saying it is health.

0:14:08 > 0:14:13It sees health through a particular British focus. There is no harm in

0:14:13 > 0:14:21that, but it is one reason why we don't come out best in others. You

0:14:21 > 0:14:27talk about the NHS with Labour Party it is just more money.I no, but

0:14:27 > 0:14:33your right we have the lowest level of funding since 1951. It is

0:14:33 > 0:14:39chronic. It is not me saying that, there is a host of peer reviewed

0:14:39 > 0:14:46articles in the BMJ and other such publications.Over all funding is at

0:14:46 > 0:14:53a record level.In terms of cash.In real terms.But in percentage of GDP

0:14:53 > 0:14:59it is not. We are again as we were in the nineties below the EU average

0:14:59 > 0:15:05and this is having a significant impact. I reiterate the articles in

0:15:05 > 0:15:10the BMJ showing this is the real issue. Impacting on clinical posts,

0:15:10 > 0:15:16100,000.

0:15:17 > 0:15:22I'm sticking with the NHS because it's such an important subject for

0:15:22 > 0:15:25everybody, we all depend on it, but other than putting more money in,

0:15:25 > 0:15:28and the government would say that it has put more money in, what single

0:15:28 > 0:15:35big change would you make to make it function better?We need to make

0:15:35 > 0:15:39sure that we keep transforming the NHS. Particularly in terms of, we've

0:15:39 > 0:15:45had for a number of years a purchaser provider relationships,

0:15:45 > 0:15:52and that is impacting...Would you reverse that?We know there are 20

0:15:52 > 0:15:56billion contracts that have gone to the private health sector since

0:15:56 > 0:16:03since the dreadful privatisation.A slow rate of growth, down under the

0:16:03 > 0:16:10last Labour government.That's not the case. If you look...You would

0:16:10 > 0:16:13reverse all privatisation?We know that evidence is that privatisation

0:16:13 > 0:16:19of the health system... Can I finish? It reduces access to health

0:16:19 > 0:16:27care. It increases inequality.If you need an operation and the NHS is

0:16:27 > 0:16:31paying for it, but you have to go to a private hospital to get it, why

0:16:31 > 0:16:37would you care as long as you get it? How could the NHS cope if none

0:16:37 > 0:16:42of these operations were then done in the private sector?The evidence

0:16:42 > 0:16:48is that, when you have a privatised or market iced system, the

0:16:48 > 0:16:53inequalities in terms of access, and this is in terms of...But at the

0:16:53 > 0:16:57moment the NHS is struggling with capacity. Part of that is met by

0:16:57 > 0:17:03getting other hospitals outside the NHS offered free at the point of

0:17:03 > 0:17:11useful to help the NHS take these operations on?We have always had a

0:17:11 > 0:17:14plural health system and, where there is need around capacity, we'd

0:17:14 > 0:17:18want to make sure that people have access. There was an open letter in

0:17:18 > 0:17:21one of the national papers today about a woman with cancer who has

0:17:21 > 0:17:27had her operation postponed.I saw that. I think you would perhaps

0:17:27 > 0:17:33agree that we have put these issues to them.Yes, you have, robustly.

0:17:33 > 0:17:35We're nothing if not fair on this programme.

0:17:35 > 0:17:37As we've already outlined the challenges facing

0:17:37 > 0:17:39the Government in 2018, now it's Labour's turn.

0:17:39 > 0:17:40Here's Elizabeth again.

0:17:40 > 0:17:42Labour will also have to wrestle with questions about Brexit,

0:17:42 > 0:17:45with one prominent backbencher - Chuka Ummuna - reportedly walking

0:17:45 > 0:17:47out of the Parliamentary Labour Party meeting on Monday

0:17:47 > 0:17:53when leader Jeremy Corbyn restated his position that the UK

0:17:53 > 0:17:56cannot leave the EU while remaining in the single market

0:17:56 > 0:17:58and the customs union.

0:17:58 > 0:18:01More than 20 of Labour's MPs have signed an amendment to keep the UK

0:18:01 > 0:18:05inside the customs union.

0:18:05 > 0:18:08The party is also battling to maintain economic credibility,

0:18:08 > 0:18:11after Shadow Education Secretary Angela Rayner used some colourful

0:18:11 > 0:18:15language to describe what she called the party's

0:18:15 > 0:18:18"high-risk" economic strategy.

0:18:18 > 0:18:20Meanwhile, the internal war between different wings

0:18:20 > 0:18:23of the party continues, with voting for the National

0:18:23 > 0:18:25Executive Committee this week.

0:18:25 > 0:18:28Momentum founder Jon Lansman is up against

0:18:28 > 0:18:30comedian and activist Eddie Izzard.

0:18:30 > 0:18:34And that fight continues to rumble in local parties across the country

0:18:34 > 0:18:37over the reselection of councillors.

0:18:37 > 0:18:41Selections for parliamentary candidates in 75 key targets have

0:18:41 > 0:18:44been pushed back to April.

0:18:44 > 0:18:47So perhaps the question for Labour this year is whether the party -

0:18:47 > 0:18:50which is still matching the Conservatives in the polls -

0:18:50 > 0:18:54can keep the peace sufficiently to make gains at the local elections

0:18:54 > 0:18:59in May.

0:18:59 > 0:19:07Thank you. Debbie Abrahams, it's a New Year, new policies? So what is

0:19:07 > 0:19:13Labour's latest position on membership of the single market?We

0:19:13 > 0:19:20have said that we want to retain the exact same benefits of being in a

0:19:20 > 0:19:26customs union, not necessarily... I'll come to that, but stick with

0:19:26 > 0:19:33the single market.Access to the single market.Is Labour policy to

0:19:33 > 0:19:38stay members?We want the same benefits.How can you have that if

0:19:38 > 0:19:43you're not a member?We need to have a deal and we need to negotiate it

0:19:43 > 0:19:49in the same way that Keir Starmer has been advocating.If the EU says,

0:19:49 > 0:19:54all right, you can stay members, but with membership comes a price, one

0:19:54 > 0:20:00is free movement, would you agree to that?No, we have been very clear...

0:20:00 > 0:20:05So you can't be members of the single market. Who is a member that

0:20:05 > 0:20:12has that?It doesn't meet mean that it can't happen with us.Angela

0:20:12 > 0:20:16Merkel has made it clear yesterday that you can't cherry pick parts of

0:20:16 > 0:20:22the single market without having the obligations.Negotiations need to

0:20:22 > 0:20:25take place, and I appreciate what Angela Merkel had to say, she isn't

0:20:25 > 0:20:29in the most stable position at the moment, but we need to have robust

0:20:29 > 0:20:34negotiations and that isn't what happening at the moment.Maybe, but,

0:20:34 > 0:20:39if you stay a member of the single market, the European Court of

0:20:39 > 0:20:44Justice as judicial sovereignty over you. Would you agree to that?I

0:20:44 > 0:20:48think we have seen from the government side, Theresa May is

0:20:48 > 0:20:53agreed that, particularly in the transitional period...If you stay

0:20:53 > 0:20:57members, across the remit, it has judicial sovereignty. Would you

0:20:57 > 0:21:01agree to that?We need to make sure there is an arbiter that can resolve

0:21:01 > 0:21:08issues that come up but whether that is the ECJ or another body, at some

0:21:08 > 0:21:12stage. During the transition stage, and it would be interesting to hear

0:21:12 > 0:21:20Andrea's position on that,...

0:21:20 > 0:21:23Andrea's position on that,...Let's stick with Labour.This is the

0:21:23 > 0:21:27government, to be fair!You said you were a government in waiting. Mr

0:21:27 > 0:21:31Corbyn said that, he said he'd be Prime Minister by last Christmas, so

0:21:31 > 0:21:36it's only bake you should have policies on this. Are you, as I read

0:21:36 > 0:21:40in the Times about to change your position on the customs union again?

0:21:40 > 0:21:46We discussed it at Shadow Cabinet yesterday, and no.So would you want

0:21:46 > 0:21:52Britain to remain a member of the customs union or not?We have set a

0:21:52 > 0:21:59customs union for the we are not hung up about the model. What we are

0:21:59 > 0:22:03focusing on is a negotiated settlement that will have benefits

0:22:03 > 0:22:10and protect jobs and the economy.On the overall tone of British

0:22:10 > 0:22:14politics, which I think that but Davidson after recently, but Labour,

0:22:14 > 0:22:25Rayner in particular, played quite a seminal role in helping to get Toby

0:22:25 > 0:22:28Young to quit, because he tweeted a lot of things that range from the

0:22:28 > 0:22:33juvenile to the offensive. Why does it mean that he had to resign but

0:22:33 > 0:22:36it's OK for Jarrod O'Mara to remain a backbench Labour MP, sitting on

0:22:36 > 0:22:42your benches?As I understand it, Jarrod O'Mara have had the whip

0:22:42 > 0:22:47removed.Angela Rayner says she has read the charge against Toby Young

0:22:47 > 0:22:51and she says she is happy to sit alongside him for that this is a man

0:22:51 > 0:23:00who called a woman a bitch, who called other women slags, who wanted

0:23:00 > 0:23:06in orgies with girls aloud, and referred to

0:23:07 > 0:23:11referred to simply as a poofter. Why is he still there?Unacceptable

0:23:11 > 0:23:15language, and there is an investigation going on.Why the

0:23:15 > 0:23:21lynch mob for Toby Young? Plenty of people would say that it's not right

0:23:21 > 0:23:26for him to do that, but why not with Jarrod O'Mara?He has had the whip

0:23:26 > 0:23:33removed and investigations are ongoing.

0:23:34 > 0:23:37ongoing.But talking about lynching, John McDonnell, your Shadow

0:23:37 > 0:23:44Chancellor, he's talked about lynching Esther McVey. Why is he

0:23:44 > 0:23:51Shadow Chancellor? But Toby Young can't be one member of an obscure

0:23:51 > 0:23:57higher education quango?I think everybody needs to be responsible

0:23:57 > 0:24:00for the language that they use. That seems very out of character for

0:24:00 > 0:24:10John.He revelled in assassinating Margaret Thatcher.We all need to be

0:24:10 > 0:24:16careful of our language, we really do.He called Esther should --

0:24:16 > 0:24:22Esther McVey a stain on humanity.I repeat what I've just said.But he's

0:24:22 > 0:24:26still there, the number two man in your party, and Mr Young has gone,

0:24:26 > 0:24:33and people would say rightly, but just trying to look at that. A lot

0:24:33 > 0:24:38of this language is used to bully, and you have announced in the

0:24:38 > 0:24:43Commons a new initiative on bullying. Is that right?Yes.Not

0:24:43 > 0:24:48just for MPs but everybody in Parliament. These tell us about it.

0:24:48 > 0:24:54The Prime Minister established this working group, cross-party, with all

0:24:54 > 0:24:57the other party leaders, who have all signed up to participate in it,

0:24:57 > 0:25:00and we took a lot of evidence before Christmas, we now have a draft

0:25:00 > 0:25:07report that proposes serious sanctions for any form of bullying

0:25:07 > 0:25:10and harassment, and separate sanctions and investigation for

0:25:10 > 0:25:13sexual harassment in particular. I am determined to stamp this out for

0:25:13 > 0:25:20them I hear what Debbie is saying, and I'm embarrassed for her. It's

0:25:20 > 0:25:24unjustifiable to a lovely colleague, such as Esther McVey for the other

0:25:24 > 0:25:29people, it's extraordinary, it has to stop.I think you gave an

0:25:29 > 0:25:32interview to BBC Radio 5 Live on this initiative, so people who want

0:25:32 > 0:25:34to know more can get back.

0:25:34 > 0:25:36Now, I want to talk to you about recycling

0:25:36 > 0:25:38and ending our instantly disposable throwaway culture.

0:25:38 > 0:25:39And I'm not referring to the Prime Minister's

0:25:39 > 0:25:43decision to recycle most of her cabinet on Monday.

0:25:43 > 0:25:44I'm talking about this.

0:25:44 > 0:25:46The Environment Secretary has decided to get himself

0:25:46 > 0:25:49an ever-so-responsible reusable coffee cup,

0:25:49 > 0:25:53having been denounced for sipping from the disposable

0:25:53 > 0:26:01variety before Christmas.

0:26:01 > 0:26:04When you are a politician, you have to be careful these days.

0:26:04 > 0:26:07But, Michael, you could have saved yourself a few quid, some bad

0:26:07 > 0:26:09publicity and your conscience years ago, by getting yourself one

0:26:09 > 0:26:11of these - the 100% organic, long-lasting, dolphin-friendly,

0:26:11 > 0:26:17low-carbon and entirely politically correct Daily Politics mug.

0:26:17 > 0:26:19All you had to do was enter our competition and tell us

0:26:19 > 0:26:22when all of this happened.

0:26:26 > 0:26:29# Rah rah ah-ah-ah Ro mah ro-mah-mah

0:26:29 > 0:26:34# Gaga oh-la-la Want your bad romance...#

0:26:34 > 0:26:45# We've gotta fight, fight, fight, fight, fight for this love

0:26:45 > 0:26:50# If it's worth having it's worth fighting for, oh...#

0:26:50 > 0:26:53# Run fast for your mother Run fast for your father

0:26:53 > 0:26:57# Run for your children For your sisters and brothers...#

0:26:57 > 0:26:59Is she keeping you awake?

0:26:59 > 0:27:01Yes.

0:27:01 > 0:27:06# If you want to survive The dog days are over...#

0:27:06 > 0:27:08# And if you know

0:27:08 > 0:27:11# How do you get up from an all-time low

0:27:11 > 0:27:15# I'm in pieces Seems like peace is...#

0:27:15 > 0:27:19The last two days have been the longest and certainly

0:27:19 > 0:27:21the toughest of my life.

0:27:21 > 0:27:26# Every time I'm ready to leave

0:27:26 > 0:27:30# Always seem to be pulling in the wrong direction...#

0:27:30 > 0:27:33I believe that this is one of the most

0:27:33 > 0:27:35serious fin...er, transport disruptions that we have faced.

0:27:35 > 0:27:38# Pullin' me back, pullin' me in

0:27:38 > 0:27:41# Why you pullin' me back, pullin' me in

0:27:41 > 0:27:48# Just like gravity...#

0:27:49 > 0:27:52To be in with a chance of winning a Daily Politics mug,

0:27:52 > 0:27:54send your answer to our special quiz e-mail address -

0:27:54 > 0:27:57that's dpquiz@bbc.co.uk.

0:27:57 > 0:28:00Entries must arrive by 12:30pm today, and you can see the full

0:28:00 > 0:28:02terms and conditions for Guess The Year on our website -

0:28:02 > 0:28:08that's bbc.co.uk/dailypolitics.

0:28:08 > 0:28:12It's coming up to midday here - just take a look at Big Ben -

0:28:12 > 0:28:18and that can mean only one thing.

0:28:18 > 0:28:22She is there in all of her glory, despite the scaffolding.

0:28:22 > 0:28:23Yes, Prime Minister's

0:28:23 > 0:28:24Questions is on its way.

0:28:24 > 0:28:26And that's not all - Laura Kuenssberg is here.

0:28:26 > 0:28:32Happy New Year to you. We were green while we ran that quiz that it's

0:28:32 > 0:28:39hard for Mr Corbyn to avoid the NHS. I think it is, and I suspect he will

0:28:39 > 0:28:43either be pushing Theresa May on the performance of the NHS in the last

0:28:43 > 0:28:48few weeks, stories emerging of not just individual cases with awful

0:28:48 > 0:28:50consequences of experiences in hospitals but also stories like

0:28:50 > 0:28:55we've seen today on the front of the Times, suggesting that at one

0:28:55 > 0:28:58hospital you were talking about earlier, and also because tomorrow

0:28:58 > 0:29:02sees the latest set of statistics published by NHS England on the

0:29:02 > 0:29:06performance of hospitals last week. When you talk to people familiar

0:29:06 > 0:29:11with the health world, everybody expects those figures tomorrow to

0:29:11 > 0:29:15not be pretty, and the Prime Minister was asked about the NHS at

0:29:15 > 0:29:19the weekend and she drew criticism for how she responded, by saying

0:29:19 > 0:29:22that nothing is perfect, but what a lot of people in Westminster would

0:29:22 > 0:29:26say is that it's not just a question of not being perfect but the NHS is

0:29:26 > 0:29:31reaching a point where there has to be some bigger thinking of how it

0:29:31 > 0:29:35copes and evolves in the future.The risk we face at PMQs is that Mr

0:29:35 > 0:29:47Corbyn says NHS apples and Mrs May says NHS pears.Yes, we've been

0:29:47 > 0:29:49there before, statistics, the prime ministers say more people are

0:29:49 > 0:29:54treated than ever before, true, the population is growing, and Jeremy

0:29:54 > 0:29:59Corbyn save the NHS has missed all of its targets for the first time in

0:29:59 > 0:30:02modern history, also true, but we get a lot of heat and not a lot of

0:30:02 > 0:30:06light. But the images is a political issue that really cuts through to

0:30:06 > 0:30:11people's everyday lives. That is why it is a core campaign issue.I was

0:30:11 > 0:30:16to get a detailed survey that had been done by a prestige public

0:30:16 > 0:30:20opinion group, and it found that, outside Westminster, Brexit wasn't a

0:30:20 > 0:30:24big deal for most people, they didn't really care, but that the NHS

0:30:24 > 0:30:28was moving up the agenda, probably now clearly at the top of that is

0:30:28 > 0:30:33why I say that Mr Corbyn has to go with that.I think it's a logical

0:30:33 > 0:30:36conclusion that he will today, and I also think in number ten they are

0:30:36 > 0:30:40well aware of that. It is set in number ten circles when you talk to

0:30:40 > 0:30:44people that work there that they know the next election, as they see

0:30:44 > 0:30:48it, will not be won lost on Brexit but on bread and butter issues and

0:30:48 > 0:30:54people's experiences of their own lives in the country. It's not

0:30:54 > 0:30:57necessarily yet clear whether people are, everybody up and down the

0:30:57 > 0:30:59country is finding their own experience of the NHS is dreadful.

0:30:59 > 0:31:08Hugely varied. But it is an issue that sort of is climbing the charts

0:31:08 > 0:31:11of political relevance, if you like, and I think that we can expect

0:31:11 > 0:31:16Jeremy Corbyn to go on that today. But you never know, there have been

0:31:16 > 0:31:21plenty of times when he has alighted on another issue, but particularly

0:31:21 > 0:31:24with Jeremy Hunt having fought to stay in his job and expanding his

0:31:24 > 0:31:30brief a bit, the Health Secretary, I just wonder if somehow the politics

0:31:30 > 0:31:36of the NHS are going to become even more febrile and more centrestage in

0:31:36 > 0:31:40the next few months, in a way that maybe we haven't seen for a while.

0:31:40 > 0:31:45We haven't yet seen any sign, looking at the screen, of the

0:31:45 > 0:31:51government thinking, we'd better draw a line under this and we'd

0:31:51 > 0:31:56better do something that moves it on in a substantial way. It's still

0:31:56 > 0:32:03fighting hand to mouth, week to week on this.Yes, there hasn't been any

0:32:03 > 0:32:07new big thinking on the NHS from this government in recent times,

0:32:07 > 0:32:10partly because what they did put forward in the manifesto, the idea

0:32:10 > 0:32:15on social care, which is absolutely interlinked and a critical part of

0:32:15 > 0:32:20why the NHS is having such problems, and that idea went up like a balloon

0:32:20 > 0:32:25and popped almost immediately and, since then, there has been very

0:32:25 > 0:32:29little coming forward. Sources have told me that Damian Green was meant

0:32:29 > 0:32:34to be working on this social care green paper, but really not much of

0:32:34 > 0:32:37the work had been undertaken yet. We'll see therefore in the next

0:32:37 > 0:32:41couple of months what Jeremy Hunt comes up with, and I understand that

0:32:41 > 0:32:49he is off of you, as is the Prime Minister, that there has to be an

0:32:49 > 0:32:54exhilaration -- acceleration of the integration of the NHS and social

0:32:54 > 0:32:57care, and I think that Labour probably agrees, but not how they

0:32:57 > 0:33:02are going to do it.There are real issues around accountable care

0:33:02 > 0:33:08organisations. It's an Americanised approach. We have a privately funded

0:33:08 > 0:33:15NHS, privately funded social care. Because they are mainly privately

0:33:15 > 0:33:18owned.Absolutely, and under a Tory government bringing them together

0:33:18 > 0:33:22doesn't bode well pulledbut one thing that Tory politicians will

0:33:22 > 0:33:25also say that money isn't always the answer was that you look at

0:33:25 > 0:33:29different parts of the country and some parts of the country have

0:33:29 > 0:33:35social care and local hospitals and GPs pretty joined up, and the

0:33:35 > 0:33:38statistics show that people get better care and attention and, in

0:33:38 > 0:33:41other parts, where the service isn't so joined up it isn't working as

0:33:41 > 0:33:48well. So I think they want to focus much more on that, but also most

0:33:48 > 0:33:52people privately, including in the Tory party, acknowledged that

0:33:52 > 0:33:56somehow more money is going to have to go into the system, and the

0:33:56 > 0:33:59question is how you do it. Various ideas have been knocking around,

0:33:59 > 0:34:03last week with some of the terrible stories about the current pressures

0:34:03 > 0:34:06on the NHS were emerging, and we went back to some of the questions

0:34:06 > 0:34:12about whether there should be a royal commission.Another tax.But

0:34:12 > 0:34:17you wonder, yes, in a sense, we have been here before, this debate

0:34:17 > 0:34:21happens roughly once a year, but you get a sense that maybe we are

0:34:21 > 0:34:24tiptoeing towards a moment where, actually, it will not just be a

0:34:24 > 0:34:30debate but decisionsas you point out, Laura, a lot of the good work

0:34:30 > 0:34:34being done in the NHS is driven by the fact that, under this

0:34:34 > 0:34:38government, we sought to put local health care managers in charge, and

0:34:38 > 0:34:42they are finding a way, for example, to work with the social care budget

0:34:42 > 0:34:49to give a much better outcome for patients.But not everyone.Jeremy

0:34:49 > 0:34:52Hunt is focused on enabling local health care managers to own the

0:34:52 > 0:34:56problem, to make decisions about which parts of the estate they need,

0:34:56 > 0:35:01where they want to invest, and there are amazing advances in technology,

0:35:01 > 0:35:05robotics and so on, which really have the potential to transform

0:35:05 > 0:35:10operations.That is tinkering around the edges though. The 2012 at said,

0:35:10 > 0:35:12I'm sorry, we don't want you to collaborate, because the whole point

0:35:12 > 0:35:17of it was competition, and it's prohibited people from...I have to

0:35:17 > 0:35:21interrupt you. The speaker has started question time late.

0:35:26 > 0:35:35Thank you Mr Speaker. Thank you. Thank you Mr Speaker. I hope it is

0:35:35 > 0:35:40not too late to wish all members and staff in the house a very happy New

0:35:40 > 0:35:43Year. Mr Speaker this morning I have meetings with ministerial colleagues

0:35:43 > 0:35:47and others in addition to my duties in this house I will have further

0:35:47 > 0:35:53such meetings later today.I too would like to wish members of staff

0:35:53 > 0:35:57a happy New Year. At least 1.4 million households across the UK

0:35:57 > 0:36:01have been victims of unfair practices in the leasehold market

0:36:01 > 0:36:07including my constituent Emily Martin. In advance of intended

0:36:07 > 0:36:10legislation what commitment will be Prime Minister make to ensure Emily

0:36:10 > 0:36:15and thousands of people tied into this scandal are compensated by

0:36:15 > 0:36:21developers now?I say to the honourable gentleman that we are

0:36:21 > 0:36:25concerned when we hear of unfair practices taking place. I am sure

0:36:25 > 0:36:30the Housing Secretary will be happy to hear of the particular case as an

0:36:30 > 0:36:33example of this. We are looking to see what action the government can

0:36:33 > 0:36:37take to ensure people are secure in their homes and that they are not

0:36:37 > 0:36:40subject to practices they should not be subject to.

0:36:45 > 0:36:49Thank you Mr Speaker, Mr Speaker, in December when the Brexit secretary

0:36:49 > 0:36:55met Michel Barnier they hugged. In that spirit would my right

0:36:55 > 0:37:02honourable friend the Prime Minister passionately embrace, not me Mr

0:37:02 > 0:37:06Speaker, but would she passionately embraced the agenda she set out last

0:37:06 > 0:37:12year to build a Briton fit for the future, to encourage home ownership,

0:37:12 > 0:37:16to encourage education and life chances and leave this country in a

0:37:16 > 0:37:24better place than when we find it?I have to say to my honourable friend

0:37:24 > 0:37:28he talks about passionate embraces but I do not think he has ever had

0:37:28 > 0:37:36the kiss he once asked for! But if I may say he's absolutely... He's

0:37:36 > 0:37:41absolutely right. We are determined to deliver Britain which is fit for

0:37:41 > 0:37:44the future and that does mean we need to get Brexit right but it

0:37:44 > 0:37:49means we need to do a lot more. He references house-building and we are

0:37:49 > 0:37:54committed to building the homes this country needs. That is why we have

0:37:54 > 0:37:57put 15 billion of new financial support available over the next five

0:37:57 > 0:38:02years and why we scrap stamp duty for 80% of first-time buyers. We are

0:38:02 > 0:38:07also improving school standards, 1.9 million more children in good or

0:38:07 > 0:38:13outstanding schools

0:38:13 > 0:38:15outstanding schools today and we are protecting our natural environment.

0:38:15 > 0:38:17We are building a Briton which can look to the future with optimism and

0:38:17 > 0:38:23hope.Mr Speaker could I wish you and all the house and all the staff

0:38:23 > 0:38:28a very happy New Year. Everyone is agreed, yeah? Thank you.CHUCKLES

0:38:28 > 0:38:34.

0:38:34 > 0:38:38.Mr Speaker, I know it seems a long time ago, I know it seems a long

0:38:38 > 0:38:43time ago but just before Christmas I asked the Prime Minister about the

0:38:43 > 0:38:4812,000 people left waiting more than half an hour in the back of an

0:38:48 > 0:38:52ambulance at accident and emergency departments. She told the house the

0:38:52 > 0:38:59NHS was better prepared for winter than ever before. So what words of

0:38:59 > 0:39:04comfort does the Prime Minister have two the 17,000 patients left waiting

0:39:04 > 0:39:10in the back of and allowances in the last week of December? Is it that

0:39:10 > 0:39:17nothing is perfect by any chance?I fully accept that the NHS is under

0:39:17 > 0:39:21pressure over winter, it is regularly under pressure at winter

0:39:21 > 0:39:26times. I have been very, I have been very clear, I apologise to those

0:39:26 > 0:39:29people who have had operations delayed and those people who have

0:39:29 > 0:39:34had admissions to hospital delayed. But it is indeed the case that the

0:39:34 > 0:39:37NHS was better prepared this winter than ever before and it might be

0:39:37 > 0:39:45helpful... Yes...Order!It might be helpful if I let the house now some

0:39:45 > 0:39:49of the things which were done in order to ensure that preparedness.

0:39:49 > 0:39:54More people than ever before having flu vaccines, 2700 more acute beds

0:39:54 > 0:40:01being available since November. For the first time ever, for the first

0:40:01 > 0:40:08time ever, we have seen GP, urgent GP appointments are available across

0:40:08 > 0:40:13the Christmas period across this country. More doctors specialising

0:40:13 > 0:40:17in treating the elderly in accident and emergency. The right honourable

0:40:17 > 0:40:22gentleman mentions the last exchange we had in this house. In our last

0:40:22 > 0:40:27exchange he said mental health budgets have been cut. That is not

0:40:27 > 0:40:29right. Simon stevens from the national health service has made

0:40:29 > 0:40:34clear that mental health spending has gone up both in real terms and

0:40:34 > 0:40:38as a proportion of the overall spending. So will he now apologise

0:40:38 > 0:40:46for what he previously said?Mr Speaker, the Prime Minister knows

0:40:46 > 0:40:49full well that budgets have been raided and that many people who need

0:40:49 > 0:40:57help are not getting that help. And Mr Speaker we saw on ITV news the

0:40:57 > 0:41:02other night that nurses are spending the entire shift treating people in

0:41:02 > 0:41:08car parks because of backed up ambulances. We know the Prime

0:41:08 > 0:41:12Minister recognises there is a crisis in our NHS because she wanted

0:41:12 > 0:41:18to sack the Health Secretary last week but was too weak to do it. And

0:41:18 > 0:41:24if the NHS is so well resourced and so well-prepared, why was the

0:41:24 > 0:41:31decision taken last week to cancel the operations of 55,000 patients

0:41:31 > 0:41:41during the month of January?I say to the right honourable gentleman...

0:41:41 > 0:41:46Well, from the front bench the Labour Party say apologise but

0:41:46 > 0:41:49actually, listen to the answer I gave to his right honourable friend

0:41:49 > 0:41:54the Leader of the Opposition I have made clear that I have already

0:41:54 > 0:41:58apologised to those whose operations have been delayed and we will make

0:41:58 > 0:42:02sure that those operations are reinstated as soon as possible. We

0:42:02 > 0:42:06are putting record funding into the NHS and record funding into mental

0:42:06 > 0:42:10health. But he keeps on about the preparations from the national

0:42:10 > 0:42:14health service, I was very pleased last week to be able to go and say

0:42:14 > 0:42:20in person thank you to the staff at Frimley health trust from both

0:42:20 > 0:42:23Frimley Park and webs Park hospitals for the work that they have been

0:42:23 > 0:42:28doing to deliver for patients across this period of pressure across the

0:42:28 > 0:42:34winter. Our NHS staff, and that is not just doctors and nurses, it is

0:42:34 > 0:42:40support staff, administrative staff, porters, it is everybody working in

0:42:40 > 0:42:43our national health service, they do other than plastic job every day and

0:42:43 > 0:42:48they particularly do that when we see these winter pressures -- they

0:42:48 > 0:42:55do a fantastic job every day. This is what NHS providers said only last

0:42:55 > 0:42:59week. Preparations for winter in the NHS have been more extensive and

0:42:59 > 0:43:06meticulous than ever before.Mr Speaker we all bank all NHS staff

0:43:06 > 0:43:12are what they do. But the reality is that the 55,000 operations cancelled

0:43:12 > 0:43:19means that those 55,000 people join the already 4 million waiting for

0:43:19 > 0:43:23operations within the NHS. Perhaps the Prime Minister could listen to

0:43:23 > 0:43:28the experience of Vicky. Her 82-year-old mother spent 13 hours on

0:43:28 > 0:43:34a trolley in a corridor, that was on top of the three hours between her

0:43:34 > 0:43:42first calling 999 and arriving at hospital. Vicky says, and I quote,

0:43:42 > 0:43:46"Is a volunteer first responder from Warwickshire heart service whose day

0:43:46 > 0:43:51job is in the army kept mum safe and tell paramedic arrives". Her mother

0:43:51 > 0:43:56then suffered a heart attack just a week before. This is not an isolated

0:43:56 > 0:44:02case. Does the Prime Minister really believe the NHS is better prepared

0:44:02 > 0:44:07than ever for the crisis it is now going through?First of all can I

0:44:07 > 0:44:11say to the right honourable gentleman that nobody wants to hear

0:44:11 > 0:44:15people having to experience what Vicky and her mother experienced.

0:44:15 > 0:44:20And of course, we need to ensure that we learn from these incidents.

0:44:20 > 0:44:25That's exactly what we do in the national health service. I am very

0:44:25 > 0:44:28happy to ensure that that particular case is look that if you would like

0:44:28 > 0:44:33to provide me with the details of that particular case. But a week in

0:44:33 > 0:44:36and week out in the run-up to Christmas and now today what the

0:44:36 > 0:44:40right honourable gentleman is doing is giving the impression of a

0:44:40 > 0:44:44national health service which is feeling everybody who goes to use

0:44:44 > 0:44:50the NHS. The reality and our NHS is we are seeing 2.9 million more

0:44:50 > 0:44:55people now going to accident and emergency. We are seeing over 2

0:44:55 > 0:44:59million more operations taking place each year. Our national health

0:44:59 > 0:45:04service is something we should be proud of. That is why it is a first

0:45:04 > 0:45:08class... It is a first-class National Health Service that has

0:45:08 > 0:45:13been identified as the number-1 health system in the world. That

0:45:13 > 0:45:19means it's a better health system than Australia, the Netherlands, New

0:45:19 > 0:45:21Zealand, Canada, Switzerland, Sweden, France, and the United

0:45:21 > 0:45:28States of America!

0:45:28 > 0:45:32We are all proud on this side of the house of the principal of the NHS,

0:45:32 > 0:45:39health care as a human right about in the last year 565,000 people have

0:45:39 > 0:45:44spent time on trolleys when they should be treated. The number of

0:45:44 > 0:45:48elderly people being rushed into A&E from care homes has risen by 62%

0:45:48 > 0:45:54since the Tories took power. Care Quality Commission figures suggest

0:45:54 > 0:45:59that nearly a quarter of homes need improvement. Not only is this

0:45:59 > 0:46:04robbing older people of their dignity, but it's putting pressure

0:46:04 > 0:46:07on A&E and Ambulance Services. So why, instead of dealing with the

0:46:07 > 0:46:10social care crisis, as the Prime Minister rewarded Health Secretary

0:46:10 > 0:46:18with a promotion and a new job title?Can I say to the right

0:46:18 > 0:46:23honourable gentleman that I think there are many voices across the

0:46:23 > 0:46:27house, including those from his own party, who have been encouraging me

0:46:27 > 0:46:32to ensure that we see better integration between health and

0:46:32 > 0:46:35social care. I am pleased that we have recognised this by making the

0:46:35 > 0:46:40Department of Health the Department of Health and social care, and that

0:46:40 > 0:46:47has been recognised by Age UK, who has said that this is a welcome and

0:46:47 > 0:46:49long overdue recognition of the interdependence of health and social

0:46:49 > 0:46:54care but I saw for myself last week at Ferney Park the good week that is

0:46:54 > 0:46:59being done by some hospitals up and down the country, working with GPs

0:46:59 > 0:47:03and care homes and the voluntary sector to ensure that elderly people

0:47:03 > 0:47:09can stay at home safely and do not need to come into hospital, with all

0:47:09 > 0:47:14of the consequences of them coming in to hospital beds. That is the way

0:47:14 > 0:47:18forward. That is what we want to do, ensuring that we think that

0:47:18 > 0:47:22integration of health and social care at the grassroots level. But

0:47:22 > 0:47:25the way right honourable gentleman talks, you would think that the

0:47:25 > 0:47:32Labour Party had all the solutions for the NHS. If the Labour Party...

0:47:32 > 0:47:40If the Labour Party have got all the answers, why is it that we see

0:47:40 > 0:47:43funding being cut, targets not being met in Wales, where the Labour Party

0:47:43 > 0:47:50is responsible?Mr Speaker, the Prime Minister leads a government

0:47:50 > 0:47:54that is responsible for the funding of national governments, such as in

0:47:54 > 0:47:59Wales. She knows full well what has been cut from Wales. But she is, Mr

0:47:59 > 0:48:05Speaker, directly responsible, she is directly responsible for the NHS

0:48:05 > 0:48:09in England, and giving the Health Secretary a new job title will not

0:48:09 > 0:48:15hide the fact that 6 billion has been cut from social care under the

0:48:15 > 0:48:23Tories. Part, Mr Speaker, part of the problem with the NHS is that its

0:48:23 > 0:48:28funds have been increasingly siphoned off into private companies,

0:48:28 > 0:48:33including in the Health Secretary's area of Surrey footorder! Calm

0:48:33 > 0:48:39yourself, Mr Sheldon. You are supposed to be auditioning to become

0:48:39 > 0:48:45an elder statesman, but there are many more auditions to come, on

0:48:45 > 0:48:49present evidence. Calm yourself, it will be good for your health.Even

0:48:49 > 0:48:54more money is being siphoned out of NHS budgets and into private health

0:48:54 > 0:48:58companies. Even in the Health Secretary's area of Surrey, the

0:48:58 > 0:49:03clinical commissioning group was forced to pay money to Virgin Care

0:49:03 > 0:49:07because it didn't win a contract. Will the Prime Minister sure

0:49:07 > 0:49:14patients that, in 2018, less NHS money intended for patient care will

0:49:14 > 0:49:17be feathering the nests of shareholders in private health

0:49:17 > 0:49:23companies?First of all, an Wales, this government has given more money

0:49:23 > 0:49:32to the Welsh government. It is a decision of Labour in Wales to

0:49:32 > 0:49:36de-prioritise funding for the NHS in Wales and, on the issue of the

0:49:36 > 0:49:39private sector and its role in the health service, under which

0:49:39 > 0:49:47government was it that private access and private use of the

0:49:47 > 0:49:54private sector in health sector no, it wasn't. Iron order!

0:49:54 > 0:49:59it wasn't. Iron order!-- order! I say to the shadow secretary of state

0:49:59 > 0:50:04for health, he is also supposed to be auditioning for something.

0:50:04 > 0:50:11LAUGHTER He is normally a very amiable

0:50:11 > 0:50:15fellow, but he is gesticulating in a very eccentric fashion. He must calm

0:50:15 > 0:50:21himself. It isn't good for his image.I say to the right honourable

0:50:21 > 0:50:26gentleman, first of all, we have put more money into Wales, but the

0:50:26 > 0:50:30Labour government in Wales has decided to de-prioritise funding for

0:50:30 > 0:50:33the NHS, and the increase that was seen in private sector companies

0:50:33 > 0:50:36working in the health service wasn't under the Conservative government

0:50:36 > 0:50:39but under a Labour government, of which the right honourable gentleman

0:50:39 > 0:50:47was a member.My honourable friend, the Shadow Health Secretary, is

0:50:47 > 0:50:50auditioning to be Health Secretary, and he shows real passion for our

0:50:50 > 0:50:59NHS. Mr Speaker, under this government, virgin Care got £200

0:50:59 > 0:51:05million worth of contracts in the last year alone. 50% up on the year

0:51:05 > 0:51:10before. Mr Speaker, the Prime Minister needs to understand that it

0:51:10 > 0:51:18is her policies that are pushing our NHS into crisis. Tax cuts for the

0:51:18 > 0:51:24super-rich and big business are paid for... Yes, Mr Speaker, they are

0:51:24 > 0:51:29paid for by longer waiting lists, ambulance delays, staff shortages

0:51:29 > 0:51:34and cuts to social care. Creeping privatisation is dragging our NHS

0:51:34 > 0:51:43down. He Health Secretary... The Health Secretary, during his

0:51:43 > 0:51:47occupation of her office to keep his job, said, he won't abandon the

0:51:47 > 0:51:52ship. Isn't an admission that, under his captaincy, the ship is indeed

0:51:52 > 0:52:00thinking? --

0:52:02 > 0:52:05thinking? -- sinking?This government is putting more money

0:52:05 > 0:52:08into the NHS, we have more doctors and nurses in the NHS, more

0:52:08 > 0:52:15operations taking place on more people being treated in accident and

0:52:15 > 0:52:19emergency. But we can only do that, we can only do that if we have a

0:52:19 > 0:52:24strong economy. What would we see from the Labour Party? We have

0:52:24 > 0:52:27turned the economy round from the recession that the Labour Party left

0:52:27 > 0:52:33us with. What do we know... What do we know about the Labour Party's

0:52:33 > 0:52:38economic policies? We were told all about them from the description from

0:52:38 > 0:52:42the Shadow Education Secretary, icy isn't in her place on the front

0:52:42 > 0:52:52bench today. -- who icy isn't in her place oh, I do apologise. No, I

0:52:52 > 0:52:57didn't realise, Mr Speaker. I did not realise the Shadow Education

0:52:57 > 0:53:00Secretary was herself undergoing medical treatment, and I apologise

0:53:00 > 0:53:04unreservedly for that comment. But I have to say that she did describe

0:53:04 > 0:53:07the economic policies of the Labour Party in unparliamentary terms,

0:53:07 > 0:53:15including the word bust, but she did say that the Labour Party's economic

0:53:15 > 0:53:19policy was high risk, which means high risk for taxpayers, high risk

0:53:19 > 0:53:24for jobs in high risk for our NHS, and that's a risk we will never let

0:53:24 > 0:53:34them take.On a positive note on the NHS, my NHS Trust, Morecambe bay, is

0:53:34 > 0:53:37turned around from being one of the worst trusts in the country to one

0:53:37 > 0:53:43of the best. That was because of injections of huge amounts of cash,

0:53:43 > 0:53:46but the staff there were amazing. They turned that hospital round.

0:53:46 > 0:53:53Jackie Daniels...Can I gently invite the honourable gentleman to

0:53:53 > 0:53:58be sensitive to time. What we want is a long spiel but a short question

0:53:58 > 0:54:04with a question mark at the end. Jackie Daniels received a game hood

0:54:04 > 0:54:12for turning around Morecambe bay trust, very positive, along with the

0:54:12 > 0:54:20staff -- received a damehood. Could the Prime Minister wish Jackie well?

0:54:20 > 0:54:26I'm happy to join my honourable friend in paying tribute to the work

0:54:26 > 0:54:30of the staff at the Morecambe Bay trust, and in particular to wish

0:54:30 > 0:54:34Dame Jackie well and to pay tribute for the work she has done in turning

0:54:34 > 0:54:39that trust around. It's another example of the huge gratitude we owe

0:54:39 > 0:54:43to the NHS staff who worked so tirelessly on our behalf.Can I wish

0:54:43 > 0:54:50you, all staff and members a good New Year. The government's EU

0:54:50 > 0:54:55Withdrawal Bill is simply not fit for purpose, and it must be changed.

0:54:55 > 0:55:00These are not my words, these are the words of the honourable member

0:55:00 > 0:55:02for East Renfrewshire. Does the Prime Minister agree with her

0:55:02 > 0:55:09colleague that we

0:55:09 > 0:55:11colleague that we must amend clause 11, which is nothing more than a

0:55:11 > 0:55:16power grab from Scotland?The honourable gentleman knows full well

0:55:16 > 0:55:21that we have said we will look to improve clause 11. Indeed, if he was

0:55:21 > 0:55:23in his place when my right honourable friend, the Chancellor of

0:55:23 > 0:55:27the Jack Stephens Ashbrook of the Chancellor of the Duchy of

0:55:27 > 0:55:30Lancaster, answered questions earlier, he made it clear that we

0:55:30 > 0:55:35would continue to look to amend clause 11. We are however, as we

0:55:35 > 0:55:39discussed before Christmas, we are looking to work with the devolved

0:55:39 > 0:55:43administrations to ensure we put the right frameworks in place so that,

0:55:43 > 0:55:47when we come to bring any amendment forward, it is done in the best

0:55:47 > 0:55:51possible way, in the interests of all concerned. I thought that has

0:55:51 > 0:55:55been accepted by the SNP, but we will be looking to bring forward

0:55:55 > 0:55:59amendments in the Lords.That simply isn't good enough. The Secretary of

0:55:59 > 0:56:05State for Scotland promised a power bonanza for Scotland and, crucially,

0:56:05 > 0:56:09amendments would be tabled ahead of next week's debate. Yesterday it was

0:56:09 > 0:56:14revealed that no amendments would be launched. The Tories always promised

0:56:14 > 0:56:18Scotland everything and deliver nothing. The Prime Minister has one

0:56:18 > 0:56:23last chance. Will she assure the house that these amendments will be

0:56:23 > 0:56:30tabled ahead of next week, as promised?The SNP say they want to

0:56:30 > 0:56:36work with us on the frameworks, the future frameworks, and we are doing

0:56:36 > 0:56:40exactly that. They say they want clause 11 amended, and we are doing

0:56:40 > 0:56:45exactly that. My right honourable friend is intensifying his

0:56:45 > 0:56:49discussions with the Scottish Government and, indeed, with Wales,

0:56:49 > 0:56:54as part of this. We will be bringing forward amendments. At the

0:56:54 > 0:56:57honourable gentleman says this is a government that never delivers for

0:56:57 > 0:57:03Scotland. £2 billion extra as a result of the budget? That is

0:57:03 > 0:57:11delivering for Scotland.Speaking of delivering

0:57:11 > 0:57:12delivering for Scotland, Eastleigh and Clackmannanshire city regime

0:57:12 > 0:57:18deal is a massive investment in Scotland's economy. -- Stirling and

0:57:18 > 0:57:27Clackmannanshire. With projects like the UK institute for art and

0:57:27 > 0:57:31culture, and a national centre which will have a UK wide impact. Will the

0:57:31 > 0:57:35Prime Minister confirmed to me today now that the UK Government is ready

0:57:35 > 0:57:41to sign off the agreement with the Scottish Government and the local

0:57:41 > 0:57:50councils so that we can get to work? I am very happy to give that

0:57:50 > 0:57:52commitment to my honourable friend and to say this is another example

0:57:52 > 0:57:58of this is a government delivering for Scotland. I know the importance

0:57:58 > 0:58:02of this particular deal, Stirling and Clackmannanshire. It will be

0:58:02 > 0:58:05transformative. My honourable friend has transformed this cause --

0:58:05 > 0:58:09championed this cause since he was elected, he is doing a great job for

0:58:09 > 0:58:12his constituents and we are working to get agreement as quickly as

0:58:12 > 0:58:17possible.I have been contacted by 11 constituents who are frightened

0:58:17 > 0:58:25and many of them suicidal because they have been told by Ivor Hull or

0:58:25 > 0:58:28East Riding CCG that they're desperately needed pain infusion

0:58:28 > 0:58:32treatment will be stopped. This is the cruel reality of the NHS having

0:58:32 > 0:58:38to Russian treatment due to funding cuts. Will the Prime Minister

0:58:38 > 0:58:41personally intervene to ensure that Hull and East Riding CCG review

0:58:41 > 0:58:47their decision and guarantee them the additional funding to allow them

0:58:47 > 0:58:53to deliver it?We are putting extra money into the NHS. We are not

0:58:53 > 0:59:03cutting funding for the NHS. CCGs will be taking individual decisions

0:59:03 > 0:59:06about how they apportion their funding, but to stand up and suggest

0:59:06 > 0:59:12we are cutting funding to the NHS is plain wrong.

0:59:14 > 0:59:18plain wrong.Telford is a rapidly growing new town, where thousands of

0:59:18 > 0:59:22new houses are built every year, and people come to Telford to buy their

0:59:22 > 0:59:26home on a new build estate and live their dreams. But, for far too many,

0:59:26 > 0:59:33the reality is unfinished communal areas, an adopted roads,

0:59:33 > 0:59:36non-compliance with section 106, developers failing to take

0:59:36 > 0:59:42responsibility, and the local passing the buck. Colleagues across

0:59:42 > 0:59:46the health see similar problems in their constituencies. Will the prime

0:59:46 > 0:59:49ministers agree to strengthen the rights of homeowners on new build

0:59:49 > 0:59:52estate so that people can come to Telford or any other new-build area

0:59:52 > 0:59:59and by a new-build home, confident they can live their dream?Yes, I am

0:59:59 > 1:00:03happy to say to my honourable friend, of course, we recognise the

1:00:03 > 1:00:06concern that she has raised. I think it was a similar issue that the

1:00:06 > 1:00:11honourable member for Weaver Vale was racing in the first question he

1:00:11 > 1:00:15asked. I understand it is Telford's 50th anniversary, I congratulate

1:00:15 > 1:00:21Telford on that. We are committed to legislating in relation to the

1:00:21 > 1:00:23factors she has identified, because it is only fair that freeholders

1:00:23 > 1:00:28should have the same rights as leaseholders to challenge the

1:00:28 > 1:00:33service charges they are submitted to.On a scale between one to ten,

1:00:33 > 1:00:37how does the Prime Minister think that Brexit is going, with ten being

1:00:37 > 1:00:42purposely, we know what we want to achieve and how to get it, and one

1:00:42 > 1:00:45being chaotic cluelessness? I know what I would give the Prime

1:00:45 > 1:00:51Minister, but what would she give herself?Can I say to the honourable

1:00:51 > 1:01:00gentleman...Order!

1:01:00 > 1:01:03gentleman...Order! Let me just say to the honourable gentleman, who I

1:01:03 > 1:01:07have known for a long time, I think, when he comes to reflect on his

1:01:07 > 1:01:13conduct, he will know he can do better than that. Prime Minister.

1:01:13 > 1:01:19Thank you, Mr Speaker. Can I say to the honourable gentleman that I

1:01:19 > 1:01:23think anybody who saw the success we had in negotiating phase one of

1:01:23 > 1:01:26Brexit and getting that sufficient progress will say that actually this

1:01:26 > 1:01:30is a government that knows what it is doing, it's getting on with the

1:01:30 > 1:01:41job and it's doing well. Environmentalists across the UK were

1:01:41 > 1:01:43absolutely delighted with the announcement of cooperation with the

1:01:43 > 1:01:46Woodland Trust to develop the new northern forest. Will the Prime

1:01:46 > 1:01:53Minister give assurances that plans to create new landscapes will not

1:01:53 > 1:01:59obscure the need to protect existing areas of outstanding natural beauty,

1:01:59 > 1:02:03come and will she confirm her commitment to protect the Chilterns

1:02:03 > 1:02:06AOM B as we pursue the government's economic and housing development

1:02:06 > 1:02:13plans?I would like to congratulate my honourable friend on becoming a

1:02:13 > 1:02:21game. It is very well deserved. I can assure her that we are

1:02:21 > 1:02:29continuing to commit to root AONBs and, as regards the Chilterns, I

1:02:29 > 1:02:32enjoy walking in the Chilterns, I recognise the value of that

1:02:32 > 1:02:38particular environment, and we are committed to protecting AONBs.Thank

1:02:38 > 1:02:45you, Mr Speaker. I was a teacher and a head teacher for 34 years, so know

1:02:45 > 1:02:52that I speak on behalf of thousands of teachers and support staff when I

1:02:52 > 1:02:57ask, Prime Minister, in light of the recent announcement of a falling

1:02:57 > 1:03:01teacher training applications by a third, will the government listen to

1:03:01 > 1:03:07professionals and fully and fairly fund our schools and colleges, and

1:03:07 > 1:03:11the toxic culture of targets and tests, deliver a broad and balanced

1:03:11 > 1:03:17curriculum, and most of all, return the joy of teaching and learning

1:03:17 > 1:03:24back to our classrooms?Can I say to the honourable lady that we are

1:03:24 > 1:03:32putting record sums of money into our schools. We are ensuring... More

1:03:32 > 1:03:35than that, we are ensuring that we are seeing increasing standards in

1:03:35 > 1:03:41our schools. That is why today their 1.9 million more children in good or

1:03:41 > 1:03:48outstanding schools than in 2010 and I hope she would welcome that.The

1:03:48 > 1:03:52Prime Minister will be aware there was great potential in the

1:03:52 > 1:03:55south-west to increase prosperity and productivity, and would she

1:03:55 > 1:03:58confirm how her government will be backing the south-west, in

1:03:58 > 1:04:03particular, the need to invest in roads, rail and digital

1:04:03 > 1:04:06infrastructure?My honourable friend is right, and he is a great champion

1:04:06 > 1:04:10for the needs of the south-west, and we want to increase prosperity of

1:04:10 > 1:04:12productivity there and across the country, but we are taking some

1:04:12 > 1:04:19particular steps. Obviously, across the country, we are committing

1:04:19 > 1:04:23significant sums of money in relation to infrastructure

1:04:23 > 1:04:25investment, road investment strategy, and we are committed to

1:04:25 > 1:04:29creating an expressway to the south-west. I think this will be

1:04:29 > 1:04:32part of an important development, investing more than 400 million into

1:04:32 > 1:04:37the rail network in the area, and over 600,000 homes and businesses in

1:04:37 > 1:04:41the south-west now have access to superfast broadband, as a result of

1:04:41 > 1:04:44our programme. There is more we can do for the region and I look forward

1:04:44 > 1:04:49to working with my honourable friend in doing that.The Health Secretary

1:04:49 > 1:04:55said that the government wanted to be the best in the world for cancer

1:04:55 > 1:04:59diagnosis, treatment and care. Today, according to a memo from the

1:04:59 > 1:05:02head of chemotherapy at Oxford Churchill hospital, terminally ill

1:05:02 > 1:05:07cancer patients will have their chemotherapy cut because of a

1:05:07 > 1:05:13massive shortfall in specialist nurses. Would the Prime Minister

1:05:13 > 1:05:16apologised to cancer patients and their families for this appalling

1:05:16 > 1:05:23situation?I say to the honourable lady that the trust has made clear

1:05:23 > 1:05:27there are no plans to delay the start of chemotherapy treatment or

1:05:27 > 1:05:33reduce the number of cycles given to cancer patients. What Simon seasons

1:05:33 > 1:05:38Leeds Stevens has said is happening is that, over the past three years,

1:05:38 > 1:05:43the highest cancer survival rates ever, and latest figures show an

1:05:43 > 1:05:46estimated 7000 more people surviving cancer, after successful NHS cancer

1:05:46 > 1:05:53treatment compared to three years prior, and we see 3200 more

1:05:53 > 1:05:55diagnostic and therapeutic radiographers than in 2010, so we

1:05:55 > 1:05:59will continue to look at this and we will continue to put the funding in

1:05:59 > 1:06:05that enables us to improve treatment for cancer patients.With record

1:06:05 > 1:06:12funding, our NHS is doing more than ever, but when the UK is in the

1:06:12 > 1:06:15bottom third of countries for heart attack deaths, when we have

1:06:15 > 1:06:19significantly worse survival for strokes and in France and Germany,

1:06:19 > 1:06:23and when our closest match for cancer survival is Poland, isn't it

1:06:23 > 1:06:31time to act across this house, back this week by the Centre for Policy

1:06:31 > 1:06:35Studies, to establish a royal commission on health and social

1:06:35 > 1:06:40care, in the 70th anniversary year of our most cherished national

1:06:40 > 1:06:44institution?My honourable friend is right that we need to continue to

1:06:44 > 1:06:50look at the NHS and ensure that we are continuing to improve the

1:06:50 > 1:06:52performance in a variety of areas. The independent Commonwealth fund

1:06:52 > 1:06:57has been clear that the NHS is the best health service in the world,

1:06:57 > 1:07:00it's better than systems in Germany and France in a list of other

1:07:00 > 1:07:04countries that I quoted earlier, but of course we need to do more to look

1:07:04 > 1:07:08at what we can do, and that is why we are putting in more funding and

1:07:08 > 1:07:12looking at the better integration of health and social care underground.

1:07:12 > 1:07:15It's about making sure we make a change now and doing that

1:07:15 > 1:07:17integration now, because that is when it will make a difference to

1:07:17 > 1:07:24people.The Prime Minister said she'd reshuffled her ministers so

1:07:24 > 1:07:27they looked more like the country they seek to represent. I am not

1:07:27 > 1:07:32quite sure about that, but in that spirit, would she acknowledge the

1:07:32 > 1:07:38massive problems we have with the private rented sector, with absentee

1:07:38 > 1:07:40private landlords? And will she commit to come and visit Easington

1:07:40 > 1:07:44to give her an appreciation of the scale of the problems facing many

1:07:44 > 1:07:48working-class communities? In the spirit of goodwill, would she

1:07:48 > 1:07:54support and give free passage to the bill on homes fit for habitation

1:07:54 > 1:08:02being promoted by my honourable friend for Westminster North?I say

1:08:02 > 1:08:05to the honourable gentleman that I have fond memories of the time I

1:08:05 > 1:08:11spent in the north-east when I was a candidate, but we do need to ensure

1:08:11 > 1:08:16that

1:08:16 > 1:08:19that we have a good private rented sector in this country. I have to

1:08:19 > 1:08:23say to him that the one set of policies which would damage the

1:08:23 > 1:08:27private rented sector is the set of policies put forward by his Leader

1:08:27 > 1:08:34of the Opposition.I was delighted to hear the Environment Secretary

1:08:34 > 1:08:36last week confirming this government's commitment to

1:08:36 > 1:08:40supporting farmers after we leave the EU. Can my right honourable

1:08:40 > 1:08:46friend assure me that, when designing a future system, the

1:08:46 > 1:08:50unique needs of Scottish farmers and crofters will be taken into account

1:08:50 > 1:08:57in any such new system?My honourable friend is right that, as

1:08:57 > 1:09:01we leave the European Union, we will be able to put in place our own

1:09:01 > 1:09:05policy of support for farmers. We want that to be a policy that

1:09:05 > 1:09:09recognises the particular needs of farmers across all parts of the UK,

1:09:09 > 1:09:16and that will include the needs of farmers in Scotland. My constituency

1:09:16 > 1:09:17office and local citizens advice bureau are receiving ever-increasing

1:09:17 > 1:09:25complaints about Pip claims. Assessments are being refused and

1:09:25 > 1:09:3065% of claims are overturned at tribunal. This means that tribune is

1:09:30 > 1:09:33taking longer, anything between four seven months. Can I ask the Prime

1:09:33 > 1:09:37Minister if she agrees that the assessment service is flawed, and

1:09:37 > 1:09:41what she can do to help avoid unnecessary stress and hardship

1:09:41 > 1:09:47being caused to my constituents and those across the country?I

1:09:47 > 1:09:51understand the point the honourable gentleman is taking about ensuring,

1:09:51 > 1:09:54as we want to, that these assessments are conducted as well as

1:09:54 > 1:09:58they can be, and that people are getting the awards that they in fact

1:09:58 > 1:10:05should be getting and are entitled to. In fact, since we introduced the

1:10:05 > 1:10:08personal independence payment, we have carried out around 2.9 million

1:10:08 > 1:10:13assessments. 8% of those have been appealed, but only 4% of those

1:10:13 > 1:10:16decisions are changed following an appeal, and in the majority of cases

1:10:16 > 1:10:19it's because new evidence is presented at the Peel than was

1:10:19 > 1:10:24presented when the original case was put forward. -- presented at the

1:10:24 > 1:10:29appeal. The DWP continues to look at ensuring that, when assessments are

1:10:29 > 1:10:36made, they are done properly and people get the right results.

1:10:37 > 1:10:39people get the right results.My constituent Justin Bartholomew was

1:10:39 > 1:10:43just 25 when he committed suicide late last year. His family are

1:10:43 > 1:10:48convinced is intake of high energy drinks over 15 cans a day, increased

1:10:48 > 1:10:53his anxiety and contributed to his death. Given the increased safety

1:10:53 > 1:10:56concerns around the high energy drink market and the actions of

1:10:56 > 1:11:00people like Jamie Oliver and Waitrose, would the Prime Minister

1:11:00 > 1:11:04consider introducing a national ban on the sale of these energy drinks

1:11:04 > 1:11:08for the under 16 's?My honourable friend has raised a tragic case, and

1:11:08 > 1:11:12I know the thoughts and sympathies of the whole house will be with

1:11:12 > 1:11:15family and friends of Justin Bartholomew. We have introduced the

1:11:15 > 1:11:18soft drinks industry levy and recognise that the issues around

1:11:18 > 1:11:22drinks that are high in sugar, and we know that those drinks can be

1:11:22 > 1:11:26damaging to children's health. We are supporting schools and parents

1:11:26 > 1:11:31to make healthier choices and to be able to identify those through

1:11:31 > 1:11:34clearer labelling and campaigns, but this is an issue that the Department

1:11:34 > 1:11:38of Health and social care will continue to look at, and they will

1:11:38 > 1:11:40continue to look at the scientific evidence in relation to these

1:11:40 > 1:11:47drinks.I have a constituent that escaped an abusive relationship and

1:11:47 > 1:11:51has been passed from pillar to post between a support agency and new

1:11:51 > 1:11:56child maintenance service. After four and half years, she has been

1:11:56 > 1:11:59told by the CMS that she has to start the process all over again

1:11:59 > 1:12:03and, on top of that, they are insisting she passes on a personal

1:12:03 > 1:12:08and bank details to her ex-partner to receive payment. We were promised

1:12:08 > 1:12:12agreed to help me resolve this problem, -- will the Prime Minister

1:12:12 > 1:12:17agree to help me resolve this, and look at the system that is allowed

1:12:17 > 1:12:23this situation to develop?I recognise that there are

1:12:23 > 1:12:26arrangements in place which would ensure that an individual would not,

1:12:26 > 1:12:30as I understand it, have to pass their bank details on directly. The

1:12:30 > 1:12:34fact that her constituent has been asked to do that should be looked

1:12:34 > 1:12:37into, and I'm sure that if she passes those details to the

1:12:37 > 1:12:42appropriate department they will look into it.Does the Prime

1:12:42 > 1:12:45Minister welcomed the findings of the social research survey that the

1:12:45 > 1:12:50majority of Scots believe the rules on trade and immigration should be

1:12:50 > 1:12:54the same in Scotland as in the rest of the UK? It looks like they agree

1:12:54 > 1:13:00we are better together.I think my honourable friend has raised an

1:13:00 > 1:13:04important point. People across the UK want to see controlled

1:13:04 > 1:13:07immigration, and that is people in Scotland as well as the rest of the

1:13:07 > 1:13:12UK. As we leave the we will be able to introduce our own immigration

1:13:12 > 1:13:17rules and control that immigration to Britain from Europe. The only

1:13:17 > 1:13:23point of differentiation is that we have

1:13:23 > 1:13:27have a Scotland only shortage occupation list to recognise the

1:13:27 > 1:13:29particular labour market needs in Scotland but, for the most part,

1:13:29 > 1:13:33that has matched the UK wide shortage occupation list, and I

1:13:33 > 1:13:37think that shows this is an issue for the whole UK and we need the

1:13:37 > 1:13:43same policy approach.In March 2005 in an interview, the Prime Minister

1:13:43 > 1:13:48said, not getting things done and seen people's lives hurt by

1:13:48 > 1:13:52government bureaucracy makes her depressed. In light of this comment,

1:13:52 > 1:13:55can the Prime Minister tell me whether she considered it reasonable

1:13:55 > 1:14:00and acceptable for the DVLA to withhold my constituent, Mr Coleman

1:14:00 > 1:14:06toss license for over 18 months, is despite evidence showing he was fit

1:14:06 > 1:14:10and able to drive, as she has not responded to my letter the 5th of

1:14:10 > 1:14:16December?I will ensure that the honourable lady receives a response

1:14:16 > 1:14:19to that letter. She has raised a particular case in this house and

1:14:19 > 1:14:24I'll need to look at the details, and I will respond to the letter.

1:14:24 > 1:14:33Last week, 230 job losses were announced in my constituency, which

1:14:33 > 1:14:38is devastating for Loftus and the community, where the mine is the

1:14:38 > 1:14:45largest employer. Local members are agreed it would be incredibly

1:14:45 > 1:14:51helpful if some of the funds remaining for the 2015 SSI rescue

1:14:51 > 1:14:54package could be we furnished to support people here? Will the Prime

1:14:54 > 1:14:56Minister agreed to look into this with the Business Secretary and will

1:14:56 > 1:15:04she commit that agencies will do everything they can to support

1:15:04 > 1:15:06people affected?My honourable friend is right to raise this case

1:15:06 > 1:15:11and it's obviously a worrying time for the workers affected by the

1:15:11 > 1:15:16announcement for Cleveland potash, and I say to him that we will be

1:15:16 > 1:15:20helping people find other work in supporting people affected through

1:15:20 > 1:15:23the DWP's rapid response service, and we will coordinate with the Tees

1:15:23 > 1:15:27valley combined authority to ensure that we are working together to get

1:15:27 > 1:15:33the best possible support and make sure that support is aligned. The

1:15:33 > 1:15:35department for business, energy and industrial strategy will look at the

1:15:35 > 1:15:39situation is the specific issue he has raised.Ava has been a foster

1:15:39 > 1:15:44carer for years. When her privately rented home failed the electrical

1:15:44 > 1:15:48certificate needed to continue fostering, a landlord evicted her

1:15:48 > 1:15:54because he didn't want to do the repairs. So now she and the kids are

1:15:54 > 1:15:59living in council temporary accommodation in a converted

1:15:59 > 1:16:03warehouse in the middle of a working industrial estate in Mitcham, and

1:16:03 > 1:16:08the same council who plays her there are going to withdraw her right to

1:16:08 > 1:16:12foster because her accommodation isn't good enough. Can the Prime

1:16:12 > 1:16:21Minister tell Ava, kids in care who need foster carers and the

1:16:21 > 1:16:24overworked British taxpayer how this makes sense?

1:16:24 > 1:16:29As the honourable lady sets it out, it doesn't appear to make sense we

1:16:29 > 1:16:35will be losing somebody who has been a foster carer. I would pay tribute

1:16:35 > 1:16:41to the work her constituent has done in foster caring. We owe a debt of

1:16:41 > 1:16:45gratitude to those who care as foster parents and I'm sure has she

1:16:45 > 1:16:58has raised this, the local council will want to look at this again.

1:16:58 > 1:17:08Thank you, Mr Speaker. While most of us were celebrating over New Year,

1:17:08 > 1:17:13the crews of Poole-based tug and the lifeboats were battling seas and

1:17:13 > 1:17:1770mph winds off the coast of Dorset to prevent a cargo ship from being

1:17:17 > 1:17:24blown on to the rocks. Thanks to the skill of the tug's crew and the tow

1:17:24 > 1:17:30was fixed.

1:17:30 > 1:17:37was fixed. Will she join me in praising those involved, not least

1:17:37 > 1:17:46the volunteers.I'm happy to do that. Both the tug crews and those

1:17:46 > 1:17:52in the RNLI. Those volunteers in the RNLI do a fantastic job around the

1:17:52 > 1:17:56coastlines and we owe them a huge debt of gratitude.

1:18:07 > 1:18:13I'm shocked it has finished. We were right, Jeremy Corbyn went on the NHS

1:18:13 > 1:18:20and talked about the problems this winter. Mrs May shot back with

1:18:20 > 1:18:27different figures, saying 2.9 million people were going to A&E. Mr

1:18:27 > 1:18:32Corbyn pointed out 4 million people waiting for operations. It has been

1:18:32 > 1:18:37summed up by Corbyn, Tories aren't spending enough on NHS, May, but

1:18:37 > 1:18:45Wales. Corbyn, Tories want to privatise NHS, May, but Tony Blair.

1:18:45 > 1:18:51Corbyn we love the NHS, May, but we love the NHS more. That kind of sums

1:18:51 > 1:18:55up where we were. The shadow Chancellor's office has been in

1:18:55 > 1:19:00touch with us. John Macdonald, because I said he has been talking

1:19:00 > 1:19:11about, calling for the lynching of Esther McVeigh. His office said he

1:19:11 > 1:19:16was repeating what somebody else said. He said, I was in Liverpool,

1:19:16 > 1:19:23some time back, where one of our union organisers launched the sack

1:19:23 > 1:19:30Esther McVeigh day, I spoke at a packed meeting and the audience

1:19:30 > 1:19:37kicked off critical of concept of sacking her, they said, why respect

1:19:37 > 1:19:51we lynching the B... I thought it said bitch but there are

1:19:51 > 1:19:55said bitch but there are too many aster Rix.I didn't think he said

1:19:55 > 1:20:03that.We are happy to clarify that. People can make up their minds. Now

1:20:03 > 1:20:06let's discuss Prime Minister's questions.

1:20:06 > 1:20:09Let's discuss all this with Leader of the House

1:20:09 > 1:20:11of Commons Andrea Leadsom and Shadow Work and Pensions

1:20:11 > 1:20:12Secretary Debbie Abrahams.

1:20:12 > 1:20:14Laura Kuenssberg is here too.

1:20:14 > 1:20:20They went on the NHS. It is an issue of huge potence, but it seeps to be

1:20:20 > 1:20:24an issue on which there is never in the political debate not that much

1:20:24 > 1:20:31progress.Not right now or not necessarily from either of the main

1:20:31 > 1:20:35party leaders, they seem stuck in the same record, we could probably

1:20:35 > 1:20:43have scripted the exchangeses before they took place. But the volume of

1:20:43 > 1:20:50questions on the NHS and from a Tory MP saying isn't it time for a royal

1:20:50 > 1:20:55commission and that is code for we need a national discussion about the

1:20:55 > 1:20:59future of the health service. Theresa May did not take up that

1:20:59 > 1:21:04idea or even respond to it. That session does add credence to the

1:21:04 > 1:21:09feeling that the politics of NHS will move back to the centre stage.

1:21:09 > 1:21:14If four million people are waiting for operations, as Jeremy Corbyn

1:21:14 > 1:21:19said, that is a system that isn't working isn't it?I have to say

1:21:19 > 1:21:23again the Prime Minister's just said, the NHS is doing an incredible

1:21:23 > 1:21:27job seeing more people than ever.It always sees more people than ever.

1:21:27 > 1:21:33That is right. And it is.That never changes.It is the best health care

1:21:33 > 1:21:38system in the world...It is the best according to one fund. But we

1:21:38 > 1:21:44have been through that. If four million are waiting, how can it be

1:21:44 > 1:21:49the best system in the world?People don't have an operation the day

1:21:49 > 1:21:53they're diagnosed, you would have to explain what does that mean. I like

1:21:53 > 1:21:58even, everyone in this country, absolutely love and value the work

1:21:58 > 1:22:02of the NHS and the Government is committed as would be a Labour

1:22:02 > 1:22:05government to making the NHS more successful and as we were saying,

1:22:05 > 1:22:10what this Government is seeking to do is to put the power into the

1:22:10 > 1:22:14hands of the professional doctors and health care managers who know

1:22:14 > 1:22:20best what is needed and can make the priorities. And some of the

1:22:20 > 1:22:24priorities do mean reorganising at the local level to try and free up

1:22:24 > 1:22:27beds for more people to be able to go into hospital for operations. So

1:22:27 > 1:22:31to make it more efficient and more effective does require that you look

1:22:31 > 1:22:36more locally. But I also think that combining with social care to make

1:22:36 > 1:22:40sure there is that join up that krour not finding somebody can't go

1:22:40 > 1:22:45out of hospital, because there is no one to take care of them at home.

1:22:45 > 1:22:51That is important.The Prime Minister gave us an example of the

1:22:51 > 1:22:56NHS succeeding, 2.9 million people are going to A&E. Why is the number

1:22:56 > 1:23:03of people going to A&E a measure of success?I couldn't agree more.It

1:23:03 > 1:23:07was a question.I don't think it is. We need to recognise that half of

1:23:07 > 1:23:12the walk in centres have been closed by this Government, which was a way

1:23:12 > 1:23:17of actually ensuring that there wasn't this massive pressure put on

1:23:17 > 1:23:21A&E. Which is the worst place for somebody who may be potentially ill

1:23:21 > 1:23:27any way to actually go.Why is it a measure of success.I don't think

1:23:27 > 1:23:34the Prime Minister was saying that. Oh, she did.She was reflecting the

1:23:34 > 1:23:42fact that A&Es are coping with many more people all the time. So the

1:23:42 > 1:23:46numbers, the volumes are increasing. That is one thing that I know the

1:23:46 > 1:23:51health team are looking at.Isn't that a failure of our parts of

1:23:51 > 1:23:57system? A failure of the GP system if people go to A&E.One of the

1:23:57 > 1:24:01thing this is we are looking at is how to ensure people going to A&E

1:24:01 > 1:24:07need to go to A&E and are not people who could go somewhere else, to

1:24:07 > 1:24:13their GP or use NHS online or the 111 service so people would actually

1:24:13 > 1:24:20get the right appropriate care for their needs.Let's move on to Brexit

1:24:20 > 1:24:24briefly. As we come to the end of the programme. Because it will be

1:24:24 > 1:24:29with us throughout 2018 as it was in 2017. What happened to the

1:24:29 > 1:24:35appointment of a minister for no-deal?Well, you sort are setting

1:24:35 > 1:24:39out these things as if they were matters of fact. Nobody said there

1:24:39 > 1:24:43would be a Brexit minister for no deal. I'm delighted to see the

1:24:43 > 1:24:48refresh of the Brexit team. We have a great addition to the team. She

1:24:48 > 1:24:52has been very knowledgeable and committed to making a success of

1:24:52 > 1:24:58Brexit and she is a new addition to team to help make sure...Were you

1:24:58 > 1:25:03expecting a minister?No I was not. It is a matter for the Prime

1:25:03 > 1:25:08Minister.A lot of your colleagues were absolutely expecting that there

1:25:08 > 1:25:12would be a minister for no deal, who would be allowed to attend the

1:25:12 > 1:25:19cabinet. Many believed they were told and had assurances over the

1:25:19 > 1:25:29last few months that there would be probably Steve Baker, well respected

1:25:29 > 1:25:33and well liked Brexiteer. And many people are cross about the fact that

1:25:33 > 1:25:38this didn't happen. Of course, reshuffles of course are always you

1:25:38 > 1:25:44know full of chat and gossip and rumour, but rather a lot of people

1:25:44 > 1:25:49who Theresa May needs on side are angry that this did not happen and

1:25:49 > 1:25:53they believe they had the assurances it was going to happen. The reason

1:25:53 > 1:25:58they're so cross is that for some elements in the Tories and I would

1:25:58 > 1:26:06imagine you would agree, it is important that Britain credibly

1:26:06 > 1:26:10appears willing to walk away from the talks if there isn't a decent

1:26:10 > 1:26:14deal.There is a huge amount of work going on looking at all possible

1:26:14 > 1:26:20outcomes and I sit on a committee with Steve Baker where we do look at

1:26:20 > 1:26:23outcomes for all eventualities. That work has been ongoing for a long

1:26:23 > 1:26:27time and not something you start doing now. But I do think it has

1:26:27 > 1:26:31been great to see the new strengthening of team to see fresh

1:26:31 > 1:26:35faces and people with real expertise.If the Government had

1:26:35 > 1:26:40appointed a minister for no deal, Labour would have to appoint an

1:26:40 > 1:26:49opposite number?We don't automatically reflect that. So we

1:26:49 > 1:26:53have somebody responsible for social care. We have had a tight policy

1:26:53 > 1:26:58about social care.What about the idea of a minister for no deal?One

1:26:58 > 1:27:03thing that needs to be done is tighten up on the impact

1:27:03 > 1:27:09assessments.What impact assessments?Exactly.An impact

1:27:09 > 1:27:15assessment by any other name.I haven't seen them, but I know

1:27:15 > 1:27:18colleagues who have and are staggered by the lack of information

1:27:18 > 1:27:24in them. And you know, at this stage around the negotiations it is a real

1:27:24 > 1:27:29worry.The idea of having a minister attending cabinet was to give it

1:27:29 > 1:27:35political prominence and have to voice. Steve Baker already has

1:27:35 > 1:27:38responsibility for that scenario planning as you suggest, but the

1:27:38 > 1:27:44point was a political signal of having it around the table and

1:27:44 > 1:27:49Brexiteers are cross it has not happened.A lot of it is posturing.

1:27:49 > 1:27:55Surely not.Brussels writing to companies, saying you should prepare

1:27:55 > 1:28:00for no deal. Writing in German newspapers. We only have another

1:28:00 > 1:28:02year of this.

1:28:02 > 1:28:05There's just time to put you out of your misery and give

1:28:05 > 1:28:07you the answer to Guess The Year.

1:28:07 > 1:28:09The year was...

1:28:09 > 1:28:232010. If you could press that red buzzer, we will find the winner.

1:28:24 > 1:28:29The mug is yours! You ready for another year of Brexit?Oh yeah, we

1:28:29 > 1:28:34have got to have a deal by October. After that it will all go away.Not

1:28:34 > 1:28:41for me.She is from Glasgow and very optimistic.

1:28:41 > 1:28:42That's all for today.

1:28:42 > 1:28:43Thanks to our guests.

1:28:43 > 1:28:45The One O'Clock News is starting over on BBC One now.

1:28:45 > 1:28:48Jo will be here at noon tomorrow with all the big political

1:28:48 > 1:28:51stories of the day - do join her if you can.

1:28:51 > 1:28:58Bye bye.