0:00:38 > 0:00:39Morning, folks.
0:00:39 > 0:00:43Welcome to the Daily Politics.
0:00:43 > 0:00:45As the full scale of construction firm Carillion's financial woes
0:00:45 > 0:00:47become clear, pressure piles on the Government to explain exactly
0:00:47 > 0:00:51what they knew about the troubles before awarding the company millions
0:00:51 > 0:00:56of pounds of public contracts.
0:00:56 > 0:00:57Will Jeremy Corbyn ask about Carillion's collapse
0:00:57 > 0:01:00at Prime Minister's Questions?
0:01:00 > 0:01:02We'll have the exchanges between Theresa May and the Labour
0:01:02 > 0:01:06leader live from the House of Commons at 12pm.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09And, as the pro-Corbyn wing takes over key committees
0:01:09 > 0:01:12within the Labour Party, we'll ask what this means
0:01:12 > 0:01:15for the future of Labour politics.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25All that in the next hour.
0:01:25 > 0:01:26And joining us today, new
0:01:26 > 0:01:28Cabinet Office Minister Oliver Dowden, and Shadow Business
0:01:28 > 0:01:34Minister Chi Onwurah.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37Good morning.Good morning.
0:01:37 > 0:01:39First, the UK's second-biggest contractor, Carillion, had just
0:01:39 > 0:01:42£29 million in cash and owed £1.29 billion to its banks when it
0:01:42 > 0:01:43collapsed this week.
0:01:43 > 0:01:55It is a name we now all know, although not many did before.
0:01:55 > 0:01:57although not many did before. It had a unfunded pension liabilities of
0:01:57 > 0:01:59£600 million as well.
0:01:59 > 0:02:01As the full scale of the crisis in the company's dying
0:02:01 > 0:02:03days becomes clear, do the Government have questions
0:02:03 > 0:02:06to answer over millions of pounds of public contracts awarded
0:02:06 > 0:02:12to the company after repeated profit warnings?
0:02:12 > 0:02:16One of the Goverment's ministers under fire is the Transport
0:02:16 > 0:02:20Secretary, Chris Grayling, who signed a contract for HS2 after
0:02:20 > 0:02:23Carillion's Jim White profit warning. The BBC tried to track him
0:02:23 > 0:02:27down this morning, and this is what he had to say -- as Carillion's Jim
0:02:27 > 0:02:29White profit warning.
0:02:29 > 0:02:31I'll very happily talk to you guys later.
0:02:31 > 0:02:32I'm doing interviews this morning but I'm
0:02:32 > 0:02:34going to get a train now, I'm afraid.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37Speak to my office and book a slot later but I've
0:02:37 > 0:02:41got to get a train now.
0:02:41 > 0:02:45Well, that wasn't very informative! Let's see if we can do better here
0:02:45 > 0:02:50in the studio this morning. Oliver Dowden, in July of last year, the
0:02:50 > 0:02:54Chief Executive of Carillion was fired, there was an £840 million
0:02:54 > 0:03:01write-off on the balance sheet, and the shares fell 60% in two days.
0:03:01 > 0:03:07Yet, one week later, denied the 17th, the Government made it part of
0:03:07 > 0:03:13the £6 billion HS2 contract, and £158 million MOD property contract.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17Why?Well, the Government keeps these situations under control. And
0:03:17 > 0:03:22we look at the situation of all of our contractors. In of Carillion, a
0:03:22 > 0:03:27profit warning had been issued. Dozens of profit warnings are issued
0:03:27 > 0:03:30every year, you wouldn't expect the Government or any other private
0:03:30 > 0:03:34company to cease contracting with somebody just on the basis of a
0:03:34 > 0:03:38profit warning. But you would expect in Team Janzen, that is a crack in
0:03:38 > 0:03:42what we did, we made contingency plans -- -- you would expect
0:03:42 > 0:03:46contingency and that is exactly what they did. We have plans that of one
0:03:46 > 0:03:50company fell away the others would step up and service delivery would
0:03:50 > 0:03:54continue, that has been the priority of the Government, we are delivering
0:03:54 > 0:03:59those servers.July was one bit of bad news, but not enough to make you
0:03:59 > 0:04:03stop giving contracts. On September the 20 I have last year, the
0:04:03 > 0:04:10half-year results of the company came out. It showed £1.15 billion of
0:04:10 > 0:04:16losses. £1.15 billion! And another £200 million write-down. And yet
0:04:16 > 0:04:22five weeks later, on November the 6th, you gave them a £320 million
0:04:22 > 0:04:28Network Rail contract for the Midland Mainline. Why?Look, our
0:04:28 > 0:04:32duty as a Government is to ensure the continuing delivery of public
0:04:32 > 0:04:36services. These were contracts with a private company to deliver those
0:04:36 > 0:04:44public services. Our concern...As a construction contract, not a public
0:04:44 > 0:04:47service...Our concern is a Government is to ensure the
0:04:47 > 0:04:51continued delivery of public services in respect of all of those
0:04:51 > 0:04:55contracts...But you could have given it to somebody else!Yes, we
0:04:55 > 0:05:00go through a proper process of procurement, they would decided as
0:05:00 > 0:05:03the correct bidder. There was a risk associated because of the profit
0:05:03 > 0:05:08warnings. As with any other private company contracted with a third
0:05:08 > 0:05:12party, you need to take contingency measures, but it is not a basis for
0:05:12 > 0:05:17not contracting. We took contingency measures, and delivery of public
0:05:17 > 0:05:20services continued, that is the concern of Government.We have one
0:05:20 > 0:05:24of the warnings in July, we had another even bigger warning in
0:05:24 > 0:05:28September, they then got the contract in November. On November
0:05:28 > 0:05:35the 17th, only two weeks after you gave them the Midland Mainline
0:05:35 > 0:05:37contract, came the third profit warning. The third in one year.
0:05:37 > 0:05:43Which is unusual for one company. And, the company admitted it was on
0:05:43 > 0:05:47course to breach its banking covenants, which is a complicated
0:05:47 > 0:05:51way of saying it couldn't repay the debt, of which was massive. Yet,
0:05:51 > 0:05:58three days later, you made it one of nine contractors in a £2.6 billion
0:05:58 > 0:06:02school building programme. Why?As I said, there is an independent
0:06:02 > 0:06:06recruitment process. The concern that your viewers will have and
0:06:06 > 0:06:09everybody else will have -- independent procurement process. We
0:06:09 > 0:06:14are asking a company to do something for the Government. Will it continue
0:06:14 > 0:06:17to do that? Subsequent to Carillion going into liquidation, we are
0:06:17 > 0:06:22continuing to deliver...By November of this year, it was clearly in
0:06:22 > 0:06:26trouble and everybody knew, except, apparently, the Government.Our
0:06:26 > 0:06:30concern is to continue to deliver. But why did you give contracts to
0:06:30 > 0:06:34this company when it was clearly in trouble? You would be aware, or
0:06:34 > 0:06:40maybe you word, that it was, this is a little technical, but the most
0:06:40 > 0:06:44shortage to stock on the stock exchange, 25% of its shares were
0:06:44 > 0:06:48being held by people that bought the shares were going to dive. But you
0:06:48 > 0:06:53carried on giving it contracts.Yes, there were clearly risks associated
0:06:53 > 0:06:57with that company and the Government took measures to mitigate that. And
0:06:57 > 0:07:00the success of those mitigation measures is shown by the fact that
0:07:00 > 0:07:06that company continues to deliver. It is interesting to note...The
0:07:06 > 0:07:11company doesn't continue to deliver! You say it's just the Government,
0:07:11 > 0:07:13actually the last public sector organisation to award preferred to
0:07:13 > 0:07:23get status to Carillion with Leeds City Council -- preferred bidder.
0:07:23 > 0:07:28But you are the Government, and just because some Labour council proved
0:07:28 > 0:07:34to be as cosy with Carillion as you, doesn't let you off the hook. You
0:07:34 > 0:07:39had contingency plans, you are keeping an eye on this company, but
0:07:39 > 0:07:43you had enough contracts with Carillion for it to be designated a
0:07:43 > 0:07:48strategic of Government. An official designation, and an official
0:07:48 > 0:07:54designation like that means that the Government appoint a crown
0:07:54 > 0:07:59representative, a representative of the state, to keep and I the company
0:07:59 > 0:08:04could -- because there are concerns. And yet at the height of this
0:08:04 > 0:08:08financial problems, there was no crown representative appointed, why?
0:08:08 > 0:08:11There was a crown representative by the end, there was a change.But
0:08:11 > 0:08:16there wasn't that the crucial time. Remember, they have a whole team
0:08:16 > 0:08:20working to them. Those people were in place. There was no adverse
0:08:20 > 0:08:26impact in terms of the delivery of the services.Is there any sense at
0:08:26 > 0:08:30which we see this? Because I think even the Government must have known
0:08:30 > 0:08:33Carillion was in some trouble, and you kept on giving it contracts. Was
0:08:33 > 0:08:38there any sense in which you were doing this as a hidden subsidy,
0:08:38 > 0:08:42simply to try and keep the company going in the hope that it would get
0:08:42 > 0:08:47out of its troubles?No, there are strict procurement roles. These
0:08:47 > 0:08:50companies, if they are to be awarded a Government contract, they have to
0:08:50 > 0:08:54demonstrate they will deliver value for money. Carillion won those
0:08:54 > 0:08:57processes. Once they have won them, the Government had to be sure that
0:08:57 > 0:09:02they would continue to deliver.But why didn't you have a crown
0:09:02 > 0:09:05representative?In respect of the crown representative, they have a
0:09:05 > 0:09:09team working who continues to carry out those functions. There was a
0:09:09 > 0:09:15crown representative in
0:09:16 > 0:09:18crown representative in place by the end.One quick question, can you now
0:09:18 > 0:09:21tell us this morning what the likely cost to the taxpayer will be?Well,
0:09:21 > 0:09:25what we have done is to ensure that the official receiver is funded. The
0:09:25 > 0:09:29official receiver will continue to pay out on those...I do know all
0:09:29 > 0:09:35that! They put a bill on it. Do we know how much?That will depend upon
0:09:35 > 0:09:39the amount that the official receiver can recover. The key
0:09:39 > 0:09:43priority is a continuing delivery of public services, achieved by funding
0:09:43 > 0:09:47the official reserve who pays out those contracts. It will depend upon
0:09:47 > 0:09:51how much the official receiver is able to recover, that is perfectly
0:09:51 > 0:09:54standard in any liquidation situation, as you know.Why is the
0:09:54 > 0:10:01Carillion crisis a crisis of outsourcing? Why is that? This is
0:10:01 > 0:10:05what your party has claimed. Carillion crisis and the failure
0:10:05 > 0:10:10work from the gang tragic force of many people who work for Carillion
0:10:10 > 0:10:14and -- were tragic force of many people who work for Carillion. What
0:10:14 > 0:10:18Oliver won't say is that they continue to give contracts to
0:10:18 > 0:10:23Carillion because they believe ideological eat in giving public
0:10:23 > 0:10:31sector contracts... -- ideological eat in giving.ALL TALK AT ONCE. Why
0:10:31 > 0:10:38is there a crisis of outsourcing was below because,by giving these
0:10:38 > 0:10:42massive contracts to a small number of private sector companies whose
0:10:42 > 0:10:45business models are predicated, if you like, and bidding as low as
0:10:45 > 0:10:51possible for these contracts...It is public services.It is a good
0:10:51 > 0:10:56thing if it is sustainable, but it clearly wasn't. There were profit
0:10:56 > 0:10:59warnings, they were being slaughtered. Their dividend payments
0:10:59 > 0:11:08were going up while that that was dreading --. Yet this was a
0:11:08 > 0:11:11strategic supplier.Is the jewel argument that the Government's
0:11:11 > 0:11:14mistake was giving too many contracts to Carillion, or that it
0:11:14 > 0:11:18should not have been giving them to the private sector at all?The fact
0:11:18 > 0:11:22that the Government was obliged, if you like, to give so many contracts
0:11:22 > 0:11:28to one supplier demonstrates that it should not have been outsourcing so
0:11:28 > 0:11:32much of our public services.Should these contracts have gone to the
0:11:32 > 0:11:37private sector or not?So much of our public services, schools,
0:11:37 > 0:11:41reasons, hospitals, should not be delivered by the private sector.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44Because the profit motive does not lead to the best outcomes for our
0:11:44 > 0:11:51students, our prisoners...Carillion wasn't brought down by outsourcing
0:11:51 > 0:11:55services, it was brought down by construction contracts that went
0:11:55 > 0:11:59wrong. Now, one of the construction contract which we bounded on it with
0:11:59 > 0:12:05the Aberdeen bypass. £750 million. But there were delays. The
0:12:05 > 0:12:09receivables went as high as they thought, that was one of the reasons
0:12:09 > 0:12:13for a write-down. Should the Aberdeen bypass be built by a
0:12:13 > 0:12:17private construction company or what not?Each individual case depends on
0:12:17 > 0:12:23the nature of the tender.I'm asking you to principal... Should it be
0:12:23 > 0:12:27built by a private company or should it be built by a publicly owned
0:12:27 > 0:12:31construction company?Public services should be delivered, I
0:12:31 > 0:12:36believe...This isn't public services, this is construction.I
0:12:36 > 0:12:40wouldn't argue necessarily that it should be built by... Sorry, Andrew,
0:12:40 > 0:12:44you made an important point. You said it wasn't brought down by
0:12:44 > 0:12:48public services, it was brought down by construction. And yet it was the
0:12:48 > 0:12:52ongoing need to service those public services, our hospitals, our
0:12:52 > 0:13:01schools, etc, which is what...The other - British contracts which
0:13:01 > 0:13:06brought it down...And the bidding, and the bidding for key services...
0:13:06 > 0:13:09You keep on saying services, and it wasn't services, that's what I'm
0:13:09 > 0:13:13trying to get to. It was brought down clearly, we notice from the
0:13:13 > 0:13:17evidence in the High Court, by construction contracts. Two of the
0:13:17 > 0:13:23other construction contracts were because Buttle in Liverpool and they
0:13:23 > 0:13:28-- a because Buttle in Manchester. Is it Labour's position that it was
0:13:28 > 0:13:32wrong to give this to Carillion what wrong to give it to the private
0:13:32 > 0:13:37sector at all, and it should be done by the public sector?Where
0:13:37 > 0:13:42possible... So, Carillion is a shell company, and the supply chain for
0:13:42 > 0:13:44the support for delivering construction services to the public
0:13:44 > 0:13:49sector needs to be examined and investigated. This is a really
0:13:49 > 0:13:53important point...Should we build our hospitals using private
0:13:53 > 0:13:57companies, or should they be built by the public sector? Is this
0:13:57 > 0:14:01Labour's position?Suppliers and contractors to the public sector,
0:14:01 > 0:14:05which can include the building of a black sector construction and
0:14:05 > 0:14:09hospitals, they should have sustainable business models -- for
0:14:09 > 0:14:16the construction sector. The supply chains should not be so long. Our
0:14:16 > 0:14:19argument is that we need the capacity within the public sector to
0:14:19 > 0:14:26manage these...To manage, but not to build?Not necessarily to build.
0:14:26 > 0:14:30The public sector doesn't have to do everything. When it comes to the
0:14:30 > 0:14:33delivery of public services and the management of public assets there
0:14:33 > 0:14:37needs to be the capacity within the public sector to do that directly.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39We need to move on.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42Now, internal Labour Party democracy may not seem like blockbuster stuff,
0:14:42 > 0:14:44but it has been a key battleground between opposing factions
0:14:44 > 0:14:46of the Labour Party since Jeremy Corbyn became leader,
0:14:46 > 0:14:48and determines the future direction of the party.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51The Corbynite camp has been celebrating big wins this week.
0:14:51 > 0:14:59Here's Emma with all the details.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01Last September, two Momentum-backed candidates won posts
0:15:01 > 0:15:03on the Conference Arrangements Committee - giving them control
0:15:03 > 0:15:06of selecting and prioritising motions for the annual conference.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09And earlier this week, three other candidates supported
0:15:09 > 0:15:13by Momentum won seats on the party's National Executive Committe -
0:15:13 > 0:15:18the supreme decision-making body - swinging it into the Left's control.
0:15:18 > 0:15:22The three new members included Momentum founder Jon Lansman,
0:15:22 > 0:15:25who has in the past talked about introducing mandatory
0:15:25 > 0:15:28reselection for sitting MPs.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31Yesterday, Corbyn supporters used that new NEC majority to take
0:15:31 > 0:15:34control of the party's disciplinary committee,
0:15:34 > 0:15:36ousting longstanding Chair of the Disputes
0:15:36 > 0:15:40Sub-Committee, Ann Black,
0:15:40 > 0:15:43and replacing her with Momentum Director - and NEC member -
0:15:43 > 0:15:44Christine Shawcroft.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47It means the Left of the party now have control of the panel that
0:15:47 > 0:15:50decides whether to investigate anti-Semitic, racist,
0:15:50 > 0:15:56homophobic and sexist abuse, as well as other disciplinary cases.
0:15:56 > 0:15:58Internal clashes broke out within the party,
0:15:58 > 0:16:00with Young Labour NEC rep Jasmin Beckett saying
0:16:00 > 0:16:05she was "disgusted" by the removal of Ann Black, and accusing Momentum
0:16:05 > 0:16:07of treating the committee as a "factional playground".
0:16:10 > 0:16:13But Christine Shawcroft told the Mirror, "I really don't know
0:16:13 > 0:16:15what all the fuss is about", denying there was a
0:16:15 > 0:16:21"left-wing takeover".
0:16:21 > 0:16:27Thank you for that. Tony Robinson, one of your better-known Labour
0:16:27 > 0:16:33Party members, famous as Blackadder, long a Labour Party activist, says,
0:16:33 > 0:16:38"Labour's now been taken over by leftist clique". Is he right?What
0:16:38 > 0:16:43happened is that we had a democratic election.We know that. But as the
0:16:43 > 0:16:50result of the election...As a consequence of members of the
0:16:50 > 0:16:53largest political party by membership in Europe voting. About
0:16:53 > 0:16:57that as a takeover, I believe that is absolutely not the case. We have
0:16:57 > 0:17:05a democracy and people voted and not everybody is happy with every result
0:17:05 > 0:17:08of the Democratic party.Ann Black, the well-respected chair of the
0:17:08 > 0:17:17NEC's disputes panel, was it right to get rid of her?The NEC has 39
0:17:17 > 0:17:20people on it. When you have new members, there is often a
0:17:20 > 0:17:24reassignment of its possibilities. I'm not on the NEC. I don't know
0:17:24 > 0:17:28what her qualifications were but it is right that there should be the
0:17:28 > 0:17:33ability...Was right to get rid of her?I am not on the NEC.You still
0:17:33 > 0:17:40have a view. You have no view on this?The level of interest in our
0:17:40 > 0:17:42National Executive Committee subpanel... If that had been the
0:17:42 > 0:17:45same level of interest in Carillion's board, for example, and
0:17:45 > 0:17:49the same level of bureaucracy... Your failure to answer these
0:17:49 > 0:17:53questions will ensure that the interest in the NEC is going to
0:17:53 > 0:17:56write it have no view on whether it is right that an black should have
0:17:56 > 0:18:01been removed?I think it is right to follow our procedures to elect...
0:18:01 > 0:18:11The disputes process will still remain exactly the same.Are you
0:18:11 > 0:18:18comfortable but it is now being chaired by a woman who thought we
0:18:18 > 0:18:24should invite Islamic State to tea rather than bomb them in Iraq, and
0:18:24 > 0:18:27that that Lutfur Rahman in Tower Hamlets, who had been banned for
0:18:27 > 0:18:31five years from office and guilty of electoral fraud? Are you comfortable
0:18:31 > 0:18:36that that is the person now running your disputes panel? Chisnall it is
0:18:36 > 0:18:38absolutely right that the person running our disputes panel should be
0:18:38 > 0:18:41accountable for what she has said in the past, and it follows our
0:18:41 > 0:18:46processes. Two things... Are you comfortable that the person in
0:18:46 > 0:18:51charge of your disputes panel has this background? Either you are or
0:18:51 > 0:18:56you aren't.It is really important that we have robust processes. We
0:18:56 > 0:19:01need robust processes to make sure hate speech and anti-Semitism and
0:19:01 > 0:19:08racism in have no part in the Labour Party and that is how it is now. I
0:19:08 > 0:19:12want my constituents to know that when I get up in the morning, I am
0:19:12 > 0:19:17not working on looking at what the exact composition of our NEC... I'm
0:19:17 > 0:19:23trying to make sure there are jobs in Newcastle, that there are...You
0:19:23 > 0:19:26do that every day but the NEC is the story yesterday and today. The woman
0:19:26 > 0:19:33who headed
0:19:33 > 0:19:37who headed the NEC, last year, she spoke at a rally to celebrate the
0:19:37 > 0:19:4630th anniversary of the domain is revolution in Iran. Does Labour
0:19:46 > 0:19:52celebrate that revolution?We don't celebrate a revolution. If you are
0:19:52 > 0:19:56asking, was she doing that as the representative and speaking for the
0:19:56 > 0:20:02Labour Party, no, she wasn't.She said, "We are here for a
0:20:02 > 0:20:06celebration, it is a happy time, the third year I have been, it is always
0:20:06 > 0:20:10in my diary". Are you happy that the person that got the most votes in
0:20:10 > 0:20:15the NEC election seems to regard the Iranian Islamic revolution as a good
0:20:15 > 0:20:24thing? Is it a good thing?I don't share the same views as everybody in
0:20:24 > 0:20:29every position in the Labour Party and that is right, because we have
0:20:29 > 0:20:34broad representative cross-section...What is your view
0:20:34 > 0:20:37of the Islamist revolution?My view of the Islamist revolution is that
0:20:37 > 0:20:44because it is not directly relevant to my constituency in Newcastle
0:20:44 > 0:20:50right now, I certainly feel that our position on Iran and supporting the
0:20:50 > 0:20:56democracy in Iran and elsewhere is as set out by our shadow secretary.
0:20:56 > 0:21:02What evidence has Labour ever given in recent weeks that it supports the
0:21:02 > 0:21:13democratic process in Iran?We are a party of democracy. You're talking
0:21:13 > 0:21:17about our NEC elections.Did Jeremy Corbyn, did John McDonnell, did
0:21:17 > 0:21:21Emily Thornberry, your foreign affairs spokesman... Did any of them
0:21:21 > 0:21:27but words of support to the democratic protesters?We are a
0:21:27 > 0:21:35democratic party.You said that. Any public support Labour has given for
0:21:35 > 0:21:39the democratic protesters in Iran? We support democracy. We are a
0:21:39 > 0:21:47democratic party.Who do you support, then? Compared to the
0:21:47 > 0:21:49Iranian government and the democratic protesters, brave people
0:21:49 > 0:21:57taking to the street, whose side are you on?I'm always on the side of
0:21:57 > 0:22:00democracy and representation. Yasmine Dar so you are on the side
0:22:00 > 0:22:06of the protesters? By on the side of democracy. I am not going to speak
0:22:06 > 0:22:11for the predators because I don't know them personally.I am not
0:22:11 > 0:22:14asking you to speak for every protester, I am asking for a simple
0:22:14 > 0:22:21view. The women who top the NEC poll supported the revolution and
0:22:21 > 0:22:26celebrate it on its 30th anniversary. I'm asking you, since
0:22:26 > 0:22:31this is the regime that has shot an unarmed protesters, I am asking
0:22:31 > 0:22:36whose side you are on.I have said very clearly I am always on the
0:22:36 > 0:22:41side...Why can't you bring yourself to say you on the side of the
0:22:41 > 0:22:44protesters?I support those supporting democracy. I don't want
0:22:44 > 0:22:48you to be holding the accountable for the actions of every single
0:22:48 > 0:22:52protester.I am asking for your view.My view is to support
0:22:52 > 0:22:56democracy and support those who support democracy.Your new
0:22:56 > 0:23:03vice-chair for youth, Ben Bradley, advocated vasectomies for the vast
0:23:03 > 0:23:06sea of unemployed wasters, quote. Is this going to inform the next
0:23:06 > 0:23:12roll-out of Universal Credit?Of course not, and he has apologised to
0:23:12 > 0:23:16those comments. You made them five years ago when he was 22 and I think
0:23:16 > 0:23:20it was right for him to apologise. It is bound to be what he thinks.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23Now he has been called to account, likely Labour people have done the
0:23:23 > 0:23:29same, you run a mile.He was 22 at the time, five years ago. I think
0:23:29 > 0:23:33his views have developed quite a lot, as you might imagine anyone in
0:23:33 > 0:23:37their early 20s changes their views, and I think he has apologised and
0:23:37 > 0:23:42that is clearly not the position of the Conservative Party.And it is
0:23:42 > 0:23:47not the next age of Universal Credit roller?Of course it isn't.Fair
0:23:47 > 0:23:51enough.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54Now, we've all been there - after a big lunch and maybe a glass
0:23:54 > 0:23:57or two of a good Shiraz, the eyes start to feel heavy,
0:23:57 > 0:24:00the eyelids droop and you just can't keep them open.
0:24:00 > 0:24:01It happens to most Daily Politics viewers.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03So, spare a thought for Conservative MP Desmond Swayne -
0:24:03 > 0:24:06seen here behind Ken Clarke in the Commons - who looked
0:24:06 > 0:24:09like he was stealing 40 winks on the green benches rather
0:24:09 > 0:24:11than listening to the Father of the House's ruminations
0:24:11 > 0:24:12on the EU Withdrawal Bill.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14He did finally perk up, just as Ken was offering
0:24:14 > 0:24:19up his thoughts on the Charter of Fundamental Rights.
0:24:19 > 0:24:26Mr Swayne must be relieved he didn't miss out on that.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29Well, we know the Daily Politics is the sort of high-octane,
0:24:29 > 0:24:31action-packed, barnstormer of a show that you could
0:24:31 > 0:24:32never nod off watching.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35But just in case you need a pick-me-up for the dross that's
0:24:35 > 0:24:38on after us, what better way to stay alert with a caffeinated
0:24:38 > 0:24:42drink of your choice than to drink from the exclusive
0:24:42 > 0:24:45Daily Politics mug?
0:24:45 > 0:24:52To win one, just tell us when this happened.
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0:25:18 > 0:25:20# You've got to have heart #.
0:25:20 > 0:25:22Well, here goes.
0:25:22 > 0:25:26I'm now going to test the switch.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29# When the odds are saying you'll never win
0:25:29 > 0:25:33# That's when the grin should start #.
0:25:33 > 0:25:39# Since you have left me in tears
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0:25:53 > 0:25:57We shall need the sympathy and the goodwill and understanding of
0:25:57 > 0:26:00everyone in the country, whatever their party.
0:26:00 > 0:26:01# Oh, let me be
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0:26:19 > 0:26:22To be in with a chance of winning a Daily Politics mug,
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0:26:47 > 0:26:52It is 11:56am. It is a sunny winter's morning and even to the
0:26:52 > 0:26:55scaffolding, the clock faces shining through. Prime Minister's Questions
0:26:55 > 0:27:02coming up in a couple of minutes and we are joined by John Pienaar. I
0:27:02 > 0:27:06assume, given it involves public sector contracts, outsourcing, all
0:27:06 > 0:27:09that sort of thing, that Mr Corbyn has no choice but to go on
0:27:09 > 0:27:18Carillion.I think he sees this as an opportunity. It was described in
0:27:18 > 0:27:23a social media video as a watershed. That is how they see it. Potentially
0:27:23 > 0:27:27in their hopes around Jeremy Corbyn, a turning point where they turn the
0:27:27 > 0:27:30tide of the argument against the involvement of the private sector in
0:27:30 > 0:27:35present form in these services of the state, and it could be
0:27:35 > 0:27:38interesting, although I'm always hesitant to say that Prime
0:27:38 > 0:27:41Minister's Questions is going to be interesting.These days that is
0:27:41 > 0:27:46quite a bold statement.But we will see some sort of version of the
0:27:46 > 0:27:51game, where does the buck stop? In this case it is not just in case a
0:27:51 > 0:27:54war the answers but what other questions? Government ministers are
0:27:54 > 0:27:58saying they will learn the lessons of the Carillion affair but what
0:27:58 > 0:28:04will these lessons be?
0:28:04 > 0:28:06will these lessons be? Safeguards, a better and clearer system of warning
0:28:06 > 0:28:10lights were a company like Carillion? But other in-built
0:28:10 > 0:28:14problems system which can't be ironed out? Is this an inevitable
0:28:14 > 0:28:16consequence of the system that leads winners and losers or should be
0:28:16 > 0:28:21changed? Are these two questions compatible? IPod is the government
0:28:21 > 0:28:28have a clear line on this yet? The government is in a different
0:28:28 > 0:28:32position. They have substantial use of private firms in the construction
0:28:32 > 0:28:35of the structure and the root servers for many years, going past
0:28:35 > 0:28:40Labour governments and Gordon Brown and Tony Blair. That is all by the
0:28:40 > 0:28:45way because we have now got a new leader. We can forget about BC,
0:28:45 > 0:28:49before Corbyn, as far as this argument goes. We have an
0:28:49 > 0:28:52ideological split as white, may be wider, than anything we have seen
0:28:52 > 0:28:58since Margaret Thatcher, so that is about the role of private sector in
0:28:58 > 0:29:03the state in the 1980s. A lot of enquiries are on the way, a couple
0:29:03 > 0:29:06going to be taking place in Parliament, in committee rooms,
0:29:06 > 0:29:10probably the same time, and they will lead to changes, but have
0:29:10 > 0:29:14fundamental?Government must feel on the defensive on this.I think they
0:29:14 > 0:29:17must because when you see such a high-profile failure, thousands of
0:29:17 > 0:29:21public sector workers in doubt about their future, private sector workers
0:29:21 > 0:29:26with some certainty that their futures are indeed question, lots of
0:29:26 > 0:29:29Government money on the line, but we don't how much, there are questions
0:29:29 > 0:29:33that are difficult and a lot of questions they can't answer so it is
0:29:33 > 0:29:37going to test Theresa May.Meanwhile Brazil continues to trundle along in
0:29:37 > 0:29:43terms of negotiations. Carillion, in a way, we should all be grateful to
0:29:43 > 0:29:47it because it is given something else. About, even if there are bad
0:29:47 > 0:29:52consequences to it, which is a reason for not being grateful, but
0:29:52 > 0:29:59is the EU on a kind of charm offensive?It is possible to over do
0:29:59 > 0:30:04what Donald Tusk said the other day. Which we do because that is what we
0:30:04 > 0:30:10do. On one level of our brain, we and the other part understand that
0:30:10 > 0:30:15is to serious that. But when it comes to Donald Tusk saying, we hope
0:30:15 > 0:30:21to see you vote as if you will come back. In saying that does not
0:30:21 > 0:30:24necessarily make it any more likely, beyond getting up the noses of the
0:30:24 > 0:30:31Brexiteers. Which he succeeded in doing. That was a surprise. Am I
0:30:31 > 0:30:38right in thinking that the next stage of the talks is not about our
0:30:38 > 0:30:42actual future relationship with the EU but we are going. First about the
0:30:42 > 0:30:49transition period following March 2019.Through the spring we are
0:30:49 > 0:30:53supposed to be talking about the divorce and the transition period.
0:30:53 > 0:30:59This is crucial, the transition particular, moving from being a
0:30:59 > 0:31:03member to not being a member. The government is committed to a time
0:31:03 > 0:31:06period of maybe a couple of years. There was an argument that says it
0:31:06 > 0:31:10is going to lead a great deal more than that and we're just at the
0:31:10 > 0:31:15beginning of tying up a lot of those details.For governments, it usually
0:31:15 > 0:31:19never rains but pours. There was a BBC story this morning about the
0:31:19 > 0:31:23number of nurses now just leaving the NHS, including, I understand,
0:31:23 > 0:31:28younger nurses, who probably haven't completed their training all that
0:31:28 > 0:31:34long ago. They have just decided to go through all that training that
0:31:34 > 0:31:40they don't want to be in the NHS. That is so but it is layered on top
0:31:40 > 0:31:51of a winter crisis. They have been worried about it for many a month
0:31:51 > 0:31:58and it has been argued the Brexiters contributed, the number of nurses
0:31:58 > 0:32:01from EU countries that have been part of the workforce, is beginning
0:32:01 > 0:32:06to dry up. The effects are being felt.It puts pressure... I hear
0:32:06 > 0:32:10rumblings even on the Tory backbenches, indeed even Jacob
0:32:10 > 0:32:13Rees-Mogg, who you might not think would be on the progressive wing of
0:32:13 > 0:32:17the Tories, saying the Government is going to have to come up with a new
0:32:17 > 0:32:24model.Sure. We're hearing this interestingly from various quarters,
0:32:24 > 0:32:28senior Conservative forces, including the chairman of the 1922,
0:32:28 > 0:32:32the tribal elders that the Tory party at Westminster, talking about,
0:32:32 > 0:32:37let's look at hi gated taxation, earmarked taxes. Either way, there
0:32:37 > 0:32:41is a recognition that crosses party lines now but a long-term look at
0:32:41 > 0:32:47NHS funding is a place we have not been politically willing to go
0:32:47 > 0:32:52before.But if you were to announce a long-term plan, if that was to
0:32:52 > 0:32:55happen,, I think the key is in the phrase long-term. Doesn't get us
0:32:55 > 0:33:00through the funding problems we have at the moment. It may have to do
0:33:00 > 0:33:03both.You can argue there is never going to be enough money for the NHS
0:33:03 > 0:33:08and you can sustain that argument. You can also argue that the NHS will
0:33:08 > 0:33:13need accelerating because that is also true. In terms of how the
0:33:13 > 0:33:15health system, preventative medicine, all of this sort of thing,
0:33:15 > 0:33:19there was a role for that, which involve substantial transformation
0:33:19 > 0:33:23in NHS pinking, to. On every level, that is the sort of change that is
0:33:23 > 0:33:31needed. The buck stops here and it stops now.And despite what critics
0:33:31 > 0:33:34might say is death by a thousand cuts, but that is the government
0:33:34 > 0:33:43being assailed on all sides? Mrs May is still there. She survives. She
0:33:43 > 0:33:50keeps on going, Cabinet ministers come and go, crises come and go. Her
0:33:50 > 0:33:52resilience... I'm beginning to think that even her critics are now
0:33:52 > 0:33:58beginning to roll Appiah her for her resilience is nothing else.You can
0:33:58 > 0:34:03safely say that is the case, certain survival. Someone said somewhere,
0:34:03 > 0:34:09maybe in a movie, about the World War II Wellington bomb, whose chief
0:34:09 > 0:34:12characteristic was the ability to soak up black falling out of the
0:34:12 > 0:34:17sky. Theresa May, among many other things, seems to be our version of
0:34:17 > 0:34:24that bomb.I will have to get my old air kicked out! On the Tory
0:34:24 > 0:34:28backbenches, although there is no enthusiasm for her, there is also no
0:34:28 > 0:34:33move now to get rid of her?That has been so and still is. For reasons we
0:34:33 > 0:34:39discussed more than once, which is the sheer absence of a clear
0:34:39 > 0:34:42successor and the absence of any appetite on the backbenches to go
0:34:42 > 0:34:45into a leadership contest, which is in the most flattering reason to
0:34:45 > 0:34:49carry on as Prime Minister but it is a significant influence.Do you
0:34:49 > 0:34:52agree with that?I've had the privilege of working quite closely
0:34:52 > 0:34:56with the Prime Minister, as I did with the last one, and what I see
0:34:56 > 0:35:00with is somebody who is very tough and determined, has a real sense of
0:35:00 > 0:35:03public service, and I think that is what is driving her. She is not
0:35:03 > 0:35:07somebody who is going to walk away after a bad result, which we had
0:35:07 > 0:35:11with the 27th election, she wants to deliver for the country, and I think
0:35:11 > 0:35:15that is what gets her up every morning.If, against all
0:35:15 > 0:35:18conventional opinion, Mrs May does survive, or this government does
0:35:18 > 0:35:25survive, through to 2022, which is when there has to be an election, I
0:35:25 > 0:35:27will come back to that because, five minutes late, we are going to PMQs.
0:35:31 > 0:35:35This morning I had meetings in addition to my duties in this House,
0:35:35 > 0:35:40I shall have further such meetings later today.The Government must
0:35:40 > 0:35:46take responsibility for its role in the mess now left by Carillion.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49Thousands of staff face unemployment. SME suppliers face
0:35:49 > 0:35:54going bust. But I'm concerned for the 1400 Carillion apprentices, some
0:35:54 > 0:36:01of whom I've met locally. It's not good enough to pass the buck. Wilbur
0:36:01 > 0:36:04Prime Minister guarantee today that everyone of those apprentices will
0:36:04 > 0:36:10be able to complete their training and will be paid?Well, can I say to
0:36:10 > 0:36:13the honourable lady that I recognise that of course this has been a
0:36:13 > 0:36:17difficult time for a number of people, concerned about their jobs
0:36:17 > 0:36:22and public services and about their pensions. I want first of all, if I
0:36:22 > 0:36:25may, Mr Speaker, to provide reassurance to all employees who are
0:36:25 > 0:36:28working on public services for Carillion that they shall continue
0:36:28 > 0:36:32to turn up the works confident in the knowledge that they will be paid
0:36:32 > 0:36:36for the work that they are providing. Of course, the Government
0:36:36 > 0:36:39is not running Carillion. The Government is actually a customer of
0:36:39 > 0:36:45Carillion. Our focus has been on ensuring that we are providing the
0:36:45 > 0:36:52public services that they are continuing to be provided and
0:36:52 > 0:36:54interrupted -- and interrupted, to reassure workers on those public
0:36:54 > 0:36:59services that they will get paid. To reassure pensioners, the support is
0:36:59 > 0:37:07there for them. Yes, I'm coming onto the apprentices. But it is important
0:37:07 > 0:37:11that the Government is undertaking its role to ensure that the services
0:37:11 > 0:37:14it provides are continuing to be provided. And I can assure the
0:37:14 > 0:37:19honourable lady that we are aware of the issues around apprentices, and
0:37:19 > 0:37:22that's why the Minister with responsibility for that will be
0:37:22 > 0:37:30looking very carefully at what action he takes.Simon Hoare.
0:37:31 > 0:37:35action he takes.Simon Hoare.What better way to start the year of
0:37:35 > 0:37:37engineering than to see Manufacturing output at its highest
0:37:37 > 0:37:45level in a decade? And productivity on the up. Can I invite my right
0:37:45 > 0:37:50honourable friend to commit and confirm her Government to secure and
0:37:50 > 0:37:56support UK manufacturing and the important export it delivers?Well,
0:37:56 > 0:38:00I'm very happy, I'm very happy to give my honourable friend that
0:38:00 > 0:38:04commitment from the Government. And he's absolutely right. It's very,
0:38:04 > 0:38:09very pleasing to see the figures that the ONS produced last week,
0:38:09 > 0:38:14which show that production has now grown for eight months, the longest
0:38:14 > 0:38:19streak since 1994. Manufacturing output is at its highest since
0:38:19 > 0:38:23February 2008. And earlier this month we saw the productivity growth
0:38:23 > 0:38:29has had its best quarter since 2011. That shows that our economy remains
0:38:29 > 0:38:32strong, that we are continuing to deliver secure, better paid jobs,
0:38:32 > 0:38:37and we will continue to do that in supporting our manufacturing sector.
0:38:37 > 0:38:44Jeremy Corbyn.Thank you, Mr Speaker. In the last six months, the
0:38:44 > 0:38:47Government has awarded more than £2 billion worth of contracts to
0:38:47 > 0:38:55Carillion. It did so even after the share price was in freefall, and the
0:38:55 > 0:39:03company had issued profit warnings. Why did the Government do that?
0:39:03 > 0:39:06Why did the Government do that?It might be helpful if I just set out
0:39:06 > 0:39:12for the right honourable gentleman that a company's profit warning
0:39:12 > 0:39:16means that it believes it will not make as much profit as it had
0:39:16 > 0:39:22expected to make. LAUGHTER
0:39:26 > 0:39:35If... If... The Government did... If it was the case, if it was the case
0:39:35 > 0:39:40that the Government pulled out of contracts, or indeed private sector
0:39:40 > 0:39:42companies pulled out of contracts whenever a profit warning was
0:39:42 > 0:39:48issued, that would be the best way to ensure that companies failed and
0:39:48 > 0:39:57the jobs were lost. It would also, for the Government, raise real
0:39:57 > 0:39:59issues about providing continued, and interrupted public services.
0:39:59 > 0:40:06Yes, we did, we did recognise that it was a severe profit warning. And
0:40:06 > 0:40:09that's why we took action in relation to the contracts that we
0:40:09 > 0:40:13issued. And we ensure that all but one of those contracts was a joint
0:40:13 > 0:40:17venture. What does that mean? It means that there was another company
0:40:17 > 0:40:22available to step in and take over the contract. But I say the right
0:40:22 > 0:40:27honourable gentleman, this wasn't just an issue of the Government
0:40:27 > 0:40:32issuing contracts. Actually we see that the Labour run Welsh Government
0:40:32 > 0:40:39issued a contract after a profit warning last July. And only last
0:40:39 > 0:40:45week, in the public sector, a public sector body announced that Carillion
0:40:45 > 0:40:50was their preferred bidder. Only last week. Was that the Government?
0:40:50 > 0:40:57No, that was Labour run Leeds City Council.
0:40:57 > 0:41:03Council.Mr Speaker, for the record, Leeds have not signed a contract
0:41:03 > 0:41:09with Carillion. It's the Government here's been handing out contracts.
0:41:09 > 0:41:14It's the Goverment's responsibility to ensure Carillion is properly
0:41:14 > 0:41:21managed. Between July, Mr Speaker, between July and the end of last
0:41:21 > 0:41:27year, the share price of Carillion fell by 90%. Three profit warnings
0:41:27 > 0:41:32were issued. Unbelievably, some contracts were awarded by the
0:41:32 > 0:41:40Government even after the third profit warning. Mr Speaker, it looks
0:41:40 > 0:41:45like the Government was handing Carillion public contracts either to
0:41:45 > 0:41:50keep the company afloat, which clearly hasn't worked, or it was
0:41:50 > 0:42:00just deeply negligent of the crisis that was coming down the line.
0:42:00 > 0:42:02that was coming down the line.Mr Speaker, I'm very happy to once
0:42:02 > 0:42:06questions when the right honourable the woman asks one, but he didn't!
0:42:06 > 0:42:09-- when the right honourable gentleman.
0:42:16 > 0:42:21Mr Speaker, I ask the Government if they have been negligent or not, and
0:42:21 > 0:42:29they clearly have been very negligent. Tory MPs might shout, Mr
0:42:29 > 0:42:34Speaker, but the reality is, as of today, over 20,000 Carillion workers
0:42:34 > 0:42:39are very worried about their future. For many of them, the only recourse
0:42:39 > 0:42:47tonight is the phone a DWP hotline. The frailties were well-known. Hedge
0:42:47 > 0:42:53fund is well betting against Carillion since 2015. RBS banks,
0:42:53 > 0:42:56state owned, making provision against Carillion last year. The
0:42:56 > 0:43:01Government is supposed to protect public money through Crown
0:43:01 > 0:43:06representatives, who was supposed to monitor these powerful corporations
0:43:06 > 0:43:13who get huge public contracts. So, white, and this is a question, that
0:43:13 > 0:43:17the Prime Minister needs to answer, and the question is this... Why did
0:43:17 > 0:43:25the position of Crown representative to Carillion remained vacant during
0:43:25 > 0:43:29the crucial period of August to November, when the profit warnings
0:43:29 > 0:43:33were being issued, the share price was in freefall, and many people
0:43:33 > 0:43:39were very worried?I'm afraid I have to say to the right honourable
0:43:39 > 0:43:44gentleman, of course... And can I say to the shadow front secretary, I
0:43:44 > 0:43:48will indeed answer the question, but I know that she herself has praised
0:43:48 > 0:43:51Carillion in the past for the work that they have done -- the Shadow
0:43:51 > 0:43:53Foreign Secretary.
0:43:59 > 0:44:03Can I say to the right honourable gentleman, yes, there is obviously
0:44:03 > 0:44:06now a Crown representative who's been fully involved in the
0:44:06 > 0:44:11Goverment's response. Before the appointment of the Crown
0:44:11 > 0:44:14representative, to replace the one that had previously been in place,
0:44:14 > 0:44:17the Government chief commercial officer and the Cabinet Office
0:44:17 > 0:44:20director of markets and suppliers took over those responsibilities. It
0:44:20 > 0:44:24was not the case that there was nobody from the Government who was
0:44:24 > 0:44:29looking at these issues, that's a standard procedure, to ensure that
0:44:29 > 0:44:32there was oversight of Carillion's contracts with the Government during
0:44:32 > 0:44:35the appointment of the Grand Rapids and if.Well, they clearly weren't
0:44:35 > 0:44:41looking very well! Carillion went into liquidation with debts we now
0:44:41 > 0:44:46understand to be £1.29 billion. A pension deficit of £600 million.
0:44:46 > 0:44:50And, at the same time, this company was paying out ever-increasing
0:44:50 > 0:44:59shareholder dividends, whilst the excessive bonuses to directors, and,
0:44:59 > 0:45:02today, 8000 Carillion workers on private sector contracts will no
0:45:02 > 0:45:05longer be paid. The chief executive is going to be paid, however, for
0:45:05 > 0:45:11another ten months. One rule for the super rich, another for everybody
0:45:11 > 0:45:16else. Can the Prime Minister assure the House today that not a single
0:45:16 > 0:45:21penny more will go to the chief executive or the directors of this
0:45:21 > 0:45:29company?Can I first stage of a right honourable gentleman that
0:45:29 > 0:45:32obviously this is a situation that is changing as decisions are being
0:45:32 > 0:45:36taken, but my understanding is that there are a number of private sector
0:45:36 > 0:45:41contracts who have now come to an agreement, and facilities management
0:45:41 > 0:45:44contractors who have come to an agreement with the official receiver
0:45:44 > 0:45:50that means that their work is -- their workers will indeed continue
0:45:50 > 0:45:53to be paid. The official receiver is doing their job of working with
0:45:53 > 0:45:57those companies. He has raised the issue of bonuses. Of course, people
0:45:57 > 0:46:02are concerned about this issue and want, and are rightly asking
0:46:02 > 0:46:05questions about it. That's why we are making sure that the official
0:46:05 > 0:46:08receiver's investigation into the business dealings of the company is
0:46:08 > 0:46:14fast tracked, that it looks into the conduct not just of current
0:46:14 > 0:46:17directors, but also of previous directors and their actions. And the
0:46:17 > 0:46:23official receiver does have the powers to ensure that, in reviewing
0:46:23 > 0:46:27payments to executives, where those payments are lawful are justified he
0:46:27 > 0:46:33can take action to recover those payments. -- are unlawful or
0:46:33 > 0:46:36unjustified. It is important that the official receiver is able to do
0:46:36 > 0:46:40their job. It is also important, the Goverment's job is to continue the
0:46:40 > 0:46:43bright public services, and that is what we are doing. The right
0:46:43 > 0:46:48honourable gentleman said earlier, it was the Goverment's job to ensure
0:46:48 > 0:46:52that Carillion was properly managed. We are because the of Carillion, not
0:46:52 > 0:46:56the manager of Carillion, that is the important difference but we are
0:46:56 > 0:47:00the customer of Carillion. And it is also important that we have
0:47:00 > 0:47:03protected taxpayers from an unacceptable bailout of a private
0:47:03 > 0:47:10company.Mr Speaker, when Carillion went into liquidation, many
0:47:10 > 0:47:15contractors were still unpaid. This company, Carillion, were notorious
0:47:15 > 0:47:23late payers, taking 120 days to pay, placing a huge burden on small
0:47:23 > 0:47:27companies. Four times longer than the 30 days in the prompt payment
0:47:27 > 0:47:32code that Carillion had indeed themselves signed up to. So, why did
0:47:32 > 0:47:36the Government allow a major Government contractor to get away
0:47:36 > 0:47:41with this? Will she commit to label's policy that abiding by the
0:47:41 > 0:47:45prompt payment code should be a basic requirement for all future
0:47:45 > 0:47:54Government contracts?Of course, we look at the behaviour of companies
0:47:54 > 0:47:58that we contract with in relation to payments. This question of prompt
0:47:58 > 0:48:02payment has been one that has been brought up in this House, I have to
0:48:02 > 0:48:07say, for as long as I have been in this House. And work is always being
0:48:07 > 0:48:10done on it. But the right honourable gentleman has raised an important
0:48:10 > 0:48:14point about the impact of Carillion's liquidation on small
0:48:14 > 0:48:18companies. That's why this morning the Business Secretary and the city
0:48:18 > 0:48:23Minister held a Round Table with the banks to discuss credit lines to
0:48:23 > 0:48:32small and medium-sized enterprises, and to make clear that SMEs are not
0:48:32 > 0:48:34responsible for the collapse of Carillion. The Business Secretary
0:48:34 > 0:48:36has also held further round tables today with representatives of small
0:48:36 > 0:48:38businesses. Construction trade associations, and trade unions,
0:48:38 > 0:48:42workers unions, to make sure that we are on top of the potential effects
0:48:42 > 0:48:46on the wider supply train. It is right that we look at those very
0:48:46 > 0:48:50carefully and take this action. And it is also right that we do put in
0:48:50 > 0:48:54place through the DWP support for any workers who do find themselves
0:48:54 > 0:49:00no longer employed as a result of this.Jeremy Corbyn.It's a bit late
0:49:00 > 0:49:04for one subcontractor, floor attack of £800,000 by Carillion have
0:49:04 > 0:49:08already had to make some of their staff redundant by the collapse. --
0:49:08 > 0:49:12Florette Tech. This is not an isolated case of Government
0:49:12 > 0:49:22negligence and corporate failure. It is a broken system. Under
0:49:23 > 0:49:24is a broken system. Under this Government, this Government, virgin
0:49:24 > 0:49:30and Stagecoach, can spectacularly mismanaged the east Coast Main line
0:49:30 > 0:49:37and be let off a £2 billion payment. Capita and a toss can continue to
0:49:37 > 0:49:42wreck the lives through damaging disability assessment of many people
0:49:42 > 0:49:47with disabilities, and win more Government funded contracts. G4S
0:49:47 > 0:49:51promised to provide security at the Olympics, and fail to so, do and the
0:49:51 > 0:49:56army had to step in and save the day. These corporations, Mr Speaker,
0:49:56 > 0:50:03need to be shown the door. We need our public services provided by
0:50:03 > 0:50:07public employees with a public service ethos, and a strong public
0:50:07 > 0:50:13oversight. As the ruins of Carillion lie around her, will the Prime
0:50:13 > 0:50:18Minister act to end this costly racket of the relationship between
0:50:18 > 0:50:24Government and some of these companies?
0:50:24 > 0:50:27I might first to mind the right honourable gentleman that a third of
0:50:27 > 0:50:32the Carillion contracts with that Government were led by the Labour
0:50:32 > 0:50:40government. What we want is to provide good quality public
0:50:40 > 0:50:45services, delivered at best value to the taxpayer. We're making sure in
0:50:45 > 0:50:48this case that public services continue to be provided, that the
0:50:48 > 0:50:52workers in those public services are supported and taxpayers are
0:50:52 > 0:50:57protected. But what Labour oppose isn't just a role for private
0:50:57 > 0:51:01companies and public services but the private sector as a whole. The
0:51:01 > 0:51:05vast majority of people in this country in employment are employed
0:51:05 > 0:51:10by the private sector, but the Shadow Chancellor calls businesses
0:51:10 > 0:51:18are the real enemy. Labour won the highest taxes in our peacetime
0:51:18 > 0:51:23history, Labour policies would cause a run on the pound. This is a Labour
0:51:23 > 0:51:29Party that has turned its back on investment, on growth, on jobs, a
0:51:29 > 0:51:41Labour Party that will always but politics before people.
0:51:45 > 0:51:51Mr Speaker, can I thank the Prime Minister for visiting Cheam on
0:51:51 > 0:51:55Saturday, where she heard from local residents about the poor services
0:51:55 > 0:51:59provided by the complacent Lib Dem council. People should not have to
0:51:59 > 0:52:05settle for second best so would she agree with me back to unlock Sutton
0:52:05 > 0:52:11and London's potential on May the 3rd, by giving residents the
0:52:11 > 0:52:14opportunity to get great services and value for money by voting
0:52:14 > 0:52:20Conservative?I was very happy to join my honourable friend on the
0:52:20 > 0:52:24doorsteps in Cheam and hear from people about the issues, about
0:52:24 > 0:52:26Liberal Democrat services in Sutton and Cheam, particularly around the
0:52:26 > 0:52:33rubbish bins. I believe they are now up to 6p per household. I think they
0:52:33 > 0:52:36are trying to get to one Bendtner every Liberal Democrat member of
0:52:36 > 0:52:43Parliament. But he is absolutely right, the evidence is that
0:52:43 > 0:52:45Conservatives deliver better services at less cost the council
0:52:45 > 0:52:51taxpayer. And well we are talking about customer council taxpayer,
0:52:51 > 0:52:55only last week Labour's Ben Fryer minister announced that Labour
0:52:55 > 0:53:02policy was to put council tax up on every average typical home by £320.
0:53:02 > 0:53:11People should know that a vote for Labour is a vote to pay more.
0:53:11 > 0:53:13Labour is a vote to pay more.Thank you, Mr Speaker. Can the Prime
0:53:13 > 0:53:19Minister tell the House what official advice she has had on the
0:53:19 > 0:53:22impact on the UK economy from leaving the EU single market and
0:53:22 > 0:53:29when she requested any such advice? I have to say to be honourable
0:53:29 > 0:53:34gentleman that of course as we go through the Brexit negotiations, we
0:53:34 > 0:53:38are constantly looking at the impact that decisions that are taken will
0:53:38 > 0:53:43have on our economy. What we want to ensure is that we maintain good
0:53:43 > 0:53:48access, a good conference of free trade agreement with the EU, while
0:53:48 > 0:53:52also, as leaving the EU, we will be able to ensure that we get good free
0:53:52 > 0:54:00trade agreements with other parts of the world.Thank you, Mr Speaker. 19
0:54:00 > 0:54:05months after the EU referendum and the Prime Minister has not a shred
0:54:05 > 0:54:12of economic analysis on the impact of leaving the single market. On
0:54:12 > 0:54:15Monday, Scottish Government published its second analysis paper,
0:54:15 > 0:54:20revealing some horrifying facts. Leaving the single market will cost
0:54:20 > 0:54:27each Scottish citizen up to £2300 a year. How many jobs have to be lost
0:54:27 > 0:54:34and how much of a hit will families take before this Prime Minister
0:54:34 > 0:54:41recognises the folly of leaving the single market?He asks me for
0:54:41 > 0:54:45economic analysis. I will give him some economic analysis. We saw the
0:54:45 > 0:54:49figures this morning for GDP growth in Scotland. In the third quarter,
0:54:49 > 0:54:59GDP in Scotland group by 0.2%. In the rest of the UK it grew by 0.4%.
0:54:59 > 0:55:05Over the last year, GDP in Scotland, under an SNP government in Scotland,
0:55:05 > 0:55:15grew by 0.6%. In the United Kingdom as a whole, it grew by 1.7%. My
0:55:15 > 0:55:21economic analysis, 1.7% is better than 0.6 percentage you are better
0:55:21 > 0:55:27off with a Conservative government than an SNP won.Will the Prime
0:55:27 > 0:55:32Minister look at the case of my late constituent and barnyard, who was
0:55:32 > 0:55:38badly injured by a shoplifter. She recently died, partly because of
0:55:38 > 0:55:44these injuries at the young age of 70. -- Anne Banyard. Her claim has
0:55:44 > 0:55:49been delayed and her family worries that it will collapse completely.
0:55:49 > 0:55:52Will she support me and the local paper in supporting this case and
0:55:52 > 0:55:58will to make clear that the rights of victims should be a part of our
0:55:58 > 0:56:00criminal policy?My honourable friend is right to put the case for
0:56:00 > 0:56:03the rights of victims that he is absolutely right that we should
0:56:03 > 0:56:08always remember victims. I'm very sorry to hear the case of his late
0:56:08 > 0:56:11constituent Anne Banyard and I know that the whole house will want to
0:56:11 > 0:56:16join me in offering condolences to her family in this tragic case. Of
0:56:16 > 0:56:21course, as my honourable friend knows, the criminal compensation
0:56:21 > 0:56:26authority administers the scheme and applies the rules dependably of
0:56:26 > 0:56:29government but I'm sure the Justice Secretary will be happy to meet with
0:56:29 > 0:56:33my right honourable friend to discuss this case.At the
0:56:33 > 0:56:40internationally embarrassing news of the Tory council leader from my
0:56:40 > 0:56:42neighbour in Maidenhead and Windsor and his disregard for the homeless
0:56:42 > 0:56:46around the royal wedding and the recent put-downs to the Prime
0:56:46 > 0:56:48Minister and our government by President Trump, can the Prime
0:56:48 > 0:56:52Minister confirm whether she actually wants an invite to be
0:56:52 > 0:56:56extended for the royal wedding and a state visit to the very stable
0:56:56 > 0:57:00genius from the US who, by the way, seems to be copying all the
0:57:00 > 0:57:05buzzwords from his not so strong and stable -- from this not so strong
0:57:05 > 0:57:10and stable government?He knows that we have a special during
0:57:10 > 0:57:13relationship with the United States. An invitation to President Trump for
0:57:13 > 0:57:18a state visit has been extended. I have to say to the honourable
0:57:18 > 0:57:21gentleman, I'm not responsible for invitations to the royal wedding to
0:57:21 > 0:57:24take place but he did reference the Royal Borough of Windsor and
0:57:24 > 0:57:29Maidenhead council. I just think he should be aware that the Royal
0:57:29 > 0:57:33Borough has taken a number of actions to support vulnerable
0:57:33 > 0:57:37residents, including those who are homeless. The establishment of an
0:57:37 > 0:57:43emergency night shelter, open 365 days a year, a day service attached
0:57:43 > 0:57:46to that, providing support services to vulnerable residents, a
0:57:46 > 0:57:50comprehensive seven day a week service for the homeless or those at
0:57:50 > 0:57:55risk of homelessness, and they applied the severe weather emergency
0:57:55 > 0:58:01protocol. They offered accommodation to, I think, 32 homeless people on
0:58:01 > 0:58:09the streets, of whom 21 took about accommodation and 11 did not.
0:58:09 > 0:58:11accommodation and 11 did not.Thank you, Mr Speaker. Cancer can strike
0:58:11 > 0:58:15anyone no matter where they live in the UK. The sunrise appeal in
0:58:15 > 0:58:19Cornwall raised £300 million since 2000 to fund equipment and buildings
0:58:19 > 0:58:23for cancer care. Brussels by the NHS could see radiotherapy services
0:58:23 > 0:58:27moved from Cornwall to Devon. This would see many constituents having
0:58:27 > 0:58:31to travel hundreds of miles to access treatment many times a week.
0:58:31 > 0:58:34These proposals are unacceptable to my constituents and the vast
0:58:34 > 0:58:38majority of people in Cornwall. Does the Prime Minister agree with me
0:58:38 > 0:58:41that travel time should be taken into account when making these
0:58:41 > 0:58:44decisions, and will she join me in encouraging the people of Cornwall
0:58:44 > 0:58:48to respond to the NHS consultation? My honourable friend raises an
0:58:48 > 0:58:52important point and we do want to be sure that patients get the best
0:58:52 > 0:58:55cancer services. We want to see them getting access to treatment and
0:58:55 > 0:58:58ensuring that they get that on a timely fashion, of course. The
0:58:58 > 0:59:02length of time it takes them to travel to that treatment is an
0:59:02 > 0:59:05important issue. That's why we are establishing radiotherapy networks
0:59:05 > 0:59:09that will review any access issues and service provision on a regular
0:59:09 > 0:59:14basis and address any shortcomings in the area, and that is backed up
0:59:14 > 0:59:18by £130 million on new and upgraded radiotherapy machines. But he is
0:59:18 > 0:59:21absolutely right that these decisions should be taken primarily
0:59:21 > 0:59:24at a local level and I would join him in encouraging the people of
0:59:24 > 0:59:30Cornwall to respond to the consultation.Mr Speaker, last week
0:59:30 > 0:59:35my constituent Carol's son had a mental health crisis. He was
0:59:35 > 0:59:39admitted to the nearest available psychiatric adult bed in West
0:59:39 > 0:59:43Sussex, a 450 mile round trip from his home and family in Manchester.
0:59:43 > 0:59:48The lack of mental health beds is a national crisis and scandal so when
0:59:48 > 0:59:51will the Prime Minister turn her warm words on mental health into
0:59:51 > 0:59:56action to solve the crisis?I can say to the honourable gentleman,
0:59:56 > 0:59:59obviously I am sorry to hear of the experience of his constituent. We
0:59:59 > 1:00:05are turning the words that we have put on in terms of a priority for
1:00:05 > 1:00:08mental health into action. Is them over a slew? Yes, that is why we are
1:00:08 > 1:00:12continuing to put an emphasis on this. We do see more people being
1:00:12 > 1:00:15able to access mental health services everyday. We've increased
1:00:15 > 1:00:19the number of people having access to therapies, we've increased the
1:00:19 > 1:00:23funding available for mental health. There is more for us to do but we
1:00:23 > 1:00:25are putting more money in and taking more action on mental health than
1:00:25 > 1:00:31any previous government.
1:00:31 > 1:00:32any previous government.Sir Desmond Swayne.
1:00:32 > 1:00:40CHEERING Order! Order! The right honourable
1:00:40 > 1:00:47gentleman is extremely alert! Order! And I want to hear what he is going
1:00:47 > 1:00:51to say.A question keeps me awake at night...
1:00:51 > 1:00:59LAUGHTER How will companies be encouraged to
1:00:59 > 1:01:05follow her lead in the way that Iceland has done?I am very pleased
1:01:05 > 1:01:10to say that we have seen Iceland this week making a commitment to be
1:01:10 > 1:01:13plastic free. We have seen other companies making commitments to
1:01:13 > 1:01:18ensure that any plastics they use are recyclable in a number of years
1:01:18 > 1:01:22and I'm very happy to join my honourable friend in saying that we
1:01:22 > 1:01:26will be encouraging companies to follow Iceland's lead. We will also
1:01:26 > 1:01:29be consulting on how the tax system or the introduction of charges could
1:01:29 > 1:01:33further reduce the amount of waste we create and we are launching a new
1:01:33 > 1:01:37plastics innovation fund, backed up by additional funding that the
1:01:37 > 1:01:41Government is investing in research and develop and, to ensure that we
1:01:41 > 1:01:47do really reduce the amount of plastic that is used and leave this
1:01:47 > 1:01:51land and environment in a better state than we found it.We can all
1:01:51 > 1:01:54learn about brevity, myself included, from the right honourable
1:01:54 > 1:02:00gentleman. David Linden...
1:02:00 > 1:02:03gentleman. David Linden...A constituent of buying has profound
1:02:03 > 1:02:08mental health difficulties and was put on Universal Credit in 2016 and
1:02:08 > 1:02:13received a 276 day sanction. A judge ruled that that sanction was wrong
1:02:13 > 1:02:16and it has been overturned. Will the Prime Minister agree to look into
1:02:16 > 1:02:21that case but above all, will she apologised to my constituent?
1:02:21 > 1:02:24Obviously, I am sorry to hear the case that the honourable gentleman
1:02:24 > 1:02:26has set out. I am very happy to ensure that that cases properly
1:02:26 > 1:02:35looked into.
1:02:35 > 1:02:38looked into.Thank you, Mr Speaker. Following transport for the North's
1:02:38 > 1:02:41announcement on northern Powerhouse rail, will the Prime Minister
1:02:41 > 1:02:44confirm that given its commitment to invest in northern transport
1:02:44 > 1:02:48infrastructure and ensuring that the northern Powerhouse materialises?I
1:02:48 > 1:02:53am happy to give a commitment to the northern Powerhouse and given the
1:02:53 > 1:03:00great cities across the North -- giving very great cities of the
1:03:00 > 1:03:03North begins a search of a need to create that Northern Powerhouse. We
1:03:03 > 1:03:08are spending a record £13 billion to transform transport across unaltered
1:03:08 > 1:03:10top we have made transport for the north of a need to create that
1:03:10 > 1:03:13Northern Powerhouse. We are spending a record £13 billion to transform
1:03:13 > 1:03:15transport across unaltered top we have made transport for the North
1:03:15 > 1:03:17the first-ever subnational transport authority. They have published their
1:03:17 > 1:03:19strategic plan for consultation and I would hope that all members with
1:03:19 > 1:03:22an interest in this issue would engage in that consultation and make
1:03:22 > 1:03:29sure their views and their constituents' views are heard.His
1:03:29 > 1:03:32Holiness Pope Francis has this week condemned hostility to migrants in
1:03:32 > 1:03:37communities across Europe. They must open themselves without prejudice to
1:03:37 > 1:03:43the rich diversity of immigrants. As a committed Christian, would Prime
1:03:43 > 1:03:49Minister agree with Francis that hostility to migrants is a sin?What
1:03:49 > 1:03:56I say to her is that this country has a fine record over not just
1:03:56 > 1:04:00decades but centuries, of welcoming refugees and ensuring that people
1:04:00 > 1:04:03can come to this country and make their home in this country, and that
1:04:03 > 1:04:11is what we will continue to do.
1:04:11 > 1:04:15is what we will continue to do.John Worboys is likely to be one of the
1:04:15 > 1:04:20worst sex attack is our country has ever known and when he was in court
1:04:20 > 1:04:23he denied his guilt and was continuing to deny it until 200
1:04:23 > 1:04:26years ago. He dismissed his crimes as banter and only last year was
1:04:26 > 1:04:30deemed too dangerous to be put into open release conditions. The short
1:04:30 > 1:04:35sentence he has served is an insult to his victims and shows a contempt
1:04:35 > 1:04:39for Justice. Does the Prime Minister agree with me that the decision must
1:04:39 > 1:04:46now be judiciary the -- judicially reviewed and that those cases should
1:04:46 > 1:04:51be broader when tried in court?I thank him for raising this and this
1:04:51 > 1:04:55is a case that is rightly raising deep concern among the public but
1:04:55 > 1:05:01also all members across this House. As my honourable friend will know,
1:05:01 > 1:05:04the Parole Board is rightly independent of government and even
1:05:04 > 1:05:08insensitive cases such as this, we must ensure that independence is
1:05:08 > 1:05:12maintained and we don't prejudice decisions. But although they have
1:05:12 > 1:05:17decided to approve his release with stringent licensing decisions --
1:05:17 > 1:05:20conditions, the Justice Secretary has made clear she is taking legal
1:05:20 > 1:05:25advice on the possibility of a judicially -- judicially review on
1:05:25 > 1:05:29Mr Dock it is right that we would conduct a review to look at options
1:05:29 > 1:05:35for change and this... Public protection is our priority and I
1:05:35 > 1:05:38think often people are concerned when they see decisions of the
1:05:38 > 1:05:42Parole Board being taken and they are not aware of the decisions
1:05:42 > 1:05:45behind that. There may be limits to what can be done but I figured it's
1:05:45 > 1:05:49right that we look into this case and question the issue of
1:05:49 > 1:05:53transparency.Many thanks. By constituent informed me that she had
1:05:53 > 1:05:59been raped and beaten by her ex-partner, requiring an injunction.
1:05:59 > 1:06:03Much to her horror, the bank would not close a joint account unless she
1:06:03 > 1:06:09attended with the perpetrator. When banks were left to their discretion,
1:06:09 > 1:06:15women's lies are being put at risk. Will the Prime Minister ensure
1:06:15 > 1:06:18policy to protect survivors is included in a pending domestic
1:06:18 > 1:06:22violence spills?
1:06:22 > 1:06:26The honourable lady clearly raises a very distressing case. We want to
1:06:26 > 1:06:30ensure that we give problems of bot to all of those -- we give proper
1:06:30 > 1:06:34support to those who have been subjected to be abuse of the kind
1:06:34 > 1:06:39that the honourable lady has been referred to. The Home Secretary will
1:06:39 > 1:06:43be issuing consultation on the proposed legislation which is an
1:06:43 > 1:06:48opportunity for issues such as this to be raised.Thank you, Mr Speaker.
1:06:48 > 1:06:52A brutal attack occurred in my constituency over the weekend, a
1:06:52 > 1:06:59young woman tragically died. Will the Prime Minister ex then to her
1:06:59 > 1:07:03sympathies to the family and pay tributes to the hard work of the
1:07:03 > 1:07:07emergency services who attended the scene?Can I say to my honourable
1:07:07 > 1:07:11friend Comey he told me about this very distressing case last night,
1:07:11 > 1:07:15and this is a horrific case. And I do extend my sympathies, and I'm
1:07:15 > 1:07:18sure the whole House extends their sympathies and condolences to her
1:07:18 > 1:07:24family and friends at this tragic death that has occurred. I will also
1:07:24 > 1:07:29congratulate the emergency services on the action that they have taken.
1:07:29 > 1:07:32But also, I think, from the description my honourable friend
1:07:32 > 1:07:38gave to me last night, I think we should have some thought and care to
1:07:38 > 1:07:41all of those who were witnesses to this particular incident, through
1:07:41 > 1:07:46their fault of their own other than happening to be at a particular
1:07:46 > 1:07:51premises at liberty to The Times or through no fault of their own.The
1:07:51 > 1:07:54Prime Minister will be aware that Northern Ireland has not have the
1:07:54 > 1:07:58government now for over a year. Decisions need to be taken to
1:07:58 > 1:08:01protect our health service, education and local communities.
1:08:01 > 1:08:06Does the Prime Minister agree that in the absence of a Government being
1:08:06 > 1:08:09formed, it is imperative that her Government takes the decision to
1:08:09 > 1:08:14appoint direct rule ministers as soon as possible so that a budget
1:08:14 > 1:08:22can be put forward to deal with this urgent problem?We are committed to
1:08:22 > 1:08:24re-establishing fully functioning, inclusive devolved administration
1:08:24 > 1:08:28that works for everyone in Northern Ireland. I don't underestimate the
1:08:28 > 1:08:31challenges that remain involved here, but we still believe that a
1:08:31 > 1:08:34way forward can be found under the agreement can be reached. I would
1:08:34 > 1:08:38say it is imperative that the parties re-engage in intensive
1:08:38 > 1:08:42discussions aimed at resolving the outstanding issues so that the
1:08:42 > 1:08:47assembly can meet and an executive can be formed. We do recognise,
1:08:47 > 1:08:50however, that we have a responsibility to ensure political
1:08:50 > 1:08:55stability and good governance in Northern Ireland. As I say, our
1:08:55 > 1:08:59priority was on ensuring that we can work with bodies to re-establish the
1:08:59 > 1:09:02devolved government in Northern Ireland. But we recognise the need
1:09:02 > 1:09:06to ensure that Northern Ireland can continue to operate and that public
1:09:06 > 1:09:14services can continue to be provided.I thank her for her
1:09:14 > 1:09:21earlier response to my colleague from North Cornwall. NHS England are
1:09:21 > 1:09:23investing £130 million in the radiotherapy treatment for air and
1:09:23 > 1:09:28less common cancers. Can she confirm and reassure my constituents that
1:09:28 > 1:09:33there is no need for existing good radiotherapy services in Somerset to
1:09:33 > 1:09:37be moved in order to deliver this cancer treatment for our cancers?
1:09:37 > 1:09:42Well, as I said in relation to the earlier question from my honourable
1:09:42 > 1:09:46friend -- for rare cancers. We recognise the importance of ensuring
1:09:46 > 1:09:50that people have access to these treatments, and we do recognise the
1:09:50 > 1:09:54issues that people sometimes face in relation to travelling to the
1:09:54 > 1:09:58centres where these services are available. This is primarily a
1:09:58 > 1:10:02decision to be taken at local level. As I did earlier, I would encourage
1:10:02 > 1:10:06people to take part in the consultation, to respond to the
1:10:06 > 1:10:09consultation, so that local views can truly be heard and taken into
1:10:09 > 1:10:15account.My constituent, Chris Robinson, has the weight 52 weeks
1:10:15 > 1:10:20for her pain relief treatment, instead of the 18 weeks that a
1:10:20 > 1:10:25properly funded NHS would deliver. How much longer will it take for the
1:10:25 > 1:10:31Prime Minister to sort things out? Can I say to the honourable
1:10:31 > 1:10:35gentleman, that we are putting more money, as he knows, into the
1:10:35 > 1:10:39National Health Service, in the autumn budget the Chancellor of the
1:10:39 > 1:10:43Exchequer but a further £2.8 billion into the National Health Service.
1:10:43 > 1:10:47But if we are looking at the issues of treatment across the National
1:10:47 > 1:10:52Health Service, we have to be very clear that while Labour's answer is
1:10:52 > 1:10:55always does, more money, this is about ensuring that all hospitals
1:10:55 > 1:11:01across the NHS are operating and acting in accordance with best
1:11:01 > 1:11:05practice. We have world-class hospitals in our NHS, we want to
1:11:05 > 1:11:12ensure they are all world-class.I understand London has been mentioned
1:11:12 > 1:11:16as a potential host to the Bayeux Tapestry. Given that visitors to
1:11:16 > 1:11:22London wish to see two site chucking at each other or already very well
1:11:22 > 1:11:26catered for by the gallery in this chamber, can I ask the Prime
1:11:26 > 1:11:29Minister to put in a good word for Battle Abbey in East Sussex, where
1:11:29 > 1:11:36viewers cannot just see the tapestry -- can not just see the tapestry but
1:11:36 > 1:11:42can also see the views of the Sussex countryside.I think it is very
1:11:42 > 1:11:45significant that the Bayeux Tapestry is going to be coming to the United
1:11:45 > 1:11:49Kingdom and that people are going to be able to see this. I hear the bid
1:11:49 > 1:11:54that he has put in. I have to say to him that from a set of true position
1:11:54 > 1:11:56on the front bench my right honourable friend the Home Secretary
1:11:56 > 1:12:00and member for Hastings also put in a bid for this particular issue and
1:12:00 > 1:12:04I'm sure we will be looking at very carefully to ensure that the maximum
1:12:04 > 1:12:11number of people can take benefit from seeing this tapestry.Thank
1:12:11 > 1:12:13you, Mr Speaker. The Prime Minister pledged to consign slavery to the
1:12:13 > 1:12:16history books. On... The National Audit Office said that the Home
1:12:16 > 1:12:20Office has not set out how a reduction will be measured. The Home
1:12:20 > 1:12:23Office does not set clear anti-slavery activity, the Home
1:12:23 > 1:12:26Office does not knowing what activity will be going on across
1:12:26 > 1:12:30Government and does not monitor business compliance with the Modern
1:12:30 > 1:12:34Slavery Act. Is the Prime Minister satisfied with that analysis of her
1:12:34 > 1:12:37flagship policy, and what action will be Government by taking?It is
1:12:37 > 1:12:41this government that introduced the Modern Slavery Act. It is this
1:12:41 > 1:12:49Government that... It is this Government that has improved the
1:12:49 > 1:12:52response to victims, the response from police in catching
1:12:52 > 1:12:56perpetrators. We see more cases being brought the prosecution than
1:12:56 > 1:13:00we have done before, we see more victim is willing and able to come
1:13:00 > 1:13:04forward and having the confidence to come forward. Have we dealt with the
1:13:04 > 1:13:08problem? Of course there are still problems out there. But we want to
1:13:08 > 1:13:12ensure, as my right honourable friend the International Development
1:13:12 > 1:13:15Secretary said earlier in international element questions, not
1:13:15 > 1:13:18just that we take action here in the United Kingdom, that we work with
1:13:18 > 1:13:27countries where
1:13:27 > 1:13:32countries where the women are doing. Members across this House have sung
1:13:32 > 1:13:37for Syrians. Last week in Idlib, a clinic and a kindergarten that we
1:13:37 > 1:13:43support were bombed by Syrian government destroyers. Will the
1:13:43 > 1:13:49Prime Minister join me in paying tribute to the bravery of the staff
1:13:49 > 1:13:54at the hands up foundation, who continued to work there, and also in
1:13:54 > 1:13:58reassuring ordinary Syrians that in the seventh year of this terrible
1:13:58 > 1:14:03war that we haven't forgotten them by.Well, can I say to my honourable
1:14:03 > 1:14:07friend, she has been a great champion for charities working in
1:14:07 > 1:14:12Syria, and particularly for the singing for Syrians. And I am very
1:14:12 > 1:14:15happy to join her in praising the bravery of all of those working for
1:14:15 > 1:14:19the hands up foundation. And also others working for other charities
1:14:19 > 1:14:23in the region, doing valuable and important work. We continue to make
1:14:23 > 1:14:28every effort to achieve our goals in Syria. That is of course defeating
1:14:28 > 1:14:32the scourge of Daesh. But also ensuring that we achieve a political
1:14:32 > 1:14:35settlement that end the suffering and provides the ability for all
1:14:35 > 1:14:42Syrians and the wider region. And we continue to provide significant
1:14:42 > 1:14:45humanitarian assistance, £2.46 billion to date.Can the Prime
1:14:45 > 1:14:51Minister tell me why the failed Wakefield Academy was allowed to
1:14:51 > 1:14:55take over schools in Bradford, even though there were concerns as far
1:14:55 > 1:15:02back as 2015 around them? Can she give me assurances here today that
1:15:02 > 1:15:06the hundreds of thousands of pounds taken from schools in my
1:15:06 > 1:15:09constituency, one of the poorest in the country, will be returned
1:15:09 > 1:15:15immediately.We of course have a priority to ensure that children
1:15:15 > 1:15:19across the country receive a great education, whether they are in the
1:15:19 > 1:15:23north or the South. Of course, seven of our 12 opportunity areas in
1:15:23 > 1:15:27providing that support or in the North and Midlands, the front line
1:15:27 > 1:15:31of our approach, tackling inequality in education outcomes. We are taking
1:15:31 > 1:15:35forward, he is concerned about northerners Gauls, we are taking
1:15:35 > 1:15:37forward recommendations for the Northern Powerhouse schools
1:15:37 > 1:15:42strategy. We are putting record levels of funding into our schools,
1:15:42 > 1:15:44and have announced increased funding for our schools over the next two
1:15:44 > 1:15:51years.I'm local charities will be holding a meeting to discuss how we
1:15:51 > 1:15:56can fight the problem of loneliness in our community. At a national
1:15:56 > 1:16:00level, what is the Prime Minister doing to implement the important
1:16:00 > 1:16:03recommendations of the Jo Cox commission on loneliness?My
1:16:03 > 1:16:07honourable friend has raised a very important issue, he is exactly
1:16:07 > 1:16:10right, but too many people, loneliness is the exact reality of
1:16:10 > 1:16:14their modern wife. We know it has an impact on mental and physical
1:16:14 > 1:16:19health. -- of their modern life. Later today, I will be hosting a
1:16:19 > 1:16:23reception for the Jo Cox foundation looking at this issue of loneliness
1:16:23 > 1:16:27in number ten Downing St. I think the work that Jo Cox started that
1:16:27 > 1:16:33has been continued by my honourable friend is a member for South Ribble,
1:16:33 > 1:16:41and the honourable lady for Leeds West. It is very important, very
1:16:41 > 1:16:45important work. And I'm pleased to say that the Government has
1:16:45 > 1:16:50appointed a Minister for loneliness. I think this is an importance that
1:16:50 > 1:16:53forward, of course there is more to do, but it shows that we recognise
1:16:53 > 1:16:57the importance of this issue, and I pay tribute to all of those in this
1:16:57 > 1:17:00House who have championed this issue.You Universal Credit was
1:17:00 > 1:17:08meant to remove benefit traps. The Department for education wants to
1:17:08 > 1:17:12base eligibility for free school meals on income threshold, if a
1:17:12 > 1:17:16family gets a small pay rise, they immediately lose the benefit of the
1:17:16 > 1:17:21school meals and end up worse off. It is a far worse benefit trap than
1:17:21 > 1:17:26anything in the old benefit system. Surely one department should not be
1:17:26 > 1:17:29torpedoing the aim of getting rid of benefit traps. The Goverment's aims
1:17:29 > 1:17:35in this way.The right honourable gentleman knows that we believe that
1:17:35 > 1:17:39Universal Credit is a better system. It is a more simple system than the
1:17:39 > 1:17:45benefits it replaced and it encourages work -- people to get
1:17:45 > 1:17:49into the workplace. But once Universal Credit is fully rolled
1:17:49 > 1:17:52out, we will see 50,000 more children eligible for free school
1:17:52 > 1:17:58meals than under the old system. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Can I welcome
1:17:58 > 1:18:03the great speech that the Prime Minister gave last Thursday on the
1:18:03 > 1:18:09environment? It is right that the Prime Minister and indeed this party
1:18:09 > 1:18:12supports companies that promote sustainable growth, but does the
1:18:12 > 1:18:17Prime Minister also agree with me that any commercial development must
1:18:17 > 1:18:23take now into account the needs of the environment?Can I say to my
1:18:23 > 1:18:26honourable friend, I thank him for the comments he made about the
1:18:26 > 1:18:30speech. But what it was about was the 25 year environment plan that
1:18:30 > 1:18:38the guv -- the Government has published. It is important to leave
1:18:38 > 1:18:41the environment in a better state than when we came into it. I also
1:18:41 > 1:18:46agree with him that all too often people see economic growth or
1:18:46 > 1:18:50protection of the environment as opposites, they are not. And it is
1:18:50 > 1:18:53absolutely possible for us to ensure that we are protecting our
1:18:53 > 1:18:57environment whilst producing that economic growth, not least because
1:18:57 > 1:18:59of the innovative technologies that we could be developing to ensure
1:18:59 > 1:19:06that we are protecting our environment.The people of Wales
1:19:06 > 1:19:11have been taking back control since 1999. But the EU withdrawal bill
1:19:11 > 1:19:15will put our powers back under lock and key in Westminster. My
1:19:15 > 1:19:19colleague, Stefan Langer is a, is today proposing a Welsh continuity
1:19:19 > 1:19:24built to ensure that our powers are at liberty. When this Plaid Cymru
1:19:24 > 1:19:32bill wins image team our Assembly, will the Prime Minister support it
1:19:32 > 1:19:37and respect Wales' serenity.Her portrayal of what is happening in
1:19:37 > 1:19:43the EU withdrawal bill is simply wrong. We are working with the
1:19:43 > 1:19:46devolved administrations to ensure that we deal with the issues that
1:19:46 > 1:19:51have been raised around clause 11 and a question of powers that need
1:19:51 > 1:19:56to remain at UK level to ensure our internal market, but powers will be
1:19:56 > 1:19:59devolved and extra powers will be devolved to the devolved
1:19:59 > 1:20:03ministrations. We continue to work with the devolved administrations on
1:20:03 > 1:20:07this, and we will be bringing forward a two clause amendment in
1:20:07 > 1:20:11the House of Lords, but we want to win sure that that meets the needs
1:20:11 > 1:20:14of the UK and the devolved ministrations.Order.
1:20:19 > 1:20:26Well, we were right. Mr Corbyn did go on Carillion, the bankrupt, now
1:20:26 > 1:20:29being liquidated, construction company and he wanted to know from
1:20:29 > 1:20:32the Prime Minister why when it was clear that the company was in
1:20:32 > 1:20:36serious trouble the Government continued to dole out contracts to
1:20:36 > 1:20:39it. There were times when you may have thought he'd been watching the
1:20:39 > 1:20:43first half hour of the Daily Politics, such was his line of
1:20:43 > 1:20:46questioning, or at least some of his staff may well have been. I'm not
1:20:46 > 1:20:54quite sure how much further we got on with this but it finished up,
1:20:54 > 1:20:57really, with Mr Corbyn attacking almost the very concept of
1:20:57 > 1:21:04outsourcing to the private sector, private services and perhaps even
1:21:04 > 1:21:10construction contracts. That was quite clear. And Mrs May giving the
1:21:10 > 1:21:16defence of the private sector in the provision of public services, and
1:21:16 > 1:21:19ideological divide if you like. Let's discuss this with the Cabinet
1:21:19 > 1:21:27office minister Oliver Dowden, Chi Onwurah, and John Pienaar. Not sure
1:21:27 > 1:21:31we learned anything new from that exchange.No and Jeremy Corbyn was
1:21:31 > 1:21:37spoiled for choice for attack lines, a number of which I think had a fair
1:21:37 > 1:21:42chance of striking a chord with the public looking in - the awarding of
1:21:42 > 1:21:45quite large pay and severance bonuses and deals to past executives
1:21:45 > 1:21:49who were there just a few months ago while this company was going down. A
1:21:49 > 1:21:53lot of people will have sympathy with that line of attack. The
1:21:53 > 1:21:57question posed by Jeremy Corbyn, which you were discussing earlier,
1:21:57 > 1:22:01why were contracts being handed over to this company when it was in such,
1:22:01 > 1:22:06such trouble. We had from Theresa May most of the time a fairly
1:22:06 > 1:22:09defensive dead bat to this. She did and so that latter question quite
1:22:09 > 1:22:13bluntly, made more bluntly than Oliver felt able to early on the
1:22:13 > 1:22:18show, when he said, if we had not handed these contracts over because
1:22:18 > 1:22:21there had been profit warnings, the company would have gone down the
1:22:21 > 1:22:24plug that much sooner and those jobs would have gone. Which still left
1:22:24 > 1:22:28other questions unanswered. If that is the complete answer, next time
1:22:28 > 1:22:30will there be another company teetering on the brink which is
1:22:30 > 1:22:36still given contracts in this way, and the failure barely addressed?
1:22:36 > 1:22:39Surely the answer is going to have to be no and the answer will have to
1:22:39 > 1:22:42come at a review is taken now but they ended up with basic ideology,
1:22:42 > 1:22:47which is where it starts.Oliver Dowden, the Prime Minister said they
1:22:47 > 1:22:49couldn't pull out of contract because that would have made certain
1:22:49 > 1:22:53that the company would fail. But the issue is not pulling out of
1:22:53 > 1:22:58contract, the issue was continuing to grant new contracts to the
1:22:58 > 1:23:00company even though it was clearly in trouble. That's a different
1:23:00 > 1:23:06matter.Yes, and in respect of that, as we discussed earlier, we
1:23:06 > 1:23:10structure them in such a way that they were joint ventures, we were
1:23:10 > 1:23:12stringent on the joint ventures. What you've seen subsequently is
1:23:12 > 1:23:16that the other parties are stepped up there has been no interruption to
1:23:16 > 1:23:21public service delivery. John makes an important point about jobs. In
1:23:21 > 1:23:25relation to jobs, anyone working in the public sector, 40 %, their jobs
1:23:25 > 1:23:28are secure because the Government is going to pay out on this contract
1:23:28 > 1:23:32and we know this morning from the official receiver that in relation
1:23:32 > 1:23:36to the private sector service contracts, most of those will
1:23:36 > 1:23:40continue, so people can be secure in that section.But they won't be
1:23:40 > 1:23:44paid?They will continue to be paid because those contracts are going to
1:23:44 > 1:23:48continue to be honoured because they will continue to be delivered on.If
1:23:48 > 1:23:52you are an SME, a small contractor that Carillion gets the big contract
1:23:52 > 1:23:58then hands out hundreds, if not thousands, of smaller contracts and,
1:23:58 > 1:24:01for the last 120 days, you've been working away and you put your bill
1:24:01 > 1:24:07in as a small contractor, the company is now in liquidation. That
1:24:07 > 1:24:18private company won't get paid.In respect will it? Carillion Bosworth
1:24:18 > 1:24:21company has two parts, 4010 public sector and 6010 private sector. In
1:24:21 > 1:24:24relation to the 40 percentage the public sector, through the official
1:24:24 > 1:24:27receiver those contracts will be honoured all the way through the
1:24:27 > 1:24:31supply chain service people will be fine. In relation to the contract
1:24:31 > 1:24:34the private sector, almost all of the service contracts will continue
1:24:34 > 1:24:39to be honoured because, for example, if you have a cleaning contract, the
1:24:39 > 1:24:42officer still needs to be cleaned so those will be delivered upon.
1:24:42 > 1:24:45Clearly, in relation to the remaining part, which is in the
1:24:45 > 1:24:48private sector, that will be treated as in any other private sector
1:24:48 > 1:24:53liquidation. The official receiver will seek to recover as much as he
1:24:53 > 1:24:56possibly can and they will be creditors to that company so the
1:24:56 > 1:25:01amount that they get paid depends on a liquidation process.So far the
1:25:01 > 1:25:06latest guesstimate was that they will get a penny in the pound.It is
1:25:06 > 1:25:12impossible to speculate that was the official receiver. The company has
1:25:12 > 1:25:17almost nothing on its balance sheet so there are no assets to dig into.
1:25:17 > 1:25:22At a £29 million of cash in the bank and that's about it. I take your
1:25:22 > 1:25:26point that if you are a cleaning company to which the cleaning has
1:25:26 > 1:25:29been subcontracted, you will probably be able to continue to do
1:25:29 > 1:25:33that.Exactly where the money will come from I am not sure. But if I
1:25:33 > 1:25:37have just submitted a bill for the past 120 days and have not yet been
1:25:37 > 1:25:43paid, I won't get paid.In respect of the cleaning company, those
1:25:43 > 1:25:48people will beat you bid over. That means you continue on the same deal.
1:25:48 > 1:25:56-- those people will be TUPEd over. As and those people who are
1:25:56 > 1:26:00essentially creditors, this is purely private sector, they will not
1:26:00 > 1:26:04be paid yet. In any liquidation the process is that the official
1:26:04 > 1:26:07receiver seeks to recover as much as possible and then they will get paid
1:26:07 > 1:26:11but that is absolutely no different to any other situation with a
1:26:11 > 1:26:17private company.Mr Corbyn at the end had quite a generalised attack
1:26:17 > 1:26:22on the whole concept of outsourcing certain services to the public
1:26:22 > 1:26:30sector. Is it Labour's position that all of that.?I worked in the
1:26:30 > 1:26:34private sector for 20 years before coming to Parliament. You do not
1:26:34 > 1:26:37outsource what is your core competence in the private sector. At
1:26:37 > 1:26:44the core competence which the Prime Minister doesn't seem to recognise,
1:26:44 > 1:26:48and Oliver, is to deliver public services. So what we are saying is
1:26:48 > 1:26:51that the public sector, and Jerry said that quite clearly, and we've
1:26:51 > 1:26:59seem with virgin, G4S, the public sector should be delivering public
1:26:59 > 1:27:04services...So when it comes to the private provision of public
1:27:04 > 1:27:07services, for example rubbish collection, which is now largely in
1:27:07 > 1:27:13private hands, is it Labour's position to and that?It is Labour's
1:27:13 > 1:27:16position that where public services... Where possible, and we
1:27:16 > 1:27:21can't do everything at once, and we will need to look at the cost of
1:27:21 > 1:27:23locations, but where possible public services should be delivered by the
1:27:23 > 1:27:26public sector and I think that's quite clear.Including hospital
1:27:26 > 1:27:33laundry?We need to build the capacity and we need to recognise
1:27:33 > 1:27:40that the private sector can add capacity and resilience but in
1:27:40 > 1:27:44public services, people expect that their government should deliver...I
1:27:44 > 1:27:50get the principle, and trying to work out where it leads.You are
1:27:50 > 1:27:54making the private sector the public sector and that's why you are
1:27:54 > 1:27:59saying...The reason you have this contracting out, which many
1:27:59 > 1:28:03companies do... The reason they do it and the reason Government does,
1:28:03 > 1:28:07in relation to cleaning you have companies that have expertise. The
1:28:07 > 1:28:11effect of that as you save money for the taxpayer, so you have more money
1:28:11 > 1:28:16to pay for schools and hospitals.We have to leave it there. Our viewers
1:28:16 > 1:28:20need to know who won the Guess The Year Competition. The Only Way They
1:28:20 > 1:28:30Can Do That Is If You Press That Red Button.
1:28:30 > 1:28:34It was 1957, which is why we had all that old black-and-white footage.
1:28:34 > 1:28:42And the winner is... So, there we are.
1:28:42 > 1:28:44Now, we're launching an exciting new podcast today.
1:28:44 > 1:28:47In case you miss PMQs and want to catch up on the highlights,
1:28:47 > 1:28:50we'll be releasing our very own PMQs catch-up every Wednesday.
1:28:50 > 1:28:52You can subscribe to it on any number of podcast
1:28:52 > 1:28:56apps and on your phone.
1:28:56 > 1:29:03I'm told you can use that for calls as well! Bye-bye.