11/07/2017 House of Commons

Hello and welcome to BBC Parliament's live coverage of the

House of Commons. In now, deep is the Minister will make a statement

on the Taylor review into modern working practices and the economy.

After that, MPs will hold an emergency debate on contaminated

blood products. Labour's Dina Johnson says new evidence means

there should be held Christel public enquiry into the affair.

More than 2000 deaths have been linked to these candle in which

others were infected with hepatitis C and HIV from imported blood

products in the 1970s and 80s. After that, MPs will debate the remaining

stages of the air travel organisers like the bill which of these

predictions for holiday-makers. Around four o'clock, we cross lies

to the committee rooms where the Brexit secretary will give evidence

to the Lords European Union committee. At that point, you can

continue watching the House of Commons live on our website.

Do join me for a round-up of the day in both Houses of Parliament at 11

o'clock tonight. But first we have questions to the Foreign Secretary

Boris Johnson and his ministerial team.

Hors d'oeuvre. City of London open spaces bell, the chairman of ways

and means to revival mission. The question is on the order paper. I

think the ayes have it. Middle level Bill, the chairman of weather means

to move the revival mission. I beg to move. Objection. Objection taken.

Motion to be taken what Dave. Tuesday the 18th of July. Thank you.

Cemetery Bill, Lords. Move the revival mission. He is keen, very

keen today. I beg to move. The question is on the order paper. I

think the ayes have it. Chairman of ways and Means, to move, the motion

for an returns. Thank you. Not so much a nod as a magnificent bowel.

-- bow. Mr Nigel Huddleston. Number one, Mr Speaker. I should like to

begin by congratulating a rock's security forces for liberating Mosul

from the grass of Daesh, the flag of Iraq flies once more in the

country's 's second city and I pay tribute to the pilots who played a

vital role in supporting this operation, delivering more air

strikes than anyone else apart from the United States, I think the House

can take pride in what they have done. An illegal wildlife trade, I

think we can be pleased with the agreement be Prime Minister helped

to secure IBG 20 summit in Hamburg and I say to all honourable members,

this is not about cracking down on the trade in charismatic mega- fauna

but of course in cracking down on those who engaged not just in

illegal wildlife trafficking but in gun-running and people trafficking

and much other human misery. We can be proud of what we are doing. Nigel

Huddleston. I applaud the efforts of the Government is making in this

area and I am pleased that the UK will be hosting the illegal wildlife

trade conference in 2018. Can the Foreign Secretary confirm how much

the money the department has committed to tackling illegal

wildlife trade and how the money is being spent effectively? I can

confirm that we are increasing our contribution to ?26 million, another

?30 million to tackle illegal wildlife trade and I have myself

seen what UK finance projects are doing in ten year to crack down on

this while trade. Mr Speaker, thank you, I say to the

Foreign Secretary we have to give there is a much greater priority

than we do. Not only our Government but across the world. Every single

week it seems all mud it seems we see programmes on television, 55

African elephants are poached every single day. It is simply not good

enough and the Foreign Secretary has to make this a priority. It is not

good enough for us to look at our TV screens until sorry about it, we

have to have a far greater commitment to do something about it.

I completely share the Passion of the right honourable member. I would

point out that the UK has been on the lead on all this for several

years now and we will be continuing to push this agenda, not just at the

T20 as the Prime Minister did, but of course Attar IW teed summit that

we are hosting next October in London. With my right honourable

friend tell us a little bit of the strategy he is taken to approach

this? The link between illegal what I've trade, smuggling, people

traffic like lawlessness and pilots in many countries is extremely real

and so addressing wildlife trade may seem hysterical but it is not at

all, it's about the stability of many nations that farm partners of

the United Kingdom. It is not only touches the heart of millions of

people in our country, it helps to cause increased human misery because

the same people are involved in trading drugs, in arms, in human

trafficking, worth up to ?30 billion a year and we are playing a major

part in frustrating that trade. Thank you, Mr Speaker. There is

increasing evidence that the UK's legal ivory market has been used as

described for an illegal trade. What about them all-out ban on the ivory

trade? The honourable gentleman we know we have a commitment in this

Government to all-out ban on the sale of ivory in this country and

that is what we intend to pursue. Rachel McLean. Question number two,

Mr Speaker. With your permission, I will answer questions to answer for

together. The Foreign Office continues to support that... 14. The

give and -- forgive me. My department, my apologies. My

department indeed used to support EU exit negotiations and the Government

works to strengthen our relations with partners worldwide. As a

champion of free trade, we will continue to seize the opportunities

afforded by Brexit I guarantee our long-term global prosperity. Rachel

McLean. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank my right honourable friend for

this answer. Businesses in my constituency are looking to make the

most of the opportunities of Brexit provides for them. But can my right

honourable friend ensure me that he will work closely with the

Department of trade, the Department for exiting the EU to ensure

businesses that are already trading with the single market are given

support to help build new export markets for their goods and services

around the world to ensure their continued prosperity?

Absolutely. I congratulate my honourable friend on what I believe

is her first question in this chamber and I think it is a very

good one and she can reassure her constituents that, of course, not

only will the excellent companies in her constituency be able to continue

to enjoy free trade with the rest of the European Union, with the EU 27,

but of course they will have the additional opportunity afforded by

the new free trade deals that we will be able to strike with

countries around the world. I am pleased to say that they were

queueing up to make that point to the Prime Minister IBG 20 in

Hamburg. Today is the feast Day of Saint Benedict, the agency of

Europe. He famously warned against against the others. Will my right

honourable friend please proclaim that we do not want any murmuring

from anybody against our vision of an open, free trade in Europe, the

best possible free-trade deal, leading the world towards free trade

and on tour prosperity? I think my right honourable friend makes an

excellent point. Members on both sides of this House know very well,

85% of us were elected on a very clear manifesto to come out of the

European Union, to come out of the single market and as the leader of

the Labour Party has said to come out of the customs union as well.

Nothing could be clearer than that and I think what the people of this

country want us to do is to get on and deliver a great Brexit and with

the support of members opposite, I have no doubt that we can achieve

it. Ben Bradshaw. A transition period of three years during which

we will remain under the jury system at the ECJ. Neither the Secretary of

State has said any such thing. Cue him being called second, I am not

sure he minds. Hilary Benn. In March, the Foreign Secretary said

leaving the EU with no deal would be perfectly OK. However, last month

the Chancellor of the Exchequer said that would be a very, very bad

outcome for Britain. Since the two positions are clearly completely

contradictory, who should the British public believe? I think what

the British public can take from both the Chancellor and myself and

indeed from the vast majority of Labour members opposite, as I

understand, their position, that we all want to get on and do the deal

and do the best deal possible and to leave the EU. Mr John Barron. The

Australian Government which negotiated free-trade deals with

China, Japan and South Korea in very short order by focusing on trade

itself, rather getting bogged down in disputes rather to standings and

legalities and regulations. I agree very much with what my right

honourable friend has said and I think with a bit of gumption and a

bit of positive energy, there is no limit to what we can achieve and we

should get on and do it and of course we cannot ink in the

free-trade deals now but we can certainly pencil in the outline.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister 's spokesman was reported as saying the

transition rules could involve the European Court of Justice for a

limited time, that is a matter for negotiation. That was the quake that

was reported. Can the Foreign Secretary confirmed this change in

Government policy and set out the rationale behind it? We are in the

negotiation whose objective is to out from under the penumbra of the

European Court of Justice outside the EU legal order and that is what

we will achieve. Since we joined the Common Market

until the date we leave, we will have given the EU a total of ?209

billion. Will the Foreign Secretary make it clear that if they want a

penny more, they can go and whistle? I am sure my honourable friend the's

words will have broke like a thunderclap over Brussels and they

will pay attention to what he has said, and he makes a very valid

point. I think these sermons I have seen that they proposed to demand

from this country seem to me at extortionate, and I think to go

whistle is an appropriate expression. Will the Secretary of

State ensure in the spirit of cooperation the final Brexit deal is

endorsed by the devolved parliaments before it assigned? About as the

honourable gentleman knows very well, we work closely with the

ministerial committee to bring in the devolved administrations and to

make sure the great deal we are going to get has their endorsement

and their approval. Further to the question from the right honourable

gentleman for Leeds Central, did my right honourable friend he had a

report on the today programme this morning that other European leaders

were making it clear that they would not accept a deal on any terms, does

he share my view that what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the

gander? May I congratulate my honourable friend on his sixth

child? Many congratulations on that. He makes a good point about the

negotiation stance of our friends and partners across the Channel.

They do sound at the moment they are pretty hard over, as we see in the

Foreign Office, but I have no doubt in the fullness of time, a

suddenness will descend and a willingness to compromise, because a

great Brexit deal, a grapefruit trade deal, a deep and special

partnership is in our interest -- great deal. Given the given the

prime Mr's appeal to these benches to help her out, where does the

Foreign Secretary field there are areas for compromise? As I said, I

think the striking thing about this debate is how much unanimity there

is between the two sides of the chamber on the fundamental

questions. I've been very struck by the right honourable gentleman, the

leader of the Labour Party, he seems to be very much on all fours with

the objectives of the Brexit... I don't wish... He very much agrees

with the position we are taken, they hope to see him in the lobbies with

us. I hate to disagree with the Foreign Secretary. While he is right

to say the Leader of the Opposition is fully behind the government, and

these benches are fully behind the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary,

it is the opposition that is hopelessly split on this issue. Is

that not hindering the government's negotiating position? It is not for

me to comments on the ability of the Labour leader to control his party,

I take it they are all following Labour policy, which is to come out

of the EU, come out of the single market. If they aren't, they can

stand up now and buy their questions portray their position. They are

supporting the will of the British people as expressed last year. If

they wish to dissent from that, now is the time. Can I start by

welcoming the new Foreign Office front bench in their positions? Back

in July last year, I wrongly accused them of being an all-male team. If

only I'd waited a year. I would have been correct. Mr Speaker, talking of

female Tory MPs, the member of the Newton Abbot use a disgusting racist

phrase in her Commons at the East India club. I hope the Foreign

Secretary will join me in condemning them. I hope you will agree

offensive language deriving from the era of American slavery has no place

in modern society. The member of Dean Abed was trying to ask a valid

question. A question about what would happen if Britain fails to

reach a deal -- Newton Abbot. Can I asked the Foreign Secretary to

answer that question today? Can he explain what that no deal option

would mean to the people and businesses of Great Britain? As I've

said before, I think the chances of such an outcome of vanishingly

unlikely, since it is manifestly in the interests of both sides of the

Channel to get a great free trade deal and new special partnership

between us and the European Union, and that is what we will achieve.

Unfortunately, it leaves us in on the wiser, it is baffling, it is the

Prime Minister, at least for now, he decided to put the deal of the no

deal option on the table. She couldn't stop using the phrase

Junior election campaign, and now are me ask what it means in

practice, they refuse to tell us. The Foreign Office, the Foreign

Affairs Committee said in December, I quote, the government should

produce a new deal plan identifying the likely consequences, and making

proposals to mitigate potential risks. Anything else would be a

dereliction of duty. We cannot have a repeat... Order. I apologise the

interesting here, but he needs to bring herself a single sentence,

because there are lots of colleagues who want to take place. Is normally

succinct. Return to form. Given a plan to no deal would be worse than

that dereliction of duty, can I asked the Foreign Secretary to spell

out what no deal would mean, can you reassure as it is not, at a very

least he has a private plan to manage the risk? There is no plan

because we will get a great deal. Just for the sake of example and

alliteration, I would remind the honourable lady that there was a

time, I old enough to remember it, when Britain was not in what we call

the Common Market. Foreign officials are working closely with colleagues

to prepare for the 400th anniversary, nine please Oliver

Colville, the former member for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport, has

been appointed chair by the Prime Minister, and they will make the

most of the opportunity to commemorate the legacy of the

pilgrims and the special relationship. Well, Mrs Biggar, I

thought the Prime Minister wanted help from the opposition bench -- Mr

Speaker. I'm here available. The re-elected co-chair of the pilgrims

group. I was prepared to offer my services to take on this role rather

than on parliamentarians. Nevertheless, can the good people

expect support from this government as promised by George Osborne to

properly celebrate the fact that the pilgrims and their legacy, including

the modern United States, originates in battered hall? At least eating

claim that it has strong coastal links, but we do welcome already his

contribution to the House by the comments he made on the 9th of

March, reminding us of the anniversary, it will be an historic

opportunity for us to celebrate. Across the sows, we will think of

every possible way in which we can do so to best effect. The importance

of the anniversary can hardly be overstated. Would it not be a more

suitable dates for a state visit from the president of the United

States to have it in 2020 to mark this, rather than in the months to

come? I note the suggestion, but that matter is already in train, and

the visit offered to the president stands. I thank my right honourable

friend because the UK is in the lead on this issue helping Ukraine to

make the vital reforms that need to do and to continue on a cracking

down on corruption, which is so important if we are to encourage a

long-term and continued investment in a successful Ukraine. Can I

congratulate my right honourable friend on the organisation last week

of the Ukraine reform conference in London? It demonstrates that Britain

will continue to play a leading role on the world stage. But can he

confirm that whilst Ukraine still faces major challenges, progress is

being made in areas like tackling corruption, and canny see what more

we can do to assist them? May I get the ball back over the net by

congratulating my right honourable friend on the coming chair on the

Ukraine all-party group? We all in this House have a clear interest in

a strong and successful Ukraine, not why we've invested another 33

million in helping Ukrainians to tackle the problems of governance.

The House should be in no doubt about what is going on in Ukraine.

This is an arm wrestle, if you like, between two value systems come our

way of looking at the world and the Russian way, and it is vital for our

continent and vital for this country that Alloway prevails, and we're

British help, I believe it is prevailing and will prevail. So far

there has in a single sign of all the efforts Britain has rightly made

in relation to Ukraine, paying dividends in terms of Russia

stopping its corrupt meddling in that country. He is right the fault

lies with Russia, they annexed Crimea, they drive the problem in

the Donbas region. What you are seeing from the UK, and by the way,

we are contributing the efforts to stave off that Russian military

meddling with a non-lethal equipment that we've agreed to send to

Ukraine. But more importantly, we are engaging, held the Ukrainians to

sort out their domestic, political scene, to crack down on Russia. To

be fair to Ukrainians, they aren't only seeing 4% growth, depending on

the figures you believe, but they have made more progress in cracking

down on corruption in the last three years than in the last 25 years. A

very different country is being born. Our bilateral relationship is

strong because it is a deep bond of friendship rooted in our shared

histories and common values. We look forward to strengthening those ties

over the coming years and have agreed to hold regular strategic

talks to maximise the full potential of this important bilateral

relationship. I thank the Minister that response. Canadian investment

is important and my consistency and across the UK. As we move forward in

leaving the EU, seeking a free-trade deal with Canada, however

relationship will be more important, as is specifically our relationship

with the provincial governments. Do we have the network in place across

Canada to make sure we are making the best of those relationships? On

behalf the House, I express our sympathy to all those in British

Columbia who been affected by the damaging wildfires in that province.

Our Consulate general in Calgary, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver do

work for a provincial governments to increase bilateral trade,

particularly in the infrastructure sector. We are working across all

levels of the Canadian government to ensure British companies can take

full advantage of the opportunities offered by the Canada EU, rent of

economic and trade agreement. Is he not aware, I have strong family

relationships and Canada, is he not aware that senior diplomats in

Canada are absolutely aghast at the way in which this government is

handling our withdrawal from Europe and its impact on world trade? They

believe the swashbuckling sector ministers are not the right people.

I have to say, positive energy and gumption won't give us a good deal

in Europe. We need people who have a eye for detail, this Foreign

Secretary has no idea about detail! I simply don't recognise the

analysis right honourable gentleman has offered the House on any matter

he's just mention. May I say, I think I were opportunities for

future trade with Canada will be enormous once we've left the

European Union. I thank the Minister, 2017 marks the 150th

anniversary of the Canadian Confederation, and our two nations

face together some of the most difficult challenges in our history

in that period. Will he agree that actually with those relationships,

provides a great relationship to build on and reject the nonsense we

just heard? Yes, I agree emphatically. We also offer our

congratulations to Canada on the anniversary of Canadian

Confederation. We are please the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of

Cornwall were able to join celebrations in Ottawa to mark the

celebration. On a practical basis, the Foreign Secretary met Foreign

Minister last week and agreed to hold talks to ensure we can maximise

the full potential of this important and close by that relationship way

beyond the expectations of the right honourable gentleman opposite.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. We have a strong and wide-ranging relationship

with the Philippines on prosperity, education and security issue.

Ministerial visits to the Philippines and annual high-level

talks between officials help a graph that corporation. Most recently, my

right honourable friend was there as recently as last December and this

enables us to discuss concerns about human rights was pursuing closer

diplomatic and trade links. Mr Speaker, my skin constituency has

been held in Philippines since 2008. Sentence on to produce foreign

employment defence. They have failed to acknowledge a clemency request

despite his poor health. Concerns about the safety of the institution

and his parents worried they will not see him again. Well my

honourable friend set out what is being done to support his family's

efforts to bring him home? May I thank for his work over the

many years on behalf of Mr Taylor's parents in North Swindon. We have

been providing ongoing well for support to Kevin Taylor since his

arrest almost ten years ago. Most recently a visit in prison and we

have liaised with his parents only yesterday. Our consulates are bought

as extended to delivering funds and vitamins, medical points after Mr

Taylor brought his health concerns to our attention. A clemency request

was made as recently as 2015 that I reassure my honourable friend we

will do our level best to continue this work and I will be in touch

without apartment to ask to redouble his efforts in the days ahead. Thank

you, Mr Speaker. In the year since the president of Philippines took

ASBOs, 13,000 people have been killed. He has threatened to extend

martial law across the entire country and last week, he said he

would eat the livers of terrorists with salt and vinegar. But the

Secretary of State for International Development claims that Britain has

shared values with the president. Could the Minister tell the House

which values we share with the President? The honourable lady will

recognise the shared values in relation to international trade and

we need to recognise that. Indeed with all dedication, it is not an

issue of ditching anything else, I, like the honourable lady, concerned

about the high death toll in the war on illegal drugs has come to a head

in his role. We have been urging much more thorough independent

instigation at all violent deaths that have taken place I would say

that from our perspective, we have repeatedly and will continue to

raise human rights concerns with the administration and I will be doing

so with Manila and I have at some to be visiting to make light of the

Kaci made. -- the case she has made. Pay tribute to the campaigns on the

subject, our policy in relationship to Zimbabwe kiddies used to be to

balance out the best days of the horrifying record of Bieber Gabi

regime -- Mugabe and the people have suffered terribly over the last 40

years. Can I welcome the honourable member to his position and wish him

every success in it? $53 million was spent by Mugabe on private travel

overseas last year, the same time the United Kingdom paying

proportionally more in UK aid to that country than any other country

in Africa. Does he think that perhaps with the election is coming

next year and Mugabe refusing to permit the 20 13th Constitution, now

is the time to put some of that money into helping voter education

in those rural areas can show? Thank you, Mr Speaker. The answer is that

I agree. We are trying to balance a very difficult thing which is the

terrible performance of the Mugabe regime with a country where people

have been dying of cholera, suffering extreme him a humour tarry

in need. Focusing on free and fair elections is one of the first things

we can do in a country like Zimbabwe. The policy of incremental

engagement with Zimbabwe is the be best, sometimes an unpalatable best

policy. But with the Minister consider in the near term actually

visiting Zimbabwe, which would be a great step forward and prospered the

UK in a better position for relationships longer term? The

honourable member has huge expertise is African Minister. The decision on

whether or not I as a minister were to visit Zimbabwe depends a great

deal on the genuine commitment to the Zimbabwe Government towards

reform and I will be guided by the ambassador of the country as to when

such a visit would be necessary and possible.

Number eight. We are in costs contact with our

international counterparts, including most recently at the

organisation of American States summit last month. I issued a very

strong statement on the 6th of July, utterly condemning the 5th of July

attack on Venezuela's national assembly and its elected members and

calling for the Venezuelan Government to uphold the

Constitution and show respect for democratic institutions and the

statement was echoed by many political colleagues across the

world mark. Thank you, Mr Speaker. The Leader of

the Opposition described the regime in Venezuela is offering an

alternative agenda from which we could learn. The alternative agenda

has seen the economy collapse, poverty increase, dozens of people,

scores of people killed in civil unrest and now an attempt to

undermine both the elected Congress and the independent Attorney

General. Will my right honourable friend confirm that Her Majesty's

Government strongly condemns the attempt by the regime to rewrite the

constitution and rock out democracy? The Leader of the Opposition does

seem to be a great fan of the Venezuelan Government. A passable

impression himself as Fidel Castro won sometimes things. What is

happening to the Venezuelan economy gives us a very clear indication of

what would happen to the UK economy if ever the right honourable

gentleman were Prime Minister. Mr Speaker, what practical steps

have been taken to deal with famine on the border between Venezuela and

Colombia by the British Government? There are no easy such attempts. We

do not have a bilateral programme that are in touch with the United

Nations. But the very question of the honourable lady does illustrate

the extent to which the Venezuelan Government has driven their own

people to poverty, running very short of some of the most basic

goods on which they have to live. Number nine, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker. We readily raise these issues with Israel, calling for a

reversal of the policy of settlement expansion. I reiterated that in the

House of Commons last week but also recently both the Foreign Secretary

and myself have made statements strongly condemning proposals the

new settlement expansion in both the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Mr Speaker, only last week the right-wing Israeli Government

announced a further expansion of the illegal settlement programme so it

is clear that whatever action the British Government is taking, it is

not working. It is not time Her Majesty's Government to more

response to this problem? Ensuring the proper labelling of all

importing goods so that they are designated as coming from an

illegally occupied Palestinian territory.

This is a long and difficult process, as the honourable gentleman

rightly dies. We have a policy in relation to labelling and continued

conversations will go on with the state of Israel in relation to, as

last week, the suggestion that the edge of the new housing units being

built and East Jerusalem. But it is a complex process, the United

Kingdom does not believe in boycotts of sanctions, but clear labelling

has been that the sometimes consumers can take their choice.

We have contributed to a number of structures, EU structures that have

been demolished. Will he asked the Government of Israel for our money

back? Mr Speaker, I think my right honourable friend is referring to

some work done by the EU. The EU has not sought compensation from the

state of Israel in relation to this and no decision has been taken on

any further action. Settlements are a barrier but they

are far from the only barrier to peace. The building blocks for the

peace process is our trade and economic development in the West

Bank and supports the coexistent projects to get them working

together. Funding for which, I'm afraid, this Government has stopped.

Can I asked the minister whether he will reinstate funding to the

coexistent projects to build the priest projects? The honourable

gentleman understands this issue extremely well and a extreme

bill-mac -- I agree there are building blocks and settlements are

by far from the only barrier in relations to that. Trade and

investment remains very important. We will be looking further out what

prospects are for any new initiatives. I'm aware of the

coexistent projects that he mentions and certainly I will be having a

look about wearing my joint responsibilities.

Mr Speaker, we are glad to see the Mr back working on this issue. But

this is the second time in the space of a week when the Foreign Secretary

has declined to speak about middle east and evolve the job to him

instead. And that follows his failure even to mention Israel or

Palestine in the Tory election manifesto. So I simply ask the

Minister, when are we going to hear the Foreign Secretary stand up and

condemn these new illegal settlements? The other day, this

week. I did it this week. Can I find the honourable lady for her warm

welcome and enjoy being back in this role, no matter what is broken at me

in response to it. Can I say the Foreign Secretary strongly condemned

the proposals that were announced at the West Bank quite recently. But I

like to feel he has confidence in his Minister for the Middle East. As

he has confidence in his soul missed a team to answer appropriate

questions but I have never known him to be shy of answering a question

when necessary. Question Time, Mr Speaker. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

United Kingdom was instrumental, Mr Speaker, in securing the Paris

agreement on climate change. We are helping other countries to meet

their targets and we are confident that we will be able to meet our own

ground-breaking target of reducing emissions by 18% by 2050. I thank

the Foreign Secretary for his answer. Last week, Downing Street

said the primers are intended to challenge President Trump on climate

change at the G20 meeting. With this and how have been better done before

he announced he was pulling out of the Paris agreement than after? As I

have told the House before, we made our views very clear to the US

administration, repeatedly we have expressed dismay that they have

withdrawn. But on the other hand, I think all members on both sides of

the House should acknowledge in all fairness that the United States has

made and continues to make, even under this initiation, continues to

make substantial progress in reducing greenhouse gases. This

country has reduced CO2 by 42% since 1990, despite a 67% increase in GDP.

The United States has achieved, report progress and we intend to

encourage them on that path. Following the isolation of Donald

Trump at last week G20 Summit, on the issue of the Paris agreement,

further postponement of the trip to the UK, can I ask the sexual simple

question. Does the Government regard President John is the leader of the

free world, is so, how would they rate the job he is doing... As a

mark out of ten? -- president Trump. We certainly regard the achievement

of the Prime Minister as considerable as getting the US

president to sign up actually to the G20 agreement on climate change, as

she did. She is instrumental in getting the Americans to endorse.

Getting the Americans to sign up to the communique and I think members

on all sides of the House will appreciate that whatever

disagreements they have with the current incumbent of the White

House, the president of the United States is the leader of our most

important ally and he deserves that and respect for the consideration of

this country. Question 11, Mr Speaker. With the Foreign

Secretary's permission, ensuring the promotion of human rights and

engaging with this next essential part of the global policy of

Britain, ministers meet their cultivars readily and raise issues,

gender equality, modern slavery, freedom of belief and religion, the

death penalty and torture. It is an essential part is who we are the

United Kingdom and the Foreign Commonwealth Office. Back in March,

the UN human rights Council to commit atrocities. Women being raped

by the security forces. Does the Minister agree that the perpetrators

of such crime be brought to justice as a matter of urgency? And can he

tell us what I was recently in Burma and was able

to reaffirm the United Kingdom's sport for the Independent United

Nations commission. This is a difficult issue being wrestled with

by those in Burma. And the UK remains very close to the

humanitarian needs of the people there. The World Trade Organisation

estimates three out only for trade deals include provisions to improve

human rights, is what discussions has my honourable friend been having

with his colleagues in the Department of trade to make sure our

new trade deals include obligations to improve human rights where it is

appropriate? My right honourable friend is right, ensuring human

rights are an essential part of the future policy of the UK in terms of

trade deals. As these issues are raised now, it's an important part

of future and will continue to be a key part of our prosperity drive.

Following the arrest of amnesty International Turkey director, they

are examples of the worrying shift away from respected human rights in

Turkey. What steps has the Foreign Secretary himself taken to ensure

the immediate and unconditional release of these two people? The

right honourable lady knows these issues extremely well. My right

honourable friend the Foreign Secretary has raised this with his

counterpart on the Prime Minister raise this as the T20 were the

president of Turkey -- G20. This remains an important issue. On his

recent visit to Burma, did he encourage the Burmese government to

allow full access and cooperate fully with the fact-finding machine

looking into human rights issues in that country. Yes, indeed. It is a

difficult issue but we've made it very clear that the UN independent

report need full consideration. We'd urge the government to do all they

can to facilitate what the UN needs to complete its work. There is an

internal investigation already been carried out by the Burmese

government. We have been able to gain access

through our console. What efforts are being made to ensure the human

rights and the medical needs of the two people in prison are being

protected? Mr Speaker, I met with the family last week. I've raised

this issue directly with my counterpart, the Deputy Foreign

Minister of around, and the Iranian ambassador. We remain concerned

about this and other consulate cases involving around. I can assure the

lady we will continue to raise these at the highest issue. Briefly from

the front bench. As a government celebrated his victory in the High

Court over arms sales to Saudi Arabia, number of people affected by

the cholera epidemic in Yemen past 300,000. Humanitarian workers face a

choice of using it twinkling food supplies to be those children

suffering from malnutrition or those infected with cholera. In that

context, can the Minister told the House wired the Saudi led Coalition

continues to use British bombs to attack farms, food factories and

water plants? The judgment by the gorgeous today was unequivocal in

saying the United Kingdom had fully fulfilled its obligations under the

control of the arms trade. And also the work that was being toured with

the kingdom of Saudi Arabia in relation to its response to

international humanitarian law was fundamental to that judgment. The

situation in Yemen remains a humanitarian disaster, the actor

Kingdom is involved in seeking to do all it can, the cholera outbreak has

taken some 6500 cases each day. I am pleased we are fully engaged and

tried to do all we can to mitigate these actions -- United Kingdom.

He is new, I thought I was new, too. I am concerned the democratic

freedoms continue to face fundamental restrictions in the

Maldives. Pressure, including arrests has grown. Human rights

activists, the media art under threat. The government raise these

issues frequently with the Maldives government and we led the recent UN

statement in the gene human rights Council. My right honourable friend

will know that a Coalition of opposition parties in the Maldives,

led by the former president, committed to democracy and proving

relations with this country, has secured a majority in that country's

parliament. Does he share my concern is that the regime may resort to

legal means to prevent Parliament from properly functioning in that

country? I am very concerned is at that prospect. I have to say, no

one's hands in recent years in any part of the political environment in

the Maldives have been entirely clean. It has not been a happy

situation across the board. The biggest regret we have on this site

is the Maldives unilaterally left the Commonwealth in 2016, and I hope

a new regime will bring them back into the international regime in

this way. Firstly we should pay tribute to what United States has

done with its peacekeeping budget. It provides well over a quarter of

the global peacekeeping budget. Over $2 billion a year, which has not

eligible, so we need to pay tribute and encourage them to play the role,

that essential part. And then sticking to the Congressional limit

of 25% is vital for the UN peacekeeping operations. Does the

Minister agree the loss of financial support from the US will be

devastating, such as the world food programme Will they get them to

reconsider their planned cuts? It is right, in the current global

situation, UN peacekeeping operations are vital. But reforms

can be introduced. The move to close on the peacekeeping operation in

Ivory Coast, we can reduce costs and peacekeeping. It is vital the States

and others continue play a strong role, and support from United States

has been vital for the last 50 years and we hope it will continue to be.

Topical questions. Can I just remind colleagues in this Parliament,

topical questions are sure to be as -- supposed to be shorter. My

priority is to help resolve tensions in the Gulf where Britain has all

friendships and vital interests, that's why I've just returned from

visits to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and cut. I reinforce the need for

dialogue. I will the summit in Trieste tomorrow, whether UK is

playing a vital role in guaranteeing stability and resisting Russian

ambitions. Yesterday in Kashmir, seven Hindu pilgrims were brutally

murdered by terrorists, including five women whilst undergoing it.

What action has my right honourable friend taken to condemn this

outrage? Waterboard will he give to recovering and bringing to justice

the terrorists who we believe are in Pakistan -- what will he give? The

whole issue is something we are in close contact with. I give the

issuer and we will bring this up in the course of the next 24 hours and

as for a plan of action in the wake he has asked. Does the Foreign

Secretary agree that if there's to be an extension of military action

in Syria, there should be a full debate and vote in this House? That

is for the Leader of the House to consider, I can tell him that no

such request has been made. I must say I think the difference in the

current American administration's attitude, many people on the other

side of the House, is to be welcomed. As America appears to be

volunteering we surrendering power, and from the main platform of our

interest in the several decades, it is not vital the Foreign Office

address is substantially to beef up our dramatic effort so we may retain

our prosperity, security and our influence abroad? I'm delighted to

welcome him to a cause I think is gathering strength across both sides

of the House of Commons, everybody understands, global Britain must be

properly supported. We have a world-class network of embassies,

278, the best foreign service in the world, but they do need proper

financing and proper support. The Foreign Secretary has spoken in the

past about his ardent opposition to female genital meat elation. We'll

he therefore have a word with the Home Secretary who is yet to respond

to be -- mutilation. She is threatened with deportation. I raise

it with the Prime Minister and have yet to receive an answer. I heard

her raised this before. I'm sure the case of her constituent is indeed

very troubling. I'm sure the Home Secretary will have picked up what

she's had to say today. I welcome the part played by purchase forces

in stabilising the threat posed by Daesh. What does he and British

forces for ensuring that such an insurgency does not recur? I thank

him for an excellent question. It is one thing but others to drive Daesh

out of Ozil, but we must make sure the reasons they sprouted in those

cities do not recur and that this study -- the Sunni minority have the

confidence in their country. Not since the Suez crisis has a UK

Government been so combines of the defeated at the United Nations, as

it was last week. In this week's spirit of bipartisan cooperation,

should the Foreign Secretary would not grant the right of return? I

must respectfully disagree with the gentleman opposite. We secured

rather more positive votes than we had expected. As it happens, the

other side of the case got fewer than half the members of the UN in

support of their cause. I think that most impartial observers of the

matter would agree their case has been substantially weakened as a

result, not that it was a strong case to begin with. Last week

Palestinian president said he would continue paying prisoner salaries to

people who are murdered innocent civilians. Does the Foreign

Secretary agree with me that there is nowhere we will have peace in the

Middle East unless there are projects and support for coexistence

on the Palestinian side? My honourable friend is right, there

are a number of barriers on the Palestinian side to be able to make

progress. Support for incitement and terror is one of those, we are

looking carefully to make sure no payments go in the wrong direction.

It is true the Palestinian authority need to look very hard to make sure

it is not giving the wrong signals as we try to make progress on the

middle East peace process. Will the Minister pick up the phone

to the opposite numbers in India, do a deal to get the men deported so we

can have a pint in Chester before the summer is out? I do appreciate

the persistent with which he campaigns from his constituents, and

his raise it with me. I have in turn raises myself personally with my

Indian counterparts. What they say to me is they cannot interfere in

their own court system anymore than we can interfere in our own

quarters. That is where the massacre of your stance, but I want to assure

him we continue to raise him on that issue.

Does my right arm friend agree we have, as we leave the EU, a great

opportunity to boost our mutual trade and security interests by

enhancing our diplomatic relations with Ghana and other Commonwealth

countries? I want to pay tribute to the right honourable member, Ghana

is one of the most impressive recent of ultimate in Africa, three recent

transitions of democratic power, a rapidly growing economy and huge

example of how we moved to the Commonwealth, the Commonwealth can

become one of the great success stories of Britain's next five

years. The Paralympic games in Rio were a great success, showing

inspirational talent and importance of sports included worldwide. What

discussions has a foreign of us had with Japanese counterparts to lend

our full support to the Tokyo Paralympic games going forward?

I thank you right honourable lady for her question. A huge amount of

work is going on. But also very importantly, she rightly says, the

Shia organisation and we are working very closely to make sure there is a

seamless progress between 2012. I think it is going to be a great

success, the Paralympic games in Tokyo. In the next few weeks, the HR

Government from Libya are coming over here to visit the UK. I am

wondering if my right honourable friend or any of the friend bench

would like to meet them when they come over here because they play a

pivotal role in keeping peace in Libya. Mr Speaker, an expansion of

the Libyan political agreement we believe is necessary to move matters

along. There is a lot happening on the political and business side and

Libya as it gets back on its feet. Her be happy to meet those whom I

honourable friend wants to bring forward. Given the collapse of the

talks in Cyprus and that the Government remains a guarantor of

the process, what is the Government going to do now? Mr Speaker, very

sadly, the cyber stalks on which people have done so much work for

over two years collapse in the early hours of Friday morning. -- these I

press talks. This was a once in a generation trustee reunify the

island. Sadly it has been missed and rejected so we go back to the status

quo and it is enormous pity indeed, a tragedy for future generations

that agreement was not reached. In view of the continuing concerns

about human rights in Hong Kong, does my right honourable friend the

Foreign Secretary intend to make any further representation on the joint

declaration? I hope my honourable friend will be assured that the UK

has been very active in emphasising the significance of this joint

British decoration which is a legally binding treated richly with

the UN and continues to be reinforced today. Join my own

meeting with the Chinese ambassador I stress the UK's strong commitment

to the joint declaration. We urge the Chinese and the Hong Kong and

mistress and governors and all politicians in Hong Kong to retain

from any actions that Bill Clinton or undermine confidence in the one

country two systems principle. The Foreign Secretary has rightly

underlined the UK US relations in this new role. The relationship is

collect the light by cultural programmes which are now in peril by

President Trump's proposal to cut 47% from the budget. Will he make

representations to underline how we think the programme should be

expanded and pushed to the point of extinction? I stand here as a

Kennedy scholar which is a very similar sort of structure and we

have a fantastic programme of scholars sponsored by the front

office. My right honourable friend has confirmed that he will raise the

issue of scholarships with secretary to listen when he next season.

With a quart of a million people now refugees as a result of the

repression in human rights abuses in that country, what is the Foreign

Secretary doing to stimulate dialogue to resolve the political

impasse that? The situation in Bindi is very disturbing, we call upon all

on the brilliant president to -- upon the President and leading the

peace talks in Burundi as in so many countries in the war, the only

long-term solution is a political salutes you -- solution to a crisis.

Friends of Syria to discuss the desperate need to get more aid to

the hundreds of thousands being starved to death in Syria. I thank

the honourable gentleman for his persistence in pursuing this cause

and he is absolutely right, we have spoken across the chamber many times

about the humanitarian crisis in Syria. I will have great pleasure in

meeting the Syria group to discuss what the UK is doing by the House

will know that this country is the single, the second-biggest

contributor of humanity relief aid to Syria in the wild. Whilst I

welcome the fact that the Prime Minister raise the issue of the at

the G20, can he focuses efforts on the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and

seek a meeting with her urgently, it is almost four years have our bodies

have been languishing in jail there. I visited them myself. It is time

they were brought home. My right honourable friend is absolutely

right. He suggests an interesting avenue for further work. I will look

at the possibility of talking to the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

Whether we will be more successful in her in making our points, I wore

ascertained. We will leave no stone unturned. Mr Speaker, last week at

the same time as represented ?57 were meeting in the next, they were

convicting a human rights activist the charges on which defence

witnesses were not allowed to testify. The defendant was taken to

hospital during the trial and it was convicted in his absence. What

action the Government is taking to make sure the authorities in

Belarus... The most important thing we can do is enhance our bilateral

relations by visitor. No minister has visited Belarus for many years

and I intend to do so at the earliest opportunity.

As well as the physical rebuilding of Mosul, the Iraqi constitution

allows for them to regain power, looking at devolving power to the

people of Mosul. I am grateful to my honourable friend. He is right that

Iraq is an ethnically divided country, religiously divided

country, we must make sure that everybody feels properly represented

in the new constitution and evolution to Mosul is certainly an

option that we will be exploring. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Before he

meets the friends of Syria group, will he discussed a comrade is a

strategy to protect civilians with the Department for International

Development and a Ministry of Defence and we can have a proper

joint strategy at last? I can tell the honourable lady that is already

happening. Extremely grateful to the Foreign Secretary. I recognise there

is so unsatisfied demand but not as much as they might have been if I

had not overrun which I was pleased to do and I'm sure the Foreign

Secretary was equally enthusiastic. We will now proceed to the statement

by the parliament under section of state for business, energy and

industrial strategy. Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Margot

James. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Wealth

permission, I would like to make a statement about the independent

review of model working practices which was led by Matthew Taylor and

published earlier today. Mr Speaker, the review said that that British

business a success for creating jobs, enhancing earning power and

improving life chances across the UK. Employment rates are the highest

since records began stop unemployment and economic inactivity

record lows. More people are in work than ever before and minimum wage

rates have never been higher. This is a story of success and one which

this Government will seek to sustain. The UK's economy continued

success is built on the flexibility of our labour market, which benefits

both workers and business. Businesses can create jobs and

individuals can find work because our labour market regulation

balances the demands both. Minimum standards set a baseline, beyond

which is the air is flexibility to set arrangements to suit all

parties. Our dynamic approach responds well to fluctuations in the

economic cycle, without the structural weakness is present in

some other countries. It is important that we preserve the

success, but also enhance it further. While the majority of

people employed in the UK are in full-time, permanent employment,

globalisation, demographics and especially technology are changing

the way in which we work. We need to make sure that the British labour

market stays strong and everyone in the UK can benefit from it. And that

is why last year, the Prime Minister asked Matthew Taylor, chief

executive of the Royal Society of arts, to lead an independent review

into employment practices in the modern economy. That review has now

been published and I am delighted to lay a copy in the House library

today. It is a thorough and detailed piece of work for which I am very

grateful. Not only to Matthew and his panel members, but also to the

numerous businesses, trade unions, organisations and individuals who

have provided their views on this very important topic. The review has

a strong overarching ambition, but all work in the UK should be fair

and decent with realistic scope for fulfilment and progression. Matthew

has outlined seven principles to meeting this ambition and I would

urge honourable member is to examine these principles and the rest of the

report in detail senses is an important contribution to a crucial

subject, but to summarise these principles, they are that our

national strategy for work should be explicitly directed towards the goal

of good works rural. That platform based working welcomes opportunities

for genuine flexibility but there should be greater distinction

between workers or, as the review suggests renaming them, depending

contractors and those who are fully self-employed. That there should be

additional protections for this group and stronger incentives for

firms to treat them early. The best way to achieve better wickets to

good management and strong employment relations. That is vital

that individuals have realistically attainable ways to strengthen their

future work prospects. That there should be a more proactive approach

to workplace health and the National Living Wage is a powerful tool to

raise the financial a sign of low-paid workers but it needs to be

accompanied by sexual strategies -- sectoral strategies.

While we might not accept every recommendation in full, I am

determined that we consider the report very carefully and we will

respond fairly by the end of the year. Matthew Taylor has been clear.

The UK labour market is a success, the British way works. But he has

also said that there are instances where it is not working fairly for

everyone. For example, he highlights where our legislation needs updating

or where flexibility seems only to work one way, to the benefit of the

employer. We recognise the points made. We accept that as a country we

now need to focus as much on the quality of the working experience,

especially for those in lower paid roles as on the number of jobs we

create, vital though that is. This Government has made a commitment to

upholding workers' rights, the Prime Minister has said repeatedly in this

House and elsewhere that as we leave the EU, there will be no rollback of

employment protections. The Queen's speech also says that by this

Government will go further than that and will seek to enhance rights and

protections in the modern workplace. Today's publication of the good work

review and the public consideration of Matthew's recommendations that

will follow will help to inform the development of our industrial

strategy this autumn and I commend the statement to the House. Thank

you, Mr Speaker. When the Prime Minister set took office last year,

she stood on the steps of Downing Street, stating that she was on the

side of working people. Now, despite this rhetoric, the Conservatives

have been in Government now for seven years and in that time, they

have done very little for working people. They have presided over a

lost decade as product and productivity group, they have

implemented the pernicious trade union act, an ideological attack on

the train union movement, curbing their ability to fight for Anne

Robinson workers interests. They have inflicted hardship on public

sector workers with pay cap which has been confirmed yesterday by the

Department for Education for yet another year. They promise workers

on boards that road back scared when powerful interests that they were

not keen on the idea. They have introduced employment tribunal fees

which has made it much harder for workers to enforce their rights. So,

today, with the publication of the Taylor review, there was a real

opportunity to overhaul the existing employment system in a way that

would protect workers in a rapidly changing world of work. But in the

words of the general secretary of Unite, the biggest union in the UK,

instead of this serious programme the country urgently needs to ensure

that once again work pays in this country, we got a depressing sense

that insecurity is the inedible new norm. Indeed the minister confirm

that she might not even accept all of the proposals in the Taylor

report in any event. Now, the report was positive in sentiment across

many hours and Mrs many offshoots to plant an exploitation in the

workplace. I do not have time to cover the more today but I do have

specific concerns that the report may allow the Government to

interpreted references to the so-called depending contract in

order to row back on recent court victories for workers such as Uber

drivers and polymers. Recent case law suggested that work on a

platform with the entitled to the minimum wage as long as the aptly

reached which Diana and the willing to accept trips. In may insist on

payment by piece rate, that an average driver working averagely

hard will earn 1.2 times the minimum wage.

Will the Minister confirmed the government will not undermine

workers' rights and the minimum wage in this way? Indeed, Pimlico

plumbers's founder has said the report uses them as an example of

the best practice. Accompanied which our judicial system found to be an

example of worst practice. The report also does very little to

strengthen the ability of workers to enforce the rights they already

have. Whilst agreeing with Labour's position on shifting the burden of

proof to employers in determining self-employed sectors, there is

little else and this needs much more work. There's no movement at all in

relation to employment tribunal fees, which act as a barrier to

justice for many workers. If the Prime Minister wanted ideas on

strengthening workers' rights, she could have come to us. Just four of

our manifesto commitment alone will go long way to end the sky which of

exploitation in the Gega economy. Giving all workers equal rights from

day one, for example. Strengthening the enforcement of those rights by

giving up a better resourcing HMRC, not imposing pernicious cuts.

Allowing trade union access to every workplace, abolishing tribunal fees

and finally finding employers who breach labour market rights and

regulations. So, Mr Speaker, I asked the Minister in the spirit of the

so-called collaboration had Prime Minister is so desperately seeking,

will she commit to date to implement these forcible measures as a start?

Or if not, did she accept the Conservative Party is not and never

will be on the side of working people? -- for simple measures. I am

glad the honourable lady found some positive aspects to the report. To

complement Matthew Taylor run. I do appreciate you won't have had time

to read it all yet, but I do urge her to do so because there really

are many, many recommendations in that report that will be of benefit

to workers. And are worthy of the greater consideration that this

government will give the recommendations. I won't comment on

each of them, because they are Matthew Taylor's suggestions and

they will be given due consideration. She does criticise

this government's record, and so I would like to remind it is this

government that has introduced national living wage, that has

decided over the minimum wage being at its highest rate in real terms

since it was introduced. And the facts remain that the wage increases

we have seen in the last year have been at their highest among the

lowest paid banks of the national living wage. We have nearly doubled

the budget for enforcement of a national living wage, we have

doubled to find the companies who underpay their employers, we have

banned the use of exclusivity clause in zero hours contracts. And

employment, all the time, the backdrop is at a situation where we

have protected the growth in employment. At almost 75%,

unemployment is at its highest record level since records began. It

is a record of achievement. She criticises us for passing a trade

union act, but most reasonable people would not criticise the fact

that workers who are members of trade unions should have a proper

say when their union decides to take strike action. And that is the

purpose primarily of that legislation. It is not all a garden

of roses, otherwise the Prime Minister would not have requested

Matty Taylor to undertake the report. Flexibility and innovation

are vital. The PM said when she announced Matthew Taylor's

investigation, she said that as part of what makes our economy strong,

but it is essential these virtues are combined with the right support

and protections for the worker. But the Matthew Taylor review came to

understand that flexibility does work for many people, and it is

clear that an agile labour market is good for protecting employment.

Would my honourable friend agree that at the heart of boosting wages

for lower paid workers is productivity? There are actually

some good examples of employers working with the living wage

foundation who've managed to reduce the pay of low skilled workers and

focusing on productivity, that should be at the heart of this

issue. I heartily agree, indeed productivity is essential to our

international strategy. We've established a 23 billion fund to

promote quality jobs, better skills and the higher paid that he mentions

is so important. Can I refer to mow bid disturbing trust my trade union

activity over 20 years prior to my election -- refer to my trade union

activity. It was interesting neither the Minister or the Prime Minister

mentioned or commended the role of the trade unions in securing their

rights at work. Does the Minister agree the right to request is

different from a fundamental right enshrined in law? If a right to

request is refused, what enforcement action will the government take to

force employers to do better? Does she accept is no distinction in the

report between a flexible workforce and exploiting that workforce? Does

the Minister also agree that whilst the Taylor report tries to reside

new rides, some of these rights have been secured by trade unions taken

employers to court as the Shadow minister agree? Can she tell us what

action will be taken to enforce minimum wage payments with turn a

thousand workers not being paid that minimum wage? Will they advertise

rights of work services? And does the Minister agree it is time for a

fair rights of work act which guarantees fundamental rights at

work? I thank the honourable gentleman for his critique. The

right to request has been useful and valuable when it comes to requesting

flexible employment. In any case, it is a recommendation that Matthew is

making, but I do feel it is certainly warrant careful

consideration. He talked about enforcement, and we are absolutely

committed to making sure that workers who are on zero hours

contracts or the minimum wage absolutely get paid what they are

legally entitled to, that is why we have doubled the resources available

to the HMRC in the last two years, to ensure enforcement with those

important laws. I welcome the Matt Taylor report today and commend the

Minister for her statement. Particularly with regards to

tackling nativity and pregnancy discrimination, wish to report says

needs more action and has doubled in the last decade. Will the Minister

perhaps outline for the House what provisions within this report,

particularly address the issues raised by the select committee about

workers lack of rights to accessing antenatal care June the working day,

which the Minister, in her response, said would be addressed in this

report? I commend the honourable lady for the work her select

committee, which he chairs, has done to tackle this outrageous issue of

discrimination against women who are pregnant. That has no plays in the

modern workplace. There are provisions within the Matthew Taylor

report, but there is also ongoing work across government to improve

the opportunities for women who are pregnant in the workplace to ensure

we make history of that discrimination. As somebody who

lobbied the Prime Minister Webb reports on the EU economy, might I

thank the Minister for her statement today? Could I please from her a

little more, whether government's position will be in the trade-off

between strapping minimum standards at the vulnerable end of the labour

market and trading that for flexibility, that the news reports

are right, Matthew Taylor goes for flexibility, rather than always

implementing the national minimum wage? Can we have an undertaking

from the government they will always abide by the national minimum wage,

even if there is a loss for flexibility? I congratulate the

honourable gentleman for all the work he did chairing the work and

pensions select committee on these matters in the last Parliament. And

I can assure him that minimum wage rates are absolutely sacrosanct,

there will be no trade-off with regard to ensuring everybody is

played at least the minimum wage. And I think if the honourable

gentleman reads the report, he will be more encouraged. And I can't

quote many of the people who attended the review is evident

session told the Taylor review they like the flexibility of working a

typical, atypically, and we shouldn't lose theirs. Flexibility

must not be a one-way street with individuals absorbing all the risk,

and although we are going to consider the recommendations

further, I can assure him very much agree with the sentiments behind

that remark. Does the Minister welcome the fact the review

established that the majority of employers followed good practice and

our focus should be on those who do not, to make sure we level the

playing field for all employers, all employees and businesses in this

country? I agree strongly with my honourable friend. Employers who

choose to break the rules, and they are a small minority but excess,

they must exist there to be consequences for their actions.

There should be a level playing field so that visitors who do the

vast majority of which do behave properly, do not find themselves the

wrong end of an uneven playing. I declare an interest having done some

work during my time out of this House. I welcome the Prime Minister

saying there will be no rollback of workers' rights, though let's just

say those words are a departure from what I experience as a consider

position when I was Liberal Democrat minister in the Coalition. I know

the Minister is genuine, it's an important issue. Can just as, as she

prepares a government response to this report, will she commit to

consulting widely across this House, through debate, free speaking the

select committee, to get the right response when the government comes

forward? I thank the honourable lady and commend her for her role in that

Coalition government. I'm glad to hear that she acknowledges this

government has move forward in its appreciation of the difficulties

faced by certain workers in the sort of areas Matthew Taylor has been

focused upon. I can give her every assurance we will indeed consult

widely, not just across industry and where trade unions and members of

the public, but very much so across this House. I welcome this report

very much, and I wonder if Earth at this any stage, can she give any

indication what enhance opportunities may be created to

those people who have disabilities, in the world of work or trying to

enter the world of work? I thank the honourable gentleman for this

important note. The Department for Work and Pensions are undertaking

various measures to improve the chances are people with disabilities

accessing the workplace, and my department is giving all the

supporter can to that enquiry. Matthew Taylor said today he wants

employers to pay national insurance for people they have a controlling

and supervisory relationship with. Does the government plan to

implement that aspect of the Taylor review, and can minister reassure

workers that government doesn't plan to U-turn on its U-turn and increase

national insurance for the generally self-employed? I can assure that

honourable lady that as the first Secretary of State commented

Parliament has spoken on the issue of national insurance in respect,

and that matter is settled and will not be revisited. I think I share

her concern that we look very closely to make sure that people who

are generally contracted to provide an ongoing service are given the

protections that workers and not falsely labelled self-employed.

On a similar point, which he confirmed that actually there is a

real risk that having a depending contractors risk fudging the issue

of where someone is really employed and self-employed, we should be

focusing on getting that line drawn in the right place and making sure

that those who engage in depending contractors are paying national

insurance so I'm tax rating is not distorting the market? We are going

to consult heavily on those points and we will absolutely make sure

that hates NTS satisfied on the tax issues but that we are satisfied

that employees are getting their rights, if they are employees or

workers. With Matthew Taylor is replacing to rename them, depending

contractors. The Minister has welcomed this report. Assume the

position to accept any of the recommendations in it today and

Kenji tells when they will be legislation to implement a least

something from their stories are all going to be put into the long grass?

As I said in the responses earlier, we will be consulting, looking at

every single recommendation and it is not release me to say I'm

personally inclined to recommend, excepting which I am not at this

very early stage. So I hope you will bear with us if, over the next six

months, we will be consented, by the year and, maybe a little bit longer

than six months, consulting widely across this House and he will have

every opportunity to make his views known. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I have

spent 45 years in the gig economy and what I liked about the gig

economy is it was very flexible and in order to build a career, I found

myself delivering bacon across north London from Smithfield market. They

became a removal man. Does my right honourable friend agree with me that

it is very welcome but this report supports a flexible labour market

and is not in favour of restricting that flexibility where individuals

want it. Well, I think that my honourable friend has made a very

careful reading of the summary of Matthew Taylor's report because he

does understand that balance. He does not want first to land the kind

of tax abilities that have helped him in his career and close for

people starting out on their careers now. But as I've said, we do to make

sure their predictions are in place. -- protections. It is just not my

constituent in the gig economy that have insecurity, they are pleased to

be working but when they went full-time employment, they see more

people in the same organisations getting part-time hours. When will

the Government get to grips with this element of the economy and make

sure that all those workers get a fair deal and a chance to work full

time hours they so need? The whole basis of this report is good work

and the aspiration of good work for all and I would include those

constituents to which she is referring. But just to reassure her,

the survey of two years ago did find that almost 70% of people on zero

hour contracts were content with the hours that they were working. That

does mean a third do want more hours and that is what we have got to

embrace in terms of some of the changes that Matthew Taylor might be

recommending in order to help achieve the good work and the hours

her constituents want to work. I welcome the publication of this

report. Does my honourable friend agree that flexibility in the legal

market does benefit both workers and employers equally? -- labour market.

My honourable friend has asked me a difficult question in that I do

believe that Matthew Taylor's report does bear this out, flexibility does

benefit both employers and employees but I'm afraid that the evidence to

his inquiry did point out that in too many cases, that flexibility is

a one-way street, as I said earlier, and we do need to address the issue

as people who are really at risk and far too insecure in employment

situation. Thank you. I welcome the Minister's commitment to the

Government upholding workers' rights and I wonder whether as part of the

Government's response to this report, you look at enabling workers

to uphold their own rights and look again at these for employment

tribunals which have meant a reduction of 70% in cases by single

claimants, such as those working in the gig economy against their

employer? I thank the honourable lady for her question. She makes a

very important point. It is a matter for the Ministry of Justice. Matthew

Taylor has not recommended that we get rid of these for employment

tribunals. I think we have to recognise the positive aspect, which

has been an upsurge in the amount of employment disputes that have been

settled through mediation. But I will continue to like the she

raises. Thank you, Mr Speaker. The report does praise and support

flexibility within the labour market, where individuals wanted.

But does my honourable friend agree with me that this is perhaps

especially, but not exclusively, beneficial to students and young

people? I do agree with my honourable friend. I think the

figures suggest that almost 20% of people on zero hour contracts

students and the flexibility does benefit many people who perhaps have

parenting or caring responsibilities and do not want to work full-time.

So we certainly do not want enough flexibility, but we do want to

improve protection, as I have said before. Thank you, Mr Speaker. The

gig economy brings an insecure work. The rights will be worth I think is

the Government increases the amount it is prepared to put into

regulation, so will the Minister tell us this afternoon will she

commit alongside implement in the Taylor of to bidding those

additional resources in? I very much agree with the gentlemen.

Enforcement is crucial. We have double the resources available,

minimum wage enforcement, they will continue to go up through this

Parliament. In addition, we have strengthened the powers of the gang

masters labour abuse of authority and we have recently appointed a new

director of the labour market enforcement who is tasked with

bringing the work of the three major enforcement bodies together to

understand the extent of the abuse and to recommend ways of those

enforcement agencies being properly resourced to ingest it. I hope the

honourable gentleman will be pleased with the outcome of that in due

course. I would like to welcome the publication of Matthew Taylor's

report on my honourable friend's statement today. Does she agree with

me that it is not absolutely right to ensure workers are treated fairly

but it is good for business too as they have more engaged and more

productive workforce? I heartily agree with my honourable friend.

That is what it is all about. It is about improving work so that we have

good work, so that people have the ability to grow in their careers, so

that people who are low-paid to start with do not have to be

low-paid forever, that they can aspire to a better future that will

benefit British productivity and it will, as my honourable friend

suggest, improve the competitiveness of British companies. Vital

protection for workers is trade union membership and also trade

union recognition. Since my time at the TUC over 40 years ago, the

mention of trade unions in Britain has halved and we have seen workers'

rights and undermined by Tory legislation. When is the legislation

going to be reversed? The Government cannot name the people to join trade

unions. Trade unions are still a very important force for protecting

workers' rights, among those sectors of the economy where they are still

dominant and I commend them for their work. If one talks to drivers

on YouTube or cleaners using platforms as hassle, they will

acknowledge the benefits of flexibility to them. To coin a

phrase, would it not be morally acceptable to misread the

21st-century labour market and construct a set of rules that force

is out of work, rather than allows them to stay in its? My right

honourable friend, my honourable friend will be no doubt pleased that

Matthew Taylor very much agrees with his thesis. Thank you very much, Mr

Speaker. Over 1 million workers are being exploited by companies and

bogus self-employment. Since its changes to tax policy that are

needed to tackle both and the Government prohibited making any

firm regularly chosen to change in tax policy, houses the can we take

the Minister's comments to date and when they are going to address the

tax anomalies? I can assure the honourable lady that no bar

whispered in front of Matthew Taylor. He able to investigate as

free and fair as he saw fit. It is really up to the Treasury to assess

the tax situation and any potential loss of revenues which of course

comes from bogus self-employment. In contrast to the previous question,

with my honourable friend join me in recognising one of the key findings

of the review, that, thanks to the Government's tax policies, once you

take into account tax levels and tax credits, actually average take-home

pay for families where you lose one member is in full-time employment is

higher in the UK than in any other G-7 country? -- where at least one

member. I commend my honourable friend for bringing that to the

attention of the House. I am pleased to hear the Minister so promoting

this Marxist revolution that we are now living through as the means of

production are increasingly in the hands of the workers. But further to

what does she not agree with me that the answer to some of the challenges

we are hearing is not just better regulations but also to help people

organise and if so, will she meet with myself, Kimi to trade union,

the Co-op movement to discuss our work helping the self-employed to

organise and unionise? I am aware of the independent union of

self-employed workers and they have been a force and may have

contributed to this enquiry. -- they have contributed. I would be all too

pleased to meet with the honourable lady and her community organisers as

part of my consultation. Thank you. There's a marked difference between

someone who says that the business, take some risks and wrist

self-employment compared to refute as good as employees who force

workers to go self-employed. In responding to this excellent report,

what will my honourable friend do to make sure that the people who are

genuinely self-employed continue to receive those benefits, but the

unscrupulous employers do not? My honourable friend makes a very good

point. We do not want to stand in the way of the incentives that

promote people who are genuinely taking a risk and starting a

business, they are the majority and we do not want to do that thing that

upsets that balance. But at the same time, as my honourable friend will

realise, we do need to end the scourge of fake self-employment. The

report disappointed does not go far enough on the issue of zero hour

contracts. The Labour Welsh government and devolved areas on

seven occasions. Is not the case that workers in are being left out

by the Tory and Labour Party? Individual, many individuals, as

I've said, want to work in a flexible way that is by the zero

hour contracts and almost 70% of them are happy with our allies and,

as I said, the third who are not, we must take steps to promote the value

of good work as an opportunity for them, whether they are in Wales or

in the rest of the United Kingdom. She has told us that 20% of students

-- 20% of students, 70% are satisfied, can you complete the

hat-trick I telling us what the mean weekly incomes actually is on the

zero hour 's contract? I will have to write a number of friends with

the answer to that one. -- I will have to write to my honourable

friend. Matthew Taylor has written we must equip our children and young

people to enter the labour market successfully but Government

employees and individuals have to make sure that everyone is in the

best place to provide what might be working life spanning 60 years or

more. How will the Government square this with the decision made under

the previous Prime Minister to stop compulsory work experience in

schools, which in the first year led to a drop in 60,000 work express

placements in schools across the country and would she look again

this? That is a matter for the Department for Education. I think

that I do agree that work experience is very important to young people

and I'm sure that the Secretary of State will look favourably on that.

As far as we are concerned in my department, we are looking to boost

the opportunities for lifelong learning, to engender a culture

where people can progress in their careers.

Before I became a member of Parliament, I was self-employed. I

was a self-employed ambassador to the Prime Minister, and I also

worked with Matthew Taylor on this report. I found him extremely

nonpartisan, a gentleman. What I would like to urge my honourable

friend to do, living at the measures for the self-employed, especially

with their maternity and paternity benefits in the offering, please

accept them. I will certainly take on boards my view based on so many

years, and I thank him by his conclusion to this report.

Flexibility in the labour market on one side of the coin, but for people

in employment on the other side. If we are to see a situation, at the

criticism of the Unite union, the insecurities to be the new normal,

can the Minister reverse a decision that the Coalition took to extend

from one year to two year the threshold? I don't accept the

premise in security is the new norm. I think one of the purposes of this

report was to look closely at the extent of insecurity and produce

some measures, or some recommendations, that might mitigate

that where it is not desired by the workers. I will look at the matter

he raise, but that is a question that was not actually addressed in

this report. Speaking at the launch this morning,

Mr Taylor suggested traditional workers like window cleaners can use

an application to collect money and apply to HMRC. Why is it that Buber,

the most cutting app do not collect the national insurance number of

drivers --. I thought the app was one of the most interesting ideas,

there are limitations to the current apps available, but in no way was

Matthew Taylor advocating they were mandatory, but they should be

available in a more sophisticated form than they are now. As a

government looks towards the economy, Matthew Taylor's remarks

that the welfare system is a mess, and no one outside a government

makes it fairer. Kurdish and presenters, we wards for work,

increased freedom -- cadets represent rewards for work. It has

not been addressed by this report, and I urge him to address his

questions to the DWP ministerial team. Matthew Taylor urges the

government to look at reducing these, can it urge the Minister to

go further, in relation to discrimination, get on with

abolishing them and extend the period during which a case can be

brought before tribunal is, because a period of pregnancy is a busy

time, when you are unlikely to be thinking about a court case. I do

agree with her remarks, and I hope she will input her views during the

consultation process. Twice the Minister has referred to the fact

flexibility seems to work only one way to benefit the employer. Does

that flexibility include her government 's failure to prosecute a

single employer in Wales last year for flouting the minimum wage rules?

I was not saying flexibility was always a one-way street in favour of

the employer, I said that was in exceptional cases a real problem

that needs addressing. But it is not necessarily the norm. In response to

the other matters that she has raised, I urge her to contribute her

views as we go over the consultation. When the Minister is

considering how to respond to the review, will she talked to her

colleagues about the useful time social action review, which is

considering the question of long-time volunteering? I realise

they are different, but there's quite a considerable overlap, and

the question about safeguards and protections is the same in some

cases, it seems sensible to wrap the two together. He has some good

points to make about volunteering and about the framework that govern

said, and I hope he will make these during our consultation. -- that

governs it. On workforce protection be extended, or that include

secondary contract does, so when one person in a team of three or four as

a main contractor, will the depending contractor extended to

other people in the team? This might provide a minor blip of people who

are self-employed to be independent contractors, but there will be some

who see this as an opportunity to downgrade people with employment

protection to dependent contractors against their will. The honourable

gentleman raises a number of issues, there's no attention to downgrade

anybody's rights. We want to be in a position to see copyable's right,

certainly not downgrade them. I am sure he will be putting his details,

observations in our consultation. This government continues to justify

the existence of zero hours contracts on the basis of

flexibility, but this could be largely addressed in flexible

working can be properly expanded and given a framework for what it means.

Will the government use this opportunity to properly expand

flexible working and explain what it actually means? I can't accept the

premise behind the honourable gentleman's question. We are not

seeking to end zero hours contracts because too many people want them.

They want the flexibility associated with them, but we are seeking to

root out abuse where it exists. The Taylor review recommends the

government makes it easier for people in flexible arrangements to

take holiday entitlement. Now, the Minister has struggled to explain

the government's powers in this area before. Can she tell us what powers

to enforce holiday pay currently exist, and with some are fast

approaching, will she act on the tenor recommendation swiftly? I

reassure her Matthew Taylor has recommended we take the issue of

holiday pay seriously and make sure it applies to all workers who are

entitled to it. And the Treasury will be taking forward those

suggestions. The Minister is writes, the transfer of risk that heart of

this problem. Drivers in my constituency are classified as

self-employed be treated as employees were about right. Is there

anything in the Taylor report which would end the practice of finding

the drivers every time there's an accident? If the honourable lady

would like to write to me with details of this, it's the first I

have heard of this particular, well, practice, yes. It certainly sounds

wrong, but I would be delighted to consider it further within the

powers that currently exist. On page 11 of the report, Mr Taylor says, we

have to examine why with employment levels at record highs, a number of

people living in poverty are in work. The government's practice has

been that when asked about poverty, the government have responded with

statistics about employment and unemployment. Will the government

finally accept such a thing as in work poverty only exist, it is a

brutal fact of life for millions of people on these islands? We have

always been absolutely committed to reducing poverty where ever it is

exists, and the national living wage has gone a long way to provide

workers with a framework beneath which they need not seek, sink into

poverty. I would urge the honourable gentleman to consider that further.

As someone who's done a view gigs in his time, can I urge the Minister

you to reject this think tank jargon of the phrase depending contractor?

Workers were, workers are workers. Depending contractor is the world

unite, you have nothing to lose but your change, it's not going to

change anything. For those new members not aware of the musical

distinction of the honourable gentleman he was pose a question, I

can inform him, he's a very member of the Parliamentary rock bands, and