29/11/2017

0:00:00 > 0:00:01continue to work tirelessly to that end.

0:00:01 > 0:00:11THE SPEAKER:Order.

0:00:51 > 0:00:56I wondered whether you had notice of any intended statement by the Home

0:00:56 > 0:01:02Secretary on this serious matter? I confess I have no advance notice

0:01:02 > 0:01:09of this matter. I am not myself one who tends to follow what is said on

0:01:09 > 0:01:15Twitter, though the honourable gentleman is almost invariably very

0:01:15 > 0:01:21well informed on these matters. The Home Secretary is welcome to say

0:01:21 > 0:01:27something. She is under no obligation to do so whatsoever.

0:01:27 > 0:01:35The right honourable Lady is not hailing a taxi...LAUGHTER

0:01:35 > 0:01:39Very well, in deference to the seniority of the right honourable

0:01:39 > 0:01:44lady. If she has a point of order to raise, I will hear it.

0:01:44 > 0:01:47Further to that point of order, I understand the woman has already

0:01:47 > 0:01:53been convicted of hate crime in this country, and on that basis, given

0:01:53 > 0:01:57the significance and seriousness of having the president of United

0:01:57 > 0:02:01States giving her such a huge platform, does he not feel it

0:02:01 > 0:02:05appropriate for us to hear a word of condemnation and raising this from

0:02:05 > 0:02:11the Home Secretary or the Foreign Secretary?It is a point of order

0:02:11 > 0:02:15for the chair. I can say only that, at the moment, it would be obvious

0:02:15 > 0:02:20to her and her Honourable friend, I have received no advance notice of

0:02:20 > 0:02:26any intention to make a statement. Order. It would be wrong to expect a

0:02:26 > 0:02:31government minister immediately to respond. The Home Secretary, to be

0:02:31 > 0:02:34fair, is under no obligation to do so. What I would say is, I do know

0:02:34 > 0:02:40the honourable gentleman very well, and if anything, I know the right

0:02:40 > 0:02:43honourable lady, because we came into the House together 20 years ago

0:02:43 > 0:02:50even better. Knowing them as well as I do, I know that when they've got

0:02:50 > 0:02:54their teeth into something, they are disinclined to let go. By the way,

0:02:54 > 0:03:01that's a condiment. I think we will leave it there for now. I rather

0:03:01 > 0:03:04imagine this matter will be mentioned again. If there are no

0:03:04 > 0:03:09further points of order, we come now to the urgent question, Mr Chris

0:03:09 > 0:03:16Leslie. Can I ask the Chancellor of

0:03:16 > 0:03:23Exchequer to advise the House on the cost of exiting the European Union.

0:03:23 > 0:03:29Mr Speaker... Our negotiating team are currently

0:03:29 > 0:03:34in Brussels discussing our exit from the European Union. In fact, our

0:03:34 > 0:03:38officials have been working on it for months. It would be completely

0:03:38 > 0:03:44wrong of me to cut across those discussions by commenting on

0:03:44 > 0:03:48speculation on the financial settlement. And it would not be in

0:03:48 > 0:03:52our national interest. The Prime Minister made it clear in her

0:03:52 > 0:03:55Florence speech, that EU member states would not need to pay more or

0:03:55 > 0:03:59receive less money over the remainder of the current budget, as

0:03:59 > 0:04:05a result of our decision to leave. She also made it clear, the UK will

0:04:05 > 0:04:08honour its commitments made during the period of membership in the

0:04:08 > 0:04:14spirit of our future partnership. As we have said before, nothing is

0:04:14 > 0:04:18agreed until everything is agreed. And that any settlement we make is

0:04:18 > 0:04:25contingent on us securing a suitable outcome, as outlined by the Prime

0:04:25 > 0:04:30Minister in her Florence speech. We will meet our commitments, and also

0:04:30 > 0:04:37get a good deal for the UK taxpayer. We want to see progress towards our

0:04:37 > 0:04:40preferred option, which is an increment Asian period, followed by

0:04:40 > 0:04:46an ambitious future economic partnership. In the budget, we set

0:04:46 > 0:04:50aside £3 billion in addition to the 700 million we've already allocated

0:04:50 > 0:04:55to make sure that our country is fully prepared for revenge well it

0:04:55 > 0:05:00is. What we have seen today is simply media speculation, and we

0:05:00 > 0:05:04will update the House when there is more detail to give.Mr Chris

0:05:04 > 0:05:10Leslie.Mr Speaker, the British people were promised a dividend from

0:05:10 > 0:05:15Brexit. They were told leaving the EU would save a fortune. Those that

0:05:15 > 0:05:21campaigned for Brexit daubed their hubris across the side of a giant

0:05:21 > 0:05:27red Basque, promising a windfall of £350 billion for the NHS per week.

0:05:27 > 0:05:33That wasn't just a whopping lie, it was the direct opposite of the truth

0:05:33 > 0:05:37-- £350 million. Will the Chief secretary confirmed that? If the

0:05:37 > 0:05:42divorce Bill comes in between £47 billion in six to £7 billion, that

0:05:42 > 0:05:49would be a payment of £1000 from every man, woman and child in this

0:05:49 > 0:05:53country, £1000. Isn't this speculated divorce Bill just the tip

0:05:53 > 0:05:57of the iceberg? If we are honest about the true cost of Brexit,

0:05:57 > 0:06:03should we add in the lost revenues to the Exchequer, something of the

0:06:03 > 0:06:09order of £20 billion by 2021. And also that £3.7 billion of Brexit

0:06:09 > 0:06:12preparations for those duplicated agencies, new border arrangements,

0:06:12 > 0:06:16Lori Parks in Dover, and so forth, and the higher cost of living for

0:06:16 > 0:06:24all of our constituents as prices keep rising. Can I ask the chief

0:06:24 > 0:06:26secretary, how did her constituents react to the idea that they will be

0:06:26 > 0:06:31lumbered with these extra costs? Don't they ask her, what exactly are

0:06:31 > 0:06:37we getting for this? What wondrous new advantages will we gain by

0:06:37 > 0:06:40shelling out these astronomical sons? When the chief secretary be

0:06:40 > 0:06:44straight to the House that we are paying for the privilege of putting

0:06:44 > 0:06:47the world's most efficient free trade tariff free frictionless

0:06:47 > 0:06:54agreement into the bin, and we're being told to pay for the privilege

0:06:54 > 0:06:59of downgrading to an inferior deal with our European neighbours? Why is

0:06:59 > 0:07:03the chief secretary being so coy about the deal that is being done?

0:07:03 > 0:07:10They've gone from go whistle to where do we sign in a week. A week

0:07:10 > 0:07:13when the government won't fully publish the Brexit impact papers to

0:07:13 > 0:07:18the House, we hear rumours that Parliament and the public may never

0:07:18 > 0:07:22be told the full amount. When will Parliament be told what is actually

0:07:22 > 0:07:26happening, and will we get a vote on the sums of money involved? Will she

0:07:26 > 0:07:31right here and right now Scotch this nonsense that the true cost of

0:07:31 > 0:07:35Brexit will be hidden away in a convenient backroom deal in a

0:07:35 > 0:07:41negotiation? The British people need to know, is there a deal? How much

0:07:41 > 0:07:44have the government put on the table in the negotiations, and if she

0:07:44 > 0:07:49won't tell us, why does she think that the only people who can't be

0:07:49 > 0:07:53told the British public and the British Parliament? This is not what

0:07:53 > 0:07:57the British public for in the referendum. It is not taking back

0:07:57 > 0:08:04control, it is losing control.I can tell the honourable gentleman what

0:08:04 > 0:08:08my constituents say, what they say is, the country has voted to leave

0:08:08 > 0:08:12the European Union. And what they want to see is ask it

0:08:12 > 0:08:18on with it and secure the best possible deal for Britain. If we

0:08:18 > 0:08:21look at the opposition benches, we see people like the honourable

0:08:21 > 0:08:25gentleman that asked the question, who voted to stay in the single

0:08:25 > 0:08:28market and Customs union, we see members on the front bench that

0:08:28 > 0:08:34voted to leave the single market, the customs union. Today, we read

0:08:34 > 0:08:36the Shadow Home Secretary wants there to be a second referendum.

0:08:36 > 0:08:45This is not remotely helpful in securing the best possible deal. And

0:08:45 > 0:08:48the honourable gentleman knows personally well, we are in

0:08:48 > 0:08:54negotiations as we speak. If, in this House, were we to talk about

0:08:54 > 0:08:59numbers and the aspects of the deal, that would cut across our

0:08:59 > 0:09:03negotiating position. What the people of Britain want to see is ask

0:09:03 > 0:09:07it on with it, they want to see us take the advantages of leaving the

0:09:07 > 0:09:11European Union, make the most of those opportunities, secure the best

0:09:11 > 0:09:18possible deal. We are well on the way to doing that. I suggest to the

0:09:18 > 0:09:21honourable gentleman, rather than trying to re-fight the referendum

0:09:21 > 0:09:26battle, which is exactly what he seems to be doing, he needs to get

0:09:26 > 0:09:30with the programme and start talking about how he can be helpful.Mr

0:09:30 > 0:09:36Kenneth Clarke.Mr Speaker, would my right honourable friend agree that

0:09:36 > 0:09:41the government of any EU member state could possibly be expected to

0:09:41 > 0:09:48agree that we should have a good future trading and economic racial

0:09:48 > 0:09:54chip with the union, whilst at the same time repudiates our past

0:09:54 > 0:09:57financial obligations, and are somehow refusing to pay a fair share

0:09:57 > 0:10:01of the costs of agencies and so on that we will incur in the future. We

0:10:01 > 0:10:05should therefore agree, those that oppose paying any money are

0:10:05 > 0:10:11presumably wanting a no deal Brexit. That would actually be catastrophic

0:10:11 > 0:10:18for the country, and would stop the opportunity of having a deal that

0:10:18 > 0:10:23retains as many benefits for jobs, investment, and the growth of the

0:10:23 > 0:10:29economy of this country as we possibly can in the future.

0:10:29 > 0:10:35As the Prime Minister laid out in her Florence speech, we do want to

0:10:35 > 0:10:39abide by our commitments made during our period of membership, and we

0:10:39 > 0:10:43also want to see progress on securing a deal. The right

0:10:43 > 0:10:50honourable gentleman is right. Any settlement that we seek to achieve

0:10:50 > 0:10:55has to be contingent on getting a suitable outcome from those

0:10:55 > 0:10:58negotiations as outlined by the Prime Minister. Because what we want

0:10:58 > 0:11:02to make sure is that any money spent is value for money for the British

0:11:02 > 0:11:09taxpayer.Mr Speaker, can I thank my honourable friend from Nottingham

0:11:09 > 0:11:13East for raising this critical question today. As we all know,

0:11:13 > 0:11:16settling this issue is vital to continuing to the next part of the

0:11:16 > 0:11:20negotiations. Given that progress has been so much slower than we

0:11:20 > 0:11:24would have hoped, the opposition is supportive of efforts to resolve

0:11:24 > 0:11:27this part of the negotiations as soon as is feasible, so we can start

0:11:27 > 0:11:32to make progress to end uncertainty impacting jobs and the economy. We

0:11:32 > 0:11:37believe the financial settlement with the EU must meet our

0:11:37 > 0:11:40international obligations, while delivering a fair deal for British

0:11:40 > 0:11:44taxpayers. The UK is a responsible country, and there is no mileage in

0:11:44 > 0:11:51us refusing to meet our obligations. And if we are going to negotiate the

0:11:51 > 0:11:53comprehensive deal with the European Union which we need, we do need to

0:11:53 > 0:11:56be seen as a country that can be trusted to comply with the deals we

0:11:56 > 0:12:01reach. Given our long-standing membership of the EU, this

0:12:01 > 0:12:05cultivation will understandably be complex. We appreciate the

0:12:05 > 0:12:08government cannot announce a figure publicly at this stage, given it is

0:12:08 > 0:12:12a sensitive part of the negotiations. But what we would

0:12:12 > 0:12:16argue for instead is that the government must be transparent about

0:12:16 > 0:12:19the process, especially once an understanding has been reached with

0:12:19 > 0:12:23our EU partners. This is why we have tabled an amendment to the

0:12:23 > 0:12:27withdrawal of all, that calls for any financial settlement to be

0:12:27 > 0:12:30agreed by the National order office and for Parliament to have the

0:12:30 > 0:12:34chance to scrutinise it. The government's handling of the

0:12:34 > 0:12:35presentation of the impact assessment studies to parliament has

0:12:35 > 0:12:41left a lot to be desired. Can I therefore ask the chief secretary to

0:12:41 > 0:12:43promise the government will support the amendment in the interest of

0:12:43 > 0:12:51transparency and clarity? I thank the honourable gentleman for

0:12:51 > 0:12:55his supportive comments, and I'm glad he agrees with the government

0:12:55 > 0:12:57strategy. I think the next step will be making sure his backbench

0:12:57 > 0:13:04colleagues also agree with his strategy. He's absolutely right, we

0:13:04 > 0:13:10should not reveal the of negotiations while they are ongoing.

0:13:10 > 0:13:14I should point out to the honourable gentleman that the approach of the

0:13:14 > 0:13:17opposition by saying that any deal is better than no deal is not the

0:13:17 > 0:13:31best way of securing a deal. We also are preparing for all eventualities,

0:13:31 > 0:13:37that's why we're preparing and putting in £3 billion. I would

0:13:37 > 0:13:43suggest that the opposition should also should support that was

0:13:43 > 0:13:46possible approach.Sir Iain Duncan Smith.Can I say to my right

0:13:46 > 0:13:51honourable friend that I am not in favour of anything that is not

0:13:51 > 0:13:56legal, so I support her completely, and I am in line with my right

0:13:56 > 0:14:02honourable friend that got up earlier. What ever the legal

0:14:02 > 0:14:06equipment -- agreement is, could she please remind those who have raised

0:14:06 > 0:14:11this question that even if we agree of something in the region of 40

0:14:11 > 0:14:18billion over the period of years, we are not paying a conclusion, the UK

0:14:18 > 0:14:22Exchequer would be better off by £360 million in the course of that

0:14:22 > 0:14:3040 years, a net gain with a free trained arrangement.

0:14:30 > 0:14:34My right honourable friend makes a very fair point. Whatever happens,

0:14:34 > 0:14:37we are not going to be paying anything like what we would have

0:14:37 > 0:14:47paid as an EU member, this represents a considerable saving to

0:14:47 > 0:14:50the British taxpayer.Thank you to the member for Nottingham East for

0:14:50 > 0:14:56bringing this matter to the House. There would be no newspaper rumours

0:14:56 > 0:15:01about the sum of the Government told us what this was. Nobody voted for

0:15:01 > 0:15:08disastrous, disorganised EU exit. People voted for £350 million a week

0:15:08 > 0:15:14for the NHS, not to spend 40 or £50 billion just to be worse off. Our

0:15:14 > 0:15:18public services must not pay the price for this Brexit method. It

0:15:18 > 0:15:23surprised us all when earlier this year the Prime Minister found a

0:15:23 > 0:15:27magic monetary. Surely the Government cannot have been lucky

0:15:27 > 0:15:39enough to find truth -- a magic money tree. Will there be a

0:15:39 > 0:15:43emergency budget for him to explain where he is finding the money?I

0:15:43 > 0:15:46thought, Mr Speaker, when the honourable lady said it was going to

0:15:46 > 0:15:50be to thank the Government for the £2 billion additional spending power

0:15:50 > 0:15:55that we've gave to the Scottish Government in the budget, which no

0:15:55 > 0:16:05doubt they will be able to use to improve their services. As I've said

0:16:05 > 0:16:08before and, indeed, as has been pointed out by the opposition front

0:16:08 > 0:16:14to talk about the money now would cut across the local Shia shins and

0:16:14 > 0:16:21prevent us from getting the best possible deal. That is not in

0:16:21 > 0:16:25anybody's interests. -- would cut across the negotiations and prevent

0:16:25 > 0:16:29us.The comprehensive preparations for an ordeal, it is important we

0:16:29 > 0:16:34are not up against the clock at the end, forced into a bad deal because

0:16:34 > 0:16:41we have no alternative. -- for no deal. Will she confirmed that the

0:16:41 > 0:16:48advantage of no deal has the advantage of not having to pay any

0:16:48 > 0:16:53divorce bill?My honourable friend is correct. It is irresponsible of

0:16:53 > 0:16:57the opposition front bench to suggest that any deal is better than

0:16:57 > 0:17:01older. That is the way that we are not going to get our preferred

0:17:01 > 0:17:10option, and implementation period plus our preferred economic

0:17:10 > 0:17:16partnership. -- is better than no deal. We have allotted millions of

0:17:16 > 0:17:21pounds to prepare for all eventualities.The UK is currently a

0:17:21 > 0:17:26member of a large number of EU agencies, from that deal with

0:17:26 > 0:17:32aviation safety to the European medicine's agency. Has the

0:17:32 > 0:17:35Government made an assessment of the likely cost to the Exchequer of

0:17:35 > 0:17:40having to replicate all of those conscience and activities if the

0:17:40 > 0:17:45Government eventually decides that we have to leave all of them because

0:17:45 > 0:17:49of its stated principle objection to the ECJ having any jurisdiction over

0:17:49 > 0:17:57the UK?I've been very clear with the House already that we are

0:17:57 > 0:18:00preparing for all eventualities and, of course, looking at the specifics

0:18:00 > 0:18:09of those agencies as part of that. Mr David Jones.As my right one

0:18:09 > 0:18:13friend has pointed out, in her fluent speech, the premise to make a

0:18:13 > 0:18:21fair and generous offer to the EU. -- macaw. Given that Article 50 of

0:18:21 > 0:18:26the treaty provides that the negotiations that are currently

0:18:26 > 0:18:30underway should be conducted, taking into account the future relationship

0:18:30 > 0:18:36between the EU and UK, it is high time that the EU reciprocated and

0:18:36 > 0:18:43started adhering to its obligations under the treaty.As my honourable

0:18:43 > 0:18:46friend points out, it is important that we move onto the next stage of

0:18:46 > 0:18:53the negotiations and talk about a long-term relationship with the EU

0:18:53 > 0:19:00wants his left and that's exactly what we are seeking to do. -- with

0:19:00 > 0:19:05the EU once we've left and that. Following the answer, all of our

0:19:05 > 0:19:11consistence saw the slogan on the side of the bus and if the

0:19:11 > 0:19:15Government continues to say nothing and keeps radio silence for a long

0:19:15 > 0:19:18time and then suddenly plucks a figure out of the hat at the end of

0:19:18 > 0:19:23a process, it will be corporates but everybody. Surely she can tell the

0:19:23 > 0:19:28House but the kinds of things the Government thinks it should be

0:19:28 > 0:19:31funding, pension contributions or whatever else, surely she can tell

0:19:31 > 0:19:38us the kind of things rather than just leaving everybody in the dark?

0:19:38 > 0:19:42I refer the honourable lady to the Prime Minister's Florence speech,

0:19:42 > 0:19:48where she laid out commitments that we want to continue and honour after

0:19:48 > 0:19:54we left the EU in the spirit of our future partnership. The honourable

0:19:54 > 0:20:01lady has to be aware that this is part of a discussion which is also

0:20:01 > 0:20:04about our future relationship and all of those elements are contingent

0:20:04 > 0:20:11on securing all future relationship as the Prime Minister laid out in

0:20:11 > 0:20:14the Florence speech. It would be wrong at this stage, from the point

0:20:14 > 0:20:21of view negotiations and transparency to the public, to lay

0:20:21 > 0:20:30out something before it is fully agreed, that would not help.Perhaps

0:20:30 > 0:20:34on the far side of the chamber they would like to look at the

0:20:34 > 0:20:38prospective budget put out by economists for free trade the week

0:20:38 > 0:20:43before the budget, with a exciting prospectus that the economy will

0:20:43 > 0:20:51grow at 3% a year by 2025, providing surplus of £60 billion, which easily

0:20:51 > 0:20:58cut covers the bill. It is dependent on reciprocal free trade with no

0:20:58 > 0:21:10terrorists. Can my -- with no tariffs. Can can we have a deal on

0:21:10 > 0:21:17reciprocal free trade and zero tariffs?I fear my honourable friend

0:21:17 > 0:21:20is overoptimistic if he thinks he can stop the opposition benches

0:21:20 > 0:21:23being miserable! LAUGHTER

0:21:23 > 0:21:29With drivers for four days of budget debate and have so far been

0:21:29 > 0:21:36unsuccessful. -- we have tried this for four days. The honourable friend

0:21:36 > 0:21:41is right about the benefits of free trade for the UK. We are seeking a

0:21:41 > 0:21:47good deal that benefit the UK in London.Mr Speaker. At least 45

0:21:47 > 0:21:50billion higher inflation in debt, an extra year of cuts and less

0:21:50 > 0:21:55influence in the world is the price the Government and willing to pay

0:21:55 > 0:22:01for it to the division of Great Britain post-Brexit. Is there any

0:22:01 > 0:22:06level of damage the UK economy, jobs and families have to sustain which

0:22:06 > 0:22:09will cause the Government to rethink, give the people involved on

0:22:09 > 0:22:14the deal supported by the Liberal Democrats, the London mayor and now

0:22:14 > 0:22:19the Shadow Home Secretary, as I understand it?I say regrettably

0:22:19 > 0:22:23that the misery has spread to the Liberal Democrat benches, this is to

0:22:23 > 0:22:29be a contagion is on the benches opposite. I would welcome the fact

0:22:29 > 0:22:33that we have the lowest unemployment in this country that we've had for

0:22:33 > 0:22:3740 years. We have the third highest number of start-ups in the world, a

0:22:37 > 0:22:43record number for this country. The positive benefits that we see from

0:22:43 > 0:22:52the actions of this Conservative Government.John Baron.Most of us,

0:22:52 > 0:22:54social and newsletters, except that a good trade deal is better than

0:22:54 > 0:22:59older, that there is always give and take in a negotiation and it is

0:22:59 > 0:23:04important that we meet our financial equipment commitments. Does she

0:23:04 > 0:23:08accept that this is likely a storm in a teacup because nothing is

0:23:08 > 0:23:12agreed until everything is agreed? It is important to make this point

0:23:12 > 0:23:17and not listen to the siren voices that refuse to accept the result of

0:23:17 > 0:23:25the referendum. The a few siren voices.Incredibly, there are

0:23:25 > 0:23:30people, particularly by the opposition benches, that still do

0:23:30 > 0:23:33not accept democracy and the fact that people did vote to leave the

0:23:33 > 0:23:41EU.Chris Bryant.The Government is keeping its cards so close to its

0:23:41 > 0:23:45just that I suspect they haven't even looked at them themselves. The

0:23:45 > 0:23:49left-hander not know what the right hand is saying, the Government

0:23:49 > 0:23:53minister is making it clear that they will play a lot of money for a

0:23:53 > 0:24:01outcome. Boris Johnson told the has confidently that they should go

0:24:01 > 0:24:11whistle. What should they go whistle? Stand And Deliver, Your

0:24:11 > 0:24:17Money Or Your Life?The honourable manner be aware that there is

0:24:17 > 0:24:20considerable work going across Government. -- man will be aware. It

0:24:20 > 0:24:26is in a country's interest to reach the point where we are talking about

0:24:26 > 0:24:34our long-term economic relationship with the EU.So Desmond Swayne.She

0:24:34 > 0:24:39shouldn't pay more than we all, Mr Speaker. But she should be confident

0:24:39 > 0:24:45that whatever this is it a bargain against the cost of staying in.My

0:24:45 > 0:24:53honourable friend makes a good point that, you know, as we stay in, where

0:24:53 > 0:24:57are we to stay in, the cost would be considerably higher than any amount

0:24:57 > 0:25:06we are talking about as part of our negotiations.Mrs Louise Ellman.The

0:25:06 > 0:25:09Government is so intent on keeping information it has about Brexit

0:25:09 > 0:25:19secretive that it is truly risking of Parliament. As this even more

0:25:19 > 0:25:21secretive financial settlement is negotiated, how can we be sure that

0:25:21 > 0:25:28it represents national interests?As I have pointed out already in this

0:25:28 > 0:25:33discussion that we're having, these negotiations are not yet complete,

0:25:33 > 0:25:38is not a number that we can disclose to the House. When there is one and

0:25:38 > 0:25:42when there is more detail to give, we will come to the House and talk

0:25:42 > 0:25:50about it.Mr Robert Halfon.Thank you, Mr Speaker. Does my honourable

0:25:50 > 0:25:55friend agree that a good budget and good housekeeping and the pressures

0:25:55 > 0:25:59on public spending, that if the oppression is given that we have

0:25:59 > 0:26:02wads of cash and loads of money when it comes to Europe that it

0:26:02 > 0:26:09undermines our argument only the public sector and the neutral good

0:26:09 > 0:26:15housekeeping, especially since the House of Lords says there is no

0:26:15 > 0:26:18legal and financial obligations? -- and the need for a good

0:26:18 > 0:26:22housekeeping. This is not a divorce bill. We are leaving a club, once

0:26:22 > 0:26:28you leave a copy no longer have the basic scriptures. -- once you leave

0:26:28 > 0:26:35a club, you no longer have to pay subscription.Debt is following as a

0:26:35 > 0:26:40proportion of GDP for the first time in 13 years. -- is falling as a

0:26:40 > 0:26:44proportion. You are keeping with the deficit targets. We were able to

0:26:44 > 0:26:50freeze full duty to help ordinary working people who need to keep

0:26:50 > 0:26:55their living costs down. -- fuel duty. The reality is that as we

0:26:55 > 0:27:00leave the EU we will not longer be paying those vast sums of money in

0:27:00 > 0:27:07and that will represent a benefit to the taxpayer.Is the Minister aware

0:27:07 > 0:27:23that 70% of the people that voted in both -- in Bolsover voted to leave?

0:27:23 > 0:27:27Those same people in Bolsover, I believe, would expect me to tell the

0:27:27 > 0:27:31honourable lady from the finance department that if they've got £60

0:27:31 > 0:27:37billion to spare it should go to the National Health Service and social

0:27:37 > 0:27:44care.The honourable gentleman will be well aware that as part of last

0:27:44 > 0:27:51week's budget we were able to put additional money into the National

0:27:51 > 0:28:00Health Service, hospital capital, making sure that we hit our A&E

0:28:00 > 0:28:09targets and with nurses pay.Doctor Gillian Lewis.These negotiations

0:28:09 > 0:28:14remind me of the even more complex ones on arms reductions in the

0:28:14 > 0:28:201980s. Will the Minister Bear in mind that the lessons of those

0:28:20 > 0:28:25negotiations were first that too many one-sided concessions project

0:28:25 > 0:28:30an image of weakness and secondly in order to get the very best deal you

0:28:30 > 0:28:34often have to walk away first and wait for the other side to agree

0:28:34 > 0:28:41with you to sit down, come back and negotiate realistically?It's

0:28:41 > 0:28:48because the need to make sure that the URL where we have alternatives

0:28:48 > 0:28:54that we are preparing -- that the European Union are aware we have

0:28:54 > 0:28:59alternatives that we are preparing for the option of a transition

0:28:59 > 0:29:04period, we are preparing for a no deal scenario. The opposition would

0:29:04 > 0:29:08like to give that option we saw that we cannot have that discussion with

0:29:08 > 0:29:14the EU.There are two salient features about the news that is

0:29:14 > 0:29:18emerging. The first, this is the opposite to what was promised during

0:29:18 > 0:29:23the referendum. We were promised the judge and £50 million a week more

0:29:23 > 0:29:27and now the cupboard is set to pay up to 50 billion when our

0:29:27 > 0:29:34constituents need money for health, housing and more. What is it that we

0:29:34 > 0:29:39are paying for? Other countries pay significant sums to get into

0:29:39 > 0:29:43physical market, we are lining up to pay up to £50 billion to leave the

0:29:43 > 0:29:48single market. -- to get into the single market. Isn't the tragedy

0:29:48 > 0:29:53that these huge sums are paying for a worse deal than we have at

0:29:53 > 0:30:02present? That's hardly strategic.

0:30:02 > 0:30:06As I have said before, nothing is agreed until everything is agreed,

0:30:06 > 0:30:12and we will expect to make progress and secure that long-term economic

0:30:12 > 0:30:16partnership, which will be to the benefit of UK citizens.Mr Jason

0:30:16 > 0:30:23Rees Mogg.Will my right honourable friend note the growing concern that

0:30:23 > 0:30:26Her Majesty's government seems in these negotiations to be dancing to

0:30:26 > 0:30:30the tune of the European Commission. Can I ask her further to the

0:30:30 > 0:30:34question of my right honourable friend, the Member for North

0:30:34 > 0:30:41Shropshire, if she can be certain that after 29th March, 2019, that we

0:30:41 > 0:30:46will make no payment to the European Union whatsoever in the absence of a

0:30:46 > 0:30:55full agreement covering trade.I can assure my honourable friend that we

0:30:55 > 0:31:00are not dancing to anyone's tune. What we care about is the future of

0:31:00 > 0:31:06written's economy, protecting the British taxpayer from access

0:31:06 > 0:31:11payments, and making sure we secure a good deal, which is why it is so

0:31:11 > 0:31:16important we don't discuss these numbers whilst we are in the middle

0:31:16 > 0:31:23of a very important negotiation. Jonathan Edwards.Mr Speaker, I have

0:31:23 > 0:31:26been informed by a public financial auditor that international

0:31:26 > 0:31:31accounting standard on provisions requires the UK Government to

0:31:31 > 0:31:38account for the divorce to be met as expenditure, even if the exact

0:31:38 > 0:31:42amount cannot become chelated. Given that the government's accounts the

0:31:42 > 0:31:5226th in- 17 did not adequately exposed, will she give assurances

0:31:52 > 0:31:59this provision will be subject to the vote of this House.That would

0:31:59 > 0:32:03be wrong, according to accounting principles, because nothing has been

0:32:03 > 0:32:11agreed, and the Office for Budget Responsibility followed the Prime

0:32:11 > 0:32:14Minister's Florence speech in laying out their projections for the

0:32:14 > 0:32:17budget. I suggest to the honourable gentleman that he has misinterpreted

0:32:17 > 0:32:24those standards. Can my right honourable friend

0:32:24 > 0:32:29confirmed that she does agree with me that the UK should pay the EU

0:32:29 > 0:32:34what we are legally obliged to pay, not a penny more, and not a penny

0:32:34 > 0:32:39less. If so, will she make sure that before this House votes on the final

0:32:39 > 0:32:44Bill, we have an itemised account of exactly what we are paying for at

0:32:44 > 0:32:48the end of it, and also the legal basis upon which we are making those

0:32:48 > 0:32:53payments. Because I had to say, Mr Speaker, the honourable member for

0:32:53 > 0:32:57Bolsover is right, if there is any spare money going, at a time of

0:32:57 > 0:33:01austerity, that should be directed to our priorities in the UK, it

0:33:01 > 0:33:04should not be given to the European Union that we are not legally

0:33:04 > 0:33:10obliged to do.I can assure my honourable friend that we are

0:33:10 > 0:33:15determined to get the best possible deal for the British taxpayer, and

0:33:15 > 0:33:20we need to look at the overall deal in the round and see what represents

0:33:20 > 0:33:24value for money. And absolutely, the money should be being spent on our

0:33:24 > 0:33:30public services, and keeping taxes low for our hard-working citizens.

0:33:30 > 0:33:37Mrs Ellen Goodman.Last week, the Treasury published the red book,

0:33:37 > 0:33:42showing that there would be no more payments to EU institutions from

0:33:42 > 0:33:492019. The Redbook also said there was 15 billion head room and debt

0:33:49 > 0:33:55would then be falling. Doesn't the news overnight showed there is a 30

0:33:55 > 0:33:59billion hole in the public finances, and there is no possibility of debt

0:33:59 > 0:34:04falling on this timescale? The honourable lady is not correct

0:34:04 > 0:34:10about that. The OBR have made predictions on EU payments, and

0:34:10 > 0:34:15those are included in the budget. It was raised by him my honourable

0:34:15 > 0:34:23friend at the budget debate last week.Could the Minister please

0:34:23 > 0:34:28confirm that any payments that are to be offered will be itemised and

0:34:28 > 0:34:31set out, so that Parliament can understand what the constitution of

0:34:31 > 0:34:35the payment is going to be, and that we can therefore put it into the

0:34:35 > 0:34:39context of any likely conditioning that may be required in the context

0:34:39 > 0:34:45of any future relationship deal? I can assure my honourable friend

0:34:45 > 0:34:54that the payments that would potentially be made, and as we have

0:34:54 > 0:34:57discussed before, nothing is agreed until everything is agreed, will be

0:34:57 > 0:35:04absolute value for money. My honourable friend is absolutely

0:35:04 > 0:35:08right in his question to highlight the very serious difficulty the

0:35:08 > 0:35:11country now faces, I hope it is true that agreement has been reached on

0:35:11 > 0:35:14the cost of exit, so that negotiations can move onto the next

0:35:14 > 0:35:20stage. As right honourable lady agreed with me, it is essential in

0:35:20 > 0:35:25the UK national interest that the European Council at his meeting next

0:35:25 > 0:35:28month agreed that enough progress has been made to move on to

0:35:28 > 0:35:36discussions about future trade. We absolutely want to secure moving

0:35:36 > 0:35:41onto the next stage of these negotiations. That is very

0:35:41 > 0:35:48important. Ultimately, it takes the UK and EU 27 to agree on that, and

0:35:48 > 0:35:52what would be wrong is to take the approach of the opposition and say

0:35:52 > 0:35:58we will agree to any deal regardless of what it is. We have do look at

0:35:58 > 0:36:04all eventualities, and make sure we are prepared for all eventualities.

0:36:04 > 0:36:08Does my right honourable friend agree with me that the message from

0:36:08 > 0:36:11the doom mongers is the British public have given their verdict, and

0:36:11 > 0:36:17expect Parliament to deliver, and the doom mongers should recognise we

0:36:17 > 0:36:21are the fifth strongest economy in the world. Our population is

0:36:21 > 0:36:26significantly more than 15 EU countries put together, and it is

0:36:26 > 0:36:29high time they started talking up Britain, rather than talking us

0:36:29 > 0:36:39down.My honourable friend is right. The opposition benches refuse to see

0:36:39 > 0:36:44any of the positive things that are happening in our country, whether

0:36:44 > 0:36:47it's the lowest youth unemployment for over 13 years, whether it is the

0:36:47 > 0:36:52highest number of start-ups the country has seen, there are great

0:36:52 > 0:37:00things having. Let's see more optimism on the opposition.

0:37:00 > 0:37:06At no point were we told that it could cost a week, and we certainly

0:37:06 > 0:37:10weren't told that you could make them worse off. If it is the case,

0:37:10 > 0:37:15as we have been told, that we will be much better off as a result of

0:37:15 > 0:37:20this, and as the right honourable lady promised a moment ago, there

0:37:20 > 0:37:23will be considerable savings. Would she promised that the savings will

0:37:23 > 0:37:27be used to replace those programmes currently funded by the EU, like for

0:37:27 > 0:37:32example, the crucial skills programme operating in the Black

0:37:32 > 0:37:39Country. There will be savings once we leave

0:37:39 > 0:37:42the European Union. I have already made that clear. We want to make

0:37:42 > 0:37:48sure that they are spent in the best interests of everybody in the UK to

0:37:48 > 0:37:50make our country as successful as it possibly can be.

0:37:50 > 0:37:56So Henry Bellingham.The Chief Secretary will be very aware that

0:37:56 > 0:38:01both her constituents and mine voted overwhelmingly to leave. We'll see

0:38:01 > 0:38:04also agree, and does she feel on the ground that most people now want to

0:38:04 > 0:38:10get on with Brexit, but also expect the UK to be fair, generous and

0:38:10 > 0:38:12magnanimous, so long as the financials at it is contingent on a

0:38:12 > 0:38:19free-trade deal?As my honourable friend points out, the people of

0:38:19 > 0:38:23Norfolk are fair-minded people, they want to see the referendum result

0:38:23 > 0:38:30respected, they want to see us honour our commitments to the

0:38:30 > 0:38:33European Union, but they want to see it in such a way that is fair for

0:38:33 > 0:38:38Britain, fair for British taxpayers, and make sure we get the best

0:38:38 > 0:38:43possible deal. Mr Stephen Dowty.These figures are

0:38:43 > 0:38:45astronomical, is it not the case that the British public already

0:38:45 > 0:38:50paying for the costs of this Dodt's Brexit approach in the form of the 3

0:38:50 > 0:38:53billion that was announced in the budget to be spent on Brexit

0:38:53 > 0:38:56contingencies. 700 million has already been shelled out, should

0:38:56 > 0:39:01people have been told that before the referendum?I do think it is

0:39:01 > 0:39:05completely irresponsible of the opposition to suggest that we should

0:39:05 > 0:39:12not prepare for all eventualities. It would be disgraceful for the

0:39:12 > 0:39:15government not to do that. It would not be the proper action of a

0:39:15 > 0:39:23responsible government. Mr Peter Bone.For the first time in

0:39:23 > 0:39:25my parliamentary career, I'm going to agree with the honourable member

0:39:25 > 0:39:30for Bolsover. He's absolutely right, the 60 odd percent of the people in

0:39:30 > 0:39:36Wellingborough who voted to leave will want to know what we are doing

0:39:36 > 0:39:40with £60 billion, they would want it spent on the NHS, social care and

0:39:40 > 0:39:46defence. They would not want it given to the European Union. Would

0:39:46 > 0:39:50the Minister agree, such a move would be betraying the trust of the

0:39:50 > 0:39:59British people? The money that we've been reading

0:39:59 > 0:40:04about in the press is speculation. These negotiations are ongoing, the

0:40:04 > 0:40:10discussion is ongoing, and we want to secure value for money for the

0:40:10 > 0:40:14British taxpayer. It's in our interests to secure a long-term

0:40:14 > 0:40:19economic partnership with the European Union, but we will not be

0:40:19 > 0:40:28paying over money until everything is agreed.Mr Speaker, page 25 of

0:40:28 > 0:40:32the Governor's brand-new industrial strategy doctrine states the

0:40:32 > 0:40:36governed are seeking a transition... sorry, and impermanent Haitian

0:40:36 > 0:40:40period of around two years. Does this reported deal include provision

0:40:40 > 0:40:47for paying for an extended deal beyond two years?These negotiations

0:40:47 > 0:40:52are taking place at the moment. We want to secure a reasonable

0:40:52 > 0:40:57transition deal, but we have to know what the future relationship is

0:40:57 > 0:41:02going to be like before we enter into that transition deal, because

0:41:02 > 0:41:06the British public would not accept the can being kicked down the road,

0:41:06 > 0:41:13they want to know we are leaving the European Union.Mr Richard Graham.

0:41:13 > 0:41:18The greatest risk to the new partnership that both the UK and EU

0:41:18 > 0:41:23want is that the EU makes such unreasonable demands that no British

0:41:23 > 0:41:28Government could accept on the wrong assumption that this House will

0:41:28 > 0:41:32never vote for no deal. Does my right honourable friend agree with

0:41:32 > 0:41:36me that all members, who want a good meal like the members for Nottingham

0:41:36 > 0:41:40East, Dudley North, Wolverhampton South East and Cardiff South should

0:41:40 > 0:41:43make it absolutely clear to their constituents that they do not

0:41:43 > 0:41:49subscribe to the ludicrous idea that any deal is better than no deal.

0:41:49 > 0:41:55I fear that the members opposite have not made that logical leap yet,

0:41:55 > 0:41:59but I'm sure my honourable friend's question will have helped them

0:41:59 > 0:42:08reconsider in their own minds. Extraordinary behaviour. Quite

0:42:08 > 0:42:21extraordinary behaviour. It was good of you to drop in on us.

0:42:21 > 0:42:27Can she name a single aspect or any moments in any aspect of the

0:42:27 > 0:42:32negotiations so far in which the government has gone head-to-head

0:42:32 > 0:42:40with the EU 27 on an issue on which they have competing ideas about what

0:42:40 > 0:42:44to do and have come out on top? Or is this yet another example of the

0:42:44 > 0:42:49government crumbling and facing up to the reality of leaving the EU?

0:42:49 > 0:42:57We are making continuous progress in our negotiations with the EU, and of

0:42:57 > 0:43:00course, in any negotiation, there has to be give and take from both

0:43:00 > 0:43:06sides, and that is exactly what is happening. But it would be wrong to

0:43:06 > 0:43:10expose the details of those negotiations at this stage.

0:43:10 > 0:43:16Mr Philip Hollobone.In a divorce, the assets are divided. That in

0:43:16 > 0:43:21today's money, in real terms, our net could abuse and to the EU over

0:43:21 > 0:43:26the whole lifetime of our membership amounts to £209 billion, will she

0:43:26 > 0:43:32make sure that we get our fair share of the EU's assets when we leave?

0:43:32 > 0:43:37I can assure my honourable friend that that consideration is part of

0:43:37 > 0:43:45our discussions. Before making a big decision, it's

0:43:45 > 0:43:48generally sensible to enquire about the price. Most people would be

0:43:48 > 0:43:52staggered to learn that the average household in this country is going

0:43:52 > 0:43:57to be asked to stump up between £2000 in £3000 to pay for this. Can

0:43:57 > 0:44:00the government tell us what plans they have to tell people about this

0:44:00 > 0:44:03Bill they are facing, and ask them whether they think it's a good use

0:44:03 > 0:44:09of their money?The honourable gentleman needs to look at both

0:44:09 > 0:44:14sides of the account, because we will not be paying ongoing vast sums

0:44:14 > 0:44:21into the EU and we are at the moment. It is deliberately big

0:44:21 > 0:44:28picture.

0:44:28 > 0:44:33Order. Statement of the Secretary of State for Transport. Secretary Chris

0:44:33 > 0:44:38Grayling.Thank you, Mr Speaker. I like to make a step into the House

0:44:38 > 0:44:42about our plans for Britain. Railways. -- a statement to the

0:44:42 > 0:44:50House. It was against the backdrop of what any people would regard as

0:44:50 > 0:44:55terminal decline. They had been cut and line closures, passenger numbers

0:44:55 > 0:45:00have been falling steadily since the Second World War. Privatisation

0:45:00 > 0:45:07sparked a remarkable turnaround in Lee Rowley's fortunes. Over 1.5

0:45:07 > 0:45:13million more trains. Passenger demand has doubled. Other countries

0:45:13 > 0:45:19are now adopting Great Britain's model in their markets. We have

0:45:19 > 0:45:22about upon the biggest rail modernisation programmes and the

0:45:22 > 0:45:28Victorian age. In addition to Government funding, billions of

0:45:28 > 0:45:33pounds from the private sector is being used to update services across

0:45:33 > 0:45:36the country. Franchises are making an increasing conservation to the

0:45:36 > 0:45:44public purse. The real renaissance we see today is the direct result of

0:45:44 > 0:45:46the partnership between the public and private sectors. This

0:45:46 > 0:45:50partnership has delivered benefits for passengers from more than 20

0:45:50 > 0:45:55years. This success has created its own challenges, the number of

0:45:55 > 0:46:02services has increased and the network has become more congested.

0:46:02 > 0:46:09He will be as operating on the edge of what it can cope with. It carries

0:46:09 > 0:46:13more passengers today than it did in the heyday of the 1920s on a network

0:46:13 > 0:46:20that is a fraction of the size. This can cause significant frustration

0:46:20 > 0:46:25for the travelling public. This as well as Jack and announced plans for

0:46:25 > 0:46:32-- it should be a process of evolution and the revolution and

0:46:32 > 0:46:35that the exact approach may differ from our written every. The outcome

0:46:35 > 0:46:42must be the same, a railway predominately run by a local team of

0:46:42 > 0:46:46people with a commitment to the smooth running of the timetable. The

0:46:46 > 0:46:49planning of Central press, responding to incidents underline

0:46:49 > 0:46:56and communicating with passengers. -- central repairers. This

0:46:56 > 0:47:06publication, Connecting People, a strategic vision for railways. There

0:47:06 > 0:47:10is a relentless focus on passengers, economies and communities they

0:47:10 > 0:47:16serve. It represents the biggest change in the railways since

0:47:16 > 0:47:24privatisation. Although we have achieved significant structural

0:47:24 > 0:47:27improvements, the document explains pounds to go much further. It will

0:47:27 > 0:47:36deliver real benefits and franchises will be run by a joint team, made up

0:47:36 > 0:47:40of staff from Network Rail and a new alliance to vector. This will make

0:47:40 > 0:47:45the world a more alive for passengers. -- the railway more

0:47:45 > 0:47:54reliable. Today, Mr Speaker, I issued the invitation to tender for

0:47:54 > 0:48:00the next south-eastern franchise. This will amongst other rich things

0:48:00 > 0:48:04-- either things provide more trains. A high-frequency turn up and

0:48:04 > 0:48:09go timetable as a problem that, which will boost capacity and

0:48:09 > 0:48:12provide a better service for passengers. As part of this

0:48:12 > 0:48:15unification of track and drink, the day-to-day operations in the

0:48:15 > 0:48:20south-eastern network will be run by a joint team rugby a new alliance

0:48:20 > 0:48:27director, hitting both the tack and train operations. We will introduce

0:48:27 > 0:48:30a joint team approach, bringing more benefits to passengers. Honourable

0:48:30 > 0:48:34members will know that these calls me and has had its challenges in

0:48:34 > 0:48:42recent times and I intend to take a different approach. -- the east

0:48:42 > 0:48:47coast railway has had his challenges. It partnership between

0:48:47 > 0:48:51public and private sector will operate under one management, one

0:48:51 > 0:48:57single leader, with a leading role in planning the future of root and

0:48:57 > 0:49:03meeting challenges. Bringing the prospective train operators in will

0:49:03 > 0:49:07make sure that passenger needs are better represented in the process.

0:49:07 > 0:49:11Whilst we run an opposition to appoint the east coast partnership

0:49:11 > 0:49:20members, we are in discussions with the east coast... I want the

0:49:20 > 0:49:25passenger to be central to train operator strategies. In some parts

0:49:25 > 0:49:27of the network, this means introducing smaller train companies

0:49:27 > 0:49:33and today I am and using a constitutional and a Great Western

0:49:33 > 0:49:39franchise to make sure that it is best meeting the needs passengers in

0:49:39 > 0:49:45the 2020s and beyond. -- the needs of passengers. Sure to be a more

0:49:45 > 0:49:53local focus? Will also bring the Thames Link great Northern Frank

0:49:53 > 0:49:59Scott... When the two factors are put together, this was intended to

0:49:59 > 0:50:06help. This is now near completion. Despite the improvements in railway

0:50:06 > 0:50:11since privatisation, we are still some way away from achieving the

0:50:11 > 0:50:18modern, high performance, low cost industry we all want to see.

0:50:18 > 0:50:21SHOUTING that is why we must continue to invest in the

0:50:21 > 0:50:27welterweight and maximise. Continue to deliver the biggest

0:50:27 > 0:50:31investment programme in our Railways since the steel age. Something the

0:50:31 > 0:50:36party opposite never get when they were in Government. Mr Speaker,

0:50:36 > 0:50:40getting to grips with the industry structure will go hand-in-hand with

0:50:40 > 0:50:44investment in infrastructure. We did me a capacity to cope with growing

0:50:44 > 0:50:48demand and links to support economic growth. -- we need more capacity to

0:50:48 > 0:50:54cope. We need faster more comfortable journeys, room for tens

0:50:54 > 0:50:58of thousands more passengers, every single train in the north of England

0:50:58 > 0:51:03replaced as new or brand-new. Again a change we never sought when the

0:51:03 > 0:51:10party opposite was in power. SHOUTING. I intend to invest around

0:51:10 > 0:51:14£3 billion in upgrading the trans-Pennine brick, delivering

0:51:14 > 0:51:18faster journey times and improved capacity between the great cities of

0:51:18 > 0:51:22Leeds, York and Manchester. In the south, flagship projects such

0:51:22 > 0:51:30as Crossrail and Thameslink I know -- I know underpinning economic

0:51:30 > 0:51:33growth. North and south will be brought closer together and benefits

0:51:33 > 0:51:38for people across the country. A new building for a new era for real. It

0:51:38 > 0:51:43is bold and ambitious but if it weren't for Britain faith in the

0:51:43 > 0:51:46power of rail to transform this country, we would have no railways

0:51:46 > 0:51:52at all. Our mission rejects the mentality of decline that

0:51:52 > 0:51:59characterised the railway and latter half of the past century. Recently

0:51:59 > 0:52:09introduced Government funding of billions of pounds. Part of overall

0:52:09 > 0:52:15suspected spent £49 billion, Mr Speaker. There will be either far to

0:52:15 > 0:52:18work and improvements. Passengers value reliability more than anything

0:52:18 > 0:52:22and this commitment will help deliver that. We also want to see

0:52:22 > 0:52:26the creation of new connections. We want to establish the east-west rail

0:52:26 > 0:52:31company to restore the lost liberty not Oxford and -- the lowest rate

0:52:31 > 0:52:38between Oxford and Cambridge. I expect construction to begin next

0:52:38 > 0:52:44summer. We will look at other opportunities to find out what has

0:52:44 > 0:52:53been lost in the 60s and 70s. In particular, with the unlucky -- the

0:52:53 > 0:52:57unlock the potential for housing. Passengers want faster improvements

0:52:57 > 0:53:00in the day-to-day experience travelling. We also want this and

0:53:00 > 0:53:05bring something about it. We want to see smart ticketing across all of

0:53:05 > 0:53:11the network by the end of 2018. We are improving the arrangements for

0:53:11 > 0:53:15compensation when things go wrong, including establishing a passenger

0:53:15 > 0:53:19ombudsman. We are working with industry to extend the benefits of

0:53:19 > 0:53:26discarded real travel to ensure that everybody aged 16-30 can access

0:53:26 > 0:53:30concessions. We are committed to improving the accessibility of the

0:53:30 > 0:53:34network and delivering a modern customer experience is open to all.

0:53:34 > 0:53:39Mr Speaker, and only party opposite doesn't believe this, but

0:53:39 > 0:53:42privatisation body revolution to our railways. This is why there are

0:53:42 > 0:53:48twice as many passengers as there were 20 years ago. Now there is a

0:53:48 > 0:53:54chance to build on this success. Expand the network, modernising the

0:53:54 > 0:53:58experience of the customer, opening up for new innovation. We have a

0:53:58 > 0:54:04vision of a writer most will be used to its full potential within a

0:54:04 > 0:54:08private -- between the private sector and public sector. We are

0:54:08 > 0:54:14taking action to make this a reality. I am making copies

0:54:14 > 0:54:20available in both houses and the documents are on the Department for

0:54:20 > 0:54:29Transport's website.Andy McDonald. Thank you. As like to thank the

0:54:29 > 0:54:32secretary of state with the advanced orders of the statement and the

0:54:32 > 0:54:35contents have already been well drilled in the media. The Secretary

0:54:35 > 0:54:40of State and I can be on the need real has for investment and new

0:54:40 > 0:54:45capacity. I'm delighted to see that he has picked up on Labour's

0:54:45 > 0:54:48manifesto commitments to reopen punch lines. The problem, Mr

0:54:48 > 0:54:51Speaker, is that the current system and the structure of the railways

0:54:51 > 0:55:03doesn't send -- lent itself will. -- to reopen branch lines. The office

0:55:03 > 0:55:07for a rail and road said that Network Rail had to make efficiency

0:55:07 > 0:55:15savings of 80%, the law are our got this wrong and the railway has

0:55:15 > 0:55:18suffered the consequences. We are where we are on rail and air brake

0:55:18 > 0:55:23that the secretary of state has not run out of ideas what to do with the

0:55:23 > 0:55:29railways. Labour has a solution which I will refer to momentarily.

0:55:29 > 0:55:36SHOUTING.The secretary of state proposes an alliance between crack

0:55:36 > 0:55:40and train a a few years ago. This was done in a few years ago between

0:55:40 > 0:55:46Stagecoach and Network Rail in the south-west. Stagecoach pulled out

0:55:46 > 0:55:50because it was too expensive for them. Trains on the east coast may

0:55:50 > 0:55:56be labelled Virgin Trains but they are actually Stagecoach. What makes

0:55:56 > 0:55:59the secretary of state think that this alliance with Stagecoach will

0:55:59 > 0:56:03be any different. Gigi was always going to be broken up at the end of

0:56:03 > 0:56:08the contract and disaster 21, so this isn't news. It's a calamitous

0:56:08 > 0:56:14oversight of the contract only add to the origin need for the whole

0:56:14 > 0:56:17thing to be put out of its misery for the sake of the passengers. Only

0:56:17 > 0:56:26adds to the. The new privately funded line will operate with

0:56:26 > 0:56:30polluting diesel trains. What about the quality? Labour supports

0:56:30 > 0:56:34reopening lines but without financial backing the Secretary of

0:56:34 > 0:56:40State's proposals mean nothing in reality. It's always -- it's all

0:56:40 > 0:56:47well and good to reverse the cut but what about reversing the Grayling

0:56:47 > 0:56:54cuts? The cuts to the Midwestern, railway and Northern Railways. The

0:56:54 > 0:57:02Department of Health and we'll bring -- the reopening between County

0:57:02 > 0:57:06Durham and play. If it's all right with him, I prefer applied and

0:57:06 > 0:57:13Ashington stay in Northumberland. -- I prefer four replies and Ashington

0:57:13 > 0:57:18to stay. He offers nothing for commuters on overcrowded trains,

0:57:18 > 0:57:25facing a fee hike of 3.4% in January, 337.7% rises since 2010.

0:57:25 > 0:57:31The truth is that the railway is broken, no matter of changing the

0:57:31 > 0:57:39furniture will rectify this. Today's and unspent as a total smoke screen.

0:57:39 > 0:57:44-- announcement is a total smoke screen. The east coast franchise has

0:57:44 > 0:57:48felt again and the taxpayer will bail it out. Markets don't lie and

0:57:48 > 0:57:55the Stagecoach share price has risen by 12% this morning, following the

0:57:55 > 0:57:59news that the secretary of state has let them off the hook for hundreds

0:57:59 > 0:58:03of millions of pounds by ending the franchise early, he's moved the

0:58:03 > 0:58:10goalposts to suit Grayling. -- research Stagecoach. Easter fun

0:58:10 > 0:58:17everybody but the sector. -- he is tough on everybody but the private

0:58:17 > 0:58:24sector. Conservative Pogba put it back out on the market by 2015. This

0:58:24 > 0:58:31felt again. The Government's proposals are Rover do gracing -- I

0:58:31 > 0:58:35know windowdressing. Only Labour has the vision and courage to deliver

0:58:35 > 0:58:40the railway that the public deserves, the public want public

0:58:40 > 0:58:42ownership of the railways at the next Labour Government will deliver

0:58:42 > 0:58:48it.Well, fortunately this country will be waiting a long time for this

0:58:48 > 0:58:53to happen. Mr Speaker, what they really wanted to take us back to the

0:58:53 > 0:58:58days of British rail and what they haven't done is expected as how they

0:58:58 > 0:59:02would pay for all the new trains that are being currently funded by

0:59:02 > 0:59:06the private sector to pay for longer trains, better services all around

0:59:06 > 0:59:15the country. They haven't told us that the public and one well we -- a

0:59:15 > 0:59:20public than well they would mean it would be competing with the health

0:59:20 > 0:59:25service, etc. To go back to British Rail is no answer to the

0:59:25 > 0:59:31improvements that this country needs. What is different is what is

0:59:31 > 0:59:35happening in the railway. Devolution of the railways. Local

0:59:35 > 0:59:40decision-making and local budgets are important to making these local

0:59:40 > 0:59:43partnership is possible. That is a change that we are making right now.

0:59:43 > 0:59:48It is the right thing for the future. When he talks about duty,

0:59:48 > 0:59:53can override the House of the Independent report which showed that

0:59:53 > 0:59:57the problems on duty of a substantial indeed, down to the

0:59:57 > 1:00:02actions of its friends in the unions. That conduct was, Mr

1:00:02 > 1:00:08Speaker, unacceptable. The Labour Party's internal support for the

1:00:08 > 1:00:14destruction by three to passengers is unacceptable. -- disruption by

1:00:14 > 1:00:23the unions to passengers.

1:00:25 > 1:00:31He may have missed the announcement in the budget of £2 billion more for

1:00:31 > 1:00:34investment in transport in our cities, he may have missed the

1:00:34 > 1:00:37announcement of £47 billion for investment in the railways in the

1:00:37 > 1:00:41next five years, we will indeed fund investment and expansion of the

1:00:41 > 1:00:45railways, because that is needed. He asked the question about

1:00:45 > 1:00:49electrification, and I say again, we will have more flexible technology,

1:00:49 > 1:00:53it is more of a priority to provide more services and routes for

1:00:53 > 1:00:57passengers than to save one minute on the journey time to Sheffield,

1:00:57 > 1:01:00and no minutes on the journey time to Swansea. I am doing what we need

1:01:00 > 1:01:05to do, to deliver better journeys, better journey times, new trains the

1:01:05 > 1:01:08passengers. That above all is what they want. They are not worried

1:01:08 > 1:01:12about how the train is powered, they want a nice new train that gets them

1:01:12 > 1:01:18to the right place. That is what we are doing. He raised the question

1:01:18 > 1:01:21all bluster Ashington, which I am looking at, and has real potential

1:01:21 > 1:01:27to expand the expansion we are already making. In Newcastle upon

1:01:27 > 1:01:30Tyne, it is an example of the Governor's commitment to the

1:01:30 > 1:01:35north-east. He talked about what we are doing for commuters, but all

1:01:35 > 1:01:38around the country, we and the private sector are delivering new

1:01:38 > 1:01:41trains and longer trains to create more space for people that travel on

1:01:41 > 1:01:50crowded rail lines of the day. Let's be clear to the House, as we bring

1:01:50 > 1:01:53this franchise to a close on the east coast, and moved to new

1:01:53 > 1:01:59arrangements, no one is going to get any bailout at all. Absolutely

1:01:59 > 1:02:03clear, Stagecoach will meet in for their commitments made to the

1:02:03 > 1:02:10government as part of this contract. That is what is going to happen.

1:02:10 > 1:02:18I warmly welcome the commitment in the strategy document to the East

1:02:18 > 1:02:23West Railway line through my constituency. I welcome the

1:02:23 > 1:02:28announcement that construction will start soon. May I ask my honourable

1:02:28 > 1:02:32friend to expand on when we will have the western section and

1:02:32 > 1:02:39running, and how it will field into the national infrastructure

1:02:39 > 1:02:42commissions recommendations. My honourable friend is right. This

1:02:42 > 1:02:50is an important project, we have put ahead construction plans for next

1:02:50 > 1:02:54summer. My goal is to have the first trains running on that route by the

1:02:54 > 1:02:59end of 2021. Alan Browne.Thank you Mr Speaker. I

1:02:59 > 1:03:05would like to thank the Secretary of State for his statement. I have to

1:03:05 > 1:03:08thank him for a damp squib. Given the media coverage last night a

1:03:08 > 1:03:14possible reversal of cuts, I wanted commitments in this statement. There

1:03:14 > 1:03:22is nothing other than a throwaway line. The price of everything and

1:03:22 > 1:03:28the value of nothing, if this attitude continues, the Secretary of

1:03:28 > 1:03:35State 's adherence to privatisation, what he needs to remember, already

1:03:35 > 1:03:38there are four foreign state owned rail companies operational in the

1:03:38 > 1:03:43existing UK franchises. If it is good enough foreign state owned

1:03:43 > 1:03:48company is, it is good enough for UK state companies to run these

1:03:48 > 1:03:51franchises. Hopefully, he supports the Scottish Governor's move to

1:03:51 > 1:03:55bring a public sector bid in Scotland.

1:03:55 > 1:04:00He trumpets the turnaround in rail since privatisation. What he doesn't

1:04:00 > 1:04:04say is that is driven by a 90% increase in public sector

1:04:04 > 1:04:08investment, and a real terms fare increase of a quarter. That is where

1:04:08 > 1:04:15the real investment turnaround came from. His real massive plan is about

1:04:15 > 1:04:18creating alliances and effectively subdividing Network Rail. I have the

1:04:18 > 1:04:24following questions... what is going to be the overall governance to

1:04:24 > 1:04:29prevent a reliance conflict? Since he is such a fan of devolution, will

1:04:29 > 1:04:34he devolved Network Rail to Scotland? Who will be funding the

1:04:34 > 1:04:41new 26-30 year old Railcard? Wilbur Smart meter ticket system

1:04:41 > 1:04:45automatically provide consumers with the cheapest fares? If he is looking

1:04:45 > 1:04:53at reopening lines, will he stop the sale of rail assets? He will be

1:04:53 > 1:04:58where the Scottish Government built the biggest new line in the UK for

1:04:58 > 1:05:01over 100 years, will he look at reconnecting Carlisle to the borders

1:05:01 > 1:05:05rail? And finally, what are the funding implications for Scotland?

1:05:05 > 1:05:19Will it be reviewed, the gap of £600 million, and advise on that as well?

1:05:19 > 1:05:23Madam Deputy Speaker, a mix of questions, let me take them in turn.

1:05:23 > 1:05:27He asked about the devolution question. It remains the position of

1:05:27 > 1:05:31the government that we will follow the recommendations that were

1:05:31 > 1:05:35brought as part of the broader devolution package, the Scottish

1:05:35 > 1:05:40Governor would be was possible for franchising, but not infrastructure.

1:05:40 > 1:05:43The SNP needs to demonstrate they can do a decent job in government

1:05:43 > 1:05:47with the powers it's got, rather than asking for more powers. He

1:05:47 > 1:05:51asked about the Railcard, that is something we are working through

1:05:51 > 1:05:56with the industry. It may be the revenues provide a self funding

1:05:56 > 1:06:00venture, but it is something the Treasury has underwritten in the

1:06:00 > 1:06:04budget process. He asked a question about the length of fairness, the

1:06:04 > 1:06:09level of fares and the cheapest options. I want a system of Smart

1:06:09 > 1:06:13ticketing on our railways. For shorter journeys, in future, we end

1:06:13 > 1:06:18up with the sort of pay as a system that we have in London, tap in and

1:06:18 > 1:06:21tap out as you go. For longer journeys, we will have ticketing

1:06:21 > 1:06:25based on mobile phones and bar codes. We are working towards those

1:06:25 > 1:06:29objectives. He talked about the sale of assets, there are times when

1:06:29 > 1:06:33assets are not needed. They can be sold and money is put back into the

1:06:33 > 1:06:36rail line. That is the right thing to do. But there are assets to

1:06:36 > 1:06:41protect in the future. Assets that I wish had been built over now,

1:06:41 > 1:06:43because there are routes would like to see we opened which are more

1:06:43 > 1:06:47difficult as a result. But we will protect the assets we need. I

1:06:47 > 1:06:49applaud the Scottish Governor for what it has done on the Borders

1:06:49 > 1:06:53railway, it is a good project. It has made a positive difference to

1:06:53 > 1:06:58that part of Scotland. I am happy to talk about doing more in the future.

1:06:58 > 1:07:01He asked about the funding settlement. As I have said before in

1:07:01 > 1:07:05this House, the funding settlement for Scotland and rail is based on

1:07:05 > 1:07:09the following former, normally the SNP does not argue against the

1:07:09 > 1:07:14Barnett Formula. They cannot have their cake and eat it.

1:07:14 > 1:07:18I very much welcome the news that the GTR franchise is to be broken

1:07:18 > 1:07:22up, it is too big to be managed, has a management incapable of managing

1:07:22 > 1:07:27it. Given that it has frequently been unable to live up to its

1:07:27 > 1:07:30commitments, why do we have to wait until 2021 to get a competent

1:07:30 > 1:07:35operator in charge? Madam Deputy is bigger, the real

1:07:35 > 1:07:38thing we have got to achieve is to get through the rest of the

1:07:38 > 1:07:50Thameslink investment programme. -- Madam Deputy Speaker.

1:07:50 > 1:07:55I would not wish to see us try to destabilise things in that period,

1:07:55 > 1:07:59once that is done, we need to make the change.Lilian Greenwood.

1:07:59 > 1:08:07Alliance Singh and joint teams can achieve dialogue, but this is not a

1:08:07 > 1:08:09fundamentally different proposition to what has happened before and what

1:08:09 > 1:08:19is happening on certain segments of the railway now. The factors that

1:08:19 > 1:08:22contribute, performance regimes and financial incentives don't appear to

1:08:22 > 1:08:25have been addressed. Will the Secretary of State set out the

1:08:25 > 1:08:34specific steps to address the shortcomings to have a railway that

1:08:34 > 1:08:41drives coordinated performance, cost reductions and improved reliability?

1:08:41 > 1:08:44Madam Deputy Speaker, we are in the alliance areas and elsewhere moving

1:08:44 > 1:08:50to a lined performance incentives, and that work is happening on great

1:08:50 > 1:08:58Western, where we have KPIs. Network Rail has an incentive to look after

1:08:58 > 1:09:04passengers, as they have not done in the past. The KPIs will be the same,

1:09:04 > 1:09:08because one team will do this. That is one benefit of having somebody in

1:09:08 > 1:09:13charge, having a joint round, joint planning budgets, joint KPIs within

1:09:13 > 1:09:19the same team, and that is what is different to the past.

1:09:19 > 1:09:22Can I welcome the Secretary of State's statement, and this

1:09:22 > 1:09:30government's continued investment in the rail. He will be aware that

1:09:30 > 1:09:34concerns have been raised about the break-up of the great Western

1:09:34 > 1:09:37franchise, so could I see kids reassurance that any proposals that

1:09:37 > 1:09:41come forward will not leave Devon and Cornwall isolated, and will only

1:09:41 > 1:09:44be introduced if they are in the best interest of improving services

1:09:44 > 1:09:49to and from the south-west, and provide value for money for the

1:09:49 > 1:09:54passenger?Madam Deputy is weaker, let's be clear, I do not envisage a

1:09:54 > 1:09:57Devon and Cornwall alone franchise, that is not part of the plan. There

1:09:57 > 1:10:01is a legitimate question I am putting, which is, should we go back

1:10:01 > 1:10:06to what was Wessex trains, eight franchise with a quarter of the

1:10:06 > 1:10:09south-west, that does regional services around the south-west,

1:10:09 > 1:10:12which could theoretically do long-distance services to Paddington

1:10:12 > 1:10:17from Penzance, down that route. It is a question. There are pros and

1:10:17 > 1:10:22cons, this is a consultation to ask the south-west what it thinks. It is

1:10:22 > 1:10:24no more or less than that. I want to get the right answer for the

1:10:24 > 1:10:32south-west.Can I welcome today's big message that our railways work

1:10:32 > 1:10:41better when the track and train operated together.

1:10:43 > 1:10:46For my constituents of Surbiton, however, we look at the urgent

1:10:46 > 1:10:54safety case for a new staircase at Surbiton train station, the

1:10:54 > 1:10:59platforms have now become overcrowded during the evening peak.

1:10:59 > 1:11:04Madam David is bigger, I am grateful to him for his support for moving

1:11:04 > 1:11:09back to the operational track and train, I am happy to talk to pick

1:11:09 > 1:11:16that up with him if he wants to catch me off-line.Martin Vickers.

1:11:16 > 1:11:21I welcome the Secretary of State's statement, and could I clarify, when

1:11:21 > 1:11:26he refers to smaller railway operators, is he referencing open

1:11:26 > 1:11:30access operators, and if that is the case, does he foresee that will lead

1:11:30 > 1:11:33to an extension of services such as in my own area of northern

1:11:33 > 1:11:37Lincolnshire? Mr Speaker...

1:11:37 > 1:11:40Madam Eddie Speaker, I am a supporter of open access, it plays

1:11:40 > 1:11:50an important part. -- Madam Deputy 's beaker.

1:11:52 > 1:11:59I expect as we move express trains off the roots, there will be more

1:11:59 > 1:12:07scope for open access, not less. It is not my ambition to see that

1:12:07 > 1:12:13changed in coming years. The East Coast line was run I a

1:12:13 > 1:12:16not-for-profit company familiars and made a profit to the Treasury.

1:12:16 > 1:12:20That's not what I want to ask you for, I want to ask you about the

1:12:20 > 1:12:25link I have been campaigning for 30 years to reopen. Now it is going to

1:12:25 > 1:12:32be on the cards, I want to tell my constituents when it is going to

1:12:32 > 1:12:39happen, I do want it to be 30 years, because I will be dead!Madam Deputy

1:12:39 > 1:12:42Speaker, I will do my best to ensure he does not have to work that long.

1:12:42 > 1:12:47It is one of the routes where I think there is a real short-term

1:12:47 > 1:12:52potential. I will not put a date on it today, but integrating it with

1:12:52 > 1:12:55the Newcastle upon Tyne Metro makes a lot of sense, and it is a project

1:12:55 > 1:13:01we will now be pushing forward with the feasibility being planned for.

1:13:01 > 1:13:08We are looking at what, when, and how, I will never give him an exact

1:13:08 > 1:13:16date.Madam Deputy Speaker, Eastleigh is an historic railway

1:13:16 > 1:13:21town and transport issues really matter in my thriving but getting

1:13:21 > 1:13:27more busy uncongested constituency but also hosts Southampton Airport.

1:13:27 > 1:13:30East-West connectivity between Portsmouth and Southampton on a

1:13:30 > 1:13:35railway line over an hour, could the Secretary of State and it working

1:13:35 > 1:13:40across departments to make sure there is a joined up approach for

1:13:40 > 1:13:43constituencies who are providing housing but also are blighted by air

1:13:43 > 1:13:47pollution and congestion and a lack of investment historically in

1:13:47 > 1:13:53railway lines.I give my honourable friend that assurance. It is really

1:13:53 > 1:13:56important we make sure, as we seek to develop more housing, that

1:13:56 > 1:14:00infrastructure is in place to cope without whether it is road, rail or

1:14:00 > 1:14:03cycle routes, or whether it is different forms of public transport

1:14:03 > 1:14:07in different parts of the country. I give her an assurance that both I

1:14:07 > 1:14:10and my right honourable friend the Communities Secretary in charge of

1:14:10 > 1:14:14the housing infrastructure fund will both look very supportive to do in

1:14:14 > 1:14:23the parts of the country and how we can provide info structure for them.

1:14:23 > 1:14:27The idea of breaking up the great Western franchise, because of the

1:14:27 > 1:14:34loss of mobility to subsidise the more expensive bits in the

1:14:34 > 1:14:39south-west. Could I ask how much extra tax payers money he is handing

1:14:39 > 1:14:43over to Stagecoach because of the government's botched and ideological

1:14:43 > 1:14:46you driven re-privatisation of what was a perfectly good and profitable

1:14:46 > 1:14:49publicly owned company.

1:14:49 > 1:14:55The answer at this stage, it's not my intention to hand over money to

1:14:55 > 1:15:00do things, my intention is to get this railway line in preparation

1:15:00 > 1:15:05phase for the establishment of the Spanish about with the case of the

1:15:05 > 1:15:10Southwest franchise, this is a consultation, two options, we can

1:15:10 > 1:15:14continue with the great Western franchise as it is create a second

1:15:14 > 1:15:19franchise focused on Southwest. Both arguments, I'm committed to having

1:15:19 > 1:15:22more accountability and better transport in the Southwest, which is

1:15:22 > 1:15:33why we are doing the new A303 but this an open consultation.I

1:15:33 > 1:15:39welcomed the statement. I totally support the notification of --

1:15:39 > 1:15:43reunification of train and track, it's important when we have rails

1:15:43 > 1:15:50problems on the real that the two operators can argue about who is to

1:15:50 > 1:15:57blame when our commuters with a single body to point a finger at.

1:15:57 > 1:16:00Will my honourable friend confirmed there will be simpler accountability

1:16:00 > 1:16:05in the structures and when the franchise expires in Greater Anglia,

1:16:05 > 1:16:11we have the opportunity to look at this sort of regional arrangements.

1:16:11 > 1:16:15I can give this assurance and it should spread across the whole rail

1:16:15 > 1:16:19network where you have accountability, clear integration,

1:16:19 > 1:16:23clear working when something goes wrong and planning for maintenance

1:16:23 > 1:16:26work as to how you deal with the services when it's happening, this

1:16:26 > 1:16:29is a really important part to make sure the railway works for the

1:16:29 > 1:16:31future.

1:16:34 > 1:16:39Why didn't the Secretary of State use this opportunity to say that

1:16:39 > 1:16:43there was going to be electrification of the whole of the

1:16:43 > 1:16:49Midland line instead of stopping somewhere in Northampton to suit the

1:16:49 > 1:16:56commuter Travelers into London? The other business is that people in my

1:16:56 > 1:17:07constituency have been asking for a meeting with him to try to put an

1:17:07 > 1:17:11alternative to the spear that going to wreck 30 houses in my area, when

1:17:11 > 1:17:14will he answered a letter, he can tell me now.

1:17:16 > 1:17:19On the latter point, we have an extended an invitation to have that

1:17:19 > 1:17:24meeting. That will make sure we told to his office this afternoon and fix

1:17:24 > 1:17:28a date. In terms of the Midland mainline, we are about to embark and

1:17:28 > 1:17:33are in the early stages of the biggest investment programme since

1:17:33 > 1:17:39the 1870s and will mean faster journeys, brand-new trains, we can

1:17:39 > 1:17:45deliver those new trains in 2021 or 2022. We could wait more for the new

1:17:45 > 1:17:49trains, we could spend £1 billion more and we would do is save one

1:17:49 > 1:17:53minute on the journey times. I don't think that's the good use of

1:17:53 > 1:18:01taxpayer's money.I would also like to welcome my right honourable

1:18:01 > 1:18:09friend's statement this afternoon. I like to ask and what steps are being

1:18:09 > 1:18:16taken to improve stations and disabled access and stations?I

1:18:16 > 1:18:21absolutely sure my honourable friend's concern and the real

1:18:21 > 1:18:26minister has made this a particular part of his work to make sure we

1:18:26 > 1:18:30improve the rail network, we will continue that funding and control

1:18:30 > 1:18:33period six and the opportunity will be there for individual stations and

1:18:33 > 1:18:39areas to come forward to as to how we can do better in and challenge

1:18:39 > 1:18:46the real industry faces.It's a year and a half since the of State

1:18:46 > 1:18:51responded to calls to look into extending the real really delivered

1:18:51 > 1:18:54on time and under budget by the Scottish Government to Carlisle and

1:18:54 > 1:18:58she said she was interested in looking into it. Will he now take

1:18:58 > 1:19:03forward these discussions with the Scottish Government?I'm very happy

1:19:03 > 1:19:07to take forward discussions and the real Minister is meeting the Borders

1:19:07 > 1:19:13real campaign shortly. I understand the benefits that the project has

1:19:13 > 1:19:20brought to the Borders.Is my right honourable friend aware that on the

1:19:20 > 1:19:22Isle of Wight there might be interested in extending the island

1:19:22 > 1:19:29lying to the beautiful seaside town and the county town of Newport? That

1:19:29 > 1:19:33can be made possible due to the foresight of the railway in securing

1:19:33 > 1:19:37track. Will there be money available for feasibility studies to assess

1:19:37 > 1:19:43the cost and benefit of opening up for economic regeneration purposes

1:19:43 > 1:19:49former branch lines closed in the 60s?We will be publishing in the

1:19:49 > 1:19:52New Year a new process for evaluating and moving into

1:19:52 > 1:19:55development of new projects and I will be very happy to talk to my

1:19:55 > 1:19:58honourable friend about the Isle of Wight and how that process will work

1:19:58 > 1:20:06and how he can get his project into consideration.I have written to the

1:20:06 > 1:20:12Secretary of State about coastal stations in my constituency but only

1:20:12 > 1:20:16one train stopped there and I were, if we are going to open new real way

1:20:16 > 1:20:23stations, we must have trains stopping at them. So will the

1:20:23 > 1:20:28Secretary of State agree to meet with the railway north to talk about

1:20:28 > 1:20:32the frequency of services at coastal fort so we can get maximum

1:20:32 > 1:20:40development and benefit out of this then -- development.When a new

1:20:40 > 1:20:44station is open it is not unusual to start with an hourly service while

1:20:44 > 1:20:49the passenger really builds up to modern gross. I am delighted we are

1:20:49 > 1:20:53able to invest in better station services. It has been long overdue

1:20:53 > 1:21:01for a long time.I welcomed the overall thrust of this plan. That is

1:21:01 > 1:21:05probably no coincidence that current franchise covers roughly the same

1:21:05 > 1:21:11area the railway company did back in the 1930s. Would he reassure me that

1:21:11 > 1:21:15in any consideration of this it will be services to passengers that will

1:21:15 > 1:21:21be the top priority in particular may the link between London

1:21:21 > 1:21:24Paddington?I can give an assurance that we would want to see the

1:21:24 > 1:21:30service is protected. What I would say is that this is a genuine

1:21:30 > 1:21:33consultation, I don't have a preset to view on this and I'm relaxed and

1:21:33 > 1:21:36want to listen to the people who represent the Southwest and see what

1:21:36 > 1:21:45works best with you? We will listen and respond accordingly. There is no

1:21:45 > 1:21:54prejudged view. We are simply asking the question is parked on the

1:21:54 > 1:21:58Secretary of State's U-turn of electrifying the lead from Cardiff

1:21:58 > 1:22:03to Swansea, at the safety improvements part of that work and

1:22:03 > 1:22:06including the level crossing in my constituency. Can he set out his

1:22:06 > 1:22:10plan for his vision for the railways are he will cause he's dangerous

1:22:10 > 1:22:15level crossings and while at it, keeping a promise on highway

1:22:15 > 1:22:17improvements in the same ten in my constituency went to

1:22:17 > 1:22:24electrification? The safety issue is fundamentally important for Network

1:22:24 > 1:22:27Rail and to have this it is really in Europe and Network Rail has a

1:22:27 > 1:22:31rolling programme for replacing dangerous level crossings which will

1:22:31 > 1:22:35continue in all circumstances. What I would say to him as I think the

1:22:35 > 1:22:38Welsh government, the Welsh Labour government is reaching the same

1:22:38 > 1:22:44conclusions which is that the versatility of trained media don't

1:22:44 > 1:22:46always have two get over net cables. I caution her money talks about is

1:22:46 > 1:22:51taking the wrong decisions he may find that the Labour Party and we

1:22:51 > 1:22:58find ourselves on the right track on the way forward.Can will welcomed

1:22:58 > 1:23:01the announcement of the Southern and ten Link franchise will be broken

1:23:01 > 1:23:07up, it cannot come soon enough for my constituents. Underlying

1:23:07 > 1:23:15reopening, the Uckfield line, it can be opened easily and would improve

1:23:15 > 1:23:18connectivity to the towns on the mainline for the first time. We have

1:23:18 > 1:23:24private investors wanting to bid of £15 billion to fund that, will the

1:23:24 > 1:23:27Secretary of State use that scheme as the first to illustrate what can

1:23:27 > 1:23:34be done by JamaatI have met the investors pursuing this project I am

1:23:34 > 1:23:37open to doing so unwitting with interest to see as they come back

1:23:37 > 1:23:41with a first aid at work, I would be delighted to see this route reopened

1:23:41 > 1:23:45and I hope the consortium that are pursuing this project proved to be

1:23:45 > 1:23:52successful in what they are trying to do.There appears to be little

1:23:52 > 1:23:57mention of Wales in the Secretary of State's announcement in the great

1:23:57 > 1:24:01Western consultation but key services to my constituency and just

1:24:01 > 1:24:04this morning commuters to Bristol and beyond have yet again had to

1:24:04 > 1:24:09highlight the chronic lack of capacity to demand. Can the Minister

1:24:09 > 1:24:14tell my constituents when they will see real action and improvement?

1:24:14 > 1:24:18Most of the responsibility of the local services lies with the Welsh

1:24:18 > 1:24:24government.I'm looking forward to seeing the outcome of the Welsh

1:24:24 > 1:24:28government's work in delivering new trains and delivering better

1:24:28 > 1:24:32services from the new franchise. In terms of what we're doing for her

1:24:32 > 1:24:36constituency, we have electrification programme to

1:24:36 > 1:24:38Paddington, the investment in intercity express trains for faster

1:24:38 > 1:24:43and better journeys but I am expecting and hoping we will see as

1:24:43 > 1:24:47part of the franchise, a significant increase in services from Cardiff

1:24:47 > 1:24:50eastwards and one reason we are supporting the plan for Cardiff

1:24:50 > 1:24:55Parkway station and I hope it will be significant to pass the franchise

1:24:55 > 1:25:04to the connection is coming from Cardiff to Bristol.I found the

1:25:04 > 1:25:08Secretary of State for his statement. East Suffolk line which

1:25:08 > 1:25:13runs two Ipswich dodged the bullet and is now going from strength to

1:25:13 > 1:25:16strength with regularly Relay services. Can my right honourable

1:25:16 > 1:25:20friend provide the assurance that his improvements will provide the

1:25:20 > 1:25:24framework for further improvements, including a more frequent and faster

1:25:24 > 1:25:28service?One of the things I'm pleased about that are doing in

1:25:28 > 1:25:32partnership with the private sector is the complete has formation of the

1:25:32 > 1:25:36train service in East Anglia with brand-new trains. Every single train

1:25:36 > 1:25:39being replaced and more capacity for passengers. As demand grows we will

1:25:39 > 1:25:44have to look again at roots like his to see if there is a need for more

1:25:44 > 1:25:47services but in the immediate future I hope his constituents can be

1:25:47 > 1:25:49delighted to see the brand-new trains arriving and better journeys

1:25:49 > 1:25:58for them.The strength and wisdom to the select committee report, in

1:25:58 > 1:26:05stark contrast, the 1993 report chaired by Robert Adley which

1:26:05 > 1:26:09forecast accurately all of the problems the privatisation would

1:26:09 > 1:26:15bring and a unanimous report by a Tory dominated committee compared to

1:26:15 > 1:26:19the statement made today, which seems nothing more than a piece of

1:26:19 > 1:26:24vacuous windowdressing designed to distract us from the collapsing

1:26:24 > 1:26:30policies of the government on Brexit.There's nothing like trying

1:26:30 > 1:26:35to shoot every issue into one question. The simple reality about

1:26:35 > 1:26:38the railways is that back in the 1990s they were in a state of

1:26:38 > 1:26:42decline, roots were being closed and stations as well, back in the days

1:26:42 > 1:26:46of British rail that plans to put the station into a court station,

1:26:46 > 1:26:49that was the reality of the days of British rail. What we have seen in

1:26:49 > 1:26:53the last 20 years is new trains, new routes, double the number of

1:26:53 > 1:26:56passengers on the problems we are dealing with today are problems of

1:26:56 > 1:27:00success are not filling and that is why today it is the right thing to

1:27:00 > 1:27:03do, not deciding to start again, to evolve the real into a place where

1:27:03 > 1:27:07they better placed real deal was a very real challenges that result

1:27:07 > 1:27:18from success.The mainline and northbound service from Kettering is

1:27:18 > 1:27:23going from a half hourly service to one hour service. There are no more

1:27:23 > 1:27:26passengers. It's effectively the hub between the commuter service to

1:27:26 > 1:27:31Corby and the mainline northwards and also now going to be the

1:27:31 > 1:27:34interface between the electrified part of the line and the diesel

1:27:34 > 1:27:38operated part of the line. With my right honourable friend angry with

1:27:38 > 1:27:42me that Kettering would be the ideal place for the new train track

1:27:42 > 1:27:51operating team?Kettering is a fine town. It's a fine constituency and

1:27:51 > 1:27:55well represented and I can understand the case that he would

1:27:55 > 1:28:00make to host that operating team and he is right. One of the places at

1:28:00 > 1:28:05the heart of the Midland mainline. He makes a very strong case for

1:28:05 > 1:28:12Kettering.The Chancellor of the Exchequer last week in the budget

1:28:12 > 1:28:20mentioned in North Wales, proposing a Metro in a more effective way to

1:28:20 > 1:28:26connect with North England. As the Secretary of State had a check on

1:28:26 > 1:28:29the Chancellor? When many of us are my suggestion we looked at that

1:28:29 > 1:28:35project and I listen to what he said to me. The Chancellor has provided

1:28:35 > 1:28:42development funding. Building Alliance and close working between

1:28:42 > 1:28:47Network Rail and trade operating companies in franchises is very much

1:28:47 > 1:28:50a welcome move. However I would be grateful that my right honourable

1:28:50 > 1:28:54friend could advise on how Network Rail will ultimately be held to

1:28:54 > 1:28:58account for meeting the terms of future franchises or contracts just

1:28:58 > 1:29:02as currently the train operating companies are and also whether it

1:29:02 > 1:29:04means that infrastructure improvements will now be considered

1:29:04 > 1:29:11as part of the franchising process. On the latter point, they can be.

1:29:11 > 1:29:16They can be no, nothing to prevent train companies coming forward with

1:29:16 > 1:29:19small-scale infrastructure proposals. My would be happy to see

1:29:19 > 1:29:23the private sector come forward with plans to introduce digital

1:29:23 > 1:29:28signalling on their route but we're not going to move the infrastructure

1:29:28 > 1:29:31itself out of public ownership Footitt the accountability comes

1:29:31 > 1:29:34from the performance measures that are put in place for Network Rail

1:29:34 > 1:29:38and for the people who need it. I think devolution to individual

1:29:38 > 1:29:43routes will mean we get better services and more focus and

1:29:43 > 1:29:45out-of-the-box thinking which is what Network Rail needs to make sure

1:29:45 > 1:29:52it has the best value for everyone involved.

1:29:52 > 1:29:58My constituents will be listening with avid interest because prior to

1:29:58 > 1:30:01the general election the Transport Secretary visited my constituency

1:30:01 > 1:30:10and said the reinstatement of the line to Preston would be a quick

1:30:10 > 1:30:14when to help improve rail services in the North. Perhaps he can tell us

1:30:14 > 1:30:20when you will get that quick when and when funding for this project

1:30:20 > 1:30:25and electrification of the area will be forthcoming. My constituents look

1:30:25 > 1:30:31forward to you keeping your promise. The people of West Lancashire right

1:30:31 > 1:30:35now will be getting the benefit of the investment programme that is

1:30:35 > 1:30:41taking place in the line that runs from Manchester to Blackpool. That

1:30:41 > 1:30:45right now is our parity. After that, I hope we will move forward to other

1:30:45 > 1:30:51projects that will make a difference to passengers in Lancashire and

1:30:51 > 1:30:57elsewhere in the North West.I welcome the statement today. He will

1:30:57 > 1:31:04know that 30% of passenger improvements were due to the new

1:31:04 > 1:31:09fleet but 60% is due to the track. And I urge him for passenger and

1:31:09 > 1:31:16freight. Felixstowe carries most of the freight for this country. Could

1:31:16 > 1:31:21I urge him to look at Holly Junction and Ely Junction as key priorities

1:31:21 > 1:31:28in order to deliver better services for passengers and freight industry?

1:31:28 > 1:31:34I can give her that assurance and reiterate the government has given

1:31:34 > 1:31:37the people of East Anglia be in control period six the work on the

1:31:37 > 1:31:41Ely Junction will free up freight and passenger access through that

1:31:41 > 1:31:47important Junction and open up opportunities across East Anglia.

1:31:47 > 1:31:54That will be an early priority for as.My constituents are used to

1:31:54 > 1:32:05travelling on trains run by Transport for London. Yet he refuses

1:32:05 > 1:32:09them to have anything to do with the Southeastern franchise based on the

1:32:09 > 1:32:16fact we have a Labour Amir. My constituents deserve better than his

1:32:16 > 1:32:24petty political grievances. Would he not allowed Transport for London to

1:32:24 > 1:32:30demonstrate that they can run that franchise more effectively?

1:32:30 > 1:32:36Transport for London do not run the track and trains. What they are

1:32:36 > 1:32:44outlining today is more services, longer trains, and that is a lot

1:32:44 > 1:32:49better than what is being put forward in the business plan from

1:32:49 > 1:33:00TEFL.Can the Secretary of State say what talks he has had with the

1:33:00 > 1:33:02northern Para house minister over the upgrading of the trans-Pennine

1:33:02 > 1:33:08routes? Would he consider linking up the great cities of Liverpool and

1:33:08 > 1:33:16Newcastle?We have already electrified from Manchester to

1:33:16 > 1:33:22Liverpool. That has been done. The next part from Manchester to Leeds,

1:33:22 > 1:33:29York. That is the next big real investment programme. That will be

1:33:29 > 1:33:37the next project we go ahead with and it will make a big difference.I

1:33:37 > 1:33:41warmly welcome the announcement today of the consultation on great

1:33:41 > 1:33:44Western franchise and the improvements that will bring to

1:33:44 > 1:33:49passenger services in Devon and beyond. Can I seek is reassurance

1:33:49 > 1:33:59that in the process we will put focus on real focus between Exeter

1:33:59 > 1:34:03and Barnstable? It is not just a quaint tourist line used in August,

1:34:03 > 1:34:11it is a vital access route for business.He is right. One of the

1:34:11 > 1:34:14routes I have said we are now engaged in working to begin

1:34:14 > 1:34:19passenger services on again is the routes to Exeter where I believe

1:34:19 > 1:34:27there is additional potential to provide better commuter services.

1:34:27 > 1:34:33Can he tell us why he is not electrifying the Midland mainline

1:34:33 > 1:34:36when every single business organisation, member of Parliament

1:34:36 > 1:34:42and local council is telling him that is what he should do? Why is he

1:34:42 > 1:34:44ignoring the wishes of local people and representatives and saying he

1:34:44 > 1:34:50knows best and simply offering them a joint team approach, whatever that

1:34:50 > 1:34:55is?The answer to that is simple. Were delivering over the next four

1:34:55 > 1:35:00years the biggest upgrade to the Midland rail line since the 1870s.

1:35:00 > 1:35:06Faster journeys, straightening out tracks to improve line speeds.

1:35:06 > 1:35:11Resignalling in places like Derby. That will deliver faster journey

1:35:11 > 1:35:15times to Sheffield and we will deliver brand-new trains on that

1:35:15 > 1:35:27route in the early 20 20s. I can then electrify and go further. All

1:35:27 > 1:35:36that would do is improve journey times by one minute and would cost

1:35:36 > 1:35:45£1 billion.On behalf of my neighbour and myself, can I thank

1:35:45 > 1:35:48the Secretary of State for coming to our area and seen the potential.

1:35:48 > 1:35:59Page 31 of the document says it will deliver faster trains from Hastings

1:35:59 > 1:36:01and require any better for the Southeastern franchise to pay

1:36:01 > 1:36:05attention to the potential for high speed rail being extended to

1:36:05 > 1:36:09Hastings and Bexhill. Would he agree with me that this will unlock

1:36:09 > 1:36:15regeneration in our constituencies? He is right. Sometimes it is the

1:36:15 > 1:36:19smaller projects that make the difference. We get very caught up in

1:36:19 > 1:36:25the biggest projects. Actually the smaller projects, even some track

1:36:25 > 1:36:28realignment in places, is what makes the biggest difference to

1:36:28 > 1:36:32passengers. And looking to do big things and small things to try to

1:36:32 > 1:36:38improve the situation for passengers.She will know the

1:36:38 > 1:36:45Cumbria coastline is in dire state of performance at the moment. Is

1:36:45 > 1:36:48disappointing Cumbria was not mentioned at all in the strategy.

1:36:48 > 1:36:53Will he agreed to get a real minister to meet with us to discuss

1:36:53 > 1:37:01what can be done about the 50-year-old local motors dashed

1:37:01 > 1:37:07locomotives which are breaking down and annoying residents. The terrible

1:37:07 > 1:37:10state of rolling stock and awful reliability. There is an urgent need

1:37:10 > 1:37:17to fix this or there will be significant damage to the economy.

1:37:17 > 1:37:22We are getting new trains on that route, introducing better and Sunday

1:37:22 > 1:37:29services. In this partnership that exists between us and the Labour

1:37:29 > 1:37:33leadership and councils of the North and transport for the North, will be

1:37:33 > 1:37:37working side by side to see this new franchise, see the replacement of

1:37:37 > 1:37:42the rail fleet which the government is paying for. The first of the new

1:37:42 > 1:37:53trains are now entering service. Every single train on the northern

1:37:53 > 1:38:05route is either being replaced or scrapped.I welcome the real

1:38:05 > 1:38:12strategy. I noted in it and in answer to my friend from Bury St

1:38:12 > 1:38:19Edmunds reference improvements on the improvement works at Ely

1:38:19 > 1:38:23Junction. Can he assure me that when those works are done, which will

1:38:23 > 1:38:27benefit the entire region and take freight off the roads, my

1:38:27 > 1:38:38constituents in Queen Adelaide will not be disadvantages for a affected?

1:38:38 > 1:38:42I give her that assurance. I will work with her and her constituency

1:38:42 > 1:38:46make sure this is a beneficial investment for her part of the world

1:38:46 > 1:38:51and win it has any impact, we minimise them to the maximum

1:38:51 > 1:38:55possible extent.I noted what he said about compensation for

1:38:55 > 1:39:01passengers when things go wrong. I know he is aware of the appalling

1:39:01 > 1:39:13service being provided through my constituency by Northern Rail. This

1:39:13 > 1:39:18does not capture the Philip Stevie Deans my constituents are having.

1:39:18 > 1:39:23This is why we are working with the ombudsman. We recognise there are

1:39:23 > 1:39:29circumstances with a conventional repayment system doesn't reflect the

1:39:29 > 1:39:32problems experienced. That will come into play shortly or working to

1:39:32 > 1:39:38deliver that right now.I would like to thank my noble friend for

1:39:38 > 1:39:40statement this afternoon, particularly around the Southeastern

1:39:40 > 1:39:44franchise, which needs to deliver for the significant number of

1:39:44 > 1:39:47house-building were going to be seen in north Kent over the next 20

1:39:47 > 1:39:55years. My constituents have long complained. What I would like to ask

1:39:55 > 1:40:00my right honourable friend today is that if there are any further plans

1:40:00 > 1:40:04to increase the capacity on the wonderful high speed WAN network

1:40:04 > 1:40:09that runs into my constituency, because my constituents who want to

1:40:09 > 1:40:12use the service are often complaining of the lack of seats and

1:40:12 > 1:40:20the number of trains available.My honourable friend is right that the

1:40:20 > 1:40:28high speed services in Singh Kang Pierce are pretty full at peak

1:40:28 > 1:40:36times. We will see what happens when the bids come through. It is on

1:40:36 > 1:40:42everyone's radar.In 2014, the previous Tory Prime Minister

1:40:42 > 1:40:47described electrification of the great Western rail line across Wales

1:40:47 > 1:40:51as transformational for communities and huge. Given this government has

1:40:51 > 1:41:00no cancelled electrification, why should my constituents believe Tory

1:41:00 > 1:41:04promises on real again?We are delivering much faster connections

1:41:04 > 1:41:11to South Wales. Were improving the track and signalling. That will make

1:41:11 > 1:41:17a transformational difference to the economy of South Wales. We are

1:41:17 > 1:41:23ensuring express trains can go west of Swansea. We have brand-new trains

1:41:23 > 1:41:27in service from Swansea delivering improved conditions for passengers.

1:41:27 > 1:41:33If we are wrecked overhead cables, it will cost £700 million and

1:41:33 > 1:41:37deliver no extra benefits to passengers, not even one minute of

1:41:37 > 1:41:43the journey time. It doesn't make any sense.I was disappointed the

1:41:43 > 1:41:48Secretary of State was not at the debate on transport in the North on

1:41:48 > 1:41:51six November. Having spoken of his priorities for transforming services

1:41:51 > 1:41:57in this country, can he say which he thinks will happen first, Crossrail

1:41:57 > 1:42:03for the North between Liverpool and Hol, or Crossrail Mach two for a

1:42:03 > 1:42:08London between Surrey and Hertfordshire?These are going to

1:42:08 > 1:42:13happen. We will move forward in lockstep with each other. Are both

1:42:13 > 1:42:21important. We will steward them in parallel.The journey from

1:42:21 > 1:42:25Paddington to Cardiff is regularly a version of hell, to be honest.

1:42:25 > 1:42:29Trains are regularly cancelled and everyone has to do pile onto the

1:42:29 > 1:42:35next train often an hour later. My constituents regularly say to me

1:42:35 > 1:42:41that they hear announcements that the train will be delayed by 20

1:42:41 > 1:42:47minutes because the train is more overloaded and say. After an

1:42:47 > 1:42:55international match, they put on your trains, not more. It is simply

1:42:55 > 1:43:00unfair and wrong. When is he going to put it right?You will be

1:43:00 > 1:43:04delighted to see the arrival of the new trains which have more seats,

1:43:04 > 1:43:10more capacity and will replace long out of date trains to deliver a

1:43:10 > 1:43:18faster and better service for passengers.Can I firstly thank the

1:43:18 > 1:43:21Secretary of State for his assistance in securing extra money

1:43:21 > 1:43:27for North Wales and the budget, but it was for business case which is

1:43:27 > 1:43:33merely a taster. Will he please help deliver the main chorus of the North

1:43:33 > 1:43:38Wales growth deal, which will really unlock growth in what is one of the

1:43:38 > 1:43:44most effective and forward-looking areas of the national economy?I

1:43:44 > 1:43:53know he is asked not just the hors d'oeuvre, but the full menu. I

1:43:53 > 1:44:02thought he at least deserves an appetiser. The situation north of

1:44:02 > 1:44:08Wrexham at the moment is not right. That is why we agreed to fund the

1:44:08 > 1:44:11development of that scheme.And like to give credit to the Transport

1:44:11 > 1:44:16Secretary for acknowledging the failure on at two occasions of the

1:44:16 > 1:44:21private front channels from the East Coast Main Line. When it was

1:44:21 > 1:44:26operated by the UK state owned direct trains, it generated more

1:44:26 > 1:44:30than £100 million of profits for the Treasury which could be used for

1:44:30 > 1:44:35other vital services. My question is this. What assessment has he made of

1:44:35 > 1:44:39the additional costs of the private and public sector partnership, and

1:44:39 > 1:44:45would it not be better to use the profits to improve the Tyne & Wear

1:44:45 > 1:44:51Metro? Rather than swell the coppers of privately operated train

1:44:51 > 1:44:55companies, often owned by governments from Europe?conundrum,

1:44:55 > 1:44:59always from the party opposite about Brexit but don't seem... They want

1:44:59 > 1:45:02to stay in the single market, continue to operate in the

1:45:02 > 1:45:06traditional way but don't want to work with train companies of other

1:45:06 > 1:45:13countries. That is quite illogical. I am delighted that we as a

1:45:13 > 1:45:17government are investing in role in the north-east, the trade and

1:45:17 > 1:45:19investment, the metro, the plan towards extending the Metro, this is

1:45:19 > 1:45:23the right thing to do to help his constituency and the economy of the

1:45:23 > 1:45:28Northeast and I'm proud to be able to deliver it and it's worth saying

1:45:28 > 1:45:31that actually the private sector franchise on the East Coast mainline

1:45:31 > 1:45:37has contributed more to the Treasury than the public sector wondered.I

1:45:37 > 1:45:42wrote to the Secretary of State on the 23rd of October and I eagerly

1:45:42 > 1:45:46await his response. My constituents are fed up with chronically

1:45:46 > 1:45:51overcrowded unreliable trains and substandard services, can he tell me

1:45:51 > 1:45:54what is being taken in order to monitor the performance delivered by

1:45:54 > 1:46:02the train operating companies?She is right that the constituency have

1:46:02 > 1:46:05overcrowded trains and they are not long enough and have to be replaced

1:46:05 > 1:46:07and that is why we are replacing them with longer trains and that

1:46:07 > 1:46:12will make a transformational difference to her constituents and

1:46:12 > 1:46:19others across the North.The document published today, I was

1:46:19 > 1:46:22perplexed that there was no mention of mutual operators and I can only

1:46:22 > 1:46:32assume that an oversight. Can he actually reinvest profits for the

1:46:32 > 1:46:37value of all passengers. Given that, could I ask him to commit or commit

1:46:37 > 1:46:41his real minister to a short meeting to talk about the barriers faced by

1:46:41 > 1:46:46mutual operators.I would be very happy to see an employee owned bid

1:46:46 > 1:46:52to come forward. I would be happy to see a partnership between employees

1:46:52 > 1:46:57and investors to come forward and if there are artificial barriers, I am

1:46:57 > 1:47:04happy to see if we can remove them. Every line that could be opened seem

1:47:04 > 1:47:14to be in England. The Aberystwyth line was closed due to cut and

1:47:14 > 1:47:16reopening it would provide considerable support and the

1:47:16 > 1:47:20significant boost to the economy of West Wales. With the Secretary of

1:47:20 > 1:47:23State and prepare to meet a camping group to discuss ways of adding this

1:47:23 > 1:47:31line to his map of lines that could be opened?In an construction terms

1:47:31 > 1:47:35there is a clear responsibility for Wills and I want to see Welsh

1:47:35 > 1:47:38infrastructure improved and see yet as a way that can provide extra

1:47:38 > 1:47:45service to passengers. The real minister will be happy to talk to

1:47:45 > 1:47:50him on the campaign group about that and I was talking the other day to

1:47:50 > 1:47:53people in Wales and I'm aware that it's a project that people want to

1:47:53 > 1:47:57see. What I would be very clear is that as we invest in reopening

1:47:57 > 1:48:02routes, they have two provide economic opportunity, housing

1:48:02 > 1:48:05opportunity break-up real point of congestion, we cannot as a goodbye

1:48:05 > 1:48:12to recreating old routes that no longer have a commercial purpose.

1:48:12 > 1:48:16The Secretary of State will be aware from my communications the

1:48:16 > 1:48:21importance of real connectivity in my constituency. It is the fifth

1:48:21 > 1:48:26largest town in the country without a railway station. Following the

1:48:26 > 1:48:31publication of his report today, the industrial strategy and the social

1:48:31 > 1:48:37mobility report, which all highlight the importance of connectivity for

1:48:37 > 1:48:42social and economic purposes, will he confirm that my constituency will

1:48:42 > 1:48:51or has been considered as part of the reversal of caps.Leuluai one

1:48:51 > 1:48:54significant towns to be well served by the railways and she is meeting

1:48:54 > 1:48:59my honourable friend this afternoon and he will listen very carefully to

1:48:59 > 1:49:06what she says.My constituency of Bristol North West is on the brink

1:49:06 > 1:49:08of daily gridlock due to welcome back significant development and

1:49:08 > 1:49:12housing and travel to work groups which are not fit for purpose. I

1:49:12 > 1:49:15welcome the reference to the Portishead line in the strategy but

1:49:15 > 1:49:20the solution is the Henry Luke line.

1:49:21 > 1:49:28Will the Secretary of State reiterate the device given to my

1:49:28 > 1:49:32predecessor that an independent case study should be funded for funding

1:49:32 > 1:49:40of that line.Also

1:49:42 > 1:49:45he has a strong agenda to take forward to investment and the

1:49:45 > 1:49:51suburban railway services. I have been to the point of the Henry loop,

1:49:51 > 1:49:55which will be the issue and it is something we have to resolve. --

1:49:55 > 1:49:58Henbury.

1:50:05 > 1:50:09Fragmentation of the great Western franchise risks locking in a poor

1:50:09 > 1:50:12deal for real for the far south-west. Will the Secretary of

1:50:12 > 1:50:16State take this opportunity to match the commitment given by the Shadow

1:50:16 > 1:50:19Secretary of State for Transport to fund the peninsular rail transport

1:50:19 > 1:50:24board recommendations for faster journeys, more resilient railways

1:50:24 > 1:50:27and ensure they can unlock the investment that we need for

1:50:27 > 1:50:33Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall.Let me reiterate my point that this is a

1:50:33 > 1:50:36consultation and I want views from all sides, we will only make a

1:50:36 > 1:50:40change if it is the right thing to do and we're not going to create a

1:50:40 > 1:50:44fringe franchise just for Devon and Cornwall, cutting it off. If we do

1:50:44 > 1:50:48this and will be much more of a south-western franchise serving the

1:50:48 > 1:50:53region providing good links locally. In terms of the peninsular rail task

1:50:53 > 1:50:57force, their top recommendation was that we need to do with the issue

1:50:57 > 1:51:03and developing the solution. That is critical to making sure that route

1:51:03 > 1:51:06is resilient, that is the number-1 real priority for me in the

1:51:06 > 1:51:10south-west I can have an absolute guarantee to that says that as long

1:51:10 > 1:51:14as I am Transport Secretary and beyond, my party is committed to

1:51:14 > 1:51:19delivering a solution to prevent the very real risk that represents.

1:51:23 > 1:51:28I now call Mr Andrea Mitchell to propose a debate on a specific and

1:51:28 > 1:51:33important matter that should have urgent consideration under the terms

1:51:33 > 1:51:39of Standing Order number 24. The Right Honourable member has three

1:51:39 > 1:51:44minutes in which to make such an application.Thank you Madam Deputy

1:51:44 > 1:51:48Speaker, I seek leave to propose that the House should debate a

1:51:48 > 1:51:51specific and important matter, which shall have urgent consideration,

1:51:51 > 1:51:57namely Britain's engagement with Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Today, we

1:51:57 > 1:51:59are witnessing an almighty catastrophe of biblical proportions

1:51:59 > 1:52:07are unfolding in Yemen in which Britain is dangerously complicit.

1:52:07 > 1:52:10Britain is respected throughout the world for bringing hope and relief

1:52:10 > 1:52:14for those caught up in humanitarian misery. Today in Yemen, which I

1:52:14 > 1:52:19visited earlier this year, we are in danger of earning a reputation for

1:52:19 > 1:52:22precisely the reverse. For the UK is part of the coalition which is

1:52:22 > 1:52:28imposing a blockade by land, sea and air on 27 million in many people. In

1:52:28 > 1:52:33recent weeks and fuel prices have risen by up to 160% and rice and

1:52:33 > 1:52:39basic foods by nearly 70%. Fuel for generators is essential for

1:52:39 > 1:52:43hospitals and water pumping stations and it will run out shortly.

1:52:43 > 1:52:48Yesterday given announcement by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, while

1:52:48 > 1:52:53arguably slowing the trajectory, will not in any way curtail this

1:52:53 > 1:52:57escalating disaster. In the words of the United Nations Secretary-General

1:52:57 > 1:53:03last week, and I quote, unless the blockade is lifted, famine

1:53:03 > 1:53:07throughout Yemen is a very real threat, including on the southern

1:53:07 > 1:53:14borders of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Moreover, wilfully impeding

1:53:14 > 1:53:18humanitarian access may constitute a violation of international

1:53:18 > 1:53:22humanitarian law. It is increasingly clear, Madam Deputy Speaker, that

1:53:22 > 1:53:28this blockade imposed on Yemen constitutes the collective and

1:53:28 > 1:53:33illegal punishment of an entire population. If you grant this

1:53:33 > 1:53:39debate, I believe the House will see clearly that current policy will

1:53:39 > 1:53:43result in a huge strategic failure, both for Saudi Arabia and by

1:53:43 > 1:53:47extension for the UK as well. My believe it is important that the

1:53:47 > 1:53:52voice of this house is heard urgently along with the Prime

1:53:52 > 1:53:59Minister's on her current visit to the Gulf. Above all, it is a moral

1:53:59 > 1:54:06failure that confronts us. Famine is a phenomenon that we were close to

1:54:06 > 1:54:10eradicating from the human condition. The last 20 years has

1:54:10 > 1:54:15seen on the two famine throughout the world. I was responsible in 2011

1:54:15 > 1:54:20for coordinating the UK efforts to address one of those famines in

1:54:20 > 1:54:25Somalia and saw for myself emaciated children and starving mothers. Today

1:54:25 > 1:54:31in Yemen, we are witnessing a totally preventable mass

1:54:31 > 1:54:35humanitarian catastrophe, the likes of which we have not seen in

1:54:35 > 1:54:43decades.The Right Honourable member asks leave to propose a debate on a

1:54:43 > 1:54:48specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration.

1:54:48 > 1:54:56Namely, the current situation in Yemen. On behalf of Mr Speaker, I

1:54:56 > 1:55:00have listened carefully to the application from the Right

1:55:00 > 1:55:04Honourable member and Mr Speaker is satisfied that the matter raised is

1:55:04 > 1:55:10proper to be discussed under Standing Order number 24. Has the

1:55:10 > 1:55:15Right Honourable member the leave of the House?

1:55:22 > 1:55:29The motion... I assure the Right Honourable gentleman, I don't have

1:55:29 > 1:55:36to count. Nobody has indicated dissent and there is clearly

1:55:36 > 1:55:41support. The motion has been supported, as required by the

1:55:41 > 1:55:51Standing Order. The debate will be held tomorrow as the first item of

1:55:51 > 1:55:55public business. The debate will last for up to three hours and will

1:55:55 > 1:56:00arise on a motion that the House has considered the specific matters set

1:56:00 > 1:56:05out in the right Honourable member's application, namely that the House

1:56:05 > 1:56:09has considered the current situation in Yemen.

1:56:13 > 1:56:22We now come to the ten minute rule motion.Thank you very much. I beg

1:56:22 > 1:56:27to move that we'd be given to bring in a bill to require the government

1:56:27 > 1:56:31to monitor and report on food and security to make provision for

1:56:31 > 1:56:34official statistics on food insecurity and for connected

1:56:34 > 1:56:40purposes. People are going hungry and with each passing day of this

1:56:40 > 1:56:43terrible excuse for a government, more and more are falling into

1:56:43 > 1:56:48poverty was little chance of an escape. There are no second chances

1:56:48 > 1:56:52in Britain today. Food poverty is a clear consequence of this

1:56:52 > 1:56:56government's ideological assault on the social safety net and the people

1:56:56 > 1:57:01who rely on it and are ongoing in action on poverty pay. Each time

1:57:01 > 1:57:06hunger is raised in this chamber, I have had secretaries of State and

1:57:06 > 1:57:09ministers denigrate statistics on charities, food banks and

1:57:09 > 1:57:12colleagues, claiming that the figures are not robust enough and

1:57:12 > 1:57:15the information out there is not reliable enough to inform government

1:57:15 > 1:57:22policy. Denying the accuracy of data or simply turning a blind eye allows

1:57:22 > 1:57:26the benches opposite to pretend the problem doesn't exist. Madam Deputy

1:57:26 > 1:57:30Speaker, today, with this bill, I am giving the government an opportunity

1:57:30 > 1:57:36to rectify this data gap and robust elite measured the levels of hunger

1:57:36 > 1:57:41in the UK. We all know that what gets measured gets done. Although

1:57:41 > 1:57:46the problem offered and security in the UK is increasing and the

1:57:46 > 1:57:49devolved administrations in Scotland and Northern Ireland are taking

1:57:49 > 1:57:53steps to implement the measurement. This government doggedly persists in

1:57:53 > 1:57:58refusing calls from the food foundation, sustain Oxfam, myself

1:57:58 > 1:58:01and a host of others to routinely robustly measure levels of food

1:58:01 > 1:58:07insecurity. Estimates from the United Nations in 2014 suggests that

1:58:07 > 1:58:13as many as 8 million households in the UK are food insecure. That is 8

1:58:13 > 1:58:16million households where people cannot afford to eat or are worrying

1:58:16 > 1:58:20about where their next meal is coming from. This estimate is based

1:58:20 > 1:58:25on a small survey of around 1000 people, which is not nearly good

1:58:25 > 1:58:32enough to inform policy. In 2016, the Food Standards Agency surveyed

1:58:32 > 1:58:36households about food insecurity as part of the food and use survey.

1:58:36 > 1:58:41They found 21% of households in England, Wales and Northern Ireland

1:58:41 > 1:58:46to be moderately to severely food insecure. This one-off measurement

1:58:46 > 1:58:51gives a snapshot of the problem but does not allow for long-term trends

1:58:51 > 1:58:57or the ability to track the impact of policy changes. This month, the

1:58:57 > 1:59:01office for National statistics showed data that the drop in the

1:59:01 > 1:59:08value of Stirling Q2 Brexit, food inflation has written over 4%. We

1:59:08 > 1:59:15need up-to-date information on the impact it is having on families in

1:59:15 > 1:59:19the UK to afford healthy food because being food insecure as

1:59:19 > 1:59:23lasting health impacts. We already know that the UK is facing the

1:59:23 > 1:59:28double burden of insecurity and obesity. It is no surprise given the

1:59:28 > 1:59:31types of meals that are food insecure family can afford. More

1:59:31 > 1:59:36worryingly, and the last financial year, the cab of hospital admissions

1:59:36 > 1:59:40in England reveals that there were nearly 8000 adults and over 300

1:59:40 > 1:59:46children admitted to hospital for malnutrition.

1:59:46 > 1:59:49This figure should shame any government, but for a government in

1:59:49 > 1:59:53one of the richest countries in the world this is simply unforgivable.

1:59:53 > 2:00:03The latest data shows that just over 1 million emergency food supplies

2:00:03 > 2:00:06were given to people in crisis over the past year. This is just the tip

2:00:06 > 2:00:10of the iceberg. We know the trust will trust only collect data from

2:00:10 > 2:00:17their own food banks. There are at least 1000 food banks in operation.

2:00:17 > 2:00:21There is also the hidden hungry. Those who won't go to a food bank,

2:00:21 > 2:00:27who rely on the kindness of friends, family and neighbours, will go

2:00:27 > 2:00:32hungry so not to face the shame of having to ask for food. The

2:00:32 > 2:00:35desperate state of this problem is something I and colleagues see every

2:00:35 > 2:00:39day in our constituencies. I recall a woman who called my office in

2:00:39 > 2:00:44desperate need of help after having problems with her benefits. No money

2:00:44 > 2:00:48for gas, electricity or food for herself and her four children under

2:00:48 > 2:00:52the age of ten. She was alone and unable to afford to get to the

2:00:52 > 2:00:56nearest food bank. In the end our local volunteers managed to get food

2:00:56 > 2:01:01to her. The fact that faith groups and charities have had to fill the

2:01:01 > 2:01:06gap left by the state is a massive dereliction of duty of any

2:01:06 > 2:01:10government. As a result, food banks are now a prominent part of the

2:01:10 > 2:01:14welfare state. According to the United Nations data on food

2:01:14 > 2:01:19insecurity in the UK, as many as 17 times more people are food insecure

2:01:19 > 2:01:25than those using the Trussell Trust food banks. It is an indication of a

2:01:25 > 2:01:31last resort when families are at imminent risk of going hungry.

2:01:31 > 2:01:33Recurring or moderate food insecurity is not captured by

2:01:33 > 2:01:39measuring food bank use. We also know that measuring the proportion

2:01:39 > 2:01:43of income spent on food is not an adequate measure of food insecurity.

2:01:43 > 2:01:48There is new evidence from Canada I chose food insecure households will

2:01:48 > 2:01:53continue to spend the same proportion of their income on food

2:01:53 > 2:01:58as income falls, but the experience increasingly severe food insecurity.

2:01:58 > 2:02:05In addition, these measures do not inform us about food on

2:02:05 > 2:02:10affordability, socio- and economic issues faced when food insecure,

2:02:10 > 2:02:15useful survival strategies. These issues can only be captured by

2:02:15 > 2:02:19measuring household's experience of food insecurity. Capturing and

2:02:19 > 2:02:21measuring the experience of food insecurity is either your -- easier

2:02:21 > 2:02:28than we think. Survey tools are currently being used in countries

2:02:28 > 2:02:33around the world. The United States Department of agriculture module

2:02:33 > 2:02:37includes questions that assess both household and child food insecurity.

2:02:37 > 2:02:40This involves asking a series of questions about people's experiences

2:02:40 > 2:02:47of access and a sufficient quality and quantity of food. The results

2:02:47 > 2:02:52rank household food insecurity on a scale from mild to severe. This bill

2:02:52 > 2:02:54proposes these questions are inserted into existing

2:02:54 > 2:03:01representative UK wide surveys that the government already conduct. What

2:03:01 > 2:03:04I am proposing, Madam Deputy Speaker, is very simple. By adding

2:03:04 > 2:03:09the module into an existing survey, such as the living cost and food

2:03:09 > 2:03:13survey, this could be done cost neutrally. When questions which are

2:03:13 > 2:03:18less important are removed. For example, the survey currently asked

2:03:18 > 2:03:22households about the food they grow at home. We need some new questions

2:03:22 > 2:03:27for a new times. This is a straightforward bill proposing to

2:03:27 > 2:03:31introduce an existing measure into an existing server that can be done

2:03:31 > 2:03:37cost neutrally. As we negotiate new trading arrangements with Europe and

2:03:37 > 2:03:40beyond, its global populations rise and conflict spread and more extreme

2:03:40 > 2:03:45weather impacts on food supplies, globally and domestically, food

2:03:45 > 2:03:49insecurity will become an important issue. In order to meet the

2:03:49 > 2:03:53challenges of the future and the urgency now, we need to measure food

2:03:53 > 2:03:59insecurity here in the UK. This is more important than ever. Madam

2:03:59 > 2:04:03Deputy Speaker, as I present this bill, in my constituency there will

2:04:03 > 2:04:06be a mother wondering how she is going to feed herself and her

2:04:06 > 2:04:11toddler today. There will be schoolchildren struggling to focus

2:04:11 > 2:04:15because their stomachs rumbling. Parents who have yet again skipped

2:04:15 > 2:04:18breakfast to make sure their children didn't have too. Families

2:04:18 > 2:04:22searching their cupboards for what is left and elderly people who are

2:04:22 > 2:04:26unable to access fresh food. But it is not just the case in my

2:04:26 > 2:04:30constituency. It is the situation in constituencies and homes across the

2:04:30 > 2:04:37UK. As I have outlined, implementing the measurement is not an

2:04:37 > 2:04:41insurmountable or costly challenge. This government owe it to every man,

2:04:41 > 2:04:44woman and child who walk up hungry this morning and will go to bed

2:04:44 > 2:04:49hungry tonight in one of the richest countries in the world. -- walk up.

2:04:49 > 2:04:53I commend it to the House.The question is that the honourable

2:04:53 > 2:04:57member have leave to bring in the bill. As many of that opinion say

2:04:57 > 2:05:07eye. The no. The ayes have it, the ayes have it. Who will prepare and

2:05:07 > 2:05:16bring in the bill?Frank Field, Kate Green, Jim Shannon, Liam Byrne,

2:05:16 > 2:05:24Kerry McCarthy, Stephen Timms, Dan Jarvis, Lee-Lo Maurin, Mr Jim

2:05:24 > 2:05:35Cunningham and Grahame Morris. And me, of course!Mrs ML -- Emma

2:05:35 > 2:05:37Lewell-Buck.

2:06:05 > 2:06:17Second reading, what day?The 2nd of February, 2018.We know come to the

2:06:17 > 2:06:20first Opposition Day motion in the name of the leader of the Scottish

2:06:20 > 2:06:28National Party. On women affected by state pension age increases. Mr Ian

2:06:28 > 2:06:35Blackford.Thank you. Can I take the opportunity to wish you and

2:06:35 > 2:06:38everybody else in the chamber a happy Saint Andrews day when it

2:06:38 > 2:06:46comes tomorrow. Today is the 50th anniversary of the mighty Hibernian

2:06:46 > 2:06:56football club defeating Naples 5-0 at Easter Road. It ensured we went

2:06:56 > 2:07:01on to the next stage of European football. Madam Deputy Speaker, I am

2:07:01 > 2:07:05delighted to open and move the SNP Opposition Day debate: for

2:07:05 > 2:07:10mitigation for women born in the 1950s. We are here in support of the

2:07:10 > 2:07:14women against state pension equality campaign and their efforts to secure

2:07:14 > 2:07:20fairness for women affected by the acceleration in the retirement age.

2:07:20 > 2:07:24Madam Deputy Speaker, I am saddened that we are having yet another

2:07:24 > 2:07:30debate on this issue. But the fundamentals are that the government

2:07:30 > 2:07:34should have taken action to mitigate the increase in women's pensionable

2:07:34 > 2:07:41age. One second. There must be action. The three point it would --

2:07:41 > 2:07:463.8 million women affected have waited simply far too long. I will

2:07:46 > 2:07:49happily give way.I'm grateful to the honourable gentleman. He will

2:07:49 > 2:07:55recall when he and I were pension spokespeople for our respective

2:07:55 > 2:07:59parties over two years ago, we both called for action. Does he share my

2:07:59 > 2:08:03deep frustration we still have absolutely nothing?I welcome that

2:08:03 > 2:08:10intervention. He and I were holding the government to account. It is an

2:08:10 > 2:08:13absolute outrage when the evidence is before us of the fact that the

2:08:13 > 2:08:18women didn't get appropriate notice, and the fact that acceleration has

2:08:18 > 2:08:22taken place so quickly. But we have had nothing yet from this

2:08:22 > 2:08:26government. I will give way.I'm grateful. It is a very important to

2:08:26 > 2:08:34bed. -- debate. Last week I attended the one in Westminster Hall. Would

2:08:34 > 2:08:38he accept it is wrong to say the government has taken no action? In

2:08:38 > 2:08:422011 they made sure that no one waited for an extended period beyond

2:08:42 > 2:08:4918 months.I have heard about spinning. But let's deal with the

2:08:49 > 2:08:54facts of the matter. What the honourable lady is referring to is

2:08:54 > 2:08:57the fact that the government brought in and act in 2011 that increased

2:08:57 > 2:09:04the acceleration. To talk about the fact the government had mitigated is

2:09:04 > 2:09:09a distortion of the reality, and the government benches should stop

2:09:09 > 2:09:13spinning the way that they are doing and tell the truth to the 3.8

2:09:13 > 2:09:19million women affected. That is that pensionable age is increasing by

2:09:19 > 2:09:23three months per calendar month. That is the reality. And for the

2:09:23 > 2:09:28government to try and argue that it mitigated against it is something

2:09:28 > 2:09:32they should be utterly ashamed of. And it demonstrates that there are

2:09:32 > 2:09:36those on the Conservative Party benches that simply don't get what

2:09:36 > 2:09:42is going on. I will happily give way.I'm grateful. The tragedy is it

2:09:42 > 2:09:45false to us to speak for those individuals who have suffered the

2:09:45 > 2:09:50effect of this. I have a constituent who was born 24-hour is too late.

2:09:50 > 2:09:54She now has to work for two years and three months longer. These are

2:09:54 > 2:10:01individual tragedies.I am very grateful for that intervention from

2:10:01 > 2:10:04my honourable friend. I can't really add much to what she said. It

2:10:04 > 2:10:09demonstrates the ridiculousness of what is going on. That is why the

2:10:09 > 2:10:14government must listen. I will take one more intervention.I am grateful

2:10:14 > 2:10:18to him. He knows I support this cause. Although I can't be here for

2:10:18 > 2:10:22the rest of the debate, but I will certainly support this innocuous

2:10:22 > 2:10:28motion. The fact is those measures taken in 2011 benefited men just as

2:10:28 > 2:10:35much as women. This is very much a women focused injustice. 33% of men

2:10:35 > 2:10:40approaching retirement expect to rely just on a state pension. But

2:10:40 > 2:10:44for women it is as many as 53%, which is why this is such an

2:10:44 > 2:10:49important issue to them and to all of us.Can I thank the honourable

2:10:49 > 2:10:52member for that important intervention? He has been resolute

2:10:52 > 2:10:56on this over the course of the last couple of years. I know the women

2:10:56 > 2:11:00are grateful for the support he has given. I hope he will be back for

2:11:00 > 2:11:03the vote later. I am glad he referred to the motion which is in

2:11:03 > 2:11:09front of us. There are all sorts of things we could have laid before

2:11:09 > 2:11:13this House. The motion simply calls on the government to put in place

2:11:13 > 2:11:18mitigation. It is done in such a way that all members of Parliament that

2:11:18 > 2:11:22have showed support, have got a motion in front of them they can

2:11:22 > 2:11:26support. Now is our chance, our only chance, that we can stand up and do

2:11:26 > 2:11:31something. I remembers who want to get in. I will make some progress

2:11:31 > 2:11:36and let people back in again. I know many people want to speak. Madam

2:11:36 > 2:11:40Deputy Speaker, this is about women who have paid national insurance in

2:11:40 > 2:11:43anticipation of receiving their pension, who have been hit with the

2:11:43 > 2:11:48bombshell that the pension was being deferred in some cases by up to six

2:11:48 > 2:11:52years, with only 15 months written notice. Just dwell on that. When

2:11:52 > 2:11:56your pension has been increased, when you are looking forward to your

2:11:56 > 2:11:59retirement, that you are given a letter that told you you are going

2:11:59 > 2:12:04to get as little as 15 months notice. I would say to everybody on

2:12:04 > 2:12:11the benches opposite, can anybody stand up and tell this House, tell

2:12:11 > 2:12:17the public, that giving someone 15 months written notice of an increase

2:12:17 > 2:12:21in their pension was acceptable? Is there anybody who is prepared to do

2:12:21 > 2:12:27that? I will happily give way if somebody wants to do that.

2:12:27 > 2:12:33We recognise the concern. But to rectify it requires public funds.

2:12:33 > 2:12:38Now in the previous debate he said his party position was to pay for it

2:12:38 > 2:12:41from the surplus of the national insurance fund. Is that still his

2:12:41 > 2:12:48party's policy?Given the opportunity to defend something

2:12:48 > 2:12:53which is indefensible, what we get again is spin. Let's be absolutely

2:12:53 > 2:12:57crystal clear. The national insurance fund is sitting at a

2:12:57 > 2:13:03surplus of in the region of £30 billion. Now be clear, that surplus

2:13:03 > 2:13:08of £30 billion is generated by the women that have paid national

2:13:08 > 2:13:15insurance. All that we are being asked to do is give the women what

2:13:15 > 2:13:20they were entitled to. A pension should be... I will make some

2:13:20 > 2:13:24progress. A pension should be seen as a right, a right that the

2:13:24 > 2:13:29government have changed the terms and conditions on without

2:13:29 > 2:13:33consultation. As many of the campaigners point out, we paid in,

2:13:33 > 2:13:42you pay out. This is a campaign at the heart of SNP policy. We have

2:13:42 > 2:13:45long fought for the government to rectify the shambles and give the

2:13:45 > 2:13:50women the pension they rightfully deserved. I speak on behalf of, on

2:13:50 > 2:13:54these benches, when I say that we will not rest, we will never rest

2:13:54 > 2:13:59until justice is delivered for the women affected. The government have

2:13:59 > 2:14:03failed time and time again to address the injustices of a lack of

2:14:03 > 2:14:07notice for the acceleration of the state pension age. The opportunities

2:14:07 > 2:14:11here today for the government to admit that effective notice was not

2:14:11 > 2:14:15given of an increase in pensionable age, or the process of increasing

2:14:15 > 2:14:21pensionable age must be slowed down...I'm very grateful to the

2:14:21 > 2:14:23right honourable gentleman forgiving way. He is speaking with his

2:14:23 > 2:14:28customary passion on this issue. He said it was at the heart of SNP

2:14:28 > 2:14:32thinking. I'm not an expert on devolved powers. But my

2:14:32 > 2:14:36understanding of the reading of the legislation is that the Scottish

2:14:36 > 2:14:40government has the powers to rectify this issue if it's a waste.

2:14:40 > 2:14:44Chastising the Treasury bench for a lack of action, and we have seen no

2:14:44 > 2:14:47action which could give a lead to the government perhaps one -- from

2:14:47 > 2:15:00Hollywood.

2:15:03 > 2:15:09It is because we don't have the powers and it's about time that

2:15:09 > 2:15:17somebody in the government mentioned stop creating... Let me be

2:15:17 > 2:15:25absolutely crystal clear on this. He worked over pensions is reserved to

2:15:25 > 2:15:28Westminster and there is a bit of a clue. Pensions are paid out of