30/11/2017

0:00:00 > 0:00:00followed, he can and will do, he can do sort through questions and the

0:00:00 > 0:00:06use of the order paper. But he cannot do it any father just now.

0:00:06 > 0:00:19Order. Substantial pressure on time today. I thought that the house

0:00:19 > 0:00:22would want urgently to express support for the victims of racism,

0:00:22 > 0:00:34and bigotry and denounce prevails, purveyors.To ask the Home Secretary

0:00:34 > 0:00:43as she will make a statement on the activities of Britain First, and

0:00:43 > 0:00:48inflammatory statements from the president of the United States?

0:00:48 > 0:00:51Britain First is an extremist organisation, seeking to divide

0:00:51 > 0:00:56communities through the use of people narratives, spreading lies

0:00:56 > 0:00:59and the deputy leader of Britain First is subject to a pending

0:00:59 > 0:01:08criminal trial, accused of religiously activated through the

0:01:08 > 0:01:12posting of online material. British people overwhelmingly reject the

0:01:12 > 0:01:17prejudiced rhetoric of the far right, the antithesis of the values

0:01:17 > 0:01:22that this country represents. Decency, tolerance, respect. We

0:01:22 > 0:01:27stand with them. This is why we launched the counter extremist

0:01:27 > 0:01:36strategy. And why we launched the action plan just last year. This

0:01:36 > 0:01:46government will not tolerate any groups who spread hate by demonising

0:01:46 > 0:01:53others. We have been clearer. President Donald Trump was wrong to

0:01:53 > 0:02:01repost these videos, posted by Britain First. When we look at the

0:02:01 > 0:02:05wider picture, the relationship between written and America, I know

0:02:05 > 0:02:13how valuable the friendship is, as Home Secretary I can tell the house

0:02:13 > 0:02:20that the importance of the relationship between the countries,

0:02:20 > 0:02:27the intelligence between countries, it is vital. It has undoubtedly

0:02:27 > 0:02:30seized British lease. That is the bigger picture and I would urge

0:02:30 > 0:02:37people to remember that.I thank the Home Secretary for answering. The

0:02:37 > 0:02:45last time I raised related matters with you was when members raised the

0:02:45 > 0:02:50opinion that after racist and sexist behaviour, President Trump should

0:02:50 > 0:03:00not address both houses. I thank the answer. The extraordinary events

0:03:00 > 0:03:04underlined by members from across this house will correct to make this

0:03:04 > 0:03:09column about him not coming here, and the premature author of the

0:03:09 > 0:03:14state visit should not go ahead. I condemn the original content of the

0:03:14 > 0:03:26messages, are and anybody espousing this, online or in person, should be

0:03:26 > 0:03:31exposed and dealt with. But we also have to be clearer. This is the

0:03:31 > 0:03:36president of the United States. Sharing with millions, inflammatory

0:03:36 > 0:03:47content, deliberately posted to stoke up the trip, I convicted

0:03:47 > 0:03:51criminal. Representing this organisation, spreading hatred and

0:03:51 > 0:03:56violence in person and online. He is either a racist, incompetent or

0:03:56 > 0:04:06unthinking.

0:04:14 > 0:04:19Given the extraordinary events of the last 24 hours, for correctly

0:04:19 > 0:04:24condemning his actions, can she confirm if the Prime Minister and

0:04:24 > 0:04:29President have spoken? Has the Foreign Secretary who just praised

0:04:29 > 0:04:33the President's statements on Twitter, saying that people related

0:04:33 > 0:04:41to them, summoned ambassadors to express concerns? President Trump's

0:04:41 > 0:04:43actions and endorsement, could have any impact on criminal proceedings

0:04:43 > 0:04:50under way? Is the Home Secretary were that she posted a video

0:04:50 > 0:04:57classmate, helping to keep her out of prison. And can she confirm when

0:04:57 > 0:05:02the government will take tough action, on the social media

0:05:02 > 0:05:06companies. We have had no response from Twitter, typically a

0:05:06 > 0:05:11responsible attitude. Let me conclude by emphasising that I love

0:05:11 > 0:05:17America and Americans. My true grandfather was an American GI who

0:05:17 > 0:05:22came here to fight fascism. I have travelled 25 of the states and it is

0:05:22 > 0:05:27a country of people with extraordinary generosity. But this

0:05:27 > 0:05:37president represents none of those things. In one of his last speeches,

0:05:37 > 0:05:42Dwight Eisenhower said then the long line of history, America knows that

0:05:42 > 0:05:50this word, planet ever growing smaller must avoid becoming a

0:05:50 > 0:05:52community of the trip and the approach Confederation of mutual

0:05:52 > 0:05:57trust and respect. As we stand in the shadow of the words of the

0:05:57 > 0:06:04fallen colleague, Jo Cox, I hope we have more in common. We must take a

0:06:04 > 0:06:13stand against hatred from the it comes, otherwise we slept, slip into

0:06:13 > 0:06:16the darkness.Just before I ask the Home Secretary to respond, on the

0:06:16 > 0:06:25basis of processional advice, I ought to say this. As has just been

0:06:25 > 0:06:31referenced by the honourable gentleman, this is awaiting trial

0:06:31 > 0:06:37and I hope that members will be conscious that while giving vent two

0:06:37 > 0:06:40opinions as they should and will do, the importance of avoiding comments

0:06:40 > 0:06:44that could be prejudiced to the proper conduct of criminal

0:06:44 > 0:06:53proceedings. I thank the honourable gentleman. The Home Secretary.Thank

0:06:53 > 0:06:56you for your guidance regarding the criminal case that has been referred

0:06:56 > 0:07:01to. I hope the honourable member will understand that I will not

0:07:01 > 0:07:07reply to that particular element for those reasons. I thank him for his

0:07:07 > 0:07:12wants during the question. I have those views about America, but I

0:07:12 > 0:07:19also love the country, having worked there for one year. As I said, I am

0:07:19 > 0:07:23in awe of the mutual trust that we have with America. The effort that

0:07:23 > 0:07:27they need to work with us. The values with American people and the

0:07:27 > 0:07:32way that the work has been so important to helping us on

0:07:32 > 0:07:39intelligence matters which has undoubtedly seized British lease.

0:07:39 > 0:07:43He was particularly well he had done about online social media extremism

0:07:43 > 0:07:49of various sorts. We have taken it extremely seriously, which is why I

0:07:49 > 0:07:54prescribed national correction, the first national far right group to be

0:07:54 > 0:08:02prescribed in this way as a terrorist organisation. We are very

0:08:02 > 0:08:05careful with identifying what the merits prescription or not. He may

0:08:05 > 0:08:10have a different view, but in the letter of the Lord that we abide by,

0:08:10 > 0:08:16we have to be very clear where members or activists embark on

0:08:16 > 0:08:22actions which are or not legal. We have to draw that line very

0:08:22 > 0:08:24carefully. We have prescribed national action and we will always

0:08:24 > 0:08:30keep under review what other organisations may be prescribed. He

0:08:30 > 0:08:34asked what else we are doing with online companies to make sure the

0:08:34 > 0:08:37Internet is free of dangerous material and you will no doubt know

0:08:37 > 0:08:42that the UK has been leading in this area. The Prime Minister has called

0:08:42 > 0:08:47for more action, we called for more war in the wake of the terrorists

0:08:47 > 0:08:51attacks this year for a global Internet forum for counterterrorism

0:08:51 > 0:08:55which I went to myself in San Francisco the launch of only some.

0:08:55 > 0:09:00Internet companies are taking action. Twitter now takes down to

0:09:00 > 0:09:0495% of illegal material for using artificial intelligence. The fact

0:09:04 > 0:09:08that they are now engaging in machine learning to get this hate

0:09:08 > 0:09:11taken down is an incredibly important investment and

0:09:11 > 0:09:15breakthrough to ensure that more is taken down. We are not complacent.

0:09:15 > 0:09:20There is more that needs to be done and we will always make sure that we

0:09:20 > 0:09:23provide the vital leadership to provide that it does take place.

0:09:23 > 0:09:27Finally she asked about the Prime Minister. He asked about whether she

0:09:27 > 0:09:31had spoken to the president, and I would just say to that big is the

0:09:31 > 0:09:34Prime Minister will always have regular calls with the president.

0:09:34 > 0:09:39She has been explicit in criticising this tweet and I know that she will

0:09:39 > 0:09:43always make sure that she calls it out where she sees it and that is

0:09:43 > 0:09:54what she has done here.The retweet has been condemned, we can

0:09:54 > 0:09:59concentrate by the wrong was done by the original tweet, can I asked the

0:09:59 > 0:10:04Home Secretary that by identifying and putting down and putting out the

0:10:04 > 0:10:06religious trains...

0:10:09 > 0:10:12I thank my honourable friend from the question and it is essential

0:10:12 > 0:10:18that we have a fair approach to all types of extremism. And with a view

0:10:18 > 0:10:25to that we always make sure that the far right extremism is treated just

0:10:25 > 0:10:31as harshly as it should be as any sort of Islamic terrorism. It is

0:10:31 > 0:10:34interesting to observe that 25% of the referrals to the channel

0:10:34 > 0:10:38programme, the display programme following prevent referrals, are in

0:10:38 > 0:10:47fact on the far right side.The Home Secretary will appreciate that on

0:10:47 > 0:10:53the side of the House we believe the United States is our most important

0:10:53 > 0:10:59ally. We would anticipate that any British Government will want to work

0:10:59 > 0:11:03closely with the United States on issues of mutual concern. And we on

0:11:03 > 0:11:09the side of the House, thou to know one in our affection and respect for

0:11:09 > 0:11:16the American people. But on the question of the online activities of

0:11:16 > 0:11:26the 41st president, does -- 45th the Home Secretary except that the fact

0:11:26 > 0:11:38that the 45th president chose to retweet material from Britain First

0:11:38 > 0:11:43is not just offensive to people of Muslim heritage, it is not just

0:11:43 > 0:11:48offensive to British people of black and minority ethnic heritage, it is

0:11:48 > 0:11:54offensive to all decent British people will stop it is also an

0:11:54 > 0:12:00attack on the values of this country. So whilst on the side of

0:12:00 > 0:12:08the House we appreciate the importance of real politic, we would

0:12:08 > 0:12:16also call on the Government to make clear that in no way, and at no

0:12:16 > 0:12:22time, does it give any support whatsoever to the distasteful views

0:12:22 > 0:12:30of the 45th president on race and migration and our Muslim communities

0:12:30 > 0:12:36internationally. Because to do anything else would be a front to

0:12:36 > 0:12:45voters in this country whichever side of the House they support.I

0:12:45 > 0:12:50thank the Right honourable lady for her powerful response. And I think

0:12:50 > 0:12:57that it is fair to say that we have been very clear. President Donald

0:12:57 > 0:13:03Trump was wrong to retweet videos posted by the far right group

0:13:03 > 0:13:06Britain First. We have said so clearly in this House and the Prime

0:13:06 > 0:13:11Minister has said so clearly online. We will continue to speak freely and

0:13:11 > 0:13:20frankly when it takes place.I think the whole house will agree with the

0:13:20 > 0:13:26Prime Minister's words. One of the advantages of having such a special

0:13:26 > 0:13:29relationship with the United States is that when a friend tells you you

0:13:29 > 0:13:33done something dreadfully wrong, you tend to listen. And when the world

0:13:33 > 0:13:37be a better place if the Prime Minister could persuade the

0:13:37 > 0:13:45President of the United States to delete his Twitter account?My

0:13:45 > 0:13:49honourable friend makes an important point. It is true, I think we all

0:13:49 > 0:13:53listen more carefully perhaps to criticism from our friends than from

0:13:53 > 0:13:58people we don't have a relationship with. So I hope the prime Minster's

0:13:58 > 0:14:05comments will have some impact on the president and it is interesting

0:14:05 > 0:14:07to note my honourable friend advice regarding Twitter accounts, I'm sure

0:14:07 > 0:14:14many of this share his view.On these benches we have long taken the

0:14:14 > 0:14:17view that the current President of the United States should not be

0:14:17 > 0:14:21afforded a state visit to the United Kingdom and yesterday's actions have

0:14:21 > 0:14:25reinforced that absolutely. We respect absolutely the office of the

0:14:25 > 0:14:28United States as a fantastic country and ally, however the sharing of

0:14:28 > 0:14:38tweets by a offensive organisation is not for a high office and it must

0:14:38 > 0:14:41be condemned. We call for the Government to go further. Isn't one

0:14:41 > 0:14:46of the key dangers of a state visit that we have absolutely no idea what

0:14:46 > 0:14:49the president will say or tweet next and before he visits. What does he

0:14:49 > 0:14:53actually need to say or tweet before the idea of a state visit is ditched

0:14:53 > 0:15:02once and for all?An invitation for the visit has been extended and

0:15:02 > 0:15:05accepted. But the dates and the precise arrangements have yet to be

0:15:05 > 0:15:12agreed.Local authorities have a key role in combating extremism. Given

0:15:12 > 0:15:18the Home Secretary say what the Government plans to do further to

0:15:18 > 0:15:23support local authorities to ensure they can undertake this role?Local

0:15:23 > 0:15:28authorities do have an important role to play. We had an active

0:15:28 > 0:15:32engagement programme with them through the prevent programme, which

0:15:32 > 0:15:35allows us to support community organisations who were really

0:15:35 > 0:15:40embedded in the local area we can then go out and engage with local

0:15:40 > 0:15:44groups and provide the support to safeguard people, safeguard

0:15:44 > 0:15:48particularly young men and women who may be becoming radicalised. I think

0:15:48 > 0:15:52it is an incredibly important part of how we look after our communities

0:15:52 > 0:15:57in this country and we will continue to do so.We agree on the importance

0:15:57 > 0:16:04of our relationship with the US and our peoples have stood together

0:16:04 > 0:16:08against far right extremism and against Islamist extremism and will

0:16:08 > 0:16:17do so again. That is exactly why we cannot pander now. Because Britain

0:16:17 > 0:16:20First gets its succour from spreading its poison and extremism

0:16:20 > 0:16:24online. That is how works and the President of the United States has

0:16:24 > 0:16:28just given it a rocket boost in promoting hatred in our communities.

0:16:28 > 0:16:32Online is where the new battle for democracy is being fought. And the

0:16:32 > 0:16:37Prime Minister has rightly challenged Putin's Russia for what

0:16:37 > 0:16:41she described as seeking to weaponise information, to plant fake

0:16:41 > 0:16:45stories in an attempt to sow discord. That means, no matter what

0:16:45 > 0:16:50diplomatic route we find to do it, we cannot simply roll out a red

0:16:50 > 0:16:54carpet and give a platform for the President of the United States to

0:16:54 > 0:17:00also soak discord in our communities. We know he and they

0:17:00 > 0:17:03will keep doing this and cheap spreading extremism and we also know

0:17:03 > 0:17:11from the fact finders, and from our own history, where the spread of

0:17:11 > 0:17:14extremism leads and less enough of us are prepared to stand up now and

0:17:14 > 0:17:21say no.We do stand up to extremism. We stand up to it in our own

0:17:21 > 0:17:26communities and we stand up to it as the Prime Minister has when she

0:17:26 > 0:17:29criticised the president for doing that retweet for which we are here

0:17:29 > 0:17:33and discussing it today. In terms of trying to clean up the online

0:17:33 > 0:17:41community, the Honourable lady is right in saying that is where so

0:17:41 > 0:17:45much of the battle takes place. That is why this Government is focused on

0:17:45 > 0:17:48taking it down. And why our relationship with the US is so

0:17:48 > 0:17:53important. When I called for an Internet Round Table of these

0:17:53 > 0:17:57Internet giants after the first terrorist attack in March, we got

0:17:57 > 0:18:00the UK representatives coming. It was only with the support of the US

0:18:00 > 0:18:04that we were able to get the global Internet forum setup. They are based

0:18:04 > 0:18:08in San Francisco. Unable to work at the highest levels without US

0:18:08 > 0:18:13friends in order to get action taken is the best way to achieve those

0:18:13 > 0:18:19outcomes. I would just urge her to bear that in mind.About a month ago

0:18:19 > 0:18:24the most popular man in the world was a last eight employee of Twitter

0:18:24 > 0:18:27who unplugged the account of the President of the United States. Was

0:18:27 > 0:18:32he not right and it Twitter is genuine in its commitment to fight

0:18:32 > 0:18:39hate crime online edition techno hesitance in taking down the account

0:18:39 > 0:18:43of the first Citizen of the US as it would as any other citizen of the

0:18:43 > 0:18:47world that peddle such a crime?I'm sure the Chief Executive of Twitter

0:18:47 > 0:18:49will have heard the interesting suggestion from my honourable friend

0:18:49 > 0:18:55and we will leave it to them to decide what action to take.I think

0:18:55 > 0:19:00it is pretty clear that on the basis of what we already know about this

0:19:00 > 0:19:06fascist president that mere words are not enough. Action is needed.

0:19:06 > 0:19:10Three times she has a ready been asked by three people on the side of

0:19:10 > 0:19:16the House to cancel the state visit. Action is needed now, not a slap on

0:19:16 > 0:19:25the wrist! Cancel the state visit!I thank the honourable gentleman for

0:19:25 > 0:19:30his views. I can only repeat what I said before, that the invitation has

0:19:30 > 0:19:34been extended and accented and we have yet to make the arrangements.

0:19:34 > 0:19:41But thank you for your views.Is it irony that the President of the

0:19:41 > 0:19:44United States loves Twitter who talks about fake news actually

0:19:44 > 0:19:49retweeted fake news. But the danger, the real danger, is that the vast

0:19:49 > 0:19:52majority of our constituents have never heard of Britain first and

0:19:52 > 0:19:56message given huge oxygen. Shouldn't we all go back to constituencies and

0:19:56 > 0:20:00go to our communities and say no matter what that their faith is,

0:20:00 > 0:20:04what their beliefs are, we are together as a community and the

0:20:04 > 0:20:10president was stupid in what he did. I thank my honourable friend

0:20:10 > 0:20:15anti-racist such an important point which is we need to reassure our

0:20:15 > 0:20:19communities that the sort of hate that is promoted by Britain First is

0:20:19 > 0:20:25alien to us and if we look to the response, not only to the tragic,

0:20:25 > 0:20:30tragic death of Jo Cox, but also to the terrorist attacks that we had

0:20:30 > 0:20:34this year. What we actually saw with our communities coming together,

0:20:34 > 0:20:39refusing to be divided and making sure that we show that to be the

0:20:39 > 0:20:41case around our own neighbourhoods as well as across the benches of the

0:20:41 > 0:20:49House.How would she respond if similar tweets to those made by

0:20:49 > 0:20:54President Trump were made by a Muslim leader promoting hatred?

0:20:54 > 0:21:03Would they be allowed into the UK? The honourable gentleman should not

0:21:03 > 0:21:08rush to that conclusion. As I hope he has heard I have been clear that

0:21:08 > 0:21:14we take an evenhanded approach to individuals and to extremism of any

0:21:14 > 0:21:21sort which is why I took the time to point out the right wing extremism

0:21:21 > 0:21:25of the sort that we saw retweeted and that we saw in natural action,

0:21:25 > 0:21:31and why we prescribed it, is just as hateful and dangerous as any sort of

0:21:31 > 0:21:39radical Islamic type.I congratulate my right honourable friend and the

0:21:39 > 0:21:41Prime Minister for their strong words and strong action in

0:21:41 > 0:21:51condemning this evil word teens spread. Can she looked at

0:21:51 > 0:21:57encouraging Internet companies to ensure that accounts are clearly

0:21:57 > 0:22:00identified as individuals but also the representations that they

0:22:00 > 0:22:04represent. There is a risk that this is a general view of British people

0:22:04 > 0:22:08and it clearly is not. We need to isolate these people for the people

0:22:08 > 0:22:14they are.

0:22:14 > 0:22:19It is a good point that we must be careful. We must be careful not to

0:22:19 > 0:22:24allow all this conversation about the hatred and hate filled group to

0:22:24 > 0:22:28feel interest in a group which we want to make sure does not represent

0:22:28 > 0:22:32Britain and does not represent our values and should not in any way be

0:22:32 > 0:22:35interpreted as doing so. It is an interesting point we should all act

0:22:35 > 0:22:43on. Mr Speaker, hatred breeds hatred and

0:22:43 > 0:22:47an attack on the Muslim community is an attack on us all. Not content

0:22:47 > 0:22:52with antagonising people in the state, by giving a platform to

0:22:52 > 0:22:56Britain First, a radically racist and neofascist organisation, Donald

0:22:56 > 0:22:59Trump is actively sowing seeds of hatred in our country. At the time

0:22:59 > 0:23:04when hate crimes in our country are increasing, what action will be Home

0:23:04 > 0:23:09Secretary take to mitigate against this horrific action the president

0:23:09 > 0:23:14has taken yesterday? I would say to the honourable lady,

0:23:14 > 0:23:19as she knows that we take all forms of hate crimes seriously and we

0:23:19 > 0:23:24always encourage the communities to replace them... To report them when

0:23:24 > 0:23:29it takes place. I have with Police and Crime Commissioner 's and Chiefs

0:23:29 > 0:23:33of police to ensure reporting does take place. Critically, we have a

0:23:33 > 0:23:37role to make sure that the online companies do more to make sure it is

0:23:37 > 0:23:42taken down and do more to ensure that the sort of reports we have had

0:23:42 > 0:23:45on the big news don't take place, and do more to help us identify who

0:23:45 > 0:23:50has been promoting some of this hateful information. We are as a

0:23:50 > 0:23:57Government on the front foot injury and we engage with online companies

0:23:57 > 0:24:00and show leadership that is expected and make sure the material is taken

0:24:00 > 0:24:06down. Mr Speaker, we all condemn and feel

0:24:06 > 0:24:11disgusted by the hate speech that has been propagated by Mr Trump and

0:24:11 > 0:24:15others. Does she agree with me that the danger with these organisations

0:24:15 > 0:24:21like Britain First is that they cloak their hatred activities behind

0:24:21 > 0:24:25a cloak of fluffiness and will sometimes talk about Remembrance Day

0:24:25 > 0:24:32and they actually do this in a very insidious way to trick people? I'm

0:24:32 > 0:24:35not suggesting this is Donald Trump, he ought to have known better... But

0:24:35 > 0:24:40these are the tactics they use, so what is she doing with the

0:24:40 > 0:24:42Government to really understand and develop understanding so we can

0:24:42 > 0:24:47fight this all the fronts that affect our communities so

0:24:47 > 0:24:49dangerously? Think my honourable friend rate is

0:24:49 > 0:24:55an important point, and she is correct that sometimes extremist far

0:24:55 > 0:25:01right groups do as she says and try to hijack our national symbols and

0:25:01 > 0:25:03our national days of Memorial and remembrance, and we need to make

0:25:03 > 0:25:07sure that we always call that out. I am saying to my honourable friend

0:25:07 > 0:25:10the best we can do is call it out and make sure that we spread the

0:25:10 > 0:25:16alternative story about British values.

0:25:16 > 0:25:20Paul Flynn. 2 million people signed a petition

0:25:20 > 0:25:27of outrage when the president was given an honour that has never been

0:25:27 > 0:25:32offered to any other president, a red-carpet visit to the country in

0:25:32 > 0:25:36the first month of his office. Since then he has dangerously increased

0:25:36 > 0:25:43tension in every world conflict he has addressed. He has disgraced

0:25:43 > 0:25:47himself again and again and he worries us because his impulse of

0:25:47 > 0:25:50finger is on the nuclear button. If he is allowed to come to this

0:25:50 > 0:25:54country now, he should be treated as anyone else who breaks the law and

0:25:54 > 0:26:06charged with inciting racial hatred. The Government should withdraw the

0:26:06 > 0:26:08invitationhear, hear. I would repeat to the honourable

0:26:08 > 0:26:12gentleman we have not yet made arrangements for the visit but

0:26:12 > 0:26:18invitation has been extended and has been accepted.

0:26:18 > 0:26:26Politics and Twitter is a toxic mix, for politicians twitching encourages

0:26:26 > 0:26:29the transmission of half formed ideas instead of listening to

0:26:29 > 0:26:32develop arguments of others. It prompts a culture of instant

0:26:32 > 0:26:36reaction as opposed to considered thought and provokes people to

0:26:36 > 0:26:42immediate outrage instead of calling for reflection. Could my right

0:26:42 > 0:26:44honourable friend Topley has helped politicians taking to Twitter has

0:26:44 > 0:26:47led to an improvement in modern civilisation?

0:26:47 > 0:26:51LAUGHTER Home Secretary.

0:26:51 > 0:26:58I think that is a slightly young my capacity -- that is beyond my

0:26:58 > 0:27:03capacity to date. Saying to my honourable friend, he is right in so

0:27:03 > 0:27:10far as I think many of us could benefit from a bit more considered

0:27:10 > 0:27:13thought and pausing in contemplation before pressing respond or reply to

0:27:13 > 0:27:19Twitter attacks. It is important that the messages of

0:27:19 > 0:27:22hatred spread by the president of the United States are condemned for

0:27:22 > 0:27:27the violence they are. I speak on behalf of my party to urge the

0:27:27 > 0:27:30Government to rescind its offer of a state visit to a president who has

0:27:30 > 0:27:33used his global platform to propagate and intolerance. Could I

0:27:33 > 0:27:37ask the Home Secretary to elaborate on the pressure that will be exerted

0:27:37 > 0:27:42on social media platforms like Twitter to prevent untrue and

0:27:42 > 0:27:45poisonous content from permeating our society?

0:27:45 > 0:27:48I thank the honourable gentleman and I would again repeat that in terms

0:27:48 > 0:27:53of the visit from the president, the invitation has been extended and

0:27:53 > 0:28:01accepted, and I would also point out that as the president of the United

0:28:01 > 0:28:04States... We must remember the United States itself as such an

0:28:04 > 0:28:08important relationship with this country in terms of keeping us safe

0:28:08 > 0:28:12as well. So before we rush to making those changes I would urge all

0:28:12 > 0:28:17honourable members to just keep that in mind, the importance. I also hope

0:28:17 > 0:28:20he has heard from me this morning about how very seriously we take the

0:28:20 > 0:28:27issue of making sure that all illegal and extreme content, that is

0:28:27 > 0:28:30illegal, is taking down from Twitter and other online platforms, and that

0:28:30 > 0:28:34they take more of an active role themselves in making sure that this

0:28:34 > 0:28:41material does not stay up. In a cynical attempt to harness the

0:28:41 > 0:28:45Brexit vote in my constituency, the EDL last year saw to organise a far

0:28:45 > 0:28:51right march. Just nine people showed up but that is named people to many.

0:28:51 > 0:28:56Does the Home Secretary agree with me that there is still work to do to

0:28:56 > 0:29:00make sure that well the views of the EDL and Britain First do not

0:29:00 > 0:29:02represent the mainstream of this country and they are abhorrent,

0:29:02 > 0:29:11there is work to do to make sure we bring forth more of those views to

0:29:11 > 0:29:16make sure we can dispute them. He is correct and they in no way we

0:29:16 > 0:29:19present the views of the British people as he and I and the rest of

0:29:19 > 0:29:23the honourable members nonentity. There is always more work to do. As

0:29:23 > 0:29:27he says, even nine are unwelcome, but as also has been pointed out

0:29:27 > 0:29:31several times in the house today, the real danger of encouraging

0:29:31 > 0:29:34activity and extremism is increasingly online. That is where

0:29:34 > 0:29:38we are focusing so much of our effort to ensure that we don't allow

0:29:38 > 0:29:45it to continue. In her previous role as Home

0:29:45 > 0:29:47Secretary the Prime Minister banned people from entering this country,

0:29:47 > 0:29:53individuals who had promoted organisations paddling hateful

0:29:53 > 0:29:57ideology and fascism. This morning David Duke, grand Wizard of a Ku

0:29:57 > 0:30:01Klux Klan, applauded Donald Trump. The New York Times notes that no

0:30:01 > 0:30:05modern American president has promoted inflammatory content like

0:30:05 > 0:30:11this from an extremist organisation. Not only has the Commander in Tweet

0:30:11 > 0:30:16done this but I did it. Publicly chastised by the British minister,

0:30:16 > 0:30:21putting aside the question of eight state visit, should even be allowed

0:30:21 > 0:30:26to enter our country. Unprecedented actions require unprecedented

0:30:26 > 0:30:28response. I will point out to the honourable

0:30:28 > 0:30:32lady the Prime Minister has robust Lee replied to the president and

0:30:32 > 0:30:38made her views absolutely clear. -- she replied in a robust way. In

0:30:38 > 0:30:44terms of what the honourable lady is also proposing, we do not routinely

0:30:44 > 0:30:45comment on individual exclusion cases.

0:30:45 > 0:30:52Is the Home Secretary satisfied that President Trump's paper, not an

0:30:52 > 0:30:55isolated and alone, does not undermine the important security

0:30:55 > 0:30:58ankle operation blessing to the state? And just because somebody

0:30:58 > 0:31:06stops using Twitter does not mean they cease to be a twit. -- it does

0:31:06 > 0:31:11not undermine the important security relationship between the US and the

0:31:11 > 0:31:14UK. It does not undermine how close the

0:31:14 > 0:31:18relationship is an matter how people feel about the president himself, we

0:31:18 > 0:31:20must protect our particular relationship we have with the US,

0:31:20 > 0:31:25which does so much of the British people say.

0:31:25 > 0:31:28Chris Bryant. The Home Secretary is missing

0:31:28 > 0:31:34something here. This was not an accident and was not stupid but

0:31:34 > 0:31:37deliberate and intentional. The evidence is even after the Prime

0:31:37 > 0:31:42Minister said he was wrong he decided to stand by Britain First. I

0:31:42 > 0:31:46say to the Home Secretary, it is no good saying we have been robust. You

0:31:46 > 0:31:49have been robust before and it has not made the blind is the

0:31:49 > 0:31:52difference. He is a repeat offender and it will go on and on. You cannot

0:31:52 > 0:32:01stand up to this kind of action that Mac you cannot stand up to horrible

0:32:01 > 0:32:04racism or pretend to do so and invite the man in through the front

0:32:04 > 0:32:07door. Hear, hear.

0:32:07 > 0:32:10In the past the Home Secretary repeatedly and rightly when she was

0:32:10 > 0:32:15Home Secretary, the Prime Minister said homophobes and races to stir up

0:32:15 > 0:32:18hatred in this country will not be allowed in this country and if they

0:32:18 > 0:32:21come here they will be arrested. That is what should happen in this

0:32:21 > 0:32:25case and the Home Secretary knows it. Just say it.

0:32:25 > 0:32:31Hear, hearI would say to the honourable gentleman, there is no

0:32:31 > 0:32:34pretence here and we are absolutely clear in the action we will take

0:32:34 > 0:32:37against people who propagate hate and he should not underestimate the

0:32:37 > 0:32:42Prime Minister's views on this and the Prime Minister's absolute

0:32:42 > 0:32:46clarity and criticising the president and showing that the

0:32:46 > 0:32:50public in her comments to him. I will not take any criticism for

0:32:50 > 0:32:54him on the fact that this side of the house, this Government is

0:32:54 > 0:32:59committed to the agenda of making sure that we protect people and we

0:32:59 > 0:33:01promote British values, and I will continue to protect apposition from

0:33:01 > 0:33:06here. I thank the Home Secretary for her

0:33:06 > 0:33:10very important words this morning, echoing the Prime Minister. Would

0:33:10 > 0:33:16she agree with me that all politicians and community leaders at

0:33:16 > 0:33:21every level and in every community have a duty to be temperate in their

0:33:21 > 0:33:25language, tolerant in their actions, mindful of their social media

0:33:25 > 0:33:30presence? And make sure that the Home Secretary holds content

0:33:30 > 0:33:35platforms to account so that community cohesion and understanding

0:33:35 > 0:33:40is maintained? Yes, my honourable friend is correct

0:33:40 > 0:33:46and the issue of making sure that we support communities in their genuine

0:33:46 > 0:33:51efforts and plans and programmes to hold together, despite difficulties

0:33:51 > 0:33:55that may come through, is incredibly important. We saw that this year

0:33:55 > 0:33:59when, despite the wake of a series of terrorist attacks, our

0:33:59 > 0:34:02communities did hold it together and many of them went out of their way

0:34:02 > 0:34:07to support other faiths and where other people were criticising them.

0:34:07 > 0:34:10That is the British way and those are our values and what we should be

0:34:10 > 0:34:14proud of. Doctor Lisa Cameron.

0:34:14 > 0:34:20We must take a firm stance against hate speech and ensure future

0:34:20 > 0:34:24generations do so. Would become secretaries speak with colleagues

0:34:24 > 0:34:27and consider supporting Holocaust education in schools so younger

0:34:27 > 0:34:31generations can understand the importance of standing against

0:34:31 > 0:34:35discrimination and the grave consequences of inaction?

0:34:35 > 0:34:37A very important point from the honourable lady and I thank her for

0:34:37 > 0:34:41raising it. The Holocaust educational trust does good and

0:34:41 > 0:34:45important work and I know that because some of my children in my

0:34:45 > 0:34:48schools in Hastings and right have been on those trips and I have been

0:34:48 > 0:34:53myself. It is a powerful way of remembering the terrible things that

0:34:53 > 0:34:56happened and how by remembering and by learning we can make sure they do

0:34:56 > 0:35:00not happen again. I support her point.

0:35:00 > 0:35:05Does the Home Secretary share my astonishment that someone in the

0:35:05 > 0:35:08position of the President of the United States actually finds the

0:35:08 > 0:35:13time to be trawling through Twitter, looking for posts as abhorrent as he

0:35:13 > 0:35:16has re-tweeted, does he share my view that Barker making America

0:35:16 > 0:35:20great again, his actions in retweeting those tweets reflect

0:35:20 > 0:35:24badly on his office and undermine the very principles that the United

0:35:24 > 0:35:30States was founded on? -- far from making America great again.

0:35:30 > 0:35:33That is why the Prime Minister was swift and Bremen her response to his

0:35:33 > 0:35:40Tweet. Thank you. Mr Speaker, when I think

0:35:40 > 0:35:44of Muslim children in Newcastle waking up to find themselves being

0:35:44 > 0:35:48attacked by the president of the most powerful nation on earth,

0:35:48 > 0:35:54because that is how it will appear to them, my heart bleeds. But the

0:35:54 > 0:35:57body get president is not accountable to the children of

0:35:57 > 0:36:02Newcastle. -- the 45th president. It is a busy to them he does hold

0:36:02 > 0:36:04themselves accountable but the social media giants are accountable

0:36:04 > 0:36:08to the Home Secretary so what will the Home Secretary do to demonstrate

0:36:08 > 0:36:15that accountability? The honourable lady might prefer her

0:36:15 > 0:36:19friends in the community to the comment by Mike right honourable

0:36:19 > 0:36:22friend the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government,

0:36:22 > 0:36:26who very much made his comments as a Muslim, and I think that other

0:36:26 > 0:36:30Muslims in this country might take comfort from that as well. In terms

0:36:30 > 0:36:35of what we are doing online, we are making sure that we provide the

0:36:35 > 0:36:41leadership necessary to make as much of this hate and illegal information

0:36:41 > 0:36:45that are sometimes put online taken down. In order to do that, the

0:36:45 > 0:36:50relationship with the US, which is what is critical for this house to

0:36:50 > 0:36:54understand, the relationship with the US is absolutely critical to

0:36:54 > 0:36:58making real progress with the online companies. They are American

0:36:58 > 0:37:03companies and they are based in Silicon Valley. They are subject to

0:37:03 > 0:37:06US law. If going to make real progress with these internet

0:37:06 > 0:37:15companies, we have to do it in close alliance with our American friends.

0:37:15 > 0:37:19And when the Prime Minister has her next regular conversation with the

0:37:19 > 0:37:22United States president, could the Home Secretary ensure that she

0:37:22 > 0:37:28conveys to him that the prevailing of this kind of hate speech simply

0:37:28 > 0:37:32serves the ends of those who wish to promote hatred in my constituency

0:37:32 > 0:37:38and between different communities in my constituency. And that she also

0:37:38 > 0:37:45undertake to ask the Prime Minister to convey to him that my black,

0:37:45 > 0:37:50Muslim, Jewish and other minority constituents, every time this hate

0:37:50 > 0:37:54speech is perpetrated feel more fear and alienation and suspicion from

0:37:54 > 0:37:59others in the community. And that is why C, the president, will not be

0:37:59 > 0:38:03welcome in this country because he is perpetrating and extending that

0:38:03 > 0:38:08hate speech.We are very clear that the sort of hate that she describes,

0:38:08 > 0:38:14the sort of division that has signed by Britain first for instance is

0:38:14 > 0:38:18completely unwelcome here in the UK. And we will always make sure that we

0:38:18 > 0:38:24will take action to call it out. We also operate in the Home Office to

0:38:24 > 0:38:29take down information that can sometimes get up that should not be

0:38:29 > 0:38:34there. We sometimes take down terrorist content, around 2000

0:38:34 > 0:38:39pieces a week. We are always short that we have more information out

0:38:39 > 0:38:43there to help bind our communities together, like her, I share that

0:38:43 > 0:38:48view and I have the same response in my own constituency to be absolutely

0:38:48 > 0:38:54clear that our communities will pull together and pour all hate crime and

0:38:54 > 0:38:57always say that.May I offer the Government a way out of the

0:38:57 > 0:39:02diplomatic ditch that they are in. Her Majesty the Queen, because of a

0:39:02 > 0:39:07great and very welcome age has been coming back on her engagements. She

0:39:07 > 0:39:12has a royal wedding to look forward to next year and the birth of a

0:39:12 > 0:39:16great grandchild. Don't those facts alone justify the Government

0:39:16 > 0:39:20announcing the postponement of the state visit by the President of the

0:39:20 > 0:39:27United States for at least three years?I think the honourable

0:39:27 > 0:39:32gentleman for his thoughtful advice to the Royal family. And as I have

0:39:32 > 0:39:36said previously, the dates have not yet been agreed, but thank you for

0:39:36 > 0:39:44your advice.I'm very saddened by what Trump has done, like many

0:39:44 > 0:39:49people in our country, I have been a great friend of America, as a very

0:39:49 > 0:39:53young man I emigrated to the United States and to cherish my green card.

0:39:53 > 0:39:58But so many of my American friends and relatives had said to me over

0:39:58 > 0:40:05these last few hours, this man does not speak for America. This man is

0:40:05 > 0:40:10betraying the tradition of the United States of freedom and liberty

0:40:10 > 0:40:13and respecting everyone whatever their religion or background.

0:40:13 > 0:40:20Please, as we negotiate, please stop this man coming on a state visit

0:40:20 > 0:40:25because if he comes there will be demonstrations of unparalleled in

0:40:25 > 0:40:28the past in this country. Please will she act now before it is too

0:40:28 > 0:40:35late.I think the honourable gentleman for his comments and like

0:40:35 > 0:40:41him I am a great admirer of America and like him I have friends with

0:40:41 > 0:40:46different views shall we say, to the President who are keen to

0:40:46 > 0:40:50communicate them to me. As far as the invitation is concerned, I thank

0:40:50 > 0:40:58him for his views, but no date has been agreed yet.Can I emphasise

0:40:58 > 0:41:01that the issues that the President of the United States has said on

0:41:01 > 0:41:05Twitter is not what the American people and of an sure that most

0:41:05 > 0:41:08Americans would be both embarrassed and abhorred by what the president

0:41:08 > 0:41:12has done. The Home Secretary is in charge of policing in this country,

0:41:12 > 0:41:16say this is a very serious and direct question. Racial and

0:41:16 > 0:41:20religious hatred and inciting it is a crime in this country. Have either

0:41:20 > 0:41:28Twitter or the president of the US committed a crime?Mr Speaker, we

0:41:28 > 0:41:32keep all potential crimes of the type that the honourable gentleman

0:41:32 > 0:41:36has referred to under review. I am not going to comment on individual

0:41:36 > 0:41:40cases of the type that he has said. I am sure that he can conclude

0:41:40 > 0:41:46himself of the line between free speech and criminal activity and I

0:41:46 > 0:41:54would think I will leave it at that. Two years ago I tabled an early day

0:41:54 > 0:41:58motion calling for the then presidential candidate Trump to be

0:41:58 > 0:42:02banned from visiting the UK in light of the extremely divisive comments

0:42:02 > 0:42:09he made at that time until he retracted those comments. With his

0:42:09 > 0:42:12tweets yesterday and overnight it is clear that he has not changed, and

0:42:12 > 0:42:18that is the key point. Can the Home Secretary tell me why it is right

0:42:18 > 0:42:23for someone so intent on stirring up hatred contrary to the values of

0:42:23 > 0:42:28this country to be invited to the UK for an all-expenses-paid state visit

0:42:28 > 0:42:35at the expense of the tax payer? Won and what about the values of the

0:42:35 > 0:42:39American people? The American people of whom he's the president, the

0:42:39 > 0:42:43American people he so many members here on both sides of the had said

0:42:43 > 0:42:48them admire. Those are the values that I admire. Those are the values

0:42:48 > 0:42:54that I feel we have so much in common with.The Home Secretary will

0:42:54 > 0:43:01know very well that in this tolerant country of ours Muslims and

0:43:01 > 0:43:04non-Muslims live in peace together as friends and neighbours and

0:43:04 > 0:43:07sometimes as members of the same families. How do I go back and

0:43:07 > 0:43:13explain to my own constituents that there is a national interest in

0:43:13 > 0:43:19inviting somebody who is there to divide our communities?I would urge

0:43:19 > 0:43:22the honourable gentleman to point out perhaps some of the points that

0:43:22 > 0:43:27I've made today in the House about the way she is the American

0:43:27 > 0:43:30president and we have such admiration and affection for the

0:43:30 > 0:43:34American people that we share values with an insane many different ways.

0:43:34 > 0:43:39And that we are so grateful to their intelligence services and security

0:43:39 > 0:43:43services, that with whom we work so closely, that the closeness of that

0:43:43 > 0:43:49work, the trust between this allows up them to help save British lives

0:43:49 > 0:43:52so effectively. That is why we have such a close and special

0:43:52 > 0:44:02relationship with the Americans.Mr Speaker, taking the charitable view

0:44:02 > 0:44:06that the United States doesn't know the character of this organisation

0:44:06 > 0:44:11whose vile utterances he has endorsed, will she ensure the House

0:44:11 > 0:44:16that the Government will make him well aware of its view of the

0:44:16 > 0:44:21character of this organisation and of its effects so that he has the

0:44:21 > 0:44:25opportunity clearly to distance himself from any association with it

0:44:25 > 0:44:31before they can be any question of him visiting the United Kingdom?It

0:44:31 > 0:44:36is certainly our intention to be absolutely clear that the type of

0:44:36 > 0:44:40organisation that he appeared to be promoting in his retweet is wholly

0:44:40 > 0:44:45unwelcome, it is full of hate and we will continue to call that out. I

0:44:45 > 0:44:50think my right honourable friend the Prime Minister made that clear in

0:44:50 > 0:44:55her criticism of him. That we will not make an opportunity to make that

0:44:55 > 0:45:01clear again and we will do so strongly and family.Back in 2010,

0:45:01 > 0:45:06the now Prime Minister as Home Secretary, banned radical Indian

0:45:06 > 0:45:11tele- evangelist preacher for entering the UK for his repeated

0:45:11 > 0:45:15pattern of unacceptable behaviour and in particular his line, every

0:45:15 > 0:45:18Muslim is a terrorist. Eric sacked workers at the time were, I am not

0:45:18 > 0:45:23willing to allow those not conducive to the public good to enter the UK.

0:45:23 > 0:45:27Surely the same applies here to President Trump and his frequent

0:45:27 > 0:45:32Republican outbursts and particularly that we are in

0:45:32 > 0:45:35Islamophobia awareness month dislodge the other day. The

0:45:35 > 0:45:41Government own report was quoted. That says that trigger events feed

0:45:41 > 0:45:47Islamophobia, women with hijabs being ripped off. Grand as being

0:45:47 > 0:45:53murdered, pigs heads being left on doorsteps. Can I ask that she does

0:45:53 > 0:45:59the same as our predecessor, as our Prime Minister did previously, also

0:45:59 > 0:46:02a wrapper that was excluded for his misogynist lyrics. Can they not

0:46:02 > 0:46:09continue this and then this is it altogether?I thank the honourable

0:46:09 > 0:46:12lady particularly for the point about Islamophobia that we take

0:46:12 > 0:46:16incredibly seriously and why it featured so strongly in the hate

0:46:16 > 0:46:20crime action plan that I launch last year and why we have provided extra

0:46:20 > 0:46:24money to make sure that mosques can be protected. Which is why we

0:46:24 > 0:46:32provide additional financial support in the great work in combating

0:46:32 > 0:46:35Islamophobia. We are very serious in addressing the type of hate crime

0:46:35 > 0:46:41that she addressed can be stopped so we can protect people. The Prime

0:46:41 > 0:46:45Minister was absolutely right to ban the people that she referred to, we

0:46:45 > 0:46:48do not comment on individual exclusion cases, but I will make

0:46:48 > 0:46:56sure that we always look very carefully.My constituents know only

0:46:56 > 0:46:58too well where extremism ultimately leads. And the actions of the

0:46:58 > 0:47:05president cannot be set aside as a mistake. He is a repeat offender as

0:47:05 > 0:47:09has already been said. These are his views. Anybody else holding these

0:47:09 > 0:47:14views would not be welcome in this country. The Home Secretary must see

0:47:14 > 0:47:21the double standards that she is representing here today by saying

0:47:21 > 0:47:26that she condemns the actions of the president but at the same time is

0:47:26 > 0:47:30opening her arms with an invitation to him to come to this country.

0:47:30 > 0:47:36Surely, she has to say and send a clear message, that he's not here.I

0:47:36 > 0:47:40don't accept that there are double standards. What I accept is that we

0:47:40 > 0:47:45have been totally consistent in making sure that we call out hate

0:47:45 > 0:47:49crime and we take aggressive action in order to stop him. Which is why

0:47:49 > 0:47:52my right honourable friend the Prime Minister responded so strongly to

0:47:52 > 0:47:57that tweet and white other Cabinet ministers have also taken action as

0:47:57 > 0:48:01well. We will always make sure that we call it out and we take action in

0:48:01 > 0:48:10order to stop the vile hate crime that can take place.Has anyone in

0:48:10 > 0:48:17the UK Government actually asked for these tweets to be taken down?Mr

0:48:17 > 0:48:28Speaker I will have to come back to the honourable lady on that matter.

0:48:28 > 0:48:32Can the Home Secretary provide me with some guidance about how I

0:48:32 > 0:48:37should respond to residents in my incredibly diverse constituency when

0:48:37 > 0:48:43they asked me why our Government is affording someone with such an

0:48:43 > 0:48:47horror and, vile, fascist and bigoted views, the luxury of a state

0:48:47 > 0:48:53visit? And if we don't take action today, when will we?Can I asked the

0:48:53 > 0:48:57honourable lady to refer to constituents, as I will mind, to the

0:48:57 > 0:49:03strong response that the Prime Minister responded with. Also I

0:49:03 > 0:49:09would ask to point out why the strong relationship the US is so in

0:49:09 > 0:49:15her constituents' interest. Tell them, explain to them, that it is

0:49:15 > 0:49:18action that we have shared with the intelligence services in the US that

0:49:18 > 0:49:21helps to keep British people say. We do not want to jeopardise any of

0:49:21 > 0:49:29that. She shakes her head, that this is an important point in terms of

0:49:29 > 0:49:31keeping her constituents say. That relationship is so critical would

0:49:31 > 0:49:41not want to harm it at all.Surely the robust response required now is

0:49:41 > 0:49:47to withdraw that invitation.The most important action that we can

0:49:47 > 0:49:52take to stop the promulgation of the type of hate crime that has been

0:49:52 > 0:49:56promoted by Britain First and is promoted by other extreme right-wing

0:49:56 > 0:50:01groups is to make sure that we work with major Internet companies to get

0:50:01 > 0:50:06more action taken. And this is exactly the area where the UK has

0:50:06 > 0:50:09been leading internationally. It is the area where the Prime Minister

0:50:09 > 0:50:16has been leading at the recent UN conference. The whole house can rely

0:50:16 > 0:50:19on this Government to make sure that we do that and that they deliver for

0:50:19 > 0:50:28us.In thinking the honourable gentleman from Cardiff for

0:50:28 > 0:50:31submitting his urgent question, I would like to take this opportunity

0:50:31 > 0:50:37to thank the Home Secretary and the Shadow Home Secretary for being

0:50:37 > 0:50:43present on this important occasion. And coupled with that, perhaps I can

0:50:43 > 0:50:48express my gratitude to all colleagues for participating in this

0:50:48 > 0:50:53very important set of exchanges. Just before I called the Shadow

0:50:53 > 0:50:58leader for business question, I would emphasise that there is huge

0:50:58 > 0:51:02pressure on time from now on, because there is an emergency debate

0:51:02 > 0:51:07under SA 24 to take place which can run up to three hours. And two

0:51:07 > 0:51:10debates to be conducted under the auspices of the backbench business

0:51:10 > 0:51:15committee. Therefore is a premium now on short questions and short

0:51:15 > 0:51:21answers.Could I ask the Leader of the House to update the House on the

0:51:21 > 0:51:34previously announced business.The Leader of the House, Andrea Leadsom.

0:51:34 > 0:51:41Thank you. The business for the week commencing the 4th of December, will

0:51:41 > 0:51:44include the continuing of the European Union withdraw build a

0:51:44 > 0:51:50four. Opposition Day six, a lot today, there will be a debate on an

0:51:50 > 0:51:56opposition motion is subject to be announced. Continuation of the

0:51:56 > 0:51:59committee European withdrawal Bill Day five. Thursday the 7th of

0:51:59 > 0:52:03December, debate on a motion on prison reform and safety led by a

0:52:03 > 0:52:07general debate on the UK fishing industry, the subject of these

0:52:07 > 0:52:10debates were determined by the backbench business committee. Friday

0:52:10 > 0:52:14the 8th of December the House will not be sitting. The provisional

0:52:14 > 0:52:19business for the week commencing the 11th of December will include Monday

0:52:19 > 0:52:21the 11th of December, the second reading of the Finance Bill. Tuesday

0:52:21 > 0:52:26the 12th of December, continuation committee of the European Union

0:52:26 > 0:52:32withdraw

0:52:33 > 0:52:38A fantastic. Wednesday the 13th of December,

0:52:38 > 0:52:41continuation of the European Union Withdrawal Bill debate day seven.

0:52:41 > 0:52:45Thursday 14th, debate and a motion of the quality of pension provision

0:52:45 > 0:52:49for women. Followed by debate on a motion on the hormone pregnancy

0:52:49 > 0:52:51tests. The subjects for these debates were determined by the

0:52:51 > 0:52:57backbench is this committee. Friday 15th of December the house will not

0:52:57 > 0:53:01be sitting. Provisional business for the week commencing 18th of December

0:53:01 > 0:53:05and will include Monday the 18th of December consideration committee of

0:53:05 > 0:53:09the Finance Bill Day one. Tuesday 19th of December, consideration and

0:53:09 > 0:53:14committee of the Finance Bill Day two. Wednesday the 20th of December,

0:53:14 > 0:53:17conclusion of continuation of the committee of the European Union

0:53:17 > 0:53:24Withdrawal Bill day eight. Thursday the 21st of December, a general

0:53:24 > 0:53:30debate on Russian interference in UK politics and society, followed by a

0:53:30 > 0:53:33general debate on matters to be raised before the forthcoming

0:53:33 > 0:53:36adjournment. The subjects of these debates were determined by the

0:53:36 > 0:53:42Backbench Business Committee. Friday the 22nd of December, a very Merry

0:53:42 > 0:53:45Christmas to everybody, Madam Deputy Speaker. I should also like to

0:53:45 > 0:53:49inform the house at the business in Westminster Hall for December will

0:53:49 > 0:53:54include Monday the 4th of December, a debate on a petition relating to

0:53:54 > 0:53:58public sector pay. Thursday the 7th of December, debate on the women and

0:53:58 > 0:54:02equality is committee report on women in the House of Commons after

0:54:02 > 0:54:06the 2020 election, and the Government response. Monday the 11th

0:54:06 > 0:54:11of December, debate and petitions relating to a referendum on the deal

0:54:11 > 0:54:15by the UK's exit from the EU. Thursday the 14th of December,

0:54:15 > 0:54:21debate and the Home Affairs Committee report on asylum

0:54:21 > 0:54:26accommodation and Government response. Followed on the 19th of

0:54:26 > 0:54:29December by a debate on the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee report on

0:54:29 > 0:54:37HM Government support for UK victims of IRA attacks that use to get

0:54:37 > 0:54:41Semtex and weapons and the Government response. Madam Deputy

0:54:41 > 0:54:46Speaker, I am sure the whole house will want to join me in marking

0:54:46 > 0:54:53world AIDS Day which takes place tomorrow. Significant. Progress has

0:54:53 > 0:55:00been made in fighting HIV but we must continue to end stigma and HIV

0:55:00 > 0:55:03transmission and raise awareness about people living with HIV for

0:55:03 > 0:55:09good. Scotland is much loved across the whole country...

0:55:09 > 0:55:12Hear, hear. Both the UK Government and

0:55:12 > 0:55:14Parliament are committed to championing Scotland and Sunday over

0:55:14 > 0:55:18Scottish interests so can take this to wish everyone, and especially our

0:55:18 > 0:55:24friends north of the border, a very happy Saint Andrews Day?

0:55:24 > 0:55:27Hear, hear. And finally, Madam Deputy Speaker,

0:55:27 > 0:55:31can I add my sincere congratulations to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

0:55:31 > 0:55:35and their engagement and wish them all the very best for the future?

0:55:35 > 0:55:40Thank you. Shadow Leader of the House.

0:55:40 > 0:55:44Can I thank the Leader of the House for updating the House on the

0:55:44 > 0:55:46forthcoming business. Can I ask whether she is able to say whether

0:55:46 > 0:55:49the report stage on the third reading of the European Union

0:55:49 > 0:55:52Withdrawal Bill, when that will be coming before the house? And could

0:55:52 > 0:55:57she say whether she is going to publish the motion on restoration

0:55:57 > 0:56:01and renewal before Christmas? I am pleased to say the opposition day is

0:56:01 > 0:56:08going to be on the subject of Universal Credit. And I will thank

0:56:08 > 0:56:14the speakers for granting a debate on the Yemen as one of the two

0:56:14 > 0:56:19honourable members you have been born in Yemen, the other one being

0:56:19 > 0:56:22the member for Leicester East, we have happy memories of that country

0:56:22 > 0:56:29and one of the abiding memories was of Father Christmas arriving on a

0:56:29 > 0:56:33camel. What the Speaker has done is to provide a debate, giving the gift

0:56:33 > 0:56:38of life and hope to those people suffering in Yemen. Can I think the

0:56:38 > 0:56:41Leader of the House for indicating that the register of ministers'

0:56:41 > 0:56:44interests will be updated shortly but I am not clear what the word

0:56:44 > 0:56:51shortly means, how long? Because the ministerial code section 7.5 says a

0:56:51 > 0:56:52statement covering relevant ministers' interest will be

0:56:52 > 0:56:57published twice a year. It was honoured in 2016 but we have not

0:56:57 > 0:57:04seen anything yet. Could I ask the Leader of the House, she mentioned

0:57:04 > 0:57:08the 22nd, wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, but could she ensure by

0:57:08 > 0:57:12writing to all departments that there is not a plethora of

0:57:12 > 0:57:16statements published on the 21st because it is difficult to put our

0:57:16 > 0:57:18constituents LAUGHTER Used for return question ministers,

0:57:18 > 0:57:22particularly as there isn't urgent question on forensics services and

0:57:22 > 0:57:26the minister says it is a serious matter.

0:57:26 > 0:57:33-- it is difficult to put our constituents' views forward.

0:57:33 > 0:57:36Transparency and accountability are the watchword of our democracy.

0:57:36 > 0:57:40Perhaps the Leader of the House can explain why there is no general

0:57:40 > 0:57:43amendment to the war resolution. There have only been five occasions

0:57:43 > 0:57:46where that has not happened. 1929, came immediately before a general

0:57:46 > 0:57:55election while the others in 74, 97, 2010 on July 2017, that was

0:57:55 > 0:57:59immediately after a general election. Erskine May points out it

0:57:59 > 0:58:02is done on occasions and in particular when it has been

0:58:02 > 0:58:06necessary to proceed rapidly with a Finance Bill. In anticipation of a

0:58:06 > 0:58:10dissolution of parliament... Could the Leader of the House update us as

0:58:10 > 0:58:15to whether... What the Government's thinking was and why there is not a

0:58:15 > 0:58:20chance for the opposition of all sides to put forward our alternative

0:58:20 > 0:58:24case? Because we have had listening chances before, as my honourable

0:58:24 > 0:58:26friend the member for Dewsbury found out when she got an amendment to the

0:58:26 > 0:58:32Finance Bill ensuring that the tampon tax was put through? -- was

0:58:32 > 0:58:40not put through. This is about democracy. The Leader of the House

0:58:40 > 0:58:45and I have previously had a debate about how Parliament is being raped

0:58:45 > 0:58:52and the Government have raped committees and they have a majority

0:58:52 > 0:58:56when -- how Parliament is being rigged and the Government have

0:58:56 > 0:59:01rigged committees. And the content of the house. I know in the streets

0:59:01 > 0:59:04of Northampton and bolts people are not going around chanting, what do

0:59:04 > 0:59:10we want, sectoral analysis, when do we want it, now? They are not. They

0:59:10 > 0:59:18have elected as to do that. And we say that on behalf of of those

0:59:18 > 0:59:22constituents who want to see those sectoral analyses.

0:59:22 > 0:59:28The motion was very clear and what it said was that the documents, the

0:59:28 > 0:59:34impact assessments,the sectoral announcement of those should be

0:59:34 > 0:59:38handed to the select committee, not published but to be looked at and a

0:59:38 > 0:59:40private session. That is done all they can buy select

0:59:40 > 0:59:44committees and that is what we want. How could they possibly have an

0:59:44 > 0:59:49inquiry about the evidence? -- without the evidence? If Parliament

0:59:49 > 0:59:53is sovereign, the Secretary of State has to listen to Parliament. Our

0:59:53 > 0:59:55sovereign parliament has instructed him to give up those papers. Madam

0:59:55 > 1:00:00Deputy Speaker, there are a number of anniversaries the Leader of the

1:00:00 > 1:00:03House has alluded to, but someday, as the honourable member for

1:00:03 > 1:00:08Battersea reminded us at PMQs is disability day. I know the Minister

1:00:08 > 1:00:11is making a statement after this and hope we will address the fact that

1:00:11 > 1:00:14the governor take the disparity between mental health and physical

1:00:14 > 1:00:20conditions... A constituent of mine has been penalised in her PIP

1:00:20 > 1:00:24assessment while her mother is going to cancer treatment but she may not

1:00:24 > 1:00:27have her PIP because of mental health conditions. The Leader of the

1:00:27 > 1:00:32House ensure there is parity of esteem in PIP assessments and help

1:00:32 > 1:00:35the statement will deal how the Government is dealing with areas in

1:00:35 > 1:00:41the game had yesterday. 75,000 people affected and only 1000 have

1:00:41 > 1:00:49been contacted to do with E S A. The Chancellor's financial statement did

1:00:49 > 1:00:52not mention disability or people with disabilities once. People with

1:00:52 > 1:00:57disabilities and their families are set to lose £5,500 per year by 2022

1:00:57 > 1:01:01because of existing tax and benefit changes. It was a flat-lining

1:01:01 > 1:01:07Government budget from a flat-lining Government. Madam Deputy Speaker,

1:01:07 > 1:01:13tomorrow is world AIDS Day. Diana, Princess of Wales, did so much to

1:01:13 > 1:01:17dispel the myth around AIDS and I agree with the Leader of the House

1:01:17 > 1:01:21that we want to congratulate her younger son, Prince Harry, and

1:01:21 > 1:01:23Meghan Markle on their engagement, and fitting they have chosen

1:01:23 > 1:01:28Nottingham contemporary, a gallery hosting the Terrence Higgins trust

1:01:28 > 1:01:32world AIDS Day charity fair as their first public event and we wish them

1:01:32 > 1:01:37a long and happy life together. As Prince Harry's grandparents have

1:01:37 > 1:01:41celebrated... And we wish Prince Philip congratulations on his new

1:01:41 > 1:01:47honour, as they celebrate there are 70 years. Finally, Madam Deputy

1:01:47 > 1:01:54Speaker,, it is St Andrews Day and we wish everyone called Andrew a

1:01:54 > 1:02:02happy Saint Andrews Day, one of the patron saint of our United Kingdom.

1:02:02 > 1:02:06Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. As ever, the honourable lady raises a

1:02:06 > 1:02:12wide range of interesting and thought-provoking points. I would

1:02:12 > 1:02:17like to first of all say as ever, the report in the third reading of

1:02:17 > 1:02:22the European Union Withdrawal Bill and the motions on our and our will

1:02:22 > 1:02:25be brought forward as soon as possible and she will appreciate it

1:02:25 > 1:02:29is not always possible to get such our advanced... And last week she

1:02:29 > 1:02:32welcomed me announcing the business up until Christmas and I will always

1:02:32 > 1:02:36say I will be as hopeful as possible to the House, including providing

1:02:36 > 1:02:42future information on the a different part of the business. She

1:02:42 > 1:02:45mentions the opposition Day subject of Universal Credit. On the side of

1:02:45 > 1:02:50the house, we welcome all views. We have had a number of debates on this

1:02:50 > 1:02:53subject in recent weeks and my right honourable friend was pleased to

1:02:53 > 1:02:57come to the house to address the motion that was passed by this house

1:02:57 > 1:03:00on Universal Credit, as I had pledged would be the case, whenever

1:03:00 > 1:03:05a motion was passed by this house. He did fulfil that plate with an 12

1:03:05 > 1:03:09week time frame and I hope that honourable members did note that and

1:03:09 > 1:03:16I look forward to this further debate. I share with her and

1:03:16 > 1:03:20enthusiasm for discussing the plight of those living in Yemen after such

1:03:20 > 1:03:23terrible, terrible times. I think we look forward to the emergency debate

1:03:23 > 1:03:31later on today. I will say to her again, the register of ministers'

1:03:31 > 1:03:33interests, it will be provided as soon as possible. I can't be

1:03:33 > 1:03:36specific but there is a lot of work to begin to compile and finalise the

1:03:36 > 1:03:42report and it will be provided soon as we can. She asks that statements

1:03:42 > 1:03:45be avoided, written ministerial statements be avoided on the 21st of

1:03:45 > 1:03:50December. I would say to her that obviously members of the Government

1:03:50 > 1:03:54can come under criticism for publishing things, anything outside

1:03:54 > 1:03:58of sitting days, but now, of course, she wants to criticise the

1:03:58 > 1:04:01Government for publishing things and sitting days. I don't think we can

1:04:01 > 1:04:05really except that sitting days should be ring fenced simply because

1:04:05 > 1:04:11they are drawing near to the end of a period of sitting... So I think

1:04:11 > 1:04:16she will need to bear in mind that ministers make great efforts to

1:04:16 > 1:04:19ensure that they make announcements whilst the house is sitting on

1:04:19 > 1:04:25giving us the opportunity to look at that. She asks about the specific

1:04:25 > 1:04:29point on the opposition's ability to perform an alternative case by the

1:04:29 > 1:04:33Finance Bill. If I may, I will write to her on that point and I am

1:04:33 > 1:04:38looking into that at the moment. She suggests that there aren't any

1:04:38 > 1:04:43people in her constituency of mine who are walking about demanding

1:04:43 > 1:04:47impact assessments. I think she underestimates the people of

1:04:47 > 1:04:51Northamptonshire and indeed Oxfordshire. My honourable friend

1:04:51 > 1:04:59and my PBS and I are very clear that our constituents are interested, and

1:04:59 > 1:05:03indeed it is the case that the Secretary of State for exiting the

1:05:03 > 1:05:07EU and his ministerial team have been clear... The analysis was not a

1:05:07 > 1:05:10series of impact assessments examining the impact of EU exit on

1:05:10 > 1:05:14the 58 sectors. In fact, in order to meet the motion of the 1st of

1:05:14 > 1:05:19November, we have taken a lot of time to bring together the sectoral

1:05:19 > 1:05:23analyses in a way that is accessible and informative to the committee.

1:05:23 > 1:05:26These analyses are being made available to all members of the

1:05:26 > 1:05:30House of Commons, and the House of Lords, in a private reading room,

1:05:30 > 1:05:34and the Secretary of State for exiting the EU will be meeting the

1:05:34 > 1:05:38select committee next Wednesday the 6th of December. Finally, she raises

1:05:38 > 1:05:44the important issue of parity of esteem for mental and physical

1:05:44 > 1:05:46disability. I absolutely share her determination that we should achieve

1:05:46 > 1:05:51that. That is the goal and intention of this Government, and I am sure

1:05:51 > 1:05:55she will welcome, as I do, the fact that its 2010, spending on

1:05:55 > 1:05:59disability has increased by £7 billion. And what this Government is

1:05:59 > 1:06:03determined to do is to enable people with disabilities to have more

1:06:03 > 1:06:09control over their lives and to enable them to seek work that suits

1:06:09 > 1:06:12their capabilities, to give them the chance to improve their own lives as

1:06:12 > 1:06:16far as is possible. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.

1:06:16 > 1:06:21Order. The colleagues will have heard the speech from these bigger

1:06:21 > 1:06:27about the pressure on time today. -- what the Speaker said. He indicated

1:06:27 > 1:06:30to me that he would like the emergency debate on Yemen to start

1:06:30 > 1:06:39no later than one o'clock. In which case, I am going to run business

1:06:39 > 1:06:43questions until 12:15pm but there is then another statement, so

1:06:43 > 1:06:48colleagues who might prefer to intervene at a later statement could

1:06:48 > 1:06:55perhaps bear that in mind. David Amis.My right honourable friend

1:06:55 > 1:07:01fine temper a debate on boosting trade between China the kingdom?

1:07:01 > 1:07:05Only yesterday, the largest digital marketing agency in China was

1:07:05 > 1:07:09launched at the shard and I am delighted that they launched it with

1:07:09 > 1:07:17a British MD, Richard habits.

1:07:18 > 1:07:21Having seen the opportunity from China for our food and drink

1:07:21 > 1:07:24business, I agree. On his specific point regarding digital marketing,

1:07:24 > 1:07:28there are a number of support agencies that specialise in helping

1:07:28 > 1:07:32UK firms to export to and invest in China. These businesses demonstrate

1:07:32 > 1:07:38that exporting to China is within reach for larger companies, and we

1:07:38 > 1:07:44welcome the decision for high link to open an office in London.Could I

1:07:44 > 1:07:50think the Leader of the House for the business for next week. Can I

1:07:50 > 1:08:00also wish everyone a happy St Andrew's Day. The SNP now join an

1:08:00 > 1:08:03exclusive club with all the opposition parties in which this

1:08:03 > 1:08:09Government won't vote against thanks to the Tory vote refuses, we now

1:08:09 > 1:08:15have the unanimous agreement of the south to tackle injustice. We were

1:08:15 > 1:08:23wondering what type of motion might tempt the Tory voters... Given the

1:08:23 > 1:08:26childish nature of the failure to participate in the democratic

1:08:26 > 1:08:32structures of the House, maybe a motion that this Government smells

1:08:32 > 1:08:37might try and preserve the dignity. This is not going to end well for

1:08:37 > 1:08:44this Government. And I know that Mr Speaker is considering my

1:08:44 > 1:08:48correspondence that this may be in contempt of this House to fully

1:08:48 > 1:08:51comply with an earlier binding motion of this House. I know Mr

1:08:51 > 1:08:56Speaker has been typically generous with this Government that patients

1:08:56 > 1:09:00must be running thin. It is either compliance or contempt and we must

1:09:00 > 1:09:07return this House to the position where this Government votes. This is

1:09:07 > 1:09:09a national, sovereign parliament, it is not a sixth form debating

1:09:09 > 1:09:20society. Lastly, the latest piece of Brexit chaotic cluelessness comes in

1:09:20 > 1:09:31a... The total of the UK must now come close to hundreds of billions

1:09:31 > 1:09:35of pounds, that is why we must see these wrecks that impact

1:09:35 > 1:09:39assessments. We need a proper debate about the true cost of Brexit and we

1:09:39 > 1:09:42need to hear if there is any pace that will make this Government think

1:09:42 > 1:09:49again.I am grateful to the honourable gentleman for his feisty

1:09:49 > 1:09:54remarks and I must say to him that I was going to invite him for some

1:09:54 > 1:09:58haggis, neeps and tatties in the members tearoom after this in the

1:09:58 > 1:10:03business question, but I might think again if he feels this Government

1:10:03 > 1:10:07smells. I am not sure that is even orderly language! But nevertheless,

1:10:07 > 1:10:12I'm willing to overlook it. He mentions these Pacific issue of

1:10:12 > 1:10:15pension age for women and of course he will be aware that this is being

1:10:15 > 1:10:19raised on a number of occasions. The Conservatives in Government had

1:10:19 > 1:10:24committed over £1 billion to support those affected so that nobody will

1:10:24 > 1:10:28see their pension age changed by more than 18 months compared to the

1:10:28 > 1:10:321995 timetable. He will recognise that the great news that we are all

1:10:32 > 1:10:37living longer does mean that therefore the age at which people

1:10:37 > 1:10:39reach their state retirement and therefore draw their state pension

1:10:39 > 1:10:44does need to change with it. We are trying to seek fairness across men

1:10:44 > 1:10:48and women in that regard. He asks about voting and as I made very

1:10:48 > 1:10:56clear in my statement previously, that we recognise that any motion

1:10:56 > 1:11:01that is voted on by the House is binding on the House, and opposition

1:11:01 > 1:11:07Day motions that are voted on and approved are binding on the House.

1:11:07 > 1:11:11However, as Mr Speaker has made clear, they are not binding on the

1:11:11 > 1:11:15Government. And what I have agreed in recognition in desire of the

1:11:15 > 1:11:19House quite rightly, to see what actions are taken as a result of

1:11:19 > 1:11:24motion is approved by this House, is that a statement will be provided in

1:11:24 > 1:11:27respect of any opposition motion that is passed by the House, with

1:11:27 > 1:11:33the minister explaining exactly what actions have been taken as a result.

1:11:33 > 1:11:36My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the WP, came

1:11:36 > 1:11:39before this House to provide such an update only this week and there will

1:11:39 > 1:11:43be further statement in the near future. His final statement about

1:11:43 > 1:11:47the cost of leaving the EU is one, as he will know, not one at all that

1:11:47 > 1:11:52the Government has said is the case. It is simply something that is part

1:11:52 > 1:11:56of the negotiations. The Government is committed to seeking the best

1:11:56 > 1:12:02possible deal for the United Kingdom as we leave the EU. The negotiations

1:12:02 > 1:12:06are in a positive face. We hope to see some good, constructive results

1:12:06 > 1:12:09from the December Council and we all await those negotiations with

1:12:09 > 1:12:20enormous interest.Can we have a debate on the importance and value

1:12:20 > 1:12:22of further education skills, especially following the disgraceful

1:12:22 > 1:12:28attack yet again by the formal inspector of schools who told

1:12:28 > 1:12:34colleges to get off their backsides. This is entirely wrong, 70% of our

1:12:34 > 1:12:37education colleges are good or outstanding and he previously

1:12:37 > 1:12:41said... It is worth remembering that Cinderella not only married a prince

1:12:41 > 1:12:49but we got to banish the two ugly sisters of snobbery and intolerance.

1:12:49 > 1:12:53My honourable friend is a fantastic champion for young people getting on

1:12:53 > 1:12:57in life and I absolutely share his enthusiasm for the contribution of

1:12:57 > 1:13:01so many excellent colleges. Towards giving young people the

1:13:01 > 1:13:09opportunities they need and deserve. Thank you to the Leader of the House

1:13:09 > 1:13:12for the business statement. Could I discreetly point out to the

1:13:12 > 1:13:19honourable member that having a loan is contravention of the clean air

1:13:19 > 1:13:27act. This afternoon, we have two important debates scheduled by the

1:13:27 > 1:13:32backbench business committee. The treatment of S M Es by our global

1:13:32 > 1:13:37restructuring group and mental health and suicide within a

1:13:37 > 1:13:40community. Due to exceptional circumstances far beyond the

1:13:40 > 1:13:46backbench of these two important debates this afternoon will be

1:13:46 > 1:13:51severely restricted by time. Both debates will have fewer on-site

1:13:51 > 1:13:54public support with constituents visiting this place to witness their

1:13:54 > 1:13:58very real concern is being debated. Could we now look at a potential

1:13:58 > 1:14:02revision of standing orders to enable some measure to protect time

1:14:02 > 1:14:08for such debates for the backbench business committee in the future?

1:14:08 > 1:14:10Our constituents and the constituents of all backbenchers

1:14:10 > 1:14:16deserve that at least.I think the honourable gentleman raises a very

1:14:16 > 1:14:21important point. I think we're all disappointed to see the constraints

1:14:21 > 1:14:25that have arisen through no individual fault, but just as a

1:14:25 > 1:14:29result of circumstances to the two important debates he mentions. I

1:14:29 > 1:14:35will certainly take that away and look at it.This is an issue where

1:14:35 > 1:14:38the Government to make a statement on how they are going to involve

1:14:38 > 1:14:42leaseholders in the discussions on building high-rise buildings with

1:14:42 > 1:14:46cladding. They are having meetings with the managing agents and others,

1:14:46 > 1:14:50but leaseholders who may be isolated not been brought in, not been

1:14:50 > 1:14:53brought together, and would it be possible for the Leader of the House

1:14:53 > 1:14:58to consider asking that department if they can announce before next

1:14:58 > 1:15:00Tuesday how they will get the leaseholders involved and how they

1:15:00 > 1:15:06can talk to each other to have a united front and share information?

1:15:06 > 1:15:09My honourable friend is raising something that is very important to

1:15:09 > 1:15:14all of us. But we ensure the safety of those who live in high-rise

1:15:14 > 1:15:17buildings. If he wants to write to make or talk to me after business

1:15:17 > 1:15:23questions, I will certainly see to help if I can raise this matter with

1:15:23 > 1:15:28the Department.Maher as the Leader of the House if we can have an

1:15:28 > 1:15:34urgent debate into fracking planning applications. In my constituency the

1:15:34 > 1:15:38multinational petrochemical company has applied to the DC LG secretary

1:15:38 > 1:15:43to avoid local democracy by taking planning decisions out of the local

1:15:43 > 1:15:46council hands and giving to the national planning Inspectorate. I

1:15:46 > 1:15:51like to ask the secretary how does it fit with the Tory manifesto on

1:15:51 > 1:15:55the promise to maintain public confidence in the shale industry and

1:15:55 > 1:15:59uphold rigorous environment protection?The honourable gentleman

1:15:59 > 1:16:04might wish to raise that specific question at DC LG questions on the

1:16:04 > 1:16:094th of December, as he will know however, the subject of shale gas

1:16:09 > 1:16:14exploration is one that has received a huge amount of attention in this

1:16:14 > 1:16:18place. The regulations are very strong, and it is right that the UK

1:16:18 > 1:16:25economy takes the opportunity to benefit from that transition from

1:16:25 > 1:16:29high carbon emitting coal, through gas, which is lower carbon emitting

1:16:29 > 1:16:36to our renewables future that we all want to see.Can we have a debate on

1:16:36 > 1:16:43a weed called floating Penny Watt, it is a strong contender for the

1:16:43 > 1:16:47worst aquatic weed in the UK and it is affecting large stretches of the

1:16:47 > 1:16:51Thames and a debate would sort out how we can deal with that.I agree

1:16:51 > 1:16:56with my honourable friend that this week is a highly invasive non-native

1:16:56 > 1:16:59species of causes a significant environmental impact. The

1:16:59 > 1:17:05Environment Agency has removed thousands of tonnes of this plant in

1:17:05 > 1:17:08part of a coordinated removal and spraying to hold its growth. My

1:17:08 > 1:17:13friend will be leased to know that efforts have been redoubled to

1:17:13 > 1:17:17remove this weed from the Thames and distributors throughout October and

1:17:17 > 1:17:21November and is putting a sprain, removal and monitoring programme in

1:17:21 > 1:17:31place from Spring 2010.-- 2018. This Saturday I will be taking part

1:17:31 > 1:17:36as small business Saturday visiting businesses on high Street, Christmas

1:17:36 > 1:17:43markets and finishing with a chink in Lewisham. Can we have a debate on

1:17:43 > 1:17:50what support the -- drink. ... Two surviving crew?You are absolutely

1:17:50 > 1:17:53right to highlight your own small businesses in the value to the

1:17:53 > 1:17:59economy. This Government not misread supports businesses and the

1:17:59 > 1:18:02contribution they make across the UK. I'm sure many members will be

1:18:02 > 1:18:06doing similar to the honourable lady and visiting around more businesses

1:18:06 > 1:18:13and I encourage them to do so. Yesterday saw the long-awaited

1:18:13 > 1:18:17publication by the Labour Mayor of London of the draft London plan.

1:18:17 > 1:18:20This could lead to the end of back gardens in suburbia, the abolition

1:18:20 > 1:18:25of car parking spaces in all new developments, and at the same time

1:18:25 > 1:18:30not a single new affordable homes is built under his watch. This will

1:18:30 > 1:18:33affect all Londoners. Can we have a debate in Government time on the

1:18:33 > 1:18:39drastic impact that this will have across London?My honourable friend

1:18:39 > 1:18:43is absolutely right to hold the Labour Mayor of London to account in

1:18:43 > 1:18:50the way that he does. And to point out that we do need thriving

1:18:50 > 1:18:56economies. London absolutely needs much more housing and affordable

1:18:56 > 1:18:59housing and greater infrastructure and unfortunately the men are all

1:18:59 > 1:19:06too often criticises central Government for his own failings.Can

1:19:06 > 1:19:11I say to the Leader of the House, there was absolute astonishment from

1:19:11 > 1:19:14MPs across this House and the fact that the Chancellor in his budget

1:19:14 > 1:19:19made no mention of defence and given the crisis that defence is facing in

1:19:19 > 1:19:24this country over the current time, can I ask the leader to us the

1:19:24 > 1:19:28Chancellor to come to this House and explained how we're going to stop

1:19:28 > 1:19:31cuts to our numbers of shoulders, cutting the number of aircraft,

1:19:31 > 1:19:36customer number of marines in order to defend our country properly --

1:19:36 > 1:19:43soldiers.What I would say to the honourable gentleman first and

1:19:43 > 1:19:46foremost, this Government supports all of our Armed Forces in our

1:19:46 > 1:19:52defence sector to an anonymous extent. We have committed --

1:19:52 > 1:20:01enormous. 2% of our GDP every year until 2022. We planned to spend £178

1:20:01 > 1:20:07billion on air equipment time between 2016-26. And by 2025 we will

1:20:07 > 1:20:11have a highly capable expeditionary force of around 50,000, up from

1:20:11 > 1:20:1630,000. What is important however, is that we do look at the way in

1:20:16 > 1:20:21which our defence needs are changing. And that review is

1:20:21 > 1:20:28absolutely vital to the future security needs of this country.

1:20:28 > 1:20:33Earlier this week we had an excellent statement from the

1:20:33 > 1:20:37Business Secretary introducing the industrial strategy and many strands

1:20:37 > 1:20:40of that strategy will be of particular benefit to constituents

1:20:40 > 1:20:46such as mine. Does the Government have any plans to debate in

1:20:46 > 1:20:50Government time to debate the various aspects of the strategy

1:20:50 > 1:20:54particularly the teacher development which would be of great value in my

1:20:54 > 1:21:00area?My honourable friend is a great champion for his constituency,

1:21:00 > 1:21:04and I agree with him that we should all welcome the industrial strategy

1:21:04 > 1:21:08setting out how we are building a Britain fits the future. How we will

1:21:08 > 1:21:12help businesses create better higher paying jobs with investment from the

1:21:12 > 1:21:16skills, industries and infrastructure that will make

1:21:16 > 1:21:23written an enormous success in the years to come.Only 10% of children

1:21:23 > 1:21:27on free school meals in Barnsley gone to university. Can we have a

1:21:27 > 1:21:30debate in Government time about social mobility in Britain as our

1:21:30 > 1:21:38future economic success depends on all children being able to succeed.

1:21:38 > 1:21:41The honourable lady is absolutely right that children are the future

1:21:41 > 1:21:47and we need to do everything we can to support them to make their lives

1:21:47 > 1:21:51better than the generation before that is our aspiration. I'm sure she

1:21:51 > 1:22:00would welcome, as we all do, but there are 1.8 million more children

1:22:00 > 1:22:04in schools... There are or than 3.4 million apprenticeships for young

1:22:04 > 1:22:08people since 2010. It is absolutely vital that we do everything we can

1:22:08 > 1:22:12do is what their future as we move into this enormous industrial change

1:22:12 > 1:22:19that gives us the opportunity to build the industries of the future.

1:22:19 > 1:22:23I don't know of the leader of the House has seen the migration figures

1:22:23 > 1:22:29today but they are one third lower net migration than last year, one

1:22:29 > 1:22:34third from before the EU referendum. Could we have a debate in Government

1:22:34 > 1:22:38time on immigration, so that we can talk about the Government's progress

1:22:38 > 1:22:41to tens of thousands, and the fact that we will be able to reach that

1:22:41 > 1:22:47target when they come out from the EU and end free movement?

1:22:47 > 1:22:51My honourable friend is right to raise the importance of immigration

1:22:51 > 1:22:55in this country, both on the one hand the enormous contribution made

1:22:55 > 1:22:59by those who have come here to live and make their lives here, but also

1:22:59 > 1:23:04on the other hand the pressure that high and uncontrolled immigration

1:23:04 > 1:23:10has wrought on some of our public services. I encourage my honourable

1:23:10 > 1:23:14friend to seek a debate in a Westminster Hall debate so that we

1:23:14 > 1:23:18can discuss the relative merits of uncontrolled versus controlled

1:23:18 > 1:23:25migration. Less than 48 hours ago, the camera

1:23:25 > 1:23:28and Hardy company went into administration, meaning hundreds of

1:23:28 > 1:23:34job losses in their constituency weeks before Christmas. Like a

1:23:34 > 1:23:36Dickens novel, workers and when they arrived for their shift and found

1:23:36 > 1:23:42the gates were closed. Despite this, administrators, PwC, have not

1:23:42 > 1:23:46responded to multiple attempts to contact them. Will she asked the

1:23:46 > 1:23:51Business Secretary to intervene to support me and the union to try to

1:23:51 > 1:23:55find out what is going on and what can be done to help my constituents?

1:23:55 > 1:23:59I am very sorry to hear about this and if he would like to write to me

1:23:59 > 1:24:07I would be happy to take this up with the big areas Business

1:24:07 > 1:24:10Secretary. I recently had the honour of

1:24:10 > 1:24:14becoming a patron of a hospice, a charitably funded hospice that

1:24:14 > 1:24:19provides valuable services to my constituents and produces pressure

1:24:19 > 1:24:23on the -- reduces pressure on the NHS. They have been aware of funding

1:24:23 > 1:24:27charges, so can we haven't urgent debate on the options available for

1:24:27 > 1:24:34hospices to make it easier to provide NHS funding?

1:24:34 > 1:24:38Congratulations on his new role. Hospices around the country

1:24:38 > 1:24:41including Cynthia Spencer and Catherine house, who served my own

1:24:41 > 1:24:47constituents so well, deliver excellent care and contribute to the

1:24:47 > 1:24:49well-being of local communities. Millions of families benefit from

1:24:49 > 1:24:53them and I am sure I can speak for all members when I say how grateful

1:24:53 > 1:24:57we are to them. NHS England has developed a new payment system for

1:24:57 > 1:25:02end of life care, which is designed to be more fair and transparent, and

1:25:02 > 1:25:07this will further improve care for patients.

1:25:07 > 1:25:14Gosh, I was not expecting people to see me. Can we have a debate in

1:25:14 > 1:25:18Government time on the postcode lottery in a cell appears? 28% were

1:25:18 > 1:25:24successful in Glasgow compared to 47% in one area in London?

1:25:24 > 1:25:30Constituents deserve a free hearing when they go to asylum tribunal.

1:25:30 > 1:25:32I agree with the honourable lady that all asylum appeals should be

1:25:32 > 1:25:39treated with equal importance and respect. I think if she wanted to

1:25:39 > 1:25:42seek an adjournment debate on the concerns she has in her own

1:25:42 > 1:25:49constituency, then that would be seen very favourably by the Speaker.

1:25:49 > 1:25:53Further to the person in question, my honourable friend for Cleethorpes

1:25:53 > 1:25:57as he leaves the chamber, well my right honourable friend the Leader

1:25:57 > 1:26:02of the House grant time for the importance of improved productivity

1:26:02 > 1:26:07for the growth of the economy in the UK?

1:26:07 > 1:26:11I know my honourable friend is a former teacher himself and a huge

1:26:11 > 1:26:16advocate of developing the skills of young people, and I share his

1:26:16 > 1:26:19enthusiasm for our new industrial strategy that sets out how we will

1:26:19 > 1:26:23build a Britain that for the future, and ready to take advantage of the

1:26:23 > 1:26:26extraordinary advances in technology that can really transform lives for

1:26:26 > 1:26:33the better. Madam Deputy Speaker, the Leader of

1:26:33 > 1:26:37the House might remember my first question back in June to her was

1:26:37 > 1:26:41about gun crime and police cuts after there had been ten such

1:26:41 > 1:26:44incidents in my constituency that month and it has not gone unnoticed.

1:26:44 > 1:26:49There was no mention of police cuts continuing in the budget last week.

1:26:49 > 1:26:55More and more of my constituents are raising fears of crime as one of the

1:26:55 > 1:27:01plates on their lives and Merseyside Police are stretched to the limit,

1:27:01 > 1:27:05having lost 1000 police officers and £100,000 per year are from budget.

1:27:05 > 1:27:09The situation is unsustainable and we need a debate in Government time

1:27:09 > 1:27:14and police cuts and the effects of crime in constituencies.

1:27:14 > 1:27:17The honourable gentleman raises a serious issue and of course we know

1:27:17 > 1:27:22that the fear of crime is very wide spread around the country. However I

1:27:22 > 1:27:26am sure he will be pleased to know that crime is traditionally measured

1:27:26 > 1:27:32by an independent crime survey for England and Wales, and it has fallen

1:27:32 > 1:27:34by 9% over the last year, a continuation of the overall downward

1:27:34 > 1:27:40trend. These are not be reassured to know that we are protecting police

1:27:40 > 1:27:45budgets in real terms, and the proportion of officers in front-line

1:27:45 > 1:27:51roles has increased from 2010 2/90 3% now. Are of course individual

1:27:51 > 1:27:56issues in particular policing areas... The officers in front-line

1:27:56 > 1:28:02roles has increased from 2010 up to 93% now.

1:28:02 > 1:28:06I am sure that like me the Leader of the House has been inundated with

1:28:06 > 1:28:10e-mails regarding animal sentience, and many constituents have contacted

1:28:10 > 1:28:18me bowling any milk from a lobbying company, and e-mail -- an e-mail

1:28:18 > 1:28:22that sadly contained mistruths about a vote in my house. I requested a

1:28:22 > 1:28:25correction but that the leader of the hazard advised me on how I and

1:28:25 > 1:28:29other members of this Parliament can combat fake news and misinformation

1:28:29 > 1:28:31when it is passed on to our constituents directly from such

1:28:31 > 1:28:38sources? My honourable friend is corrected to

1:28:38 > 1:28:42raise this issue. Matters of concern to the public must always be raised

1:28:42 > 1:28:51with us, but groups such as 38 Degrees should not whether

1:28:51 > 1:28:53inadvertently or maliciously spread information that is not true, and

1:28:53 > 1:28:56when something is proving to be untrue, as in this case, it should

1:28:56 > 1:29:00be immediately withdrawn or corrected. We are very aware of the

1:29:00 > 1:29:04concerns around fake news and as part of our manifesto commitment,

1:29:04 > 1:29:08work is underway through the Digital charter to make sure high-quality

1:29:08 > 1:29:11news online has a sustainable future, and that we have a news

1:29:11 > 1:29:20environment that is accurate. The Leader of the House will be

1:29:20 > 1:29:22aware that over the last weeks I have made speeches about the impact

1:29:22 > 1:29:26I faced with bullying in school. Since is because I had been

1:29:26 > 1:29:30inundated by adults and children currently in school saying they are

1:29:30 > 1:29:34under constant attack through cyber bullying. Could Government time be

1:29:34 > 1:29:38done for a debate on the impact of Facebook and Twitter and Instagram

1:29:38 > 1:29:45on bullying and the impact it has on young people's lives and well-being?

1:29:45 > 1:29:49Hear, hear. The gentleman is right to raise this

1:29:49 > 1:29:52point. Bullying and cyber bullying in particular article real scourge

1:29:52 > 1:29:57of the moderate lives in particular for young people. -- any modern life

1:29:57 > 1:30:01of young people. I would urgently seeking Westminster debate on this

1:30:01 > 1:30:04and you might be aware that a select committee investigation will be

1:30:04 > 1:30:09looking at this issue and he might want to respond to that.

1:30:09 > 1:30:12Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. A great number of companies around the

1:30:12 > 1:30:16UK are seeing the value of installing energy efficiency

1:30:16 > 1:30:20measures and clean technology in their premises. Can the Leader of

1:30:20 > 1:30:22the House use their influence with regard to the refurbishment of this

1:30:22 > 1:30:26place to ensure we set the highest standards for energy efficiency and

1:30:26 > 1:30:29the deployment of clean technology so we can lead by example and reduce

1:30:29 > 1:30:35costs and show the very best of reddish clean technologies for

1:30:35 > 1:30:42export around the world? I absolutely share my friend's

1:30:42 > 1:30:44enthusiasm for clean technology and reducing our carbon footprint, and I

1:30:44 > 1:30:47look to the honourable lady, who I am sure will share in that

1:30:47 > 1:30:53enthusiasm, and I can insure my honourable friend -- I can assure

1:30:53 > 1:30:57him we will look at it through this process as we seek to restore this

1:30:57 > 1:31:00beautiful palace, to take the opportunities to reduce its carbon

1:31:00 > 1:31:07footprint. Can we have a debate on the state,

1:31:07 > 1:31:14or the Leader of the House having worked with the secretary regarding

1:31:14 > 1:31:24the pensions, and why has the HSBC Midland bank in the pension

1:31:24 > 1:31:28scheme... Club that reduces the bank's pension conservation when

1:31:28 > 1:31:31basic state pension becomes available. This means many staff are

1:31:31 > 1:31:35denied the opportunity to make additional financial plans for their

1:31:35 > 1:31:38retirement. Other banks have not applied or have since withdrawn this

1:31:38 > 1:31:43scheme and will she do all she can to help us with this claw-back HSBC

1:31:43 > 1:31:48issue? This matter was raised before in

1:31:48 > 1:31:52this this question and I had a couple of constituents contact me. I

1:31:52 > 1:31:56think this is our concern and it does need to be looked into and I do

1:31:56 > 1:31:59encourage the honourable gentleman to seek an adjournment debate.

1:31:59 > 1:32:05Stephen Kerr. Can I thank the Leader of the House

1:32:05 > 1:32:09Mac for her sake and restate greeting and I wonder whether her

1:32:09 > 1:32:13offer of haggis, tatties and needs a place to her Scottish Conservative

1:32:13 > 1:32:17colleagues? The gulf between the tax paid by Scott and the tax paid by

1:32:17 > 1:32:20people in the rest of the UK looks set to widen further when the

1:32:20 > 1:32:24Scottish Government and elder budget plans on the 14th of December. Will

1:32:24 > 1:32:29my right honourable friend find time for a debate on the hugely damaging

1:32:29 > 1:32:34consequences of such a tax hike for Scotland? After last week's budget,

1:32:34 > 1:32:39the Scottish Government will lose £2 billion of the next year so the

1:32:39 > 1:32:41Scottish Government must explain why they think raising income taxes

1:32:41 > 1:32:49justified. That is some new is right there.

1:32:49 > 1:32:53Can I say to my honourable friend I am delighted to meet him and other

1:32:53 > 1:32:57honourable friend the Scottish Members of Parliament... --that is

1:32:57 > 1:33:02fake news. Income tax powers were an important

1:33:02 > 1:33:07part of the Smith commission recommendations and we had evolved

1:33:07 > 1:33:10to the Scotland at the Scottish Government chooses to use them is a

1:33:10 > 1:33:13decision for them but I agree with my honourable friend that I don't

1:33:13 > 1:33:17see either how making Scotland the highest highest taxed part of the UK

1:33:17 > 1:33:22can be the right thing to do. I cannot see why the SNP would choose

1:33:22 > 1:33:27to drive growth and talent away. Let's be clear, income tax is not

1:33:27 > 1:33:29the Government's money, it is money earned by the people of this

1:33:29 > 1:33:35country. That is why the Conservatives in Westminster and in

1:33:35 > 1:33:41Holyrood will always stand up for low taxes.

1:33:41 > 1:33:43Speaker... Fake news.

1:33:43 > 1:33:48Will the Leader of the House please give me an approximate time to wait

1:33:48 > 1:33:54for a response from the Prime Minister about something 111 MPs

1:33:54 > 1:33:57have signed regarding international students in the UK and the important

1:33:57 > 1:34:03economic contribution they make, particularly in our regions come in

1:34:03 > 1:34:05regard to the industrial strategy... How long should one wait for a

1:34:05 > 1:34:08response to that kind of a letter and she believe that is the sort of

1:34:08 > 1:34:15thing to apply for a debate on, giving it is a cross-party support?

1:34:15 > 1:34:19Most certainly, if it carries cross-party support as she suggests,

1:34:19 > 1:34:22it is a candidate for Westminster Hall or backbench business debates.

1:34:22 > 1:34:26With regard to the question about the time it takes for the Prime

1:34:26 > 1:34:29Minister to respond, if you would like to take it up with me by

1:34:29 > 1:34:35e-mail, then I can borrow at her request to the Prime Minister.

1:34:35 > 1:34:38Rachel McLean. May I add my voice to another matter

1:34:38 > 1:34:40which also commands cross-party support which is on the importance

1:34:40 > 1:34:45of small businesses and small business Saturday? I will be

1:34:45 > 1:34:50visiting businesses in Redditch and we had a number of successful ones

1:34:50 > 1:34:54including a carpentry business and another place which has the best

1:34:54 > 1:34:58fish and chips. Can she find time for a debate, Government time, about

1:34:58 > 1:35:03the importance of keeping taxes low and small businesses?

1:35:03 > 1:35:06My honourable friend is a great advocate for her constituency

1:35:06 > 1:35:11Redditch in having all this talk of food is making all hungry. Small

1:35:11 > 1:35:17business Saturday is a grassroots non-commercial campaign that I liked

1:35:17 > 1:35:20small business successes, and encourages consumers to shop local

1:35:20 > 1:35:23and support small businesses. This is something right across this house

1:35:23 > 1:35:31we all seek to do. Can I actually congratulate the

1:35:31 > 1:35:34Government on something it has done this week, and the Scottish

1:35:34 > 1:35:40Government, just to make that clear? That is the change in the nation of

1:35:40 > 1:35:44blood for gay and bisexual men, it has come down from 12 months to

1:35:44 > 1:35:48three months. That means that thousands more gay men can give

1:35:48 > 1:35:51blood and could previously. But can we have a statement on this, because

1:35:51 > 1:35:54despite this excellent news, it doesn't seem to have caught the

1:35:54 > 1:35:58attention of the media this week, and I think we need to discuss how

1:35:58 > 1:36:02we can make that news much more wide than it is, to encourage people to

1:36:02 > 1:36:05donate blood. The honourable gentleman has just

1:36:05 > 1:36:08make sure that this will receive some media attention, and I

1:36:08 > 1:36:13congratulate him for doing so. He raises a valuable and important

1:36:13 > 1:36:16contribution to the blood stocks of this country and I sure there will

1:36:16 > 1:36:22be many who were previously unaware that be connected -- delighted by

1:36:22 > 1:36:25the news. Can I also wish you and the whole

1:36:25 > 1:36:28House a happy Saint Andrews Day? And we have a debate about the excellent

1:36:28 > 1:36:33decision by the UK Government to bypass the failing SNP Scottish

1:36:33 > 1:36:38Government for the next roll-out of broadband? Does my right honourable

1:36:38 > 1:36:42friend also share my amusement at the reaction from Scotland's First

1:36:42 > 1:36:45Minister, who has suggested that on this issue Scottish Conservative MPs

1:36:45 > 1:36:51have been misleading, and has even said that this has been done by the

1:36:51 > 1:36:54Scottish media? Does my right honourable friend agree that Nicola

1:36:54 > 1:36:56Sturgeon should stop burying her head about this issue and actually

1:36:56 > 1:37:01start burying some corrections to my constituents and many across

1:37:01 > 1:37:10Scotland about the broadband feeds they deserve?

1:37:10 > 1:37:14My honourable friend's priorities are always on the right place.I can

1:37:14 > 1:37:20tell him that in September 2016 we announced wave one of the programme

1:37:20 > 1:37:26in the six locations across the UK including Aberdeenshire. In parallel

1:37:26 > 1:37:31to this announcement we have written to local councils seeking

1:37:31 > 1:37:34expressions of interest and roll over 130 responses. My honourable

1:37:34 > 1:37:40friend is absolutely right, this is intended to provide better and

1:37:40 > 1:37:45faster broadband roll-out for all the people of Scotland.When the

1:37:45 > 1:37:55science Museum said that Hull could not have made Johnson's playing for

1:37:55 > 1:38:00the city of culture this year and a local artist worked with Hull a

1:38:00 > 1:38:04replica which is now in paragon station so can we now have a

1:38:04 > 1:38:08statement from the Ministry of Justice, why they have decided that

1:38:08 > 1:38:12that plane which means so much to the city will be moved down the road

1:38:12 > 1:38:17to your without asking the artist or key players and Hull about its

1:38:17 > 1:38:25future.Can I first congratulate Hull for the excellent work they

1:38:25 > 1:38:31have done as the current city of culture, for the amazing

1:38:31 > 1:38:37achievement. I understand the local economy has benefited from over £3

1:38:37 > 1:38:41billion of investment in their role as the current city of culture. I do

1:38:41 > 1:38:46suggest my honourable friend looks at a Westminster Hall debate to

1:38:46 > 1:38:50raise this particular point is what she wants to discuss with the

1:38:50 > 1:39:00minister.We must now move on. Statement, Secretary of State.Thank

1:39:00 > 1:39:04you. With your permission I'd like to make a statement on the paper

1:39:04 > 1:39:09being published today by my department and the Department of

1:39:09 > 1:39:16Health. Good work promotes good health and enables people to be

1:39:16 > 1:39:19economically independent and gives them more opportunities to fulfil

1:39:19 > 1:39:25ambitions in life. A country which works for everyone needs to ensure

1:39:25 > 1:39:28that all who can work under take meaningful activity has the chance

1:39:28 > 1:39:31to do so and that the right supporters in place to allow all to

1:39:31 > 1:39:35live and work throughout their lives. Our labour market is at its

1:39:35 > 1:39:40strongest position for years with their employment rate at a near

1:39:40 > 1:39:47historic high of 75% is and around 600,000 more disabled people in work

1:39:47 > 1:39:52than four years ago. Despite that only around half of disabled people

1:39:52 > 1:39:57live and work but many people with health conditions can and want to

1:39:57 > 1:39:59work. This means too many people are missing the opportunity to develop

1:39:59 > 1:40:04their talents and connect with the world of work and the range of

1:40:04 > 1:40:09positive impacts that come from doing so, including good health and

1:40:09 > 1:40:14social outcomes, which is why it is so important that we act now. With

1:40:14 > 1:40:19around one in six working age adults reporting a disability is clear that

1:40:19 > 1:40:22these issues affect the working lives of millions. The majority of

1:40:22 > 1:40:31long-term health conditions are acquired and in an ageing work place

1:40:31 > 1:40:39inclusive workplaces are imperative. This is as much about preventing

1:40:39 > 1:40:46people from falling out of work as it is about support into work. This

1:40:46 > 1:40:49requires a comprehensive and wide-ranging programme of action.

1:40:49 > 1:40:57Last year we published improving lives, the work place health Green

1:40:57 > 1:41:01paper, setting a new approach to this issue marking the start of a

1:41:01 > 1:41:07new era in joint working between the welfare and health systems. Our 15

1:41:07 > 1:41:11week consultation on the next ten years of reform sought input from

1:41:11 > 1:41:15disabled people and those with health conditions, their families,

1:41:15 > 1:41:20employers and the range of stakeholders. The consultation was

1:41:20 > 1:41:26supported by 166 successful events and received 6000 responses. Today

1:41:26 > 1:41:30we are publishing improving lives, the future of work health and

1:41:30 > 1:41:34disability setting at a responses to the Green paper consultation and the

1:41:34 > 1:41:40next steps we will take to deliver our vision. Changes in the nature of

1:41:40 > 1:41:43work and more flexible working models benefit a wide range of

1:41:43 > 1:41:51people. New advances in technology offer more opportunities than ever

1:41:51 > 1:41:54before, for example, accessible hardware and software developments

1:41:54 > 1:41:57and we technology making it easier for employers to offer flexibility

1:41:57 > 1:42:05and adaptations to the staff. This small businesses and large employers

1:42:05 > 1:42:07and implementing solutions for their employees and it is for government

1:42:07 > 1:42:13to help set the direction and stimulate good ideas. We know the

1:42:13 > 1:42:16barriers are moving into work and staying in work are different for

1:42:16 > 1:42:19each person depending on the nature of their health condition or

1:42:19 > 1:42:26disability. Their aspirations and individual circumstances. We need to

1:42:26 > 1:42:28work directly with people who experienced these barriers to

1:42:28 > 1:42:33identify solutions that will work. We want to build an approach that is

1:42:33 > 1:42:36responsive, caters for every scenario with the individual at its

1:42:36 > 1:42:42heart. The change is needed is not one government can deliver by its

1:42:42 > 1:42:47own. Across the country there are striking examples of what can be

1:42:47 > 1:42:50achieved when employers, charities and health care professionals work

1:42:50 > 1:42:55together locally. Government can help create the conditions for

1:42:55 > 1:43:00success. In the workplace employers should have confidence to recruit

1:43:00 > 1:43:04and retain disabled people and those with health conditions and create

1:43:04 > 1:43:08healthy and inclusive workplaces were all employees can thrive and

1:43:08 > 1:43:13progress. The best employers have already realised the business

1:43:13 > 1:43:16benefits of hiring disabled people and while there are many examples of

1:43:16 > 1:43:22good practice we want to go further. This command paper responds to what

1:43:22 > 1:43:28we have heard in the consultation and also to the findings of thriving

1:43:28 > 1:43:33at work, the Farmer review of mental health and employers. We will

1:43:33 > 1:43:36improve advice and support for employers of all sizes working in

1:43:36 > 1:43:40partnership with them together with disabled people and other

1:43:40 > 1:43:43stakeholders to bring together information and advice that meets

1:43:43 > 1:43:48business needs. We will also make significant enhancements to the

1:43:48 > 1:43:51Access to work scheme including increasing the capacity of its

1:43:51 > 1:43:56mental health support service, to support a key recommendation of the

1:43:56 > 1:43:59Stevenson Farmer review we will establish a voluntary framework

1:43:59 > 1:44:03approach for a large employers to report on mental health and

1:44:03 > 1:44:07disability in the workforce. We are also preparing a consultation on

1:44:07 > 1:44:10changes to statutory sick pay and will run across government programme

1:44:10 > 1:44:16of analysis and research to examine incentives and that influence

1:44:16 > 1:44:20decisions in this area and he will report back on the preliminary work

1:44:20 > 1:44:26next year. We will build on the key role in the welfare system plays in

1:44:26 > 1:44:30supporting disabled people and those with health conditions to enter work

1:44:30 > 1:44:33where possible by developing a more personalised and tailored approach

1:44:33 > 1:44:39to employment support. This we will continue to learn for example

1:44:39 > 1:44:42through voluntary trials to help us build an effective offer of support

1:44:42 > 1:44:46that meets the needs of those in the support group and we will continue

1:44:46 > 1:44:50to improve the assessment process while building our evidence base

1:44:50 > 1:44:54including working with external stakeholders to take forward reform

1:44:54 > 1:45:00of the work capability assessment. Health care professionals are vital

1:45:00 > 1:45:04to supporting disabled people and those to achieve their employment

1:45:04 > 1:45:07potential. We work with and support health professionals with the tools

1:45:07 > 1:45:11and support they need to have supportive conversations with

1:45:11 > 1:45:16patients about work and health. We are doubling the number of work and

1:45:16 > 1:45:20health champions at around £39 million to more than double the

1:45:20 > 1:45:23number of employment advisers and improving access to psychological

1:45:23 > 1:45:29and therapy services. We are also conducting large-scale randomised

1:45:29 > 1:45:32controlled trials delivering employment support in the West

1:45:32 > 1:45:39Midlands and Sheffield city region beginning by March 20 18. Alongside

1:45:39 > 1:45:43this, I am also announcing the next steps for the fit for work service.

1:45:43 > 1:45:49Established in December 2014 it offers general health and work

1:45:49 > 1:45:55advice to employees, employers and GPs through a phone line, up service

1:45:55 > 1:46:00and website and it has also provided occupational health assessments for

1:46:00 > 1:46:03employees at the list of long-term sickness absence through advice on

1:46:03 > 1:46:09how they can be supported to return to work and remain in employment.

1:46:09 > 1:46:13Referrals of cases to the service by employers and GPs have been much

1:46:13 > 1:46:18lower than expected. There have been only 650 referrals per month in

1:46:18 > 1:46:26England and Wales compared with the 34,000 forecast. 100 a month in

1:46:26 > 1:46:32Scotland can appeared with the estimated 4200. By contrast use of

1:46:32 > 1:46:36the advice line and fit for work website have exceeded expectations

1:46:36 > 1:46:40and I am therefore ending the contracts for the provision of the

1:46:40 > 1:46:44assessment services both in England and Wales and Scotland while

1:46:44 > 1:46:48ensuring continued access to the fit for work online and phone services.

1:46:48 > 1:46:52These will continue to offer general health and work advice as well as

1:46:52 > 1:46:58support on sickness absence. The government are also announcing the

1:46:58 > 1:47:01expert working group on occupational health champion and drive a

1:47:01 > 1:47:07programme of work taking an in-depth look at the centre. To inform policy

1:47:07 > 1:47:09development we have commissioned research to better understand the

1:47:09 > 1:47:15current market supply and delivery of occupational health provision.

1:47:15 > 1:47:18This research will look at local partnership models to integrate

1:47:18 > 1:47:24health and wider support and reporting 2019. We also take account

1:47:24 > 1:47:29the lessons of the fit for work service as we move forward. Madam

1:47:29 > 1:47:32Deputy Speaker, the government is laying the foundations for a ten

1:47:32 > 1:47:37year programme of change. Everyone has their own part to play for the

1:47:37 > 1:47:39society in which all disabled people and people with long-term health

1:47:39 > 1:47:45conditions unable to gain as far as their talents will take them and I

1:47:45 > 1:47:54commend this statement to the House. Thank you, let me begin by firstly

1:47:54 > 1:47:57giving apologies from the Shadow Secretary of State was unable to be

1:47:57 > 1:48:01here today. It is welcome that the government has finally brought this

1:48:01 > 1:48:04statement to the House. We have waited a year since this programme

1:48:04 > 1:48:11was first proposed with the Green paper published one year ago and the

1:48:11 > 1:48:14consultation closing in February. The work and health programme was

1:48:14 > 1:48:18initially supposed to be launched in autumn this year. Through the course

1:48:18 > 1:48:24of this long wait, the government has dropped the ambition to have the

1:48:24 > 1:48:28disability employment gap by 2020. Sadly the statement published to

1:48:28 > 1:48:31date only means the week and ambition set out in their recent

1:48:31 > 1:48:35manifesto, reducing the number of disabled people they hope to support

1:48:35 > 1:48:40into work by up to half a million compared with the previous games. We

1:48:40 > 1:48:43should not be surprised by this disappointment as throughout the

1:48:43 > 1:48:48seven wasted years of austerity, time and again it is disabled people

1:48:48 > 1:48:53who have borne the brunt of the cuts. The work and health programme

1:48:53 > 1:48:59is no different in this regard with only 130 million a year set aside. A

1:48:59 > 1:49:05fraction of the billions spent on its predecessor, the work programme.

1:49:05 > 1:49:08Indeed the local government Association predict that under the

1:49:08 > 1:49:13current levels of funding the programme can only support 110,000

1:49:13 > 1:49:15claimants annually. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation unfortunately

1:49:15 > 1:49:22more pessimistic estimating around 65,000 would be supported. This is

1:49:22 > 1:49:25the reason for the strategy suddenly needing ten years. They have

1:49:25 > 1:49:30promised to have the disability employment gap by 2020 and now it

1:49:30 > 1:49:36seems they promised not to have it by 2027. The government handed

1:49:36 > 1:49:41itself an extended deadline to meet a weaker target, I am sure very much

1:49:41 > 1:49:45familiar to anyone who watched the budget last week. Due to the

1:49:45 > 1:49:48government's new relaxed approach the announcement offers little in

1:49:48 > 1:49:52the way of commitment and it is sadly an attempt to kick the issue

1:49:52 > 1:49:57back into the long grass with fake statements and commitment to

1:49:57 > 1:50:02continue doing what it is currently doing. This is this does not go

1:50:02 > 1:50:09nearly far enough. There's a wealth of evidence of what support is

1:50:09 > 1:50:13necessary to deliver labour market outcomes for disabled people. Why is

1:50:13 > 1:50:18it that the government needs to do another round of pilots? We know for

1:50:18 > 1:50:23example that access to work is both popular among those who use it,

1:50:23 > 1:50:27focus on the vital issue of retention for those in work, and

1:50:27 > 1:50:32effective in its results. Instead of expanding the scheme, the direction

1:50:32 > 1:50:35of travel from this government has been to reduce the value of access

1:50:35 > 1:50:41to work packages. Will the Secretary of State can now to expanding the

1:50:41 > 1:50:44funding for the programme as part of the wider work and health initiative

1:50:44 > 1:50:50rather than simply saying that it will look at enhancements. The

1:50:50 > 1:50:56evidence has been available for years. The statement instead praises

1:50:56 > 1:51:01the government's existing disability scheme but no promise of concrete

1:51:01 > 1:51:05evidence or reports of the scheme. Can the Secretary of State confirm

1:51:05 > 1:51:09know how many additional disabled people have found work as a direct

1:51:09 > 1:51:14result of the programme? How much government money has been spent on

1:51:14 > 1:51:19disability confidence pair additional person employed as a

1:51:19 > 1:51:24result of this programme? I suspect he cannot. Once again we see that

1:51:24 > 1:51:27this government, talking a good game but the levelling nothing beyond

1:51:27 > 1:51:33warm words. Of course, we welcome the vague not to be reformed

1:51:33 > 1:51:41statutory sick pay. The devil will surely be in the detail of the

1:51:41 > 1:51:43announcement. Yet another consultation will have to give us

1:51:43 > 1:51:49content for the time being. The government clearly likes to listen,

1:51:49 > 1:51:54it is taking action that they find much more difficult. When will the

1:51:54 > 1:51:57Secretary of State bring forward details of the consultation,

1:51:57 > 1:52:00including a timeline for action to take place? The government proposed

1:52:00 > 1:52:04to abolish a report on local partnerships and better integration

1:52:04 > 1:52:12of health. We will have to wait until 2019, two years and their ten

1:52:12 > 1:52:17year strategy and only one year they are than the Twenty20 deadline for

1:52:17 > 1:52:20halving the disability employment gap. This is not good enough, Madam

1:52:20 > 1:52:25Deputy Speaker, you will remember when the government cut £1500 a year

1:52:25 > 1:52:29from disabled people through slashing the employment support

1:52:29 > 1:52:34allowance. This was justified for a mix this thing work and health

1:52:34 > 1:52:36programme and today is clear evidence they had broken this

1:52:36 > 1:52:40promise. I hope those honourable members on the government benches

1:52:40 > 1:52:44will recognise that this is not what they were promised and they will

1:52:44 > 1:52:48work with the Labour Party to try to demand a stronger programme of

1:52:48 > 1:52:51support for disabled people. Should the government be unable to deliver

1:52:51 > 1:52:55this then they should stand aside and let the Labour Party get on with

1:52:55 > 1:53:00the job.

1:53:00 > 1:53:05Secretary of state.It is important that we all seek to remove barriers

1:53:05 > 1:53:09to work and to increase opportunities for disabled people to

1:53:09 > 1:53:13get into work. I think that we should have a constructive debate on

1:53:13 > 1:53:18that shared objective, and I will take that contribution as a

1:53:18 > 1:53:20constructive contribution, even though it did not always sound quite

1:53:20 > 1:53:26like it. Can I pick up one or two points? Specifically on what the

1:53:26 > 1:53:32honourable member has said. Let us be clear, what has actually happened

1:53:32 > 1:53:38over the last four years is that the number of people, disabled people in

1:53:38 > 1:53:44work, has increased by 600,000. To go now from 3.5 million disabled

1:53:44 > 1:53:52people in work to 4.5 million people in work over the course of a decade

1:53:52 > 1:53:55is an ambitious objective. It is one that will require a great deal of

1:53:55 > 1:54:01work, and I hope that there can be a constructive debate in delivering

1:54:01 > 1:54:06that. I welcome, I have to say, the remarks from the Mayor of London

1:54:06 > 1:54:11this morning, in the context of the work and health programme in London

1:54:11 > 1:54:14where he recognised what we have done and it is time to put party

1:54:14 > 1:54:19politics aside on this matter. I hope that can be the spirit where we

1:54:19 > 1:54:25can maintain it across the board. Let us remember what we are already

1:54:25 > 1:54:29delivering. The honourable member refers to access to work, the

1:54:29 > 1:54:34expenditure on budget access to work increased by 8% last year. We have,

1:54:34 > 1:54:40in place, a personal support package helping people where we are spending

1:54:40 > 1:54:46£330 million over the course of the next four years. Let me be clear as

1:54:46 > 1:54:50to where we approach this, on this side of the house. We recognise

1:54:50 > 1:54:54there will be some disabled people, people with health conditions, where

1:54:54 > 1:54:58they are not going to be able to work and we need to continue to

1:54:58 > 1:55:03support those people. We spend record amounts in terms of spending

1:55:03 > 1:55:10on benefits for disabled people. But, there are also very many people

1:55:10 > 1:55:13who want to work and we are determined to do everything we can

1:55:13 > 1:55:19to support them, whether that is using our capabilities of the

1:55:19 > 1:55:22welfare system, the health system working with employers, because we

1:55:22 > 1:55:27want to put work at the centre of this. Work matters. It should be at

1:55:27 > 1:55:32the heart of what we are doing in delivering the welfare system. That

1:55:32 > 1:55:36is exactly what this government does across the board and I can draw

1:55:36 > 1:55:43parallels with our debates last week about Universal Credit, which helps

1:55:43 > 1:55:46people into work. That is the approach that we are delivering and

1:55:46 > 1:55:51I hope, at some point, we can have support from the party opposite in

1:55:51 > 1:55:56achieving that objective.Madam Deputy Speaker, can I welcome this

1:55:56 > 1:56:0210-year plan from the Secretary of State. And say that I am delighted

1:56:02 > 1:56:06that he and the Department continue to focus on this area. He will know

1:56:06 > 1:56:10that I have campaigned for many years to improve the life chances of

1:56:10 > 1:56:18people with autism. But, sadly, still only 16% of adults with autism

1:56:18 > 1:56:22are in full-time employment. Overall, in full and part-time

1:56:22 > 1:56:27employment, it's only 32% and it hasn't really shifted that much in a

1:56:27 > 1:56:30decade. Can I pay tribute for the honourable member for Portsmouth

1:56:30 > 1:56:37North, to whom I presented on a cross-party basis, a petition on the

1:56:37 > 1:56:4221st of February, signed by 30,000 people, about the autism employment

1:56:42 > 1:56:46gap. Can he give me assurance that he will continue to focus on the

1:56:46 > 1:56:55needs of people with autism and close that gap once and for all?

1:56:55 > 1:56:57Festival, can I thank my right honourable friend for her question

1:56:57 > 1:57:02and paid tribute to the work she does in respect to her work with

1:57:02 > 1:57:05autism, its work she has done for many years as co-chair of the

1:57:05 > 1:57:12all-party autism group, there was a report on this issue yesterday, we

1:57:12 > 1:57:16are looking at the contents of that report closely. She highlights this

1:57:16 > 1:57:21particular issue. It's a challenge. We made progress across the board

1:57:21 > 1:57:26but, is there more to do? Absolutely. There is. She

1:57:26 > 1:57:30particularly highlights the issue and the context of those with autism

1:57:30 > 1:57:39and that is something that we have two address as a society.Madam

1:57:39 > 1:57:44Deputy Speaker, I would like to thank the Secretary of State. The

1:57:44 > 1:57:47SNP are extremely disappointed in the statement and command paper

1:57:47 > 1:57:52produced today. We believe the UK Government, as a priority, needs to

1:57:52 > 1:57:57reverse the cuts made to these benefits. And scrap fees on benefits

1:57:57 > 1:58:01as well. They are harming people. Mencap released a statement that

1:58:01 > 1:58:04says they are alarmed that the needs of hundreds of thousands of people

1:58:04 > 1:58:08with mild or moderate learning disabilities have been overlooked.

1:58:08 > 1:58:12It is the case that the government seems to have abandoned its pledge

1:58:12 > 1:58:20to have the -- have the disability employment gap, and it's worse for

1:58:20 > 1:58:23people with learning disabilities. The disability benefits Consortium

1:58:23 > 1:58:28says that they are extremely disappointed that there is a focus

1:58:28 > 1:58:35on ESE instead of the work capability assessment. 68% of those

1:58:35 > 1:58:37challenging their work capability results are successful in that

1:58:37 > 1:58:43challenge. The system is discredited and it is broken. We want to see the

1:58:43 > 1:58:49UK Government committed to scrapping UK capability assessment. We want a

1:58:49 > 1:58:53new system that puts fairness and dignity and post-treating disabled

1:58:53 > 1:58:59people would respect at the absolute heart of the system.First, in terms

1:58:59 > 1:59:05of her comments on behalf of the SNP, I know my honourable friend,

1:59:05 > 1:59:10the Minister for disabled people, has spoken to Scottish ministers

1:59:10 > 1:59:14today and got a much more constructive response. I know that

1:59:14 > 1:59:19it is the launch of the innovation fund Dendy Gateway today, and we

1:59:19 > 1:59:23look forward to working closely with the Scottish Government in a

1:59:23 > 1:59:28constructive manner. In terms of the work capability assessment, we have

1:59:28 > 1:59:32consulted on this. It is not clear that there is a consensus that this

1:59:32 > 1:59:36point, there's a way in which the work capability assessment should be

1:59:36 > 1:59:39reformed but we acknowledge there are improvements which should be

1:59:39 > 1:59:44made. We have, indeed, made improvements in work capability

1:59:44 > 1:59:50assessments and how they work, including the fact that those with

1:59:50 > 1:59:52severe long-term disabilities will not be reassessed in the way that

1:59:52 > 1:59:58they were previously. So, we continue to make improvements on

1:59:58 > 2:00:01that and if we can reach a consensus on the work capability assessment

2:00:01 > 2:00:08and how it should be reformed, I would be happy to proceed.Madam

2:00:08 > 2:00:11Deputy Speaker, I would strongly welcomed the statement that the

2:00:11 > 2:00:16Secretary of State made this morning. I would also welcome the

2:00:16 > 2:00:21news that the disability employment rate has risen by nearly 5% since

2:00:21 > 2:00:282014. The government itself is a major employer of people. The

2:00:28 > 2:00:31Secretary of State, tell us, what is the government doing to ensure the

2:00:31 > 2:00:37civil service leads by example? Royal Rumble friend makes a good

2:00:37 > 2:00:42point, the government is a large employer, all government

2:00:42 > 2:00:44departments, they are disability confident employers and one of the

2:00:44 > 2:00:50points in the command paper we make is, as an employer, the civil

2:00:50 > 2:00:55service lead by example in terms of how it operates and the support

2:00:55 > 2:01:02provided to disabled people.Mr Speaker, I thank the right

2:01:02 > 2:01:08honourable member for his statement and that he will introduce

2:01:08 > 2:01:12significant improvement and access to his programme. Does it include

2:01:12 > 2:01:15abolishing all raising the cap on support for deaf people that was

2:01:15 > 2:01:23introduced in March 2015?-- abolishing all raising. We are

2:01:23 > 2:01:26reviewing that matter, we have representations on that point and we

2:01:26 > 2:01:33continue to look at the evidence. Madam Deputy Speaker, my father was

2:01:33 > 2:01:37made disabled at work and that can really affect your life chances. I

2:01:37 > 2:01:42congratulate microlink, they have been going for over 23 years and

2:01:42 > 2:01:46they enable people to get back to work with conditions and

2:01:46 > 2:01:50disabilities, both in education and employment, and look at the

2:01:50 > 2:01:54challenges around that. Could the secretary of state listen to

2:01:54 > 2:01:59companies such as these who do so much to keep people in work and in

2:01:59 > 2:02:01education, and give them opportunities at every point in

2:02:01 > 2:02:08life?I'm grateful to my honourable friend for the question and I praise

2:02:08 > 2:02:13the employer in her constituency. It's very good employers who lead

2:02:13 > 2:02:18the way. We have 5000 employers signed up as disability confident.

2:02:18 > 2:02:26And, what we want to do, Jayson Shaw backlist -- is ensure best actress

2:02:26 > 2:02:32is pursued by all employers.Madam Deputy Speaker, the Secretary of

2:02:32 > 2:02:35State will be aware that evidence presented to the select committee in

2:02:35 > 2:02:41relation to frustrations using the service, and operators. It is not

2:02:41 > 2:02:48acceptable for people to wait for 50 minutes to get access to that, so

2:02:48 > 2:02:55can he assure me that adequate staffing is put in place for a home

2:02:55 > 2:03:02service to markwe are always looking at what we can do to improve

2:03:02 > 2:03:09the service provided and where that falls below acceptable levels, it is

2:03:09 > 2:03:16clearly something that needs to be rectified.Madam Deputy Speaker, I

2:03:16 > 2:03:19welcome the statement. I'm sure the Secretary of State would agree that

2:03:19 > 2:03:23it is about tackling a two book, surrounding mental health, that

2:03:23 > 2:03:26could prevent people from accessing help when they think they could be

2:03:26 > 2:03:30an issue and we think it is a key part of the statement, and would

2:03:30 > 2:03:36make people more confident -- and would make employers more confident

2:03:36 > 2:03:45about employing those with mental health issues.If you like, that

2:03:45 > 2:03:50kind of cultural shift is what we need more broadly in terms of a

2:03:50 > 2:03:55recognition and understanding of some of the disabilities or health

2:03:55 > 2:03:58conditions that may have helped people back in the past but actually

2:03:58 > 2:04:03can be dealt with and can be accommodated, and there can be

2:04:03 > 2:04:09adaptations and steps taken by employers that can ensure people

2:04:09 > 2:04:12continue to be able to work. That is what this paper argues for very

2:04:12 > 2:04:20strongly.The Minister will start a specific job of work, looking at

2:04:20 > 2:04:23support for those with acquired brain injuries, whether through

2:04:23 > 2:04:32concussion in sport which could lead to dramatic and calf a lot of -- or

2:04:32 > 2:04:39in a car accident, the truth is, there isn't anywhere near enough

2:04:39 > 2:04:43rehabilitation units across the country, it can kill people and get

2:04:43 > 2:04:49them back into work and it is immensely cost-effective for the

2:04:49 > 2:04:58government. Karen I invite you to look at this work, and so we can

2:04:58 > 2:05:02give people the real-life opportunities that they need?I

2:05:02 > 2:05:06think the honourable member for his question, he raises an important

2:05:06 > 2:05:11point and I know my honourable member for disabled people is keen

2:05:11 > 2:05:17to meet him in his capacity, as chair of the group to discuss this.

2:05:17 > 2:05:23Hull Rachel McClane.I wonder if the Minister and other members watched

2:05:23 > 2:05:27the programme on BBC Two, Employable, the other night. I was

2:05:27 > 2:05:32struck by the courage of disabled people, so keen to get back into

2:05:32 > 2:05:36work facing challenges. And the enlightened employers who gave them

2:05:36 > 2:05:39a chance. It demonstrated the life enhancing power of work for people

2:05:39 > 2:05:43who choose to work, when it is a positive choice for them and when

2:05:43 > 2:05:48they are supported but can I ask the Minister to think about how it is

2:05:48 > 2:05:51for small businesses and charities featured in the programme, to give

2:05:51 > 2:05:56the right support and can he talk about how this statement will make

2:05:56 > 2:06:03that go further? When I I thank my honourable friend for her question.

2:06:03 > 2:06:07I confess I haven't had the opportunity to see the programme she

2:06:07 > 2:06:11mentioned that she is not the first person to mention it to me, with a

2:06:11 > 2:06:13strong recommendation. I will perhaps endeavour to do that over

2:06:13 > 2:06:19the weekend. But she raises an important point about small

2:06:19 > 2:06:23businesses. Part of what we need to do is to provide support to small

2:06:23 > 2:06:28businesses as to what is the best way in which they can provide

2:06:28 > 2:06:35support to disabled people, and, of course, have access to very talented

2:06:35 > 2:06:38people, as I understand the programme demonstrates, with

2:06:38 > 2:06:41significant abilities to bring a lot to the labour market. But partly