12/12/2016 Monday in Parliament

Good evening, this is Susan Hulme at Westminster.

Labour asks with additions to the council tax bill will provide a fair

and reasonable solution to the pressures on social care, asking...

Why health ministers don't stand up for vulnerable and older people in

this country and why they don't fight harder to get extra funding

for social care. The Defence Secretary out difficulty in getting

aid to Aleppo. It is almost impossible to get food drops in when

the city is controlled by Syrian and Russian troops. Why don't we get the

board of Southern rail to stand on those platforms at 645 in the

morning and managed to get into London at least an hour late.

There are signs that the government is looking at allowing local

councils in England to raise more money for the care of

elderly and vulnerable adults from council tax.

The government has countered that at the last election Labour didn't

offer any more money to local government to pay for social care.

Spending on long-term care in our country is more than the OECD

average. In particular, it is more than France and Germany.

Nevertheless, I accept, Mr Speaker, the system is under strain. Any

system would benefit from higher budget and social care. But quality

matters, too. Today is not a budget statement, Nora local government

settlement. But I wish to end by commending again the many hundreds

of thousands of carers who work so hard to make the current system work

for so many. On this side, we called on the government to

urgently bring forward promised funding to address the crisis. The

Chancellor didn't listen, he didn't bring forward any funding for social

care nor, indeed, mentioned it at all. Can the Minister tell us in his

response by health ministers don't stand up for vulnerable and older

people in this country and why they don't fight harder to get extra

funding for social care? I hope in looking at coordinated policy across

government, the Minister will not only look at good join up between

the Department of Health and local government but also other policies

like lifetime homes, family strengthening and flexible

employment policies, all of which will help us deal with these issues.

Can he give us some encouragement on that score? He's quite right. There

is a whole raft of measures that need to be taken on. And better

integration of health and social care funding and we are pursuing

that vigorously. Basically, the back pressure from social care is

actually what is causing the NHS to struggle. I totally agree with the

Minister in regards integration and, in Scotland, where we have the

integrated joint boards, it's brought a change quicker than we'd

have hoped. Our delayed discharges are down 9% in the year. In England,

they are up 30%. This isn't something that is easy. It is

something that needs to be funded. The Minister has completely missed

the point raised by my friend Mike on the bench -- my honourable

friend. A 1% rise in council tax in Doncaster raises 21% less than a

council in the Prime minister's constituency. Surely, the problem is

being pushed onto the areas that can least afford it. She will be right,

I would have missed the point had I not said that that issue she has

raised is addressed by the way we distribute the additional better

care fund which takes into account the relative need. Does the Minister

share the view of the Care Quality Commission that the system is close

to tipping point? Does he understand the impact that has on very many

frail and elderly people? Does not agree that now is the time to bury

our differences, work together to come up with a long-term settlement

for the health care system? Today is not the day in which we will

announce a Royal Commission on the funding of care into the future. But

I do agree, Mr Speaker, that it is important we put care funding on

Twitter better structural basis into the future and the honourable member

was right to say that. That was the health minister. Later on, there

were reports the Syrian government was claiming victory in the

stand-off with rebel forces in Aleppo. At Question Time, some

Michael Fallon told MPs it was almost impossible to get food aid

into the war-torn city. He said Russian control of Syrian air

defences meant that air dropping of aid would mean planes would be shot

down. Tens of thousands of people have been trapped with virtually no

food or water. Given the US and Nato's precision airdropped

capability, can I ask the Secretary of State what conversations he's had

with the incoming US administration and with other allies on the

feasibility of using this specific capability to alleviate the

suffering in Aleppo. Well, we have continually examined options for

getting aid into Aleppo, which is now where people are in the most

appalling situation. It is almost impossible to get food or medicine

clinic in by airdropped when the air defences are controlled by Russia

and the Syrian regime. And permissions are not forthcoming. We

have looked at other options, such as using the airfield, but it is

outside the control of the moderate opposition, and we will continue to

look at all kinds of options but it is already very, very late for the

people of eastern Europe. Russia, for all its belligerence, doesn't

want to trigger a conflict with the UK and our Nato allies. And the

longer that this is sensually cowardice goes on in the face of

their posturing, the more they will push and the harder it will be for

any resolve to come to the dreadful tragedy happening in that country.

We continue to get any possibility of getting food or medicine into

Aleppo or some of the other besieged areas. But it isn't simply a

question of Russian permission. We also would have to make sure that

any drops are feasible, considering the vulnerability of aircraft to

ground to air defence systems as well. The Secretary of State said it

was very late for the people of eastern Aleppo but it isn't too late

and I'd second the calls that those planes could be flying over and

providing humanitarian airdrops. There are 200 members on this side

who have signed a letter calling for this leading humanitarian

organisations and Wilkie look at it again? We have continued to look

almost daily at the various ways in which we might be able to get food

aid in. It is not possible in a contested air space with ground to

air missile systems and Russian aircraft flying overhead, denying

permission. It isn't possible to fly coalition aircraft over Aleppo and,

without that security, we are unable to drop food where it is most needed

but we continue to look at all the options. Can I ask the Secretary of

State if he will continue and will not at any stage give up on looking

at any way that we can alleviate the terrible suffering that is going on

in East Aleppo? Well, I can give her that assurance and we continue to

look at these options, to talk to the NGOs, who are willing to help us

provide food and medicine, and some food and medicine is going into

other cities in Syria, but not into Aleppo itself. Simply because of the

impossibility of flying aircraft in that airspace over Aleppo, and the

very real risk of aircraft then being shot down. The Defence

Secretary, some Michael Fallon. Later, the Commons decided to have

an emergency debate on how best to help Syrian strapped in Aleppo. The

application was made by a conservative former international

development secretary, Andrew Mitchell. The need for immediate

concerted international action to evacuate from East Aleppo the

remaining approximately 40 doctors, approximately 70 nursing staff, 500

children, at least 100 of whom have been wounded, and are receiving

rudimentary care, along with thousands of terrified civilians,

caught between the different fighting groups in a ten by ten

kilometre enclave, where those trapped are, I make no apology to

the house for raising this vital issue again. You granted a debate on

these matters two months ago. On that occasion, the Foreign Secretary

made his first major speech from the despatch box and express the horror

so many feel at what is happening in Syria and Aleppo. I am sure, Mr

Speaker, if you grant this emergency debate, the house will hope to hear

an update from the Foreign Secretary, who has already shown his

deep and principled concern about what is taking place. The debate

will be held on Tuesday, with the house updated on ongoing debates.

With three days of strike action on Southern Rail services

in the South-East of England about to start, peers today urged

the Government to step in to end the long-running row

Southern bosses have warned commuters not to use services

because the service will be impacted regardless on Tuesday. The row

minister is meeting with duty are in order to be updated on the latest

position on how the operator will provide service on days of

industrial action. This is a dispute between the operator and unions. The

Secretary of State has also written to union leaders in an attempt to

bring this dispute to an end. Rather than taking sides, shouldn't the

government be trying to put pressure on both sides in this dispute, given

the six months of intolerable disruption for consumers in the

southern region, and forced the parties through the media to come to

terms through ACAS in the next few days ahead of Christmas? Well, I

agree with the noble Lord and that is what my honourable friend did. He

wrote to both unions and asked them to meet with Southern at ACAS which

was supposed to take place yesterday. That meeting didn't take

place because the unions hadn't responded to the invitation from my

honourable friend, his Secretary of State, and this isn't about taking

sides. This is about getting this long-standing dispute resolved. This

is just no good. Today, the two trains, first two trains this

morning, were delayed. No excuse, no apology. And, then, the people get

into the carriages and take the tabloids that are available, and

most of them have full page ads from Southern saying, we are sorry. But

nothing about it. Why can't we get the board of Southern to stand on

the cold, wet platforms at 6:15am and managed to get into London at

least an hour late. I know my honourable friend has raised this

issue both in your lordship was maccas and also with me bilaterally

and let me assure her, I do not miss an opportunity to make sure the

Secretary of State is aware of the strong sentiments. On strike days,

there is continuous disruption on this line. And those of us who

travel on a daily have to suffer the files that has been going on for

longer than six months. Can the noble Lord, the minister, tell the

house what discussions the government has had with the company,

regarding the management of their sickness and absence policy? Because

it is precious little comfort to those of us trying to get on a train

or waiting for trains to be told, time and time again, there is a

temporary shortage of trained crew? What is the company doing about

that? It is very well to go on about how the union isn't doing what you

want it to do but I have to say the company has come out of this

argument over the last 9-12 months looking shabby indeed. As the noble

lady knows, I've acknowledged the fact that the communications have

been ineffective in the company itself has to take responsibility.

I've never stood at the despatch box and said this is an issue or problem

raised by the unions alone. It is a challenge, there are challenges

between the company Network Rail. In that regard, my honourable friend

the Secretary of State, as the noble lady will know, has appointed Chris

Skip to look at the issues of the continual issues, not just on strike

days as they arise, on this issue... The issues can be resolved. The

Transport Minister. This is Monday in Parliament. Our top story. Labour

has warned the government that using a portion of council tax to boost

funding for social care will create a two tier service. But a health

minister says cash will be allocated on the basis of need.

Labour has made a call for 21st-century fox interest in sky to

be referred to the media watchdog Ofcom. Report more duck has it 39%

stake -- Rupert Murdoch. The shadow culture Minister reminded the

comments. Will the Minister commit

the Government here and now to issuing a public interest

intervention notice Remember, back in 2012 Ofcom's

assessment of the CEO of Fox James Murdoch was that he,

and I quote, repeatedly fell short of

the exercise of responsibility to be The Prime Minister met

with Ruperth Murdoch Powers to intervene in some

media mergers on public interest grounds set out

in Government guidance

on the operation of the public under that act give

an indication of how the intervention regime

will operate in practice,

the approach the Secretary of State is likely to adopt

in considering cases. Any transaction will be looked

at on its merits on a The guidance makes clear

that the Secretary of State will aim to take an initial

decision on whether to intervene within ten working days of formal

notification of the merger to the Compeition Authorities

or of the transaction been brought

to her attention. No such formal notification

has yet been received. The culture minister with

responsibility for digital services. How long should it take before

Britain leave the European Union? Theresa May says she intends to

trigger Article 50 in March. What happens after that? The Chancellor

Philip Hammond has indicated he favours a more drawn out transition

period, rather than a clean break. I would like to move on to the

question of transitional arrangement is for leaving the EU. Do you think

we are going to be necessary? There is an emerging view among

businesses, among regulators and among thoughtful politicians as well

as I think quite a universal view among civil servants on both sides

of the English Channel that having a longer period to manage the

adjustment between where we are now as full members of the European

union, and where we get to in the future as a result of the

negotiations that we will be conducting, would be generally

helpful, would tend towards a smoother transition and route

running less risks of disruption, including crucially risks to

financial stability which must be a very real concern. I appreciate the

answer is yes. That is another way of putting it. I do not think we

should approach this on the basis that we need transitional

arrangements because I think we can only get to a situation where we

have a transition if there is a genuine meeting of minds on both

sides of the negotiation and they are beneficial. We, the current

members of the EU? Yes, collectively. Collectively I think

the arrangements would be beneficial to us. What we are talking about in

a nut shell is a risk of severe instability. By these

representations being made to you? Yes, we are hearing from the

financial service sector is of concerns in this area. As you say,

falling to two categories I think. They are about disruption to

patterns of business. Remember that the financial service sector in

London supports in many ways the real economy across the European

Union. The businesses in manufacturing and agricultural

sectors, for example. Also if changes in practice are carried out

in haste, there is a danger that regulatory procedures will not be as

robust as they should be. Full understanding of what is being

regulated will not necessarily being had by all regulators involved. This

would run risks for stability of the financial system as a whole. The

committee member Rachel Reeves was the friend of the murdered MP Jo

Cox. She had this question about the single being released in her memory.

Brendan and other parliamentarians are releasing a single before

Christmas to raise money for the Jo Cox foundation. I was wondering

whether the Treasury will consider waiving VAT on that single so that

more money could be raised for because is that your care so much

about? Of course the Government fully support the efforts of

parliamentary colleagues and others to raise funds for the Jo Cox

foundation and we have heard those representations. You will be aware

and members of the committee will be aware that the Government does not

have it in its power to waive VAT because of European union rules.

What I can do and I will do is announce that the Government will

donate to the foundation and equivalent amount to the VAT paid on

sales of the forthcoming single you can not always get what you want.

Thank you very much. I welcome that decision and thank you to your

colleagues. Thousands of people have been killed in the conflict in Yemen

in which Saudi Arabia is leading a campaign to restore the Government.

Boris Johnson and he repeat from Downing Street for accusing them of

proxy wars. MPs complained the UK policy was no longer clear on the

issue. Please confirm that we would never be involved in any

puppeteering or proxy wars anywhere in the world, including in Yemen.

Our influence and credibility as an honest broker is now being seriously

questioned. When we criticised Russia's bombing of Aleppo, the

Russians are accusing us of supporting the same thing in Yemen.

Further to what the minister has said, can you clarify that our

objective is an immediate ceasefire and can he lay out the detail on how

we will get to that position? As the Foreign Secretary has said, we hold

the pen is an Yemen at the united nations. There is a draft resolution

calling for a ceasefire, resumption of peace talks and humanitarian

access. Where is this resolution now? Will it be tabled before the

Security Council before the end of the year? We must not fiddle as

Yemen burns. She material access is vital. I made it very clear that we

are investing more funds to make sure we can support the UN agencies

and others in order to get through. The resolution that he touches on a

still being discussed in New York as he speaks. The quad meeting which

will take these matters further is coming up in the near future. He

does touch on a comparison between Yemen and the conflict in Syria. I

make it very clear that the support for the president has the backing of

the United Nations through the resolution. There is a legitimate

call for supporting President and what he has done.

He has still been slapped down by Downing Street and forced to go

to clarify his remarks and he has sent as junior minister today

to support Saudi Arabia's actions to the hilt.

It seems that he will will not support our calls for an independent

UN investigation into Saudi Arabia's alledged war crimes and he will

continue to sell them arms to prosecute it proxy wars.

There is no consistency, no principle.

We hear so much about the Government's positive

relationship with Saudi Arabia, although it is not clear

whether that extends to the Foreign Secretary.

What good is that relationship if Government cannot and will not

use its influence to prevent the killing and starvation

Speaking to the Yemeni diaspora in Liverpool,

their very clear message is

that they fear for the lives of people back home.

This is a country on the edge of famine.

Can I urge the Government, and it is good to see

do everything that we can as a country to relieve the humanitarian

What representations has the Government made to the Iranian

Government to stop the flow of arms to the Houthis?

At the same time, what representations have been made

to facilitate with the Iranians the opening of the ports, so that

much-needed and desperate aid can get through to the Yemenis that are

The honourable gentleman raises a very important point. What is their

involvement in Yemen? Is it helpful or hindering? Yemen can play a more

constructive role in making sure weapon systems are not entering the

country themselves and making sure the Houthis are coming to the table

and making sure the absence of ships that might want to come in to harm

the Houthis .de 's are things we are asking Iran to recognise. There has

been no mention to Iran, the UK must take responsibility for the

escalating violence in Yemen. If we had not agreed to the nuclear deal,

the billions of pounds of resources would not be able to go into this

conflict and indeed conflict in Syria, Lebanon and other parts of

the middle east. Dr Caroline Johnson retained

the seat of Sleaford and North Hykeham for

the Conservatives in a by-election Will the member wishing

to take her seat... The conservative won the seat in a

by-election after the resignation of a conservative who disapproved of

the Government's policy on Brexit. I swear by Almighty

God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance

to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth her heirs and successors according

to law, so help me God. Kristiina Cooper's here for the rest

of the week but from me,