0:00:00 > 0:00:00he had been aware of. A change helping people back into employment.
0:00:00 > 0:00:08The honourable lady should support the efforts to get people back into
0:00:08 > 0:00:14work.Order. Questions for the Prime Minister.
0:00:22 > 0:00:27This is the six month anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire. I will be
0:00:27 > 0:00:31attended the service tomorrow and I am sure I speak for members across
0:00:31 > 0:00:35the House that it remains at the forefront of our minds as a tragedy
0:00:35 > 0:00:38that should never have happened. Many who survived the fire lost
0:00:38 > 0:00:41everything that night and I can assure the House we continue to do
0:00:41 > 0:00:44everything we can, to support those affected, and take the necessary
0:00:44 > 0:00:49steps to make sure it can never happen again. Mr Speaker, this
0:00:49 > 0:00:53morning I had meetings with ministerial colleaguings and others
0:00:53 > 0:00:57in addition to my duties I shall have further such meetings today.Mr
0:00:57 > 0:01:01Speaker I think the Prime Minister will be able to take to that
0:01:01 > 0:01:04memorial service the thoughts and prayers of every single member in
0:01:04 > 0:01:11this House across all parties. My right honourable friend said at
0:01:11 > 0:01:14the end of the Brexit process members of Parliament will have an
0:01:14 > 0:01:20opportunity to vote on the deal. Can she confirm that it is still her
0:01:20 > 0:01:29intention to hold such a votesome I am happy to confirm we will put
0:01:29 > 0:01:33the final withdrawal agreement between the UK and the EU, to a vote
0:01:33 > 0:01:37in both Houses of Parliament before it comes into force.
0:01:37 > 0:01:42As we have said we expect the UK Parliament to vote ahead of the
0:01:42 > 0:01:46European Parliament, so we fully expect Parliament to vote well
0:01:46 > 0:01:51before March 2019. So to be clear, the final deal will be agreed before
0:01:51 > 0:01:54we leave, and right honourable and honourable members will get a vote
0:01:54 > 0:01:59on it. As my right honourable friend the Secretary of State has said
0:01:59 > 0:02:03today, we will bring forward, withdrawal agreement and
0:02:03 > 0:02:08implementation bill, to give the withdrawal agreement domestic legal
0:02:08 > 0:02:13effect, which will be subject to full Parliamentary scrutiny. After
0:02:13 > 0:02:18believe the withdrawal agreement will be followed up by one or more
0:02:18 > 0:02:20agreements and will introduce further legislation where it is
0:02:20 > 0:02:24needed to implement this into UK law, providing yet another
0:02:24 > 0:02:30opportunity for proper Parliamentary scrutiny.
0:02:30 > 0:02:35Thank you Mr Speaker, this week does indeed mark six months since the
0:02:35 > 0:02:38avoidable and tragic fire at Grenfell Tower which took the lives
0:02:38 > 0:02:42of 71 people and injured and traumatised many more, I too will be
0:02:42 > 0:02:46at the service tomorrow in memory of them. But that fire also shone a
0:02:46 > 0:02:50light on the neglect of working class communities all over this
0:02:50 > 0:02:57country. And since this Government came to power, homelessness is up by
0:02:57 > 0:03:0250%, rough sleeping has doubled. Homelessness and rough sleeping have
0:03:02 > 0:03:08risen every single year, since 2010. Will the Prime Minister pledge today
0:03:08 > 0:03:15that 2018 will be the year when homelessness starts to go down?
0:03:15 > 0:03:18Across this House, we don't want to see anybody who is homeless or
0:03:18 > 0:03:24anybody who is sleeping rough on our streets. That is why the Government
0:03:24 > 0:03:27is putting £500 million into the question of homelessness. It is why
0:03:27 > 0:03:33we backed the bill that was brought forward by my honourable friend the
0:03:33 > 0:03:38member for Brent, sorry for harrow, and it is why we have ensured we are
0:03:38 > 0:03:41putting into place a number of projects that will deal with this
0:03:41 > 0:03:45issue of rough sleeping. But I have to say to the right honourable
0:03:45 > 0:03:49gentleman that when we look at the question Hoff housing we need to
0:03:49 > 0:03:52look at ensuring that there are more homes available to people, that we
0:03:52 > 0:03:57are giving people support, to get into those homes, that is why, in
0:03:57 > 0:04:00the budget my right honourable friend the Chancellor set out a
0:04:00 > 0:04:05whole range of ways in which we will be helping people to ensure they
0:04:05 > 0:04:09have their own roof over their heads. Compared to Labour, where
0:04:09 > 0:04:16house billing went down by 45%. Where the number of homes bought and
0:04:16 > 0:04:26sold went down by 40%. And social housing went down by 400,000.Mr
0:04:26 > 0:04:30Speaker, the last Labour Government cut homelessness by two thirds
0:04:30 > 0:04:36during its time in office. When Labour left office the number of
0:04:36 > 0:04:40children in temporary accommodation was a lot less than it is now. I
0:04:40 > 0:04:44asked the Prime Minister for a pledge to reduce the amount of
0:04:44 > 0:04:50homelessness next year, the pledge was not forthcoming. 128,000
0:04:50 > 0:04:55children will spend Christmas with out a home to call their own. 60% up
0:04:55 > 0:05:01on 2010. It is too late for this Christmas, but will the Prime
0:05:01 > 0:05:06Minister promise that by Christmas 2018, fewer children will be without
0:05:06 > 0:05:14a home to call their own?Again, we of course want every child to wake
0:05:14 > 0:05:18up in their own home, particularly at Christmas, but, it is incredibly
0:05:18 > 0:05:22important people know they can keep a roof over their heads even in the
0:05:22 > 0:05:25most desperate circumstances, that is we are making sure that councils
0:05:25 > 0:05:29can place families in a broader range of homes if they fall into
0:05:29 > 0:05:33these circumstances, so since 2011 councils have been able to place
0:05:33 > 0:05:36families into private rented accommodation so they can get a
0:05:36 > 0:05:41suitable place sooner. We have changed the law in relation to, so
0:05:41 > 0:05:45families with children shouldn't find themselves in B&B accommodation
0:05:45 > 0:05:49except in an emergency. And through implementing the homelessness rezhun
0:05:49 > 0:05:54act we are making sure families at risk can get support before they
0:05:54 > 0:05:57find themselves homeless. I say to the honourable gentleman, I have
0:05:57 > 0:06:01been very clear, as I was a few weeks ago, that this Government is
0:06:01 > 0:06:07going to be a government that puts a clear focus on housing, on building
0:06:07 > 0:06:10the homes that people need, on ensuring, on ensuring that people
0:06:10 > 0:06:17are given help to get into those homes, and also, on acting to
0:06:17 > 0:06:19prevent homelessness before it happens a. That is what we are
0:06:19 > 0:06:26doing, that is what will make a real difference to people's lives.
0:06:26 > 0:06:30Mr Speaker, the sad reality is that one in 100 children in this country
0:06:30 > 0:06:35are homeless at any one time. It is a national disgrace, and it is
0:06:35 > 0:06:39getting worse. And for all she says about the private rented sector, can
0:06:39 > 0:06:44I just quote from a letter I received from Rachel this week.
0:06:44 > 0:06:45Lives. Mr Speaker, the sad reality is that
0:06:45 > 0:06:48one in 100 children in this country are homeless at any one time. It is
0:06:48 > 0:06:51a national disgrace, and it is getting worse. And for all she says
0:06:51 > 0:06:54about the private rented sector, can I just quote from a letter I
0:06:54 > 0:06:56received from Rachel this week. She says "I have a knot in my stomach,
0:06:56 > 0:06:59every New Year period, when we are due to sign a new tenancy agreement.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02After renting the same flat for ten years, never being in arrears and
0:07:02 > 0:07:05keeping the property in good order, we were given notice to quit out of
0:07:05 > 0:07:10the blue." Will the Prime Minister help people like Rachel and back
0:07:10 > 0:07:15secure three year tenancies for all private renters?Well, I say to the
0:07:15 > 0:07:19right honourable gentleman, that if I think he was present in the
0:07:19 > 0:07:23chamber when the budget was given to this chamber, and that is why
0:07:23 > 0:07:30precisely why we said that we are looking at ways in which we can
0:07:30 > 0:07:40encourage longer term tenancies. The point is, what is important, what is
0:07:40 > 0:07:44important is ensuring that people have the ability to have the
0:07:44 > 0:07:47accommodation they need, that they want and on the basis they, that is
0:07:47 > 0:07:52right for them. That is why, as I say, we are dealing with this issue
0:07:52 > 0:07:58of longer term tenancies but he talks about renting, people renting
0:07:58 > 0:08:03their homes, and his response on renting is to bring in rent
0:08:03 > 0:08:11controls. Rent controls have never worked. They result in reducing the
0:08:11 > 0:08:14number of homes available for people who want to be able to have
0:08:14 > 0:08:18accommodation and a roof over their own head. It is not just me that
0:08:18 > 0:08:21says that Labour Party party policy won't help people who are renting.
0:08:21 > 0:08:29Renting. Shelter say they won't help people who are renting.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32Mr Speaker, evictions by private landlords have quadrupled since
0:08:32 > 0:08:382010. There is not security in the private rented sector and the Prime
0:08:38 > 0:08:43Minister well knows it. She also promised one for one replacement of
0:08:43 > 0:08:49council housing sold off through right to buy. But just one in five
0:08:49 > 0:08:53council homes have been replaced. Hundreds of thousands of people are
0:08:53 > 0:08:58on housing waiting lists. Will the Prime Minister apologise for what
0:08:58 > 0:09:03she said and tell the house when she will deliver this one for one
0:09:03 > 0:09:09replacement?And as the right honourable gentleman knows we are
0:09:09 > 0:09:11increasing the flexibilities to enable councils to build homes, we
0:09:11 > 0:09:14have put more money into affordable housing, he talks about the right
0:09:14 > 0:09:20the buy. What a contrast, we want to give people the opportunity to buy
0:09:20 > 0:09:23their own home, the Labour Party would take that opportunity away
0:09:23 > 0:09:29from them. What do we see, what do we see on housing? The shadow
0:09:29 > 0:09:33Housing Minister, the shadow Housing Minister recently said that fewer
0:09:33 > 0:09:38people owning their own home is not such a bad thing. Well, I have to
0:09:38 > 0:09:41say to the right honourable gentleman, that what he is offering
0:09:41 > 0:09:45to people on housing, if you live in a council home he will take eye your
0:09:45 > 0:09:52right to buy. If you are looking to rent sheller say his policies will
0:09:52 > 0:09:56harm you. It is only the Conservative that will deliver the
0:09:56 > 0:10:06homes this country needs. If only it were true Mr Speaker.
0:10:06 > 0:10:13Under the Tories, the home ownership has fallen by 200,000. Under Labour,
0:10:13 > 0:10:19it rose by one million. And 40% of all homes sold through right to buy
0:10:19 > 0:10:24are now in the private rented sector. The latest figures Mr
0:10:24 > 0:10:29Speaker, show that a quarter of all privately rented homes are not up to
0:10:29 > 0:10:33decent standards. Meaning many families are living in homes with
0:10:33 > 0:10:40damp, that are not secure, or very poorly insulated. Does the Prime
0:10:40 > 0:10:46Minister support homes being fit for human habitation?Of course we want
0:10:46 > 0:10:50homes to be fit for human habitation, can I just remind the
0:10:50 > 0:10:54right honourable gentleman that the number of homes failing to meet the
0:10:54 > 0:11:03decent homes standard is down by 49% since the peak under the Labour
0:11:03 > 0:11:21Government. And while I am... While I am talking about the record of the
0:11:21 > 0:11:25Labour Government, statutory homelessness, statutory homelessness
0:11:25 > 0:11:29peaked under the Labour Government is down by over 50% since then. It
0:11:29 > 0:11:35is this Government that is delivering for people on housing, it
0:11:35 > 0:11:41is his Government that Labour failed to deliver over 13 years.I would
0:11:41 > 0:11:47just remind the Prime Minister, Mr Speaker, that under Labour, a
0:11:47 > 0:11:51million homes are brought up to decent standard. I would assume from
0:11:51 > 0:11:56what she said she will be here on 19th January to support my
0:11:56 > 0:12:00honourable friend the member for Westminster North's bill to make
0:12:00 > 0:12:03privately rented homes fit for human habitation.
0:12:03 > 0:12:08When it comes to housing Mr Speaker, this Government has been an absolute
0:12:08 > 0:12:15disgrace. After seven years, more people are living on the streets,
0:12:15 > 0:12:19more families in temporary accommodation, more families in
0:12:19 > 0:12:25homes not fit for human habitation, and fewer people owning their own
0:12:25 > 0:12:30home. When is this Government going to get out of the pockets of
0:12:30 > 0:12:34property speculators and rogue landlords, and get on the side of
0:12:34 > 0:12:45tenants and people without a home of their own this Christmas.
0:12:45 > 0:12:50Under Labour, House building down, homes built and sold down, social
0:12:50 > 0:12:54housing down... I will tell him one thing that went up under the last
0:12:54 > 0:12:59Labour government, the number of people on the social housing waiting
0:12:59 > 0:13:05list. 1.74 million people waiting for a home under a Labour
0:13:05 > 0:13:13government. We have delivered over 346,000 new, affordable homes since
0:13:13 > 0:13:162010. More affordable homes have been delivered in the last seven
0:13:16 > 0:13:21years than in the previous seven years under a Labour government. We
0:13:21 > 0:13:28are building more homes. Last year we saw 217,000 more homes being
0:13:28 > 0:13:40built in this country. That is
0:13:45 > 0:13:48a record for the last 30 years. It is the Conservatives that are doing
0:13:48 > 0:13:50what is necessary. Labour will produce failure for this country
0:13:50 > 0:13:53once again. It is the Conservatives that is delivering the standard of
0:13:53 > 0:13:57living that people need.A 14-year-old constituent of mine lost
0:13:57 > 0:14:02both her arms and legs at the age of six when she was a victim of
0:14:02 > 0:14:07meningitis. I was one of many MPs campaigning for the meningitis
0:14:07 > 0:14:12vaccine to be introduced into the NHS. Isabel is on the way to
0:14:12 > 0:14:17becoming one of the UK's most proficient junior gymnasts, one of
0:14:17 > 0:14:21the most talented trampoline lists in the country. She was recently
0:14:21 > 0:14:26handed the pride of sports award as a young achiever. Will the Prime
0:14:26 > 0:14:33Minister join me in congratulating Isabel in receiving this prestigious
0:14:33 > 0:14:37national award?I'm very happy to congratulate Isabel on receiving
0:14:37 > 0:14:43this award and on her sporting achievements, but also on her
0:14:43 > 0:14:47incredible bravery. She is an inspiration to all of us. My
0:14:47 > 0:14:50honourable friend has mentioned about the meningitis vaccine, and
0:14:50 > 0:14:56she is one of those campaigning on this issue. Meningitis can be a
0:14:56 > 0:15:00devastating disease, so we have taken steps to increase the
0:15:00 > 0:15:07availability of the vaccine. In September 2015 we became the first
0:15:07 > 0:15:12country to have a meningitis B vaccination programme. It is
0:15:12 > 0:15:16necessary that Public Health England continues to raise awareness of the
0:15:16 > 0:15:20symptoms, and its campaigns are reaching hundreds of thousands of
0:15:20 > 0:15:25parents. The NHS has been running a programme to vaccinate teenagers,
0:15:25 > 0:15:29school leavers and university freshers against four different
0:15:29 > 0:15:32strains of meningitis. I think my honourable friend can be pleased
0:15:32 > 0:15:40with the work she did in relation to this.Thank you, Mr Speaker. In
0:15:40 > 0:15:462008, we collectively bailed out the Royal Bank of Scotland at a cost of
0:15:46 > 0:15:50£45 billion. In 2017, the Royal Bank of Scotland are paying us back by
0:15:50 > 0:15:57turning their backs on 259 of our communities. Given we are the
0:15:57 > 0:16:01majority shareholder, will the Prime Minister step in and tell the Royal
0:16:01 > 0:16:05Bank of Scotland to stick to their commitment and not close the last
0:16:05 > 0:16:10bank in town?I think the honourable gentleman knows that the decision to
0:16:10 > 0:16:16close branches is a commercial decision for banks, without
0:16:16 > 0:16:20intervention by the Government. We do recognise the impact this has on
0:16:20 > 0:16:23communities, and the Secretary of State for Scotland raised concerns
0:16:23 > 0:16:28on this issue in his meeting with RBS. More people are banking online,
0:16:28 > 0:16:34which is having an impact, but we do want to ensure that all customers
0:16:34 > 0:16:39can access over-the-counter services, so we have established the
0:16:39 > 0:16:43access to banking standard, which commits banks to carry out a number
0:16:43 > 0:16:47of steps before closing branches. The post office has also reached an
0:16:47 > 0:16:56agreement with thanks to allow more customers to use post office
0:16:56 > 0:16:59services. We recognise the impact of this on communities.The Prime
0:16:59 > 0:17:03Minister should be summoning Ross McEwan in to see her. We will not
0:17:03 > 0:17:08accept towns and villages up and down the United Kingdom losing tank
0:17:08 > 0:17:12services. There are 30 towns in Scotland where the last bank will be
0:17:12 > 0:17:18going. This is not acceptable. Will she summon Ross McEwan and will she
0:17:18 > 0:17:27tell the Royal Bank of Scotland this must be reversed?The decisions on
0:17:27 > 0:17:31opening and closing branches is a commercial matter for the banks, as
0:17:31 > 0:17:36I say. This is an issue for the Secretary of State, that he has
0:17:36 > 0:17:41raised with the Royal Bank of Scotland. But what is important is
0:17:41 > 0:17:45that services are available to individuals, which is why those are
0:17:45 > 0:17:50being provided and alternatives are available. I would also say that an
0:17:50 > 0:17:55awful lot more people are banking online these days, not requiring the
0:17:55 > 0:18:00use of a branch. We want to ensure that vulnerable customers
0:18:00 > 0:18:09particularly, who don't have access to online banking, are able to have
0:18:09 > 0:18:12services provided, which is what we are doing with the access to banking
0:18:12 > 0:18:16standard and our work with the post office.In 2015, the heart of
0:18:16 > 0:18:19England Trust will trust got into major trouble due to poor
0:18:19 > 0:18:24management. In response, the management of universities hospitals
0:18:24 > 0:18:29Birmingham was brought in to take charge. As a result, services and
0:18:29 > 0:18:37patient care have in improved dramatically. Would the Prime
0:18:37 > 0:18:41Minister join me in praising this turnaround and agree that we must
0:18:41 > 0:18:45support good management in the NHS. Can I say to my honourable friend
0:18:45 > 0:18:50that I am happy to join him in paying tribute to the work that's
0:18:50 > 0:18:55been undertaken by University hospitals Birmingham? We do want to
0:18:55 > 0:18:59see strong management across the NHS. I understand there are a number
0:18:59 > 0:19:03of practical and financial issues still to resolve, and I would
0:19:03 > 0:19:09encourage all of those involved to make progress on this issue, but I
0:19:09 > 0:19:12congratulate all those NHS staff who have worked hard to ensure that
0:19:12 > 0:19:17improvement takes place.Does the Prime Minister agree that the
0:19:17 > 0:19:26resignation of lurve Kerslake does put the Government on a... --
0:19:26 > 0:19:35resignation of Lord Kerslake. In my constituency, it is disgraceful that
0:19:35 > 0:19:42people have to travel at least 15 miles to get to the nearest A&E.Can
0:19:42 > 0:19:46I say to him that I think Lord Kerslake made the right decision in
0:19:46 > 0:19:51stepping down as chairman of King's College Hospital? I'm not surprised
0:19:51 > 0:19:56the Labour Party are interested in this, given that Lord Kerslake is a
0:19:56 > 0:20:00key adviser to the Labour Party. If I can say to the honourable
0:20:00 > 0:20:06gentleman, he might care look at what NHS improvement said about
0:20:06 > 0:20:10King's College Hospital. The financial situation at Kings has
0:20:10 > 0:20:16deteriorated seriously over recent months, and we have now placed the
0:20:16 > 0:20:22trust in special measures. It is not acceptable for organisations to run
0:20:22 > 0:20:26up such significant deficits when the majority of the sector is
0:20:26 > 0:20:31working extremely hard to hit their financial plans, and in many cases
0:20:31 > 0:20:37have made real progress. They called the situation the worst in the NHS.
0:20:37 > 0:20:41Perhaps it's no surprise that noble lord Kerslake is advising the Labour
0:20:41 > 0:20:51Party on matters of debt and deficit.At the end of their first
0:20:51 > 0:20:55and successful term, will my right honourable friend congratulate the
0:20:55 > 0:21:00teachers, parents and students of the Newark free school, a school
0:21:00 > 0:21:03designed to raise standards and performance of schools. Would she
0:21:03 > 0:21:10agree with me that Conservatives, great teaching like this is not just
0:21:10 > 0:21:14about education, it is a daily battle for social justice, and we
0:21:14 > 0:21:20will never be distracted from that? My honourable friend is right.
0:21:20 > 0:21:24First, I'm very happy to join him in congratulating those who were
0:21:24 > 0:21:29involved in setting up this much-needed free school. I know my
0:21:29 > 0:21:34honourable friend will ensure the school provides young people in his
0:21:34 > 0:21:37constituency with an excellent education, despite the school being
0:21:37 > 0:21:41opposed by the party opposite. My honourable friend is right, this is
0:21:41 > 0:21:47not just a question of education, it's a question of social justice. A
0:21:47 > 0:21:53good quality education opens the door to the future for the lives of
0:21:53 > 0:21:56those young people. That's why it's so important to ensure the quality
0:21:56 > 0:22:01of education is there to give young people the best start in life.
0:22:01 > 0:22:06Tonight, this House will hopefully have the chance to vote on my new
0:22:06 > 0:22:10clause 22 to the EU Withdrawal Bill, which would give Parliament the
0:22:10 > 0:22:15power, at a future date, to determine whether we leave the
0:22:15 > 0:22:21single market by coming out of the European Economic Area. It doesn't
0:22:21 > 0:22:27dictate how honourable members should then votes, but it does
0:22:27 > 0:22:32ensure proper, democratic oversight. Shouldn't it be our sovereign
0:22:32 > 0:22:36parliament, and not the Prime Minister, that decides our country's
0:22:36 > 0:22:44economic future?First, as I indicated earlier in response to the
0:22:44 > 0:22:50member for Cheshire and Amersham, this parliament will have the
0:22:50 > 0:22:54opportunity to vote on withdrawal arrangements. Can I say that the
0:22:54 > 0:22:57honourable lady says it should be parliament that makes the decision
0:22:57 > 0:23:03about our membership of the single market. This parliament gave that
0:23:03 > 0:23:06decision about membership of the European Union to the people of this
0:23:06 > 0:23:11country. It is the people of this country that voted to leave the
0:23:11 > 0:23:17European Union, and this government will deliver for them.Mr Speaker,
0:23:17 > 0:23:21today thousands of profoundly disabled children are denied the
0:23:21 > 0:23:25opportunity to enjoy a day out with their families simply because there
0:23:25 > 0:23:30isn't an adequate changing room. The stories of parents at the Dales
0:23:30 > 0:23:35School in my constituency deeply moved me, so can I ask the Prime
0:23:35 > 0:23:44Minister to consider updating our building regulations, and ensure all
0:23:44 > 0:23:47relevant buildings voluntarily install changing facilities to give
0:23:47 > 0:23:51these children the opportunities they deserve?My honourable friend
0:23:51 > 0:23:56is right to raise this very important issue, which might seem
0:23:56 > 0:23:59such a small issue, but actually is very important in the lives of those
0:23:59 > 0:24:06disabled children, to enable them to lead the life they want to lead. I
0:24:06 > 0:24:11agree that the provision of changing places can make a real difference to
0:24:11 > 0:24:16disabled children and their carers. I understand the Department for
0:24:16 > 0:24:23Communities and Local Government has been working hard for this. I'm sure
0:24:23 > 0:24:26that the Communities Secretary will be happy to discuss this matter
0:24:26 > 0:24:33further with my honourable friend. Thank you, Mr Speaker. This week,
0:24:33 > 0:24:38the right reverend bishop of Stafford wrote to the Conservative
0:24:38 > 0:24:45Stoke on Trent City Council to plead not to cut £100 million from the
0:24:45 > 0:24:48homelessness support budget. Does the Prime Minister agree that the
0:24:48 > 0:24:53measure of society can be found in the way we treat our vulnerable
0:24:53 > 0:24:59people, and will she join his calls to the city to not cut the
0:24:59 > 0:25:03homelessness support budget, and will she agreed to fund local
0:25:03 > 0:25:05government properly so it can play its part in dealing with
0:25:05 > 0:25:12homelessness?We don't want to see people without a roof over their
0:25:12 > 0:25:16head. That's why we are working in a number of ways to deal with this
0:25:16 > 0:25:25situation, and why we are committed to cutting rough sleeping in half by
0:25:25 > 0:25:332022, and eliminating it by 2027. We are dedicating over £1 billion to
0:25:33 > 0:25:39cutting homelessness and rough sleeping. That is to tackle what we
0:25:39 > 0:25:46agree is something we don't want to see on our streets.It is now one
0:25:46 > 0:25:56year since I was sworn in as an MP. During the last year, the biggest
0:25:56 > 0:26:00issue in my postbag has been the provision of broadband to rural
0:26:00 > 0:26:05areas. The Government has invested heavily in this area, but many are
0:26:05 > 0:26:09still struggling with slow connections. Would my right
0:26:09 > 0:26:16honourable friend reassure my constituents that we will do
0:26:16 > 0:26:19everything to ensure that everybody gets superfast broadband, and nobody
0:26:19 > 0:26:25is left behind?Can I congratulate my honourable friend, not only on
0:26:25 > 0:26:30her election a year ago yesterday, but also on her re-election earlier
0:26:30 > 0:26:37this year. And on her year in this House. She's raised an issue that is
0:26:37 > 0:26:43a matter of concern to many rural areas across the country, and we do
0:26:43 > 0:26:46remain committed to universal broadband coverage of at least 10
0:26:46 > 0:26:51megabits so that no home or business is left behind. Superfast broadband
0:26:51 > 0:26:57is available to over 90% of premises in Lincolnshire, and we have
0:26:57 > 0:27:02committed over one billion pounds for next generation digital
0:27:02 > 0:27:07infrastructure. I can reassure her we have not forgotten any community
0:27:07 > 0:27:11across the UK. We recognise the importance of broadband to
0:27:11 > 0:27:17communities, and we are working to ensure we deliver further.In 2016,
0:27:17 > 0:27:23the then Home Secretary launched the ending violence against women and
0:27:23 > 0:27:27girls strategy, emphasising the need for an national network of domestic
0:27:27 > 0:27:35violence refuges. In 2017, Women's Aid save the Government is proposals
0:27:35 > 0:27:39for short-term housing threatens this network. Will the Prime
0:27:39 > 0:27:45Minister support Women's Aid and step in to save our refuges?
0:27:46 > 0:27:50I recognise the importance of dealing with domestic violence, we
0:27:50 > 0:27:54ring-fenced funding to support the victims, we have continued to
0:27:54 > 0:27:59ring-fence that funding, we have also made a number of step, we will
0:27:59 > 0:28:05be introducing a new laws, we have introduced the coercive criminal act
0:28:05 > 0:28:09of coercive control, we have introduced changes that have
0:28:09 > 0:28:14improved the support for people suffering from domestic violence, we
0:28:14 > 0:28:17are proposing a new funding model in relation to the provision of housing
0:28:17 > 0:28:20homes for people who have suffered from domestic violence and there is
0:28:20 > 0:28:25a good reason for wanting to see a change, which is to make this more
0:28:25 > 0:28:29responsive to the needs of the individuals, at a time of crisis in
0:28:29 > 0:28:33their lives, to make the system work better because at the moment the
0:28:33 > 0:28:36funding isn't responsive enough to their needs in local area, they have
0:28:36 > 0:28:41to worry about meeting housing costs themselves, at this time of crisis,
0:28:41 > 0:28:46and access relies on welfare claims and eligible. We are proposing a new
0:28:46 > 0:28:50model that frees women from worrying about meeting the housing costs
0:28:50 > 0:29:02themselves and the funding available will remain the same.
0:29:06 > 0:29:10Will she give her personal assurance they and their families will have
0:29:10 > 0:29:16the right to remain after Britain leaves the European Union?I, first
0:29:16 > 0:29:26of all I am happy to join her. They do do incredible work, and it is
0:29:26 > 0:29:29right we recognise the contribution, that EU nationals are making in this
0:29:29 > 0:29:33sector, but also across our economy, and our society. That is why we want
0:29:33 > 0:29:37people to be able to stay and we want families to be able to stay
0:29:37 > 0:29:41together and that is why I am pleased that the arrangements that
0:29:41 > 0:29:44we have and were published in the joint progress report between the
0:29:44 > 0:29:49United Kingdom and the European Union last Friday, show very clearly
0:29:49 > 0:29:53on citizens rights that where people have made that life choice to be
0:29:53 > 0:29:57here, we will support them and enable them to carry on lovelying
0:29:57 > 0:30:01their lives as before.In her answers so far the Prime Minister
0:30:01 > 0:30:07has shown she hasn't got a clue about the concerns of... Today, and
0:30:07 > 0:30:10on the 14th June she said that no-one and no community would be
0:30:10 > 0:30:16left behind but the Doncaster market towns have been told their NatWest
0:30:16 > 0:30:22branches are to close. That is two more on top of a record-breaking 700
0:30:22 > 0:30:27branch closures this year and that is despite the Big Four banks
0:30:27 > 0:30:31delivered 13.5 billion half year profits. Will the Prime Minister
0:30:31 > 0:30:36admit that the Government's access to banking protocol has failed to
0:30:36 > 0:30:40keep a single branch open, and will she restore the bank Levy and use
0:30:40 > 0:30:49some of it to stop communities losing their last bank branch.
0:30:49 > 0:30:54Can I say to the right honourable lady, first of all I have responded
0:30:54 > 0:30:58to the leader of the Scottish National Party in relation to
0:30:58 > 0:31:04closures. But, I think, also she and others need to accept that people's
0:31:04 > 0:31:09behaviour in relation to banking branches has changed over the years,
0:31:09 > 0:31:13and there is less demand but we have the access to banking standard in
0:31:13 > 0:31:19place, she referred to the Levy, let us be very clear there is a bank
0:31:19 > 0:31:23Levy there is a corporation tax surcharge for banks and this
0:31:23 > 0:31:26Government is raising more money from the banks than the Labour
0:31:26 > 0:31:34Government ever did.Would my right honourable friend join me in
0:31:34 > 0:31:39congratulating the UK's community found disagrees who have just
0:31:39 > 0:31:42reached the notable milestone distributing £1 billion to local
0:31:42 > 0:31:46communities across the country, should she agree the community
0:31:46 > 0:31:52foundations are perfect example of her shared society, and that funds
0:31:52 > 0:31:55from dormant assets, once available should be provided to them, to
0:31:55 > 0:32:03continue their very important work. I am happy to join him in
0:32:03 > 0:32:05congratulating community foundations across the UK, I was pleased to be
0:32:05 > 0:32:11able to have a meeting with the chief executive of the Berkshire
0:32:11 > 0:32:16foundation a couple of weeks a, I know from what my honourable friend
0:32:16 > 0:32:19said across communities across the country these are an important
0:32:19 > 0:32:22contributor to the shared, an example of the shared society adds
0:32:22 > 0:32:26he say, and I understand dormant accounts scheme has already
0:32:26 > 0:32:31distributed over 362 million for the benefit of good causes and there has
0:32:31 > 0:32:36been a report on possible expanding the scheme that would have the
0:32:36 > 0:32:44potentially significantly build on the success of the current scheme.
0:32:44 > 0:32:50Mr Speaker, can I remind the Prime Minister of June 2nd 1997 when I
0:32:50 > 0:32:55heard her make a very competent maiden speech in which she stressed
0:32:55 > 0:32:58the importance of vocational practical education for young people
0:32:58 > 0:33:06in our country, is she wear there is now a crisis -- crisis for
0:33:06 > 0:33:10apprenticeships, a 62% fall in apprenticeship starts? Many
0:33:10 > 0:33:15independent excellent trainers going out of business, a FE college in
0:33:15 > 0:33:20dire financial straits. Will she break a few heads, crack a few eggs
0:33:20 > 0:33:28and get this sorted?We see growing number going into apprenticeships,
0:33:28 > 0:33:33we are putting £500 million into technical education to ensure for
0:33:33 > 0:33:38the first time this country has first class technical education, I
0:33:38 > 0:33:45called for it 1997, in 2017 I am delivering.
0:33:45 > 0:33:48As an enthusiastic member of the women and equalities committee, I
0:33:48 > 0:33:54aim to be a strong champion for the equality of women, and I aspire to
0:33:54 > 0:34:01the title of honorary sister as best towed on you Mr Speaker, so will the
0:34:01 > 0:34:05Prime Minister join me in congratulating Ruth Cook on her
0:34:05 > 0:34:08appointment as chief executive of collar Ron group, the largest
0:34:08 > 0:34:12housing association in the country, proving that exceptional women can
0:34:12 > 0:34:22get the top job in housing and politics.
0:34:22 > 0:34:32I am very, I am very very happy to agree with honourable friend and to
0:34:32 > 0:34:36congratulate her on her appointment for the clarion group. It shows that
0:34:36 > 0:34:43women can take on senior job, I have to say he is aspiring to an accolade
0:34:43 > 0:34:47that I don't think the right honourable friend member for
0:34:47 > 0:34:52Camberwell and Peckham has given to me, despite being only it could
0:34:52 > 0:34:56second female Prime Minister in this country and one day, maybe the
0:34:56 > 0:35:05Labour sisterhood will manage to get a female leader of the Labour Party.
0:35:05 > 0:35:08Assessing the impact of leaving the European Union on the different
0:35:08 > 0:35:16sectors of the UK economy, is surely basic spade work for thing in, yet
0:35:16 > 0:35:24the Brexit secretary said none of it has been done why not?It isn't the
0:35:24 > 0:35:31case no work has been done in looking at the, as the right
0:35:31 > 0:35:36honourable gentleman knows from the over 800 pages of analysis that have
0:35:36 > 0:35:48been published.The Prime Minister has made clear that Brexit means
0:35:48 > 0:35:54Brexit. When it comes to the closure of Grantham A&E now the trust
0:35:54 > 0:35:59believes it has recruited enough doctors does she agree with me that
0:35:59 > 0:36:05temporary means temporary?Can I say, I know my right honourable
0:36:05 > 0:36:10friend has been a strong champion on his constituents, I know he will
0:36:10 > 0:36:16agree with me the first priority must be to ensure patient safety and
0:36:16 > 0:36:21that is why a report was commissioned. I understand NHS
0:36:21 > 0:36:25improvement will, are continuing to work closely with the trust and I am
0:36:25 > 0:36:33sure the Health Secretary will be happy to discuss the detail with him
0:36:33 > 0:36:42In the run to Christmas people will take on extra seasonal work to earn
0:36:42 > 0:36:47extra cash but many employers will be offered unpaid trial work with a
0:36:47 > 0:36:51job doesn't exist. It is affecting tens of thousands up and down the
0:36:51 > 0:36:58UK, but I have a bill coming to end unpaid trial shift, will she ensure
0:36:58 > 0:37:02this is the last Christmas of this exploitation and give Government
0:37:02 > 0:37:08backing for it?We already have a legal position in this country in
0:37:08 > 0:37:14relation to the payment of the national minimum wage, and ensuring
0:37:14 > 0:37:25people are paid for the work they do.Given the Scottish National
0:37:25 > 0:37:32Party has an extra £2 million to play with, will the Prime Minister
0:37:32 > 0:37:41join me in calling on the film to rule out higher taxes for
0:37:41 > 0:37:47hard-working ScotsThis is a very real test of the First Minister and
0:37:47 > 0:37:50Government in Scotland as to whether they are willing to recognise, last
0:37:50 > 0:37:55week I recall, or in previous weeks we have had strange claims being
0:37:55 > 0:38:00made by the Scottish Nationalists in this House about the I impact of
0:38:00 > 0:38:04decisions on Scotland but he is right. £2 billion extra going into
0:38:04 > 0:38:10Scotland. Let us watch carefully how the SNP Government choose to spend
0:38:10 > 0:38:16that money.Last week I tabled a written question to the Chancellor,
0:38:16 > 0:38:20asking for the evidence behind his extraordinary claim to the Treasury
0:38:20 > 0:38:23Select Committee, that disabled workers are responsible for the UK's
0:38:23 > 0:38:29productivity problem, last night I received his written answer. Up sur
0:38:29 > 0:38:34-- unsurprisingly there is no evidence for that claim. So
0:38:34 > 0:38:37disgracefully, since he has declined to express regret, will the Prime
0:38:37 > 0:38:42Minister take back control and order the Chancellor to withdraw his
0:38:42 > 0:38:49remark and apologise for inaccurate and offensive comments.
0:38:49 > 0:38:52The Chancellor did not express the views she claimed he was expressing,
0:38:52 > 0:38:56this is a government that values the contribution that disabled people
0:38:56 > 0:39:00make, to our society and to our economy in the workplace n is a
0:39:00 > 0:39:04government that is working to ensure that we can see more disabled people
0:39:04 > 0:39:08getting into the workplace. We have had some success, there is more to
0:39:08 > 0:39:11do but we will continue to work, to ensure those disabled people who
0:39:11 > 0:39:22want to work are able to do so.I sponsored an event in this place for
0:39:22 > 0:39:26the United Kingdom -- UN, the draw the line campaign which helped 6,000
0:39:26 > 0:39:31women and girls to have a better life. One in four women in the UK
0:39:31 > 0:39:35and 70% of girls around the world will expect to see physical or
0:39:35 > 0:39:39sexual violence in their life. Can this Prime Minister confirm this
0:39:39 > 0:39:45Government will continue to lead the world, on tackling trafficking and
0:39:45 > 0:39:54exploitation?She raises a very important issue once again, this
0:39:54 > 0:40:00Government introduces the modern slave react. It is continuing to
0:40:00 > 0:40:03work not only to increase our ability to deal with the
0:40:03 > 0:40:07perpetrators of these crimes but also to provide support for the
0:40:07 > 0:40:10victim, I want a world in which women and girls have the confidence
0:40:10 > 0:40:14to be able to be what they want to be, and know they won't be subject
0:40:14 > 0:40:19to exploitation, to violence, to trafficking, to slavery, slavery
0:40:19 > 0:40:23applies to men as well but I think our commitment as a government to
0:40:23 > 0:40:27ending violence and exploitation of women and girls is absolute.
0:40:27 > 0:40:34Thank you Mr Speaker, last week it was announced that my wonderful city
0:40:34 > 0:40:39of Coventry had been successful in its bid to become UK City of Culture
0:40:39 > 0:40:462021. We are bursting with pride. Will the Prime Minister join me in
0:40:46 > 0:40:52congratulating every one who was instrumental in this great
0:40:52 > 0:40:56achievement and which Coventry success, prosperity, hope and some
0:40:56 > 0:41:03fun in the next few years up to 2021, and beyond.
0:41:03 > 0:41:08Can I say that I will join her in congratulating Coventry, on being
0:41:08 > 0:41:12selected as City of Culture as she will be aware from exchanges that
0:41:12 > 0:41:16have taken place, there will be a number of honourable MEPs of this
0:41:16 > 0:41:19house who are disappointed because their cities have not achieved that
0:41:19 > 0:41:23particular status but I am happy to congratulate all those involved in
0:41:23 > 0:41:27putting the bid together, and ensuring that Coventry is that city
0:41:27 > 0:41:34of churl, including the mayor for the West Midlands.
0:41:34 > 0:41:38,Mr Speaker the Prime Minister and I have many things in common,
0:41:38 > 0:41:43including if I may say being proud of being called bloody difficult
0:41:43 > 0:41:51women. My Right Honourable and learned friend member for be cobs
0:41:51 > 0:41:57field is not in that category for many reasons. He is obviously a man,
0:41:57 > 0:42:01he is a respected seasoned Parliamentarian and like many on
0:42:01 > 0:42:06these benches has been for many decades loyal to his party, nobody
0:42:06 > 0:42:12wants to be disloyal or to bring about more disunity, the Prime
0:42:12 > 0:42:17Minister says she wants a meaningful vote on Brexit, before we leave the
0:42:17 > 0:42:22European Union, even at this last moment would she be so good as to
0:42:22 > 0:42:29accept the Right Honourable and learned gentleman's amendment in the
0:42:29 > 0:42:34spirit of unity for everybody here and in the country.My right
0:42:34 > 0:42:37honourable friend makes an important point about the concerns people have
0:42:37 > 0:42:41had in this house about having a meaningful vote on this particular
0:42:41 > 0:42:47issue before we complete the deal. As I is set out in the earlier
0:42:47 > 0:42:50answer I gave to my right honourable friend, that is what we will have,
0:42:50 > 0:42:55we will ensure that there is a meaningful vote on this, in this
0:42:55 > 0:42:59House, there will be of course be an opportunity for Parliament to look
0:42:59 > 0:43:03at the withdrawal agreement and implementation bill, this, the fact
0:43:03 > 0:43:07that there will be that meaningful vote has been set out an confirmed
0:43:07 > 0:43:13by the Brexit secretary in a written ministerial statement today. We were
0:43:13 > 0:43:18clear that we won't commence any statutory instruments until that
0:43:18 > 0:43:22meaningful vote has taken place, but as currently drafted what the
0:43:22 > 0:43:26amendment says, is that we shouldn't make any of those, put any of those
0:43:26 > 0:43:30arrangements into place, until the withdrawal agreement and
0:43:30 > 0:43:34implementation bill has reach the statute book. That could be at a
0:43:34 > 0:43:38very late stage in the proceedings, which could mean that we are not
0:43:38 > 0:43:42able to have the orderly and smooth exit from the European Union that we
0:43:42 > 0:43:55wish to have.
0:43:55 > 0:43:59You are on! The honourable gentleman is trying to overcome his natural
0:43:59 > 0:44:04reticence. I know he is a shy fellow, but I'm trying to encourage
0:44:04 > 0:44:13them.Mr Speaker, not 1p to fit sprinklers to Birmingham's 213 tower
0:44:13 > 0:44:19blocks from government. Now the city is suffering the biggest cuts in
0:44:19 > 0:44:25local government history, is to suffer another £100 million further
0:44:25 > 0:44:31funding cut, yet made in hand is the least hard-hit of any local
0:44:31 > 0:44:37authority in Britain. How can the Prime Minister justify one law for
0:44:37 > 0:44:43her own constituency and another law for her own constituency?Can I say
0:44:43 > 0:44:46that of course the local government settlement has yet to come before
0:44:46 > 0:44:51this House. We have been very clear in relation to fire safety
0:44:51 > 0:44:56arrangements and any action that needs to be taken by local
0:44:56 > 0:45:00authorities, that they should discuss this with the Department for
0:45:00 > 0:45:04Communities and Local Government. We will ensure it is possible for the
0:45:04 > 0:45:11Nasa street safety work to be under an taken.2017 marks the 100th
0:45:11 > 0:45:16anniversary of the foundation of the women's Royal navy service. Will the
0:45:16 > 0:45:21Prime Minister join with me in marking the outstanding service of
0:45:21 > 0:45:25women for over 100 years in the Royal Navy, but also the Royal Air
0:45:25 > 0:45:31Force and the Army? Will she welcomed the fact that they are no
0:45:31 > 0:45:36longer restricted to dibs on shore, but can take part in every aspect of
0:45:36 > 0:45:42the service?It is right then when marking the centenary for the
0:45:42 > 0:45:44Women's Royal Naval Service, we recognise the contribution women
0:45:44 > 0:45:49have made across our Armed Forces, and it's important they can now
0:45:49 > 0:45:54contribute across all aspects of work in the armed services and are
0:45:54 > 0:45:59no longer restricted to jobs on shore. This is an important step
0:45:59 > 0:46:02forward and strengthens our Armed Forces, and I