0:00:00 > 0:00:00Scottish Government that leads on this and it would be welcome to hear
0:00:00 > 0:00:03anything from the Scottish Government. We would be happy to
0:00:03 > 0:00:11meet with them to discuss the situation. Thank you.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28I would like to begin by updating the House on the government's
0:00:28 > 0:00:31response to the incident that occurred in Salisbury on Sunday and
0:00:31 > 0:00:35pay tribute to the work of all the emergency services who responded at
0:00:35 > 0:00:40the scene and those who are now caring for the critically injured
0:00:40 > 0:00:48individuals in hospital. The police investigation is ongoing. Yesterday
0:00:48 > 0:00:50afternoon I chaired a meeting with the National Security Council where
0:00:50 > 0:00:55we were updated on that investigation which is now being led
0:00:55 > 0:00:58by counterterrorism police. This morning the Home Secretary chaired a
0:00:58 > 0:01:04meeting of the government's emergency committee, Cobra, and has
0:01:04 > 0:01:11asked for an update later today. In addition to my duties in this as I
0:01:11 > 0:01:16shall have further such meetings later on today.Representing the
0:01:16 > 0:01:19south-west constituency can I align my remarks with those of my right
0:01:19 > 0:01:23honourable friend, the incident in Salisbury has caused concern across
0:01:23 > 0:01:29the south-west and the country. North Dorset cancels and I share the
0:01:29 > 0:01:33Prime Minister's commitment to delivering new housing, such as
0:01:33 > 0:01:38creating 1800 new homes in Gillingham in my constituency. We
0:01:38 > 0:01:42understand how housing transforms and supports local economic growth.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45Can I welcome this week's announcement from the Prime
0:01:45 > 0:01:51Minister. Let's get Britain building and deliver those quality homes of
0:01:51 > 0:01:56all ten years that our constituents now need.My honourable friend is
0:01:56 > 0:01:59absolutely right about the importance of housing and earlier
0:01:59 > 0:02:03this week I confirmed the government is rewriting the rules on planning
0:02:03 > 0:02:07to help restore that dream of home ownership. We want to see planning
0:02:07 > 0:02:11permission going to people who will build houses, not just sit on land
0:02:11 > 0:02:17and watch its value rise. New rules will also make sure the right
0:02:17 > 0:02:20infrastructure is in place to support housing development and
0:02:20 > 0:02:24planning changes will allow more affordable homes to be prioritised
0:02:24 > 0:02:29for key workers. The government has made it a priority to build the
0:02:29 > 0:02:31homes people need so everyone can afford a safe and decent place to
0:02:31 > 0:02:38live.Jeremy Corbyn. I thank the Prime Minister for the short
0:02:38 > 0:02:42statement she made concerning the incident in Salisbury and I think we
0:02:42 > 0:02:46all thank the emergency and security services for their response and we
0:02:46 > 0:02:50await updates on the progress of investigations into the cause of
0:02:50 > 0:02:54that incident. Mr Speaker, tomorrow is International Women's Day, a
0:02:54 > 0:02:59chance to celebrate how far we have come on equality for women, but also
0:02:59 > 0:03:05to reflect on how far we have to go, not just in this country, but around
0:03:05 > 0:03:15the world. Later today, the Prime Minister is due to meet Crown Prince
0:03:15 > 0:03:18Mohamed bin Salman, the ruler of Saudi Arabia. Despite much talk of
0:03:18 > 0:03:20reform there has been a sharp increase in the arrest and detention
0:03:20 > 0:03:27of dissidents, torture of prisoners is common, human rights defenders
0:03:27 > 0:03:32are sent to prison, unfair trials and executions are widespread as
0:03:32 > 0:03:36Amnesty International confirms. As she makes her arms sales pitch was
0:03:36 > 0:03:40she also called on the crown prince to hold the shocking abuse of human
0:03:40 > 0:03:46rights in Saudi Arabia?First of all, can I thank the right
0:03:46 > 0:03:50honourable gentleman for telling me that it is International Women's Day
0:03:50 > 0:04:06tomorrow! I think that is what is called man's planing! I look forward
0:04:06 > 0:04:14to welcoming Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman from Saudi Arabia...
0:04:14 > 0:04:18Labour backbenchers from sedentary positions are shouting shame. Can I
0:04:18 > 0:04:23say to those backbenchers that the link we have with Saudi Arabia is
0:04:23 > 0:04:28historic, it is an important one and it has saved the lives of
0:04:28 > 0:04:37potentially hundreds of people in this country. And can I say that
0:04:37 > 0:04:42actually the fact that it is an important link is not just the view
0:04:42 > 0:04:46that I hold, the Shadow Foreign Secretary this morning said, our
0:04:46 > 0:04:51relationship with Saudi Arabia is an important one. She also went on to
0:04:51 > 0:04:56say that does not mean we should not be pulling power punches and I
0:04:56 > 0:04:59agree, which is why I will be raising concerns about human rights
0:04:59 > 0:05:04with the Crown Prince when I meet him. As the right honourable
0:05:04 > 0:05:07gentleman started on the issue of International Women's Day, I welcome
0:05:07 > 0:05:12the fact that Crown Prince will be sitting down with and as the guest
0:05:12 > 0:05:21of a female Prime Minister!Mr Speaker, it is a year on and the
0:05:21 > 0:05:26government is of course still suppressing a report into the
0:05:26 > 0:05:29funding of extremism which allegedly found evidence of Saudi funding
0:05:29 > 0:05:34going to terrorist groups here in the UK, so threatening our security.
0:05:34 > 0:05:40When will that report come out? Mr Speaker, a humanitarian disaster is
0:05:40 > 0:05:46now taking place in Yemen. Millions face starvation. 600,000 children
0:05:46 > 0:05:52have cholera because of the Saudi led bombing campaign and the
0:05:52 > 0:05:58blockade. 600,000 children with cholera is something I think
0:05:58 > 0:06:04everyone in this house should take seriously. Germany has suspended
0:06:04 > 0:06:09arms sales to Saudi Arabia, but British arms sales have sharply
0:06:09 > 0:06:13increased and British military advisers are directing the war. It
0:06:13 > 0:06:20cannot be right that her government, Mr Speaker, it cannot be right that
0:06:20 > 0:06:25her government is colluding in what the United Nations says is evidence
0:06:25 > 0:06:28of war crimes. Will the Prime Minister use her meeting today with
0:06:28 > 0:06:35the Crown Prince to halt the arms supplies and demand an immediate
0:06:35 > 0:06:42ceasefire in Yemen?Mr Speaker, the right honourable gentleman raised
0:06:42 > 0:06:46two questions. On the first point he made about the Home Office's
0:06:46 > 0:06:50internal review, this government is committed to stamping out extremism
0:06:50 > 0:06:55in all its forms. I launched the counter extremism strategy. The
0:06:55 > 0:07:00current Home Secretary has appointed a counter extremism commissioner.
0:07:00 > 0:07:04The review we had gave us the best picture of how extremists operating
0:07:04 > 0:07:08in the UK sustain their activities and it improved our understanding of
0:07:08 > 0:07:13that and it's most important finding is that contrary to popular
0:07:13 > 0:07:17perception, Islamist extremists draw most of their financial support from
0:07:17 > 0:07:21domestic rather than overseas sources. I understand that for
0:07:21 > 0:07:26reasons of some of the personal content in the report this has not
0:07:26 > 0:07:30been published, however privy Councillors have been invited to the
0:07:30 > 0:07:35Home Office to read this report. That invitation was extended to the
0:07:35 > 0:07:39Shadow Home Secretary and so she and other Privy Council colleagues on
0:07:39 > 0:07:43the Labour front bench are free to go and read that report. The second
0:07:43 > 0:07:47issue that the right honourable gentleman raised was the question of
0:07:47 > 0:07:51the humanitarian situation in Yemen. We are all concerned about the
0:07:51 > 0:07:55appalling situation in Yemen and the effect it is having on people,
0:07:55 > 0:07:59particularly the effect on women and children. We have increased our
0:07:59 > 0:08:05funding for Yemen. Last year we increased it to over £200 million
0:08:05 > 0:08:10and we are the third largest humanitarian donor to the Yemen. We
0:08:10 > 0:08:15are delivering life-saving aid that will provide nutrition support for
0:08:15 > 0:08:201.7 million people, clean water for 1.2 million people. I was pleased
0:08:20 > 0:08:24when I went to Saudi Arabia in December, I met with the Crown
0:08:24 > 0:08:30Prince, I raised with him then the need to open the border to
0:08:30 > 0:08:35humanitarian and commercial supplies and Saudi Arabia then did just that.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39This vindicates the engagement we have with Saudi Arabia, to be able
0:08:39 > 0:08:44to sit down with them. Their involvement in Yemen came at the
0:08:44 > 0:08:48request of the legitimate government in the Yemen and is backed by the UN
0:08:48 > 0:08:51Security Council and we supported. On the humanitarian issue I would
0:08:51 > 0:08:56say it is for all parties in the conflict to ensure they allow
0:08:56 > 0:09:03humanitarian aid to get through to those who need it.Of course we all
0:09:03 > 0:09:07want all possible humanitarian aid to go to Yemen and help the people
0:09:07 > 0:09:12who are suffering, but I refer her to the remarks made by the former
0:09:12 > 0:09:16International Development Secretary, I quote, we must not be afraid to
0:09:16 > 0:09:20condemn the nightly attacks on Yemen by the Saudi air force which have
0:09:20 > 0:09:24killed and maimed innocent men, women and children. A ceasefire has
0:09:24 > 0:09:30got to be urgent in order to save lives in the Yemen. Mr Speaker, why
0:09:30 > 0:09:34does the Prime Minister thinks that rough speaking felt under Labour but
0:09:34 > 0:09:41was doubled under the Conservatives? First of all to respond to the first
0:09:41 > 0:09:47question that he raised in relation to the Yemen and the conflict that
0:09:47 > 0:09:51is taking place there in the Yemen, we have encouraged the Saudi Arabian
0:09:51 > 0:09:55government to ensure that when there are allegations that activity has
0:09:55 > 0:10:00taken place which is not in line with international humanitarian law
0:10:00 > 0:10:04that they investigate that and learn the lessons from it. 55 reports have
0:10:04 > 0:10:09already been published as a result of that. But on the issue of arms
0:10:09 > 0:10:15exports to Saudi Arabia, can I also say that he seems to be at odds with
0:10:15 > 0:10:18his Shadow Foreign Secretary once again who this morning said, the
0:10:18 > 0:10:23arms industry is not something I am seeking to undermine as long as it
0:10:23 > 0:10:27is within international law. She went on to say that she thought the
0:10:27 > 0:10:31UK can sell arms to any country as long as they are used within the
0:10:31 > 0:10:36law. We agree, we have a very tight arms export regime in this country
0:10:36 > 0:10:41and when there are allegations of arms not been used within the law,
0:10:41 > 0:10:44we expect that to be investigated and lessons to be learned on that.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48On the issue of rough sleeping, I say to the right honourable
0:10:48 > 0:10:53gentleman that nobody in this house wants to see anybody having to sleep
0:10:53 > 0:10:59rough on the streets of this country. That is why this is a
0:10:59 > 0:11:03government that is putting millions of pounds extra into dealing with
0:11:03 > 0:11:07rough sleeping. It is why we are piloting the housing first approach
0:11:07 > 0:11:13in three of our major cities because what we want to do is to ensure not
0:11:13 > 0:11:18just that we deal with the situation where somebody is found sleeping
0:11:18 > 0:11:22rough, but actually that we prevent people from sleeping rough in the
0:11:22 > 0:11:27first place.Mr Speaker, in November the Chancellor of the extra
0:11:27 > 0:11:31announced a rough sleeping task force and £28 million for three
0:11:31 > 0:11:35pilot schemes to tackle homelessness. I understand four
0:11:35 > 0:11:41months on the task force has not yet met, not a penny has been spent on
0:11:41 > 0:11:45that programme. There is a homelessness crisis in this country.
0:11:45 > 0:11:50Rough sleeping has doubled since 2010. Doesn't the Prime Minister
0:11:50 > 0:11:55think it is a little unambitious to say we will tackle rough sleeping by
0:11:55 > 0:12:022027?Can I say we are going to eliminate it, that is our aim by
0:12:02 > 0:12:112027. Let me just perhaps... Perhaps it would be helpful if I was to
0:12:11 > 0:12:13update the right honourable gentleman because the task force he
0:12:13 > 0:12:25referred to has in fact met. It met today! But more importantly because
0:12:25 > 0:12:27the right honourable gentleman has asked me this previously, more
0:12:27 > 0:12:32importantly this is not the only group of people we bring together to
0:12:32 > 0:12:37look at rough sleeping. We have an expert advisory group that has been
0:12:37 > 0:12:41meeting over recent months and whose reports and information and
0:12:41 > 0:12:46expertise is being input into the task force. He talks about
0:12:46 > 0:12:50homelessness, statutory homelessness is less than half its peak in 2003,
0:12:50 > 0:12:55but we recognise there is more to do and that is why we want to see more
0:12:55 > 0:13:05homes
0:13:06 > 0:13:09being built. On rough sleeping it is not just a question, of course we
0:13:09 > 0:13:13want people to have a roof over their head, but we see half of rough
0:13:13 > 0:13:15sleepers with a mental health problem and that is why we are
0:13:15 > 0:13:18putting more money into mental health. That is why it is not just a
0:13:18 > 0:13:20question of improving figures, it is a question of changing people's
0:13:20 > 0:13:23lives around. If he really cares, he will look at the complexity of this
0:13:23 > 0:13:25issue and realise it is more than giving people a roof over their
0:13:25 > 0:13:28heads, it is about dealing with the underlying problems in the first
0:13:28 > 0:13:33place.I am glad the government showed such urgency in setting up
0:13:33 > 0:13:38this task force that it took four months to have the meeting and it
0:13:38 > 0:13:42still has not actually achieved anything. Many people in this
0:13:42 > 0:13:45country are very upset and very embarrassed about the levels of
0:13:45 > 0:13:51rough sleeping in this country. I got a letter this week from Barry, I
0:13:51 > 0:13:54volunteer in my hometown of Southampton to feed the homelessness
0:13:54 > 0:13:59because of the lack of care and help for these individuals, it is a
0:13:59 > 0:14:04disgrace. He points out the number of unoccupied buildings in his town
0:14:04 > 0:14:10and many others. Does the Prime Minister believes that haircutting,
0:14:10 > 0:14:16government cutting homelessness services by 45% since 2010 has had
0:14:16 > 0:14:22some effect on the numbers of people that are rough sleeping?
0:14:22 > 0:14:26I would say to the right Honourable gentleman that if you think that the
0:14:26 > 0:14:29only way you sold issue is that by bringing people together in a
0:14:29 > 0:14:37meeting, I have to tell him, that is not the way to solve issues. The way
0:14:37 > 0:14:41to deal with these issues is actually to get out there on the
0:14:41 > 0:14:46ground doing something about it. That's why, that's why we are
0:14:46 > 0:14:51finding 48 projects to help roughly put into urgency accommodation and
0:14:51 > 0:14:55to overcome the issues like a mental ill health and substance. It is why
0:14:55 > 0:14:59there have been councils around the country that had been taking that
0:14:59 > 0:15:04severe, during the severe weather, insuring they are providing
0:15:04 > 0:15:07accommodation for people who are sleeping on the streets but also
0:15:07 > 0:15:10dealing with the underlying issues that lead to somebody sleeping on
0:15:10 > 0:15:16the streets. It's why, it's why we are ensuring that we are
0:15:16 > 0:15:20implementing housing first in a number of regions to put in trench
0:15:20 > 0:15:23to roughly split to accommodation as a first step to rebuilding their
0:15:23 > 0:15:31lives. This is not about figures, it about people. It's about ensuring
0:15:31 > 0:15:37that we aren't taking the action necessary -- we are taking reaction
0:15:37 > 0:15:42necessary to deal with the problems that people face which leads to
0:15:42 > 0:15:48rough sleeping. It's also about ensuring we build enough homes to
0:15:48 > 0:15:58ensure that people are holding houses when they are having planning
0:15:58 > 0:16:02permission -- building houses, which should please him.I don't that
0:16:02 > 0:16:06would come as much comfort for the roughly put that I meet who are
0:16:06 > 0:16:11begging every day to find enough money to get into the night shelter.
0:16:11 > 0:16:16Lord Porter has warned councils are now beyond the point where council
0:16:16 > 0:16:21tax can plug the gap, as a result of the government slashing council
0:16:21 > 0:16:26budgets and passing the buck. After this deathly cold winter, we have
0:16:26 > 0:16:31more than twice as many people sleeping rough on our streets. Just
0:16:31 > 0:16:37one step away from that fate are 60,000, 60,000 homeless households
0:16:37 > 0:16:40in temporary accommodation. We are the fifth richest country in the
0:16:40 > 0:16:46world. The growing number of people on our streets is a mark of national
0:16:46 > 0:16:50shame. With fewer social homes being built, less support for the
0:16:50 > 0:16:56homeless, the task force that's barely met, just how does the Prime
0:16:56 > 0:17:01Minister really propose to tackle the homelessness crisis?We propose
0:17:01 > 0:17:05to deal with the issue of homelessness and to deal with the
0:17:05 > 0:17:09issues of those people who are not homeless but want to be able to have
0:17:09 > 0:17:12a home of their own, by building more homes in this country. We
0:17:12 > 0:17:17propose to deal with it, as I said earlier this week, by ensuring that
0:17:17 > 0:17:21tenants get a fairer deal when they rent the country. But I have to say
0:17:21 > 0:17:25there are more council houses built under this conservative government
0:17:25 > 0:17:31that were built under 13 years of labour. We have seen more social
0:17:31 > 0:17:34housing being built in the last seven years than in the last seven
0:17:34 > 0:17:38years under the Labour government. If he wants to look at the issue of
0:17:38 > 0:17:43a record in relation to housing, he should look at the record of the
0:17:43 > 0:17:49last Labour government. And of course it was the record of the last
0:17:49 > 0:17:55Labour government that was described as bringing... That was described,
0:17:55 > 0:18:04the record of the last Labour government was described...Order,
0:18:04 > 0:18:07Mr Perkins, I know you're asking about tennis at earlier but you
0:18:07 > 0:18:11appear to be attempting some sort of imitation of crochet and you should
0:18:11 > 0:18:14not be making these curious to 60 nations, they make you look even
0:18:14 > 0:18:22odder than... -- curious gesticulations. They make you look
0:18:22 > 0:18:25odder than... I thought your behaviour was a tad odd and I'm
0:18:25 > 0:18:29concerned about your well-being! I think the members from Wirral and
0:18:29 > 0:18:34Hull will look after you.The record of the last Labour government on
0:18:34 > 0:18:39housing was described as in crisis and bringing misery and despair. Who
0:18:39 > 0:18:45said the last Labour government's government was bringing misery and
0:18:45 > 0:18:51despair? The leader of the position. -- opposition. He said Labour didn't
0:18:51 > 0:18:55have a good record on housing, I agree, it is the conservatives who
0:18:55 > 0:19:03are delivering the homes the country needs.Thank you, Mr Speaker. Over
0:19:03 > 0:19:07the last three years, more than 2000 new homes have been built in North
0:19:07 > 0:19:12West Leicestershire including a record 731 in the last 12 months.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15Additionally my local authority building new council houses for the
0:19:15 > 0:19:19first time in decades. All in contrast with just 227 houses
0:19:19 > 0:19:23completed in the year to 2010, the last time Labour way in government.
0:19:23 > 0:19:33Will my right honourable friend use this as an example to other local
0:19:33 > 0:19:41garment, we have an unemployed Madrid 1% and no rust eaters --
0:19:41 > 0:19:46rough sleepers.We are very happy to join him in a good knowledge in the
0:19:46 > 0:19:51example being set by North West Leicestershire. It is not just those
0:19:51 > 0:20:02figures that he had quoted which have led to and contributed to last
0:20:02 > 0:20:07year's 217,000 new homes being built, which is the best year bar
0:20:07 > 0:20:14one. But we are taking measures in the budget to ensure money is
0:20:14 > 0:20:18available, so we are helping people onto the housing ladder through help
0:20:18 > 0:20:24to buy. As he has referred to it, it is the Conservative government which
0:20:24 > 0:20:30are delivering the homes that people need.On the 6th of February, the
0:20:30 > 0:20:33Royal Bank of Scotland announced that ten branches that were
0:20:33 > 0:20:37earmarked for closure were going to be given a reprieve. Subject to
0:20:37 > 0:20:41review at the end of the year. Will the Prime Minister join with me on
0:20:41 > 0:20:44calling on the Royal Bank of Scotland to do what they can to
0:20:44 > 0:20:47encourage people to open accounts to make sure these branches are
0:20:47 > 0:20:54sustainable?Can I say to the right honourable gentleman, as he knows
0:20:54 > 0:20:59full well, it is the opening and closing branches, which is a
0:20:59 > 0:21:02commercial matter for the Royal Bank of Scotland. We says to call on
0:21:02 > 0:21:06people to open accounts and use those branches, of course, one of
0:21:06 > 0:21:09the reasons why bank branches are closing is because more people are
0:21:09 > 0:21:13choosing not to physically go into the bank branches but bank on the
0:21:13 > 0:21:19Internet. It is the customer to decide the customer banking
0:21:19 > 0:21:22arrangements that suits them.I should remind the Prime Minister
0:21:22 > 0:21:24that we own the Royal Bank of Scotland and the Prime Minister
0:21:24 > 0:21:31ought to be holding the country to account. I had a phone call from
0:21:31 > 0:21:34constituent of mine who found the Royal Bank of Scotland yesterday and
0:21:34 > 0:21:38wanted to open a number of accounts for him and his family. Rather than
0:21:38 > 0:21:43opening them in the local branch which is one which is earmarked for
0:21:43 > 0:21:48a reprieve, he was told he should be approaching a branch of swear. Mr
0:21:48 > 0:21:52Speaker, that is outrageous. That the Royal -- elsewhere. That is
0:21:52 > 0:21:55outrageous, that the Royal Bank of Scotland are undermining the ability
0:21:55 > 0:21:59of these branches to stay open. Will she caught in the chief executive
0:21:59 > 0:22:05and tell him that this behaviour must end?To the right honourable
0:22:05 > 0:22:08gentleman, he has raised these questions before, and I say to him
0:22:08 > 0:22:12that I would have thought that with his background he would understand
0:22:12 > 0:22:18that decisions are taken by commercial organisations, by this
0:22:18 > 0:22:20commercial organisations, that it is not for the government to tell
0:22:20 > 0:22:23people what sort of accounts they have going to have or which branch
0:22:23 > 0:22:28that should be opening those accounts in. We take steps to make
0:22:28 > 0:22:33sure that where there are branch closures, that access to facilities
0:22:33 > 0:22:37are available, which is why we have the agreement with the post offers
0:22:37 > 0:22:39to provide additional ability for people to use the services through
0:22:39 > 0:22:46the post-office. I have to say that it is not right for him to suggest
0:22:46 > 0:22:48that the government should be telling people where they have their
0:22:48 > 0:22:52bank accounts and how they should hold but bank account. That is a
0:22:52 > 0:22:57commercial decision for the bank and a decision for individual customers
0:22:57 > 0:23:01as to their own banking arrangements.We are now on to
0:23:01 > 0:23:05backbenchers, I'm pleased to say. But I want to hear lots of bank
0:23:05 > 0:23:16bench members.-- backbench numbers. Thanks to income tax hikes by the
0:23:16 > 0:23:19SNP government, thousands of UK Armed Forces personnel who are
0:23:19 > 0:23:22situated in Scotland will pay more tax than their counterparts south of
0:23:22 > 0:23:27the border. Can my right honourable friend confirm that this
0:23:27 > 0:23:33Conservative government is reviewing steps that it can take to clean up
0:23:33 > 0:23:36the SNP's mess and mitigate the tax rise for our brave servicemen and
0:23:36 > 0:23:42women?This is a very important point that she has raised. We do see
0:23:42 > 0:23:45as a result of decisions taken by the Scottish Nationalists in
0:23:45 > 0:23:48government in Scotland that there will be many people in Scotland
0:23:48 > 0:23:55paying higher taxes. Somebody earning over £26,000 pay higher
0:23:55 > 0:24:00taxes in Scotland than the rest of the UK. I was in the chamber for the
0:24:00 > 0:24:04end of defence questions the other day when my right honourable friend
0:24:04 > 0:24:09the Defence Secretary said that the point that she has raised is being
0:24:09 > 0:24:17looked into.Labour listed 1 million children out of poverty. -- Labour
0:24:17 > 0:24:21lifted 1 million children out of poverty, this government is on
0:24:21 > 0:24:28course to plunge a record 37% of children into poverty. And
0:24:28 > 0:24:32vulnerable people are denied social care because of government cuts to
0:24:32 > 0:24:36local authority. Is this really a society working for everyone?What
0:24:36 > 0:24:40we see under this government is the number of people in absolute poverty
0:24:40 > 0:24:43has fallen under this conservative government. We do want to insure
0:24:43 > 0:24:49that families are supported in supporting themselves, that is why
0:24:49 > 0:24:52we have done things like increasing the national living wage, increasing
0:24:52 > 0:25:01the personal wage allowance so people pay less tax and revising the
0:25:01 > 0:25:07unfit to systems are more people can get into the workplace.-- the
0:25:07 > 0:25:10benefit systems. I'm sure my right honourable friend will agree with me
0:25:10 > 0:25:16that air quality will improve the lives of everyone in this country
0:25:16 > 0:25:20and their children and grandchildren. We are forming a
0:25:20 > 0:25:23joint committee and working across government is important cross
0:25:23 > 0:25:29department, will be Prime Minister put in a Cabinet minister to make
0:25:29 > 0:25:32sure that our children and grandchildren have good air quality?
0:25:32 > 0:25:38This is an important issue and we are committed to being the first
0:25:38 > 0:25:41generation leading the environment in a better state than the which we
0:25:41 > 0:25:44inherited it, and we're taking action to address abolition.
0:25:44 > 0:25:51Emissions of toxic much junk -- to address air pollution. Emissions
0:25:51 > 0:25:55have fallen to them is more to do which is why we have put in place a
0:25:55 > 0:26:02plan to tackle air quality and clean-up air transport which we will
0:26:02 > 0:26:08be setting up this year. Both the Secretary of State for business,
0:26:08 > 0:26:14whose department covers the issues around energy and air quality, and
0:26:14 > 0:26:19indeed the Minister for energy who attends Cabinet, are very well
0:26:19 > 0:26:23versed in putting together the arguments were better air quality.
0:26:23 > 0:26:35As the Sandeep -- Saudi Crown Prince Street across Westminster, will she
0:26:35 > 0:26:41adjust the case of the writer who has been in jail for six years
0:26:41 > 0:26:50because he wrote something that the government didn't
0:26:50 > 0:26:52because he wrote something that the government like? Will she stand at
0:26:52 > 0:26:57that dispatch box and say that he is no criminal and be set free?I will
0:26:57 > 0:27:01be raising a number of cases with the Crown prince when I see him as
0:27:01 > 0:27:08the next couple of days. The case he has specifically referred to is not
0:27:08 > 0:27:15a thing that has waited for this visit to raise, we monitor the
0:27:15 > 0:27:17situation and raise the question of the Saudi government and we will
0:27:17 > 0:27:25continue to do so.Will the Prime Minister support the work the oil
0:27:25 > 0:27:30and gas authority are doing to help facilitate the production of £1
0:27:30 > 0:27:35trillion of oil and gas revenue from the continental shelf, supporting
0:27:35 > 0:27:38300,000 jobs? Will she join me in paying tribute to the men and women
0:27:38 > 0:27:46working offshore insuring our homes stay warm?I'm happy to join my
0:27:46 > 0:27:49honourable friend in pain could be to those who work in our offshore
0:27:49 > 0:27:58oil and gas -- in paying tribute to those who work in the offshore oil
0:27:58 > 0:28:01and gas industry. We remain committed to support the district,
0:28:01 > 0:28:07building on the package announced in recent budgets, and the Secretary of
0:28:07 > 0:28:10State for business and the sector recently committed to working
0:28:10 > 0:28:14together to insure the UK continues to enjoy the benefits of what is a
0:28:14 > 0:28:20world leading offshore oil and gas industry.Nothing needs to find an
0:28:20 > 0:28:25extra £12 million this year to care for elderly and disabled people. --
0:28:25 > 0:28:29Nottingham needs to find the money. Her government's answer, adding 3%
0:28:29 > 0:28:35to council tax bills, raises just over three, leaving a huge gap to be
0:28:35 > 0:28:39filled. No wonder Lord Porter, Conservative chair of the LGA,
0:28:39 > 0:28:48warned that some councils will be pushed parallel perilously close to
0:28:48 > 0:28:56the edge. Was she -- will she wake up to the social care crisis and
0:28:56 > 0:28:59give the local government the funding it needs in the spring
0:28:59 > 0:29:02statement?We have recognised the pressure that social care is under
0:29:02 > 0:29:08which is why in successful fiscal events, the Chancellor has given
0:29:08 > 0:29:12extra money to local authority and the social care statement. Next
0:29:12 > 0:29:15week's statement is not a budget but we have ensured that more money is
0:29:15 > 0:29:19going into local councils, not just through the presets that they are
0:29:19 > 0:29:27able to raise but 2 million extra has been put into social care.By
0:29:27 > 0:29:34far the most important market for UK goods post Brexit and today is the
0:29:34 > 0:29:41internal market. Does she agree that the people and businesses of my
0:29:41 > 0:29:44constituency and across Wales are best served by the four nations of
0:29:44 > 0:29:49the United Kingdom working together positively and constructively to
0:29:49 > 0:29:53make Brexit success?I absolutely agree. The four nations working
0:29:53 > 0:29:57together to make a success of Brexit but also this government is
0:29:57 > 0:30:01committed to strengthening our precious union in England, Scotland,
0:30:01 > 0:30:05Wales and Northern Ireland. This is about providing continuity and
0:30:05 > 0:30:08certainty for people and businesses. It's about making sure we don't
0:30:08 > 0:30:12create a new barriers to doing business, as my honourable friend
0:30:12 > 0:30:21has said, in the internal market.Mr Speaker, York's housing crisis is
0:30:21 > 0:30:28out of control. Whole families crammed into tiny box bedrooms,
0:30:28 > 0:30:33hundreds of damp and mouldy council homes and Street homelessness at 15
0:30:33 > 0:30:39fold since 2010. My constituents do not want platitudes, they just want
0:30:39 > 0:30:44warm homes. When can they have the social housing they so desperately
0:30:44 > 0:30:48need, and York's Tory Lib Dem council have failed to deliver, as
0:30:48 > 0:30:54has her strategy?As she will have heard earlier, this commitment is
0:30:54 > 0:30:59making changes to ensure that we are building more homes in this country.
0:30:59 > 0:31:03I also say to the honourable lady, one of the issues we have had to
0:31:03 > 0:31:07look at is making sure that local councils are producing local plans.
0:31:07 > 0:31:12I believe that York has not had a local plan for 15 years. I suggest
0:31:12 > 0:31:15she speaks to her council about it stop.
0:31:19 > 0:31:24On Sunday evening, it was not Meryl Streep winning an Oscar, but my
0:31:24 > 0:31:31constituent Maisie, aged just six years old. And born profoundly deaf
0:31:31 > 0:31:38for her amazing performance in the film The Silent Child. All she paid
0:31:38 > 0:31:41tribute to the inspirational Maisie and her school red Oaks primary
0:31:41 > 0:31:48which has helped fill her potential? I think everybody was captivated by
0:31:48 > 0:31:52Maisie's example and by the film that won the Oscar and I'm very
0:31:52 > 0:31:56happy to join my honourable friend in paying tribute to Maisie for her
0:31:56 > 0:32:00in capital achievement. This is important in highlighting the issue
0:32:00 > 0:32:08of disabled people particularly deaf children and this has captured the
0:32:08 > 0:32:10imagination of many across the world.On Friday of next week, the
0:32:10 > 0:32:16House will debate the private members bill on refugee family
0:32:16 > 0:32:21reunification being brought forward. It's a very simple bill which will
0:32:21 > 0:32:26allow families that have been torn apart by conflicts to rebuild their
0:32:26 > 0:32:30lives here together. It's supported by a coalition of organisations
0:32:30 > 0:32:36including the Red Cross, Amnesty international and the refugee
0:32:36 > 0:32:38Council.For the government added their support of this very important
0:32:38 > 0:32:45Bill? -- will the government added their support? We do have a good
0:32:45 > 0:32:50record in this country of providing places to refugees and helping those
0:32:50 > 0:32:54who are particularly vulnerable. But I understand as he will know that we
0:32:54 > 0:32:59are listening to the point that we hear in a mission to this bill. We
0:32:59 > 0:33:04recognise the concern about family reunification, there are rules
0:33:04 > 0:33:12impose already but we will look carefully at this.This week, its
0:33:12 > 0:33:17national friendship week and as an apprentice myself, I can highly --
0:33:17 > 0:33:24National apprenticeship week. I can highly commended this route. Levels
0:33:24 > 0:33:27of apprenticeship are up from last year but can I ask the Prime
0:33:27 > 0:33:30Minister to insure that all schools are promoting apprenticeships,
0:33:30 > 0:33:38particularly degree level, as a first-class choice, debt free, and
0:33:38 > 0:33:42not a second-class option?I think it is very important that we do
0:33:42 > 0:33:45promote apprenticeships not as a second-class option but as an
0:33:45 > 0:33:51equally valid route through training for young people. It about getting
0:33:51 > 0:33:55the right education for every young person. We should in courage of
0:33:55 > 0:34:01schools to talk about apprenticeships at the first stage.
0:34:01 > 0:34:05When I visited the school, one of the points the sixth formers made is
0:34:05 > 0:34:12that they had heard about universe -- University throughout schooling
0:34:12 > 0:34:17but only heard about apprenticeships at the sixth form. Can the Prime
0:34:17 > 0:34:21Minister explain why last year, there was a 60% drop in
0:34:21 > 0:34:27apprenticeships?We have seen, we have introduced the apprenticeship
0:34:27 > 0:34:33levy and we are looking at the application of that levy. And we are
0:34:33 > 0:34:40ensuring, we have a commitment through a period of years for a
0:34:40 > 0:34:43project, we will increase them to 3 million over this Parliament. We
0:34:43 > 0:34:48will look very carefully at the apprenticeship levy and the impact
0:34:48 > 0:34:49it has.
0:34:54 > 0:34:57On International Women's Day tomorrow, we will be celebrating
0:34:57 > 0:35:00record numbers of women in work including our second female Prime
0:35:00 > 0:35:10Minister. Yet attitudes toward pregnancy mean that more than 50,000
0:35:10 > 0:35:14women a year are forced out of their jobs just for having a baby. When
0:35:14 > 0:35:19will the government be taking forward its review for existing
0:35:19 > 0:35:26protections for pregnant women which were suggested following an inquiry
0:35:26 > 0:35:30into this issue?She is right to raise the issue. We have very clear
0:35:30 > 0:35:33laws in this country that dissemination in the workplace is on
0:35:33 > 0:35:41lawful. There are clear regulations in place which employ as --
0:35:41 > 0:35:44employers must follow. -- discrimination in the workplace is
0:35:44 > 0:35:49unlawful. We will review the legislation relating to redundancy
0:35:49 > 0:35:54in the next 12 months.The Prime Minister continues to sing the
0:35:54 > 0:35:57praises of Universal Credit, wilfully ignoring the devastation it
0:35:57 > 0:36:03still causing. How do she square her position with the fact that her Tory
0:36:03 > 0:36:07colleagues in Stirling Council have called for over half £1 million of
0:36:07 > 0:36:12funding to mitigate the enormous human suffering caused by Universal
0:36:12 > 0:36:19Credit?Universal Credit was introduced as a more simple benefit
0:36:19 > 0:36:23which is a benefit which enables and encourages people to get into the
0:36:23 > 0:36:28workplace. We have made a number of changes in the way that Universal
0:36:28 > 0:36:32Credit is operated, changes have come into place and that includes
0:36:32 > 0:36:36insuring that it's now possible for someone to get a 100% advance of
0:36:36 > 0:36:41their Universal Credit in very quick time at the start of the application
0:36:41 > 0:36:46where that is appropriate. Universal Credit is a benefit that helps
0:36:46 > 0:36:49people get into the workplace and work is the best route out of
0:36:49 > 0:36:57poverty.Storm has left a trail of destruction along the south coast of
0:36:57 > 0:37:04Devon including washing away large stretches of the A370 nine. Please
0:37:04 > 0:37:07can the Prime Minister insure my constituents that they will not be
0:37:07 > 0:37:12left isolated and their community separated, and can she pledge the
0:37:12 > 0:37:16funds to help rebuild this vital link and join me in thanking the
0:37:16 > 0:37:20emergency services both in my constituency and around the United
0:37:20 > 0:37:22Kingdom for the extraordinary work in desperately difficult
0:37:22 > 0:37:27circumstances?I'm happy and I'm sure everyone is happy to join my
0:37:27 > 0:37:31honourable friend in praising the emergency services for the tireless
0:37:31 > 0:37:36work they did to help people over the severe winter weather. She is
0:37:36 > 0:37:45right to raise concerns about the A379 on the half of her constituents
0:37:45 > 0:37:49and the Transport Secretary will confirm that we will provide
0:37:49 > 0:37:54financial assistance to insure that this road is repaired as soon as
0:37:54 > 0:37:59possible.Battersea Power Station is a £9 billion development pushed
0:37:59 > 0:38:04through by Tory Wandsworth Council with only 9% of so-called affordable
0:38:04 > 0:38:09homes. 85% of these homes have been snapped up by foreign investors.
0:38:09 > 0:38:13This is an insult to the thousands of people on the Wandsworth housing
0:38:13 > 0:38:18waiting list. If the Prime Minister in Paris that a Tory council is
0:38:18 > 0:38:23siding with developers' -- embarrassed that a Tory council is
0:38:23 > 0:38:30siding with developers' profit over the Wandsworth people?This is a
0:38:30 > 0:38:36site that was derelict for over 40 years.Order, order. It's very
0:38:36 > 0:38:41discourteous, far too much noise in the chamber. The question was heard
0:38:41 > 0:38:44and very forcefully delivered by the Prime Minister's answer must also be
0:38:44 > 0:38:50heard.This is a site that was derelict for 40 years. It is now a
0:38:50 > 0:38:53site that will be providing homes and jobs. I would have thought that
0:38:53 > 0:39:03is something to welcome.Thank you, Mr Speaker. March is brain tumour
0:39:03 > 0:39:07research awareness month, dedicating to supporting people affected by
0:39:07 > 0:39:11brain tumours and raising funds and awareness. They remain the biggest
0:39:11 > 0:39:16cancer killer of children and adults under 40, a fact that has to change.
0:39:16 > 0:39:19There has been great progress over the last month that the government
0:39:19 > 0:39:22turning its attention to this underfunded disease but so much more
0:39:22 > 0:39:27candid and. Will the Prime Minister join me in commending -- so much
0:39:27 > 0:39:31more can be done. Will the Prime Minister join me in commend all of
0:39:31 > 0:39:34those raising funds this month and recognise the many thousands of
0:39:34 > 0:39:38people fighting this disease and make a statement about how the
0:39:38 > 0:39:41government will see the job through it until we have the research, care
0:39:41 > 0:39:46and cure that many people need?I would join my honourable friend in
0:39:46 > 0:39:51commending all those who are raising awareness of brain cancer and
0:39:51 > 0:39:55working hard and tirelessly in research and also raise funding in
0:39:55 > 0:40:02this. It's a devastating disease. I was right pleased to meet Barry
0:40:02 > 0:40:08Strauss to hear her experience of the NHS and is -- meet Baroness
0:40:08 > 0:40:14Tessa Jowell and she has had a round table on brain cancer. 20 million
0:40:14 > 0:40:19will be invested over the next five years helping to fund essential
0:40:19 > 0:40:25brain Cancer Research and in addition, Cancer Research UK will be
0:40:25 > 0:40:35investing 25 million over the same period.The increase in provision of
0:40:35 > 0:40:39health care within NHS England by private providers continues to cause
0:40:39 > 0:40:45fragmentation and undermining of patient services. The Prime Minister
0:40:45 > 0:40:51has thus far refused to exclude such services from a US trade deal. Can
0:40:51 > 0:40:55she tell us how the Scottish Government will be included in such
0:40:55 > 0:40:58negotiations so they can protect our Scottish NHS from being bartered
0:40:58 > 0:41:06away to get a deal?She is a little late because I was asked a question
0:41:06 > 0:41:08about a US trade deal and the National Health Service either
0:41:08 > 0:41:14member for token on Monday in this house and I -- by the member for
0:41:14 > 0:41:18Twickenham on Monday and I maintain that week maintain the principles of
0:41:18 > 0:41:24the National Health Service and we will not allow it to be undermined.
0:41:24 > 0:41:29Later today, representatives from the greater Grimsby transport board
0:41:29 > 0:41:33will be meeting the Business Minister to discuss the next stage
0:41:33 > 0:41:38of their town deal. The proposals would be a great boost for the
0:41:38 > 0:41:42economy of Grimsby and Cleethorpes. Could she reaffirm her support for
0:41:42 > 0:41:48the proposals and similar initiative?He has raised this issue
0:41:48 > 0:41:52with me before and I do welcome the strong public private sector
0:41:52 > 0:41:55approach which is being pursued by the Great Grimsby Project board. I
0:41:55 > 0:42:02know he is playing an active role in that. There have been a number of
0:42:02 > 0:42:05positive meetings of the Ministry of Housing, communities and local
0:42:05 > 0:42:11government and I would in courage the board to in gauge -- in gauge
0:42:11 > 0:42:18with officials continually so we can see the developments taking place to
0:42:18 > 0:42:24in the local area.IMO is concerned with protecting the -- I am always
0:42:24 > 0:42:31concerned with protecting the rights of smaller parties, so Nigel..I am
0:42:31 > 0:42:37grateful for your protection. Would she acknowledge and praise the
0:42:37 > 0:42:42success of the EU negotiator Michel Barnier in bringing a measure of
0:42:42 > 0:42:53progress in the negotiations in that he has managed to unite the
0:42:53 > 0:42:56opposition and the government in utter defiance of the legal sexy has
0:42:56 > 0:43:03brought forward and would she agree that the EU need to get on and get
0:43:03 > 0:43:07on and -- the legal text he has brought forward. It is time that the
0:43:07 > 0:43:17EU went on to the negotiations.He is absolutely right. It is now time
0:43:17 > 0:43:21for the negotiators to get on with the job of discussing the trade and
0:43:21 > 0:43:24economic partnership for the future and also within that, I'm pleased
0:43:24 > 0:43:28that we will be able to discuss with the Irish government and the
0:43:28 > 0:43:31commission the practical details of delivering on the solution for the
0:43:31 > 0:43:36border between Northern Ireland and Ireland so we continue to have the
0:43:36 > 0:43:40free flow of trade between Northern Ireland and Ireland and the rest of
0:43:40 > 0:43:49the UK.Last month it was announced that a proposed merger between the
0:43:49 > 0:43:52British Transport Police and police got them was put on hold in the wake
0:43:52 > 0:43:56of widespread criticism from a number of different parties. What
0:43:56 > 0:44:00discussions has she been able to have with devolved ministers and
0:44:00 > 0:44:11what steps has been taken? Will to scrap this all fated proposal?
0:44:11 > 0:44:17I recognise the concerns that have been expressed. We were committed to
0:44:17 > 0:44:21delivering on the Smith commission proposals and as part of that we
0:44:21 > 0:44:25will be delivering housing proposals to the Scottish Government. Priority
0:44:25 > 0:44:28must remain the safety of the British public and we are committed
0:44:28 > 0:44:32to working with the Scottish Government to ensure a smooth
0:44:32 > 0:44:36transfer of the function should that be their decision. It is for the
0:44:36 > 0:44:40Scottish Government to decide. I would urge them to ensure that as
0:44:40 > 0:44:42they are taking those decisions they are putting the safety of the
0:44:42 > 0:44:50security of the public first.Is it the policy of the government that
0:44:50 > 0:44:54England should pull out of the World Cup and if not what on earth was the
0:44:54 > 0:44:58Foreign Secretary on about yesterday?The point the Foreign
0:44:58 > 0:45:02Secretary was making yesterday was that depending on what comes out in
0:45:02 > 0:45:06relation to the investigation into the attack on the two individuals
0:45:06 > 0:45:10that took place in Salisbury that it might be appropriate for the
0:45:10 > 0:45:12government to look at whether ministers and other dignitaries
0:45:12 > 0:45:18should attend the World Cup in Russia.In advance of the Prime
0:45:18 > 0:45:21Minister's meeting with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia today, would
0:45:21 > 0:45:26she agree with me that in fact the kingdom is a force for a tremendous
0:45:26 > 0:45:30stability and a troubled region? Would she offer reassurance to the
0:45:30 > 0:45:34Crown prince that this country will stand with him in his efforts to
0:45:34 > 0:45:39bring modernity, development and reform to our Middle Eastern ally?I
0:45:39 > 0:45:42agree with my honourable friend, we have had a long-standing and
0:45:42 > 0:45:47historic relationship with the kingdom of Saudi Arabia and that
0:45:47 > 0:45:51will continue. It has been important in our security and defence and it
0:45:51 > 0:45:55is important for the stability of the region. We also see a Saudi
0:45:55 > 0:45:59Arabia that is reforming and changing and is giving greater
0:45:59 > 0:46:03rights to women. We should encourage that and stand alongside Saudi
0:46:03 > 0:46:06Arabia and work with them to help the Crown Prince delivered on his
0:46:06 > 0:46:12vision.Today the Department for International Development launches
0:46:12 > 0:46:17the Joe Cox Memorial grants that will empower women in some of the
0:46:17 > 0:46:22most difficult parts of our world. Will the Prime Minister join with me
0:46:22 > 0:46:28in thanking wholeheartedly everyone who made this happen? And also to
0:46:28 > 0:46:33agree that when it comes to preventing conflict her legacy must
0:46:33 > 0:46:39teach us that women's voices must be heard?Can I say to the honourable
0:46:39 > 0:46:43lady and thank her for raising this issue and I am happy to welcome the
0:46:43 > 0:46:48UK aid contribution that my right honourable friend the International
0:46:48 > 0:46:51Development Secretary has announced today to the Joe Cox Memorial
0:46:51 > 0:46:55grants. That is £10 million being allocated to help grass-roots
0:46:55 > 0:47:00organisations deliver on two causes close to Joe Cox's Park, protecting
0:47:00 > 0:47:06against identity -based Byland and also boosting the social and
0:47:06 > 0:47:09political development of girls and helping to protect against identity
0:47:09 > 0:47:16-based violence. The honourable lady is absolutely right. She fought for
0:47:16 > 0:47:19gender equality at home and in developing countries and it is right
0:47:19 > 0:47:23that we as a government and as a country