0:00:18 > 0:00:21Hello and welcome to Thursday In Parliament.
0:00:21 > 0:00:22Coming up:
0:00:22 > 0:00:23The Culture Secretary says she will refer
0:00:23 > 0:00:2721st Century Fox's Sky bid to the media regulator -
0:00:27 > 0:00:30a move welcomed by MPs.
0:00:30 > 0:00:33The concentration of ownership is the problem here.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36Nicola Sturgeon says a second independence referendum
0:00:36 > 0:00:40is all about letting people in Scotland choose their future.
0:00:40 > 0:00:44And an MP thinks it's time British Sign language was granted...
0:00:44 > 0:00:45Legal status like other recognised languages.
0:00:45 > 0:00:52Legal status like other recognised languages.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55Hear, hear!
0:00:55 > 0:00:58But first, the Culture Secretary has confirmed that the media watchdog
0:00:58 > 0:01:02Ofcom and the Competition and Markets Authority
0:01:02 > 0:01:05are to examine 21st Century Fox's proposed takeover of Sky.
0:01:05 > 0:01:07Karen Bradley told MPs she was referring
0:01:07 > 0:01:11the ?11.7 billion bid on the grounds of
0:01:11 > 0:01:15"media plurality and commitment to broadcasting standards".
0:01:15 > 0:01:19Fox is part of Rupert Murdoch's media empire.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22I am of the view that it remains important, given the issues raised,
0:01:22 > 0:01:26and wholly appropriate, for me to seek comprehensive advice
0:01:26 > 0:01:29from Ofcom on these public interest considerations,
0:01:29 > 0:01:32and from the CMA on jurisdiction issues.
0:01:32 > 0:01:36Ofcom and the CMA have until May 17 to investigate,
0:01:36 > 0:01:39and she said that the regulator Ofcom would also conduct
0:01:39 > 0:01:43a "fit and proper" test into corporate governance.
0:01:43 > 0:01:45On Monday this week, Ofcom announced it will conduct its fit
0:01:45 > 0:01:47and proper assessment, and at the same time it
0:01:47 > 0:01:50would consider any public interest test in response to my decision
0:01:50 > 0:01:54to intervene in the merger.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56This means Ofcom will conduct its assessment,
0:01:56 > 0:01:59and within 14 working days it has to report to me on the public
0:01:59 > 0:02:03interests I have specified in the intervention notice.
0:02:03 > 0:02:06I welcome Ofcom's announcement, which will provide clarity
0:02:06 > 0:02:09for the parties, but also provide reassurance to those
0:02:09 > 0:02:12who have expressed their own concerns about this issue.
0:02:12 > 0:02:14We welcome the fact that the secretary of
0:02:14 > 0:02:16state is intervening.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20She will have noticed that 21st Century Fox is happy, too.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23In a letter to her last week, they said, and I quote,
0:02:23 > 0:02:26that we welcome a thorough and thoughtful review.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29I have no doubt that this welcome is sincere,
0:02:29 > 0:02:34and that 21st Century Fox are thrilled by her decision.
0:02:34 > 0:02:38But can she confirm that, in her view, the broadcasting
0:02:38 > 0:02:42standards ground of her referral gives Ofcom the power to investigate
0:02:42 > 0:02:45any corporate Government issues affecting 21st Century Fox,
0:02:45 > 0:02:50including around the phone hacking scandal, any cover-up of illegality
0:02:50 > 0:02:57at News International, the rehiring of people responsible
0:02:57 > 0:02:59for governance failures, and ongoing sexual harassment claims
0:02:59 > 0:03:00in the United States?
0:03:00 > 0:03:02He made the point about broadcasting, commitment
0:03:02 > 0:03:04to broadcasting standards and whether that could look
0:03:04 > 0:03:05at corporate governance.
0:03:05 > 0:03:07I was clear in my original letter, and the statement I made
0:03:07 > 0:03:11to the House on the 6th of March, that corporate governance
0:03:11 > 0:03:14was one of the issues on which I was referring the matter
0:03:14 > 0:03:18to Ofcom, and therefore I would expect them to look at that.
0:03:18 > 0:03:20But, clearly, Ofcom is an independent regulator.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24I have made the decision to refer to Ofcom, but it is for Ofcom
0:03:24 > 0:03:27to decide what evidence they want to look at,
0:03:27 > 0:03:30and they are open to looking at whatever evidence that they feel
0:03:30 > 0:03:33is appropriate to enable them to make their decision.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36It's not the first time that there's been an attempt to take over Sky,
0:03:36 > 0:03:40and we should be mindful of why the previous bid courted such
0:03:40 > 0:03:42controversy and failed.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44Yet, at the same time, it should be acknowledged that
0:03:44 > 0:03:48television is adapting to changes in viewing habits and competition
0:03:48 > 0:03:51throughout the world, and some will argue that investment
0:03:51 > 0:03:56in Sky might allow the UK to thrive in the international arena,
0:03:56 > 0:03:58and to continue to compete with competitors such
0:03:58 > 0:04:01as Netflix and Amazon Prime.
0:04:01 > 0:04:06This transaction represents an ?11.7 billion investment
0:04:06 > 0:04:10by an international company into a British broadcaster,
0:04:10 > 0:04:14and, as such, is a fantastic vote of confidence that the UK
0:04:14 > 0:04:17will remain at the international centre of broadcasting long after
0:04:17 > 0:04:19we leave the European Union.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22The concentration of ownership is the problem here,
0:04:22 > 0:04:26and Sky now have nearly four times as much money every year
0:04:26 > 0:04:30to spend as the BBC, so I hope that we will end up
0:04:30 > 0:04:33with a position where we maintain that diversity
0:04:33 > 0:04:35in the British ecology -
0:04:35 > 0:04:39a strong BBC, not being bullied by Murdoch and Sky.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42Chris Bryant.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44Nicola Sturgeon caught Westminster by surprise
0:04:44 > 0:04:47at the start of the week, announcing her intention to call
0:04:47 > 0:04:50a second independence referendum in Scotland.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53MSPs will vote next week on whether they'll support
0:04:53 > 0:04:57Ms Sturgeon's request for an order from Westminster, which would be
0:04:57 > 0:05:01needed for Holyrood to hold a legally binding ballot.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04Making her first appearance at FMQs since the announcement,
0:05:04 > 0:05:08Nicola Sturgeon said she wanted to give people in Scotland a choice
0:05:08 > 0:05:11over their own future, but the Conservative leader
0:05:11 > 0:05:14questioned Ms Sturgeon's priorities.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17The truth is, a referendum won't help pupils in Scotland,
0:05:17 > 0:05:20and it won't help patients come up waiting lists, and it won't help
0:05:20 > 0:05:25solve the GP crisis, and it won't cut violent crime.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28It will just take the Government away from the day job
0:05:28 > 0:05:31which is supposed to be its focus.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33Ruth Davidson talks about "The day job".
0:05:33 > 0:05:38Yesterday, we saw the biggest U-turn from the Tories in decades,
0:05:38 > 0:05:41blowing a ?2 billion hole in their budget,
0:05:41 > 0:05:44and, because of Brexit, every household in this
0:05:44 > 0:05:49country could be facing a bill of ?5,000.
0:05:49 > 0:05:54So I think Scotland deserves a choice, and that choice is this -
0:05:54 > 0:05:58take control of our own finances to build, grow and innovate our way
0:05:58 > 0:06:02to a better future, or allow the Tories to continue
0:06:02 > 0:06:05to make the same mistakes over and over again,
0:06:05 > 0:06:11and make the situation worse.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13The Scottish Conservatives reject the proposals set out
0:06:13 > 0:06:16by the First Minister on Monday.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19A referendum cannot happen when the people of Scotland have not
0:06:19 > 0:06:21been given the opportunity to see how our new relationship
0:06:21 > 0:06:25with the European Union is working, and it should not take place
0:06:25 > 0:06:31when there is no clear political or public consent for it to happen.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34Our country does not want to go back to the divisions and uncertainty
0:06:34 > 0:06:37of the last few years.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39Another referendum campaign will not solve the challenges
0:06:39 > 0:06:42that this country will face.
0:06:42 > 0:06:46We don't want it, we don't need it - why won't she listen?
0:06:46 > 0:06:51So, Ruth Davidson says she wants to put this Parliament first -
0:06:51 > 0:06:54well, let me issue this direct challenge to Ruth Davidson and to
0:06:54 > 0:06:57the Conservative Party.
0:06:57 > 0:06:59If on Wednesday next week this Parliament votes
0:06:59 > 0:07:02for an independence referendum to give the people of Scotland
0:07:02 > 0:07:08a choice over their own future, will the Conservatives respect
0:07:08 > 0:07:16the will of this Parliament, or are the Conservatives running scared?
0:07:18 > 0:07:20Well, Ruth Davidson had used up all her questions,
0:07:20 > 0:07:21so couldn't respond to that.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24The Labour leader took up the subject.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26Leaving the UK would be devastating for Scotland's economy.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30It would mean even more cuts to the schools and hospitals,
0:07:30 > 0:07:33and cuts to those most in need.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36The First Minister said this week she didn't want a fact-free debate,
0:07:36 > 0:07:40so let's start with one fact she can't deny -
0:07:40 > 0:07:44isn't it the case that, according to her own Government statistics,
0:07:44 > 0:07:51leaving the UK would mean ?15 billion worth of extra cuts?
0:07:51 > 0:07:52First Minister.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56Well, the band as well and truly back together, isn't it?
0:07:56 > 0:07:59Tory and Labour combining again to talk this country down.
0:07:59 > 0:08:04Here's the reality -
0:08:04 > 0:08:08Scotland has a deficit created on Westminster's watch,
0:08:08 > 0:08:10and we have to deal with that deficit whether we are
0:08:10 > 0:08:12independent or not.
0:08:12 > 0:08:16Isn't it much better to have the tools and the powers
0:08:16 > 0:08:19of independence to deal with that deficit, consistent with our own
0:08:19 > 0:08:25values and not Tory values?
0:08:25 > 0:08:26Nicola Sturgeon.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28Meanwhile, back at Westminster, Theresa May said
0:08:28 > 0:08:34"now is not the time" for a second vote.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37The Conservative Party has been fined a record ?70,000 for breaking
0:08:37 > 0:08:40the rules on election spending.
0:08:40 > 0:08:44It was found to have moved campaign teams from its national headquarters
0:08:44 > 0:08:47to help in three by-elections and key seats in the 2015
0:08:47 > 0:08:49general election.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52The Electoral Commission said there was a "realistic prospect"
0:08:52 > 0:08:56that the money had given them an advantage.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59The party insists its failure to report six-figure sums
0:08:59 > 0:09:02was an "administrative error".
0:09:02 > 0:09:05The SNP's Pete Wishart called for a statement.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08We need to hear in that statement that this Government are taking
0:09:08 > 0:09:11these allegations seriously, and not hitting out petulantly,
0:09:11 > 0:09:13like some members have this morning, at the Electoral Commission
0:09:13 > 0:09:17and treating them with contempt.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20Our electoral laws are critically important to protect our democracy,
0:09:20 > 0:09:23and the Conservative Party will now be investigated by the
0:09:23 > 0:09:27Metropolitan Police, just like I asked the police to do last year.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30?70,000 is absolute peanuts to the Conservative Party,
0:09:30 > 0:09:34so will the Leader of the House now say today that they will fully
0:09:34 > 0:09:37comply and take part in every single one of these police investigations?
0:09:37 > 0:09:40This could well be the Cash For Honours of this Parliament.
0:09:40 > 0:09:45The Government will, of course, consider carefully recommendations
0:09:45 > 0:09:51from the Electoral Commission for a change in regulatory powers.
0:09:51 > 0:09:56We are already considering a number of possible changes to electoral
0:09:56 > 0:09:58arrangements, for example, following the report of my
0:09:58 > 0:10:01right honourable friend the member for Brentwood
0:10:01 > 0:10:03on electoral corruption.
0:10:03 > 0:10:07Though, I do have to say to the honourable gentleman,
0:10:07 > 0:10:12that complaints from his party, of all parties,
0:10:12 > 0:10:17about the use of battle buses, are more than a little odd.
0:10:17 > 0:10:22It is not exactly a secret that at the 2015 general election
0:10:22 > 0:10:26the Scottish National party flew Nicola Sturgeon from constituency
0:10:26 > 0:10:30to constituency in support of their candidate, which suggests
0:10:30 > 0:10:33to me that some of his complaints, or the complaints of his party,
0:10:33 > 0:10:37in this respect, are both spurious and hypocritical.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40Order.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42No, no, the Leader of the House mustn't use that last word.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46He is a versatile fellow and he can use another word and I feel sure it
0:10:46 > 0:10:48will spew forth immediately.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50Happy to withdraw that, Mr Speaker.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52I think the party...
0:10:52 > 0:10:54I make no allegation against an honourable member.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57I think the party in question has not displayed
0:10:57 > 0:11:01consistency of approach when it comes to this matter.
0:11:02 > 0:11:07David Lidington, testing his descriptive skills.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10MPs have accused the large energy companies of "ripping off"
0:11:10 > 0:11:15and "robbing" customers by leaving them on the most expensive tariffs.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18In a debate in the Commons, there were calls from all sides
0:11:18 > 0:11:21for action against the "big six", as they are known,
0:11:21 > 0:11:25for the introduction of a "relative" price cap limiting price rises once
0:11:25 > 0:11:29fixed deals end, and for more to be done to encourage consumers
0:11:29 > 0:11:32to switch between energy providers.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35The debate was opened by a Conservative MP,
0:11:35 > 0:11:39who criticised the big firms for failing to reward loyalty.
0:11:39 > 0:11:41What other industry doesn't give their loyal
0:11:41 > 0:11:45customers any discounts or special deals, but charges them higher
0:11:45 > 0:11:48prices than anyone else instead?
0:11:48 > 0:11:53Which companies believe that loyalty should be exploited, not rewarded?
0:11:53 > 0:11:57Who treats their longest-serving customers as chumps, to be quietly
0:11:57 > 0:12:01and secretively switched on to expensive and unfair deals when they
0:12:01 > 0:12:04aren't looking, and then milked, ripped off mercilessly,
0:12:04 > 0:12:07for as long as possible?
0:12:07 > 0:12:11The big six energy firms, Madam Deputy Speaker, that's who.
0:12:11 > 0:12:13Switching, he said, had to be made easier,
0:12:13 > 0:12:18and action taken to reduce the price increases faced by consumers.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21Even under the most optimistic scenarios, an unacceptably
0:12:21 > 0:12:24large number of households will still be being ripped off
0:12:24 > 0:12:25for too many years yet.
0:12:25 > 0:12:31So we need a stopgap as well - a temporary solution while all those
0:12:31 > 0:12:34other changes to make switching easier and less scary
0:12:34 > 0:12:37start to work and to take effect.
0:12:37 > 0:12:41The answer is a relative price cap - a maximum mark-up between each
0:12:41 > 0:12:44energy firm's best deal and their default tariff.
0:12:44 > 0:12:48It would mean that once your existing deal comes to an end,
0:12:48 > 0:12:51if you forget to switch to a new one,
0:12:51 > 0:12:55then you won't be ripped off too badly.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57Customers can make savings of hundreds of pounds
0:12:57 > 0:12:58if they do switch.
0:12:58 > 0:13:02On the back of the recent price rises from energy companies,
0:13:02 > 0:13:05I switched for our house, Madam Deputy Speaker,
0:13:05 > 0:13:08and we saved ?249.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11You know, there are big savings to be made and I encourage
0:13:11 > 0:13:14customers to switch, switch, and switch again.
0:13:14 > 0:13:18The big six and Veolia behave in a way because there is a culture
0:13:18 > 0:13:22of arrogance and entitlement, and that is the problem,
0:13:22 > 0:13:25and we need to address that culture.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27Actually, more to the point, these companies need
0:13:27 > 0:13:30to address that culture.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32Greg Jackson, chief executive of Octopus Energy, which has
0:13:32 > 0:13:35about 80,000 customers, said, and I quote,
0:13:35 > 0:13:37energy customers are being robbed in broad daylight -
0:13:37 > 0:13:46robbed in broad daylight -
0:13:46 > 0:13:48and it's time for decisive action to end the misery for millions.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51So, will the Government look favourably on the honourable
0:13:51 > 0:13:53gentleman's point about a price cap?
0:13:53 > 0:13:56Because, Mr Deputy Speaker, I think it is very clear that,
0:13:56 > 0:13:58at a time of crippling price rises from companies seemingly indifferent
0:13:58 > 0:14:01to the plight of customers, there needs to be a fundamental
0:14:01 > 0:14:08change to ensure that the market works for all.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11It's a bankrupt business model, because, if we are all admitting -
0:14:11 > 0:14:14and even the energy companies have to face up to this -
0:14:14 > 0:14:15that they are being over the odds,
0:14:15 > 0:14:21they have a business model based on that.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24If, for example, all these customers miraculously were going to move
0:14:24 > 0:14:26to a lower tariff tomorrow, where would these companies be left?
0:14:26 > 0:14:34The inertia is compounded by a management approach that
0:14:34 > 0:14:39doesn't seem to want any form of effective change.
0:14:39 > 0:14:40Just because consumers, very often vulnerable consumers,
0:14:40 > 0:14:45are not able to negotiate the process of switching,
0:14:45 > 0:14:49this doesn't mean that they should be left at the mercy of a market
0:14:49 > 0:14:55which punishes them for that.
0:14:55 > 0:14:56Replying, the Minister referred to recent findings
0:14:56 > 0:14:58by the Competition and Markets Authority.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01It is a fact that the majority of customers, around 66%,
0:15:01 > 0:15:03are on standard variable tariffs, and they continue to pay
0:15:03 > 0:15:08considerably more than customers who are on fixed-term deals.
0:15:08 > 0:15:12The CMA highlighted that these customers are losing out
0:15:12 > 0:15:17by what it estimated - it's fair to say that the numbers
0:15:17 > 0:15:19have been disputed - but by an estimated ?1.4 billion
0:15:19 > 0:15:29over the last few years.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33We are acting to make switching easier and quicker.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35We are rolling out smart meters, we are continuing to help
0:15:35 > 0:15:37the vulnerable and low-income houses with their energy bills.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40We recognise that the CMA did important work in highlighting
0:15:40 > 0:15:41how much consumers are currently losing out.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44We recognise that recent price rises underline the fact that the majority
0:15:44 > 0:15:47of consumers are paying more it appears than they need to.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50We believe that current practice as it stands is not acceptable
0:15:50 > 0:15:54and we will set out proposals to address these issues shortly.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56You're watching Thursday in Parliament, with me,
0:15:56 > 0:16:06Alicia McCarthy.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12The Government's been urged to do more to cut rates of suicide.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14The Conservative chair of the Health Committee made
0:16:14 > 0:16:17the plea as she outlined the findings of her committee's
0:16:17 > 0:16:18report on the subject.
0:16:18 > 0:16:19Sarah Wollaston set out the figures.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22It remains the leading cause of death in young people
0:16:22 > 0:16:25between the ages of 15 and 24 and it is the leading cause
0:16:25 > 0:16:26of death in men under 50.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29But she said the key message her committee had heard
0:16:29 > 0:16:31was that suicide was preventable and there was more that
0:16:31 > 0:16:33could and should be done.
0:16:33 > 0:16:37We know, for example, that half of those who take their own lives
0:16:37 > 0:16:41have self harmed, and we feel that it's really disappointing
0:16:41 > 0:16:47that so many of those with experience of self harm,
0:16:47 > 0:16:49their experience when they go to casualty departments is sometimes
0:16:49 > 0:16:52that they are made to feel that they are wasting people's time.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54We know that liaison psychiatry makes an enormous difference
0:16:54 > 0:17:00but there are resourcing issues around liaison psychiatry.
0:17:00 > 0:17:04We know that those who have been inpatients in mental health settings
0:17:04 > 0:17:08should receive a visit within three days of leaving inpatient services
0:17:08 > 0:17:12but there simply aren't the resources there for that to be
0:17:12 > 0:17:16put in place and we call on the government to go further
0:17:16 > 0:17:18in looking at the work force and resourcing for
0:17:18 > 0:17:20this to take place.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22The minister accepted there was more to be done.
0:17:22 > 0:17:26The refreshed strategy does now include better targeting of high
0:17:26 > 0:17:29risk groups and for the first time addresses self harm as an issue
0:17:29 > 0:17:34in its own right, which is one of the most significant issues
0:17:34 > 0:17:36of suicide risk.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39We have also published guidance to local authorities in January
0:17:39 > 0:17:41on developing and improving suicide bereavement services
0:17:41 > 0:17:44as an important plank of the plan.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47Furthermore we announced we would publish a green paper this
0:17:47 > 0:17:49year on children and young people's mental health and announcde
0:17:49 > 0:17:52that we would develop a national internet strategy which will explore
0:17:52 > 0:17:54the impact of internet and social media on suicide
0:17:54 > 0:17:58prevention and mental health.
0:17:58 > 0:17:59Nicola Blackwood.
0:17:59 > 0:18:03Parliament should in future set the terms of reference for major
0:18:03 > 0:18:06inquiries such as the controversial Chilcot Inquiry into the Iraq war,
0:18:06 > 0:18:14according to an influential Commons committee.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17The investigation by Sir John Chilcot took seven years
0:18:17 > 0:18:19to complete and its final report ran to 2.5 million words,
0:18:19 > 0:18:21spanning 12 volumes.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23The chairman of the Public Administration Constitutional
0:18:23 > 0:18:26Affairs Committee set out how things could be done differently
0:18:26 > 0:18:28in the future.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30PACAC recommends that in future, before an inquiry
0:18:30 > 0:18:32is established, parliament
0:18:32 > 0:18:35should set up an ad hoc select committee to take evidence
0:18:35 > 0:18:38on the proposed remit of the inquiry and to present formal
0:18:38 > 0:18:40conclusions and recommendations to the house.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43There should then be a full debate and vote in parliament
0:18:43 > 0:18:48on an amendable motion setting out the precise terms of reference,
0:18:48 > 0:18:50and an estimated timeframe and a proposed budget
0:18:50 > 0:18:53for that inquiry.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55This should ensure that in future expectations are much clearer
0:18:55 > 0:19:00at the outset of an inquiry.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02I welcome the various recommendations in today's report,
0:19:02 > 0:19:05especially strengthening the independence of the Cabinet
0:19:05 > 0:19:08Secretary and the role of the Commons, but frankly
0:19:08 > 0:19:11I would say to the House those recommendations are timid.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14Does the Chair, and perhaps the select committee,
0:19:14 > 0:19:17agree with me that it will require a root and branch transformative
0:19:17 > 0:19:22change of the whole of our political structures and culture before we can
0:19:22 > 0:19:24honestly say again to the British people that there will
0:19:24 > 0:19:26never be such a failure?
0:19:26 > 0:19:31Chilcott was set-up to identify mistakes, mistakes that led
0:19:31 > 0:19:34to the loss of life, military and civilian.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37With that in mind, seven years to come to conclusion is unacceptable.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39Those mistakes could potentially have been repeated
0:19:39 > 0:19:41during that time scale.
0:19:41 > 0:19:46The overriding lesson that most people will think we can learn
0:19:46 > 0:19:52from Chilcott is that these reports take too long and cost too much.
0:19:52 > 0:19:57David Nuttall.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00What's to be done to stop youngsters from black and minority ethnic
0:20:00 > 0:20:01backgrounds ending up in young offenders' institutions?
0:20:01 > 0:20:03The Government has published new sentencing guidelines
0:20:03 > 0:20:07for young offenders,
0:20:07 > 0:20:09which came under scrutiny in the Lords.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11On the MoJ's own evidence the system currently disadvantages
0:20:11 > 0:20:14ethnic minority boys in particular, who are more likely to be arrested,
0:20:14 > 0:20:17then to be charged, then to be sent to Crown Court for sentence,
0:20:17 > 0:20:22then to receive custodial sentences.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25How does the MoJ proposed to address this inequality and in particular
0:20:25 > 0:20:30what help with this can they offer young offending teams?
0:20:30 > 0:20:36My Lords, the noble Lord is right that judges,
0:20:36 > 0:20:39particularly when children or young people are evolved consider
0:20:39 > 0:20:44the individual circumstances of each case to prevent reoffending and stop
0:20:44 > 0:20:48young people from falling into a life of crime,
0:20:48 > 0:20:52and this does very much include being aware of the factors
0:20:52 > 0:20:56contributing to the overrepresentation of black
0:20:56 > 0:20:58and minority ethnic children and young people in the youth
0:20:58 > 0:21:02justice system, and the new guideline aims to ensure
0:21:02 > 0:21:05a consistent approach to sentencing and also look in far
0:21:05 > 0:21:10greater detail at the age, background and circumstances
0:21:10 > 0:21:14of the individual child, or in order to reach the most
0:21:14 > 0:21:17appropriate sentence that will best achieve the principal aim
0:21:17 > 0:21:20of the youth justice system of preventing reoffending.
0:21:20 > 0:21:25Keeping young people in custody is financially very costly, and very
0:21:25 > 0:21:28costly to them on an individual basis, and wouldn't it be better
0:21:28 > 0:21:31if we could devise greater ways of diverting young people
0:21:31 > 0:21:36from custodial sentences and to prevent this downward spiral
0:21:36 > 0:21:40into long-term criminality?
0:21:40 > 0:21:43It is quite clear that to us we have to tackle underlying factors
0:21:43 > 0:21:52which lead to children and young people committing offences,
0:21:52 > 0:21:53thereby blighting their life chances, and indeed,
0:21:53 > 0:21:56since the peak in youth offending in 2006/7,
0:21:56 > 0:22:00there has been an incredible, I think, my Lords, 71% fall
0:22:00 > 0:22:04in young people sentenced, from around 94,600 to just
0:22:04 > 0:22:08under 28,0000 in 2015/16.
0:22:08 > 0:22:12Custodial, a 70% fall.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15My Lords, I think this is amazing progress.
0:22:15 > 0:22:21It is impossible for us to review the kind of institutions
0:22:21 > 0:22:25that we have and probably return to the good old days
0:22:25 > 0:22:28of what was called reformatory system, the approved school system,
0:22:28 > 0:22:33where people were got hold of and transformed and educated
0:22:33 > 0:22:36and brought back into society so that they did not
0:22:36 > 0:22:37become recidivists.
0:22:37 > 0:22:43I'm pleased to say that for example in 2015 only around 6% of children
0:22:43 > 0:22:46and young people were sentenced to immediate custody.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48It's changed, my Lords, is changing, we're making progress,
0:22:48 > 0:22:51we want to make it better because we appreciate,
0:22:51 > 0:22:55through vast experience, we haven't done enough to date
0:22:55 > 0:22:58for our young children and young people.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01Back to the Commons where a piece of history was all over
0:23:01 > 0:23:03in less than half a minute.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06The Speaker announced the Queen has granted royal assent to the Bill
0:23:06 > 0:23:09that gives Theresa May the legal power to trigger the UK's exit
0:23:09 > 0:23:12from the European Union.
0:23:12 > 0:23:16I have to notify the House, in accordance with the Royal Assent
0:23:16 > 0:23:19Act 1967, that Her Majesty has signified her Royal Assent
0:23:19 > 0:23:22to the following acts, Supply And Appropriation
0:23:22 > 0:23:28Anticipation And Adjustments Act 2017, European Union Notification
0:23:28 > 0:23:34Of Withdrawal Act 2017.
0:23:34 > 0:23:36The Commons Speaker, John Bercow.
0:23:36 > 0:23:41Finally, a Labour MP used her chance at questions to the Leader
0:23:41 > 0:23:44of the Commons to make an appeal for the hearing impaired.
0:23:44 > 0:23:49I would like to sign my question.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51Will the Minister agree...
0:23:51 > 0:23:54Sorry...
0:23:54 > 0:23:58The 18th of March marks the 14th anniversary since the UK Government
0:23:58 > 0:24:07recognised British Sign Language?
0:24:07 > 0:24:10Will the Minister agree time to bring and give British Sign
0:24:10 > 0:24:20Language legal status like other recognised languages?
0:24:22 > 0:24:26The leader of the house, Mr David Lidington!
0:24:26 > 0:24:31Speaker, the Honourable lady has very eloquently reminded us
0:24:31 > 0:24:38of the importance of British sign
0:24:38 > 0:24:41Language to a number of our fellow citizens who live with deafness
0:24:41 > 0:24:45or severe hearing impairment.
0:24:45 > 0:24:49The Department for Work and Pensions has underway a review
0:24:49 > 0:24:51of the provision of signing services in this country,
0:24:51 > 0:24:57they have had several hundred submissions during the course
0:24:57 > 0:25:00of that review and the Secretary of State will be bringing forward
0:25:00 > 0:25:02conclusions in due course.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05I can also say to the House that the Department for Education
0:25:05 > 0:25:08does now plan to accept British Sign Language
0:25:08 > 0:25:14as an alternative qualification to functional skills in English
0:25:14 > 0:25:18within apprenticeships and I hope that that will be one step forward
0:25:18 > 0:25:25towards giving opportunities to more people who live
0:25:25 > 0:25:28with deafness to play a full part in the labour market.
0:25:28 > 0:25:30David Lidington, bringing us to the end of this
0:25:30 > 0:25:31edition of the programme,
0:25:31 > 0:25:34but do join me on Friday night at 11.00 for our round-up
0:25:34 > 0:25:36of The Week In Parliament, as we look back at Brexit,
0:25:36 > 0:25:38calls for a second Scottish referendum,
0:25:38 > 0:25:43and the Government's National Insurance U-turn.
0:25:43 > 0:25:49But, for now, from me, Alicia McCarthy, goodbye.