30/01/2018

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0:00:15 > 0:00:19Hello and welcome to the programme, where Mps demand to see leaked

0:00:19 > 0:00:22documents which reportedly show the UK will be worse

0:00:22 > 0:00:28off after Brexit.

0:00:28 > 0:00:33For the government to not publish this is deeply irresponsible and

0:00:33 > 0:00:40dishonest. This is a cover-up, pure and simple and it stinks. We have an

0:00:40 > 0:00:46analysis which is involving continuing,

0:00:46 > 0:00:48Meanwhile in the Lords Peers begin two days of debate

0:00:48 > 0:00:50on the EU Withdrawal bill, A former Brexit minister

0:00:50 > 0:00:57calls for more clarity in the government's position

0:00:57 > 0:01:03at this pivotal moment in our history, we cannot, we must not,

0:01:03 > 0:01:06indulge in that very British habit of just leveling through.

0:01:06 > 0:01:08And: more questions about the collapse of

0:01:08 > 0:01:10the construction firm, Carillion.

0:01:10 > 0:01:13But first: Mps have urged the government to release a leaked

0:01:13 > 0:01:18report predicting the UK would be worse off after Brexit.

0:01:18 > 0:01:21According to news website BuzzFeed, the leaked document,

0:01:21 > 0:01:24titled EU Exit Analysis Cross Whitehall Briefing,

0:01:24 > 0:01:28was drawn up for the Department for Exiting the EU.

0:01:28 > 0:01:30It looked at scenarios ranging from leaving

0:01:30 > 0:01:34with no deal to remaining within the EU single market.

0:01:34 > 0:01:38It concludes that growth would be lower in each outcome

0:01:38 > 0:01:42and almost every part of the economy would suffer.

0:01:42 > 0:01:45Answering an urgent question the minister played down the report

0:01:45 > 0:01:55describing it as a selective interpretation and an attempt

0:01:55 > 0:01:59to undermine our exit from the EU.

0:01:59 > 0:02:07It is a preliminary attempt to improve on the flood analysis. To

0:02:07 > 0:02:12test ideas and design a viable framework for the exit of the EU. At

0:02:12 > 0:02:20this early stage, it only considers off the shelf trade arrangements.

0:02:20 > 0:02:25This is not what we are seeking in the negotiations. It does not yet

0:02:25 > 0:02:30consider our desired outcome. The most ambitious relationship possible

0:02:30 > 0:02:41in the European Union as set out by the European Union.Not good enough!

0:02:41 > 0:02:48Here we go again, Mr Speaker. Brexit impact assessments take two. Be

0:02:48 > 0:02:53caught on the government to publish impact assessments, a simple

0:02:53 > 0:02:58argument on the significant, Parliament is entitled the likely

0:02:58 > 0:03:02impact on Brexit and to hold the government to account. The

0:03:02 > 0:03:06government refused repeatedly our request. Would they not publish this

0:03:06 > 0:03:11now? Not in nine months, but now! So we can hold them properly to

0:03:11 > 0:03:22account.We have, this economic analysis is not what is formally

0:03:22 > 0:03:29known as an impact assessment. But what I would say to the house, what

0:03:29 > 0:03:36I would say to the house Mr Speaker, what I would say to the house Mr

0:03:36 > 0:03:49Speaker is that...Order! Order! This is unseemly!This does not cut

0:03:49 > 0:03:53it any more. One thing that is striking about the figures that is

0:03:53 > 0:03:58being released, they are similar to the Scottish Government figures on

0:03:58 > 0:04:01Scotland's base in Europe. If they can produce these figures, why not

0:04:01 > 0:04:10this government?Namely, a single civil service forecast wheat or

0:04:10 > 0:04:17otherwise, has been accurate.Mr Speaker, no I am not able to name an

0:04:17 > 0:04:25accurate forecast, and I think they are always wrong.It is reported

0:04:25 > 0:04:28that chemicals clothing manufacturing, cars, and retail,

0:04:28 > 0:04:35will be the hardest hit. Can the Minister offer an explanation

0:04:35 > 0:04:38between the discrepancy between what we were told and what we now in fact

0:04:38 > 0:04:46no?I have explained that we have always said that it was continually

0:04:46 > 0:04:53evolving across a wide range. What else are they expect but for the

0:04:53 > 0:05:00government to continually work on the subject? It is clear that indeed

0:05:00 > 0:05:05the food sector, all fighter sectors -- by told.

0:05:09 > 0:05:13Quite frankly Minister, I take exception to being told that is not

0:05:13 > 0:05:18in the interest for me to see a report that allows them to best

0:05:18 > 0:05:25represent my constituency.For the Minister to use the excuse of not

0:05:25 > 0:05:30publishing this, because he has not had a chance to edit, distort,

0:05:30 > 0:05:35redacted, is a total and utter disgrace. It is the right of the

0:05:35 > 0:05:38public to know about their livelihoods and their future, and

0:05:38 > 0:05:42for the government not to publish this is deeply irresponsible and

0:05:42 > 0:05:48dishonest. This is a cover-up, Mr Speaker, clear and simple, and it

0:05:48 > 0:06:01stinks. Thealternatively he might just go to the marked at the darkest

0:06:01 > 0:06:15hour!How can we unite together when the side of the house is withholding

0:06:15 > 0:06:23information from the house!When certain members of this house,

0:06:23 > 0:06:25including the honourable Lady, keep provoking as much division as

0:06:25 > 0:06:33possible?These long-term forecasts are as useful as newspaper

0:06:33 > 0:06:38horoscopes, but more importantly, it gives assurance that despite the

0:06:38 > 0:06:45hysteria, the government will not be distracted by pulling us out of the

0:06:45 > 0:06:53European Union.He reminds me of the great economist is said, if I recall

0:06:53 > 0:06:58correctly, is to make a strong astrology look respectable, and that

0:06:58 > 0:06:59is a great deal.

0:06:59 > 0:07:00Steve Baker.

0:07:00 > 0:07:03Well while all that was going on in the Commons,

0:07:03 > 0:07:05down the corridor in the Lords, Peers were beginning the first

0:07:05 > 0:07:08of two days of debate on the EU withdrawal bill.

0:07:08 > 0:07:11More than 190 peers are listed to speak.

0:07:11 > 0:07:13The legislation transfers European law into UK law to stop

0:07:13 > 0:07:16a legislative black hole opening up after Brexit.

0:07:16 > 0:07:22Labour former transport secretary Lord Adonis,

0:07:22 > 0:07:30proposed a rare vote to regret, but not stop the bill.

0:07:30 > 0:07:35The interests of the public as a whole, do not lie in making bread

0:07:35 > 0:07:40ten... They do not lie in undermining the good agreements,

0:07:40 > 0:07:44they do not lie and diminishing trade and our peoples rights to live

0:07:44 > 0:07:52and work across Europe. They do not alike in scapegoating your..., for

0:07:52 > 0:07:57the social challenges that we face. And they emphatically do not lie in

0:07:57 > 0:08:01weakening our solidarity with Germany, France, and to the other

0:08:01 > 0:08:05democracies of Europe and standing up to Vladimir Putin and others who

0:08:05 > 0:08:09now and in future threaten our borders, our lives, and our values.

0:08:09 > 0:08:11A Conservative warned of making a "constitutional

0:08:11 > 0:08:21horlicks" of the bill A former European Commissioner said business

0:08:21 > 0:08:27But so are our responsibilities. We have a duty to advise, improve what

0:08:27 > 0:08:32we can, but not to obstruct or overturn, least of all, to sabotage.

0:08:32 > 0:08:38leaders wanted certainty.

0:08:38 > 0:08:42We must surely plays a greater priority in being able to shape our

0:08:42 > 0:08:49own future than on preserving the status quo. Particularly, when

0:08:49 > 0:08:53technological innovation is itself going to change the status quo, no

0:08:53 > 0:09:00matter what we decide on Brexit. So we need speed, we need honesty, we

0:09:00 > 0:09:03need certainty.

0:09:03 > 0:09:07And there was strong criticism, from a former Brexit minister.

0:09:08 > 0:09:11All we hear day after day is conflicting, confusing voices. If

0:09:11 > 0:09:18this continues, and ministers cannot agree among themselves on the future

0:09:18 > 0:09:23of what the government wants, how can this Prime Minister possibly

0:09:23 > 0:09:29negotiate a clear, precise, terms for the future relationship of the

0:09:29 > 0:09:34EU? My fear, is that we will get meaningless waffle in a political

0:09:34 > 0:09:39declaration in October. The implementation period will not be a

0:09:39 > 0:09:43bridge to a clear destination, it will be a danged plank into thin

0:09:43 > 0:09:52air. And we shall find ourselves forced to accept a deal that gives

0:09:52 > 0:09:57us access to the EU markets, but without UK politicians having a

0:09:57 > 0:10:02meaningful say over these ways of regulation and legislation. Now my

0:10:02 > 0:10:06Lords, this outcome would not be the end of the world Summit say, some

0:10:06 > 0:10:11may say, it is inevitable. My point today is this, as this pivotal

0:10:11 > 0:10:18moment in our history, we cannot, we must not, indulge in that very

0:10:18 > 0:10:22British habit of just muddling through.

0:10:22 > 0:10:24A former UKIP leader said he supported the bill,

0:10:24 > 0:10:27but thought the government needed to change tack on the

0:10:27 > 0:10:29brexit negotiations.

0:10:29 > 0:10:34We should sit them down, and told them that we did our best to make it

0:10:34 > 0:10:43comply with Article 50. We see no future in going on like this. So we

0:10:43 > 0:10:48are unilaterally taking back our law, our borders, fisheries, and so

0:10:48 > 0:10:53on, but we will also be generous. We will give them wide and mature

0:10:53 > 0:10:57residents, we will allow them to continue free trade with us. We will

0:10:57 > 0:11:02go on helping them with security, and then we will decide, my lords,

0:11:02 > 0:11:08how much cash will give them. Which may be nothing after the 29th of

0:11:08 > 0:11:19March next year, if they do not behave themselves toprotecting the

0:11:19 > 0:11:23environment, and process, but in its current form, this bill will fail on

0:11:23 > 0:11:28all of those aims. And sadly the gaps in the bill but the environment

0:11:28 > 0:11:33will be the biggest casualty.Both government and opposition parties

0:11:33 > 0:11:40are finding it hard to agree for a Way forward. So a referendum on a

0:11:40 > 0:11:45new question, about the future relationship may be common

0:11:45 > 0:11:51unavoidable. Although this is not something that we should be voting

0:11:51 > 0:11:59for at this stage.I am not here to thwart, but the noble Lord has

0:11:59 > 0:12:07spoken, 28 years at the other end of the building asserting, I will not

0:12:07 > 0:12:12depart from that simply because I've been sent to your lordships House.

0:12:12 > 0:12:19But I know it my duty is, and it is to bring to the attention of the

0:12:19 > 0:12:22other house the manifest defects that exist in this legislation. We

0:12:22 > 0:12:29may not make them any wiser, but if we do it properly with this bill, we

0:12:29 > 0:12:34will make them better informed. Heavens knows they need it.

0:12:34 > 0:12:35Lord Campbell.

0:12:35 > 0:12:38And that debate in the Lords continues and concludes

0:12:38 > 0:12:39on Wednesday night.

0:12:39 > 0:12:40You're watching Tuesday in Parliament, with me,

0:12:40 > 0:12:43Alicia McCarthy.

0:12:48 > 0:12:51The chief executive of Royal Bank of Scotland, has said that the blame

0:12:51 > 0:12:53for the mistreatment of small businesses in the lender's

0:12:53 > 0:12:56controversial restructuring unit, GRG, lies with the executives

0:12:56 > 0:12:58who ran that department.

0:12:58 > 0:13:01Ross McEwan was giving evidence to a Treasury Committee hearing

0:13:01 > 0:13:06into the bank's behaviour around the time of the financial

0:13:06 > 0:13:13crash in 2008.

0:13:13 > 0:13:19I think it has to be the executive operation that takes the

0:13:19 > 0:13:31accountability.How many people being subjected to this?

0:13:31 > 0:13:37Suspended as these reviews go on and if it does get reviewed as well.

0:13:37 > 0:13:39earlier Tony Boorman, from the consultancy firm,

0:13:39 > 0:13:41which was commissioned to write a report on the unit,

0:13:41 > 0:13:44told MPs GRG staff were focussed on the financial returns

0:13:44 > 0:13:48to the bank.

0:13:48 > 0:13:54They had it's about to its customers and objectives financial objective

0:13:54 > 0:13:59for the bank, we did not argue that that was not a reasonable thing for

0:13:59 > 0:14:06improvisation. But also one in which it emphasised assisting customers

0:14:06 > 0:14:10helping to turn them around, to determine relationships. In

0:14:10 > 0:14:14practise, will be found in set out in our report, was that the focus

0:14:14 > 0:14:18was entirely on the commercial, almost entirely on the commercial

0:14:18 > 0:14:24interests of the bank and in particular, during the early period,

0:14:24 > 0:14:27the collection of charges from customers.

0:14:27 > 0:14:32The bank's chairman, Sir Howard Davies,

0:14:32 > 0:14:34was asked about a memo, written in 2009, which talks

0:14:34 > 0:14:36of applying particularly high interest rates,

0:14:36 > 0:14:38which would then be reduced if customers signed over a stake

0:14:39 > 0:14:41in their business or property.

0:14:41 > 0:14:45I am acutely embarrassed by those documents, found by the bank itself

0:14:45 > 0:14:52over the course of the review and handed over to Parliament. And they

0:14:52 > 0:14:56are the stuff of which nightmares are made as far as an executive is

0:14:56 > 0:14:59concerned. It is quite hard to believe how people could have

0:14:59 > 0:15:04written in such a way about a customer, about customers, and we

0:15:04 > 0:15:08can do nothing but base ourselves as far as that's concerned. It is also

0:15:08 > 0:15:18the awful. I will accept his answers, I will point out that that

0:15:18 > 0:15:25budget memorandum had originated in one regional office and possibly had

0:15:25 > 0:15:34circulated to another office. Therefore it's was not widespread,

0:15:34 > 0:15:38it was not a policy that was being followed across the organisation,

0:15:38 > 0:15:42but he set the fact that the memo could be written of that kind and

0:15:42 > 0:15:52did say something about the organisation.Let me pull from the

0:15:52 > 0:15:58document, what the staffer told. Any documents. Sometimes you just need

0:15:58 > 0:16:06to let customers hang themselves. From this exercise from our reviews,

0:16:06 > 0:16:12but also this review. This report, we've been making those changes are

0:16:12 > 0:16:15the past four years. I think this comes to the question of this

0:16:15 > 0:16:22organisation. We want this to be a great organisation. We were appalled

0:16:22 > 0:16:33we saw this, absolutely appalled. That I saw, which was written into,

0:16:33 > 0:16:39we did not hide it, we did not does give it to the skilled person. We

0:16:39 > 0:16:42went back and said, the consequence does this have on all the customers

0:16:42 > 0:16:48and those three years? 40,000 documents, find out what happened

0:16:48 > 0:16:58here. Was there any, did it impact those customers?

0:16:58 > 0:16:58Ross McEwen.

0:16:58 > 0:17:01The UK's biggest accountancy firms are facing renewed scrutiny

0:17:01 > 0:17:06in the wake of the collapse of the construction firm Carillion.

0:17:06 > 0:17:09The accountancy watchdog - the financial reporting council -

0:17:09 > 0:17:12was challenged by MPs at a joint hearing of the Business and Work

0:17:12 > 0:17:18and Pensions Committees.

0:17:18 > 0:17:22Given the oligarchy that now exists amongst the accountancy firms,

0:17:22 > 0:17:24shouldn't we be considering a recommendation to the Government to

0:17:24 > 0:17:35break them up?Onto that one first. We feel that there should be more

0:17:35 > 0:17:44competition in the major accounting and audit area. We ask the

0:17:44 > 0:17:49competition commission in something like 2012 to do a review and they

0:17:49 > 0:17:52did and they made a number of recommendations come up which have

0:17:52 > 0:18:02been lamented -- conditions, which have been implemented. There has

0:18:02 > 0:18:07been no entry to the market by other firms at that top end of the

0:18:07 > 0:18:18corporate sector.There would be if we broke the companies up.I think

0:18:18 > 0:18:22the CMA now at some point will need to review the effectiveness of what

0:18:22 > 0:18:24they recommended and look at it again.

0:18:24 > 0:18:27Later in the Commons, in a sustained attack by Labour,

0:18:27 > 0:18:30the Shadow Business Secretary laid out what she said was the situation

0:18:30 > 0:18:35for Carillion's suppliers.

0:18:35 > 0:18:43These businesses are owed an average of £98,000, small firms, 141,000,

0:18:43 > 0:18:47medium firms, 236,000, and large businesses are owed on average £15.6

0:18:47 > 0:18:55million.Since the tent, Carillion has paid out over 500 million in

0:18:55 > 0:18:57dividends to shareholders while in the same period, running up a

0:18:57 > 0:19:02pensions episode of hundred and 87 million, now threatening the

0:19:02 > 0:19:05security of thousands of hard-working people. While those

0:19:05 > 0:19:13people suffer, the former CEO was rewarded with a Borges package worth

0:19:13 > 0:19:17-- a bonus package worth 1.5 million in 2016. Will the Government join me

0:19:17 > 0:19:24in condemning this scandal and work with the Labour Party, or will it

0:19:24 > 0:19:31just be business as usual?Leads allow me to ensure the honourable

0:19:31 > 0:19:38Lady that any payments due to directors and executives of

0:19:38 > 0:19:45Carillion have been stopped. Nobody is getting paid. Nobody is getting

0:19:45 > 0:19:49executive bonuses. The Secretary of State, on the moment that the

0:19:49 > 0:19:54insolvency happened, wrote most of the insolvency service and to the

0:19:54 > 0:19:58FRC to ensure that there was a thorough investigation of all of the

0:19:58 > 0:20:04payments to directors, and, if necessary, they have PWC and the

0:20:04 > 0:20:08insolvency service, they have the power to club-mac all of those

0:20:08 > 0:20:13payments -- to claw back.

0:20:13 > 0:20:16Andrew Griffiths.

0:20:16 > 0:20:18Everyone who currently receives the main disability benefit

0:20:18 > 0:20:20is to have their case reviewed after a court ruled

0:20:20 > 0:20:22that the personal independence payments system discriminated

0:20:22 > 0:20:30against people with mental health conditions.

0:20:30 > 0:20:331.6 million people claim the benefit and it's thought as many

0:20:33 > 0:20:37as 220,000 people could receive more money.

0:20:37 > 0:20:39But, answering an urgent question about the changes, the minister said

0:20:39 > 0:20:44the vast majority of claimants would not be affected.

0:20:44 > 0:20:47For the group of people that may be affected,

0:20:47 > 0:20:49we will undertake a detailed review of their application and award.

0:20:49 > 0:20:52We will write to those individuals affected and all payments will be

0:20:52 > 0:20:59backdated to the effective date in each individual claim.

0:20:59 > 0:21:04There will be no, no face-to-face reassessments of awards.

0:21:04 > 0:21:07This mess is one of the Government's own making and it is a clear

0:21:07 > 0:21:15example, to this government, of the dangers of seeking

0:21:15 > 0:21:18to undermine both the independent judiciary and the House of Commons.

0:21:18 > 0:21:20Madam Deputy Speaker, I find it shameful and depressing

0:21:20 > 0:21:23that it took a court case to drag this government back

0:21:23 > 0:21:24to the edge of decency.

0:21:24 > 0:21:28And I find the money wasted on legal proceedings abhorrent.

0:21:28 > 0:21:32But since it is now at the edge of decency can I urge the Government

0:21:32 > 0:21:34to take a few more steps?

0:21:34 > 0:21:37Will the Secretary of State apologise to the victims of the

0:21:37 > 0:21:43Government's actions? I appreciate she is new imposter but I think this

0:21:43 > 0:21:47is important. Will she also apologised to the families of those

0:21:47 > 0:21:52who have taken their own lives as the result of government's benefit

0:21:52 > 0:21:55policies, and will she confirmed she is now undertaking to restore some

0:21:55 > 0:22:03semblance of unity to this area of policy by reviewing all PIP cases

0:22:03 > 0:22:07where benefits have been reviewed and stop rather than those only

0:22:07 > 0:22:15affecting mental health.It is with deep regret that the honourable Lady

0:22:15 > 0:22:19has made such appalling and unsubstantiated claims about people

0:22:19 > 0:22:24committing suicide as a result. We in this House, all of us, have a

0:22:24 > 0:22:27duty to be very mindful of the language reviews the evidence, the

0:22:27 > 0:22:33evidence that we use for making such assertions. We are talking about

0:22:33 > 0:22:38some of the most vulnerable people in society and it is shameful when

0:22:38 > 0:22:46the members in this House deliberately misused data.

0:22:46 > 0:22:49MPs have given their initial approval to the legislation paving

0:22:49 > 0:22:51the way for the next phase of the proposed

0:22:51 > 0:22:53High Speed Rail line.

0:22:53 > 0:22:55The £55 billion railway between London and Birmingham

0:22:55 > 0:23:00is under construction and is due to open in 2026.

0:23:00 > 0:23:03Two further phases are planned, the first linking the West Midlands

0:23:03 > 0:23:05to Crewe, the second going from Crewe to Manchester,

0:23:05 > 0:23:11and Birmingham to Leeds.

0:23:11 > 0:23:14Opening the debate on the Bill for the West Midlands to Crewe link,

0:23:14 > 0:23:16the Transport Secretary, recognised that some MPs

0:23:16 > 0:23:18were concerned at the impact the scheme would have

0:23:18 > 0:23:28on their constituencies:

0:23:29 > 0:23:30We will do our

0:23:30 > 0:23:33best to minimise those and we will do our best

0:23:33 > 0:23:34to work as closely as

0:23:34 > 0:23:37possible with you to make sure that people who are affected are treated

0:23:37 > 0:23:38as decently as possible.

0:23:38 > 0:23:40High-speed two will be the crown in the jewel

0:23:40 > 0:23:43of Britain's rail network when it begins operations in the next

0:23:44 > 0:23:44decade.

0:23:44 > 0:23:47It will be a shining example of Britain's capability and talent.

0:23:47 > 0:23:48It will encapsulate our technological and

0:23:48 > 0:23:49engineering prowess.

0:23:49 > 0:23:52But, Madam Deputy Speaker, I can tell the Secretary of State

0:23:52 > 0:23:54that there will be uproar across the land should this piece

0:23:54 > 0:23:57of the family silver be handed over to Virgin Trains

0:23:57 > 0:24:03or Stagecoach or their ilk.

0:24:03 > 0:24:05A Conservative didn't reckon the extended line would provide

0:24:05 > 0:24:08a viable alternative to flying, he painted the picture of family

0:24:08 > 0:24:13from his constituency trying to get to Paris.

0:24:13 > 0:24:17Imagine now, imagine now, the wife, the children, the baggage.

0:24:17 > 0:24:23They get on the train at Litchfield City

0:24:23 > 0:24:24Station but, let me say, this

0:24:24 > 0:24:28applies to stations up and down the country.

0:24:28 > 0:24:33They arrive at Birmingham New Street, and then what happens?

0:24:33 > 0:24:36They then have to leave Birmingham New Street

0:24:36 > 0:24:42with the two children and all their bags and walk for 22

0:24:42 > 0:24:44minutes, and I want to praise at this point, Counsellor

0:24:44 > 0:24:46Tony Thompson in Litchfield who has done this walk

0:24:46 > 0:24:51and timed it, without, though, the children,

0:24:51 > 0:24:56and without all the bags, it took him 22 minutes to trap across.

0:24:56 > 0:25:01Here is me, tramping across Birmingham to get

0:25:01 > 0:25:08to Curzon Street to get HS1.

0:25:08 > 0:25:11And then can they relax, knowing that they will, in a moment,

0:25:11 > 0:25:14then can they relax knowing that they will end up in Paris?

0:25:14 > 0:25:17No.

0:25:17 > 0:25:24Because instead the train arrives at Newsom.

0:25:24 > 0:25:27When he pointed out Eurostar trains to Paris and beyond left

0:25:27 > 0:25:28from St Pancras station.

0:25:28 > 0:25:31And that's it from me for now, but do join me at the same time

0:25:31 > 0:25:34tomorrow as the Lords conclude their first big debate

0:25:34 > 0:25:36on the EU withdrawal bill, and it's all change

0:25:36 > 0:25:38at Prime Minister's Questions, with Theresa May away

0:25:38 > 0:25:41and David Lidington filling in for her at the despatch box.

0:25:41 > 0:25:51But for now, from me, Alicia McCarthy, goodbye.