0:00:16 > 0:00:18Hello and welcome to the programme on the day the Chancellor
0:00:18 > 0:00:20delivers his budget, with a pledge to try
0:00:20 > 0:00:30to help new home owners.
0:00:31 > 0:00:35For all first-time buyer purchases up to £300,000 I am abolishing stamp
0:00:35 > 0:00:37duty altogether.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40But Jeremy Corbyn predicts misery will continue for many.
0:00:40 > 0:00:44It is a record of failure with a promise of more to come.
0:00:44 > 0:00:47Also on this programme, MPs warn the UK could be facing
0:00:47 > 0:00:48an epidemic of opiod abuse.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50And, in the Lords, Peers demand action on the plastic
0:00:50 > 0:00:53going into our seas.
0:00:53 > 0:00:59Can't we have a positive action to cut down the number of plastic
0:00:59 > 0:01:01bottles, they are a disgrace.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04But, first, the Chancellor Philip Hammond took the traditional photo
0:01:04 > 0:01:06call outside Number 11 on Wednesday morning as he prepared
0:01:06 > 0:01:07to deliver his autumn budget.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10As is tradition, the Chancellor was flanked by his junior ministers
0:01:10 > 0:01:12as he stepped into Downing Street and held aloft the budget
0:01:12 > 0:01:17box, containing that all important speech.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19After smiles and photos it was into the official car
0:01:19 > 0:01:24for the short journey to the Commons to unveil his plans.
0:01:24 > 0:01:26And so the nearly hour long speech, in which the chancellor announced
0:01:26 > 0:01:29he was abolishing stamp duty for first time buyers on properties
0:01:29 > 0:01:37worth up to £300,000 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
0:01:37 > 0:01:39There were also announcements on house building, the controversial
0:01:39 > 0:01:41new welfare payment Universal Credit, and funding
0:01:41 > 0:01:42for England's NHS.
0:01:42 > 0:01:46But Philip Hammond began with the preparations for Brexit.
0:01:56 > 0:02:05We have already invested almost £700 million in Brexit preparations.
0:02:05 > 0:02:07And today I am setting aside over the next two
0:02:07 > 0:02:08years another £3 billion.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12And I stand ready to allocate further sums if and when needed.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15But the budget he said was about much more than Brexit.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18It was he insisted a budget for the future, to prepare to meet
0:02:18 > 0:02:24the challenges ahead.
0:02:24 > 0:02:28A country fit for the future. I know we will not build it overnight but
0:02:28 > 0:02:35we will lay the foundations. Mr Deputy Speaker, I am being tempted
0:02:35 > 0:02:44with something more exotic but I will stick with water. I took the
0:02:44 > 0:02:52precaution. I did take the precaution of asking my right
0:02:52 > 0:02:59honourable friend to bring a packet of cough sweets just in case.
0:03:02 > 0:03:04Conservative MPs roared, but the next section of the speech
0:03:04 > 0:03:06was less light-hearted as the Chancellor revealed
0:03:06 > 0:03:08figures from the Office for Budget Responsibility predicting
0:03:08 > 0:03:12slower growth in coming years.
0:03:17 > 0:03:25And regrettably, our productivity performance continues to disappoint.
0:03:25 > 0:03:32The old BR has assumed that each of the last 16 physical events that
0:03:32 > 0:03:37productivity growth would return to its pre-crisis trend of about 2% a
0:03:37 > 0:03:42year but it has remained stubbornly flat. Today the revised down the
0:03:42 > 0:03:47outlook for productivity growth, business investment and GDP growth
0:03:47 > 0:03:48across the forecast period.
0:03:48 > 0:03:50Moving on to specific announcements, Philip Hammond said there'd be
0:03:50 > 0:03:53a rise in the personal allowance on income tax to £11,850,
0:03:53 > 0:03:56a 28 pence a packet rise in the cost of cigarettes and a freeze
0:03:56 > 0:03:58in most alcohol duties.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02In other measures, he'd look at a tax on single use plastic
0:04:02 > 0:04:04items, put £540 million into supporting the growth
0:04:04 > 0:04:07of electric cars, and give schools and colleges £600 for each new pupil
0:04:07 > 0:04:13taking maths at A-level.
0:04:15 > 0:04:19And there'd be tweaks to the new welfare benefit Universal Credit.
0:04:19 > 0:04:24MPs on all sides have warned that the six week wait before
0:04:24 > 0:04:29new claimants receive their payments was pushing people into
0:04:29 > 0:04:34debt and rent arrears.
0:04:34 > 0:04:38First, we will remove the seven-day waiting period applied at the
0:04:38 > 0:04:43beginning of a benefit claim sole entitlement will begin on the day of
0:04:43 > 0:04:49the claim. To provide greater support during the waiting period we
0:04:49 > 0:04:54will change the advances system to make sure any period that needs it
0:04:54 > 0:04:59can access a film on's payment within five days of applying. We
0:04:59 > 0:05:04will make it possible to apply for an advance online. We will extend
0:05:04 > 0:05:11the payment period for the dancers from six months to 12 months, and
0:05:11 > 0:05:14any new Universal Credit claimant in receipt of housing benefit at the
0:05:14 > 0:05:18time of the claim will continue to receive that for a further two
0:05:18 > 0:05:18weeks.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21England's NHS has lobbied hard for more money and Philip Hammond
0:05:21 > 0:05:24said he recognised the system was under pressure.
0:05:24 > 0:05:30I am therefore exceptionally and it said the spending review process
0:05:30 > 0:05:36making an additional commitment of funding of £2.8 billion to the NHS
0:05:36 > 0:05:37in England.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40He also told MPs talks were under way about a pay rise for nurses.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43But the surprise announcement came at the end of the Speech.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45Philip Hammond said there'd be £44 billion in overall government
0:05:45 > 0:05:48support for housing to meet target of building 300,000 new homes a year
0:05:48 > 0:05:53by the middle of the next decade.
0:05:57 > 0:06:03With effect from today, for all first-time buyer purchases up to
0:06:03 > 0:06:07£300,000, I am abolishing stamp duty altogether.
0:06:13 > 0:06:17When the din had died down, he said that would be a cut for 95%
0:06:17 > 0:06:20of all first time buyers who pay stamp duty, though the measure
0:06:20 > 0:06:23doesn't apply in Scotland.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26Well, it's down to the Leader of the Opposition, not
0:06:26 > 0:06:27the shadow chancellor, to reply to the budget.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30With little time to absorb the announcements it's seen
0:06:30 > 0:06:33as on of the toughest Parliamentary occasions.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36Jeremy Corbyn said the test of any budget was how it
0:06:36 > 0:06:43affected people's lives.
0:06:43 > 0:06:48A lot of people will be no better off and the misery that many add-in
0:06:48 > 0:06:58will be continuing. Pay, Mr Speaker, is now lower than it was in 2010 and
0:06:58 > 0:07:04wages are now falling again. Economic growth in the first three
0:07:04 > 0:07:11quarters of this year is the lowest since 2009 and the slowest of the
0:07:11 > 0:07:16major economies in the G-7. It is a record of failure with a forecast of
0:07:16 > 0:07:17more to come.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19He argued schools in England would be worse off,
0:07:19 > 0:07:22and the government had missed the opportunity to act on capping
0:07:22 > 0:07:24credit card debt and boosting social care funding.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26Jeremy Corbyn said over a million older people weren't getting
0:07:26 > 0:07:29the care they needed and he reacted angrily to a heckle
0:07:29 > 0:07:39from a Conservative MP.
0:07:39 > 0:07:43Over 6 billion will have been cut from social care budgets by next
0:07:43 > 0:07:47March. I hope the honourable member begins to understand what it is like
0:07:47 > 0:07:53to wait for social care, stuck in a hospital bed, with other people
0:07:53 > 0:08:01having to give up the work to care for them. The uncaring, uncouth
0:08:01 > 0:08:05attitude of certain members...
0:08:05 > 0:08:13And on housing Jeremy Corbyn reckoned we'd heard it all before.
0:08:13 > 0:08:18The government promised 200,000 starter homes three years ago. Not a
0:08:18 > 0:08:24single one has yet been built in those three years. We need a large
0:08:24 > 0:08:27scale publicly funded house-building programme, not this government's
0:08:27 > 0:08:33accounting tricks and empty promises. We back the abolition of
0:08:33 > 0:08:38stamp duty for first-time buyers because it was another Labour policy
0:08:38 > 0:08:42in our manifesto in June, not a Tory one.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45People he concluded had been let down by a government that was weak
0:08:45 > 0:08:47and unstable and in need of change.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49The SNP Westminster group leader was equally gloomy saying
0:08:49 > 0:08:56there'd been a "shredding" of growth forecasts."
0:08:56 > 0:09:01And it's a threat to the wages, to the living standards and to the job
0:09:01 > 0:09:06prospects are people up and down the United Kingdom. Frankly, it is a
0:09:06 > 0:09:08government that should be ashamed of itself.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12And he insisted Scotland would be worse off.
0:09:12 > 0:09:16Before the winds of Brexit head is, the starting position for millions
0:09:16 > 0:09:20of people is that by then we will already have been struggling with
0:09:20 > 0:09:26nine years posterity. The cuts being imposed on public services mean
0:09:26 > 0:09:30service delivery is impacted and public service workers in particular
0:09:30 > 0:09:35are feeling the squeeze. This is a budget that choose the Chancellor is
0:09:35 > 0:09:39either blind to what is going on or he is behaving like a frightened
0:09:39 > 0:09:41rabbit caught in the headlights.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43Ian Blackford and debate on the budget continues
0:09:43 > 0:09:44for another four days.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46Well, the big moment on a Wednesday is usually
0:09:46 > 0:09:47Prime Minister's Questions.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51On Budget Day, though, it is merely a curtain-raiser for the Chancellor.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54But despite second billing, PMQs did deliver a surprise of its own -
0:09:54 > 0:09:56the Leader of the Opposition's six questions are almost
0:09:56 > 0:10:00always a Brexit-free zone, but not this time.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11Mr Speaker, the Irish Prime Minister who has discussed Brexit with the
0:10:11 > 0:10:14British government says sometimes it doesn't seem like they have got all
0:10:14 > 0:10:21this through. So can the Prime Minister reassure him by clearly
0:10:21 > 0:10:28outlining the government's policy on the Irish border?We are very clear,
0:10:28 > 0:10:32first of all that in relation to the movement of people the Common travel
0:10:32 > 0:10:38area will continue to operate as it has done since 1923, and on trade
0:10:38 > 0:10:41and movement of goods across the border we will not see a hard border
0:10:41 > 0:10:50being introduced. We have been very clear.Yesterday, the Foreign
0:10:50 > 0:10:54Secretary said there could be no border, that would be unthinkable,
0:10:54 > 0:10:59and that may be but they have had 17 months to come up with an answer to
0:10:59 > 0:11:03this question and that is still no answer to the question because they
0:11:03 > 0:11:08have not engaged with the negotiations properly.We have been
0:11:08 > 0:11:11engaged fully in the negotiations in relation to Northern Ireland and
0:11:11 > 0:11:18other issues, and indeed significant progress has been made, and that is
0:11:18 > 0:11:23why for example I have said that we have got agreement on the operation
0:11:23 > 0:11:29of the Common travel area for the future. He says we haven't put
0:11:29 > 0:11:33forward any ideas about the board that aren't actually we published a
0:11:33 > 0:11:39paper in the summer about the possible custom arrangements.The
0:11:39 > 0:11:42EU's chief negotiator said this week the UK financial sector will lose
0:11:42 > 0:11:48its current rights to trade with Europe. It seems neither EU
0:11:48 > 0:11:52negotiators nor the government have any idea where this is going. Last
0:11:52 > 0:11:59week the Brexit secretary said he would guarantee free movement for
0:11:59 > 0:12:02bankers post Brexit. Are there any other groups to whom the Prime
0:12:02 > 0:12:07Minister believes freedom of movement should apply? Nurses,
0:12:07 > 0:12:13doctors, teachers, scientists, agricultural workers, who?
0:12:13 > 0:12:18I'm very interested the honourable gentleman has found that his
0:12:18 > 0:12:22appearances at prime ministers questions have been going so well
0:12:22 > 0:12:26he's borrowed a question from the leader of the Liberal Democrats
0:12:26 > 0:12:30which he asked me last week. Perhaps the Leader of the Opposition should
0:12:30 > 0:12:34pay a little more attention to what happens in Prime Minister 's
0:12:34 > 0:12:39questions. We have been absolutely clear that we will be introducing
0:12:39 > 0:12:41new immigration laws and as we introduce those we will take account
0:12:41 > 0:12:47of the needs of the petition economy in doing so that is why my friend
0:12:47 > 0:12:52Mike the Home Secretary has asked the migration advisory committee to
0:12:52 > 0:12:58advise those areas where we need to pay attention to migration. We want
0:12:58 > 0:13:02to get on to deal with the question of the future trading relationship
0:13:02 > 0:13:08that we have with the European Union but we also... I am also optimistic
0:13:08 > 0:13:12about the opportunities that will be available to this country and about
0:13:12 > 0:13:17the deal they can get from the negotiations we are having. The
0:13:17 > 0:13:20honourable gentleman can't even decide whether he wants to be in the
0:13:20 > 0:13:26single customs union or out of it, he needs to get his act together.
0:13:26 > 0:13:31Isn't the truth this government has no energy, no agreed plan and no
0:13:31 > 0:13:36strategy to deliver a good Brexiter Britain?I'm optimistic about our
0:13:36 > 0:13:41future. I'm optimistic about the success we can make of Brexited. I'm
0:13:41 > 0:13:45optimistic about the well-paid jobs that will be created. I'm optimistic
0:13:45 > 0:13:49about the homes we will build. That is Conservatives building a Britain
0:13:49 > 0:13:55fit for the future.Canny Brahman is to tell the house how many jobs have
0:13:55 > 0:14:00been lost this week with the departure of the European medicines
0:14:00 > 0:14:07authority and the European banking authority from London?We are seeing
0:14:07 > 0:14:10those particular two agencies leave the United Kingdom and go elsewhere
0:14:10 > 0:14:15in the EU. When he talks about the number of jobs being created we have
0:14:15 > 0:14:22seen under this government 3 million jobs being created. That is a record
0:14:22 > 0:14:24I would've thought he would be to welcome.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26You're watching Wednesday in Parliament, with me,
0:14:26 > 0:14:32Alicia McCarthy.
0:14:32 > 0:14:34The UK could be facing an "epidemic" of opiod abuse.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37That was the warning from an MP following thousands of deaths
0:14:37 > 0:14:40in the United States linked to the synthetic opiod, fentanyl,
0:14:40 > 0:14:45a painkiller many times stronger then heroin.
0:14:45 > 0:14:51The threat was raised in a debate in Westminster Hall.
0:14:51 > 0:14:55The epidemic of drug overdoses in America is killing people at almost
0:14:55 > 0:15:02double the rate of both firearm and motor vehicle related deaths.
0:15:02 > 0:15:07Between 1999 and 2015 it is estimated that fentanyl and it's to
0:15:07 > 0:15:10River Teise have killed approximately 300,000 people in the
0:15:10 > 0:15:16US during that time. These numbers are of virtual biblical proportions.
0:15:16 > 0:15:25My concerns are... When the US sneezes the UK catches a cold so I
0:15:25 > 0:15:31am concerned we may be on the brink of a fentanyl outbreak here.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34But Mr Mackinlay opposed any liberalisation of current drug laws.
0:15:34 > 0:15:41I feel that we should be upping our game in three strands of work. That
0:15:41 > 0:15:45is education in schools, colleges and universities. I'd like to see
0:15:45 > 0:15:50significantly increased sentences for drug supply. And I feel that we
0:15:50 > 0:15:56should be giving some thought now, as we cope or potentially have to
0:15:56 > 0:16:00cope with fentanyl and similar lethal derivatives. Perhaps by
0:16:00 > 0:16:06creating a new class, a double-A class of these really truly lethal
0:16:06 > 0:16:07drugs.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09Other speakers recognised the threat, but a former
0:16:09 > 0:16:11Justice Minister said the so-called war on drugs had been
0:16:11 > 0:16:15an unmitigated disaster.
0:16:15 > 0:16:20So, I say to my honourable friend, instead of doubling down on a
0:16:20 > 0:16:23failing policy and demanding yet more higher sentences for particular
0:16:23 > 0:16:29parts of the supply chain... The failing policy, an example he gave,
0:16:29 > 0:16:33has led to the highest level of opioid drug deaths since records
0:16:33 > 0:16:38began. We should be learning from decriminalisation and public health
0:16:38 > 0:16:42approaches in other countries. In Portugal for example where the
0:16:42 > 0:16:49possession of small amount of drugs has been decriminalised since 2001,
0:16:49 > 0:16:53step well short of licensing and regulation, usage rates are amongst
0:16:53 > 0:16:59the lowest in Europe.Let's treat it as a health issue not a criminal
0:16:59 > 0:17:02justice issue. Let's accept across our country the principle of safer
0:17:02 > 0:17:08drug consumption rooms. They are already saving lives in eight
0:17:08 > 0:17:12European countries. In Canada, Australia it is endorsed by the BMA.
0:17:12 > 0:17:18No one dies of an overdose in a drug consumption room. Let's accept that
0:17:18 > 0:17:23evidence and apply it in this country before we continue the
0:17:23 > 0:17:27carnage of loss of life that we are experiencing now.Regulation doesn't
0:17:27 > 0:17:33mean a free for all where drugs are available. Current laws have already
0:17:33 > 0:17:37achieved via. We have to take the control away from the Chronicle
0:17:37 > 0:17:42fraternity. The war on drugs has killed innocent and made the guilty
0:17:42 > 0:17:47rich. It has destroyed communities and compound of the difficulties
0:17:47 > 0:17:51faced in addressing addiction problems. The UK government spends
0:17:51 > 0:17:561.6 alien pounds a year and drug law enforcement and as was pointed out
0:17:56 > 0:18:00earlier and even the government know their drug policy has failed.The
0:18:00 > 0:18:05minister cannot come before us today and honestly believe his government
0:18:05 > 0:18:10are improving services and seriously addressing this issue when they are
0:18:10 > 0:18:13overseeing such a significant cuts that are rolling back provision and
0:18:13 > 0:18:13addiction services.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16Replying the minister said an ambitious drugs strategy had been
0:18:16 > 0:18:18unveiled earlier this year.
0:18:18 > 0:18:24Deaths linked to fentanyl contaminated heroin have been seen
0:18:24 > 0:18:29in parts of the UK and he gave us a graphic illustration of the impact
0:18:29 > 0:18:33in certain parts of the US which I agree with him is extremely
0:18:33 > 0:18:36worrying. These underline the importance of vigilance and strong
0:18:36 > 0:18:40enforcement action by the police and National Crime Agency as well as
0:18:40 > 0:18:42accessible treatment and the availability of life-saving
0:18:42 > 0:18:42treatments.
0:18:43 > 0:18:44Philip Dunne.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46Five people with disabilities and long-term illnesses have been
0:18:46 > 0:18:47sharing the difficulties they've experienced when
0:18:47 > 0:18:49applying for benefits.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52The Work and Pensions Committee is examining the assessment process
0:18:52 > 0:18:56for Employment and Support Allowance and Personal Independence Payments,
0:18:56 > 0:19:04for people with disabilities and long-term illnesses.
0:19:04 > 0:19:09I got run over by a car and had major nerve damage in my left leg.
0:19:09 > 0:19:16It has caused me a disability. I have got a fused hip. I went to a
0:19:16 > 0:19:20tribunal, was only scored seven points, and then I got reassessed
0:19:20 > 0:19:21within three weeks and was granted PIP.
0:19:21 > 0:19:26Amanda Browning was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome in 2008.
0:19:26 > 0:19:33When I first applied for benefits, it was 2009 and I've had half a
0:19:33 > 0:19:40dozen plus assessments. My last two have been very difficult. ESA
0:19:40 > 0:19:51assessment I had in 2016 initially I was taken off benefits. And I won my
0:19:51 > 0:19:56appeal in 2017 and put back on.I've got multiple sclerosis. I've had it
0:19:56 > 0:20:03since 1993. And I was receiving Disability Living Allowance at the
0:20:03 > 0:20:04higher rate for both.
0:20:04 > 0:20:09She was reassessed when DLA was replaced by PIP.
0:20:09 > 0:20:14I received high rate mobility standard rate care.
0:20:14 > 0:20:18Denise Martin hasn't worked since 2011.
0:20:18 > 0:20:25I also, like my colleague, moved over from DLA to PIP last year and I
0:20:25 > 0:20:32lost my mobility element. I didn't say sorry I've got fibromyalgia,
0:20:32 > 0:20:39bipolar and spinal issues.And the childhood Cancer survivor with dual
0:20:39 > 0:20:46sensory loss. I previously lived in Northern Ireland for many years. And
0:20:46 > 0:20:51I didn't have any difficulties with my benefits there. I received DLA
0:20:51 > 0:21:00and ESA. When I moved over here, I applied for ESA and PIPs. I applied
0:21:00 > 0:21:07for both of those in January of this year. And the process for both of
0:21:07 > 0:21:11them was extremely frustrating and very disappointing, a lot of
0:21:11 > 0:21:12problems, different problems with both of them.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16Then it was the turn of MPs to introduce themselves.
0:21:16 > 0:21:24Frank Field.I'm really sorry for being late, the trains were awful.
0:21:24 > 0:21:28Can we accept Heidi's apology because if she was sent to a
0:21:28 > 0:21:32Jobcentre... She would have been sanctioned.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34Turning to the application process, Frank Field asked
0:21:34 > 0:21:38about filling the forms in.
0:21:38 > 0:21:43How many of you sought help and what sort of help did you get?I sought
0:21:43 > 0:21:50help. I looked at it and cried. It was so daunting to be frightened
0:21:50 > 0:21:51about what to put down.
0:21:51 > 0:21:52After the application comes the assessment.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54Natalie McGinn sid she was "absolutely appalled"
0:21:54 > 0:21:59by her PIP assessor.
0:21:59 > 0:22:07It was very, very obvious to me that the assessor had no deaf awareness.
0:22:07 > 0:22:12She didn't strike me as being very professional and having very good
0:22:12 > 0:22:17disability awareness. She didn't seem to be very understanding or
0:22:17 > 0:22:22experienced of the difficulties that I had.The problems I've had with
0:22:22 > 0:22:27ESA, she was always smiling, she was almost like a smiling assassin. She
0:22:27 > 0:22:37was saying I was here to help you, to do this and do that. I was pushed
0:22:37 > 0:22:40into the examination room in a wheelchair. She then said I could
0:22:40 > 0:22:50walk 50 metres.I endeavoured to work most of my life. This isn't a
0:22:50 > 0:22:58choice that we make easily. It is all stacked against us, you know?
0:22:58 > 0:23:00And predominantly I've a mental illness that affects me quite
0:23:00 > 0:23:04severely. It's really, really tough.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07In his budget the Chancellor said he and the Environment Secretary,
0:23:07 > 0:23:10Michael Gove would look at how the taxes and charges could be used
0:23:10 > 0:23:11to reduce plastic waste.
0:23:11 > 0:23:15It follows the introduction of a 5p charge on single use carrier bags,
0:23:15 > 0:23:20which is credited with driving down use by 85%.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23Now there are calls to bring in a levy on plastic drinks bottles
0:23:23 > 0:23:27and disposable coffee cups.
0:23:27 > 0:23:36In the Lords, Peers reckoned that couldn't come too soon.
0:23:36 > 0:23:41Did you see the alarming findings of the BBC's programme into the
0:23:41 > 0:23:47disposable plastics and the effects described in the teller? Blue planet
0:23:47 > 0:23:50programme on marine life? What advice is the government giving to
0:23:50 > 0:23:55local authorities and others to deal more creatively with the disposable
0:23:55 > 0:24:00of plastics and the replacement of plastics by materials that can be
0:24:00 > 0:24:05recycled more easily?My Lords, I didn't have the privilege of seeing
0:24:05 > 0:24:09that particular programme although I hear it was extremely good so I
0:24:09 > 0:24:13regret not seeing it. The noble Lord is right to focus attention on some
0:24:13 > 0:24:17of the challenges that are being faced. We are improving our position
0:24:17 > 0:24:21as a nation. There is much to do. We are in favour of upping the targets
0:24:21 > 0:24:28that are being looked at. And not yet announced to what that will be,
0:24:28 > 0:24:32that improvement. 60% is the target but that will be upped. He's right
0:24:32 > 0:24:37about the problem with marine challenges which is something we are
0:24:37 > 0:24:40looking at and also black plastic two which is a particular problem
0:24:40 > 0:24:44which we have a working group looking at.Could the Minister say
0:24:44 > 0:24:47something about the millions of plastic bottles that can't be
0:24:47 > 0:24:50recycled and are being put into waste? Can't we have positive action
0:24:50 > 0:24:57to cut down the number of plastic bottles? They are a disgrace.The
0:24:57 > 0:25:02noble Lord will be aware of the Chancellor has announced we will be
0:25:02 > 0:25:06looking at how we can tackle the particular problem perhaps through
0:25:06 > 0:25:10taxation in relation to single use plastics. In relation to bottles
0:25:10 > 0:25:16come there is a challenge there. We beat ourselves up to much. In 2000,
0:25:16 > 0:25:2313,000 tonnes of plastic wattles were recycled. In 2016, that was
0:25:23 > 0:25:26343,000 tonnes. There is much to do but we are on track my Lords.
0:25:26 > 0:25:30And that's it from me for now, but do join me at the same time
0:25:30 > 0:25:33tomorrow for another round up of the day at Westminster as that
0:25:33 > 0:25:43budget debate continues, but for now from me, goodbye.