Summary

  • David Cameron rejects Harriet Harman claims he is "gloating" in Prime Minister's Questions

  • Mr Cameron says MPs will get to debate allowing 16 and 17-year-olds an EU referendum vote

  • Chancellor George Osborne outlines new spending rules at Mansion House dinner

  • He also says he intends to begin the process of selling off the government's stake in the Royal Bank of Scotland

Live Reporting

Pippa Simm, Alex Hunt and Gavin Stamp

  1. 'Honoured' by appointment

    Baroness Anelay

    Baroness Anelay has been appointed as the prime minister's special representative on preventing sexual violence in conflict, it has been announced. The Conservative peer and Foreign Office minister said she was "honoured" to be given the role, which was previously held by former foreign secretary William Hague, who retired at the election. 

    I am looking forward to working with civil society, governments, international organisations and survivors to ensure that we drive forward the campaign to end sexual violence in conflict once and for all.”

  2. Flags exchanged

    Commons Leader Chris Grayling (right) and US House of Representatives Majority Leader Kevin McCarthyUK Parliament

    Here is a picture from a "flag exchange" that took place to show the close ties between the UK and the United States.

    In the Speaker's House, Commons Leader Chris Grayling and US House of Representatives Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy swapped a 24-foot union flag, which usually flies over the Palace of Westminster in the winter, for a stars and stripes flown over the Capitol in Washington.

    Mr Grayling said:

    I think it’s a great sign of the ties that do exist, have existed and always should continue to exist between our two countries. I’m delighted we’re doing this. I hope our two Houses will continue to exchange expertise, knowledge and friendship.”

  3. 'Unexpected side effects'

    The chair of the Migration Advisory Committee has said it is worth reviewing the system for skilled migration from outside the EU but the impact on productivity must be considered.

    "You can definitely get migration down but you're always got to have an eye on whether there would be unexpected side effects to do with productivity and the effectiveness of the economy," said Professor Sir David Metcalf.

    The PM has tasked the committee with looking at a range of ways to reduce non-EU skilled migration. It is due to report back to parliament on proposals for a salary threshold by July, and other measures by December.

  4. Obama 'wrong' on UK EU exit

    David Cameron and Barack Obama at the G7 summit in BavariaAFP/Getty Images

    US President Barack Obama was wrong to urge the UK not to leave the European Union, says Nile Gardiner, director of the Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom at the Heritage Foundation in Washington.

    The president said last week that the US was "very much looking forward" to Britain staying in the EU.  

    In an article for CapX, Gardiner criticises the administration's "blatant attempt to influence thinking in Britain" on the subject, saying the intervention was "unprecedented".

    Britain has nothing to fear from Brexit, and so much to gain from the restoration of national sovereignty, trade freedom, and liberation from increasingly burdensome EU regulations that suffocate economic freedom, while giving Europe’s competitors an edge. Whether or not Britain leaves the European Union will be decided by the British people, and not by Downing Street, the White House, or by bureaucrats sitting in the European Commission."

  5. 'Living in cars'

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    People are living in their cars due to a shortage of affordable homes and benefit changes, a Labour MP has claimed in the Commons.

    Speaking during an opposition day debate on housing, Debbie Abrahams said there were 1.4 million families on the waiting list for a social home and that affordable house building was at a 20-year low.

    "In Oldham, in my constituency, people are living in cars as a result of this and of benefit changes," she told MPs.

    Replying for the government, Communities Secretary Greg Clark said Labour's record in office on housing had been poor, and added:

    When it comes to Oldham, to Greater Manchester, I hope you will welcome the Greater Manchester agreement and the city deal that explicitly created a housing fund for Greater Manchester, to allow the people of Manchester, the leaders of Manchester, to invest in more homes for Greater Manchester. That is a big step in the right direction."

  6. Final offer?

    Pollster tweets...

  7. Tory MEP's EU migrant quota call

    David Campbell-BannermanPIC

    Conservative MP David Campbell-Bannerman has called for quotas on European Union migrants as well as other foreign nationals.

    Mr Campbell-Bannerman, co-chair of Conservatives for Britain and a former deputy leader of UKIP, says border controls must be part of David Cameron's renegotiation of Britain's relationship with Europe.

    His comments come after the PM announced plans to tighten rules on non-EU migrants coming to the UK.

  8. Less business friendly?

    Picture of a welderPA

    Some more reaction to the PM's immigration proposals, which manufacturers' association EEF says will lead to a "far less business-friendly immigration policy",

    Penalising employers who, when skills shortages are rife, need to look to the global talent pool to find the skills they need, is not the answer to gaining more home-grown talent. The government should instead focus its efforts on boosting our education system and pushing forward planned reforms to apprenticeships.”

    Paul Raynes, Director of policy

  9. 'Economically illiterate'

    BBC News Channel

    Douglas Carswell

    Commenting on the PM's immigration announcement, UKIP MP Douglas Carswell says it's sensible to ensure the number of work visas that the UK issues matches the skills the country needs. But he says the government's proposals will do nothing to address EU migration.

    It would be economically illiterate if we ran an immigration policy that on the one hand restricted the ability of the people with the skills that we need to come from around the world, but at the same time left in place the right of 400 million people in the EU to come here."

    He advocated an Australian-style immigration system which he said would "allow you to decide the skills you need on an annual basis".

  10. Sturgeon defends Salmond remarks

    The Huffington Post

    Alex Salmond speaking in the House of CommonsPA

    Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has defended her predecessor, Alex Salmond, after he told Small Business Minister Anna Soubry to "behave yourself, woman".

    After the exchange, which came during a Commons debate, Ms Soubry said Mr Salmond's attitude "belongs firmly in the 19th century".

    Mr Salmond has said the phrase behave yourself was a "Scottish idiom" which he had used before and was not sexist in any way.

    And Ms Sturgeon told the Huffington Post:

    I understand it was language that not everybody thinks should be used but it was in a boisterous House of Commons debate. The fundamental question, 'does that language indicate that Alex Salmond is sexist?' Absolutely not, there’s no man I know who is less sexist."

  11. Commons asbestos poses 'negligible risk'

    Fish-eye lens view of empty House of Commons chamber

    Tests have found that asbestos found in the Commons' ventilation systems "is not becoming airborne" and poses "negligible risk", MPs have been told.

    Sir Paul Beresford, the Conservative MP who represents the House of Commons Commission, says traces of asbestos were found in the "ventilation trunking" but the tests provided "high confidence that it is not becoming airborne".

    Professor R J Willey, who reviewed the evidence, said it did not pose a risk - and would be removed by the end of the year.

    Providing current conditions are maintained, there will be negligible risk to any persons supplied with air in the future from the duct system."

  12. Legal aid cuts 'regrettable'

    Reacting to the news, Criminal Bar Association chairman Tony Cross said both decisions were regrettable.

    The executive of the CBA will be discussing our response at the earliest opportunity, including further consultation with our membership. We acknowledge the Secretary of State for Justice's welcome recognition as to the critical importance of quality advocacy in our Criminal Justice System."

  13. MoJ confirms legal aid cut

    Lady Justice on top of the Old Bailey

    The Ministry of Justice has confirmed it will press ahead with a second cut to legal aid fees for criminal cases.

    The last government had planned to reduce fees for litigators in two stages, with a cut of 8.75% last year and another 8.75% this year.

    In a written ministerial statement, Legal Aid Minister Shailesh Vara said the second cut will now come into force on 1 July.

    Mr Vara also said the government would stick with plans to bring in new contracts for duty solicitors.

  14. Shady lady

    Sun political editor tweets...

  15. 'Red herring'

    The Institute of Directors has voiced concerns about the government's plans - announced at PMQ s - to tackle non-EU migration.

    Business cannot have a deaf ear to the public’s concerns on immigration. However, focusing on the supposedly lower cost of migrant labour is a red herring. Among the 50% of IoD members who hire from abroad, just 4% say that the cost of labour has anything to do with it. The fundamental concern is about finding people with the skills needed by employers.

    Simon Walker, Director

    Mr Walker also said increasing the cost of visas "is essentially a tax on employing people from abroad", and warned it could put at risk the UK economy which is "dependent" on international skills and expertise.  

  16. PMQs moments

      BBC political editor Nick Robinson's give us his  analysis  of today's Commons question time exchanges.  

    And here are some of the lighter moments:

    - A new Labour MP  queried  if David Cameron ever answered a question at PMQs

    - Mr Cameron told a newly-elected Conservative MP  he's his "new best friend"

    - There were were cheers from the Conservatives for their colleague who ousted Ed Balls in Morley and Outwood, as she asked her first question

  17. PMQs recap

    It was quite a news-generating Prime Minister's Questions this week.

    David Cameron said MPs will be given a vote on whether to extend the EU referendum franchise to 16 and 17-year-olds - something the SNP and Labour have called for, while the Tories are against it.

    The PM also unveiled measures to "significantly reduce" the scale of UK migration from outside the EU, includng restrictions on work visas, and a higher salary threshold before people are allowed here. Story to follow.

    Acting Labour leader Harriet Harman  accused David Cameron of "gloating" and "sneering"  after his election win and told him to "show a bit more class".

  18. Chibok girls: 'stain on conscience of world'

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Diane Abbott

    Diane Abbott asks the prime minister to comment about the abduction of theChibok girlsin Nigeria and says the failure to bring them all back "is a stain on the conscience of the world".

    Mr Cameron says it's all too often that there is an outpouring of grief and then the world "shrugs and moves on". He says, "I am determined that we shouldn't do it with this case. I want Britain to have a long term partnership with Nigeria."

  19. Cameron's migration announcement

    David Cameron has unveiled measures to "significantly reduce" the scale of UK migration from outside the EU.

    During prime minister's questions, he announced new restrictions on work visas, and a higher salary threshold before people are allowed into the UK.

    Home Secretary Theresa May has asked the government's Migration Advisory Committee to come up with firm proposals by the end of the year.

    Non-EU migration was 290,000 in 2014, an increase of 42,000.

  20. PM: ISIL is 'death cult'

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    David Cameron

    David Cameron is still on his feet in the Commons 90 minutes after PMQs started continuing to answer questions on the G7 summit. 

    Speaking about ISIL he says the G7 had long discussions about the group. He tells Labout leadership contender and veteran left-winger Jeremy Corbyn that they are so well armed and funded because it has become a "death cult" and has taken over a country, oil fields and money. 

    He tells Mr Corbyn he disagrees with him on the idea that ISIL has been caused by western aggression and calls it "nonsense". He goes on to say that the growth in extremist Islam happened well before the Iraq war.