House of Commons
Parliament

Avid campaigner against Heathrow expansion Zac Goldsmith says that in his view "there is not a single air quality expert or organisation" who believes that Heathrow expansion and meeting air quality targets can be reconciled.

The Daily Politics

Shadow international development secretary Mary Creagh says she'd put money on the government not reaching a decision on airport expansion by the end of the year - as David Cameron has promised. "How much?" presenter Andrew Neil is quick to ask. "£100," she says to gasps. Andrew says he'll bet her a fiver. Deal agreed. Tune back in on 17 December...

House of Commons
Parliament

SNP Transport Spokesperson Drew Hendry says that the SNP have no objections to the recommendations of the report. 

He asks if the government will end the "here today gone tomorrow" services that have historically been experienced by the people of Scotland by ensuring greater connectivity to Scottish airports.

House of Commons
Parliament

Shadow Transport Secretary Michael Dugher says that there must be action if the UK is to retain its status as Europe's "most important aviation hub".

Mr Dugher urges the government not to "kick this issue into the long grass" and says that internal Conservative Party politics must not take precedence over the good of the country. He helpfully says that the Secretary of State has his sympathies in dealing with divisions in the Conservative party on this issue.

The Daily Politics

On Sir Howard Davies's report, BBC political editor Nick Robinsons says he's made it harder for the PM than he might have hoped - as the detail of the report "basically says it's got to be Heathrow". We learnt two things from PMQs, he adds: that the government's decision on the report will be taken by the end of the year and that Labour will back him on Heathrow. If he doesn't follow the report's recommendations, it will enable Labour to accuse the PM of putting party interests above the national interest, Nick adds. 

The Daily Politics

Is there any change in government policy on counter-extremism? None at all, BBC political editor Nick Robinson says.

What is extraordinary is how little discussion there is about foreign policy, he goes on to say. Essentially the last Parliament took a decision to do very little on foreign policy, Nick says. The PM tries arguing that the UK is the second biggest contributor to air strikes on IS after the US, but this amounts to about 6%, which is "not the sort of role 10 or 15 years ago you'd have expected the UK to play," he adds.

If the PM wanted to up the ante and extend air strikes to Syria, would he need to recall Parliament to do that? Yes, he's made clear Parliament would be given a vote, Nick says. He recalls Parliament's rejection of Syria air strikes back in 2013, saying it was a significant moment. It's now more complicated legally and politically, Nick adds.

House of Commons
Parliament

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin finishes his statement by saying that this is "a vital moment for the future of our aviation industry". He says that people expect the government to react decisively, and tells the House "we must act".

Emily Craig
Political analyst

The PM says child poverty fell under the previous Coalition government. A child is officially living in poverty if their household’s income is less than 60% of the average (median). In 2010/11, 18% of children were living in poverty – a figure which has remained relatively stable, dropping to 17% in the last couple of years. However, as the government itself has pointed out, child poverty (measured relatively) tends to fall during a recession because average income is lower.

According to the latest official figures, external, there are 2.3 million children living in poverty in the UK. The government looks set to miss the target (enshrined in the Child Poverty Act) of eradicating child poverty by 2020.

House of Commons
Parliament

Prime Minister's Questions has finished for another week, and the business of the chamber now moves on to a statement by Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin regarding the airports commission report., external

Conservative MP Zac Goldsmith brings the session back to airports expansion. The PM will have to make a decision, he says, asking what assurances David Cameron can give to Londoners who stand to be affected by a third Heathrow runway. Mr Cameron pays tribute to his campaigning on the issue and vows that the "very thorough report" will get "properly studied" - as he defends his decision not to give his opinion on it yet.

Time now for a characteristically boisterous question from Labour veteran Dennis Skinner (known as the 'Beast of Bolsover'), on miners' jobs. As his voice gets hoarser and he jabs his finger in the PM's direction he's cut off by Speaker John Bercow who seems to struggle to call Order. David Cameron, responding, says "it's very good to see the Labour Party in full voice cheering on Jurassic Park", adding: "I'd stick to the movie."

Conservative MP Jack Lopresti takes the prime minister to task over defence spending, asking David Cameron whether he feels comfortable ringfencing international aid spending but not committing to continuing to meet the Nato target of spending 2% of national income on defence. "It is damaging the relationship with the UK and risking credibility with Nato allies," the MP warns. Mr Cameron says the government has met the target in every year - and says the defence budget will be set out in the forthcoming autumn statement.

Another SNP MP, another question on English votes for English laws. But Chris Law is cut short in his question "as we've got the gist of it", Speaker John Bercow intervenes to say. Mr Cameron again defends the government's position.

House of Commons
Parliament

Will the PM stand by Lancashire Country Council's decision to block a fracking application, a Labour backbencher asks. "These are decisions that must be taken by local authorities," David Cameron replies, before restating his support for fracking.