Reality Check

Image source, HM Government

An interesting point from Jon Moynihan who is on the board of Vote Leave and has been speaking at the British Chambers of Commerce conference today.

He says we need to stop referring to the EU as the world's biggest tariff-free trading area, because it is only that if you include the UK.

If the UK were to leave the EU, he says, then the economy of the US would be bigger than the EU.

There is agreement on the figures behind this point, with the graphic above appearing in yesterday's paper from the government on the alternatives to EU membership.

House of Commons
Parliament

Labour's Christian Matheson raises the issue of cross-border working between the North West of England and North Wales.

He says developing better infrastructure is important for developing cross border working.

He calls for the electrification of the North Wales coast railway line.

The World at One
BBC Radio 4

House of Commons
Parliament

Labour's Gerald Jones says "Wales has been hit hard by the austerity agenda of the Tory government".

He argues that Wales is "disproportionately" affected by the so-called bedroom tax.

This refers to a change in housing benefit rules, introduced in April 2013.

Strictly speaking it is not a tax at all, but the removal of a portion of a claimants housing benefit if they are deemed to have a spare room.

The Leave.EU campaign has written to the Electoral Commission requesting '"public clarification" after the Guardian reported , externalanother Out group, Vote Leave, had written to advertising agencies claiming to be the official Leave campaign for the EU referendum.

Vote Leave and Leave.EU-backed Grassroots Out are vying to be designated the official campaign by the commission.

House of Lords
Parliament

Labour peer Lord Campbell-Savours calls Lord Kerslake's amendment the "perfect solution" to the problems he has with the bill.

It "deals with excess profit taking, provides for the discount system and if you're acting honourably you're not penalised in any way," he argues.

Lord Campbell-Savours says the government should be "seriously considering" accepting the amendment.

House of Lords
Parliament

Lord Kerslake, along with crossbench peer Lord Best and the Labour frontbench, have tabled an amendment which would require those using the first time buyer scheme to repay the 20% discount if the property is then sold.

The amount needed to be repaid would be reduced by 1% for each year of occupation by the purchaser, for a period of 20 years .

Lord Kerslake explains that "if someone chooses to leave after 10 years they would effectively pay 10% of the value based on market value at that point".

This money would then go back to the local housing association, "providing an incentive to support starter homes, creating a direct financial leak" he argues

House of Commons
Parliament

Labour's Paul Flynn calls on the government to abandon the Hinkley Point nuclear power station, which has been delayed by a year.

He argues that the scheme makes no financial sense, describing it as "one of the worst financial investments since the building of the pyramids".

He adds that the government should be investing in tidal power instead.

BBC News Channel

EU Out campaigner and Conservative MP Peter Bone is scathing about France's handling of the Calais migrant situation and David Cameron's pledge of extra cash to boost security (the PM committed £17m).

House of Lords
Parliament

Former Cabinet Secretary Lord Kerslake argues that in "areas of high demand" such as London and the south east, the government's 20% reduction for first time buyers will "only be available for high earners".

Quoting from an as yet unpublished report from housing charity Shelter, , externalhe tells peers that even with help to buy the average cost of a house in London requires a household income of £68,000 "inaccessible to 80% of private renters".

Part ownership schemes would require a household income of between £38,000 and £62,000 - inaccessible to between 68-80% of private renters.

"Who is this scheme for?" the crossbench peer asks.

Ben Wright asks David Cameron about EU

Alex Forsyth
Political correspondent

President Hollande has said there will be "consequences" for the economy and immigration if the UK voted to leave the UK.

When asked whether France would end the existing border arrangements at Calais, the French President said: "I don't want to scare you, I just want to say the truth there will be consequences if the UK is to leave the EU."

He said there would be consequences for the single market, financial trade, economic development and "...in terms of immigration there will be consequences".

President Hollande and Prime Minister David Cameron met in France for a summit and talks on security and migration.

Both leaders reiterated their shared history and commitment to working together on defence and security matters.

Regarding the EU referendum, President Hollande said: "I hope the UK remains in Europe, it is in the interests of the UK and it is in the interests of Europe but the people are as always sovereign."

David Cameron said partnerships within the EU increased the security of citizens and boosted the competitiveness of economies.

Asked whether he was "scaremongering" about the risks of Brexit he said was talking about the reality & advantages of being in a reformed EU based on his experience as Prime Minister.

He said people should heed warnings from business and world leaders and there was no conspiracy.

House of Commons
Parliament

Labour's Jessica Morden raises the issues of tolls on the Severn Bridge.

She says 12,500 people use the bridge every day. She adds that the tolls are "eye-watering".

The tolls cost range from £6.40 for cars to £19.20 for lorries.

She calls for the tolls to be "slashed" when the Bridge comes in to public ownership.

The money is collected by a private company and the funds are used to pay the construction costs of the bridges.

That debt is due to be cleared by 2018, when they revert to public ownership.

Read more about the tolls here.

House of Lords
Parliament

Peers now return to committee stage scrutiny of the Housing and Planning Bill.

First, a series of Labour amendments to set down a definition for "affordable" in plans to create more affordable housing for first time buyers.

Setting out the amendments, Labour housing minister Lord Beecham describes affordability as "an elastic concept". 

One of Labour's preferred options, he says, would be to set prices "no higher than is affordable to a household receiving the median local household income, with affordability to be determined by the relevant local authority”.

The idea of a "David Icke-style" conspiracy on EU membership is "nonsense", David Cameron says. People need to "understand some of the uncertainties about leaving the European Union", he adds. President Hollande says he does not want to scare people, but "there will be consequences" if the UK votes to leave.

House of Lords
Parliament

Responding to the debate, Environment Minister Lord Gardiner of Kimble tells peers that the "government considers it as essential that we move towards a more circular economy".

He argues that business, and not the government, will "be the key driver of change". 

But Lord Gardiner admits the government has a "leadership role to play" through "better regulation and fiscal incentives" and highlights the trade partnerships such as the Courtauld 2025, external agreement as evidence.

Image source, BBc

French president Francois Hollande is asked about his finance minister's claim that his country could end UK border controls in Calais if Britain leaves the EU.

He says it is not helpful for France to exert pressure on the British people, but adds that he cannot "deny the consequences" of a UK exit, citing membership of the single market.

President Hollande says his responsibility is to work with the UK government to tackle the migration situation.

French President Francois Hollande and David Cameron are holding a joint press conference in France, following talks on security and the migration crisis.

On the EU referendum, Mr Hollande said he hopes Britain will vote to stay in the EU, adding: