House of Lords
Parliament

Former deputy assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Lord Paddick, argues it is up to the people to decide "through a referendum" the outcome of any negotiations with the EU. 

On security, he says "essential cooperation with the EU cannot be achieved without ceding sovereignty", contradicting the Leave campaign's claim that Britain can be secure and reclaim sovereignty. 

He says that the UK will have to remain part of the European Court of Justice in order to remain part of some security and crime agreements.

Image source, David Davis holds talks with Lithuanian leader Saulius Skvernelis

Brexit Secretary David Davis is on a tour of the Baltic States.

He met Lithuania Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis earlier on Tuesday and later will meet with his Estonian counterpart Matti Maasikas.

Writing in Estonian newspaper Postimees, external, Mr Davis remarked upon the close military, economic and cultural links between the two countries and said he believed they would continue after the UK's exit from the EU.

On the issue of the future status of the 15,000 Estonians living in the UK after Brexit, he wrote.

House of Lords
Parliament

It would be a "double assault to democracy" to override the voice of the public and the elected chamber, says Lord Maude of Horsham.

He claims that Brexit "offers opportunity, not certainty", acknowledging that much of the opportunity will come as a result of negotiations. 

He says he hopes that economic self-interest of the EU will prevail over any attempt to harm the UK. 

Select Committee
Parliament

Labour's Heidi Alexander asks Joseph Meirion Thomas the extent of what he claims is the abuse of the EHIC card. 

He's told the committee that for many migrants the "first thing" they do is apply for a UK EHIC card. This would enable the UK to be charged for medical treatment in foreign countries.

He replies he has "no idea" of numbers, but "I know that it's extremely common". He says Overseas Visitor Officers in hospitals, the people tasked with chasing up payment for treatment from foreign users of the NHS, tell him so.

Heidi Alexander says that he's made a "sweeping statement" without anything to back it up.

In 2015, the NHS admitted that the system was vulnerable to abuse, but believed that the scale was limited.

House of Lords
Parliament

Peers are debating the Brexit bill again this afternoon, and Lord Darling of Roulanish, chancellor under Gordon Brown, is one of the first to speak.

He calls for the government to be "grown up" about Brexit. 

In reference to negotiations with the EU, he says that there will be a need for rational conversations over issues relating to migration and security. The government white paper laid out broad ideas, but the 27 remaining EU members will have different ideas, he says.

He also claims that a trade deal with the US should not be seen as an "alternative" to the EU, saying "if someone is going to come first, someone has to come second".

He therefore believes that those who wanted to remain in the EU should not "sit down and be quiet" giving the government a "blank cheque", but to act as a rational voice.

Select Committee
Parliament

Image source, Unknown

The first part of today's Health Committee hearing has centred around the EHIC, the European Health Insurance Card. 

The card enables EU and EEA residents to be treated in hospitals in any other EU or EEA country at no cost. Former surgeon and NHS "health tourism" whistleblower Joseph Meirion Thomas tells the committee that he believes the EHIC card needs to be ended after Brexit.

When asked about the potential effects for British people travelling into Europe post-Brexit, he says that most people already buy travel insurance so "what difference does it make?" 

"I buy my travel insurance by the year, and it's very reasonable," he adds.

House of Lords
Parliament

Conservative Lord Tebbit complains that new cycling routes means it takes an hour to get from Westminster to Tower Bridge by car thereby creating more air pollution.

"Get on yer bike," advises an off-camera peer quoting Lord Tebbit's advice to the unemployed when he was a minister in 1980s.

It is impertinent, Lord Tebbit replies, to expect people of his age to cycle on London roads.

Take the district line, suggests Lord Gardiner.

House of Lords
Parliament

Image source, PA

The last question comes from Lord Bishop of St Albans on what action the government plans to take to deal with levels of air pollution in cities.

Government spokesman Lord Gardiner of Kimble says the government will produce new plans on tackling pollution from nitrogen dioxide in April as well as implementing clean air zones. 

House of Lords
Parliament

Baroness Randerson asks how the government will ensure that more safety features are added to lorries.

Lord Ahmad replies that since July of last year new lorries are equipped with safety mirrors giving the driver a better view of the roads. 

House of Lords
Parliament

Image source, AFP

Labour's Lord Young of Norwood Green uses his question to ask what plans the government has to encourage more women to cycle.

Transport Minister Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon says the government has committed £300m for cycling initiatives over five years including programmes to encourage more women to cycle. 

Lord Young expresses concern that people may be put off by reports of cyclist deaths in London. 

House of Lords
Parliament

Conservative Baroness Jenkin asks if the UK will help to mitigate the impact of US's new policy.

The Netherlands is setting up an international fund to support abortion services hit by the cut in US foreign aid.  

We have to remain calm, says Lord Bates, adding that the gag rule has been implemented before.

He notes that the US is the largest aid donor and that it would be best to work with them.

Image source, PA

It is reported today by the Spectator's Steerpike column, external that Jeremy Corbyn refers to his close aide Seamus Milne as "TGM" which apparently stands for "the great Milne". 

The Labour leader's director of communications refers to him as "TSL" which it is said stands for "the supreme leader".   

Image source, AFP

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has warned the UK it faces a "very hefty" bill for Brexit.

He promised two years of "tough negotiation", when discussions on leaving terms get under way between the government and the European Union.

Exit will not come "at a discount or at zero cost", he said in a speech to the European Parliament.

Reports suggest the UK could have to pay the EU up to 60 billion euros (£51bn) after Brexit talks start. Read more

Image source, PA

What more did we learn from this morning's lobby briefing?

Tuesday's cabinet lasted more than an hour and the main subject was a discussion of how the Union could be strengthened as the UK embarks upon Brexit.

Downing Street has also defended the proposed changes to business rates in England although it is not clear whether they were raised in cabinet.

No 10 said there had been "some confusion" about the proposals from Communities Secretary Sajid Javid - pointing out that 1.3 million businesses would pay the same or less than now as opposed to 510,000 which would pay more. 

"At the heart of these changes is a fundamental point about fairness, based on property prices at the tail end of the financial crash," a spokesman said. "This change will mean lower rateable values for areas that have struggled in recent years."    

House of Lords
Parliament

The Lords are back - and they start with a question from Lib Dem Baroness Barker on the US government reinstating the global gag rule.

The gag rule prevents overseas organisations from receiving US aid if they offer information on or provide abortion.

International Development Minister Lord Bates replies that the UK government is committed to evidence based polices on reproductive rights including providing safe abortions.

House of Commons
Parliament

The House agrees to the government amendment allowing the freezing of the assets of people implicated in human rights abuse abroad.

MPs are now considering a series of amendments strengthening the system of Suspicious Activity Reports, the way financial institutions flag up potential instances of money laundering or fraud to the authorities to allow investigation.

Image source, PA

Mr Macron's visit was the focus of questioning at the morning's Downing Street lobby briefing.

Asked whether Mrs May had personally invited the French centre-left politician, her spokesman said: "He is in London, and we have been able to accommodate him."

Downing Street was at pains to point out that a visit by a presidential candidate was not unprecedented, Nicolas Sarkozy having met Tony Blair in 2007. 

Pressed on whether Marine Le Pen, the Front Nationale's candidate, would be following suit in the coming months, he replied: "The government has a long standing policy that we don't meet the Front Nationale."