Image source, Conservative Party

Earlier, the Federation of Small Businesses said it was eagerly awaiting the announcement of the new Small Business Commissioner.

The business group's wait is over, as it has been confirmed that Paul Uppal, the former Conservative MP for Wolverhampton South West, will take on the role.

The party says Mr Uppal's job will "empower small businesses" and be "crucial to supporting small businesses resolve disputes with larger businesses and will help drive a culture change in payment practices".

Mr Uppal said: "Running your own business can be a very lonely experience and my priority will be ensuring small firms feel supported, as well as helping to create an overall impression that business isn't necessarily cut throat."

The Business Secretary praises the UK economy for being "extraordinarily good at creating jobs", saying: "We are the jobs capital of the world."

But, echoing the remarks of the Chancellor Philip Hammond this morning, he says the UK is "nowhere near being the earnings capital of the world".

"We generate less capital for our efforts. We have to work longer hours to get the same rewards."

If capitalism doesn't work for everyone, he declares, it doesn't work.

Chris Grayling continues a clear theme which has developed today: warning that Labour wants "to turn the clock back" while the Conservatives offer "an enterprise-driven nation".

His ends his speech with the words: "It is a battle we have to win.”

Chris Grayling says he is proud to be the Transport Secretary who committed to a third runway at Heathrow.

"Our plan is to give it the full go-ahead in the first half of next year," he adds.

"We need the private sector to use its skills to unleash the potential of the north and to support the development of the Northern Powerhouse," Chris Grayling says.

"This is the bit that Jeremy Corbyn and his Momentum socialists will never understand. We need a strong private sector, working in partnership with national and local government in the Northern Powerhouse."

The transport secretary says rail privatisation reversed "years of decline" but Jeremy Corbyn wants to return to "the days of British Rail - those 'glory days' when lines were closed and services axed".

As well mocking "the famously awful British Rail sandwiches", Mr Grayling says Labour are seeking to "behave like the government of Venezuela".

"It has taken Conservatives to build a modern transport system in this country," Chris Grayling says.

He announces an "£80m programme to bring smart ticketing, using mobile phones, barcodes and smartcards across almost all of the rail network by the end of next year".

He adds: "It’s what passengers want. And we will deliver it.”

"My heart goes out" to the passengers and crew of collapsed airline Monarch, Chris Grayling says.

The government is organising "the biggest civilian repatriation exercise this country has seen in peacetime" to bring back 10,000 people from their holidays, he adds.

The transport secretary insists Monarch is "the victim of the success of other airlines" rather than a sign of wider problems in the UK aviation industry.

Chancellor Philip Hammond says "bring on" the fight with Labour "dinosaurs" over capitalism.

The Northern Powerhouse Minister, Jake Berry starts his speech on a personal note, revealing that three generations of his family worked in and around Albert Dock in Liverpool.

He recalls how the Albert Dock area went into decline and was left "vacant, unloved, every window smashed".

But it was returned to its Victorian splendour, he says, thanks to the Conservative minister Michael Heseltine.

He says it's "living proof" that it is only the Conservative Party who will lay aside political differences for the North.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling begins his speech with his own post-mortem of the general election.

"I know how hard you all worked," he says to party members.

"It know how disappointing it was that your hard work didn't always deliver the results that we wanted."

However, he adds, the Conservatives are still in government and face "the most left-wing" and "extreme" opposition the country has ever seen.

He gets applause for saying the party needs to unite behind Theresa May.

Those struggling to pay their bills will get quicker support after criticism of payment delays.

Think tank the Centre for Cities has welcomed the chancellor's announcement of £300m for rail improvements in the north of England.

“Connections between big northern cities like Manchester and Leeds are among the slowest in the UK, so this investment is overdue," said chief executive Andrew Carter.

"The chancellor’s announcement is also welcome confirmation of the government’s continued commitment to the Northern Powerhouse initiative, and demonstrates the increasing influence of the northern metro mayors, who have helped to put this issue at the top of the national political agenda.

“However, to make the most of improved train links, it is crucial that national and local leaders also focus on strengthening transport within cities like Manchester and Leeds, and boosting the skills levels of people living in these places."

James Landale
Diplomatic correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Opposition politicians called on the government to intervene and speak out. The Lib Dem leader Vince Cable called for the Spanish ambassador to be summoned.

But the Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, merely tweeted that the referendum was a matter for Spain, its constitution should be respected, and the country was a close ally and good friend.

He did admit to Reuters that he was "worried" about the violence but there was no actual condemnation.

Now this is hardly surprising. The British government, of course, has had to deal with its own independence referendum in recent years and may be unwilling to do anything to encourage or provoke the Scottish National Party that has been on the back foot of late.

But also, as the Brexit negotiations progress, the UK has no desire to provoke a European ally unnecessarily. There is no national interest in upsetting Madrid, whose support Theresa May will need in the months and years ahead.

Read more from James.

Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable has accused Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson of "a shameful dereliction of duty" and urged him to "condemn the Spanish government" over violence surrounding Catalonia's independence referendum.

"A true ally would call out this excessive and counter-productive approach and call on the Spanish authorities to change course," he said.

"It shows how weak this government has become that it is desperate not to upset the government of an EU country that could veto the final Brexit deal.

"Instead of this craven approach, Britain should be leading calls for a mediated settlement and European response to this crisis.

"The UK and Scottish government solved a political dispute through a peaceful referendum, the Spanish government should look to this example."

A rare occurrence at a party conference....just before 3:10pm a short break was announced in the conference hall because proceedings are "running ahead of time".

Mr Gove also announced that the government were looking "to go further to reduce plastic waste" by working with industry to introduce a deposit return scheme for plastic bottles.

"We can hand on our planet in a cleaner, greener and healthier state to the next generation," says Michael Gove, closing his speech.

"Our nation can lead again," he tells the hall.

And, echoing Philip Hammond's call to look to the future and not repeat the past, he adds: "It is our responsibility, our duty, our mission to show what Britain can do and lead the way to renewal."

Environment Secretary Michael Gove says that the government has "shown immediate leadership" by banning the sale of new diesel and petrol cars from 2040 and introducing a charge for plastic bags.

To applause, he adds that the government will legislate "to increase punishments for the most horrific acts of animal cruelty to five year sentences".

The maximum sentence of six months must be increased "to show we will not tolerate evil".