Mark D'Arcy
Parliamentary Correspondent

Daniel Kawczynski raises the funding woes of local councils facing a soaring bill for adult social care. What should they do, he asks? “Vote Labour,” shouts the other side.

A careful response from David Lidington – there are plenty of other MPs in other areas with the same problem.

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Image source, HoC

Conservative Daniel Kawczynski asks about social care funding. He says that next week Parliament will vote on the local government funding settlement, and a group of MPs representing rural constituencies are concerned about "spiralling social care costs". In his own county.

He says social care costs have increased by £10m.

Mr Lidington says the government has made an extra £2bn available in social care funding for local councils. Local authorities are currently considering whether to use their flexible funding allowances.

Mark D'Arcy
Parliamentary Correspondent

The DUP leader Nigel Dodds gets the smaller party slot this week and uses it to welcome the deal that safeguards Bombardier, which is Northern Ireland’s premier manufacturer.

The relationship with the DUP is essential to the Government’s Commons majority, so David Lidington responds with elaborate courtesy, emphasising the Prime Minister's role in securing the future of Bombardier.

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The DUP's Nigel Dodds hails the saving of thousands of jobs at Bombardier, praising work by the unions and government.

He urges ministers to "get behind manufacturing in Northern Ireland", citing outstanding decisions which they need to "get on with".

David Lidington acknowledges "how important enterprise is" in Northern Ireland of which he says "government will remain a strong supporter".

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The SNP's Angela Crawley says that the government is taxing survivors of domestic violence for using the Child Maintenance Service. She says that survivors have no choice but to use this service for matters of safety, she urges the government to scrap the tax.

Mr Lidington says there is a government consultation taking place on this, and he advises her to make representations to that.

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Conservative Steve Double asks about holiday homes which he says are a "mixed blessing" as they often avoid council tax in a way which is "unacceptable".

David Lidington responds that they "should pay the correct tax" but it is a decision for the tax valuation office.

Mark D'Arcy
Parliamentary Correspondent

Classic John Mann – his statistic about Islington getting more Arts Council funding in a year than Midlands coalfield communities like his Bassetlaw seat. It's a story that will resonate locally.

David Lidington turns the Islington connection neatly against him – is he attacking his leader Jeremy Corbyn (MP for Islington North) or Emily Thornberry (Islington South)?

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Labour's John Mann claims that "every year for over a decade", the London borough of Islington has received more Arts Council funding than former mining areas in the Midlands and the North.

He calls for this funding "iniquity" to be reversed.

In reply David Lidington says he is not sure whether the comments were directed to the MP for Islington South or Islington North - the Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

He adds that "more than half" of arts funding in England is spent outside Greater London.

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Labour's Gerard Killen raises the case of the constituent who missed out on the right to return after breaking her leg abroad and must now wait ten years to apply again meaning she cannot foster a child.

David Lidington says he'll look into the case and discuss it with the home secretary.

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Cambridge's Labour MP Daniel Zeichner says that international students are worth £20bn to the economy.

However he says the "steady increase" in students is threatened by the policies of the current government.

David Lidington replies that the UK is the second most popular destination for students in the world.

He adds that university-sponsored student visa applications are up by nearly a fifth since 2010.

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Labour's David Lammy raises the case of a 17-year-old stabbed in his constituency, saying knife crime is being driven by "gangsters and organised criminals" distributing drugs.

He asks: "Why are we cutting our Border Force, why are we cutting our police?"

David Lidington offers his "heartfelt sympathy" for the victim and acknowledges the role of organised crime.

He says the government is to publish a violent crime strategy to ensure young people are diverted away from crime, and denies police numbers have been cut.

Mark D'Arcy
Parliamentary Correspondent

SNP Leader Ian Blackford generates an actual soundbite – two even! David Lidington offers a rather weary boiler-plate response.

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The SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford quotes David Lidington as saying the single market was essential for jobs and prosperity.

He asks if the government document leaked to Buzzfeed demonstrates this.

Mr Lidington replies that the UK is seeking "a new partnership with our neighbours in the European Union" which is beneficial to everyone in the EU countries.

Mr Blackford says "this is a government in crisis and an international embarrassment."

He adds that the Chancellor and Home Secretary support the single market, but that the Prime Minister wants to make everyone poorer. He asks where the leadership is.

Mr Lidington says leadership was laid out by the Prime Minister in her Lancaster House speech and that the most important single market for Scotland is the rest of the UK.

Mark D'Arcy
Parliamentary Correspondent

Image source, HoC

Scottish Tory Colin Clark – conqueror of Alex Salmond - continues the PMQs tradition of taking pot-shots at the SNP Scottish government.

I can’t remember the last time I saw a Conservative MP in an ORANGE tie. Mr Clark’s Gordon was once a Lib Dem seat, or maybe I’m reading too much into a sartorial choice

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Emily Thornberry says that two years David Lidington told the Youth Parliament: "When the voice and the vote of young people is absent, decisions are made that affect young people's lives that they have not always chosen".

"All of us on this side agree" with the minister, she adds.

in reply David Lidington says he "fully supports" the role of the Youth Parliament and other organisations in encouraging young people to vote.

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Emily Thornberry puts it to the government that there's "no principled objection" to votes at 16, and calls the Conservatives and the DUP a "coalition of cavemen" for resisting it.

David Lidington advises her to stop watching the Flintstones, saying there are a number of organisations "working hard to get young people used to the idea they should take an interest in current affairs" and exercise their vote responsibly.

He urges her to "grow up" on this question.