House of Commons
Parliament

After all the back and forth over the troubled airline Flybe, it may come as no surprise it is now being raised in the Commons as an urgent question.

The Conservative MP for Romsey and Southampton North, Caroline Nokes, will ask the transport secretary what support has been made available to Flybe, their passengers and the regional airports which facilitate many of their routes.

The Department for Transport is yet to confirm which minister will reply.

It will kick off at 12:30 GMT, meaning Dominic Raab's statement on the Iran nuclear deal will be pushed back.

Victoria Derbyshire

Clock restoration expert Paul Kembery explains the difficulties in getting Big Ben to bong on Brexit day.

He tells the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme it takes a lot of work to lower in that heavy bell - 13.5 tonnes to be precise - and the mechanism of the clock itself is complex, with its "massive wheels".

He says: "It was put in for Remembrance Sunday and New Year's Eve, but there is a platform required [for the bell].

"[Also] what they are doing at the moment is having a temporary electric motor that strikes the bell... and that needs to be in place."

Mr Kembery says with just over two weeks to go, it is probably not enough time to put the platform back in, put the electric motor in and make the hammer strike for Brexit" - even if the public raised £500,000.

Image source, JUSTICE4HARRY19

The PM is seeing some backlash to his suggestion that it is unlikely the US will co-operate with the UK's request to extradite a suspect in relation to the death of 19-year-old Harry Dunn.

Mr Dunn died after being hit by a car outside RAF Croughton. The suspect in the case, Anne Sacoolas, flew to the US, claiming diplomatic immunity.

She has since been charged by UK prosecutors with causing death by dangerous driving.

Radd Seiger, a spokesman for the Dunn family, says Mr Johnson was "misinformed" in his suggestion that the US would ignore the UK's wishes, adding that the US has never turned down an extradition request from the UK.

Image source, Getty Images

As we mentioned earlier, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab will make a statement on the Iran nuclear deal in Parliament at around 12:30 GMT.

But we have now seen reports that that the UK, France and Germany will trigger the dispute resolution mechanism in the deal over breaches of the agreement by Iran.

The so-called DRM allows signatories to register their belief that another party is not fulfilling its terms in the deal.

This would lead to an inquiry from an independent commission which, if not resolved within five weeks, allows the complainant to abandon its obligations - such as not putting sanctions on Iran.

Mr Raab has previously said the UK government would "be looking at all measures including potentially triggering the DRM".

Image source, PA Media

Plans to make Big Ben bong to mark Brexit appear to receive a boost today.

The idea was first touted by Eurosceptic Tory backbenchers who wanted to hear the bells ring out at 23:00 GMT on 31 January - the time and date we officially leave the EU.

They failed to get an amendment into law to make it happen, but this morning Boris Johnson said the government was "working up a plan so people can bung a bob for a Big Ben bong".

BBC political correspondent Chris Mason says it is interesting for the government to "advocate some sort of scheme where perhaps people could go onto a website and type in their bank details, throw in a quid and make the Big Ben bongs bong".

But he is still trying to get to the bottom of why it costs £500,000 for 11 bongs.

"There were 12 bongs for New Year's Eve two weeks ago," he says. "We only need 11 in a fortnight for those who would like to see Big Ben bong.

"I don't know what the rate is per bong, but it seems quite pricey."

Don't worry Chris, we did the maths. It works out at around £45,000 a bong...

Chris Mason
Political correspondent

This was the first time we've heard from Boris Johnson in detail in the new year. He popped up at PMQs last week but has been relatively quiet, particularly in contrast with the image of Boris Johnson of old commenting on everything and always having a florid phrase for everything. He has disappeared into something of a submarine as prime minister and sent his ministers out instead.

Well, today, Mr Johnson gave a half-hour interview on BBC Breakfast. Let's go through some of the highlights:

Firstly on Iran. Quite interesting language on Iran, on the so-called JCPOA, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action for trying to ensure Iran doesn't develop a nuclear weapon. This was a deal signed in 2015 by the permanent members of the UN security council, of which the UK is a member and so is the US. The idea being that in return for an easing of sanctions Iran would be limited in its nuclear ambitions. President Trump thinks it's the worst deal in human history, doesn't like it, pulled the US out of it.

The prime minister [is] attempting to tempt America back into some sort of arrangement with the mutual acceptance that the world should stop Iran developing a nuclear weapon and suggesting that America could re-badge it. If Donald Trump doesn't like the idea of a deal signed by previous President Obama, perhaps there could be a Trump deal.

In reality, any deal that is worth it, as far as Iran is concerned, has got to involve America and so the prime minister is trying to reach out to Donald Trump and say, let's find a way of re-badging it.

What did the PM have to say on Brexit? He's sticking to his guns that he believes he can do what many have thought would be nigh on impossible - which is using the 11 months (that will start two weeks on Friday when the UK leaves the EU) to sort out the long-term relationship with the EU.

He reckoned that that was absolutely doable and he thinks he can do it in this tight timeframe even though plenty wonder if that is realistic.

And what did he say about the royals? Short answer: absolutely nothing. Long answer: a few additional words to sort of pad that out. He is absolutely desperate to avoid any comment whatsoever on Harry and Meghan. Dan Walker [the interviewer] tried every which way to skin that cat, and skin remained on the cat.

There's a mixed bag of media coverage about the prime minister's interview on BBC Breakfast.

The Guardian identifies Mr Johnson's ambition to see an end to county lines drugs gangs as one of the main talking points of the interview, external.

He said the drugs gangs were "reducing the quality of life for people across our country, they are killing young kids, I want to see that thing totally wound up".

Meanwhile the Times leads on Mr Johnson's apparent call for US President Donald Trump to negotiate a new nuclear deal with Iran, external.

The Independent says Mr Johnson's comments that the social care crisis would be addressed by the end of the government's tenure show he "admits" a solution could be five years away, external.

Meanwhile, the Daily Mail doesn't seem too interested in Mr Johnson's morning. Its story about the possibility of Big Ben ringing out on Brexit day, external - taken from the PM's comments to the BBC - is on the MailOnline homepage, but buried beneath nine stories on the Royal Family.

The Evening Standard is running Mr Johnson's carefully-chosen comments on, external the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's plan to step back from royal duties, in which he said he was "confident" the family would "sort out" any disagreements.

The Express follows the remonstrations of some Twitter users, external who said the BBC should have switched Breakfast presenter Dan Walker for broadcasting veteran Andrew Neil, after the PM avoided doing an interview on Neil's show during the election campaign.

And finally, the Standard reports that the PM is being mocked for his pronunciation of the word "vegan", external. In the interview Mr Johnson said veganism was a "crime against cheese lovers".

Image source, EPA

Boris Johnson's comments on the future of the Iran nuclear deal have made headlines this morning, but what is it?

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action - or JCPOA - was signed in 2015 by a group of world powers known as the P5+1 - the US, the UK, France, China, Russia and Germany.

It came after years of tension over Iran's alleged efforts to develop a nuclear weapon.

Iran insisted that its nuclear programme was entirely peaceful, but the international community did not believe that.

Under the accord, Iran agreed to limit its sensitive nuclear activities and allow in international inspectors in return for the lifting of crippling economic sanctions.

It was signed before President Donald Trump was elected and he has described it as the worst deal ever negotiated.

But the UK and its other signatories have so far said they are still committed to it.

Read more on the details of the deal here.

Image source, Getty Images

Earlier, the PM was asked about Chinese technology firm Huawei, after the US warned the UK government it "would be madness" to use Huawei technology in their 5G network.

Huawei is a pioneer in 5G mobile internet technology, but is accused of being a gateway for China to spy on Western nations - something Huawei has repeatedly denied.

When asked about Huawei building 5G infrastructure, Boris Johnson said "the British public deserve to have the best access to technology" and that "if people oppose one brand or the other then they have to tell us what's the alternative".

And he said he would not want any infrastructure "that is going to prejudice our national security or our ability to cooperate with Five Eyes intelligence partners".

The Five Eyes is the intelligence alliance between the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Both BBC political correspondent Iain Watson and editorial director Kamal Ahmed said the PM's comments sounded like a push back on the US pressure over security.

The upgrade from 4G to 5G is expected to make mobile phone internet faster and better. (Read more about 5G here).

A decision is expected this month on whether to allow Huawei to supply some "non-core" parts for the UK network.

But a US delegation presented the UK with new evidence claiming to show security risks posed by using the Chinese firm. It's seen as the latest move by US President Donald Trump's administration to pressure the UK on the issue.

Huawei says it is a private company which has supplied 3G, 4G and broadband equipment to the UK's telecoms companies for 15 years. It said British experts "are clear our technology does not pose a security risk".

Read more about Huawei here: The story of a controversial company.

Reality Check

Mr Johnson told BBC Breakfast that the living wage would rise by the "biggest ever amount".

In April, the national living wage - which is paid to people aged 25 and over - will increase to £8.72 an hour.

That’s a rise of 51p or 6.2% on the current rate. That would be the biggest single increase – in absolute terms and as a percentage increase.- since the national living wage was first introduced in 2016.

Image source, PA Media

The Liberal Democrats are joining criticisms of proposals to save troubled airline FlyBe - namely the government cutting air passenger duty on domestic flights.

The party's transport spokesperson Munira Wilson says the plan is "not the answer and a huge worry for climate campaigners - particularly when Boris Johnson is going soft on his commitment to high speed rail".

She adds: “This Conservative government must not only commit to building HS2, but start taking the climate emergency seriously.

"In a year when the UK is hosting the COP26 climate change conference, we need action to cut emissions, not air passenger duty."

During Boris Johnson's interview on BBC Breakfast, he said of the Iran nuclear deal "let's replace it".

Later, the BBC was told the PM believed the current deal had to be made to work in a format that the US would sign up to.

Now, it seems Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab will have to take to the dispatch box in the Commons to make the government's position clear...

Image source, Reuters

There has been lots of reaction online to Boris Johnson's suggestion that a crowdfunding campaign could be launched to raise money for Big Ben to chime on Brexit day.

The 14-tonne bell has been silent (bar Remembrance Sunday and New Year's Eve) since 2017 while refurbishment works are carried out.

During his interview this morning, Mr Johnson said it would cost about £500,000 for it to be brought back into use for one night.

That's up from the original estimate of £120,000. The increased budget comes from the need to put in and remove a temporary floor in order to ring the bell.

"The bongs cost £500,000 but we're working up a plan so people can bung a bob for a Big Ben bong because there are some people who want to," Mr Johnson said.

The Financial Times' political editor George Parker tweeted: , external"The PM emerges from weeks of media silence to reveal he's considering setting up a public subscription fund to raise £500,000 so that Big Ben can bong on Brexit night.

"Still not sure how celebratory bonging helps to heal a divided nation."

Meanwhile, Talk Radio presenter Julia Hartley-Brewer, who backs Brexit, said:, external "Instead of paying a fortune to have Big Ben bong on Brexit night, there are two simple alternatives: 1. Play a recording of Big Ben bongs 2. Everyone celebrating in Parliament Square brings their own bell to ring.

"Wouldn’t that be more fun?"

Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage has tweeted scepticism, external at the cost, saying: "Can we be told how much it costs to ring Big Ben on New Years' Eve? Surely not £500,000."

Meanwhile the party's chairman Richard Tice, tells his followers:, external "Don't worry: Big Ben will chime loudly via our speakers at Parl Sq celebration on 31st Jan."

LBC presenter Nick Ferrari has offered to start, external the fundraising campaign.

Click here to listen to Boris Johnson's BBC Breakfast interview with Dan Walker, from 10 Downing Street.

Image source, Getty Images

Boris Johnson would not confirm reports that the government was looking at scrapping air passenger duty on domestic flights to help save FlyBe.

He told BBC Breakfast: "It is not for the government to step in and save companies that simply run into trouble.

"But be in do doubt, we see the importance of Flybe delivering connectivity across the whole United Kingdom."

However, environmental campaigners are damning about the proposal.

Friends of the Earth campaigner Jenny Bates says it would be "completely unacceptable and even reckless" for the government to make such a move.

"These short UK trips are exactly the ones we need to avoid in the drive to cut aviation climate emissions to help prevent climate breakdown," she says.

"Instead, the government could invest more in our rail system and make such trips more affordable."

Greenpeace UK policy director, Dr Doug Parr, joins Ms Bates' criticism.

"This is a poorly thought out policy that should be immediately grounded," he says.

"The government cannot claim to be a global leader on tackling the climate emergency one day, then making the most carbon-intensive kind of travel cheaper the next."

He adds: "Cutting the cost of domestic flights while allowing train fares to rise is the exact opposite of what we need if we're to cut climate-wrecking emissions from transport.

"The aviation sector has got away for years with increasing its carbon footprint. The last thing we need is another incentive for them to pollute more."

Image source, JUSTICE4HARRY19

Some reaction now to Mr Johnson's remarks about the death of Harry Dunn, a 19-year-old who died after being hit by a car outside RAF Croughton.

In the BBC Breakfast interview, Mr Johnson said the UK's request to extradite suspect Anne Sacoolas from the US, was "right", but added the chances of the US "actually responding" were "very low".

But the Dunn family spokesman, Radd Seiger, says his view, based on "detailed discussions with officials both in London and Washington", was "diametrically opposed" to Mr Johnson's.

"I do not know what is in the prime minister's mind in making those comments because the parents and I have not yet had the opportunity to sit down and talk with him - but we expect to do so within the next few days," Mr Seiger says.

Repeating comments he made to the BBC over the weekend, he says: "Anne Sacoolas will be coming back to the UK to face justice. Unlike the prime minister, there is no doubt in my mind."

Reality Check

The PM said his government had pledged to scrap hospital parking charges in England.

This pledge was made at the end of last year and will come into force in April. The promise is to provide free parking for frequent hospital visitors including:

• Blue badge holders
• People with long-term conditions who have to attend frequent outpatient appointments
• Parents of sick children staying in hospital overnight
• Staff on night shifts

Reality Check

The government plans to bring forward proposals to reform social care "this year" and implement them "within this Parliament", Mr Johnson told BBC Breakfast.

Just before the election, the Conservative Party put out a document setting out what it would do in its first 100 days in government.

That document committed the government to holding "cross party talks to find an enduring solution to the challenge of social care".

Those talks will need to be held by the end of March, in order to meet the PM's 100-day pledge.

Iain Watson
Political correspondent

Right here on the steps of Downing Street, back in the summer when he became prime minister, Boris Johnson claimed he already had a plan for social care - one of the most contentious issues in British politics in recent years.

But no plan emerged, and it wasn't featured prominently when the new government set out its legislative agenda.

In this morning's interview he said it was an issue that couldn't be avoided, and suggested we won't have very long to wait to see that plan in full.

The PM also didn't go into much detail about his plans to help improve transport links for the UK's regions, such as the beleaguered high-speed rail project, HS2 - or on the NHS.

Opponents will be questioning whether or not the PM can give us specifics about upgrading infrastructure and investing in the health service, rather than just warm words.