House of Commons
Parliament

Green party leader Caroline Lucas says the PM has "no idea of the level of suffering rail passengers and businesses in Brighton" are experiencing. 

She urges Theresa May to sack her "passive transport secretary, strip GTR of the franchise and freeze fares".

Mrs May defends Chris Grayling and notes that the government has invested £20m to tackle the issue. 

She adds that "only one body is responsible for the strike - Aslef." She says Caroline Lucas should be condemning that strike. 

Theresa May, in a play on text-speak, jokes that Boris Johnson is an FFS - a fine foreign secretary.

House of Commons
Parliament

Conservative Heidi Allen says she has today met four victims of modern slavery - "I won't every forget it in my life". 

She asks the prime minister to ensure that these victims receive support from the state.

Theresa May agrees that these people have gone through the "most horrendous experiences" and promises to look at how the government gives support.

She adds that the government will ensure that people in authority who come into contact with victims can read the signs and can deal with them sensitively. 

House of Commons
Parliament

Labour MP Gisela Stuart says that MPs across the House are "keen" to guarantee that the three million EU citizens living in the UK can remain post-Brexit.

She notes that British Futures has produced a report on the subject and recommends the prime minister looks at it.

Theresa May agrees but adds that she is also keen that UK citizens living the EU are protected as well. She says the home secretary is aware of the report.

House of Commons
Parliament

Labour's Lucy Powell says what is urgently required is a UK-led strategy to protect civilians in Syria, whether it is those fleeing, or those still besieged.

We must all take responsibility for decisions, says Theresa May, referring to the decision in 2013 not to bomb Syria.

On the current situation she says that "It is the UK that has been pressing for action inside the UN security council." 

However she tells MPs that there must be a solution that Russia buys into.

House of Commons
Parliament

Conservative Anna Soubry asks about the rights of those who are innocent, but who have been named before charged.

Theresa May says the police can name someone who has been arrested if they believe it will help in the detection of the crime. 

The College of Policing is due to provide guidance in the new year to the media, she says.

House of Commons
Parliament

What can be done to get aid to those who need it most in Syria? Victoria Prentis asks. She refers to money raised by singers at a concert yesterday, which - now that the last hospital in Aleppo has been bombed - is going to those who need prosthetic limbs.

Theresa May says the effort for Syria is the biggest humanitarian effort the UK has made; and the UK is working to reduce the suffering in Syria, while the government will continue to ensure aid put to good use.

House of Commons
Parliament

Chair of Health Committee Sarah Wollaston tells MPs that one of her constituents has had to move to residential care because no carers were available. 

She argues that rather than "confrontational dialogues" all parties should work together to look for a sustainable solution for integrated health and social care.

Theresa May says that although she recognises the short term pressures, she agrees that long term sustainable solutions for social care need to be found.

House of Commons
Parliament

SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson tells MPs that citizens in Yemen are suffering grievously from Saudi airstrikes.

He notes that in the last 24 hours the United States has stopped supply of some weapons to Yemen. When will the UK follow suit? he asks.

Theresa May says the UK has strict regime for export licenses and has, in the past, refused export licenses including to Yemen and Suadi Arabia.

Angus Robertson replies that the UK has sold £3.3bn in arms to Saudi Arabia since the beginning of the bombing campaign. What will it take for the UK to adopt an ethical policy when it comes to Yemen? he asks.

Theresa May notes that the campaign in Yemen is a UN backed intervention and says that human rights breaches should be investigated.

She adds that Saudi intelligence has saved potentially hundreds of lives.

House of Commons
Parliament

Conservative Tim Loughton tells MPs that Aslef drivers object to operating doors on the Southern rail line but will do the same thing on Thameslink trains.  

He asks for an assurance everything will be done to end this"nonsense of a strike" and "give our constituents their livess back".

Theresa May agrees that it is an "appalling strike" and suggests that Jeremy Corbyn should call Aslef, who donate to Labour MPs, and tell them to call the "strike off immediately". 

House of Commons
Parliament

Jeremy Corbyn says this is a social care crisis that is "made in Downing Street".

"Why can't the prime minister listen?" he asks. The crisis makes people give up work, to care for loved ones.

"Get a grip and fund it properly please," he says.

Theresa May says the issue of social care has been ducked by governments for too long, and this government will provide long-term system for social care.

She says Labour had 13 years "and no action whatsover".

House of Commons
Parliament

Jeremy Corbyn urges the prime minister to cancel corporation tax cut and put the money into social care instead.

Theresa May says the example of Newcastle Council shows how it is possible to deliver on the ground.

That shows not the difference in funding, not the difference in delivery, the PM says.

House of Commons
Parliament

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn says that talk of allowing local governments to raise money through council tax is "a con".

He says that 95% of councils used the precept but it raised less than 3% of the money they spend on social care. Instead, he says, the government has given billions away to corporations.

Theresa May notes that when asked where more money for social care should come from the shadow health secretary replied: "Ooh we're going to have to come up with a plan."

House of Commons
Parliament

Jeremy Corbyn asks if the prime minister will accept there is a crisis in social care.

Theresa May says the government is putting more money into social care, through the Social Care Fund, and says the government recognises the immediate pressure. 

She says the Local Government Finance Settlement will be produced tomorrow and that there needs to be reform across the UK.

Mr Corbyn repeats that the government needs to take responsibility - he asks how much was cut from the budget.

Theresa May replies that this is not just an issure of money in the short term. It is about long-term reform too, she says.

House of Commons
Parliament

Leader of the Opposition Jeremy Corbyn begins by asking everyone to download the Christmas single released by the Jo Cox Foundation.

Theresa May agrees describing it as a "very important cause". She adds that the chancellor was waived VAT on this single and that she will be photographed with one of the bands involved - MP4.

Jeremy Corbyn tells MPs that for reasons of quality he is not a member of the band. 

And the Speaker - for the benefit of those outside the Commons - explains that MP4 is the Parliamentary rock band.