House of Lords
Parliament

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The next question comes from Conservative Lord Balfe who asks what progress has been made in the reunification negotiations between the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus.

The island is split between the Republic of Cyprus, a Greek-speaking EU member, and Turkish North Cyprus.  

The island has been split since 1974 when Turkey invaded the northern third of the island in response to a coup.  

Both the Foreign Office Minister Baroness Anelay and Labours Lord Collins pay tribute to the "bravery" of the two leaders involved in the talks. 

Foreign Office Minister Baroness Anelay tells peers that the government stands ready to assist and actively supports any moves to achieve the settlement. 

Lord Collins says the last word on reunification must be for the people to decide. 

House of Lords
Parliament

Lib Dem Baroness Huseein-Ece uses her question to ask how successful the government's Prevent Strategy has been. 

Although initially developed to fight Islamic extremism, Prevent seeks to curb other forms of radical extremism.

In 2015, almost 4,000 people were referred to the government anti-radicalisation scheme Prevent. Last year the number of referrals to the scheme for those involved in far-right activity increased by 74%.

Home Office Minister Baroness Williams of Trafford tells peers that the government is "very confident" that Prevent is working. 

The Bishop of St Albans warns of "growing discontent" among grassroot organisations over the strategy  - "these are people who want to make this work", he says. 

House of Commons
Parliament

Shadow minister Ruth Cadbury calls for the government to give a solid commitment to address the problems that have been highlighted in the sector during the debate, instead of "half-hearted promises". 

She says that there is unfinished business in the sector with "too many loopholes in too many bits of legislation" that tip the balance of power against the tenant in favour of the freeholder. 

Select Committee
Parliament

Yvette Cooper and Theresa May are having a fairly heated exchange about net immigration figures. Ms Cooper says to the prime minister: "You are refusing to answer my questions."

Theresa May says it is not possible to say that only one aspect of the issue of migration is "the one you need to focus on" when discussing Brexit. 

Ms Cooper says the Chancellor and foreign secretary are among the people who have refused to endorse the target on net migration with international students in it, and asks if it is time to remove them.

Mrs May says overseas students are in the overall migration figures because it is an international definition of migration used by countries around the world. 

House of Lords
Parliament

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Lib Dem Baroness Burt of Solihull asks how the government is trying to close the gender pay gap.

According to the Fawcett Society, at the current rate of progress it will take 60 years to narrow the gender pay gap.

Currently the pay gap between men and women in full time work is 13.9%.

Minister Baroness Williams of Trafford tells peers that the government is requiring large employers to publish their pay gaps annually.

Select Committee
Parliament

Home Affairs Committee Chair Yvette Cooper is asking Theresa May if she will publish her proposals on immigration controls in the new year. Mrs May says the government are working on their proposals for immigration and "when we feel it is appropriate to give indications on them we will do so".

Ms Cooper says she assumes it will not be part of the expected February plan. She then asks about the government's net migration target to get below the ten of thousands.

Mrs May says the government will retain its intention to bring net migration down. Ms Cooper presses her asking: "Who do you want not to come?"

Mrs May says the vote on 23 June was a clear indication that the public "wanted us to have control of immigration". 

She says that is what the government will be looking for in Brexit negotitaions.

House of Lords
Parliament

Before oral questions begins, Speaker Lord Fowler makes a statement to announce that he will be setting up a Lords Speaker committee to examine the possible ways in which the House of Lords could reduce its size. 

He tells peers that the committee will be chaired by Lord Burns.

He warns that it will "not be an easy task... but if this issue can be settled the public will be able to recognise the true value of the Lords".

Select Committee
Parliament

Theresa May says she spoke to Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon yesterday about the Scottish government's Brexit plan and she welcomes the contribution to the debate. She says she would expect the Northern Ireland and Welsh governments to also come forward with any concerns that they have.

Answering questions from Scottish Affairs Committee chair, Pete Wishrt, Mrs May says she will be approaching negotiations with a "United Kingdom approach". He asks if Scotland would be entitled to hold another independence referendum.

Mrs May says she doesn't think there is a need and that the Scottish people have already given their view. She says that if Scotland were to become independent, not only would it not be a member of EU it would also not be a member of the single market of the EU or the UK.

Mr Wishart finally asks about immigration and its part in Brexit. 

Mrs May says the referendum gave a clear message that people "want us to take control" of our borders. 

She goes on to speak about getting the best possible trading deal and matters relevant to security and says it will all "be part of the negotiation".

Select Committee
Parliament

The chair of the European Scrutiny Committee, Sir Bill Cash, asks the prime minister about the trade-off between her red lines and those aspects of the UK's relationship with the EU that she wants to maintain.

Theresa May says it is not about keeping hold of some aspects of our EU membership but about creating a new relationship.  

She says it is about asking "what is our new relationship? I'm ambitious for what that relationship can be."

Select Committee
Parliament

Brexit Committee Chair Hilary Benn is questioning the prime minister on Parliament's role in the Brexit negotiations and when they will be shown the government's plans. 

Mrs May says: "I've told you I don't have a date for when I'm going to publish the plan", but she says the government will ensure Parliament has time to look at "these issues".

She tells Mr Benn that Parliament will have a vote on the Great Repeal Bill and will have "ample opportunity" to discuss the arrangements put in place. 

Select Committee
Parliament

Conservative Andrew Tyrie is questioning the prime minister on EU law and whether it will apply in UK courts after Brexit. He asks if the transition will be completed by April 2019.

Theresa May says: "I expect to meet the timetable."

Mr Tyrie asks her to confirm that she is not seeking a withdrawl agreement that will lead beyond the Article 50 timetable. 

She confirms that is correct and that the EU Commission has said negotiations may be completed before the two years is over. 

She says she fully expects to be able to undertake the deal in that time.