Summary

  • Science Committee investigates ocean environment

  • Commons day begins with Scotland questions

  • PMQs at noon

  • MPs look at Bus Services Bill

  • Lords starts with oral questions at 3pm

  • Peers debating Brexit bill this afternoon and evening

  1. Lawson: Virtue signalling amendment stirs up fear and concern published at 17:43 Greenwich Mean Time 1 March 2017

    Brexit Bill

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Lord LawsonImage source, HoL

    Conservative peer and Chair of the Vote Leave campaign Lord Lawson says he would like the government to give an unconditional assurance that EU citizens can remain in the UK.

    However, he says, he cannot agree with the amendment.

    There is no question of expelling EU citizens, he says. "No way.There is no danger whatever."

    Apart from virtue signalling what is the purpose of this amendment? he asks.

    He suggests that its only consequence is to stir up fear and concern.

    "That is wholly deplorable."

  2. 'Do as we wish or we will shoot our own foot off'published at 17:35 Greenwich Mean Time 1 March 2017

    Brexit Bill

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Lord Kerslake

    This is a difficult judgement begins Crossbencher and former head of the civil service Lord Kerslake. 

    He notes the home secretary's argument that passing the amendment would "weaken our hand" in negotiations with British citizens in Europe.

    He argues that the UK needs EU nationals and summarises the government's negotiating position is "do as we wish or we will shoot our own foot off".

    The key question, he says, is: do we believe, given the "potentially devastating effect" on construction, NHS and social care, that is this a risk worth taking.

    "My Lords I do not." 

  3. Baroness Kennedy urges passing amendment to Brexit billpublished at 17:34 Greenwich Mean Time 1 March 2017

    Media caption,

    Baroness Kennedy says passing the amendment to the Brexit bill would be honourable, saying that by taking responsibility for EU nationals in the UK, "we take responsibility for our citizens living in other parts of the EU".

  4. Archbishop urges quick negotiations to protect EU nationalspublished at 17:33 Greenwich Mean Time 1 March 2017

    Media caption,

    The Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, says the EU citizens amendment should not be added to the Brexit bill, noting that the prime minister has said EU nationals' rights will be a priority in negotiations and that such negotiations cannot start until the bill is passed.

  5. EU residents 'cannot put lives on hold'published at 17:31 Greenwich Mean Time 1 March 2017

    Ministers are urged to guarantee the rights of EU residents after Brexit and end the uncertainty for them.

    Read More
  6. Lord Howard: There are 'no new facts'published at 17:31 Greenwich Mean Time 1 March 2017

    Lord Howard says he backs a guarantee for EU residents but the Commons will not change its mind.

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  7. Government position 'mean spirited'published at 17:24 Greenwich Mean Time 1 March 2017

    Brexit Bill

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Conservative Lord Bowness tells peers that he does not want to  be associated with the government's "mean-spirited" position.

    He argues that passing this amendment will assist in creating a good climate during exit negotiations.

    We need "many things" from the EU, he warns and suggest that "a generous gesture, freely given" would be "not a bad start".

  8. A 'principled position' will win the UK goodwillpublished at 17:23 Greenwich Mean Time 1 March 2017

    Brexit Bill

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Baroness KennedyImage source, HoL

    Labour's Baroness Kennedy of the Shaws objects to the idea that those supportive of the amendment are only interested in the rights of people living in the UK.

    She tells peers that the committee she sits on (the EU Justice Sub-Committee) has a huge mailbox from UK citizens living in countries such as Spain who "are worried about their prospects".  

    She argues that taking an early "principled position" will win the UK goodwill and strengthen the government's hand when negotiating with, for example, the Spanish government.

    "By taking responsibility for those in our country we take responsibility for our citizens living in other parts of the EU."

  9. Burnham: Transport is too 'London centric'published at 17:18 Greenwich Mean Time 1 March 2017

    Bus Services Bill

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Andy BurnhamImage source, HoC

    Labour's Andy Burnham uses his speech to outline how he would use the franchising powers if he is elected mayor of Manchester in April this year. 

    In a response to Conservative Theresa Villier's earlier speech, he attacks "London-centricity" in infrastructure and transport planning. 

    "For every £1 of transport investment the north gets," he says "London gets six." 

    He says that Londoners have the right to use the tube, trains, buses, boats, cable cars and soon Crossrail, whilst in Manchester, they just have the choice of buses. 

    Theresa Villiers said that franchising might not work outside London, to which Andy Burnham replies "let us try and find what works for us".

  10. Praise for fellow peerpublished at 17:08 Greenwich Mean Time 1 March 2017

    Lib Dem peer tweets

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  11. Why put foreigners' rights first? asks Lord Tebbitpublished at 17:02 Greenwich Mean Time 1 March 2017

    Brexit Bill

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Lord Tebbit

    Conservative Lord Tebbit begins by declaring his interest - a nephew in Germany and a Danish son-in-law living in this country.

    Why, he asks, is everyone so excited by an amendment that looks after the rights of foreigners but not those of the British?

  12. In numbers: bus travel in the UKpublished at 17:01 Greenwich Mean Time 1 March 2017

    Bus Services Bill

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    buses

    One of the bill's main roles is to increase the number of passengers using buses across the country. 

    Buses still remain the most popular form of transport in England. Here's the UK's favourite vehicle in numbers: 

    • 60% of all public transport trips taking place on buses, or 4.65 billion passenger journeys
    • 35,800 buses travel 1.29 billion miles per year
    • Since 2004/5, bus usage outside London has risen 2%
    • Brighton & Hove residents use buses the most with 158 journeys per head per year
    • Buses have an 86% passenger satisfaction rate across England, but reach 97% in Nottingham

  13. 'A matter of honour'published at 17:00 Greenwich Mean Time 1 March 2017

    Brexit Bill

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Lord OatesImage source, HoL

    People felt abandoned by the elected House and heartened that this House was addressing their concerns, Lib Dem peer Lord Oates tells peers. 

    "We must not abandon them now," he says.

    This, he argues, is our one opportunity to send a clear signal back to elected House that we regard protecting rights as a matter of honour for our country. 

  14. International Development Secretary watches Lords debatepublished at 16:45 Greenwich Mean Time 1 March 2017

    Brexit Bill

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    MPs watchingImage source, HoL

    International Development Secretary Priti Patel is sitting below the throne in the House of Lords this afternoon watching the debate.

    Alongside her is Conservative MP and whip David Evennett.

  15. Dubs amendment divisionpublished at 16:44 Greenwich Mean Time 1 March 2017

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  16. Only one 'faintly respectable' argument against the amendment published at 16:43 Greenwich Mean Time 1 March 2017

    Brexit Bill

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Next is Crossbencher Lord Hannay of Chiswick, who has put his name to the amendment, and who argues that it will not delay the triggering of Article 50.

    There is only one faintly respectable argument against the amendment, he says - that it could endanger the fate of those British citizens living in the EU.

    That doesn't hold water, he argues, pointing out that "British citizens right across the European Union" have issued a statement supporting this amendment. 

    He tells peers that in his experience of negotiating with the EU seeking a transactional arrangement will not produce good or quick results. 

  17. Amendment will delay deal on EU rights, argues Archbishop of York published at 16:43 Greenwich Mean Time 1 March 2017

    Brexit Bill

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Penny Mordaunt

    The Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, says he will not be supporting the amendment.

    He notes that the prime minister has said EU nationals' rights will be a priority in negotiations and that such negotiations cannot start until the bill is passed. 

    He further notes that the amendment gives the government three months before having to bring forward proposals on EU rights.

    He therefore concludes that passing the bill will be a quicker way of guaranteeing EU nationals' rights than passing the amendment.

  18. Bragg: 3m EU nationals being treated shamefullypublished at 16:24 Greenwich Mean Time 1 March 2017

    Brexit Bill

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Lord Bragg

    Again and again minorities have helped us become the best of what we are, begins Labour’s Lord Bragg (Radio and TV presenter Melvyn Bragg).

    He accuses the government of treating three million EU nationals  "shamefully". 

    It is, he says, a matter of pride to tell those who are here now that "we want them to stay".

  19. Howard: Best way to help EU nationals is to pass this billpublished at 16:20 Greenwich Mean Time 1 March 2017

    Brexit Bill

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Lord Howard

    Conservative peer and former Conservative leader Lord Howard tells peers that the prime minister made attempts to resolve this issue "on a reciprocal basis".

    That was rejected by Chancellor Merkel, he says, on the grounds that no discussion could take place until Article 50 was invoked. 

    How can we best help the EU nationals? he asks.

    By passing this bill as quickly as possible.

  20. 'Anxiety, dismay and turbulence'published at 16:15 Greenwich Mean Time 1 March 2017

    Brexit Bill

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Baroness LudfordImage source, HoL

    The Lib Dem's Baroness Ludford has put her name to the amendment. 

    She recalls that last year, then immigration minister James Brokenshire said that EU nationals would not need to provide any documentation provided they had acquired five years permanent residence.

    In reality, EU nationals are being asked to fill in an 85 page document she says.

    The upshot, she argues, is "anxiety, dismay, turbulence" in people's lives.