A virtual tour of Parliament launches, enabling people to experience the famous building in all its glorious 360 degrees.

Select Committee
Parliament

Partners in developing countries "need a level of appropriateness" when spending international aid money raised from UK taxpayers, says Sir Mark Lowcock. 

He says they need decent work conditions and pay, but says it is "waste" when stories emerge of non-governmental organisations spending money inefficiently or even lavishly. 

House of Lords
Parliament

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Conservative Baroness Warsi cites a YouGov poll which showed that 42% would support a ban of headscarves in the workplace. 

She asks the government to ensure that these kind of opinions are pushed back.

Baroness Williams replies that it is positive that 58% would not support such a ban.

House of Lords
Parliament

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Lib Dem Baroness Burt of Solihull asks for confirmation that national courts can interpret the ECJ judgements "in line with existing cultural beliefs and practices". 

Home Office Minister Baroness Williams says this is correct and the the government will uphold "the freedoms allowed in this country". 

Select Committee
Parliament

Sir Mark Lowcock from DfID says the department regularly assesses partners and will drop those who abuse the system. 

He says half a dozen organisations have had to close due to the UK withdrawing aid, but this is also to do with "systemic" problems with fraud. 

He says that those comply with the UK's standards on tackling fraud are rewarded by further work and investment.

He admits that the the organisation needs to be more public with their efforts to tackle fraud to tackle perception problems with aid. 

House of Lords
Parliament

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Responding for Labour, Baroness Gale says the case raises real concerns about religious freedom in the workplace.

She asks the government to agree that people can express their faith at the workplace and that preventing women from wearing the hijab in the workplace is "unconditionally wrong".

She asks what guidance is available for employers.

Home Office Minister Baroness Williams replies that the government will be updating guidance for employers on dealing with religious belief in the workplace, 

House of Lords
Parliament

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The next urgent question repeat concerns a recent European Court of Justice ruling on the wearing of religious symbols in the workplace.

The ruling found in favour of a Belgian firm that fired a woman for wearing a headscarf on the grounds that the company had a “image-neutral” policy.

In practice this ruling could also be applied to crucifixes, skullcaps and turbans.

House of Lords
Parliament

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Labour spokesman Lord McKenzie of Luton asks if the government can test the proposed changes with health care professionals before implementation.

He also asks how the changes to eligibility match up to the government's commitment to parity of esteem between those with physical and mental conditions.

Work and Pensions Minister Lord Henley says the government will keep "an open dialogue" with those involved.

On parity of esteem he insists that the government is upholding its commitment because the changes are not about the condition of an individual but about the needs of that individual.

House of Commons
Parliament

The SNP's international development spokesman, Patrick Grady enquires about drone technology, asking: "If we can drop bombs, why can't we drop bread?"

He wants to know what help we supply outside formal refugee camps, and the secretary of state says "we are working with partner organisations" in this context. 

Select Committee
Parliament

DfID's Sir Mark Lowcock says there are fewer fraud cases in countries which are more corrupt. 

This is because, he explains, DfID refuses to put money though governments known for corruption such as Nigeria. 

However, Conservative Kwasi Kwarteng questions whether corruption exists at the governmental level or whether it extends to all parts of society. 

Sir Mark agrees and says that the biggest losses through fraud are at the NGO-level, so it is important to have a "good understanding" of partner countries. 

House of Lords
Parliament

Peers now move on to hear a repeat of an answer to an urgent question on the new Personal Independence Payment (PIP) regulations.

Two tribunal rulings in 2016 had the effect of increasing the number of people who would be eligible for the higher rate of PIPs.

The government said this increase would cost £3.7bn by 2023 and have therefore implemented new regulations to change the eligibilitycriteria .

The new regulations are due to come into force tomorrow.

House of Commons
Parliament

Shadow international development secretary Kate Osamor urges cross-party support for helping "the most vulnerable" civilians in Iraq and Syria. 

She stresses the importance of maintaining the "integrity" of UK aid in order to ensure it goes where it is most needed and it is not "securitised". 

House of Lords
Parliament

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Conservative Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate has the final question and asks if the government is intending to review a regulation which limits or prevents defendants from claiming cost on acquittal.

He asks this question in reference to the 83-year-old farmer who was cleared of inflicting grievous bodily harm after he shot a convicted burglar on his land.

Ministry of Justice spokesman Lord Keen of Elie says that a review of the rules on reimbursement costs will be conducted by 2018.

He notes that in the specific case the gentleman was not eligible for reimbursement because he had decline to use the legal aid which was available. 

Lord Kirkhope welcomes the review particularly as he says the current rules encourage "sloppy decision-making by prosecuting authorities". 

House of Commons
Parliament

International Development Secretary Priti Patel is making a statement on operations to counter so-called Islamic State. 

She congratulates Iraqi security forces on "steady progress" made so far in western Mosul but says she remains "concerned" about the civilians there. 

She tells MPs her department has allocated £169.5m to efforts to rebuild Iraq, as well as participating in programmes to distribute food and water and clear mines. 

House of Lords
Parliament

Lib Dem Baroness Brinton urges the government to make guidance for social media companies on online abuse statutory because it "is clear that the current guidance is not being followed".

Labour's Lord Cashman agrees that introducing statutory guidance "is part of the answer", adding that online harassment has resulted in teenage suicides. 

House of Lords
Parliament

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Labour's Baroness Nye uses her question to ask how the government will ensure that social media sites address online abuse.

Specifically she asks what the government going to do "if it won't consider "statutory guidance".

Home Office Minister Baroness Shields replies that the government's position is under review, however she says the problem needs more than legislation - including the support of internet service providers, the application of advance technologies, and  robust complaint procedures.

House of Commons
Parliament

Conservative Sir Desmond Swayne asks for an opportunity to "recant" as his column in the New Forest Journal defending the chancellor is already with the printer. 

House of Lords
Parliament

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Conservative Lord Blencathra tells peers that an internet search of government websites brought up three press releases on disability issues and 10 on transgender issues.

Clearly, he says, transgender people face discrimination but adds that many disabled people cannot get into buildings across the country.

He urges the minister to make an "urgent amendment" to the Equalities Act which has been disastrous for disabled people by "put us on the bottom of the heap".

Select Committee
Parliament

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The acting chair Richard Bacon asks why fraud has quadrupled between 2010 and 2016. 

DfID's permenant secretary Sir Mark Lowcock says that there had been a dramatic change in the amount of people dealing in fraud, as well as training staff on the issue. 

Those looking for grants are also obliged to report any suspicions. 

This method has meant there is more reporting, but also kept gross losses down as it is proactive as well as reactive in detecting fraud. 

It has also meant recovery of fraudulently claimed aid is higher.  

He says that the estimate of fraudulently claimed aid is at 0.03% and says there is a perception issue with corruption and aid. 

House of Lords
Parliament

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Next is Crossbencher Baroness Deech who wants to know how the government is improving accessibility for disabled people.

Communities Minister Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth replies that owners of public premises have a duty to ensure that disabled people are not put at a substantial disadvantage.

Baroness Deech argues that there is "lots of legislation" but "on the ground" reasonable adjustments are not being made.