House of Commons
Parliament

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Lib Dem Wera Hobhouse says: "This is an important first step but it doesn't deliver."

She calls it "ludicrous" that councils can invest in properties in other areas for profit.

Sajid Javid acknowledges that the reforms won't solve the housing crisis altogether but represent an "essential step".

House of Commons
Parliament

Conservative Bob Blackman asks for assurance that the strategy announced today will help London, saying many parts of the capital are "beyond any capability of any reasonable salary or wages".

The secretary of state agrees that London is one of the places where there is the "greatest need" and today's announcement will "help significantly" by forcing councils to co-operate over the building of affordable houses.

Two female Welsh Labour MPs join a parliamentary committee after a row over its all-male line-up.

House of Commons
Parliament

Sajid Javid calls Labour's objections "entirely predictable", highlighting "considerable progress" on new housing over the past seven years.

House of Commons
Parliament

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Responding for Labour, shadow housing secretary John Healey tells MPs the government is "tinkering with the technicalities of the planning system".

"You can't meet local housing need without new homes of all kinds," he continues, and planning changes "are only part of the answer".

House of Commons
Parliament

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MPs are now hearing a statement on local housing need from Communities and Local Government Secretary Sajid Javid.

He says the way housing need is assessed is currently "piecemeal" and needs reform.

He proposes a new framework based on household growth projections by the ONS and a boost to house-building in expensive areas.

In February, the government released a white paper setting out plans to reform the housing market, which includes measures to "build homes faster and diversify the housing market".

As part of the white paper, the DCLG held a consultation on house-building which ended in May.

Select Committee
Parliament

Chair Yvette Cooper has the last question and asks, given the "seriousness of the allegations", that G4S reconsider what information it will give to the committee.

And that brings the committee hearing to an end.

Select Committee
Parliament

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Yvette Cooper tells the G4S representatives that the answers they have given "could simply be the answers you gave several years after Medway".

"None of this suggest you have any idea why this has gone so wrong on your watch," she says.

Conservative MP Christopher Chope intervenes to make clear that the chair is not speaking for the whole committee.

Select Committee
Parliament

Labour MP Stephen Doughty expresses concern that the incident at Brook House was not an isolated case.

"The list of revelations is ongoing," he says and asks "why on earth should you be awarded any further contracts?"

Peter Neden replies that the majority of G4S work is done to "an exceptional standard".

He says that there is a "system-wide problem with drugs which is not unique to us".

Have you considered your own position? asks the MP.

"Of course," replies Jerry Petherick.

Select Committee
Parliament

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Labour's Sarah Jones notes that an independent review will be carried out but expresses concern that G4S can decide on who carries out the review.

"Are you arms length enough?" she asks.

Peter Neden says the organisation hired has made it very clear that G4S will not have a say on the terms of reference.

He adds that the Home Office will approve the terms of reference.

Select Committee
Parliament

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Conservative Christopher Chope asks if G4S has received the evidence of abuse from Panorama.

Peter Neden says he has made two requests but not yet received anything.

Mr Chope asks whether following past investigations the BBC has provided G4S with the information they gathered.

Peter Neden says they have not.

"That disappoints me," replies Christopher Chope.

He suggests that Panorama should be working with G4S and the government to deliver a better system rather than adopting "an adversarial approach".

House of Commons
Parliament

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Labour's Harriet Harman raises concerns over how MPs juggled parenting responsibilities with late-night votes in the House this week, and describes John Bercow as "an honorary sister" for his approach to considering this matter.

The Speaker says a motion will be brought before the Commons to enable MPs to consider "baby leave" arrangements for new parents.

Conservative Philip Davies is called next and refers to himself as "the other honorary sister" - an MP from a sedentary position shouts "go girl!"

House of Commons
Parliament

Conservative David Amess says in light of recent controversy over statues, public monuments should be erected to Princess Diana, Margaret Thatcher and Sir Bruce Forsyth.

Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom says statues are a local planning matter but Southend might like a statue of David Amess.

Select Committee
Parliament

Conservative Esther McVey notes that the detention centre mixes foreign national offenders mix with asylum seekers. Why? she asks.

"We look after the people who are sent to us," replies Jerry Petherick.

She asks for the rationale behind housing asylum seekers "fleeing persecution" with criminals.

"Logistically we have to," says Jerry Petherick, "we utilise accommodation to its maximum".

He adds that he is "looking at ways of softening the environment."

House of Commons
Parliament

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The SNP's business spokesman Pete Wishart accuses the government of "degrading" Opposition Day debates by not voting.

He says the government is "delusional" and behaving as if it enjoys a majority, comparing it to "a tinpot dictatorship".

Mrs Leadsom responds that this kind of language shows his "contempt" for Parliament.

Select Committee
Parliament

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Yvette Cooper asks how much profit G4S does make on the Brook House contract.

Peter Neden replies that he cannot divulge that information as it would put G4S at a commercial disadvantage.

He says that the information is provided to the Home Office - "our client".

Yvette Cooper suggests that, given the allegations of G4S providing false information and the evidence of mismanagement, he will have to provide more information.

House of Commons
Parliament

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Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom defends her party's approach to the Opposition Day debate, saying: "We take tuition fees and public-sector pay incredibly seriously."

She tells MPs that there were "equal numbers of speakers on both sides" and "we are engaged at every level".

Labour's motion yesterday was "purely political and has no statutory effect", she argues.

Select Committee
Parliament

Stuart McDonald says that, according to the Home Office, it costs about £35,000 every year to detain one person. He calculates that based on full occupancy that would cost £14.7m but G4S only charges the Home Office £11.2m.

Based on those figures, the MP says G4S should be making a loss of £2-3m "yet the newspapers are reporting profits of 20%".

Those figures are "simply wrong", replies Peter Neden. He confirms that G4S is making a profit.

Stuart McDonald asks how much it costs G4S to detain someone for a year.

Peter Neden replies that he doesn't know but adds that Brook House is not always at full occupancy.

He also says that an audit carried out a few years ago found G4S's charging to be correct.