House of Commons
Parliament

Labour's Dan Jarvis says there's "basic unfairness" in transport funding between different areas.

Transport Minister John Hayes says that's "just wrong" and "they don't take into account whole picture".

Shadow transport secretary Andy McDonald asks if regions across the country are being given "second-rate railways".

"We are investing in rail in the north," Mr Hayes tells him.

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, HoC

Labour's Ian Mearns calls for replacement of the Tyne and Wear Metro rolling stock, telling MPs it's "over 40 years old and failing on a daily basis".

He says he's repeatedly asked about this and would like an answer despite the Conservatives not having any MPs in the area.

Transport Minister Paul Maynard apologises for the lack of response, and agrees new trains are needed.

"We are trying to find an appropriate method of funding," he says.

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, HoC

Conservative Sir Desmond Swayne asks in reference to post-Brexit aviation arrangements: "What country would turn away planes full of British tourists willing to spend money?"

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling responds that: "Anyone worried about March 2019 needs to think how many Spanish hotels will be empty if Spain decides not to continue aviation agreements."

Shadow transport minister Karl Turner accuses him of being "in denial" whereas the chancellor, he says, recognises the threat to flights.

Mr Grayling tells him the chancellor said that it would not be worth spending lots of money on that scenario.

House of Commons
Parliament

The first question is from Conservative Julia Lopez on plans to update legislation on the taxi and private hire vehicle industries.

Transport Minister John Hayes replies: "Discussions with the mayor are regular and the government is determined to find a way forward."

Labour MPs Clive Betts and Alex Cunningham raise concern over sex offenders receiving taxi licences.

Mr Hayes says: "There's a case for new statutory guidance."

He adds: "I think the current system is being gamed" by drivers exploiting differences between local authorities' rules.

Welcome to Thursday in the Commons where the day starts with Transport questions.

There's an urgent question on Grenfell Tower to come too, before Andrea Leadsom, the Leader of the House, outlines the business for the week ahead. Will we see the return to the Commons of the EU Withdrawal Bill next week?

But PM rejects Labour's calls to pause the new benefit's roll-out as she loses symbolic Commons vote.

House of Commons
Parliament

The final bit of business for the day is an adjournment debate led by Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell on animals in peril.

The Commons returns from 9:30am tomorrow, for Transport questions followed by the Business statement by the Leader of the House.

Thanks for following us today and join us tomorrow...

Susan Hulme
Parliamentary correspondent

The Speaker, John Bercow, has said the government should send a minister to the House to give an "indication of its thinking" following the vote on universal credit.

In a highly-charged Commons, he told ministers: "This institution is bigger than any one party, and frankly it is bigger than any one government. This place and what we do here matters very much."

His comments came after Conservative MPs had been ordered by the leadership not to take part in any vote.

However, Labour forced the vote, which meant the Opposition technically won the motion calling for the rollout of the benefit to be paused.

The Conservative MP, Sir Edward Leigh, also criticised his own government's tactics, saying: "What worries me is that surely there is some sort of precedent here..... this is not and should not be a university debating society.

"What is the point of the House of Commons if we just express opinions for the sake of it? Surely when we vote, it should have some effect."

House of Commons
Parliament

Conservative backbencher Sir Edward Leigh says he's taken part in hundreds of divisions in his time as an MP and was always under the impression that voting had "some kind of purpose".

The Commons is "not a university debating society" he says, "surely when we vote it should have some effect". He asks the Speaker to work to ensure the House of Commons is at the "centre of our national life".

The Speaker says it is an "unusual situation" for a vote to be passed with no-one voting against and it would be "respectful to the House" if a minister would come to the House to explain the government's thinking.

Addressing the government front bench he says the Commons is "bigger than any one party and frankly it is bigger than any government, this place and what we do here matter very much".

Image source, HoC

Sean Curran
Parliamentary correspondent

MPs have supported a Labour call for a pause in the roll-out of the government's new combined benefit, universal credit by 299 votes to 0.

This a symbolic victory for Labour.

Conservative MPs abstained and the vote is not binding on the government.

Following the vote the Commons Speaker, John Bercow has said it was for government ministers to decide how to respond to the "clearly expressed view of the House".

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, HoC

The Labour motion calling for a "pause" on the roll-out of universal credit passes by 299 votes to nil.

Conservative and DUP MPs abstained on the motion and it is a motion which is non-binding on the government.

On a point of order, shadow work and pensions secretary Debbie Abrahams calls it a "major defeat" and says the government can't command a majority in the Commons.

It is "in office but not in power", she says, and asks when the government will make a statement on plans to pause universal credit.

Speaker John Bercow says that "constitutionally" the House can't direct ministers, and it is "for ministers to decide how to respond to the clearly expressed view of the House" and adds "I feel confident they will do so".

"It isn't a fair system." The story of one single mum who had to wait six weeks for her Universal Credit payment.