Select Committee
Parliament

Conservative Peter Bone asks if the ministers agree that a deal has to be completed by November 2018, and whether a provision can be added to the bill, which gives "complete clarity for everyone" that if there is no agreement by then, "then we're not going to do a deal".

Steve Baker says that the government is "seeking to deliver a deal" and that there is no arbitrary "stake in the ground".

"We are going to do what is necessary to have the best possible chance of delivering the right relationship in all of our mutual interests."

House of Commons
Parliament

Labour MP Darren Jones is talking about the extent of slavery and exploitation in his own city of Bristol. He says just last week a nail bar was raided in his constituency.

A report by the Anti-Slavery Commissioner last month, external found that the problem of trafficked and exploited labour working in nail bars was so bad a licensing scheme should be introduced.

Darren Jones says he's "probably the only male MP" who has painted their nails to support the "Let's Nail It" campaign, external to raise awareness of the issue.

Image source, HoC

Select Committee
Parliament

Labour's Seema Malhotra asks when the Brexit impact assessments were completed.

"We have an evolving view of these matters," replies Brexit minister Steve Baker, adding that it would be "wrong" to suggest that there was any sort of end state to them.

Ms Malhotra asks if the two ministers have read the reports that have been completed.

Mr Baker tells her that he has read a "very great amount of material, day in day out".

"We have a developing view of everyone's interests on our side and on the other side."

Select Committee
Parliament

On the implementation period, Conservative Stephen Crabb asks if changes to retained EU laws will be made during the implementation period.

"No," replies Steve Baker.

Mr Baker says that the bill is intended to take law as it stands, but it does not include "keep pace powers" and the government does not intend that it will.

Select Committee
Parliament

If legislative consent to the bill is not granted by the devolved administrations, what steps can the government take to progress the bill, asks the DUP's Sammy Wilson.

Under a political convention between the devolved institutions and Westminster, any new law that relates to devolved matters needs a legislative consent motion passed.

Robin Walker replies that by the end of the process, there will be a "real incentive" for the devolved administrations, adding that he's hoping that the Joint Ministerial Committee process will reassure them that their powers will be protected and increased.

The committee, whose membership includes representatives of the UK and devolved governments, is chaired by First Secretary of State Damian Green.

House of Commons
Parliament

Conservative MP Maggie Throup talks about the provisions in the Modern Slavery Act 2015 that compel large companies, those with turnovers of more than £36m a year, to place a statement on their website outlining their efforts to ensure their supply chains are free from slavery.

She says that she's looked at many of these and is disappointed that many companies seem to pay "lip service" to the legislation rather than engaging with it seriously.

Select Committee
Parliament

Hilary Benn wants to clarify with Minister Steve Baker more about the bills that Parliament may be considering.

This bill [the EU Withdrawal Bill] would not be used to implement the transitional arrangements, you would require separate legislation, asks Hilary Benn.

Mr Baker confirms that is the case.

"If that is the case, if you're going to require a separate piece of legislation to implement any transitional arrangement, doesn't it undermine the argument that you put earlier, that not having a separate bill to deal with the whole withdrawal arrangement...wouldn't really work in terms of time," he says.

Steve Baker says he has heard what Mr Benn says and the government will consider the implications.

Select Committee
Parliament

Lib Dem Wera Hobhouse asks if it is a fair assumption that the government would prioritise speed over scruitiny?

"Our priority is to deliver a working statute book," Steve Baker tells her.

SNP MP Peter Grant picks up on the point, asking if the Brexit minister means that if there's not enough time for parliamentary scrutiny - "that's too bad".

"I don't accept that for one moment Mr Grant," says Mr Baker

"We're proposing to use procedures which will allow all of these instruments to be before parliament."

Select Committee
Parliament

Conservative John Whittingdale asks what the consequences would be if the bill did not pass.

"This bill is about how we leave... it's not about whether," says Steve Baker.

"If this bill were not to pass, or to pass in a way that defeated its main purpose, there would be holes in the statute book."

He says that he "feels sure" that both Houses of Parliament would want to avoid that happening.

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, HoC

Former justice minister Helen Grant tells MPs that slavery affects "the most vulnerable members of society".

She says the Modern Slavery Act was a "landmark" but "more work needs to be done on prevention".

She is concerned that too often victims are not initially believed or taken seriously, including by the police in some cases.

Select Committee
Parliament

Hilary Benn asks whether commitments to a vote on the final deal will be added to the EU Withdrawal Bill.

"At this point, we are not willing to engage in that conversation before committee stage," says Steve Baker.

"We would, of course, expect to fulfil the commitment we've given."

Select Committee
Parliament

Chair Hilary Benn opens by quizzing the ministers on whether the government expects a deal with the EU to "run to the wire".

The government is under pressure from rebel Tory MPs and Labour to guarantee a Commons vote on Brexit before the UK leaves the EU in March 2019.

David Davis denied "fudging" the commitment by suggesting when appearing in front of the committee yesterday Wednesday such a vote could happen after that date if the talks run late.

"It is our hope that we will conclude the agreements necessary in good time for ratification," says Brexit minister Steve Baker.

Select Committee
Parliament

The committee is questioning ministers Steve Baker and Robin Walker.

You can watch the Exiting the EU Committee here, external.

Select Committee
Parliament

The committee is chaired by Labour’s Hilary Benn.

The other members of the committee are:

Mr Peter Bone, external Conservative

Joanna Cherry, external Scottish National Party

Mr Christopher Chope, external Conservative

Stephen Crabb, external Conservative

Mr Jonathan Djanogly, external Conservative

Richard Graham, external Conservative

Peter Grant, external Scottish National Party

Wera Hobhouse, external Liberal Democrat

Andrea Jenkyns, external Conservative

Stephen Kinnock, external Labour

Jeremy Lefroy, external Conservative

Mr Pat McFadden, external Labour

Craig Mackinlay, external Conservative

Seema Malhotra, external Labour (Co-op)

Mr Jacob Rees-Mogg, external Conservative

Emma Reynolds, external Labour

Stephen Timms, external Labour

Mr John Whittingdale, external Conservative

Hywel Williams, external Plaid Cymru

Sammy Wilson, external Democratic Unionist Party

Select Committee
Parliament

The Brexit Committee will shortly begin taking evidence on the EU Withdrawal Bill.

This is the final session of the inquiry which is looking at:

• The provisions for transposing EU law into UK law
• The implications of not preserving the Charter of Fundamental Rights in the UK legal order
• The scope of the powers delegated to ministers to make changes to EU laws retained in the UK
• How EU laws and obligations retained in UK law will be enforced once the UK leaves the EU
• The implications of the bill for the devolution settlements
• The provisions for implementing the withdrawal agreement
• How the bill would allow for a transition period and prepare for a no deal scenario

MPs will be hearing from Brexit ministers Steve Baker and Robin Walker.

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, HoC

MPs are now taking part in a debate on the implementation of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. The act was passed while Theresa May was home secretary and the prime minister has made fighting what she calls a "barbaric evil" a priority.

This week a report said police were letting down victims "at every stage", with some police forces worried to look too closely into slavery because they fear they lack resources to deal with what they might find.

Labour's Vernon Coaker opens the debate, saying: "The horrible reality demands more than emotional outrage."

He acknowledges the "trailblazing" legislation but warns "many traffickers are not being caught or receiving minimal sentences".

House of Commons
Parliament

Brexit Secretary David Davis has said he ‘fully expects’ MPs and Lords to vote on the final Brexit deal before the UK leaves the European Union in March 2019.

He was responding to an urgent question from the shadow Brexit secretary, Sir Keir Starmer.

Mr Davis added "of course this vote cannot happen until there is a deal to vote upon, but we are working to reach an agreement on a final deal in good time before we leave the European Union in March 2019.

"Clearly we cannot say for certain at this stage when this will be agreed, but as Michel Barnier said, he hopes to get a draft deal agreed by October 2018 - and that's our aim as well.

“So we fully expect there will be a vote in the UK Parliament on this before the vote in the European Parliament, and before we leave the European Union”.

Mr Davis also insisted the choice will be "meaningful - whether to accept that deal, or to move ahead without a deal".

Referring to his appearance in the Brexit Committee yesterday, Mr Davis said the government recognised the ratification of the Brexit agreement "will take time and could run into the implementation period".

The Brexit secretary is urged to guarantee MPs a vote on any deal before the UK leaves the EU.

House of Lords
Parliament

Image source, HoL

Lib Dem Baroness Smith of Newnham is opening her debate on the case for intergenerational fairness forming a core part of government policy across all departments.

She says she wants to challenge the government to be "more ambitious" in its treatment of this question.

House of Lords
Parliament

Image source, HoL

Ex-Brexit minister Lord Bridges of Headley asks if Parliament rejects a "no deal" scenario what power would Parliament have to force EU partners back to the negotiating table, and to force the government to revoke Article 50.

Brexit Minister Baroness Anelay says on the potential for revoking Article 50: "Hypothecation and hypothesis is beyond me today."