House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, Reuters

Labour's John Woodcock is now asking an urgent question on the liberation of Raqqa and the future of the campaign against so-called Islamic State.

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a US-backed alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters, took Raqqa last week.

Pictures suggest much of Raqqa is in ruins, and Moscow compared it to the Allied destruction of the German city of Dresden in World War II.

Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt speaks of the UK's "continued leading role" in fighting IS.

BBC News UK

A bid for broadcaster Channel 4 to relocate to the West Midlands has been officially launched.

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) estimates a move could boost the region's economy by £5bn over 10 years.

A government consultation is considering whether the broadcaster should move out of the capital.

Read more here.

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, HoC

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell says expressions of hope of a deal are "just not good enough" and asks him to stand up to others in the Cabinet.

He accuses the prime minister of "sowing more confusion" and "businesses cannot wait".

The chancellor agrees the matter is "urgent" and "that's why we're so pleased" EU27 have agreed to prepare for an implementation phase.

Select Committee
Parliament

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Conservative Julian Knight asks Charles Gurassa about the future location of Channel 4, with the government currently considering whether it should move out of London.

Many areas, including Merseyside, the West Midlands and Cardiff, have expressed an interest in attracting the broadcaster.

Mr Gurassa argues that the net result of substantial relocation would make Channel 4 weaker, smaller and less able to deliver its remit.

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, HoC

Shadow economic secretary to the Treasury Jonathan Reynolds tells MPs it's the last Treasury questions before the Budget and "if you read some papers, his last Treasury questions as chancellor".

He asks the chancellor to commit to a transitional deal guaranteeing British businesses EU single market access before the end of this year.

Philip Hammond replies that he is "greatly encouraged" by the EU27 countries' agreement to hold internal preparatory discussions on an implementation period.

Select Committee
Parliament

Image source, UK Parliament

SNP MP Brendan O'Hara asks about the effect of the Brexit vote on Channel 4's advertising revenue, which has decreased.

"Can you just explain what challenges that poses?" he asks.

A strong balance sheet has allowed the broadcaster to plan for "ebbs and flows" explains David Abraham.

He continues by saying that in the short term, it hasn't had an impact on on-screen programmes.

BBC News UK

This will be David Abraham's last appearance in front of the committee, before he steps down.

Alex Mahon was named as the new chief executive of Channel 4 earlier this year.

She is the first woman to take on the role in the broadcaster's 35-year history.

Mahon was previously head of Shine Group until 2015 and is currently chief executive of special effects company Foundry.

Read more here.

Image source, ADAM LAWRENCE

Select Committee
Parliament

Image source, UK Parliament

Labour's Chris Matheson asks a question on diversity, and what Channel 4 is doing to "make it happen".

"Personally, it's been something I've been very committed to," says David Abraham.

"We are by no means complacent. You have to redouble efforts every year to ensure impact and progress has been made."

Mr Abraham highlights entertainment programme The Last Leg, and coverage of the Rio Paralympic games as an example of where the broadcaster is doing well.

House of Commons
Parliament

The SNP's Kirsty Blackman warns that talent is already leaving the UK and "crashing out" of single market will cost Scotland £30bn over five years.

The chancellor replies that fragmentation of the UK single market would damage Scotland’s economy.

Labour's Wes Streeting observes that "we have one party in the SNP that understand the benefits of the EU single market, but not the UK single market, and fanatics in the Conservative Party that extols the benefits of the UK internal market but wants to drive a coach and horses through the EU single market".

Philip Hammond says "the benefits of the UK single market are clear to all of us and we won't allow it to be compromised".

Select Committee
Parliament

House of Commons
Parliament

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Labour's Chris Leslie raises concern over what happens if a transition deal on Brexit is not reached by the first quarter of next year.

The chancellor replies that "we are preparing for all outcomes but objective is to reach a deal" and hope to agree on "principles of an implementation period as soon as possible".

The EU27's willingness to discuss this informally and the widespread support for it in Parliament will help provide businesses with "the certainty they require", he says.

Select Committee
Parliament

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Ofcom found against Channel 4 News for identifying the wrong person as the Westminster Bridge attacker, Damian Collins notes.

What are you doing as a company to make sure the lessons from that very serious mistake have been learned? he asks.

Channel 4 chief executive David Abraham says that it was a factual error that was corrected during the course of the programme.

"This was thankfully an extremely rare but very serious breach," he continues.

"We definitely as a board and as an organisation have learned from it."

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, HoC

The first question in Treasury questions today is from Conservative David TC Davies on recent fiscal steps to reduce unemployment.

Chancellor Philip Hammond says "we set out a clear fiscal framework to restore confidence in our economy" and unemployment is at its lowest for 40 years.

Mr Davies says despite "fearmongering", the UK has strong growth and inward investment.

Mr Hammond agrees the economy is "fundamentally strong and resilient".

Donald Tusk says the talks are the bloc's "toughest stress test" and the EU cannot become divided.

BBC News UK

The first episode of Channel 4's The Great British Bake Off was watched live by an average of 5.8 million viewers.

The audience for the launch show rose to 6.5 million when those watching on +1 were included in the figures.

It's the lowest figure for an opening episode of GBBO since 2013 - when the show attracted 5.6 million viewers to BBC Two.

Read more here.

Image source, Channel 4

Select Committee
Parliament

Rebecca Pow continues, and asks about the broadcaster's acquisition of the Great British Bake Off, which had originally been broadcast on the BBC.

"Do you think it's the right way to be spending your money?"

"We didn't steal Bake Off from the BBC," says David Abraham.

He says that the Love Productions, who makes the programme are "within their rights to test the market" and seek other broadcasters.

Select Committee
Parliament

Image source, UK Parliament

Conservative Rebecca Pow asks whether lots of research and effort is put into attracting young people to Channel 4.

"If you go back to the origins of Channel 4 itself, it was always striving to address market needs," David Abraham says.

He goes on to list investments by the broadcaster, such as in E4, and dramas like Hollyoaks and Ackley Bridge.

"It's a whole package of things, but a lot starts and ends in the application of the budget."

Select Committee
Parliament

The Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee is chaired by the Conservative Damian Collins.

The other members of the committee are:

Julie Elliott, external Labour

Paul Farrelly, external Labour

Simon Hart, external Conservative

Julian Knight, external Conservative

Ian C. Lucas, external Labour

Christian Matheson, external Labour

Brendan O'Hara, external Scottish National Party

Rebecca Pow, external Conservative

Jo Stevens, external Labour

Giles Watling, external Conservative

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, AFP

MPs start the day at 11.30am with Treasury questions, after which there's an urgent question on Raqqa and a Ten Minute Rule Bill on affordable home ownership from Conservative Christopher Chope.

That's followed by an emergency debate secured yesterday by Labour on the government response to the decision of the House last week on pausing the rollout of universal credit.

Then MPs will take part in second reading of the Smart Meters Bill, external, which extends the secretary of state's powers to regulate smart metering and introduces a special administration regime for the national smart meter communication and data service provider to ensure the service continues to be provided in the event of its insolvency.

The adjournment debate comes from Conservative MP for Dover Charlie Elphicke on preparedness to leave the EU with no agreement.