House of Commons
Parliament

"Isn't it time we got more realistic about Russia?" says Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Sir Ed Davey.

He refers to a memorandum of understanding, external signed by the UK government, under former PM David Cameron, and Russian state nuclear energy corporation Rosatom, and asks for assurances that "the previous love-in with Russia...is completely finished".

Amber Rudd says she does not recognise that description of the UK's relationship with Russia.

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, HoC

Labour chair of the Home Affairs Committee Yvette Cooper says she's asked the home secretary to review 14 other cases, and asks if she has considered going to the UN Security Council for assurances about their willingness to extradite suspects.

Amber Rudd reiterates the need to resist "rumour and speculation" and specifies "when it comes to international activity...we will come back to the House with our proposals".

House of Commons
Parliament

SNP MP Deirdre Brock says that the emergency services "have done a fantastic job".

She asks how the government protects "human assets" like Mr Skripal and if the incident will lead to a review on how to protect those who are at risk, who are living in the UK.

Amber Rudd joins her in her "admiration and support" for the emergency services.

She says that the investigation is "ongoing at pace" and that it does not help their work on what might happen in the future.

"When we are ready to bring more evidence to the House, I hope to go further with her question."

House of Commons
Parliament

"The circumstantial evidence against Russia is very strong," says Conservative MP Sir Edward Leigh.

He repeats a call he made following Boris Johnson's statement on the incident earlier in the week, that the UK needs to achieve "peace through strength".

Sir Edward also calls for more defence spending.

"My first concern must be the incident in hand," Amber Rudd says, adding: "There will be a time for attribution."

House of Commons
Parliament

Amber Rudd hails the people of Salisbury "who have reacted so well".

She assures MPs that the police have the resources they need, and promises to keep them updated regularly given the "severity of the situation".

She says the government already has powers to sanction individuals involved in human rights abuses but "additional proposals will be considered" as part of the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Bill.

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, HoC

Shadow Home Office minister Afzal Khan pays tribute to the emergency services for "responding to this horrendous incident", to the police officer who was hospitalised and to the people of Salisbury.

"The investigation should be allowed to take place free from speculation," he argues, and MPs should be "cautious" when commenting on the case.

He calls for all available resources to be deployed and for the home secretary to keep the House updated.

Mr Khan also asks ministers to look again at the powers in the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Bill, currently being considered by MPs, and asks whether the government is "satisfied that it has all necessary sanctions available to it".

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, HoC

Home Secretary Amber Rudd says the police officer involved is in a "serious but stable" condition and "our thoughts are with all three families".

She says samples from the victims were tested by world experts before it was determined a nerve agent had been used, and it was "highly likely" the police officer was exposed to it.

She warns it is a "fast-paced criminal investigation" which is "complex and may take some time".

She describes what happened as "a brazen and reckless act" carried out in "the most cruel and public way".

But she stresses the need to "avoid speculation" and says the government will respond "in a robust and appropriate manner once we've determined who was responsible".

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, EPA/ YULIA SKRIPAL/FACEBOOK

Home Secretary Amber Rudd is updating MPs on the attempted murder of ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, in Salisbury.

The pair are still critically ill after being found on a bench in Salisbury.

A police officer, who was in intensive care, is now "stable and conscious", Wiltshire's chief constable said.

Counter-terrorism officers are working to uncover the origin of the nerve agent used in the attack.

House of Lords
Parliament

Image source, HoL

Conservative Lord Forsyth puts it to the minister: "When we've left the EU we'll be able to enhance women's rights in the workforce and not have to seek the agreement of 27 other EU states."

Business Minister Lord Henley replies that he "makes a very good point" and having more control over our own rights is part of why the UK voted to leave.

Conservative Lord Cormack chips in: "The very last thing we should leave to Henry VIII powers is women's rights."

House of Lords
Parliament

Image source, HoL

Conservative Baroness Bertin raises domestic violence at question time in the Lords, saying "all women fleeing must have safe place to run to" and asks the minister to address reports that refuge places are being reduced.

Home Office Minister Baroness Williams of Trafford says the government has allocated £100m in this area, but recognises the need to "do more still" to bring to justice the perpetrators of "these terrible crimes".

She stresses "we're very clear we're not going to reduce" refuge provision.

House of Commons
Parliament

Andrea Leadsom is outlining future business in the House of Commons.

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, HoC

Lib Dem former health minister Norman Lamb describes the report's findings as "damning", pointing to £1.25bn allocated to this area "which has fallen short".

He asks the government to meet that shortfall.

Steve Brine insists the government has "not exactly been shy" in investing £1.4bn over five years, and assures MPs: "We don't want to bury our heads in the sand."

House of Commons
Parliament

Shadow health minister Barbara Keeley asks if the minister recognises that imposing high eligibility thresholds means that children are treated only when their condition becomes more serious.

She asks the minister to look into referral criteria as a matter of urgency.

Health Minister Steve Brine says that this is the "first government" to introduce waiting time standards.

He says the government has proposals that aim to improve the join-up with specialist services, resulting in "more appropriate" referrals.

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, HoC

The SNP's Martyn Day calls it "shocking" that some young people have only received help after attempting suicide, linking it to "understaffing and the impact of austerity-driven agenda".

The minister signals his commitment to early intervention, and urges MPs to remember "this is about the health of young people".

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, HoC

Health and Social Care Minister Steve Brine is on his feet replying to the urgent question.

He thanks the Care Quality Commission for their work, and says that the government has committed to an additional £1.4bn to improve mental health services for children and young people.

"We will of course respond to this CQC review...this summer", he says.

"This government and these ministers remain committed wholly to making mental health everyone's business," he says.

House of Commons
Parliament

Shadow health minister Barbara Keeley is asking an urgent question on a review of mental health services, external for children and young people by the Care Quality Commission.

The report found the system is "complex and fragmented" and providers "do not always work together in a joined-up way".

It concluded that "too many children and young people have a poor experience of care and some are unable to access timely and appropriate support".

House of Commons
Parliament

"What has she done to stop our songbirds from being trapped and eaten in Cyprus," asks Conservative MP Sir Desmond Swayne.

Minister Therese Coffey thanks him for bringing up an "important issue", and commends the work of the Ministry of Defence in Cyprus.

She says the illegal trapping of birds has been a "long running sore", but reassures him that it has reduced by 70%.

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, HoC

Following questions on a deposit scheme, Labour MP Chi Onwurah attacks the level of litter, adding: "On the environment, this government is rubbish!"

Minister Therese Coffey disagrees and attacks "litter louts" with a her own slogan: "I reiterate my phrase: don't be a tosser!"