House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, HoC

The SNP's health spokesperson, Dr Philippa Whitford, says there are three groups of people who need social care: the frail elderly; those needing end of life care, who "want dignity, and if possible to be at home" - and younger people with a disability.

This last group is expected to rise by 9.2% between 2010 and 2020, she says.

Age UK say there are 1.2m people who have a social care need aren't being met, she says and there has been a 26% drop in funding in England for social care.

The carers allowance isn't the same as job seekers' allowance, she adds. These people "are saving the state millions", she states.

She adds that richer areas of the country will be able to raise more through the social care precept.

Select Committee
Parliament

Yvette Cooper asks how many people have been detained.

Amber Rudd says that she's instructed that any detentions shouldn't take place, but says that she is prioritising cases that could lead to removal "for now".

Amber Rudd promises to come back with a proposal on "how far we should go" to look at old cases.

House of Lords
Parliament

Peers vote 349 to 221 for crossbencher Lord Lisvane's amendment, which means delegated legislation can only be used where "necessary" rather than where deemed "appropriate” by ministers.

This represents a defeat for the government - the sixth so far on this bill.

Select Committee
Parliament

Up now is the Home Secretary, Amber Rudd.

Chair Yvette Cooper asks for further answers on the scale of the problem.

Amber Rudd says that some of the cases have been "tragic" and is committed to putting things right.

She says that nobody has been deported "as far as we can see" and that checks have gone back to 2002.

"It is a fairly extensive process... we've got through 7,000."

House of Lords
Parliament

Image source, HoL

Lord Lisvane is not persuaded by the minister's assurances and moves his amendment to a vote.

The amendment would mean delegated legislation can only be used where "necessary" rather than where deemed "appropriate” by ministers.

House of Lords
Parliament

Image source, HoL

Brexit Minister Lord Callanan tells peers the requirement of necessity is not as clear as some have suggested.

Introducing this test would turn a minister into a "statutory firefighter dousing uncertainties in the statute book only where necessary", he says.

He believes the minister should be able to take a "proactive" approach, which would be ensured under the bill's current wording.

He says that's what's required to ensure a fully functioning statute book.

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, HoC

Health and Social Care Minister Caroline Dinenage says the government wants the UK to be the best country in the world for people to enjoy their old age.

It is right to "acknowledge that this sector has been through some really difficult times", she says.

She says that when the government came to office in 2010, they inherited a social care system which was "on its knees" due to underinvestment from governments over many decades.

Council tax had doubled by the time Labour left office, she says, and 45,000 people a year were forced to sell their homes in order to pay for social care.

The "tough spending choices" made in recent years means that the government can now put social care on a "sustainable footing" because the country's finances have "turned a corner".

Select Committee
Parliament

Conservative Rehman Chishti asks what level of evidence a pre-1973 arrival should show to successfully apply for a no time limit document.

"There is no prescribed level of evidence... they're not applying for a decision for indefinite leave to remain," says Adrian Berry.

"They already hold the status.

"You do it essentially by establishing the genesis moment of your arrival in the UK," he says, explaining that's why there's been such a big focus on landing cards recently.

The amendment under discussion is all about Henry VIII powers.

So what are they?

The UK Parliament website defines it as follows:

House of Lords
Parliament

Image source, HoL

Speaking for the Labour front bench, Lord Goldsmith says "when great powers are being given one needs to be very clear where the discretion lies".

He is outlining his support for an amendment which would mean Henry VIII powers, external must be necessary rather than appropriate.

"There is a profound distinction" between necessary and appropriate, he argues, and necessity is well-understood as a legal concept.

"This House has a responsibility not to give the executive more power than is necessary," he adds.

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, HoC

Barbara Keeley, shadow mental health and social care minister, says that poor quality care means people not being washed, not being able to leave the house or "even not being given required medication".

She says that carers often say they are driven to "breaking point" in their family and home life from the stresses and strains of their jobs.

Some people in need of care are now having to wear incontinence pads because there is no-one there to take them to the toilet, removing their dignity, she says.

She says that more funding needs to be put into social care, using funds from wealth taxes, employer contributions or a social care levy.

"It's been a complete cloud of obfuscation I'm afraid," she says, referring to the government's current plans on social care.

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, ForMed/BBC

The Commons begin a debate on social care, the second of two opposition day debates in the Commons this afternoon.

On 10 April, the Leader of Darlington Council expressed "concern" over the state of social care in the area. He, and other council leaders, are pressing the government to reform how care homes are funded. Social care for adults and children now make up 62% of Darlington Council's budget.

Meanwhile, Cornwall Council underwent a public consultation on how social care was funded in the area, arising from proposals to change the charging system for services.

Meanwhile, the Welsh government has announced plans to give care workers the choice on whether or not they want to work on zero hours contracts.

In response, the government has announced plans to start integrating the NHS and Social Care services in the UK.

House of Lords
Parliament

Image source, HoL

Former Brexit minister Lord Bridges of Headley agrees that it "hardly seems right that excessive powers are given to ministers".

But he adds that he cannot agree with the amendment given "all the other limitations that currently apply" to ministers.

The main question is whether the bill facilitates a smooth, orderly exit, he continues, and he believes it does.

Select Committee
Parliament

Labour's Nas Shah asks why the Home Office's processes have failed the Windrush generation.

"Representations have been made on behalf of all of the cases you've heard," explains Satbir Sing.

"It's not unusual in the slightest for those people to be treated in that way during those interactions", going on to cite inflexible "evidence burdens" and the removal of most legal aid for immigration cases as some of the reasons why people have struggled.

House of Lords
Parliament

Conservative Lord Skelmersdale complains the amendment would "leave us in total limbo" since it removes the reference to "ministers".

"Who is going to make these regulations?" he asks.

House of Lords
Parliament

Image source, HoL

Peers begin day three of report stage debate on the EU Withdrawal Bill, external, which repeals the European Communities Act 1972 and writes EU law into UK law ahead of Brexit.

Report stage is when changes discussed earlier in the bill's passage are usually made - either through amendments brought forward by the government or forced on them through a vote.

Crossbencher and former Commons clerk Lord Lisvane is introducing an amendment which would mean ministers can only use delegated legislation where "necessary" rather than "appropriate”, which is the bill's current wording.

"It's a high bar but 'appropriate' is so low it would challenge even the most determined limbo dancer," he tells the House.

Select Committee
Parliament

Committee chair Yvette Cooper asks the witnesses for "their sense of why this is happening", regarding the situation that some from the Windrush generation find themselves in.

Lucy Moreton, from the ISU, says a series of policy decisions, rather than one single decision has led to the situation.

Adrian Berry, the chair of the Immigration Law Practioners' Association, adds that the "political ambition" of the net migration target has led to checks to be done by people other than immigration officers.

"Your own testimony as a credible person is not sufficient", he adds.

Satbir Singh, from the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants, thinks that the government's current net migration target "finds few champions" in public life.

House of Lords
Parliament

Chief whip Lord Taylor of Holbeach introduces an order of consideration motion for schedule 7 - to allow a week between devolution amendment being published and its debate in the Lords. It's agreed to by peers.

House of Lords
Parliament

Image source, HoL

Lib Dem Lord Storey asks what assessment the government has made of gender pay gaps in academy schools and trusts.

He says across multi-academy trusts there is a 31.7% median pay gap and "that's not proper use of taxpayer money".

Education Minister Lord Agnew of Oulton points out the UK is "one of first countries in the world to require gender pay gap reporting" and the government will take action to close the gap.

He says trusts set their own salaries, but promises he is "bearing down" on inappropriate pay and will continue to do so.

Select Committee
Parliament

Shortly we'll be going over to the Home Affairs Committee, where MPs will later quiz the Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, on the citizenship issues being experienced by children of the Windrush generation.

Up first, though, are:

• Adrian Berry, Chair, Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association
• Lucy Moreton, General Secretary, the ISU
• Satbir Singh, Chief Executive, Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants