House of Commons
Parliament

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Transport Secretary Chris Grayling opens the debate on the third runway at Heathrow.

The vote today does not grant final planning permission, but does grant Heathrow allowances to continue their plans for further consent, he says.

This is a debate which is "divisive for many" but has support across the House, he says.

He says he understands that some MPs will not be able to vote in favour of this, adding that all members of the Commons are ultimately constituency MPs.

He adds that this is "absolutely crucial to the United Kingdom as a whole," adding that there is not a single airport that does not support expansion, business groups, too, support it, he states.

House of Commons
Parliament

MPs are debating whether a third runway should be built at London’s Heathrow airport.

The political debate on this issue has raged for decades, as campaigners for and against the expansion have put pressure on politicians.

Opponents say a third runway would add to noise and air pollution as airlines would be able to put on more flights.

They say it would go against Britain’s environmental obligations as well as destroying neighbourhoods in west London and reduce quality of life for those living under the flight path.

Others also argue that the focus on Heathrow prevents investment in transport networks in other parts of the country.

But supporters say expansion would create 60,000 jobs and boost the economy. They say Britain needs more air capacity to allow businesses to grow.

UK Business Secretary Greg Clark rejects calls to support a £1.3bn tidal energy project in Swansea Bay, saying it would not be value for money.

The financial arguments behind the Swansea Bay energy project

Select Committee
Parliament

The committee asks the Chief Inspector if Ofsted is financially constrained to a one day inspection regime rather than a preferable two day inspection regime.

Amanda Spielman replies "without a doubt"

The chair asks a final question, would Ms Spielman prefer more frequent inspections?

She replies that she is "comfortable" with the statutory limits "as they stand".

The committee session is brought to a close.

House of Commons
Parliament

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Plaid Cymru's Jonathan Edwards says this is the "second broken promise" from the 2015 manifesto. He asks if the government would stand in the way if the Welsh government decides to try and finance this project alone.

Mr Clark says the commitment from the manifesto was to consider this prospect, and there have been 10 meetings with the Welsh government this year alone, he says.

The conclusion that the government has drawn is that it "can't be justified in terms of value for money".

House of Commons
Parliament

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Former Energy Secretary Sir Ed Davey, who was in office when the prospect of the lagoon was raised, says that this decision is "wrong wrong wrong" and asks for the government to publish all of their associated evidence they have received on this case.

Mr Clark says that everything not covered by a non-disclosure agreement will be published.

Select Committee
Parliament

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Permanent Secretary Jonathan Slater tells the committee that there is a "fantastic user friendly database" for parents.

Conservative Anne Marie Morris asks whether parents should have their views taken in a "constructive way".

Amanda Spielman says that every parent is told that an inspection is happening and has the chance to give their views. She says the next inspection framework we will look to make "more space for parents"; however she adds that "everything that goes in means something else has to come out".

The Conservative MP asks how a school moves from a good to outstanding if it is only subject to a short inspection.

Permanent Secretary Jonathan Slater replies "that is the choice". He tells the committee there is a focus of resource on schools that are less than good.

House of Commons
Parliament

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Shadow business, energy and industry minister Bill Esterson says "this statement is evidence of another failed government policy" before calling it a "missed opportunity" and he says the government should be "ashamed".

"It is another broken promise by the Conservative party," he says, while adding that in 2015 the government promised to build it in their manifesto.

A hundred MPs from all over the house support the building of the lagoon, he states.

Mr Clark says he "understands his disappointment" but says that the UK and Welsh governments "have to be responsible stewards" of taxpayer money.

He says the UK's record on renewables "is one of the strongest in the world", particularly in wind, he adds. The UK is the world leader in offshore wind, he states.

Greg Clark comments amid a row over cabinet colleagues' criticism of jobs warnings over Brexit.

House of Commons
Parliament

Energy Secretary Greg Clark says that last winter, one of the coldest, the UK's extra capacity was still over 10% and the UK has one of the best records in the G7 for green energy, he adds.

Coal, the most polluting fuel, contributed less to output than in any year since the industrial revolution, he says.

The government believes "in renewable energy", he says, before adding that the government believes it would not be appropriate to provide £1.3bn to build the Swansea Bay tidal lagoon.

At this amount of electricity being supplied, it would cost £400m in wind farms, he adds.

By 2050, this proposal could cost £20bn more to produce than through producing power through offshore wind and nuclear, he states.

He says this would cost the average British household an additional £700 between 2031 and 2050.

The lagoon itself would only support 28 jobs in management of the facility, he adds.

However novel and appealing the proposal is, the cost for taxpayers and consumers is too high, he finishes.

House of Commons
Parliament

Image source, Press Association

Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Secretary Greg Clark is making a statement on energy policy.

Previously, an independent report backed the Swansea tidal lagoon project as a "no regrets" option, develops have claimed that it would provide enough power for 155,000 homes.

The Hendry Review also stated that the lagoon would make a "strong contribution" to energy supplies.

The Welsh Conservatives have encouraged the UK government to back the scheme.

Select Committee
Parliament

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MPs ask who is checking that schools are improving after a poor result.

Matthew Coffey says that special measures will trigger the department to take action. Ofsted does not just "sit back" and "will not hesitate" to inspect if there are delays.

Amanda Spielman adds that Ofsted takes account of requests for early inspections but does not inspect by "arrangement".

HM Chief Inspector tells the committee it is "reasonable" for a school to be inspected within a child's time there. She adds that she hasn't come across many people that feel "five years is too short a gap" between inspections.

House of Commons
Parliament

The SNP's Carol Monaghan says children from poorer backgrounds are more likely to be obese.

She asks how the government's obesity plans tie into plans to tackle poverty. She also asks what is being done to help poorer families move away from junk food.

Mr Brine says 80%-90% of the SNP's obesity recommendations have been incorporated in the government's plans. He welcomes the SNP's policy on reducing childhood obesity in Scotland but says "the difference is we have a plan for how to get there".

Business Secretary Greg Clark defends the right of companies such as Airbus to air their views over Brexit.

House of Commons
Parliament

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Chair of the Health Select Committee Dr Sarah Wollaston welcomes the announcement, and asks for a timeline for these consultations which have been announced.

Mr Brine says most of the consultations will "getting under way this year".

House of Commons
Parliament

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Health Minister Steve Brine says that the government has today published "the second chapter" in its strategy for dealing with the problem of childhood obesity, which places "substantial costs" on the NHS.

The plans will limit advertising on junk food as well as working with local authorities to address childhood obesity, adding that it is "a complex issue" which has been "decades in the making".

Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth says the UK has a "crisis" and it needs "action". He accuses the government of stealing Labour's policies in this area.

He adds there are still no powers for councils to limit takeaways near schools or advertise on billboards in the vicinity of schools. Today the government has announced 13 consultations and reviews, which "hardly shows" that the government is "gripped" by the urgency of the crisis, he states.

Mr Brine says that the government has already introduced a sugar tax on soft drinks and is working with food manufacturers to reduce the amount of sugar in foods.

The government is also spending money on breakfast clubs for schools, he adds.

"We are very clear that more needs to be done," he adds, saying that he is "sorry" that Mr Ashworth does not like consultations, but the government is focused on getting it right, he states.