House of Commons
Parliament

The Cross of St George will fly above the House of Commons when England play in the World Cup next week.

The Commons Speaker, John Bercow, told MPs, he was keen that the House showed its support for the England World Cup team and had decided that the Commons would fly the St George's flag for England's game next week.

England will play on either Monday or Tuesday depending on the outcome of today's game against Belgium.

Mr Bercow said: "I know I speak for the whole House in wishing the Three Lions the best of luck tonight."

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The SNP's Pete Wishart says that it is ironic that the prime minister is off to Belgium as England are playing the country's football team later today.

He says the prime minister is likely to score "a series of own goals".

The Commons business spokesperson then asks for a debate on the money "running rampant" through political parties.

The Leader of the House asks who Mr Wishart is supporting Belgium or England: Barnier or May. Ms Leadom will be supporting England and the PM, she says.

She asks the member to raise the other issues during Scottish Questions.

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Liberal Democrat business spokesperson Lord Fox says there is likely to be a "shortfall in skills" if the sector continues on its current course. He says that there is a "terrible irony" in that this was announced in Wales, especially after the scrapping of the Swansea Bay tidal lagoon.

Lord Henley says that Swansea Bay was discussed only the other day, and would have cost three times as much as Hinckley Point.

He adds that the government is working to make sure the UK can attract those who can work in this sector.

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The Lords is hearing a statement on the nuclear sector deal. This was tabled as an urgent question earlier in the Commons by independent MP John Woodcock.

Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Minister Lord Henley says the nuclear sector in the UK is a "powerhouse" and is the equivalent of the UK aerospace industry. It is part of the growing renewable portfolio, he adds.

Shadow business spokesperson Lord Grantchester says the UK was the "world leader" in nuclear technology, and this has the opportunity to put Britain back at number one.

He asks if the government will work with larger programmes overseas, such as in the US.

Lord Henley says there will be a reduction of 30% over the years in nuclear new builds, as well as a reduction in costs for decommissioning in the future.

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Shadow Leader of the House, Valerie Vaz criticises her counterpart for only giving the business a week and a day in advance.

Ms Vaz says that Saturday is International Day of Parliamentarism, external and tells the House that the government voted down the fact that Parliament is sovereign in the EU (Withdrawal) Bill.

She asks will the Trade and Customs bill return before the recess and comments it seem to be caught in a "legislative log jam".

Andrea Leadsom replies that the legislative programme has seen 19 bills reached royal assent and hundreds of statutory instruments passed.

She says the Opposition is unaware of "important" legislation and adds more 280 hours of debate took place in Parliament on the EU (Withdrawal) Bill. She tells the House it will give "certainty".

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Conservative Lord Cormack asks what the government is doing to ensure the integrity of elections following the recent recommendations from the Electoral Commission, external to look at political advertising online.

Cabinet Office Minister Lord Young of Cookham says the government "will consider its recommendations carefully" and the government "is committed to increasing transparency" in digital campaigning.

Lord Cormack says that the Chairman of the Electoral Commission has called for regulation, including for government to have to respond to their reports when published.

Lord Young says that the Electoral Commission has two inquiries outstanding which will be completed later this year.

It is an independent body, he adds.

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Liberal Democrat Lord Shutt of Greetland asks what plans the government have to look at the report produced by the Committee on the Inquiries Act 2005, external, in the light of the National Audit Office investigation into government funded inquiries, external.

Justice Minister Baroness Vere of Norbiton says the government agrees with the committee report published at the end of 2014, that the rules are "fundamentally sound" but that "worthwhile improvements can be made".

Lord Shutt says the committee report made many recommendations which would save time and money. He says the NAO report states that the government has not followed through on recommendations which they accepted.

Baroness Vere says the government accepted 20 recommendations from the report, the Cabinet Office has "strengthened" its response and support for inquiries, she adds.

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Conservative Lord Farmer asks what assessment has been made of the Boarding School Partnership, external information service, and asks how many children who would otherwise have been taken into local authority care have been given places in state boarding schools as a result of the service.

Education Minister Lord Agnew of Oulton says the service was launched last July and is operated independently. He says statistics are not collected centrally, but he states that there were 700 visitors to the web portal and there has been an increase in recent months.

Lord Farmer asks what plans the government has to increase boarding schools take up by local authorities.

Lord Agnew says Norfolk County Council has found that there are improved education outcomes for these children and a reduced risk of them going into care.

He adds that this option is not suitable for all children, but he urges local authorities to consider this option.

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Leader of the House Andrea Leadom announces estimates days for Monday and Tuesday; the return of the Ivory Bill and an opposition day for the SNP on Wednesday.

Next Friday will be a sitting day for private members bills.

Ms Leadsom says the House should celebrate the EU (Withdrawal) Bill's royal assent as well as the Commons Library's 200th Birthday; National Democracy Day and Votes for Women at 100 years.

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Questions in the Lords begins, and Labour's Lord Haskel asks what assessment the government have made of a report, external which says some of the UK’s largest and most internationally competitive companies account for the biggest reduction in UK productivity growth.

Treasury Minister Lord Bates says this paper "is an important addition" to evidence looking at productivity slowdown has occurred. He says it is "unclear" why.

Lord Haskel says the UK's slow productivity growth is more down to the business models used by our biggest companies, which favours high, short term bonus cultures and low taxes. He asks for this to be reviewed.

Lord Bates says the government has invested £31bn in a productivity investment fund, and is currently undertaking another productivity investment review. He adds this problem has been ongoing since the 1950s.

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Shadow business minister Bill Esterson welcomes the nuclear sector deal, including the target of 40% women working in the sector by 2030. He asks when it will be 50%.

He says the announcement is "repackaging" of existing policy and says only £10m is new government funding.

Mr Esterson says the scrapping of the Swansea Tidal Lagoon shows different rules apply to different energy. He accuses the government of failing to keep up with decarbonisation targets.

Sam Gyimah says that it is "not correct" there is no new money in the deal. The minister adds that the Swansea Bay proposal would cost £1.3bn to build and only produce a fraction of the energy the UK uses each year.

He adds "there are some people you can never please".

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Sam Gyimah stands in for the business secretary, who is North Wales launching the Nuclear Sector Deal.

The energy minister says that the government is committed to agree sector deals that are "ambitious" and "boost productivity".

He tells the House that the nuclear sector is an "economic powerhouse" and is the equivalent in scale to the aerospace industry, employing 87,500 highly skilled people.

Mr Gyimah says nuclear generation provides more than 20% of the UK's electricity supply and helps to reduce C02 emissions.

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John Woodcock, MP for Barrow and Furness, is asking an urgent question in the House of Commons today on the Nuclear Sector Deal.

The new deal was announced yesterday by the business secretary and is worth £200m.

The deal includes a £32m boost from government and industry to kick-start a new advanced manufacturing programme including R&D investment.

The deal includes a commitment to increase gender diversity with a target of 40% women working in civil nuclear sector by 2030.

The government says it will mean cheaper energy bills for customers.

You can read more about the Nuclear Sector Deal here, external.

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Shadow minister for women and equalities Dawn Butler tells the House it was a Labour government that reduced the tampon tax to 5%.

She says that one in three cases of revenge porn are dropped and asks whether "revenge porn" should not be a specific sexual offence so that victims can be given anonymity.

Justice Minister Edward Argar says the government is committed to "supporting and protecting" victims.

He says that reporting constrictions can be applied for by victims and witnesses but the government are not committing to review rules around anonymity.

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Labour MP Grahame Morris says it is "outrageous" that period poverty exists at all.

Minister for Women Victoria Atkins replies it is a "mystery" why the Labour government did not reduce the VAT on sanitary products to lowest possible rate of 5%.

She tells the House that the rate is to comply with EU rules and the government will introduce a zero rate after Brexit.

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Questions to the ministers for Women and Equalities and her team begin.

Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell asks if she will commend a scheme in his constituency where retired engineers tutor girls.

Women and Equalities Minister Penny Mordaunt says it isn't just about career opportunities it is about the "pleasure" of working in a STEM job, external.

She adds the STEM ambassador programme is "vital" in getting the message across.

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