House of Commons
Parliament

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Justice Secretary David Gauke says the considerable cost of insurance premiums are a consequence of increasing whiplash claims, a number of which are not genuine.

He says it is right that the government does something now as whiplash claims should not be increasing when road traffic accidents are decreasing.

Labour MP Debbie Abrahams asks whether there will be less access to justice for those who want to claim about genuine small road traffic accidents.

Mr Gauke says he wants to ensure that people are able to bring the claims in person, which is what the small courts are there for, and that he believes putting the tariff at £5,000 is the right level.

A simple online service will also be designed where those involved in road traffic accidents who don't want to claim in person can seek legal advice.

He says that a definition for whiplash has been included as an amendment after the bill passed through the Lords.

House of Commons
Parliament

MPs now move onto today’s main legislative action – debating the Civil Liability Bill 2017-19 at second reading.

The bill (which has already passed through the House of Lords) aims to reduce the number of fake whiplash claims, as well as making technical changes to how compensation payments are calculated.

There are concerns that spurious claims are driving up insurance premiums for motorists, as well as costing the NHS millions in compensation pay-outs. Payments could be capped, whilst the bill also looks to ban the settlement of claims without medical evidence.

Justice Secretary David Gauke says that whiplash claims following traffic accidents are higher in England that anywhere else.

Liberal Democrat, Sir Ed Davey, asks the justice secretary if he can confirm that any cost savings will be passed on to motorists, suggesting that the FCA have the power to hold insurance companies to account over this.

David Gauke says amendments will be brought along shortly to ensure that insurance companies will be held to account.

House of Commons
Parliament

Labour MP Ruth Smeeth tables her Ceramics (Country of Origin Marking) Bill as a ten minute rule motion. The bill looks to make it law for ceramic products to carry country of origin marking.

Ms Smeeth, whose Stoke-on-Trent North constituency is known for its pottery goods production, says most British manufactured goods carry 'Made in England' back stamps or similar.

But foreign-made ceramic goods, which she says are cheaper and lower quality, often don’t.

She calls on the House to support "this key industry", which she says "deserves no less".

"When people buy British, they expect the best," she says, arguing that when "shoddy" products can manipulate this reputation, it is "tarnished".

House of Commons
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Seema Malhotra informs the House that approximately 800 statutory instruments will have to be passed before exit day, regardless of negotiations.

The Labour MP asks the Speaker if he has had any discussions with the Leader of the House to extend sitting hours.

John Bercow replies that he has had no discussions with Andrea Leadsom. He adds that the European Statutory Instruments Committee was established before the recess and its work will be "highly relevant."

The Speaker says in the need of "effective scrutiny", form must follow function, so that the House can do its job "properly".

House of Commons
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Conservative MP Richard Drax asks the Brexit Secetary for assurances that any 'common rulebook' the UK would follow as part of the Chequers plan "will not, in any shape or form, affect future trade negotiations" with countries outside the EU.

Dominic Raab says he cannot says it would not be an "honest answer" to say that it would have no effect on the UK's "latitude" when it comes to striking new deals.

However it would still the leave the UK with "virtually full control" over services regulation and "full control" over tariffs, he tells MPs.

House of Commons
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Labour MP Chuka Umunna asks how the government will resolve concerns over what the final deal will look like without referring it back to the public in a second referrendum.

Acknowledging that the Brexit Secretary may not wish to answer this question, he asks whether extending Article 50 would be considered if a no-deal scenario appears likely.

Mr Raab says even to "bandy around" the possibility of such a step would invite "the worst terms" from the EU, which neither he nor Mr Umunna want.

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Angus Brendan MacNeil, who chairs the international trade committee, says that according to the Treasury all Brexit options are bad for the economy.

The SNP MP says that with or without a deal, Brexit is a "scorched earth policy" and calls it an "invidious" position for a UK government.

Dominic Raab replies that the economic forecasts should be treated with a "measure of caution".

The Brexit Secretary accuses the SNP of having a "blinkered" and "narrowed" political obsession with a referendum on Scottish independence.

He adds that all parts of the UK want to see the government striving for the best deal.

House of Commons
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The DUP's Nigel Dodds asks for reassurances that the government will not agree to a deal which would create regulatory differences between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

He says such a "backstop" solution to the Irish border issue would not be accepted by the Commons, and would "constitutionally break up the United Kingdom".

He suggests the Northern Ireland peace process is being "used" by some MPs, as well as "people in the European Union" to "thwart" Brexit or "mould it in their own way".

Mr Raab says he agrees that "some" are trying to "politicise" the border issue, adding: "that won't work".

House of Commons
Parliament

Labour MP Hilary Benn asks Dominic Raab if the EU not accepting the government's proposal for a common rule book, which disagrees with a central plank of the Chequers agreement, concerns him, and whether there is an alternative proposal to ensure the friction free trade of goods.

Dominic Raab says that Michel Barnier promised in August a partnership between the EU and UK unlike any that there has ever been with another country, and believes that this will ensure the deal that the UK wants.

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Labour MP Madeleine Moon asks the former commanding officers whether they were aware of the legal framework they would have to abide by when on duty.

Colonel Jorge Mendonça replies that for "political reasons" soldiers didn't get the resources of the training team to prepare initially and soldiers didn't have long enough to train for Iraq in 2003.

He adds that the rules of engagement were "clear".

The DUP's Gavin Robinson asks about legal advice in Northern Ireland contained on 'yellow cards' and says it was not the "comfort" service personnel thought it was.

Colonel Tim Collins says the yellow card was intended to keep things as "simple" as they could be in a "complex" situation. He adds a soldier couldn't go "far wrong" if they followed its advice.

House of Commons
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SNP Europe spokesperson Peter Grant says remaining in the single market would still deliver Brexit, whilst protecting jobs and businesses in the UK - calling on the government to adopt this policy.

Dominic Raab says leaving the single market will remain the government policy and that it provides the best opportunities for Britain in the future.

He also defends himself against Mr Grant's suggestion that no progress has been made in negotiations, suggesting he go back and check the Hansard tomorrow, as he mentioned plenty of examples in his statement.

House of Commons
Parliament

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Shadow Brexit secretary Keir Starmer says Mr Raab's statement "is not going to reassure anyone".

He says a deal that would work "simply cannot be negotiated" by the government, due to the approach it has taken. "Something has clearly got to give," he says.

"All his positive talk of no-deal is not kidding anyone," he continues, referring to attempts to ease concerns and arguing that there are huge gaps in the strategy for dealing with a no deal scenario. He says attempting to suggest otherwise is "irresponsible".

Mr Starmer says "the anxiety on both sides of the Irish border about a no deal are real", and calls on the Brexit secretary to distance himself from suggestions by Boris Johnson that the concerns are a myth.

"The government has got six weeks to get this right, more of the same will not do."

Mr Raab says he won't comment on newspaper commentary, as he's focused on negotiating the best deal.

He suggests his opposition has not asked a single serious question about the technical notices released in preparation for no deal - repeatedly suggesting the Labour party is incapable of government or handling Brexit itself.

House of Commons
Parliament

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In a statement to the House, the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, Dominic Raab, says "pace and intensity has been injected into Brexit negotiations".

He says that great progress towards an "orderly and smooth" transition was made during August on issues including protecting of data and information and ongoing union judicial procedures and the scope of the agreement is now clear.

Mr Raab says he will continue to work to complete a backstop for Ireland and Northern Ireland, and that the EU proposals for a customs border down the Irish Sea are "unacceptable".

He promises to keep commitments to the people of Northern Ireland so a backstop would never come into effect.

He says there is still a commitment to the vision on the white paper including leaving the single market and customs union so the UK can control its own borders.

Mr Raab says there is a spirit of compromise over Brexit across Europe, and that the event of not reaching a deal is "unlikely".

He says the 25 no deal steps published last month were "practical and proportionate", and says that whilst it is not what the government wants, a no deal would bring some beneficial opportunities to the UK including full legislative control over immigration and a swifter end of financial contributions to the EU.

The secretary of state says he is confident a good deal is within the UK's grasp, but that "the UK will be ready for Brexit, deal or no deal."

The leader of the GMB union explains why he wants a referendum on the final Brexit deal.

Select Committee
Parliament

Col Collins says that the war in Afghanistan is not a war, the Taliban should be pursued as criminals as they have no mandate. He adds military law is not suitable for asymmetric warfare.

He draws parallels with the situation in Colombia, telling the committee that they are looking to go after the military and police in the future. He says this is an "international problem".

House of Commons
Parliament

Following the prisons minister's rejection of Sir Desmond Swayne's suggestion (that hard labour be considered for those dealing drugs in prisons), Kettering MP Phillip Hollobone asks what will be done if hard labour is not an option.

"At the moment, it sounds to me as if the government is losing control," he says.

Mr Stewart says those dealing drugs in prisons should receive longer sentences, as they are committing additional offences.

"But the most important issue is consistency" when it comes to punishments, he adds.

House of Commons
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The Labour MP for Birmginham Hodge Hill, Liam Byrne, says additional staffing and investment are needed to prove that Birmingham is a safe prison.

He calls for an independent commission to stand as a gateway, before a decision is made whether to put HMP Birmingham back in the hands of the private sector.

Prisons Minister Rory Stewart says the takeover of HMP Birmingham will be for a minimum of six months and after this time a tough and thorough look of the prison will determine whether it remains in the government's hands.

Select Committee
Parliament

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Chair of the committee Dr Julian Lewis asks would it be "possible to wage war" if the legal regime that exists today were applied to the world wars.

Colonel Mendonça replies "not if you want to win".

He tells the committee that defending the country involves having the most "capable armed forces" possible and having people who are "utterly committed" to doing their job properly.

He adds that he would not want his sons to join the Army today, knowing they would have to question everything and that decisions could "hang over them" and "ruin their lives".

House of Commons
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Justice Committee Chair Bob Neill congratulates the government on the quick response to the problems at HMP Birmingham but says there is a "consistent history of failure" at Victorian prisons, as well as a failure to respond to suggestions made by inspectors.

Mr Stewart says changes are being made to ensure inspectors are listened to.

He accepts there are problems regularly with prisons that were built during the Victorian period, and says the government will address this with the investment it is making.

House of Commons
Parliament

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Shadow justice minister Richard Burgon says that it is clear from the "damaging" report that privatisation of the justice system has been a "costly experiment which should be ended".

Mr Burgon calls for a financial penalty to be imposed on G4S, an independent commission to be undertaken, and questions whether other failing prisons will receive the same response.

He says that the Conservatives' plan for private prisons should be halted, and at a minimum G4S should be ruled out of bidding for new contracts.

Rory Stewart says the entire cost of the step in will be covered by G4S and not the taxpayer, as their contract payment to G4S will be withheld.

Mr Stewart says the same approach will be applied to other public sector prisons, with £6m budgeted for new scanners in prisons, and £30m to be spent on improving living conditions.

He says the situation with HMP Birmingham is clear and an independent commission is not needed.