House of Commons
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Conservative MP Mike Penning pays tribute to Gina Martin (who led drives to ban upskirting) as a "brilliant campaigner".

"Not all noes are bad," he quotes Wera Hobhouse, and says that while Sir Christopher Chope was "villified" for his objection, he praises his commitment to scrutiny.

I know the minister will be under pressure not to accept the amendments, he says, but some should very seriously be considered.

I do not understand why the bill does not cover all circumstances, he continues. "It would be an absolute crying shame. A missed opportunity to send a message out that this House understands how abhorrent this offence is."

House of Commons
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Conservative Sir Christopher Chope says he's glad the government is taking the bill forward itself, rather than relying on the private member's procedure.

He says it's very important MPs are able to properly scrutinise the bill in order to make it effective, which he wants it to be.

Full marks to the government, he says, for recognising it would only receive proper scrutiny as a government bill.

"Did I achieve my objective? Yes I did."

In response to Stella Creasy's amendment, and her suggestion she would withdraw it if the government committed to having the Law Commission consider whether misogyny should become a hate crime, he says "bring on the Law Commission".

Mr Chope has added his own amendment, which would mean that those over 18 who commit upskirting offences would go on the sex offenders register. He says this would mean the bill actually does what the bill says it would.

House of Commons
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Labour MP Sarah Champion says that until proper education on sex and relationships, and the difference between reality and sexual fantasies are taught at a young age, improvements in the treatment of women will not happen.

Ms Champion says that little girls are taught at age two and three what they should be, "quiet, complicit and happily playing with dolls", and this then becomes amplified through social media and online porn when they get older - porn which is overwhelmingly made by men, for men.

She says that this legislation on upskirting sends out a really clear and important message that this is not a sexual fantasy, and because of that she says she is grateful that the government has brought this bill forwards.

Ms Champion also praises the amendments regarding the distribution of images, saying that most dissemination of upskirting images is done for profit.

"It would be a grave ommission if that was not included."

She says this crime is a symptom of the misogyny women are experiencing in this country today which is escalating, and urges the government to incorporate the amendments.

Labour's Stephen Kinnock says the EU's negotiator said the proposals were "dead in the water".

House of Commons
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Maria Miller, Chair of the Women and Equalities committee says Sir Christopher Chope was right in objecting to the bill when it was presented as a private member's bill by Wera Hobhouse.

Ms Miller said he was right to block the bill in its current form as it needs this additional time for thorough debate which it is being given today.

She says that at the moment the bill is very narrowly defined, and there should never be a situation when it is okay to take a picture under somebody's skirt without consent.

"The bill doesn't explicitly outlaw upskirting per se, it outlaws it in certain circumstances."

Ms Miller has tabled two amendments to the bill, one of which looks to address this issue.

She says that in the majority of cases of upskirting looked at by the police, the motivations were covered, however it is not inconceivable that men would say they had another purpose such as "high jinx", so clarification is needed in this legislation.

She says upskirting must be wrong in all circumstances, and asks what message we are giving if we say that upskirting is okay if it's for a laugh.

Ms Miller also draws attention to her other amendment, which would outlaw the distribution of upskirting images, and asks why this bill has be presented without this clause which featured in the similar Scottish legislation.

She says says omitting this clause about the dissemination of upskirting images is "an oversight."

Ms Miller credits Wera Hobhouse as an honourable campaigner, saying that she is the reason this legislation is being debated today, and that for this, she is extremely grateful.

Image source, PA

The Voyeurism (Offences) Bill gained wide public attention after Wera Hobhouse's attempts to introduce legislation to ban 'upskirting' through a private member's bill were blocked.

Conservative MP Sir Christopher Chope objected to the bill on the grounds that private member's bills should not be used to create a new offence, expressing concerns that legislation would be bought in without proper time for debate.

He's now backed a number of amendments to the bill ahead of today's debate, which look to make the legislation more thorough.

After widespread media coverage, the government reintroduced the bill itself on government time.

The bill looks to ban the taking of photographs underneath a person's skirt without their permission, with the worse offenders placed on the Sex Offenders' Register.

Upskirting has been covered by legislation in Scotland since 2010; but whilst prosecutors in England and Wales can currently use a variety of existing offences to tackle the issue, not all scenarios are covered.

A number of amendments have been added, with concerns the bill in its current state would not catch all upskirting offences, such as if perpetrators claimed to be "having a laugh".

Labour MP Stella Creasy has looked to take the bill further, adding an amendment that could lead to tougher sentences if upskirting was "motivated by misogyny".

Some have suggested this would mean misogynistic behaviour would therefore be treated as a hate crime.

House of Commons
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The House now moves onto the remaining stages of the Voyeurism (Offences) Bill.

Labour MP Stella Creasy begins by expressing her support for the bill, but adding that she has tabled an amendment to improve it.

The amendment would mean that if misogyny was considered a motivating factor, it could lead to a tougher sentence.

"It is about something that has become so widespread that we treat it as part of our day to day lives," she says.

"This isn't about criminalising wolfwhistling or flirting", it's about crimes motivated against someone on the basis of their gender, she explains.

A number of MPs intervene to suggest that rules already exist to combat the issues Ms Creasy raises, with Conservative MP Anna Soubry arguing that making misogyny a crime needs to go the Law Commission, and have proper and full examinations - not be chucked in with other legislation.

"What we seek to do here is echo the existing protections" that already exist with hate crime legislation, says Ms Creasy, "This amendment is about that gap" in legislation.

She lists the large number of organisations backing the amendment, but adds that she would withdraw her amendment if there was a commitment that the issue would go the Law Commission for consideration.

"The vast majority of men... want to make sure that people are safe," she says, predicting a negative response from some that ask "what about the men?" in response to the bill.

"This is 2018... let's get on and make 21st century laws sufficient."

House of Commons
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Liberal Democrat Wera Hobhouse says the Liberal Democrats have worked for greater tenants rights for a long time, so support the bill.

Ms Hobhouse says the challenging nature of the rental sector is particularly harrowing for young people, but the housing crisis has pushed many families into renting.

She says people are becoming trapped as renting rates increase and the government must ensure this bill fully removes unlawful tenants fees and checks that leading agents and landlords do not introduce new fees under a different name.

Ms Hobhouse says the government must provide local authorities with appropriate funding to enforce the ban, as without funds, letting agents and landlords will just continue with this bad practice.

House of Commons
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Housing Committee Chair Clive Betts says the government has listened to the select committee on the bill, but the committee is "less pleased" with the government's response to their raising of issues across the private rented sector.

The bill passes to Lords, without division.

House of Commons
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Shadow Housing Minister Melanie says the bill is progress but there is more the government needs to do to ensure it is not a "missed opportunity".

However, she says she is "pleased that years of Labour pressure twisted the Government's arm" and that tenants will be better protected as a result of the bill.

She hopes the government will give the concerns she and others have raised proper consideration, she says.

House of Commons
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Housing, Communities & Local Government Secretary James Brokenshire presents the bill at third reading. He thanks the many people that have contributed to the bill, which he says has "benefitted from everyone's input".

The bill will introduce a level playing field, he says, for landlords that may have had their reputations tarnished by others.

House of Commons
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MPs have voted to reject Labour's amendment 3.

Ayes: 241

Noes: 302

Majority: 61

The amendment would have removed default fees as a permitted payment, but would allow the payment of landlord and agent expenses where there is a clear cost as a result of tenant fault.

The bill progresses to the third reading.

House of Commons
Parliament

MPs have rejected Labour's amendment 1.

Ayes: 240

Noes: 299

Majority: 59

The amendment would have increased penalties on landlords that broke the rules.

The house divides again on Labour's amendment 3.

House of Commons
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The House divides on Labour's Amendment 1.

The amendment was tabled by shadow housing minister Melanie Onn.

The result is expected in a moment.

Select Committee
Parliament

Image source, HoC

Dominic Raab is asked if he will be sending Olly Robbins a Christmas card.

Mr Raab replies that they have a good "professional and personal relationship" but he is not sure it will involve Christmas cards as the Brexit secretary sends "so few".

The chair of the committee asks if the secretary's role is a "holy grail" or a "poised chalice".

He replies he would not describe it as either and adds Brexit is a "great challenge" but one "we should rise to".

The session comes to an end.

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Conservative MP, Bim Afolami, says this bill is an example of a piece of legislation that can make a real difference to thousands of people who are tenants in the UK.

"This is a practical piece of legislation which proves that this government is producing important legislation which may not make the headlines, but will positively impact many up and down the country."

Kevin Hollinrake, Conservative MP, says this legislation as it is still has flaws. He says it could hinder landlords in certain situations, for example if a tenant loses a key at 2pm and a payment needs to be made for a company to come out and let the tenant in.

He says these charges should not be incurred on landlords and agents, and a distinction between fees and lawful charges should be clarified in the bill.

House of Commons
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Image source, HoC

Tim Farron, Lib Dem MP, warns that high deposits may lead to increasing levels of homelessness, and that the cap should be lower than six weeks rent.

Labour MP Matt Rodda says there are an increasing number of vulnerable families and young people in the rental market which must be "affordable, transparent and workable", and stresses that six weeks worth of rent as a lot of money for many people.

Conservative MP Richard Graham says that landlords and agents being able to charge up to six weeks rent for a security deposit is crucial.

He says the six weeks worth of rent is a satisfactory amount to enable landlords and agents to have extra money to cover issues such as unsatisfactory cleaning by tenants at the end of a tenancy.

Select Committee
Parliament

Image source, HoC

Stephen Kinnock says there is an impression that Mr Barnier is "sabre rattling" and tells Mr Raab that Chequers is "dead in the water".

The Labour MP says the EU will not let a third country collect tariffs as would be required by a facilitated customs arrangement, and continues that the EU will not let the UK have an advantage on service.

Mr Kinnock asks the Brexit secretary for a plan B.

Dominc Raab says that "of course" one side will resist parts of a negotiation they are "uncomfortable" with. He adds the UK has compromised and he expects the EU to do the same.

Mr Kinnock says there is a "fundamental difference of opinion" as to how the single market and customs union work. He warns there are 42 days until the October summit.

The Brexit secretary says he understands "first hand" the EU's position and that Mr Barnier wants a partnership as there has never been with another third country.

Olly Robbins, Theresa May's top adviser, rejects calls to put her Chequers blueprint "out of its misery".