Summary

  • International Trade Questions at start of the day

  • Questions next to Women and Equalities ministerial team

  • Urgent question on Bedford prison

  • Business statement outlines what's coming up in the Commons

  • Statement on scallop fishing from Fisheries Minister George Eustice

  • Debate on proxy voting

  • Peers question ministers from 11am

  1. Labour: Do not question our patriotismpublished at 17:05 British Summer Time 12 September 2018

    Salisbury Incident debate

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Diane AbbottImage source, HoC

    Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott says "we cannot have the streets of Britain turned into a killing field by foreign actors... the finger points at Russia". This is what Jeremy Corbyn has said, as well as speaking repeatedly against human rights abuses by President Putin, she adds.

    She says Conservative MPs have "gone out of their way to attack the leader of Labour party", suggesting it is "an attractive tactic to question the patriotism of persons and politicians on the left".

    "The notion that because you're on the left in politics somehow your patriotism is impugned" is incorrect, she says.

    She is challenged by Conservative MP Alex Chalk to explain her previous suggestion that "every defeat of the state is a victory of us all" - she says it is taken out of context.

    "My parents came from an island willingly, they were not conscripted, to defend their mother country, they would not understand why members opposite would question my commitment."

    She says: "The role of the opposition is to ask questions... to suggest that because we ask questions we are complicit with terrorism is wrong."

    Ms Abbott says the Labour party supports the government's response to the Salisbury incident, but warns "we will not take aspersions cast about our patriotism and our willingness to defend their country."

  2. Government will support police in enforcementpublished at 17:04 British Summer Time 12 September 2018

    Ivory Bill

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Baroness Vere of NorbitonImage source, HoL

    Baroness Vere assures peers who have raised concerns that police and customs officials will be supported in enforcing the ban on the commercial use of ivory.

    She suggests an annual report may not provide an adequate assessment of the success of the ban, and it will take longer to decipher what resources are required to enforce the ban in the longer-term.

    The government spokesperson urges the amendments are withdrawn.

  3. Elephants can be 'enemy of development' - peerpublished at 16:41 British Summer Time 12 September 2018

    Ivory Bill

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    The Earl of Sandwich says there is no doubt of the government's "determination to eliminate the illegal ivory trade" but that corruption goes "a lot higher" than poachers and elephants can often be the "enemy of development".

    The crossbench peer has tabled an amendment calling for an impact assessment on the ivory market, in the form of an annual report by the Department for International Development.

    "It is important for us to judge how these targets [to ban the commercial use of ivory in the UK] will benefit local people", he says.

    Earl of SandwichImage source, HoL
  4. Home Office response to the Salisbury incidentpublished at 16:40 British Summer Time 12 September 2018

    Salisbury Incident Debate

    Sajid JavidImage source, PA

    Speaking on BBC One's Andrew Marr show, the Home Secretary Sajid Javid called the Salisbury poisoning a "sickening and despicable" attack.

    It was "unequivocally, crystal clear this was the act of the Russian state - two Russian nationals sent to Britain with the sole purpose of carrying out a reckless assassination attempt," he said.

    He added, "If they ever step out of the Russian Federation, Britain and its allies will get them and we will bring them to prosecution".

    Last week, the UK secured the support of the US, France, Germany and Canada at a UN Security Council meeting, at which they agreed with the UK's assessment that Russia's government "almost certainly" approved the poisoning.

    Russia dismissed the UK's evidence as "lies" and accused it of "disgusting anti-Russian hysteria".

  5. UK has 'enormous admiration' for Russian citizenspublished at 16:39 British Summer Time 12 September 2018

    Salisbury Incident debate

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Alex ChalkImage source, HoC

    Conservative MP Alex Chalk says: "The Russia regime would have its citizens believe there is rampant Russophobia in the UK... nothing could be further from the case."

    He says there is an "enormous admiration for the Russian people" in the UK.

    "Our quarrel is only with the Russian leadership... who are normalising the outrageous."

    He says the UK now has an offensive cyber capability, and needs to "be clear how we go about using that capability and what the circumstances are in which it is appropriate to employ them."

  6. Ivory Bill committee stage continues in the Lordspublished at 16:14 British Summer Time 12 September 2018

    Ivory Bill

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Lord KimbleImage source, HoL

    The Lords have now moved on to day two of the Ivory Bill's committee stage.

    Conservative peer Lord Kimble begins discussions of the bill, which prohibits the dealing of elephant ivory.

    One of the more controversial amendments being debated is the introduction of a clause which states the dealing of ivory items manufactured before 1918 would not be banned.

    Peers backing this amendment argue that no elephants would be saved by blocking the selling of these ivory items, as those used in the manufacture of these goods will no longer be living.

  7. Lib Dem: will government admit police need more resources?published at 16:14 British Summer Time 12 September 2018

    Urgent Question

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Lord PaddickImage source, HoL

    Home Office Minister Baroness Williams repeats, as a statement, the response to an urgent question from the Commnos about police financing.

    Liberal Democrat peer Lord Paddick says the NAO report, external finds that central government funding for the police has fallen by 30% in real terms since 2010.

    He says the NAO's conclusion that the UK government has no national picture of what police forces need, is damning.

    He asks whether the minister agrees with the Metropolitan Police Commissioner who says "this is not a service that needs reform, this is a service that needs support and resources which the NAO report shows", and if she admits that the Home Office can no longer argue that the police have enough resources.

    In response, Baroness Williams says the government is responding and taking the comments in the report seriously. She says the recruitment of an extra 5,000 police officers is in process.

  8. UK to still pay EU £39m divorce settlement?published at 16:08 British Summer Time 12 September 2018

    Chris Philp asks the PM prime minister about the planned exit payment of £39bn from the UK to the EU on Brexit.

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  9. Call to 'relearn our ability to exercise military force at scale'published at 16:07 British Summer Time 12 September 2018

    Salisbury Incident debate

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Leo DochertyImage source, HoC

    Conservative Leo Docherty says the UK and allies must "pursue peace through strength... and meet threats through total resolve", with Nato action in Estonia and the Balkans sending a clear message to Russia.

    "We need to urgently relearn our ability to exercise, to deploy and sustain military force at scale. This is not something we have done since the end of the Cold War."

    He says he's "delighted" that the government has indicated its intention to "turbo-charge" UK cyber-security.

  10. IDS: ‘I’d stamp on any coup against May’published at 15:57 British Summer Time 12 September 2018

    Iain Duncan Smith says anyone talking about challenging Theresa May should "grow up and leave the room".

    Read More
  11. Bill abolishing by-elections for hereditary peers moves onpublished at 15:57 British Summer Time 12 September 2018

    Hereditary Peers Abolition of By-Elections Bill

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Lord GrocottImage source, HoL

    Labour's Lord Grocott asks the House of Lords whether peers will approve a motion to get his private member's bill - which would abolish by-elections for hereditary peers - onto Grand Committee stage.

    It has been held up on Fridays by a group of peers who oppose it, he says.

    Peers approve the motion without a vote.

  12. Home Office Minister: government are learning from Windrushpublished at 15:49 British Summer Time 12 September 2018

    Oral Questions

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Baroness WilliamsImage source, HoL

    Conservative peer Baroness Finn asks what steps the government are taking to ensure that compensation is paid promptly to those affected by the Windrush scandal; and when they intend to publish the review by Sir Alex Allan into the conduct of the Home Office.

    Baroness Finn warns the minister that it is always the cover up that hurts those affected the most.

    Home Office Minister Baroness Williams says the review by Sir Alex Allen was internal and it is being considered whether a version can be published, and compensation payments are being worked on.

    The minister says the incident makes prominent the importance of identification assurance.

  13. Putin has 'got away with murder' - Kinnockpublished at 15:48 British Summer Time 12 September 2018

    Salisbury Incident debate

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Stephen KinnockImage source, HoC

    Labour MP Stephen Kinnock recalls his own experiences working for the British Council in St Petersburg when its office was forced to close in 2008 following the murder of Alexander Litvinenko.

    The "narrative of encirclement" is the backdrop to the behaviour of Russians and its government has been allowed to "get away with murder", he says.

    Mr Kinnock says the Putin regime has "no ideology" and exists to "preserve its grip on power".

  14. Minister: gambling businesses have a right to advertise onlinepublished at 15:48 British Summer Time 12 September 2018

    Oral Questions

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Viscount YoungerImage source, HoL

    The Bishop of St Albans asks what assessment the government has made of the increasing prevalence of gambling advertising, as reported in the Gambling Commission's Review of online gambling, published in March.

    He says problem gambling is causing social problems, and is a great burden on the NHS. He calls for tougher regulations.

    Viscount Younger, Minister for Business, Innovation and Skills, says tougher sanctions are being implemented for breaches of the gambling advertising codes.

    Conservative Baroness Bloomfield calls for the UK to follow Italy's lead and ban online and television gambling adverts altogether.

    The minister reminds the Baroness that gambling is a legitimate leisure pursuit, and businesses have a right to advertise, but says strict rules are already there and a programme for tougher regulations is being drawn up.

    He says gambling adverts on television seen by children under 16 have declined since 2013, illustrating that progress is being made.

  15. Minister: Consideration ongoing of adding folic acid to flourpublished at 15:30 British Summer Time 12 September 2018

    Oral Questions

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Lord RookerImage source, HoL

    Next, Labour MP Lord Rooker asks the government what proposals they have to reduce the incidence of spina sifida and related conditions resulting from neural tube defects.

    Health Minister Baroness Manzoor says the government recommends that all women should take a daily supplement of 400 micrograms of folic acid when they are trying to get pregnant, and during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy when the baby's spinal cord is developing.

    Lib Dem Baroness Jolly says the evidence is clear, as the number of cases in Canada, where folic acid is added to flour and prescribed to pregnant mothers, have halved. She asks what the government is doing to ensure the UK follows their lead.

    The minister says the Health department are looking in to this and hopes a decision will be made shortly.

  16. SNP 'unequivocally condemn' attackpublished at 15:25 British Summer Time 12 September 2018

    Salisbury Incident debate

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Stephen Gethins MPImage source, HoC

    SNP's International affairs spokesperson Stephen Gethins says his party "unequivocally condemn" the attack in Salisbury.

    Mr Gethins says many Russian people speaking out against Putin's regime are the "bravest he has ever met" and praises the work of both the British and Russian staff working for the British Council.

  17. Will junior doctors get more training on eating disorders?published at 15:18 British Summer Time 12 September 2018

    Oral Questions

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Baroness ManzoorImage source, HoL

    The start of oral questions marks the beginning of proceedings in the Lords today.

    The first question is from Liberal Democrat peer, Baroness Parminter. She asks the government, following the publication of research in the Postgraduate Medical Journal that on average medical students receive less than two hours of training on eating disorders, and whether there should be a review of the training.

    In response, Baroness Manzoor, Minister of Health and Social Care, says diagnosing and treating eating disorders is an important area of medical practice.

    She says it's included in the curriculum of training for all doctors; however Health Education England is considering how the existing workforce can increase specialisms in the treating of eating disorders.

    Labour's Lord Watson says he would like a commitment to a much wider and broader education on the implications of diets for all medical students.

    She says Public Health England are doing a lot of work to ensure that diet and health are better in the UK, and that the curriculum for medical students is as up to date as it needs to be.

  18. Putin is our 'enemy' - Tory MPpublished at 15:16 British Summer Time 12 September 2018

    Salisbury Incident debate

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Conservative MP James Gray for Wiltshire North says President Putin carried out this attack "entirely intentionally" and he has used strength in a disgraceful way, and the UK must respond with strength.

    "Mr Putin and his regime are our enemy," he concludes.

    James Gray MPImage source, HoC
  19. May says £39bn bill linked to Brexit dealpublished at 15:08 British Summer Time 12 September 2018

    Theresa May says she will reconsider the divorce payment if the UK cannot agree a deal with the EU.

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  20. Corbyn v May on Universal Creditpublished at 14:53 British Summer Time 12 September 2018

    Jeremy Corbyn and Theresa May clash over how effective Universal Credit has been for claimants.

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