Summary

  • Minister resigns over 'delays' to maximum stake for fixed-odds betting machines

  • MPs debated an urgent question on the matter this morning

  • MPs concluded debate on 2018 Budget during afternoon

  • They later approved series of motions authorising government spending plans

  • Legislation implementing Budget expected to be published next week

  • Lords debated social mobility and problem gambling

  1. Gambling companies 'getting around' advertising restrictionspublished at 15:05 Greenwich Mean Time 1 November 2018

    Problem gamblers debate

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Lord Thomas of GresfordImage source, HoL

    Liberal Democrat Lord Thomas of Gresford takes issue with the presentation of the gambling awareness slogan 'When the Fun Stops, Stop".

    He says the capitalisation of the word 'fun' emphasises how fun gambling is.

    He adds that football coverage on TV has players wearing clothing sponsored by gambling companies. These logos "get around" the UK code of advertising practice for gambling, he adds.

    He says the government is reluctant to lose the "nice little earner" of gambling taxes.

  2. Tory MP: People expect 'generous' funding for policepublished at 14:58 Greenwich Mean Time 1 November 2018

    Budget Debate

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Kemi BadenochImage source, HoC

    Conservative MP Kemi Badenoch says people will be awaiting a "generous review" to the next funding settlement for the police service, due in December.

    She says she's pleased the chancellor has been able to avoid raising tax and freeze fuel duty, whilst also doing more to get people on the housing ladder.

    She also welcomes the planned digital services tax, which she says can be a "stepping stone" to address the impact of technology on the economy.

  3. Labour MP: No spending increase beyond NHSpublished at 14:51 Greenwich Mean Time 1 November 2018

    Budget debate

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Clive BettsImage source, HoC

    Chair of the Housing, Communities and Local Government committee, Labour MP Clive Betts, says that apart from the NHS there is no real terms increase in spending.

    "So if we have austerity this year, and no increase in spending next year, how can austerity be ending?", he asks.

    County councils are at risk of following Northamptonshire "over the cliff edge", he says, and "that lesson really ought to be learnt by ministers".

    He questions where the money is for schools and policing, adding there was "not a single mention of the revenue budget for schools...not a single penny for police".

  4. Lib Dem peer: 'Not rare' for students to be gambling addictspublished at 14:50 Greenwich Mean Time 1 November 2018

    Problem gamblers debate

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Baroness BenjaminImage source, HoL

    Liberal Democrat Baroness Benjamin says it is "not rare for university students to fall victim of gambling addiction".

    She says many parents pay off their children's debts in order to avoid judgement and stigma on the matter.

    She adds that some students commit suicide due to the stresses and strains of problem debts due to gambling addiction.

    Sometimes this can force students into stealing or "out of character actions," she states.

  5. Tory peer criticises 'delay' to new betting terminals maximum stakepublished at 14:47 Greenwich Mean Time 1 November 2018

    Problem gamblers debate

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton WaldristImage source, HoL

    Conservative Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist says she welcomes additional funding for mental health services in the NHS.

    However she says she is "appalled" that the new maximum stake for fixed-odds terminals will not come into force until October next year.

    The date for the roll-out of the new £2 limit prompted a row in the Commons this morning.

    She says the "delay" in introducing the limit will "hand the bookies another £1.8bn windfall".

  6. Lords begins debate on problem gamblingpublished at 14:40 Greenwich Mean Time 1 November 2018

    Problem gamblers debate

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Bishop of PortsmouthImage source, HoL

    The Lords have now begun a debate on the hospitalisation of problem gamblers, tabled by the Lord Bishop of St Albans.

    Opening the debate on his behalf, the Bishop of Portsmouth says research shows 300,000 people are problem gamblers, with 1.6m at low or moderate risk of gambling addiction.

    He says introducing a maximum bet for fixed-odds betting terminals is "the right way forward".

    "The voluntary levy on gambling companies is not working," he says, adding that some foreign-owned companies are not contributing to the fund that helps to tackle the problem.

  7. House building 'the biggest failure of a generation'published at 14:31 Greenwich Mean Time 1 November 2018

    Budget Debate

    Ed MilibandImage source, HoC

    Former Labour leader Ed Miliband says a lack of house building under both Labour and Conservative governments has been "the single biggest failure for a generation".

    He says he welcomes steps in this area included in the Budget, but the government's house building target is "not nearly enough".

    He says ministers should move away from the idea that "the market will provide", adding that the state should play a "very substantial role" in house building.

    "This is an era for boldness...and I'm afraid the scale of boldness that is required is not there in the Budget", he adds.

  8. SNP: Budget 'priorities are skewed'published at 14:26 Greenwich Mean Time 1 November 2018

    Budget Debate

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Neil GrayImage source, HoC

    SNP MP Neil Gray says the current real-terms rise in wages is "modest", and growth in pay is "continuing to falter".

    He says it is "no wonder we see record levels of in-work poverty", as the government is failing to make work pay, whilst Universal Credit "has been milked dry by the Treasury".

    He acknowledges the Budget increased funding for UC, but says "very much more will need to follow".

    He says bringing forward tax cuts will disproportionately benefit "higher earners" - and suggests doing this rather than ending a freeze to working-age benefits shows "skewed" priorities.

    He criticises Labour for "supporting this disgrace".

  9. Minister: Government 'determined to close' social gappublished at 13:55 Greenwich Mean Time 1 November 2018

    Debate on Social Mobility of Young People

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Lord AgnewImage source, HoL

    Education Minister Lord Agnew says the government is investing £10m across "early years programmes" and is "determined to close the social gap in early years".

    He says "the creative arts" are already one of the seven stages of early education, and that he wants to "reassure peers that the government is focused on that".

    He adds that a summit on boosting "early education in the home" is being held this month.

    He says ministers recognise the "growing issue" of mental health, and will be investing £365m in post-natal mental health services for mothers and children.

  10. Former chancellor expresses caution over spendingpublished at 13:52 Greenwich Mean Time 1 November 2018

    Budget debate

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Ken ClarkeImage source, HoC

    Former Conservative chancellor Ken Clarke says was surprised by the Budget "in a rather pleasant way", but there is a need to express caution.

    He says he's pleased windfalls in tax revenues have allowed an increase in spending, but warns that "nobody really quite understands why we've got these windfalls now", and they may not last.

    "A little caution is called for before you start anticipating they're going to carry on that way", he says.

    A recession is not impossible in the next two or three years, he warns, and Brexit increases uncertainty.

    "I hope the Chancellor has retained some firepower in case the economy goes off".

  11. Labour peer: Social mobility strategy 'needs to be reviewed'published at 13:49 Greenwich Mean Time 1 November 2018

    Debate on Social Mobility of Young People

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Lord WatsonImage source, HoL

    Scottish Labour peer Lord Watson says a plan introduced a year ago by the government to tackle social mobility "needs to be reviewed".

    He says only "a modest" sum has been invested in young people, and asks when more money will be spent in this area.

    Lord Watson also says nursery staff should have higher-level qualifications.

    "Warm words and good intentions are not enough from the government, political ambition is needed".

  12. Labour 'will rectify giveaways to the top'published at 13:44 Greenwich Mean Time 1 November 2018

    Budget Debate

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Andrew GwynneImage source, HoC

    Replying for Labour, shadow local government secretary Andrew Gwynne says the Budget "was sold as ending austerity, and it doesn't do that remotely".

    He says Labour does not oppose "any modest benefit - however modest it may be - for lower and middle income earners".

    However, he adds support is needed for those who don't earn enough to benefit from the Budget's earlier introduction of a planned rise to the personal allowance threshold.

    He says a Labour government will only raise taxes for the top 5%, as well as corporations that "had a tax cut under the Tories".

    "We will not restrict money for the lowest paid, but we will rectify the giveaways to the top in a Labour Budget", he says.

  13. MPs move onto final day of Budget debatepublished at 13:28 Greenwich Mean Time 1 November 2018

    Budget Debate

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    James BrokenshireImage source, HoC

    MPs have now moved onto the final day of debate on this week's Budget.

    Opening the debate, Housing Secretary James Brokenshire says the Budget was "for jobs, for housing, for opportunity and for enterprise".

    He tells MPs the government is helping people to own their own homes and improve the High Street with cuts to business rates for small firms.

    Ministers are not content simply with "cleaning up Labour's mess", but want to build a country where "no one is left behind", he adds.

  14. Tory peer calls for more boarding school places for vulnerable childrenpublished at 13:14 Greenwich Mean Time 1 November 2018

    Social Care Funding Opposition Day Debate

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Lord FarmerImage source, HoL

    Conservative peer Lord Farmer says being in care "often makes it hard for children to build strong relationships, which hinder them in later life".

    "A quarter of the male prison population and 70% of sex workers have been in care", he says.

    He says many children who have been removed from their parents would benefit from being placed in boarding schools.

    "The provision of a place in a state or private school can be a game changer in the risks that these vulnerable children are facing," he says.

    He says a pilot of such scheme in a Norfolk was "cost effective", with 9 in 10 children able to return to their parents.

  15. Tory peer: 'We must not underestimate importance of housing'published at 13:12 Greenwich Mean Time 1 November 2018

    Debate on Social Mobility of Young People

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Baroness RedfernImage source, HoL

    Conservative peer Baroness Redfern says "intervention is happening too late", and more investment needs to be given to parent groups "particularly in disadvantaged areas".

    She says the need for more housing also comes into play "in safe and pleasant neighbourhoods".

    "Unsafe neighbourhoods expose children to unpleasant cultures, and we must not underestimate the importance of housing", she adds.

  16. Early arts engagement 'enhances educational readiness'published at 13:10 Greenwich Mean Time 1 November 2018

    Debate on Social Mobility of Young People

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Baroness BullImage source, HoL

    Crossbench peer Baroness Bull says engaging with arts and culture at an early stage can "significantly enhance educational readiness".

    She says research undertaken by King's College London shows the arts are neglected throughout education, from as early a stage as nursery.

    She adds that playing with different materials and moving and dancing at a very young age "improves critical thinking and motor skills" which "benefit children in later life".

  17. Labour peer: 'Child obesity hindering social mobility'published at 13:09 Greenwich Mean Time 1 November 2018

    Debate on Social Mobility of Young People

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Lord PendryImage source, HoL

    Labour peer Lord Pendry says obesity is a "huge problem" which hinders social mobility, and should be tackled by two hours of compulsory physical education in schools per week.

    Lord Pendry applauds the work of the Football Association and Premier League for supporting initiatives to encourage children to "come together and learn communication skills through sport".

    He says children feel isolated, and that "urgent government intervention is needed" as "75% of mental illnesses start before the age of 18".

    "These figures justify the need for an increased investment in young people".

  18. Lib Dem peer: 'Schools are important, but so is the home'published at 13:07 Greenwich Mean Time 1 November 2018

    Debate on Social Mobility of Young People

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Baroness TylerImage source, HoL

    Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Tyler, who co-chairs the Social Mobility Committee, says schools are important in improving social mobility "but so is what comes before in the home".

    "Creating a strong home environment is vital in improving social mobility", she says.

    She says a decline in social mobility is due to funding cuts, and a reduction in the quality of childcare.

    "Nursery staff should move towards the level of qualified teaching status wherever possible," she adds.

  19. 'Big hint' government will ignore amendmentspublished at 13:04 Greenwich Mean Time 1 November 2018

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  20. Minister: Following amendments to Brexit vote 'may not be possible'published at 13:03 Greenwich Mean Time 1 November 2018

    Business Statement

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Andrea LeasdomImage source, HoC

    Conservative MP Ken Clarke says Andrea Leadsom has confirmed that amendments will be allowed to the government's motion to approve the Brexit withdrawal deal.

    He asks whether Mrs Leadsom accepts that if an amendment is passed, ministers should return to negotiating with the EU.

    Ms Leadsom tells MPs the government will "take action" on any amendments passed.

    However she adds that it "may well not be possible" for ministers "to proceed on the basis of an amended vote".

    She says MPs will be asked to decide whether it agrees for the government to "negotiate on the agreed deal or not".