Summary

  • It's private members' bill day in the Commons

  • First bill is Stalking Protection Bill - Tory MP Sarah Wollaston's bill

  • MPs also debate Parking Bill

  1. Labour MP bids to 'close loopholes' in marriage legislationpublished at 14:31 Greenwich Mean Time 21 November 2018

    Ten Minute Rule Bill

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Fabian HamiltonImage source, HoC

    Labour MP Fabian Hamilton is now tabling his Marriage and Civil Partnership (Consent) Bill as a ten minute rule motion. The bill would require a person registering a marriage or civil partnership to ensure there is valid consent from both parties.

    He tells of a constituent in her 90s who suffered from dementia and married a much younger man in secret, without the knowledge of family or friends.

    Her family then learnt after her death that marriage automatically revokes a previous will and it was impossible to annul the marriage. Most of the anecdotal evidence suggested his constituent had "absolutely no knowledge" of her marriage, he says.

    The bill attempts to close some of the loopholes in marriage legislation that allowed this to happen, he explains.

    The proceeds to second reading without opposition.

  2. Campaigning MP welcomes statementpublished at 14:19 Greenwich Mean Time 21 November 2018

    Gosport Hospital Inquiry Statement

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Norman LambImage source, HoC

    Former health minister and Liberal Democrat MP Norman Lamb, who has campaigned on the issue, says he welcomes the ambition shown in the statement.

    "Clearly the pursuit of justice is the most pressing priority now," he says, but asks whether reformed legislation can facilitate the change of culture in the NHS that is needed.

    Matt Hancock says the question of justice is now a matter for the police, but agrees that the legislative framework set by parliament leads to and underpins "the culture that is critical".

    "Often what patients who have been wronged want most of all is an apology...and instead they are offered the number of a no-win-no-fee lawyer, and this doesn't help them."

  3. Complaints lead to 'culture change' - Wollastonpublished at 14:16 Greenwich Mean Time 21 November 2018

    Gosport Hospital Inquiry Statement

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Dr Sarah WollastonImage source, HoC

    Chair of the Health select committee, Dr Sarah Wollaston, welcomes the statement but asks for assurances that trusts won't be penalised if they have higher levels of staff concerns raised.

    Dr Wollaston says this may be an indicator that hospital trusts have introduced "culture changes".

    The health secretary says complaints made and acted by management is "merely part of the improvement process", and they should be welcomed.

  4. SNP: New legislation needed to protect whistleblowerspublished at 14:12 Greenwich Mean Time 21 November 2018

    Glosport Hospital Inquiry Statement

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Philippa WhitfordImage source, HoC

    SNP health spokesperson Philippa Whitford says families have suffered "over and above their bereavement" as they have spent entire lives fighting for justice.

    She welcomes talk of reforming the Public Interest Disclosure Act, suggesting that it should be replaced by something that gives definite protection of whistle blowers.

    "That long list of clinicians who have reported their concerns and had their careers ended as a result lies there as a threat to those who wish to speak up."

    The health secretary says the need for "a just culture in the NHS is very clear".

  5. Health Secretary: 'I will do what it takes to stamp gagging clauses out'published at 14:11 Greenwich Mean Time 21 November 2018

    Gosport Hospital Inquiry Statement

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Matt HancockImage source, HoC

    Health Secretary Matt Hancock says "the culture change comes down to noting errors when they happen and ensuring we learn from them and don't try and cover them up."

    He says gagging clauses have been unacceptable in the NHS since 2013 "and I will do what it takes to stamp them out".

    Mr Hancock says "challenges and concerns that are raised to managers should be deemed as an opportunity to improve the service that is offered to patients," and that the government are putting £20bn into the NHS over the next five years to ensure that it is "better equipped".

  6. Labour: What's being done to help whistleblowers?published at 14:10 Greenwich Mean Time 21 November 2018

    Gosport Hospital Inquiry Statement

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Jonathan AshworthImage source, HoC

    Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth welcomes the statement and the tone taken, as well as recognising that former health secretary Jeremy Hunt has stayed for the statement.

    He says everyone was shocked at the findings of the inquiry and pays tribute to the victims' families, who "have shown immense coverage", as well as those who have worked to establish the inquiry.

    It is "quite correct" to say that lessons must be learnt, he says, acknowledging that "tragically things can and do go wrong" with healthcare. The betrayal of trust however was "unforgivable" and patient safety must be prioritised.

    He welcomes the commitment to legislate on the issue, asking for more detail, and says Labour look forward to proposals in strengthening protection in whistleblowing.

    He asks for more detail however, asking why "gagging clauses" are still being used. He says climate change is needed in the NHS so staff feel they can speak out without fearing being penalised.

    Concluding, he offers to work with the secretary of state on making the improvements needed.

  7. Hancock pledges new law on NHS whistleblowingpublished at 14:01 Greenwich Mean Time 21 November 2018

    Gosport Hospital Inquiry Statement

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Health Secretary Matt Hancock continues, adding that what happened at Gosport is "both a lesson and a challenge".

    He notes that the Care Quality Commission has established a facility so "whistle-blowers can speak to someone in confidence without being penalised".

    Mr Hancock says as a result of this report, "new legislation will be brought forwards which will compel NHS trusts to report yearly on how complaints by staff have been addressed".

    "The reforms we're making will mean greater transparency and a stricter control of drugs", he says.

    "There has been a culture change within the NHS since Gosport, but the culture must change still."

    He says we must now "take complaints seriously, and that voices will now be heard".

  8. Health Secretary: Families 'let down by the authorities'published at 13:56 Greenwich Mean Time 21 November 2018

    Gosport Hospital Inquiry Statement

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Matt HancockImage source, HoC

    Health Secretary Matt Hancock says the findings in the report are "truly shocking" and demonstrate "a systemic failure", and apologises to all families affected.

    "What happened to Gosport continues to have an impact, and the failures were made worse because whistle-blowers were not listened to", he says.

    He says "we must all learn lessons", as "family members were consistently let down by the authorities".

    Mr Hancock says "between 1998 and 2010 Hampshire Constabulary conducted three separate investigations which led to no prosecutions".

    The inquiry criticised their work, he says, adding: "a new external police team is now independently assessing the evidence so justice can be done".

  9. MPs debate report into Gosport hospital deathspublished at 13:52 Greenwich Mean Time 21 November 2018

    That’s the debate on Yemen finished.

    Next up this afternoon, Health Secretary Matt Hancock will outline the government’s response to an inquiry into deaths at Gosport War Memorial Hospital.

    An independent panel found in June more than 450 patients died after doctors gave them "dangerous" levels of the drugs.

    The report found there was a "disregard for human life" of a large number of patients from 1989 to 2000.

  10. Ending bombing 'a very important part of the equation'published at 13:52 Greenwich Mean Time 21 November 2018

    Urgent Question on Yemen

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Stephen DoughtyImage source, HoC

    Labour MP Stephen Doughty says the best thing the Saudi coalition could do to move things forward is is to end the bombardment of civilians in Hodeidah.

    He also says the issue of safe transport to the talks for the Houthi delegation is a big concern, ensuring they do not use safety concerns as an excuse to not attend.

    Jeremy Hunt says safe transport is a "big concern", but he's "pretty confident" that it's being resolved.

    The end of the bombing is "a very important part of the equation" and he says he hopes progress can be made, but warns: "we've been disappointed before".

  11. Labour MP: 'Five Yemeni people die every day, we must act now'published at 13:50 Greenwich Mean Time 21 November 2018

    Urgent Question on Yemen

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Keith VazImage source, HoC

    Labour MP Keith Vaz says there has been a "change of tone" at the Foreign Office.

    He says MPs aren't the only ones who are "enraged" by the situation, noting that "our friends" in France also strongly disagree with the situation.

    "If you have the pins, you have to use them", he says, adding that means "guaranteeing the Houthis safe passage to Sweden".

    "We cannot wait two weeks," he adds.

    "Five Yemeni people die every day, and we must act now."

  12. Hunt: 'No signs of immediate change' regarding Zaghari-Ratcliffepublished at 13:47 Greenwich Mean Time 21 November 2018

    Urgent Question on Yemen

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Jeremy HuntImage source, HoC

    Labour MP Ann Clwyd asks about Jeremy Hunt's latest visit to Iran, and his efforts to get Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe freed, and how hopeful he is that progress has been made.

    Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe was arrested in April 2016 as she and her daughter were about to board a flight back to the UK after a visit to her family in Iran.

    She was found guilty of spying and given a five-year jail sentence but denies the allegations.

    Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt replies: "I have to answer truthfully - I didn't detect any signs of immediate change in Iran's position".

    "I want to say very plainly that this is an innocent women, and she has been separated from her daughter for more than half of her daughter's life, it is an unacceptable situation," he adds.

    "There will be very serious consequences if Iran continues to behave this way, and we will stop at nothing until justice is done."

  13. SNP MP calls for end of arms sales to Saudi Arabiapublished at 13:45 Greenwich Mean Time 21 November 2018

    Urgent Question on Yemen

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    The SNP's Stephen Gethins says UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia outstrip the UK's aid contributions in Yemen, with arms sales increasing last year.

    "We should turn off the taps now", he adds.

    Jeremy Hunt says he understands why the question is being asked, but if the UK did this it would weaken its influence.

    Far from helping the Yemeni people, there would be no opportunity for "frank and difficult conversation", he says.

    The right thing to do to is to continue to follow "incredibly strict" arms control regimes, he says.

  14. Tory MP: Britain 'lags behind moral curve set by the White House'published at 13:41 Greenwich Mean Time 21 November 2018

    Urgent Question on Yemen

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Andrew MitchellImage source, HoC

    Conservative MP Andrew Mitchell says condemnation of violence must be "even-handed", if the UN is to succeed in negotiating a "meaningful cessation" of violence.

    He tells MPs: "It comes to something when Britain lags behind the moral curve set by the White House."

    Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt says he disagrees with Mr Mitchell, "as we have been at the forefront of all discussion and movement in this area".

    "We now need to get all sides together, and of course listen to all legitimate concerns, but we must remember the historical context", he adds.

  15. 'We must end this tragedy'published at 13:36 Greenwich Mean Time 21 November 2018

    Urgent Question on Yemen

    Tom TugendhatImage source, HoC

    Tory MP and Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee Tom Tugendhat says this is "a huge humanitarian tragedy" and praises the work of UN staff for bringing the resolution forward.

    "We must end this tragedy, and persuade particularly our friends that they are making a very serious mistake," he adds.

    Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt says "there are signs now that both sides are more willing to talk and engage in these discussions," adding: "this is an opportunity that we cannot miss".

  16. Resolution 'a step in the road' - Huntpublished at 13:34 Greenwich Mean Time 21 November 2018

    Urgent Question on Yemen

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Mr Hunt says the UK-backed resolution is "a step in the road", not "the end of the story". He says a stronger version will be put forward if consensus on peace talks builds.

    He says the original 2016 draft resolution was not pursued because both sides believed a military solution was possible, and were unwilling to agree a ceasefire.

    He tells MPs the UN will monitor compliance and decide on measures to be taken in response. The immediate concern is to find a solution to the humanitarian situation, he says.

    He adds that there needs to be an investigation of war crimes, and this will happen when a settlement has been reached that both sides can work with.

  17. Labour: Why has this taken so long?published at 13:27 Greenwich Mean Time 21 November 2018

    Urgent Question on Yemen

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Emily ThornberryImage source, HoC

    Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry commends Jeremy Hunt for his recent action in this area, adding: "unlike his predecessor, he has not buried his head in the sand."

    Even if it has been a long time coming, she says, there is a great deal to welcome in the draft resolution put to the UN.

    She says the draft does not differ greatly to the draft that was dropped in October 2016, and asks what has changed and why it has taken so long to be put forward.

    She asks what sanctions will apply if the terms of the ceasefire are breached, and why the resolution does not propose an investigation into violations of international law.

    She asks whether a demand for an independent investigation was included in the draft shown to the Saudi Crown Prince when they met last week.

  18. Hunt: UK holds 'unique position' in Yemenpublished at 13:23 Greenwich Mean Time 21 November 2018

    Urgent Question on Yemen

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Jeremy HuntImage source, HoC

    Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt says the conflict in Yemen has become "one of the worst humanitarian disasters in the world", with 8 million people dependent on UN food aid.

    The UK is among the biggest humanitarian donors, he says, giving £170m this year.

    He says "all parties" must set aside their arms, stop missile attacks on populated areas and work towards a peaceful political statement.

    A UK-sponsored resolution to end the immediate humanitarian crisis will be put before the UN tomorrow, he tells MPs.

    "Britain holds a unique position as a country with significant influence in the region", he says.

    He adds the UK will make "every effort" to support the UN envoy attempting to broker peace talks between the two sides in Sweden.

  19. MPs move onto an urgent question on Yemenpublished at 13:01 Greenwich Mean Time 21 November 2018

    Urgent Question on Yemen

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry is now asking an urgent question on the conflict in Yemen, requesting a statement from the government on the UK’s efforts to secure a new UN Security Council Resolution.

    The UK has reportedly put forward a UN security council resolution calling for an immediate truce in the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah to guarantee safe delivery of food and medicine.

    Save the Children says an estimated 85,000 children under the age of five may have died from acute malnutrition in three years of war in Yemen.

    Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt is responding on behalf of the government.

    The context of the conflict is explained here.

  20. 'Reckless' to decide EU-UK disputes by toss of a coin - Cablepublished at 13:01 Greenwich Mean Time 21 November 2018

    PMQs

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Vince Cable MPImage source, HoC

    Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable says the fact that any deadlock in EU-UK arbirtration would be decided by 'lots' is "reckless".

    The prime minister says a five-member arbitration panel would be convened to manage disputes.

    The details of the government’s proposed divorce agreement from the European Union show that the legal expert whose vote could rule on the country’s fate may be chosen by “lot”.

    Read all about the draft Brexit withdrawal agreement here.