House of Commons
Parliament

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Shadow Economic Secretary to the Treasury Jonathan Reynolds says he is grateful to his party colleague Yvette Cooper for tabling amendment 7, included in the group being debated.

This amendment would try to limit the government's financial powers in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

A no-deal Brexit, he says, would also affect the UK's trade beyond Europe, as EU-negotiated deals with countries outside the bloc would "no longer apply" to the UK.

Mr Reynolds says the aerospace and automotive industries, among others, could face "irreparable damages" under a no-deal scenario, and there would be an "inevitable fall of the pound".

"No deal is not a real option," he says, adding: "our vulnerability is evident for everybody to see".

Mr Reynolds says there has been a suggestion that the government may accept amendment 7 later today to avoid defeat.

Whilst normally the opposition would welcome this, he says, it shows the government "has no strategy for anything, except for surviving until the end of the day".

House of Commons
Parliament

By 312 votes to 294, MPs reject Labour's amendment requiring the Chancellor to publish child poverty impact assessments.

MPs now move on to a second group of amendments, relating to the tax and fiscal implications of the UK's withdrawal from the EU.

House of Commons
Parliament

MPs have divided to vote on New Clause 1 to the Finance Bill, proposed by the Labour frontbench.

This new clause would require the Chancellor of the Exchequer to publish impact assessments on child poverty.

Amber Rudd tells the Cabinet it would make the UK less safe while Greg Clark says it "should not be contemplated".

House of Commons
Parliament

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Summing up on the first group of amendments, Financial Secretary to the Treasury Mel Stride says the figures being asked for in the new clauses are either very difficult to establish or do not lend themselves to any meaningful form of analysis.

"This government continues to be more transparent than any other," he says.

He adds that the impact on groups of taxpayers is already set out, and the data is readily available through HMRC.

"We have got on with the job, unlike the party opposite," he says.

"This government has a record to be proud of, and I urge this House to reject these clauses", he adds.

Select Committee
Parliament

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Asked whether he would encourage a stronger approach to China by the UK as a result of the treatment of Hong Kong and a lack of cooperation, Lord Patten says there is a real need to "make a fuss".

"We're really, really pathetic about this", he says, adding: "it makes sense to stand up for yourself in foreign affairs".

"Foreign policy is not about being nice to foreigners, especially when they're not being particularly nice to you."

House of Commons
Parliament

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SNP economy spokeswoman Kirsty Blackman says "a change of focus and change of priority is needed" when it comes to improving the the life chances of the less well-off.

Ms Blackman says statistics are needed to prove that government policy does what it says, and that this is more important due to Brexit uncertainty.

Scotland has implemented measures aiming to ensure people are able to get out of poverty, she says.

She suggests the UK government should overhaul social care policy, following the example of the Scottish government.

Select Committee
Parliament

China's actions in Hong Kong should cause international actors to consider "why should we believe that they'll keep their word on other things", Lord Patten says.

They encouraged the Sino-British Joint Declaration, he explains, so their potential breach of it doesn't make sense.

Select Committee
Parliament

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Following a change of witnesses, former Governor of Hong Kong Lord Patten of Barnes is now before the committee.

Beginning the session, he expresses his support for the call for documents to be declassified.

Asked about the current situation in Hong Kong, he says the "one country, two systems" approach to handing over control "worked pretty well for the first 10 or 15 years".

However he says: "I think that changed pretty decisively with Xi Jinping."

He says it's "extraordinary" that a serious independence movement has emerged under Chinese control, as this was never the case previously. He had always assumed that as China became more prosperous it would "ease up", but there seems to be an increased use of "Maoist devices".

Select Committee
Parliament

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Conservative Andrew Rosindell asks about China's treatment of Hong Kong.

Professor Veg says the Sino-British Joint Declaration, which handed administration of Hong Kong over to China, was not a particularly strong legal document.

He says China has been able to "water down" elements of the declaration as a result, which means that whilst they have not breached the agreement they have been act in a way that is "not in the spirit of the basic law".

He urges the government to declassify all of the archive regarding the negotiations, "the Hong Kong people are owed all of the exact information".

The committee then pauses for a change of witnesses.

House of Commons
Parliament

MPs are continuing to debate the Finance Bill at report stage.

Labour backbenchers are criticising the need for foodbanks by those on Universal Credit, while Conservative MPs are promoting the increase in the personal tax allowance contained in the bill.

While MPs are talking about New Clause 1, a Labour amendment which would force the government to publish impact assessments on child poverty, all eyes are really focused on amendment seven, tabled by Yvette Cooper and other MPs.

Amendment seven would prevent the government implementing no deal provisions within the bill without the explicit consent of Parliament for a no-deal outcome.

The amendment has received cross-party support, from prominent Conservatives such as Nicky Morgan, Dominic Grieve and Sir Oliver Letwin, as well as SNP, Lib Dem, Green and Labour MPs all putting their names to the list.

The government is telling their MPs not to support the amendment, but there are 11 Conservative MPs with their name to it.

The vote on amendment 7 is due later.

Select Committee
Parliament

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Paul Roseby says he feels uncomfortable working in China considering the human rights abuses taking place, but argues that "international exchange" is a way of changing things.

However, he says the National Youth Theatre's work with Middle Eastern countries actually receives far greater criticism than their work with China - suggesting there are elements of "institutional Islamophobia" driving this.

Conservative MP Bob Seely asks whether he would have the same approach to a fascist state and continue to work with them.

"Do not underestimate the power of peer-on-peer change among young people," Mr Roseby warns, adding that while the impact may not be immediately obvious, "to deny that opportunity of change in its embryonic stages is wrong".

Select Committee
Parliament

Labour MP Ann Clwyd raises the reported prosecution of Uighur Muslims in China and asks whether the panel believes the reports are credible.

None of the panel refute the reports, with Professor Sebastian Veg - professor of Intellectual History and Literature of 20th Century China at the School of Advanced Studies in Social Sciences (EHESS) in Paris - suggesting the issue warrants a specific evidence session on its own.

Professor Tsang suggests there has not been human rights abuse at such a scale in China for nearly 30 years, with a "much much harder approach" taken under Xi Jinping.

Asked by Labour MP Mike Gapes why more Islamic countries have not condemned action, Professor Tsang suggests it is a result of "very successful management of relationships".

"Chinese foreign policy is to make the world safe for authoritarianism," which benefits these countries.

Committee Chair Tom Tugendhat says this is particularly interesting when you consider that Jihadi websites have increasingly condemned the treatment of the Uighar and pointed to it as a reason for Jihad, religious war.

Select Committee
Parliament

Asked about potential causes of instability in China, Professor Tsang says the Chinese government spends more on internal security than it does on external defence, which highlights its awareness of potential unrest amongst the population.

Professor Pils adds that the "repressive capacities of the system have not been exhausted", with repression ingrained in the Chinese system.

It is hard to judge the potential of inequality causing for unrest, Professor Tsang says, as information on inequality levels is classified.

Select Committee
Parliament

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Director of the SOAS China Institute Professor Steve Tsang says the Chinese government has been keen to encourage its approach to governance with others, and for it to be considered a serious alternative to liberal democracy.

However, he says there is no indication that they are unwilling to work with international institutions, as they recognise the benefits of membership: "China does not behave like Russia."

He acknowledges China does "bend" rules, but - whilst insisting he is not defending them - he suggests this is hardly unique on the international stage.

House of Commons
Parliament

The Commons is currently debating report stage of the Finance Bill.

This bill allows government expenditure in the tax year 2019-2020, and introduces rules for corporation tax and other tax rates from 2020 and beyond.

This Budget was notable as it is before the Spending Review 2019 begins, which will seek to review day-to-day departmental spending in government.

The Budget plans to increase the personal tax allowance to £12,500, as well as increase the Living Wage and Universal Credit work allowances by £1,000.

The bill was introduced to Parliament by the Chancellor, Philip Hammond, on 29 October last year, when he gave his Budget speech.

Report stage allows for further debate and changes to be made to a bill after it has left committee.

All MPs may speak and vote, and all MPs can suggest amendments or changes to the bill.

Select Committee
Parliament

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Conservative MP Priti Patel kicks off the session with a question about how Chinese foreign and domestic policy has changed under Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Professor Eva Pils, from King’s College London, says there has been a concentration of power, with attempts to control all parts of society and suppress those critical of the government.

This has had an effect on foreign policy, with an increased perceived need by China to present themselves as an "alternative model" to liberal democracies.

Artistic Director of the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain Paul Roseby says his perspective is very different, with a focus much more on "innovation and cultural exchange".

He says "it's a fascinating time" from his organisation's point of view, with China wanting to "buy our expertise". As the Chinese middle class and wealth grows, there is a growing interest among parents to educate their child culturally.

British "heritage" and the fact we speak English is an asset the UK has over France, Germany and others, he says.

House of Commons
Parliament

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Opening for the opposition, shadow chief secretary to the Treasury Peter Dowd moves new clause 1 of the Finance Bill which would require the Chancellor of the Exchequer to review the impact of clause 5 on child poverty and equality.

"This clause will force the government to stare the horrors of poverty in this country in the face," he says. "The government can no longer be allowed to ignore the plight of millions of children in this country - the statistics do not lie."

He adds that the clause would require the government to assess the impact of its economic decisions on the most vulnerable.

"Nothing has changed and nothing is changing - all while families suffer," he adds, noting that two thirds of children living in families in poverty have with one working parent "which is a stain on this government".

He says there is another option which is to ask the wealthier to pay their fair share, and adds that Labour would impose a £10 minimum wage and would stop the roll out of Universal Credit and replace it with a social security system offering "a proper safety net for all".

Mr Dowd notes that the UN special rapporteur commented that the rising levels of child poverty is a result of this government's actions, and the Finance Bill is "another hill of broken promises".

House of Lords
Parliament

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Liberal Democrat Lord Roberts of Llandudno asks what discussions have been had with the French government to ensure that migrants crossing the Channel are dealt with in a humane way.

Home Office Minister Baroness Williams of Trafford says the UK "ensures that all migrants corssing the English Channel are dealt with in a humane way". She adds that the home secretary has invited the French interior minister to London for further discussions.

Lord Roberts says that when the UK leaves the EU it will also leave the Dublin agreement for dealing with refugees and migrants. He asks what plan there is for 30 March.

Baroness Williams says she is "not concerned" that the UK will leave its obligations for those who seek refuge in the country. The UK has resettlement schemes, and is bound by the Dublin 3 agreement if it leaves with the negotiated deal, but, she adds, even if there is no deal, the UK has a "long history" of granting asylum to those who need it.