Summary

  • Peers looking at the Civil Partnerships Bill

  • Stalking Protection Bill debated as well

  1. 'If deal is rejected it's time for a General Election' - Corbynpublished at 16:46 Greenwich Mean Time 14 January 2019

    Brexit Statement

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Jeremy Corbyn says "members will not be fooled by what has been produced today" and that it is "clear we are voting on the same deal we should have voted on in December".

    During two years of "shambolic" negotiations the prime minister has "failed to listen and work with Parliament to ensure a constructive deal".

    Mr Corbyn says the prime minister "faces a humiliating defeat [in tomorrow's vote] and is blaming everybody but herself". He adds that if Theresa May's deal is defeated tomorrow "blame will lie with government and at the feet of the prime minister".

    A deal with a new and comprehensive customs union, a strong single market relationship and a guarantee to keep pace with EU standards is a deal that could get through this House, Jeremy Corbyn says.

    "This government is in disarray: if the deal is rejected tomorrow it's time for a general election and a new government," he concludes.

  2. Corbyn: Nothing changed from previous legal positionpublished at 16:45 Greenwich Mean Time 14 January 2019

    Brexit Statement

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Jeremy CorbynImage source, hoc

    Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn says when the government "shamefully" pulled the meaningful vote last month, they promised to get "legal assurances from the EU that the backstop would be temporary".

    He says the government "has completely and utterly failed to do that".

    The letters are "nothing more than a repetition of the position" that was pulled more than a month ago, he says, and the reality is that nothing has changed from how the Attorney General advised previously - that the UK could not unilaterally withdraw from the backstop.

    If there were legally binding assurances, they would have been written into the withdrawal agreement itself, he says.

    He questions how negotiations can start as soon as possible when the government can't even agree on a position.

    There can be no question of the government "ducking accountability" by delaying the vote again, he says, and no more scaremongering.

  3. Watch again: PM says backstop 'last resort'published at 16:39 Greenwich Mean Time 14 January 2019

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  4. Labour MP delays birth to vote on Brexitpublished at 16:38 Greenwich Mean Time 14 January 2019

    Tulip Siddiq was due to have an elective caesarean section, but has delayed it until Thursday.

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  5. May urges MPs to 'give deal a second look' in next 24 hourspublished at 16:38 Greenwich Mean Time 14 January 2019

    Brexit Statement

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Theresa May says if MPs want to reject her deal in favour of no-deal because of assurances she has been unable to get, "they must ask themselves what a no-deal would do for the Union."

    She says with 74 days until 29 March "the consequences of no-deal are becoming clearer; no implementation period, no security partnership, no guarantees for British citizens overseas and no stability for workers."

    If rather than leaving with no-deal this House blocked Brexit, she says, it would be "a subversion of our democracy".

    Theresa May asks all members to "give this deal a second look" over the next 24 hours.

    "It's not perfect and it is a compromise, but when the history books are written, people will look at the decision of this House tomorrow and ask: 'Did we deliver on the country's vote to leave the EU, did we safeguard the economy, security and union, or did we let the British people down?'"

    Theresa May closes her statement saying "we should deliver for the British people and get on with building a better future for this country by backing this deal tomorrow."

  6. 'Belligerent attitude' of PM to Irish government has been 'downright unhelpful'published at 16:36 Greenwich Mean Time 14 January 2019

    EU Withdrawal Agreement Debate

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Lord MorrowImage source, HoL

    DUP Peer Lord Morrow says that the EU has sought to "divide the UK internal market".

    He adds that the advice from the government's Attorney General Geoffrey Cox has been "devastating in its content". Northern Ireland will remain inside the EU customs union and the European Courts still have jurisdiction over NI, he adds.

    The backstop "would continue indefinitely", he warns, even though "nobody wants it".

    He states that the "belligerent attitude of the prime minister to the Republic of Ireland has proven to be downright unhelpful".

  7. Reality Check: Do the Brexit letters change anything?published at 16:35 Greenwich Mean Time 14 January 2019

    EU leaders send reassurances to the prime minister about Northern Ireland.

    Read More
  8. EU have 'committed to considering technological alternative to backstop'published at 16:35 Greenwich Mean Time 14 January 2019

    Brexit Statement

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Theresa MayImage source, HoC

    Theresa May says she knows some MPs would like a "unilateral exit mechanism", but the EU feel such a provision would allow the UK to leave the backstop without any other arrangements in place - causing a hard border in Ireland.

    She has been clear that this is not the case, "but it is not enough simply to say this". Both sides need to demonstrate this after the UK leaves, however, she says, adding the best way to avoid the hard border is through the future relationship.

    If MPs approve the deal tomorrow, it will give the government almost two years to complete the next phase of negotiations, she says, adding that is "my conviction" that the political declaration can be turned into legal text in time.

    She says the EU will not simply insist that the backstop is the only way to avoid a harder border, showing a willingness to consider technological alternatives in the next stage of the negotiations.

    'Sub-optimal trading relationship'

    President Juncker has said the backstop would be a "sub-optimal trading relationship for both sides", she says, and would not be beneficial for either side to keep the backstop in place permanently.

    She says this is demonstrated by today's exchange of letters.

    She recognises that some wanted changes to the withdrawal agreement, but "the simply truth is that the EU was no prepared to agree to this, and rejecting the backstop means no deal."

    "That is not going to change", no matter the response to the deal tomorrow.

  9. Exchange of letters between PM and EU leaders on Brexitpublished at 16:32 Greenwich Mean Time 14 January 2019

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  10. PM: EU 'reaffirmed determination for backstop to be last resort'published at 16:31 Greenwich Mean Time 14 January 2019

    Brexit Statement

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Theresa MayImage source, hoc

    Theresa May opens her statement on Brexit by saying she shares the concerns of members who want to make sure in leaving the EU the strength of the Union is not undermined.

    On getting more assurances from the EU over Christmas, the prime minister says "listening to the debate before Christmas it was clear we needed to go further".

    Theresa May says the EU have reaffirmed their determination "to work speedily to establish by 31st December 2020 alternative arrangements so the backstop will not need to be triggered", and that if the backstop is triggered, it will only be so temporarily "as a last resort".

    She adds that if the backstop is needed to come into apply, the EU have agreed to replace it with alternative arrangements as soon as possible.

    Theresa May adds that the EU gave new assurances that discussions on the new relationship could start as soon as the Withdrawal Agreement is passed.

    She says she has published letters today on the outcome of discussions with the president of the EU Commission and Council which provide "assurances that the European Council conclusions have legal standing in the EU".

    The Attorney General Geoffrey Cox has said "these conclusions would have legal force in international law", she says, noting he adds that her Brexit deal is "the only practical and available means of securing our exit from the EU."

  11. Theresa May begins Brexit statementpublished at 16:22 Greenwich Mean Time 14 January 2019

    Brexit Statement

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    That's the urgent question on Universal Credit complete, and Prime Minister Theresa May is now on her feet to deliver her Brexit statement.

  12. SNP: Two child policy forcing women into terminating healthy pregnanciespublished at 16:13 Greenwich Mean Time 14 January 2019

    Universal Credit Urgent Question

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Alison ThewlissImage source, HoC

    SNP spokesperson Alison Thewliss criticises the work and pensions secretary's decision to announce the changes on a Friday and not coming to Parliament.

    Her party welcomes the changes but she says the policy "must be scrapped now", not later.

    She asks why the two child policy continues even though it has been ruled unfair, suggesting the policy is forcing women into terminating healthy pregnancies.

    Mr Sharma says the statement was made by him, not the work and pensions secretary.

    He agrees that help needs to be given "in the most compassionate way", with third party professionals providing that.

  13. Call for pregnant MP to be given proxy votepublished at 16:10 Greenwich Mean Time 14 January 2019

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  14. Tory MP raises concerns at five week delay in UC paymentpublished at 16:06 Greenwich Mean Time 14 January 2019

    Universal Credit Urgent Question

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Conservative MP Ken Clarke praises the response to concerns about Universal Credit by the government, but says the flaw in the system is that the details were designed by people who were "too paternalistic", in their attempts to introduce people to the disciplines of life in work.

    People were often very vulnerable and reliant day-to-day on cash, he says, and he asks the minister to address the five week delay in payment, "which does cause the hardship" and he hopes is gone by the time of the full roll-out.

    Mr Sharma says people can get support right from the start in terms of advances, but recognises that "we need to make sure that throughout this process we support the most vulnerable - that is what the changes are all about".

  15. Government 'failed to provide clarifications' on Universal Credit changes - Labourpublished at 16:05 Greenwich Mean Time 14 January 2019

    Universal Credit Urgent Question

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Margaret GreenwoodImage source, HoC

    Shadow work and pensions secretary Margaret Greenwood says ministers have "failed to provide clarifications" on the government's plans regarding Universal Credit.

    Ms Greenwood says Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd has made a number of "wide ranging speeches" about her plans for changing Universal Credit policy in the media, but did not make them in the Commons.

    MPs have not been given a chance to question ministers on very important changes to and high court judgements on Universal Credit, she adds.

    On Friday, four working single mothers won a High Court challenge over the government's Universal Credit scheme.

    They argued a "fundamental problem" with the system meant their monthly payments varied "enormously", leaving them out of pocket and struggling financially.

    Ms Greenwood asks how the government intends to respond to the court judgement, for the two child limit to be scrapped altogether, for immediate action to be taken "so no one has to wait five weeks for Universal Credit payments to begin" and for the overall policy of Universal Credit to be halted.

    Employment Minister Alok Sharma says "on Universal Credit, we believe the overall policy is fair", and that the government will consider the High Court judgement "very carefully, and then respond".

  16. UK needs to handle diversity 'better' - Bishop of Lincolnpublished at 16:01 Greenwich Mean Time 14 January 2019

    EU Withdrawal Agreement Debate

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Bishop of LincolnImage source, HoL

    The Bishop of Lincoln says that those who live and work in Lincolnshire are "prisoners of our geography," where people learn "to fend for yourself".

    He says those in Lincolnshire are asking why those "in London" are struggling to sort out Brexit.

    The Church of England has "always had to manage difference and diversity", he states, but "as a nation" the public need to recognise that "we are profoundly divided".

    He adds that the UK needs to handle diversity "better".

    "We are in this together, and we need to remember and practice the art of listening and compromise" so that the UK "can become the best nation that we can be".

  17. How many urgent questions are granted?published at 15:59 Greenwich Mean Time 14 January 2019

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  18. Employment minister addresses changes to Universal Creditpublished at 15:59 Greenwich Mean Time 14 January 2019

    Universal Credit Urgent Question

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Alok SharmaImage source, HoC

    Employment Minister Alok Sharma responds to the urgent question from Margaret Greenwood, saying the government has decided to replace the current regulations for managed migration, with two new sets of regulations related to Universal Credit.

    Mr Sharma says the new sets of regulations will deliver the government's commitment to provide protection for those moving onto Universal Credit, with these individuals being able to claim existing benefits until they are fully moved on.

    Plans to extend a benefits cap on families of more than two children have been removed, Mr Sharma adds, stating that those with children born before the system began in 2017 would remain exempt.

    He says this was to ensure the policy was "compassionate and fair".

    Mr Sharma says any changes relating to benefit uprating will be brought before Parliament "in the usual way".

  19. Harriet Harman raises case of pregnant MPpublished at 15:56 Greenwich Mean Time 14 January 2019

    Point of Order

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Mother of the House Labour MP Harriet Harman raises the position of Labour colleague Tulip Siddiq, who is nine months pregnant and has delayed a planned cesarean section, external in order to take part in the meaningful vote tomorrow.

    She says Ms Siddiq should not have to choose between going through the voting lobby in a wheelchair and losing her right to vote, asking if a proxy vote could be facilitated so "she can have her baby and have her vote".

    She points out that MPs agreed to the idea of proxy voting in principle and in theory in February.

    Speaker John Bercow responds that he has been advised "that it is not within the gifts of party authorities to facilitate proxy voting for tomorrow", but whilst he respects the view, he's not sure he agrees with it.

    He says is is "absolutely essential", not just for Tulip Sadiq but also the reputation of Parliament, that her vote should be facilitated tomorrow. The notion of having to be wheeled through a division lobby is "completely uncivilised".

    It's been suggested an extension to nodding through, external could be facilitated, so Ms Sadiq can vote even if she were in hospital, he says, and he doesn't rule out the possibility, but it depends on cross-party agreement.

    He expresses his own support for the introduction of proxy voting for those on maternity leave, pointing out the matter has been debated in the chamber twice:

    • On the first occasion, the proposition was passed without opposition.
    • On the second occasion, the debate was on government time and there was strong support for the change expressed.
    • The Leader of the House, Andrea Leadsom, also indicated her desire to expedite the change, he adds.

    It is extremely regrettable that almost a year after the first date this change has not been made, he says, and the current situation is "frankly lamentable".

    He says if an agreement can be reached today, he's happy to facilitate a change for tomorrow.

  20. 'I feared the worst' when Cameron called referendum - Betty Boothroydpublished at 15:53 Greenwich Mean Time 14 January 2019

    EU Withdrawal Agreement Debate

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Baroness BoothroydImage source, HoL

    Crossbencher and former Speaker of the House of Commons Baroness Boothroyd says that she identifies as a patriot and as a European.

    "Europe is part of my DNA, it transcends treaties and bureaucracy," she says.

    "I feared the worst" when David Cameron allied his MEPs with the "far right" and when he called the EU referendum, she says.

    She says that the only consistency of the Labour Party is "evasion" on current problems facing the UK.

    She adds she is once again seeing the Tory party "tear itself apart" over Europe, as she saw when she was Speaker during the Maastricht debates.

    "We have been wandering in the wilderness since Mrs May lost her majority in the election," she says, adding that if a democracy cannot change its mind "it ceases to be a democracy".

    The UK is now "paying the price for a referendum which was dominated by falsehoods," she states.

    She urges Parliamentarians to forget party allegiances, as the country "demands it".