Summary

  • MPs debated government efforts to roll over EU trade deals

  • They debated Holocaust Memorial Day and treating ME in afternoon

  • Prisons minister made statement on report about sexual offenders

  • Andrea Leadsom announced future parliamentary timetable

  • House of Lords debated threats from climate change

  1. Report is 'grave' - Justice Committee Chairpublished at 12:51 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2019

    Statement on Supervision of Sex Offenders

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Bob NeillImage source, HoC

    Conservative MP Bob Neill, who chairs the justice committee, says he welcomes the minister's frankness about the extent of the problem.

    He says the report is "grave", and asks the prisons minister what is to be done about the disconnect between what is perceived to be being done in national leadership and on the ground.

    "This is a systemic problem, and not the first time the report and the select committee have identified it", he says.

    Prisons Minister Rory Stewart says it is important there are enough people recruited on the ground to reduce the case load, and ensuring any contact is being recorded by offenders.

  2. What progress has been made with the prosecution of grooming gangs?published at 12:48 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2019

    Oral Questions

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Lord KeenImage source, HoL

    Crossbencher Baroness Cox ask what progress has been made with the prosecution of grooming gangs in Rotherham and elsewhere, and what assistance has been offered to victims and their families.

    Government spokesman Lord Keen of Elie says there a number of ongoing investigations which have led to prosecutions, with a multi-agency effort working towards supporting victims.

    Baroness Cox says victims still see their abusers going about freely, and asks what more can be done. Lord Keen says extra funding is being offered for a variety of investigations and services.

    Conservative Lord Pickles says more needs to be done to support vulnerable people and "deal with this at its root cause". Lord Keen says a great deal is being done on this.

  3. Prisons Minister 'shares concerns' on offenders being put in hotelspublished at 12:46 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2019

    Statement on Supervision of Sex Offenders

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    In response, Prisons Minister Rory Stewart says he "shares the shadow minister's concerns" about offenders being put in hotels.

    He says 56 out of 10,000 offenders have been put into emergency accommodation, with "a fraction of that number" ending up in hotels.

    On re-offending rates, Mr Stewart says they are low, at 0.8%, although he says "this is still too high a figure".

    Mr Stewart says he would disagree this is linked to the 'transformation rehabilitation' programme, as it has "nothing to do with the decision to bring in the private sector".

    He says the government has invested in a 9.7% budget increase in probation services.

  4. Report 'a catalogue of failures in public protection'published at 12:41 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2019

    Statement on Supervision of Sex Offenders

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Imran HussainImage source, HoC

    Shadow justice minister Imran Hussain says the report is "damning" and "reads as a catalogue of failures in public protection".

    He says children are being put "in real danger" by "severe safeguard failings by the Ministry of Justice".

    He asks Mr Stewart how many sex offenders released since their rehabilitation programmes finished have gone on to re-offend, how many adults and children have been put at risk by this, and how many individuals have been put up in budget hotels when released on bail.

    It is evident that the failings found in the report have been caused and aggravated by the government's poorly developed transforming redevelopment programme, and cuts to the prison and probation service.

    "The public should be sufficiently be protected from sexual offenders," he concludes.

  5. Government 'will be tackling areas raised' in reportpublished at 12:39 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2019

    Statement on Supervision of Sex Offenders

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Rory StewartImage source, HoC

    Prisons Minister Rory Stewart says there are "far more people" in prison and on probation who have been convicted of sex offenses than twenty years ago.

    He says this is because more people have been "brought to justice" for sex crimes, due to the rise of online pornography and prosecution of historical crimes.

    He says it is important to note that some of these convictions are for non-contact crimes, such as watching prohibited pornography sites on the internet.

    He pledges that ministers will "work very hard in the future" to avoid sex offenders being put up in hotels after release due to a lack of room in bail hostels.

    The government is providing the resources to build over 200 additional places in premises for offenders to go to, he adds.

    He pledges that the government will tackling the areas of concern raised by the inspectors "one by one".

  6. Independent facilitator of NI talks 'a matter of weeks' awaypublished at 12:26 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2019

    Oral Questions

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    DUP peer Lord Morrow says his party is willing to go back into government "tomorrow, without any pre-conditions".

    He says public services are struggling and it's time to consider "direct rule ministers" while there is no executive.

    Northern Ireland Minister Lord Duncan says no option is off the table and direct rule could be the "inevitable conclusion".

    Labour peer Baroness Smith of Basildon says that "as a former direct rule minister", she would not recommend it as an ideal way forward.

    She says the PM only meets with the DUP, whilst previous talks led by the Northern Ireland secretary were described as a "box ticking exercise".

    She says an independent facilitator can no longer just be "actively considered" and asks when it will actually happen.

    Lord Duncan says: "we are now talking about a matter of weeks".

  7. MPs debate report on sex offenderspublished at 12:19 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2019

    Debate on next week’s parliamentary business comes to an end.

    Prisons Minister Rory Stewart will now make a statement on a review from inspectors for the prison and probation services, which concluded not enough is being done to protect the public in England and Wales from sex offenders.

    In two cases, convicted sex offenders who should have been put in monitored bail hostels after leaving jail were allowed to stay in budget hotels.

    The government has promised to tackle the "very serious" concerns raised.

  8. Speaker to select Brexit motion amendments on Tuesdaypublished at 12:18 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2019

    Point of Order

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Conservative MP Peter Heaton-Jones asks when it will made clear which amendments to next Tuesday's Brexit motion have been selected, and if all of them will be debated.

    He asks if an amendment is approved, whether the other amendments will stand or fall before the vote on the government's main motion.

    Deputy Speaker Dame Rosie Winterton says the amendments will be selected on Tuesday.

    She adds that whether amendments stand or fall will "obviously depend on the amendments themselves".

  9. Government criticised over lack of progress in Northern Ireland talkspublished at 12:11 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2019

    Oral Questions

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Lord EmpeyImage source, HoC

    Conservative Lord Lexden asks what progress has been made towards the restoration of devolved government in Northern Ireland.

    Northern Ireland spokesman Lord Duncan of Springbank says restoration is the Northern Ireland secretary's "top priority" and there needs to be "greater action" from NI party leaders.

    Former UUP leader Lord Empey says "there is no process taking place led by the Secretary of State to get negotiations going".

    He asks when the Northern Ireland secretary will "get her skates on" and get a process started.

    Lord Duncan says she "does indeed have her skates on", but "not everyone is facing in the same direction".

    Labour peer Lord Dubs suggests an independent facilitator of talks could encourage progress. Lord Duncan says the government is "actively considering" this idea.

  10. UKIP peer offers 'fresh thinking' on Brexitpublished at 12:04 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2019

    Oral Questions

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Lord Pearson of RannochImage source, HoC

    Over in the Lords, UKIP peer Lord Pearson of Rannoch asks if, following the EU court ruling that Article 50 can be unilaterally revoked, the government will end Brexit negotiations and instead seek a deal with EU member states that would not require a "divorce payment".

    Brexit Minister Lord Callanan says it is possible to revoke Article 50, but this must be "unequivocal and unconditional", adding that it is not the government's intention to do so.

    Lord Pearson says government should welcome his "fresh thinking", rather than ruling it out, accusing them of being "on the side of the bureaucrats".

    Lord Callanan says his suggestion "doesn't work" as it tries to pick and choose between what is possible.

  11. Another motion on Friday sittings expected next weekpublished at 12:01 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2019

    Business Statement

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Conservative Justine Greening asks for clarification on Friday sittings, when MPs debate bills put forward by backbench MPs, called 'private members' bills'.

    She says her own private member's bill was due to be debated this Friday, before the motion for members to sit was withdrawn yesterday.

    Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom says given amendments were tabled to yesterday's motion on the Commons timetable, the government had to take the decision to withdraw it so that these could be explored.

    She says she expects a further motion to be brought before the House next week.

  12. SNP MP asks what happens after next Tuesday's debatepublished at 11:52 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2019

    Business Statement

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Pete WishartImage source, HoC

    SNP MP Pete Wishart asks for clarification on what the process will be after Tuesday's vote on amendments on the government's Brexit 'plan B' motion.

    He asks if there is any truth behind rumours that ministers instead to remove the backstop plan for the Irish border from the Brexit deal to get it through.

    Andrea Leadsom says the government will take a decision on the next steps following Tuesday's debate as it is "very important we see what the House wishes to bring forwards to discussion".

    She says the focus continues to be on what is needed to secure the support of MPs in favour of a Brexit deal.

  13. 'Remains position' that February break will take place - Leadsompublished at 11:48 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2019

    Business Statement

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Andrea LeadsomImage source, HoC

    Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom says the proxy voting certificate is already with the prime minister and she looks forward to success in ensuring proxy voting will be able to take place next week.

    She says it "does remain the position" that the Commons will rise for recess on February 14, "subject to the progress of business".

    She says she will come back to the House will proposed dates for May.

    Ms Leadsom says after the debate next Tuesday on the Brexit motion, "the next steps will be set out in due course".

  14. Labour: Will February recess be cancelled?published at 11:42 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2019

    Business Statement

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Valerie VazImage source, HoC

    Shadow Commons leader Valerie Vaz welcomes the announcement on proxy voting, and asks for confirmation that Parliament's February recess will happen.

    She says the foreign affairs select committee has cancelled a planned trip to India, whilst workmen have been told they can no longer carry out work in Parliament planned for that time.

    She also asks Ms Leadsom to confirm that Parliament will not be prorogued, external, following suggestions it should be by Tory MP Jacob Rees Mogg, external if a no-deal Brexit is blocked.

    Regarding next week's Brexit debate, she suggests it should be a full day's debate with protected time and asks when the votes will be.

    She points out that the EU Withdrawal Bill needs to be scheduled before the 29 March, and asks whether that is the government's intention.

  15. Leadsom: Review of grievance policy should begin next weekpublished at 11:40 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2019

    Business Statement

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Andrea LeadsomImage source, HoC

    Andrea Leadsom confirms that there will be a debate on Monday about introducing proxy voting in the House of Commons.

    She also confirms that the debate on the government's Brexit 'Plan B' motion will take place on Tuesday.

    Ms Leadsom tells MPs that the Commons clerks have chosen an independent reviewer to carry out a scheduled review of the House's new grievance procedure for staff.

    This review, due six months after the new policy was endorsed, should begin new week if signed off by the House of Commons Commission, she says.

  16. Coming up in the Commons next week...published at 11:28 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2019

    Leader's Office tweets:

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  17. Leadsom to announce parliamentary timetablepublished at 11:22 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2019

    Debate on this morning’s urgent question on EU trade deals comes to an end.

    Next this morning, Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom will unveil next week’s timetable in the House of Commons.

    This statement, which traditionally takes place on Thursday mornings, is known as the ‘business statement’.

  18. 'No deals have actually been signed' - Ministerpublished at 11:17 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2019

    EU Free Trade Agreements Urgent Question

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    HollingberyImage source, HoC

    Chair of the Brexit committee and Labour MP Hilary Benn asks how many deals to replicate the 40 or so EU agreements have actually been signed.

    Mr Hollinbery says "there are no deals that have yet been actually signed".

    However, he says it would be "unfair" to suggest that there has been no progress made, and to suggest otherwise would "misunderstand or mis-paint the process" about how these agreements work.

    He repeats that he believes the "majority" will be agreed by exit day, adding: "that means that they will have signatures".

  19. Labour: Rolling over deals was never going to be simplepublished at 11:12 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2019

    Urgent Question on EU free trade agreements

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Bill EstertonImage source, HoC

    Shadow international trade minister Bill Esterton says the government said it was a "simple matter" to roll over deals, and they would be ready immediately after Brexit.

    "This was never true", he adds.

    He asks Mr Hollingberry to confirm that some deals with non-EU countries will need "significant revision and rewriting", with those countries seeking to improve the terms they have.

    George Hollingberry says that the terms of current agreements will be amended - and that this has lengthened discussions, but that they are "going well".

    He repeats that he believes "the majority of agreements will be in place" by Brexit, however notes "they are challenging".

    He adds that "one or two", such as deal with Turkey, are "close to impossible".

  20. Minister: 'Majority' of free trade deals should be rolled overpublished at 11:07 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January 2019

    EU Free Trade Agreements Urgent Question

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    George HollingberImage source, HoC

    International Trade Minister George Hollingbery says there are good reasons why agreeing to rollover the trade deals has been "challenging".

    He says he can't answer all of Mr Leslie's questions because they are specific, or concern confidential information.

    He adds that he believes the "majority" of agreements will be rolled over, and the government "absolutely" intends to roll over all of them.

    He adds that the Swiss agreement does not have any provisions on free movement.