Venezuelan regime 'increasingly desperate to cling on to power'
Venezuela statement
House of Commons
Parliament
HoCCopyright: HoC
Foreign Office Minister Sir Alan Duncan says Venezuela's "regime...is increasingly desperate to cling on to power".
He says that the UK has now recognised the elected National Assembly in Venezuela as the new leaders in the country.
The Venezuelan people have showed "their discontent in massive protests around the country by the grossly incompetent, criminal" governance. He states that Nicolas Maduro has engaged the country in "warped socialism".
The UK's position on this is shared by France, Germany, Spain and others, he adds.
Justice committee chair calls for legal aid changes to be made 'promptly'
Legal Aid Statement
House of Commons
Parliament
HoCCopyright: HoC
Justice select committee chair Bob Neill says the additional funding for legal aid is workable, as is the extended level of eligibility.
Mr Neill calls for the justice secretary to ensure reviews and trials are brought to an early conclusion, acted upon where necessary, and for the changes to legal aid to be made "promptly".
Justice Secretary David Gauke says the government needs to "crack on" and review the evidence, but notes that it is a "complex area which must be considered properly".
Legal aid 'more generous' in Scotland - SNP
Legal Aid review statement
House of Commons
Parliament
HoCCopyright: HoC
The SNP's Tommy Sheppard says that access to justice is "enshrined in the common law of England".
He says that in Scotland there is "more generous" legal aid provisions in Scotland, with 75% of cases eligible for legal aid there, while it is 25% in England, he adds.
Mr Gauke says that "access to justice is very important" but the test of access to justice shouldn't be seen just by legal aid. To expand access to justice, the government has to "innovate," he adds.
'Constructive attempt to address issues with legal aid'
Legal Aid Statement
House of Commons
Parliament
Justice Secretary David Gauke says there was a significant rise in the cost of legal aid over a number of years, which is why this review was carried out.
It is important that limited resources are directed in the most effective ways, he says.
"The evidence is not clear that early intervention will make savings, but there is a strong argument to explore this."
Mr Gauke says it is a "constructive attempt to address the issues with legal aid".
The Law Society has said there is much to be welcomed with the government's announcements today, he adds, asking for MPs to "take note of this".
Government cut more than it planned to - Burgon
Legal Aid review statement
House of Commons
Parliament
HoCCopyright: HoC
Shadow justice secretary Richard Burgon says that the review has been "delayed time and time again" which is "simply unacceptable" considering the "suffering" that the cuts have caused.
He says that the review being delayed has been a "waste of two years". He says that the review set out to save £410m, and it saved £200m more than it planned to.
"There is a very real human cost behind these cuts," he says, and they have a "real human cost".
He asks why the justice secretary "does not have the political will" to address problems in the legal aid system.
'Early intervention must be at the heart of legal aid'
Legal Aid Statement
House of Commons
Parliament
HoCCopyright: HoC
People must receive the type of legal aid that is right for them at the right time, Justice Secretary David Gauke tells MPs.
Legal aid has for too long focused on delivering publicly funded advice, he adds, noting that the government "want to move on with a new vision".
He says that alongside the review he is publishing the new legal support action plan which ensures vulnerable people, particularly children, can access legal aid simplistically when needed.
He says the value of early legal advice will be tested through trials, as will "technological solutions", and that legal aid will continue to be reviewed.
"There is more to do to meet our challenges," he concludes, "early intervention must be at the heart of this."
Cuts to the legal aid budget have prompted protests from lawyersImage caption: Cuts to the legal aid budget have prompted protests from lawyers
Justice Secretary David Gauke is now updating MPs on a review of changes to the legal aid system introduced between 2012 and 2013.
As part of the review, ministers have pledged £5m to fund new legal support services, and review the legal aid means test by summer next year.
The government has also said it will bring forward proposals to expand legal aid to include separated migrant children in immigration cases to this spring.
With two ministerial statements and two select committee statements still to come, the second of the day's two backbench business debates on beer taxation and pubs has been postponed.
The first backbench business debate on anti-social behaviour, introduced by Labour MP Diana Johnson, will still go ahead.
Leadsom: Debate on hell jibe 'not amusing'
Business Statement
House of Commons
Parliament
HoCCopyright: HoC
SNP MP Pete Wishart questions when critical Brexit legislation will be debated, and what MPs will be discussing during their now-cancelled February break.
After Donald Tusk's comments yesterday, he calls for a debate on hell, specifically "what bits are reserved for which people".
In reply Andrea Leadsom says she doesn't find the suggestion "amusing", adding: "it's not a laughing matter, it's actually rather hateful".
On Speaker John Bercow's comments earlier about next week's agenda, she accuses him of "muddying the waters" over the upcoming Brexit motion next week.
She adds that she is "perfectly able" to announce next week's business herself.
In reply, John Bercow says: "Nobody is going to tell this Speaker how to stand up for and persistently champion the rights of Parliament".
Lords hears statement on mobile roaming charges
Mobile Roaming Charges question repeat
House of Lords
Parliament
Press AssociationCopyright: Press Association
Culture Minister Lord Ashton repeats the statement in the Commons earlier on mobile data use in the EU after Brexit.
Shadow leader of the house Baroness Smith says that the "government's mishandling of Brexit" is going to lead to "higher charges on UK businesses".
Lord Ashton says the UK will not be able to take part in the "harmonised wholesale prices for roaming" in the event of no deal, he tells peers.
But he says it is "not fair to say that we haven't prepared" for "all these considerations".
Lib Dem Europe spokesperson Baroness Ludford says the best way to avoid increased charges is to stay in the EU. She says that the abolition of these charges has been one of the successes of the bloc.
Lord Ashton says the abolition of roaming charges "has been of great benefit" since it came into force eighteen months ago. He adds that the UK does not have the powers to "do something different".
Bercow: Brexit debate has been added to draft timetable
House of Commons
Parliament
HoCCopyright: HoC
Speaker John Bercow says a draft version of the government's proposed timetable for next week that he saw last night did not include a Brexit debate next Thursday.
He "noted with dismay", he says, that the debate appeared to have been "removed", with a debate on backbench business scheduled instead.
He was "greatly heartened", he tells MPs, that the decision seems to have been "reversed" by the timetable just laid out by Andrea Leadsom.
Neutral Brexit motion will be amendable - Leadsom
Business Statement
House of Commons
Parliament
HoCCopyright: HoC
Shadow leader of the House Valerie Vaz says asks if MPs will be able to vote on and amend next week's Brexit motion.
She also asks for a debate on the roaming charges statutory instrument debated earlier to take place as soon as possible, and a guarantee that operators "cannot instigate charges immediately"
Andrea Leadsom says if Theresa May manages to bring back an amended Brexit deal before next Wednesday, it will face an amendable motion to approve it in the same way as before.
She confirms that if a deal is not brought back, the motion that MPs will instead debate on Thursday will be a "neutral" motion that they will be able to amend.
Call for government to aid Venezuela election
Oral questions
House of Lords
Parliament
HoLCopyright: HoL
Conservative Lord Garel-Jones asks what steps the government are taking to assist Venezuela in holding a free, fair and democratic presidential election.
Foreign Office Minister Lord Ahmad says on 4 February the government announced that it recognised Juan Guaidó as the new president of Venezuela. "Our focus is on supporting the democratically elected Parliament of Venezuela," he adds.
How can the UK be protected against counterfeit medicine?
Oral questions
House of Lords
Parliament
HoLCopyright: HoL
Liberal Democrat Baroness Walmsley asks what plans the government has to protect patients from counterfeit medicines after the UK has left the EU.
Newly-appointed Health Minister Baroness Blackwood says the UK would remain a part of the medicinal systems during a transition period and additional systems would be in place by the time the UK formally leaves. If the UK leaves without a deal, she adds, then the government "will review options" for alternatives to the EU falsified medicines system.
Baroness Walmsley says that UK patients currently have confidence that their medicines are protected and genuine. She adds that the UK may have to pay to take part in the falsified medicines system.
Baroness Blackwood says the government is working on a framework for falsified medicines in the event of no deal.
'No additional controls' on food imports after Brexit
Oral questions
House of Lords
Parliament
HoLCopyright: HoL
Labour's Baroness Jones asks how many additional food inspectors will be put in place to ensure that food imports from the European Union are checked at transit ports in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Minister Lord Gardiner says "there will be no additional controls" on food originating from the EU. High-risk foods from outside the EU will see additional controls, he states "there are sufficient inspectors at UK ports".
Baroness Jones says that the government is relying on existing staff in ports, even though they won't have access to EU quality assurance programme data as they currently do. She warns that some unscrupulous suppliers might export their second rate food to the UK.
Lord Gardiner says that the government "has been working very closely" with the Food Standards Agency on this. He states the government thinks there will be around 6,000 additional checks on these transit routes.
Debate on Brexit motion next Thursday
Business Statement
House of Commons
Parliament
HoCCopyright: HoC
Leader of the House Andrea Leadsom is now delivering the business statement.
She says on Thursday there will be debate on a motion relating to the UK's withdrawal from the EU.
Ms Leadsom says a revised deal will be brought back to the House for a second meaningful vote as soon as possible.
Should that not be possible, on 13 February, the government will table an amendable motion for debate on 14 February.
PM is currently regotiating a revised deal, she says, and will update the House next week.
Ms Leadsom says she will give another business statement if necessary before then.
'85% of consumers with companies that will continue free roaming'
Urgent Question on no-deal Brexit mobile phone roaming charges
House of Commons
Parliament
HoCCopyright: HoC
Digital Secretary Jeremy Wright says the government will take as many of the regulations set up as possible and turn them into UK legislation.
Labour MP Nic Dakin asks how many companies have voluntarily come to the government and said they will not raise roaming charges.
Mr Wright repeats that 85% of consumers are under contracts with companies that will continue free roaming, but does not name the individual companies who have agreed to honour free roaming charges.
"The UK electorate made that decision and we are honouring it," he says, with regards to leaving the EU.
MPs will have a chance to debate this further, Mr Wright repeats.
Labour MP Paul Sweeney says this shows that the government should remove the issue of no-deal immediately as "no one voted to repeal free roaming charges".
'The consumer will have a choice'
Urgent Question on no-deal Brexit mobile phone roaming charges
House of Commons
Parliament
Conservative MP Mike Wood asks what happens to consumers who are currently on free roaming contracts whose contracts will change meaning they have to pay roaming charges in the event of a no-deal.
Digital Secretary Jeremy Wright says he would have to check, but that he believes that if the terms of a contract change during the contract period, consumers have the ability to leave the contract and take up another elsewhere.
He says some companies have said they will continue to offer free roaming, so "the consumer will have a choice".
Live Reporting
Sophie Morris and Richard Morris
All times stated are UK
Venezuelan regime 'increasingly desperate to cling on to power'
Venezuela statement
House of Commons
Parliament
Foreign Office Minister Sir Alan Duncan says Venezuela's "regime...is increasingly desperate to cling on to power".
He says that the UK has now recognised the elected National Assembly in Venezuela as the new leaders in the country.
The Venezuelan people have showed "their discontent in massive protests around the country by the grossly incompetent, criminal" governance. He states that Nicolas Maduro has engaged the country in "warped socialism".
The UK's position on this is shared by France, Germany, Spain and others, he adds.
Justice committee chair calls for legal aid changes to be made 'promptly'
Legal Aid Statement
House of Commons
Parliament
Justice select committee chair Bob Neill says the additional funding for legal aid is workable, as is the extended level of eligibility.
Mr Neill calls for the justice secretary to ensure reviews and trials are brought to an early conclusion, acted upon where necessary, and for the changes to legal aid to be made "promptly".
Justice Secretary David Gauke says the government needs to "crack on" and review the evidence, but notes that it is a "complex area which must be considered properly".
Legal aid 'more generous' in Scotland - SNP
Legal Aid review statement
House of Commons
Parliament
The SNP's Tommy Sheppard says that access to justice is "enshrined in the common law of England".
He says that in Scotland there is "more generous" legal aid provisions in Scotland, with 75% of cases eligible for legal aid there, while it is 25% in England, he adds.
Mr Gauke says that "access to justice is very important" but the test of access to justice shouldn't be seen just by legal aid. To expand access to justice, the government has to "innovate," he adds.
'Constructive attempt to address issues with legal aid'
Legal Aid Statement
House of Commons
Parliament
Justice Secretary David Gauke says there was a significant rise in the cost of legal aid over a number of years, which is why this review was carried out.
It is important that limited resources are directed in the most effective ways, he says.
"The evidence is not clear that early intervention will make savings, but there is a strong argument to explore this."
Mr Gauke says it is a "constructive attempt to address the issues with legal aid".
The Law Society has said there is much to be welcomed with the government's announcements today, he adds, asking for MPs to "take note of this".
Government cut more than it planned to - Burgon
Legal Aid review statement
House of Commons
Parliament
Shadow justice secretary Richard Burgon says that the review has been "delayed time and time again" which is "simply unacceptable" considering the "suffering" that the cuts have caused.
He says that the review being delayed has been a "waste of two years". He says that the review set out to save £410m, and it saved £200m more than it planned to.
"There is a very real human cost behind these cuts," he says, and they have a "real human cost".
He asks why the justice secretary "does not have the political will" to address problems in the legal aid system.
'Early intervention must be at the heart of legal aid'
Legal Aid Statement
House of Commons
Parliament
People must receive the type of legal aid that is right for them at the right time, Justice Secretary David Gauke tells MPs.
He is making a statement on the post-implementation review of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012. The government has concluded its review of legal aid cuts, he says, and a review is published today.
Legal aid has for too long focused on delivering publicly funded advice, he adds, noting that the government "want to move on with a new vision".
He says that alongside the review he is publishing the new legal support action plan which ensures vulnerable people, particularly children, can access legal aid simplistically when needed.
He says the value of early legal advice will be tested through trials, as will "technological solutions", and that legal aid will continue to be reviewed.
"There is more to do to meet our challenges," he concludes, "early intervention must be at the heart of this."
Brexit 'creating tension' for households - Carney
BBC tweets
Commons debates review of legal aid
Justice Secretary David Gauke is now updating MPs on a review of changes to the legal aid system introduced between 2012 and 2013.
As part of the review, ministers have pledged £5m to fund new legal support services, and review the legal aid means test by summer next year.
The government has also said it will bring forward proposals to expand legal aid to include separated migrant children in immigration cases to this spring.
Next week's agenda in full
Commons Leader tweets:
Debate on beer taxation and pubs postponed
House of Commons
Parliament
With two ministerial statements and two select committee statements still to come, the second of the day's two backbench business debates on beer taxation and pubs has been postponed.
The first backbench business debate on anti-social behaviour, introduced by Labour MP Diana Johnson, will still go ahead.
Leadsom: Debate on hell jibe 'not amusing'
Business Statement
House of Commons
Parliament
SNP MP Pete Wishart questions when critical Brexit legislation will be debated, and what MPs will be discussing during their now-cancelled February break.
After Donald Tusk's comments yesterday, he calls for a debate on hell, specifically "what bits are reserved for which people".
In reply Andrea Leadsom says she doesn't find the suggestion "amusing", adding: "it's not a laughing matter, it's actually rather hateful".
On Speaker John Bercow's comments earlier about next week's agenda, she accuses him of "muddying the waters" over the upcoming Brexit motion next week.
She adds that she is "perfectly able" to announce next week's business herself.
In reply, John Bercow says: "Nobody is going to tell this Speaker how to stand up for and persistently champion the rights of Parliament".
Lords hears statement on mobile roaming charges
Mobile Roaming Charges question repeat
House of Lords
Parliament
Culture Minister Lord Ashton repeats the statement in the Commons earlier on mobile data use in the EU after Brexit.
Shadow leader of the house Baroness Smith says that the "government's mishandling of Brexit" is going to lead to "higher charges on UK businesses".
Lord Ashton says the UK will not be able to take part in the "harmonised wholesale prices for roaming" in the event of no deal, he tells peers.
But he says it is "not fair to say that we haven't prepared" for "all these considerations".
Lib Dem Europe spokesperson Baroness Ludford says the best way to avoid increased charges is to stay in the EU. She says that the abolition of these charges has been one of the successes of the bloc.
Lord Ashton says the abolition of roaming charges "has been of great benefit" since it came into force eighteen months ago. He adds that the UK does not have the powers to "do something different".
Bercow: Brexit debate has been added to draft timetable
House of Commons
Parliament
Speaker John Bercow says a draft version of the government's proposed timetable for next week that he saw last night did not include a Brexit debate next Thursday.
He "noted with dismay", he says, that the debate appeared to have been "removed", with a debate on backbench business scheduled instead.
He was "greatly heartened", he tells MPs, that the decision seems to have been "reversed" by the timetable just laid out by Andrea Leadsom.
Neutral Brexit motion will be amendable - Leadsom
Business Statement
House of Commons
Parliament
Shadow leader of the House Valerie Vaz says asks if MPs will be able to vote on and amend next week's Brexit motion.
She also asks for a debate on the roaming charges statutory instrument debated earlier to take place as soon as possible, and a guarantee that operators "cannot instigate charges immediately"
Andrea Leadsom says if Theresa May manages to bring back an amended Brexit deal before next Wednesday, it will face an amendable motion to approve it in the same way as before.
She confirms that if a deal is not brought back, the motion that MPs will instead debate on Thursday will be a "neutral" motion that they will be able to amend.
Call for government to aid Venezuela election
Oral questions
House of Lords
Parliament
Conservative Lord Garel-Jones asks what steps the government are taking to assist Venezuela in holding a free, fair and democratic presidential election.
Foreign Office Minister Lord Ahmad says on 4 February the government announced that it recognised Juan Guaidó as the new president of Venezuela. "Our focus is on supporting the democratically elected Parliament of Venezuela," he adds.
How can the UK be protected against counterfeit medicine?
Oral questions
House of Lords
Parliament
Liberal Democrat Baroness Walmsley asks what plans the government has to protect patients from counterfeit medicines after the UK has left the EU.
Newly-appointed Health Minister Baroness Blackwood says the UK would remain a part of the medicinal systems during a transition period and additional systems would be in place by the time the UK formally leaves. If the UK leaves without a deal, she adds, then the government "will review options" for alternatives to the EU falsified medicines system.
Baroness Walmsley says that UK patients currently have confidence that their medicines are protected and genuine. She adds that the UK may have to pay to take part in the falsified medicines system.
Baroness Blackwood says the government is working on a framework for falsified medicines in the event of no deal.
'No additional controls' on food imports after Brexit
Oral questions
House of Lords
Parliament
Labour's Baroness Jones asks how many additional food inspectors will be put in place to ensure that food imports from the European Union are checked at transit ports in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Minister Lord Gardiner says "there will be no additional controls" on food originating from the EU. High-risk foods from outside the EU will see additional controls, he states "there are sufficient inspectors at UK ports".
Baroness Jones says that the government is relying on existing staff in ports, even though they won't have access to EU quality assurance programme data as they currently do. She warns that some unscrupulous suppliers might export their second rate food to the UK.
Lord Gardiner says that the government "has been working very closely" with the Food Standards Agency on this. He states the government thinks there will be around 6,000 additional checks on these transit routes.
Debate on Brexit motion next Thursday
Business Statement
House of Commons
Parliament
Leader of the House Andrea Leadsom is now delivering the business statement.
She says on Thursday there will be debate on a motion relating to the UK's withdrawal from the EU.
Ms Leadsom says a revised deal will be brought back to the House for a second meaningful vote as soon as possible.
Should that not be possible, on 13 February, the government will table an amendable motion for debate on 14 February.
PM is currently regotiating a revised deal, she says, and will update the House next week.
Ms Leadsom says she will give another business statement if necessary before then.
'85% of consumers with companies that will continue free roaming'
Urgent Question on no-deal Brexit mobile phone roaming charges
House of Commons
Parliament
Digital Secretary Jeremy Wright says the government will take as many of the regulations set up as possible and turn them into UK legislation.
Labour MP Nic Dakin asks how many companies have voluntarily come to the government and said they will not raise roaming charges.
Mr Wright repeats that 85% of consumers are under contracts with companies that will continue free roaming, but does not name the individual companies who have agreed to honour free roaming charges.
"The UK electorate made that decision and we are honouring it," he says, with regards to leaving the EU.
MPs will have a chance to debate this further, Mr Wright repeats.
Labour MP Paul Sweeney says this shows that the government should remove the issue of no-deal immediately as "no one voted to repeal free roaming charges".
'The consumer will have a choice'
Urgent Question on no-deal Brexit mobile phone roaming charges
House of Commons
Parliament
Conservative MP Mike Wood asks what happens to consumers who are currently on free roaming contracts whose contracts will change meaning they have to pay roaming charges in the event of a no-deal.
Digital Secretary Jeremy Wright says he would have to check, but that he believes that if the terms of a contract change during the contract period, consumers have the ability to leave the contract and take up another elsewhere.
He says some companies have said they will continue to offer free roaming, so "the consumer will have a choice".