Summary

  • MPs question international trade and then women and equalities ministers

  • Urgent question on data roaming charges

  • MPs also debated motions on compensation relating to two lung conditions

  • After Andrea Leadsom outlined forthcoming business

  • Statement on review of legal aid and then one on Venezuela

  • House of Lords holds question session for ministers

  1. SNP MP accuses government of hiding matter from publicpublished at 11:17 Greenwich Mean Time 7 February 2019

    Urgent Question on no-deal Brexit mobile phone roaming charges

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Kirsty BlackmanImage source, HoC

    SNP MP Kirsty Blackman accuses the government of hiding the matter from the public, saying it was only brought up because of the HuffPost article published yesterday, external.

    Digital Secretary Jeremy Wright says phone companies used by 85% of people say they have no plans to implement roaming charges.

    There is a concern about accidental roaming in Northern Ireland, Mr Wright says, noting they are asking companies to "do all they can to prevent that happening".

    If there is a deal, during the implementation period the situation will continue exactly as it is now, he adds, noting the government is in conversations with phone companies.

    "It is not possible for the UK government to restrict the activity of EU operators," he adds.

  2. Labour raises concern about prosperity fund's effectivenesspublished at 11:16 Greenwich Mean Time 7 February 2019

    Oral questions

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    LordsImage source, HoL

    As the day in the Lords gets under way, shadow international development minister Lord Collins asks what steps the government are taking to ensure that the Cross-Government Prosperity Fund, external is being used to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, external.

    Cabinet Office Minister Baroness Stedman-Scott says the fund's "primary purpose" is to contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. "Programmes undertake robust design" and there is "rigorous monitoring and evaluation" of the programme ensure it is kept on track.

    Lord Collins says that the International Development Committee in the Commons and others have warned that the Prosperity Fund is failing to provide enough for poverty reduction.

    Baroness Stedman-Scott says that the main focus of the fund is to "promote economic development". She says she hopes "this will have a big impact on the reduction of poverty".

  3. 'Not possible for UK to enforce rules on EU phone companies post-Brexit'published at 11:12 Greenwich Mean Time 7 February 2019

    Urgent Question on no-deal Brexit mobile phone roaming charges

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Digital Secretary Jeremy Wright says the subject will be discussed by MPs in detail, and the reality is that "when we leave the EU it will not be possible for the UK government to enforce upon EU mobile phone companies our rules and expectations".

    If they choose to charge at a wholesale level British mobile phone companies, he adds, one of two things happen: "that cost is passed on to phone users abroad, or spread across all users on that network".

    "We have made the decision that consumers are given the best possible protection," he says, "but our intention is for a deal to be secured."

    He calls for Labour MPs to vote for a deal to "help" the situation.

  4. 'Government caved to lobbying of technology companies'published at 11:01 Greenwich Mean Time 7 February 2019

    Urgent Question on no-deal Brexit mobile phone roaming charges

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Tom WatsonImage source, HoC

    Shadow digital, culture and media secretary Tom Watson says when mobile roaming charges were scrapped it was "a great day for consumers" who had before been "burned by huge bills".

    Free roaming charges save consumers millions of pounds a year, he says, and this decision shows the government "will cave to the lobbying minds of technology companies".

    Voters know there are plans to raise roaming charges, Mr Watson says, questioning why Mr Wright has decided the price of no-deal Brexit "is better paid by consumers than tech companies".

    He asks for a guarantee that if Theresa May's deal passes, free roaming will continue and that "holiday makers will not be hit by Brexit chaos".

    The minister will go down as the "Tory tripple tourist taxer", he concludes, suggesting Mr Wright takes another course.

  5. Today in the Lordspublished at 10:59 Greenwich Mean Time 7 February 2019

    Coming up...

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    The Lords sit at 11am today, starting with questions on Brexit and Venezuela.

    Then there'll be a statement on mobile phone roaming charges.

    The Lords will finish their day by debating the remaining stages of the Finance (No. 3) Bill.

  6. Government to legislate to ensure £45 monthly limit on data roaming chargespublished at 10:57 Greenwich Mean Time 7 February 2019

    Urgent Question on no-deal Brexit mobile phone roaming charges

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Jeremy WrightImage source, HoC

    Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Jeremy Wright says the government intends to legislate to make sure the requirements on mobile operators to require a financial limit on mobile data usage while abroad is retained in UK law, Mr Wright says.

    The limit would be set at £45 for each monthly billing period, he adds, the same limit that is currently in place.

    The government also aims to legislate so that users get notifications at 80% and 100% so users can manage their data usage, he says.

    Leaving without a deal would not prevent UK mobile phone operaters from making and honouring commercial arrangements with EU p[hone operators, he says, including roaming arrangements.

    The government is putting plans in place for all outcomes, he says.

  7. What's Labour proposing in order to support a deal?published at 10:52 Greenwich Mean Time 7 February 2019

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  8. No meeting of minds over Brexit backstoppublished at 10:49 Greenwich Mean Time 7 February 2019

    Theresa May heads to Brussels, but the divide over the Irish border backstop shows no sign of abating.

    Read More
  9. MPs discuss mobile roaming charges under no-deal Brexitpublished at 10:49 Greenwich Mean Time 7 February 2019

    Urgent Question on no-deal Brexit mobile phone roaming charges

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Women and equalities questions have now concluded and shadow culture secretary Tom Watson is asking his urgent question on mobile phone roaming charges in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

  10. Minister for women calls for 'revised version of Fireman Sam'published at 10:33 Greenwich Mean Time 7 February 2019

    Women and Equalities questions

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Victoria AtkinsImage source, HoC

    Labour MP Emma Dent Coad asks about facilities in fire stations for female firefighters.

    Minister for women Victoria Atkins says there is positive work being done to get women into the fire service, and that it is important for more female role models to exist.

    She says that currently five fire services are headed by women.

    "I hope at some point we see a revised version of Fireman Sam," she says, as children grow up "expecting firefighters to be male".

    The message from the government is clear, she says, "we support female firefighters and will support female firefighters to ensure that more are able to enter the force."

  11. Future trade deal details 'will be brought to the House shortly'published at 10:09 Greenwich Mean Time 7 February 2019

    International Trade questions

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Barry GardinerImage source, HoC

    Shadow international trade secretary Barry Gardiner questions why the government will not support British businesses and ensure trade disputes do not drag on for longer than necessary.

    International Trade Secretary Liam Fox says the government is working to ensure trade deals are resolved as soon as possible, but comprehensively.

    Dr Fox says the best way to ensure the highest level of cooperation on trade deals is to support the prime minister's deal, which would provide greater certainty for businesses.

    Conservative MP Greg Hands asks for an update on which future trade deals have been secured.

    International Trade Minister George Hollingbery says three trade agreements have already been signed and details "will be brought to the House on these shortly".

  12. Government 'made no decision' on zero import tariffspublished at 10:07 Greenwich Mean Time 7 February 2019

    International Trade questions

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Shadow international trade minister Bill Esterson says the fact Liam Fox is considering zero import tariffs threatens many industries in the UK and removes the incentives for new trade deals to be negotiated.

    He asks when the international trade secretary will admit he is wrong on this.

    Mr Fox says "the government has made no decision," but the best way to avoid "any of this scenario" is to vote for a deal.

    He adds that Labour must stop "whipping up" concerns.

  13. 'Time MPs reflected confidence of those who voted leave'published at 10:06 Greenwich Mean Time 7 February 2019

    International Trade questions

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Liam FoxImage source, HoC

    SNP MP Douglas Chapman asks what recent estimate the government has made of the value of the European single market to UK service exports.

    He says a key part of business relationships with clients is the ability to travel around the EU freely.

    International Trade Secretary Liam Fox says leaving the EU gives the UK the freedom to build independent trade policies across the world "reflecting our unique strengths".

    "It is time MPs in this House reflected the confidence of those who voted to leave the EU."

  14. Government 'continuing to support' businesses investing overseaspublished at 09:54 Greenwich Mean Time 7 February 2019

    International Trade questions

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Liz McInnesImage source, HoC

    Labour MP Liz McInnes asks what support is being provided to British businesses investing overseas.

    International Trade Minister Graham Stuart says supporting UK-based businesses to invest overseas is a "key pillar" of the governments work.

    UK businesses brought home £86bn as a result of overseas investments last year, he says, and notes that the government are "continuing to support" businesses to do so.

    Ms McInnes questions what financial support is available to businesses in times of uncertainty.

    Mr Stuart says the UK has enjoyed "a jobs miracle" in recent years, and that UK export finance is there to support businesses who want to invest overseas.

  15. Labour's plan 'seems to be wishful thinking' - ministerpublished at 09:50 Greenwich Mean Time 7 February 2019

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  16. Government 'focused on upholding human rights protections'published at 09:41 Greenwich Mean Time 7 February 2019

    International Trade questions

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Liam FoxImage source, HoC

    Labour MP Paul Sweeney kicks off today’s international trade questions, asking what assessment the government has made of the potential merits of including human rights protections in new trade agreements.

    International Trade Secretary Liam Fox says the UK has a strong history of promoting its values globally, and the government is focussed on maximising the value of trade while upholding its core values, including strong human rights protections.

    "Modern slavery is a wicked, pernicious practice," he adding that it is something the government recognised and will take account of in future trade deals.

    Conservative MP Mark Menzies says asks what is being done to ensure that trade deals go ahead as quickly as possible but with the best interest of businesses in mind.

    Mr Fox says the pitfalls of no-deal are more likely "if MPs do not support a deal".

    He says MPs will have a chance to scrutinise future trade deal agreements, and he will be able to give more details about this to the House soon.

  17. So what's on today in the House of Commons?published at 09:32 Greenwich Mean Time 7 February 2019

    Coming up...

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Our coverage of the Commons will begin at 9.30am with questions to international trade and women and equalities ministers.

    Shadow digital, culture, media and sport secretary Tom Watson will then ask an urgent question on mobile roaming charges in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Yesterday, HuffPost reported that roaming charges will immediately return if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

    Leader of the House Andrea Leadsom will then outline proceedings for the week ahead in the business statement, before two additional statements are delivered.

    Justice Secretary David Gauke will give a statement on the post-implementation review of legal aid, and after Foreign Office Minister Alan Duncan will provide an update on the situation in Venezuela.

    MPs will then hear two select committee statements: one on a report of the science and technology committee on the impact of social media and screen use on young people’s health, and the second on the education committee’s report on tackling disadvantage in the early years.

    Two backbench business debates will then take place on antisocial behaviour and beer taxation and pubs.

    SNP MP Angela Crawley will close proceedings with her adjournment debate on the closure of Santander banks.

  18. Today in Parliamentpublished at 09:31 Greenwich Mean Time 7 February 2019

    We'll be covering events in the Commons chamber, and also in the House of Lords today.

    Meanwhile, Theresa May is heading to Brussels to press EU leaders for legally binding changes to the Brexit deal. You can read more here.

    Keep up to date with all the Brexit news with the BBC's dedicated stream of stories and Brexit explainers here.

  19. Recap: what happened today in Parliamentpublished at 17:23 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February 2019

    Business Secretary Greg Clark faced MPs on the Business Committee, answering questions on Nissan, nuclear energy and Brexit.

    At PMQs, Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington deputised for the prime minister and Emily Thornberry, the shadow foreign secretary, stood in for Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

    What happened? Parliamentary correspondent Mark D'Arcy summed it up:

    Quote Message

    The atmosphere was far less charged and the House far less shouty then a May-Corbyn PMQs would have been, so it was far easier for the main protagonists to have a semi-civilised dialogue, but there was something more about their exchanges. It was spotted by that gnarled old veteran of a thousand political battles, Ken Clarke, who observed that the two of them would qucikly find a solution which could pass the Commons, if only they were left to themselves.

    You can read more of Mark D'Arcy's verdict here.

    And two former Brexit ministers - Dominic Raab and Suella Braverman - faced MPs' questions on the European Scrutiny Committee, with questions about the customs union, a potential extension to Article 50, and the backstop.

  20. May holds Brexit talks with NI partiespublished at 17:07 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February 2019

    Theresa May spends a second day in Northern Ireland as Irish PM Leo Varadkar meets EU leaders.

    Read More