Summary

  • MPs vote to reject a government motion on Brexit

  • Some Brexiteers were unhappy with it, saying it implies support for ruling out a no-deal Brexit

  • Amendments put forward by Labour and the SNP were also rejected

  • Tory MP Anna Soubry decided not to push her amendment to a vote

  • It would have called on ministers to publish certain no-deal briefing papers

  1. Islamic State struggle 'far from over'published at 17:38 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February 2019

    Statement on Islamic State

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Jeremy HuntImage source, HoC

    Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt says investigators have discovered more than 200 mass graves.

    However, he notes, military actions by many nations, including the UK, have broken Islamic State's grip on territorial strongholds.

    As Islamic State are being driven out of territorial strongholds, they are leading increasingly towards guerrilla warfare, Mr Hunt says, noting that military action against Islamic State should be maintained.

    Mr Hunt says the government will continue to work to advance a peaceful settlement in Syria, but in the meantime have launched the largest-ever single response to a humanitarian crisis.

    The UK has helped to train nearly 90,000 members of the Iraqi security forces, he adds, noting that in this financial year the UK government has provided £40m of financial aid to help areas of Syria captured by IS.

    The struggle to combat their ideology will take much longer and is far from over," Mr Hunt notes, "until then we must be vigilant".

    This government will continue to do its duty by protecting the people of this country, he concludes.

  2. 'Whips used to object to every bill listed but undebated' - Tory MPpublished at 17:25 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February 2019

    FGM Legislation Urgent Question

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Sir Desmond SwayneImage source, HoC

    Conservative MP Sir Desmond Swayne says in the past at the end of every Friday sitting the Labour government whip would "whatever the merits of the bill", object to every bill listed but undebated.

    He says this was also his duty as a whip, and questions why the government's whips office has abandoned that duty and assigned it to Sir Christopher Chope.

    "If we want more debating time for legislation, and I certainly do, we know where we can find it," Mr Swayne concludes.

  3. MP points out that Parliament starts latepublished at 17:24 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February 2019

    Secondary School Opening Hours Debate

    Westminster Hall

    SNP MP Martyn DayImage source, HoC

    SNP MP Martyn Day suspects the irony that Parliament starts the working week start at 2:30pm on a Monday has not been lost on those listening to the debate.

    "There's real serious positive ideas here," he says.

    He cites Open University research which found that teenagers aged from 13 to 16 who started at 10am had improved health and 50% less absence.

    Mr Day adds that Surrey University and Harvard Medical School research suggests that turning down lights in the evening may be more effective.

    He says the debate is about more sleep vs better sleep, concluding the quality of education is the "fundamental key".

  4. Tory MP branded 'a total disgrace'published at 17:15 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February 2019

    FGM Legislation Urgent Question

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Labour MP Jess Phillips says if she were ever in charge of a political party "I would not let him keep his whip."

    "He is a total disgrace," she says, referring to Sir Christopher Chope's effort to block the FGM bill.

    Ms Phillips says this is "crucial legislation" which needs to be passed.

  5. Conservative MP calls for more researchpublished at 17:11 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February 2019

    Secondary School Opening Hours Debate

    Westminster Hall

    Conservative MP John HowellImage source, HoC

    Conservative MP John Howell says there is a "kernel of truth" that teenagers need more sleep but more research is required.

    Mr Howell says he was initially sceptical about the debate but the scientific evidence gives a "different perspective".

    He raises the issue of screen time before bed, adding that parents have an "important part of to play".

    Research suggests that a later school start time is linked to a reduction in car accidents, he says.

  6. Clashing views over FGM objectionpublished at 17:09 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February 2019

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  7. FGM bill to be introduced in government time - ministerpublished at 17:08 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February 2019

    FGM Legislation Urgent Question

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Carolyn HarrisImage source, HoC

    Shadow women and equalities minister Carolyn Harris says that FGM is an "abhorrent practice" and there has only been "one very recent conviction" since the law was introduced to protect potential victims in 1985.

    She says that secrecy around the practice means that individuals are "unlikely to report suspicions or instances of FGM".

    She criticises Sir Christopher Chope for objecting to the progress of the FGM bill.

    Ms Frazer replies that "it is important to protect women and girls" which is why the government have brought in "a number of measures" since 2015. She adds that the government will now be bringing this bill forward in government time.

    There have been 300 protection orders made since their introduction at the end of September 2018, she states.

  8. FGM 'has no place in our society' - ministerpublished at 17:03 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February 2019

    FGM Legislation Urgent Question

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Lucy FrazerImage source, HoC

    Justice Minister Lucy Frazer says that FGM "has no place in our society" and is an "extremely painful and harmful practice".

    The government has strengthened the law in 2015 and nearly 300 FGM protection orders have now been introduced since then.

    "It is disappointing that the bill was objected to on Friday," she states.

    The progress of a private member's bill on FGM was halted on Friday, by Tory MP Sir Christopher Chope.

    Lib Dem Wera Hobhouse says that the UK "needs greater protection for girls who are at risk of female genital mutilation" but the successful implementation of FGM Protection Orders are "as rare as they've always been".

    Ms Frazer says that it is "right that we have to protect these women who are vulnerable". She adds that the government has brought in a number of offences in this area since 2010, including mandatory reporting duties in many cases.

  9. Adequate sleep 'strongest factor' in teens' mental healthpublished at 17:01 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February 2019

    Secondary School Opening Hours Debate

    Westminster Hall

    Labour MP, Daniel ZeichnerImage source, HoC

    Labour MP Daniel Zeichner says the more he reads about the teenage mental health, the more he agrees with the petition, which calls for the school day to start at 10am.

    Mr Zeichner says that there have been many studies that suggest a later start time "may have a positive" impact on pupils.

    The MP cites studies in Singapore, where there was a positive impact after nine months of implementation; and Canada, where students were more likely to meet sleep recommendations.

    Mr Zeichner says adequate sleep is the "strongest factor" in the well-being and mental health of teenagers, and a shortage is linked to poor educational results, anxiety and obesity.

    "Schools are more than just exam factories," he adds.

    Daniel Zeichner says a change to the school day would affect teachers and extra curricular activities.

    He urges his generation to have sympathy for what they consider to be "sleepy teenagers".

  10. Rayner blames government's 'free market experiment' with HEpublished at 16:45 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February 2019

    Universities Financial Stability Urgent Question

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Angela RaynerImage source, HoC

    Shadow education secretary Angela Rayner says that "serious concerns" have been raised over the financial future of Reading University.

    She asks what steps are being taken to address the situation, and if the government has given universities a "£200m pensions bill" with no instruction on how to pay it.

    This is a "direct result of the government's free market experiment" with universities, she adds.

    Universities Minister Chris Skidmore says that it is not approrpirate for the government or ONS to comment on the individual status of universities.

    These insitutions "are not part of the public sector" and universities "remain independent and autonomous" of government, he adds.

    In a "competitive market" individual universities may well see financial problems where they are not meeting high standards of teaching, he states.

    Not one university or vice-chancellor he has spoken to has supported Labour's plan of removing tuition fees, he says.

  11. 'Government working on contingency plans'published at 16:39 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February 2019

    Urgent Question on Financial Stability of Universities

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Chris SkidmoreImage source, HoC

    Universities Minister Chris Skidmore says it is wrong to say that universities are in a "state of financial collapse".

    Shadow education secretary Angela Rayner, who tabled this urgent question, has said that Reading University is in a financial and governance crisis, having reported itself to regulators over a £121m loan, and the government should be doing more to protect these institutions and their students.

    There is a need to preserve and protect the financial system of the HE (Higher Education) sector, Mr Skidmore adds.

    Mr Skidmore notes that the education department are "working with partners on contingency plans if there is a major HE provider failure".

    He adds that the univerisites sector "does face challenges", but says he is "confident" that UK higher education institutions will continue to thrive.

  12. Committee to look into Seaborne contractpublished at 16:37 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February 2019

    The Public Accounts Committee is to take evidence on the Seaborne contract as part of its inquiry into Brexit and the UK Border: further progress review , externalon Wednesday.

    A National Audit Office memorandum, The award of contracts for additional freight capacity on ferry services , externalhas been published today.

    Chair Meg Hillier MP said that the NAO review raises serious questions.

    She added:

    Quote Message

    The Department for Transport waited until September 2018 to start thinking about the risks to freight transport across these important routes and entered into a £13.8m contract with Seaborne Freight despite it being a new operation, owning no ferries, and not having binding contracts to use the specified ports. We will be pressing the Department for answers on how it awarded its three new ferry contracts, what it is doing to manage risks and exactly what it intends to do now it has axed the contract with Seaborne.”

  13. Skinner is wished a cheery 87th birthdaypublished at 16:32 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February 2019

    Veteran Labour MP Dennis Skinner is wished a happy birthday by colleagues in the Commons.

    Read More
  14. MPs debate financial stability of universitiespublished at 16:32 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February 2019

    Urgent Question on Financial Stability of Universities

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Shadow education secretary Angela Rayner is now asking her urgent question on the financial sustainability of universities.

  15. Question over Arklow Shipping's motivationpublished at 16:32 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February 2019

    Seaborne Freight Urgent Question

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Jim ShannonImage source, HoC

    The DUP's Jim Shannon asks if Chris Grayling has reviewed the "unexplainable action of Arklow Shipping", an Irish firm, into withdrawing their support for Seaborne Freight. He asks if the Republic of Ireland and the EU "are doing all they can to frustrate Brexit".

    Mr Grayling says he regrets that the contracts were not signed by Arklow Shipping after the documents had been drawn up. He says it is not for him to comment on the motivations of Arklow Shipping.

    Labour's Kevin Brennan says that there were "multiple conversations" between Arklow Shipping and Seaborne Freight, but that the agreements were never formally signed. He asks why Mr Grayling went ahead with awarding the contract to Seaborne Freight.

    Mr Grayling says that "Arklow took a step back and did not want to continue". He says that previously there was an assurance over the Christmas period that Arklow would back Seaborne.

  16. Peers vote on amendment to Crime (Overseas Production Orders) Billpublished at 16:21 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February 2019

    Crime (Overseas Production Orders) Bill

    House of Lords
    Parliament

    Meanwhile, over in the Lords peers divide on amendment 13A of the Crime (Overseas Production Orders) Bill.

    The amendment was on the key issue of whether the UK would provide evidence in relation to crime cases in which the death penalty is the likely punishment, and calls for the "death penalty offence" to be used as a defence for not sharing information.

    Contents: 188

    Not Contents: 207

    Majority: 19

    The amendment has been rejected by peers by 207 votes to 188, and will therefore not become part of the bill.

  17. Lib Dem MP questions if Grayling's argument 'would stand up in court'published at 16:10 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February 2019

    Seaborne Freight Urgent Question

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Tom BrakeImage source, HoC

    Lib Dem exiting the EU spokesperson Tom Brake asks if no-deal is really an emergency which only came to light in November. He asks if this argument would stand up in court.

    Mr Grayling says that the deal was signed off by officials in Whitehall and adds that he will not comment on legal matters.

  18. It is 'prudent' for government 'to prepare for all eventualities' - Graylingpublished at 16:09 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February 2019

    Seaborne Freight Urgent Question

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Lilian GreenwoodImage source, HoC

    Chair of the Transport Committee, Lilian Greenwood, says that there are questions for all of these contracts awarded in contingency plans.

    She asks how the market was "unable or unwilling" to put in contingency plans for no-deal.

    Mr Grayling says "it is prudent" for "any government" in the current position "to prepare for all eventualities".

  19. Transport Secretary wants ferries back in Ramsgatepublished at 16:09 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February 2019

    Seaborne Freight Urgent Question

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Conservative MP Craig MackinlayImage source, HoC

    Conservative MP Craig Mackinlay asks if the transport secretary shares his disappointment that Arklow Shipping have pulled away from the contract.

    He hopes that keeping Ramsgate in a "state of readiness" will not fall on local taxpayers.

    Chris Grayling replies that the government is spending a lot of money on contingency planning in Kent. Mr Grayling adds he wants to see Ferries back in Ramsgate.