Hello and welcome to westminster in review. I look at the last three months of parliament a term dominated by arguments over brexit, budget that backfired in an unpredictable american president its the Brexit Debate that is taking up the most time and stirred the strongest passions. Suddenly countries around the world are queuing up to give us trading advantages and once again we have become a sovereign nationstate and command of our own destiny and im absolutely delighted about that. The chance are forced to drop the budget almost as soon as he delivered it. It is shocking that the chancellor has been forced to come here to address a key budget decision. British Prime Minister met the new u. S. President but there was an explosive reaction from the commons speaker. After the imposition of the migrant ban by President Trump i am even more strongly opposed an address by President Trump. There were other changes in the direction. This scheme allowing child refugees from europe into the u. K. Was suddenly stopped. How can she live with herself leaving thousands of children subject to disease and squalor. Remember overill this term had nothing to do with arguments over europe. That democracy was at the center of an attack for which the terror group isis claimed responsibility. In the space of 90 terrifying massoud Khalid Masood ran into pedestrians and Westminster Bridge killing three before storming into the precincts of parliament. The 52yearold massoud was shot dead by armed police. The incident didnt last long but its extreme violence and suddenness shocked and bewildered parliament. Im going to suspend the setting of the house. The house is not suspended that please wait here. Several hours, parliamentary workers were under lockdown. There has been a serious incident within the estate. It is clear that the advice from the director of security is still the chamber should remain in lock down. I hope the house would agree that in the current circumstances it would not be , right to continue with todays business. The following morning the Prime Minister addressed a somber house of commons. Yesterday an act of terrorism tried to silence our democracy but today we meet as normal. As generations have done before us and his future generations will continue to do to deliver a simple message, we are not afraid and our resolve will never waiver in the face of terrorism. Mr. Speaker, yesterday we saw the worst of humanity but we will remember the best. We will remember the extraordinary efforts to save the life of pc keith palmer, including those by my right honorable friend. And we will remember the exceptional bravery of our Police Security and Emergency Services. As the Prime Minister said, when dangerous violence take place, we always run away for our own safety, but police and Emergency Services run towards them. We are grateful for the Public Service yesterday, today and every day when they put on their uniforms to protect us all. This democracy is strong in this parliament is robust. This was a horrific crime but as an act of terror, it has failed. Those who attack us hate our freedom, our peaceful democracy , our love of country, our openness andr unity. As we work to unravel how this unspeakable attack happened will she agree with me that we must not either by her actions curtail these actions and indeed we should have more of them. One man cannot shut down a city and one man cannot lockdown democracy. No terrorist is representative of any faith or any Faith Community and we recommit ourselves to strengthening the bonds of tolerance and understanding. This attacker and people like him are not of my religion nor are they of our community and we should condemn all of them. If they were of religion, they would not be carrying out acts like this. We have to stay united and show them that they cant win on these grounds and we are here to stay. Thought it was surprising westminster had not been attacked before. Those who are privy to the information and background of these know very well that its been short of a miracle that over the course of the last few years we have escaped so lightly from the evil that i am afraid is present in our society and the senseless and hideous acts of violence and evil. Reaction also in the house of lords. When we do what is right, when we behave properly, when that generosity and extraordinary sense of duty, where that bravery is demonstrated, there is a victory for what is right and good over evil, despairing and bad. When the roads were reopened around westminster, the public was quick to place flowers as a tribute to those who had been killed and continue to grow in the succeeding days. Undoubtedly the biggest date today political story of the term was brexit. Oddly though at the start of your politicians the 10 men and one woman who make up the Uk Supreme Court was the center of attention. They were deciding of parliament should pass an act for the uk leaving the eu or could it be edicty Prime Ministerial alone. Strangely, the case was not brought by a politician but a businesswoman, gina miller who was a remaining supporter. For five days the country had been enthralled at the Court Hearing with the politicians looking on anxiously whichever side they backed. Some saw it as a debate over the entire governance of written. Finally on january the 24th, the president of the Supreme Court announced its judgment. Today by a majority of 83, the Supreme Court rules that the government cannot treat article 50 without an act of parliament authorizing it to do so. Within a week later bill was drawn up. It was just 170 works long. It was the eu notification of withdrawal bill. It was there to enforce the outcome of last summers referendum on the british people voted in favor of a big eu withdrawal. Now there is brexit. But what sort of brexit would it be . How far from the tentacles of the European Union . Prime minister theresa may left no one with doubt in a speech in midjanuary. I want to be clear what i am proposing cannot be a membership of the Single Market. I am equally clear that no deal is better than a bad deal for britain. Although brexit supporting politicians havent wanted any bill, feeling it was about vetoing the referent of results. The core of this bill is a very simple question. Do we trust the people or not . It is not just for the 52 , for the 48 , but for the 100 . This is a big deal. This has an impact on each and every person. The british people did not want to make themselves poorer by putting ourselves out of the greatest free trading Single Market the world has ever seen. A veteran pro european called thought the probrexiters were living in a Lewis Carroll wonderland feared wonderland. You emerge in a wonderland when suddenly countries around the world are queuing up to give us trading advantages and access to their markets when previously we have never been able to achieve it. I do want the best outcome for the United Kingdom from this process. No doubt somewhere theres a hatter holding a tea party with the dormouse. [laughter] [applause] we need these trade negotiations to recoup at least some of the losses which were re going to incur from leaving the Single Market. For me, this referendum was a massive peaceful resolution by consent of historic proportions. This bill at last endorses bad that revolution. I feel i would be abandoning my duty to my constituents who have overwhelmingly and unwaveringly made their point that they do not want to leave the European Union. I accept the democratic vote and i think we should allow it to be triggered. This is the moment when begin to take back control of our borders and our money. Once again we have become a sovereign nationstate in command of our own destiny and im absolutely delighted about that. For labor, these were difficult times. Mps had voters who voted in the thousands to leave the eu. Here is my answer. I can no more vote for this than i can vote against my conscious. I can no more vote for this than i can vote against my own dna. Jeremy corbyn had imposed a three line whit. Other mps had to back the government and vote for the bill. That meant a handful of resignations. For the shadow home secretary diane abbott had meant absence from the common voting. The following week, the brexit bill went through all of its stages with no alterations. One conservative or main supporter saw her fervent brexit Party Colleagues in a less than favorable way. I feel sometimes im sitting among colleagues who were like jihadis in their support. No brexit is hard enough to be gone, you evil europeans. Im afraid i heard the speeches last week. They were exactly making that point. As the bill passed through the comments, the proeu claimed it had all but been done in a rush. The single method means there will be no report stage. There is no debate on third reading and the last thing that combination happened was the defense of 1914. For this to happen in any bill use, would be of abuse, but to happen on this bill is an outrage. The one thing about the procedures of this place there is a consequential significance to be railroaded through. There is no doubt of the government victory. 144122. There was a curious footnote. Vote, theing for the mps struck a musical note in the chamber. The band played on as the titanic sank. The mps sing the european anthem joy, until they were told to stop. Order. Huge political change wasnt confined to europe. On january the 20th, donald trump was sworn in as 45th president of the United States of america. I Donald John Trump do solemnly swear. Who would be the first british politician to meet the new top dog, the prime Prime Minister, the foreign secretary . No, it was this man, nigel farage. The man credited in some quarters at least for achieving brexit. When the news emerged that theresa may wouldnt be going to be the new president the labor leader bought some plain talking was needed. How confident is she up getting a good deal from a president who wants to put america first, buy american and build the wall between his country and mexico . I am not afraid to speak frankly to the president of the United States. I am able to do that because we have that special relationship. A special relationship that he would never have with the United States. President trump produced a series of executive orders. The most controversial being his intended ban on people coming to the United States from certain countries, mainly muslim. The home secretary was asked to comment. Do you disagree with trumps ban . Yes, and i support the position that the secretary has taken that it is wrong. When theresa may visited President Trump in washington at the end of january, not everyone was convinced that handholding in front of tv cameras in the white house was a wise move to the Prime Minister said the new president was welcome to come to britain for a state visit. Protest petition sprang up. He has threatened to dump International Agreements on climate change. He praised the use of torture. He has incited hatred against muslims. He directly attacked womens rights. Just what more does President Trump have to do it for the Prime Minister will listen to the 1. 8 Million People who have already called for a state visit invitation to be withdrawn . The right honorable gentlemans Foreign Policy is to object to and insult the democraticallyelected head of state of our most important ally. President trumps visit had lighter moments. He wouldnt go to new york in case he was mistaken for mr. Trump. Is there any chance that President Trump will not come to visit in case he is mistaken for the foreign secretary . Am embarrassed to tell you, i was embarrassed that i was was mistaken for mr. Trump in newcastle. Also a very humbling experience it was as you can imagine for me. I cant tell you who was the progenitor of the excellent idea to accord in invitation to the president to come but the invitation has been issued. I think it is a holy appropriate thing. And what about President Trump coming to parliament . The common speaker set in an was often anaid it automatic right. He spoke about the president s intended travel ban. Before the imposition of the migrant ban, i would myself have been strongly opposed to an address by President Trump in westminster hall. After the imposition of the migrant ban by President Trump i supportinge strongly and address by President Trump in westminster hall. We value our relationship with the United States. If a state visit takes place , that is way beyond and above the paygrade of the speaker. However, as far as this place is concerned, i feel very strongly that our opposition to racism and to sexism and our support for equality before the law and an independent judiciary are hugely important. [applause] two words, well done. We shouldnt have clapping in the chamber but sometimes its easier just to let it go. It had been a remarkably strong intervention by john bercow. I spoke to political reporter ian watson about how surprising it was to hear a speaker inside the commons. You expect people to have by certain conventions and diplomacy certainly within the historic role of the speaker but surprise me. It wouldnt be westminster without conspiracy theories and all the rest. It was suggested what he was trying to do is maintain his role of speaker for a few years yet to please the opposition benches. Extent, he is getting them on side. Tried to get a motion block. Rather than ending his time in a prestigious chair, and looked like he might be out. But there wasnt much that fought for that after all. He seems to have gotten away with what was a very robust denunciation of a foreign leader and certainly succeeded in preventing him from having the same honor as president obama and addressing mps in westminster hall. Economic austerity has remained in place in the first months of 2017, and we expect the rest of the parliament. Cuts continue in all areas. Including local councils. Perhaps the most human effect of the squeeze was in the area of caring for the elderly. With People Living longer, the cost of social care keeps on rising. How can things change . At a committee session, a minister suggested the way forward lay with sons and daughters. Nobody ever questions the effect questions the fact that parents [indiscernible] its just what you do and i think some of that logic and the way we think about that scene in the numbers coming down the track, we will have to start thinking about how we look after our parents because in a way to it is a responsibility in terms of our lifecycle. Should we all be paying for rising social care costs by shelling out more in our council tax . A big rise in attacks was a rise in tax was suddenly called off leading to speculation that a secret deal had been done between the government of the local council. After all, its very well representative the information had fallen into the lap of the labor leader. I agree with with the text intended for someone named nick. He works for ministers in the department of communities and local government. Read i am advised they have been working on a solution and you will be contacting me with a memorandum. Understanding the government now publish this memorandum of understanding . What the labor party fails to understand is it was not just a question of looking at money but finding a sustainable solution and i have to say to him if we look at the social Care Provision across the entire country, the last thing social care providers need is another one of labors bouncing checks. Helpuld the chancellor with checks it did not bounce . We already knew the budget was going to be moved from spring to autumn. In the commons, he went into reflective mode, recalling the last time chancellor prevented presented a final spring budget. He reported on an economy that was growing faster than any other in the g7. And he committed to continue in public spending. The then Prime Minister described it as the right budget at the right time from the right chancellor. What they failed to remind me was that 10 weeks later he was axed. Wish me luck today. Bite would come back to mr. Hammond. Those worried about the social care crisis, he had some good news. I am committing additional funding of 2 billion pounds to social care in england. But someone has got to pay for that 2 billion pounds and that is where the budget went seriously wrong. He explained why selfemployed workers, including Britains Army of tradesmen and that in their distinctive white vans, were going to pay more taxes in the form of Higher National insurance contributions. Employed and selfemployed alike use the Public Services in the same way. But they are not paying for them in the same way. The lower National Insurance paid by the selfemployed is for has cost our public finances over 5 billion pounds this year alone. This is not fair to the 85 of workers who are employees. To be able to support our Public Services in this budget, and to improve the fairness of the tax system, i will act to reduce the gap to better reflect the current differences in state benefits. It was a disastrous move, as the Scottish Nationalist soon spotted. More. Ing them the selfemployed. An act of hard disincentives to employ people. I think that is a decision which will come back to haunt this chancellor. The next days headlines were not good news for the chancellor. There were stories of a massive falling out in numbers 10 and 11 downing street between Prime Minister and chancellor. Then in an embarrassing turn hammond dropped the National Insurance lies. And he did it in the undisguised glee of the opposition. Others have questioned ther the proposed increase have questioned whether the proposed increase in class for contributions it made in 2015. He said that it only applied to some selfemployed people. It is clear over the last few days that the legislative test of the manifesto commitment does not meet a wider understanding. Mr. Speaker, it is very important both to me and my friend the Prime Minister that we comply not just with the letter but also the spirit of this is chaos. Is shocking and humiliating that the chancellor has been forced to come here to reverse a key budget decision. It was announced less than one week ago. If the chancellor spend less , we writing this speech would likely not be in this mess. Lets be clear. Let us be clear, this was a tax hike for many middle and low earners. And about turn caused a spot of embarrassment. I am in difficulty because an article robustly supporting the chancellors early policy in the journal with the printer. [laughter] been persuaded of the correctness of the course he is following, i needed an opportunity to recant. [laughter] iansked in watson 0 watson how bad it has gotten. Of five,ose on a scale it would be attend. It would be a 10. None of these of course were official front of the Prime Minister friends of the chancellor. Suggestions some people working with the Prime Minister to be economically illiterate. There is also a view from downing street that the public has been fully informed of what was intended. This is not about some people paying more, it was breaching a conservative manifesto commitment. That is what caused the problems. Downing street are trying to distance themselves from that. If i was a wealthy investor, should i be buying shares in Philip Hammons . In the shortterm, i think so. This will pop up time and again. And what they dont want to do is create any impressions of instability just as negotiations have to begin with the European Union. To lose her chancellor would be unfortunate to say the least. Therefore, the choice to hold onto key positions despite a bit of a mistake, i think there will be a bit of private wrapping rapping of the knuckles. I think he will stay in place during the Brexit Process and in the longer term will he be chancellor again . I think perhaps there might be another potential offer by then. Just as one budget policy had turned to ashes, there was another burning issue, the cost of political him pound. The Northern Ireland assembly came to a. In january. Part of the reason was over a Green Energy Scheme that cost millions of pounds of public money. When the first minister did not stand down because of the scandal, the deputy first minister did resign. Meaning the assembly cannot continue. Mr. Mcginnis was known to be in declining health. His death was announced on the 21st. One behind the democratic tally of 28 seats. For the first time, the unionists did not have a majority on the assembly. Talks began on powersharing. But several weeks later, the future of ireland looked uncertain. In other parts of the u. K. , they were meanwhile producing traditional excitement. Time member was leaving parliament and taking up the top job at the victoria and albert museum. The candidate was a newly elected leader. When stories emerged that they been making some exaggerated claims about his past, his campaign ran out of steam. Stoke central was retained for labor. North, it further was a different story. Trudy harrison gains for the conservatives. Will the member wishing to take their seat please come to the table. It was the first time in 35 years that a governing party had made a gain. They enjoyed a rapturous welcome into the chamber a few days later. To mps Ian Watson Wyatt had simply walked away from westminster. Past,the not too distant [indiscernible] i think from private conversations, there was the feeling they wanted to put Jeremy Corbyn to the test. Labor was never expected to win with conservatives up against the democrats. There are two labor seat. If you are leftwing, theres if you really want to triumph, you need those seats. When governments are using seats midterm. Of talk about lot coup attempts. What is going on . Coup. Nk we have a proxy the countrys Largest Union also the single biggest donor to the labour party. It is run by an ally who is up for reelection. He has given money directly to the reelection campaign. Not just giving money to the party but for someone he believes will will keep the party on the left of british politics. I would say the far left. At the moment, it is somewhere in the region of 19 to 20 points behind the conservatives in the polls and of course jeremy was in the party and they believe that they can recover and it is a huge job to do. The only way to recover is the first removing an unpopular leader. And another leader, his greatest supporter. Westminsters committee had another great turn. Shedding new light on national scandals. Some reputations took a hammering. The credibility of speed cyclist was hanging by a thread when hearings continued into doping allegations. Evidence is given about the absence of any recordkeeping into exactly what was given to riders and when it was given. The investigation is confined to this particular race. So what is your excuse for the lack of recordkeeping . We have not had an excuse. There is acknowledgment that there was no policy. And no records. Thats it. [indiscernible] there was a policy but not everyone was adhering to it. To fore was a pasting, internet giants google, facebook and twitter. They were accused of doing too little to remove online content that was either objectionable, exploitative or racist. You provide a platform which has acted as a moneymaking machine for the peddlers of hate, extremism, supporters of isis and neonazi groups. This is happening on your platform in the way in which you are prevaricating and dancing around, it is disturbing. All you need to do is say yes that has happened and this is what we are doing. [indiscernible] it has happened, we worked very hard and we work with advertisers to have more transparent and control. Some of the things you are referring to were not videos that break the guidelines. There are not many Business Activities where somebody openly come to the committee and admit to having times ive done this, have to admit that they are making money and people that use a platform or making the money. Making money off of hate. That is happening on your platform. You are not working hard enough to deal with this. We are working very hard. Also getting the Westminster Committee treatment was yes, the Brexit Process. And this man who resigned as britains ambassador to the European Union in january, claiming ministers were suffering muddled thinking. [indiscernible] this is going to be on a humongous scale. [indiscernible] be clinicalng to tradeoffs for her majestys government. Later, the minister known as the the brexit secretary gives a remarkably frank views about a plan b if no deal with the eu was ever reached. Can you tell the committee whether the government has undertaken an Economic Assessment of the implications to the british economy and the british businesses of there being no deal . In my estimate during the leave campaign, but i think one of the issues that has arisen is those forecasts have not been very robust. He question is under my time, no. So there has been in a further assessment of no deal at all since before the referendum, is that correct . No, youre putting words in my mouth. [indiscernible] deal with what we mitigate. Much of this is about mitigation. And any forecast that you make depends on the mitigation you undertake. David davis was one of several cabinet ministers to look in on the house of lords from time to time. The Prime Minister was watching as well. The reason, the passage of the brexit bill in the upper house. A record 184 members of the lords spoke in the initial two day debate. The real drama came in the following two weeks. The government suffered two defeats on the bill. And they voted for guarantees to be given to european nationals living and working in the u. K. We have over 3 Million People in this country who are European Union nationals. But it is not just them with anguish. It is also their family members. It is also their employer. These people are not bargaining chips. They actually, if we say quite freely that they are free then themee tuesday, that gives more high ground. It is quite clear to everyone in this house that there is no chance that they would approve the expulsion of eu citizens. No way. I think that the government ought to accept that the weight of opinion is in favor of the unilateral guarantee. Why is everyone here today so excited about an amendment which looks after foreigners and not the british . This is a matter of principle. It is a simple matter of principle of being prepared to do the right thing because it is the right thing. And being prepared to say so. These amendments are the wrong time, the wrong bill, the wrong subject and we should support the rights of british citizens living in europe. Quickly for the guarantee of eu workers. And after that another demand for the government to have a meaningful parliamentary vote on the final eu deal. The absence of the amendment is very clear. It has been clear from the start. It simply seeks to ensure that parliament had not ministers have control over the terms of our withdrawal at the end of the negotiation process. We now face the most momentous peace Time Division of our time. This amendment secures in law, the governments commitment already made to another to ensure that parliament is the ultimate custodian of our national sovereignty. So we get to midnight when the deal has been done and the prime second, said, hold on a i dont want a deal. I have to consult the house of commons. It is ridiculous. Whether there is an act of parliament, it goes back to europe in just under two years time and says, we dont like the deal. So they will say oh dear, here is a much better one. I ask your lordships to rest on long contested principle that this countrys future should rest with parliament and not with ministers. And it is in that spirit that i contend to amend this new clause. The government cannot possibly expect an amendment which is so unclear on an issue of this importance and with the Prime Minister is to do if parliament votes against leaving with no agreement. With that risk, let us remember the first principle i stated. The government is intent on delivering on the results of the referendum. Having been altered twice, the bill following strict westminster procedures, had to return to the commoners. Mps rejected the alterations. Surprisingly little or no appetite for a protected protracted battle. The lords caved in. This is now time for this house to give way to the house of commons on this matter. And so is our final opposition voted it down, the brexit bill became law. The next stage in the brexit drama took place many miles from westminster. At a news conference, the first minister scotland announced her intention to ask for a second independence referendum. To take place sometime between the autumn of 2018 and the spring of 2019. What scotland deserves in light of Material Change of circumstances brought about by the brexit vote is the chance to decide our future in a fair, free and democratic way. Declaredheresa may that now is not the time for a referendum, the parties westminster leader stepped up the pressure. She can wag her finger as much as she likes. If she is not prepared to negotiate on behalf of Scottish Government in secure membership of the single european model, we will have a referendum. He is comparing membership of an organization that we have been a member of four 40 years with our country. We have been one country for over 300 years. We have fought together, we fought together we Work Together and we have achieved together. Constitutional gameplaying must not be allowed to break the bonds of our shared history and our future. The Scottish Parliament was soon debating the first ministers call for a referendum. The future scotland should not be imposed upon us. It should be the choice of the people of scotland. Most people of scotland are sick to death of the games. Most people do not want another referendum anytime soon. Most people in scotland see the plain common sense in our own position. Parliament went on to vote for aor of the demand second independence referendum. The motion is amended is therefore agreed. 12 28 p. M. , march 29. In brussels, the ambassador to the eu hands over a letter to the European Council president. The endlessly talked about triggering of article 50 had finally happened. The letter had been drawn up in the Prime Ministers office. His delivery confirmed they were deadly serious about leaving the eu. He seemed unimpressed. Theres no reason to pretend this is a happy day in brussels or london. The eu membership did represent the beginning of the end. The Prime Minister was in comments. This is an historic moment for which there can be no turning back. A few minutes ago in brussels, the United Kingdom representative to the eu handed a letter to the president of the European Council on my behalf confirming the governments decision to invoke article 50 of the treaty of European Union. The article 50 process is now underway. And in accordance with the british people, the United Kingdom is leaving the European Union. I know that this is a day of celebration for some and disappointment for others. The referendum last june was divisive at times. Not everyone share the same point of view or voted the same way. The arguments on both sides were passionate. Let us come together and Work Together. Let us together choose to believe in britain with optimism and hope. For if we do, we can make the most of the opportunities ahead. We can together make the success of this moment. And we can together build a stronger, fairer, better britain. Labor will not give this government a free hand [indiscernible] dodgers a tax paradise. Let me be clear, mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister says that no deal is better than a bad deal. But the reality is no deal is a bad deal. Says thatme minister she thinks brexit will bring unity to the United Kingdom. It will not. On this issue, it is not a United Kingdom. The Prime Minister needs to respect, respect the differences across the nations of the United Kingdom. I have determined that i will look my children in the eye and be able to say that i did everything to prevent the amended the calamity the Prime Minister has chosen. The luck and good fortune in the negotiations until she comes back to glory and is welcomed back into this house. Asked what are the potential risks for the Prime Minister . I think theres a huge risk for theresa may. At the moment, her ratings are extremely positive. The party is about 20 points clear of the labor opposition. Becausee high watermark negotiations are only beginning. And the coalition of conservatives and her party, together because she has a simple message. Voted to leave the European Union and the referendum. How you carry that out becomes tricky. So for example, where she concedes to a divorce settlement theythe European Union, would start to question whether she should be walking away from European Union not paying a penny or by paying a small sum. So at the moment she is looking unassailable, but that usually unravels quickly and politics. And as it the negotiations were not enough of a headache, theresa may has an additional problem of a second independence referendum north of the border. It is effective for political change always brings about unintended consequences . The liberal democrats actually called for second referendum. The Scottish National party are agreeing to a second independence referendum. Flagged up for long time, the danger has been flagged for a long time. They said they would call a second referendum if one of two and if thereed, was a Material Change in circumstances, such as scotland being dragged out of the eu against its wishes. The decision rests here at westminster. So there is pressure to try and do that. I think there is no chance of that in the brexit negotiations. To what extent do you think the is a counterpoint to [indiscernible] i think to some extent call for second referendum will be a rallying cry ahead of crucial elections in scotland. That is certainly true. But i think they assume they must have missed that some of are now worried about leaving the European Union. [indiscernible] perhaps that vote will no longer be interested in coming their way. Perhaps by then, people might see the deal of the brexit. I think that is the overwhelming reason for calling for this at the moment rather than simply trying to distract people from what they are doing and government. For many, the issue brexit has been inextricably linked to immigration and that has added an edge. The sight of thousands of refugees from syria making their way to safe havens across europe. Last year thanks to the efforts of this man, the government agreed that the uk would take in some 3000 unaccompanied child refugees from europe. But the scheme was wound up in february. The home secretary said it was acting too much as an incentive. Incentive for people to make dangerous sea crossings. The abrupt ending had opposition. There are still so many children in need of help. There are a thousand increase in a thousand refugees in overcrowded accommodations or in italy at risk of human trafficking. These are children who need looking after over a period. When we accept them here is not job done, it is making sure that we work with local authorities , that we have the right safeguarding in place. It seems that the government tried to sneak out what they knew would be an unpopular announcement to avoid scrutiny of the deal. Is this the shape of things to come . Cozying upt comes of to President Trump . How does she live with herself . Leaving thousands of people, how does she live with herself . Leaving thousands of children subject to disease, people trafficking, squalor and hopelessness . She saysscribed how the children of france are looked after. The children who are most vulnerable are the ones in the camps out in jordan, lebanon. These are the ones who are really vulnerable. And those the ones that we are determined to bring over here. In all, 350 children were accepted into the u. K. Under the scheme. Now, leave or remain . That is the big issue at westminster. I am not talking about the eu. They have to decide whether they will leave this place while it undergoes a massive restoration program. And it is no doubt the work is urgently needed. The masonry is crumbling. It needs serious upgrading. It is a mammoth program and could take six years. The cost, some 3 billion pounds. Mps argued over whether the work could go on around them. Much of the infrastructure is well past. In some cases, the gates past its life expectancy. The risk of catastrophic failure rises every year that we delay. We should be in absolutely no doubt there will be a fire. There was a fire a fortnight ago. There are regularly fires and people patrol the buildings 24 hours a day to make sure that we catch these fires. As during the second world war, the chamber should at all times retain a presence in the old palace of westminster. Instead of building what i would deem to be a folly costing 85 , that we should as in the war, use the house of lords chamber. No timetable has been agreed for the restoration. Spring is with us now. Wintry conditions left their mark on the supermarket shelves in february. Crypt temperatures gripped the growing areas of the continent. When the shortages were brought to the house of lords. In the news reports, there are empty shelves in supermarkets. The crisis is expected to last until the spring. Meanwhile imparted cost more to fly vegetables from egypt than it does to bring them from spain. I was speaking to be courteous but, the only shortage will be iceberg lettuce which we think will be in about a few months and it is a wonderful variety which is even better. I can produce a report on how to make london more sustainable and food supplies. Part of that was actually shortening the supply chain. Lf the vegetables we use in this country are important, including crops like onions. Isnt it time that the government is forthcoming on food and farming and seeks to have homegrown festivals . Homegrown vegetables . Only this morning, cauliflower is coming onto the market so we have a greater opportunity to buy british vegetables. Some food for thought from the appropriately named lord gardner. That is it for this term. Join us for our daily roundup each evening at 11 00 on bbc parliament. Until then, for me, goodbye
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