People killed in shootings in Ballymurphy In Belfast in 1971 were entirely innocent. A School Shooting in russia. Seven pupils and a teacher are dead after an attack by a teenage gunman. A 21 year old man appears in court, charged with the murder of Police Community Support officerjulia james. Police investigating the disappearance of mary bastholm, who was feared murdered by Serial Killer fred west, Search A Cafe in gloucester. Covid rules in most of scotland will be relaxed from next monday, with pubs reopening to customers indoors and people able to hug again. And its The Brits tonight, in front of thousands of Music Fans, as part of an experiment on getting audiences back into venues. Here At Westminster, the queen has delivered her speech, setting out the Governments Programme for the coming Session Of Parliament. In a Covid Secure Ceremony in the house of lords, the queen said that the Governments Priority is to deliver a national recovery from the pandemic that makes the United Kingdom stronger, healthier and more prosperous than before. There were also pledges on infrastructure, training and skills, planning Law Reform and the environment. The Prime Minister said the speech outlined a plan for unleashing our nations full potential as the uk recovers from coronavirus. Labour has called on the government to deliver action rather than rhetoric. Our political correspondent Chris Mason was watching. An occasion rich in colour and convention, the queen visiting parliament to read out the Governments Plans. Pomp and pageantry, yes, but much more low key than usual, the monarch arrived by car rather than horse drawn carriage. Wearing a dress and a hat rather than a robe. Long standing rituals maintained. The door to the commons slammed. Symbolising the independence of the elected chamber from the queen. Some familiar faces did headed to the house of lords, One By one, masks on, at a social distance. And in the upper chamber, the usual fancy dress, but far fewer people in there. And so, to the speech itself. My lords and members of the House Of Commons, my Governments Priority is to deliver a national recovery from the pandemic that makes the United Kingdom stronger, healthier and more prosperous than before. To achieve this, my government will Level Up opportunities across all parts of the United Kingdom, supporting jobs, businesses and economic growth and addressing the impact of the pandemic. There are 30 bills in total, plans for new laws. At its heart, the central priority is getting the economy fired up again after the pandemic. There is an environment built on Post Brexit rules for protecting nature. And the government says proposals on a new approach to Social Care in england will be brought forward. I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon your councils. The ceremony concluding, the politics resuming, as ministers make their case for what they want to achieve. Opportunity and talent are not equally matched in the country so talent is equally spread all over the country, but the opportunity to go to a good school, get the right skills, get the skills that actually are required by todays employers which is also a moving feast, its something we havent spent enough time and attention on. And the Opposition Parties begin their critique. I think after the terrible Year Weve had which the ceremony this morning really reflected, our social Care Sector, i our health sector, i our education sector, deserve to know they are getting. The reward that they truly deserve. We deserve a government that takes seriously the massive Climate Change crisis, the massive housing crisis. I would like to see some recognition, from the conservative government, that scotland has two governments, a government in edinburgh that has been re elected for the fourth time in a row, with an unprecedented mandate from the people. For the monarch, a scaled down occasion still afforded time for brief pleasa ntries. As the queen returns to buckingham palace, the debate here will crank up further. The Prime Minister and the Labour Party Leader leading the discussion in the commons, as the arguments begin about the governments priorities. The government has a big majority and has made big promises. Its challenge, now, delivering on them. Our political correspondent Jonathan Blake is with me. How good a sense have you got of what the government wants to do . Beyond the headlines, its worth looking at the detail in the Queens Speech. Often it contains legislation which is carried over from the previous session and reinforces and what the government is already doing. We Have Heard about their plans for student loans, for people who are beyond Education Age to take advantage of further education as part of that Plan And Priority to Level Up as the government is so fond of saying, addressing inequalities in the uk. Beyond that, there is a long list of things they are doing. Confirmation of further expansion of Broadband Services around the uk, money for Transport Projects particularly high rail as well. A lot is riding on the so called Levelling Up white paper, Draft Legislation which the government is going to put forward later in the year which will be scrutinised heavily, not least by a lot of new Conservative Backbench mps coming from most former Labour Seats to see exactly where the money is coming from and what its going to end their Constituencies. find is coming from and what its going to end their Constituencies. To end their Constituencies. And a lot of commentary to end their Constituencies. And a lot of commentary about, to end their Constituencies. And a lot of commentary about, as to end their Constituencies. And a lot of commentary about, as well| to end their Constituencies. And a i lot of commentary about, as well as the bills in the Queens Speech, what there isnt . The bills in the Queens Speech, what there isnt . Thats right, the i a. In i what there isnt . Thats right, the Gaping Hole what there isnt . Thats right, the Gaping Hole for what there isnt . Thats right, the Gaping Hole for a what there isnt . Thats right, the Gaping Hole for a lot what there isnt . Thats right, the Gaping Hole for a lot of what there isnt . Thats right, the Gaping Hole for a lot of the Gaping Hole for a lot of the government critics is Social Care. We had a promise from the government bring forward long term plans later in this parliamentary Session But Borisjohnson promised on his first eight in office after winning the 2019 general Election to soft out Social Care, fix the problem it is widely acknowledged as there Once And For All with a plan the government had ready at any yet were still waiting for that. The pandemic not in the way, but theres a big Discussion And Debate and disagreement going on about how exactly that plan can be brought forward and more importantly how it can be paid for. That is really whats missing from the speech, for labour certainly who called head of the speech on the government to come forward with Detail And Action on what it was going to do, but the nettle has yet to be grasped by ministers in terms of how its going to be paid for and how the system will work. figs to be paid for and how the system will work. � ,. , , will work. As well as the Big Headline will work. As well as the big Headline Themes will work. As well as the big Headline Themes of will work. As well as the big | Headline Themes of levelling will work. As well as the big Headline Themes of Levelling Up, the nhs, there are also some issues, perhaps more marginal but could prove pretty controversial . Interesting areas and tricky political territory for the government to contain within the Queens Speech, some of the plans it has, possibly about protecting Armed Forces veterans who served in Northern Ireland for prosecution. There is a promise to come forward with legislation to deal with that but some are pointing to the lack of the name of a specific bill which the name of a specific bill which the government had previously indicated it would introduce, concerns may be wrapped in with other legislation and perhaps weakened as a result. The area of Conversion Therapy, the practice of attempting to change Someones Gender Identity or sexuality which the government has been trying to tackle for some time, that was back to theresa mays time in office. The suggestion there is that it will focus on coercive practice which again, those calling for this legislation are impatient to see it, worry it might limit its effectiveness. In terms of constitutional reform, you have the plan to introduce Voter Ideas and attempt to cut Election fraud. Critics say its not really a huge issue in person voterfraud, its more postal voting and this may disenfranchise groups who were less likely to vote already even further. Jonathan, many thanks. The Queens Speech included a number of economic measures including investing in and improving national infrastructure. There were also plans for a Lifetime Skills guarantee. The queen also said that the government will ensure that the public finances are returned to a sustainable path once the economic recovery is secure. Our Economics Correspondent Andy verity has more. Widening homeownership has been the aim of Prime Ministers of all stripes in the last a0 years, from Mrs Thatcher to Tony Blair to Boris Johnson. But there is a fundamental problem. In the last 25 years, House Prices have risen by more than 150 in real terms, after taking inflation into account. But wages have only risen by 22 . Even with some of the cheapest mortgages ever offered, Home Ownership, especially among young people, has been dropping for years. Among under 355, fewer than half own a home. The government says there is too little supply of housing. Its answer is wholesale reform of Planning Laws, which it says are the reason it takes 15 years or more between developers buying land and selling a home. A new Zoning System will allow fast Track Planning applications, potentially halving the time it takes to build a new home. But it is not uncontroversial. We have major concerns about the governments proposed planning bill, because we think that it will weaken local Democracy And Influence in the Planning System, and also that it will lead to less genuinely affordable homes being built. The economy faces huge challenges emerging from lockdown, with some jobs disappearing and shortages of skilled workers like chefs, but the number reskilling through further education has dropped sharply since 2010. The Governments Plan is a new flexible Loan Scheme to allow adults to fund a change in career. But will it do the job . Businesses will have been delighted to hear skills featured so much in the Queens Speech today. It is going to be the big challenge getting people to where those newjobs are as they are created. We will be looking for a commitment from the government to employers voices being heard in the system, including tackling the problematic apprenticeship levy. After the worst year for the economy in three centuries, the challenge of delivering a Recovery Plan that adapts the economy to the post covid world and leads to greater Home Ownership is huge. The measures announced in the Queens Speech may be radical, and they may not be enough on their own to meet the scale of that challenge. Andy verity, bbc news. TodayS Speech included a Health And Care bill aimed at better integrating the nhs and Social Care systems. But campaigners say the speech failed to give details of long promised plans to fix the crisis in social Care Provision in england. Lets discuss this with chris hopson, chief executive of nhs providers, the organisation which represents Health Trusts in england. Good afternoon. Good afternoon. It is bein good afternoon. Good afternoon. It is being pointed good afternoon. Good afternoon. It is being pointed out good afternoon. Good afternoon. It is being pointed out that good afternoon. Good afternoon. It is being pointed out that social is being pointed out that Social Care as one big omission in the Queens Speech. Do you agree . I completely agree. Im going to be quite tough on this, i think our political class failed us. We have had Prime Minister after Prime Minister, Tony Blair, gordon brown, David Cameron, theresa may, all of them and now borisjohnson, all of them and now borisjohnson, all of them promising that they would solve this problem. This Prime Minister and hiS Speech when he went into Downing Street having been elected as leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister made a very clear pledge. He effectively said, ive got a plan, pledge. He effectively said, ive gota plan, and he pledge. He effectively said, ive got a plan, and he certainly again said last year that we would absolutely have a plan for Social Care by The End of the year. That is twice that this Prime Minister has followed in the path of his predecessors and failed to solve what is this really important Running Crisis that is getting worse and worse. So its a real problem that we have not got anything definitive here how were going to address that crisis. I know its difficult but we electoral politicians to basically solve these difficult for us. And that is why we elect them. So its really disappointing this hasnt happened in this particular case. figs disappointing this hasnt happened in this particular case. In this particular case. As you say, its a difficult in this particular case. As you say, its a difficult problem in this particular case. As you say, its a difficult problem and in this particular case. As you say, its a difficult problem and thats l its a difficult problem and Thats Part of the challenge we Have Heard repeatedly, what is needed is cross Party Consensus and getting thatis cross Party Consensus and getting that is difficult. It crossParty Consensus and getting that is difficult. That is difficult. If you dont mind me saying. That is difficult. If you dont mind me saying. I that is difficult. If you dont mind me saying, i think that is difficult. If you dont mind me saying, i think thats that is difficult. If you dont mind| me saying, i think thats basically again what some of the Prime Minister predecessors have said. I just worry it is being used as an excuse for actually really doing the detailed work that needs to be Done. The Prime Minister said he had a plan, but it has not been revealed. He said last year we would do it by The End of the year. All of us have been saying, notjust in the social Care Sector but all of us in the nhs and more broadly in terms of those organisations that support people who have got Social Care needs, all of us have been seeing year after year after year, that this is a problem that needs to be solved. As i said, i have almost run out of words to say about how important it is that this gets Done. The words to say about how important it is that this gets Done. Is that this gets Done. The Queens Seech is that this gets Done. The Queens Speech talks is that this gets Done. The Queens Speech talks about is that this gets Done. The Queens Speech talks about more is that this gets Done. The Queens Speech talks about more money i is that this gets Done. The queens| speech talks about more money for the nhs, more money for nhs restructuring, how do you react to that word, restructuring . Is that what the nhs needs right now . Effectively, what we have been doing and whenever you talk to anybody who needs care, that operates at that junction between the nhs and Social Care, what they say is its incredibly disjointed. My favourite story is of the patient i came across had an Exercise Book on the fridge. I said, across had an Exercise Book on the fridge. Isaid, what across had an Exercise Book on the fridge. I said, what is that for . They said, i have had 50 different people in my house over the last 18 months and effectively the only way i can help them keep track of what care i need because i have had the gp in, community services, therapists, Social Care, is that basically i ask them to write what they have Done in the Exercise Book and when someone comes effectively they get to look at the Exercise Book. But thats no way to provide joined up care, so what we have been doing over the last three or four or five years and longer than that is trying to integrate, bring together health and and we made good progress but to be fair, where we have reached is we need the law to catch up. Effectively, thats what we are doing with this deal. Many of the details of which have been worked out very carefully in collaboration with local government and with the nhs. And those bits of the bill will receive very strong support. Goad nhs. And those bits of the bill will receive very strong support. Good to talk to you. Receive very strong support. Good to talk to you, thank receive very strong support. Good to talk to you, Thank You receive very strong support. Good to talk to you, Thank You very receive very strong support. Good to talk to you, Thank You very much. I talk to you, Thank You very much. Thank you. On Boris Johnsons first day as pm in 2019 he pledged to fix the crisis in Social Care Once And For All. Todays Queens Speech said that proposals on Social Care will be brought forward. Our social Affairs Correspondent Alison Holt said that ministers remain under pressure to provide a detailed plan on how Social Care will be funded in the coming years. In the Queens Speech we had nine words on Social Care, proposals on social Care Reform will be brought forward. We knew it would be a brief mention, but i do not think anybody expected it to be quite that brief. There was also no indication on the timing on that. Previously, ministers have suggested we will see detailed plans by The End of this year, no indication in the Queens Speech itself. This is a source of huge frustration, both amongst the people who provide care and those who need it, so older people and people who are disabled who are younger, who need extra support at home or in Care Homes. One of the largest organisations representing independent care providers, care england, after the speech, said, how much longer can the Care Sector be expected to limp on . Because this is a sector which was put through the mill during the pandemic, and thats after years of underfunding and increasing demand. My understanding is the government is absolutely set on reform, but money is always the sticking point. Where does it come from, how much will it cost . As one expert said to me, the question to be answered is, is this funding reform, is it about the money, the catastrophic costs that the health and social Care Secretary mentioned, or is It Funding for reform, therefore a vision for the future, one about older people and younger people . Today, after nine words, we are none the wiser. Well, in the next half hour, mps are going to start the first of six days of debate on the Queens Speech. Therell be more from us At Westminster later. Now, back to the studio. The headlines on bbc news. The government sets out its agenda for the next year in the queen 5 speech. There are promises to Level Up the economy, supportjobs, businesses and economic growth. A coroner rules that ten people killed in shootings in Ballymurphy In Belfast in 1971 were entirely innocent. A School Shooting in russia. Seven pupils and a teacher are dead after an attack by a teenage gunman. In the last hour, a coroner has delivered the findings of a major inquest into the deaths of ten people during the conflict in Northern Ireland. The killings happened in West Belfast over three days in 1971. The coroner has described those killed as All Innocents and Attibuted Nine of the ten shootings to the British Army, saying the use of lethal force by soldiers was notjustified. Lets cross to belfast and speak to our Northern Ireland correspondent, richard morgan. Tell richard morgan. About the report of the coroner. Tell about the report of the coroner. I dont know if you are in the court to see the reaction of the family . The court to see the reaction of the famil . , ~ ,. , , family . These killings happened in 1971, Olice Family . These killings happened in 1971. Police and family . These killings happened in 1971, police and the family . These killings happened in 1971, police and the Armed Family . These killings happened in 1971, police and the Armed Forces| 1971, police and the Armed Forces were able to detain suspects without trial. At the time, it was volatile, there was an atmosphere of violence, uncertainty, it was a difficult time and the coroner referenced that today. As she delivered her findings. This has been the longest Running Inquest in Northern Irelands 100 Running Inquest in Northern Irelands100 days of evidence from more than 150 witnesses, including around 60 former soldiers. For the families of the ten people who were killed, they wanted to clear their Loved Ones names. Some of those who had been killed were said to have been carrying guns at the time and today, Missesjustice Keegan said all ten of those people and those victims included a parish priest, a mother of eight and a former World War ii veteran, the coroner said they were all entirely innocent of any wrongdoing. She found that nine of the victims were killed by the British Army. She said at tenth she could not be confident whether he was shot by the army or paramilitaries. She did say that the forces at the time was disproportionate. The army always said soldiers came underfire disproportionate. The army always said soldiers came under fire over that period of time and the coroner did say that at certain points over those days, or certain incidents she was examining, it was clear the gunmen were in the area but the ten deaths she was examining, those people were not carrying weapons. The families applauded as she gave herfindings the families applauded as she gave her Findings Today the families applauded as she gave herFindings Today and the families applauded as she gave her Findings Today and they have poured out here outside the international Conference Centre which is being used as a Nightingale Facility for the court service. You can tell they are relieved, some have been crying and this was the day that they wanted. The day in court to clear their Loved Ones names, 50 years on from the incident that took place in barry in west will be any consequences . The families have will be any consequences . Iie families have achieved what will be any consequences . Ti2 families have achieved what they wanted in clearing their Loved Ones names. Legacy is a Hot Topic in Northern Ireland, Dominating Westminster and the Northern Ireland executive. These families have had their day in court for many other families across Northern Ireland to have been affected and impacted by the troubles, they are yet to get their inquest and their day in court to determine the surroundings of how their Loved One died. For the families, they have got their day, the result and the names of their Loved Ones have been cleared. Some ofthe Loved Ones have been cleared. Some of the evidence Loved Ones have been cleared. Some of the evidence that Loved Ones have been cleared. Some of the evidence that has Loved Ones have been cleared. Some of the evidence that has emerged Mr Bean difficult for them to listen to . Must have been. Families hearing from eyewitnesses over the days over how their Loved Ones were killed and how their Loved Ones were killed and how some lay for a number of hours before succumbing to their injuries. The coroner also had a difficult task, because some of the witnesses she wanted to hear from task, because some of the witnesses she wanted to hearfrom did noT Turn up, they were too ill to attend, or because of the passage of time people of interest had since died. The court also didnt hear from anyone from the ira or the loyalist paramilitaries and that made herjob difficult in the sense that she had to way upward decision based on the evidence that was presented. There were thousands of documents for her to go through. The four inquests that were held in the 19705, they returned open verdict5 and she had to go over more than 100 days at the , this was the longest Running Inquest in Northern Ireland to date and has taken today are delayed due to the pandemic in order to deliver herfindings. I5 to the pandemic in order to deliver herfindings. Is it to the pandemic in order to deliver her findings her findings. Is it possible to see whether there her findings. Is it possible to see whether there will her findings. Is it possible to see whether there will now her findings. Is it possible to see whether there will now be her findings. Is it possible to see | whether there will now be further political consequences . Irate whether there will now be further political consequences . Whether there will now be further political consequences . We are still waitin to political consequences . We are still waiting to hear political consequences . We are still waiting to hear reaction political consequences . We are still waiting to hear reaction from waiting to hear reaction from politicians. Both in Northern Ireland, the Republic Of Ireland and possibly westminster. Later today. There will No Doubt be political reaction. The inquest heard from the former president of sinn fein, Gerry Adams at one point and some politicians have supported the family is right throughout the inquest and legacy, its a topic of discussion, much debated the moment and No Doubt todays findings will feed into that narrative at some point in the coming days and weeks. Thanks very much indeed. Seven children and a teacher have been killed in a shooting at a school in the russian city of kazan. Two of those who died are reported to have jumped from windows to escape the gunman. The suspected attacker, a teenager and former pupil, has been detained by police. President putin has ordered a review of Russias Gun laws. Sarah rainsford reports. The Teen Gunman seems to stroll towards his target. But on this footage, his weapon is clear to see. And moments later, there were scenes of panic at School Number 175. Parents rushing towards the building, after reports of an armed attack. The assault is still under way at this point and, inside, the gunman had explosives too. This image shows the brutality of his rampage. Doors and windows blown out in the school where he was once a student. Rescuers eventually managed to get ladders to the top floors and terrified children scrambled to safety. Others had jumped for their lives from here as shots rang out. As hundreds were evacuated, there were reports of a second gunman. Police now say Ilnaz Galieyev acted alone. Hed posted this image first on social media. In a mask that says god, he vows to kill a huge number of people and then himself. But he was detained on the School Steps in the midst of his attack. The local leader in kazan called it a terrible tragedy, but he confirmed the Gunmans Weapon was legal and no other accomplices have been identified. As the investigation begins, President Putin has called for an urgent review of Russias Gun laws, because such attacks are rare here, but they are not unknown, and their consequences are devastating. Sarah rainsford, bbc news, moscow. Police are searching a cafe linked to the disappearance of a girl suspected to have been murdered by the Serial Killer fred west. In the past, the building had been linked to the disappearance of 15 year old mary bastholm. Officers were called to the clean Plate Cafe in gloucester by a Production Company filming a documentary. They told police on friday they had found evidence that a body could be buried within the property. A man has been remanded in custody, after being charged with the murder of the Police Community Support officer, julia james. 21 year old Callum Wheeler from aylesham appeared in person at Medway Magistrates court. Julia james, who was 53, was found dead in woodland near her home two weeks ago today. Jon donnison reports from the court. There was a brief hearing today. Callum wheeler appeared in court here in chatham for only around five minutes. He spokejust briefly to confirm his name, his age and his address. He was dressed in a grey tracksuit, and he left court and appeared to Gesture Briefly to reporters, before being led into a prison van. He will be remanded in custody and is due to appear at Maidstone Crown Court on thursday. It is exactly two weeks since the Body Ofjulia james was discovered in woodland in snowdown in kent. Police say she had suffered serious head injuries. Now, detectives say they have received more than 1,000 pieces of information from the public regarding her murder, but they are still appealing for anyone who was in the area on or around the 27th Of April to come forward if they might have any information. This case very much an ongoing investigation and the case not expected to go to court until early next year. Ministers have confirmed that international travel for england can gradually resume from 17 may, as 12 countries and territories are added to the green list. Strict rules on Testing And Quarantine will remain in place to protect public health and as the public are warned not to travel to amber and red countries for leisure. The transport secretary, grant shapps, says passengers should expect additional checks and longer queues at the border. Meanwhile, Nicola Sturgeon has urged continued caution from scots on international travel, after plans to relax rules were announced. The First Minister said scotland would move to a traffic light system, depending on the state of coronavirus in other countries. Nicola sturgeon also confirmed that coronavirus restrictions in most of scotland will be relaxed next monday. The First Minister said people will be allowed to meet in Each Other� s homes in limited numbers and hug Loved Ones again, with pubs reopening indoors as the majority of scotland moves to level 2. The exception is moray, where Infection Rates are much higher than elsewhere. Lets hear a little of what scotlands First Minister had to say. From monday, if you are meeting friends and family within the permitted limits, of course either indoors in a private dwelling, a house, or in your garden our guidance will say that it is no longer necessary to maintain physical distance. Which means, and i actually feel a wee bit emotional saying this, but from monday, as long as you stay within permitted limits, you can hug your Loved Ones again. I know how desperate we all are for this, so i do not intend to immediately pour cold water on it, do not worry, but there are two further points i really need to make. Firstly, it remains vital to be cautious and to ease these restrictions carefully. So for the next three weeks at least, the easing of the guidance on physical distancing will apply to permitted gatherings in our own homes and gardens only. However, over that period, we will also be conducting a wider review of the need for physical distancing in public indoor places and will set out the conclusions of that at the next review point. And secondly, and this is perhaps the more difficult point, please use careful judgment. Close physical contact does still carry risk, i have to be very clear with you about that. So if you have Loved Ones who are vulnerable for any reason, please still be careful and limit the overall number of people that you are choosing to have close physical contact with. Nicola sturgeon at speaking a little earlier today. Now its time for a look at the weather with chris fawkes. A real mixture of weather this afternoon. Across the north of scotland and also for South West england, some are thick cloud and outbreaks of rain. Meanwhile, for wales, the midlands and East Anglia, widespread showers and thunderstorms. They will be moving into Northern England through this afternoon and into the early evening. The heaviest of the examples and thunderstorms stretching from yorkshire into North East England with some hail mixed in. South East England, north of scotland, probably having a dry afternoon sunshine. Overnight, outbreaks of rain will spread across Northern England into scotland. It will gradually become a try elsewhere with temperatures, like Last Night, around six or 7 degrees. Rent for a time pushing northwards across scotland, still one or two heavy bursts. After a fine start, showers will develop through the afternoon. Winds a little lighter which means the showers will be slower moving, but on the other hand you have a better chance of dodging the downpours. That is latest weather. Hello, this is bbc news. Im Geeta Guru murthy. The headlines the government sets out its agenda for the next year in the Queens Speech. There are promises to Level Up the economy, supportjobs, businesses and economic growth. A coroner rules that ten people killed in shootings in Ballymurphy In Belfast in 1971 were entirely innocent. A School Shooting in russia seven pupils and a teacher are dead after an attack by a teenage gunman. A 21 year old man appears in court, charged with the murder of Police Community Support officerjulia james. Police investigating the disappearance of mary bastholm, who was feared murdered by Serial Killer fred west, Search A Cafe in gloucester. Covid rules in most of scotland will be relaxed from next monday, with pubs reopening to customers indoors and people able to hug again. The queen has set out the governments priorities at the State Opening of parliament. My Colleague Reeta Chakrabarti is At Westminster to tell us more. The directors are having fun with our names today, arent they . Reeta and geeta. Were At Westminster where the queen has delivered her speech at State Opening, setting out the governments legislative plans for this Session Of Parliament. And were looking at what it will mean for you. Lets cross live now to the House Of Commons where the debate on the Queens Speech is getting underway. Those job who is it is to maintain this pace is those job who is it is to maintain this pace is a safe place to work. Before this pace is a safe place to work. Before the moving of this business, id before the moving of this business, id like before the moving of this business, id like to express my very best Wishes Id like to express my very best wishes. Just going through some of the business of the day, we will go back to the business of the day, we will go back to that when the debate actually back to that when the debate actually starts. But lets go back now to actually starts. But lets go back now to borisjohnsons actually starts. But lets go back now to Boris Johnsons first day in 2019 now to Boris Johnsons first day in 2019 when now to Boris Johnsons first day in 2019 when he pledged to fix the crisis 2019 when he pledged to fix the crisis and 2019 when he pledged to fix the crisis and Social Care 2019 when he pledged to fix the crisis and Social Care Once And For All. Todays Queens Speech said that proposals on Social Care will be brought forward. This is what the Health Secretary Matt hancock had to say about the issue earlier, ahead of the speech. Well, it is a big issue. Theres a number of significant injustices in the way that Social Care is organised right now. One is that some people, about one in ten, have these very, very high costs and its very hard to know in advance who that is, it could be you, it could be me, it could be anybody watching. And so making sure that together as a society, we can help people with those costs is important. The other thing thats very important is that at the moment, we put more money into the system each year, we put an extra billion pounds in last year. But really i think, as a society, we should really look after people in their older age and it is at the moment, something that we need to put more resources into. And then another part of it is that sometimes people end up in a Care Home when actually if you had the support for them to live at home for longer, then theyd be able to, theyd be better off and healthier, and that would be better for everybody so theres a whole series of changes that will need to be looked at. We can hear now from the conservative mp damian green. Good afternoon to you. Social care yet again emitted in a detail in the Queens Speech, does it concern you . It took can tell me more if i did not believe we would get proper full it costed proposals towards The End of this year. I think it will come with the competence of Spending Review where we will get three or four macro years public spending numbers in the autumn and that is a sensible time to do it, because one of the things we all agree is that Social Care needs more money and the government has been putting money in on an annual basis for the last few years, but in The End that is a sticking plaster. We need a long term, sustainable Funding Settlement as well as many other reforms that are needed to make Social Care as good as it needs to be. ~. , Social Care as good as it needs to be. ,. , Social Care as good as it needs to be. What are the important details in any social be. What are the important details in any Social Care be. What are the important details in any Social Care plan be. What are the important details in any Social Care plan as be. What are the important details in any Social Care plan as you be. What are the important details in any Social Care plan as you have| in any Social Care plan as you have seen it . ,. , seen it . First it is the funding and in The End, seen it . First it is the funding and in The End. We seen it . First it is the funding and in The End, we will seen it . First it is the funding and in The End, we will have seen it . First it is the funding and in The End, we will have to seen it . First it is the funding and in The End, we will have to find i in The End, we will have to find more money from somewhere, so there is no popular solution to this. Either it is going to have to be more national insurance, perhaps specifically designed for Social Care, and ought some kind of personal insurance that if you can afford it you should take it to cover some of the costs. But there are a lot of other things, we need a proper Work Force Structure so it can become a career, notjust a job, so we attract more people into it. I think in this country we are quite bad at using a combination of House Design and technology to allow older people in particular as they get free alert to live in their own homes for longer, which is what everyone wants to do. As they get more frail. That would be a sensible Reform Step i would like to see. You sa we Reform Step i would like to see. You say we will Reform Step i would like to see. You say we will get Reform Step i would like to see. You say we will get fully costed proposals later in the year. You will be aware how politically difficult this territory is. Theresa may brought forward proposals in her manifesto in 2017. Only for them to be shot down because they did not seem to be cross Party Consensus. That is right, but it was in the middle of an Election campaign. One of the Lessons Everyone has learned if there is no solution to Social Care that is popular in terms of telling people you can get all this for free, telling people you can get all this forfree, because You Cannot. It costs billions and we will all have to pay something, so do not introduce it in the middle of a general Election campaign. Actually have a proper public debate, on a Cross Party Basis and with the public. People sadly, because of the last year, a much more aware of Social Care and how vital it is for Social Care and how vital it is for so many people than they were maybe four or five years ago, so now is a good time to have an intelligent public debate, but it has to be on the back and that if you want to have proper dignity in old age for people, which you should do, and many adults and working age people who need care for various reasons, we will all have to pay more. So the government we will all have to pay more. So the government will we will all have to pay more. So the government will have we will all have to pay more. So the government will have to we will all have to pay more. So the government will have to level we will all have to pay more. So the government will have to level with i government will have to level with people. Government will have to level with eo le. , government will have to level with eole. , , people. Yes, absolutely. Ithink an one people. Yes, absolutely. Ithink anyone who people. Yes, absolutely. Ithink anyone who thinks people. Yes, absolutely. Ithink anyone who thinks there people. Yes, absolutely. Ithink anyone who thinks there is people. Yes, absolutely. Ithink anyone who thinks there is an l people. Yes, absolutely. Ithink. Anyone who thinks there is an easy solution is deluding themselves and or the public. I think the public will be quite grown up about it. Interestingly, talking to german politicians, they did this in the 19805 and they effectively put half a percent on the equivalent of national insurance and they thought this was going to be tremendously unpopular and actually it passed away without much comment and it is now an established part of their system. They have quite an stable Social Care system in germany, so it can be Done, but it does require decisions and voters to treat Each Other as adults. find decisions and voters to treat Each Other as adults. Other as adults. And is it possible to reserve other as adults. And is it possible to reserve that other as adults. And is it possible to reserve that money other as adults. And is it possible to reserve that money for other as adults. And is it possible to reserve that money for social l to reserve that money for social cry . As possible to right, if you pay however much in tax for Social Care, money to look at you when youre older, that will be reserved for that specific sector . Reserve that money for Social Care. You for that specific sector . Reserve that money for Social Care. You can do that and that money for Social Care. You can do that and that that money for Social Care. You can do that and that is that money for Social Care. You can do that and that is one that money for Social Care. You can do that and that is one thing that money for Social Care. You can do that and that is one thing they l do that and that is one thing they do that and that is one thing they do in other countries. The treasury always hates that because it takes away some of the power to allocate spending. Not unreasonably given the state of the public finances now, of finding new things to spend more money on, but i do think both the political imperative but the moral imperative now is that this is a problem that we do have to solve in this parliament. I think it is very, very important for the government and Prime Minister to do so. So at this year has got to be the year of action after we talked about it for the best part of a quarter of a centu. , the best part of a quarter of a centu. ,. , century. You say it has to be Done in this parliament, century. You say it has to be Done in this parliament, but century. You say it has to be Done in this parliament, but these century. You say it has to be Done. In this parliament, but these things take time and as you said, introducing the idea of Radical Change in the middle of an Election campaign. Parliamentary term is short, we will soon be into an pre Election period. They do not have time if they want to get this cracked. I have time if they want to get this cracked. , have time if they want to get this cracked. ,. ,. , cracked. I agree with all of that and that is cracked. I agree with all of that and that is why cracked. I agree with all of that and that is why i cracked. I agree with all of that and that is why i think cracked. I agree with all of that and that is why i think this cracked. I agree with all of that and that is why i think this is i cracked. I agree with all of that l and that is why i think this is the year to do it. Cut they do not have much time. Now is the time to do it and it will take a long time before you have a completely stable system, said the government will have to have injections of cash for the next few years, but if we put it on a sustainable footing where in a sense we can set the Funding System up so we can set the Funding System up so we can set the Funding System up so we can all forget about it for the future, i think that would be an enormous gain politically for the government, the Conservative Party, but more importantly, it will give Peace Of Mind to millions of people who are increasingly worried about what is going to happen to them in old age. What is going to happen to them in old are. What is going to happen to them in old aie,. , what is going to happen to them in oldae. , what is going to happen to them in old ae. ,. , old age. Good to get your thoughts, thank ou old age. Good to get your thoughts, Thank You very old age. Good to get your thoughts, Thank You very much old age. Good to get your thoughts, Thank You very much indeed. We can speak now to labours steve rotheram, the newly re elected mayor of the Liverpool City Region. Good afternoon to you. Congratulations on your Election. You will Have Heard the Phrase Levelling Up during the Queens Speech and several times from ministers over the past days and weeks. What does Levelling Up mean to you . I weeks. What does Levelling Up mean to ou . , weeks. What does Levelling Up mean to ou . , weeks. What does Levelling Up mean to ou . ,. , to you . I had it two years ago when a Boris Johnson to you . I had it two years ago when a Boris Johnson talked to you . I had it two years ago when a Boris Johnson talked about a borisjohnson talked about Levelling Up when he met with myself and the number of others and he was telling us that they would do something about the early years and the millions of people he had been left behind, but it is just more words from the Prime Minister in the Queens Speech without any real substance. He is the tomorrow Prime Minister. ,. ,. , minister. You say that, but have you not et minister. You say that, but have you not yet seen minister. You say that, but have you not yet seen every minister. You say that, but have you not yet seen every evidence minister. You say that, but have you not yet seen every evidence of minister. You say that, but have you not yet seen every evidence of that l not yet seen every evidence of that and if you have not, why would you not expect to see money coming your way . Not expect to see money coming your wa . �. ,. , not expect to see money coming your wa . ,. , not expect to see money coming your way . Because of the Way Money is distributed way . Because of the Way Money is distributed. I way . Because of the Way Money is distributed. I think way . Because of the Way Money is distributed. I think its way . Because of the Way Money is distributed. I think its £45 distributed. I think its £4. 6 Billion that was announced at some time ago, just a £600 million for this year, but the methodology used means that mp5 from areas that are quite affluent can put Pet Projects forward and in a beauty contest, be chosen to be funded rather than if you are Level Something up, you look at the areas that are lowest first and bring them up, Increase Disparity in areas that are already doing well. Disparity in areas that are already doin well. ~. Disparity in areas that are already doing well disparity in areas that are already doin well. ~. ,. , doing well. Was melt in your area, have ou doing well. Was melt in your area, have you seen doing well. Was melt in your area, have you seen any doing well. Was melt in your area, have you seen any cash . Doing well. Was melt in your area, have you seen any cash . Whatl have you seen any cash . What about in your have you seen any cash . What about in your area . Have you seen any cash . What about in your area . Not have you seen any cash . What about in your area . Not yet, have you seen any cash . What about in your area . Not yet, we i have you seen any cash . What i about in your area . Not yet, we are trying to deal with a gamut of political persuasion and very strange ways of working, but we do go down and put forward investment opportunities for the Liverpool City Region. In fact, opportunities for the Liverpool City Region. Infact, We Opportunities for the Liverpool City Region. In fact, we put through what they described as the most ambitious Recovery Plan in the country. We are still waiting to see some of the projects being funded. If the government wanted genuinely to Level Up, then areas like ours need to be prioritised. I up, then areas like ours need to be rioritised. , up, then areas like ours need to be prioritised prioritised. I wonder how you feel about hearing prioritised. I wonder how you feel about hearing the prioritised. I wonder how you feel about hearing the government. Prioritised. I wonder how you feel| about hearing the government use this sort of language of a Levelling Up this sort of language of a Levelling Up and greater opportunities for people living outside the big cities. This is a language that you traditionally associate more with labour, how do you feel about that . Because that is what they are trying to do, theyre trying to steal Labours Quote by using a similar rhetoric and it is borne out with the reality of their policies. In the reality of their policies. In the speech there was very little about devolution, and yet on saturday, when the announcements were made of the results around the country from Metro Mayors, it proved that Metro Mayors under devolution is more popular than political parties and so the government really needs to grasp this as an opportunity to Level Up, but also to sort out the imbalance in the uk. I wonder if i could just ask you, the weekend has been spent with focus on at the botched reshuffle carried out by sir Keir Starmer. It may have been frustrating for you from your recent success in being re elected as the Metro Mayor of liverpool. What do you think that labours priorities should be now . It is the liverool priorities should be now . It is the Liverpool City priorities should be now . It is the Liverpool City Region priorities should be now . It is the Liverpool City Region and priorities should be now . It is the Liverpool City Region and in priorities should be now . It is the Liverpool City Region and in all. Liverpool City Region and in all honesty that is part of the problem, that even now, with people in the media, they do not fully understand what devolution can do for areas. I was is the Liverpool City Region, six local authorities, 1. 6 million people, of which i got about 200,000 of the votes, huge mandate, and what i need to do is articulate what the concerns are of the people in the Liverpool City Region. I will tell you what they are not, theyre not about to tittle Tattle And Soap operas in westminster. They are aboutjobs and Apprenticeships And Public Transport and the existential threat of Climate Change in our country and that is what they wanted to talk about on the doorsteps. I have never had anybody say to me just tell us a little bit about what you did when Keir Starmer did x, y or z. The most important thing to people is what is happening in their lives and we need to concentrate, reconnect with people on those issues. ~ reconnect with people on those issues. ,. , reconnect with people on those issues. ~ ,. , reconnect with people on those issues. ,. ,. Issues. 0k, Thank You very much indeed. The Environment Bill was a key part of the speech. It aims to address a whole raft of issues including improving Air And Water quality, tackling plastic pollution, restoring wildlife and protecting the climate. Heres our chief environment correspondent, justin rowlatt. Under eu rules, the uk faced heavy fines for failing to meet Air Quality standards. Brexit means those rules no longer apply. The new Environment Bill is designed to fill that gap with new guidelines for Air And Water quality and recycling, as well as binding targets for improving the uks natural environment. That will include plans for Tree Planting and restoration of peat bogs. The new Environment Bill will bring in an office for environmental protection. The idea is to hold the government to account on environment policy, but campaigners are concerned it needs to have sharp enough teeth and they say that should include the ability to fine the government if it breaches environmental standards. Her majesty announced other green measures too. The United Kingdom is committed to achieving net zero Greenhouse Gas emissions by 2050, and will continue to lead the way internationally by hosting the Cop26 Summit in glasgow. Legislation will set binding environmental targets. Legislation will also be brought forward to ensure the United Kingdom has and promotes the highest standards of Animal Welfare. Green politicians say this does not go far enough. Unfortunately, when we talk about the environment, i think people always think about nature, but it should really be a lot more than that. It should be thinking about not expanding airports, not building more roads, thinking about how we produce our energy in the cleanest possible way and i rather feel this government has a habit of overpromising and underdelivering. The government plans legislation that will enshrine in law the right of animals to be recognised as sentient beings. It also says it will ban live animal exports, make electronic tagging of domestic cats compulsory and there will be efforts to crack down on Puppy Smuggling and dognapping. And we may be seeing more of these. The introduction of beavers and other extinct or endangered species, including Wild Cats and lynx, will be considered by a new task force. It may even allow these to be released. The Dalmatian Pelican has a wingspan of up to three and a half metres and died out in Medieval Times in the uk. Its all part, says the government, of efforts to restore the countrys natural environment. Justin rowlatt, bbc news. With me now is chris sherwood, chief executive of the rspca. What struck you in the Queens Speech and do you commit . Iuruie speech and do you commit . We certainl speech and do you commit . 2 certainly welcome at what was in the Queens Speech today. Do you welcome it. She will bring forward legislation to protect Animal Welfare to show we have some of the high standards in the world is very much welcome. They have also announced today that will bring for the first animal Welfare Strategy since 2004 at that strategy is long overdue. The world has changed a lot since 2004, not least brexit, of course the impact of the pandemic which has really brought to very much before this link between animals and people. People, planet and animals are all linked and we very much welcome what the garment is bringing forward today. We will see what the government brings forward in the days ahead. Wits back are more announcements of what will be involved, but what we have already read in the press about compulsory Micro Chipping of cats, ending the live export of animals is very much welcomed by the rspca. These are big moves, particularly the transportation of livestock. Absolutely, they are, and every week and a coalition of 50 charities launched a manifesto with 40 recommendations that we want to see the government bring forward through this elementary time and we are hopeful and expect to see many of those policies brought forward. The move against live exports is a bold move against live exports is a bold move and it is good to see commitment around it. Working to see what other areas they will touch on. One issue we feel very passionate about is ending the import and sale of fur here in the uk and we would like to see that as part of the bills that are brought forward this parliamentary term. Bi; bills that are brought forward this parliamentary term. Parliamentary term. By large you seem pretty parliamentary term. By large you seem pretty pleased parliamentary term. By large you seem pretty pleased with parliamentary term. By large you seem pretty pleased with what i parliamentary term. By large you i seem pretty pleased with what you Have Heard, this is unusual. This seem pretty pleased with what you Have Heard, this is unusual. Have heard, this is unusual. This is ossibl Have Heard, this is unusual. This is possibly the Have Heard, this is unusual. This is possibly the last Have Heard, this is unusual. This is possibly the last queens Have Heard, this is unusual. This is possibly the last Queens Speech i possibly the last Queens Speech before the next Election. [30 possibly the last Queens Speech before the next Election. Before the next Election. Do you think so . Do before the next Election. Do you think so . Do you before the next Election. Do you think so . Do you know before the next Election. Do you i think so . Do you know something before the next Election. Do you think so . Do you know something we do not . Think so . Do you know something we donot . , think so . Do you know something we do not . ,. , think so . Do you know something we do not . , ,. ,. , do not . Possibly, depending on what ou read. Do not . Possibly, depending on what you read at do not . Possibly, depending on what you read. At seeing do not . Possibly, depending on what you read. At seeing so do not . Possibly, depending on what you read. At seeing so much you read. At seeing so much parliamentary time of the three bills going through parliament is good to see with all the things the government has to bear at the moment with the pandemic and dealing with the economic fallout of that. The Prime Minister talked when he went into Downing Street for the first time about the importance of Animal Welfare. He is now has the opportunity, with this government, to put that into practice and really bring forward those bills so with do have the best possible Animal Welfare standards it so that we are a global leader in that. Of course, in the detail, im sure we will have interesting discussions with government and may not like everything in it, but the Direction Of Travel that has been signalled today by the Queens Speech is to be welcomed and notjust by the rspca, but by our coalition involving an unprecedented 50 Animal Welfare organisations in the uk that are supporting these 40 recommendations. 0k, supporting these 40 recommendations. Ok, chris, we will have you back on in a few months� time to find out if you are still smiling. Rank you very much indeed. Lots more to come from westminster throughout the afternoon, but for the time being, geeta, back to you. Two israelis have been killed as an exchange of fire between palestinian militants and the Israeli Army continues. Medical services have confirmed to the bbc that two women were by palestinian Rocket Fire in the southern israeli city of ashkelon. They are the first israeli casualties of the heavy exchange of fire which began on monday. While, as we� ve been reporting in gaza, Health Officials say 26 people have been killed in israeli airstrikes, including nine children. Our middle East Correspondent Yolande Knell reports. Explosions. This was israel� s forceful answer to gaza after rockets had been fired atjerusalem. This morning, after dozens of air strikes, people once again left to pick up the pieces of their lives. Israel� s army says it is targeting militants. The building� s damaged from the back, says ibrahim, a mother and her son were killed. Meanwhile, the barrages of rockets continue in southern israel. Hamas promising to make Life Hell for people here. Air raid sirens. In the city of ashkelon, locals were sent scrambling for cover. Several were hurt when this Apartment Building was directly hit. It was too old to have bomb shelters. Translation around five in the morning we woke up to the sound of the siren and hid in the wardrobe. Because we have no Safe Zone in the house. There was a very loud explosion, i� ve never heard anything like it in my life. Gunfire. The latest exchange of fire began after days of violent clashes between palestinians and israeli police here at Al Aqsa Mosque the Old City ofjerusalem� s most contested site, Holy To Muslims and jews. There have been international calls for Calm And Restraint but for now, there is no sign of that with more israeli homes and an empty School Hit by rockets. And this funeral for an 11 year old boy, killed in gaza overnight. The different sides here are preparing for a longer battle. Yolande knell, bbc news. The uk� s biggest music awards ceremony, The Brits, is being held at the O2 Arena in london later. The event will be held in front of a live audience of 4,000 people, about one fifth of the venue� s capacity, as part of the Governments Research Programme examining how events can return to normal over the coming months. They won� t have to socially distance or wear face coverings, but will have to have a negative covid test. Now it� s time for a look at the weather with chris fawkes. In any of that May Sunshine it should feel pleasant outside. Winds not too strong, but a day of sunshine and showers. A promising start in scarborough, but i assure you these ties will not stay like that this afternoon, we already have some big Shower Clouds and thunder clouds starting to build. You can see the Shower Clouds here. Further north than other scotland, a band of rain and further rain coming in across the far South West of england. Across wales, the midlands and East Anglia that we are seeing those showers improve. Why are they there . It is down to a change in the wind direction. We have a southerly winds colliding with more of a east south easterly wind on this trough and as that boundary pushes it northwards, so too will these really big showers and thunderstorms. Late afternoon, early evening, the biggest storms are likely across yorkshire and across parts of North East England more generally. Heavy downpours with some Hail And Thunder mixed in. At the same time, should be a largely chow every afternoon, certainly for central scotland. A view to the South Of Scotland. A view to the South Of Scotland late in the afternoon. Northern ireland also largely dry and south East England should be a fine afternoon as well with plenty of sunshine. If not tonight, we will see the Rain Post northwards across Northern England. Overnight tonight. Temperatures are similar to Last Night at around six tomorrow another day of sunshine and showers, although there will be that general rain first thing in scotland. Most of the showers come through in the afternoon. They will tend to be across more western areas of the country, eastern areas probably seeing fewer showers but with the wind is a little lighter, it will feel pleasant in the sunshine but it does mean that where we see the showers they will be a little slower to move their way through. Thursday, another unsettled day on the cards. We may well see further little low pressure systems are bringing general updates of rain over parts of england and wales but not sure exactly where the heaviest falls will be at the moment. Further north, scotland and Northern Ireland looking showery and unsettled with heavier downpours around. Temperatures around 14 to 16 degrees are best. Through friday, the weekend and indeed internet suite, low pressure will stay around about the uk. Stays unsettled with further showers at times. That is your weather. Here in westminster the government sets out its agenda for the next year in the queen� S Speech. In a pared back, covid secure event there were promises to Level Up the economy, supportjobs, businesses and economic growth. My government� s priority is to deliver a national recovery from the pandemic that makes the United Kingdom stronger, healthier and more prosperous than before. There were also pledges on training and skills, the reform of Planning Laws, Animal Welfare and the environment, but no detailed commitments to address the long Term Funding of Social Care. I� m Geeta Guru murthy with the other main stories this afternoon. A coroner rules that ten people killed in shootings in Ballymurphy In Belfast in 1971 were entirely innocent. A School Shooting in russia. Seven pupils and a teacher are dead after an attack by a teenage gunman. A 21 year old man appears in court, charged with the murder of Police Community Support officerjulia james. Police investigating the disappearance of mary bastholm, who was feared murdered by Serial Killer fred west, Search A Cafe in gloucester. Covid rules in most of scotland will be relaxed from next monday, with pubs reopening to customers indoors and people able to hug again. And it� s The Brits tonight, in front of thousands of Music Fans as part of an experiment on getting audiences back into venues. Here At Westminster, the queen has delivered her speech, setting out the government� s programme for the coming Session Of Parliament. In a Covid Secure Ceremony in the house of lords, the queen said that the government� s priority is to deliver a national recovery from the pandemic that makes the United Kingdom stronger, healthier and more prosperous than before. There were also pledges on infrastructure, training and skills, planning Law Reform and the environment. The Prime Minister said the speech outlined a plan for unleashing our nation� s full potential as the uk recovers from coronavirus. Labour has called on the government to deliver action rather than rhetoric. Our political correspondent Chris Mason was watching. An occasion rich in colour and convention. The queen visiting parliament to read out the government� s plans. Pomp and pageantry, yes, but much more low key than usual. The monarch arrived by car rather than horse drawn carriage. Wearing a dress and a hat rather than a robe. Long standing rituals maintained. The door to the commons slammed. Symbolising the independence of the elected chamber from the queen. Some familiar faces did head to the house of lords, One By one, masks on, at a social distance. And in the upper chamber, the usualfancy dress, but far fewer people in there. And so, to the speech itself. My lords and members of the House Of Commons, my government� s priority is to deliver a national recovery from the pandemic that makes the United Kingdom stronger, healthier and more prosperous than before. To achieve this, my government will Level Up opportunities across all parts of the United Kingdom, supporting jobs, businesses and economic growth and addressing the impact of the pandemic. There are 30 bills in total, plans for new laws. At its heart, the central priority is getting the economy fired up again after the pandemic. There is an environment built on Post Brexit rules for protecting nature. And the government says proposals on a new approach to Social Care in england will be brought forward. I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon your councils. The ceremony concluding, the politics resuming, as ministers make their case for what they want to achieve. Opportunity and talent are not equally matched in the country so talent is equally spread all over the country, but the opportunity to go to a good school, get the right skills, get the skills that actually are required by todays employers which is also a moving feast, its something we havent spent enough time and attention on. And the Opposition Parties begin their critique. I think after the terrible Year Weve had which the ceremony this morning really reflected, our social Care Sector, our health sector, our education sector, deserve to know they are getting the reward that they truly deserve. We deserve a government that takes seriously the massive Climate Change crisis, the massive housing crisis. I would like to see some recognition, from the conservative government, that scotland has two governments, a government in edinburgh that has been re elected for the fourth time in a row, with an unprecedented mandate from the people. For the monarch, a scaled down occasion still afforded time for brief pleasa ntries. As the queen returns to buckingham palace, the debate here will crank up further. The Prime Minister and the Labour Party Leader leading the discussion in the commons, as the arguments begin about the government� s priorities. The government has a big majority and has made big promises. Its challenge, now, delivering on them. This is the scene live in the commons, where Backbench Mp5 have been delivering their loyal addresses and we are expecting Keir Starmer will be giving his response to the queen� S Speech in a few minutes� time. We will take you back to the Commons Chamber then. The queen� S Speech included a number of economic measures including investing in and improving national infrastructure. There were also plans for a Lifetime Skills guarantee. The queen also said that the government will ensure that the public finances are returned to a sustainable path once the economic recovery is secure. Our Economics Correspondent Andy verity has more. Widening homeownership has been the aim of Prime Ministers of all stripes in the last 40 years, from Mrs Thatcher to Tony Blair to Boris Johnson. But there is a fundamental problem. In the last 25 years, House Prices have risen by more than 150 in real terms, after taking inflation into account. But wages have only risen by 22 . Even with some of the cheapest mortgages ever offered, Home Ownership, especially among young people, has been dropping for years. Among under 355, fewer than half own a home. The government says there is too little supply of housing. Its answer is wholesale reform of Planning Laws, which it says are the reason it takes 15 years or more between developers buying land and selling a home. A new Zoning System will allow fast Track Planning applications, potentially halving the time it takes to build a new home. But it is not uncontroversial. We have major concerns about the government� s proposed planning bill, because we think that it will weaken local Democracy And Influence in the Planning System, and also that it will lead to less genuinely affordable homes being built. The economy faces huge challenges emerging from lockdown, with some jobs disappearing and shortages of skilled workers like chefs, but the number reskilling through further education has dropped sharply since 2010. The government� s plan is a new flexible Loan Scheme to allow adults to fund a change in career. But will it do the job . Businesses will have been delighted to hear skills featured so much in the Queens Speech today. It is going to be the big challenge getting people to where those newjobs are as they are created. We will be looking for a commitment from the government to employers voices being heard in the system, including tackling the problematic apprenticeship levy. After the worst year for the economy in three centuries, the challenge of delivering a Recovery Plan that adapts the economy to the post covid world and leads to greater Home Ownership is huge. The measures announced in the queen� S Speech may be radical, and they may not be enough on their own to meet the scale of that challenge. Andy verity, bbc news. With me now is Ian Fletcher of the british property federation. You and your members presumably welcome the idea of relaxing the Planning Laws . This welcome the idea of relaxing the Planning Laws . Welcome the idea of relaxing the Planning Laws . This is not relaxing, this is a new Planning Laws . This is not relaxing, this is a new system Planning Laws . This is not relaxing, this is a new system that Planning Laws . This is not relaxing, this is a new system that is Planning Laws . This is not relaxing, this is a new system that is quite i this is a new system that is quite radical and the government has said it� s the most Radical Change since 1947. It throws up various challenges. At The End of the day, what we� re trying to get to is less disagreement at the stage of applying for your planning permission. I applying for your planning permission. Applying for your planning ermission. ,. , �. , applying for your planning ermission. ,. ,. , permission. I ust dont have to sto ou permission. Ijust dont have to stop you there. Permission. Ijust dont have to stop you there, im permission. Ijust dont have to stop you there, im so permission. Ijust dont have to stop you there, im so sorry. I permission. Ijust dont have to i stop you there, im so sorry. The stop you there, i� m so sorry. The Labour Leader has just stood up and we are going to go to him. Let� s listen in. She is also tipped as a rising star. She is also tipped as a rising star. She gave a fine and passionate speech. She is surely the only Member Of Parliament who is also a qualified Safari Ranger and has survived once being charged by a rhino. As her speech showed, she has showed how those skills have transferred nicely to the westminster jungle. Transferred nicely to the westminsterjungle. We also remember those members of this house who have passed away in the last session. In april, i looked up, because since being in this place i would normally see her sitting on the backbench just there. As a new backbencher in 2015, i had the privilege of working closely with cheryl on a Cross Party Basis and we quickly developed a mutual respect and i know many members will remember her as i do, with warmth and affection. It� s also a tradition during these debates to welcome new members to this house, so of course, i congratulate the new Member Hartlepool on her victory. She now has the huge honour of representing that great town. I hope she will forgive me if i say i hope for not too long. I wonder what plans she has for the 40 foot inflatable of the Prime Minister. Its inflatable of the Prime Minister. It� s a let down. Its a let down. Laughter turning to the address, Mr Speaker, after a year of sacrifice, this is a seminal moment in our national story. As the honourable Memberfor North West Cambridgeshire Spoke of the pandemic, let me start with this, because even before the pandemic, britain needed transformative change to reset our economy, to rebuild our public services, to strengthen a reunion, and our democracy for decades to come. And that is because even before this pandemic, there were 5. 7 million people in low pay or insecure work. For. 2 million children growing up in poverty. Class sizes at their highest point years. One in seven adults unable to get the Social Care that they need. Britain was one of the worst levels of regional inequality in europe. Most shocking of all, Life Expectancy stalled for the first time in a century. Let that sink in. Life expectancy stalled for the first time in a century. That is the record of the last ten years. That is the record the Prime Minister is trying to run away from today. And you can see why. You can see why. Because in the last year, the pandemic has brutally exposed the consequences of that decade of neglect. Tragically, the pandemic has showed that if you live in low quality, overcrowded housing, if you are trapped in insecure work, if you are trapped in insecure work, if you are one of the millions of people who are one paycheque away from hardship, this pandemic will have been harderfor you than most. So, today we need a queen� S Speech that rose to the scale of the moment. That rewarded the sacrifices of the last year and rebuilt the foundations. But instead, this queen� S Speech merely papers over the cracks. It is packed with short term gimmicks and distant promises. This government is never short of those. But it misses the urgency and the scale of the transformation that is needed. In every economy, public services and our society. And it lacks the ambition, Ora Plan to our society. And it lacks the ambition, or a plan to achieve it. At the heart of this queen� S Speech, should have been a jobs plan. A plan to tackle unemployment, particularly the shocking levels of youth unemployment. But also to change how the economy works. That isn� t impossible. Just look across the atlantic. There, we see the kind of plan that is needed. A plan for long term investment, a plan to make the economy more resilient, greener, and more dynamic. A plan to have Child Poverty and deliver a Tax System and grow the economy from the middle out, not the top down. But what do we see on the side of the atlantic . Queen� S Speech that pits regions against Each Other in a fight for limited funding. An economy, still driven by chronic short term is. A government prepared to take money out of the pockets of working people and saddling businesses with debt when they need to invest. This Address Spoke of plans to address infrastructure spending. What about time . Britain should be leading the world on investment. But after 11 years of conservative government, we are 124th out of 186 countries when it comes to Capital Investment in our economy. The scale of what was in this address won� T Turn that around. This queen� S Speech should also have provided a better work. People across but have worked longer for lower pay. Where was the Employment Bill that was promised in the last queen� S Speech . Repeatedly promised by ministers. Nowhere to be seen. What was needed was a game changing Employment Bill. To end fire and rehire. To give proper rights to every Workerfrom Day rehire. To give proper rights to every worker from day one. And to raise the Living Wage to at least £10 an hour and go further as quickly as possible. That measure alone would have boosted pay for 8. 6 million workers. That� s what a labour queen� S Speech would have delivered. Alongside a green stimulus to create 400,000 jobs and jobs promised for all 16 24 year olds. This address should also have included a clear long term Recovery Plan for our nhs. But with Waiting Lists at a record high, what we heard today will come nowhere near the scale of the change needed. And it is unforgivable. That there is no clear plan to fix Social Care. Mr speaker, i remind the house that it is now 657 days since the Prime Minister stood on the steps of Downing Street and said, we will fix the crisis in Social Care Once And For All with a clear plan we have prepared. We have prepared. Yet, 657 days on from that promise, what did we in this address . Proposals on social Care Reform will be brought forward, no legislation, no new funding, no details, no timescale. Failure to act for a decade and it was failure to act for decade, was bad enough. But failure to act after the pandemic is nothing short of an insult to the whole nation. It� s a similar story on skills and education. I care passionately about this. My father was a toolmaker, worked on a factory for all his life and i know it is only through World Class skills training, sustained investment and changing the way we think about vocational training, that britain can compete in the 20205 and the 20305. The rhetoric on Lifetime Skills is all very well, but the reality is different. Over the last ten years, Funding On Adult Education has been slashed by a fifth. The number of apprenticeships as fallen by 200,003 years to 2020. We willjudge the government on its record, not the rhetoric we hear today. It� s the same story on crime and policing. Since 2015, recorded violent crime has doubled. Recorded violent crime has doubled. Recorded violent crime has doubled. Anti social behaviour has gone up in every area of england and wales. And they call themselves the party of law and order. Violent crime doubled, Anti Social Behaviour on the up in every area in england and wales, they have been in government for 11 years. Our courts now have a record backlog, meaning victims waiting years to getjustice. Yet the queen� S Speech will do nothing to address this. I know there is Draft Legislation promised on a Victims Law. The promise of a Victims Law. The promise of a Victims Law. The promise of a Victims Law has been in the last three conservative manifestos, six years ago, i introduced a private Members Bill for a Victims Law with legally enforceable rights. It had Cross Party Support. There is Cross Party Support. There is Cross Party Support. There is Cross Party Support now. It� s not a Draft Bill we need, it� s urgent legislation. The address also promised much on housing. But for many, homeownership is further out of reach than ever. Among the under 40 fives, homeownership has fallen by 800,000 in the last decade. Decade of neglect. House building targets are almost never hit and rough sleeping has more than doubled since 2010. I knew see nothing in the address to buck that Trend Or Attempt to repair the damage of the last decade. If the Prime Minister wanted to act, there is one area where he is guaranteed Cross Party Support. The cladding scandal. The Grenfell Tragedy was four years and three queen� S Speech is a no, thousands of people are trapped in unsafe buildings, Leaseholder Scott in building they cannot sell or afford. People facing bankruptcy and great anxiety. If anybody needed any reminder of the danger of this, look no further than the fire in a block of flats in East London last week. Mr speaker, there is no excuse for the Prime Minister� s in action on cladding. That should have been in this address. At a time in the United Kingdom is divided and public trust in our democracy is shaken, this queen� S Speech was also an opportunity to rebuild the foundations of our democracy. Instead, what does it do . The electoral Integrity Bill would make it harder for people to vote. It tramples on civil liberties and discriminates. The Prime Minister must know that by introducing compulsory Voter Id, he will suppress turnout, it will disproportionately impact ethnic minorities, and it will weaken our democracy. Labourwill minorities, and it will weaken our democracy. Labour will have no part in that. We also oppose plans in the judicial Review Bill to weaken the power of our courts and curtail the right ofjudicial review. This government simply fails to understand that our independent judiciary are a strength for our country. Not a weakness. In ways the legislation to fix the broken Lobby Laws . Instead the Prime Minister has chosen to put his faith in the 2014 lobbying act. The cameron act. And when did that end . With a Prime Minister being paid huge amounts of money by dodgy companies almost immediately after leaving office. Come to think of it though, given the state of the Prime Minister� s current finances, i can see why he is reluctant to change that bit of legislation. There are parts of the queen� S Speech we will look to work with on the government. Legislation to ban Conversion Therapy is long overdue. Conversion therapy is always wrong. And indefensible. So we will look very carefully when legislation is brought forward. Which it must be Done soon. We will also look carefully at the draft online safety bill. This is much delayed and we need urgent and effective legislation. We are always willing, always willing to work on a Cross Party Basis to end violence against women and girls. We will bring forward our own proposals on this in the coming days but of course we will look at any legislation the government brings forward in this area. Action on russian and hostile State Interference is also longing overdue and progress has been promised for nearly two years. So we will look closely at the promised Counter State threats bill. To see if we can work constructively to bring about the change that is needed. These are small glimmers in a queen� S Speech that shows the government still doesn� t understand what went wrong in the last decade and has no plan for the next. This is the time for a transformative agenda, to rebuild britain� s foundations after a decade of neglect and a year of national sacrifice. To change the foundation of the economy, investing the future, solve the Social Care crisis, clean up politics, and to clean up the mess this government has created over a decade. But Mr Speaker, once again, it� s a chance that has been squandered. Thank you. Hear, hear. Brute that has been squandered. Thank you. Hear, hear. ~. ,. ,. , that has been squandered. Thank you. Hear. Hear that has been squandered. Thank you. Hear, hear. ~. ,. ,. , hear, hear. We now come to the Prime Minister. Prime hear, hear. We now come to the Prime Minister. Prime minister hear, hear. We now come to the Prime Minister. Prime ministerjohnson. Minister. Prime ministerjohnson. Thank minister. Prime ministerjohnson. Thank you. Minister. Prime ministerjohnson. Thank you. Mr minister. Prime ministerjohnson. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Minister. Prime ministerjohnson. Thank you, Mr Speaker. In minister. Prime ministerjohnson. Thank you, Mr Speaker. In five i Thank You, Mr Speaker. In five months. Thank you, Mr Speaker. In five months, this country has inoculated over 35 months, this country has inoculated over 35 Million people, two thirds of the over 35 Million people, two thirds of the Adult Population with the biggest of the Adult Population with the biggest and fastest programme of mass biggest and fastest programme of Mass Vaccination in british history. That has Mass Vaccination in british history. That has helped us take steps after decisive that has helped us take steps after decisive step on our Road Map to freedom decisive step on our Road Map to freedom and as life comes back to our Great Freedom and as life comes back to our great towns and cities, like some our great towns and cities, like some speeded up what Disney Film about some speeded up what Disney Film about the some speeded up what Disney Film about the return of spring to the tundra, about the return of spring to the tundra, we about the return of spring to the tundra, we can feel the pent up energy tundra, we can feel the pent up energy of tundra, we can feel the pent up energy of the uk economy. The suppressed phase like a pressurised ke suppressed phase like a pressurised keg of suppressed phase like a pressurised keg of p, suppressed phase like a pressurised keg of p, about because surely broached keg of p, about because surely broached on monday in an indoor setting broached on monday in an indoor setting i broached on monday in an indoor setting. I know how hard pubs and restaurant setting. I know how hard pubs and restaurant and other businesses have worked restaurant and other businesses have worked to restaurant and other businesses have worked to get ready and in everything we have been through, i thank everything we have been through, i thank them and the whole british people thank them and the whole british people i thank them and the whole british people. I can tell them that the government has been using this time to work government has been using this time to work flat government has been using this time to work flat out to ensure we can ust to work flat out to ensure we can just bounce back Loan Bounce forward just bounce back Loan Bounce forward. Because this Government Wont forward. Because this Government Wont settle for going back to the way things were. The people of this Country Way things were. The people of this country have shown by their amazing Response Country have shown by their amazing response to country have shown by their amazing response to covid that we can do better response to covid that we can do better than that. The people of this country better than that. The people of this country deserve better than that and the purpose of this Queens Speech is to take the purpose of this Queens Speech is to take this country forward with superb is to take this country forward with superb infrastructure, £640 billion with a superb infrastructure, £640 billion with a new superb infrastructure, £640 billion with a new focus on skills, technology, Gigabit Broadband and by fighting technology, Gigabit Broadband and by Fighting Crime, by being tough on crime Fighting Crime, by being tough on crime, investing in great public services crime, investing in great public services above all the nhs, by Helping Services above all the nhs, by helping millions of people to realise helping millions of people to realise the dream of homeownership, we intend realise the dream of homeownership, we intend to unite and Level Up across we intend to unite and Level Up across the we intend to unite and Level Up across the whole of the United Kingdom, because we, One Nation Conservative, understand this crucial conservative, understand this crucial point. You will find flair and imagination and Enthusiasm And Genius and imagination and Enthusiasm And Genius distributed evenly across this country, while opportunity is not and this country, while opportunity is not and we this country, while opportunity is not and we need to change that. Because not and we need to change that. Because its notjust a moral and social because its notjust a moral and social disgrace, its an economic mistake social disgrace, its an economic mistake. Its a criminal waste of talent mistake. Its a criminal waste of talent. Though we cannot for one moment talent. Though we cannot for one moment minimise the Damage Covid has Donei moment minimise the Damage Covid has Done the moment minimise the Damage Covid has Done, the loss of learning, the Nhs Backlog Done, the loss of learning, the Nhs Backlog two, the court delays, massive backlog two, the court delays, massive fiscal consequences, we must use this massive fiscal consequences, we must use this opportunity to achieve a national use this opportunity to achieve a national recovery so that jabs becomes national recovery so that jabs becomesjobs. That is our plan, Mr Speaker, becomesjobs. That is our plan, Mr Speaker, and to address the decades old problems that have held us back decades old problems that have held us back. And transform the whole united us back. And transform the whole United Kingdom into a stronger, fairer. United kingdom into a stronger, fairer, Greenerand Healthier Nation and that fairer, Greenerand Healthier Nation and that is fairer, Greenerand Healthier Nation and that is the central aim of this queens and that is the central aim of this Queens Speech. I give way with pleasure Queens Speech. I give way with pleasure to my colleague from behind pleasure to my colleague from behind. ,. ,. , behind. Does my right honourable friend agree behind. Does my right honourable friend agree with behind. Does my right honourable friend agree with me behind. Does my right honourable friend agree with me that behind. Does my right honourable friend agree with me that the friend agree with me that the Conservative Party believes in opportunity . And equality of opportunity . And equality of opportunity and all legislative mandate we have set out today seeks to achieve that, in particular, through the skills revolution, which will turbocharger economic recovery . Yes, indeed. One man who i know believes yes, indeed. One man who i know believes in yes, indeed. One man who i know believes in those opportunities and skills believes in those opportunities and skills is believes in those opportunities and skills is now right honourable friend skills is now right honourable friend the member for North West Cambridge who proposed so well the loyal address. A kindly man, a kindly loyal address. A kindly man, a kindly man, a lawyer, but unlike some kindly man, a lawyer, but unlike some other kindly man, a lawyer, but unlike some other lawyers in this house, tough some other lawyers in this house, tough on some other lawyers in this house, tough on crime. So tough that when three tough on crime. So tough that when three thugs tough on crime. So tough that when three thugs were so rash as to attack three thugs were so rash as to attack him, and covent garden, he transformed himself in the flawed 03 with moves that have earned him not ust with moves that have earned him not just a with moves that have earned him not just a black with moves that have earned him not just a black belt, but a blue Peter Badge just a black belt, but a blue Peter Badge he just a black belt, but a blue Peter Badge. He has served in many distinguished political roles come on behalf of sufferers from breast cancers. On behalf of sufferers from breast cancers, homeowners, whose surprise nocturnal cancers, homeowners, whose surprise nocturnal intruders with Cricket Batsi nocturnal intruders with cricket bats, and nocturnal intruders with cricket bats, and on behalf of the Cambridgeshire Village of stilton, where Cambridgeshire Village of stilton, where the eponymous cheese originated and where he claimed that local cheesemakers were forbidden from calling the cheese of Stilton Stilton from calling the cheese of Stilton Stilton cheese. A bizarre prohibition he blamed on brussels. Understandable. Though i have yet to discover understandable. Though i have yet to discover whether he was altogether ii L Ht discover whether he was altogether right in discover whether he was altogether right in this and whether he has actually right in this and whether he has actually solve the problem by getting actually solve the problem by getting brexit Done, i think you will agree, getting brexit Done, i think you willagree, he getting brexit Done, i think you will agree, he spoke with pungency, maturity, will agree, he spoke with pungency, maturity, he spoke for stilton and he made maturity, he spoke for stilton and he made a maturity, he spoke for stilton and he made a speech in the best traditions he made a speech in the best traditions of his house and he was ably seconded by my honourable friend. Ably seconded by my honourable friend, the member for South Ribble, a palaeontologist, bile biologist, former a palaeontologist, bile biologist, former safari guide who knows that in any former safari guide who knows that in any pride of lions, its the male who tends in any pride of lions, its the male who tends to occupy the position of nominal who tends to occupy the position of nominal authority while the most dangerous beast. The Prize Hunter of the dangerous beast. The Prize Hunter of the pack dangerous beast. The Prize Hunter of the pack is in fact the lioness. A point of the pack is in fact the lioness. A point im of the pack is in fact the lioness. A point im sure the right honourable gentleman bears in mind as he honourable gentleman bears in mind as he contemplates the member, his friend. As he contemplates the member, his friend. The as he contemplates the member, his friend, the right honourable member for ashton friend, the right honourable member for ashton under lyme, the deputy leader. For ashton under lyme, the deputy leader. The for ashton under lyme, the deputy leader, the shadow for secretary of state leader, the shadow for secretary of state the leader, the shadow for secretary of state, the Shadow Chancellor of the duchy state, the Shadow Chancellor of the duchy of state, the Shadow Chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster And Shadow Secretary Duchy of Lancaster And Shadow secretary of for the future of work. Although the more title he feeds her, although the more title he feeds her. The although the more title he feeds her, the hungrierl although the more title he feeds her, the hungrier i fear she is likely her, the hungrier i fear she is likely to her, the hungrier i fear she is likely to become. I think so, i think likely to become. I think so, i think so likely to become. I think so, i think so. Judging by her excellent speech, think so. Judging by her excellent speech, my honourable friend has a lon speech, my honourable friend has a long and speech, my honourable friend has a long and successful career ahead of her as long and successful career ahead of her as we long and successful career ahead of her as we work together to deliver further her as we work together to deliver further South Ribble and everywhere else in further South Ribble and everywhere else in lancashire and the United Kingdom else in lancashire and the United Kingdom. We are all poorer for the absence kingdom. We are all poorer for the absence of kingdom. We are all poorer for the absence of marital reference for Cheshire Absence of marital reference for cheshire. During her long career, she served cheshire. During her long career, she served as secretary of state for wales she served as secretary of state for wales she served as secretary of state for wales. My right honourable friend wales. My right honourable friend she wales. My right honourable friend. She secured important successions on the behalf of h52. Shows successions on the behalf of h52. Shows both an effective and extreme the popular member of this house and she was the popular member of this house and she was my the popular member of this house and she was my whip for many years and she was my whip for many years and she was she was my whip for many years and she was kindly, protective and supernaturally well informed about my whereabouts, Mr Speaker, and im sure i my whereabouts, Mr Speaker, and im sure i speak my whereabouts, Mr Speaker, and im sure i speak for the whole house when sure i speak for the whole house when i sure i speak for the whole house when i say sure i speak for the whole house when i say that we will miss her deeply when i say that we will miss her deeply i when i say that we will miss her deeply. I also note that she was a one nation deeply. I also note that she was a one nation a believer in the conservatives as the party of Hope And Change and opportunity, as my Right And Change and opportunity, as my right honourable Friend Hasjust said as right honourable Friend Hasjust said as she therefore would have been said as she therefore would have been as said as she therefore would have been as thrilled and is proud as i am to been as thrilled and is proud as i am to welcome my right honourable friend. Am to welcome my right honourable friend. A am to welcome my right honourable friend, a memberfor am to welcome my right honourable friend, a member for hartlepool, to her place friend, a member for hartlepool, to her place and to congratulate her on her place and to congratulate her on her victory her place and to congratulate her on her victory and to thank everyone who has her victory and to thank everyone who has placed their trust in this government. Many thousands of them, again. Government. Many thousands of them, again. For government. Many thousands of them, again, for the first time in the history. Again, for the first time in the history. In again, for the first time in the history, in the familys history, and of history, in the familys history, and of course this country conservative councillors were elected conservative councillors were elected in areas my country has the honour elected in areas my country has the honour of elected in areas my country has the honour of representing. Along with conservative mayors, police and crime conservative mayors, police and crime commissioners, 70 of who i know crime commissioners, 70 of who i know conservative. Reflecting the importance we place on Fighting Crime importance we place on Fighting Crime. And conservative members of the scottish Parliament And Welsh senedd the scottish Parliament And Welsh senedd. It is best summed up by the outgoing senedd. It is best summed up by the outgoing leader of Amber Valley Council outgoing leader of Amber Valley Council he said these immortal words. Council he said these immortal words, the voters have let us down a. I words, the voters have let us down a i hope words, the voters have let us down a. I hope they do not live to regret it. A. I hope they do not live to regret it there a. I hope they do not live to regret it there you a. I hope they do not live to regret it. There you go, yet again labours bunkers it. There you go, yet again labours Bunkers Solution in the face of setbacks Bunkers Solution in the face of setbacks as to which they could dissolve setbacks as to which they could dissolve the electorate and call another dissolve the electorate and call another one. We got on with our work taking another one. We got on with our work taking forward our programme of change taking forward our programme of change and regeneration, filled with obligation towards those who we serve obligation towards those who we serve, who have every right to hold us to serve, who have every right to hold us to account. We will get on with safeguarding the health of the nation, safeguarding the health of the nation, pressing on full tilt with our Vaccination Programme until the ob our Vaccination Programme until the job is our Vaccination Programme until the job is Done our Vaccination Programme until the job is Done and our people are as safe as job is Done and our people are as safe as a job is Done and our people are as safe as a science can make them. We will accelerate the recovery of public will accelerate the recovery of public services, investing in nhs and introducing vital reforms, making and introducing vital reforms, making it and introducing vital reforms, making it easier for the different arms making it easier for the different arms of making it easier for the different arms of Health And Care system to work arms of Health And Care system to work together to provide the best Service Work together to provide the best service by work together to provide the best service by means of the Health And Care Act Service by means of the Health And Care Act And Service by means of the Health And Care act and later this year we will bring Care Act and later this year we will bring forward proposals on adult social bring forward proposals on adult Social Care so that every person receives Social Care so that every person receives the Dignity And Security they deserve in old age. And yes i. Ive they deserve in old age. And yes i give away, they deserve in old age. And yes i give away, gave way with pleasure. Im give away, gave way with pleasure. Im very give away, gave way with pleasure. Im very grateful. A Cross Party i� m very grateful. A Cross Party select Committee Report that the ligament should not be in the business of profiting from Minus Penchant but millions has been taken from the pensions. From minor� s pensions put up will he implement the recommendations of the Cross Party select Committee Report . I� m happy to study the report she im happy to study the report she raises im happy to study the report she raises but im happy to study the report she raises but this is this party and this government that sticks up for people this government that sticks up for people across all walks of life, pensioners and the low paid. It was very interesting to hear the right honourable Gentleman Opposite talking honourable Gentleman Opposite talking about the Living Wage, who introduced it . It was the conservatives. Who raised it by record conservatives. Who raised it by record sums . This government and we will get record sums . This government and we will get on record sums . This government and we will get on with our workforce that we will will get on with our workforce that we will build on the expertise of our scientists who have allowed britain our scientists who have allowed britain to our scientists who have allowed britain to contribute more to the global britain to contribute more to the global struggle against covid than any other comparable country, providing any other comparable country, providing an Object Lesson in the value providing an Object Lesson in the value of providing an Object Lesson in the value of a providing an Object Lesson in the value of a british life sciences, we are determined to harness the concentration of Knowledge And Excellency in this country to secure Britains Excellency in this country to secure Britains Place as a science superpower. We will invest nearly £15 Billion superpower. We will invest nearly £15 Billion in research and develop meant £15 Billion in research and develop meant this £15 Billion in research and develop meant this year alone. The Queens Speech meant this year alone. The Queens Speech include a bill to create an advanced speech include a bill to create an advanced Research And Innovation agency, advanced Research And Innovation agency, charged with new discovery and new agency, charged with new discovery and new ways and to ensure the breakthrough happens in the uk as they have breakthrough happens in the uk as they have to repeatedly in the past. And with they have to repeatedly in the past. And with those breakthroughs will come and with those breakthroughs will come and and with those breakthroughs will come and opportunities and new enterprises in fields that we can at present enterprises in fields that we can at present to enterprises in fields that we can at present to scarcely imagine and it is our present to scarcely imagine and it is our Levelling Up mission to spread is our Levelling Up mission to spread those jobs and i give weight to the spread those jobs and i give weight to the leader of the liberal democrats. To the leader of the liberal democrats. � ,. ,. , democrats. Im very grateful to him ttivin democrats. Im very grateful to him giving way democrats. Im very grateful to him giving way on democrats. Im very grateful to him giving way. On behalf democrats. Im very grateful to him giving way. On behalf of democrats. Im very grateful to him giving way. On behalf of bereaved l giving way. On behalf of bereaved families across the country, will be Prime Minister at this house if during this Session Of Parliament he will set up the public enquiry into the government� s handling of a that he me in this House Lastjune . The governments handling of a that he me in this house last june . He romised he me in this house last june . He promised me he me in this house last june . He promised me. We he me in this house last june . He promised me. We will he me in this house last june . He promised me. We will do he me in this house last june . He promised me. We will do that he me in this house last june . He promised me. We will do that in he me in this house last june . He promised me. We will do that in this j promised me. We will do that in this session promised me. We will do that in this session and promised me. We will do that in this session and i promised me. We will do that in this session and i made that clear before session and i made that clear before i session and i made that clear before. I do believe it is essential that we before. I do believe it is essential that we have a full proper public enquiry that we have a full proper public enquiry into the pandemic and i have been clear enquiry into the pandemic and i have been clear with the house. We will establish been clear with the house. We will establish. No, Thank You. We will establish establish. No, Thank You. We will establish a establish. No, Thank You. We will establish a new uk infrastructure, bank establish a new uk infrastructure, bank headquartered in leeds with £40 million bank headquartered in leeds with £40 million to bank headquartered in leeds with £40 million to invest in part of the greatest million to invest in part of the greatest renewable in infrastructures since the victorian ae infrastructures since the victorian age and infrastructures since the victorian age and we will ensure the british People Age and we will ensure the british people derive maximum benefit from the £300 people derive maximum benefit from the £300 million of their money that the £300 million of their money that the government spends every year on public the government spends every year on public procurement by creating a wholly public procurement by creating a wholly new system consolidating 350 separate wholly new system consolidating 350 separate regulations into one regime so that separate regulations into one regime so that public investment can be even so that public investment can be even more so that public investment can be even more effective as an instrument for Levelling Up the country. We will use for Levelling Up the country. We will use the sovereignty we have regained will use the sovereignty we have regained from the European Union to establish regained from the European Union to establish at least eight free ports including establish at least eight free ports including in teesside and now that we are including in teesside and now that we are free including in teesside and now that we are free of Eu State aid rules, the Queens Speech proposes a new national the Queens Speech proposes a new national Substate System allowing the government. I will give away in a minute the government. I will give away in a minute. Allowing the devolved demonstrations to spout the Creation Ofiobs demonstrations to spout the Creation Ofiobs and demonstrations to spout the creation ofjobs and businesses. Gave way with pleasure. Of jobs and businesses. Gave way with pleasure. With pleasure. Brexit has created hue with pleasure. Brexit has created huge opportunities with pleasure. Brexit has created huge opportunities in with pleasure. Brexit has created huge opportunities in the with pleasure. Brexit has created huge opportunities in the form i with pleasure. Brexit has createdj huge opportunities in the form of free ports. Does my right honourable friend agree with me that brexit, free ports in places like anglesey will turbo charge the economy and give as thousands ofjobs, Investment And Opportunity across the uk in places where it is desperately needed . Mr the uk in places where it is desperately needed . The uk in places where it is deseratel needed . ~ , desperately needed . Mr speaker, my honourable friend desperately needed . Mr speaker, my honourable friend is desperately needed . Mr speaker, my honourable friend is completely honourable friend is completely right honourable friend is completely right and honourable friend is completely right and anglesey could have no more right and anglesey could have no more powerful or effective champion may say, more powerful or effective champion may say, notjust more powerful or effective champion may say, not just on the matter of a free ports may say, not just on the matter of a free ports but also nuclear power as welt free ports but also nuclear power as well. Probably the other thing. No, im well. Probably the other thing. No, im not well. Probably the other thing. No, im not taking an intervention from no, im not taking an intervention from the no, im not taking an intervention from the Gentleman Opposite just yet. From the Gentleman Opposite just yet we from the Gentleman Opposite just yet. We would use the powers we have recovered yet. We would use the powers we have recovered from the eu to strengthen our borders recovered from the eu to strengthen our borders and reform the asylum system, our borders and reform the asylum system, cracking down on the criminal system, cracking down on the criminal gangs which profit from a trafficking criminal gangs which profit from a trafficking in human beings, by showing trafficking in human beings, by showing for the first time that the fact if showing for the first time that the fact if people have entered the uk legally fact if people have entered the uk legally or fact if people have entered the uk legally or illegally will have an impact legally or illegally will have an impact on their asylum claim. At the same impact on their asylum claim. At the same time impact on their asylum claim. At the same time, we will uphold britains great same time, we will uphold britains great tradition of providing a haven for those great tradition of providing a haven for those facing persecution and repression, opening our arms to our friends repression, opening our arms to our friends the repression, opening our arms to our friends the british nationals in hong friends the british nationals in hong kong, safe in the knowledge ill government has recaptured over a power ill government has recaptured over a power to ill government has recaptured over a power to control our borders. As the compassionate One Nation Conservative government, we note that crime conservative government, we note that crime falls disproportionately on the that crime falls disproportionately on the poorest and most deprived parts on the poorest and most deprived parts of on the poorest and most deprived parts of our country and our communities. And that is why the police communities. And that is why the police crime sentencing Courts Bill in the police crime sentencing Courts Bill in the Queens Speech will end the outrageous injustice that he voted against outrageous injustice that he voted against of outrageous injustice that he voted against of serious sexual or violent offenders against of serious sexual or violent offenders being automatically released half way through a standard sentence released half way through a standard sentence of between four and seven Years Sentence of between four and seven years this sentence of between four and seven years. This bill will support a white years. This bill will support a white police with new powers to deal with highly disruptive protests. Support with highly disruptive protests. Support our with highly disruptive protests. Support our police. Perhaps he will tell me support our police. Perhaps he will tell me if support our police. Perhaps he will tell me if he opposes that. Perhaps the Prime Minister tell me if he opposes that. Perhaps the Prime Minister could tell me if he opposes that. Perhaps the Prime Minister could answer. The Prime Minister could answer this, for the last three tory manifestos, every humble address since 2016, his government has promised a victims bill. It is in the humble address again and we� re very for it. I hope can here assure us it will be delivered this year . Does not been published, no details of what will be on at. We hear rumours it was a code of conduct under statute, rumours it was a code of conduct understatute, but rumours it was a code of conduct under statute, but will he promised he will take the Labour Approach of going much further, empowering victims, giving rights to victims that are enforceable by law, and there will be consequences for those in the criminaljustice system that do not uphold them . Will he promised that . Iteufe do not uphold them . Will he promised that . ~. , do not uphold them . Will he promised that . 2. ,. , do not uphold them . Will he promised that . 2. ,. , y , do not uphold them . Will he promised that . ,. , y , do not uphold them . Will he promised that . ,. , y,. , that . We will not only stick up for victims for that . We will not only stick up for victims for the that . We will not only stick up for victims for the first that . We will not only stick up for victims for the first time, that . We will not only stick up for victims for the first time, which i victims for the first time, which labour victims for the first time, which labour failed to do in all their Years Labour failed to do in all their years in labour failed to do in all their years in office, just as they failed by the years in office, just as they failed by the way years in office, just as they failed by the way to do anything at all about by the way to do anything at all about Social Care. There berating the government about Social Care, they did the government about Social Care, they did nothing at all for 13 years in office they did nothing at all for 13 years in office. We will take the interest of victims in office. We will take the interest of victims to heart. We will address that of victims to heart. We will address that but of victims to heart. We will address that but i of victims to heart. We will address that. But i hope you will also support that. But i hope you will also support our proposals to increase sentences support our proposals to increase sentences for serious sexual and violent sentences for serious sexual and violent offenders at which he voted against violent offenders at which he voted against i violent offenders at which he voted against. I hope labourwill support our proposals to double the maximum service our proposals to double the maximum Service Result on emergency workers. We will Service Result on emergency workers. We will improve our neighbourhoods by making we will improve our neighbourhoods by making them safer and help people achieve by making them safer and help people achieve the dream of homeownership, notjust achieve the dream of homeownership, not just with achieve the dream of homeownership, notjust with mortgages achieve the dream of homeownership, not just with mortgages that increasing the Planning System most of which increasing the Planning System most of which has beauty since the 19405. We will of which has beauty since the 19405. We will introduce a lifetime guarantee allowing anyone to train and retrain guarantee allowing anyone to train and retrain and acquire new expertise and retrain and acquire new expertise whenever they wish. If the honourable expertise whenever they wish. If the honourable Gentleman Opposite wants to dispute honourable Gentleman Opposite wants to dispute the merits of that proposal, let him do so now. Grateful proposal, let him do so now. Grateful to the Prime Minister for doing way and he is lauding the merits of homeownership. What is the point when the homeowners are leaseholders who are trapped because the government refuses to help them with any kind of Fire Safety measures that were not their fault in the first place . Mr measures that were not their fault in the first place . In the first place . Mr speaker, we have ut in the first place . Mr speaker, we have put 5 in the first place . Mr speaker, we have put 5 Billion in the first place . Mr speaker, we have put 5 Billion into in the first place . Mr speaker, we have put 5 Billion into supporting i have put 5 Billion into supporting our homeowners who face the problems of a cladding if it 80 metres and supporting leaseholders at every levet supporting leaseholders at every level. This is a massive problem that the level. This is a massive problem that the government is Undertaking And Deal that the government is Undertaking And Deal with all our resources but i and deal with all our resources but i can and deal with all our resources but i can tell and deal with all our resources but i can tell him, if he is now saying the labour i can tell him, if he is now saying the Labour Party is in favour of homeownership, and that is the first time i homeownership, and that is the first time i have homeownership, and that is the first time i Have Heard of it, they are resolutely time i Have Heard of it, they are resolutely opposed to measures that allow people to own their own homes and they allow people to own their own homes and they have been ever since i have been and they have been ever since i have been in and they have been ever since i have been in politics and that is one of the crucial differences between. He was the crucial differences between. He was going to support our measures to allow he was going to support our measures to allow people to train and retrain and acquire to allow people to train and retrain and acquire new skills. Everything we do. And acquire new skills. Everything we do. Mr and acquire new skills. Everything we do, Mr Speaker, will be Done as one united we do, Mr Speaker, will be Done as one United Kingdom. Combining the genius one United Kingdom. Combining the genius of one United Kingdom. Combining the genius of england, wales, scotland and Northern Ireland were joined together and Northern Ireland were joined together by blood and family, tradition together by blood and family, tradition and history, into the most successful tradition and history, into the most successful political, economic and social successful political, economic and social union the world has ever known~ social union the world has ever known~ in social union the world has ever known. In all its centuries, the union known. In all its centuries, the union has known. In all its centuries, the union has seldom proved its worth more union has seldom proved its worth more emphatically than during their set pandemic. When the United Kingdom, the fifth biggest economy in the kingdom, the fifth biggest economy in the world had the power to invest over £407 in the world had the power to invest over £407 billion, to protectjobs and livelihoods and businesses everywhere in these islands, including everywhere in these islands, including jobs in scotland. As we build including jobs in scotland. As we build back including jobs in scotland. As we build back better, greener and fairer. Build back better, greener and fairer. We build back better, greener and fairer, we shall benefit as one united fairer, we shall benefit as one United Kingdom from the free trade agreements we have regained the power agreements we have regained the power to agreements we have regained the power to sign, opening up new Markets Power to sign, opening up new markets across the world. Only last weeki markets across the world. Only last week, i markets across the world. Only last week, i agreed and enhanced Trade Partnership with the Prime Minister of india. Partnership with the Prime Minister of india, covering £1 Billion of trade of india, covering £1 Billion of Trade Investment and creating about 6500 jobs Trade Investment and creating about 6500 jobs across the uk. Is a one united 6500 jobs across the uk. Is a one United Kingdom, we will be a force for good United Kingdom, we will be a force for good in United Kingdom, we will be a force for good in the world, leading the campaign for good in the world, leading the campaign at the next g7 the global vaccination, education for girls and action vaccination, education for girls and action on vaccination, education for girls and action on Climate Change. As one united action on Climate Change. As one United Kingdom, we will host the un climate United Kingdom, we will host the un climate Change Conference in glasgow and helped rally of countries to follow and helped rally of countries to follow our Example And Pledge to achieve follow our Example And Pledge to achieve net zero by 2050 as one united achieve net zero by 2050 as one United Kingdom. We will continue with ever United Kingdom. We will continue with ever greater intensity to connect with ever greater intensity to connect talent with opportunity. Mobilising the Ingenuity And Resourcefulness of the british People Resourcefulness of the british people to achieve their full potential at last. It is an enormous Taski Potential at last. It is an enormous task. A potential at last. It is an enormous task. A Task Potential at last. It is an enormous task, a task made both more difficult task, a task made both more difficult by the pandemic and yet more difficult by the pandemic and yet more urgent. It is the right task for this more urgent. It is the right task for this country now. I know that the country for this country now. I know that the country can achieve it and this queens the country can achieve it and this Queens Speech provides us, Mr Speaker. QueenS Speech provides us, Mr Speaker, with the essential tools to do it and speaker, with the essential tools to do it and i speaker, with the essential tools to do it and i commend there is a queens do it and i commend there is a Queens Speech to the house. We now come to the Queens Speech to the house. We now come to the leader Queens Speech to the house. We now come to the leader of Queens Speech to the house. We now come to the leader of the Queens Speech to the house. We now come to the leader of the snp. QueenS Speech to the house. We now come to the leader of the snp. Thank| come to the leader of the snp. Thank ou and come to the leader of the snp. Thank you and can come to the leader of the snp. Thank you and can i come to the leader of the snp. Thank you and can i thank come to the leader of the snp. Thank you and can i thank her come to the leader of the snp. Thank you and can i thank her majesty come to the leader of the snp. You and can i thank her majesty for coming to the houses of Parliament Today to deliver the humble address and of course our thoughts remain with her given at the sad passing of her husband, the duke of edinburgh, some weeks ago. Can i also welcome the new memberfor some weeks ago. Can i also welcome the new member for hartlepool to her place this afternoon. Was a joy to hear the emotion being proposed by the Memberfor North hear the emotion being proposed by the member for North West Cambridgeshire, i think he knows i have some friendship with him. He and i served together when he was the Pensions Minister six years ago and i was the snp pensions spokesperson. I can remember the first meeting that we had in his office and the look of horror on his face when we were met by the baroness and he said to me good grief, are the two of new friends . Of course we were, and i was delighted to say we had a warm and cordial Elation Ship when he was the minister and we work together if a number of matters was that he delivered a passionate speech of the course of this afternoon. Warm and cordial relationship. That as much as anything is was an application of a job back in government again if the Prime Minister has been listening. Can i also thank the honourable member for South Ribble for what was a tour to force and ramble round the tory benches that we have this afternoon . I� m sure she will also have an outstanding career as a Member Of Parliament on the tory benches. Mr speaker, this new session of the Westminster Parliament comes at a time of huge challenge and crisis, but equally a time of sentimental choice for people right across these islands. The Covid Pandemic has seen our world rapidly change over the course of the last year. This year and into the future, people� s clear desire and the demand is that we change things profoundly and change them for the better. That, Mr Speaker, is exactly why the electoral results over the course of the last week represent such a historic and the defining moment. Because it last thursday, the people of scotland turned out in record numbers, the highesT Turnout that we have seen at scottish commentary Election, to re elect the Snp Government for a fourth consecutive temples that they turned up to support the message of Hope And Change so brilliantly characterised by our First Minister. It was an Election that broke nearly every record in the book and it is a result that will continue to reverberate. That electoral earthquake now opens the democratic path that will shape scotland� s future. Let� s be clear, that future will be scotland� s hands and it will be the people� s choice and nobody, nobody else. He be the Peoples Choice and nobody, nobody else nobody else. He mentions a Recordbreaking Nobody else. He mentions a recordElection'>Breaking Election, i nobody else. He mentions a| recordElection'>Breaking Election, he nobody else. He mentions a recordElection'>Breaking Election, he has not record Election'>Breaking Election, he has not mentioned record Election'>Breaking Election, he has not mentioned in fact the scottish confab mentioned in fact the scottish Confab Sievess Record Election'>Breaking Election Confab Sievess Record Election'>Breaking Election for top scottish conservatives. He talks about scotlands choice, but four days before scotlands choice, but four days before the Election on thursday, the First Minister of scotland was on the bbc First Minister of scotland was on the bbc saying that this was not an Election the bbc saying that this was not an Election about independence. Barely Election'>Hours Election about independence. Barely hours after the polls closed she was calling hours after the polls closed she was calling for hours after the polls closed she was calling for another referendum. I asked calling for another referendum. I asked why calling for another referendum. I asked why did she mislead the scottish asked why did she mislead the scottish people four days before they went to the polls . Have scottish people four days before they went to the polls . Scottish people four days before they went to the polls . Have to say im they went to the polls . Have to say im disappointed they went to the polls . Have to say im disappointed in they went to the polls . Have to say im disappointed in the they went to the polls . Have to say im disappointed in the honourable | i� m disappointed in the honourable gentleman and i say to him that it is going to be important over the course of the coming weeks and months that we can debate properly what the choices are for the future of scotland and i make this off it to him that all of us that has gotten� s interest at heart should be able to debate rationally and honestly what the choices are. Scotland� s interest. Let� s respect the electorate in that. I think everybody knows that the scottish national party as the party of Independence And Everybody knows it, Mr Speaker, without prevarication, without doubt, that the snp stood on a very clear Manifesto Commitment of giving the people of scotland have that debate and a say in their future. It was clearly contained within our manifesto that was said to the people of scotland that put us back into government again, allow us back into government again, allow us to lead the country through the pandemic, but the promise, the promise that we made it to the people of scotland, was that if they voted for us in that Election, if they delivered a majority of independence in that parliament, that nobody, not the Prime Minister, and certainly not the memberfor west aberdeenshire, will stop the people of scotland having their democratic choice. I say to him, i say to him, that he has to recognise what happened. Let� s look at this in the context that Westminster Look set it at. On the basis of the first past the post system, we do not support it, we support proportional representation, but Mr Speaker, there are 73 first past the post Constituencies in the scottish parliament. The scottish national party won 62 of them. We won 85 of the Constituencies. 48 of the vote. The highest number of Constituencies ever One By any party. The highest share of the votes ever won by any party. And for the conservatives to try and argue that black is white, that they won the Election if you listen to the honourable gentleman then frankly Mr Speaker nothing can be further from the truth, because the truth is the ambition of the Conservative Party in scotland is to be in opposition. The invention of the scottish national party is to govern and to take our people to independence. Ii govern and to take our people to independence. Independence. If we are talking about victories independence. If we are talking about victories and independence. If we are talking about victories and out, independence. If we are talking about victories and out, could i independence. If we are talking i about victories and out, could you ust about victories and out, could you just add about victories and out, could you just add it about victories and out, could you just add it in hiS Speech a little bit of just add it in hiS Speech a little bit of a just add it in hiS Speech a little bit of a reference to wales . And in particular bit of a reference to wales . And in particular the 19 swing to labour from particular the 19 swing to labour from plaid particular the 19 swing to labour from Plaid Cymru in the rhondda and the fact from Plaid Cymru in the rhondda and the fact that Adam Price completely overplayed his hand . Nationalism is a false overplayed his hand . Nationalism is a false chimera. I guess every chimera a false chimera. I guess every chimera is a false chimera. I guess every chimera is false. He should not put all his chimera is false. He should not put all his trust chimera is false. He should not put all his trust in one line. Can chimera is false. He should not put all his trust in one line. All his trust in one line. Can i say to the honourable all his trust in one line. Can i say to the honourable gentleman all his trust in one line. Can i say| to the honourable gentleman that all his trust in one line. Can i say i to the honourable gentleman that i believe the people in wales should determine their own destiny . Of course, i congratulate the Labour Party in wales and going back into government, because that is the right thing to do, but i say to this house and i say to this Prime Minister, that we were told in 2014 when we had the Independence Referendum that we would be respected in this house. That we were to lead the United Kingdom. And i said Pie Minister and everyone else in this has that You Cannot deny democracy. You cannot deny the right to the people of scotland that have voted in 70 members of the scottish parliament that had a commitment of an intense referendum. I hear people saying 2014, but the point is that we were told in 2014 that if we said in the United Kingdom, our rights as Eu Citizens would be respected. Independence referendum was that we were told scotland was to be respected. We know what happened in the Brexit Referendum in 2016. Scotland voted by 62 to stay in the European Union. And we were simply told by this house, well, tough. There is nothing that we are going to do for you. You� re going to lose that access to the single market. You� re going to lose that access that you have craved. You� re going to lose that right that you have had to work and live get an education in europe because the Prime Minister and the conservative government are going to decide the people of scotland. While the people of scotland have given their verdict on that, because the message is very clear, that there is a mandate for an Independence Referendum. And let me put this house on notice, that it is the people of scotland and our parliament that were determined when that referendum will take place. I hear them mocking, but we did not win, can you believe it . We have just taken the make receipts from the conservatives in the Election. The seat of edinburgh central and the seat of ayr. When the West Mr rosie went 62 of the 73 seats and by the warped logic of Conservative Backbenchers, it a parallel universe they live in if that is what is believed. They live in if that is what is believed they live in if that is what is believed. �. 2, believed. Im sure he will oin me and wondering believed. Im sure he will oin me and wondering howh believed. Im sure he will oin me and wondering how this believed. Im sure he willjoin me and wondering how this house i believed. Im sure he willjoin me i and wondering how this house holds welsh and wondering how this house holds welsh labour to account and having moved welsh labour to account and having moved its welsh labour to account and having moved its manifesto so much that they can moved its manifesto so much that they can talk about parking their attacks they can talk about parking their attacks on they can talk about parking their attacks on Plaid Cymrus lawn, but plaid attacks on Plaid Cymrus lawn, but Plaid Cymru attacks on Plaid Cymrus lawn, but Plaid Cymru made that lawn. Parking Plaid Cymru made that lawn. Parking their tax. Plaid cymru made that lawn. Parking their tax. Parking their tax. Hopefully it tives an parking their tax. Hopefully it gives an Example Parking their tax. Hopefully it gives an example to parking their tax. Hopefully it gives an example to the I Parking their tax. Hopefully it l gives an example to the people parking their tax. Hopefully it i gives an example to the people of Plaid Cymru that they can find their way back into europe as an independent country. Mr speaker, putting an wreck of the scale of the Snp Victory and achievement. Idit Snp Victory and achievement. Ian blackford of the snp giving his response after the queen� S Speech earlier today and we had from the Prime Minister and Keir Starmer also. Just a silly Prime Minister to say in response to ed davey, the liberal democrat leader, that he would be hoarding a public enquiry into The End of the session. Just to say that the Prime Minister said in response. He also said they would be bringing forward proposals on aduu be bringing forward proposals on adult Social Care later this year after being criticised for not having brought that forward by a Keir Starmer, despite Boris Johnson� s promise of course when he stood on the steps of Downing Street. The Labour Leader also talking about the Voter Id bill potentially, saying that they will not back those plans are being put forward by the comment. Much more of course from westminster in the coming hours. First, let� s catch up with the weather. Hello again. In any of that May Sunshine it should feel pleasant enough outside today. The winds are not too strong for most of us, but it is a day of sunshine and showers. A promising start nevertheless in scarborough, but i can assure you the skies will not stay like that this afternoon, we already have some big Shower Clouds and thunder clouds starting to brew up. On the Satellite Picture you can see the Shower Clouds here. Further north for northern scotland, a band of rain here and further rain coming in across the far South West of england. But it� s across wales, the midlands and East Anglia that we are seeing those showers brew. Why are those showers there . It is down to a change in the wind direction. We have southerly winds colliding with more of an east south easterly wind on this trough and as that boundary pushes northwards today, so too will those really big showers and thunderstorms. So late afternoon, early evening, the biggest storms are likely across yorkshire and across parts of North East England more generally. Some hefty downpours with some Hail And Thunder mixed in. At the same time, should be a largely shower free afternoon, certainly for central scotland. A few pushing into the South Of Scotland late in the afternoon. Northern ireland also largely dry and across south East England should be a fine afternoon as well with plenty of sunshine. Overnight tonight, we will see the Rain Post northwards across Northern England, into scotland, maybe fringing into Northern Ireland as well. Temperatures similar to Last Night at around six or seven celsius. Tomorrow is another day of sunshine and showers really, although there will be that general rain first thing in scotland. Most of the showers come through the afternoon. They will tend to be across more western areas of the country, eastern areas probably seeing fewer showers but with the winds a little lighter, ok it will feel pleasant in the sunshine but it does mean that where we see the showers they will be a little slower to move their way through. Thursday, another unsettled day on the cards. We may well see further little low pressure systems develop, bringing more general outbreaks of rain across parts of england and wales but not sure exactly where the heaviest falls will be just at the moment. Further north again, scotland and Northern Ireland is looking showery and unsettled with some heavier downpours around. Temperatures around 14 to 16 degrees at best. Through friday, the weekend and indeed into next week, low pressure will stay around about the uk. Stays unsettled with further showers at times. That is your weather. Here in westminster, the government sets out its agenda for the next year in the queen 5 speech. In a pared back, covid secure event there were promises to Level Up the economy, supportjobs, businesses and economic growth. You will find flair and imagination and Enthusiasm And Genius distributed evenly across this country, while opportunity is not and we mean to change that. This Queens Speech merely papers over the cracks. Its packed with short term gimmicks and distant promises. This government is never short of those. And the government has just announced it will establish an inquiry in the Covid Pandemic, during the current parliamentary session. The other main stories this afternoon. A coroner rules that ten people killed in shootings in Ballymurphy In Belfast in 1971 were entirely innocent the victims� families welcome the ruling. We� ll hear from them shortly. A School Shooting in russia. Seven pupils and a teacher are dead after an attack by a teenage gunman. Covid rules in most of scotland will be relaxed from next monday, with pubs reopening to customers indoors and people able to hug again. Let� s go live to westminster, where Financier Lex Greensill is being questioned by mp5 over the collapse of his firm and the Lobbying Controversy centred on former Prime Minister David Cameron. The committee� s inquiry is also investigating how Mr Cameron lobbied chancellor Rishi Sunak over access to government backed coronavirus loans for greensill. When he gave evidence for this committee, he gave an impression he had a meeting where he could impress disquiet about the Business Model you are following, he told us that when he left the meeting, he went down in the lift thinking about it, into his mind came the idea that what was going on here was, and i� m paraphrasing, tantamount to a ponzi scheme. Could you tell the committee a little about that meeting, what kind of concerns he raised with you about the structure of the business and what answers you are able to provide him to try to reassure him that actually greensill was a viable and sensible business . I that actually greensill was a viable and sensible business . That actually greensill was a viable and sensible business . I would say at the outset and sensible business . I would say at the outset that and sensible business . I would say at the outset that i and sensible business . I would say at the outset that i was and sensible business . I would say at the outset that i was very i at the outset that i was very surprised at the outset that i was very surprised to hear the evidence that Lord Myners provided to this committee to weeks ago. Its not consistent committee to weeks ago. Its not consistent with my recollection of the events. My recollection of the events the events. My recollection of the events and i have checked my records before events and i have checked my records before addressing you today, is that Lord Myners was the chairman of a Communications Firm that represented my firm Communications Firm that represented my firm and Communications Firm that represented my firm and through them, he requested an appointment with me, and you requested an appointment with me, and you are requested an appointment with me, and you are correct that he met with me on and you are correct that he met with me on the and you are correct that he met with me on the 12th ofjuly, 2019. Full that was me on the 12th ofjuly, 2019. Full that was in me on the 12th ofjuly, 2019. Full that was in response to questions he had raised that was in response to questions he had raised in the house of lords, concerning had raised in the house of lords, concerning the way in which certain open ended investment vehicles operated open ended investment vehicles operated and the liquidity they provided and the mishmash between those provided and the mishmash between those on provided and the mishmash between those on the other underlying assets those on the other underlying assets. We took that meeting incredibly serious, given Lord Mynerss incredibly serious, given Lord Mynerss position and his previous positions Mynerss Position and his previous positions i Mynerss Position and his previous positions. I felt that we had a constructive discussion when i was able to constructive discussion when i was able to discuss and explain the differences between the assets that he had differences between the assets that he had been talking about in the questions he had been talking about in the questions he had raised in parliament and those of working Capital Parliament and those of working Capital Finance or Supply Chain Finance Capital Finance or Supply Chain Finance assets which have importantly different characteristics, largely because the duration characteristics, largely because the duration of characteristics, largely because the duration of of time that the assets are outstanding, is very short. Receivables which get paid very quickly receivables which get paid very quickly and self liquidate. I thought we had a constructive discussion and we talked about the fact that discussion and we talked about the fact that as we grew, we were going to move fact that as we grew, we were going to move into ever more regulated spaces to move into ever more regulated spaces he to move into ever more regulated spaces. He noted as i told him about our plans spaces. He noted as i told him about our plans for spaces. He noted as i told him about our plans for the future that we really our plans for the future that we really didnt have any advisors or directors really didnt have any advisors or directors with any substantive regulatory experience and i suggested to him that we could benefit suggested to him that we could benefit from his experience and he seemed benefit from his experience and he seemed very amenable to that. I said that he seemed very amenable to that. I said that he clearly would want to do more that he clearly would want to do more work that he clearly would want to do more work to understand our business and indeed more work to understand our business and indeed that was followed with a subsequent meeting that he had together with my chairman on the 3rd Of September. But i think an important detail. Can of september. But i think an important detail. Of september. But i think an important detail. Can i stop you there on that important detail. Can i stop you there on that point. Important detail. Can i stop you there on that point. The important detail. Can i stop you there on that point. The meeting | important detail. Can i stop you i there on that point. The meeting on there on that point. The meeting on the 3rd Of September with the chairman, are you saying Lord Myners attended that specifically with the purpose of discussing potential, potentiallyjoining your board or as an advisor of greensill . Was that the reason . The reason . That im clearly continuing the reason . That im clearly continuing his the reason . That im clearly continuing his diligence i the reason . That im clearly continuing his diligence in i continuing his diligence in understanding our business and activities understanding our business and activities. But i would like to read to you activities. But i would like to read to you if activities. But i would like to read to you if i activities. But i would like to read to you if i may mr chairman, a statement to you if i may mr chairman, a statement which was sent to make, that was statement which was sent to make, that was prepared by Lord Myners after our that was prepared by Lord Myners after our meeting on the 12th Of July that after our meeting on the 12th Of July that he proposed to make, but in fact july that he proposed to make, but in fact we july that he proposed to make, but in fact we collectively decided not to publish that statement, simply because to publish that statement, simply because the reality was the matter was practically closed. However, i think was practically closed. However, i think its was practically closed. However, i think its now irrelevant for me to read think its now irrelevant for me to read you think its now irrelevant for me to read you that statement that Lord Myners read you that statement that Lord Myners provided to us in writing. I will quote myners provided to us in writing. I will quote and this was provided on the 13th will quote and this was provided on the 13th of will quote and this was provided on the 13th ofjuly. My question in parliament the 13th ofjuly. My question in parliament was linked to open ended funds and parliament was linked to open ended funds and illiquidity. I have asked many funds and illiquidity. I have asked many other questions of the same issue many other questions of the same issue in many other questions of the same issue in my many other questions of the same issue in my time in parliament. In the light issue in my time in parliament. In the light of issue in my time in parliament. In the light of Press Commentary, i took the light of Press Commentary, i took it the light of Press Commentary, i took it upon myself to meet with Lex Greensill took it upon myself to meet with Lex Greensill to took it upon myself to meet with Lex Greensill to discuss his business. I found greensill to discuss his business. I found him greensill to discuss his business. I found him very open and following the meeting, i found him very open and following the meeting, lam found him very open and following the meeting, i am comfortable with the meeting, i am comfortable with the business and its operations. I heard the business and its operations. I heard and the business and its operations. I heard and saw nothing that would warrant heard and saw nothing that would warrant the use of the word fraudulent, oranything warrant the use of the word fraudulent, or anything similar. Warrant the use of the word fraudulent, oranything similar. He then met fraudulent, oranything similar. He then met with my Chairman And Ion then met with my Chairman And Ion the 3rd then met with my Chairman And Ion the 3rd of then met with my Chairman And Ion the 3rd Of September. He subsequently attended i believe it was a subsequently attended i believe it was a breakfast with just my chairman was a breakfast with just my chairman on the 18th Of September and wrote chairman on the 18th Of September and wrote a very complimentary not directly and wrote a very complimentary not directly to and wrote a very complimentary not directly to me afterwards, which i can share directly to me afterwards, which i can share with the committee reguired can share with the committee required. And on the 7th of october, lord required. And on the 7th of october, Lord Myners required. And on the 7th of october, Lord Myners wrote to my Chairman And L. Lord myners wrote to my Chairman And I. And Lord Myners wrote to my Chairman And I. And i Lord Myners wrote to my Chairman And I. And i will Lord Myners wrote to my chairman and i, and i will read that short E Mail to you. I, and i will read that short E Mail to you. If i, and i will read that short E Mail to you. If i i, and i will read that short E Mail to you, if i may. Dear lex and morris. To you, if i may. Dear lex and morris, congratulations on securing further morris, congratulations on securing further backing, a powerful endorsement from a global investor of standing. Last week, i had a coronary of standing. Last week, i had a coronary angiogram at Hammersmith Hospitat coronary angiogram at hammersmith hospital. The Consultant Surgeon has advised hospital. The Consultant Surgeon has advised me hospital. The Consultant Surgeon has advised me to reduce my workload. In the circumstances, i think i must decline the circumstances, i think i must decline your interesting idea, and not waste decline your interesting idea, and not waste your time by commencing any detailed diligence. I wish you well. Any detailed diligence. I wish you well, regards, paul. Can any detailed diligence. I wish you well, regards, paul. Any detailed diligence. I wish you well, regards, paul. Can i ust go back to the well, regards, paul. Can i ust go back to the statement i well, regards, paul. Can i ust go back to the statement thati well, regards, paul. Can ijust go back to the statement that you i well, regards, paul. Can ijust go i back to the statement that you read from Lord Myners, just to be absolutely clear. Is that a statement that he produced and provided to you, in other words it was authored by his own hand in one form or another . Form or another . They said it was sent to them form or another . They said it was sent to them by form or another . They said it was sent to them by Lord Form or another . They said it was sent to them by Lord Myners. I form or another . They said it was j sent to them by Lord Myners. Can form or another . They said it was i sent to them by Lord Myners. Can you tell us who the sent to them by Lord Myners. Can you tell us who the middle sent to them by Lord Myners. Can you tell us who the middle person sent to them by Lord Myners. Can you tell us who the middle person is . I tell us who the middle person is . Yes, i would tell us who the middle person is . Yes, iwould be tell us who the middle person is . Yes, i would be happy to provide that in yes, i would be happy to provide that in writing, subsequent to this discussion~ that in writing, subsequent to this discussion. 2, that in writing, subsequent to this discussion. ,. ,. ,. , that in writing, subsequent to this discussion. ,. ,. ,. , discussion. Ok, fine. Going back to that meeting discussion. Ok, fine. Going back to that meeting and discussion. Ok, fine. Going back to that meeting and that discussion. Ok, fine. Going back to that meeting and that wealth i discussion. Ok, fine. Going back to that meeting and that wealth of i that meeting and that wealth of july. That meeting and that wealth of july, was anybody else present in that meeting other than yourself and Lord Myners . Ida. That meeting other than yourself and Lord Myners . Lord myners . No, that meeting was siml Lord Myners . No, that meeting was simply lord Lord Myners . No, that meeting was simply Lord Myners Lord Myners . No, that meeting was simply Lord Myners and Lord Myners . No, that meeting was simply Lord Myners and i. Lord myners . No, that meeting was simply Lord Myners and i. Ok. I after discussions with you was back to being. You are quite right, it� s not 2019, its to being. You are quite right, its not 2019, its 2020. I to being. You are quite right, its not 2019, its 2020. To being. You are quite right, its not 2019, its 2020. I think you will find lord its not 2019, its 2020. I think you will find Lord Myners its not 2019, its 2020. I think you will find Lord Myners did its not 2019, its 2020. I think you will find Lord Myners did not i will find Lord Myners did not actually will find Lord Myners did not actually submit any further questions concerning them until the 22nd of questions concerning them until the 22nd ofjune, 2020. 11 months after he met 22nd ofjune, 2020. 11 months after he met with 22nd ofjune, 2020. 11 months after he met with me. He met with me. When he met with our he met with me. When he met with your chairman he met with me. When he met with your chairman on he met with me. When he met with your chairman on the he met with me. When he met with your chairman on the third he met with me. When he met with your chairman on the third of, i he met with me. When he met with your chairman on the third of, and. Your chairman on the third of, and then the 18th for breakfast. Do you have minutes of those meetings, did the chairman keep a record of what was discussed . Do you have any correspondence . Which i think you are discussing was to discuss Lord Myners� s becoming further involved with greensill in some form . Iq look and see what have available and come back on that. Have available and come back on that thank have available and come back on that. Thank you have available and come back on that. Thank you for have available and come back on that. Thank you for that have available and come back on i that. Thank you for that evidence. Can i ask that. Thank you for that evidence. Can i ask you that. Thank you for that evidence. Can i ask you more that. Thank you for that evidence. Can i ask you more general that. Thank you for that evidence. I can i ask you more general question. What in your view went wrong, why did greensill fail . At The End of the day, what were the reasons for that . ,. ,. , that . The ultimate failure of greensill was that . The ultimate failure of greensill was for that . The ultimate failure of greensill was for one that . The ultimate failure of| greensill was for one reason. That . The ultimate failure of i greensill was for one reason. As Eveii Greensill was for one reason. As ever. There greensill was for one reason. As ever, there are associated reasons. The reason ever, there are associated reasons. The Reason Greensill ultimately failed the Reason Greensill ultimately failed is the Reason Greensill ultimately failed is because a Material Portion of our failed is because a Material Portion of ourfunding is failed is because a Material Portion of our funding is provided by investors of our funding is provided by investors who require insurance, together investors who require insurance, together with that asset that they purchase, to protect them against the default of that, of the receivable. Our Principal Insurance Provider receivable. Our Principal Insurance Provider decided not to renew their Insurance Provider decided not to renew their insurance, despite being in discussions around renewing their insurance discussions around renewing their insurance up to the hours before ultimately insurance up to the hours before ultimately Credit Squeeze determined they would never Credit Suisse, and it they would never Credit Suisse, and it was they would never Credit Suisse, and it was that withdrawal of Insurance Capacity which resulted in our failure Insurance Capacity which resulted in ourfailure. Of Insurance Capacity which resulted in our failure. Of course that reason im our failure. Of course that reason im sure our failure. Of course that reason im sure you our failure. Of course that reason im sure you are asking what was the reason im sure you are asking what was the reason for im sure you are asking what was the reason for the withdrawal of that Insurance Reason for the withdrawal of that Insurance Capacity, and i think that comes Insurance Capacity, and i think that comes down to three things. First, covid comes down to three things. First, covid it comes down to three things. First, covid it had comes down to three things. First, covid. It had an impact on the entire covid. It had an impact on the entire Insurance Industry and specific entire Insurance Industry and specific customers of ours. And indeed. Specific customers of ours. And indeed. I specific customers of ours. And indeed, i recognise that this body is considering what changes may be necessary is considering what changes may be necessary to regulation and i had some necessary to regulation and i had some views about which. On that, what precise some views about which. On that, what precise date some views about which. On that, what precise date was some views about which. On that, what precise date was the some views about which. On that, j what precise date was the Insurance Cover terminated . Within the arrangement. It cover terminated . Within the arrangement. Cover terminated . Within the arrangement. It expired at the betitnnin arrangement. It expired at the beginning of arrangement. It expired at the beginning of march. Arrangement. It expired at the beginning of march. 2021. I arrangement. It expired at the I Beginning of march. 2021. Right, arrangement. It expired at the beginning of march. 2021. Right, 0k. The first is covid beginning of march. 2021. Right, 0k. The first is covid had beginning of march. 2021. Right, 0k. The first is covid had an beginning of march. 2021. Right, 0k. The first is covid had an impact the first is covid had an impact both the first is covid had an impact both on the first is covid had an impact both on the Insurance Industry itself both on the Insurance Industry itself in both on the Insurance Industry itself in many of our customers. As you will itself in many of our customers. As you will be itself in many of our customers. As you will be aware, we had some concentrations and indeed those are a source concentrations and indeed those are a source of concentrations and indeed those are a source of regret and with respect to some a source of regret and with respect to some of a source of regret and with respect to some of our larger customers, which to some of our larger customers, which you to some of our larger customers, which you will No Doubt want to talk about which you will No Doubt want to talk about and which you will No Doubt want to talk about. And three, the actions of the regulator about. And three, the actions of the regulator of about. And three, the actions of the regulator of Greensill Bank in Germahy Regulator of Greensill Bank in germany and created uncertainty with Respect Germany and created uncertainty with respect to germany and created uncertainty with respect to our ability to continue to support respect to our ability to continue to support and provide liquidity for a key to support and provide liquidity for a key customer that relied upon us. If i a key customer that relied upon us. If i look a key customer that relied upon us. If i look at a key customer that relied upon us. If i look at what is out there or was out there in the public domain, thinking of 2019, basically. If you were looking from the outside and you were looking to things that might cause concern about the business, on the 18th of march, the ft reported that tim hayward who was fired, by one of the investors providing finance to the business, and who provided i think under the millions of dollars in financing, and look at the links tim harwood had with yourself and sanjeev gupta, we then have the various written questions from Lord Myners, one on the 10th ofjune, on the 7th of july, 2019, reuters reported the greensill issued. On bonds related to guarantees provided by the scottish government. On the 8th of july, analysts wrote a blog on greensill entitled, Greensill Softbank and cooking the books. On the 4th of softbank and cooking the books. On the lith of may, softbank and cooking the books. On the 4th of may, 2020, Ft Softbank and cooking the books. On the lith of may, 2020, ft reports greensill Credit Insurers were having to cover costs managed by Credit Suisse. We have a number of additional questions from Lord Myners. What was your reaction to all of those things and at what point did you in that timeline perhaps think there is something going on in this business and im getting really quite concerned about . If getting really quite concerned about . ,. , ~ getting really quite concerned about . ,. , ~. , about . If one were to think about the ear about . If one were to think about the year of about . If one were to think about the year of 2020, about . If one were to think about the year of 2020, i about . If one were to think about the year of 2020, i guess about . If one were to think about the year of 2020, i guess there i about . If one were to think about. The year of 2020, i guess there were a number the year of 2020, i guess there were a number of the year of 2020, i guess there were a number of things that at various points a number of things that at various points registered concern with me. | points registered concern with me. I io points registered concern with me. Go back to points registered concern with me. I go back to 2019, though, what were you thinking back at the time that tim was fired and suggestions of close relationship between greensill and yourself and him and you know the details. What were you thinking at that point if i take you back earlier than 2020 . L at that point if i take you back earlier than 2020 . At that point if i take you back earlier than 2020 . I Cant Comment on matters earlier than 2020 . I Cant Comment on matters as earlier than 2020 . I Cant Comment on matters as between earlier than 2020 . I Cant Comment on matters as between mr earlier than 2020 . I Cant Comment on matters as between Mr Hayward| earlier than 2020 . I Cant Comment on matters as between Mr Hayward and his employer. What i would note is that irr his employer. What i would note is that in fact his employer. What i would note is that in fact reinvest in his funds received that in fact reinvest in his funds received more than par and was no loss on received more than par and was no loss on greensill capital but any Matter Loss on greensill capital but any matter concerning Mr Hayward himself i matter concerning Mr Hayward himself i cannot matter concerning Mr Hayward himself i cannot specifically comment on. And i i cannot specifically comment on. And i think i cannot specifically comment on. And i think you will find that did not take and i think you will find that did not take place in 2019, it took place not take place in 2019, it took place before that. I not take place in 2019, it took place before that. Not take place in 2019, it took place before that. I think he was dismissed in place before that. I think he was dismissed in March Place before that. I think he was dismissed in March 2019 place before that. I think he was dismissed in March 2019 or dismissed in March 2019 or thereabouts. Actually, february, 2lst thereabouts. Actually, february, 21st of february. For gross misconduct. Lets get back to the question. The number of the question is, at what point along this timeline in 2019 onwards do you start to think this business is not as stable as i would like it to be and i have got growing concerns. What was the moment in time when that came to your mind would you say . I that came to your mind would you sa . ~ , that came to your mind would you sa . ~ ,. , say . I think the first event that ave me say . I think the first event that gave me concern, say . I think the first event that gave me concern, although say . I think the first event that gave me concern, although not say . I think the first event that. Gave me concern, although not for our company, because we have just recently our company, because we have just recently received more than 1 billioh recently received more than 1 Billion worth of Equity Investment into the billion worth of Equity Investment into the company. I certainly had reservations and concerns about the state reservations and concerns about the state of reservations and concerns about the state of the reservations and concerns about the state of the Capital Markets, during march, state of the Capital Markets, during march, april and may 2020. You will appreciate march, april and may 2020. You will appreciate if you cast your mind back, appreciate if you cast your mind back, you appreciate if you cast your mind back, you will remember that the capital back, you will remember that the Capital Markets at that time were roiled Capital Markets at that time were roiled try Capital Markets at that time were roiled by the uncertainty of covid, and none roiled by the uncertainty of covid, and none of roiled by the uncertainty of covid, and none of us knew what was going to come and none of us knew what was going to come next. As you are probably aware. To come next. As you are probably aware, although greensill was funded by more aware, although greensill was funded by more than 50 banks, and several dozen by more than 50 banks, and several dozen institutional investors, one did not dozen institutional investors, one did not know what was going to happen did not know what was going to happen irr did not know what was going to happen in the future. As it was, we were happen in the future. As it was, we were able happen in the future. As it was, we were able to happen in the future. As it was, we were able to continue to support all of the were able to continue to support all of the supply chains and meet every suppliers of the supply chains and meet every Suppliers Requirement throughout the destruction that took place theh~ the destruction that took place then. But we did not know, no one knew, then. But we did not know, no one knew. What then. But we did not know, no one knew, what was going to happen next. Are you knew, what was going to happen next. Are you basically saying that during 2019, largely you were aware of the various rumblings going on, adverse Press Comment etc, some of which we have touched on, but you are basically feeling positive about the business . It was really once the pandemic struck around may, it earlier than that, you start to think hold on, this might not be as stable as i would like it to be. Would that be a fair summary . Actually, i would say that for our business. Actually, i would say that for our business, didnt require that liquidity business, didnt require that liquidity. The liquidity and speaking of and the conditions of the Capital Markets affect our customers, not greensill the company itself~ customers, not greensill the company itself but customers, not greensill the company itself. But obviously its important we continue to support those customers. The first concern that i had about customers. The first concern that i had about the position of greensill, the company, as opposed to would covid the company, as opposed to would covid have the company, as opposed to would covid have an impact on the Capital Markets covid have an impact on the Capital Markets and therefore impact our clients, markets and therefore impact our clients, was in december 2020. And in mid 2020, there were german regulator in mid 2020, there were german regulator proposed Reduction Plan with respect to the amount of exposure with respect to the amount of exposure we held for one of customers that was going to comply with customers that was going to comply with and customers that was going to comply with. And obviously, that position was disclosed to the investors. We were was disclosed to the investors. We were doing was disclosed to the investors. We were doing a Capital Raise for equity were doing a Capital Raise for equity for were doing a Capital Raise for equity for our own company at the time, equity for our own company at the time, to equity for our own company at the time, to fund our continued growth. We disclosed that to the investors and that we disclosed that to the investors and that meant that the Capital Raise and that meant that the Capital Raise which was otherwise supported by two raise which was otherwise supported by two of raise which was otherwise supported by two of the largest banks in the world, by two of the largest banks in the world, and by two of the largest banks in the world, and was fully subscribed and looked world, and was fully subscribed and looked set world, and was fully subscribed and looked set to close in late december or early looked set to close in late december or earlyjanuary, we obviously have to pause or earlyjanuary, we obviously have to pause that. As it happens, in january. To pause that. As it happens, in january. Mr to pause that. As it happens, in january, mr chairman, a plan was agreed january, mr chairman, a plan was agreed which we proposed which dealt with that agreed which we proposed which dealt with that immediate issue. And then the next with that immediate issue. And then the next event was the failure of our insurer the next event was the failure of our insurerto the next event was the failure of our insurer to renew which was. If our insurer to renew which was. If we o our insurer to renew which was. We go back to our insurer to renew which was. If we go back to the pandemic, you seem to be saying, well, there were problems in the Capital Market but that was for others to worry about, not so much greensill at that point. Although there is a connection between the impact it has on your clients and the stability of your own model of business. But are you seeing, back when the pandemic first started and all these problems kicked off, that you were really feeling pretty comfortable about greensill� s position and thats of course coincident with when the lobbying started for Mr Cameron and yourself and others of the treasury to get involved with the Ccf Refund and so on . But are you seeing at that point there was no dash for cash or to raise money at that point . It was all pretty ok as far as you are concerned . As, point . It was all pretty 0k as far as you are concerned . Point . It was all pretty 0k as far as you are concerned . As iT Turns out, it as you are concerned . As iT Turns out. It was as you are concerned . As iT Turns out, it was completely as you are concerned . As iT Turns out, it was completely 0k, as you are concerned . As iT Turns out, it was completely ok, but i as you are concerned . As iT Turns i out, it was completely ok, but what we did out, it was completely ok, but what we did not out, it was completely ok, but what we did not know was what might happen we did not know was what might happen irr we did not know was what might happen in the future. Nobody knew what was happen in the future. Nobody knew what was going to happen in the future what was going to happen in the future so what was going to happen in the future. So we thought it was prudeht, future. So we thought it was prudent, given that greensill is not regulated prudent, given that greensill is not regulated and didnt have central bank regulated and didnt have central bank access, that the Ccf Facility would bank access, that the Ccf Facility would be bank access, that the Ccf Facility would be a bank access, that the Ccf Facility would be a utility to those of our clients would be a utility to those of our clients eligible in their own right to be clients eligible in their own right to be able to access the Facility Ust to be able to access the facility just as to be able to access the facility just as the bank of england had allowed just as the bank of england had allowed back in the 2009, 2010 financial allowed back in the 2009, 2010 financial crisis. The allowed back in the 2009, 2010 financial crisis. Financial crisis. The factory are therefore financial crisis. The factory are therefore seeking financial crisis. The factory are therefore seeking that financial crisis. The factory are therefore seeking that funding because you are concerned about the future is i guess almost every business would have been that point, does suggest you had a need to go and raise that money to give you the comfort that you would write out whatever was ahead albeit that was uncertain in itself. Would that be a fair way of putting it . To uncertain in itself. Would that be a fair way of putting it . Fair way of putting it . To correct characterisation fair way of putting it . To correct characterisation as fair way of putting it . To correct characterisation as we fair way of putting it . To correct characterisation as we did fair way of putting it . To correct characterisation as we did not i fair way of putting it . To correct. Characterisation as we did not know what was characterisation as we did not know what was gone to happen next and we felt havihg what was gone to happen next and we felt having i what was gone to happen next and we felt having i Liquidity Insurance Policy felt having i Liquidity Insurance Policy which the ccf provided to marry policy which the ccf provided to many businesses in the country who are making many businesses in the country who are making Material Contribution to the country are making Material Contribution to the country was prudent for us as a business the country was prudent for us as a business to the country was prudent for us as a business to do, simply because Nobody Business to do, simply because nobody knew what was going to happen next. Gk nobody knew what was going to happen next. ,. , next. 0k. Then the lobbying really starts, doesnt next. 0k. Then the lobbying really starts, doesnt it . Next. 0k. Then the lobbying really starts, doesnt it . We next. 0k. Then the lobbying really starts, doesnt it . We have starts, doesnt it . We have obviously had the letters published today and you had access to those on a confidential basis a little while ago. You had time to digest. Pretty intensive lobbying, particularly from David Cameron. Can you explain to the committee what conversations you would have had with Mr Cameron around that lobbying in terms of why the funding was necessary, particularly on your point about what it was necessary, you had an uncertain future and needed to get some arrangements in place to cope with that and potential commercial threat that posed . Would you have discussed that with him . Mr; discussed that with him . My discussion discussed that with him . My discussion with Mr Cameron centred on the discussion with Mr Cameron centred on the facility that had been in place on the facility that had been in place during the financial crisis, how that place during the financial crisis, how that facility works, and the mooted how that facility works, and the mooted Ccff Facility as you would have noted in the letter the governor of the bank of england wrote governor of the bank of england wrote to governor of the bank of england wrote to you that had actually been comments wrote to you that had actually been comments from officers of the bank of england comments from officers of the bank of england concerning the potential need for of england concerning the potential need for Supply Chain Finance Support Need for Supply Chain Finance support from the central bank. So we talked support from the central bank. So we talked about that. And we talked about talked about that. And we talked about the fact that there was genuinely uncertainty about what was happening in the Capital Markets and i happening in the Capital Markets and i guess happening in the Capital Markets and i guess whilst the passing of time we have i guess whilst the passing of time we have perhaps faded into the mists of history. We have perhaps faded into the mists of history, but if you remember at the time of history, but if you remember at the time it of history, but if you remember at the time it was an extraordinary time the time it was an extraordinary time when the time it was an extraordinary time when liquidity was in very, very time when liquidity was in very, very short time when liquidity was in very, very short supply. And so we were talking very short supply. And so we were talking about what impact that could have on talking about what impact that could have on our supply chains. There was also cohcerh have on our supply chains. There was also concern to customers recognising that we were financing millions recognising that we were financing millions of businesses and customers in over millions of businesses and customers in over 150 millions of businesses and customers in over 150 countries around the world in over 150 countries around the world. ~. ,. ,. ,. , world. Would it be fair to say that the reason world. Would it be fair to say that the reason giving world. Would it be fair to say that the reason giving during world. Would it be fair to say that the reason giving during the the reason giving during the lobbying as far as we know it for these approaches to the treasury of these approaches to the treasury of the bank of england, and so on was that you were going to be helpful as Business Minister Support smes and getting Liquidity And Finance out there, ratherthan getting Liquidity And Finance out there, rather than any mention of there, rather than any mention of the fact that, as i think we have now established between us, that part of the reason you are raising this money was to show that against the potential problem in the future due to the pandemic and perhaps other factors . Due to the pandemic and perhaps otherfactors . L due to the pandemic and perhaps other factors . Due to the pandemic and perhaps other factors . I think they are the same thing. Other factors . I think they are the same thing. Mr other factors . I think they are the same thing, mr chairman. Other factors . I think they are the same thing, mr chairman. I other factors . I think they are the same thing, mr chairman. I think| same thing, mr chairman. I think whatever same thing, mr chairman. I think whatever business was was to deliver lowcost, whatever business was was to deliver low cost, real time liquidity to small low cost, real time liquidity to small businesses, not only in britain, small businesses, not only in britain, but around the world. And that relied britain, but around the world. And that relied on proper functioning capital that relied on proper functioning Capital Markets. And they were not functioning Capital Markets. And they were not functioning property in march and april. Functioning property in march and april, 2020. Functioning property in march and april. 2020. April, 2020. Thats a great story and it may april, 2020. Thats a great story and it may be april, 2020. Thats a great story and it may be a april, 2020. Thats a great story and it may be a perfectly april, 2020. Thats a great story i and it may be a perfectly legitimate valid story. For the treasury to motivate them to do as you are trying to have them do, but, it is not one of the big motivations here, which you and David Cameron both appreciated, because you would discuss these things and discussed it with us on this committee, that actually part of this push was to get cash into business, because there would have been clear concern about the future of the business at that point, given what was happening in the Capital Markets, as a consequence of the pandemic and other factors. Consequence of the pandemic and otherfactors. L consequence of the pandemic and other factors other factors. I think its important other factors. I think its important to other factors. I think its important to make other factors. I think its important to make something other factors. I think its important to make something very clear. Important to make something very clear. That important to make something very clear, that greensill itself and as the chancellor put in his letter he wrote the chancellor put in his letter he wrote to the chancellor put in his letter he wrote to you and governor of the bank wrote to you and governor of the bank of wrote to you and governor of the bank of england, that greensill at no Point Bank of england, that greensill at no Point Salt Funding for itself. The model required, did it not, to sustain itself, it did need to have funding, the Model Need to keep going and having the funding going would have kept the model going and its the fact is you see the insurance. Model working on the whole thing fell apart. Ester insurance. Model working on the whole thing fell apart. Whole thing fell apart. Ever clients needed that whole thing fell apart. Ever clients needed that continued whole thing fell apart. Ever clients needed that continued liquidity whole thing fell apart. Ever clients needed that continued liquidity as | needed that continued liquidity as has always been the case and will always has always been the case and will always be has always been the case and will always be the case into the future. Because always be the case into the future. Because these are real businesses in the real because these are real businesses in the real economy that are buying goods the real economy that are buying goods on the real economy that are buying goods on a the real economy that are buying goods on a daily basis. Gk. The real economy that are buying goods on a daily basis. Goods on a daily basis. 0k. All riuht. Goods on a daily basis. 0k. All right thank goods on a daily basis. 0k. All right. Thank you, goods on a daily basis. 0k. All right. Thank you, lex, goods on a daily basis. 0k. All right. Thank you, lex, for goods on a daily basis. 0k. All| right. Thank you, lex, for that. Goods on a daily basis. 0k. All right. Thank you, lex, for that. Im going to go to felicity, please. Good afternoon. I want to follow up on a few good afternoon. I want to follow up on a few points good afternoon. I want to follow up on a few points you good afternoon. I want to follow up on a few points you have good afternoon. I want to follow up on a few points you have raised good afternoon. I want to follow up| on a few points you have raised with regard on a few points you have raised with regard to on a few points you have raised with regard to your on a few points you have raised with regard to your business on a few points you have raised with regard to your Business Model. On a few points you have raised with regard to your Business Model. You| regard to your Business Model. You have talked regard to your Business Model. You have talked about regard to your Business Model. You have talked about the regard to your Business Model. You have talked about the importance i regard to your Business Model. You| have talked about the importance of the credit have talked about the importance of the Credit Insurance have talked about the importance of the Credit Insurance and have talked about the importance of the Credit Insurance and that have talked about the importance of the Credit Insurance and that is the Credit Insurance and that is clear the Credit Insurance and that is clear i the Credit Insurance and that is clear. I understand the Credit Insurance and that is clear. I understand that the Credit Insurance and that is clear. I understand that your. Clear. I understand that your insurers clear. I understand that your insurers actually clear. I understand that your insurers actually gave clear. I understand that your insurers actually gave you i clear. I understand that your insurers actually gave you notice on September Insurers actually gave you notice on september the insurers actually gave you notice on September The 1st insurers actually gave you notice on September The 1st to insurers actually gave you notice on September The 1st to take insurers actually gave you notice on September The 1st to take effect insurers actually gave you notice on September The 1st to take effect on| September The 1st to take effect on the lst September The 1st to take effect on the lst of September The 1st to take effect on the 1st of march. September the 1st to take effect on the 1st of march. If September The 1st to take effect on the 1st of march. If our September The 1st to take effect on the 1st of march. If our in september the ist to take effect on the 1st of march. If our in your the 1st of march. If our in your shoes. The 1st of march. If our in your shoes, knowing the 1st of march. If our in your shoes, knowing the the 1st of march. If our in your. Shoes, knowing the importance the 1st of march. If our in your shoes, knowing the importance of credit shoes, knowing the importance of Credit Insurance shoes, knowing the importance of Credit Insurance to shoes, knowing the importance of Credit Insurance to your shoes, knowing the importance of Credit Insurance to your business, | shoes, knowing the importance ofl Credit Insurance to your business, i would Credit Insurance to your business, i would have Credit Insurance to your business, i would have been Credit Insurance to your business, i would have been doing Credit Insurance to your business, i would have been doing absolutelyl would have been doing absolutely everything would have been doing absolutely everything from would have been doing absolutely everything from september would have been doing absolutely. Everything from september onwards, either everything from september onwards, either to everything from september onwards, either to have everything from september onwards, either to have your everything from september onwards, either to have your existing everything from september onwards, either to have your existing credit either to have your existing Credit Insurer either to have your existing Credit Insurer take either to have your existing Credit Insurertake sign either to have your existing Credit Insurer take sign up either to have your existing Credit Insurer take sign up again, either to have your existing Credit Insurer take sign up again, or either to have your existing Creditj Insurer take sign up again, or find a Replacement Insurer take sign up again, or find a replacement because insurer take sign up again, or find a replacement because this insurer take sign up again, or find a replacement because this is insurer take sign up again, or find a replacement because this is the| a replacement because this is the critical a replacement because this is the critical cargo a replacement because this is the critical cargo in a replacement because this is the critical cargo in the a replacement because this is the critical cargo in the credit a replacement because this is the critical cargo in the Credit Suissel critical cargo in the Credit Suisse asset critical cargo in the Credit Suisse Asset Management critical cargo in the Credit Suisse Asset Management fund. Critical cargo in the Credit Suisse Asset Management fund. Did critical cargo in the Credit Suissel Asset Management fund. Did you critical cargo in the Credit Suisse Asset Management fund. Did you do that . Asset management fund. Did you do that . Bite Asset Management fund. Did you do that . , y Asset Management fund. Did you do that . Y that . We absolutely were confident in the fact that that . We absolutely were confident in the fact that our that . We absolutely were confident in the fact that our insurances in the fact that our insurances would in the fact that our insurances would be in the fact that our insurances would be renewed. We did business with 28 would be renewed. We did business with 28 insurers through brokers, the largest insurers brokers in the world. The largest insurers brokers in the world. Who the largest insurers brokers in the world, who manage those relationships for us. And we worked intensively. Relationships for us. And we worked intensively, not only with tokyo but all other intensively, not only with tokyo but all other insurers to make sure we had the all other insurers to make sure we had the capacity to support our business had the capacity to support our business. Its a matter of fact that we had business. Its a matter of fact that we had been business. Its a matter of fact that we had been working every week since that letter we had been working every week since that letter arrived to finalise tokyo that letter arrived to finalise Tokyo Marine and one was drafted between Tokyo Marine and one was drafted between us in an agreed form before The End between us in an agreed form before The End of between us in an agreed form before The End of the year. And so the view that we The End of the year. And so the view that we had The End of the year. And so the view that we had was that we would either renew that we had was that we would either renew tokio that we had was that we would either renew tokio marine or we would renew with others. Renew tokio marine or we would renew with others, recognising the number of other with others, recognising the number of other insurers we work with. Its important of other insurers we work with. Its important also if i can remind the committee, that for the Credit Insurance committee, that for the Credit Insurance market, covid was an extraordinarily frightening time. When extraordinarily frightening time. When there was an expectation of very. When there was an expectation of very. Very when there was an expectation of very, very significant losses. Indeed. Very, very significant losses. Indeed, any governments including the british indeed, any governments including the british Government And Oz support the british Government And Oz support arrangements for Credit Insurers support arrangements for Credit Insurers to try to help them encourage them to provide capacity to the encourage them to provide capacity to the market. Actually, tokio marine was not the only insurer actually, tokio marine was not the only insurer to indicate that they would only insurer to indicate that they would not only insurer to indicate that they would not renew, but in fact the others would not renew, but in fact the others it would not renew, but in fact the others it did renew, driven largely by concerns others it did renew, driven largely by concerns about regulation and if i may. By concerns about regulation and if i may. It by concerns about regulation and if i may, it strikes me that one of the key regulatory shortcomings shown by the failure key regulatory shortcomings shown by the failure of my firm, and to be clear the failure of my firm, and to be clear i the failure of my firm, and to be clear i take the failure of my firm, and to be clear i take responsibility for the failure. Clear i take responsibility for the failure, but one of the weekly learnings failure, but one of the weekly learnings is that the Regulation Structure learnings is that the Regulation Structure works on a counter circular structure works on a counter circular manner. Key learnings. When circular manner. Key learnings. When the circular manner. Key learnings. When the probability of default is increased, in order for the solvency requirements of the insurer to be met. Requirements of the insurer to be met. They requirements of the insurer to be met, they must provide more capital, because met, they must provide more capital, because the met, they must provide more capital, because the probability of default of the because the probability of default of the businesses they have ensured. Oes of the businesses they have ensured goes up of the businesses they have ensured goes up in of the businesses they have ensured goes up in a of the businesses they have ensured goes up in a crisis. That is what happened goes up in a crisis. That is what happened during covid, so what happened during covid, so what happened was that many insurers needed happened was that many insurers needed either more capital to provide needed either more capital to provide the same amount of cover or they needed to cut cover in order to fit within they needed to cut cover in order to fit within the permitted amount of Capital Fit within the permitted amount of capital they had. Lex fit within the permitted amount of capital they had. Capital they had. Lex greensill their giving capital they had. Lex greensill their giving Evidence Capital they had. Lex greensill their giving evidence at capital they had. Lex greensill their giving evidence at the I Capital they had. Lex Greensill L their giving evidence at the start of a treasury select committee into the lobbying scandal. A number of texts and E Mails have been released from a David Cameron, Rishi Sunak and Michael Gove for assistance in terms of getting government funding support. Lex greensill talking about the problem with getting insurance and that was ultimately what hit them over the edge financially. That committee is continuing to take evidence, we will go back to that but i first want to take you to one of our other major stories today. A coroner has delivered the findings of a major inquest into the deaths of ten people during the conflict in Northern Ireland. The killings happened in West Belfast over three days in 1971. The coroner has described those killed as All Innocents and Attibuted Nine of the ten shootings to the British Army, saying the use of lethal force by soldiers was notjustified. Lets go live now to ballymurphy where the families of those killed are holding a news conference. John teggart, his son is a speaking. We are back in at ballymurphy where these murders happened 50 years ago in August 1971. The army descended into these streets and community and literally ran amok. This very hole that became a refuge, safe haven, for those fleeing their homes. The same street that two were shot. We welcome the historic verdict today. Justice keegan declared all the unjustified force was used in the killing of our Loved Ones and entirely innocent. After 50 years, their innocence is put beyond doubt. I want to take a moment to remember them and remind us what todays verdict means. Joan connolly, innocent. John laverty, innocent. John mckerr, innocent. Joseph murphy, innocent. Noel phillips, innocent. My father, innocent. We had to sit through 100 days of evidence. Each day we lived a horror of what happened to our Loved Ones in august 1921. It was not easy. In fact, it was awful. But what gave us the strength to get through was there every day of evidence was another blow for the mod. We remain determined and is the truth was finally recognised by the court and the lies by the british government were laid bare for the world to see. It has taken us 50 years to get to this point. We are families from ballymurphy, but we have held the british government and the minister of defence to account today. The truth is more powerful than any government. We hope to date will give strength to all the other families who like ourselves are looking for Truth And Justice for their Loved Ones. It can be Done, do not give up. You will succeed. Today is all about correcting history. We welcome the immediate presence here today. Many of you have supported us and helped us to have our voices heard. The media let us down in 1971. They accepted the Armys Version of events. And published terrible lies about our innocent family members. You, the media, have an important part to play today in correcting what was wrong, as i know you will. 50 years ago, the lies and cover ups started. They fed the immediately lie that our Loved Ones were gunmen and ira hard core. These lies today, withjustice keegans verdict, these lies and today we justice keegans verdict. This is what the headline said, in the early morning, two gunmen die and we have wiped out our claim. This is what the army claimed, we have corrected history today. What they should have read, in the early morning. That is what the army should have been claiming at the time and that is what should have been printed in the papers. The inquest confirmed that the soldiers who came were supposed to protect us, but they turned their guns on us. This is a momentous step forward, but it is not The End of ourjourney. Questions still remain unanswered. Why were ourfamily questions still remain unanswered. Why were our family members murdered . We heard the most senior power on the ground that they state that all the residents in ballymurphy. What is the reason for our Loved Ones to be murdered . Because they lived in ballymurphy . What were the orders it to the soldiers . We heard a paramedic who attended the injured hay road, the order on the day was shoot to kill. Here road. Did they have orders to do what they did . The british government now wants to deny us the chance for Justice Government now wants to deny us the Chance Forjustice by introducing an amnesty for these murders. I want to speak directly to the people of britain at this moment. Can you imagine what would happen if the soldiers murdered ten unarmed civilians on the streets of london, Liverpool Or Birmingham . What would you expect . An investigation . Would you expect . An investigation . Would you expect . An investigation . Would you expectjustice . Would you be happy for them to get an amnesty . I do not think so. The mod Spin Doctorsjust do not think so. The mod spin doctors just like do not think so. The mod Spin Doctorsjust like they do not think so. The mod spin doctors just like they said 50 years ago are circulating the lies. Saying the investigation is unfair, prosecutions was that the police has never to this day investigated the deaths of our Loved Ones. No one should be above the law. We will not accept an amnesty for these murders. Amnesty killie amnesties for people who are afraid of the truth. Amnesties are for people. They chose to ignore internationally this agreement is made up by their own laws and they make their own laws when it suits them. Every victim should have the right to pursue justice. One name i did not reader out earlier was paddy. The 11th victim, he was beaten, brutalised, sojust victim, he was beaten, brutalised, so just pretended they were going to kill him. This was too much for Port Paddy and he suffered a Heart Attack and died. Poor paddy. , thoughts are with his family and i want to say we will never give up in the pursuit of truth for paddy. Our thoughts are also with those who died on the long, difficultjourney. The many members who died prematurely as a result of losing a Loved One, the witness who spoke truth to power and Headaches Courage to make payments and the campaigners. Had the courage. The campaigners. Had the courage. The campaigners who stood on the shoulder in solidarity. May they rest in peace. What is next for our campaign . Today the verdicts will take us through a new process. The Ballymurphy Massacre families, against all odds, over the past 50 years, we are determined that we now focus. Now the focus should firmly be on those who caused the death of our Loved Ones and the innocence of our Loved Ones and the innocence of our Loved Ones and the innocence of our Loved Ones. The inquest were harrowing. We had horrific evidence about our Loved Ones. No one should hear that. We need to have time to process, recover, recoup in the weeks ahead and only then will we consider what our next steps are. I wanted to thank the coroner and our staff for all their hard work throughout the inquest. I also want to thank about legal teams for their dedication. We will never forget how you continually went above and beyond to help our pursuit for truth. The most important thing for us today, our Loved Ones are declared innocent, they were unjustifiably murdered 50 years ago. Thanks very much. I would like to call patsy, who is speaking on behalf of the mullan family. I am behalf of the mullan family. I am the Brother Behalf of the mullan family. I am the brother of behalf of the mullan family. I am the brother of Hugh Behalf of the mullan family. I am the brother of hugh mullan, it was a disaster the brother of hugh mullan, it was a disaster for the brother of hugh mullan, it was a disaster for my family and brother, tying disaster for my family and brother, tying the disaster for my family and brother, tying the way he did and the tragic events tying the way he did and the tragic events that unfolded around him and the people events that unfolded around him and the people of ballymurphy. I see carried the people of ballymurphy. I see carried out his priestly vocation, he immediately attended a wounded man he he immediately attended a wounded man he was calling to help. My Brother Man he was calling to help. My brother was a man whose life was dedicated brother was a man whose life was dedicated to helping the community in which dedicated to helping the community in which he served. I am sorry that my parents in which he served. I am sorry that my parents and sister are not alive to hear my parents and sister are not alive to hear this my parents and sister are not alive to hear this result today, that their to hear this result today, that their son to hear this result today, that their son and our brother was killed by the their son and our brother was killed by the British Army and then they lied about by the British Army and then they lied about it to cover up their injustice lied about it to cover up their injustice. After 50 years, the truth we always injustice. After 50 years, the truth we always knew it was finally being told. Moving on from todays findings. Told. Moving on from todays findings, i know my brother would wish for findings, i know my brother would wish for continued Peace And Prosperity in ballymurphy, northern Lreland Prosperity in ballymurphy, Northern Ireland. Ballymurphy is a place which ireland. Ballymurphy is a place which will always have a special place which will always have a special place in which will always have a special place in our hearts. Thank you. | place in our hearts. Thank you. Would like place in our hearts. Thank you. I would like to introduce the brother of francis quinn. Of francis quinn. Today is a great da for of francis quinn. Today is a great day for our of francis quinn. Today is a great day for our families, of francis quinn. Today is a great day for our families, but of francis quinn. Today is a great day for our families, but it of francis quinn. Today is a great day for our families, but it is of francis quinn. Today is a great day for our families, but it is also a bittersweet day. Today, personally, i think of my dear brother personally, i think of my dear brother whose life was taken by british brother whose life was taken by british paratroopers. He gave his life helping others and is one of our witnesses said, he was very brave our witnesses said, he was very brave i our witnesses said, he was very brave. I think today of his wife, who brave. I think today of his wife, who had brave. I think today of his wife, who had to brave. I think today of his wife, who had to raise their two daughters alone who had to raise their two daughters alone i who had to raise their two daughters alone i also who had to raise their two daughters alone. I also think of my brothers and sisters alone. I also think of my brothers and sisters who still cannot get over and sisters who still cannot get over the and sisters who still cannot get over the loss of our brother. But mostly over the loss of our brother. But mostly today, i think of my dear mother and father. Their hearts were broken mother and father. Their hearts were broken it mother and father. Their hearts were broken it is mother and father. Their hearts were broken. It is hard to believe it is nearly broken. It is hard to believe it is nearly 50 broken. It is hard to believe it is nearly 50 years that it has taken our families to get some sort of truth our families to get some sort of truth about the death of our loved Ones Truth about the death of our Loved Ones it truth about the death of our Loved Ones it is truth about the death of our Loved Ones. It is hard to believe that our families ones. It is hard to believe that our families have had to do it ourselves. There is no police investigation. We had to find most of the investigation. We had to find most of the information ourselves. We had to campaign everywhere. Were turned down by to campaign everywhere. Were turned down by successive british governments who clearly tried to block governments who clearly tried to block as governments who clearly tried to block as at every stage of getting the truth. Block as at every stage of getting the truth, but they failed. My brother the truth, but they failed. My brother frank, and all the ballymurphy Loved Ones, were murdered by british paratroopers who came to murdered by british paratroopers who came to the greater Ballymurphy Area between came to the greater Ballymurphy Area between the ninth and 11th of August 1971 and between the ninth and 11th of August 1971 and terrorised and brutalised a small 1971 and terrorised and brutalised a small community and murdered all our Loved Ones small community and murdered all our Loved Ones and we did many more, then walks Loved Ones and we did many more, then walks away because they had immunity then walks away because they had immunity. They had a licence to kill on the immunity. They had a licence to kill on the orders came from the top. The generals on the orders came from the top. The generals who on the orders came from the top. The generals who fed the immediate that the innocent work on men and gun women. The innocent work on men and gun women, shame on them. Shame on them. Finally. Women, shame on them. Shame on them. Finally. Frank. Women, shame on them. Shame on them. Finally, frank, we neverforgot women, shame on them. Shame on them. Finally, frank, we never forgot you. We never finally, frank, we never forgot you. We never left you behind. We miss you always we never left you behind. We miss you always and we love you. I will call. My brother was only 19 ears i will call. My brother was only 19 years of i will call. My brother was only 19 years of age i will call. My brother was only 19 years of age when i will call. My brother was only 19 years of age when he i will call. My brother was only 19 years of age when he was i will call. My brother was only 19 years of age when he was murdered by british 19 years of age when he was murdered by british paratroopers on the 9th Of August by british paratroopers on the 9th of August 1971 after the introduction. He was in turmoil and being introduction. He was in turmoil and being a introduction. He was in turmoil and being a youth and being inquisitive he went being a youth and being inquisitive he went to being a youth and being inquisitive he went to see whats going on. He was standing opposite the memorial hall when the paratrooper opened fire. Hall when the paratrooper opened fire he hall when the paratrooper opened fire. He ran in to take cover and was fire. He ran in to take cover and was struck fire. He ran in to take cover and was struck across his backside with a bullet was struck across his backside with a bullet he was struck across his backside with a bullet. He fell to the ground. He was left a bullet. He fell to the ground. He was left lying there, calling for help was left lying there, calling for help. Within 20 minutes of being shot. Help. Within 20 minutes of being shot. He help. Within 20 minutes of being shot, he was picked up by the british shot, he was picked up by the British Army and instead of being brought British Army and instead of being brought to the royal victoria hospital, he was brought to the memorial hall. When we received our pace papers, it was discovered that he had pace papers, it was discovered that he had been shot behind each ear and a nine he had been shot behind each ear and a nine millimetres bullet was recovered from his body. According to our recovered from his body. According to our witnesses, when the army came into the to our witnesses, when the army came into the field to our witnesses, when the army came into the field to pick up the bodies. Into the field to pick up the bodies, two soldiers, one armed with a rifle bodies, two soldiers, one armed with a rifle and bodies, two soldiers, one armed with a rifle and the other a pistol, noel was heard a rifle and the other a pistol, noel was heard moaning. The two soldiers went across was heard moaning. The two soldiers went across and carried noel event to an went across and carried noel event to an armoured vehicle. One was heard to an armoured vehicle. One was heard to to an armoured vehicle. One was heard to say shut the. Up. My family heard to say shut the. Up. My family believe our noel was critically executed and it has taken 50 years critically executed and it has taken 50 years to critically executed and it has taken 50 years to prove this. His death has devastated our family and my mother has devastated our family and my mother never recovered. She died a broken mother never recovered. She died a broken woman. Thank you. | Rdrill Mother never recovered. She died a broken woman. Thank you. I will call the daughter broken woman. Thank you. I will call the daughter of broken woman. Thank you. I will call the daughter of joan broken woman. Thank you. I will call the Daughter Ofjoan connolly. The daughter of joan connolly. Hello, the Daughter Ofjoan connolly. Hello, everyone. Thank you for coming hello, everyone. Thank you for coming. My Mummy Wasjoan connolly and i coming. My Mummy Wasjoan connolly and i want coming. My Mummy Wasjoan connolly and i want to coming. My Mummy Wasjoan connolly and i want to Thank You coronet for conducting and i want to Thank You coronet for conducting the best inquest she could conducting the best inquest she could in conducting the best inquest she could in the circumstances. The coroner could in the circumstances. The coroner has could in the circumstances. The coroner has found my mummy was unlawfully coroner has found my mummy was unlawfully killed by the regiment in 1971. Todays sentence will not bring 1971. Todays sentence will not bring her 1971. Todays sentence will not bring her back or make up for everything that was taken from us, but they everything that was taken from us, but they have cleared her name and helped but they have cleared her name and helped us but they have cleared her name and helped us to overcome another hurdle for truth helped us to overcome another hurdle for Truth And Justice. It had been heartbreaking to sit in court and here heartbreaking to sit in court and here of heartbreaking to sit in court and here of the horrible Injuries Mummy suffered here of the horrible Injuries Mummy suffered and how the soldiers treated suffered and how the soldiers treated mummys bodies when they brought treated mummys bodies when they brought her into the barracks. But the worst brought her into the barracks. But the worst thing was to hear even with horrific gunshot wounds infected with horrific gunshot wounds infected by the soldiers, she could have lived infected by the soldiers, she could have lived. The British Army told a lie 50 have lived. The British Army told a lie 50 years have lived. The British Army told a lie 50 years ago, a lie that was retold lie 50 years ago, a lie that was retold time and time again. The british retold time and time again. The british government told a lie and brought british government told a lie and brought shame on themselves. My mother brought shame on themselves. My mother was no Gun Woman. The Coroners Mother was no Gun Woman. The coroners findings are clear, she was innocent. Her only crime was love~ was innocent. Her only crime was Love Love was innocent. Her only crime was love. Love for her family as she went love. Love for her family as she went out love. Love for her family as she went out to love. Love for her family as she went out to make sure we were all safe went out to make sure we were all safe love went out to make sure we were all safe. Love for a stranger who she tried safe. Love for a stranger who she tried to safe. Love for a stranger who she tried to help as he cried out in pain tried to help as he cried out in pain after tried to help as he cried out in pain. After being shot by the army, unlike pain. After being shot by the army, unlike mummy, the parachute regiment only has unlike mummy, the parachute regiment only has hate in our hearts when they only has hate in our hearts when they gunned down her and the others. They were they gunned down her and the others. They were not peacemakers or brave soldiers. They were not peacemakers or brave soldiers, they were nothing but cowards~ soldiers, they were nothing but cowards. They shot my mummy, an unarmed cowards. They shot my mummy, an unarmed mother of eight, from the safety unarmed mother of eight, from the safety of unarmed mother of eight, from the safety of their barix. They were cowards~ safety of their barix. They were cowards. They did not have the courage cowards. They did not have the courage to cowards. They did not have the courage to appear at the inquest and face up courage to appear at the inquest and face up to courage to appear at the inquest and face up to the crimes. From the Safety Face up to the crimes. From the safety of face up to the crimes. From the safety of their barracks. We deserve answers~ safety of their barracks. We deserve answers. Why did they shoot my mummy . Answers. Why did they shoot my mummy . Why did they leave her in a field to mummy . Why did they leave her in a field to die . Mummy . Why did they leave her in a field to die . What was their orders and who field to die . What was their orders and who gave them . Who helped them cover up and who gave them . Who helped them cover up their cowardly act . Who ordered cover up their cowardly act . Who ordered the lie is to be told . This is the ordered the lie is to be told . This is the same ordered the lie is to be told . This is the same regiment that murdered innocent is the same regiment that murdered innocent people in the streets of derry innocent people in the streets of derry a innocent people in the streets of derry a few months later. They are a Combat Derry a few months later. They are a combat force, not peacekeepers. They had blood combat force, not peacekeepers. They had blood on their hands. They came here to had blood on their hands. They came here to wreak havoc, killing and maiming here to wreak havoc, killing and maiming wherever they went and then it given maiming wherever they went and then it given medals. For their crimes. Their it given medals. For their crimes. Their regiment is a disgrace and should their regiment is a disgrace and should be their regiment is a disgrace and should be disbanded. My Mummys Murder should be disbanded. My Mummys Murder has should be disbanded. My Mummys Murder has never been investigated at the murder has never been investigated at the time. Three different soldiers at the time. Three different soldiers made statements to say they shot my soldiers made statements to say they shot my mummy. None of these shoulders shot my mummy. None of these shoulders involved have faced prosecution is. Soldiers involved prosecution is. Soldiers involved. They did not cooperate with the involved. They did not cooperate with the inquest and were supported by the with the inquest and were supported by the mod, who used every dirty trick in by the mod, who used every dirty trick in the by the mod, who used every dirty trick in the book to block this Process Trick in the book to block this process. Why . Why . So that they can. Et process. Why . Why . So that they can get a process. Why . Why . So that they can get a few process. Why . Why . So that they can get a few extra rates in britain . Shame get a few extra rates in britain . Shame on get a few extra rates in britain . Shame on you. No one should be above the Law Shame on you. No one should be above the law we shame on you. No one should be above the law. We will not accept your amnesty the law. We will not accept your amnesty for murderers. Every victim should amnesty for murderers. Every victim should have amnesty for murderers. Every victim should have a right to pursue their justice should have a right to pursue their justice we should have a right to pursue their justice. We will never give up. We will fight justice. We will never give up. We will fight on. Our children, our grandchildren will fight on. You will not grandchildren will fight on. You will not win. My father died a broken will not win. My father died a broken man because of what they did. He was broken man because of what they did. He was left broken man because of what they did. He was left with eight children to bring he was left with eight children to bring up he was left with eight children to bring up on his own. I would like to finish bring up on his own. I would like to finish by bring up on his own. I would like to finish by saying how proud i am of my sisters finish by saying how proud i am of my sisters and my brothers and the rest of my sisters and my brothers and the rest of my my sisters and my brothers and the rest of my family for fighting so hard rest of my family for fighting so hard to rest of my family for fighting so hard to clear my Mummys Name and reputation hard to clear my Mummys Name and reputation. She would be so proud of all of reputation. She would be so proud of all of us reputation. She would be so proud of all of us today and i would also like to all of us today and i would also like to thank everyone who supported us on like to thank everyone who supported us on our like to thank everyone who supported us on ourjourney. Thank you. Speaking us on ourjourney. Thank you. Speaking on behalf of the murphy family. I speaking on behalf of the murphy famil. ,. ,. ,. , family. I am the Daughter Ofjoseph murh. Family. I am the Daughter Ofjoseph Murphy the family. I am the Daughter Ofjoseph Murphy. The coroner family. I am the Daughter Ofjoseph Murphy. The coroner found family. I am the Daughter Ofjoseph Murphy. The coroner found today i family. I am the Daughter Ofjoseph i murphy. The coroner found today that my daddy murphy. The coroner found today that my daddy was an innocent man at. For 50 years. My daddy was an innocent man at. For 50 years. My my daddy was an innocent man at. For 50 years, my family have lived with the knowledge that my father was an innocent the knowledge that my father was an innocent civilian matter by paratroopers, but the official version paratroopers, but the official version of the events which took Place Version of the events which took place between the ninth and the 11th of August Place between the ninth and the 11th of August 1971 was that our Loved Ones of August 1971 was that our Loved Ones were of August 1971 was that our Loved Ones were gunman, a Gun Woman and even our ones were gunman, a Gun Woman and even our priest was a gunman. The inquest even our priest was a gunman. The inquest was even our priest was a gunman. The inquest was flawed. The official documents were not to the initial inguest. Documents were not to the initial inguest. So documents were not to the initial inquest, so its left to the families inquest, so its left to the families to find out the truth of what families to find out the truth of what happened to their Loved Ones. This was what happened to their Loved Ones. This was dOne By trying to gather as much this was dOne By trying to gather as much information as we could. We reguested much information as we could. We requested our inquest papers. When we received these inquest papers, all at we received these inquest papers, all at the we received these inquest papers, all at the information was not there all at the information was not there. There was missing documents. No forensic there. There was missing documents. No forensic report, no postmortem photographs. It took us years to gather photographs. It took us years to gather information, as much information as we could. My daddy was shot information as we could. My daddy was shot. Within 20 mitts of my daddy was shot. Within 20 mitts of my daddy being shot, he was picked up by the daddy being shot, he was picked up by the soldiers who shot him and instead by the soldiers who shot him and instead of by the soldiers who shot him and instead of being taken to the royal victoria instead of being taken to the royal victoria hospital, he was taken into the memorial hall. Within 20 minutes the memorial hall. Within 20 minutes. Along with other injured and dead minutes. Along with other injured and dead. My daddy lived for 13 days and dead. My daddy lived for 13 days. My and dead. My daddy lived for 13 days. My father was shot in the right days. My father was shot in the right thigh. He told my mummy that when right thigh. He told my mummy that when he right thigh. He told my mummy that when he was brought in to the hall, he was when he was brought in to the hall, he was beaten and shot again into his open he was beaten and shot again into his open wound. Nine days after being his open wound. Nine days after being shot, my father had to have his right being shot, my father had to have his right thigh. His right leg amputated, as gangrene had set in. He also amputated, as gangrene had set in. He also had amputated, as gangrene had set in. He also had to be put on Dialysis Treatment he also had to be put on Dialysis Treatment as his kidneys were failing treatment as his kidneys were failing due to the beating. Even though failing due to the beating. Even though he had spent 13 days in hospital. Though he had spent 13 days in hospital, my family were told. There hospital, my family were told. There was hospital, my family were told. There was no postmortem photographs. Over the there was no postmortem photographs. Over the years, as if postmortem fed rats can over the years, as if postmortem fed rats can be over the years, as if postmortem fed rats can be found, medical records. | rats can be found, medical records. I asked rats can be found, medical records. I asked if rats can be found, medical records. I asked if postmortem rats can be found, medical records. Iasked if postmortem records rats can be found, medical records. I asked if postmortem records can be found i asked if postmortem records can be found. There were two depositions found be found. There were two depositions found made be found. There were two depositions found made by two doctors from the royal found made by two doctors from the royal victoria hospital. These documents were not protected in the original documents were not protected in the original inquest. One of these depositions was from a doctor which stated depositions was from a doctor which stated that depositions was from a doctor which stated that after examining my father stated that after examining my father and after x rays were taken, but it father and after x rays were taken, but it was father and after x rays were taken, but it was lodged behind a bone that was not but it was lodged behind a bone that was not removed. The original postmortem did not find that bullet. This led postmortem did not find that bullet. This led to postmortem did not find that bullet. This led to my family having to request this led to my family having to request my Fathers Body in 2014. Within request my Fathers Body in 2014. Within an request my Fathers Body in 2014. Within an hour of my father being brought within an hour of my father being brought to within an hour of my father being brought to the mockery, but it was found. Brought to the mockery, but it was found. So brought to the mockery, but it was found, so this proved to my family that my found, so this proved to my family that my father was telling the truth all along that my father was telling the truth all along for top being brought to the all along for top being brought to the morgue. My father had no exit wound. To the morgue. My father had no exit wound. But to the morgue. My father had no exit wound, but when he got to the royal victoria wound, but when he got to the royal victoria hospital, the doctor who examined victoria hospital, the doctor who examined my father stated he had both an examined my father stated he had both an Entrance And Exit wound. Again. Both an Entrance And Exit wound. Again. This both an Entrance And Exit wound. Again, this backed up what my father told my again, this backed up what my father told my mummy. The last thing i want told my mummy. The last thing i want to mention. Told my mummy. The last thing i want to mention, my daddy also told my mummy to mention, my daddy also told my mummy that while in the Henry Taggart. Mummy that while in the Henry Taggart, one young soldier try to help taggart, one young soldier try to help he taggart, one young soldier try to help. He asked further medical attention, but he was hit by a rifle attention, but he was hit by a rifle. During the inquest, the son of a former rifle. During the inquest, the son of a former british paratrooper sent out a of a former british paratrooper sent out a deposition is dating his father out a deposition is dating his father was a soldier in the Henry Taggart father was a soldier in the Henry Taggart and that his father told him he had taggart and that his father told him he had tried to help one of the wounded he had tried to help one of the wounded. Deposition explaining. Id wounded. Deposition explaining. Ld like wounded. Deposition explaining. Ld like to wounded. Deposition explaining. Id like to thank this soldier and his Family Id like to thank this soldier and his family for this pair having the courage his family for this pair having the courage to his family for this pair having the courage to send a deposition. I would courage to send a deposition. I would also like to thank all of its civilian would also like to thank all of its civilian witnesses have lived through civilian witnesses have lived through this inquest, especially those through this inquest, especially those who have passed away and family those who have passed away and family members who have passed. Thank family members who have passed. Thank you family members who have passed. Thank you very much on behalf of the murphy Thank You very much on behalf of the murphy family. I call Alice Harper to speak on behalf of the family. My i call Alice Harper to speak on behalf of the family. My name is Alice Harper. Behalf of the family. My name is Alice Harper, Daughter Behalf of the family. My name is Alice Harper, daughter of behalf of the family. My name is Alice Harper, daughter of daniel| Alice Harper, daughter of daniel taggart~ teggart. Its so important to our family. Teggart. Its so important to our family. It teggart. Its so important to our family. It meant almost more than we could family. It meant almost more than we could put family. It meant almost more than we could put into words. We always knew our daddy could put into words. We always knew our daddy was innocent, and now the world our daddy was innocent, and now the world can our daddy was innocent, and now the world can know and keep this on Record World can know and keep this on record. After a difficult 18 months