Those are the headlines. Now on Bbc News Tuesday In Parliament. Hello again, and welcome to Tuesday In Parliament, as an unlikely rebeljoins the Tory Revolt over cuts to overseas aid. I urge the government to stand by its word and stand by its Manifesto Commitment on international development funding. Tougher restrictions for some as covid cases rise. I want to encourage everyone in Manchester And Lancashire to get the tests on offer. We know this approach can work. Also in this programme mps try to find out how a civil servant can work for both the government and a bank. Well, my intention was to completely follow the rules in spirit and in form, i was transparent in all that idid. But first, an Emergency Debate over the governments cut to britains overseas aid budget. Its been cut by around £4 billion, despite a Law Setting out how much of the uks gross national Income Or Gni should be earmarked for aid. A Treasury Minister insisted the pandemic meant tough choices had to be made and the uk would still spend £10 billion on aid. But several senior conservatives, including theresa may, warned of the consequences of cutting the budget and called for it to be restored to the 0. 7 of national income promised in the partys manifesto. What the government is doing is unethical, possibly illegal and certainly breaks our promise and on the point of the level of expenditure in the £10 billion, its rather like buying a car and shaking hands on a deal at 15 grand only to do a runner while the poor man is counting the cash and realising that he was handed over ten grand. He claimed the political reasoning behind the cut was winning votes in the newly won conservative seats in former labour Red Wall areas. Everyone knows what this is about, this is not about the 1 Rounding Error in the treasury books, its about the Red Wall seats. The government thinks it is popular to stop british Aid Money going overseas. Labour said other countries were increasing or maintaining aid. During this global pandemic, unity during this global pandemic, unity is during this global pandemic, unity is more important than even we are the only G7 Nation to cut aid and are the third lowest donor, and this signals our retreat. So much for global britain. If we are to assert ourselves in the world stage, we must be a country that looks outwards, a country that builds relationships outside our borders to tackle the global challenges of the future. This government has a choice, continued down the path that will cost more lives, or listen to colleagues across parliament and into this Retreat Today by reinstating our commitment to 0. 7 as a matter of urgency. But a Treasury Minister said the tough choice was the right choice. We dont and we wont shy away from making the determined contribution to the worlds problems. But on the Tail End of a huge economic emergency, we also have a responsibility to the british people. We are absolutely clear about our intention to return to 0. 7 of our national income on overseas aid when the fiscal situation allows. But we cannot do so yet. We will keep the matter under careful and regular review. That wasnt good enough for Opposition Leaders and some mps on his own side. Mr speaker, the harsh reality is that this decision will cost lives. It will cost lives, minister. Brexit britain is rapidly exposing the future it offers, out of step and out of influence on the world stage. Because one thing is for sure, if the tory government digs its heels in and slashes the aid budget, theyre adding insult to injury to those dwindling few that still desperately cling onto the notion of global britain. This cut from 0. 7 will have a devastating impact on the poorest in the world and it will damage the uk. I urge the government to reinstate the 0. 7 . It is what it promised and it will show that we act according to our values. And it will save lives. But some conservative mps did speak up for the Governments Point of view. The unprecedented circumstances of the past 12 months have forced this government, as it would have of any complexion, to take some very difficult decisions. Circumstances are exceptional. Exceptional, because so much of our money, and i think probably a globally unprecedented package was put together to shore up our Health Service and shore up our businesses in the face of a global pandemic, so i think the government is right. The debate ended without a vote, and Downing Street said theres no plan to hold one that could reverse the cut. But thats unlikely to deter andrew mitchell, who said only four conservatives had backed the government. The house is not with the government on this and the government should hear that. And they should also hear the voices of loyal friends on these benches. We Wa Nt we want the government to get it right. And we are genuinely hugely, hugely concerned and we know the cuts will lead inevitably, and unavoidably, to Hundreds Of Thousands of avoidable deaths. Andrew mitchell. Now, the Health Secretary, matt hancock, has announced extra help, including military support, to halt the spread of covid in greater Manchester And Lancashire. The aim is to tackle the rise in the Delta Variant of the virus. Latest figures show that out of the top 20 hot spots in england, 17 are in the north west. We are providing a strengthened package of support, based on what is working in bolton, to help greater Manchester And Lancashire tackle the rise in the Delta Variant that we are seeing there. This includes rapid response teams, putting in extra testing, military support, and supervised in school testing. I want to encourage everyone in Manchester And Lancashire to get the tests on offer. We know that this approach can work. Although covid cases remain above the national average, across cleese, thankfully, hospitalisations and deaths remain low and locally, my constituents are getting vaccinated and tested. Can the Health Secretary please confirm that he will not reintroduce local restrictions . Well, im really glad to say that in bolton and other end of the country where we have sent an big packages of support, including search testing, as we have, we did see a camping out and the increasing without a local lockdown thanks to the enthusiasm of people locally and of course the Vaccination Programme and that is our goal. Our goal is a country, england moves together and that is what we are putting these programmes in place to do and we are seeing them work. February for all arrivals to undergo hotel quarantine, adding india to the red list, it has allowed more infectious Delta Variant, which one dose of the vaccine is less effective against, it has entered and become dominant in the uk. Is he not concerned that if he removes all social distancing completely in the near future, this variant will cause a covid 19 search among those who are not fully vaccinated . The opening up in the return of our freedoms is only possible because of the Uk Vaccination effort and in the six months to the day since we first vaccinated across these islands, guests and coventry, but also in scotland, wales and Northern Ireland, starting six months ago today. 68 Million vaccines across the whole uk, we have saved thousands of lives and the whole of the united kingdom has been set there On The Road to recovery thanks to the Uk Governments vaccination efforts. A new Central Store of Patient Information in england has been delayed for two months, following concerns about privacy and how easy it is for people to Opt Out. Patients had been given till the 23rd of this month to withdraw, with the system due to begin on the 1st of july. Now, the government says itll use the extra weeks to consult further. But it insists that a Patient Database is needed. Data saves lives. Its as simple as that. Weve seen that in the pandemic, its one of the lessons of the vaccine rollout. The gp Data Programme will strengthen this system and save lives. And patient data is, of course, owned by the patient. And we are absolutely determined to take people with us on this journey. We have therefore decided we will proceed with the important programme, but we will take some extra time, as we have conversed with stakeholders over the past couple of days. The implementation date will now be on the 1st Of September and we will use this time to talk to patients, doctors, Health Charities and others to strengthen the plan, build a trusted Research Environment and ensure that data is accessed securely. For gps and the nhs more broadly, using data effectively is an important way to restore our Health Services. However, the current plans to take this data from gps, assemble it in one place and sell it to unknown commercial interests, for purposes unknown, has no legitimacy whatsoever, no explanation, no public engagement, simply snuck out under the cover of darkness ill get there, minister, dont worry an nhs data grab. Now, the news of the delay is welcomed from the honourable lady. Im glad shes made that commitment. But will she commit, too, within that, that the 23rd Ofjune Opt Out date is now moved to the ist of september, and that there will be a full public consultation about whether people want their data used for these purposes . The Health Secretary himself confirmed that. Were going to delay the deadline on this programme, including the Opt Out, which is currently scheduled to end on the 23rd Ofjune. If i Opt Out of this data grab, will my Health Data be available to a hospital outside my home area, should i have an accident, for example . And if i dont Opt Out of it, how can i control how my data is shared, whether individually or in aggregate . Because i dont want to have to choose between privacy and my health. Well work through these issues. Because i think everybody agrees that data saves lives. We have to make progress in this area. Its very, very important. We have to do it in a way that brings people with us and resolves exactly the sorts of issues that she raises. Youre watching Tuesday In Parliament with me, david cornock. Dont forget that if you miss our daily round up of political life, thanks to newfangled technology, you can catch up via the bbc iplayer. Now, we know theres going to be an independent public inquiry into the pandemic. Borisjohnson has said it will start work next year. But with many of the key decisions outside england taken by devolved governments, there have been calls for more focused investigations calls in wales that were led by the leader of the Welsh Conservatives during first ministers questions at the senedd in cardiff bay. And i do regret the fact that there will not be, in your view, anyway, an independent public inquiry specific here in wales, commissioned by yourself as first minister. And some people might say thats running away from Scrutiny And Accountability from the decisions that you were taking as a government, because thats whats required in here, is the sunlight of a public inquiry into those decisions and, above all, to put the preparations in place for any future pandemic we might face, first minister. Its notjust my view that there should be a uk wide inquiry, it is the view of the conservative government of the united kingdom. So i think, in that case, if he feels strongly that a different decision should be made, then i think that he should be taking that up with the Prime Minister as well. Hes a member of that party, hes the leader of that party in the senedd. Mark drakeford. Back at westminster, the government has admitted there are problems with the armys new fleet of armoured vehicles, including excessive vibration and noise. A leaked Government Report has also raised doubts as to whether the £5. 5 Billion ajax armoured Vehicle Programme will be delivered on time and on budget. Called to the commons to answer an urgent question, a Defence Minister said the vehicles received so far were intended for training. And as with all such phases, issues have emerged with the vehicle that we need to resolve. We were very concerned by reports of Noise Issues in the vehicle. All personnel who may have been exposed to excessive noise have been tested and training was paused. It now continues with mitigations in place, as we pursue resolution. Weve also commissioned independent Vibration Trials from World Class specialists at millbrook Proving Ground which should conclude next month. I can assure the house that we will not accept a vehicle that falls short of our requirements. The Ministry Of Defence has signed a contract for 589 of the Ajax Vehicles. That was a statement of astonishing complacency. {3. 5 Billion paid out, four years late and just 14 vehicles delivered, light tanks that Cant Fire while moving and vehicle crews made so sick that the testing has been paused. And he turned his fire on the defence secretary, ben wallace. Hes been in post for two years now. Since then, The Black Hole in the Defence Budget has ballooned by £4 billion, to up to £17 billion. Ministers are failing British Forces and failing british taxpayers. We are not in any way complacent about our Nations Defence and security. That is why were investing another £24 billion in our defence and in our security. He stressed the Ajax Vehicles were still in a demonstration phase. I hope that we will be able to get a resolution on all these issues, but it is what were working with with general dynamics. It is a firm price contract, so £5. 5 Billion is the maximum that is payable, including vat. Currently, were atjust under £3. 2 billion spent. There is a heavy incentivisation on our suppliers to ensure they get this over the line. The world will become more unstable and more dangerous, and thats why ive argued for an increase in 3 of the Defence Budget, to meet the integrated review obligations. But it does make the job harder of convincing the treasury, parliament and, indeed, the taxpayer when we see so many errors, delays, Cost Overruns and redesigns. This multi billion Pound Ajax Failure sets a new low. The Uk Government has presided over a Procurement Project which would see soldiers i arriving late for operations in vehicles only capable | of a pedestrian 20 mph, with a human Endurance Range of no further than 30 miles, i and then unable to fight due i to sensory impairment and pain caused by these £3. 5 Billion Bone Shakersj its projects like this that give us the opportunity to support britishjobs in steel, in textiles and other types of heavy industry while protecting our troops and operations. There are companies around the uk that benefit from this. And we need to learn lessons from ajax, but we also need to recognise that there are so many great skills and so many fine companies across the uk that we need to ensure are properly embedded into the Land Industrial Strategy that well be publishing in due course. The Ajax Vehicle has been giving Soldiers Risk of tinnitus and swollen joints if they were driven at speeds above 20 mph. In addition, its unable to fire whilst moving. The Minister Hasjust described it as a first Class Piece of equipment. The men and women of our Army Ad better hope he never procures something he considers substandard on that basis. The idea that we have a vehicle that can go almost as fast as a Bicycle But Cant actually fire its weapon on the move, j but also posing such a risk to our troops, | is very worrying. Jeremy quin repeated that the ajax was still in a demonstration phase. Hes worried. I am also concerned that we have issues. I would much rather come to this place and said, all is well. 30th Ofjune 2020, were looking good. And the fact we have got tests on vibrations which will not be fully reported on into the end ofjuly speaks to all that one needs to know about that particular date. Weve been pushing and pushing. Its still possible we get a very easy answer. I fear it may take longer. But we will continue to work to resolve these issues. Now, at the weekend, the G7 Group of advanced economies reached what was said to be a historic deal to make multinational companies pay more tax. Finance ministers meeting in london agreed to battle Tax Avoidance by making companies pay more in the countries where they do business. But in the house of lords, there were concerns that online retailers such as amazon might not have to pay the new tax after all. The reforms agreed by the g7 countries include a global minimum tax of at least 15 and changes to profit allocation rules that mean large digital companies will pay more tax in countries, including the uk, where their customers are located. Whilst this is a very welcome starting point, does the minister agree with the Chancellors Assessment that this is a fair deal, given that the proposal now outlined clearly favours high income countries at the expense of lower income ones . I would disagree with him in his assessment of what has been agreed so far. I think it will benefit all countries, including lower income countries, but as he will also know, this is not the end of the process. And a key part of this process so far, and going forwards, has been the oecd inclusive framework, which means less economically developed countries have an equal voice in the final agreement to those who are more economically developed. Would the minister agree with me that the us hasl used its might and played a blinder . Countries like the uk will, of course, see Increases L in the Tax Revenues under. The new global corporate tax schemes, but the overwhelming winner is the us treasury. Could a better system | to benefit the uk and, indeed, many other countries, i including developing countries, have been devised . Well, my lords, im afraid im again going to have to disagree with the noble lady. I think the agreement that we have reached, although only at a g7 level, is hugely significant. A conservative former Cabinet Minister was concerned that some online retailers would find ways to avoid paying the tax. And could my noble Friend Deal with the point about amazon . She says she Cant Deal with particular individual taxpayers, but the whole point of this is to deal with amazon, which is destroying businesses, retail businesses, across the country because they have to pay rates. And as my noble Friend Lord Lee has pointed out, amazon would not be covered by this thing. So how can you enter into a deal without knowing the detail in advance . Well, my lords, as ive said, a lot of the detail is still to be worked out. This agreement is designed to address specific concerns about digital companies, or companies that dont have physical presences in the countries where they have activities. We are doing other work to address concerns around online retailers. And i mentioned the fundamental review of Business Rates that the government is currently undertaking. Lady penn. A former civil servant, bill crothers, has insisted there was no conflict when he joined the financial Firm Greensill Capital while still working part time for the Civil Service. He was speaking to a group of mps investigating how to manage staff moving between the public and private sectors. The former prime Minister David cameron lobbied for Government Business on behalf of greensill. The firm, which sold supply chain finance, collapsed in march. A former minister told the committee that the late Lord Heywood once the uks most Senior Civil Servant had been a keen supporter of the company. Cutting the running costs of government was my dayjob, and this was immensely demanding. Jeremy heywood, at some stage, i think before he became cabinet secretary, which was new year 2012, asked me to see Lex Greensill. He said, this is a very clever guy who is going to help you to save lots of money. What hes proposing is completely consistent with what youre trying to do. But he wasnt persuaded by supply chain finance, where Third Party firms pay suppliers on behalf of large businesses. I could not see how this was something that was going to be useful for us. I could not see howjeremy� s contention that this would save the government a lot of money stacked up because it is kind of rule 101 of finance that nobody can provide finance more cheaply than a aaa rated government, which is what we were. Its very difficult when somebodys no longer with us to account for themselves, but how somebody as astute as jeremy heywood. How do you account for his enthusiasm with these schemes when you yourself can see, very clearly, in the views that youve expressed to us, that they werent at all applicable or practical for government . Do you have anything to say on that . I just dont know. Jeremy had obviously known Lex Greensill from before, they had worked together previously, and. 0k. He saw something that i didnt. The collapse of greensill prompted close scrutiny of its affairs. Bill crothers worked as the governments chief Procurement Officer from 2012 to 2015, when he decided to pursue a portfolio of interests in the private sector. Mr crothers became an adviser to greensill while working as a civil servant. He said some of the reporting about the arrangement was not quite right. My intention was to completely follow the rules, in spirit and inform. I was transparent in all that i did and no conflict happened. He told mps hed sought advice from sue gray, who was then head of the Cabinet Office Propriety and ethics team. Sue gray told me that it would not be possible, it was not appropriate, to leave the Civil Service on one day and to immediately contract back as an adviser the next day. She said thatjust was not appropriate. However, she suggested that the same goal could be achieved whereby i became a part time civil servant and i could therefore, if you like, be an adviser to the Civil Service, but while still a civil servant, and i could then take on the Greensill Capital appointment. You know, in the press, the phrase Double Hatting has been used, and ijust feel thats not appropriate. This was a transitional arrangement. To be clear, when i took up the appointment with Greensill Capital, Greensill Capital had never done any work for the Public Sector and they did not do so for hmg for over another two years. Do you feel that mr greensills primary interest in you was your experience within the Civil Service and your ability to use the influence that youd acquired as a civil servant for the advantage of Greensill Capital . I didnt think so then, and i would like to think that. I would like to still think thats not the case. Bill crothers. And that was Tuesday In Parliament. Thank you for watching. I do hope you canjoin me at the same time tomorrow for wednesday in parliament, including Prime Ministers questions. Until then, from me, david cornock, bye for now. Hello there. For many of us, the temperatures are going to continue to build as we move through this week. Both by day and it is going to feel warmer and muggier at night as well, as we start to import some very warm and humid tropical Air Right across the uk. But further north and west, we will continue to be played by low pressure and some Weather Fronts, so thicker cloud with some patchy rain at times. So for today, weve got higher pressure to the south, low pressure out from the atlantic, pushing these Weather Fronts into the north and the west, which will bring Thicker Cloud At Times for scotland, Northern Ireland, Western Parts of england and wales. Anywhere here could see the odd spot of rain, and some of the rain could be quite heavy for a time across Northern Ireland and scotland. Turning a little bit lighter into the afternoon. Some brightness for the northeast of scotland, where it will be warm. But by far, central, southern and eastern england, which will see the sunniest of skies, will see the highest temperatures 25 or 26 degrees. But even further west, with the cloud, its going to feel warm and muggy. And as we head through wednesday night, tropical moist, humid air spreads right across the uk. So its going to be a pretty Muggy Night for all areas. Lows not falling below 1a to 16 degrees for many of us. Now, as we head on into thursday, weve still got low pressure to the northwest. More isobars on the chart, youll notice. So it is going to be a windier day for scotland, Northern Ireland, and its here where well have most of the rain. The Western Isles and the Northern Isles could be quite wet. Further south, more cloud around generally, even into england and wales. But again, the best of the sunshine will be towards the eastern side of england. A breezier day for all. Windierfurther north. Those are the mean wind speeds, gusts will be higher than that. And its going to be another warm and humid day but because theres a bit more cloud around, i think highs of 22 or 2a degrees. Now, on into friday, similar picture again, could see quite a bit a cloud around here and there. A little bit of drizzliness across the western hills, where it will be quite misty. Best of the sunshine to the east of high ground, and another warm and humid day to come, particularly for england and wales 25 or 26 degrees. Something a little bit fresher for a time across scotland, you will notice 15 to 18 or 19 degrees. But as this area of High Pressure builds back in for the weekend, it pushes the area of low pressure and these Weather Fronts back out into the atlantic. So it looks like things are going to turn more settled again for the weekend, with increasing amounts of sunshine, so temperatures will respond, and its going to turn very warm or even hot in places, as temperatures across central and Southern England could be close to 30 celsius. Hello and welcome to Bbc News. Im david eades. Our top stories new dangers for Western Forces in iraq drones carrying explosives. Weve a Special Report on the game changing new threat. A massive, smart, Global Sting the fbi masterminds the arrest of hundreds of alleged criminals after monitoring their communications. Exploring the hitherto unknown depths of the pacific. Well be talking to the divers about their daring mission. And we meet chinas new Social Media superstars, taking it all in their stride