Coming up the government heads off the threat of a defeat on the queens speech, by offering a concession on abortion rights for women in Northern Ireland. We will be funding her department with additionalfunding so that she can make a grant to the external organisations who will provide these services. The culture secretary says shes minded to refer foxs proposed takeover of sky to the competition watchdog. And is another parliamentary tradition about to disappear, as the speaker hints hes relaxing the dress code . The question of whether that member is wearing a tie is not absolutely front and centre stage. But first, the government has seen off a possible rebellion in the commons by announcing that it will Fund Abortions for women who travel from Northern Ireland to england. A Cross Party Group of mps was threatening to back an amendment to the queens speech put forward by the labour mp Stella Creasy. With a tiny majority in the commons the government bowed to the demand. A letter fr
In parliament, our look at the day at westminster. The headlines. The Northern Ireland secretary says hes still focused on a return to Power Sharing his Labour Shadow Calls for the Prime Minister to be at the forefront of negotiations. He could tell her to get more involved, get on a Plane To Belfast, i am sure Arlene Foster would not mind. Pressure from all sides of the House Of Commons for action on energy bills. There are 17 million families being ripped off. Ofgem proposals will deal with at most 3 million, a a0 million are still being preyed on by the big six. And have we told the big fish about brexit . Fish shoals cannot be maintained unilaterally. Our own fishermen often fish up to russia and down south to portugal. The Northern Ireland secretary, james brokenshire, has said he believes a deal between the parties in Northern Ireland remains achievable, but has warned that time is short. He said that long term funding decisions could not be put off much longer. Because of the sn
Monday in parliament. The main news from westminster. Winter pressures in the nhs. The Health Secretary calls for an honest discussion about a and e departments. We are going to protect our four hour standard. We need to be clear it is a promise to sort out all Urgent Health problems within four hours, not all health problems, however minor. Plans to stop Domestic Abusers from Questioning Ex Partners in Family Courts. As a result of the family Court Process this extremely vulnerable woman needed weeks of medication and months of counselling to recover. She has now suffered this ordeal three times. And peers rally to the defence of englands universities. Universities have changed the world because of what they are. Because they are different and they are distinctive. It was the first day back at westminster for mps after the christmas break. They returned to news that the National Health service has not, however, had much of a break. The Health Secretaryjeremy hunt told the commons that
Coming up in the next half hour the government sets out its brexit policy paper. The Transport Secretary says expanding heathrow will be good for britain post brexit. And, as mps debate alcohol harm, a former Minister Talks about growing up as the son of an alcoholic. I know what its like to feel that cold nausea when you find the empty bottles hidden around the house. But first, the government has published its 75 page brexit policy document, laying out what its objectives are in the forthcoming negotiations on extracting the uk from the european union. The principles were contained in the Prime Ministers keynote speech last month, so there were few surprises. The Secretary Of State, david davis, said it confirmed the Prime Ministers vision of an independent, truly global uk. The government recognised the need for clarity and certainty. The white paper also sets out we will take control of our own laws so they are made in london, edinburgh, cardiffand belfast, and ensure that we will
Wednesday in parliament, our look at the best of the day in the commons and the lords. On this programme, the bill that triggers the uks Eu Departure Process finally clears the commons and heads for the lords. The ayes to the right, 494. The noes to the left, 122. As a local authority abandons a Large Council tax rise to pay for social care, The Labour Leader presses theresa may on whether a deal was done. Is the same Sweetheart Deal on offer to every council facing the social care crisis created by her government . The last thing Social Care Providers need is another one of labours Bouncing Cheques and crisis, what crisis . A minister in the lords calms fears about those absent vegetables in the supermarkets. The only shortage will be of Iceberg Lettuce, which we think will be for about a few months and there is a wonderful variety called cos, which is even better. But first, the bill that authorises ministers to trigger article 50, the process by which the uk starts its departure fro