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Votes and Proceedings
Tuesday 23February2021

Read the agenda for business in the House of Commons chamber, Westminster Hall and Commons Committees.

Find out more about the Votes and Proceedings

Contents

Chamber business

The House met at 11.30 am.

Prayers

1Questions to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care

2Youth Courts and Sentencing: Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)

Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to provide that persons charged with a criminal offence having been aged under 18 at the time of the alleged offence are subject to the jurisdiction of the youth court and to youth sentencing provisions; and for connected purposes;

That Rob Butler, Sir Robert Neill, Maria Eagle, Jeremy Wright, Edward Timpson, Andrew Selous, Crispin Blunt, Dan Jarvis, Sarah Champion, Danny Kruger and Sally-Ann Hart present the Bill.

Rob Butler accordingly presented the Bill.

Bill read the first time; to be read a second time tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 260).

3Opposition Day: Leader of the Opposition (17th allotted day (Standing Order No. 14))

(1) The Government’s management of the economy

Motion made and Question proposed, That this House believes that the last decade of UK economic policy weakened the foundations of this country's economy and society, leaving the UK particularly vulnerable when the coronavirus crisis hit; further believes that many Government choices and actions during the coronavirus pandemic have exacerbated the problems that pandemic has caused, leading to the UK suffering the worst economic crisis of any major economy; calls on the Government, as the UK emerges out of the pandemic, to address the deep inequalities and injustices in this country and take the UK forward to a stronger, more prosperous future through a new partnership between an active state and enterprising business; further calls on the Government to protect family finances by reversing the planned £20 cut in Universal Credit, reversing the key worker pay freeze and providing councils with the funding they need to prevent huge rises in council tax; and calls on the Government to introduce a new British Recovery Bond to allow people who have accumulated savings during the pandemic to have a proper stake in Britain’s future and to back a new generation of British entrepreneurs by providing start-up loans for 100,000 new businesses.—(Anneliese Dodds.)

The Speaker announced a time limit on backbench speeches (Standing Order No. 47(1)).

Question put.

The House divided.

Division No. 231

Ayes: 253 (Tellers: John Spellar, Bambos Charalambous)

Noes: 0 (Tellers: Matt Western, Jeff Smith)

Question accordingly agreed to.

Resolved, That this House believes that the last decade of UK economic policy weakened the foundations of this country's economy and society, leaving the UK particularly vulnerable when the coronavirus crisis hit; further believes that many Government choices and actions during the coronavirus pandemic have exacerbated the problems that pandemic has caused, leading to the UK suffering the worst economic crisis of any major economy; calls on the Government, as the UK emerges out of the pandemic, to address the deep inequalities and injustices in this country and take the UK forward to a stronger, more prosperous future through a new partnership between an active state and enterprising business; further calls on the Government to protect family finances by reversing the planned £20 cut in Universal Credit, reversing the key worker pay freeze and providing councils with the funding they need to prevent huge rises in council tax; and calls on the Government to introduce a new British Recovery Bond to allow people who have accumulated savings during the pandemic to have a proper stake in Britain’s future and to back a new generation of British entrepreneurs by providing start-up loans for 100,000 new businesses.

(2) Supporting businesses and individuals through the coronavirus crisis

Motion made and Question proposed, That this House calls on the Government to support businesses and individuals still struggling as a result of the coronavirus crisis in the forthcoming budget by extending business rates relief for at least another six months, extending the temporary 5 per cent reduced rate of VAT for three months after restrictions are lifted or for another six months, whichever is later, helping British businesses struggling under the burden of Government-guaranteed debt by ensuring that small businesses can defer paying loans back until they are growing again, extending and reforming the furlough scheme so that it lasts whilst restrictions are in place and demand is significantly reduced, immediately confirming that the fourth Self-Employment Income Support Scheme grant will be set at 80 per cent of pre-coronavirus crisis profits and extending eligibility to that scheme to include anyone with a 2019-20 tax return and fixing the gaps in coronavirus support schemes to support those who have been excluded from the beginning of the crisis; and further calls on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to make a monthly oral statement to Parliament updating the House on these matters.—(Bridget Phillipson.)

The Deputy Speaker announced a time limit on backbench speeches (Standing Order No. 47(1)).

Mr Nicholas Brown claimed to move the closure (Standing Order No. 36).

Question put, That the Question be now put.

Question agreed to and Question accordingly put.

The House divided.

Division No. 232

Ayes: 272 (Tellers: John Spellar, Matt Western)

Noes: 0 (Tellers: Bambos Charalambous, Jeff Smith)

Question accordingly agreed to.

Resolved, That this House calls on the Government to support businesses and individuals still struggling as a result of the coronavirus crisis in the forthcoming budget by extending business rates relief for at least another six months, extending the temporary 5 per cent reduced rate of VAT for three months after restrictions are lifted or for another six months, whichever is later, helping British businesses struggling under the burden of Government-guaranteed debt by ensuring that small businesses can defer paying loans back until they are growing again, extending and reforming the furlough scheme so that it lasts whilst restrictions are in place and demand is significantly reduced, immediately confirming that the fourth Self-Employment Income Support Scheme grant will be set at 80 per cent of pre-coronavirus crisis profits and extending eligibility to that scheme to include anyone with a 2019-20 tax return and fixing the gaps in coronavirus support schemes to support those who have been excluded from the beginning of the crisis; and further calls on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to make a monthly oral statement to Parliament updating the House on these matters.

4Statutory Instruments (Motions for approval)

(1) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the Customs Tariff (Establishment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1430), dated 15 December 2020, a copy of which was laid before this House on 16 December 2020, be approved.—(James Morris.)

Question agreed to.

(2) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the Taxation Cross-border Trade (Special Procedures Supplementary and General Provision etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (SI, 2020, No. 1439), dated 15 December 2020, a copy of which was laid before this House on 16 December 2020, be approved.—(James Morris.)

Question agreed to.

(3) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the Customs Tariff (Establishment and Suspension of Import Duty) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (SI, 2021, No. 63), dated 21 January 2021, a copy of which was laid before this House on 21 January, be approved.—(James Morris.)

Question agreed to.

5Adjournment

Subject: Death of PC Yvonne Fletcher (Bob Stewart)

Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(James Morris.) 

Adjourned at 7.32 pm until tomorrow.

Other Proceedings

General Committees: Reports

6Second Delegated Legislation Committee

Sir Christopher Chope (Chair) reported the draft Northamptonshire (Structural Changes) (Supplementary Provision and Amendment) Order 2021.

7Third Delegated Legislation Committee

Caroline Nokes (Chair) reported the draft Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 (Juxtaposed Controls) (Amendment) Order 2021.

Reports from Select Committees

8Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee

(1) The impact of coronavirus on businesses and workers: interim pre-Budget report: Second Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 1264);

(2) Net Zero and UN Climate Summits: Scrutiny of Preparations for COP26: interim report: Third Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 1265);

(3) Businesses and Brexit preparedness: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 1001);

(4) Competition and Markets Authority Supplementary Estimate 2020–21: Written evidence, to be published;

(5) Correspondence from the General Secretary of Unite relating to individual employment and collective trade union rights and freedoms: Written evidence, to be published;

(6) Correspondence from the Secretary of State and the Minister for Science, Research and Innovation relating to the Advanced Research and Invention Agency: Written evidence, to be published; 

(7) Correspondence from the Secretary of State relating to the publication of an Impact Assessment on the consultation on Subsidy Control: Written evidence, to be published;

(8) Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: Supplementary Estimate 2020–21: Written evidence, to be published;

(9) HM Land Registry: Supplementary Estimate 2020–21: Written evidence, to be published;

(10) Post-pandemic economic growth: Industrial Strategy: Written evidence, to be published (HC 674);

(11) UK Atomic Energy Authority Pension Schemes: Supplementary Estimate 2020–21: Written evidence, to be published

(Darren Jones).

9Defence Committee

China’s military ambitions: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1174) (Mr Tobias Ellwood).

10Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee

(1) Economics of music streaming: Oral and part of the written evidence, to be published (HC 868);

(2) Online harms and the ethics of data: Written evidence, to be published (HC 646);

(3) The work of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport: Written evidence, to be published (HC 157)

(Julian Knight).

11Education Committee

(1) Funding and financial management of schools: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1237);

(2) Department for Education Supplementary Estimate 2020–21: Written evidence, to be published;

(3) Home education: Written evidence, to be published (HC 839);

(4) Left behind white pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds: Written evidence, to be published (HC 279);

(5) Ofqual Supplementary Estimate 2020–21: Written evidence, to be published;

(6) Ofsted Supplementary Estimate 2020–21: Written evidence, to be published;

(7) Prison education: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1007);

(8) Teachers’ Pension Scheme Supplementary Estimate 2020–21: Written evidence, to be published; 

(9) The impact of COVID-19 on education and children’s services: Written evidence, to be published (HC 254)

(Robert Halfon).

12Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

(1) Covid-19 and food supply: follow up: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 1156);

(2) Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Supplementary Estimate Memorandum 202021: Written evidence, to be published;

(3) Seafood and meat exports to the EU: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1189)

(Neil Parish).

13Foreign Affairs Committee

(1) No prosperity without justice: The UK’s relationship with Iran: Government Response to the Committee's Fifth Report: Ninth Special Report, to be printed (HC 1253);

(2) Striking the balance: Protecting national security through foreign investment legislation: Government Response to the Committee's Sixth Report: Tenth Special Report, to be printed (HC 1263);

(3) The FCDO’s role in blocking foreign asset stripping in the UK: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 296);

(4) Correspondence with the Foreign Secretary relating to Sri Lanka: Written evidence, to be published; 

(5) FCDO Supplementary Estimate 2020–21: Written evidence, to be published; 

(6) Xinjiang detention camps: Written evidence, to be published (HC 800)

(Tom Tugendhat).

14Home Affairs Committee

(1) Home Office preparedness for COVID-19 (coronavirus): Part of the written evidence, to be published (HC 232);

(2) The Windrush Compensation Scheme: Part of the written evidence, to be published (HC 1013)

(Yvette Cooper).

15International Development Committee

(1) The philosophy and culture of aid: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1192);

(2) Future of UK aid: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1141);

(3) Sexual exploitation and abuse in the aid sector: next steps: Written evidence, to be published (HC 605)

(Sarah Champion).

16Justice Committee

(1) Court capacity: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 284);

(2) The future of legal aid: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 289);

(3) Correspondence with the Attorney General: Written evidence, to be published;

(4) Correspondence with the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice: Written evidence, to be published;

(5) Correspondence from the Minister of State for Justice: Written evidence, to be published;

(6) Correspondence from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice: Written evidence, to be published;

(7) Pre-appointment hearing: Chief Inspector of CPS Inspectorate: Written evidence, to be published (HC 955);

(8) The Coroner Service: Written evidence, to be published (HC 282)

(Sir Robert Neill).

17National Security Strategy (Joint Committee on)

National security machinery: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1122) (Margaret Beckett).

18Petitions Committee

(1) Record of the Committee’s decisions relating to e-petitions, to be published;

(2) List of closed e-petitions presented to the House, to be published

(Catherine McKinnell).

19Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

(1) Correspondence from Rt Hon the Lord Pickles relating to the Government's Business Appointments Rules: Written evidence, to be published; 

(2) Correspondence with the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care relating to the invitation to appear before the Committee: Written evidence, to be published;

(3) Correspondence with the Paymaster General relating to Ministerial and other Maternity Allowances Bill: Written evidence, to be published; 

(4) Data Transparency and Accountability: COVID-19: Written evidence, to be published (HC 803);

(5) The Cabinet Office Supplementary Estimate 2020–21: Written evidence, to be published;

(6) The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman Supplementary Estimate 2020–21: Written evidence, to be published

(Mr William Wragg).

20Science and Technology Committee

A new UK research funding agency: Written evidence, to be published (HC 778) (Greg Clark).

21Standards (Committee on)

Code of conduct: Written evidence, to be published (HC 671) (Chris Bryant).

22Transport Committee

(1) Coronavirus: implications for transport: Written evidence, to be published (HC 268);

(2) COVID-19 outbreak at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1181);

(3) Trains fit for the future?: Written evidence, to be published (HC 876)

(Huw Merriman).

23Women and Equalities Committee

(1) Gender Recognition Act inquiry: Written evidence, to be published (HC 884);

(2) Correspondence from the Equality and Human Rights Commission relating to the Committee’s recommendations in Unequal impact? Coronavirus, disability and access to services: Written evidence, to be published;

(3) Correspondence from Councillor Anntoinette Bramble, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Education, Young People and Children’s Social Care relating to Hackney’s Diverse Curriculum: Written evidence, to be published

(Caroline Nokes).

Lindsay Hoyle

Speaker

Papers Laid

Papers subject to Negative Resolution

1Employment

Employment Rights Act 1996 (Coronavirus, Calculation of a Week’s Pay) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (SI, 2021, No. 177), dated 22 February 2021 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng)

2Health Care and Associated Professions

Health and Care Professions Council (Coronavirus) (Amendment) (No. 2) Rules Order of Council 2021 (SI, 2021, No. 167), dated 19 February 2021 (by Statutory Instrument), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Matt Hancock)

3Health Care and Associated Professions

Health and Care Professions Council (Registration and Fees) (Amendment) Rules Order of Council 2021 (SI, 2021, No. 170), dated 19 February 2021 (by Statutory Instrument), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Matt Hancock)

4National Health Service

National Health Service (Charges for Drugs and Appliances) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (SI, 2021, No. 178), dated 22 February 2021 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Matt Hancock)

5Police

Police and Crime Commissioner Elections (Returning Officers’ Accounts) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (SI, 2021, No. 179), dated 22 February 2021 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Chloe Smith)

Other papers

6Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Minute, dated 23 February 2021, concerning the contingent liability arising from GuarantCo (by Command) (Secretary Dominic Raab)

7House of Commons Members' Fund

Account of the House of Commons Members' Fund for 2019–20, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act), to be printed (HC 1211) (Clerk of the House)

8Independent Expert Panel

Report by the Independent Expert Panel: The Conduct of Mr Ross Thomson (by Standing Order), to be printed (HC 1235) (Clerk of the House)

9Supply Estimates, 2020-21

Supplementary Estimate for the Parliamentary Works Sponsor Body for 2020–21, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act), to be printed (HC 1251) (The Speaker)

10Supply Estimates, 2021–22

Estimates for which a Vote on Account is required for the Parliamentary Works Sponsor Body for 2021–22, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act), to be printed (HC 1254) (The Speaker)

SPEAKER'S CERTIFICATES

Voting by proxy

1. New pandemic proxy voting arrangements

The Speaker has certified, under the terms of Standing Order No. 39A (Voting by proxy), as amended by the temporary Orders of 23 September 2020 (Proxy voting during the pandemic) and 3 November 2020 (Proxy voting during the pandemic (No. 2)) and extended by the Order of 22 October 2020, that the Members listed in the table below are eligible to have a proxy vote cast on their behalf by the nominated proxies listed in the table below, starting on the dates specified below and ending on Tuesday 30 March 2021, unless the arrangement is ended or the House otherwise orders. 

Member

From

Proxy

David Duguid

1 March

Stuart Andrew 

Matt Western

1 March

Mark Tami