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Google faces grilling at public accounts committee - Politics live Google faces grilling at public accounts committee - Politics live
(35 minutes later)
9.47am GMT
09:47
The BBC’s Norman Smith has the letter from the government’s chief negotiator, Sir David Dalton, which is the clincher for Hunt’s statement later, where he is expected to impose a new contract on junior doctors.
Everyone’s first preference has always been for a negotiated outcome. Unfortunately this no longer seems possible.
I therefore advise the government to do whatever it deems necessary to end uncertainty for the service [the NHS] and to make sure that the new contract is in place which is as close as possible to the final position put forward to the BMA yesterday.
Govt chief negotiator David Dalton letter to Jeremy Hunt #juniordoctors pic.twitter.com/WwheF5fjwX
9.39am GMT
09:39
The government’s so-called snoopers’ charter needs “significant amendments and further work,” according to a joint parliamentary commitee.
The committee were particularly critical of the proposal that internet browsing records of all citizens be stored, which it called intrusive, and said the threat to privacy outweighed the value of the data to security services.
Scrutiny committee on snoopers charter say much stronger powers and independence needed for judicial oversight commissioners
Lord Murphy, who is chairing the committee looking at the Draft Investigatory Powers Bill, said more clarification is needed before Parliament can be assured the full implications of the bill have been thought through.
The committee has made 86 recommendations, including more safeguards for internet and phone data collection.
Earlier this week, the Intelligence and Security Committee also warned that the draft bill did not have sufficient civil liberties safeguards.
More on this later.
Updated
at 9.40am GMT
9.33am GMT
09:33
Here’s some background to Hunt’s statement later.
Related: Jeremy Hunt set to impose new contract on junior doctors
Junior doctors and other medics are already expressing fury at the news that the contract may be imposed.
I'll be calling my lawyer https://t.co/anKn0FKh7U
Sad to hear #jyniordoctors contract will be imposed. Hope this won't make recruitment of #juniordoctors a nughtmare and increase locum spend
Updated
at 9.45am GMT
9.28am GMT
09:28
An interesting line here from the Huffington Post’s Paul Waugh in his morning briefing email.
Will Hunt really impose jun doc contract, or is this one last bit of blinkmanship? WaughZone:https://t.co/Y6iuSAOJS6 pic.twitter.com/jLCGOziZ1E
9.19am GMT
09:19
Jeremy Hunt to deliver statement on junior doctors' contract
Health secretary Jeremy Hunt will make a statement to the Commons on the junior doctors’ contract, after yesterday’s strike action with the BMA.
This could very well turn out to be an announcement that the government will impose the contract on doctors this summer because negotiations have failed with the BMA. If Hunt does impose the contract, the doctors may then decide to pursue legal avenues.
He’s expected to address MPs around noon, after an urgent question by Chris Bryant on Short Money, so I’ll cover that statement as it happens after the first hour or so of Google’s appearance at the select committee.
Updated
at 9.27am GMT
9.13am GMT9.13am GMT
09:1309:13
Putin would back Brexit, says Hilary BennPutin would back Brexit, says Hilary Benn
Hillary Benn, the shadow foreign secretary is speaking now at Chatham House on “the internationalist case for Europe”.Hillary Benn, the shadow foreign secretary is speaking now at Chatham House on “the internationalist case for Europe”.
Benn campaigned against British membership at the time of the last public vote in 1975, and his father Tony Benn was and still an oft-quoted proponent of Brexit.Benn campaigned against British membership at the time of the last public vote in 1975, and his father Tony Benn was and still an oft-quoted proponent of Brexit.
Times have changed, Benn said, and he now believes British interests are best protected by being part of the EU.Times have changed, Benn said, and he now believes British interests are best protected by being part of the EU.
I have changed my view on Europe since 1975. I have been on a journey, not least because Britain has been on a journey too.I have changed my view on Europe since 1975. I have been on a journey, not least because Britain has been on a journey too.
We live in a changing world and if you look at the future challenges we face I believe the case for Europe is stronger now than ever.We live in a changing world and if you look at the future challenges we face I believe the case for Europe is stronger now than ever.
We have not lost our identity. The fact that we are not a member of the Euro nor part of Schengen shows that we can defend our national interest.We have not lost our identity. The fact that we are not a member of the Euro nor part of Schengen shows that we can defend our national interest.
Benn put national security at the heart of his speech on the benefits of remaining in the union, a subject David Cameron has also been focused in recent days.Benn put national security at the heart of his speech on the benefits of remaining in the union, a subject David Cameron has also been focused in recent days.
Let’s be clear. President Putin would shed no tears if Britain left the European Union.Let’s be clear. President Putin would shed no tears if Britain left the European Union.
He would see Brexit as a sign of our weakness and of the weakness of European solidarity at the very moment when we need to maintain our collective strength.He would see Brexit as a sign of our weakness and of the weakness of European solidarity at the very moment when we need to maintain our collective strength.
We need stronger international cooperation, not weaker. At this moment in this century, it would be an extraordinary folly to turn our back on this vitally important international alliance if we wish to help shape world events.We need stronger international cooperation, not weaker. At this moment in this century, it would be an extraordinary folly to turn our back on this vitally important international alliance if we wish to help shape world events.
Hilary Benn hits the EU security button "Putin would see Brexit as a sign of our weakness and of the weakness of European solidarity".Hilary Benn hits the EU security button "Putin would see Brexit as a sign of our weakness and of the weakness of European solidarity".
There was also a not-so-veiled dig at the ‘Out’ campaigns messaging that getting Britain out of Europe is a patriotic duty.There was also a not-so-veiled dig at the ‘Out’ campaigns messaging that getting Britain out of Europe is a patriotic duty.
There is nothing patriotic about diminishing the United Kingdom’s ability to make its voice heard by other nations.There is nothing patriotic about diminishing the United Kingdom’s ability to make its voice heard by other nations.
Narrow nationalism is not the same as patriotism.Narrow nationalism is not the same as patriotism.
And stumbling out of Europe and pulling up the drawbridge would only serve to harm our position and influence in the world.And stumbling out of Europe and pulling up the drawbridge would only serve to harm our position and influence in the world.
Hilary Benn pretty confident of a win. "I believe the British people will vote to stay in the EU."Hilary Benn pretty confident of a win. "I believe the British people will vote to stay in the EU."
9.02am GMT9.02am GMT
09:0209:02
Up at 10am, here are the Google and HMRC representatives up in front of public accounts committee chair Meg Hillier and MPs.Up at 10am, here are the Google and HMRC representatives up in front of public accounts committee chair Meg Hillier and MPs.
Matt Brittin, president, Google Europe, Middle East and AfricaMatt Brittin, president, Google Europe, Middle East and Africa
A former management consultant and commercial director at Trinity Mirror, he has been at Google since 2007. Once told by Margaret Hodge that his company was “devious, calculated and unethical”.A former management consultant and commercial director at Trinity Mirror, he has been at Google since 2007. Once told by Margaret Hodge that his company was “devious, calculated and unethical”.
Tom Hutchinson, vice president, Google Inc.Tom Hutchinson, vice president, Google Inc.
Travelling to London from Silicon Valley, he has previously told Bloomberg: “We have an obligation to our shareholders to set up a tax-efficient structure.”Travelling to London from Silicon Valley, he has previously told Bloomberg: “We have an obligation to our shareholders to set up a tax-efficient structure.”
Dame Lin Homer, chief executive and permanent secretary, HMRCDame Lin Homer, chief executive and permanent secretary, HMRC
The outgoing chief executive has clashed previously with the public accounts committee over Google’s affairs, told three years ago her tax inspectors had not been tough enough with the tech giant.The outgoing chief executive has clashed previously with the public accounts committee over Google’s affairs, told three years ago her tax inspectors had not been tough enough with the tech giant.
Other representatives from HMRC:Other representatives from HMRC:
Jim Harra, director general business taxJim Harra, director general business tax
Edward Troup, tax assurance commissionerEdward Troup, tax assurance commissioner
My colleague Simon Bowers has written an in-depth look at the questions Google and HMRC will need to answer today -My colleague Simon Bowers has written an in-depth look at the questions Google and HMRC will need to answer today -
Google’s effective global tax rate was 17% last year, yet the tax rates in its two largest markets – the US and the UK – were 35% and 20%. Why is Google not paying its fair share?Google’s effective global tax rate was 17% last year, yet the tax rates in its two largest markets – the US and the UK – were 35% and 20%. Why is Google not paying its fair share?
Is it fair for Google to use its lobbying and investment muscle to put pressure on politicians?Is it fair for Google to use its lobbying and investment muscle to put pressure on politicians?
Why do ‘expert’ sales staff in Ireland earn less than half that of marketing support staff in the UK?Why do ‘expert’ sales staff in Ireland earn less than half that of marketing support staff in the UK?
Related: Google's tax affairs: the players and questions they need to answerRelated: Google's tax affairs: the players and questions they need to answer
8.52am GMT8.52am GMT
08:5208:52
Google faces grilling at public accounts committeeGoogle faces grilling at public accounts committee
Good morning, I’m standing in for Andrew Sparrow on the live blog today, where the focus will be on Google’s evidence at the influential public accounts committee on corporate tax deals; we’ll also hear from HMRC.Good morning, I’m standing in for Andrew Sparrow on the live blog today, where the focus will be on Google’s evidence at the influential public accounts committee on corporate tax deals; we’ll also hear from HMRC.
I’ll also be monitoring the latest from Brussels as EU leaders are given the most recent draft of the reform deal being sought by David Cameron to persuade voters to remain in the EU. Hilary Benn, the shadow foreign secretary, has also pledged his support for the In campaign this morning, despite campaigning against British membership at the last public vote in 1975.I’ll also be monitoring the latest from Brussels as EU leaders are given the most recent draft of the reform deal being sought by David Cameron to persuade voters to remain in the EU. Hilary Benn, the shadow foreign secretary, has also pledged his support for the In campaign this morning, despite campaigning against British membership at the last public vote in 1975.
Elsewhere, the public administration select committee has said the Government’s English Votes for English Laws (EVEL) system is too complex, and suggested the “hostility” with which the arrangements were viewed by parties other than the Tories suggested they could end up as a “short term experiment”Elsewhere, the public administration select committee has said the Government’s English Votes for English Laws (EVEL) system is too complex, and suggested the “hostility” with which the arrangements were viewed by parties other than the Tories suggested they could end up as a “short term experiment”
And in a BBC charter review report published today by the Culture, Media and Sport Committee chaired by Jesse Norman, MPs criticised the BBC’s so-called “luvvies letter” signed by celebrities defending the corporation.And in a BBC charter review report published today by the Culture, Media and Sport Committee chaired by Jesse Norman, MPs criticised the BBC’s so-called “luvvies letter” signed by celebrities defending the corporation.
Here’s the agenda for today:Here’s the agenda for today:
08.30 Hilary Benn’s speech and Q&A on Europe at Chatham House08.30 Hilary Benn’s speech and Q&A on Europe at Chatham House
10.00 Google and HM Revenue and Customs give evidence to the Commons Public Accounts Committee on corporate tax deals.10.00 Google and HM Revenue and Customs give evidence to the Commons Public Accounts Committee on corporate tax deals.
10.00 Nick Clegg appears to give evidence at the union and party funding committee10.00 Nick Clegg appears to give evidence at the union and party funding committee
12.00 Nicola Sturgeon appears at Scottish First Minister’s Questions12.00 Nicola Sturgeon appears at Scottish First Minister’s Questions
17.45 The Prime Minister hosts a business ambassadors roundtable and reception at 10 Downing Street17.45 The Prime Minister hosts a business ambassadors roundtable and reception at 10 Downing Street
In the Commons todayIn the Commons today
Select committee reportsSelect committee reports
I’ll also post breaking political news as it happens, as well as curating some of the best analysis and reaction from the rest of the web, with a summary at lunchtime and in the afternoon.I’ll also post breaking political news as it happens, as well as curating some of the best analysis and reaction from the rest of the web, with a summary at lunchtime and in the afternoon.
I’ll try to monitor comments below the line and answer questions when I can, but it may be quicker to get me on Twitter.I’ll try to monitor comments below the line and answer questions when I can, but it may be quicker to get me on Twitter.
You can follow me or contact me there on @jessicaelgot.You can follow me or contact me there on @jessicaelgot.