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EU referendum live: 57 Tory MPs 'would vote against' Osborne's Brexit budget EU referendum live: Nigel Farage and Bob Geldof clash in rival Thames boats
(35 minutes later)
1.36pm BST
13:36
Britain Stronger in Europe have now sent out a link to the Brexit budget document published by George Osborne and Alistair Darling earlier.
1.29pm BST
13:29
Severin Carrell
The flotilla arrived at Tower Bridge as Greenpeace attacked one of the largest trawlers in the protest, the Christina S from Peterhead, over its role in a £63m fisheries fraud scandal four years ago, the worst yet involving the UK fisheries industry.
The joint skippers of the vessel, Ernest Simpson and his son Allan Simpson, were each fined £65,000 and had a total of £725,000 confiscated by Scottish courts in September 2012 after they admitted illegally landing mackerel and herring in Peterhead and Shetland.
Earnest Simpson pled guilty to landing more than £2m worth of undeclared fish while his son Allan admitted to more than £2.7m in undeclared fish, in a scandal involving dozens of Scottish skippers and several major processing factories.
John Sauven, the executive director of Greenpeace UK, said that it was “an unfortunate choice” to have the Christina S as one of the “showstopper” boats on the protest.
It was co-owned by one of the fisheries giants referred to by Jeremy Corbyn at prime ministers questions, Andrew Marr International, which controls 12% of the English fishing quota, with the Marr family worth £122m.
1.28pm BST
13:28
Here’s some video footage from the battle of the Thames.
1.24pm BST
13:24
Severin Carrell
Pro-Brexit campaigners in Scotland, led by the former SNP deputy leader Jim Sillars and ex-Tory MSP Brian Monteith, have claimed the country would have far more “democratic sovereignty” and money outside the EU.
They released a pamphlet through the Leave.eu campaign headed by Nigel Farage just as an Ipsos Mori poll for STV found the gap between the in and out vote in Scotland had narrowed sharply, by 13 points over the last six weeks.
The STV poll still gave the remain vote in Scotland a clear lead of 58% against 33% for leave, with 8% undecided. It confirmed the trend in favour of Brexit at UK level: in April, Ipsos put remain at 66% and leave at 29%. That implies the prospect of a massive pro-EU vote from Scotland helping remain win at UK level is receding.
The Monteith and Sillars paper, “Democratic, Prosperous and Free”, openly targets Scottish nationalists – about a third of whom back a leave vote - and Scottish devolutionists by claiming Brexit would allow Holyrood far greater autonomy within the UK because it already significant powers over domestic policy.
“We can make decision-making more democratic and accountable by taking control back from Brussels and giving it to the Scottish electorate. For instance, it will mean the powers to manage farming and fisheries coming to the Scottish parliament – why would Scottish politicians wish to be against that?” Monteith said.
1.17pm BST
13:17
Here are some more pictures from the flotilla.
Updated
at 1.26pm BST
1.10pm BST
13:10
On the waves outside parliament, fishermen claim they have boarded Geldof’s boat “to tell him the truth”. A police boat is alongside but the pro-Brexit fishing vessel Wayward Lad has pulled up to Geldof’s pleasure cruiser.
Parliamentarians are looking on from the terrace, three helicopters, including police hovering above.
1.10pm BST
13:10
Nigel Farage has attacked Bob Geldof’s aquatic intervention as “ignorant” and “insulting”.
“He doesn’t know anything about the common fisheries policy,” he told the Guardian. “You can’t reform it from within. You can’t change it. There is nothing you can do apart from leave.”
Asked about the barrage of noise, he said: “It’s just insulting to these people. Some of these lads have come from the north of Scotland, communities that have never been listened to where we have seen tens of thousands of jobs lost and a way of life destroyed and they come here to make their protest and be heard and they get a multi-millionaire laughing at them. Horrible disgusting.”
Geldof wasn’t in fact laughing at the fishermen. He addressed Farage’s boat before it reached the fishing flotilla.
Geldof said: “Here are the facts about fishing. Britain makes more money than any other country in Europe from fishing. Two. Britain has the second largest quota for fishing in Europe after Denmark. Three. Britain has the third largest landings. Fourth, you are no fisherman’s friend.”
1.07pm BST1.07pm BST
13:0713:07
Angus Robertson's questionsAngus Robertson's questions
Angus Robertson, the SNP leader, gets two questions at PMQs, but they were left out in my minute by minute coverage because I was doing the snap summary. So here they are.Angus Robertson, the SNP leader, gets two questions at PMQs, but they were left out in my minute by minute coverage because I was doing the snap summary. So here they are.
Robertson started by asking about the referendum.Robertson started by asking about the referendum.
Does the prime minister agree with me if we want to protect jobs, if we want to protect public services, we must remain in the European Union?Does the prime minister agree with me if we want to protect jobs, if we want to protect public services, we must remain in the European Union?
Cameron did agree.Cameron did agree.
I do believe the most important argument is about the future of our economy and it seems obvious to me today we have full access to a market of 500m people, for an economy like Scotland which is such a big exporting economy, there’s no way we would get a better deal outside that market than on the inside.I do believe the most important argument is about the future of our economy and it seems obvious to me today we have full access to a market of 500m people, for an economy like Scotland which is such a big exporting economy, there’s no way we would get a better deal outside that market than on the inside.
Robertson then asked about the impact of Brexit on public services. Cameron replied:Robertson then asked about the impact of Brexit on public services. Cameron replied:
Decisions to cut public spending in the UK budget do have an impact, through Barnett, on Scotland. To anyone who says these warnings could be wrong or inaccurate - there were warnings about the oil price before the Scottish referendum, it turned out actually to be worse than the experts warned.Decisions to cut public spending in the UK budget do have an impact, through Barnett, on Scotland. To anyone who says these warnings could be wrong or inaccurate - there were warnings about the oil price before the Scottish referendum, it turned out actually to be worse than the experts warned.
12.41pm BST12.41pm BST
12:4112:41
Christopher Chope, a Conservative, says he is looking forward to the UK voting for Brexit, so that he can vote against Osborne’s vindictive budget.Christopher Chope, a Conservative, says he is looking forward to the UK voting for Brexit, so that he can vote against Osborne’s vindictive budget.
Cameron says he hopes people will vote to remain in the EU.Cameron says he hopes people will vote to remain in the EU.
And that’s it.And that’s it.
(Good to see John Bercow’s campaign to extend PMQs by 10 minutes so it last for 40 minutes is going well.)(Good to see John Bercow’s campaign to extend PMQs by 10 minutes so it last for 40 minutes is going well.)
12.39pm BST12.39pm BST
12:3912:39
Asked about the North Middlesex A&E unit, Cameron says the health secretary is monitoring this closely. But if we stay in the EU, there will be more money for the NHS.Asked about the North Middlesex A&E unit, Cameron says the health secretary is monitoring this closely. But if we stay in the EU, there will be more money for the NHS.
12.38pm BST12.38pm BST
12:3812:38
Nigel Adams, a Conserative, says there has been “hysterical scaremongering” during the EU referendum. Will Cameron assure people he will follow the results on the referendum.Nigel Adams, a Conserative, says there has been “hysterical scaremongering” during the EU referendum. Will Cameron assure people he will follow the results on the referendum.
Yes, says Cameron. He says out means out of the single market too. He says he would say to anyone still in doubt, to anyone uncertain, don’t risk it.Yes, says Cameron. He says out means out of the single market too. He says he would say to anyone still in doubt, to anyone uncertain, don’t risk it.
12.37pm BST12.37pm BST
12:3712:37
Tim Farron, the Lib Dem leader, says the wealthy elite fuelling Leave will not be harmed by the interest rate rise that will follow Brexit. Would Cameron advise his Tory colleagues that there is a long-term economic plan on offer on Thursday - voting remain.Tim Farron, the Lib Dem leader, says the wealthy elite fuelling Leave will not be harmed by the interest rate rise that will follow Brexit. Would Cameron advise his Tory colleagues that there is a long-term economic plan on offer on Thursday - voting remain.
Cameron says it says volumes about the Remain campaign that the Lib Dems, Labour, the Greens and others are joining him in backing staying in the EU.Cameron says it says volumes about the Remain campaign that the Lib Dems, Labour, the Greens and others are joining him in backing staying in the EU.
12.35pm BST12.35pm BST
12:3512:35
Jack Lopresti, a Conservative, says he hopes Britain will vote to leave the EU. Cameron himself said Britain could survive outside, he says.Jack Lopresti, a Conservative, says he hopes Britain will vote to leave the EU. Cameron himself said Britain could survive outside, he says.
Cameron says of course Britain can survive outside the EU. But the question is, how are we best off? On all the arguments, we are best off in, he says.Cameron says of course Britain can survive outside the EU. But the question is, how are we best off? On all the arguments, we are best off in, he says.
12.34pm BST12.34pm BST
12:3412:34
Siobhain McDonagh, the Labour MP, says M&S workers are due to face an effective pay cut because of the “national living wage”.Siobhain McDonagh, the Labour MP, says M&S workers are due to face an effective pay cut because of the “national living wage”.
Cameron says he does not know about the situation at M&S. But he wants to see pay go up, not down. M&S won’t attract good staff if they cut pay.Cameron says he does not know about the situation at M&S. But he wants to see pay go up, not down. M&S won’t attract good staff if they cut pay.
12.32pm BST12.32pm BST
12:3212:32
Cameron says we will enhance the power of Britain by staying in the EU.Cameron says we will enhance the power of Britain by staying in the EU.
12.31pm BST
12:31
Alasdair McDonnell, the SDLP MP, says the SDLP is backing a Remain vote. The return of a hard border with Ireland would be bad for Northern Ireland.
Cameron says is the UK votes to stay in, we know what the situation is. If we were to leave, and make a big issue about borders, then there would be a land border with the EU in Ireland. You would need new border controls between Ireland and Northern Ireland. Or you would have to have controls on people leaving Northern Ireland and coming to the mainland. We can avoid these risks by voting to stay, he says.
12.29pm BST
12:29
Robert Jenrick, a Conservative, says his parents set up a manufacturing business. Manufacturers are worried. They will have to sell to the EU, but they won’t have a say in deciding EU standards.
Cameron says Jenrick is making a v good point. If you leave the EU, and don’t have say over making those rules, you lose control; you don’t gain control.
12.28pm BST
12:28
Labour’s Ruth Smeeth says EU funds have helped her constituency. Does Cameron agree that a Brexit vote would leave us picking up the pieces of a broken economy for years to come.
Cameron agree. The UK would have to spend two years leaving the EU. Then it would have to negotiate a trade deal, with could take seven years. So overall it could take a decade to get a new trade deal.
He says the potteries industry would be affected by tariffs that would be imposed.
12.25pm BST
12:25
Labour’s Carolyn Harris says leaving the EU would be too big a risk.
Cameron says he agrees. If the pound were to fall, prices would rise and the cost of holidays would rise.
12.24pm BST
12:24
David Nuttall, a Conservative, asks when the government will get net migration below 100,000.
Cameron says EU migration was in balance last in 2008. He says the government has introduced sensible ways of reducing immigration. Leaving the EU would not be a sensible way, he says.
12.22pm BST
12:22
Cameron says we need to ensure migrants are working. But we should celebrate the contribution they make.
12.20pm BST
12:20
PMQs - Snap verdict:
PMQs - Snap verdict: A peculiar PMQs, in some respects more interesting than usual, and perhaps most remarkable because Cameron seemed uncharacteristically hesitant and unfocused. Is the pressure getting to him? It would be very odd if it isn’t, although Cameron was only unfocused relative to his usual suave professionalism. It is not really a day for normal party politics and Corbyn responded to that with a series of sharp, reasonable questions that did him credit, but did not go in for the kill. His best line was the one branding the 57 Tory MPs who are opposing George Osborne as converts to anti-austerity. Cameron enjoyed that - perhaps because he has little else to smile about at the moment.
12.14pm BST
12:14
Corbyn asks about the flotilla coming up the Thames. He says EU reforms gave new powers to member states over fishing quotes. The UK government has given two thirds of them to just three companies.
Cameron says the value of the UK fishing industry has increased in recent years. No country in the world has a trade agreement with the EU that does not involve a tariff on fish.
Corbyn says the government still handed quotas over to just three companies. With just eight days to go until the referendum, Labour will be voting remain. He says Labour would oppose any post-Brexit austerity budget. Will Cameron condemn the opportunism of 57 of his MPs who voted for austerity measures but who have now have a Damescene conversion to anti-austerity.
Cameron seems to laugh before he gets up. He says on this he and Corbyn agree. When he and Corbyn agree, that really says something. Votes have consequences. If we vote out, there will be less tax receipts. We would need to address the hole in the public finances. There is only one thing worse than addressing a hole in your public finances, and that is by not addressing it. We can avoid that by voting Remain, he saus.
12.09pm BST
12:09
Corbyn says he is concerned about the expoitation of migrant workers. Will Cameron commit to outlawing agencies advertising jobs only abroad?
Cameron says he and Corbyn agree on the evils of modern slavery. The government will continue to take action to ensure that people are paid what they should be paid. He wants people to get a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.
Corbyn says Cameron did not answer the question. What communities need is practical solutions, like the migrant impact fund. Will Cameron agree it is a mistake to abolish that. And will he reinstate it?
Cameron says the government is looking to see if it can ban firms only advertising jobs abroad. The answer to many of these problems is to create new jobs. He says the government has a pledge in its manifesto to create a controlled migration fund. It agrees that it needs to take action to address the pressures created by immigration.
12.06pm BST
12:06
Jeremy Corbyn also offers sympathy to the relatives of those killed in Orlando. He attended a vigil to express his horror on Monday, he says.
He says three years ago there was agreement for implementation of Section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act. Cameron said three years ago MPs did too much cosying up to Murdoch. Will Cameron keep his promise and implement Leveson in full.
Cameron says the government will decide about the second stage of Leveson when all prosecutions are underway. He has met victims. People can accuse him of many things, but not cosying up to Murdoch, he says.
Corbyn says he asked about Cameron meeting phone-hacking victims. He says the Leave leaders pretend to be saviours of the NHS. Wasn’t Sarah Wollaston right to criticise them?
Cameron says he is glad Wollaston changed her mind. He says he thinks the NHS will be stronger if the UK stays in the EU.
Updated
at 12.17pm BST