This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-40448814

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Commons voting on Queen's Speech Government's Queen's Speech clears Commons
(35 minutes later)
The minority Conservative government is aiming to steer its Queen's Speech through the Commons as MPs vote on it. The minority Conservative government has survived its first major Parliamentary test after its Queen's Speech cleared the House of Commons.
Having changed policy to avoid a possible rebellion on abortion in Northern Ireland, ministers should have enough support due to their agreement with the Democratic Unionist Party. MPs voted in favour of the package of legislation - which was stripped back after the Tories lost their majority - by 323 to 309.
Labour is attempting to amend the speech to incorporate its manifesto pledges. The Democratic Unionist Party's 10 MPs had agreed to support the measures as part of a deal with the Tories.
And some MPs will try to change it to keep the UK in the EU single market. Labour's attempt to add some of its policies to the Queen's Speech failed.
But the government is likely to see these off when it comes to the vote. Another motion aimed at changing the UK's Brexit strategy was also defeated.
With support from the DUP's 10 MPs, the government has a working majority of 13. The amendment from Labour MP Chuka Umunna aimed to preserve the UK's EU single market membership. This is not Labour policy, and the party's MPs were told to abstain - although 51 are thought to have rebelled and voted in favour.
Earlier the government announced women from Northern Ireland would get free access to abortions on the NHS in England, as it came under pressure from MPs. Earlier, the government averted a possible rebellion by announcing women from Northern Ireland would get free access to abortions on the NHS in England.
Women from Northern Ireland currently have to pay to have an abortion in England, and the government faced a possible Commons defeat with MPs from the major parties backing an amendment calling for action. Labour MP Stella Creasy had tabled an amendment which had attracted cross-party backing - but she agreed to withdraw it when the government announced its concession.
Labour's amendment calls for Brexit to deliver the "exact same benefits" as the EU single market and customs union, as well as scrapping tuition fees, increasing public spending and ending the public sector pay cap. Labour's amendment, which was defeated by 323 to 297, called for Brexit to deliver the "exact same benefits" as the EU single market and customs union, as well as scrapping tuition fees, increasing public spending and ending the public sector pay cap.
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell described the Queen's Speech as a "threadbare scrap of a document" with many of the Tories' key pledges removed since the general election. Proposing it earlier, shadow chancellor John McDonnell described the Queen's Speech as a "threadbare scrap of a document" with many of the Tories' key pledges removed since the general election.
He also claimed the cabinet was divided over Brexit, with "weekly changes of direction".He also claimed the cabinet was divided over Brexit, with "weekly changes of direction".
Chancellor Philip Hammond challenged him to a "grown-up" debate about public spending, accusing Labour of asking voters "would they like someone else to pay higher taxes?"Chancellor Philip Hammond challenged him to a "grown-up" debate about public spending, accusing Labour of asking voters "would they like someone else to pay higher taxes?"
Opposition divisions over Brexit could be revealed by the other amendment, from Labour's Chuka Umunna, which would aim to keep the UK in the customs union and single market - not the position advocated by Labour's front bench.
During the debate, one Tory MP, Heidi Allen, criticised the arrangement between her party and the DUP, saying she could "barely put into words" her "anger" at the £1bn deal.During the debate, one Tory MP, Heidi Allen, criticised the arrangement between her party and the DUP, saying she could "barely put into words" her "anger" at the £1bn deal.
Ms Allen, who also criticised the Tories' general election campaign, said she wanted to put on record her "distaste for the use of public funds to garner political control" and warned that "never again" should a government prioritise spending in such a way.Ms Allen, who also criticised the Tories' general election campaign, said she wanted to put on record her "distaste for the use of public funds to garner political control" and warned that "never again" should a government prioritise spending in such a way.