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Parliament debates defence spending and the summer budget - Politics live Parliament debates defence spending and the summer budget - Politics live
(about 21 hours later)
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Afternoon summaryAfternoon summary
That’s all from me for today. Andrew Sparrow will be back tomorrow.That’s all from me for today. Andrew Sparrow will be back tomorrow.
Thanks for all the comments and tweets.Thanks for all the comments and tweets.
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Total Politics is reporting that one of Labour’s London mayoral candidates, Tessa Jowell – who was shadow olympics minister – has joined the Chime Specialist Group, part of international marketing group Chime Communcations, as its non-executive chairman.Total Politics is reporting that one of Labour’s London mayoral candidates, Tessa Jowell – who was shadow olympics minister – has joined the Chime Specialist Group, part of international marketing group Chime Communcations, as its non-executive chairman.
According to a statement, the former culture secretary will help “achieve a new common purpose that builds resilience into business and society”.According to a statement, the former culture secretary will help “achieve a new common purpose that builds resilience into business and society”.
Chime, which has focused on sports marketing since the sale of its Bell Pottinger-branded PR agencies to Chime’s founder Lord Bell, earned about £30m from the London Games, increasing its profits by 70% to £25.3m in 2012.Chime, which has focused on sports marketing since the sale of its Bell Pottinger-branded PR agencies to Chime’s founder Lord Bell, earned about £30m from the London Games, increasing its profits by 70% to £25.3m in 2012.
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Cameron suffers first government defeat over devolving powers to local authoritiesCameron suffers first government defeat over devolving powers to local authorities
Rowena MasonRowena Mason
David Cameron has suffered his government’s first defeat of the parliament in the House of Lords over its legislation that devolves greater powers to local authorities.David Cameron has suffered his government’s first defeat of the parliament in the House of Lords over its legislation that devolves greater powers to local authorities.
Labour teamed up with the Lib Dems to pass an amendment to the Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill, which will require ministers to report annually on devolution.Labour teamed up with the Lib Dems to pass an amendment to the Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill, which will require ministers to report annually on devolution.
William McKenzie of Luton for Labour said the amendment was “entirely supportive” of the government’s overall plans, which will devolve key powers to those cities and combined authorities that choose to have elected mayors.William McKenzie of Luton for Labour said the amendment was “entirely supportive” of the government’s overall plans, which will devolve key powers to those cities and combined authorities that choose to have elected mayors.
He said the aim was to act a “driver of best practice” and a “bulwark” against any councils tempted to “linger in the slow lane”.He said the aim was to act a “driver of best practice” and a “bulwark” against any councils tempted to “linger in the slow lane”.
The minor change - passed by 219 votes to 162 - is not particularly significant in itself but it shows the amount of power Labour and the Liberal Democrats are likely to have in the Lords over the course of this parliament.The minor change - passed by 219 votes to 162 - is not particularly significant in itself but it shows the amount of power Labour and the Liberal Democrats are likely to have in the Lords over the course of this parliament.
Because it lacks a Conservative majority in the Lords, the government may lose a number of other votes this week including possibly a joint Labour-Lib Dem amendment on Tuesday to allow 16 and 17 year olds to vote in local elections.Because it lacks a Conservative majority in the Lords, the government may lose a number of other votes this week including possibly a joint Labour-Lib Dem amendment on Tuesday to allow 16 and 17 year olds to vote in local elections.
Some of the bills currently passing through the Lords are largely backed by the opposition, such as the Psychoactive Substances Bill.Some of the bills currently passing through the Lords are largely backed by the opposition, such as the Psychoactive Substances Bill.
However, there is a chance that more contentious legal changes could be defeated in their entirety by Labour and Lib Dem peers as the parliament progresses.However, there is a chance that more contentious legal changes could be defeated in their entirety by Labour and Lib Dem peers as the parliament progresses.
This could include changes to the Hunting Act to relax the ban on foxhunting, which are set to be voted on in the Commons this week.This could include changes to the Hunting Act to relax the ban on foxhunting, which are set to be voted on in the Commons this week.
If that passes on Wednesday, it would go to the House of Lords in the autumn but would probably struggle to get through.If that passes on Wednesday, it would go to the House of Lords in the autumn but would probably struggle to get through.
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Journalists on Twitter are saying that Harman will tell Labour MPs to abstain on the government’s welfare bill, but not to block it. The Parliamentary Labour Party will meet this evening to discuss/argue about the acting leader’s decision not to oppose bill.Journalists on Twitter are saying that Harman will tell Labour MPs to abstain on the government’s welfare bill, but not to block it. The Parliamentary Labour Party will meet this evening to discuss/argue about the acting leader’s decision not to oppose bill.
Harriet Harman also sticking to her guns on child tax credit - Labour MPs will be whipped to abstain on welfare bill next week, not block itHarriet Harman also sticking to her guns on child tax credit - Labour MPs will be whipped to abstain on welfare bill next week, not block it
PLP showdown set: Harman to tell Labour MPs to abstain on welfare bill next week, rather than oppose.PLP showdown set: Harman to tell Labour MPs to abstain on welfare bill next week, rather than oppose.
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BREAKING: London Underground drivers are to stage another 24-hour strike, from 9.30pm on Wednesday August 5thBREAKING: London Underground drivers are to stage another 24-hour strike, from 9.30pm on Wednesday August 5th
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Shadow communities and local government secretary, Emma Reynolds, is reponding to Greg Clark’s comments on the budget. The chancellor gave with one hand but took away so much more with the other, she says.Shadow communities and local government secretary, Emma Reynolds, is reponding to Greg Clark’s comments on the budget. The chancellor gave with one hand but took away so much more with the other, she says.
Asked if she will vote against the budget, Reynolds says yes. It is regressive. Though she says there are some things in the budget she thinks are good, especially the things that were actually in the Labour manifesto (like the policy on non-doms and an increased minimum wage).Asked if she will vote against the budget, Reynolds says yes. It is regressive. Though she says there are some things in the budget she thinks are good, especially the things that were actually in the Labour manifesto (like the policy on non-doms and an increased minimum wage).
We must reverse the tradition of hoarding power in Whitehall and give power to communities, she says. Reynolds argues that the Tory rhetoric on the Northern powerhouse sounds hollow to people as the North has suffered the most from budget cuts.We must reverse the tradition of hoarding power in Whitehall and give power to communities, she says. Reynolds argues that the Tory rhetoric on the Northern powerhouse sounds hollow to people as the North has suffered the most from budget cuts.
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Parliament continues to debate the budgetParliament continues to debate the budget
The House is now debating the budget again. Greg Clark, the secretary of state for communities and local government, has kicked off by describing Labour’s response to the budget as an “omnishambles ”.The House is now debating the budget again. Greg Clark, the secretary of state for communities and local government, has kicked off by describing Labour’s response to the budget as an “omnishambles ”.
Boris Johnson has said that London is building more homes than it has since the 1980s and a record number of affordable ones. London is on target to build more homes since the 1930s, the mayor of London says.Boris Johnson has said that London is building more homes than it has since the 1980s and a record number of affordable ones. London is on target to build more homes since the 1930s, the mayor of London says.
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Robert Jenrick MP asked Fallon what support the ministry of defence was providing to Ukraine. He says “plucky Lithuania” has become the first country to openly arm the Ukrainians.Robert Jenrick MP asked Fallon what support the ministry of defence was providing to Ukraine. He says “plucky Lithuania” has become the first country to openly arm the Ukrainians.
Fallon said he could update the House that the UK had delivered 3,000 combat helmets, goggles and first aid kits to Ukrainian forces. It has trained some 850 personnel, will step-up training over the summer, and will provide further equipment, but will not provide lethal weapons, he said.Fallon said he could update the House that the UK had delivered 3,000 combat helmets, goggles and first aid kits to Ukrainian forces. It has trained some 850 personnel, will step-up training over the summer, and will provide further equipment, but will not provide lethal weapons, he said.
“We stand firm with Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression and we continue to assist the defence of its sovereignty, independence and territory,” said Fallon.“We stand firm with Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression and we continue to assist the defence of its sovereignty, independence and territory,” said Fallon.
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Almost 14k people have signed Jeremy Corbyn's petition against Harman-backed plans to limit child tax credit http://t.co/mOA1Ev1AQIAlmost 14k people have signed Jeremy Corbyn's petition against Harman-backed plans to limit child tax credit http://t.co/mOA1Ev1AQI
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Graham Allen MP asks Fallon whether he thinks there is less or more fundamentalist religious terrorism since the invasion in Iraq, and the intervention in Afghanistan and Libya.Graham Allen MP asks Fallon whether he thinks there is less or more fundamentalist religious terrorism since the invasion in Iraq, and the intervention in Afghanistan and Libya.
Fallon says the UK’s contribution in Libya to preventing an imminent massacre in Benghazi and its work in Afghanistan and Iraq have all been legitimate and valuable endeavours.Fallon says the UK’s contribution in Libya to preventing an imminent massacre in Benghazi and its work in Afghanistan and Iraq have all been legitimate and valuable endeavours.
Ukip’s Douglas Carswell thanks Fallon for announcing a key Ukip policy to commit to 2% spending on defence. But asks: “When might the government hit the 2% target without cooking the books?”Ukip’s Douglas Carswell thanks Fallon for announcing a key Ukip policy to commit to 2% spending on defence. But asks: “When might the government hit the 2% target without cooking the books?”
Fallon said he’s made it clear that no books will be cooked and that anything included in the 2% will meet the Nato guidelines.Fallon said he’s made it clear that no books will be cooked and that anything included in the 2% will meet the Nato guidelines.
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Vernon Coaker asks whether Fallon can confirm that – according to Nato rules – only intelligence operations in support of the military can be used to contribute to the 2% target and whether the government used this definition or not.Vernon Coaker asks whether Fallon can confirm that – according to Nato rules – only intelligence operations in support of the military can be used to contribute to the 2% target and whether the government used this definition or not.
Fallon says it is for Nato to classify what can be counted. He adds that where there is money spent on defence in the defence budget, it should count towards the 2% total.Fallon says it is for Nato to classify what can be counted. He adds that where there is money spent on defence in the defence budget, it should count towards the 2% total.
See Fallon’s Today programme interview this morning.See Fallon’s Today programme interview this morning.
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Sir Gerald Howarth MP has asked Philip Dunne, a minister for defence procurement, for more clarity on how the government planned to meet the 2% defence spending target.Sir Gerald Howarth MP has asked Philip Dunne, a minister for defence procurement, for more clarity on how the government planned to meet the 2% defence spending target.
He said the budget says at clause 2.22 that the government will raise defence spending by 0.5% per year in real terms by 2020. But, he asks, how can the government meet the defence target without raiding other budgets when the economy will grow at rate of 3%.He said the budget says at clause 2.22 that the government will raise defence spending by 0.5% per year in real terms by 2020. But, he asks, how can the government meet the defence target without raiding other budgets when the economy will grow at rate of 3%.
Dunne responds simply that there will be more time to debate the details in a private members bill that Howarth has secured. He says simply that the 2% target will be met.Dunne responds simply that there will be more time to debate the details in a private members bill that Howarth has secured. He says simply that the 2% target will be met.
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Labour’s shadow defence minister, Vernon Coaker, has asked Fallon for reassurance that any proposals from the government to start airstrikes in Syria have clear objectives and fit with the overall strategy in the region.Labour’s shadow defence minister, Vernon Coaker, has asked Fallon for reassurance that any proposals from the government to start airstrikes in Syria have clear objectives and fit with the overall strategy in the region.
Fallon said he welcomed the approach of the opposition on this issue – Labour has indicated that it would support proposals to launch air strikes in Syria. He said the government was not planning to come forward with proposals yet, but that he acknowledged that the situation in Syria is very different to that in Iraq and that the government’s strategy must reflect that.Fallon said he welcomed the approach of the opposition on this issue – Labour has indicated that it would support proposals to launch air strikes in Syria. He said the government was not planning to come forward with proposals yet, but that he acknowledged that the situation in Syria is very different to that in Iraq and that the government’s strategy must reflect that.
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David Amess MP has just raised the argument about what to call Isis.David Amess MP has just raised the argument about what to call Isis.
The term Daesh is used by some ministers in our government and people abroad, but the term Isil is still used with British audiences as it is better understood, said Fallon.The term Daesh is used by some ministers in our government and people abroad, but the term Isil is still used with British audiences as it is better understood, said Fallon.
He tells Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh MP that he uses the term Daesh when he’s in the Middle East talking to the media and political figures. He says it is worth reflecting now on whether the government should adopt the term Daesh as it doesn’t imply the same level of legitimacy.He tells Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh MP that he uses the term Daesh when he’s in the Middle East talking to the media and political figures. He says it is worth reflecting now on whether the government should adopt the term Daesh as it doesn’t imply the same level of legitimacy.
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Defence Secretary Michael Fallon is speaking about the possibilities of extending British air strikes to Syria as well as Iraq.Defence Secretary Michael Fallon is speaking about the possibilities of extending British air strikes to Syria as well as Iraq.
The Royal Airforce has made a key difference to the fight against Isis in Iraq, conducting over 300 strikes. It has provided 30% of the overall intelligence and trained 1,600 members of Iraqi security forces. RAF aircraft are already operating over Syria, he says, but the house will be given a vote on whether or not air strikes are needed in Syria.The Royal Airforce has made a key difference to the fight against Isis in Iraq, conducting over 300 strikes. It has provided 30% of the overall intelligence and trained 1,600 members of Iraqi security forces. RAF aircraft are already operating over Syria, he says, but the house will be given a vote on whether or not air strikes are needed in Syria.
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How terribly modern (and a little tragic): the @LibDems will be announcing their new leader this Thurs via Twitter. pic.twitter.com/zNy7af4nNAHow terribly modern (and a little tragic): the @LibDems will be announcing their new leader this Thurs via Twitter. pic.twitter.com/zNy7af4nNA
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Defence questions in parliamentDefence questions in parliament
Julian Brazier, Parliamentary under secretary of state at the Ministry of Defence, is taking questions in the Commons.Julian Brazier, Parliamentary under secretary of state at the Ministry of Defence, is taking questions in the Commons.
Keith Vaz has just asked him whether the government’s commitment to increase the number of people from ethnic minorities in the armed forces to 10% would include the reserve forces. Brazier said it would.Keith Vaz has just asked him whether the government’s commitment to increase the number of people from ethnic minorities in the armed forces to 10% would include the reserve forces. Brazier said it would.
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The new leader can make up their own mind on welfare, says Harman spokespersonThe new leader can make up their own mind on welfare, says Harman spokesperson
I’ve just been speaking to a spokesperson for Harriet Harman, who sought to clarify what the acting Labour leader told the Daily Politics yesterday. She was setting out an overall position, the spokesperson said, but she wasn’t setting out a position on how the party would decide to vote at committee stage on aspects of the welfare bill further down the line.I’ve just been speaking to a spokesperson for Harriet Harman, who sought to clarify what the acting Labour leader told the Daily Politics yesterday. She was setting out an overall position, the spokesperson said, but she wasn’t setting out a position on how the party would decide to vote at committee stage on aspects of the welfare bill further down the line.
Harman said in her response to the budget that in order to be an effective opposition Labour should not form a blanket opposition to everything the government proposes. There are things in the welfare bill that Labour will vigorously oppose, like abandoning the child poverty targets, but there are other things that they would support – like the benefits cap (which was in the Labour manifesto) and the cap on child tax credits to two children (which, the spokesperson argued, had widespread support among the public).Harman said in her response to the budget that in order to be an effective opposition Labour should not form a blanket opposition to everything the government proposes. There are things in the welfare bill that Labour will vigorously oppose, like abandoning the child poverty targets, but there are other things that they would support – like the benefits cap (which was in the Labour manifesto) and the cap on child tax credits to two children (which, the spokesperson argued, had widespread support among the public).
The spokesperson said that Harman acknowledged that any decision she makes now could be overturned by the party’s next leader, who will be crowned on 25th September.The spokesperson said that Harman acknowledged that any decision she makes now could be overturned by the party’s next leader, who will be crowned on 25th September.
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New polling from the Lib Dem Newswire suggests Tim Farron is set to win the party’s leadership contest. The ballot closes on Wednesday and the results will be announced on Thursday.New polling from the Lib Dem Newswire suggests Tim Farron is set to win the party’s leadership contest. The ballot closes on Wednesday and the results will be announced on Thursday.
Tim Farron heading for victory - 58% to 42% - in LD Newswire poll. Via @markpack pic.twitter.com/Q3eKZG2E3JTim Farron heading for victory - 58% to 42% - in LD Newswire poll. Via @markpack pic.twitter.com/Q3eKZG2E3J
Similar polling on June 24th had the following results.Similar polling on June 24th had the following results.
Tim Farron 42%Norman Lamb 14%Other 8%Don’t know 37%Tim Farron 42%Norman Lamb 14%Other 8%Don’t know 37%
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Lunchtime summaryLunchtime summary
It’s about making sure we are safe in a very dangerous and unstable world. Because we’ve got a strong economy we can now make the commitment to spending more over and above inflation on defence. Potentially as much as £6bn more between now and 2020, and that will make sure Britain is safer; the British people are safer, and we defeat for instance the scourge of Islamist extremism that is doing so much damage to our world and so much damage to our country.It’s about making sure we are safe in a very dangerous and unstable world. Because we’ve got a strong economy we can now make the commitment to spending more over and above inflation on defence. Potentially as much as £6bn more between now and 2020, and that will make sure Britain is safer; the British people are safer, and we defeat for instance the scourge of Islamist extremism that is doing so much damage to our world and so much damage to our country.
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Frank Field has been on the Daily Politics defending Harriet Harman on her decision not to oppose the government’s welfare bill. He served as as the Minister of Welfare Reform under Blair’s government between 1997 and 1998, and was recently appointed chairman of the Work and Pensions Select Committee.Frank Field has been on the Daily Politics defending Harriet Harman on her decision not to oppose the government’s welfare bill. He served as as the Minister of Welfare Reform under Blair’s government between 1997 and 1998, and was recently appointed chairman of the Work and Pensions Select Committee.
Harriet Harman "dead right" to agree to tax credit changes and Labour leader candidates were "dismal" for opposing -- Labour MP Frank Field.Harriet Harman "dead right" to agree to tax credit changes and Labour leader candidates were "dismal" for opposing -- Labour MP Frank Field.
Frank Field says he'd be "very surprised if the majority of the [parliamentary] party doesn't actually back Harriet's stance" on welfare.Frank Field says he'd be "very surprised if the majority of the [parliamentary] party doesn't actually back Harriet's stance" on welfare.
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17-year-old Abby Tomlinson, Ed Miliband’s number one fan and the founder of the Milifandom – which the former Labour leader described as the “the most unlikely cult of the 21st Century” – has been interviewing leadership hopeful Andy Burnham.17-year-old Abby Tomlinson, Ed Miliband’s number one fan and the founder of the Milifandom – which the former Labour leader described as the “the most unlikely cult of the 21st Century” – has been interviewing leadership hopeful Andy Burnham.
He tells her he is a big supporter of votes for 16-year-olds and abolishing the lower minimum wage rate for younger people.He tells her he is a big supporter of votes for 16-year-olds and abolishing the lower minimum wage rate for younger people.
Burnham says Osborne’s policy decisions have been cynically based on the knowledge that young people don’t vote.Burnham says Osborne’s policy decisions have been cynically based on the knowledge that young people don’t vote.
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David Cameron in the election denying he would cut tax credits following a report in the Guardian. https://t.co/IPWaU7F08qDavid Cameron in the election denying he would cut tax credits following a report in the Guardian. https://t.co/IPWaU7F08q
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Stephen Kinnock, Labour MP for Aberavon, and Rebecca Pow, MP for Taunton Deane, are speaking on the Daily Politics.
Kinnock – the son of former Labour party leader Neil Kinnock – has suggested that Harman should u-turn on her decision to back the government’s decision to limit child tax credits to two children. “It’s simply not pragmatic, and it’s awfully reminiscent of some kind of eugenics policy,” he said. “Harriet has stated a view and that view is going to be debated this evening.”
On strike laws, Kinnock quoted Tony Blair as saying the UK had some of the strictest strike laws in the industrialised world and said that constrictive worker/employer relations were key to productivity.
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Sorry about the short break. Things will be lively in the Commons this afternoon, kicking off at about 2.30pm, with defence questions followed by a continuation of the budget debate. Here is a round up of some of the most interesting political comment from today’s papers in the mean time.
Grammar schools can destroy the class system, Graham Brady MP, The Times
It is widely accepted that a golden age of opportunity in the 1950s and 1960s saw pupils from state grammars and direct grant schools storm the bastions of privilege. The public schools lost their grip on the upper reaches of the civil service, the judiciary and the professions. Even the BBC had to make room for talented grammar school graduates such as John Humphrys and Joan Bakewell. A new meritocratic age had dawned but then, as Boris Johnson told this paper on Saturday, the canals of social mobility were allowed to freeze over.
The disadvantaged need the best teachers, Alan Milburn, The Independent
But the biggest and most shocking gap in attainment is between disadvantaged children and their more fortunate peers. Two thirds of pupils eligible for free school meals do not achieve five good GCSEs compared with around a third of other children. That is not just a social injustice. It is a moral outrage. Government must make closing that gap a priority.
Admittedly, some progress has been made over the years. In the past decade, the proportion of children eligible for free school meals achieving five good GCSEs has almost doubled. Ten years ago, London had some of the worst state schools in the country. Today it has among the best. Our capital city’s poor children do 50 per cent better than their peers elsewhere. Small wonder that almost half of the disadvantaged children who go on to university are from London.
Relaxing the hunting ban could retoxify the Tories, Matthew d’Ancona, The Guardian
It has taken Cameron and Osborne a decade to get here. Last week’s budget was the apotheosis of a modernising strategy that many in the Tory movement thought unnecessary in the first place, or obsolete after the financial crash. The strategy has been stop-go, often subordinated to tactical considerations (the scorning “green crap” was a particular low point). But it has never been abandoned. The legalisation of same-sex marriage in 2013 was one of Cameron’s finest endeavours, evidence that he remained committed to leading a party of the 21st century rather than a heritage society or an ideological sect.
It is therefore frustrating that, little more than two months after its election, his government is proposing to relax the hunting ban. The amendment to the 10-year-old legislation would allow an unlimited number of hounds to be used to flush out foxes in certain circumstances, including – my favourite – for “research and observation”. Imagine, if you will, Jorrocks getting down to a bit of R&D. Researching what, exactly?
Things are looking good for Gorgeous George Osborne, our next prime minister, Chris Deerin, The Daily Mail
An unexpected thought struck me as I watched George Osborne deliver his seventh Budget. The TV feed of the event came from a little above head height, looking down on the Chancellor in his sober blue suit, crisp white shirt and blue tie.
My thought, which I accept is unlikely to win me the Nobel Prize for Economics, was this: good cheekbones.
And not just cheekbones. Sharp hair, clear skin and an impressively trim figure. Majority government seems to be agreeing with newly Gorgeous George.
First rule of refugees – don’t be a Muslim if you want help, Robert Fisk, The Independent
The Americans provided “safe haven” for the Kurds of Iraq in 1991 – after the Kurds had risen against Saddam at America’s bidding. But there are no more safe havens; the 20th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre this weekend is proof enough. And while we now save these people from the waters of the Mediterranean, we do not want them.
Why? Because they are Muslims and not Christians – or “Westerners” as we prefer to call ourselves today? I fear so.
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Labour leadership hustings summary
"Is it the beard ?" Corbyn asks as voter tells him she doubts whether he is the right man to lead the Labour Party @VictoriaLIVE
Man says he desperately wants to be inspired but isn't. Candidates respond by saying same things but louder/with more urgency. #VictoriaLive
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The candidates are being asked about immigration now.
Burnham says this is the Clause 4 moment and that Labour can’t keep averting its eyes when the issue comes up, but the party shouldn’t try and out-Ukip Ukip. Free to work should not mean free to claim. We need a contributory benefits system, he says.
Kendall says 20% of her constituency voted Ukip, so she has never averted her eyes to the issue. Immigrants need to respect the culture of the place they live in. We need to deal with the consequences of immigration on public services, but also deal with the skills shortage, she says.
Cooper says immigration is important for Britain, but it needs to be controlled and managed. Employers who exploit immigration to undercut wages need to be tackled. It’s not racist to be worried about immigration, but much of what Ukip said was racist. You can talk about immigration using responsible language, she says.
Let’s be positive about what immigration has done for our country’s economy, says Corbyn. They run our hospitals and transport system, they pay their taxes and many British people live abroad too.
The audience was asked stand up to indicate which candidate they would back. It looked roughly like a five way split, with a significant chunk saying they wouldn’t back any of them.
That’s all from the hustings. I’ll post a summary shortly.
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Corbyn is being asked about meetings he has organised with Hamas and Hezbollah. He says he disagrees with them profoundly on many issues, but says you need to talk to these people to promote a peace process. He spoke to Sinn Fein during the troubles in Northern Ireland. He gets a round of applause for this.
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Rebuilding our connection with people in Scotland will take time, says Burnham. Corbyn says there needs to be better representation of Scottish Labour within the Labour party, but doesn’t think there should be a separate Scottish Labour party.
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Alistair Darling told Burnham government debt was too high in 2007
Burnham says he disagrees with Cooper and that he knows that government debt was too high in 2007 because he worked as chief secretary to the treasury at the time and the then-chancellor, Alistair Darling, told him it was too high. Members of the audience tell him to say sorry and he does (very quietly).
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10:29
Kendall is asked about the idea that she is in the wrong party. If we don’t back business and create wealth, we won’t have the money to put into public services, says Kendall. If people think a strong economy, sound public finances and backing businesses is something that only the Conservatives do, then the Conservatives will always be in government, she says.
Burnham and Cooper are asked if they think Kendall is too inexperienced to be party leader. Burnham basically says yes, arguing that his experience in government makes him qualified.
Corbyn has jumped into defend Kendall, saying that it’s a debate and that it’s sad that people are saying such things just because they don’t agree with her.
Cooper says that she disagrees with Corbyn on the economy and thinks you cannot wish the debt and the deficit away. She says the debt is the result of the banking crisis, not Labour’s spending plans. You cannot say that Labour’s spending on school and hospitals caused Lehman Brothers bank in New York to collapse.
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10.16am BST
10:16
An audience member says he feels there is no leadership in the Labour party.
Burnham says he is offering big change. The Westminster bubble is full of people who went to university, so university is focused on by politicians and kids who want a practical training are ignored.
There is a huge responsibility for Labour to win next time, says Cooper. We should have 3% investment in science, research and development. (It’s currently half that.) Britain needs to lead in the digital revolution, just as it did in the industrial revolution.
We have got to start with our best asset, which is our people, and have a vision for giving every child the best education, says Kendall. She says she wants to win power, so she can give it away to local authorities and individuals.
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10.11am BST
10:11
Liz Kendall appears to back curbing tax credits for low-paid workers, driving kids into poverty, on #VictoriaLive https://t.co/vXZK1ayx4k
Liz Kendall prevaricates on #VictoriaLive but suggests she is open to curbing tax credits: http://t.co/8UukvYu2bF pic.twitter.com/ULQ035TIEa
Does Burnham ever answer a question without shouting platitudes? "Tea Andy?" "BURST THE WESTMINSTER BUBBLE! GIVE PEOPLE HOPE!" #victorialive
10.04am BST
10:04
People feel they’ve lost a party that speaks for them, says Burnham. He argues that social care should be included in the NHS.
We’re losing low and high-skilled jobs to China and India, says Cooper. Britain is not punching its weight.
Kendall says politics is both tough and simple. People want good jobs, good schools, good prospects. Unless they face head-on the trust in the economy and on benefits, Labour won’t win again.
Corbyn, says voting Ukip doesn’t build a house and that Labour needs to challenge the economic orthodoxy on cuts.
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9.55am BST
09:55
The comments are now on! Sorry about that everybody.
9.52am BST
09:52
The BBC’s assistant political editor Norman Smith has asked the candidates what their Clause 4 moment would be.
Burnham says the big change it needs to make is to move away from the Westminster bubble. We’ve looked like a Westminster think tank at points. He says Labour needs to trust its councils to make big decisions.
Kendall says Blair had his Clause 4 moment once he was leader and that she wouldn’t set out what hers might be at this point. Harman understands that Labour needs to change.
Cooper says Labour needs to win the 2020 election, not the 1997 election, so looking back isn’t helpful. She says she would back the cut in corporation tax to 18%.
Corbyn says we need to get tough internationally on big tax-dodging companies. This budget is about more poverty and a small number of people getting a lot richer, he says. He gets a clap for this.
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9.47am BST
09:47
Many parents who aren’t on child tax credits have to make difficult decisions about how many children they can afford, says Kendall, when she’s asked about her decision to back the cap on child tax credits to two children.
Yvette Cooper says she doesn’t think Labour should back the cuts to tax credits. “They are an important part of making work pay”.
Andy Burnham argues that they shouldn’t allow a change that will make people worse off.
Jeremy Corbyn says the budget was brutal, will hit young people and he will oppose the changes.
Updated
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9.41am BST
09:41
Liz Kendall is speaking now. Whenever Labour has won elections they have done it by standing up for the weak and vulnerable, but also by offering things to other sections of society, she says. People need to trust the party on the economy and with their taxes. We cannot oppose things if we can’t say how we would pay for it, she says.
Andy Burnham says he realised that the longer the drive you had to walk down to get to a front door to canvas, the less you would have to say to the people on the other side.
I’m opposing these changes to tax credits because the IFS says it is a disincentive to work, says Burnham. A national living wage that starts at 25 is no good for younger people, he adds, getting a gentle round of applause from the audience.
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9.35am BST
09:35
We need to shake up the old boys network, says Yvette Cooper, but Labour will not solve the problem by moving “our narrow party” a little bit to the right or left.
We shouldn’t knock somebody who has done the difficult job of Labour party leader, she says on Miliband.
We need to dispute the Tory idea that it was the deficit that caused the financial crisis, says Cooper. We shouldn’t give in to Tory myths.
Updated
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9.32am BST
09:32
The audience are expressing their thoughts on why Labour lost.
One says the leadership candidates need to remember that Tony Blair won three elections and that there aren’t enough left wing voters to get Labour a majority.
Another audience member says they don’t want Labour to get into power by being the same as the Tories.
Updated
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9.25am BST
09:25
Labour leadership hustings on the Victoria Derbyshire show
Labour’s leadership candidates are in Leamington Spa at a hustings which is being televised on BBC2. They are all making their opening statements and have been asked to tell us something we don’t know about them.
Andy Burnham has said his wife was once on Blind Date and chose Will from Surrey who ended up being the head of communications for the Conservative party.
Liz Kendall says she never wanted to be a politician, she wanted to be a dancer. People aren’t going to trust us in government unless they trust us on the economy, she says. Labour needs a fresh start.
Yvette Cooper says she also did tap dancing lessons as a child and suggests that her and Liz Kendall should get together and do a routine. She says she always wanted to be Dr Who’s assistant.
Jeremy Corbyn says “as you can see, I’m the youth candidate”. He says he likes cycling in Warwickshire because it’s flat.
Victoria Derbyshire asks if they’ve passed the “Human Test”. The audience doesn’t seem so sure.
Updated
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9.15am BST
09:15
Nato decides what counts towards 2% target, says Fallon
There will be defence questions in parliament today from around 2.30 and there is sure to be more questioning of the government over its promise to commit to 2% of GDP on defence spending. Osborne had hoped to include £1.5bn of intelligence spending in the target, but a Nato spokesman told the Sun last week it was a “well-established principle” that only money spent on “military intelligence” could be counted in the target.
Defence secretary Michael Fallon spoke to the Today programme about an hour ago and said it was up to Nato to decide what can count towards the 2% defence spending and seemed to suggest that the UK would continue to meet the target if Nato revised the definition.
“There’s no mystery about this, they rule on it,” he said. “We will easily clear the 2% threshold this year and we will remain so, the Prime Minister has made that very clear, we are going to meet the target.”
Fallon also commented on his proposition made earlier this month that it was illogical to target Isis in Iraq but not Syria.
“Well, it’s for the new Parliament now to chew this over and decide whether it’s logical for the Americans and our Gulf allies in the coalition to be attacking them in Syria when we are doing a lot of the attacking in Iraq,” he said, adding that the government was not planning an early vote on the issue.
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8.58am BST
08:58
Speaking on the Sunday Politics yesterday, Labour’s acting leader Harriet Harman said Labour would not vote against the government’s welfare bill and should not oppose limiting child tax credits to two children.
“We cannot simply say to the public you were wrong at the election,” she said. “We’ve got to wake up and recognise that this was not a blip; we’ve had a serious defeat and we must listen to why.”
The decision has sparked outrage from party activists and three of the four leadership candidates, Andy Burnham, Jeremy Corbyn and Yvette Cooper. Here is the whole story from the Guardian’s political editor, Patrick Wintour. There will be a meeting of Labour MPs later today, which I will try and bring you some intel from.
The party’s leadership candidates are about to speak at a hustings on the Victoria Derbyshire show on BBC2 at 9.15. I will be live blogging the debate and you can watch it here.
Morning! Join us at 09:15 @BBCTwo and the @BBCNews Channel for a live Labour leadership debate at @WarwickshireCol https://t.co/vblupNAM0D
I will be covering the breaking political news as it happens, as well as bringing you the best reaction, comment and analysis from the web. I will post a summary at lunchtime and another in the afternoon.
I’m filling in for Andrew Sparrow today and if you want to follow me on Twitter, I’m on @fperraudin.
Updated
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