Phil Wilson: I congratulate the Prime Minister on proving yet again that we cannot square the wheel. Can she say, hand on heart, whether she believes that what she has negotiated is better than the deal we have now?
Phil Wilson: In Durham, since 2010, we have seen a reduction of 400 in the number of police officers. With these cuts, Durham is going to lose a further 30 police officers. It is officially an outstanding force, but crime is going up. It is fair to say that the general public are going to say, “Has austerity actually ended?” They will not be thinking about pensions and so on. They will be thinking...
Phil Wilson: The number of police officers in Durham has been cut by 400 since 2010. That is not an exaggeration; that is a fact. These changes to the pension mean that another 30 officers will have to go and that there will have to be an increase in the precept by £12 for homes in band D. Will that not be perceived as a local tax for the Treasury and as incompetence by the Treasury?
Phil Wilson: I want to take this opportunity to raise three issues that are of particular importance to my constituents. First, however, we have a Budget that still predicts lower economic growth over the coming years and puts us near or at the bottom of the international growth leagues—and that is without the impact of Brexit. From a hard Brexit to a soft Brexit the economy will be hit, impacting on...
Phil Wilson: With this it will be convenient to discuss the following: New clause 7
Phil Wilson: With this it will be convenient to discuss amendment 53, in clause 1, page 2, line 18, at end insert— ‘(5) The Secretary of State must hold a public consultation on— (a) how “productivity” should be defined for the purposes of giving financial assistance under subsection (2); and (b) the definition of “improving productivity” in subsection (4). (6) In the consultation...
Phil Wilson: With this it will be convenient to discuss the following: Amendment 88, in clause 1, page 2, line 4, leave out subsection (2) and insert— “(2) The Secretary of State may also give financial assistance for or in connection with any of the following purposes— (a) supporting businesses or communities in rural areas; (b) starting, or improving the productivity of, an agricultural,...
Phil Wilson: With this it will be convenient to discuss the following: Amendment 75, in clause 1, page 2, line 3, at end insert— ‘(1A) No financial assistance may be given by the Secretary of State in relation to the purpose under subsection (1)(e) unless the practice for which financial assistance is to be given complies with— (a) any part of retained EU law (within the meaning of section 6...
Phil Wilson: I remind the Committee that with this we are discussing amendment 70, in clause 1, page 2, line 3, at end insert— “(h) supporting the delivery of improved public health outcomes. (1A) Support under subsection (1)(h) may include, but is not limited to, measures to: (a) increase the availability, affordability, diversity, quality and marketing of fruit and vegetables and pulses, (b)...
Phil Wilson: With this it will be convenient to discuss amendment 70, in clause 1, page 2, line 3, at end insert “(h) supporting the delivery of improved public health outcomes. ‘(1A) Support under subsection (1)(h) may include, but is not limited to, measures to: (a) increase the availability, affordability, diversity, quality and marketing of fruit and vegetables and pulses, (b) reduce farm...
Phil Wilson: With this it will be convenient to discuss the following: Amendment 49, in clause 1, page 1, line 10, after second “heritage”, insert “, including farming systems where they underpin delivery”. This amendment would include farming systems in the land or water management activities for which financial assistance can be given in Clause 1(1)(c). Amendment 41, in...
Phil Wilson: Today we begin line-by-line consideration of the Bill, but first I have a few preliminary points to make. I remind Members that electronic devices should be switched to silent mode and that tea and coffee are not allowed in Committee sittings. The selection list for today’s sitting, which is available in the Committee Room, shows how selected amendments have been grouped for debate,...
Phil Wilson: With this it will be convenient to discuss amendment 45, in clause 3, page 3, line 5, leave out “may” and insert “must”. This amendment would require the Secretary of State to make regulations for the checking, enforcing and monitoring of financial assistance in Clause 3.
Phil Wilson: We will now hear evidence from Farmwel, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the British Veterinarian Association. The Committee is most grateful to you all, particularly the BVA, which has agreed to offer a witness at very short notice. For this session we have until 11.25 am. Will the witnesses please introduce themselves for the record?
Phil Wilson: Order. I am afraid that that brings us to the end of the time allocated for the Committee to ask questions. On behalf of the Committee, I thank the witnesses for their evidence.
Phil Wilson: I welcome witnesses to the first public sitting of the Bill. Before we start, do any Members want to make declarations of interest for the record?
Phil Wilson: I now ask the witnesses to state their names and the organisations they represent for the record.
Phil Wilson: Before I call the first Member to ask a question, I remind all Members that questions should be limited to matters within the scope of the Bill and that we must stick to the timings in the programme motion that the Committee has agreed. We have until 10.55 am for this session.
Phil Wilson: I ask the witnesses to speak up, because the acoustics are not the best.