Arms Export Licences (Saudi Arabia)

Debate between Elizabeth Truss and Ellie Reeves

Thursday 26th September 2019 Commons Chamber

[Elizabeth Truss]

The basis on which these licences are granted is in line with the consolidated criteria. Specifically for Saudi Arabia and the coalition partners, we are very much cognisant of the Court of Appeal’s ruling and the undertaking of the former Secretary of State to Parliament.

[Ellie Reeves (Lewisham West and Penge) (Lab)]

Despite repeated assurances from the Government over the years that they had acted within the law concerning export licences for arms to Saudi Arabia, we found out last week that the Government had acted unlawfully and today that there might be further breaches. When will this Government recognise the plight facing the Yemeni people and immediately suspend all existing and future arms exports to Saudi Arabia?

[Elizabeth Truss]

I acknowledged in my statement that there have been errors in the way that this procedure has been followed, which is why we have put in place interim measures to deal with this and are conducting an internal review, as well as an investigation by another Department.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Elizabeth Truss and Ellie Reeves

Tuesday 3rd July 2018 Commons Chamber

[Ellie Reeves (Lewisham West and Penge) (Lab)]

T2. The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 was intended to save £450 million a year on legal aid, but last year’s spending was more than £950 million down from 2010 levels. As we find ourselves in an access to justice crisis, what discussions have Treasury Ministers had with the Ministry of Justice about increasing the money available for legal aid as part of the LASPO review?

[Elizabeth Truss]

We are conducting a review of LASPO at the moment. I have regular discussions with the Secretary of State for Justice, and we are making sure that the Department has the resources it needs.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Elizabeth Truss and Ellie Reeves

Tuesday 17th April 2018 Commons Chamber

[Ellie Reeves (Lewisham West and Penge) (Lab)]

T8. The housing crisis has gone on for far too long under this Government. Lewisham’s Labour council is about to build its 500th new council home since 2015, but many people still come to my surgeries because they reside in temporary accommodation. Will the Chancellor now commit to reversing the 63% cut in funding to the council’s budget so that Lewisham can get on with building more homes?

[The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Elizabeth Truss)]

First, we have committed to building 300,000 homes per year over the next decade, which is vitally important to address the issue. Also, when we came into government, 80% of local government funding was being provided centrally, but we have now enabled local councils to raise that money. That is the right thing to do—people vote locally and councils should be accountable locally.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Elizabeth Truss and Ellie Reeves

Tuesday 27th February 2018 Commons Chamber

[Ellie Reeves (Lewisham West and Penge) (Lab)]

T7. Members have already raised the insufficient funding of local authorities by this Government. A recent campaign in Lewisham prevented local children’s and adolescents’ mental health services from being cut, but they are still facing a 5% loss in funding from national Government. When will the Government finally take this seriously and reverse the cuts to children’s mental health services?

[Elizabeth Truss]

We are putting additional funding and support into children’s mental health services and the Department for Education has recently announced additional support for children’s mental health issues in schools.