Politics LIVE: Prime Minister's Questions and John Swinney launches Programme for Government
Wednesday is set to be a bumper day in politics, with the publication of the Grenfell Report, the First Minister will launch the Programme for Government, then there is the small matter of PMQs in Westminster.
This morning will see the report into the deaths of 72 people in a fire at Grenfell Tower published more than seven years after the blaze.
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Hide AdThe lengthy document – the final report of the inquiry into the 2017 disaster – is expected to lay out in detail its findings around the actions of corporate firms in the construction industry, the local authority, London Fire Brigade and government.
In Scotland, John Swinney will this afternoon unveil his government's plans to help grow the economy, deliver net zero, and eradicate child poverty.
Ahead of his speech, Mr Swinney claimed the forthcoming year's legislative plans will focus on delivering a "wealthier, fairer and greener Scotland despite difficult financial challenges".
In Westminster there’s also Scottish Questions at 11:30, and PMQs at midday.
Politics LIVE: Scotland questions, Grenfell statement and John Swinney launches Programme for Government
Nice quiet day
Good morning and a very warm hello on what is set to be a significant day for both the Scottish and UK Government.
First we’ll be hearing from Scottish MPs as they grill the Scotland Secretary Ian Murray, an event which will be followed by PMQs.
The Prime Minister is in the middle of a cronyism row, and it will be interesting to see if Rishi Sunak keeps his cordial tone from the last session, or goes out on the attack, as the shadow cabinet are privately urging.
After PMQs Sir Keir Starmer will give a statement on Grenfell, with the report finally being published, then MPs will debate its findings and the response.
In Scotland, the embattled First Minister, bruised by the general election result, will set out his Programme for Government amid accusations the SNP are to blame for the state of the public finances, not Westminster.
There is a lot happening, and we’ll have all of it right here, with plenty of reaction through the day. Don’t go anywhere.
All risk, no reward
One of the biggest talking points today is of course planned cuts by the SNP, which my colleague David Bol has warned could threaten the Scottish Government’s child poverty strategy.
You can read the full piece here, which is full of insight into the challenges facing the First Minister.
You want more, boy?
If that’s not enough news for you, today will also see the first elimination of the Tory leadership conference, a race that runs until November. No really.
Will it be the end of Priti Patel? Or will people finally learn who Mel Stride is, just in time for him to be kicked out.
It’s all to play for, and we should know around 15:30.
The final Grenfell Tower disaster report has been published...
...and it makes for grim reading.
All 72 deaths in the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017 were avoidable and the people who lived there were “badly failed” by authorities and the construction industry through incompetence, dishonesty and greed, inquiry chairman Sir Martin Moore-Bick has said.
The final report concluded the fire was “the culmination of decades of failure” by central government and the construction industry to properly consider the danger of combustible materials in high-rise residential buildings.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the Grenfell Tower Inquiry report identified “substantial and widespread failings” and the UK government will carefully consider the report and its recommendations “to ensure that such a tragedy cannot occur again”.
London Mayor reaction
Plenty of reaction coming in to the report, with London Mayor Sadiq Khan saying Grenfell Tower residents “paid a price for systemic dishonesty, corporate greed and institutional indifference and neglect”.
He said firms held responsible by the inquiry should be banned from receiving public contracts, and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) should look into bringing criminal cases.
Mr Khan said: “The Grenfell Tower fire isn’t just a heart-breaking tragedy, it’s a horrific injustice and a national disgrace. That the lives of 72 Londoners were stolen from us in such circumstances is a moral outrage.
“The inquiry makes clear in stark terms that all these deaths were entirely avoidable, and that the residents of Grenfell Tower have paid the price for systematic dishonesty, corporate greed and institutional indifference and neglect.”
He said “profit has been put before people” which “isn’t just shameful, it’s utterly indefensible”.
Mr Khan added that “more must now be done to hold those responsible to account, including banning any of the companies held responsible by the inquiry from receiving any public contracts as the police and CPS look into bringing criminal prosecutions”.
Housing Minister speaks
Some Scottish reaction here, with Housing Minister Paul McLennan saying it showed how “important building and fire safety is.”
He said: “We will carefully consider all of the recommendations in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s report. Yesterday I met with UK Government Ministers to discuss how we can work collaboratively to take the appropriate actions to deliver the Inquiry’s recommendations and ensure residents and homeowners in Scotland are kept safe.
“Scotland already has stringent safety regulations to keep people safe, but we are not complacent. Where immediate action is needed to safeguard people we will ensure appropriate actions are taken to manage risks, pending longer-term remediation works.
“Subject to the devolution of the necessary powers, we will establish a Building Safety Levy in Scotland, equivalent to a Levy that will be introduced by the UK Government in England. The Levy will provide vital revenues to support the funding of our Cladding Remediation Programme.”
Lib Dem response
Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey MP says his thoughts are with the 72 people who died, their families, and the survivors.
He said: “This is their day. They have waited too long to get the truth, and are still waiting for real justice and meaningful action. We owe it to them to ensure that this crucial report does not become another dust-covered book sitting on a shelf in Whitehall.
“Dangerous cladding must be removed from all buildings as quickly as possible.
"The Government must also act on the rest of the Inquiry’s findings with the urgency they demand – to hold those responsible to account and prevent another disaster like this from ever happening again.”
Back in parliament
Scotland Questions is now underway, where Ian Murray will face the daunting task of answering questions from mainly Labour MPs. It’s a hard life.
Is it criminal?
Any decisions on potential criminal prosecutions over the Grenfell Tower fire are not expected for another two years, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has said.
Frank Ferguson, head of the CPS special crime and counter-terrorism division, said: “Our thoughts remain with the bereaved families and the survivors at what must be an extremely difficult time.
“We have been working closely with the Metropolitan Police Service throughout their investigation and will therefore be in a strong position to review the completed evidential file, which they anticipate will be passed to us in 2026.
“Our team of specialist prosecutors will then carefully review the file but do not expect to be in a position to make any charging decisions until the end of 2026.
“Due to the sheer volume of evidence and complexity of the investigation, we will need to take the necessary time to thoroughly evaluate the evidence before providing final charging decisions.”
Solidarity forever
Tory MP David Mundell, who was once the only Scottish Tory in Westminster, praises Ian Murray and says he recognises how hard it is being in parliament on your own. However, he adds, having colleagues brings it's own challenges. Light laughter, nice moment.
Cash shortfall
Ian Murray says budget problems in Scotland are a crisis of the Scottish Government’s making. Cheers of approval from Labour MPs, shock.
Ageing gracefully
Former minister and now shadow Scotland secretary John Lamont asks a question about the cut to winter fuel allowance, and Ian Murray basically avoids it, attacking the Tories record.
Mr Lamont replies this is happening because of choices made by the Labour Government, then reads out letters from concerned pensioners.
The Scotland secretary replies that there’s no apology or recognition of their own role being taken by the Tories. He adds “These things have to be fixed, they aren’t decisions that we wanted to make”.
Seeing double
Asked about supporting Scotland’s sport, Ian Murray says he’s not related to Andy Murray, despite sharing the same physique, and he’ll work hard to build on his legacy.
Friends!
Ian Murray is asked a question about GB Energy by Glasgow South MP Gordon McKee, who used to work for him. He agrees with its importance, then jokes "it's a much better question than he ever wrote for me".
Jobs risk
Labour’s Gregor Poynton warns 400 jobs are at risk at a heat pumps manufacturer in Livingston.
He said: “This week we have heard the concerning news from Mitsubishi Electric, a plant in my constituency, that is looking to reduce its workforce from its current complement of 1600 by 440 jobs.
“This is a highly skilled workforce creating world-leading products, air-sourced heat pumps and air conditioning units which are absolutely vital as we look to decarbonise our economy in the future.
“However, [through] no fault of their own, due to short term economic pressures, they have seen their order book fall away.”
Mr Murray commits to meeting with the firm.
Winter is coming
Rishi Sunak starts by asking about the winter fuel allowance, and says the Prime Minister has chosen inflation busting pay rises for train drivers over vulnerable pensioners.
Starmer replies they had to take tough decisions to repair the damage caused by the Tories.
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