to line were ten times more likely to win a contract. we now know that many did not go through the so—called eight stage process of due diligence as ministers have now admitted. and we now know that this let dozens of experience british businesses left out in the cold. businesses that have the expertise to procure ppe and ventilators precisely and fast. businesses who offered their help in our darkest hour, and businesses whose only mistake was to play by the rules. not a single one of the companies referred to the vip lane was done so by a politician of any other political party other than the conservative party. then chancellor, the duchy of lancaster, the cabinet member who oversaw entire emergency commune —— procurement programme reported a fast track to a bit from one of his own personal friends and

donors, who went on to win hundreds of millions of public money. last week, he said that he simply referred the bid from ppe medpro onto officials. yet, we also know that he passed it directly onto his ministerial colleague, lord agnew. she's given a very thoughtful speech that you put everybody on the opposite bench as to shame. what she is shocked as i was to find out that there was a company put on the vip lane by mistake, and still got the million pound contract? it is absolute _ million pound contract? it is absolute negligence - million pound contract? it is absolute negligence of due diligence when the whole process, which now know has been tested at the high court, around this vip access lane and what that did and what it didn't

do, but we know that there is serious concerns, and that's what that motion is about today. it's about getting to the bottom of it, and i think the public deserve no less. but after the minister passed it directly onto his ministerial colleague, and sometime later, officials discussed that the minister's office was still being furiously lobbied. i will quote in the chamber, but without any dates or details. we do not know exactly what conversations or contracts happened behind the scenes. but we do know that three and a half billion pounds of contracts that have been handed out to this government by their mates, so we do need an investigation into that. we need an investigation into that. we need an investigation into that. we need an investigation into every pound and penny that has been handed out and to learn the lessons so that

the public money isn't wasted again. i don't forget they had previously denied the existence of a vip lane. it existed, all right, and allow conservative politicians open doors to for anyone with connections to ministers — the whatsapp highway express. as my right honourable friend mentioned earlier, i didn't have to be this way. governments across the world responded to the covid emergency without wasting billions of pounds of taxpayers' money and relying on dodgy backroom deals. the welsh labour government managed to prevent bodies running out of ppe. the watchdog said, "in contrast to the position described by the national audit office in england, we saw no evidence of a priority being given to potential suppliers depending on who referred them. the government created an open

and transparent shall supply chain. in stark contrast to the conservative �*s' approach in england." i conservative 's' approach in england-'— england." i thank my right honourable _ england." i thank my right honourable friend - england." i thank my right honourable friend for - england." i thank my right l honourable friend for giving england." i thank my right - honourable friend for giving way. does she agree with me that with the benefit of hindsight, this house would not have allowed the government to have the emergency procurement powers that it granted at the beginning of the pandemic if we do have known —— if we would have known how they were going to be used? i known how they were going to be used? ~ , known how they were going to be used? ~' , ., ., ., , used? i think my honourable friend is absolutely _ used? i think my honourable friend is absolutely right, _ used? i think my honourable friend is absolutely right, and _ used? i think my honourable friend is absolutely right, and i _ used? i think my honourable friend is absolutely right, and i go - is absolutely right, and i go further in terms of the correspondence i've been receiving. the public feel that and many conservative voters are absolutely shocked. they don't believe it speaks to their values, yet this has happened, and we have a procurement bill going forward where this could happen again. so, for today at least, the question before the house is simple — clean up or cover up. i

know that members across this house care about our democracy, although we disagree on many things, i hope we disagree on many things, i hope we go agree on the importance of trust in politics, the values of integrity in public office. the public�*s wish for more transparency and accountability within these four walls. put simply, a vote for this motion is a vote in favour of the truth. this government has the presided over scandal after scandal, that has engulfed their party. they have benefited from dodgy lobbying left right and centre, and voting today for yet another cover—up will send another very clear message to the public — this prime minister cares more about protecting vested interest than putting things right. that his own promise of integrity, professionalism and accountability

is just more hot air. professionalism and accountability isjust more hot air. after professionalism and accountability is just more hot air. after what they've put the british people through, this surely cannot be the message members opposite want to send. labour have a plan to turn this procurement bracket on its head and tackle the obscene waste. to ensure that public money is spent with the respect that it deserves. it's about time members opposite got with that programme. so i say today, and i hope the benches opposite are listening, let's end the cover—up and begin the clean—up. and start it now. i commend the house. the auestion now. i commend the house. the question is _ now. i commend the house. the question is as — now. i commend the house. the question is as on _ now. i commend the house. the question is as on the order paper. i know_ question is as on the order paper. i know that — question is as on the order paper. i know that members heard what i said previously i— know that members heard what i said previously. ijust want to add that whilst _ previously. ijust want to add that whilst these matters are not subdued, they are under

investigation by law enforcement agencies — investigation by law enforcement agencies and the lords commissions for standards, and nothing should be said to _ for standards, and nothing should be said to prejudice or prejudge any investigation. i'm sure that will be born in_ investigation. i'm sure that will be born in mind. minister wilkins of. thank— born in mind. minister wilkins of. thank you. — born in mind. minister wilkins of. thank you, madam deputy speaker. i'm gratefulfor thank you, madam deputy speaker. i'm grateful for the opportunity to come to this house. colleagues must cast their minds back to where we were three years ago, as we stood on the precipice of a global health emergency. sars, cov two, was not even called covid—i9 by this point. little was known about its impact and transmission. in a matter of a few short weeks, this novel coronavirus pushed global health systems and global pp supply chains to near breaking point. yet here at

home, from his standing start, we initiating work and one of the toughest logistical challenges —— a standing start. that toughest logistical challenges -- a standing start.— standing start. at the beginning of the pandemic. _ standing start. at the beginning of the pandemic, and _ standing start. at the beginning of the pandemic, and one _ standing start. at the beginning of the pandemic, and one of - standing start. at the beginning of the pandemic, and one of my - standing start. at the beginning of the pandemic, and one of my first| the pandemic, and one of my first prime minister's questions, i asked of the then prime minister if he would ensure that profiteering would have no place in this government's response to the covid pandemic, and now fast forward, and that seems to be at the very hard. the question that i have for him is that the british people are told that this government was helping them. that they were going to be supported. i have been persisting in my questions about how the domestic diagnostic industry has been promised by this government, and they are being charged for doing the right thing. will he apologised?— charged for doing the right thing. | will he apologised?_ all will he apologised? thank you. all come onto many _

will he apologised? thank you. all come onto many of— will he apologised? thank you. all come onto many of his _ will he apologised? thank you. all come onto many of his points, - will he apologised? thank you. all come onto many of his points, but| will he apologised? thank you. all| come onto many of his points, but i will say this about you cage supply chains. only i% of ppe used in the uk was produced here. the recorder of the ffp three provided the nhs manufactured in the uk. contracts were signed with around 30 uk —based companies. i will in a moment. i'll just make some progress. colleagues will recall those early days. countries imposing export bans. a huge inflation and global prices. these were the conditions under which tough decisions were taken. these were the conditions under which we stepped up to protect our most vulnerable and save lives. boy

i'm very grateful. but how does he possibly i'm very grateful. but how does he ossibl, . . i'm very grateful. but how does he ossiblj , . .,. i'm very grateful. but how does he ossiblj , . .. ., i'm very grateful. but how does he ossiblj , . ., ., possibly square the fact that a leadin: possibly square the fact that a leading clinical _ possibly square the fact that a leading clinical ppe _ possibly square the fact that a leading clinical ppe supplier. possibly square the fact that a | leading clinical ppe supplier to possibly square the fact that a - leading clinical ppe supplier to the nhs, since its very inception, has existed for more than 100 years, did not get a sniff at any contract because there weren't anywhere near a vip lane. the minister should be saying sorry. not all this nonsense. just fess up! say sorry!— just fess up! say sorry! well, there were lots of — just fess up! say sorry! well, there were lots of words _ just fess up! say sorry! well, there were lots of words there _ just fess up! say sorry! well, there were lots of words there and - just fess up! say sorry! well, there were lots of words there and lots i just fess up! say sorry! well, there | were lots of words there and lots of aggression, and i'll aggress some of this. let's be frank, there was. the honourable gentleman, i fear, forgets the pressure under which civil servants were working at the

time and the pace at which decisions had to be taken. if the... let me finish. if the honourable gentleman would like to write with those conditions... would like to write with those conditions. . ._ would like to write with those conditions... ., ., ., , conditions... order. the honourable centleman conditions... order. the honourable gentleman must _ conditions... order. the honourable gentleman must allow— conditions... order. the honourable gentleman must allow the _ conditions... order. the honourable gentleman must allow the ministerl conditions... order. the honourable i gentleman must allow the minister to answen _ gentleman must allow the minister to answen it's_ gentleman must allow the minister to answer. it's not fairjust to shout as soon— answer. it's not fairjust to shout as soon as — answer. it's not fairjust to shout as soon as you start answering stop decisions were made about speed and pace. they will hand contracts that would get the most amount of ppe. i'll take his intervention. i’m would get the most amount of ppe. i'll take his intervention.— i'll take his intervention. i'm very crateful. i'll take his intervention. i'm very grateful- was _ i'll take his intervention. i'm very grateful. was everything - i'll take his intervention. i'm very grateful. was everything that - i'll take his intervention. i'm very| grateful. was everything that was done done perfectly? no. all lessons will be learned. but he does make a point which all of us will be well advised to try and remember, because it is now quite a long time ago, the absolute panic and fear. the whole

world was trying to buy this stuff at any price they could get hold of it. if we neglect that, if we neglect to remember the doctors and nurses and care home operators who were knocking on our doors, asking for emergency help, then we can't have a proper debate about this issue. mt; have a proper debate about this issue. p ., ., ., , , issue. my honourable friend is absolutely _ issue. my honourable friend is absolutely right, _ issue. my honourable friend is absolutely right, and - issue. my honourable friend is absolutely right, and under. issue. my honourable friend is i absolutely right, and under those circumstances, we had to be quick and decisive to protect colleagues on the front line so they could continue providing life—saving care. with lives on the line, of course, of course we had to change our approach to procurement and adjust our appetite for risk. i don't believe, as my honourable friend just said, that the british people would have forgiven us if we'd stuck to the same old processes. we have to the same old processes. we have to balance the risk of contrast not performing and supplies being sold at a premium against the real risk

of harm to the front line workers in the public. of harm to the front line workers in the ublic. f so, you heard at length from angela rayner, who was talking at length about the awarding of ppe contracts, something we used to talk about so much at the start of the covid pandemic. we know that michelle mone is taking a leave of axed —— leave of absence with immediate effect after her company was caught up in allegations about that. that is why there is that debate there on the floor of the comments right now. the health minister are still speaking. we willjust pull away because it may be at continues for sometime and

there is an awful lot else to talk about today, not least a lot of strikes that have been called today. first, let'sjust head strikes that have been called today. first, let's just head to a political correspondentjonathan blake, because he has been listening to that quite lengthy debates. it is fair to say there might be people who are watching who don't know a huge amount about it, certainly don't know who baroness mone is. explain what is going on here and the significance of it.— the significance of it. labour has ut the significance of it. labour has put forward _ the significance of it. labour has put forward a — the significance of it. labour has put forward a motion _ the significance of it. labour has put forward a motion as - the significance of it. labour has put forward a motion as part - the significance of it. labour has put forward a motion as part of. the significance of it. labour has i put forward a motion as part of the time allocated to it on an opposition day designed to put pressure on the government over its handling of the awarding of contracts of ppe during the coronavirus pandemic. we heard and shall arrange a day are accusing the government of a culture of cronyism and awarding contracts to party donors and mates. he said it is —— it is a plea for clarity and truth,

calling on the government to end the cover—up, she called it, and begin the clean—up. responding, the health minister was talking about decision to make the planes are being granted, export bans were in place and decisions were being taken by civil servants, designed to bring the most possible value for money to the most possible value for money to the taxpayer. labour is doing this both in broad terms to put pressure on the government, but also zeroing in on the controversy surrounding baroness mone, a conservative peer and businesswoman, who has been a member of the lords since 2015. can there be any compulsion, labour clearly want to see documents to find out more about these contracts that were awarded. what are the rules around it?

the motion labour put forward cost of the government to release all documents relating to the company which baroness mone was associated with ppe medpro and if the motion is passed which it is likely to be because conservative mps are expected to abstain. then the government will be bound to release those documents, but it may be that the government argues, they need to be heavily redacted for legal reasons or a commercial sensitivities involved. but it is undoubtedly potentially a awkward day for the government. one which labour is using to apply maximum political pressure.— political pressure. thank you so much, jonathan _ political pressure. thank you so much, jonathan planck - political pressure. thank you so much, jonathan planck our - political pressure. thank you so . much, jonathan planck our political correspondent who is continue to watch all of that. want to turn our attention to all of the strike action, we will have much more on that injust a action, we will have much more on that in just a moment. action, we will have much more on that injust a moment. but action, we will have much more on that in just a moment. but first the weather is a new story for an

off—load people so we willjust pause and catch up with the prospects wherever you are because it is getting bitterly cold for a lot of people. that's right some bitterly cold weather on the cast through the sea temperatures are really going to be plummeting. it is already been turning a little colder over recent days we've had some snow showers across parts of scotland and today but turning colder, snow and ice for some of us. coming in on this northerly breeze those snow showers blown in on the cold air mass from the arctic mainly affecting parts of northern and eastern scotland, also got some rain showers down the east coast of england. the course of tonight. it could be the odd icy stretches that rain falls on cold ground. temperatures down to about “i! in cold spots for central scotland. first thing tomorrow morning probablyjust above first thing tomorrow morning probably just above freezing in the south east. a bit more cloud there. tomorrow, a lot of sunshine on the cards some snow for northern scotland could be up to ten cm falling of the higher ground. still a few rain showers just around the

far east coast, three have been 6 degrees but feeling colder in that northerly breeze. another area of snow, sleet, perhaps rain at lower levels moving into northern ireland as moving to thursday morning but a bitterly cold frosty start to the day and you watch out for some icy stretches. thank you very much indeed sarah, we willjust catch up as well with the sport because that is important right now too. look at the latest. plenty going on in football in a moment but first... eddiejones has been sacked as head coach of england's men's rugby union team. the rfu said he had been dismissed after a review of performances during the autumn, wherejones's side won only one of their four matches. patrick gearey has more on this. the end of the autumn the end of the road. england's defeat to south africa the last of eddiejones's difficult

year. this time for the head coach it really was final. england first turned to jones it really was final. england first turned tojones seven years ago and ozzie, an outsider who could reinvigorate the rugby nation. miss opportunities _ reinvigorate the rugby nation. miss opportunities a _ reinvigorate the rugby nation. ii 33 opportunities a once—in—a—lifetime opportunity and i had to take it. immediately could see the energy and his first six nations, england won every match. grand slam, great start. their winning streak lie instead 18 games. that momentum cannot be sustained but england still had enough to beat the mighty all blacks in the semifinals of last walkup. eddiejones's all blacks in the semifinals of last walkup. eddie jones's finest hour. one of the most famous days in english rugby history. but one of the most famous days in english rugby history.— one of the most famous days in english rugby history. but they lost that final game _ english rugby history. but they lost that final game in _ english rugby history. but they lost that final game in a _ english rugby history. but they lost that final game in a never - english rugby history. but they lost that final game in a never found . english rugby history. but they lost| that final game in a never found the same direction. eddiejones has tried different coaches, players, a purchase but in each of the last 26 nations, england have only one to

matches. storms were brewing out the autumn arrived. i matches. storms were brewing out the autumn arrived.— autumn arrived. i think at the moment. _ autumn arrived. i think at the moment. you _ autumn arrived. i think at the moment, you start _ autumn arrived. i think at the moment, you start losing - autumn arrived. i think at the moment, you start losing the autumn arrived. i think at the - moment, you start losing the faith in the _ moment, you start losing the faith in the fans— moment, you start losing the faith in the fans it becomes very difficult _ in the fans it becomes very difficult and i think that is the spot— difficult and i think that is the spot we — difficult and i think that is the spot we are in right now. i think eddie _ spot we are in right now. i think eddie jones said it, spot we are in right now. i think eddiejones said it, it spot we are in right now. i think eddie jones said it, it will be a water— eddie jones said it, it will be a water ship _ eddie jones said it, it will be a water ship nation serious. rugby is a sort of water ship nation serious. rugby is a sport of physicians _ water ship nation serious. rugby is a sport of physicians and _ water ship nation serious. rugby is a sport of physicians and now - water ship nation serious. rugby is a sport of physicians and now they| a sport of physicians and now they have removed eddiejones, those running the english game make them quickly. —— decisions. next december england will begin another world cup. forwards coach richard cockerill will take over the running of the team on an interim basis. he'll have work to do after a dismal year of results, with only five wins from 12 tests in 2022. but earlier i spoke to former england player ben cohen, who sastones tenure will be still be rememered postiively. i don't think he's a bad coach, you don't become a bad coach overnight.

there is certainly a disconnect between the players and the coach. world cup final, to six nations titles. he has a mixed bag. in qatar, into the final minutes between spain and morocoo, both hoping to become the next team through to the quarterfinals at the world cup. spain have had a mixed bag of results coming into this game, while morocco have been a surprise package so far, topping their group, it's still goalless. we will be going to penalties and you can follow all of the drama on the bbc sport website. after that match, the final round of 16 game is portugal against switzerland. portugal fans will be waiting anxiously to see if cristiano ronaldo will be in the starting lineup. it's after portugal coach

fernando santos says he "really didn't like" ronaldo's reaction to being substituted in their defeat by south korea. he was taken off 65 minutes into their final group stage defeat and has denied directing an outburst towards his coach. ahead of their game against england on saturday, france's olivier giroud has described his team—mate kylian mbappe as the best striker he has ever played with. mbappe and giroud have formed a dangerous partnership up front for the reigning champions, with the pair combining for two goals already in three games at this tournament. giroud says the pair have formed a great relationship. he is basically one of the best players i have played with. and he is amazing and still young which

means he can still improve his game. we have not seen, the best of him i hope it will come soon. and i know that, you know also. former barcelona and cameroon striker samuel eto'o has apologised for his part in what he described as a "violent altercation" following a match at the world cup. a video posted online appeared to show him, who is now president of his country's football federation, lashing out at a man. it happened after yesterday's game between brazil and south korea. on social media he said "i would like to apologise for losing my temper and reacting in a way that does not match my personality" and said he has been "the target of insults and allegations of cheating without any evidence."

you can of course follow this penalties from the world cup between morocco and spain happening right now on the bbc sport website. hugh ferris will be here sports day at half past six by for me. thank you very much with all of the sport there. a very good evening to you you are with bbc news and as promised we are going to talk about the industrial action facing many parts of the uk in the coming months. ambulance staff and paramedics have become the latest workers to announce a strike this month. the unions unite, unison and the gmb said staff will walk out in most of england and wales on 21st december. it comes as rail bosses accused the rmt of "playing fast and loose" with people's christmas plans after it announced more walk—outs over the festive period, on top of the strikes already planned for next week. it means this month — and into the new year — at least nine major public services will be hit by strikes. as well as ambulance workers and railway staff — nurses, highway workers,

royal mail staff, teachers in scotland and baggage handlers at heathrow are all taking industrial action. what is the impact on the economy and all of this. thank you steve and for being patient but real strikes in particular they kick in at six o'clock on christmas eve. all of the other strikes we have outlined there, what has been the impact thus far on your industry and particularly around that crucial christmas period. bps particularly around that crucial christmas period.— christmas period. as you say christmas — christmas period. as you say christmas trading _ christmas period. as you say christmas trading is - christmas period. as you say christmas trading is critical l christmas period. as you say| christmas trading is critical in christmas period. as you say - christmas trading is critical in any year but this year particular, it is the first year in three that we have been able to actually fully trained at christmas. just as we are building momentum, the world cup has help with that, great positivity, we

have had obviously this devastating news of the continuation of the real strikes and then at some added dates as well. you have to remember, they are small businesses in every community across the uk and particularly in towns and cities affected massively by this. one operator who has lost 1200 covers from next week which equates to about £70,000 worth of sales. that will make the difference between make or break for a will make the difference between make or breakfor a lot will make the difference between make or break for a lot of so without a strong christmas, we are feared we lose some hubs rapidly in the new year. you feared we lose some hubs rapidly in the new year-— the new year. you literally think ou the new year. you literally think you could _ the new year. you literally think you could lose _ the new year. you literally think you could lose pubs _ the new year. you literally think you could lose pubs because - the new year. you literally think| you could lose pubs because you the new year. you literally think - you could lose pubs because you are dealing with energy bills as well is it that brutal?— it that brutal? absolutely one in three are still _ it that brutal? absolutely one in three are still struggling - it that brutal? absolutely one in three are still struggling to - it that brutal? absolutely one in | three are still struggling to make it that brutal? absolutely one in i three are still struggling to make a profit. as you say inflation has been hitting pubs at a much higher level than inflation over 20% on food and services since the summer and as you say energy has been

devastating. even with government support, they have been playing —— paying three to four times the level that they have agreed to pay for stops they have had to treat about 20 - 30% stops they have had to treat about 20 — 30% higherjust to stand still. so anything that disrupts that now is really going to impact in the immediate term, but the winter ahead is already going to be incredibly difficult. this is going to be unfortunately, that means we will lose some very viable pups and it is not to the pub. with get back to the basics. the pub sector generates about 900,000 pups across the uk. we put out hospitality putting a0 billion into the economy. we need to be at the heart of the economy but back country particularly art community space where people can come together you see that at the world cup and at christmas and we will lose those communities and i fear we will knock them back. do you think ou fear we will knock them back. do you think you have _ fear we will knock them back. do you think you have any _ fear we will knock them back. do you think you have any members - fear we will knock them back. do you think you have any members who - fear we will knock them back. do you | think you have any members who have some sympathy with the strikers? they would argue that their wages are falling behind as well, they as well our sin because of living going

up, is there any sympathy or understanding for what is going on? my understanding for what is going on? my members have been absolutely battered by the fact of the pension at the last three years. they have looked beyond their own troubles and reached out to their communities, cooking meals for the vulnerable, delivering prescriptions, checking in on people that come to the pub because otherwise they would be on their own socially isolated and facing loneliness. so it is really important social spaces as well. so yes they have sympathy but they are supporting the communities, a huge amount of skilljobs, what about local suppliers brewers who are absolutely dependent on pups being open and busy right now. they have been to the same horrific impact of the last two years, we have not started our recoveries this is the first opportunity to build that bit of resistance and get them through to spring and summer next year. i fear, particularly for some of our affected towns and cities with those levels of cancellations that we have already seen this could be the last

nail in the coffin and we will lose them. . ~ nail in the coffin and we will lose them. ., ,, i. ,., nail in the coffin and we will lose them. ., ,, i. . steve alton is the chief executive of the british institute of innkeeping, representing independent pubs. a five—year—old girl in northern ireland has died from an illness linked to the bacterial infection strep a. she has been named as stella—lily mccorkindale. our ireland correspondent chris page is in belfast. people will be aware that there have been a number of deaths in different parts of the uk explain what we know about this incident. this parts of the uk explain what we know about this incident.— about this incident. this is sadly as ou about this incident. this is sadly as you say _ about this incident. this is sadly as you say the _ about this incident. this is sadly as you say the ninth _ about this incident. this is sadly as you say the ninth death - about this incident. this is sadly as you say the ninth death that l about this incident. this is sadly i as you say the ninth death that we have had in the uk. that have been linked to strep a infections so stella—lily mccorkindale was a pupil in west belfast, her school has pay tribute to her saying she was a bright and talented girl, popular

and she will be much missed. it is understood that she became ill last week and letters were sent by the public health agency in northern ireland to parents of pupils in the first three years at that primary school. i think that the children go to clinic, to see a doctor and be prescribed preventative antibiotics. but sadly, stella—lily mccorkindale became more ill it is understood she was moved to the intensive care unit and the belfast children's hospital and the belfast children's hospital and she died there yesterday. so earlier this afternoon public health officials here in belfast briefed reporters supposing to try to reassure them. he said that the number of strep a infections was high, unseasonably. for example scarlet fever which is what milder strep a infections can develop into, those numbers tell their own story. 122 cases of scarlet fever reported

across northern ireland.