to lay of the challenges the court will hear. then, ilya somin will discuss the question before the court on monday, whether the constitutional challenge to the individual mandate, which does not go into effect until 2014, is premature. jonathan turley and jane simon will look at the makeup of the supreme court's and how it compares to past courts. "washington journal" airs live at 7:00 a.m. eastern. >> back from his official visit to the u.s. got medicare and returns to the house of commons to take questions. it's this week he was asked about his conversations with president obama and keeping the 2014 timetable. he answered several questions on the economy. he is, in setting small-business

owners who lost their property. from london, this is 30 minutes. >> question no. one, this morning i had meetings with colleagues and others. it i shall have such meetings later today. >> thank you. is concerned that britain suffers from a single culture. does the prime minister agree that an example should be set and those -- [inaudible] football match is setting a very bad exple? >> my honorable friend does make an important point. we do have a rob, and i have to -- problem, and i have to report, mr. speaker, the problem can sometimes go to the top.

i think the question is as well as knowing the miracle cure, i think there is an important question which is what was it that first attracted him to the multimillionaire of the football club. >> ed miliband. [cers and applause] >> mr. speaker, following the prime minister's recent trip to washington, we now know that the timetable for the withdrawal of british and international combat forces in afghanistan ll be reviewed at the nato summit in chicago in y. the prime minister has previously set our timetable that would see combat operations for british troops cease by 2014. given the recent statements about an acleted statement for the french troops, can the prime minister confirm the government's position going into

that summit? >> first of all, let me take this opportunity to once again pay tribute to the magnificent work that our troops to in afghanistan. we had another reminder yesterday of the very high price that we've paid. in terms of the program of withdrawal, what i've said absolutely stands which is that we will not be in a combat role in afghanistan after 2014, nor will we have anything like the number of troops we have now. we will be performing a training task, particularly helping with the officer training academy. between now and then it's important that we have a sensible profile for the reduction in troop numbers. that should be largely based on the conditions in terms the three parts of helmd province that we're still responsible for. what i discussed with president obama in america is making sure that in 2013 if there are opportunities to change the nature of the mission and be more in support rather than a direct combat role, then that's something i think everyone will

want to see. we can make further progress on that issue at the chicago summit and announcements later in the year about that. >> ed miliband. >> mr. speaker, i know he will keep the house informerred of -- informed of any change in the british position and, indeed, any precise timetable and any evolution of that. i'm sure he'll also agree in the wake of the tragi killing of afghan civilians last week, that is something we all abhor, but we must carry on with our mission. now, president karzai has said troops should be confined to their main bases. does he agree me while international troops are there, they must be able to perform their role of protecting the afghan population, and can he tell us what constitutions he's had -- discussions he's had with president karzai? >> obviously, our teams are in

permanent contact in terms of afghanistan, and i myself speak to president karzai regularly. obviously, what happened in afghanistan with the dreadful shootings carried outy the rogue american soldier is a dreadful event, and that must be properly prosecuted and dealt with for what it was which was a mass murder, and i know president obama takes that view very strongly. in terms of making sure that we work with the afghans, as i've said, the key is making sure that we transition in the three parts of helmand that we're responsible for and that we hand over to afghan troops and that they're in the lead as soon as they're capable of fulfilling at task. i don't have any concerns at the moment about the role of british troops. they're able to carry out the tasks which they are allotted. we're making good progress in the three parts of helmand, we'll be in permanent touch with the afghans, but the finish we - we should be trying to make the

most of the transition. >> ed miliband. >> mr. speaker, i know he agrees with me that dialogue is very, very important, particularly in the light of the comments that were made. now, a few days ago the taliban suspended preliminary talks with the united states. in light of this, can the ime minister tell the house what his assessment of the significance of this is, and does he agre we owe it to our troops serving in afghanistan to be much more urgently focused on - [inaudible] can he tell us how the british government plans to play its role in getting the political process restarted? >> prime minister. i thank you for that question. i think it is vitally important we get this right. to be fair to the last government, the last government took this view as well, the british position has always been that we need to have a political settlement in order to insure the best possible outcome for the people of afghanistan. britain has been pushing for political reconciliation and reinti gration, and i had very

productive talks with president obama last week because the american view is now the same. they want to support that political process. of course, the taliban have said what they said lt week, and i would just make this point. we are committed to handing over to the of afghan government, military and police and the numbers are on track, we're committed to doing that at the end of 2014. we believe that can happen even without a political settlement with a sisfactory outcome to the united kingdom, but clearly it would be better if it was accompanied by a political settlement. now, the work for that including setting up a taliban political office is well, is progressing well, and i believe it's in everyone's interest that we keep pushing that agenda. but the taliban should be in no doubt. there are the opportunities for a political settlement if they give up voins, renounce al-qaeda. but be they don't take those accepts, we will continue to

defeat them every time they raise their head. >> simon hart. >> thank you, mr. speaker. i know the prime minister will agree that -- [inaudible] is a fantastic charity. typically needs to raise about 5,000 pounds a year. will he support my efforts to make it easier for charities to get the gift aid that they're due? >> well, first of all, let me join my honorable friend in paying tribute to the ambulance service. they save many, many lives. we are providinghree billion pounds a year in tax relief for charities of which gift aid makes up around a billion, and that's taking it up to 5,000 pounds, and i think that will be a significant help to great charities like the one he mentioned. >> ann. >> thank you, mr. speaker. when the disability minister came to wales last week, she

said it was for others to consider whether budgets should be devolved to wales. i think when she said "others," she meant you, prime minister. as you know, the welsh government has already said it's committed to supporting the workers in wales. will you, therefore, devolve the -- [inaudible] for the welsh factories in next three years in order to insure that all those factories can have a future, do have a future? >> i will look carefully at the probably the honorable lady puts forward so long as it's very constructive. whether this decision is reserved or dissolved -- sorry, reserved or devolved, it doesn't mean you don't have to take difficult decisions. we did ask the chief executive to look at this issue, and the outcome she proposed is

supported by mencap, disability wales, center for deaf and blind and the center for mental health. and the point is this, government funding allows for half a billion pounds over five years, but even that isn't enough to keep those fact ris open, and the reason for that is access to work rewards are around 2,900 pounds per disabled. so if aim of policy is to use the money that we have to support disabled people into work, you can understand why the review came to the decision it did. >> gavin williamson. >> thank you, mr. speaker. the last few weeks have seen the start of the 350 million pound construction of land rover's new -- does my right honorable friend agree this is a sign of growing confidence and belief in british manufacturing which is in stark contrast tothe

destruction -- [inaudible] >> well, i think my honorable friend makes an important point. the jaguar/land rover news is excellent news for british manufacturing and for british car making. and the good news is that what's happening in the car industry is not confined to jaguar land rover. if you look at nissan, honda, toyotathey are all expanding across our country, and that's very good news for british manufacturing. >> [inaudible] >> thank you, mr. speaker. on the bus to the commons today, i revealed to a fellow passenger that i was a member of parliament. [inaudible conversations] after some light-hearted and customary abuse, our conversation went to life, the universe and commuting. can the prime minister tell me and the man on the omnibus if

that, too, needs to cost me 90 pence, how much does that cost me today and -- [inaudible] >> the point i would make is that ten, ten -- [inaudible] twice promised to relieve fares, but boris pays his taxes and ken doesn't! [cheers and applause] >> order. jane ellison. >> on that very subject, i look forward in the budget later to measure tax avoidan that would lead the prime minister to agree with me that people seeking high office in public life should set a better example. >> i think the honorable lady makes an important point, and i have to note whaten livingston has said is, he's said if he's elected mayor of london, he will th fully pay his taxes. [laughter] 's not for me to hand out political advice, but my advice would be to pay them before the

campaign gets going. >> john pryor. >> thank you, mr. speaker. does the prime minister recognize that the introduction of regional pay would set hospital against hospital and school against school? and yet it would almost certainly push up the overall cost of public sector pay? unless he can give us a guarantee here today that if he introduces regional pay, it will bring down the overall bill? >> what i'dsay to the honorable gentleman is the last government introduced local pay io the court service, so the idea of looking at local pay for some puic services is not some alien concept, it's a perfectly sensible thing to look at. and i also say his front desk suggested we look at local benefits, so surely he should be in favor rather than against. >> mr. richard drax. >> [inaudible]

[laughter] >> i saw the prime minister -- i'm sure the prime minister praises the work of the helicopt service around our country. does he share my concerns that the last of th portland search scue helicopter in 2017 will threaten the lives of my constituents and damage the integrity of the search and rescue service on the south coast? >> i totally agree with the honorable gentleman that a reliable search and rescue service is absolutely vital. we have looked at keeping the sea king helicopters which is one of the things he suggested, but they wouldn't be able to provide a service as good or capable as a modern fleet of helicopters, that's why we're planning the changes, and can we believe that should provide faster flying times and a more reliable service. >> ed miliband. >> mr. speaker, following last

year's riots, thprime minister came to the house and said we will help you repair the damages, get your businesses back up and running and support your communities. last week a report by the metro o poll tan police revealed the numberf claims, only half have been settled since last august. does the prime minister agree with me this is simply not good enough? >> i do agree. that's specifically why we've also introduced a thurm of extra funds run by the department for community and local government, and i think those funds have paid out faster. the riot damages act is right in a way to have this piece of legislation, although it is quite out of date, but it does take time to make those payments, and i'll certainly do what i can to chase them out. >> ed miliband. >> mr. speaker, we're eight months on from the riots. now, the deputy prime minister, the deputy prime minister hosted a reception -- i think the honorable gentleman opposite should listen to this very

important issue about the riots. now, at a reception last week organized by the deputy prime minister, he and i met the owner of a supermarket which was razed to the ground during the violence on august the 8th. she is still waiting to receive any compensation. does the prime minister agree that eight months on, that's just not right, and doese further agree with me that, ultimately, it is the government's responsibility to make sure she gets the compensation she deserves? >> i agree with the right honorable gentleman, i'll rook into that specific case -- i'll look into that spefic case. i introduced the act to get monies out faster. if he likes i'll put in the library of the house of commons a set of informations about what those funds did, where we've got to with the riot damages act, and also i'll look into the individual case mentioned. >> mr. speaker, people who haven't been helped by that money and can't get hem. mr. speaker, three things need

to happen to make good on this. first of all, there needs to be proper informationn the payments made under the riot damages act, the matter of urgency because there is -- [inaudible conversations] no, there was one report, they said there is information. there is information from the metropolitan police, but the reality is the information available is very patchy about what is happening around the country. so, firstly, we need proper information. i ask him to nominate a minister in the home office, and third, can he promise to come back to the house with a clear indication of when 100% of legimate claims will be properly settled? >> i'm certainly happy to co back to the house, as i said, putting an answer in the house of commons, and i agree, about all this information. on the individual case he mentioned, i understand it was a multiple claim because it was a shop also with a number of flats above it, but i accept eight months is too long, so we'll make progress on that individual case, and the honorable member

in the home office who's the policing minister is taking the lead on this. but i've also held follow-up meetings to make sure the money isaid out. >> [inaudible] >> thank you, mr. speaker. the prime minister may be aware that the strategy which provides support for injured servicemen has recently changed its name. in order to raise awareness of this name change, will the prime minister join with me in siting their new residential center in order to see the wonderful work firsthand they do in supporting our veterans? >> perhaps i will be able to schedule a visit before long. i'd like to put on record my thanks for the tireless and highly professional way that they ais cyst former service -- assist former service personnel who tragically lost their sight. i think he pays them compliment by explaining their name so people know who they are. we have a huge debt to pay to former service personnel.

they have done extraordinary things on behalf of their country, and we need to look after them through their life, and my right old friend, the chancellor, will be making announcements about that in his budget. >> ian lavery. >> thank you, mr. speaker. the prime minister under or his government said unemployment would fall year over year, and here we are at this moment in time with a 70-year-high record in unemployment. 55.4 people seeking every job vacancy. the regional gwth fund is supporting only four businesses. why should the 550 workers -- [inaudible] and that many others lose their job -- [inaudible conversations] >> the prime minister. >> well, first of all, on the specific case of the rio tinto plant, i know how important that is, and we're working with the council and the company to do what we can to help get those

people work, though i understand rio tinto are still in negotiations with the potential purchaser of their plant. what i'd say to him about employment and unemployment is, clearly, we need more jobs in our economy. but since the election we've had over 600,000 new jobs in the private sector. the level of employment in the country is up by around 250,000, and there are fewer people on out-of-work benefits now than there were at the time of the election. and in terms of what's happening in the northeast, we should also celebrate the good news, the fact that nissan is creating 2,000 jobs, the fact that hitachi is building a new plant, the fact that new castle airport is expanding, we should be talking up the northeast instead of talking it down. >> alan reid. >> thank you, mr. speaker. a cargo vessel on a small island showed the need for the coast

guard that have recently withdrawn from service. will the prime minister, please, look into this as a matter of urgency for getting a future tug in the place? >> prime minister. >> i know this issue is bei looked into at the moment, so i'm very happy to write to the honorable gentleman and give him the details. i know he represents island communities that can be extremely cut off particularly during the winter months, and i will write to him about that. >> question number seven, closed question. mr. graham allen. >> question seven, mr. speaker. >> well, first of all, relate me pay -- let me pay tribute to the work the honorable gentleman does in thisrea. early intervention is absolutely essential, that is how we're going to improve the life chances of the least well off in our country and generally lift young people and children out of poverty. we'll base funding decisions on what comes out of the first two year, but the ear intervention

grant is going to rise next year. >> mr. graham allen. >> i thank the prime minister and, indeed, the leaders of all parties for their continuing support for early intervention. early intervention not only helps babies, children and young people develop the social and themotional capability to make the best of themselves, but it saves the country billionsof pounds in the long rub. run. would he and, indeed, the chancellor take this as the first representation not for today's budget, but for next year's budget? would he continue framing next year's budget around early intervention bringing forward some proposals to stimulate the social finance market that we heard about in earlier questions and move 1% only of departmental budgets from late intervention to early intervention? >> prime minister. >> in terms of budget submissions, that was definitely an example of early intervention, so i praise him for the work that he's done.

as he knows, we're going to be setting up the early intervention foundation that is going to be funded in order to make the argument that he has put very effectively whichever side of the house he's been sitting on for very many years. i'll certainly discuss this with my right honorable friend, the chancellor. we're trying to look at all the mechanisms we have whether it's backing nursery education, making sure the early preveion grant is going up, of actlly putting the money in early to actually change people's life chances before it's too late. >> thank you, mr. speaker. the highest business growth in the whole of the united kingdom -- [inaudible] thanks to a conservative council that is open for business and a conservative-led government that is effective -- [inaudible] will the prime minister come to harlow so we can show britain how to lead the economic recovery? >> in danger of being accused of watching too much television, i think you can summarize this

question and s the only way essex, and i know he speaks up for his county. what i would say is congratulate harlow on the fantastic achievement they have. e government wants to play its part, not least the enterprise zone that we hope will create 5,000 new jobs. >> marry lyndon. >> thank you, mr. speaker. over 7,000 hard working families depend on tax credits to make ends meet, yet less than 200 people have to pay top tax. which of these groups does the prime minister think needs the most support in the chancellor's budget? >> prime minister. >> what i can tell the honorable lady is we've increased the child tax credit by 255 pounds last year which was the biggest increase in its history, and it'll go up by about 135 pounds this year. and in terms of the very richest in our country, let me reawe sure her, after this budget, they'll be paying more in tax.

>> simon hughes. >> as well as the liberal democrat priority to lift the tax hold to 10,000 pounds, can the prime minister agree that one of the best ways of helping -- >> order! mr. hughes must be heard. simon hughes. >> does the prime minister agree one of the best ways of helping families on low and medium income is to build all affordable housing and give labour's legacy -- [inaudible] 50,000 families on the waiting list. there will be more affordable housing in london -- [inaudible conversations] >> well, we do want to get our housing market started again including more affordable house, and that's why the higher right to buy discounts, that money is going to go back in tward building affordable homes. we're doing more to kick start those places that have planning permission but can't get

underway because of finance, and that's why we're putting extra money into that scheme to make sure building takes place this year or next year. >> john mcdonald. [inaudible conversations] >> some of the information used by consults associations to blacklist trade unions must have come, could have only come from the security services. when 3,000 celebrities have their telephones hacked, the government set up a public inquiry. the home secretary went -- [inaudible] many are of them have lost their livelihoods. why is there one route to justice for celebrities and another for working people? >> there is one law that has to coffer everybody in this land, and if theres any accusations of wrongdoing, that is something that the police who are completely independent of government can investigate. and that is what should happen. but let me say to the honorable gentleman, i say that on his

behalf, but he could do something on even else's behalf. he runs the right to work campaign that is stopping from young people from getting work experience. if he cares about responsibility for young people, he'll give up that left-wing organization. >> jesse norman. >> thank you, mr. spear. my -- [inaudible] has below average household income, but public funding for schools and health care has for a long time been only of the lowest in the country. does my right honorable friend share my view this is unfair, and will he personally support measures to get a fair deal for my county and other similarly-affected rural areas? >> he will know we are looking at the fundg formula for schools, and we want to try and make it simpler so people can see what the criteria are and why their area receives the money that it ds. but at the same time we're also introducing the pupil premium which will mean that parts of

the country like his where there are quite high levels of deprivation will get specific funding for those children on free school meals, and that should help those schools that need the money the most. >> debbie abrahams. >> will the prime minister do the honorable thing and publish -- [inaudible] including the acton that's needed to mitigate the risks that will -- [inaudible] >> what i'd say is that, um, as far as i can see we have actually voted in this house of commonswice on the same issue, and both oasions -thank you, mr. speaker -- there was a significant majority in favor of the government's position. and i would also, i would also add, i would also add that the last government had many, many opportunities to publish risk registers, and they didn't do it. >> always appreciate the prime minister's gratitude, i'm sure. nick bowles. >> thank you, mr. speaker. r ten years or more, leading conservatives like the noble

lords have argued for working people and pensioners on low incomes to be taken out of income tax altogether. [laughter] does my right honorable friend agree that thiis a thoroughly conservative idea? [laughter] [cheers and applause] whose time has truly arrived? >> what i would say to my honorable friend is almost uniquely i'm not going to prejudge what is in the chancellor's budget. but i think we can see in reference to what he says, this is, if you like, mr. speaker, a kaidoscope budget. [cheers and applause] >> i'm so encouraged that the