Labour’s proposal to force the government to end the public sector pay cap was defeated in the Commons last night.
The proposed change to the Queen’s Speech was voted down 323 to 309, in what was seen as the first test of the Democratic Unionist Party’s supply and confidence agreement with the Conservatives.
The debate on the legislation laid out in the speech last week will continue today and Labour has attempted to introduce a raft of amendments based on its general election pledges.
Speaker of the Commons John Bercow has chosen the Labour amendments that will be discussed today.
They are:
- Chuka Umunna’s Brexit asks, including to remain in the single market
- Stella Creasy’s proposal for Northern Irish women to be able to get abortions in England
- Jeremy Corbyn’s alternative Queen’s Speech
And @ChukaUmunna's single market amendment also chosen along with wide ranging Corbyn/McDonnell one - votes btw five and six tonight https://t.co/T2bsT2u2I8
— Laura Kuenssberg (@bbclaurak) June 29, 2017
Before the vote last night senior Conservative MPs, such as Michael Fallon and Oliver Letwin, had suggested their party should consider lifting the 1% pay cap.
All ten DUP MPs voted with the government to block the end to the pay cap, which also called on the government to recruit more people into the emergency services.
The press had reported a Number 10 source claiming the pay cap is under review.
"Ministers, including the prime minister and the chancellor, have been clear that they are going to listen to the messages that were sent at the election,” the source was quoted saying.
Theresa May’s spokesperson was then quoted in a range of media responding that “the government policy has not changed”.
The vote on the whole Queen's Speech is due to take place this evening.
