As it happened: MPs debate Queen's Speech

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Boris Johnson has told the BBC that performance in the health service must improve.

Read more.

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The House of Commons Commission has been explaining the cost of the Brexit bongs.

But why do they put such a hefty figure on it? Find out.

A Liberal Democrat peer has likened post-Brexit Britain to Nazi Germany in controversial remarks in the House of Lords.

Lord Greaves said he feared EU nationals could be targeted on 31 January - the day the UK will leave the bloc - and in the period afterwards in a way that was “reminiscent of things happening in Germany in the early 1930s”.

During a debate on the government’s Brexit bill, he said there had been “widespread” verbal abuse of EU nationals in the aftermath of the 2016 Leave vote and a rise in racially motivated attacks.

“The day after the referendum, people had their windows put in, people were abused in the street, paint was daubed on people’s houses, that kind of thing,” he said. “I am very worried that on the 1st February and 2nd February there will be a wave of this kind of thing…

“I am fearful on the 31st January that some things may happen in some places which could be reminiscent of things happening in Germany in the early 1930s. I am worried because there is that sentiment among a hostile minority of the population and I’d like to know what the government is trying to stop this happening.”

He said he was concerned that “triumphalistic” events being planned to celebrate Brexit would make life even more difficult for the three million or so European nationals living in the UK, who were already experiencing feelings of loss akin to “bereavement”.

He was challenged by Labour peer Lord Grocott, who said his colleague was “stretching the point just a bit” and the comparison with the Nazis’ crackdown on Jewish people, minority groups and political opponents after they came to power had left him “reeling”.

But Lord Greaves stood by his remarks about the hostility faced by EU nationals, adding “I am not making this up, it is happening.”

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For the past few years, volatility in British politics has seemed the new normal.

But barring unforeseen events, it looks likely Boris Johnson will be in residence in Downing Street until 2024, at least.

The Conservatives' resounding election victory has given him real political authority, but the challenges facing him are also considerable.

What are the key decisions that could come to define the Johnson years?

Our political reporter Gavin Stamp looks into it.

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The deputy director general of the CBI says the situation at Flybe is "deeply worrying for the thousands of staff, their families and communities affected".

Josh Hardie, who helps run the business lobby group, says that while it is "not the role of government to bail out failing companies", it is "right the government examines what help it can provide, given the importance of regional connectivity to so many people’s jobs and livelihoods".

He adds: "More broadly, the new government has a huge opportunity to look at the overall cost of doing business and to support growth through high quality, sustainable infrastructure.

"That’s what will ultimately drive shared prosperity and level up growth across all.”

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Writing in the Telegraph, Nigel Farage complains that "nothing has been sanctioned" by Westminster Council to allow him to hold a party in Parliament Square to make the occasion the UK leaves the EU officially - 23:00 GMT on 31 January, in case you had forgotten.

He claims there is demand for such a shindig, with more than 15,000 people registering their interest.

"But I am beginning to think the attempts to block this celebration go to the heart of government," he says.

But what is uppermost in his mind? The "obstruction" by the Commons Commission over letting Big Ben bong.

Mr Farage writes: "It tolled on New Year’s Eve, on Remembrance Sunday and on Armistice Day. Did this cost £500,000 on each occasion? I would love to know the answer."

"If money really is the problem, crowdfunding plans have already been hatched. Businessmen including Lord Ashcroft have offered to underwrite this effort.

"Given the amount of public cash-raising schemes launched since 2016 by Remainers in their various bids to derail Brexit, there would be a certain sweetness in our paying en masse for Big Ben to work its magic in any case."

But he calls on the PM himself to back it.

"Come on, Boris," he says. "Announce that Big Ben will chime. And then appear on stage in Parliament Square as prime minister to mark this extraordinary date.

"Let the bells ring out for Brexit!"

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As memories of the last UK election fade, Ireland is gearing up for its own poll.

The Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar has called for a general election to be held on Saturday 8 February.

He has asked President Michael D Higgins to dissolve the Dáil (Irish parliament).

Mr Varadkar says there is a "window of opportunity" to hold a poll before the next European Council meeting in March.

And he says the vote is on a Saturday for the first time to help parents, students and those living away from home.

Read more on the story here.

In invoking the dispute mechanism for the Iran nuclear agreement or Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) - in other words, in deciding to hold Tehran to account for its breaches of the deal - the UK, France and Germany insist that they are still firmly behind the deal.

"Our hope is to bring Iran back into full compliance with its commitments under the JCPOA," their joint statement reads.

Treaties and agreements usually have dispute mechanisms to allow one party to challenge another if they think the terms of the deal are being broken.

But the situation with the Iran nuclear agreement is a little different. The dispute mechanism is there, but the moment for invoking it may be long past.

Read more analysis from Jonathan Marcus here.

From Brexit to 'bunging a bob for a Big Ben bong' - here's what you need to know from Boris Johnson's wide-ranging interview on BBC Breakfast.

We've had the latest read-out, as it's known, from the prime minister's official spokesperson, updating us on discussions at today's meeting of the cabinet.

We're told the prime minister and home secretary emphasised the Conservatives' commitment to law and order, and how important this was in their election victory.

Ministers were told: “Every department in Whitehall should consider itself a criminal justice department and play its full part in reducing crime and delivering for the public."

The spokesperson said the prime minister also emphasised a need to deliver reforms in health, children's social care, youth services, education and employment that are needed to tackle the causes of crime.

Downing St also said it was considering ways to mark Brexit day, but confirmed there would not be a new bank holiday to mark the occasion.

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Earlier in the Commons we heard an urgent question on airline Flybe and its financial difficulties.

Although it has been around under various names for the past 40 years, Flybe has never been an airline for the masses.

The number of passengers it carries pales by comparison with better-known budget carriers such as easyJet or Ryanair.

As a company, it is only a tenth as big as collapsed holiday firm Thomas Cook, so there is little prospect of a government bailout.

But those who habitually choose Flybe see it as a vital service, because it reaches the places that other airlines fail to touch.

Read more from those who rely on the airline here.

Chinese tech firm Huawei has issued a statement following the US's warning to the UK that it "would be madness" to use Huawei technology in the UK's 5G network.

The company's vice president, Victor Zhang, said: "We strongly agree with the prime minister that 'the British public deserve to have access to the best possible technology'.

"That is why we invested more than $15bn last year in research and development to ensure our customers receive just that. Huawei has worked with the UK's telecoms companies for 15 years and looks forward to supplying the best technologies".

He added Huawei wants to help "fulfil the government's commitment to make gigabit broadband available to all."

"We are confident that the UK government will make a decision based upon evidence, as opposed to unsubstantiated allegations," he said.

That's the end of the statement from Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab.

Now we are onto an afternoon of debating the Queen's Speech.

The event may have taken place back in December, but MPs still need the chance to scrutinise and vote on it.

And due to recess and the priority of the Brexit bill, this week is their first chance.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson is leading for the government - today's subject is on education and local government.

A Labour MP raises the issues of dual nationals being detained in Iran - such as Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab says the "plight of dual nationals...is at forefront of our minds".

He says Iran's "systematic and callous behaviour" when it comes to these citizens has "increased not decreased", showing a pattern.

Mr Raab adds: "We will do everything we can to secure their release.

"Iran has got to realise it cannot pursue its appalling behaviour... without being held to account and that's the policy of the UK."

Liberal Democrat Christine Jardine also asks when the PM is going to meet Nazanin's husband, Richard Ratcliffe, a meeting he mentioned in the BBC Breakfast interview, and asked for it to be a "matter of urgency".

Mr Raab says the meetings the PM has "will be publicised in the usual way and usual channels", but adds that he has met Mr Ratcliffe and "understand his concerns".

He then repeats that her plight, and those of other dual nationals being held in Iran, is at the "forefront of our minds", and hopes for a "long term deal" to address it.

The SNP's Alyn Smith gives his full backing to the foreign secretary and the actions of the UK government.

But like Labour's Emily Thornberry, he refers back to the PM's comments this morning that appear to contradict him.

"I am very happy to support you from these benches, but it seems he is getting more support from the SNP than from your prime minister," he adds.

Dominic Raab thanks him for his support, but says there isn't any "nuance" between the two positions.

He says the PM supports the deal, but also supports something "broader" as there are other concerns around Iran - such as destablising the region or its treatment of dual nationals - as well as nuclear weapons.

"Even if we got Iran back to the [deal], those issues would remain," he adds.

"So of course we should look to deal with all those issues in the long term."

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We have the response from the prime minister anent the demand for a further referendum on Scottish independence.

Is it a detailed policy paper, filled with analysis, a lengthy back-story and a prolonged preamble? Is it a philosophical analysis of the concepts of independence and Union?

Friends, it is not. However, to be clear, that is entirely understandable from the perspective of the UK government..

Read more from Brian Taylor here.

Senior Cabinet minister Michael Gove says that Nicola Sturgeon should "concentrate on the day job" rather than “continuing to run a 'neverendum' campaign ".

Speaking after the prime minister formally rejected the Scottish government's request for additional powers to hold a second independence referendum, Mr Gove said: "Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond were clear - the two together said the referendum in 2014 was once in a generation event - they should respect the result and respect democracy.”

He added: “The Scottish government is failing on education, health, transport, crime and it’s really important people across the United Kingdom know that those in office are concentrating on really important issues that matter to people every day.

"The truth is Nicola Sturgeon is terrified of talking about anything other than independence - she is a one club golfer, a one trick pony - whatever the question she always comes up with the same answer: 'Indy Ref 2'.

"You do not lightly overturn referendum results - that's what this general election has confirmed. Instead you get on and make sure you deliver for people.”

Mr Gove said there would not be an independence referendum during this Parliament.

Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry praises the statement from Dominic Raab and the need to stand by the Iran nuclear deal.

But she says such a statement "makes it even more remarkable" that Boris Johnson made entirely different comments this morning.

The prime minister said earlier that he recognised US concerns the 2015 deal was "flawed", but there had to be a way of stopping Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

"If we're going to get rid we need a replacement," he told BBC Breakfast. "Let's replace it with the Trump deal."

Ms Thornberry says: "In the space of two or three days, the prime minister has gone from signing a statement with European partners [on the deal] to calling for it to be scrapped and be replaced by some mythical Trump deal."

She said President Trump was acting like a "toddler" by refusing to support the deal as it was a policy of former President Barack Obama, and says another deal with Iran is "another Trump fantasy".

However, Dominic Raab says it is Iran threatening the deal, and the PM supports it.

"That is the clear position and he has said it on many occasions," he adds.

"It is not a perfect deal, but it is the best deal we have got as of now.

"I think [she] is rather confusing her attacks on the US administration with a sober and sensible policy-making response in this area."

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Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab says the UK stands by its goals to "deescalate tensions, hold Iran to account for nefarious acts and to keep the diplomatic door open".

But he says the country's "destablising activities remind us of danger... if Iran were ever to acquire nuclear weapons" adding: "We cannot let that happen."

Mr Raab lists a number of times Iran broke with the agreement "that left us with no credible alternative", saying it left it "a shell of agreement".

These included exceeding key limits within research and development, and restarting enrichment activities.

He adds: "Time and time again, we have expressed serious concerns to Iran and urged it come back into compliance...and time and time again it refused."

Mr Raab says the UK "remains committed to the deal and approach the process with good faith".

He adds: "The government in Iran has a choice. The regime can take steps to descalate and abide by international law or sink deeper and deeper into economic isolation."