Politics
We aim to keep you informed of key Westminster parliamentary activity, including select committee inquiries and early day motions. Members and associates can also track key bills as they pass through the legislative process, keep up to date with the policies/pledges of the coalition government and the opposition, and with our public affairs work through our activities page.
A round-up of Westminster business during the week beginning 30 January:
On Wednesday in a speech to councils and the housing sector, housing minister Grant Shapps gave an update on the progress made since the government’s housing strategy was published in November. He referred to the NewBuy scheme which will enable borrowers with a 5% deposit buy new build houses and flats. Information on eligibility of the scheme is on the CLG’s website.
Shapps faced questions in respect of the Commons CLG committee’s inquiry into financing new housing supply. He is reported to have said that while they cannot afford it at present, the government may consider backing shared equity schemes with grants in the future. The transcript of this hearing is not yet available.
Plans to return empty property to use; the private rented sector; the new homes bonus scheme; housing affordability; housing benefit; mortgage repossessions; and housing for the armed forces, were some of the subjects covered during CLG oral questions.
The Commons public accounts committee has highlighted the uncertainty over the future availability and affordability of insurance cover for properties in flood risk areas. In a critical report on flood risk management in England, the committee noted that the existing agreement between the DEFRA and the insurance industry which guarantees the availability of insurance comes to an end in 2013.
And finally, Ed Miliband gave a speech calling for “one nation banking” which serves the real economy, and improving accountability in the banking sector. An opposition day debate on these issues will take place on Tuesday 7 February.
For information on our public affairs work, contact Michelle Vosper.
- All-party parliamentary groups
- Gives information on registered all-party parliamenetary groups, their terms of reference and their members.
- Conservative Party
- Website of the Conservative Party, includes information on current policy.
- Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
- The Department leads work to create the conditions for business success through competitive and flexible markets that create value for businesses, consumers and employees. It drives regulatory reform, and works across Government and with the regions to raise levels of UK productivity.
- Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG)
- Formerly the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM), the DCLG is responsible for implementing housing policy in the UK. Website contains statistics and research on housing stock, house prices, tenure choice, affordability and government policies surrounding housing, homelessness, and planning. Additionally it provides information on housing legislation and assistance.
- Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
- Defra works for the essentials of life - food, air, land, water, people, animals and plants. Our remit is the pursuit of sustainable development - weaving together economic, social and environmental concerns.
- Department for Work and Pensions
- The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for implementing government welfare policy with regards to the labour market, retirement and pensions, family and children's services and services for the disabled and their carers. Website contains information on benefit entitlements, welfare policy and research concerned UK citizen's working lives and financial plans for retirement.
- Early day motions
- Provides up-to-date information on early day motions and their signatories.
- European Commission
- Website provides current information on the agenda's and business before the European Commission.
- European Parliament
- Main website for the European Parliament providing information on Members of the European Parliament, current agenda's, research and papers.
- Government News Network
- Government News Network (GNN)publishes national and regional press notices released by government departments and other bodies, as they are released.
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