Official Opposition

Lord Ashcroft announces the publication date of 19 August 2021 for his latest book, Red Knight: The Unauthorised Biography of Sir Keir Starmer

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, July 27, 2021
British MPs, Labour Party, Socialist International, Legislators, House of Commons of the United Kingdom, Leaders of the Labour Party, Official Opposition, Brexit, Keir Starmer

LONDON, July 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Read the two-part serialisation of Red Knight in the Mail on Sunday here (part 1) and here (part 2).

Key Points: 
  • At Westminster, he was swiftly elevated to the shadow Cabinet, and in April 2020 he became the leader of the Labour Party.
  • Starmer was the architect of Labour's second-referendum Brexit policy, which was considered a major factor in its worst electoral defeat for nearly a century.
  • Is he the voice of competence and moderation who can put his party back on the political map?
  • His books include Victoria Cross Heroes: Volumes I and II; Call Me Dave: The Unauthorised Biography of David Cameron; White Flag?

Committee hears from Leader of the House and Chief Whip on Parliament during the pandemic

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Official Opposition, Government, House of Lords, Legislatures, Natalie Evans, Baroness Evans of Bowes Park, Office of the Leader of the House of Lords, Lords Commissioners

The Committee hears from the Rt Hon Baroness Evans of Bowes Park, Leader of the House of Lords and the Rt Hon Lord Ashton of Hyde, Chief Whip, House of Lords.

Key Points: 
  • The Committee hears from the Rt Hon Baroness Evans of Bowes Park, Leader of the House of Lords and the Rt Hon Lord Ashton of Hyde, Chief Whip, House of Lords.
  • The Committees inquiry was launched to consider the significant constitutional implications of the pandemic and the Governments response to it.
  • The Rt Hon Baroness Evans of Bowes Park, Leader of the House of Lords
    The Rt Hon Lord Ashton of Hyde, Chief Whip, House of Lords
    How well has the House of Lords has adapted to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic?
  • Has Parliament been able to scrutinise the Governments use of emergency powers adequately during the pandemic?

Committee hears from Leader of the House and Chief Whip on Parliament during the pandemic

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Official Opposition, Government, House of Lords, Legislatures, Natalie Evans, Baroness Evans of Bowes Park, Office of the Leader of the House of Lords, Lords Commissioners

The Committee hears from the Rt Hon Baroness Evans of Bowes Park, Leader of the House of Lords and the Rt Hon Lord Ashton of Hyde, Chief Whip, House of Lords.

Key Points: 
  • The Committee hears from the Rt Hon Baroness Evans of Bowes Park, Leader of the House of Lords and the Rt Hon Lord Ashton of Hyde, Chief Whip, House of Lords.
  • The Committees inquiry was launched to consider the significant constitutional implications of the pandemic and the Governments response to it.
  • The Rt Hon Baroness Evans of Bowes Park, Leader of the House of Lords
    The Rt Hon Lord Ashton of Hyde, Chief Whip, House of Lords
    How well has the House of Lords has adapted to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic?
  • Has Parliament been able to scrutinise the Governments use of emergency powers adequately during the pandemic?

Urgent question: Civil liability claims against MoD from British troops overseas

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 16, 2020
British MPs, Legislatures, Westminster system, House of Commons of the United Kingdom, Military of the United Kingdom, Ministry of Defence, British Armed Forces, 41st Canadian Parliament, John Healey, Parliament of Singapore, Official Opposition

Shadow Secretary of State for Defence, John Healey asked Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State if he will update the House on the impact of the Overseas Operation Bill on the rights of British troops serving overseas to make civil liability claims against the Ministry of Defence and its implications for the Armed Forces Covenant.

Key Points: 
  • Shadow Secretary of State for Defence, John Healey asked Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State if he will update the House on the impact of the Overseas Operation Bill on the rights of British troops serving overseas to make civil liability claims against the Ministry of Defence and its implications for the Armed Forces Covenant.
  • The Bill does this by introducing a 'long-stop', which restricts an absolute maximum of six years the time limit for bringing civil claims or human rights acts claims for personal injury or death in connection to overseas operations.
  • He told the House that the Bill does not change how the time limit is calculated.
  • Follow the @HouseofCommons on Twitter and @UKHouseofCommons on Instagram, for updates on the UK House of Commons Chamber and more.

Urgent question: Civil liability claims against MoD from British troops overseas

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 16, 2020
British MPs, Legislatures, Westminster system, House of Commons of the United Kingdom, Military of the United Kingdom, Ministry of Defence, British Armed Forces, 41st Canadian Parliament, John Healey, Parliament of Singapore, Official Opposition

Shadow Secretary of State for Defence, John Healey asked Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State if he will update the House on the impact of the Overseas Operation Bill on the rights of British troops serving overseas to make civil liability claims against the Ministry of Defence and its implications for the Armed Forces Covenant.

Key Points: 
  • Shadow Secretary of State for Defence, John Healey asked Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State if he will update the House on the impact of the Overseas Operation Bill on the rights of British troops serving overseas to make civil liability claims against the Ministry of Defence and its implications for the Armed Forces Covenant.
  • The Bill does this by introducing a 'long-stop', which restricts an absolute maximum of six years the time limit for bringing civil claims or human rights acts claims for personal injury or death in connection to overseas operations.
  • He told the House that the Bill does not change how the time limit is calculated.
  • Follow the @HouseofCommons on Twitter and @UKHouseofCommons on Instagram, for updates on the UK House of Commons Chamber and more.

Statement on Autumn opening of education settings

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 2, 2020
Gavin Williamson, British MPs, House of Commons of the United Kingdom, Government of the United Kingdom, Official Opposition

The Education Secretary today updated the House on the full opening of schools and colleges to all pupils in September.

Key Points: 
  • The Education Secretary today updated the House on the full opening of schools and colleges to all pupils in September.
  • The Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson told the House that "education recovery is critical for this generation of school children."
  • Replying on behalf of the Opposition, Shadow Education Secretary, Kate Green began by saying "every child must be safely back in school by September.
  • By then many children will have experienced nearly a six month gap in their education."

Statement on Autumn opening of education settings

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 2, 2020
Gavin Williamson, British MPs, House of Commons of the United Kingdom, Government of the United Kingdom, Official Opposition

The Education Secretary today updated the House on the full opening of schools and colleges to all pupils in September.

Key Points: 
  • The Education Secretary today updated the House on the full opening of schools and colleges to all pupils in September.
  • The Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson told the House that "education recovery is critical for this generation of school children."
  • Replying on behalf of the Opposition, Shadow Education Secretary, Kate Green began by saying "every child must be safely back in school by September.
  • By then many children will have experienced nearly a six month gap in their education."

Statement on reopening the housing market

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, May 14, 2020
British MPs, Robert Jenrick, Official Opposition, House of Commons of the United Kingdom, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Public housing, Thangam Debbonaire, Government

The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Robert Jenrick, today gave a statement to the House on an update on housing in light of the Government's coronavirus lockdown plan.

Key Points: 
  • The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Robert Jenrick, today gave a statement to the House on an update on housing in light of the Government's coronavirus lockdown plan.
  • The Secretary of State, Robert Jenrick announced to the House today, a plan to reopen the housing market and to restart the construction industry.
  • Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Thangham Debbonaire, asked the Secretary of State to consider the Opposition's calls such as unanswered questions on housing which need urgent government attention to keep people safe at work and at home.
  • The Shadow Secretary asked the Secretary of State to ensure that councils are fully recompensed for housing and other costs of the covid-19 crisis, and also asked that he work with the treasury, housing associations, and local authorities, and the building industry to invest in high quality and affordable social housing.

Statement on reopening the housing market

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, May 14, 2020
British MPs, Robert Jenrick, Official Opposition, House of Commons of the United Kingdom, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Public housing, Thangam Debbonaire, Government

The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Robert Jenrick, today gave a statement to the House on an update on housing in light of the Government's coronavirus lockdown plan.

Key Points: 
  • The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Robert Jenrick, today gave a statement to the House on an update on housing in light of the Government's coronavirus lockdown plan.
  • The Secretary of State, Robert Jenrick announced to the House today, a plan to reopen the housing market and to restart the construction industry.
  • Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Thangham Debbonaire, asked the Secretary of State to consider the Opposition's calls such as unanswered questions on housing which need urgent government attention to keep people safe at work and at home.
  • The Shadow Secretary asked the Secretary of State to ensure that councils are fully recompensed for housing and other costs of the covid-19 crisis, and also asked that he work with the treasury, housing associations, and local authorities, and the building industry to invest in high quality and affordable social housing.

Chair comments on changes to the furlough scheme

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
HM Treasury, Rishi Sunak, Official Opposition

Rishi Sunak MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, has today announced changes to the Job Retention Scheme, also known as the furlough scheme.

Key Points: 
  • Rishi Sunak MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, has today announced changes to the Job Retention Scheme, also known as the furlough scheme.
  • Commenting on the changes, Rt Hon.
  • Mel Stride MP, Chair of the Treasury Committee, said:
    The extension of the furlough scheme, allowing furloughed employees to work part time, and with employers asked to contribute are all welcome steps from the Chancellor."
  • The Chancellor also said that there will be no changes to the scheme until July.