It's Yeo-ver - politics.co.uk

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Tim Yeo has finally resigned as chair of the energy select committee - but his successor has business links with the energy sector, too. It's Yeo-ver Audio: Tim Yeo defends his financial interests Here's what Tim Yeo had to say when asked about his business activities, which in the 2012/13 financial year earned him over £160,000: Tim Yeo stands down Tim Yeo has stood down as chair of the energy and climate change committee, amid accusation of corruption. Comment: Yeo has been hiding in plain sight for years Interview: Tim Yeo, green champion and businessman Civil liberties The snoopers' charter backlash A letter has been published showing Nick Clegg was warned not to jettison the snoopers' charter by the director of public prosecutions. Three problems with William Hague's Commons statement Three major problems with William Hague's statement to the Commons on the Prism surveillance system Push for rape porn ban Pornography showing scenes of rape should be banned because of the cultural harm it causes, campaigners have said. Meanwhile... America upbeat on Britain's shale gas prospects Shale gas extraction in Britain looks even more promising than previously thought despite an "abysmal" start, according to a US government agency. Dumbing up? Gove strips back GCSEs A more "rigorous" set of GCSEs will not result in falling grades, Michael Gove has claimed, as teaching unions greet the proposals with cynicism and scorn. Labour brings coalition's childcare spat to a head The coalition will be forced to clarify its position on childcare ratios later. Hurry up! Labour lends a hand as Mitchell allies demand Met plebgate report The government is refusing to put pressure on the Metropolitan police's slow-paced investigation of the plebgate scandal, despite intense frustration from all sides of the Commons. And finally... Sketch: Ken Clarke stands up for Bilderberg Generating laughter as subtle as a sledgehammer, Ken Clarke put in a hilarious performance defending the secretive goings-on of the Bilderberg Group this afternoon.	Opinion Formers VoicetheUnion video: Why is our union different? BFAWU video: Why join our trade union? NUT: 61% of parents oppose scrapping coursework Commenting on today’s reports in the media about proposed reforms to GCSEs, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union, said: CAFH (Blue Badger) : Badger cull myths exposed in new report Blue Badger is a member of Team Badger. On the eve of a potentially devastating badger cull, Team Badger has published a report exposing the myths which underpin these misguided plans. Don’t forget about our local roads – CIHT calls for investment in UK infrastructure CIHT has submitted a letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer highlighting the important role played by transport infrastructure. CIHT specifically called for the Comprehensive Spending Review to ‘ensure that the maintenance of the local road network is sufficiently funded’. Comment from NEA on The Green Deal Comment from NEA, the national fuel poverty charity on The Green Deal: watching brief report, published today by the Energy and Climate Change Committee. Rethink: Victory for welfare campaigners as judges rule controversial disability benefits procedure is unfair Three judges have ruled that the procedure currently used by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to decide whether hundreds of thousands of people are eligible for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) disadvantages people with mental health problems, learning disabilities and autism. BHA hits out at 'scaremongering' over humanist marriages The BHA responds to Tory MP Tony Baldry's comments on humanist wedding: "In spite of some people's desperate scaremongering, the amendment does not open up legal recognition for any new weddings other than humanist ones." BFAWU: The question is can you afford not to be in a Union Workers in the UK are having their rights cynically and maliciously stolen from them by a vindictive and cruel government; but there’s an incredible number of people who don't realise what the coalition’s changes to employment law mean to them.

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Did they pass a snoopers' charter by stealth? - politics.co.uk

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Prism: Did they pass a snoopers' charter by stealth? Prism: Did they pass a snoopers' charter by stealth? Prism proves why you can never trust intelligence agencies It appears that intelligence agencies may have created a snoopers' charter by stealth. This is what happens when you trust them. Prism: The secret snoopers' charter? William Hague is facing the prospect of a bruising parliamentary debate this afternoon, as he is dragged to the Commons to answer questions about a 'secret snoopers' charter' programme. Don't worry about being spied on - as long as you're 'law-abiding' British citizens should not be alarmed by reports of the UK government accessing an American spying programme provided they are "law-abiding", William Hague has said. The Yeo scandal Yeo ready to fight after lobbying sting Tim Yeo is fighting to save his position as a key policy influencer on energy issues after a lobbying sting by undercover reporters. Comment: Yeo has been hiding in plain sight for years Tim Yeo has two motives when it comes to his energy work: saving the world and personal gain. The two, always incompatible, are now completely unacceptable. Interview: Tim Yeo, green champion and businessman Twenty-four hours after leading a rebellion against the government which reduced the coalition's majority to 23, Conservative MP Tim Yeo is still in fighting mode. In other news... MPs raise alarm over policy which breaks up British families One of the coalition's immigration policies is splitting up British families and leading children to be raised without their parents, MPs warned today. Dodging a bullet: Frontline troops won't be cut again Philip Hammond appears to have won his battle with the Treasury over more defence cuts. Cameron plays up 'national interest' of EU membership David Cameron will reaffirm his commitment to remaining in the European Union later, insisting Britain's ongoing membership helps it on the world stage.	Opinion Formers VoicetheUnion video: Why is our union different? BFAWU video: Why join our trade union? NUT: 61% of parents oppose scrapping coursework Commenting on today’s reports in the media about proposed reforms to GCSEs, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union, said: CAFH (Blue Badger) : Badger cull myths exposed in new report Blue Badger is a member of Team Badger. On the eve of a potentially devastating badger cull, Team Badger has published a report exposing the myths which underpin these misguided plans. Don’t forget about our local roads – CIHT calls for investment in UK infrastructure CIHT has submitted a letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer highlighting the important role played by transport infrastructure. CIHT specifically called for the Comprehensive Spending Review to ‘ensure that the maintenance of the local road network is sufficiently funded’. Comment from NEA on The Green Deal Comment from NEA, the national fuel poverty charity on The Green Deal: watching brief report, published today by the Energy and Climate Change Committee. Rethink: Victory for welfare campaigners as judges rule controversial disability benefits procedure is unfair Three judges have ruled that the procedure currently used by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to decide whether hundreds of thousands of people are eligible for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) disadvantages people with mental health problems, learning disabilities and autism. BHA hits out at 'scaremongering' over humanist marriages The BHA responds to Tory MP Tony Baldry's comments on humanist wedding: "In spite of some people's desperate scaremongering, the amendment does not open up legal recognition for any new weddings other than humanist ones." BFAWU: The question is can you afford not to be in a Union Workers in the UK are having their rights cynically and maliciously stolen from them by a vindictive and cruel government; but there’s an incredible number of people who don't realise what the coalition’s changes to employment law mean to them.

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The Week in Review: The reinvention of Ed Miliband - politics.co.uk

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It was one of those weeks without major battles, in which the generals conducted manoeuvres. Ed Miliband tried to earn a right to be heard on the economy by taking on a little austerity rhetoric. David Cameron tried to use a political lobbying scandal to deliver a body blow to his rival's fundraising arrangements. And Nick Clegg, well, it's not entirely obvious what Nick Clegg was doing. Rearranging the furniture in Downing Street, perhaps. Miliband started his Miliband 2.0 week with a speech by Ed Balls, the shadow chancellor who would be boss. Cameron has a cruel line in jokes about how Miliband has to make his subordinate the tea, but this week Balls was reduced to the opening act. He delivered a pivotal speech, in which Labour effectively gave up on universal benefits. That probably lost them a few supporters on the left but got the attention of conservative pundits. Cameron can't go near winter fuel payments because it would damage him with one of his core constituencies: old people. Old people have two important political qualities: they always vote and they bear a grudge. Cameron wouldn't raise his voice against them if they chatted up his wife at a party. Miliband, on the other hand, doesn't have a chance with most of them and the ones that he does have a chance with will still be eligible for the payments once he introduces a means test. The measure will bring in very little money, but it was designed to show Labour was prepared to make the *drumroll* 'tough decisions'. Miliband's message during his Thursday speech was much more nuanced and interesting. He backed a cap on social security, but the policies weren't a straight transcription of the Conservative agenda. Instead, the aims were for long term savings: ploughing housing benefit into bricks and mortar rather than landlords' pockets, that sort of thing. Miliband did this once before, on immigration. He plays one song but everyone hears a different tune. It's quite the trick. By the end of the day he seemed to have the right and left of the party mostly onside and the right-wing press offering about ten per cent of their ears. It's nothing even approximating a Brave New World but he broadly achieved what he wanted to do. Cameron did too. After more lobbying scandal revelations over the weekend, he and Clegg promised action to tackle the scandal which he said ages ago is the next scandal waiting to happen and which he still hasn't tackled yet. Their response was to attack union funding of Labour. Even Tory MPs blanched at the outright cynicism of that. Those who campaign for party funding reform were equally unimpressed. They want union funding to be tightened up, but together with a cap on individual donations to stop the Tories powering ahead on rich men's money while Labour lags behind on nothing. Meanwhile, Lib Dems decided enough was enough and rebelled en masse against the grand bargain between their party leadership and the Tories. It's quite remarkable when something finally irritates them enough to do something about it. It's like an elephant waking up after a long sleep, casually brushing itself, then going back to bed. Gay marriage survived a 'fatal motion' in the Lords this week and continued its emotional journey through parliament. Once again, peers stood up to issue some of the weirdest arguments ever heard in polite society, including now infamous twists of logic on lesbian artificial insemination, the royal family and incest, although unfortunately not at the same time. It was political drinking game heaven. Opponents say they haven't given up the fight yet, but they're basically done for. It will almost certainly pass. There was also something important in Lord Ashcroft's latest batch of polling: Cameron is now less popular than his party. It could be an outlier, but if it's substantiated by later polls it's potentially a game-changer. Until now, he could keep his party under some semblance of control by pointing out modestly that the public preferred him to them. If that's not true, and Labour lies just ten temptingly-close points ahead in the polls, they may feel the tug of disloyalty at their heart again. It's alright, though. Tory MPs are always very good at ignoring the tug of disloyalty. They never get rid of their leaders on a whim and prayer. Best of news... Lib Dem diary: Religion is always a sticky issue Reading Sir Gerald Howarth's "aggressive homosexuals' comment, pointedly said in response to Margot James (one of only two lesbian MPs), it's hard not to feel offended and angry. Woolwich murder: Snoopers' charter back on table Home secretary Theresa May is using the post-Woolwich atmosphere to press for a revival of the so-called 'snoopers' charter'. Muslim community targeted after Woolwich horror A dramatic increase in incidents targeting Britain's Muslim community has been registered following the Woolwich terrorist murder. Best of Comment and Analysis EDL defeated... by a cup of tea The Muslim community in York is being praised for its thoroughly English response to far-right extremism, after the English Defence League (EDL) was countered by the well-timed deployment of cups of tea at the weekend. Comment: Abortion ruling shows women know what's in their best interest The court of protection ruling last week in favour of a mentally ill woman's decision to terminate her pregnancy was not about abortion rights, but right to choose. Analysis: Weary Osborne's discomfort deepens Few chancellors have faced a more challenging policy environment than this one. That doesn't mean Osborne hasn't managed to make a tough job even harder. The political week online Comment: Behind the screens - what the UK Cannes and can't do Film-maker Vicky Jewson speaks of her recent visit to the world's most famous film festival, the British film industry and why going straight to DVD isn't all that bad Comment: Ignore the hype – Boris won't become Tory leader The press and the Tories are desperate to get him in No 10, but Boris' path to power is too convoluted to be realistic. Comment: Three ways to be ethical and still look great Horrified by the Bangladesh factory tragedy? Here's how to do something about it without compromising on fashion.	Opinion Formers BFAWU video: Why join our trade union? BFAWU: No more Bedroom Tax deaths Benefit Justice campaigners everywhere are sad and bitter at the heartbreaking death of Stephanie Bottrill. The Government's attack on benefits must not be allowed to kill another person. Britain’s Sexual Revolution - a talk by Dr Matt Cook Galha, the LGBT section of the BHA presents a special meeting to mark the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia. NASUWT: Parents, teachers and the public rally for education As part of a campaign to defend the education of children and young people, parents, teachers, headteachers, governors and other members of the public will be taking part on Saturday (11 May) in the next series of Rallies for Education following the hugely successful events in the North West on 27 April. Voice calls on Nick Clegg to stand firm and block adult-child ratio changes Voice: the union for education professionals – which represents nursery staff and nannies – has welcomed reports that Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg will block changes to adult-child ratios in childcare. CIOB: Skills shortages still a concern for faltering construction industry Results from the 2013 skills audit from the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) indicate that the construction industry is still suffering from skills shortages. IET on Queen's Speech: Commitment needed for entire HS2 route A lack of commitment from the Government for the entire route of the HS2 line means that this vital infrastructure project risks being developed in isolation, the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has warned. NUT on Queen’s Speech: Many teachers "in despair" Commenting on today’s Queen’s Speech, setting out the programme of Government legislation, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union, said: NASUWT on Queen's Speech: Mesothelioma bill welcome Commenting on the announcement within the Queen’s Speech that the Government intends to bring forward a Mesothelioma Bill before Parliament, Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union said. “This announcement is welcome in that it is at least as sign that historic exposure to asbestos is at last being taken seriously." ESRC: How family conflict affects children New research funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) reveals why some children are badly affected by negative family conflicts while other children survive without significant problems.

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Message from Mike Penning MP

Newsletter from Mike Penning MP - Easter 2013 Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Easter 2013 Newsletter Budget Despite the difficult times financially, I was pleased to see that the Chancellor continues to focus on tackling the debt crisis, yet was also able to help those who work hard and look to the future.    I am particularly pleased that George Osborne introduced new measures to help people struggling to buy their first home and also small businesses that are considering taking on their first employee. New homes and new jobs are vital for growth.   For families, I welcome the increase in the personal tax allowance to £10,000 from April 2014 and the introduction of the tax free childcare vouchers. Childcare costs put a lot of pressure on working families.   I am absolutely delighted that more victims of the near collapse of Equitable Life will get compensation.   HGVs Last month the new law to make foreign HGVs pay a levy to use our roads came into effect. I welcome this – not least because during my time as transport minister I was very involved in pushing this Bill through Parliament.    With British HGVs paying charges and tolls to use European roads, this Bill delivers fairness for British hauliers, and rights a wrong that they have faced until now.    Locally we see foreign lorries on our roads all the time, but they haven’t had to pay anything to use them. From now on Britain will benefit from foreign lorries using our roads.   Arctic Star medal and Bomber Command clasp Last month I welcomed the new Arctic Star medal for Arctic convoy veterans and the new Bomber Command clasp. I am keen for anyone who is eligible to apply so I have added the application forms to my website. You can download them at www.penning4hemel.com/medals.     For more information call my office (01442 450444).   Arctic Star photo Sergeant Tom Robinson RLC, UK Ministry of Defence   Meeting Hemel Hempstead School’s new head I was pleased to meet with the new Headteacher at Hemel Hempstead School this month. Patrick Harty took up the post in January and we had a very interesting discussion about the school, the work of the pupils and extra-curricular activities on offer.   Playing rugby against the Irish On a particularly grim day in February the Commons and Lords rugby team took on the Irish Parliament - it was difficult to tell which team was which by the end! Not our best result though - the Irish won 20-5.   Here to help... As ever if you need help please don't hesitate to contact me. My office is at Hamilton House, Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead HP1 1BB and I hold regular surgeries. Call in advance for an appointment. Tel: 01442 450444 email: mike@penning4hemel.com website: www.penning4hemel.com Photo with Cllr Dan Wood in Adeyfield Best wishes for a Happy Easter... Mike Penning MP   forward to a friend  Copyright © 2013 Mike Penning MP, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you either opted in at my website or your have contacted me in some other way. If you do not wish to receive my newsletters, please unsubscribe. Our mailing address is: Mike Penning MP 6th Floor, Hamilton House 111 Marlowes Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire HP1 1BB United Kingdom Add us to your address book  unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences

Message from Mike Penning MP

Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Contact Mike Write Mike Penning MP House of Commons LONDON SW1A 0AA email mike@penning4hemel.com Telephone 01442 450444 New Year Message Click below for my New Year Message from DeeTV. http://www.deetv.tv/#mike-penning-wishes-you-a-happy-new-year-2013 With very best wishes www.penning4hemel.com You are receiving this email because you either opted in at my website or your have contacted me in some other way. If you do not wish to receive my newsletters, please unsubscribe. Unsubscribe cashmachinehack.atmhack@blogger.com from this list. Our mailing address is: Mike Penning MP 6th Floor, Hamilton House 111 Marlowes Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire HP1 1BB United Kingdom Add us to your address book Copyright (C) 2013 Mike Penning MP All rights reserved. Forward this email to a friend Update your profile