News

A change of direction at Westminster village and No 10? The House of Commons will see the election of a new Speaker today who will be tasked with the overhaul of the expense system; the Prime Minister has appointed a new PR adviser and has taken a more defiant attitude ("We must and we will win"), and the No 10 strategy team is considering turns on policies such as ID cards, the private inquiry into the Iraq war, and the party's approach to public spending. A few weeks ago, Labour tried to exploit the Tories’ seemingly accidental remarks that their Government would cut public spending by 10% in all budgets. But it is questionable whether Labour’s strategy to present itself as the saviour of public services will wash with public who have been told for months that public debt is rising to an unprecedented level and that 'tough' policy decisions have to be made. It’ll be interesting to see to what extent the election campaign will focus on the traditional public spending v savings grounds.

In Scotland, public spending is also on the agenda as policy-makers are still digesting the recommendations of the Calman Commission. The Commission suggested to scrap the Barnett formula, Scotland's block grant, and to give Scotland additional tax-raising powers, but many are still scratching their head what this would mean for the public purse. Maybe the debate at Holyrood scheduled for Thursday and led by Labour will shed some light on this matter. With a few challenges ahead this week, including the final vote on the Scottish climate change bill, ongoing criticism over Scottish MPs' expenses on food and letter folding machines, and the prospect of a by-election in Glasgow North East in August, and potentially one in Livingston, there will be little sign of demob happiness at Holyrood, despite the start of recess at the end of this week.

Last week EU leaders gave José Manuel Barroso their unanimous support for a second term as president of the European Commission. However opinion in the Parliament, which has to give its approval, is still divided, but it is hoped that MEPs will take a decision in July to ensure continuity at the top level of the European institution. One of Barroso's priorities will be the reform of European financial supervision. Last week EU leaders agreed to set up a new European system of financial supervisors which would be able to intervene in cross-border disputes, and to issue non-binding warnings about risks. However rescue operations of financial institutions would remain the responsibility of individual member states. The Commission is expected to present a detailed legislative proposal this Autumn.

Scottish Government News

Business innovation framework
The Scottish Government published its framework for innovation, highlighting how Government and its agencies can support business and help stimulate innovation. Innovation must be an integral part of business's approach to planning and growth, Finance Secretary John Swinney told the Business in Parliament conference last Friday. (19 June)

Skills improvement strategy
A strategy to encourage employers to improve the use of skills in the workplace was published by the Scottish Government. It outlines how the Scottish Government, business organisations, Sector Skills Councils, the STUC, the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations and others will increase awareness of the relevance and benefits of better skills use and of the range of workplace practices that help increase productivity and job satisfaction. Microsoft and BT Scotland have also vowed to work together to pilot new communications approaches to get the message out to employers and to inform the development of future strategies. (19 June)

Scottish Government Consultations

Scottish Planning Policy Environmental Report (Closing 22/06)

Scottish Planning Policy (24/06)

Consultation on the future status of the General Teaching Council for Scotland (Closing 26/06)

The Scottish Parliament - The Week Ahead

Committees

Tuesday 22 June

Rural Affairs and Environment - Subordinate legislation; Marine (Scotland) Bill; Pig industry; Marine (Scotland) Bill; Public Services Reform (Scotland) Bill; Work programme

Wednesday 23 June

Justice - Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Bill; Subordinate legislation; Budget process 2010-11

Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee - Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People; Subordinate legislation; Petition (foreign language); Public Services Reform (Scotland) Bill

Equal Opportunities Committee - Female offenders in the criminal justice system inquiry; Female offenders in the criminal justice system inquiry; Budget process 2010-11 - appointment of adviser

Economy, Energy and Tourism - Growing Pains - can we achieve a 50% growth in tourist revenue by 2015? A review of progress; Work programme; Determining and delivering Scotland’s energy future inquiry

Finance - Budget process 2010-11 (Stage 2); Review of the budget process; Marine (Scotland) Bill

Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change - Scottish Government’s road safety framework to 2020; Forth Replacement Crossing; Budget process 2010-11 (Stage 2); Budget process 2010-11 - appointment of adviser

Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments - Review of Section 2 of the Code of Conduct; Interpretation and Legislative Reform (Scotland) Bill

Subordinate Legislation - Climate Change (Scotland) Bill; Marine (Scotland) Bill; Instruments subject to annulment; Instruments not laid before the Parliament; Interpretation and Legislative Reform (Scotland) Bill

In the Chamber

Wednesday 24 June

9.15 am Time for Reflection
followed by Stage 3 Proceedings: Climate Change (Scotland) Bill
2.30 pm Continuation of Stage 3 Proceedings: Climate Change (Scotland) Bill
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business – Supporting Social Work (Christina McKelvie, Lab)

Thursday 25 June

9.00 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Scottish Labour Party Debate: Calman Commission Report
followed by Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee Debate: Hybrid Bills
11.40 am General Question Time
12 noon First Minister’s Question Time
followed by Members’ Business – St Bridget’s Chapel and Mary’s Meals Backpack Project (Margaret Curran, Lab)
2.15 pm Themed Question Time - Health and Wellbeing
2.55 pm Ministerial Statement: End Year Flexibility
followed by Stage 1 Debate: Arbitration (Scotland) Bill
5.00 pm Decision Time

Westminster – The Week Ahead

The House of Commons

Monday 22 June

Election of a new Speaker of the House of Commons.

Tuesday 23 June

2.30pm Health questions (topical questions at 3.15pm).
followed by Ten minute rule motion: Local Employment Bill (Jamie Reed).
followed by Second reading of the Marine and Coastal Access Bill [HL].
followed by Adjournment debate: Redevelopment of Edgbaston Cricket Ground (Roger Godsiff).

Wednesday 24 June

11.30am International development questions.
followed by Prime minister’s questions.
followed by Opposition day debate (14th allotted day) on the Iraq inquiry.
followed by Protection from assault for taxi drivers (Brian Binley).

Thursday 25 June

10.30am Transport questions (topical questions at 11.05am).
followed by Women and equality questions.
followed by Business statement and questions.
followed by Motions relating to: the establishment of a London regional committee and grand committee; Members’ pensions; Select committees.
followed by Adjournment debate: Preservation of traditional crafts (Tom Levitt).

Friday 26 June

9.30am Second reading of the following bills:-

Report stage:
Holocaust (Return of Cultural Objects) Bill (Andrew Dismore); Driving Instruction (Suspension and Exemption Powers) Bill (Willie Rennie); Second readings; Leaseholders’ Rights Bill (Jacqui Lait); Illegally Logged Timber (Prohibition of Sale) Bill (Andrew Dismore); Home Repossession (Protection) Bill (Andrew Dismore); Employers’ Liability Insurance Bureau Bill (Andrew Dismore); Pharmaceutical Labelling (Warning of Cognitive Function Impairment) Bill (Andrew Dismore); Protection of Shareholders Bill (William Cash); Council Tax Rebate Bill (Joan Ryan); Protection of Children (Publicity) Bill (Jacqui Lait).

Adjournment debate: MP3 players and hearing loss (Bob Russell).

Westminster Hall

Tuesday 23 June

9.30am Skills gap in older industrial areas (David Anderson).
11.00am Safeguarding children and young people from sexual exploitation (Anthony Steen).
12.30pm Regulation of the insurance industry (Tom Harris).
1.00pm Fallen stock on the Isle of Wight (Andrew Turner).
1.30pm Benefit arrangements for older people living in extra care accommodation (Stephen Ladyman).

Wednesday 24 June

9.30am Government policy on Syria and the Middle East (Richard Spring).
11.00am Nitrate vulnerable zones (Christopher Fraser).
2.30pm Parliamentary Ombudsman’s report into Equitable Life (Fabian Hamilton).
4.00pm Procedures for appeals against school governing body decisions (Rosie Cooper).
4.30pm Pet passport schemes (Andrew Selous).

Thursday 25 June

Debate on the joint committee on human rights’ report on A Bill of Rights for the UK?