Ministers

The Science, Innovation and Technology Committee this morning held a one-off evidence session with Science Minister, Lord Vallance

The Science, Innovation and Technology Committee today publishes the government’s response to its predecessor committee’s report on insect decline and food security, and writes to the government with further questions.

Three House of Commons Select Committees – the Culture, Media and Sport, Foreign Affairs and International Development Committees – have called on the Government to sufficiently resource the BBC World Service so that it is less reliant on the licence fee and short-term funding cycles.

Reacting to the announcement by the Chancellor that the Government supports plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport, Environmental Audit Committee Chair, Toby Perkins MP, said:

MPs and Lords will examine threats to undersea cables in a new inquiry launched today by the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy (JCNSS).

The Chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, Alistair Carmichael MP, has today written to the Prime Minister, following his appearance before the Liaison Committee on 19 December.

The Environmental Audit Committee will next week have the opportunity to explore the extent to which net zero is being considered in the development of Government policy across Whitehall.

The Defence Committee is today (Wednesday 22 January) publishing a letter to the Secretary of State for Defence, the Rt Hon. John Healey, regarding Harland & Wolff’s announcement that it intends to file for administration.

Today the International Development Committee has published a report on Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Reacting to the OEP’s latest progress report, Environmental Audit Committee Chair, Toby Perkins MP, said:

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero states its mission as being “responsible for UK energy security, protecting bill payers and reaching net zero”. Rt Hon Ed Miliband will face Committee questions on the UK’s clean energy transition and progress towards its legally binding target of a net zero economy by 2050.

The International Development Committee has endorsed the appointment of the new Chief Commissioner of the Independent Commission on Aid Impact (ICAI) Jillian Popkins, in a report published today.

Commenting on the publication today of the Government’s Clean Power 2030 Action Plan Bill Esterson MP, Chair of the House of Commons Energy Security and Net Zero Committee, said:

Today the Defence Committee launches an inquiry into the Armed Forces Covenant.

Reacting to the Government’s announcement today on updating the NPPF to meet the Government’s housebuilding target,Environmental Audit Committee Chair, Toby Perkins MP, said: