Environment secretary Caroline Spelman has told a committee of MPs that she "learnt a great deal" from the online campaign against selling off forests.

PMQs sketch: Cameron's mug runneth over

If Monday's vote on Europe turned David Cameron's hair grey, then Wednesday's not-so-awkward follow up at prime minister's questions will have sent him to the continent with colour in his cheeks.


Sex education should be 'opt-in'

Sex education should no longer be "opt-out" says a Conservative MP who also wants parents to have more information about what their child is taught about relationships.


Speaker unhappy with Cameron's language

Mr Speaker has said he would "prefer not to hear" terms like 'mug' and 'bunch of hypocrites' used in the Commons.


Select committees: What's next on the agenda?

Sam Macrory assesses whether select committees need further powers or are already equipped to fulfil their potential


MP calls for first aid to be on curriculum

All schoolchildren should be taught life saving first aid skills as part of the national curriculum, the Commons has heard.


Cameron denies split with Clegg

The prime minister has rejected claims that the government is split over repatriating powers from Europe.


ePolitix.com: PMQs briefing


'With change comes uncertainty'


'More sympathetic' legislation for manufacturing


MPs urge Cameron to attend Rio+20


Events


October 26: Corrugated industry parliamentary reception

Dan Rogerson MP hosts the corrugated industry parliamentary reception.

October 27 - November 2 2011: NCWL 11

National Care Leavers' Week 2011 – A Day in My Shoes

October 31: 'Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning' Report Launch

Baroness Findlay of Llandaff speaks at the launch of the APPG Gas Safety's report, 'Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning.'

November 7: Materials for Living

Speeches and examples of the innovative and sustainable products and solutions developed from organic waste materials.


Latest from Members


British Red Cross launches appeal for homeless quake survivors

The British Red Cross has launched an appeal to help tens of thousands of people left homeless by the recent earthquake in Turkey.


Professionalism in healthcare professionals report published

The Health Professions Council has published the fourth in a series of research reports.


Unite announces historic mobilisation of members to defend public sector pensions

Unite, Britain's biggest union, will begin issuing ballot papers today (Wednesday 26 October) to approximately 160,000 public sector workers as the biggest ever mobilisation of its members gets underway as it battles to defend public sector pensions.




This week's business




Editor's picks

Speeches in full

The 1832 Blog:
Live from Westminster

Tesco criticised over riot claims

An early day motion tabled by Manchester Central MP Tony Lloyd criticises supermarket giant Tesco for claiming compensation for August’s riots.

Blair's links to Gaddafi worry MPs

Labour, Lib Dem, Plaid and DUP MPs have added their names to an early day motion calling for "a full independent inquiry into Mr Tony Blair’s financial engagement with the late Colonel Gaddafi".

Unions in the firing line

Aiden Burley has secured an interesting adjournment debate this evening on “funding from the public purse of trade union officials”.

The tale of Bob Russell's "fantastic tie"

Colchester MP Bob Russell has been sporting some eye-catching neckwear in recent days.





Dods Legislation

Recent comments

I'm pleased the chancellor has recognised the damage that air passenger duty (APD) is doing to tourism in Northern Ireland and has reduced the level of APD tax on long haul flights there. But there are many other areas of the UK that are suffering similarly and the message is simple. The tax is counter productive and damaging to Britain's international competitiveness.

Simon Buck, Chief Executive of the British Air Transport Association (BATA)

MP opposes changes to flight taxes

The chancellor is right to emphasise the importance of cutting the deficit, but this needs to be accompanied by more action to support growth.

Cutting employment regulation is welcome as are the other measures of deregulation the chancellor set out .

But these need to be accompanied by action to boost demand -- like raising the income tax threshold to £10,000 more swiftly and giving a firm date for the removal of the growth destroying 50p top rate of income tax; and laying out the plans now for increased investment in growth supporting infrastructure.

Baroness Jo Valentine, chief executive, London First

Speech in full - George Osborne

We haven't heard that from a Labour leader for a very long time. Ed showed that he values those who genuinely create the wealth of our country - the workers who are the backbone of our economy - and for the first time in a long time we heard clear thinking on the importance of manufacturing to grow our economy.

His emphasis on our shared values, on defending our NHS and on scything down the 'greed culture' polluting our society will resonate with families across the land. They will resonate more once we see the details to convince us that they can do social good.

Len McCluskey, general secretary, Unite

Speech in full - Ed Miliband

More from Dods