Paul Flynn MP condemned the "incestuous relationship between MPs and business" as he led a lively Westminster Hall debate on parliamentary lobbying.

Retailers 'embody' the Big Society

Retailers are on the front line of the Big Society and the corporate social responsibility agenda, a parliamentary reception has heard.


Unions 'should accept pension deal'

Danny Alexander has told union leaders to accept the government's offer on public sector pensions.


Balls' masterclass in gesture politics

Clearly that old saying about sticks and stones failed to take into account a middle-aged man performing what has become known as the "flatlining gesture."


PM defends growth figures

The prime minister has said Ed Miliband "cannot bring himself" to welcome economic growth of 0.5 per cent.


ePolitix.com: PMQs briefing

Public sector pensions, the winter fuel allowance and the eurozone crisis were among the issues raised by backbenchers at PMQs.


MPs call for changes to NHS reforms

The Commons health select committee has produced a series of recommendations on the government's plans for NHS reform.


MP questions government lobbying reforms


Cuts to police affecting frontline services


Modernising the health service


MP urges training for young people with autism


Events


October 27 - November 2 2011: NCWL 11

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

November 4: UKYP at the House of Commons

UKYP is proud to work in partnership with the UK Parliament to give democratically elected MYPs the opportunity to debate each year from 2009 and for the lifetime of this Parliament in the House of Commons Chamber.

November 7-8: GuildHE Annual Conference 2011

GuildHE's holds its annual conference.

November 7: Materials for Living

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


Latest from Members


Unite slams Tory council leader over twitter shame

Unite, the UK's largest union, is calling for an apology from Keith Mitchell, the Tory leader of Oxfordshire county council, as anger over an abusive tweet mounts.


Everything everywhere 'massive hit' on 600 jobs

CWU says staff are "paying a massive price" as mobile company Everything Everywhere announces up to 600 job losses in back-office roles at sites in Hatfield, Paddington, Bristol and Darlington.


Act now to safeguard aganst winter weather, Forum of Private Business warns

A not-for-profit business support group has said small firms should start planning now for harsh winter weather to avoid being caught out by sudden cold snaps as seen during the previous two years.




This week's business




Editor's picks

Pensions offer 'to be enhanced'

Tory rebels form new Eurosceptic group

MPs deride Lansley's 'nudging' deal with food and drink firms

Student visa crackdown set to miss targets

Ashdown: Europe's free ride on the back of Nato is over

Ministers fear steep rise in job losses

Speeches in full

The 1832 Blog:
Live from Westminster

Democracy in three minutes

Peers have taken to YouTube as part of Parliament Week, a series of events across the country exploring how democracy affects citizens and how they can participate in it.

What does democracy mean to you?

If you have a spare moment this week then take a trip through Portcullis House to find out what democracy means to some of Britain's most senior and thoughtful politicians.

MPs reject AV and 'Speaker's seat'

The House of Commons procedure committee wants to abolish the alternative vote and replace with with first past the post in elections for committee chairs.

PM to be quizzed on Big Society

The prime minister is to be quizzed by a group of senior MPs on the topic 'Big Society or Broken Society' on November 8.





Dods Legislation

Recent comments

The move today theoretically gives us around 8 per cent more negotiating room and additional protection for some existing members. However we don't know how this will translate into actual proposals for the different pension schemes and it will take some time to work out the details.

In addition there has been no movement on the 50 per cent contribution hike and we still don't know what overall cost cap will be imposed. For these reasons my view is that we would want to explore the effect of the improved offer whilst still seeking answers on the outstanding matters. We will not be able to resolve these issues quickly or easily so our industrial action ballot continues as will negotiations.

Brian Strutton, national secretary, GMB

Unions 'should accept pension deal'

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

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