A Cicero Group analysis of the UK Parliamentary Select Committees

Transcription

1 A Cicero Group analysis of the UK Parliamentary Select Committees SEPTEMBER 2017

2 After the snap General Election in June, the House of Commons Select Committees have now been re-constituted. Cicero Group is pleased to share with you our analysis of the key Select Committees, including a look at their Chairs, members, the ones to watch, and their likely priorities. Select Committees - charged with scrutinising Government departments and specific policy areas - have become an increasingly important part of the parliamentary infrastructure. While places on committees first began as roles for those demoted from or unable to reach the frontbench, reforms to the election of the Chair and members changed the profile of committees within Parliament, and these positions have now become hotly contested. More so than ever before, Select Committees provide an alternative position for ambitious backbenchers, be they Conservatives looking for a conduit to hold their Government to account over Brexit, or members of the Opposition that have declined to join Corbyn s Shadow Cabinet but want to make a name for themselves. The Government s small working majority puts backbenchers in an increasingly influential position, and the Committees will use this to their advantage. With the Government in a significantly weakened position following the election and stretched to capacity with the huge task of delivering a successful Brexit, many of the new Chairs are eyeing up the possibility of stretching their influence even further to fill the void created. We can expect the Committees to pay close attention to domestic policies where they believe the Government to be neglecting to devote sufficient time and attention, whilst also examining the implications of Brexit on their specific policy areas. Chairs including Nicky Morgan, Rachel Reeves and Bob Neill have already expressed their desire to use their Committees to ensure the Government remains accountable to Parliament during the Brexit negotiations and thereafter. Following criticisms over the length of time it has taken to get the Select Committees back up and running after the election, they will waste no time in getting underway with work on their chosen areas of focus. So which are the Committees we think you should be looking for this time around? The Treasury Select Committee, under new Chair Nicky Morgan, can be expected to take on an increased consumer focus. In the context of rising consumer debt and a continued low interest rate environment, how financial services firms are treating consumers - particularly the vulnerable - and the impact on their household bills is likely to be a new focus for the Committee. Having said this, the Committee can still be expected to stick to its roots, leading the debate on economic policy and financial regulation, and the impact of Brexit on London as a global financial services centre. Rachel Reeves takes over as Chair of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee. With the recently announced corporate governance measures criticised for being largely watered down, further examination of the Government s commitment to improving the UK s corporate governance framework will likely be an early priority for the Committee. The theme of behaviour of big businesses, along with corporate diversity, is one we can expect to see from this Committee throughout the Parliament. After a very successful and hard-hitting inquiry into the collapse of BHS, the Work and Pensions Committee under the continued Chairmanship of Labour s Frank Field will look to hold more high-profile sessions with chief executives, starting with the Universities Superannuation Scheme over the pension scheme s deficit, and Uber on the pay and treatment of workers. The Committee will also be busy scrutinising the impacts of the raft of recent pension changes, with Field having already indicated that he is keen to look at possibly building in more consumer protections in the freedom and choice reforms. The Exiting the EU Committee didn t quite get its feet under the table in the previous Parliament before the early election was called, running only one inquiry into the UK s negotiating objectives. However, now that negotiations are firmly under way and the Government has finally revealed some details on its current thinking in the recently published position papers, the Committee will have more to get its teeth stuck into. Similarly, the International Trade Committee ran a broad inquiry on future trade options in the previous Parliament but will look to make more of an impact this time around as the Government gets closer to being in a position to strike new trade deals. Expect more detailed scrutiny of the merits of country specific free trade agreements. Another interesting one to keep an eye on is the Foreign Affairs Committee: a Committee that will have heightened importance as we get closer to the date of Brexit and attention turns to the UK s relations with countries such as the US and China. Additionally, ambitious Tom Tugendhat is the first of the 2015 intake to win a Chair position will he use this to launch his bid as next leader of the Conservative Party? This document also looks at the Public Accounts Committee, where the formidable Meg Hillier returns as Chair, the Justice Committee, to be chaired again by the aimiable Bob Neill, and the Health Committee, under the stewardship of the independently-minded Dr Sarah Wollaston. The Select Committee system is now more important than ever. We hope you find this a useful guide as you acquaint yourself with the Class of Charlotte Adamson Senior Account Executive Cicero Group 2

3 Treasury Select Committee Nicky Morgan, Loughborough Former Education Secretary Nicky Morgan won the hotly contested Chair of the Treasury Committee following Andrew Tyrie s decision to step down as an MP. With big shoes to fill in this role, she will look to steer the Committee in a new direction whilst maintaining its position as the most influential of the Select Committees and doing a lot of the heavy lifting in terms of holding the Government to account. While the Committee under Tyrie often focused on financial services and the City of London, Morgan has expressed her desire to widen the Committee s remit, to include looking at the management of the economy, public spending decisions and areas that affect household budgets and constituents economic security. We can therefore expect an increased consumer focus from the Committee under her leadership. As a vocal remain campaigner, Morgan will want the Committee to play a significant role in holding the Government to account over Brexit. She is likely to look at issues around access to the single market, transitional arrangements and the impact of Brexit on household finances. Despite her personal views, she will be conscious of the need to listen to both sides of the debate and present nuanced and unanimous reports in order to remain credible. Charlie Elphicke, Dover and Deal A former tax lawyer and member of the Public Accounts Committee, Elphicke has focused on tax avoidance by big businesses as well as the injustices of zero hours contracts and payday lending, and the accessibility of bank branches. Alister Jack, Dumfries and Galloway A Scottish Conservative and a farmer by background, Jack has promised to speak up for rural communities and use his business experience to push for greater investment and opportunities in rural Scotland. Preparedness for Brexit: Morgan has already shown an interest in how banks and insurers are preparing for Brexit, engaging with CEO of the Prudential Regulation Authority Sam Woods on this issue. The Committee will look to question regulators and firms on how their plans are shaping up for life outside the EU. Consumer debt: Levels of consumer debt and the impact of low interest rates are likely to be explored by the Committee, as MPs are increasingly focusing on growing inequality and why people (i.e. constituents) haven t shared in the wealth generated by the City. This could also include an investigation into issues such as energy prices and childcare funding. Corporate governance: Morgan has said she is keen to pursue topics such as the lack of gender diversity in financial services. Bank of England approach to conflicts: Following the TSC s interest in the circumstances surrounding Charlotte Hogg s resignation from the Bank of England in the last Parliament, Morgan has already said that the Committee will want to hear from the Court of Directors to discuss the lessons that have been learned and how they intent to implement the review s recommendations. Stephen Hammond, Wimbledon With a lengthy career in fund management and investment banking behind him, Hammond has sat on the Committee since A former Transport Minister, he is particularly interested in the Government s infrastructure policy and how this affects economic growth. Kit Malthouse, North West Hampshire A former Deputy Mayor for Business and Enterprise under Boris Johnson, and a Chartered Accountant, Malthouse believes that Brexit provides an opportunity for Government and regulators to innovate to revitalise the economy. John Mann, Bassetlaw The longest serving Labour MP on the Committee, Mann is well known for his knack for sharp put-downs and media-friendly soundbites, although is less visible in sessions involving the minutiae of financial services regulation. Catherine McKinnell, Newcastle upon Tyne North A lawyer by background, McKinnell is well regarded on the Labour backbenches. Has been a leading figure in the WASPI campaign, and is also likely to focus on issues relating to household debt and infrastructure spending, particularly investment in the North East. Wes Streeting, Ilford North Streeting is fast making a name for himself as a popular and effective MP. As one of the few returners to the Committee, he will look to take an even more active role this time around. Rushanara Ali, Bethnal Green and Bow A Labour moderate and passionate pro-european, Ali now returns to the Committee after a brief stint in During recent allegations of money laundering against British banks, Ali called for a review of regulators powers. Alison McGovern, Wirral South A former Shadow City Minister, Chair of the Blairite Labour group Progress and a leading supporter of Open Britain, McGovern will be vocal on Brexit and the implications for financial services. Expect her to make an impact on this Committee. Stewart Hosie, Dundee East One of the SNP s most experienced MPs, Hosie returns to the TSC after a two-year absence. He is a tough inquisitor and will expect witnesses to be on top of the detail. 3

4 Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee Rachel Reeves, Leeds West Very well regarded across the House and considered a rising star of the Labour Party, Rachel Reeves beat three Labour colleagues to the Chair of the BEIS Committee. She has said she is keen to continue in the style of her predecessor, and that she believes some of the best moments of the Committee in recent years had come when it held the feet to the fire of some of our business tycoons who had not treated staff with sufficient dignity. While Reeves says she is pro-business, we can expect the Committee to draw attention to business practices it considers unfair and unjust. With a background in financial services, Reeves has acknowledged the importance of the sector, but has warned that it needs to work for the whole economy, both through good regulation and responsibility exercised by financial services institutions. As Reeves believes that risks are building up in this sector, we can expect the Committee to remain vigilant and call out behaviour it deems inappropriate. More broadly, Reeves is keen to call in businesses subject to the gender pay gap reporting requirements to examine how these are working, and has expressed concern over rising consumer debt and the growth of unsecured lending. She sees part of the Committee s role as giving business a voice during Brexit negotiations, and is keen to get the Committee out of Westminster, to visit businesses and workplaces across the country. Stephen Kerr, Stirling Kerr is one of the new Scottish Conservative MPs and is likely to provide a strong Scottish voice on the Committee. Expect him to focus on the industrial strategy s impact in Scotland, the regional productivity gap and opportunities for Scottish businesses. Ian Liddell-Grainger, Bridgwater A veteran backbencher, staunch Brexiteer and a divisive figure, his views on the environment and energy issues in particular are likely to cause a stir. Industrial Strategy: Reeves aims to get the best industrial strategy that works for all regions. The Committee s work could include re-opening its inquiry into electric vehicles, which was closed early due to the General Election. Climate change and energy policy: Reeves wants the Committee to develop sustainable growth and climate change policies that help create new and well-paid jobs. One of her first priorities will be to push the BEIS department on its delayed Clean Growth Plan. The Committee will also follow the energy price cap debate closely. The future of work: The BEIS Committee will weigh in on the increasing focus around the future of work, and will scrutinise the Taylor report into modern employment practices. Reeves plans on calling executives from Uber and Delieveroo as part of this. Corporate governance/diversity: Reeves would like to shine a spotlight on diversity at the top levels of business, and tackle the gender, disability and BAME pay gaps. The Committee will also look more broadly to encourage an environment of responsible business Support for growing businesses: The Committee is likely to re-open its inquiry into support for growing businesses, as this was cut short due to the early General Election. Brexit: The Committee could carry out an inquiry on the sectoral impact of leaving the EU, likely to focus on three or four specific sectors. Euratom membership is also likely to be a focus. Rachel Maclean, Redditch Another newly elected MP, Maclean has a background in business and as a technology entrepreneur. She is likely to take a keen interest in skills as well as issues affecting small businesses and consumer rights. Mark Pawsey, Rugby Pawsey set up his own catering supply business, and is a former PPS to Anna Soubry in her position as Minister for Small Business, Industry and Enterprise. Antoinette Sandbach, Eddisbury A criminal barrister by profession, Sandbach previously served as Shadow Minister for the Environment in the Welsh Assembly and was an Energy and Climate Change Committee member, so has a strong grasp of this policy area. Drew Hendry, Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey The SNP s BEIS Spokesperson, Hendry brings experience as a senior manager in the manufacturing sector to his role. Clearly ambitious, he unsuccessfully sought the SNP Westminster group leadership in June. Anna Turley, Redcar A returner to the Committee, Turley was formerly a civil servant working on social exclusion, poverty and worklessness. Has a strong interest in skills and the steel industry. Peter Kyle, Hove Now the longest-standing member of the Committee, Kyle will hold executives to account over poor working practices. Formerly worked as a policy adviser to the Cabinet Office, primarily on social exclusion. Vernon Coaker, Gedling Elected: 1997 First elected in 1997 at the fourth time of asking, Coaker has held a number of ministerial and shadow briefs during his time in Parliament, including on defence, education and policing, crime and security, as well as most recently serving as Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. He is a teacher by background. Albert Owen, Ynys Môn An experienced backbencher, Owen is highly knowledgeable on energy policy and will focus on putting consumer rights at the top of the agenda, particularly with regards to energy and utility pricing. 4

5 Brexit Committee Page 1 of 2 Hilary Benn, Leeds Central Elected: 1999 Hilary Benn was re-elected unopposed to Chair of the Exiting the European Union Select Committee. An experienced MP, he has held a wide range of frontbench posts both in Government and Opposition. He served in the Cabinet as Secretary of State for International Development and Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, but most recently was the Shadow Foreign Secretary until he was sacked in the aftermath of the EU referendum. As a Remain supporter, Benn has proven to be tough on Ministers on the implications and preparations of a no-deal scenario, as well as the need for transitional arrangements, especially for the financial services sector. Benn has also called for a larger role for Parliament in the Brexit process, and with a minority Government, the Committee s work will be able to wield significant influence in swaying the agenda in Parliament. With the Committee split between Remain and Leave MPs, Benn s pragmatism and likeability among his peers will be essential to keep the Committee united in its inquiries and tone. Brexit negotiations: As the negotiations in Brussels continue, the Committee will play a large role summoning Ministers and relevant officials to provide evidence on their progress and the Government s objectives during the negotiations and post The Repeal Bill: As the EU (Withdrawal) Bill makes its way through Parliament, likely facing numerous legislative challenges, amendments, and controversy over the Government s proposed use of Henry VIII powers, the Committee will no doubt be keeping a close eye on its progress. Additional Brexit legislation: The Committee will also keep a close eye on the progress of the other Brexit Bills announced in the Queen s Speech, including those on immigration, customs, and trade. Transitional arrangements: As the Cabinet unites around the necessity of a transition period after March 2019, arguments turn to how this should work in practice. The Committee are likely to be at the forefront with suggestions, questions and evidence. The functioning of the Department: With DExEU still a new department, and one with such great responsibility, ensuring it has the resources, personnel, and capacity to function properly will remain a key concern of the Committee. Stephen Crabb, Preseli Pembrokeshire A former Cabinet minister, Crabb is known to be on the liberal wing of the Conservative Party. He openly backed Remain during the EU Referendum and has since called for the UK Government to be flexible in the EU negotiations. Jonathan Djanogly, Huntingdon Djanogly was a determined backer of continued EU membership. However, since the Referendum, he has spoken against the UK remaining a member of the Single Market, instead arguing that the UK should seek the best possible terms of access. Jacob Rees-Mogg, North East Somerset A well-known Conservative backbencher, Rees-Mogg has been touted as a potential future leader of the Party and has a strong support base amongst Eurosceptic Conservative activists. He will be one of the most vocal advocates for a hard Brexit on the Committee. Peter Bone, Wellingborough On the right of the party, Bone is a prominent Eurosceptic and an advocate for a hard Brexit. Also does not believe the UK should be paying a withdrawal bill. John Whittingdale, Maldon Elected: 1992 Whittingdale was one of six Cabinet Ministers to break from the Government s official position in the referendum. He has spoken of the need for a Sharp Brexit and has dismissed calls to keep the UK as a member of the Single Market. Richard Graham, Gloucester Although he voted Remain, Graham is currently the Prime Minister s trade envoy and has spoken of the need to utilise Brexit s opportunities, particularly regarding the signing of new trade deals. He has argued for a pragmatic approach to Brexit. Jeremy Lefroy, Stafford Voted Remain in the EU Referendum. Has publicly spoken of the need to ensure that the UK retains tariff free trade with the EU and that UK-EU supply chains are not disrupted. Was a vocal advocate of ensuring that Parliament had a vote on the final Brexit deal. Chris Chope, Christchurch First elected: 1981 A veteran Conservative MP, Chope is on the right of the party and is another prominent Eurosceptic. As a committee member, he is likely to be a vocal advocate for the hardest of Brexits. Andrea Jenkyns, Morley and Outwood A Leaver, Jenkyns has been a vocal critic of free movement of people and has spoken of its impact on public services, particularly the NHS. She has also argued that Brexit gives the UK the chance to become a leader in global trade. Craig Mackinlay, South Thanet A staunch Brexiteer, Mackinlay previously served as UKIP s Deputy Chairman before joining the Conservative Party. He has publicly dismissed calls by EU officials for the UK to pay a divorce bill to the European Union. 5

6 Brexit Committee Page 2 of 2 Pat McFadden, Wolverhampton South East A former adviser to Tony Blair, Business Minister and Shadow Europe Minister, McFadden is a leading supporter of the Open Britain group. He will be a vocal advocate for a Brexit deal which puts the economy first. Stephen Timms, East Ham Elected: 1994 Brings great experience to the Committee as a longstanding former Treasury and Business Minister. Timms is one of the Labour MPs who defied a three line whip to vote against triggering Article 50. Wera Hobhouse, Bath The Liberal Democrat s sole representative on the Committee and a passionate pro-european, Hobhouse will strongly oppose a hard Brexit. Also campaigns on the environment, and is the party s spokesperson on Communities and Local Government, and Refugees. Emma Reynolds, Wolverhampton North East Reynolds was a prominent Remain campaigner and wants to retain the progressive aspects of EU membership. However, she has warned that free movement must end and MPs should not seek to overturn the referendum result. Joanna Cherry QC, Edinburgh South West The SNP s Justice & Home Affairs Spokesperson, these issues will be a focus of her interests on the Committee. Cherry is one of the SNP s highest profile MPs and is a vocal opponent of Brexit. Hywel Williams, Arfon Plaid s spokesperson on Brexit, among other issues, Williams voted against the Government s Bill to trigger Article 50, saying that it wasn t about accepting the referendum result but about endorsing the Conservatives extreme version of Brexit. Will argue for a soft Brexit for Wales. Seema Malhotra, Feltham and Heston Elected: 2011 A Labour moderate with a background in management consultancy with Accenture and PwC. Has argued that the UK should seek to remain in the Single Market to the greatest possible extent and seek reforms to freedom of movement. Peter Grant, Glenrothes The SNP s Europe Spokesperson at Westminster, Grant served on both the European Scrutiny and Brexit Committees in the last Parliament. A former teacher and accountant, he is quietly effective. Sammy Wilson, East Antrim The DUP has agreed to support the Government on legislation pertaining to Brexit, so as the party s Brexit spokesperson, it will be interesting to see the type of intervention Wilson makes. A Leave supporter, he will take a close interest in debates on the Irish border. Stephen Kinnock, Aberavon Kinnock has in-depth experience of business and working internationally after twenty years in the private sector. Believes a transitional arrangement is vital and has argued that the EEA provides a comfortable waiting room for this. 6

7 International Trade Committee Angus MacNeil, Na h-eileanan an Iar Returning as Chair of one of two Committees held by the SNP, Angus MacNeil will be a highly critical Committee Chair. An ardent Remainer, MacNeil frequently tweets that it is misleading to suggest that any result in the Brexit negotiations could get the best deal for Britain as anything other than status quo would be a worse deal than now. Initially one of few SNP MPs in the Commons, MacNeil has held a number of briefs, most recently serving as Chair of the now-defunct Energy and Climate Change Committee. He has previously served as SNP spokesperson on a variety of areas, ranging from Transport and Work and Pensions, to Constitutional Reform and Culture, Media and Sport. UK-US trade relations: The Committee is likely to revisit this inquiry that closed prematurely for the General Election. It will seek to examine the potential for a UK-US trade agreement, the opportunities any agreement might present and the implications for the production and sale of goods and services on both sides of the Atlantic. UK FTAs: Following the Committee s broad inquiry into UK trade options beyond 2019, the Committee is likely to pursue more country specific FTA inquiries. We would expect these to be in parallel to countries with which the UK has already established a trade working group. Grandfathering of FTAs: A current element of significant uncertainty that the Committee will likely examine is the extent of how far it is possible for the UK to negotiate post-brexit grandfathering arrangements in respect to FTAs to which the UK is currently a party. Marcus Fysh, Yeovil Fysh has extensive experience in fund management and global government bond markets. Has argued that new trade deals can be pursued immediately after March 2019, and warned against lengthy transitional arrangements that side-track talks on the new deal. Ranil Jayawardena, North East Hampshire A Brexiteer, Jayawardena will closely follow the debate on a future dispute resolution mechanism to oversee a UK/EU free trade agreement, as well as efforts made towards trade deals with the rest of the world, including the US. Faisal Rashid, Warrington South Rashid has 20 years experience in the banking industry, including working at HBOS and Natwest. A former Mayor of Warrington, he worked with the Department for Trade to push new opportunities to boost exports for businesses in his area. Catherine West, Hornsey and Wood Green A former local government leader, West was briefly a shadow Foreign Office Minister but was sacked after supporting Chuka Umunna s amendment to the Queen s Speech that called for the UK to stay in the Single Market and Customs Union. Julia Dockerill, Hornchurch and Upminster Former Chief of Staff to Mark Field MP, Dockerill attracted unwanted attention after her notes on Brexit were photographed as she left Downing Street. Worked closely with financial and professional services firms in the City of London in this role and will be well-briefed. Emma Little-Pengelly, Belfast South Bouncing back from losing her seat in the Northern Irish Assembly earlier this year, Little-Pengelly is now the DUP s spokesperson on International Trade, along with Equality and Justice. She is a qualified barrister by background. Keith Vaz, Leicester East Elected: 1987 A former solicitor-turned-barrister, Vaz is a Select Committee veteran with 14 years of unbroken service on the Committee corridor. Most recently he was a member of the Justice Committee and chaired the Home Affairs Committee. Nigel Evans, Ribble Valley Elected: 1992 An ardent Brexiteer, Evans previously sat on the now defunct Trade and Industry Committee before joining this Committee at the time of its creation. Has a particular interest in US politics, previously arguing Trump should be respected as one of the UK s most treasured trading partners. Chris Leslie, Nottingham East First elected: 1997 Leslie is a leading supporter of the Open Britain campaign and is a key figure in the Labour party supporting Single Market membership in a transitional period. He has a firm grasp of the minutiae of Brexit and is not afraid to be outspoken. Matt Western, Warwick and Leamington The unexpected winner of Warwick and Leamington in 2017 when he defeated the Conservative s Chris White, Western previously worked for Peugeot, where he specialised in finance and marketing, before setting up his own branding and marketing consultancy. 7

8 Work and Pensions Committee Frank Field, Birkenhead Elected: 1979 Frank Field returns as Chair of the Work and Pensions Committee and will continue to bring his wealth of experience to the role. One of the few Labour MPs to support Brexit, Field is firmly on the right wing of the Labour Party and is fiercely independent-minded. His chairmanship will not be directed along party lines, and with the respect he commands across the House as well as his tough and hard-hitting questioning, the authority he carries will encourage Committee witnesses to be well prepared and ensure the Committee s recommendations are taken seriously. Field s vigorous questioning of Sir Philip Green and the resulting spat between the pair is further evidence of his disdain if he views individuals to be cheating the system and failing to take the Committee s concerns seriously. We can expect further questioning of executives from companies such as Uber on pay and treatment of workers, as well as further joint work with the Business, Energy and Industrial Committee under its new Chair Rachel Reeves, following the success of the Committees joint investigation into the collapse of BHS. Heidi Allen, South Cambridgeshire Often proving a fierce critic of her own party, Allen s belief in the need to reform Conservatism to be more compassionate will likely feed into much of her questioning on the Committee. Previously ran her family s manufacturing business and has experience in both the public and private sectors. Impact of pension reforms: The continued impact of Osborne s pension freedom reforms, particularly the increasing number of people withdrawing their full pension pots, will likely be a key focus of the Committee. Auto enrolment: With the auto enrolment review due to report by the end of the year, the Committee is likely to pay close attention to the findings. Gig economy: Field has invited Matthew Taylor to give evidence to his Committee, jointly with the BEIS Committee, on his report on modern working practices. Following their short report published at the end of last Parliament, the Committee is likely to take a continued interest in this policy area, particularly given Field s own views on working conditions in the gig economy. Pension policy-making over the last 10 years: Changes to the state pension age, the triple lock, the WASPI debate, increases in pension scams, and DB schemes are all likely to be a focus of the Committee at various times over the course of the Parliament. Universal credit: The rollout of universal credit has continued to be delayed and has faced numerous hurdles, and the Committee will want to be keeping an eye on any further problems. Welfare: While welfare reform no longer appears to be a Conservative priority, given Field s interest in the area the Committee may still look further into local welfare safety nets and destitution. Andrew Bowie, West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine One of the new Scottish Tory MPs, Bowie has previously worked for MEPs and MSPs, and has a background in the Royal Navy. Chris Green, Bolton West A member of the Science and Technology Committee in the previous Parliament, Green has a background as an engineer in the mass spectrometry industry. Jack Brereton, Stoke-on-Trent Brereton is a former councillor and was previously a parliamentary assistant to Conservative MP Karen Bradley. Aged 26, he was the youngest Conservative MP in the 2017 intake. Steve McCabe, Birmingham, Selly Oak Elected: 1997 An experienced MP and a returner to the Committee, McCabe advocates the need to create new models of welfare in order to preserve the essence of the Welfare State. Marsha de Cordova, Battersea Ousted former Minister Jane Ellison in a shock result in Battersea. Has been a lifelong campaigner for the rights of visually impaired people and the disabled, and is partially sighted herself. Ruth George, High Peak A new MP, George has worked for the USDAW union for 18 years campaigning on a variety of retail issues including wages, abuse of staff, maternity/paternity pay, and Sunday trading rules. Alex Burghart, Brentwood and Ongar Previously a Special Adviser in the No.10 policy unit on social justice, the Director of Strategy for the Children s Commissioner, and the Director of Policy at the Centre for Social Justice, Burghart s passion for welfare reform and social justice is clear throughout his career. Chris Stephens, Glasgow South West Firmly on the left of his party, Stephens is SNP Spokesperson on Trade Unions and Workers Rights. A former union official, he worked on issues such as disability, occupational pensions and equal pay interests he ll bring to this Committee. Neil Coyle, Bermondsey and Old Southwark Coyle returns to the Committee with a strong background working in the social care space and campaigning for disability rights. His interest in the policy area primarily lies around disability employment, welfare cuts and access to work. 8

9 Public Accounts Committee Meg Hillier, Hackney South and Shoreditch Returning as Chair as the sole nominee, Hillier will hit the ground running at the helm of one of Parliament s most influential committees. In her nomination statement, she argued that the PAC s job is to to look beyond the headlines to cost and implementation, and she will certainly do that as she plans to continue to hold departments and agencies feet to the fire to ensure our constituents, and taxpayers, get the value for money from Government they deserve. Unlike her predecessors, she remains committed that the Committee pursue the truth without sensationalism. Returning to key issues from before the General Election, the Committee will continue its work on international tax transparency and scrutiny of health and social care budgets. Education spending has also been a recent focus of the Committee s work, and with the proposals on the funding formula the Committee will be examining how this will be implemented and how it will interact with existing calls for efficiency savings and any impact on capital budgets. Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, The Cotswolds Elected: 1992 A former farmer and chartered surveyor, Clifton-Brown shadowed many ministerial portfolios in Opposition but has never found a role in Government. He has since carved a niche on the Select Committees, chairing the Committee of Selection in the coalition Government. Brexit: A certain focus for many of the Select Committees, Hillier is committed to ensuring taxpayers money is wisely spent during the Brexit process. International tax transparency: A constant theme for the Committee, this is likely to be a keen focus following the PAC s Global Tax Transparency Summit with global Parliamentarians. Education Spending: Hillier s nomination statement commented on how the Committee will scrutinise proposals for the funding formula. Large scale projects: A priority for the Chair in the last Parliament, the Committee will continue to scrutinise large Government projects. Luke Graham, Ochil and South Perthshire A trained accountant with international experience of the US and China. He previously supported remain in the EU referendum, acting as the finance director of Stronger In. Bim Afolami, Hitchin and Harpenden Afolami has ten years experience in the City behind him, as a corporate lawyer at Freshfields, then as a Senior Executive at HSBC. Gillian Keegan, Chichester An experienced businesswoman and activist, Keegan has strong connections within Westminster and 25 years experience in the international manufacturing, finance and technology sectors. She also has experience of local government. Nigel Mills, Amber Valley A former accountant and councillor, Mills has been a member of the Committee since He s previously pursued a strong agenda on HMRC s efforts to tackle tax fraud. Andrew Jones, Harrogate and Knaresborough The Government s representative on the Committee, however he is unlikely to actively participate in proceedings as his appointment is by convention. Chris Evans, Islwyn A regular speaker on such issues as welfare reform, economy and employment, Evans has been a member of the Committee since Shabana Mahmood, Birmingham Ladywood A former lawyer, Mahmood served as a Shadow Minister throughout the Ed Miliband era in a range of briefs including Treasury. Bridget Phillipson, Houghton and Sunderland South Previously a manager of a charity refuge and served as the Chair of the APPG on Domestic and Sexual Violence, Phillipson is a returner to this Committee. Caroline Flint, Don Valley Elected: 1997 An experienced former Minister and influential on the Labour backbenches, Flint is not afraid to break from the crowd. Will be interested in continuing to pursue greater tax transparency from multinational companies. Gareth Snell, Stoke-on-Trent Central Managing to retain the seat he won in a by-election in February this year, the former Councillor and Trade Union worker briefly sat on the Science and Technology Committee in the last parliament. Heidi Allen, South Cambridgeshire Her second seat on a Committee in this Parliament, the Public Accounts Committee will be a new brief for Allen. Layla Moran, Oxford West and Abingdon One of the new Liberal Democrats joining Parliament, as a former teacher and academic manager she was recently appointed the new Education spokesperson for the Party. Martyn Day, Linlithgow and East Falkirk A longstanding member of the SNP, Day has been an agent at every election since 1999 until his own to Parliament in He also comes with 16 years experience of local government. 9

10 Foreign Affairs Committee Tom Tugendhat, Tonbridge and Malling Ousting previous Chair Crispin Blunt, Tom Tugendhat is the first member of the 2015 intake to be elected to chair a committee. Although not extensively experienced in Parliament, he certainly is in military affairs, having served in the Royal Marines in Iraq, helped to grow the National Security Council in Afghanistan and served as principal advisor to the professional Head of the British Armed Forces Tugendhat s knowledge and military experience will gain respect across the House and as a rising star in the party, he has even been touted as potential future leader. Although little is so far known as to how he plans to manage the Committee, he has proved himself unafraid to stand up to the Government after publicly raising concerns over the Conservative-DUP deal. He has also emphasised his belief that the UK must continue to play a key role on the global stage throughout the Brexit process, expressing his desire for the Committee to lead the debate on the form this takes. Tugendhat plans to create a Deputy Chair position, likely to be a Labour MP to achieve his aim of encouraging all sides to play a role. It is also worth noting that among Conservative backbenchers, this Committee was the most sought after in terms of numbers of nominations compared to places available. Given the ongoing uncertainty of the Trump presidency, along with the foreign policy implications resulting from Brexit, the Committee will certainly have some sticky issues to get into. Nusrat Ghani, Wealden Currently PPS to the Home Office Ministerial team, Ghani has pushed for international criminal proceedings against ISIS. Has also focused on the use of sexual violence in an international context. Andrew Rosindell, Romford A member of the Committee since 2010, Rosindell has argued that Britain must take back control of its borders from the EU and that in terms of foreign policy, Brexit is a bigger loss to the EU than the UK. Brexit: The Committee is likely to continue its focus on Brexit after publishing a number of reports in the last Parliament, including on the impact of a no deal scenario which gained wide coverage. UK-China relations: The Committee is likely to resume its inquiry on UK-China relations, in particular considering the UK s economic, financial and trade interests with China, including the effects of leaving the EU. UK-US relations: How the Government manages UK-US relations at a time of political uncertainty surrounding the Trump administration is likely to be a focus. International relations strategy: Beyond its country specific inquiries, the Committee will also be looking to contribute to overall thinking about the UK s international role and how to retain influence in the context of Brexit. Foreign policy in Asia and the Middle East: The situations in North Korea, Syria, and Libya, and the UK s response to growing problems in these regions will remain of interest. Royston Smith, Southampton Itchen Formerly an aircraft engineer in the Royal Air Force and a maintenance engineer at British Airways. Smith was named the least active MP in 2015 by the Independent, and retained his seat by just 31 votes in the 2017 election. Nadhim Zahawi, Stratford-on-Avon A well-connected member of the Conservative party, Zahawi often speaks publicly on US policy and will not be restrained by party lines on foreign policy issues. He founded YouGov and was formerly on the Prime Minister s Policy Board with responsibility for business and the economy. Ian Austin, Dudley North A new member to the Committee, Austin is to the right of the Labour party and was a close ally of Gordon Brown. He has been a fierce critic of Jeremy Corbyn, often heckling him from his own bench. Chris Bryant, Rhondda An experienced and outspoken MP, former vicar Bryant will not miss an opportunity to make the Government squirm. As one of the Labour MPs calling for the UK to stay in the single market, he will take a robust stance on any questioning around Brexit. Mike Gapes, Ilford South Elected: 1992 When it comes to the Foreign Affairs Committee, Gapes is a veteran, having first joined in 1992 and serving as its Chair from He will show a keen interest in a wide range of international affairs. Ann Clwyd, Cynon Valley Elected: 1984 Clwyd has been on the Foreign Affairs Committee since 2010 and has taken a firm interest on human rights, in particular raising concerns over the Government trading anxieties over human right breaches away in return for trade deals with different countries. Ian Murray, Edinburgh South Returning to the Committee, Murray has previously served as Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland and Shadow Business Minister. He is likely to be particularly interested in probing the devolved legislatures role in the development of trade relations. Stephen Gethins, North East Fife Returned to Parliament by just two votes, Gethins speaks for the SNP on International Affairs, Trade and Defence. He brings extensive experience of working internationally for NGOs and advised then First Minister Alex Salmond on foreign affairs. 10

11 Justice Committee Bob Neill, Bromley and Chislehurst Elected: 2006 Bob Neill has been re-elected unopposed as Chair of the Justice Committee. A former criminal barrister, he has had several stints on the Committee previously before joining again and taking up the role as Chair in Not one for grandstanding, the Committee has taken a relaxed and civil approach to questioning witnesses under his Chairmanship. In this Parliament, Neill s key priorities are prisons, legal aid and probation. He will look for commitment from the Lord Chancellor to continue the prison reform agenda, including the need to ensure prisons are a place of rehabilitation. On access to justice, Neill personally believes that more has been removed from the system that it can take, and that these anomalies must be rectified as soon as possible. Against the backdrop of the Charlie Gard case and the Grenfell Tower tragedy, expect some high-profile work on this area. The Committee will also do its bit in examining the legal implications of Brexit. Neill has proved himself to be one of the most active pro-remain rebels on the Conservative backbenches, and with a Committee largely made up of former lawyers, they will recognise the contribution the sector makes to the economy and will push for an early commitment to transitional arrangements for this sector. John Howell, Henley Elected: 2008 A former partner at Ernst & Young, where he specialised in tax and Eastern Europe. Tends to take more of an interest in prisons, sentencing and criminal justice, as well as diversity in the legal profession. Prison reform: After the omission of the prisons element of the previous Prisons and Courts Bill from the Queen s Speech, and against the backdrop of increasing crisis in the UK s prisons, this will remain a priority for the Committee. Probation and reoffending: The Committee s inquiry into transforming rehabilitation is likely to reopened, after it was concluded early before the General Election. Chair Bob Neill has expressed his desire to further investigate probation and the prevention of reoffending. Access to justice: The Committee will look to press the Government on its promised post-legislative review of LASPO (Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012). Modernisation of courts: The Committee will look carefully at the human impacts of the Government s courts modernisation programme, examining the balance between achieving efficiencies and ensuring access to justice. Brexit: The Committee will continue its work considering the legal implications of Brexit, including the impact on civil and family law cooperation as well as the need for transitional arrangements in this area. Personal injury: With the MoJ s recently published proposals to set the Ogden rate, as well as reforms to whiplash claims coming through in the Civil Liability Bill, the Committee will follow the debate on personal injury closely. Kemi Badenoch, Saffron Walden Badenoch was previously a London-wide member of the Greater London Assembly, where she was the Conservative Spokesperson for the Economy. A former Associate Director at Coutts & Co, she is keen to pursue a social mobility agenda. Alex Chalk, Cheltenham Still a practicing barrister, Chalk spent fourteen years specialising in counter-terrorism, homicide and serious fraud cases. Involved on both the APPGs on pro bono and public legal education, Chalk is tough with witnesses. Ruth Cadbury, Brentford and Isleworth A Brentford Councillor for 25 years, Cadbury was sacked from Corbyn s frontbench for voting in favour of an amendment to the Queen s Speech calling for the UK to remain in the Single Market. One of the MPs supported by the Open Britain campaign, she will speak out against a hard Brexit. David Hanson, Delyn Elected: 1992 Former Minister of State at the then newly created Ministry of Justice before becoming Policing and Security Minister at the Home Office, Hanson has also served as PPS to then Prime Minister Tony Blair. Bambos Charalambous, Enfield, Southgate A solicitor that formerly worked for Hackney Council in their housing litigation team. Expect him to focus on the legal implications of Brexit, particularly for families with cross-border relations. Ellie Reeves, Lewisham West and Penge A former member of Labour s National Executive Committee and Vice Chair of London Labour, Reeves is well-connected in the party. An employment law barrister by profession, she is sister to BEIS Committee Chair Rachel Reeves and married to Labour MP John Cryer. Victoria Prentis, Banbury After qualifying as a barrister in 1995, Prentis joined the civil service where she provided advice on military prisons, national security matters and represented the Government in court. Latterly, she headed up the Justice and Security team at the Treasury Solicitors Department. Laura Pidcock, North West Durham A former mental health worker before moving to the charity sector as manager of the education team at the UK s largest anti-racism charity, Pidcock is an experienced campaigner within the Labour Party. Gavin Newlands, Paisley and Renfrewshire North Previously ran two high turnover restaurants and worked as a Business Analyst, Newlands has argued that the effect of Brexit on the justice system will be significant. 11

12 Health Committee Dr Sarah Wollaston, Totnes As a testament to her popularity, Sarah Wollaston has been re-elected unopposed, after first being elected as the Chair of the Health Select Committee in 2014 and having sat on the Committee since Wollaston has 24 years experience as an NHS doctor, a point she has made much of in her election campaigns. Noted in the Commons for being independently-minded, Wollaston has stressed the importance of acting impartially as a Select Committee Chair. She has regularly spoken out against her own Party s leadership on a plethora of issues, including public criticism of the Coalition Government s flagship Health and Social Care Bill. We can expect Wollaston to continue to hold the Government to account in this role. Despite being an initial supporter of the Vote Leave Campaign, Wollaston received public attention in 2016 for switching sides to back Remain. In her reasoning, she cited the detrimental impact that a Leave vote would have on the NHS. We can therefore expect the Committee to take a close interest in the impact of Brexit on health services, including the impact on access to talent. Wollaston has also expressed a particular interest in social care and, whilst acknowledging the need to tackle intergenerational unfairness, she openly criticised the lack of a cap in the Conservative Manifesto s social care policy. Dr Caroline Johnson, Sleaford and North Hykeham Elected: 2016 Was elected at a by-election in December 2016, and is now new to the Health Committee. She is a consultant paediatrician, having been a qualified doctor since Social Care: As the General Election will attest, the funding of social care remains a thorny political issue. Cuts to local government budgets, the fall in the number of care home beds and the fact that the country s elderly population is on track to double in the next 20 years all mean that the problems of old-age provision will be a top priority for the Committee. Mental Health: Mental health has received an increase in attention in recent years. The Government has already announced increased funding for mental health provision, but with the NHS facing a growing number of mental health cases, and with a huge disparity in the quality of care, the topic will likely be of high interest to the committee. NHS funding: Pressures in the NHS budget have been a contentious political issue for some years, and this is unlikely to change for this Parliament. Britain spends less as a percentage of GDP on health compared to other EU countries like France and the Chief Executive of the NHS, Simon Stevens, has publicly stated that the NHS will face highly constrained funding over the next few years. Junior Doctors: Widespread dissatisfaction amongst junior doctors with their terms of employment continues and ongoing conflicts regarding pay and conditions for medical staff is likely to endure. Air quality: The Committee s joint inquiry into air quality was cut short due to the early General Election. If the other Committee Chairs are still interested, this is likely to be revisited. Brexit: Following their previous report on Brexit and health and social care, which was intended as the first phase of a fuller inquiry, the Committee will return to the longer-term impact of Brexit. Andrew Selous, South West Bedfordshire Selous has served on the Health Committee since 2016, and has expressed a public interest in tackling dementia, as well as in improving medical care for children with rare illnesses. Maggie Throup, Erewash A member of the Committee since 2015 and a former biomedical scientist, Throup was previously a director of a pharmaceutical company. She has focused on NHS funding and the increased healthcare costs of obesity, and is unafraid to criticise her party s leadership on these matters. Dr Paul Williams, Stockton South Dr Williams is a former GP and Chief Executive of Hartlepool and Stockton Health GP Federation, which aims to give extra appointments for patients outside of hours. Focus on mental health services and preventative action in health. Ben Bradshaw, Exeter Elected: 1997 A notable voice on the Blairite wing of the Labour Party, Bradshaw s previous ministerial experience includes two years as a Minister of State for Health. A vocal pro-remain MP, he will likely seek to draw attention to Brexit s impact on the NHS. Diana Johnson, Kingston upon Hull North Johnson covered a number of shadow portfolios, including Shadow Minister for Health, before resigning from the Shadow Cabinet. She has a long record of involvement in the NHS and was formerly a visiting legal member of the Mental Health Act Commission. Was a notable critic of the NHS blood contamination scandal. Rosie Cooper, West Lancashire An experienced member of the Committee, Cooper has previous experience in the healthcare sector as a former Chair of Liverpool Children s hospital and as a Member of Liverpool Health Authority. Has previously been a critic of misconduct and oversight by NHS management. Jonny Mercer, Plymouth Moor View Mercer has established himself as a high-profile backbencher, most notably on defence issues as a former soldier. He has been an outspoken critic of poor mental health provision, particularly for veterans. Luciana Berger, Liverpool Wavertree Berger previously served as a Shadow Minister for both public health and mental health, before joining the Committee in Known for her focus on improving the NHS s mental health provision. Lisa Cameron, East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow Previously an NHS consultant working with those with mental health problems and learning difficulties, Cameron brings real experience to the Committee of treatment, risk assessment and health research. Also SNP Spokesperson on Mental Health. 12

13 Other notable Parliamentary committees Key Conservative Labour Scottish National Party Liberal Democrats Democratic Unionist Party Plaid Cymru Green Party Independent Environmental Audit Committee Mary Creagh (Chair) Zac Goldsmith Dr Matthew Offord Dr Therese Coffey Dr Dan Poulter Geraint Davies Kerry McCarthy Anna McMorrin Joan Ryan Alex Sobel John McNally Caroline Lucas Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Neil Parish (Chair) Dr Caroline Johnson Sheryll Murray Julian Sturdy John Grogan Paul Flynn Sandy Martin Angela Smith Alan Brown David Simpson Education Committee Robert Halfon (Chair) Lucy Allan Michelle Donelan Trudy Harrison William Wragg James Frith Emma Hardy Ian Mearns Lucy Powell Thelma Walker Marion Fellows Defence Committee Dr Julian Lewis (Chair) Leo Docherty Mark Francois Johnny Mercer Graham Jones Madeleine Moon Ruth Smeeth John Spellar Phil Wilson Martin Docherty-Hughes Gavin Robinson Transport Committee Lilian Greenwood (Chair) Steve Double Huw Merriman Iain Stewart Martin Vickers Luke Pollard Laura Smith Graham Stringer Daniel Zeichner Ronnie Cowan Paul Girvan Note: Committee not full Science and Technology Committeee Norman Lamb (Chair) Bill Grant Stephen Metcalfe Neil O Brien Vicky Ford Adam Holloway Darren Jones Clive Lewis Graham Stringer Stephanie Peacock Martin Whitfield Northern Ireland Affairs Committee Communities and Local Government Committee Culture, Media and Sport Committee Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Dr Andrew Murrison (Chair) Maria Caulfield Jack Lopresti Nigel Mills Stephen Hepburn Kate Hoey Conor McGinn Gregory Campbell Ian Paisley Jim Shannon Lady Sylvia Hermon Clive Betts (Chair) Bob Blackman Kevin Hollinrake Andrew Lewer Mark Prisk Mary Robinson Mike Amesbury Helen Hayes Fiona Onasanya Liz Twist Damian Collins (Chair) Simon Hart Julian Knight Rebecca Pow Giles Watling Julie Elliott Paul Farrelly Ian C. Lucas Christian Matheson Jo Stevens Brenan O Hara Bernard Jenkin (Chair) Marcus Fysh Cheryl Gillan David Jones David Morris Paul Flynn Kelvin Hopkins Dr Rupa Huq Sandy Martin Ronnie Cowan International Development Committee Home Affairs Committee Women and Equalities Committeee Scottish Affairs Committee Welsh Affairs Committee Stephen Twigg (Chair) James Duddridge Nigel Evans Paul Scully Henry Smith Pauline Latham Richard Burden Ivan Lewis Lloyd Russell-Moyle Virendra Sharma Chris Law Yvette Cooper (Chair) Chris Chope Tim Loughton Esther McVey Will Quince Stephen Doughty Preet Gill Sarah Jones Naz Shah Stuart C. McDonald Maria Miller (Chair) Kirstene Hair Philip Davies Eddie Hughes Rosie Duffield Jared O Mara Jess Philips Gavin Shuker Tulip Siddiq Angela Crawley Pete Wishart (Chair) David Duguid John Lamont Paul Masterton Ross Thomson Gerald Killen Danielle Rowley Hugh Gaffney Tommy Sheppard Deidre Brock Christine Jardine David T.C. Davies (Chair) Chris Davies Glyn Davies Simon Hoare Tonia Antoniazzi Geraint Davies Anna McMorrin Paul Flynn Ben Lake Note: Committee not full 13

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