Next week's business
In one way or another, much of the coming week in parliament will be about the implications of the government's Spending Review and the state of the UK economy.
Monday
In the Commons, the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Secretary Theresa May takes questions, and then David Cameron is expected to report back to the Commons about the European Summit in Brussels - there will be much interest in the response from Conservative backbenchers. Monday also sees the beginning of the end of the Commons debates on the Parliamentary Voting and Constituencies Bill - day one of the "remaining stages" after five days of committee stage debates on the floor of the House. Meanwhile their Lordships debate the Spending Review.
On the committee corridor the launches into its detailed examination of the Spending Review (see my earlier post on this), with the views of the Institute of Fiscal Studies, among other expert witnesses. And with a Localism Bill, which aims to give local authorities and local communities more power over local issues as part of the "Big Society", due before parliament soon, the starts its inquiry into the whole concept of localism
Tuesday
MPs will perform the last rites over the Parliamentary Voting and Constituencies Bill, before sending it off to the Lords. Meanwhile, the Lords debate future energy policy and climate change.
On the committee corridor, the publishes what may prove to be a pretty critical report on the government's proposed immigration cap on non-EEA immigrants to the UK - I understand dozens of amendments were put down when they considered the draft report last week. And the will publish a report on tackling inequalities in life expectancy in areas with the worst health and deprivation.
There are also some meaty evidence sessions: the continues its look at the NHS commissioning process - where the government is moving to a much bigger role for GPs. The Treasury Committee continues its inquiry into the Spending Review with evidence from more experts - and they will take evidence about proposed cuts to housing support and welfare. Energy Minister Charles Hendry will be questioned by the about the decision not to introduce a moratorium on UK deepwater drilling in the wake of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. And the will propose cuts in funding to preserve British heritage. Witnesses include the Historic Houses Association, Heritage Lottery Fund, and Lloyd Grossman, chair of the Heritage Alliance.
Meanwhile, the goes to Hull (and back) to take evidence for its transport and the economy inquiry. And witnesses from the Cumbrian shootings together with their local MP, Copeland's Jamie Reed, discuss the implications of the Cumbrian shootings for gun control, with the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Affairs Committee.
Wednesday
The Commons will debate the Bloody Sunday Inquiry. The Lords will debate a series of reports from their select committees - including on Private Finance Initiative projects, and the European Social Fund.
The select committees are busy too - most now cram their hearings into a crowded Wednesday.
The Lib Dems' man in the Treasury, Chief Secretary Danny Alexander, is the next contributor to the Treasury Committee's scrutiny of the Spending Review. How strategic was the review, or is it merely a cost-cutting exercise?
Gordon Brown advisor, turned Conservative Minister Lord Freud, gives evidence to the on the impact of the changes to housing benefit announced in the Budget. The starts its inquiry on Shrinking the Quango State, with evidence from two of the arms-length bodies destined for the chop, one that is being merged - and the man wielding the axe in the Cabinet Office, Francis Maude. The examines the decisions made over the volcanic ash cloud. Was sufficient evidence provided to justify the flight ban? British Airways, the Civil Aviation Authority, the Met Office and government departments give evidence.
The questions former schools inspectors on Ofsted in its first session examining the inspectorate's governance, remit and performance. And the take evidence on the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ World Service and the British Council, following the CSR reductions in spending for both.
Thursday
The main business in the Commons is a debate chosen by the Backbench Business Committee. This week they're talking about child poverty and proposed changes to housing benefit - both subjects raised by the Spending Review at the Department of Work and Pensions. The Lords debate the impact of the Budget and Spending Review on housing need and provision, and then discuss plurality of media ownership in the UK.
The Public Accounts Committee publishes an important-looking report on whether the Treasury's value for money savings have, in fact, improved value for money across government. The programme aims to achieve government-wide annual savings of £35bn by 2011.
Chancellor George Osborne will be the final witness for the Treasury Committee's inquiry into the CSR. The committee will then produce a report as rapidly as it can.
Top civil service mandarin Sir Gus O'Donnell gives his account of the formation of the coalition government to the in its final session on the issues which emerged following the May 2010 general election. The will take evidence on the potential for job creation in the private sector from BIS officials, and from the TUC, UK Commission for Employment and Skills and the Work Foundation.
The journeys to Cardiff for its inquiry into the Severn Crossings. Have tolls damaged business in Wales, or improved it with better transport links? Witnesses include Severn River Crossing plc, and Ieuan Wyn Jones, Deputy First Minister for Wales and Minister for the Economy and Transport.
(And neither House sits on Friday).
I'm Mark D'Arcy and I'll be writing about what goes on in the chambers and committee rooms at Westminster.
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