Political Updates 2nd March 2020

This week’s Political Updates, covers moves and changes at all levels of government.

UK Government

Sir Philip Rutnam has resigned as Permanent Secretary of the Home Office.

Abi Tierney has been appointed as the new Director General of Her Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO) and UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

The Prime Minister confirmed the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, as the co-chair of the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee. He also confirmed Paymaster General Rt Hon Penny Mordaunt MP as the alternate co-chair.

Equality Commission for Northern Ireland – Geraldine McGahey named as the new Chief Commissioner, Neil Anderson as Deputy Chief Commissioner, and Duane Farrell, Helen Ferguson, Jarlath Kearney, Deepa Mann-Kler and Carmel McKinney as Commissioners.

The Treasury has appointed James Heath as the new CEO of the National Infrastructure Commission.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has announced the appointment of Fiona Dickie as the next Pubs Code Adjudicator.

Myriam Madden confirmed as Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit Committee at the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem)

The Secretary of State has announced the appointment of Sally Cheshire CBE as Interim Chair of the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service.

  House of Lords 

Lord Steel left the Liberal Democrats and now sits as non-affiliated and will retire from the House of Lords.

Lord Brennan was previously Labour and now sits as non-affiliated.

In the Culture, Tourism and External Affairs Committee – Gordon Lindhurst replaced Alexander Stewart and Oliver Mundell replaced Donald Cameron as a member.

In the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee – Gil Paterson replaced Tom Arthur, Bill Bowman replaced Graham Simpson and Gordon Lindhurst replaced Jeremy Balfour as a member.

In the Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee – Alison Harris replaced Jamie Halcro Johnston and Michelle Ballantyne replaced Gordon Lindhurst as a member.

In the Education and Skills Committee – Alex Neil replaced Jenny Gilruth, Jamie Halcro Johnston replaced Alison Harris and Jamie Greene replaced Liz Smith as a member.

In the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee – Annie Wells replaced Rachael Hamilton as a member.

In the Equalities and Human Rights Committee – Maurice Golden replaced Oliver Mundell and Alison Harris replaced Annie Wells as a member.

In the Finance Committee – George Adam replaced Gordon MacDonald and Donald Cameron replaced Adam Tomkins as a member.

In the Justice Committee – Alasdair Allan replaced Jenny Gilruth as a member.

In the Local Government and Communities Committee – Jeremy Balfour replaced Alexander Stewart as a member.

In the Public Petitions Committee – Tom Mason replaced Brian Whittle as a member.

In the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee – Rachael Hamilton replaced Jamie Greene as a member.

In the Social Security Committee – Tom Arthur replaced Alasdair Allan and Graham Simpson replaced Michelle Ballantyne as a member.

In the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee – Alexander Stewart replaced Tom Mason as a member.