Political Updates 10th April 2017

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

• The House of Commons is in recess from the 3rd April to 18th April.
• Professor Francis Davis has been appointed to the Office for Disability Issues by Penny Mordaunt, Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work. Professor Francis Davis will be responsible for promoting social enterprise and for the improvement of employment opportunities for disabled people.

Scottish Parliament

• The Scottish Parliament is in recess from the 1st April to the 16th April.

Northern Ireland Assembly

• The deadline for Sinn Féin and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to reach an agreement has been extended until the 18th April. If the talks fail, certain devolved powers would be temporarily returned to Westminster, a move that Sinn Féin strongly opposes. Sinn Féin wants a new election to be held if an agreement is not reached, however, several people, including Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, James Brokenshire, have claimed that there is no appetite for another election.

• This week the Members of the European Parliament will be based in Brussels for Committee Sessions.