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Entertainment & Celebrity News Today | 2 Min NewsCatriona Rowntree Remembers Ruth Irving and Celebrates LoveCatriona Rowntree mourns the loss of her dear friend Ruth Irving, the visionary behind Al Ru Farm, while also celebrating 17 years of marriage with husband James Pettit. Discover how Ruth transformed a sheep paddock into an iconic wedding venue and the lasting impact she had on Catriona and countless others, plus a glimpse into Catriona's own milestone anniversary and enduring love. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2025-08-2101 min
Expectation ChurchClean Conscious, Clear Channel | Ruth RowntreeThis is an audio recording of the Sunday, 17th of Aug 2025 sermon by Ruth Rowntree titled: Clean Conscious, Clear Channel.This sermon is part of our series "Awaken: Seek God with Intention" series.We are Expectation Church. Our mission is to see Jesus in every heart, and every home. Visit our website: www.weareexpectation.com
2025-08-2038 minExpectation ChurchThe Palm, the Peak and the Peg | Ruth RowntreeThis is an audio recording of the Sunday 6th of July 2025 sermon by Ruth Rowntree titled: The Palm, the Peak and the Peg.This sermon is part of our series: Lessons from Judges: Flawed People, Faithful God.We are Expectation Church. Our mission is to see Jesus in every heart, and every home. Visit our website: www.weareexpectation.com
2025-07-0936 min
Parliament MattersLabour’s welfare meltdownHas the Government’s complacency in managing Parliament finally caught up with it? It’s been a difficult week for Ministers, as a backbench Labour revolt forced a dramatic U-turn on plans to cut billions from Personal Independence Payments. With Rachel Reeves’ financial strategy in tatters, questions are mounting about Keir Starmer’s authority — and whether weak parliamentary management is to blame. We explore how it all went wrong, what it reveals about No.10’s approach to Parliament, and what needs to change to stop further unravelling.___ Please help us improve Parliament Matters by completing...
2025-07-041h 13Expectation ChurchVision Sunday 2025 | Phil and Ruth RowntreeThis is an audio recording of the Sunday 22nd June 2025 message by Pastor Phil and Ruth Rowntree - a message on the vision of the church for the next year.We are Expectation Church - Our mission is to see Jesus in every heart, and every home. Visit our website: www.weareexpectation.com
2025-06-2533 min
Parliament MattersAssisted dying bill: What happened at Report Stage - Day twoIn this episode, we return to the Commons Chamber for day two of the Report Stage of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill — the Private Member’s Bill proposing to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales – and another set of amendments, new clauses and votes. For the first time the supporters of the Bill lost a vote, on a new clause banning medical practitioners from raising the option of an assisted death with under-18s.__________Please help us improve Parliament Matters by completing our Listener Survey. It will only take a few mi...
2025-06-1435 minParliament MattersIndefensible? How Government told Parliament about the Strategic Defence ReviewAnother big Government announcement – and another row in the Commons row about why it wasn’t made to MPs first. We look at why ministers keep breaking their own Ministerial Code by choosing to make important announcements to the media instead of in the Chamber – and wonder whether, in a shifting media landscape, they might be less likely to muddle their message if they returned to delivering statements on major issues like their Strategic Defence Review from the Despatch Box.Please help us improve Parliament Matters by completing our Listener Survey. It will only take a few mi...
2025-06-0650 minParliament MattersWill Parliament get its teeth into Keir Starmer's trade deals?You wait ages for a post-Brexit trade deal – and then three show up at once. With the Government unveiling new agreements with India, the US and the EU, we explore why Parliament has so little influence over these major international agreements. Liam Byrne MP, a former Labour Minister and current chair of the House of Commons Business and Trade Committee argues that this needs to change.___ Please help us improve Parliament Matters by completing our Listener Survey. It will only take a few minutes.Go to: https://podcastsurvey.typeform.com/to/Qxi...
2025-05-231h 05
Parliament MattersAssisted dying bill: What happened at Report Stage - Day oneIs Kim Leadbeater's Assisted Dying Bill now "over the hump?" The Bill's supporters got it though its first day of Report Stage consideration in the House of Commons unscathed, with comfortable majorities in every vote. So, with debate on the most contentious set of amendments disposed of, will it now coast through its remaining scrutiny days in the Commons? Please help us improve Parliament Matters by completing our Listener Survey. It will only take a few minutes.Go to: https://podcastsurvey.typeform.com/to/QxigqshS Ruth and Mark, joined by pr...
2025-05-1726 minParliament MattersSpooks, the Ombudsman and the Royal Albert HallPlease help us by completing our Listener Survey. It will only take a few minutes.Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) – not a select committee, but a group of senior MPs and Peers appointed by the PM – has a “canary in the coalmine” function, to keep an eye on the security and intelligence services and reassure Westminster that all is well. But last week the canary emitted a loud squawk. The ISC raised concerns about its secretariat being under-funded and too tightly controlled by the Cabinet Office – issues that could hinder its independence and effectiveness. R...
2025-05-1453 minExpectation ChurchReady to Respond | Ruth RowntreeThis is an audio recording of the Sunday 11th May 2025 sermon by Ruth Rowntree titled: Ready to Respond.We are Expectation Church. Our mission is to see Jesus in every heart, and every home. Visit our website: www.weareexpectation.com
2025-05-1229 min
Parliament MattersAssisted dying bill – special series #11: A conversation with Kim Leadbeater MPPlease help us by completing our Listener Survey. It will only take a few minutes. In this latest episode of our special mini-podcast series, we sit down with Kim Leadbeater MP, sponsor of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, as the legislation reaches a critical juncture. With Report Stage in the House of Commons now set for Friday 16 May, Leadbeater explains why she postponed it from its original April date, emphasising the importance of giving MPs time to digest significant changes made during Committee Stage. For a Bill dealing with such a complex and...
2025-05-0940 minParliament MattersMeet Parliament's human rights watchdogPlease help us by completing our Listener Survey. It will only take a few minutes.As calls grow louder for the UK to withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights, we talk with Parliament’s in-house human rights watchdog: Lord Alton of Liverpool, Chair of the Joint Committee on Human Rights.A former Liberal MP who now serves as a crossbench peer, Lord Alton was an unexpected choice to lead the Committee – traditionally chaired by a member of the House of Commons, and usually by a party politician. But his tireless advocacy on h...
2025-05-021h 01
Parliament MattersAssisted dying bill - special series #10: Understanding Report StagePlease help us by completing our Listener Survey. It will only take a few minutes.Having cleared detailed scrutiny in a Public Bill Committee, the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill faces its next crucial test when it returns to the House of Commons for Report Stage on 16 May.This stage is often where Private Members' Bills falter. Will opponents of Kim Leadbeater’s proposals to legalise assisted dying win enough support to amend the Bill? Can supporters of the Bill fend off attempts to change it? And could the Bill be lo...
2025-04-2944 minParliament MattersShould Parliament roll out the red carpet for Donald Trump?Please help us by completing our Listener Survey. It will only take a few minutes.After an extraordinary Saturday recall of Parliament to rush through emergency legislation aimed at saving the steel industry, Ruth and Mark reflect on how scrutiny of the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Bill was sacrificed for speed. No amendments were debated—let alone voted on—even though the Bill handed sweeping new powers to Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds.Meanwhile, Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle is under growing pressure. Critics accuse him of shielding Sir Keir Starmer by refusing to call outs...
2025-04-2642 minExpectation ChurchJoy Runs in this Family | Phil and Ruth RowntreeThis is an audio recording of the Sunday 13th Apr 2025 sermon by Pastor Phil and Ruth Rowntree titled: Joy Runs in this Family.This is part of the sermon series titled: "The House we Build"We are Expectation Church - Our mission is to see Jesus in every heart, and every home. Visit our website: www.weareexpectation.com
2025-04-2032 minParliament MattersThe sentencing guidelines row: A product of poor law-making?The Government has published “emergency legislation” — the Sentencing Guidelines (Pre-sentence Reports) Bill — to block new guidelines coming into effect that single out differential treatment of ethnic minority offenders when ordering pre-sentencing reports. These reports would then be used by judges to make decisions on sentencing. Critics are calling it a case of “two-tier justice.” The Lord Chancellor Shabana Mahmood says there’s “insufficient democratic oversight” of how the Sentencing Council operates. In this episode, Ruth and Mark examine Parliament’s limited ability to scrutinise Sentencing Council guidelines — why that’s the case, how it could have been different, and...
2025-04-0446 minParliament MattersAssisted dying bill - special series #9: Inside the Public Bill CommitteeIn this ninth instalment of our special mini-podcast series, we continue to explore the latest developments in the progress of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, often referred to as the assisted dying bill. We are joined by Dr Marie Tidball MP to discuss the amendments she has secured for a Disability Advisory Board and an independent advocate for people with learning disabilities. After more than 90 hours of debate and over 100 votes, the Public Bill Committee has concluded its work on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. In...
2025-03-2830 minParliament MattersSpring Statement: House of Commons tensions grow over the economyPolitical storm clouds are gathering over Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Spring Statement. What does it mean for Parliament, party discipline and the Government’s economic credibility. We speak to Dr Marie Tidball MP about her first months in Westminster - and the accessibility challenges facing disabled MPs. Plus, why did Peers get a vote on postponing local elections, but MPs didn’t?With MPs facing a bleak economic outlook, proposed welfare cuts, and local elections on the horizon, how long can Ministers hold the line? Ruth and Mark dissect signs of unrest on Labour’s backbenches, with a growin...
2025-03-2855 minExpectation ChurchThe Call to Honour | Phil and Ruth RowntreeThis is an audio recording of the Sunday 23rd of Mar 2025 sermon by Pastor Phil and Ruth Rowntree titled: The Call to Honour. This is part of the sermon series titled: "The House we Build"We are Expectation Church - Our mission is to see Jesus in every heart, and every home. Visit our website: www.weareexpectation.com
2025-03-2439 minParliament MattersRachel Reeves’ Spring Statement: The fallout at WestminsterIs Rachel Reeves gearing up for a standard Spring Statement — or are we in emergency budget territory? In this episode we dig into what form next week’s parliamentary statement might take and why it may be more than just an economic update. We trace the history of the “one fiscal event” a year rule, explore the tough choices facing the Chancellor, and ask whether Parliament still has any real say over tax and spending. Plus, could post-legislative scrutiny finally be coming into its own?___ In this episode, Ruth and Mark cut through the fisca...
2025-03-2155 min
Parliament MattersAssisted dying bill - special series #7: Inside the Public Bill CommitteeIn this episode we sit down with Bambos Charalambous MP, the former Labour whip now marshalling the supporters of the assisted dying bill in the Public Bill Committee. As the bill faces intense debate, Charalambous explains the major shift from having a High Court Judge oversee assisted dying applications to a specialist panel — and why, despite extensive discussion, the Committee won’t vote on this crucial change for some time. We also explore the complexities of parliamentary procedure, the legislative timetable, and the role of social media in shaping the debate. Plus, Ruth and Mark break look at the rema...
2025-03-1420 minParliament MattersPlanning and infrastructure: Should Parliament take more control?Labour’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill promises to speed up the planning process to boost housebuilding and infrastructure development. But does it go far enough, especially when it comes to Parliament’s role? Meanwhile, Ruth and Mark unpack the Reform UK fallout between Nigel Farage and Rupert Lowe, exploring why small parties often struggle with internal disputes. And what does it really mean to be an “Independent” MP? Should lone wolves, party rebels and political outcasts all be treated the same? __ Labour’s new Planning and Infrastructure Bill promises a wave of housebuilding and major infr...
2025-03-1444 minExpectation ChurchSmall Spaces, Deep Deposits | Phil and Ruth RowntreeThis is an audio recording of the Sunday 9th Mar 2025 sermon by Pastor Phil and Ruth Rowntree titled: The Assembly that Advances. This is part of the sermon series titled: "The House we Build"We are Expectation Church - Our mission is to see Jesus in every heart, and every home. Visit our website: www.weareexpectation.com
2025-03-1046 min
Parliament MattersAssisted dying bill - special series #6: Lessons from New ZealandIn this sixth instalment of our special mini-podcast series, we continue to track the progress of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which seeks to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales. We discuss the pace of the Committee’s progress, the dynamics between supporters and opponents of the Bill, and a key upcoming vote on the clause which proposes shifting oversight from High Court judges to an expert panel. Could this amendment sway MPs who previously supported the Bill? Later, we turn to New Zealand, where assisted dying has bee...
2025-03-0733 minParliament MattersNet Zero and National Security: How can Parliament hold the Government to account?In this episode, we sit down with Toby Perkins MP, Chair of Parliament’s Environmental Audit Committee, to discuss how he and his colleagues plan to hold the Government accountable for its ambitious Net Zero commitments.The Government’s advisory body, the Climate Change Committee, has now recommended emissions reductions for the Seventh Carbon Budget (2038-2042) —the next milestone in achieving Net Zero by 2050. Ministers must decide how much of this advice to adopt before presenting a legally binding carbon budget to Parliament for approval. Yet, in 2021, MPs spent just 17 minutes debating the Sixth Carbon Budget Order...
2025-03-0755 minExpectation ChurchThe Assembly that Advances | Phil and Ruth RowntreeThis is an audio recording of the Sunday 2/Mar/2025 sermon by Pastor Phil and Ruth Rowntree titled: The Assembly that Advances. This is part of the sermon series titled: "The House we Build"We are Expectation Church - Our mission is to see Jesus in every heart, and every home. Visit our website: www.weareexpectation.com
2025-03-0332 min
Parliament MattersAssisted dying bill - special series #5: Inside the Public Bill CommitteeIn this fifth instalment of our special mini-podcast series, we take you back inside the Public Bill Committee for the latest updates as MPs continue their scrutiny of the assisted dying bill. This week we speak with Kit Malthouse MP, a co-sponsor of the Bill and a key voice in the Committee’s deliberations. Kit Malthouse, a former Home Office Minister and Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Choice at the End of Life, is a strong supporter of the assisted dying bill and a key ally of its sponsor, Kim Leadbeater MP, in...
2025-02-2827 minParliament MattersInternational aid cuts: What is Parliament's role? Parliament passed a law requiring the Government to spend 0.7% of Gross National Income on international aid. So, should Ministers be able to bypass that legal obligation through a ministerial statement? We also discuss Labour MP Mike Amesbury’s suspended jail sentence and how a recall petition will be called if he doesn’t voluntarily step down. Plus, we explore the controversy surrounding the Product Safety and Metrology Bill, which Brexiteers warn could stealthily realign Britain with the EU while handing Ministers sweeping legislative powers.Should MPs have a say on the Government’s decision to cut yet mo...
2025-02-2845 minParliament MattersWhy is it so difficult to reform parliaments?Why is it so difficult to reform Parliaments? In this episode, we talk to Greg Power, author of Inside the Political Mind: The Human Side of Politics and How it Shapes Development. Drawing on his experience as a special advisor to Commons Leaders Robin Cook and Peter Hain, as well as his work with parliaments worldwide, Greg explains how institutional culture, political incentives, and the personal interests of MPs often derail reform efforts.With fascinating examples - from MPs in Ghana dealing with snakes in toilets to Bangladeshi politicians setting up credit unions - Greg reveals...
2025-02-2137 min
Parliament MattersAssisted dying bill - special series #4: Inside the Public Bill CommitteeIn this fourth instalment of our special mini-podcast series, we take you inside the Public Bill Committee as it scrutinises the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill - a landmark proposal seeking to legalise assisted dying. The Committee is in full swing, debating amendments, and tensions are running high. We sit down with Sarah Olney MP, a key player in the discussions, to unpack the latest developments. Sarah shares insights into her proposed amendments, the growing frustration with the legislative process, and concerns over the role of Ministers when the Government says it is neutral.
2025-02-1436 minParliament MattersA WhatsApp purge in Parliament?In this episode we dissect the fallout from Labour’s WhatsApp purge following the Andrew Gwynne affair and what it means for political communication at Westminster. We also explore the latest news from the House of Commons Modernisation Committee, discussing its focus on improving accessibility to Parliament, legislative scrutiny, and the debate over MPs holding second jobs. First, we examine Labour’s swift response to a controversial WhatsApp group where MPs and councillors shared offensive remarks about colleagues, constituents, and even the late Queen. Keir Starmer wasted no time, suspending multiple party members in a move that...
2025-02-1447 minParliament MattersAssisted dying bill - special series #3: Understanding the amendment processThe assisted dying bill is about to undergo detailed scrutiny by the Public Bill Committee - a group of 23 MPs tasked with reviewing the Bill’s text and proposing amendments to refine and improve it. But what exactly happens during this amendment process? Former House of Commons Clerk, Paul Evans CBE, breaks it down. Plus, we hear from Dr Ben Spencer MP, a former consultant psychiatrist turned parliamentarian, who has proposed dozens of amendments to the Bill.This week, Ruth is joined by procedural expert Paul Evans to break down the role and purpose of a Pu...
2025-02-0754 min
Parliament MattersAssisted dying bill - special series #2: How the Bill was draftedIn this special episode we have an exclusive conversation with Dame Elizabeth Gardiner, the former head of the government’s Parliamentary Counsel Office, who drafted the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. This is a rare insight into the legislative process from the very person who crafted the bill that MPs are now scrutinising.Dame Elizabeth reveals how she was approached to draft the bill on a pro bono basis, the legal challenges she navigated, and how she worked closely with the Bill’s sponsor, Kim Leadbeater MP, to shape the legislation. She offers a fasc...
2025-01-3144 minParliament MattersWelfare cap breached by £8.6 billion: Do MPs care?The Government is now taking difficult decisions on everything from social security to a third runway at Heathrow which could cause splits in their own ranks. But why are MPs not paying more attention to the mechanisms the House of Commons has established to control the social security budget and repeal or reform old EU laws? And the House of Lords provides good news for Sir Paul McCartney but bad news for ticket touting by “posh people” at the Royal Albert Hall. This week we discuss the government’s big challenges — from Heathrow’s third runway to s...
2025-01-3140 minParliament MattersA withering select committee takedownThis week we highlight Alexis Jay’s damning verdict on the Conservative government’s lackluster response to child abuse inquiry recommendations and the first major test of Northern Ireland’s “Stormont Brake” under the Windsor Framework. Plus, we take a look at the Armed Forces Commissioner Bill and how it measures up to its German counterpart. Child abuse inquiry fallout: Professor Alexis Jay, chair of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse pulled no punches in her evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee, criticising the Conservatives for inaction while in power. We unpack her appeal to M...
2025-01-2440 min
Parliament MattersAssisted Dying Bill: Special Series #1In this first "mini pod" of a series exploring one of the most controversial bills currently before Parliament — the proposed legislation to legalise assisted dying — Ruth Fox and Mark D’Arcy delve into the heated debates surrounding the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. This Private Member’s Bill has already ignited passionate discussions during its first Public Bill Committee sitting. Ruth shares her first-hand account of attending the Committee’s initial meeting, where disagreements over procedural matters — such as whether to hold private discussions about witness lists and sitting times — set a combative tone for what p...
2025-01-2421 minExpectation ChurchRestore Your Resolve | Ruth RowntreeThis is an audio recording of the Sunday 19/Jan/2025 sermon by Pastor Ruth Rowntree titled: Restore Your Resolve.This is part of our "Fast21" series. Expectation Church is taking part in a church wide 21 day fast from Jan 13th to Sun Feb 2nd.We are Expectation Church - Our mission is to see Jesus in every heart, and every home. Visit our website: www.weareexpectation.com
2025-01-1940 minParliament MattersShould Parliament, rather than Ministers, oversee public inquiries?With the Government still under pressure to set up an independent inquiry into child grooming gangs should Parliament have a role in setting up inquiries into state failures and national disasters? Currently, Ministers take crucial decisions about who should chair an inquiry and what its precise remit should be. But a House of Lords Committee last year proposed giving Parliament a greater say and adopting a more systematic approach to implementing inquiry recommendations. Next week, Ministers will move the money resolution for the Assisted Dying Bill. This crucial procedural step will pave the way for the...
2025-01-1739 minParliament MattersThe ‘Musk Factor’: Is the world's richest man driving Parliament's agenda?This week, we examine how Elon Musk’s tweets have steered the UK parliamentary agenda in the first sitting days of the New Year. From a viral petition demanding a general election, to intense debates on child sexual exploitation and grooming gangs, Musk’s influence has left its mark on this week’s key political discussions. Ruth and Mark also unpack the rise of identical parliamentary questions and share their plans to cover the Assisted Dying Bill’s next stages later this month.Elon Musk’s tweets are more than just clickbait - they are actively driving UK...
2025-01-1040 minParliament MattersWhipping yarns: A rebel whip’s taleIn our latest ‘Whipping Yarn’ we sit down with Steve Baker, whose reputation as the "Hard Man of Brexit" made him a key figure in the UK’s departure from the EU.Baker reflects on his pivotal role as the "Rebel Commander" in orchestrating rebellions during the Brexit years, his methods of leadership, and the toll politics has taken on his mental health. The episode offers an unfiltered look into the mechanisms of political rebellion, party dynamics, and the personal costs of parliamentary life. Baker recounts his journey from a newcomer to Parliam...
2025-01-0641 minParliament MattersWhipping yarns: An SNP Whip’s taleIn this episode we explore the experiences of the SNP during its transformative rise at Westminster from 2015, as seen through the eyes of Patrick Grady MP who served as the party’s Chief Whip between 2017 and 2021. Patrick shares insights on the challenges, tactics, and controversies faced by the SNP as they sought to amplify Scotland’s voice in Parliament while navigating the complexities of being a third-party force with a mission for independence.From six to 56: A political earthquakePatrick recounts the seismic shift in 2015, when the SNP surged from six MPs to 56, reshaping Scot...
2025-01-0329 minParliament MattersWhipping Yarns: A Liberal Democrat whip’s taleIn this episode we explore the highs and lows of coalition government through the eyes of Alistair Carmichael, former Deputy Government Chief Whip for the Liberal Democrats during the 2010-2015 coalition. Carmichael reflects candidly on how he personally navigated the seismic challenges of coalition politics, from managing party discipline to reconciling conflicting priorities within the government to providing pastoral support to colleagues. Alistair Carmichael offers a fascinating account of the inner workings of the coalition government, discussing the monumental challenges faced during his time as Deputy Chief Whip in the coalition government. Reflecting on the dynamic i...
2024-12-3034 minParliament MattersParliament’s role in a failed stateIn this special episode of Parliament Matters, we sit down with author and researcher Sam Freedman to explore the themes of his book, Failed State. Freedman delivers a sharp critique of Britain’s governance, examining how bad laws and weak parliamentary scrutiny are contributing to systemic dysfunction.We discuss:Parliamentary scrutiny in crisis: Freedman highlights the erosion of Parliament's role in scrutinising legislation, forcing the unelected House of Lords and even the courts to fill the gap, creating further constitutional tensions.From part-time MPs to professional politicians: How Parliament's evolution has failed to keep pace wi...
2024-12-2329 minParliament MattersWill Parliament pay a price for promises to WASPI women?As Christmas approaches, Westminster eases into its pre-festive lull. Yet, a major political storm clouds the year’s end: the fallout from the Government’s decision not to compensate the WASPI women. This controversy highlights a recurring dilemma in politics—the risks of opposition parties over-promising and the inevitable backlash when those promises confront the harsh realities of governing. And as a seasonal stocking filler, Ruth and Mark talk to the authors of two fascinating books that uncover hidden aspects of parliamentary history. Labour’s decision not to offer compensation to the WASPI women (Women Against State Pens...
2024-12-201h 07Parliament MattersLicence to scrutinise: Spooks, hereditary peers and assisted dyingIn this week’s episode the ‘assisted dying’ bill takes centre stage as the newly chosen members of the Public Bill Committee gear up for detailed scrutiny of the legislation. With 23 members, including two ministers, this committee promises a mix of seasoned voices and first-time MPs debating a very difficult issue. Our guest, Matthew England from the Hansard Society, breaks down the committee’s composition, party balance, and the strategic dynamics that will influence the bill’s trajectory. The podcast also explores the ongoing debate over hereditary peers in the House of Lords. Ruth and Mark dissec...
2024-12-1350 minParliament MattersFootball governance, fair elections, and fantasy reforms Parliament Matters goes live!Is the Football Governance Bill being filibustered in the House of Lords? Did the House of Commons just vote for electoral reform and proportional representation as the Liberal Democrats claim? And what are your fantasy parliamentary reforms? Welcome to a landmark episode of Parliament Matters, where we’ve stepped out of the studio and into the heart of Westminster. For the first time, we’re recording in front of a live audience at the 60th anniversary conference of the Study of the Parliament Group - a gathering of parliamentary aficionados, practitioners, and self-described anoraks. Joining us is former Commons Cler...
2024-12-061h 07Parliament MattersHow a British student has schooled the US CongressIn this special episode, we dive into the fascinating world of US congressional procedure with Hansard Society member Kacper Surdy, the once-anonymous force behind the influential social media account @ringwiss. Despite being a 20-year-old Durham University student, Kacper has become a go-to authority on Capitol Hill’s intricate rules, earning the admiration of seasoned political insiders. With Donald Trump hinting at bypassing Senate norms to appoint controversial figures to his cabinet, Kacper unravels the high stakes procedural battles shaping Washington.Ruth and Mark sat down with Kacper to explore the remarkable story of how a British st...
2024-12-0422 minExpectation Church24.11.2024 - Pastor Ruth: What to do when you're out of tuneThis is an audio recording of the Sunday 24th of November 2024 sermon by Pastor Ruth Rowntree titled: What to do when you're out of tune.This is part of our "From Disobedience to Destiny" series.We are Expectation Church - Our mission is to see Jesus in every heart, and every home. Visit our website: www.weareexpectation.com
2024-11-2537 minParliament MattersWhat's the point of petitioning Parliament?It’s Parliament Week, and Ruth and Mark are joined by researchers Cristina Leston-Bandeira and Richard Huzzey to celebrate an unsung hero of Westminster: the petitioning system. Once on the verge of irrelevance, this mechanism has seen record levels of public engagement, sparking debates and inquiries on an avalanche of citizen-driven issues. Together, they explore how petitioning adds value for both petitioners and MPs, and what has driven this surprising revival of a centuries-old tradition in the digital age.As the news of the death of Tony Blair’s Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, reaches us, Ruth...
2024-11-2258 minParliament MattersThe Assisted Dying Bill: Is More Parliamentary Time Needed?Could one of the most consequential Private Members’ Bills in nearly fifty years - the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which seeks to legalise assisted dying - be sidelined not due to its content but because MPs fear they won’t have time to scrutinise it properly?Ruth and Mark look at increasing concerns in the House of Commons that the time constraints around private members legislation could prevent Kim Leadbeater’s bill from receiving the level of debate and scrutiny the issue demands.If MPs are perceived to have reached a deci...
2024-11-1549 minParliament MattersHow will Donald Trump’s return reverberate in the UK Parliament?This week we turn the spotlight on Kemi Badenoch’s debut as Leader of the Opposition at Prime Minister’s Questions, as she sparred with Keir Starmer for the first time. We examine her strategy, topic choices and what it will take to position herself as a credible challenger in the House of Commons Chamber and beyond.Then we analyse Donald Trump's re-election and its potential ripple effects on UK policies, from trade tariffs to defence commitments. How might a shift in US foreign policy affect British alliances, and what could this mean for Parliament's upcoming agen...
2024-11-0852 minExpectation Church27.10.2024 - Pastor Ruth: Not All Light is BrightThis is an audio recording of the Sunday 27th of October 2024 sermon by Pastor Ruth Rowntree titled: Not All Light is Bright.We are Expectation Church - Our mission is to see Jesus in every heart, and every home. Visit our website: www.weareexpectation.com
2024-11-0645 minParliament MattersUrgent Questions: Answering your questions about how Parliament worksIn this episode we discuss a range of intriguing listener’s questions about the traditions and workings of Parliament.Mark and Ruth start with a listener’s critique of their discussion of etiquette in the House of Commons chamber in the previous episode. Is it really a good use of MPs’ time to spend hours in the Chamber listening to a debate and waiting to speak? They explore the perils of parliamentary multi-tasking and the importance of attire and decorum in debates.One listener asks why opposition MPs don’t have fewer whipped votes gi...
2024-11-0622 minParliament MattersThe Budget: Why aren’t MPs told first?Another Budget, another broadside from Mr Speaker, deploring the advance leaking of its contents by Ministers. After the Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced important changes to the Government’s rules on borrowing for investment, and Sir Keir Starmer signalled a rise in the minimum wage, both in advance of Budget Day, Sir Lindsay Hoyle rebuked them in an angry statement from the Chair. But Ruth and Mark conclude that Ministers have strong incentives to “pre-leak” Budget plans, making it unlikely this trend will change, especially given that the Speaker has no effective powers to punish them.Meanwhile, as pol...
2024-11-0150 minParliament MattersBudget rules explained and parliamentary etiquette tipsWith Labour’s first Budget due next week, Ruth and Mark walk through the elaborate process which sets the parameters for Commons debates on the Government’s taxation plans – and which may set limits on MPs’ ability to amend them. They also explore whether a better system is needed to scrutinise both tax policies and government spending.Amid reports of MPs quaffing cartons of milk and munching apples in the Commons Chamber, they offer a guide to parliamentary etiquette, the 'Do’s and Don’ts' that Honourable Members must observe to stay in Mr Speaker’s good books and...
2024-10-251h 06Parliament MattersThe end of hereditary peers in the House of Lords?The Government’s bill to exclude the last vestiges of the hereditary peerage from the House of Lords has cleared its Second Reading debate in the House of Commons – but should it have proposed a more ambitious reform of the Upper House?With some MPs calling for wider changes, including several Conservatives who think the Church of England bishops should be removed alongside the hereditaries, Ruth and Mark look at the prospects for the Bill and the chances of it being amended to include other reforms. Could peers attempt to block it when it comes before them...
2024-10-1855 minExpectation Church06.10.2024 - Pastor Ruth: Pressing Reset - The Appointment that Can't be MissedThis is an audio recording of the Sunday 6th of October 2024 sermon by Pastor Ruth Rowntree titled: The Appointment that Can't be Missed.This is part of our "Pressing Reset" series.We are Expectation Church - Our mission is to see Jesus in every heart, and every home. Visit our website: www.weareexpectation.com
2024-10-0644 minParliament MattersSelect Committee chair elections: who won and can they work together?In this episode, we explore the outcomes and implications of the latest Select Committee Chair elections in Parliament. The newly elected chairs will play a pivotal role in scrutinising the government, but can they effectively work together? We talk to Dr. Marc Geddes, a leading expert on Select Committees, who highlights how this year’s competitive elections compare to previous parliaments and what that could mean for committee dynamics in the future.What did the candidates promise in their nomination papers? We discover the unique candidacy of one MP who ran on a platform of "Stop th...
2024-09-1356 minExpectation Church01.09.2024 - Pastor Ruth: The Hand that BlessesThis is an audio recording of the Sunday 1st of September 2024 sermon by Pastor Ruth Rowntree titled: The Hand that Blesses.We are Expectation Church - Our mission is to see Jesus in every heart, and every home. Visit our website: www.weareexpectation.com
2024-09-0253 minParliament MattersInside the hidden world of law-making.How is a King’s Speech crafted? What really happens behind the doors of the Parliamentary Business and Legislation Cabinet Committee? How have parliamentary tactics on legislation evolved and what new tactics might MPs employ when facing a Government with such a commanding majority? In this episode we discuss the art and strategy of law-making with Nikki da Costa, former Director of Legislative Affairs for two Conservative Prime Ministers in Number 10 Downing Street. Nikki shares her expert analysis of Labour’s recent King’s Speech, dissecting the potential pressure points and what it reveals about Labour’...
2024-08-1626 minExpectation Church11.08.2024 - Pastor Ruth: Stop the RotThis is an audio recording of the Sunday 11th of August 2024 sermon by Pastor Ruth Rowntree titled: Stop the Rot.We are Expectation Church - Our mission is to see Jesus in every heart, and every home. Visit our website: www.weareexpectation.com
2024-08-1340 minParliament Matters£22 billion financial 'black hole': What is Parliament's role? This week's bruising Commons exchange between the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, and the man she replaced at the Treasury, Jeremy Hunt, is just the opening encounter in what promises to be a long running parliamentary battle over the state of the public finances. MPs can expect to be asked to approve extra spending estimates in the autumn, and there'll be a Budget and a full-scale Comprehensive Spending Review as well. But why were MPs asked to approve £1.04 trillion in extra spending in July, without ministers pointing out that they believed the departmental budgets on which the spending wa...
2024-08-0259 minParliament MattersLabour tightens its grip on ParliamentOne consequence of the mini-parliamentary rebellion on the King’s Speech is that Keir Starmer has decisively disciplined his backbench rebels, but is this firm approach a one-off for the King’s Speech or indicative of a broader strategy? With the Chancellor set to layout the depths of the nation’s financial woes next week, we ask: will the honeymoon period for the Labour government soon be over?Parliamentary Rebellion Consequences: The recent rebellion during the King’s Speech has significant repercussions. The seven offending MPs are barred from running for Select Committee seats. While negotiations continue...
2024-07-2741 minExpectation Church21.07.2024 - Pastor Phil & Ruth: Single with Substance - Navigating Singleness & DatingThis is an audio recording of the Sunday 2st of July 2024 sermon by Pastor Phil and Ruth Rowntree titled: Single with Substance - Navigating Singleness & Dating.This is part of our relationship 101 series called "Me, We, Us".We are Expectation Church - Our mission is to see Jesus in every heart, and every home. Visit our website: www.weareexpectation.com
2024-07-2353 minParliament MattersWhat has Keir Starmer got in common with Robert Redford?The legislative sausage machine has cranked into action so Mark and Ruth dissect the government’s programme following the King’s Speech. They examine the proposals for major new bills on planning and devolution aimed at galvanising the economy, along with revamped legacy bills the Government is adopting from the previous administration. Where might political tensions and difficulties arise? What insights did the King’s Speech offer on parliamentary matters, and can we expect more bills beyond those identified in the legislative programme?This week, parliamentary rebellions expert Professor Philip Cowley joins the podcast to discuss the ch...
2024-07-191h 09Expectation Church07.07.2024 - Pastor Phil & Ruth: Dealing with Desire: Gods Design for SexThis is an audio recording of the Sunday 7th of July 2024 sermon by Pastor Phil and Ruth Rowntree titled: Dealing with Desire: Gods Design for Sex.This is part of our relationship 101 series called "Me, We, Us".We are Expectation Church - Our mission is to see Jesus in every heart, and every home. Visit our website: www.weareexpectation.com
2024-07-0950 minParliament MattersWill the parties reform Westminster?After a brief election-induced hiatus Mark and Ruth are back to look at the party’s manifesto plans to reshape Parliament and politics. They are joined by one of the country’s leading constitutional experts, Professor Meg Russell, Director of the Constitution Unit at University College London, to give us her verdict on the parties’ proposals to reform both the Commons and the Lords. They explore Labour’s proposals for a Modernisation Committee in the House of Commons which will be tasked with considering procedural reforms, driving up standards and improving working practices. So, what might the agend...
2024-06-211h 08Parliament MattersDemocratic decision-making in health emergencies: Learning the lessons of the Covid pandemicThis week we have a compelling conversation with human-rights barrister Adam Wagner as we delve into the findings of the Independent Commission on UK Public Health Emergency Powers. Just before the general election was called, the Commission published its final recommendations, aiming to reshape law-making in the event of a future health emergency in the UK.In this episode, we hae got exclusive insights from Adam Wagner and our co-host Ruth Fox, both Commissioners appointed by the Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law. They share their perspectives on the critical issues surrounding parliamentary scrutiny, the...
2024-05-3128 minExpectation Church19.05.2024 - Pastor Ruth: Gifted Child, Gifted ChurchThis is an audio recording of the Sunday 19th of May 2024 sermon by Pastor Ruth Rowntree titled: Gifted Child, Gifted Church.We are Expectation Church - Our mission is to see Jesus in every heart, and every home. Visit our website: www.weareexpectation.com
2024-05-2045 minExpectation Church21.04.2024 - Pastor Ruth: Powerful Prayers of the Bible - The Prayer for MoreThis is an audio recording of the Sunday 21st of April 2024 sermon by Pastor Ruth Rowntree titled: The Prayer for More.This is part of our "Powerful Prayers of the Bible" series.We are Expectation Church - Our mission is to see Jesus in every heart, and every home. Visit our website: www.weareexpectation.com
2024-04-2233 minParliament MattersTobacco and Vapes Bill: free vote blows smoke in Rishi Sunak's eyesRishi Sunak offered his MPs a free vote on his flagship Tobacco and Vapes Bill and dozens concluded they could not support it. As well as exploring the politics of the Bill, Ruth and Mark discuss the concept of a free vote and how they have been deployed in previous parliamentary sessions.They denounced them at the time, but should Labour Ministers now use the sweeping powers Conservative Ministers have given themselves in this Parliament – for example, in the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 - to push through a Labour Government’s agenda in the...
2024-04-1851 minExpectation Church7.04.2024 - Pastor Ruth: Powerful Prayers of the Bible - The Way of the WiseThis is an audio recording of the Sunday 7th of April 2024 sermon by Pastor Ruth Rowntree titled: The Way of the Wise. This is part of our "Powerful Prayers of the Bible" series.We are Expectation Church - Our mission is to see Jesus in every heart, and every home. Visit our website: www.weareexpectation.com
2024-04-0844 min
The Business of Being BrilliantS7 E10 Collective wisdom: 'Thriving beyond comfort zones'To wrap up series 7, here is advice from all my guests in on how to step outside our comfort zones and move forwards in our career.
What is the mindset that helps us say yes to a daunting
opportunity?
Who can we call on for support, and how can they support us?
How do we find out who’s stuck and help them unlock their career potential?
With thanks to:
Simon Reichwald, Chief Progression Officer at Connectr
Sharon Spice, Chief Marketing and Value Officer at Green
Park consultancy
Brian Ellio...
2024-03-1724 minExpectation Church10.3.2024 - Pastor Ruth - Grumbling, get in the grave.This is an audio recording of the Sunday 10th of March 2024 sermon by Pastor Ruth Rowntree titled: Grumbling, get in the grave.We are Expectation Church - Our mission is to see Jesus in every heart, and every home. Visit our website: www.weareexpectation.com
2024-03-1141 minParliament MattersThe Budget: is the democratic deficit as bad as the financial deficit?It’s Budget week and the Chancellor has announced his plans for taxation and provided a fresh economic forecast. But how does Parliament get to grips – indeed does it get to grips - with the nation’s finances? We talk to Baroness Morgan of Cotes, a Conservative Peer who has been both a Treasury Minister and a scrutineer on the Treasury Committee. Henry Midgley of Durham University – who has worked at both the House of Commons and the National Audit Office – also joins us to discuss how MPs could improve scrutiny of taxation and public spending.There have...
2024-03-0858 minParliament MattersThe decline and fall of the political interviewWhat happens when a party leader ducks the opportunity to face a long forensic interview on television during a general election campaign? What are the challenges posed to broadcasters when norms are ignored? Boris Johnson famously did that during the last general election: so how will that affect the approach of the parties and the broadcasters when negotiating the terms of future interviews at the next election?Will party leader debates happen this time, or will the negotiations between the broadcasters and the political strategists run aground amidst arguments about the format and the terms of...
2024-02-2728 minParliament MattersCommons chaos: Can the Speaker survive a monumental misjudgement?There were chaotic scenes in the House of Commons this week - as bad as anything seen during the Brexit convulsions – as the Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle made a hash of handling the SNPs Opposition Day debate on a ceasefire in Gaza. Furious MPs signed a motion expressing no confidence in the Chair. But why and how did the Speaker end up in this position and can he survive?Is it really a big deal or is it just political game-playing? Has a rubicon been crossed if the Speaker contravened the letter and the spirit of th...
2024-02-2349 minParliament MattersUrgent Questions: PMQs, whipping, Sinn Fein MPs, access to security passes, hospitality facilities in Parliament and much more!With the House of Commons in recess this week Mark and Ruth catch up with listener's questions on a wide range of parliamentary topics. What was the point of debating an e-petition about the date of the general election? Was there ever a time when the Prime Minister gave a proper answer at PMQs? If the Speaker were to throw an MP out of the House of Commons Chamber for bad behaviour how would he do it? Is whipping in the best interests of democratic government? Sinn Fein MPs don't take their seats in Parliament so...
2024-02-1650 minParliament MattersWar powers, Rwanda ‘mayhem’ and Ian Dunt on the state of WestminsterThe Rwanda Bill is through the Commons. Rishi Sunak has faced down his internal critics and diffused a backbench rebellion. The Bill now heads off to the House of Lords: What mayhem awaits it?This week’s air strikes against Houthi camps in Yemen to protect Red Sea shipping also prompted debate about the role Parliament should play when the Government deploys military force. Dr James Strong joins us in the studio to discuss Parliament and war powers.And one of the best books about Westminster for many years has been penned by th...
2024-01-1956 minParliament MattersThe inside story: Parliament and the Post Office Horizon scandalThe Post Office Horizon scandal is the largest miscarriage of justice in British history. James Arbuthnot is one of the ‘heroes’ at the heart of the drama unveiled in ITV’s Mr Bates Vs The Post Office.A Conservative MP and now a Peer in the House of Lords, he championed the plight of his constituents for over a decade, leading a parliamentary campaign to investigate malpractice at the Post Office.As the public and media debate about the scandal continues to rage, James Arbuthnot joins Ruth and Mark to discuss how the campai...
2024-01-1252 minParliament Matters‘These guys like to be written about’: The art of parliamentary sketchwriting, with Rob HuttonIn this bonus edition of Parliament Matters, Mark and Ruth talk to Rob Hutton, columnist and sketchwriter for The Critic Magazine, about the way he practices one of Britain's oldest journalistic arts, sketching the proceedings of Parliament.🔗 Read Rob Hutton's recent sketches on The Critic website here: thecritic.co.uk/author/robert-hutton🎓 Access resources about issues mentioned in this episode here: hansardsociety.org.uk/news/parliament-matters-podcast-e9❓ Send your questions to us on all things Parliament here: hansardsociety.org.uk/pmuq📱 Follow us across social media @HansardSociety✅ Subscribe to our newsletter for all the latest updates related to th...
2023-12-1810 minParliament MattersWestenders: The battle for the heart and soul of the Conservative PartyIf Parliament feared that their proceedings would be overshadowed this week by Boris Johnson’s appearance before the Covid inquiry, they need not have worried. MPs rose to the challenge. There was a high-profile ministerial resignation, Rishi Sunak suffered the first Commons defeat of his premiership, and Suella Braverman delivered a vengeful personal statement to the House.But what is actually going to happen in Parliament with the treaty with Rwanda and the Bill that declares the African nation to be a safe place for the UK to relocate illegal migrants?...
2023-12-0834 minParliament MattersSpecial feature: The genesis of PARLY, with Tony GrewWelcome to this special feature of Parliament Matters, where we talk to Tony Grew – the Secretary of the Parliamentary Press Gallery – about PARLY, his journalism and social media project that shines a light on the proceedings of Parliament. If you tune-in to episode 6, you can listen to Tony and podcast co-hosts Ruth and Mark dissect the key parliamentary issues of the week and find out why Tony has concerns about the Whips management of legislative business, and why the Palace of Westminster is not a fit workplace.⭐ Support PARLY: gofund.me/bb47570a🎓 Access resources about iss...
2023-12-0408 minExpectation Church8.10.2023 - Pastor Ruth - Decisions and Destiny: Guard the GateThis is an audio recording of the Sunday 8th of October 2023 sermon by Pastor Ruth Rowntree titled - Decisions and Destiny: Guard the GateWe are Expectation Church - Our mission is to see Jesus in every heart, and every home. Visit our website: www.weareexpectation.com
2023-11-2825 minExpectation Church24.9.2023 - Pastor Ruth - Decisions and Destiny: Add Your 1This is an audio recording of the Sunday 24th of September 2023 sermon by Pastor Ruth Rowntree titled - Decisions and Destiny: Add Your 1We are Expectation Church - Our mission is to see Jesus in every heart, and every home. Visit our website: www.weareexpectation.com
2023-11-2843 minExpectation Church5.11.2023 - Pastor Phil & Ruth - 1 Year Anniversary CelebrationThis is an audio recording of the Sunday 5th of November 2023 special by Pastor Phil and Ruth Rowntree for Expectation Church's 1 Year Anniversary Celebration.We are Expectation Church - Our mission is to see Jesus in every heart, and every home. Visit our website: www.weareexpectation.com
2023-11-2855 minExpectation Church27.8.2023 - Pastor Ruth - Who Me? See what God can do through you: Bring the Harvest to HeavenThis is an audio recording of the Sunday 27th of Aug 2023 sermon by Pastor Ruth Rowntree titled - Who Me? See what God can do through you: Bring the Harvest to HeavenWe are Expectation Church - Our mission is to see Jesus in every heart, and every home. Visit our website: www.weareexpectation.com
2023-11-2844 minExpectation Church16.7.2023 - Pastor Ruth - By the Book: Yield to the YokeThis is an audio recording of the Sunday 16th of July 2023 sermon by Pastor Ruth Rowntree titled - By the Book: Yield to the YokeWe are Expectation Church - Our mission is to see Jesus in every heart, and every home. Visit our website: www.weareexpectation.com
2023-11-2841 minExpectation Church23.4.2023 - Pastor Ruth - Ordinary People Extraordinary Purpose: An Elijah SpiritThis is an audio recording of the Sunday 23rd of April 2023 sermon by Pastor Ruth Rowntree titled - Ordinary People Extraordinary Purpose: An Elijah SpiritWe are Expectation Church - Our mission is to see Jesus in every heart, and every home. Visit our website: www.weareexpectation.com
2023-11-2854 minParliament MattersParliament’s ‘Wastefinder General’ on the ‘Big Nasties’Following the Autumn Statement Mark and Ruth are joined this week by Dame Meg Hillier MP, Chair of the Public Accounts Committee in the House of Commons. The Committee is the financial watchdog that has been going since the days of William Gladstone.As Parliament’s ‘Wastefinder General’, Dame Meg has got a list of ‘Big Nasties’: major public sector building projects that have been delayed due to cost pressures, sometimes for decades, but which are now at a point where they can longer be put off.She outlines her concerns about one of those ‘...
2023-11-2437 minExpectation Church26.2.2023 - Pastor Ruth - FAST 21: My Appetite is ChangingThis is an audio recording of the Sunday 26th of Feb 2023 sermon by Pastor Ruth Rowntree titled: FAST 21: My Appetite is ChangingWe are Expectation Church - Our mission is to see Jesus in every heart, and every home. Visit our website: www.weareexpectation.com
2023-11-2326 minExpectation Church19.3.2023 - Pastor Ruth - The Fruit of the WoundThis is an audio recording of the Sunday 19th of Mar 2023 sermon by Pastor Ruth Rowntree titled: The Fruit of the WoundWe are Expectation Church - Our mission is to see Jesus in every heart, and every home. Visit our website: www.weareexpectation.com
2023-11-2339 minExpectation Church5.2.2023 - Pastor Ruth - First Things First: Fight For Your BirthrightThis is an audio recording of the Sunday 5th of Feb 2023 sermon by Pastor Ruth Rowntree titled: First Things First: Fight For Your BirthrightWe are Expectation Church - Our mission is to see Jesus in every heart, and every home. Visit our website: www.weareexpectation.com
2023-11-2337 minParliament MattersTotal reshuffle, emergency legislation and Parliament’s ‘Golden Ticket’What a week! Suella Braverman's sacking from Government was immediately eclipsed by the appointment of former Prime Minister David Cameron as the new Foreign Secretary. Mark and Ruth explore the many questions this raises, not least for scrutiny of foreign affairs by MPs - what options do they have to hold the newly ennobled Lord Cameron to account? And with huge ministerial churn across key departments, how will legislation and parliamentary business be affected with the Autumn Statement less than one week away and the General Election date still uncertain. Then there's the PM's pledge to i...
2023-11-1759 minParliament MattersAll change on the Committee corridor and regulating the conduct and standards of MPsFour new Chairs of Select Committees have been elected but how much can they achieve in what is likely to be the final parliamentary Session before the General Election?30 MPs have lost the Whip in this Parliament and a recall petition has just opened in the constituency of Wellingborough after former Conservative MP Peter Bone was excluded from Parliament for six weeks. So, Mark and Ruth discuss how the recall system works, why the Standards Committee is looking at how this and other aspects of the regulation of MP’s conduct and standards could be improved, an...
2023-11-1229 minParliament MattersThe King’s Speech, State Opening and the 1922 CommitteeAs the Government sets out its legislative plans for the next Session, Ruth and Mark look at the political and parliamentary prospects for the proposals and discuss the latest on what’s happening with HS2 legislation. They ask why Parliament has legislative Sessions that begin with State Opening and end with prorogation, and disagree over whether it’s time to abandon the pageantry!Mark and Ruth are then off to the House of Lords to meet Professor the Lord Norton of Louth to discuss the subject of his new book, the 1922 Committee of the...
2023-11-1047 minParliament MattersIntroducing: Parliament Matters - The Hansard Society's new podcast about the institution at the heart of our democracyWelcome to Parliament Matters, the new weekly podcast from the Hansard Society about the institution at the heart of our democracy – Parliament. This introductory trailer will give you a preview of what you can expect every Friday after the first full episode lands on 10 November 2023, three days after the King's Speech.Each week, Mark D'Arcy (the BBC’s former parliamentary correspondent) and Ruth Fox (the Director of the parliamentary think-tank the Hansard Society) will guide you through how laws are made and ministers held accountable by the people we send to Westminster. They will analyse the ofte...
2023-11-0103 min
The CEPEO PodcastCEPEO Seminar Series - Ruth Lupton, Sanne Velthuis and Lorna Unwin - Equalising opportunities in post-16 progression in EnglandThis seminar explores research funded by the Nuffield Foundation, looking at the characteristics and post-16 trajectories of young people who miss out on the key benchmarks of GCSE maths and English at grades 9-4 (formerly A*-C).
This group is too often overlooked in the policy focus on raising GCSE attainment and improving access to higher education.
In this seminar, Ruth Lupton and her team illuminate the heterogeneity of this large group in terms of their prior achievements. They show how groups with different achievements fare in navigating the complex landscape of post-16 provision in...
2021-03-151h 00
Learn on the go: the Community Care podcastNeglect, poverty and affluenceWelcome to Learn on the go, a Community Care Inform podcast where we discuss what the latest research, practice models and policy guidance mean to your practice.This episode is about neglect, poverty and affluence. It covers what neglect is, how it might manifest differently depending on the socioeconomic status of a family, and how social work practice can avoid penalising families in poverty for factors beyond their control. Discussing these questions are Claudia Bernard, professor of social work At Goldsmiths, University of London, and Brigid Featherstone, professor of social work at Huddersfield University. The questions were asked...
2019-07-2426 min