Yesterday in the House of Commons, Sir Greg Knight's Private Members Bill entitled: Parking (Code of Practice) Bill received its 2nd reading. The support that he received was overwhelming (and thoroughly deserved) and the Bill now passes to the Committee stage. Rougue private parking operators have cause for concern. Yesterdays debate is worthy of reading: https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debat...ailiff#g1160.0

New plans for Armed Forces flexible working reach the Commons READ MORE HERE: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-plans-for-armed-forces-flexible-working-reach-the-commons

On Tuesday 5 January, Mike Kane MP will propose a debate to bring in a bill to amend the Mesothelioma Act 2014. The idea is to improve access to pensions and/or compensation for veterans who suffer mesothelioma as a result of service. This discussion will be a Ten Minute Rule Motion. Watch the debate on ParliamentTV from approximately 3:30pm.

Did I just hear that right ? Surely there's enough babies in the house as it is..

Controversial plans to tighten rules on trade union strike ballots in Britain have passed their first Commons hurdle despite fierce Labour criticism. MPs backed the Trade Union Bill, which proposes higher voting thresholds for ballots, by 33 votes at second reading. Business Secretary Sajid Javid said the bill was "not a declaration of war" against unions but necessary to stop "endless" threats of industrial action. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-34241810

House of Commons Library: Parking Policy October 2014 I found this lovely document and hope that this will be helpful to the forum Happy reading see my attachment MM

I found this lovely document and hope that this will be helpful to the forum Happy reading see my attachment MM

BBC news this morning.... http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-21376915

If anyone is able to do so, it would be worth watching a "catch up " version of a speech this afternoon from the Parliament Channel as Coventry JMP Mr Jim Cunningham MP secured a Commons debate about the bailiff industry. The following is a "word" version of an article that appeared in yesterday's edition of the Coventry Telegraph that provides background..... A COVENTRY MP has secured a Commons debate tomorrow about the treatment of vulnerable people by council-hired bailiffs following a Telegraph investigation. The ten-minute rule bill scheduled for 2.30pm on Tuesday has been brought by Coventry South Labour MP Jim Cunningham, who wants the government to provide more protection for vulnerable people from inappropriate bailiff visits. Last October the Telegraph uncovered practices in Coventry including a failure by council-hired bailiffs to report vulnerable cases back to the council in line with government guidelines. We also highlighted excessive and multiple charges by bailiffs which heaped unexplained charges onto the unpaid debts of the sick and disabled for council tax or parking fines. Thirty MPs have also signed Mr Cunningham’s early day motion calling on the government and councils to ensure bailiffs adhere to the national guidelines, and regulations over charging limits. Tomorrow’s debate, which will raise the Telegraph’s findings, comes after the House of Lords last month voted against the government in calling for better regulation of the bailiff industry. The crossbench peer, Baroness Meacher, had tabled an amendment to the crime and courts bill which would allow people who feel mistreated by bailiffs to appeal to an ombudsman. Our investigation highlighted how a mother from Eastern Green on NHS suicide watch had charges heaped on to her bill, and faced repeated threats of her possessions being seized – even though we saw evidence she was paying back her parking fine debts through agreed payments. A disabled woman from Walsgrave with a stress-related condition had also agreed a payment plan by instalments, yet she received 10 threatening letters in two days demanding she paid thousands of pounds in full. Coventry Citizens’ Advice Bureau also claimed government vulnerable persons’ guidelines were being breached, including in the way the council’s hired bailiff, Newlyn Plc, handled the case of a cancer sufferer. Mr Cunningham will tomorrow raise local and national concerns, including those contained in a damning local government ombudsman’s report published last month. He is backing its recommendations, which include ensuring councils only charge fees in line with national regulations; provide clear details of their charges; make proper checks when levying vehicles; and exercise caution with potentially vulnerable debtors. Mr Cunningham said the debate would raise the profile of the issue just weeks before the Ministry of Justice is finally expected to report back on a delayed review of the bailiffs industry. He added: “I want to not only put pressure on the government to implement the recommendations of the Local Government Ombudsman’s report and others, but to give a date when they will be implemented.” The council has been reviewing its bailiffs’ arrangements with Coventry CAB since the Telegraph’s investigation