Synod to vote on women bishops
THE Church of England will today take the historic step of voting on whether to give final approval to legislation introducing the first female bishops.
The General Synod, the Church’s national assembly, will take a series of votes after a debate on whether to allow the legislation to clear its final hurdle before going to Parliament for approval.
The vote is billed as the most significant step in 20 years taken by the General Synod, a 470-strong body made up of bishops, clergy and laity, since it first backed the introduction of women priests.
Hague to address MPS on Gaza crisis
FOREIGN Secretary William Hague will address MPs today about the mounting crisis in Gaza.
More than 100 Palestinians and three Israelis are reported to have been killed in six days of fighting, with militant groups firing hundreds of rockets into Israel, which has in turn hit more than 1,350 targets in the Gaza Strip.
Mr Hague was in Brussels yesterday for talks in which EU foreign ministers voiced full support for continuing international peace efforts.
Davey spells out cheap power plan
ENERGY Secretary Ed Davey will flesh out proposals today to ensure all households are on the cheapest gas and electricity tariffs available.
After weeks of confusion about the Government’s plans to simplify the market and reduce bills for hard-pressed families, the Liberal Democrat is expected to use an appearance before the Energy Select Committee to set out more detail.
It is thought that energy firms may be prevented from offering more than four tariffs and be required to automatically move customers on to the cheapest one.
Energy policy clarity required: MPs
MPs called on Chancellor George Osborne today to reassure investors that the Treasury is committed to the move towards a greener economy.
Mr Osborne must use the autumn statement next month to end the uncertainty over the direction of energy policy, which is undermining investment in the UK’s power sector, the parliamentary Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) said.
The MPs also added their voices to calls from business leaders, trade unions and green groups for the Energy Bill, due to be published before the end of November, to include a target to slash emissions from the power sector by 2030.
‘Jail-gate mentors could cut crime’
OFFENDERS should be “met at the prison gate” by mentors who can help them escape a life of crime, the Justice Secretary will say today.
Calling for an “enlightened” approach to dealing with criminals, Chris Grayling will set out plans for a major extension of mentoring provided by voluntary groups and private companies on a payment-by-results basis.
In a speech, he will decry the “tragedy” of prisoners leaving jail with no idea how to get their lives back on track.
