Political Monitor

 w/c 1/3/10

• BIS Oral Questions on Access to Credit and Bank Lending
• Business organisations urge small firms to say no to the National Insurance rise
• Business coalition battles "tax on jobs"

w/c 22/2/10

• Lord Mandelson indicating his support for a state-run investment bank to provide loans to small businesses and capital for major infrastructure
• DEFRA announcing that a new labelling code of practice has been introduced for the country of origin for pork and pork products
• A range of Parliamentary Questions on issues including shopkeeper support, business regulation and bank lending
• The Conservatives publishing a new policy document on farming.

w/c 15/2/10

• BIS - Vocational qualifications made simple for employers and learners
• DWP setting out new guidance on fit notes
• The Commission for Rural Communities urging councils to involve communities in public spending decisions.

w/c 8/2/10

• Defra announcing the creation of a new, restructured Advisory Committee on packaging
• The Treasury announcing new consultation on potentially exploitative arrangements around the NMW
• Nick Clegg MP setting out the Liberal Democrats` new high streets policy