Federal Policy Committee Meeting 21 March 2012

Education and Families Committee Co-Chair Joan Walmsley, the Lords Co-chair of the Education and Families Parliamentary Party Committee, discussed the committees plans for 2012 with FPC. Discussion focussed particularly on vocational qualifications. Consultation Papers Duncan Hames MP, the Chair of the Sustainable Prosperity and Jobs Policy Working Group, and Chris Nicholson, the Chair of the Mutuals, Employee Ownership and Workplace Democracy Policy Working Group, introduced their respective consultation papers and the received comments from FPC. New Policy Working Groups The FPC approved remits and chairs for a number of new Policy Working Groups to report to party conferences in 2013. Spring 2013 Transition to a Zero Carbon Britain Chair: Neil Stockley Balanced Working Life Chair: Baroness Claire Tyler Autumn 2013 Skills and Post-16 Education Chair: Baroness Sal Brinton. Defence Chair: Dr Julie Smith. Political Reform Chair: Dinti Batstone. Taxation Lord Newby was appointed Chair but the remit was not discussed in detail for lack of time. Danny Alexander Briefing on Budget Danny Alexander MP, the Chief Secretary of the Treasury, presented the 2012 Budget proposals and answered questions from the FPC. Spring Conference FPC reviewed the policy decisions of the Spring Conference.