Friday 18th November 2011 | 15:09

In Brief

Business secretary Vince Cable delivers a speech at an EEF event, where he is expected to outline changes to employment laws making it easier for companies to let staff go.

International development secretary Andrew Mitchell delivers the keynote speech at the UK launch of the World Development Report 2012.

Writing in the Sun newspaper, prime minister David Cameron urges public sector workers to defy unions ahead of next week's strike. http://bit.ly/vCBKOa

Planning minister Bob Neill and shadow local government secretary Hilary Benn attend the Association of Convenience Stores ‘Heart of the Community’ event, focused on changes to the planning system and how small retail businesses can get involved and help shape their communities.

Skills minister John Hayes is expected to announce help for employers.

Financial secretary Mark Hoban visits Copehagen ahead of his visit to Finland.

Consumer affairs minister Ed Davey speaks about the next steps for the UK's postal service at the Bloomsbury Hotel, London (10.00)

Culture secretary Jeremy Hunt visits the West Midlands to talk about the opportunities that hosting the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will bring to the area.

Home Office minister James Brokenshire delivers a speech on viral crime at conference in Strasbourg.

Home Office minister Lynne Featherstone delivers a speech to Girl Guiding UK, on body confidence. (19:30)

Transport minister Norman Baker speaks at the Smart Cities conference, London. He will later speak at the Fleet Hero Awards.

Children's minister Tim Loughton launches the government report on combating child sexual exploitation at the Barnardo's/Times child sexual exploitation summit.

Policing minister Nick Herbert speaks at the second day Association of Chief Police Officers' autumn conference.

Chair of the Commons health select committee, Stephen Dorrell addresses the annual Managers in Partnership Conference in London.

Chair of the energy and climate change committee Tim Yeo speaks at an Institute for Public Policy Research event in the House of Commons.

Conservative MP Mark Garnier and economist Andrew Lilico participate in a Bow Group event on economic growth. (19:00)

Writing for Central Lobby, Conservative MP Chris Skidmore calls for action which would mandate that any Member of Parliament who decides to defect during the course of a Parliament would be required to resign and fight a by-election. http://bit.ly/uJvFn1

Writing for the Central Lobby, Conservative MP Damian Hinds writes about the rapid development of the credit union sector and the potential for much further growth. http://bit.ly/sjeFlV

Shadow local government secretary Hilary Benn speaks at 'Stimulating local economic growth at a time of global economic uncertainty', the latest Smith Square debate from the Local Government Association. http://bit.ly/tUYzXM

Writing for the Central Lobby, shadow equalities minister Kate Green says there needs to be clear leadership to send a message that disability hate crime is taken seriously, that all necessary steps will be taken to prevent it, and to tackle it when it occurs. http://bit.ly/vTn84q

Shadow environment secretary Mary Creagh and Conservative MP Jane Ellison attend a Dods parliamentary reception for Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. http://bit.ly/uuV9rL

In an article for the Central Lobby, Baroness Walmsley calls on the government to take on board children's views with regard to school life. http://bit.ly/taLtMQ

Former home secretary Lord Howard of Lympne delivers a speech on the Human Rights Act at Policy Exchange, with an introduction with the solicitor general, Edward Garnier. (18:30)

Lord Ara Darzi speaks at the King's fund annual conference. Other speakers include representatives from NICE, the Department of Health, Alzheimer's Society, and the Care Quality Commission.

A lobby of Parliament takes place, organised by the Palestine Campaign (14:00).

Delegates at a Westminster Briefing 'policy and practice' event will discuss academy status for primary schools, the implications and timetable. http://bit.ly/skiBKU

Parliamentarians and parliamentary staff are invited to join Premiership and World Cup footballers to score a goal for the Millennium Development Goals, at an event hosted by CPA UK. This event is open to parliamentary passholders only.