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Tue, 5 December 2023

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Sophie Church

Sophie Church

Sophie Church is a Reporter at The House magazine.

Can offshore asylum processing ever work?
Home affairs
By Sophie Church
Can offshore asylum processing ever work?
The UK government’s Rwanda scheme is in trouble, but escalating migrant numbers are forcing other European nations to consider similar approaches. Sophie Church explores the attraction – and problems – of so-called offshore processing. Illustrations by Tracy Worrall
Selling the City: Michael Mainelli, the new Lord Mayor of London
Communities
By Sophie Church
Selling the City: Michael Mainelli, the new Lord Mayor of London
Michael Mainelli, the new Lord Mayor of London, tells Sophie Church the City needs to improve its ‘customer experience’ but is well-placed to be the ‘world’s coffee house’
ICGS Director Wants To Reduce Bullying Complaints Threshold
Parliament
ICGS Director Wants To Reduce Bullying Complaints Threshold
Parliamentary authorities want to lower the threshold for launching bullying investigations at Westminster to deal with the “horror stories” of persistent offenders.
Full Account: The Thea Walton interview
Parliament
By Sophie Church
Full Account: The Thea Walton interview
Parliament’s Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS) was set up in 2018 to investigate allegations of bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct. Sophie Church speaks to director Thea Walton about how the scheme is performing, and whether Parliament is a safe place to work
The Baroness Moyo interview: 'We’re going to be fine. But we want to be more than fine. We want to be making progress'
Economy
By Sophie Church
The Baroness Moyo interview: "We’re going to be fine. But we want to be more than fine. We want to be making progress"
Politicians from all parties agree that growing the economy is vital. The question is, how do we do it? Baroness Moyo speaks to Sophie Church about plans to boost productivity, trade-offs that have to be made on net-zero and why the Bank of England’s relationship with government is repairable. Photography by Louise Haywood-Schiefer
MPs Call For Mandatory Security Training In Parliament Over Fears Of Foreign Interference
Foreign affairs
MPs Call For Mandatory Security Training In Parliament Over Fears Of Foreign Interference
A group of parliamentarians has written to parliamentary authorities to call for tightened security in the Houses of Parliament following heightened fears of foreign interference.
Going digital: Will the public realise the value of digitising NHS data?
Health
By Sophie Church
Going digital: Will the public realise the value of digitising NHS data?
The NHS is about to make it far easier for hospitals to share data, including patient records, in the latest stage of its digitisation drive. But is enough being done to win public backing for moves to realise its huge value, asks Sophie Church
Where are they now? Andrew Dismore
Political parties
By Sophie Church
Where are they now? Andrew Dismore
With a grandfather, father and brother who all served as local councillors, Andrew Dismore, the Labour MP for Hendon from 1997 to 2010, says that politics was a constant presence in his life.
Labour's left are leaving, but are they right to be saying they've been dismissed unfairly?
Political parties
By Sophie Church
Labour's left are leaving, but are they right to be saying they've been dismissed unfairly?
Since Keir Starmer became Labour leader, figures on the left of the party have resigned, lost their seats or been blocked from longlists. Are they right to say that they have been cast out unfairly? Sophie Church reports. Illustrations by Tracy Worrall
Policy promises: How can the Labour Party be defined today?
Political parties
By Sophie Church
Policy promises: How can the Labour Party be defined today?
As a general election looms, the Labour Party continues to drop former pledges. Sophie Church considers what kind of party it has become in consequence
Search is on for next Interim Children’s Parliament PM
Parliament
By Sophie Church
Search is on for next Interim Children’s Parliament PM
The current Interim Children’s Parliament Prime Minister is on the lookout for his successor in primary schools across the United Kingdom, as he moves into secondary school and leaves the post.
“It would be a mistake to be fooled by Craig’s jolly exterior; he’s sharp as a razor”: Meet Craig Williams
Political parties
By Sophie Church
“It would be a mistake to be fooled by Craig’s jolly exterior; he’s sharp as a razor”: Meet Craig Williams
If you had asked Craig Williams 10 years ago what he would be doing today, he would have said running a pub. But instead of pulling pints, Williams came to Westminster. Now, as the PM’s PPS, Sophie Church meets the man on the rise in Parliament. Illustration by Tracy Worrall
Tory MP Issues Plea For Party To Finally Ban Conversion Therapy
Political parties
By Sophie Church
Tory MP Issues Plea For Party To Finally Ban Conversion Therapy
Dehenna Davison, the Conservative MP for Bishop Auckland, has said the Conservative Party must be the party to ban conversion therapy after continued stalling on the issue.
Red wall, blue wall: Can the Tory coalition hold?
Political parties
By Sophie Church
Red wall, blue wall: Can the Tory coalition hold?
The Conservatives’ victory in 2019 led many to believe there had been a fundamental realignment in British politics as the party swept through a so-called red wall of formerly Labour seats. Now, the Tories face an uphill struggle to retain those gains, and appear vulnerable in some of their own blue wall heartlands. Sophie Church explores how the party intends to keep together its electoral coalition
30 years of service: The Lord Harries of Pentregarth interview
Parliament
By Sophie Church
30 years of service: The Lord Harries of Pentregarth interview
Lord Harries of Pentregarth is only the second diocesan bishop to return to the House post-retirement. Now, in his 30th year in the House of Lords, he speaks to Sophie Church about Lords reform, his achievements, and the moralising rhetoric he currently sees in Parliament
“I don’t think the word coalition is going to pass anybody’s lips”: talking strategy with the Lib Dems
Political parties
By Sophie Church
“I don’t think the word coalition is going to pass anybody’s lips”: talking strategy with the Lib Dems
The Liberal Democrats have been steadily rebuilding since the disappointment of the 2019 general election. With recent local council and by-election successes, Sophie Church explores how their strategy may yield national results, and what kind of government could soon be in power. Illustrations by Tracy Worrall
Taking the stage: Meet MP4, Parliament's first and only ever rock band
Parliament
By Sophie Church
Taking the stage: Meet MP4, Parliament's first and only ever rock band
MP4, Parliament’s very own rock band, is celebrating 20 years in the business this year. From working with famous producers, to contending with fall-outs, to seeing deputy prime ministers move and groove, the former and present MPs in the band speak to Sophie Church about their journey so far. Photography by Louise Haywood-Schiefer
Tory row over China pressure group
Foreign affairs
By Sophie Church
Tory row over China pressure group
Exclusive: A new front has opened up in recent inter-Tory squabbles over China, after comments were made to The House by the Conservative chair of the China All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) about his colleagues’ membership of a pressure group.
Chief Scientific Adviser Lucy Chappell: 'You have to be thoughtful about how you describe uncertainty'
Health
By Sophie Church
Chief Scientific Adviser Lucy Chappell: "You have to be thoughtful about how you describe uncertainty"
Lucy Chappell, chief scientific adviser to the Department of Health and Social Care, was in the trenches at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, before she took up her government role in August 2021. Two years on, she speaks to Sophie Church about the role of advisers during that time, the next pandemic, and tackling problems in the NHS
'We unravelled it. We did training. We did negotiation': How HR service Hive is supporting Parliament
Parliament
By Sophie Church
"We unravelled it. We did training. We did negotiation": How HR service Hive is supporting Parliament
Navigating working relationships in MPs’ offices can be a challenge, where time is often stretched and to-do lists seem never-ending. Sophie Church speaks to Eve Burt and Sam Mackewn, directors of Hive Support, about their mission to support MPs and their staff with bespoke HR services
Where are they now? John McTernan
Parliament
By Sophie Church
Where are they now? John McTernan
Growing up in Edinburgh to a father active in a university academics trade union, and a mother who regularly stood for Labour in local elections, John McTernan says the party was in his family and in his bones from a young age.
'We are all very much Team Hoyle': Jo Mills reflects on her 20 years in Westminster
Parliament
By Sophie Church
"We are all very much Team Hoyle": Jo Mills reflects on her 20 years in Westminster
Jo Mills, office support manager in the Speaker’s Office, has worked in Parliament for 20 years. From doorkeeping, to helping outgoing MPs leave, to making sure the Speaker’s tortoise gets her five a day, she sits down with Sophie Church to reflect on her time in Westminster
Keeping up standards: How Standards Commissioner Daniel Greenberg is trying to improve Parliament's reputation
Parliament
By Sophie Church
Keeping up standards: How Standards Commissioner Daniel Greenberg is trying to improve Parliament's reputation
Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, Daniel Greenberg talks to Sophie Church about his mission to support MPs in upholding Parliament’s faltering reputation. Photography by John Nguyen
Chinese police stations in the UK have allegedly been shut down. So, what happens now?
Defence
By Sophie Church
Chinese police stations in the UK have allegedly been shut down. So, what happens now?
Secret Chinese police stations have been found operating in 53 countries across the world. As the government announces that those based in the UK have shut, Sophie Church explores the tactics employed by the Chinese Communist Party to spy on their communities abroad. Illustration by Tracy Worrall
Westminster's Lionesses: Meet The Women’s Parliamentary Football Club
Parliament
By Sophie Church
Westminster's Lionesses: Meet The Women’s Parliamentary Football Club
When Jo Tanner founded the Women’s Parliamentary Football Club, she could not have anticipated its impact. Six years on, Sophie Church discovers how it has helped to bridge divides, forge friendships, and been a great source of fun
'We are effectively in a war for talent in this country': The First Sea Lord interview
Defence
By Sophie Church
"We are effectively in a war for talent in this country": The First Sea Lord interview
The First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Ben Key says it is a fascinating time to be part of the Royal Navy. With a need to grow, but recruitment proving challenging, he speaks with Sophie Church about the Navy’s plans to appeal to jobseekers, the changing world order and modernising the service
Parliament celebrates 110 years of Aston Martin
Parliament
By Sophie Church
Parliament celebrates 110 years of Aston Martin
Aston Martin sports cars have been displayed in Parliament to celebrate 110 years of the brand.
Former Labour MP Glenda Jackson dies aged 87
Parliament
By Sophie Church
Former Labour MP Glenda Jackson dies aged 87
Former Labour MP and award-winning actress Glenda Jackson has passed away at the age of 87.
'We look at it as if we are cleaning our own home': Meet Imelda Hughes, who helps keep Parliament clean
By Sophie Church
"We look at it as if we are cleaning our own home": Meet Imelda Hughes, who helps keep Parliament clean
Imelda Hughes has been working in Parliament for seven years, rising early to clean the Chamber in preparation for the day ahead. In a Q&A with The House she describes how Parliament is not just a prestigious place to work, but a second home
'Altogether we are failing to deliver': The Lord Deben interview
Environment
By Sophie Church
"Altogether we are failing to deliver": The Lord Deben interview
Lord Deben has chaired the Climate Change Committee for 11 years. As he prepares to step down, he speaks to Sophie Church about how government is responding to the challenges facing our climate and the danger of delayed action. Photography by Louise Haywood-Schiefer
Parliament aims to improve tech gender gap by recruiting more female coders
Parliament
By Sophie Church
Parliament aims to improve tech gender gap by recruiting more female coders
A new scheme to hire more female data and software engineers is due to be launched in Parliament.
The George Freeman interview: 'It would be extraordinary' if a deal on Horizon can't be negotiated
Technology
By Sophie Church
The George Freeman interview: "It would be extraordinary" if a deal on Horizon can't be negotiated
George Freeman says that the UK is not yet a science superpower. But by collaborating with the EU and embracing artificial intelligence, the minister for science, innovation and technology is striving to meet this ambition. He tells Sophie Church that the UK must play to its strengths to succeed. Photography by Jack Lawson
Maritime protections: How the new Seafarers Wages Bill could protect workers at sea
Transport
By Sophie Church
Maritime protections: How the new Seafarers Wages Bill could protect workers at sea
In response to P&O Ferries sacking nearly 800 employees in 2022, a new piece of legislation has been created to better protect seafarers. Sophie Church explores how the Seafarers’ Wages Act may dissuade ferry operators from following in P&O Ferries’ wake
Parly do: How Parliament's hairdressers became an institution
Parliament
By Sophie Church
Parly do: How Parliament's hairdressers became an institution
Squirrelled away behind the Terrace cafeteria lies John Simon – Parliament’s unisex hair salon. Sophie Church pays a visit to Kelly Dodge, John Simon’s manager, to hear what has kept her styling hair in Parliament for so long
The Huw Merriman interview: 'I think I’m actually a very bad parliamentary performer'
Transport
By Sophie Church
The Huw Merriman interview: "I think I’m actually a very bad parliamentary performer"
Raised in a trade union household, Huw Merriman surprised his parents by working for a Conservative Party MP in his gap year. As minister for rail and HS2, he has a unique perspective on the challenges facing the transport sector and speaks to Sophie Church about how he is tackling them. Photography by Louise Haywood-Schiefer
Parliamentary power: Promoting British interests through Westminster
Foreign affairs
By Sophie Church
Parliamentary power: Promoting British interests through Westminster
The United Kingdom is ranked second in the world for its soft power. As parliamentarians continue to jet off round the world on inter-parliamentary visits, Sophie Church speaks to foreign delegates to understand how we are promoting British interests through Westminster.