The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) hosted the 10th annual briefing in the House of Lords attended by MPs, peers and communication technology professionals.

Senior Ukip figures have been fleeing the party since Gerard Batten took the reins in February 2018. His focus on Islam and his embrace of controversial far-right activist Tommy Robinson have opened up a deep split in the anti-EU outfit, but has also attracted new members and seen a boost in party finances. Could the move keep Ukip locked out of the mainstream forever? Or could it bring alt-right groups in Britain out from the underground? And how did we get here in the first place?

Liberal Democrat BEIS spokesperson writes ahead of the meaningful vote on Prime Minister's Brexit deal and recommends this solution: "An Exit from Brexit will allow us to focus on addressing the real problems with our economy, through a bold programme of investment in skills and productivity".

Traditional medicine, curio and aquarium trades are threatening the future of seahorses, writes Sir Hugo Swire MP.

Our broken housing market is failing to meet aspirations, warns Richard Bacon MP, with the UK remaining an outlier in the custom and self-building housing market.

Scrapping Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions would help improve security, reduce homelessness and reduce the threat of ‘retaliatory eviction’, says Karen Buck MP.

Slimming World policy Roundtables and parliamentary reception, kindly sponsored by Eleanor Smith MP, comprised three individual Roundtables taking place simultaneously on key issues surrounding obesity.

It is essential that policymakers focus on improving the quality of the built environment and ensuring the highest standards are met in all new-build housing.

Small and medium-sized enterprises need more help from the Government to thrive, according to Rachel Reeves and Mark Pawsey. 

UK aid prevents suffering and creates a healthier, safer and more stable world is in everyone’s interests. 

Defra Minister David Rutley MP joined Frank Field MP, Sainsbury’s and a host of other environmental stakeholders at a recent parliamentary event organised by the Woodland Trust to promote the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy and the Five saplings project.

Dods People draws together a list of appointments in Westminster politics, the devolved administrations and the public affairs sector in the last week.

For International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work, Sarah Newton MP, has written for PoliticsHome on the need to ensure disabled people aren’t missing out on the experiences and services that form an integral part of our everyday lives. 

We must create a culture of dying that looks beyond proxy measurements and truly seeks to understand and value the unique wishes of each individual at the end of life, says Natalie Koussa, Director of Community Outreach and Partnerships, Compassion in Dying.

Lib Dem DExEU & International Trade spokesperson Tom Brake MP calls on MPs from all parties to "back the Liberal Democrats in demanding better – vote down this deal, rule out No Deal and demand a People’s Vote". 

A steady and adequate supply of aggregates needs to be planned, monitored and managed, all of which require support and strong direction from central Government, says MPA.

Good quality, accessible childcare has a massive impact on family life. Now is the time for the Government to realise its potential, says Save the Children.

Dogs Trust’s latest investigation into the illegal puppy trade reveals continued abuse of pet travel legislation.

Addressing the National Federation of Builders (NFB) annual conference, Peter Aldous MP said abuse of retentions has a “negative knock on domino impact on which cascades right through the construction industry”.

The Head of Virtual Drug Discovery at the Medicines Discovery Catapult writes about the UK’s industrial private sector drug discovery capabilities: "The UK is well positioned to take advantage of, and develop new markets for, the provision of virtual drug discovery services, connected through its experts and service providers".

Dods People draws together a list of appointments in Westminster politics, the devolved administrations and the public affairs sector in the last week.

As 2018 comes to a close, the conversation surrounding mental health and wellbeing across the UK, particularly within construction, has begun to take shape.

We’re facing rising seas and soaring temperatures. Parliament needs the teeth to make ministers act, says Green MP Caroline Lucas.

Mims Davies MP has again shown her heartfelt support for a leading cardiac charity and its ongoing vision to prevent sudden deaths in young people.