Labour MP Stephen Timms to chair work and pensions committee

Timms takes over from veteran Frank Field who lost his long-held Birkenhead seat at the last election. All parliamentary committees, known as select committees, were dissolved when the general election was called and now being repopulated with members and chairs. Timms said: "It's a huge privilege to be elected chair. The committee has a great deal on its plate in this parliament. "We will play a constructive role, particularly in ensuring - as MPs across the House intend - that out constituents experience of Universal Credit is taken fully into account as rollout proceeds." He ...