Two Welsh Labour MPs to chair Commons committees

Two Welsh Labour MPs have been given jobs at the helm of two House of Commons select committees.

Ruth Jones will chair the Welsh Affairs Select Committee, which looks at how UK government decisions affect Wales.

Meanwhile Tonia Antoniazzi will chair the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee.

The posts were among eight new chairs announced for eight select committees.

They were elected automatically because only one name was put forward for nomination for each.

House of Commons committees are cross-party bodies that scrutinise the work of government departments and ministers.

Ms Jones, MP for Newport West and Islwyn, said: "As Welsh MPs, it is our duty to deliver change for the next generation so it’s not just the land of our fathers but the 'land of our future' too.

"With the right scrutiny, I know we can become a fairer, safer and more prosperous nation and to achieve this I will focus on the everyday concerns of people’s lives."

Gower MP Ms Antoniazzi, who served as a shadow minister for North Ireland in the last parliament, said she was looking forward to leading the committee "for the benefit of the people of Northern Ireland".