Double debate gives new Shadow Welsh Secretary his debut

Owen Smith will lead for Labour for the first time at Westminster Credit: Labour Party

The Welsh Grand Committee, which includes all Welsh MPs , plus the Secretary of State, Cheryl Gillan, meets at Westminster today to debate the Budget and the Queen's Speech. The Welsh Secretary's views on both events are of course already well known.

Much of the interest in today's proceedings will centre on how the new Shadow Welsh Secretary, Owen Smith performs. He's had a rapid rise to the Shadow Cabinet since becoming an MP just two years ago and will be surrounded by former cabinet and junior ministers on the Labour benches as well as long-serving backbenchers.