The House of Commons has formally appointed the Work and Pensions Committee (WPC) membership.

Labour MP, Debbie Abrahams, who was named the committee chair in September, said she was “profoundly grateful” for the support from colleagues across the House of Commons.

“The work of the department for work and pensions is critical to the lives of those it touches in a way few others are,” she added.

The following members of parliament have been appointed to the WPC: Johanna Baxter (Labour), Peter Bedford (Conservative), Neil Coyle (Labour), Steve Darling (Liberal Democrat), Damien Egan (Labour), Gill German (Labour), Amanda Hack (Labour), John Milne (Liberal Democrat), David Pinto-Duschinsky (Labour).

One remaining vacancy on the committee is expected to be filled shortly.

Details of meetings and the committee’s forward programme are expected to be announced in due course.

Each party has its own internal processes for naming its nominations to fill its committee seats.

Party seat allocations across and within committees are proportionate to the number of MPs elected to the House of Commons at the general election, with the precise number negotiated between the party whips through the selection committee.

Individual nominees put forward by political parties were agreed upon in the House of Commons following a committee of selection meeting.

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