Labour deputy Angela Rayner dons a 'gingers are not just for Christmas' jumper - as Tory minister suggests ALL MPs should stick woolies on to keep warm in the Commons

  • Labour deputy Angela Rayner dons a Christmas jumper in House of Commons
  • Her sweater features the slogan: 'Gingers are for life, not just for Christmas!'
  • A minister suggests all MPs should wear extra layers to cut energy consumption

Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner donned a 'gingers are not just for Christmas' jumper in the House of Commons today - as it was suggested all MPs could put on extra layers to keep warm.

In support of a Save the Children charity campaign, auburn-haired Ms Rayner wore a sweater featuring a gingerbread person and emblazoned with the words: 'Gingers are for life, not just for Christmas!'

With a lack of other festive jumpers on display in the Commons chamber, Ms Rayner noted that she was the only MP that 'got the memo' about the charity campaign.

Oliver Dowden, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, told MPs he 'wholly' welcomed Ms Rayner's jumper and 'as a fellow ginger' endorsed the 'sentiments on it'.

But Ms Rayner's choice of clothing wasn't the only discussion about jumpers in the Commons today, as another Government minister suggested all MPs could 'put on fresh jumpers to keep warm'.

Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner donned a 'Gingers are for life, not just for Christmas!' jumper in the House of Commons

Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner donned a 'Gingers are for life, not just for Christmas!' jumper in the House of Commons

Oliver Dowden, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, told MPs he 'wholly' welcomed Ms Rayner's jumper and 'as a fellow ginger' endorsed the 'sentiments on it'

Oliver Dowden, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, told MPs he 'wholly' welcomed Ms Rayner's jumper and 'as a fellow ginger' endorsed the 'sentiments on it'

Auburn-haired Ms Rayner wore a sweater featuring a gingerbread person in support of a Save the Children charity campaign

Auburn-haired Ms Rayner wore a sweater featuring a gingerbread person in support of a Save the Children charity campaign

Tory MP Sir Desmond Swayne
Cabinet Office minister Alex Burghart

Government minister Alex Burghart (right) suggested all MPs could 'put on jumpers to keep warm' as he was quizzed on energy saving by Tory backbencher Sir Desmond Swayne (left)

Alex Burghart, a junior Cabinet Office minister, noted the 'ambient' temperature in Parliament as he replied to Tory backbencher Sir Desmond Swayne.

He had pressed Mr Burghart on whether, as part of Britain's 'contribution' to the Ukraine war, there should be a 'great national endeavour' to 'cut our energy consumption'.

In reply, Mr Burghart noted there was a 'communication programme planned' for this winter.

He added: 'But maybe we should be looking at the temperature in this House.

'Ambient though it is, wouldn’t it be better if we all had a chance to put on fresh jumpers to keep warm?'

Earlier, Sir Desmond had suggested Parliament should follow the example of other countries in attempting to reduce energy consumption.

He told Mr Burghart that the German government limits temperatures in public buildings to 19C (66F).

'We could put on an extra layer and do a lot better, couldn’t we?,' Sir Desmond asked.

Mr Burghart replied: 'I feel that he could survive in sub-19 degrees without an extra layer.

'But he will know that the Health and Safety Executive issues advice on temperature in workplaces.

'Regulations suggest the minimum temperature for working indoors should be at least 16 degrees Centigrade, or 13 degrees where rigorous physical effort is required.

'So we have the flexibility to do that should we wish.'

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