John is a member of the influential Work and Pensions select committee which puts him at the heart of debate about the future of the welfare system.

Select committees are cross-party groups of MPs. Those such as the Work and Pensions Select Committee which have a remit covering a Whitehall ministry are a vital check on government.

To date John has participated in a number of important inquiries. These have covered:

• Valuing and supporting carers
• The way the Department for Work and Pensions commissions services particularly to help people into employment
• The Equalities Bill
• Pensioner poverty
• Appeals and decision-making in the DWP
• Local Housing Allowance
• Decision making and appeals in the benefits system
• The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission and the CSA's Operational Improvement Plan
• Management and administration of contracted employment

John has sat on a number of public bill committees which scrutinise bills line-by-line after their 2nd reading. These have included:

• Financial Services Bill
• The Child Poverty Bill
• The Welfare Reform Bill
• The Corporation Tax Bill
• The Savings Gateway Bill
• The Dormant Bank and Building Society accounts Bill
• The Finance Bill 2009
• The Equalities Bill

John is a member of the Shadow Communities and Local Government team in which role he provides support across a range of issues to shadow ministers.

John is the party's champion on child poverty issues.

He is also vice-chairman of the Conservative Parliamentary Enterprise Group which focuses on how support can be given to businesses, particularly small and medium sized businesses.

John is vice chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on the River Thames

John is a trustee of the Community Development Foundation

John is a trustee of the Industry and Parliament Trust