Read · Debates
Debate write-ups.
How the room argued — the speakers, the positions, the point at which it tipped. Pulled from the day's Hansard, with the speakers and their positions in view.
13 May 2026· Statement
King’s Speech
The King's Speech outlined the Labour Government's legislative agenda for the new parliamentary session, centred on economic security, defence against a volatile world, and energy independence. The speech committed to bills on trading relations (including EU ties), infrastructure, public service reform, social housing, and defence spending increases, reflecting the government's stated priorities of raising living standards, protecting national security, and creating a fairer country.
economy-jobs · defence · energy
13 May 2026· General Debate
Debate on the Address
The House debated the King's Speech following the state opening of Parliament. Labour MPs Naz Shah and Chris Vince proposed and seconded the Loyal Address, with Shah emphasizing Bradford's diversity and opportunity, and Vince highlighting education and young people. Kemi Badenoch, Leader of the Opposition, mounted a sustained critique of the Prime Minister's weakened authority, citing internal Labour revolt and policy U-turns, while Keir Starmer defended the government's radical agenda on economic security, energy independence, and defence investment. Liberal Democrat Ed Davey criticized both the government's weakness and its inadequate response to economic challenges from Trump's policies.
economy-jobs · defence · energy
13 May 2026· Statement
Speaker’s Statement
The Speaker delivered his opening statement to the new parliamentary session, restating the standards of conduct, privilege, and civility expected of all Members. He emphasized the duty to uphold the code of conduct, exercise parliamentary privilege responsibly, make accurate contributions, and treat colleagues with respect in debate. The statement contained implicit criticism of recent breaches—particularly ministers announcing policy outside the House and the use of undignified language in proceedings—and warned that failure to maintain standards risks damaging parliamentary reputation and fueling abuse on social media.
mp-performance
29 April 2026· General Debate
Community Infrastructure Levy: Homeowners
The debate examined how the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), intended to fund local infrastructure through developer contributions, has resulted in unexpected bills of £26,000 to £235,000 imposed on ordinary homeowners for extensions and renovations. Cross-party speakers highlighted procedural complexity and inconsistent council enforcement as causing severe hardship, while the Minister committed to consulting on regulatory reforms before summer recess to improve the exemption process and reduce opportunities for disproportionate penalties.
housing · local-government · fiscal-policy
29 April 2026· Statement
His Majesty’s Most Gracious Speech
The Speaker announced His Majesty's Most Gracious Speech, delivered by the Leader of the House of Lords, setting out the government's legislative agenda for the parliamentary session. The speech outlined Labour's priorities across economic growth, public services, employment rights, energy policy, and defence, with no parliamentary debate or opposition response recorded in this transcript.
economy-jobs · fiscal-policy · health
29 April 2026· Oral Questions
Topical Questions
Topical Questions debate on the Equalities Minister's departmental responsibilities, dominated by contested ground on sex, gender, and trans inclusion. Labour defended workplace equality measures and the independence of the Equalities and Human Rights Commission; the Opposition challenged the government's handling of NHS staff concerns and accused it of sowing division on gender issues, whilst the Minister accused the Conservatives of stoking sectarian conflict and challenged an Opposition MP's own conduct.
culture-community · labour-market · mp-performance
29 April 2026· Other
Prorogation
Sir Lindsay Hoyle, as Speaker, formally announced the prorogation of Parliament following a Royal Commission. The First Session of the 59th Parliament, which opened on 17 July 2024, was ended, with Parliament to reconvene on 13 May 2026. This was a procedural announcement of a constitutional act rather than a substantive debate.
other
29 April 2026· Oral Questions
Special Educational Needs Support
The government outlined its reformed SEND system, backed by £4 billion investment and a three-tier support framework. A Conservative MP challenged whether the shift from Education, Health and Care Plans to individual support plans would adequately fund mainstream school provision, while a Labour MP welcomed the reforms and the Experts at Hand service investment in his constituency.
education · social-care · health
29 April 2026· Oral Questions
Engagements
Prime Minister's Questions on 29 April 2026 focused on the government's economic record and welfare spending, with Kemi Badenoch attacking Starmer over rising unemployment and welfare costs while Starmer defended Labour's achievements in workers' rights, child poverty reduction, and defence spending. The exchanges grew heated over government stability, with Badenoch suggesting the Prime Minister's position was untenable and Starmer accusing the Opposition of political stunts rather than serious governance.
economy-jobs · fiscal-policy · defence
29 April 2026· Oral Questions
Conversion Practices
MPs questioned the Minister on the Government's timeline for banning conversion practices, which cause physical and emotional harm to LGBT+ people. The Minister committed to publishing draft legislation as soon as possible and delivering a trans-inclusive ban, acknowledging that successive governments have promised action but Labour will be the ones to deliver it.
culture-community · health
29 April 2026· Oral Questions
Violence against Women and Girls
MPs from across the Commons questioned the government's efforts to tackle violence against women and girls, with the minister detailing a cross-government strategy published in December and announcing £500 million in accommodation funding. Backbenchers raised specific concerns: housing support for domestic abuse survivors, racially motivated sexual attacks, toxic masculinity and male socialization, desecration of bodies as a standalone crime, sexual assault in entertainment industries, misogyny in schools, and the investigation of suicides in domestic abuse cases. The minister committed to meetings with campaigners and cross-departmental work on preventative education and social media regulation.
crime · social-care · culture-community
29 April 2026· Other
Points of Order
The House addressed four separate points of order. Catherine West raised concern about stabbings targeting the Jewish community in Barnet, with Prime Minister Starmer pledging support for the police investigation. John McDonnell raised serious allegations about the US agency APCO investigating journalists for Labour Together, alleging file destruction and surveillance of MPs, prompting Speaker Hoyle to flag potential security implications for independent investigation. Amanda Martin and James MacCleary complained that Robert Jenrick visited their Portsmouth constituencies without observing the courtesy of prior notification. Finally, Richard Holden raised concerns about incomplete ministerial answers to parliamentary questions, with Speaker Hoyle acknowledging the problem as unacceptable.
crime · mp-performance · other
29 April 2026· Oral Questions
Sexual Assault Survivors: Isle of Wight
Richard Quigley raised the lack of sexual assault referral centres on the Isle of Wight, forcing survivors to travel to Portsmouth or Southampton for specialist support. Minister Alex Davies-Jones committed to meeting with him and coordinating with the Department of Health and Social Care. Shadow Minister Mims Davies challenged the Government to move beyond platitudes and tackle trafficking, cover-ups, and justice for survivors, referencing high-profile cases including Virginia Giuffre.
crime · health · social-care
29 April 2026· General Debate
Agriculture: Government Support
Richard Foord secured a Westminster Hall debate on government support for agriculture, arguing that farmers face a cost-of-living and cost-of-production crisis amid volatile global markets and inadequate state backing. Liberal Democrat MPs and cross-party backbenchers pressed the government on fertiliser and fuel price spikes, farm profitability, planning delays, and access to support schemes. Minister Dame Angela Eagle defended the government's long-term farming strategy, record budget allocation, and monitoring of input costs, while committing to develop a farming road map and address scheme accessibility.
agriculture · economy-jobs · cost-of-living
29 April 2026· Other
In-Person Banking Services
Alan Mak (Conservative) moved for leave to bring in a Bill requiring the Financial Conduct Authority to set standards for in-person banking services. He outlined the scale of branch closures—6,600 since 2015, leaving nearly 50 constituencies without a branch—and the hardship faced by 3 million non-online users, older people, disabled people, and small businesses. While crediting the previous Conservative Government's banking hub initiative as a success, Mak argued the model has design gaps: hubs are only mandated where cash access is deemed inadequate, leaving areas with ATMs or post offices without face-to-face banking services for complex problems like fraud or account freezes. The Bill would shift focus from cash access to wider in-person banking services and broaden the form hubs can take (mobile units, pop-ups, supermarket locations). The motion passed without opposition recorded, with bipartisan support indicated by the sponsors list.
economy-jobs · local-government · utilities
29 April 2026· Other
Royal Assent
The Speaker announced that nine bills have received Royal Assent following their passage through both Houses of Parliament. The bills cover diverse policy areas including pensions, tobacco regulation, crime, education, and devolution. This is a formal procedural announcement with no debate or substantive discussion.
fiscal-policy · health · crime
29 April 2026· Oral Questions
Autism: Employment
Sir Stephen Timms, responding to questions from Labour and Conservative MPs, outlined the government's commitment to supporting autistic people into employment through its Connect to Work programme and employer engagement initiatives. MPs raised concerns about employer reluctance to hire autistic workers and the closure of specialist services, while the minister committed to considering further action based on recent expert recommendations on neurodiversity in the workplace.
economy-jobs · health · labour-market
29 April 2026· Other
House of Commons
The House of Commons convened for its regular Wednesday sitting. The Speaker offered personal birthday wishes to the Trainbearer, Gary Barlow, marking his 40th birthday. No substantive debate or legislative business is recorded in this procedural excerpt.
other
28 April 2026· Opposition Day
Referral of Prime Minister to Committee of Privileges
The House debated a motion to refer the Prime Minister to the Committee of Privileges over allegations that he misled Parliament regarding Peter Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador, particularly claims about security vetting and pressure on the Foreign Office. The motion was cross-party supported but faced a government three-line whip; the central tension was whether referral constituted proper scrutiny or partisan obstruction, with Labour back-benchers deeply divided on supporting their Prime Minister.
mp-performance
28 April 2026· Oral Questions
Retail, Hospitality and Leisure: Business Rates
MPs questioned the government's autumn 2025 business rates reforms, which introduced a £4.3 billion support package and permanently lower multipliers for retail, hospitality and leisure properties. The Opposition argued the changes would force one in seven hotels, pubs and restaurants to close, while the Government defended the reforms as necessary to support the high street and create economic stability after 14 years of stagnation.
economy-jobs · fiscal-policy · local-government
28 April 2026· Report Stage
Pension Schemes Bill
The House resolved its disagreement with the Lords over the Pension Schemes Bill, focusing on the reserve power that allows ministers to direct pension fund investment. The Government introduced substantial safeguards—capping mandation at 10% of default funds, introducing a 2028 earliest-use date, requiring independent regulatory assessment, and strengthening the savers' interest test—in response to sustained opposition pressure. The Conservatives accepted these concessions as meaningful constraints on an otherwise dangerous power, while the Liberal Democrats voted against the motion, arguing that even constrained mandation crossed a dangerous constitutional line.
economy-jobs · fiscal-policy
28 April 2026· Oral Questions
Defence Industrial Strategy
MPs questioned the government on progress implementing the defence industrial strategy and unlocking investment in UK defence contractors. The government defended its record on defence spending and cited signed contracts, while opposition and backbench MPs pressed for clarity on the delayed defence investment plan and warned that uncertainty was damaging the defence industrial base.
defence · economy-jobs
28 April 2026· General Debate
UK-India Technology Security Initiative
MPs debated the UK-India Technology Security Initiative, a bilateral framework for collaboration on AI, semiconductors, quantum computing, critical minerals and other frontier technologies. The debate centred on how the partnership supports economic growth, supply chain resilience and good jobs across UK constituencies, with speakers emphasising the initiative's importance as India rises to become a top-three global economy. Government minister Kanishka Narayan confirmed the TSI is delivering concrete results: £1.3 billion in direct Indian investment, job creation through tech companies like Mastek and Linkfields, and active joint research through the UK-India AI centre.
technology · economy-jobs · defence
28 April 2026· Oral Questions
Economic Growth in Wales
Catherine Fookes praised the new Magor and Undy train station as evidence of Labour's commitment to Welsh economic growth, and challenged Reform's dismissal of new railway infrastructure. James Murray, responding for the Government, defended the wider investment programme—including £2.5 billion for a small modular reactor in Anglesey and £445 million in rail spending—and attacked Reform's position as out of touch with Welsh constituents' needs.
economy-jobs · transport · energy
28 April 2026· Topical Debate
International Parental Child Abduction
MPs debated international parental child abduction, focusing on failures in enforcing the 1980 Hague Convention, particularly in Poland. The debate exposed delays in court proceedings, abuse of domestic violence defences, financial exploitation through maintenance orders, and gaps in UK criminal law. The government committed to continued diplomatic pressure and reform, while opposition and cross-party speakers called for stronger accountability mechanisms and better support for left-behind parents.
crime · social-care · culture-community
28 April 2026· Oral Questions
Business Property Relief: Family-owned Businesses
Ministers and MPs debated the impact of Labour's recent changes to business property relief on family-owned enterprises. Peter Fortune (Conservative) argued that 57% of family businesses are suffering under the new regime and called for tax relief to support growth. Dan Tomlinson (Labour minister) defended the reforms as more generous than under Thatcher and necessary to reduce borrowing, while Perran Moon (Labour backbencher) raised a separate issue about commercial property reclassification affecting small businesses in Cornwall.
fiscal-policy · economy-jobs
28 April 2026· Oral Questions
Cost of Living: Worsley and Eccles
Michael Wheeler, Labour MP for Worsley and Eccles, questioned the Chancellor on cost-of-living support in his constituency. Rachel Reeves outlined government measures including the energy price cap reduction and fuel duty cuts, then addressed Wheeler's concern about rising food prices by emphasising the government's diplomatic approach to de-escalating the Iran conflict and announcing £53 million in heating oil support.
cost-of-living · energy · agriculture
28 April 2026· Oral Questions
Cost of Living: Wolverhampton West
Wolverhampton West MP Warinder Juss questioned the Chancellor on cost-of-living support for his constituency, citing local community initiatives like the Pomegranate Café. Rachel Reeves outlined the government's support measures—frozen energy bills, prescription charges, and rail fares—and highlighted local Labour council work on child poverty reduction and community regeneration projects.
cost-of-living · local-government · social-care
28 April 2026· Oral Questions
Conflict in the Middle East: Cost of Living
MPs questioned the Chancellor on the economic impact of Middle East conflict on UK households and businesses, particularly rising energy and fuel costs. Rachel Reeves defended the government's targeted support measures—including energy bill cuts, universal credit changes, and business schemes—while resisting calls from opposition parties to cut fuel duty, arguing that untargeted spending would fuel inflation and harm long-term economic stability.
cost-of-living · energy · economy-jobs
28 April 2026· Topical Debate
Topical Questions
Rachel Reeves defended the government's economic record during topical questions, citing unemployment falls, growth, six interest rate cuts, and lower borrowing as evidence that Labour's plan is working. Opposition and backbench questions pressed her on business rates rises, private rent inflation, first-time buyer support, and windfall taxes on energy profits. The Chancellor framed recent economic turbulence as stemming from the Iran conflict rather than domestic policy failures.
fiscal-policy · economy-jobs · cost-of-living
28 April 2026· Oral Questions
Food Bank Usage: Hornsey and Friern Barnet
Catherine West questioned the government on fiscal steps to reduce food bank usage in her constituency, linking the problem to runaway rental costs. Torsten Bell highlighted the government's child poverty measures—expanded free school meals and removal of the two-child limit—and committed to addressing housing costs through the £39 billion social homes programme and the new Renters' Rights Act, which comes into force the following week.
cost-of-living · housing · social-care
28 April 2026· Topical Debate
Fire and Rescue Services: Funding
Matt Vickers, the shadow fire minister, secured a 30-minute debate to challenge the government's fire and rescue funding settlement, arguing that 'fair funding' formulas systematically disadvantage industrial and deprived areas like Cleveland and Durham. Multiple MPs from different regions raised concerns about station closures, reduced crew numbers, and service cuts. Minister Samantha Dixon defended the settlement as a significant change, citing a 3.8% minimum uplift in core spending power and committing to a comprehensive funding formula review ahead of the next spending review.
local-government · economy-jobs · cost-of-living
28 April 2026· Committee Stage
Courts and Tribunals Bill (Twelfth sitting)
Committee stage debate on Courts and Tribunals Bill focused on new clauses addressing court efficiency, backlog reduction, and safeguards for vulnerable groups. Labour MP Yasmin Qureshi pressed for independent reviews of racial disproportionality before implementing jury trial restrictions; Minister Sarah Sackman defended the government's integrated approach of investment, efficiency, and reform rather than sequential pilots. Liberal Democrat Jess Brown-Fuller argued for extended sitting hours, backlog targets, and mandatory judicial training on trauma and discrimination before reforms take effect.
crime · economy-jobs · social-care
28 April 2026· Other
Newcastle-under-Lyme Green Belt
Adam Jogee presented a petition from residents of Audley, Newcastle-under-Lyme, opposing the release of green belt land south-east of Junction 16 of the M6 for development. The petition sets out environmental and infrastructure concerns, including air quality, noise, habitat loss, and pressure on local roads, and calls on the House to urge the local council not to permit the change of use.
environment · local-government · housing
28 April 2026· Oral Questions
Child Poverty Taskforce
Labour MPs questioned the Chancellor on the child poverty taskforce and celebrated recent policy changes. Rachel Reeves defended the Government's record on lifting 550,000 children out of poverty through removing the two-child limit, expanding free school meals, and breakfast clubs. Iqbal Mohamed challenged whether these measures go far enough without broader wealth redistribution and tax reform, citing stark inequality data, while Andrew Pakes welcomed progress and sought assurance of sustained focus.
cost-of-living · fiscal-policy · economy-jobs
28 April 2026· Oral Questions
Costs for Commuters
Labour ministers outlined government action to reduce commuter costs, including a frozen national bus fare cap and the first rail fare freeze in 30 years, which will save typical commuters around £360 annually. Two backbenchers raised constituency-specific concerns: Cooper pressed for investment in Southern rail's reliability as it moves into public ownership, while Kearns called for rural fuel duty relief to be expanded beyond current areas to support car-dependent communities.
transport · cost-of-living · fiscal-policy
28 April 2026· Oral Questions
Government Procurement: British Businesses
The government outlined reforms to procurement rules designed to help British businesses—particularly small firms and regional manufacturers—win more government contracts. The Chancellor emphasised spending on domestic production in sectors including steel, shipbuilding and energy infrastructure, while Conservative questioners sought to claim credit for post-Brexit freedoms that enabled such policy, prompting the Chancellor to argue that the previous government had failed to use those freedoms and that closer EU trade relationships remained essential to growth.
economy-jobs · fiscal-policy
28 April 2026· Other
Local Area Energy Plans
James Naish moved to introduce a Bill requiring English local authorities to produce and maintain local area energy plans, linking community engagement to infrastructure delivery. The motion passed unopposed. Naish argued that £40 billion in annual energy investment between now and 2030 risks proceeding without meaningful local input, and that mandatory plans would shift energy projects from something done to communities to something done with them, reducing conflict and delays.
energy · local-government · environment
28 April 2026· Oral Questions
Global Trade: Support for Businesses
MPs questioned the government on support for British businesses trading globally. The government highlighted new trade deals, expanded UK Export Finance, and industrial competitiveness schemes. Conservative opposition raised concerns about regulatory overinterpretation in financial services and energy costs strangling industrial clusters, seeking strategic support rather than ad hoc measures.
economy-jobs · energy · fiscal-policy
28 April 2026· Oral Questions
Fuel Costs: Support for Motorists
MPs questioned the government on fuel duty and support for motorists facing rising costs. The Labour government defended its freeze on fuel duty (lower in real terms than since 1993) and recent fuel affordability measures, while Conservatives and the SNP criticized inaction and called for further relief. The debate revealed tension over whether fuel prices stem from international factors or government policy failures.
cost-of-living · fiscal-policy · transport