Jobs & Employment

Select Committee Statement on the First Report of the Work and Pensions Committee, Employment support for disabled people: Connect to Work, HC 77

The Work and Pensions Committee will present its first report on employment support for disabled people, examining the effectiveness of the Connect to Work scheme. The statement will outline findings on how well current support helps disabled people move into and stay in work, identifying gaps and recommending improvements to the government's approach.

Women and Equalities (including Topical Questions)

Oral questions to the Women and Equalities Department cover the government's work on gender equality, women's rights, and equalities issues across public policy. The session includes topical questions, allowing MPs to raise urgent or current issues affecting women and equalities groups. This is a routine opportunity for scrutiny of the department's progress on equal pay, workplace discrimination, support for vulnerable groups, and implementation of equalities legislation.

Ways and Means (Income tax (mileage amounts))

This Ways and Means motion authorises the government to change the approved mileage allowance relief (MAR) rates that employees and the self-employed can claim as tax-free expenses when using their own vehicles for work. The motion, brought by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, adjusts the permitted amounts per mile—typically set for cars, motorcycles, and bicycles—which directly affects how much workers can deduct from taxable income. The change is procedurally necessary under tax law to implement revised mileage rates, likely reflecting inflation or policy shifts in how the government supports home and remote working.

Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee: The Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance (Decisions and Appeals) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (SI, 2026, No.457)

This delegated legislation committee will scrutinise amendments to the rules governing how decisions are made and appealed on four key welfare benefits: Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Jobseeker's Allowance, and Employment and Support Allowance. The regulations alter the appeals process and decision-making procedures for claimants challenging benefit awards or entitlements.

Scottish Affairs Committee: Securing Scotland’s Future: Defence Skills and Jobs

The Scottish Affairs Committee will take oral evidence on how Scotland can secure defence-related employment and develop skills for the sector. The inquiry examines the link between defence industry investment, job creation, and workforce development in Scotland, with particular focus on ensuring Scottish workers and businesses benefit from defence spending and manufacturing opportunities.

Second Delegated Legislation Committee: The draft Employment Tribunal (Extension of Time Limits) (Miscellaneous Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2026

Parliament will debate two draft statutory instruments that amend employment tribunal rules on time limits for bringing claims. The regulations extend certain procedural deadlines and make technical amendments to jurisdiction rules in England and Wales. This is a technical update to employment law, debated in committee rather than on the main floor.

British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme surplus sharing arrangements

Lee Anderson (Reform UK, Ashfield) is raising the matter of how surplus funds in the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme should be distributed. The adjournment debate will examine the arrangements for sharing any surplus accumulated in the pension scheme, which affects former coal industry workers and their retirement benefits.

Safeguarding human rights in supply chains

This Westminster Hall debate, sponsored by Labour MP Bambos Charalambous, examines how UK businesses can be held accountable for human rights abuses in their supply chains. The debate will address whether current law adequately protects workers and communities in countries where UK companies source goods and materials, and what stronger safeguards or transparency requirements might be needed.

Women and Equalities Committee: Beyond participation: Routes into sport for girls and women

The Women and Equalities Committee will hear oral evidence on barriers preventing girls and women from entering and progressing in sport. The inquiry examines not just participation but pathways into coaching, management, and professional roles within the sports sector. The evidence session will explore structural obstacles, funding gaps, and systemic inequalities that limit female representation across sports careers.

Tackling abuse against people in customer-facing roles

A Westminster Hall debate on abuse and harassment faced by workers in customer-facing roles—such as shop staff, bus drivers, healthcare workers, and hospitality employees. The debate will examine the scale of the problem, its impact on worker wellbeing and retention, and what measures government and employers should take to protect these staff from verbal abuse, violence, and threats.

Work and Pensions Committee: The work of the Department for Work and Pensions

The Work and Pensions Committee will examine the Department for Work and Pensions' overall performance and policy agenda. This oral evidence session allows MPs to scrutinise the department's work on employment support, welfare reform, and pension policy—core areas that touch millions of working-age people and retirees. The hearing will test whether DWP initiatives are meeting their stated aims and identify emerging pressures in the labour market and social security system.

Justice Committee: Rehabilitation and resettlement: ending the cycle of reoffending

The Justice Committee is gathering oral evidence on how to break the cycle of reoffending through better rehabilitation and resettlement of prisoners. The inquiry examines what support helps released offenders reintegrate into work and housing, and what systemic changes could reduce the proportion who return to crime.

Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee: The draft Pensions (Abolition of Lifetime Allowance Charge etc) Regulations 2026

This delegated legislation committee will scrutinise draft regulations that abolish the lifetime allowance charge on pensions from 2026. The lifetime allowance was a cap on total pension savings that triggered a tax charge if exceeded; abolishing it removes this tax penalty and simplifies the pensions system. The committee will examine whether the regulations correctly implement the policy and whether they create any unintended consequences for pension savers and administrators.

Impact of the University of the Air White Paper on lifelong learning opportunities

This Westminster Hall debate examines the government's University of the Air White Paper and its implications for lifelong learning. The discussion will focus on how the policy expands access to education and skills training for adults across the UK, particularly those seeking to retrain or upskill outside traditional university routes.

Treasury Committee: Student loans and taxation of graduates

The Treasury Committee will hear oral evidence on how student loans interact with the UK's tax system and how graduates are taxed on their earnings. The session will examine whether current arrangements create perverse incentives, affect graduate work decisions, and whether the tax treatment of loan repayments is fair and efficient. This bridges two major policy areas: higher education finance and personal taxation.

Work and Pensions Committee: Safeguarding Vulnerable Claimants: One year on

The Work and Pensions Committee is conducting a follow-up inquiry into how the welfare system protects vulnerable claimants, one year after its initial investigation. The hearing will examine progress on safeguarding measures, whether protections for people claiming benefits — including those with disabilities, health conditions, and financial difficulties — have improved, and what gaps remain in support for those at highest risk of falling through the system.

Women and Equalities Committee: Work of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) 20026-27

The Women and Equalities Committee will take oral evidence on the Equality and Human Rights Commission's work during 2026–27. The session will scrutinise the EHRC's performance in enforcing equality law, investigating discrimination, and promoting human rights across employment, education, and public services. This is a routine accountability hearing that allows MPs to examine whether the watchdog is effectively protecting groups from unlawful treatment.

Scottish Affairs Committee: Securing Scotland’s Future: Defence Skills and Jobs

The Scottish Affairs Committee will take oral evidence on how Scotland can develop and retain defence-sector skills and jobs. The inquiry examines the link between Scotland's defence industry capacity and wider economic opportunity, against a backdrop of skills shortages and competition for talent across the UK defence supply chain.

Government regulation of maternity nurses, nannies and the infant sleep industry

An adjournment debate called by Connor Rand (Labour MP for Altrincham and Sale West) on whether the government should regulate maternity nurses, nannies, and the infant sleep industry. The debate will examine the case for bringing these childcare and infant-care roles under statutory regulation, quality standards, and oversight, rather than leaving them largely to market forces and private arrangement.

Northern Ireland Affairs Committee: Economic growth in Northern Ireland: new and emerging sectors

The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee will take oral evidence on economic growth opportunities in Northern Ireland, focusing on new and emerging sectors. The inquiry examines which industries offer the best prospects for job creation and regional development, and what conditions would help these sectors flourish.

Commemorations for the centenary of the General Strike

An adjournment debate on commemorating the centenary of the 1926 General Strike, sponsored by Labour MP Laurence Turner. The debate will examine how Parliament and the nation should mark this pivotal moment in British labour history, when a nine-day nationwide strike saw workers across industries collectively withdraw labour in solidarity with coal miners facing wage cuts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the publication of the Young People and Work: Interim Report

Helen Whately, a Conservative MP, is asking the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to make a statement following publication of the Young People and Work: Interim Report. The question seeks clarification on the government's response to findings about young people's participation in the labour market and their transition from education into work.

Silica dust exposure in the workplace

A Westminster Hall debate on occupational silica dust exposure, sponsored by Liberal Democrat Liz Jarvis. The session will examine the health risks posed by silica dust inhalation in workplaces, workplace safety standards, and what action is needed to protect workers in affected industries.

Treasury Committee: Student loans and taxation of graduates

The Treasury Committee will take oral evidence on the intersection of student loans and the taxation of graduates. The inquiry examines how student loan repayment obligations interact with the income tax system, the impact on graduate earnings and employment incentives, and whether current policies create unintended consequences for young workers' take-home pay and career choices.

Relationship between Social Security Scotland and the Department for Work and Pensions

This adjournment debate examines how Social Security Scotland, the devolved benefits agency, works with the UK Department for Work and Pensions. The debate will probe coordination between the two bodies on welfare delivery, funding, and policy alignment—particularly important as Scotland administers some benefits independently while others remain reserved to Westminster.

The Equality Act 2010 Draft Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations

Seema Malhotra will present a ministerial statement on a draft code of practice under the Equality Act 2010, which sets out guidance on how organisations must comply with equality law when providing services, carrying out public functions, and running associations. The code clarifies the practical standards expected of businesses, public bodies, and voluntary organisations in preventing discrimination and ensuring equal access.

Work and Pensions Committee: Youth employment, education and training

The Work and Pensions Committee will hear oral evidence on youth employment, education and training. This inquiry examines how young people transition from school into work or further study, and whether current support systems—including apprenticeships, training schemes, and job support—are effective at reducing youth unemployment and improving economic opportunity.

Justice Committee: Rehabilitation and resettlement: ending the cycle of reoffending

The Justice Committee is holding oral evidence sessions to investigate how to break the cycle of reoffending through better rehabilitation and resettlement of prisoners. The inquiry examines what works to help offenders reintegrate into society, reduce reoffending rates, and ease pressure on the prison system.

Debate on the Address: Proposed subject for debate: Getting Britain working again

A Commons debate on the government's approach to employment and economic growth under the banner 'Getting Britain working again'. The debate will air broad government priorities on job creation, workforce participation, and economic strategy, likely covering tax, spending, and labour-market policy. This is an Opposition response to the government's legislative agenda and spending priorities.

Women and Equalities (including Topical Questions)

This is a scheduled oral question session for the Women and Equalities department, where MPs can pose topical questions to government ministers about women's rights, gender equality, and equalities policy. The session allows parliamentarians to scrutinise the department's work on issues spanning workplace discrimination, reproductive rights, violence against women, and equal pay, with topical questions allowing MPs to raise urgent or contemporary issues.

Women and Equalities Committee: Experiences of women in live comedy

The Women and Equalities Committee will hear oral evidence on the experiences of women in live comedy. This inquiry examines barriers, discrimination, and workplace conditions that women comedians face in the live performance sector, including issues of safety, harassment, pay equity, and opportunities for progression.

Consideration of Lords message to the Pension Schemes Bill

The Commons will consider amendments and messages sent from the House of Lords to the Pension Schemes Bill. This is a technical parliamentary stage where the two chambers reconcile their positions on pension scheme regulations, likely covering contribution rates, scheme management, or benefit protections. The outcome determines the final form of pension rules affecting millions of workers and retirees.

Work and Pensions (including Topical Questions)

This is a routine oral questions session for the Department for Work and Pensions, where MPs can question the Secretary of State and ministers on departmental matters including welfare policy, employment support, and related social security issues. Topical questions allow MPs to raise urgent, current issues affecting working people and benefit claimants.

Access to education and training for young adult carers

This Westminster Hall debate examines barriers to education and training for young people who have caring responsibilities for family members. Young adult carers often struggle to access further education, apprenticeships, and skills training due to time constraints and financial pressures from their caring duties, and this debate seeks to highlight the issue and explore solutions.

General Debate on contribution of allied health professionals

A backbench debate on the role and contribution of allied health professionals (such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and radiographers) to the NHS and wider healthcare system. The debate will examine how these professionals support patient care, health outcomes, and workforce capacity, likely touching on recruitment, training, recognition, and integration within healthcare teams.

Scottish Affairs Committee: Securing Scotland’s Future: Defence Skills and Jobs

The Scottish Affairs Committee is conducting an inquiry into how Scotland can secure skilled jobs and economic opportunities in the defence sector. The session will hear oral evidence on defence skills development, employment prospects, and what support is needed to enable Scottish workers and businesses to benefit from defence industry growth.

Status of current pension schemes

Nick Thomas-Symonds will deliver a ministerial statement on the status of current pension schemes. This will likely cover the government's assessment of the health of UK pension arrangements, any policy changes, and the sustainability of the pensions system affecting millions of savers and retirees.

Foundation Programme and its role in supporting and retaining junior doctors

A Westminster Hall debate on the Foundation Programme and its effectiveness in supporting and retaining junior doctors in the NHS. The debate will examine whether current programme structures and support mechanisms are adequate to keep junior doctors in the medical profession and address workforce retention challenges.

Army Reserve

Steve Barclay is leading a Westminster Hall debate on the Army Reserve, Britain's part-time military force. The debate will likely examine the role, recruitment, retention, and funding of reserve personnel who support the regular armed forces.

Work and Pensions Committee: The work of Skills England

The Work and Pensions Committee will hold an oral evidence session to scrutinise the work and effectiveness of Skills England, the government body responsible for coordinating skills development and training across the country. This inquiry examines how Skills England is delivering on its mandate to improve workforce skills and support economic growth.