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Parliament Matters Bulletin: Our weekly analysis of what's coming up in Parliament

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Latest edition: 16-20 December 2024

Westminster is always buzzing with political drama and rumours, but whatever the daily gossip or latest crisis, law-making and parliamentary scrutiny carries on regardless. That’s why it’s crucial to stay informed about what’s happening in Parliament each week. The Parliament Matters Bulletin is our weekly analysis of what's coming up in the House of Commons and House of Lords, as a complement to our weekly Parliament Matters Podcast.

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16-20 December 2024

MPs will review five Bills, including the Water (Special Measures) Bill and debate two E-Petitions on Israel and Palestine, one on halting arms exports to Israel, raising sub judice concerns. Six Select Committees will see membership changes following front bench reshuffles and Peers will consider proposals for four new 2025 inquiry committees.The Defence Committee Chair will raise concerns about poor service accommodation, while Angela Rayner, Yvette Cooper, Shabana Mahmood, Wes Streeting, and Michael Gove face Select Committees.

9-13 December 2024

Peers will begin scrutiny of the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill, while MPs focus on the Finance Bill. At Justice questions Suella Braverman will ask Ministers about the International Criminal Court, and Pat McFadden will give evidence to a Select Committee about the work of the Cabinet Office and the civil service. Lord Arbuthnot will question plans to overturn convictions of sub-postmasters affected by the faulty Capture accounting system, the predecessor to Horizon.

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2-6 December 2024

Rachel Reeves will field questions in the Chamber, as her Bill to authorise the Budget proposals increasing National Insurance Contributions reaches its Second Reading debate. MPs will also discuss the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report. The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards will face questions on the work of his office. The Government may introduce a money motion for the assisted dying Bill this week, allowing up to 45 minutes of debate, though it is not yet listed in the business papers. There may also be news on the appointment of members to its Public Bill Committee.

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25-29 November 2024

Kim Leadbeater’s assisted dying bill takes the spotlight ahead of Friday’s crucial Commons debate. Meanwhile, the Foreign Secretary will face questions in the Chamber and on the Committee corridor as global tensions escalate. In the Lords, Peers will debate the Mental Health Bill and Football Governance Bill, while MPs tackle the Finance Bill. Pioneering “point of care” medicine manufacturing regulations and the state of NHS finances are also on the agenda, with the latter under review by the Public Accounts Committee.

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18-22 November 2024

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11-15 November 2024

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4-8 November 2024

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28 October-1 November 2024

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21-25 October 2024

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14-18 October 2024

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7-11 October 2024

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The Palace of Westminster. ©Adobe Stock

9-13 September 2024

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2-6 September 2024

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Parliament Matters Bulletin

Subscribe to our newsletter to get this weekly 'look ahead' at what's happening in Parliament and why it matters, straight into your inbox as soon as it's published.

Parliament Matters podcast cover image. ©Hansard Society

Parliament Matters Podcast

Presented by Mark D'Arcy, former BBC parliamentary correspondent, and our Director, Ruth Fox, you can listen to our weekly podcast by subscribing via your favourite app.

News / Will Parliament pay a price for promises to WASPI women? - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 61

As Christmas approaches, Westminster eases into its pre-festive lull. Yet, a major political storm clouds the year’s end: the fallout from the Government’s decision not to compensate the WASPI women. This controversy highlights a recurring dilemma in politics—the risks of opposition parties over-promising and the inevitable backlash when those promises confront the harsh realities of governing. And as a seasonal stocking filler, Ruth and Mark talk to the authors of two fascinating books that uncover hidden aspects of parliamentary history.

20 Dec 2024
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News / Parliament Matters Bulletin: What's coming up in Parliament this week? 16-20 December 2024

MPs will review five bills, including the Water (Special Measures) Bill, and debate two e-petitions on Israel and Palestine, including one on halting arms exports to Israel which may raise sub judice concerns. Six Select Committees will see membership changes following front bench reshuffles, and Peers will consider proposals for four new inquiry committees for 2025. The Defence Committee Chair will raise concerns about poor service accommodation, while Angela Rayner, Yvette Cooper, Shabana Mahmood, Wes Streeting and Michael Gove face Select Committees.

15 Dec 2024
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Briefings / The Assisted Dying Bill: A guide to the Private Member's Bill process

This briefing explains what to watch for during the Second Reading debate of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill on 29 November. It outlines the procedural and legislative issues that will come into play: the role of the Chair in managing the debate and how procedures such as the 'closure' and 'reasoned amendments' work. It looks ahead to the Committee and Report stage procedures that will apply if the Bill progresses beyond Second Reading. It also examines the government's responsibilities, such as providing a money resolution for the Bill and preparing an Impact Assessment, while addressing broader concerns about the adequacy of Private Members’ Bill procedures for scrutinising controversial issues.

27 Nov 2024
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News / Licence to scrutinise: spooks, hereditary peers and assisted dying - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 60

In this week’s episode the ‘assisted dying’ bill takes centre stage as the newly chosen members of the Public Bill Committee gear up for detailed scrutiny of the legislation. With 23 members, including two ministers, this committee promises a mix of seasoned voices and first-time MPs debating a very difficult issue. We are joined by Hansard Society researcher, Matthew England, who breaks down the committee’s composition, party balance, and the strategic dynamics that will influence the bill’s trajectory.

13 Dec 2024
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News / How a British student has schooled the US Congress - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 58

In this special episode, we dive into the fascinating world of US congressional procedure with Hansard Society member Kacper Surdy, the once-anonymous force behind the influential social media account @ringwiss. Despite being a 20-year-old Durham University student, Kacper has become a go-to authority on Capitol Hill’s intricate rules, earning the admiration of seasoned political insiders. With Donald Trump hinting at bypassing Senate norms to appoint controversial figures to his cabinet, Kacper unravels the high stakes procedural battles shaping Washington.

04 Dec 2024
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