Parliament Matters Bulletin: What's happening in Parliament today?

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

Latest edition: 13-14 May 2026

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.

Latest edition: What’s coming up in Parliament?

The Chamber of the House of Lords at the last State Opening of Parliament. Image: The Chamber of the House of Lords at the last State Opening of Parliament © House of Lords / Roger Harris

13-14 May 2026

Parliament returns on Wednesday with the State Opening and the King’s Speech marking the start of a new parliamentary session. Many traditions will be observed, including presentation of the Outlawries Bill and the Select Vestries Bill and an order instructing the Metropolitan Police to prevent “stoppages in the street”. In the Commons, the Speaker will remind MPs of their duties and responsibilities, before debate begins on the Loyal Address. The Education Committee will take evidence on the benefits of children reading for pleasure, and the Home Affairs Committee will consider responses to antisemitism.

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Parliament Matters Bulletin: Past Editions

The west facade of the Palace of Westminster overlooking Old Palace Yard. Image: The west facade of the Palace of Westminster overlooking Old Palace Yard © Hansard Society / Richard Greenhill

27-30 April 2026

Ahead of prorogation, the Foreign Affairs Committee will question Morgan McSweeney and Sir Philip Barton about Lord Mandelson’s appointment as Ambassador to Washington. The week will be dominated by legislative “ping-pong” on four Bills: the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, the Pensions Schemes Bill, the Crime and Policing Bill, and the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. MPs will also consider carry-over motions for the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill and the Public Office (Accountability) Bill. Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden will face MPs’ questions. Peers will debate agricultural payment reforms, while select committees examine national security, social media harms, and environmental oversight. Proceedings may be curtailed by prorogation bringing an end to the Session on Wednesday.

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The Grand Committee Room in front of Westminster Hall. Image: The Grand Committee Room in front of Westminster Hall © Hansard Society / Richard Greenhill

20-24 April 2026

The Prime Minister will make a statement on recent revelations concerning the security vetting of Peter Mandelson. The Foreign Affairs Committee may hear from Olly Robbins, the civil servant who headed the Foreign Office who was sacked last week. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is also set to face oral questions from MPs. Legislative “ping-pong” between the two Houses continues on the English Devolution, Victims and Courts, Pension Schemes, Crime and Policing, Children’s Wellbeing and Schools, and Tobacco and Vapes Bills. The assisted dying bill reaches its final scheduled day of debate before the Session ends. There are general debates in the Commons on allied health professionals and on reform of the DVLA, and in the Lords on clean energy and rural communities and on cancer outcomes. The Joint Committee on Human Rights will question the Northern Ireland Secretary on the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill.

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The Elizabeth Tower behind Portcullis House. Image: The Elizabeth Tower behind Portcullis House © Hansard Society / Richard Greenhill

13-16 April 2026

Ministerial Statements are expected on developments during the recess, particularly in the Middle East and on Russian submarine activity. The English Devolution Bill completes its final Lords stages, while legislative “ping-pong” continues on the Pension Schemes, Victims and Courts, Crime and Policing, and Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bills. MPs scrutinising the Courts and Tribunals Bill will examine proposals to restrict jury trials. In the Lords, two bills – on the Grenfell Tower Memorial and ministerial salaries – will be fast-tracked through all stages in a single day. MPs will debate SEND reform, statutory menstrual leave, children’s safeguarding, and accessibility in the House of Commons. The Lords will consider changes to Immigration Rules and access rights for departing hereditary peers. Chloe Mawson becomes the first woman to serve as Clerk of the Parliaments. And the Treasury Committee will hold an appointment hearing with the new chief executive of the Prudential Regulatory Authority.

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The Palace of Westminster seen from the gardens of St Thomas’ Hospital. Image: The Palace of Westminster seen from the gardens of St Thomas’ Hospital © Pawel Pajor / stock.adobe.com

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News / Parliament Matters Bulletin: What’s coming up in Parliament this week? 13-14 May 2026

Briefings / The assisted dying bill: How could the Parliament Act be used?

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill – the bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales – fell at the close of the 2024-2026 parliamentary session, after running out of time in the House of Lords. Attention has now shifted to whether the bill could return in the next session and, if so, whether it could be enacted using the procedures set out in the Parliament Act. This briefing explains the Parliament Act procedure, examines previous uses of the Act and the procedural lessons that may be drawn from them, and looks at the constitutional issues involved.

News / What now? The local election fallout hits Westminster - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 141

Labour’s disastrous local election results have intensified speculation about Keir Starmer’s future. But if pressure on the leadership continues to grow, how exactly do Labour’s leadership rules work – and what would it take to mount a serious challenge? Now that the Scottish and Welsh elections are over, attention will turn to governing. How do the devolved parliaments return to business? And in Wales, where the Senedd will install a non-Labour First Minister and government for the first time in its history, how will the process work? Could a new administration trigger fresh tensions with Westminster and Whitehall? Listen and subscribe: Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Acast · YouTube · Other apps · RSS

News / Dynamic alignment and Henry VIII powers: What will the Government’s EU reset mean for Parliament? - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 139

A major “EU reset” bill could allow Ministers to dynamically align UK law with EU rules using so-called Henry VIII powers, raising fresh questions about Parliament’s role and scrutiny. We are joined by Professor Catherine Barnard to explore the trade-offs and implications. We also examine Parliament’s surprise block on Church of England governance reforms and ask whether shutting down Parliament for a two-week prorogation – when it cannot be recalled – is wise in an increasingly unstable world. Listen and subscribe: Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Acast · YouTube · Other apps · RSS

Submissions / Written Parliamentary Questions - Our evidence to the House of Commons Procedure Committee

The use of Written Parliamentary Questions (WPQs) is rising sharply. Since July 2024, MPs have tabled questions at unprecedented levels. By late 2025 MPs were tabling over 600 per sitting day, more than double the long-term average. WPQs are a cornerstone of parliamentary scrutiny, helping MPs obtain information, challenge government policy and put issues on the public record. But this surge raises important questions about how Parliament balances transparency and accountability with the practical limits of the system. The House of Commons Procedure Committee is now examining the issue and has just published our submission containing our latest data and analysis.

Latest edition: What’s coming up in Parliament?

13-14 May 2026

Parliament Matters Bulletin: Past Editions

27-30 April 2026

20-24 April 2026

13-16 April 2026

23-27 March 2026

16-20 March 2026

9-13 March 2026

2-6 March 2026

23-27 February 2026

9-12 February 2026

2-6 February 2026

26-30 January 2026

19-23 January 2026

12-16 January 2026

5-9 January 2026

15-18 December 2025

8-12 December 2025

1-5 December 2025

24-27 November 2025

17-21 November 2025

10-14 November 2025

3-5 November 2025

27-31 October 2025

20-24 October 2025

13-16 October 2025

15-19 September 2025

8-12 September 2025

1-5 September 2025

21-24 July 2025

14-18 July 2025

7-11 July 2025

30 June - 4 July 2025

23-27 June 2025

16-20 June 2025

9-13 June 2025

2-6 June 2025

19-23 May 2025

12-16 May 2025

5-9 May 2025

28 April - 2 May 2025

22-25 April 2025

7-8 April 2025

31 March - 4 April 2025

24-28 March 2025

17-21 March 2025

10-14 March 2025

3-7 March 2025

24-28 February 2025

10-14 February 2025

3-7 February 2025

27-31 January 2025

20-24 January 2025

13-17 January 2025

6-10 January 2025

16-20 December 2024

9-13 December 2024

2-6 December 2024

25-29 November 2024

18-22 November 2024

11-15 November 2024

4-8 November 2024

28 October-1 November 2024

21-25 October 2024

14-18 October 2024

7-11 October 2024

9-13 September 2024

2-6 September 2024

29 July-2 August 2024

22-26 July 2024

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