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

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Latest edition: 31 March - 4 April 2025

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.

Sunset over Westminster. © moofushi - stock.adobe.com

31 March - 4 April 2025

The Treasury Committee will question Chancellor Rachel Reeves and the chair of the Office for Budget Responsibility about the Spring Statement. MPs will debate the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill, including questions about future alignment or divergence from EU law. Heathrow and National Grid executives will be grilled about the recent power failure that brought the airport to a standstill. There will be several rounds of legislative ping-pong between the two Houses as they seek to reconcile their differences on amendments to the National Insurance and Non-Domestic Rating Bills. Peers will consider amendments to the Mental Health and Bus Services Bills.

Treasury building and phone box with woman walking past in Parliament Square. © Mistervlad - stock.adobe.com

24-28 March 2025

Chancellor Rachel Reeves will deliver the Spring Statement on the public finances. MPs will debate the new Planning and Infrastructure Bill for the first time. The Committee scrutinising the assisted dying bill is expected to conclude its work. Ping-pong will continue between the two Houses on the National Insurance Contributions, Non-Domestic Rating, Great British Energy, and Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bills. The House of Lords will continue considering amendments to the Bill abolishing hereditary peers. Both Houses will hold debates, and the Home Affairs Committee will take evidence, marking the tenth anniversary of the Modern Slavery Act. Read here

Big Ben with cruiser boat passing by at dusk. © Dzhoshkun Kamenov - stock.adobe.com

17-21 March 2025

MPs will debate an e-petition urging a compensation scheme for WASPI women, while Work and Pensions ministers face questions from MPs. The Commons scrutinises the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools, and National Insurance bills, while the Lords reviews the Football Governance, Non-Domestic Rating, Armed Forces Commissioner, and Holocaust Memorial bills. Consumer finance journalist Martin Lewis, tax policy expert Dan Neidle, and Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards Daniel Greenberg appear before select committees. Minister for Security Dan Jarvis will be questioned on defending democracy. Backbenchers lead debates on knife crime among young people and coastal communities. Read here

Big Ben, Portcullis House and the Norman Shaw Building seen from the Embankment. © Mistervlad - stock.adobe.com

10-14 March 2025

MPs will debate the Crime and Policing Bill for the first time, followed by two days of debate on the remaining stages of the Employment Rights Bill, including of some substantial Government amendments. Backbenchers will also lead debates on the future of farming, and mental health support in education. Peers will continue to scrutinise the legislation to abolish the right of the remaining hereditary peers to sit in the House of Lords, will consider new amendments to the Football Governance Bill and will complete their scrutiny of the controversial Product Regulation and Metrology Bill. Read here

Parliament and Portcullis House with the River Thames showing their reflection. © Mistervlad - stock.adobe.com

3-7 March 2025

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24-28 February 2025

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10-14 February 2025

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3-7 February 2025

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27-31 January 2025

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20-24 January 2025

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13-17 January 2025

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6-10 January 2025

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16-20 December 2024

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9-13 December 2024

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2-6 December 2024

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©Adobe Stock

25-29 November 2024

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© TT Studio / Adobe Stock

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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29 July-2 August 2024

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Palace of Westminster and Portcullis House (UK Houses of Parliament). © UK Parliament

22-26 July 2024

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News / Parliament Matters Bulletin: What’s coming up in Parliament this week? 31 March - 4 April 2025

The Treasury Committee will question Chancellor Rachel Reeves and the chair of the Office for Budget Responsibility about the Spring Statement. MPs will debate the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill, including questions about future alignment or divergence from EU law. Heathrow and National Grid executives will be grilled about the recent power failure that brought the airport to a standstill. There will be several rounds of legislative ping-pong between the two Houses as they seek to reconcile their differences on amendments to the National Insurance and Non-Domestic Rating Bills. Peers will consider amendments to the Mental Health and Bus Services Bills.

30 Mar 2025
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News / Spring Statement: House of Commons tensions grow over the economy - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 84

Political storm clouds are gathering over Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Spring Statement. What does it mean for Parliament, party discipline and the Government’s economic credibility. We speak to Dr Marie Tidball MP about her first months in Westminster - and the accessibility challenges facing disabled MPs. Plus, why did Peers get a vote on postponing local elections, but MPs didn’t?

28 Mar 2025
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News / Assisted dying bill: Special series #9 - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 85

In this ninth instalment of our special mini-podcast series, we continue to explore the latest developments in the progress of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, often referred to as the assisted dying bill. We are joined by Dr Marie Tidball MP to discuss the amendments she has secured for a Disability Advisory Board and an independent advocate for people with learning disabilities.

28 Mar 2025
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Blog / Breaching the 0.7% international aid target: a case study in legislative failure

The Prime Minister’s plan to cut international aid breaches the Government’s legal duty to meet the 0.7% spending target, raising constitutional concerns. Should an Act allow for premeditated non-compliance? Can a statutory duty imposed on Government by Parliament be overturned by a ministerial statement? And when a law’s purpose is abandoned, should it be amended or repealed? The fate of this Act exposes the flaws in declaratory legislation, weak parliamentary scrutiny, and executive dominance of Parliament.

03 Mar 2025
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Briefings / The assisted dying bill: How does the amendment process work?

The assisted dying bill (Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill) is now at the Committee stage, where a Public Bill Committee reviews the bill clause by clause. This briefing outlines the Committee’s role, how MPs propose changes to the bill and where these are published, how the Chair selects and groups amendments, and how these are debated and voted on.

10 Feb 2025
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