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

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Latest edition: 20-24 October 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.

The Palace of Westminster seen from Hungerford Bridge. Image: The Palace of Westminster seen from Hungerford Bridge © Hansard Society / Richard Greenhill

20-24 October 2025

MPs will focus on the Bill to implement the UK–Mauritius Treaty transferring sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, the Sentencing Bill, and the Renters’ Rights Bill which is expected to be sent for Royal Assent. They will also discuss Scottish devolution and Black History Month, while the Northern Ireland Secretary gives evidence on the Windsor Framework and the legacy of the Troubles. In the Lords, the new Select Committee to consider the assisted dying bill begins its work. Peers will also examine the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, the Fraud Recovery Bill, and the Deprivation of Citizenship Orders Bill. They will hear from the Bank of England Governor, and consider the proposed suspension of former Lord Speaker, Baroness D’Souza.

London Eye and River Thames view from the Elizabeth Tower. Image: View from the Elizabeth Tower © House of Commons, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 https://www.flickr.com/photos/uk_parliament/54760719014

13-16 October 2025

Parliament returns this week after a three-week recess. MPs may address developments in Israel and Gaza, the collapse of the China spying case, plans for digital ID, and recent immigration announcements. They will also scrutinise four Bills, question four departmental ministerial teams, debate baby loss and badger culling, and hear evidence from tax experts, energy executives, and travel and immigration experts. In the Lords, the membership of the new Select Committee to consider the Assisted Dying Bill will be confirmed. Peers will examine six Government Bills, debate the National Policy Statement for Ports, and question the Border Security Commander. Two new Peers, Liz Lloyd and Jason Stockwood, will take their seats following their recent ministerial appointments. Read here

Doorway at the Sovereign’s Entrance to the Palace of Westminster. Image: Doorway at the Sovereign’s Entrance to the Palace of Westminster © Hansard Society / Richard Greenhill

15-19 September 2025

Peers will vote on the assisted dying bill’s Second Reading, while MPs will question the new Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood MP and Lord Chancellor David Lammy MP. The Commons will debate the Employment Rights, English Devolution and Community Empowerment, and Sentencing Bills, as Peers examine the Planning and Infrastructure and Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bills. Committees will hear evidence on arms exports to Israel and the Online Safety Act. MPs will also debate an e-petition on SEND support and consider a Ten Minute Rule Bill on child poverty strategy, including removing the two-child limit for Universal Credit. The youngest minister in nearly two centuries will make his first appearance before a Select Committee.

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New Palace Yard seen from Bridge Street. Image: New Palace Yard seen from Bridge Street © Hansard Society / Richard Greenhill

8-12 September 2025

The Assisted Dying Bill has its Second Reading in the Lords, while in the Commons the Chancellor and Defence Secretary are among the Ministers facing questions. MPs also begin work on the Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill and three other bills, on renters’ rights, bus services and pensions. Peers will examine bills on border security, planning, and children’s wellbeing, and will debate an Order to facilitate earlier prisoner deportation. Lisa Nandy appears before the Culture Committee, Lord Hermer before the Constitution Committee, and there is a pre-appointment hearing for the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists. MPs debate two e-petitions on indefinite leave to remain, and Sharon White, the former boss of retailer John Lewis, is formally introduced to the House of Lords.

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The Palace of Westminster seen across the Thames from the south east. Image: The Palace of Westminster seen across the Thames from the south east © Hansard Society / Richard Greenhill

1-5 September 2025

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The House of Lords’ recently renovated door. Image: The House of Lords’ recently renovated door © Hansard Society / Richard Greenhill

21-24 July 2025

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The Palace of Westminster seen from Abingdon Street Gardens. Image: The Palace of Westminster seen from Abingdon Street Gardens © Hansard Society / Richard Greenhill

14-18 July 2025

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New security fencing at St Stephen’s entrance. Image: New security fencing at St Stephen’s entrance © Hansard Society / Richard Greenhill

7-11 July 2025

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The Out gate at Black Rod’s Garden. Image: The Out gate at Black Rod’s Garden © Hansard Society / Richard Greenhill

30 June - 4 July 2025

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The Palace of Westminster across the Thames from the London Eye. Image: The Palace of Westminster across the Thames from the London Eye © Hansard Society / Richard Greenhill

23-27 June 2025

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Parliament and Portcullis House seen behind the open-mouthed base of a dolphin lamp post. Image: Parliament behind a dolphin lamp post © Hansard Society / Richard Greenhill

16-20 June 2025

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Portcullis House, the London Eye and the Elizabeth Tower of the Palace of Westminster seen from Parliament Square. Image: Portcullis House, the London Eye and the Elizabeth Tower © Hansard Society / Richard Greenhill

9-13 June 2025

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Statue of Richard the Lionheart in front of the West face of the Palace of Westminster. Image: The Houses of Parliament from Old Palace Yard © Hansard Society / Richard Greenhill

2-6 June 2025

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Big Ben behind chimneys. © Mistervlad - stock.adobe.com

19-23 May 2025

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Cromwell Green overlooked by Big Ben amid a glowing cloudy sky. © Marcus Jones - stock.adobe.com

12-16 May 2025

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Aerial view of Parliament across the River Thames. © Spanic - stock.adobe.com

5-9 May 2025

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Elevated view of the illuminated Westminster Palace and Big Ben clock tower during a colourful evening. © moofushi - stock.adobe.com

28 April - 2 May 2025

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Fountain of St Thomas gardens and Big Ben. © Mistervlad - stock.adobe.com

22-25 April 2025

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Building work up high on the Palace of Westminster. © romansucho67 - stock.adobe.com

7-8 April 2025

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

31 March - 4 April 2025

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

24-28 March 2025

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

17-21 March 2025

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

10-14 March 2025

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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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©Adobe Stock

4-8 November 2024

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©Adobe Stock

28 October-1 November 2024

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21-25 October 2024

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©Adobe Stock

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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©Adobe Stock

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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Parliament Matters Bulletin

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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 / Parliament Matters Bulletin: What’s coming up in Parliament this week? 20-24 October 2025

MPs will focus on the Bill to implement the UK–Mauritius Treaty transferring sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, the Sentencing Bill, and the Renters’ Rights Bill which is expected to be sent for Royal Assent. They will also discuss Scottish devolution and Black History Month, while the Northern Ireland Secretary gives evidence on the Windsor Framework and the legacy of the Troubles. In the Lords, the new Select Committee to consider the assisted dying bill begins its work. Peers will also examine the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, the Fraud Recovery Bill, and the Deprivation of Citizenship Orders Bill. They will hear from the Bank of England Governor, and consider the proposed suspension of former Lord Speaker, Baroness D’Souza.

19 Oct 2025
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News / Parliament’s spying scandal: Why was the China case dropped? - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 110

It’s been a tumultuous week in Westminster, with three ministerial statements on the China spying case and fresh questions about the collapse of charges against two alleged spies. We are joined by Cambridge public law expert Professor Mark Elliott to untangle the legal and political fallout, from espionage claims inside MPs’ offices to confusion over whether China was ever designated an “enemy state.” We also explore looming government challenges — the Budget, Afghan data leak, local election setbacks — and the membership of the new Select Committee to consider the assisted dying legislation in the House of Lords. Please help us by completing our Listener Survey. It will only take a few minutes.

17 Oct 2025
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News / Former Prime Ministers: The role of Parliament in life after No 10 - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 109

In this episode, we speak with Peter Just, author of a new book, Margaret Thatcher: Life After Downing Street. Peter explores how Thatcher reinvented herself after her departure to maintain her status as an international figure, and how she remained a parliamentary thorn in John Major’s side. We also compare her parliamentary afterlife with that of other Prime Ministers, and consider the value that former leaders can bring to the institution of Parliament. Please help us by completing our Listener Survey. It will only take a few minutes.

03 Oct 2025
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Briefings / Assisted dying - The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Rolling news

Stay informed with updates and analysis on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill as it moves through Parliament. Learn about the debates, procedures, decisions, and key milestones shaping the assisted dying legislation.

15 May 2025
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News / What are the Usual Channels? A short history of Westminster whipping - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 108

In this episode, we talk to political journalist Seb Whale about his new book, The Usual Channels, which reveals the hidden world of Westminster’s whips. Seb charts how party discipline has evolved – from the stormy politics of the 1970s and the Maastricht battles of the 1990s to the legendary “black book,” the Brexit showdowns and the short-lived Liz Truss premiership. He explains how the whips’ office has adapted to a modern Parliament – especially with the influx of women MPs – and why, even today, whips still wield decisive influence over MPs’ careers and remain indispensable despite the pressures of contemporary politics. Please help us by completing our Listener Survey. It will only take a few minutes.

26 Sep 2025
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