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

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Latest edition: 2-6 February 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.

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

2-6 February 2026

The new Lord Speaker will take over the Woolsack and the new Archbishop of Canterbury will be introduced to the House of Lords. In the Commons, Cabinet ministers John Healey, David Lammy, Liz Kendall and Emma Reynolds will face MPs’ questions, while Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Treasury Minister James Murray give evidence to Select Committees. MPs will decide whether to carry over the High Speed Rail (Crewe–Manchester) Bill for repurposing as the Northern Powerhouse Rail Bill and will debate legislation to abolish the two-child benefit limit. The Conservatives will choose the topic(s) for an Opposition Day debate, and there’s a backbench debate on Palestine. Peers will debate bills on prioritisation of medical training places and on Budget-related changes to National Insurance Contributions.

The statue of Oliver Cromwell in front of Westminster Hall. Image: The statue of Oliver Cromwell in front of Westminster Hall © Hansard Society / Richard Greenhill

26-30 January 2026

MPs will debate the Armed Forces Bill, the Finance Bill, and the Railways Bills and legislation to prioritise UK medical students for training places will be fast-tracked through all its Commons stages in one day. Cabinet members Rachel Reeves, Pat McFadden and Peter Kyle will face oral questions. The Conservatives will select the subject of Wednesday’s Opposition Day debate. In the Lords, the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, Crime and Policing Bill, Pension Schemes Bill, English Devolution Bill, and Assisted Dying Bill will make further progress, and Peers will debate a UK–EU customs union. Both Houses will mark Holocaust Memorial Day. The Defence Secretary, the Security Minister and the Prime Minister’s Chief Secretary face Select Committee hearings. Committees will also take evidence on digital ID and the UK’s relationship with the United States.

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The Elizabeth Tower from Parliament Square. Image: The Elizabeth Tower from Parliament Square © Hansard Society / Richard Greenhill

19-23 January 2026

Labour MPs may stage a backbench rebellion in the Commons over amendments to the Hillsborough Law (the Public Office (Accountability) Bill). MPs will also debate changes to four other bills. The Foreign Secretary faces departmental questions, including on Iran and Greenland, while Cabinet Office Ministers will be quizzed on digital ID and relations with the EU. In the Lords, six new Peers will be introduced, including former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies and Iceland boss Richard Walker. Peers will examine seven bills and spend a seventh Friday in Committee on the assisted dying bill. Select Committees will hear from former Defence Secretaries Sir Ben Wallace and Sir Grant Shapps, Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey, the German Ambassador, Attorney General Lord Hermer KC, and former head of the National Farmers’ Union Baroness (Minette) Batters.

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Parliament seen from Trafalgar Square. Image: Parliament seen from Trafalgar Square © Hansard Society / Richard Greenhill

12-16 January 2026

The result of the election for the next Lord Speaker will be announced. In the Commons, Government amendments addressing the “family farm tax” will be considered during Committee Stage of the Finance (No. 2) Bill. The Hillsborough Law is expected to complete its remaining stages in the Commons, and the Sentencing and the Diego Garcia Bills the same in the Lords. Peers will consider the assisted dying bill for a sixth day in Committee. MPs will debate an e-petition calling for a new general election, new towns, financial support during the pandemic, and the importance of the Arctic and High North. Select Committees will hear evidence from former OBR chair Richard Hughes on the UK’s fiscal framework, two Cabinet Ministers on AI and copyright, and the Housing and Courts Ministers on their responsibilities.

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Portcullis House. Image: Portcullis House © Hansard Society / Richard Greenhill

5-9 January 2026

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The Christmas tree in New Palace Yard. Image: The Christmas tree in New Palace Yard © House of Commons

15-18 December 2025

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The Houses of Parliament from Westminster Bridge. Image: The Houses of Parliament from Westminster Bridge © Hansard Society / Richard Greenhill

8-12 December 2025

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The Silver Jubilee Fountain in New Palace Yard. Image: The Silver Jubilee Fountain in New Palace Yard © House of Commons, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 https://flickr.com/photos/uk_parliament/54916409881

1-5 December 2025

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View alongside the Treasury building towards Parliament Square. Image: View alongside the Treasury building towards Parliament Square © Hansard Society / Richard Greenhill

24-27 November 2025

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The Victoria Tower and the Henry VII Chapel of Westminster Abbey. Image: The Victoria Tower and the Henry VII Chapel of Westminster Abbey © Hansard Society / Richard Greenhill

17-21 November 2025

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The Elizabeth Tower illuminated with poppies for Remembrance Sunday (2024). Image: Remembrance © House of Commons, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 https://www.flickr.com/photos/uk_parliament/54141907249

10-14 November 2025

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Who goes home? Taxi call light at Old Palace Yard. Image: Who goes home? Taxi call light at Old Palace Yard © Hansard Society / Richard Greenhill

3-5 November 2025

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Westminster Bridge by night. Image: Westminster Bridge by night © Hansard Society / Richard Greenhill

27-31 October 2025

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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 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.

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