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Latest / Highlights

News / Rachel Reeves' Spring Statement: The fallout at Westminster - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 82

Is Rachel Reeves gearing up for a standard Spring Statement — or are we in emergency budget territory? In this episode we dig into what form next week’s parliamentary statement might take and why it may be more than just an economic update. We trace the history of the “one fiscal event” a year rule, explore the tough choices facing the Chancellor, and ask whether Parliament still has any real say over tax and spending. Plus, could post-legislative scrutiny finally be coming into its own?

21 Mar 2025
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News / Assisted dying bill: Special series #8 - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 83

In this eighth 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 Danny Kruger MP, a leading voice opposing the bill on the Public Bill Committee, to explore the political, procedural, and constitutional complexities of this landmark legislation.

21 Mar 2025
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News / Assisted dying bill: Special series #7 - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 81

In this episode, we speak with Bambos Charalambous MP about the assisted dying bill’s key amendment, shifting oversight from a High Court Judge to a specialist panel. He explains why the Committee has debated this change but won’t vote on it yet. We also discuss parliamentary procedures, the bill’s timeline, and social media’s role in the debate. Plus, Ruth and Mark analyse the challenges ahead in getting the bill through the Commons and the House of Lords.

14 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 And when a law’s purpose is abandoned, should it be amended or repealed?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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