News and coverage

News

News and coverage

News, press releases, selected coverage, and media appearances and contributions.

Hansard Society staff are happy to speak to the media about our research and recommendations. The Society’s research team features regularly in broadcast, print and online media, and staff write and contribute to news and comment articles.

Latest

News / Parliament Matters Bulletin: What’s coming up in Parliament this week? 22-25 April 2025

MPs will debate the Bill to overturn the Sentencing Council’s guideline on pre-sentence reports, as well as the Bank Resolution (Recapitalisation) Bill. The Liberal Democrats will choose the topic for Wednesday's Opposition Day debate. In the House of Lords, Peers will debate the Renters’ Rights Bill and the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, while the Mental Health Bill is expected to receive its Third Reading. The Transport Secretary will appear before the Transport Committee, and three constitution-focused select committee hearings will cover elections in the House of Commons, treaty scrutiny, and the rule of law.

News / Whipping Yarns: A Chief Whip's tale - A conversation with former Chief Whip Simon Hart - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 87 transcript

In our latest ‘Whipping Yarn’, we talk with Simon Hart, former Conservative Chief Whip during Rishi Sunak’s Premiership. Hart opens up about his time in one of Westminster’s most demanding and discreet roles, chronicled in his new book, ‘Ungovernable: The Political Diaries of a Chief Whip’.

News / Whipping Yarns: A Chief Whip's tale - A conversation with former Chief Whip Simon Hart - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 87

News / Parliament Matters Bulletin: What’s coming up in Parliament this week? 7-8 April 2025

It’s a short week in Westminster, with the Commons sitting for just two days and the Lords already on Easter recess. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will face the Liaison Committee, while Chancellor Rachel Reeves answers questions in the Chamber – both will face MPs’ questions for the first time since Donald Trump’s tariff announcement. Deputy PM Angela Rayner will be questioned on the work of her department, and Wes Streeting will be grilled by the Health Select Committee on plans to abolish NHS England. Select Committees will also examine the Seventh Carbon Budget and the state of local government finances.

News / The sentencing guidelines row: A product of poor law-making? - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 86

The Government has published “emergency legislation” to block new sentencing guidelines. But why does Parliament have limited oversight of the Sentencing Council? Has heavy handed policing interfered with the work of an MP? What do disabled MPs make of Westminster - the building and the procedures? And after a 25-hour speech brought the US Senate to a halt, could it ever happen at Westminster?