Parliament Matters Bulletin: What's happening in Parliament today?

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

Latest edition: 9-13 June 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.

Latest edition: What’s coming up in Parliament?

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

The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves MP, will deliver a statement on the Spending Review. MPs will resume Report Stage of the assisted dying bill and debate key legislation on football governance, mental health, and planning and infrastructure. Peers and MPs are expected to resolve their standoff over AI and copyright in the Data (Use and Access) Bill. The Commons Defence Committee will hear from the lead reviewers of the Strategic Defence Review, while a Lords Committee will examine the Chagos Archipelago sovereignty issue. The Hansard Society’s Director will give evidence to the Modernisation Committee about access to the House of Commons and its procedures.

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Parliament Matters Bulletin: Past Editions

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

Legislation to give Ministers powers to update product regulations, including by aligning with EU standards, will be debated by MPs. The battle between the Commons and the Lords over AI and copyright provisions in the Data (Use and Access) Bill enters a further round, led by Baroness Kidron who is championing the interests of the creative industries. MPs will debate an e-petition to decriminalise abortion. The Border Security Bill, Employment Rights Bill, and Sentencing Guidelines Bill will be scrutinised by Peers. There are backbench debates on high street banking closures and the safety of battery energy storage. Increases to Peers' allowances and a new second homes allowance will be put to the Lords. The Home Secretary and Lord Chancellor face oral questions from MPs. Read here

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

19-23 May 2025

Stella Creasy MP and Richard Tice MP will lead a backbench debate on the EU–UK summit. The Foreign Affairs Committee will hold a joint session with its Ukrainian counterpart on Russian misinformation. MPs will question the Defence Secretary, Chancellor of the Exchequer and Northern Ireland Secretary. Scrutiny of seven Government bills will continue in both Houses. Debate topics in the Commons will include an e-petition on transgender self-identification, and support for local pubs. On the Committee corridor, highlights include sessions on the security of undersea cables and the accessibility of the parliamentary estate. Michael Gove will be formally introduced to the House of Lords as its newest member. Read here

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

12-16 May 2025

The assisted dying bill returns to the Commons for its Report Stage. Liz Kendall, David Lammy and Peter Kyle will face MPs’ questions. The Conservative Party will choose the topic for an Opposition Day debate, while Caroline Johnson MP leads a backbench debate on solar farms. OFCOM officials will be questioned about MPs who have second jobs as TV presenters, and Thames Water executives face select committee scrutiny over the company’s leadership. Four new Conservative Peers, including former ministers, will join the House of Lords. Ten Government bills will be scrutinised in the Chamber or by committees across both Houses. Read here

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

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Latest / Highlights

News / Parliament Matters Bulletin: What’s coming up in Parliament this week? 9-13 June 2025

News / Indefensible? How Government told Parliament about the Strategic Defence Review - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 95

In this episode, we explore why ministers keep bypassing Parliament to make major announcements to the media — and whether returning to the Despatch Box might help clarify their message. We unpack the Lords' uphill battle to protect creators’ rights in the Data Use and Access Bill, challenge claims that the Assisted Dying Bill lacks scrutiny, and examine early findings from a Speaker’s Conference on improving security for MPs, as threats and intimidation against politicians continue to rise. Please help us by completing our Listener Survey. It will only take a few minutes.

Submissions / Parliamentary scrutiny of treaties - Our evidence to the House of Lords International Agreements Committee

Our evidence on treaty scrutiny has been published by the House of Lords International Agreements Committee. Our submission outlines the problems with the existing framework for treaty scrutiny and why legislative and cultural change are needed to improve Parliament's scrutiny role. Our evidence joins calls for a parliamentary consent vote for the most significant agreements, a stronger role for Parliament in shaping negotiating mandates and monitoring progress, and a sifting committee tasked with determining which agreements warrant the greatest scrutiny.

News / Will Parliament get its teeth into Keir Starmer's trade deals? - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 94

You wait ages for a post-Brexit trade deal – and then three show up at once. With the Government unveiling new agreements with India, the US and the EU, we explore why Parliament has so little influence over these major international agreements. Liam Byrne MP, a former Labour Minister and current chair of the House of Commons Business and Trade Committee argues that this needs to change. Please help us by completing our Listener Survey. It will only take a few minutes.

News / Assisted dying bill: Special series #12 - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 93

Is Kim Leadbeater's Assisted Dying Bill now "over the hump?" The Bill's supporters got it though its first day of Report Stage consideration in the House of Commons unscathed, with comfortable majorities in every vote. So, with debate on the most contentious set of amendments disposed of, will it now coast through its remaining scrutiny days in the Commons? Please help us by completing our Listener Survey. It will only take a few minutes.

Latest edition: What’s coming up in Parliament?

9-13 June 2025

Parliament Matters Bulletin: Past Editions

2-6 June 2025

19-23 May 2025

12-16 May 2025

5-9 May 2025

28 April - 2 May 2025

22-25 April 2025

7-8 April 2025

31 March - 4 April 2025

24-28 March 2025

17-21 March 2025

10-14 March 2025

3-7 March 2025

24-28 February 2025

10-14 February 2025

3-7 February 2025

27-31 January 2025

20-24 January 2025

13-17 January 2025

6-10 January 2025

16-20 December 2024

9-13 December 2024

2-6 December 2024

25-29 November 2024

18-22 November 2024

11-15 November 2024

4-8 November 2024

28 October-1 November 2024

21-25 October 2024

14-18 October 2024

7-11 October 2024

9-13 September 2024

2-6 September 2024

29 July-2 August 2024

22-26 July 2024

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