House of Commons Debates
194 main chamber debates on legislation and government business
What are House of Commons Debates?
House of Commonsdebates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons, where MPs scrutinise legislation, debate government policy, and hold ministers accountable. These debates are central to the UK's democratic process and cover everything from new bills to urgent matters of national importance.
- Debates cover bills at various stages of the legislative process, from first reading to final approval
- MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and propose amendments to legislation
- Urgent debates address time-sensitive issues requiring immediate parliamentary attention
- General debates allow wide-ranging discussion on government policy and current affairs
Types of House of Commons debates:
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Ministerial Statements: Government ministers announce major policy decisions. Minister speaks -> Shadow Secretary responds -> MPs ask questions.
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Urgent Questions: MPs ask pressing questions requiring immediate government response. MP asks -> Minister answers -> Follow-up questions.
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Adjournment Debates: End-of-day debates where an MP raises a constituency concern. MP presents issue (15-30 mins) -> Minister responds.
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General Debates: Multiple MPs debate legislation, budgets, or policies. Various speakers -> May include minister/shadow responses -> Sometimes ends with vote.
| Debate | Lead MP | Actions |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 - 09 Jan - 18 Nov (30 debates) | ||
| November - 04-18 Nov (4 debates) | ||
| 18 Nov 2024 (1 debate) | ||
|
Primary School Breakfast Clubs
Adjournment Debate
|
Tan Dhesi Slough Lab | View |
| 06 Nov 2024 (1 debate) | ||
|
Ways and Means
General Debate
|
Jonathan Reynolds Stalybridge and Hyde Labour (Co-op) | View |
| 05 Nov 2024 (1 debate) | ||
|
Ways and Means
General Debate
|
Wes Streeting Ilford North Lab | View |
| 04 Nov 2024 (1 debate) | ||
|
Higher Education Reform
Ministerial Statement
|
Bridget Phillipson Houghton and Sunderland South Lab | View |
| October - 09-15 Oct (3 debates) | ||
| 15 Oct 2024 (1 debate) | ||
|
Spice-spiked Vapes
Adjournment Debate
|
Wera Hobhouse Bath Lib Dem | View |
| 10 Oct 2024 (1 debate) | ||
|
Universities: Freedom of Speech
Ministerial Statement
|
Catherine McKinnell Newcastle upon Tyne North Lab | View |
| 09 Oct 2024 (1 debate) | ||
|
Higher Education: Staffordshire
Adjournment Debate
|
Adam Jogee Newcastle-under-Lyme Lab | View |
| September - 02-03 Sep (2 debates) | ||
| 03 Sep 2024 (1 debate) | ||
|
Ofsted
Ministerial Statement
|
Catherine McKinnell Newcastle upon Tyne North Lab | View |
| 02 Sep 2024 (1 debate) | ||
|
Technology in Public Services
General Debate
|
Peter Kyle Hove and Portslade Lab | View |
| July - 17-24 Jul (2 debates) | ||
| 24 Jul 2024 (1 debate) | ||
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Education and Opportunity
General Debate
|
Bridget Phillipson Houghton and Sunderland South Lab | View |
| 17 Jul 2024 (1 debate) | ||
|
Debate on the Address
General Debate
|
Peter Dowd Bootle Lab | View |
| May - 16-23 May (6 debates) | ||
| 23 May 2024 (1 debate) | ||
|
Church Commissioners
General Debate
|
Desmond Swayne New Forest West Con | View |
| 22 May 2024 (1 debate) | ||
|
Funding for Local Councils
Adjournment Debate
|
Helen Morgan North Shropshire Lib Dem | View |
| 21 May 2024 (1 debate) | ||
|
Allergy Guidance for Schools
Adjournment Debate
|
Alicia Kearns Rutland and Stamford Con | View |
| 17 May 2024 (2 debates) | ||
|
School Attendance Bill - Clause not specified, debate on third reading of the bill
Bill Debate
|
Vicky Ford Chelmsford Con | View |
|
Secure Schools (Placement Conditions) Bill - Third Reading
Bill Debate
|
Caroline Johnson Sleaford and North Hykeham Con | View |
| 16 May 2024 (1 debate) | ||
|
Relationships, Sex and Health Education: Statutory Guidance
Ministerial Statement
|
Gillian Keegan Stafford Con | View |
| April - 23-29 Apr (4 debates) | ||
| 29 Apr 2024 (1 debate) | ||
|
Post-16 Education: Isles of Scilly
Adjournment Debate
|
Derek Thomas St Ives Con | View |
| 26 Apr 2024 (1 debate) | ||
|
The Bereaved Parental Leave and Pay Bill - Third reading of the bill
Bill Debate
|
Chris Elmore Bridgend Lab | View |
| 25 Apr 2024 (1 debate) | ||
|
Ofsted’s Work with Schools
Ministerial Statement
|
Robin Walker Worcester Con | View |
| 23 Apr 2024 (1 debate) | ||
|
Neurodivergent Conditions (Screening and Teacher Training)
General Debate
|
Matthew Hancock West Suffolk Con | View |
| March - 06-19 Mar (2 debates) | ||
| 19 Mar 2024 (1 debate) | ||
|
Music Education
Adjournment Debate
|
Michael Ellis Northampton North Con | View |
| 06 Mar 2024 (1 debate) | ||
|
Ways and Means - Financial Statement and Budget Report
Ministerial Statement
|
Jeremy Hunt Godalming and Ash Con | View |
| February - 02-27 Feb (2 debates) | ||
| 27 Feb 2024 (1 debate) | ||
|
Higher Education (Student Finance and Skills Shortages)
General Debate
|
Lia Nici Great Grimsby Con | View |
| 02 Feb 2024 (1 debate) | ||
|
School Attendance (Support and Guidance) Bill - Clause 1 & Clause 2
Bill Debate
|
Vicky Ford Chelmsford Con | View |
| January - 09-30 Jan (5 debates) | ||
| 30 Jan 2024 (1 debate) | ||
|
Autism (Early Identification)
General Debate
Duncan Baker
Orchestrating a Bill on Autism Identification
|
Duncan Baker Orchestrating a Bill on Autism Identification | View |
| 23 Jan 2024 (2 debates) | ||
|
Miscellaneous
General Debate
|
Bridget Phillipson Houghton and Sunderland South Lab | View |
|
Children Not in School: National Register and Support
General Debate
|
Bridget Phillipson Houghton and Sunderland South Lab | View |
| 15 Jan 2024 (1 debate) | ||
|
Public Services in Cornwall: Funding
Adjournment Debate
|
Steve Double St Austell and Newquay Con | View |
| 09 Jan 2024 (1 debate) | ||
|
Schools (Mental Health Professionals)
General Debate
|
Munira Wilson Twickenham Lib Dem | View |
| 2023 - 10 Jan - 08 Nov (20 debates) | ||
| November - 08 Nov (1 debate) | ||
| 08 Nov 2023 (1 debate) | ||
|
Breaking Down Barriers to Opportunity
General Debate
|
Gillian Keegan Knowsley Con | View |
| October - 17 Oct (1 debate) | ||
| 17 Oct 2023 (1 debate) | ||
|
Core School Budget Allocations
Ministerial Statement
|
Nick Gibb Wealden Con | View |
| September - 04-19 Sep (5 debates) | ||
| 19 Sep 2023 (1 debate) | ||
|
School Building Closures
Ministerial Statement
|
Gillian Keegan Constituency Con | View |
| 12 Sep 2023 (1 debate) | ||
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RSE Curriculum: Northern Ireland Schools
Adjournment Debate
|
Carla Lockhart Upper Bann DUP | View |
| 06 Sep 2023 (1 debate) | ||
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Safety of School Buildings
General Debate
|
Bridget Phillipson Houghton and Sunderland South Lab | View |
| 04 Sep 2023 (2 debates) | ||
|
Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete in Education Settings
Ministerial Statement
|
Gillian Keegan Constituency Con | View |
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Education, Employment and Training: Young People
Adjournment Debate
|
Philip Hollobone Kettering Con | View |
| July - 17 Jul (1 debate) | ||
| 17 Jul 2023 (1 debate) | ||
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Higher Education Reform
Ministerial Statement
|
Gillian Keegan Somerton and Frome Con | View |
| June - 27-29 Jun (3 debates) | ||
| 29 Jun 2023 (1 debate) | ||
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Artificial Intelligence
General Debate
|
Matt Warman Boston and Skegness Con | View |
| 27 Jun 2023 (2 debates) | ||
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Schools (Gender and Parental Rights)
General Debate
|
Andrew Bridgen North West Leicestershire Con | View |
|
Opposition Day
General Debate
|
John Smith London Lab | View |
| May - 02-23 May (3 debates) | ||
| 23 May 2023 (1 debate) | ||
|
Safety of School Buildings
General Debate
|
Bridget Phillipson Houghton and Sunderland South Lab | View |
| 03 May 2023 (1 debate) | ||
|
Higher Education (England) Bill - New Clause 1 and Amendments to Clauses 1 and 2, and Probing Amendm...
Bill Debate
|
Matt Western Warwick and Leamington Lab | View |
| 02 May 2023 (1 debate) | ||
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Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill - Clause 4
Bill Debate
|
Claire Coutinho East Surrey Con | View |
| February - 21-27 Feb (3 debates) | ||
| 27 Feb 2023 (2 debates) | ||
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The Lifelong Learning (Higher Education Fee Limits) Bill
Bill Debate
|
Gillian Keegan Wells Con | View |
|
Boxing Clubs and Social Mobility
Adjournment Debate
|
James Daly Bury North Con | View |
| 21 Feb 2023 (1 debate) | ||
|
School Sport Facilities: Reopening
Adjournment Debate
|
Ben Bradley Mansfield Con | View |
| January - 10-19 Jan (3 debates) | ||
| 19 Jan 2023 (1 debate) | ||
|
Tackling Misogyny in Schools
Adjournment Debate
|
Alex Davies-Jones Pontypridd Lab | View |
| 11 Jan 2023 (1 debate) | ||
|
Fair Taxation of Schools and Education Standards Committee
General Debate
|
Bridget Phillipson Houghton and Sunderland South Lab | View |
| 10 Jan 2023 (1 debate) | ||
|
Sport in Schools and Communities
General Debate
|
Stuart Andrew Daventry Con | View |