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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 - 05 Jan - 13 Dec (21 debates) | ||
| December - 02-13 Dec (2 debates) | ||
| 13 Dec 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Free School Meals (Primary Schools)
General Debate
|
Zarah Sultana Coventry South Your Party | View |
| 02 Dec 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
The Dyslexia Identification and Support Bill - Clause 1: Introduction of dyslexia screening in prima...
Bill Debate
|
Matthew Hancock West Suffolk Con | View |
| November - 01 Nov (1 debate) | ||
| 01 Nov 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Internet Access (Children Eligible for Free School Meals)
General Debate
|
Siobhain McDonagh Mitcham and Morden Lab | View |
| July - 04-14 Jul (3 debates) | ||
| 14 Jul 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Educational Poverty: Children in Residential Care
Ministerial Statement
|
Robert Halfon Southend West Con | View |
| 06 Jul 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Estimates Day
General Debate
|
Robert Halfon Southend West Con | View |
| 04 Jul 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Medieval History in Schools
Adjournment Debate
|
Alexander Stafford Rother Valley Con | View |
| June - 07 Jun (1 debate) | ||
| 07 Jun 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Children’s Education Recovery and Childcare Costs
General Debate
|
Bridget Phillipson Houghton and Sunderland South Lab | View |
| May - 16 May (1 debate) | ||
| 16 May 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Making Britain the Best Place to Grow Up and Grow Old
General Debate
|
Nadhim Zahawi Stratford-on-Avon Con | View |
| March - 02-18 Mar (8 debates) | ||
| 18 Mar 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
CLIMATE EDUCATION BILL
General Debate
|
None | View |
| 17 Mar 2022 (3 debates) | ||
|
Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities
Ministerial Statement
|
Kemi Badenoch North West Essex Con | View |
|
Education Catch-Up Programme
Ministerial Statement
|
Robert Halfon East Ham Con | View |
|
Educational Assessments
Adjournment Debate
|
Flick Drummond Meon Valley Con | View |
| 15 Mar 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Physical Activity and Health Outcomes
Adjournment Debate
|
Andrew Selous South West Bedfordshire Con | View |
| 09 Mar 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Estimates Day - [3rd allotted day]Estimates Day
General Debate
|
Robert Halfon Southend West Con | View |
| 08 Mar 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Institutes of Technology (Royal Charter)
General Debate
|
Robert Buckland South Swindon Con | View |
| 02 Mar 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls
General Debate
|
Yvette Cooper Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley Lab | View |
| February - 02-04 Feb (3 debates) | ||
| 04 Feb 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Down Syndrome (Enforcement of Rights) Bill - Third Reading
Bill Debate
|
Liam Fox Wyre Forest Con | View |
| 03 Feb 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Backbench Business
General Debate
|
Robert Halfon Harlow Con | View |
| 02 Feb 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Levelling Up
Ministerial Statement
|
Michael Gove Surrey Heath Con | View |
| January - 05-14 Jan (2 debates) | ||
| 14 Jan 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Education (Extension of Duty to Provide Careers Guidance) Bill - Clause 1 - Extension of duty to pro...
Bill Debate
|
Christopher Chope Christchurch Con | View |
| 05 Jan 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Education: Return in January
Ministerial Statement
|
Nadhim Zahawi Constituency Con | View |
| 2021 - 12 Mar - 15 Dec (29 debates) | ||
| December - 07-15 Dec (2 debates) | ||
| 15 Dec 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
School Openings: January 2022
Ministerial Statement
|
Robert Halfon Harlow Con | View |
| 07 Dec 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Dyslexia Screening
General Debate
|
Matthew Hancock West Suffolk Con | View |
| November - 03-26 Nov (6 debates) | ||
| 26 Nov 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Down’s Syndrome (Access to Services) Bill
Bill Debate
|
Liam Fox Wokingham Con | View |
| 23 Nov 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Climate Education
General Debate
|
Nadia Whittome Nottingham East Lab | View |
| 15 Nov 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Education (Further Education) Bill - Second Reading
Bill Debate
|
Nadhim Zahawi Stratford-on-Avon Con | View |
| 09 Nov 2021 (2 debates) | ||
|
School-based Counselling Services
General Debate
|
Not specified in the provided text None | View |
|
School-based Counselling Services
General Debate
|
Nick Brown Newcastle upon Tyne East Lab | View |
| 03 Nov 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Schools and Educational Settings (Essential Infrastructure and Opening During Emergencies)
General Debate
|
Robert Halfon Benfleet and Brantridge Con | View |
| October - 21-27 Oct (2 debates) | ||
| 27 Oct 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Ways and Means - Financial Statement
Ministerial Statement
|
Rishi Sunak Richmond and Northallerton Con | View |
| 21 Oct 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Black History Month
Adjournment Debate
|
Abena Oppong-Asare Erith and Thamesmead Lab | View |
| September - 08-23 Sep (4 debates) | ||
| 23 Sep 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Coronavirus: Education Setting Attendance and Support for Pupils
Ministerial Statement
|
Alex Burghart Brentwood and Ongar Con | View |
| 13 Sep 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Levelling-up Agenda in the North
Adjournment Debate
|
Ian Lavery Blyth and Ashington Lab | View |
| 10 Sep 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Education (Students' Right to Guidance) Bill - Clause 1
Bill Debate
|
Mark Jenkinson Workington Con | View |
| 08 Sep 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Multi-Academy Trusts (Ofsted Inspection)
General Debate
|
Jonathan Gullis Stoke-on-Trent North Con | View |
| July - 06-22 Jul (3 debates) | ||
| 22 Jul 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Awarding Qualifications in 2021 and 2022
Ministerial Statement
|
Nick Gibb Bognor Regis and Littlehampton Con | View |
| 12 Jul 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Universities Bill
Bill Debate
|
Gavin Williamson Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge Con | View |
| 06 Jul 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Covid-19: Education Settings
Ministerial Statement
|
Gavin Williamson Stone Con | View |
| June - 07-30 Jun (6 debates) | ||
| 30 Jun 2021 (1 debate) | ||
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Covid-19: Impact on Attendance in Education Settings
Ministerial Statement
|
Gavin Williamson Stone Con | View |
| 15 Jun 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Catch-up Premium
General Debate
|
Bridget Phillipson Houghton and Sunderland South Lab | View |
| 10 Jun 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Ofsted Review of Sexual Abuse in Schools and Colleges
Ministerial Statement
|
Vicky Ford North East Cambridgeshire Con | View |
| 09 Jun 2021 (2 debates) | ||
|
Investing in Children and Young People
General Debate
|
Kate Green Stretford and Urmston Lab | View |
|
Prime Minister
General Debate
|
Gavin Newlands Paisley and Renfrewshire North SNP | View |
| 07 Jun 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Education Recovery
Ministerial Statement
|
Gavin Williamson Stone Con | View |
| May - 13-18 May (2 debates) | ||
| 18 May 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Anderson School (Chigwell)
Adjournment Debate
|
Gagan Mohindra South West Hertfordshire Con | View |
| 13 May 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Debate on the Address
General Debate
|
Gavin Williamson Stone Con | View |
| April - 14-15 Apr (2 debates) | ||
| 15 Apr 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
English Language Sector
Adjournment Debate
|
Conor Burns Bournemouth West Con | View |
| 14 Apr 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Prime Minister
General Debate
|
Gagan Mohindra South West Hertfordshire Con | View |
| March - 12-17 Mar (2 debates) | ||
| 17 Mar 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Education Employment (Accompaniment To Hearings)
General Debate
|
Brendan Clarke-Smith Erewash Con | View |
| 12 Mar 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
School Uniform Costs Bill - Clause 1
Bill Debate
|
Christopher Chope Christchurch Con | View |