House of Commons Debates
191 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 - 10 Jan - 13 Mar (4 debates) | ||
| March - 13 Mar (1 debate) | ||
| 13 Mar 2023 (1 debate) | ||
|
Immigration and Border Security Bill - Clause 1
Bill Debate
|
Suella Braverman Fareham and Waterlooville Reform | View |
| February - 20 Feb (1 debate) | ||
| 20 Feb 2023 (1 debate) | ||
|
Knowsley Incident
Ministerial Statement
|
Robert Jenrick Newark Reform | View |
| January - 10-16 Jan (2 debates) | ||
| 16 Jan 2023 (1 debate) | ||
|
The Execution of Alireza Akbari
Ministerial Statement
|
James Cleverly Braintree Con | View |
| 10 Jan 2023 (1 debate) | ||
|
Windrush Lessons Learned Review: Implementation of Recommendations
Ministerial Statement
|
Sarah Dines Constituency Con | View |
| 2022 - 06 Jan - 19 Dec (22 debates) | ||
| December - 08-19 Dec (5 debates) | ||
| 19 Dec 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Migration and Economic Development
Ministerial Statement
|
Suella Braverman Fareham and Waterlooville Reform | View |
| 14 Dec 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Scotland’s Future
General Debate
|
Tommy Sheppard Edinburgh East SNP | View |
| 13 Dec 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Illegal Immigration
Ministerial Statement
|
Rishi Sunak Richmond and Northallerton Con | View |
| 12 Dec 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
British Council Contractors: Afghanistan
Ministerial Statement
|
Andrew Mitchell Sutton Coldfield Con | View |
| 08 Dec 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Seasonal Worker Visas: Sponsorship Certificates
Ministerial Statement
|
Robert Jenrick Newark Reform | View |
| November - 02 Nov (1 debate) | ||
| 02 Nov 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Prime Minister
General Debate
|
Meg Hillier Hackney South and Shoreditch Labour (Co-op) | View |
| October - 20 Oct (1 debate) | ||
| 20 Oct 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Chinese Consul General: Manchester Protest
Ministerial Statement
|
Jesse Norman Hereford and South Herefordshire Con | View |
| June - 14-15 Jun (2 debates) | ||
| 15 Jun 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Migration and Economic Development Partnership with Rwanda
Ministerial Statement
|
Priti Patel Witham Con | View |
| 14 Jun 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
HM Passport Office Backlog
General Debate
|
Stephen Kinnock Aberavon Maesteg Lab | View |
| May - 11-18 May (3 debates) | ||
| 18 May 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Foreign National Offender Removal Flights
Ministerial Statement
|
Tom Pursglove Corby Con | View |
| 12 May 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
HM Passport Office Backlogs
Ministerial Statement
|
Tom Pursglove South Suffolk Con | View |
| 11 May 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Jim Fitton: Detention in Iraq
Ministerial Statement
|
James Cleverly Braintree Con | View |
| April - 19 Apr (1 debate) | ||
| 19 Apr 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Global Migration Challenge
Ministerial Statement
|
Priti Patel Witham Con | View |
| March - 01-18 Mar (6 debates) | ||
| 18 Mar 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
IMMIGRATION (HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE STAFF) BILL
General Debate
|
None | View |
| 15 Mar 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
International Travel
Ministerial Statement
|
Grant Shapps Welwyn Hatfield Con | View |
| 14 Mar 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme
Ministerial Statement
|
Michael Gove Surrey Heath Con | View |
| 10 Mar 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
UK Support for Aid Workers and the Afghan People
Ministerial Statement
|
Sarah Champion Rotherham Lab | View |
| 08 Mar 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Ukraine: Urgent Refugee Applications
General Debate
|
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown North Cotswolds Con | View |
| 01 Mar 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Ukraine
Ministerial Statement
|
Priti Patel Witham Con | View |
| February - 09 Feb (1 debate) | ||
| 09 Feb 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
TOEIC English Language Tests
Ministerial Statement
|
Kevin Foster Constituency Con | View |
| January - 06-20 Jan (2 debates) | ||
| 20 Jan 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
British Council Staff: Afghanistan
Ministerial Statement
|
Amanda Milling Constituency Con | View |
| 06 Jan 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme
Ministerial Statement
|
Victoria Atkins Louth and Horncastle Con | View |
| 2021 - 28 Apr - 16 Dec (24 debates) | ||
| December - 06-16 Dec (5 debates) | ||
| 16 Dec 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Backbench Business - Christmas AdjournmentBackbench Business
General Debate
|
Bob Blackman Harrow East Con | View |
| 15 Dec 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Asylum Seeker Accommodation: RAF Manston
Ministerial Statement
|
Tom Pursglove Corby Con | View |
| 08 Dec 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Nationality and Borders Bill
Bill Debate
|
Diana R. Johnson Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham Lab | View |
| 07 Dec 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Immigration Act - Various new clauses and amendments to the Immigration Act
Bill Debate
|
Rosie Winterton Stockport Lab | View |
| 06 Dec 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Covid-19 Update
Ministerial Statement
|
Sajid Javid Bromsgrove Con | View |
| November - 15-22 Nov (2 debates) | ||
| 22 Nov 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Channel Crossings in Small Boats
Ministerial Statement
|
Priti Patel Witham Con | View |
| 15 Nov 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Amnesty International Offices in Hong Kong
Adjournment Debate
|
Andrew Rosindell Romford Reform | View |
| October - 18-25 Oct (3 debates) | ||
| 25 Oct 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe
Ministerial Statement
|
James Cleverly Braintree Con | View |
| 22 Oct 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Immigration (Health and Social Care Staff) Bill
General Debate
|
None | View |
| 18 Oct 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Oral Answers to Questions
General Debate
|
None | View |
| September - 06-20 Sep (4 debates) | ||
| 20 Sep 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
International Travel
Ministerial Statement
|
Grant Shapps Hastings and Rye Con | View |
| 13 Sep 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Afghanistan Policy
Ministerial Statement
|
Victoria Atkins Louth and Horncastle Con | View |
| 06 Sep 2021 (2 debates) | ||
|
Afghanistan
Ministerial Statement
|
Boris Johnson Uxbridge and South Ruislip Con | View |
|
Afghanistan: FCDO Update
Ministerial Statement
|
Dominic Raab Esher and Walton Con | View |
| August - 18 Aug (1 debate) | ||
| 18 Aug 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Afghanistan
General Debate
|
Boris Johnson Uxbridge and South Ruislip Con | View |
| July - 01-21 Jul (5 debates) | ||
| 21 Jul 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Forced Repatriation of Chinese Seamen from Liverpool After World War Two
Adjournment Debate
|
Kim Johnson Liverpool Riverside Lab | View |
| 20 Jul 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Nationality and Borders Bill - Clause 8
Bill Debate
|
Alberto Costa South Leicestershire Con | View |
| 19 Jul 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
International Travel Rules
Ministerial Statement
|
Robert Courts Oxford West and Abingdon Con | View |
| 08 Jul 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
International Travel
Ministerial Statement
|
Grant Shapps Hastings and Rye Con | View |
| 01 Jul 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Backbench Business
General Debate
|
Helen Hayes Dulwich and West Norwood Lab | View |
| June - 15-29 Jun (2 debates) | ||
| 29 Jun 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
EU Settlement Scheme
Ministerial Statement
|
Kevin Foster Torbay Con | View |
| 15 Jun 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Covid-Secure Borders
General Debate
|
Nick Thomas-Symonds Torfaen Lab | View |
| May - 26 May (1 debate) | ||
| 26 May 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Transit Site: Walsall
Adjournment Debate
|
Valerie Vaz Walsall South Lab | View |
| April - 28 Apr (1 debate) | ||
| 28 Apr 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Immigration
General Debate
|
Holly Lynch Hamsworth Lab | View |