House of Commons Debates
285 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 - 10-16 Jan (2 debates) | ||
| January - 10-16 Jan (2 debates) | ||
| 16 Jan 2023 (1 debate) | ||
|
Trade Union Act [HL] - Clause 1
Bill Debate
|
Grant Shapps Hertford and Stortford Con | View |
| 10 Jan 2023 (1 debate) | ||
|
Industrial Action
Ministerial Statement
|
Grant Shapps Sarcelles Con | View |
| 2022 - 11 Jan - 20 Dec (28 debates) | ||
| December - 02-20 Dec (6 debates) | ||
| 20 Dec 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Shared Parental Leave and Pay (Bereavement)
General Debate
|
Darren Henry Vale of Clwyd Con | View |
| 19 Dec 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Maritime Labour Standards Bill - Clause 1
Bill Debate
|
Mark Harper Fittleworth Con | View |
| 07 Dec 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Post Office: GLO Compensation Scheme
Ministerial Statement
|
Grant Shapps Epping Forest Con | View |
| 06 Dec 2022 (2 debates) | ||
|
NHS Workforce
General Debate
|
Wes Streeting Ilford North Lab | View |
|
Employment
General Debate
|
Steven Bonnar Glasgow Cathcart SNP | 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 - 08-18 Nov (2 debates) | ||
| 18 Nov 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Fleet Solid Support Ships
Ministerial Statement
|
Alex Chalk Conway Con | View |
| 08 Nov 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Employee Share Ownership (Reform)
General Debate
|
George Howarth Knowsley Lab | View |
| October - 18 Oct (1 debate) | ||
| 18 Oct 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Working Time Regulations (Amendment)
General Debate
|
Peter Dowd Bootle Lab | View |
| July - 06-20 Jul (6 debates) | ||
| 20 Jul 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Prime Minister
General Debate
|
Kim Leadbeater Spen Valley Lab | View |
| 15 Jul 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Tips (Service Charges) Bill - Clause 1
Bill Debate
|
Dean Russell Watford Con | View |
| 13 Jul 2022 (2 debates) | ||
|
NHS Pensions and Staffing
Adjournment Debate
|
Daniel Poulter Central Suffolk and North Ipswich Con | View |
|
Fashion Supply Chain (Code and Adjudicator)
General Debate
|
Liz Twist Blaydon and Consett Lab | View |
| 11 Jul 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Employment Agencies and Trade Unions
General Debate
Jane Hunt
None
|
Jane Hunt None | View |
| 06 Jul 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Miscarriage Leave
General Debate
|
Angela Crawley Edinburgh East Lab | View |
| June - 14 Jun (1 debate) | ||
| 14 Jun 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
HM Passport Office Backlog
General Debate
|
Stephen Kinnock Aberavon Maesteg Lab | View |
| May - 12-17 May (3 debates) | ||
| 17 May 2022 (2 debates) | ||
|
Child Maintenance Arrears
Adjournment Debate
|
Kieran Mullan Bexhill and Battle Con | View |
|
Committees
General Debate
|
Eleanor Laing Epping Forest Con | View |
| 12 May 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Fairness at Work and Power in Communities
General Debate
|
Paul Scully Havant Con | View |
| March - 08-17 Mar (5 debates) | ||
| 17 Mar 2022 (4 debates) | ||
|
Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities
Ministerial Statement
|
Kemi Badenoch North West Essex Con | View |
|
P&O Ferries
Ministerial Statement
|
Robert Courts Westbury Con | View |
|
DWP Estate: Office Closures
Ministerial Statement
|
David Rutley Congleton Con | View |
|
Paid Miscarriage Leave
General Debate
|
Angela Crawley Lanark and Hamilton East Lab | View |
| 08 Mar 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Institutes of Technology (Royal Charter)
General Debate
|
Robert Buckland South Swindon Con | View |
| February - 02-09 Feb (2 debates) | ||
| 09 Feb 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Neonatal Leave and Pay
Adjournment Debate
|
Luke Hall Thornbury and Yate Con | View |
| 02 Feb 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Levelling Up
Ministerial Statement
|
Michael Gove Surrey Heath Con | View |
| January - 11-18 Jan (2 debates) | ||
| 18 Jan 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Coronavirus Grant Schemes: Fraud
Ministerial Statement
|
John Glen Salisbury Con | View |
| 11 Jan 2022 (1 debate) | ||
|
Co-operatives (Employee Company Ownership)
General Debate
|
Christina Rees Neath Lab | View |
| 2021 - 07 Sep - 07 Dec (20 debates) | ||
| December - 07 Dec (1 debate) | ||
| 07 Dec 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Prisons Strategy
Ministerial Statement
|
Victoria Atkins Louth and Horncastle Con | View |
| November - 03-29 Nov (5 debates) | ||
| 29 Nov 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Civil Service Pay
Adjournment Debate
|
Chris Stephens Glasgow South West SNP | View |
| 24 Nov 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Commercial Rent (Coronavirus) Act 2021 - Clause 1
Bill Debate
|
Paul Scully Bromley and Chislehurst Con | View |
| 16 Nov 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Finance Bill 2021-22
Bill Debate
|
Lucy Frazer South East Bedfordshire Con | View |
| 08 Nov 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
HGV Driving Licences
General Debate
|
Trudy Harrison Copeland Con | View |
| 03 Nov 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Kennels and Catteries: Economic and Social Contribution
Adjournment Debate
|
Sara Britcliffe Hyndburn Con | View |
| October - 19-28 Oct (7 debates) | ||
| 28 Oct 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
House of Commons Commission
General Debate
|
Robert Halfon Southend West Con | View |
| 27 Oct 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Ways and Means - Financial Statement
Ministerial Statement
|
Rishi Sunak Richmond and Northallerton Con | View |
| 26 Oct 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Budget: Pre-announcement of Provisions
Ministerial Statement
|
Simon Clarke Skegness Con | View |
| 22 Oct 2021 (3 debates) | ||
|
Fire and Rehire (Prohibition) Bill
Bill Debate
|
Barry Gardiner Brent West Lab | View |
|
Employment Bill - Clause on Fire and Rehire
Bill Debate
|
Barry Gardiner Brent North Lab | View |
|
Workers (Rights and Definition) Bill
General Debate
|
None | View |
| 19 Oct 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Bereavement Leave and Pay (Stillborn and Miscarried Babies)
General Debate
|
Sarah Owen Luton North Lab | View |
| September - 07-21 Sep (7 debates) | ||
| 21 Sep 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Working People’s Finances: Government Policy
General Debate
|
None | View |
| 15 Sep 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Abuse of Public-facing Workers (Offences)
General Debate
|
Olivia Blake Sheffield Hallam Lab | View |
| 14 Sep 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Non-Disclosure Agreements (No. 2)
General Debate
|
Maria Miller Basingstoke Con | View |
| 13 Sep 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
HGV Driver Shortages
Ministerial Statement
|
Grant Shapps Con Con | View |
| 10 Sep 2021 (2 debates) | ||
|
Workers (Employment Security and Definition) Bill
General Debate
|
None | View |
|
Employment Bill
General Debate
|
None | View |
| 07 Sep 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Transport (Disabled Passenger Charter)
General Debate
|
Charlotte Nichols Warrington North Lab | View |