House of Commons Debates
256 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 - 06 Jan - 24 Feb (9 debates) | ||
| February - 03-24 Feb (5 debates) | ||
| 24 Feb 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Select Committee on the Armed Forces Bill
General Debate
|
None | View |
| 11 Feb 2021 (2 debates) | ||
|
Maternity Leave for Ministers Bill - Clause 1
Bill Debate
|
Penny Mordaunt Portsmouth North Con | View |
|
The Maternity Allowance Bill - Clause 1 and Amendment 3
Bill Debate
|
Kirsten Oswald Northern Ireland SNP | View |
| 09 Feb 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Trade Bill - Amendments to Clause 2 on parliamentary approval of international trade agreements and ...
Bill Debate
|
Greg Hands Hove Con | View |
| 03 Feb 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Business of the House (Today)
General Debate
|
None | View |
| January - 06-26 Jan (4 debates) | ||
| 26 Jan 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Business of the House (Environment Bill: Carry-over)
General Debate
|
Rebecca Pow Cornwall West Con | View |
| 20 Jan 2021 (2 debates) | ||
|
House of Commons Commission (External Members)
General Debate
|
Jacob Rees-Mogg North East Somerset Con | View |
|
Deputy Speaker’s Statement
General Debate
|
Nigel Evans Chorley Con | View |
| 06 Jan 2021 (1 debate) | ||
|
Business of the House (Today)
General Debate
|
Valerie Vaz Walsall and Bloxwich Lab | View |
| 2020 - 25 Mar - 30 Dec (41 debates) | ||
| December - 01-30 Dec (6 debates) | ||
| 30 Dec 2020 (2 debates) | ||
|
Virtual Participation in Proceedings during the Pandemic (Temporary Orders) (No. 2)
General Debate
|
Jacob Rees-Mogg Constituency Con | View |
|
Business of the House (Today)
General Debate
|
None | View |
| 17 Dec 2020 (1 debate) | ||
|
Christmas Adjournment
General Debate
|
None | View |
| 16 Dec 2020 (2 debates) | ||
|
Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority
General Debate
|
Jacob Rees-Mogg North East Somerset Con | View |
|
Arms (Exports and Remote Warfare)
General Debate
|
Alyn Smith Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP | View |
| 01 Dec 2020 (1 debate) | ||
|
Business of the House (Today)
General Debate
|
None | View |
| November - 03-25 Nov (7 debates) | ||
| 25 Nov 2020 (1 debate) | ||
|
Independent Expert Panel
General Debate
|
Jacob Rees-Mogg North East Somerset Con | View |
| 24 Nov 2020 (1 debate) | ||
|
Virtual Participation in Debate
General Debate
|
Jacob Rees-Mogg North East Somerset Con | View |
| 19 Nov 2020 (2 debates) | ||
|
DHSC Answers to Written Questions
Ministerial Statement
|
Edward Argar Melton and Syston Con | View |
|
Virtual Participation in Debate
Ministerial Statement
|
Karen Bradley Staffordshire Moorlands Con | View |
| 18 Nov 2020 (1 debate) | ||
|
Towns Fund
Ministerial Statement
|
Robert Jenrick Newark Reform | View |
| 12 Nov 2020 (1 debate) | ||
|
Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
Ministerial Statement
|
Oliver Dowden Hertsmere Con | View |
| 03 Nov 2020 (1 debate) | ||
|
Proxy Voting During the Pandemic
General Debate
|
None | View |
| October - 15 Oct (1 debate) | ||
| 15 Oct 2020 (1 debate) | ||
|
Parliamentary works sponsor body
General Debate
|
Henry Smith Constituency Con | View |
| September - 02-30 Sep (8 debates) | ||
| 30 Sep 2020 (1 debate) | ||
|
Coronavirus Act 2020 (Review of Temporary Provisions)
General Debate
|
Matthew Hancock West Suffolk Con | View |
| 23 Sep 2020 (2 debates) | ||
|
Proxy Voting
General Debate
|
Jacob Rees-Mogg North East Somerset Con | View |
|
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE (TODAY )
General Debate
|
Karen Bradley Staffordshire Moorlands Con | View |
| 17 Sep 2020 (1 debate) | ||
|
Covid-19 Pandemic: Government Response
Ministerial Statement
|
William Wragg Crewe and Nantwich Con | View |
| 16 Sep 2020 (1 debate) | ||
|
Remote Participation in House of Commons Proceedings (Motion)
General Debate
|
Dawn Butler Brent East Lab | View |
| 10 Sep 2020 (1 debate) | ||
|
Parliamentary Works Sponsor Body
General Debate
|
None | View |
| 07 Sep 2020 (1 debate) | ||
|
Local Government Boundary Commission for England
General Debate
|
Valerie Vaz Walsall and Bloxwich Lab | View |
| 02 Sep 2020 (1 debate) | ||
|
Regulatory Impact Assessments (Legislative Scrutiny)
Adjournment Debate
|
Christopher Chope Christchurch Con | View |
| July - 16 Jul (1 debate) | ||
| 16 Jul 2020 (1 debate) | ||
|
Restoration and Renewal
General Debate
|
Jacob Rees-Mogg North East Somerset Con | View |
| June - 02-10 Jun (7 debates) | ||
| 10 Jun 2020 (1 debate) | ||
|
Proxy Voting (Extension)
General Debate
|
None | View |
| 08 Jun 2020 (1 debate) | ||
|
House Business during the Pandemic
General Debate
|
Alistair Carmichael Orkney and Shetland Lib Dem | View |
| 04 Jun 2020 (3 debates) | ||
|
House Business during the Pandemic
General Debate
|
Alistair Carmichael Orkney and Shetland Lib Dem | View |
|
Proxy Voting (Temporary Standing Order)
General Debate
|
Rosie Winterton Constituency Not Provided Lab | View |
|
Virtual Participation in Proceedings During the Pandemic (Temporary Orders)
General Debate
|
None | View |
| 03 Jun 2020 (1 debate) | ||
|
Points of Order
General Debate
|
Karen Bradley Staffordshire Moorlands Con | View |
| 02 Jun 2020 (1 debate) | ||
|
Proceedings during the Pandemic
General Debate
|
Jacob Rees-Mogg North East Somerset Con | View |
| May - 06-20 May (6 debates) | ||
| 20 May 2020 (2 debates) | ||
|
Conduct of Business After the Whitsun Recess
Ministerial Statement
|
Jacob Rees-Mogg North East Somerset Con | View |
|
Liaison (Membership)
General Debate
|
Jacob Rees-Mogg North East Somerset Con | View |
| 19 May 2020 (2 debates) | ||
|
Constitutional Law
General Debate
|
Douglas Ross Ochil and South Perthshire Con | View |
|
Parliamentary works sponsor body
General Debate
|
Michael Fabricant L Oswestry Con | View |
| 12 May 2020 (1 debate) | ||
|
Hybrid Proceedings (Extension of Temporary Orders)
General Debate
|
None | View |
| 06 May 2020 (1 debate) | ||
|
Deputy Speaker’s Statement
General Debate
|
Eleanor Laing Constituency Con | View |
| April - 21-22 Apr (4 debates) | ||
| 22 Apr 2020 (3 debates) | ||
|
Conduct of remote divisions
Adjournment Debate
|
Lindsay Hoyle Chorley Speaker | View |
|
Consequential amendments
General Debate
|
Valerie Vaz Walsall and Bloxwich Lab | View |
|
Remote Voting
General Debate
|
Jacob Rees-Mogg West Somerset Con | View |
| 21 Apr 2020 (1 debate) | ||
|
C. Supplementary provisions
General Debate
|
None | View |
| March - 25 Mar (1 debate) | ||
| 25 Mar 2020 (1 debate) | ||
|
Adjournment (Easter)
General Debate
|
None | View |