Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Procedure Committee

04 September 2025 · 3 other contributors · 2,110 words

Opened by Graeme Downie Lab Dunfermline and Dollar

Responding minister: Not recorded

Parliamentary Procedure

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Graeme Downie raised concerns about procedure committee in Westminster Hall. Response awaited from government.

Key points

  • The Procedure Committee highlights the need to assess the proxy voting scheme for serious long-term illness, injury, pregnancy complications, and fertility treatment.
  • The committee received limited evidence due to low uptake of proxy votes but found the feedback constructive.
  • The committee recommends permanent arrangements for proxy voting during pregnancy, childbirth, and fertility-related absences, and suggests extending temporary arrangements for long-term serious illness and injury until the end of this Parliament.

Key requests to Government

The committee recommends that the arrangements introduced in November 2024 remain permanently in place for pregnancy, childbirth, and fertility-related absences. However, they suggest extending the temporary arrangements for long-term serious illness and injury until the end of this Parliament to gather more evidence.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Graeme Downie Lab Dunfermline and Dollar

The Procedure Committee's report highlights the need to assess the proxy voting scheme introduced for serious long-term illness, injury, pregnancy complications, and fertility treatment. The committee has received limited evidence due to low uptake of proxy votes, but the feedback was constructive.

Other contributors (3)
  • Adam Jogee Lab Newcastle-under-Lyme

    Expressed personal experience of needing proxy voting due to a family crisis, urging the Committee to consider extending proxies for Members with families in end-of-life care situations.

  • Bambos Charalambous Lab Southgate and Wood Green

    Congratulated Graeme Downie on his work with the Procedure Committee and asked about reviewing and expanding the scheme for proxy voting when Members are present on the Estate.

  • Graeme Downie SNP Edinburgh South

    Responded to Jim Shannon's question, noting that while such situations are covered by the system designed for proxy voting, further improvements and clarity might be necessary.

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