MPs debate living standards and energy prices
4 September 2013
MPs debated living standards in the UK on Wednesday 4 September 2013 in the first of two debates to take place in the House of Commons on subjects chosen by the Opposition. The second Opposition debate was on energy prices and profits
Living Standards
The debate was moved by Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Rachel Reeves. Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Greg Clark, responded on behalf of the Government. The Opposition motion was negatived on division (Ayes 225, Noes 289 division 74).
- Watch Parliament TV: Opposition debate on Living Standards
- Read Commons Hansard: Opposition debate on Living Standards
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Incomes and poverty
- Read recent Parliament News stories: Incomes and poverty
Energy prices and profits
The debate was moved by Shadow Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Caroline Flint MP. Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Edward Davey, responded on behalf of the Government. The Opposition motion was negatived on division (Ayes 220, Noes 290 division 75).
- Watch Parliament TV: Opposition debate on Energy Prices and Profits
- Read Commons Hansard: Opposition debate on Energy Prices and Profits
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Energy
- Read recent Parliament News stories: Energy
Opposition day debates
Opposition days are days allocated in the House of Commons in each session for the discussion of subjects chosen by the Opposition.
Seventeen days are at the disposal of the Leader of the Opposition, the leader of the largest opposition party, to decide which matters are debated. Three days are usually divided between the other opposition parties.
The Opposition generally use them to raise questions of policy and administration. Frequently, two separate subjects are debated on an opposition day.
Watching Opposition day debates from the public gallery
UK residents and overseas visitors can watch proceedings in the House of Commons by visiting the public gallery.
This article was produced by the Commons Digital Outreach Team. Follow the @HouseofCommons on Twitter for updates on the UK House of Commons Chamber.