This week in the Commons: 25 - 29 January 2016
29 January 2016 (updated on 29 January 2016)
This week in the House of Commons, MPs debated the Childcare Bill, Charities (Protection and Social Investment) Bill, reductions in housing benefit and supported housing and more.
Legislation: Government Bills
Childcare Bill
The Public Bill Committee completed its work on 10 December 2015 and has reported the amended Bill to the House of Commons.
The Bill passed Third Reading in the Commons on Monday 25 January without a division. Commons amendments will now be considered by the House of Lords.
- Parliament news: Childcare Bill: Commons remaining stages
- Follow Bills before Parliament: Childcare Bill
Charities (Protection and Social Investment) Bill
The Public Bill Committee completed its work on 7 January 2016 and has reported the amended Bill to the House of Commons.
The Bill passed Third Reading in the Commons on Tuesday 26 January. Commons amendments will now be considered by the House of Lords on Tuesday 2 February 2016.
- Charities (Protection and Social Investment) Bill: Commons remaining stages
- Follow Bills before Parliament: Charities (Protection and Social Investment) Bill
Legislation: Private Members' Bills
Two Private Members' Bills were introduced to the House following Ten Minute Rule Motions this week:
- Profit-sharing and Company Governance (Employees Participation) Bill
- Driving Instructors (Registration) Bill
On Friday 29 January 2016, MPs debated the Access to Medical Treatments (Innovation) Bill. The Bill passed its Report and Third Reading. It has now passed to the Lords for consideration.
The Child Victims of Human Trafficking (Central Government Responsibility) Bill started Second Reading but the debate was adjourned. Debate is expected to resume on Friday 11 March 2016.
Urgent Questions and Statements
This week Urgent Questions were asked on:
- Parliament news: Urgent question on the settlement reached between HMRC and Google
- Parliament news: Urgent question on child refugees in Europe
- Parliament news: Urgent question on William Mead: 111 helpline
- Parliament news: Urgent question on the under-occupancy penalty
- Parliament news: Urgent question on arms sales to Saudi Arabia
- Parliament news: Urgent question on criminal legal aid services
- Parliament news: Urgent question on the closure of St. Paul's Place (Sheffield)
There were no Ministerial Statements this week.
Prime Minister's Questions
On Wednesday 27 January, MPs asked the Prime Minister questions about corporation tax, the Court of Appeal ruling on the spare room subsidy, legal claims against the Armed Forces and more.
Watch PMQs from this week:
Opposition day debates
On Wednesday 27 January 2016, MPs debated reductions in housing benefit and supported housing in the House of Commons, in the first of two debates to take place on subjects chosen by the Opposition. The second Opposition debate was on prisons and probation.
E-petitions debates
On Monday 25 January 2016, in the Westminster Hall Chamber, MPs debated an e-petition relating to tax reporting for small businesses and the self-employed.
Backbench business debates
On Monday 25 January 2016 in the Commons Chamber, MPs took part in a general debate which had been scheduled by the Backbench Business Committee.
- Watch Parliament TV: Foreign policy and development aid in Central and East Africa
- Parliament news: Debate on foreign policy and development aid in Central and East Africa
On Thursday 28 January 2016 in the Commons Chamber, MPs took part in a general debate which had been scheduled by the Backbench Business Committee.
- Watch Parliament TV: NHS and social care commission
- Parliament news: MPs debate the NHS and a social care commission
Westminster Hall debates
Debates on a variety of different subjects also took place in Westminster Hall on Tuesday 13, Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 October. See the Parliamentary calendar to find out what subjects were debated.
Select Committees
News from Parliamentary Select Committees, including the publication of reports and details of inquiries and evidence sessions are also available online.
Follow the @HouseofCommons on Twitter for updates on the UK House of Commons Chamber.