Estimates day debates: The science budget and end of life care
2 March 2016 (updated on 2 March 2016)
MPs debated the science budget and end of life care on 2 March 2016 in the House of Commons.
The debates followed the publication of the estimates for the allocation of expenditure for Central Government, including the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Department of Health for the year ending March 2016.
- Read Central Government supply estimates (2015-2016) (External Site)
Estimates day debate: The Science Budget
The debate was opened by Nicola Blackwood, Chair of the Science and Technology Committee. The Minister for Universities and Science, Joseph Johnson, responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Estimates day debate on the Science budget
- Read Commons Hansard: Estimates day debate on the Science budget
The House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee held an inquiry into the the science budget and published its report on 9 November 2015. The Government response to the Committee report was published on 19 January 2016. Further information can be found on the Science and Technology Committee web pages.
- Science and Technology Committee inquiry into the science budget
- House of Commons Science and Technology Committee
Estimates day debate: End of life care
The debate was opened by Dr Sarah Wollaston, Chair of the Health Committee. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health, Ben Gummer, responded on behalf of the Government.
- Watch Parliament TV: Estimates day debate on End of life care
- Read Commons Hansard: Estimates day debatea on End of life care
The House of Commons Health Select Committee held an inquiry into end of life care and published its report on 15 March 2015. The Government response to the Committee report was published on 20 October 2015. Further information can be found on the Health Committee webpages.
Estimates and Supply and Appropriation (Anticipation and Adjustments) Bill
Following the Estimates Day debates there was a division on a motion on the supplementary estimate for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office which was passed (Division No. 205: Ayes 305, Noes 55).
Motions on all other outstanding estimates were then put to the House. These motions were agreed and a Supply and Appropriation (Anticipation and Adjustments) Bill was brought in upon the motions. All stages of the Bill were formal, and not debated.
Estimates days
All public spending has to be approved by Parliament. Estimates of spending are presented to Parliament and three 'estimates days' are set aside each year to debate the content of those estimates presented.
In practice, estimates days are often used for debating one or more estimates or select committee reports chosen by the Liaison Committee.
- Read Central Government supply estimates (2015-2016) (External website)
Watching proceedings 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 @HouseofCommons on Twitter for updates on the UK House of Commons Chamber.