Estimates day debates 2016-17
28 February 2017
MPs debated the Government's estimates of public spending by Government departments over three Estimates Days for the 2016-17 Parliamentary session on 4 July 2016, 27 and 28 February 2017.
Estimates day (Day 1)
The Estimates Day debate (day 1) took place on 4 July 2016. The subjects debated were Courts and Tribunals fees and energy spending priorities.
Estimates Day (Day 2)
Future flood prevention
The first subject for the Estimates day debate (day 2) on future flood prevention related to Supplementary Estimates of spending for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for the year ending 31 March 2017.
- Watch Parliament TV: Estimates Day (Day 2) debate on future flood prevention
- Read Commons Hansard: Estimates Day (Day 2) debate on future flood prevention
The House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee held an inquiry into future flood prevention and published its report on 2 November 2016.
The Government Response to the Committee report was published on 23 February 2016. Further information can be found on the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee webpages.
- Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee inquiry into future flood prevention
- House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Health and social care
The second subject for the Estimates day debate (day 2) on health and social care related to Supplementary Estimates of spending for the Department of Health for the year ending 31 March 2017.
- Watch Parliament TV: Estimates Day (Day 2) debate on health and social care
- Read Commons Hansard: Estimates Day (Day 2) debate on health and social care
The House of Commons Health Committee held an inquiry into the impact of the Spending Review on health and social care.
The Government Response to the Committee report was published in December 2016. Further information can be found on the Health Committee webpages.
- Health Committee inquiry into the impact of the Spending Review on health and social care
- House of Commons Health Committee
Estimates Day (Day 3)
Government's Productivity Plan
The first subject for the Estimates day debate (Day 3) on the Government's Productivity Plan related to Supplementary Estimates of spending for Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy for the year ending 31 March 2017.
- Watch Parliament TV: Estimates Day (Day 3) debate on the Government's Productivity Plan
- Read Commons Hansard: Estimates Day (Day 3) debate on the Government's Productivity Plan
The former House of Commons Business, Innovation and Skills Committee held an inquiry into the Government's Productivity Plan.
Further information on the inquiry and the government response can be found on the Committee webpages.
- Government's Productivity Plan: Business, Innovation and Skills Committee second report, session 2015-16 (HC 466 2015-16)
- Government's Productivity Plan. Government response to Business, Innovation and Skills Committee second report session 2015-16: (Business, Innovation and Skills Committee second special report session 2016-17 (HC 931 2016-17)
Intergenerational fairness
The second subject for the Estimates day debate (Day 3) on intergenerational fairness related to Supplementary Estimates of spending for the Department for Work and Pensions for the year ending 31 March 2017.
- Watch Parliament TV: Estimates Day (Day 3) debate on intergenerational fairness
- Read Commons Hansard: Estimates Day (Day 3) debate on intergenerational fairness
The House of Commons Work and Pensions Committee held an inquiry into intergenerational fairness.
Further information on the inquiry and the government response can be found on the Committee webpages.
Related Information
Estimates days
The House of Commons sets aside three 'estimates days' each year on which to consider the estimates of public spending by government departments. The topics of debate on these days are chosen by the Liaison Committee. Usually the subject of a recent report by a departmental select committee is chosen, which in turn relates to a particular estimate.
MPs are then asked to approve the estimates for each Department by passing a resolution of the House. These resolutions form the basis of two Supply and Appropriation Bills each year which when passed give the budgets legal authority.
- Gov.UK: HMT Supplementary estimates (external site)
- Gov.UK: HMT Main estimates (external site)
- Gov.UK: Supply Estimates guidance manual (external site)
Supply and Appropriation (Anticipation and Adjustments) Bill 2016-17
Following the Estimates Day debates the motions on all outstanding estimates were agreed without any divisions. The agreed motions become resolutions of the House.
A Supply and Appropriation (Anticipation and Adjustments) Bill was brought in upon the resolutions and given its First Reading on Tuesday 28 February. The Bill passed Second and Third Reading in the Commons on Wednesday 1 March.
There is no Committee or Report Stage on Supply and Appropriation Bills (Standing Order 56). Each stage is formal without debate, the debates having taken place on the subjects selected by the Liaison Committee during the Estimates Days. As the Bill is a Money Bill consideration in the Lords is also formal.
Scrutiny of Government's supply estimates inquiry: Commons Procedure Committee
The Procedure Committee is looking at Supply procedure, the procedure whereby the House of Commons authorises the Government to spend public money raised through taxation.
Further information is available on the Committee web pages.
Watching proceedings from the public gallery
UK residents and overseas visitors can watch proceedings in the House of Commons by visiting the public gallery.
Follow the @HouseofCommons on Twitter for updates on the UK House of Commons Chamber.
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