Commons business papers

Contents

Order Paper: Business Today & Future Business

Summary Agenda: Chamber

Westminster Hall

Business Today: Chamber

11.30am Prayers

Followed by

Questions

Oral Questions to the Secretary of State for Justice

1John Milne (Horsham)
What steps his Department is taking to ensure adequate provision of legal aid. (906926)

2Steve Yemm (Mansfield)
What steps he is taking with the Secretary of State for the Home Department to deport foreign national offenders. (906927)

3Sarah Green (Chesham and Amersham)
What steps he is taking to reform the Family Court. (906928)

4Irene Campbell (North Ayrshire and Arran)
What steps his Department is taking to help protect victims of online misogyny through the criminal justice system. (906929)

5Sir Julian Smith (Skipton and Ripon)
Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of the further use of mandatory mediation in civil law. (906930) [R]

6Tom Hayes (Bournemouth East)
What steps he is taking to ensure Serco delivers prisoners on time at Bournemouth Crown and County Court. (906931)

7Andrew Rosindell (Romford)
What steps he has taken to improve the security of prisons. (906932)

8Mr Peter Bedford (Mid Leicestershire)
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the proposed ending of jury trials for certain offences on the right to a fair trial. (906933)

9Sir John Whittingdale (Maldon)
What steps his Department is taking to tackle the use of strategic lawsuits against public participation. (906934)

10Tim Roca (Macclesfield)
What steps his Department is taking to provide adequate funding for victim support services. (906935)

11Lisa Smart (Hazel Grove)
What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the implementation of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction in cases involving domestic abuse. (906936)

12Mr Andrew Snowden (Fylde)
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of short placements in open prisons on the effectiveness of rehabilitation programmes. (906937)

13Michelle Welsh (Sherwood Forest)
What steps his Department is taking to improve safety in prisons. (906938)

14Matt Turmaine (Watford)
What steps his Department is taking to support magistrates. (906939)

15Debbie Abrahams (Oldham East and Saddleworth)
What steps he is taking to tackle backlogs in the courts. (906940)

16Sir John Hayes (South Holland and The Deepings)
What estimate he has made of the number of prisoners eligible for early release under the earned progression model. (906941)

17Mr Gagan Mohindra (South West Hertfordshire)
What steps he is taking to prevent mistaken prisoner releases. (906942)

18Paul Waugh (Rochdale)
What steps his Department is taking to support rape survivors in the criminal justice system. (906943)

19Lola McEvoy (Darlington)
What assessment he has made of the relevance of mental health conditions to the sentencing of people convicted of child sexual abuse. (906944)

20Warinder Juss (Wolverhampton West)
What steps he is taking to tackle backlogs in the courts. (906945) [R]

21Seamus Logan (Aberdeenshire North and Moray East)
What recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of reducing the pension age of prison officers on levels of staff retention. (906946)

22Michelle Scrogham (Barrow and Furness)
What steps his Department is taking to improve prisoner rehabilitation. (906948)

23Sir Ashley Fox (Bridgwater)
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the proposal to restrict the right to a jury trial for certain offences on the rule of law. (906949)

24Anneliese Midgley (Knowsley)
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of parole board hearings on victims and their families. (906950)

At 12.15pm

Topical Questions to the Secretary of State for Justice

T1Uma Kumaran (Stratford and Bow)
If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities. (906951)

T2Gregory Stafford (Farnham and Bordon) (906952)

T3Natalie Fleet (Bolsover) (906953)

T4Joe Morris (Hexham) (906954)

T5Mark Sewards (Leeds South West and Morley) (906956)

T6Josh Fenton-Glynn (Calder Valley) (906957)

T7Calum Miller (Bicester and Woodstock) (906958)

T8Kate Osamor (Edmonton and Winchmore Hill) (906959)

T9Steff Aquarone (North Norfolk) (906960)

Urgent Questions and Statements

12.30pm

Urgent Questions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs if she will make a statement on the rights of British Chagossians to access the Trust Fund and resettle on the Chagos Archipelago (Dame Priti Patel)

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs if she will make a statement on the United Kingdom’s new approach to Africa (Adam Jogee)

Ministerial Statements, including on:

Electoral Resilience (Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Planning Reform: Next Phase (Minister of State for Housing and Planning)

Business of the Day

1. Ten Minute Rule Motion: Vacant commercial properties (temporary use)

Up to 20 minutes (Standing Order No. 23)

Luke Akehurst

That leave be given to bring in a Bill to enable local authorities to allocate for temporary use by charities, community organisations and small businesses any vacant commercial properties during the period of their vacancy; to provide for certain obligations on landlords of commercial property in connection with such allocations; and for connected purposes.

Notes:

The Member moving and a Member opposing this Motion may each speak for up to 10 minutes.

2. Finance (No. 2) Bill: Second Reading

Until any hour (Standing Order No. 15(1)(a))

Daisy Cooper

Ed Davey

Wendy Chamberlain

That this House, while recognising the deep economic damage caused by the previous Government, declines to give a Second Reading to the Finance (No. 2) Bill because it derives from a Budget which, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility, negatively affects living standards due to higher personal taxes; worsens the cost-of-living crisis by extending the unfair freeze on Income Tax thresholds, which drags millions of low-paid workers into tax; exacerbates the cost-of-doing-business crisis by raising taxes on high street businesses and maintaining the damaging National Insurance increases, which are a tax on jobs, suppressing employment and wages; threatens British farmers, food security and rural communities, as well as family-owned businesses, by cutting Agricultural and Business Property Relief; fails to boost Britain’s high streets by implementing an emergency 5 per cent VAT cut for hospitality, accommodation and attractions until April 2027; and implements no measures to seriously boost economic growth and begin to repair the damage caused by the last Government’s failed Brexit deal, which is costing taxpayers around £90 billion a year in lost tax revenue.

Mrs Kemi Badenoch

Sir Mel Stride

Victoria Atkins

Rebecca Harris

Gareth Davies

Robbie Moore

Dr Neil HudsonSir Ashley FoxAphra Brandreth

That this House declines to give a Second Reading to the Finance (No. 2) Bill because the Bill includes provisions breaking the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s promise, given after the Autumn Budget 2024, not to raise taxes, and breaking the Chancellor’s promise at the last Budget that there would be no extension of the freeze in Income Tax and National Insurance thresholds and that, from 2028–29, personal tax thresholds would be uprated in line with inflation once again; because the Bill implements changes to Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief for Inheritance Tax which will devastate family farms, businesses and food security; because the Bill is the result of a Budget that will lead to higher spending and borrowing, while damaging growth and living standards with £26 billion of tax rises; and because this House is opposed to raising taxes on working people to pay for increased welfare spending.

3. Finance (No. 2) Bill: Programme

No debate (Standing Order No. 83A(7))

The Chancellor of the Exchequer

That the following provisions shall apply to the Finance (No. 2) Bill:

Committal

(1)The following shall be committed to a Committee of the whole House—

(a) Clauses 1 to 8 and Schedules 1 and 2 (income tax charge and rates);

(b) Clauses 9, 10 and 69 (freezing of allowances);

(c) Clause 62 and Schedule 12 (agricultural property relief and business property relief);

(d) Clauses 63 to 68 (inheritance tax on pension interests);

(e) Clauses 83 to 85 and Schedule 13 (gambling duties);

(f) Clause 86 (rates of alcohol duty);

(g) any new Clauses or new Schedules relating to the subject matter of the Clauses and Schedules mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (f).

(2)The remainder of the Bill shall be committed to a Public Bill Committee.

Proceedings in Committee of the whole House

(3)Proceedings in Committee of the whole House shall be completed in two days.

(4)The proceedings—

(a) shall be taken on each of those days in the order shown in the first column of the following Table, and

(b) shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at the times specified in the second column of the Table.

First Day

Clauses 1 to 6 and Schedule 1; Clauses 7 and 8 and Schedule 2; any new Clauses or new Schedules relating to the subject matter of those Clauses and those Schedules

Two hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Bill on the first day.

Clauses 9, 10 and 69; any new Clauses or new Schedules relating to the subject matter of those Clauses

Four hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Bill on the first day.

Clause 62 and Schedule 12; any new Clauses or new Schedules relating to the subject matter of that Clause and that Schedule

Six hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Bill on the first day.

Second day

Clauses 63 to 68; any new Clauses or new Schedules relating to the subject matter of those Clauses

Two hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Bill on the second day.

Clauses 83 to 85 and Schedule 13; any new Clauses or new Schedules relating to the subject matter of those Clauses and that Schedule

Four hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Bill on the second day.

Clause 86; any new Clauses or new Schedules relating to the subject matter of that Clause

Six hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Bill on the second day.

Proceedings in Public Bill Committee etc

(5)Proceedings in the Public Bill Committee shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion on Thursday 26 February 2026.

(6)The Public Bill Committee shall have leave to sit twice on the first day on which it meets.

(7)When the provisions of the Bill considered, respectively, by the Committee of the whole House and by the Public Bill Committee have been reported to the House, the Bill shall be proceeded with as if it had been reported as a whole to the House from the Public Bill Committee.

Proceedings on Consideration and Third Reading

(8)Proceedings on Consideration shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour before the moment of interruption on the day on which those proceedings are commenced.

(9)Proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at the moment of interruption on that day.

Programming committee

(10)Standing Order No. 83B (Programming committees) shall not apply to proceedings in Committee of the whole House, to proceedings on Consideration or to proceedings on Third Reading.

4. Rehabilitation of Offenders

No debate (Standing Order No. 118(6))

Secretary David Lammy

That the draft Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2025, which was laid before this House on 20 November, be approved.

Notes:

If this item is opposed after 7.00pm, the division will be deferred.

Presentation of Public Petitions

No debate or decision (Standing Order No. 153)

Green belt protection: Tom Morrison

House of Lords: Tom Gordon

Adjournment Debate

Until 7.30pm or for half an hour (whichever is later) (Standing Order No. 9(7))

Criminal justice system in Wales: Liz Saville Roberts

Business Today: Westminster Hall

Order of Business

Up to two hours for the first part of the sitting and up to three hours for the second part (Standing Order No. 10(1))

9.30am

That this House has considered planning policy for quarries: Alberto Costa, Matt Western

Notes:

The subject for this debate was determined by the Backbench Business Committee.

11.00am

That this House has considered No Recourse to Public Funds and homelessness: Olivia Blake

Notes:

The sitting will be suspended from 11.30am to 2.30pm.

2.30pm

That this House has considered Government support for grassroots cricket clubs: Andrew Lewin

4.00pm

That this House has considered the impact of the Autumn Budget 2025 on graduates: Jack Rankin

4.30pm

That this House has considered the provision of healthcare for transgender people: Rachel Taylor

Notes:

The debate at 4.30pm will last for up to an hour.

The sitting will be suspended and time added if divisions take place in the main Chamber (Standing Order No. 10(3)).

Written Statements

Statements to be Made Today

Secretary of State for Business and Trade

1.Chair of the Independent Panel for the Capture Redress Scheme and the Independent Reviewer for Horizon Shortfall Scheme Appeals

2.Ministerial Correction

Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

3.BBC Charter Review

4.Publication of the Independent Arts Council England Review

Secretary of State for Defence

5.The Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report 2025

6.The United Kingdom Reserve Forces External Scrutiny Team Annual Statutory Report 2025

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care

7.Government Interim Update on Progress in responding to the Fuller Inquiry Phase 2 Report

8.Government response to the public consultation on the NHS dentistry contract: quality and payment reforms

Secretary of State for the Home Department

9.Knife Sellers Licensing Consultation

10.Report of the Independent Reviewer of State Threats Legislation on the Operation of State Threats Legislation in 2024

Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government

11.Electoral Resilience

12.Planning Reform: Next Phase

Secretary of State for Justice

13.Sentencing Reform

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

14.Government response to Independent Review conducted under Schedule 6A Northern Ireland Act 1998

Prime Minister

15. Annual Report of the Investigatory Powers Commissioner 2024

Secretary of State for Transport

16.Changes to International Maritime Law

17.Roads Infrastructure

Notes:

Texts of Written Statements are available from the Vote Office and on the internet at https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/.

Committees Meeting Today

Broadcasts of proceedings can be found at https://www.parliamentlive.tv/Commons

Select Committees

Culture, Media and Sport Committee

Subject: Children's TV and video content

The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
9.30am (private), 10.00am (public)

Witnesses:

10.00am

Richard Bradley (Chief Creative Officer and co-founder at Lion TV)

Oli Hyatt MBE (Managing Director and co-founder at Blue Zoo)

Maddie Moate (TV presenter, YouTuber and author)

11.00am

Jackie Edwards (Former Head at Young Audiences Content Fund Pilot)

John McVay OBE (Chief Executive at Pact)

Adam Minns (Executive Director at Association for Commercial Broadcasters and On-Demand Services)
Education Committee

Subject: Teacher Recruitment, Training and Retention

The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
9.30am (private), 10.00am (public)

Witnesses:

10.00am

Jack Worth (Lead Economist at National Foundation for Educational Research)

Jonny Uttley (CEO at Education Alliance Multi-Academy Trust)

Daniel Kebede (General Secretary at National Education Union)

Kathryn Morgan (Leadership and Workforce Specialist at The Association of School and College Leaders)

11.00am

Melanie Renowden (CEO at National Institute of Teaching)

James Toop (CEO at Teach First)

Dr Jasper Green (Head of Initial Teacher Education at Institute of Education)

Graihagh Crawshaw-Sadler (CEO at Now Teach)
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

Subject: (i) The future of farming; (ii) Fairness in the food supply chain; (iii) Animal and plant health; (iv) Fisheries and the marine environment

Room 6
9.30am (private), 10.00am (public)

Witnesses:

(i) 10.00am:

Dame Angela Eagle MP (Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs at Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Emily Miles (Director General for Food, Biosecurity and Trade at Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Mike Rowe (Director for Farming and Countryside at Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

(ii) 10.45am:

Dame Angela Eagle MP (Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs at Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs)

Emily Miles (Director General for Food, Biosecurity and Trade at Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Mike Rowe (Director for Farming and Countryside at Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs)

(iii) 11.10am:

Dame Angela Eagle MP (Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs at Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs)

Emily Miles (Director General for Food, Biosecurity and Trade at Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Mike Rowe (Director for Farming and Countryside at Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

(iv) 11.30am:

Dame Angela Eagle MP (Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs at Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs)

Gareth Baynham-Hughes (Director of Marine and Fisheries at Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs)

Mike Dowell (Deputy Director for Marine and Fisheries at Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs)
Treasury Committee

Subject: Work of the Financial Conduct Authority

The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
9.45am (private), 10.00am (public)

Witnesses:

10.00am

Nikhil Rathi (Chief Executive at Financial Conduct Authority)

Ashley Alder (Chair at Financial Conduct Authority)

Sarah Pritchard (Deputy Chief Executive at Financial Conduct Authority)

Simon Walls (Interim Executive Director, Markets at Financial Conduct Authority)
Administration Committee

Room 5
10.00am (private)

Defence Committee

Subject: Introductory session with the National Armaments Director

Room 16
10.00am (private), 10.30am (public), 12.30pm (private)

Witnesses:

10.30am

Rupert Pearce (National Armaments Director at Ministry of Defence)

Lt Gen Anna-Lee Reilly (Director General Core Delivery at Defence Equipment and Support)

Jim Carter (Director General Commercial and Industry at Ministry of Defence)
Modernisation Committee

Room 8
11.30am (private)

Petitions Committee

Room 7
1.00pm (private)

Foreign Affairs Committee

Subject: Work of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
1.30pm (private), 2.00pm (public)

Witnesses:

2.00pm

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP (Secretary of State at Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Sir Oliver Robbins KCMG CB (Permanent Under-Secretary at Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
International Development Committee

Subject: Women, peace and security

The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
1.30pm (private), 2.00pm (public)

Witnesses:

2.00pm

Chris Elmore MP (Parliamentary Under-Secretary at Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Alistair Carns DSO OBE MC MP (Minister for Armed Forces at Ministry of Defence)

Stuart Mills (Deputy Director Global Issues at Ministry of Defence)

Emily Maltman (Head of Gender and Children in Conflict Department at Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Home Affairs Committee

Subject: Asylum and Returns Policy

Room 15
2.00pm (private), 2.30pm (public)

Witnesses:

2.30pm

Meghan Benton (Director for Global Programs at Migration Policy Institute)

Dr Mihnea Cuibus (Researcher at Oxford Migration Observatory)

Dr Rakib Ehsan (Senior Fellow at Policy Exchange)

3.30pm

Vicky Tennant (UNHCR Representative to the United Kingdom)

Zoe Bantleman (Legal Director at Immigration Law Practitioners Association)

Sohini Tanna (Policy & Advocacy Manager at British Red Cross)
Justice Committee

Subject: Work of the Lord Chancellor

The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
2.00pm (private), 2.30pm (public)

Witnesses:

2.30pm

Rt Hon David Lammy MP (Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice at Ministry of Justice)

Dr Jo Farrar CB OBE (Permanent Secretary at Ministry of Justice)
Energy Security and Net Zero Committee

Room 19
2.30pm (private)

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Subject: The work of the Cabinet Office

Room 6
2.30pm (private), 3.00pm (public)

Witnesses:

3.00pm

Rt Hon Darren Jones MP (Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and Minister for Intergovernmental Relations at Cabinet Office)

Catherine Little CB (Chief Operating Officer for the Civil Service and Permanent Secretary to the Cabinet Office at Cabinet Office)
Finance Committee

Room 8
3.00pm (private)

Backbench Business Committee

Subject: Proposals for backbench debates

Room 16
4.00pm (private), 4.15pm (public)

Witnesses:

4.15pm

Members of Parliament
Transport Committee

The Macmillan Room, Portcullis House
4.00pm (private)

Delegated Legislation Committees

Second Delegated Legislation Committee

To consider the draft Oil and Gas Authority (Carbon Storage and Offshore Petroleum) (Specified Periods for Disclosure of Protected Material) Regulations 2026

Room 11
9.25am (public)

Other

Restoration and Renewal Programme Board

Room 4
1.00pm (private)

Committee Reports Published Today

Backbench Business

First Special Report: 15th anniversary of the Backbench Business Committee HC 1548
Time of publication: 9.00am

Announcements

Forthcoming End of Day Adjournment Debates

Applications for 30-minute end of day adjournment debates should be made to the Table Office by 7.00pm or rise of the House, whichever is the earlier, on the Wednesdays listed below. Members can submit their application via MemberHub. The ballot takes place the day after the deadline. Members who are successful will be contacted by the Speaker’s Office.

Tuesday 6 to Monday 12 January (deadline Wednesday 17 December 7.00pm or the rise of the House, whichever is earlier)

Tuesday 13 to Monday 19 January (deadline Wednesday 7 January 7.00pm or the rise of the House, whichever is earlier)

Forthcoming Westminster Hall Debates

The rota for answering Departments is listed below. Applications for 90, 60 and 30-minute debates should be made to the Table Office by 10.00pm or the rise of the House, whichever is the earlier, on the Mondays listed below. Members can submit their application via MemberHub. The ballot takes place the day after the deadline. Members who are successful will be contacted by the Speaker’s Office.

Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 7 January (ballot closed)

The ballot for Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 7 January is closed and will take place today.

Tuesday 13 and Wednesday 14 January (deadline Monday 5 January 10.00pm or the rise of the House, whichever is earlier)

The following Departments will answer:

Cabinet Office; Defence; Education; Energy Security and Net Zero; Foreign, Commonwealth and Development; Home Office; Northern Ireland; Science, Innovation and Technology; Transport; Wales

Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 January (deadline Monday 12 January 10.00pm or the rise of the House, whichever is earlier)

The following Departments will answer:

Attorney General; Business and Trade; Culture, Media and Sport; Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Health and Social Care; Housing, Communities and Local Government; Justice; Scotland; Treasury; Women and Equalities; Work and Pensions

Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 January (deadline Monday 19 January 10.00pm or the rise of the House, whichever is earlier)

The following Departments will answer:

Cabinet Office; Defence; Education; Energy Security and Net Zero; Foreign, Commonwealth and Development; Home Office; Northern Ireland; Science, Innovation and Technology; Transport; Wales

Christmas Adjournment - Tabling of Parliamentary Questions

The following arrangements will apply for the tabling of Questions during the Christmas Adjournment. Please note that the Table Office will be closed from Wednesday 24 December 2025 to Thursday 1 January 2026 inclusive. Questions can still be submitted in the usual way during this period.

Questions for oral answer

Under Standing Order No. 22(6), the Speaker has made the following arrangements for tabling Questions for oral answer when the House returns. The list also includes future tabling arrangements up to Thursday 8 January 2026.

Last date of tabling*

Date for answer

Departments etc.**

Thursday 18 December

Monday 5 January

Home Office (T)

Thursday 18 December

Tuesday 6 January

Energy Security and Net Zero (T)

Thursday 18 December

Wednesday 7 January

Northern Ireland

Thursday 18 December

Wednesday 7 January

Prime Minister

Thursday 18 December

Thursday 8 January

Transport (T)

Tuesday 6 January

Monday 12 January

Housing, Communities and Local Government (T)

Tuesday 6 January

Wednesday 14 January

Scotland

Wednesday 7 January

Tuesday 13 January

Health and Social Care (T)

Thursday 8 January

Wednesday 14 January

Prime Minister

Thursday 8 January

Thursday 15 January

Culture, Media and Sport (T)

Thursday 8 January

Thursday 15 January

Church Commissioners, House of Commons Commission, Public Accounts Commission, Restoration and Renewal Client Board and Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission

For further details of last tabling days for other Departments and answering bodies, see the Order of Questions rota available from the Vote Office and at https://commonsbusiness.parliament.uk

Notes:

* The latest time for tabling is 12.30pm on each of these days.

** (T) indicates that there are also Topical questions for that Department.

Questions for written answer on a named day

The latest time for tabling a Question for written answer on a named day before the Christmas Adjournment was Monday 15 December.

Time of tabling

Earliest date for named day answer

Tuesday 16 December

Monday 5 January

Wednesday 17 December

Monday 5 January

Thursday 18 December

Tuesday 6 January

From 5.30pm or rise of the House, whichever is earlier, on Thursday 18 December to 2.30pm on Friday 2 January

Wednesday 7 January

Each Member may table up to five named day questions during the Christmas Adjournment.

Christmas Adjournment - Tabling of Amendments to Public Bills

During the Recess, amendments should be submitted to pbohoc@parliament.uk.

Amendments can be accepted from a Member’s Parliamentary network account, or from the network account of a member of staff who has been specifically authorised to act on the Member’s behalf.

Please submit any amendments for tabling, or requests for drafting assistance, as soon as possible.

Amendments received during the recess will be treated as having been tabled on Friday 2 January.

Further Information

MPS’ GUIDE TO PROCEDURE

The MPs’ Guide to Procedure is available on the Parliamentary website and also in hard copy from the Vote Office

Business of the Day

Documents and reports relating to the business being held in the Chamber are available on the Commons Business Briefings webpage: www.parliament.uk/business/publications/research/commons-business-briefings/

Written Statements

Text of today’s Written Statements: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/

Select Committees

Select Committees Webpage: https://committees.parliament.uk/

Standing Orders Relating to Public Business

Text of Standing Orders relating to public business: https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5901/cmstords/so_829_05072024/so-2024i.pdf

Chamber Engagement

Information about engaging the public with debates is available on the parliamentary website: https://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/have-your-say-on-laws/chamber-engagement/.

All business papers are available via the HousePapers app on mobile devices

Order Paper: Future Business

A. Calendar of Business

Business in either Chamber may be changed, and further business added, up to the rising of the House on the day before it is to be taken, and is therefore provisional.

Government items of business in this section have nominally been set down for today, but are expected to be taken on the dates stated.

B. Remaining Orders and Notices

Business in this section has not yet been scheduled for a specific date. It has been nominally set down for today but is not expected to be taken today.

A. Calendar of Business

WEDNESDAY 17 DECEMBER

Chamber

Questions

11.30am Questions to the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology

11.53am Topical Questions to the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology

12 noon Questions to the Prime Minister

Presentation of Bills

Afghanistan Schemes Data Breaches (Independent Public Inquiry)

James MacCleary

Bill to make provision for establishing an independent public inquiry into data breaches by the Ministry of Defence and other public bodies relating to applicants to the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy Scheme and Afghanistan Locally Employed Staff Ex-Gratia Scheme; to provide the inquiry with the power to question Ministers, former Ministers, officials and other relevant persons about the circumstances surrounding such breaches, including action taken in response to the breaches and decisions taken by the Government in relation to legal proceedings in respect of the breaches; to require the inquiry to report within one year of its establishment; and for connected purposes.

Ten Minute Rule Motion: Youth services

Natasha Irons

That leave be given to bring in a Bill to make provision about the delivery of youth services by local authorities, including services under section 507B of the Education Act 1996; to require local authorities to specify groups of young people to receive particular services for the purposes of personal and social development of people in those groups; to make provision about the inclusion of youth services in arrangements for the inspection of children’s services and social care services; to make provision about targets for the delivery of youth work and measurement of delivery against those targets; to require local authorities to consult users and prospective users of youth services about the provision of those services; and for connected purposes.

Notes:

The Member moving and a Member opposing this Motion may each speak for up to 10 minutes.

If necessary, consideration of a Lords Message

National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill: Second Reading

National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill: Programme

The Chancellor of the Exchequer

That the following provisions shall apply to the National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill:

Committal

(1) The Bill shall be committed to a Committee of the whole House.

Proceedings in Committee, on Consideration and on Third Reading

(2) Proceedings in Committee shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion four hours after their commencement.

(3) Any proceedings on Consideration and proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion five hours after the commencement of proceedings in Committee of the whole House.

(4) Standing Order No. 83B (Programming committees) shall not apply to proceedings in Committee of the whole House, to any proceedings on Consideration or to proceedings on Third Reading.

Other proceedings

(5) Any other proceedings on the Bill may be programmed.

If necessary, consideration of a Lords Message

Presentation of Public Petitions

Knaresborough Castle: Tom Gordon

Adjournment Debate

Workplace safety and water-fed poles in the window cleaning industry: Dr Andrew Murrison

Westminster Hall

9.30am That this House has considered the potential impact of proposed asylum reforms on people with protected characteristics seeking asylum: Kirsty Blackman

11.00am That this House has considered Ashgate Hospice and palliative care in north Derbyshire: Mr Toby Perkins

Notes:

The sitting will be suspended from 11.30am to 2.30pm.

2.30pm That this House has considered the cumulative impacts of housing development: Damian Hinds

4.00pm That this House has considered neurodiversity in the workplace: Sarah Hall

4.30pm That this House has considered Government support for membership-based charity organisations: Dame Caroline Dinenage

Notes:

The debate at 4.30pm will last for up to an hour.

The sitting will be suspended and time added if divisions take place in the main Chamber (Standing Order No. 10(3)).

THURSDAY 18 DECEMBER

Chamber

Questions

9.30am Questions to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

10.00am Topical Questions to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

10.10am Questions to the Solicitor General

Backbench Business

Matters to be raised before the Christmas adjournment

Bob Blackman

That this House has considered matters to be raised before the Christmas adjournment.

Notes:

The subject for this debate was determined by the Backbench Business Committee.

Adjournment Debate

English indices of deprivation 2025: Chris Webb

Westminster Hall

1.30pm That this House has considered the cultural contribution of Jane Austen: Luke Murphy

3.00pm That this House has considered community audiology: Danny Beales

Notes:

The subjects for these debates were determined by the Backbench Business Committee. The sitting will be suspended and time added if divisions take place in the main Chamber (Standing Order No. 10(3)).

MONDAY 5 JANUARY

Chamber

Questions

2.30pm Questions to the Secretary of State for the Home Department

3.15pm Topical Questions to the Secretary of State for the Home Department

Backbench Business

Mobile connectivity in rural areas

Helen Morgan [R]

That this House calls on the Government and service providers to help improve mobile connectivity in rural areas.

Notes:

The subject for this debate was determined by the Backbench Business Committee.

Adjournment Debate

Government support for the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan: Alice Macdonald

Westminster Hall

4.30pm That this House has considered e-petition 702845 relating to free bus travel for people over 60: Tony Vaughan, on behalf of the Petitions Committee

6.00pm That this House has considered e-petition 727514 relating to the length of the school week: Dave Robertson, on behalf of the Petitions Committee

Notes:

The subjects for these debates were determined by the Petitions Committee. The sitting will last for up to three hours. The sitting will be suspended and time added if divisions take place in the main Chamber (Standing Order No. 10(3)).

TUESDAY 6 JANUARY

Chamber

Questions

11.30am Questions to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero

12.15pm Topical Questions to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero

Ten Minute Rule Motion

Jodie Gosling

That leave be given to bring in a Bill under SO No. 23 [details to be provided].

Notes:

The Member moving and a Member opposing this Motion may each speak for up to 10 minutes.

Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill: Second Reading

Notes:

King’s consent to be signified on Third Reading.

Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill: Money

Dan Tomlinson

That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill, it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of:

(1) any expenditure incurred under or by virtue of the Act by the Secretary of State or another public authority, and

(2) any increase attributable to the Act in the sums payable under or by virtue of any other Act out of money so provided.

Notes:

King’s Recommendation signified.

Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill: Ways and Means

Dan Tomlinson

That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill, it is expedient to authorise:

(1) the imposition of charges under or by virtue of the Act; and

(2) the payment of sums into the Consolidated Fund.

Westminster Hall

9.30am That this House has considered less survivable cancers: Clive Jones [R]

Notes:

The subject for this debate was determined by the Backbench Business Committee.

WEDNESDAY 7 JANUARY

Chamber

Questions

11.30am Questions to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

12 noon Questions to the Prime Minister

Ten Minute Rule Motion

Mr Luke Charters

That leave be given to bring in a Bill under SO No. 23 [details to be provided].

Notes:

The Member moving and a Member opposing this Motion may each speak for up to 10 minutes.

THURSDAY 8 JANUARY

Chamber

Questions

9.30am Questions to the Secretary of State for Transport

10.15am Topical Questions to the Secretary of State for Transport

Westminster Hall

1.30pm That this House has considered the Third Report of the Scottish Affairs Committee, Problem drug use in Scotland follow-up: Glasgow’s Safer Drug Consumption Facility, HC 630, and the Government response, HC 1485: Patricia Ferguson

Notes:

The subject for this debate was determined by the Liaison Committee.

MONDAY 12 JANUARY

Chamber

Questions

2.30pm Questions to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government

3.15pm Topical Questions to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government

Westminster Hall

4.30pm That this House has considered e-petition 727309 relating to a general election: John Lamont, on behalf of the Petitions Committee

Notes:

The subject for this debate was determined by the Petitions Committee. The sitting will last for up to three hours. The sitting will be suspended and time added if divisions take place in the main Chamber (Standing Order No. 10(3)).

TUESDAY 13 JANUARY

Chamber

Questions

11.30am Questions to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care

12.15pm Topical Questions to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care

Ten Minute Rule Motion

Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst

That leave be given to bring in a Bill under SO No. 23 [details to be provided].

Notes:

The Member moving and a Member opposing this Motion may each speak for up to 10 minutes.

WednESDAY 14 JANUARY

Chamber

Questions

11.30am Questions to the Secretary of State for Scotland

12 noon Questions to the Prime Minister

Ten Minute Rule Motion

Gareth Thomas

That leave be given to bring in a Bill under SO No. 23 [details to be provided].

Notes:

The Member moving and a Member opposing this Motion may each speak for up to 10 minutes.

THURSDAY 15 JANUARY

Chamber

Questions

9.30am Questions to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

10.00am Topical Questions to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

10.10am Questions to the Church Commissioners, House of Commons Commission, Public Accounts Commission, Restoration and Renewal Client Board and Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission

MONDAY 19 JANUARY

Chamber

Questions

2.30pm Questions to the Secretary of State for Education

3.15pm Topical Questions to the Secretary of State for Education

TUESDAY 20 JANUARY

Chamber

Questions

11.30am Questions to the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs

12.15pm Topical Questions to the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs

Ten Minute Rule Motion

Shockat Adam

That leave be given to bring in a Bill under SO No. 23 [details to be provided].

Notes:

The Member moving and a Member opposing this Motion may each speak for up to 10 minutes.

WEDNESDAY 21 JANUARY

Chamber

Questions

11.30am Questions to the Secretary of State for Wales

12 noon Questions to the Prime Minister

THURSDAY 22 JANUARY

Chamber

Questions

9.30am Questions to the Minister for the Cabinet Office

10.15am Topical Questions to the Minister for the Cabinet Office

MONDAY 26 JANUARY

Chamber

Questions

2.30pm Questions to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

3.15pm Topical Questions to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

TUESDAY 27 JANUARY

Chamber

Questions

11.30am Questions to the Chancellor of the Exchequer

12.15pm Topical Questions to the Chancellor of the Exchequer

WEDNESDAY 28 JANUARY

Chamber

Questions

11.30am Questions to the Minister for Women and Equalities

11.53am Topical Questions to the Minister for Women and Equalities

12 noon Questions to the Prime Minister

THURSDAY 29 JANUARY

Chamber

Questions

9.30am Questions to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade

10.15am Topical Questions to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade

MONDAY 2 FEBRUARY

Chamber

Questions

2.30pm Questions to the Secretary of State for Defence

3.15pm Topical Questions to the Secretary of State for Defence

TUESDAY 3 FEBRUARY

Chamber

Questions

11.30am Questions to the Secretary of State for Justice

12.15pm Topical Questions to the Secretary of State for Justice

WEDNESDAY 4 FEBRUARY

Chamber

Questions

11.30am Questions to the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology

11.53am Topical Questions to the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology

12 noon Questions to the Prime Minister

THURSDAY 5 FEBRUARY

Chamber

Questions

9.30am Questions to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

10.00am Topical Questions to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

10.10am Questions to the Solicitor General

MONDAY 9 FEBRUARY

Chamber

Questions

2.30pm Questions to the Secretary of State for the Home Department

3.15pm Topical Questions to the Secretary of State for the Home Department

TUESDAY 10 FEBRUARY

Chamber

Questions

11.30am Questions to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero

12.15pm Topical Questions to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero

WEDNESDAY 11 FEBRUARY

Chamber

Questions

11.30am Questions to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

12 noon Questions to the Prime Minister

THURSDAY 12 FEBRUARY

Chamber

Questions

9.30am Questions to the Secretary of State for Transport

10.15am Topical Questions to the Secretary of State for Transport

B. Remaining Orders and Notices

Business in this section has not yet been scheduled for a specific date. It has therefore been set down formally to be taken in the Chamber today but is not expected to be taken today.

1. Holocaust Memorial Bill: Consideration of Lords Amendments

Notes:

The Lords Amendment does not engage financial privilege.

2. Retained EU Law Reform

Secretary Heidi Alexander

That the draft Aviation Safety (Amendment) Regulations 2025, which were laid before this House on 16 July, be approved.

3. Extradition

Secretary Shabana Mahmood

That the draft Extradition Act 2003 (Amendment to Designations) Order 2025, which was laid before this House on 17 July, be approved.

4. Northern Ireland

Secretary Hilary Benn

That the draft Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 (Remedial) Order 2025, which was laid before this House on 14 October, be approved.

5. Northern Ireland Troubles Bill: Committee

Notes:

Proceedings must, if they have not already ended, end at the moment of interruption (Order of 18 November).

For amendments, see separate paper (also available on the publications webpage for the Bill).

6. Energy

Michael Shanks

That the draft Oil and Gas Authority (Carbon Storage and Offshore Petroleum) (Specified Periods for Disclosure of Protected Material) Regulations 2026, which were laid before this House on 24 November, be approved.

7. Public Order

Secretary Shabana Mahmood

That the draft Public Order Act 2023 (Interference With Use or Operation of Key National Infrastructure) Regulations 2025, which were laid before this House on 27 November, be approved.

Notes:

The instrument has not yet been considered by the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments.

8. United Kingdom Internal Market

Secretary Emma Reynolds

That the draft United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020 (Exclusions from Market Access Principles: Glue Traps) Regulations 2025, which were laid before this House on 1 December, be approved.

Notes:

The instrument has not yet been considered by the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments.

9. Climate Change

Chris McDonald

That the draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2026, which was laid before this House on 1 December, be approved.

10. Corporation Tax

Dan Tomlinson

That the Corporation Tax Act 2010 (Part 8C) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (SI, 2025, No. 1253), dated 1 December 2025, a copy of which was laid before this House on 1 December, be approved.

11. Local Government

Alison McGovern

That the draft Local Government (Exclusion of Non-commercial Considerations) (England) Order 2026, which was laid before this House on 2 December, be approved.

Notes:

The instrument has not yet been considered by the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments.

12. Voting by proxy (serious long-term illness or injury extension)

Sir Alan Campbell

That the following amendment to Standing Order No. 39A (Voting by proxy) made by the Order of 23 October 2024 (Voting by Proxy (Serious long-term illness or injury))—

“In paragraph (2), insert “(d) serious long-term illness or injury;”

shall continue to have effect for the remainder of this Parliament.

13. Public Office (Accountability) Bill: Remaining Stages

As amended in Public Bill Committee, to be considered.

Notes:

King’s consent to be signified on Third Reading.

14. Immigration

Secretary Shabana Mahmood

That the draft Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (Application to Immigration Officers and Designated Customs Officials in Northern Ireland) and Consequential Amendments Regulations 2026, which were laid before this House on 4 December, be approved.

Notes:

The instrument has not yet been considered by the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments.

15. Constitutional Law

Secretary Douglas Alexander

That the draft Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018 (Carer’s Assistance) (Consequential Modifications) Order 2026, which was laid before this House on 8 December, be approved.

Notes:

The instrument has not yet been considered by the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments.

16. Financial Services and Markets

Lucy Rigby

That the draft Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Cryptoassets) Regulations 2025, which were laid before this House on 15 December, be approved.

Notes:

The instrument has not yet been considered by the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments.

17. Rating and Valuation

Alison McGovern

That the draft Non-Domestic Rating (Chargeable Amounts) (England) Regulations 2026, which were laid before this House on 15 December, be approved.

Notes:

The instrument has not yet been considered by the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments.

18. Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill: Committee and Remaining Stages

Notes:

Proceedings in Committee must, if they have not already ended, be brought to an end two hours after they start; and any proceedings on Consideration and proceedings on Third Reading must, if they have not already ended, be brought to an end three hours after the start of proceedings in Committee (Order of 15 December).

This Bill is expected to be certified as a Money Bill.