UK Parliament
The King delivers the King’s Speech 📜 | State Opening 2026
- Title
- The King delivers the King’s Speech 📜 | State Opening 2026
- Runtime
- 0:12
- Date posted
- 5 months ago
- Description
- The King's Speech is handed over by the Lord Chancellor, David Lammy MP. It is written by the current government and outlines plans for the next Parliamentary session.
- Title
- The Serjeant-at-Arms collects the mace | State Opening 2026
- Runtime
- 0:28
- Date posted
- 5 months ago
- Description
- The Serjeant-at-Arms collects the ceremonial mace from the table in the Commons Chamber. Alongside the Speaker and Black Rod, he leads the Members of the House of Commons as they walk towards the @HouseofLords
- Title
- Black Rod knocks on the House of Commons Chamber door 🚪 | State Opening 2026
- Runtime
- 1:06
- Date posted
- 5 months ago
- Description
- Black Rod is sent to the @House of Commons to summon MPs to listen to the King's Speech in the @House of Lords.
On his approach, the doors are slammed in his face, symbolising the independence of the Commons from the Lords and the monarchy. Black Rod then knocks three times before the doors are re-opened.
- Title
- State Opening of Parliament 2026
- Runtime
- 1:38:07
- Date posted
- 5 months ago
- Description
- The State Opening of Parliament on Wednesday 13 May marks the formal start of the new parliamentary session. The King’s Speech sets out the government’s agenda, outlining proposed policies and legislation.
Watch State Opening 2026 with British Sign Language (BSL) – https://youtube.com/live/j6sfPLWPRts?feature=share
Find out more: https://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2026/may-2026/state-opening-of-parliament-2026/
- Title
- State Opening of Parliament 2026 | British Sign Language
- Runtime
- 14:20
- Date posted
- 5 months ago
- Description
- The State Opening of Parliament on Wednesday 13 May marks the formal start of the new parliamentary session. The King’s Speech sets out the government’s agenda, outlining proposed policies and legislation.
Find out more: https://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2026/may-2026/state-opening-of-parliament-2026/
- Title
- The ceremonial search of Parliament 🗝️ | State Opening 2026
- Runtime
- 0:37
- Date posted
- 5 months ago
- Description
- Before the Sovereign's arrival at Parliament, the royal bodyguards, officially known as the Yeomen of the Guard, ceremonially search the cellars of the Palace of Westminster.
They are led in the procession by a member of parliamentary staff carrying a key to the cellars. The search dates back more than 420 years to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.
Today, the search begins in the Prince’s Chamber before moving into the @HouseofLords Chamber.
- Title
- Ceremonial Search | State Opening 2026
- Runtime
- 5:37
- Date posted
- 5 months ago
- Description
- Before the King arrives at Parliament, the Yeomen of the Guard, the royal bodyguards, ceremonially search the cellars of the Palace of Westminster. This dates back to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.
Today, the search begins in the Prince’s Chamber before moving into the chamber of the House of Lords.
- Title
- The impact of digital devices on children | Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
- Runtime
- 2:02
- Date posted
- 5 months ago
- Description
- Last week, the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee held a roundtable with experts to discuss how new technologies are affecting the brain development of children and young people.
Visit our website to find out more about our inquiry into digital childhoods.
- Title
- What is State Opening?
- Runtime
- 0:48
- Date posted
- 5 months ago
- Description
- And what has to happen before a new parliamentary year can begin? 🗓️
The State Opening of Parliament marks the start of a new session. Planned legislation for the next parliamentary year is read out during the King's Speech in the House of Lords chamber.
Following the King's Speech, both Houses will debate its contents for several days.
- Title
- Have you ever been inside the House of Commons Chamber?
- Runtime
- 0:17
- Date posted
- 5 months ago
- Description
- See it on a tour of Parliament this summer. You can search UK Parliament tours to explore your options.
- Title
- Cleaning the crown cloth ASMR 👑
- Runtime
- 0:40
- Date posted
- 5 months ago
- Description
- This is the crown cloth. During the State Opening of Parliament, the King wears the Imperial State Crown. Before the King's arrival, the crown is displayed in the Royal Gallery sitting upon this cloth. 👑
The intricate embroidery is lightly cleaned in preparation for the ceremony. The central motif has been changed to reflect the King's initials - CR.
The Heritage Collections team look after this textile, one of thousands of varied and important objects which are part of Parliament.
- Title
- We have no confidence in South East Water | Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
- Runtime
- 0:53
- Date posted
- 5 months ago
- Description
- The EFRA Committee has launched a new report saying it does not have confidence in the leadership of South East Water, following years of service failures.
- Title
- Prorogation? Prorogues? What do these words mean? 🤔
- Runtime
- 0:42
- Date posted
- 5 months ago
- Description
- Come behind the scenes to find out what happens when Parliament is prorogued and how the next Parliamentary session begins.
- Title
- 🔴 PMQs LIVE: Prime Minister's Questions - 29 April 2026
- Runtime
- 34:28
- Date posted
- 5 months ago
- Description
- Watch PMQs with British Sign Language (BSL) - https://youtube.com/live/GfBhjanpA_8?feature=share
Prime Minister's Question Time, also referred to as PMQs, takes place every Wednesday the House of Commons sits. It gives MPs the chance to put questions to the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer MP, or a nominated minister.
In most cases, the session starts with a routine 'open question' from an MP about the Prime Minister's engagements. MPs can then ask supplementary questions on any subject, often one of current political significance.
The Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch MP, asks six questions and the leader of the second largest opposition party asks two. If another minister takes the place of the Prime Minister, opposition parties will usually nominate a shadow minister to ask the questions.
Want to find out more about what's happening in the House of Commons this week? Follow the House of Commons on:
X: https://www...
- Title
- 🔴 LIVE: Prime Minister's Questions with British Sign Language (BSL) - 29 April 2026
- Runtime
- 34:26
- Date posted
- 5 months ago
- Description
- Prime Minister's Question Time, also referred to as PMQs, takes place every Wednesday the House of Commons sits. It gives MPs the chance to put questions to the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer MP, or a nominated minister.
In most cases, the session starts with a routine 'open question' from an MP about the Prime Minister's engagements. MPs can then ask supplementary questions on any subject, often one of current political significance.
The Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch MP, asks six questions and the leader of the second largest opposition party asks two. If another minister takes the place of the Prime Minister, opposition parties will usually nominate a shadow minister to ask the questions.
Want to find out more about what's happening in the House of Commons this week? Follow the House of Commons on:
X: https://www.x.com/HouseofCommons
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ukhouseofcommons
Instagram: https://www.i...
- Title
- What is the future of UK foreign aid? | International Development Committee
- Runtime
- 1:06
- Date posted
- 5 months ago
- Description
- Amid 40% cuts to the UK international aid budget, there are still significant gaps in what we know about the Government's new approach to foreign aid spending.
The International Development Committee is urging the Government to explain what success looks like and how international partners will be involved.
Additionally, the Committee is calling for more to be done to regain public trust and rebuild the case for aid.
- Title
- Jess Phillips MP questioned on Grooming Gangs and VAWG strategy - Home Affairs Committee
- Runtime
- 2:25:50
- Date posted
- 5 months ago
- Description
- The Home Affairs Committee question the Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, Jess Phillips MP, in a session focusing on the Government’s Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) strategy.
Witnesses:
Jess Phillips MP - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls) at Home Office
Gisela Carr - Deputy Director for the Interpersonal Abuse Unit at Home Office
Luke Hughes - Head of the Group-Based Child Sexual Exploitation Response Unit at Home Office
https://committees.parliament.uk/event/26995/formal-meeting-oral-evidence-session/
- Title
- Mandelson vetting: Sir Philip Barton and Morgan McSweeney questioned by Foreign Affairs Committee
- Runtime
- 4:00:01
- Date posted
- 5 months ago
- Description
- Sir Philip Barton, former Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and Morgan McSweeney, former Downing Street Chief of Staff, give evidence on Lord Mandelson’s security vetting for the role of British Ambassador to Washington.
Sir Philip was the Permanent Under-Secretary at the FCDO from September 2020 to January 2025 and a direct predecessor to Sir Oliver Robbins.
Morgan McSweeney served as Downing Street Chief of Staff under Prime Minister Keir Starmer from October 2024 until February 2026.
Witnesses:
00:00:00 - Sir Philip Barton
01:38:11 - Morgan McSweeney
https://committees.parliament.uk/event/27186/formal-meeting-oral-evidence-session/
- Title
- How dangerous is social media for children and teenagers? - Education Committee
- Runtime
- 3:04:05
- Date posted
- 5 months ago
- Description
- The Education Committee hears evidence on screen time and social media from those representing lived experience of online harms, as well as teaching unions and the social media company Snapchat.
Witnesses:
Esther Ghey - Founder and Director at Brianna Ghey Legacy Project
Mr Andy Burrows - CEO at Molly Rose Foundation
Rani Govender - Associate Head of Policy and Public Affairs at National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC)
Daniel Kebede - General Secretary at National Education Union (NEU)
TBC - tbc at Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL)
Jacqueline Beauchere - Senior Director, Global Head of Platform Safety at Snapchat
https://committees.parliament.uk/event/27175/formal-meeting-oral-evidence-session/
- Title
- The AUKUS defence partnership needs renewed impetus to succeed | Defence Committee
- Runtime
- 0:47
- Date posted
- 5 months ago
- Description
- AUKUS is a once-in-a-generation chance to deliver state-of-the-art military capabilities and bolster the UK’s defence industrial base and skills.
But the Defence Committee’s latest report says the Government must do more to ensure the defence partnership with the USA and Australia succeeds – and fast.
- Title
- E-petition debate relating to animal testing - Monday 27 April 2026.
- Runtime
- 2:19:11
- Date posted
- 5 months ago
- Description
- The Petitions Committee has scheduled a debate relating to animal testing.
Irene Campbell MP has been asked by the Committee to open the debate. The Government will send a Minister to respond.
Read the petition:
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/736578
Find petitions you agree with, and sign them: https://petition.parliament.uk/
What are petition debates?
Petition debates are ‘general’ debates which allow MPs from all parties to discuss the important issues raised by one or more petitions, and put their concerns to Government Ministers.
Petition debates don’t end with a vote to implement the request of a petition. This means that MPs will not vote on the issues raised in the petition at the end of the debate.
The Petitions Committee can only schedule debates on petitions to parliament started on petition.parliament.uk
Find out more about how petition debates work...
- Title
- Lord Robertson and Fiona Hill give evidence to the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy
- Runtime
- 1:44:40
- Date posted
- 5 months ago
- Description
- The Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy hears evidence from Lord Robertson, a former UK Defence Secretary and NATO Secretary General, and Dr Fiona Hill, an expert in foreign policy and Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution.
The session comes after Lord Robertson warned in a speech on 14 April of a “corrosive complacency” in Britain’s political leadership, where “lip service is paid to the risks, the threats, the bright red signals of danger but even a promised national conversation about defence can’t be started”.
Witnesses:
Dr Fiona Hill - Senior Fellow at Brookings Institution
The Rt Hon. the Lord Robertson of Port Ellen KT
https://committees.parliament.uk/event/27157/formal-meeting-oral-evidence-session/
- Title
- What is the Music Fans' Charter? - Culture, Media and Sport Committee
- Runtime
- 1:19
- Date posted
- 5 months ago
- Description
- The Culture, Media and Sport Committee have published a report following an independent fan-led review of live and electronic music. Fans, musicians, activists, and industry professionals explain what this means for the industry.
- Title
- Housing Conditions in Temporary Accommodation | Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
- Runtime
- 1:52
- Date posted
- 5 months ago
- Description
- 135,000 households including almost 176,000 children are living in temporary accommodation, too often in conditions unfit for human habitation.
The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee is calling for urgent UK government action to strengthen protections, phase out unsuitable accommodation, and plan for long-term supply of good quality housing.
- Title
- Cat Little, Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary faces Foreign Affairs Committee on Mandelson vetting
- Runtime
- 1:51:06
- Date posted
- 5 months ago
- Description
- The Foreign Affairs Committee holds an evidence session with Chief Operating Officer for the Civil Service and Permanent Secretary to the Cabinet Office, Catherine Little.
The session follows recent reports that United Kingdom Security Vetting recommended against granting Lord Mandelson Developed Vetting, but, despite this, Lord Mandelson was appointed as British Ambassador to Washington.
https://committees.parliament.uk/event/27176/formal-meeting-oral-evidence-session/
- Title
- Air Pollution in England - Environmental Audit Committee
- Runtime
- 2:45:30
- Date posted
- 5 months ago
- Description
- Description: MPs on the Environmental Audit Committee speak to environmental experts about air pollution in England.
Witnesses:
Professor Sir Stephen Holgate CBE - Professor of Immunopharmacology at The University of Southampton
Professor Roy Harrison - Queen Elizabeth II Centenary Professor of Environmental Health at University of Birmingham
Professor Anna Hansell - Professor of Environmental Epidemiology, at University of Leicester
Professor Mark Sutton - Environmental Physicist at UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
Ms Jenny Hawley - Policy and Advocacy Manager at Plantlife
https://committees.parliament.uk/event/27000/formal-meeting-oral-evidence-session/
- Title
- Minister for Investment, The Lord Stockwood speaks to the Women and Equalities Committee
- Runtime
- 1:58:00
- Date posted
- 5 months ago
- Description
- The Women and Equalities committee takes evidence for their inquiry into Female entrepreneurship
Witnesses:
Blair McDougall MP - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Small Business and Economic Transformation) at Department for Business and Trade
Paula Crofts - Director, Small Business Growth at Department for Business and Trade
The Lord Stockwood - Minister of State (Minister for Investment) at Department for Business and Trade and HM Treasury
Kristen McLeod - Chief Strategy Officer at British Business Bank
https://committees.parliament.uk/event/26838/formal-meeting-oral-evidence-session/
- Title
- POV: you enter ✨ Central Lobby ✨
- Runtime
- 0:12
- Date posted
- 5 months ago
- Description
- This iconic space has been the centre of important UK Parliament events throughout history to now.
See it on a tour of Parliament this summer. 🎟️ Search 'UK Parliament tour' to book your visit.
- Title
- 🔴 LIVE: Prime Minister's Questions with British Sign Language (BSL) - 22 April 2026
- Runtime
- 37:26
- Date posted
- 5 months ago
- Description
- Prime Minister's Question Time, also referred to as PMQs, takes place every Wednesday the House of Commons sits. It gives MPs the chance to put questions to the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer MP, or a nominated minister.
In most cases, the session starts with a routine 'open question' from an MP about the Prime Minister's engagements. MPs can then ask supplementary questions on any subject, often one of current political significance.
The Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch MP, asks six questions and the leader of the second largest opposition party asks two. If another minister takes the place of the Prime Minister, opposition parties will usually nominate a shadow minister to ask the questions.
Want to find out more about what's happening in the House of Commons this week? Follow the House of Commons on:
X: https://www.x.com/HouseofCommons
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ukhouseofcommons
Instagram: https://www.i...
- Title
- 🔴 PMQs LIVE: Prime Minister's Questions - 22 April 2026
- Runtime
- 37:33
- Date posted
- 5 months ago
- Description
- Watch PMQs with British Sign Language (BSL) - https://youtube.com/live/PxWYS8VOzGc?feature=share
Prime Minister's Question Time, also referred to as PMQs, takes place every Wednesday the House of Commons sits. It gives MPs the chance to put questions to the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer MP, or a nominated minister.
In most cases, the session starts with a routine 'open question' from an MP about the Prime Minister's engagements. MPs can then ask supplementary questions on any subject, often one of current political significance.
The Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch MP, asks six questions and the leader of the second largest opposition party asks two. If another minister takes the place of the Prime Minister, opposition parties will usually nominate a shadow minister to ask the questions.
Want to find out more about what's happening in the House of Commons this week? Follow the House of Commons on:
X: https://www...
- Title
- TikTok, Meta, Roblox, and Snapchat questioned by the Education Committee over screen time concerns
- Runtime
- 2:52:41
- Date posted
- 6 months ago
- Description
- As part of the inquiry into screen time and social media, MPs on the Education Committee question policy directors at TikTok, Meta, Roblox, and Snapchat around what they are doing to ensure safety of their users.
Witnesses:
Ali Laws - Director of Public Policy for Northern Europe at TikTok
Rebecca Stimson - Director of Public Policy UK at Meta
Laura Higgins - Senior Director, Community Safety and Civility at Roblox
Sanjit Gill - Head of Policy (UK and Ireland) at Snapchat
Professor Pete Etchells - Professor of Psychology and Science Communication at Bath Spa University
Professor Victoria Goodyear - Professor of Physical Activity, Health and Wellbeing at University of Birmingham
Professor Amy Orben - Research Professor at the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences at University of Cambridge
https://committees.parliament.uk/event/27082/formal-meeting-oral-evidence-session/
- Title
- Fairness in the food supply chain - Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
- Runtime
- 2:26:16
- Date posted
- 6 months ago
- Description
- The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee hears evidence from a range of witnesses as part of its inquiry into fairness in the food supply chain.
Witnesses:
Mark White, Groceries Code Adjudicator
Richard Thompson, Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator
Rohit Kaushish - Chief Economist at Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB)
Andrew Opie - Director of Food and Sustainability at British Retail Consortium
Jo Gilbertson - Head of Fertiliser at Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC)
https://committees.parliament.uk/event/26138/formal-meeting-oral-evidence-session/
- Title
- Explore Parliament's hidden Tudor court 👑
- Runtime
- 1:23
- Date posted
- 6 months ago
- Description
- One of the oldest parts of the Palace of Westminster was likely built for Henry VIII. Over the years since then Cloister Court has had many uses, most recently as MPs’ offices.
The stonework now needs to be repaired to preserve this historic hidden gem for generations to come.
📸 Parliament’s archive collections, HC/LB/1/111/5 taken by Benjamin Stone MP, 1897
The Serjeant at Arms Office, 2004 by Karen Neale. © Karen Neal. Photo Courtesy: UK Parliament, WOA 6385
- Title
- Sir Oliver Robbins questioned on Mandelson vetting by Foreign Affairs Committee
- Runtime
- 2:38:10
- Date posted
- 6 months ago
- Description
- The Foreign Affairs Committee holds an evidence session with former Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Sir Oliver Robbins.
The session follows recent reports that United Kingdom Security Vetting recommended against granting Lord Mandelson Developed Vetting, but, despite this, Lord Mandelson was appointed as British Ambassador to Washington.
Sir Oliver was withdrawn as Permanent Under-Secretary at the FCDO following these reports.
https://committees.parliament.uk/event/27138/formal-meeting-oral-evidence-session/
- Title
- Explore this hidden Tudor court in Parliament from Henry VIII’s reign 👑
- Runtime
- 1:24
- Date posted
- 6 months ago
- Description
- One of the oldest parts of the Palace of Westminster was likely built for Henry VIII. Over the years Cloister Court has had many uses, most recently as MPs’ offices.
The stonework now needs to be repaired to preserve this historic hidden gem for generations to come.
📸 Parliament’s archive collections, HC/LB/1/111/5 taken by Benjamin Stone MP, 1897
The Serjeant at Arms Office, 2004 by Karen Neale. © Karen Neal. Photo Courtesy: UK Parliament, WOA 6385
- Title
- E-petition debate relating to a Maternity Commissioner - Monday 20 April 2026.
- Runtime
- 2:25:20
- Date posted
- 6 months ago
- Description
- The Petitions Committee has scheduled a debate relating to a Maternity Commissioner.
Tony Vaughan MP has been asked by the Committee to open the debate. The Government will send a Minister to respond.
Read the petition:
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/751174
Find petitions you agree with, and sign them: https://petition.parliament.uk/
What are petition debates?
Petition debates are ‘general’ debates which allow MPs from all parties to discuss the important issues raised by one or more petitions, and put their concerns to Government Ministers.
Petition debates don’t end with a vote to implement the request of a petition. This means that MPs will not vote on the issues raised in the petition at the end of the debate.
The Petitions Committee can only schedule debates on petitions to parliament started on petition.parliament.uk
Find out more about how petition deba...
- Title
- We're now on WhatsApp ✅
- Runtime
- 0:09
- Date posted
- 6 months ago
- Description
- Follow us for the day's main business, any urgent questions or statements and how to learn more about the work of the House of Commons: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbDPSPU2phHK5KeCNr1E
- Title
- How is Greenland coping amid numerous threats to its sovereignty? | Foreign Affairs Committee
- Runtime
- 0:53
- Date posted
- 6 months ago
- Description
- The Foreign Affairs Committee recently visited Greenland to learn from its Prime Minister and its people about threats to its sovereignty over the last few months, and how Greenlanders are coping amid the fear of potential invasion.
Outside of the geopolitical challenges faced by the territory, the Committee also heard about the ongoing climate change challenges Greenland faces.
- Title
- Is access to justice available to all? - Justice Committee
- Runtime
- 1:53
- Date posted
- 6 months ago
- Description
- The Justice Committee recently held an event bringing together individuals with lived experience of England and Wales's justice system. We spoke to them about the hurdles that many face in accessing justice, and asked what action they would like to see to make the justice system more effective.
Follow our inquiry into this subject at www.parliament.uk/justicecttee
- Title
- How much do you know about the House of Commons Chamber? 🤓
- Runtime
- 0:46
- Date posted
- 6 months ago
- Description
- Title
- Connectivity in the Faroe Islands - Scottish Affairs Committee
- Runtime
- 2:15
- Date posted
- 6 months ago
- Description
- We visited the Faroe Islands and the British Embassy in Copenhagen to explore lessons for Scotland on connectivity and infrastructure.
As part of our connectivity inquiries, the Scottish Affairs Committee travelled to the Faroe Islands and Copenhagen to see first-hand how a remote island nation built world-class infrastructure.
- Title
- What are the experiences of women in live comedy? - Women and Equalities Committee
- Runtime
- 1:36:06
- Date posted
- 6 months ago
- Description
- MPs on the Women and Equalities Committee speak to experts for their inquiry, Experiences of women in live comedy.
Witnesses:
Ola Labib - Comedian and writer
Nina Gillingham - Founder and Comedian at Get Off Live Comedy
Rachael Healy - Journalist, The Guardian and The Observer
https://committees.parliament.uk/event/26837
- Title
- 🔴 PMQs LIVE: Prime Minister's Questions - 15 April 2026
- Runtime
- 34:10
- Date posted
- 6 months ago
- Description
- Watch PMQs with British Sign Language (BSL) - https://youtube.com/live/JSM6qbnMAE0?feature=share
Prime Minister's Question Time, also referred to as PMQs, takes place every Wednesday the House of Commons sits. It gives MPs the chance to put questions to the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer MP, or a nominated minister.
In most cases, the session starts with a routine 'open question' from an MP about the Prime Minister's engagements. MPs can then ask supplementary questions on any subject, often one of current political significance.
The Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch MP, asks six questions and the leader of the second largest opposition party asks two. If another minister takes the place of the Prime Minister, opposition parties will usually nominate a shadow minister to ask the questions.
Want to find out more about what's happening in the House of Commons this week? Follow the House of Commons on:
X: https://www...
- Title
- 🔴 LIVE: Prime Minister's Questions with British Sign Language (BSL) - 15 April 2026
- Runtime
- 34:10
- Date posted
- 6 months ago
- Description
- Prime Minister's Question Time, also referred to as PMQs, takes place every Wednesday the House of Commons sits. It gives MPs the chance to put questions to the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer MP, or a nominated minister.
In most cases, the session starts with a routine 'open question' from an MP about the Prime Minister's engagements. MPs can then ask supplementary questions on any subject, often one of current political significance.
The Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch MP, asks six questions and the leader of the second largest opposition party asks two. If another minister takes the place of the Prime Minister, opposition parties will usually nominate a shadow minister to ask the questions.
Want to find out more about what's happening in the House of Commons this week? Follow the House of Commons on:
X: https://www.x.com/HouseofCommons
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ukhouseofcommons
Instagram: https://www.i...
- Title
- Delivering the Child Poverty Strategy - Work and Pensions Committee & Education Committee
- Runtime
- 2:09:56
- Date posted
- 6 months ago
- Description
- MPs on the Work and Pensions Committee & Education Committee speak to experts for their joint inquiry, 'Realising potential: Delivering the Child Poverty Strategy'.
Witnesses:
Baroness Ruth Lister - Emeritus professor of social policy at Loughborough University
Edward McPherson - Senior Consultant at WPI Economics
Dr Matt Barnes - Senior Lecturer in Sociology at City St George’s, University of London
Professor Ruth Patrick - Professor of Public and Social Policy at University of Glasgow
Alun Francis OBE - Chair of the Social Mobility Commission
Carl Cullinane - Director of Research and Policy at Sutton Trust
Daniel Lilley - Head of Youth at the Centre for Social Purpose of the Session research, Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR)
https://committees.parliament.uk/event/26993
- Title
- Artificial Intelligence, business and the future of the workforce - Business and Trade Committee
- Runtime
- 2:59:30
- Date posted
- 6 months ago
- Description
- MPs on the Business and Trade committee receive evidence from experts for their inquiry, Artificial Intelligence, business and the future of the workforce.
Witnesses:
Professor Neil Lawrence - DeepMind Professor of Machine Learning at University of Cambridge
Wendy Hall - Director, Web Science Institute at University of Southampton
Hugh Milward - UK Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Microsoft
Clinton Hasell - Chief Business Officer at Kao Data
Karim Palant - Director of External Affairs at UK Private Capital
Phill Robinson - Founder at Boardwave
https://committees.parliament.uk/event/26983
- Title
- Women in the Armed Forces: Minister for Veterans and People speaks to the Defence Committee
- Runtime
- 2:26:25
- Date posted
- 6 months ago
- Description
- The Defence Committee hears evidence from witnesses, including Minister for Veterans and People, Louise Sandher-Jones MP, as part of its follow-up inquiry into women in the armed forces.
Witnesses:
Louise Sandher-Jones MP - Minister for Veterans and People at Ministry of Defence
General Sir Gwyn Jenkins - First Sea Lord at Ministry of Defence
General Sir Roly Walker KCB DSO - Chief of the General Staff at Ministry of Defence
Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth - Chief of the Air Staff at Ministry of Defence
Sam des Forges - Director of Conduct, Equity and Justice at Ministry of Defence
https://committees.parliament.uk/event/26861/formal-meeting-oral-evidence-session/
- Title
- South East Water face questions from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
- Runtime
- 2:59:11
- Date posted
- 6 months ago
- Description
- MPs on the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee question South East Water bosses as part of the Committee's inquiry into reforming the water sector.
Witnesses:
David Hinton - Chief Executive at South East Water
Chris Train OBE - Chair at South East Water
Caroline Sheridan - Non-Executive Director at South East Water
https://committees.parliament.uk/event/26137/formal-meeting-oral-evidence-session/
- Title
- E-petition debate relating to statutory menstrual leave - Monday 13 April 2026.
- Runtime
- 1:20:21
- Date posted
- 6 months ago
- Description
- E-petition debate relating to statutory menstrual leave - Monday 13 April 2026
The Petitions Committee has scheduled a debate relating to statutory menstrual leave. Paul Davies MP has been asked by the Committee to open the debate. The Government will send a Minister to respond.
Read the petition: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/732342
Find petitions you agree with, and sign them: https://petition.parliament.uk/
What are petition debates?
Petition debates are ‘general’ debates which allow MPs from all parties to discuss the important issues raised by one or more petitions, and put their concerns to Government Ministers. Petition debates don’t end with a vote to implement the request of a petition. This means that MPs will not vote on the issues raised in the petition at the end of the debate.
The Petitions Committee can only schedule debates on petitions to parliament started on pe...
- Title
- E-petition debate relating to a safeguarding mechanism for at-risk children - Monday 13 April 2026.
- Runtime
- 1:16:35
- Date posted
- 6 months ago
- Description
- Petitions Committee has scheduled a debate relating to a disclosure and safeguarding mechanism for at-risk children.
Lewis Atkinson MP has been asked by the Committee to open the debate. The Government will send a Minister to respond.
Read the petitions:
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/731497
Find petitions you agree with, and sign them: https://petition.parliament.uk/
What are petition debates?
Petition debates are ‘general’ debates which allow MPs from all parties to discuss the important issues raised by one or more petitions, and put their concerns to Government Ministers.
Petition debates don’t end with a vote to implement the request of a petition. This means that MPs will not vote on the issues raised in the petition at the end of the debate.
The Petitions Committee can only schedule debates on petitions to parliament started on petition.parliament.uk
Fi...
