🏛️ Business of the House

• Upcoming Parliamentary Schedule for March:
  • Monday 3 March: Final stages of the Finance Bill will be discussed.
  • Tuesday 4 March: Time allocation motion will be considered, followed by all stages of the Church of Scotland (Lord High Commissioner) Bill.
  • Wednesday 5 March: Debates on estimates for the Department of Health and Social Care, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and the Department for Business and Trade, with all unresolved estimates to be agreed upon at 7 pm.
  • Thursday 6 March: Discussion on the Supply and Appropriation (Anticipation and Adjustments) Bill, International Women’s Day, and political finance rules. Topics for debate were decided by the Backbench Business Committee.
  • Friday 7 March: Private Members’ Bills will be presented.
  • Week commencing 10 March: Includes the Second Reading of the Crime and Policing Bill on Monday, and the remaining stages of the Employment Rights Bill on Tuesday and Wednesday. Thursday’s business will be decided by the Backbench Business Committee, and Friday will see more Private Members’ Bills.
• Retirement and Commemorations:
  • Dawn, a long-serving staff member of the Tea Room, is retiring. MPs expressed their gratitude and wished her well in her retirement.
  • The third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was acknowledged, with MPs expressing solidarity with Ukraine and wishing success to the Prime Minister in his meetings at the White House.
• Government and Economic Criticism:
  • Jesse Norman criticized the current government’s economic policies, mentioning a reduction in the Bank of England’s growth forecast and increased national insurance contributions. He also criticized the Employment Rights Bill and the government’s energy policy for increasing dependence on foreign supplies and carbon emissions.
• Defence Spending and National Security:
  • The Prime Minister announced an increase in defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, aiming to reach 3% in the next Parliament. This move was described as the most significant increase since the Cold War ended, aimed at responding to changing global threats.
• Environmental and Energy Policy:
  • Concerns were raised about the government’s climate targets and the decision to increase energy bills. MPs called for a debate on supporting struggling households and accelerating decarbonization efforts, suggesting an emergency upgrade program for home insulation and heating.
• Healthcare and Public Services:
  • Issues in the NHS complaints system were highlighted, urging a debate on improving NHS accountability to ensure patient safety. Additionally, the need for a debate on ADHD service provisions was mentioned due to long waiting times impacting patients.
• Local Concerns and Issues:
  • The performance of Thames Water was criticized due to poor service and communication during a water supply disruption. MPs called for clearer compensation for affected residents.
  • Discussions about local government funding formulas were raised, with calls for a fairer distribution of funds to support high-needs areas.
  • Infrastructure concerns, such as the impact of prolonged roadworks and the need for road safety improvements, were also mentioned.
• Cultural and Community Initiatives:
  • Celebrations and support for community efforts were acknowledged, including the retirement of a local theatre staff member, international football events for women and girls, and the impactful fundraising efforts by a local netball club.
• Security and International Relations:
  • Concerns about security threats from Iran’s potential acquisition of nuclear weapons were raised, with calls for a statement on the government’s plans to prevent this.
• Local Achievements and Recognitions:
  • MPs highlighted various achievements within their constituencies, from schools excelling in academics to unique community initiatives and commemoration of veterans’ contributions.
• Call for Debates:
  • MPs requested debates on a range of issues including road safety, local government funding, food security, support for the performing arts, and the importance of single-sex spaces in workplaces.

The session displays a moderate level of disagreement, mainly articulated between the shadow Leader of the House, Jesse Norman, and the Leader of the House, Lucy Powell, particularly in relation to economic policy and government performance. Jesse Norman’s opening statement criticizes the government’s economic record, pointing out instances of mishandling, such as the impact on national insurance contributions and the Employment Rights Bill, which he suggests are poorly thought out and burdensome. He also criticizes the government’s energy policy, arguing that importing more expensive oil and gas is detrimental to both the economy and the environment. Lucy Powell responds by defending the government’s achievements, such as lowering interest rates and wages rising, while refuting Jesse Norman’s criticisms by citing historical precedents of previous spending and accusing the opposition of lacking credible plans in the past. This exchange clearly indicates a disagreement, but is conducted within the norms of parliamentary debate and without escalating to personal attacks or highly contentious arguments.

Other minor disagreements arise on topics such as the enforcement of environmental regulations and local government funding, but these are relatively contained and less confrontational. For example, when discussing food security and farming, the disagreement is professionally addressed, with both sides presenting their stance on government policy and its effectiveness.

Overall, while there is clear disagreement and critical exchange between the primary speakers, the level of discord remains within a moderate range, not escalating into strong confrontation or highly disruptive disputes. This suggests a rating of 2 on the disagreement scale. The session reflects a typical level of parliamentary back-and-forth but lacks the intensity required for a higher rating.