UK Politics

Councillor Bandna Chopra, who represents Hounslow West, has quit Labour after 20 years with the party to join Reform

Conservative political commentator Tucker Carlson clashed with a BBC host over the proscription of Palestine Action, claiming the UK Government had used anti-terror laws to attempt to curb criticism of Israel.

It’s a last-minute dash as the end of the parliamentary session looms.

The King’s Speech is set for 13 May. Bills that aren’t passed by then will be automatically dropped unless they’re explicitly carried over. That leaves several major bills now bouncing between the Commons and Lords as MPs and peers quibble over the detail.

The Crime and Policing Bill is probably the most politically charged.

The Lords inserted amendments on revenge porn, AI chatbots producing illegal content, extreme protest groups, and pardons for women convicted under abortion law. The government is expected to push back on several of these.

And the government has shelved the Chagos Islands Bill.

It won’t pursue the bill in this session after the US withdrew its support. TBC whether it’ll come back later in the term.

MONDAY 13 APRIL

No votes scheduled

TUESDAY 14 APRIL

Type 1 Diabetes Screening (Children) Bill
Proposes a national screening programme to test children for type 1 diabetes. Right now there is no routine screening programme in the UK, which means the condition often goes undetected until a child becomes seriously ill. Inspired by the death of two-year-old Lyla, who died from undiagnosed type 1 diabetes in May 2025. Ten minute rule motion presented by Sarah Bool.

Crime and Policing Bill – consideration of Lords amendments
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland (part), Northern Ireland (part)
A wide-ranging bill that aims to tackle antisocial behaviour, knife crime, assaults on shop workers, and violence against women and girls, among other things. Changes include giving the police powers to tackle antisocial behaviour by introducing respect orders, creating a power to seize blades found on private property, introducing a new offence of assaulting a retail worker, and banning AI models optimised to produce child sexual abuse material.
Draft bill (PDF) / Commons Library briefing

WEDNESDAY 15 APRIL

Creative Arts and Culture (Broadcasting Requirements) Bill
Requires the regular broadcast of creative arts and culture coverage on national news programmes. Ten minute rule motion presented by John Slinger.

Pension Schemes Bill – consideration of Lords amendments
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland
A wide-ranging bill reforming the pensions system. Requires defined contribution schemes to prove they’re value for money so savers don’t get stuck in underperforming schemes. Merges small pension pots worth £1,000 or less into one pension scheme. Creates multi-employer ‘megafunds’ in an aim to drive down costs, among other things.
Draft bill (PDF) / Commons Library briefing

Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill – consideration of Lords amendments
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland (part), Northern Ireland (part)
Aims to remove barriers to opportunity in schools and make the education system more consistent for children. Measures include free breakfast clubs for primary schools in England, a limit on branded school uniform items, and strengthening regulation around social care.
Draft bill (PDF) / Commons Library briefing

THURSDAY 16 APRIL

No votes scheduled

FRIDAY 17 APRIL

No votes scheduled

PREVIOUS WEEK'S VOTES

Passed

• Tobacco and Vapes Bill – goes back to the Lords
• National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill – goes back to the Lords
• Personal Protective Equipment (Inclusive Standards) Bill – goes to 2nd reading
• Victims and Courts Bill – goes back to the Lords

Click here to read details of the bills in last week's newsletter.

Consumer tastes are out of sync with what can be grown seasonally and in a low-carbon way, and expectations need to readjusted. Across our national diet, we only grow 62% of what we consume. We import 83% of the dreadfully low amount of fruit we consume. Rebuilding a regional horticulture sector could be the real growth the Treasury wants. When Rachel Reeves promised “securonomics” in the Mais lecture hosted at Bayes Business School in 2024, I thought it might herald food growth. So far, not.

Bernard Mani, who was due to stand in Lewisham on May 7, also allegedly tore down balloons put up in solidarity with Israeli children kidnapped by Hamas

TL;DR: green development gets blocked.