Parliament Returns

Connect Group's Olivia Berman and Matthew Boyd look at what is on Parliamentarians' agenda for their first day back of the new term.

Parliament Returns?

As MPs return to Westminster from their summer recess, a new(ish)-look Government frontbench team will take its seats across from an increasingly emboldened, if perhaps a little more divided, Labour Party.??

With concerns about inflation and a high cost of living lingering, industrial action ongoing in many key industries and sectors, and tensions in Ukraine, the Far East and Africa continuing to affect global supply chains, there’s a lot for our elected representatives to be getting on with. Here’s our guide on what to expect from weeks ahead.??

Key Committee Sessions and Reports?

The committees of the House of Commons and the House of Lords will hit the ground running, with inquiries and reports on some of the most topical issues facing the country.?

Foreign Affairs Committee - Tilting horizons: the Integrated Review and the Indo-Pacific.?

Coinciding with Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly’s, visit to China, the Foreign Affairs Committee published a report reviewing the Government’s tilt to the Indo-Pacific. The region of increasing geopolitical and economic prominence has become a focus of the UK’s foreign policy. The report warns that the current strategy to the Indo-Pacific is incoherent and lacks long-term objectives.?

Health and Social Care Committee – Prevention in Health and Social Care: Healthy Places?

The death of Awaab Ishak, ultimately determined to be caused by mould in his home, set the stage for a refocus of housing standards and the operation of housing organisations. In this evidence session, the Committee will be examining how factors of poor housing, including indoor ventilation, quality of the property and noise pollution, impact health. By examining the ways housing impacts people health will help the committee to consider to what extent the Government’s housebuilding plan promotes health as well.??

Energy Security and Net Zero Committee – Preparing for Winter?

Over the summer the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee collected evidence on the lessons learned by the Government and regulators on how to support people through winter. Now the Committee is hearing from energy companies and campaign groups on actions taken last winter and plans for the upcoming colder months. New Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary, Claire Coutinho may be watching this session closely as energy bills will be high on her priority list and autumn is just around the corner.?

Public Accounts Committee – New Hospital Programme??

One of the most wide-ranging committees in Westminster will be examining the New Hospital Programme and will be questioning NHS and DHSC executives, including Amand Pritchard, Chief Executive, at NHS England. A topical session with increased concern about the impact of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete on the infrastructure of the NHS.??

Bills to Watch?

The Government’s legislative programme will resume from the first sitting day of Parliament, when the Lords’ amendments to the Economic Crime and Transparency Bill are considered by the Commons.??

Online Safety Bill?

Nearing the end of its parliamentary journey is the Online Safety Bill. First introduced under Boris Johnson, supporters of the Bill –held as a flagship piece of legislation by three different administrations in as many years – believe that it will make the UK the safest place to be online, hailing the Bill’s commitment to prioritising child safety. Detractors have, however, raised numerous concerns over the Bill’s impact on individuals’ rights to online privacy; several US-based tech firms have threatened to quit their UK operations should the Bill pass.?

Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill?

Another flagship bill making its way through Parliament is the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill. Bringing forward proposals from the Levelling Up White Paper and the “Planning for the Future” White Paper, the Bill proposes extensive changes to England’s planning regime, as well as initiatives for boosting productivity, pay, jobs and living standards and spreading opportunities and improving public services across the United Kingdom. It was announced that the Government will introduce an amendment to remove EU legacy laws on nutrient neutrality during this parliamentary session to unlock planning permission and support the housebuilding agenda. Despite generating some upset amongst backbench Tories concerned by housing targets, the Bill has garnered supported from the Official Opposition and is thus likely to pass.?

Northern Ireland Budget (No.2) Bill?

The Northern Ireland Budget (No.2) Bill, introduced by the Government in the continued absence of the Northern Ireland Executive, will allow for the continued provision of critical public services – albeit at a lower rate than previously. While the Bill is likely to pass with little dissent, it will almost certainly stimulate calls from MPs at Westminster for parties in Northern Ireland to return to the negotiating table to form an executive. For further insight on this Bill – and the politics of Northern Ireland more generally – you can get in touch with the Connect Group’s Belfast-based Stratagem team.?

Renters (Reform) Bill?

Some other key bills have, for the time being, been put on ice. The broadly popular – and arguably much needed – Renters (Reform) Bill, championed by Michael Gove as a way of improving the private rent for all involved, is still awaiting a date for its second reading.?

And on to conference??

Parliament will break up again in a few short weeks, with MPs decamping to their respective parties’ conferences.?

Conservatives – Manchester, 1-4 October?

The Conservatives will set up shop in Manchester from 1-4 October, for what many pollsters currently predict will be their last conference in government for a while. This may lead to a somewhat subdued atmosphere. This is not to undervalue the importance of this year’s Conservative Conference: it remains as important as ever, and, crucially, it’s the conference of the party of government – a government which may still have more than a year to pursue its agenda before the next general election – dependent on when the Prime Minister chooses to go to the electorate.?

Labour – Liverpool, 8-11 October?

Labour will return to Liverpool from 8-11 October, buoyed by strong poll performances and predicted to include a reshuffled team. Labour Conference is set to be big this year – not just in terms of the festive atmosphere of political resurgence, but also in sheer numerical values. In fact, the party is expecting nothing short of a record-breaker with 15,000 attendees expected on Merseyside – numbers unheard of since the days of the first Blair government. And whilst the party has broadly coalesced around Sir Keir Starmer, potential flash points may arise on the conference floor on issues including benefits reform, net zero and workers’ rights.?

Lib Dems – Bournemouth, 23-26 September?

From 23-26 September, meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats – still hoping to be kingmakers after the next general election – will be holding a more traditional style of seaside conference, picking Bournemouth as their venue for this year. Like Labour, the Lib Dems will be confident that they will improve on their current number of parliamentary seats, and the atmosphere will be that of a resurgent party.?

Connect consultants will be attending all three of these conferences; if you’re attending and want to meet, do let us know!