Business of the House

The Leader of the House, Lucy Powell, opened the debate by outlining the government's upcoming business for the next few weeks. She highlighted key legislation that would be debated, including the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill and the Budget Responsibility Bill. Powell also noted that the House would rise for summer recess on July 30th and return on September 2nd. In response, the shadow Leader of the House, Chris Philp, raised several issues. He expressed concern over the delay in electing Select Committee members and Chairs, arguing that this was important for backbenchers to hold the government to account. Philp also questioned the government's decision to resume UK taxpayer funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, citing allegations of antisemitism and links to terrorist groups. Additionally, he pressed the government to honour its election promise of no tax rises beyond those in the Labour manifesto. The debate that followed covered a wide range of topics. Members raised concerns about police conduct, particularly in relation to a recent incident at Manchester airport. There were calls for debates on issues such as child and adolescent mental health services, coastal community regeneration, and the impact of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) on school buildings. Several members also discussed the government's plans to address illegal immigration, with some arguing for a tougher stance and others emphasizing the need to treat genuine asylum seekers appropriately. The Leader of the House defended the government's approach, stating that they had already taken steps to tackle the issue, including establishing a border security command and reallocating resources. The debate also touched on the government's commitment to restoring trust in politics, with one member questioning the apparent double standards in ministerial travel arrangements. The Leader of the House responded by stating that the government was determined to turn the page on the "sleaze, scandal and cronyism" of the previous administration. Overall, the debate highlighted the wide range of issues that the new government is facing, from infrastructure and public services to national security and political integrity. Members from across the House engaged in a lively discussion, with the government outlining its priorities and the opposition pressing for further action and accountability.