Work of the House of Commons

The work of the House of Commons

Many people are not aware of the diverse range of topics being discussed and reviewed in the House of Commons. This stickie can help you browse some recent work undertaken in the House and also gives some hints and tips for searching the site for issues of interest.

Please note - links will only ever take you to the UK parliament website.

Links to recent inquiries run by Select Committees - cross party groups scrutinising government departments (please check – these committees may no longer be requesting evidence and some may be completed):

Transport Select Committee Inquiry -

Cost of motor insurance: whiplash

Communities and Local Government Select Committee Inquiry -

Regulation of Social Housing

Public Administration Select Committee Inquiry –

Complaints

Works and Pensions Select Committee Inquiry –

Role of Jobcentre Plus

Examples of recent debates – in the House of Commons Chamber and second Chamber (Westminster Hall):

Pensions Bill - second reading:

Passage of the Bill so far

Children and families bill – third reading:

Passage of the Bill so far

Audio recording of work capability assessments:

Transcript of the debate

Fuel Poverty and the use of Prepayment Meters:

Details of the debate (please scroll down to 4pm - 4.30pm: Prepayment Meters)

Links to recent Library notes (impartial expert notes informing MPs and the public of background information behind topics of interest):

Bereavement benefits - This note looks at the current system of bereavement benefit and the framework for the new system under the Pensions Bill 2013-14

Paying Housing Benefit direct to tenants in social rented housing - This note explains the Government’s approach to the introduction of direct payments and social landlords’ responses

Anti-social behaviour in private housing - This note outlines the legal position and available remedies where people find themselves living next door to tenants of private landlords or owner-occupiers who exhibit anti-social behaviour.

Financial education in schools - This note provides an outline of current arrangements relating to financial education in schools, and notes some recent developments. It covers England only.
Please note that the Library Notes open as PDFs.

To find further information on Parliament.uk:

What's on around Parliament - to find out what is going on within the Chamber of the House of Commons and in Select Committees

The work of Select Committees - to find out more information about the depth and breadth of work undertaken by the Commons Select Committees

Topical Issues Index - to find library information relating to a wide range of different subjects.