Cost of Living

Select Committee Statement on the Second Report of the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee, Affordability of Home Ownership, HC 41

A Westminster Hall debate on the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee's report into the affordability of home ownership. The debate will examine the barriers preventing people from buying homes and explore potential policy responses to make house purchase more achievable for ordinary families.

Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee: The Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance (Decisions and Appeals) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (SI, 2026, No.457)

This delegated legislation committee will scrutinise amendments to the rules governing how decisions are made and appealed on four key welfare benefits: Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Jobseeker's Allowance, and Employment and Support Allowance. The regulations alter the appeals process and decision-making procedures for claimants challenging benefit awards or entitlements.

Seventh Delegated Legislation Committee: The draft Lifelong Learning (Fee Limits) Regulations 2026

Parliament will scrutinise draft regulations that set fee limits for lifelong learning courses in 2026. The regulations govern how much providers can charge for skills training and adult education, affecting the balance between accessibility and provider funding. This is a delegated legislation committee debate, where MPs examine secondary legislation without requiring a full Commons vote.

Treasury Committee: Consumer finance

The Treasury Committee will hear oral evidence on consumer finance, examining how households access credit, manage debt, and navigate financial services. This inquiry probes whether current regulations and market conditions are serving consumers fairly, or whether vulnerable households face barriers to affordable borrowing and are at risk of harmful debt.

Business and Trade Committee: Consumer protection

The Business and Trade Committee will hear oral evidence on consumer protection policy. This inquiry examines how well existing protections safeguard households from unfair trading practices, product safety risks, and financial harm—and whether current rules are fit for modern markets including online retail and digital services.

Debate on NHS dentistry

This backbench debate examines the state of NHS dentistry, a service facing severe access pressures across England. Members will debate the causes of NHS dentist shortages—including low pay, unfavourable contract terms, and migration to private practice—and potential solutions. The debate offers an opportunity for backbench MPs to highlight constituent complaints about long waiting lists and unavailable NHS dental appointments, and to press the government on its plans to stabilize the service.

Housing, Communities and Local Government (including Topical Questions)

This is a scheduled oral question session where MPs will quiz the Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary on current departmental business. Topical questions allow the opposition and backbenchers to raise pressing issues affecting housing supply, local authority finances, and community services. The session tests the government's response to problems ranging from planning reform and house-building targets to support for councils facing budget pressures.

Work and Pensions Committee: Safeguarding Vulnerable Claimants: One year on

The Work and Pensions Committee is conducting a follow-up inquiry into how the welfare system protects vulnerable claimants, one year after its initial investigation. The hearing will examine progress on safeguarding measures, whether protections for people claiming benefits — including those with disabilities, health conditions, and financial difficulties — have improved, and what gaps remain in support for those at highest risk of falling through the system.

Energy costs

Hannah Spencer (Green Party) is raising energy costs in a Westminster Hall debate. This is an opportunity for backbench MPs to scrutinise government policy on energy prices and affordability without a full Commons debate. The discussion will likely cover household energy bills, energy security, and whether current support measures are adequate for struggling households.

Treasury Committee: Financial Inclusion Strategy

The Treasury Committee will take oral evidence on the government's Financial Inclusion Strategy, examining how policy can improve access to banking, credit, and financial services for excluded or underserved populations. The session will explore barriers to financial participation—such as lack of bank accounts, high-cost borrowing, and limited access to mainstream credit—and test the effectiveness of government plans to address them.

Home Affairs Committee: Asylum Accommodation: Follow Up

The Home Affairs Committee is conducting follow-up oral evidence on asylum accommodation—the housing and support provided to people seeking asylum in the UK. This scrutiny follows a previous inquiry and examines whether current arrangements are working, whether they deliver value for money, and what pressures exist across the asylum system. The inquiry will likely probe government policy on accommodation providers, conditions in hostels and dispersed housing, and the costs to local authorities and the public purse.

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (including Topical Questions)

MPs will question the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary on departmental priorities and current issues affecting farming, food security, and environmental policy. Topical questions allow backbenchers to raise urgent, time-sensitive matters without prior notice, so the agenda will depend on what MPs choose to ask on the day—likely covering rural livelihoods, agricultural support post-Brexit, food prices, or environmental regulation.

Health and Social Care Committee: Food and Weight Management

The Health and Social Care Committee is taking oral evidence on food and weight management. This inquiry examines how food policy, nutrition, and weight-related health interventions affect public health outcomes, with particular attention to the cost pressures facing households trying to access healthy food and the NHS burden of obesity-related illness.

Government support for seasonal hospitality businesses in coastal areas

This Westminster Hall debate examines government support for seasonal hospitality businesses operating in coastal areas. Joe Robertson, MP for Isle of Wight East, is raising the particular financial challenges these businesses face—volatile demand, limited trading seasons, and cash-flow pressures—to press the government for tailored support measures. The debate will explore whether current economic support schemes adequately address the distinct needs of seaside tourism-dependent enterprises.

Work and Pensions Committee: Realising potential: Delivering the Child Poverty Strategy

The Work and Pensions Committee is holding oral evidence sessions to examine how well the government is delivering on its Child Poverty Strategy. The inquiry will scrutinise whether current policies and spending commitments are actually reducing child poverty and whether the strategy's goals are being met in practice.

Second Delegated Legislation Committee: The draft Energy Prices Act 2022 (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2026

This committee debate examines draft regulations amending the Energy Prices Act 2022 as it applies to Northern Ireland. The regulations set out how energy price protections and support measures operate in Northern Ireland, likely adjusting the existing price cap or support scheme that shields households and businesses from volatile energy costs. The committee will scrutinise whether the amendments properly address energy affordability in Northern Ireland and align with the broader UK framework.

Government support for coastal communities

An adjournment debate on government support for coastal communities, raised by Labour MP Neil Duncan-Jordan for Poole. Adjournment debates allow MPs to raise local or national issues for departmental response but do not lead to votes or legislation. This debate will air concerns about funding, economic resilience, and quality of life in coastal towns, likely focusing on how central government can better support areas dependent on tourism, fishing, and seasonal employment.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if she will make a statement on the Government’s plan for costs for motorists.

Sir Mel Stride, the Conservative MP for Central Devon, has tabled an urgent question asking the Chancellor to set out the Government's plans to manage costs for motorists. This appears to probe Labour's approach to fuel duty, vehicle taxes, or other charges affecting drivers—a politically sensitive area given widespread concern about the cost of motoring. The urgency suggests either a recent policy announcement or a developing issue the Opposition wishes to challenge publicly.

Funding for fire and rescue services

Matt Vickers is raising concerns about funding for fire and rescue services in a Westminster Hall debate. This forum allows MPs to highlight issues and seek accountability from government on specific topics without requiring legislation, giving Vickers an opportunity to press the Labour government on firefighter resources, service adequacy, and budget allocation.

Government support for park home owners

This Westminster Hall debate examines government support measures for park home owners in the UK. Park home owners face particular vulnerabilities including site rent increases, limited legal protections, and potential eviction risks, making this a targeted discussion on housing security and affordability for this specific residential sector.

Potential merits of a national accident prevention strategy

This Westminster Hall debate explores whether the UK should adopt a national accident prevention strategy to reduce injuries and deaths across the population. Sir Andrew Mitchell is sponsoring discussion on how a coordinated, cross-government approach to accident prevention could save lives and reduce the burden on NHS and emergency services.

Second Delegated Legislation Committee: The draft Warm Home Discount (Scotland) Regulations 2026

This General Committee will scrutinise draft regulations updating how the Warm Home Discount scheme operates in Scotland from 2026. The scheme helps low-income households with heating costs. The debate will examine the detailed rules governing eligibility, supplier obligations, and payment mechanisms under the new regulations.

Work and Pensions (including Topical Questions)

This is a routine oral questions session for the Department for Work and Pensions, where MPs can question the Secretary of State and ministers on departmental matters including welfare policy, employment support, and related social security issues. Topical questions allow MPs to raise urgent, current issues affecting working people and benefit claimants.

Gambling advertising

A Westminster Hall debate on gambling advertising, sponsored by Labour MPs Alex Ballinger and Dr Beccy Cooper. The debate will examine the regulation and impact of gambling advertising, likely focusing on concerns about advertising practices, their effect on vulnerable groups including children, and potential harms from problem gambling.

Northern Ireland Affairs Committee: Energy costs in Northern Ireland

The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee is taking oral evidence on energy costs in Northern Ireland. This inquiry examines why households and businesses in Northern Ireland face particular challenges with energy affordability and seeks to understand the factors driving costs in the region.

Fraud in the car insurance industry

This Westminster Hall debate examines fraud within the car insurance industry, likely focusing on fraudulent claims, premium manipulation, and consumer deception that inflate costs for honest policyholders. Helen Morgan (Lib Dem, North Shropshire) is raising concerns about how widespread insurance fraud affects both consumers' premiums and the integrity of the insurance market.

Housing needs of young people

This Westminster Hall debate examines the housing crisis affecting young people in the UK, exploring barriers to accessing affordable housing and the long-term economic and social impacts of housing insecurity among younger generations. The debate will examine both policy challenges and potential solutions to improve housing availability and affordability for young adults.

Potential merits of creating a single status of worker

A Westminster Hall debate on whether UK employment law should create a single unified status of worker, rather than the current three-tier system (employee, worker, and self-employed). This would simplify rights and protections across different types of work and address inconsistencies in how different workers are treated.

Impact of contactless roll out at railway stations on ticket prices

This Westminster Hall debate examines how the rollout of contactless payment technology at railway stations is affecting ticket prices for passengers. The debate will explore whether the shift to contactless payment systems has led to price increases and consider the impacts on commuters and rail users across the UK.

Work and Pensions Committee: Realising potential: Delivering the Child Poverty Strategy

The Work and Pensions Committee is taking oral evidence on the government's Child Poverty Strategy and how it will be delivered in practice. This inquiry examines the policies and measures the Labour government is implementing to reduce child poverty and improve outcomes for disadvantaged families, focusing on the tension between ambition and realistic delivery of the strategy.

Government support for the cost of heating oil

This Westminster Hall debate examines government support for households facing high heating oil costs. The debate, sponsored by Liberal Democrat MP Steff Aquarone, will discuss whether current support measures are adequate for households dependent on oil heating, particularly those in rural areas without mains gas access.

Hidden credit liabilities and the role of the Financial Conduct Authority

This Westminster Hall debate examines hidden credit liabilities and the Financial Conduct Authority's role in regulating them. The discussion will focus on how consumers and businesses are exposed to undisclosed credit risks and what the FCA should do to improve transparency and consumer protection.

Second Delegated Legislation Committee: The draft Energy Prices Act 2022 (Extension of Time Limit) Regulations 2026

This committee debate examines draft regulations to extend the time limit for powers under the Energy Prices Act 2022. The regulations allow the government to maintain flexibility in energy price support mechanisms beyond the original expiry date, affecting how energy price caps and emergency support are administered. The key question is whether an extension of these exceptional powers remains justified.

Carer's Allowance overpayments

This Westminster Hall debate, sponsored by Labour MP Anna Dixon, examines overpayments made to Carer's Allowance recipients. The debate will likely scrutinise how the Department for Work and Pensions has handled cases where carers have been paid more than they were entitled to, and discuss the impact on vulnerable claimants who may face demands to repay substantial sums.

Housing, Communities and Local Government (including Topical Questions)

This is a scheduled question time session where MPs will quiz the Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary on departmental issues and policies. Topical questions allow MPs to raise urgent or current housing, community, and local governance matters affecting their constituencies. The session covers a broad range of issues from housing supply and affordability to local government funding and community cohesion.

Treasury Committee: Financial Inclusion Strategy

The Treasury Committee is holding oral evidence sessions to scrutinise the government's Financial Inclusion Strategy. This examines how the UK ensures people and communities have access to affordable financial services, banking, credit, and support — particularly those on low incomes or in vulnerable circumstances. The inquiry will explore barriers to financial participation and evaluate the strategy's effectiveness in addressing exclusion.

Health and Social Care Committee: Food and Weight Management

The Health and Social Care Committee will take oral evidence on food and weight management. This inquiry examines how diet, nutrition, and weight-related health interventions affect the UK population, likely covering obesity prevention, food industry practices, NHS services, and public health policy.

Government support for voluntary groups and community centres

This Westminster Hall debate, sponsored by Ben Coleman MP for Chelsea and Fulham, will examine government support for voluntary groups and community centres. The discussion will likely focus on funding, policy, and how central government can better support the voluntary sector and local community infrastructure that provides vital services to disadvantaged populations.