Next Week in Westminster

It may be Whitsun recess next week, but with the Burnham by-election underway it's unlikely to be quiet. Sam Tarry and Marcus Jones give their verdict on how it could play out and what the result means for the parliamentary session ahead. Meanwhile the Steel Nationalisation Bill had its second reading this week as the first of many bills to begin their journey through Parliament this session. Sam and Marcus explain what a second reading actually means and the various motions that follow, as a packed legislative agenda starts to take shape. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nextweekinwestminster.substack.com

Amid a titanic week in Westminster, the King’s Speech arrived with the plan of what comes next. Sam Tarry and Marcus Jones unpack some of the biggest bills of the coming parliamentary session, including the European Partnership Bill, Steel Industry Nationalisation, NHS reform, and what they mean for the country in the months ahead. We also hear from Christopher Snowdon of the Institute of Economic Affairs for an economist’s verdict on what works, what doesn’t, and what’s been left out entirely. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nextweekinwestminster.substack.com

The impact from the elections across Britain will be felt for a long time. Even before the full results are known, the picture so far is one of gloom for the Labour Party. Reform is surging across the country, the Greens are eating into Labour’s London heartlands, and Keir Starmer’s authority is draining by the day. As the results come in, Next Week in Westminster’s Sam Tarry and Marcus Jones bring together some of the sharpest minds in British politics - including Jason Cowley, political commentator for The Sunday Times, Tom McTague, Editor-in-Chief of the New Statesman, and Ben Riley-Smith, The Telegraph’s Chief Political Commentator - to make sense of the results, what they mean for Starmer’s future, and what to expect from the King’s Speech. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nextweekinwestminster.substack.com

Hereditary peers no longer will sit in parliament, with the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Act ending 700 years of tradition. Next Week In Westminster’s Marcus Jones sat down with three hereditary peers as they were preparing to vote in the House of Lords for the last time. And Lords Borwick, Devon and Leicester had some thoughts on how they would design a system of governance from scratch. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nextweekinwestminster.substack.com

Parliament only has a few days before prorogation, but how many days does Keir Starmer have, with the crisis over Mandelson’s vetting for the post to Washington? Sam Tarry and Marcus Jones delve into the crisis in government, and examine the Bills that might still pass in this session. We hear from Tan Dhesi, MP about the state of Britain’s defence, and we find out the Price of a Pint from 30,000 pubs across the country - using the Guinness Index.29.30 - Matt Courtland tells Marcus about the Guinness Index 42.05 - Tan Dhesi, MP and Chair of the Defence Committee This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nextweekinwestminster.substack.com

Next Week In Westminster reflects on the way the Hillsborough Law could now succeed and how public officials will have to tell the truth - we hear a strong personal view from Ian Byrne, MP, who was at the stadium on the day of the disaster. With the concerns over the nation’s preparedness in time of war, Next Week in Westminster asks if people around the country are themselves ready for any crisis, and how the government can prepare us for any eventuality. So how much do a can of beans cost?Join Sam Tarry and Marcus Jones at Next Week in Westminster.9.30 - The latest on the Hillsborough Law, with Ian Byrne, MP24.45 - Baroness Harris on the need to prepare civilians for conflict38.35 - Community-owned assets, and the price of a pint! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nextweekinwestminster.substack.com

Baroness Gabby Bertin tells Marcus Jones about the terrible influence violent internet porn is having on a whole generation of young people. Her amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill will go a long way in changing that - and she explains how more can be done to make the internet a safer place for young people. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nextweekinwestminster.substack.com

With Westminster returning from recess, there is a lot to get done before prorogation. In this episode, Next Week In Westminster talks to Baroness Bertin about the urgent need to prohibit violent internet porn. And Lord Borwick talks about the more than 30-year wait for a nationwide standard for wheelchair accessible taxis. And we explore the effects of using “may” instead of “must” in legislation. 9.15 - Baroness Bertin on the need to prohibit violent internet porn35.27 - Lord Borwick on getting wheelchair accessible taxis across the country This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nextweekinwestminster.substack.com

With just a few weeks left of this parliamentary session, Sam and Marcus take a look at the Bills still in parliament - which ones are likely to become law and which might be carried over, or even fall. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nextweekinwestminster.substack.com

Parliament is in recess for two weeks, and in May, a new King’s Speech is expected. So Next Week In Westminster is looking back on the major bills that have been enacted in this session so far. With those Acts in mind, Marcus Jones and Sam Tarry give their assessment of the government under Sir Keir Starmer. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nextweekinwestminster.substack.com

Next Week in Westminster does a deep dive into the world of pensions, examining the progress of Bills that could change your pay and your pension. Marcus speaks to one of the peers drafting amendments to the government bills, and we hear from a landlady whose clients are concerned for their retirement. Also, Sam speaks to the Economist magazine’s expert on assisted dying to find out how much Westminster is in step with the rest of the country.9.39 - Pension Schemes Bill - House of Lords25.40 - National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pension Contributions) Bill 40.30 - Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nextweekinwestminster.substack.com

In the House of Lords on Wednesday, Baroness Scott of Bybrook has submitted an Oral Question: Supporting councils to regenerate struggling high streets and towns. Next Week In Westminster’s Marcus Jones talked to Jane Scott about her concerns for town centres across the country. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nextweekinwestminster.substack.com

On Monday, 16th March, the House of Commons has the second reading of the Grenfell Tower Memorial (expenditure) Bill. Next Week In Westminster’s Sam Tarry went to meet the MP for Kensington and Bayswater, Joe Powell at the foot of the tower as it was being dismantled. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nextweekinwestminster.substack.com

In the week beginning 16th March, Sam goes to the Grenfell Tower and meets the local MP, Joe Powell, to discuss the Grenfell Memorial Bill in parliament on Monday. The Lords are looking into raising the National Minimum Wage on Tuesday. And the Commons discusses how many ministers should get a ministerial salary. Meanwhile, Marcus talks to Baroness Scott about her question in the Lords on Wednesday on the pressures on town centres.6.30 - Grenfell Tower Memorial (Expenditure) Bill18.55 - Ministerial Salaries (Amendment) Bill 24.05 - Supporting Councils to Regenerate Struggling High Streets & Towns 35.05 - National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Regulations This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nextweekinwestminster.substack.com

The Labour rebellion has been building over government plans to drop jury trials for many cases in the Courts and Tribunals Bill. The second reading of the bill is in the House of Commons on Tuesday 10th March. Next Week In Westminster’s Sam Tarry spoke to Karl Turner MP who is a passionate supporter of the jury system. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nextweekinwestminster.substack.com

In this episode, Next Week in Westminster: A smartphone ban for schools and restrictions on social media for children. We talk to Labour MP Karl Turner about his passionate disagreement with the government over reducing jury trials and if there could be a compromise between the Lords and the Commons on abolishing hereditary peers.10.40 - Courts and Tribunals Bill 14.45 - Karl Turner MP on the Labour rebellion over reducing jury trials25.15 - The Stats of our Nation - US strikes on Iran & Income Tax vs. Welfare costs 32.33 - Consideration of Lords’ Amendments, the Children’s Wellbeing & Schools Bill44.05 - House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nextweekinwestminster.substack.com

A lot of parliamentary time and media coverage has been focused on the Assisted Dying Bill, but there is an urgent need to improve care for those who are very ill or dying. Rachael Maskell leads the Commission on Palliative and End-of-Life Care, and has a backbench debate scheduled on Thursday 5th March to call for better access to care across the country. She tells Next Week In Westminster’s Sam Tarry why this is so important. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nextweekinwestminster.substack.com

This episode of Next Week in Westminster looks at how the Representation of the People Bill encourages millions more voters to go to the polls. Marcus and Sam examine the way power is moving from Westminster, in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. Sam talks to Rachael Maskell, MP, who has spent years working to improve palliative care across the country. And we look at the other parliamentary business that might affect you.10:44 - Representation of the People Bill30:00 - English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill40:22 - Rachel Maskell, MP on the urgent need for better palliative care in the UK This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nextweekinwestminster.substack.com

In this episode of Next Week In Westminster, Sam and Marcus examine the Industry and Exports Bill, as the government looks to kickstart economic growth. They discuss the Tobacco and Vapes Bill which aims to make a smoke-free UK, and they talk to the MP who is proposing a Minister for Men and Boys.11:00 - Industry & Exports (Finance Assistance) Bill16:30 - Tobacco & Vapes Bill30:47 - Debate on the potential merits for appointing a Minister for Men & Boys This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nextweekinwestminster.substack.com

On Wednesday, 23rd February there is a debate in Westminster Hall on the merits of having a Minister for men and boys. Dr Luke Evans MP has been campaigning on this for a number of years. He told Next Week In Westminster’s Marcus Jones why young men in particular need more positive awareness from government. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nextweekinwestminster.substack.com

How does an election promise become an act of parliament?For this special episode of Next Week in Westminster, we start with the idea of a law and follow it through the various stages in the House of Commons. We unpick the complexities and traditions that make the Palace of Westminster the heart of Democracy. And there’s more to come as, in our next special episode, we will continue the Bill’s journey through the House of Lords and all the way to Royal Assent. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nextweekinwestminster.substack.com

This week’s agenda spans victim protection, climate policy, and household finances. Peers begin line-by-line scrutiny of the Victims and Courts Bill, which would force offenders to attend sentencing, restrict parental rights for serious sexual offenders, and block the use of NDAs to silence victims.The Lords also take forward the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Bill, aimed at unlocking investment to cut aviation emissions, while MPs debate the annual uprating of pensions and benefits, police funding, and local government finance. It is a reminder that some of the most consequential decisions in Westminster are technical, procedural, and easy to miss until they directly affect daily life.1:33 - Victims & Courts Bill14:00 - Sustainable Aviation Fuel Bill26:08 - Uprating Pensions and Social Security This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nextweekinwestminster.substack.com

6,50’ - Crime & Policing Bill11,30’ - Children’s Wellbeing & School Bill18,21’ - Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nextweekinwestminster.substack.com

This episode looks ahead to 26th Jan, discussing the bills on Pensions allocations from fund managers, prioritisation of places for UK-trained medical professionals and Armed Forces legislation. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nextweekinwestminster.substack.com

Next Week in Westminster podcast is a weekly insider guide - hosted by former MPs Sam Tarry, and Sir Marcus Jones - to the laws Parliament is about to pass, breaking down what they mean, the politics behind them, and why they matter across the UK - before it all kicks off. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nextweekinwestminster.substack.com