Prisoner Early Release appears here as a parliamentary thread from the Commons Chamber on 29 Jun 2026, with 23 speakers contributing 49 speeches.

#Prisoner Early Release, #Sentencing Act, #Ministry of Justice, #Prison Capacity, #Sentencing Reform, #Sexual Offences, #Child Sexual Abuse, #Victims' Rights, #Probation Service, #Urgent Question

Media Green Paper appears here as a parliamentary thread from the Commons Chamber on 24 Jun 2026, with 36 speakers contributing 73 speeches.

#Media Green Paper, #Watch This Space, #DCMS, #Public Service Broadcasting, #BBC, #BBC World Service, #Ofcom, #Misinformation, #Online Regulation, #DSIT, #FCDO, #Urgent Question

Luke Pollard told MPs he had been wrong to say on 15 June that the Defence Secretary could not answer an urgent question because he was still with the King; he confirmed the Defence Secretary had already returned to London, and the correction was formally recorded.

The Government defended a 50% tariff on steel imports above new quotas from 1 July as protection for UK steelmaking, but MPs warned it could raise costs for aerospace, defence, car and construction firms that cannot buy the grades they need domestically. Ministers promised to examine problem categories and report final measures to Parliament, but did not agree to pause the policy or offer broad exemptions.

The Government was challenged to end VAT charges on medicines supplied free through compassionate use and early-access schemes, amid warnings that uncertainty is deterring companies and could deny patients treatment; ministers said the rules are long-standing, enforcement issues are being reviewed with the Treasury and HMRC, and no decision has been made.

The Commons urgent question focused on when the defence investment plan will appear, whether it will be fully funded and whether MPs will get to scrutinise it first. Ministers said it will be published before the NATO summit and will cover equipment, people, housing, infrastructure and reform, while MPs from all parties argued the delay is leaving the armed forces, industry and allies in uncertainty.