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This week at a glance
19 to 23 October 2026
Includes the individual Oral Questions, links to bill pages, and committee and Library papers.
Monday
19 October
- Oral QuestionsFour Oral QuestionsIncluding the economic contribution of settled migrants · 2:30pm
- LegislationPublic Office (Accountability) BillCommittee, day 2 of 3
- Grand CommitteeRailways BillCommittee, day 5 of 7 · 3:45pm
Tuesday
20 October
- Oral QuestionsFour Oral QuestionsIncluding cash acceptance and the financial sector · 2:30pm
- LegislationCommercial Payments Bill [HL]Third Reading
- LegislationArmed Forces BillReport
- Grand CommitteeUK–EU Agreement on GibraltarDebate · 3:45pm
Wednesday
21 October
- Oral QuestionsThree Oral QuestionsIncluding borrowing to fund defence spending · 3:00pm
- LegislationPublic Office (Accountability) BillCommittee, day 3 of 3
- Grand CommitteeRailways BillCommittee, day 6 of 7 · 4:15pm
Thursday
22 October
- Oral QuestionsThree Oral QuestionsIncluding WTO rules and public procurement · 11:00am
- DebateAI, screen use and social media and childrenLord Patel
- DebateProposals for a written constitutionLord Anderson of Ipswich
- Grand CommitteeSitting times of the HouseDebate on the consultation · 12:15pm
Friday
23 October
- LegislationHouse of Lords (Alternative Second Chamber) BillSecond Reading · 10:00am
- LegislationBritish Sovereignty Protection (Chagos Islands) BillSecond Reading
Monday
19 October
- Oral QuestionsDefence questions2:30pm
- LegislationNorthern Ireland Troubles BillCommittee of the whole House, day 1
- Westminster HallSentence reductions for guilty pleas in coercive control casesE-petition debate · 4:30pm
Tuesday
20 October
- Oral QuestionsHealth and Social Care questions11:30am
- LegislationNorthern Ireland Troubles BillCommittee concluded, then remaining stages
Wednesday
21 October
- Oral QuestionsNorthern Ireland questionsThen PMQs at 12 noon · 11:30am
- LegislationChurch Appointments (Repeal of Discriminatory Provision) BillAll stages
- DebateLiberal Democrat Opposition DaySubject to be announced
Thursday
22 October
- Oral QuestionsEnvironment, Food and Rural Affairs questionsThen Business Questions · 9:30am
- DebateBlack History MonthGeneral debate, after tributes to the Clerk of the House
Friday
23 October
- Not sittingThe House of Commons does not sit
What matters this week
Week Ahead
Key business in the House of Lords and House of Commons: debates, legislation and opportunities.
ViewGovernment Tracker
Labour Government policy, announcements and major developments.
ViewOral Questions
Upcoming Oral Questions in both Houses, with suggested Conservative supplementaries.
ViewPMQs
Prime Minister's Questions: the key themes and the questions to watch.
ViewConservative Watch
Kemi Badenoch, Shadow Cabinet announcements, speeches and policy.
View
Latest publications
Key developments this week
Every briefing, the same clear shape
Each briefing follows the same order, so you always know where to look and can take it in within a few minutes.
- The message. The point, in their own words.
- Key arguments. What was said, set out clearly.
- Context. The figures and commitments behind it.
- Blue Benches analysis. What it means, labelled separately.
- What to watch. What to press on next, and when.
Every briefing lists its sources.
Blue Benches
Politics & policy, made clear
Kemi Badenoch
Pre-Budget briefing
20 October 2026
The message in her words
We need to live within our means.
Britain cannot afford to do as little as possible.
Today’s speech: key arguments
- Spending: act nowSpending restraint rather than further tax increases.
- Debt interest: the cost of delayExpensive borrowing squeezes other priorities.
- Defence: find the fundingA clear route to 3% of GDP.
- Business: protect growthHigher bank taxes would harm growth.
The full briefing is for members
See membershipAbout Blue Benches
Blue Benches is compiled, curated and edited by Sarah Fletcher, who has worked in Parliament since 2009, across both Houses and through periods of government and opposition.
It provides concise briefings, parliamentary intelligence and practical analysis for Conservative peers and MPs. The membership list is private and never shared.
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