As Parliament returned from Whitsun recess, Westminster was consumed by the latest release of the Mandelson files on Monday.
The documents contained a message from Pat McFadden sent to Peter Mandelson, where the former criticised members of his own party by saying that every meeting he has is “who can we tax in order to pay benefits to others”. This was, unsurprisingly, seized upon by opposition parties, and Kemi Badenoch used all her questions at PMQs on the issue of welfare
Though media attention may have been placed here, there have been key developments in the Commons and Lords which you may have missed.
Government faces scrutiny on patient voice in Health Bill debate
The Health Bill had its Second Reading in the House of Commons on Monday.
While the headlines around the legislation have been dominated by the abolition of NHS England and the creation of a single patient record, it looks like changes to the patient safety landscape will cause the most controversy as the Bill continues its passage.
Current plans would see Healthwatch abolished, with a new patient experience directorate set up within DHSC. Local healthwatch organisations would have their functions transferred to ICBs and local authorities. Meanwhile, the Health Services Safety Investigations Body would be abolished, with its functions taken over by the Care Quality Commission.
While the Government has justified these changes by claiming that they would simplify the patient safety landscape and bring patient voice closer to decision-makers, the Second Reading debate demonstrated that this is not a universal view.
Speakers from opposition parties made it clear that they are against the changes, while some Labour backbenchers, such as Paulette Hamilton and Rachael Maskell, expressed scepticism too.
Though a revolt is unlikely in the Commons, scrutiny will continue, with a greater struggle likely to take place once the legislation progresses to the Lords in the autumn.
North Sea divide continues at Energy oral questions
On Tuesday, Energy Security and Net Zero oral questions once again brought up the debate about North Sea drilling.
In a session that also focused on rising bills and green jobs, there was rare cross-party agreement between Conservatives, Reform, and the SNP over the need to protect jobs and energy security by increasing domestic production of oil and gas.
While ministers maintained their position that increasing production in the North Sea would not lead to lower bills, this is an issue which is clearly not going away, especially as the impact of conflict in the Middle East continues to be felt in the UK and as Westminster prepares for two by-elections in Scotland, one of which is taking place in Aberdeen.
Plan 2 student loans compared to PPI scandal
Plan 2 loans once again came under the spotlight this week.
At a session of the Treasury Committee, Sir Phillip Augar, who led the last major review of the system, compared the changing terms of Plan 2 student loans to the Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) scandal and mis-sold car finance.
Kate Ogden from the IFS echoed the condemnation, highlighting the freezing of interest rate thresholds as an “egregious” example of tinkering.
The Conservative Party have made Plan 2 loans a key policy issue in recent months, as it tries to win over younger voters. As long as it remains a focus of campaigners and parliamentarians, it will continue to be another headache for the Government as it tries to make the case that it is doing all it can to reduce the cost-of-living.
Government defends Sovereign AI Fund in Lords
Over in the Lords, the Government sought to defend the Sovereign AI Fund.
Peers had questioned whether there was a realistic opportunity for British AI start-ups to access government contracts, with suggestions made that the UK has become too reliant on US technology companies (which has since been echoed by a report from the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee published on Wednesday).
Digital Economy Minister Baroness Lloyd responded by outlining priority areas for the Fund, emphasising the Government’s ambition for Britain to be the best place for AI firms to start, scale, and stay.
Though her words were warm, questions will continue to be asked, especially as the public sector continues to rely on a small number of US-based providers.
Find out more
DeHavilland’s Policy Analysts will be tracking these Bills over the coming weeks. Get in touch if you’d like to find out more.
