The Bench Report

Send us a topic important to you. Today we examine the recent parliamentary debate on trail hunting, an activity under increasing fire for its connection to illegal fox hunting despite the Hunting Act 2004. Perran Moon MP opened the discussion, highlighting animal cruelty concerns and the perceived loopholes in current legislation. The debate explores the differences between trail hunting (using a...

Send us a topic important to you. Join us as we unpack a crucial House of Commons debate on the proposed changes to Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and their potential impact on Carer’s Allowance.  The Minister of State, Stephen Timms, outlines the government's plan to reform PIP through the "Pathways to Work" Green Paper, aiming to create a more sustainable system focused on t...

Send us a topic important to you. Ready to explore the upcoming changes to your home phone? In this episode, we investigate the UK's nationwide shift from traditional landlines to a fully digital network. The old Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is being retired, with all calls moving over broadband by the end of January 2027. This industry-led transition is happening because the agin...

Send us a topic important to you. As my eldest is turning 17 soon, this is of particular interest! Join us as we explore the recent changes to UK driving licence regulations designed to accelerate the transition to zero emission vehicles. We examine the new rules, which allow standard category B licence holders to drive fully electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles up to 4.25 tonnes without the prev...

Send us a topic important to you. Join us as we investigate the mounting financial pressures facing universities across the United Kingdom. This episode examines a crucial parliamentary debate on the severe financial crisis gripping the higher education sector, revealing the profound consequences for both staff and students. We unpack the alarming statistics, with over 5,000 job cuts already annou...

Send us a topic important to you. Join us for the latest announcement from the Labour Government regarding the roll-out of school-based nursery capital grants . Secretary of State for Education Bridget Phillipson outlines the ambitious plan to open and expand nurseries in primary schools, backed by £37 million in funding for an initial 300 schools, aiming for 3,000 new nurseries in the long term. ...

Send us a topic important to you. This episode explores the vibrant discussions during British Sign Language Week in the UK Parliament. We listen in as Members of Parliament examine the significance of BSL as a language, culture, and cornerstone of the deaf community's identity. The conversation unpacks the progress made since the British Sign Language Act 2022, while also shining a light on...

Send us a topic important to you. The Bench Report Weekend Briefing presents a summary of our topics discussed in episodes this past week and beyond We begin with the question of dedicated UK passport queues and the government's focus on efficiency over national identity.  The briefing then addresses the ongoing UK cladding scandal , highlighting slow progress and significant cost increases. ...

Send us a topic important to you. This REWIND episode delves into a significant moment in UK parliamentary history: the House of Commons statement on the Kelly Report , which proposed a new framework for MPs' expenses and allowances. Following public anger over past claims, the report aimed to restore trust and confidence in Parliament. Listen to the key points as Harriet Harman, the Leader o...

Send us a topic important to you. Join us as we explore the intricate world of Artificial Intelligence within the UK government. This episode investigates the findings of the Committee of Public Accounts' report on the use of AI in the public sector.  We examine the immense potential of AI to revolutionise public services, from automating routine tasks and boosting efficiency to leveraging da...

Send us a topic important to you. Join us for an engaging exploration into the heart of UK transport policy as we unpack the recent House of Commons Transport Questions session from March 27, 2025. We'll examine the government's strong emphasis on transport's role in driving economic growth, alongside the myriad of concerns and debates raised by MPs. From the sticky issue of the Gat...

Send us a topic important to you. Join us as we explore the ongoing crisis surrounding dangerous cladding in residential buildings, years after the Grenfell Tower disaster. We examine the latest report from the Committee of Public Accounts, uncovering the sheer scale of the problem, now estimated to affect 9,000 to 12,000 buildings and potentially 3 million people. Discover why progress in identif...

Send us a topic important to you. An emergency episoide of 'The Bench Report today as we explore the critical debate in Parliament surrounding the future of Scunthorpe Steelworks following British Steel's worrying announcement of potential blast furnace closures and job losses.   We examine the government's immediate response to support affected workers and their conditional offer o...

Send us a topic important to you. LISTENER REQUEST EPISODE! Our producer Tom plays (well, tries to play) football each week, as do his children. One of Tom's team-mates is a PE teacher, who, when chatting about Tom's crazy podcast idea, asked (demanded) to know to what the government are doing about the lack of playing fields for his pupils. So...this one's for you, Mr Harrision! We...

Send us a topic important to you. Join us as we delve into the momentous day the UK formally triggered Article 50, beginning the process of leaving the European Union. This episode takes you inside the House of Commons as Prime Minister Theresa May delivers her statement and faces a barrage of questions from MPs across the political spectrum. Hear the key arguments, the hopes for a "global Br...

Send us a topic important to you. EXTRA: includes an overview of other notable issues debated in the Commons recently. The Down Syndrome Act 2022 aims to ensure public authorities in England, like the NHS, social care, education, and housing, meet the specific needs of individuals with Down syndrome. This episode delves into the crucial guidance associated with the Act, exploring its purpose and t...

Send us a topic important to you. This episode delves into the latest developments in the Post Office Horizon scandal redress process, examining the Government's response to the Business and Trade Committee's critical report. We unpack the key recommendations made by the Committee and analyse which have been accepted, partially accepted, or rejected by the Department for Business and Tra...

Send us a topic important to you. Essential listeng for the Easter and Summer holidays! This episode of 'The Bench Report' will provide you with a quick understanding of the discussions surrounding dedicated passport lines for British passport holders at UK airports, as detailed in recent parliamentary questions. Explore the debate around dedicated passport lines for British citizens at...

Send us a topic important to you. Is working from home helping or hindering the public sector? Join us as we delve into a lively debate in the House of Lords about the impact of remote working on productivity. With public sector productivity still lagging behind pre-pandemic levels, questions are being raised about whether the surge in working from home is a contributing factor. We explore the gov...

Send us a topic important to you. Our first Bench Report REWIND explores the UK Parliament's Second Reading of the Coronavirus Bill, a piece of legislation enacted to tackle the unprecedented public health emergency. We delve into the extraordinary measures proposed by our decision makers in government. We examine the justification for these unprecedented peacetime measures, including provisi...

Send us a topic important to you. Ahead of the weekend, we ask what is the state of grassroots sports in the UK? Join us for an in-depth look at recent parliamentary discussions focusing on the financial lifeline and essential facilities for local sports clubs , with a particular emphasis on football . In this episode, we dissect the key concerns raised by Members of Parliament regarding the finan...

Send us a topic important to you. While everyone may be talking about the Chancellor's Spring Statement earlier today, our misson at 'The Bench Report' is to highlight other debates and committees that may go unheralded, but are extremely important. Today we look at the Tobacco and Vapes Bill , a landmark piece of legislation aiming to create a smokefree generation in the UK.  We un...

Send us a topic important to you. A subject very relevant after the recent cyber security leak in the US government! BBC News - Trump's national security team's chat app leak stuns Washington   This episode examines the government's ongoing efforts to bolster the nation's digital defences against a growing array of threats. We analyse the latest progress in strengthening cyber...

Send us a topic important to you. The current state of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) funding in the UK is under intense scrutiny, with calls for urgent reform and increased financial support. This episode delves into a recent parliamentary discussion highlighting the challenges faced by local authorities and the experiences of families and schools. The Labour government acknowl...

Send us a topic important to you. Welcome to the introductory episode of 'The Bench Report!' UK politics then and now, straight from the benches. We're here to make debates from the Commons and the Lords more accessible to everyone and hold our government a bit more accountable. We delve into Hansard, the official record of parliamentary debate in the UK, which is publicly available...