MPs are slowly drifting back into Westminster this lunchtime, after a weekend away in their constituencies – and this afternoon, there’s a packed schedule ahead.
The Commons resumes sitting from 2.30pm and kicks off with the round of weekly Department of Work and Pensions questions.
Immigration
After that, there’ll be an “urgent question” from the Conservatives on immigration – at around 3.30pm.
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp has asked for the “UQ” – essentially a debate, beginning with a statement from a minister – which will be about the government’s recently announced immigration policy, as unveiled by Shabana Mahmood last week.
The home secretary unveiled a series of reforms to the asylum system on Thursday, at a thinktank event.
The Iran war’s impact on the economy
After that is over, at around 4.15pm, there will be a statement from Chancellor Rachel Reeves on the situation in the Middle East, and how it may impact the public finances.
It comes after oil prices rocketed on the weekend, rising by the highest amount in a single day in six years, though they have slightly dipped since then.
Reeves has also held a joint meeting with G7 finance ministers this lunchtime, to discuss whether emergency petrol reserves can be released to lower the cost of fuel – so we could get an update on that from her too.
The UK military’s involvement in the Middle East
After around an hour, the chancellor will wrap up, and then there’s a statement from Defence Secretary John Healey, again on the Middle East.
It comes after the UK has continued to expand its military presence in the Middle East, though the HMS Dragon destroyer remains in Portsmouth – and not in Cyprus, where we’re told it’s needed.
The government’s plan to tackle extremism
Then, an hour after Healey first makes a statement (and MPs debate this), there’ll be a statement from Communities Secretary Steve Reed.
This’ll be about the government’s new Social Cohesion Plan – all about tackling extremism and division, while bringing communities together.
So, a packed Monday afternoon back in the Commons for MPs.
Of course, the usual disclaimers that all timings are approximate – but we’ll be sure to bring you all the latest, right here on the Politics Hub.
