Westminster Report - 11th July 2025
A summary of key debates, questions, and decisions shaping the week ahead in Westminster, along with a look back at the previous week's business and my contributions in Parliament.
This week’s update includes significant developments from across Government and in Parliament. From new support for those experiencing pregnancy loss, to action on food inequality and support for LGBT veterans, it’s been a week of important announcements aimed at delivering greater fairness and compassion.
In Westminster, I continued my work on the Public Accounts Committee, heard from French President Emmanuel Macron during his state visit, and joined calls for stronger action to raise living standards. I also visited the Ministry of Defence as part of my ongoing work to better understand and support our Armed Forces.
I write two regular newsletters: one focused on what’s happening in Parliament and the other covering updates from the constituency, so you can stay informed on the issues that matter both nationally and locally. I hope you find this informative.
Chris Kane, MP for Stirling and Strathallan
Stirling and Strathallan Superstars
This week, I announced a new award scheme designed to regularly award unsung heroes from across the constituency, doing exceptional work for our communities. From community champions and inspiring young people to local businesses and everyday heroes.
🌟Nominate a Superstar🌟
This is a community-driven award, with superstars nominated by you. Nominate a Stirling and Strathallan Superstar today by heading to my website: www.chriskane.net/superstars
This week in Government:
On Monday, the Government announced a new amendment to the Employment Rights Bill, which will expand rights to bereavement leave to those who experience pregnancy loss. The amendment will give those experiencing pregnancy loss at any stage the legal right to take time off work to grieve, giving them much-needed support at a difficult time.
On Tuesday, the Government announced 2 ‘public restaurants’ (state-subsidised eateries) will be piloted in Dundee and Nottingham, to provide universal access to nutritious and sustainably produced foods in social settings, and to particularly meet the needs of deprived households with children. This comes as the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology laid out plans to tackle food inequality.
LGBT military personnel who faced dismissal, discharge or mistreatment due to their sexuality while serving between 1967 and 2000 will receive financial support faster following improvements to the Government’s financial recognition scheme announced on Wednesday. An increase in dedicated staff will accelerate applications and process payments faster, and a new automated payment system is being built to eliminate processing delays and administrative bottlenecks.
On Thursday, the Prime Minister and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed to take forward a groundbreaking partnership to address illegal Channel crossings and dismantle the people smuggling networks. A new pilot scheme will see small boat arrivals being returned to France, then an equal number of migrants will be able to come to the UK from France through a new legal route, fully documented and subject to strict security checks.
This week in Parliament:
On Monday, I attended the Public Accounts Committee oral evidence session on Civil Service Pensions. The administrator of the Civil Service Pension Scheme has seen customer service complaints soar, almost doubling in the last nine years. Many are waiting a long time for their queries to be answered, and delays in receiving their payments. We heard from members of the Cabinet Office and the pension administrator, and examined why people are facing these delays. Watch my contribution here.
This week, I released a blog post on my website reflecting on my time in the Public Accounts Committee; read that here.
On Tuesday, I attended French President Emanuel Macron’s speech to Parliament as part of his state visit to the United Kingdom, the first EU leader's state visit since Brexit. He addressed members of both Houses, emphasising the shared history between the two countries and the importance of rebuilding ties after Brexit. You can watch the full speech here.
On Wednesday, I joined a group of Labour MPs in signing a letter to the Prime Minister, launching the Living Standards Coalition. This group will be pushing the government and Keir Starmer to go further and faster on raising living standards. After 14 years of living in a no-growth economy and with some of the highest bills in Europe, it is important that the government makes people feel better off. This new coalition of MPs will be pushing for interventions to make this happen.
On Thursday, I visited the Ministry of Defence in Whitehall as part of the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme. Based down the street from Westminster, I got insight into the Government department, which is behind the nation’s security, and oversees our armed forces.
Today, Friday 11th July, I have been in the constituency. If you want to read about the work I do when I am in Stirling and Strathallan, read my June constituency round-up here.
Next Week in Westminster:
Each sitting day begins with MPs questioning a government department. Next week at the despatch box are Ministers from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (Mon 14), the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (Tue 15), the Wales Office (Wed 16), and the Department for Business and Trade (Thu 17).
Questions to the Prime Minister (PMQs) are on Wednesday at noon.
Constituents are welcome to visit Parliament whenever in London. I am able to apply for a very limited number of tickets each month to watch PMQs from the Public Gallery above the Commons. Visit this page on my website to find out more.
Debates
On Monday, the Deprivation of Citizenship Orders (Effect During Appeal) Bill will go through its whole of house committee and remaining stages in the Commons. The bill will prevent a person who has been deprived of British citizenship from regaining that status automatically when their appeal is successful, until further appeals have been determined. It is focusing solely on closing a loophole in the existing deprivation of citizenship process.
On Tuesday, there will be an Opposition Day Debate, the subject of which has yet to be announced. Opposition days are days allocated in the House of Commons for the discussion of subjects chosen by the opposition (non-government) parties. There are 20 days allocated for this purpose per session.
On Wednesday, the Property (Digital Assets Etc) Bill will go through its second reading. This short Bill clarifies that certain digital assets, such as crypto-tokens, can be recognised as property, even if they do not fit into the two traditional categories of personal property recognised by the law. This will help provide certainty and protection for people and businesses who own and transact with these assets.
There will also be a general debate on giving every child the best start in life on Wednesday.
On Thursday, there is Backbench business scheduled, such as a general debate on the global plastics treaty and a general debate on the ageing community and end of life care.
The House of Commons isn’t sitting next Friday. The House will next sit on 21 July 2025.
Ten Minute Rule Bills, Adjournment Debates & Westminster Hall
Backbench MPs can introduce a Bill under the Ten Minute Rule, delivering a short speech to the House. Bills are rarely opposed and are added to the list of Private Members' Bills, but are unlikely to progress further due to time constraints. Adjournment debates take place at the end of each sitting day, allowing MPs to raise issues. An MP applies for a debate, and the Speaker selects one topic. A Minister responds, but no votes are taken. These debates enable MPs to highlight concerns and press for action. Longer adjournment debates also occur in Westminster Hall during the week. Click here to find out what is scheduled for the coming week.
Thank you for taking the time to read this week’s update. I’ll continue to keep you informed on the work I’m doing in Westminster and across Stirling and Strathallan. If you have any questions, concerns, or issues you’d like to raise, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Feel free to share this newsletter with anyone who might find it useful.
Until next time,
Chris Kane,
MP for Stirling and Strathallan