Westminster Report - 16th May 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 key developments from the Government and Parliament. From investment in Brand Scotland to the passing of the Great British Energy Bill, there has been significant national activity. I’ve also been active in Parliament, celebrating local success, and pushing for better broadband and youth services.
This week’s newsletter also provides an update on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill and my reasoning behind it, as well as looking ahead to next week in Westminster.
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
This week in Government:
On Monday, the Government released an Immigration White Paper. The measures unveiled aim to reshape our immigration system towards those who contribute most to economic growth, with higher skills standards for graduates and workers.
On Tuesday, Barbara Woodward, the UK Permanent Representative to the UN, on behalf of Denmark, France, Greece, Slovenia and the United Kingdom, issued a joint statement at the United Nations in New York about the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Stating “Humanitarian aid must never be used as a political tool or military tactic.“. Read the full transcript of the speech here.
The Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray, has announced a new campaign fund to drive forward Brand Scotland. The UK Government is offering the UK’s international network grants of up to £20,000 for innovative and creative activities to market Scotland overseas. Brand Scotland is a top priority for the Scotland Office in order to promote Scottish goods and encourage inward investment in Scotland. This new fund is aimed at driving this further.
On Wednesday, the Government announced that thousands of Civil Service roles will be moved out of London, which will deliver and develop government policy closer to the communities it affects as part of a more productive and agile state. Changes will be introduced so talented young people from across the UK can progress straight from school into the Civil Service and rise to the most senior roles, without ever having worked in Whitehall. In Scotland, new roles will be created in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.
On Thursday, the Great British Energy legislation passed through Parliament. This landmark bill sets up the publicly-owned energy company to benefit working people by accelerating clean power, bringing energy security and jobs as part of the Plan for Change, with a £4 million renewable scheme open to give Scottish communities a stake in energy.
This week in Parliament:
This week, I tabled an Early Day Motion celebrating the Wallace High School Senior Girls Football Team for their resounding victory on Friday night to make them back-to-back Scottish champions. Click here to read the full motion.
On Monday, I attended the Public Accounts Committee oral evidence session on how the Government can best use private finance to fund infrastructure projects. It was an opportunity to hear from experts in infrastructure finance and public-private sector partnerships, as well as relevant senior government officials, ahead of the Government’s forthcoming 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy.
On Wednesday, I attended a Westminster Hall debate on the future of public libraries. Reflecting on my early memories of libraries, I spoke about the vital service they offer to communities and the wonderful work done by many libraries across Stirling and Strathallan. Click here to watch the full speech.
I asked Sir Chris Bryant, Minister of State at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, to engage with the Balquhidder Community Broadband volunteers, as they have been waiting for over a year to benefit from the Voucher scheme the Government set up to bring broadband connection to hard-to-reach places. You can watch the full question below. You can also watch my visit to Balquhidder here.
On Thursday, I contributed to the backbench debate on the long-term funding of Youth Services. I spoke about the fantastic projects set up for young people in the constituency, which unfortunately often rely on a patchwork of short-term funding, and the key to ensuring long-term funding is to ensure local authorities are properly funded. Watch the full speech here:
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill – Parliamentary Update
Today, Friday 15 May, the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill returned to the House of Commons for further consideration.
The Commons has already expressed majority support for the principle of assisted dying and broadly backed the Bill as introduced by its sponsor, Kim Leadbeater MP. Since its Second Reading on 29 November, the Bill has been at Committee Stage, where a group of MPs examined the text line by line and debated amendments to strengthen and refine it.
The amended Bill returned to the Commons for Report Stage, where MPs considered changes made in committee, as well as new amendments submitted for debate and selected by the Speaker.
Due to the large number of proposed amendments and the high level of interest from MPs wishing to speak, we were only able to vote on two amendments before time ran out on the sitting. Therefore, the debate (and further votes) will continue on Friday, 13 June.
You can read the current Amendment Paper here:
In today’s votes, I:
✔️ Voted in favour of New Clause 10,
❌ Voted against Amendment (a) to New Clause 10
You can see the various stages of the bill and follow the progress here:
🔗 Terminally Ill Adults Bill – Bill Tracker
Next Week in Westminster
Question Time
Each sitting day begins with MPs questioning a government department. Next week at the despatch box are Ministers from the Ministry of Defence (Mon 19), the Treasury (Tue 20), the Northern Ireland Office (Wed 21), and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Thu 22).
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 Mental Health Bill will go through its second reading. The Mental Health Bill will modernise the Mental Health Act, giving patients a greater say in their care, along with bolstered support from family and friends as part of treatment to ensure that their interests are protected and that their voice is heard throughout the treatment process.
On Tuesday, the Victims and Courts Bill will go through its second reading. The Bill aims to help victims get the justice they deserve. For the first time, judges will be able to hand down prison sentences for cowardly criminals who refuse to attend their sentencing hearing. The powers of the Victims’ Commissioner will also be strengthened, empowering them to play a greater role in individual cases and requiring them to produce an independent report on compliance with the Victims’ Code.
On Wednesday, there will be an Opposition Day Debate, the subject of which, at the time of writing, has yet to be announced. This gives the official opposition a time to debate topics important to them.
On Thursday, there will be Business Questions to the Leader of the House, as well as backbench business, such as a general debate on access to NHS dentistry and on dementia care.
The House is not sitting on Friday, which is the start of the Whitsun Recess, and will next sit on 2nd June.
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.
That’s all for this week. From strengthening the UK’s voice on the international stage to investing in Scotland’s global brand and celebrating local achievements, it’s been a week focused on delivering both national progress and local impact.
Thank you for reading, and as always, if there’s anything I can help with, 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