MPs to debate Government spending at forthcoming Main Estimates Day debate

• Backbench Business Committee

On Tuesday 4^th July, there will be debates on estimates relating to the following departments:

• The spending of the Department for Work and Pensions, put forward by Sir Stephen Timms

On making the application, Sir Stephen Timms MP said:

“The hope is that we can focus the debate on Universal Credit, because it is the 10th anniversary of the start of the roll-out of the new benefit. Universal credit accounts for a lot of spending: just over £43 billion last year, projected to go up to just over £50 billion this year, following the significant inflation increase in April this year. 5.7 million people claim universal credit, and this debate would be an opportunity for MPs to discuss a significant public expenditure at a key milestone, and to scrutinise the value of the expenditure and ways to make it represent better value for money.”

• The spending of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on measures relating to energy infrastructure, put forward by Stephen Crabb

On making the application, Stephen Crabb MP said:

“The UK has adopted a net zero carbon emission target for 2050, making it the first major economy to pledge to cut emissions to close to zero. The target will require the UK to bring all greenhouse gas emissions, excluding aviation and international shipping, to virtually zero by 2050. It will trigger a profound economic shift in the country that was once the largest coal consumer in the world, and the Estimate for the Department includes a £790 million increase in budget for Net Zero. What makes this debate particularly timely, is that the Government intend a large formal launch of Great British Nuclear in the following week and this will be an interesting scrutiny opportunity to press Ministers on the detailed plan for reaching net zero.”

On Wednesday 5^th July, there will be debates on estimates relating to the following departments:

• The spending of the Ministry of Justice on HM Prison and Probation Service, put forward by Sir Bob Neill

On making the application, Sir Bob Neill MP said:

“At present there are serious challenges in the prison and probation system. The prison population is close to its highest ever level at more than 85,000, and could rise to more than 100,000 over the next 4 years. The Ministry of Justice was provided an additional £4 billion in the 2020 Spending Review to increase prison capacity. To date, however, only £1.1 billion of this has been spent. At the same time, both the prison and probation workforces are experiencing severe recruitment and retention challenges, which is having knock-on effects for prisoner welfare and rehabilitation.  This debate allow the House to debate these important issues, including whether the Ministry of Justice has sufficient resource to meet current and anticipated demands.”

• The spending of the Department for Education on adult education, post-16 education, further education and colleges, put forward by Margaret Greenwood and Mr Robin Walker

On making the application, the MPs said:

“Recent spending decisions by the Treasury and Department have increased the resources available for schools and early years settings but there has not been an equivalent increase for FE. Additionally, spending on classroom-based adult education has fallen even more and will still be 40% below 2009-10 levels even with the additional funding allocated. We want to use the debate to press the case for a review into 16-19 funding, and call on the Government to provide sufficient funding to make sure that people are able to learn and develop new skills throughout adult life.”

What is an Estimates Day debate?

The House of Commons sets aside three Estimates Days each year on which to consider the estimates of public spending by government departments. Following applications from Members, the Backbench Business Committee proposes the subjects to the Liaison Committee, which formally recommends them to the House. Usually the subject of a recent report by a departmental select committee is chosen, which in turn relates to a particular estimate.

Two estimates days take place in the summer to consider the Main Estimates, with one taking place in the spring for the Supplementary Estimates.

An estimate selected for debate can be amended, but only reductions to the estimate can be proposed. Amendments to increase spending are not allowed.

Once the estimates have been agreed, they’re put into legislative form through a Supply and Appropriation Bill. Further information on the Main Estimates – the Government spending plans for 2023-24 can be found in this Commons Library briefing.

Further information

• About Parliament: Select committees
• Visiting Parliament: Watch committees

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