MPs to debate Government spending at forthcoming Estimates Day debate
4 March 2025
Estimates days are a chance for Members to debate and agree the Government’s spending plans. Following a meeting on 25th February, the Backbench Business Committee has proposed the topics for the Estimates Day debates.
On Wednesday 5th March there will be debates on the supplementary estimates relating to the following departments:
- The spending of the Department for Health and Social Care, put forward by Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Layla Moran and John Glen.
- The spending of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, put forward by Sarah Champion and Emily Thornberry.
- The spending of the Department for Business and Trade, put forward by Liam Byrne.
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 Supplementary Estimates – the Government spending plans for 2024-25 can be found in this Commons Library briefing.
The Backbench Business Committee continues to field applications for debates from MPs. The Committee's meetings are conducted in public and can be watched on Parliament Live.
You can find the oral evidence transcripts from each meeting on this page.