Source: United Kingdom UK House of Lords (video statements)
The International Agreements Committee scrutinises treaties laid before Parliament and government negotiations with states. Learn more about the committee with the Chair, Lord Johnson of Lainston.
The committee is accepting evidence for its inquiry into how the UK should deploy its trade instruments, until Friday 22 May 2026.
You can submit evidence at https://orlo.uk/5fu3r, or contact the committee via email at HLIntlAgreements@parliament.uk.
The EU is rolling out a new age verification app to protect children online.
Users can prove their age without sharing personal data, keeping privacy in their hands while ensuring safer access to online content.
A new step towards a safer digital space in Europe.
Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)
MPs on the Women and Equalities Committee speak to experts for their inquiry, Experiences of women in live comedy.
Witnesses:
Ola Labib – Comedian and writer
Nina Gillingham – Founder and Comedian at Get Off Live Comedy
Rachael Healy – Journalist, The Guardian and The Observer
The safety of children – both online and offline – is a core priority for the European Commission. In their press statements from 15 April 2026, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen presented the new Digital Age Verification App. It allows users to anonymously prove their age without sharing personal data when accessing platforms. This way, it blocks harmful or illegal content for minors while respecting strict privacy standards.
"Our technical solution is ready," remarked President von der Leyen. Motivated by rising risks like cyberbullying, addictive social media, and online grooming, the EU-developed tool builds on the success of its COVID certificate app. It offers a user-friendly, open-source, and cross-device solution that Member States (e.g., France, Italy) are already adopting. Coupled with tougher enforcement
against non-compliant platforms, the app ensures children’s safety is prioritised over commercial interests. It thus provides parents and carers a vital shield in the digital world.
Read the full statements on our Press Corner: https://link.europa.eu/Wph8QM
Find more information about the age verification process here: https://link.europa.eu/9gKpwF
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Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)
Watch PMQs with British Sign Language (BSL) – https://youtube.com/live/JSM6qbnMAE0?feature=share
Prime Minister’s Question Time, also referred to as PMQs, takes place every Wednesday the House of Commons sits. It gives MPs the chance to put questions to the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer MP, or a nominated minister.
In most cases, the session starts with a routine ‘open question’ from an MP about the Prime Minister’s engagements. MPs can then ask supplementary questions on any subject, often one of current political significance.
The Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch MP, asks six questions and the leader of the second largest opposition party asks two. If another minister takes the place of the Prime Minister, opposition parties will usually nominate a shadow minister to ask the questions.
Want to find out more about what’s happening in the House of Commons this week? Follow the House of Commons on:
Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)
Prime Minister’s Question Time, also referred to as PMQs, takes place every Wednesday the House of Commons sits. It gives MPs the chance to put questions to the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer MP, or a nominated minister.
In most cases, the session starts with a routine ‘open question’ from an MP about the Prime Minister’s engagements. MPs can then ask supplementary questions on any subject, often one of current political significance.
The Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch MP, asks six questions and the leader of the second largest opposition party asks two. If another minister takes the place of the Prime Minister, opposition parties will usually nominate a shadow minister to ask the questions.
Want to find out more about what’s happening in the House of Commons this week? Follow the House of Commons on:
Source: United Kingdom UK House of Lords (video statements)
Deterring Russian sub-surface operations threatening Atlantic undersea cables was on the agenda in the Lords yesterday in this question from Baroness Antrobus.
📺 Watch the full question on https://orlo.uk/Lb00w
Source: International Monetary Fund – IMF (video statements)
Governments are facing growing demands from citizens to deliver high-quality public services. This is happening in the context of limited fiscal space, shrinking official financing, and rising spending needs linked to crisis responses, defense, demographics, and development. With limited room to raise revenues or expand financing, policymakers increasingly need to focus on how to make better use of existing public spending, ensuring that public outlays are efficient, adequate, and sustainable. The seminar will discuss how countries are addressing this challenge in practice, and what lessons can be drawn on how to spend better.
Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)
MPs on the Work and Pensions Committee & Education Committee speak to experts for their joint inquiry, ‘Realising potential: Delivering the Child Poverty Strategy’.
Witnesses:
Baroness Ruth Lister – Emeritus professor of social policy at Loughborough University
Edward McPherson – Senior Consultant at WPI Economics
Dr Matt Barnes – Senior Lecturer in Sociology at City St George’s, University of London
Professor Ruth Patrick – Professor of Public and Social Policy at University of Glasgow
Alun Francis OBE – Chair of the Social Mobility Commission
Carl Cullinane – Director of Research and Policy at Sutton Trust
Daniel Lilley – Head of Youth at the Centre for Social Purpose of the Session research, Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR)
