UK Treasury Committee to grill Chancellor on Budget – Treasury Committee

Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)

Members are likely to examine the significant changes to the Treasury’s tax and spending plans, and potential implications for the economy, public services and government debt. The Chancellor is also expected to answer questions on topical issues, such as how her department handled the months leading up to the Budget and the recently announced leak inquiry.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQpkNYPoSQA

UK The Rising State Pension Age’s Impact on Pre-Pensioners – Work and Pensions Committee

Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)

The Work and Pensions Committee will hear from experts on the impacts of previous State Pension age increases, and the anticipated consequences of the next rise from 66 to 67, due to be phased in between 2026 and 2028. This will include how State Pension age increases disproportionately impact disadvantaged groups.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4v9JTtOEAg

UK Railways Bill: oral evidence – Transport Committee

Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)

The Transport Committee examine how landmark reforms to the railways could lead to improvements for passengers, accessibility and a simpler ticketing system.

Across three panels, the cross-party Committee explore plans to create a new passenger watchdog out of Transport Focus, an existing consultative body, that would be given powers to monitor performance of rail services on behalf of passengers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cb5HQVY9tE0

Yemen, Central Emergency Response Fund, Sudan & other topics – Daily Press Briefing | United Nations

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Highlights:
Secretary-General Statement/Yemen
Yemen
Trip Announcement
Central Emergency Response Fund
Security Council/Ukraine
Sudan
South Sudan
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Lebanon/Israel
Sustainable Transport
Youth Peace and Security
International Days
Financial Contribution

SECRETARY-GENERAL STATEMENT/YEMEN

The Secretary-General is gravely concerned about the continued arbitrary detention of 59 United Nations personnel, in addition to dozens of NGO, civil society, and diplomatic mission personnel. He condemns the referral by the Houthi de facto authorities of United Nations personnel to their special criminal court.

The UN personnel have been held incommunicado, some for years, without any due process, in violation of international law. United Nations personnel, including those who are nationals of Yemen, are immune from legal process in respect of all acts performed by them in their official capacity.

We call on the de facto authorities to rescind the referral and work in good faith toward the immediate release of all detained personnel of the UN, NGOs and diplomatic community.

The United Nations remains committed to supporting the people of Yemen and delivering principled humanitarian assistance.

YEMEN

Following recent developments in Hadramout and Al-Mahra in the eastern region of Yemen, the UN Special Envoy, Hans Grundberg, today highlighted the need for all actors to exercise restraint and de-escalate through dialogue.

This came during meetings he held in Riyadh with the Yemeni Foreign Minister Shaya Zindani, the Saudi Ambassador to Yemen, Mohammed Al Jaber, the UAE Ambassador to Yemen, Mohammed Al-Zaabi. He also met with representatives of the permanent five members of the Security Council in Saudi Arabia and other diplomats.

He noted that the eastern region of Yemen is a vital area, both politically and economically and underscored the need to preserve the space where Yemeni parties can discuss in support of stability and in the interest of Yemeni people.

Grundberg reaffirmed his continued engagement with Yemeni, regional, and international actors to support de-escalation and advance prospects for a negotiated political settlement to the conflict in Yemen.

TRIP ANNOUNCEMENT

Later today, the Secretary-General will be leaving New York for travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Oman.

He will arrive in Riyadh on Wednesday, 10 December. There he will hold bilateral meetings with the Saudi leadership, including His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to discuss a number of pressing regional issues.

From Saudi Arabia, the Secretary-General will travel to Iraq on 13 December to mark the closure of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI). Mr. Guterres will express gratitude to the Mission’s staff members and to the government and people of Iraq for hosting UNAMI for 22 years.

While in Baghdad, he will have bilateral meetings with the leaders of the government of Iraq, including with the Prime Minister of Iraq, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.

The Secretary-General will return to Riyadh to participate in the 11th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations taking place on 14 and 15 December. The Forum, convened under the theme “Two decades of dialogue for humanity: Advancing a new era of mutual respect and understanding in a multipolar world,” marks the twentieth anniversary of the Alliance of Civilizations.

Prior to leaving the region, the Secretary-General is also scheduled to visit Muscat. There he will meet the Sultan of Oman, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, on 15 December to discuss regional issues, including the situation in Yemen.

Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2025-12-09

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjNJzbCOfPU

IRC CEO David Miliband on seeking out new perspectives #MeetTheLeader

Source: World Economic Forum (video statements)

The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. It provides a global, impartial and not-for-profit platform for meaningful connection between stakeholders to establish trust, and build initiatives for cooperation and progress.

Find out more below:
World Economic Forum Website ► http://www.weforum.org/
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#WorldEconomicForum #wef

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/7Dz4QY3iq4s

Safer Imported Food for a Strong Single Market

Source: European Commission (video statements)

On 9 December 2025 the European Commission announced a reinforcement of controls on food, animal and plant products entering the EU: more audits, tougher checks, a new Task Force, and updated pesticide rules.
Stronger controls. Safer food. Fair competition.

Read more: https://link.europa.eu/6Ff7PB

Subscribe to stay in the know.
And share your views in the comments!

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/iugtTaIc44k

UK What support is offered to victims of sexual violence in the armed services?

Source: United Kingdom UK House of Lords (video statements)

See members quiz the government in this question from Baroness Curran on Tuesday 9 December.

📺 Watch the question in full on Parliament TV and find out what other members had to say on the topic.

Catch-up on House of Lords business:

Watch live events: https://parliamentlive.tv/Lords
Read the latest news: https://www.parliament.uk/lords/

Stay up to date with the House of Lords on social media:

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#HouseOfLords #UKParliament

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/IsewiqrUQpE

Closing remarks | Fiscal Policy and EMU Governance Conference 2025

Source: European Central Bank (video statements)

Closing remarks by Era Dabla-Norris, International Monetary Fund, at the Fiscal Policy and Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) Governance conference. The conference is co-organised by the ECB and Fiscal Affairs Department of the IMF.

The conference took place on 04 and 05 December 2025.
Watch all sessions from the conference: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnVAEZuF9FZkp656i2hu_0dlpMBaQfGh0

Conference programme:
https://www.ecb.europa.eu/press/conferences/html/20251031_fiscal_policy_conference.en.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiXdhQ8eGqc