Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)
As Big Ben strikes at 12 midday today, a national two-minute silence will begin to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. #VJDay80
UK This place looks cute… I wonder what’s inside?
Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)
You can explore the Palace of Westminster, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and its stories this summer.
Search ‘UK Parliament tour’ to book a tour.
UK All episodes available now, catchup on the latest series | Committee Corridor Podcast
Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)
The latest series of the Committee Corridor podcast has landed on YouTube. Listen to all of the episodes covering a wide range of topics with hosts Dame Meg Hillier MP, Chair of the Liaison Committee for the first two episodes and Toby Perkins MP, Chair of the Environmental Audit Committee who takes over for the rest of the series.
This series on Committee Corridor:
Episode 1 – Women in the armed forces: What difference did select committees make?
Episode 2 – The work of the Liaison Committee.
Episode 3 – Aviation, economic growth and the climate crisis.
Episode 4 – Tackling twin crises: Delivering new homes while meeting climate goals?
Episode 5 – Why is our water system broken?
Episode 6 – The UK’s role in protecting ocean life.
Episode 7 – Clean power by 2030.
UK How can you make your concerns heard in Parliament? 🙋
Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)
10 years on from their launch, Stephen explains the e-petitions process. 📥
Learn more about e-petitions in our Parliament Explained playlist.
UK Clean power by 2023 | Committee Corridor Podcast
Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)
Clean Power by 2030 – that’s the ambition set out by the Prime Minister as one of his five central missions.
The Government says that means a secure and affordable energy supply, the creation of essential new energy industries and the need to limit our contribution to climate change. Chair of the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee and host of Committee Corridor, Toby Perkins MP, speaks to three guests who remain to be convinced.
As energy minister, Chris Skidmore signed the UK’s net zero pledge into law in 2019. He later resigned in protest at plans to guarantee annual oil and gas licensing, and now chairs the Climate Action Coalition launched by former US Secretary of State John Kerry.
Initially sceptical about the 2030 deadline for clean power, he’s encouraged by the pace of change and says the UK might even deliver faster. It should prioritise investment in new energy industries while keeping an eye on potential hurdles presented by forthcoming changes to English devolution.
The House of Commons’ Energy Security and Net Zero Committee recently reported on the ‘energy planning chaos’ in a report titled Gridlock or Growth? Committee Member and Liberal Democrat MP, Claire Young, recommends the Government provide much clearer guidance to planners and developers on how strategic plans related to decisions on delivering grid connections.
More diverse energy sources will bring down the UK’s electricity prices will address energy security, she says. “If you compare us to countries like France and Germany, we ‘ve got a less diverse and more volatile collection of energy sources than those countries,” Claire says, pointing to Germany’s combination of hydro, coal and gas, while France uses a high amount of nuclear power. The UK is more reliant on oil and gas, which is more exposed to price spikes.
Harriet Cross is a Conservative MP and member of the Scottish Affairs Committee. She emphasises the importance of ensuring a just transition to a net zero future, an issue the Scottish Affairs Committee is currently exploring in its inquiry into GB Energy. The constituency Harriet represents – Gordon and Buchan in Aberdeenshire – is “the absolute heart” of the oil and gas sector, she says. “Ensuring that the transition is properly just, whatever just means, is absolutely vital.”
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Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a like and subscribe to the UK Parliament YouTube channel so you don’t miss out.
Find House of Commons Committees on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ukcommonscommittees/
We’re on LinkedIn too: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/house-of-commons-committees/
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Other ways to listen:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1cxDxSwu48OuTZQYiAM9Fa
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/committee-corridor/id1622401621
Plus most major podcast providers.
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Links:
Find out more about the Committee Corridor podcast: https://www.parliament.uk/business/commons/committee-corridor-podcast/
The Environmental Audit Committee’s inquiry into Enabling sustainable electrification of the UK economy: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/7680/enabling-sustainable-electrification-of-the-uk-economy/
Read the Energy, Security and Net Zero Committee’s report – Gridlock or growth? :https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/664/energy-security-and-net-zero-committee/news/208202/gridlock-or-growth-esnz-committee-sets-out-measures-to-end-energy-planning-chaos-and-unlock-cleaner-cheaper-power-across-the-uk/
The Scottish Affairs Committee’s inquiry on GB energy and the net zero transition: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/8672/gb-energy-and-the-net-zero-transition/
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Chapters:
00:00:00 – Welcome
00:01:26 – Chris Skidmore
00:18:37 – Claire Young MP and Harriet Cross MP
The UK’s role in protecting ocean life | Committee Corridor Podcast
Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)
“Intensely frustrating” – that’s how one guest describes the slow progress of the UK towards ratifying the UN High Seas Treaty.
On this episode of Committee Corridor, host Toby Perkins MP explores how the UK could help tackle the threats facing the world’s oceans, following the UN Ocean Conference in June 2025.
Much of the world’s ocean is unregulated, leaving vulnerable habitats unprotected from threats of pollution, unsustainable fishing and damaging practices such as deep-sea mining. The High Seas Treaty is critical to establishing marine protected areas in international waters but needs to be ratified by 60 states before it can come into force. The UK signed it in 2023 but has fallen behind other countries in ratifying it – the guests in this episode consider why.
Join Toby as he sits down with Fiona Thomas, Head of Public Affairs at the leading environmental charity, the Marine Conservation Society, to consider the UK’s progress on pressing marine concerns of bottom trawling, ‘forever chemicals’ and global targets such as 30×30 (to protect and conserve at least 30% of the world’s land, freshwater and ocean by 2030).
There is a very real risk that rising sea levels will cause some of the world’s most vulnerable countries to disappear underwater by the end of this century. Sarah Champion MP, Chair of the International Development Committee, describes how Small Island Developing States are particularly exposed to the impacts of climate change and need the world to notice.
Finally, Toby hears from Pippa Heylings, a fellow MP from the Environmental Audit Committee, about the evidence and outcomes of the Committee’s recent report on Governing the Marine Environment.
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Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a like and subscribe to the UK Parliament YouTube channel so you don’t miss out.
Find House of Commons Committees on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ukcommonscommittees/
We’re on LinkedIn too: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/house-of-commons-committees/
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Other ways to listen:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1cxDxSwu48OuTZQYiAM9Fa
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/committee-corridor/id1622401621
Plus most major podcast providers.
—
Links:
Find out more about the Committee Corridor podcast: https://www.parliament.uk/business/commons/committee-corridor-podcast/
The Environmental Audit Committee’s inquiry into Governing the Marine Environment: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/8759/governing-the-marine-environment/
The International Development Committee’s work on UK Small Island Developing States Strategy: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/7641/uk-small-island-developing-states-strategy/news/201157/small-island-developing-states-at-existential-risk-need-reliable-international-partners-will-the-uk-step-up/
Find out more about the Marine Conservation Society: https://www.mcsuk.org/
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Chapters:
00:00:00 – Welcome
00:02:14 – Fiona Thomas
00:14:11 – Sarah Champion MP
00:24:47 – Pippa Heylings MP
Tackling twin crises: Delivering new homes while meeting climate goals? | Committee Corridor Podcast
Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)
1.5 million new homes and net zero by 2050: can the Government do both?
A safe, secure and affordable place to live is the foundation of a healthy and prosperous life. But the UK is facing an acute shortage of homes. What is to be done, and how do we ensure environmental targets are still delivered? The latest episode of Committee Corridor, the podcast from Select Committees at the House of Commons, considers the housing crisis.
Ahead of the Spending Review on 11 June 2025, host Toby Perkins MP, Chair of the Environmental Audit Committee, asked how the UK can build enough homes, ensuring they are both of high enough quality and contribute to meeting environmental and nature goals.
Toby spoke to Kate Henderson, Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation (NHF) which represents housing associations. She sets out the scale of priorities facing the sector; how buildings need to adapt to climate changes by improving energy efficiency and the sector’s commitment to improving the condition of quality and safety of residents’ homes.
In April, the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee urged Government to tackle the crisis in temporary accommodation, which has left record numbers of children without a permanent home. HCLG Committee Member and Labour MP, Joe Powell, outlines the Committee’s recommendations, stressing the need to increase the supply of social and genuinely affordable housing.
Could it come from ‘grey belt’ land? The House of Lords Built Environment Committee has considered the Government’s proposals to use previously developed land for potential housing developments. The Committee’s inquiry was chaired by the Conservative Peer Lord Moylan, who sets out concerns about the clarity of proposed planning reforms.
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Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a like and subscribe to the UK Parliament YouTube channel so you don’t miss out.
Find House of Commons Committees on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ukcommonscommittees/
We’re on LinkedIn too: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/house-of-commons-committees/
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Other ways to listen:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1cxDxSwu48OuTZQYiAM9Fa
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/committee-corridor/id1622401621
Plus most major podcast providers.
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Links:
Find out more about the Committee Corridor podcast: https://www.parliament.uk/business/commons/committee-corridor-podcast/
The work on ‘Grey Belt ‘policy from the House of Lords Built Environment Committee: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/518/built-environment-committee/news/205110/grey-belt-policy-having-only-a-marginal-impact-at-best/
Temporary accommodation – Read the HCLG Committee report and Government Response: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/17/housing-communities-and-local-government-committee/news/207680/children-in-temporary-accommodation-governments-response-disappointingly-lacking-in-detail-says-committee-chair/
Find out more about the National Housing Federation: https://www.housing.org.uk/about-us/
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Chapters:
00:00:00 – Welcome
00:01:59 – Kate Henderson
00:23:15 – Joe Powell MP and Lord Moylan
Why is our water system broken? | Committee Corridor Podcast
Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)
Is our water system broken? The interim report [published after recording] from the Independent Water Commission says so. “Irresponsible owners, poor leadership, low investment and ineffective prioritisation,” reports the House of Commons’ Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee. The scale of the challenge facing regulators is huge, says the National Audit Office. And consumer trust in the water industry is at an all-time low.
What will it take to put it right?
Join Committee Corridor host, Toby Perkins MP as he sits down with the environmental campaigner Feargal Sharkey to work out what’s gone wrong. Informed and incensed, Feargal is clear about the options ahead for water companies and regulators.
After questioning 10 of England and Wales’ water and sewerage companies, the EFRA Committee Chair, Alistair Carmichael MP, explained how the sector has forgotten its core functions to provide water and sewerage services to the public and to protect the environment.
The Public Accounts Committee published their water sector regulation report in July 2025. Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP relates what shocked his committee most about the recent NAO report on the sector and how low levels of consumer trust are not surprising while bills rise and the performance of companies falls.
Find out more about the inquiries and reports mentioned in this episode:
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Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a like and subscribe to the UK Parliament YouTube channel so you don’t miss out.
Find House of Commons Committees on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ukcommonscommittees/
We’re on LinkedIn too: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/house-of-commons-committees/
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Other ways to listen:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1cxDxSwu48OuTZQYiAM9Fa
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/committee-corridor/id1622401621
Plus most major podcast providers.
—
Links:
Find out more about the Committee Corridor podcast: https://www.parliament.uk/business/commons/committee-corridor-podcast/
More work from the Environmental Audit Committee: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/62/environmental-audit-committee/
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee’s work on Priorities for water sector reform: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/52/environment-food-and-rural-affairs-committee/news/207615/failing-water-sector-needs-root-and-branch-reform-to-address-culture-that-is-deaf-to-crisis/
Read the Public Accounts Committee’s report into Water sector regulation:
https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5901/cmselect/cmpubacc/824/report.html
The National Audit Office’s report: Regulating for investment and outcomes in the water sector – https://www.nao.org.uk/reports/regulating-for-investment-and-outcomes-in-the-water-sector/
Read the Independent Water Commission’s report published July 21 2025: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/687dfcc4312ee8a5f0806be6/Independent_Water_Commission_-_Final_Report_-_21_July.pdf
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Chapters:
00:00:00 – Welcome
00:01:57 – Feargal Sharkey
00:18:31 – Alistair Carmichael MP
00:28:48 – Sir Geoffrey Clifton Brown MP
Happy birthday to e-petitions 🎂
Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)
Happy birthday to e-petitions from petition creator Dame Joanna Lumley! 😳
We’re marking the ten-year anniversary of the e-petitions site: petition.parliament.uk
How does it work?
✅ 10,000 signatures mean a response from the Government
✅ 100,000 signatures mean the petition is considered for debate in Parliament
Aviation, economic growth and the climate crisis | Committee Corridor Podcast
Source: United Kingdom UK Parliament (video statements)
What happens when the UK’s biggest issues meet environmental targets and commitments head-on? The Chair of the House of Commons’ Environmental Audit Committee, Toby Perkins MP, hosts the first of five episodes from the select committee podcast, Committee Corridor.
Up first – airport expansion. Simon Calder, travel correspondent at the Independent, joins Toby to consider the UK travelling public’s ‘insatiable desire’ to get away by air and what can be done to manage the impact on local communities and greenhouse gas emissions. From reducing the number of first class seats to increasing taxation, from building public transport to airports and wariness about sustainable aviation fuel, the pair chew over the options available to government.
They discuss the Government’s view that unlocking airport capacity will boost economic growth. According to the Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander MP – there is no conflict between expanding aviation and delivering on the UK’s legal, climate and environmental obligations. But climate campaigners have launched judicial reviews to challenge the Government’s policy for achieving net zero aviation by 2050 and to halt the Government’s plans for expansion at Luton.
Transport Committee Chair, Ruth Cadbury MP (Labour Member of Parliament for Brentford and Isleworth) and Environmental Audit Committee member, Sarah Gibson MP (Liberal Democrat MP for Chippenham) join Toby to explore how their committees are considering these issues. The Environmental Audit Committee is investigating how airport expansion will impact the UK’s climate and nature goals. Following the Chancellor’s endorsement of expansion at London Heathrow, the Transport Select Committee met to consider if expanding airports in the southeast of England can benefit the rest of the UK economy.
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Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a like and subscribe to the UK Parliament YouTube channel so you don’t miss out.
Find House of Commons Committees on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ukcommonscommittees/
We’re on LinkedIn too: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/house-of-commons-committees/
—
Other ways to listen:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1cxDxSwu48OuTZQYiAM9Fa
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/committee-corridor/id1622401621
Plus most major podcast providers.
—
Links:
Find out more about the Committee Corridor podcast: https://www.parliament.uk/business/commons/committee-corridor-podcast/
Environmental Audit Committee’s inquiry, Airport expansion and climate and nature targets: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/9061/airport-expansion-and-climate-and-nature-targets/
Transport Committee’s session on Airports and economic growth: https://committees.parliament.uk/event/22748/formal-meeting-oral-evidence-session/
Find out more about Simon Calder’s work at The Independent: https://www.independent.co.uk/author/simon-calder
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Chapters:
00:00:00 – Welcome
00:01:20 – Simon Calder
00:19:58 – Ruth Cadbury MP and Sarah Gibson MP