As one of the fastest growing neurological conditions, affecting over 116,000 people in the UK, patients face challenges like long waits for specialist appointments and fragmented care. The debate focused on implementing the Parky charter, a powerful five-point plan demanding speedy access to specialists, coordinated support through a Parkinson’s passport, and renewed investment in finding a cure. We examine the crucial link between timely care, consistent medication access, and ensuring dignity for all sufferers.

Key Takeaways

• The e-petition supporting the Parky charter garnered over 113,000 signatures, demonstrating a collective call for meaningful action to improve care.
• Parkinson’s is a fast-growing neurological condition, with the number of people affected in the UK expected to reach 173,000 by 2030.
• Patients often struggle with access to specialist services; the UK ranks near the bottom in Europe for the number of neurologists per capita, and only about half of neurology services meet the 18-week referral target.
• Receiving medication is time-critical; delays of just 30 minutes in a hospital can severely worsen symptoms, yet more than half of hospitalised patients report such delays.
• The Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment system frequently fails to capture the complexity and fluctuating nature of Parkinson's, leading to inaccurate assessments.
• A holistic approach to care is essential, combining specialist medical support with community initiatives such as walking football and physical activity courses.

Definitions 

• Parky Charter: A five-point manifesto created by the "Movers and Shakers" podcast group, calling for reform in care, including immediate information, specialist access, support coordination via a Parkinson’s passport, comprehensive care, and research investment.

Source: Parkinson’s Disease
Volume 775: debated on Monday 17 November 2025

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25% of the total population—16.8 million people—had a disability in the 2023/24 financial year. We discuss how prevalence is rising, especially driven by increases in mental health conditions reported among children and working-age adults. We analyze significant disparities in outcomes, including the 28.6 percentage point disability employment gap (July to September 2025), lower median household incomes, and higher rates of crime victimization. The episode also highlights the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on disabled people, including a disproportionate mortality risk. (99 words)

Key Takeaways

• The number of disabled people in the UK has increased significantly, reaching 16.8 million (25% of the population) in 2023/24, up from 18% in 2002/03.
• Disability prevalence rises sharply with age; 45% of adults over State Pension age reported a disability in 2023/24, compared with 12% of children.
• For working-age adults (16-64), mental health conditions are the most common impairment reported (48% of disabled people in this group).
• Disabled people face significant employment challenges, evidenced by an employment rate of 52.3% compared with 82.5% for non-disabled people.
• Households with a disabled family member have significantly lower median weekly incomes (£506 after housing costs) than households with no disabled members (£628).
• During the COVID-19 pandemic, disabled people faced a higher risk of death and reported worsening mental health and increased loneliness compared to non-disabled people.

Definitions

• Disability (Harmonized Definition): A person is considered disabled if they have a physical or mental condition or illness that has lasted, or is expected to last, 12 months or more, AND it reduces their ability to carry out day-to-day activities.
• Disability Employment Gap: The percentage point difference between the employment rate of disabled people and the employment rate of people who are not disabled (28.6 percentage points in 2025).

Source: UK disability statistics: Prevalence and life experiences
Research Briefing
Published Monday, 17 November, 2025

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Various government support schemes are available to eligible households across the UK designed to improve domestic energy efficiency, heating, and power generation. We highlight major programs such as the Energy Company Obligation (ECO), which focuses on low-income households, and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), which provides grants for renewable heating systems. You will learn about eligibility criteria for schemes in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and understand how systems like the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) pay you for exporting power. Crucially, we also cover the steps required to rectify problems with scheme installations, including issues reported under ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS).

Key Takeaways

• Several national schemes, including ECO and GBIS, place obligations on energy suppliers to fund measures like insulation and heating to tackle fuel poverty and boost energy efficiency, primarily targeting low-income homes or those in the lower Council Tax bands.
• The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) offers property owners in England and Wales upfront grants of up to £7,500 to install renewable heating systems, such as air source heat pumps.
• The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) ensures that households installing small-scale renewable power technologies are paid by their supplier for excess electricity they supply back to the grid.
• If installation quality issues arise under schemes like ECO or GBIS, consumers are advised to contact the installer, scheme provider, or quality assurance bodies like TrustMark, and may escalate unresolved complaints to the Dispute Resolution Ombudsman or Energy Ombudsman.

Source:  Help with energy efficiency, heating and renewable energy in homes
Research Briefing
Published Tuesday, 18 November, 2025

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Significant changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) for Inheritance Tax (IHT) were announced in the Autumn Budget 2024, commencing in April 2026. Historically, these reliefs allowed up to 100% of eligible assets to be exempted from IHT. The government is introducing a £1 million cap on the combined 100% relief for APR and BPR, with 50% relief applying to value above that threshold. The aim is to target a wealthy minority of estates and raise funds. However, the policy has sparked debate, with concerns raised by farming organisations about negative impacts on family businesses and the administrative complexity of the new rules.

Key Takeaways in Bullet Points

• From April 2026, the maximum value of assets eligible for 100% Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) combined will be capped at £1 million.
• The standard Inheritance Tax rate is 40% on an estate’s value above the nil-rate band of £325,000.
• HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) estimates that around 2,000 estates per year will pay more tax due to these reforms, assuming no changes in taxpayer behavior.
• Economic think tanks generally support the policy, arguing that assets should be taxed similarly and that existing reliefs favored certain asset types.
• Agricultural organizations argue the changes will negatively affect farming businesses, with one group claiming up to 70,000 farms could be harmed over 40 years.

Definitions

1. Inheritance Tax (IHT): A tax charged on the ‘net estate’ (assets minus debts) of someone who has died, typically at a 40% rate if the estate exceeds the £325,000 threshold.
2. Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR): These are inheritance tax reliefs that shelter the value of eligible agricultural land or business assets from IHT, often at a 100% rate.
3. £1 Million Cap: The new limit, applicable from April 2026, on the combined value of assets that can qualify for 100% APR and BPR.

Source: Changes to agricultural and business property reliefs for inheritance tax
Research Briefing
Wednesday, 10 December, 2025

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This episode examines the critical state of healthcare provision for transgender people in the UK, drawing on recent parliamentary discussions. Key themes include the severe discrimination trans patients face in general healthcare settings, such as being repeatedly misgendered or refused care. The core focus is the national scandal of unacceptably long waiting lists for NHS gender-affirming care, which can stretch for years or even decades, forcing many to rely on unregulated private providers. These extensive delays are linked to worsening health outcomes, increased depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. The conversation highlights urgent calls for government action, significant investment, mandatory clinician training, and evidence-based clinical reform to ensure trans people receive timely and dignified care.

Key Takeaways

• Waiting times for gender-affirming care are considered a national scandal; averages reported include 12 years in England and a staggering 58 years in Scotland.
• Almost one in four transgender people avoid going to the doctor altogether for fear of mistreatment, delaying vital screenings and appointments.
• Long waiting lists for gender-affirming care have been cited by coroners in the context of trans people's deaths.
• GPs are increasingly refusing to enter into shared care agreements, disrupting access to necessary, ongoing hormone prescriptions for trans adults.
• Gender-affirming care is proven to improve mental health, reduce gender dysphoria, and significantly reduce depression and anxiety.
• The Government is implementing new regional services and awaiting the publication of the Levy and Brady reviews to improve care pathways and address inequalities.

Source: Transgender People: Provision of Healthcare
Volume 777: debated on Tuesday 16 December 2025

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Grassroots cricket clubs are cornerstones of UK communities. They foster physical health, mental wellbeing, and social cohesion. 

This episode highlights record participation, with over 2.5 million people playing annually, and massive growth in youth programmes and the women's and girls' game.  

Key themes include the necessity for sustained Government support and investment to address infrastructure challenges, such as facility availability and flood damage. 

There is a huge need to tackle deep-rooted elitism and financial barriers that restrict opportunities for children from state schools and certain ethnic backgrounds.

We also discuss advocating for facility sharing and protected planning status for pitches.

Key Takeaways

• Grassroots cricket clubs are central to community life, providing opportunities for physical activity, social interaction, and teaching vital life skills like teamwork and resilience,,.
• Participation is at record levels; in 2025, 216,000 fixtures were recorded across England and Wales, surpassing the 200,000 mark for the first time,.
• Youth programmes (All Stars and Dynamos) saw over 105,000 children sign up in 2025, including a record number of girls, driving the expansion of women's and girls' cricket,.
• A major challenge is ensuring all young people have access to the game, as facilities at private schools often dominate, and high costs create barriers for those from poorer or ethnic backgrounds,.
• The Government is urged to invest in facilities, support the rollout of cricket domes for year-round play, and protect existing pitches by ensuring sports facilities are properly considered in planning reforms,,.

Discussion 

Given the findings that children in state schools are heavily under-represented in cricket’s talent pathways due to elitism and high costs, what specific actions could local clubs and the Government take to dismantle these financial and structural barriers and make the sport genuinely inclusive for all young people?

Source: Grassroots Cricket Clubs
Volume 777: debated on Tuesday 16 December 2025

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Today we focus on the progress of the proposed Hillsborough Law (the Public Office (Accountability) Bill), introduced to address the institutional failure experienced by the victims and families of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster. The government has acknowledged that the British state failed victims to an "almost inhuman level," characterized by "institutional lies, cover-ups, smears and betrayal". Key themes addressed by the Bill include achieving truth, expeditious justice, and consequences. The legislation seeks to transform the culture of the state by introducing a legal duty of candour and ensuring "parity of arms"—equal legal representation—for bereaved families during inquests. The debate also highlights the importance of strengthening the Independent Public Advocate's role and implementing a mechanism for national oversight of inquiry recommendations.

Key Takeaways

• The Hillsborough Law (Public Office (Accountability) Bill) aims to provide justice for victims of public tragedies following decades of struggle against official misconduct and concealment.
• The Bill introduces a legal duty of candour that requires public authorities and officials to be transparent and honest, with criminal penalties proposed for wilful deception.
• A crucial element is the "parity of arms," which ensures that people bereaved by a public tragedy receive funding for legal representation, preventing them from facing "armies of state-funded lawyers" unsupported.
• The law seeks to apply the duty of candour not only to the public sector but also to private bodies and contractors delivering public functions.
• Parliamentarians are urging the government to strengthen protections for whistleblowers and to increase the powers of the Independent Public Advocate (IPA).
• There is a recognized need for a national oversight mechanism to ensure that recommendations resulting from inquests and inquiries are actually implemented, preventing lessons learned from being ignored.

Source: Hillsborough Law
Volume 850: debated on Thursday 13 November 2025

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The appointment of David Kogan as the Chair of the Independent Football Regulator (IFR) has caused controversy. The findings of the Commissioner for Public Appointments revealed breaches of the governance code linked to political donations Kogan made to the Secretary of State (Lisa Nandy). Nandy acknowledged the findings and took responsibility, although the Commissioner found the breach regarding her knowledge of the donations was "unknowing". The primary learning objective is understanding the tension between upholding strict public appointment standards and the pressing need to quickly implement the IFR to protect financially vulnerable football clubs and put fans first.

Key Takeaways

• David Kogan was appointed Chair of the Independent Football Regulator (IFR) on 6 October, following a recommendation for an independent regulator arising from the 2021 fan-led review.
• The Commissioner for Public Appointments investigated the process and found that the Secretary of State breached the governance code for public appointments.
• The Secretary of State took full responsibility for the Department's failings, but the Commissioner stated the breach regarding knowledge of the donations was "unknowing".
• As soon as she became aware of the donations, the Secretary of State declared them and recused herself from the remainder of the appointment process.
• Opposing Members questioned the integrity of appointing a known Labour donor, creating a perception of political bias.
• The Secretary of State defended Kogan's appointment, citing his extensive experience and noting that he was put on the candidate list by the previous Conservative Government.
• The fundamental goal of the IFR is to protect clubs—like Derby County, Wigan, and Sheffield Wednesday—from financial peril caused by bad owners.

Source: Independent Football Regulator
Volume 775: debated on Wednesday 12 November 2025

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Public Inquiries are investigations set up by government ministers to respond to events of major public concern or to consider controversial public policy issues. We differentiate between statutory inquiries (governed by the Inquiries Act 2005, with powers to compel evidence) and non-statutory inquiries (which are more flexible but have fewer legal powers). The key objectives of holding an inquiry often include establishing the facts, learning from events, and providing public reassurance and accountability. We also examine the establishment process, the role of core participants, and the production of a final report with recommendations. (98 words)

Key Takeaways

• Public inquiries are formal investigations established by government ministers to address matters of public concern, such as large-scale loss of life or serious failures in regulation.
• Statutory inquiries (under the Inquiries Act 2005) have the power to compel witnesses to give evidence and produce documents, but they must follow stricter rules.
• Non-statutory inquiries lack the power to compel evidence but offer greater flexibility, sometimes allowing victims and bereaved families a more direct role in the proceedings.
• A public inquiry is not a legal court; it cannot find someone guilty of civil or criminal liability, but the evidence it uncovers can impact future legal proceedings.
• Ministers must consult widely and consider the benefits versus the costs before deciding to establish an inquiry.
• A public inquiry may produce interim reports to issue urgent recommendations that cannot wait for the final publication.

Definitions

• Public Inquiry: An investigation initiated by a government minister to respond to events causing major public concern or to review controversial public policy issues.
• Statutory Inquiry: An investigation governed by the Inquiries Act 2005, granting the chair specific powers, such as compelling witnesses to attend hearings or provide documents.

Source: Public inquiries
Research Briefing
Published Tuesday, 04 November, 2025

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A recent e-petition signed by nearly 190,000 people addressed the growing frustration of gamers regarding consumer rights and video games. Many modern titles are "live services" that rely on company servers; when these servers shut down, purchased games become unplayable, leading to a loss of consumer investment, time, and cultural heritage. We explore the push for greater transparency and legal protections, such as requiring clear end-of-life strategies, refunds, or the provision of offline modes. While the Government acknowledges the cultural and economic importance of the £7.6 billion industry, there is caution about introducing mandates that could stifle innovation or create security issues.

Key Takeaways

• The video game industry is a significant UK cultural and economic powerhouse, contributing £7.6 billion and supporting over 75,000 jobs.
• When a game shuts down, consumers lose not only money but also their investment of time, imagination, and community, leading to a loss of cultural heritage.
• Existing UK consumer law, including the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (CRA 2015), requires that digital content must be of satisfactory quality and accurately described by the seller.
• Campaigners advocate that publishers should provide options like offline modes or end-of-service patches to allow community-hosted servers, preventing "digital obsolescence".
• The Government intends to monitor the issue and may ask the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) to develop guidance, emphasizing that companies must communicate existing consumer protections better.

Definitions 

• Live Services: Modern video games that are constantly updated and server-dependent, requiring ongoing maintenance, which has fundamentally changed the nature of "owning" a game.
• Digital Obsolescence: The practice where a publisher deliberately disables copies of a game purchased by consumers, often by terminating server support, leaving the consumer with a product that no longer works.

Source: Video Games: Consumer Law
Volume 774: debated on Monday 3 November 2025

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