This Week in Westminster — w/c 26 October 2026

Parliament’s week, summarised from the open data it publishes.

In the division lobbies

The Commons recorded 12 divisions in the period covered. The closest was Northern Ireland Troubles Bill Committee: New Clause 12, decided by 184 to 330. The most one-sided was Draft Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications, Deemed Applications, Requests and Site Visits) (England) (Amendment and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2026 (321 to 66).

See the latest Commons votes in full, and our guide to how MPs vote.

Legislation advancing

Several bills advanced through the stages set out in our guide to how a bill becomes law:

• Health Bill — Committee stage.
• Railways Bill — Report stage.
• House of Lords (Alternative Second Chamber) Bill [HL] — Committee stage.
• Courts and Tribunals Bill — Committee stage.

See all bills currently before Parliament.

On the petitions site

3 petitions have passed the 100,000 mark that triggers consideration for a debate. The most-signed open petitions were:

• Hold a UK-wide briefing on climate and nature risks — 133,635 signatures.
• End the mandatory fortification of white flour with folic acid immediately — 124,529 signatures.
• Reduce the state pension age to 65 for all — 111,110 signatures.
• Launch a public inquiry into illegal migration in the UK — 86,224 signatures.
• Make statutory maternity pay 90% of wage for first 12 weeks & minimum wage after — 79,053 signatures.

See the petitions gaining traction and how petitions work.

None of this is the whole of Parliament’s work, but it captures the shape of a normal sitting week.

Source: UK Parliament open data (Commons Votes, Bills and Petitions services), used under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0. Figures reflect the public record at the time of the last site update.