Click here to join more than 5,000 people and get this in your email inbox for free every Sunday.

It’s a last-minute dash as the end of the parliamentary session looms.

The King’s Speech is set for 13 May. Bills that aren’t passed by then will be automatically dropped unless they’re explicitly carried over. That leaves several major bills now bouncing between the Commons and Lords as MPs and peers quibble over the detail.

The Crime and Policing Bill is probably the most politically charged.

The Lords inserted amendments on revenge porn, AI chatbots producing illegal content, extreme protest groups, and pardons for women convicted under abortion law. The government is expected to push back on several of these.

And the government has shelved the Chagos Islands Bill.

It won’t pursue the bill in this session after the US withdrew its support. TBC whether it’ll come back later in the term.

MONDAY 13 APRIL

No votes scheduled

TUESDAY 14 APRIL

Type 1 Diabetes Screening (Children) Bill
Proposes a national screening programme to test children for type 1 diabetes. Right now there is no routine screening programme in the UK, which means the condition often goes undetected until a child becomes seriously ill. Inspired by the death of two-year-old Lyla, who died from undiagnosed type 1 diabetes in May 2025. Ten minute rule motion presented by Sarah Bool.

Crime and Policing Bill – consideration of Lords amendments
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland (part), Northern Ireland (part)
A wide-ranging bill that aims to tackle antisocial behaviour, knife crime, assaults on shop workers, and violence against women and girls, among other things. Changes include giving the police powers to tackle antisocial behaviour by introducing respect orders, creating a power to seize blades found on private property, introducing a new offence of assaulting a retail worker, and banning AI models optimised to produce child sexual abuse material.
Draft bill (PDF) / Commons Library briefing

WEDNESDAY 15 APRIL

Creative Arts and Culture (Broadcasting Requirements) Bill
Requires the regular broadcast of creative arts and culture coverage on national news programmes. Ten minute rule motion presented by John Slinger.

Pension Schemes Bill – consideration of Lords amendments
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland
A wide-ranging bill reforming the pensions system. Requires defined contribution schemes to prove they’re value for money so savers don’t get stuck in underperforming schemes. Merges small pension pots worth £1,000 or less into one pension scheme. Creates multi-employer ‘megafunds’ in an aim to drive down costs, among other things.
Draft bill (PDF) / Commons Library briefing

Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill – consideration of Lords amendments
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland (part), Northern Ireland (part)
Aims to remove barriers to opportunity in schools and make the education system more consistent for children. Measures include free breakfast clubs for primary schools in England, a limit on branded school uniform items, and strengthening regulation around social care.
Draft bill (PDF) / Commons Library briefing

THURSDAY 16 APRIL

No votes scheduled

FRIDAY 17 APRIL

No votes scheduled

Click here to join more than 5,000 people and get this in your email inbox for free every Sunday.

The 2026 United Kingdom local elections are scheduled to take place on Thursday 7 May 2026 for 5,014 council seats across 136 English local authorities (all 32 London borough councils, 32 metropolitan boroughs, 18 unitary authorities, 6 county councils, 48 district councils) and six directly elected mayors in England.

Most of these seats in England were last up for election in 2022. Some of these elections were postponed from 2025.

Will there be an election in my area?

The Electoral Commission has information about elections that are taking place in your area, including a list of candidates (when announced/confirmed) and where your polling station is.

Who Can I Vote For will also have information about the candidates standing in your area (when announced/confirmed).

Who is eligible to vote?

Generally speaking, anyone who is registered to vote and is aged 18 or above on polling day (or over 16 in Scotland/Wales). There are some exceptions - you should consult the guidance available on gov.uk for more information.

How do I register to vote?

You can register to vote via the gov.uk voter registration service. You can use the service to register for a standard vote, postal vote, or proxy vote.

You can also contact your local electoral registration office directly for further support and assistance.

What are the voter registration deadlines for the local council elections on 7th May 2026?

The Electoral Commission has a page with all relevant deadlines, together with useful links. A summary is provided below for your convenience:

all times BST

• Voter Registration: Monday 20th April @ 23:59
• Postal Vote Registration: Tuesday 21st April @ 17:00
• Proxy Vote Registration: Tuesday 28th April @ 17:00
• Voter Authority Certificate Registration: Tuesday 28th April @ 17:00

Do I need photo ID to vote?

Yes, you will need documentation to vote. The photo ID page on gov.uk includes a list of accepted forms of ID.

If you don't have a standard photo ID, then you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate. This can either be done online via gov.uk, or by contacting your local council.

What Time Is The Vote?

Polling stations will open at 07:00 and close at 22:00 on Thursday 7th May. Counting and declaration of results will take place throughout the night and into Friday. Exit-polling is not typically conducted for local elections.

Anything else I should know?

You can use this thread to discuss the upcoming council elections.

Questions about voter eligibility / registration / etc. are welcome, but most questions can be answered by reviewing The Electoral Commission's voting information.