What's happening in parliament this week? [27/04/2026]
**Mandelson testimonies are probably the parliamentary highlight this week.**
Morgan McSweeney is among those giving evidence to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee. He's due on Tuesday at 11am.
**In the Commons it's more late-stage bills.**
MPs debate draft laws on devolution and pensions, with time set aside to push through other bills if needed.
**And Parliament takes a very short recess after Thursday.**
It's really just for Monday's bank holiday. They're back from Tuesday.
### MONDAY 27 APRIL
**English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill – consideration of Lords message**
*Applies to: England and Wales*
A wide-ranging bill introducing more devolution in England. Introduces the concept of strategic authorities – a new, larger tier of local authorities areas – and gives them more decision-making powers. Returns mayoral elections to the supplementary vote system, reversing the move to first past the post under the previous government. Bans mayors from also being MPs. Introduces a Community Right to Buy, giving local residents the first chance to bid for community assets that come up for sale before developers can buy them, among other things.
**[Draft bill \(PDF\)](https://admin.clearthelobby.co.uk/l/763JfIXitx2ITN763V4GUV5vWA/UmqjnW7KcckmCH3HuZZMhg/5c0892gqETL5JFtf7kDe892yGA) / [Commons Library briefing](https://admin.clearthelobby.co.uk/l/763JfIXitx2ITN763V4GUV5vWA/VWwxOhMoIJKpgS113vhKQg/5c0892gqETL5JFtf7kDe892yGA)**
**Pension Schemes Bill – consideration of Lords message**
*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 \(PDF\)](https://admin.clearthelobby.co.uk/l/763JfIXitx2ITN763V4GUV5vWA/z3NPfwssxnPaiVEWyN892Dhw/5c0892gqETL5JFtf7kDe892yGA) / [Commons Library briefing](https://admin.clearthelobby.co.uk/l/763JfIXitx2ITN763V4GUV5vWA/ZuHukr3i2c6oea9OcRGg9A/5c0892gqETL5JFtf7kDe892yGA)**
### TUESDAY 28 APRIL
**Local Area Energy Plans Bill**
Requires local authorities in England to produce and maintain a local area energy plan – a document setting out how an area will meet its energy needs and transition to net zero. Ten minute rule motion presented by James Naish.
### WEDNESDAY 29 APRIL
**In-Person Banking Services Bill**
Requires banks to maintain access to in-person banking services for customers, including through banking hubs, as branches close. Ten minute rule motion presented by Alan Mak.
### THURSDAY 30 APRIL
*No votes scheduled*
### FRIDAY 1 MAY
*No votes scheduled*
### PREVIOUS WEEK'S VOTES
**Passed**
- Victims and Courts Bill – became law
- Crime and Policing Bill – goes back to the Lords
- English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill – went back to the Lords
- Pension Schemes Bill – went back to the Lords
- Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill – goes back to the Lords
[Click here](https://admin.clearthelobby.co.uk/l/763JfIXitx2ITN763V4GUV5vWA/iHeGvGi892SHzfNQroku892NoA/5c0892gqETL5JFtf7kDe892yGA) to read details of the bills in last week's newsletter.
Morgan McSweeney is among those giving evidence to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee. He's due on Tuesday at 11am.
**In the Commons it's more late-stage bills.**
MPs debate draft laws on devolution and pensions, with time set aside to push through other bills if needed.
**And Parliament takes a very short recess after Thursday.**
It's really just for Monday's bank holiday. They're back from Tuesday.
### MONDAY 27 APRIL
**English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill – consideration of Lords message**
*Applies to: England and Wales*
A wide-ranging bill introducing more devolution in England. Introduces the concept of strategic authorities – a new, larger tier of local authorities areas – and gives them more decision-making powers. Returns mayoral elections to the supplementary vote system, reversing the move to first past the post under the previous government. Bans mayors from also being MPs. Introduces a Community Right to Buy, giving local residents the first chance to bid for community assets that come up for sale before developers can buy them, among other things.
**[Draft bill \(PDF\)](https://admin.clearthelobby.co.uk/l/763JfIXitx2ITN763V4GUV5vWA/UmqjnW7KcckmCH3HuZZMhg/5c0892gqETL5JFtf7kDe892yGA) / [Commons Library briefing](https://admin.clearthelobby.co.uk/l/763JfIXitx2ITN763V4GUV5vWA/VWwxOhMoIJKpgS113vhKQg/5c0892gqETL5JFtf7kDe892yGA)**
**Pension Schemes Bill – consideration of Lords message**
*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 \(PDF\)](https://admin.clearthelobby.co.uk/l/763JfIXitx2ITN763V4GUV5vWA/z3NPfwssxnPaiVEWyN892Dhw/5c0892gqETL5JFtf7kDe892yGA) / [Commons Library briefing](https://admin.clearthelobby.co.uk/l/763JfIXitx2ITN763V4GUV5vWA/ZuHukr3i2c6oea9OcRGg9A/5c0892gqETL5JFtf7kDe892yGA)**
### TUESDAY 28 APRIL
**Local Area Energy Plans Bill**
Requires local authorities in England to produce and maintain a local area energy plan – a document setting out how an area will meet its energy needs and transition to net zero. Ten minute rule motion presented by James Naish.
### WEDNESDAY 29 APRIL
**In-Person Banking Services Bill**
Requires banks to maintain access to in-person banking services for customers, including through banking hubs, as branches close. Ten minute rule motion presented by Alan Mak.
### THURSDAY 30 APRIL
*No votes scheduled*
### FRIDAY 1 MAY
*No votes scheduled*
### PREVIOUS WEEK'S VOTES
**Passed**
- Victims and Courts Bill – became law
- Crime and Policing Bill – goes back to the Lords
- English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill – went back to the Lords
- Pension Schemes Bill – went back to the Lords
- Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill – goes back to the Lords
[Click here](https://admin.clearthelobby.co.uk/l/763JfIXitx2ITN763V4GUV5vWA/iHeGvGi892SHzfNQroku892NoA/5c0892gqETL5JFtf7kDe892yGA) to read details of the bills in last week's newsletter.