Parliamentary engagement opportunities

Helping your research shape policy

Below are current opportunities for engagement with UK Parliament and the Government.

CALLS FOR EVIDENCE
You can find our top ten tips for giving written and oral evidence to Select Committees here. General guidance from Parliament can be found here.

Let us know if you intend to submit evidence to the committee inquiries or government consultations listed below, and if we can help in any way, via comms.publicaffairs@lse.ac.uk.

Calls for evidence by topic:

Business, Energy and the Economy

Expanding the T-Bill Market - HMT and HMDMO Consultation

HM Treasury and the UK Debt Management Office are consulting on expanding and deepening the UK Treasury bill (T-bill) market, as well as exploring options to promote participation in the T-bill market – both via its primary market operations and through the development of a more active and liquid secondary market in the UK.

Deadline: 27 February

Tax Support for Entrepreneurs: Call for Evidence - Treasury Consultation

The Treasury is seeking views on the effectiveness of existing tax incentives, and the wider tax system, for business founders and scaling firms, and how the UK can better support these companies to start, scale and stay in the UK. Responses will be considered when developing further potential reforms to tax support for entrepreneurs.

Deadline: 28 February

Large business tax compliance - Public Accounts Committee Inquiry

In 2026 the National Audit Office will publish its report examining whether HMRC's approach to the taxing of large businesses is delivering value for money. Proceeding this, the Committee will take evidence as it scrutinises the processes surrounding large business tax compliance.

Deadline: 5 March

Growth and proposed regulation of stablecoins in the UK - Select Committee Inquiry

The Financial Services Regulation Committee is examining the development of, and proposed regulatory response to, stablecoins in the UK. In particular, the extent to which stablecoins might disrupt the traditional models of provision of financial services, including for banking and payments services. The inquiry will also assess opportunities and risks that the growth of stablecoins might have on UK’s financial services sector, and whether the Bank of England and FCA’s proposed regulatory frameworks provide measured and proportionate responses to these risks.

Deadline: 11 March

Consultation on Make Work Pay: fire and rehire - changes to expenses, benefits, and shift patterns - DBT 

The Department for Business and Trade is seeking views on two proposed changes to fire and rehire protections in relation to employment benefits and expenses, and to shift patterns. Specifically, feedback on which expenses, benefits and shift changes should be covered by these protections. The aim is to protect employees from negative changes to their employment contracts, while still letting businesses adapt when needed.

Deadline: 1 April

Consultation on Make Work Pay: improving access to flexible working - DBT 

The Department for Business and Trade is seeking views on a new process for employers to follow when handling flexible working requests, as well as insights on flexible working practices more broadly. They are suggesting a proposed new light touch process for employers consulting with employees where a request cannot be immediately agreed. They are asking what training, resources and support can help businesses navigate flexible working requests as well as what other ways exist to improve access to flexible working.

Deadline: 30 April

Communities, Housing, Local Government and Transport

Unlocking land for housing - Public Accounts Committee Inquiry

The Committee is examining how effectively the government is making land available for housing development, and is calling for evidence on this issue.

Deadline: 23 February

Pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill - Select Committee Inquiry

The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee is investigating whether the proposed reforms in the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill will be effective, and what changes the Government could make to improve the draft before the final version is introduced in Parliament.

Deadline: 25 February

National Planning Policy Framework: proposed reforms and other changes to the planning system - MHCLG Consultation

This consultation from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is seeking views on a revised version of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). A draft NPPF has been published alongside the consultation. The department is also seeking views on data centres and onsite energy generation, standardised inputs in viability assessments and reforming site thresholds.

Deadline: 10 March

Consultation on the Design and Placemaking Planning Practice Guidance - MHCLG

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is seeking views on the usability of consolidated Design and Placemaking Planning Practice Guidance.

Deadline: 10 March

Road Safety Strategy - Select Committee Consultation

The Transport Committee is launching an inquiry examining the potential effectiveness of the Government's new Road Safety Strategy.

Deadline: 13 March

Consultations on Local government reorganisation - MHCLG Consultation

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is seeking views on 14 different local government reorganisation proposals received from councils. Responses to these consultations will inform the Ministry's decision on which proposals, if any, to implement. Councils from Derbyshire and Derby, Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire are some of those seeking reorganisation.

Deadline: 26 March

Reforms to driving regulations - DfT consultations

The Government have announced a number of reforms affecting drivers, including: 

The deadline for all of these consultations is 31 March

Technology, Culture, Media and Sport

Britain's Story: The Next Chapter- the BBC Royal Charter Review, green Paper and public consultation - DCMS Consultation

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is reviewing the current BBC charter, which expires on 31 December 2027. This consultation seeks views on the changes the department are considering making to the Charter, to future-proof the BBC and help it in continuing to serve the public.

Deadline: 10 March

Health and Social Care

There are currently no relevant opportunities for this section, please check again soon.

Children and Education

Open Consultation on Establishing the Child Protection Authority in England - DfE Consultation

The Department for Education are seeking views on setting up a national body called the Child Protection Authority to improve child protection. The aim is for the CPA to make the multi-agency child protection system clearer, more unified and ensure there are ongoing improvements through effective evidence-based support. The consultation is seeking views on the CPA’s proposed functions, governance, and interaction with existing bodies.

Deadline: 5 March

Realising potential: Delivering the Child Poverty Strategy - Select Committee Inquiry

The Education and the Work and Pensions Committees are jointly considering how the Government can deliver a successful Child Poverty Strategy (published in December). The Strategy sets out measures across three different areas: boosting family incomes, driving down the cost of essentials and strengthening local support.
The Committees will explore if the Government is being sufficiently ambitious and will consider how accountability, outcomes and the longevity of the Strategy could be strengthened through targets and monitoring and evaluation to ensure sustained work and progress.

Deadline: 6 March

Children and Young Adults in the Secure Estate - Select Committee Inquiry

The Justice Committee has launched an inquiry into children and young adults in the secure estate in England and Wales to determine if the system effectively prevents offending while upholding a "child-first" approach. The inquiry will scrutinise the various types of secure settings and the suitability and safety of these environments.

Deadline: 13 March

Call for Evidence on Fostering for the future: improving the foster care system - DfE Consultation

The Department for Education is seeking views on a range of issues in fostering, evidence of what works, best practice and innovative ideas. This call for evidence accompanies an overarching vision and action plan for the future of fostering in England, renewing fostering: homes for 10,000 more children.

Deadline: 17 March

Children and Young People's Mental Health - Select Committee Inquiry

The Education and Health and Social Care Committees have jointly launched an inquiry into the mental health of children and young people. This inquiry will examine mental health support and services provided in education and community settings, available to children and young people up to the age of 25. The Committees wish to understand how this provision is integrated with specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), acute and other statutory NHS services.

Deadline: 27 March

Home Affairs, Work and Pensions

The Access to Work Scheme - Public Accounts Committee Inquiry

In 2026, the National Audit Office will publish a report looking at the challenges in the operation of the Access to Work scheme. Proceeding from the National Audit Office's finding's, the Committee will take evidence from senior DWP officials on how the Department is addressing these challenges. Likely topics are what impact backlogs have had on claimants and employers. 

Deadline: 23 February

Retirement and participation - Select Committee Inquiry

The House of Lords Retirement and Participation Committee has launched an inquiry to make recommendations on a retirement age and a participation requirement for members of the House of Lords. The Committee will report to the House on:

  • The impact of a retirement age on the House, and in particular its size and functioning
  • The impact of a participation requirement on the House, and in particular its membership and functioning
  • Options for the implementation of a retirement age and participation requirement, including without primary legislation, and transitional measures where appropriate.

Deadline: 26 February

Realising Potential: Delivering the Child Poverty Strategy - Select Committee Inquiry

The Work and Pensions Committee has launched an inqury into how the Government can ensure it will deliver a successful Child Poverty Strategy. The committee is seeking to explore if the Government is being sufficiently ambitious and how accountability, outcomes, and the longevity of the Strategy could be strengthened through targets, monitoring and evaluation.

Deadline: 6 March

Children and Young Adults in the Secure Estate - Justice Committee

The Justice Committee has launched an inquiry into children and young adults in the secure estate in England and Wales to determine if the current system effectively prevents offending while upholding a "child-first" approach. The inquiry will scrutinise the various types of secure settings and the suitability and safety of these environments.

Deadline: 13 March

The impact of serious and organised crime on local neighbourhoods - Select Committee Inquiry

The Home Affairs Committee is examining the extent of the linkage between serious and organised crime and neighbourhood crime and explore the capacity of neighbourhood policing to support the wider police response to SOC.

Deadline: 20 March

International and Defense

Affordability of the Defence Investment Plan - Public Accounts Committee Inquiry

In 2026, the National Audit Office will publish a report assessing whether MoD’s capability, goals and commitments are realistic and deliverable within its forecasted budgets. Proceeding from the NAO’s findings, the Committee will take evidence from senior MoD officials as it scrutinises the affordability of the MoD’s investment plan. 

Deadline: 9 March

Review of MOD legislation governing autonomous systems - MoD Call for Evidence

The Ministry of Defence is seeking stakeholders’ experiences and experts’ views to inform a review of the regulatory environment in defence, with an initial focus on uncrewed and autonomous systems.

Deadline: 13 March

Defence in the High North - Select Committee Inquiry

The Defence Committee is examining the current and emerging threats in the region. The inquiry will ask what the UK's defence and security interests are, and whether we have the correct strategies, capabilities and alliances to counter these threats, particularly from Russia.

Deadline: 25 March

Legal and Constitution

There are currently no relevant opportunities for this section, please check again soon.

Sustainability, Net Zero and Environment

Air Pollution in England - Select Committee Inquiry

The Environmental Audit Committee has launched an inquiry exploring whether the Government's current air quality targets are adequate to protect health and the environment, and how these compare with standards by other bodies, such as the World Health Organisation.

Deadline: 3 March

Consultation on the Home Energy Model: Energy Performance Certificates - DESNZ

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is consulting on how the Home Energy Model (HEM) will be used to carry out Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) assessments, which will use new metrics to evaluate a dwelling's energy performance. The changes aim to provide better information to consumers, supporting warmer, cheaper-to-run homes, and contribute to the UK’s commitments to reach net zero by 2050 and alleviate fuel poverty.

Deadline: 18 March

Reviewing the electricity market - Select Committee Inquiry

The Energy Security and Net Zero Committee is inquiring into what reforms are needed to the UK electricity market to enable the transition to clean, lower cost energy by 2023. The Committee is inviting evidence on the range of possible reforms open to Government to implement and their impacts on reaching the UK’s twin goals of 95% clean energy generation by 2030 and bringing down energy bills.

Deadline: 27 March

 

POLICY ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES 

Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology (POST) Notes

Information on the new POST notes, which are used in Parliament by MPs, the House Libraries and members of the Lords, can be found here along with links to other notes that POST are developing and plan to develop in the future. 

Parliament for Researchers: free online training sessions from UK Parliament

The UK Parliament's Knowledge Exchange Unit holds online training sessions on how to use research to engage with Parliament. Sessions are tailored both to different roles and career stages, and to the varied ways in which academics can engage with the policymaking process - for example, how to engage with Select Committees, and how to write for a parliamentary audience. You can watch previous sessions here