As the end of the first month of 2025 approaches, it cannot be denied that major political events have only just begun.
Donald Trump will today be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States of America, in a ceremony that breaks from the Capitol Hill outdoor ceremonial tradition due to the forecasted icy minus 13 temperatures. Following the oath of office, Trump is expected to address the nation, along with his array of right-wing leaning guests which include the likes of Argentina’s President Javier Milei, Italy’s premier Giorgia Meloni and Reform UK’s leader Nigel Farage.
In the lead up to taking office, he vowed to restore American strength, prosperity and pride in his pre-inauguration speech through a flurry of executive orders, promising swift action on major issues such as secured borders, expanded domestic energy production, facilitating the release of hostages in Gaza and the restoration of TikTok access in the US. With the inauguration date falling on the four-year anniversary of the January 6th riots, Trump has also announced plans to pardon individuals prosecuted for their involvement in the Capitol Hill attack.
Over the weekend, Israel and Hamas begun its long-anticipated ceasefire with the release of three Israeli female hostages, including British Israeli Emily Damari, in exchange for ninety Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. As fighting ceased, hundreds of aid trucks lined up to enter Gaza, aiming to deliver essential supplies to the 2.3 million residents, 90 percent of whom have been displaced.
The ceasefire, marked by the hostage-prisoner exchange, faced initial delays due to a dispute between Israel and Hamas, highlighting the fragile nature of the agreement. Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu’s authorisation of the ceasefire was confirmed last week with a statement from his office – confirming the Israeli state understood ‘that the proposed deal supports the achievement of the war’s goals’.
At home, the COVID-19 inquiry will likely to resume with England's Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty and former Deputy Chief Medical Officer Jonathan Van-Tam due to give evidence at the inquiry later today. Chief Executive of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Professor Dame Jenny Harries, is also expected to take the stand following her role serving as the Second Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England at the start of the pandemic.
Topics of discussion will likely cover the development and manufacture of vaccines and therapeutic drugs; the speed of the vaccine rollout and how different groups were prioritised for the jabs; and the treatment of people who, in rare cases, were harmed after taking the vaccines.
What’s on in Parliament
Monday 20th January
House of Commons
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Oral Questions: Housing, Communities and Local Government
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Backbench Business: General debate on financial education
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Backbench Business: General debate on the impact of food and diet on obesity.
House of Lords
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Oral Questions: Securing a free trade agreement with the United States
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Legislation: Mental Health Bill – committee stage (day 2)
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Oral Questions: Demand for the revival or replacement of the Erasmus programme
Tuesday 21st January
House of Commons
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Oral Questions: HM Treasury
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Westminster Hall debate: Effectiveness of Northern Ireland’s political institutions
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Westminster Hall debate: Provision of Auditory Verbal Therapy
House of Lords
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Oral Questions: Work of the National Trust
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Legislation: Data (Use and Access) Bill – report stage (day 1)
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Oral Questions: Reducing homelessness
Wednesday 22nd January
House of Commons
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Prime Minister’s Question Time
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Westminster Hall debate: Government support for Education, Health and Care Plans
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Money Resolution: Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill
House of Lords
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Oral Questions: Orders for the first Small modular nuclear reactors
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Legislation: Great British Energy Bill – committee stage (day 5)
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Legislation: Mental Health Bill – committee stage (day 3)
Thursday 23rd January
House of Commons
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Oral Questions: Cabinet Office
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Westminster Hall debate: United Nations International Day of Education
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Business Statement: Business Questions to the Leader of the House
House of Lords
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Oral Questions: Availability and accessibility of legal aid for asylum seekers
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Debate: The achievements of free schools and academies
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Debate: Conditions required for economic growth
Friday 24th January
House of Commons
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Private Members’ Bills: Climate and Nature Bill (Second Reading)
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Private Members’ Bills: Gambling Act 2005 (Monetary Limits for Lotteries) Bill: Second Reading
- Private Members’ Bills: Covid-19 Vaccine Damage Payments Bill: Second Reading
House of Lords
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The House of Lords is not sitting. The House will next sit on 27th January 2025.