Government responds to Procedure Committee’s proxy voting report

Article summary

The government has responded to the conclusions and recommendations in the Procedure Committee’s report, ‘Proxy voting and the presence of babies in the Chamber and Westminster Hall’. The government has said it will schedule a debate on whether the proposed pilot for the extension of the proxy voting system to include serious long-term illness should proceed, and if the House resolves in favour of expansion, a pilot and further review by the Procedure Committee would be the sensible approach. With respect to the presence of babies, the government has said it is a matter for the House and the Speaker, and it is important that Parliament takes the appropriate steps to be an accessible workplace for parents, including the availability of facilities such as nuseries and family rooms.