Modernisation Committee

On 25 July 2024, the House of Commons agreed to establish the Modernisation Committee, without a division.

In its manifesto for the 2024 general election, the Labour Party said it would “establish a new Modernisation Committee tasked with reforming House of Commons procedures, driving up standards, and improving working practices”. The new committee would also consider restrictions on MPs’ second jobs that would “need to be put in place to prevent MPs from taking up roles that stop them serving their constituents and the country”.

The Modernisation Committee will have 14 members and is expected to be chaired by the Leader of the House of Commons.

A Modernisation Committee was appointed in the 1997, 2001 and 2005 Parliaments. It was larger than most select committees with 15 members, and it was chaired by the Leader of the House of Commons.

Between 1997 and 2008, the Modernisation Committee made a number of recommendations, which the House adopted, sometimes following a trial period, that led to changes in its procedures and practices. These changes affected the legislative process; introduced debates in Westminster Hall; changed the sitting hours and the calendar of sittings of the House; and recommended core tasks for select committees.