Newington's Joe Carton looks ahead to the next fortnight in Westminster and the issues we can expect to dominate the political agenda.

Brexit

The Supreme Court’s ruling that MPs must vote to trigger Article 50 means that a Brexit bill is likely to be prioritised by Parliament over the next fortnight. A specific timetable is still unclear, but Theresa May has confirmed that the Government will publish a White Paper setting out a “bold plan” for negotiations with the EU. With the Government keen to trigger Article 50 before the end of March, David Davis – the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union – has stated that a bill on Article 50 will be published “within days”, with political commentators speculating this could be as early as tomorrow (Thursday 26th). The main opposition parties are all likely to table amendments though, with Labour promising to engage in “hand-to-hand combat” over the bill. The Government will be acutely aware that this could delay the bill’s process of passage and ultimately disrupt their intended timeline.

Higher education

Simmering beneath the Brexit headlines, other policy proposals continue to be debated by politicians in Westminster. Amongst the issues on the parliamentary agenda over the next fortnight is the future of higher education. The Higher Education and Research Bill – currently progressing through the House of Lords – will face further scrutiny at Committee stage as peers challenge the Government’s plans to provide new institutions with degree-awarding powers. Meanwhile in the House of Commons, the Education Select Committee will examine the impact of exiting the European Union on higher education. Taking evidence from Universities UK and the National Union of Students, the Committee will scope the risks and opportunities for UK students following the UK’s departure from the EU.

Adult social care

Elsewhere, the Communities and Local Government Committee will take evidence on the issue of adult social care following accusations that the system is in “crisis”. Appearing in front of the Committee will be Marcus Jones MP, Minister for Local Government, and David Mowat MP, Minister for Communities. Both ministers are likely to face a fierce line of questioning from MPs on the challenges facing adult social care – most notably the financial sustainability of local authority provision, the quality of care provided, and the recruitment of care staff in light of Brexit.