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How to speak in the Budget debate

Step-by-step

These steps are for you as an MP, rather than your staff, although your staff can help you with step 1.

  1. Find out how many days the debate on the Budget will last—it’s usually four. You can check by looking at Future Business section of the Order Paper the week before the Budget statement, or ask the Table Office.
  2. Write to the Speaker’s Office in advance explaining which day you would like to speak in the debate, and your reasons for wanting to make a speech.
  3. Make sure you’re in the Chamber on the first day of the Budget debate to hear the statement and the speech that follows from the Leader of the Opposition.
  4. On the day that you have asked to make your speech, make sure you are in the Chamber to hear the opening speeches.
  5. When a speech finishes, stand in your place to indicate that you would like to speak. You can do this even if you haven’t written to the Speaker in advance, but MPs who’ve given notice are likely to be called first
  6. Once you’ve spoken, you should remain for at least the next two speeches and return for the closing speeches.