‘Back to normal’ House of Lords procedures from September approved

After the summer recess arrangements will be in place to enable the House to return to normal business while retaining some beneficial changes and innovations made in the last year.

Agreed recommendations in a Procedure and Privileges Committee report mean that:

• Sittings of the House will return to pre-pandemic times: 2.30 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays; 3.00 p.m. on Wednesdays; 11.00 a.m. on Thursdays; and 10.00 a.m. on Fridays when the House sits.
• Select Committees will continue to have the option to operate remotely or on a hybrid basis.
• The scheme of allowances will return largely to the system in place prior to the pandemic with Members eligible to claim a daily allowance of either £323 or £162 a day based on attending Parliament and undertaking Parliamentary duties.
• Most Members will be required to attend Parliament to take part in business in the Chamber. Members unable to attend the House physically due to a long-term disability will be able to apply for dispensation to continue to contribute remotely.
• Interim arrangements will be in place from 6 September allowing Members to vote online but not outside the Parliamentary Estate except for some disabled Members who cannot attend the House physically.

A ‘hybrid’ House of Lords will continue until the summer recess but from 19 July there will be no limit on capacity and no social distancing required in the Chamber although Members should only attend in person where there is a business need.

Members will be expected to continue to wear face coverings when moving around the Estate and in crowded areas, including the Chamber, in line with advice from Public Health England and the Chief Medical Officer.