Changes to House of Lords sittings and business
26 March 2020
Both Houses of Parliament are now in recess, having agreed to start this recess one week earlier than previously planned in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
There will be some changes to business in the House of Lords when it returns on 21 April. For the first three weeks after returning to business, sitting days will be Tuesday to Thursday, with sittings beginning earlier than usual on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Scrutiny of the government and its legislation will continue. Each day will begin with questions to the government from members, and business on Tuesdays and Wednesdays will focus on scrutiny of government legislation. Business on a Thursday will focus on questions and debates to hold government to account. These will be put forward by opposition parties, crossbench members and backbench members.
A working group has also been created to investigate ways that members can use remote collaboration and videoconferencing. Physical distancing measures that have recently been put in place will continue.
Read the full range of changes that were discussed in the chamber in Hansard.
Further information
- House of Lords recess dates
- Statements from the Lord Speaker on Covid-19
- Updates from UK Parliament on coronavirus
Image: House of Lords/Roger Harris