What happened in the Lords: 25-29 January
28 January 2021
In the House of Lords from Monday 25 to Thursday 28 January, members pressed government in daily questions. These included questions on increasing the number of houses being built, the impact of COVID-19 on the night-time economy, 'no fault' evictions and improving education about the Holocaust.
The House also continued scrutiny of the Domestic Abuse Bill, the Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Bill and the Financial Services Bill. In Grand Committee, members debated two Lords committee reports and scrutinised new regulations on subjects including Brexit.
Read on for more highlights of the week or see a full list of the week's business.
Catch up
Monday 25 January
Business started at 1pm with oral questions. Topics included the SolarWinds cyberattack and rebuilding social capital. Members also pressed government on the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, and the Lord Speaker granted a Private Notice Question (urgent question) on the role of the EU ambassador to the UK asked by Baroness Ludford (Liberal Democrat).
Members then began continued scrutiny of the Domestic Abuse Bill, with the line by line check at committee stage.
In Grand Committee from 2.30pm, members debated the 'Tackling intergenerational fairness' report from the Lords Intergenerational Fairness Committee.
Tuesday 26 January
Tuesday in the House of Lords began at 12 with members questions to government, topics included increasing the number of houses being built and the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on the night-time economy. Members also pressed government following updates on the backlog of serious criminal cases in the justice system and the Skills for Jobs White Paper.
Members then started a line by line check of the Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Bill.
In Grand Committee from 2.30pm, members debated new regulations relating to Brexit, drivers' hours and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
Wednesday 27 January
Business on Wednesday started at 12 with daily questions on improving education about the Holocaust in schools to promote tolerance and combat racism, ending 'no fault' evictions and more. Members also pressed government following an update on reopening educational settings.
Members then continued scrutiny of the Domestic Abuse Bill as committee stage continued.
Grand Committee saw members scrutinising new regulations relating to Brexit.
Thursday 28 January
The House of Lords met from 12, with daily questions including the impact of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement on musicians seeking to work and tour in the EU, and the UK-EU Joint Political Declaration on Asylum and Return.
Members then conducted final checks of the Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Bill and Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Bill, before a debate on the main purpose and principles of the Financial Services Bill at second reading. Members also pressed government following updates on sanctions on the Russian Federation following the arrest of Alexei Navalny, and COVID-19.
Grand Committee saw members debating the 'Social care funding: time to end a national scandal' report from the Lords Economic Affairs Committee.
Committees and additional business
House of Lords committees meet throughout the week. See a full list of the week's meetings.