Lords pauses for recess
26 March 2021
The House of Lords has started its recess and is back to business on Monday 12 April.
Legislation
The House of Lords is a revising chamber: it checks the text of a bill (draft law) line by line and puts forward changes for the Commons and the government to consider.
Most recently, this includes asking the government to think again on Parliament's scrutiny of its trade deals with countries accused of committing genocide and the registration of serial domestic abuse or stalking perpetrators.
Keep track of the latest bills
- Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Bill
- Domestic Abuse Bill
- Financial Services Bill
- Fire Safety Bill
- Ministerial and Other Maternity Allowances Bill
- National Security and Investment Bill
- Non-Domestic Rating (Lists) (No.2) Bill
- Non-Domestic Rating (Public Lavatories) Bill
- Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill
- Trade Bill
There were also debates on four private members' bills on school uniform costs, the British Library, safeguarding and forensic science.
Debates
The House of Lords debates current and wide-ranging subjects, allowing members to put their experience to good use.
Catch up with debates on:
- the powers in the Coronavirus Act 2020 one year on
- the case for a long-term housing strategy, put foward by the Archbishop of Canterbury
- the Budget statement and UK economy
- International Women's Day and empowering women in the recovery from the impact of the COVID-19.
Members also started regular short debates in Grand Committee, work away from the chamber.
Committee work
- The EU Committee has published five reports on the different policy areas of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
- The Constitution Committee is asking for views for its future of UK governance inquiry.
- The Lords International Relations and Defence Committee launched its UK-China security and trade relationship inquiry.
- The Lords Science and Technology Committee launched an investigation into the role of batteries and fuel cells in achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions.
- The Youth Unemployment Committee wants to hear views on how to create and protect jobs for young people.
Back to business
The House of Lords returns to question government action and decisions and scrutinise draft laws on Monday 12 April.
Image: copyright House of Lords 2021 / photography by Roger Harris