House of Lords returns
15 October 2021
The House of Lords returned to check and challenge the work of government on Monday 11 October. Catch up on what happened.
Monday 11 October
Questions
Members questioned the government on:
- Home Office hiring of Black Dog crisis management company
- Child Trust Funds access for adults with a learning disability
- fiscal measures for net zero emissions target
- the Emissions Trading Scheme.
Legislation
Members debated the Health and Social Care Levy Bill (second reading).
Detailed examination (committee stage) of the Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Bill started in Grand Committee.
Tuesday 12 October
Questions
Members questioned the government on:
- assessment processes for 2022 A level and GCSE exams
- ME/CFS and ability of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
- commitment to make virginity testing illegal
- the rising risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
In a Private Notice Question, members also quizzed the government on the rising cost of living because of the Universal Credit uplift end and increasing energy prices.
Legislation
Further examination (report stage) of the Skills and Post-16 Education Bill started.
Members debated a motion to regret the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Criminal Conduct Authorisations) (Amendment) Order 2021.
Wednesday 13 October
Questions
Members questioned the government:
- rising costs of wholesale energy prices and household bills
- Nutrition for Growth Summit in Tokyo
- the fashion industry
- transparency of property ownership in the UK.
In a Private Notice Question, members quizzed Cabinet Office Minister Lord Frost on the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Legislation
Final 'tidy up' (third reading) of the Environment Bill.
Second reading debates on the Social Security (Uprating of Benefits) Bill and Critical Benchmarks (References and Administrators' Liability) Bill are took place.
Debates
Two debates took place in Grand Committee on House of Lords committee reports:
- the Communications and Digital Committee Future of UK Journalism report
- the Common Frameworks Scrutiny Committee Building a Cooperative Union report.
Thursday 14 October
Questions
Members will question the government for 40 minutes on:
- Iraqi interpreters who worked with British armed forces
- UK defence procurement
- metal theft
- steps to prevent the culling of pigs.
Debates
Debates will take place on:
- the challenges facing social care following the pandemic
- Public Health England's 'Gambling-related harms evidence review' (short debate)
- regional strategy to tackle inequalities
- the UK's Free Trade Agreement with Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
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Image: Copyright House of Lords 2021 / photography by Roger Harris