House of Lords pauses for recess

Debating, checking and changing draft laws

The House of Lords has asked the government to think again on a number of topics including:

• imposing conditions on protests in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.
• treatment of refugees and asylum seekers as members considered changes to the Nationality and Borders Bill made by the House of Commons.
• cost protections for leaseholders in buildings of all heights as the House conducted further detailed scrutiny of the Building Safety Bill at report stage. The government previously agreed to changes on protection from historical building safety defect costs and representation for disabled residents on residents’ panels.
• Cart jurisdiction and legal representation for bereaved people at inquests where public bodies are represented in the Judicial Review and Courts Bill.
• workforce needs and implementation of the care cap as the House of Lords considered Commons changes to the Health and Care Bill. Changes proposed in response to members’ proposals at earlier stages were also agreed, including tackling organ trafficking, safe discharge of hospital patients with care needs, and allowing pills for early medical abortions to be taken at home.
• voter identification in the first day of consideration of the Elections Bill at report stage. Changes proposed by members on support for people with disabilities to vote independently were also agreed.

Many of these topics will continue to be debated when the House of Lords returns to business on 25 April.

Ukraine

The House of Lords has continued to press the government on action regarding Ukraine. Most recently, this has included:

• exporting weapons to Ukraine
• investigating alleged war crimes
• support for refugees from Ukraine
• numbers of people supported by the Homes for Ukraine scheme
• discussions with the USA and China
• arrangements for Ukrainian nationals who arrived in the UK on visitor visas before war broke out.

Find more business in the House of Lords on Ukraine.

Questioning government decisions and actions and debating current issues

The House of Lords questions government on its actions every Monday to Thursday, and raises current issues in debates. Recently these have included:

• privatisation of Channel 4
• Energy Security Strategy
• debating the UK economy following the Spring Statement
• the role of the UK in furthering the equality of women in the UK and globally in a debate to mark International Women’s Day
• NHS services returning to pre-pandemic levels
• mental health services for rough sleepers
• the impact of inflation on benefits
• concerns for women and single mothers around the rising cost of living
• investing in reproductive health and rights in the International Development Strategy
• a windfall tax on the profits of oil, gas and energy companies.

Return to business

The House of Lords returns on Monday 25 April, with the detailed check of the Elections Bill due to continue at the start of a packed week of ‘ping pong’ as both Houses of Parliament consider each other’s’ changes to bills before the end of the session.

• Read the full agenda.