What's on in the Lords 26 February - 1 March
23 February 2024
Questions
Members question the government on skills shortages, employment for people with criminal convictions, closing the gender pay gap, the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.
Bills
The Lords continues line by line examination of the Victims and Prisoners Bill and debates the key principles and main purpose of the Media Bill.
Debates
The Windrush scandal, the state of pollution in rivers, the AUKUS agreement, and a national housing strategy are all in the spotlight in Lords debates.
Committees
- The Built Environment Committee speaks to Sir John Timpson, chairman at Timpson Group, as part of its inquiry into high streets in towns and small cities.
- The Communications and Digital Committee hears from Jon Slade, CCO at Financial Times, and Anna Bateson, CEO at Guardian Media Group.
- The Public Services Committee continues its inquiry into the transition from education to employment for young disabled people.
Read on for more.
Friday
From 10am
Members debate the key principles of the following private members' bills:
- Alternative Investment Fund Designation Bill
- Employment and Trade Union Rights (Dismissal and Re-engagement)
- Schools (Mental Health Professionals) Bill.
Monday
From 2.30pm
Questions
The Lords pressed the government on:
- tax haven status of British Overseas Territories
- NHS specialist care
- supporting life sciences businesses
- employment for people with criminal convictions.
Legislation
Members continued line by line examination of the Victims and Prisoners Bill at committee stage.
Motions to decline and regret
The Lords debated a 'motion to decline' anaesthesia associates and physician associates regulations, put forward by Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle. The motion proposes that the regulations represent a significant constitutional change in the regulation of healthcare professionals and don't address concerns within the medical profession.
A ‘motion to decline’ – known as a fatal motion – would withhold the House’s approval, which is required for this type of regulation to become law.
Members also debated two 'motions to regret' the legislation, put forward by Baroness Finlay of Llandaff and Baroness Brinton.
- Read the regret motion from Baroness Finlay of Llandaff
- Read the regret motion from Baroness Brinton.
A 'motion to regret’ allows members to put on record their concerns about a piece of secondary legislation.
Regulations
From 3.45pm
In Grand Committee, work away from the chamber, members consider regulations on:
- local elections (Northern Ireland)
- payment practices and performance
- paternity leave
- Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.
Tuesday
From 2.30pm
Questions
The Lords questions the government on:
- closing the gender pay gap
- payments made to Avanti Trains
- remuneration policies at the Post Office
- Shamima Begum.
Statement
Members also quizzed the government following a statement on Israel and Gaza.
Debates
Members will debate the return of the devolved institutions in Northern Ireland and the importance of upholding the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement 1998. Members will also debate a 'motion to regret' put forward by Baroness Hoey.
Regulations
The Lords will discuss draft legislation relating to the welfare of primates that are kept in England and consider a 'motion to regret' the regulations from Baroness Hayman of Ullock.
From 3.45pm
In Grand Committee, work away from the chamber, members consider regulations on:
- human medicines
- tax credits
- Bank of England levy
- rates retention
- social security benefits
- minimum pensions increase.
Wednesday
From 3pm
Questions
The Lords pressed the government on:
- skills shortages
- UNICEF’s report on child poverty
- emergency and temporary accommodation
- housebuilding.
Legislation
The House debated the key principles and main purpose of the Media Bill at second reading.
Thursday
From 11am
Questions
Members question the government on:
Statement
Members also quizzed the government following statements on the Red Sea and the security of elected officials.
Debates
The Windrush scandal and the state of pollution in rivers are both in the spotlight in Lords debates.
From 1pm in Grand Committee, members will hold four short debates on:
- long-term national housing strategy
- AUKUS agreement
- burying overhead electrical transmission lines
- supporting health workers in Myanmar.
Get involved
Watch
Questions, debates and scrutiny of legislation are streamed live online for free. Watch chamber and Lords committee meetings on Parliament TV.
Read
All business in the House of Lords chamber and in Grand Committee is transcribed and available to read from around three hours after it happens. Read it free online in Lords Hansard.
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Image credit: House of Lords / Roger Harris
