What's on in the Lords 28-31 October
1 November 2024
Questions
This week members press the government on confidentiality for whistleblowers, foodbanks, the number of young people not in employment, education, or training, and support for pensioners during winter.
Bills
Members begin to check and change the Water (Special Measures) Bill, complete committee stage scrutiny of the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill, and make further changes to the Arbitration Bill.
Debates
Safeguarding freedom of religion in South Asia, rising tensions in the Horn of Africa, the UK's community and voluntary sector, and the contribution of science and technology to the economy are all on the agenda.
Plus, members hold four short debates on defence policy, Ozempic drug alternatives, defence spending and the impact of tax policy on employment.
Committees
- The Built Environment Committee hears from experts as part of its inquiry into the grey belt.
- The International Relations and Defence Committee speaks to Professor Peter Clegg from the University of West England and Dr Jamie Trinidad KC, fellow at Wolfson College Cambridge, on the historical context of the Chagos Islands.
- The Public Services Committee continues its inquiry on interpretation and translation services in the courts.
Read on for more.
Catch up
Monday
From 2.30pm
Questions
Members pressed the government on:
- fees charged by unregistered children's homes
- closure of specialised research units
- confidentiality for whistleblowers
- women’s state pension age.
Legislation
Members began line by line examination of the Water (Special Measures) Bill at committee stage.
Debates
The UK's role in safeguarding the freedom of religion and belief of minority faith communities across South Asia was on the agenda.
Orders and regulations
From 3.45pm in Grand Committee, members considered regulations on:
- electricity supplier obligations
- carbon dioxide transport and storage
- Financial Services and Markets Act 2000
- insurance
- disclosure of information
- Online Safety Act 2023.
Tuesday
From 2.30pm
Questions
The House of Lords questioned the government on:
- gender in Olympic and Paralympic competition
- number of young people not in employment, training or education
- supporting pensioners during winter
- use of police firearms.
Statements
Members pressed the government following statements on government visits to China, an independent water commission, the Middle East and fiscal rules.
Legislation
Members continued detailed checks of the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill at committee stage.
Debates
Rising tensions in the Horn of Africa was on the agenda.
Wednesday
From 3pm
Questions
Members pressed the government on:
- opportunities for young people to volunteer abroad
- unaccompanied migrant children accommodated in hotels
- access to consular assistance
- catfishing on social media.
Urgent questions
Members also quizzed the government following urgent questions on government policy announcements and Sudan.
Legislation
Members made further changes to the Arbitration Bill and continued to examine the Water (Special Measures) Bill.
Thursday
From 11am
Questions
The House of Lords questioned the government on:
- 200th anniversary of the birth of the modern railway
- representation of young people in government decision making
- eliminating the need for foodbanks
- safety precautions at Great Yarmouth Port Authority.
Statement
Members also pressed the government following a statement on international engagements.
Debates
The UK's community and voluntary sector and the contribution of science and technology to the UK economy were both in the spotlight.
From 1pm in Grand Committe, work away from the chamber, members also held four short debates on:
- defence policy
- Ozempic drug alternatives
- spending 2.5% of GDP on defence
- impact of tax policy on employment.
Get involved
Watch
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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
