Contents
Chamber business
No. 223
The House met at 11.30 am.
Prayers
1Questions to the Secretary of State for Justice
2Urgent Questions: (1) Chagossians and the Diego Garcia Base Treaty (Mr Hamish Falconer)
(2) New approach to Africa: UK-Africa Strategy (Mr Hamish Falconer)
3Statements: (1) Electoral resilience (Secretary Steve Reed)
(2) Planning reform (Matthew Pennycook)
4Vacant commercial properties (temporary use): Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)
Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to enable local authorities to allocate for temporary use by charities, community organisations and small businesses any vacant commercial properties during the period of their vacancy; to provide for certain obligations on landlords of commercial property in connection with such allocations; and for connected purposes;
That Luke Akehurst, Dan Aldridge, Danny Beales, Dr Allison Gardner, Leigh Ingham, Jayne Kirkham, Amanda Martin, Kevin McKenna, Mike Reader, Alistair Strathern, Dr Lauren Sullivan and Peter Swallow present the Bill.
Luke Akehurst accordingly presented the Bill.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 16 January 2026, and to be printed (Bill 351).
5Finance (No. 2) Bill: Second Reading
Motion made and Question proposed, That the Finance (No. 2) Bill be now read a second time.
Amendment proposed, to leave out from 'That' to the end of the Question and add 'this House declines to give a Second Reading to the Finance (No. 2) Bill because the Bill includes provisions breaking the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s promise, given after the Autumn Budget 2024, not to raise taxes, and breaking the Chancellor’s promise at the last Budget that there would be no extension of the freeze in Income Tax and National Insurance thresholds and that, from 2028–29, personal tax thresholds would be uprated in line with inflation once again; because the Bill implements changes to Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief for Inheritance Tax which will devastate family farms, businesses and food security; because the Bill is the result of a Budget that will lead to higher spending and borrowing, while damaging growth and living standards with £26 billion of tax rises; and because this House is opposed to raising taxes on working people to pay for increased welfare spending.'.—(Sir Mel Stride.)
Question put, That the Amendment be made.
The House divided.
Division No. 393
Ayes: 118 (Tellers: Sir Ashley Fox, Harriet Cross)
Noes: 340 (Tellers: Nesil Caliskan, Jade Botterill)
Question negatived.
Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 62(2)), That the Bill be now read a second time.
The House divided.
Division No. 394
Ayes: 341 (Tellers: Nesil Caliskan, Jade Botterill)
Noes: 195 (Tellers: Sir Ashley Fox, Harriet Cross)
Question agreed to and Bill read a second time.
6Finance (No. 2) Bill: Programme
Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83A(7)), That the following provisions shall apply to the Finance (No. 2) Bill:
Committal
(1) The following shall be committed to a Committee of the whole House—
(a) Clauses 1 to 8 and Schedules 1 and 2 (income tax charge and rates);
(b) Clauses 9, 10 and 69 (freezing of allowances);
(c) Clause 62 and Schedule 12 (agricultural property relief and business property relief);
(d) Clauses 63 to 68 (inheritance tax on pension interests);
(e) Clauses 83 to 85 and Schedule 13 (gambling duties);
(f) Clause 86 (rates of alcohol duty);
(g) any new Clauses or new Schedules relating to the subject matter of the Clauses and Schedules mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (f).
(2) The remainder of the Bill shall be committed to a Public Bill Committee.
Proceedings in Committee of the whole House
(3) Proceedings in Committee of the whole House shall be completed in two days.
(4) The proceedings—
(a) shall be taken on each of those days in the order shown in the first column of the following Table, and
(b) shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at the times specified in the second column of the Table.
|
First day Clauses 1 to 6 and Schedule 1; Clauses 7 and 8 and Schedule 2; any new Clauses or new Schedules relating to the subject matter of those Clauses and those Schedules |
Two hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Bill on the first day. |
|
Clauses 9, 10 and 69; any new Clauses or new Schedules relating to the subject matter of those Clauses |
Four hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Bill on the first day. |
|
Clause 62 and Schedule 12; any new Clauses or new Schedules relating to the subject matter of that Clause and that Schedule |
Six hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Bill on the first day. |
|
Second day |
Two hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Bill on the second day. |
|
Clauses 83 to 85 and Schedule 13; any new Clauses or new Schedules relating to the subject matter of those Clauses and that Schedule |
Four hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Bill on the second day. |
|
Clause 86; any new Clauses or new Schedules relating to the subject matter of that Clause |
Six hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Bill on the second day. |
Proceedings in Public Bill Committee etc
(5) Proceedings in the Public Bill Committee shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion on Thursday 26 February 2026.
(6) The Public Bill Committee shall have leave to sit twice on the first day on which it meets.
(7) When the provisions of the Bill considered, respectively, by the Committee of the whole House and by the Public Bill Committee have been reported to the House, the Bill shall be proceeded with as if it had been reported as a whole to the House from the Public Bill Committee.
Proceedings on Consideration and Third Reading
(8) Proceedings on Consideration shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour before the moment of interruption on the day on which those proceedings are commenced.
(9) Proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at the moment of interruption on that day.
Programming committee
(10) Standing Order No. 83B (Programming committees) shall not apply to proceedings in Committee of the whole House, to proceedings on Consideration or to proceedings on Third Reading.—(Gen Kitchen.)
Question agreed to.
7Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval
Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2025, which was laid before this House on 20 November, be approved.—(Lilian Greenwood.)
Question agreed to.
(1) A public petition from residents of the constituency of Cheadle relating to green belt protection was presented and read by Tom Morrison.
(2) A public petition from residents of the United Kingdom relating to the House of Lords was presented and read by Tom Gordon.
Subject: Criminal justice system in Wales (Liz Saville Roberts)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Lilian Greenwood.)
Adjourned at 7.59 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
Lords Messages
The Lords do not insist on their Amendments to the Employment Rights Bill to which the Commons have disagreed.
General Committees: Reports
11Second Delegated Legislation Committee
Paula Barker (Chair) reported the draft Oil and Gas Authority (Carbon Storage and Offshore Petroleum) (Specified Periods for Disclosure of Protected Material) Regulations 2026.
General Committees: Appointments
The Speaker appoints the Chair of General Committees and members of Programming Sub-Committees, and allocates Statutory Instruments to Delegated Legislation Committees.
The Committee of Selection nominates Members to serve on General Committees (and certain Members to serve on Grand Committees).
12Second Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Oil and Gas Authority (Carbon Storage and Offshore Petroleum) (Specified Periods for Disclosure of Protected Material) Regulations 2026)
Members: Gill German discharged and Mr Alex Barros-Curtis nominated in substitution.
13Third Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Public Order Act 2023 (Interference With Use or Operation of Key National Infrastructure) Regulations 2025)
Members: David Williams discharged and David Baines nominated in substitution.
Select Committees: Reports
Record of the Committee’s discussions at its meeting on Tuesday 16 December, to be published (Nick Smith).
15Backbench Business Committee
Transcript of representations made on Tuesday 16 December, to be published (Bob Blackman).
16Culture, Media and Sport Committee
(1) Children’s tv and video content: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 1338);
(2) AI and copyright: Written evidence, to be published (HC 695);
(3) Correspondence with the Assistant Chief Constable of West Midlands Police: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) State of play: Elite deaf athletes and the Deaflympics: Written evidence, to be published (HC 845)
(Dame Caroline Dinenage).
Introductory session with the National Armaments Director: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1529) (Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi).
(1) Teacher recruitment, training and retention: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1551);
(2) Correspondence from the Chief Regulator at Ofqual relating to the launch of its public consultation on the proposed approach to regulating on-screen assessment in GCSEs, AS and A Levels: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport relating to the National Youth Strategy: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence from the Secretary of State for Education and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions relating to the Child Poverty Strategy: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Correspondence with His Majesty’s Chief Inspector relating to Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) Correspondence with the Minister for Children and Families: Written evidence, to be published
(Helen Hayes).
19Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
(1) Fisheries and the marine environment: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 680);
(2) The future of farming: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 527);
(3) Animal and plant health: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 611);
(4) Fairness in the food supply chain: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 589);
(5) Reforming the water sector: Written evidence, to be published (HC 588);
(6) Work of the Department and its arm's-length bodies: Written evidence, to be published (HC 415)
(Mr Alistair Carmichael).
(1) Record of the Committee’s decisions taken at its meeting on 16 December, to be published;
(2) Savings inquiry: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1476)
(Steve Barclay).
(1) Work of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 385);
(2) Disinformation diplomacy: How malign actors are seeking to undermine democracy: Written evidence, to be published (HC 703);
(3) The UK’s sanctions strategy: Written evidence, to be published (HC 699)
(Emily Thornberry).
(1) Asylum and returns policy: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1579);
(2) Border security and irregular migration: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1592);
(3) Correspondence from the Minister for Border Security and Asylum: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence from the Minister for Migration and Citizenship relating to immigration rules changes: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Correspondence from the Minister of State for Policing and Crime relating to the Independent Review into Public Order and Hate Crime Legislation: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) Correspondence relating to policing culture: Written evidence, to be published
(Dame Karen Bradley).
23International Development Committee
(1) Women, peace and security: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 782);
(2) Correspondence with the Foreign Secretary relating to the humanitarian situation in Sudan: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence with the Minister for International Development and Africa relating to the Shafik Development Review: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Future of UK aid and development assistance: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1330)
(Sarah Champion).
(1) Work of the Lord Chancellor: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 486);
(2) Correspondence from the Interim Head of the United Kingdom’s National Preventive Mechanism relating to the UK NPM annual report 2024–25: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Lord Chancellor relating to Criminal Court reform: Written evidence, to be published
(Andy Slaughter).
25Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
(1) The work of the Cabinet Office: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 463);
(2) Correspondence from Professor D A Lievesley CBE relating to the role of the National Statistician: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster relating to appointment of the new Chair of the UK Statistics Authority: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence from the Deputy Chair, UK Statistics Authority relating to recruitment for a permanent National Statistician: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Correspondence from the Director General for Surveys and Economic and Social Statistics, Office for National Statistics relating to ONS plan for Economic Statistics progress update December 2025: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) Correspondence from the Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons, and the Minister for the Cabinet Office and His Majesty’s Paymaster General relating to public inquiries: scrutiny of recommendations: Written evidence, to be published;
(7) Correspondence from the Minister for the Cabinet Office and His Majesty’s Paymaster General relating to transparency disclosures and the Lobbying Act: Written evidence, to be published;
(8) Correspondence with the Director of Operations, Legal and Clinical and Deputy Ombudsman relating to Special Reports laid by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman in relation to the Charity Commission: Written evidence, to be published
(Simon Hoare).
(1) Record of the Committee’s decisions relating to e-petitions, to be published;
(2) List of closed e-petitions presented to the House, to be published
(Jamie Stone).
27Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Life sciences investment: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1369) (Dame Chi Onwurah).
Licensing of taxis and private hire vehicles: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1224) (Ruth Cadbury).
(1) Work of the Financial Conduct Authority: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 417);
(2) Correspondence from the Chancellor of the Exchequer relating to the Court of the Bank of England: Written evidence, to be published
(Dame Meg Hillier).
Sir Lindsay Hoyle
Speaker
Westminster Hall
The sitting began at 9.30 am.
Business appointed by the Chairman of Ways and Means (Standing Order No. 10(6))
Resolved, That this House has considered planning policy for quarries.—(Alberto Costa.)
The sitting was suspended between 10.52 am and 11 am.
2No recourse to public funds and homelessness
Resolved, That this House has considered the matter of no recourse to public funds and homelessness.—(Olivia Blake.)
The sitting was suspended between 11.26 am and 2.30 pm (Standing Order No. 10(1)(b)).
3Government support for grassroots cricket clubs
Resolved, That this House has considered Government support for grassroots cricket clubs.—(Andrew Lewin.)
The sitting was suspended between 3.49 pm and 4 pm.
4Impact of the Autumn Budget 2025 on graduates
Resolved, That this House has considered the impact of the Autumn Budget 2025 on graduates.—(Jack Rankin.)
The sitting was suspended between 4.19 pm and 4.30 pm.
5Provision of healthcare for transgender people
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered the provision of healthcare for transgender people.—(Rachel Taylor.)
The Chair announced a time limit on backbench speeches (under the authority of the Chairman of Ways and Means and Standing Order No. 47(1)).
At 5.30 pm, the Motion lapsed (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Adjourned at 5.30 pm until tomorrow.
Ms Nusrat Ghani
Chairman of Ways and Means
Papers Laid
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Chris McDonald)
Draft Medical Devices (Fees Amendment) Regulations 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Dr Zubir Ahmed)
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
Central African Republic (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (SI, 2025, No. 1327), dated 15 December 2025 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Stephen Doughty)
(1) Town and Country Planning (Entertainment Resort Complex, Bedford) Special Development Order 2025 (SI, 2025, No. 1315), dated 10 December 2025 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Steve Reed)
(2) Town and Country Planning (Entertainment Resort Complex, Bedford) Special Development (No. 2) Order 2025 (SI, 2025, No. 1322), dated 15 December 2025 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Steve Reed)
Other papers
(1) Government Response to the Report of the Animal Sentience Committee on the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill (by Act) (Secretary Emma Reynolds)
(2) Government Response to the Report of the Animal Sentience Committee on the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill (by Act) (Secretary Emma Reynolds)
Report on the Armed Forces Covenant 2025 (by Act) (Secretary John Healey)
Report of the Independent Review of the Payment and Electronic Money Institution Insolvency Regulations 2021 (by Act) (Lucy Rigby)
8Betting, Gaming and Lotteries
Report and Accounts of the Horserace Betting Levy Board for 2024–25, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act), to be printed (HC 1512) (Ian Murray)
Report and Accounts of the Climate Change Committee for 2024–25, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act), to be printed (HC 1481) (Secretary Ed Miliband)
(1) Britain’s Story: The Next Chapter: BBC Royal Charter Review Green Paper and Public Consultation (by Command) (CP 1459) (Secretary Lisa Nandy)
(2) Review of the BBC Royal Charter: Terms of Reference (by Command) (CP 1458) (Secretary Lisa Nandy)
(3) Updates to the BBC Framework Agreement (by Command) (CP 1460) (Secretary Lisa Nandy)
Government Response to the Report by the Office for Environmental Protection review of Environmental Inspections and their implementation in England (by Act) (Secretary Emma Reynolds)
12Government Resources and Accounts
(1) Report and Accounts of Cabinet Office: Civil Superannuation for 2024–25, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act), to be printed (HC 1475) (James Murray)
(2) Report and Accounts of the Housing Ombudsman for 2024–25, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act), to be printed (HC 1536) (Secretary Steve Reed)
13Government Resources and Accounts (Audit of Non-profit making Companies)
Report and Accounts of the Geffrye Museum Trust for 2024–25, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Statutory Instrument), to be printed (HC 1516) (Ian Murray)
(1) Acceptance-in-Lieu Scheme: Statement to Parliament listing items accepted in lieu of inheritance tax during the financial year 2024–25 (by Act) (Ian Murray)
(2) Government Indemnity Scheme: Statement to Parliament on the level of outstanding liabilities under the Scheme for the six-month period ending 30 September 2025 (by Act) (Ian Murray)
Report of the Independent Reviewer of State Threats Legislation on the operation of Parts 1 and 2 of the National Security Act 2023 and Schedule 3 to the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019 in 2024 (by Act) (Secretary Shabana Mahmood)
Government Response to the Third Report of the Health and Social Care Committee, Session 2024–2026, on Black maternal health (by Command) (CP 1437) (Secretary Wes Streeting)
Government Response to the Annual Report from the Independent Reviewer of State Threats Legislation on the operation of the National Security Act 2023 in 2024 (by Command) (CP 1468) (Secretary Shabana Mahmood)
Report of the Investigatory Powers Commissioner for 2024 (by Act), to be printed (HC 1277) (The Prime Minister)
Report and Consolidated Financial Statements of Post Office Limited 2024–2025 (by Act) (Blair McDougall)
Report and Recommendations from the Joint Nature Conservation Committee following the Seventh Quinquennial Review of Schedules 5 and 8 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (by Act) (Secretary Emma Reynolds)
Withdrawn papers
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2026 and the Explanatory Memorandum (laid 1 December 2025)
SPEAKER'S CERTIFICATE
VOTING BY PROXY (STANDING ORDER NO. 39A)
(Variations to existing arrangements appear in bold.)
|
Member |
From |
To |
Proxy |
|
Patrick Spencer |
16 December |
16 July 2026 |
Mr Gagan Mohindra |