Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 11.30 am.
Prayers
1Questions to (1) the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
(2) the Prime Minister
2Deprivation of Citizenship (Promotion of Terrorism or Violence) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Sarah Pochin, supported by Nigel Farage, Richard Tice, Lee Anderson and Danny Kruger, presented a Bill to require the Secretary of State to deprive a person of citizenship if they have been convicted of an offence relating to national security in the United Kingdom or abroad and have subsequently promoted terrorism or violence in public; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 16 January, and to be printed (Bill 358).
3Student finance (review of payment schedules): Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)
Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to require the Secretary of State to review the scheduling of student finance payments to undergraduates; to require the review to consider advance provision of certain student finance payments in certain circumstances; and for connected purposes;
That Mr Luke Charters, Adam Jogee, Abtisam Mohamed, Tom Hayes, Pam Cox, Luke Myer, Mike Reader, Sarah Russell, Gareth Snell, Afzal Khan, Sam Carling and Dr Jeevun Sandher present the Bill.
Mr Luke Charters accordingly presented the Bill.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 16 January, and to be printed (Bill 357).
4Opposition Day: Leader of the Opposition (15th allotted day (Standing Order No. 14))
(1) Jury trials
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House believes that it is wrong to abolish jury trials for crimes with anticipated sentences of three years or less because jury trials are a fundamental part of the UK constitution and democracy; acknowledges the scale of the courts backlog and the necessity of reducing it to ensure justice for victims but believes that restricting the fundamental right to trial by jury will have a limited effect on reducing that backlog; calls on the Government to increase the number of court sitting days to help urgently reduce the backlog; and further calls on the Government to publish immediately all modelling it has undertaken and received on the potential impact of the abolition of jury trials on that backlog.—(Robert Jenrick.)
Amendment proposed, in line 1, to leave out from “House” to end and insert “believes that the Government inherited a justice system on the brink of collapse with a record and rising caseload created under 14 years of Conservative mismanagement, austerity and cuts to the justice system that has forced victims of crime to wait years for justice; notes that the justice system has historically evolved to match the needs of the society it serves; supports the Government in making the investment required, including continuing to break records on the number of sitting days funded; looks forward to Sir Brian Leveson’s upcoming recommendations on reforms to improve efficiencies across the courts system; further supports taking forward reforms to the justice system based on Sir Brian Leveson’s independent review of the criminal courts in which victims and the public can have confidence; and further notes that the Government will introduce legislation and publish its impact assessment in due course.”.—(Sarah Sackman.)
Question proposed, That the original words stand part of the Question (Standing Order No. 31(2)).
The Deputy Speaker announced a time limit on backbench speeches (Standing Order No. 47(1)).
Question put.
The House divided.
Division No. 396
Ayes: 182 (Tellers: Nick Timothy, Jerome Mayhew)
Noes: 290 (Tellers: Gregor Poynton, Nesil Caliskan)
Question negatived.
Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 31(2)), That the proposed words be there added.
Question agreed to.
The Deputy Speaker declared the Main Question, as amended, agreed to (Standing Order No. 31(2)).
Resolved, That this House believes that the Government inherited a justice system on the brink of collapse with a record and rising caseload created under 14 years of Conservative mismanagement, austerity and cuts to the justice system that has forced victims of crime to wait years for justice; notes that the justice system has historically evolved to match the needs of the society it serves; supports the Government in making the investment required, including continuing to break records on the number of sitting days funded; looks forward to Sir Brian Leveson’s upcoming recommendations on reforms to improve efficiencies across the courts system; further supports taking forward reforms to the justice system based on Sir Brian Leveson’s independent review of the criminal courts in which victims and the public can have confidence; and further notes that the Government will introduce legislation and publish its impact assessment in due course.
(2) Rural communities
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House regrets that the Government’s policies have resulted in taxes forecast to rise to the highest proportion of GDP on record, record closures of agriculture, forestry and fishing businesses in the last 12 months, the closure of two pubs or restaurants every day and falling levels of business investment; further regrets the Government’s changes to funding for rural areas; also regrets the Government's plans to build more energy infrastructure in the countryside to meet its net zero targets; believes that these changes are likely to affect the rural way of life; additionally regrets the Government’s chaotic approach to its plans to change Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief; and calls on the Government to scrap all its planned changes to those reliefs.—(Victoria Atkins.)
Amendment proposed, in line 1, to leave out from “House” to end and insert "welcomes the support that the Government is providing for rural people, communities and businesses; commends the continued support for farmers through investment in Environmental Land Management schemes which will boost nature and sustainable food production; recognises that the Government has listened on the subject of Agricultural Property Relief and made changes to support family farms; further welcomes the Bus Services Act 2025, which includes provision to support the protection of socially necessary bus services in rural areas; further recognises that the Government continues to invest in Project Gigabit with £2.4 billion available to ensure over one million premises have access to gigabit-capable broadband; and supports the joined-up approach with the weight of Government behind tackling rural crimes such as the theft of high value farm equipment and livestock.".—(Dame Angela Eagle.)
Question proposed, That the original words stand part of the Question (Standing Order No. 31(2)).
The Deputy Speaker announced a time limit on backbench speeches (Standing Order No. 47(1)).
Mike Wood claimed to move the closure (Standing Order No. 36).
Question put, That the Question be now put.
Question agreed to and Main Question accordingly put.
The House divided.
Division No. 397
Ayes: 105 (Tellers: Mr Andrew Snowden, Jerome Mayhew)
Noes: 332 (Tellers: Gregor Poynton, Nesil Caliskan)
Question negatived.
Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 31(2)), That the proposed words be there added.
Question agreed to.
The Speaker declared the Main Question, as amended, agreed to (Standing Order No. 31(2)).
Resolved, That this House welcomes the support that the Government is providing for rural people, communities and businesses; commends the continued support for farmers through investment in Environmental Land Management schemes which will boost nature and sustainable food production; recognises that the Government has listened on the subject of Agricultural Property Relief and made changes to support family farms; further welcomes the Bus Services Act 2025, which includes provision to support the protection of socially necessary bus services in rural areas; further recognises that the Government continues to invest in Project Gigabit with £2.4 billion available to ensure over one million premises have access to gigabit-capable broadband; and supports the joined-up approach with the weight of Government behind tackling rural crimes such as the theft of high value farm equipment and livestock.
5Statement: Ukraine and wider operational update (Secretary John Healey)
6Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval
(1) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Public Order Act 2023 (Interference With Use or Operation of Key National Infrastructure) Regulations 2025, which were laid before this House on 27 November 2025, be approved.—(Sir Nicholas Dakin.)
The Deputy Speaker’s opinion as to the decision on the Question was challenged.
Division deferred until Wednesday 14 January (Standing Order No. 41A).
(2) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the Corporation Tax Act 2010 (Part 8C) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (SI, 2025, No. 1253), dated 1 December 2025, a copy of which was laid before this House on 1 December 2025, be approved.—(Sir Nicholas Dakin.)
Question agreed to.
Resolved, That Bobby Dean be appointed to the House of Commons Commission in place of Marie Goldman in pursuance of section 1(2)(d) of the House of Commons (Administration) Act 1978.—(Sir Nicholas Dakin.)
A public petition from residents of West Sussex relating to elections to West Sussex County Council was presented and read by Alison Bennett.
Subject: Potential merits of a new eastern entrance at Bletchley Railway Station (Callum Anderson)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Sir Nicholas Dakin.)
Adjourned at 9.24 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
Private Business
10Committee on Unopposed Bills (Standing Order 111)
The Chairman of Ways and Means has selected the following Members from the panel appointed by the Committee of Selection to be members of the Committee on Unopposed Bills, for the purposes of considering the Royal Albert Hall Bill [Lords]: Susan Murray, Euan Stainbank, Peter Swallow and Claire Young.
Changes to Notices Given
11Short-term Let Accommodation Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 9 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 March.
12Bullying and Respect at Work Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 9 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 March.
13Multi-Storey Car Parks (Safety) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
General Committees: Reports
14Second Delegated Legislation Committee
David Mundell (Chair) reported the draft Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (Application to Immigration Officers and Designated Customs Officials in Northern Ireland) and Consequential Amendments Regulations 2026.
15Third Delegated Legislation Committee
Graham Stuart (Chair) reported the draft United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020 (Exclusions from Market Access Principles: Glue Traps) Regulations 2025.
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).
Members: Edward Argar, Nesil Caliskan, Liam Conlon, Daniel Francis, Olly Glover, Lilian Greenwood, Lloyd Hatton, Jayne Kirkham, Keir Mather, Jerome Mayhew, Edward Morello, Andrew Ranger, Joe Robertson, Baggy Shanker, Rebecca Smith, Sarah Smith and Laurence Turner
17First Delegated Legislation Committee (Corporation Tax Act 2010 (Part 8C) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (SI, 2025, No. 1253))
Chair: Emma Lewell in place of Graham Stringer.
18First Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Local Government (Exclusion of Non-commercial Considerations) (England) Order 2026)
Chair: Peter Dowd
Members: Chris Bloore, Lewis Cocking, Deirdre Costigan, Maya Ellis, Tim Farron, Mr Paul Foster, Dr Allison Gardner, Pippa Heylings, Damian Hinds, Paul Holmes, Gerald Jones, Naushabah Khan, Peter Prinsley, David Simmonds, Euan Stainbank, Chris Ward and Mohammad Yasin
19Third Delegated Legislation Committee (draft United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020 (Exclusions from Market Access Principles: Glue Traps) Regulations 2025)
Members: Mary Creagh and Sarah Dyke discharged and Pippa Heylings and Gen Kitchen nominated in substitution.
Select Committees: Reports
20Environmental Audit Committee
(1) Airport expansion and climate and nature targets: Government Response: Seventh Special Report, to be printed (HC 1600);
(2) The Seventh Carbon Budget: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 1327)
(Mr Toby Perkins).
21Health and Social Care Committee
(1) Palliative care: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 632);
(2) Correspondence from the Department: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Delivering the Neighbourhood Health Service: Workforce: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1527)
(Layla Moran).
22Human Rights (Joint Committee on)
(1) Correspondence from the Exchequer Secretary relating to the provisions in the Finance (No.2) Bill with retrospective effect: Written evidence, to be published;
(2) Correspondence from the Security Minister relating to proscription under the Terrorism Act: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Forced labour in UK supply chains: Written evidence, to be published (HC 633);
(4) Legislative scrutiny: Northern Ireland Troubles Bill: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1437)
(Sir Desmond Swayne).
23Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
(1) Economic growth in Northern Ireland: new and emerging sectors: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1193);
(2) Correspondence from the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury relating to changes to Agricultural Property Relief: Written evidence to be published;
(3) Policing and security in Northern Ireland: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1341)
(Tonia Antoniazzi).
(1) GB Energy and the net zero transition: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 459);
(2) Scotland’s space sector follow-up: launch: Written evidence, to be published (HC 671);
(3) Scotland’s wood panelling industry: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1550)
(Patricia Ferguson).
Railways Bill: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1472) (Ruth Cadbury).
Farming in Wales in 2025: Challenges and opportunities: Written evidence, to be published (HC 785) (Ruth Jones).
27Women and Equalities Committee
(1) Black homelessness: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1505);
(2) Community cohesion: Written evidence, to be published (HC 340);
(3) Correspondence from the Minister for Women and Equalities relating to the Equality and Human Rights Commission: Written evidence, to be published (HC 942);
(4) Reproductive health conditions: girls and young women: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1265);
(5) Tackling non-consensual intimate image abuse: Written evidence, to be published (HC 336)
(Sarah Owen).
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))
1Patient access to tissue freezing for advanced brain cancer treatment, diagnostics and research
Resolved, That this House has considered patient access to tissue freezing for advanced brain cancer treatment, diagnostics and research.—(Chris Evans.)
The sitting was suspended between 10.38 am and 11 am.
2Local government organisation in Bromsgrove
Resolved, That this House has considered local government organisation in Bromsgrove.—(Bradley Thomas.)
The sitting was suspended between 11.24 am and 2.30 pm (Standing Order No. 10(1)(b)).
3UK Town of Culture competition
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered the UK Town of Culture competition.—(Alex Ballinger.)
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)).
Resolved, That this House has considered the UK Town of Culture competition.
The sitting was suspended between 3.53 pm and 4 pm.
The sitting was suspended between 4 pm and 4.17 pm for a division in the House (Standing Order No. 10(3)).
Resolved, That this House has considered meat exports to the EU.—(David Chadwick.)
The sitting was suspended between 4.35 pm and 4.40 pm.
5Rural Fuel Duty Relief scheme
Resolved, That this House has considered the Rural Fuel Duty Relief scheme.—(Ian Roome.)
Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Adjourned at 5.44 pm until tomorrow.
Ms Nusrat Ghani
Chairman of Ways and Means
Papers Laid
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution
(1) Draft Local Government Finance Act 1988 (Calculation of Non-Domestic Rating High-Value Multiplier) (England) Regulations 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Dan Tomlinson)
(2) Draft Local Government Finance Act 1988 (Prescription of Non-Domestic Rating Multipliers) (England) Regulations 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Dan Tomlinson)
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
Feed-in Tariffs (Amendment) Order 2026 (SI, 2026, No. 2), dated 6 January 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Ed Miliband)
Heat Networks (Market Framework) (Great Britain) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2026 (SI, 2026, No. 10), dated 6 January 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Martin McCluskey)
Treaty, done at London on 17 July 2025, between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Federal Republic of Germany on Friendship and Bilateral Cooperation (CP 1476) (by Command), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Act) (Secretary Yvette Cooper)
Local Government Finance Act 1988 (Calculation of Non-Domestic Rating Multipliers for Retail, Hospitality or Leisure) (England) Regulations 2026 (SI, 2026, No. 4), dated 6 January 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Dan Tomlinson)
6Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation)
(1) Draft Revised Code of Practice on Industrial Action Ballots and Notice to Employers (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Kate Dearden)
(2) Draft Revised Code of Practice on Picketing (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Kate Dearden)
Agreement, done at London on 29 October 2025, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam on Cooperation and Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters (CP 1475) (by Command), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Act) (Secretary Yvette Cooper)
Other papers
Interest on Lawyers’ Client Accounts Scheme (by Command) (CP 1472) (Secretary David Lammy)
Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs, Environment Agency and Natural England: Environmental regulation (by Act), to be printed (HC 1483) (Clerk of the House)