Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 11.30 am.
Prayers
1Questions to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
2Urgent Questions: (1) Proposed Chinese Embassy (Matthew Pennycook)
(2) Storm Goretti (Dan Jarvis)
3Statements: (1) Business Statement (Leader of the House)
(2) Iran (Secretary Yvette Cooper)
4Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Secretary Wes Streeting, supported by the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Secretary Yvette Cooper, Secretary Shabana Mahmood, Secretary Peter Kyle, Secretary Hilary Benn, Secretary Douglas Alexander, Secretary Jo Stevens, Anna Turley and Karin Smyth, presented a Bill to make provision about the prioritisation of graduates from medical schools in the United Kingdom and certain other persons for places on medical training programmes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 360) with Explanatory Notes (Bill 360–EN).
5Removal of Peerages Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Kirsty Blackman presented a Bill to make provision about the removal of peerages in certain circumstances; to provide that the removal of a peerage removes any right to sit in the House of Lords; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 13 March, and to be printed (Bill 361).
6Emergency and life-saving skills (schools): 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 teaching in schools of skills relating to emergency situations, including life-saving skills; and for connected purposes;
That Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst, John Cooper, Lincoln Jopp, Charlie Dewhirst, Blake Stephenson, Bradley Thomas and Jim Shannon present the Bill.
Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst accordingly presented the Bill.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 29 May, and to be printed (Bill 362).
7Finance (No. 2) Bill (Clauses 63 to 68 and any new Clauses or new Schedules relating to the subject matter of those Clauses; Clauses 83 to 85 and Schedule 13 and any new Clauses or new Schedules relating to the subject matter of those Clauses and that Schedule; and Clause 86 and any new Clauses or new Schedules relating to the subject matter of that Clause): Committee of the whole House (second day)
The House resolved itself into a Committee (Programme Order, 16 December 2025).
(In the Committee)
Clause 63 (Tax to be charged on certain pension interests)
Motion made and Question put, That Clause 63 stand part of the Bill.
The Committee divided.
Division No. 403
Ayes: 348 (Tellers: Mark Ferguson, Taiwo Owatemi)
Noes: 167 (Tellers: Lincoln Jopp, Alicia Kearns)
Question agreed to.
Clauses 64 to 68 agreed to.
New Clause NC24—(James Wild)—brought up, and read the first time.
Question put, That the Clause be read a second time.
The Committee divided.
Division No. 404
Ayes: 184 (Tellers: Lincoln Jopp, Alicia Kearns)
Noes: 331 (Tellers: Mark Ferguson, Taiwo Owatemi)
Question negatived.
Clause 83 agreed to.
Clauses 84 and 85 agreed to.
Schedule 13 agreed to.
New Clause NC25—(James Wild)—brought up, and read the first time.
Question put, That the Clause be read a second time.
The Committee divided.
Division No. 405
Ayes: 187 (Tellers: Lincoln Jopp, Alicia Kearns)
Noes: 351 (Tellers: Stephen Morgan, Taiwo Owatemi)
Question negatived.
Clause 86 (Rates of duty)
Motion made and Question put, That Clause 86 stand part of the Bill.
The Committee divided.
Division No. 406
Ayes: 344 (Tellers: Stephen Morgan, Taiwo Owatemi)
Noes: 173 (Tellers: Alicia Kearns, Lincoln Jopp)
Question agreed to.
New Clause NC9—(Daisy Cooper)—brought up, and read the first time.
Question put, That the Clause be read a second time.
The Committee divided.
Division No. 407
Ayes: 181 (Tellers: Claire Young, Zöe Franklin)
Noes: 335 (Tellers: Stephen Morgan, Taiwo Owatemi)
Question negatived.
New Clause NC26—(James Wild)—brought up, and read the first time.
Question put, That the Clause be read a second time.
The Committee divided.
Division No. 408
Ayes: 172 (Tellers: Alicia Kearns, Lincoln Jopp)
Noes: 334 (Tellers: Stephen Morgan, Taiwo Owatemi)
Question negatived.
Bill (Clauses 1 to 8 and Schedules 1 and 2, Clauses 9, 10 and 69, Clause 62 and Schedule 12, Clauses 63 to 68, Clauses 83 to 85 and Schedule 13, and Clause 86) to be reported, with Amendments.
The Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair.
Gen Kitchen reported, That the Committee had gone through the Bill (Clauses 1 to 8 and Schedules 1 and 2, Clauses 9, 10 and 69, Clause 62 and Schedule 12, Clauses 63 to 68, Clauses 83 to 85 and Schedule 13, and Clause 86) and had directed her to report the same as amended to the House.
Clauses and Schedules, as amended, to lie upon the Table.
Subject: Government support for freedom of religion or belief in Nigeria (David Smith)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Gen Kitchen.)
Adjourned at 9.03 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
Lords Messages
9Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill
The Lords agree to the Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill with Amendments to which they desire the agreement of the Commons.
The Lords agree to the Sentencing Bill with Amendments to which they desire the agreement of the Commons.
Printing of Lords Amendments
11Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill
Lords Amendments to the Bill to be considered tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 364) with Explanatory Notes (Bill 364–EN)
Lords Amendments to the Bill to be considered tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 365) with Explanatory Notes (Bill 365–EN)
Changes to Notices Given
13Neurodiversity (Screening and Teacher Training) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
15Company Directors (Duties) Bill
Order for resuming on Friday 16 January the adjourned debate on the Question proposed on 4 July 2025, That the Bill be now read a second time, read and discharged.
Debate to be resumed on Friday 27 February.
16European Union (Withdrawal Arrangements) Bill
Order for resuming on Friday 16 January the adjourned debate on the Question proposed on 6 December 2024, That the Bill be now read a second time, read and discharged.
Debate to be resumed on Friday 27 February.
17Elections (Accessibility for Blind Voters) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
18Horticultural Peat (Prohibition of Sale) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
19Reindeer (Licensing for Exhibition) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
20National Cancer Strategy Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 30 January.
21Royal Fleet Auxiliary (Report on Remit of Commissioner) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
22Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Education (Profit Cap) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 29 May.
23Managing Agents (Regulation) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
25Interpersonal Abuse and Violence Against Men and Boys (Strategy) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
27Public Body Ethnicity Data (Inclusion of Jewish and Sikh Categories) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
28Registration of Death (Religion) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
29Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
30Access to Finance for Women in Business Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
31Listed Investment Companies (Classification etc) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 March.
32Statutory Adoption Pay (Report on Extension to the Self-Employed) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 March.
33Child Abduction and Custody Act 1985 (Amendment) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 March.
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
35Leases (Integrated Retirement Communities) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
36Vehicle Registration Marks (Misuse and Offences) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
37UK-EU Customs Union (Duty to Negotiate) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
39Domestic Building Works (Consumer Protection) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
40Vacant Commercial Properties (Temporary Use) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
41Women, Peace and Security Bill [Lords]
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
42Public Procurement (British Goods and Services) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
43Gaza (Independent Public Inquiry) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
45Data Publication and Quality (Immigration, Nationality and Country of Birth) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
46Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages (Welsh Language Provision) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
47E-scooters (Review and Awareness) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
48Ferry Services (Integration and Regulation) 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
49First Delegated Legislation Committee
Peter Dowd (Chair) reported the draft Local Government (Exclusion of Non-commercial Considerations) (England) Order 2026.
Select Committees: Reports
Record of the Committee’s discussions at its meeting on Tuesday 13 January, to be published (Nick Smith).
51Backbench Business Committee
Transcript of representations made on Tuesday 13 January, to be published (Bob Blackman).
52Business and Trade Committee
(1) UK trade with the US, India and the EU: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 996);
(2) Financing the real economy: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1220);
(3) Small business strategy: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1057)
(Liam Byrne).
53Culture, Media and Sport Committee
(1) Children’s TV and video content: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1338);
(2) Correspondence with Ofcom: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Major events: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1339);
(4) The work of the BBC: Written evidence, to be published (HC 331)
(Dame Caroline Dinenage).
(1) The work of the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual): Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1608);
(2) Correspondence with the Chief Executive of Ofcom relating to Grok AI and the protection of women and children online: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Higher education and funding: Threat of insolvency and international students: Written evidence, to be published (HC 807);
(4) The work of the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted): Written evidence, to be published (HC 539)
(Helen Hayes).
55Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
(1) Animal and plant health: Written evidence, to be published (HC 611);
(2) Reforming the water sector: Written evidence, to be published (HC 588);
(3) Work of the Department and its arm's-length bodies: Written evidence, to be published (HC 415)
(Mr Alistair Carmichael).
(1) Disinformation diplomacy: How malign actors are seeking to undermine democracy: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 703);
(2) Soft power: A strategy for UK success?: Written evidence, to be published (HC 791);
(3) Work of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Written evidence, to be published (HC 385)
(Emily Thornberry).
57Health and Social Care Committee
(1) The First 1000 Days: a renewed focus: Fifth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 802);
(2) Correspondence from the Department: Written evidence, to be published
(Paulette Hamilton).
Football policing: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1553) (Dame Karen Bradley).
59Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
(1) New Towns: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1601);
(2) Correspondence from the Minister of State for Housing and Planning: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence with the Managing Director of IHG Hotels and Resorts: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Housing conditions in England: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1154)
(Florence Eshalomi).
60International Development Committee
(1) The UK’s development partnership with Nigeria: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1225);
(2) Correspondence with the Foreign Secretary relating to the proceeds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Future of UK aid and development assistance: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1330);
(4) Women, peace and security: Written evidence, to be published (HC 782)
(Sarah Champion).
(1) Reform of the Criminal Court: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 1602);
(2) Correspondence from the Chief Executive of the National Residential Landlords Association relating to the Renters’ Rights Act: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Home Secretary relating to asylum and returns announcements: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence from the Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending relating to HMP Rye Hill and HMP Dovegate: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Correspondence from the Minister of State (Sarah Sackman KC MP) relating to civil digitalisation: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) Correspondence with the Lord Chancellor relating to the Judicial Appointments Commission: Written evidence, to be published
(Andy Slaughter).
(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).
63Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Correspondence from the Secretary of State on intimate Grok AI deepfakes: Written evidence, to be published (Dame Chi Onwurah).
(1) Register of Interests of Members’ Staff: transitional provisions: Seventh Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 1629);
(2) Work of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 508)
(Alberto Costa).
(1) Correspondence from the Minister for Local Transport relating to pavement parking: Written evidence, to be published;
(2) Correspondence from the Minister for Local Transport relating to the Road Safety Strategy: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Minister for Roads and Buses relating to powered mobility devices: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Joined-up journeys: Achieving and measuring transport integration:
(i) Written evidence, to be published (HC 1222);
(ii) Written evidence (HC 1222);
(5) Licensing of taxis and private hire vehicles: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1224);
(6) Supercharging the EV transition: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1593)
(Ruth Cadbury).
(1) Cash Individual Savings Account: Government Response: Fourth Special Report, to be printed (HC 1606);
(2) National Wealth Fund: Government Response: Fifth Special Report, to be printed (HC 1607);
(3) Work of HM Revenue and Customs: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 416);
(4) Budget 2025: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1349);
(5) Correspondence from HM Treasury: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) Correspondence from the Chancellor of the Exchequer relating to the Spring forecast 2026 announcement: Written evidence, to be published;
(7) Work of the Financial Conduct Authority: Written evidence, to be published (HC 417)
(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))
1Potential merits of a statutory duty of care for universities
Resolved, That this House has considered the potential merits of a statutory duty of care for universities.—(James Naish.)
2Academic Technology Approval Scheme
Resolved, That this House has considered the Academic Technology Approval Scheme.—(Wendy Chamberlain.)
The sitting was suspended between 11.27 am and 2.30 pm (Standing Order No. 10(1)(b)).
3Potential merits of regulating airport drop-off charges
Resolved, That this House has considered the potential merits of regulating airport drop-off charges.—(Yasmin Qureshi.)
4Impact of the Arctic and High North on UK security
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered the impact of the Arctic and High North on UK security.—(Graeme Downie.)
The sitting was suspended between 4.23 pm and 4.49 pm for divisions in the House (Standing Order No. 10(3)).
Resolved, That this House has considered impact of the Arctic and High North on UK security.
5Potential merits of reforming Northern Ireland's political institutions
Resolved, That this House has considered the potential merits of reforming Northern Ireland's political institutions.—(Sorcha Eastwood.)
Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Adjourned at 5.55 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) (Extension to Maritime Activities) Order 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary Ed Miliband)
2Terms and Conditions of Employment
(1) Draft Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave Regulations 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Peter Kyle)
(2) Draft Employment Rights Act 1996 (Application of Section 80B to Adoptions from Overseas) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Peter Kyle)
(3) Draft Employment Rights Act 1996 (Application of Section 80B to Parental Order Cases) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Peter Kyle)
Papers laid under paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 to the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023
Proposal for an instrument titled Heavy Goods Vehicles (Charging for the Use of Certain Infrastructure on the Trans-European Road Network) (Revocation and Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2026, with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Act) (Secretary Heidi Alexander)
Other papers
Convention, adopted at Vienna on 12 September 1997, on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage (by Command) (CP 1482) (Secretary Yvette Cooper)