Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 9.30 am.
The Clerk at the Table informed the House of the absence of the Speaker from this day’s sitting, pursuant to leave given on 12 January.
Ms Nusrat Ghani, Chairman of Ways and Means, proceeded to the Table.
Prayers
Ms Nusrat Ghani, the Chairman of Ways and Means, took the Chair as Deputy Speaker (Standing Order No. 3).
3Electoral Commission (Answer to Address)
The Vice-Chamberlain of the Household reported to the House, That the Address of 8 July 2025, praying that His Majesty will re-appoint Dr Katy Radford MBE as an Electoral Commissioner with effect from 1 September 2025 for the period ending on 31 August 2029, was presented to His Majesty, who was graciously pleased to comply with the request.
4Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Answer to Address)
The Vice-Chamberlain of the Household reported to the House, That the Address of 17 November 2025, praying that His Majesty will appoint Sir Charles Walker KBE to the office of ordinary member of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority for a period of five years with effect from 1 January 2026, was presented to His Majesty, who was graciously pleased to comply with the request.
5Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Answer to Address)
The Vice-Chamberlain of the Household reported to the House, That the Address of 17 November 2025, praying that His Majesty will appoint Mr Manbhinder Rana to the office of ordinary member of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority for a period of five years with effect from 11 January 2026, was presented to His Majesty, who was graciously pleased to comply with the request.
6Local Government Boundary Commission for England (Answer to Address)
The Vice-Chamberlain of the Household reported to the House, That the Address of 17 November 2025, praying that His Majesty will appoint Ms Beverley Smith as Chair of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England with effect from 1 January 2026 for the period ending on 31 December 2030, was presented to His Majesty, who was graciously pleased to comply with the request.
7Questions to (1) the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
(2) the hon. Member representing the Church Commissioners, the hon. Member representing the House of Commons Commission and the hon. Member representing the Restoration and Renewal Client Board
8Urgent Question: Digital ID (Josh Simons)
9Business Question (Leader of the House)
10Select Committee Statement (Standing Order No. 22D): Publication of the Third Special Report of the Justice Committee, Tackling the drugs crisis in our prisons: Government Response, HC 1599 (Andy Slaughter)
11Armed Forces Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Secretary John Healey, supported by the Prime Minister, Secretary David Lammy, Secretary Steve Reed, Secretary Yvette Cooper, Secretary Douglas Alexander, Secretary Jo Stevens, Secretary Hilary Benn, Secretary James Murray, Nick Thomas-Symonds, Jess Phillips and Louise Sandher-Jones, presented a Bill to continue the Armed Forces Act 2006; to amend that Act and other enactments relating to the armed forces; to make provision about the reserve forces; to make provision about visiting forces; to make provision about the Ministry of Defence Police; to make provision about the defence functions of the Oil and Pipelines Agency; to make provision about the protection of military remains; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Monday 19 January, and to be printed (Bill 367) with Explanatory Notes (Bill 367–EN).
(1) New towns
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered new towns.—(Katrina Murray.)
The Deputy Speaker announced a time limit on backbench speeches (Standing Order No. 47(1)).
Question put and agreed to.
(2) Financial support for small businesses and individuals during the covid-19 pandemic
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered financial support for small businesses and individuals during the covid-19 pandemic.—(Manuela Perteghella.)
The Deputy Speaker announced a time limit on backbench speeches (Standing Order No. 47(1)).
Question put and agreed to.
Ordered, That notices of Amendments, new Clauses and new Schedules to be moved in Committee in respect of the Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill may be accepted by the Clerks at the Table before it has been read a second time.—(Nesil Caliskan.)
A public petition from residents of the constituency of Redditch relating to postal services in Inkberrow was presented and read by Chris Bloore.
Subject: Protection and management of young trees (Alex Mayer)
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House do now adjourn.—(Nesil Caliskan.)
At 5 pm, the Motion lapsed (Standing Order No. 9(3)).
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Nesil Caliskan.)
Adjourned at 5.20 pm until Monday 19 January.
Other Proceedings
Changes to Notices Given
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
17Short-term Lets (Planning Permission) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
18Statutory Instruments (Amendment) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
19Planning and Development (Community Infrastructure) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
20Iconic Trees and Nature Education Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
21Afghanistan Schemes Data Breaches (Independent Public Inquiry) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 29 May.
22Non-Disclosure Agreements Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
23Rough Sleeping (Decriminalisation) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
24Palestine Statehood (Recognition) (No. 3) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
25Letter Boxes (Positioning) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 13 March.
26Student Finance (Review of Payment Schedules) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
27Chalk Streams (Protection) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
28Climate Finance Fund (Fossil Fuels and Pollution) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
29International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion on Policies and Practices of Israel (Sanctions and Other Measures) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
30Fertility Treatment (Right To Time Off) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 29 May.
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
32Hospices and Health Care (Report on Funding) 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.
34Unpaid Carers (Respite and Support) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
35Hospices and Palliative Care Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
36Bereavement Support (Children and Young People) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
37Equitable Life Policyholders (Compensation) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 27 February.
38Tax Reliefs (Evaluation) 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.
40Universal Credit (British Citizens) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
41Local Government and Elections Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
42Deprivation of Citizenship (Promotion of Terrorism or Violence) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 16 January, read and discharged.
Select Committees: Reports
43Backbench Business Committee
Determination of business to be taken on Thursday 22 January and Thursday 29 January in the Chamber (Bob Blackman).
44Culture, Media and Sport Committee
State of play: Elite deaf athletes and the Deaflympics: Written evidence, to be published (HC 845) (Dame Caroline Dinenage).
45Public Accounts (Committee of)
Government use of data analytics on error and fraud: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 891) (Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown).
The environmental and economic legacy of Wales’ industrial past: Written evidence, to be published (HC 560) (Ruth Jones).
Ms Nusrat Ghani
Deputy Speaker
Westminster Hall
The sitting began at 1.30 pm.
Business determined by the Backbench Business Committee (Standing Orders No. 10(7) and No. 14(4))
1Impact of food inflation on the cost of living
Resolved, That this House has considered the impact of food inflation on the cost of living.—(Catherine West.)
2Impact of gambling harms on children and young people
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered the impact of gambling harms on children and young people.—(Kevin McKenna.)
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 impact of gambling harms on children and young people.
Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Adjourned at 4.24 pm until Monday 19 January.
Ms Nusrat Ghani
Chairman of Ways and Means
Papers Laid
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution
Draft Armed Forces Commissioner (Family Definition, and Consequential and Transitional Provision etc.) Regulations 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Louise Sandher-Jones)
Draft Employment Rights Act 2025 (Investigatory Powers) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Peter Kyle)
(1) Draft Mesothelioma Lump Sum Payments (Conditions and Amounts) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Sir Stephen Timms)
(2) Draft Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers’ Compensation) (Payment of Claims) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Sir Stephen Timms)
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
Agreement, done at Brasilia on 4 September 2025, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Federative Republic of Brazil on the Exchange and Mutual Protection of Classified Information (CP 1487) (by Command), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Act) (Secretary Yvette Cooper)
Cosmetic Products Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (Restriction of Chemical Substances) (Amendment and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2026 (SI, 2026, No. 23), dated 12 January 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Kate Dearden)
Council Tax Reduction Schemes (Prescribed Requirements) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (SI, 2026, No. 27), dated 13 January 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Alison McGovern)
(1) Armed Forces (Service Complaints) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (SI, 2026, No. 21), dated 7 January 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Louise Sandher-Jones)
(2) Armed Forces Commissioner (Service Complaints Investigations) Regulations 2026 (SI, 2026, No. 24), dated 8 January 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Louise Sandher-Jones)
Draft Westmorland and Furness (Electoral Changes) Order 2026, with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (The Speaker)
Papers laid under paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 to the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023
Proposal for an instrument titled Firearms (Revocation, Consequential Amendment and Saving Provision) Regulations 2026, with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Act) (Secretary Shabana Mahmood)
Other papers
Report on HM Revenue and Customs Financial Institution Notice powers 2024–25 (by Act) (Dan Tomlinson)
11Government Resources and Accounts
Report and Accounts of the Vehicle Certification Agency for 2024–25, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act), to be printed (HC 1578) (Secretary Heidi Alexander)
Report of the Office of Rail and Road on National Highways' Performance for the period April 2020 to March 2025 (by Act), to be printed (HC 1588) (Secretary Heidi Alexander)
Report and Accounts of the Marine Management Organisation for 2024–25, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act), to be printed (HC 1509) (Secretary Emma Reynolds)
Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Department for Health and Social Care: Update on the New Hospital Programme (by Act), to be printed (HC 1594) (Clerk of the House)
15Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023
Assimilated Law Parliamentary Report for the period 24 June to 23 December 2025 (by Act) (Blair McDougall)
Report to Parliament under Section 6 of the Sea Fisheries (Shellfish) Act 1967 of the applications to, and proceedings of, the Secretary of State under the provisions of the Act for the period 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2025 (by Act) (Secretary Emma Reynolds)
Treasury Minutes on Government Responses to the Fiftieth to the Fifty-fifth Reports, and BBC Response to the Fifty-sixth Report, of the Committee of Public Accounts, Session 2024–26 (by Command) (CP 1488) (Dan Tomlinson)
Agreement, done at Nairobi on 10 December 2025, between the United Nations as represented by the United Nations Environment Programme in its capacity of the Secretariat of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland regarding the Twelfth Session of the Plenary of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES 12), the Sessions of the Subsidiary Bodies, the Regional Consultations and Stakeholder Day, Manchester, United Kingdom, 01 – 09 February 2026 (by Command) (CP 1486) (Secretary Yvette Cooper)
Withdrawn papers
Report of the Office of Rail and Road on National Highways' Performance for the period April 2020 to March 2025 (HC 1093) (Secretary Heidi Alexander) (laid 17 July 2025)