Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 11.30 am.
Prayers
1Questions to (1) the Minister for Women and Equalities
(2) the Prime Minister
2Urgent Question: Royal Mail's Universal Service Obligation (Blair McDougall)
3Statements: (1) Protest policing (Secretary Shabana Mahmood)
(2) Government response to the humble Address relating to Lord Mandelson (Darren Jones)
4Lord Advocate: Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)
Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to make provision about the role and functions of the Lord Advocate; and for connected purposes;
That John Cooper, John Lamont, David Mundell, Harriet Cross, Andrew Bowie, David Davis, Jamie Stone, Christine Jardine, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, Elaine Stewart, Torcuil Crichton and John Grady present the Bill.
John Cooper accordingly presented the Bill.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 17 April, and to be printed (Bill 403).
5Finance (No. 2) Bill: Ways and Means (Amendment of power to make further provision relating to abolition of lifetime allowance charge)
Resolved, That provision may be made amending paragraph 134 of Schedule 9 to the Finance Act 2024 (including provision authorising regulations to have effect for the tax years 2024–25 and 2025–26).—(Dan Tomlinson).
6Finance (No. 2) Bill: Ways and Means (Offshore income gains)
Resolved, That provision (including provision having effect for the tax year 2025–26) may be made revoking—
(a) paragraphs (2) to (5) of regulation 20 of the Offshore Funds (Tax) Regulations 2009, and
(b) paragraphs (4) to (6) of regulation 21 of those Regulations.—(Dan Tomlinson).
7Finance (No. 2) Bill: Consideration of the Bill, as amended in Committee and in Public Bill Committee
New Clause NC5—(Dan Tomlinson)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.
New Clause NC6—(Dan Tomlinson)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.
New Clause NC7—(Dan Tomlinson)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.
New Clause NC11—(Charlie Maynard)—brought up, and read the first time.
Question put, That the Clause be read a second time.
The House divided.
Division No. 446
Ayes: 174 (Tellers: Charlotte Cane, Bobby Dean)
Noes: 292 (Tellers: Gregor Poynton, Deirdre Costigan)
Question negatived.
As it was less than one hour before the moment of interruption the Deputy Speaker put the Questions necessary to bring proceedings on Consideration to a conclusion (Programme Order, 16 December 2025).
The following Questions were put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83E).
(1) That Amendment 5 be made (Question on any Amendment selected by the Speaker for separate decision).—(James Wild.)
The House divided.
Division No. 447
Ayes: 172 (Tellers: Lincoln Jopp, Mr Andrew Snowden)
Noes: 283 (Tellers: Deirdre Costigan, Gregor Poynton)
Question negatived.
(2) That Amendments 12 to 14 be made (single Question on Amendments moved by a Minister of the Crown).—(Dan Tomlinson.)
Question agreed to.
(3) That Amendment 6 be made (Question on any Amendment selected by the Speaker for separate decision).—(James Wild.)
The House divided.
Division No. 448
Ayes: 175 (Tellers: Lincoln Jopp, Mr Andrew Snowden)
Noes: 292 (Tellers: Deirdre Costigan, Gregor Poynton)
Question negatived.
(4) That Amendments 15 to 53, 56 to 61, 54, 55 and 62 to 66 be made (single Question on remaining Amendments moved by a Minister of the Crown).—(Dan Tomlinson.)
Question agreed to.
Consideration completed.
8Finance (No. 2) Bill: Third Reading
Motion made and Question put, That the Bill be now read the third time.
The House divided.
Division No. 449
Ayes: 292 (Tellers: Deirdre Costigan, Gregor Poynton)
Noes: 161 (Tellers: Lincoln Jopp, Mr Andrew Snowden)
Question agreed to and Bill passed.
9Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval
(1) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Goods Vehicles (Testing, Drivers’ Hours and Tachographs etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2026, which were laid before this House on 26 January, be approved.—(Stephen Morgan.)
Question agreed to.
(2) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Employment Rights Act 2025 (Investigatory Powers) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2026, which were laid before this House on 27 January, be approved.—(Stephen Morgan.)
The Deputy Speaker’s opinion as to the decision on the Question was challenged.
Division deferred until Wednesday 18 March (Standing Order No. 41A).
(3) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Higher Education (Fee Limits and Fee Limit Condition) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2026, which were laid before this House on 5 February, be approved.—(Stephen Morgan.)
The Deputy Speaker’s opinion as to the decision on the Question was challenged.
Division deferred until Wednesday 18 March (Standing Order No. 41A).
Subject: Commonwealth Day 2026 (Adam Jogee)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Stephen Morgan.)
Adjourned at 7.32 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
Lords Messages
11House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill
The Lords do not insist on their Amendments to the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill to which the Commons have disagreed.
Changes to Notices Given
12Glaucoma Care (England) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 13 March, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 17 April.
General Committees: Reports
13Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee
Paula Barker (Chair) reported the draft Renewables Obligation (Amendment) Order 2026.
14Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee
Derek Twigg (Chair) reported the draft Procurement (Amendment) 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).
15Representation of the People Bill Committee
Members: Alex Baker, Sarah Bool, Dr Ellie Chowns, Deirdre Costigan, Samantha Dixon, Zöe Franklin, Lloyd Hatton, Paul Holmes, Sojan Joseph, Warinder Juss, Laura Kyrke-Smith, Andrew Lewin, Katrina Murray, Sam Rushworth, David Simmonds, Lisa Smart and Steve Yemm
16First Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Non-Domestic Rating (Rates Retention and Levy and Safety Net: Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2026)
Members: Paula Barker, Lewis Cocking, Deirdre Costigan, Tim Farron, Pippa Heylings, Jonathan Hinder, Natasha Irons, Alison McGovern, Alex McIntyre, Margaret Mullane, Tristan Osborne, Rebecca Paul, David Simmonds, Kenneth Stevenson, Tom Tugendhat, Matt Turmaine and Harpreet Uppal
17Second Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Armed Forces Commissioner (Family Definition, and Consequential and Transitional Provision etc.) Regulations 2026)
Members: Dr Scott Arthur, Mr Peter Bedford, Chris Bloore, Maya Ellis, Fabian Hamilton, Rachel Hopkins, Louise Sandher-Jones, Afzal Khan, James MacCleary, Catherine McKinnell, Sir Andrew Mitchell, Ben Obese-Jecty, David Reed, Dr Lauren Sullivan, Cameron Thomas, Christian Wakeford and Chris Webb
18Third Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Grants to the Churches Conservation Trust Order 2026)
Members: Jack Abbott, Antonia Bance, Sir Nicholas Dakin, Josh Dean, Dame Caroline Dinenage, Maria Eagle, Chris Evans, Josh Fenton-Glynn, Zöe Franklin, Nigel Huddleston, Kim Leadbeater, Ian Murray, Dr Al Pinkerton, Joe Robertson, Mr Andrew Snowden, John Whitby and Steve Witherden
19Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Contracts for Difference (Sustainable Industry Rewards and Contract Budget Notice Amendments) Regulations 2026)
Members: Ms Polly Billington, Rachel Blake, Andrew Bowie, Lizzi Collinge, Harriet Cross, Tim Farron, Kevin McKenna, Kit Malthouse, Navendu Mishra, Gregor Poynton, Martin Rhodes, Michael Shanks, Gurinder Singh Josan, Euan Stainbank, Bradley Thomas, Henry Tufnell and Claire Young
20Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Renewables Obligation (Amendment) Order 2026)
Members: Vicky Foxcroft, Justin Madders, Harriet Cross discharged and Neil Coyle, Peter Dowd, Katie Lam nominated in substitution.
21Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Act 2022 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2026)
Members: Jade Botterill, David Chadwick, Jacob Collier, John Cooper, Harriet Cross, Mims Davies, Anna Dixon, Damien Egan, Gill German, Simon Hoare, Anna McMorrin, Charlotte Nichols, Dave Robertson, Sarah Russell, Sarah Smith, Will Stone and Freddie van Mierlo
22Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Procurement (Amendment) Regulations 2026)
Members: Naushabah Khan, Pam Cox, Paul Holmes, Feryal Clark discharged and Sonia Kumar, Samantha Niblett, Jerome Mayhew, Fleur Anderson nominated in substitution.
23Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Warm Home Discount (England and Wales) Regulations 2026)
Members: Lee Barron, Rachel Blake, Ben Coleman, Andrew Cooper, Torcuil Crichton, Harriet Cross, Linsey Farnsworth, Tim Farron, George Freeman, Pippa Heylings, Lillian Jones, Martin McCluskey, Andy MacNae, Gregor Poynton, John Slinger, Greg Smith and Bradley Thomas
24Seventh Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Ministerial and other Salaries Act 1975 (Amendment) Order 2026)
Members: Mr Bayo Alaba, Sam Carling, Deirdre Costigan, Jonathan Davies, Bobby Dean, Charlie Dewhirst, Paul Holmes, Sir Jeremy Hunt, Chris Kane, Naushabah Khan, Andrew Lewin, Kerry McCarthy, Mike Reader, Sam Rushworth, Lisa Smart, Chris Ward and Mike Wood
25Eighth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Further Education (Initial Teacher Training) Regulations 2026)
Members: James Asser, Jade Botterill, Chris Curtis, Paul Davies, Emma Foody, Sir Ashley Fox, Vicky Foxcroft, Damian Hinds, Patrick Hurley, Josh MacAlister, Jack Rankin, Martin Rhodes, Anna Sabine, Michelle Scrogham, Jeff Smith, Rebecca Smith and Munira Wilson
Select Committees: Reports
26Energy Security and Net Zero Committee
(1) Warm homes plan: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 753);
(2) Revisiting the nuclear roadmap: Written evidence, to be published (HC 735);
(3) The cost of energy: Written evidence, to be published (HC 736);
(4) Work of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero: Written evidence, to be published (HC 396)
(Bill Esterson).
27Environmental Audit Committee
(1) Environmental sustainability and housing growth: Government Response: Eighth Special Report, to be printed (HC 1785);
(2) Ancient woodlands: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 1750);
(3) Addressing the risks from perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): Written evidence, to be published (HC 852);
(4) Correspondence from Margaret Mullane MP relating to landfill policy: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Correspondence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Governments relating to their response to the Committee’s housing report: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) Correspondence from the Secretary of State for Transport relating to the Government’s response to the Committee’s report on airport expansion: Written evidence, to be published;
(7) Correspondence from the Town and Country Planning Association relating to planning for flood risk: Written evidence, to be published;
(8) The Seventh Carbon Budget: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1327)
(Mr Toby Perkins).
28Health and Social Care Committee
(1) Corridor care: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1757);
(2) Community mental health services: Written evidence, to be published (HC 566);
(3) Correspondence from the Minister of State for Care relating to the 2026–27 GP Contract Package: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence from the Secretary of State for Education relating to the Schools White Paper and SEND Consultation: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Correspondence with the Secretary of State relating to the independent evaluation of transitioning from child to adult health and social care: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) Delivering the Neighbourhood Health Service: Estates: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1567);
(7) Food and weight management: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1181);
(8) The work of the Care Quality Commission: Written evidence, to be published (HC 562)
(Layla Moran).
29Human Rights (Joint Committee on)
(1) Human rights of children in the social care system in England: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 1218);
(2) Correspondence from the Lord Chancellor relating to the introduction of the Courts and Tribunals Bill: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Minister for Courts and Legal Services relating to the review of the SLAPP measure in the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence from the Minister for Women and Equalities relating to the appointment of EHRC commissioners: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Correspondence from the Minister of State for Policing and Crime relating to concealing identity at a designated protest: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) Correspondence from the Minister of State for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending relating to the Lay Observers’ National Annual Report 2024–2025: Written evidence, to be published;
(7) Work of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Sentencing, Youth Justice and International at the Ministry of Justice: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1549)
(Sir Desmond Swayne).
(1) Appointment of the Chair of the Office for Legal Complaints:
(i) Eighth Report, to be printed with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 1748);
(ii) Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1748);
(2) Correspondence from the Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending relating to the Lay Observers’ National Annual Report 2024–2025: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Minister of State (Sarah Sackman KC MP) relating to the appointment of the Chair of the Legal Services Board: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Baroness Levitt KC) relating to the Parole Board Rules 2019: Written evidence, to be published
(Andy Slaughter).
31Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
Policing and security in Northern Ireland: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1341) (Tonia Antoniazzi).
32Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Dame Chi Onwurah reported:
(1) That the Committee had agreed that the negative procedure should apply, as proposed, to the instrument titled:
The Electronic Commerce (Amendment and Consequential Provision) Regulations 2026;
(2) Social media age restrictions: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 1710);
(3) Correspondence from the Minister for AI and Online Safety: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence from the Minister of State for Policing and Crime relating to mobile phone theft: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Scientific research funding: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1741).
33Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee on)
Fifty-first Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 291-li) (Sir Bernard Jenkin).
HGV and coach driver facilities: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1759) (Ruth Cadbury).
Spring Statement 2026: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1756) (Dame Meg Hillier).
(1) Farming in Wales in 2025: Challenges and opportunities: Written evidence, to be published (HC 785);
(2) HMP Parc: Written evidence, to be published (HC 513);
(3) Promoting Wales for inward investment: Written evidence, to be published (HC 444)
(Ruth Jones).
37Women and Equalities Committee
(1) Misogyny: the manosphere and online content: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 867);
(2) Misogyny in music: follow up: Written evidence, to be published (HC 573)
(Sarah Owen).
(1) Youth employment, education and training: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1585);
(2) Correspondence from the Secretary of State relating to the Government's revised decision on PHSO's report on 1950s women: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence with the Permanent Secretary relating to the Department for Work and Pensions Supplementary Estimates 2025–26 memorandum: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) DWP’s Annual Report and Accounts 2024–25: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1654)
(Debbie Abrahams).
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))
1Rough sleeping among families with children
Resolved, That this House has considered the matter of rough sleeping among families with children.—(Paula Barker.)
The sitting was suspended between 10.52 am and 2.30 pm (Standing Order No. 10(1)(b)).
2Government support for UK-based tech companies
Resolved, That this House has considered Government support for UK-based tech companies.—(Peter Fortune.)
The sitting was suspended between 3.51 pm and 3.58 pm.
3Sikh and Jewish ethnicity data collected by public bodies
Resolved, That this House has considered Sikh and Jewish ethnicity data collected by public bodies.—(Preet Kaur Gill.)
4Provision of disability equipment
Resolved, That this House has considered the provision of disability equipment.—(Seamus Logan.)
Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Adjourned at 5.28 pm until tomorrow.
Ms Nusrat Ghani
Chairman of Ways and Means
Papers Laid
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
Enterprise Act 2002 (Bodies Designated to make Super-complaints) (Amendment) Order 2026 (SI, 2026, No. 257), dated 9 March 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Kate Dearden)
Recovery of Costs (Remand to Youth Detention Accommodation) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (SI, 2026, No. 239), dated 4 March 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary David Lammy)
Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (England) (Amendment) Order 2026 (SI, 2026, No. 281), dated 11 March 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Samantha Dixon)
(1) Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage and Offshore Hydrogen Production (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2026 (SI, 2026, No. 185), dated 10 March 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Sir Stephen Timms)
(2) Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (Application outside Great Britain) (Variation) Order 2026 (SI, 2026, No. 184), dated 10 March 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Sir Stephen Timms)
(1) Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (SI, 2026, No. 277), dated 11 March 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Samantha Dixon)
(2) Police Pensions (Member Contributions) (Amendment and Transitional Provisions) (England and Wales) Regulations 2026 (SI, 2026, No. 267), dated 9 March 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Shabana Mahmood)
(3) Public Service Pensions Revaluation Order 2026 (SI, 2026, No. 254), dated 9 March 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (James Murray)
Discretionary Financial Assistance and Discretionary Housing Payments (Amendment and Revocation) Regulations 2026 (SI, 2026, No. 271), dated 11 March 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Sir Stephen Timms)
7Universities of Oxford and Cambridge
Statutes, dated 1 July 2025, made by the Governing Body of the University of Oxford, revising the existing Statutes of the University (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Bridget Phillipson)
Other papers
Part of a Return to an Address to His Majesty for a Return dated 4 February 2026 relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as HM Ambassador to Washington: Volume I (pursuant to Resolution), to be printed (HC 1774-i) (Darren Jones)
Government Response to the Fourth Report of the Health and Social Care Committee, Session 2024–26, on community mental health services (by Command) (CP 1525) (Secretary Wes Streeting)
*This item has been corrected since publication. See the Votes and Proceedings relating to Thursday 12 March 2026.
Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Department for Science, Innovation and Technology: DSIT’s investment in research infrastructure (by Act), to be printed (HC 1735) (Clerk of the House)