No. 264
Wednesday 18 March 2026
Votes and Proceedings
The House met at 11.30 am.
Prayers
1Questions to (1) the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
(2) the Prime Minister
2Menstrual and gynaecological health: 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 teaching of menstrual and gynaecological health in certain educational settings; to provide for training, guidance and resources to support such teaching; to provide that training includes content about awareness of racial discrimination in menstrual and gynaecological health; to require the Secretary of State to take steps to increase public understanding of menstrual and gynaecological health, including measures to counter inaccurate or misleading information online relating to menstrual and gynaecological health; and for connected purposes;
That Ms Abena Oppong-Asare, Marsha De Cordova, Olly Glover, Paulette Hamilton, Carolyn Harris, Christine Jardine, Tulip Siddiq, Valerie Vaz, Gill Furniss, Kirsteen Sullivan, Simon Hoare and Sir Alec Shelbrooke present the Bill.
Ms Abena Oppong-Asare accordingly presented the Bill.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 17 April, and to be printed (Bill 409).
3Opposition Day: Leader of the Opposition (19th allotted day (Standing Order No. 14))
(1) Fuel duty
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House believes that it is wrong to increase the main fuel duty rates on 1 September, then again on 1 December 2026, with a further increase on 1 March 2027, by a total of five pence per litre, as global oil prices are rising; notes that these increases will affect drivers, farmers, businesses and other hard-working people already struggling with higher taxes and higher cost of living as a result of the Government’s economic policies; and calls on the Government to maintain the five pence per litre cut to the main fuel duty rates introduced by the previous Government beyond September 2026.—(Mr Richard Holden.)
Amendment proposed, in line 1, to leave out from "House" to the end of the Question and add "recognises that, at the Autumn Budget 2025, the Government extended the five pence per litre fuel duty cut for five months and cancelled the inflation linked increase for 2026–27; welcomes that Fuel Finder helps consumers compare prices and encourages competition and that the Government has ensured that all UK petrol filling stations must report prices within 30 minutes of a change; notes that HM Treasury will continue to work with the Competition and Markets Authority on behalf of consumers; and further notes that the Government keeps fuel duty under review and that a rapid de-escalation in the Middle East is the best way to keep prices low at the pump.".—(Torsten Bell.)
Question put, That the original words stand part of the Question (Standing Order No. 31(2)).
The House divided.
Division No. 452
Ayes: 103 (Tellers: Alicia Kearns, James Wild)
Noes: 259 (Tellers: Stephen Morgan, 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 recognises that, at the Autumn Budget 2025, the Government extended the five pence per litre fuel duty cut for five months and cancelled the inflation linked increase for 2026–27; welcomes that Fuel Finder helps consumers compare prices and encourages competition and that the Government has ensured that all UK petrol filling stations must report prices within 30 minutes of a change; notes that HM Treasury will continue to work with the Competition and Markets Authority on behalf of consumers; and further notes that the Government keeps fuel duty under review and that a rapid de-escalation in the Middle East is the best way to keep prices low at the pump.
4Deferred Divisions
The Deputy Speaker announced the results of the Divisions which had been deferred to this day (Standing Order No. 41A).
(1) Employment
That the draft Employment Rights Act 2025 (Investigatory Powers) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2026, which were laid before this House on 27 January, be approved.
Division No. 450
Ayes: 368
Noes: 107
Question agreed to.
(2) Education
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.
Division No. 451
Ayes: 277
Noes: 98
Question agreed to.
5Opposition Day: Leader of the Opposition (19th allotted day (Standing Order No. 14)) (resumed)
(2) Student loans
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House calls on the Government to set the interest rate on Plan 2 student loans at a level which ensures that balances will never rise faster than RPI inflation; further calls on the Government to stop the freeze on repayment thresholds; and also calls on the Government to create more apprenticeships for 18-21 year olds, funded by controlling the number of places on university courses where the benefits are significantly outweighed by the cost to graduates and taxpayers.—(Laura Trott.)
Amendment proposed, in line 1, to leave out from "House" to the end of the Question and add "recognises that the Government inherited the current broken student loans system, including Plan 2, which was devised by previous administrations; welcomes the Government’s commitment to make the system fairer and financially sustainable; further welcomes the support the Government is providing to young people through the Youth Guarantee; supports the Government’s target for two thirds of young people to achieve higher level skills by the age of 25, including reversing the decline in apprenticeships under the previous Government; and further supports the reintroduction of maintenance grants, which had been scrapped under the previous Government, to help ensure that background is not a barrier to opportunity for young people.".—(Georgia Gould.)
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)).
6Royal Assent
The Deputy Speaker reported that the King had signified Royal Assent to the following Acts under the Royal Assent Act 1967:
Supply and Appropriation (Anticipation and Adjustments) Act 2026
Finance Act 2026
House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Act 2026
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Act 2026
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Act 2026
7Opposition Day: Leader of the Opposition (19th allotted day (Standing Order No. 14)) (resumed)
The House resumed the debate.
Question put, That the original words stand part of the Question (Standing Order No. 31(2)).
The House divided.
Division No. 453
Ayes: 88 (Tellers: Mr Andrew Snowden, James Wild)
Noes: 266 (Tellers: Lilian Greenwood, Stephen Morgan)
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 recognises that the Government inherited the current broken student loans system, including Plan 2, which was devised by previous administrations; welcomes the Government’s commitment to make the system fairer and financially sustainable; further welcomes the support the Government is providing to young people through the Youth Guarantee; supports the Government’s target for two thirds of young people to achieve higher level skills by the age of 25, including reversing the decline in apprenticeships under the previous Government; and further supports the reintroduction of maintenance grants, which had been scrapped under the previous Government, to help ensure that background is not a barrier to opportunity for young people.
8Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval
(1) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Armed Forces Commissioner (Family Definition, and Consequential and Transitional Provision etc.) Regulations 2026, which were laid before this House on 15 January, be approved.—(Gen Kitchen.)
Question agreed to.
(2) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Grants to the Churches Conservation Trust Order 2026, which was laid before this House on 28 January, be approved.—(Lilian Greenwood.)
Question agreed to.
(3) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Act 2022 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2026, which was laid before this House on 2 February, be approved.—(Lilian Greenwood.)
Question agreed to.
(4) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Contracts for Difference (Sustainable Industry Rewards and Contract Budget Notice Amendments) Regulations 2026, which were laid before this House on 5 February, be approved.—(Lilian Greenwood.)
Question agreed to.
9Public petitions
(1) A public petition from residents of the constituency of Winchester relating to the school bus service from Kings Worthy to Henry Beaufort School was presented and read by Dr Danny Chambers.
(2) A public petition from residents of the United Kingdom relating to the use of biobeads in wastewater treatment was presented and read by Helena Dollimore.
10Adjournment
Subject: Flooding support for rural communities (Alicia Kearns)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Lilian Greenwood.)
Adjourned at 7.48 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
Lords Messages
11Finance (No. 2) Bill
The Lords agree to the Finance (No. 2) Bill without amendment.
12Victims and Courts Bill
The Lords agree to the Victims and Courts Bill with Amendments, to which they desire the agreement of the Commons.
Printing of Lords Amendments
13Victims and Courts Bill
Lords Amendments to the Bill to be considered tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 410) with Explanatory Notes (Bill 410–EN).
Private Business
14City of London (Markets) Bill: Appointment of Committee (Standing Order 111)
Jessica Morden (Chair) reported, That the Committee of Selection has referred the City of London (Markets) Bill to an opposed bill committee and has appointed Edward Argar, Jenny Riddell-Carpenter, Matt Turmaine and Chris Vince as members of the committee to consider the Bill, and has nominated Chris Vince as Chair.
Changes to Notices Given
15Women’s State Pension Age (Ombudsman Report and Compensation Scheme) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 20 March, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 17 April.
General Committees: Reports
16Representation of the People Bill Committee
David Mundell (Chair) reported:
(1) That the Committee had come to the following Resolution, That, subject to the discretion of the Chair, any written evidence received by the Committee shall be reported to the House for publication; and
(2) written evidence.
Written evidence to be published.
17Sixth Delegated Legislation Committee
Peter Dowd (Chair) reported the draft Warm Home Discount (England and Wales) Regulations 2026.
18Seventh Delegated Legislation Committee
Matt Western (Chair) reported the draft Ministerial and Other Salaries Act 1975 (Amendment) Order 2026.
19Eighth Delegated Legislation Committee
Dr Rupa Huq (Chair) reported the draft Further Education (Initial Teacher Training) 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).
20Courts and Tribunals Bill Committee
Members: Siân Berry, Matt Bishop, Jess Brown-Fuller, Linsey Farnsworth, Amanda Hack, Paulette Hamilton, Mr Paul Kohler, Alex McIntyre, Stephen Morgan, Dr Kieran Mullan, Tristan Osborne, Rebecca Paul, Yasmin Qureshi, Joe Robertson, Sarah Sackman, John Slinger and Melanie Ward
21Representation of the People Bill (Programming Sub-Committee)
Members: Deirdre Costigan, Zöe Franklin, Paul Holmes, Laura Kyrke-Smith, Andrew Lewin, Katrina Murray and Sam Rushworth
22First Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Electricity and Gas (Energy Company Obligation) (Amendment) (Specified Period) Order 2026)
Members: Sadik Al-Hassan, Bob Blackman, Rachel Blake, Chris Bloore, Bambos Charalambous, Pam Cox, Harriet Cross, Anna Dixon, Mr Paul Foster, Pippa Heylings, Noah Law, Martin McCluskey, Jo Platt, Gregor Poynton, Greg Smith, Bradley Thomas and Claire Young
23Second Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Sussex and Brighton Combined County Authority Regulations 2026)
Members: Alison Bennett, Maureen Burke, Lewis Cocking, Deirdre Costigan, Torcuil Crichton, Maya Ellis, Miatta Fahnbulleh, Zöe Franklin, Ben Goldsborough, Sir Bernard Jenkin, Katie Lam, Martin Rhodes, David Simmonds, Gurinder Singh Josan, Harpreet Uppal, Chris Vince and Mohammad Yasin
24Third Delegated Legislation Committee (Motion in the name of Secretary Liz Kendall relating to Financial Assistance to Industry)
Members: Callum Anderson, Dawn Butler, Victoria Collins, Emily Darlington, Peter Fortune, Sarah Hall, Patrick Hurley, Lillian Jones, Lincoln Jopp, Kim Leadbeater, Kanishka Narayan, Taiwo Owatemi, Sam Rushworth, Dr Ben Spencer, Michelle Welsh, Sir John Whittingdale and Munira Wilson
25Seventh Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Ministerial and other Salaries Act 1975 (Amendment) Order 2026)
Members: Bobby Dean discharged and Mike Martin nominated in substitution.
26Eighth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Further Education (Initial Teacher Training) Regulations 2026)
Members: Jas Athwal discharged and Emily Darlington nominated in substitution.
Select Committees: Reports
27Armed Forces Bill (Select Committee on)
Armed Forces Bill 2026: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 1712) (Clive Efford).
28Environmental Audit Committee
(1) Air pollution in England: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1656);
(2) Correspondence from the Minister for Biosecurity, Borders and Animal Welfare relating to the new UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Environmental protection policies of Defra: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1749);
(4) Flood resilience in England: Written evidence, to be published (HC 550)
(Mr Toby Perkins).
29Health and Social Care Committee
(1) Delivering health aspects of Education, Health and Care Plans: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 1824);
(2) Correspondence from the Department of Health and Social Care: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the General Medical Council: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Delivering the Neighbourhood Health Service: Estates: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1567);
(5) Food and weight management: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1181)
(Layla Moran).
30Human Rights (Joint Committee on)
(1) Correspondence with the Home Secretary relating to facial recognition technology: Written evidence, to be published;
(2) Human rights and the regulation of AI: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1262);
(3) Legislative scrutiny: Northern Ireland Troubles Bill: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1437);
(4) The human rights implications of the UK-Mauritius Agreement: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1662)
(Sir Desmond Swayne).
31Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
(1) Economic growth in Northern Ireland: new and emerging sectors: Fourth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 1193);
(2) Ending violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 840);
(3) Correspondence with the Minister for Museums, Heritage and Gambling relating to gambling policy in Northern Ireland: Written evidence, to be published
(Tonia Antoniazzi).
32Scottish Affairs Committee
(1) Securing Scotland’s future: Defence skills and jobs: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1442);
(2) GB Energy and the net zero transition: Written evidence, to be published (HC 459);
(3) The work of the BBC in Scotland: Written evidence, to be published (HC 443)
(Patricia Ferguson).
33Transport Committee
Joined-up journeys: achieving and measuring transport integration: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1222) (Ruth Cadbury).
34Treasury Committee
Work of the Financial Ombudsman Service: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 685) (Dame Meg Hillier).
35Women and Equalities Committee
(1) Egg donation and freezing: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1503);
(2) Health impacts of breast implants and other cosmetic procedures: Written evidence, to be published (HC 869)
(Sarah Owen).
36Work and Pensions Committee
(1) Transition to State Pension age: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1482);
(2) Carer's benefits beyond the Sayce Review: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1744);
(3) Youth employment, education and training: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1585)
(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))
1Performance of Royal Mail
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered the performance of Royal Mail.—(David Reed.)
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 performance of Royal Mail.
The sitting was suspended between 10.53 am and 11 am.
2Government support for domestic abuse survivors
Resolved, That this House has considered Government support for domestic abuse survivors.—(Ben Maguire.)
The sitting was suspended between 11.30 am and 2.30 pm (Standing Order No. 10(1)(b)).
3Government support for freedom of religion or belief in China
Resolved, That this House has considered Government support for freedom of religion or belief in China.—(Ms Marie Rimmer.)
4Future of Cheadle train station
The sitting was suspended between 4 pm and 4.12 pm for a division in the House (Standing Order No. 10(3)).
Resolved, That this House has considered the future of Cheadle train station.—(Tom Morrison.)
The sitting was suspended between 4.30 pm and 4.42 pm.
5Social enterprises and community ownership
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered social enterprises and community ownership.—(Jo Platt.)
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 social enterprises and community ownership.
Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Adjourned at 5.42 pm until tomorrow.
Ms Nusrat Ghani
Chairman of Ways and Means
Papers Laid
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
1Acquisition of Land
Compulsory Purchase of Land (Conditional Confirmation) Regulations 2026 (SI, 2026, No. 308), dated 17 March 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Matthew Pennycook)
2Immigration
Immigration, Nationality and Passports (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (SI, 2026, No. 311), dated 17 March 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary Shabana Mahmood)
3Value Added Tax
Value Added Tax (Refund of Tax to Great British Nuclear) Order 2026 (SI, 2026, No. 307), dated 17 March 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Dan Tomlinson)
Other papers
4Data (Use and Access)
(1) Impact Assessment on Copyright and AI (by Act) (Secretary Liz Kendall)
(2) Report on Copyright and Artificial Intelligence (by Act) (Secretary Liz Kendall)
5Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Land Use Framework for England (by Command) (CP 1545) (Secretary Emma Reynolds)
6Government Resources and Accounts (Audit of Non-profit-making Companies)
Report and Accounts of the Great Britain-China Centre for 2024–25, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Statutory Instrument), to be printed (HC 1558) (Seema Malhotra)
7National Audit
Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on Department for Science, Innovation and Technology: The UK’s resilience to severe space weather (by Act), to be printed (HC 1737) (Clerk of the House)
8Pensions
Explanatory Memorandum to the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation Scheme) (Amendment) Order 2026 (SI, 2026, No. 272), (by Command) (Louise Sandher-Jones)
9Terms and Conditions of Employment
Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order 2026 (SI, 2026, No. 310), dated 16 March 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Kate Dearden)
10Treaty Series No. 12 (2026)
Air Services Agreement, done at London on 2 November 2023, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (by Command) (CP 1546) (Secretary Yvette Cooper)
Withdrawn papers
11Pensions
Explanatory Memorandum to the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation Scheme) (Amendment) Order 2026 (SI, 2026, No. 272) (laid 12 March)