Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 11.30 am.
Prayers
Ordered, That Paul Holmes be discharged from the Committee of Selection and Jerome Mayhew be added.—(Sir Mark Tami.)
2Questions to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
3Statement: Middle East: Economic update (Chancellor of the Exchequer)
4Personal protective equipment (inclusive standards): Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)
Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to require that personal protective equipment procured and provided by public sector and associated bodies must comply with Standard BS 30417:2025, or an equivalent specified standard; and for connected purposes;
That Kirsteen Sullivan, Patricia Ferguson, Mike Reader, Susan Murray, Chris Kane, Douglas McAllister, Johanna Baxter, Tracy Gilbert, Elaine Stewart and Lillian Jones present the Bill.
Kirsteen Sullivan accordingly presented the Bill.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 17 April, and to be printed (Bill 404).
5Opposition Day: Leader of the Opposition (20th allotted day (Standing Order No. 14))
(1) Oil and gas
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House calls on the Government to remove the Energy Profits Levy, end the ban on new oil and gas licences and approve the Rosebank and Jackdaw fields to increase secure domestic energy supply; recognises that the North Sea provides half of the UK's gas supply, supports 200,000 skilled jobs across the UK and generates billions of pounds in tax revenue; further recognises that three quarters of the UK's energy needs are met by oil and gas, that the UK will continue to use oil and gas for decades, and that the North Sea is the UK’s most secure and lowest-carbon source of oil and gas; notes that without action to make the sector more investable, the UK risks importing 82% of its gas by 2035 at higher cost and with higher emissions; and further notes that independent analysis by Stifel shows that the Energy Profits Levy will cost the Treasury more than it raises and that reforming it would generate an additional £25 billion in tax revenues within 10 years.—(Claire Coutinho.)
Amendment proposed, in line 1, to leave out from “House” to the end of the Question and insert “welcomes the Government’s approach to the future of the North Sea, which maintains existing oil and gas fields for their lifetime, as well as introducing Transitional Energy Certificates while accelerating the transition to clean energy; notes that new licences to explore new fields would take many years to come online and would make no difference to energy bills; recognises that oil and gas prices are set on international markets; and further welcomes the measures announced by the Government to go further and faster on national energy security by reducing reliance on volatile fossil fuel markets and expanding secure, home grown clean energy.”.—(Martin McCluskey.)
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. 459
Ayes: 108 (Tellers: Rebecca Paul, Gregory Stafford)
Noes: 297 (Tellers: Stephen Morgan, Taiwo Owatemi)
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 welcomes the Government’s approach to the future of the North Sea, which maintains existing oil and gas fields for their lifetime, as well as introducing Transitional Energy Certificates while accelerating the transition to clean energy; notes that new licences to explore new fields would take many years to come online and would make no difference to energy bills; recognises that oil and gas prices are set on international markets; and further welcomes the measures announced by the Government to go further and faster on national energy security by reducing reliance on volatile fossil fuel markets and expanding secure, home grown clean energy.
(2) Defence
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House regrets that the Defence Investment Plan has still not been published despite the Government promising Parliament that the plan would be published in Autumn 2025; notes that the Government’s delay has frozen procurement and has stopped the UK from learning lessons from its long-standing support for Ukraine and left the UK vulnerable as the world becomes more dangerous; believes that the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill and the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 (Remedial) Order 2025 should not be proceeded with because they are a threat to morale, and that the Diego Garcia Treaty should not be ratified to ensure that the UK continues to have sovereignty over its military base; calls on the Government to publish the Defence Investment Plan as soon as possible; and further calls on the Government to increase spending on the UK’s armed forces, specifically delivering 20,000 more troops over the next Parliament, paid for by restoring the two-child benefit cap, and redirecting net zero funding to defence, to ensure that the UK spends three per cent of GDP on defence by the end of this Parliament.—(James Cartlidge.)
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. 460
Ayes: 98 (Tellers: Gregory Stafford, Rebecca Paul)
Noes: 306 (Tellers: Taiwo Owatemi, Stephen Morgan)
Question negatived.
6Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval
(1) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Electricity and Gas (Energy Company Obligation) (Amendment) (Specified Period) Order 2026, which was laid before this House on 26 January, be approved.—(Mark Ferguson.)
Question agreed to.
(2) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Sussex and Brighton Combined County Authority Regulations 2026, which were laid before this House on 11 February, be approved.—(Mark Ferguson.)
Question agreed to.
(3) Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6) and Order, 3 March), That this House authorises the Secretary of State to make payments, by way of financial assistance under section 8 of the Industrial Development Act 1982, in excess of £30 million to any successful applicant to the Life Sciences Large Investment Portfolio, launched on 15 November 2025, up to a cumulative total of £570 million.—(Mark Ferguson.)
Question agreed to.
(1) A public petition from residents of the United Kingdom relating to the Post Office on Uxbridge High Street was presented and read by Danny Beales.
(2) A public petition from residents of Redbourn and the surrounding area relating to the Government review of the National Planning Policy Framework was presented and read by Victoria Collins.
Subject: Government support for coastal communities in Start Bay (Caroline Voaden)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mark Ferguson.)
Adjourned at 7.44 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
Private Business
9Cheltenham Borough Council (Markets) Bill
The Chairman of Ways and Means reported from the Committee on Unopposed Bills, That it had examined the allegations contained in the Preamble to the Cheltenham Borough Council (Markets) Bill and had found the same to be true; and had gone through the Bill and made no amendments.
Bill to be read the third time.
Changes to Notices Given
Order for Second Reading on Friday 27 March, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 24 April.
Order for Second Reading on Friday 27 March, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 24 April.
12Short-term Let Accommodation Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 27 March, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 24 April.
13Bullying and Respect at Work Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 27 March, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 24 April.
General Committees: Reports
14Representation of the People Bill Committee
Dr Rosena Allin-Khan (Chair) reported written evidence submitted to the Committee.
Written evidence to be published.
Select Committees: Reports
Record of the Committee’s discussions at its meeting on Tuesday 24 March, to be published (Nick Smith).
16Armed Forces Bill (Select Committee on)
Armed Forces Bill 2026: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1712) (Clive Efford).
17Backbench Business Committee
Determination of business to be taken on Thursday 24 March in Westminster Hall (Bob Blackman).
18Business and Trade Committee
Liam Byrne reported:
(1) That the Committee had agreed that the negative procedure should apply, as proposed, to the instrument titled:
The Provision of Services (Amendment and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2026;
(2) Royal Mail: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 1796);
(3) Correspondence from Companies House relating to online filing service: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence from the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister relating to National Security and Investment Act Regulations: Written evidence received by the Sub-Committee, to be published;
(5) Correspondence from the Minister for Small Business and Economic Transformation relating to the Late Payment Common Framework: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) Correspondence from the Minister of State for Trade relating to the UK-Turkey trade agreement: Written evidence, to be published;
(7) Correspondence from the Secretary of State: Written evidence, to be published;
(8) Post Office Horizon scandal: Justice for sub-postmasters: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1589);
(9) The UK's trade sanctions regime: Written evidence received by the Sub-Committee, to be published (HC 1724);
(10) UK trade with the US, India and the EU: Written evidence, to be published (HC 996).
19Culture, Media and Sport Committee
(1) Major events: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1339);
(2) The work of the Department: Written evidence, to be published (HC 330)
(Mr Bayo Alaba).
(1) One-off session on the impact of the delay to the Defence Investment Plan on industry: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1805);
(2) Correspondence with the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister relating to a request to appear before the Committee: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) One-off Session on the Future of Warfare: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1682);
(4) The work of the Chief of Defence Staff: Written evidence, to be published (HC 974);
(5) The work of the Secretary of State: Written evidence, to be published (HC 973);
(6) Women in the Armed Forces: Follow-up: Written evidence, to be published (HC 404)
(Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi).
(1) Historical Forced Adoption:
(i) Eighth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 1713);
(ii) Written evidence, to be published (HC 1713);
(2) Correspondence from the Minister for Skills relating to the Government’s reforms to technical and vocational qualifications for 16–19 year olds in England: Written evidence to be published;
(3) Correspondence with the Permanent Secretary relating to the review of the approach to consolidated academy financial reporting and audit: Written evidence to be published;
(4) Higher education and funding: Threat of insolvency and international students: Written evidence, to be published (HC 807);
(5) Reading for pleasure: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1528)
(Helen Hayes).
22Education Committee and Work and Pensions Committee
Realising potential: Delivering the Child Poverty Strategy: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 1683) (Debbie Abrahams).
23Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
(1) Preventing waste and enabling a circular economy: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 929);
(2) Land use and nature: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 1807);
(3) Animal and plant health: Written evidence, to be published (HC 611);
(4) Reforming the water sector: Written evidence, to be published (HC 588);
(5) Work of the Department and its arm’s-length bodies: Written evidence, to be published (HC 415)
(Mr Alistair Carmichael).
(1) Record of the Committee’s decisions taken at its meeting on 24 March, to be published;
(2) Correspondence relating to House of Commons capital projects: Written evidence, to be published
(Steve Barclay).
25Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
(1) Pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill: Oral and part of written evidence, to be published (HC 1681);
(2) Housing conditions in England: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1154)
(Florence Eshalomi).
26International Development Committee
(1) Future of UK aid and development assistance: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1330);
(2) Correspondence with the Minister of State for International Development and Africa: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) The UK’s International Climate Finance: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1561)
(Sarah Champion).
(1) Rehabilitation and resettlement: Ending the cycle of reoffending: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 469);
(2) Access to justice: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1247);
(3) Correspondence from HM Chief Inspector of Prisons relating to HMP Woodhill: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence from the Chief Executive of HM Courts and Tribunals Service relating to data assurance work in Civil, Family and Tribunals jurisdictions: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Correspondence from the Lord Chancellor: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) Correspondence from the Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending: Written evidence, to be published;
(7) Correspondence with the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Baroness Levitt KC) relating to the Parole Board Rules 2019: Written evidence, to be published;
(8) Legislative scrutiny: Courts and Tribunals Bill: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1754)
(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).
29Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
(1) The work and performance of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1657);
(2) Correspondence from the Chair of the Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee at the Welsh Parliament relating to implementation monitoring of public inquiry recommendations: Written evidence, to be published
(Simon Hoare).
30Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
(1) Follow-up on social media, misinformation and harmful algorithms inquiry: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 1797);
(2) Correspondence from the Department: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Scientific research funding: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1741);
(4) Social media age restrictions: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1710);
(5) The science and regulation of hair and beauty products and treatments: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1478)
(Dame Chi Onwurah).
Correspondence with the Permanent Secretary relating to the restructuring of Department for Transport Estimates: Written evidence, to be published (Ruth Cadbury).
(1) Work of the Financial Conduct Authority: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 417);
(2) AI in financial services: Written evidence, to be published (HC 684);
(3) Correspondence from the Financial Secretary to the Treasury relating to the credit union common bond: Written evidence, to be published
(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))
1Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood
Resolved, That this House has considered Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood.—(Andy MacNae.)
2Water supply and housing targets in west Kent
Resolved, That this House has considered water supply and housing targets in west Kent.—(Tom Tugendhat.)
The sitting was suspended between 11.29 am and 2.30 pm (Standing Order No. 10(1)(b)).
3Access to endometriosis services
Resolved, That this House has considered access to endometriosis services.—(Jack Abbott.)
The sitting was suspended between 3.48 pm and 4 pm.
4Identification and prosecution of reproductive coercion
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 identification and prosecution of reproductive coercion.—(Natalie Fleet.)
5Impact of planning on women’s safety in rural areas
Resolved, That this House has considered the impact of planning on women’s safety in rural areas.—(Anna Sabine.)
Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Adjourned at 5.15 pm until tomorrow.
Ms Nusrat Ghani
Chairman of Ways and Means
Papers Laid
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution
Draft REACH (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary Emma Reynolds)
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
Building Regulations etc. (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2026 (SI, 2026, No. 335), dated 23 March 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and Impact Assessments (by Command) (Samantha Dixon)
Income Tax (Digital Obligations) Regulations 2026 (SI, 2026, No. 336), dated 23 March 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Dan Tomlinson)
(1) Merchant Shipping (Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (SI, 2026, No. 305), dated 18 March 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Heidi Alexander)
(2) Merchant Shipping (EPIRB and PLB Registration and Radiocommunications) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (SI, 2026, No. 306), dated 18 March 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Heidi Alexander)
Airport Noise-related Operating Restrictions (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (SI, 2026, No. 332), dated 18 March 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Heidi Alexander)
Other papers
(1) Air Publication 3376 Volume 1 (Nineteenth Edition): Terms and Conditions of Service for Enlisted Aviators of the Royal Air Force (Amendment) 2026 (by Act) (Al Carns)
(2) Air Publication 3392 Volume 7 Part 1 (Eighth Edition): Regulations for the Reserve Air Forces (Amendment) 2026 (by Act) (Al Carns)
(3) Air Publication 3393 Volume 1 (Thirtieth Edition): Terms and Conditions of Service for Officers of the Royal Air Force (Amendment) 2026 (by Act) (Al Carns)
Report on the Joint Fisheries Statement for the period November 2022 to November 2025 (by Act) (Secretary Emma Reynolds)
Reform of Local Justice Areas: Response to Consultation on the future administrative structures of the magistracy (by Command) (CP 1548) (Secretary David Lammy)
9National Health Service Reform and Health Care Professions
(1) Business Plan of the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care for 2026–27 (by Act) (Karin Smyth)
(2) Strategic Plan of the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care for 2026–29 (by Act) (Karin Smyth)
Reserve Naval and Marine Forces (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (by Act) (Al Carns)
Sovereign Grant Act 2011: Report of the Royal Trustees on the Sovereign Grant for 2026–27 (by Act) (The Chancellor of the Exchequer)
12United Kingdom Internal Market
Report of the Office for the Internal Market on developments in the UK Internal Market for 2025–26 (by Act) (Secretary Peter Kyle)
CORRECTION
Monday 23 March 2026
The Speaker's Certificates (Voting by Proxy (Standing Order No. 39A)) should have appeared as follows:
VOTING BY PROXY (STANDING ORDER NO.39A)
(Variations to existing arrangements appear in bold.)
|
Member |
From |
To |
Proxy |
|
Becky Gittins |
3 September 2025 |
12 May |
Sir Mark Tami (23 March); Sir Nicholas Dakin (thereafter) |
|
Claire Hughes |
31 October 2025 |
28 March |
Sir Mark Tami (23 March); Sir Nicholas Dakin (thereafter) |
|
Alison Hume |
17 March |
30 March |
Sir Mark Tami (23 March); Sir Nicholas Dakin (thereafter) |
|
Alice Macdonald |
23 February |
9 September |
Sir Mark Tami (23 March); Sir Nicholas Dakin (thereafter) |
|
Dan Norris |
16 May 2025 |
15 July |
Sir Mark Tami (23 March); Sir Nicholas Dakin (thereafter) |