Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 2.30 pm.
Prayers
1Electoral Commission (Answer to Address)
The Vice-Chamberlain of the Household reported to the House, That the Address of 3 March, praying that His Majesty will appoint Rashik Parmar as an Electoral Commissioner with effect from 31 March 2026 for the period ending on 30 March 2030, was presented to His Majesty, who was graciously pleased to comply with the request.
2Private Bills: Royal Albert Hall Bill [Lords]: Consideration of the Bill, as amended
Order read, That the Royal Albert Hall Bill [Lords] be now considered.
Objection taken (Standing Order No. 20(2)).
Ordered, That the Bill be considered on Monday 4 May.
3Private Bills: Royal Albert Hall Bill [Lords]: Suspension (Standing Order 188A)
Motion made, That the promoter of the Royal Albert Hall Bill [Lords], which was originally introduced in the House of Lords on 23 January 2023 in the 2022–23 Session, should have leave to suspend proceedings on the Bill from the day on which the current Session ends in order to proceed with it, if they think fit, in the next Session of Parliament, according to the provisions of Standing Order 188A (Suspension of bills).—(Chairman of Ways and Means.)
Objection taken (Standing Order No. 20(2)).
Ordered, That the Motion be set down for Monday 4 May.
4Private Bills: Malvern Hills Bill [Lords]: Suspension (Standing Order 188A)
Motion made, That so much of the Lords Message (23 April) as relates to the Malvern Hills Bill [Lords] be now considered.—(Chairman of Ways and Means.)
Objection taken (Standing Order No. 20(2)).
Ordered, That the Motion be set down for Monday 4 May.
5Private Bills: Cheltenham Borough Council (Markets) Bill: Suspension (Standing Order 188A)
Ordered, That so much of the Lords Message (23 April) as relates to the Cheltenham Borough Council (Markets) Bill be now considered.—(Chairman of Ways and Means.)
Resolved, That the promoters of the Cheltenham Borough Council (Markets) Bill, which was originally introduced in this House on 22 January 2026, should have leave to suspend proceedings on the Bill from the day on which the current Session ends in order to proceed with it, if they think fit, in the next Session of Parliament, according to the provisions of Standing Order 188A (Suspension of bills).—(Chairman of Ways and Means.)
The Speaker announced his decision to give precedence to a complaint made by the Leader of the Opposition concerning the Prime Minister's statements to the House regarding the process of the appointment of Peter Mandelson as Ambassador to the United States of America.
Motion to be given precedence at the commencement of public business on Tuesday 28 April.
7Questions to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
8Urgent Question: Dunmurry Police Station attack (Secretary Hilary Benn)
9Statement: Government response to the humble Address relating to Lord Mandelson (Darren Jones)
10Marriage and Civil Partnerships (Recognition) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Mr Richard Holden presented a Bill to prohibit the recognition of marriages and civil partnerships contracted outside the United Kingdom between persons who could not marry or enter into a civil partnership in England and Wales; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 8 May, and to be printed (Bill 434).
11Water Regulation (No. 2) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Tim Farron, supported by Sarah Dyke and Charlie Maynard, presented a Bill to require the Secretary of State to undertake a review of the circumstances in which a special administration order may be made in respect of a water company; to make provision about the content and application of special administration orders; to make provision for the mutualisation of a water company in respect of which a special administration order has been made; to abolish the Water Services Regulation Authority; to establish a Clean Water Authority and to make provision about its powers and duties; to make provision about the collection and publication by water companies of data relating to volume flow; to require water companies to offer a social tariff; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 8 May, and to be printed (Bill 435).
12English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill: Consideration of Lords Message
Motion made and Question put, That this House does not insist on its disagreement to Lords Amendment 2 but proposes Amendment (a) to the Lords Amendment.—(Miatta Fahnbulleh.)
Question agreed to.
Motion made and Question put, That this House disagrees with the Lords in their Amendments 89B and 89C.—(Miatta Fahnbulleh.)
The House divided.
Division No. 505
Ayes: 273 (Tellers: Mark Ferguson, Nesil Caliskan)
Noes: 167 (Tellers: Gregory Stafford, Harriet Cross)
Question agreed to.
Motion made and Question put, That this House insists on its disagreement with the Lords in their Amendments 36, 90 and 155, insists on its Amendments 155A to 155F to the words restored to the Bill by that disagreement with Amendment 155, and proposes Amendment (a) to the words so restored to the Bill by that disagreement.—(Miatta Fahnbulleh.)
The House divided.
Division No. 506
Ayes: 270 (Tellers: Mark Ferguson, Nesil Caliskan)
Noes: 170 (Tellers: Harriet Cross, Gregory Stafford)
Question agreed to.
As it was two hours after the commencement of consideration of the Lords Message, the Deputy Speaker put the Questions necessary to bring proceedings on the Lords Message to a conclusion (Programme Order, 21 April).
The following Questions were put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83G).
(1) That this House insists on its disagreement with the Lords in their Amendments 37 and 91, does not insist on its Amendment 37A in lieu, and proposes Amendments (a) to (c) to the Bill in lieu of those Amendments (Question on a Motion moved by a Minister of the Crown on or relevant to other items in the Lords Message).—(Miatta Fahnbulleh.)
Question agreed to.
(2) That this House disagrees with the Lords in their Amendments 94B and 94C (Question on a Motion moved by a Minister of the Crown on or relevant to other items in the Lords Message).—(Miatta Fahnbulleh.)
The House divided.
Division No. 507
Ayes: 269 (Tellers: Mark Ferguson, Nesil Caliskan)
Noes: 170 (Tellers: Gregory Stafford, Harriet Cross)
Question agreed to.
(3) That this House insists on its disagreement with the Lords in their Amendments 85 and 86, 97 to 116, 120, 121 and 123 but proposes Amendments (a) to (h) to the Bill in lieu of those Amendments (Question on a Motion moved by a Minister of the Crown on or relevant to other items in the Lords Message).—(Miatta Fahnbulleh.)
The House divided.
Division No. 508
Ayes: 271 (Tellers: Nesil Caliskan, Mark Ferguson)
Noes: 171 (Tellers: Harriet Cross, Gregory Stafford)
Question agreed to.
Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83H(2)), That a Committee be appointed to draw up Reasons to be assigned to the Lords for disagreeing to their Amendments 89B, 89C, 94B and 94C;
That Sam Carling, Andrew Cooper, Deirdre Costigan, Miatta Fahnbulleh, Zöe Franklin, Laura Kyrke-Smith and David Simmonds be members of the Committee;
That Miatta Fahnbulleh be the Chair of the Committee;
That three be the quorum of the Committee;
That the Committee do withdraw immediately.—(Christian Wakeford.)
Question agreed to.
13Pension Schemes Bill: Consideration of Lords Message
Motion made and Question put, That this House insists on its disagreement with the Lords in their Amendments 15 to 24, 27, 30 to 34, 36, 38 to 42, 83 and 88 and insists on its Amendments 88A, 88C and 88E to 88P to the words restored to the Bill by that disagreement, but proposes Amendments (a) to (f) to the words so restored to the Bill.—(Andrew Western.)
The House divided.
Division No. 509
Ayes: 279 (Tellers: Mark Ferguson, Nesil Caliskan)
Noes: 164 (Tellers: Harriet Cross, Gregory Stafford)
Question agreed to.
14Northern Ireland Troubles Bill: Carry-over
Motion made and Question proposed, That if, at the conclusion of this Session of Parliament, proceedings on the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill have not been completed, they shall be resumed in the next Session.—(Secretary Hilary Benn.)
The Deputy Speaker announced a time limit on backbench speeches (Standing Order No. 47(1)).
One and a half hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Motion, the Deputy Speaker put the Question (Standing Order No. 80A(1)(b)).
The House divided.
Division No. 510
Ayes: 279 (Tellers: Mark Ferguson, Nesil Caliskan)
Noes: 176 (Tellers: Harriet Cross, Gregory Stafford)
Question agreed to.
Motion made and Question put forthwith, (Standing Orders No. 15 and No. 41A(3)), That, at this day’s sitting,
(i) Standing Order No. 41A (Deferred divisions) shall not apply to the Motions (a) in the name of Secretary David Lammy relating to Public Office (Accountability) Bill: Carry-over and (b) in the name of Sir Alan Campbell relating to House of Commons Commission; and
(ii) the Motion in the name of Sir Alan Campbell relating to Business of the House (Today) may be proceeded with, though opposed, until any hour and Standing Order No. 41A (Deferred divisions) shall not apply.—(Gen Kitchen.)
Question agreed to.
16Public Office (Accountability) Bill: Carry-over
Ordered, That if, at the conclusion of this Session of Parliament, proceedings on the Public Office (Accountability) Bill have not been completed, they shall be resumed in the next Session.—(Alex Davies-Jones.)
17Business of the House (Today)
Ordered, That, at this day’s sitting, the Speaker shall not adjourn the House until any Messages from the Lords relating to the Crime and Policing Bill and the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill shall have been received and disposed of, and any Committee to draw up Reasons which has been appointed at this day’s sitting has reported.—(Mark Ferguson.)
18Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill: Consideration of Lords Message
The House proceeded to consider forthwith the Lords Message received today relating to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Programme Order, 9 March).
The Deputy Speaker announced that Lords Amendment 38X engaged Commons financial privilege.
Motion made and Question put, That this House insists on its disagreement with the Lords in their Amendments 38V to 38X to Commons Amendment 38J, and proposes Amendments (a) to (j) to Commons Amendments 38J and 38K in lieu of the Lords Amendments.—(Olivia Bailey.)
The House divided.
Division No. 511
Ayes: 272 (Tellers: Mark Ferguson, Nesil Caliskan)
Noes: 64 (Tellers: Charlie Maynard, Tessa Munt)
Question agreed to.
Lords Amendment 105C agreed to.
Title accordingly amended, as follows:
A Bill to make provision about the safeguarding and welfare of children; about support for children in care or leaving care; about regulation of care workers; about regulation of establishments and agencies under Part 2 of the Care Standards Act 2000; about employment of children; about breakfast club provision and school uniform; about allergy safety in schools; about attendance of children at school; about regulation of independent educational institutions; about inspections of schools and colleges; about teacher misconduct; about Academies and teachers at Academies; repealing section 128 of the Education Act 2002; about school places and admissions; about establishing new schools; and for connected purposes.
Resolved, That, in pursuance of section 1(2B) of the House of Commons (Administration) Act 1978,
(a) Elizabeth Honer be appointed as an external member of the House of Commons Commission for a period of three years commencing on 1 May 2026; and
(b) Nicholas Ong-Seng be appointed as an external member of the House of Commons Commission for a period of three years commencing on 1 October 2026.—(Sir Alan Campbell.)
(1) A public petition from residents of the United Kingdom relating to the Veterans Railcard and HM Forces Railcard was presented and read by Alicia Kearns.
(2) A public petition from residents of the constituency of St Ives relating to Penzance Driving Test Centre was presented and read by Andrew George.
Subject: Contribution of Ernest Bevin (Matt Western)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mark Ferguson.)
Adjourned at 11.54 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
Lords Messages
The Lords do not insist on their Amendments to the Victims and Courts Bill to which the Commons have disagreed and they agree without Amendment to the Amendment made by the Commons.
The Lords do not insist on certain Amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill to which the Commons have disagreed and they agree without Amendment to the Amendments made by the Commons.
24Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill
The Lords insist on certain Lords Amendments to a Commons Amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill to which the Commons have disagreed, for which insistence they assign their Reason; they propose an Amendment in lieu to which they desire the agreement of the Commons; and they do not insist on their Amendments to which the Commons have insisted on their disagreement and do agree with the Commons in certain Amendments in lieu.
25Private Bills: City of London (Markets) Bill
The Lords agree with the Order made by the Commons concerning the City of London (Markets) Bill set out in their message of 23 April.
26English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
The Lords insist on certain Amendments to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill for which they assign their Reason; they insist on certain Amendments and disagree to certain Amendments to the words restored to the Bill by Commons disagreement to certain Lords Amendments for which they assign their Reason; they insist on certain Amendments and disagree to certain Commons Amendments in lieu of those Lords Amendments for which they assign their Reason; they do not insist on certain Lords Amendments to which the Commons have disagreed and they agree without amendment to the Amendments proposed by the Commons in lieu of those Lords Amendments; they agree without amendment to the Amendment made by the Commons to a certain Lords Amendment; they do not insist on certain Amendments to which the Commons have disagreed.
*This item has been corrected since publication. See the Votes and Proceedings relating to Wednesday 29 April 2026.
The Lords insist on certain Amendments to the Pension Schemes Bill to which the
Commons have disagreed and they insist on their disagreement to certain Amendments
to the words restored to the Bill by Commons disagreement to certain Lords Amendments
and disagree to certain Amendments to the words restored to the Bill by Commons
disagreement to certain Lords Amendments for which they assign their Reason.
Printing of Lords Messages
28Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill
Lords Message relating to the Bill to be considered today, and to be printed (Bill 439).
29English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
Lords Message relating to the Bill to be considered tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 440).
*This item has been corrected since publication. See the Votes and Proceedings relating to Wednesday 29 April 2026.
Lords Message relating to the Bill to be considered tomorrow, and to be printed pursuant
to Standing Orders No. 78 and 57A (Bill 441).
Reasons Committees: Reports
31English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill: Reasons Committee
Miatta Fahnbulleh reported that the Committee had agreed the following Reasons:
Lords Amendment 89B
Because national planning policy already ensures that brownfield land is prioritised for development.
Lords Amendment 89C
Because it is consequential on Lords Amendment 89B to which the Commons disagree.
Lords Amendment 94B
Because it is not necessary to make provision in primary legislation about the agent of change principle.
Lords Amendment 94C
Because it is consequential on Lords Amendment 94B to which the Commons disagree.
General Committees: Reports
32First Delegated Legislation Committee
*This item has been corrected since publication. See the Votes and Proceedings relating to Tuesday 2 June 2026.
Valerie Vaz (Chair) reported the draft Vaping Duty Stamps (Requirements, Reviews and Appeals) Regulations 2026.
33Second Delegated Legislation Committee
Sir Desmond Swayne (Chair) reported the draft Warm Home Discount (Scotland) Regulations 2026.
34Third Delegated Legislation Committee
Dr Andrew Murrison (Chair) reported the draft First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Fees (Amendment) Order 2026.
35Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee
Carolyn Harris (Chair) reported the draft Conservation of Habitats and Species (Offshore Wind) (Amendment etc.) 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).
36First Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Vaping Duty Stamps (Requirements, Reviews and Appeals) Regulations 2026)
Members: Lee Barron discharged and Peter Prinsley nominated in substitution.
37Second Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Warm Home Discount (Scotland) Regulations 2026)
Members: Mr Calvin Bailey, Rachel Blake and Gurinder Singh Josan discharged and Alex Baker, Anna Gelderd and Mike Reader nominated in substitution.
38Third Delegated Legislation Committee (draft First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Fees (Amendment) Order 2026)
Members: Ben Obese-Jecty and Baggy Shanker discharged and Sarah Bool and Michelle Welsh nominated in substitution.
39Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Conservation of Habitats and Species (Offshore Wind) (Amendment etc) Regulations 2026)
Members: Neil Coyle, Alicia Kearns and Imogen Walker discharged and Jade Botterill, Lincoln Jopp and Justin Madders nominated in substitution.
Select Committees: Reports relating to orders for printing made during the adjournment under Standing Order No. 137
Friday 24 April
40Environmental Audit Committee
National Highways and environmental sustainability: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1284) (Clerk of the House).
Work of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Written evidence, to be published (HC 385) (Clerk of the House).
*This item has been corrected since publication. See the Votes and Proceedings relating to Wednesday 24 June 2026.
Saturday 25 April
Work of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Written evidence, to be published (HC 385) (Clerk of the House).
Select Committees: Reports made on Monday 27 April
43Energy Security and Net Zero Committee
Revisiting the nuclear roadmap: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 735) (Bill Esterson).
Work of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Written evidence, to be published (HC 385) (Emily Thornberry).
45National Security Strategy (Joint Committee on)
Societal resilience: a national conversation: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1841) (Matt Western).
46Public Accounts (Committee of)
(1) Supporting people with frailty outside hospitals: Seventy-ninth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 1706);
(2) Northern Powerhouse Rail: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1800);
(3) BBC Accounts and Trust Statement 2024–25: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1230);
(4) Civil service pensions: Written evidence, to be published (HC 888);
(5) Correspondence from the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government relating to the Local Government Finance Settlement 2026–27 to 2028–29: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) Correspondence with the Minister of State for Rail relating to HS2 and London Euston station: Written evidence, to be published;
(7) Financial sustainability of children’s care homes: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1233);
(8) Government fees, charges and levies: Written evidence, to be published (HC 890);
(9) Government services: Identifying costs: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1421);
(10) Work of Ofwat: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1636)
(Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown).
47Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee on)
(1) Fifty-fifth Report, to be printed (HC 291-lv);
(2) Scrutinising Statutory Instruments: Departmental Returns, Session 2024–26: Third Special Report, to be printed (HC 1851)
(Sir Bernard Jenkin).
Sir Lindsay Hoyle
Speaker
Westminster Hall
The sitting began at 4.30 pm.
Debate on an e-petition (Standing Orders No. 10(1)(a) and No. 145A(7))
Resolved, That this House has considered e-petition 736578 relating to animal testing.—(Irene Campbell.)
Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Adjourned at 6.43 pm until tomorrow.
Ms Nusrat Ghani
Chairman of Ways and Means
Papers Laid
Papers presented and delivered to the Votes and Proceedings Office on Friday 24 April under Standing Orders No. 158 and No. 159
Other papers
1Housing, Communities and Local Government
Protecting What Matters: Towards a more confident, cohesive, and resilient United Kingdom (by Command) (CP 1559) (Secretary Steve Reed)
Papers presented or laid upon the Table on Monday 27 April
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution
Draft Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Matthew Pennycook)
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
Private Security Industry Act 2001 (Licences and Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (SI, 2026, No. 456), dated 23 April 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Shabana Mahmood)
Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance (Decisions and Appeals) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (SI, 2026, No. 457), dated 27 April 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Sir Stephen Timms)
Other papers
Thirty-first Report of the Public Accounts Commission: Work of the Commission in 2025 (by Act), to be printed (HC 1856) (Clive Efford)
House of Commons Administration: Main Supply Estimate for 2026–27, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act), to be printed (HC 1858) (The Speaker)
Withdrawn papers
*This item has been corrected since publication. See the Votes and Proceedings relating to Tuesday 28 April 2026.
7Housing, Communities and Local Government
Protecting What Matters: Towards a more confident, cohesive, and resilient United Kingdom (by Command) (CP 1540) (laid 9 March)
SPEAKER'S CERTIFICATE
VOTING BY PROXY (STANDING ORDER NO. 39A)
(Variations to existing arrangements appear in bold.)
|
Member |
From |
To |
Proxy |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Becky Gittins |
3 September 2025 |
23 May |
Sir Nicholas Dakin |