Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 11.30 am.
Prayers
1Questions to (1) the Minister for Women and Equalities
(2) the Prime Minister
2In-person banking services: 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 delivery of in-person banking services; to require the Financial Conduct Authority to set standards for the provision of in-person banking services; and for connected purposes;
That Alan Mak, Sir Jeremy Hunt, John Glen, Joy Morrissey, Andrew Griffith, Claire Coutinho, Laura Trott, Jack Rankin, Nick Timothy, John Cooper, Neil O’Brien and Lewis Cocking present the Bill.
Alan Mak accordingly presented the Bill.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 8 May, and to be printed (Bill 442).
3Business of the House (Today)
Ordered, That, at this day’s sitting, the Speaker shall not adjourn the House, if a Message from the Lords Commissioners is expected, until that Message has been received.—(Stephen Morgan.)
4Suspension of sitting: Awaiting Message from Lords Commissioners
The Speaker suspended the sitting (Order, today).
5Message to attend the Lords Commissioners
A Message from the Lords Commissioners was delivered by the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod.
Mr Speaker,
The Lords, who are duly authorised by virtue of His Majesty's Commission, to declare His Royal Assent to Acts passed by both Houses, and for proroguing the present Parliament, desire the presence of this Honourable House in the House of Peers, to hear the Commission read.
Accordingly, the Speaker, with the House, went up to the House of Peers, where a Commission was read, giving, declaring and notifying the Royal Assent to the following Acts, and for proroguing this present Parliament.
The Royal Assent was given to the following Acts:
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Act 2026
Grenfell Tower Memorial (Expenditure) Act 2026
Ministerial Salaries (Amendment) Act 2026
Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026
Victims and Courts Act 2026
Crime and Policing Act 2026
Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026
Pension Schemes Act 2026
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026
And afterwards His Majesty's Most Gracious Speech was delivered to both Houses of Parliament by the Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal (in pursuance of His Majesty's Command), as follows:
My Lords and Members of the House of Commons
My Government has been focussed on laying the foundations for economic growth and driving up living standards across the country.
The focus of my Government’s fiscal rules has been to keep public finances on a sustainable path. Legislation was passed to ensure that no government can announce fiscally significant measures without being subject to an independent assessment, thereby improving transparency and accountability. Action has been taken to bear down on inflation and ensure that GDP continues to rise over the next 10 years.
My Ministers have encouraged economic stability, attracted investment and supported British businesses. Laws were passed to enhance financial stability and improve my Government’s ability to manage bank failures. Measures were also introduced to crack down on fraud against public authorities. Data reforms will boost digital innovation and new laws will ensure the UK remains the global destination of choice for dispute resolution.
My Government has taken steps to ensure growth and security by investing in the future. Legislation was passed to support the production of sustainable aviation fuel and enable the United Kingdom to become a world leader in this emerging technology. Swift action ensured the continued, safe production of British steel.
Action was also taken to overhaul the planning system, removing barriers to housebuilding and the development of critical national infrastructure.
My Government delivered legislation to modernise employment rights, benefitting 18 million workers across the country. This included new protections for people on zero or low hours contracts and a day one right to sick pay, bereavement leave and paternity and unpaid parental leave.
To provide greater security for those in retirement, measures were passed to consolidate pension funds so that people should receive better outcomes from their pension savings.
My Government is committed to ensuring that critical public services are accessible to all, represent value for money and improve people’s everyday lives. Public investment has been maintained at the highest sustained level in four decades and capital spending will increase by more than 120 billion pounds over this Parliament. My Government has raised the national minimum wage to ensure that those on the lowest incomes are rewarded for their hard work.
My Ministers have sought to improve the experience of using public transport. Local leaders have been given greater control over bus services in their area and rail passenger services have begun to be brought back into public ownership. My Government has set out plans for the creation of Great British Railways, a new publicly owned company that will transform the rail network.
Legislation was passed to give water industry regulators the powers to hold water companies and executives to account for polluting waterways. Great British Energy was established to power the nation with clean, secure, home-grown energy.
Mayors have been granted new powers to take local decisions in the interests of the communities they serve, delivering better outcomes for people and places across England.
New laws have been passed to drive up standards and ensure the safety and wellbeing of children in education and social care. My Government will reduce child poverty by giving families the financial support to give their children the best start in life.
My Government has championed significant public health intervention, creating the United Kingdom's first smoke-free generation. New legislation will give patients greater control over their care during a mental health crisis and empower NHS staff to provide more personalised support, whilst keeping patients and the public safe. My ministers have acted to address barriers to career progression for doctors trained in the United Kingdom.
My Ministers have sought to ensure that millions of private renters have more protection in their homes and are no longer threatened by discrimination, opportunistic rent increases and no-fault evictions.
My Government introduced legislation to ensure that the criminal justice system puts victims first and brings criminals to justice sooner. Changes to the sentencing of offenders will help to stabilise the prison system and ensure local communities are kept safe.
Ensuring the protection of the United Kingdom’s borders, and security of public places, is a priority for my Government. New laws have modernised the asylum and immigration system by establishing a new Border Security Command and delivering enhanced powers to tackle organised immigration crime. Measures were passed to improve the safety and security of certain public venues, and help keep the British public safe from terrorism. New criminal justice reforms will give police more powers to protect the public from anti-social behaviour, tackle violence against women and girls and increase safety online.
Democratic integrity and accountability in public life are central to my Government’s mission. Legislation has been introduced to impose a duty of candour on public servants.
My Ministers have brought forward legislation to extend voting rights to 16 and 17 year olds, improve voter registration and guard against the threat of foreign interference in elections.
My Government took action to ensure Parliament is reflective of modern Britain. Legislation was passed to remove all remaining hereditary peers from the House of Lords. My Government also delivered reforms to enable Roman Catholics to act as my representative to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
Measures were passed to enable the building of a Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre, honouring the six million Jewish people that were
murdered and preserving their story for generations to come. Legislation passed this session will enable my Government to fund the creation of a lasting memorial to the Grenfell tragedy.
My Government has committed to the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War. NATO remains the cornerstone of United Kingdom security and my Government’s commitment to the Alliance is unshakeable.
My Government has responded to the crisis in the Middle East, working around the clock to keep British citizens in the region safe. My Government
will continue to work with international partners to support energy security and a return to stability in the Middle East.
My Ministers have taken action towards achieving lasting peace for both Israelis and Palestinians by formally recognising the State of Palestine as part of a broader international effort to support a viable pathway to peace.
The United Kingdom’s support to Ukraine remains ironclad. My Ministers hosted the London Summit on Ukraine, co-led the Coalition of the Willing with France and have imposed over 1,200 sanctions on Russia. My Government has agreed a One Hundred Year Partnership agreement with Ukraine to deepen military, economic, cultural, and technological cooperation, as well as contributing up to 21.8 billion pounds in military, humanitarian and other financial support since Russia launched its full-scale invasion.
My Government is building a new geopolitical relationship with the European Union, including advancing cooperation through joint summits. My Ministers hosted the 4th European Political Community Summit and the Western Balkans Summit, as well as signing treaties to further strengthen relationships with Germany and France.
Legislation passed in this session will enable the United Kingdom to play its role in protecting the world’s oceans and preserving the extraordinary
ecosystems that are vital to the health of the planet.
My Government has invested further in our gallant Armed Forces by introducing significant pay rises for service personnel, extending childcare for forces families, and delivering a 9 billion pounds defence housing strategy. An independent Armed Forces Commissioner has been established to investigate welfare matters, oversee the service complaints system and act as an independent champion for service personnel and their families.
The Queen and I were pleased to receive the State Visits of His Highness The Amir of Qatar and Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher; The President of the French Republic and Mrs Brigitte Macron; the President and First Lady of the United States; the President of the Federal Republic of Germany and Ms. Büdenbender; and The President and First Lady of Nigeria. We were also delighted to be welcomed on an outward State Visit to the United States of America.
Members of the House of Commons, I thank you for the provisions which you have made for the work and dignity of the Crown and for the public services.
My Lords and Members of the House of Commons, I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon your counsels.
After which the Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal said:
By virtue of His Majesty's Commission which has now been read, we do, in His Majesty's name, and in obedience to His Majesty's Commands, prorogue this Parliament to Wednesday the thirteenth day of May to be then here holden, and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Wednesday the thirteenth day of May.
Other Proceedings
Lords Messages
The Lords do not insist on certain of their Amendments to the Pension Schemes Bill to which the Commons have disagreed, and they agree without amendment to the Amendments to the words restored to the Bill by the Commons disagreement to certain Lords Amendments.
7English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
They do not insist on certain of their Amendments to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill and they agree without amendment to the Amendments to the words restored to the Bill by the Commons disagreement to certain Lords Amendments; 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.
Select Committees: Reports
(1) Department for Business and Trade 2026–27 Main Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published;
(2) UK Export Finance 2026–27 Main Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published
(Liam Byrne).
9Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Department for Culture, Media and Sport 2026–27 Main Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published (Dame Caroline Dinenage).
(1) Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme 2026–27 Main Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published;
(2) Ministry of Defence 2026–27 Main Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published
(Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi).
11Energy Security and Net Zero Committee
(1) Department for Energy Security and Net Zero 2026–27 Main Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published;
(2) Ofgem 2026–27 Main Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) UKAEA Pension Schemes 2026–27 Main Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published
(Bill Esterson).
(1) Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office 2026–27 Main Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published;
(2) Overseas Superannuation 2026–27 Main Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published
(Emily Thornberry).
13Health and Social Care Committee
(1) Department of Health and Social Care 2026–27 Main Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published;
(2) Food Standards Agency 2026–27 Main Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) NHS Pension Scheme 2026–27 Main Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published
(Layla Moran).
14Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Pre-legislative scrutiny of the Draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill: Part of written evidence, to be published (HC 1681) (Florence Eshalomi).
15International Development Committee
Correspondence from the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Indo-Pacific relating to the 2026–27 Main Estimate Explanatory Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published (Sarah Champion).
(1) Crown Prosecution Service 2026–27 Main Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published;
(2) HM Procurator General and Treasury Solicitor 2026–27 Main Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Serious Fraud Office 2026–27 Main Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) UK Supreme Court 2026–27 Main Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published
(Andy Slaughter).
17Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
Northern Ireland Office 2026–27 Main Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published. (Tonia Antoniazzi).
18Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
(1) Civil Superannuation 2026–27 Main Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published;
(2) Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman 2026–27 Main Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Royal Mail Statutory Pension Scheme 2026–27 Main Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) UK Statistics Authority 2026–27 Main Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published
(Simon Hoare).
19Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Correspondence with the Department: Written evidence, to be published (Dame Chi Onwurah).
Supercharging the EV transition: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1593) (Ruth Cadbury).
(1) Government Actuary’s Department 2026–27 Main Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published;
(2) HM Revenue and Customs 2026–27 Main Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) HM Treasury 2026–27 Main Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published
(Dame Meg Hillier).
22 Work and Pensions Committee
Department for Work and Pensions 2026–27 Main Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published (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))
1Impact of the Community Infrastructure Levy on private homeowners
Resolved, That this House has considered the impact of the Community Infrastructure Levy on private homeowners.—(Sir Jeremy Hunt.)
The sitting was suspended between 10.29 am and 11 am.
2Government support for agriculture
Resolved, That this House has considered Government support for agriculture.—(Richard Foord.)
The sitting was suspended at 11.30 am (Standing Order No. 10(1)(b)).
Parliament was prorogued during the suspension.
Ms Nusrat Ghani
Chairman of Ways and Means
Papers Laid
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
Employee Study and Training (Procedural Requirements) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (SI, 2026, No. 473), dated 28 April 2026 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Kate Dearden)
Draft Code of Practice on the authorisation and supervision of collective defined contribution schemes (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Torsten Bell)
Other papers
(1) Statement by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport concerning the appointment of a Member to the Board of the British Library, under the British Library Act 1972 (by Act) (Ian Murray)
(2) Statement by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport regarding the remuneration package of a Member of the Board of the British Library, under the British Library Act 1972 (by Act) (Ian Murray)
Memorandum to the Home Affairs Committee and the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 Committee on Post-legislative scrutiny of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 (by Command) (CP 1575) (Secretary Shabana Mahmood)
Central Government Supply Estimates: Main Supply Estimates for 2026–27 (by Command), to be printed (HC 1855) (James Murray)
Report of the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation on the Operation of the Terrorism Acts 2000 and 2006, and the Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures Act 2011, in 2024 (by Act) (Secretary Shabana Mahmood)
CORRECTIONS
Monday 27 April 2026
Item 27 (Lords Messages: Pension Schemes Bill) and Item 30 (Printing of Lords Messages: Pension Schemes Bill) should not have appeared.
Tuesday 28 April 2026
(1) The following should have appeared before item 20 (Lords Messages):
() Pension Schemes Bill
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.
(2) The following should have appeared after 20 (Lords Messages):
Printing of Lords Messages
() Pension Schemes Bill
Lords Message relating to the Bill to be considered on Tuesday 28 April, and to be printed pursuant to Standing Orders No. 78 and 57A (Bill 441).