Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 11.30 am.
Prayers
1Questions to (1) the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
(2) the Prime Minister
2Speaker’s Statement: Publication of division list (15 October)
3Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Kim Leadbeater, supported by Kit Malthouse, Christine Jardine, Jake Richards, Sian Berry, Rachel Hopkins, Mr Peter Bedford, Tonia Antoniazzi, Sarah Green, Dr Jeevun Sandher, Ruth Cadbury and Paula Barker, presented a Bill to allow adults who are terminally ill, subject to safeguards and protections, to request and be provided with assistance to end their own life; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 29 November, and to be printed (Bill 12).
4New Homes (Solar Generation) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Max Wilkinson, supported by Mr Gideon Amos, Alex Sobel, Pippa Heylings, Dr Simon Opher, Dr Danny Chambers, Ellie Chowns, Layla Moran, Carla Denyer, Edward Morello, Calum Miller and Anna Sabine, presented a Bill to require the installation of solar photovoltaic generation equipment on new homes; to set minimum standards for compliance with that requirement; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 17 January 2025, and to be printed (Bill 13).
5Climate and Nature Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Dr Roz Savage, supported by Alex Sobel, Olivia Blake, Dr Simon Opher, Clive Lewis, Nadia Whittome, Sir Roger Gale, Simon Hoare, Pippa Heylings, Carla Denyer, Kirsty Blackman and Llinos Medi, presented a Bill to require the United Kingdom to achieve climate and nature targets; to give the Secretary of State a duty to implement a strategy to achieve those targets; to establish a Climate and Nature Assembly to advise the Secretary of State in creating that strategy; to give duties to the Committee on Climate Change and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee regarding the strategy and targets; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 24 January 2025, and to be printed (Bill 14).
6Water Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Clive Lewis presented a Bill to set targets and objectives relating to water, including in relation to the ownership of water companies and to climate mitigation and adaptation; to require the Secretary of State to publish and implement a strategy for achieving those targets and objectives; to establish a Commission on Water to advise the Secretary of State on that strategy; to make provision about the powers and duties of that Commission, including a requirement to establish a Citizens’ Assembly on water ownership; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 28 March 2025, and to be printed (Bill 15).
7Protection of Children (Digital Safety and Data Protection) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Josh MacAlister, supported by Jess Asato, Claire Coutinho, Florence Eshalomi, Kit Malthouse, Lola McEvoy, Joe Powell, Joani Reid, Jake Richards, Lucy Rigby, Dan Tomlinson and Caroline Voaden, presented a Bill to make provision for the protection of children accessing digital services and content.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 7 March 2025, and to be printed (Bill 16).
8Rare Cancers Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Dr Scott Arthur, supported by Dame Siobhain McDonagh, Dame Meg Hillier, Monica Harding, Charlie Maynard, Sarah Owen, Johanna Baxter, Patricia Ferguson, Douglas McAllister, Blair McDougall, Elaine Stewart and Kirsteen Sullivan, presented a Bill to make provision to incentivise research and investment into the treatment of rare types of cancer; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 14 March 2025, and to be printed (Bill 17).
9European Union (Withdrawal Arrangements) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Jim Allister, supported by Sir Iain Duncan Smith, Graham Stringer, Gavin Robinson, Nigel Farage, Robin Swann, Sammy Wilson, Richard Tice, Carla Lockhart, Alex Easton, Jim Shannon and Mr Gregory Campbell, presented a Bill to make provision to modify the effect on domestic law of arrangements relating to the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 6 December, and to be printed (Bill 18).
10Free School Meals (Automatic Registration of Eligible Children) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Peter Lamb presented a Bill to make provision about the automatic registration of all children eligible for free school meals; to provide for an opt-out where the family wishes; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 14 March 2025, and to be printed (Bill 19).
11Controlled Drugs (Procedure for Specification) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Alex McIntyre presented a Bill to change the procedure for amending Schedule 2 to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 6 December, and to be printed (Bill 20).
12Licensing Hours Extensions Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Andrew Ranger, supported by Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck, Claire Hughes, Gill German, Catherine Fookes, David Williams, Connor Naismith, Mrs Sarah Russell and Dr Allison Gardner, presented a Bill to amend the Licensing Act 2003 so that licensing hours Orders can be made by negative resolution statutory instrument.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 17 January 2025, and to be printed (Bill 21).
13Looked After Children (Distance Placements) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Jake Richards presented a Bill to require local authorities to publish information about looked after children in distance placements; to require local authorities to develop and publish sufficiency plans in respect of their duty under section 22G of the Children Act 1989; to require the Secretary of State to publish a national sufficiency plan in respect of looked after children in distance placements; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 28 March 2025, and to be printed (Bill 22).
14Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Tracy Gilbert, supported by Patricia Ferguson, Kirsteen Sullivan and Douglas McAllister, presented a Bill to make provision about absent voting in connection with local government elections in Scotland and Wales, elections to the Scottish Parliament and elections to Senedd Cymru; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 17 January 2025, and to be printed (Bill 23).
15Unauthorised Entry to Football Matches Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Linsey Farnsworth, supported by Danny Beales and Mr Jonathan Brash, presented a Bill to create an offence of unauthorised entry at football matches for which a football banning order can be imposed following conviction.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 6 December, and to be printed (Bill 24).
16Space Industry (Indemnities) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
John Grady presented a Bill to require operator licences authorising the carrying out of spaceflight activities to specify the licensee's indemnity limit.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 7 March 2025, and to be printed (Bill 25).
17Short-term Let Accommodation Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Rachael Maskell, supported by Markus Campbell-Savours, Alison Hume, Mr Richard Quigley, Andy Slaughter, Neil Duncan-Jordan, Dr Rupa Huq, Ruth Jones, Euan Stainbank, Peter Prinsley, Tim Farron and Lizzi Collinge, presented a Bill to make provision for the licensing of short-term let accommodation; to make provision about the marketing of short-term let accommodation; to make provision about planning permission in respect of short-term let accommodation; to require the Secretary of State to publish guidance about the management of short-term let accommodation; to make provision about small business rates relief for short-term let accommodation; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 20 June 2025, and to be printed (Bill 26).
18Fur (Import and Sale) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Ruth Jones, supported by Sir Roger Gale, Adam Jogee, Tim Farron, Alex Sobel, Barry Gardiner, David Taylor, Rachael Maskell and Simon Hoare, presented a Bill to prohibit the import and sale of fur; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 13 June 2025, and to be printed (Bill 27).
19Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Dr Danny Chambers, supported by Dr Neil Hudson, Vikki Slade, James MacCleary, Max Wilkinson, Susan Murray, Lisa Smart, Mr Paul Kohler, Liz Jarvis, Mr Lee Dillon, Adam Dance and Alison Bennett, presented a Bill to make provision for and in connection with restricting the importation and non-commercial movement of dogs, cats and ferrets.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 29 November, and to be printed (Bill 28).
20Fireworks Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Sarah Owen, supported by Jessica Morden and Andrew Pakes, presented a Bill to make provision about the sale of fireworks; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 17 January 2025, and to be printed (Bill 29).
21Gambling Act 2005 (Monetary Limits for Lotteries) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Wendy Chamberlain, supported by Ben Lake, Pete Wishart, Rebecca Harris and Tonia Antoniazzi, presented a Bill to remove monetary limits on proceeds from the mandatory conditions of lottery operating licences; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 24 January 2025, and to be printed (Bill 30).
22Sale of Tickets (Sporting and Cultural Events) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Dr Rupa Huq, supported by Jim Shannon, Rosie Duffield, Lillian Jones, Nadia Whittome, Christine Jardine, Wera Hobhouse, Sarah Champion, Dawn Butler, Bambos Charalambous, Martin Vickers and Kim Johnson, presented a Bill to make provision about transparency of ticket prices for sporting and cultural events; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 6 December, and to be printed (Bill 31).
23Opposition Day: Leader of the second largest opposition party (3rd allotted day (Standing Order No. 14))
(1) Carer’s Allowance
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House recognises the remarkable contributions that the UK’s 5.7 million unpaid carers make to society and the huge financial challenges many face; notes with deep concern that tens of thousands of carers are unfairly punished for overpayments of Carer’s Allowance due to the £151-a-week earnings limit; believes that carers should not be forced to face the stress, humiliation and fear caused by demands for repayments of Carer’s Allowance; condemns the previous Government for failing to address this scandal; calls on the Government to write-off existing overpayments immediately, raise the Carer’s Allowance earnings limit and introduce a taper to end the unfair cliff edge; and further calls on the Government to conduct a comprehensive review of support for carers to help people juggle care and work.—(Ed Davey.)
Amendment proposed, in line 2, to leave out from ‘society’ to the end of the Question and add ’; believes it is essential that carers are provided with the support they need at the time they need it; condemns the previous Government for failing to address the scandal of demands for repayments of Carer’s Allowance; and welcomes the Government’s review into how these overpayments have occurred, what best can be done to support those who have accrued them and how to reduce the risk of these problems occurring in future.’.—(Alison McGovern.)
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. 20
Ayes: 87 (Tellers: Jamie Stone, Susan Murray)
Noes: 335 (Tellers: Kate Dearden, Anna Turley)
Question negatived.
Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 31(2)), That the proposed words be there added.
Question agreed to.
Main Question, as amended, put and agreed to.
Resolved, That this House recognises the remarkable contributions that the UK’s 5.7 million unpaid carers make to society; believes it is essential that carers are provided with the support they need at the time they need it; condemns the previous Government for failing to address the scandal of demands for repayments of Carer’s Allowance; and welcomes the Government’s review into how these overpayments have occurred, what best can be done to support those who have accrued them and how to reduce the risk of these problems occurring in future.
(2) Access to primary healthcare
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House regrets that the NHS has been plunged into crisis by years of neglect by the previous Government, leaving far too many people waiting weeks to see a GP or unable to find an NHS dentist, and children and adults waiting months or even years to receive the mental health care they need; believes that everyone should be able to access high-quality primary care services when they need them and where they need them; condemns the previous Government for presiding over a fall in the number of full-time equivalent fully qualified GPs and NHS dentists in the last Parliament; further regrets that the Government has not yet set out a plan to invest in primary care at the level needed to meet demand; calls on the Government to boost access to GPs, NHS dentists and community pharmacists; and further calls on the Government to give everyone the right to see a GP within seven days or within 24 hours if they urgently need to and to guarantee access to an NHS dentist for everyone needing urgent and emergency care.—(Helen Morgan.)
Amendment proposed, in line 7, to leave out from ‘Parliament’ to the end of the Question and add ‘; welcomes the urgency with which the new Government commissioned Lord Darzi to conduct an independent investigation of the NHS in England; recognises that within weeks of taking office the Government invested £82 million to recruit 1,000 newly qualified GPs; notes the Government commitment to tackle the dental crisis by providing 700,000 urgent dental appointments and recruiting new dentists to the areas that need them; approves the Government’s commitment to expand the role of pharmacies and better utilise the skills of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians; and welcomes the Government’s commitment to further reduce unnecessary bureaucracy as care shifts from hospital to community.’.—(Karin Smyth.)
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. 21
Ayes: 80 (Tellers: Tom Morrison, Susan Murray)
Noes: 337 (Tellers: Kate Dearden, Anna Turley)
Question negatived.
Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 31(2)), That the proposed words be there added.
Question agreed to.
Main Question, as amended, put and agreed to.
Resolved, That this House regrets that the NHS has been plunged into crisis by years of neglect by the previous Government, leaving far too many people waiting weeks to see a GP or unable to find an NHS dentist, and children and adults waiting months or even years to receive the mental health care they need; believes that everyone should be able to access high-quality primary care services when they need them and where they need them; condemns the previous Government for presiding over a fall in the number of full-time equivalent fully qualified GPs and NHS dentists in the last Parliament; welcomes the urgency with which the new Government commissioned Lord Darzi to conduct an independent investigation of the NHS in England; recognises that within weeks of taking office the Government invested £82 million to recruit 1,000 newly qualified GPs; notes the Government commitment to tackle the dental crisis by providing 700,000 urgent dental appointments and recruiting new dentists to the areas that need them; approves the Government’s commitment to expand the role of pharmacies and better utilise the skills of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians; and welcomes the Government’s commitment to further reduce unnecessary bureaucracy as care shifts from hospital to community.
A public petition from Jayne Reynolds relating to CCTV cameras along river banks in city centres was presented and read by Rachael Maskell.
Subject: Flooding in Bedfordshire (Blake Stephenson)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Anna Turley.)
Adjourned at 7.44 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
General Committees: Reports
26Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee
Mr Clive Betts (Chair) reported the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2024 (SI, 2024, No. 900).
27Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee
Sir Edward Leigh (Chair) reported the draft Contracts for Difference (Electricity Supplier Obligations) (Amendment) Regulations 2024.
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).
28Panel Of Chairs (Parliament Act 1911)
Sir Roger Gale and Mr Clive Betts to be the two Members whom the Speaker shall consult, if practicable, before certifying a Bill to be a Money Bill.
29Renters’ Rights Bill Committee
Members: Mr Gideon Amos, Rachel Blake, Sam Carling, Jacob Collier, Carla Denyer, Claire Hazelgrove, Naushabah Khan, Gen Kitchen, Lola McEvoy, Jerome Mayhew, Connor Naismith, Matthew Pennycook, David Simmonds, Vikki Slade, Rebecca Smith, Harpreet Uppal and Michael Wheeler
30First Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Amendment) Regulations 2024)
Members: Dr Zubir Ahmed, Jess Brown-Fuller, Dr Danny Chambers, Kirith Entwistle, Dr Luke Evans, Gill German, Ben Goldsborough, Alison Griffiths, Andrew Gwynne, Dr Caroline Johnson, Warinder Juss, Peter Lamb, Samantha Niblett, Taiwo Owatemi, Matthew Patrick, Rebecca Paul and Mike Reader
31Second Delegated Legislation Committee (draft European Forest Institute (Immunities and Privileges) Order 2024)
Members: Lewis Cocking, Stephen Doughty, Linsey Farnsworth, Alan Gemmell, Adam Jogee, Alicia Kearns, Katie Lam, Douglas McAllister, James MacCleary, Kevin McKenna, Andy MacNae, Gregor Poynton, Sam Rushworth, Mrs Sarah Russell, Bradley Thomas, Anna Turley and Caroline Voaden
Select Committees: Reports
32Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee on)
Sir Bernard Jenkin reported:
(1) That he had been chosen as Chair of the Committee.
(2) First Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 291–i)
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))
Resolved, That this House has considered the steel industry.—(Richard Tice.)
2National Highways maintenance and management of the A5036
Resolved, That this House has considered National Highways maintenance and management of the A5036.—(Peter Dowd.)
The sitting was suspended between 11.16 am and 2.30 pm (Standing Order No. 10(1)(b)).
3Regeneration of city and town centres
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered the regeneration of city and town centres.—(Catherine Atkinson.)
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)).
The sitting was suspended between 3.26 pm and 3.44 pm for a division in the House (Standing Order No. 10(3)).
Resolved, That this House has considered the regeneration of city and town centres.
4Funding for highways in Essex
Resolved, That this House has considered funding for highways in Essex.—(Priti Patel.)
5Availability of driving tests
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered the availability of driving tests.—(Peter Swallow.)
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 availability of driving tests.
Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Adjourned at 5.44 pm until tomorrow.
Ms Nusrat Ghani
Chairman of Ways and Means
Papers Laid
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution
(1) Draft Criminal Finances Act 2017 and Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2024 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Yvette Cooper)
(2) Draft Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Search, Seizure and Detention of Property: Code of Practice) (Northern Ireland) Order 2024 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Yvette Cooper)
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Application of Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984) (Amendment No. 2) Order 2024 (SI, 2024, No. 1029), dated 15 October 2024 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Yvette Cooper)
Sea Fisheries (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2024 (SI, 2024, No. 1028), dated 15 October 2024 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Steve Reed)
Other papers
Reserve Naval and Marine Forces (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (by Act) (Luke Pollard)