Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 11.30 am.
Prayers
1Questions to (1) the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
(2) the Prime Minister
2Urgent Questions: (1) Foot and mouth disease (Daniel Zeichner)
(2) Local government reorganisation (Jim McMahon)
3Statements: (1) Health and social care: Winter update (Secretary Wes Streeting)
(2) Higher education regulatory approach (Secretary Bridget Phillipson)
The Deputy Speaker announced the results of the Divisions which had been deferred to this day (Standing Order No. 41A).
(1) Retained EU Law Reform
That the draft Electricity Capacity Mechanism (Amendment) Regulations 2024, which were laid before this House on 18 November 2024, be approved.
Division No. 80
Ayes: 418
Noes: 78
Question agreed to.
(2) Retained EU Law Reform
That the draft Official Controls (Amendment) Regulations 2024, which were laid before this House on 19 November 2024, be approved.
Division No. 81
Ayes: 423
Noes: 77
Question agreed to.
(3) Energy
That the draft Clean Heat Market Mechanism Regulations 2024, which were laid before this House on 21 November 2024, be approved.
Division No. 82
Ayes: 424
Noes: 109
Question agreed to.
5Outdoor Education Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Tim Farron presented a Bill to require that every child be offered at least one outdoor education experience during primary school years and at least one such experience during secondary school years; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 11 July, and to be printed (Bill 161).
6Youth Mobility Scheme (EU countries): Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)
Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to require the Secretary of State to enter into negotiations with countries which are members of the European Union for the purpose of extending the Youth Mobility Scheme to applicants from those countries on a reciprocal basis; and for connected purposes;
That James MacCleary, Tom Gordon, Siân Berry, Caroline Voaden, Stephen Gethins, Sorcha Eastwood, Sarah Olney, Liz Saville Roberts, Mr Joshua Reynolds, Richard Foord, Helen Maguire and Liz Jarvis present the Bill.
James MacCleary accordingly presented the Bill.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 25 July, and to be printed (Bill 160).
7Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Bill: Consideration of the Bill, not amended in Public Bill Committee
New Clause NC1—(Vikki Slade)— brought up, and read the first time.
Question put, That the Clause be read a second time.
The House divided.
Division No. 83
Ayes: 175 (Tellers: Jamie Stone, Susan Murray)
Noes: 342 (Tellers: Gerald Jones, Anna McMorrin)
Question negatived.
As it was less than one hour before the moment of interruption, the Deputy Speaker put the Questions necessary to bring proceedings on Consideration to a conclusion (Programme Order, 25 November 2024).
The following Questions were put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83E).
(1) That New Clause NC2 be added to the Bill (Question on any new Clause selected by the Speaker for separate decision).—(David Simmonds.)
The House divided.
Division No. 84
Ayes: 174 (Tellers: Mr Richard Holden, Rebecca Smith)
Noes: 340 (Tellers: Gerald Jones, Anna McMorrin)
Question negatived.
(2) That Amendment 7 be made (Question on any Amendment selected by the Speaker for separate decision).—(David Simmonds.)
The House divided.
Division No. 85
Ayes: 172 (Tellers: Mr Richard Holden, Rebecca Smith)
Noes: 341 (Tellers: Anna McMorrin, Gerald Jones)
Question negatived.
Consideration completed.
8Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Bill: Third Reading
Motion made and Question put, That the Bill be now read the third time.
The House divided.
Division No. 86
Ayes: 341 (Tellers: Gerald Jones, Anna McMorrin)
Noes: 171 (Tellers: Rebecca Smith, Greg Smith)
Question agreed to and Bill passed.
9Business of the House (16 January)
Ordered, That, at the sitting on Thursday 16 January, the business determined for that day by the Backbench Business Committee may be proceeded with until 5 pm or for 90 minutes, whichever is the later, and shall then lapse if not previously disposed of; those proceedings may be entered upon and continue, though opposed, after the moment of interruption; and Standing Order No. 41A (Deferred divisions) shall not apply.—(Lucy Powell.)
Subject: Impact of endometriosis on women in the workplace (Gill Furniss)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Keir Mather.)
Adjourned at 7.27 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
Changes to Notices Given
11State-related Deaths (National Oversight Mechanism) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 17 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 25 April.
12Child Criminal Exploitation (No. 2) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 17 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 24 January.
13Mobile Homes Act 1983 (Amendment) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 17 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 24 January.
Order for Second Reading on Friday 17 January, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 20 June.
General Committees: Reports
15Third Delegated Legislation Committee
Esther McVey (Chair) reported the draft Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2024.
16Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee
Carolyn Harris (Chair) reported the draft Free-Range Egg Marketing Standards (Amendment) (England) 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).
17Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill Committee
Members: Catherine Atkinson, David Baines, Matt Bishop, Ellie Chowns, Emma Foody, Vicky Foxcroft, Tom Hayes, Damian Hinds, Catherine McKinnell, Amanda Martin, Stephen Morgan, Neil O’Brien, Darren Paffey, Ian Sollom, Patrick Spencer, Nadia Whittome and Munira Wilson
18First Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Silicon Valley Bank UK Limited Compensation Scheme Order 2024)
Members: Luke Akehurst, Daisy Cooper, Steve Darling, Marsha De Cordova, Mr James Frith, Mark Garnier, Jodie Gosling, Chris Kane, Kit Malthouse, Charlotte Nichols, Emma Reynolds, Jake Richards, Oliver Ryan, Blake Stephenson, Alistair Strathern, Christian Wakeford and James Wild
19Second Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority Regulations 2024, draft Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority Regulations 2025, draft Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority Order 2025 and draft Lancashire Combined County Authority Regulations 2024)
Members: Mr Jonathan Brash, Markus Campbell-Savours, Mr Luke Charters, Lewis Cocking, Pam Cox, Charlie Dewhirst, Anna Dixon, Tim Farron, Tracy Gilbert, Paul Holmes, Gen Kitchen, Douglas McAllister, Jim McMahon, David Simmonds, Vikki Slade, Harpreet Uppal and Mohammad Yasin
20Third Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Heat Networks (Market Framework) (Great Britain) Regulations 2025)
Members: Jas Athwal, Andrew Bowie, Andrew Cooper, Miatta Fahnbulleh, Tim Farron, Anna Gelderd, Pippa Heylings, Sonia Kumar, Ian Lavery, Chris McDonald, Peter Prinsley, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Graham Stuart, Bradley Thomas, Adam Thompson, Nick Timothy and Anna Turley
Select Committees: Reports
(1) Teacher recruitment, training and retention: Government Response: First Special Report, to be printed (HC 627);
(2) Delivering effective financial education: Government Response: Second Special Report, to be printed (HC 628);
(3) The work of the Department for Education: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 540);
(4) Children’s social care: Written evidence, to be published (HC 430);
(5) Correspondence with the Minister for School Standards relating to the Independent Review of Oak National Academy: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) Correspondence with the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution relating to the Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Bill: Written evidence, to be published;
(7) Solving the SEND crisis: Written evidence, to be published (HC 492)
(Helen Hayes).
22Energy Security and Net Zero Committee
Work of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 396) (Bill Esterson).
23Environmental Audit Committee
(1) Environmental sustainability and housing growth: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 439);
(2) Correspondence with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs relating to the regulation of combine sewer overflows: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) The role of natural capital in the green economy: Written evidence, to be published (HC 501);
(4) The UK and the Antarctic environment: Written evidence, to be published (HC 499);
(Mr Toby Perkins).
24Health and Social Care Committee
(1) Expert Panel: Evaluation of Government’s progress on meeting patient safety recommendations: Government Response: Second Special Report, (HC 617);
(2) The work of the Care Quality Commission: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 562);
(3) Adult social care reform: The cost of inaction: Written evidence, to be published (HC 368);
(4) Correspondence from the Minister of State for Courts and Legal Services relating to the medical reporting process for road traffic accident claims: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Correspondence from the Secretary of State relating to the Social Care Commission: Written evidence, to be published
(Layla Moran).
(1) Work of the Attorney General and Solicitor General: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 577);
(2) Correspondence with the Minister for Courts and Legal Services relating to the extension of leases for Nightingale Courts: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence with the Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Re-Offending relating to HMP Forest Bank: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence with the Secretary of State relating to sentencing for causing death or serious injury by dangerous driving: Written evidence, to be published;
(Andy Slaughter).
26Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
(1) Funding and delivery of public services: Follow up: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC477);
(2) Correspondence from the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury relating to Autumn 2024 Budget: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the NI Policing Board relating to PSNI funding: Written evidence, to be published
(Tonia Antoniazzi).
27Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee on)
Eleventh Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 291-xi) (Sir Bernard Jenkin).
28Statutory Instruments (Select Committee on)
Fourth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 294-iv) (Sir Bernard Jenkin).
Transport and the National Infrastructure Commission: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 608) (Ruth Cadbury).
(1) The Office for Value for Money: First Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 521);
(2) Work of HM Revenue and Customs: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 416);
(3) Work of the Financial Conduct Authority: Written evidence, to be published (HC 417);
(4) Work of the Office for Financial Sanctions Implementation: Written evidence, to be published (HC 418)
(Dame Meg Hillier).
(1) The work of the Secretary of State for Wales: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 597);
(2) Correspondence from the Department for Business and Trade relating to the Port of Holyhead: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence with the Department of Health and Social Care relating to the Drug Tariff: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) The impact of the Budget on Wales: Written evidence, to be published (HC 440)
(Ruth Jones).
32Women and Equalities Committee
(1) Gendered Islamophobia: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 571);
(2) Equality at work: Miscarriage and bereavement leave: Written evidence, to be published (HC 335)
(Sarah Owen).
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))
1Water quality in rivers, lakes and seas
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered water quality in rivers, lakes and seas.—(Catherine Fookes.)
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 water quality in rivers, lakes and seas.
2Government support for town centres in Stoke-on-Trent
Resolved, That this House has considered Government support for town centres in Stoke-on-Trent.—(Gareth Snell.)
The sitting was suspended between 11.27 am and 2.30 pm (Standing Order No. 10(1)(b)).
3Compensation for women affected by changes to the State Pension age
Resolved, That this House has considered compensation for women affected by changes to the State Pension age.—(Sir John Hayes.)
4Nature-based solutions for farmland flooding
Resolved, That this House has considered nature-based solutions for farmland flooding.—(Jerome Mayhew.)
Resolved, That this House has considered the UK submarine fleet.—(Graeme Downie.)
Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Adjourned at 5.29 pm until tomorrow.
Ms Nusrat Ghani
Chairman of Ways and Means
Papers Laid
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution
Draft Flood Reinsurance (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Steve Reed)
(1) Draft Child Benefit and Guardian's Allowance Up-rating Order 2025 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Darren Jones)
(2) Draft Social Security (Contributions) (Rates, Limits and Thresholds Amendments, National Insurance Funds Payments and Extension of Veteran's Relief) Regulations 2025 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (James Murray)
(3) Draft Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2025 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Sir Stephen Timms)
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
Firearms (Variation of Fees) Order 2025 (SI, 2025, No. 36), dated 14 January 2025 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary Yvette Cooper)
(1) Electricity (Individual Exemption from the Requirement for a Transmission Licence) (Dogger Bank A) Order 2025 (SI, 2025, No. 27), dated 9 January 2025 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Ed Miliband)
(2) Electricity (Individual Exemption from the Requirement for a Transmission Licence) (Seagreen) (Scotland) (Amendment) Order 2025 (SI, 2025, No. 28), dated 9 January 2025 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Ed Miliband)
Town and Country Planning (Northwood Headquarters) Special Development Order 2025 (SI, 2025, No. 37), dated 14 January 2025 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Angela Rayner)
Other papers
Office for Environmental Protection: Progress in improving the natural environment in England 2023–24 (by Act) (Clerk of the House)
Report on HM Revenue and Customs Financial Institution Notice powers 2023–24 (by Act) (James Murray)
Explanatory Memorandum to the Public Lending Right Scheme 1982 (Commencement of Variation) Order 2025 (SI, 2025, No. 11) (by Command) (Stephanie Peacock)
Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on HM Revenue and Customs: Administration of Scottish income tax 2023–24 (by Act), to be printed (HC 541) (Clerk of the House)
10Social Security Administration
(1) Report by the Government Actuary on the draft Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2025 and the draft Social Security (Contributions) (Rates, Limits and Thresholds Amendments, National Insurance Funds Payments and Extension of Veteran's Relief) Regulations 2025 (by Act) (James Murray)
(2) Report by the Government Actuary on the draft Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2025 and the draft Social Security (Contributions) (Rates, Limits and Thresholds Amendments, National Insurance Funds Payments and Extension of Veteran's Relief) Regulations 2025 (by Act) (Sir Stephen Timms)
(1) Report from the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs to the Treasury on Tax Credits under Section 40 of the Tax Credits Act 2002 for 2023–24 (by Act) (Darren Jones)
(2) Review of certain tax credits monetary amounts under Section 41 of the Tax Credits Act 2002 for the tax year 2025–26 (by Act) (Darren Jones)
Withdrawn papers
Explanatory Memorandum to the Public Lending Right Scheme 1982 (Commencement of Variation) Order 2025 (SI, 2025, No. 11) (laid 9 January)