Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 11.30 am.
Prayers
1Questions to the Chancellor of the Exchequer
2Dairy Farming and Dairy Products Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Sarah Dyke presented a Bill to make provision to require the Secretary of State, in any negotiation relating to an international trade agreement, to seek to ensure that the agreement does not result in any detriment to UK dairy farmers; to make provision about the labelling of dairy products imported from outside the UK; to make provision about fair dealing between dairy farmers, processors and retailers, including in relation to pricing; to provide for certain additional contractual protections for dairy farmers; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 28 November, and to be printed (Bill 323).
3Fertility treatment (right to time off): 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 for a right to paid time off work for fertility treatment; and for connected purposes;
That Alice Macdonald, Andrew Pakes, Daniel Francis, Jess Asato, Kate Osborne, Matt Turmaine, Michael Wheeler, Olivia Blake, Rachel Blake, Sarah Owen, Sarah Russell and Ms Stella Creasy present the Bill.
Alice Macdonald accordingly presented the Bill.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 28 November, and to be printed (Bill 320).
4Opposition Day: Leader of the Opposition (12th allotted day (Standing Order No. 14))
(1) Supporting high streets
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House calls on the Government to support high streets by cutting public expenditure to facilitate the abolition of business rates for thousands of retail, hospitality and leisure premises on the high street; and further calls on the Government not to proceed with the Employment Rights Bill to avoid hiring freezes and job losses, to remove red tape for businesses, including by reviewing IR35, to cut energy bills for businesses and to tackle retail crime, thereby protecting key pillars of local communities including post offices, pubs and pharmacies.—(Andrew Griffith.)
Amendment proposed, in line 1, to leave out from 'House' to the end of the Question and add 'recognises the need to rejuvenate high streets following 14 years of decline under the previous Administration; welcomes the Government’s action to restore Pride in Place backed by £5 billion to support 339 locations to empower communities to drive meaningful change in their local area, including high streets; supports local communities being given new powers to tackle vacancies, and prevent new betting and vape shops in their areas, including the ability to auction off persistently empty premises through High Street Rental Auctions; further welcomes the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill that will ban upwards-only rent reviews in commercial leases, helping to create fairer rental conditions; endorses the Government’s support for property owners; also welcomes that from April 2026, eligible retail, hospitality, and leisure properties with rateable values below £500,000 will benefit from permanently lower business rates multipliers; welcomes the Plan for Small Businesses which supports high street small businesses as the backbone of local economies and which commits to cut the administrative burden of regulation for businesses by 25%; and further recognises that the Employment Rights Bill will bring employment rights legislation into the 21st century, extending the protections that many small businesses already offer their workers to all.'.—(Miatta Fahnbulleh.)
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. 337
Ayes: 106 (Tellers: Mr Andrew Snowden, Katie Lam)
Noes: 321 (Tellers: Jade Botterill, Gregor Poynton)
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 recognises the need to rejuvenate high streets following 14 years of decline under the previous Administration; welcomes the Government’s action to restore Pride in Place backed by £5 billion to support 339 locations to empower communities to drive meaningful change in their local area, including high streets; supports local communities being given new powers to tackle vacancies, and prevent new betting and vape shops in their areas, including the ability to auction off persistently empty premises through High Street Rental Auctions; further welcomes the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill that will ban upwards-only rent reviews in commercial leases, helping to create fairer rental conditions; endorses the Government’s support for property owners; also welcomes that from April 2026, eligible retail, hospitality, and leisure properties with rateable values below £500,000 will benefit from permanently lower business rates multipliers; welcomes the Plan for Small Businesses which supports high street small businesses as the backbone of local economies and which commits to cut the administrative burden of regulation for businesses by 25%; and further recognises that the Employment Rights Bill will bring employment rights legislation into the 21st century, extending the protections that many small businesses already offer their workers to all.
(2) Welfare spending
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House regrets the failure of the Government to get people off welfare and into work; believes that reforming the welfare system is a moral mission; and therefore calls on the Government to take urgent action to fix Britain’s welfare system by restricting welfare for non-UK citizens, stopping benefits for those with lower-level mental health conditions, increasing the number of face-to-face assessments, reforming the Motability Scheme so that only those with serious disabilities qualify for a vehicle, and retaining the two-child benefit cap, to get people into employment and build a stronger economy.—(Helen Whately.)
The Deputy Speaker announced a time limit on backbench speeches (Standing Order No. 47(1)).
Question put.
The House divided.
Division No. 338
Ayes: 92 (Tellers: Mr Andrew Snowden, Katie Lam)
Noes: 403 (Tellers: Jade Botterill, Gregor Poynton)
Question negatived.
5Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval
Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Environmental Protection (Wet Wipes Containing Plastic) (England) Regulations 2025, which were laid before this House on 16 September, be approved.—(Gen Kitchen.)
Question agreed to.
(1) A public petition from residents of the United Kingdom relating to the settlement route for British National (Overseas) visa holders was presented and read by Tom Gordon.
(2) A public petition from residents of the constituency of Scarborough and Whitby relating to specialist treatment of stroke patients at Scarborough Hospital was presented and read by Alison Hume.
Subject: Government support for Sudan (Brian Mathew)
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House do now adjourn.—(Gregor Poynton.)
House adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 9(7)).
Adjourned at 7.45 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
Changes to Notices Given
8Nature-based Solutions (Water and Flooding) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 14 November, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 20 March 2026.
General Committees: Reports
9Second Delegated Legislation Committee
Graham Stringer (Chair) reported the draft Trade Act 2021 (Power to Implement International Trade Agreements) (Extension to Expiry) Regulations 2025.
10Third Delegated Legislation Committee
Emma Lewell (Chair) reported the draft Motor Fuel Price (Open Data) Regulations 2025.
11Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee
Dr Andrew Murrison (Chair) reported the draft Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (Security Requirements for Relevant Connectable Products) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2025.
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).
12Third Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Motor Fuel Price (Open Data) Regulations 2025)
Chair: Sir John Hayes discharged and Emma Lewell appointed in substituion.
Members: Pippa Heylings discharged and Claire Young nominated in substitution.
13Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (Security Requirements for Relevant Connectable Products) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2025)
Members: Jodie Gosling discharged and David Baines nominated in substitution.
Select Committees: Reports
Record of the Committee’s discussions at its meeting on Tuesday 4 November, to be published (Nick Smith).
15Backbench Business Committee
Transcript of representations made on Tuesday 4 November, to be published (Bob Blackman).
16Business and Trade Committee
(1) Correspondence from the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State relating to the Regulation Action Plan: Written evidence, to be published;
(2) Correspondence from the Minister for Employment Rights and Consumer Protection relating to the Radio Equipment (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2025: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Minister for Small Business and Economic Transformation: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Export led growth: Written evidence, to be published (HC 649);
(5) Make Work Pay: Employment Rights Bill: Written evidence, to be published (HC 370);
(6) Small business strategy: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1057)
(Liam Byrne).
17Culture, Media and Sport Committee
(1) Protecting built heritage: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 594);
(2) Correspondence with the Minister for Creative Industries, Media and Arts: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) The work of the BBC: Written evidence, to be published (HC 331)
(Dame Caroline Dinenage).
(1) Afghan data breach and resettlement schemes: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 1304);
(2) AUKUS: Written evidence, to be published (HC 841);
(3) The work of the Secretary of State: Written evidence, to be published (HC 973)
(Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi).
Early years: Improving support for children and families: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1264) (Helen Hayes).
20Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
(1) Animal and plant health: Written evidence, to be published (HC 611);
(2) Climate and weather resilience: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1317)
(Mr Alistair Carmichael).
Climate diplomacy: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1465) (Emily Thornberry).
(1) The work of the Migration Advisory Committee: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1443);
(2) Correspondence with the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner and Chief Constable of West Midlands Police relating to the Aston Villa v Maccabi Tel Aviv football match: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Harnessing the potential of new digital forms of identification: Written evidence, to be published (HC 986)
(Dame Karen Bradley).
23Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
(1) Housing conditions in England: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1154);
(2) Correspondence from the Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness relating to unitary councils in Surrey: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence with the Secretary of State relating to housebuilding in London: Written evidence, to be published
(Florence Eshalomi).
24International Development Committee
The work of the Independent Commission for Aid Impact: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1424) (Sarah Champion).
(1) Ending the cycle of reoffending – part one: rehabilitation in prisons:
(i) Seventh Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 469);
(ii) Written evidence, to be published (HC 469)
(2) Correspondence from the Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending relating to the naming of HMP Welland Oaks: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Minister of State (Sarah Sackman KC MP): Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence with the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Jake Richards MP) relating to amendments to the Sentencing Bill: Written evidence, to be published
(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).
27Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
(1) Public Bodies: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 553);
(2) The work of the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1346)
(Simon Hoare).
Skills for transport manufacturing: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1223) (Ruth Cadbury).
* This item has been corrected since publication. See the Votes and Proceedings relating to Tuesday 11 November 2025.
(1) AI in financial services: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 684);
(2) Budget 2025: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1349);
(3) Correspondence from HM Revenue and Customs relating to use of flight data for benefits surveillance: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence from HM Treasury relating to the Amazon Web Services outage: Written evidence, to be published
(Dame Meg Hillier).
30Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
(1) Innovation and global food security: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1245);
(2) Innovation showcase: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 523);
(3) Correspondence from the Department: Written evidence, to be published
(George Freeman).
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 planned reductions in Official Development Assistance on international development
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered the impact of planned reductions in Official Development Assistance on international development.—(Edward Morello.)
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 impact of planned reductions in Official Development Assistance on international development.
2Royal Mail and the universal service obligation
Resolved, That this House has considered Royal Mail and the universal service obligation.—(Sir Ashley Fox.)
The sitting was suspended between 11.25 am and 2.30 pm (Standing Order No. 10(1)(b)).
Resolved, That this House has considered cross-border healthcare.—(David Chadwick.)
The sitting was suspended between 3.55 pm and 4 pm.
4Government support for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
Resolved, That this House has considered Government support for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.—(Dr Danny Chambers.)
The sitting was suspended between 4.20 pm and 4.30 pm.
5Planning consent for houses in multiple occupation
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered planning consent for houses in multiple occupation.—(Steve Yemm.)
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 5 pm and 5.20 pm for a division in the House (Standing Order No. 10(3)).
Resolved, That this House has considered planning consent for houses in multiple occupation.
Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Adjourned at 5.45 pm until tomorrow.
Ms Nusrat Ghani
Chairman of Ways and Means
Papers Laid
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
Economic Crime (Anti-Money Laundering) Levy (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (SI, 2025, No. 1146), dated 30 October 2025 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Dan Tomlinson)
Employment Tribunals (Early Conciliation: Exemptions and Rules of Procedure) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (SI, 2025, No. 1153), dated 3 November 2025 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Kate Dearden)
3Financial Services and Markets
Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities etc.) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2025 (SI, 2025, No. 1154), dated 3 November 2025 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Lucy Rigby)
Other papers
Explanatory Memorandum to the draft Enterprise Act 2002 (Mergers Involving Newspaper Enterprises and Foreign Powers) (No. 2) Regulations 2025 (by Command) (Ian Murray)
5Constitutional Reform and Governance
Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund (The Ministers’ Etc Pension Scheme) (Amendment) Scheme 2025 (by Act) (Anna Turley)
Report and Accounts of Covent Garden Market Authority for 2024–25 (by Act) (Secretary Emma Reynolds)
Report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services on the State of Fire and Rescue: Annual Assessment of Fire and Rescue Services in England 2024–25 (by Act) (Clerk of the House)
8Government Resources and Accounts
(1) Financial Statement of the Security and Intelligence Agencies for 2024–25, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act), to be printed (HC 1375) (James Murray)
(2) Report and Accounts of Companies House for 2024–25, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act), to be printed (HC 1408) (Blair McDougall)
(3) Report and Accounts of the Ministry of Defence for 2024–25, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act), to be printed (HC 1130) (James Murray)
(4) Report and Accounts of the Government Actuary's Department for 2024–25, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Act), to be printed (HC 1376) (James Murray)
Report and Accounts of the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland for 2024–25, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland (by Act), to be printed (HC 1316) (The Solicitor General)
(1) Report and Accounts of Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust for 2024–25 (by Act) (Secretary Wes Streeting)
(2) Report and Accounts of Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust for 2024–25 (by Act) (Secretary Wes Streeting)
11Parliamentary Pensions (Consolidation and Amendment)
Report and Financial Statements of the Parliamentary Contribution Pension Fund for 2024–25, with the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (by Statutory Instrument), to be printed (HC 1450) (Clerk of the House)
Civil Service Additional Voluntary Contribution Scheme (Amendment Scheme) 2025 (by Act) (Anna Turley)
Withdrawn papers
Explanatory Memorandum to the draft Enterprise Act 2002 (Mergers Involving Newspaper Enterprises and Foreign Powers) (No. 2) Regulations 2025 (laid 30 October)
CORRECTIONS
(1) Thursday 23 October 2025
Item 2 (Papers Laid) should not have appeared.
The following item should have appeared after item 10 (Papers Laid):
() Contracts
Explanatory Memorandum to the draft Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 (Permitted Disclosures) Regulations 2025 (by Command) (Secretary David Lammy)
(2) Monday 3 November 2025
The following item should have appeared after item 17 (Select Committees: Reports made on Monday 3 November)
() Environmental Audit Committee
(1) International Climate Negotiations: COP30: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1427);
(2) National Highways and environmental sustainability: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1284)
(Mr Toby Perkins).