Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 11.30 am.
Prayers
1Questions to the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs
2Speaker’s Statement: Redacted text of ministerial statements
3Statements: (1) Defence and security (Prime Minister)
(2) Warm Home Discount (Miatta Fahnbulleh)
4Crime and Policing Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Secretary Yvette Cooper, supported by the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Secretary Shabana Mahmood, Secretary Steve Reed, the Solicitor General and Dame Diana Johnson, presented a Bill to make provision about anti-social behaviour, offensive weapons, offences against people (including sexual offences), property offences, the criminal exploitation of persons, sex offenders, stalking and public order; to make provision about powers of the police, the border force and other similar persons; to make provision about confiscation; to make provision about the police; to make provision about terrorism and national security, and about international agreements relating to crime; to make provision about the criminal liability of bodies; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 187) with Explanatory Notes (Bill 187–EN).
5River Wye (cleaning): 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 publish and implement a plan for cleaning and improving the water quality of the River Wye; and for connected purposes;
That Jesse Norman and Ellie Chowns present the Bill.
Jesse Norman accordingly presented the Bill.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 4 July, and to be printed (Bill 186).
6Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Bill [Lords]: Second Reading
Motion made and Question proposed, That the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Bill [Lords] be now read a second time.
Amendment proposed, to leave out from ‘That’ to the end of the Question and add ‘this House declines to give a Second Reading to the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Bill because, while acknowledging the importance of reforming the delivery of skills and technical education, it fails to establish Skills England as a statutory independent body; because it centralises decision-making power in the hands of the Secretary of State; because it provides for the abolition of the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education without ensuring a legally defined replacement; and because it lacks provisions to ensure that Skills England is directly accountable to Parliament.’.—(Ian Sollom.)
Question put, That the Amendment be made.
The House divided.
Division No. 105
Ayes: 70 (Tellers: Susan Murray, Zöe Franklin)
Noes: 312 (Tellers: Martin McCluskey, Gen Kitchen)
Question negatived.
Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 62(2)), That the Bill be now read a second time.
The House divided.
Division No. 106
Ayes: 317 (Tellers: Martin McCluskey, Gen Kitchen)
Noes: 55 (Tellers: Susan Murray, Zöe Franklin)
Question agreed to and Bill read a second time.
7Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Bill [Lords]: Programme
Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83A(7)), That the following provisions shall apply to the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Bill [Lords]:
Committal
(1) The Bill shall be committed to a Public Bill Committee.
Proceedings in Public Bill Committee
(2) Proceedings in the Public Bill Committee shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion on Thursday 20 March 2025.
(3) The Public Bill Committee shall have leave to sit twice on the first day on which it meets.
Consideration and Third Reading
(4) Proceedings on Consideration shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour before the moment of interruption on the day on which those proceedings are commenced.
(5) Proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at the moment of interruption on that day.
(6) Standing Order No. 83B (Programming committees) shall not apply to proceedings on Consideration and Third Reading.
Other proceedings
(7) Any other proceedings on the Bill may be programmed.—(Jeff Smith.)
Question agreed to.
8Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Bill [Lords]: Money
King’s Recommendation signified.
Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 52(1)(a)), That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Bill [Lords], it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of any expenditure incurred under or by virtue of the Act by the Secretary of State.—(Jeff Smith.)
Question agreed to.
9Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval
Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Higher Education (Fee Limits and Fee Limit Condition) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2025, which were laid before this House on 20 January, be approved.—(Jeff Smith.)
Question agreed to.
A public petition from residents of the constituency of Westmorland and Lonsdale relating to Kendal Post Office was presented and read by Tim Farron.
Subject: Economic contribution of Doncaster Sheffield Airport (Lee Pitcher)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Jeff Smith.)
Adjourned at 7.55 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
General Committees: Reports
12Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill Committee
Sir Desmond Swayne (Chair) reported:
(1) That the Committee had come to the following Resolution, That, subject to the discretion of the Chair, any written evidence received by the Committee shall be reported to the House for publication; and
(2) written evidence.
Written evidence to be published.
13Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill Committee
Peter Dowd (Chair) reported written evidence submitted to the Committee.
Written evidence to be published.
14Second Delegated Legislation Committee
Christine Jardine (Chair) reported the draft Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications, Deemed Applications, Requests and Site Visits) (England) (Amendment and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2025.
15Third Delegated Legislation Committee
Wera Hobhouse (Chair) reported the draft Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018 (Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance) (Consequential Modifications) Order 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).
16Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill
Chairs: Dawn Butler, Dame Siobhain McDonagh, Dr Andrew Murrison and Graham Stuart
17Data (Use and Access) Bill [Lords]
Chairs: Wera Hobhouse and Karl Turner
18Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Programming Sub-Committee)
Members: Neil Coyle, Georgia Gould, Gerald Jones, Gordon McKee, Rebecca Smith, Andrew Western and Mike Wood
19First Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Higher Education (Fee Limits and Fee Limit Condition) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2025)
Chair: Gill Furniss
20Second Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications, Deemed Applications, Requests and Site Visits) (England) (Amendment and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2025)
Chair: Christine Jardine
21Third Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018 (Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance) (Consequential Modifications) Order 2025)
Chair: Wera Hobhouse
Members: Melanie Ward discharged and Alan Gemmell nominated in substitution.
22Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Flood Reinsurance (Amendment) Regulations 2025)
Chair: Valerie Vaz
23Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (Amendment) (Provision of Information) Order 2025)
Chair: Dr Andrew Murrison
Members: Antonia Bance and Jess Phillips discharged and Gen Kitchen and Josh Newbury nominated in substitution.
Select Committees: Reports
24Backbench Business Committee
Recommendation to the Liaison Committee on subjects for Estimates Day debates and transcript of representations made on Tuesday 25 February, to be published (Bob Blackman).
25Business and Trade Committee
(1) Export led growth: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 649);
(2) Competition and Markets Authority 2024–25 Supplementary Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Department for Business and Trade 2024–25 Supplementary Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Make work pay: Employment Rights Bill: Written evidence, to be published (HC 370);
(5) Post Office Horizon scandal: Fast and fair redress: Written evidence, to be published (HC 341);
(6) Rip-off Britain: Dynamic pricing and consumer protection: Written evidence, to be published (HC 700)
(Liam Byrne).
26Culture, Media and Sport Committee
(1) Game on: Community and school sport: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 593);
(2) AI and copyright: Written evidence, to be published (HC 695);
(3) Charity Commission 2024–25 Supplementary Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Department for Culture, Media and Sport 2024–25 Supplementary Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) The National Archives 2024–25 Supplementary Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published
(Dame Caroline Dinenage).
(1) Service accommodation: Government response: First Special Report, to be printed (HC 751);
(2) Armed Forces Covenant: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 572);
(3) Ministry of Defence 2024–25 Supplementary Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) The UK contribution to European security: Written evidence, to be published (HC 520)
(Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi).
(1) Scrutiny of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill: Second Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 732);
(2) Solving the SEND crisis: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 492);
(3) Children’s social care: Written evidence, to be published (HC 430);
(4) Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill: Written evidence, to be published (HC 665);
(5) Department for Education 2024–25 Supplementary Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) Further education and skills: Written evidence, to be published (HC 666);
(7) Ofqual 2024–25 Supplementary Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published;
(8) Teachers’ Pension Scheme 2024–25 Supplementary Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published
(Helen Hayes).
29Energy Security and Net Zero Committee
Correspondence from Ofgem relating to back-billing: Written evidence, to be published (Bill Esterson).
30Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
(1) Reforming the water sector: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 588);
(2) Animal and plant health: Written evidence, to be published (HC 611);
(3) Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 2024–25 Supplementary Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Ofwat 2024–25 Supplementary Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Work of the Department and its arm’s-length bodies: Written evidence, to be published (HC 415)
(Mr Alistair Carmichael).
(1) Summer 2024 disorder: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 381);
(2) Correspondence from the Home Secretary relating to child sexual abuse: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Permanent Secretary relating to the work of the Home Office: Written evidence, to be published (HC 505);
(4) Correspondence with the Minister for Migration and Citizenship relating to changes to the good character requirements guidance: Written evidence, to be published
(Dame Karen Bradley).
32Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
(1) English devolution: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 600);
(2) Correspondence from the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution relating to capitalisation support for local authorities: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Homelessness and Democracy: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Housing associations: Development and finances: Written evidence, to be published (HC 599);
(5) Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government 2024–25 Supplementary Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) Rough sleeping: Written evidence, to be published (HC 339)
(Florence Eshalomi).
(1) Tackling drugs in prisons: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 557);
(2) Correspondence from HM Chief Inspector of Prisons relating to findings of the recent thematic review into women’s establishments: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Chief Executive of HMCTS relating to the HMCTS Reform Programme: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence from the Minister for Courts and Legal Services: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Correspondence from the Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending relating to HMP Forest Bank: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) Correspondence from the Secretary of State relating to probation delivery: Written evidence, to be published;
(7) Crown Prosecution Service 2024–25 Supplementary Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published;
(8) HM Procurator General and Treasury Solicitor 2024–25 Supplementary Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published;
(9) Judicial Pensions Scheme 2024–25 Supplementary Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published;
(10) Ministry of Justice 2024–25 Supplementary Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published;
(11) UK Supreme Court 2024–25 Supplementary Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published;
(12) Work of the County Court: Written evidence, to be published (HC 677)
(Andy Slaughter).
Estimates Days: Dame Meg Hillier reported, That, following the recommendation of the Backbench Business Committee on applications considered at its meeting of 25 February, the Liaison Committee recommendation for the allocation of time for the consideration of Estimates on the first allotted day in the present session (Standing Order No. 145) is as follows:
That a day not later than 18 March be allotted for the consideration of the following Estimates for financial year 2024–25:
Department for Health and Social Care (on the application of Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Layla Moran and John Glen);
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (on the application of Sarah Champion and Emily Thornberry); and
Department for Business and Trade (on the application of Liam Byrne)
(Dame Meg Hillier).
Record of the Committee’s decisions relating to e-petitions, to be published (Jamie Stone).
36Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
(1) The work of the Cabinet Office: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 463);
(2) Cabinet Office 2024–25 Supplementary Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Civil Superannuation 2024–25 Supplementary Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence from the Parliamentary Secretary at the Cabinet Office relating to Places for Growth commitments: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Correspondence from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Homelessness and Democracy relating to the Government’s response to the Electoral Commission’s reports on the 2024 elections: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) Correspondence with the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for Intergovernmental Relations relating to outstanding Government responses to Committee reports: Written evidence, to be published;
(7) Correspondence with the Ombudsman and Chair of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman relating to a Committee visit to Citygate: Written evidence, to be published;
(8) Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman 2024–25 Supplementary Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published;
(9) Royal Mail Statutory Pension Scheme 2024–25 Supplementary Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published;
(10) UK Statistics Authority 2024–25 Supplementary Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published
(Simon Hoare).
37Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
(1) Innovation showcase: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 523);
(2) Social media, misinformation and harmful algorithms: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 441);
(3) Correspondence with the Department: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Innovation, growth and the regions: Written evidence, to be published (HC 538)
(Chi Onwurah).
(1) Buses connecting communities: Written evidence, to be published (HC 494);
(2) Correspondence from the Secretary of State relating to rail sector legislation consultation: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Department for Transport 2024–25 Supplementary Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Managing the impact of street works: Written evidence, to be published (HC 522);
(5) Office of Rail and Road 2024–25 Supplementary Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published
(Ruth Cadbury).
(1) Correspondence from HM Treasury: Written evidence, to be published;
(2) HM Treasury 2024–25 Supplementary Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Lifetime ISA: Written evidence, to be published (HC 607);
(4) Work of the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation: Written evidence, to be published (HC 418)
(Dame Meg Hillier).
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 maternity services.—(Jess Brown-Fuller.)
2Performance of Thameslink train services
Resolved, That this House has considered the performance of Thameslink train services.—(Blake Stephenson.)
The sitting was suspended between 11.22 am and 2.30 pm (Standing Order No. 10(1)(b)).
Resolved, That this House has considered SEND education support.—(Jenny Riddell-Carpenter.)
4Provision of affordable rural housing
Resolved, That this House has considered the provision of affordable rural housing.—(Olivia Bailey.)
Resolved, That this House has considered the Groceries Code Adjudicator.—(David Chadwick.)
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 Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Regulations 2025 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Steve Reed)
2Community Infrastructure Levy
Draft Community Infrastructure Levy (Amendment etc.) (England) Regulations 2025 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Matthew Pennycook)
Draft Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2025 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Heidi Alexander)
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
Co-ownership Contractual Schemes (Tax) Regulations 2025 (SI, 2025, No. 200), dated 24 February 2025 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Emma Reynolds)
5Government Resources and Accounts
Whole of Government Accounts (Designation of Bodies) Order 2025 (SI, 2025, No. 208), dated 24 February 2025 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Darren Jones)
Armed Forces Pensions (Remediable Service) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (SI, 2025, No. 188), dated 18 February 2025 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Al Carns)
Child Benefit and Guardian's Allowance (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2025 (SI, 2025, No. 207), dated 24 February 2025 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (James Murray)
Other papers
8Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons
Report on research and development work relating to assistive technology for the period 1 June 2023 to 31 May 2024 (by Act) (Stephen Kinnock)
Explanatory Memorandum to the Excise Duties (Miscellaneous Amendments and Revocations) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (SI, 2025, No. 127) (by Command) (James Murray)
Report of the Independent Expert Panel for 2024 (by Standing Order), to be printed (HC 724) (Clerk of the House)
Explanatory Memorandum to the Local Authorities (Changes to Years of Ordinary Elections) (England) Order 2025 (SI, 2025, No. 137) (by Command) (Jim McMahon)
12Northern Ireland (Stormont Agreement and Implementation Plan)
Seventh Report of the Independent Reporting Commission (by Act), to be printed (HC 704) (Secretary Hilary Benn)
Withdrawn papers
Explanatory Memorandum to the Excise Duties (Miscellaneous Amendments and Revocations) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (SI, 2025, No. 127) (laid 7 February)
Explanatory Memorandum to the Local Authorities (Changes to Years of Ordinary Elections) (England) Order 2025 (SI, 2025, No. 137) (laid 11 February)