Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 11.30 am.
Prayers
1Questions to the Secretary of State for Justice
2Statement: North Sea vessel collision (Mike Kane)
3Planning and Infrastructure Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Secretary Angela Rayner, supported by the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Secretary Ed Miliband, Secretary Heidi Alexander, Secretary Steve Reed, Secretary Jo Stevens and Secretary Ian Murray, presented a Bill to make provision about infrastructure; to make provision about town and country planning; to make provision for a scheme, administered by Natural England, for a nature restoration levy payable by developers; to make provision about development corporations; to make provision about the compulsory purchase of land; to make provision about environmental outcomes reports; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 196) with Explanatory Notes (Bill 196–EN).
4Sentencing Council (Powers of Secretary of State) Bill: Presentation (Standing Order No. 57)
Robert Jenrick, supported by Mrs Kemi Badenoch, Rebecca Harris, Dr Kieran Mullan and Helen Grant, presented a Bill to provide that the Sentencing Council may not issue sentencing guidelines without the consent of the Secretary of State; to give the Secretary of State the power to amend sentencing guidelines prepared by the Sentencing Council before they are issued; and for connected purposes.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 14 March, and to be printed (Bill 197).
5Financial education: 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 financial education; and for connected purposes;
That Mr Peter Bedford, Jerome Mayhew, Blake Stephenson, Josh Newbury, Mr Jonathan Brash, Sir Roger Gale, Shockat Adam, Wera Hobhouse, Ian Roome, Siân Berry, Lewis Cocking and Martin Vickers present the Bill.
Mr Peter Bedford accordingly presented the Bill.
Bill read the first time; to be read a second time on Friday 25 April, and to be printed (Bill 195).
6Employment Rights Bill: Programme (No. 2)
Ordered, That the Order of 21 October 2024 (Employment Rights Bill: Programme) be varied as follows:
(1) Paragraphs 4 and 5 of the Order shall be omitted.
(2) Proceedings on Consideration and Third Reading shall be taken in two days in accordance with the following provisions of this Order.
(3) Proceedings on Consideration—
(a) shall be taken on each of those days in the order shown in the first column of the following Table, and
(b) shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at the times specified in the second column of the Table.
TABLE
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Proceedings |
Time for conclusion of proceedings |
|
First day |
|
|
New Clauses and new Schedules relating to the subject matter of, and amendments to, Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3. |
Six hours after the commencement of proceedings on the motion for this Order. |
|
Second day |
|
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New Clauses and new Schedules relating to the subject matter of, and amendments to, Part 4, Part 5 and Part 6; remaining new Clauses and new Schedules; remaining proceedings on Consideration. |
Five hours after the commencement of proceedings on Consideration on the second day. |
(4) Proceedings on Third Reading shall be taken on the second day and shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion six hours after the commencement of proceedings on Consideration on the second day.—(Justin Madders.)
7Employment Rights Bill: Consideration of the Bill, as amended in the Public Bill Committee (first day)
New Clause NC32—(Justin Madders)—brought up, and read the first time.
Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time.
The Deputy Speaker announced a time limit on backbench speeches (Standing Order No. 47(1)).
The Deputy Speaker reported that the King had signified Royal Assent to the following Acts under the Royal Assent Act 1967:
Supply and Appropriation (Anticipation and Adjustments) Act 2025
Crown Estate Act 2025
9Employment Rights Bill: Consideration of the Bill, as amended in the Public Bill Committee (first day) (resumed)
The House resumed the debate.
As it was six hours after the commencement of proceedings on the Employment Rights Bill: Programme (No. 2) motion, the Deputy Speaker put the Questions necessary to bring proceedings on Consideration of new clauses, new schedules relating to the subject matter of, and amendments to, Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 of the Employment Rights Bill to a conclusion (Programme Order, today).
The following Questions were put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83E).
(1) That New Clause NC32 be read a second time (Question already proposed from the Chair).
Question agreed to.
(2) That the Clause be added to the Bill (Question necessary to bring to a decision a question already proposed from the Chair).
Question agreed to.
(3) That New Clauses NC33 to NC38 be added to the Bill (single Question on any new clauses moved by a Minister of the Crown).—(Justin Madders.)
Question agreed to.
(4) That New Clause NC10 be added to the Bill (Question on any new clause selected by the Speaker for separate decision).—(Steve Darling.)
The House divided.
Division No. 114
Ayes: 95 (Tellers: Charlie Maynard, Bobby Dean)
Noes: 323 (Tellers: Gen Kitchen, Taiwo Owatemi)
Question negatived.
(5) That New Clause NC30 be added to the Bill (Question on any new clause selected by the Speaker for separate decision).—(Sir Ashley Fox.)
The House divided.
Division No. 115
Ayes: 189 (Tellers: Paul Holmes, Jerome Mayhew)
Noes: 324 (Tellers: Gen Kitchen, Taiwo Owatemi)
Question negatived.
(6) That New Clause NC87 be added to the Bill (Question on any new clause selected by the Speaker for separate decision).—(Greg Smith.)
The House divided.
Division No. 116
Ayes: 106 (Tellers: Paul Holmes, Jerome Mayhew)
Noes: 340 (Tellers: Gen Kitchen, Taiwo Owatemi)
Question negatived.
(7) That Amendments 8 to 50 and 79 to 85 be made (single Question on any amendments moved by a Minister of the Crown).—(Justin Madders.)
Question agreed to.
(8) That Amendment 288 be made (Question on any amendments selected by the Speaker for separate decision).—(Greg Smith.)
The House divided.
Division No. 117
Ayes: 105 (Tellers: Paul Holmes, Jerome Mayhew)
Noes: 409 (Tellers: Gen Kitchen, Taiwo Owatemi)
Question negatived.
(9) That Amendments 86 to 161 be made (single Question on any amendments moved by a Minister of the Crown).—(Justin Madders.)
Question agreed to.
(10) That New Schedule NS1 be added to the Bill (Question on any new schedule moved by a Minister of the Crown).—(Justin Madders.)
Question agreed to.
(11) That Amendments 51 to 78 and 240 to 245 be made (single Question on any amendments moved by a Minister of the Crown).—(Justin Madders.)
Question agreed to.
Bill to be further considered tomorrow.
10Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval
Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Grants to the Churches Conservation Trust Order 2025, which was laid before this House on 28 January, be approved.—(Anna McMorrin.)
Question agreed to.
A public petition from residents of the constituency of Scarborough and Whitby relating to a proposed 24-hour adult gaming centre in Whitby was presented and read by Alison Hume.
Subject: European Remembrance Day for Victims of Terrorism and Northern Ireland (Gavin Robinson)
Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Anna McMorrin.)
Adjourned at 9.04 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
Lords Messages
13Supply and Appropriation (Anticipation and Adjustments) Bill
The Lords agree to the Supply and Appropriation (Anticipation and Adjustments) Bill without amendment.
General Committees: Reports
14Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill Committee
Carolyn Harris (Chair) reported written evidence submitted to the Committee.
Written evidence to be published.
15Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill Committee
Dame Siobhain McDonagh (Chair) reported written evidence submitted to the Committee.
Written evidence to be published.
16Data (Use and Access) Bill [Lords] Committee
Karl Turner (Chair) reported:
(1) written evidence submitted to the Committee; and
(2) the Bill, as amended.
Written evidence to be published.
Bill, as amended, to be considered to tomorrow; and to be printed (Bill 199).
17Second Delegated Legislation Committee
Dr Rosena Allin-Khan (Chair) reported the draft Industrial Training Levy (Construction Industry Training Board) Order 2025.
Select Committees: Reports
Record of the Committee’s discussions at its meeting on 11 March, to be published (Nick Smith).
19Backbench Business Committee
Transcript of representations made on Tuesday 11 March, to be published (Bob Blackman).
(1) Armed Forces Covenant: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 572);
(2) Women in the Armed Forces: Follow-up (2025): Written evidence, to be published (HC 404)
(Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi).
(1) Solving the SEND crisis: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 492);
(2) Correspondence with the Minister for School Standards relating to SEND: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions relating to the child poverty strategy: Written evidence, to be published
(Helen Hayes).
22Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
*This item has been corrected since publication. See the Votes and Proceedings relating to Wednesday 12 March 2025.
(1) Animal and plant health: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 611);
(2) Reforming the water sector: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 588);
(3) Fairness in the food supply chain: Written evidence, to be published (HC 589);
(4) Work of the Department and its arm’s-length bodies: Written evidence, to be published (HC 415)
(Mr Alistair Carmichael).
(1) The Israeli-Palestinian conflict: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 488);
(2) Correspondence from the Minister for the Indo-Pacific relating to the relocation of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Joint Headquarters: Written evidence, to be published
(Emily Thornberry).
(1) Asylum accommodation: Written evidence, to be published (HC 580);
(2) Summer 2024 disorder: Written evidence, to be published (HC 381)
(Dame Karen Bradley).
25Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
(1) The funding and sustainability of local government finance: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 514);
(2) Correspondence from the Minister for Local Growth and Building Safety relating to the Plan for Neighbourhoods: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Minister for Local Government and English Devolution: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Housing and Local Government relating to interventions in Thurrock and Woking Councils: Written evidence, to be published
(Florence Eshalomi).
26International Development Committee
(1) The Government's efforts to achieve SDG2 Zero Hunger: Third Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 515);
(2) The 'In Development' process: Fourth Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 333);
(3) Humanitarian access and adherence to international humanitarian law: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 526);
(4) Correspondence with the Minister for the Indo-Pacific relating to the decision to not move from Abercrombie House to Glasgow: Written evidence, to be published
(Sarah Champion).
(1) Rehabilitation and resettlement: Ending the cycle of reoffending: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 469);
(2) Correspondence from the Minister for Courts and Legal Services relating to the launch of a consultation on the regulation of private prosecutors and the single justice procedure: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Minister for Sentencing relating to the review of the placement options for girls in the Children and Young People’s Secure Estate: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence from the Minister for Victims and Violence Against Women and Girls relating to the impact evaluation of section 28: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Correspondence from the Secretary of State: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) Serious Fraud Office 2024–25 Supplementary Estimate Memorandum: Written evidence, to be published;
(7) Tackling drugs in prisons: Written evidence, to be published (HC 557);
(8) Work of the County Court: Written evidence, to be published (HC 677)
(Andy Slaughter).
Record of the Committee’s decisions relating to e-petitions, to be published (Jamie Stone).
29Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
(1) Innovation showcase: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 523);
(2) Innovation, growth and the regions: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 538);
(3) Correspondence with the Department: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Digital centre of government: Written evidence, to be published (HC 790);
(5) Social media, misinformation and harmful algorithms: Written evidence, to be published (HC 441)
(Chi Onwurah).
Ruth Cadbury reported:
(1) That the Committee had agreed that the negative procedure should apply, as proposed, to the instrument titled:
New Heavy Duty Vehicles (Carbon Dioxide Emission Performance Standards) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2025;
(2) Correspondence to the Minister of State for Transport relating to rail reform consultation: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Secretary of State relating to the Department's initial Spending Review submission: Written evidence, to be published.
(1) Appointment of Andrea Enria to the Prudential Regulation Committee:
(i) Second Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 775);
(ii) Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 775);
(2) Appointment of David Soanes to the Prudential Regulation Committee:
(i) Third Report, to be printed, with the formal minutes relating to the Report (HC 776);
(ii) Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 776);
(3) Acceptance of cash: Written evidence, to be published (HC 324)
(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))
1Governance of English rugby union
Resolved, That this House has considered the governance of English rugby union.—(Perran Moon.)
2Effectiveness of the Nolan principles in local government
Resolved, That this House has considered the effectiveness of the Nolan principles in local government.—(Alberto Costa.)
The sitting was suspended between 11.28 am and 2.30 pm (Standing Order No. 10(1)(b)).
3Anti-social behaviour in the East of England
Resolved, That this House has considered the matter of anti-social behaviour in the East of England.—(Alice Macdonald.)
4Gender critical beliefs and the Equality Act 2010
Resolved, That this House has considered gender critical beliefs and the Equality Act 2010.—(Rosie Duffield.)
The sitting was suspended between 4.26 pm and 4.30 pm.
5Potential merits of an international fund for Israeli-Palestinian peace
Resolved, That this House has considered the potential merits of an international fund for Israeli-Palestinian peace.—(Steve Yemm.)
Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Adjourned at 5.30 pm until tomorrow.
Ms Nusrat Ghani
Chairman of Ways and Means
Papers Laid
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution
1Church of England (General Synod) (Measures)
(1) Measure passed by the General Synod of the Church of England entitled Chancel Repair (Church Commissioners’ Liability) Measure (by Act) (HC 773) (Clerk of the House)
(2) Measure passed by the General Synod of the Church of England entitled Church Funds Investment Measure (by Act) (HC 772) (Clerk of the House)
Draft Contracts for Difference (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) Regulations 2025 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Ed Miliband)
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
Persistent Organic Pollutants (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2025 (SI, 2025, No. 297), dated 11 March 2025 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Secretary Steve Reed)
(1) Draft Kirklees (Electoral Changes) Order 2025 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (The Speaker)
(2) Draft Newcastle upon Tyne (Electoral Changes) Order 2025 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (The Speaker)
(3) Draft Sunderland (Electoral Changes) Order 2025 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (The Speaker)
Medicines (Products for Human Use) (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (SI, 2025, No. 317), dated 11 March 2025 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum and an Impact Assessment (by Command) (Karin Smyth)
National Health Service Pension Schemes (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (SI, 2025, No. 316), dated 11 March 2025 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Karin Smyth)
Social Security (Contributions) (Re-rating) Consequential Amendment Regulations 2025 (SI, 2025, No. 318), dated 10 March 2025 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (James Murray)
8Sports Grounds and Sporting Events
Football Spectators (2025 FIFA Club World Cup Control Period) Order 2025 (SI, 2025, No. 303), dated 6 March 2025 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Yvette Cooper)
Other papers
9Automated and Electric Vehicles
Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018: Regulatory Report for the period July 2023 to December 2024 (by Act), to be printed (HC 765) (Secretary Heidi Alexander)
10Church of England (General Synod) (Measures)
Report by the Ecclesiastical Committee on the Chancel Repair (Church Commissioners’ Liability) Measure and the Church Funds Investment Measure (by Act), to be printed (HC 771) (Clerk of the House)
11Financial Services and Markets
Financial Conduct Authority Standards Instrument: The Technical Standards (Commodity Derivatives) (Position Limits, Management and Reporting) Instrument (by Act) (Emma Reynolds)
Government Response to the First Report of the Treasury Committee on the Office for Value for Money (by Command) (CP 1290) (Darren Jones)