Contents
Chamber business
The House met at 11.30 am.
Prayers
1Speaker’s Statement: 75 year anniversary of rebuilding the Chamber
2Questions to the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs
3Opposition Day (11th allotted day)
(1) Stamp Duty Land Tax
Motion made and Question put, That this House calls on the Government to reduce public expenditure to fund the abolition of Stamp Duty Land Tax on primary residences purchased by UK residents, in order to get Britain working, to grow the economy and to give people a stronger stake in their communities through the security of home ownership.—(Sir Mel Stride.)
The House divided.
Division No. 329
Ayes: 103 (Tellers: David Reed, Nick Timothy)
Noes: 329 (Tellers: Imogen Walker, Gregor Poynton)
Question negatived.
(2) China spy case
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House calls on the Government to release the minutes of the meeting chaired by the National Security Adviser on 1 September 2025, at which the prosecution of the two alleged Chinese spies, since dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service, was discussed, including all actions arising from that meeting; and further calls on the Government to publish the minutes of all other meetings where the case was discussed, whether by officials or with Ministers, all relevant correspondence between the Crown Prosecution Service and the Government and between Departments, including correspondence between the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Cabinet Office, Attorney General’s Office, and the Treasury, and advice provided to the Prime Minister relating to the China spy case.—(Alex Burghart.)
The Deputy Speaker announced a time limit on backbench speeches (Standing Order No. 47(1)).
Question put.
The House divided.
Division No. 330
Ayes: 174 (Tellers: Nick Timothy, David Reed)
Noes: 327 (Tellers: Gregor Poynton, Imogen Walker)
Question negatived.
4Statutory Instruments: Motions for Approval
Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the draft Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 (Mutual Recognition Agreement) (Switzerland) Regulations 2025, which were laid before this House on 21 July, be approved.—(Jade Botterill.)
Question agreed to.
5Adjournment (November, Christmas and February)
Motion made and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 25), That this House, at its rising on Wednesday 5 November 2025, do adjourn until Tuesday 11 November 2025; at its rising on Thursday 18 December 2025, do adjourn until Monday 5 January 2026; and at its rising on Thursday 12 February 2026, do adjourn until Monday 23 February 2026.—(Jade Botterill.)
Question agreed to.
6Changes to membership of select committees
Ordered, That Amanda Martin and Marie Tidball be discharged from the Education Committee and Peter Swallow and Chris Vince be added. —(Jessica Morden, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)
Subject: Support for disabled veterans (Liz Jarvis)
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House do now adjourn.—(Jade Botterill.)
House adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 9(7)).
Adjourned at 7.44 pm until tomorrow.
Other Proceedings
Changes to Notices Given
8British Indian Ocean Territory (Sovereignty and Constitutional Arrangements) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 31 October, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 28 November.
9Climate Finance Fund (Fossil Fuels and Pollution) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 31 October, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 28 November.
10International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion on Policies and Practices of Israel (Sanctions and Other Measures) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 31 October, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 28 November.
11Interpersonal Abuse and Violence Against Men and Boys (Strategy) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 31 October, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 28 November.
12Gaza (Independent Public Inquiry) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 31 October, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 28 November.
13Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages (Welsh Language Provision) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 31 October, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 28 November.
14Multi-Storey Car Parks (Safety) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 31 October, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 28 November.
15Domestic Abuse (Safe Leave) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 31 October, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 28 November.
Order for Second Reading on Friday 31 October, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 28 November.
17Transport (Duty to Cooperate) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 31 October, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 28 November.
18National Cancer Strategy Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 31 October, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 28 November.
Order for Second Reading on Friday 31 October, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 28 November.
20European Union (Withdrawal Arrangements) Bill: Adjourned debate on Second Reading [6 December 2024]
Order for resuming on Friday 31 October the adjourned debate on the Question proposed on 6 December 2024, That the Bill be now read a second time, read and discharged.
Debate to be resumed on Friday 28 November.
21Elections (Accessibility for Blind Voters) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 31 October, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 28 November.
22Animal Shelters (Licensing) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 31 October, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 9 January 2026.
23Vehicle Registration Documents (Sale of Vehicle) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 31 October, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 9 January 2026.
24Marriage (Prohibited Degrees of Relationship) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 31 October, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 9 January 2026.
25Domestic Building Works (Consumer Protection) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 31 October, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 28 November.
Order for Second Reading on Friday 31 October, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 12 December.
27Equitable Life Policyholders (Compensation) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 31 October, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 28 November.
Order for Second Reading on Friday 31 October, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 28 November.
29Public Body Ethnicity Data (Inclusion of Jewish and Sikh Categories) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 31 October, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 28 November.
30Registration of Death (Religion) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 31 October, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 28 November.
31Rough Sleeping (Decriminalisation) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 31 October, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 28 November.
32Animals in Medical Research (Prohibition) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 31 October, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 29 May 2026.
33Horticultural Peat (Prohibition of Sale) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 31 October, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 28 November.
34Hospices and Health Care (Report on Funding) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 31 October, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 28 November.
35Vehicle Registration Marks (Misuse and Offences) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 31 October, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 28 November.
36Letter Boxes (Positioning) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 31 October, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 28 November.
37Chalk Streams (Protection) Bill
Order for Second Reading on Friday 31 October, read and discharged.
Bill to be read a second time on Friday 28 November.
General Committees: Reports
38English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
Dame Siobhain McDonagh (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 tomorrow; and to be printed (Bill 321).
39Second Delegated Legislation Committee
Christine Jardine (Chair) reported the draft Private International Law (Implementation of Agreements) Act 2020 (Extension of Operative Period) Regulations 2025.
40Third Delegated Legislation Committee
Emma Lewell (Chair) reported the draft Football Governance Act 2025 (Specified Competitions) 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).
41Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee (draft Broadcasting (Regional Programme-making and Original Productions) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 and draft Broadcasting (Independent Productions) Regulations 2025)
Members: Linsey Farnsworth discharged and Cat Eccles nominated in substitution.
Select Committees: Reports
Record of the Committee’s discussions at its meeting on Tuesday 28 October, to be published (Nick Smith).
43Backbench Business Committee
Transcript of representations made on Tuesday 28 October, to be published (Bob Blackman).
(1) Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) and management of school estates: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 1399);
(2) Correspondence from the Secretary of State: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence with the Minister for Children and Families relating to the cross-government response to the Domestic Abuse Commissioner’s report ‘Victims in their own right? Babies, children and young people’s experience of domestic abuse’: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Solving the SEND Crisis: Written evidence, to be published (HC 492)
(Helen Hayes).
45Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
(1) Work of the Department and its arm's-length bodies: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 415);
(2) Climate and weather resilience: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1317);
(3) Fisheries and the marine environment: Written evidence, to be published (HC 680);
(4) Preventing waste and enabling a circular economy: Written evidence, to be published (HC 588)
(Mr Alistair Carmichael).
Record of the Committee’s decisions taken at its meeting on 28 October, to be published (Mr Steve Barclay).
(1) Israel-Palestine conflict: Government Response: First Special Report, to be printed (HC 1374);
(2) The work of the British Council: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 609);
(3) Correspondence from the Chair of the Foreign Affairs of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye relating to the recognition of the State of Palestine: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence from the Economic Secretary to the Treasury relating to the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) Annual Review 2024–25: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Correspondence from the Minister for Security relating to the Integrated Security Fund (ISF): Written evidence, to be published;
(6) Correspondence from the Minister for the Cabinet Office to the European Affairs and the Foreign Affairs Committees relating to the European Political Community (EPC) summit in Copenhagen: Written evidence, to be published;
(7) Disinformation diplomacy: How malign actors are seeking to undermine democracy: Written evidence, to be published (HC 703);
(8) Soft power: a strategy for UK success?: Written evidence, to be published (HC 791)
(Emily Thornberry).
(1) Combatting new forms of extremism: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 903);
(2) Correspondence from the Minister for Migration and Citizenship: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Minister for Security relating to the decision to deproscribe Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham: Written evidence, to be published
(Dame Karen Bradley).
49Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
(1) Affordability of home ownership: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 1208);
(2) Housing conditions in England: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1154)
(Florence Eshalomi).
50International Development Committee
(1) The situation in Sudan: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 438);
(2) Aid for community-led energy: Written evidence, to be published (HC 849);
(3) Correspondence with the Minister of State for International Development and Africa: Written evidence, to be published
(Sarah Champion).
(1) Reform of the Family Court: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1420);
(2) Correspondence from the Lord Chancellor relating to the strengthening of prisoner release checks: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Minister of State for Courts and Legal Services relating to amendments to Ministry of Justice fees: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Baroness Levitt KC) relating to the presumption of parental involvement: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Correspondence from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Victims and Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls relating to Government amendments to the Victims and Courts Bill: Written evidence, to be published;
(6) Section 28 - Pre-recorded cross examination: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1280)
(Andy Slaughter).
Correspondence with Lord Gardiner of Kimble relating to scrutiny of implementation of recommendations of public inquiries: Written evidence, to be published (Dame Meg Hillier).
53Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
(1) Innovation showcase: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 523);
(2) Life sciences investment: Oral and written evidence, to be published (HC 1369);
(3) Correspondence from the Department: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence with the Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs at TikTok on TikTok’s Trust and Safety Teams in the UK: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Innovation and global food security: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1245)
(Dame Chi Onwurah).
Proposed STV cuts: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1398) (Patricia Ferguson).
(1) Buses connecting communities: Government response: Third Special Report, to be printed (HC 1419);
(2) Correspondence from the Minister of State relating to Oxford-Cambridge rail corridor: Written evidence, to be published;
(3) Correspondence from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State relating to Vehicle Emissions Trading Scheme: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence with the Leader of the House of Commons relating to Rail Reform Bill: Written evidence, to be published;
(5) Licensing of taxis and private hire vehicles: Written evidence, to be published (HC 1224)
(Ruth Cadbury).
(1) Budget 2025: Gambling taxation: Oral evidence, to be published (HC 1349);
(2) Bank of England Financial Stability Reports: Written evidence, to be published (HC 674);
(3) Correspondence from the Chancellor of the Exchequer relating to the Regulation Action Plan: Written evidence, to be published;
(4) Correspondence relating to the sexism in the City: Written evidence, to be published
(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))
1Obesity and fatty liver disease
Resolved, That this House has considered obesity and fatty liver disease.—(Dr Beccy Cooper.)
2Impact of agricultural property relief and business property relief on family farming in Northern Ireland
Resolved, That this House has considered the impact of agricultural property relief and business property relief on family farming in Northern Ireland.—(Carla Lockhart.)
The sitting was suspended between 11.29 am and 2.30 pm (Standing Order No. 10(1)(b)).
3Connected and automated vehicles
Resolved, That this House has considered connected and automated vehicles.—(Sarah Coombes.)
The sitting was suspended between 3.50 pm and 4 pm.
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered the matter of lasting power of attorney.—(Fabian Hamilton.)
At 4.30 pm, the Motion lapsed (Standing Order No. 10(6)).
Motion made and Question proposed, That this House has considered World Stroke Day 2025.—(Munira Wilson.)
The sitting was suspended between 4.50 pm and 5.05 pm for a division in the House (Standing Order No. 10(3)).
Resolved, That this House has considered World Stroke Day 2025.
Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order No. 10(14)).
Adjourned at 5.42 pm until tomorrow.
Ms Nusrat Ghani
Chairman of Ways and Means
Papers Laid
Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution
Draft Education (Scotland) Act 2025 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2025 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Douglas Alexander)
Papers subject to Negative Resolution
Bathing Water (Amendment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2025 (SI, 2025, No. 1129), dated 27 October 2025 (by Act), with an Explanatory Memorandum (by Command) (Secretary Emma Reynolds)
Other papers
3Political Parties, Elections and Referendums
Fifth Report in 2025 from the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission: Appointment of the Chair of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (by Act), to be printed (HC 1401) (The Speaker)
CORRECTION
Monday 27 October 2025
(1) Item 7 (Papers Laid) should have read as follows:
Financial Services and Markets
Explanatory Memorandum to the draft Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 (Prudential Regulation of Credit Institutions) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2025 (by Command) (Lucy Rigby)
(2) Item 11 (Papers Laid) should have read as follows:
Financial Services and Markets
Explanatory Memorandum to the draft Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 (Prudential Regulation of Credit Institutions) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2025 (laid 20 October)