What's on in the Lords 17-20 March
21 March 2025
Questions
Members of the Lords quizzed the government on protecting journalistic freedom, preventing violence against women and girls, success of the soft drinks industry levy, accelerating the construction of primary health care facilities, and the global treatment of HIV/AIDS.
Bills
The Lords will checked and changed the Armed Forces Commissioner Bill and Holocaust Memorial Bill at committee stage, and made further changes to the Football Governance Bill and Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Bill.
Debates
The 75th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights, impact of COVID-19 restrictions on people’s bereavement, and crown court criminal case backlog were all in the spotlight.
Committees
- The Home-based Working Committee heard from the Office for National Statistics and several leading academics, as it explored the data available on effects of remote and hybrid working.
- What are the main problems for autistic people today? The Autism Act 2009 Committee began its inquiry.
- As part of its inquiry on the UK’s future relationship with the US, the International Relations and Defence Committee spoke to Anton La Guardia, diplomatic editor at The Economist, and Gerard Baker, editor-at-large at Wall Street Journal.
Read on for more.
Catch up
Monday
From 2.30pm
Questions
Members pressed the government on:
- bids for public sector work
- accelerating the construction of primary healthcare facilities
- protecting journalistic freedom
- preventing violence against women and girls.
Legislation
Members checked and changed the Mortgage Prisoners Inquiry Bill, a private members' bill sponsored by Lord Sharkey. Plus, they conducted further checks to the Football Governance Bill.
Debate
Members discussed the Ukraine war, following the new policy of the government of the USA.
Orders and regulations
From 3.45pm in Grand Committee, work away from the chamber, members considered regulations on:
- digital markets, competition and consumers
- national minimum wage
- immigration (biometric information)
- online procedure rules
- civil proceedings and magistrates' courts fees.
Tuesday
From 2.30pm
Questions
The Lords questioned the government on:
- success of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy
- role of Great British Railways in resolving industrial action
- nuclear power generation to Scotland
- impact of US tariffs on Northern Ireland
- ceasefire in Gaza.
Legislation
Members began further checks on the Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Bill.
Statements
Following statements, members quizzed the government on the following topics:
Wednesday
From 3pm
Questions
Members pressed the government on:
- child trust fund accounts
- safety of commercial vehicles sold in the UK
- integrated care boards and housing providers
- access to NHS dentistry.
Legislation
Members discussed the main purpose of the Church of Scotland (Lord High Commissioner) Bill, plus the key principles of the Finance Bill and all remaining stages.
From 4.15pm in Grand Committee, members began to check and change the Armed Forces Commissioner Bill.
Orders and regulations
Members considered the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme Regulations 2025, in a 'motion to regret' put forward by Baroness Brinton and a 'motion to approve' put forward by Baroness Anderson. A regret motion does not stop the regulations, but gives members a chance to put their concerns on record.
Statements
Following statements, members quizzed the government on the following topics:
Thursday
From 11am
Questions
The Lords quizzed the government on:
- impact of working from home in the public sector
- school assessments of special educational needs
- global treatment of HIV/AIDS
- pharmacy opening hours.
Debates
The 75th anniversary of the ECHR, the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on people’s ongoing bereavement, and the court case backlog were on the agenda.
Legislation
From 1pm in Grand Committee, members continued to check and change the Holocaust Memorial Bill.
Statements
Following statements, members asked the government questions on:
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Read
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Image credit: House of Lords / Roger Harris
