What's on in the Lords 17-20 March
14 March 2025
Questions
Members of the Lords quiz 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 check and change the Armed Forces Commissioner Bill and Holocaust Memorial Bill at committee stage, and make 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 are all in the spotlight.
Committees
- The Home-based Working Committee hears from the Office for National Statistics and several leading academics, as it explores the data available on effects of remote and hybrid working.
- What are the main problems for autistic people today? The Autism Act 2009 Committee begins its inquiry.
- As part of its inquiry on the UK’s future relationship with the US, the International Relations and Defence Committee speaks to Anton La Guardia, diplomatic editor at The Economist, and Gerard Baker, editor-at-large at Wall Street Journal.
Read on for more.
Monday
From 2.30pm
Questions
Members press 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 check and change the Mortgage Prisoners Inquiry Bill, a private members' bill sponsored by Lord Sharkey. Plus, further checks to the Football Governance Bill.
Debate
Members discuss 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 consider 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 questions the government on:
- success of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy
- role of Great British Railways in resolving industrial action
- nuclear power generation to Scotland
- fourth question to be determined.
Legislation
Members begin further checks on the Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Bill.
Wednesday
From 3pm
Questions
Members press the government on:
- child trust fund accounts
- safety of commercial vehicles sold in the UK
- integrated care boards and housing providers
- fourth question to be determined.
Legislation
Members discuss 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 begin to check and change the Armed Forces Commissioner Bill.
Orders and regulations
Members will consider 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.
Thursday
From 11am
Questions
The Lords quizzes the government on:
- impact of working from home in the public sector
- school assessments of special educational needs
- global treatment of HIV/AIDS
- fourth question to be determined.
Debates
The 75th anniversary of the ECHR, the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on people’s ongoing bereavement, and the court case backlog are on the agenda.
Legislation
From 1pm in Grand Committee, members continue to check and change the Holocaust Memorial Bill.
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Watch
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Read
All business in the House of Lords chamber and in Grand Committee is transcribed and available to read from around three hours after it happens. Read it free online in Lords Hansard.
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Image credit: House of Lords / Roger Harris