What's on in the Lords 5-9 February
2 February 2024
Questions
This week the Lords questions the government on drone attacks in the Red Sea, rising temperatures, premature deaths from heart and circulatory conditions, resolving the conflict in Ukraine, and 'buy now, pay later' schemes.
Bills
Members continue detailed check and change of the Victims and Prisoners Bill and Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill on Monday. Plus, further changes to the Automated Vehicles Bill and a 'tidy up' of the Pedicabs (London) Bill on Tuesday.
Debates
The Economic Affairs Committee's report, 'Where have all the workers gone?' and the Communications and Digital Committee report, 'Digital exclusion' are in the spotlight in Lords debates.
Committees
- The Industry and Regulators Committee hears form Claire Coutinho MP, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, as part of its follow up inquiry into net zero.
- The International Agreements Committee hears from Richard Knox, Financial Services Director at HM Treasury, as it looks into the UK-Swiss financial services agreement.
Read on for more.
Catch up
Monday
From 2.30pm
Questions
Members questioned the government on:
- NHS Fracture Liaison Services
- standards of accessibility in homes
- drone attacks in the Red Sea
- expenditure by the devolved authorities.
Statements
Members also quizzed the government following statements on Afghan relocation and the Red Sea.
Legislation
The House continued line by line examination of the Victims and Prisoners Bill at committee stage.
From 3.45pm
In Grand Committee, work away from the chamber, members continued their check and change of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill.
Tuesday
From 2.30pm
Questions
The House pressed the government on:
- extending prescribing responsibilities
- record temperatures in 2023
- premature deaths
- local authority finances.
Legislation
Members completed final checks of the Pedicabs (London) Bill followed by further examination of the Automated Vehicles Bill.
Regulations
Members considered a motion to regret the draft Electoral Commission Strategy and Policy Statement, put forward by Lord Khan of Burnley. Members voted 175 for and 159 against so the motion was agreed to. The motion doesn't stop or amend the legislation but gives members the opportunity to put on record their concerns.
From 3.45pm
In Grand Committee, members considered regulations on:
Wednesday
From 3pm
Questions
The Lords quizzed the government on:
- appointment of board and CEO of Post Office
- resolving the conflict in Ukraine
- ‘buy now pay later’ arrangements
- jobs at Tata Steel in Port Talbot.
Statement
Members also pressed the government following a statement on NHS dentistry.
Legislation
Members continued line by line check of the Victims and Prisoners Bill.
From 4.15pm
In Grand Committee, members continued detailed check of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill.
Thursday
From 11am
Questions
The Lords pressed the government on:
- traffic marshals in Parliament
- education system for 11 to 16 year-olds
- working environment at Welsh language broadcaster, S4C
- criteria for granting asylum.
Debates
The Lords debated:
- the Economic Affairs Committee's report, 'Where have all the workers gone?'
- current humanitarian situation in Gaza
- the Communications and Digital Committee report, 'Digital exclusion'.
Friday
From 10am
Legislation
Members held the main debate on the following private members' bills:
- Conversion Therapy Prohibition (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity) Bill
- Succession to Peerages and Baronetcies Bill.
Get involved
Watch
Questions, debates and scrutiny of legislation are streamed live online for free. Watch chamber and Lords committee meetings on Parliament TV.
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
