What's on in the Lords 12-15 May
16 May 2025
Questions
The Lords quizzed the government on protecting and increasing trade between the UK and the USA, ensuring mobile phones are kept out of schools, recruitment and retention of police, prison and probation officers, and illegally operated e-scooters.
Bills
On Monday, members considered Commons changes or reasons to the Bank Resolution (Recapitalisation) Bill and Data (Use and Access) Bill in 'ping pong'.
Later in the week, the Lords discussed the key principles of the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill and checked and changed both the Employment Rights Bill and the Renters’ Rights Bill.
Debates
The Built Environment Committee's report 'High Streets: Life Beyond Retail?' and the Environment and Climate Change Committee's report 'Methane: keep up the momentum' were both on the agenda.
Committees
- The Science and Technology Committee continued its inquiry on financing and scaling UK science and technology, including innovation, investment and industry.
- As part of its work on preparing for an ageing society, the Economic Affairs Committee spoke to experts from London Business School, University of Edinburgh Business School, and Warwick Institute for Employment Research.
- The European Affairs Committee heard from Sir Chris Bryant MP, as part of its inquiry on UK-EU data adequacy.
Read on for more.
Catch up
Monday
From 2.30pm
Questions
- recommendations of the Buckland Review of Autism Employment
- protecting and increasing trade between the UK and the USA
- patient care at Doncaster Royal Infirmary
- ensuring mobile phones are kept out of schools.
Legislation
The Lords 'tidied up' the Armed Forces Commissioner Bill, considered Commons changes to the Bank Resolution (Recapitalisation) Bill and Data (Use and Access) Bill, and checked the Renters’ Rights Bill.
Orders and regulations
From 3.35pm in Grand Committee, work away from the chamber, members considered regulations on:
- Fair Dealing Obligations (Pigs) Regulations 2025
- Forensic Science Regulator draft Code of Practice 2025
- Investigatory Powers (Codes of Practice, Review of Notices and Technical Advisory Board) Regulations 2025
- Health and Social Care Information Standards (Procedure) Regulations 2025
- Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
- Syria (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) 2025.
Tuesday
From 2.30pm
Questions
The Lords pressed the government on:
- recruitment of police, prison and probation officers
- uncollected financial penalties
- international scientists' research in the UK
- Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
Debates
In Grand Committee, the Built Environment Committee's report 'High Streets: Life Beyond Retail?' and the Environment and Climate Change Committee's report 'Methane: keep up the momentum' were both on the agenda.
Legislation
The Lords continued to check and change the Employment Rights Bill.
Urgent question
Following an urgent question in the Commons. Lords members quizzed the government on the protection of prison staff.
Statement
Members debated the progress towards a UK-India trade deal.
Wednesday
From 3pm
Questions
The Lords questioned the government on:
- contributions to the cost of fraud prevention
- illegally operated e-scooters
- access to BBC Sounds for people abroad
- water infrastructure.
Legislation
Members continued checking and changing the Renters’ Rights Bill.
Urgent question
Following an urgent question in the Commons, members quizzed the government on the Mansion House accord.
Statement
Members of the Lords discussed the trade negotiations between the USA and the UK.
Thursday
From 11am
Questions
Members press the government on:
- reintegration of ex-offenders into society
- training artificial intelligence models
- cost of energy and housing
- increase in shoplifting by pensioners.
Legislation
The Lords discusses the key principles of the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill, and concludes checking and changing the Renters' Rights Bill.
Statements
Following statements in the House of Commons, members questioned the government on the following topics:
Get involved
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
