What's on in the Lords 19-22 May
23 May 2025
Questions
The Lords pressed the government on the electrification of public transport networks, Sudan ceasefire talks, streamlining armed forces recruitment processes, challenges facing young people from online harms, and steps taken towards securing the release of Jimmy Lai.
Bills
Members considered Commons changes to the Data (Use and Access) Bill in 'ping pong', and continued to check and change the Employment Rights Bill, Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, and Sentencing Guidelines (Pre-sentence Reports) Bill.
Debates
The national policy statement for nuclear energy generation was in the spotlight on Wednesday.
Committees
- The Communications and Digital Committee heard from the BBC as part of its inquiry on media literacy.
- The Constitution Committee spoke to Joshua Rozenberg, legal commentator, and Frances Gibb, former legal editor at The Times, as it looked into the rule of law.
- The Environment and Climate Change Committee spoke to Daniel Zeichner MP and Emma Hardy MP as part of its work investigating the efficient use and management of reactive nitrogen.
Read on for more.
Catch up
Monday
From 2.30pm
Questions
The Lords questioned the government on:
- electrification of public transport networks
- contracts for small modular nuclear reactors
- strengthening science and innovation
- discussions with Sports England on the meaning of “sex” in the Equality Act 2010.
Legislation
The Lords considered Commons changes or reasons to the Data (Use and Access) Bill in 'ping pong' and continued to check and change the Employment Rights Bill.
From 3.45pm in Grand Committee, work away from the chamber, the members examined the Sentencing Guidelines (Pre-sentence Reports) Bill.
Orders and regulations
Members considered a 'motion to regret' the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2025 put forward by Lord Moylan. The motion to regret was withdrawn and the regulations were approved.
Urgent question
Following an urgent question in the Commons, members quizzed the government on recalled offenders.
Tuesday
From 2.30pm
Questions
- assistive technology
- reversing recent declines in healthy life expectancy
- Sudan ceasefire talks
- Criminal Cases Review Commission.
Legislation
The Lords began its line by line examination of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.
Urgent question
Following an urgent question in the Commons, Lords members debated the NHS and Care Volunteer Responders Service.
Statement
After a statement in the Commons regarding a cybersecurity incident at the Legal Aid Agency, the House of Lords quizzed the government.
Wednesday
From 3pm
Questions
Members quizzed the government on:
- streamlining armed forces recruitment
- challenges facing young people from online harms
- declassification of files relating to crimes of the IRA
- cyber resilience.
Legislation
The Lords continued to check and change the Employment Rights Bill.
Debates
From 4.15pm in Grand Committee, members discussed the national policy statement for nuclear energy generation.
Statements
Following statements in the Commons, members debated the following topics:
Thursday
From 11am
Questions
Members quizzed the government on:
- steps taken towards securing the release of Jimmy Lai
- progress in cross-party talks on the reform of social care
- improving young people’s media literacy
- increasing opportunities for social mobility.
Legislation
The Lords continued to examine the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.
Statement
Following a statement in the House of Commons, members pressed the government on Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
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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
