Commons Backs Workers' Rights, Unveils Child Poverty Strategy

High-Level Summary

The Commons spent most of the sitting on Work and Pensions questions covering welfare, employment and skills, before three Urgent Questions on criminal court reforms, the policing decision to bar Maccabi Tel Aviv fans, and safety issues in the Army’s Ajax vehicle. Ministers then presented a 10‑year child poverty strategy centred on removing the two‑child limit and new poverty metrics. The House next considered Lords messages on the Employment Rights Bill, agreeing a package that shortens the unfair‑dismissal qualifying period and makes further changes, with several divisions. The Planning and Infrastructure Bill moved closer to Royal Assent with agreement on scrutiny of initial regulations, and the Commons finally agreed Lords changes to the Mental Health Bill on nominated persons for children.

Detailed Summary

Oral Answers to Questions: Work and Pensions

MPs pressed Ministers on welfare spending, unemployment, NEETs, Motability, child and pensioner poverty, carers, sexual exploitation risks, Skills England, post‑16 skills and health‑and‑work support. The Secretary of State said the Office for Budget Responsibility projected “the levels of people in employment will rise in every year of the forecast” [ref: b1.8/1], defended universal credit changes and a new youth guarantee “with £800 million of backing, to offer training or work to the young unemployed” [ref: b3.0/1]. Critics warned higher taxes and welfare risk disincentivising work [ref: b1.7/1; b1.9/1].

On labour market trends, Ministers noted “more than 329,000 more people are in work this year…[but] the unemployment level has increased by 282,000 over the year” [ref: b4.0/1], highlighted that employers pay no NICs for under‑21s [ref: b4.4/1], and trailed a new jobs and careers service [ref: b4.4/1]. On NEETs, Ministers announced an £820m youth guarantee and linked action to inequality [ref: b6.2/1; b6.6/1], with school attendance emphasised as key to outcomes [ref: b7.0/1]. On Motability and disability benefits, the Minister said “Some tax reliefs will be removed in July. Existing leases will not be affected, and neither will wheelchair‑adapted vehicles” and affordable vehicles would remain available via PIP [ref: b7.5/1]; a review will look at the PIP mobility component [ref: b8.0/1]. On child poverty, Ministers said removing the two‑child limit would lift 450,000 children from poverty by 2029‑30, rising to 550,000 with measures such as expanding free school meals [ref: b8.4/1], and explained the new “deep material poverty” measure [ref: b8.6/1]. On pensioners, the Government cited triple‑lock increases and a pension credit take‑up drive [ref: b10.2/1], confirming, subject to Royal Assent, uprating of pre‑1997 PPF accruals from “January 2027” [ref: b10.4/1]. On carer’s allowance overpayments, the Government accepted or partially accepted 38 of 40 Sayce recommendations, will reassess fluctuating‑earnings cases, and is exploring a future taper [ref: b11.0/1; b11.4/1; b11.7/1]. The DWP reiterated it does not accept jobs “relating to sexual services” and pointed to safeguarding work [ref: b12.2/1; b12.4/1]. Skills England will inform the post‑16 White Paper and sector packages [ref: b12.7/1], with more than £1bn in skills investment and fully‑funded apprenticeships for SMEs hiring 16‑24s [ref: b13.6/1; b13.8/1; b14.3/1]. Health‑and‑work support will include the Pathways to Work guarantee and Connect to Work, with Access to Work reform proposals due in the new year [ref: b16.3/1; b16.5/1].

Urgent Question: Restriction of Jury Trials

The Justice Minister said the Government is acting on Sir Brian Leveson’s independent review to reduce Crown Court backlogs by increasing magistrates’ sentencing powers and reallocating some either‑way cases, noting that “around 60% of victims who report rape drop out of the criminal system” and that delay is a key factor [ref: b25.2/4; b28.2/3]. Critics queried the evidential basis, modelling, and magistrates’ capacity. The Minister undertook to provide an impact assessment with legislation and stressed that magistrates handle equivalent cases “four times faster” on average, alongside creating a Crown Court bench division expected to save at least 20% in time [ref: b27.2/1; b26.1/3]. She confirmed that “for the offence of rape there will always be a jury trial” [ref: b35.7/1]. Next steps include the impact assessment and ensuing legislation, with wider productivity, listing and transport reforms referenced [ref: b29.1/1].

Urgent Question: Maccabi Tel Aviv FC—Away Fans Ban

The Policing Minister acknowledged errors and public concern over West Midlands Police intelligence used to justify banning away fans at Villa Park on 6 November, and confirmed that His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services will give “a specific update on the intelligence…by the end of the year” and a wider report on risk‑assessment advice to Safety Advisory Groups “by 31 March” [ref: b36.2/3; b36.2/4]. She restated the Government’s view that “This is the wrong decision…Football supporters should be able to follow their team, whatever their nationality, faith or background” [ref: b39.0/2; b36.2/5], and committed to transparency and considering SAG reforms, including for nationally significant events [ref: b38.1/2; b41.0/1].

Urgent Question: Ajax Armoured Vehicle

Following about 30 service personnel reporting noise and vibration symptoms on 22 November during Exercise Titan Storm, the Defence Minister paused Ajax use for training and exercising, ordered three investigations (the Defence Accident Investigation Branch, the Army safety team and a ministerial review), and is assembling “a team of experts…outside the usual GD production line” on noise/vibration [ref: b46.2/2; b47.0/2]. Officials are meeting General Dynamics daily and the Minister will meet the company [ref: b46.2/3]. For MAN Support Vehicles, an issue was identified and “a mitigation and repair schedule was created, which is being rolled out” [ref: b46.2/5]. He would not speculate on outcomes before reports but said the Government will “end the saga one way or another”, with the total Ajax programme cost remaining “£6.3 billion” [ref: b49.0/2; b49.0/1]. Next steps: await investigations, then decide on viability and contingencies.

Statement: Child Poverty Strategy

The Education Secretary outlined a 10‑year child poverty strategy, including removing the two‑child limit in universal credit from April 2026—estimated to lift 450,000 children out of relative poverty (550,000 with other measures), expanding free school meals and breakfast clubs, and introducing a new deep material poverty measure [ref: b59.1/10; b59.1/4; b59.1/14]. She framed it as investment that reduces long‑term costs: “Every pound we spend lifting children out of poverty saves much more” [ref: b59.1/9], and defended the change as ensuring children are not penalised: “The third child in a family has just the same value and worth as the second and the first” [ref: b59.1/8]. The Shadow argued the policy disincentivises work and questioned the timing and affordability [ref: b62.0/4; b62.0/6]. Metrics will include relative low income (after housing costs) and deep material poverty, with legislation and monitoring to follow [ref: b59.1/14; b22.3/1].

Employment Rights Bill: Consideration of Lords Messages

Ministers announced agreement with unions and business to reduce the unfair‑dismissal qualifying period from 24 months to six months, commencing 1 January 2027, with protections applying immediately from that date to employees already on ≥6 months’ service [ref: b84.6/5; b86.1/2]. The statutory compensation cap for unfair dismissal will be removed, with tribunal reforms to make the system “fairer and faster” [ref: b86.1/4; b86.1/6]. The Bill introduces a right to guaranteed‑hours offers for zero‑hours workers, with a statutory duty to consult on reference periods, and a consultation duty before defining temporary/seasonal need [ref: b86.1/7; b86.1/8]. It repeals the 2016 opt‑in rules for trade union political funds, allowing opt‑out notices to take effect either on the next 1 January or earlier per union rules, with guidance due within three months [ref: b86.1/10]. Repeal of the 50% turnout threshold for industrial action ballots will be aligned with introducing non‑postal (including e‑balloting); Ministers must have regard to impacts on participation and lay a statement before regulations [ref: b86.1/12]. The House approved multiple motions by division: Ayes 327, Noes 96 [ref: b102.3/1‑b102.3/4]; Ayes 300, Noes 96 [ref: b106.3/1‑b106.3/2]; Ayes 395, Noes 98 [ref: b109.3/1‑b109.3/2]; Ayes 326, Noes 162 [ref: b113.3/1‑b113.3/2]; Ayes 327, Noes 162 [ref: b116.3/1‑b116.3/2]. Next steps: Ministers aim for Royal Assent and staged implementation from April next year, with unfair‑dismissal changes from January 2027 [ref: b102.1/2; b84.6/5].

Planning and Infrastructure Bill: Lords Message

The Government accepted the Lords’ call that the first regulations establishing the national scheme of delegation will be subject to the affirmative procedure, while removing duplicative provisions for later regulations; existing consultation duties remain [ref: b121.4/6; b121.4/7]. The Minister said the Bill will “facilitate a step change in the delivery of the new homes and critical infrastructure” and is expected to become law shortly [ref: b121.4/3]. Next steps: draft regulations will be published for consultation and are expected to be laid in the spring [ref: b125.0/9].

Mental Health Bill [Lords]: Lords Amendments

The Commons agreed Lords amendments 19B and 19C clarifying who can be appointed as the nominated person for a child under 16 who lacks competence. Where no local authority has parental responsibility, an approved mental health professional must appoint someone with parental responsibility (including a person named in a child arrangements order with whom the child is to live) or a special guardian, taking account of the child’s wishes and feelings where needed [ref: b130.0/4; b130.0/5]. Government also committed to consult on emergency police detention powers (sections 135–136 MHA) [ref: b130.0/3]. Next steps: draft and consult on a new code of practice and secondary legislation; full implementation is estimated to take around 10 years, with annual written ministerial statements on progress [ref: b134.0/5].