Commons Advances Finance Bill Amid Planning Revamp, Interference Review

High-Level Summary

The Commons examined justice policy in Oral Questions, including legal aid, court delays, jury trial proposals, prison security and victim funding. Ministers answered Urgent Questions on the Chagos treaty and on a new approach to Africa, and a ministerial statement announced an independent review into foreign financial interference in UK politics. The Government outlined a consultation on major planning reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework, including a brownfield presumption and suitable development near rail stations. MPs later rejected an Opposition reasoned amendment and approved the Finance (No. 2) Bill at Second Reading. The day ended with an adjournment debate on the criminal justice system in Wales and cooperation between devolved and reserved services.

Detailed Summary

Oral Answers to Questions: Justice

Legal aid and courts: The Lord Chancellor stated new investment in criminal legal aid and fee uplifts: “additional funding of up to £34 million a year for criminal legal aid advocates and an additional £92 million a year for criminal legal aid solicitors… uplifting housing and immigration legal fees by £20 million a year” [ref: b737.5/1]. He said they would “look across the piece at civil legal aid” alongside court performance [ref: b737.10/1]. A Justice Minister said courts were running “at maximum or close to maximum capacity… while investing up to £450 million in our courts every year” [ref: b749.6/1].

Family courts and victims: Ministers highlighted the ‘pathfinder’ model and pledged to repeal the presumption of parental involvement via the Victims and Courts Bill, describing delays as “untenable” [ref: b739.4/1]. On online misogyny, they noted new offences and deepfake criminalisation: “We have criminalised the creation of intimate deepfakes without consent” [ref: b739.7/1], and warned: “Online misogyny radicalises our boys, pressures our girls” [ref: b740.0/1].

ADR and tribunals: The Government said mandatory mediation for small money claims “is now well integrated into the county court process and is delivering real results” [ref: b740.5/1].

Prisons and security: On prisoner escorts, Ministers said delays often stem from “issues across the wider criminal justice system” [ref: b741.4/1]. They confirmed over £40 million this year for security, including £10 million on anti‑drone measures [ref: b741.9/1], and around £15 million for protective equipment and Tasers to improve staff safety [ref: b747.5/1].

Jury trial proposals and backlogs: The Lord Chancellor stressed that only 3% of criminal cases use judge and jury and that jury trials remain a “cornerstone” of the system [ref: b742.4/1]. He promised impact assessments “in the usual way” [ref: b742.8/1] and backed introducing a permission stage for appeals, as “many appeals have no merits” [ref: b744.3/1].

SLAPPs and victim funding: Provisions on economic crime SLAPPs have commenced, and Ministers are considering extending scope beyond economic crime [ref: b745.2/1]. Government announced “£550 million over the next three years—the biggest investment in victim support services” [ref: b745.7/1].

Child abduction and sentencing: On the Hague Convention, Government will consider further qualitative research into cases involving domestic abuse to inform policy [ref: b746.5/1]. On early release and capacity, Ministers said there will be “more criminals behind bars than ever before… Those convicted of the most serious crimes will be unaffected” [ref: b751.2/1].

Topical points: The Lord Chancellor announced a broader starting point for whole‑life orders for murders connected to police, prison or probation duties: “offenders can expect to spend the rest of their life behind bars” [ref: b752.5/1]. On mistaken releases, Ministers declined a “running commentary” while work continues [ref: b753.5/1; b756.6/1].

Chagossians: Trust Fund and Resettlement (Urgent Question)

FCDO Minister Hamish Falconer outlined the Diego Garcia treaty and a £40 million trust fund to be established by Mauritius: “the treaty secures the strategically important UK‑US military base… Under the terms of the treaty, the UK will capitalise a £40 million trust fund” [ref: b761.2/1]. He set out governance: a 12‑member board with seven Chagossians and a Chagossian chair [ref: b761.2/2]. Eligibility for resettlement will apply to those born on the archipelago before 31 December 1973 and their children [ref: b761.2/3]; dual nationality routes and civil status recognition were confirmed [ref: b761.2/4].

In response to criticism over democratic input, UK representation and a UN committee’s concerns, the Minister declined to “respond to allegations of betrayal”, citing meetings with a Chagossian contact group [ref: b762.1/1; b762.1/2]. He said the related Bill would have Lords Third Reading in the new year and that the treaty would be “scrutinised properly in the normal way” [ref: b762.1/3]. On safeguarding the fund, he emphasised majority Chagossian control and that “our own high commission” will observe the board [ref: b766.0/1].

Africa: New Approach (Urgent Question)

The Minister described a five‑month listening exercise with Governments and “more than 600 organisations… about what they valued and wanted to see from Britain” [ref: b767.2/2]. The approach shifts “from donor to investor” and sets seven shared priorities spanning migration, climate and energy, peace and security, strengthening systems, championing African voices, and innovation and culture [ref: b767.2/3].

Answering questions on geopolitics, he said the approach responds to African nations’ desire for long‑term partnership and noted Russia’s malign role: “The Africa strategy… is in part a response to the desire… for a longer, enduring and sustainable partnership… The role of the Africa Corps in Africa is malign” [ref: b768.2/3]. He confirmed that official development assistance allocations will be set out in the new year, with an emphasis on moving “from simply donation to investment” [ref: b771.0/1; b771.0/3]. The Speaker urged Ministers to bring such important matters to the House via oral statements rather than written ones [ref: b768.0/1].

Electoral Resilience – Ministerial Statement

The Secretary of State announced “an independent review into foreign financial interference in UK politics… led by the former permanent secretary, Philip Rycroft” [ref: b776.1/3], with a report due “by the end of March” [ref: b776.1/4]. The scope covers political finance rules, safeguards and cryptocurrencies [ref: b776.1/5].

He said the Government would consult parties, confirmed “elections that are scheduled to go ahead; they will go ahead”, and expected China to be “fully in scope” [ref: b778.0/3]. Responding to calls to include social media activity, he confirmed that “foreign financial attempts to influence our democracy” would be in scope [ref: b782.5/1]. He said the review would be forward‑looking and not relitigate past events [ref: b785.1/1], and that it would be resourced from departmental budgets [ref: b784.4/1].

Planning Reform – National Planning Policy Framework (Statement)

The Government published for consultation a comprehensive overhaul of the NPPF, including a permanent presumption in favour of sustainable development and measures making suitable urban brownfield development acceptable by default [ref: b793.1/5; b793.1/7]. Proposals include a “default yes” for suitable development around rail stations within existing settlements and around well‑connected stations outside settlements, alongside densification tools [ref: b793.1/7]. The framework strengthens accessible housing and rural affordable housing; proposals include “40% of new builds” meeting mandatory accessibility standards [ref: b799.0/2], and new requirements on children’s play space and “swift bricks” [ref: b793.1/8].

On biodiversity net gain, Ministers will exempt developments up to 0.2 hectares and consult on a targeted brownfield residential exemption [ref: b793.1/13]. Support for SME builders includes increasing the ‘medium’ site category to 2.5 hectares and asking authorities to allocate 10% of housing numbers to 1–2.5 ha sites, plus exploring levy exemptions and flexible affordable housing delivery [ref: b793.1/11; b793.1/12]. The Opposition raised green belt and ‘garden grabbing’ concerns [ref: b796.1/2; b796.1/4]. The Minister clarified that “well‑connected” stations are defined for consultation and that “within walking distance” equates to about 800 metres [ref: b803.1/2].

Finance (No. 2) Bill – Second Reading and Programme

Opening the debate, the Exchequer Secretary framed the Budget as choices to cut living costs, strengthen services and reduce borrowing. He cited removing the two‑child limit, which he said would lift “550,000 children out of relative poverty” [ref: b820.5/2]; increasing the national living wage “by 4.1% to £12.71 an hour” from April 2026 [ref: b821.0/2]; maintaining the income tax threshold freeze until 2031 [ref: b824.3/3]; increasing taxes on dividend, property and savings interest [ref: b824.3/4]; raising online gambling taxes [ref: b826.3/2]; and implementing the loan charge review with a new settlement opportunity [ref: b826.5/2]. He stressed the Budget is “a package, not a pick‑and‑mix” [ref: b827.1/4].

The Opposition tabled a reasoned amendment criticising tax rises and changes to agricultural and business property relief. After debate—including extensive discussion of agricultural reliefs—the amendment was defeated (Ayes 118, Noes 340) [ref: b872.1/2; b872.1/3]. The Bill was then read a Second time (Ayes 341, Noes 195) [ref: b876.1/2; b876.1/3]. The programme provides two days in Committee of the whole House on specified clauses (including agricultural and business reliefs: Clause 62 and Schedule 12), with the remainder in Public Bill Committee to conclude by 26 February 2026 [ref: b880.3/5; b880.5/1; b880.7/1].

Criminal Justice System: Wales (Adjournment)

Liz Saville Roberts MP used a constituent’s case to illustrate the “jagged edge” between devolved services and reserved criminal justice in Wales, arguing for devolution as a practical solution: “This is not a political ask… it is a pragmatic solution” [ref: b883.2/27]. She described the individual’s missing status after repeated short sentences and releases: “Gwenno is officially missing—that is her status” [ref: b883.2/32].

Justice Minister Alex Davies‑Jones agreed to meet the family: “I will happily meet Karen to answer her questions directly” [ref: b887.0/1]. She cited the family court ‘pathfinder’ model and collaborative governance structures, and said an MoU on co‑commissioning and local partnerships for probation is in development [ref: b888.1/3; b889.1/4]. She noted strong Crown Court performance in Wales [ref: b888.1/2] and said work is under way to improve Wales‑specific criminal justice data [ref: b889.1/1].