Security and Child Safety Dominate as Justice Reforms Pass

High-Level Summary

The House of Commons held Foreign Office questions on Yemen, Gaza humanitarian access, Arctic security, cyber threats, forced labour, Chagos marine protection, detainees abroad, international humanitarian law, ODA and Ukraine. Ministers then announced a three‑month consultation on children’s social media (including an under‑16 ban option) plus updated guidance making clear mobile phones should not be used in schools. A statement confirmed approval of China’s new embassy at Royal Mint Court; the Intelligence and Security Committee and MI5/GCHQ judged risks could be satisfactorily mitigated. The Sentencing Bill completed, with victims to receive free sentencing‑remarks transcripts on request and widened whole‑life starting points; the Commons rejected Lords changes to the Holocaust Memorial Bill and to the Diego Garcia/Chagos Bill after divisions. An adjournment debate highlighted poor 5G coverage in Telford, with a Minister pledging engagement and a visit.

Detailed Summary

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Oral Questions

Ministers covered Yemen, Gaza/the West Bank, Greenland and the Arctic, forced labour, cyber‑attacks, the Chagos marine area, UK citizens detained abroad, international humanitarian law, ODA and Ukraine. On Yemen, the Government welcomed renewed dialogue and regional engagement: “We therefore welcome the calls by Yemen’s President for a dialogue…”, and confirmed the UAE “remains to support a ceasefire”.

On Gaza, the Foreign Secretary said the humanitarian situation is “still dire” and pressed for greater access through crossings. She condemned the deregistration of international NGOs as “incredibly damaging”, reaffirmed the UK’s recognition of the State of Palestine and opposition to settlement expansion, and prioritised decommissioning Hamas weapons: “the decommissioning of Hamas weapons is a central and crucial part”. She also underlined UNRWA’s legal status: “UN premises are inviolable under international law”. On Greenland/Arctic security, she restated that “the future of Greenland is a matter for the Greenlanders and the Danes alone” and proposed a NATO “Arctic sentry”. Other answers included: “There is no place for forced labour in our global economy”; “42 international partners have supported UK activity” against cyber threats; confirmation that “no commercial fishing will be allowed” in the Chagos MPA; that eight cases against Jagtar Singh Johal remain outstanding; that action has been taken to uphold IHL in the OPTs; commitment to ODA budgets; and continued support for Ukraine.

Statement: Mobile Phones and Social Media – Use by Children

The Secretary of State announced a swift, three‑month consultation that will consider options including banning social media for under‑16s, raising the digital age of consent, curfews/breaks to curb excessive use, stronger age‑assurance and tackling VPN circumvention: “we will bring forward a swift three‑month consultation… include the option of banning social media for children under 16”. The Government also published updated guidance that phones should not be used in schools and asked Ofsted to include this in inspections, and will issue new screen‑time guidance for under‑5s and for ages 5‑16. The Secretary of State stressed, “we will act robustly… The question now is about the next steps”, and aimed to set a clear position “before the summer”. She noted gaps in the Online Safety Act’s coverage of AI chatbots and signalled intent to address them: “those that use live search and those that share user‑to‑user content are covered”.

Statement: Chinese Embassy at Royal Mint Court – National Security Considerations

The Security Minister confirmed the Housing Secretary’s independent, quasi‑judicial planning approval for China’s new embassy and set out national security mitigations. The Intelligence and Security Committee concluded that “the national security concerns that arise can be satisfactorily mitigated”. A joint MI5/GCHQ letter said it is “not realistic to expect to be able wholly to eliminate each and every potential risk”, but the mitigations are “expert, professional and proportionate” and the “package of mitigations deals acceptably with a wide range of sensitive national security issues”. The Government also noted that consolidation has “clear security advantages”. The Minister reaffirmed protest rights: “The Government take very seriously the right of people to protest”. No division was called; Ministers undertook to keep the ISC and the House updated.

Sentencing Bill – Consideration of Lords Amendments

The Government opposed Lords amendment 7 (automatic publication of Crown Court sentencing remarks) but tabled amendments in lieu to provide free transcripts of sentencing remarks to victims on request, with an intended 14‑day timeframe: victims will receive remarks “within 14 days of a request”. The House disagreed with Lords amendment 7 (Ayes 319, Noes 127), made the Government’s amendments in lieu, and agreed Lords amendments 1‑6 and 8‑15. Those include expanding the whole‑life starting point to murders of police, prison and probation officers motivated by their service, and greater transparency around the Sentencing Council and prison capacity. The Bill now proceeds to Royal Assent; Ministers will set out transcript process details in due course.

Holocaust Memorial Bill – Consideration of Lords Amendment

The Government moved to disagree with Lords amendment 1 (which would have specified the Learning Centre’s purpose in the Bill). Ministers gave assurances that governance documents will enshrine the Centre’s exclusive focus on Holocaust education and antisemitism: “The learning centre will provide a solid, clear historical account of the Holocaust”. The Opposition welcomed assurances and did not press to a vote: “we will not press this matter to a Division”. Outcome: “Lords amendment 1 disagreed to,” and a Reasons Committee appointed to report to the Lords.

Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill – Consideration of Lords Amendments

Ministers urged passage to bring the Diego Garcia treaty into force, arguing it secures the UK‑US base for the long term, averts operational/legal risks absent a treaty, and provides for Chagossian interests within the agreement. The Minister stated, “The UK will never compromise on our national security”, warning that without a treaty “provisional measures could have been imposed within weeks” undermining operations. On costs, he said, “We published full details of the financial arrangements the very same day”. The House disagreed with Lords amendment 1 (Ayes 344, Noes 182), Lords amendment 5 on costs disclosure (Ayes 347, Noes 185), and Lords amendment 6 on parliamentary approval (Ayes 347, Noes 184); Lords amendments 2 and 3 (referendum) were deemed disagreed under Commons financial privilege. Lords amendment 4 (procedure for orders) was agreed. A Reasons Committee was appointed to report to the Lords.

Adjournment Debate: 5G Connectivity in Telford and the West Midlands

The Member for Telford highlighted persistent gaps in 4G/5G coverage across urban parts of the constituency and a mismatch between lived experience and Ofcom‑reported coverage. He called for better coverage data, faster deployment and ministerial engagement. The Minister emphasised the importance of reliable mobile connectivity—“Access to high‑quality, reliable and secure mobile connectivity is critical”—acknowledged that “There are discrepancies… between the lived experience… and the level of coverage that Ofcom reports”, and agreed to further engagement and a visit: “I will be very happy… to visit him”. Next steps include continued Department‑operator engagement, improvements to Ofcom mapping and local follow‑up.