Commons Reform Day: Leasehold Overhaul, Pub Relief, Medical Training

High-Level Summary

Commons business included Treasury Questions on regional funding, business rates and household costs; a statement launching a draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill; and a Business Rates statement announcing targeted support for pubs alongside wider high street measures. The House took all stages of the Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill, defeated several amendments, and passed the Bill in one day. A Ten Minute Rule Bill on illegal e‑bikes was introduced, two petitions were presented, and proceedings ended with an adjournment debate on a proposed solar NSIP and cumulative local infrastructure impacts.

Detailed Summary

Speaker’s statement: Holocaust Memorial Day

The Speaker marked Holocaust Memorial Day and thanked the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, noting remembrance for “the 6 million Jewish people murdered during the Holocaust… as well as those killed in more recent genocides—Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur”. No decision was sought.

Treasury Oral Questions: R&D bonds, regional funding, business rates, SMEs, living standards, rail and energy

On research and development bonds, Treasury Minister Lucy Rigby said the Government remains open to innovative instruments and would meet Chris Coghlan to discuss the EU SAFE defence bond proposal: “We are due to meet to discuss it later this month”.

On regional funding, the Chancellor said, “We are committed to driving growth everywhere,” highlighting additional Barnett funding for Scotland and local growth programmes. She agreed to discuss the Moor Farm roundabout ahead of the next road investment strategy, saying, “the roundabout is now being properly considered for inclusion in the road investment strategy”. On Northern Ireland, she said Ministers were “in discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive” and would “have more to say shortly”. On local government funding, she noted an ongoing consultation and extra support at the Spending Review.

On business rates and hospitality (ahead of a later statement), the Exchequer Secretary said he would set out a package “with a particular focus on pubs,” noting previously announced support “worth £4.3 billion”. He also pointed to differential multipliers so “the largest businesses now pay 33% more than the smallest high street businesses” and confirmed caps on increases this year, including “cap the increases for bills at £800 for those coming into the system for the first time,” with most high street businesses seeing 15% rises and the largest 30%.

On SMEs’ access to finance, Rigby cited the British Business Bank’s schemes and said the Growth Guarantee Scheme had been extended to enable “£5 billion‑worth of loans over the next four years”. On the National Wealth Fund’s market borrowing powers, she said no date had been set and she would write with further detail.

On living standards, the Economic Secretary said living standards were now rising following previous falls, with measures including £150 off energy bills and fare freezes; he added the Budget directly cut inflation: “Energy bills cut, ground rents cut—change promised, change delivered”.

On rail, the Chief Secretary highlighted Northern Powerhouse Rail “backed by up to £45 billion” and investment in the Midlands Rail Hub and East West Rail.

On energy bills, Ministers reiterated average savings of £150 from April and said they were scrapping the ECO scheme: “We are scrapping the ECO scheme, and cutting families’ bills”.

Commonhold and Leasehold Reform: draft Bill statement

Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook published a draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill for pre‑legislative scrutiny, saying the Government would “finally bring the feudal leasehold system to an end”. Key measures include: making commonhold the default for new flats; a new framework to “reinvigorate commonhold”; easier conversion with a 50% threshold; abolishing leasehold forfeiture; repealing certain estate rent charge enforcement powers; and capping ground rents in older leases at £250, changing to a peppercorn after 40 years. The draft is accompanied by a consultation on moving to commonhold for new flats.

The shadow spokesman queried why fixes to flaws in the 2024 Act were not included and pressed on ground rent policy. Pennycook replied that some 2024 Act provisions had already been commenced and more secondary legislation was in train, but rectifying “specific but serious flaws” required primary legislation; he said the ground rent cap was expected to be in place in 2028 and set out published rationale. On service charges, he said the Government would not cap them—noting a cap could hinder essential works—but would increase transparency and standardisation via 2024 Act powers. He also said the Government would “robustly defend the legislation,” noting a High Court challenge had been dismissed. Outcome: draft Bill laid for pre‑legislative scrutiny; consultations launched; further primary legislation promised to fix 2024 Act flaws.

Business Rates statement: targeted relief for pubs and wider high street measures

The Exchequer Secretary announced further support for pubs: “from April, every pub in England will get 15% off its new business rates bill, on top of the support announced in the Budget. Pubs’ bills will then be frozen in real terms for a further two years”. He also launched a review of pub valuation methodology and said hotel valuation would be reviewed to ensure accuracy. He confirmed many music venues would benefit and that licensing hours would be eased for late‑stage home nation fixtures at the men’s football World Cup, alongside plans to increase temporary event notices and consult on loosening planning rules for pubs. He further announced a cross‑Government “high streets strategy” later this year.

Responding, the shadow spokesman called the relief “a temporary sticking plaster” and queried timing and scope. The Minister said guidance would be published that day and bills would reflect the changes, adding fiscal scoring would be handled at the Budget as usual. He told the Treasury Committee Chair that pub and hotel valuation reviews would conclude in time for implementation at the 2029 revaluation. Outcome: policy announcement; no division; implementation via guidance and forthcoming consultations.

Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles: Ten Minute Rule Bill

Julie Minns sought leave to introduce a Bill to prohibit the marketing and sale of illegal e‑bikes and conversion kits, describing it as about “safety, clarity and responsibility… stopping the sale of illegal e‑bikes and the kits that turn ordinary… pedal bikes into illegal monster bikes”. She cited illegal e‑bikes capable of 37–70 mph and recent fatalities. The Bill would empower regulators to seize non‑compliant products and require clear consumer information. Outcome: leave given; Bill read a First time; Second Reading set for Friday 27 February.

Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill: all stages

The House agreed the timetable motion and took all stages of the Bill. The Health Secretary said the Bill “prioritises graduates from UK medical schools and other priority groups over applicants from overseas,” with prioritisation at the offer stage for posts starting this year and at both shortlisting and offer from 2027, which would “reduce the competition for places from around four to one… to less than two to one”. He explained commencement by regulations was a fail‑safe to ensure operational readiness.

The shadow sought immediate commencement on Royal Assent, arguing the Government “should not be playing politics with people’s jobs”. The Minister maintained commencement by regulations was needed to ensure the NHS could deliver safely and on time. In Committee, three Opposition amendments were defeated: to prioritise British citizens from 2027 (Ayes 91, Noes 378); to subject regulations under clause 3 to the affirmative procedure (Ayes 61, Noes 311); and to commence the Act on Royal Assent (Ayes 88, Noes 310). The Bill was reported without amendment and passed Third Reading the same day. Next steps: not stated in the transcript.

Petitions

Two petitions were presented. One sought repeal of the Public Order Act 2023 due to concerns about peaceful environmental protest. Another sought a public inquiry and measures addressing reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in housing, including a high‑risk building register and extended developer liability. Outcome: petitions presented; no debate required.

Adjournment debate: East Park Energy solar NSIP and cumulative impacts

Richard Fuller (North Bedfordshire) raised concerns about the proposed East Park Energy solar and battery project, describing its scale—“1,900 acres of land… larger than Gatwick airport… 700,000 solar panels”—and citing cumulative local infrastructure pressures, calling it “one of six nationally significant infrastructure projects impacting North Bedfordshire”. He questioned impacts on best and most versatile agricultural land and the cumulative effects of concurrent schemes.

The Energy Minister said he could not comment on the live application but emphasised solar’s role in the clean power mission and that decisions consider cumulative effects and land use. He noted that even in ambitious scenarios, “only 0.4% of UK land would be devoted to solar in 2030”, and explained that Ministers involved in decision making do not see papers on live cases: “I personally do not see the papers for such decisions”. Outcome: debate concluded without resolution; NSIP processes apply.