Commons Backs Two-Child Limit Repeal as Justice Reforms Unveiled

High-Level Summary

The House conducted Justice Questions on court backlogs, magistrates’ recruitment and proposed jury-trial reforms, alongside questions on victim support, rehabilitation and prison safety. A Minister answered an Urgent Question on Iran, condemning the regime’s repression, detailing sanctions and steps toward IRGC-related legislation. The Justice Secretary made a statement accepting all 13 recommendations from Jonathan Hall KC’s review of prison separation centres, outlining immediate and longer‑term actions. Adam Jogee’s Ten Minute Rule Bill on British‑made bricks received First Reading. The Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill passed Second Reading by 458–104, and the day ended with an Adjournment debate on pressures facing the fish and chip sector.

Detailed Summary

Speaker’s Statement

The Chair announced the appointment of the Venerable Andrew Hillier as the new Speaker’s Chaplain from 9 February, thanked Canon Mark Birch and noted Hillier’s naval chaplaincy and service at state occasions. “I wish to announce the appointment of our new Speaker’s Chaplain, the Venerable Andrew Hillier”.

Business Before Questions: Cheltenham Borough Council (Markets) Bill

The Bill was read a Second time. “Bill read a Second time.”.

Justice Questions: court backlogs and magistrates

On delays in Shropshire, the Justice Secretary said the Government inherited “nearly 80,000 criminal cases” awaiting Crown court trial, that Shrewsbury was at capacity with an additional base at Telford, and that “another 15 sitting days” had been added there. He cited modernisation and Sir Brian Leveson’s review due “tomorrow”. He confirmed a Nightingale court would continue in Telford. On magistrates, Ministers said they are “accelerating magistrate recruitment” and streamlining processes, with retention supported by training. The Justice Secretary noted “41% of newly appointed magistrates last year were under 50”. Support‑staff shortages were acknowledged, alongside hiring “108” trainee legal advisers. He emphasised victims’ interests: “it is important that we put victims at the centre”.

Justice Questions: proposed jury‑trial reforms

The Justice Secretary said reforms aim to “triage which trials get a jury and stop criminals gaming the system” while affirming, “We are not abandoning the jury system”. He referred to Sir Brian Leveson’s estimates of time savings and pledged, “We will of course publish our modelling” with the Bill. Asked if the measures would be temporary, he replied the changes “have to be permanent” to tackle delays. He added a forthcoming Bill would give “the power to increase the threshold for magistrates”. Responding to concerns about effects and retrospection, he said the Institute for Government estimated a “10% contribution” and that there was “no substantive criminal liability change” (so not retrospective), though caseloads would follow the new mode of trial once enacted.

Justice Questions: victims, rehabilitation and prisons

Ministers committed to “investing over £550 million in victim support services over the next three years” and said funding to police and crime commissioners would be ringfenced, with work to provide certainty for services. On prison education, the Minister said it “builds skills for life” and, amid fiscal pressures, the Department is working with the third and private sectors and governors to improve provision. The Courts Minister said backlogs are “now touching 80,000”, promised to publish modelling with the Bill, and highlighted workforce investment; “over 1,000 trials were cancelled last year because of a lack of barrister availability”. On parole, Ministers recognised trauma to victims, pointing to liaison support and meetings in high‑profile cases. For domestic‑abuse victims, the Government is introducing improved special measures, including separate entrances/exits and pre‑recorded cross‑examination. On prison safety, the Justice Secretary announced £15 million for protective equipment and said action on drugs includes X‑ray machines and staffing. On protest‑related remand, decisions are “made by judges independently of Government”. In Topical Questions, the Government cited the Sentencing Act 2026 and plans to “build 14,000 new places by 2030”, backed by £7 billion.

Urgent Question: Iran

The Minister condemned Iran’s “horrific attacks on protesters” and highlighted a “sweeping package of sanctions… including the designations of the Minister of the Interior, police chiefs and prolific Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps members”. He said an internet blackout made it “impossible… to reach a reliable figure” for casualties. Domestically, Iran has been placed at the top tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme and the UK has introduced “550 sanctions”. He pointed to UK‑led UN action extending the independent fact‑finding mission. On the IRGC, he said it is already “sanctioned in its entirety” and that Government will bring forward “state‑analogous” proscription legislation consistent with the Hall review. He would not comment on hypotheticals regarding US action, reiterating the UK’s commitment to international law. The UK embassy in Tehran has reopened with staff returned, though consular assistance remains constrained.

Statement: Separation Centres Review (prisons)

Following the April 2025 attack on officers at HMP Frankland, the Government accepted “all 13” recommendations from Jonathan Hall KC’s review. Immediate measures included £15 million for protective equipment and taser training. Reforms will strengthen risk management and governance; the Government will “explore all available options to overhaul the system, including… tougher super‑max‑style units… [in] a tiered system” and will improve referral quality via a specialist team. Policy and legal changes will aim to reduce litigation risks while remaining ECHR‑compliant, including considering legislation to protect decisions from article 8 challenges. Intelligence collection and use will be modernised with additional training and work with the security service. The Justice Secretary noted some steps depend on the next spending review and legislation, so extend beyond this Parliament.

Ten Minute Rule Bill: British‑made Bricks (Proposals)

Adam Jogee sought to require the Government to “publish proposals for measures to increase the use of British‑made bricks” in construction, linking this to housing, public projects and industrial decarbonisation. He criticised reliance on imports as “bonkers” and argued UK bricks are higher quality and lower‑carbon in transport. The House agreed to First Reading; Second Reading was set for 27 February.

Second Reading: Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill

The Secretary of State said the two‑child limit drove child poverty and that repeal is part of a wider child‑poverty strategy, funded by savings from fraud and error, changes to the Motability scheme and reform of online gambling taxation. He added the Bill “removes the need for the vile policy known as the rape clause”. Opposition (Conservative) speakers argued repeal was unfair to working taxpayers and risked disincentivising work, asking “why should people on benefits get to avoid the hard choices” and warning “the best way out of poverty will not be work; it will be having babies”. Outcome: The Bill was read a Second time by 458–104, with programme and money resolutions agreed and the Bill committed to a Committee of the whole House.

Adjournment: Fish and chip sector

A Member highlighted rising prices and falling sales, citing ONS data: the average price of a portion reached “£10.96 in December”, with sales down “21% in 2024”. The Minister outlined support: securing white‑fish opportunities (“approximately £115 million‑worth” for cod and haddock in 2026), diversifying species (re‑introducing British‑caught rock salmon) and extending the suspension of tariffs on sunflower oil “until 31 December 2026”. Wider help included business rates support via a “new permanently lower tax” for eligible hospitality properties and reforms to the non‑domestic energy market, including regulating brokers, expected to commence in the second half of 2027.