Energy Overhaul, Mandelson Row and Devolution Clashes

High-Level Summary

The Commons began with a tribute marking what would have been Queen Elizabeth II’s 100th birthday, before Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office questions ranged across illicit finance, Interpol red notices, the West Bank, Iran’s human rights abuses, Russia sanctions and the Gulf crisis. The Chancellor then delivered a Middle East: Economic Update, announcing measures to weaken the gas–power price link, extend and raise the electricity generator levy, and support North Sea tiebacks. MPs held an emergency debate on Government accountability for Peter Mandelson’s appointment; Ministers defended the process, announced independent reviews and a leak inquiry. The House considered Lords amendments to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, accepting some (including a new cultural competence and taxi/PHV enforcement powers) and rejecting others (including a statutory brownfield-first rule, rural affairs as a competence and an agent-of-change clause) in a series of divisions. Other business included a ten-minute rule bill on noisy road surfaces, approval of two statutory instruments and an adjournment debate confirming progress to remove the SS Richard Montgomery’s masts.

Detailed Summary

Speaker’s statement

The Speaker marked what would have been the late Queen Elizabeth II’s 100th birthday, praising her service: “She was the longest serving monarch this country has known”. No decisions arose from this item.

Illicit Finance Summit (FCDO Questions)

Stephen Doughty said the 2026 summit would “convene a coalition of international partners to scale up global enforcement against illicit finance” and target “illicit gold, money laundering in the property sector and the abuse of cryptoassets”. On overseas territories and beneficial ownership, he said some have made “important progress”, but “a number have not gone far enough” and he was “very hopeful” of advances on access to registers.

Interpol red notices (FCDO Questions)

Hamish Falconer reaffirmed UK support for Interpol and its reforms “to enhance safeguards against abuse”. On a constituency case he agreed to meet and noted the long‑standing policy that the UK “can neither confirm nor deny the existence of an Interpol alert in a public forum”; he repeated that such notices are not confirmed in public when asked about Members of Parliament.

West Bank: illegal settlements (FCDO Questions)

The Foreign Secretary said settlements are “a flagrant violation of international law” and urged Israel to “stop the expansion of settlements… and the unacceptable levels of settler violence”. She referenced three UK sanctions packages linked to settler violence and said the UK recognised the state of Palestine “to support the viability of a two-state solution”. She added that UK organisations should “recognise that the settlements on the west bank are illegal” and that tariff preferences do not apply to settlement goods.

Iran: human rights (FCDO Questions)

Hamish Falconer called Iran’s human rights situation “totally abhorrent” and said the UK had sanctioned senior decision makers and backed a UN fact‑finding mission. On Lindsay and Craig Foreman, he said “it is absolutely obvious that they are innocent tourists” and the UK will “continue to pursue this case”. On UN appointments and the IRGC, he said the UK could not block an automatic regional appointment but had “sanctioned the entirety of the IRGC”.

Russia: increasing financial pressure (FCDO Questions)

Stephen Doughty cited over 1,200 Russia designations and action against nearly 600 vessels, estimating allied measures have denied Russia “at least $450 billion” since 2022. He said the UK would “continue to ratchet up the economic pressure” and prevent any “bonanza for Putin”. On deported Ukrainian children, he praised UK‑backed tracing work and said the figure is “absolutely appalling”.

Gulf conflict and Strait of Hormuz (FCDO Questions)

The Foreign Secretary described a “critical diplomatic moment” with a two‑week ceasefire needing extension and called for “the reopening of the strait with no conditions and no tolls”. She confirmed “UK bases could be used only for defensive operations, not offensive operations” and said the G7 had stressed avoiding attacks on civilian infrastructure. As a confidence‑building measure, she backed the IMO plan to move stranded ships and seafarers: “We need to get those ships moving and those seafarers home”. She also noted £30 million this year for Lebanon and support to the Lebanese armed forces.

UK–Mauritius treaty (FCDO Questions)

Stephen Doughty underlined Diego Garcia’s strategic role and said “the UK‑Mauritius treaty is the best way to defend the future of the base”, while noting a delay. On Chagossians arriving in the UK, he said arrivals followed citizenship agreements “under the previous Government”, and support had been provided to councils. He rejected claims the deal lacked allied support.

Gibraltar UK–EU treaty (FCDO Questions)

Stephen Doughty said provisional application is “possible from 15 July” to secure a fluid border and economic certainty. He assured the treaty “protects the operational autonomy of our military facilities” and that sovereignty “was never on the table”, with unanimous support in Gibraltar’s Parliament. He said CRaG scrutiny would proceed “in the usual way”, though EU timelines affect laying.

Topical FCDO questions

Opening topical remarks, the Foreign Secretary said she was “very troubled” Parliament was not told UK Security Vetting had recommended against Peter Mandelson’s vetting, and she has “commissioned a review of all the information provided”. She reiterated that Ministers “should have been told” about UKSV’s conclusions. Other topics included Sudan—calling for “an urgent ceasefire, a humanitarian truce and humanitarian access”, with participants pledging over £1 billion—and counter‑disinformation, where Ministers said the electoral system is resilient but Russia seeks to “sow discord”.

Statement: Middle East – Economic Update (Chancellor)

Rachel Reeves set out measures to bolster energy and economic security amid the Gulf crisis, including reform to weaken the gas–power price link. She will “extend the electricity generator levy beyond its scheduled conclusion in 2028, and… increase the rate… from 45% to 55%” to encourage older generators to move to contracts for difference. She advanced North Sea resilience by allowing tiebacks, publishing details “which… could result in tens of millions more barrels of oil and gas”, and pledged to accelerate grid, reform land access and expand permitted development for renewables. Responding to criticism, she said delinking aims “to move to fixed prices” and that increasing the levy “incentivise[s] those energy companies to… come on to contracts for difference”. On fuel duty, she said she had twice extended the freeze and cut and was “preparing for every eventuality” before September. She indicated benefits from decoupling should begin “in the months ahead”, alongside a higher levy this year. No division was taken.

Points of order (accuracy of ministerial statements)

Members sought guidance on inadvertent misleading of the House and queried references to £150 off energy bills in Northern Ireland. The Chair reiterated Ministers’ responsibility to ensure answers are correct and suggested following up with the Clerk of the Journals; concerns were “put firmly on the record”. No procedural decisions ensued.

Ten Minute Rule Motion: Road Surfaces (Maximum Noise Levels) Bill

Melanie Onn sought leave to bring in a Bill to prohibit noisy road surfacing and require resurfacing where in‑vehicle noise exceeds a maximum. She said concrete roads such as the A180 create noise akin to “a nightclub or a chainsaw” (106–108 dB). The Bill would set “a maximum acceptable noise level for road surfaces” and require resurfacing where exceeded. Leave was granted; Second Reading is scheduled for Friday 1 May.

Emergency debate: Peter Mandelson – Government appointment

On a neutral motion, the Opposition argued the Prime Minister appointed Peter Mandelson before vetting was complete, that pressure was applied to accelerate the appointment, and that security was put at risk. Kemi Badenoch said the PM “appointed Peter Mandelson before vetting was complete” and that he “placed top secret intelligence in the hands of a man he knew to be a national security risk”. Replying, the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister maintained “The Prime Minister followed the process that was in place” and stated that FCDO officials granted DV contrary to UKSV’s recommendation without informing Ministers. He announced a review led by Sir Adrian Fulford and a separate security review, and confirmed “a leak inquiry is now under way”. The motion—“That this House has considered”—was agreed without division.

English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill: Consideration of Lords Amendments

Ministers accepted several changes, including adding culture as a competence for strategic authorities, expanding commissioners and strengthening scrutiny via new local scrutiny committees. They also backed taxi/PHV enforcement reforms allowing immediate suspensions “where necessary to address a risk to public safety” and reporting on national standards. The Government opposed other Lords proposals: a statutory agent‑of‑change clause (preferring strengthened national planning policy and guidance), rural affairs as a separate competence (promising guidance instead), lowering the London Assembly budget threshold (retaining two‑thirds), a statutory brownfield‑first rule (arguing it should remain policy), and a parish‑governance strategy (tabling an amendment in lieu to include parishes within neighbourhood governance). They supported a mechanism for the Secretary of State to resolve rare historic defects in disposal of statutory‑trust public land under strict tests. Divisions: the Commons disagreed with Lords amendments including 2 (rural affairs) by 293–155, 13 (London budget threshold) by 297–147, 26 (brownfield priority) by 287–149, 36 (local governance model) by 288–147, 37 (parish strategy) by 291–144 (Government amendment in lieu made), and 41 (agent of change) by 284–149. Numerous other Lords amendments were disagreed; remaining amendments were agreed, with financial privilege waived on No. 39. A Reasons Committee was appointed.

Delegated legislation and Electoral Commission appointment

The House approved the Train Driving Licences and Certificates (Amendment) Regulations 2026 and the Ministerial and other Salaries Act 1975 (Amendment) Order 2026 without division. It also ordered an Humble Address praying for the appointment of Mr Alan Mabbutt OBE as an Electoral Commissioner from 1 May 2026 to 30 April 2030.

Public petitions

Two petitions were presented: one urging progress of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, citing “overwhelming public support”, and another seeking free access for Somerset residents to the closest household waste recycling centre in Sherborne. No decisions were taken on petitions.

Adjournment: SS Richard Montgomery – Masts

Kevin McKenna raised safety, heritage and plans for removing the wreck’s masts. The Government confirmed updated modelling shows that even a worst‑case scenario would likely cause only minor onshore damage, with “no debris expected to reach Sheerness or any other town”. A no‑fly restriction was introduced to protect aircraft “in an absolute worst‑case scenario”. Resolve Marine has been appointed to prepare mast‑reduction works with “the best chance of achieving… safely by 2027”. On preserving masts, Ministers said any future display depends on condition and that the wreck “remains the property of the United States Government”, so decisions require US consultation.