King’s Speech Closes Session as PMQs Confirms No‑Fault Eviction Ban
High-Level Summary
The Commons opened with Women and Equalities questions covering support for sexual assault survivors on the Isle of Wight, autism and employment, a commitment to ban conversion practices, tackling violence against women and girls, and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) reform. Prime Minister’s Questions focused on welfare, defence and the economy; the Prime Minister announced a £300 million AstraZeneca investment and said no‑fault evictions would be scrapped on Friday. The House granted leave for a Ten Minute Rule Bill to strengthen in‑person banking services. Royal Assent to multiple Acts was notified and His Majesty’s Most Gracious Speech at prorogation summarised the Government’s programme, formally ending the Session.
Detailed Summary
Support for sexual assault survivors on the Isle of Wight
Richard Quigley said the lack of a sexual assault referral centre forces survivors to “make a long ferry journey” to Portsmouth or Southampton to access support. The Minister said the area receives core grant funding via the Hampshire police and crime commissioner and added, “I would be delighted to meet my hon. Friend to discuss that”. In response to the shadow Minister’s criticism of “platitudes” for victims, the Minister said Government is investing “over half a billion pounds” in victim support over three years and is working with the National Police Chiefs’ Council, while being mindful of sub judice issues.
Autism and employment
The Minister said the Connect to Work supported employment programme “will be open throughout England and Wales by the summer” and includes a specialist pathway for neurodivergent people. He highlighted funding for ACAS masterclasses to 1,800 SME representatives and an online employer support service. Responding to concerns about local service closures, he said, “We will act as he suggested”.
Ban on conversion practices
The Minister said conversion practices are abusive and “the Government will outlaw them as soon as possible”. She committed that “this Labour Government will ban them” and will “publish draft legislation as soon as possible”, confirming a “trans‑inclusive” approach. Asked what would be banned, she said such practices involve people being subjected to “physical and emotional abuse to change their identity” and concluded, “we will ban it”.
Violence against women and girls (VAWG)
The Minister said the cross‑Government strategy aims to “halve the levels of violence against women and girls within a decade”. On housing support, she cited duties under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and said nearly £500 million will be provided over three years for safe accommodation for eligible victims. She condemned recent “racially motivated sexual attacks” and noted police can pursue racially aggravated offences. Addressing cultural and online harms, she described tackling “the online proliferation of harmful narratives” and said the Government is working with Ofcom on algorithms and teacher support. She agreed to meet on proposals for “Chantel’s law” and noted ongoing Law Commission work on desecration of a body. She also said she was meeting advocacy groups on investigating suicides linked to domestic abuse and highlighted the Law Commission’s homicide review.
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) reform
The Secretary of State said proposals will deliver a reformed SEND system “backed by £4 billion of investment” with a three‑tier framework and strengthened support, aiming for earlier intervention and better outcomes. She described a joint approach with Health and the “Experts at Hand” initiative to provide targeted specialist help and reduce adversarial processes.
Topical Women and Equalities issues
The Minister said employers can publish new voluntary action plans this month to address the gender pay gap and support women experiencing the menopause. She intends to lay the updated Equality and Human Rights Commission code of practice “in May, as soon as possible after the election period”. Responding to concerns about nurses, she said, “they deserve dignity at work” and noted the regulator’s independence. She added, “No one should face pressure or undue influence around their voting behaviour”, and reassured that trans people “will continue to be protected from discrimination” under the Equality Act.
Prime Minister’s Questions
The Prime Minister highlighted the King’s state visit to the United States and said this Session delivered “the biggest upgrade in workers’ rights in a generation”. He contrasted Government delivery on workers’ rights, housing, steel, waterways and NHS funding with opposition parties.
Challenged on welfare and worklessness, the Leader of the Opposition claimed 1.5 million more people are out of work and that the UK spends more on welfare than it raises in income tax. The Prime Minister replied that the current welfare system was created by the previous Government and said, “We are reforming it”. On defence, he said this Government increased spending and cited a former Defence Secretary’s view that the armed forces had been “hollowed out” previously. On the economy, he referred to lower inflation and repeated interest rate cuts, and linked higher borrowing costs to the conflict in Iran, adding he would not be “dragged into that war”. He characterised an opposition motion as a “desperate, baseless political stunt” and said he had chaired a Cobra meeting on the Middle East.
PMQs: policy announcements and other questions
The Prime Minister agreed to consider extending compensation for those dismissed from the security services for their sexuality, stating, “the Security Minister is assessing this closely” and committing to a meeting. He told the House that “AstraZeneca… is investing £300 million in UK life sciences” and confirmed “this Friday no‑fault evictions will be scrapped once and for all”. He said the work of the international humanitarian law unit “has not ended” but will be done by a different team after a restructure. He also undertook to pursue a response on a local landfill issue raised at the close of proceedings.
Ten Minute Rule Motion: In‑Person Banking Services Bill
Alan Mak sought leave to introduce a Bill requiring the Financial Conduct Authority to set standards for in‑person banking. Citing closures, he said there are “nearly 50 constituencies… without a single bank branch left” and that more than 3 million people do not use online banking. He welcomed access‑to‑cash measures and banking hubs—“Through the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023, we protected access to cash”—but argued current rules over‑focus on cash access.
He proposed expanding hubs to provide broader face‑to‑face services and stressed it is “not about mandating a return to the old model of bank branches”. Outcome: “Question put and agreed to”; the Bill was read the First time and is scheduled for Second Reading on Friday 8 May.
Royal Assent and prorogation
A Commission authorised Royal Assent to multiple Acts, including the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 and the Victims and Courts Act 2026. His Majesty’s Most Gracious Speech summarised the Session, including “laying the foundations for economic growth”, renters’ protections, Great British Energy—“established to power the nation with clean, secure, home‑grown energy”—and a “biggest sustained increase in defence spending”. Internationally, the Government “formally recognis[ed] the State of Palestine” as part of efforts towards peace and reaffirmed support for Ukraine. Parliament was then prorogued to “Wednesday the 13th day of May”.
Points of Order
On stabbings in Barnet, the Prime Minister called the incident “deeply concerning” and urged support for the police investigation. The Speaker described allegations about an external firm’s activities concerning journalists as “very serious” and said they need “to be investigated thoroughly”. He also reminded Members to notify colleagues when visiting another constituency—“I expect Members on all sides of the House to show that courtesy”—and reiterated he is not responsible for correcting political claims in debate, while urging timely ministerial answers.