HS2 Reset and Redaction Row Define Commons; Energy Amendment Defeated

High-Level Summary

The House spent the day on Justice questions, a high‑profile Urgent Question on the Government’s handling of documents required under a Humble Address, a major Transport statement resetting High Speed 2 (HS2), and the continuing debate on the Gracious Speech focused on energy security. Ministers outlined family court changes, measures to reduce reoffending and violence against women and girls, and defended proposed jury trial reforms. The Transport Secretary set revised HS2 costs, timelines and scope changes while committing to complete the project. In the energy debate, the Opposition’s amendment on new oil and gas licences was defeated (Ayes 108, Noes 323).

Detailed Summary

Business before Questions and Speaker’s Notices

The House ordered a new writ for Makerfield following the vacancy created by appointment to the Chiltern Hundreds: “That the Speaker do issue his Warrant… for the Borough Constituency of Makerfield”. The Speaker announced arrangements for the private Members’ Bill ballot, including: “The ballot itself will be drawn at 9 am this Thursday in Committee Room 16”. Later, he confirmed Bob Blackman’s unopposed return as Chair of the Backbench Business Committee: “I congratulate Bob Blackman on his re‑election”. Next steps include the PMB ballot draw as scheduled and prompt nomination of Committee members, as urged by the Chair.

Oral Answers to Questions: Justice

Ministers set out family court reforms, including a child‑focused model and safeguarding measures. The Secretary of State said: “Repealing the presumption of parental involvement will ensure that children’s wellbeing continues to be the court’s primary focus”. He confirmed the family mediation voucher scheme “will be extended for another year” and added, “I will look carefully at the permanency of those arrangements”. On reoffending, plans covered housing, employment and treatment support, £700 million for probation, and expansion of intensive supervision courts. The Minister highlighted restorative justice developments and said “the Government will announce measures on re:hub… in due course”. On violence against women and girls, Ministers said they aim to halve such violence and will roll out GPS tagging nationally: “DAPOL will allow the Probation Service to tag any and all offenders who are considered to be at risk of perpetrating domestic abuse” from September. The Secretary of State defended proposed jury trial changes: “We are not scrapping juries; juries remain a cornerstone of our system”. On knife crime, he set a target of “halving knife crime within a decade” and pointed to recent guidance and a youth justice White Paper. On the Victims’ Code, the Minister said a strengthened code is being finalised after consultation: “we are now taking time to consider nearly 200 responses”. Other topics included support for men and boys, and prisoner releases in error, with data publication and action alongside Dame Lynne Owens’ review: “we also published… alongside Dame Lynne Owens’ independent review”. Outcomes included extension of mediation vouchers, national roll‑out of DAPOL tagging, further restorative justice plans, and work to finalise the new Victims’ Code.

Urgent Question: Government Response to the Humble Address

Updating the House on documents sought under the February Humble Address, the Minister said a second tranche—“one of the largest Government publications ever laid in this House”—will be issued “after Whitsun recess” with a methodology on redactions. He said targeted redactions follow established principles and that “there is no public interest in the Government publishing the names and contact details of junior officials”. ISC Members questioned whether the Government were redacting or withholding beyond the motion’s terms; Sir Jeremy Wright said the Government “intend to redact documents for other reasons not specifically permitted in the Humble Address” and also withhold some documents. The Minister rejected claims of a cover‑up—“I will not for one instant countenance the idea”—and reiterated that raw vetting interview data would not be shared, though UKSV’s summary recommendations were referred to the ISC. Pressed for a firm date, he said: “We stand ready to do so as soon as we are able to secure the time in the House”. Next steps are publication of the second tranche after Whitsun with redaction methodology, continued engagement with the ISC, and withholding of raw vetting data.

Transport Statement: High Speed 2 (HS2) Reset

The Secretary of State published the latest parliamentary report and the Lovegrove review, set a revised expected completion cost of “between £87.7 billion and £102.7 billion, priced in 2025”, and updated timelines: first services between Old Oak Common and Birmingham “between May 2036 and October 2039”; the full scheme to Handsacre “between May 2040 and December 2043”. Scope changes include aligning maximum speed to 320 kph, reducing automatic train operation, and conforming signalling to ETCS to lower risk and cost: “It could realise savings of up to £2.5 billion and save at least a year in delivery time”. She argued cancellation would be wasteful: “it could cost almost as much to cancel the line as it would to finish it” and committed to completion. Members raised constituency impacts (road closures, land/claims), supply chain and Northern Powerhouse Rail interfaces. The Secretary of State confirmed provision for Euston and signalling within the cost range: “there is provision within this range for the delivery of Euston… The signalling costs are also included”. Next steps include implementing the scope changes, strengthening delivery and claims processes, continuing works to Handsacre, and feasibility work on future connectivity north of Birmingham.

King’s Speech Debate (Day 4): Energy Security and Amendment (i) on new oil and gas licences

The Opposition amendment sought to reverse the planned ban on new oil and gas licences, approve projects such as Rosebank and Jackdaw, and other measures. The shadow Secretary of State said it was “a so‑called energy independence Bill that would shut down the North sea”. The Secretary of State framed energy independence as getting off volatile fossil fuel markets and onto clean, home‑grown power: “while we remain exposed to the fossil fuel rollercoaster, we are deeply vulnerable”. He said Labour would keep existing fields open for their lifetime and legislate for “transitional energy certificates” to enable tiebacks, while “nor are we in favour of a ‘drilling every last drop’ position”. He also signalled a nuclear regulation Bill and maintained windfall taxation of excess oil and gas profits [refs: a439.2/3; a441.9/1- a441.9/3]. The amendment was defeated: “The House divided: Ayes 108, Noes 323”. Next steps: the Energy Independence Bill and Nuclear Regulation Bill proceed as part of the Government’s programme.

Petitions

Two petitions were presented. North East Fife residents sought a cash or banking hub in Cupar, asserting that “everyone should be able to access cash and banking advice when they need it”. Residents in Mid Dorset and North Poole petitioned on antisocial driving in Holton Heath, citing “dangerous motor vehicle driving… for many years” and calling for measures such as acoustic cameras and increased patrols. Both petitions ask the Government to work with relevant authorities and industry.

Adjournment Debate: HS2 – Impact on Communities

The Member for Beaconsfield described sustained disruption from HS2 construction—road damage, noise and dust—and difficulties securing compensation, citing a constituent’s long‑running studio case: “Roads in Buckinghamshire have been destroyed… by the weight of HS2 lorries”. She sought timely resolution of outstanding disputes before HS2 planning powers expire in February 2027. The Minister acknowledged disruption and said HS2 must be a good neighbour, highlighting a highways deterioration fund and community/business funds: “We want to see HS2 Ltd leaving a positive legacy… through the community and business funds”. On compliance with undertakings, she said “compliance has fallen short in less than 1% of cases” but that is “1% too many”. On the cited studio case, HS2 is “facilitating and funding an alternative studio” and a “further onsite meeting [is] planned shortly”. Next steps: departmental oversight of HS2’s community obligations and case‑specific follow‑up.