Commons Fast-Tracks Energy Levy, Tightens Protections

High-Level Summary

The Commons examined online safety and research policy, defence and foreign affairs, flood insurance reform, and a fast‑tracked tax bill. Ministers outlined steps to strengthen Ofcom’s crisis protocols and protect children online, with further consultations and statements promised. Prime Minister’s Questions focused on defence funding and public services, with the Prime Minister announcing matched aid for Venezuela and defending a new defence investment plan. An urgent question condemned Israel’s proposed E1 settlement expansion and warned businesses of consequences, while a statement announced reforms to Flood Re to better target support and boost household resilience. The House then expedited and passed the Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill, raising the Electricity Generator Levy, increasing approved mileage rates from April 2026, and granting a temporary HGV VED holiday.

Detailed Summary

Oral Questions: Science, Innovation and Technology

On Ofcom’s crisis response, the Minister said the Government had asked Ofcom to accelerate updates to codes under the Online Safety Act, with “a clear crisis playbook required of risky platforms”. He added that “Misinformation is very much under consideration, and I have spoken to Ofcom about categories of harm as part of the crisis playbooks”.

On children’s online safety, the Secretary of State highlighted new prohibitions, including banning social media services to under‑16s and sexualised chatbots for under‑18s. She promised further action such as “breaks in infinite scrolling” and a forthcoming statement, and said a summer consultation would cover “digital replicas” and a taskforce on AI content labelling. On dangerous content, the Minister stated eating‑disorder material is now “a primary priority content offence” under the Online Safety Act. On funding for astronomy and space science, the Minister said STFC’s core budget was being maintained and “No final decisions are being made, but STFC is working through that with the community”. On women in tech, the Secretary of State said the taskforce’s call‑for‑evidence results would be published next week and announced initiatives including “a new tech first girls programme”. In topical questions, ministers offered meetings and updates (e.g. mobile coverage: “arrange a meeting”) and said work on transparency and digital replicas would be “critical” for creatives. No divisions; next steps include further statements and consultations.

Prime Minister’s Questions

The Prime Minister announced UK support for Venezuela relief: “we will match public donations up to £2 million on aid”, and set out a defence investment plan “to buy British to create jobs here at home”. Exchanges focused on whether defence spending was sufficient; the Prime Minister said it was “the most significant upgrade in defence spending since the 1980s”, while the Opposition highlighted a £5 billion shortfall and reliance on unidentified savings.

Sir Ed Davey urged stronger missile defence and proposed defence bonds; the Prime Minister rejected bonds as “borrowing by another name”, and later said the UK‑EU relationship had been “transformed” in the last two years. Other topics included political intolerance—“our politics is becoming more divisive”—local health facilities, space capability, dentistry, migration and asylum (removals “up 41%” and hotel closures progressing), and women’s health and maternity accountability. No votes; the session comprised policy statements, figures cited, and offers to meet or review.

Urgent Question: Israel’s planned expansion in the E1 zone

The Middle East Minister said the Government “firmly oppose the E1 settlement plan” as a “serious breach of international law”, warned of legal and reputational risks for participating businesses, and noted updated guidance advising against economic activity in settlements. He added the UK is “in discussion with partners…who have explored how a ban on settlement trade might work”.

Pressed on sanctions and timelines, he declined to pre‑announce sanctions, said ministers are watching “who bids for those tenders”, and indicated the current tender period is expected to run to October. He confirmed coordination with allies, efforts on accountability for settler violence, and that political developments in Israel form part of the context. No new measures were announced, but further steps remain under consideration.

Statement: Flood Insurance – Reform of Flood Re

The Minister announced reforms to keep Flood Re fair and sustainable, citing inequity where support had disproportionately gone to high‑band properties. She gave an example £3 million claim covering luxury amenities and said, “without reform… average‑income and low‑income households are subsidising… the richest households”. Measures include reforming premiums to target by council tax band and region, introducing a cap on claims passed to Flood Re, cutting contents‑only premiums for bands A and B to £25 from April 2027, and piloting Flood Performance Certificates while strengthening Build Back Better.

In exchanges, the Minister said Flood Re “has been an amazing success, but… it needs to change”, confirmed a claims cap from 2028 and extensive engagement with insurers, and said pilots would include social housing. Eligibility (e.g. leaseholders) would be kept under review. No division; reforms are scheduled from 2027/2028, with further updates promised.

Points of Order

Members sought clarity on Government commitments to doubling medical school places and on the convention of notifying MPs of constituency visits. The Chair advised pursuing policy clarification via usual routes and reiterated the courtesy that failure to notify is “rightly regarded by colleagues as very discourteous”. No decisions were taken.

Ten Minute Rule Motion: Medical Services (Rural Areas) Bill

Ben Maguire sought leave to introduce a Bill requiring a Government strategy to expand Minor Injuries Units and Urgent Treatment Centres in rural areas, with annual reporting. He cited travel and access challenges and workforce issues. The House granted leave—“Question put and agreed to”—and the Bill was read the First time, with Second Reading set for Friday 16 October.

Supply and Appropriation (Main Estimates) Bill

Under Standing Orders, the Bill was taken formally and passed without debate: “Question agreed to… Bill accordingly read the Third time and passed”. This authorises Government spending in line with the Main Estimates.

Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill (fast‑tracked)

The House agreed a Business of the House motion to fast‑track proceedings. At Second Reading, ministers argued the measures respond to costs arising from the Middle East conflict. The Bill raises the Electricity Generator Levy from 45% to 55% from 1 July, with ministers saying it returns more “exceptional revenue” and supports voluntary wholesale contracts for difference (CfDs); the consultation on CfDs will launch before year‑end. It increases approved mileage rates to 55p for the first 10,000 miles for 2026‑27, effective 6 April 2026, and grants a 12‑month HGV VED holiday at £1 “for licences taken out between 1 July 2026—today—and 30 June 2027”.

Opposition parties broadly supported the Bill but sought review/sunset provisions and clearer costings. Proposed new clauses for reviews of care‑worker mileage (NC2 Ayes 80, Noes 281), the EGL rate (NC4 Ayes 173, Noes 282), and HGV VED (NC5 Ayes 177, Noes 308) were defeated. The Bill passed all stages the same day: “Bill accordingly read the Third time and passed”. Ministers indicated OBR costings would be provided at the Budget.

Petition: Drink driving, drug driving and dangerous driving laws

Peter Dowd presented a petition calling for “Tim’s Law”, including immediate licence suspension for suspected serious offences, rapid evidential roadside saliva testing for drug driving, stronger action against repeat offending, and improved monitoring and enforcement. The petition was formally recorded.

Adjournment: Packaging Manufacturers and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

Sarah Champion argued that the current packaging EPR unfairly penalises heavier, infinitely recyclable materials such as glass, risks job losses and offshoring, and may double‑charge hospitality; she urged urgent mitigation. The Minister defended the policy’s objectives and said fee modulation now rewards recyclability—“more than 93% of glass will receive a ‘green’ discount”. She said the Government is working on the “dual‑use” issue, considering short‑term measures via an amending statutory instrument and longer‑term solutions drawn from international practice. A call for evidence will be launched this year and a post‑implementation review is due by December 2028. No division; further engagement with industry and devolved administrations was confirmed.

Deferred Divisions: Employment Tribunals

The House was notified that two employment tribunal instruments were approved in deferred divisions: the Employment Tribunal Regulations by 323–107 and the Extension of Jurisdiction Order by 318–107.