Adoption Apology, Leasehold Reform Push Shape Commons Agenda
High-Level Summary
The Commons held Business and Trade questions covering the Employment Rights Act 2025 rollout, supply‑chain resilience, sectoral support (distilling, advanced manufacturing, hospitality), European trade, and small business policy. The Leader of the House announced the legislative timetable for early July and the summer recess dates. The Prime Minister issued a formal, cross‑party‑welcomed apology for historical forced adoption and set out support measures. MPs debated leasehold/commonhold reform with a strong focus on regulating managing agents; the House agreed a motion urging legislation. Subsequent debates addressed access to further education funding and an Adjournment on FCDO policing support in Lebanon.
Detailed Summary
Oral Answers to Questions: Business and Trade
Employment rights and labour market. Ministers said the Employment Rights Act 2025 is being implemented in phases and listed changes already made: “We have already repealed burdensome trade union legislation, strengthened statutory sick pay, introduced day one paternity leave rights and launched the Fair Work Agency.” On zero‑hours contracts and one‑sided flexibility, the Government said “we want to get flexibility and security right” through consultation. An updated impact assessment was cited as reducing business cost estimates to “£1 billion.”
Supply chains and sectors. The Minister highlighted the new supply chain centre “to strengthen that resilience” and confirmed El Niño risks are being monitored: “We believe that it has already started.” For distillers, support via UKEF and export services was outlined, noting whisky exports “over £5.4 billion in 2025”, and that Ministers are “considering the temporary suspension of tariffs on kerosene oil.”
Advanced manufacturing and autos. The Secretary of State referred to ongoing delivery of a “10‑year modern industrial strategy” and sector plans. On the US market, he said, “we got tariffs reduced to 10% for 100,000 cars.” Asked about the zero emission vehicle mandate, he said the Government must “deliver net zero targets” while being creative about the route to them.
Europe and trade reset. The Minister said the UK is pursuing bilateral “digital trade corridors” with Germany and France and a wider EU reset, adding, in his words, “we stand ready to ‘Push the Button’.” He criticised the previous EU deal and pledged to improve conditions for UK farmers and exporters.
Small business and ADR. On the Alternative Dispute Resolution (Fees) Regulations, the Department “has not provided guidance on that matter” and will “conduct a review” in the autumn.
Youth employment and regional growth. Ministers pointed to “£2.5 billion over the next three years” and 19 additional technical excellence colleges. They also highlighted measures on apprenticeships and tech skills. Funding and regional initiatives included “£720 million in the greater Lincolnshire investment fund over the next 30 years.”
Carers, hospitality, late payments. The Government is consulting on enhanced employment rights for unpaid carers, including “paid leave” and a “right to return.” For hospitality, Ministers cited permanently lower business rate multipliers, a £4.3 billion rates package and a “hospitality support fund to £10 million over three years.” A summer VAT cut on selected activities was also noted. On late payment, the Commercial Payments Bill sets 60‑day maximum terms with “mandatory interest on late invoices.” The Government said the Employment Rights Act could benefit “more than 18 million workers.”
Topical updates. The Secretary of State said the industrial strategy had “secured around £360 billion of private investment” and that “on 15 July, our trade deal with India will enter into force.”
Business of the House
The Leader of the House set out business for 6–10 July, including consideration of Lords amendments to the National Security (State Threats) Bill, Backbench Business debates, and the House rising on 16 July and returning on 1 September. He highlighted the launch of the youth jobs grant “this week” and the repeal of the Vagrancy Act 1824.
On defence, he said spending would rise to “almost £80 billion a year by 2029,” and noted support from NATO’s Secretary‑General and the Chief of the Defence Staff. On the Palace of Westminster restoration, he said, “I hope to bring forward a motion shortly to allow the House a long overdue debate on the next steps with R and R.” He responded to numerous constituency issues, often offering to raise matters with Departments or facilitate meetings (examples include a1028.3/1, a1030.3/2, a1031.3/1, a1032.0/1).
Prime Minister’s Statement: Historical Forced Adoption
The Prime Minister apologised for harms caused by historical adoption practices, calling them “a stain on our history” and stating, “The shame is not yours. The shame was never yours. The shame is ours.” He accepted state responsibility: “Those harms were compounded by the actions and failures of the state.”
He announced: a national online resource to locate records and a consultation to retain them for 100 years; expansion of funded intermediary services and national peer‑led support groups; NHS guidance, with options for recording experiences in health records; and a testimonials project. He said, “We are being guided by those affected” and that responsibility “will be with the Department for Education.” He indicated the Government would consider specialist mental health pathways. Cross‑party responses welcomed the apology and urged survivor‑led delivery and continued dialogue.
National Audit Office: Appointment of Chair
The House agreed an Humble Address to appoint Michael Jary CBE as Chair of the National Audit Office from 10 January 2027: “That an Humble Address be presented to His Majesty, praying that His Majesty will appoint Michael Jary CBE to the Office of Chair of the National Audit Office from 10 January 2027.” The Public Accounts Committee Chair welcomed his experience and paid tribute to Dame Fiona Reynolds.
Backbench Business: Commonhold and Leasehold Reform (Regulating Managing Agents)
Opening the debate, Members drew on the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee’s scrutiny of the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill and called for statutory regulation of property managing agents with enforcement powers. Case studies described residents feeling “like cash cows.” Lord Best’s evidence to the Committee was cited: “being qualified doesn’t necessarily make people behave properly; you still need a code of practice and enforcement.”
Replying, the Minister said the Government intends “by the end of this Parliament” to dismantle leasehold, and confirmed the Bill will cap existing ground rents at £250, moving to a peppercorn after 40 years, saving an estimated £10–12.7 billion. He said they would seek to introduce the cap “by 2028 at the latest” and that he was “personally extremely sympathetic” to establishing an independent regulator of managing agents. The House resolved a motion urging the Government to legislate for a regulator with enforcement powers.
Backbench Business: Access to Further Education
Sarah Pochin highlighted limited post‑16 provision in Runcorn and proposed a local skills and apprenticeship hub linked to major employers, noting that, for some, “Crossing the bridge into Widnes means paying the toll and facing additional travel time and cost.” She advocated aligning courses with roles at Sci‑Tech Daresbury and other local firms.
The Minister announced “an additional £120 million for further education in 2026-27, rising to £365 million in 2027-28,” with per‑student funding up “over 12% in two years,” and “£570 million to create the space that is needed in FE” to meet demographic growth. He referenced the youth guarantee, jobs guarantee, and the introduction of V‑levels alongside T‑levels and A‑levels. The House agreed the motion on access to further education.
Adjournment Debate: Siren Associates Ltd – FCDO Contracts
Richard Tice questioned FCDO funding for Lebanese policing support delivered by Siren Associates, characterising a recent award as “a grotesque abuse of taxpayers’ cash.” He alleged high director and management fees from earlier contracts and called for an inquiry and suspension of the current award (not agreed).
The Minister replied that the FCDO has “one contract with Siren Associates” awarded via a competitive framework with due diligence, currently “valued at £17.2 million over three years,” and that reviews found no impediment to award. He said supporting Lebanon’s security is “firmly in the UK’s national interest.” No decision was taken; the House adjourned.