Commons Passes Health Bill, Targets Illegal Settlement Trade

High-Level Summary

The Commons day covered Treasury Questions on growth, devolution and business costs, an Urgent Question on Falkland Islands sovereignty, two Government statements (on Israel/Palestine and online child safety), and Report/Third Reading of the Health Bill. MPs approved Government provisions to overhaul medical devices regulation and information‑sharing, while Opposition proposals on corridor care, puberty blockers and single‑sex NHS facilities were defeated. Several statutory instruments were approved, petitions were presented, and the day ended with an adjournment debate on regulating retirement property management companies. No divisions occurred on the statements or Third Reading; divisions decided several Report stage proposals.

Detailed Summary

Business before Questions: Committee of Selection

The House ordered changes to the Committee of Selection, discharging Jerome Mayhew and Mike Wood and adding David Simmonds and Rebecca Smith: “Ordered,” and the motion naming Members was agreed to. Outcome: Committee membership updated.

Oral Answers to Treasury Questions: growth, devolution and business costs

Economic growth and devolution. The Chancellor said the UK economy had shown “huge resilience” and confirmed that “in the first six months of this year, the UK economy grew the fastest in the G7” while outlining steps to back growth, including backing innovation, changing the Green Book discount rate and cutting bureaucracy. He reiterated that he would not pre‑empt Budget measures: “no Chancellor ahead of a Budget would have commented on speculation” and he would set out decisions on 28 October. On Heathrow expansion, he said the Government had given it the go‑ahead “because the economic case stacks up”.

Private investment with local leaders. The Exchequer Secretary said Ministers intended to shift power and resources to local leaders to crowd in private capital via local industrial strategies, discussing projects in Stoke and north Staffordshire, Liverpool Central, and issues including Northern Ireland steel tariffs and the south‑west economy.

Business rates and hospitality. Ministers highlighted a 20% business rates cut for pubs, clubs and music venues from April 2027, building on a 15% reduction earlier in the year: “a 20% cut in business rates for them… building on the 15% reduction earlier this year”. A review of the valuation approach for pubs and hotels will report in time for the next revaluation.

High streets and rates reform. The Chancellor trailed a forthcoming high street strategy and described July’s 20% relief as a “down payment on further reform” and a means of giving businesses “a bit of breathing space”.

Regional funding and devolution. The Chief Secretary said the forthcoming Budget would include plans for further fiscal devolution, including greater retention of business rates for local councils and strategic authorities, and confirmed that areas without mayors could still gain powers over skills, transport and housing. Cornwall‑specific devolution and investment examples were cited.

Fuel duty and the cost of living. The Government confirmed the temporary 5p fuel duty cut would be extended until the end of the year and said further decisions would be taken at the Budget: “the temporary 5p cut will be extended till the end of the year” and “any future decisions will be taken at the Budget”.

Public sector productivity. The Chief Secretary said public sector productivity was improving, citing “the NHS delivering 3.5% productivity growth in 2025-26” and an overall efficiency target of £14 billion by 2028‑29, including AI adoption. Outcome: Questions; no decisions.

Urgent Question: Falkland Islands sovereignty

Minister Kirsty McNeill reaffirmed that the Falkland Islanders’ right to self‑determination is paramount: “There can be no doubt that the Falkland Islands are British for as long as they want to be”. She said the UK wanted a constructive relationship with Argentina while leaving no doubt about sovereignty, and noted a commitment to meet 3.5% of GDP on defence by 2035: “committed to… meeting our NATO commitment of 3.5% of GDP on defence by 2035”. In response to questions, she said UK forces in the South Atlantic are maintained “at the appropriate level” and affirmed that the islands will remain British for as long as islanders wish. Outcome: No vote; Government restated policy and defence assurances.

Statement: Israel and Palestine — action on settlements, Gaza and the two‑state solution

The Foreign Secretary announced a new approach to uphold a two‑state solution. He stated that “the official view of the British Government is that the occupation is unlawful”, and set out measures including an import ban on goods from illegal settlements and a new sanctions regime to target those facilitating settlement expansion: “we will introduce an import ban on goods from illegal settlements” and “we will take action against specific companies and individuals”. He extended sanctions tools to breaches of international humanitarian law and said there would be a “double lock” on arms exports, refusing licences that materially contribute to the occupation. He supported the ICJ’s role on genocide allegations: “we support the court in coming to its determination”. Opposition concerns about practicality and cohesion were countered with the argument that action was necessary to preserve the two‑state solution: “Do we stand by… or do we act? We have chosen to act”. He said trade with Green Line Israel would continue. Outcome: Statement; legislation within six to nine months and continued international coordination, with other allies also moving to ban settlement goods.

Statement: Online Safety — device‑level protections for children

The Secretary of State set out plans to require device‑ and app‑level protections to prevent children from taking, sharing or viewing nude images. She committed to introduce primary legislation “as soon as we can” to mandate device‑level protections, alongside requirements on apps used by children. She said the UK would be “the first country in the world to go this far” and that the Government would not rely on voluntary action by companies. Outcome: Statement; legislation to follow and cross‑party engagement on privacy and encrypted services.

Health Bill: Report Stage and Third Reading

Government provisions were agreed to create a licensing framework for medical devices in Great Britain and to expand information‑sharing powers for medicines and devices. The Minister said this would “protect patients, support innovation and strengthen the UK’s life sciences sector” and that a clearer statutory basis for information sharing was needed, with safeguards for patient data. Government new clauses on medical devices regulation and disclosure were added without division.

Opposition and backbench proposals were defeated, including Liberal Democrat New Clause 140 on corridor care (Ayes 79, Noes 300); New Clause 142 to ban puberty blockers for under‑18s except by explicit parliamentary approval of trials (Ayes 108, Noes 357); and New Clause 143 on single‑sex NHS facilities (Ayes 106, Noes 302). An amendment to remove the transfer of HSSIB’s functions to the CQC was also defeated (Ayes 162, Noes 297).

The Bill passed Third Reading without division. The Secretary of State said the Government would table Lords amendments to establish England’s first statutory maternity commissioner. Outcome: Bill passed the Commons with Government medical devices reforms; several non‑Government proposals were negatived.

Delegated Legislation approvals

The House approved three instruments without division: the Licensing Act 2003 (Mandatory Licensing Conditions) (Amendment) Order 2026; the Building Safety Levy (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2026; and the Digital Government (Disclosure of Information) Regulations 2026. Outcome: SIs approved.

Petitions

Members presented petitions opposing the proposed expansion of Leicester city council boundaries and seeking a permanent pause, citing strong local opposition, and calling for the Copthorne Hotel to return from asylum accommodation to its previous use as an employer and community hub. Outcome: Petitions presented; no decisions taken.

Adjournment debate: regulation of retirement property management companies

Simon Hoare MP raised complaints about poor transparency, accountability and communications by some retirement management companies, citing cases involving Cognatum and residents’ vulnerability: “a significant number of residents are elderly and in poor health… many do not feel able to raise concerns”. He urged regulation of the Association of Retirement Housing Managers and better enforcement of existing landlord and tenant law.

Replying, the Minister said the Government would act against poor practice: “too often, the poor and unscrupulous managing agents let the sector down”. She announced plans for a code of practice for residential property agents “this year” and a consultation on qualifications “next year”, and said she would feed back to the Housing Minister and consider extending reforms to retirement providers. Outcome: No vote; Government signalled further action.