Lords Toughen Protections in Crime Bill, Resist Wider Changes

High-Level Summary

The House of Lords took oral questions on telecom pricing, international forest protection, support for Armed Forces victims of sexual violence, and safeguards for police use of facial recognition. Three statutory instruments were approved without division. The Committee stage of the Crime and Policing Bill occupied most of the day, covering civil limitation rules for child sexual abuse claims, extensive proposals on online pornography and intimate image abuse, and government clauses creating offences for pornographic depictions of strangulation. The House also agreed government provisions to disregard and pardon historic soliciting convictions for under‑18s, while Ministers resisted immediate changes to prostitution law and the automatic commencement of the sex‑based public harassment offence. Two Church of England Measures—on licensing Armed Forces chaplains and establishing an abuse redress scheme—were approved for Royal Assent.

Detailed Summary

Introduction of Baroness Neate

Baroness Neate was introduced, took the oath and signed the Code of Conduct undertaking: “was introduced and took the oath” [ref: a103.0/1]; “signed an undertaking to abide by the Code of Conduct.” [ref: a103.0/1].

Oral Question: Mobile phone and broadband prices

The Government emphasised consumer empowerment and support for Ofcom to ensure fairness: “We support Ofcom in taking action to protect fairness and transparency” [ref: a103.4/1]. Ministers said they would not ban mid‑contract price rises but highlighted consumers’ right to exit and a review of the 30‑day notice period: “We have no plans to ban in‑contract price rises” [ref: a103.6/1]; consumers can leave “penalty‑free, for 30 days” after unexpected rises [ref: a103.6/1]. Ofcom will review transparency changes introduced in January 2025 and report in spring 2026 [ref: a104.1/1]. On connectivity, Ministers cited the Shared Rural Network and Project Gigabit: “Our mobile coverage is increasing year on year” [ref: a104.3/1]. They referred to the Digital Inclusion Action Plan and social tariffs [ref: a104.5/1], and stressed network resilience during the PSTN transition [ref: a105.0/1]. On market developments, the Vodafone‑Three merger included an “£11 billion” investment commitment, monitored by Ofcom’s Connected Nations report [ref: a105.4/1]. On fraud prevention, the House heard a telecoms fraud charter had been launched: “recently launched a telecoms fraud charter” [ref: a106.2/1].

Oral Question: Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF)

Ministers said no investment was announced at COP but the UK remains supportive and will contribute via co‑funding the World Bank trust fund and AIM4Forests: “we very much remain supportive of the TFFF … and will continue to provide support” [ref: a106.5/1]. The decision not to invest was linked to fiscal timing around the Budget and will be kept under review: “part of the question of our fiscal position … it will be under continuing review” [ref: a107.0/1]. The Government highlighted domestic biodiversity action—“21,000 hectares of new woodland were introduced last year” [ref: a107.2/1]—and international commitments, including delivering “£1.5 billion” for forests pledged at COP26 [ref: a107.4/1]. Asked whether the Secretary of State was overruled, the Minister replied “No” and said the issue remains “under continuous review” [ref: a108.0/1]. On competing priorities, he noted “this country has a huge number of … demands on our funding—nuclear is one of them, and obviously defence is another” [ref: a108.2/1].

Oral Question: Armed Services—support for victims of sexual violence

The Minister set out reforms including the Defence Serious Crime Command and the Victim Witness Care Unit: “The Defence Serious Crime Command has driven improvements to victim care” [ref: a109.3/1]. He reported that in 2024 there were “294 criminal investigations into sexual offences” and that the Service Prosecuting Authority brought “61” sexual‑offence charges [ref: a109.5/1]. He stressed training and a culture of zero tolerance: “I agree with the noble Baroness about the importance of training all ranks” [ref: a110.1/1]; leaders are “adamant in the pursuit of those who break those rules” [ref: a110.3/1]. Sexual harassment below the criminal threshold is being addressed and self‑reporting encouraged [ref: a110.5/1]. An Armed Forces whistleblowing review is under way, with an interim report due “in the very near future” and a full report in spring next year [ref: a111.1/1]. Chaplaincy support is involved across services [ref: a111.7/1], and the contribution of women was described as “phenomenal” [ref: a112.0/1].

Oral Question: Facial recognition technology—safeguards

The Government has opened a consultation to establish a bespoke legal framework and oversight: “The Government commenced a consultation … intend to bring forward a new bespoke legal framework” [ref: a112.5/1]. Algorithmic bias concerns are being examined by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary [ref: a112.7/1]. Ministers argued facial recognition can aid crime‑fighting and safeguarding while consultation determines safeguards: “We already intend to establish an oversight body” [ref: a113.1/1]; it can help “find missing people” [ref: a113.3/1]. While the focus is policing, submissions on private‑sector use are invited: “The noble Baroness can make representations on those matters as part of the consultation” [ref: a114.1/1]. The Government cited £12 million investment and said rollout is for local forces pending the consultation [ref: a114.3/1]. The Minister agreed to engage the Children’s Commissioner [ref: a115.0/1] and said data matching is “not for general use against the public at large” [ref: a115.2/2].

Secondary legislation approvals

The House approved three instruments without division: Motor Fuel Price (Open Data) Regulations 2025 [ref: a116.1/4]; Online Safety Act 2023 (Priority Offences) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 [ref: a116.3/4]; and Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 (Prudential Regulation of Credit Institutions) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2025 [ref: a116.5/4].

Crime and Policing Bill (Committee): Civil limitation for child sexual abuse claims

Peers debated Clause 82, which removes the general three‑year limitation for personal injury claims in child sexual abuse cases. A probing amendment questioned a “substantial prejudice” dismissal test for pre‑commencement cases, arguing it exceeded the inquiry’s recommendation and could deter claims: “will create uncertainty for survivors of child sexual abuse and delay access to justice” [ref: a117.4/5]. The Minister said the Government did not want additional barriers and would consider the issue before Report: “we absolutely do not want to add additional or unnecessary barriers” [ref: a122.2/2], and defended Clause 82 as implementing Independent Inquiry recommendations [ref: a122.2/3]. The amendment was withdrawn and the clause agreed [ref: a124.1/2; a124.1/3].

Crime and Policing Bill (Committee): Online pornography reforms and government review

Baroness Bertin proposed amendments to align online with offline standards, address content mimicking child sexual abuse and incest, mandate age/consent verification, ban nudification tools, and strengthen enforcement. The Government resisted at this stage but announced: “The Government will review the criminal law relating to pornography” to consider issues including harmful depictions of incest and content encouraging child sexual abuse [ref: a148.0/3]. Ministers said they were open to “swifter action where this is critically important” [ref: a148.0/4], but declined to set a firm timetable: “Can the noble Baroness imagine just how unpopular I would be if I committed to an absolute timeframe?” [ref: a150.1/1]. The amendments were withdrawn for now [ref: a151.3/6].

Crime and Policing Bill (Committee): New offences for pornographic images of strangulation or suffocation

The Government tabled and secured agreement to offences criminalising possession and publication of pornographic images portraying strangulation or suffocation. The Minister said the clauses would “criminalise the possession and publication of pornographic images that portray strangulation or suffocation” [ref: a161.0/1], with penalties up to two years’ imprisonment (possession) and five years (publication) [ref: a161.0/3], and designation as Online Safety Act priority offences [ref: a161.0/5]. Amendment 294 was agreed [ref: a164.1/3].

Crime and Policing Bill (Committee): Intimate image abuse; takedown, deletion, time limits; spiking; DAPOs

Baroness Owen proposed measures including a 48‑hour takedown mechanism, stronger deletion orders, a hash registry to prevent re‑uploads, extending offences to audio, clarifying screenshotting, longer time limits for summary offences, adding recklessness to spiking, and updating Domestic Abuse Protection Orders for digital harms [ref: a169.2/1]. The Government said they are considering routes to tackle persistent non‑consensual intimate images and would give “more detail … on Report” [ref: a183.0/7]. They highlighted strengthened deprivation orders [ref: a183.0/8] and extended time limits via government Amendment 300 [ref: a183.0/10]. They declined to create audio‑only intimate image offences, citing evidential issues and coverage by blackmail/harassment laws [ref: a185.1/5; a185.1/6]. On spiking, Ministers argued recklessness was unnecessary because prank spiking would satisfy intent to “injure, aggrieve or annoy” and the offence carries a 10‑year maximum [ref: a188.1/2]. They said DAPOs already allow tailored conditions and undertook to update guidance for tech‑facilitated abuse [ref: a188.1/5]. Amendment 300 was agreed [ref: a190.1/3].

Crime and Policing Bill (Committee): Disregards and pardons for under‑18 soliciting offences

Government Amendments 308 and 309 created automatic disregards and pardons for convictions or cautions for loitering or soliciting under the Street Offences Act 1959 where the offender was under 18: “we have tabled government Amendment 308” for disregards and Amendment 309 for pardons [ref: a207.2/12]. Both were agreed without division [ref: a211.1/2; a211.3/3].

Crime and Policing Bill (Committee): Prostitution law and platform regulation

Amendments to criminalise assisting or facilitating prostitution, outlaw advertising platforms, and criminalise purchase of sex were debated. The Government warned of unintended harms: the broad offence “could … have an adverse consequence for people who choose to be engaged in prostitution” [ref: a207.2/3]. Criminalising platforms might displace activity and hinder policing: it may “result in displacement to on‑street prostitution” and disrupt scanning websites for vulnerability [ref: a207.2/5]. Ministers pointed to Online Safety Act duties that platforms “should now already be completing” [ref: a210.1/4]. No amendments were made; Amendments 310 to 314 were not moved [ref: a211.3/4].

Crime and Policing Bill (Committee): Commencement of the Protection from Sex‑based Harassment in Public Act 2023

An amendment to commence the 2023 Act on this Bill’s Royal Assent was not accepted. Ministers said commencement will follow preparatory work and be set out as part of the forthcoming VAWG strategy: “The Government intend to commence this offence as soon as is reasonably practicable” [ref: a214.0/4]; measures under development “include options for commencement” [ref: a214.0/3]. The mover indicated the issue may return at Report if timings remain unclear [ref: a215.2/1].

Crime and Policing Bill (Committee): Animal sexual abuse offence proposal

A new offence of animal sexual abuse was proposed to broaden Section 69 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 and strengthen powers including notification and disqualification. The Government said existing sexual and animal welfare offences already provide sufficient coverage, while welcoming further discussion and evidence: “The Government are committed to protecting animals” [ref: a225.0/2]; relevant offences already trigger sex‑offender notification [ref: a225.0/6]; “We are not persuaded at present” but “would welcome a discussion” [ref: a225.0/7]. No amendment was made; further engagement was offered.

Church of England Measures: Armed Forces Chaplains (Licensing) Measure

The House directed that the Measure be presented for Royal Assent. It creates a statutory basis for the Archbishop of Canterbury to license Armed Forces chaplains to minister without multiple diocesan permissions, aiding mobility: chaplains “need to be able to move with and minister to military personnel wherever they are currently serving” [ref: a192.2/3]. The Motion was agreed [ref: a197.0/4].

Church of England Measures: Abuse Redress Measure

The House directed that the Measure be presented for Royal Assent, laying groundwork for a national redress scheme with delegated decision‑making and a person‑centred ethos: it enshrines “dignity, respect and compassion” at its heart [ref: a192.2/7]. The Motion was agreed [ref: a197.2/3].