Lords Advance Crime Bill amid Security and Health Scrutiny

High-Level Summary

The House of Lords covered research and equality issues in UKRI studentships, implementation of the Technology Adoption Review, access to needle‑free emergency adrenaline, and breast cancer screening for over‑70s. A Private Notice Question on the Sydney terrorist attack prompted assurances on UK security, funding for Jewish community protection, and prosecutions for hate crime. The Committee stage of the Crime and Policing Bill dominated, with agreed government amendments on sex offender identity documents, stalking protection order procedures (including for Northern Ireland), and child abduction, while debates continued on cycling offences, self‑harm encouragement, and safeguarding. A government Statement addressed resident doctors’ planned industrial action and a rejected offer on training places, prioritisation of UK graduates, and fee reimbursements. Procedural business confirmed scheduling for returning legislation and noted the Employment Rights Bill’s return from the Commons.

Detailed Summary

UK Research and Innovation studentships and equalities—Oral Question

The Minister said some research organisations ring‑fence a small proportion of UKRI‑funded studentships for underrepresented groups, but, “None of the training grants funded by UKRI entirely excludes white or Asian students from applying for a PhD studentship.” [ref: b511.2/1] He added, “Around 1% of all UKRI studentships are ring-fenced by research organisations for widening participation.” [ref: b511.2/1] Peers highlighted disparities, including, “it is 160 black professors out of 22,885 professors overall.” [ref: b512.1/1]

On balancing excellence and inclusion, the Minister said, “A culture where bullying is tolerated, challenge is suppressed and diversity is not embraced is not conducive to great science.” [ref: b511.4/1] He rejected claims of planned cuts to arts PhD funding and said Arts and Humanities Research Council and social sciences “will be well provided for.” [ref: b512.5/1] No policy changes were announced; references were made to existing guidance and widening participation schemes.

Technology Adoption Review—progress update

The Government said the review’s recommendations were embedded in the industrial strategy, with “£99 million” allocated to expand Made Smarter to support technologies such as AI in advanced manufacturing [ref: b514.4/1], and a new Business Growth Service that “has already seen over 127,000 domestic users.” [ref: b514.6/1] On skills, Ministers cited a plan to train “7.5 million workers with essential AI skills by 2030.” [ref: b515.1/2]

Peers raised visa policy impacts on research talent, AI literacy across sectors including policing and the judiciary, and coordination across fragmented schemes. Ministers referred to initiatives such as the Global Talent Taskforce [ref: b515.3/1] and said they would learn from best practice pilots in local government [ref: b516.1/1]. No new commitments were made beyond ongoing programmes.

Emergency adrenaline—community access and needle‑free devices

Following MHRA authorisation of nasal adrenaline, the Government said they “welcome the approval of needle-free adrenaline delivery methods” and that in July the MHRA “recommended consideration of changes to legislation to allow the supply of and access to such methods of emergency adrenaline delivery, particularly in schools.” [ref: b517.4/1] The Minister undertook to “seek a view from NICE” on guidance [ref: b517.6/1]. She highlighted that allergies “affect nearly one-third of the UK population” and the need to “tackle the approximately 50 suspected cases of deaths each year.” [ref: b518.3/1]

Workforce and training requirements, suitability for age groups, and product characteristics (e.g. temperature sensitivity) will be considered [ref: b518.5/1]. Outcome: legislative options are under consideration; no timetable was provided.

Breast cancer screening over age 70—policy and trials

The Government emphasised the AgeX trial on screening beyond age 70, with results “expected in 2027.” [ref: b520.0/1] Ministers reiterated that “women aged 71 and over can have screening every three years if they wish” and that they can book by phone, so “analogue is still possible, not just digital.” [ref: b520.2/1][ref: b520.4/1]

Data points cited included that “more than 50,000 were diagnosed with it in 2023.” [ref: b521.4/1] A national cancer plan will be published “not … too long.” [ref: b522.4/1] No policy change was announced pending AgeX results; communications to older women will continue.

Sydney terrorist attack—implications for the UK (Private Notice Question)

The Government condemned the attack and said there is “no specific intelligence of a linked threat to the UK at this time” while urging vigilance and working with CST and police [ref: b522.9/1]. Support includes “£28 million this year to protect Jewish places of worship, schools and community centres” [ref: b523.1/2] and direction via the Home Secretary to forces “to look at how we can step up security patrols” around synagogues and events [ref: b524.1/1].

On hate crime and extremism, the Minister said those disseminating antisemitic ideas can expect prosecution—“a definitive yes to that” [ref: b526.0/1]—and stressed the need “to stop the radicalisation at source.” [ref: b527.0/1] No proscription decisions were announced; engagement with communities continues.

Crime and Policing Bill (Committee)—Sex offenders: name changes, identity documents, and gender recognition

On Clause 87, the Minister said the Bill already requires offenders to notify police of a new name “no less than 7 days before using it,” with guidance to cover deed poll timing [ref: b533.0/6][ref: b533.0/8]. Government amendments enabling the DVLA/DVA to refuse replacement driving licences in new names without police authorisation were agreed (Amendments 320–325) [ref: b538.3/8].

A proposal to bar all convicted sex offenders from obtaining a gender recognition certificate was not accepted; the Minister said offenders are “managed according to the risk they pose rather than their gender.” [ref: b533.0/10] He clarified that both current and former names are recorded for registration and DBS checks: “both the original name and the new name would be recorded.” [ref: b536.3/1] The deed‑poll amendment was withdrawn.

Crime and Policing Bill (Committee)—Cycling offences, e‑bikes and enforcement

Peers debated penalties, e‑bike classification and enforcement. The Minister said Clause 106 “underlines the Government’s determination that cyclists who cause death or serious injury should face the full force of the law,” aligning with motoring offences [ref: b559.0/4]. He noted that “over the past 10 years an average of three pedestrians have been killed by cyclists per year” [ref: b619.3/3], confirmed that non‑compliant e‑bikes are “classed as motor vehicles” for enforcement [ref: b561.1/3], and that cycling on pavements is already an offence [ref: b561.1/2].

Calls for cycle registration, licensing and mandatory insurance were resisted due to complexity and the risk of discouraging cycling; enforcement is supported through Operation Topaz funding [ref: b559.0/2]. Clause 106 was agreed; many amendments were withdrawn or not moved.

Crime and Policing Bill (Committee)—Stalking protection orders (SPOs) reforms

Peers sought to clarify the evidential standard for SPOs and to introduce police‑issued stalking protection notices (SPNs). The Minister undertook to consider making explicit the civil standard of proof in the statute [ref: b575.2/3] and to review making stalking guidance a duty rather than a power [ref: b577.4/1]. He did not support SPNs, citing proportionality and the need for judicial oversight [ref: b577.4/2].

Government amendments clarified appeal routes and variation procedures [ref: b579.2/6] and introduced equivalent provisions for Northern Ireland [ref: b580.1/2][ref: b582.1/2]. A wider review led by Richard Wright KC is under way, with completion intended by March 2026 [ref: b577.4/3].

Crime and Policing Bill (Committee)—Encouraging or assisting serious self‑harm: safeguards and sentencing

An amendment to aggravate offences linked to domestic or so‑called honour‑based abuse and to mandate life sentences where suicide results was not accepted. The Minister pointed to existing offences—“manslaughter or encouraging or assisting suicide”—with maximum penalties of life imprisonment and 14 years respectively [ref: b585.1/4], and noted the Law Commission’s review of homicide and sentencing [ref: b585.1/5].

On scope and safeguards, he stressed that the new offence requires intent and that “serious self-harm” means grievous bodily harm [ref: b585.1/7]. He offered to engage with concerned organisations to explain the approach [ref: b587.1/1]. No amendments were made.

Crime and Policing Bill (Committee)—Child abduction: wrongful retention abroad and domestic abuse

Peers probed protections for domestic abuse victims under Clause 104 on detention of a child overseas without consent. The Government emphasised prosecutorial safeguards: the public interest test considers domestic abuse and “the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions is required” [ref: b593.0/6]. Civil remedies under the 1980 Hague Convention remain the primary route, with criminal proceedings a “last resort” [ref: b593.0/8].

A bespoke statutory defence was not added, pending the Law Commission’s review of defences in domestic abuse contexts [ref: b593.0/9]. Equivalent Northern Ireland provisions were added by government amendment [ref: b596.1/2].

Safeguarding vulnerable groups—regulated activity and private tutors’ checks

The House agreed to replicate for Northern Ireland the removal of supervision exemptions so that barred list checks can apply even for supervised roles (Amendment 337) [ref: b616.0/4]. On private tutors, the Government acknowledged a current gap where “parents are currently unable to check whether a private tutor is barred” [ref: b613.0/3] but announced a statutory instrument to allow self‑employed people in regulated activity to obtain enhanced DBS certificates, including barred list checks, so “parents will be able to see this check before deciding whether to engage the tutor.” [ref: b613.0/5]

Ministers confirmed that the SI is laid and due to come into force on 21 January, with debate in the Lords to follow. Outcome: NI change agreed; SI to widen access to enhanced DBS for private tutors.

Resident doctors’ industrial action—Government Statement and questions

Ministers criticised the decision to proceed with strikes and outlined the rejected offer: prioritising UK medical graduates via urgent primary legislation in the new year and creating “4,000 specialty places for resident doctors, starting with an additional 1,000 for those applying this year.” [ref: b597.1/8][ref: b597.1/7] The package also included reimbursing college portfolio, membership and exam fees and increasing the less‑than‑full‑time allowance by 50% to £1,500 [ref: b597.1/10].

The Government said resident doctors have already received a “28.9% pay rise” [ref: b597.1/3], reported vaccination uptake of “17 million” people [ref: b603.0/3], and cited strike costs—July’s action around “£250 million,” potentially “£750 million” this year [ref: b603.0/6]. No settlement was reached; the focus is on mitigation.

Arrangement of Business—Employment Rights Bill timetable

The House was informed that once the Employment Rights Bill returned from the Commons and amendments were printed, “Members have until 12 noon tomorrow, Tuesday 16 December, to table Motions or amendments.” The House would consider the Bill again before the Second Reading of the Victims and Courts Bill [ref: b527.2/1]. Outcome: scheduling guidance issued.

Employment Rights Bill—Returned from the Commons

The House noted the Employment Rights Bill was returned from the Commons with a reason; no debate occurred at this point [ref: b642.1/1]. Further consideration is pending.