Lords Uphold Emergency Worker Protections, Decry Jimmy Lai Verdict

High-Level Summary

The House of Lords held oral questions on disability employment, the proposed Fair Work Agency, the Office for the Impact Economy, and investment in SEND places, before agreeing to discharge the order of commitment on a Private Member’s Bill. Peers then continued Committee scrutiny of the Crime and Policing Bill, covering cycling-related offences and e‑bikes, protections for emergency workers, coercive control by therapists, workplace duties on VAWG, public order thresholds, and honour‑based abuse. A Statement condemned the conviction of British citizen Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong and outlined UK diplomatic steps. Several probing amendments were withdrawn after Ministers offered meetings, consultations and updates, while Clauses 107–109 on aggravated abuse of emergency workers were retained. Government Ministers also committed to bring back updates on honour‑based abuse guidance and definition before Report.

Detailed Summary

Employment gap for blind and sight‑impaired people – Oral Question

Lord Holmes of Richmond pressed for action and a taskforce to close the employment gap faced by blind and sight‑impaired people. Baroness Sherlock highlighted new support via the pathways to work guarantee and Connect to Work Supported Employment, more tailored help and specialist advisers, and work with employers. She declined to announce a taskforce: “I am not in a position to announce a taskforce today” [ref: a719.4/3], pointing instead to an Independent Disability Advisory Panel. She said DWP currently has “more than 800 disability employment advisers” and that training includes sight‑loss awareness [ref: a720.1/1]. On Parliamentary accessibility, she added: “We do not have to be made to do something to do it, and the House should look at it” [ref: a721.1/1]. On employer guidance, she cited a new service giving “tailored step‑by‑step guidance” on health and disability [ref: a722.1/1]. No taskforce was announced.

Fair Work Agency: impact on small and micro businesses – Oral Question

Lord Leong said the Fair Work Agency (FWA) will simplify enforcement by consolidating bodies, provide sector‑specific guidance, and ensure every work coach can access a specialist adviser. He confirmed the agency will be “an executive agency independent of the Secretary of State” [ref: a723.2/1], with consultation and secondary legislation expected before it is “up and running by April 2026” [ref: a724.0/1]. The approach will be proportionate and risk‑based: “Our focus is on serious or repeated abuse, not technical errors” [ref: a724.4/1]. Responding to concerns, he reiterated support for compliant businesses: “Well, I am from the Government, and I am here to help” [ref: a725.3/1]. Next steps include further consultation, statutory instruments and an advisory board featuring SME representation [ref: a724.2/1].

Office for the Impact Economy – Oral Question

Baroness Anderson said the office’s impact will be measured against its remit and monitored “through a cross‑government ministerial board chaired by the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister” [ref: a725.6/1]. She described partnerships with departments (including MHCLG, DHSC and DfE) and stressed visibility, noting the office “was announced by the Prime Minister” [ref: a726.3/1]. Explaining the hub‑and‑spoke model, she said it is a Cabinet Office “one‑stop shop … then it is up to government to … facilitate” [ref: a727.1/1]. She highlighted engagement with faith‑based philanthropy [ref: a727.3/1], local initiatives such as Pride in Place and the better futures fund [ref: a728.0/1], and cited Legal & General’s “additional £2 billion of investment … 24,000 jobs and 10,000 … homes” [ref: a728.4/2]. Ongoing work includes co‑design with stakeholders; no legislative decisions were taken.

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) places – Oral Question

Baroness Smith of Malvern confirmed the £3bn would create facilities in mainstream schools and expand special places, including stand‑alone schools “where this is necessary” [ref: a729.2/1]. She emphasised supporting pupils with less complex needs via adaptations such as “safe and quiet spaces and improving the accessibility of mainstream schools” [ref: a729.4/1], while recognising that special schools will still be most appropriate for a “small number of children” [ref: a730.0/1]. On pipeline changes, she said “18 of the 77 projects in this pipeline were cancelled because no trust had been appointed” and mainstream provision should deliver places “more quickly” [ref: a730.2/1]. She cited improved recruitment and retention—“over 2,300 new teachers for our secondary and special schools” [ref: a730.4/1]—and said a SEND reform White Paper will be published “next year” [ref: a731.5/1].

Unauthorised Entry to Football Matches Bill – Order of Commitment discharged

Lord Brennan of Canton moved to discharge the order of commitment as no amendments had been set down: “unless any noble Lord objects, I beg to move that the order of commitment be discharged” [ref: a732.2/1]. The Motion was agreed [ref: a732.2/2].

Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy – Commons Urgent Question (answered in the Lords)

Ministers confirmed publication of the VAWG strategy for “this Thursday, 18 December” [ref: a732.4/1], outlined recent steps across government and restated the aim to halve VAWG over a decade. Lord Hanson said the strategy will include metrics and funding: “Tomorrow, the strategy will set out in more detail the funding options” [ref: a733.1/4]. On rape, he said there is “a real commitment to up the number of prosecutions and ensure that criminal justice outcomes are achieved” [ref: a734.1/1]. He stressed the strategy is “a cross-government strategy” [ref: a735.0/1] and confirmed that forced marriage and related harms “will be covered in the strategy” [ref: a736.3/1]. He undertook to repeat a fuller Statement in the Lords in the new year [ref: a736.3/1].

Crime and Policing Bill (Committee): cycling offences and delivery platforms

Peers debated measures to review delivery riders’ behaviour, levy fines on platforms where riders offend, and review links to criminality. Lord Katz said the new cycling offences in Clause 106 “apply to all cyclists” and that the Department for Transport is developing “a new road safety strategy, and we will set out more details shortly” [ref: a748.0/3]. He argued there was “no hard evidence to suggest that the working practices of these companies either cause or contribute” to serious injuries or fatalities [ref: a750.3/2], while citing enforcement examples such as Lancashire Police having “seized 1,000 illegal e-bikes and e-scooters” [ref: a759.1/4]. He offered to meet interested Peers before Report [ref: a752.1/1]. Outcome: Amendments 346C and 481 were withdrawn [ref: a753.0/7; a761.0/5].

Crime and Policing Bill (Committee): e‑bike batteries and product safety

Proposals sought penalties for suppliers of non‑compliant e‑bike batteries and recall powers. Lord Katz said speed‑tampering devices “are already illegal” [ref: a758.1/3] and pointed to the Product Regulation and Metrology Act and ongoing standards work, as well as enforcement (e.g., Lancashire “had now seized 1,000 illegal e‑bikes and e‑scooters” [ref: a759.1/4]). He said the Government’s response to the consultation on police disposal powers will come “next year” [ref: a759.1/7]. Outcome: Amendments were withdrawn after the Minister invited continued dialogue [ref: a759.1/9; a761.0/5].

Crime and Policing Bill (Committee): Clauses 107–109 (racially or religiously aggravated abuse of emergency workers)

The Opposition argued these clauses duplicate existing law and use subjective terms, while the Government said they close a gap by extending protections into private dwellings. Lord Hanson said that if “an emergency worker is racially abused in the property, then they deserve that protection” [ref: a765.0/5]. He cited cases including Surrey Police and indicated an intention to consider extending coverage: “we will bring forward conclusions at Report stage … to extend the proposals” to other protected characteristics [ref: a766.3/2]. He undertook to reflect on the Constitution Committee’s concerns about drafting [ref: a768.2/1], but insisted the clauses remain: “we have included these clauses for a purpose” [ref: a768.2/2]. Outcome: Clauses 107–109 agreed [ref: a770.2/4].

Crime and Policing Bill (Committee): coercive control by psychotherapists/counsellors

Lord Marks proposed a new offence mirroring coercive/controlling behaviour for abusive therapists and counsellors. The Government recognised the harm but noted “the psychotherapy and counselling professions are not regulated statutorily in the UK” [ref: a778.1/3], suggesting engagement with the Health Secretary and professional regulation first [ref: a781.1/3]. Outcome: Amendment withdrawn with intent to return on Report; Ministers to facilitate discussions with Health Ministers and stakeholders [ref: a781.2/9].

Crime and Policing Bill (Committee): workplace duties on VAWG

Baroness Smith of Llanfaes proposed new health and safety duties on employers to prevent workplace VAWG. Lord Hanson said existing law already imposes duties to protect against workplace risks, including violence, under the Health and Safety at Work Act: “employers have a clear duty to protect their workers from health and safety risks, including workplace violence” [ref: a795.0/4], alongside Equality Act provisions. He confirmed “the strategy will be published tomorrow” [ref: a795.0/3] and undertook to ensure the debate informs the responsible Minister [ref: a797.1/1–a797.1/2]. Outcome: Amendments withdrawn [ref: a798.1/2].

Statement: Jimmy Lai conviction in Hong Kong

Baroness Chapman condemned the politically motivated conviction of British citizen Jimmy Lai, confirmed the Chinese ambassador had been summoned, and called for his release and consular access. “We have demanded that Jimmy Lai is released immediately” and said access has been “repeatedly refused” [ref: a802.1/2]. On the former Royal Mint embassy site, she said the planning process is “subject to decisions to be made by MHCLG” [ref: a802.1/3]. She cautioned against severing engagement entirely: “I think it would be a mistake to cut off all ties with China” [ref: a804.1/5]. Next steps include continued diplomatic pressure, support for Hong Kongers in the UK, and consideration of security measures.

Crime and Policing Bill (Committee): removing “alarm” from Public Order Act offences

Lord Jackson proposed deleting “alarm” from Sections 4A and 5 of the Public Order Act 1986, arguing for clearer thresholds for public order. The Government warned that removing “alarm” would reduce the police’s ability to “intervene early in potentially volatile situations” and noted a wider review: “the Home Secretary has commissioned an independent review of public order and hate crime legislation” [ref: a813.0/5]. Outcome: Amendment withdrawn [ref: a814.0/7]. Next steps: await the review (due in spring) and a Government response.

Crime and Policing Bill (Committee): honour‑based abuse (definition, guidance and sentencing)

Peers urged a statutory definition of honour‑based abuse, multi‑agency statutory guidance, and recognition of honour as an aggravating factor at sentencing. Baroness Levitt confirmed “the Government have already committed … to introducing multi-agency statutory guidance … alongside a statutory definition” [ref: a831.0/3], stressing “we must do this once and we must get it right” and promising to update Peers before Report [ref: a831.0/5]. She argued a new statutory aggravating factor is “neither necessary nor desirable”, given existing sentencing guidelines and workload implications [ref: a831.0/8–a831.0/10]. Outcomes: Government to work with stakeholders and report progress before Report; amendments on aggravation were not moved.