Lords Welcome UK–EU Erasmus+, Query Pension Powers

High-Level Summary

The House of Lords sat for oral questions, procedural business and a major EU–UK relations Statement, before debating the Second Reading of the Pension Schemes Bill. Royal Assent for five Acts and two Church Measures was notified, and the retirement of Baroness Ford was announced. Questions covered girls’ participation in STEM, preschool digital technology, the jobs market, and Lithuania’s balloon incursions. Ministers announced agreement for UK association to Erasmus+ in 2027 and progress on UK–EU electricity market cooperation. The Pension Schemes Bill received a wide‑ranging Second Reading, with support for consolidation and value for money alongside scrutiny of a reserve power on asset allocation, and was committed to Grand Committee.

Detailed Summary

Royal Assent and retirement announcement

Royal Assent was notified for five Acts and two Church Measures, including the Mental Health Act and the Employment Rights Act [ref: a835.1/2, a835.1/5], and the Abuse Redress Measure [ref: a835.1/8]. The Lord Speaker announced the retirement of Baroness Ford under the House of Lords Reform Act 2014, thanking her “for her much‑valued service to the House” [ref: a835.3/1]. No decisions were required.

Oral Question: Increasing girls’ participation in STEM

Baroness Blake of Leeds said encouraging more girls into STEM is vital, noting more girls at A‑level in biology and chemistry but barriers in maths, physics and computing, and pointing to the launch of the Women in Tech Taskforce led by the Technology Secretary [ref: a835.6/1]. She highlighted tackling stereotypes early, funding for STEM Ambassadors and the I Belong programme, and curriculum work on digital skills [ref: a836.1/1]. On careers guidance, she said there is a “requirement for a qualified careers adviser to speak to every child” [ref: a837.3/1], and cited maths hubs “working with 85% of primary and secondary schools” [ref: a838.0/1]. No decision was sought; ongoing programmes and the new taskforce were emphasised.

Oral Question: Preschool children and digital technology

Baroness Smith of Malvern said Government guidance for early‑years providers references the World Health Organization’s screen‑time recommendations, with evidence gaps being addressed through research [ref: a838.5/1]. Responding to concerns about rising device use and a lack of clear public guidance, she said “we are working to provide parents with clear, specific advice on early years screen time” and have streamlined Best Start in Life content, with further detail to be given at Report on the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill in January [ref: a839.0/1]. She added, “we will be appointing an expert panel to inform the development of guidance for the early years sector on CCTV and digital devices within safeguarding” [ref: a839.2/1], and confirmed work “between the DfE, DSIT and Ofcom” to provide clear, consistent information [ref: a841.1/1].

Oral Question: Jobs market and economic implications

Baroness Sherlock said there is positive news in the labour market—“The claimant count is falling” and real wages have risen—while acknowledging challenges and setting out the Get Britain Working plan, including a youth guarantee [ref: a841.4/1]. Defending action on youth unemployment, she said, “We are creating guaranteed jobs for young people who are long‑term unemployed on universal credit” and commissioned Alan Milburn to examine NEET drivers [ref: a842.0/1; a842.3/2]. Peers asked about AI impacts, sector skills and retail job losses; the Minister said government is monitoring AI across departments and investing in homegrown tech [ref: a843.0/1], highlighted sector work programmes including in retail [ref: a844.0/1], and noted £600 million invested in construction skills [ref: a844.5/1]. No decisions were taken; ministerial commitments to ongoing programmes were recorded.

Oral Question: Lithuania balloon incursions and UK defence posture

Defence Minister Lord Coaker reported that Lithuania has experienced “over 600 balloon incursions and over 200 drone violations in 2025” and has requested support from a NATO counter‑hybrid support team; UK forces in the Baltic remain safe with “no change to force protection posture” [ref: a845.2/2]. He said Lithuanian intelligence indicates most balloons are linked to tobacco smuggling, likely “weaponising that sort of activity” by Belarus to destabilise [ref: a845.4/1]. He outlined ongoing NATO deterrence (e.g., Eastern Sentry air operations) and the dispatch of the counter‑hybrid team to support Lithuania [ref: a846.0/1; a846.7/1]. No changes to UK posture were announced.

Tributes to House staff and seasonal adjournment remarks

Leaders of the usual channels and the Bishop of Derby paid tributes to retiring and serving staff across the House, with Lord Kennedy thanking “a team of 700 strong, for their work” [ref: a848.4/2]. He also indicated intended Christmas recess dates for 2026, subject to business [ref: a848.4/11]. No decisions were required; formal thanks were recorded.

Procedure and Privileges: Conduct Committee rotation rule

Introducing the report, the Senior Deputy Speaker said Peer members of the Conduct Committee should be “appointed for up to three years in the first instance, with the option to extend their appointment annually up to a maximum of six years in total” [ref: a855.3/1]. The motion was agreed without division [ref: a855.3/2].

Retirement and Participation Committee: appointment and remit

The House agreed to appoint a Select Committee to consider options for a retirement age and a participation requirement for Members, including options not requiring primary legislation, with a report due by “31 July 2026” [ref: a856.1/11]. Membership was named, chaired by Baroness Taylor of Bolton [ref: a856.1/9]. The motion was agreed [ref: a856.1/15].

Sentencing Bill: Order of Consideration

The House agreed the marshalled order for the Report stage—“That the amendments for the Report stage be marshalled and considered in the following order” before listing clauses and schedules [ref: a856.3/2]. The motion was agreed [ref: a856.3/3].

Commons Urgent Question: Puberty suppressants PATHWAYS trial (Lords exchanges)

Baroness Merron summarised the PATHWAYS study in response to the Cass Review, noting unsafe prior practice and the move to a permanent ban outside research [ref: a857.1/2]. She said it is “extremely unlikely that anyone under the age of 11 will qualify” and the trial runs “up to the 16th birthday” [ref: a858.1/1], with thorough assessment, parental consent and discussion of possible impacts, “particularly in terms of fertility” [ref: a858.3/1]. Baroness Cass urged supervised trials to avoid children resorting to unregulated sources and to draw young people back into NHS care; the Minister agreed [ref: a858.4/2; a859.0/1]. On consent, the Minister confirmed that “children, by definition, cannot consent to being on the trial, so places will require parental consent” and that assessments will examine possible undue parental pressure [ref: a860.8/1]. No motion; ministerial assurances were given.

Statement: UK–EU ‘Common Understanding’ negotiations (Lords questions)

Ministers confirmed that the UK and the European Commission had “concluded negotiations for the UK’s association to Erasmus+ from 2027” for one year [ref: a866.0/4–a866.0/5], with “a 30% discount in 2027 compared with the default terms in the trade and co‑operation agreement” and a review “10 months after our association” [ref: a866.0/5; a866.0/6]. The Minister described this as “£500 million of additional investment in our young people in one year” [ref: a866.0/2] and said the Turing Scheme will operate next year, with future decisions to follow [ref: a866.0/7]. She also announced that exploratory talks had concluded on UK participation in the EU’s internal electricity market, saying this will “drive down energy costs and protect consumers” and that negotiations will proceed at pace [ref: a870.1/1]. In reply to questions, the Minister said the next UK–EU summit will be in 2026 [ref: a871.3/1]. No divisions; negotiations and implementation steps continue.

Pension Schemes Bill: Second Reading

Baroness Sherlock introduced the Bill’s reforms, including LGPS asset pooling; powers to allow well‑funded DB schemes to share surplus with safeguards; a new value‑for‑money framework; automatic consolidation of dormant small pots; accelerating DC consolidation with a scale pathway; a backstop power permitting the Government to require specified asset allocations by DC providers; default decumulation plans; a permanent superfund regime; and CPI‑linked, capped pre‑1997 increases for PPF/FAS members [ref: a874.6/6; a874.6/8–a874.6/11; a874.6/13; a874.6/16; a874.6/22–a874.6/23; a874.6/26]. Contributors broadly welcomed consolidation and VFM but raised concerns about the reserve power to mandate asset allocation and trustee fiduciary duties, the adequacy of saving (including for the self‑employed and women), climate and nature risks, and governance. One Peer argued that mandation is “the quiet nationalisation of pension investment strategy” [ref: a879.0/14], while others warned of market distortion. The Minister emphasised that “The Government do not anticipate exercising the power” [ref: a874.6/16] and later outlined safeguards, including that the power is time‑limited and that “the Government are required to establish a savers’ interest test” with consultation and reporting before use [ref: a935.0/14]. She set out a VFM timetable—implementation in 2028 with the first ratings in October 2028 [ref: a935.0/17]—and pensions dashboards progress, with “over 700 of the largest pension providers and schemes” connected and a regulatory deadline of 31 October 2026 [ref: a935.0/30; a935.0/31]. The Bill was read a second time and committed to Grand Committee; the order of consideration was agreed [ref: a942.1/2; a942.3/2].