Lords Elect Forsyth, Rebuke Diego Garcia Deal

High-Level Summary

The House of Lords confirmed the election of Lord Forsyth of Drumlean as Lord Speaker, with congratulations from across the House and royal confirmation of the result. Peers scrutinised Government policy on water sector reform, the Defending Democracy Taskforce, heritage craft skills, and sexual harassment in education, and took a Private Notice Question on protests in Iran. The Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill completed Third Reading: a regret amendment was carried before the Bill passed and returned to the Commons with amendments. The Sentencing Bill also passed with amendments, and the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill made devolution-related progress at Report. A statement updated the House on UK support to a US maritime sanctions operation and planning for a potential multinational force to support any future ceasefire in Ukraine.

Detailed Summary

Introductions and election of the Lord Speaker

The House introduced Lord Doyle and Lord Duvall, who took the oath and signed the Code of Conduct undertaking [ref: a1509.0/1, a1509.2/1]. The Clerk of the Parliaments announced: “The successful candidate was Lord Forsyth of Drumlean” [ref: a1509.4/1], and Lord Benyon conveyed the King’s confirmation that His Majesty “has pleasure in confirming your Lordships’ choice of him as your Speaker” [ref: a1509.7/1].

Baroness Smith of Basildon and others congratulated the candidates and staff for a courteous election [ref: a1509.9/1, a1510.0/1]. Lord Forsyth said he would “build on the great work that he has done on increasing accountability” and “will try to avoid being political” as Lord Speaker [ref: a1512.0/3]. No decisions beyond formal confirmation were required.

Independent Water Commission – Question

Baroness McIntosh asked when the Government would legislate for the Independent Water Commission’s recommendations [ref: a1512.2/1]. Lord Katz said Ministers will respond “in a forthcoming White Paper” and that “A new water reform Bill will then follow, during this Parliament, to bring forward root-and-branch reform” [ref: a1512.3/1]. He highlighted changes to planning policy to require SuDS and, on outages in Kent and Sussex, stated: “restoring supply must be the company’s priority” with daily Defra engagement [ref: a1513.0/1, a1513.0/2].

On timing, he said it was better to “measure twice and cut once” and cited action already taken under the Water (Special Measures) Act, including Ofwat’s bonus bans in six of nine water companies [ref: a1513.2/1]. He supported a “single powerful regulator for the entire water sector” and noted sector investment and recent equity raising [ref: a1514.3/1]. On ownership, he said, “we have no intention of nationalising” and that it “would cost around £100 billion” [ref: a1515.1/1]. He added that Defra has published an explanation of that calculation [ref: a1515.5/1]. No vote was taken; a White Paper and Bill were flagged as next steps.

Defending Democracy Taskforce – Question

Baroness Alexander asked about progress in protecting democratic institutions [ref: a1516.1/1]. Lord Hanson said the taskforce is coordinating a “whole-of-government response” including “developing new legislation to address the abhorrent harassment and intimidation experienced by elected representatives”, personal cyber-security advice, and new National Protective Security Authority guidance [ref: a1516.2/1]. He undertook to consider an annual statement and noted a cross-government plan would “report back to Parliament” [ref: a1516.4/1].

He condemned foreign intimidation in the UK as “not acceptable” [ref: a1517.0/1], cited enforcement action in a bribery case (“Mr Gill is in prison now” [ref: a1517.2/1]), and said he would seek mechanisms to share as much as possible from Sir Philip Rycroft’s review “for the information we can put into the public domain” [ref: a1517.4/1]. He welcomed engagement with a new all-party group. No decisions were taken; potential legislation and further Parliamentary updates were indicated.

Heritage craft and building sector – Question

Earl of Clancarty asked about support for the sector and its skills pipeline [ref: a1519.4/1]. Baroness Twycross said the Government is “committed to supporting the heritage, craft and building sectors” and is providing “an additional £1.2 billion a year towards skills development until 2028-29” [ref: a1519.5/1]. She praised models such as York Minster apprenticeships and said smaller organisations can deliver “fully funded SME apprenticeships for under-25s” [ref: a1520.0/1].

On VAT for listed thatch repairs, she said that while VAT is for the Treasury, in a tight fiscal climate it may be “better value for money to direct taxpayers’ money into targeted funds” [ref: a1520.2/2]. She confirmed schools “still routinely teach” practical skills [ref: a1521.0/1] and that the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme runs to March with “94% of applications… unaffected by the change” [ref: a1522.0/1]. Further roundtables with the sector were planned.

Sexual harassment in educational settings – Question

Baroness Hussein-Ece asked about levels of sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour in education [ref: a1522.4/1]. Baroness Smith of Malvern said tackling abuse is “a top priority for this Government” and cited assessments by the Department for Education, the Office for Students and national surveys [ref: a1522.5/1]. She highlighted OfS conditions introduced in August with “clear reporting procedures… staff and student training, transparent investigations, and a ban on non-disclosure agreements” [ref: a1523.1/1].

On social media, she noted misogyny pre-dates it but stressed robust RSHE and use of the Online Safety Act to address harms, with fines “up to 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue” and possible blocking orders for serious non-compliance [ref: a1524.2/1, a1524.6/1]. She referenced pilots to support RSHE and tackle harmful sexual behaviour as part of the Government’s VAWG work [ref: a1524.0/1]. No vote was taken; implementation of guidance and regulation was the focus.

Iran: Protests – Private Notice Question

Baroness Kennedy asked about the treatment of protesters in Iran and coordination with the United States under international law [ref: a1526.0/2]. Baroness Chapman said the Government is “deeply concerned” and “strongly condemn the killing of protesters”, urged restoration of communications, and affirmed commitment to international law [ref: a1526.1/1]. She clarified that the UK ambassador “was not summoned” by Iran, and that proscription decisions are kept under review, including “proscription-like measures” [ref: a1527.1/1].

She noted the “current inability to get verifiable information” due to internet shutdowns and reiterated UK travel advice not to travel to Iran [ref: a1527.3/1]. She emphasised UK protection for Iranians in Britain—“We will not stand for it; we will take whatever measures necessary” [ref: a1529.4/1]—and acknowledged the role of citizen reporting: “citizen journalism has become all that we have” [ref: a1530.2/1]. No decisions were announced; monitoring and potential measures were indicated.

Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill – Third Reading

Baroness Chapman moved a government amendment so that orders under Clause 6(1) are subject to the negative procedure, “put[ting] into effect one of the recommendations of the Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee” [ref: a1531.2/2]. Moving Third Reading, she argued the treaty “ensures that the UK retains full control over this vital asset” and is vital for national security [ref: a1532.0/2].

Lord Callanan’s regret amendment contended the agreement “does not secure the long-term future” of the base, raised concerns about compatibility with the Pelindaba Treaty (“How can that possibly be compatible…?” [ref: a1533.0/5]), environmental protections, costs and consultation [ref: a1533.0/2- a1533.0/16]. Baroness Goldie warned that Pelindaba could enable third-party challenges post-transfer [ref: a1535.0/2- a1535.0/3]. In reply, Baroness Chapman said the Government had been transparent on costs and established a Chagossian Contact Group; she also acknowledged that Mauritius “does not have the capability and expertise” yet to manage marine protection and that the UK will work alongside it [ref: a1545.0/4, a1545.0/7, a1545.0/8].

The regret amendment was agreed by 201 to 169 [ref: a1547.1/2, a1547.3/1]. The main Motion, as amended, was then agreed and the “Bill passed and returned to the Commons with amendments” [ref: a1550.10/2, a1550.10/3].

Sentencing Bill – Third Reading

Lord Timpson confirmed, “the Scottish Government have granted an LCM” covering provisions on national security offenders [ref: a1551.4/1]. He said the Bill will put the justice system “on a sustainable footing” and highlighted changes, including added safeguards to Sentencing Council approvals, a statutory annual prison capacity Statement, removal of powers to publish photos of unpaid work, and measures to “bring hope to those serving IPP sentences” by speeding safe progression [ref: a1551.4/3].

He also extended whole life order starting points to include murdered probation officers [ref: a1551.4/4]. Lord Marks welcomed the shift away from short immediate custodial sentences, removal of Clause 35, and commitments to transparency, while urging progress on free sentencing transcripts and unresolved IPP issues [ref: a1552.0/1, a1552.0/4- a1552.0/5]. The Bill was passed and returned to the Commons with amendments [ref: a1555.0/2].

Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill – Report

Baroness Chapman tabled amendments to grant Scottish Ministers and Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs regulation-making powers within devolved competence, with consultation duties and procedural provisions; these were agreed without division [ref: a1556.0/3, a1558.2/4].

Baroness Miller’s amendment to mandate regulations on plastic pellet pollution was withdrawn after the Government cited existing and developing international measures: MARPOL implementation (“prohibits any discharge of plastic into the sea” [ref: a1562.2/3]), a new SOLAS requirement that “mandates the reporting of lost containers” [ref: a1562.2/4], and ongoing work on a global plastics treaty [ref: a1562.2/5]. Lord Teverson’s proposal to add a human rights duty to marine licensing beyond national jurisdiction was also withdrawn; the Minister said the marine licensing regime is “not the most appropriate” vehicle and pointed to domestic and international labour frameworks [ref: a1568.1/3- a1568.1/4]. A technical commencement change for Clause 18 was agreed [ref: a1570.3/2- a1570.3/3].

Ukraine and wider operational update – Statement

A statement (made originally in the Commons) reported UK support to a US operation intercepting the stateless ‘Bella 1’, linked to Iranian oil and Russian sanctions evasion: “A stateless vessel may be lawfully intercepted” and Iran’s role in regional instability was set out [ref: a1570.5/11, a1570.5/5- a1570.5/6]. It also described planning with France for a multinational force to deploy only “after a ceasefire has been agreed”, with the Prime Minister committing: “I would put that matter to the House for a debate beforehand and for a vote” before any UK deployment [ref: a1570.5/17, a1570.5/19].

Baroness Goldie supported sanctions enforcement and sought clarity on contributions, public engagement and the defence investment plan [ref: a1573.0/1- a1573.0/11]. Lord Coaker said, “we have sanctioned 544 shadow vessels,” noted estimates that Russia’s oil revenues are down 27% compared with October 2024, and confirmed that “France and the UK are at the forefront” of planning [ref: a1576.0/3- a1576.0/4]. He also affirmed Greenland’s autonomy within Denmark and reiterated the commitment to a Commons vote before any deployment [ref: a1576.0/14, a1581.0/2- a1581.0/3]. No decisions were taken in the Lords; scrutiny focused on transparency, resources and allied coordination.