Crown Estate (Wales) Bill Passes amid Crime Bill Scrutiny

High-Level Summary

The House of Lords day featured introductions of two new Members, oral questions on East Coast Main Line capacity, youth unemployment, parental leave and pay reform, and maternal mortality, plus Third Reading of the Crown Estate (Wales) Bill. Peers also debated atrocity‑prevention mechanisms. The Committee stage of the Crime and Policing Bill covered amendments on stop and search, digital ID and policing, cycling face coverings, oversight of police bodies, non‑crime hate incidents, e‑bike enforcement, sanctions proceeds for victims, childhood records, a child‑cruelty notification scheme, PCC dismissal processes, and firearms accountability; all were withdrawn after ministerial responses. The Crown Estate (Wales) Bill passed and was sent to the Commons; the Sentencing Bill and Holocaust Memorial Bill were returned from the Commons for Lords consideration.

Detailed Summary

Introductions: Baroness Gill; and Baroness Davies of Devonport

Two new Members were introduced. Neena Gill, CBE, was introduced as Baroness Gill, supported by Lord Kennedy of Southwark and Baroness Smith of Basildon, took the oath and signed the Code of Conduct undertaking. Sharron Elizabeth Davies, MBE, was introduced as Baroness Davies of Devonport, supported by Baroness Grey‑Thompson and Lord Young of Acton, made the solemn affirmation and signed the undertaking.

Railways: East Coast Main Line – Oral Question

Baroness Blake of Leeds said the December 2025 timetable delivered “more than 60,000 extra seats across the east coast main line each week,” faster London–Edinburgh services and a third train per hour to Newcastle, and that a long‑term strategy will incorporate Northern Powerhouse Rail and Leamside line opportunities. She endorsed collaboration and future Great British Railways: “public sector collaboration, free from contractual constraints, enables successful delivery”. Asked about an HS2 reset date, she said, “I cannot give … a specific answer”. On timetable resilience and station coverage concerns (e.g. Berwick, Durham), she would “endeavour to get answers”. She confirmed Ministers intend to be present to see GBR legislation through and noted open‑access operators “have brought an incredible amount … Some 20% of services on the east coast main line have open‑access operators”. Outcome: no decisions; Network Rail’s route strategy is in development (publication timing not stated in the transcript).

Youth Unemployment – Oral Question

Baroness Smith of Malvern said youth unemployment has been rising since May 2022, with “almost 1 million young people not in education, employment or training,” and announced “an additional £1.5 billion over the next three years through the youth guarantee and the growth and skills levy” and an independent review led by Alan Milburn. She set out a youth guarantee pathway: at 13 weeks a gateway meeting with four weeks of intensive support and “300,000 more opportunities,” and a guaranteed job “after 18 months” for those on universal credit. She cited co‑ordination on mental health, with “a mental health professional to support every single school”, and confirmed training would be free and aimed at sustained employment. Outcome: no new policy beyond existing programmes; review timetable not stated in the transcript; next steps include delivery of the youth guarantee and the review’s work.

Parental Leave and Pay Review – Oral Question

Baroness Sherlock confirmed the review launched on 1 July 2025 and “will conclude in early 2027 with a set of findings”. She said “the system needs reform,” highlighted stakeholder engagement and measures such as neonatal leave and pay, and considering day‑one rights for paternity and unpaid parental leave. She said self‑employed parents’ needs are explicitly in scope and agreed to convene a cross‑party Peers’ meeting. On evidence, she noted international comparisons and “clear voices calling for fathers to have more paternity leave,” while cautioning reforms must work in practice. Outcome: review continues on the set timetable; no acceleration was offered.

Maternal Mortality – Oral Question

Baroness Merron, responding to MBRRACE‑UK’s finding of a 20% rise in maternal deaths since 2009–11, said the Government commissioned “an independent investigation that will present recommendations in the spring,” with the National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce, chaired by the Secretary of State, to turn them into a “deliverable national action plan”. She acknowledged previous targets are “very unlikely to be achieved” and pointed to the maternal care bundle’s standards on main causes of death and harm. She highlighted disparities (black women “three times more likely to die”) and “mechanisms for surveillance of severe maternal morbidity” with “first data … expected in the summer”. She reported a 3.6% (878) year‑on‑year increase in midwives to October 2025 and retention initiatives. Outcome: awaiting the investigation’s recommendations; a national plan is intended to follow.

Crown Estate (Wales) Bill [HL] – Third Reading

King’s consent was signified and the Bill was read a third time. Lord Wigley said all 22 Welsh county councils support the Bill and that the Welsh Government “have also called for the Crown Estate to be devolved in Wales”. Lord Livermore reiterated that “the Government do not support the devolution of the Crown Estate to Wales,” pointing to new commissioners for Wales and Northern Ireland within the current model, and confirmed there are no plans to devolve English assets. Outcome: “Bill passed and sent to the Commons” despite ministerial reservations. Next step: consideration in the House of Commons.

Business Rates for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure – Response to Commons Urgent Question

Peers queried support for pubs and hospitality. Lord Livermore said pandemic‑era valuations mean some increases but “at the Budget we therefore announced three elements of support at a total cost of £4.3 billion,” including transitional relief, caps for those losing small business relief and an expanded supporting small businesses scheme. He acknowledged pubs “will struggle” and said the Government are “working with the sector,” declining to “comment on speculation” before formal announcements. He took on board points about grassroots music venues’ eligibility and charity shop relief levels as part of wider reforms. Outcome: no new measures announced; further statements to follow “in the usual way” (timing not stated in the transcript).

Crime and Policing Bill – Committee: Section 60 Stop and Search Threshold

Amendment 411 to lower the Section 60 test from “serious violence” to “violence” was debated. Supporters argued it would help prevent knife crime; opponents warned of over‑reach, discrimination and that suspicionless powers must remain tightly circumscribed. The Minister said Section 60 is “intended for exceptional circumstances where serious violence is anticipated or has occurred,” and reducing the threshold would “widen the scope considerably”. He cited other measures and “knife homicides are down 20% … overall, knife crime has fallen for the first time in four years; and hospital admissions for knife crime have dropped by 10%”. Outcome: amendment withdrawn.

Crime and Policing Bill – Committee: Digital ID and Policing

Amendment 415 sought to prohibit police requiring or using a digital identity document. Lord Davies of Gower presented it as a “safeguard” against future compulsion. Minister Lord Katz clarified the Government will introduce a digital ID programme, with a public consultation “in the coming weeks,” and that “the digital ID will not be used as part of stop and search” or demanded by officers; it will not be mandatory and will have safeguards. Outcome: amendment withdrawn. Next step: consultation on digital ID.

Crime and Policing Bill – Committee: Face Coverings while Cycling

Amendment 416 would have empowered police to stop cyclists/scooter riders whose face coverings conceal identity, creating an offence of failing to stop. Supporters cited growth in bike‑enabled robberies and anonymity. The Minister pointed to existing powers: under Section 60AA of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 police can require removal of face coverings in designated areas, and local authorities can use PSPOs to prohibit face coverings in defined zones. He noted there are “legitimate reasons” to wear coverings, so a blanket prohibition would be disproportionate. Outcome: amendment withdrawn.

Crime and Policing Bill – Committee: Policing Oversight and Enforcement

Amendment 416A proposed an independent commission to review HMICFRS enforcement powers and co‑ordination with the IOPC and PCCs. The Government said HMICFRS “already plays a well‑established role” and that a policing White Paper will be published “shortly,” including steps “to enhance the powers of HMICFRS” and strengthen co‑ordination. Outcome: amendment withdrawn. Next step: publication of the White Paper.

Crime and Policing Bill – Committee: Non‑Crime Hate Incidents (NCHIs)

Amendment 416E sought to abolish NCHIs and delete records. Lord Herbert of South Downs, chair of the College of Policing, said an interim review concluded the regime is “not fit for purpose,” proposing to end use of crime systems for NCHIs and record only high‑threshold “anti‑social behaviour hostility” on intelligence systems. The Minister confirmed the Government commissioned the review and expects the final report “shortly,” saying reforms will be grounded in the review’s recommendations. Outcome: amendment withdrawn, with an indication it may return on Report. Next step: receipt of the final review and a government response.

Crime and Policing Bill – Committee: Dockless E‑Bikes/Scooters and Illegal High‑Powered E‑Bikes

Amendments 416H–416I proposed confiscation of obstructive dockless bikes/scooters, operator charges, and disposal of manifestly illegal high‑powered e‑bikes. The Minister said a licensing framework for shared cycles/e‑scooters will be created via the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, empowering local licensing authorities to set parking requirements and sanction breaches. He added police already have seizure and disposal powers under the Police Reform Act 2002, with Clause 8 of this Bill strengthening immediate confiscation and changes to enable quicker disposal under consultation. Outcome: amendments withdrawn. Next step: implement the licensing framework; publish disposal consultation response.

Crime and Policing Bill – Committee: Using Sanctions Proceeds to Compensate Victims

Amendments 417–419 would allow courts to direct proceeds from sanctions offences to victims’ organisations via ‘public interest compensation orders’. Proponents argued current law seldom benefits victims of sanctions‑related harms. The Minister pointed to existing compensation orders and international asset‑sharing, and wider support to Ukraine, noting the intention to transfer “£2.5 billion from Roman Abramovich’s sale of Chelsea FC to humanitarian causes in Ukraine,” with court action possible if a foundation is not established. Outcome: amendments withdrawn with potential return on Report.

Crime and Policing Bill – Committee: Childhood Convictions and Cautions

Amendment 420 called for a review of childhood convictions and cautions; linked amendments sought specific reforms. The Minister acknowledged the significant impact and said the Government will “consider opportunities to simplify the criminal records regime … particularly in relation to childhood offences,” offering to meet Peers. On rail fare evasion convictions, she said it is “very unusual for a child … to get a criminal conviction” and undertook to write with statistics. Outcome: amendment withdrawn. Next step: ministerial discussions; potential simplification proposals.

Crime and Policing Bill – Committee: Child‑Cruelty Offender Notification

Amendment 420A proposed notification requirements for those convicted of child‑cruelty offences, analogous to sex offender notifications. The Minister said the Government are “committed to safeguarding children” and are considering “the most effective way to strengthen offender management,” noting potential policing resource implications and links to the VAWG strategy. Outcome: amendment withdrawn; the mover signalled a likely return on Report if no government proposal emerges.

Crime and Policing Bill – Committee: PCC Removal of Chief Constables

Amendment 421 would require PCCs to consult HMICFRS before calling on a chief constable to resign or retire. The Minister said this is already required under “regulation 11A of the Police Regulations 2003,” alongside providing reasons to the chief constable and police and crime panel. He also trailed a policing White Paper “shortly” that will propose replacing PCCs with mayoral/board models and reintroducing a Home Secretary power to remove chief constables, with legislation to follow when time allows. Outcome: amendment withdrawn. Next step: White Paper.

Crime and Policing Bill – Committee: Use of Force and Firearms Accountability

Baroness O’Loan’s Amendment 422 sought to codify the Supreme Court’s W80 ruling so that in misconduct cases an officer’s mistaken belief justifying force must be “objectively reasonable.” Lord Carter’s Amendment 423 proposed a partial defence reducing murder to manslaughter for authorised firearms officers acting under an honest but mistaken belief; Lord Hogan‑Howe’s Amendment 423A would apply the ‘householder’ gross‑disproportion test to such officers. The Minister said the Government will not create “a two‑tier justice system,” arguing that existing self‑defence law protects officers and that householders and AFOs are not analogous. She confirmed that, following the rapid review, misconduct regulations will be changed to the criminal law test in the spring. Outcome: all three amendments withdrawn. Next step: bring forward the misconduct regulation change.

Atrocity Crimes – Short Debate

Lord Alton asked what mechanisms exist to evaluate risks of atrocity crimes and what measures follow. He criticised the lack of “a cross‑government atrocity prevention strategy” and cited cases including Sudan, Burma and the Yazidis. Baroness Chapman set out the Government’s approach—joined‑up assessments, embassy networks, and strengthening systems—stating, “We are strengthening our own systems” and will continue to support prevention and accountability work. She acknowledged ODA changes while highlighting multilateral support and commitments. Outcome: no new mechanisms announced; ongoing work continues.

Bills Returned from the Commons

The Sentencing Bill was returned with amendments; the Holocaust Memorial Bill was returned with a reason. Next step: Lords consideration of the Commons’ changes (details not stated in the transcript).