Lords Uphold Firearms Officers’ Anonymity, Pubs Promised Rates Relief

High-Level Summary

The House of Lords opened with the introductions of Baroness Bi and Lord Walker of Broxton, then held four oral questions on illegal number plates, UK preparedness for artificial intelligence, a freelance champion for the creative industries, and the UK’s position on Diego Garcia. Committee stage continued on the Crime and Policing Bill: a proposal to time‑limit police misconduct investigations was withdrawn, while clauses creating a rebuttable presumption of anonymity for authorised firearms officers charged with qualifying offences were retained. Further amendments on police training, neighbourhood policing, police use of AI, police data systems, and devolving policing and youth justice to Wales were debated and withdrawn. Royal Assent was notified for three Acts. The day closed with a Take Note debate on the retail and hospitality sector—featuring several maiden speeches—during which Ministers trailed business rates support for pubs and outlined licensing reforms and other measures.

Detailed Summary

Introductions: Baroness Bi and Lord Walker of Broxton

Baroness Bi (of Bermondsey) and Lord Walker of Broxton were introduced, took the oath and signed undertakings to abide by the Code of Conduct.

Oral question: Number plates intended to defeat enforcement cameras

Lord Snape asked about action against number plates designed to evade enforcement cameras and possible regulatory strengthening. The Government said it recognised the urgency and outlined DVLA work with police, enforcement agencies and industry, including tighter supplier oversight and potential AI use: “The Government recognise the urgency and importance of tackling the use of illegal number plates designed to evade enforcement cameras”. Lord Hendy said DVLA is strengthening the supplier registration process, including fee level, eligibility and enforcement. He cited a Met/TfL operation where “41% of licensed taxis and private hire vehicles were found to have non-compliant plates”. On sanctions, Ministers confirmed increased penalties and confiscation are being considered: “the Government are considering precisely those two things”. He confirmed MoT checks include plate legality, though some switch plates after tests, and pointed to the Road Safety Strategy: “Continuing to work closely with the police and other enforcement agencies”. On related issues, Ministers said Government would show more urgency on e‑scooter pilots than the previous Government, and cautioned against portraying society as lawless.

Oral question: Artificial Intelligence – UK preparedness

Lord Pitkeathley asked about preparedness for AI risks/opportunities. The Government highlighted the AI Opportunities Action Plan, backing domestic compute, start‑ups and skills, and the AI Security Institute’s work on frontier risks and international evaluations. AI was described as “the primary driver of productivity” alongside safety testing before rollout. On capability, Ministers referenced establishing a Sovereign AI Unit with £500 million to back UK firms and secure critical AI capabilities. The regulatory approach is proportionate and regulator‑led across sectors, “empowering existing regulators to apply cross-cutting principles such as safety, fairness and transparency”. SMEs are supported through innovation funding, testbeds and adoption programmes. On social media regulation and competition, the Government said the UK must “steer the course between extremes” while safeguarding the public.

Oral question: Creative Industries – Freelance Champion

Baroness Bonham‑Carter asked about appointing a freelance champion. The Government said it had been working with industry on the role’s scope and a round table would be held in two weeks to finalise discussions, with an appointment to follow swiftly. The champion will drive cross‑government action: “The champion-type role… is designed … to make sure that these conversations are had and action is taken across government”. On plan delivery, achievements cited included place‑based growth funding, a streaming income boost, a price cap on for‑profit ticket resale, investment in three Bollywood films (creating over 3,000 jobs), increased innovation funding and scale‑up finance; the Culture Secretary also announced “£1.5 billion will be invested to save more than 1,000 arts venues”. The Minister said Government is “determined to strengthen employment rights” and that the champion should address freelancer issues such as late payment and pensions. Concerns about workforce representation on the Creative Industries Council will be taken back.

Oral question: Diego Garcia – comments by the US President

Lord Robathan asked whether recent US presidential comments had changed UK policy. The Government said the Diego Garcia base is “essential to the security of the UK and our allies”, and the agreement secures its long‑term future; it noted previous US and Five Eyes support. Asked whether policy would change, the Minister replied, “No. The noble Lord is completely wrong in his assertion” and reiterated that the priority is keeping the UK safe. Ministers said they were speaking intensively with the US and that it remains a joint project serving both countries’ security. On legal jeopardy, the Minister said any country could withhold services, hence the need to place the base on a secure legal footing. She corrected a cost figure to £3.4 billion and reiterated commitment to the base and the deep UK‑US relationship.

Bill: National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill – First Reading

The Bill was brought from the Commons, read a first time and ordered to be printed.

Crime and Policing Bill (Committee): Amendment 422A – Scrutiny of investigation timeliness

Lord Hogan‑Howe (for Lord Bailey) proposed a 12‑month limit for police misconduct investigations, with independent scrutiny thereafter, arguing the current process “takes far too long” and highlighting decade‑long firearms cases, concluding: “That cannot be right”. He urged parallel rather than sequential decision‑making. Baroness Doocey called delays “a disgrace”, supporting independent oversight while warning of risks in rigid targets. The Minister cited recent reforms and a wider review on timeliness, and opposed the amendment as adding bureaucracy and risking unresolved terminations. Outcome: withdrawn. Next steps: Government review on misconduct timeliness underway.

Crime and Policing Bill (Committee): Clauses 152–155 – Anonymity for authorised firearms officers

A stand‑part debate considered clauses creating a rebuttable presumption of anonymity for firearms officers charged with qualifying offences. Opposing, Lord Black called them “a significant attack on open justice, press and media freedom” and unnecessary given existing judicial powers. Baroness Cash said: “Open justice is not a concession to the media; it is about the public”. Supporting, Lord Carter argued officers making split‑second decisions “deserve, at the very least, to be given anonymity” during proceedings. Lord Faulks queried what was wrong with existing judicial discretion, while Lord Hogan‑Howe backed the clauses, noting judicial error and that few cases are affected. Earl Attlee warned that without the clauses fewer officers would volunteer for firearms roles. Baroness Doocey advocated a tightly drawn presumption with safeguards. The Minister defended a narrow presumption due to real threats, citing cases where bounties or contracts were issued against officers, and stressed courts can lift anonymity if “contrary to the interests of justice”. Outcome: opposition withdrawn; Clauses 152–155 agreed. Next steps: Minister offered to meet media representatives.

Crime and Policing Bill (Committee): Amendment 424 – Consequential data protection change

A Government technical amendment to Clause 166 removed superseded provision in light of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025; it was agreed.

Crime and Policing Bill (Committee): Amendments 425 & 426 – Sentencing of police officers; pension forfeiture

Baroness Chakrabarti proposed (i) treating police service as a rebuttable aggravating factor in sentencing and (ii) empowering Crown Courts to order forfeiture of the employer pension contribution on conviction. She said visible accountability, including pension decisions in open court, could improve confidence. Baroness Doocey warned of risks in marginal cases and to recruitment/fairness. The Minister said existing guidelines already treat abuse of position as aggravating, and pension forfeiture rests with PCCs/Home Secretary with appeal to the courts. Outcome: Amendment 425 withdrawn; 426 not moved. Next steps: focus on vetting and standards (White Paper trailed).

Crime and Policing Bill (Committee): Amendment 427 (and related 428) – Independent review of police training and mental health support

Baroness Doocey sought an independent review into the consistency/effectiveness of in‑service training, citing HMICFRS concerns, while Baroness Brinton urged a culture‑change approach to mental health support, learning from the Armed Forces. The Minister pointed to the College of Policing curriculum, a forthcoming police reform White Paper, and a leadership review led by Lord Blunkett and Lord Herbert. Outcome: Amendment 427 withdrawn; Amendment 428 not moved. Next steps: White Paper and leadership commission work to address training and culture.

Crime and Policing Bill (Committee): Amendments 429 & 430 – Neighbourhood policing

Baroness Doocey proposed guaranteeing dedicated neighbourhood policing teams in every local authority area and ring‑fenced funding, citing PCSO reductions and service variation. Lord Sandhurst supported the principle but cautioned against central mandates. The Minister said Government has committed to increase neighbourhood officers by 13,000 this Parliament, with 80% of year‑one targets delivered and a neighbourhood policing guarantee in place. Outcome: withdrawn.

Crime and Policing Bill (Committee): Amendment 431 – Duty to record police algorithmic tools

Baroness Doocey sought a statutory duty for forces to disclose any algorithmic tools affecting rights via the Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard (ATRS), warning that tools such as gait analysis could be deployed without public oversight. Lord Clement‑Jones called ATRS “the bare minimum” for accountability. The Minister said ATRS was designed for central government and mandatory disclosure risked compromising operations; Government is working with policing on proportionate transparency and “are not comfortable with black box systems being used in policing”. Outcome: withdrawn. Next steps: Ongoing NPCC/Government work on AI transparency; Minister to consider further information provision.

Crime and Policing Bill (Committee): Amendment 432 – National plan on police data and intelligence systems

Baroness Doocey pressed for a five‑year national plan to modernise police data systems, citing the Casey audit’s finding of “antiquated” infrastructure and long‑standing interoperability problems with the CPS. The Minister pointed to existing parliamentary scrutiny, recent market engagement on data integration, a police technology strategy contract, and action on the Casey recommendations via existing programmes and the forthcoming White Paper. Outcome: withdrawn.

Crime and Policing Bill (Committee): Amendments 433 & 434 – Devolution of policing and youth justice to Wales

Baroness Smith of Llanfaes argued for devolving policing (given governance changes in England) and youth justice (already quasi‑devolved), noting heavy Welsh funding. Lord Hain supported devolving youth justice to align services and improve outcomes. Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd cited commissions recommending devolution and urged the police White Paper to address it. The Government opposed devolving policing now, citing the integrated England‑Wales justice system, but said it is working with Wales on youth justice delivery in line with manifesto commitments. Outcome: withdrawn. Next steps: Police reform White Paper to set out governance proposals for Wales.

Royal Assent

Royal Assent was notified for three Acts: the Unauthorised Entry to Football Matches Act 2026, Sentencing Act 2026, and Holocaust Memorial Act 2026.

Debate: Retail and hospitality sector – Motion to Take Note

Baroness Monckton opened by criticising Government policy as anti‑business, citing business rates revaluation impacts, rising utility costs and closures: “This Government are the most anti-business that I can remember”. She said “One pub a day closed last year” and warned that rate and labour cost changes risk more closures. Contributors stressed social value, the burden of business rates, energy costs and retail crime, and debated the impact of employment law changes. In a maiden speech, Baroness Dacres said retail and hospitality are “central to the vitality of our high streets” and emphasised locally led regeneration. The Bishop of Newcastle relayed warnings that some hospitality businesses were “on their last legs” and noted the regional importance of the visitor economy. Peers urged support for social clubs alongside pubs, called for re‑engineering town centres, and pointed to Pub is The Hub’s social return: “every £1 invested … generates more than £8 of social value”. Lord Fox argued for a larger rates discount and a temporary VAT cut for hospitality, while Lord Sharpe pressed for clarity on business rates changes, saying: “Businesses need decisions, not briefings”. Replying, the Minister said, “From April 2026, we will introduce permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties” and announced a £4.3 billion support package over three years. He also highlighted the National Licensing Policy Framework, support via Pub is The Hub, consultation on lowering the drink‑drive limit, stronger neighbourhood policing and a new offence of assaulting a retail worker. Outcome: Motion agreed to. Next steps: further details on pub support to be announced “in the coming days”; Minister to write on outstanding points.