Lords Reset EU Ties, Tackle Transnational Repression

High-Level Summary

The House of Lords introduced a new peer and held oral questions, two take-note debates, and one short debate. Questions covered parcel duty implications for Northern Ireland, the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s code of practice, battery storage fire safety, flood risk in new housing, policy on Diego Garcia/BIOT, and the rollout of Electronic Travel Authorisations. Peers then debated the European Affairs Committee’s report on resetting UK–EU relations (including SPS, ETS, electricity trading, Erasmus+ and defence co‑operation) and the Joint Committee on Human Rights’ report on transnational repression. No divisions were taken; Ministers outlined ongoing negotiations, indicated forthcoming legislation to implement EU‑related measures, and set out steps to counter transnational repression.

Detailed Summary

Introduction of Baroness Leaman

Rhiannon Victoria Leaman was introduced as Baroness Leaman. The House record states she “was introduced and made the solemn affirmation … and signed an undertaking to abide by the Code of Conduct”.

Duty Relief Exemption: Small Parcels (Northern Ireland)

Baroness Hoey asked about the EU’s removal of low‑value duty relief and any impact on small parcels entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain. The Treasury Minister said Windsor Framework facilitations mean GB–NI parcel movements remain duty‑free under the UK Carrier Scheme and the UK Internal Market Scheme: “goods moving between Great Britain and Northern Ireland can continue to move … without the need to pay duty”. When pressed, he repeated that “these facilitations … are unaffected … Goods travelling from Great Britain to Northern Ireland can continue to move … without the need to pay duty”. Peers queried possible EU handling fees and timing. The Minister said the EU had not finalised any handling‑fee legislation and that the UK consultation on removing low‑value import relief closes on 6 March, with removal “by March 2029 at the latest”. Asked whether new payments would apply for GB–NI movements, he replied: “there will be no need to pay duty”.

Equality and Human Rights Commission – Code of Practice (Services)

Lord Strasburger asked whom the Government are consulting on the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s (EHRC) Code of Practice for Services. The Minister said the Secretary of State is consulting Scottish and Welsh Ministers as required by the Equality Act 2006, noting the EHRC’s independence and prior consultations; the draft code “is undergoing review by policy and legal teams” and is being considered “with the care that it deserves”. Challenged on compliance with Supreme Court judgments and delay, he affirmed: “absolutely”, rejected claims the Government opposed the EHRC’s interpretation, and said: “We are working with the EHRC to publish the code as speedily as possible”. On NHS single‑sex accommodation policies, he said policies will be reviewed following the judgment and the Government “will comply with the law”.

Fire and Rescue Services and Clean Energy Projects (Battery Storage)

Baroness McIntosh of Pickering asked about consultation with fire services on battery energy storage systems (BESS) and assessments of combustibility. The Minister said the Government works closely with the National Fire Chiefs Council and that “in the last five years, there have been four grid‑scale battery fires in Great Britain”. Planning guidance has been updated “to ensure that developers consult fire services” on large batteries. On the 2025 North Hyde substation fire affecting Heathrow, he confirmed that all National Energy System Operator recommendations were accepted and are being implemented, with most actions forecast by end‑2026. On regulation, Defra consulted on including grid‑scale BESS within environmental permitting and is reviewing feedback. On tactics, he said the protocol is to mitigate and “allow it to burn out” to prevent reignition, and clarified he was discussing “stand‑alone battery storage plants” when broader waste‑site statistics were raised.

New Housing and Flood Risk

Lord Blencathra asked how risks from new housing in flood‑risk areas are being mitigated. The Minister cited the National Planning Policy Framework: “inappropriate development in flood risk areas should be avoided … [and] if necessary in such areas, development should be made safe for its lifetime without increasing flood risk elsewhere,” with sustainable drainage systems required. She reported that “96% of all planning decisions and 99% of all new homes proposed in planning applications comply with Environment Agency advice”. Peers discussed nature‑based solutions and insurance. The Minister welcomed permeable surfaces and SuDS and highlighted the Build Back Better scheme’s £10,000 resilience measures during repairs. On case law, she said the “sequential test remains firmly in place as part of the planning process”.

Diego Garcia and British Indian Ocean Territory (Commons Urgent Question)

Peers questioned the Government following a Commons Answer on the treaty and base. The Minister said people who had gone to outer islands “should not be there … It is not legal for anybody to visit those islands without a permit” and urged them to leave “safely, but promptly”. She reaffirmed the base’s “vital strategic importance” for UK–US defence co‑operation. On the pause in legislation, the Government’s plan is to “speak with our friends … to establish a stable position” with the United States because any approach must secure joint operation of the base. She confirmed the UK and US agree on the need to continue operating the base while discussions on sovereignty proceed.

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) and Dual Nationals (Commons Urgent Question)

Peers queried the mandatory ETA system and the position of dual nationals. The Minister stated: “British citizens … do not need and are not eligible for an ETA. They must travel with a valid British passport or another passport endorsed with a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode”. To ease transition, “carriers … may at their discretion accept an expired UK passport issued in 1989 or later alongside a valid non‑visa national third‑country passport,” and carriers can contact the Home Office’s support hub. On concerns about discretion and confusion, he noted there is “a temporary mitigation” and encouraged contact with carriers and the support hub. An exemption for visitors to Northern Ireland was ruled out as it would “undermine the rationale of the scheme”. For Australians with British nationality, options are a British passport or a lifetime certificate of entitlement.

Resetting the UK–EU Relationship (European Affairs Committee Report) – Motion to Take Note

Opening, Lord Ricketts reviewed the inquiry and priorities across security, defence, trade and culture, noting negotiations on the EU SAFE defence instrument “broke down” over an “unreasonable EU demand for an entry fee” and asking about reopening talks. He highlighted expected SPS and ETS agreements, the challenge of dynamic alignment and the need for scrutiny—“How will Parliament exercise any useful scrutiny of this constant drip of administrative change?”—and welcomed association with Erasmus+ from 2027. Contributors differed on strategy, with some urging deeper integration and industrial defence co‑operation, and others warning about costs and sovereignty, including concerns about “joining bits of the single market—on SPS, ETS and electricity”. Responding for the Government, the Minister restated red lines—“no return … to the single market or customs union”—but said that in areas like SPS “it is in our national interest to align our rules with the EU,” with agreed “decision‑shaping rights” and independent arbitration rather than the CJEU. She confirmed Erasmus+ association in 2027 with a UK contribution of “around £570 million” and said a youth experience scheme is being negotiated. On defence, the UK entered SAFE talks but “were unable to come to an agreement” on terms “in our national interest”. Legislation to implement EU‑related agreements will be introduced “later this year”.

Public Office (Accountability) Bill: offence of misleading the public – peers’ and MPs’ exclusion (Short Debate)

Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb asked why MPs and Peers are excluded from Clause 11’s new offence of misleading the public and urged inclusion, arguing the Bill would “criminalise lying in politics for the first time”. Supporters said deliberate deception by politicians should carry sanction “in extremis”, while others warned of lawfare and chilling effects on free speech. The Government explained that Clause 11 targets executive deception in large‑scale public incidents and sits alongside two new statutory offences replacing misconduct in public office that will apply to MPs and Peers. They stressed safeguards—“prosecutions cannot be brought without the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions”—and said Parliament has its own processes for enforcing honesty and protecting privileged proceedings.

Transnational Repression in the UK (JCHR Report) – Motion to Take Note

Introducing the JCHR report, Lord Alton called for a formal definition, better data, and stronger co‑ordination, noting the Home Office is “looking still with the police … at how best to gather data and more information, and indeed intelligence”. He cited evidence that “China conducts the most comprehensive TNR campaign of any foreign state operating in the UK” and recommended placing China on the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS). Peers cited threats attributed to China, Iran and Russia (including SLAPPs and misuse of Interpol red notices), intimidation of diaspora and students, and pressures on universities. The Government said “transnational repression in the UK will not be tolerated” and outlined steps on the National Security Act, police training, guidance, and an academic interference reporting route. They said Iran is included within FIRS and that China remains under review—“No decision has been made about China”.