Lords Toughen Crime Bill; China Interference Arrests Reported

High-Level Summary

The House of Lords took oral questions on local government reorganisation, maternity services, Taiwan and electoral integrity, approved two statutory instruments, and spent most of the day on Report (day 3) of the Crime and Policing Bill. Peers debated cycling and micromobility enforcement, agreed significant changes to aggravated offences, strengthened Domestic Abuse Protection Orders, and introduced statutory guidance and a definition for honour‑based abuse. A security statement reported arrests under the National Security Act linked to alleged Chinese foreign interference. The House adjourned after agreeing Lords amendments to the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Bill.

Detailed Summary

Death of a Member: The Lord Bishop of Guildford

Lord Forsyth of Drumlean announced: “I regret to inform the House of the death of the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Guildford on 3 March”. Outcome: formal announcement; condolences were recorded; no further action stated in the transcript.

Local Government Reorganisation – Oral Question

Baroness Taylor of Stevenage outlined scope and timetable: the Government is “working with 204 councils across 21 areas” and has “already announced two new councils for Surrey, with elections expected there this May”; further decisions are expected later in March; final decisions before Summer Recess 2026; elections May 2027; go‑live April 2028. On London, she said the mayoral model is “unique among strategic authorities and has successfully served the people of London for the last 25 years” and the Government regularly engages with the GLA. Peers asked about parish councils—Taylor said they are not in scope—and collaboration during transition; she said reorganisation in two‑tier areas will “bring services together into one local authority” so residents “know which council to talk to”. On skills, she highlighted apprenticeships and employment opportunities. On representation, she said proposals “focused absolutely on making sure that there is proper representation” and this will be carefully considered. She emphasised community engagement and an “extensive consultation process”. Asked about councillor pensions, she confirmed: “the Government are bringing back pensions for local councillors”. On costs/benefits, she said ending two‑tier systems will boost growth: “Having one council in charge of each area … will speed up housebuilding”; individual proposals include costs/benefits which will be published at decision.

Maternity Commissioner – Oral Question

Baroness Blake of Leeds acknowledged “serious issues in maternity services” and referred to the independent investigation chaired by Baroness Amos, whose interim report “reveals systemic, sustained and recurring failures”; consequently, “there are currently no plans to appoint a maternity commissioner” while the investigation proceeds. She cited a forthcoming action plan led by a national taskforce: recommendations will “lead to an action plan delivered by a national task force chaired by the Secretary of State himself”. Peers raised staffing and retention, whether a commissioner is needed, accountability—she said the taskforce would lead and the Secretary of State is engaging with families—and timing: “The first meeting of the taskforce is imminent”. She stressed consistent oversight and rapid reviews and confirmed ministerial engagement with Leeds parents about a local review chair.

Taiwan – Oral Question

Lord Lemos restated: “The UK’s long‑standing position on Taiwan remains unchanged”; the UK “will continue to support democratic values” and “oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo” across the Taiwan Strait. On resilience, he cited strong unofficial links, annual trade and semiconductor dialogues, and said the Prime Minister raised peace and stability directly with President Xi. He underlined Taiwan’s strategic importance, including semiconductors, and partnership with allies. On information sharing, he said: “I do not think the noble Lord would expect me to comment on information sharing” and pointed to measures from the China audit and the national security strategy. He agreed hard‑power arrangements such as AUKUS matter and said audit findings were included in the national security strategy. On trade, he noted an annual semiconductor dialogue and said that, for now, the Government is “not concerned about Taiwan” in terms of supply chain resilience.

Ballot Secrecy Act 2023 – Alleged Breaches at Gorton & Denton By‑election – Oral Question

Baroness Taylor of Stevenage said allegations had been reported to Greater Manchester Police and that the Electoral Commission is in contact with police and the returning officer; she stressed it is essential voters can cast their vote “in secret and without the risk of coercion” and urged reporting of concerns to the police. On broader safeguards and pilots, she said the Representation of the People Bill is before Parliament and that voter pilots test ways to improve turnout, with protections maintained: “We will examine the results … and make sure that … pilot areas are as well protected under electoral law”. She explained the law on family voting and Electoral Commission guidance, alongside the “Your Vote is Yours Alone” campaign, and said breaches are unacceptable regardless of result. She urged lessons ahead of the 7 May local elections, confirmed Commonwealth voting rights remain, and outlined 2026 pilots of centralised polling hubs and advance in‑person voting, with ID checks and trained staff.

Statutory Instruments – Surrey (Structural Changes) Order; Immigration and Nationality (Fees) (Amendment) Order 2026

The House approved the Surrey (Structural Changes) Order after Grand Committee consideration and approved the Immigration and Nationality (Fees) (Amendment) Order 2026. No divisions are recorded in the transcript.

Crime and Policing Bill – Report (Day 3): Cycling and Micromobility

Lord Lucas proposed cycling disqualification and a new offence of riding while disqualified, arguing for deterrence and alignment with motoring law. Lord Hogan‑Howe proposed cycle registration and licence points for cycling offences, citing rising pedestrian injuries and the need for accountability via technology. Baroness McIntosh sought reviews on e‑scooter misuse and annual reporting on cycling offences. Responding, Lord Katz said cycling disqualification is unenforceable without licensing and “could not be adequately enforced without some form of licensing for cyclists”; he noted existing sentencing powers for drivers and rejected registration as a “gargantuan task”. On e‑scooters, he resisted another review, pointing to trials extended to May 2028 and intent to legislate on micromobility when time allows. He announced DfT research into food‑delivery rider practices “will start at the end of this month. It will take about one year”. Outcome: Lord Lucas withdrew his amendments; Lord Hogan‑Howe’s points amendment (326) was defeated (Ayes 41; Noes 181).

Crime and Policing Bill – Report: Aggravated Offences (Hate Crime)

Lord Hanson moved Amendment 334 to extend aggravated offences under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to include disability, sexual orientation and transgender identity, and to add sex for specified provisions, saying the measure extends a well‑established model and delivers a manifesto commitment. He said the framework would help agencies identify and record hostility and ensure perpetrators are “appropriately punished for their offending”. Some peers opposed on grounds including free speech and drafting; Lord Young of Acton sought to exclude misgendering from scope. Lord Pannick supported the approach, arguing courts should consider whether hostility is based on sex or transgender status. Winding up, Lord Hanson stressed the change concerns serious offences and judicial discretion: “No one will go down for a tweet … they will go down because they committed a serious offence”. Outcome: Lord Young withdrew his amendment after ministerial reassurance; Amendment 334 was agreed by 213–145. Consequential amendments extended the same aggravators to new emergency‑worker abuse offences.

Crime and Policing Bill – Report: Domestic Abuse Protection Orders

Baroness Levitt introduced Amendment 338 to allow criminal courts to require a suitability assessment for programme participation as part of a DAPO, with automatic programme requirement if appropriate, and to let criminal courts vary DAPOs of their own motion. She said the change streamlines positive requirements at the first hearing. Outcome: agreed without division.

Crime and Policing Bill – Report: Honour‑based Abuse – Statutory Guidance and Definition

The Government introduced powers to issue multi‑agency statutory guidance on honour‑based abuse and a statutory definition to support earlier, consistent safeguarding. The definition includes cases where a person “caus[es] another person to engage in abusive behaviour towards” the victim. Baroness Sugg sought to clarify explicit multi‑perpetrator coverage; the Minister confirmed the Interpretation Act allows plural reading and said this will be made explicit in Explanatory Notes and guidance. Outcome: government amendments agreed; the clarifying amendment was not moved.

Crime and Policing Bill – Report: Psychotherapy/Counselling – Coercive Control Offence (defeated)

Lord Marks proposed a new offence targeting “quack psychotherapists and counsellors” who use coercive or controlling behaviour, arguing current law leaves vulnerable clients exposed. The Government declined, citing complexity of definitions and saying they are “ready to work with sector partners to commission a formal assessment” and could use existing regulation‑making powers if warranted. Outcome: amendment defeated (Ayes 52; Noes 146).

Crime and Policing Bill – Report: Assault of Public‑Facing Workers (defeated)

Baroness Stowell sought to expand the new retail‑worker assault offence to all public‑facing workers, arguing wider coverage would support front‑line staff. The Government opposed, noting that general assault laws apply to all and that the 2022 Act makes such assaults an aggravating factor; the bespoke retail‑worker offence reflects their role in enforcing age‑restricted sales and confronting shop theft—“It is a retail worker who stops illegal sales of cigarettes … alcohol … a knife”. Outcome: amendment narrowly defeated (Ayes 129; Noes 132).

Crime and Policing Bill – Report: Public Order – Removing ‘alarm’ (withdrawn)

Lord Jackson proposed removing “alarm” from offences of causing harassment, alarm or distress. The Government declined pending the independent review by Lord Macdonald and emphasised early‑intervention powers alongside free speech: maintaining definitions allows police to protect the public while the review reports “in the spring”. Outcome: withdrawn.

Crime and Policing Bill – Report: Fraud Tools and Cyber Measures

Government amendments broadened powers to specify SIM‑farm and SIM‑card articles by regulation and restricted specified fraud‑enabling articles to those “made or adapted for use in perpetrating fraud”. Lord Clement‑Jones pressed for a specific digital identity theft offence; the Government argued existing laws already capture such behaviour and pointed to the Fisher review and a fraud strategy to be published “imminently”. He also proposed statutory defences to the Computer Misuse Act for good‑faith cyber researchers; the Government “have been developing a limited defence” to section 1 CMA but said “this Bill is not the right vehicle”. Outcomes: government amendments agreed; both opposition amendments withdrawn.

Crime and Policing Bill – Report: Mobile Phone Theft – Cloud‑based Blocking (withdrawn)

Lord Jackson proposed mandating cloud‑based blocks to render stolen phones unusable. The Government acknowledged progress—“mobile phone thefts in London have fallen by 10,000” year‑on‑year—but preferred collaboration with manufacturers and operators over mandating an “untested solution”, reserving the right to legislate if needed. Outcome: withdrawn.

Security Update – Statement on arrests under the National Security Act (China)

Baroness Anderson repeated a Statement: three men were arrested on suspicion of “assisting a foreign intelligence service” under section 3 of the National Security Act; “this relates to China” and to “foreign interference targeting UK democracy”. She warned of “an increased pattern of covert activity from Chinese state‑linked actors” and said that, if attempts to interfere are proven, the UK “will impose severe consequences”. She outlined safeguards including new National Security Act powers, the foreign influence registration scheme and a counter‑political interference plan. Members were advised to follow security guidance and report concerns to the Parliamentary Security Department. On placing China in the enhanced FIRS tier, she said: “No decision has yet been made”.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel Bill – Returned from the Commons

The Bill was returned from the Commons with the Lords amendments agreed to.