Lords Scrutinise Standards, Economy and Wages; Pass Key Bills

High-Level Summary

The House of Lords held oral questions on Plan 2 student loan repayment terms, the BBC World Service’s sustainability, the Birmingham refuse workers’ dispute, and Fujitsu’s role in the Post Office Horizon case. Peers then scrutinised NHS GP access changes via a Commons Urgent Question repeat and debated a Government Statement on the Mandelson documents and standards reform. The Victims and Courts Bill completed its Lords stages (with a minor technical amendment) and was returned to the Commons; the Finance (No. 2) Bill also passed all remaining Lords stages. The House debated the Spring Forecast Statement, focusing on growth, inflation and fiscal policy, and approved the 2026 National Minimum Wage Regulations after a regret amendment was withdrawn.

Detailed Summary

Arrangement of Business – announcement

Lord Kennedy of Southwark reminded Members to keep Oral Questions concise, saying the House wants “short, sharp, crisp, clear questions, not speeches,” and that Ministers have an “equal duty” to keep answers brief. He invited Members with concerns to speak to him outside the Chamber.

Plan 2 Student Loans: Repayment Terms – Oral Question

Baroness Blake of Leeds said the student loan system is “a complex system that remains open to review,” with the Prime Minister and Education Secretary looking at ways “to make it fairer,” noting any change must be fiscally responsible. She refused to pre-empt policy on interest or repayment mechanisms, stating “it would be completely wrong of me to make any suggestion about changing interest rates or methods of repayment”, and stressed that fairness and access must underpin reform so cost does not deter study. On potential EU fee issues within youth mobility talks, she said it was “well above my pay grade” and for negotiators to conclude. No policy decisions were announced; review work continues.

BBC World Service: Sustainability – Oral Question

Baroness Chapman of Darlington said the Government “highly value the BBC World Service; it is a soft power asset,” confirming a funding uplift “to £137 million this financial year”. She said near‑term allocations will be set through the FCDO process shortly and that longer‑term funding options will be considered in the BBC charter review. She endorsed multi‑year settlements—“Multi-year allocations are incredibly important”—and, while underscoring editorial independence, noted the BBC had “put in place measures” following impartiality concerns. She undertook to look into reported Iranian threats against journalists. Outcome: current‑year uplift reiterated; future allocations pending; longer‑term structure to be addressed via the charter review.

Birmingham City Council and Unite: Refuse Workers’ Pay – Oral Question

Baroness Taylor of Stevenage said the Government are not a party to the dispute but the Secretary of State has met both sides and urged a sustainable resolution. She rejected claims that commissioners had blocked a viable deal—“it is not true that the commissioners are blocking a viable deal”—and described support during peak disruption, including establishing “a regular contingency waste collection service”. Ministers urged both parties to negotiate a settlement—“urge both parties to get back around the negotiating table”. Outcome: no direct intervention beyond monitoring and facilitation; negotiations encouraged.

Fujitsu and the Post Office Horizon case – Oral Question

Lord Leong said Fujitsu has acknowledged moral responsibility and intends to contribute financially, adding an interim payment “would be a valuable demonstration of intent,” but “whether to make such payment … remains a decision for the company”. On live contracts, he warned against simply terminating them, as this would hit critical services: “The suggestion that we should simply walk away from existing Fujitsu contracts does not take account of the impact on public services”. He said the Government would await the inquiry’s findings before litigation decisions—“we should wait for it to finish and for the report to be published”—while reiterating that “the Government’s expectation is clear: Fujitsu should bear the cost of redress” and that exclusion under procurement rules can be considered. Outcome: no interim payment secured; Government pressing Fujitsu while awaiting the inquiry’s final report; service continuity cited for existing contracts.

Grenfell Tower Memorial (Expenditure) Bill – First Reading

The Bill was brought from the Commons, endorsed as a money Bill, and read a first time. Next steps: Lords stages to follow.

GP Contract – Commons Urgent Question (Answer repeated)

Baroness Merron said that, following investment in advice and guidance, “we have seen 1.3 million people diverted since April 2025,” adding this “does not take away a GP’s right to refer,” which remains a matter of clinical judgement. On always‑open online portals, she said patient safety is paramount—“we always ensure that patient safety is at its heart”—and undertook to write with further details. She highlighted a new contractual requirement from 2026‑27 for “all clinically urgent patients to be dealt with on the same day” and referenced the ongoing review of the Carr‑Hill funding formula for areas with greater need. Outcome: policy position reiterated and clarified; further written detail promised.

Lord Mandelson: Response to Humble Address Motion – Statement (repeat)

Ministers confirmed release of “a first tranche of documents,” with some withheld at the Metropolitan Police’s request to avoid prejudicing a live criminal investigation. The Prime Minister “has taken responsibility … [and] acknowledged that it was a mistake and has apologised” for the appointment. Standards measures outlined included asking the Ethics and Integrity Commission to review financial disclosures, lobbying transparency and the business appointment rules, and seeking Lords Conduct Committee consideration of sanctions for serious misconduct. Withheld documents are being shared on confidential terms with the PACAC Chair, and further tranches will follow. Outcome: partial disclosure now; more to come; standards reforms in train.

Victims and Courts Bill – Third Reading and Passing

The House agreed a technical amendment removing a redundant cross‑reference (Amendment 1). Peers highlighted Lords amendments made earlier—on publishing sentencing remarks and preserving access to private prosecutions—arguing that “Open and transparent justice is a fundamental principle” and that sentencing remarks should “be made available”. The Minister said the Bill strengthens victims’ rights and court operation, aiming for victims to be treated with “dignity, compassion and respect”. The Bill was passed and returned to the Commons with amendments; devolved consent issues remain under discussion.

Spring Forecast Statement – Motion to Take Note

Opening the debate, Lord Livermore set out an economic plan based on “three pillars: stability in our public finances, investment in our infrastructure and reform to Britain’s economy,” and warned that Middle East energy market volatility could raise inflation in coming months. Critics called the Statement “largely a non-event” and warned the tax burden could reach “38.5% of GDP”, while supporters emphasised stability, regional investment, skills, and deepening EU economic ties. Concluding, the Minister said inflation “stands now at 3%” and defence spending will rise to “2.6% of GDP next year”. Outcome: motion agreed to take note; no division.

Finance (No. 2) Bill – Second Reading and remaining stages

The House granted Second Reading, negatived Committee, dispensed with Standing Order 44, and read the Bill a third time and passed it the same day. Scottish and Welsh legislative consent was recorded. Next steps: Royal Assent in the usual course.

National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Regulations 2026 – Motion to Approve

Lord Leong set out rate increases from 1 April based on Low Pay Commission (LPC) recommendations: the rate for workers aged 21+ to £12.71; for 18‑20s to £10.85; for under‑18s and apprentices to £8; and the accommodation offset to £11.10. He said this will provide “a direct pay uplift for approximately 2.7 million workers”. A regret amendment from Lord Sharpe warned the measures “will make it harder for small businesses to take on staff” and risk worsening youth unemployment. The Minister cited LPC analysis finding “no clear indication that recent increases … led to a decline in employment among young people” and highlighted a Youth Jobs Grant offering employer “hiring incentives worth £3,000” for eligible recruits. Outcome: regret amendment withdrawn and Motion agreed—“Amendment to the Motion withdrawn”; regulations to take effect from 1 April.