Lords Back Abortion Pardons, Tighten Terror Laws, Tackle Rogue AI
High-Level Summary
The House of Lords held oral questions on trail‑hunting, the EU minimum wage directive, high street regeneration and the Strait of Hormuz, before continuing Report on the Crime and Policing Bill. Peers agreed amendments to require multi‑agency evidence for youth diversion orders, remove the “emulation” test from the glorification of terrorism offence, require a review of Iran‑related entities for proscription, and create criminal offences for unsafe AI chatbots that generate violent or terrorist content. Later, the House retained the clause removing women from criminal liability for abortion and agreed to pardon women and delete records for past abortion offences, while rejecting attempts to restrict telemedicine and require in‑person consultations. The Government also launched a consultation on a voluntary digital ID for accessing public services via the GOV.UK app.
Detailed Summary
Trail-hunting – Question
The Earl of Leicester asked about trail‑hunting’s contribution to the rural economy. Baroness Hayman of Ullock confirmed that “the Government are committed to enacting a ban on trail-hunting… and will shortly be launching a consultation”. She later clarified there were “no plans to include other activities, such as drag hunting and clean boot hunting, in the ban”. She said policy would be “evidence-led” and use the “most up‑to‑date scientific evidence”, and noted she had sought a meeting with Home Office Ministers on enforcement across relevant Defra areas. No decisions were taken beyond proceeding to consultation.
EU Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages – Question
Baroness O’Grady asked about the EU directive and introducing similar provision. Lord Leong said the UK was “monitoring the EU directive” but “we are no longer an EU member state” and “not obliged to transpose” it. On collective bargaining he added, “We do not intend to create an action plan or a specific target for collective bargaining at this point in time”. He emphasised the Low Pay Commission’s role in setting “a wage floor that maintains living standards while protecting employment opportunities”. No new commitments were announced.
High Streets and Towns: Regeneration – Question
Baroness Scott of Bybrook asked about support for high street regeneration. Baroness Taylor of Stevenage cited the £5.8 billion Pride in Place programme and a forthcoming cross‑government high street strategy “backed by at least £150 million”. She highlighted permanent business rate multipliers and a higher rate for “large distribution warehouses, such as those used by online giants”, and cooperation with the Home Office to scrap “the failure to prosecute shop thefts worth under £200”. “High street rental auctions” and strengthened community right to buy were also noted. No division occurred.
Strait of Hormuz – Question
Viscount Stansgate asked about keeping the Strait open. Baroness Chapman of Darlington said the UK was working with allies on “a viable collective plan to return freedom of navigation to the region as quickly as possible”, and agreed that resolution ultimately comes through “dialogue and negotiation”. She confirmed use of UK bases for “defensive action” consistent with UN Article 51, and said there were “active conversations with Lloyd’s of London” on insurability. No operational changes were announced.
Ministerial Salaries (Amendment) Bill – First Reading
The Bill was brought from the Commons, endorsed as a money Bill, and “read a first time”. No debate took place at this stage.
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill – Order of Consideration Motion
The House agreed the marshalled order for Report stage consideration as moved by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage; “Motion agreed”.
Crime and Policing Bill (Report): Youth Diversion Orders
Baroness Doocey moved Amendment 409G to require the court be provided with evidence of alternatives considered and consultations before imposing a youth diversion order. She said this would ensure “proper multi-agency input” and that orders are used only when “genuinely appropriate”. The House divided: “Ayes 225, Noes 189”, and “Amendment 409G agreed”. Government technical amendments on notification, variation and appeals (Amendments 410–417) were also agreed without division.
Crime and Policing Bill (Report): Glorification of Terrorism
Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee’s Amendment 418 removed the “emulation” requirement from the offence of glorifying terrorism in the Terrorism Act 2006. She argued the current test is a “very high bar to meet”. The House agreed the amendment on division: “Ayes 231, Noes 188”; “Amendment 418 agreed”.
Crime and Policing Bill (Report): Proscription process and Iran‑related review
Baroness Chakrabarti’s Amendment 420 (one‑organisation‑per‑order) was withdrawn after the Minister said he would reflect on future practice but “will not be bringing an amendment back at Third Reading”. Lord Davies of Gower’s Amendment 422C, requiring a review of whether any organisations related to the Iranian Government should be proscribed, passed on division: “Ayes 220, Noes 191”; “Amendment 422C agreed”. Other proposals (e.g., intent for Sections 12/13) were either not moved or did not proceed.
Crime and Policing Bill (Report): AI chatbots and online safety
Baroness Kidron’s Amendment 422D created criminal offences for creating or supplying AI chatbots that generate content promoting terrorist offences or real‑world violence, threaten national security, or encourage activity threatening public safety, and required risk assessments before deployment. She cited evidence that “eight out of 10 chatbots” tested aided violent scenarios, including “a school” and “a synagogue”. The House agreed the amendment: “Ayes 203, Noes 148”; “Amendment 422D agreed”. The Government outlined a regulation‑making alternative to bring AI‑generated illegal content within the Online Safety Act, but peers criticised the breadth of the Henry VIII power; no vote took place in this segment.
Royal Assent
“Royal Assent was notified for the following Acts” including the Supply and Appropriation (Anticipation and Adjustments) Act 2026 and the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Act 2026.
Digital ID: Public Consultation – Statement
The Government launched “a national conversation on how we will build and use digital ID” for accessing services via the GOV.UK app. In the Lords, the Minister stressed, “This is not… a huge database”, the scheme “will not be a mandatory system”, and it will be a “sovereign-based scheme” developed in‑house. He said design will be shaped by consultation and that traditional routes will remain available for those who do not wish to use digital ID. No legislative decisions were taken.
Crime and Policing Bill (Report, continued): Clause 208 (Abortion) and related votes
Baroness Monckton’s Amendment 424 to remove Clause 208 (removing women from criminal liability under abortion law) was defeated: “Ayes 148, Noes 185”; “Amendment 424 disagreed”. Baroness Stroud’s Amendment 425 requiring in‑person consultations before issuing abortion pills was also defeated: “Ayes 119, Noes 191”; “Amendment 425 disagreed”. Baroness Thornton’s Amendment 426B to pardon women and expunge records for past abortion offences was agreed: “Ayes 180, Noes 58”; “Amendment 426B agreed”. Proposals to create a false‑representation offence for obtaining abortifacients (Amendment 426C) and to mandate in‑person consultations for under‑18s (Amendment 426D) were both defeated. A related assisted dying procedural amendment (426A) was withdrawn after the Government said legislating now would be premature.