Lords Prorogued as Hereditary Peers Bow Out
High-Level Summary
House of Lords proceedings were ceremonial, centred on Royal Assent and the prorogation of Parliament. Lord Forsyth of Drumlean announced that hereditary Peers would cease to sit at the end of the Session, and offered thanks for their service. A Royal Commission, introduced by the Lord Privy Seal, declared Royal Assent to several Acts and authorised prorogation. His Majesty’s Speech, delivered by the Lord Privy Seal, set out the Government’s account of its actions across the economy, public services, justice, security, constitutional reform and foreign affairs. Parliament was then prorogued to 13 May at 1.54 pm.
Detailed Summary
Hereditary Peers – Announcement
Lord Forsyth of Drumlean marked the conclusion of hereditary peerages in the House, stating that “those noble Lords who sit by virtue of hereditary peerages will cease to be Members of this House”. He also recorded thanks, saying he would “pay tribute to their distinguished service and offer them our sincere thanks”.
No debate or decision followed this announcement. The later Prorogation Speech stated that “Legislation was passed to remove all remaining hereditary Peers from the House of Lords”.
Royal Commission on Royal Assent and Prorogation
Baroness Smith of Basildon, the Lord Privy Seal, announced that the King had authorised a Commission “for proroguing this present Parliament” in His absence. Reading the Commission, she stated that His Majesty had “given His Royal Assent to divers Acts which have been agreed by both Houses of Parliament” and empowered Commissioners “to prorogue this present Parliament”. The Letters Patent granted “full power and authority in Our name to prorogue and continue Our present Parliament” within specified dates.
She then formally declared that “His Majesty has given His Royal Assent to the Acts in the Commission mentioned; and the Clerks are required to pass the same in the usual Form and Words”. No divisions or further proceedings were recorded. Next steps were procedural: the Clerks were to pass the Acts in the usual form.
Royal Assent to Acts
Royal Assent was signified for the following Acts: National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Act; Grenfell Tower Memorial (Expenditure) Act; Ministerial Salaries (Amendment) Act; Tobacco and Vapes Act; Victims and Courts Act; Crime and Policing Act; Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act; Pension Schemes Act; and English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act. The Lord Privy Seal confirmed earlier that “His Majesty has given His Royal Assent to the Acts in the Commission mentioned”.
The Commission stipulated that “then and immediately the said Acts shall be taken and accepted as good and perfect Acts of Parliament”. No debate or votes accompanied the signification of Royal Assent.
Prorogation: His Majesty’s Speech
Delivering His Majesty’s Speech, the Lord Privy Seal outlined the Government’s account of its domestic programme. On the economy and fiscal approach, it stated the focus was “laying the foundations for economic growth and driving up living standards” and that “no government can announce fiscally significant measures without being subject to an independent assessment”. Policy snapshots included employment rights—“legislation to modernise employment rights, benefiting 18 million workers”—pensions consolidation to improve outcomes, transport—“rail passenger services have begun to be brought back into public ownership”—water regulation and energy—“Great British Energy was established to power the nation with clean, secure, homegrown energy”—and devolution—“Mayors have been granted new powers”. Public health and social policy measures cited included creating “the United Kingdom’s first smoke-free generation” and greater protections for renters.
Constitutional, justice, security and foreign policy items included reforms to “put victims first”, immigration changes creating a “new Border Security Command”, extending voting to “16 and 17 year-olds”, and removing “all remaining hereditary Peers from the House of Lords”. On international affairs and defence, the Speech referenced recognising “the State of Palestine”, support to Ukraine including a “One Hundred Year Partnership agreement” and up to “£21.8 billion” of support, co-operation with the European Union, ocean protection measures, and “the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War”.
Formal Prorogation
Concluding proceedings, the Lord Privy Seal stated: “we do, in His Majesty’s name, and in obedience to His Majesty’s Commands, prorogue this Parliament to the 13th day of May”. The sitting ended at 1.54 pm.
No further business or next steps beyond the set date for the next sitting were stated.