Lords Scrutinise Sweeping Security, Policing and Justice Plans

High-Level Summary

The House of Lords took oral questions, agreed motions to establish a new Select Committee on Members’ retirement and participation, and spent most of the sitting on the third day of debate on the King’s Speech. Ministers set out plans for major policing reform, measures against state‑linked threats, criminal justice modernisation and significant immigration and asylum changes, while many peers challenged proposed limits to jury trials and called for stronger action on extremism and antisemitism. Oral questions covered healthy life expectancy, Local Government Pension Scheme guidance on divestment and fiduciary duties, the EU‑UK sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) talks and innovation, and miscarriage care. The Senior Deputy Speaker’s motions establishing the Retirement and Participation Committee, its remit, timetable and membership were agreed.

Detailed Summary

Retirements of Members – announcement

Lord Forsyth notified the House of the retirement of Lord Low of Dalston and the noble and learned Lord, Lord Collins of Mapesbury, under the House of Lords Reform Act 2014, and thanked them for their service: “On behalf of the House, I thank the noble Lords for their much‑valued service to the House.”. No decision was required.

Arrangement of Business – guidance for Question Time

Lord Kennedy reminded Members that “supplementary questions are to be short, sharp, succinct and to the point” and explained that contributions would rotate across the House: “we will move around the House”. He also emphasised self‑regulation in line with the Companion. No decision was required.

Oral Question: Healthy life expectancy in England

Baroness Merron called the fall in healthy life expectancy “unacceptable” and said a 10‑year health plan will address drivers of ill health and inequality, including revising the Carr‑Hill formula and creating a smoke‑free UK. She highlighted cross‑government work on wider determinants such as warm homes and homelessness, rejected reports of rowing back on dietary measures—“I certainly do not recognise the comments that were in the Telegraph”—and described system “shifts” towards prevention, community‑based services and digital access, noting that “a woman in Hartlepool… will enter ill health some 19 years earlier than a woman in Richmond‑upon‑Thames”. She agreed better data is needed and said prevention will be strengthened through vaccination, screening and risk‑factor management. Outcome: no decisions; the plan and reviews continue.

Oral Question: Local Government Pension Fund – boycott/divestment and fiduciary duties

Baroness Taylor said policy remains as in the 2016/17 guidance: “Decisions on boycotts and divestment are matters of UK foreign policy and are for central government, not local authorities” and fiduciary duties remain with funds. She offered to meet Baroness Altmann and said final investment strategy statement guidance is being prepared to ensure clarity and consistency with foreign policy. On timelines, she said: “Regulations on governance, pooling and investment will be laid at the end of this month… expected to enter into force at the end of June”. She affirmed local accountability and ESG preferences in strategies and reiterated that sanctions policy rests with central government. Outcome: no immediate changes; regulations and guidance to follow.

Oral Question: EU‑UK SPS agreement – food standards, innovation and Northern Ireland trade

Baroness Hayman of Ullock said that, within the SPS talks, the EU has accepted there will be areas where the UK needs to retain its own rules, and the UK is clear about supporting “new and innovative technologies such as novel foods”. She would not give guarantees mid‑negotiation but said the Government is working “extremely closely” with impacted sectors, is considering transitional periods, and aims to safeguard UK leadership in precision breeding. An SPS agreement is intended to make trade “easier, cheaper and quicker for British businesses” and was positively received in Northern Ireland. She confirmed FSA approvals will proceed as normal during talks and that major changes will be debated in the European partnership Bill. Outcome: negotiations ongoing; no decisions announced.

Oral Question: Miscarriage care and support

Baroness Merron committed to improving miscarriage care via the women’s health strategy, including careful consideration of a graded model of care for recurrent loss, and welcomed Tommy’s report. She said “the current situation is not working for women or their families”, outlined available mental health and bereavement support, and confirmed new paid‑leave policy support for NHS staff affected by baby loss. To reduce variation, she said all ICB areas are expected to provide seven‑day bereavement services across maternity settings from January this year, and noted ongoing research, including on progesterone. She confirmed work to implement statutory leave across the UK via the Employment Rights Act and that the independent investigation led by Baroness Amos will report next month. Outcome: no immediate decisions; reviews and service improvements continue.

Retirement and Participation Committee – membership motions agreed

The House agreed to establish a Select Committee to consider proposals for a retirement age and a participation requirement for Members, with powers to send for persons, papers and records, appoint specialist advisers, and publish evidence; to report by 31 July 2026; and to include the named members, adding Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers. Outcome: “Motions agreed.”.

King’s Speech – Debate (Day 3): Home affairs, justice and the union

Opening for the Government, Baroness Levitt set two themes—public protection and rebuilding trust—and announced police reform including creating “the national police service” and increased accountability, with the Home Secretary to set national priorities. She trailed a tackling state threats Bill to address state‑linked entities, a national security Bill to criminalise extreme violent content and planning mass‑casualty attacks, record investment and unlimited sitting days to address the Crown Court backlog, a Courts and Tribunals Bill to adjust which cases go to jury or magistrates’ courts, major immigration and asylum reforms (tightening Article 8, faster removals, an independent appeals body, and quicker settlement for contributing refugees), and a public accountability (Hillsborough) law imposing a duty of candour and expanding legal aid at inquests. Peers broadly welcomed action on extremism and antisemitism but raised constitutional and practical concerns. Lord Wolfson said, “A jury trial should not be viewed as an administrative inconvenience”, pressed for urgent IRGC legislation “in the coming weeks” to be brought before Parliament, and queried the absence of jury‑trial changes from the manifesto. Baroness Doocey cautioned on capacity: “If everything is prioritised, nothing will be”. Baroness Manningham‑Buller listed hostile‑state and terrorist threats and warned candour legislation must not compromise national security or sources. The Archbishop of Canterbury urged protection for Jewish and Muslim communities and support for integration at community level. In his valedictory, Lord Hennessy warned of constitutional fragility: “The flexibility we celebrate can so easily become the catastrophe we regret”. Winding up, Lord Hanson said national security and proscription‑style legislation will be brought “as soon as practicable”, police reform will proceed (including abolishing PCCs), and the Government will seek adjustments to Article 8 while remaining within the ECHR. No divisions were reported; debates will inform forthcoming Bills.