Lords Probe Reform Pledges as Price Caps Ruled Out

High-Level Summary

The House of Lords scrutinised a wide range of matters, from parental leave for the self‑employed and access to music education to replica football kit pricing, policing of hate speech, and supermarket price caps. Ministers confirmed a parental leave and pay review reporting in early 2027, set out planned music curriculum reforms and a new national centre for music and arts education, and reiterated that pricing for kits and food remains a market matter. A Private Notice Question established that the Government will not pursue supermarket price caps, while questions on the Unite the Kingdom march recorded arrests and stressed existing police powers. The House agreed several motions, including permanent exclusion of a former Member from the parliamentary estate, received a youth justice White Paper statement, and conducted an extensive King’s Speech debate on NHS modernisation, social care, housing and rail reforms.

Detailed Summary

Self‑employed: Paternity Leave – Oral Question

Baroness Penn asked what steps are being taken to provide paternity leave to the self‑employed. The Minister said: “The Government are undertaking a review of parental leave and pay… The review will conclude in early 2027”, adding that from 6 April “paternity leave and unpaid parental leave became day‑one rights”. She said the wide‑ranging review is “considering all existing entitlements” and implications, including uptake, with potential support for “self‑employed fathers” in scope. On current provision, she noted qualifying employees have “two weeks’ leave paid at the statutory rate”. Outcome: no policy change; review to report in early 2027.

Disadvantaged Pupils: Music Attainment Gap – Oral Question

Baroness Keeley asked about reducing the music attainment gap for disadvantaged pupils. The Minister said the Government will “reform the music curriculum in all state‑funded schools from September 2028” and establish “the new national centre for music and arts education later this year” alongside continued investment in music hubs. Targeted support includes a “music opportunities pilot in 10 areas… offering… free lessons” and hub inclusion strategies, with an “evaluation report… due next year”. On teacher skills and access, she cited family hubs and training partnerships: “Family hubs are part of this picture… making sure that we have the right teacher training”. Outcome: policy direction confirmed; pilots ongoing and due for evaluation next year.

2026 FIFA World Cup: Replica Kit Pricing – Oral Question

Lord Walker asked about rising prices of replica football kits and possible CMA action. The Minister said pricing “remains a matter for manufacturers and the respective football associations,” and that the CMA independently decides which cases to investigate. She condemned counterfeiting: “We strongly condemn the sale of counterfeit merchandise”, and reported she had been told “the FA puts money from the sale of such kits back into grass‑roots football”. Outcome: no referral announced; Government to pass on concerns and continue enforcement against counterfeits.

Unite the Kingdom March – Oral Question

Lord Mohammed of Tinsley asked about action following hate speech and Islamophobia at the 16 May march. The Minister said: “No one should ever be a victim of hatred” and noted the Metropolitan Police’s robust approach. He reported “13 arrests for hate crime‑related offences” with motivations including race and religion, emphasised equality before the law—“The law does not discriminate against individuals who are Jewish or Muslim”—and confirmed that police “already have powers to both ban marches and/or reroute marches” where appropriate. He added that such hate is “not… tolerated,” echoing the Prime Minister’s description of a “fight for the soul of the country”. Outcome: no new measures; reliance on existing policing powers and recent arrests.

Supermarkets: Voluntary Price Caps – Private Notice Question

Lord Sharpe asked about voluntary caps or freezes on essential food prices. The Treasury Minister said discussions with supermarkets are ongoing but reiterated: “This is not about price caps, as some speculation has suggested. We will never advocate for that”, adding, “we want the most competitive supermarket sector we can possibly get”. On devolved competence, he said a Scottish cap “may be subject to UK internal market and single market regulations,” and undertook to confirm. He later restated: “this Government are not considering price caps”. Outcome: no caps; ongoing engagement with retailers; further regulatory savings to be set out in due course.

Conduct Committee – Motion to Agree (Lord Stone of Blackheath)

Lord Kakkar moved that the 11th Report on the conduct of Lord Stone of Blackheath be agreed. He said the Commissioner upheld three complaints—harassment in each case and sexual misconduct towards two guests—and that this was the fourth report on Lord Stone’s conduct. As Lord Stone had resigned, expulsion was unavailable; the Committee recommended permanent exclusion from the House of Lords estate, and for the Speaker of the Commons to be invited to impose similar restrictions. Under Standing Order 68, no debate was allowed and the Motion was agreed: “Motion agreed.”. Outcome: report agreed; permanent exclusion from the Lords estate; Commons Speaker to be invited to apply equivalent restrictions.

Provision of Information (Contractual Control) (Registered Land) Regulations 2026 – Motions to Approve

Baroness Taylor of Stevenage moved approval of the draft Regulations laid on 9 and 16 March. The House agreed the motions without debate, following Grand Committee consideration on 18 May: “Motions agreed.”. Outcome: regulations approved.

Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Amendment) Regulations 2026 – Motion to Approve

Lord Wilson of Sedgefield moved that the draft Regulations laid on 25 March be approved, following scrutiny by the Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee and Grand Committee consideration on 18 May. Outcome: “Motion agreed.”. Next steps: regulations approved.

Youth Justice – Statement

A Statement made in the Commons outlined a White Paper proposing early intervention, stronger diversion, problem‑solving youth intervention courts, reduced reliance on remand, and reforms to criminal records; custody would be reserved for the most dangerous offences. It promised a “once‑in‑a‑generation set of reforms” to “intervene early” and “turn young lives around”, and set an “ambition to cut the number of children remanded in custody by 25%” with investment in intensive community placements and bail support. It will “carefully consider the age of criminal responsibility”. Responding, the Minister said diversion is “most emphatically not us being soft on crime”, confirmed funding for bail support, and later stated: “We do not have any plan to change the age of criminal responsibility” pending review. On Wales, she noted plans to devolve youth, remand and turnaround funding for 2027 and 2028. Outcome: White Paper published; consultations and pilots signalled; no divisions.

King’s Speech – Debate (5th Day)

Peers debated health, housing and transport proposals in the gracious Speech. On health, Ministers said the Health Bill will create “the statutory basis for the NHS to bring patients’ health and social care records into one place” and that “We will bring the functions of NHS England within the department. In other words, we are abolishing NHS England”. Contributors pressed for stronger emphasis on social care—“Where is social care? … there is nothing”—and raised concerns about patient voice and data security. On housing, the Government highlighted social housing renewal to “protect the homes we already have and give tenants greater security”; others urged ending leasehold—citing a commitment to “bring the feudal leasehold system to an end”—and faster cladding remediation. On transport, the Railways Bill will establish Great British Railways “with sole responsibility for delivering for passengers and freight operators”, with wider discussion of Northern Powerhouse Rail and lessons from HS2. Outcome: general debate; no decisions; issues flagged for subsequent legislation and scrutiny.