Lords Advance Aviation Consumer Reforms Amid Mandelson Disclosures

High-Level Summary

The House of Lords met for oaths before a full programme of oral questions, a reported Commons Statement on the Government’s response to the Mandelson Humble Address, and legislative business. Peers questioned Ministers on Bosnia and Herzegovina, breast cancer screening for women over 70, the Windrush Compensation Scheme, targeted prostate cancer screening, and a Private Notice Question on proposed steel import restrictions and any impact on the UK‑India FTA. The House approved Syria sanctions regulations and introduced two new Lords bills. The day was dominated by the Second Reading of the Civil Aviation (Consumer Protection and Regulatory Reform) Bill, which was read a second time and committed to Grand Committee.

Detailed Summary

Oaths and Affirmations

The House recorded that Lord Altrincham and the Earl of Effingham took the oath and signed the Code of Conduct undertaking: “took the oath, and signed an undertaking to abide by the Code of Conduct.” No further proceedings were attached.

Bosnia and Herzegovina – Question

Baroness Chapman of Leeds said the Government is “working closely with the United States” and other partners “to support peace and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina”, while noting concern about “increasing anti‑Dayton rhetoric” ahead of elections. Lord Peach asked about contingency planning; the Minister replied, “Yes, I can give him that commitment” and confirmed Stephen Doughty leads on the file at the FCDO, adding, “Our commitment, as witnesses to the Dayton agreement, remains steadfast”. Peers raised the vacancy of the High Representative and wider coordination. Baroness Chapman said the appointee should “find the candidate who has the ability to bring people together” and uphold Dayton, and that the UK works “very closely… with the EU, the Council of Europe, the US and other partners”. She was open to exploring UK capacity‑building on policing “alongside the relevant authorities”, noted alignment with the US can differ but the UK will be “consistent with the agreement”, could not immediately recall funding details for the Western Balkans Democracy Initiative, rejected any easing of Russia sanctions—“I can absolutely assure my noble friend that that is not the case”—and acknowledged aid cuts reduce spend: “you can spend less”. No policy changes were announced; the Minister emphasised ongoing engagement and commitments.

Breast Cancer Screening: Women Over 70 – Question

Baroness Blake of Leeds said the AgeX study—the largest of its kind—is assessing routine screening beyond age 70, with results due in 2027, stressing policy must rest on evidence as “screening can also cause harm”. She confirmed, “women over the age of 71 can go to their GP and request a further screening every three years” and highlighted low awareness. Peers raised inequalities and communications. The Minister cited the women’s health strategy and local peer models to reach under‑served groups, admitted messaging is “patchy and inconsistent” and called for a “fundamental check” to ensure consistency. She referenced the EDITH AI programme potentially reducing workforce pressures, supported cutting unnecessary bureaucracy with an example from lung x‑rays, and, on hereditary risk, said, “It is a dreadful thing to happen to families” and information must reach them. She assured that cost‑benefit and treatment‑stage costs are considered in policy. No interim policy change was announced pending AgeX; the focus is on awareness and consistency.

Windrush Compensation Scheme – Question

Lord Hanson of Flint reported that “more than £127 million has been paid out” up to March 2026, with claims considered individually, quality‑assured, and a free review process including an independent adjudicator. He outlined support (helpline, guidance, advocacy, limited legal support for probate) and said, “They are British citizens and they deserve our support”. He said process changes were made in January 2026; “94% of all claims have reached a final decision” and average processing improved “from taking four months in 2024 to less than six weeks now”; he provided review outcome figures. He agreed to consider research on outcomes by legal representation, said older and critically ill claimants are prioritised, affirmed, “The Windrush generation are British citizens”, and stated, “We are currently getting 140 claims per week” with no closing date. He described staff training, including a mandatory “face behind the case” course. No structural reforms were announced beyond ongoing improvements.

Prostate Cancer Screening – Question

Baroness Blake of Leeds announced acceptance of the UK National Screening Committee recommendation to offer screening every two years to men aged 45–61 with a BRCA2 variant and a family history of specified cancers, while population‑wide screening “was shown to do more harm than good”. She said work is under way to define “family history” risks and to develop interim GP guidance. She also announced £18 million for TRANSFORM stage 2, focusing in particular on Black men, and said the trial should be “up and running within the next year”. Responding to concerns about inequalities and overdiagnosis, she cited evidence that “the risk of harm from unnecessary treatment is high”. She acknowledged ongoing research into better tests. Next steps are to implement targeted screening, support clinicians, launch TRANSFORM stage 2 and keep policy under review.

Steel Import Restrictions – Private Notice Question

Lord Leong said proposed steel trade measures address “the serious threat posed by global overcapacity to our domestic steel‑making capability” and noted the Business and Trade Secretary was in Delhi to bring the UK‑India FTA “into force as soon as possible”. He stated, “we use tariffs only as a last resort” to avoid losing capability, and on Scotch whisky, that a legal treaty underpins liberalisation and “we will adhere to that”. He added that the import quota “stands at 60%” and most UK steel imports come from the EU, with India at about 5%. Peers queried impacts on manufacturers, jobs and human rights; the Minister reiterated the aim not to undermine FTA benefits while discussions with India continue. No reversal was offered.

First Readings: Local Plans (Burial Space) Bill [HL] and Conduct of Undercover Policing and Surveillance Operatives Bill [HL]

Two House of Lords bills were introduced and ordered to be printed: a Bill “to make provision about the inclusion of guaranteed burial ground space within Local Plans”, introduced by Lord Mohammed of Tinsley, and a Bill “to prohibit covert human intelligence sources from entering into or maintaining intimate sexual relationships with persons who are the subject of surveillance or investigation”, introduced by Baroness Hamwee. Next steps are printing and scheduling further stages.

Syria (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 – Motion to Approve

The House approved the Regulations laid on 21 April, following prior Grand Committee consideration: “That the Regulations laid before the House on 21 April be approved”; “Motion agreed”. No division was recorded.

Lord Mandelson Humble Address: Government Response – Statement

A Commons Statement was reported to the Lords, noting the publication of a second tranche of documents in response to the Humble Address, described as “one of the largest government publications ever laid before the House” and costing the Cabinet Office over £1 million. Redactions were managed with the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC): “no material has been redacted on the grounds of prejudice to national security or international relations without the committee’s approval”. The PACAC chair reviewed third‑party redactions and judged them “sensible, reasonable and proportionate”. Some material is withheld at the Metropolitan Police’s request to avoid prejudicing an investigation, including questions put to Peter Mandelson and his responses. The Statement acknowledged gaps in WhatsApp records due to permitted reasons such as device changes and disappearing messages. Highly sensitive vetting inputs would not be published to protect the system: “Sharing this data… would undermine the very basis of our national security vetting system”. The Government consider their duties discharged, subject to material withheld for the police. In the Lords, Baroness Anderson outlined the disclosure methodology, ISC oversight and PACAC scrutiny, and confirmed police‑requested withholdings. She reaffirmed vetting confidentiality and noted the ISC chair’s agreement that detailed vetting files should not be released. She said a review of non‑corporate communications channels would come “very shortly—imminently”, stated that Peter Mandelson did not attend the referenced Shanghai engagement, and said of the appointment, “this was a mistake and should not have happened, and the Prime Minister has taken personal responsibility for it”. A further Commons debate was scheduled, per the Statement.

Civil Aviation (Consumer Protection and Regulatory Reform) Bill [HL] – Second Reading

Introducing the Bill, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill said it would reinforce consumer protections (including giving the Civil Aviation Authority direct enforcement powers), support airspace modernisation, update slot regulation, and delegate technical safety rule‑making to the CAA, delivering a flexible, responsive framework. He said this was not about Heathrow expansion and Northern Ireland legislative consent would be sought. Peers broadly supported reform while probing safeguards. Lord Harper asked for a concrete example of the airspace direction power and confirmation that it would not “weaken the rights of individuals” to consultation, and queried reliance on secondary legislation and scrutiny, including of CAA rule‑making. The Earl of Russell sought assurances the Bill would not be a back door to expansion. Baroness Grey‑Thompson highlighted poor experiences for disabled passengers—“not one airline or airport universally gets it right”—and widespread damage to mobility aids. Lord Davies of Gower raised general aviation and EGNOS, saying “the UK is currently the only state in the G20 without useable access to a precise satellite‑based navigation system”. Baroness Foster of Oxton urged caution on complex slot reform and explained the shift of PRM assistance from airlines to airports. Lord Holmes of Richmond pressed for an “inclusive‑by‑design statutory duty” and for innovation such as AI to be embedded. Winding up, the Minister said empowering the CAA is necessary because one recent consumer prosecution “has taken four years” and reiterated that “Access to aviation should be for everybody”. He confirmed that existing consultation rights on airspace are unaffected—“anything in this Bill will not affect existing rights to be consulted”—and that measures “are not particular to expansion at Heathrow”. He reported the single guiding mind for airspace is set up and starting work, pilots will be consulted, and drone integration underpins charging reforms. Outcome: the Bill was read a second time and committed to Grand Committee; the order of consideration was agreed.