Lords Probe State Threats, Youth Jobs and Rural Growth

High-Level Summary

The House of Lords sat for Oaths, followed by oral questions on sustainable drainage systems in planning, the Government’s proposed state‑threats designation power relevant to the IRGC, tackling antisemitism, and misinformation highlighted by a Social Market Foundation report. Two Private Members’ Bills had First Reading, and later a Railways Bill arrived from the Commons. Peers then held take‑note debates on welfare reforms and youth unemployment, and on the rural economy, with Ministers outlining current schemes and forthcoming measures. A short debate assessed political and security risks in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Dayton framework, and UK support via sanctions, diplomacy and NATO reserve forces.

Detailed Summary

Oaths and Affirmations

Lord Roborough took the oath and signed the Code of Conduct undertaking: “Lord Roborough took the oath, and signed an undertaking to abide by the Code of Conduct.”

Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) – Question

Baroness Grender asked about progress in making SuDS mandatory. Baroness Taylor of Stevenage said policy already requires SuDS and that a consultation had over 20,000 responses, with a response to follow; decisions are for local authorities. “The National Planning Policy Framework requires all new development that could affect drainage to incorporate sustainable drainage systems.” She outlined proposals for national SuDS standards and discouraging new river culverts, quoting the NPPF test to avoid inappropriate development in flood‑risk areas. On commencing Schedule 3 of the 2010 Act, she noted no final decision and emphasised policy routes: “we believe this can be better achieved through continued improvements to national planning policy”. She referenced June’s national SuDS standards for multiple benefits and planning guidance, as well as wider water infrastructure plans including reservoirs and a proposed water reform Bill. No new decisions were announced; the consultation response is pending.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps: Proscription – Question

Lord Hanson of Flint said the National Security (State Threats) Bill, introduced on 9 June, creates a Secretary of State power to designate foreign state‑linked bodies “equivalent to proscription under the Terrorism Act 2000.” He urged swift passage, noting offences could “potentially result in sentences of 14 years’ imprisonment for anybody convicted.” He said how the power is used would be case‑by‑case, confirmed existing sanctions on “550 individuals from Iran and organisations, including the IRGC in its entirety”, and stated, following Jonathan Hall KC’s advice, that a membership offence is not included due to international law issues. He added designations must include a UK connection under the Bill as introduced. Peers across the House indicated support for expedited scrutiny; no divisions occurred.

Antisemitism – Question

Lord Dubs asked about Government action to tackle antisemitism. Baroness Taylor of Stevenage said it is “a crisis for all of us” requiring a “whole‑of‑society response,” with work across education, communities and institutions and “investing in record protective security funding to keep our Jewish communities safe.” She cited Online Safety Act duties on platforms to tackle illegal hate content, affirmed support for Holocaust education while engaging with UCL on evidence‑based approaches, and announced £7 million for schools, colleges and universities, an innovation fund, and a review led by Sir David Bell. She commended local faith charters such as Sheffield’s and said DSIT Ministers and Ofcom are working with platforms to go further against antisemitism online. No new legislation was announced; existing measures and forthcoming review responses were referenced.

Misinformation: Social Market Foundation Report – Question

Baroness Berger asked about the SMF report on local misinformation. Lord Leong said the Government recognises harms and is using the Online Safety Act, alongside strengthening “trusted information sources and media literacy” via Protecting What Matters and DSIT’s campaign. He said the Act captures election‑related disinformation constituting offences and highlighted the Defending Democracy Taskforce’s work with agencies, regulators and platforms. On local journalism capacity, he cited up to £12 million via the local media action plan, and on media literacy he pointed to a three‑year plan and national curriculum work. On children’s exposure, he said: “we will collate information and make a decision on banning social media”. No immediate policy changes were announced beyond ongoing programmes.

First Readings

Two Lords’ Private Members’ Bills were introduced and ordered to be printed: the Infant (Born Alive) Protection Bill [HL], “to require that an infant born alive after an attempted termination of pregnancy receives appropriate medical treatment and care”; and the Regulated Professions (Freedom of Speech) Bill [HL], “to protect the freedom of expression of professionally regulated individuals” and to impose neutrality duties on professional regulators. Later, the Railways Bill was brought from the Commons and read a first time. Next steps are printing and scheduling for Second Reading.

Welfare Reforms and Youth Unemployment – Motion to Take Note

Lord Evans of Rainow opened by setting out long‑term trends and the Milburn review’s findings on inactivity, health‑related barriers and limited employment support, noting: “Nearly 1 million young people between the age of 16 and 24 in the UK, one in eight, are NEET”. Contributions covered devolving support locally (Lord Shipley), rural transport and Wheels to Work (Lord Cameron of Dillington), more technical education and UTCs (Lord Baker of Dorking), apprenticeship levy focus and youth minimum wage differentials (Lord Willetts), and the balance between benefits and participation requirements. Lord Young of Cookham underlined Milburn’s concern that “Less than half of the total £8.1 billion” spent on key youth benefits carries participation requirements. Responding, Baroness Smith of Malvern outlined the youth guarantee and skills measures, including a £3,000 youth jobs grant for employers hiring young people out of work for six months, a £2,000 incentive for SMEs taking on young apprentices, youth hubs and place‑based trailblazers, and a jobs guarantee “providing six months of paid government‑subsidised work” for the long‑term unemployed. She also committed to expedite the overdue Government response to the Lords Social Mobility Committee report. The House took note of the debate: “Motion agreed.”

Bosnia and Herzegovina – Question for Short Debate

Baroness Helic warned that “Bosnia and Herzegovina faces its most serious political crisis since 1995,” with Republika Srpska, “Backed by the Kremlin,” seeking to erode state institutions and sovereignty. She criticised the failure to agree a successor High Representative and urged specific UK actions, including enabling participation in EUFOR Althea. Other peers stressed the need for sustained engagement, deterrence, strong High Representative powers and consideration of a NATO guarantee. Concerns were raised about external interference and lobbying. Lord Lemos reaffirmed commitment to Dayton, calling the High Representative and EUFOR “entirely indispensable,” with efforts to secure agreement on a successor and a smooth transition. He confirmed UK sanctions on destabilising actors “including Milorad Dodik”, outlined assistance, and noted the UK as a major contributor to NATO strategic reserve forces covering the western Balkans while supporting UN renewal of EUFOR. No new deployments were announced; the focus was on ongoing diplomatic and security support.

Rural Economy – Motion to Take Note

Lord Fuller’s Motion initiated a wide‑ranging debate on rural policy, food security and services. He criticised recent changes to farm schemes, taxation and planning, and pointed to wider challenges for hospitality, independent schools and small businesses. Other contributions highlighted rural proofing, diverse rural industries beyond agriculture, labour and transport constraints (including the decline of Wheels to Work), skills and childcare gaps, fly‑tipping enforcement, and the role of village halls. Several peers urged prioritising food production and revisiting changes to agricultural and business property relief. For the Government, Lord Katz set out actions on SME support, late‑payment reform and business‑rates relief for high streets; funding for village halls via ACRE; skills and the youth guarantee; rural‑weighted bus funding; Project Gigabit; and community benefits from energy infrastructure. On farming, he cited “an £11.8 billion investment in nature‑friendly farming,” said the response to the farming profitability review will come “this summer,” and announced “a budget of £240 million for the new SFI agreements” and “£50 million for new Countryside Stewardship higher‑tier agreements,” with an initial application window from 30 June and a further window in September 2026. On inheritance tax reliefs, he said that, after changes, “around 85% of estates … are forecast to pay no more inheritance tax,” adding: “It’s only right that larger estates contribute more.” He confirmed SPS talks with the EU and said the rural taskforce report will be published shortly. The House took note: “Motion agreed.”