Lords Fast-Track State Threats Bill amid Knife-Edge Climate Rebuke

High-Level Summary

The House of Lords held four Oral Questions on protections for ancient trees, global governance of artificial intelligence, DVLA staffing, and government use of X. A Commons Statement on the G7 was taken, covering support for Ukraine, Middle East diplomacy, migration cooperation and investment, with peers questioning defence planning and EU relations. Peers gave the National Security (State Threats) Bill a fast‑track Second Reading, signalling amendments on humanitarian safeguards and scope. On climate policy, a narrowly passed regret amendment (Ayes 61, Noes 60) qualified approval of the Carbon Budget Order 2026; the related Credit Limit Order was approved. Two employment tribunal instruments extending certain time limits to six months were agreed after a regret amendment was withdrawn.

Detailed Summary

Legal Protections for Ancient Trees – Oral Question

Baroness Tyler of Enfield asked about the adequacy of legal protections for ancient trees and potential stronger penalties. The Minister, Baroness Hayman of Ullock, said “felling trees without a licence where one is required carries unlimited fines and a potential prison sentence,” and that ancient and veteran trees have the “highest levels of protection within the planning system”. She said the Government would review protections and set out measures in a new tree action plan “before the end of the year”.

Peers raised enforcement under the Forestry Act 1967, tree felling in conservation areas, urban heat mitigation, the Forestry Commission’s role, and incentives for productive species. The Minister said the interface with planning and gaps where trees lack preservation orders are being examined—“We are looking at those exact protections as part of what we are doing to better protect trees”—and noted that native oaks are threatened by climate change. No decisions were taken; the next step is publication of the tree action plan by year‑end.

Artificial Intelligence: Global Governance – Oral Question

Lord Pitkeathley of Camden Town asked about discussions with international partners. Baroness Lloyd of Effra said the UK works bilaterally and multilaterally “through the AI summit series, the G7, the United Nations and partnerships with national AI security institutes worldwide”. On the Council of Europe AI Convention, she said it is flexible and allows sector‑led implementation, fitting the UK’s sector‑based regulatory approach.

Members asked about ratification timing, SME engagement and procurement, the WHO’s ethics framework in health AI, risk‑based regulation, access to frontier models, and deepfake provenance standards. The Minister highlighted efforts to build sovereign capability, citing the “AI hardware plan” and the “sovereign AI fund”, and said the Online Safety Act applies to AI‑generated content. No new decisions were announced; cooperation and capability‑building continue.

DVLA: Staffing Levels – Oral Question

Lord Hamilton of Epsom queried DVLA staffing adequacy. Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill said staffing flexes with demand and that “the average decision times fell from 68 working days in February to 56 at the end of May”. He pointed to a new “digital medical services platform” enabling more online medical notifications and renewals.

Peers asked about policing illegal number plates (staffing numbers to be provided in writing), renewal anxieties at age 70, and long driving test waits. On tests, the Minister said the seven‑week target will “not be sorted out until autumn next year,” while noting more examiners and fairness measures. A consultation on plate cloning closed on 11 May, and “if legislative change is necessary then we are committed to making those changes”. No decisions were taken; follow‑ups and ongoing reforms were noted.

Social Media: Use of X by Government Departments – Oral Question

Lord Pack asked if use of X would be reviewed after the Attorney General’s Office left the platform. Baroness Anderson of Stoke‑on‑Trent said government uses multiple channels and that “paid advertising on X has been suspended since April 2023,” with departments managing their own accounts. She stressed pragmatism given the platform’s reach: “When 19.2 million British citizens use X, it is an important place”.

Peers raised bot activity, disinformation, civil service guidance, threats to democracy and free speech. The Minister said Ofcom has powers under the Online Safety Act—“the tools need to be used and Ofcom needs to do its job”—and cited cross‑government work such as the Defending Democracy Taskforce. No policy change was announced; departments retain discretion within guidance.

Armed Forces Bill – First Reading

The Bill was “brought from the Commons, read a first time and ordered to be printed”. No debate occurred at this stage; further stages will be scheduled.

Cheltenham Borough Council (Markets) Bill – Second Reading

The Senior Deputy Speaker moved that the Bill be read a second time, and it was “read a second time and committed to an Unopposed Bill Committee”. No opposition was recorded; it proceeds for unopposed consideration.

G7 Summit – Statement and Questions

A Commons Statement on the G7 covered Ukraine, the Middle East, migration, investment and EU relations. It announced “70 new sanctions, bringing the UK up to around 500 sanctions on Russia this year alone” and said support packages were being financed with profits of seized Russian assets. In the Lords, Baroness Smith added: “We are providing 150,000 drones and 350 air defence missiles… funded from the frozen Russian assets”.

Peers pressed on defence planning (publication of the defence investment plan “before the NATO summit”), the delayed UK‑EU summit (“it is obviously a disappointment that the EU summit is being delayed”), toll‑free transit in the Strait of Hormuz (“it is essential that it is opened and that it is toll free”), cooperation with France on minesweeping, and crises such as Sudan (raised as urgent). The Statement reported the UK‑India FTA’s entry into force and projected gains for GDP and wages. No motions were put; ministers reiterated ongoing commitments and actions.

National Security (State Threats) Bill – Second Reading

The Government introduced a fast‑track Bill to create a power to designate organisations involved in “foreign power threat activity,” modelled on terrorism proscription but adapted for state actors. Lord Hanson said the Bill would strengthen the ability to disrupt hostile intelligence services and proxies, creating offences of supporting, assisting or obtaining benefits from designated bodies, with some carrying life sentences. He defended including a “prohibited purpose” test for the support offence, to avoid criminalising legitimate engagement with state entities.

Across the House, peers broadly supported the Bill but flagged amendments on humanitarian safeguards (to protect conflict‑resolution and aid work), preparatory conduct, display of insignia, and overseas conduct. The Minister would not pre‑empt future designations (e.g., of the IRGC) but assured that “where the Secretary of State judges it necessary, she will use these powers… and she will not hesitate to do so”. He undertook to meet humanitarian organisations—meeting the Red Cross “before Committee, Report and Third Reading… next week”—and offered Pepper v Hart clarification on certain points. Outcome: “Bill read a second time and committed to a Committee of the Whole House” with expedited stages.

Carbon Budget Order 2026 and related climate SIs – Motions to Approve

Lord Whitehead moved the Carbon Budget Order setting the seventh carbon budget (2038–2042) to “reduce emissions by about 87% for the period 2038 to 2042 compared to 1990 levels”. He also moved the Climate Change Act 2008 (Credit Limit) Order 2026, setting a “zero credit limit for the carbon budget five period of 2028 to 2032”. Debate contrasted claims on costs, prices and competitiveness with benefits such as decoupling emissions from growth—“The UK has cut its emissions by 54% since 1990, while growing the economy by over 85%”.

Outcome: a regret amendment to the Carbon Budget Order was carried—“Ayes 61, Noes 60”—and the motion, as amended, was agreed. The separate Credit Limit Order was approved; a regret amendment was tabled but “not moved,” and the motion was agreed. Next steps include publication of a delivery plan for carbon budget seven “as soon as reasonably practical after Parliament has approved the budget”.

Employment tribunal time limits – Motions to Approve

Two instruments were approved to extend certain employment tribunal time limits to six months. Lord Leong said they “extend the time for bringing certain employment tribunal claims from three to six months”, and similarly extend breach‑of‑contract time limits in England and Wales, with a corresponding Scottish change expected to follow.

A regret amendment citing tribunal capacity concerns was debated. The Government pointed to a dispute resolution task force and additional capacity: “New salaried employment judges will be sitting from this summer… recruitment is under way for up to 55 employment judges… [and] up to 150 non‑legal members”. Outcome: the regret amendment was withdrawn, and both the regulations and the England & Wales order were agreed.