Lords Back Great British Railways as Forced Adoption Apology Delivered

High-Level Summary

The House of Lords opened with condolences on the death of Lord Mackay of Clashfern, then held questions to Ministers on international law in military conflicts, arts education, public procurement, and action against technology‑facilitated sexual violence. A Government apology on historical forced adoptions was then repeated in full, with cross‑party support and questions on records access and support. Peers began Second Reading of the Railways Bill to establish Great British Railways as a single directing mind, debating accountability, devolution, accessibility, ticketing and freight, before the Bill was read a second time. Procedural motions on report‑stage order for two Bills were agreed, and the National Security (State Threats) Bill was returned from the Commons agreed to.

Detailed Summary

Announcement: Death of Lord Mackay of Clashfern

Lord Forsyth of Drumlean announced “the death of the noble and learned Lord, Lord Mackay of Clashfern, on 7 July” and offered condolences to his family and friends. Tributes and condolences were associated with later proceedings by several Members.

Military Conflicts: International Law (Attorney General)

Lord Bellingham asked when the Attorney General next expects to meet NATO counterparts and whether the House will be informed. The Attorney General, Lord Hermer, said the Government was committed to national security and the international rule of law “as part of a strong NATO alliance”. He emphasised the Bar’s independence, endorsing acting “without fear or favour for your clients”, and affirmed that the Government would uphold international law regarding Greenland.

Peers raised AI and autonomous systems; Lord Hermer said AI in defence is taken “enormously seriously” and requires allied co‑operation and possible guidelines or conventions. On evolving self‑defence principles, he noted that “international law has never stood still” and that discussions continue with allies. On Sudan he stressed the need for accountability: “unless there is accountability, the real risk is that there is impunity”. On Diego Garcia, he said, “we need to keep that base”, adding that the ICJ’s opinion is non‑binding and an agreement is sought to secure national security interests. Outcome: no date was given for a next NATO AGs’ meeting or a commitment to report back to the House (not stated in the transcript).

Arts Education: Cross‑government Advisory Group

Baroness Caine of Kentish Town asked when the promised advisory group to align government‑funded arts education will be established. Baroness Twycross said the Department for Education and DCMS are partnering to set it up so that “all children everywhere can benefit from strong arts education and enrichment”, with progress expected “in the near future”.

On screen arts provision, she said media literacy would be strengthened through English and citizenship and that schools can continue to offer GCSEs in media and film studies. She undertook to write on higher education journalism funding issues, and highlighted philanthropy and practical support to improve access to museums (including Southeastern providing 1,066 tickets for schoolchildren).

Public Procurement: Prioritising British Industry and Services

Lord Spellar asked about prioritising British industry in public procurement. Baroness Anderson said that on 26 March the Government announced procurement reforms “to protect our national security, boost growth and build a fairer economy”, with a national security exemption now available under the Procurement Act 2023, a public interest test for insourcing, and insourcing plans requested across departments. She cited SME targets and social value reforms, noting “the Government spend £400 billion a year” and must “make sure we spend it well”.

Peers pressed on defence buys, sovereign capability, digital dependence, buses and supply chains. The Minister pointed to a 10‑year zero‑emission bus pipeline for certainty, action regarding Uyghur labour in supply chains, use of the national security exemption with defence as a pathfinder area, and an SME spend target of £7.4 billion by 2028. She undertook to arrange a Defence Minister’s letter on a specific missile procurement.

Drugging and Sexual Assault of Women: NCA Findings and Government Response

Baroness Hazarika asked about the National Crime Agency’s findings on an international network drugging and sexually assaulting women. Lord Hanson said “these actions are criminal” and that perpetrators would be pursued online and offline, including a Home Office‑funded undercover policing pilot. He highlighted platform duties and Ofcom’s powers under the Online Safety Act to fine up to 10% of global turnover and block services, and referred to international co‑operation via Project Medusa.

On support and awareness, he assured women they will be taken seriously and can report in confidence, said options were being explored in a high‑profile grooming case, rejected that dangerous offenders would be released early—“prisoners judged the most dangerous by the courts are excluded from early release”—and confirmed an additional £13.9 million for the National Centre for Violence Against Women and Girls. He agreed more was needed to counter misogynistic influencers affecting the young.

Order of Consideration Motions

The House agreed motions setting the order for Report stage consideration of two Bills. For the Sporting Events Bill [HL], the specified marshalling order was approved: “Motion agreed”. For the Civil Aviation (Consumer Protection and Regulatory Reform) Bill [HL], an analogous motion was also agreed: “Motion agreed”.

Historical Forced Adoption: Prime Minister’s Apology (Statement repeated)

Baroness Smith of Basildon repeated in full the Prime Minister’s apology to mothers and adoptees harmed by historical adoption practices, calling it “a stain on our history” and saying: “The shame is not yours. The shame is ours”. Measures announced included funding “a national online resource” to locate records, expanding “fully funded intermediary services”, work with NHS England on trauma‑informed care and the option to record experiences in health records, and commissioning a testimonials project.

Peers across the House welcomed the apology and urged urgency, comprehensive records retention and support. Baroness Cash stressed that for elderly survivors “time is of the essence”. Responding, Baroness Smith said, “This is not about individual compensation” but about support, and outlined steps including expanding FamilyConnect services and peer support, enabling an NHS record marker, and that the Education Secretary had written to relevant bodies to preserve records now. She acknowledged the need for cross‑UK co‑operation and noted earlier apologies in Scotland and Wales. Outcome: a national apology with a support package and records‑access measures, with consultation on 100‑year retention to follow.

Railways Bill – Second Reading

Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill introduced the Bill to establish Great British Railways (GBR) as the single ‘directing mind’, building on recent public ownership changes. The Bill would empower creation of GBR, set up a passenger watchdog to “set consumer standards … and provide an independent ombudsman”, embed accessibility—“accessibility will be part of GBR’s DNA”—launch a “new GBR ticketing app and website” with no booking fees, require a “long‑term railway strategy”, reform access decisions with ORR oversight, create structured partnerships with mayors, and impose duties to promote rail freight.

Peers set out differing views. Baroness May of Maidenhead warned the model risks centralisation, saying it “is, in fact, putting the passenger last” and feared the regulator’s “teeth are going to be further drawn”. Lord Bradshaw backed a whole‑network approach and cautioned against a legalistic regulator determining the railway’s structure. Baroness Grey‑Thompson pressed for enforceable accessibility, saying, “I just want the same miserable experience of commuting as everyone else”. Baroness Alexander supported a single accountable body because “the public’s first concern is simply a service that works” while noting open‑access operators’ contribution to innovation.

Lord Redwood called for value for money and innovation, noting taxpayers contributed £21.6 billion last year against £11.5 billion from fares, and urged private capital and open access. Lord Grayling opposed a “state‑run monolith” and argued capacity constraints must be the priority. In a valedictory contribution, Lord Wilson of Dinton recalled Margaret Thatcher judged rail privatisation “a privatisation too far”. On retailing, Baroness Harding cited the CMA’s concerns and urged safeguards to prevent self‑preferencing; Lord Dixon pressed for automatic Delay Repay—“compensation … should be automatic”—and open, standardised data. Heritage and leisure considerations were raised, including mainline access and a heritage safety and standards board.

Replying, the Minister said open access has been constrained by capacity and that a whole‑system timetable can create more paths; he confirmed no intention to interfere in privately funded rail connections, promised an ORR‑enforced retail code and separation of decision‑making within GBR’s retail function, and said around 60% of GBR spend would still flow to the private sector. He envisaged a devolved GBR with regional business units rather than a distant centre. Outcome: Bill read a second time; to proceed to Committee; no divisions recorded.

National Security (State Threats) Bill – Returned from the Commons

The National Security (State Threats) Bill was returned from the Commons agreed to: “The Bill was returned from the Commons agreed to”.