A briefing paper on the office and functions of the Prime Minister

A briefing paper on the office and functions of the Prime Minister

A briefing paper on the history, functions and membership of the Privy Council

A briefing paper on the history, functions and membership of the Privy Council

As the 80th year of the United Nations draws to a close, this briefing looks at the work and powers of the General Assembly.

As the 80th year of the United Nations draws to a close, this briefing looks at the work and powers of the General Assembly.

What police and crime commissioners do and the government's plans to scrap them.

What police and crime commissioners do and the government's plans to scrap them.

It is a hundred years since the contemporary post of Secretary of State for Scotland was created. Since the Scottish Parliament was established 1999, the Secretary of State has been responsible mainly for non-devolved matters affecting Scotland.

It is a hundred years since the contemporary post of Secretary of State for Scotland was created. Since the Scottish Parliament was established 1999, the Secretary of State has been responsible mainly for non-devolved matters affecting Scotland.

A briefing about mayoral development corporations, urban development corporations, and New Towns Act development corporations in the UK.

A briefing about mayoral development corporations, urban development corporations, and New Towns Act development corporations in the UK.

Letter dated 25/06/2026 from Karin Smyth MP to Roger Gale MP, Rupa Huq MP, Emma Lewell MP, and Jeremy Wright MP, Health Bill committee chairs regarding clarification of the purpose and function of clause 8 (integrated care boards). 2p.

Letter dated 25/06/2026 from Karin Smyth MP to Roger Gale MP, Rupa Huq MP, Emma Lewell MP, and Jeremy Wright MP, Health Bill committee chairs regarding clarification of the purpose and function of clause 8 (integrated care boards). 2p.

Clause 7 debated with further clauses. Clauses 7 to 11 agreed to. Clause 7, amendment 50 negatived on division (4 to 11). Clause 10, amendment 53 negatived on division (3 to 10). Clause 11, amendment 47 negatived on division (3 to 11). Written evidence reported to the House.

Clause 7 debated with further clauses. Clauses 7 to 11 agreed to. Clause 7, amendment 50 negatived on division (4 to 11). Clause 10, amendment 53 negatived on division (3 to 10). Clause 11, amendment 47 negatived on division (3 to 11). Written evidence reported to the House.

Clause 1 debated with Clauses 2 and 3, further clauses and new clauses. Clauses 1 to 6 agreed to. Clause 5, amendment 59 negatived on division (3 to 9). Clause 6, amendment 58 negatived on division (5 to 9). Clause 7 under consideration.

Clause 1 debated with Clauses 2 and 3, further clauses and new clauses. Clauses 1 to 6 agreed to. Clause 5, amendment 59 negatived on division (3 to 9). Clause 6, amendment 58 negatived on division (5 to 9). Clause 7 under consideration.

There will be a second reading of the Health Bill 2026-27 in the House of Commons chamber on Monday 1st June 2026. The bill is sponsored by Wes Streeting MP.

There will be a second reading of the Health Bill 2026-27 in the House of Commons chamber on Monday 1st June 2026. The bill is sponsored by Wes Streeting MP.

This note provides an introduction to overview and scrutiny committees in local authorities, their development and the relevant legislative provisions. It also notes specific powers available to local councils to scrutinise other bodies. The note principally covers England, with some reference to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

This note provides an introduction to overview and scrutiny committees in local authorities, their development and the relevant legislative provisions. It also notes specific powers available to local councils to scrutinise other bodies. The note principally covers England, with some reference to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The second reading of the Railways Bill 2024-26 took place on 9 December 2025. This briefing covers the bill's progress from second reading through to the end of its committee stage.

The second reading of the Railways Bill 2024-26 took place on 9 December 2025. This briefing covers the bill's progress from second reading through to the end of its committee stage.

Lords motion to consider. Agreed to on question.

Lords motion to consider. Agreed to on question.

My Lords, these regulations were laid on 16 March 2026. When referring to the Hampshire and the Solent combined county authority hereafter, I will use the term “strategic authority” unless there is a particular reason to be specific.

This Government were elected on a manifesto commitment to widen and deepen devolution...

My Lords, these regulations were laid on 16 March 2026. When referring to the Hampshire and the Solent combined county authority hereafter, I will use the term “strategic authority” unless there is a particular reason to be specific.

This Government were elected on a manifesto commitment to widen and deepen devolution...

My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness, Lady Taylor of Stevenage, for introducing these regulations and outlining their effect. I declare my interest as a councillor in central Bedfordshire, although that does not extend quite as far as Hampshire.

We on these Benches recognise the Government’s broader ambitions to pursue devolution...

My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness, Lady Taylor of Stevenage, for introducing these regulations and outlining their effect. I declare my interest as a councillor in central Bedfordshire, although that does not extend quite as far as Hampshire.

We on these Benches recognise the Government’s broader ambitions to pursue devolution...

I am grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Jamieson, for his comments. I know that he has great experience of dealing with matters such as this. I will pick up each of his points in turn.

The first is the issue of restructuring for its own sake. That is just not...

I am grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Jamieson, for his comments. I know that he has great experience of dealing with matters such as this. I will pick up each of his points in turn.

The first is the issue of restructuring for its own sake. That is just not...

Before the Minister sits down, can she clarify two points?

First, the Minister mentioned the 30-year funding. The point is that, in effect, it has been delayed for two years by a delay to the mayoral elections: obviously, that is of concern locally.

Secondly, in looking at wider devolution, there is concern...

Before the Minister sits down, can she clarify two points?

First, the Minister mentioned the 30-year funding. The point is that, in effect, it has been delayed for two years by a delay to the mayoral elections: obviously, that is of concern locally.

Secondly, in looking at wider devolution, there is concern...

I will take the second point first because, as I hope I conveyed in my winding speech, the proposals we have considered have all come from authorities themselves. They set out very clearly the proposals that they sent forward and, in most areas, there were a number of different proposals....

I will take the second point first because, as I hope I conveyed in my winding speech, the proposals we have considered have all come from authorities themselves. They set out very clearly the proposals that they sent forward and, in most areas, there were a number of different proposals....

The Client Board has proposed preparatory building works before a decision on how to proceed with restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster in 2030.

The Client Board has proposed preparatory building works before a decision on how to proceed with restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster in 2030.

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps the Department is taking to ensure consistency in how local authorities interpret and apply statutory duties to young people presenting as homeless.

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps the Department is taking to ensure consistency in how local authorities interpret and apply statutory duties to young people presenting as homeless.

Lords motion to consider. Agreed to on question.

Lords motion to consider. Agreed to on question.

I am pleased to have the opportunity to ask the Committee to consider these three instruments together today: the Buckinghamshire Council (Adult Education Functions) Regulations 2026, the Surrey County Council (Adult Education Functions) Regulations 2026 and the Warwickshire County Council (Adult Education Functions) Regulations 2026.

These statutory instruments were laid before...

I am pleased to have the opportunity to ask the Committee to consider these three instruments together today: the Buckinghamshire Council (Adult Education Functions) Regulations 2026, the Surrey County Council (Adult Education Functions) Regulations 2026 and the Warwickshire County Council (Adult Education Functions) Regulations 2026.

These statutory instruments were laid before...

My Lords, I thank the Minister for giving us that introduction. It is nice to have her back, and I hope she is fully recovered. The most pedantic thing I could think to say is that the Minister said Buckinghamshire, Surrey and Warwickshire but the regulations are in a different...

My Lords, I thank the Minister for giving us that introduction. It is nice to have her back, and I hope she is fully recovered. The most pedantic thing I could think to say is that the Minister said Buckinghamshire, Surrey and Warwickshire but the regulations are in a different...

My Lords, I am very grateful for the opportunity to speak on these regulations, which transfer adult education functions to Buckinghamshire, Surrey and Warwickshire councils from the 2026-27 academic year and, as the Minister said, from 1 August 2026. I am very grateful for the detail that the Minister has...

My Lords, I am very grateful for the opportunity to speak on these regulations, which transfer adult education functions to Buckinghamshire, Surrey and Warwickshire councils from the 2026-27 academic year and, as the Minister said, from 1 August 2026. I am very grateful for the detail that the Minister has...

I start by thanking noble Lords for their contributions and questions. I will endeavour to answer them and to get the SIs in the right order as I do so. Before I turn to the questions and the reasonable points that have been raised, I reiterate the important strategic role...

I start by thanking noble Lords for their contributions and questions. I will endeavour to answer them and to get the SIs in the right order as I do so. Before I turn to the questions and the reasonable points that have been raised, I reiterate the important strategic role...

I said 6%.

I said 6%.

We could argue about the figures but, in the academic year 2025-2026, it was the case that the Government made a small cut to the adult skills fund in the very challenging fiscal context that we inherited. There have been no further reductions, nor will there be for this forthcoming...

We could argue about the figures but, in the academic year 2025-2026, it was the case that the Government made a small cut to the adult skills fund in the very challenging fiscal context that we inherited. There have been no further reductions, nor will there be for this forthcoming...

What I would like to extract is the identification of those who have a learning disability or special educational need and who will require slightly different learning patterns to get the best results. More of the same in a system in which you have already failed will probably lead to...

What I would like to extract is the identification of those who have a learning disability or special educational need and who will require slightly different learning patterns to get the best results. More of the same in a system in which you have already failed will probably lead to...

Much of what we will be talking about in the next parliamentary Session will obviously relate to special educational needs and disability funding and provision in schools, both in early years and post-16. What we are talking about today is adult skills funding, which, as I said, for those with...

Much of what we will be talking about in the next parliamentary Session will obviously relate to special educational needs and disability funding and provision in schools, both in early years and post-16. What we are talking about today is adult skills funding, which, as I said, for those with...

Motion to consider. Agreed to on question.

Motion to consider. Agreed to on question.

My Lords, I have added my name to Amendment 119 in the name of the noble Lord, Lord Ravensdale. As he said, this has its genesis in the Select Committee which we both sat on—the Social Mobility Policy Committee. The noble Lord referred to the fact that we reported on...

My Lords, I have added my name to Amendment 119 in the name of the noble Lord, Lord Ravensdale. As he said, this has its genesis in the Select Committee which we both sat on—the Social Mobility Policy Committee. The noble Lord referred to the fact that we reported on...

My Lords, I will speak to my Amendments 133 and 134. As we are aware, the UK’s health is fraying and unequal, with increasing numbers of people unable to work owing to poor health. Compared with other high-income countries, the UK now has one the lowest life expectancies and is...

My Lords, I will speak to my Amendments 133 and 134. As we are aware, the UK’s health is fraying and unequal, with increasing numbers of people unable to work owing to poor health. Compared with other high-income countries, the UK now has one the lowest life expectancies and is...

My Lords, I support these amendments. I spoke to Amendment 132 in Committee. I will not repeat what I said then, but I just want to say that the Minister said in Committee that the reason why the Government want to stick with their own wording on Clause 44—a clause...

My Lords, I support these amendments. I spoke to Amendment 132 in Committee. I will not repeat what I said then, but I just want to say that the Minister said in Committee that the reason why the Government want to stick with their own wording on Clause 44—a clause...

My Lords, I thank the noble Baronesses, Lady Scott and Lady Royall, for their amendments relating to the new health improvement and health inequalities duties. I also thank the noble Baroness, Lady Freeman, for her helpful contribution.

On Amendment 132, I stress our ambition to enable combined authorities and combined county...

My Lords, I thank the noble Baronesses, Lady Scott and Lady Royall, for their amendments relating to the new health improvement and health inequalities duties. I also thank the noble Baroness, Lady Freeman, for her helpful contribution.

On Amendment 132, I stress our ambition to enable combined authorities and combined county...

I am grateful to the noble Baroness, Lady Royall of Blaisdon, for her amendments. Ensuring that we have a holistic view of housing—not just the quality but the quantity of housing and the role that it plays in health—makes it easier for authorities to respond to this part of the...

I am grateful to the noble Baroness, Lady Royall of Blaisdon, for her amendments. Ensuring that we have a holistic view of housing—not just the quality but the quantity of housing and the role that it plays in health—makes it easier for authorities to respond to this part of the...

Moved by

Lord Rees of Easton

135: After Clause 47, insert the following new Clause—

“Corporation Sole Chief Fire Officer for designated mayoral fire and rescue authorities

Part 3 of Schedule 23 makes further provision in connection with the establishment of the position of Corporation Sole Chief Fire Officers in a mayoral combined authority...

Moved by

Lord Rees of Easton

135: After Clause 47, insert the following new Clause—

“Corporation Sole Chief Fire Officer for designated mayoral fire and rescue authorities

Part 3 of Schedule 23 makes further provision in connection with the establishment of the position of Corporation Sole Chief Fire Officers in a mayoral combined authority...

Amendments 135 and 138 are in my name and that of my noble friend Lord Blunkett. I will also speak to Amendment 173. I do not intend to provoke a debate and will withdraw my amendment at the end of this group.

I thank the Minister for her openness and the...

Amendments 135 and 138 are in my name and that of my noble friend Lord Blunkett. I will also speak to Amendment 173. I do not intend to provoke a debate and will withdraw my amendment at the end of this group.

I thank the Minister for her openness and the...

My Lords, these amendments highlight a real tension in this Bill. While powers are being devolved to mayoral combined authorities and CCAs, there remain serious questions about accountability, scrutiny and operational independence for fire services. The financial provisions brought in through Schedule 23 are necessary to ensure that the mayoral...

My Lords, these amendments highlight a real tension in this Bill. While powers are being devolved to mayoral combined authorities and CCAs, there remain serious questions about accountability, scrutiny and operational independence for fire services. The financial provisions brought in through Schedule 23 are necessary to ensure that the mayoral...

My Lords, I thank my noble friend Lord Rees for Amendments 135, 138 and 174 and for being available to explain why he has brought this forward from other mayors. He has passed on their views for us.

I will speak first to Amendments 136 and 137 in my name. As...

My Lords, I thank my noble friend Lord Rees for Amendments 135, 138 and 174 and for being available to explain why he has brought this forward from other mayors. He has passed on their views for us.

I will speak first to Amendments 136 and 137 in my name. As...

Make an amendment.

Make an amendment.

Yes—that would be my amendment.

Amendment 136 would bring the inspection regime into line with the existing exemptions for other fire and rescue authority governance models, maintaining consistency and fairness across England.

Amendment 137 would confirm that, where a mayoral combined authority or a mayoral combined county authority assumes fire and rescue...

Yes—that would be my amendment.

Amendment 136 would bring the inspection regime into line with the existing exemptions for other fire and rescue authority governance models, maintaining consistency and fairness across England.

Amendment 137 would confirm that, where a mayoral combined authority or a mayoral combined county authority assumes fire and rescue...

I beg leave to withdraw my amendment.

I beg leave to withdraw my amendment.

Moved by

Baroness Taylor of Stevenage

136: Schedule 23, page 261, line 7, at end insert—

“Matters outside the scope of inspections

4A In section 28 (inspectors), after subsection (A8) insert—

“(A8A) When carrying out an inspection under subsection (A3) of a mayoral combined authority, or mayoral CCA, in its capacity as a fire and...

Moved by

Baroness Taylor of Stevenage

136: Schedule 23, page 261, line 7, at end insert—

“Matters outside the scope of inspections

4A In section 28 (inspectors), after subsection (A8) insert—

“(A8A) When carrying out an inspection under subsection (A3) of a mayoral combined authority, or mayoral CCA, in its capacity as a fire and...

Moved by

Baroness Taylor of Stevenage

139: Clause 50, page 57, line 14, after “the” insert “GLA and the”

Member's explanatory statement

This amendment is consequential on the amendment in my name inserting new provisions into the Licensing Act 2003 to confer powers on the GLA and the Mayor of London.

Moved by

Baroness Taylor of Stevenage

139: Clause 50, page 57, line 14, after “the” insert “GLA and the”

Member's explanatory statement

This amendment is consequential on the amendment in my name inserting new provisions into the Licensing Act 2003 to confer powers on the GLA and the Mayor of London.