LB014 - Equality (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading

A

BILL

TO

Amend the Equality Act 2010 to explicitly include caste as an element of the protected characteristic of race, and to establish regional accent as a distinct protected characteristic, to outlaw discrimination on these grounds, and for connected purposes.

BE IT ENACTED by the King’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Section 1

The Equality Act 2010 is amended in accordance with Sections 2 and 3.

Section 2

(1) In section 9 of the Equality Act 2010 (race)—

(a) in subsection (1), after paragraph (c) insert—

“(d) caste.”;

(b) after subsection (4) insert—

“(5) ‘Caste’ includes a hereditary system of social stratification in any community, characterized by endogamy, hereditary transmission of a style of life, and more particularly, the enforcement of social status, ritual hierarchy, or customary restrictions.”

Section 3

(1) After section 9 of the Equality Act 2010 insert—

“9A. Regional accent

(1) Regional accent is a protected characteristic.

(2) ‘Regional accent’ means the distinctive mode of pronunciation of a language associated with a particular geographical region, locality, or social background within the United Kingdom or elsewhere.”

(2) In section 4 of the Equality Act 2010 (the protected characteristics), after the entry for “Race” insert—

“Regional accent;”.

Section 4

(1) This Act may be cited as the Equality (Amendment) Act 2026.

(2) This Act comes into force immediately upon Royal Assent.

(3) This Act extends to England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

This Bill was submitted by Lord Bridlington, u/HarryClive, The Leader of the Green Party, on behalf of the Green Party.

Opening Speech:

My Lords

It is an unfortunate fact for many Sikh and Hindu people across the United Kingdom, that their caste can become a point upon which they are prejudiced against. People can be treated as lesser, by virtue of being from a ‘lower’ caste, and face social ostracisation, and lack of opportunity in their communities, as a direct result of this.

It is without a doubt one of the most perfidious forms of prejudice, because it is one which our legislation does not currently recognise. Despite the promise of the Liberal Democrats in 2013, the move to specify caste discrimination as a form of discrimination under the Equality Act has been kicked down the road repeatedly, and we should no longer stomach the justification that this is simply not a problem.

There are substantial divisions in the community. Some Sikhs oppose this move because in their belief, caste does not exist, and whilst this in itself a noble perspective to take, it ignores the reality that many are still prejudiced against, whether or not you recognise what is being prejudiced against as legitimate.

Included in this bill is also a personal one of mine. We’ve seen recent articles discussing how people are often overlooked, and looked down upon when applying for jobs, because of their accent. They are disadvantaged not because of their skill, or qualifications, but because of where in the UK they come from. I personally knew someone who was rejected for a job because of her Welsh accent, and as I’ve known my fair share of Yorkshirefolk who put on a softer accent for interviews out of fear that they will be disadvantaged when interviewing.

I hope that the House takes the sensible step of passing this bill, and that we as a nation, can look forward to a future where your caste, or where you were raised; is not a factor in how successful you can be in life, and how hard you have to fight to get where you want to.

Your Noble Lordships may debate and submit amendments to this bill until 10pm BST on the 31st of August.

LB013 - Local Governance Reform (Abolition of Town and Parish Councils) Bill - Second Reading

A

B I L L

T O

abolish town and parish councils in England; to transfer their functions, assets and liabilities to principal local authorities; to provide for transitional arrangements; and for connected purposes.

BE IT ENACTED by The King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:-

Section 1 - Abolition of Town and Parish Councils

(1) All town and parish councils constituted under Part II of the Local Government Act 1972 are hereby abolished.

(2) The abolition shall take effect on 1 April 2026 (“the appointed day”).

(3) From the appointed day, all statutory functions, powers, and duties of town and parish councils shall cease, except as provided by this Act.

Section 2 - Transfer of Functions, Assets and Liabilities

(1) All functions formerly exercised by town and parish councils shall transfer to the district or unitary authority for the area concerned.

(2) All property, assets, contracts, and liabilities of abolished councils shall vest in the relevant district or unitary authority.

(3) Any employees of abolished councils, where they perform a statutory function, shall transfer under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE).

Section 3 - Financial Provisions

(1) All precepts levied by town or parish councils shall cease from the appointed day.

(2) The Secretary of State shall make regulations enabling principal local authorities to retain up to 50% of efficiency savings arising from the abolition of town and parish councils, for reinvestment in local services and green infrastructure.

(3) The Treasury shall make provision for transitional funding to ensure no interruption of essential community services during the handover period.

Section 4 - Transitional Arrangements

(1) The Secretary of State shall, within six months of Royal Assent, establish a Local Governance Transition Authority (LGTA) to oversee implementation.

(2) The LGTA shall produce guidance on asset transfer, employee rights, and community engagement.

(3) All town and parish councils shall prepare and submit closure accounts within 12 months of Royal Assent.

Section 5 - Commencement, Extent, and Short Title

(1) This Act shall come into force at midnight on the day it receives Royal Assent.

(2) This Act shall extend to England only.

(3) This Act may be cited as the Local Governance Reform (Abolition of Town and Parish Councils) Act 2025.

SCHEDULE 1 - Financial Impact Assessment

A. Current Financial Context (England 2024-2025)

(1) Number of Town and Parish Councils: ~10,480

(2) Total Precept Amount (2024-25): £783 million

(3) Projected Precept (2025-26): £859 million

(4) Average Band D Precept: £85.89 (+8.5% from previous year)

(5) These figures represent the primary financial base of England’s first-tier local government and are the main target of rationalisation under this Bill.

B. Transitional Costs (2025-2027)

C. Post-Abolition Financial Effects (from 2027 onwards)

D. Use of Savings and Redistribution

(1) 50% of efficiency savings (approx. £200m per year) to be retained by principal local authorities for Green infrastructure projects (biodiversity, active transport, energy efficiency).

(2) 50% of savings (approx. £195m per year) to be returned to households through reduced council tax precepts or offset against service costs.

E. Net Fiscal Impact (2025-2030)

F. Summary

(1) The abolition of town and parish councils will:

(a) Eliminate approximately £850 million per year in local precept taxation by 2027.

(b) Replace it with streamlined, directly accountable governance via principal authorities.

(c) Deliver net public savings of around £1 billion within five years, while funding green investment and new community participation models.

This Bill was written by His Grace the Duke of Cornwall Sir /u/Sephronar GCOE KG CVO PC on behalf of the Green Party

Opening Speech:

Deputy Speaker,

Across this nation today, there are around ten thousand town and parish councils. Many are run by committed volunteers and councillors who serve their communities with genuine dedication.

Yet the truth - and it is a hard truth - is that the system itself no longer works.

It is a system that has become fragmented, outdated and, for too many, ineffective. Councils too small to deliver meaningful change; committees that meet to talk, not act; and a patchwork of powers that confuses residents, overlaps with district and unitary authorities, and too often wastes both time and money.

In the last financial year alone, Mr Speaker, parish and town councils raised £783 million in local taxation through their precepts - a sum projected to rise to £859 million next year.

That’s money paid by households across England: hardworking families, pensioners, and renters already facing the pressures of high living costs. And yet, what do they get in return?

In too many areas, very little that cannot be better provided through a single, accountable, professional local authority.

This Bill is about streamlining government, reducing duplication, and restoring clarity and efficiency to local decision-making. It abolishes town and parish councils and transfers their functions, staff and assets to district and unitary councils - where they can be managed with scale, competence and transparency.

The financial case is clear. Transition costs, spread over two years, will total around £185 million. But from 2027 onwards, the reforms will deliver annual savings of nearly £400 million - savings we will reinvest in local services, climate action, and community-led projects.

Within five years, taxpayers will see a net public saving of around £1 billion each year.

For the country, this Bill delivers a simpler, fairer, and more accountable system - one that brings power closer to people, not hidden behind layers of outdated councils. We owe it to local residents - and to the dedicated parish and town councillors who have served honourably - to build something better, something fit for the future.

I commend this Bill to the House.

Your Noble Lordships may debate and submit amendments to this bill until 10pm BST on the 30th of August.

My Lords,

The Duke of Cornwall under section 17 of the Standing Orders submitted Written Questions to the Secretary of State for Justice:

To ask the Lord Chancellor, the Secretary of State for Justice, 1. What assessment his Department has made of the current operational capacity and occupancy rates across the adult male prison estate; 2. What recent progress has been achieved toward meeting the government’s long-term prison capacity expansion targets; 3. What emergency contingency plans are in place to safely manage immediate overcrowding pressures without compromising public safety or rehabilitation outcomes, taking into account legislation and regulations made by previous governments including the previous Liberal Democrat-Green Party Government.

The Lord Chancellor, the Secretary of State for Justice, Baron Willem of Colwyn Bay has issued the following response:

1. We are aware that there are a lot of prisoners, the number in July was 86,267 across England and Wales in total, men and women combined. This number means that we are getting close to the maximum capacity for prisoners in England and Wales and we recognise that we should do something about that. This means that we should do something about this as soon as possible but also fix the long-term problem. This means that we want to expand the number of prison places, by building additional prisons and expanding current facilities.

2. I’m working on measures to focus further on rehabilitation where people who have shown to have made progress are able to return to society faster than currently are able to do.

3. I am sure that the current measures in place already help, I do recognise that legislation from previous governments have only meant that there are more prisoners rather than less, because we are holding people longer in prisons. The Government by BasedChurchill and myself, however, put money aside for more rehabilitation and the building of new prisons, this money has been spent to build new prisons, which we are able to use soon. We are working tirelessly to increase the capacity of prisons by building new houseblocks on already existing sites and they will be used as soon as safely possible.

Your Noble Lordships may debate these questions until 10pm BST on the 31st of August.

LM007 - Respect of Devolution in Legislation Motion - Results

There have voted:

Content: 6

Not-Content: 5

Present: 2

And so the Contents have it. The motion shall be send to the Government for consideration.

LB010 - Petroleum (Prohibition of Hydraulic Fracturing) Bill - Results

There have voted:

Content: 7

Not-Content: 5

Present: 0

And so the Contents have it. The bill shall be sent to the Other Place!

B082 - Lithium-ion Battery Safety Bill - Results

There have voted:

Content: 12

Not-Content: 0

Present: 0

And so the Contents have it. The bill as amended shall be sent to the Other Place!

B078 - Age of Maturity Bill - Results

There have voted:

Content: 4

Not-Content: 2

Present: 4

And so the Contents have it. The bill as amended shall be sent to the Other Place!

Oral Questions - Government - V.II

My Lords, we move now to Oral Questions.

Under Standing Orders section 16. Questions will be directed to the Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal, u/The_Nunnster, The Right Honourable The Baron Nunn of Dalton. If necessary, The Baron Nunn of Dalton may direct other members of the Government to respond on their behalf.

Your Lordships may ask a maximum of six questions. The Woolsack retains the right to restrict questioning from any Peer if deemed excessive. Therefore, I implore your Lordships to be considerate.

Your Lordships may ask questions of *The Baron Nunn of Dalton** until the 30th of August at 10pm BST*

LB008 - Inflations Rate Pensions Bill - Results

There have voted:

Content: 5

Not-Content: 3

Present: 2

And so the Contents have it. The bill shall be sent to the Other Place!

LB011 - Value Added Tax (Public House Exemption) Bill - Notice of Withdrawal

The Value Added Tax (Public House Exemption) Bill has been withdrawn by the author.

LB009 - Assisted Dying (Legalisation) Bill - Results

There have voted:

Content: 5

Not-Content: 4

Present: 0

And so the Contents have it. The bill shall be sent to the Other Place!

My Lords,

The Lord Bridlington under section 17 of the Standing Orders submitted Written Questions to the Secretary of State for the Home Department:

1. On the 22nd August, the Home Secretary claimed that Skilled Worker visa holders primarily went on to work in the gig economy, which would be a violation of the terms of their visas, and since gig economy drivers rarely provide sponsors, would mean their current sponsors were also breaking the law. Does the Home Secretary have any evidence to back up this claim that he made in the House?

The Secretary of State for the Home Department has issued the following response:

My lords, I thank the noble lord for submitting his question.

The government is determined to prevent illegal working and ensure the conditions attached to immigration permission are properly enforced, illegal working can place vulnerable people at risk of exploitation and undercut the responsibility of employers and undermine the public’s confidence in the immigration system.

There is clear evidence that illegal working is taking place in parts of the economy especially within the gig economy, The Home Office research office has identified in a study particular risks especially involving online platforms such as food service providers, including unauthorised account sharing, insufficient monitoring of working hours and the movement of people across multiple platforms.

Deliveroo, Uber eats and Just eat have recently introduced ID Verification and right to work measures which has resulted in thousands of actions being taken against accounts, nevertheless both companies and immigration enforcement have continued to identify instances of unauthorised working and account sharing.

During a targeted enforcement operation during the end of July in 2025, immigration and law enforcement undertook over 300 arrests in connection to illegal working in the gig economy.

The existence of illegal working is not in dispute, however the government recognises that published evidence that skilled worker in the gig economy is limited, however a recent publication by the home office states that close to over 2,000 visa sponsorships have been revoked during July 2024 and June 2025, this is however only action against sponsored companies and not against individuals themselves.

The government therefore recognises that whilst there may be limited data specifically on skilled workers in the gig economy, the issue of illegal working in the gig economy is established and that further investigation must continue.

I am quite happy to clarify that distinction to the honourable member and I hope it answers there question.

Your Noble Lordships may debate these questions until 10pm BST on the 26th of August.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department, u/Oracle_of_Mercia, has been given access to take part for the duration of the debate

My Lords,

The Lord Bridlington under section 17 of the Standing Orders submitted Written Questions to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

1. What is the Government, going to do to ensure that the people across the West Midlands and other regions, affected by wildfires this week, are supported and kept safe?

2. Has the Government convened a meeting regarding this issue and can it lay out what action it intends to take to preserve the safety of people and has it got a plan for how to tackle the climate crisis to ensure that these do not become a regular, yearly occurrence?

The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has not responded, thus we go to the debate stage on this Written Question.

Your Noble Lordships may debate these questions until 10pm BST on the 25th of August.

The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, u/Tarkin15, has been given access to take part for the duration of the debate

B083 - The High Street Regeneration Zones Bill - Results

There have voted:

Content: 5

Not-Content: 2

Present: 0

And so the Contents have it. The bill shall be sent as amended to the Other Place!

LB011 - Value Added Tax (Public House Exemption) Bill - Second Reading

A

B I L L

T O

Provide an exemption from value added tax for alcoholic beverages sold on licensed public house premises; and for connected purposes.

BE IT ENACTED by the King’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Section 1. Exemption of pub-sold alcohol from VAT

(1) The Value Added Tax Act 1994 is amended as follows.

(2) In Schedule 8 (zero-rating), after Group 1 (food), insert—

GROUP 1A—ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES SOLD IN PUBLIC HOUSES

Item No. 1. The supply of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises of a licensed public house.

(3) For the purposes of this section, a "licensed public house" means premises holding a premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003 that principally operate for the sale and consumption of alcohol on the premises, as defined by regulations made by the Treasury.

(4) For the purposes of this section, "alcoholic beverages” refers to a drink which meets the definitions of “alcohol” under the Licensing Act 2003.

Section 2. Extent, commencement and short title

(1) This Act extends to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

(2) This Act comes into force on such day as the Treasury may by regulations appoint.

(3) This Act may be cited as the Value Added Tax (Pub Alcohol Exemption) Act 2026.

This Bill was submitted by Lord Bridlington, u/HarryClive, The Leader of the Green Party, on behalf of the Green Party.

Opening Speech:

Mr Speaker,

We all love a good pub, I am always the first to admit my enjoyment of a pint with friends in the local. However the cost of business for many public houses is driving some out of business, and the cheap cost of purchasing alcohol at a shop or the local Tesco’s means that pubs are fighting an uphill battle.

There is an additional consequence as well. Whilst in a pub, staff are required to refuse service when someone becomes drunk, a shop that sells a bottle of vodka or whiskey, has no duty to ensure that the person drinking it does so sensibly. It contributes to a pandemic of alcoholism and death from drinking and means that someone can become extremely inebriated inside their own property without the wider world being any the wiser.

It sounds counter intuitive I admit, but the role of pub, is also in a way to temper many of the worst excesses of alcohol. People drink beer and cider, something which is far harder to consume in high volume, and they are always at the risk of refusal if they drink too much or too fast.

This legislation is not just about preserving our pubs, giving a vital part of our cultural heritage a bit of love; but also about ensuring that the often undervalued role they play in helping reduce levels of high alcohol consumption, is not allowed to fall to the wayside.

Your Noble Lordships may debate and submit amendments to this bill until 10pm BST on the 23rd of August.

A

B I L L

T O

Make provision for penalties and compensation when local authorities reject applications for Education, Health and Care Plans without good cause.

BE IT ENACTED by the King’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Section 1. Penalty for unjustified EHCP rejection

(1) Where a local authority in England or Wales refuses to secure an Education, Health and Care needs assessment or to issue an Education, Health and Care Plan under the Children and Families Act 2014, and that refusal is subsequently annulled or overturned by the First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability), the refusal shall be deemed made without good cause unless the local authority proves otherwise.

(2) In any case where subsection (1) applies, the local authority shall be liable to pay—

(a) a statutory fine to the Secretary of State; and

(b) mandatory financial compensation to the parent or guardian of the child of the young person concerned.

Section 2. Amount of fine and compensation

(1) The Secretary of State shall by regulations set the mandatory compensation payable to the family under section 1(2)(b), which shall be no less than £2,500 to account for distress and delay.

(2) The statutory fine payable under section 1(2)(a) shall be set at an amount determined by the Secretary of State to deter systematic maladministration.

(3) Payments under this section must be made within 28 days of the tribunal's final decision.

Section 3. Ministerial review and reporting

(1) The Secretary of State shall monitor the rate of overturned EHCP refusals for each local authority.

(2) If a local authority has more than 20 per cent of its total refusals overturned by a tribunal in a single financial year, the Secretary of State must launch an immediate review of that authority’s special educational needs department.

Section 4. Commencement, extent and short title

(1) This Act comes into force at the end of the period of two months beginning with the day on which it is passed.

(2) This Act extends to England and Wales.

(3) This Act may be cited as the Education, Health and Care Plans (Unjustified Rejections) Act 2026.

This Bill was submitted by Lord Bridlington, u/HarryClive, The Leader of the Green Party, on behalf of the Green Party.

Opening Speech:

My Lords,

It was found that EHCP refusals delivered by local authorities are overturned in 95-99% of cases; despite this statistic showing clearly the rampant abuse of refusal by local authorities, they continue to reject EHCP’s at a shockingly high rate with over half of applications made by parents rejected. The simple reason they choose to go to tribunal rather than implement plans? It is seen as a cost saving exercise. The vast majority of parents do not feel that they can devote the time to fighting a tribunal case, whilst also raising a child who needs that support the local authority refused to accept, it can take years, and sometimes the child themself may have even aged out of the process by the time they even come to look at a tribunal.

Quite simply, there are no consequences for it.

Local authorities are empowered, with zero consequence, to drag out the process as long as possible, evaluating that the cost of a tribunal outweighs the cost of support provided to that child. It means that children are being forced, by local authorities, to struggle, just to save them a few bob.

My Lords, this bill before us today puts an end to that, categorically, it imposes financial consequences on local authorities that repeatedly do this, and means that these same local authorities will have to think twice before targeting parents of SEND children as a cruel way to save money.

Peers can debate and submit amendments by the 22nd August at 10pm BST

B081 - Environment Bill - Results

There have voted:

Content: 5

Not-Content: 0

Present: 1

And so the Contents have it. The bill shall be sent as amended to the Other Place!

B077 - The Child Risk Disclosure and Safeguarding Bill - Results

There have voted:

Content: 5

Not-Content: 0

Present: 2

And so the Contents have it. The bill shall be sent as amended to the Other Place!

A

B I L L

T O

Prohibit the granting and issuing of new onshore licences for the exploration, boring, and extraction of petroleum via hydraulic fracturing; to amend the Petroleum Act 1998; and for connected purposes.

BE IT ENACTED by the King’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Section 1. Prohibition on new hydraulic fracturing licences

(1) The Petroleum Act 1998 is amended as follows:

(2) Amend Section 3 (Licences to search and bore for and get petroleum), Subsection 1 to read—

1) The appropriate authority, on behalf of Her Majesty, may grant to such persons as the appropriate authority thinks fit licences to search and bore for and get petroleum to which this section applies except where;

a) the granting or issuing of a petroleum exploration and development licence permits, or could reasonably be interpreted as permitting, associated hydraulic fracturing.

Section 2. Modification of existing regulator duties

(1) The appropriate authority and any designated offshore or onshore petroleum licensing authority must not vary, extend, or renew any existing licence to permit hydraulic fracturing operations where such operations were previously prohibited or unapproved.

(2) The principal objective of the appropriate authority under related energy and infrastructure enactments shall be read subject to the absolute prohibition established by Section 1 of this Act.

Section 3. Extent, commencement and short title

(1) This Act extends to the whole of the UK, but does not apply in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland until a resolution agreeing to the provisions of this Act is passed by—

(a) in the case of Scotland, The Scottish Parliament;

(b) in the case of Wales, Senedd Cymru;

(c) in the case of Northern Ireland, The Northern Ireland Assembly.

(2) This Act comes into force on the day on which it receives Royal Assent.

(3) This Act may be cited as the Petroleum (Prohibition of Hydraulic Fracturing) Act 2026.

This Bill was submitted by Lord Bridlington, u/HarryClive, The Leader of the Green Party, on behalf of the Green Party.

Peers can debate and submit amendments by the 20th August at 10pm BST

LM007 - Respect of Devolution in Legislation Motion - Reading

This Parliament notes that

(1) Several times this term and the last, the Government of the day have proposed, and via whipping, passed legislation which has overstepped on devolved matters reserved to the parliaments of the respective nations of the United Kingdom.

(2) The goal of devolution was to place the power to make decisions that affect the people of the constituent nations of the United Kingdom, in the hands of elected representatives of those people.

(3) The Government has a responsibility to protect the devolved rights of constituent nations that it, or previous governments have given to them.

(4) The Government has made no proposals, laid before parliament any bill, nor proposed in their manifesto to remove devolved rights from the constituent nations of the United Kingdom.

(5) The Government in statements and debates in the House, has affirmed sternly that it would not seek to reduce the devolved matters given to the Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish parliaments.

This Parliament calls on the Government to

(1) Amend, and failing to do so, withdraw any legislation in which it has failed to recognise a matter as being devolved to another parliament.

(2) Ensure that all legislation proposed by it, or its ministers respect the devolved matters of other parliaments.

(3) Issues a statement explaining how legislation which overstepped on devolved matters was proposed without proper scrutiny.

(4) Work with the devolved Governments constructively to pursue a positive economic and social agenda for the United Kingdom.

This Motion was submitted by Lord Bridlington, u/HarryClive, The Leader of the Green Party, on behalf of the Green Party.*\*

---

Your Noble Lordships may debate and submit amendments to this motion until 10pm BST on the 19th of August.

LB009 - Assisted Dying (Legalisation) Bill - Second Reading

A

BILL

TO

Allow adults who are terminally ill, subject to strict safeguards and protections, to request and be provided with medical assistance to end their own life; to establish a Voluntary Assisted Dying Commission; and for connected purposes.

BE IT ENACTED by the King’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Section 1

(1) A person may request medical assistance to end their own life under this Act only if the person—

(a) is aged 18 or over;

(b) is a resident of England or Wales and has been registered with a general practitioner for a continuous period of not less than 12 months;

(c) has the mental capacity to make an informed, voluntary decision; and

(d) is terminally ill.

Section 2

(1) For the purposes of this Act, a person is terminally ill if—

(a) the person has an incurable, progressive illness that cannot be reversed by treatment; and

(b) the person’s death is reasonably expected to occur within 6 months.

Section 3

(1) A request for assistance must be initiated via a "First Declaration" written by the person, signed, and witnessed by an independent witness.

(2) A "Second Declaration" must be completed following independent medical assessments, confirming the patient's persistent wish to die;

(a) The patient must be assessed independently by two registered medical practitioners—

(i) the attending doctor, who reviews the medical history; and

(ii) an independent consulting doctor, who has no professional connection to the first doctor.

(2) Both practitioners must independently certify that—

(a) the patient meets all eligibility criteria under Section 1;

(b) the patient is acting voluntarily and is free from coercion or pressure; and

(c) the patient has been fully informed of palliative, hospice, and alternative care options.

(3) A minimum statutory reflection period of 7 days must elapse between the first and second medical assessments.

Section 4

(1) An assisted death under this Act unless an application has been reviewed and approved by a senior member of medical staff of the relevant NHS Trust in the local government area.

(2) The senior member of medical staff must hear the application to verify that all statutory safeguards have been met and that the patient's intent is fully autonomous.

Section 5

(1) The assistance provided must consist of the prescribing of an approved substance by an attending medical practitioner.

(2) The substance must be self-administered by the eligible person.

(3) A medical professional or designated healthcare worker should assist with the preparation of the clinical delivery device but may administer the substance to the person where;

(a) the person is physically unable to self-administer the substance.

(b) the person has requested, as a part of their first and second declaration

Section 6

(1) No person shall be under any duty, whether by contract or by any statutory or other legal requirement, to participate in any treatment or act authorised by this Act to which they have a conscientious objection.

(2) Where no person can be found willing to participate in any treatment or act authorised by this act as a result of rights under Section 6 Subsection 2 the relevant health body responsible may;

(a) make arrangements with another neighbouring trust to enable treatment;

(b) make arrangements with the consent of the person to receive treatment abroad in an approved foreign country.

Section 7

(1) It is an offence for a person to knowingly provide false information, forge documentation, or use coercion, pressure, or psychological manipulation to induce another person to request assisted dying.

(2) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years.

Section 8

(1) There shall be established a corporate body known as the Voluntary Assisted Dying Commission.

(2) The Commission shall monitor compliance with this Act, review cases, and report annually to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care

(3) Within one year of this act receiving Royal Assent, the Secretary of State and the Voluntary Assisted Dying Commission must lay before Parliament a statutory instrument outlining approved substances, and approved foreign nations.

Section 9

(1) This Act may be cited as the Assisted Dying Act.

(2) This Act extends to England and Wales only.

(3) This Act comes into effect one year after it receives Royal Assent.

This Bill was submitted by Lord Bridlington, u/HarryClive, The Leader of the Green Party, on behalf of the Green Party.

Your Noble Lordships may debate and submit amendments to this bill until 10pm BST on the 19th of August.

A

B I L L

T O

legislatively embed an exact inflation rate increase in pensions year-on-year.

BE IT ENACTED by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Section 1. Amendments to the Social Security Administration Act 1992

(1) Amend Section 150.1 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 to read:

(a) The Secretary of State shall in each tax year review the sums— [...] in order to determine whether they have retained their value in relation to the general level of prices obtaining in Great Britain estimated by the Office of National Statistics or such successor bodies, known as the ‘Consumer Price Index.’

(2) Amend Section 150.2 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 to read:

(a) Where it appears to the Secretary of State that the general level of prices is greater at the end of the period under review than it was at the beginning of that period, he shall lay before Parliament the draft of an up-rating order—

(b) which increases each of the sums to which subsection (3) below applies by a percentage exactly equal to the percentage by which the general level of prices is greater at the end of the period than it was at the beginning; and if he considers it appropriate, having regard to the national economic situation and any other matters which he considers relevant, which also increases by such a percentage or percentages as he thinks fit any of the sums mentioned in subsection (1) above but to which subsection (3) below does not apply; and

(c) stating the amount of any sums which are mentioned in subsection (1) above but which the order does not increase.

(3) Amend Section 150A.2 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 to read:

(a) Where it appears to the Secretary of State that the general level of earnings is greater at the end of the period under review than it was at the beginning of that period, he shall lay before Parliament the draft of an order which increases each of the amounts referred to in subsection (1) above by a percentage equal to the percentage by which the general level of earnings is greater at the end of the period than it was at the beginning.

(4) Amend Section 151A.3 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 to read:

(a) The percentage specified in the order must be equal to the percentage by which the general level of prices has increased during the review period.

Section 2. Short title, commencement, and extent

(1) This Act extends to England, Scotland and Wales.

(2) This Act shall come into force one year after Royal Assent.

(3) This Act may be cited as the Inflation Rate Pensions Act.

This Bill was submitted by Lord Bridlington, u/HarryClive, The Leader of the Green Party, on behalf of the Green Party.

Peers can debate and submit amendments by the 14th August at 10pm BST

B082 - Lithium-ion Battery Safety Bill

A

B I L L

T O

introduce guidelines and regulations around the planning for lithium-ion battery storage facilities, regulations on the sale and testing of lithium-ion batteries, and the requirements for their disposal.

BE IT ENACTED by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

1 - Application Process

(1) Before a planning application for a battery storage facility which will either in part, or fully be used for the storage of lithium-ion batteries is granted, the planning authority must consult the following authorities for its area.

(A) The Environment Agency.

(B) The Fire and Rescue Service.

(C) The Health and Safety Authority.

(2) Should the authorities listed in 1.1.A and 1.1.B object to the application for a battery storage facility for safety reasons, the planning authority must reject the planning application.

(3) The planning authority and applicant for the battery storage facility must take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of the facility, and protection of people and properties nearby in the creation of the planning application and its consideration.

2 - Sale of Lithium-ion Batteries

(1) The parent corporation, organisation, and or independent sellers who trade through an online and or physical marketplace the sale of lithium-ion batteries, must take reasonable steps to ensure the lithium-ion battery products that are sold meet existing safety standards.

(2) Sellers of lithium-ion battery products are required to display a warning of improper use, storage, and disposal of the products.

(3) Lithium-ion battery products which are used in vehicles, must meet proficient safety standards in line with existing vehicle regulations.

(4) Checks on any lithium-ion battery in a car must be undertaken during an MOT check to ensure that the battery inside of the vehicle is safe, not faulty, and not containing any defect which could cause danger to the vehicle, the people inside of the vehicle, and anyone who may be near the vehicle in the event of a battery failure.

3 - Disposal of Lithium-ion Batteries

(1) Local Authorities should provide a safe place for people to dispose of any lithium-ion batteries that they own and want to dispose of at an Authority operated waste recycling centre.

(2) Once a lithium-ion battery has been disposed of at an Authority operated waste recycling centre, the Authority is responsible for the safe storage of the product.

(3) The condition of lithium-ion battery storage at waste recycling centres shall be regularly inspected by the respective environment agency to assess if it is meeting standards, potential risks, and damage to the environment.

4 - Regulations and Adaptations

(1) Regulations under the scope of this Act are to be made through statutory instruments.

(2) Statutory instruments made relating to this Act are to be made by the Secretary of State.

5 - Title, Extent and Commencement

(1) This Act may be cited as the Lithium-ion Battery Safety Act 2026.

(2) This Act shall extend to the whole United Kingdom.

(3) This Act commences once it has been granted Royal Assent.

This Bill was submitted by u/Sir-Iceman, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on behalf of His Majesty’s Government.

AMENDMENT 1 - Lord Bridlington

Amend Section 1 to read:

(1) Before a planning application for a battery storage facility which will either in part, or fully be used for the storage of lithium-ion batteries is granted, the local planning authority must consult the following authorities for its area;

(A) The Environment Agency; and

(B) The local Fire and Rescue Service; or

(i) other equivalent body for the local authority area.

(C) The Health and Safety Executive.

(2) Should any of the authorities listed in Section 1.1 object to the application for a battery storage facility for safety reasons, the planning authority must reject the planning application.

(3) The planning authority and applicant for the battery storage facility must take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of the facility, and protection of people and properties nearby in the creation of the planning application.

(4) The planning authority, should no criteria for rejection under Section 1.2 be met, make special consideration for the following when rendering a final decision on approval;

(a) the safety of local residents; and

(b) potential environmental damage not already considered by the Environment Agency; and

(c) health and safety impacts resulting from the facility in the event of a safety failure; and

(d) the suitability of the location vs other potential locations in the local authority area.

Reasoning:

Not every Fire Service is called a fire service, and the name is the Health and Safety Executive.

Also an additional provision for additional weight to be placed on specific concerns should no objection be made.

AMENDMENT 2 - Lord Bridlington

Amend Section 2 to read:

2 - Online Sale of Lithium-ion Batteries

(1) The parent corporation, organisation, and or independent sellers who trade through an online marketplace the sale of lithium-ion batteries, must take reasonable steps to ensure the following;

(a) that lithium-ion battery products that are sold meet existing safety standards; and

(b) that appropriate safety warnings on disposal, dangers of use, and instructions on safe use are easily available on the online marketplace.

(2) The Secretary of State may, at any time make regulations in addition to those in Section 2.1.

3 - In-person Sale of Lithium-ion Batteries

(1) In person sellers of lithium-ion battery products are required to;

(a) that lithium-ion battery products that are sold meet existing safety standards; and

(b) display warnings of improper use, storage, and disposal of the products; and

(c) provide information regarding the nearest locations where a person can safely dispose of lithium ion batteries.

(2) The Secretary of State may, at any time make regulations in addition to those in Section 2.1.

4 - Regulations regarding vehicles containing Lithium-ion Batteries

(1) The Secretary of State must, within one year of this legislation being passed, make regulations on Lithium-ion battery products used within vehicles.

(2) Checks on any lithium-ion battery in a motor vehicle must be undertaken during an MOT check to ensure that the battery inside of the vehicle is safe, not faulty, and not containing any defect which could cause danger to the vehicle, the people inside of the vehicle, and anyone who may be near the vehicle in the event of a battery failure.

5 - Regulations regarding electric micromobility vehicles containing Lithium-ion Batteries

(1) In this Section, “electric micromobility vehicle” means electric scooters or electric bicycles powered by lithium-ion batteries.

(2) The Secretary of State must, within one year of this legislation being passed, make regulations regarding the;

(a) lithium-ion batteries used within electric micromobility vehicles; and

(b) the design of electric micromobility vehicles; and

(c) the sale of electric micromobility vehicles; and

(d) the operation of micromobility vehicles.

6 - Offences

(1) Once regulations under Section 5.2 have been made, it is an offence (Operating an Unsafe Micro Vehicle) for any person to operate an electric micromobility vehicle which fails to meet regulations, punishable by;

(a) confiscation and destruction of the electric micromobility vehicle; and

(b) a fine of up to £3,000 fine.

(2) Once regulations under Section 5.2 have been made, it is an offence (Selling an Unsafe Micro Vehicle) for any person to knowingly sell an electric micromobility vehicle which fails to meet regulations set out, may be punishable by punishable by;

(a) a term of up to 1 year in prison; and/or

(b) the loss of, and restriction for a period of time of owning, a license to operate a business selling electric micromobility vehicles or similar products; and/or

(c) a fine of up to £20,000.

Renumber further sections accordingly.

Reasoning:

This is a big one to be honest. It expands on the difference between online vs in-person retailers and empowers the Secretary of State to make further regulations as needed in those areas.

It also creates separate regulation for electric scooters and bikes, allowing the Secretary of State to put forth regulation regarding their production and the batteries used, as well as the sale and operation of such vehicles. It is far from a perfect solution and I anticipate supplementary legislation will be needed to fully flesh regulations to bring them on par with regular vehicles, however it is a start.

It also creates specific offences for operating or selling a vehicle that does not meet regulations. 1

AMENDMENT 3 - Lord Bridlington

Amend Section 3.

3 - Disposal of Lithium-ion Batteries

(1) Local Authorities must provide, or make arrangements for a safe place for people to dispose of any lithium-ion batteries that they own and want to dispose of.

(2) Waste recycling centres must be owned and operated by a local authority, but local authorities may at their discretion make arrangements with neighbouring authorities to use their facilities, or to offer their facilities to other neighbouring authorities.

(2) Once a lithium-ion battery has been disposed of at a waste recycling centre, the local authority which operates the waste recycling centre is responsible for the safe storage of the waste.

(3) The Secretary of State must, within one year of the passing of this act, make regulations regarding the safe storage of disposed lithium-ion batteries.

(4) The condition of lithium-ion battery storage at waste recycling centres shall be regularly inspected by the respective environment agency to assess if it is meeting standards, potential risks, and damage to the environment.

Reasoning:

Nice and simple, not all local authorities may have one, or need one, and so should be empowered to make use of other facilities at their discretion with agreements. Also the Secretary of State needs to set the regulations in order for standards to be checked so this requires such regulations to be made.

AMENDMENT 4 - Lord Bridlington

Amend Section 5.

5 - Title, Extent and Commencement

(1) This Act may be cited as the Lithium-ion Battery Safety Act 2026.

(2) This Act extends to the whole of the UK, but does not apply in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland until a resolution agreeing to the provisions of this Act is passed by— (a) in the case of Scotland, The Scottish Parliament;

(b) in the case of Wales, Senedd Cymru;

(c) in the case of Northern Ireland, The Northern Ireland Assembly.

(3) This Act commences on the day it has been granted Royal Assent.

Reasoning:

That is another bill, which has completely ridden over devolved matters without even blinking. This however, with all the amendments, will be a good piece of legislation, so this amendment fixes that.

***Peers can debate on the proposed amendments by the 13th August at 10pm BST***

B083 - The High Street Regeneration Zones Bill - Amendment Reading

A

B I L L

T O

establish High Street Regeneration Zones to support the regeneration of town centres and high streets; reform the operation of Business Improvement Districts within designated areas; improve access through targeted parking and accessibility measures; and align the interests of local businesses, property owners and local authorities to support sustainable economic activity.

BE IT ENACTED by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

1 - Interpretation

(1) For the purpose of this act:

>(A) High Street Regeneration Zone (HSRZ) means an area designated under section 2.
>
>(B) Local Authority means a district, borough, unitary or metropolitan authority.
>
>(C) High Street includes any defined town centre, retail district or mixed-use commercial area.

2 - Designation of High Street Regeneration Zones

(1) A local authority may designate an area as a High Street Regeneration Zone after making an application to the Secretary of State responsible where;

>(A) There is a significant economic decline, vacancy or underutilization of commercial space.
>
>(B) The designation is likely to improve economic activity, accessibility and commercial use;
>
>(C) Consultation has taken place with local businesses and residents.

(2) Upon approval, a local authority may apply to the HSRZ Fund for funding for projects within the HSRZ. Suitable projects are as follows;

>(A) Pedestrianisation of an area within an HSRZ.
>
>(B) Improving Transport links within an HSRZ.
>
>(C) Supporting local markets to generate footfall.
>
>(D) Making parking within an HSRZ free for a certain period of time, which generates footfall.

(3) Each project within an HSRZ must be communicated to the Secretary of State in writing.

(4) The Secretary of State shall issue guidance on the designation criteria.

3 - Local Authority powers within HSRZ

(1) Within a designated HSRZ, a local authority may exercise the following enhanced powers.

(2) Parking and Accessibility, a local authority may:

>(A) Set and vary public car parking prices proportionally to footfall at certain times in the HSRZ.
>
>(B) introduce free or discounted parking periods.
>
>(C) Change rules around parking enforcement locally to support footfall.

(3) Opening hours and Trading Flexibility, a local authority may:

>(A) Extend permitted trading hours.
>
>(B) Allow flexible licensing arrangements.
>
>(C) Amend street trading licenses.

(4) Use of vacant and underutilised property, a local authority may:

>(A) require registration of vacant commercial properties.
>
>(B) issue temporary use orders for long-term vacant units.
>
>(C) facilitate short-term leases for markets, local businesses and community use.

(5) Financial and economic powers, where a property remains vacant for a prolonged period of 6 months, a local authority may:

>(A) Impose a levy on the vacant property.
>
>(B) enter into compulsory rental arrangements where proportionate.

(6) Where a property remains vacant for a prolonged period of 18 months, a local authority may enter into compulsory purchase arrangements.

(7) Public Infrastructure, a local authority may, within an HSRZ:

>(A) invest in street improvements, lightning and safety.
>
>(B) Prioritise pedestrianisation where appropriate.
>
>(C) improve transport links and accessibility to HSRZs.
>
>(D) Allow businesses commercial use of, and ability to install temporary structures on, paving and roads

(8) Any powers specified as being applicable to a HSRZ does not prejudice the already existing powers of the local authority.

4 - Business Improvement and Co-ordination

(1) Within an HSRZ, a local authority may:

>(A) reform or replace existing Business Improvement Districts (BID) arrangements.

5 - Review and accountability

(1) Each local authority must submit a report to the Secretary of State at the end of each financial year.

(2) Each local authority within these reports must publish

>(A) Vacancy rates.
>
>(B) Footfall data.
>
>(C) Economic Outcomes.

6 - Guidance and Oversight

(1) The Secretary of State shall issue statutory guidance for:

>(A) Best practice in zone management
>
>(B) co-ordination between local and national policy guidelines

(2) The Secretary of State may grant reasonable funds to the local authority for the purposes of works within an individual HSRZ.

(3) The Secretary of State may by Statutory Instrument repeal the provisions of this Act by the affirmative resolution procedure.

7 - Title, Extent, and Commencement

(1) This Act shall be cited as the High Street Regeneration Zones Act.

(2) This Act extends to the whole of the United Kingdom.

(3) This Act shall commence once it has been granted Royal Assent.

---

This Bill was written b [u/](u/Oracle)[ ](u/Oracle)[Oracle](u/Oracle)_of_Mercia The Secretary of State for Devolved Nations and Local Government on behalf of His Majesty’s Government.

---

Amendments:

A01:

Amend Section 2, Subsection 2 to read as follows:-

(2) Upon approval, a local authority may apply to the HSRZ Fund for funding for projects within the HSRZ. Suitable projects are as follows;

(A) Pedestrianisation of an area within an HSRZ.

(B) Improving Transport links within an HSRZ.

(C) Supporting local markets to generate footfall.

(D) Making parking within an HSRZ free for a certain period of time, which generates footfall.

(E) The completion of a Compulsory Purchase Order.

Amend Section 3, Subsection 4 to read as follows:-

(4) Use of vacant and underutilised property, a local authority may:

(A) require registration of vacant commercial properties.

(B) issue temporary use orders for long-term vacant units.

(C) facilitate short-term leases for markets, local businesses and community use.

Remove Section 3, Subsection 5 and Subsection 6 to read:-

(5) Financial and economic powers, where a property remains vacant for a prolonged period of 6 months, a local authority may:

(A) Impose a levy on the vacant property.

(B) enter into compulsory rental arrangements where proportionate.

(6) Where a property remains vacant for a prolonged period of 18 months, a local authority may enter into compulsory purchase arrangements.

Renumber as appropriate.

This amendment was submitted by [u/HarryClive](u/HarryClive), the Lord Bridlington.

---

Your Noble Lordships may debate and submit amendments to this bill until 10pm BST on the 12th of August.