Parliamentary business focused on major legislation touching public safety, schools and children, and pensions, with the Commons returning to consider Lords messages and holding related votes. Across the House of Lords, peers considered further stages of crime and policing, pensions, and English devolution, alongside an economic debate framed by the World Economic Outlook. Alongside domestic scrutiny, the Government also published a joint statement following an international summit on the Strait of Hormuz, reflecting UK engagement on freedom of navigation and energy security.
At a glance
- The Commons progressed Commons stages for two major bills by moving through consideration of Lords messages—continuing parliamentary scrutiny of crime and policing and of children’s wellbeing and schools policy.
- MPs backed Government motions in three separate divisions: decisions tied to the Crime and Policing Bill (LA439), to amendments within the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, and to a Lords-related reason item in the Pensions Schemes Bill.
- Across the Lords, the House considered legislation on crime and policing, pensions, and English devolution and community empowerment, while also debating the World Economic Outlook for its implications for UK growth and inflation.
In the Commons
- In the Commons Chamber, MPs considered the Crime and Policing Bill in a chamber debate, reflecting the central role of crime and policing measures in public safety and law enforcement. [1]
- Also in the Commons, MPs raised a point on criminal proceedings involving juror absence, highlighting that procedural detail in trials can affect fairness and the conduct of criminal justice. [2]
- During Prime Minister’s Questions, MPs dealt with “Engagements”, a set of oral answers within the Prime Minister’s remit that functions as a key accountability forum for government decision-making. [3]
- In Westminster Hall, there was a debate on the Junior Doctors’ Foundation Programme, linking NHS workforce training to service capacity and patient care. [4]
In the Lords
- In the Lords Chamber, peers considered the Crime and Policing Bill as substantive business, scrutinising how the Bill will operate in practice across how crime is addressed and how policing works. [1]
- Peers also considered the Pension Schemes Bill, reflecting the importance of pension rules and scheme administration for people across the UK’s current and future retirees. [5]
- The House of Lords examined the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, focusing on how powers and responsibilities may be shared within England and the resulting implications for local governance and accountability. [6]
- Peers debated the World Economic Outlook on UK growth and inflation, treating growth and inflation as key drivers that feed through into household prices and jobs. [7]
Votes
- In a single Commons division, MPs voted on a Government motion connected to the Crime and Policing Bill relating to a specified bill item (LA439), with the result recorded as in favour of the Government. [8]
- MPs then backed a Government motion tied to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, insisting on one amendment (38J) and disagreeing with amendments 38V to 38X, again resulting in support for the Government. [9]
- Finally, MPs voted on a Government motion connected to the Pensions Schemes Bill, linked to a Lords reason item (88D); the division also returned a Government “for” result. [10]
Bills and legislation
- The Crime and Policing Bill remained in the Commons for consideration of a Lords message, keeping Commons scrutiny actively engaged as the Bill’s text moves through parliamentary stages. [11]
- The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill similarly stayed in the Commons for consideration of a Lords message, continuing the step-by-step handling of Lords amendments/messages as part of the Bill’s progression. [12]
Government announcements
- The Government published a joint statement by the UK Prime Minister and the French President, co-chairing an international summit of 51 countries on the Strait of Hormuz. [13]
Committees
- The Public Accounts Committee published a report updating the New Hospital Programme, as part of Commons scrutiny of public spending and delivery for a large healthcare capital project. [14]
- The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee issued a report on housing conditions in temporary accommodation, providing parliamentary scrutiny of the quality of housing in a provision many people experience. [15]
- The International Development Committee published an interim special report on the future of UK aid and development assistance, including the Government response, formalising scrutiny of how UK assistance may be directed. [16]
Sources used
- Crime and Policing Bill — Hansard
- Criminal Proceedings (Juror Absence) — Hansard
- Engagements — Hansard
- Junior Doctors’ Foundation Programme — Hansard
- Pension Schemes Bill — Hansard
- English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill — Hansard
- World Economic Outlook: UK Growth and Inflation — Hansard
- Crime and Policing Bill: Government motion in relation to LA439 — Votes in Parliament
- Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill: Govt Motion to insist on Amdt 38J and disagree with Amdts 38V to 38X — Votes in Parliament
- Pensions Schemes Bill: Govt motion relating to Lords Reason 88D — Votes in Parliament
- Crime and Policing Bill — UK Parliament Bills
- Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill — UK Parliament Bills
- Joint Statement by President Macron and Prime Minister Starmer, Co-chairs of the International Summit on the Strait of Hormuz: 17 April 2026 — GOV.UK
- 76th Report – New Hospital Programme update — UK Parliament Committees
- 5th Report – Housing Conditions in Temporary Accommodation — UK Parliament Committees
- 9th Special Report – Future of UK aid and development assistance: interim report: Government Response — UK Parliament Committees
Licensing
Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0.
Last updated
First published on 22 April 2026. No corrections at the time of publication.
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