Parliament and Government Summary — 24 April 2026

Parliament and Government activity today centred on early-stage legislation and fresh scrutiny across multiple policy areas. In the Commons, MPs reached the second reading stage of the Bullying and Respect at Work Bill, while in the Lords peers considered the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. Outside the chambers, Government published up-to-date retail sales data and a fact sheet setting a baseline for private renters ahead of the Renters’ Rights Act.

At a glance

• The Commons moved a workplace conduct measure to second reading: the Bullying and Respect at Work Bill sets out the bill’s general principles before detailed line-by-line scrutiny.
• The Lords continued end-of-life legislation consideration through the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, reflecting public interest in how rights and care for terminally ill adults are handled.
• Across Government and committees, new evidence was published—from retail sales figures to a pre-Act snapshot of private renters’ rights—alongside Transport, Public Accounts and rural-focused scrutiny.

In the Lords

• Peers considered the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill as Lords Chamber business, handling end-of-life legislation affecting adults with terminal illness. The bill’s focus is on end-of-life treatment and rights—an area of broad public interest because care decisions and arrangements directly affect many families. [1]

Bills and legislation

• In the Commons, the Bullying and Respect at Work Bill reached second reading, the stage where MPs give the bill its initial consideration before detailed line-by-line scrutiny. As an early but important legislative step, it sets the general principles for a workplace bullying and respect-at-work measure that many people can relate to in everyday work settings. [2]

Government announcements

• The Office for National Statistics published its first estimate of Great Britain retail sales for December 2026, covering retail sales in volume and value terms. The release provides seasonally and non-seasonally adjusted measures, offering timely headline data on consumer and retail activity. [3]
• The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government published a fact sheet based on the English Housing Survey 2024–25 to set a baseline for private renters ahead of the Renters’ Rights Act taking effect on 1 May 2026. It outlines current patterns in tenancy security, renters’ experiences, barriers to renting, and dispute resolution—intended to support comparisons after the legal change begins. [4]

Committees

• The House of Commons Transport Committee published a fourth special report on the Railways Bill, including the Government’s response to the committee’s earlier rail legislation scrutiny. The report form signals continued parliamentary focus on how the bill will address issues of passenger experience, fares and services. [5]
• The Public Accounts Committee published its 77th report on accountability arrangements in small government bodies. As a Public Accounts Committee report on how responsibilities and public money are managed, it adds to the wider picture of accountability across public sector bodies, including smaller organisations delivering services. [6]
• The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee published its 7th report on resetting the relationship with fishing communities. The report reflects scrutiny of how policy connects to fishing communities, which form part of the UK’s coastal economy and local livelihoods. [7]

Sources used

1. Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill — Hansard
2. Bullying and Respect at Work Bill — UK Parliament Bills
3. Retail Sales; Great Britain: December 2026 — GOV.UK
4. English Housing Survey 2024 to 2025: Private Rented Sector Pre-Renters' Rights Act Overview – fact sheet — GOV.UK
5. 4th Special Report – Railways Bill: Government Response — UK Parliament Committees
6. 77th Report – Accountability in small government bodies — UK Parliament Committees
7. 7th Report – Resetting the relationship with fishing communities — UK Parliament Committees

Licensing

Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0.

Last updated

First published on 24 April 2026. No corrections at the time of publication.