Nusrat Ghani MP: speeches

Speeches

• 29 Jun 2026 · Asylum Accommodation · Hansard source

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  It is deeply disappointing that I have to remind the Minister and the Treasury Benchers that paragraph 9.1 of the “Ministerial Code” and paragraph 19.21 of “Erskine May” make it clear that statements on important matters should be made to this House first, not to the press at 10.30 pm on a Thursday night. MPs and their constituents should hear about important policy news in this House first. I expect much better from the Minister. It is totally unacceptable that constituents and MPs hear about important policy matters on the news and not in this House. There is an impact on Members, including me as a constituency MP, and our constituents deserve much better. Minister, we need to see better from you on this.

• 24 Jun 2026 · Climate Change · Hansard source

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  With this it will be convenient to discuss the following: That the draft Climate Change Act 2008 (International Aviation and International Shipping) Regulations 2026, which were laid before this House on 14 April, in the last Session of Parliament, be approved. That the draft Climate Change Act 2008 (Credit Limit) Order 2026, which was laid before this House on 14 April, in the last Session of Parliament, be approved.

• 15 Jun 2026 · Social Media Ban for Under-16s · Hansard source

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  Before we come to the statement, I must place on the record Mr Speaker’s disappointment that the Prime Minister chose Downing Street over this House as the place in which to make the important announcement about banning under-16s from social media. The Prime Minister’s very own rulebook states that important policy announcements should be made in the first instance in this House when it is sitting. His approach this morning is symptomatic of a pattern of disrespect for this House from No. 10. The Government have said that they will update the ministerial code on this point, and I urge them to get on with it. In the meantime, they must stick with the rules as they are set out. Mr Speaker wishes to thank the Secretary of State, who is a shining example of a Minister taking the code seriously on this matter and not briefing out her statement before she has come to the House. I call the Secretary of State.

• 10 Jun 2026 · Defence Investment Plan · Hansard source

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  I thank the hon. Member for giving notice of his point of order. The Speaker made it abundantly clear at the start of the statement just how important it is that the defence investment plan is presented first to Parliament, and that Members of this House have the opportunity to ask questions about it as soon as the plan is published. As the Speaker said, I hope that speculation that the plan will be published on a non-sitting day is proven wrong. The House comes first. Of course, the Government could table a motion to enable the House to sit on a non-sitting Friday, if those were the circumstances. If the hon. Member wishes to have further advice on parliamentary procedure, he can get that from the Clerks in the Table Office. Mr Speaker made his views abundantly clear. Does the Minister wish to respond?

• 2 Jun 2026 · Points of Order · Hansard source

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  The hon. Member did not give me prior notice of her point of order. First of all, the Chair is not responsible for the content of speeches or contributions made by Back Benchers, let alone Front Benchers. I do not have to hand the information that she requires about those two issues, but no doubt the Clerks can provide it in a moment or two. As the hon. Member will know, the Government are responsible for the statements that they bring forward to the House. Armed Forces Bill (Programme) (No. 2) Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83A(7)), That the Order of 26 January in the last session of Parliament (Armed Forces Bill: Programme) be varied as follows: (1) Paragraphs 4 to 6 of the Order shall be omitted. (2) Proceedings in Committee of the whole House on recommittal, any proceedings on Consideration and proceedings on Third Reading shall be taken in two days in accordance with the following provisions of this Order. Committee of the whole House (3) Proceedings in Committee of the whole House shall be taken on the first day and shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at the moment of interruption on the first day. Consideration and Third Reading (4) Any proceedings on Consideration and proceedings on Third Reading shall be taken on the second day. (5) Any proceedings on Consideration shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour before the moment of interruption on the second day. (6) Proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at the moment of interruption on the second day.— (Deirdre Costigan.) Question agreed to.

• 27 Apr 2026 · Points of Order · Hansard source

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  The hon. Member is a very professional Member of Parliament, and will no doubt know which other avenues he can take to get the answer. Unfortunately, I am not responsible for the answers that Ministers give here in the Chamber, but he will no doubt use every opportunity to hold the Minister to account.

• 12 Mar 2026 · Defending Democracy Taskforce · Hansard source

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  I call the Liberal Democrat spokesperson.

• 12 Mar 2026 · Defending Democracy Taskforce · Hansard source

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  I call my neighbour, Tom Tugendhat.

• 11 Mar 2026 · Lord Mandelson: Response to Humble Address Motion · Hansard source

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  Before the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister comes to the Dispatch Box to make the statement, it has been brought to attention of the Chair that it is possible that information has not been shared in due time. The requirement to provide a copy of the statement to the Opposition before it is made is set out in the ministerial code—in chapter 9, if the Minister wants to refresh himself. I am not responsible for policing the ministerial code, but it is clearly a discourtesy to the House not to make information available in good time. Those on the Treasury Bench, and no doubt the Ministers responsible, will have heard me and will ensure that this does not happen again.

• 23 Feb 2026 · Schools White Paper: Every Child Achieving and Thriving · Hansard source

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  Before we come to the statement from the Secretary of State for Education, I must once again note Mr Speaker’s disappointment about briefing to the media before important announcements are brought to this House, given the Government’s own rules in their ministerial code. As the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee recently stated, “making the most important statements in the first instance to Parliament means doing so before they are made to the media and not at the first available opportunity thereafter.” The Government need to either adhere to their own rules or change them.

• 12 Feb 2026 · Point of Order · Hansard source

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  I thank the hon. Member for notice of his point of order. It is important that Members receive timely answers from the Government to such correspondence. No doubt those on the Treasury Bench are listening. It is not a matter for the Chair, but I am sure that those on the Treasury Bench will have noticed not only the hon. Member’s concerns but those of other Members about slow correspondence, and no doubt they will pass on his remarks. He may also wish to consult the Table Office about other steps that he can take if he so chooses. Bill Presented Representation of the People Bill Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57) Secretary Steve Reed, supported by the Prime Minister, Darren Jones, Secretary Liz Kendall, Secretary Lisa Nandy, Dan Jarvis, Samantha Dixon, Chris Ward and Josh Simons, presented a Bill to make provision extending the right to vote to 16 and 17 year olds; to make provision about the registration of voters; to make provision about the administration and conduct of elections, referendums and recall petitions; to make provision about election agents’ addresses; to make provision about political expenditure and political donations; to make provision about information to be included in electronic campaigning material; to make provision about offences and civil sanctions in connection with elections, referendums and recall petitions and with donations and expenditure for political purposes; to make provision about the disclosure of information by the Electoral Commission; to make provision about the disqualification of offenders for holding elective offices, and their sentencing, where offences are aggravated by hostility towards persons involved in elections, referendums or recall petitions or holders of such offices; and for connected purposes. Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on Monday 23 February , and to be printed (Bill 384 ) with explanatory notes (Bill 384-EN ).

• 14 Jan 2026 · Points of Order · Hansard source

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  I thank the hon. Member for raising her point of order. Responses to questions are, of course, a matter for the Government rather than the Chair, but paragraph 22.19 of “Erskine May” states: “Questions for written answer are not in order which renew or repeat in substance questions already answered or to which an answer has been refused in that session of Parliament.” If the Government have refused to answer questions on a specific matter, further questions would therefore not be in order. However, that may not be the case in this instance. I suggest that she seeks further advice from the Table Office on what other routes are open to her to pursue her concerns. [ Interruption. ] The Government Whips are acknowledging that this is something, no doubt, that they will continue in their conversations as well.

• 8 Dec 2025 · Child Poverty Strategy · Hansard source

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  As an experienced Member of Parliament, the hon. Member will know that she can seek advice from the Speaker’s Office and the Clerks. That is not a point of order, but she has most definitely got her point on the record.

• 4 Dec 2025 · Dawn Sturgess Inquiry · Hansard source

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  I call the Member of Parliament for Salisbury.

• 3 Dec 2025 · Business without Debate · Hansard source

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  With the leave of the House, we shall take motions 3 to 5 together. Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), Financial Services and Markets That the draft Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 (Prudential Regulation of Credit Institutions) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2025, which were laid before this House on 20 October, be approved. That the draft Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (ESG Ratings) Order 2025, which was laid before this House on 27 October, be approved. Energy That the draft Heat Networks (Market Framework) (Great Britain) (Amendment) Regulations 2025, which were laid before this House on 30 October, be approved.— (Gregor Poynton.) Question agreed to. Church of England (General Synod) (Measures) [Relevant documents: 247th Report of the Ecclesiastical Committee, Armed Forces Chaplains (Licensing) Measure; Abuse Redress Measure, HC 1453. ] Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118,(6)), That the Armed Forces Chaplains (Licensing) Measure (HC 1454), passed by the General Synod of the Church of England, which was laid before this House on 11 November, be presented to His Majesty for his Royal Assent in the form in which it was laid before Parliament.— (Marsha de Cordova.) Question agreed to. Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), That the Abuse Redress Measure (HC 1455), passed by the General Synod of the Church of England, which was laid before this House on 11 November, be presented to His Majesty for his Royal Assent in the form in which it was laid before Parliament. — (Marsha de Cordova.) Question agreed to.

• 26 Nov 2025 · Financial Statement and Budget Report · Hansard source

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  Before I call the Chancellor, I will make a short statement. For a number of weeks, and yet again yesterday, there have been extensive briefings to the media on the Government’s fiscal policy and public finances. This disappointing trend in relation to Budget briefings has been growing for a number of years under successive Governments, but it appears to have reached an unprecedented high. Weeks ago, we saw the Chancellor delivering a speech in Downing Street setting the scene for the Budget, and specific policy announcements have been briefed out to the media in advance of today’s financial statement. [ Interruption. ] I do not need any help from Members. It seems that just a moment ago, the Office for Budget Responsibility’s analysis appeared online. This all falls short of the standards that the House expects. The premature disclosure of the contents of the Budget has always been regarded as a supreme discourtesy to this House and to all the democratically elected Members, not to mention to Mr Speaker, and to me, the Chairman of Ways and Means. The Government’s own “Ministerial Code” cannot be clearer. Paragraph 9.1 states: “When Parliament is in session, the most important announcements of Government policy should be made in the first instance in Parliament.” I have always upheld the right of this House and its Members to be treated with respect, and to be the first to hear major Government policy announcements on behalf of their constituents. As Chairman of Ways and Means, I have responsibility for overseeing the House’s consideration of the Budget statement and the ensuing resolutions; that is described in paragraph 36.33 of “Erskine May” as “the most important business of Ways and Means.” I want hon. Members on both sides of the House to have adequate opportunity to hold the Chancellor to account, rather than their hearing and reading about new policies daily in the media. Like many, I expected better. Before I call the Chancellor of the Exchequer, I remind hon. Members that copies of the Budget resolutions will be available to them in the Vote Office in Members’ Lobby at the end of the statement, and online. I also remind hon. Members that interventions are not taken during the Chancellor’s statement, nor during replies from the Leader of the Opposition or the Leader of the Liberal Democrats. I call the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

• 12 Nov 2025 · Energy · Hansard source

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  The right hon. Member is incredibly experienced, and will no doubt know that the ministerial code is not a matter for the Chair. He will obviously pursue all avenues available to those in the House—there are many—to continue this conversation.

• 5 Nov 2025 · Curriculum and Assessment Review · Hansard source

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  Before we come to the statement from the Education Secretary, I should inform the House that Mr Speaker is disappointed that this announcement was widely trailed in the media this morning, before this House had an opportunity to hear directly from the Government. I remind the Government Front Benchers that the expectation set out in the Government’s “Ministerial Code” is that: “When Parliament is in session, the most important announcements of government policy should be made in the first instance in Parliament.” I know that the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee is looking into how that expectation is currently observed and whether it continues to meet the needs of the House, and I look forward to seeing the outcome of that work. Furthermore, engaging directly with Mr Speaker on such announcements is no substitute for the courtesy that this House deserves.

• 20 Oct 2025 · Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill · Hansard source

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  With this it will be convenient to consider the following: Amendment 7, page 1, line 7, leave out subsection (2) and insert— “(1A) The Treaty and sections 2 to 4 of this Act do not come into force until the Secretary of State lays before Parliament a memorandum on the obligations under international law which require the UK to cede sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory to the Government of Mauritius. (1B) The memorandum specified in subsection (1) must include— (a) a summary of the legal advice received by the UK Government on this issue; (b) an analysis of the status of UK's sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory under international law; (c) the legal argument for the cessation of British sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory; and (d) the risks which the UK Government may have faced had it not reached an agreement with the Government of Mauritius. (1C) The report specified in subsections (1A) and (1B) must be laid before Parliament no later than two months after this Act receives Royal Assent.” Amendment 9, page 1, line 7, leave out subsection (2) and insert— “(1A) Before sections 2 to 4 of this Act come into force, the Secretary of State must— (a) seek to undertake negotiations with the Government of Mauritius on whether Mauritius will establish a right for Chagossians to return and reside in the Chagos Islands; and (b) seek agreement to a referendum for Chagossians on self-determination within any negotiations which take place under paragraph (a); and (c) lay before both Houses of Parliament a report on progress on establishing negotiations with the Government of Mauritius and the outcome of any that take place. (1B) Within two months of the report being laid before the House of Commons under paragraph (1a), the Secretary of State must table a substantive motion in the House of Commons on the contents of the report.” This amendment requires that the Government must undertake negotiations with Mauritius on a Chagossian right of return and on a referendum, with a report laid before Parliament on the outcome of the negotiations. The Government must subsequently table a substantive motion in the House of Commons on the content of that report. Amendment 10, page 1, line 7, leave out subsection (2) and insert— “(1A) The Treaty and sections 2 to 4 of this Act do not come into force until the Secretary of State establishes a public consultation of Chagossian people residing in the UK on the Treaty. (1B) The public consultation under section (1A) must be established within two months of this Act receiving Royal Assent.” This amendment requires the Government to establish a public consultation with the Chagossian people residing in the UK, before the Treaty and sections 2 to 4 of this Act can come into force. Amendment 11, page 1, line 7, leave out subsection (2) and insert— “(1A) The Treaty and sections 2 to 4 of this Act do not come into force until the Secretary of State makes a statement before Parliament outlining proposals for a public consultation on the Treaty. (1B) A statement made under subsection (1A) must be made within two months of this Act receiving Royal Assent.” This amendment requires the Government to make a statement before Parliament outlining proposals for a public consultation on the Treaty within two months of this Act receiving Royal Assent, before the Treaty and sections 2 to 4 of this Act can come into force. Amendment 14, page 1, line 7, leave out subsection (2) and insert— “(1A) The Treaty and sections 2 to 4 of this Act do not come into force until the Secretary of State lays before Parliament an impact assessment detailing the benefits and costs to the United Kingdom, including in financial and security terms, of the Treaty. (1B) The Secretary of State must lay the impact assessment under section (1A) within 2 months of the passing of this Act.” This amendment requires the Government to publish an impact assessment detailing the benefits and costs to the United Kingdom, including in financial and security terms, of the Treaty within two months of this Act receiving Royal Assent, before the Treaty and sections 2 to 4 of this Act can come into force. Clause stand part. Amendment 13, in clause 2, page 1, line 17, leave out subsection (b). This amendment removes section 2 (b) of the Bill which aims to remove citizens of the British Indian Ocean Territory from the list of British Overseas Territories recognised under the British Nationality Act 1981, thus preserving British Chagossian’s nationality and associated rights. Clauses 2 to 4 stand part. Amendment 3, in clause 5, page 3, line 29, leave out subsections (1) to (4). Amendment 4, page 3, line 36, at beginning insert— “With the exception of the subject matters listed in subsection (3A),”. Amendment 8, page 3, line 40, leave out subsection (3) and insert— “(2A) An Order under this Act may not be made unless a draft of the order has been laid before Parliament and approved by a resolution of each House.” This amendment provides that any order made under the Act would need to have the approval of each House of Parliament. Amendment 6, page 3, line 40, leave out “is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament” and insert “may not be made unless a draft of the order has been laid before Parliament and approved by a resolution of each House”. Amendment 5, page 4, line 3, at end insert— “(3A) An order under this section relating to Diego Garcia, or the rights of Chagossians residing in the United Kingdom, may not be made unless a draft of the order has been laid before Parliament and approved by a resolution of each House.” Clause 5 stand part. Amendment 2, in clause 6, page 4, line 17, leave out “see section 1(2)” and insert “see section 1(1A)”. This amendment is consequential on NC2. Clause 6 stand part. New clause 1— Approval of payments to Mauritius by the House of Commons — “(1) No payment may be made by the Government of the United Kingdom to the Government of Mauritius under Article 11 (1)(a) of the Treaty without the approval of the House of Commons. (2) No development framework under Article 11 (1)(c) may be agreed by the Government of the United Kingdom with the Government of Mauritius without the approval of the House of Commons. (3) No payment may be made under any development framework agreed between the Government of the United Kingdom and the Government of Mauritius without the approval of the House of Commons. (4) The approval required by subsections (1), (2) and (3) must be in the form of a resolution of the House of Commons.” This new clause requires parliamentary approval for any payment by the UK Government to the Government of Mauritius under the Treaty. New clause 2— The additional period and right to extend: duty to publish legal advice and risk assessments — “(1) Within six months of this Act receiving Royal Assent, the Secretary of State must lay before both Houses of Parliament any legal advice and any risk assessments given to the Government relating to— (a) the ability of the United Kingdom to extend the duration of the Treaty’s provisions for the additional period of 40 years (“the additional period”) specified in Article 13(2) of the Treaty, including— (i) any advice pertaining to the automaticity, or otherwise, of the UK securing the additional period; (ii) any obligations placed on both parties to negotiate the additional period; (iii) any risk assessment of the impact on the United Kingdom’s strategic interests of not securing the additional period; and (b) the ‘right of first refusal’ offered to the United Kingdom should the additional period not be negotiated at the end of the Treaty’s initial duration under Article 13(5) of the Treaty, including whether such a right exists if the additional period expires without a further extension being agreed.” New clause 3— Written instrument on the Marine Protected Area: approval by the House of Commons — “(1) No written instrument on the establishment and management of its Marine Protected Area in the Chagos Archipelago provided for by Article 5 of the Treaty, including any changes to current restrictions on fishing, commercial and extractive activities, may be agreed to by the Government of the United Kingdom unless— (a) a Minister of the Crown has laid before Parliament a copy of the written instrument, (b) the written instrument and an explanatory memorandum has been published, and (c) period A has expired without the House of Commons having resolved, within period A, that the written instrument should not be agreed. (2) Period A is the period of 21 sitting days beginning with the first sitting day after the date on which the requirement in subsection (1)(a) is met. (3) ‘An explanatory memorandum’ has the meaning given in section 24 of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010.” This new clause provides that any written instrument on the Marine Protected Area will be subject to the approval of the House of Commons in a process equivalent to that required for treaties under section 20 of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010. New clause 4— Ecological status of the Marine Protected Area — “(1) The Secretary of State must, within two years of the passing of this Act and within every subsequent two years, lay before both Houses of Parliament and publish a report on the status of the Marine Protected Area (the ‘MPA’). (2) Any report made under subsection (1) must include, but not be limited to— (a) numbers of different species of coral, fish and molluscs in the Marine Protected Area; (b) coral reef resilience; (c) fish stocks; (d) ocean acidification; (e) any degradation of the marine or terrestrial environments; and (f) a complete record of the vessels (nature and flag) that enter the MPA.” This new clause requires the Secretary of State to report regularly on the status of the Marine Protected Area. New clause 5— Reports to the Intelligence and Security Committee — “(1) The Secretary of State must, within twelve months of this Act receiving Royal Assent, and every year subsequently, report to the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament, established under section 1 of the Justice and Security Act 2013, on the security of the military base on Diego Garcia and the buffer zone. (2) The report in subsection (1) must include, but shall not be limited to— (a) the security of the buffer zone; (b) the management and use of the electromagnetic spectrum; (c) the presence of any foreign security forces on the islands, whether civilian or military; (d) a complete record of the vessels, including their nature and flag, that enter the Marine Protected Area; (e) a complete record of the notifications the United Kingdom has given the Government of Mauritius about activity on Diego Garcia; (f) a complete record of any information passed from the United Kingdom to the Government of Mauritius, including any military operations, personnel movements, infrastructure development, communications, and logistical support. (3) For the purposes of this section, ‘buffer zone’ has the meaning of the 24 nautical miles surrounding the island of Diego Garcia.” This new clause requires the Secretary of State to report annually to the Intelligence and Security Committee about the security of the military base on Diego Garcia and the security of the buffer zone. New clause 6— Report on the impact of UNCLOS on the operation of the Treaty — “(1) The Secretary of State must report to Parliament within one year of the passing of this Act, and each subsequent year, on the impact that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (‘UNCLOS’) has had on the operation of the Treaty.” This new clause requires the Secretary of State to report to Parliament annually about the impact that the United Nations Conventions on the Law of the Sea has on the operation of the Treaty. New clause 7— Rights of Chagossians — “(1) The Secretary of State must consult the Chagossian community based in the United Kingdom on the implementation of the Treaty. (2) The matters the Secretary of State must consult on shall include, but not be limited to— (a) the Government of the United Kingdom’s response to any consultation by the Government of Mauritius on the regulations to establish a Trust Fund under Article (11)(b) of the Treaty; and (b) any areas of dispute concerning the rights of the Chagossian people that arise between the Governments of the United Kingdom and Mauritius, before such disputes are formally discussed in the Joint Committee under the dispute settlement process established in Article 14 of the Treaty. (3) Within six months of the passing of this Act, and at least once every subsequent year, the Secretary of State must lay before Parliament a report containing an assessment of the efforts of the UK Government to uphold the rights of Chagossians under the terms of the Treaty.” This new clause requires the Secretary of State to consult the Chagossian community in the UK on the discharge of the UK Government’s obligations under the Treaty, and to report annually on how the UK Government has upheld the rights of Chagossians. New clause 8— Report on compliance of the Treaty and the Act with UN General Assembly Resolutions on Decolonisation — “(1) Within six months of this Act receiving Royal Assent, the Secretary of State must produce a report on the compliance of the Treaty agreed with the Government of Mauritius, and the provisions of section (2) of this Act, with the following Resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly— (a) Resolution 567 (VI), (b) Resolution 648 (VII), (c) Resolution 742 (VIII), (d) Resolution 1514 (XV). (2) The report specified in subsection (1) must be laid before both Houses of Parliament and, within two months of its publication, the Secretary of State must ensure that a substantive motion relating to the report is tabled, and moved, in both the House of Commons and House of Lords.” New clause 9— Marine Protected Area: Progress Reports— “(1) Within twelve months of this Act receiving Royal Assent, and every twelve months thereafter, the Secretary of State must lay before Parliament a report on— (a) the progress made in establishing; and (b) managing a Marine Protected Area in the Chagos Archipelago. (2) The reports required under subsection (1) must include— (a) a list of any meetings held during the twelve-month period between the Governments of the United Kingdom and Mauritius in which the Marine Protected Area was discussed; (b) a summary of the non-financial support and assistance provided by the Government of the United Kingdom in the establishment, and management, of a Marine Protected Area; and (c) the costs incurred by the United Kingdom, including any money paid by the Government of the United Kingdom to the Government of Mauritius, in connection with the establishment, and management, of a Marine Protected Area. (3) Within two months of a report being laid before the House of Commons under subsection (1), the Secretary of State must table a substantive motion in the House of Commons on the contents of the report. (4) Within twelve months of this Act receiving Royal Assent, the Secretary of State must seek to undertake negotiations with the Government of Mauritius to secure additional guarantees of its commitment to the development and preservation of a Marine Protected Area.” This new clause requires the Government to produce an annual report on progress in establishing and managing, and to seek negotiations on securing further guarantees of Mauritius’s commitment to, a Marine Protected Area in the Chagos Archipelago. New clause 10— Annual report: Treaty implementation — “(1) The Secretary of State must, within twelve months of commencement and every twelve months thereafter, publish and lay before both Houses of Parliament a report on— (a) the expenditure of public funds made under the Treaty during the most recent financial year; and (b) progress on the UK’s implementation of the Treaty.” This new clause requires the Government to publish an annual report on the expenditure of public funds made under the Treaty and on the progress of the UK’s implementation of the Treaty. New clause 11— Annual Parliamentary Oversight and Approval of Expenditure — “(1) The Secretary of State must, once every financial year, lay before the House of Commons, for its approval, an estimate of the expenditure that is anticipated to be incurred by the Government of the United Kingdom in connection with the commitments made under the terms of the Treaty, including, but not limited to— (a) any payments made or to be made, or financial commitments entered into, with the Government of the Republic of Mauritius in accordance with the Treaty; and (b) the costs associated with the continued administration, maintenance, and operation of Diego Garcia. (2) If the payments incurred by the Government of the United Kingdom are greater than those anticipated in the estimate specified in subsection (1), the Secretary of State must lay before the House of Commons, for its approval, a supplementary estimate.” This new clause provides for an estimates and supply scrutiny process for expenditure to be incurred by the UK Government as a result of the Treaty and the UK’s continued involvement in Diego Garcia. New clause 12— Review of the welfare and needs of Chagossians residing in the UK — “(1) Within a year of this Act receiving Royal Assent, the Secretary of State must undertake, and publish the findings of, a review of the welfare, integration, and general needs of Chagossians residing in the United Kingdom. (2) In undertaking the review specified in subsection (1), the Secretary of State must consult representatives of Chagossians residing in the UK, including community organisations. (3) Within a month of publishing the report specified in subsection (1), the Government must make time available for a debate in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords on a substantive motion relating to the report.” This new clause requires the government to undertake a review of welfare and integration of Chagossians in the UK within a year Act receiving Royal Assent with a substantive motion relating to the report of the review tabled in both Houses of Parliament. New clause 13 —Impact of this Act and the Treaty on Chagossians residing in the United Kingdom— “(1) The Secretary of State must, within six months of the day on which this Act is passed, consult with— (a) Chagossian persons residing in the United Kingdom; and (b) bodies representing, or working with, the Chagossian community residing in the United Kingdom regarding the impact of this Act and the Treaty on the Chagossian community residing in the United Kingdom. (2) The terms of reference for the consultation specified in subsection (1) must include, but not be limited to the impact of this Act and the Treaty on— (a) the socio-economic status of Chagossians residing in the United Kingdom; (b) the family life of the UK based Chagossian community; and (c) any implications for the Chagossian community residing in the United Kingdom, of changes to British nationality law. (3) Within twelve months of the passing of this Act, the Secretary of State must lay a report before Parliament summarising— (a) any findings from the consultation; and (b) any steps the Government intends to take as a result of those findings.” This new clause requires the Government to consult the UK based Chagossian community on the impact of the Act and the Treaty, and to publish the findings of the consultation. New clause 14— Duty to produce proposals for a referendum of Chagossians residing in the UK — “(1) The Secretary of State must, within six months of this Act receiving Royal Assent, lay before both Houses of Parliament proposals for an advisory referendum of Chagossians residing in the UK, seeking their opinions on the Treaty signed with the Government of Mauritius and the provisions of this Act. (2) Within a month of publishing the proposals specified in subsection (1), the Secretary of State must make time available in both Houses of Parliament for a debate on a substantive motion relating to the proposals.” New clause 15— Review of the operation of the Treaty — “(1) Within five years of this Act receiving Royal Assent, the Secretary of State must commence a review of the operation of the Treaty. (2) The review must include, but need not be limited to, an examination of whether it is in the UK’s national security interests to continue being a signatory to, or to seek the termination of, the Treaty. (3) A report summarising the findings of the review must be published and laid before both Houses of Parliament.” This amendment would require the Government to undertake, within five years of the Act receiving Royal Assent, a review of the operation of the Treaty and publish its findings, including whether it is in the UK’s national security interests to continue to be a signatory to the treaty. New clause 17— Access to the archipelago under the Treaty — “In any discussions with the Government of Mauritius relating to the provisions of Annex 1(3)(d) of the Treaty, the Secretary of State shall not give consent to the presence of any Indian or Chinese security forces, either civilian or military in nature, in the Chagos Archipelago.” This amendment would require the Government to withhold consent, in any discussions with Government of Mauritius held under the provisions of Annex 1 (3) (d) of the Treaty, to the presence of any Indian or Chinese civilian or military security forces in the Chagos Archipelago.

• 16 Sept 2025 · Police: Professional Standards · Hansard source

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  Mr Shannon, I was beginning to get a little bit anxious, but finally you are on your feet.

• 2 Sept 2025 · Delegated Legislation · Hansard source

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  With the leave of the House, I will put motions 6 to 11 together. Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), Regulatory Reform That the draft Legislative Reform (Disclosure of Adult Social Care Data) Order 2025, which was laid before this House on 21 May, be approved. Housing That the draft Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) (Amendment) (Extension to the Social Rented Sector) Regulations 2025, which were laid before this House on 25 June, be approved. That the draft Hazards in Social Housing (Prescribed Requirements) (England) Regulations 2025, which were laid before this House on 25 June, be approved. Prisons That the draft Criminal Justice Act 2003 (Removal of Prisoners for Deportation) Order 2025, which was laid before this House on 25 June, be approved. Local Government That the draft Local Audit (Amendment of Definition of Smaller Authority) Regulations 2025, which were laid before this House on 16 June, be approved. Hovercraft That the draft Hovercraft (Application of Enactments) (Amendment) Order 2025, which was laid before this House on 1 July, be approved.— (Keir Mather.) Question agreed to.

• 16 Jul 2025 · Standards · Hansard source

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  I call the shadow Leader of the House.

• 14 Jul 2025 · Deprivation of Citizenship Orders (Effect during Appeal) Bill · Hansard source

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  With this it will be convenient to consider: Clauses 1 and 2 stand part. New clause 1— Independent review — “(1) The Secretary of State must, within one year of the passing of this Act, commission an independent review of the effects of the changes made to section 40A of the British Nationality Act 1981 by section 1. (2) The review must be completed within two years of the passing of this Act. (3) As soon as practicable after a person has carried out the review, the person must— (a) produce a report of the outcome of the review, and (b) send a copy of the report to the Secretary of State. (4) The Secretary of State must lay before each House of Parliament a copy of the report sent under subsection (3)(b) within one month of receiving the report.”

• 7 Jul 2025 · Points of Order · Hansard source

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  I am grateful to the right hon. Member for his point of order and for giving notice of it. The Bill was not referred to the examiners at the time of presentation, indicating that the view taken by the relevant House authorities at the time was that the Bill was not prima facie hybrid. He is welcome to refer to any aspect of part 1 of the Bill during today’s proceedings. The Chair cannot be expected to respond substantively today, but I will ensure that he receives a substantive written response this week. His final point was about proceedings in the House of Lords, which are not a matter for the Chair, or indeed for this House. I ask him not to refer to that matter in his speech.