Lords statement on the steel trade measure, which will come into force on Wednesday 1 July.

Lords statement on the steel trade measure, which will come into force on Wednesday 1 July.

My Lords, this episode says a great deal about the attention the Government pay to the business community. For months now, manufacturers, fabricators, construction firms and businesses in aerospace, automotive and defence have warned about the consequences of the Government’s original proposals, yet meaningful changes have come only at the...

My Lords, this episode says a great deal about the attention the Government pay to the business community. For months now, manufacturers, fabricators, construction firms and businesses in aerospace, automotive and defence have warned about the consequences of the Government’s original proposals, yet meaningful changes have come only at the...

My Lords, as someone who has spent most of his life in Sheffield and South Yorkshire, I know that this issue is not an abstract discussion about tariffs and trade policies; it is about the future of communities that have made steel, engineering and manufacturing part of their identity for...

My Lords, as someone who has spent most of his life in Sheffield and South Yorkshire, I know that this issue is not an abstract discussion about tariffs and trade policies; it is about the future of communities that have made steel, engineering and manufacturing part of their identity for...

First, I welcome the noble Lord, Lord Mohammed of Tinsley, to his place and thank him for everything he has done so far for Sheffield Forgemasters. I thank both noble Lords for their contributions.

Let me begin with first principles. The United Kingdom needs a strong and resilient steel sector, both...

First, I welcome the noble Lord, Lord Mohammed of Tinsley, to his place and thank him for everything he has done so far for Sheffield Forgemasters. I thank both noble Lords for their contributions.

Let me begin with first principles. The United Kingdom needs a strong and resilient steel sector, both...

I join the Minister in welcoming the noble Lord, Lord Mohammed, to the Liberal Democrat Front Bench. It is so helpful to have someone with such experience of the steel industry participating in our debates.

I welcome some of the assurances that the Minister has given, but one of the questions...

I join the Minister in welcoming the noble Lord, Lord Mohammed, to the Liberal Democrat Front Bench. It is so helpful to have someone with such experience of the steel industry participating in our debates.

I welcome some of the assurances that the Minister has given, but one of the questions...

I thank the noble Lord. Ministers, colleagues and officials from the department have regular meetings with the sector, with producers and downstream users through an arrangement of sector councils and all that. We regularly get feedback from them. If any such requirements do hamper, we will take note of that,...

I thank the noble Lord. Ministers, colleagues and officials from the department have regular meetings with the sector, with producers and downstream users through an arrangement of sector councils and all that. We regularly get feedback from them. If any such requirements do hamper, we will take note of that,...

Dealing with the whole question of energy costs—

Dealing with the whole question of energy costs—

Sorry. I am perfectly happy to give way to Back-Benchers if anyone wishes to intervene.

8.02 pm

Sorry. I am perfectly happy to give way to Back-Benchers if anyone wishes to intervene.

8.02 pm

My Lords, it seems to me that the announcement made today was essential. The Government would have come in for criticism had they not put forward such a Statement.

Is it consistent with the contents of the steel Bill, for which we have done the first day of Committee and are...

My Lords, it seems to me that the announcement made today was essential. The Government would have come in for criticism had they not put forward such a Statement.

Is it consistent with the contents of the steel Bill, for which we have done the first day of Committee and are...

I thank my noble friend for those points. First, let me say something about the Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill that is going through this House. That Bill gives us a framework to acquire any steel undertaking in the public interest. Once we do acquire, in the public interest, that aligns...

I thank my noble friend for those points. First, let me say something about the Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill that is going through this House. That Bill gives us a framework to acquire any steel undertaking in the public interest. Once we do acquire, in the public interest, that aligns...

My Honourable Friend the Minister for Building Safety, Fire and Democracy (Samantha Dixon MBE MP) has today made the following statement:

I wish to update the House on the publication of the Government Response to the 2023 Future Homes and Buildings Standards consultation and the laying of a statutory instrument today...

My Honourable Friend the Minister for Building Safety, Fire and Democracy (Samantha Dixon MBE MP) has today made the following statement:

I wish to update the House on the publication of the Government Response to the 2023 Future Homes and Buildings Standards consultation and the laying of a statutory instrument today...

My hon Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Migration and Citizenship (Mike Tapp) has today made the following Written Ministerial Statement:

Today, 25 February 2026, marks a significant milestone in the transition to a fully digital immigration system with the UK moving to full enforcement of its digital ‘permission...

My hon Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Migration and Citizenship (Mike Tapp) has today made the following Written Ministerial Statement:

Today, 25 February 2026, marks a significant milestone in the transition to a fully digital immigration system with the UK moving to full enforcement of its digital ‘permission...

Lords motion to approve. Amendment to regret debated and withdrawn. Original motion agreed to on question.

Lords motion to approve. Amendment to regret debated and withdrawn. Original motion agreed to on question.

My Lords, I appreciate that noble Lords’ enthusiasm for transitional relief on business rates at 12.07 am might not be as keen as mine, so I will be as brief as possible, but it is necessary to set out the detail of the regulations.

Before I discuss the regulations before us...

My Lords, I appreciate that noble Lords’ enthusiasm for transitional relief on business rates at 12.07 am might not be as keen as mine, so I will be as brief as possible, but it is necessary to set out the detail of the regulations.

Before I discuss the regulations before us...

Moved by

Lord Jamieson

Moved by

Lord Jamieson

My Lords, in speaking to this regret amendment in my name, I declare my interest as a councillor in Central Bedfordshire.

At first glance, the statutory instrument may appear technical and relatively uncontroversial with transitional relief, but in reality for many businesses, particularly in hospitality and leisure, the substantial underlying increase...

My Lords, in speaking to this regret amendment in my name, I declare my interest as a councillor in Central Bedfordshire.

At first glance, the statutory instrument may appear technical and relatively uncontroversial with transitional relief, but in reality for many businesses, particularly in hospitality and leisure, the substantial underlying increase...

My Lords, this is the last speech that I shall be making after midnight as Chief Whip for the Liberal Democrats, because I am stepping down at the weekend. I hope that the first thing that the next Session of Parliament does is bring in some legislation, or whatever we...

My Lords, this is the last speech that I shall be making after midnight as Chief Whip for the Liberal Democrats, because I am stepping down at the weekend. I hope that the first thing that the next Session of Parliament does is bring in some legislation, or whatever we...

My Lords, before I respond to the regret amendment, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Stoneham, for all his work as Chief Whip of the Liberal Democrat group. I am very grateful to him for everything he has done. I know that he will continue to contribute in the House,...

My Lords, before I respond to the regret amendment, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Stoneham, for all his work as Chief Whip of the Liberal Democrat group. I am very grateful to him for everything he has done. I know that he will continue to contribute in the House,...