Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Markus Campbell-Savours Excerpts
Thursday 5th June 2025

(2 days, 20 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Pat McFadden Portrait Pat McFadden
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I urge the hon. Member to have a little patience until the spending review in a few days’ time. We got a taste of it yesterday, with the Chancellor announcing funding for major transport projects around the country. We are investing in public services not just in England, but right across the United Kingdom. The hon. Member will hear a lot more about that in a few days’ time.

Markus Campbell-Savours Portrait Markus Campbell-Savours (Penrith and Solway) (Lab)
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T2.   Despite the majority of hereditary peers leaving the other place and the limitations post- election on the Opposition’s ability to appoint new peers, the House of Lords will remain disproportionately dominated by Opposition peers. Why not tweak the Fowler recommendations, set a new limit of 500 and legislate for that in the last year of this Parliament? When that is blocked, as it will be, why not leave reform of the House of Lords to be an issue at the next general election?

Nick Thomas-Symonds Portrait The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Nick Thomas-Symonds)
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I thank my hon. Friend for his innovative suggestion. He rightly points out that following the passage of the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill, the Opposition will remain the largest party in the other place. That Bill, which we are keen to see on the statute book as soon as possible, is the first step in Lords reform. The Government set out in our manifesto a number of proposals to bring about a smaller, more active second Chamber that better reflects the country it serves.