17.Under House of Lords Standing Order 6314 certain committees are appointed on a ‘sessional’ basis: that is, their orders of appointment remain in force from one session to the next throughout a Parliament until the House orders otherwise. Sessional committees are for most practical purposes thus in permanent existence. In addition, the Committee of Selection, though not formally a sessional committee, is reappointed each session.15
18.The number of sessional committees has more than doubled over the past decade, with the most recent four sessional committees appointed in April 2021, as described in paragraph 3 above. These new committees quickly made their mark, and 2021–22 was a particularly busy year for all sessional committees.
19.The Built Environment Committee was established in April 202116 to consider matters relating to housing, planning, transport and infrastructure. In January 2022 it published its first major report, Meeting housing demand.17 The report made recommendations on how barriers to meeting demand can be overcome, including through planning reform and promoting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The report was well-received by policy makers and attracted significant media coverage. The Government response committed to implementing the Committee’s recommendations on housing for the elderly, among other issues.18 The Committee plans to hold a follow-up evidence session to monitor progress in autumn 2022. Leading on from that inquiry, the Committee is now undertaking a short inquiry into the effect of short-term lettings (including via Airbnb) on housing supply.19
20.The Committee is now holding its second major inquiry, on public transport in towns and cities. The inquiry is covering the impact of technological and digital developments on travel behaviours, future trends in public transport innovation and how public policy may be shaped by these trends.20 In 2021 the Committee corresponded with the Government about its plans for rail fare reform, highlighting the need to encourage passengers to return to the railways after the pandemic.21
21.The Committee’s media profile and social media presence have grown, leaving a strong foundation for its future work. Stakeholder feedback suggests that the Committee is already highly regarded in its areas of policy, particularly for the quality and detail of its reports.
22.In July 2021 the Committee published Free for all? Freedom of expression in the digital age.22 This focused on freedom of speech in relation to the (then) draft Online Safety Bill. It concluded that “the rights and preferences of individuals must be at the heart of a new, joined-up regulatory approach” involving competition policy, data, design, law enforcement and the protection of children.23
23.In November 2021 the Committee published The Future of Channel 4.24 This examined the cases for privatising Channel 4 and for the status quo, identifying risks to each. The Committee concluded that any decision must be based on robust analysis and meaningful stakeholder consultation. The Committee identified several areas for further review, including modelling alternatives to an ownership change before proceeding with a sale, with projected revenues.25
24.The Committee built on its March 2019 report, Regulating in a digital world,26 and carried out an inquiry into the effectiveness of digital regulation, publishing the Digital regulation: joined up and accountable report in December 2021.27 The Committee praised progress in regulatory collaboration but identified a continued need for improved coordination between and beyond regulators, and greater regulatory accountability to Parliament.28 The Committee called for the Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum to be placed on a statutory footing as the Digital Regulation Board,29 and for a joint committee to be appointed to scrutinise digital issues.30
25.In January 2022 Baroness Stowell of Beeston succeeded Lord Gilbert of Panteg as Chair. In February the Committee launched an inquiry into BBC future funding, focusing on options for reform and the transition to a more competitive future media landscape.31
26.Parallel to this, the Committee has held several non-inquiry sessions. The Committee’s session on digital competition regulation with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and Chris Philp MP, Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy, received industry and media interest32 for its renewed calls for the Digital Markets Unit in the CMA to be placed on a statutory footing, and for the CMA to make greater use of its powers.33
27.In April 2022 the Committee held a session on strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs), which involve an abuse of legal processes to silence critical reporting and publishing.34 This too received media interest35 and the Committee wrote to the Government and regulator to encourage further action.
28.The Constitution Committee continued its scrutiny of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It published reports on COVID-19 and Parliament36 and COVID-19 and the use and scrutiny of emergency powers,37 concluding inquiries begun in session 2019–21.
29.In COVID-19 and Parliament the Committee concluded that the increased use by the Government of fast-track procedures, and the high number of statutory instruments laid in response to the pandemic, had severely limited Parliament’s ability to scrutinise significant powers. The Committee drew attention to a blurring between legislation and guidance. It concluded that necessary loss of spontaneity as a result of hybrid proceedings had made the House’s scrutiny role less effective.
30.In COVID-19 and the use and scrutiny of emergency powers the Committee criticised the lack of parliamentary oversight of the large volume of legislation introduced during the pandemic. It recommended that in future national emergencies there should be a presumption in favour of using sunset provisions in fast-tracked regulations and that the Government should seek Parliament’s approval of all affirmative instruments before they come into force. The Committee drew attention to an apparent diminution of intergovernmental cooperation between the UK Government and the devolved administrations since May 2020. It built on its earlier conclusions about a confusion between law and public health advice and guidance, recommending that guidance should clearly distinguish information about the law from public health advice and that a consistent approach to the use of terms such as “advice” and “guidance” should be adopted in all Government publications.38
31.The Committee published a short report on the Revision of the Cabinet Manual.39 The Committee recommended that a draft revision of the manual should be produced within 12 months of the publication of the report (i.e. by 8 July 2022),40 that the Prime Minister should make clear in the foreword to the next edition the duty on all ministers to adhere to the constitutional principles in the manual41 and that the manual should be revised regularly, with drafts shared with the Constitution Committee and the relevant House of Commons committee.42 The Government has committed to seek to publish a revised draft “within this Parliament”.43
32.The Committee spent much of the 2021–22 session on its inquiry into the future governance of the UK. The report Respect and Co-operation: Building a Stronger Union for the 21st century44 made recommendations on the legislative consent process, including that, other than in exceptional circumstances, the UK Government ought not to seek to legislate in devolved areas without consent.45 The Committee recommended that effective scrutiny of intergovernmental relations needed to be underpinned by greater transparency, with enhanced interparliamentary relations.46 The report called for a principled devolution framework to provide a clear baseline for further devolution of powers within England, an end to the top-down mindset in Whitehall and greater fiscal devolution to English devolved authorities.47 The Committee recommended that the devolved administrations and English devolved authorities should have a more constructive role in the governance of the Shared Prosperity Fund.48
33.In February 2022 the Committee launched an inquiry into the roles of the Lord Chancellor and the Law Officers.49 It intends to publish a report in autumn 2022.
34.The Committee also scrutinised all Government bills in the Lords, publishing nine reports on those of most constitutional interest.50 The Committee drew attention to fast-tracking without a corresponding sunset clause and the increasing use of “guidance” instead of legislation. Following a finding in its Respect and Co-operation report, it recommended that, while the Sewel convention did not technically apply to delegated legislation, nevertheless Ministers should not make such legislation that engaged devolved competence without having sought consent.51 It also called for greater use of pre-legislative scrutiny and full consultation, particularly in constitutionally significant areas where consensus was important.52
35.The Committee held its regular evidence sessions with the Lord Chief Justice,53 the Lord Chancellor,54 and the President and Deputy President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.55
36.The Economic Affairs Committee published its report Quantitative easing: a dangerous addiction? in July 2021.56 While it found that quantitative easing’s precise effect on inflation was unclear, the Committee concluded that loose monetary policy combined with high levels of Government spending, supply bottlenecks and a recovery in demand after the COVID-19 pandemic could be inflationary. It warned that inflation would be substantially more difficult to curb later if the Bank of England did not act sufficiently early.57
37.The Committee was concerned that the Bank of England’s credibility was at risk from a growing perception that it was using quantitative easing (QE) to finance the Government’s deficit spending during the pandemic. It recommended that the Bank set out more detail on its understanding of the effects of QE and how QE would help solve the economic problems it was intended to address.58 The Committee called for the Bank to set out a strategy for unwinding its QE programme when economic circumstances permitted, which the Bank did in its August 2021 Monetary Policy Report. 59 It also told the Committee that it would continue to enhance its understanding of QE as a priority topic in its research agenda.60
38.To help publicise the report a short animated video was published on the Committee’s social media channels.61
39.In November 2021 the Committee held its annual oral evidence session with the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The session focused on the cost of living, the Government’s “plan for jobs”, changes to Universal Credit awards and social care funding.62
40.In January 2022 the Committee published its report Central bank digital currencies: a solution in search of a problem?63 The Committee concluded that it did not hear a convincing case for a central bank digital currency (CBDC) in the short term. It said that while a CBDC may provide some advantages, it could present significant challenges for financial stability and the protection of privacy. The report received widespread media coverage, including internationally, and at a joint seminar with the Royal United Services Institute Lord King of Lothbury presented the report’s conclusions and joined a panel discussion on the prospects for a UK CBDC.64
41.A new Chair, Lord Bridges of Headley, was appointed in January 2022 and in February 2022 the Committee launched an inquiry into UK energy supply and investment. The Committee assessed whether the Government’s energy strategy is delivering investment in an energy supply that is resilient, affordable and in line with achieving net zero emissions. The focus of this inquiry is on long-term energy policies and trends.65
42.The Finance Bill Sub-Committee published its report, Basis Period Reform and Uncertain Tax Treatments, which considered two separate proposals contained in the draft Finance Bill, on 15 December 2021.66 The Sub-Committee took written and oral evidence from business organisations, tax professionals and individuals and heard evidence from HMRC officials. The first of the proposals considered was the reform of basis period rules as they applied to self-employed individuals and partnerships. The Sub-Committee expressed concern that the case had not been made for the reform but did not recommend that the proposal should be abandoned. The report also considered the requirement on large businesses to notify HMRC of uncertain tax treatments, which the Sub-Committee had examined previously in its inquiry on the Finance Bill 2021.67 The Government’s response accepted two of the Sub-Committee’s 11 recommendations and accepted in part a further six recommendations.68
43.The Sub-Committee also followed up its previous inquiry into off-payroll working. In its 2020 report, Off-payroll working: treating people fairly, the Sub-Committee had considered the Government’s proposal to extend reforms implemented in the public sector in 2017 to large and medium-sized businesses in the private sector.69 The follow-up inquiry looked at the implementation of the rules in the private sector, and how the rules are working in practice. The Sub-Committee received over 30 written evidence submissions, including from individual contractors. It also took evidence from the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Rt Hon. Lucy Frazer QC MP,70 and subsequently wrote to the Minister outlining its conclusions and recommendations.71 The Financial Secretary responded to the letter in March 2022.72
44.The Environment and Climate Change Committee was established in April 2021.73 In June 2021 the Committee launched two inquiries into COP15, the United Nations Biodiversity Conference,74 and COP26, the United Nations Climate Change Conference.75 In November 2021 the Committee launched a third inquiry into mobilising action through behaviour change for climate and environmental goals.76
45.The Committee’s inquiry into COP1577 has explored preparations for the fifteenth meeting of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, which was due to take place in China in October 2021 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Rearrangements for COP15 have not been confirmed, so the inquiry remains ongoing. As part of this inquiry, the Committee has held evidence sessions with a variety of witnesses including the Minister and First Staff Member of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the UK78, the Secretary of State for Defra George Eustice79 and Defra Minister Lord Goldsmith.80 The Committee sent a summative letter to Defra with twelve recommendations in relation to preparations for COP15.81 A concurrent meeting of the Committee and the Commons Environmental Audit Committee is planned for early in the 2022–23 session in which Members of both Committees will question Defra Ministers about the Government’s approach to subjects like finance, digital sequence information, a clear role for business in the framework, and progress with World Trade Organization Trade and Environmental Sustainability Structured Discussions (WTO TESSD) discussions.
46.As part of its COP26 inquiry, the Committee has focused on cross-government delivery of COP26.82 The Committee held an evidence session with COP26 President the Rt Hon. Alok Sharma MP in January83 and has written summative letters to both the COP Unit in the Cabinet Office and BEIS as part of the inquiry.84 The Chair of the Committee, Baroness Parminter, represented the Committee in a UK Parliament event at COP26 in Glasgow. The event highlighted the importance of legislatures worldwide in the scrutiny and delivery of national climate commitments and wider climate and nature policy and involved Chairs of climate-focused select committees from the UK, Uganda, Pakistan and the Republic of Indonesia.
47.In November 2021, the Committee launched an inquiry into mobilising action on climate and environment goals through behaviour change.85 The Committee will report on this inquiry at the end of July 2022. The Committee appointed a special advisor for this inquiry, Professor Lorraine Whitmarsh, who is a leader in the field of behaviour change for climate and the environment. A wide range of witnesses have participated in evidence-gathering sessions, including representatives from the Behavioural Insights Team, the Committee on Climate Change, Climate Assembly UK, Ipsos MORI, Marks & Spencer, the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, and the Advertising Association; politicians from across the world such as the French Minister for the Ecological Transition Barbara Pompili, the Governor of Tokyo Yuriko Koike and Secretary General at Nordic Council of Ministers Paula Lehtomäki; and leaders in a variety of sectors including Henry Dimbleby, Chris Boardman and Sir Patrick Vallance.86
48.The Committee has also launched a pioneering youth engagement programme through which students in six schools across the UK can engage with the Committee’s work on climate change and the environment and learn more about select committees in the House of Lords. The programme received over 100 applications, and six schools were selected from across all nations in the UK in January 2022. The pilot programme is scheduled to run until December 2022, with a variety of pieces of engagement running throughout the year across multiple inquiries, including visits from the Chair to each of the schools.87
49.The European Affairs Committee was appointed on 14 April 2021 as the successor Committee to the former European Union Select Committee and its sub-committees.88 In its first year of operation, the Committee has held two evidence sessions with Rt Hon. the Lord Frost CMG in his capacity of Minister of State at the Cabinet Office.89 The Committee also continues to scrutinise Government activity and EU documents created under the auspices of the institutional framework created by the Withdrawal Agreement and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. In this regard, the Committee has engaged throughout its first year of operation with the Government and the European Scrutiny Committee in the Commons. By the end of the session the Committee was close to formalising a new framework for the ongoing scrutiny of Government and EU activity that falls within the Committee’s terms of reference.
50.In its first year of operation, the Committee has concluded two substantial inquiries, publishing reports on Citizens’ Rights90 and Trade in Goods between Great Britain and the European Union.91 The Committee has also engaged in several smaller pieces of work, taking evidence and corresponding with the Government and the EU institutions regarding the movement of Creative Professionals between the UK and the EU Member States,92 and UK participation in the EU’s Horizon Programme.93
51.At the end of the session the Committee was coming to the end of its third substantial inquiry, into financial services between the UK and the EU. It is expecting to publish its report in the early summer of 2022.94
52.The Sub-Committee on the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland has within its membership a range of expertise in Northern Ireland and of views on the Protocol and on Northern Ireland’s constitutional status. Since its appointment by the European Affairs Committee in April 2021, the Sub-Committee has been undertaking six core tasks, as proposed by the Liaison Committee in December 2020.95
53.In July 2021, the Sub-Committee published a detailed introductory report,96 setting out its approach to its work (without prejudice to the views of individual members, to scrutinise the impact of the Protocol rather than to argue for or against it, per se), and its assessment of the Protocol’s socio-economic and political impact on Northern Ireland since it came into force in January 2021.
54.Since then, and against the backdrop of continuing UK-EU discussions on the future of the Protocol, the Sub-Committee has examined individual aspects of the Protocol’s operation, and has taken evidence on and written detailed letters to the Government on:
55.In March 2022, the Sub-Committee launched a follow-up inquiry into the impact of the Protocol a year after it came into force. This inquiry will continue in the new session, taking account of the outcome of the May 2022 Northern Ireland Assembly elections.101
56.Also in March 2022, the Committee published a report on its scrutiny of EU legislative proposals within the scope of the Protocol.102 This report summarised the Sub-Committee’s scrutiny work (writing over 90 letters to Government Ministers on over 40 EU legislative proposals across a wide range of policy areas and of considerable technical complexity), and concluded that both the UK and the EU needed to work harder to explain the impact of EU legislation on Northern Ireland, and to enhance the voice and influence of Northern Ireland stakeholders over the application of such legislation. The Sub-Committee has also undertaken important scrutiny of domestic UK legislation with implications for Northern Ireland in respect of Brexit and the Protocol, including the Elections Bill, the Nationality Control Bill and the Subsidy Control Bill.
57.The Industry and Regulators Committee was first established in April 2021 to consider matters relating to industry, including the Government’s policies to promote industrial growth, skills and competitiveness, and to scrutinise the work of UK regulators.103 It launched its first inquiry into Ofgem and net zero in June 2021. The report, published in March 2022, highlighted the lack of policy clarity from the Government regarding the steps necessary to achieve its ambitious net zero goals and considered the institutional and regulatory architecture needed to support the transition to net zero as well as the effect on consumers of the changing nature of the energy market.104
58.The Committee held one-off evidence sessions on the costs of anti-money laundering rules and on the Government’s Plan for Growth, following the latter of which it wrote to the Exchequer Secretary of the Treasury.105 The letter identified three areas of concern: a lack of prioritisation; a lack of reporting, which would inhibit parliamentary scrutiny; and a lack of consultation.
59.The Committee also conducted a short inquiry into commercial insurance and reinsurance regulation, on the basis of which it wrote to the Economic Secretary to the Treasury in April 2022, expressing concern over the industry’s view of an overly inflexible and bureaucratic regulatory framework.106 The Committee emphasised the need for the Government’s proposal to introduce a secondary competitiveness and growth objective for the financial regulators to be reinforced with clear criteria and appropriate performance measures for the regulators to report on, ensuring they reflect on their performance against this objective and allowing scrutiny by stakeholders.
60.In the 2021–22 session, the International Agreements Committee published 19 reports scrutinising 29 international treaties. These covered a wide range of policy areas, including trade, defence, energy, transport, and justice cooperation.107 The Committee called for and held debates on trade partnership agreements with Ghana108 and Cameroon,109 an agreement to provide credit to Ukraine to support its naval capabilities,110 and an agreement with Australia and the US to exchange nuclear information.111
61.The Committee also reported on and debated the Government’s negotiating objectives for the UK’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).112 This focus on the negotiating objectives was a first for any parliamentary committee in either House and reflects the Committee’s determination to ensuring members can have a say on post-Brexit trade agreements early in the negotiations. In addition, the Committee opened or continued its inquiries into the trade negotiations with Australia, New Zealand and India, and into a digital agreement with Singapore.113
62.The Committee continued its efforts to improve the quality of parliamentary scrutiny of all international agreements through recommendations in its report Working Practices: one year on.114 By engaging with the Government and the media, and co-ordinating support from other committees with an interest in scrutiny, the Committee secured one of its key ‘asks’—an undertaking by the Government to confirm and consolidate its commitments to support parliamentary scrutiny of free trade agreements.
63.The International Relations and Defence Committee published its report, The UK and China’s security and trade relationship, in September 2021.115 The Committee criticised the Government for a lack of a written China strategy and ambiguity in its approach to China. In particular, the Committee was concerned that the Government had no strategy for balancing its ambition for increased economic engagement with China with the need to protect the UK’s wider interests and values. The Committee has had continued correspondence with the Ministers for Asia and Trade on follow-up to the report.116
64.Since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, the Committee has collaborated with several other Committees in bringing urgent issues to the attention of the Government. In September 2021 the Committee wrote joint letters to the Foreign Secretary with the Communications and Digital Committee (on the safety of Afghan journalists)117 and with the Justice and Home Affairs Committee (on the safety of women judges in Afghanistan).118 In January 2022 the Committee’s Afghanistan report was debated, and Members highlighted the prescience and importance of the report, which was published in January 2021.119 The Committee held a follow-up session with Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister for South and Central Asia, North Africa, United Nations and the Commonwealth, in March 2022.120
65.In October 2021 the Committee launched a new inquiry into the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and published its report, UNCLOS, the law of the sea in the 21st century, in March 2022.121 The Committee highlighted new concerns and new uses of the sea which pose a challenge to this 40-year-old international treaty, including climate change, human rights abuses, and autonomous maritime vehicles. It called for ambitious new international agreements to supplement UNCLOS, in particular to deal with the effects of sea level rise on maritime entitlements, and human rights abuses at sea. The Committee criticised the Government for failing to act to strengthen the conditions of ship registry and tackle the problem of flags of convenience.
66.In March 2022 Committee held a one-off session on the merger between the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development.122 Throughout the year it has also continued to oppose the cuts to overseas development aid and, along with the House of Commons International Development Committee, press the Foreign Secretary to release the equalities impact assessment for the cuts.123
67.The Committee launched its next inquiry, defence concepts and capabilities: from aspiration to reality, in April 2022, and plans to take evidence until autumn 2022.124
68.The Justice and Home Affairs Committee was appointed on 14 April 2021 to “consider justice and home affairs, including the domestic criminal justice system, and international cooperation in respect of criminal justice, civil justice, migration and asylum.”125 The Committee launched a 10-month inquiry into the use of technologies by the police and in the justice system, involving six public oral evidence sessions and a meeting with the Minister of State for Crime and Policing. The report, Technology rules? The advent of new technologies in the justice system, was published on 30 March 2022.126 The report explores the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other advanced algorithmic tools in activities to discover, deter, rehabilitate, or punish people who breach the law in England and Wales. While the Committee acknowledges the potential of these technologies, it warns against the pace of their deployment and the absence of appropriate safeguards.
69.The Committee held oral evidence sessions with the Lord Chancellor in September 2021127 and the Home Secretary in October 2021128 to scrutinise the policies of their respective departments. The Committee paid specific attention to the Home Office’s policy in relation to the crossing of the English Channel by small boats, following up in a letter to the Home Secretary.129 The Committee continued the work of previous committees130 on the UK membership of the Lugano Convention through correspondence with the Lord Chancellor.131
70.The Committee also took particular interest in the Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Authorisation System (ETIAS), two EU border management systems due to be launched imminently and expected to have a significant impact on British citizens and on UK soil. It held a public oral evidence session and sent two substantial letters to the Home Secretary on this matter.132 In March 2022, the Committee launched a new inquiry on the Life in the UK Test that prospective citizens and permanent residents must take.133
71.In its second year, the Public Services Committee published a wide-ranging report on how public services can address child vulnerability.134 The report was well-received by policymakers and frontline workers, and in the media. In December 2021 the Committee held an online seminar on the report, chaired by the specialist adviser for the inquiry, former Children’s Commissioner Anne Longfield OBE, with panellists from the voluntary sector and local government.135
72.The Committee scrutinised the effect on public services of the Government’s policies on procurement, data-sharing, funding and “levelling up”.136 It launched a major new inquiry: “Designing a public services workforce fit for the future”.137 In February 2022 it organised a one-off evidence session on access to public services by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.138 All the Committee’s work draws on the “principles for public services reform”139 it drew up in its first year, which have provided a coherent basis from which the Committee can consider its wide policy remit. The Committee continues to engage closely with stakeholders outside Parliament, with a particular emphasis on those who may not have engaged previously, including service users and vulnerable children.
73.The Public Services Committee’s media profile and social media presence continues to grow, with live tweeting of evidence sessions, and over 950 followers as of June 2022. Public Service Committee reports often feature on the House of Lords’ main social media platforms.
74.The Science and Technology Committee published Battery strategy goes flat: Net-zero target at risk in July 2021.140 The report made recommendations to address gaps in Government policy on batteries and fuels cells. Technology in these areas will be crucial to meeting the net-zero by 2050 target. In line with one of the Committee’s recommendations, the Government released its hydrogen strategy in August 2021.141 The Government also held a consultation on when to end the sale of non-zero emission heavy goods vehicles.
75.The Committee published Nature-based solutions: rhetoric or reality? in January 2022.142 The report welcomed the ambition of the Government’s policies on nature-based solutions but concluded they were at severe risk of failure. The Committee identified gaps in the evidence base for the carbon storage and sequestration rate of certain habitats, particularly marine habitats, and recommended that the Government addresses these gaps. The Government agreed with the gaps identified by the Committee and outlined steps they were taking to address them.143 The Committee recommended that the Government establishes an advisory service for farmers and land managers to help them engage with the schemes introduced to encourage changes in land use. The Committee also raised concerns that tenancy agreements may hinder shifts in land use.144 The report received coverage in the specialist farming media, including Farming Today.145
76.The Committee wrote to Mr Sharma as president of COP26 urging that nature-based solutions be included in the decision text of COP26.146 It outlined principles to inform the UK’s negotiating stance for the international deployment of nature-based solutions.
77.The Committee began an inquiry into delivering a UK science and technology strategy in February 2022.147 It is exploring the Government’s science and technology policy, including its ambition for the UK to become a “science superpower” by 2030. The report is expected in summer 2022.
14 The numbering of Standing Orders changes from time to time. The number used here relates to the current version of the Standing Orders, published on 22 February 2022 (HL Paper 232).
15 Erskine May 25th edition (2019), paragraph 40.2: https://erskinemay.parliament.uk/section/6106/sessional%20committees/ [accessed 1 June 2022]
16 HL Deb, 14 April 2021, cols 1289–1293
17 Built Environment Committee, Meeting housing demand (1st Report, 2021–22, HL Paper 132)
18 HM Government, Her Majesty’s Government’s response to the House of Lords Built Environment Committee report on Meeting Housing Demand (28 March 2022): https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/9234/documents/159940/default/ [accessed 4 May 2022]
19 Built Environment Committee, ‘Short-term lettings’: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/6503/shortterm-lettings/
20 Built Environment Committee, ‘Public transport in towns and cities’: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/6493/public-transport-in-towns-and-cities/
21 Letter from Baroness Neville-Rolfe, Chair of the Built Environment Committee to Chris Heaton-Harris MP, Minister of State at the Department for Transport (5 November 2021): https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/7756/documents/80776/default/
22 Communications and Digital Committee, Free for all? Freedom of expression in the digital age (1st Report, Session 2021–22, HL Paper 54)
23 Ibid., p 4
24 Communications and Digital Committee, The future of Channel 4 (2nd Report, Session 2021–22, HL Paper 108)
25 Ibid., para 55
26 Communications Committee, Regulating in a digital world (2nd Report, Session 2017–19, HL Paper 299)
27 Communications and Digital Committee, Digital regulation: joined-up and accountable (3rd Report, Session 2021–22, HL Paper 126)
29 Ibid., para 62
30 Ibid., para 80
31 Communications and Digital Committee, ‘Call for evidence’: https://committees.parliament.uk/call-for-evidence/725/
32 ‘Backlash After Reports Of Delays To Digital Markets Unit Legislation’ News Media Association (7 April 2022): http://www.newsmediauk.org/Latest/backlash-after-reports-of-delays-to-digital-markets-unit-legislation- [accessed 1 June 2022]
33 Letter from Baroness Stowell of Beeston, Chair of the Communications and Digital Committee to Chris Philp MP, Minister of State for Tech and the Digital Economy (23 February 2022): https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/8971/documents/152542/default/; letter from Baroness Stowell of Beeston, Chair of the Communications and Digital Committee to Dr Andrea Coscelli, Chief Executive Officer, Competition and Markets Authority (23 February 2022): https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/8972/documents/152546/default/
34 Communications and Digital Committee, ‘Lords Committee explores the impact of SLAPP cases on investigative journalism and publishing’: https://committees.parliament.uk/event/13208/formal-meeting-oral-evidence-session/
35 ‘Slap down for “chilling” cases’ The Times (14 April 2022): https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/slap-down-for-chilling-cases-v28jtfsd5 and ‘SLAPP cases that get to court are “just the tip of the iceberg” of journalist intimidation’ Press Gazette (4 April 2022): https://pressgazette.co.uk/impact-slapp-cases-uk/
36 Constitution Committee, COVID-19 and Parliament (1st Report, Session 2021–22, HL Paper 4)
37 Constitution Committee, COVID-19 and the use and scrutiny of emergency powers (3rd Report, Session 2021–22, HL Paper 15)
38 Constitution Committee, COVID-19 and the use and scrutiny of emergency powers (3rd Report, Session 2021–22, HL Paper 15), para 166
39 Constitution Committee, Revision of the Cabinet Manual (6th Report, Session 2021–22. HL Paper 34)
40 Constitution Committee, Revision of the Cabinet Manual (6th Report, Session 2021–22. HL Paper 34), para 35
41 Constitution Committee, Revision of the Cabinet Manual (6th Report, Session 2021–22. HL Paper 34), para 20
42 Constitution Committee, Revision of the Cabinet Manual (6th Report, Session 2021–22. HL Paper 34), paras 36–38 and 44–46
43 Cabinet Office, Government response to the Lord’s Constitution Committee report—Revision of the Cabinet Manual (Sixth Report of Session 2021–22) (7 February 2022): https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/8813/documents/89014/default/ [accessed 12 May 2022]
44 Constitution Committee, Respect and Co-operation: Building a Stronger Union for the 21st century (10th Report, Session 2021–22, HL Paper 142)
45 Constitution Committee, Respect and Co-operation: Building a Stronger Union for the 21st century (10th Report, Session 2021–22, HL Paper 142), para 124
46 Constitution Committee, Respect and Co-operation: Building a Stronger Union for the 21st century (10th Report, Session 2021–22, HL Paper 142), paras 203 and 219
47 Constitution Committee, Respect and Co-operation: Building a Stronger Union for the 21st century (10th Report, Session 2021–22, HL Paper 142), paras 259 and 279
48 Constitution Committee, Respect and Co-operation: Building a Stronger Union for the 21st century (10th Report, Session 2021–22, HL Paper 142), para 344
49 Constitution Committee, ‘Call for Evidence: The Role of the Lord Chancellor and the Law Officers’ (18 February 2022): https://committees.parliament.uk/call-for-evidence/2567/
50 Constitution Committee, Environment Bill (4th Report, Session 2021–22, HL Paper 26); Telecommunications (Security ) Bill (5th Report Session 2021–22, HL Paper 27); Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (7th Report, Session 2021–22, HL Paper 64); Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Bill (8th Report, Session 2021–22, HL Paper 100); Health and Care Bill (9th Report, Session 2021–22, HL Paper 136); Nationality and Borders Bill (11th Report, Session 2021–22, HL Paper 149); Judicial Review and Courts Bill (12th Report, Session 2021–22, HL Paper 160); Elections Bill (13th Report, Session 2021–22, HL Paper 164); Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Bill (14th Report, Session 2021–22, HL Paper 174)
51 Constitution Committee, Respect and Co-operation: Building a Stronger Union for the 21st century (10th Report, Session 2021–22, HL Paper 142), para 124
52 See, for instance, Constitution Committee, Elections Bill (13th Report, Session 2021–22, HL Paper 164), para 5
53 Oral evidence taken before the Constitution Committee, 26 May 2021 (Session 2021–22), QQ 1–15 (Lord Burnett of Maldon)
54 Oral evidence taken before the Constitution Committee, 9 June 2021 (Session 2021–22), QQ 1–29 (Rt Hon. Robert Buckland QC MP)
55 Oral evidence taken before the Constitution Committee, 6 April 2022 (Session 2021–22), QQ 1–23 (Lord Reed of Allermuir and Lord Hodge)
56 Economic Affairs Committee, Quantitative easing: a dangerous addiction? (1st Report, Session 2021–22, HL Paper 42)
57 Economic Affairs Committee, Quantitative easing: a dangerous addiction? (1st Report, Session 2021–22, HL Paper 42)
58 Economic Affairs Committee, Quantitative easing: a dangerous addiction? (1st Report, Session 2021–22, HL Paper 42)
59 Bank of England, Monetary Policy Report- August 2021: https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/-/media/boe/files/monetary-policy-report/2021/august/monetary-policy-report-august-2021.pdf [accessed 23 May 2022]
60 Bank of England, Bank of England response to the Lords Economic Affairs Committee’s report on Quantitative Easing (16 September 2021): https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/7359/documents/76988/default/
61 Economic Affairs Committee (@LordsEconCom), tweet on 23 July 2021: https://twitter.com/LordsEconCom/status/1418465985707847681 [accessed 30 June 2022]
62 Oral evidence taken before the Economic Affairs Committee, 2 November 2021 (Session 2021–22) QQ 1–19 (The Rt Hon. Rishi Sunak MP)
63 Economic Affairs Committee, Central bank digital currencies: a solution in search of a problem? (3rd Report, Session 2021–22, HL Paper 131)
64 RUSI, ‘Central Bank Digital Currencies: Plotting a Path Ahead for the UK’ (January 2022): https://rusi.org/events/open-to-all/central-bank-digital-currencies-plotting-path-ahead-uk [accessed 12 May 2022]
65 Economic Affairs Committee, ‘Energy supply and investment inquiry launched by Economic Affairs Committee’ (10 February 2022): https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/175/economic-affairs-committee/news/160936/energy-supply-and-investment-inquiry-launched-by-economic-affairs-committee/
66 Economic Affairs Committee, Basis Period Reform and Uncertain Tax Treatments (2nd Report, Session 2021–22, HL Paper 128)
67 Economic Affairs Committee, Off-payroll working: treating people fairly (1st Report, Session 2019–20, HL Paper 50)
68 HM Treasury, ‘Government response to the House of Lords Economic Affairs Finance Bill Sub-Committee Report: ‘Basis Period Reform and Uncertain Tax Treatments’’ (1 February 2022): https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/8725/documents/88533/default/
69 Economic Affairs Committee, Off-payroll working: treating people fairly (1st Report, Session 2019–20, HL Paper 50)
70 Oral evidence taken before the Economic Affairs Committee, 13 December 2021 (Session 2021–22) QQ 32–49 (Rt Hon. Lucy Frazer QC MP)
71 Letter from Lord Bridges of Headley, Chair of the Economic Affairs Finance Bill Sub-Committee, to Rt Hon. Lucy Frazer QC MP, Financial Secretary to the Treasury (9 February 2022): https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/8852/documents/89170/default/
72 HM Treasury and HM Revenue and Customs, Government response to the House of Lords Economic Affairs Finance Bill Sub-Committee: Off-payroll working follow-up inquiry (March 2022): https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/9257/documents/160108/default/
74 Environment and Climate Change Committee, ‘COP15: the international biodiversity conference’: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/1305/cop15-the-international-biodiversity-conference/
75 Environment and Climate Change Committee, ‘Delivering COP26 across Government’: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/1306/delivering-cop26-across-government/
76 Environment and Climate Change Committee, ‘Mobilising action on climate change and environment: behaviour change’: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/1621/mobilising-action-on-climate-change-and-environment-behaviour-change/
77 Environment and Climate Change Committee, ‘COP15: the international biodiversity conference’: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/1305/cop15-the-international-biodiversity-conference/
78 Oral evidence taken before the Environment and Climate Change Committee, 29 June 2021 (Session 2021–22), QQ 34-45 (Minister Yang Xiaoguang)
79 Oral evidence taken before the Environment and Climate Change Committee, 6 July 2021 (Session 2021–22), QQ 54-62 (Rt Hon. George Eustice MP)
80 Oral evidence taken before the Environment and Climate Change Committee, 15 June 2021 (Session 2021–22), QQ 1-9 (Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park)
81 Letter from Baroness Parminter, Chair of the Environment and Climate Change Committee, to the Rt Hon. George Eustice MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on COP15 UN Biodiversity Conference (22 July 2021): https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/6943/documents/72688/default/
82 Environment and Climate Change Committee, ‘Delivering COP26 across Government’: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/1306/delivering-cop26-across-government/
83 Oral evidence taken before the Environment and Climate Change Committee, 10 January 2022 (Session 2021–22), QQ 9-23 (Alok Sharma MP)
84 Environment and Climate Change Committee, ‘Correspondence: Delivering COP26 across Government’: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/1306/delivering-cop26-across-government/publications/3/correspondence/
85 Environment and Climate Change Committee, ‘Mobilising action on climate change and environment: behaviour change’: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/1621/mobilising-action-on-climate-change-and-environment-behaviour-change/
86 Environment and Climate Change Committee, ‘Oral evidence transcripts: Mobilising action on climate change and environment: behaviour change’: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/1621/mobilising-action-on-climate-change-and-environment-behaviour-change/publications/oral-evidence/
87 Environment and Climate Change Committee, ‘Six schools from across the UK selected to take part in youth engagement programme’: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/515/environment-and-climate-change-committee/news/160257/six-schools-from-across-the-uk-selected-to-take-part-in-youth-engagement-programme/
88 HL Deb, 14 April 2021, col 1289- 1293
89 Oral evidence taken before the European Affairs Committee, 18 May 2021 (Session 2021–22) QQ 1-17 (Lord Frost) and oral evidence taken before the European Affairs Committee, 26 October 2021 (Session 2021–22) QQ 1-24 (Lord Frost)
90 European Affairs Committee, Citizens’ Rights (1st Report, Session 2021–22, HL Paper 46)
91 European Affairs Committee, One year on—Trade in goods between Great Britain and the European Union (4th Report, Session 2021–22, HL Paper 124)
92 European Affairs Committee, ‘Correspondence: Movement of creative professionals’: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/1466/movement-of-creative-professionals/publications/3/correspondence/
93 European Affairs Committee, ‘Correspondence: The UK’s participation in Horizon Europe’: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/6494/the-uks-participation-in-horizon-europe/publications/3/correspondence/
94 European Affairs Committee, ‘UK-EU relationship in financial services’: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/6514/ukeu-relationship-in-financial-services/
95 Liaison Committee, Review of investigative and scrutiny committees: strengthening the thematic structure through the appointment of new committees (5th Report, Session 2019–21, HL Paper 193)
96 European Affairs Committee, Report from the Sub-Committee on the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland: Introductory report (2nd Report, Session 2021–22, HL Paper 55)
97 Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland Sub-Committee, ‘Article 2 of the Protocol (rights of individuals)’: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/1463/article-2-of-the-protocol-rights-of-individuals/publications/
98 Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland Sub-Committee, ‘ Impact of the Protocol on the provision of medicines to Northern Ireland’: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/1539/impact-of-the-protocol-on-the-provision-of-medicines-to-northern-ireland/publications/
99 Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland Sub-Committee, ‘Scrutiny of Operation of the Protocol’: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/1474/scrutiny-of-operation-of-the-protocol/publications/
100 Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland Sub-Committee, ‘The role of the CJEU in relation to the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland’: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/6402/the-role-of-the-cjeu-in-relation-to-the-protocol-on-irelandnorthern-ireland/publications/
101 Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland Sub-Committee, ‘Follow-up inquiry on the impact of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland’: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/6568/followup-inquiry-on-the-impact-of-the-protocol-on-irelandnorthern-ireland/
102 European Affairs Committee, Report from the Sub-Committee on the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland: Scrutiny of EU legislative proposals within the scope of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland (5th Report, Session 2021–22, HL Paper 177)
104 Industry and Regulators Committee, The net zero transformation: delivery, regulation and the consumer (1st report, Session 2021–22, HL Paper 162)
105 Letter from Lord Hollick, Chair of the Industry and Regulators Committee to Kemi Badenoch MP, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (2 July 2021): https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/6566/documents/71156/default/
106 Letter from Lord Hollick, Chair of the Industry and Regulators Committee to John Glen MP, Economic Secretary to the Treasury (6 April 2022): https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/9596/documents/162439/default/
107 International Agreements Committee, ‘International Agreements Committee Reports, special reports and government responses’: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/448/international-agreements-committee/publications/reports-responses/
109 HL Deb, 29 June 2021, cols 751-776
110 HL Deb, 5 January 2022, cols 83GC-108GC
111 HL Deb, 17 January 2022, cols 157GC-186GC
112 International Agreements Committee, UK accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP): Scrutiny of the Government’s Negotiating Objectives (10th Report, Session 2021–22, HL Paper 94) and HL Deb, 1 February 2022, cols165GC-196GC
113 International Agreements Committee, ‘All inquiries’: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/448/international-agreements-committee/work/inquiries/?status=any
114 International Agreements Committee, Working Practices: one year on (7th Report, Session 2021–22, HL Paper 75)
115 International Relations and Defence Committee, The UK and China’s security and trade relationship (1st Report, Session 2021–22, HL Paper 62)
116 Letter from Baroness Anelay of St Johns, Chair of the International Relations and Defence Committee, to Rt Hon. Amanda Milling MP, Minister of State for Asia and Mike Freer, Minister for Exports, (4 January 2022): https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/8348/documents/84962/default/; Letter from the Rt Hon. Amanda Milling MP, Minister of State for Asiato Baroness Anelay of St Johns, Chair of the International Relations and Defence Committee (9 February 2022): https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/8935/documents/152371/default/
117 Letter from Baroness Anelay of St Johns, Chair of the International Relations and Defence Committee and Lord Gilbert of Panteg, Chair of the Communications and Digital Committee to Rt Hon. Dominic Raab MP, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (15 September 2021): https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/7328/documents/77286/default/
118 Letter from Baroness Anelay of St Johns, Chair of the International Relations and Defence Committee and Baroness Hamwee, Chair of the Justice and Home Affairs Committee to Rt Hon. Elizabeth Truss, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (20 September 2021): https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/7380/documents/77314/default/
119 International Relations and Defence Committee, The UK and Afghanistan (2nd Report, Session 2019–21, HL Paper 208)
120 Oral evidence taken before the International Relations and Defence Committee, 16 March 2022 (Session 2021–22) QQ 1–11 (Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon)
121 International Relations and Defence Committee, UNCLOS: The law of the sea in the 21st century (2ndReport, Session 2021–22, HL Paper 159)
122 Oral evidence taken before the International Relations and Defence Committee, 30 March 2022 (Session 2021–22) QQ 1–10 and QQ 11–22
123 Correspondence between the House of Commons International Development Committee and the International Relations and Defence Committee with Rt Hon. Elizabeth Truss MP, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (7 February 2022): https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/9313/documents/160509/default/
124 International Relations and Defence Committee, ‘Defence concepts and capabilities: from aspiration to reality’: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/6638/defence-concepts-and-capabilities-from-aspiration-to-reality/
126 Justice and Home Affairs Committee, Technology Rules? The advent of new technologies in the justice system (1st Report, Session 2021–22, HL Paper 180)
127 Oral evidence taken before the Justice and Home Affairs Committee, 15 September 2021 (Session 2021–22) QQ 1–17 (Rt Hon. Robert Buckland QC MP)
128 Oral evidence taken before the Justice and Home Affairs Committee, 27 October 2021 (Session 2021–22) QQ 1–15 (Rt Hon. Priti Patel MP)
129 Letter from Baroness Hamwee, Chair of the Justice and Home Affairs Committee to the Rt Hon. Priti Patel MP, Home Secretary (8 December 2021): https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/8134/documents/83394/default/
130 The former EU Justice Sub-Committee and EU Security and Justice Sub-Committee both scrutinised the Government’s policy in relation to the UK’s membership of the 2007 Convention on jurisdiction and the enforcement of judgements in civil and commercial matters signed in Lugano, Switzerland.
131 Letters from Baroness Hamwee, Chair to the Justice and Home Affairs Committee to the Rt Hon. Robert Buckland QC, MP, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice (13 May 2021): https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/5840/documents/66433/default/ and (16 July 2021): https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/6792/documents/72156/default/
132 Letters from Baroness Hamwee, Chair to the Justice and Home Affairs Committee to the Rt Hon. Priti Patel MP, Home Secretary (1 July 2021): https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/6513/documents/70751/default/ and (22 November 2021): https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/7930/documents/82117/default/
133 Justice and Home Affairs Committee, ‘The Life in the UK test’: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/6615/the-life-in-the-uk-test/
134 Public Services Committee, Children in crisis: the role of public services in overcoming child vulnerability (1st Report, Session 2021–22, HL Paper 95)
135 Public Services Committee, ‘Webinar: Children in crisis: the role of public services in overcoming child vulnerability’: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/430/public-services-committee/news/159818/webinar-children-in-crisis-the-role-of-public-services-in-overcoming-child-vulnerability/
136 Public Services Committee, ‘”Levelling-up” and public services’: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/1036/levelling-up-and-public-services/publications/
137 Public Services Committee, ‘Designing a public services workforce fit for the future’: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/6403/designing-a-public-services-workforce-fit-for-the-future/
138 Public Services Committee, ‘Access to public services for the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Communities’: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/6471/access-to-public-services-for-the-gypsy-roma-and-traveller-communities/
139 Public Services Committee, A critical juncture for public services: lessons from COVID-19 (1st Report, Session 2019–21, HL Paper 167)
140 Science and Technology Committee, Battery strategy goes flat: Net-zero target at risk (1st Report, Session 2021–22, HL Paper 53)
141 HM Government, UK Hydrogen Strategy, CP 475, August 2021: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1011283/UK-Hydrogen-Strategy_web.pdf [accessed 27 May 2022]
142 Science and Technology Committee, Nature-based solutions: rhetoric or reality? The potential contribution of nature-based solutions to net zero in the UK (2nd Report, Session 2021–22, HL Paper 147)
143 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Government Response to the 2nd report of the House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee on the potential contribution of nature-based solutions to net zero in the UK “Nature-based solutions: rhetoric or reality?”: https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/21945/documents/163133/default/ [accessed 30 May 2022]
144 Science and Technology Committee, Nature-based solutions: rhetoric or reality? The potential contribution of nature-based solutions to net zero in the UK (2nd Report, Session 2021–22, HL Paper 147)
145 BBC, ‘Farming Today’ (27 January 2022): https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0013rcx [accessed 27 May 2022]
146 Letter from Lord Patel, Chair of the Science and Technology Committee, to the Rt Hon. Alok Sharma MP, COP26 President (15 October 2021): https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/7506/documents/79045/default/
147 Science and Technology Committee, ‘Delivering a UK science and technology strategy’: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/6522/delivering-a-uk-science-and-technology-strategy/