I have received the following information from the High Commission of India:

"Following the tragic accident involving Air India Flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to Gatwick, next of kin or relatives of any passengers on board can contact the High Commission on our emergency number 07768765035 with regard to emergency visa assistance to travel to India if needed.  Please use this number only for emergency visa-related queries of next of kin.

For all other queries, including for information about the tragedy, please use the emergency numbers of Air India (1800 5691 444) and India's Ministry of Civil Aviation (011-24610843, 09650391859).

Please Note: To ensure that those in need of assistance have priority, Media are urged to not call on the above number. Please refer instead to our official social media handles."

I send my condolences to the families and friends of those killed in this tragic accident. May they rest in Peace.

 

On 3 June, a motion to disagree with the Lords on amendment 49F passed: Ayes 317, Noes 185. The amendment was at the centre of a debate about the use of AI and the access of copyrighted material by tech companies, requiring the government to create regulations on such companies. The Commons disagreed with this amendment as it would involve charges on public funds. On 10 June, the Commons agreed on a new clause, to require the Secretary of State to provide progress statements on an economic impact assessment and a report on the use of copyright works in the development of AI systems within 6 months. The Lords agreed with this on 11 June 2025.

The Bill received Royal Assent on 19 June 2025, and is now the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025.

On 9 and 10 June 2025, the House of Commons debated the next stage of the Bill after the Public Bill Committee concluded its deliberations on 22 May 2025. 

There were 8 votes over the two days, with all amendments to the Bill rejected:

New Clause 39: prohibiting the development of solar power generation on higher quality agricultural land. Ayes 113, Noes 335.

New clause 43: providing existing villages with protection equivalent to that currently provided to towns under the NPPF. Ayes 167, Noes 334.

Amendment 15: including a commitment to provide 150,000 new social homes national a year in a spatial development strategy. Ayes 73, Noes 323.

Amendment 69: requiring Environmental Delivery Plans to set out a timetable for, and thereafter report on, conservation measures, and requiring improvement of the conservation status of specified features before development takes place in areas where Natural England considers development could cause significant environmental damage. Ayes 180, Noes 307

New clause 22: requiring the Secretary of State to update guidance on the use of compulsory purchase orders for active travel routes. Ayes 73, Noes 312

New clause 85: amending the Land Compensation Act 1973. Ayes 107, Noes 314.

New Clause 114: ensuring development corporations include provision for green spaces in new developments.  Ayes 78, Noes 309.

The Bill was read a third time, and passed: Ayes 306, Noes 174.

On 4 June 2025 the Bill returned to the Commons following the Bill Committee.

As I chaired the Bill Committee which concluded its deliberations on 15 May 2025, I was unable to vote. 

The UK’s product safety and metrology framework, originally based on EU law, is being updated by this Bill which should help the UK adapt to modern challenges. The Bill aims to support economic growth, enhance consumer protection, and maintain high product standards.

There were three amendments that proceeded to a vote. 

New clause 4, which would require the Government to introduce a voluntary labelling system, clearly marking goods produced or manufactured in the UK, failed: Ayes 171, Noes 274.

Amendment 16, which would remove the ability for product regulations to provide that product requirements are met if the requirements of relevant EU law are met, failed: Ayes 100, Noes 339.

Amendment 24, which would seek to ensure that new criminal offences  are not created through new product regulations under the Bill, failed: Ayes 164, Noes 273.

The question was put that the Bill be read a third time, and passed: Ayes 264, Noes 99. 

The Bill now returns to the Lords, where it originated, for the Commons amendments to be considered.

 

The Commons considered the Lords amendments to the Bill on 3 June 2025. The Government's manifesto committed to strengthening support for Armed Forces communities by establishing an independent Armed Forces Commissioner to improve service life, after the Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey has showed a fall in morale in the UK Armed Forces over the last decade and has also indicated systemic challenges in terms of retaining personnel. The Commissioner will consider, investigate and make recommendations to address welfare issues faced by serving personnel and their families during the course of their service life.

The Commons agreed with Lords Amendment 1, and disagreed with Lords Amendment 2 (Ayes 319, Noes 180) and Lords Amendment 3 (Ayes 315, Noes 184). 

A Government amendment in lieu of Lords Amendments 2 and 3 was passed with the following result: Ayes 329, Noes 101. 

The Lords considered the Commons amendments on 11 June 2025, and a date is yet to be announced for another Commons consideration of the Lords amendments.