Peers pressed the Government on charities being debanked or blocked from opening accounts, with Muslim-led groups and rural organisations among those said to be worst affected; ministers said banks must apply anti-money-laundering rules proportionately, that new account-closure rules now require 90 days’ notice and an explanation, and that the Government is reviewing access to banking services.

#Charities and Voluntary Sector, #Access to Banking and Financial Services, #Debanking and Account Closures, #Anti Money Laundering Regulation, #Rural Access to Banking

Peers pressed the Government on whether the 10-year Youth Matters plan and its funding will support uniformed groups, cadets, arts and exchange schemes, with Ministers promising transitional money now, eligibility criteria later, and more detail to follow on future funding streams.

#Youth Services,

Peers pressed the Government on reports of restrictions, deaths and detentions in Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir, with calls to restore internet access, protect civil liberties and monitor whether coming elections will be free and fair; ministers said they are watching the situation closely, have raised it with Pakistani counterparts and continue to advise against all but essential travel.

Peers pressed the Government on how it would fund the zero-VAT measure, which Ministers said would cost about £850 million in 2026-27 and be covered by cancelling the digital ID programme, while critics warned against unfunded announcements and asked how Northern Ireland would be included.

#Energy Bills,

Peers pressed ministers to rethink the early release scheme before September after reports that two men convicted of manslaughter in PC Andrew Harper’s death could qualify, with the Government defending the policy as a response to prison overcrowding while insisting victims, probation and public protection must be weighed alongside plans to expand capacity.

#Prisoner Early Release Scheme,

Peers warned that heavy dependence on US cloud, software and AI firms is leaving the UK exposed in government, the NHS and defence, and pressed ministers for a real digital sovereignty strategy on procurement, competition, copyright and resilience rather than isolated measures.

#Digital Sovereignty,