Arrangement of Business

Lord Kennedy of Southwark Excerpts

Thursday 26th March 2026 Lords Chamber

[Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms and Chief Whip (Lord Kennedy of Southwark) (Lab Co-op)]

My Lords, as a pre-recess treat, I will update the House on planned recess dates. I have already announced most recess dates until Christmas this year. I will now add those for the short November weekend, when the plan is to rise at the conclusion of business on Wednesday 4 November and return on Monday 9 November.

I am delighted to update noble Lords with the plan for the February and Easter Recesses of 2027. To save noble Lords from hurrying to write these down, my office has arranged a notice to be in the usual places with all recess dates. I will shortly email all noble Lords. Subject to the usual caveat of the progress of business, the House will be adjourned as follows: in February 2027, we will adjourn the House at the end of business on Thursday 11 February and return on Monday 22 February. For Easter Recess, we will adjourn at the conclusion of business on Thursday 25 March and return on Monday 12 April. I hope that noble Lords will find this helpful in planning, especially for booking well-deserved holidays and meeting family and friends.

I thank all noble Lords and staff for a productive term. We have concluded a range of important business. I am grateful to the whole House for facilitating the vital scrutiny that we undertake. Finally, noble Lords may also note that the Leader of the House of Commons has just confirmed in the other place that State Opening of Parliament will take place on Wednesday 13 May. Noble Lords will get further information on the arrangements from Black Rod’s Office in due course. We will return in April for the last few sitting weeks of this Session. Before I am asked, I should say that the date of Prorogation will be announced in the usual way, subject to the conclusion of business. I wish everyone a restful and well-deserved Easter Recess.