This proposed law would require the government to hold a public inquiry as soon as reasonably practicable into the circumstances surrounding mortgage prisoners.
Mortgage Prisoners Inquiry Bill [HL]: HL Bill 33 of 2024–25 (343 KB , PDF)
Approximate read time: 15 minutes
The bill would place a duty on the government to establish a public inquiry into mortgage prisoners. Whilst definitions vary, ‘mortgage prisoners’ would be defined in the bill as “people who have been or are unable to switch mortgages to a better deal, even if they are up to date with their payments”.
Many became mortgage prisoners after the 2008 financial crash when their mortgages were sold to inactive firms. Stricter borrowing criteria and more cautious lending appetite meant that many were unable to switch mortgage providers and were left paying higher interest rates. Despite commitments from successive governments and actions taken by the Financial Conduct Authority to support mortgage prisoners, some campaign groups have argued that more support is needed.
Lord Sharkey (Liberal Democrat) is the bill’s sponsor in the House of Lords. The bill’s second reading in the House of Lords is due to take place on 7 February 2025.
Mortgage Prisoners Inquiry Bill [HL]: HL Bill 33 of 2024–25 (343 KB , PDF)
The Permitted Development Rights (Extension) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Lord Lucas (Conservative). The bill would establish new permitted development rights to make additions and alterations to domestic properties. The House of Lords is scheduled to debate the bill at second reading on 7 February 2025.
![Permitted Development Rights (Extension) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 28 of 2024–25](https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/content/uploads/sites/2/2020/09/Housing-568x426.png)
The Renters' Rights Bill would enact significant reform of the private rental sector (PRS). The bill’s provisions are centred on the PRS in England, though some measures would apply to Scotland and Wales. Many of the provisions in the bill are similar to the Renters (Reform) Bill 2023–24 introduced by the then Conservative government, but with several key differences including ending rental bidding and curtailing rent payments in advance of a tenancy.
Two hundred years ago the Vagrancy Act 1824 criminalised begging and rough sleeping. These provisions are still in force today, despite long-standing calls for their repeal and government commitments to replace them. This briefing looks at the original purpose of the act and at efforts to remove it from the statute books.
