The purpose of the Growth and Infrastructure Bill is to promote investment in infrastructure projects, reduce delays in the planning system and introduce a new employment status of employee shareholder. This Library Note provides background information for the second reading of the Bill in the House of Lords on 8 January 2013.
Growth and Infrastructure Bill (HL Bill 72 of 2012–13) (449KB PDF)
The purpose of the Growth and Infrastructure Bill is to promote investment in infrastructure projects, reduce delays in the planning system and introduce a new employment status of employee shareholder. This Library Note provides background information for the second reading of the Bill in the House of Lords on 8 January 2013. In particular, the Note summarises the report stage and third reading in the House of Commons. The Note is intended to be read in conjunction with two House of Commons Library Research Papers, Growth and Infrastructure Bill (25 October 2012, RP 12/61) and Growth and Infrastructure Bill: Committee Stage Report (13 December 2012, RP 12/78), which provide background information and summarise the second reading and committee stage in the House of Commons.
Growth and Infrastructure Bill (HL Bill 72 of 2012–13) (449KB PDF)
The Sovereign Grant Bill is a government bill which would amend how the sovereign grant is set. This is a grant paid to the King to support the work of the sovereign. The bill would enable the size of the sovereign grant to be reduced following the completion of a 10-year works project on Buckingham Palace. The bill received cross-party support and was not amended in the House of Commons.
The Commercial Payments Bill [HL] seeks to tackle late payments to small businesses. It would impose minimum payment periods for invoices, prohibit the use of retentions in construction contracts and provide the small business commissioner with greater powers. The bill received an unopposed second reading in the House of Lords on 9 June 2026. 30 government amendments were made to the bill at committee stage.
![Commercial Payments Bill [HL]: Progress in the Lords](https://lordslibrary-parliament.studio24.dev/content/uploads/sites/2/2020/01/Business-VIGs-568x426.jpg)
The Microplastic Filters (Washing Machines) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Lord Randall of Uxbridge (Conservative). It would require new washing machines to have filters to capture microfibres, a form of microplastic shed from synthetic clothing. It would also impose a duty on the secretary of state to promote awareness of microfibre pollution. The bill’s second reading in the House of Lords is scheduled for 11 September 2026.
![Microplastic Filters (Washing Machines) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 21 of 2026–27](https://lordslibrary-parliament.studio24.dev/content/uploads/sites/2/2020/09/Environment-568x426.png)