Children's School and Wellbeing Bill: Motion relating to Lords Amendments 38V to 38X

Parliament voted 272 to 64 on 27 April 2026 to insist on the Commons' disagreement with Lords Amendments 38V to 38X to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, while proposing a set of replacement amendments in lieu. The motion was moved by Minister Olivia Bailey and passed comfortably, with the government securing its preferred text on provisions relating to restricting children's access to social media online services. The vote advances a government commitment to impose age or functionality restrictions on social media use by under-16s. The replacement amendments require the government to take action rather than merely permitting it to do so, with regulations to be laid before Parliament within 12 months of the Bill passing. The provisions affect internet service providers, children, parents, and technology companies, and sit alongside separate consultation work on the precise mechanism for any restrictions, including possible curfews. Labour MPs voted unanimously for the government motion, with the Green Party and Scottish National Party joining them in support. The Liberal Democrats, with 56 votes against, formed the bulk of the opposition, joined by the Democratic Unionist Party, Ulster Unionist Party, Traditional Unionist Voice, and several independents. The Conservative Party did not vote against; shadow Secretary of State Laura Trott welcomed the government's movement as a significant concession won through the Bill's passage, describing it as a commitment to ban under-16s from social media. The result continues a pattern of government victories in the Bill's ping-pong (the back-and-forth between Commons and Lords), with similar motions passing on 15 April 2026.