Election schedules could favour compromise on government’s most controversial bills

Lords signalled they are prepared to send bills back to Commons even at 11th hour before local elections

MPs and peers are set for some late nights over the next few days as government and opposition race to complete six bills in time for parliament to be prorogued by the end of this week.

Though the House of Commons leader, Mark Spencer, said business would conclude by Thursday - which would give MPs next week to get some shoe leather on the pavements ahead of the local elections - the Lords may have other ideas.