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-rw-r--r--changelog.d/6469.misc1
-rwxr-xr-xscripts-dev/update_database17
-rwxr-xr-xscripts/synapse_port_db83
-rw-r--r--synapse/app/_base.py2
-rw-r--r--synapse/app/homeserver.py2
-rw-r--r--synapse/app/user_dir.py2
-rw-r--r--synapse/module_api/__init__.py2
-rw-r--r--synapse/rest/media/v1/preview_url_resource.py2
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/__init__.py8
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/_base.py1476
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/background_updates.py31
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/data_stores/main/__init__.py30
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/data_stores/main/account_data.py26
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/data_stores/main/appservice.py24
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/data_stores/main/cache.py6
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/data_stores/main/client_ips.py60
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/data_stores/main/deviceinbox.py29
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/data_stores/main/devices.py85
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/data_stores/main/directory.py20
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/data_stores/main/e2e_room_keys.py28
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/data_stores/main/end_to_end_keys.py44
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/data_stores/main/event_federation.py46
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/data_stores/main/event_push_actions.py46
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/data_stores/main/events.py96
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/data_stores/main/events_bg_updates.py73
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/data_stores/main/events_worker.py18
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/data_stores/main/filtering.py4
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/data_stores/main/group_server.py160
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/data_stores/main/keys.py12
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/data_stores/main/media_repository.py50
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/data_stores/main/monthly_active_users.py12
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/data_stores/main/openid.py6
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/data_stores/main/presence.py12
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/data_stores/main/profile.py28
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/data_stores/main/push_rule.py36
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/data_stores/main/pusher.py34
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/data_stores/main/receipts.py36
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/data_stores/main/registration.py185
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/data_stores/main/rejections.py4
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/data_stores/main/relations.py12
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/data_stores/main/room.py83
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/data_stores/main/roommember.py71
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/data_stores/main/search.py61
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/data_stores/main/signatures.py4
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/data_stores/main/state.py73
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/data_stores/main/state_deltas.py8
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/data_stores/main/stats.py68
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/data_stores/main/stream.py30
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/data_stores/main/tags.py18
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/data_stores/main/transactions.py22
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/data_stores/main/user_directory.py113
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/data_stores/main/user_erasure_store.py6
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/database.py1496
-rw-r--r--synmark/__init__.py6
-rw-r--r--tests/handlers/test_stats.py80
-rw-r--r--tests/handlers/test_user_directory.py30
-rw-r--r--tests/rest/admin/test_admin.py2
-rw-r--r--tests/storage/test__base.py16
-rw-r--r--tests/storage/test_background_update.py28
-rw-r--r--tests/storage/test_base.py18
-rw-r--r--tests/storage/test_cleanup_extrems.py18
-rw-r--r--tests/storage/test_client_ips.py38
-rw-r--r--tests/storage/test_event_federation.py8
-rw-r--r--tests/storage/test_event_push_actions.py12
-rw-r--r--tests/storage/test_monthly_active_users.py6
-rw-r--r--tests/storage/test_redaction.py4
-rw-r--r--tests/storage/test_roommember.py20
-rw-r--r--tests/unittest.py12
68 files changed, 2685 insertions, 2514 deletions
diff --git a/changelog.d/6469.misc b/changelog.d/6469.misc
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..32216b9046
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelog.d/6469.misc
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Move per database functionality out of the data stores and into a dedicated `Database` class.
diff --git a/scripts-dev/update_database b/scripts-dev/update_database
index 27a1ad1e7e..1776d202c5 100755
--- a/scripts-dev/update_database
+++ b/scripts-dev/update_database
@@ -58,10 +58,10 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
             " on it."
         )
     )
-    parser.add_argument("-v", action='store_true')
+    parser.add_argument("-v", action="store_true")
     parser.add_argument(
         "--database-config",
-        type=argparse.FileType('r'),
+        type=argparse.FileType("r"),
         required=True,
         help="A database config file for either a SQLite3 database or a PostgreSQL one.",
     )
@@ -101,10 +101,7 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
 
     # Instantiate and initialise the homeserver object.
     hs = MockHomeserver(
-        config,
-        database_engine,
-        db_conn,
-        db_config=config.database_config,
+        config, database_engine, db_conn, db_config=config.database_config,
     )
     # setup instantiates the store within the homeserver object.
     hs.setup()
@@ -112,13 +109,13 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def run_background_updates():
-        yield store.run_background_updates(sleep=False)
+        yield store.db.updates.run_background_updates(sleep=False)
         # Stop the reactor to exit the script once every background update is run.
         reactor.stop()
 
     # Apply all background updates on the database.
-    reactor.callWhenRunning(lambda: run_as_background_process(
-        "background_updates", run_background_updates
-    ))
+    reactor.callWhenRunning(
+        lambda: run_as_background_process("background_updates", run_background_updates)
+    )
 
     reactor.run()
diff --git a/scripts/synapse_port_db b/scripts/synapse_port_db
index c4cf11d19a..72061177c9 100755
--- a/scripts/synapse_port_db
+++ b/scripts/synapse_port_db
@@ -173,14 +173,14 @@ class Store(
             return (yield self.db_pool.runWithConnection(r))
 
     def execute(self, f, *args, **kwargs):
-        return self.runInteraction(f.__name__, f, *args, **kwargs)
+        return self.db.runInteraction(f.__name__, f, *args, **kwargs)
 
     def execute_sql(self, sql, *args):
         def r(txn):
             txn.execute(sql, args)
             return txn.fetchall()
 
-        return self.runInteraction("execute_sql", r)
+        return self.db.runInteraction("execute_sql", r)
 
     def insert_many_txn(self, txn, table, headers, rows):
         sql = "INSERT INTO %s (%s) VALUES (%s)" % (
@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@ class Porter(object):
     def setup_table(self, table):
         if table in APPEND_ONLY_TABLES:
             # It's safe to just carry on inserting.
-            row = yield self.postgres_store.simple_select_one(
+            row = yield self.postgres_store.db.simple_select_one(
                 table="port_from_sqlite3",
                 keyvalues={"table_name": table},
                 retcols=("forward_rowid", "backward_rowid"),
@@ -233,12 +233,14 @@ class Porter(object):
             total_to_port = None
             if row is None:
                 if table == "sent_transactions":
-                    forward_chunk, already_ported, total_to_port = (
-                        yield self._setup_sent_transactions()
-                    )
+                    (
+                        forward_chunk,
+                        already_ported,
+                        total_to_port,
+                    ) = yield self._setup_sent_transactions()
                     backward_chunk = 0
                 else:
-                    yield self.postgres_store.simple_insert(
+                    yield self.postgres_store.db.simple_insert(
                         table="port_from_sqlite3",
                         values={
                             "table_name": table,
@@ -268,7 +270,7 @@ class Porter(object):
 
             yield self.postgres_store.execute(delete_all)
 
-            yield self.postgres_store.simple_insert(
+            yield self.postgres_store.db.simple_insert(
                 table="port_from_sqlite3",
                 values={"table_name": table, "forward_rowid": 1, "backward_rowid": 0},
             )
@@ -322,7 +324,7 @@ class Porter(object):
         if table == "user_directory_stream_pos":
             # We need to make sure there is a single row, `(X, null), as that is
             # what synapse expects to be there.
-            yield self.postgres_store.simple_insert(
+            yield self.postgres_store.db.simple_insert(
                 table=table, values={"stream_id": None}
             )
             self.progress.update(table, table_size)  # Mark table as done
@@ -363,7 +365,9 @@ class Porter(object):
 
                 return headers, forward_rows, backward_rows
 
-            headers, frows, brows = yield self.sqlite_store.runInteraction("select", r)
+            headers, frows, brows = yield self.sqlite_store.db.runInteraction(
+                "select", r
+            )
 
             if frows or brows:
                 if frows:
@@ -377,7 +381,7 @@ class Porter(object):
                 def insert(txn):
                     self.postgres_store.insert_many_txn(txn, table, headers[1:], rows)
 
-                    self.postgres_store.simple_update_one_txn(
+                    self.postgres_store.db.simple_update_one_txn(
                         txn,
                         table="port_from_sqlite3",
                         keyvalues={"table_name": table},
@@ -416,7 +420,7 @@ class Porter(object):
 
                 return headers, rows
 
-            headers, rows = yield self.sqlite_store.runInteraction("select", r)
+            headers, rows = yield self.sqlite_store.db.runInteraction("select", r)
 
             if rows:
                 forward_chunk = rows[-1][0] + 1
@@ -433,8 +437,8 @@ class Porter(object):
                     rows_dict = []
                     for row in rows:
                         d = dict(zip(headers, row))
-                        if "\0" in d['value']:
-                            logger.warning('dropping search row %s', d)
+                        if "\0" in d["value"]:
+                            logger.warning("dropping search row %s", d)
                         else:
                             rows_dict.append(d)
 
@@ -454,7 +458,7 @@ class Porter(object):
                         ],
                     )
 
-                    self.postgres_store.simple_update_one_txn(
+                    self.postgres_store.db.simple_update_one_txn(
                         txn,
                         table="port_from_sqlite3",
                         keyvalues={"table_name": "event_search"},
@@ -504,17 +508,14 @@ class Porter(object):
         self.progress.set_state("Preparing %s" % config["name"])
         conn = self.setup_db(config, engine)
 
-        db_pool = adbapi.ConnectionPool(
-            config["name"], **config["args"]
-        )
+        db_pool = adbapi.ConnectionPool(config["name"], **config["args"])
 
         hs = MockHomeserver(self.hs_config, engine, conn, db_pool)
 
         store = Store(conn, hs)
 
-        yield store.runInteraction(
-            "%s_engine.check_database" % config["name"],
-            engine.check_database,
+        yield store.db.runInteraction(
+            "%s_engine.check_database" % config["name"], engine.check_database,
         )
 
         return store
@@ -522,7 +523,9 @@ class Porter(object):
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def run_background_updates_on_postgres(self):
         # Manually apply all background updates on the PostgreSQL database.
-        postgres_ready = yield self.postgres_store.has_completed_background_updates()
+        postgres_ready = (
+            yield self.postgres_store.db.updates.has_completed_background_updates()
+        )
 
         if not postgres_ready:
             # Only say that we're running background updates when there are background
@@ -530,9 +533,9 @@ class Porter(object):
             self.progress.set_state("Running background updates on PostgreSQL")
 
         while not postgres_ready:
-            yield self.postgres_store.do_next_background_update(100)
+            yield self.postgres_store.db.updates.do_next_background_update(100)
             postgres_ready = yield (
-                self.postgres_store.has_completed_background_updates()
+                self.postgres_store.db.updates.has_completed_background_updates()
             )
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
@@ -541,7 +544,9 @@ class Porter(object):
             self.sqlite_store = yield self.build_db_store(self.sqlite_config)
 
             # Check if all background updates are done, abort if not.
-            updates_complete = yield self.sqlite_store.has_completed_background_updates()
+            updates_complete = (
+                yield self.sqlite_store.db.updates.has_completed_background_updates()
+            )
             if not updates_complete:
                 sys.stderr.write(
                     "Pending background updates exist in the SQLite3 database."
@@ -582,22 +587,22 @@ class Porter(object):
                 )
 
             try:
-                yield self.postgres_store.runInteraction("alter_table", alter_table)
+                yield self.postgres_store.db.runInteraction("alter_table", alter_table)
             except Exception:
                 # On Error Resume Next
                 pass
 
-            yield self.postgres_store.runInteraction(
+            yield self.postgres_store.db.runInteraction(
                 "create_port_table", create_port_table
             )
 
             # Step 2. Get tables.
             self.progress.set_state("Fetching tables")
-            sqlite_tables = yield self.sqlite_store.simple_select_onecol(
+            sqlite_tables = yield self.sqlite_store.db.simple_select_onecol(
                 table="sqlite_master", keyvalues={"type": "table"}, retcol="name"
             )
 
-            postgres_tables = yield self.postgres_store.simple_select_onecol(
+            postgres_tables = yield self.postgres_store.db.simple_select_onecol(
                 table="information_schema.tables",
                 keyvalues={},
                 retcol="distinct table_name",
@@ -687,11 +692,11 @@ class Porter(object):
             rows = txn.fetchall()
             headers = [column[0] for column in txn.description]
 
-            ts_ind = headers.index('ts')
+            ts_ind = headers.index("ts")
 
             return headers, [r for r in rows if r[ts_ind] < yesterday]
 
-        headers, rows = yield self.sqlite_store.runInteraction("select", r)
+        headers, rows = yield self.sqlite_store.db.runInteraction("select", r)
 
         rows = self._convert_rows("sent_transactions", headers, rows)
 
@@ -724,7 +729,7 @@ class Porter(object):
         next_chunk = yield self.sqlite_store.execute(get_start_id)
         next_chunk = max(max_inserted_rowid + 1, next_chunk)
 
-        yield self.postgres_store.simple_insert(
+        yield self.postgres_store.db.simple_insert(
             table="port_from_sqlite3",
             values={
                 "table_name": "sent_transactions",
@@ -737,7 +742,7 @@ class Porter(object):
             txn.execute(
                 "SELECT count(*) FROM sent_transactions" " WHERE ts >= ?", (yesterday,)
             )
-            size, = txn.fetchone()
+            (size,) = txn.fetchone()
             return int(size)
 
         remaining_count = yield self.sqlite_store.execute(get_sent_table_size)
@@ -790,7 +795,7 @@ class Porter(object):
             next_id = curr_id + 1
             txn.execute("ALTER SEQUENCE state_group_id_seq RESTART WITH %s", (next_id,))
 
-        return self.postgres_store.runInteraction("setup_state_group_id_seq", r)
+        return self.postgres_store.db.runInteraction("setup_state_group_id_seq", r)
 
 
 ##############################################
@@ -871,7 +876,7 @@ class CursesProgress(Progress):
         duration = int(now) - int(self.start_time)
 
         minutes, seconds = divmod(duration, 60)
-        duration_str = '%02dm %02ds' % (minutes, seconds)
+        duration_str = "%02dm %02ds" % (minutes, seconds)
 
         if self.finished:
             status = "Time spent: %s (Done!)" % (duration_str,)
@@ -881,7 +886,7 @@ class CursesProgress(Progress):
                 left = float(self.total_remaining) / self.total_processed
 
                 est_remaining = (int(now) - self.start_time) * left
-                est_remaining_str = '%02dm %02ds remaining' % divmod(est_remaining, 60)
+                est_remaining_str = "%02dm %02ds remaining" % divmod(est_remaining, 60)
             else:
                 est_remaining_str = "Unknown"
             status = "Time spent: %s (est. remaining: %s)" % (
@@ -967,7 +972,7 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
         description="A script to port an existing synapse SQLite database to"
         " a new PostgreSQL database."
     )
-    parser.add_argument("-v", action='store_true')
+    parser.add_argument("-v", action="store_true")
     parser.add_argument(
         "--sqlite-database",
         required=True,
@@ -976,12 +981,12 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
     )
     parser.add_argument(
         "--postgres-config",
-        type=argparse.FileType('r'),
+        type=argparse.FileType("r"),
         required=True,
         help="The database config file for the PostgreSQL database",
     )
     parser.add_argument(
-        "--curses", action='store_true', help="display a curses based progress UI"
+        "--curses", action="store_true", help="display a curses based progress UI"
     )
 
     parser.add_argument(
diff --git a/synapse/app/_base.py b/synapse/app/_base.py
index 2ac7d5c064..9c96816096 100644
--- a/synapse/app/_base.py
+++ b/synapse/app/_base.py
@@ -269,7 +269,7 @@ def start(hs, listeners=None):
 
         # It is now safe to start your Synapse.
         hs.start_listening(listeners)
-        hs.get_datastore().start_profiling()
+        hs.get_datastore().db.start_profiling()
 
         setup_sentry(hs)
         setup_sdnotify(hs)
diff --git a/synapse/app/homeserver.py b/synapse/app/homeserver.py
index 267aebaae9..9f81a857ab 100644
--- a/synapse/app/homeserver.py
+++ b/synapse/app/homeserver.py
@@ -436,7 +436,7 @@ def setup(config_options):
             _base.start(hs, config.listeners)
 
             hs.get_pusherpool().start()
-            hs.get_datastore().start_doing_background_updates()
+            hs.get_datastore().db.updates.start_doing_background_updates()
         except Exception:
             # Print the exception and bail out.
             print("Error during startup:", file=sys.stderr)
diff --git a/synapse/app/user_dir.py b/synapse/app/user_dir.py
index 0fa2b50999..b6d4481725 100644
--- a/synapse/app/user_dir.py
+++ b/synapse/app/user_dir.py
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ class UserDirectorySlaveStore(
         super(UserDirectorySlaveStore, self).__init__(db_conn, hs)
 
         events_max = self._stream_id_gen.get_current_token()
-        curr_state_delta_prefill, min_curr_state_delta_id = self.get_cache_dict(
+        curr_state_delta_prefill, min_curr_state_delta_id = self.db.get_cache_dict(
             db_conn,
             "current_state_delta_stream",
             entity_column="room_id",
diff --git a/synapse/module_api/__init__.py b/synapse/module_api/__init__.py
index 735b882363..305b9b0178 100644
--- a/synapse/module_api/__init__.py
+++ b/synapse/module_api/__init__.py
@@ -175,4 +175,4 @@ class ModuleApi(object):
         Returns:
             Deferred[object]: result of func
         """
-        return self._store.runInteraction(desc, func, *args, **kwargs)
+        return self._store.db.runInteraction(desc, func, *args, **kwargs)
diff --git a/synapse/rest/media/v1/preview_url_resource.py b/synapse/rest/media/v1/preview_url_resource.py
index fb0d02aa83..6b978be876 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/media/v1/preview_url_resource.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/media/v1/preview_url_resource.py
@@ -402,7 +402,7 @@ class PreviewUrlResource(DirectServeResource):
 
         logger.info("Running url preview cache expiry")
 
-        if not (yield self.store.has_completed_background_updates()):
+        if not (yield self.store.db.updates.has_completed_background_updates()):
             logger.info("Still running DB updates; skipping expiry")
             return
 
diff --git a/synapse/storage/__init__.py b/synapse/storage/__init__.py
index 0460fe8cc9..8fb18203dc 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/__init__.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/__init__.py
@@ -17,10 +17,10 @@
 """
 The storage layer is split up into multiple parts to allow Synapse to run
 against different configurations of databases (e.g. single or multiple
-databases). The `data_stores` are classes that talk directly to a single
-database and have associated schemas, background updates, etc. On top of those
-there are (or will be) classes that provide high level interfaces that combine
-calls to multiple `data_stores`.
+databases). The `Database` class represents a single physical database. The
+`data_stores` are classes that talk directly to a `Database` instance and have
+associated schemas, background updates, etc. On top of those there are classes
+that provide high level interfaces that combine calls to multiple `data_stores`.
 
 There are also schemas that get applied to every database, regardless of the
 data stores associated with them (e.g. the schema version tables), which are
diff --git a/synapse/storage/_base.py b/synapse/storage/_base.py
index 0d7c7dff27..b7e27d4e97 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/_base.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/_base.py
@@ -16,1304 +16,34 @@
 # limitations under the License.
 import logging
 import random
-import sys
-import time
-from typing import Iterable, Tuple
 
-from six import PY2, iteritems, iterkeys, itervalues
-from six.moves import builtins, intern, range
+from six import PY2
+from six.moves import builtins
 
 from canonicaljson import json
-from prometheus_client import Histogram
 
-from twisted.internet import defer
-
-from synapse.api.errors import StoreError
-from synapse.logging.context import LoggingContext, make_deferred_yieldable
-from synapse.metrics.background_process_metrics import run_as_background_process
-from synapse.storage.engines import PostgresEngine, Sqlite3Engine
+from synapse.storage.database import LoggingTransaction  # noqa: F401
+from synapse.storage.database import make_in_list_sql_clause  # noqa: F401
+from synapse.storage.database import Database
 from synapse.types import get_domain_from_id
-from synapse.util.stringutils import exception_to_unicode
-
-# import a function which will return a monotonic time, in seconds
-try:
-    # on python 3, use time.monotonic, since time.clock can go backwards
-    from time import monotonic as monotonic_time
-except ImportError:
-    # ... but python 2 doesn't have it
-    from time import clock as monotonic_time
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
-try:
-    MAX_TXN_ID = sys.maxint - 1
-except AttributeError:
-    # python 3 does not have a maximum int value
-    MAX_TXN_ID = 2 ** 63 - 1
-
-sql_logger = logging.getLogger("synapse.storage.SQL")
-transaction_logger = logging.getLogger("synapse.storage.txn")
-perf_logger = logging.getLogger("synapse.storage.TIME")
-
-sql_scheduling_timer = Histogram("synapse_storage_schedule_time", "sec")
-
-sql_query_timer = Histogram("synapse_storage_query_time", "sec", ["verb"])
-sql_txn_timer = Histogram("synapse_storage_transaction_time", "sec", ["desc"])
-
-
-# Unique indexes which have been added in background updates. Maps from table name
-# to the name of the background update which added the unique index to that table.
-#
-# This is used by the upsert logic to figure out which tables are safe to do a proper
-# UPSERT on: until the relevant background update has completed, we
-# have to emulate an upsert by locking the table.
-#
-UNIQUE_INDEX_BACKGROUND_UPDATES = {
-    "user_ips": "user_ips_device_unique_index",
-    "device_lists_remote_extremeties": "device_lists_remote_extremeties_unique_idx",
-    "device_lists_remote_cache": "device_lists_remote_cache_unique_idx",
-    "event_search": "event_search_event_id_idx",
-}
-
 
-class LoggingTransaction(object):
-    """An object that almost-transparently proxies for the 'txn' object
-    passed to the constructor. Adds logging and metrics to the .execute()
-    method.
+class SQLBaseStore(object):
+    """Base class for data stores that holds helper functions.
 
-    Args:
-        txn: The database transcation object to wrap.
-        name (str): The name of this transactions for logging.
-        database_engine (Sqlite3Engine|PostgresEngine)
-        after_callbacks(list|None): A list that callbacks will be appended to
-            that have been added by `call_after` which should be run on
-            successful completion of the transaction. None indicates that no
-            callbacks should be allowed to be scheduled to run.
-        exception_callbacks(list|None): A list that callbacks will be appended
-            to that have been added by `call_on_exception` which should be run
-            if transaction ends with an error. None indicates that no callbacks
-            should be allowed to be scheduled to run.
+    Note that multiple instances of this class will exist as there will be one
+    per data store (and not one per physical database).
     """
 
-    __slots__ = [
-        "txn",
-        "name",
-        "database_engine",
-        "after_callbacks",
-        "exception_callbacks",
-    ]
-
-    def __init__(
-        self, txn, name, database_engine, after_callbacks=None, exception_callbacks=None
-    ):
-        object.__setattr__(self, "txn", txn)
-        object.__setattr__(self, "name", name)
-        object.__setattr__(self, "database_engine", database_engine)
-        object.__setattr__(self, "after_callbacks", after_callbacks)
-        object.__setattr__(self, "exception_callbacks", exception_callbacks)
-
-    def call_after(self, callback, *args, **kwargs):
-        """Call the given callback on the main twisted thread after the
-        transaction has finished. Used to invalidate the caches on the
-        correct thread.
-        """
-        self.after_callbacks.append((callback, args, kwargs))
-
-    def call_on_exception(self, callback, *args, **kwargs):
-        self.exception_callbacks.append((callback, args, kwargs))
-
-    def __getattr__(self, name):
-        return getattr(self.txn, name)
-
-    def __setattr__(self, name, value):
-        setattr(self.txn, name, value)
-
-    def __iter__(self):
-        return self.txn.__iter__()
-
-    def execute_batch(self, sql, args):
-        if isinstance(self.database_engine, PostgresEngine):
-            from psycopg2.extras import execute_batch
-
-            self._do_execute(lambda *x: execute_batch(self.txn, *x), sql, args)
-        else:
-            for val in args:
-                self.execute(sql, val)
-
-    def execute(self, sql, *args):
-        self._do_execute(self.txn.execute, sql, *args)
-
-    def executemany(self, sql, *args):
-        self._do_execute(self.txn.executemany, sql, *args)
-
-    def _make_sql_one_line(self, sql):
-        "Strip newlines out of SQL so that the loggers in the DB are on one line"
-        return " ".join(l.strip() for l in sql.splitlines() if l.strip())
-
-    def _do_execute(self, func, sql, *args):
-        sql = self._make_sql_one_line(sql)
-
-        # TODO(paul): Maybe use 'info' and 'debug' for values?
-        sql_logger.debug("[SQL] {%s} %s", self.name, sql)
-
-        sql = self.database_engine.convert_param_style(sql)
-        if args:
-            try:
-                sql_logger.debug("[SQL values] {%s} %r", self.name, args[0])
-            except Exception:
-                # Don't let logging failures stop SQL from working
-                pass
-
-        start = time.time()
-
-        try:
-            return func(sql, *args)
-        except Exception as e:
-            logger.debug("[SQL FAIL] {%s} %s", self.name, e)
-            raise
-        finally:
-            secs = time.time() - start
-            sql_logger.debug("[SQL time] {%s} %f sec", self.name, secs)
-            sql_query_timer.labels(sql.split()[0]).observe(secs)
-
-
-class PerformanceCounters(object):
-    def __init__(self):
-        self.current_counters = {}
-        self.previous_counters = {}
-
-    def update(self, key, duration_secs):
-        count, cum_time = self.current_counters.get(key, (0, 0))
-        count += 1
-        cum_time += duration_secs
-        self.current_counters[key] = (count, cum_time)
-
-    def interval(self, interval_duration_secs, limit=3):
-        counters = []
-        for name, (count, cum_time) in iteritems(self.current_counters):
-            prev_count, prev_time = self.previous_counters.get(name, (0, 0))
-            counters.append(
-                (
-                    (cum_time - prev_time) / interval_duration_secs,
-                    count - prev_count,
-                    name,
-                )
-            )
-
-        self.previous_counters = dict(self.current_counters)
-
-        counters.sort(reverse=True)
-
-        top_n_counters = ", ".join(
-            "%s(%d): %.3f%%" % (name, count, 100 * ratio)
-            for ratio, count, name in counters[:limit]
-        )
-
-        return top_n_counters
-
-
-class SQLBaseStore(object):
-    _TXN_ID = 0
-
     def __init__(self, db_conn, hs):
         self.hs = hs
         self._clock = hs.get_clock()
-        self._db_pool = hs.get_db_pool()
-
-        self._previous_txn_total_time = 0
-        self._current_txn_total_time = 0
-        self._previous_loop_ts = 0
-
-        # TODO(paul): These can eventually be removed once the metrics code
-        #   is running in mainline, and we have some nice monitoring frontends
-        #   to watch it
-        self._txn_perf_counters = PerformanceCounters()
-
         self.database_engine = hs.database_engine
-
-        # A set of tables that are not safe to use native upserts in.
-        self._unsafe_to_upsert_tables = set(UNIQUE_INDEX_BACKGROUND_UPDATES.keys())
-
-        # We add the user_directory_search table to the blacklist on SQLite
-        # because the existing search table does not have an index, making it
-        # unsafe to use native upserts.
-        if isinstance(self.database_engine, Sqlite3Engine):
-            self._unsafe_to_upsert_tables.add("user_directory_search")
-
-        if self.database_engine.can_native_upsert:
-            # Check ASAP (and then later, every 1s) to see if we have finished
-            # background updates of tables that aren't safe to update.
-            self._clock.call_later(
-                0.0,
-                run_as_background_process,
-                "upsert_safety_check",
-                self._check_safe_to_upsert,
-            )
-
+        self.db = Database(hs)  # In future this will be passed in
         self.rand = random.SystemRandom()
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def _check_safe_to_upsert(self):
-        """
-        Is it safe to use native UPSERT?
-
-        If there are background updates, we will need to wait, as they may be
-        the addition of indexes that set the UNIQUE constraint that we require.
-
-        If the background updates have not completed, wait 15 sec and check again.
-        """
-        updates = yield self.simple_select_list(
-            "background_updates",
-            keyvalues=None,
-            retcols=["update_name"],
-            desc="check_background_updates",
-        )
-        updates = [x["update_name"] for x in updates]
-
-        for table, update_name in UNIQUE_INDEX_BACKGROUND_UPDATES.items():
-            if update_name not in updates:
-                logger.debug("Now safe to upsert in %s", table)
-                self._unsafe_to_upsert_tables.discard(table)
-
-        # If there's any updates still running, reschedule to run.
-        if updates:
-            self._clock.call_later(
-                15.0,
-                run_as_background_process,
-                "upsert_safety_check",
-                self._check_safe_to_upsert,
-            )
-
-    def start_profiling(self):
-        self._previous_loop_ts = monotonic_time()
-
-        def loop():
-            curr = self._current_txn_total_time
-            prev = self._previous_txn_total_time
-            self._previous_txn_total_time = curr
-
-            time_now = monotonic_time()
-            time_then = self._previous_loop_ts
-            self._previous_loop_ts = time_now
-
-            duration = time_now - time_then
-            ratio = (curr - prev) / duration
-
-            top_three_counters = self._txn_perf_counters.interval(duration, limit=3)
-
-            perf_logger.info(
-                "Total database time: %.3f%% {%s}", ratio * 100, top_three_counters
-            )
-
-        self._clock.looping_call(loop, 10000)
-
-    def new_transaction(
-        self, conn, desc, after_callbacks, exception_callbacks, func, *args, **kwargs
-    ):
-        start = monotonic_time()
-        txn_id = self._TXN_ID
-
-        # We don't really need these to be unique, so lets stop it from
-        # growing really large.
-        self._TXN_ID = (self._TXN_ID + 1) % (MAX_TXN_ID)
-
-        name = "%s-%x" % (desc, txn_id)
-
-        transaction_logger.debug("[TXN START] {%s}", name)
-
-        try:
-            i = 0
-            N = 5
-            while True:
-                cursor = LoggingTransaction(
-                    conn.cursor(),
-                    name,
-                    self.database_engine,
-                    after_callbacks,
-                    exception_callbacks,
-                )
-                try:
-                    r = func(cursor, *args, **kwargs)
-                    conn.commit()
-                    return r
-                except self.database_engine.module.OperationalError as e:
-                    # This can happen if the database disappears mid
-                    # transaction.
-                    logger.warning(
-                        "[TXN OPERROR] {%s} %s %d/%d",
-                        name,
-                        exception_to_unicode(e),
-                        i,
-                        N,
-                    )
-                    if i < N:
-                        i += 1
-                        try:
-                            conn.rollback()
-                        except self.database_engine.module.Error as e1:
-                            logger.warning(
-                                "[TXN EROLL] {%s} %s", name, exception_to_unicode(e1)
-                            )
-                        continue
-                    raise
-                except self.database_engine.module.DatabaseError as e:
-                    if self.database_engine.is_deadlock(e):
-                        logger.warning("[TXN DEADLOCK] {%s} %d/%d", name, i, N)
-                        if i < N:
-                            i += 1
-                            try:
-                                conn.rollback()
-                            except self.database_engine.module.Error as e1:
-                                logger.warning(
-                                    "[TXN EROLL] {%s} %s",
-                                    name,
-                                    exception_to_unicode(e1),
-                                )
-                            continue
-                    raise
-                finally:
-                    # we're either about to retry with a new cursor, or we're about to
-                    # release the connection. Once we release the connection, it could
-                    # get used for another query, which might do a conn.rollback().
-                    #
-                    # In the latter case, even though that probably wouldn't affect the
-                    # results of this transaction, python's sqlite will reset all
-                    # statements on the connection [1], which will make our cursor
-                    # invalid [2].
-                    #
-                    # In any case, continuing to read rows after commit()ing seems
-                    # dubious from the PoV of ACID transactional semantics
-                    # (sqlite explicitly says that once you commit, you may see rows
-                    # from subsequent updates.)
-                    #
-                    # In psycopg2, cursors are essentially a client-side fabrication -
-                    # all the data is transferred to the client side when the statement
-                    # finishes executing - so in theory we could go on streaming results
-                    # from the cursor, but attempting to do so would make us
-                    # incompatible with sqlite, so let's make sure we're not doing that
-                    # by closing the cursor.
-                    #
-                    # (*named* cursors in psycopg2 are different and are proper server-
-                    # side things, but (a) we don't use them and (b) they are implicitly
-                    # closed by ending the transaction anyway.)
-                    #
-                    # In short, if we haven't finished with the cursor yet, that's a
-                    # problem waiting to bite us.
-                    #
-                    # TL;DR: we're done with the cursor, so we can close it.
-                    #
-                    # [1]: https://github.com/python/cpython/blob/v3.8.0/Modules/_sqlite/connection.c#L465
-                    # [2]: https://github.com/python/cpython/blob/v3.8.0/Modules/_sqlite/cursor.c#L236
-                    cursor.close()
-        except Exception as e:
-            logger.debug("[TXN FAIL] {%s} %s", name, e)
-            raise
-        finally:
-            end = monotonic_time()
-            duration = end - start
-
-            LoggingContext.current_context().add_database_transaction(duration)
-
-            transaction_logger.debug("[TXN END] {%s} %f sec", name, duration)
-
-            self._current_txn_total_time += duration
-            self._txn_perf_counters.update(desc, duration)
-            sql_txn_timer.labels(desc).observe(duration)
-
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def runInteraction(self, desc, func, *args, **kwargs):
-        """Starts a transaction on the database and runs a given function
-
-        Arguments:
-            desc (str): description of the transaction, for logging and metrics
-            func (func): callback function, which will be called with a
-                database transaction (twisted.enterprise.adbapi.Transaction) as
-                its first argument, followed by `args` and `kwargs`.
-
-            args (list): positional args to pass to `func`
-            kwargs (dict): named args to pass to `func`
-
-        Returns:
-            Deferred: The result of func
-        """
-        after_callbacks = []
-        exception_callbacks = []
-
-        if LoggingContext.current_context() == LoggingContext.sentinel:
-            logger.warning("Starting db txn '%s' from sentinel context", desc)
-
-        try:
-            result = yield self.runWithConnection(
-                self.new_transaction,
-                desc,
-                after_callbacks,
-                exception_callbacks,
-                func,
-                *args,
-                **kwargs
-            )
-
-            for after_callback, after_args, after_kwargs in after_callbacks:
-                after_callback(*after_args, **after_kwargs)
-        except:  # noqa: E722, as we reraise the exception this is fine.
-            for after_callback, after_args, after_kwargs in exception_callbacks:
-                after_callback(*after_args, **after_kwargs)
-            raise
-
-        return result
-
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def runWithConnection(self, func, *args, **kwargs):
-        """Wraps the .runWithConnection() method on the underlying db_pool.
-
-        Arguments:
-            func (func): callback function, which will be called with a
-                database connection (twisted.enterprise.adbapi.Connection) as
-                its first argument, followed by `args` and `kwargs`.
-            args (list): positional args to pass to `func`
-            kwargs (dict): named args to pass to `func`
-
-        Returns:
-            Deferred: The result of func
-        """
-        parent_context = LoggingContext.current_context()
-        if parent_context == LoggingContext.sentinel:
-            logger.warning(
-                "Starting db connection from sentinel context: metrics will be lost"
-            )
-            parent_context = None
-
-        start_time = monotonic_time()
-
-        def inner_func(conn, *args, **kwargs):
-            with LoggingContext("runWithConnection", parent_context) as context:
-                sched_duration_sec = monotonic_time() - start_time
-                sql_scheduling_timer.observe(sched_duration_sec)
-                context.add_database_scheduled(sched_duration_sec)
-
-                if self.database_engine.is_connection_closed(conn):
-                    logger.debug("Reconnecting closed database connection")
-                    conn.reconnect()
-
-                return func(conn, *args, **kwargs)
-
-        result = yield make_deferred_yieldable(
-            self._db_pool.runWithConnection(inner_func, *args, **kwargs)
-        )
-
-        return result
-
-    @staticmethod
-    def cursor_to_dict(cursor):
-        """Converts a SQL cursor into an list of dicts.
-
-        Args:
-            cursor : The DBAPI cursor which has executed a query.
-        Returns:
-            A list of dicts where the key is the column header.
-        """
-        col_headers = list(intern(str(column[0])) for column in cursor.description)
-        results = list(dict(zip(col_headers, row)) for row in cursor)
-        return results
-
-    def execute(self, desc, decoder, query, *args):
-        """Runs a single query for a result set.
-
-        Args:
-            decoder - The function which can resolve the cursor results to
-                something meaningful.
-            query - The query string to execute
-            *args - Query args.
-        Returns:
-            The result of decoder(results)
-        """
-
-        def interaction(txn):
-            txn.execute(query, args)
-            if decoder:
-                return decoder(txn)
-            else:
-                return txn.fetchall()
-
-        return self.runInteraction(desc, interaction)
-
-    # "Simple" SQL API methods that operate on a single table with no JOINs,
-    # no complex WHERE clauses, just a dict of values for columns.
-
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def simple_insert(self, table, values, or_ignore=False, desc="simple_insert"):
-        """Executes an INSERT query on the named table.
-
-        Args:
-            table : string giving the table name
-            values : dict of new column names and values for them
-            or_ignore : bool stating whether an exception should be raised
-                when a conflicting row already exists. If True, False will be
-                returned by the function instead
-            desc : string giving a description of the transaction
-
-        Returns:
-            bool: Whether the row was inserted or not. Only useful when
-            `or_ignore` is True
-        """
-        try:
-            yield self.runInteraction(desc, self.simple_insert_txn, table, values)
-        except self.database_engine.module.IntegrityError:
-            # We have to do or_ignore flag at this layer, since we can't reuse
-            # a cursor after we receive an error from the db.
-            if not or_ignore:
-                raise
-            return False
-        return True
-
-    @staticmethod
-    def simple_insert_txn(txn, table, values):
-        keys, vals = zip(*values.items())
-
-        sql = "INSERT INTO %s (%s) VALUES(%s)" % (
-            table,
-            ", ".join(k for k in keys),
-            ", ".join("?" for _ in keys),
-        )
-
-        txn.execute(sql, vals)
-
-    def simple_insert_many(self, table, values, desc):
-        return self.runInteraction(desc, self.simple_insert_many_txn, table, values)
-
-    @staticmethod
-    def simple_insert_many_txn(txn, table, values):
-        if not values:
-            return
-
-        # This is a *slight* abomination to get a list of tuples of key names
-        # and a list of tuples of value names.
-        #
-        # i.e. [{"a": 1, "b": 2}, {"c": 3, "d": 4}]
-        #         => [("a", "b",), ("c", "d",)] and [(1, 2,), (3, 4,)]
-        #
-        # The sort is to ensure that we don't rely on dictionary iteration
-        # order.
-        keys, vals = zip(
-            *[zip(*(sorted(i.items(), key=lambda kv: kv[0]))) for i in values if i]
-        )
-
-        for k in keys:
-            if k != keys[0]:
-                raise RuntimeError("All items must have the same keys")
-
-        sql = "INSERT INTO %s (%s) VALUES(%s)" % (
-            table,
-            ", ".join(k for k in keys[0]),
-            ", ".join("?" for _ in keys[0]),
-        )
-
-        txn.executemany(sql, vals)
-
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def simple_upsert(
-        self,
-        table,
-        keyvalues,
-        values,
-        insertion_values={},
-        desc="simple_upsert",
-        lock=True,
-    ):
-        """
-
-        `lock` should generally be set to True (the default), but can be set
-        to False if either of the following are true:
-
-        * there is a UNIQUE INDEX on the key columns. In this case a conflict
-          will cause an IntegrityError in which case this function will retry
-          the update.
-
-        * we somehow know that we are the only thread which will be updating
-          this table.
-
-        Args:
-            table (str): The table to upsert into
-            keyvalues (dict): The unique key columns and their new values
-            values (dict): The nonunique columns and their new values
-            insertion_values (dict): additional key/values to use only when
-                inserting
-            lock (bool): True to lock the table when doing the upsert.
-        Returns:
-            Deferred(None or bool): Native upserts always return None. Emulated
-            upserts return True if a new entry was created, False if an existing
-            one was updated.
-        """
-        attempts = 0
-        while True:
-            try:
-                result = yield self.runInteraction(
-                    desc,
-                    self.simple_upsert_txn,
-                    table,
-                    keyvalues,
-                    values,
-                    insertion_values,
-                    lock=lock,
-                )
-                return result
-            except self.database_engine.module.IntegrityError as e:
-                attempts += 1
-                if attempts >= 5:
-                    # don't retry forever, because things other than races
-                    # can cause IntegrityErrors
-                    raise
-
-                # presumably we raced with another transaction: let's retry.
-                logger.warning(
-                    "IntegrityError when upserting into %s; retrying: %s", table, e
-                )
-
-    def simple_upsert_txn(
-        self, txn, table, keyvalues, values, insertion_values={}, lock=True
-    ):
-        """
-        Pick the UPSERT method which works best on the platform. Either the
-        native one (Pg9.5+, recent SQLites), or fall back to an emulated method.
-
-        Args:
-            txn: The transaction to use.
-            table (str): The table to upsert into
-            keyvalues (dict): The unique key tables and their new values
-            values (dict): The nonunique columns and their new values
-            insertion_values (dict): additional key/values to use only when
-                inserting
-            lock (bool): True to lock the table when doing the upsert.
-        Returns:
-            None or bool: Native upserts always return None. Emulated
-            upserts return True if a new entry was created, False if an existing
-            one was updated.
-        """
-        if (
-            self.database_engine.can_native_upsert
-            and table not in self._unsafe_to_upsert_tables
-        ):
-            return self.simple_upsert_txn_native_upsert(
-                txn, table, keyvalues, values, insertion_values=insertion_values
-            )
-        else:
-            return self.simple_upsert_txn_emulated(
-                txn,
-                table,
-                keyvalues,
-                values,
-                insertion_values=insertion_values,
-                lock=lock,
-            )
-
-    def simple_upsert_txn_emulated(
-        self, txn, table, keyvalues, values, insertion_values={}, lock=True
-    ):
-        """
-        Args:
-            table (str): The table to upsert into
-            keyvalues (dict): The unique key tables and their new values
-            values (dict): The nonunique columns and their new values
-            insertion_values (dict): additional key/values to use only when
-                inserting
-            lock (bool): True to lock the table when doing the upsert.
-        Returns:
-            bool: Return True if a new entry was created, False if an existing
-            one was updated.
-        """
-        # We need to lock the table :(, unless we're *really* careful
-        if lock:
-            self.database_engine.lock_table(txn, table)
-
-        def _getwhere(key):
-            # If the value we're passing in is None (aka NULL), we need to use
-            # IS, not =, as NULL = NULL equals NULL (False).
-            if keyvalues[key] is None:
-                return "%s IS ?" % (key,)
-            else:
-                return "%s = ?" % (key,)
-
-        if not values:
-            # If `values` is empty, then all of the values we care about are in
-            # the unique key, so there is nothing to UPDATE. We can just do a
-            # SELECT instead to see if it exists.
-            sql = "SELECT 1 FROM %s WHERE %s" % (
-                table,
-                " AND ".join(_getwhere(k) for k in keyvalues),
-            )
-            sqlargs = list(keyvalues.values())
-            txn.execute(sql, sqlargs)
-            if txn.fetchall():
-                # We have an existing record.
-                return False
-        else:
-            # First try to update.
-            sql = "UPDATE %s SET %s WHERE %s" % (
-                table,
-                ", ".join("%s = ?" % (k,) for k in values),
-                " AND ".join(_getwhere(k) for k in keyvalues),
-            )
-            sqlargs = list(values.values()) + list(keyvalues.values())
-
-            txn.execute(sql, sqlargs)
-            if txn.rowcount > 0:
-                # successfully updated at least one row.
-                return False
-
-        # We didn't find any existing rows, so insert a new one
-        allvalues = {}
-        allvalues.update(keyvalues)
-        allvalues.update(values)
-        allvalues.update(insertion_values)
-
-        sql = "INSERT INTO %s (%s) VALUES (%s)" % (
-            table,
-            ", ".join(k for k in allvalues),
-            ", ".join("?" for _ in allvalues),
-        )
-        txn.execute(sql, list(allvalues.values()))
-        # successfully inserted
-        return True
-
-    def simple_upsert_txn_native_upsert(
-        self, txn, table, keyvalues, values, insertion_values={}
-    ):
-        """
-        Use the native UPSERT functionality in recent PostgreSQL versions.
-
-        Args:
-            table (str): The table to upsert into
-            keyvalues (dict): The unique key tables and their new values
-            values (dict): The nonunique columns and their new values
-            insertion_values (dict): additional key/values to use only when
-                inserting
-        Returns:
-            None
-        """
-        allvalues = {}
-        allvalues.update(keyvalues)
-        allvalues.update(insertion_values)
-
-        if not values:
-            latter = "NOTHING"
-        else:
-            allvalues.update(values)
-            latter = "UPDATE SET " + ", ".join(k + "=EXCLUDED." + k for k in values)
-
-        sql = ("INSERT INTO %s (%s) VALUES (%s) ON CONFLICT (%s) DO %s") % (
-            table,
-            ", ".join(k for k in allvalues),
-            ", ".join("?" for _ in allvalues),
-            ", ".join(k for k in keyvalues),
-            latter,
-        )
-        txn.execute(sql, list(allvalues.values()))
-
-    def simple_upsert_many_txn(
-        self, txn, table, key_names, key_values, value_names, value_values
-    ):
-        """
-        Upsert, many times.
-
-        Args:
-            table (str): The table to upsert into
-            key_names (list[str]): The key column names.
-            key_values (list[list]): A list of each row's key column values.
-            value_names (list[str]): The value column names. If empty, no
-                values will be used, even if value_values is provided.
-            value_values (list[list]): A list of each row's value column values.
-        Returns:
-            None
-        """
-        if (
-            self.database_engine.can_native_upsert
-            and table not in self._unsafe_to_upsert_tables
-        ):
-            return self.simple_upsert_many_txn_native_upsert(
-                txn, table, key_names, key_values, value_names, value_values
-            )
-        else:
-            return self.simple_upsert_many_txn_emulated(
-                txn, table, key_names, key_values, value_names, value_values
-            )
-
-    def simple_upsert_many_txn_emulated(
-        self, txn, table, key_names, key_values, value_names, value_values
-    ):
-        """
-        Upsert, many times, but without native UPSERT support or batching.
-
-        Args:
-            table (str): The table to upsert into
-            key_names (list[str]): The key column names.
-            key_values (list[list]): A list of each row's key column values.
-            value_names (list[str]): The value column names. If empty, no
-                values will be used, even if value_values is provided.
-            value_values (list[list]): A list of each row's value column values.
-        Returns:
-            None
-        """
-        # No value columns, therefore make a blank list so that the following
-        # zip() works correctly.
-        if not value_names:
-            value_values = [() for x in range(len(key_values))]
-
-        for keyv, valv in zip(key_values, value_values):
-            _keys = {x: y for x, y in zip(key_names, keyv)}
-            _vals = {x: y for x, y in zip(value_names, valv)}
-
-            self.simple_upsert_txn_emulated(txn, table, _keys, _vals)
-
-    def simple_upsert_many_txn_native_upsert(
-        self, txn, table, key_names, key_values, value_names, value_values
-    ):
-        """
-        Upsert, many times, using batching where possible.
-
-        Args:
-            table (str): The table to upsert into
-            key_names (list[str]): The key column names.
-            key_values (list[list]): A list of each row's key column values.
-            value_names (list[str]): The value column names. If empty, no
-                values will be used, even if value_values is provided.
-            value_values (list[list]): A list of each row's value column values.
-        Returns:
-            None
-        """
-        allnames = []
-        allnames.extend(key_names)
-        allnames.extend(value_names)
-
-        if not value_names:
-            # No value columns, therefore make a blank list so that the
-            # following zip() works correctly.
-            latter = "NOTHING"
-            value_values = [() for x in range(len(key_values))]
-        else:
-            latter = "UPDATE SET " + ", ".join(
-                k + "=EXCLUDED." + k for k in value_names
-            )
-
-        sql = "INSERT INTO %s (%s) VALUES (%s) ON CONFLICT (%s) DO %s" % (
-            table,
-            ", ".join(k for k in allnames),
-            ", ".join("?" for _ in allnames),
-            ", ".join(key_names),
-            latter,
-        )
-
-        args = []
-
-        for x, y in zip(key_values, value_values):
-            args.append(tuple(x) + tuple(y))
-
-        return txn.execute_batch(sql, args)
-
-    def simple_select_one(
-        self, table, keyvalues, retcols, allow_none=False, desc="simple_select_one"
-    ):
-        """Executes a SELECT query on the named table, which is expected to
-        return a single row, returning multiple columns from it.
-
-        Args:
-            table : string giving the table name
-            keyvalues : dict of column names and values to select the row with
-            retcols : list of strings giving the names of the columns to return
-
-            allow_none : If true, return None instead of failing if the SELECT
-              statement returns no rows
-        """
-        return self.runInteraction(
-            desc, self.simple_select_one_txn, table, keyvalues, retcols, allow_none
-        )
-
-    def simple_select_one_onecol(
-        self,
-        table,
-        keyvalues,
-        retcol,
-        allow_none=False,
-        desc="simple_select_one_onecol",
-    ):
-        """Executes a SELECT query on the named table, which is expected to
-        return a single row, returning a single column from it.
-
-        Args:
-            table : string giving the table name
-            keyvalues : dict of column names and values to select the row with
-            retcol : string giving the name of the column to return
-        """
-        return self.runInteraction(
-            desc,
-            self.simple_select_one_onecol_txn,
-            table,
-            keyvalues,
-            retcol,
-            allow_none=allow_none,
-        )
-
-    @classmethod
-    def simple_select_one_onecol_txn(
-        cls, txn, table, keyvalues, retcol, allow_none=False
-    ):
-        ret = cls.simple_select_onecol_txn(
-            txn, table=table, keyvalues=keyvalues, retcol=retcol
-        )
-
-        if ret:
-            return ret[0]
-        else:
-            if allow_none:
-                return None
-            else:
-                raise StoreError(404, "No row found")
-
-    @staticmethod
-    def simple_select_onecol_txn(txn, table, keyvalues, retcol):
-        sql = ("SELECT %(retcol)s FROM %(table)s") % {"retcol": retcol, "table": table}
-
-        if keyvalues:
-            sql += " WHERE %s" % " AND ".join("%s = ?" % k for k in iterkeys(keyvalues))
-            txn.execute(sql, list(keyvalues.values()))
-        else:
-            txn.execute(sql)
-
-        return [r[0] for r in txn]
-
-    def simple_select_onecol(
-        self, table, keyvalues, retcol, desc="simple_select_onecol"
-    ):
-        """Executes a SELECT query on the named table, which returns a list
-        comprising of the values of the named column from the selected rows.
-
-        Args:
-            table (str): table name
-            keyvalues (dict|None): column names and values to select the rows with
-            retcol (str): column whos value we wish to retrieve.
-
-        Returns:
-            Deferred: Results in a list
-        """
-        return self.runInteraction(
-            desc, self.simple_select_onecol_txn, table, keyvalues, retcol
-        )
-
-    def simple_select_list(self, table, keyvalues, retcols, desc="simple_select_list"):
-        """Executes a SELECT query on the named table, which may return zero or
-        more rows, returning the result as a list of dicts.
-
-        Args:
-            table (str): the table name
-            keyvalues (dict[str, Any] | None):
-                column names and values to select the rows with, or None to not
-                apply a WHERE clause.
-            retcols (iterable[str]): the names of the columns to return
-        Returns:
-            defer.Deferred: resolves to list[dict[str, Any]]
-        """
-        return self.runInteraction(
-            desc, self.simple_select_list_txn, table, keyvalues, retcols
-        )
-
-    @classmethod
-    def simple_select_list_txn(cls, txn, table, keyvalues, retcols):
-        """Executes a SELECT query on the named table, which may return zero or
-        more rows, returning the result as a list of dicts.
-
-        Args:
-            txn : Transaction object
-            table (str): the table name
-            keyvalues (dict[str, T] | None):
-                column names and values to select the rows with, or None to not
-                apply a WHERE clause.
-            retcols (iterable[str]): the names of the columns to return
-        """
-        if keyvalues:
-            sql = "SELECT %s FROM %s WHERE %s" % (
-                ", ".join(retcols),
-                table,
-                " AND ".join("%s = ?" % (k,) for k in keyvalues),
-            )
-            txn.execute(sql, list(keyvalues.values()))
-        else:
-            sql = "SELECT %s FROM %s" % (", ".join(retcols), table)
-            txn.execute(sql)
-
-        return cls.cursor_to_dict(txn)
-
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def simple_select_many_batch(
-        self,
-        table,
-        column,
-        iterable,
-        retcols,
-        keyvalues={},
-        desc="simple_select_many_batch",
-        batch_size=100,
-    ):
-        """Executes a SELECT query on the named table, which may return zero or
-        more rows, returning the result as a list of dicts.
-
-        Filters rows by if value of `column` is in `iterable`.
-
-        Args:
-            table : string giving the table name
-            column : column name to test for inclusion against `iterable`
-            iterable : list
-            keyvalues : dict of column names and values to select the rows with
-            retcols : list of strings giving the names of the columns to return
-        """
-        results = []
-
-        if not iterable:
-            return results
-
-        # iterables can not be sliced, so convert it to a list first
-        it_list = list(iterable)
-
-        chunks = [
-            it_list[i : i + batch_size] for i in range(0, len(it_list), batch_size)
-        ]
-        for chunk in chunks:
-            rows = yield self.runInteraction(
-                desc,
-                self.simple_select_many_txn,
-                table,
-                column,
-                chunk,
-                keyvalues,
-                retcols,
-            )
-
-            results.extend(rows)
-
-        return results
-
-    @classmethod
-    def simple_select_many_txn(cls, txn, table, column, iterable, keyvalues, retcols):
-        """Executes a SELECT query on the named table, which may return zero or
-        more rows, returning the result as a list of dicts.
-
-        Filters rows by if value of `column` is in `iterable`.
-
-        Args:
-            txn : Transaction object
-            table : string giving the table name
-            column : column name to test for inclusion against `iterable`
-            iterable : list
-            keyvalues : dict of column names and values to select the rows with
-            retcols : list of strings giving the names of the columns to return
-        """
-        if not iterable:
-            return []
-
-        clause, values = make_in_list_sql_clause(txn.database_engine, column, iterable)
-        clauses = [clause]
-
-        for key, value in iteritems(keyvalues):
-            clauses.append("%s = ?" % (key,))
-            values.append(value)
-
-        sql = "SELECT %s FROM %s WHERE %s" % (
-            ", ".join(retcols),
-            table,
-            " AND ".join(clauses),
-        )
-
-        txn.execute(sql, values)
-        return cls.cursor_to_dict(txn)
-
-    def simple_update(self, table, keyvalues, updatevalues, desc):
-        return self.runInteraction(
-            desc, self.simple_update_txn, table, keyvalues, updatevalues
-        )
-
-    @staticmethod
-    def simple_update_txn(txn, table, keyvalues, updatevalues):
-        if keyvalues:
-            where = "WHERE %s" % " AND ".join("%s = ?" % k for k in iterkeys(keyvalues))
-        else:
-            where = ""
-
-        update_sql = "UPDATE %s SET %s %s" % (
-            table,
-            ", ".join("%s = ?" % (k,) for k in updatevalues),
-            where,
-        )
-
-        txn.execute(update_sql, list(updatevalues.values()) + list(keyvalues.values()))
-
-        return txn.rowcount
-
-    def simple_update_one(
-        self, table, keyvalues, updatevalues, desc="simple_update_one"
-    ):
-        """Executes an UPDATE query on the named table, setting new values for
-        columns in a row matching the key values.
-
-        Args:
-            table : string giving the table name
-            keyvalues : dict of column names and values to select the row with
-            updatevalues : dict giving column names and values to update
-            retcols : optional list of column names to return
-
-        If present, retcols gives a list of column names on which to perform
-        a SELECT statement *before* performing the UPDATE statement. The values
-        of these will be returned in a dict.
-
-        These are performed within the same transaction, allowing an atomic
-        get-and-set.  This can be used to implement compare-and-set by putting
-        the update column in the 'keyvalues' dict as well.
-        """
-        return self.runInteraction(
-            desc, self.simple_update_one_txn, table, keyvalues, updatevalues
-        )
-
-    @classmethod
-    def simple_update_one_txn(cls, txn, table, keyvalues, updatevalues):
-        rowcount = cls.simple_update_txn(txn, table, keyvalues, updatevalues)
-
-        if rowcount == 0:
-            raise StoreError(404, "No row found (%s)" % (table,))
-        if rowcount > 1:
-            raise StoreError(500, "More than one row matched (%s)" % (table,))
-
-    @staticmethod
-    def simple_select_one_txn(txn, table, keyvalues, retcols, allow_none=False):
-        select_sql = "SELECT %s FROM %s WHERE %s" % (
-            ", ".join(retcols),
-            table,
-            " AND ".join("%s = ?" % (k,) for k in keyvalues),
-        )
-
-        txn.execute(select_sql, list(keyvalues.values()))
-        row = txn.fetchone()
-
-        if not row:
-            if allow_none:
-                return None
-            raise StoreError(404, "No row found (%s)" % (table,))
-        if txn.rowcount > 1:
-            raise StoreError(500, "More than one row matched (%s)" % (table,))
-
-        return dict(zip(retcols, row))
-
-    def simple_delete_one(self, table, keyvalues, desc="simple_delete_one"):
-        """Executes a DELETE query on the named table, expecting to delete a
-        single row.
-
-        Args:
-            table : string giving the table name
-            keyvalues : dict of column names and values to select the row with
-        """
-        return self.runInteraction(desc, self.simple_delete_one_txn, table, keyvalues)
-
-    @staticmethod
-    def simple_delete_one_txn(txn, table, keyvalues):
-        """Executes a DELETE query on the named table, expecting to delete a
-        single row.
-
-        Args:
-            table : string giving the table name
-            keyvalues : dict of column names and values to select the row with
-        """
-        sql = "DELETE FROM %s WHERE %s" % (
-            table,
-            " AND ".join("%s = ?" % (k,) for k in keyvalues),
-        )
-
-        txn.execute(sql, list(keyvalues.values()))
-        if txn.rowcount == 0:
-            raise StoreError(404, "No row found (%s)" % (table,))
-        if txn.rowcount > 1:
-            raise StoreError(500, "More than one row matched (%s)" % (table,))
-
-    def simple_delete(self, table, keyvalues, desc):
-        return self.runInteraction(desc, self.simple_delete_txn, table, keyvalues)
-
-    @staticmethod
-    def simple_delete_txn(txn, table, keyvalues):
-        sql = "DELETE FROM %s WHERE %s" % (
-            table,
-            " AND ".join("%s = ?" % (k,) for k in keyvalues),
-        )
-
-        txn.execute(sql, list(keyvalues.values()))
-        return txn.rowcount
-
-    def simple_delete_many(self, table, column, iterable, keyvalues, desc):
-        return self.runInteraction(
-            desc, self.simple_delete_many_txn, table, column, iterable, keyvalues
-        )
-
-    @staticmethod
-    def simple_delete_many_txn(txn, table, column, iterable, keyvalues):
-        """Executes a DELETE query on the named table.
-
-        Filters rows by if value of `column` is in `iterable`.
-
-        Args:
-            txn : Transaction object
-            table : string giving the table name
-            column : column name to test for inclusion against `iterable`
-            iterable : list
-            keyvalues : dict of column names and values to select the rows with
-
-        Returns:
-            int: Number rows deleted
-        """
-        if not iterable:
-            return 0
-
-        sql = "DELETE FROM %s" % table
-
-        clause, values = make_in_list_sql_clause(txn.database_engine, column, iterable)
-        clauses = [clause]
-
-        for key, value in iteritems(keyvalues):
-            clauses.append("%s = ?" % (key,))
-            values.append(value)
-
-        if clauses:
-            sql = "%s WHERE %s" % (sql, " AND ".join(clauses))
-        txn.execute(sql, values)
-
-        return txn.rowcount
-
-    def get_cache_dict(
-        self, db_conn, table, entity_column, stream_column, max_value, limit=100000
-    ):
-        # Fetch a mapping of room_id -> max stream position for "recent" rooms.
-        # It doesn't really matter how many we get, the StreamChangeCache will
-        # do the right thing to ensure it respects the max size of cache.
-        sql = (
-            "SELECT %(entity)s, MAX(%(stream)s) FROM %(table)s"
-            " WHERE %(stream)s > ? - %(limit)s"
-            " GROUP BY %(entity)s"
-        ) % {
-            "table": table,
-            "entity": entity_column,
-            "stream": stream_column,
-            "limit": limit,
-        }
-
-        sql = self.database_engine.convert_param_style(sql)
-
-        txn = db_conn.cursor()
-        txn.execute(sql, (int(max_value),))
-
-        cache = {row[0]: int(row[1]) for row in txn}
-
-        txn.close()
-
-        if cache:
-            min_val = min(itervalues(cache))
-        else:
-            min_val = max_value
-
-        return cache, min_val
-
     def _invalidate_state_caches(self, room_id, members_changed):
         """Invalidates caches that are based on the current state, but does
         not stream invalidations down replication.
@@ -1347,165 +77,6 @@ class SQLBaseStore(object):
             # which is fine.
             pass
 
-    def simple_select_list_paginate(
-        self,
-        table,
-        orderby,
-        start,
-        limit,
-        retcols,
-        filters=None,
-        keyvalues=None,
-        order_direction="ASC",
-        desc="simple_select_list_paginate",
-    ):
-        """
-        Executes a SELECT query on the named table with start and limit,
-        of row numbers, which may return zero or number of rows from start to limit,
-        returning the result as a list of dicts.
-
-        Args:
-            table (str): the table name
-            filters (dict[str, T] | None):
-                column names and values to filter the rows with, or None to not
-                apply a WHERE ? LIKE ? clause.
-            keyvalues (dict[str, T] | None):
-                column names and values to select the rows with, or None to not
-                apply a WHERE clause.
-            orderby (str): Column to order the results by.
-            start (int): Index to begin the query at.
-            limit (int): Number of results to return.
-            retcols (iterable[str]): the names of the columns to return
-            order_direction (str): Whether the results should be ordered "ASC" or "DESC".
-        Returns:
-            defer.Deferred: resolves to list[dict[str, Any]]
-        """
-        return self.runInteraction(
-            desc,
-            self.simple_select_list_paginate_txn,
-            table,
-            orderby,
-            start,
-            limit,
-            retcols,
-            filters=filters,
-            keyvalues=keyvalues,
-            order_direction=order_direction,
-        )
-
-    @classmethod
-    def simple_select_list_paginate_txn(
-        cls,
-        txn,
-        table,
-        orderby,
-        start,
-        limit,
-        retcols,
-        filters=None,
-        keyvalues=None,
-        order_direction="ASC",
-    ):
-        """
-        Executes a SELECT query on the named table with start and limit,
-        of row numbers, which may return zero or number of rows from start to limit,
-        returning the result as a list of dicts.
-
-        Use `filters` to search attributes using SQL wildcards and/or `keyvalues` to
-        select attributes with exact matches. All constraints are joined together
-        using 'AND'.
-
-        Args:
-            txn : Transaction object
-            table (str): the table name
-            orderby (str): Column to order the results by.
-            start (int): Index to begin the query at.
-            limit (int): Number of results to return.
-            retcols (iterable[str]): the names of the columns to return
-            filters (dict[str, T] | None):
-                column names and values to filter the rows with, or None to not
-                apply a WHERE ? LIKE ? clause.
-            keyvalues (dict[str, T] | None):
-                column names and values to select the rows with, or None to not
-                apply a WHERE clause.
-            order_direction (str): Whether the results should be ordered "ASC" or "DESC".
-        Returns:
-            defer.Deferred: resolves to list[dict[str, Any]]
-        """
-        if order_direction not in ["ASC", "DESC"]:
-            raise ValueError("order_direction must be one of 'ASC' or 'DESC'.")
-
-        where_clause = "WHERE " if filters or keyvalues else ""
-        arg_list = []
-        if filters:
-            where_clause += " AND ".join("%s LIKE ?" % (k,) for k in filters)
-            arg_list += list(filters.values())
-        where_clause += " AND " if filters and keyvalues else ""
-        if keyvalues:
-            where_clause += " AND ".join("%s = ?" % (k,) for k in keyvalues)
-            arg_list += list(keyvalues.values())
-
-        sql = "SELECT %s FROM %s %s ORDER BY %s %s LIMIT ? OFFSET ?" % (
-            ", ".join(retcols),
-            table,
-            where_clause,
-            orderby,
-            order_direction,
-        )
-        txn.execute(sql, arg_list + [limit, start])
-
-        return cls.cursor_to_dict(txn)
-
-    def simple_search_list(self, table, term, col, retcols, desc="simple_search_list"):
-        """Executes a SELECT query on the named table, which may return zero or
-        more rows, returning the result as a list of dicts.
-
-        Args:
-            table (str): the table name
-            term (str | None):
-                term for searching the table matched to a column.
-            col (str): column to query term should be matched to
-            retcols (iterable[str]): the names of the columns to return
-        Returns:
-            defer.Deferred: resolves to list[dict[str, Any]] or None
-        """
-
-        return self.runInteraction(
-            desc, self.simple_search_list_txn, table, term, col, retcols
-        )
-
-    @classmethod
-    def simple_search_list_txn(cls, txn, table, term, col, retcols):
-        """Executes a SELECT query on the named table, which may return zero or
-        more rows, returning the result as a list of dicts.
-
-        Args:
-            txn : Transaction object
-            table (str): the table name
-            term (str | None):
-                term for searching the table matched to a column.
-            col (str): column to query term should be matched to
-            retcols (iterable[str]): the names of the columns to return
-        Returns:
-            defer.Deferred: resolves to list[dict[str, Any]] or None
-        """
-        if term:
-            sql = "SELECT %s FROM %s WHERE %s LIKE ?" % (", ".join(retcols), table, col)
-            termvalues = ["%%" + term + "%%"]
-            txn.execute(sql, termvalues)
-        else:
-            return 0
-
-        return cls.cursor_to_dict(txn)
-
-
-class _RollbackButIsFineException(Exception):
-    """ This exception is used to rollback a transaction without implying
-    something went wrong.
-    """
-
-    pass
-
 
 def db_to_json(db_content):
     """
@@ -1534,30 +105,3 @@ def db_to_json(db_content):
     except Exception:
         logging.warning("Tried to decode '%r' as JSON and failed", db_content)
         raise
-
-
-def make_in_list_sql_clause(
-    database_engine, column: str, iterable: Iterable
-) -> Tuple[str, Iterable]:
-    """Returns an SQL clause that checks the given column is in the iterable.
-
-    On SQLite this expands to `column IN (?, ?, ...)`, whereas on Postgres
-    it expands to `column = ANY(?)`. While both DBs support the `IN` form,
-    using the `ANY` form on postgres means that it views queries with
-    different length iterables as the same, helping the query stats.
-
-    Args:
-        database_engine
-        column: Name of the column
-        iterable: The values to check the column against.
-
-    Returns:
-        A tuple of SQL query and the args
-    """
-
-    if database_engine.supports_using_any_list:
-        # This should hopefully be faster, but also makes postgres query
-        # stats easier to understand.
-        return "%s = ANY(?)" % (column,), [list(iterable)]
-    else:
-        return "%s IN (%s)" % (column, ",".join("?" for _ in iterable)), list(iterable)
diff --git a/synapse/storage/background_updates.py b/synapse/storage/background_updates.py
index 06955a0537..a9a13a2658 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/background_updates.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/background_updates.py
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@ from twisted.internet import defer
 from synapse.metrics.background_process_metrics import run_as_background_process
 
 from . import engines
-from ._base import SQLBaseStore
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -74,7 +73,7 @@ class BackgroundUpdatePerformance(object):
             return float(self.total_item_count) / float(self.total_duration_ms)
 
 
-class BackgroundUpdateStore(SQLBaseStore):
+class BackgroundUpdater(object):
     """ Background updates are updates to the database that run in the
     background. Each update processes a batch of data at once. We attempt to
     limit the impact of each update by monitoring how long each batch takes to
@@ -86,8 +85,10 @@ class BackgroundUpdateStore(SQLBaseStore):
     BACKGROUND_UPDATE_INTERVAL_MS = 1000
     BACKGROUND_UPDATE_DURATION_MS = 100
 
-    def __init__(self, db_conn, hs):
-        super(BackgroundUpdateStore, self).__init__(db_conn, hs)
+    def __init__(self, hs, database):
+        self._clock = hs.get_clock()
+        self.db = database
+
         self._background_update_performance = {}
         self._background_update_queue = []
         self._background_update_handlers = {}
@@ -101,9 +102,7 @@ class BackgroundUpdateStore(SQLBaseStore):
         logger.info("Starting background schema updates")
         while True:
             if sleep:
-                yield self.hs.get_clock().sleep(
-                    self.BACKGROUND_UPDATE_INTERVAL_MS / 1000.0
-                )
+                yield self._clock.sleep(self.BACKGROUND_UPDATE_INTERVAL_MS / 1000.0)
 
             try:
                 result = yield self.do_next_background_update(
@@ -139,7 +138,7 @@ class BackgroundUpdateStore(SQLBaseStore):
         # otherwise, check if there are updates to be run. This is important,
         # as we may be running on a worker which doesn't perform the bg updates
         # itself, but still wants to wait for them to happen.
-        updates = yield self.simple_select_onecol(
+        updates = yield self.db.simple_select_onecol(
             "background_updates",
             keyvalues=None,
             retcol="1",
@@ -161,7 +160,7 @@ class BackgroundUpdateStore(SQLBaseStore):
         if update_name in self._background_update_queue:
             return False
 
-        update_exists = await self.simple_select_one_onecol(
+        update_exists = await self.db.simple_select_one_onecol(
             "background_updates",
             keyvalues={"update_name": update_name},
             retcol="1",
@@ -184,7 +183,7 @@ class BackgroundUpdateStore(SQLBaseStore):
             no more work to do.
         """
         if not self._background_update_queue:
-            updates = yield self.simple_select_list(
+            updates = yield self.db.simple_select_list(
                 "background_updates",
                 keyvalues=None,
                 retcols=("update_name", "depends_on"),
@@ -226,7 +225,7 @@ class BackgroundUpdateStore(SQLBaseStore):
         else:
             batch_size = self.DEFAULT_BACKGROUND_BATCH_SIZE
 
-        progress_json = yield self.simple_select_one_onecol(
+        progress_json = yield self.db.simple_select_one_onecol(
             "background_updates",
             keyvalues={"update_name": update_name},
             retcol="progress_json",
@@ -380,7 +379,7 @@ class BackgroundUpdateStore(SQLBaseStore):
             logger.debug("[SQL] %s", sql)
             c.execute(sql)
 
-        if isinstance(self.database_engine, engines.PostgresEngine):
+        if isinstance(self.db.database_engine, engines.PostgresEngine):
             runner = create_index_psql
         elif psql_only:
             runner = None
@@ -391,7 +390,7 @@ class BackgroundUpdateStore(SQLBaseStore):
         def updater(progress, batch_size):
             if runner is not None:
                 logger.info("Adding index %s to %s", index_name, table)
-                yield self.runWithConnection(runner)
+                yield self.db.runWithConnection(runner)
             yield self._end_background_update(update_name)
             return 1
 
@@ -413,7 +412,7 @@ class BackgroundUpdateStore(SQLBaseStore):
         self._background_update_queue = []
         progress_json = json.dumps(progress)
 
-        return self.simple_insert(
+        return self.db.simple_insert(
             "background_updates",
             {"update_name": update_name, "progress_json": progress_json},
         )
@@ -429,7 +428,7 @@ class BackgroundUpdateStore(SQLBaseStore):
         self._background_update_queue = [
             name for name in self._background_update_queue if name != update_name
         ]
-        return self.simple_delete_one(
+        return self.db.simple_delete_one(
             "background_updates", keyvalues={"update_name": update_name}
         )
 
@@ -444,7 +443,7 @@ class BackgroundUpdateStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
         progress_json = json.dumps(progress)
 
-        self.simple_update_one_txn(
+        self.db.simple_update_one_txn(
             txn,
             "background_updates",
             keyvalues={"update_name": update_name},
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/__init__.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/__init__.py
index 3720ff3088..6adb8adb04 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/__init__.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/__init__.py
@@ -169,9 +169,11 @@ class DataStore(
         else:
             self._cache_id_gen = None
 
+        super(DataStore, self).__init__(db_conn, hs)
+
         self._presence_on_startup = self._get_active_presence(db_conn)
 
-        presence_cache_prefill, min_presence_val = self.get_cache_dict(
+        presence_cache_prefill, min_presence_val = self.db.get_cache_dict(
             db_conn,
             "presence_stream",
             entity_column="user_id",
@@ -185,7 +187,7 @@ class DataStore(
         )
 
         max_device_inbox_id = self._device_inbox_id_gen.get_current_token()
-        device_inbox_prefill, min_device_inbox_id = self.get_cache_dict(
+        device_inbox_prefill, min_device_inbox_id = self.db.get_cache_dict(
             db_conn,
             "device_inbox",
             entity_column="user_id",
@@ -200,7 +202,7 @@ class DataStore(
         )
         # The federation outbox and the local device inbox uses the same
         # stream_id generator.
-        device_outbox_prefill, min_device_outbox_id = self.get_cache_dict(
+        device_outbox_prefill, min_device_outbox_id = self.db.get_cache_dict(
             db_conn,
             "device_federation_outbox",
             entity_column="destination",
@@ -226,7 +228,7 @@ class DataStore(
         )
 
         events_max = self._stream_id_gen.get_current_token()
-        curr_state_delta_prefill, min_curr_state_delta_id = self.get_cache_dict(
+        curr_state_delta_prefill, min_curr_state_delta_id = self.db.get_cache_dict(
             db_conn,
             "current_state_delta_stream",
             entity_column="room_id",
@@ -240,7 +242,7 @@ class DataStore(
             prefilled_cache=curr_state_delta_prefill,
         )
 
-        _group_updates_prefill, min_group_updates_id = self.get_cache_dict(
+        _group_updates_prefill, min_group_updates_id = self.db.get_cache_dict(
             db_conn,
             "local_group_updates",
             entity_column="user_id",
@@ -260,8 +262,6 @@ class DataStore(
         # Used in _generate_user_daily_visits to keep track of progress
         self._last_user_visit_update = self._get_start_of_day()
 
-        super(DataStore, self).__init__(db_conn, hs)
-
     def take_presence_startup_info(self):
         active_on_startup = self._presence_on_startup
         self._presence_on_startup = None
@@ -281,7 +281,7 @@ class DataStore(
 
         txn = db_conn.cursor()
         txn.execute(sql, (PresenceState.OFFLINE,))
-        rows = self.cursor_to_dict(txn)
+        rows = self.db.cursor_to_dict(txn)
         txn.close()
 
         for row in rows:
@@ -294,7 +294,7 @@ class DataStore(
         Counts the number of users who used this homeserver in the last 24 hours.
         """
         yesterday = int(self._clock.time_msec()) - (1000 * 60 * 60 * 24)
-        return self.runInteraction("count_daily_users", self._count_users, yesterday)
+        return self.db.runInteraction("count_daily_users", self._count_users, yesterday)
 
     def count_monthly_users(self):
         """
@@ -304,7 +304,7 @@ class DataStore(
         amongst other things, includes a 3 day grace period before a user counts.
         """
         thirty_days_ago = int(self._clock.time_msec()) - (1000 * 60 * 60 * 24 * 30)
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "count_monthly_users", self._count_users, thirty_days_ago
         )
 
@@ -404,7 +404,7 @@ class DataStore(
 
             return results
 
-        return self.runInteraction("count_r30_users", _count_r30_users)
+        return self.db.runInteraction("count_r30_users", _count_r30_users)
 
     def _get_start_of_day(self):
         """
@@ -469,7 +469,7 @@ class DataStore(
             # frequently
             self._last_user_visit_update = now
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "generate_user_daily_visits", _generate_user_daily_visits
         )
 
@@ -480,7 +480,7 @@ class DataStore(
         Returns:
             defer.Deferred: resolves to list[dict[str, Any]]
         """
-        return self.simple_select_list(
+        return self.db.simple_select_list(
             table="users",
             keyvalues={},
             retcols=[
@@ -519,7 +519,7 @@ class DataStore(
         if not deactivated:
             attr_filter["deactivated"] = False
 
-        return self.simple_select_list_paginate(
+        return self.db.simple_select_list_paginate(
             desc="get_users_paginate",
             table="users",
             orderby="name",
@@ -547,7 +547,7 @@ class DataStore(
         Returns:
             defer.Deferred: resolves to list[dict[str, Any]]
         """
-        return self.simple_search_list(
+        return self.db.simple_search_list(
             table="users",
             term=term,
             col="name",
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/account_data.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/account_data.py
index b0d22faf3f..a96fe9485c 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/account_data.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/account_data.py
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ class AccountDataWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         """
 
         def get_account_data_for_user_txn(txn):
-            rows = self.simple_select_list_txn(
+            rows = self.db.simple_select_list_txn(
                 txn,
                 "account_data",
                 {"user_id": user_id},
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ class AccountDataWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
                 row["account_data_type"]: json.loads(row["content"]) for row in rows
             }
 
-            rows = self.simple_select_list_txn(
+            rows = self.db.simple_select_list_txn(
                 txn,
                 "room_account_data",
                 {"user_id": user_id},
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ class AccountDataWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
             return global_account_data, by_room
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_account_data_for_user", get_account_data_for_user_txn
         )
 
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ class AccountDataWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         Returns:
             Deferred: A dict
         """
-        result = yield self.simple_select_one_onecol(
+        result = yield self.db.simple_select_one_onecol(
             table="account_data",
             keyvalues={"user_id": user_id, "account_data_type": data_type},
             retcol="content",
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ class AccountDataWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         """
 
         def get_account_data_for_room_txn(txn):
-            rows = self.simple_select_list_txn(
+            rows = self.db.simple_select_list_txn(
                 txn,
                 "room_account_data",
                 {"user_id": user_id, "room_id": room_id},
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ class AccountDataWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
                 row["account_data_type"]: json.loads(row["content"]) for row in rows
             }
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_account_data_for_room", get_account_data_for_room_txn
         )
 
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ class AccountDataWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         """
 
         def get_account_data_for_room_and_type_txn(txn):
-            content_json = self.simple_select_one_onecol_txn(
+            content_json = self.db.simple_select_one_onecol_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="room_account_data",
                 keyvalues={
@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@ class AccountDataWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
             return json.loads(content_json) if content_json else None
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_account_data_for_room_and_type", get_account_data_for_room_and_type_txn
         )
 
@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ class AccountDataWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
             room_results = txn.fetchall()
             return global_results, room_results
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_all_updated_account_data_txn", get_updated_account_data_txn
         )
 
@@ -252,7 +252,7 @@ class AccountDataWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         if not changed:
             return {}, {}
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_updated_account_data_for_user", get_updated_account_data_for_user_txn
         )
 
@@ -302,7 +302,7 @@ class AccountDataStore(AccountDataWorkerStore):
             # no need to lock here as room_account_data has a unique constraint
             # on (user_id, room_id, account_data_type) so simple_upsert will
             # retry if there is a conflict.
-            yield self.simple_upsert(
+            yield self.db.simple_upsert(
                 desc="add_room_account_data",
                 table="room_account_data",
                 keyvalues={
@@ -348,7 +348,7 @@ class AccountDataStore(AccountDataWorkerStore):
             # no need to lock here as account_data has a unique constraint on
             # (user_id, account_data_type) so simple_upsert will retry if
             # there is a conflict.
-            yield self.simple_upsert(
+            yield self.db.simple_upsert(
                 desc="add_user_account_data",
                 table="account_data",
                 keyvalues={"user_id": user_id, "account_data_type": account_data_type},
@@ -388,4 +388,4 @@ class AccountDataStore(AccountDataWorkerStore):
             )
             txn.execute(update_max_id_sql, (next_id, next_id))
 
-        return self.runInteraction("update_account_data_max_stream_id", _update)
+        return self.db.runInteraction("update_account_data_max_stream_id", _update)
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/appservice.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/appservice.py
index 6b82fd392a..6b2e12719c 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/appservice.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/appservice.py
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ class ApplicationServiceTransactionWorkerStore(
             A Deferred which resolves to a list of ApplicationServices, which
             may be empty.
         """
-        results = yield self.simple_select_list(
+        results = yield self.db.simple_select_list(
             "application_services_state", dict(state=state), ["as_id"]
         )
         # NB: This assumes this class is linked with ApplicationServiceStore
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ class ApplicationServiceTransactionWorkerStore(
         Returns:
             A Deferred which resolves to ApplicationServiceState.
         """
-        result = yield self.simple_select_one(
+        result = yield self.db.simple_select_one(
             "application_services_state",
             dict(as_id=service.id),
             ["state"],
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ class ApplicationServiceTransactionWorkerStore(
         Returns:
             A Deferred which resolves when the state was set successfully.
         """
-        return self.simple_upsert(
+        return self.db.simple_upsert(
             "application_services_state", dict(as_id=service.id), dict(state=state)
         )
 
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ class ApplicationServiceTransactionWorkerStore(
             )
             return AppServiceTransaction(service=service, id=new_txn_id, events=events)
 
-        return self.runInteraction("create_appservice_txn", _create_appservice_txn)
+        return self.db.runInteraction("create_appservice_txn", _create_appservice_txn)
 
     def complete_appservice_txn(self, txn_id, service):
         """Completes an application service transaction.
@@ -249,7 +249,7 @@ class ApplicationServiceTransactionWorkerStore(
                 )
 
             # Set current txn_id for AS to 'txn_id'
-            self.simple_upsert_txn(
+            self.db.simple_upsert_txn(
                 txn,
                 "application_services_state",
                 dict(as_id=service.id),
@@ -257,11 +257,13 @@ class ApplicationServiceTransactionWorkerStore(
             )
 
             # Delete txn
-            self.simple_delete_txn(
+            self.db.simple_delete_txn(
                 txn, "application_services_txns", dict(txn_id=txn_id, as_id=service.id)
             )
 
-        return self.runInteraction("complete_appservice_txn", _complete_appservice_txn)
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
+            "complete_appservice_txn", _complete_appservice_txn
+        )
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_oldest_unsent_txn(self, service):
@@ -283,7 +285,7 @@ class ApplicationServiceTransactionWorkerStore(
                 " ORDER BY txn_id ASC LIMIT 1",
                 (service.id,),
             )
-            rows = self.cursor_to_dict(txn)
+            rows = self.db.cursor_to_dict(txn)
             if not rows:
                 return None
 
@@ -291,7 +293,7 @@ class ApplicationServiceTransactionWorkerStore(
 
             return entry
 
-        entry = yield self.runInteraction(
+        entry = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_oldest_unsent_appservice_txn", _get_oldest_unsent_txn
         )
 
@@ -321,7 +323,7 @@ class ApplicationServiceTransactionWorkerStore(
                 "UPDATE appservice_stream_position SET stream_ordering = ?", (pos,)
             )
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "set_appservice_last_pos", set_appservice_last_pos_txn
         )
 
@@ -350,7 +352,7 @@ class ApplicationServiceTransactionWorkerStore(
 
             return upper_bound, [row[1] for row in rows]
 
-        upper_bound, event_ids = yield self.runInteraction(
+        upper_bound, event_ids = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_new_events_for_appservice", get_new_events_for_appservice_txn
         )
 
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/cache.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/cache.py
index de3256049d..54ed8574c4 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/cache.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/cache.py
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ class CacheInvalidationStore(SQLBaseStore):
             txn.call_after(ctx.__exit__, None, None, None)
             txn.call_after(self.hs.get_notifier().on_new_replication_data)
 
-            self.simple_insert_txn(
+            self.db.simple_insert_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="cache_invalidation_stream",
                 values={
@@ -122,7 +122,9 @@ class CacheInvalidationStore(SQLBaseStore):
             txn.execute(sql, (last_id, limit))
             return txn.fetchall()
 
-        return self.runInteraction("get_all_updated_caches", get_all_updated_caches_txn)
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
+            "get_all_updated_caches", get_all_updated_caches_txn
+        )
 
     def get_cache_stream_token(self):
         if self._cache_id_gen:
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/client_ips.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/client_ips.py
index 66522a04b7..7b470a58f1 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/client_ips.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/client_ips.py
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ from six import iteritems
 from twisted.internet import defer
 
 from synapse.metrics.background_process_metrics import wrap_as_background_process
-from synapse.storage import background_updates
+from synapse.storage._base import SQLBaseStore
 from synapse.util.caches import CACHE_SIZE_FACTOR
 from synapse.util.caches.descriptors import Cache
 
@@ -32,41 +32,41 @@ logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 LAST_SEEN_GRANULARITY = 120 * 1000
 
 
-class ClientIpBackgroundUpdateStore(background_updates.BackgroundUpdateStore):
+class ClientIpBackgroundUpdateStore(SQLBaseStore):
     def __init__(self, db_conn, hs):
         super(ClientIpBackgroundUpdateStore, self).__init__(db_conn, hs)
 
-        self.register_background_index_update(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_index_update(
             "user_ips_device_index",
             index_name="user_ips_device_id",
             table="user_ips",
             columns=["user_id", "device_id", "last_seen"],
         )
 
-        self.register_background_index_update(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_index_update(
             "user_ips_last_seen_index",
             index_name="user_ips_last_seen",
             table="user_ips",
             columns=["user_id", "last_seen"],
         )
 
-        self.register_background_index_update(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_index_update(
             "user_ips_last_seen_only_index",
             index_name="user_ips_last_seen_only",
             table="user_ips",
             columns=["last_seen"],
         )
 
-        self.register_background_update_handler(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_update_handler(
             "user_ips_analyze", self._analyze_user_ip
         )
 
-        self.register_background_update_handler(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_update_handler(
             "user_ips_remove_dupes", self._remove_user_ip_dupes
         )
 
         # Register a unique index
-        self.register_background_index_update(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_index_update(
             "user_ips_device_unique_index",
             index_name="user_ips_user_token_ip_unique_index",
             table="user_ips",
@@ -75,12 +75,12 @@ class ClientIpBackgroundUpdateStore(background_updates.BackgroundUpdateStore):
         )
 
         # Drop the old non-unique index
-        self.register_background_update_handler(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_update_handler(
             "user_ips_drop_nonunique_index", self._remove_user_ip_nonunique
         )
 
         # Update the last seen info in devices.
-        self.register_background_update_handler(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_update_handler(
             "devices_last_seen", self._devices_last_seen_update
         )
 
@@ -91,8 +91,8 @@ class ClientIpBackgroundUpdateStore(background_updates.BackgroundUpdateStore):
             txn.execute("DROP INDEX IF EXISTS user_ips_user_ip")
             txn.close()
 
-        yield self.runWithConnection(f)
-        yield self._end_background_update("user_ips_drop_nonunique_index")
+        yield self.db.runWithConnection(f)
+        yield self.db.updates._end_background_update("user_ips_drop_nonunique_index")
         return 1
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
@@ -106,9 +106,9 @@ class ClientIpBackgroundUpdateStore(background_updates.BackgroundUpdateStore):
         def user_ips_analyze(txn):
             txn.execute("ANALYZE user_ips")
 
-        yield self.runInteraction("user_ips_analyze", user_ips_analyze)
+        yield self.db.runInteraction("user_ips_analyze", user_ips_analyze)
 
-        yield self._end_background_update("user_ips_analyze")
+        yield self.db.updates._end_background_update("user_ips_analyze")
 
         return 1
 
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ class ClientIpBackgroundUpdateStore(background_updates.BackgroundUpdateStore):
                 return None
 
         # Get a last seen that has roughly `batch_size` since `begin_last_seen`
-        end_last_seen = yield self.runInteraction(
+        end_last_seen = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "user_ips_dups_get_last_seen", get_last_seen
         )
 
@@ -271,14 +271,14 @@ class ClientIpBackgroundUpdateStore(background_updates.BackgroundUpdateStore):
                     (user_id, access_token, ip, device_id, user_agent, last_seen),
                 )
 
-            self._background_update_progress_txn(
+            self.db.updates._background_update_progress_txn(
                 txn, "user_ips_remove_dupes", {"last_seen": end_last_seen}
             )
 
-        yield self.runInteraction("user_ips_dups_remove", remove)
+        yield self.db.runInteraction("user_ips_dups_remove", remove)
 
         if last:
-            yield self._end_background_update("user_ips_remove_dupes")
+            yield self.db.updates._end_background_update("user_ips_remove_dupes")
 
         return batch_size
 
@@ -344,7 +344,7 @@ class ClientIpBackgroundUpdateStore(background_updates.BackgroundUpdateStore):
             txn.execute_batch(sql, rows)
 
             _, _, _, user_id, device_id = rows[-1]
-            self._background_update_progress_txn(
+            self.db.updates._background_update_progress_txn(
                 txn,
                 "devices_last_seen",
                 {"last_user_id": user_id, "last_device_id": device_id},
@@ -352,12 +352,12 @@ class ClientIpBackgroundUpdateStore(background_updates.BackgroundUpdateStore):
 
             return len(rows)
 
-        updated = yield self.runInteraction(
+        updated = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "_devices_last_seen_update", _devices_last_seen_update_txn
         )
 
         if not updated:
-            yield self._end_background_update("devices_last_seen")
+            yield self.db.updates._end_background_update("devices_last_seen")
 
         return updated
 
@@ -417,12 +417,12 @@ class ClientIpStore(ClientIpBackgroundUpdateStore):
         to_update = self._batch_row_update
         self._batch_row_update = {}
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "_update_client_ips_batch", self._update_client_ips_batch_txn, to_update
         )
 
     def _update_client_ips_batch_txn(self, txn, to_update):
-        if "user_ips" in self._unsafe_to_upsert_tables or (
+        if "user_ips" in self.db._unsafe_to_upsert_tables or (
             not self.database_engine.can_native_upsert
         ):
             self.database_engine.lock_table(txn, "user_ips")
@@ -431,7 +431,7 @@ class ClientIpStore(ClientIpBackgroundUpdateStore):
             (user_id, access_token, ip), (user_agent, device_id, last_seen) = entry
 
             try:
-                self.simple_upsert_txn(
+                self.db.simple_upsert_txn(
                     txn,
                     table="user_ips",
                     keyvalues={
@@ -450,7 +450,7 @@ class ClientIpStore(ClientIpBackgroundUpdateStore):
                 # Technically an access token might not be associated with
                 # a device so we need to check.
                 if device_id:
-                    self.simple_upsert_txn(
+                    self.db.simple_upsert_txn(
                         txn,
                         table="devices",
                         keyvalues={"user_id": user_id, "device_id": device_id},
@@ -483,7 +483,7 @@ class ClientIpStore(ClientIpBackgroundUpdateStore):
         if device_id is not None:
             keyvalues["device_id"] = device_id
 
-        res = yield self.simple_select_list(
+        res = yield self.db.simple_select_list(
             table="devices",
             keyvalues=keyvalues,
             retcols=("user_id", "ip", "user_agent", "device_id", "last_seen"),
@@ -516,7 +516,7 @@ class ClientIpStore(ClientIpBackgroundUpdateStore):
                 user_agent, _, last_seen = self._batch_row_update[key]
                 results[(access_token, ip)] = (user_agent, last_seen)
 
-        rows = yield self.simple_select_list(
+        rows = yield self.db.simple_select_list(
             table="user_ips",
             keyvalues={"user_id": user_id},
             retcols=["access_token", "ip", "user_agent", "last_seen"],
@@ -546,7 +546,9 @@ class ClientIpStore(ClientIpBackgroundUpdateStore):
             # Nothing to do
             return
 
-        if not await self.has_completed_background_update("devices_last_seen"):
+        if not await self.db.updates.has_completed_background_update(
+            "devices_last_seen"
+        ):
             # Only start pruning if we have finished populating the devices
             # last seen info.
             return
@@ -577,4 +579,4 @@ class ClientIpStore(ClientIpBackgroundUpdateStore):
         def _prune_old_user_ips_txn(txn):
             txn.execute(sql, (timestamp,))
 
-        await self.runInteraction("_prune_old_user_ips", _prune_old_user_ips_txn)
+        await self.db.runInteraction("_prune_old_user_ips", _prune_old_user_ips_txn)
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/deviceinbox.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/deviceinbox.py
index 206d39134d..3c9f09301a 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/deviceinbox.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/deviceinbox.py
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@ from twisted.internet import defer
 
 from synapse.logging.opentracing import log_kv, set_tag, trace
 from synapse.storage._base import SQLBaseStore, make_in_list_sql_clause
-from synapse.storage.background_updates import BackgroundUpdateStore
 from synapse.util.caches.expiringcache import ExpiringCache
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -69,7 +68,7 @@ class DeviceInboxWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
                 stream_pos = current_stream_id
             return messages, stream_pos
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_new_messages_for_device", get_new_messages_for_device_txn
         )
 
@@ -109,7 +108,7 @@ class DeviceInboxWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
             txn.execute(sql, (user_id, device_id, up_to_stream_id))
             return txn.rowcount
 
-        count = yield self.runInteraction(
+        count = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "delete_messages_for_device", delete_messages_for_device_txn
         )
 
@@ -178,7 +177,7 @@ class DeviceInboxWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
                 stream_pos = current_stream_id
             return messages, stream_pos
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_new_device_msgs_for_remote",
             get_new_messages_for_remote_destination_txn,
         )
@@ -203,25 +202,25 @@ class DeviceInboxWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
             )
             txn.execute(sql, (destination, up_to_stream_id))
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "delete_device_msgs_for_remote", delete_messages_for_remote_destination_txn
         )
 
 
-class DeviceInboxBackgroundUpdateStore(BackgroundUpdateStore):
+class DeviceInboxBackgroundUpdateStore(SQLBaseStore):
     DEVICE_INBOX_STREAM_ID = "device_inbox_stream_drop"
 
     def __init__(self, db_conn, hs):
         super(DeviceInboxBackgroundUpdateStore, self).__init__(db_conn, hs)
 
-        self.register_background_index_update(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_index_update(
             "device_inbox_stream_index",
             index_name="device_inbox_stream_id_user_id",
             table="device_inbox",
             columns=["stream_id", "user_id"],
         )
 
-        self.register_background_update_handler(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_update_handler(
             self.DEVICE_INBOX_STREAM_ID, self._background_drop_index_device_inbox
         )
 
@@ -232,9 +231,9 @@ class DeviceInboxBackgroundUpdateStore(BackgroundUpdateStore):
             txn.execute("DROP INDEX IF EXISTS device_inbox_stream_id")
             txn.close()
 
-        yield self.runWithConnection(reindex_txn)
+        yield self.db.runWithConnection(reindex_txn)
 
-        yield self._end_background_update(self.DEVICE_INBOX_STREAM_ID)
+        yield self.db.updates._end_background_update(self.DEVICE_INBOX_STREAM_ID)
 
         return 1
 
@@ -294,7 +293,7 @@ class DeviceInboxStore(DeviceInboxWorkerStore, DeviceInboxBackgroundUpdateStore)
 
         with self._device_inbox_id_gen.get_next() as stream_id:
             now_ms = self.clock.time_msec()
-            yield self.runInteraction(
+            yield self.db.runInteraction(
                 "add_messages_to_device_inbox", add_messages_txn, now_ms, stream_id
             )
             for user_id in local_messages_by_user_then_device.keys():
@@ -314,7 +313,7 @@ class DeviceInboxStore(DeviceInboxWorkerStore, DeviceInboxBackgroundUpdateStore)
             # Check if we've already inserted a matching message_id for that
             # origin. This can happen if the origin doesn't receive our
             # acknowledgement from the first time we received the message.
-            already_inserted = self.simple_select_one_txn(
+            already_inserted = self.db.simple_select_one_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="device_federation_inbox",
                 keyvalues={"origin": origin, "message_id": message_id},
@@ -326,7 +325,7 @@ class DeviceInboxStore(DeviceInboxWorkerStore, DeviceInboxBackgroundUpdateStore)
 
             # Add an entry for this message_id so that we know we've processed
             # it.
-            self.simple_insert_txn(
+            self.db.simple_insert_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="device_federation_inbox",
                 values={
@@ -344,7 +343,7 @@ class DeviceInboxStore(DeviceInboxWorkerStore, DeviceInboxBackgroundUpdateStore)
 
         with self._device_inbox_id_gen.get_next() as stream_id:
             now_ms = self.clock.time_msec()
-            yield self.runInteraction(
+            yield self.db.runInteraction(
                 "add_messages_from_remote_to_device_inbox",
                 add_messages_txn,
                 now_ms,
@@ -465,6 +464,6 @@ class DeviceInboxStore(DeviceInboxWorkerStore, DeviceInboxBackgroundUpdateStore)
 
             return rows
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_all_new_device_messages", get_all_new_device_messages_txn
         )
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/devices.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/devices.py
index 727c582121..91ddaf137e 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/devices.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/devices.py
@@ -31,7 +31,6 @@ from synapse.logging.opentracing import (
 )
 from synapse.metrics.background_process_metrics import run_as_background_process
 from synapse.storage._base import SQLBaseStore, db_to_json, make_in_list_sql_clause
-from synapse.storage.background_updates import BackgroundUpdateStore
 from synapse.types import get_verify_key_from_cross_signing_key
 from synapse.util import batch_iter
 from synapse.util.caches.descriptors import (
@@ -61,7 +60,7 @@ class DeviceWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         Raises:
             StoreError: if the device is not found
         """
-        return self.simple_select_one(
+        return self.db.simple_select_one(
             table="devices",
             keyvalues={"user_id": user_id, "device_id": device_id, "hidden": False},
             retcols=("user_id", "device_id", "display_name"),
@@ -80,7 +79,7 @@ class DeviceWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
             containing "device_id", "user_id" and "display_name" for each
             device.
         """
-        devices = yield self.simple_select_list(
+        devices = yield self.db.simple_select_list(
             table="devices",
             keyvalues={"user_id": user_id, "hidden": False},
             retcols=("user_id", "device_id", "display_name"),
@@ -122,7 +121,7 @@ class DeviceWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         # consider the device update to be too large, and simply skip the
         # stream_id; the rationale being that such a large device list update
         # is likely an error.
-        updates = yield self.runInteraction(
+        updates = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_device_updates_by_remote",
             self._get_device_updates_by_remote_txn,
             destination,
@@ -283,7 +282,7 @@ class DeviceWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
         """
         devices = (
-            yield self.runInteraction(
+            yield self.db.runInteraction(
                 "_get_e2e_device_keys_txn",
                 self._get_e2e_device_keys_txn,
                 query_map.keys(),
@@ -340,12 +339,12 @@ class DeviceWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
             rows = txn.fetchall()
             return rows[0][0]
 
-        return self.runInteraction("get_last_device_update_for_remote_user", f)
+        return self.db.runInteraction("get_last_device_update_for_remote_user", f)
 
     def mark_as_sent_devices_by_remote(self, destination, stream_id):
         """Mark that updates have successfully been sent to the destination.
         """
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "mark_as_sent_devices_by_remote",
             self._mark_as_sent_devices_by_remote_txn,
             destination,
@@ -399,7 +398,7 @@ class DeviceWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         """
 
         with self._device_list_id_gen.get_next() as stream_id:
-            yield self.runInteraction(
+            yield self.db.runInteraction(
                 "add_user_sig_change_to_streams",
                 self._add_user_signature_change_txn,
                 from_user_id,
@@ -414,7 +413,7 @@ class DeviceWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
             from_user_id,
             stream_id,
         )
-        self.simple_insert_txn(
+        self.db.simple_insert_txn(
             txn,
             "user_signature_stream",
             values={
@@ -466,7 +465,7 @@ class DeviceWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
     @cachedInlineCallbacks(num_args=2, tree=True)
     def _get_cached_user_device(self, user_id, device_id):
-        content = yield self.simple_select_one_onecol(
+        content = yield self.db.simple_select_one_onecol(
             table="device_lists_remote_cache",
             keyvalues={"user_id": user_id, "device_id": device_id},
             retcol="content",
@@ -476,7 +475,7 @@ class DeviceWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
     @cachedInlineCallbacks()
     def _get_cached_devices_for_user(self, user_id):
-        devices = yield self.simple_select_list(
+        devices = yield self.db.simple_select_list(
             table="device_lists_remote_cache",
             keyvalues={"user_id": user_id},
             retcols=("device_id", "content"),
@@ -492,7 +491,7 @@ class DeviceWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         Returns:
             (stream_id, devices)
         """
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_devices_with_keys_by_user",
             self._get_devices_with_keys_by_user_txn,
             user_id,
@@ -565,7 +564,7 @@ class DeviceWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
             return changes
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_users_whose_devices_changed", _get_users_whose_devices_changed_txn
         )
 
@@ -584,7 +583,7 @@ class DeviceWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
                 SELECT DISTINCT user_ids FROM user_signature_stream
                 WHERE from_user_id = ? AND stream_id > ?
             """
-            rows = yield self.execute(
+            rows = yield self.db.execute(
                 "get_users_whose_signatures_changed", None, sql, user_id, from_key
             )
             return set(user for row in rows for user in json.loads(row[0]))
@@ -605,7 +604,7 @@ class DeviceWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
             WHERE ? < stream_id AND stream_id <= ?
             GROUP BY user_id, destination
         """
-        return self.execute(
+        return self.db.execute(
             "get_all_device_list_changes_for_remotes", None, sql, from_key, to_key
         )
 
@@ -614,7 +613,7 @@ class DeviceWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         """Get the last stream_id we got for a user. May be None if we haven't
         got any information for them.
         """
-        return self.simple_select_one_onecol(
+        return self.db.simple_select_one_onecol(
             table="device_lists_remote_extremeties",
             keyvalues={"user_id": user_id},
             retcol="stream_id",
@@ -628,7 +627,7 @@ class DeviceWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         inlineCallbacks=True,
     )
     def get_device_list_last_stream_id_for_remotes(self, user_ids):
-        rows = yield self.simple_select_many_batch(
+        rows = yield self.db.simple_select_many_batch(
             table="device_lists_remote_extremeties",
             column="user_id",
             iterable=user_ids,
@@ -642,11 +641,11 @@ class DeviceWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         return results
 
 
-class DeviceBackgroundUpdateStore(BackgroundUpdateStore):
+class DeviceBackgroundUpdateStore(SQLBaseStore):
     def __init__(self, db_conn, hs):
         super(DeviceBackgroundUpdateStore, self).__init__(db_conn, hs)
 
-        self.register_background_index_update(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_index_update(
             "device_lists_stream_idx",
             index_name="device_lists_stream_user_id",
             table="device_lists_stream",
@@ -654,7 +653,7 @@ class DeviceBackgroundUpdateStore(BackgroundUpdateStore):
         )
 
         # create a unique index on device_lists_remote_cache
-        self.register_background_index_update(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_index_update(
             "device_lists_remote_cache_unique_idx",
             index_name="device_lists_remote_cache_unique_id",
             table="device_lists_remote_cache",
@@ -663,7 +662,7 @@ class DeviceBackgroundUpdateStore(BackgroundUpdateStore):
         )
 
         # And one on device_lists_remote_extremeties
-        self.register_background_index_update(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_index_update(
             "device_lists_remote_extremeties_unique_idx",
             index_name="device_lists_remote_extremeties_unique_idx",
             table="device_lists_remote_extremeties",
@@ -672,7 +671,7 @@ class DeviceBackgroundUpdateStore(BackgroundUpdateStore):
         )
 
         # once they complete, we can remove the old non-unique indexes.
-        self.register_background_update_handler(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_update_handler(
             DROP_DEVICE_LIST_STREAMS_NON_UNIQUE_INDEXES,
             self._drop_device_list_streams_non_unique_indexes,
         )
@@ -685,8 +684,10 @@ class DeviceBackgroundUpdateStore(BackgroundUpdateStore):
             txn.execute("DROP INDEX IF EXISTS device_lists_remote_extremeties_id")
             txn.close()
 
-        yield self.runWithConnection(f)
-        yield self._end_background_update(DROP_DEVICE_LIST_STREAMS_NON_UNIQUE_INDEXES)
+        yield self.db.runWithConnection(f)
+        yield self.db.updates._end_background_update(
+            DROP_DEVICE_LIST_STREAMS_NON_UNIQUE_INDEXES
+        )
         return 1
 
 
@@ -722,7 +723,7 @@ class DeviceStore(DeviceWorkerStore, DeviceBackgroundUpdateStore):
             return False
 
         try:
-            inserted = yield self.simple_insert(
+            inserted = yield self.db.simple_insert(
                 "devices",
                 values={
                     "user_id": user_id,
@@ -736,7 +737,7 @@ class DeviceStore(DeviceWorkerStore, DeviceBackgroundUpdateStore):
             if not inserted:
                 # if the device already exists, check if it's a real device, or
                 # if the device ID is reserved by something else
-                hidden = yield self.simple_select_one_onecol(
+                hidden = yield self.db.simple_select_one_onecol(
                     "devices",
                     keyvalues={"user_id": user_id, "device_id": device_id},
                     retcol="hidden",
@@ -771,7 +772,7 @@ class DeviceStore(DeviceWorkerStore, DeviceBackgroundUpdateStore):
         Returns:
             defer.Deferred
         """
-        yield self.simple_delete_one(
+        yield self.db.simple_delete_one(
             table="devices",
             keyvalues={"user_id": user_id, "device_id": device_id, "hidden": False},
             desc="delete_device",
@@ -789,7 +790,7 @@ class DeviceStore(DeviceWorkerStore, DeviceBackgroundUpdateStore):
         Returns:
             defer.Deferred
         """
-        yield self.simple_delete_many(
+        yield self.db.simple_delete_many(
             table="devices",
             column="device_id",
             iterable=device_ids,
@@ -818,7 +819,7 @@ class DeviceStore(DeviceWorkerStore, DeviceBackgroundUpdateStore):
             updates["display_name"] = new_display_name
         if not updates:
             return defer.succeed(None)
-        return self.simple_update_one(
+        return self.db.simple_update_one(
             table="devices",
             keyvalues={"user_id": user_id, "device_id": device_id, "hidden": False},
             updatevalues=updates,
@@ -829,7 +830,7 @@ class DeviceStore(DeviceWorkerStore, DeviceBackgroundUpdateStore):
     def mark_remote_user_device_list_as_unsubscribed(self, user_id):
         """Mark that we no longer track device lists for remote user.
         """
-        yield self.simple_delete(
+        yield self.db.simple_delete(
             table="device_lists_remote_extremeties",
             keyvalues={"user_id": user_id},
             desc="mark_remote_user_device_list_as_unsubscribed",
@@ -853,7 +854,7 @@ class DeviceStore(DeviceWorkerStore, DeviceBackgroundUpdateStore):
         Returns:
             Deferred[None]
         """
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "update_remote_device_list_cache_entry",
             self._update_remote_device_list_cache_entry_txn,
             user_id,
@@ -866,7 +867,7 @@ class DeviceStore(DeviceWorkerStore, DeviceBackgroundUpdateStore):
         self, txn, user_id, device_id, content, stream_id
     ):
         if content.get("deleted"):
-            self.simple_delete_txn(
+            self.db.simple_delete_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="device_lists_remote_cache",
                 keyvalues={"user_id": user_id, "device_id": device_id},
@@ -874,7 +875,7 @@ class DeviceStore(DeviceWorkerStore, DeviceBackgroundUpdateStore):
 
             txn.call_after(self.device_id_exists_cache.invalidate, (user_id, device_id))
         else:
-            self.simple_upsert_txn(
+            self.db.simple_upsert_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="device_lists_remote_cache",
                 keyvalues={"user_id": user_id, "device_id": device_id},
@@ -890,7 +891,7 @@ class DeviceStore(DeviceWorkerStore, DeviceBackgroundUpdateStore):
             self.get_device_list_last_stream_id_for_remote.invalidate, (user_id,)
         )
 
-        self.simple_upsert_txn(
+        self.db.simple_upsert_txn(
             txn,
             table="device_lists_remote_extremeties",
             keyvalues={"user_id": user_id},
@@ -914,7 +915,7 @@ class DeviceStore(DeviceWorkerStore, DeviceBackgroundUpdateStore):
         Returns:
             Deferred[None]
         """
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "update_remote_device_list_cache",
             self._update_remote_device_list_cache_txn,
             user_id,
@@ -923,11 +924,11 @@ class DeviceStore(DeviceWorkerStore, DeviceBackgroundUpdateStore):
         )
 
     def _update_remote_device_list_cache_txn(self, txn, user_id, devices, stream_id):
-        self.simple_delete_txn(
+        self.db.simple_delete_txn(
             txn, table="device_lists_remote_cache", keyvalues={"user_id": user_id}
         )
 
-        self.simple_insert_many_txn(
+        self.db.simple_insert_many_txn(
             txn,
             table="device_lists_remote_cache",
             values=[
@@ -946,7 +947,7 @@ class DeviceStore(DeviceWorkerStore, DeviceBackgroundUpdateStore):
             self.get_device_list_last_stream_id_for_remote.invalidate, (user_id,)
         )
 
-        self.simple_upsert_txn(
+        self.db.simple_upsert_txn(
             txn,
             table="device_lists_remote_extremeties",
             keyvalues={"user_id": user_id},
@@ -962,7 +963,7 @@ class DeviceStore(DeviceWorkerStore, DeviceBackgroundUpdateStore):
         (if any) should be poked.
         """
         with self._device_list_id_gen.get_next() as stream_id:
-            yield self.runInteraction(
+            yield self.db.runInteraction(
                 "add_device_change_to_streams",
                 self._add_device_change_txn,
                 user_id,
@@ -995,7 +996,7 @@ class DeviceStore(DeviceWorkerStore, DeviceBackgroundUpdateStore):
             [(user_id, device_id, stream_id) for device_id in device_ids],
         )
 
-        self.simple_insert_many_txn(
+        self.db.simple_insert_many_txn(
             txn,
             table="device_lists_stream",
             values=[
@@ -1006,7 +1007,7 @@ class DeviceStore(DeviceWorkerStore, DeviceBackgroundUpdateStore):
 
         context = get_active_span_text_map()
 
-        self.simple_insert_many_txn(
+        self.db.simple_insert_many_txn(
             txn,
             table="device_lists_outbound_pokes",
             values=[
@@ -1069,7 +1070,7 @@ class DeviceStore(DeviceWorkerStore, DeviceBackgroundUpdateStore):
 
         return run_as_background_process(
             "prune_old_outbound_device_pokes",
-            self.runInteraction,
+            self.db.runInteraction,
             "_prune_old_outbound_device_pokes",
             _prune_txn,
         )
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/directory.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/directory.py
index d332f8a409..c9e7de7d12 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/directory.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/directory.py
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ class DirectoryWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
             Deferred: results in namedtuple with keys "room_id" and
             "servers" or None if no association can be found
         """
-        room_id = yield self.simple_select_one_onecol(
+        room_id = yield self.db.simple_select_one_onecol(
             "room_aliases",
             {"room_alias": room_alias.to_string()},
             "room_id",
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ class DirectoryWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         if not room_id:
             return None
 
-        servers = yield self.simple_select_onecol(
+        servers = yield self.db.simple_select_onecol(
             "room_alias_servers",
             {"room_alias": room_alias.to_string()},
             "server",
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ class DirectoryWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         return RoomAliasMapping(room_id, room_alias.to_string(), servers)
 
     def get_room_alias_creator(self, room_alias):
-        return self.simple_select_one_onecol(
+        return self.db.simple_select_one_onecol(
             table="room_aliases",
             keyvalues={"room_alias": room_alias},
             retcol="creator",
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ class DirectoryWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
     @cached(max_entries=5000)
     def get_aliases_for_room(self, room_id):
-        return self.simple_select_onecol(
+        return self.db.simple_select_onecol(
             "room_aliases",
             {"room_id": room_id},
             "room_alias",
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ class DirectoryStore(DirectoryWorkerStore):
         """
 
         def alias_txn(txn):
-            self.simple_insert_txn(
+            self.db.simple_insert_txn(
                 txn,
                 "room_aliases",
                 {
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ class DirectoryStore(DirectoryWorkerStore):
                 },
             )
 
-            self.simple_insert_many_txn(
+            self.db.simple_insert_many_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="room_alias_servers",
                 values=[
@@ -117,7 +117,9 @@ class DirectoryStore(DirectoryWorkerStore):
             )
 
         try:
-            ret = yield self.runInteraction("create_room_alias_association", alias_txn)
+            ret = yield self.db.runInteraction(
+                "create_room_alias_association", alias_txn
+            )
         except self.database_engine.module.IntegrityError:
             raise SynapseError(
                 409, "Room alias %s already exists" % room_alias.to_string()
@@ -126,7 +128,7 @@ class DirectoryStore(DirectoryWorkerStore):
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def delete_room_alias(self, room_alias):
-        room_id = yield self.runInteraction(
+        room_id = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "delete_room_alias", self._delete_room_alias_txn, room_alias
         )
 
@@ -168,6 +170,6 @@ class DirectoryStore(DirectoryWorkerStore):
                 txn, self.get_aliases_for_room, (new_room_id,)
             )
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "_update_aliases_for_room_txn", _update_aliases_for_room_txn
         )
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/e2e_room_keys.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/e2e_room_keys.py
index df89eda337..84594cf0a9 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/e2e_room_keys.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/e2e_room_keys.py
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ class EndToEndRoomKeyStore(SQLBaseStore):
             StoreError
         """
 
-        yield self.simple_update_one(
+        yield self.db.simple_update_one(
             table="e2e_room_keys",
             keyvalues={
                 "user_id": user_id,
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ class EndToEndRoomKeyStore(SQLBaseStore):
                 }
             )
 
-        yield self.simple_insert_many(
+        yield self.db.simple_insert_many(
             table="e2e_room_keys", values=values, desc="add_e2e_room_keys"
         )
 
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ class EndToEndRoomKeyStore(SQLBaseStore):
             if session_id:
                 keyvalues["session_id"] = session_id
 
-        rows = yield self.simple_select_list(
+        rows = yield self.db.simple_select_list(
             table="e2e_room_keys",
             keyvalues=keyvalues,
             retcols=(
@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@ class EndToEndRoomKeyStore(SQLBaseStore):
            Deferred[dict[str, dict[str, dict]]]: a map of room IDs to session IDs to room key
         """
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_e2e_room_keys_multi",
             self._get_e2e_room_keys_multi_txn,
             user_id,
@@ -234,7 +234,7 @@ class EndToEndRoomKeyStore(SQLBaseStore):
             version (str): the version ID of the backup we're querying about
         """
 
-        return self.simple_select_one_onecol(
+        return self.db.simple_select_one_onecol(
             table="e2e_room_keys",
             keyvalues={"user_id": user_id, "version": version},
             retcol="COUNT(*)",
@@ -267,7 +267,7 @@ class EndToEndRoomKeyStore(SQLBaseStore):
             if session_id:
                 keyvalues["session_id"] = session_id
 
-        yield self.simple_delete(
+        yield self.db.simple_delete(
             table="e2e_room_keys", keyvalues=keyvalues, desc="delete_e2e_room_keys"
         )
 
@@ -312,7 +312,7 @@ class EndToEndRoomKeyStore(SQLBaseStore):
                     # it isn't there.
                     raise StoreError(404, "No row found")
 
-            result = self.simple_select_one_txn(
+            result = self.db.simple_select_one_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="e2e_room_keys_versions",
                 keyvalues={"user_id": user_id, "version": this_version, "deleted": 0},
@@ -324,7 +324,7 @@ class EndToEndRoomKeyStore(SQLBaseStore):
                 result["etag"] = 0
             return result
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_e2e_room_keys_version_info", _get_e2e_room_keys_version_info_txn
         )
 
@@ -352,7 +352,7 @@ class EndToEndRoomKeyStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
             new_version = str(int(current_version) + 1)
 
-            self.simple_insert_txn(
+            self.db.simple_insert_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="e2e_room_keys_versions",
                 values={
@@ -365,7 +365,7 @@ class EndToEndRoomKeyStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
             return new_version
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "create_e2e_room_keys_version_txn", _create_e2e_room_keys_version_txn
         )
 
@@ -391,7 +391,7 @@ class EndToEndRoomKeyStore(SQLBaseStore):
             updatevalues["etag"] = version_etag
 
         if updatevalues:
-            return self.simple_update(
+            return self.db.simple_update(
                 table="e2e_room_keys_versions",
                 keyvalues={"user_id": user_id, "version": version},
                 updatevalues=updatevalues,
@@ -420,19 +420,19 @@ class EndToEndRoomKeyStore(SQLBaseStore):
             else:
                 this_version = version
 
-            self.simple_delete_txn(
+            self.db.simple_delete_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="e2e_room_keys",
                 keyvalues={"user_id": user_id, "version": this_version},
             )
 
-            return self.simple_update_one_txn(
+            return self.db.simple_update_one_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="e2e_room_keys_versions",
                 keyvalues={"user_id": user_id, "version": this_version},
                 updatevalues={"deleted": 1},
             )
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "delete_e2e_room_keys_version", _delete_e2e_room_keys_version_txn
         )
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/end_to_end_keys.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/end_to_end_keys.py
index 08bcdc4725..38cd0ca9b8 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/end_to_end_keys.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/end_to_end_keys.py
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ class EndToEndKeyWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         if not query_list:
             return {}
 
-        results = yield self.runInteraction(
+        results = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_e2e_device_keys",
             self._get_e2e_device_keys_txn,
             query_list,
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ class EndToEndKeyWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         )
 
         txn.execute(sql, query_params)
-        rows = self.cursor_to_dict(txn)
+        rows = self.db.cursor_to_dict(txn)
 
         result = {}
         for row in rows:
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ class EndToEndKeyWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         )
 
         txn.execute(signature_sql, signature_query_params)
-        rows = self.cursor_to_dict(txn)
+        rows = self.db.cursor_to_dict(txn)
 
         # add each cross-signing signature to the correct device in the result dict.
         for row in rows:
@@ -186,7 +186,7 @@ class EndToEndKeyWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
             key_id) to json string for key
         """
 
-        rows = yield self.simple_select_many_batch(
+        rows = yield self.db.simple_select_many_batch(
             table="e2e_one_time_keys_json",
             column="key_id",
             iterable=key_ids,
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ class EndToEndKeyWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
             # a unique constraint. If there is a race of two calls to
             # `add_e2e_one_time_keys` then they'll conflict and we will only
             # insert one set.
-            self.simple_insert_many_txn(
+            self.db.simple_insert_many_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="e2e_one_time_keys_json",
                 values=[
@@ -238,7 +238,7 @@ class EndToEndKeyWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
                 txn, self.count_e2e_one_time_keys, (user_id, device_id)
             )
 
-        yield self.runInteraction(
+        yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "add_e2e_one_time_keys_insert", _add_e2e_one_time_keys
         )
 
@@ -261,7 +261,9 @@ class EndToEndKeyWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
                 result[algorithm] = key_count
             return result
 
-        return self.runInteraction("count_e2e_one_time_keys", _count_e2e_one_time_keys)
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
+            "count_e2e_one_time_keys", _count_e2e_one_time_keys
+        )
 
     def _get_e2e_cross_signing_key_txn(self, txn, user_id, key_type, from_user_id=None):
         """Returns a user's cross-signing key.
@@ -322,7 +324,7 @@ class EndToEndKeyWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         Returns:
             dict of the key data or None if not found
         """
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_e2e_cross_signing_key",
             self._get_e2e_cross_signing_key_txn,
             user_id,
@@ -350,7 +352,7 @@ class EndToEndKeyWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
             WHERE ? < stream_id AND stream_id <= ?
             GROUP BY user_id
         """
-        return self.execute(
+        return self.db.execute(
             "get_all_user_signature_changes_for_remotes", None, sql, from_key, to_key
         )
 
@@ -367,7 +369,7 @@ class EndToEndKeyStore(EndToEndKeyWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
             set_tag("time_now", time_now)
             set_tag("device_keys", device_keys)
 
-            old_key_json = self.simple_select_one_onecol_txn(
+            old_key_json = self.db.simple_select_one_onecol_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="e2e_device_keys_json",
                 keyvalues={"user_id": user_id, "device_id": device_id},
@@ -383,7 +385,7 @@ class EndToEndKeyStore(EndToEndKeyWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
                 log_kv({"Message": "Device key already stored."})
                 return False
 
-            self.simple_upsert_txn(
+            self.db.simple_upsert_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="e2e_device_keys_json",
                 keyvalues={"user_id": user_id, "device_id": device_id},
@@ -392,7 +394,7 @@ class EndToEndKeyStore(EndToEndKeyWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
             log_kv({"message": "Device keys stored."})
             return True
 
-        return self.runInteraction("set_e2e_device_keys", _set_e2e_device_keys_txn)
+        return self.db.runInteraction("set_e2e_device_keys", _set_e2e_device_keys_txn)
 
     def claim_e2e_one_time_keys(self, query_list):
         """Take a list of one time keys out of the database"""
@@ -431,7 +433,9 @@ class EndToEndKeyStore(EndToEndKeyWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
                 )
             return result
 
-        return self.runInteraction("claim_e2e_one_time_keys", _claim_e2e_one_time_keys)
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
+            "claim_e2e_one_time_keys", _claim_e2e_one_time_keys
+        )
 
     def delete_e2e_keys_by_device(self, user_id, device_id):
         def delete_e2e_keys_by_device_txn(txn):
@@ -442,12 +446,12 @@ class EndToEndKeyStore(EndToEndKeyWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
                     "user_id": user_id,
                 }
             )
-            self.simple_delete_txn(
+            self.db.simple_delete_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="e2e_device_keys_json",
                 keyvalues={"user_id": user_id, "device_id": device_id},
             )
-            self.simple_delete_txn(
+            self.db.simple_delete_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="e2e_one_time_keys_json",
                 keyvalues={"user_id": user_id, "device_id": device_id},
@@ -456,7 +460,7 @@ class EndToEndKeyStore(EndToEndKeyWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
                 txn, self.count_e2e_one_time_keys, (user_id, device_id)
             )
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "delete_e2e_keys_by_device", delete_e2e_keys_by_device_txn
         )
 
@@ -492,7 +496,7 @@ class EndToEndKeyStore(EndToEndKeyWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
         # The "keys" property must only have one entry, which will be the public
         # key, so we just grab the first value in there
         pubkey = next(iter(key["keys"].values()))
-        self.simple_insert_txn(
+        self.db.simple_insert_txn(
             txn,
             "devices",
             values={
@@ -505,7 +509,7 @@ class EndToEndKeyStore(EndToEndKeyWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
 
         # and finally, store the key itself
         with self._cross_signing_id_gen.get_next() as stream_id:
-            self.simple_insert_txn(
+            self.db.simple_insert_txn(
                 txn,
                 "e2e_cross_signing_keys",
                 values={
@@ -524,7 +528,7 @@ class EndToEndKeyStore(EndToEndKeyWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
             key_type (str): the type of cross-signing key to set
             key (dict): the key data
         """
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "add_e2e_cross_signing_key",
             self._set_e2e_cross_signing_key_txn,
             user_id,
@@ -539,7 +543,7 @@ class EndToEndKeyStore(EndToEndKeyWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
             user_id (str): the user who made the signatures
             signatures (iterable[SignatureListItem]): signatures to add
         """
-        return self.simple_insert_many(
+        return self.db.simple_insert_many(
             "e2e_cross_signing_signatures",
             [
                 {
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/event_federation.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/event_federation.py
index 051ac7a8cb..31d2e8eb28 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/event_federation.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/event_federation.py
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ class EventFederationWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SignatureWorkerStore, SQLBas
         Returns:
             list of event_ids
         """
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_auth_chain_ids", self._get_auth_chain_ids_txn, event_ids, include_given
         )
 
@@ -90,12 +90,12 @@ class EventFederationWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SignatureWorkerStore, SQLBas
         return list(results)
 
     def get_oldest_events_in_room(self, room_id):
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_oldest_events_in_room", self._get_oldest_events_in_room_txn, room_id
         )
 
     def get_oldest_events_with_depth_in_room(self, room_id):
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_oldest_events_with_depth_in_room",
             self.get_oldest_events_with_depth_in_room_txn,
             room_id,
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ class EventFederationWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SignatureWorkerStore, SQLBas
         Returns
             Deferred[int]
         """
-        rows = yield self.simple_select_many_batch(
+        rows = yield self.db.simple_select_many_batch(
             table="events",
             column="event_id",
             iterable=event_ids,
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ class EventFederationWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SignatureWorkerStore, SQLBas
             return max(row["depth"] for row in rows)
 
     def _get_oldest_events_in_room_txn(self, txn, room_id):
-        return self.simple_select_onecol_txn(
+        return self.db.simple_select_onecol_txn(
             txn,
             table="event_backward_extremities",
             keyvalues={"room_id": room_id},
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ class EventFederationWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SignatureWorkerStore, SQLBas
                 where *hashes* is a map from algorithm to hash.
         """
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_latest_event_ids_and_hashes_in_room",
             self._get_latest_event_ids_and_hashes_in_room,
             room_id,
@@ -229,13 +229,13 @@ class EventFederationWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SignatureWorkerStore, SQLBas
             txn.execute(sql, query_args)
             return [room_id for room_id, in txn]
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_rooms_with_many_extremities", _get_rooms_with_many_extremities_txn
         )
 
     @cached(max_entries=5000, iterable=True)
     def get_latest_event_ids_in_room(self, room_id):
-        return self.simple_select_onecol(
+        return self.db.simple_select_onecol(
             table="event_forward_extremities",
             keyvalues={"room_id": room_id},
             retcol="event_id",
@@ -266,12 +266,12 @@ class EventFederationWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SignatureWorkerStore, SQLBas
     def get_min_depth(self, room_id):
         """ For hte given room, get the minimum depth we have seen for it.
         """
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_min_depth", self._get_min_depth_interaction, room_id
         )
 
     def _get_min_depth_interaction(self, txn, room_id):
-        min_depth = self.simple_select_one_onecol_txn(
+        min_depth = self.db.simple_select_one_onecol_txn(
             txn,
             table="room_depth",
             keyvalues={"room_id": room_id},
@@ -337,7 +337,7 @@ class EventFederationWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SignatureWorkerStore, SQLBas
             txn.execute(sql, (stream_ordering, room_id))
             return [event_id for event_id, in txn]
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_forward_extremeties_for_room", get_forward_extremeties_for_room_txn
         )
 
@@ -352,7 +352,7 @@ class EventFederationWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SignatureWorkerStore, SQLBas
             limit (int)
         """
         return (
-            self.runInteraction(
+            self.db.runInteraction(
                 "get_backfill_events",
                 self._get_backfill_events,
                 room_id,
@@ -383,7 +383,7 @@ class EventFederationWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SignatureWorkerStore, SQLBas
         queue = PriorityQueue()
 
         for event_id in event_list:
-            depth = self.simple_select_one_onecol_txn(
+            depth = self.db.simple_select_one_onecol_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="events",
                 keyvalues={"event_id": event_id, "room_id": room_id},
@@ -415,7 +415,7 @@ class EventFederationWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SignatureWorkerStore, SQLBas
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_missing_events(self, room_id, earliest_events, latest_events, limit):
-        ids = yield self.runInteraction(
+        ids = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_missing_events",
             self._get_missing_events,
             room_id,
@@ -468,7 +468,7 @@ class EventFederationWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SignatureWorkerStore, SQLBas
         Returns:
             Deferred[list[str]]
         """
-        rows = yield self.simple_select_many_batch(
+        rows = yield self.db.simple_select_many_batch(
             table="event_edges",
             column="prev_event_id",
             iterable=event_ids,
@@ -494,7 +494,7 @@ class EventFederationStore(EventFederationWorkerStore):
     def __init__(self, db_conn, hs):
         super(EventFederationStore, self).__init__(db_conn, hs)
 
-        self.register_background_update_handler(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_update_handler(
             self.EVENT_AUTH_STATE_ONLY, self._background_delete_non_state_event_auth
         )
 
@@ -508,7 +508,7 @@ class EventFederationStore(EventFederationWorkerStore):
         if min_depth and depth >= min_depth:
             return
 
-        self.simple_upsert_txn(
+        self.db.simple_upsert_txn(
             txn,
             table="room_depth",
             keyvalues={"room_id": room_id},
@@ -520,7 +520,7 @@ class EventFederationStore(EventFederationWorkerStore):
         For the given event, update the event edges table and forward and
         backward extremities tables.
         """
-        self.simple_insert_many_txn(
+        self.db.simple_insert_many_txn(
             txn,
             table="event_edges",
             values=[
@@ -604,13 +604,13 @@ class EventFederationStore(EventFederationWorkerStore):
 
         return run_as_background_process(
             "delete_old_forward_extrem_cache",
-            self.runInteraction,
+            self.db.runInteraction,
             "_delete_old_forward_extrem_cache",
             _delete_old_forward_extrem_cache_txn,
         )
 
     def clean_room_for_join(self, room_id):
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "clean_room_for_join", self._clean_room_for_join_txn, room_id
         )
 
@@ -654,17 +654,17 @@ class EventFederationStore(EventFederationWorkerStore):
                 "max_stream_id_exclusive": min_stream_id,
             }
 
-            self._background_update_progress_txn(
+            self.db.updates._background_update_progress_txn(
                 txn, self.EVENT_AUTH_STATE_ONLY, new_progress
             )
 
             return min_stream_id >= target_min_stream_id
 
-        result = yield self.runInteraction(
+        result = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             self.EVENT_AUTH_STATE_ONLY, delete_event_auth
         )
 
         if not result:
-            yield self._end_background_update(self.EVENT_AUTH_STATE_ONLY)
+            yield self.db.updates._end_background_update(self.EVENT_AUTH_STATE_ONLY)
 
         return batch_size
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/event_push_actions.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/event_push_actions.py
index 0a37847cfd..eec054cd48 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/event_push_actions.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/event_push_actions.py
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ class EventPushActionsWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
     def get_unread_event_push_actions_by_room_for_user(
         self, room_id, user_id, last_read_event_id
     ):
-        ret = yield self.runInteraction(
+        ret = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_unread_event_push_actions_by_room",
             self._get_unread_counts_by_receipt_txn,
             room_id,
@@ -177,7 +177,7 @@ class EventPushActionsWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
             txn.execute(sql, (min_stream_ordering, max_stream_ordering))
             return [r[0] for r in txn]
 
-        ret = yield self.runInteraction("get_push_action_users_in_range", f)
+        ret = yield self.db.runInteraction("get_push_action_users_in_range", f)
         return ret
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
@@ -229,7 +229,7 @@ class EventPushActionsWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
             txn.execute(sql, args)
             return txn.fetchall()
 
-        after_read_receipt = yield self.runInteraction(
+        after_read_receipt = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_unread_push_actions_for_user_in_range_http_arr", get_after_receipt
         )
 
@@ -257,7 +257,7 @@ class EventPushActionsWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
             txn.execute(sql, args)
             return txn.fetchall()
 
-        no_read_receipt = yield self.runInteraction(
+        no_read_receipt = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_unread_push_actions_for_user_in_range_http_nrr", get_no_receipt
         )
 
@@ -329,7 +329,7 @@ class EventPushActionsWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
             txn.execute(sql, args)
             return txn.fetchall()
 
-        after_read_receipt = yield self.runInteraction(
+        after_read_receipt = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_unread_push_actions_for_user_in_range_email_arr", get_after_receipt
         )
 
@@ -357,7 +357,7 @@ class EventPushActionsWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
             txn.execute(sql, args)
             return txn.fetchall()
 
-        no_read_receipt = yield self.runInteraction(
+        no_read_receipt = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_unread_push_actions_for_user_in_range_email_nrr", get_no_receipt
         )
 
@@ -407,7 +407,7 @@ class EventPushActionsWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
             txn.execute(sql, (user_id, min_stream_ordering))
             return bool(txn.fetchone())
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_if_maybe_push_in_range_for_user",
             _get_if_maybe_push_in_range_for_user_txn,
         )
@@ -458,7 +458,7 @@ class EventPushActionsWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
                 ),
             )
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "add_push_actions_to_staging", _add_push_actions_to_staging_txn
         )
 
@@ -472,7 +472,7 @@ class EventPushActionsWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         """
 
         try:
-            res = yield self.simple_delete(
+            res = yield self.db.simple_delete(
                 table="event_push_actions_staging",
                 keyvalues={"event_id": event_id},
                 desc="remove_push_actions_from_staging",
@@ -489,7 +489,7 @@ class EventPushActionsWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
     def _find_stream_orderings_for_times(self):
         return run_as_background_process(
             "event_push_action_stream_orderings",
-            self.runInteraction,
+            self.db.runInteraction,
             "_find_stream_orderings_for_times",
             self._find_stream_orderings_for_times_txn,
         )
@@ -525,7 +525,7 @@ class EventPushActionsWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
             Deferred[int]: stream ordering of the first event received on/after
                 the timestamp
         """
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "_find_first_stream_ordering_after_ts_txn",
             self._find_first_stream_ordering_after_ts_txn,
             ts,
@@ -614,14 +614,14 @@ class EventPushActionsStore(EventPushActionsWorkerStore):
     def __init__(self, db_conn, hs):
         super(EventPushActionsStore, self).__init__(db_conn, hs)
 
-        self.register_background_index_update(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_index_update(
             self.EPA_HIGHLIGHT_INDEX,
             index_name="event_push_actions_u_highlight",
             table="event_push_actions",
             columns=["user_id", "stream_ordering"],
         )
 
-        self.register_background_index_update(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_index_update(
             "event_push_actions_highlights_index",
             index_name="event_push_actions_highlights_index",
             table="event_push_actions",
@@ -677,7 +677,7 @@ class EventPushActionsStore(EventPushActionsWorkerStore):
             )
 
         for event, _ in events_and_contexts:
-            user_ids = self.simple_select_onecol_txn(
+            user_ids = self.db.simple_select_onecol_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="event_push_actions_staging",
                 keyvalues={"event_id": event.event_id},
@@ -727,9 +727,9 @@ class EventPushActionsStore(EventPushActionsWorkerStore):
                 " LIMIT ?" % (before_clause,)
             )
             txn.execute(sql, args)
-            return self.cursor_to_dict(txn)
+            return self.db.cursor_to_dict(txn)
 
-        push_actions = yield self.runInteraction("get_push_actions_for_user", f)
+        push_actions = yield self.db.runInteraction("get_push_actions_for_user", f)
         for pa in push_actions:
             pa["actions"] = _deserialize_action(pa["actions"], pa["highlight"])
         return push_actions
@@ -748,7 +748,7 @@ class EventPushActionsStore(EventPushActionsWorkerStore):
             txn.execute(sql, (stream_ordering,))
             return txn.fetchone()
 
-        result = yield self.runInteraction("get_time_of_last_push_action_before", f)
+        result = yield self.db.runInteraction("get_time_of_last_push_action_before", f)
         return result[0] if result else None
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
@@ -757,7 +757,9 @@ class EventPushActionsStore(EventPushActionsWorkerStore):
             txn.execute("SELECT MAX(stream_ordering) FROM event_push_actions")
             return txn.fetchone()
 
-        result = yield self.runInteraction("get_latest_push_action_stream_ordering", f)
+        result = yield self.db.runInteraction(
+            "get_latest_push_action_stream_ordering", f
+        )
         return result[0] or 0
 
     def _remove_push_actions_for_event_id_txn(self, txn, room_id, event_id):
@@ -830,7 +832,7 @@ class EventPushActionsStore(EventPushActionsWorkerStore):
             while True:
                 logger.info("Rotating notifications")
 
-                caught_up = yield self.runInteraction(
+                caught_up = yield self.db.runInteraction(
                     "_rotate_notifs", self._rotate_notifs_txn
                 )
                 if caught_up:
@@ -844,7 +846,7 @@ class EventPushActionsStore(EventPushActionsWorkerStore):
         the archiving process has caught up or not.
         """
 
-        old_rotate_stream_ordering = self.simple_select_one_onecol_txn(
+        old_rotate_stream_ordering = self.db.simple_select_one_onecol_txn(
             txn,
             table="event_push_summary_stream_ordering",
             keyvalues={},
@@ -880,7 +882,7 @@ class EventPushActionsStore(EventPushActionsWorkerStore):
         return caught_up
 
     def _rotate_notifs_before_txn(self, txn, rotate_to_stream_ordering):
-        old_rotate_stream_ordering = self.simple_select_one_onecol_txn(
+        old_rotate_stream_ordering = self.db.simple_select_one_onecol_txn(
             txn,
             table="event_push_summary_stream_ordering",
             keyvalues={},
@@ -912,7 +914,7 @@ class EventPushActionsStore(EventPushActionsWorkerStore):
         # If the `old.user_id` above is NULL then we know there isn't already an
         # entry in the table, so we simply insert it. Otherwise we update the
         # existing table.
-        self.simple_insert_many_txn(
+        self.db.simple_insert_many_txn(
             txn,
             table="event_push_summary",
             values=[
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/events.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/events.py
index 98ae69e996..d644c82784 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/events.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/events.py
@@ -38,7 +38,6 @@ from synapse.logging.utils import log_function
 from synapse.metrics import BucketCollector
 from synapse.metrics.background_process_metrics import run_as_background_process
 from synapse.storage._base import make_in_list_sql_clause
-from synapse.storage.background_updates import BackgroundUpdateStore
 from synapse.storage.data_stores.main.event_federation import EventFederationStore
 from synapse.storage.data_stores.main.events_worker import EventsWorkerStore
 from synapse.storage.data_stores.main.state import StateGroupWorkerStore
@@ -94,10 +93,7 @@ def _retry_on_integrity_error(func):
 # inherits from EventFederationStore so that we can call _update_backward_extremities
 # and _handle_mult_prev_events (though arguably those could both be moved in here)
 class EventsStore(
-    StateGroupWorkerStore,
-    EventFederationStore,
-    EventsWorkerStore,
-    BackgroundUpdateStore,
+    StateGroupWorkerStore, EventFederationStore, EventsWorkerStore,
 ):
     def __init__(self, db_conn, hs):
         super(EventsStore, self).__init__(db_conn, hs)
@@ -143,7 +139,7 @@ class EventsStore(
             )
             return txn.fetchall()
 
-        res = yield self.runInteraction("read_forward_extremities", fetch)
+        res = yield self.db.runInteraction("read_forward_extremities", fetch)
         self._current_forward_extremities_amount = c_counter(list(x[0] for x in res))
 
     @_retry_on_integrity_error
@@ -208,7 +204,7 @@ class EventsStore(
             for (event, context), stream in zip(events_and_contexts, stream_orderings):
                 event.internal_metadata.stream_ordering = stream
 
-            yield self.runInteraction(
+            yield self.db.runInteraction(
                 "persist_events",
                 self._persist_events_txn,
                 events_and_contexts=events_and_contexts,
@@ -281,7 +277,7 @@ class EventsStore(
             results.extend(r[0] for r in txn if not json.loads(r[1]).get("soft_failed"))
 
         for chunk in batch_iter(event_ids, 100):
-            yield self.runInteraction(
+            yield self.db.runInteraction(
                 "_get_events_which_are_prevs", _get_events_which_are_prevs_txn, chunk
             )
 
@@ -345,7 +341,7 @@ class EventsStore(
                         existing_prevs.add(prev_event_id)
 
         for chunk in batch_iter(event_ids, 100):
-            yield self.runInteraction(
+            yield self.db.runInteraction(
                 "_get_prevs_before_rejected", _get_prevs_before_rejected_txn, chunk
             )
 
@@ -432,7 +428,7 @@ class EventsStore(
         # event's auth chain, but its easier for now just to store them (and
         # it doesn't take much storage compared to storing the entire event
         # anyway).
-        self.simple_insert_many_txn(
+        self.db.simple_insert_many_txn(
             txn,
             table="event_auth",
             values=[
@@ -580,12 +576,12 @@ class EventsStore(
         self, txn, new_forward_extremities, max_stream_order
     ):
         for room_id, new_extrem in iteritems(new_forward_extremities):
-            self.simple_delete_txn(
+            self.db.simple_delete_txn(
                 txn, table="event_forward_extremities", keyvalues={"room_id": room_id}
             )
             txn.call_after(self.get_latest_event_ids_in_room.invalidate, (room_id,))
 
-        self.simple_insert_many_txn(
+        self.db.simple_insert_many_txn(
             txn,
             table="event_forward_extremities",
             values=[
@@ -598,7 +594,7 @@ class EventsStore(
         # new stream_ordering to new forward extremeties in the room.
         # This allows us to later efficiently look up the forward extremeties
         # for a room before a given stream_ordering
-        self.simple_insert_many_txn(
+        self.db.simple_insert_many_txn(
             txn,
             table="stream_ordering_to_exterm",
             values=[
@@ -722,7 +718,7 @@ class EventsStore(
                 # change in outlier status to our workers.
                 stream_order = event.internal_metadata.stream_ordering
                 state_group_id = context.state_group
-                self.simple_insert_txn(
+                self.db.simple_insert_txn(
                     txn,
                     table="ex_outlier_stream",
                     values={
@@ -794,7 +790,7 @@ class EventsStore(
             d.pop("redacted_because", None)
             return d
 
-        self.simple_insert_many_txn(
+        self.db.simple_insert_many_txn(
             txn,
             table="event_json",
             values=[
@@ -811,7 +807,7 @@ class EventsStore(
             ],
         )
 
-        self.simple_insert_many_txn(
+        self.db.simple_insert_many_txn(
             txn,
             table="events",
             values=[
@@ -841,7 +837,7 @@ class EventsStore(
                 # If we're persisting an unredacted event we go and ensure
                 # that we mark any redactions that reference this event as
                 # requiring censoring.
-                self.simple_update_txn(
+                self.db.simple_update_txn(
                     txn,
                     table="redactions",
                     keyvalues={"redacts": event.event_id},
@@ -983,7 +979,7 @@ class EventsStore(
 
             state_values.append(vals)
 
-        self.simple_insert_many_txn(txn, table="state_events", values=state_values)
+        self.db.simple_insert_many_txn(txn, table="state_events", values=state_values)
 
         # Prefill the event cache
         self._add_to_cache(txn, events_and_contexts)
@@ -1014,7 +1010,7 @@ class EventsStore(
             )
 
             txn.execute(sql + clause, args)
-            rows = self.cursor_to_dict(txn)
+            rows = self.db.cursor_to_dict(txn)
             for row in rows:
                 event = ev_map[row["event_id"]]
                 if not row["rejects"] and not row["redacts"]:
@@ -1032,7 +1028,7 @@ class EventsStore(
         # invalidate the cache for the redacted event
         txn.call_after(self._invalidate_get_event_cache, event.redacts)
 
-        self.simple_insert_txn(
+        self.db.simple_insert_txn(
             txn,
             table="redactions",
             values={
@@ -1077,7 +1073,9 @@ class EventsStore(
             LIMIT ?
         """
 
-        rows = yield self.execute("_censor_redactions_fetch", None, sql, before_ts, 100)
+        rows = yield self.db.execute(
+            "_censor_redactions_fetch", None, sql, before_ts, 100
+        )
 
         updates = []
 
@@ -1109,14 +1107,14 @@ class EventsStore(
                 if pruned_json:
                     self._censor_event_txn(txn, event_id, pruned_json)
 
-                self.simple_update_one_txn(
+                self.db.simple_update_one_txn(
                     txn,
                     table="redactions",
                     keyvalues={"event_id": redaction_id},
                     updatevalues={"have_censored": True},
                 )
 
-        yield self.runInteraction("_update_censor_txn", _update_censor_txn)
+        yield self.db.runInteraction("_update_censor_txn", _update_censor_txn)
 
     def _censor_event_txn(self, txn, event_id, pruned_json):
         """Censor an event by replacing its JSON in the event_json table with the
@@ -1127,7 +1125,7 @@ class EventsStore(
             event_id (str): The ID of the event to censor.
             pruned_json (str): The pruned JSON
         """
-        self.simple_update_one_txn(
+        self.db.simple_update_one_txn(
             txn,
             table="event_json",
             keyvalues={"event_id": event_id},
@@ -1153,7 +1151,7 @@ class EventsStore(
             (count,) = txn.fetchone()
             return count
 
-        ret = yield self.runInteraction("count_messages", _count_messages)
+        ret = yield self.db.runInteraction("count_messages", _count_messages)
         return ret
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
@@ -1174,7 +1172,7 @@ class EventsStore(
             (count,) = txn.fetchone()
             return count
 
-        ret = yield self.runInteraction("count_daily_sent_messages", _count_messages)
+        ret = yield self.db.runInteraction("count_daily_sent_messages", _count_messages)
         return ret
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
@@ -1189,7 +1187,7 @@ class EventsStore(
             (count,) = txn.fetchone()
             return count
 
-        ret = yield self.runInteraction("count_daily_active_rooms", _count)
+        ret = yield self.db.runInteraction("count_daily_active_rooms", _count)
         return ret
 
     def get_current_backfill_token(self):
@@ -1241,7 +1239,7 @@ class EventsStore(
 
             return new_event_updates
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_all_new_forward_event_rows", get_all_new_forward_event_rows
         )
 
@@ -1286,7 +1284,7 @@ class EventsStore(
 
             return new_event_updates
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_all_new_backfill_event_rows", get_all_new_backfill_event_rows
         )
 
@@ -1379,7 +1377,7 @@ class EventsStore(
                 backward_ex_outliers,
             )
 
-        return self.runInteraction("get_all_new_events", get_all_new_events_txn)
+        return self.db.runInteraction("get_all_new_events", get_all_new_events_txn)
 
     def purge_history(self, room_id, token, delete_local_events):
         """Deletes room history before a certain point
@@ -1399,7 +1397,7 @@ class EventsStore(
             deleted events.
         """
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "purge_history",
             self._purge_history_txn,
             room_id,
@@ -1647,7 +1645,7 @@ class EventsStore(
             Deferred[List[int]]: The list of state groups to delete.
         """
 
-        return self.runInteraction("purge_room", self._purge_room_txn, room_id)
+        return self.db.runInteraction("purge_room", self._purge_room_txn, room_id)
 
     def _purge_room_txn(self, txn, room_id):
         # First we fetch all the state groups that should be deleted, before
@@ -1766,7 +1764,7 @@ class EventsStore(
                 to delete.
         """
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "purge_unreferenced_state_groups",
             self._purge_unreferenced_state_groups,
             room_id,
@@ -1778,7 +1776,7 @@ class EventsStore(
             "[purge] found %i state groups to delete", len(state_groups_to_delete)
         )
 
-        rows = self.simple_select_many_txn(
+        rows = self.db.simple_select_many_txn(
             txn,
             table="state_group_edges",
             column="prev_state_group",
@@ -1805,15 +1803,15 @@ class EventsStore(
             curr_state = self._get_state_groups_from_groups_txn(txn, [sg])
             curr_state = curr_state[sg]
 
-            self.simple_delete_txn(
+            self.db.simple_delete_txn(
                 txn, table="state_groups_state", keyvalues={"state_group": sg}
             )
 
-            self.simple_delete_txn(
+            self.db.simple_delete_txn(
                 txn, table="state_group_edges", keyvalues={"state_group": sg}
             )
 
-            self.simple_insert_many_txn(
+            self.db.simple_insert_many_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="state_groups_state",
                 values=[
@@ -1850,7 +1848,7 @@ class EventsStore(
             state group.
         """
 
-        rows = yield self.simple_select_many_batch(
+        rows = yield self.db.simple_select_many_batch(
             table="state_group_edges",
             column="prev_state_group",
             iterable=state_groups,
@@ -1869,7 +1867,7 @@ class EventsStore(
             state_groups_to_delete (list[int]): State groups to delete
         """
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "purge_room_state",
             self._purge_room_state_txn,
             room_id,
@@ -1880,7 +1878,7 @@ class EventsStore(
         # first we have to delete the state groups states
         logger.info("[purge] removing %s from state_groups_state", room_id)
 
-        self.simple_delete_many_txn(
+        self.db.simple_delete_many_txn(
             txn,
             table="state_groups_state",
             column="state_group",
@@ -1891,7 +1889,7 @@ class EventsStore(
         # ... and the state group edges
         logger.info("[purge] removing %s from state_group_edges", room_id)
 
-        self.simple_delete_many_txn(
+        self.db.simple_delete_many_txn(
             txn,
             table="state_group_edges",
             column="state_group",
@@ -1902,7 +1900,7 @@ class EventsStore(
         # ... and the state groups
         logger.info("[purge] removing %s from state_groups", room_id)
 
-        self.simple_delete_many_txn(
+        self.db.simple_delete_many_txn(
             txn,
             table="state_groups",
             column="id",
@@ -1919,7 +1917,7 @@ class EventsStore(
 
     @cachedInlineCallbacks(max_entries=5000)
     def _get_event_ordering(self, event_id):
-        res = yield self.simple_select_one(
+        res = yield self.db.simple_select_one(
             table="events",
             retcols=["topological_ordering", "stream_ordering"],
             keyvalues={"event_id": event_id},
@@ -1942,7 +1940,7 @@ class EventsStore(
             txn.execute(sql, (from_token, to_token, limit))
             return txn.fetchall()
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_all_updated_current_state_deltas",
             get_all_updated_current_state_deltas_txn,
         )
@@ -1960,7 +1958,7 @@ class EventsStore(
             room_id (str): The ID of the room the event was sent to.
             topological_ordering (int): The position of the event in the room's topology.
         """
-        return self.simple_insert_many_txn(
+        return self.db.simple_insert_many_txn(
             txn=txn,
             table="event_labels",
             values=[
@@ -1982,7 +1980,7 @@ class EventsStore(
             event_id (str): The event ID the expiry timestamp is associated with.
             expiry_ts (int): The timestamp at which to expire (delete) the event.
         """
-        return self.simple_insert_txn(
+        return self.db.simple_insert_txn(
             txn=txn,
             table="event_expiry",
             values={"event_id": event_id, "expiry_ts": expiry_ts},
@@ -2031,7 +2029,7 @@ class EventsStore(
                 txn, "_get_event_cache", (event.event_id,)
             )
 
-        yield self.runInteraction("delete_expired_event", delete_expired_event_txn)
+        yield self.db.runInteraction("delete_expired_event", delete_expired_event_txn)
 
     def _delete_event_expiry_txn(self, txn, event_id):
         """Delete the expiry timestamp associated with an event ID without deleting the
@@ -2041,7 +2039,7 @@ class EventsStore(
             txn (LoggingTransaction): The transaction to use to perform the deletion.
             event_id (str): The event ID to delete the associated expiry timestamp of.
         """
-        return self.simple_delete_txn(
+        return self.db.simple_delete_txn(
             txn=txn, table="event_expiry", keyvalues={"event_id": event_id}
         )
 
@@ -2065,7 +2063,7 @@ class EventsStore(
 
             return txn.fetchone()
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             desc="get_next_event_to_expire", func=get_next_event_to_expire_txn
         )
 
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/events_bg_updates.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/events_bg_updates.py
index 37dfc8c871..cb1fc30c31 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/events_bg_updates.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/events_bg_updates.py
@@ -22,13 +22,12 @@ from canonicaljson import json
 from twisted.internet import defer
 
 from synapse.api.constants import EventContentFields
-from synapse.storage._base import make_in_list_sql_clause
-from synapse.storage.background_updates import BackgroundUpdateStore
+from synapse.storage._base import SQLBaseStore, make_in_list_sql_clause
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
-class EventsBackgroundUpdatesStore(BackgroundUpdateStore):
+class EventsBackgroundUpdatesStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
     EVENT_ORIGIN_SERVER_TS_NAME = "event_origin_server_ts"
     EVENT_FIELDS_SENDER_URL_UPDATE_NAME = "event_fields_sender_url"
@@ -37,15 +36,15 @@ class EventsBackgroundUpdatesStore(BackgroundUpdateStore):
     def __init__(self, db_conn, hs):
         super(EventsBackgroundUpdatesStore, self).__init__(db_conn, hs)
 
-        self.register_background_update_handler(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_update_handler(
             self.EVENT_ORIGIN_SERVER_TS_NAME, self._background_reindex_origin_server_ts
         )
-        self.register_background_update_handler(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_update_handler(
             self.EVENT_FIELDS_SENDER_URL_UPDATE_NAME,
             self._background_reindex_fields_sender,
         )
 
-        self.register_background_index_update(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_index_update(
             "event_contains_url_index",
             index_name="event_contains_url_index",
             table="events",
@@ -56,7 +55,7 @@ class EventsBackgroundUpdatesStore(BackgroundUpdateStore):
         # an event_id index on event_search is useful for the purge_history
         # api. Plus it means we get to enforce some integrity with a UNIQUE
         # clause
-        self.register_background_index_update(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_index_update(
             "event_search_event_id_idx",
             index_name="event_search_event_id_idx",
             table="event_search",
@@ -65,16 +64,16 @@ class EventsBackgroundUpdatesStore(BackgroundUpdateStore):
             psql_only=True,
         )
 
-        self.register_background_update_handler(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_update_handler(
             self.DELETE_SOFT_FAILED_EXTREMITIES, self._cleanup_extremities_bg_update
         )
 
-        self.register_background_update_handler(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_update_handler(
             "redactions_received_ts", self._redactions_received_ts
         )
 
         # This index gets deleted in `event_fix_redactions_bytes` update
-        self.register_background_index_update(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_index_update(
             "event_fix_redactions_bytes_create_index",
             index_name="redactions_censored_redacts",
             table="redactions",
@@ -82,11 +81,11 @@ class EventsBackgroundUpdatesStore(BackgroundUpdateStore):
             where_clause="have_censored",
         )
 
-        self.register_background_update_handler(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_update_handler(
             "event_fix_redactions_bytes", self._event_fix_redactions_bytes
         )
 
-        self.register_background_update_handler(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_update_handler(
             "event_store_labels", self._event_store_labels
         )
 
@@ -145,18 +144,20 @@ class EventsBackgroundUpdatesStore(BackgroundUpdateStore):
                 "rows_inserted": rows_inserted + len(rows),
             }
 
-            self._background_update_progress_txn(
+            self.db.updates._background_update_progress_txn(
                 txn, self.EVENT_FIELDS_SENDER_URL_UPDATE_NAME, progress
             )
 
             return len(rows)
 
-        result = yield self.runInteraction(
+        result = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             self.EVENT_FIELDS_SENDER_URL_UPDATE_NAME, reindex_txn
         )
 
         if not result:
-            yield self._end_background_update(self.EVENT_FIELDS_SENDER_URL_UPDATE_NAME)
+            yield self.db.updates._end_background_update(
+                self.EVENT_FIELDS_SENDER_URL_UPDATE_NAME
+            )
 
         return result
 
@@ -189,7 +190,7 @@ class EventsBackgroundUpdatesStore(BackgroundUpdateStore):
 
             chunks = [event_ids[i : i + 100] for i in range(0, len(event_ids), 100)]
             for chunk in chunks:
-                ev_rows = self.simple_select_many_txn(
+                ev_rows = self.db.simple_select_many_txn(
                     txn,
                     table="event_json",
                     column="event_id",
@@ -222,18 +223,20 @@ class EventsBackgroundUpdatesStore(BackgroundUpdateStore):
                 "rows_inserted": rows_inserted + len(rows_to_update),
             }
 
-            self._background_update_progress_txn(
+            self.db.updates._background_update_progress_txn(
                 txn, self.EVENT_ORIGIN_SERVER_TS_NAME, progress
             )
 
             return len(rows_to_update)
 
-        result = yield self.runInteraction(
+        result = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             self.EVENT_ORIGIN_SERVER_TS_NAME, reindex_search_txn
         )
 
         if not result:
-            yield self._end_background_update(self.EVENT_ORIGIN_SERVER_TS_NAME)
+            yield self.db.updates._end_background_update(
+                self.EVENT_ORIGIN_SERVER_TS_NAME
+            )
 
         return result
 
@@ -366,7 +369,7 @@ class EventsBackgroundUpdatesStore(BackgroundUpdateStore):
 
             to_delete.intersection_update(original_set)
 
-            deleted = self.simple_delete_many_txn(
+            deleted = self.db.simple_delete_many_txn(
                 txn=txn,
                 table="event_forward_extremities",
                 column="event_id",
@@ -382,7 +385,7 @@ class EventsBackgroundUpdatesStore(BackgroundUpdateStore):
 
             if deleted:
                 # We now need to invalidate the caches of these rooms
-                rows = self.simple_select_many_txn(
+                rows = self.db.simple_select_many_txn(
                     txn,
                     table="events",
                     column="event_id",
@@ -396,7 +399,7 @@ class EventsBackgroundUpdatesStore(BackgroundUpdateStore):
                         self.get_latest_event_ids_in_room.invalidate, (room_id,)
                     )
 
-            self.simple_delete_many_txn(
+            self.db.simple_delete_many_txn(
                 txn=txn,
                 table="_extremities_to_check",
                 column="event_id",
@@ -406,17 +409,19 @@ class EventsBackgroundUpdatesStore(BackgroundUpdateStore):
 
             return len(original_set)
 
-        num_handled = yield self.runInteraction(
+        num_handled = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "_cleanup_extremities_bg_update", _cleanup_extremities_bg_update_txn
         )
 
         if not num_handled:
-            yield self._end_background_update(self.DELETE_SOFT_FAILED_EXTREMITIES)
+            yield self.db.updates._end_background_update(
+                self.DELETE_SOFT_FAILED_EXTREMITIES
+            )
 
             def _drop_table_txn(txn):
                 txn.execute("DROP TABLE _extremities_to_check")
 
-            yield self.runInteraction(
+            yield self.db.runInteraction(
                 "_cleanup_extremities_bg_update_drop_table", _drop_table_txn
             )
 
@@ -464,18 +469,18 @@ class EventsBackgroundUpdatesStore(BackgroundUpdateStore):
 
             txn.execute(sql, (self._clock.time_msec(), last_event_id, upper_event_id))
 
-            self._background_update_progress_txn(
+            self.db.updates._background_update_progress_txn(
                 txn, "redactions_received_ts", {"last_event_id": upper_event_id}
             )
 
             return len(rows)
 
-        count = yield self.runInteraction(
+        count = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "_redactions_received_ts", _redactions_received_ts_txn
         )
 
         if not count:
-            yield self._end_background_update("redactions_received_ts")
+            yield self.db.updates._end_background_update("redactions_received_ts")
 
         return count
 
@@ -501,11 +506,11 @@ class EventsBackgroundUpdatesStore(BackgroundUpdateStore):
 
             txn.execute("DROP INDEX redactions_censored_redacts")
 
-        yield self.runInteraction(
+        yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "_event_fix_redactions_bytes", _event_fix_redactions_bytes_txn
         )
 
-        yield self._end_background_update("event_fix_redactions_bytes")
+        yield self.db.updates._end_background_update("event_fix_redactions_bytes")
 
         return 1
 
@@ -533,7 +538,7 @@ class EventsBackgroundUpdatesStore(BackgroundUpdateStore):
                 try:
                     event_json = json.loads(event_json_raw)
 
-                    self.simple_insert_many_txn(
+                    self.db.simple_insert_many_txn(
                         txn=txn,
                         table="event_labels",
                         values=[
@@ -559,17 +564,17 @@ class EventsBackgroundUpdatesStore(BackgroundUpdateStore):
                 nbrows += 1
                 last_row_event_id = event_id
 
-            self._background_update_progress_txn(
+            self.db.updates._background_update_progress_txn(
                 txn, "event_store_labels", {"last_event_id": last_row_event_id}
             )
 
             return nbrows
 
-        num_rows = yield self.runInteraction(
+        num_rows = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             desc="event_store_labels", func=_event_store_labels_txn
         )
 
         if not num_rows:
-            yield self._end_background_update("event_store_labels")
+            yield self.db.updates._end_background_update("event_store_labels")
 
         return num_rows
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/events_worker.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/events_worker.py
index 6a08a746b6..e041fc5eac 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/events_worker.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/events_worker.py
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ class EventsWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
             Deferred[int|None]: Timestamp in milliseconds, or None for events
             that were persisted before received_ts was implemented.
         """
-        return self.simple_select_one_onecol(
+        return self.db.simple_select_one_onecol(
             table="events",
             keyvalues={"event_id": event_id},
             retcol="received_ts",
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ class EventsWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
             return ts
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_approximate_received_ts", _get_approximate_received_ts_txn
         )
 
@@ -452,7 +452,7 @@ class EventsWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
                     event_id for events, _ in event_list for event_id in events
                 )
 
-                row_dict = self.new_transaction(
+                row_dict = self.db.new_transaction(
                     conn, "do_fetch", [], [], self._fetch_event_rows, events_to_fetch
                 )
 
@@ -584,7 +584,7 @@ class EventsWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
         if should_start:
             run_as_background_process(
-                "fetch_events", self.runWithConnection, self._do_fetch
+                "fetch_events", self.db.runWithConnection, self._do_fetch
             )
 
         logger.debug("Loading %d events: %s", len(events), events)
@@ -745,7 +745,7 @@ class EventsWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         """Given a list of event ids, check if we have already processed and
         stored them as non outliers.
         """
-        rows = yield self.simple_select_many_batch(
+        rows = yield self.db.simple_select_many_batch(
             table="events",
             retcols=("event_id",),
             column="event_id",
@@ -780,7 +780,9 @@ class EventsWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         # break the input up into chunks of 100
         input_iterator = iter(event_ids)
         for chunk in iter(lambda: list(itertools.islice(input_iterator, 100)), []):
-            yield self.runInteraction("have_seen_events", have_seen_events_txn, chunk)
+            yield self.db.runInteraction(
+                "have_seen_events", have_seen_events_txn, chunk
+            )
         return results
 
     def _get_total_state_event_counts_txn(self, txn, room_id):
@@ -807,7 +809,7 @@ class EventsWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         Returns:
             Deferred[int]
         """
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_total_state_event_counts",
             self._get_total_state_event_counts_txn,
             room_id,
@@ -832,7 +834,7 @@ class EventsWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         Returns:
             Deferred[int]
         """
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_current_state_event_counts",
             self._get_current_state_event_counts_txn,
             room_id,
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/filtering.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/filtering.py
index 17ef7b9354..342d6622a4 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/filtering.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/filtering.py
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ class FilteringStore(SQLBaseStore):
         except ValueError:
             raise SynapseError(400, "Invalid filter ID", Codes.INVALID_PARAM)
 
-        def_json = yield self.simple_select_one_onecol(
+        def_json = yield self.db.simple_select_one_onecol(
             table="user_filters",
             keyvalues={"user_id": user_localpart, "filter_id": filter_id},
             retcol="filter_json",
@@ -71,4 +71,4 @@ class FilteringStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
             return filter_id
 
-        return self.runInteraction("add_user_filter", _do_txn)
+        return self.db.runInteraction("add_user_filter", _do_txn)
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/group_server.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/group_server.py
index 9e1d12bcb7..7f5e8dce66 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/group_server.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/group_server.py
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
          * "invite"
          * "open"
         """
-        return self.simple_update_one(
+        return self.db.simple_update_one(
             table="groups",
             keyvalues={"group_id": group_id},
             updatevalues={"join_policy": join_policy},
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         )
 
     def get_group(self, group_id):
-        return self.simple_select_one(
+        return self.db.simple_select_one(
             table="groups",
             keyvalues={"group_id": group_id},
             retcols=(
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         if not include_private:
             keyvalues["is_public"] = True
 
-        return self.simple_select_list(
+        return self.db.simple_select_list(
             table="group_users",
             keyvalues=keyvalues,
             retcols=("user_id", "is_public", "is_admin"),
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
     def get_invited_users_in_group(self, group_id):
         # TODO: Pagination
 
-        return self.simple_select_onecol(
+        return self.db.simple_select_onecol(
             table="group_invites",
             keyvalues={"group_id": group_id},
             retcol="user_id",
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         if not include_private:
             keyvalues["is_public"] = True
 
-        return self.simple_select_list(
+        return self.db.simple_select_list(
             table="group_rooms",
             keyvalues=keyvalues,
             retcols=("room_id", "is_public"),
@@ -153,10 +153,12 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
             return rooms, categories
 
-        return self.runInteraction("get_rooms_for_summary", _get_rooms_for_summary_txn)
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
+            "get_rooms_for_summary", _get_rooms_for_summary_txn
+        )
 
     def add_room_to_summary(self, group_id, room_id, category_id, order, is_public):
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "add_room_to_summary",
             self._add_room_to_summary_txn,
             group_id,
@@ -180,7 +182,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
                 an order of 1 will put the room first. Otherwise, the room gets
                 added to the end.
         """
-        room_in_group = self.simple_select_one_onecol_txn(
+        room_in_group = self.db.simple_select_one_onecol_txn(
             txn,
             table="group_rooms",
             keyvalues={"group_id": group_id, "room_id": room_id},
@@ -193,7 +195,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         if category_id is None:
             category_id = _DEFAULT_CATEGORY_ID
         else:
-            cat_exists = self.simple_select_one_onecol_txn(
+            cat_exists = self.db.simple_select_one_onecol_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="group_room_categories",
                 keyvalues={"group_id": group_id, "category_id": category_id},
@@ -204,7 +206,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
                 raise SynapseError(400, "Category doesn't exist")
 
             # TODO: Check category is part of summary already
-            cat_exists = self.simple_select_one_onecol_txn(
+            cat_exists = self.db.simple_select_one_onecol_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="group_summary_room_categories",
                 keyvalues={"group_id": group_id, "category_id": category_id},
@@ -224,7 +226,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
                     (group_id, category_id, group_id, category_id),
                 )
 
-        existing = self.simple_select_one_txn(
+        existing = self.db.simple_select_one_txn(
             txn,
             table="group_summary_rooms",
             keyvalues={
@@ -257,7 +259,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
                 to_update["room_order"] = order
             if is_public is not None:
                 to_update["is_public"] = is_public
-            self.simple_update_txn(
+            self.db.simple_update_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="group_summary_rooms",
                 keyvalues={
@@ -271,7 +273,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
             if is_public is None:
                 is_public = True
 
-            self.simple_insert_txn(
+            self.db.simple_insert_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="group_summary_rooms",
                 values={
@@ -287,7 +289,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         if category_id is None:
             category_id = _DEFAULT_CATEGORY_ID
 
-        return self.simple_delete(
+        return self.db.simple_delete(
             table="group_summary_rooms",
             keyvalues={
                 "group_id": group_id,
@@ -299,7 +301,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_group_categories(self, group_id):
-        rows = yield self.simple_select_list(
+        rows = yield self.db.simple_select_list(
             table="group_room_categories",
             keyvalues={"group_id": group_id},
             retcols=("category_id", "is_public", "profile"),
@@ -316,7 +318,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_group_category(self, group_id, category_id):
-        category = yield self.simple_select_one(
+        category = yield self.db.simple_select_one(
             table="group_room_categories",
             keyvalues={"group_id": group_id, "category_id": category_id},
             retcols=("is_public", "profile"),
@@ -343,7 +345,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         else:
             update_values["is_public"] = is_public
 
-        return self.simple_upsert(
+        return self.db.simple_upsert(
             table="group_room_categories",
             keyvalues={"group_id": group_id, "category_id": category_id},
             values=update_values,
@@ -352,7 +354,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         )
 
     def remove_group_category(self, group_id, category_id):
-        return self.simple_delete(
+        return self.db.simple_delete(
             table="group_room_categories",
             keyvalues={"group_id": group_id, "category_id": category_id},
             desc="remove_group_category",
@@ -360,7 +362,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_group_roles(self, group_id):
-        rows = yield self.simple_select_list(
+        rows = yield self.db.simple_select_list(
             table="group_roles",
             keyvalues={"group_id": group_id},
             retcols=("role_id", "is_public", "profile"),
@@ -377,7 +379,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_group_role(self, group_id, role_id):
-        role = yield self.simple_select_one(
+        role = yield self.db.simple_select_one(
             table="group_roles",
             keyvalues={"group_id": group_id, "role_id": role_id},
             retcols=("is_public", "profile"),
@@ -404,7 +406,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         else:
             update_values["is_public"] = is_public
 
-        return self.simple_upsert(
+        return self.db.simple_upsert(
             table="group_roles",
             keyvalues={"group_id": group_id, "role_id": role_id},
             values=update_values,
@@ -413,14 +415,14 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         )
 
     def remove_group_role(self, group_id, role_id):
-        return self.simple_delete(
+        return self.db.simple_delete(
             table="group_roles",
             keyvalues={"group_id": group_id, "role_id": role_id},
             desc="remove_group_role",
         )
 
     def add_user_to_summary(self, group_id, user_id, role_id, order, is_public):
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "add_user_to_summary",
             self._add_user_to_summary_txn,
             group_id,
@@ -444,7 +446,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
                 an order of 1 will put the user first. Otherwise, the user gets
                 added to the end.
         """
-        user_in_group = self.simple_select_one_onecol_txn(
+        user_in_group = self.db.simple_select_one_onecol_txn(
             txn,
             table="group_users",
             keyvalues={"group_id": group_id, "user_id": user_id},
@@ -457,7 +459,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         if role_id is None:
             role_id = _DEFAULT_ROLE_ID
         else:
-            role_exists = self.simple_select_one_onecol_txn(
+            role_exists = self.db.simple_select_one_onecol_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="group_roles",
                 keyvalues={"group_id": group_id, "role_id": role_id},
@@ -468,7 +470,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
                 raise SynapseError(400, "Role doesn't exist")
 
             # TODO: Check role is part of the summary already
-            role_exists = self.simple_select_one_onecol_txn(
+            role_exists = self.db.simple_select_one_onecol_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="group_summary_roles",
                 keyvalues={"group_id": group_id, "role_id": role_id},
@@ -488,7 +490,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
                     (group_id, role_id, group_id, role_id),
                 )
 
-        existing = self.simple_select_one_txn(
+        existing = self.db.simple_select_one_txn(
             txn,
             table="group_summary_users",
             keyvalues={"group_id": group_id, "user_id": user_id, "role_id": role_id},
@@ -517,7 +519,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
                 to_update["user_order"] = order
             if is_public is not None:
                 to_update["is_public"] = is_public
-            self.simple_update_txn(
+            self.db.simple_update_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="group_summary_users",
                 keyvalues={
@@ -531,7 +533,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
             if is_public is None:
                 is_public = True
 
-            self.simple_insert_txn(
+            self.db.simple_insert_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="group_summary_users",
                 values={
@@ -547,7 +549,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         if role_id is None:
             role_id = _DEFAULT_ROLE_ID
 
-        return self.simple_delete(
+        return self.db.simple_delete(
             table="group_summary_users",
             keyvalues={"group_id": group_id, "role_id": role_id, "user_id": user_id},
             desc="remove_user_from_summary",
@@ -561,7 +563,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
             Deferred[list[str]]: A twisted.Deferred containing a list of group ids
                 containing this room
         """
-        return self.simple_select_onecol(
+        return self.db.simple_select_onecol(
             table="group_rooms",
             keyvalues={"room_id": room_id},
             retcol="group_id",
@@ -625,12 +627,12 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
             return users, roles
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_users_for_summary_by_role", _get_users_for_summary_txn
         )
 
     def is_user_in_group(self, user_id, group_id):
-        return self.simple_select_one_onecol(
+        return self.db.simple_select_one_onecol(
             table="group_users",
             keyvalues={"group_id": group_id, "user_id": user_id},
             retcol="user_id",
@@ -639,7 +641,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         ).addCallback(lambda r: bool(r))
 
     def is_user_admin_in_group(self, group_id, user_id):
-        return self.simple_select_one_onecol(
+        return self.db.simple_select_one_onecol(
             table="group_users",
             keyvalues={"group_id": group_id, "user_id": user_id},
             retcol="is_admin",
@@ -650,7 +652,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
     def add_group_invite(self, group_id, user_id):
         """Record that the group server has invited a user
         """
-        return self.simple_insert(
+        return self.db.simple_insert(
             table="group_invites",
             values={"group_id": group_id, "user_id": user_id},
             desc="add_group_invite",
@@ -659,7 +661,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
     def is_user_invited_to_local_group(self, group_id, user_id):
         """Has the group server invited a user?
         """
-        return self.simple_select_one_onecol(
+        return self.db.simple_select_one_onecol(
             table="group_invites",
             keyvalues={"group_id": group_id, "user_id": user_id},
             retcol="user_id",
@@ -682,7 +684,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         """
 
         def _get_users_membership_in_group_txn(txn):
-            row = self.simple_select_one_txn(
+            row = self.db.simple_select_one_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="group_users",
                 keyvalues={"group_id": group_id, "user_id": user_id},
@@ -697,7 +699,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
                     "is_privileged": row["is_admin"],
                 }
 
-            row = self.simple_select_one_onecol_txn(
+            row = self.db.simple_select_one_onecol_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="group_invites",
                 keyvalues={"group_id": group_id, "user_id": user_id},
@@ -710,7 +712,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
             return {}
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_users_membership_info_in_group", _get_users_membership_in_group_txn
         )
 
@@ -738,7 +740,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         """
 
         def _add_user_to_group_txn(txn):
-            self.simple_insert_txn(
+            self.db.simple_insert_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="group_users",
                 values={
@@ -749,14 +751,14 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
                 },
             )
 
-            self.simple_delete_txn(
+            self.db.simple_delete_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="group_invites",
                 keyvalues={"group_id": group_id, "user_id": user_id},
             )
 
             if local_attestation:
-                self.simple_insert_txn(
+                self.db.simple_insert_txn(
                     txn,
                     table="group_attestations_renewals",
                     values={
@@ -766,7 +768,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
                     },
                 )
             if remote_attestation:
-                self.simple_insert_txn(
+                self.db.simple_insert_txn(
                     txn,
                     table="group_attestations_remote",
                     values={
@@ -777,49 +779,49 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
                     },
                 )
 
-        return self.runInteraction("add_user_to_group", _add_user_to_group_txn)
+        return self.db.runInteraction("add_user_to_group", _add_user_to_group_txn)
 
     def remove_user_from_group(self, group_id, user_id):
         def _remove_user_from_group_txn(txn):
-            self.simple_delete_txn(
+            self.db.simple_delete_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="group_users",
                 keyvalues={"group_id": group_id, "user_id": user_id},
             )
-            self.simple_delete_txn(
+            self.db.simple_delete_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="group_invites",
                 keyvalues={"group_id": group_id, "user_id": user_id},
             )
-            self.simple_delete_txn(
+            self.db.simple_delete_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="group_attestations_renewals",
                 keyvalues={"group_id": group_id, "user_id": user_id},
             )
-            self.simple_delete_txn(
+            self.db.simple_delete_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="group_attestations_remote",
                 keyvalues={"group_id": group_id, "user_id": user_id},
             )
-            self.simple_delete_txn(
+            self.db.simple_delete_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="group_summary_users",
                 keyvalues={"group_id": group_id, "user_id": user_id},
             )
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "remove_user_from_group", _remove_user_from_group_txn
         )
 
     def add_room_to_group(self, group_id, room_id, is_public):
-        return self.simple_insert(
+        return self.db.simple_insert(
             table="group_rooms",
             values={"group_id": group_id, "room_id": room_id, "is_public": is_public},
             desc="add_room_to_group",
         )
 
     def update_room_in_group_visibility(self, group_id, room_id, is_public):
-        return self.simple_update(
+        return self.db.simple_update(
             table="group_rooms",
             keyvalues={"group_id": group_id, "room_id": room_id},
             updatevalues={"is_public": is_public},
@@ -828,26 +830,26 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
     def remove_room_from_group(self, group_id, room_id):
         def _remove_room_from_group_txn(txn):
-            self.simple_delete_txn(
+            self.db.simple_delete_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="group_rooms",
                 keyvalues={"group_id": group_id, "room_id": room_id},
             )
 
-            self.simple_delete_txn(
+            self.db.simple_delete_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="group_summary_rooms",
                 keyvalues={"group_id": group_id, "room_id": room_id},
             )
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "remove_room_from_group", _remove_room_from_group_txn
         )
 
     def get_publicised_groups_for_user(self, user_id):
         """Get all groups a user is publicising
         """
-        return self.simple_select_onecol(
+        return self.db.simple_select_onecol(
             table="local_group_membership",
             keyvalues={"user_id": user_id, "membership": "join", "is_publicised": True},
             retcol="group_id",
@@ -857,7 +859,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
     def update_group_publicity(self, group_id, user_id, publicise):
         """Update whether the user is publicising their membership of the group
         """
-        return self.simple_update_one(
+        return self.db.simple_update_one(
             table="local_group_membership",
             keyvalues={"group_id": group_id, "user_id": user_id},
             updatevalues={"is_publicised": publicise},
@@ -893,12 +895,12 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
         def _register_user_group_membership_txn(txn, next_id):
             # TODO: Upsert?
-            self.simple_delete_txn(
+            self.db.simple_delete_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="local_group_membership",
                 keyvalues={"group_id": group_id, "user_id": user_id},
             )
-            self.simple_insert_txn(
+            self.db.simple_insert_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="local_group_membership",
                 values={
@@ -911,7 +913,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
                 },
             )
 
-            self.simple_insert_txn(
+            self.db.simple_insert_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="local_group_updates",
                 values={
@@ -930,7 +932,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
             if membership == "join":
                 if local_attestation:
-                    self.simple_insert_txn(
+                    self.db.simple_insert_txn(
                         txn,
                         table="group_attestations_renewals",
                         values={
@@ -940,7 +942,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
                         },
                     )
                 if remote_attestation:
-                    self.simple_insert_txn(
+                    self.db.simple_insert_txn(
                         txn,
                         table="group_attestations_remote",
                         values={
@@ -951,12 +953,12 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
                         },
                     )
             else:
-                self.simple_delete_txn(
+                self.db.simple_delete_txn(
                     txn,
                     table="group_attestations_renewals",
                     keyvalues={"group_id": group_id, "user_id": user_id},
                 )
-                self.simple_delete_txn(
+                self.db.simple_delete_txn(
                     txn,
                     table="group_attestations_remote",
                     keyvalues={"group_id": group_id, "user_id": user_id},
@@ -965,7 +967,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
             return next_id
 
         with self._group_updates_id_gen.get_next() as next_id:
-            res = yield self.runInteraction(
+            res = yield self.db.runInteraction(
                 "register_user_group_membership",
                 _register_user_group_membership_txn,
                 next_id,
@@ -976,7 +978,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
     def create_group(
         self, group_id, user_id, name, avatar_url, short_description, long_description
     ):
-        yield self.simple_insert(
+        yield self.db.simple_insert(
             table="groups",
             values={
                 "group_id": group_id,
@@ -991,7 +993,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def update_group_profile(self, group_id, profile):
-        yield self.simple_update_one(
+        yield self.db.simple_update_one(
             table="groups",
             keyvalues={"group_id": group_id},
             updatevalues=profile,
@@ -1008,16 +1010,16 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
                 WHERE valid_until_ms <= ?
             """
             txn.execute(sql, (valid_until_ms,))
-            return self.cursor_to_dict(txn)
+            return self.db.cursor_to_dict(txn)
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_attestations_need_renewals", _get_attestations_need_renewals_txn
         )
 
     def update_attestation_renewal(self, group_id, user_id, attestation):
         """Update an attestation that we have renewed
         """
-        return self.simple_update_one(
+        return self.db.simple_update_one(
             table="group_attestations_renewals",
             keyvalues={"group_id": group_id, "user_id": user_id},
             updatevalues={"valid_until_ms": attestation["valid_until_ms"]},
@@ -1027,7 +1029,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
     def update_remote_attestion(self, group_id, user_id, attestation):
         """Update an attestation that a remote has renewed
         """
-        return self.simple_update_one(
+        return self.db.simple_update_one(
             table="group_attestations_remote",
             keyvalues={"group_id": group_id, "user_id": user_id},
             updatevalues={
@@ -1046,7 +1048,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
             group_id (str)
             user_id (str)
         """
-        return self.simple_delete(
+        return self.db.simple_delete(
             table="group_attestations_renewals",
             keyvalues={"group_id": group_id, "user_id": user_id},
             desc="remove_attestation_renewal",
@@ -1057,7 +1059,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         """Get the attestation that proves the remote agrees that the user is
         in the group.
         """
-        row = yield self.simple_select_one(
+        row = yield self.db.simple_select_one(
             table="group_attestations_remote",
             keyvalues={"group_id": group_id, "user_id": user_id},
             retcols=("valid_until_ms", "attestation_json"),
@@ -1072,7 +1074,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         return None
 
     def get_joined_groups(self, user_id):
-        return self.simple_select_onecol(
+        return self.db.simple_select_onecol(
             table="local_group_membership",
             keyvalues={"user_id": user_id, "membership": "join"},
             retcol="group_id",
@@ -1099,7 +1101,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
                 for row in txn
             ]
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_all_groups_for_user", _get_all_groups_for_user_txn
         )
 
@@ -1129,7 +1131,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
                 for group_id, membership, gtype, content_json in txn
             ]
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_groups_changes_for_user", _get_groups_changes_for_user_txn
         )
 
@@ -1154,7 +1156,7 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
                 for stream_id, group_id, user_id, gtype, content_json in txn
             ]
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_all_groups_changes", _get_all_groups_changes_txn
         )
 
@@ -1188,8 +1190,8 @@ class GroupServerStore(SQLBaseStore):
             ]
 
             for table in tables:
-                self.simple_delete_txn(
+                self.db.simple_delete_txn(
                     txn, table=table, keyvalues={"group_id": group_id}
                 )
 
-        return self.runInteraction("delete_group", _delete_group_txn)
+        return self.db.runInteraction("delete_group", _delete_group_txn)
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/keys.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/keys.py
index c7150432b3..6b12f5a75f 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/keys.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/keys.py
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ class KeyStore(SQLBaseStore):
                 _get_keys(txn, batch)
             return keys
 
-        return self.runInteraction("get_server_verify_keys", _txn)
+        return self.db.runInteraction("get_server_verify_keys", _txn)
 
     def store_server_verify_keys(self, from_server, ts_added_ms, verify_keys):
         """Stores NACL verification keys for remote servers.
@@ -127,9 +127,9 @@ class KeyStore(SQLBaseStore):
                 f((i,))
             return res
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "store_server_verify_keys",
-            self.simple_upsert_many_txn,
+            self.db.simple_upsert_many_txn,
             table="server_signature_keys",
             key_names=("server_name", "key_id"),
             key_values=key_values,
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ class KeyStore(SQLBaseStore):
             ts_valid_until_ms (int): The time when this json stops being valid.
             key_json (bytes): The encoded JSON.
         """
-        return self.simple_upsert(
+        return self.db.simple_upsert(
             table="server_keys_json",
             keyvalues={
                 "server_name": server_name,
@@ -196,7 +196,7 @@ class KeyStore(SQLBaseStore):
                     keyvalues["key_id"] = key_id
                 if from_server is not None:
                     keyvalues["from_server"] = from_server
-                rows = self.simple_select_list_txn(
+                rows = self.db.simple_select_list_txn(
                     txn,
                     "server_keys_json",
                     keyvalues=keyvalues,
@@ -211,4 +211,4 @@ class KeyStore(SQLBaseStore):
                 results[(server_name, key_id, from_server)] = rows
             return results
 
-        return self.runInteraction("get_server_keys_json", _get_server_keys_json_txn)
+        return self.db.runInteraction("get_server_keys_json", _get_server_keys_json_txn)
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/media_repository.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/media_repository.py
index 0cb9446f96..03c9c6f8ae 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/media_repository.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/media_repository.py
@@ -12,14 +12,14 @@
 # WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
-from synapse.storage.background_updates import BackgroundUpdateStore
+from synapse.storage._base import SQLBaseStore
 
 
-class MediaRepositoryBackgroundUpdateStore(BackgroundUpdateStore):
+class MediaRepositoryBackgroundUpdateStore(SQLBaseStore):
     def __init__(self, db_conn, hs):
         super(MediaRepositoryBackgroundUpdateStore, self).__init__(db_conn, hs)
 
-        self.register_background_index_update(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_index_update(
             update_name="local_media_repository_url_idx",
             index_name="local_media_repository_url_idx",
             table="local_media_repository",
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ class MediaRepositoryStore(MediaRepositoryBackgroundUpdateStore):
         Returns:
             None if the media_id doesn't exist.
         """
-        return self.simple_select_one(
+        return self.db.simple_select_one(
             "local_media_repository",
             {"media_id": media_id},
             (
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ class MediaRepositoryStore(MediaRepositoryBackgroundUpdateStore):
         user_id,
         url_cache=None,
     ):
-        return self.simple_insert(
+        return self.db.simple_insert(
             "local_media_repository",
             {
                 "media_id": media_id,
@@ -124,12 +124,12 @@ class MediaRepositoryStore(MediaRepositoryBackgroundUpdateStore):
                 )
             )
 
-        return self.runInteraction("get_url_cache", get_url_cache_txn)
+        return self.db.runInteraction("get_url_cache", get_url_cache_txn)
 
     def store_url_cache(
         self, url, response_code, etag, expires_ts, og, media_id, download_ts
     ):
-        return self.simple_insert(
+        return self.db.simple_insert(
             "local_media_repository_url_cache",
             {
                 "url": url,
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ class MediaRepositoryStore(MediaRepositoryBackgroundUpdateStore):
         )
 
     def get_local_media_thumbnails(self, media_id):
-        return self.simple_select_list(
+        return self.db.simple_select_list(
             "local_media_repository_thumbnails",
             {"media_id": media_id},
             (
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ class MediaRepositoryStore(MediaRepositoryBackgroundUpdateStore):
         thumbnail_method,
         thumbnail_length,
     ):
-        return self.simple_insert(
+        return self.db.simple_insert(
             "local_media_repository_thumbnails",
             {
                 "media_id": media_id,
@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ class MediaRepositoryStore(MediaRepositoryBackgroundUpdateStore):
         )
 
     def get_cached_remote_media(self, origin, media_id):
-        return self.simple_select_one(
+        return self.db.simple_select_one(
             "remote_media_cache",
             {"media_origin": origin, "media_id": media_id},
             (
@@ -205,7 +205,7 @@ class MediaRepositoryStore(MediaRepositoryBackgroundUpdateStore):
         upload_name,
         filesystem_id,
     ):
-        return self.simple_insert(
+        return self.db.simple_insert(
             "remote_media_cache",
             {
                 "media_origin": origin,
@@ -250,10 +250,12 @@ class MediaRepositoryStore(MediaRepositoryBackgroundUpdateStore):
 
             txn.executemany(sql, ((time_ms, media_id) for media_id in local_media))
 
-        return self.runInteraction("update_cached_last_access_time", update_cache_txn)
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
+            "update_cached_last_access_time", update_cache_txn
+        )
 
     def get_remote_media_thumbnails(self, origin, media_id):
-        return self.simple_select_list(
+        return self.db.simple_select_list(
             "remote_media_cache_thumbnails",
             {"media_origin": origin, "media_id": media_id},
             (
@@ -278,7 +280,7 @@ class MediaRepositoryStore(MediaRepositoryBackgroundUpdateStore):
         thumbnail_method,
         thumbnail_length,
     ):
-        return self.simple_insert(
+        return self.db.simple_insert(
             "remote_media_cache_thumbnails",
             {
                 "media_origin": origin,
@@ -300,24 +302,24 @@ class MediaRepositoryStore(MediaRepositoryBackgroundUpdateStore):
             " WHERE last_access_ts < ?"
         )
 
-        return self.execute(
-            "get_remote_media_before", self.cursor_to_dict, sql, before_ts
+        return self.db.execute(
+            "get_remote_media_before", self.db.cursor_to_dict, sql, before_ts
         )
 
     def delete_remote_media(self, media_origin, media_id):
         def delete_remote_media_txn(txn):
-            self.simple_delete_txn(
+            self.db.simple_delete_txn(
                 txn,
                 "remote_media_cache",
                 keyvalues={"media_origin": media_origin, "media_id": media_id},
             )
-            self.simple_delete_txn(
+            self.db.simple_delete_txn(
                 txn,
                 "remote_media_cache_thumbnails",
                 keyvalues={"media_origin": media_origin, "media_id": media_id},
             )
 
-        return self.runInteraction("delete_remote_media", delete_remote_media_txn)
+        return self.db.runInteraction("delete_remote_media", delete_remote_media_txn)
 
     def get_expired_url_cache(self, now_ts):
         sql = (
@@ -331,7 +333,9 @@ class MediaRepositoryStore(MediaRepositoryBackgroundUpdateStore):
             txn.execute(sql, (now_ts,))
             return [row[0] for row in txn]
 
-        return self.runInteraction("get_expired_url_cache", _get_expired_url_cache_txn)
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
+            "get_expired_url_cache", _get_expired_url_cache_txn
+        )
 
     def delete_url_cache(self, media_ids):
         if len(media_ids) == 0:
@@ -342,7 +346,7 @@ class MediaRepositoryStore(MediaRepositoryBackgroundUpdateStore):
         def _delete_url_cache_txn(txn):
             txn.executemany(sql, [(media_id,) for media_id in media_ids])
 
-        return self.runInteraction("delete_url_cache", _delete_url_cache_txn)
+        return self.db.runInteraction("delete_url_cache", _delete_url_cache_txn)
 
     def get_url_cache_media_before(self, before_ts):
         sql = (
@@ -356,7 +360,7 @@ class MediaRepositoryStore(MediaRepositoryBackgroundUpdateStore):
             txn.execute(sql, (before_ts,))
             return [row[0] for row in txn]
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_url_cache_media_before", _get_url_cache_media_before_txn
         )
 
@@ -373,6 +377,6 @@ class MediaRepositoryStore(MediaRepositoryBackgroundUpdateStore):
 
             txn.executemany(sql, [(media_id,) for media_id in media_ids])
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "delete_url_cache_media", _delete_url_cache_media_txn
         )
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/monthly_active_users.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/monthly_active_users.py
index b8fc28f97b..34bf3a1880 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/monthly_active_users.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/monthly_active_users.py
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ class MonthlyActiveUsersStore(SQLBaseStore):
         self._clock = hs.get_clock()
         self.hs = hs
         # Do not add more reserved users than the total allowable number
-        self.new_transaction(
+        self.db.new_transaction(
             dbconn,
             "initialise_mau_threepids",
             [],
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ class MonthlyActiveUsersStore(SQLBaseStore):
                     txn.execute(sql, query_args)
 
         reserved_users = yield self.get_registered_reserved_users()
-        yield self.runInteraction(
+        yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "reap_monthly_active_users", _reap_users, reserved_users
         )
         # It seems poor to invalidate the whole cache, Postgres supports
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ class MonthlyActiveUsersStore(SQLBaseStore):
             (count,) = txn.fetchone()
             return count
 
-        return self.runInteraction("count_users", _count_users)
+        return self.db.runInteraction("count_users", _count_users)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_registered_reserved_users(self):
@@ -217,7 +217,7 @@ class MonthlyActiveUsersStore(SQLBaseStore):
         if is_support:
             return
 
-        yield self.runInteraction(
+        yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "upsert_monthly_active_user", self.upsert_monthly_active_user_txn, user_id
         )
 
@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ class MonthlyActiveUsersStore(SQLBaseStore):
         # never be a big table and alternative approaches (batching multiple
         # upserts into a single txn) introduced a lot of extra complexity.
         # See https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/3854 for more
-        is_insert = self.simple_upsert_txn(
+        is_insert = self.db.simple_upsert_txn(
             txn,
             table="monthly_active_users",
             keyvalues={"user_id": user_id},
@@ -281,7 +281,7 @@ class MonthlyActiveUsersStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
         """
 
-        return self.simple_select_one_onecol(
+        return self.db.simple_select_one_onecol(
             table="monthly_active_users",
             keyvalues={"user_id": user_id},
             retcol="timestamp",
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/openid.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/openid.py
index 650e49750e..cc21437e92 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/openid.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/openid.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ from synapse.storage._base import SQLBaseStore
 
 class OpenIdStore(SQLBaseStore):
     def insert_open_id_token(self, token, ts_valid_until_ms, user_id):
-        return self.simple_insert(
+        return self.db.simple_insert(
             table="open_id_tokens",
             values={
                 "token": token,
@@ -28,4 +28,6 @@ class OpenIdStore(SQLBaseStore):
             else:
                 return rows[0][0]
 
-        return self.runInteraction("get_user_id_for_token", get_user_id_for_token_txn)
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
+            "get_user_id_for_token", get_user_id_for_token_txn
+        )
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/presence.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/presence.py
index a5e121efd1..a2c83e0867 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/presence.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/presence.py
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ class PresenceStore(SQLBaseStore):
         )
 
         with stream_ordering_manager as stream_orderings:
-            yield self.runInteraction(
+            yield self.db.runInteraction(
                 "update_presence",
                 self._update_presence_txn,
                 stream_orderings,
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ class PresenceStore(SQLBaseStore):
             txn.call_after(self._get_presence_for_user.invalidate, (state.user_id,))
 
         # Actually insert new rows
-        self.simple_insert_many_txn(
+        self.db.simple_insert_many_txn(
             txn,
             table="presence_stream",
             values=[
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ class PresenceStore(SQLBaseStore):
             txn.execute(sql, (last_id, current_id))
             return txn.fetchall()
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_all_presence_updates", get_all_presence_updates_txn
         )
 
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ class PresenceStore(SQLBaseStore):
         inlineCallbacks=True,
     )
     def get_presence_for_users(self, user_ids):
-        rows = yield self.simple_select_many_batch(
+        rows = yield self.db.simple_select_many_batch(
             table="presence_stream",
             column="user_id",
             iterable=user_ids,
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ class PresenceStore(SQLBaseStore):
         return self._presence_id_gen.get_current_token()
 
     def allow_presence_visible(self, observed_localpart, observer_userid):
-        return self.simple_insert(
+        return self.db.simple_insert(
             table="presence_allow_inbound",
             values={
                 "observed_user_id": observed_localpart,
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ class PresenceStore(SQLBaseStore):
         )
 
     def disallow_presence_visible(self, observed_localpart, observer_userid):
-        return self.simple_delete_one(
+        return self.db.simple_delete_one(
             table="presence_allow_inbound",
             keyvalues={
                 "observed_user_id": observed_localpart,
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/profile.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/profile.py
index c8b5b60301..2b52cf9c1a 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/profile.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/profile.py
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ class ProfileWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_profileinfo(self, user_localpart):
         try:
-            profile = yield self.simple_select_one(
+            profile = yield self.db.simple_select_one(
                 table="profiles",
                 keyvalues={"user_id": user_localpart},
                 retcols=("displayname", "avatar_url"),
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ class ProfileWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         )
 
     def get_profile_displayname(self, user_localpart):
-        return self.simple_select_one_onecol(
+        return self.db.simple_select_one_onecol(
             table="profiles",
             keyvalues={"user_id": user_localpart},
             retcol="displayname",
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ class ProfileWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         )
 
     def get_profile_avatar_url(self, user_localpart):
-        return self.simple_select_one_onecol(
+        return self.db.simple_select_one_onecol(
             table="profiles",
             keyvalues={"user_id": user_localpart},
             retcol="avatar_url",
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ class ProfileWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         )
 
     def get_from_remote_profile_cache(self, user_id):
-        return self.simple_select_one(
+        return self.db.simple_select_one(
             table="remote_profile_cache",
             keyvalues={"user_id": user_id},
             retcols=("displayname", "avatar_url"),
@@ -67,12 +67,12 @@ class ProfileWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         )
 
     def create_profile(self, user_localpart):
-        return self.simple_insert(
+        return self.db.simple_insert(
             table="profiles", values={"user_id": user_localpart}, desc="create_profile"
         )
 
     def set_profile_displayname(self, user_localpart, new_displayname):
-        return self.simple_update_one(
+        return self.db.simple_update_one(
             table="profiles",
             keyvalues={"user_id": user_localpart},
             updatevalues={"displayname": new_displayname},
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ class ProfileWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         )
 
     def set_profile_avatar_url(self, user_localpart, new_avatar_url):
-        return self.simple_update_one(
+        return self.db.simple_update_one(
             table="profiles",
             keyvalues={"user_id": user_localpart},
             updatevalues={"avatar_url": new_avatar_url},
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ class ProfileStore(ProfileWorkerStore):
         This should only be called when `is_subscribed_remote_profile_for_user`
         would return true for the user.
         """
-        return self.simple_upsert(
+        return self.db.simple_upsert(
             table="remote_profile_cache",
             keyvalues={"user_id": user_id},
             values={
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ class ProfileStore(ProfileWorkerStore):
         )
 
     def update_remote_profile_cache(self, user_id, displayname, avatar_url):
-        return self.simple_update(
+        return self.db.simple_update(
             table="remote_profile_cache",
             keyvalues={"user_id": user_id},
             values={
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ class ProfileStore(ProfileWorkerStore):
         """
         subscribed = yield self.is_subscribed_remote_profile_for_user(user_id)
         if not subscribed:
-            yield self.simple_delete(
+            yield self.db.simple_delete(
                 table="remote_profile_cache",
                 keyvalues={"user_id": user_id},
                 desc="delete_remote_profile_cache",
@@ -144,9 +144,9 @@ class ProfileStore(ProfileWorkerStore):
 
             txn.execute(sql, (last_checked,))
 
-            return self.cursor_to_dict(txn)
+            return self.db.cursor_to_dict(txn)
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_remote_profile_cache_entries_that_expire",
             _get_remote_profile_cache_entries_that_expire_txn,
         )
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ class ProfileStore(ProfileWorkerStore):
     def is_subscribed_remote_profile_for_user(self, user_id):
         """Check whether we are interested in a remote user's profile.
         """
-        res = yield self.simple_select_one_onecol(
+        res = yield self.db.simple_select_one_onecol(
             table="group_users",
             keyvalues={"user_id": user_id},
             retcol="user_id",
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ class ProfileStore(ProfileWorkerStore):
         if res:
             return True
 
-        res = yield self.simple_select_one_onecol(
+        res = yield self.db.simple_select_one_onecol(
             table="group_invites",
             keyvalues={"user_id": user_id},
             retcol="user_id",
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/push_rule.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/push_rule.py
index 75bd499bcd..de682cc63a 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/push_rule.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/push_rule.py
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ class PushRulesWorkerStore(
     def __init__(self, db_conn, hs):
         super(PushRulesWorkerStore, self).__init__(db_conn, hs)
 
-        push_rules_prefill, push_rules_id = self.get_cache_dict(
+        push_rules_prefill, push_rules_id = self.db.get_cache_dict(
             db_conn,
             "push_rules_stream",
             entity_column="user_id",
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ class PushRulesWorkerStore(
 
     @cachedInlineCallbacks(max_entries=5000)
     def get_push_rules_for_user(self, user_id):
-        rows = yield self.simple_select_list(
+        rows = yield self.db.simple_select_list(
             table="push_rules",
             keyvalues={"user_name": user_id},
             retcols=(
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ class PushRulesWorkerStore(
 
     @cachedInlineCallbacks(max_entries=5000)
     def get_push_rules_enabled_for_user(self, user_id):
-        results = yield self.simple_select_list(
+        results = yield self.db.simple_select_list(
             table="push_rules_enable",
             keyvalues={"user_name": user_id},
             retcols=("user_name", "rule_id", "enabled"),
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ class PushRulesWorkerStore(
                 (count,) = txn.fetchone()
                 return bool(count)
 
-            return self.runInteraction(
+            return self.db.runInteraction(
                 "have_push_rules_changed", have_push_rules_changed_txn
             )
 
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ class PushRulesWorkerStore(
 
         results = {user_id: [] for user_id in user_ids}
 
-        rows = yield self.simple_select_many_batch(
+        rows = yield self.db.simple_select_many_batch(
             table="push_rules",
             column="user_name",
             iterable=user_ids,
@@ -320,7 +320,7 @@ class PushRulesWorkerStore(
 
         results = {user_id: {} for user_id in user_ids}
 
-        rows = yield self.simple_select_many_batch(
+        rows = yield self.db.simple_select_many_batch(
             table="push_rules_enable",
             column="user_name",
             iterable=user_ids,
@@ -350,7 +350,7 @@ class PushRuleStore(PushRulesWorkerStore):
         with self._push_rules_stream_id_gen.get_next() as ids:
             stream_id, event_stream_ordering = ids
             if before or after:
-                yield self.runInteraction(
+                yield self.db.runInteraction(
                     "_add_push_rule_relative_txn",
                     self._add_push_rule_relative_txn,
                     stream_id,
@@ -364,7 +364,7 @@ class PushRuleStore(PushRulesWorkerStore):
                     after,
                 )
             else:
-                yield self.runInteraction(
+                yield self.db.runInteraction(
                     "_add_push_rule_highest_priority_txn",
                     self._add_push_rule_highest_priority_txn,
                     stream_id,
@@ -395,7 +395,7 @@ class PushRuleStore(PushRulesWorkerStore):
 
         relative_to_rule = before or after
 
-        res = self.simple_select_one_txn(
+        res = self.db.simple_select_one_txn(
             txn,
             table="push_rules",
             keyvalues={"user_name": user_id, "rule_id": relative_to_rule},
@@ -518,7 +518,7 @@ class PushRuleStore(PushRulesWorkerStore):
             # We didn't update a row with the given rule_id so insert one
             push_rule_id = self._push_rule_id_gen.get_next()
 
-            self.simple_insert_txn(
+            self.db.simple_insert_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="push_rules",
                 values={
@@ -561,7 +561,7 @@ class PushRuleStore(PushRulesWorkerStore):
         """
 
         def delete_push_rule_txn(txn, stream_id, event_stream_ordering):
-            self.simple_delete_one_txn(
+            self.db.simple_delete_one_txn(
                 txn, "push_rules", {"user_name": user_id, "rule_id": rule_id}
             )
 
@@ -571,7 +571,7 @@ class PushRuleStore(PushRulesWorkerStore):
 
         with self._push_rules_stream_id_gen.get_next() as ids:
             stream_id, event_stream_ordering = ids
-            yield self.runInteraction(
+            yield self.db.runInteraction(
                 "delete_push_rule",
                 delete_push_rule_txn,
                 stream_id,
@@ -582,7 +582,7 @@ class PushRuleStore(PushRulesWorkerStore):
     def set_push_rule_enabled(self, user_id, rule_id, enabled):
         with self._push_rules_stream_id_gen.get_next() as ids:
             stream_id, event_stream_ordering = ids
-            yield self.runInteraction(
+            yield self.db.runInteraction(
                 "_set_push_rule_enabled_txn",
                 self._set_push_rule_enabled_txn,
                 stream_id,
@@ -596,7 +596,7 @@ class PushRuleStore(PushRulesWorkerStore):
         self, txn, stream_id, event_stream_ordering, user_id, rule_id, enabled
     ):
         new_id = self._push_rules_enable_id_gen.get_next()
-        self.simple_upsert_txn(
+        self.db.simple_upsert_txn(
             txn,
             "push_rules_enable",
             {"user_name": user_id, "rule_id": rule_id},
@@ -636,7 +636,7 @@ class PushRuleStore(PushRulesWorkerStore):
                     update_stream=False,
                 )
             else:
-                self.simple_update_one_txn(
+                self.db.simple_update_one_txn(
                     txn,
                     "push_rules",
                     {"user_name": user_id, "rule_id": rule_id},
@@ -655,7 +655,7 @@ class PushRuleStore(PushRulesWorkerStore):
 
         with self._push_rules_stream_id_gen.get_next() as ids:
             stream_id, event_stream_ordering = ids
-            yield self.runInteraction(
+            yield self.db.runInteraction(
                 "set_push_rule_actions",
                 set_push_rule_actions_txn,
                 stream_id,
@@ -675,7 +675,7 @@ class PushRuleStore(PushRulesWorkerStore):
         if data is not None:
             values.update(data)
 
-        self.simple_insert_txn(txn, "push_rules_stream", values=values)
+        self.db.simple_insert_txn(txn, "push_rules_stream", values=values)
 
         txn.call_after(self.get_push_rules_for_user.invalidate, (user_id,))
         txn.call_after(self.get_push_rules_enabled_for_user.invalidate, (user_id,))
@@ -699,7 +699,7 @@ class PushRuleStore(PushRulesWorkerStore):
             txn.execute(sql, (last_id, current_id, limit))
             return txn.fetchall()
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_all_push_rule_updates", get_all_push_rule_updates_txn
         )
 
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/pusher.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/pusher.py
index d5a169872b..f07309ef09 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/pusher.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/pusher.py
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ class PusherWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def user_has_pusher(self, user_id):
-        ret = yield self.simple_select_one_onecol(
+        ret = yield self.db.simple_select_one_onecol(
             "pushers", {"user_name": user_id}, "id", allow_none=True
         )
         return ret is not None
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ class PusherWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_pushers_by(self, keyvalues):
-        ret = yield self.simple_select_list(
+        ret = yield self.db.simple_select_list(
             "pushers",
             keyvalues,
             [
@@ -100,11 +100,11 @@ class PusherWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
     def get_all_pushers(self):
         def get_pushers(txn):
             txn.execute("SELECT * FROM pushers")
-            rows = self.cursor_to_dict(txn)
+            rows = self.db.cursor_to_dict(txn)
 
             return self._decode_pushers_rows(rows)
 
-        rows = yield self.runInteraction("get_all_pushers", get_pushers)
+        rows = yield self.db.runInteraction("get_all_pushers", get_pushers)
         return rows
 
     def get_all_updated_pushers(self, last_id, current_id, limit):
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ class PusherWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
             return updated, deleted
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_all_updated_pushers", get_all_updated_pushers_txn
         )
 
@@ -177,7 +177,7 @@ class PusherWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
             return results
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_all_updated_pushers_rows", get_all_updated_pushers_rows_txn
         )
 
@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@ class PusherWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         inlineCallbacks=True,
     )
     def get_if_users_have_pushers(self, user_ids):
-        rows = yield self.simple_select_many_batch(
+        rows = yield self.db.simple_select_many_batch(
             table="pushers",
             column="user_name",
             iterable=user_ids,
@@ -230,7 +230,7 @@ class PusherStore(PusherWorkerStore):
         with self._pushers_id_gen.get_next() as stream_id:
             # no need to lock because `pushers` has a unique key on
             # (app_id, pushkey, user_name) so simple_upsert will retry
-            yield self.simple_upsert(
+            yield self.db.simple_upsert(
                 table="pushers",
                 keyvalues={"app_id": app_id, "pushkey": pushkey, "user_name": user_id},
                 values={
@@ -255,7 +255,7 @@ class PusherStore(PusherWorkerStore):
 
             if user_has_pusher is not True:
                 # invalidate, since we the user might not have had a pusher before
-                yield self.runInteraction(
+                yield self.db.runInteraction(
                     "add_pusher",
                     self._invalidate_cache_and_stream,
                     self.get_if_user_has_pusher,
@@ -269,7 +269,7 @@ class PusherStore(PusherWorkerStore):
                 txn, self.get_if_user_has_pusher, (user_id,)
             )
 
-            self.simple_delete_one_txn(
+            self.db.simple_delete_one_txn(
                 txn,
                 "pushers",
                 {"app_id": app_id, "pushkey": pushkey, "user_name": user_id},
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@ class PusherStore(PusherWorkerStore):
             # it's possible for us to end up with duplicate rows for
             # (app_id, pushkey, user_id) at different stream_ids, but that
             # doesn't really matter.
-            self.simple_insert_txn(
+            self.db.simple_insert_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="deleted_pushers",
                 values={
@@ -290,13 +290,13 @@ class PusherStore(PusherWorkerStore):
             )
 
         with self._pushers_id_gen.get_next() as stream_id:
-            yield self.runInteraction("delete_pusher", delete_pusher_txn, stream_id)
+            yield self.db.runInteraction("delete_pusher", delete_pusher_txn, stream_id)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def update_pusher_last_stream_ordering(
         self, app_id, pushkey, user_id, last_stream_ordering
     ):
-        yield self.simple_update_one(
+        yield self.db.simple_update_one(
             "pushers",
             {"app_id": app_id, "pushkey": pushkey, "user_name": user_id},
             {"last_stream_ordering": last_stream_ordering},
@@ -319,7 +319,7 @@ class PusherStore(PusherWorkerStore):
         Returns:
             Deferred[bool]: True if the pusher still exists; False if it has been deleted.
         """
-        updated = yield self.simple_update(
+        updated = yield self.db.simple_update(
             table="pushers",
             keyvalues={"app_id": app_id, "pushkey": pushkey, "user_name": user_id},
             updatevalues={
@@ -333,7 +333,7 @@ class PusherStore(PusherWorkerStore):
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def update_pusher_failing_since(self, app_id, pushkey, user_id, failing_since):
-        yield self.simple_update(
+        yield self.db.simple_update(
             table="pushers",
             keyvalues={"app_id": app_id, "pushkey": pushkey, "user_name": user_id},
             updatevalues={"failing_since": failing_since},
@@ -342,7 +342,7 @@ class PusherStore(PusherWorkerStore):
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_throttle_params_by_room(self, pusher_id):
-        res = yield self.simple_select_list(
+        res = yield self.db.simple_select_list(
             "pusher_throttle",
             {"pusher": pusher_id},
             ["room_id", "last_sent_ts", "throttle_ms"],
@@ -362,7 +362,7 @@ class PusherStore(PusherWorkerStore):
     def set_throttle_params(self, pusher_id, room_id, params):
         # no need to lock because `pusher_throttle` has a primary key on
         # (pusher, room_id) so simple_upsert will retry
-        yield self.simple_upsert(
+        yield self.db.simple_upsert(
             "pusher_throttle",
             {"pusher": pusher_id, "room_id": room_id},
             params,
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/receipts.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/receipts.py
index 380f388e30..ac2d45bd5c 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/receipts.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/receipts.py
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ class ReceiptsWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
     @cached(num_args=2)
     def get_receipts_for_room(self, room_id, receipt_type):
-        return self.simple_select_list(
+        return self.db.simple_select_list(
             table="receipts_linearized",
             keyvalues={"room_id": room_id, "receipt_type": receipt_type},
             retcols=("user_id", "event_id"),
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ class ReceiptsWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
     @cached(num_args=3)
     def get_last_receipt_event_id_for_user(self, user_id, room_id, receipt_type):
-        return self.simple_select_one_onecol(
+        return self.db.simple_select_one_onecol(
             table="receipts_linearized",
             keyvalues={
                 "room_id": room_id,
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ class ReceiptsWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
     @cachedInlineCallbacks(num_args=2)
     def get_receipts_for_user(self, user_id, receipt_type):
-        rows = yield self.simple_select_list(
+        rows = yield self.db.simple_select_list(
             table="receipts_linearized",
             keyvalues={"user_id": user_id, "receipt_type": receipt_type},
             retcols=("room_id", "event_id"),
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ class ReceiptsWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
             txn.execute(sql, (user_id,))
             return txn.fetchall()
 
-        rows = yield self.runInteraction("get_receipts_for_user_with_orderings", f)
+        rows = yield self.db.runInteraction("get_receipts_for_user_with_orderings", f)
         return {
             row[0]: {
                 "event_id": row[1],
@@ -187,11 +187,11 @@ class ReceiptsWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
                 txn.execute(sql, (room_id, to_key))
 
-            rows = self.cursor_to_dict(txn)
+            rows = self.db.cursor_to_dict(txn)
 
             return rows
 
-        rows = yield self.runInteraction("get_linearized_receipts_for_room", f)
+        rows = yield self.db.runInteraction("get_linearized_receipts_for_room", f)
 
         if not rows:
             return []
@@ -237,9 +237,11 @@ class ReceiptsWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
                 txn.execute(sql + clause, [to_key] + list(args))
 
-            return self.cursor_to_dict(txn)
+            return self.db.cursor_to_dict(txn)
 
-        txn_results = yield self.runInteraction("_get_linearized_receipts_for_rooms", f)
+        txn_results = yield self.db.runInteraction(
+            "_get_linearized_receipts_for_rooms", f
+        )
 
         results = {}
         for row in txn_results:
@@ -282,7 +284,7 @@ class ReceiptsWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
             return list(r[0:5] + (json.loads(r[5]),) for r in txn)
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_all_updated_receipts", get_all_updated_receipts_txn
         )
 
@@ -335,7 +337,7 @@ class ReceiptsStore(ReceiptsWorkerStore):
             otherwise, the rx timestamp of the event that the RR corresponds to
                 (or 0 if the event is unknown)
         """
-        res = self.simple_select_one_txn(
+        res = self.db.simple_select_one_txn(
             txn,
             table="events",
             retcols=["stream_ordering", "received_ts"],
@@ -388,7 +390,7 @@ class ReceiptsStore(ReceiptsWorkerStore):
             (user_id, room_id, receipt_type),
         )
 
-        self.simple_delete_txn(
+        self.db.simple_delete_txn(
             txn,
             table="receipts_linearized",
             keyvalues={
@@ -398,7 +400,7 @@ class ReceiptsStore(ReceiptsWorkerStore):
             },
         )
 
-        self.simple_insert_txn(
+        self.db.simple_insert_txn(
             txn,
             table="receipts_linearized",
             values={
@@ -453,13 +455,13 @@ class ReceiptsStore(ReceiptsWorkerStore):
                 else:
                     raise RuntimeError("Unrecognized event_ids: %r" % (event_ids,))
 
-            linearized_event_id = yield self.runInteraction(
+            linearized_event_id = yield self.db.runInteraction(
                 "insert_receipt_conv", graph_to_linear
             )
 
         stream_id_manager = self._receipts_id_gen.get_next()
         with stream_id_manager as stream_id:
-            event_ts = yield self.runInteraction(
+            event_ts = yield self.db.runInteraction(
                 "insert_linearized_receipt",
                 self.insert_linearized_receipt_txn,
                 room_id,
@@ -488,7 +490,7 @@ class ReceiptsStore(ReceiptsWorkerStore):
         return stream_id, max_persisted_id
 
     def insert_graph_receipt(self, room_id, receipt_type, user_id, event_ids, data):
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "insert_graph_receipt",
             self.insert_graph_receipt_txn,
             room_id,
@@ -514,7 +516,7 @@ class ReceiptsStore(ReceiptsWorkerStore):
             self._get_linearized_receipts_for_room.invalidate_many, (room_id,)
         )
 
-        self.simple_delete_txn(
+        self.db.simple_delete_txn(
             txn,
             table="receipts_graph",
             keyvalues={
@@ -523,7 +525,7 @@ class ReceiptsStore(ReceiptsWorkerStore):
                 "user_id": user_id,
             },
         )
-        self.simple_insert_txn(
+        self.db.simple_insert_txn(
             txn,
             table="receipts_graph",
             values={
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/registration.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/registration.py
index debc6706f5..1ef143c6d8 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/registration.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/registration.py
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@ from twisted.internet.defer import Deferred
 from synapse.api.constants import UserTypes
 from synapse.api.errors import Codes, StoreError, SynapseError, ThreepidValidationError
 from synapse.metrics.background_process_metrics import run_as_background_process
-from synapse.storage import background_updates
 from synapse.storage._base import SQLBaseStore
 from synapse.types import UserID
 from synapse.util.caches.descriptors import cached, cachedInlineCallbacks
@@ -45,7 +44,7 @@ class RegistrationWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
     @cached()
     def get_user_by_id(self, user_id):
-        return self.simple_select_one(
+        return self.db.simple_select_one(
             table="users",
             keyvalues={"name": user_id},
             retcols=[
@@ -94,7 +93,7 @@ class RegistrationWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
                 including the keys `name`, `is_guest`, `device_id`, `token_id`,
                 `valid_until_ms`.
         """
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_user_by_access_token", self._query_for_auth, token
         )
 
@@ -109,7 +108,7 @@ class RegistrationWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
                 otherwise int representation of the timestamp (as a number of
                 milliseconds since epoch).
         """
-        res = yield self.simple_select_one_onecol(
+        res = yield self.db.simple_select_one_onecol(
             table="account_validity",
             keyvalues={"user_id": user_id},
             retcol="expiration_ts_ms",
@@ -137,7 +136,7 @@ class RegistrationWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         """
 
         def set_account_validity_for_user_txn(txn):
-            self.simple_update_txn(
+            self.db.simple_update_txn(
                 txn=txn,
                 table="account_validity",
                 keyvalues={"user_id": user_id},
@@ -151,7 +150,7 @@ class RegistrationWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
                 txn, self.get_expiration_ts_for_user, (user_id,)
             )
 
-        yield self.runInteraction(
+        yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "set_account_validity_for_user", set_account_validity_for_user_txn
         )
 
@@ -167,7 +166,7 @@ class RegistrationWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         Raises:
             StoreError: The provided token is already set for another user.
         """
-        yield self.simple_update_one(
+        yield self.db.simple_update_one(
             table="account_validity",
             keyvalues={"user_id": user_id},
             updatevalues={"renewal_token": renewal_token},
@@ -184,7 +183,7 @@ class RegistrationWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         Returns:
             defer.Deferred[str]: The ID of the user to which the token belongs.
         """
-        res = yield self.simple_select_one_onecol(
+        res = yield self.db.simple_select_one_onecol(
             table="account_validity",
             keyvalues={"renewal_token": renewal_token},
             retcol="user_id",
@@ -203,7 +202,7 @@ class RegistrationWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         Returns:
             defer.Deferred[str]: The renewal token associated with this user ID.
         """
-        res = yield self.simple_select_one_onecol(
+        res = yield self.db.simple_select_one_onecol(
             table="account_validity",
             keyvalues={"user_id": user_id},
             retcol="renewal_token",
@@ -229,9 +228,9 @@ class RegistrationWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
             )
             values = [False, now_ms, renew_at]
             txn.execute(sql, values)
-            return self.cursor_to_dict(txn)
+            return self.db.cursor_to_dict(txn)
 
-        res = yield self.runInteraction(
+        res = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_users_expiring_soon",
             select_users_txn,
             self.clock.time_msec(),
@@ -250,7 +249,7 @@ class RegistrationWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
             email_sent (bool): Flag which indicates whether a renewal email has been sent
                 to this user.
         """
-        yield self.simple_update_one(
+        yield self.db.simple_update_one(
             table="account_validity",
             keyvalues={"user_id": user_id},
             updatevalues={"email_sent": email_sent},
@@ -265,7 +264,7 @@ class RegistrationWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         Args:
             user_id (str): ID of the user to remove from the account validity table.
         """
-        yield self.simple_delete_one(
+        yield self.db.simple_delete_one(
             table="account_validity",
             keyvalues={"user_id": user_id},
             desc="delete_account_validity_for_user",
@@ -281,7 +280,7 @@ class RegistrationWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         Returns (bool):
             true iff the user is a server admin, false otherwise.
         """
-        res = yield self.simple_select_one_onecol(
+        res = yield self.db.simple_select_one_onecol(
             table="users",
             keyvalues={"name": user.to_string()},
             retcol="admin",
@@ -299,7 +298,7 @@ class RegistrationWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
             admin (bool): true iff the user is to be a server admin,
                 false otherwise.
         """
-        return self.simple_update_one(
+        return self.db.simple_update_one(
             table="users",
             keyvalues={"name": user.to_string()},
             updatevalues={"admin": 1 if admin else 0},
@@ -316,7 +315,7 @@ class RegistrationWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         )
 
         txn.execute(sql, (token,))
-        rows = self.cursor_to_dict(txn)
+        rows = self.db.cursor_to_dict(txn)
         if rows:
             return rows[0]
 
@@ -332,7 +331,9 @@ class RegistrationWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         Returns:
             Deferred[bool]: True if user 'user_type' is null or empty string
         """
-        res = yield self.runInteraction("is_real_user", self.is_real_user_txn, user_id)
+        res = yield self.db.runInteraction(
+            "is_real_user", self.is_real_user_txn, user_id
+        )
         return res
 
     @cachedInlineCallbacks()
@@ -345,13 +346,13 @@ class RegistrationWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         Returns:
             Deferred[bool]: True if user is of type UserTypes.SUPPORT
         """
-        res = yield self.runInteraction(
+        res = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "is_support_user", self.is_support_user_txn, user_id
         )
         return res
 
     def is_real_user_txn(self, txn, user_id):
-        res = self.simple_select_one_onecol_txn(
+        res = self.db.simple_select_one_onecol_txn(
             txn=txn,
             table="users",
             keyvalues={"name": user_id},
@@ -361,7 +362,7 @@ class RegistrationWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         return res is None
 
     def is_support_user_txn(self, txn, user_id):
-        res = self.simple_select_one_onecol_txn(
+        res = self.db.simple_select_one_onecol_txn(
             txn=txn,
             table="users",
             keyvalues={"name": user_id},
@@ -380,7 +381,7 @@ class RegistrationWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
             txn.execute(sql, (user_id,))
             return dict(txn)
 
-        return self.runInteraction("get_users_by_id_case_insensitive", f)
+        return self.db.runInteraction("get_users_by_id_case_insensitive", f)
 
     async def get_user_by_external_id(
         self, auth_provider: str, external_id: str
@@ -394,7 +395,7 @@ class RegistrationWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         Returns:
             str|None: the mxid of the user, or None if they are not known
         """
-        return await self.simple_select_one_onecol(
+        return await self.db.simple_select_one_onecol(
             table="user_external_ids",
             keyvalues={"auth_provider": auth_provider, "external_id": external_id},
             retcol="user_id",
@@ -408,12 +409,12 @@ class RegistrationWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
         def _count_users(txn):
             txn.execute("SELECT COUNT(*) AS users FROM users")
-            rows = self.cursor_to_dict(txn)
+            rows = self.db.cursor_to_dict(txn)
             if rows:
                 return rows[0]["users"]
             return 0
 
-        ret = yield self.runInteraction("count_users", _count_users)
+        ret = yield self.db.runInteraction("count_users", _count_users)
         return ret
 
     def count_daily_user_type(self):
@@ -445,7 +446,7 @@ class RegistrationWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
                 results[row[0]] = row[1]
             return results
 
-        return self.runInteraction("count_daily_user_type", _count_daily_user_type)
+        return self.db.runInteraction("count_daily_user_type", _count_daily_user_type)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def count_nonbridged_users(self):
@@ -459,7 +460,7 @@ class RegistrationWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
             (count,) = txn.fetchone()
             return count
 
-        ret = yield self.runInteraction("count_users", _count_users)
+        ret = yield self.db.runInteraction("count_users", _count_users)
         return ret
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
@@ -468,12 +469,12 @@ class RegistrationWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
         def _count_users(txn):
             txn.execute("SELECT COUNT(*) AS users FROM users where user_type is null")
-            rows = self.cursor_to_dict(txn)
+            rows = self.db.cursor_to_dict(txn)
             if rows:
                 return rows[0]["users"]
             return 0
 
-        ret = yield self.runInteraction("count_real_users", _count_users)
+        ret = yield self.db.runInteraction("count_real_users", _count_users)
         return ret
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
@@ -503,7 +504,7 @@ class RegistrationWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
         return (
             (
-                yield self.runInteraction(
+                yield self.db.runInteraction(
                     "find_next_generated_user_id", _find_next_generated_user_id
                 )
             )
@@ -520,7 +521,7 @@ class RegistrationWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         Returns:
             Deferred[str|None]: user id or None if no user id/threepid mapping exists
         """
-        user_id = yield self.runInteraction(
+        user_id = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_user_id_by_threepid", self.get_user_id_by_threepid_txn, medium, address
         )
         return user_id
@@ -536,7 +537,7 @@ class RegistrationWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         Returns:
             str|None: user id or None if no user id/threepid mapping exists
         """
-        ret = self.simple_select_one_txn(
+        ret = self.db.simple_select_one_txn(
             txn,
             "user_threepids",
             {"medium": medium, "address": address},
@@ -549,7 +550,7 @@ class RegistrationWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def user_add_threepid(self, user_id, medium, address, validated_at, added_at):
-        yield self.simple_upsert(
+        yield self.db.simple_upsert(
             "user_threepids",
             {"medium": medium, "address": address},
             {"user_id": user_id, "validated_at": validated_at, "added_at": added_at},
@@ -557,7 +558,7 @@ class RegistrationWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def user_get_threepids(self, user_id):
-        ret = yield self.simple_select_list(
+        ret = yield self.db.simple_select_list(
             "user_threepids",
             {"user_id": user_id},
             ["medium", "address", "validated_at", "added_at"],
@@ -566,7 +567,7 @@ class RegistrationWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         return ret
 
     def user_delete_threepid(self, user_id, medium, address):
-        return self.simple_delete(
+        return self.db.simple_delete(
             "user_threepids",
             keyvalues={"user_id": user_id, "medium": medium, "address": address},
             desc="user_delete_threepid",
@@ -579,7 +580,7 @@ class RegistrationWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
              user_id: The user id to delete all threepids of
 
         """
-        return self.simple_delete(
+        return self.db.simple_delete(
             "user_threepids",
             keyvalues={"user_id": user_id},
             desc="user_delete_threepids",
@@ -601,7 +602,7 @@ class RegistrationWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         """
         # We need to use an upsert, in case they user had already bound the
         # threepid
-        return self.simple_upsert(
+        return self.db.simple_upsert(
             table="user_threepid_id_server",
             keyvalues={
                 "user_id": user_id,
@@ -627,7 +628,7 @@ class RegistrationWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
                 medium (str): The medium of the threepid (e.g "email")
                 address (str): The address of the threepid (e.g "bob@example.com")
         """
-        return self.simple_select_list(
+        return self.db.simple_select_list(
             table="user_threepid_id_server",
             keyvalues={"user_id": user_id},
             retcols=["medium", "address"],
@@ -648,7 +649,7 @@ class RegistrationWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         Returns:
             Deferred
         """
-        return self.simple_delete(
+        return self.db.simple_delete(
             table="user_threepid_id_server",
             keyvalues={
                 "user_id": user_id,
@@ -671,7 +672,7 @@ class RegistrationWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         Returns:
             Deferred[list[str]]: Resolves to a list of identity servers
         """
-        return self.simple_select_onecol(
+        return self.db.simple_select_onecol(
             table="user_threepid_id_server",
             keyvalues={"user_id": user_id, "medium": medium, "address": address},
             retcol="id_server",
@@ -689,7 +690,7 @@ class RegistrationWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
             defer.Deferred(bool): The requested value.
         """
 
-        res = yield self.simple_select_one_onecol(
+        res = yield self.db.simple_select_one_onecol(
             table="users",
             keyvalues={"name": user_id},
             retcol="deactivated",
@@ -756,13 +757,13 @@ class RegistrationWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
             sql += " LIMIT 1"
 
             txn.execute(sql, list(keyvalues.values()))
-            rows = self.cursor_to_dict(txn)
+            rows = self.db.cursor_to_dict(txn)
             if not rows:
                 return None
 
             return rows[0]
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_threepid_validation_session", get_threepid_validation_session_txn
         )
 
@@ -776,39 +777,37 @@ class RegistrationWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         """
 
         def delete_threepid_session_txn(txn):
-            self.simple_delete_txn(
+            self.db.simple_delete_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="threepid_validation_token",
                 keyvalues={"session_id": session_id},
             )
-            self.simple_delete_txn(
+            self.db.simple_delete_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="threepid_validation_session",
                 keyvalues={"session_id": session_id},
             )
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "delete_threepid_session", delete_threepid_session_txn
         )
 
 
-class RegistrationBackgroundUpdateStore(
-    RegistrationWorkerStore, background_updates.BackgroundUpdateStore
-):
+class RegistrationBackgroundUpdateStore(RegistrationWorkerStore):
     def __init__(self, db_conn, hs):
         super(RegistrationBackgroundUpdateStore, self).__init__(db_conn, hs)
 
         self.clock = hs.get_clock()
         self.config = hs.config
 
-        self.register_background_index_update(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_index_update(
             "access_tokens_device_index",
             index_name="access_tokens_device_id",
             table="access_tokens",
             columns=["user_id", "device_id"],
         )
 
-        self.register_background_index_update(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_index_update(
             "users_creation_ts",
             index_name="users_creation_ts",
             table="users",
@@ -818,13 +817,13 @@ class RegistrationBackgroundUpdateStore(
         # we no longer use refresh tokens, but it's possible that some people
         # might have a background update queued to build this index. Just
         # clear the background update.
-        self.register_noop_background_update("refresh_tokens_device_index")
+        self.db.updates.register_noop_background_update("refresh_tokens_device_index")
 
-        self.register_background_update_handler(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_update_handler(
             "user_threepids_grandfather", self._bg_user_threepids_grandfather
         )
 
-        self.register_background_update_handler(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_update_handler(
             "users_set_deactivated_flag", self._background_update_set_deactivated_flag
         )
 
@@ -857,7 +856,7 @@ class RegistrationBackgroundUpdateStore(
                 (last_user, batch_size),
             )
 
-            rows = self.cursor_to_dict(txn)
+            rows = self.db.cursor_to_dict(txn)
 
             if not rows:
                 return True, 0
@@ -871,7 +870,7 @@ class RegistrationBackgroundUpdateStore(
 
             logger.info("Marked %d rows as deactivated", rows_processed_nb)
 
-            self._background_update_progress_txn(
+            self.db.updates._background_update_progress_txn(
                 txn, "users_set_deactivated_flag", {"user_id": rows[-1]["name"]}
             )
 
@@ -880,12 +879,12 @@ class RegistrationBackgroundUpdateStore(
             else:
                 return False, len(rows)
 
-        end, nb_processed = yield self.runInteraction(
+        end, nb_processed = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "users_set_deactivated_flag", _background_update_set_deactivated_flag_txn
         )
 
         if end:
-            yield self._end_background_update("users_set_deactivated_flag")
+            yield self.db.updates._end_background_update("users_set_deactivated_flag")
 
         return nb_processed
 
@@ -911,11 +910,11 @@ class RegistrationBackgroundUpdateStore(
             txn.executemany(sql, [(id_server,) for id_server in id_servers])
 
         if id_servers:
-            yield self.runInteraction(
+            yield self.db.runInteraction(
                 "_bg_user_threepids_grandfather", _bg_user_threepids_grandfather_txn
             )
 
-        yield self._end_background_update("user_threepids_grandfather")
+        yield self.db.updates._end_background_update("user_threepids_grandfather")
 
         return 1
 
@@ -961,7 +960,7 @@ class RegistrationStore(RegistrationBackgroundUpdateStore):
         """
         next_id = self._access_tokens_id_gen.get_next()
 
-        yield self.simple_insert(
+        yield self.db.simple_insert(
             "access_tokens",
             {
                 "id": next_id,
@@ -1003,7 +1002,7 @@ class RegistrationStore(RegistrationBackgroundUpdateStore):
         Raises:
             StoreError if the user_id could not be registered.
         """
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "register_user",
             self._register_user,
             user_id,
@@ -1037,7 +1036,7 @@ class RegistrationStore(RegistrationBackgroundUpdateStore):
                 # Ensure that the guest user actually exists
                 # ``allow_none=False`` makes this raise an exception
                 # if the row isn't in the database.
-                self.simple_select_one_txn(
+                self.db.simple_select_one_txn(
                     txn,
                     "users",
                     keyvalues={"name": user_id, "is_guest": 1},
@@ -1045,7 +1044,7 @@ class RegistrationStore(RegistrationBackgroundUpdateStore):
                     allow_none=False,
                 )
 
-                self.simple_update_one_txn(
+                self.db.simple_update_one_txn(
                     txn,
                     "users",
                     keyvalues={"name": user_id, "is_guest": 1},
@@ -1059,7 +1058,7 @@ class RegistrationStore(RegistrationBackgroundUpdateStore):
                     },
                 )
             else:
-                self.simple_insert_txn(
+                self.db.simple_insert_txn(
                     txn,
                     "users",
                     values={
@@ -1114,7 +1113,7 @@ class RegistrationStore(RegistrationBackgroundUpdateStore):
             external_id: id on that system
             user_id: complete mxid that it is mapped to
         """
-        return self.simple_insert(
+        return self.db.simple_insert(
             table="user_external_ids",
             values={
                 "auth_provider": auth_provider,
@@ -1132,12 +1131,14 @@ class RegistrationStore(RegistrationBackgroundUpdateStore):
         """
 
         def user_set_password_hash_txn(txn):
-            self.simple_update_one_txn(
+            self.db.simple_update_one_txn(
                 txn, "users", {"name": user_id}, {"password_hash": password_hash}
             )
             self._invalidate_cache_and_stream(txn, self.get_user_by_id, (user_id,))
 
-        return self.runInteraction("user_set_password_hash", user_set_password_hash_txn)
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
+            "user_set_password_hash", user_set_password_hash_txn
+        )
 
     def user_set_consent_version(self, user_id, consent_version):
         """Updates the user table to record privacy policy consent
@@ -1152,7 +1153,7 @@ class RegistrationStore(RegistrationBackgroundUpdateStore):
         """
 
         def f(txn):
-            self.simple_update_one_txn(
+            self.db.simple_update_one_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="users",
                 keyvalues={"name": user_id},
@@ -1160,7 +1161,7 @@ class RegistrationStore(RegistrationBackgroundUpdateStore):
             )
             self._invalidate_cache_and_stream(txn, self.get_user_by_id, (user_id,))
 
-        return self.runInteraction("user_set_consent_version", f)
+        return self.db.runInteraction("user_set_consent_version", f)
 
     def user_set_consent_server_notice_sent(self, user_id, consent_version):
         """Updates the user table to record that we have sent the user a server
@@ -1176,7 +1177,7 @@ class RegistrationStore(RegistrationBackgroundUpdateStore):
         """
 
         def f(txn):
-            self.simple_update_one_txn(
+            self.db.simple_update_one_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="users",
                 keyvalues={"name": user_id},
@@ -1184,7 +1185,7 @@ class RegistrationStore(RegistrationBackgroundUpdateStore):
             )
             self._invalidate_cache_and_stream(txn, self.get_user_by_id, (user_id,))
 
-        return self.runInteraction("user_set_consent_server_notice_sent", f)
+        return self.db.runInteraction("user_set_consent_server_notice_sent", f)
 
     def user_delete_access_tokens(self, user_id, except_token_id=None, device_id=None):
         """
@@ -1230,11 +1231,11 @@ class RegistrationStore(RegistrationBackgroundUpdateStore):
 
             return tokens_and_devices
 
-        return self.runInteraction("user_delete_access_tokens", f)
+        return self.db.runInteraction("user_delete_access_tokens", f)
 
     def delete_access_token(self, access_token):
         def f(txn):
-            self.simple_delete_one_txn(
+            self.db.simple_delete_one_txn(
                 txn, table="access_tokens", keyvalues={"token": access_token}
             )
 
@@ -1242,11 +1243,11 @@ class RegistrationStore(RegistrationBackgroundUpdateStore):
                 txn, self.get_user_by_access_token, (access_token,)
             )
 
-        return self.runInteraction("delete_access_token", f)
+        return self.db.runInteraction("delete_access_token", f)
 
     @cachedInlineCallbacks()
     def is_guest(self, user_id):
-        res = yield self.simple_select_one_onecol(
+        res = yield self.db.simple_select_one_onecol(
             table="users",
             keyvalues={"name": user_id},
             retcol="is_guest",
@@ -1261,7 +1262,7 @@ class RegistrationStore(RegistrationBackgroundUpdateStore):
         Adds a user to the table of users who need to be parted from all the rooms they're
         in
         """
-        return self.simple_insert(
+        return self.db.simple_insert(
             "users_pending_deactivation",
             values={"user_id": user_id},
             desc="add_user_pending_deactivation",
@@ -1274,7 +1275,7 @@ class RegistrationStore(RegistrationBackgroundUpdateStore):
         """
         # XXX: This should be simple_delete_one but we failed to put a unique index on
         # the table, so somehow duplicate entries have ended up in it.
-        return self.simple_delete(
+        return self.db.simple_delete(
             "users_pending_deactivation",
             keyvalues={"user_id": user_id},
             desc="del_user_pending_deactivation",
@@ -1285,7 +1286,7 @@ class RegistrationStore(RegistrationBackgroundUpdateStore):
         Gets one user from the table of users waiting to be parted from all the rooms
         they're in.
         """
-        return self.simple_select_one_onecol(
+        return self.db.simple_select_one_onecol(
             "users_pending_deactivation",
             keyvalues={},
             retcol="user_id",
@@ -1315,7 +1316,7 @@ class RegistrationStore(RegistrationBackgroundUpdateStore):
 
         # Insert everything into a transaction in order to run atomically
         def validate_threepid_session_txn(txn):
-            row = self.simple_select_one_txn(
+            row = self.db.simple_select_one_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="threepid_validation_session",
                 keyvalues={"session_id": session_id},
@@ -1333,7 +1334,7 @@ class RegistrationStore(RegistrationBackgroundUpdateStore):
                     400, "This client_secret does not match the provided session_id"
                 )
 
-            row = self.simple_select_one_txn(
+            row = self.db.simple_select_one_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="threepid_validation_token",
                 keyvalues={"session_id": session_id, "token": token},
@@ -1358,7 +1359,7 @@ class RegistrationStore(RegistrationBackgroundUpdateStore):
                 )
 
             # Looks good. Validate the session
-            self.simple_update_txn(
+            self.db.simple_update_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="threepid_validation_session",
                 keyvalues={"session_id": session_id},
@@ -1368,7 +1369,7 @@ class RegistrationStore(RegistrationBackgroundUpdateStore):
             return next_link
 
         # Return next_link if it exists
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "validate_threepid_session_txn", validate_threepid_session_txn
         )
 
@@ -1401,7 +1402,7 @@ class RegistrationStore(RegistrationBackgroundUpdateStore):
         if validated_at:
             insertion_values["validated_at"] = validated_at
 
-        return self.simple_upsert(
+        return self.db.simple_upsert(
             table="threepid_validation_session",
             keyvalues={"session_id": session_id},
             values={"last_send_attempt": send_attempt},
@@ -1439,7 +1440,7 @@ class RegistrationStore(RegistrationBackgroundUpdateStore):
 
         def start_or_continue_validation_session_txn(txn):
             # Create or update a validation session
-            self.simple_upsert_txn(
+            self.db.simple_upsert_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="threepid_validation_session",
                 keyvalues={"session_id": session_id},
@@ -1452,7 +1453,7 @@ class RegistrationStore(RegistrationBackgroundUpdateStore):
             )
 
             # Create a new validation token with this session ID
-            self.simple_insert_txn(
+            self.db.simple_insert_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="threepid_validation_token",
                 values={
@@ -1463,7 +1464,7 @@ class RegistrationStore(RegistrationBackgroundUpdateStore):
                 },
             )
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "start_or_continue_validation_session",
             start_or_continue_validation_session_txn,
         )
@@ -1478,7 +1479,7 @@ class RegistrationStore(RegistrationBackgroundUpdateStore):
             """
             return txn.execute(sql, (ts,))
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "cull_expired_threepid_validation_tokens",
             cull_expired_threepid_validation_tokens_txn,
             self.clock.time_msec(),
@@ -1493,7 +1494,7 @@ class RegistrationStore(RegistrationBackgroundUpdateStore):
             deactivated (bool): The value to set for `deactivated`.
         """
 
-        yield self.runInteraction(
+        yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "set_user_deactivated_status",
             self.set_user_deactivated_status_txn,
             user_id,
@@ -1501,7 +1502,7 @@ class RegistrationStore(RegistrationBackgroundUpdateStore):
         )
 
     def set_user_deactivated_status_txn(self, txn, user_id, deactivated):
-        self.simple_update_one_txn(
+        self.db.simple_update_one_txn(
             txn=txn,
             table="users",
             keyvalues={"name": user_id},
@@ -1529,14 +1530,14 @@ class RegistrationStore(RegistrationBackgroundUpdateStore):
             )
             txn.execute(sql, [])
 
-            res = self.cursor_to_dict(txn)
+            res = self.db.cursor_to_dict(txn)
             if res:
                 for user in res:
                     self.set_expiration_date_for_user_txn(
                         txn, user["name"], use_delta=True
                     )
 
-        yield self.runInteraction(
+        yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_users_with_no_expiration_date",
             select_users_with_no_expiration_date_txn,
         )
@@ -1560,7 +1561,7 @@ class RegistrationStore(RegistrationBackgroundUpdateStore):
                 expiration_ts,
             )
 
-        self.simple_upsert_txn(
+        self.db.simple_upsert_txn(
             txn,
             "account_validity",
             keyvalues={"user_id": user_id},
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/rejections.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/rejections.py
index f81f9279a1..1c07c7a425 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/rejections.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/rejections.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 class RejectionsStore(SQLBaseStore):
     def _store_rejections_txn(self, txn, event_id, reason):
-        self.simple_insert_txn(
+        self.db.simple_insert_txn(
             txn,
             table="rejections",
             values={
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ class RejectionsStore(SQLBaseStore):
         )
 
     def get_rejection_reason(self, event_id):
-        return self.simple_select_one_onecol(
+        return self.db.simple_select_one_onecol(
             table="rejections",
             retcol="reason",
             keyvalues={"event_id": event_id},
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/relations.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/relations.py
index aa5e10538b..046c2b4845 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/relations.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/relations.py
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ class RelationsWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
                 chunk=list(events[:limit]), next_batch=next_batch, prev_batch=from_token
             )
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_recent_references_for_event", _get_recent_references_for_event_txn
         )
 
@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@ class RelationsWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
                 chunk=list(events[:limit]), next_batch=next_batch, prev_batch=from_token
             )
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_aggregation_groups_for_event", _get_aggregation_groups_for_event_txn
         )
 
@@ -268,7 +268,7 @@ class RelationsWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
             if row:
                 return row[0]
 
-        edit_id = yield self.runInteraction(
+        edit_id = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_applicable_edit", _get_applicable_edit_txn
         )
 
@@ -318,7 +318,7 @@ class RelationsWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
             return bool(txn.fetchone())
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_if_user_has_annotated_event", _get_if_user_has_annotated_event
         )
 
@@ -352,7 +352,7 @@ class RelationsStore(RelationsWorkerStore):
 
         aggregation_key = relation.get("key")
 
-        self.simple_insert_txn(
+        self.db.simple_insert_txn(
             txn,
             table="event_relations",
             values={
@@ -380,6 +380,6 @@ class RelationsStore(RelationsWorkerStore):
             redacted_event_id (str): The event that was redacted.
         """
 
-        self.simple_delete_txn(
+        self.db.simple_delete_txn(
             txn, table="event_relations", keyvalues={"event_id": redacted_event_id}
         )
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/room.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/room.py
index f309e3640c..da42dae243 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/room.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/room.py
@@ -28,7 +28,6 @@ from twisted.internet import defer
 from synapse.api.constants import EventTypes
 from synapse.api.errors import StoreError
 from synapse.storage._base import SQLBaseStore
-from synapse.storage.background_updates import BackgroundUpdateStore
 from synapse.storage.data_stores.main.search import SearchStore
 from synapse.types import ThirdPartyInstanceID
 from synapse.util.caches.descriptors import cached, cachedInlineCallbacks
@@ -54,7 +53,7 @@ class RoomWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         Returns:
             A dict containing the room information, or None if the room is unknown.
         """
-        return self.simple_select_one(
+        return self.db.simple_select_one(
             table="rooms",
             keyvalues={"room_id": room_id},
             retcols=("room_id", "is_public", "creator"),
@@ -63,7 +62,7 @@ class RoomWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         )
 
     def get_public_room_ids(self):
-        return self.simple_select_onecol(
+        return self.db.simple_select_onecol(
             table="rooms",
             keyvalues={"is_public": True},
             retcol="room_id",
@@ -120,7 +119,7 @@ class RoomWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
             txn.execute(sql, query_args)
             return txn.fetchone()[0]
 
-        return self.runInteraction("count_public_rooms", _count_public_rooms_txn)
+        return self.db.runInteraction("count_public_rooms", _count_public_rooms_txn)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_largest_public_rooms(
@@ -253,21 +252,21 @@ class RoomWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         def _get_largest_public_rooms_txn(txn):
             txn.execute(sql, query_args)
 
-            results = self.cursor_to_dict(txn)
+            results = self.db.cursor_to_dict(txn)
 
             if not forwards:
                 results.reverse()
 
             return results
 
-        ret_val = yield self.runInteraction(
+        ret_val = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_largest_public_rooms", _get_largest_public_rooms_txn
         )
         defer.returnValue(ret_val)
 
     @cached(max_entries=10000)
     def is_room_blocked(self, room_id):
-        return self.simple_select_one_onecol(
+        return self.db.simple_select_one_onecol(
             table="blocked_rooms",
             keyvalues={"room_id": room_id},
             retcol="1",
@@ -288,7 +287,7 @@ class RoomWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
             of RatelimitOverride are None or 0 then ratelimitng has been
             disabled for that user entirely.
         """
-        row = yield self.simple_select_one(
+        row = yield self.db.simple_select_one(
             table="ratelimit_override",
             keyvalues={"user_id": user_id},
             retcols=("messages_per_second", "burst_count"),
@@ -330,9 +329,9 @@ class RoomWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
                 (room_id,),
             )
 
-            return self.cursor_to_dict(txn)
+            return self.db.cursor_to_dict(txn)
 
-        ret = yield self.runInteraction(
+        ret = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_retention_policy_for_room", get_retention_policy_for_room_txn,
         )
 
@@ -361,13 +360,13 @@ class RoomWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         defer.returnValue(row)
 
 
-class RoomBackgroundUpdateStore(BackgroundUpdateStore):
+class RoomBackgroundUpdateStore(SQLBaseStore):
     def __init__(self, db_conn, hs):
         super(RoomBackgroundUpdateStore, self).__init__(db_conn, hs)
 
         self.config = hs.config
 
-        self.register_background_update_handler(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_update_handler(
             "insert_room_retention", self._background_insert_retention,
         )
 
@@ -396,7 +395,7 @@ class RoomBackgroundUpdateStore(BackgroundUpdateStore):
                 (last_room, batch_size),
             )
 
-            rows = self.cursor_to_dict(txn)
+            rows = self.db.cursor_to_dict(txn)
 
             if not rows:
                 return True
@@ -408,7 +407,7 @@ class RoomBackgroundUpdateStore(BackgroundUpdateStore):
                     ev = json.loads(row["json"])
                     retention_policy = json.dumps(ev["content"])
 
-                self.simple_insert_txn(
+                self.db.simple_insert_txn(
                     txn=txn,
                     table="room_retention",
                     values={
@@ -421,7 +420,7 @@ class RoomBackgroundUpdateStore(BackgroundUpdateStore):
 
             logger.info("Inserted %d rows into room_retention", len(rows))
 
-            self._background_update_progress_txn(
+            self.db.updates._background_update_progress_txn(
                 txn, "insert_room_retention", {"room_id": rows[-1]["room_id"]}
             )
 
@@ -430,12 +429,12 @@ class RoomBackgroundUpdateStore(BackgroundUpdateStore):
             else:
                 return False
 
-        end = yield self.runInteraction(
+        end = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "insert_room_retention", _background_insert_retention_txn,
         )
 
         if end:
-            yield self._end_background_update("insert_room_retention")
+            yield self.db.updates._end_background_update("insert_room_retention")
 
         defer.returnValue(batch_size)
 
@@ -461,7 +460,7 @@ class RoomStore(RoomBackgroundUpdateStore, RoomWorkerStore, SearchStore):
         try:
 
             def store_room_txn(txn, next_id):
-                self.simple_insert_txn(
+                self.db.simple_insert_txn(
                     txn,
                     "rooms",
                     {
@@ -471,7 +470,7 @@ class RoomStore(RoomBackgroundUpdateStore, RoomWorkerStore, SearchStore):
                     },
                 )
                 if is_public:
-                    self.simple_insert_txn(
+                    self.db.simple_insert_txn(
                         txn,
                         table="public_room_list_stream",
                         values={
@@ -482,7 +481,7 @@ class RoomStore(RoomBackgroundUpdateStore, RoomWorkerStore, SearchStore):
                     )
 
             with self._public_room_id_gen.get_next() as next_id:
-                yield self.runInteraction("store_room_txn", store_room_txn, next_id)
+                yield self.db.runInteraction("store_room_txn", store_room_txn, next_id)
         except Exception as e:
             logger.error("store_room with room_id=%s failed: %s", room_id, e)
             raise StoreError(500, "Problem creating room.")
@@ -490,14 +489,14 @@ class RoomStore(RoomBackgroundUpdateStore, RoomWorkerStore, SearchStore):
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def set_room_is_public(self, room_id, is_public):
         def set_room_is_public_txn(txn, next_id):
-            self.simple_update_one_txn(
+            self.db.simple_update_one_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="rooms",
                 keyvalues={"room_id": room_id},
                 updatevalues={"is_public": is_public},
             )
 
-            entries = self.simple_select_list_txn(
+            entries = self.db.simple_select_list_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="public_room_list_stream",
                 keyvalues={
@@ -515,7 +514,7 @@ class RoomStore(RoomBackgroundUpdateStore, RoomWorkerStore, SearchStore):
                 add_to_stream = bool(entries[-1]["visibility"]) != is_public
 
             if add_to_stream:
-                self.simple_insert_txn(
+                self.db.simple_insert_txn(
                     txn,
                     table="public_room_list_stream",
                     values={
@@ -528,7 +527,7 @@ class RoomStore(RoomBackgroundUpdateStore, RoomWorkerStore, SearchStore):
                 )
 
         with self._public_room_id_gen.get_next() as next_id:
-            yield self.runInteraction(
+            yield self.db.runInteraction(
                 "set_room_is_public", set_room_is_public_txn, next_id
             )
         self.hs.get_notifier().on_new_replication_data()
@@ -555,7 +554,7 @@ class RoomStore(RoomBackgroundUpdateStore, RoomWorkerStore, SearchStore):
         def set_room_is_public_appservice_txn(txn, next_id):
             if is_public:
                 try:
-                    self.simple_insert_txn(
+                    self.db.simple_insert_txn(
                         txn,
                         table="appservice_room_list",
                         values={
@@ -568,7 +567,7 @@ class RoomStore(RoomBackgroundUpdateStore, RoomWorkerStore, SearchStore):
                     # We've already inserted, nothing to do.
                     return
             else:
-                self.simple_delete_txn(
+                self.db.simple_delete_txn(
                     txn,
                     table="appservice_room_list",
                     keyvalues={
@@ -578,7 +577,7 @@ class RoomStore(RoomBackgroundUpdateStore, RoomWorkerStore, SearchStore):
                     },
                 )
 
-            entries = self.simple_select_list_txn(
+            entries = self.db.simple_select_list_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="public_room_list_stream",
                 keyvalues={
@@ -596,7 +595,7 @@ class RoomStore(RoomBackgroundUpdateStore, RoomWorkerStore, SearchStore):
                 add_to_stream = bool(entries[-1]["visibility"]) != is_public
 
             if add_to_stream:
-                self.simple_insert_txn(
+                self.db.simple_insert_txn(
                     txn,
                     table="public_room_list_stream",
                     values={
@@ -609,7 +608,7 @@ class RoomStore(RoomBackgroundUpdateStore, RoomWorkerStore, SearchStore):
                 )
 
         with self._public_room_id_gen.get_next() as next_id:
-            yield self.runInteraction(
+            yield self.db.runInteraction(
                 "set_room_is_public_appservice",
                 set_room_is_public_appservice_txn,
                 next_id,
@@ -626,7 +625,7 @@ class RoomStore(RoomBackgroundUpdateStore, RoomWorkerStore, SearchStore):
             row = txn.fetchone()
             return row[0] or 0
 
-        return self.runInteraction("get_rooms", f)
+        return self.db.runInteraction("get_rooms", f)
 
     def _store_room_topic_txn(self, txn, event):
         if hasattr(event, "content") and "topic" in event.content:
@@ -660,7 +659,7 @@ class RoomStore(RoomBackgroundUpdateStore, RoomWorkerStore, SearchStore):
                 # Ignore the event if one of the value isn't an integer.
                 return
 
-            self.simple_insert_txn(
+            self.db.simple_insert_txn(
                 txn=txn,
                 table="room_retention",
                 values={
@@ -679,7 +678,7 @@ class RoomStore(RoomBackgroundUpdateStore, RoomWorkerStore, SearchStore):
         self, room_id, event_id, user_id, reason, content, received_ts
     ):
         next_id = self._event_reports_id_gen.get_next()
-        return self.simple_insert(
+        return self.db.simple_insert(
             table="event_reports",
             values={
                 "id": next_id,
@@ -712,7 +711,9 @@ class RoomStore(RoomBackgroundUpdateStore, RoomWorkerStore, SearchStore):
         if prev_id == current_id:
             return defer.succeed([])
 
-        return self.runInteraction("get_all_new_public_rooms", get_all_new_public_rooms)
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
+            "get_all_new_public_rooms", get_all_new_public_rooms
+        )
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def block_room(self, room_id, user_id):
@@ -725,14 +726,14 @@ class RoomStore(RoomBackgroundUpdateStore, RoomWorkerStore, SearchStore):
         Returns:
             Deferred
         """
-        yield self.simple_upsert(
+        yield self.db.simple_upsert(
             table="blocked_rooms",
             keyvalues={"room_id": room_id},
             values={},
             insertion_values={"user_id": user_id},
             desc="block_room",
         )
-        yield self.runInteraction(
+        yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "block_room_invalidation",
             self._invalidate_cache_and_stream,
             self.is_room_blocked,
@@ -763,7 +764,9 @@ class RoomStore(RoomBackgroundUpdateStore, RoomWorkerStore, SearchStore):
 
             return local_media_mxcs, remote_media_mxcs
 
-        return self.runInteraction("get_media_ids_in_room", _get_media_mxcs_in_room_txn)
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
+            "get_media_ids_in_room", _get_media_mxcs_in_room_txn
+        )
 
     def quarantine_media_ids_in_room(self, room_id, quarantined_by):
         """For a room loops through all events with media and quarantines
@@ -802,7 +805,7 @@ class RoomStore(RoomBackgroundUpdateStore, RoomWorkerStore, SearchStore):
 
             return total_media_quarantined
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "quarantine_media_in_room", _quarantine_media_in_room_txn
         )
 
@@ -907,7 +910,7 @@ class RoomStore(RoomBackgroundUpdateStore, RoomWorkerStore, SearchStore):
 
             txn.execute(sql, args)
 
-            rows = self.cursor_to_dict(txn)
+            rows = self.db.cursor_to_dict(txn)
             rooms_dict = {}
 
             for row in rows:
@@ -923,7 +926,7 @@ class RoomStore(RoomBackgroundUpdateStore, RoomWorkerStore, SearchStore):
 
                 txn.execute(sql)
 
-                rows = self.cursor_to_dict(txn)
+                rows = self.db.cursor_to_dict(txn)
 
                 # If a room isn't already in the dict (i.e. it doesn't have a retention
                 # policy in its state), add it with a null policy.
@@ -936,7 +939,7 @@ class RoomStore(RoomBackgroundUpdateStore, RoomWorkerStore, SearchStore):
 
             return rooms_dict
 
-        rooms = yield self.runInteraction(
+        rooms = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_rooms_for_retention_period_in_range",
             get_rooms_for_retention_period_in_range_txn,
         )
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/roommember.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/roommember.py
index fe2428a281..929f6b0d39 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/roommember.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/roommember.py
@@ -26,8 +26,11 @@ from twisted.internet import defer
 from synapse.api.constants import EventTypes, Membership
 from synapse.metrics import LaterGauge
 from synapse.metrics.background_process_metrics import run_as_background_process
-from synapse.storage._base import LoggingTransaction, make_in_list_sql_clause
-from synapse.storage.background_updates import BackgroundUpdateStore
+from synapse.storage._base import (
+    LoggingTransaction,
+    SQLBaseStore,
+    make_in_list_sql_clause,
+)
 from synapse.storage.data_stores.main.events_worker import EventsWorkerStore
 from synapse.storage.engines import Sqlite3Engine
 from synapse.storage.roommember import (
@@ -116,7 +119,7 @@ class RoomMemberWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore):
             txn.execute(query)
             return list(txn)[0][0]
 
-        count = yield self.runInteraction("get_known_servers", _transact)
+        count = yield self.db.runInteraction("get_known_servers", _transact)
 
         # We always know about ourselves, even if we have nothing in
         # room_memberships (for example, the server is new).
@@ -128,7 +131,7 @@ class RoomMemberWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore):
         membership column is up to date
         """
 
-        pending_update = self.simple_select_one_txn(
+        pending_update = self.db.simple_select_one_txn(
             txn,
             table="background_updates",
             keyvalues={"update_name": _CURRENT_STATE_MEMBERSHIP_UPDATE_NAME},
@@ -144,7 +147,7 @@ class RoomMemberWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore):
                 15.0,
                 run_as_background_process,
                 "_check_safe_current_state_events_membership_updated",
-                self.runInteraction,
+                self.db.runInteraction,
                 "_check_safe_current_state_events_membership_updated",
                 self._check_safe_current_state_events_membership_updated_txn,
             )
@@ -161,7 +164,7 @@ class RoomMemberWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore):
 
     @cached(max_entries=100000, iterable=True)
     def get_users_in_room(self, room_id):
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_users_in_room", self.get_users_in_room_txn, room_id
         )
 
@@ -269,7 +272,7 @@ class RoomMemberWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore):
 
             return res
 
-        return self.runInteraction("get_room_summary", _get_room_summary_txn)
+        return self.db.runInteraction("get_room_summary", _get_room_summary_txn)
 
     def _get_user_counts_in_room_txn(self, txn, room_id):
         """
@@ -339,7 +342,7 @@ class RoomMemberWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore):
         if not membership_list:
             return defer.succeed(None)
 
-        rooms = yield self.runInteraction(
+        rooms = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_rooms_for_user_where_membership_is",
             self._get_rooms_for_user_where_membership_is_txn,
             user_id,
@@ -392,7 +395,7 @@ class RoomMemberWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore):
                 )
 
             txn.execute(sql, (user_id, *args))
-            results = [RoomsForUser(**r) for r in self.cursor_to_dict(txn)]
+            results = [RoomsForUser(**r) for r in self.db.cursor_to_dict(txn)]
 
         if do_invite:
             sql = (
@@ -412,7 +415,7 @@ class RoomMemberWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore):
                     stream_ordering=r["stream_ordering"],
                     membership=Membership.INVITE,
                 )
-                for r in self.cursor_to_dict(txn)
+                for r in self.db.cursor_to_dict(txn)
             )
 
         return results
@@ -603,7 +606,7 @@ class RoomMemberWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore):
             to `user_id` and ProfileInfo (or None if not join event).
         """
 
-        rows = yield self.simple_select_many_batch(
+        rows = yield self.db.simple_select_many_batch(
             table="room_memberships",
             column="event_id",
             iterable=event_ids,
@@ -643,7 +646,7 @@ class RoomMemberWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore):
         # the returned user actually has the correct domain.
         like_clause = "%:" + host
 
-        rows = yield self.execute("is_host_joined", None, sql, room_id, like_clause)
+        rows = yield self.db.execute("is_host_joined", None, sql, room_id, like_clause)
 
         if not rows:
             return False
@@ -683,7 +686,7 @@ class RoomMemberWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore):
         # the returned user actually has the correct domain.
         like_clause = "%:" + host
 
-        rows = yield self.execute("was_host_joined", None, sql, room_id, like_clause)
+        rows = yield self.db.execute("was_host_joined", None, sql, room_id, like_clause)
 
         if not rows:
             return False
@@ -753,7 +756,7 @@ class RoomMemberWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore):
             rows = txn.fetchall()
             return rows[0][0]
 
-        count = yield self.runInteraction("did_forget_membership", f)
+        count = yield self.db.runInteraction("did_forget_membership", f)
         return count == 0
 
     @cached()
@@ -790,7 +793,7 @@ class RoomMemberWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore):
             txn.execute(sql, (user_id,))
             return set(row[0] for row in txn if row[1] == 0)
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_forgotten_rooms_for_user", _get_forgotten_rooms_for_user_txn
         )
 
@@ -805,7 +808,7 @@ class RoomMemberWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore):
             Deferred[set[str]]: Set of room IDs.
         """
 
-        room_ids = yield self.simple_select_onecol(
+        room_ids = yield self.db.simple_select_onecol(
             table="room_memberships",
             keyvalues={"membership": Membership.JOIN, "user_id": user_id},
             retcol="room_id",
@@ -820,7 +823,7 @@ class RoomMemberWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore):
         """Get user_id and membership of a set of event IDs.
         """
 
-        return self.simple_select_many_batch(
+        return self.db.simple_select_many_batch(
             table="room_memberships",
             column="event_id",
             iterable=member_event_ids,
@@ -831,17 +834,17 @@ class RoomMemberWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore):
         )
 
 
-class RoomMemberBackgroundUpdateStore(BackgroundUpdateStore):
+class RoomMemberBackgroundUpdateStore(SQLBaseStore):
     def __init__(self, db_conn, hs):
         super(RoomMemberBackgroundUpdateStore, self).__init__(db_conn, hs)
-        self.register_background_update_handler(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_update_handler(
             _MEMBERSHIP_PROFILE_UPDATE_NAME, self._background_add_membership_profile
         )
-        self.register_background_update_handler(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_update_handler(
             _CURRENT_STATE_MEMBERSHIP_UPDATE_NAME,
             self._background_current_state_membership,
         )
-        self.register_background_index_update(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_index_update(
             "room_membership_forgotten_idx",
             index_name="room_memberships_user_room_forgotten",
             table="room_memberships",
@@ -874,7 +877,7 @@ class RoomMemberBackgroundUpdateStore(BackgroundUpdateStore):
 
             txn.execute(sql, (target_min_stream_id, max_stream_id, batch_size))
 
-            rows = self.cursor_to_dict(txn)
+            rows = self.db.cursor_to_dict(txn)
             if not rows:
                 return 0
 
@@ -909,18 +912,20 @@ class RoomMemberBackgroundUpdateStore(BackgroundUpdateStore):
                 "max_stream_id_exclusive": min_stream_id,
             }
 
-            self._background_update_progress_txn(
+            self.db.updates._background_update_progress_txn(
                 txn, _MEMBERSHIP_PROFILE_UPDATE_NAME, progress
             )
 
             return len(rows)
 
-        result = yield self.runInteraction(
+        result = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             _MEMBERSHIP_PROFILE_UPDATE_NAME, add_membership_profile_txn
         )
 
         if not result:
-            yield self._end_background_update(_MEMBERSHIP_PROFILE_UPDATE_NAME)
+            yield self.db.updates._end_background_update(
+                _MEMBERSHIP_PROFILE_UPDATE_NAME
+            )
 
         return result
 
@@ -959,7 +964,7 @@ class RoomMemberBackgroundUpdateStore(BackgroundUpdateStore):
 
                 last_processed_room = next_room
 
-            self._background_update_progress_txn(
+            self.db.updates._background_update_progress_txn(
                 txn,
                 _CURRENT_STATE_MEMBERSHIP_UPDATE_NAME,
                 {"last_processed_room": last_processed_room},
@@ -971,14 +976,16 @@ class RoomMemberBackgroundUpdateStore(BackgroundUpdateStore):
         # string, which will compare before all room IDs correctly.
         last_processed_room = progress.get("last_processed_room", "")
 
-        row_count, finished = yield self.runInteraction(
+        row_count, finished = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "_background_current_state_membership_update",
             _background_current_state_membership_txn,
             last_processed_room,
         )
 
         if finished:
-            yield self._end_background_update(_CURRENT_STATE_MEMBERSHIP_UPDATE_NAME)
+            yield self.db.updates._end_background_update(
+                _CURRENT_STATE_MEMBERSHIP_UPDATE_NAME
+            )
 
         return row_count
 
@@ -990,7 +997,7 @@ class RoomMemberStore(RoomMemberWorkerStore, RoomMemberBackgroundUpdateStore):
     def _store_room_members_txn(self, txn, events, backfilled):
         """Store a room member in the database.
         """
-        self.simple_insert_many_txn(
+        self.db.simple_insert_many_txn(
             txn,
             table="room_memberships",
             values=[
@@ -1028,7 +1035,7 @@ class RoomMemberStore(RoomMemberWorkerStore, RoomMemberBackgroundUpdateStore):
             is_mine = self.hs.is_mine_id(event.state_key)
             if is_new_state and is_mine:
                 if event.membership == Membership.INVITE:
-                    self.simple_insert_txn(
+                    self.db.simple_insert_txn(
                         txn,
                         table="local_invites",
                         values={
@@ -1068,7 +1075,7 @@ class RoomMemberStore(RoomMemberWorkerStore, RoomMemberBackgroundUpdateStore):
             txn.execute(sql, (stream_ordering, True, room_id, user_id))
 
         with self._stream_id_gen.get_next() as stream_ordering:
-            yield self.runInteraction("locally_reject_invite", f, stream_ordering)
+            yield self.db.runInteraction("locally_reject_invite", f, stream_ordering)
 
     def forget(self, user_id, room_id):
         """Indicate that user_id wishes to discard history for room_id."""
@@ -1091,7 +1098,7 @@ class RoomMemberStore(RoomMemberWorkerStore, RoomMemberBackgroundUpdateStore):
                 txn, self.get_forgotten_rooms_for_user, (user_id,)
             )
 
-        return self.runInteraction("forget_membership", f)
+        return self.db.runInteraction("forget_membership", f)
 
 
 class _JoinedHostsCache(object):
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/search.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/search.py
index f735cf095c..ffa1817e64 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/search.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/search.py
@@ -24,8 +24,7 @@ from canonicaljson import json
 from twisted.internet import defer
 
 from synapse.api.errors import SynapseError
-from synapse.storage._base import make_in_list_sql_clause
-from synapse.storage.background_updates import BackgroundUpdateStore
+from synapse.storage._base import SQLBaseStore, make_in_list_sql_clause
 from synapse.storage.engines import PostgresEngine, Sqlite3Engine
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -36,7 +35,7 @@ SearchEntry = namedtuple(
 )
 
 
-class SearchBackgroundUpdateStore(BackgroundUpdateStore):
+class SearchBackgroundUpdateStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
     EVENT_SEARCH_UPDATE_NAME = "event_search"
     EVENT_SEARCH_ORDER_UPDATE_NAME = "event_search_order"
@@ -49,10 +48,10 @@ class SearchBackgroundUpdateStore(BackgroundUpdateStore):
         if not hs.config.enable_search:
             return
 
-        self.register_background_update_handler(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_update_handler(
             self.EVENT_SEARCH_UPDATE_NAME, self._background_reindex_search
         )
-        self.register_background_update_handler(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_update_handler(
             self.EVENT_SEARCH_ORDER_UPDATE_NAME, self._background_reindex_search_order
         )
 
@@ -61,9 +60,11 @@ class SearchBackgroundUpdateStore(BackgroundUpdateStore):
         # a GIN index. However, it's possible that some people might still have
         # the background update queued, so we register a handler to clear the
         # background update.
-        self.register_noop_background_update(self.EVENT_SEARCH_USE_GIST_POSTGRES_NAME)
+        self.db.updates.register_noop_background_update(
+            self.EVENT_SEARCH_USE_GIST_POSTGRES_NAME
+        )
 
-        self.register_background_update_handler(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_update_handler(
             self.EVENT_SEARCH_USE_GIN_POSTGRES_NAME, self._background_reindex_gin_search
         )
 
@@ -93,7 +94,7 @@ class SearchBackgroundUpdateStore(BackgroundUpdateStore):
             # store_search_entries_txn with a generator function, but that
             # would mean having two cursors open on the database at once.
             # Instead we just build a list of results.
-            rows = self.cursor_to_dict(txn)
+            rows = self.db.cursor_to_dict(txn)
             if not rows:
                 return 0
 
@@ -153,18 +154,18 @@ class SearchBackgroundUpdateStore(BackgroundUpdateStore):
                 "rows_inserted": rows_inserted + len(event_search_rows),
             }
 
-            self._background_update_progress_txn(
+            self.db.updates._background_update_progress_txn(
                 txn, self.EVENT_SEARCH_UPDATE_NAME, progress
             )
 
             return len(event_search_rows)
 
-        result = yield self.runInteraction(
+        result = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             self.EVENT_SEARCH_UPDATE_NAME, reindex_search_txn
         )
 
         if not result:
-            yield self._end_background_update(self.EVENT_SEARCH_UPDATE_NAME)
+            yield self.db.updates._end_background_update(self.EVENT_SEARCH_UPDATE_NAME)
 
         return result
 
@@ -206,9 +207,11 @@ class SearchBackgroundUpdateStore(BackgroundUpdateStore):
                 conn.set_session(autocommit=False)
 
         if isinstance(self.database_engine, PostgresEngine):
-            yield self.runWithConnection(create_index)
+            yield self.db.runWithConnection(create_index)
 
-        yield self._end_background_update(self.EVENT_SEARCH_USE_GIN_POSTGRES_NAME)
+        yield self.db.updates._end_background_update(
+            self.EVENT_SEARCH_USE_GIN_POSTGRES_NAME
+        )
         return 1
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
@@ -237,14 +240,14 @@ class SearchBackgroundUpdateStore(BackgroundUpdateStore):
                 )
                 conn.set_session(autocommit=False)
 
-            yield self.runWithConnection(create_index)
+            yield self.db.runWithConnection(create_index)
 
             pg = dict(progress)
             pg["have_added_indexes"] = True
 
-            yield self.runInteraction(
+            yield self.db.runInteraction(
                 self.EVENT_SEARCH_ORDER_UPDATE_NAME,
-                self._background_update_progress_txn,
+                self.db.updates._background_update_progress_txn,
                 self.EVENT_SEARCH_ORDER_UPDATE_NAME,
                 pg,
             )
@@ -274,18 +277,20 @@ class SearchBackgroundUpdateStore(BackgroundUpdateStore):
                 "have_added_indexes": True,
             }
 
-            self._background_update_progress_txn(
+            self.db.updates._background_update_progress_txn(
                 txn, self.EVENT_SEARCH_ORDER_UPDATE_NAME, progress
             )
 
             return len(rows), True
 
-        num_rows, finished = yield self.runInteraction(
+        num_rows, finished = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             self.EVENT_SEARCH_ORDER_UPDATE_NAME, reindex_search_txn
         )
 
         if not finished:
-            yield self._end_background_update(self.EVENT_SEARCH_ORDER_UPDATE_NAME)
+            yield self.db.updates._end_background_update(
+                self.EVENT_SEARCH_ORDER_UPDATE_NAME
+            )
 
         return num_rows
 
@@ -441,7 +446,9 @@ class SearchStore(SearchBackgroundUpdateStore):
         # entire table from the database.
         sql += " ORDER BY rank DESC LIMIT 500"
 
-        results = yield self.execute("search_msgs", self.cursor_to_dict, sql, *args)
+        results = yield self.db.execute(
+            "search_msgs", self.db.cursor_to_dict, sql, *args
+        )
 
         results = list(filter(lambda row: row["room_id"] in room_ids, results))
 
@@ -455,8 +462,8 @@ class SearchStore(SearchBackgroundUpdateStore):
 
         count_sql += " GROUP BY room_id"
 
-        count_results = yield self.execute(
-            "search_rooms_count", self.cursor_to_dict, count_sql, *count_args
+        count_results = yield self.db.execute(
+            "search_rooms_count", self.db.cursor_to_dict, count_sql, *count_args
         )
 
         count = sum(row["count"] for row in count_results if row["room_id"] in room_ids)
@@ -586,7 +593,9 @@ class SearchStore(SearchBackgroundUpdateStore):
 
         args.append(limit)
 
-        results = yield self.execute("search_rooms", self.cursor_to_dict, sql, *args)
+        results = yield self.db.execute(
+            "search_rooms", self.db.cursor_to_dict, sql, *args
+        )
 
         results = list(filter(lambda row: row["room_id"] in room_ids, results))
 
@@ -600,8 +609,8 @@ class SearchStore(SearchBackgroundUpdateStore):
 
         count_sql += " GROUP BY room_id"
 
-        count_results = yield self.execute(
-            "search_rooms_count", self.cursor_to_dict, count_sql, *count_args
+        count_results = yield self.db.execute(
+            "search_rooms_count", self.db.cursor_to_dict, count_sql, *count_args
         )
 
         count = sum(row["count"] for row in count_results if row["room_id"] in room_ids)
@@ -686,7 +695,7 @@ class SearchStore(SearchBackgroundUpdateStore):
 
             return highlight_words
 
-        return self.runInteraction("_find_highlights", f)
+        return self.db.runInteraction("_find_highlights", f)
 
 
 def _to_postgres_options(options_dict):
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/signatures.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/signatures.py
index f3da29ce14..563216b63c 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/signatures.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/signatures.py
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ class SignatureWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
                 for event_id in event_ids
             }
 
-        return self.runInteraction("get_event_reference_hashes", f)
+        return self.db.runInteraction("get_event_reference_hashes", f)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def add_event_hashes(self, event_ids):
@@ -98,4 +98,4 @@ class SignatureStore(SignatureWorkerStore):
                 }
             )
 
-        self.simple_insert_many_txn(txn, table="event_reference_hashes", values=vals)
+        self.db.simple_insert_many_txn(txn, table="event_reference_hashes", values=vals)
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/state.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/state.py
index 2b33ec1a35..7d5a9f8128 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/state.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/state.py
@@ -27,7 +27,6 @@ from synapse.api.errors import NotFoundError
 from synapse.events import EventBase
 from synapse.events.snapshot import EventContext
 from synapse.storage._base import SQLBaseStore
-from synapse.storage.background_updates import BackgroundUpdateStore
 from synapse.storage.data_stores.main.events_worker import EventsWorkerStore
 from synapse.storage.engines import PostgresEngine
 from synapse.storage.state import StateFilter
@@ -89,7 +88,7 @@ class StateGroupBackgroundUpdateStore(SQLBaseStore):
             count = 0
 
             while next_group:
-                next_group = self.simple_select_one_onecol_txn(
+                next_group = self.db.simple_select_one_onecol_txn(
                     txn,
                     table="state_group_edges",
                     keyvalues={"state_group": next_group},
@@ -192,7 +191,7 @@ class StateGroupBackgroundUpdateStore(SQLBaseStore):
                     ):
                         break
 
-                    next_group = self.simple_select_one_onecol_txn(
+                    next_group = self.db.simple_select_one_onecol_txn(
                         txn,
                         table="state_group_edges",
                         keyvalues={"state_group": next_group},
@@ -348,7 +347,9 @@ class StateGroupWorkerStore(
                 (intern_string(r[0]), intern_string(r[1])): to_ascii(r[2]) for r in txn
             }
 
-        return self.runInteraction("get_current_state_ids", _get_current_state_ids_txn)
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
+            "get_current_state_ids", _get_current_state_ids_txn
+        )
 
     # FIXME: how should this be cached?
     def get_filtered_current_state_ids(self, room_id, state_filter=StateFilter.all()):
@@ -392,7 +393,7 @@ class StateGroupWorkerStore(
 
             return results
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_filtered_current_state_ids", _get_filtered_current_state_ids_txn
         )
 
@@ -431,7 +432,7 @@ class StateGroupWorkerStore(
         """
 
         def _get_state_group_delta_txn(txn):
-            prev_group = self.simple_select_one_onecol_txn(
+            prev_group = self.db.simple_select_one_onecol_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="state_group_edges",
                 keyvalues={"state_group": state_group},
@@ -442,7 +443,7 @@ class StateGroupWorkerStore(
             if not prev_group:
                 return _GetStateGroupDelta(None, None)
 
-            delta_ids = self.simple_select_list_txn(
+            delta_ids = self.db.simple_select_list_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="state_groups_state",
                 keyvalues={"state_group": state_group},
@@ -454,7 +455,9 @@ class StateGroupWorkerStore(
                 {(row["type"], row["state_key"]): row["event_id"] for row in delta_ids},
             )
 
-        return self.runInteraction("get_state_group_delta", _get_state_group_delta_txn)
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
+            "get_state_group_delta", _get_state_group_delta_txn
+        )
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_state_groups_ids(self, _room_id, event_ids):
@@ -540,7 +543,7 @@ class StateGroupWorkerStore(
 
         chunks = [groups[i : i + 100] for i in range(0, len(groups), 100)]
         for chunk in chunks:
-            res = yield self.runInteraction(
+            res = yield self.db.runInteraction(
                 "_get_state_groups_from_groups",
                 self._get_state_groups_from_groups_txn,
                 chunk,
@@ -644,7 +647,7 @@ class StateGroupWorkerStore(
 
     @cached(max_entries=50000)
     def _get_state_group_for_event(self, event_id):
-        return self.simple_select_one_onecol(
+        return self.db.simple_select_one_onecol(
             table="event_to_state_groups",
             keyvalues={"event_id": event_id},
             retcol="state_group",
@@ -661,7 +664,7 @@ class StateGroupWorkerStore(
     def _get_state_group_for_events(self, event_ids):
         """Returns mapping event_id -> state_group
         """
-        rows = yield self.simple_select_many_batch(
+        rows = yield self.db.simple_select_many_batch(
             table="event_to_state_groups",
             column="event_id",
             iterable=event_ids,
@@ -902,7 +905,7 @@ class StateGroupWorkerStore(
 
             state_group = self.database_engine.get_next_state_group_id(txn)
 
-            self.simple_insert_txn(
+            self.db.simple_insert_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="state_groups",
                 values={"id": state_group, "room_id": room_id, "event_id": event_id},
@@ -911,7 +914,7 @@ class StateGroupWorkerStore(
             # We persist as a delta if we can, while also ensuring the chain
             # of deltas isn't tooo long, as otherwise read performance degrades.
             if prev_group:
-                is_in_db = self.simple_select_one_onecol_txn(
+                is_in_db = self.db.simple_select_one_onecol_txn(
                     txn,
                     table="state_groups",
                     keyvalues={"id": prev_group},
@@ -926,13 +929,13 @@ class StateGroupWorkerStore(
 
                 potential_hops = self._count_state_group_hops_txn(txn, prev_group)
             if prev_group and potential_hops < MAX_STATE_DELTA_HOPS:
-                self.simple_insert_txn(
+                self.db.simple_insert_txn(
                     txn,
                     table="state_group_edges",
                     values={"state_group": state_group, "prev_state_group": prev_group},
                 )
 
-                self.simple_insert_many_txn(
+                self.db.simple_insert_many_txn(
                     txn,
                     table="state_groups_state",
                     values=[
@@ -947,7 +950,7 @@ class StateGroupWorkerStore(
                     ],
                 )
             else:
-                self.simple_insert_many_txn(
+                self.db.simple_insert_many_txn(
                     txn,
                     table="state_groups_state",
                     values=[
@@ -993,7 +996,7 @@ class StateGroupWorkerStore(
 
             return state_group
 
-        return self.runInteraction("store_state_group", _store_state_group_txn)
+        return self.db.runInteraction("store_state_group", _store_state_group_txn)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_referenced_state_groups(self, state_groups):
@@ -1007,7 +1010,7 @@ class StateGroupWorkerStore(
             referenced.
         """
 
-        rows = yield self.simple_select_many_batch(
+        rows = yield self.db.simple_select_many_batch(
             table="event_to_state_groups",
             column="state_group",
             iterable=state_groups,
@@ -1019,9 +1022,7 @@ class StateGroupWorkerStore(
         return set(row["state_group"] for row in rows)
 
 
-class StateBackgroundUpdateStore(
-    StateGroupBackgroundUpdateStore, BackgroundUpdateStore
-):
+class StateBackgroundUpdateStore(StateGroupBackgroundUpdateStore):
 
     STATE_GROUP_DEDUPLICATION_UPDATE_NAME = "state_group_state_deduplication"
     STATE_GROUP_INDEX_UPDATE_NAME = "state_group_state_type_index"
@@ -1030,21 +1031,21 @@ class StateBackgroundUpdateStore(
 
     def __init__(self, db_conn, hs):
         super(StateBackgroundUpdateStore, self).__init__(db_conn, hs)
-        self.register_background_update_handler(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_update_handler(
             self.STATE_GROUP_DEDUPLICATION_UPDATE_NAME,
             self._background_deduplicate_state,
         )
-        self.register_background_update_handler(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_update_handler(
             self.STATE_GROUP_INDEX_UPDATE_NAME, self._background_index_state
         )
-        self.register_background_index_update(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_index_update(
             self.CURRENT_STATE_INDEX_UPDATE_NAME,
             index_name="current_state_events_member_index",
             table="current_state_events",
             columns=["state_key"],
             where_clause="type='m.room.member'",
         )
-        self.register_background_index_update(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_index_update(
             self.EVENT_STATE_GROUP_INDEX_UPDATE_NAME,
             index_name="event_to_state_groups_sg_index",
             table="event_to_state_groups",
@@ -1065,7 +1066,7 @@ class StateBackgroundUpdateStore(
         batch_size = max(1, int(batch_size / BATCH_SIZE_SCALE_FACTOR))
 
         if max_group is None:
-            rows = yield self.execute(
+            rows = yield self.db.execute(
                 "_background_deduplicate_state",
                 None,
                 "SELECT coalesce(max(id), 0) FROM state_groups",
@@ -1135,13 +1136,13 @@ class StateBackgroundUpdateStore(
                             if prev_state.get(key, None) != value
                         }
 
-                        self.simple_delete_txn(
+                        self.db.simple_delete_txn(
                             txn,
                             table="state_group_edges",
                             keyvalues={"state_group": state_group},
                         )
 
-                        self.simple_insert_txn(
+                        self.db.simple_insert_txn(
                             txn,
                             table="state_group_edges",
                             values={
@@ -1150,13 +1151,13 @@ class StateBackgroundUpdateStore(
                             },
                         )
 
-                        self.simple_delete_txn(
+                        self.db.simple_delete_txn(
                             txn,
                             table="state_groups_state",
                             keyvalues={"state_group": state_group},
                         )
 
-                        self.simple_insert_many_txn(
+                        self.db.simple_insert_many_txn(
                             txn,
                             table="state_groups_state",
                             values=[
@@ -1177,18 +1178,18 @@ class StateBackgroundUpdateStore(
                 "max_group": max_group,
             }
 
-            self._background_update_progress_txn(
+            self.db.updates._background_update_progress_txn(
                 txn, self.STATE_GROUP_DEDUPLICATION_UPDATE_NAME, progress
             )
 
             return False, batch_size
 
-        finished, result = yield self.runInteraction(
+        finished, result = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             self.STATE_GROUP_DEDUPLICATION_UPDATE_NAME, reindex_txn
         )
 
         if finished:
-            yield self._end_background_update(
+            yield self.db.updates._end_background_update(
                 self.STATE_GROUP_DEDUPLICATION_UPDATE_NAME
             )
 
@@ -1218,9 +1219,9 @@ class StateBackgroundUpdateStore(
                 )
                 txn.execute("DROP INDEX IF EXISTS state_groups_state_id")
 
-        yield self.runWithConnection(reindex_txn)
+        yield self.db.runWithConnection(reindex_txn)
 
-        yield self._end_background_update(self.STATE_GROUP_INDEX_UPDATE_NAME)
+        yield self.db.updates._end_background_update(self.STATE_GROUP_INDEX_UPDATE_NAME)
 
         return 1
 
@@ -1263,7 +1264,7 @@ class StateStore(StateGroupWorkerStore, StateBackgroundUpdateStore):
 
             state_groups[event.event_id] = context.state_group
 
-        self.simple_insert_many_txn(
+        self.db.simple_insert_many_txn(
             txn,
             table="event_to_state_groups",
             values=[
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/state_deltas.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/state_deltas.py
index 03b908026b..12c982cb26 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/state_deltas.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/state_deltas.py
@@ -98,14 +98,14 @@ class StateDeltasStore(SQLBaseStore):
                 ORDER BY stream_id ASC
             """
             txn.execute(sql, (prev_stream_id, clipped_stream_id))
-            return clipped_stream_id, self.cursor_to_dict(txn)
+            return clipped_stream_id, self.db.cursor_to_dict(txn)
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_current_state_deltas", get_current_state_deltas_txn
         )
 
     def _get_max_stream_id_in_current_state_deltas_txn(self, txn):
-        return self.simple_select_one_onecol_txn(
+        return self.db.simple_select_one_onecol_txn(
             txn,
             table="current_state_delta_stream",
             keyvalues={},
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ class StateDeltasStore(SQLBaseStore):
         )
 
     def get_max_stream_id_in_current_state_deltas(self):
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_max_stream_id_in_current_state_deltas",
             self._get_max_stream_id_in_current_state_deltas_txn,
         )
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/stats.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/stats.py
index b306478824..40579bf965 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/stats.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/stats.py
@@ -68,17 +68,17 @@ class StatsStore(StateDeltasStore):
 
         self.stats_delta_processing_lock = DeferredLock()
 
-        self.register_background_update_handler(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_update_handler(
             "populate_stats_process_rooms", self._populate_stats_process_rooms
         )
-        self.register_background_update_handler(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_update_handler(
             "populate_stats_process_users", self._populate_stats_process_users
         )
         # we no longer need to perform clean-up, but we will give ourselves
         # the potential to reintroduce it in the future – so documentation
         # will still encourage the use of this no-op handler.
-        self.register_noop_background_update("populate_stats_cleanup")
-        self.register_noop_background_update("populate_stats_prepare")
+        self.db.updates.register_noop_background_update("populate_stats_cleanup")
+        self.db.updates.register_noop_background_update("populate_stats_prepare")
 
     def quantise_stats_time(self, ts):
         """
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ class StatsStore(StateDeltasStore):
         This is a background update which regenerates statistics for users.
         """
         if not self.stats_enabled:
-            yield self._end_background_update("populate_stats_process_users")
+            yield self.db.updates._end_background_update("populate_stats_process_users")
             return 1
 
         last_user_id = progress.get("last_user_id", "")
@@ -117,22 +117,22 @@ class StatsStore(StateDeltasStore):
             txn.execute(sql, (last_user_id, batch_size))
             return [r for r, in txn]
 
-        users_to_work_on = yield self.runInteraction(
+        users_to_work_on = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "_populate_stats_process_users", _get_next_batch
         )
 
         # No more rooms -- complete the transaction.
         if not users_to_work_on:
-            yield self._end_background_update("populate_stats_process_users")
+            yield self.db.updates._end_background_update("populate_stats_process_users")
             return 1
 
         for user_id in users_to_work_on:
             yield self._calculate_and_set_initial_state_for_user(user_id)
             progress["last_user_id"] = user_id
 
-        yield self.runInteraction(
+        yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "populate_stats_process_users",
-            self._background_update_progress_txn,
+            self.db.updates._background_update_progress_txn,
             "populate_stats_process_users",
             progress,
         )
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ class StatsStore(StateDeltasStore):
         This is a background update which regenerates statistics for rooms.
         """
         if not self.stats_enabled:
-            yield self._end_background_update("populate_stats_process_rooms")
+            yield self.db.updates._end_background_update("populate_stats_process_rooms")
             return 1
 
         last_room_id = progress.get("last_room_id", "")
@@ -160,22 +160,22 @@ class StatsStore(StateDeltasStore):
             txn.execute(sql, (last_room_id, batch_size))
             return [r for r, in txn]
 
-        rooms_to_work_on = yield self.runInteraction(
+        rooms_to_work_on = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "populate_stats_rooms_get_batch", _get_next_batch
         )
 
         # No more rooms -- complete the transaction.
         if not rooms_to_work_on:
-            yield self._end_background_update("populate_stats_process_rooms")
+            yield self.db.updates._end_background_update("populate_stats_process_rooms")
             return 1
 
         for room_id in rooms_to_work_on:
             yield self._calculate_and_set_initial_state_for_room(room_id)
             progress["last_room_id"] = room_id
 
-        yield self.runInteraction(
+        yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "_populate_stats_process_rooms",
-            self._background_update_progress_txn,
+            self.db.updates._background_update_progress_txn,
             "populate_stats_process_rooms",
             progress,
         )
@@ -186,7 +186,7 @@ class StatsStore(StateDeltasStore):
         """
         Returns the stats processor positions.
         """
-        return self.simple_select_one_onecol(
+        return self.db.simple_select_one_onecol(
             table="stats_incremental_position",
             keyvalues={},
             retcol="stream_id",
@@ -215,7 +215,7 @@ class StatsStore(StateDeltasStore):
             if field and "\0" in field:
                 fields[col] = None
 
-        return self.simple_upsert(
+        return self.db.simple_upsert(
             table="room_stats_state",
             keyvalues={"room_id": room_id},
             values=fields,
@@ -236,7 +236,7 @@ class StatsStore(StateDeltasStore):
             Deferred[list[dict]], where the dict has the keys of
             ABSOLUTE_STATS_FIELDS[stats_type],  and "bucket_size" and "end_ts".
         """
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_statistics_for_subject",
             self._get_statistics_for_subject_txn,
             stats_type,
@@ -257,7 +257,7 @@ class StatsStore(StateDeltasStore):
             ABSOLUTE_STATS_FIELDS[stats_type] + PER_SLICE_FIELDS[stats_type]
         )
 
-        slice_list = self.simple_select_list_paginate_txn(
+        slice_list = self.db.simple_select_list_paginate_txn(
             txn,
             table + "_historical",
             "end_ts",
@@ -282,7 +282,7 @@ class StatsStore(StateDeltasStore):
                 "name", "topic", "canonical_alias", "avatar", "join_rules",
                 "history_visibility"
         """
-        return self.simple_select_one(
+        return self.db.simple_select_one(
             "room_stats_state",
             {"room_id": room_id},
             retcols=(
@@ -308,7 +308,7 @@ class StatsStore(StateDeltasStore):
         """
         table, id_col = TYPE_TO_TABLE[stats_type]
 
-        return self.simple_select_one_onecol(
+        return self.db.simple_select_one_onecol(
             "%s_current" % (table,),
             keyvalues={id_col: id},
             retcol="completed_delta_stream_id",
@@ -344,14 +344,14 @@ class StatsStore(StateDeltasStore):
                         complete_with_stream_id=stream_id,
                     )
 
-            self.simple_update_one_txn(
+            self.db.simple_update_one_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="stats_incremental_position",
                 keyvalues={},
                 updatevalues={"stream_id": stream_id},
             )
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "bulk_update_stats_delta", _bulk_update_stats_delta_txn
         )
 
@@ -382,7 +382,7 @@ class StatsStore(StateDeltasStore):
                 Does not work with per-slice fields.
         """
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "update_stats_delta",
             self._update_stats_delta_txn,
             ts,
@@ -517,17 +517,17 @@ class StatsStore(StateDeltasStore):
         else:
             self.database_engine.lock_table(txn, table)
             retcols = list(chain(absolutes.keys(), additive_relatives.keys()))
-            current_row = self.simple_select_one_txn(
+            current_row = self.db.simple_select_one_txn(
                 txn, table, keyvalues, retcols, allow_none=True
             )
             if current_row is None:
                 merged_dict = {**keyvalues, **absolutes, **additive_relatives}
-                self.simple_insert_txn(txn, table, merged_dict)
+                self.db.simple_insert_txn(txn, table, merged_dict)
             else:
                 for (key, val) in additive_relatives.items():
                     current_row[key] += val
                 current_row.update(absolutes)
-                self.simple_update_one_txn(txn, table, keyvalues, current_row)
+                self.db.simple_update_one_txn(txn, table, keyvalues, current_row)
 
     def _upsert_copy_from_table_with_additive_relatives_txn(
         self,
@@ -614,11 +614,11 @@ class StatsStore(StateDeltasStore):
             txn.execute(sql, qargs)
         else:
             self.database_engine.lock_table(txn, into_table)
-            src_row = self.simple_select_one_txn(
+            src_row = self.db.simple_select_one_txn(
                 txn, src_table, keyvalues, copy_columns
             )
             all_dest_keyvalues = {**keyvalues, **extra_dst_keyvalues}
-            dest_current_row = self.simple_select_one_txn(
+            dest_current_row = self.db.simple_select_one_txn(
                 txn,
                 into_table,
                 keyvalues=all_dest_keyvalues,
@@ -634,11 +634,11 @@ class StatsStore(StateDeltasStore):
                     **src_row,
                     **additive_relatives,
                 }
-                self.simple_insert_txn(txn, into_table, merged_dict)
+                self.db.simple_insert_txn(txn, into_table, merged_dict)
             else:
                 for (key, val) in additive_relatives.items():
                     src_row[key] = dest_current_row[key] + val
-                self.simple_update_txn(txn, into_table, all_dest_keyvalues, src_row)
+                self.db.simple_update_txn(txn, into_table, all_dest_keyvalues, src_row)
 
     def get_changes_room_total_events_and_bytes(self, min_pos, max_pos):
         """Fetches the counts of events in the given range of stream IDs.
@@ -652,7 +652,7 @@ class StatsStore(StateDeltasStore):
             changes.
         """
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "stats_incremental_total_events_and_bytes",
             self.get_changes_room_total_events_and_bytes_txn,
             min_pos,
@@ -735,7 +735,7 @@ class StatsStore(StateDeltasStore):
         def _fetch_current_state_stats(txn):
             pos = self.get_room_max_stream_ordering()
 
-            rows = self.simple_select_many_txn(
+            rows = self.db.simple_select_many_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="current_state_events",
                 column="type",
@@ -791,7 +791,7 @@ class StatsStore(StateDeltasStore):
             current_state_events_count,
             users_in_room,
             pos,
-        ) = yield self.runInteraction(
+        ) = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_initial_state_for_room", _fetch_current_state_stats
         )
 
@@ -866,7 +866,7 @@ class StatsStore(StateDeltasStore):
             (count,) = txn.fetchone()
             return count, pos
 
-        joined_rooms, pos = yield self.runInteraction(
+        joined_rooms, pos = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "calculate_and_set_initial_state_for_user",
             _calculate_and_set_initial_state_for_user_txn,
         )
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/stream.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/stream.py
index 60487c4559..2ff8c57109 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/stream.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/stream.py
@@ -255,7 +255,7 @@ class StreamWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
         super(StreamWorkerStore, self).__init__(db_conn, hs)
 
         events_max = self.get_room_max_stream_ordering()
-        event_cache_prefill, min_event_val = self.get_cache_dict(
+        event_cache_prefill, min_event_val = self.db.get_cache_dict(
             db_conn,
             "events",
             entity_column="room_id",
@@ -400,7 +400,7 @@ class StreamWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
             rows = [_EventDictReturn(row[0], None, row[1]) for row in txn]
             return rows
 
-        rows = yield self.runInteraction("get_room_events_stream_for_room", f)
+        rows = yield self.db.runInteraction("get_room_events_stream_for_room", f)
 
         ret = yield self.get_events_as_list(
             [r.event_id for r in rows], get_prev_content=True
@@ -450,7 +450,7 @@ class StreamWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
 
             return rows
 
-        rows = yield self.runInteraction("get_membership_changes_for_user", f)
+        rows = yield self.db.runInteraction("get_membership_changes_for_user", f)
 
         ret = yield self.get_events_as_list(
             [r.event_id for r in rows], get_prev_content=True
@@ -511,7 +511,7 @@ class StreamWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
 
         end_token = RoomStreamToken.parse(end_token)
 
-        rows, token = yield self.runInteraction(
+        rows, token = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_recent_event_ids_for_room",
             self._paginate_room_events_txn,
             room_id,
@@ -548,7 +548,7 @@ class StreamWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
             txn.execute(sql, (room_id, stream_ordering))
             return txn.fetchone()
 
-        return self.runInteraction("get_room_event_after_stream_ordering", _f)
+        return self.db.runInteraction("get_room_event_after_stream_ordering", _f)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_room_events_max_id(self, room_id=None):
@@ -562,7 +562,7 @@ class StreamWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
         if room_id is None:
             return "s%d" % (token,)
         else:
-            topo = yield self.runInteraction(
+            topo = yield self.db.runInteraction(
                 "_get_max_topological_txn", self._get_max_topological_txn, room_id
             )
             return "t%d-%d" % (topo, token)
@@ -576,7 +576,7 @@ class StreamWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
         Returns:
             A deferred "s%d" stream token.
         """
-        return self.simple_select_one_onecol(
+        return self.db.simple_select_one_onecol(
             table="events", keyvalues={"event_id": event_id}, retcol="stream_ordering"
         ).addCallback(lambda row: "s%d" % (row,))
 
@@ -589,7 +589,7 @@ class StreamWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
         Returns:
             A deferred "t%d-%d" topological token.
         """
-        return self.simple_select_one(
+        return self.db.simple_select_one(
             table="events",
             keyvalues={"event_id": event_id},
             retcols=("stream_ordering", "topological_ordering"),
@@ -613,7 +613,7 @@ class StreamWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
             "SELECT coalesce(max(topological_ordering), 0) FROM events"
             " WHERE room_id = ? AND stream_ordering < ?"
         )
-        return self.execute(
+        return self.db.execute(
             "get_max_topological_token", None, sql, room_id, stream_key
         ).addCallback(lambda r: r[0][0] if r else 0)
 
@@ -667,7 +667,7 @@ class StreamWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
             dict
         """
 
-        results = yield self.runInteraction(
+        results = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_events_around",
             self._get_events_around_txn,
             room_id,
@@ -709,7 +709,7 @@ class StreamWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
             dict
         """
 
-        results = self.simple_select_one_txn(
+        results = self.db.simple_select_one_txn(
             txn,
             "events",
             keyvalues={"event_id": event_id, "room_id": room_id},
@@ -788,7 +788,7 @@ class StreamWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
 
             return upper_bound, [row[1] for row in rows]
 
-        upper_bound, event_ids = yield self.runInteraction(
+        upper_bound, event_ids = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_all_new_events_stream", get_all_new_events_stream_txn
         )
 
@@ -797,7 +797,7 @@ class StreamWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
         return upper_bound, events
 
     def get_federation_out_pos(self, typ):
-        return self.simple_select_one_onecol(
+        return self.db.simple_select_one_onecol(
             table="federation_stream_position",
             retcol="stream_id",
             keyvalues={"type": typ},
@@ -805,7 +805,7 @@ class StreamWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
         )
 
     def update_federation_out_pos(self, typ, stream_id):
-        return self.simple_update_one(
+        return self.db.simple_update_one(
             table="federation_stream_position",
             keyvalues={"type": typ},
             updatevalues={"stream_id": stream_id},
@@ -956,7 +956,7 @@ class StreamWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
         if to_key:
             to_key = RoomStreamToken.parse(to_key)
 
-        rows, token = yield self.runInteraction(
+        rows, token = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "paginate_room_events",
             self._paginate_room_events_txn,
             room_id,
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/tags.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/tags.py
index 85012403be..2aa1bafd48 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/tags.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/tags.py
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ class TagsWorkerStore(AccountDataWorkerStore):
             tag strings to tag content.
         """
 
-        deferred = self.simple_select_list(
+        deferred = self.db.simple_select_list(
             "room_tags", {"user_id": user_id}, ["room_id", "tag", "content"]
         )
 
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ class TagsWorkerStore(AccountDataWorkerStore):
             txn.execute(sql, (last_id, current_id, limit))
             return txn.fetchall()
 
-        tag_ids = yield self.runInteraction(
+        tag_ids = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_all_updated_tags", get_all_updated_tags_txn
         )
 
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ class TagsWorkerStore(AccountDataWorkerStore):
         batch_size = 50
         results = []
         for i in range(0, len(tag_ids), batch_size):
-            tags = yield self.runInteraction(
+            tags = yield self.db.runInteraction(
                 "get_all_updated_tag_content",
                 get_tag_content,
                 tag_ids[i : i + batch_size],
@@ -135,7 +135,9 @@ class TagsWorkerStore(AccountDataWorkerStore):
         if not changed:
             return {}
 
-        room_ids = yield self.runInteraction("get_updated_tags", get_updated_tags_txn)
+        room_ids = yield self.db.runInteraction(
+            "get_updated_tags", get_updated_tags_txn
+        )
 
         results = {}
         if room_ids:
@@ -153,7 +155,7 @@ class TagsWorkerStore(AccountDataWorkerStore):
         Returns:
             A deferred list of string tags.
         """
-        return self.simple_select_list(
+        return self.db.simple_select_list(
             table="room_tags",
             keyvalues={"user_id": user_id, "room_id": room_id},
             retcols=("tag", "content"),
@@ -178,7 +180,7 @@ class TagsStore(TagsWorkerStore):
         content_json = json.dumps(content)
 
         def add_tag_txn(txn, next_id):
-            self.simple_upsert_txn(
+            self.db.simple_upsert_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="room_tags",
                 keyvalues={"user_id": user_id, "room_id": room_id, "tag": tag},
@@ -187,7 +189,7 @@ class TagsStore(TagsWorkerStore):
             self._update_revision_txn(txn, user_id, room_id, next_id)
 
         with self._account_data_id_gen.get_next() as next_id:
-            yield self.runInteraction("add_tag", add_tag_txn, next_id)
+            yield self.db.runInteraction("add_tag", add_tag_txn, next_id)
 
         self.get_tags_for_user.invalidate((user_id,))
 
@@ -210,7 +212,7 @@ class TagsStore(TagsWorkerStore):
             self._update_revision_txn(txn, user_id, room_id, next_id)
 
         with self._account_data_id_gen.get_next() as next_id:
-            yield self.runInteraction("remove_tag", remove_tag_txn, next_id)
+            yield self.db.runInteraction("remove_tag", remove_tag_txn, next_id)
 
         self.get_tags_for_user.invalidate((user_id,))
 
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/transactions.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/transactions.py
index c162f3ea16..c0d155a43c 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/transactions.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/transactions.py
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ class TransactionStore(SQLBaseStore):
             this transaction or a 2-tuple of (int, dict)
         """
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_received_txn_response",
             self._get_received_txn_response,
             transaction_id,
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ class TransactionStore(SQLBaseStore):
         )
 
     def _get_received_txn_response(self, txn, transaction_id, origin):
-        result = self.simple_select_one_txn(
+        result = self.db.simple_select_one_txn(
             txn,
             table="received_transactions",
             keyvalues={"transaction_id": transaction_id, "origin": origin},
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ class TransactionStore(SQLBaseStore):
             response_json (str)
         """
 
-        return self.simple_insert(
+        return self.db.simple_insert(
             table="received_transactions",
             values={
                 "transaction_id": transaction_id,
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ class TransactionStore(SQLBaseStore):
         if result is not SENTINEL:
             return result
 
-        result = yield self.runInteraction(
+        result = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "get_destination_retry_timings",
             self._get_destination_retry_timings,
             destination,
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ class TransactionStore(SQLBaseStore):
         return result
 
     def _get_destination_retry_timings(self, txn, destination):
-        result = self.simple_select_one_txn(
+        result = self.db.simple_select_one_txn(
             txn,
             table="destinations",
             keyvalues={"destination": destination},
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ class TransactionStore(SQLBaseStore):
         """
 
         self._destination_retry_cache.pop(destination, None)
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "set_destination_retry_timings",
             self._set_destination_retry_timings,
             destination,
@@ -227,7 +227,7 @@ class TransactionStore(SQLBaseStore):
         # We need to be careful here as the data may have changed from under us
         # due to a worker setting the timings.
 
-        prev_row = self.simple_select_one_txn(
+        prev_row = self.db.simple_select_one_txn(
             txn,
             table="destinations",
             keyvalues={"destination": destination},
@@ -236,7 +236,7 @@ class TransactionStore(SQLBaseStore):
         )
 
         if not prev_row:
-            self.simple_insert_txn(
+            self.db.simple_insert_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="destinations",
                 values={
@@ -247,7 +247,7 @@ class TransactionStore(SQLBaseStore):
                 },
             )
         elif retry_interval == 0 or prev_row["retry_interval"] < retry_interval:
-            self.simple_update_one_txn(
+            self.db.simple_update_one_txn(
                 txn,
                 "destinations",
                 keyvalues={"destination": destination},
@@ -270,4 +270,6 @@ class TransactionStore(SQLBaseStore):
         def _cleanup_transactions_txn(txn):
             txn.execute("DELETE FROM received_transactions WHERE ts < ?", (month_ago,))
 
-        return self.runInteraction("_cleanup_transactions", _cleanup_transactions_txn)
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
+            "_cleanup_transactions", _cleanup_transactions_txn
+        )
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/user_directory.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/user_directory.py
index 1a85aabbfb..62ffb34b29 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/user_directory.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/user_directory.py
@@ -19,7 +19,6 @@ import re
 from twisted.internet import defer
 
 from synapse.api.constants import EventTypes, JoinRules
-from synapse.storage.background_updates import BackgroundUpdateStore
 from synapse.storage.data_stores.main.state import StateFilter
 from synapse.storage.data_stores.main.state_deltas import StateDeltasStore
 from synapse.storage.engines import PostgresEngine, Sqlite3Engine
@@ -32,7 +31,7 @@ logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 TEMP_TABLE = "_temp_populate_user_directory"
 
 
-class UserDirectoryBackgroundUpdateStore(StateDeltasStore, BackgroundUpdateStore):
+class UserDirectoryBackgroundUpdateStore(StateDeltasStore):
 
     # How many records do we calculate before sending it to
     # add_users_who_share_private_rooms?
@@ -43,19 +42,19 @@ class UserDirectoryBackgroundUpdateStore(StateDeltasStore, BackgroundUpdateStore
 
         self.server_name = hs.hostname
 
-        self.register_background_update_handler(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_update_handler(
             "populate_user_directory_createtables",
             self._populate_user_directory_createtables,
         )
-        self.register_background_update_handler(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_update_handler(
             "populate_user_directory_process_rooms",
             self._populate_user_directory_process_rooms,
         )
-        self.register_background_update_handler(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_update_handler(
             "populate_user_directory_process_users",
             self._populate_user_directory_process_users,
         )
-        self.register_background_update_handler(
+        self.db.updates.register_background_update_handler(
             "populate_user_directory_cleanup", self._populate_user_directory_cleanup
         )
 
@@ -85,7 +84,7 @@ class UserDirectoryBackgroundUpdateStore(StateDeltasStore, BackgroundUpdateStore
             """
             txn.execute(sql)
             rooms = [{"room_id": x[0], "events": x[1]} for x in txn.fetchall()]
-            self.simple_insert_many_txn(txn, TEMP_TABLE + "_rooms", rooms)
+            self.db.simple_insert_many_txn(txn, TEMP_TABLE + "_rooms", rooms)
             del rooms
 
             # If search all users is on, get all the users we want to add.
@@ -100,15 +99,17 @@ class UserDirectoryBackgroundUpdateStore(StateDeltasStore, BackgroundUpdateStore
                 txn.execute("SELECT name FROM users")
                 users = [{"user_id": x[0]} for x in txn.fetchall()]
 
-                self.simple_insert_many_txn(txn, TEMP_TABLE + "_users", users)
+                self.db.simple_insert_many_txn(txn, TEMP_TABLE + "_users", users)
 
         new_pos = yield self.get_max_stream_id_in_current_state_deltas()
-        yield self.runInteraction(
+        yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "populate_user_directory_temp_build", _make_staging_area
         )
-        yield self.simple_insert(TEMP_TABLE + "_position", {"position": new_pos})
+        yield self.db.simple_insert(TEMP_TABLE + "_position", {"position": new_pos})
 
-        yield self._end_background_update("populate_user_directory_createtables")
+        yield self.db.updates._end_background_update(
+            "populate_user_directory_createtables"
+        )
         return 1
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
@@ -116,7 +117,7 @@ class UserDirectoryBackgroundUpdateStore(StateDeltasStore, BackgroundUpdateStore
         """
         Update the user directory stream position, then clean up the old tables.
         """
-        position = yield self.simple_select_one_onecol(
+        position = yield self.db.simple_select_one_onecol(
             TEMP_TABLE + "_position", None, "position"
         )
         yield self.update_user_directory_stream_pos(position)
@@ -126,11 +127,11 @@ class UserDirectoryBackgroundUpdateStore(StateDeltasStore, BackgroundUpdateStore
             txn.execute("DROP TABLE IF EXISTS " + TEMP_TABLE + "_users")
             txn.execute("DROP TABLE IF EXISTS " + TEMP_TABLE + "_position")
 
-        yield self.runInteraction(
+        yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "populate_user_directory_cleanup", _delete_staging_area
         )
 
-        yield self._end_background_update("populate_user_directory_cleanup")
+        yield self.db.updates._end_background_update("populate_user_directory_cleanup")
         return 1
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
@@ -170,13 +171,15 @@ class UserDirectoryBackgroundUpdateStore(StateDeltasStore, BackgroundUpdateStore
 
             return rooms_to_work_on
 
-        rooms_to_work_on = yield self.runInteraction(
+        rooms_to_work_on = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "populate_user_directory_temp_read", _get_next_batch
         )
 
         # No more rooms -- complete the transaction.
         if not rooms_to_work_on:
-            yield self._end_background_update("populate_user_directory_process_rooms")
+            yield self.db.updates._end_background_update(
+                "populate_user_directory_process_rooms"
+            )
             return 1
 
         logger.info(
@@ -243,12 +246,12 @@ class UserDirectoryBackgroundUpdateStore(StateDeltasStore, BackgroundUpdateStore
                         to_insert.clear()
 
             # We've finished a room. Delete it from the table.
-            yield self.simple_delete_one(TEMP_TABLE + "_rooms", {"room_id": room_id})
+            yield self.db.simple_delete_one(TEMP_TABLE + "_rooms", {"room_id": room_id})
             # Update the remaining counter.
             progress["remaining"] -= 1
-            yield self.runInteraction(
+            yield self.db.runInteraction(
                 "populate_user_directory",
-                self._background_update_progress_txn,
+                self.db.updates._background_update_progress_txn,
                 "populate_user_directory_process_rooms",
                 progress,
             )
@@ -267,7 +270,9 @@ class UserDirectoryBackgroundUpdateStore(StateDeltasStore, BackgroundUpdateStore
         If search_all_users is enabled, add all of the users to the user directory.
         """
         if not self.hs.config.user_directory_search_all_users:
-            yield self._end_background_update("populate_user_directory_process_users")
+            yield self.db.updates._end_background_update(
+                "populate_user_directory_process_users"
+            )
             return 1
 
         def _get_next_batch(txn):
@@ -291,13 +296,15 @@ class UserDirectoryBackgroundUpdateStore(StateDeltasStore, BackgroundUpdateStore
 
             return users_to_work_on
 
-        users_to_work_on = yield self.runInteraction(
+        users_to_work_on = yield self.db.runInteraction(
             "populate_user_directory_temp_read", _get_next_batch
         )
 
         # No more users -- complete the transaction.
         if not users_to_work_on:
-            yield self._end_background_update("populate_user_directory_process_users")
+            yield self.db.updates._end_background_update(
+                "populate_user_directory_process_users"
+            )
             return 1
 
         logger.info(
@@ -312,12 +319,12 @@ class UserDirectoryBackgroundUpdateStore(StateDeltasStore, BackgroundUpdateStore
             )
 
             # We've finished processing a user. Delete it from the table.
-            yield self.simple_delete_one(TEMP_TABLE + "_users", {"user_id": user_id})
+            yield self.db.simple_delete_one(TEMP_TABLE + "_users", {"user_id": user_id})
             # Update the remaining counter.
             progress["remaining"] -= 1
-            yield self.runInteraction(
+            yield self.db.runInteraction(
                 "populate_user_directory",
-                self._background_update_progress_txn,
+                self.db.updates._background_update_progress_txn,
                 "populate_user_directory_process_users",
                 progress,
             )
@@ -361,7 +368,7 @@ class UserDirectoryBackgroundUpdateStore(StateDeltasStore, BackgroundUpdateStore
         """
 
         def _update_profile_in_user_dir_txn(txn):
-            new_entry = self.simple_upsert_txn(
+            new_entry = self.db.simple_upsert_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="user_directory",
                 keyvalues={"user_id": user_id},
@@ -435,7 +442,7 @@ class UserDirectoryBackgroundUpdateStore(StateDeltasStore, BackgroundUpdateStore
                         )
             elif isinstance(self.database_engine, Sqlite3Engine):
                 value = "%s %s" % (user_id, display_name) if display_name else user_id
-                self.simple_upsert_txn(
+                self.db.simple_upsert_txn(
                     txn,
                     table="user_directory_search",
                     keyvalues={"user_id": user_id},
@@ -448,7 +455,7 @@ class UserDirectoryBackgroundUpdateStore(StateDeltasStore, BackgroundUpdateStore
 
             txn.call_after(self.get_user_in_directory.invalidate, (user_id,))
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "update_profile_in_user_dir", _update_profile_in_user_dir_txn
         )
 
@@ -462,7 +469,7 @@ class UserDirectoryBackgroundUpdateStore(StateDeltasStore, BackgroundUpdateStore
         """
 
         def _add_users_who_share_room_txn(txn):
-            self.simple_upsert_many_txn(
+            self.db.simple_upsert_many_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="users_who_share_private_rooms",
                 key_names=["user_id", "other_user_id", "room_id"],
@@ -474,7 +481,7 @@ class UserDirectoryBackgroundUpdateStore(StateDeltasStore, BackgroundUpdateStore
                 value_values=None,
             )
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "add_users_who_share_room", _add_users_who_share_room_txn
         )
 
@@ -489,7 +496,7 @@ class UserDirectoryBackgroundUpdateStore(StateDeltasStore, BackgroundUpdateStore
 
         def _add_users_in_public_rooms_txn(txn):
 
-            self.simple_upsert_many_txn(
+            self.db.simple_upsert_many_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="users_in_public_rooms",
                 key_names=["user_id", "room_id"],
@@ -498,7 +505,7 @@ class UserDirectoryBackgroundUpdateStore(StateDeltasStore, BackgroundUpdateStore
                 value_values=None,
             )
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "add_users_in_public_rooms", _add_users_in_public_rooms_txn
         )
 
@@ -513,13 +520,13 @@ class UserDirectoryBackgroundUpdateStore(StateDeltasStore, BackgroundUpdateStore
             txn.execute("DELETE FROM users_who_share_private_rooms")
             txn.call_after(self.get_user_in_directory.invalidate_all)
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "delete_all_from_user_dir", _delete_all_from_user_dir_txn
         )
 
     @cached()
     def get_user_in_directory(self, user_id):
-        return self.simple_select_one(
+        return self.db.simple_select_one(
             table="user_directory",
             keyvalues={"user_id": user_id},
             retcols=("display_name", "avatar_url"),
@@ -528,7 +535,7 @@ class UserDirectoryBackgroundUpdateStore(StateDeltasStore, BackgroundUpdateStore
         )
 
     def update_user_directory_stream_pos(self, stream_id):
-        return self.simple_update_one(
+        return self.db.simple_update_one(
             table="user_directory_stream_pos",
             keyvalues={},
             updatevalues={"stream_id": stream_id},
@@ -547,42 +554,42 @@ class UserDirectoryStore(UserDirectoryBackgroundUpdateStore):
 
     def remove_from_user_dir(self, user_id):
         def _remove_from_user_dir_txn(txn):
-            self.simple_delete_txn(
+            self.db.simple_delete_txn(
                 txn, table="user_directory", keyvalues={"user_id": user_id}
             )
-            self.simple_delete_txn(
+            self.db.simple_delete_txn(
                 txn, table="user_directory_search", keyvalues={"user_id": user_id}
             )
-            self.simple_delete_txn(
+            self.db.simple_delete_txn(
                 txn, table="users_in_public_rooms", keyvalues={"user_id": user_id}
             )
-            self.simple_delete_txn(
+            self.db.simple_delete_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="users_who_share_private_rooms",
                 keyvalues={"user_id": user_id},
             )
-            self.simple_delete_txn(
+            self.db.simple_delete_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="users_who_share_private_rooms",
                 keyvalues={"other_user_id": user_id},
             )
             txn.call_after(self.get_user_in_directory.invalidate, (user_id,))
 
-        return self.runInteraction("remove_from_user_dir", _remove_from_user_dir_txn)
+        return self.db.runInteraction("remove_from_user_dir", _remove_from_user_dir_txn)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_users_in_dir_due_to_room(self, room_id):
         """Get all user_ids that are in the room directory because they're
         in the given room_id
         """
-        user_ids_share_pub = yield self.simple_select_onecol(
+        user_ids_share_pub = yield self.db.simple_select_onecol(
             table="users_in_public_rooms",
             keyvalues={"room_id": room_id},
             retcol="user_id",
             desc="get_users_in_dir_due_to_room",
         )
 
-        user_ids_share_priv = yield self.simple_select_onecol(
+        user_ids_share_priv = yield self.db.simple_select_onecol(
             table="users_who_share_private_rooms",
             keyvalues={"room_id": room_id},
             retcol="other_user_id",
@@ -605,23 +612,23 @@ class UserDirectoryStore(UserDirectoryBackgroundUpdateStore):
         """
 
         def _remove_user_who_share_room_txn(txn):
-            self.simple_delete_txn(
+            self.db.simple_delete_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="users_who_share_private_rooms",
                 keyvalues={"user_id": user_id, "room_id": room_id},
             )
-            self.simple_delete_txn(
+            self.db.simple_delete_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="users_who_share_private_rooms",
                 keyvalues={"other_user_id": user_id, "room_id": room_id},
             )
-            self.simple_delete_txn(
+            self.db.simple_delete_txn(
                 txn,
                 table="users_in_public_rooms",
                 keyvalues={"user_id": user_id, "room_id": room_id},
             )
 
-        return self.runInteraction(
+        return self.db.runInteraction(
             "remove_user_who_share_room", _remove_user_who_share_room_txn
         )
 
@@ -636,14 +643,14 @@ class UserDirectoryStore(UserDirectoryBackgroundUpdateStore):
         Returns:
             list: user_id
         """
-        rows = yield self.simple_select_onecol(
+        rows = yield self.db.simple_select_onecol(
             table="users_who_share_private_rooms",
             keyvalues={"user_id": user_id},
             retcol="room_id",
             desc="get_rooms_user_is_in",
         )
 
-        pub_rows = yield self.simple_select_onecol(
+        pub_rows = yield self.db.simple_select_onecol(
             table="users_in_public_rooms",
             keyvalues={"user_id": user_id},
             retcol="room_id",
@@ -674,14 +681,14 @@ class UserDirectoryStore(UserDirectoryBackgroundUpdateStore):
             ) f2 USING (room_id)
         """
 
-        rows = yield self.execute(
+        rows = yield self.db.execute(
             "get_rooms_in_common_for_users", None, sql, user_id, other_user_id
         )
 
         return [room_id for room_id, in rows]
 
     def get_user_directory_stream_pos(self):
-        return self.simple_select_one_onecol(
+        return self.db.simple_select_one_onecol(
             table="user_directory_stream_pos",
             keyvalues={},
             retcol="stream_id",
@@ -786,7 +793,9 @@ class UserDirectoryStore(UserDirectoryBackgroundUpdateStore):
             # This should be unreachable.
             raise Exception("Unrecognized database engine")
 
-        results = yield self.execute("search_user_dir", self.cursor_to_dict, sql, *args)
+        results = yield self.db.execute(
+            "search_user_dir", self.db.cursor_to_dict, sql, *args
+        )
 
         limited = len(results) > limit
 
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/user_erasure_store.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/user_erasure_store.py
index 37860af070..af8025bc17 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/user_erasure_store.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/user_erasure_store.py
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ class UserErasureWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         Returns:
             Deferred[bool]: True if the user has requested erasure
         """
-        return self.simple_select_onecol(
+        return self.db.simple_select_onecol(
             table="erased_users",
             keyvalues={"user_id": user_id},
             retcol="1",
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ class UserErasureWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         # iterate it multiple times, and (b) avoiding duplicates.
         user_ids = tuple(set(user_ids))
 
-        rows = yield self.simple_select_many_batch(
+        rows = yield self.db.simple_select_many_batch(
             table="erased_users",
             column="user_id",
             iterable=user_ids,
@@ -88,4 +88,4 @@ class UserErasureStore(UserErasureWorkerStore):
 
             self._invalidate_cache_and_stream(txn, self.is_user_erased, (user_id,))
 
-        return self.runInteraction("mark_user_erased", f)
+        return self.db.runInteraction("mark_user_erased", f)
diff --git a/synapse/storage/database.py b/synapse/storage/database.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..6843b7e7f8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/synapse/storage/database.py
@@ -0,0 +1,1496 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+# Copyright 2014-2016 OpenMarket Ltd
+# Copyright 2017-2018 New Vector Ltd
+# Copyright 2019 The Matrix.org Foundation C.I.C.
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+import logging
+import sys
+import time
+from typing import Iterable, Tuple
+
+from six import iteritems, iterkeys, itervalues
+from six.moves import intern, range
+
+from prometheus_client import Histogram
+
+from twisted.internet import defer
+
+from synapse.api.errors import StoreError
+from synapse.logging.context import LoggingContext, make_deferred_yieldable
+from synapse.metrics.background_process_metrics import run_as_background_process
+from synapse.storage.background_updates import BackgroundUpdater
+from synapse.storage.engines import PostgresEngine, Sqlite3Engine
+from synapse.util.stringutils import exception_to_unicode
+
+# import a function which will return a monotonic time, in seconds
+try:
+    # on python 3, use time.monotonic, since time.clock can go backwards
+    from time import monotonic as monotonic_time
+except ImportError:
+    # ... but python 2 doesn't have it
+    from time import clock as monotonic_time
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+try:
+    MAX_TXN_ID = sys.maxint - 1
+except AttributeError:
+    # python 3 does not have a maximum int value
+    MAX_TXN_ID = 2 ** 63 - 1
+
+sql_logger = logging.getLogger("synapse.storage.SQL")
+transaction_logger = logging.getLogger("synapse.storage.txn")
+perf_logger = logging.getLogger("synapse.storage.TIME")
+
+sql_scheduling_timer = Histogram("synapse_storage_schedule_time", "sec")
+
+sql_query_timer = Histogram("synapse_storage_query_time", "sec", ["verb"])
+sql_txn_timer = Histogram("synapse_storage_transaction_time", "sec", ["desc"])
+
+
+# Unique indexes which have been added in background updates. Maps from table name
+# to the name of the background update which added the unique index to that table.
+#
+# This is used by the upsert logic to figure out which tables are safe to do a proper
+# UPSERT on: until the relevant background update has completed, we
+# have to emulate an upsert by locking the table.
+#
+UNIQUE_INDEX_BACKGROUND_UPDATES = {
+    "user_ips": "user_ips_device_unique_index",
+    "device_lists_remote_extremeties": "device_lists_remote_extremeties_unique_idx",
+    "device_lists_remote_cache": "device_lists_remote_cache_unique_idx",
+    "event_search": "event_search_event_id_idx",
+}
+
+
+class LoggingTransaction(object):
+    """An object that almost-transparently proxies for the 'txn' object
+    passed to the constructor. Adds logging and metrics to the .execute()
+    method.
+
+    Args:
+        txn: The database transcation object to wrap.
+        name (str): The name of this transactions for logging.
+        database_engine (Sqlite3Engine|PostgresEngine)
+        after_callbacks(list|None): A list that callbacks will be appended to
+            that have been added by `call_after` which should be run on
+            successful completion of the transaction. None indicates that no
+            callbacks should be allowed to be scheduled to run.
+        exception_callbacks(list|None): A list that callbacks will be appended
+            to that have been added by `call_on_exception` which should be run
+            if transaction ends with an error. None indicates that no callbacks
+            should be allowed to be scheduled to run.
+    """
+
+    __slots__ = [
+        "txn",
+        "name",
+        "database_engine",
+        "after_callbacks",
+        "exception_callbacks",
+    ]
+
+    def __init__(
+        self, txn, name, database_engine, after_callbacks=None, exception_callbacks=None
+    ):
+        object.__setattr__(self, "txn", txn)
+        object.__setattr__(self, "name", name)
+        object.__setattr__(self, "database_engine", database_engine)
+        object.__setattr__(self, "after_callbacks", after_callbacks)
+        object.__setattr__(self, "exception_callbacks", exception_callbacks)
+
+    def call_after(self, callback, *args, **kwargs):
+        """Call the given callback on the main twisted thread after the
+        transaction has finished. Used to invalidate the caches on the
+        correct thread.
+        """
+        self.after_callbacks.append((callback, args, kwargs))
+
+    def call_on_exception(self, callback, *args, **kwargs):
+        self.exception_callbacks.append((callback, args, kwargs))
+
+    def __getattr__(self, name):
+        return getattr(self.txn, name)
+
+    def __setattr__(self, name, value):
+        setattr(self.txn, name, value)
+
+    def __iter__(self):
+        return self.txn.__iter__()
+
+    def execute_batch(self, sql, args):
+        if isinstance(self.database_engine, PostgresEngine):
+            from psycopg2.extras import execute_batch
+
+            self._do_execute(lambda *x: execute_batch(self.txn, *x), sql, args)
+        else:
+            for val in args:
+                self.execute(sql, val)
+
+    def execute(self, sql, *args):
+        self._do_execute(self.txn.execute, sql, *args)
+
+    def executemany(self, sql, *args):
+        self._do_execute(self.txn.executemany, sql, *args)
+
+    def _make_sql_one_line(self, sql):
+        "Strip newlines out of SQL so that the loggers in the DB are on one line"
+        return " ".join(l.strip() for l in sql.splitlines() if l.strip())
+
+    def _do_execute(self, func, sql, *args):
+        sql = self._make_sql_one_line(sql)
+
+        # TODO(paul): Maybe use 'info' and 'debug' for values?
+        sql_logger.debug("[SQL] {%s} %s", self.name, sql)
+
+        sql = self.database_engine.convert_param_style(sql)
+        if args:
+            try:
+                sql_logger.debug("[SQL values] {%s} %r", self.name, args[0])
+            except Exception:
+                # Don't let logging failures stop SQL from working
+                pass
+
+        start = time.time()
+
+        try:
+            return func(sql, *args)
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.debug("[SQL FAIL] {%s} %s", self.name, e)
+            raise
+        finally:
+            secs = time.time() - start
+            sql_logger.debug("[SQL time] {%s} %f sec", self.name, secs)
+            sql_query_timer.labels(sql.split()[0]).observe(secs)
+
+
+class PerformanceCounters(object):
+    def __init__(self):
+        self.current_counters = {}
+        self.previous_counters = {}
+
+    def update(self, key, duration_secs):
+        count, cum_time = self.current_counters.get(key, (0, 0))
+        count += 1
+        cum_time += duration_secs
+        self.current_counters[key] = (count, cum_time)
+
+    def interval(self, interval_duration_secs, limit=3):
+        counters = []
+        for name, (count, cum_time) in iteritems(self.current_counters):
+            prev_count, prev_time = self.previous_counters.get(name, (0, 0))
+            counters.append(
+                (
+                    (cum_time - prev_time) / interval_duration_secs,
+                    count - prev_count,
+                    name,
+                )
+            )
+
+        self.previous_counters = dict(self.current_counters)
+
+        counters.sort(reverse=True)
+
+        top_n_counters = ", ".join(
+            "%s(%d): %.3f%%" % (name, count, 100 * ratio)
+            for ratio, count, name in counters[:limit]
+        )
+
+        return top_n_counters
+
+
+class Database(object):
+    """Wraps a single physical database and connection pool.
+
+    A single database may be used by multiple data stores.
+    """
+
+    _TXN_ID = 0
+
+    def __init__(self, hs):
+        self.hs = hs
+        self._clock = hs.get_clock()
+        self._db_pool = hs.get_db_pool()
+
+        self.updates = BackgroundUpdater(hs, self)
+
+        self._previous_txn_total_time = 0
+        self._current_txn_total_time = 0
+        self._previous_loop_ts = 0
+
+        # TODO(paul): These can eventually be removed once the metrics code
+        #   is running in mainline, and we have some nice monitoring frontends
+        #   to watch it
+        self._txn_perf_counters = PerformanceCounters()
+
+        self.database_engine = hs.database_engine
+
+        # A set of tables that are not safe to use native upserts in.
+        self._unsafe_to_upsert_tables = set(UNIQUE_INDEX_BACKGROUND_UPDATES.keys())
+
+        # We add the user_directory_search table to the blacklist on SQLite
+        # because the existing search table does not have an index, making it
+        # unsafe to use native upserts.
+        if isinstance(self.database_engine, Sqlite3Engine):
+            self._unsafe_to_upsert_tables.add("user_directory_search")
+
+        if self.database_engine.can_native_upsert:
+            # Check ASAP (and then later, every 1s) to see if we have finished
+            # background updates of tables that aren't safe to update.
+            self._clock.call_later(
+                0.0,
+                run_as_background_process,
+                "upsert_safety_check",
+                self._check_safe_to_upsert,
+            )
+
+    @defer.inlineCallbacks
+    def _check_safe_to_upsert(self):
+        """
+        Is it safe to use native UPSERT?
+
+        If there are background updates, we will need to wait, as they may be
+        the addition of indexes that set the UNIQUE constraint that we require.
+
+        If the background updates have not completed, wait 15 sec and check again.
+        """
+        updates = yield self.simple_select_list(
+            "background_updates",
+            keyvalues=None,
+            retcols=["update_name"],
+            desc="check_background_updates",
+        )
+        updates = [x["update_name"] for x in updates]
+
+        for table, update_name in UNIQUE_INDEX_BACKGROUND_UPDATES.items():
+            if update_name not in updates:
+                logger.debug("Now safe to upsert in %s", table)
+                self._unsafe_to_upsert_tables.discard(table)
+
+        # If there's any updates still running, reschedule to run.
+        if updates:
+            self._clock.call_later(
+                15.0,
+                run_as_background_process,
+                "upsert_safety_check",
+                self._check_safe_to_upsert,
+            )
+
+    def start_profiling(self):
+        self._previous_loop_ts = monotonic_time()
+
+        def loop():
+            curr = self._current_txn_total_time
+            prev = self._previous_txn_total_time
+            self._previous_txn_total_time = curr
+
+            time_now = monotonic_time()
+            time_then = self._previous_loop_ts
+            self._previous_loop_ts = time_now
+
+            duration = time_now - time_then
+            ratio = (curr - prev) / duration
+
+            top_three_counters = self._txn_perf_counters.interval(duration, limit=3)
+
+            perf_logger.info(
+                "Total database time: %.3f%% {%s}", ratio * 100, top_three_counters
+            )
+
+        self._clock.looping_call(loop, 10000)
+
+    def new_transaction(
+        self, conn, desc, after_callbacks, exception_callbacks, func, *args, **kwargs
+    ):
+        start = monotonic_time()
+        txn_id = self._TXN_ID
+
+        # We don't really need these to be unique, so lets stop it from
+        # growing really large.
+        self._TXN_ID = (self._TXN_ID + 1) % (MAX_TXN_ID)
+
+        name = "%s-%x" % (desc, txn_id)
+
+        transaction_logger.debug("[TXN START] {%s}", name)
+
+        try:
+            i = 0
+            N = 5
+            while True:
+                cursor = LoggingTransaction(
+                    conn.cursor(),
+                    name,
+                    self.database_engine,
+                    after_callbacks,
+                    exception_callbacks,
+                )
+                try:
+                    r = func(cursor, *args, **kwargs)
+                    conn.commit()
+                    return r
+                except self.database_engine.module.OperationalError as e:
+                    # This can happen if the database disappears mid
+                    # transaction.
+                    logger.warning(
+                        "[TXN OPERROR] {%s} %s %d/%d",
+                        name,
+                        exception_to_unicode(e),
+                        i,
+                        N,
+                    )
+                    if i < N:
+                        i += 1
+                        try:
+                            conn.rollback()
+                        except self.database_engine.module.Error as e1:
+                            logger.warning(
+                                "[TXN EROLL] {%s} %s", name, exception_to_unicode(e1)
+                            )
+                        continue
+                    raise
+                except self.database_engine.module.DatabaseError as e:
+                    if self.database_engine.is_deadlock(e):
+                        logger.warning("[TXN DEADLOCK] {%s} %d/%d", name, i, N)
+                        if i < N:
+                            i += 1
+                            try:
+                                conn.rollback()
+                            except self.database_engine.module.Error as e1:
+                                logger.warning(
+                                    "[TXN EROLL] {%s} %s",
+                                    name,
+                                    exception_to_unicode(e1),
+                                )
+                            continue
+                    raise
+                finally:
+                    # we're either about to retry with a new cursor, or we're about to
+                    # release the connection. Once we release the connection, it could
+                    # get used for another query, which might do a conn.rollback().
+                    #
+                    # In the latter case, even though that probably wouldn't affect the
+                    # results of this transaction, python's sqlite will reset all
+                    # statements on the connection [1], which will make our cursor
+                    # invalid [2].
+                    #
+                    # In any case, continuing to read rows after commit()ing seems
+                    # dubious from the PoV of ACID transactional semantics
+                    # (sqlite explicitly says that once you commit, you may see rows
+                    # from subsequent updates.)
+                    #
+                    # In psycopg2, cursors are essentially a client-side fabrication -
+                    # all the data is transferred to the client side when the statement
+                    # finishes executing - so in theory we could go on streaming results
+                    # from the cursor, but attempting to do so would make us
+                    # incompatible with sqlite, so let's make sure we're not doing that
+                    # by closing the cursor.
+                    #
+                    # (*named* cursors in psycopg2 are different and are proper server-
+                    # side things, but (a) we don't use them and (b) they are implicitly
+                    # closed by ending the transaction anyway.)
+                    #
+                    # In short, if we haven't finished with the cursor yet, that's a
+                    # problem waiting to bite us.
+                    #
+                    # TL;DR: we're done with the cursor, so we can close it.
+                    #
+                    # [1]: https://github.com/python/cpython/blob/v3.8.0/Modules/_sqlite/connection.c#L465
+                    # [2]: https://github.com/python/cpython/blob/v3.8.0/Modules/_sqlite/cursor.c#L236
+                    cursor.close()
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.debug("[TXN FAIL] {%s} %s", name, e)
+            raise
+        finally:
+            end = monotonic_time()
+            duration = end - start
+
+            LoggingContext.current_context().add_database_transaction(duration)
+
+            transaction_logger.debug("[TXN END] {%s} %f sec", name, duration)
+
+            self._current_txn_total_time += duration
+            self._txn_perf_counters.update(desc, duration)
+            sql_txn_timer.labels(desc).observe(duration)
+
+    @defer.inlineCallbacks
+    def runInteraction(self, desc, func, *args, **kwargs):
+        """Starts a transaction on the database and runs a given function
+
+        Arguments:
+            desc (str): description of the transaction, for logging and metrics
+            func (func): callback function, which will be called with a
+                database transaction (twisted.enterprise.adbapi.Transaction) as
+                its first argument, followed by `args` and `kwargs`.
+
+            args (list): positional args to pass to `func`
+            kwargs (dict): named args to pass to `func`
+
+        Returns:
+            Deferred: The result of func
+        """
+        after_callbacks = []
+        exception_callbacks = []
+
+        if LoggingContext.current_context() == LoggingContext.sentinel:
+            logger.warning("Starting db txn '%s' from sentinel context", desc)
+
+        try:
+            result = yield self.runWithConnection(
+                self.new_transaction,
+                desc,
+                after_callbacks,
+                exception_callbacks,
+                func,
+                *args,
+                **kwargs
+            )
+
+            for after_callback, after_args, after_kwargs in after_callbacks:
+                after_callback(*after_args, **after_kwargs)
+        except:  # noqa: E722, as we reraise the exception this is fine.
+            for after_callback, after_args, after_kwargs in exception_callbacks:
+                after_callback(*after_args, **after_kwargs)
+            raise
+
+        return result
+
+    @defer.inlineCallbacks
+    def runWithConnection(self, func, *args, **kwargs):
+        """Wraps the .runWithConnection() method on the underlying db_pool.
+
+        Arguments:
+            func (func): callback function, which will be called with a
+                database connection (twisted.enterprise.adbapi.Connection) as
+                its first argument, followed by `args` and `kwargs`.
+            args (list): positional args to pass to `func`
+            kwargs (dict): named args to pass to `func`
+
+        Returns:
+            Deferred: The result of func
+        """
+        parent_context = LoggingContext.current_context()
+        if parent_context == LoggingContext.sentinel:
+            logger.warning(
+                "Starting db connection from sentinel context: metrics will be lost"
+            )
+            parent_context = None
+
+        start_time = monotonic_time()
+
+        def inner_func(conn, *args, **kwargs):
+            with LoggingContext("runWithConnection", parent_context) as context:
+                sched_duration_sec = monotonic_time() - start_time
+                sql_scheduling_timer.observe(sched_duration_sec)
+                context.add_database_scheduled(sched_duration_sec)
+
+                if self.database_engine.is_connection_closed(conn):
+                    logger.debug("Reconnecting closed database connection")
+                    conn.reconnect()
+
+                return func(conn, *args, **kwargs)
+
+        result = yield make_deferred_yieldable(
+            self._db_pool.runWithConnection(inner_func, *args, **kwargs)
+        )
+
+        return result
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def cursor_to_dict(cursor):
+        """Converts a SQL cursor into an list of dicts.
+
+        Args:
+            cursor : The DBAPI cursor which has executed a query.
+        Returns:
+            A list of dicts where the key is the column header.
+        """
+        col_headers = list(intern(str(column[0])) for column in cursor.description)
+        results = list(dict(zip(col_headers, row)) for row in cursor)
+        return results
+
+    def execute(self, desc, decoder, query, *args):
+        """Runs a single query for a result set.
+
+        Args:
+            decoder - The function which can resolve the cursor results to
+                something meaningful.
+            query - The query string to execute
+            *args - Query args.
+        Returns:
+            The result of decoder(results)
+        """
+
+        def interaction(txn):
+            txn.execute(query, args)
+            if decoder:
+                return decoder(txn)
+            else:
+                return txn.fetchall()
+
+        return self.runInteraction(desc, interaction)
+
+    # "Simple" SQL API methods that operate on a single table with no JOINs,
+    # no complex WHERE clauses, just a dict of values for columns.
+
+    @defer.inlineCallbacks
+    def simple_insert(self, table, values, or_ignore=False, desc="simple_insert"):
+        """Executes an INSERT query on the named table.
+
+        Args:
+            table : string giving the table name
+            values : dict of new column names and values for them
+            or_ignore : bool stating whether an exception should be raised
+                when a conflicting row already exists. If True, False will be
+                returned by the function instead
+            desc : string giving a description of the transaction
+
+        Returns:
+            bool: Whether the row was inserted or not. Only useful when
+            `or_ignore` is True
+        """
+        try:
+            yield self.runInteraction(desc, self.simple_insert_txn, table, values)
+        except self.database_engine.module.IntegrityError:
+            # We have to do or_ignore flag at this layer, since we can't reuse
+            # a cursor after we receive an error from the db.
+            if not or_ignore:
+                raise
+            return False
+        return True
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def simple_insert_txn(txn, table, values):
+        keys, vals = zip(*values.items())
+
+        sql = "INSERT INTO %s (%s) VALUES(%s)" % (
+            table,
+            ", ".join(k for k in keys),
+            ", ".join("?" for _ in keys),
+        )
+
+        txn.execute(sql, vals)
+
+    def simple_insert_many(self, table, values, desc):
+        return self.runInteraction(desc, self.simple_insert_many_txn, table, values)
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def simple_insert_many_txn(txn, table, values):
+        if not values:
+            return
+
+        # This is a *slight* abomination to get a list of tuples of key names
+        # and a list of tuples of value names.
+        #
+        # i.e. [{"a": 1, "b": 2}, {"c": 3, "d": 4}]
+        #         => [("a", "b",), ("c", "d",)] and [(1, 2,), (3, 4,)]
+        #
+        # The sort is to ensure that we don't rely on dictionary iteration
+        # order.
+        keys, vals = zip(
+            *[zip(*(sorted(i.items(), key=lambda kv: kv[0]))) for i in values if i]
+        )
+
+        for k in keys:
+            if k != keys[0]:
+                raise RuntimeError("All items must have the same keys")
+
+        sql = "INSERT INTO %s (%s) VALUES(%s)" % (
+            table,
+            ", ".join(k for k in keys[0]),
+            ", ".join("?" for _ in keys[0]),
+        )
+
+        txn.executemany(sql, vals)
+
+    @defer.inlineCallbacks
+    def simple_upsert(
+        self,
+        table,
+        keyvalues,
+        values,
+        insertion_values={},
+        desc="simple_upsert",
+        lock=True,
+    ):
+        """
+
+        `lock` should generally be set to True (the default), but can be set
+        to False if either of the following are true:
+
+        * there is a UNIQUE INDEX on the key columns. In this case a conflict
+          will cause an IntegrityError in which case this function will retry
+          the update.
+
+        * we somehow know that we are the only thread which will be updating
+          this table.
+
+        Args:
+            table (str): The table to upsert into
+            keyvalues (dict): The unique key columns and their new values
+            values (dict): The nonunique columns and their new values
+            insertion_values (dict): additional key/values to use only when
+                inserting
+            lock (bool): True to lock the table when doing the upsert.
+        Returns:
+            Deferred(None or bool): Native upserts always return None. Emulated
+            upserts return True if a new entry was created, False if an existing
+            one was updated.
+        """
+        attempts = 0
+        while True:
+            try:
+                result = yield self.runInteraction(
+                    desc,
+                    self.simple_upsert_txn,
+                    table,
+                    keyvalues,
+                    values,
+                    insertion_values,
+                    lock=lock,
+                )
+                return result
+            except self.database_engine.module.IntegrityError as e:
+                attempts += 1
+                if attempts >= 5:
+                    # don't retry forever, because things other than races
+                    # can cause IntegrityErrors
+                    raise
+
+                # presumably we raced with another transaction: let's retry.
+                logger.warning(
+                    "IntegrityError when upserting into %s; retrying: %s", table, e
+                )
+
+    def simple_upsert_txn(
+        self, txn, table, keyvalues, values, insertion_values={}, lock=True
+    ):
+        """
+        Pick the UPSERT method which works best on the platform. Either the
+        native one (Pg9.5+, recent SQLites), or fall back to an emulated method.
+
+        Args:
+            txn: The transaction to use.
+            table (str): The table to upsert into
+            keyvalues (dict): The unique key tables and their new values
+            values (dict): The nonunique columns and their new values
+            insertion_values (dict): additional key/values to use only when
+                inserting
+            lock (bool): True to lock the table when doing the upsert.
+        Returns:
+            None or bool: Native upserts always return None. Emulated
+            upserts return True if a new entry was created, False if an existing
+            one was updated.
+        """
+        if (
+            self.database_engine.can_native_upsert
+            and table not in self._unsafe_to_upsert_tables
+        ):
+            return self.simple_upsert_txn_native_upsert(
+                txn, table, keyvalues, values, insertion_values=insertion_values
+            )
+        else:
+            return self.simple_upsert_txn_emulated(
+                txn,
+                table,
+                keyvalues,
+                values,
+                insertion_values=insertion_values,
+                lock=lock,
+            )
+
+    def simple_upsert_txn_emulated(
+        self, txn, table, keyvalues, values, insertion_values={}, lock=True
+    ):
+        """
+        Args:
+            table (str): The table to upsert into
+            keyvalues (dict): The unique key tables and their new values
+            values (dict): The nonunique columns and their new values
+            insertion_values (dict): additional key/values to use only when
+                inserting
+            lock (bool): True to lock the table when doing the upsert.
+        Returns:
+            bool: Return True if a new entry was created, False if an existing
+            one was updated.
+        """
+        # We need to lock the table :(, unless we're *really* careful
+        if lock:
+            self.database_engine.lock_table(txn, table)
+
+        def _getwhere(key):
+            # If the value we're passing in is None (aka NULL), we need to use
+            # IS, not =, as NULL = NULL equals NULL (False).
+            if keyvalues[key] is None:
+                return "%s IS ?" % (key,)
+            else:
+                return "%s = ?" % (key,)
+
+        if not values:
+            # If `values` is empty, then all of the values we care about are in
+            # the unique key, so there is nothing to UPDATE. We can just do a
+            # SELECT instead to see if it exists.
+            sql = "SELECT 1 FROM %s WHERE %s" % (
+                table,
+                " AND ".join(_getwhere(k) for k in keyvalues),
+            )
+            sqlargs = list(keyvalues.values())
+            txn.execute(sql, sqlargs)
+            if txn.fetchall():
+                # We have an existing record.
+                return False
+        else:
+            # First try to update.
+            sql = "UPDATE %s SET %s WHERE %s" % (
+                table,
+                ", ".join("%s = ?" % (k,) for k in values),
+                " AND ".join(_getwhere(k) for k in keyvalues),
+            )
+            sqlargs = list(values.values()) + list(keyvalues.values())
+
+            txn.execute(sql, sqlargs)
+            if txn.rowcount > 0:
+                # successfully updated at least one row.
+                return False
+
+        # We didn't find any existing rows, so insert a new one
+        allvalues = {}
+        allvalues.update(keyvalues)
+        allvalues.update(values)
+        allvalues.update(insertion_values)
+
+        sql = "INSERT INTO %s (%s) VALUES (%s)" % (
+            table,
+            ", ".join(k for k in allvalues),
+            ", ".join("?" for _ in allvalues),
+        )
+        txn.execute(sql, list(allvalues.values()))
+        # successfully inserted
+        return True
+
+    def simple_upsert_txn_native_upsert(
+        self, txn, table, keyvalues, values, insertion_values={}
+    ):
+        """
+        Use the native UPSERT functionality in recent PostgreSQL versions.
+
+        Args:
+            table (str): The table to upsert into
+            keyvalues (dict): The unique key tables and their new values
+            values (dict): The nonunique columns and their new values
+            insertion_values (dict): additional key/values to use only when
+                inserting
+        Returns:
+            None
+        """
+        allvalues = {}
+        allvalues.update(keyvalues)
+        allvalues.update(insertion_values)
+
+        if not values:
+            latter = "NOTHING"
+        else:
+            allvalues.update(values)
+            latter = "UPDATE SET " + ", ".join(k + "=EXCLUDED." + k for k in values)
+
+        sql = ("INSERT INTO %s (%s) VALUES (%s) ON CONFLICT (%s) DO %s") % (
+            table,
+            ", ".join(k for k in allvalues),
+            ", ".join("?" for _ in allvalues),
+            ", ".join(k for k in keyvalues),
+            latter,
+        )
+        txn.execute(sql, list(allvalues.values()))
+
+    def simple_upsert_many_txn(
+        self, txn, table, key_names, key_values, value_names, value_values
+    ):
+        """
+        Upsert, many times.
+
+        Args:
+            table (str): The table to upsert into
+            key_names (list[str]): The key column names.
+            key_values (list[list]): A list of each row's key column values.
+            value_names (list[str]): The value column names. If empty, no
+                values will be used, even if value_values is provided.
+            value_values (list[list]): A list of each row's value column values.
+        Returns:
+            None
+        """
+        if (
+            self.database_engine.can_native_upsert
+            and table not in self._unsafe_to_upsert_tables
+        ):
+            return self.simple_upsert_many_txn_native_upsert(
+                txn, table, key_names, key_values, value_names, value_values
+            )
+        else:
+            return self.simple_upsert_many_txn_emulated(
+                txn, table, key_names, key_values, value_names, value_values
+            )
+
+    def simple_upsert_many_txn_emulated(
+        self, txn, table, key_names, key_values, value_names, value_values
+    ):
+        """
+        Upsert, many times, but without native UPSERT support or batching.
+
+        Args:
+            table (str): The table to upsert into
+            key_names (list[str]): The key column names.
+            key_values (list[list]): A list of each row's key column values.
+            value_names (list[str]): The value column names. If empty, no
+                values will be used, even if value_values is provided.
+            value_values (list[list]): A list of each row's value column values.
+        Returns:
+            None
+        """
+        # No value columns, therefore make a blank list so that the following
+        # zip() works correctly.
+        if not value_names:
+            value_values = [() for x in range(len(key_values))]
+
+        for keyv, valv in zip(key_values, value_values):
+            _keys = {x: y for x, y in zip(key_names, keyv)}
+            _vals = {x: y for x, y in zip(value_names, valv)}
+
+            self.simple_upsert_txn_emulated(txn, table, _keys, _vals)
+
+    def simple_upsert_many_txn_native_upsert(
+        self, txn, table, key_names, key_values, value_names, value_values
+    ):
+        """
+        Upsert, many times, using batching where possible.
+
+        Args:
+            table (str): The table to upsert into
+            key_names (list[str]): The key column names.
+            key_values (list[list]): A list of each row's key column values.
+            value_names (list[str]): The value column names. If empty, no
+                values will be used, even if value_values is provided.
+            value_values (list[list]): A list of each row's value column values.
+        Returns:
+            None
+        """
+        allnames = []
+        allnames.extend(key_names)
+        allnames.extend(value_names)
+
+        if not value_names:
+            # No value columns, therefore make a blank list so that the
+            # following zip() works correctly.
+            latter = "NOTHING"
+            value_values = [() for x in range(len(key_values))]
+        else:
+            latter = "UPDATE SET " + ", ".join(
+                k + "=EXCLUDED." + k for k in value_names
+            )
+
+        sql = "INSERT INTO %s (%s) VALUES (%s) ON CONFLICT (%s) DO %s" % (
+            table,
+            ", ".join(k for k in allnames),
+            ", ".join("?" for _ in allnames),
+            ", ".join(key_names),
+            latter,
+        )
+
+        args = []
+
+        for x, y in zip(key_values, value_values):
+            args.append(tuple(x) + tuple(y))
+
+        return txn.execute_batch(sql, args)
+
+    def simple_select_one(
+        self, table, keyvalues, retcols, allow_none=False, desc="simple_select_one"
+    ):
+        """Executes a SELECT query on the named table, which is expected to
+        return a single row, returning multiple columns from it.
+
+        Args:
+            table : string giving the table name
+            keyvalues : dict of column names and values to select the row with
+            retcols : list of strings giving the names of the columns to return
+
+            allow_none : If true, return None instead of failing if the SELECT
+              statement returns no rows
+        """
+        return self.runInteraction(
+            desc, self.simple_select_one_txn, table, keyvalues, retcols, allow_none
+        )
+
+    def simple_select_one_onecol(
+        self,
+        table,
+        keyvalues,
+        retcol,
+        allow_none=False,
+        desc="simple_select_one_onecol",
+    ):
+        """Executes a SELECT query on the named table, which is expected to
+        return a single row, returning a single column from it.
+
+        Args:
+            table : string giving the table name
+            keyvalues : dict of column names and values to select the row with
+            retcol : string giving the name of the column to return
+        """
+        return self.runInteraction(
+            desc,
+            self.simple_select_one_onecol_txn,
+            table,
+            keyvalues,
+            retcol,
+            allow_none=allow_none,
+        )
+
+    @classmethod
+    def simple_select_one_onecol_txn(
+        cls, txn, table, keyvalues, retcol, allow_none=False
+    ):
+        ret = cls.simple_select_onecol_txn(
+            txn, table=table, keyvalues=keyvalues, retcol=retcol
+        )
+
+        if ret:
+            return ret[0]
+        else:
+            if allow_none:
+                return None
+            else:
+                raise StoreError(404, "No row found")
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def simple_select_onecol_txn(txn, table, keyvalues, retcol):
+        sql = ("SELECT %(retcol)s FROM %(table)s") % {"retcol": retcol, "table": table}
+
+        if keyvalues:
+            sql += " WHERE %s" % " AND ".join("%s = ?" % k for k in iterkeys(keyvalues))
+            txn.execute(sql, list(keyvalues.values()))
+        else:
+            txn.execute(sql)
+
+        return [r[0] for r in txn]
+
+    def simple_select_onecol(
+        self, table, keyvalues, retcol, desc="simple_select_onecol"
+    ):
+        """Executes a SELECT query on the named table, which returns a list
+        comprising of the values of the named column from the selected rows.
+
+        Args:
+            table (str): table name
+            keyvalues (dict|None): column names and values to select the rows with
+            retcol (str): column whos value we wish to retrieve.
+
+        Returns:
+            Deferred: Results in a list
+        """
+        return self.runInteraction(
+            desc, self.simple_select_onecol_txn, table, keyvalues, retcol
+        )
+
+    def simple_select_list(self, table, keyvalues, retcols, desc="simple_select_list"):
+        """Executes a SELECT query on the named table, which may return zero or
+        more rows, returning the result as a list of dicts.
+
+        Args:
+            table (str): the table name
+            keyvalues (dict[str, Any] | None):
+                column names and values to select the rows with, or None to not
+                apply a WHERE clause.
+            retcols (iterable[str]): the names of the columns to return
+        Returns:
+            defer.Deferred: resolves to list[dict[str, Any]]
+        """
+        return self.runInteraction(
+            desc, self.simple_select_list_txn, table, keyvalues, retcols
+        )
+
+    @classmethod
+    def simple_select_list_txn(cls, txn, table, keyvalues, retcols):
+        """Executes a SELECT query on the named table, which may return zero or
+        more rows, returning the result as a list of dicts.
+
+        Args:
+            txn : Transaction object
+            table (str): the table name
+            keyvalues (dict[str, T] | None):
+                column names and values to select the rows with, or None to not
+                apply a WHERE clause.
+            retcols (iterable[str]): the names of the columns to return
+        """
+        if keyvalues:
+            sql = "SELECT %s FROM %s WHERE %s" % (
+                ", ".join(retcols),
+                table,
+                " AND ".join("%s = ?" % (k,) for k in keyvalues),
+            )
+            txn.execute(sql, list(keyvalues.values()))
+        else:
+            sql = "SELECT %s FROM %s" % (", ".join(retcols), table)
+            txn.execute(sql)
+
+        return cls.cursor_to_dict(txn)
+
+    @defer.inlineCallbacks
+    def simple_select_many_batch(
+        self,
+        table,
+        column,
+        iterable,
+        retcols,
+        keyvalues={},
+        desc="simple_select_many_batch",
+        batch_size=100,
+    ):
+        """Executes a SELECT query on the named table, which may return zero or
+        more rows, returning the result as a list of dicts.
+
+        Filters rows by if value of `column` is in `iterable`.
+
+        Args:
+            table : string giving the table name
+            column : column name to test for inclusion against `iterable`
+            iterable : list
+            keyvalues : dict of column names and values to select the rows with
+            retcols : list of strings giving the names of the columns to return
+        """
+        results = []
+
+        if not iterable:
+            return results
+
+        # iterables can not be sliced, so convert it to a list first
+        it_list = list(iterable)
+
+        chunks = [
+            it_list[i : i + batch_size] for i in range(0, len(it_list), batch_size)
+        ]
+        for chunk in chunks:
+            rows = yield self.runInteraction(
+                desc,
+                self.simple_select_many_txn,
+                table,
+                column,
+                chunk,
+                keyvalues,
+                retcols,
+            )
+
+            results.extend(rows)
+
+        return results
+
+    @classmethod
+    def simple_select_many_txn(cls, txn, table, column, iterable, keyvalues, retcols):
+        """Executes a SELECT query on the named table, which may return zero or
+        more rows, returning the result as a list of dicts.
+
+        Filters rows by if value of `column` is in `iterable`.
+
+        Args:
+            txn : Transaction object
+            table : string giving the table name
+            column : column name to test for inclusion against `iterable`
+            iterable : list
+            keyvalues : dict of column names and values to select the rows with
+            retcols : list of strings giving the names of the columns to return
+        """
+        if not iterable:
+            return []
+
+        clause, values = make_in_list_sql_clause(txn.database_engine, column, iterable)
+        clauses = [clause]
+
+        for key, value in iteritems(keyvalues):
+            clauses.append("%s = ?" % (key,))
+            values.append(value)
+
+        sql = "SELECT %s FROM %s WHERE %s" % (
+            ", ".join(retcols),
+            table,
+            " AND ".join(clauses),
+        )
+
+        txn.execute(sql, values)
+        return cls.cursor_to_dict(txn)
+
+    def simple_update(self, table, keyvalues, updatevalues, desc):
+        return self.runInteraction(
+            desc, self.simple_update_txn, table, keyvalues, updatevalues
+        )
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def simple_update_txn(txn, table, keyvalues, updatevalues):
+        if keyvalues:
+            where = "WHERE %s" % " AND ".join("%s = ?" % k for k in iterkeys(keyvalues))
+        else:
+            where = ""
+
+        update_sql = "UPDATE %s SET %s %s" % (
+            table,
+            ", ".join("%s = ?" % (k,) for k in updatevalues),
+            where,
+        )
+
+        txn.execute(update_sql, list(updatevalues.values()) + list(keyvalues.values()))
+
+        return txn.rowcount
+
+    def simple_update_one(
+        self, table, keyvalues, updatevalues, desc="simple_update_one"
+    ):
+        """Executes an UPDATE query on the named table, setting new values for
+        columns in a row matching the key values.
+
+        Args:
+            table : string giving the table name
+            keyvalues : dict of column names and values to select the row with
+            updatevalues : dict giving column names and values to update
+            retcols : optional list of column names to return
+
+        If present, retcols gives a list of column names on which to perform
+        a SELECT statement *before* performing the UPDATE statement. The values
+        of these will be returned in a dict.
+
+        These are performed within the same transaction, allowing an atomic
+        get-and-set.  This can be used to implement compare-and-set by putting
+        the update column in the 'keyvalues' dict as well.
+        """
+        return self.runInteraction(
+            desc, self.simple_update_one_txn, table, keyvalues, updatevalues
+        )
+
+    @classmethod
+    def simple_update_one_txn(cls, txn, table, keyvalues, updatevalues):
+        rowcount = cls.simple_update_txn(txn, table, keyvalues, updatevalues)
+
+        if rowcount == 0:
+            raise StoreError(404, "No row found (%s)" % (table,))
+        if rowcount > 1:
+            raise StoreError(500, "More than one row matched (%s)" % (table,))
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def simple_select_one_txn(txn, table, keyvalues, retcols, allow_none=False):
+        select_sql = "SELECT %s FROM %s WHERE %s" % (
+            ", ".join(retcols),
+            table,
+            " AND ".join("%s = ?" % (k,) for k in keyvalues),
+        )
+
+        txn.execute(select_sql, list(keyvalues.values()))
+        row = txn.fetchone()
+
+        if not row:
+            if allow_none:
+                return None
+            raise StoreError(404, "No row found (%s)" % (table,))
+        if txn.rowcount > 1:
+            raise StoreError(500, "More than one row matched (%s)" % (table,))
+
+        return dict(zip(retcols, row))
+
+    def simple_delete_one(self, table, keyvalues, desc="simple_delete_one"):
+        """Executes a DELETE query on the named table, expecting to delete a
+        single row.
+
+        Args:
+            table : string giving the table name
+            keyvalues : dict of column names and values to select the row with
+        """
+        return self.runInteraction(desc, self.simple_delete_one_txn, table, keyvalues)
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def simple_delete_one_txn(txn, table, keyvalues):
+        """Executes a DELETE query on the named table, expecting to delete a
+        single row.
+
+        Args:
+            table : string giving the table name
+            keyvalues : dict of column names and values to select the row with
+        """
+        sql = "DELETE FROM %s WHERE %s" % (
+            table,
+            " AND ".join("%s = ?" % (k,) for k in keyvalues),
+        )
+
+        txn.execute(sql, list(keyvalues.values()))
+        if txn.rowcount == 0:
+            raise StoreError(404, "No row found (%s)" % (table,))
+        if txn.rowcount > 1:
+            raise StoreError(500, "More than one row matched (%s)" % (table,))
+
+    def simple_delete(self, table, keyvalues, desc):
+        return self.runInteraction(desc, self.simple_delete_txn, table, keyvalues)
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def simple_delete_txn(txn, table, keyvalues):
+        sql = "DELETE FROM %s WHERE %s" % (
+            table,
+            " AND ".join("%s = ?" % (k,) for k in keyvalues),
+        )
+
+        txn.execute(sql, list(keyvalues.values()))
+        return txn.rowcount
+
+    def simple_delete_many(self, table, column, iterable, keyvalues, desc):
+        return self.runInteraction(
+            desc, self.simple_delete_many_txn, table, column, iterable, keyvalues
+        )
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def simple_delete_many_txn(txn, table, column, iterable, keyvalues):
+        """Executes a DELETE query on the named table.
+
+        Filters rows by if value of `column` is in `iterable`.
+
+        Args:
+            txn : Transaction object
+            table : string giving the table name
+            column : column name to test for inclusion against `iterable`
+            iterable : list
+            keyvalues : dict of column names and values to select the rows with
+
+        Returns:
+            int: Number rows deleted
+        """
+        if not iterable:
+            return 0
+
+        sql = "DELETE FROM %s" % table
+
+        clause, values = make_in_list_sql_clause(txn.database_engine, column, iterable)
+        clauses = [clause]
+
+        for key, value in iteritems(keyvalues):
+            clauses.append("%s = ?" % (key,))
+            values.append(value)
+
+        if clauses:
+            sql = "%s WHERE %s" % (sql, " AND ".join(clauses))
+        txn.execute(sql, values)
+
+        return txn.rowcount
+
+    def get_cache_dict(
+        self, db_conn, table, entity_column, stream_column, max_value, limit=100000
+    ):
+        # Fetch a mapping of room_id -> max stream position for "recent" rooms.
+        # It doesn't really matter how many we get, the StreamChangeCache will
+        # do the right thing to ensure it respects the max size of cache.
+        sql = (
+            "SELECT %(entity)s, MAX(%(stream)s) FROM %(table)s"
+            " WHERE %(stream)s > ? - %(limit)s"
+            " GROUP BY %(entity)s"
+        ) % {
+            "table": table,
+            "entity": entity_column,
+            "stream": stream_column,
+            "limit": limit,
+        }
+
+        sql = self.database_engine.convert_param_style(sql)
+
+        txn = db_conn.cursor()
+        txn.execute(sql, (int(max_value),))
+
+        cache = {row[0]: int(row[1]) for row in txn}
+
+        txn.close()
+
+        if cache:
+            min_val = min(itervalues(cache))
+        else:
+            min_val = max_value
+
+        return cache, min_val
+
+    def simple_select_list_paginate(
+        self,
+        table,
+        orderby,
+        start,
+        limit,
+        retcols,
+        filters=None,
+        keyvalues=None,
+        order_direction="ASC",
+        desc="simple_select_list_paginate",
+    ):
+        """
+        Executes a SELECT query on the named table with start and limit,
+        of row numbers, which may return zero or number of rows from start to limit,
+        returning the result as a list of dicts.
+
+        Args:
+            table (str): the table name
+            filters (dict[str, T] | None):
+                column names and values to filter the rows with, or None to not
+                apply a WHERE ? LIKE ? clause.
+            keyvalues (dict[str, T] | None):
+                column names and values to select the rows with, or None to not
+                apply a WHERE clause.
+            orderby (str): Column to order the results by.
+            start (int): Index to begin the query at.
+            limit (int): Number of results to return.
+            retcols (iterable[str]): the names of the columns to return
+            order_direction (str): Whether the results should be ordered "ASC" or "DESC".
+        Returns:
+            defer.Deferred: resolves to list[dict[str, Any]]
+        """
+        return self.runInteraction(
+            desc,
+            self.simple_select_list_paginate_txn,
+            table,
+            orderby,
+            start,
+            limit,
+            retcols,
+            filters=filters,
+            keyvalues=keyvalues,
+            order_direction=order_direction,
+        )
+
+    @classmethod
+    def simple_select_list_paginate_txn(
+        cls,
+        txn,
+        table,
+        orderby,
+        start,
+        limit,
+        retcols,
+        filters=None,
+        keyvalues=None,
+        order_direction="ASC",
+    ):
+        """
+        Executes a SELECT query on the named table with start and limit,
+        of row numbers, which may return zero or number of rows from start to limit,
+        returning the result as a list of dicts.
+
+        Use `filters` to search attributes using SQL wildcards and/or `keyvalues` to
+        select attributes with exact matches. All constraints are joined together
+        using 'AND'.
+
+        Args:
+            txn : Transaction object
+            table (str): the table name
+            orderby (str): Column to order the results by.
+            start (int): Index to begin the query at.
+            limit (int): Number of results to return.
+            retcols (iterable[str]): the names of the columns to return
+            filters (dict[str, T] | None):
+                column names and values to filter the rows with, or None to not
+                apply a WHERE ? LIKE ? clause.
+            keyvalues (dict[str, T] | None):
+                column names and values to select the rows with, or None to not
+                apply a WHERE clause.
+            order_direction (str): Whether the results should be ordered "ASC" or "DESC".
+        Returns:
+            defer.Deferred: resolves to list[dict[str, Any]]
+        """
+        if order_direction not in ["ASC", "DESC"]:
+            raise ValueError("order_direction must be one of 'ASC' or 'DESC'.")
+
+        where_clause = "WHERE " if filters or keyvalues else ""
+        arg_list = []
+        if filters:
+            where_clause += " AND ".join("%s LIKE ?" % (k,) for k in filters)
+            arg_list += list(filters.values())
+        where_clause += " AND " if filters and keyvalues else ""
+        if keyvalues:
+            where_clause += " AND ".join("%s = ?" % (k,) for k in keyvalues)
+            arg_list += list(keyvalues.values())
+
+        sql = "SELECT %s FROM %s %s ORDER BY %s %s LIMIT ? OFFSET ?" % (
+            ", ".join(retcols),
+            table,
+            where_clause,
+            orderby,
+            order_direction,
+        )
+        txn.execute(sql, arg_list + [limit, start])
+
+        return cls.cursor_to_dict(txn)
+
+    def simple_search_list(self, table, term, col, retcols, desc="simple_search_list"):
+        """Executes a SELECT query on the named table, which may return zero or
+        more rows, returning the result as a list of dicts.
+
+        Args:
+            table (str): the table name
+            term (str | None):
+                term for searching the table matched to a column.
+            col (str): column to query term should be matched to
+            retcols (iterable[str]): the names of the columns to return
+        Returns:
+            defer.Deferred: resolves to list[dict[str, Any]] or None
+        """
+
+        return self.runInteraction(
+            desc, self.simple_search_list_txn, table, term, col, retcols
+        )
+
+    @classmethod
+    def simple_search_list_txn(cls, txn, table, term, col, retcols):
+        """Executes a SELECT query on the named table, which may return zero or
+        more rows, returning the result as a list of dicts.
+
+        Args:
+            txn : Transaction object
+            table (str): the table name
+            term (str | None):
+                term for searching the table matched to a column.
+            col (str): column to query term should be matched to
+            retcols (iterable[str]): the names of the columns to return
+        Returns:
+            defer.Deferred: resolves to list[dict[str, Any]] or None
+        """
+        if term:
+            sql = "SELECT %s FROM %s WHERE %s LIKE ?" % (", ".join(retcols), table, col)
+            termvalues = ["%%" + term + "%%"]
+            txn.execute(sql, termvalues)
+        else:
+            return 0
+
+        return cls.cursor_to_dict(txn)
+
+
+def make_in_list_sql_clause(
+    database_engine, column: str, iterable: Iterable
+) -> Tuple[str, Iterable]:
+    """Returns an SQL clause that checks the given column is in the iterable.
+
+    On SQLite this expands to `column IN (?, ?, ...)`, whereas on Postgres
+    it expands to `column = ANY(?)`. While both DBs support the `IN` form,
+    using the `ANY` form on postgres means that it views queries with
+    different length iterables as the same, helping the query stats.
+
+    Args:
+        database_engine
+        column: Name of the column
+        iterable: The values to check the column against.
+
+    Returns:
+        A tuple of SQL query and the args
+    """
+
+    if database_engine.supports_using_any_list:
+        # This should hopefully be faster, but also makes postgres query
+        # stats easier to understand.
+        return "%s = ANY(?)" % (column,), [list(iterable)]
+    else:
+        return "%s IN (%s)" % (column, ",".join("?" for _ in iterable)), list(iterable)
diff --git a/synmark/__init__.py b/synmark/__init__.py
index 570eb818d9..afe4fad8cb 100644
--- a/synmark/__init__.py
+++ b/synmark/__init__.py
@@ -47,9 +47,9 @@ async def make_homeserver(reactor, config=None):
     stor = hs.get_datastore()
 
     # Run the database background updates.
-    if hasattr(stor, "do_next_background_update"):
-        while not await stor.has_completed_background_updates():
-            await stor.do_next_background_update(1)
+    if hasattr(stor.db.updates, "do_next_background_update"):
+        while not await stor.db.updates.has_completed_background_updates():
+            await stor.db.updates.do_next_background_update(1)
 
     def cleanup():
         for i in cleanup_tasks:
diff --git a/tests/handlers/test_stats.py b/tests/handlers/test_stats.py
index 380fd0d107..d9d312f0fb 100644
--- a/tests/handlers/test_stats.py
+++ b/tests/handlers/test_stats.py
@@ -42,16 +42,16 @@ class StatsRoomTests(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         Add the background updates we need to run.
         """
         # Ugh, have to reset this flag
-        self.store._all_done = False
+        self.store.db.updates._all_done = False
 
         self.get_success(
-            self.store.simple_insert(
+            self.store.db.simple_insert(
                 "background_updates",
                 {"update_name": "populate_stats_prepare", "progress_json": "{}"},
             )
         )
         self.get_success(
-            self.store.simple_insert(
+            self.store.db.simple_insert(
                 "background_updates",
                 {
                     "update_name": "populate_stats_process_rooms",
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ class StatsRoomTests(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
             )
         )
         self.get_success(
-            self.store.simple_insert(
+            self.store.db.simple_insert(
                 "background_updates",
                 {
                     "update_name": "populate_stats_process_users",
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ class StatsRoomTests(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
             )
         )
         self.get_success(
-            self.store.simple_insert(
+            self.store.db.simple_insert(
                 "background_updates",
                 {
                     "update_name": "populate_stats_cleanup",
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ class StatsRoomTests(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         )
 
     def get_all_room_state(self):
-        return self.store.simple_select_list(
+        return self.store.db.simple_select_list(
             "room_stats_state", None, retcols=("name", "topic", "canonical_alias")
         )
 
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ class StatsRoomTests(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         end_ts = self.store.quantise_stats_time(self.reactor.seconds() * 1000)
 
         return self.get_success(
-            self.store.simple_select_one(
+            self.store.db.simple_select_one(
                 table + "_historical",
                 {id_col: stat_id, end_ts: end_ts},
                 cols,
@@ -108,8 +108,12 @@ class StatsRoomTests(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         # Do the initial population of the stats via the background update
         self._add_background_updates()
 
-        while not self.get_success(self.store.has_completed_background_updates()):
-            self.get_success(self.store.do_next_background_update(100), by=0.1)
+        while not self.get_success(
+            self.store.db.updates.has_completed_background_updates()
+        ):
+            self.get_success(
+                self.store.db.updates.do_next_background_update(100), by=0.1
+            )
 
     def test_initial_room(self):
         """
@@ -141,8 +145,12 @@ class StatsRoomTests(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         # Do the initial population of the user directory via the background update
         self._add_background_updates()
 
-        while not self.get_success(self.store.has_completed_background_updates()):
-            self.get_success(self.store.do_next_background_update(100), by=0.1)
+        while not self.get_success(
+            self.store.db.updates.has_completed_background_updates()
+        ):
+            self.get_success(
+                self.store.db.updates.do_next_background_update(100), by=0.1
+            )
 
         r = self.get_success(self.get_all_room_state())
 
@@ -178,9 +186,9 @@ class StatsRoomTests(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         # the position that the deltas should begin at, once they take over.
         self.hs.config.stats_enabled = True
         self.handler.stats_enabled = True
-        self.store._all_done = False
+        self.store.db.updates._all_done = False
         self.get_success(
-            self.store.simple_update_one(
+            self.store.db.simple_update_one(
                 table="stats_incremental_position",
                 keyvalues={},
                 updatevalues={"stream_id": 0},
@@ -188,14 +196,18 @@ class StatsRoomTests(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         )
 
         self.get_success(
-            self.store.simple_insert(
+            self.store.db.simple_insert(
                 "background_updates",
                 {"update_name": "populate_stats_prepare", "progress_json": "{}"},
             )
         )
 
-        while not self.get_success(self.store.has_completed_background_updates()):
-            self.get_success(self.store.do_next_background_update(100), by=0.1)
+        while not self.get_success(
+            self.store.db.updates.has_completed_background_updates()
+        ):
+            self.get_success(
+                self.store.db.updates.do_next_background_update(100), by=0.1
+            )
 
         # Now, before the table is actually ingested, add some more events.
         self.helper.invite(room=room_1, src=u1, targ=u2, tok=u1_token)
@@ -205,13 +217,13 @@ class StatsRoomTests(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
 
         # Now do the initial ingestion.
         self.get_success(
-            self.store.simple_insert(
+            self.store.db.simple_insert(
                 "background_updates",
                 {"update_name": "populate_stats_process_rooms", "progress_json": "{}"},
             )
         )
         self.get_success(
-            self.store.simple_insert(
+            self.store.db.simple_insert(
                 "background_updates",
                 {
                     "update_name": "populate_stats_cleanup",
@@ -221,9 +233,13 @@ class StatsRoomTests(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
             )
         )
 
-        self.store._all_done = False
-        while not self.get_success(self.store.has_completed_background_updates()):
-            self.get_success(self.store.do_next_background_update(100), by=0.1)
+        self.store.db.updates._all_done = False
+        while not self.get_success(
+            self.store.db.updates.has_completed_background_updates()
+        ):
+            self.get_success(
+                self.store.db.updates.do_next_background_update(100), by=0.1
+            )
 
         self.reactor.advance(86401)
 
@@ -653,15 +669,15 @@ class StatsRoomTests(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
 
         # preparation stage of the initial background update
         # Ugh, have to reset this flag
-        self.store._all_done = False
+        self.store.db.updates._all_done = False
 
         self.get_success(
-            self.store.simple_delete(
+            self.store.db.simple_delete(
                 "room_stats_current", {"1": 1}, "test_delete_stats"
             )
         )
         self.get_success(
-            self.store.simple_delete(
+            self.store.db.simple_delete(
                 "user_stats_current", {"1": 1}, "test_delete_stats"
             )
         )
@@ -673,9 +689,9 @@ class StatsRoomTests(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
 
         # now do the background updates
 
-        self.store._all_done = False
+        self.store.db.updates._all_done = False
         self.get_success(
-            self.store.simple_insert(
+            self.store.db.simple_insert(
                 "background_updates",
                 {
                     "update_name": "populate_stats_process_rooms",
@@ -685,7 +701,7 @@ class StatsRoomTests(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
             )
         )
         self.get_success(
-            self.store.simple_insert(
+            self.store.db.simple_insert(
                 "background_updates",
                 {
                     "update_name": "populate_stats_process_users",
@@ -695,7 +711,7 @@ class StatsRoomTests(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
             )
         )
         self.get_success(
-            self.store.simple_insert(
+            self.store.db.simple_insert(
                 "background_updates",
                 {
                     "update_name": "populate_stats_cleanup",
@@ -705,8 +721,12 @@ class StatsRoomTests(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
             )
         )
 
-        while not self.get_success(self.store.has_completed_background_updates()):
-            self.get_success(self.store.do_next_background_update(100), by=0.1)
+        while not self.get_success(
+            self.store.db.updates.has_completed_background_updates()
+        ):
+            self.get_success(
+                self.store.db.updates.do_next_background_update(100), by=0.1
+            )
 
         r1stats_complete = self._get_current_stats("room", r1)
         u1stats_complete = self._get_current_stats("user", u1)
diff --git a/tests/handlers/test_user_directory.py b/tests/handlers/test_user_directory.py
index d5b1c5b4ac..26071059d2 100644
--- a/tests/handlers/test_user_directory.py
+++ b/tests/handlers/test_user_directory.py
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ class UserDirectoryTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
 
     def get_users_in_public_rooms(self):
         r = self.get_success(
-            self.store.simple_select_list(
+            self.store.db.simple_select_list(
                 "users_in_public_rooms", None, ("user_id", "room_id")
             )
         )
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ class UserDirectoryTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
 
     def get_users_who_share_private_rooms(self):
         return self.get_success(
-            self.store.simple_select_list(
+            self.store.db.simple_select_list(
                 "users_who_share_private_rooms",
                 None,
                 ["user_id", "other_user_id", "room_id"],
@@ -181,10 +181,10 @@ class UserDirectoryTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         Add the background updates we need to run.
         """
         # Ugh, have to reset this flag
-        self.store._all_done = False
+        self.store.db.updates._all_done = False
 
         self.get_success(
-            self.store.simple_insert(
+            self.store.db.simple_insert(
                 "background_updates",
                 {
                     "update_name": "populate_user_directory_createtables",
@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@ class UserDirectoryTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
             )
         )
         self.get_success(
-            self.store.simple_insert(
+            self.store.db.simple_insert(
                 "background_updates",
                 {
                     "update_name": "populate_user_directory_process_rooms",
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ class UserDirectoryTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
             )
         )
         self.get_success(
-            self.store.simple_insert(
+            self.store.db.simple_insert(
                 "background_updates",
                 {
                     "update_name": "populate_user_directory_process_users",
@@ -213,7 +213,7 @@ class UserDirectoryTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
             )
         )
         self.get_success(
-            self.store.simple_insert(
+            self.store.db.simple_insert(
                 "background_updates",
                 {
                     "update_name": "populate_user_directory_cleanup",
@@ -255,8 +255,12 @@ class UserDirectoryTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         # Do the initial population of the user directory via the background update
         self._add_background_updates()
 
-        while not self.get_success(self.store.has_completed_background_updates()):
-            self.get_success(self.store.do_next_background_update(100), by=0.1)
+        while not self.get_success(
+            self.store.db.updates.has_completed_background_updates()
+        ):
+            self.get_success(
+                self.store.db.updates.do_next_background_update(100), by=0.1
+            )
 
         shares_private = self.get_users_who_share_private_rooms()
         public_users = self.get_users_in_public_rooms()
@@ -290,8 +294,12 @@ class UserDirectoryTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         # Do the initial population of the user directory via the background update
         self._add_background_updates()
 
-        while not self.get_success(self.store.has_completed_background_updates()):
-            self.get_success(self.store.do_next_background_update(100), by=0.1)
+        while not self.get_success(
+            self.store.db.updates.has_completed_background_updates()
+        ):
+            self.get_success(
+                self.store.db.updates.do_next_background_update(100), by=0.1
+            )
 
         shares_private = self.get_users_who_share_private_rooms()
         public_users = self.get_users_in_public_rooms()
diff --git a/tests/rest/admin/test_admin.py b/tests/rest/admin/test_admin.py
index 124ce0768a..0ed2594381 100644
--- a/tests/rest/admin/test_admin.py
+++ b/tests/rest/admin/test_admin.py
@@ -632,7 +632,7 @@ class PurgeRoomTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
             "state_groups_state",
         ):
             count = self.get_success(
-                self.store.simple_select_one_onecol(
+                self.store.db.simple_select_one_onecol(
                     table=table,
                     keyvalues={"room_id": room_id},
                     retcol="COUNT(*)",
diff --git a/tests/storage/test__base.py b/tests/storage/test__base.py
index 7b7434a468..d491ea2924 100644
--- a/tests/storage/test__base.py
+++ b/tests/storage/test__base.py
@@ -323,7 +323,7 @@ class UpsertManyTests(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
 
         self.table_name = "table_" + hs.get_secrets().token_hex(6)
         self.get_success(
-            self.storage.runInteraction(
+            self.storage.db.runInteraction(
                 "create",
                 lambda x, *a: x.execute(*a),
                 "CREATE TABLE %s (id INTEGER, username TEXT, value TEXT)"
@@ -331,7 +331,7 @@ class UpsertManyTests(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
             )
         )
         self.get_success(
-            self.storage.runInteraction(
+            self.storage.db.runInteraction(
                 "index",
                 lambda x, *a: x.execute(*a),
                 "CREATE UNIQUE INDEX %sindex ON %s(id, username)"
@@ -354,9 +354,9 @@ class UpsertManyTests(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         value_values = [["hello"], ["there"]]
 
         self.get_success(
-            self.storage.runInteraction(
+            self.storage.db.runInteraction(
                 "test",
-                self.storage.simple_upsert_many_txn,
+                self.storage.db.simple_upsert_many_txn,
                 self.table_name,
                 key_names,
                 key_values,
@@ -367,7 +367,7 @@ class UpsertManyTests(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
 
         # Check results are what we expect
         res = self.get_success(
-            self.storage.simple_select_list(
+            self.storage.db.simple_select_list(
                 self.table_name, None, ["id, username, value"]
             )
         )
@@ -381,9 +381,9 @@ class UpsertManyTests(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         value_values = [["bleb"]]
 
         self.get_success(
-            self.storage.runInteraction(
+            self.storage.db.runInteraction(
                 "test",
-                self.storage.simple_upsert_many_txn,
+                self.storage.db.simple_upsert_many_txn,
                 self.table_name,
                 key_names,
                 key_values,
@@ -394,7 +394,7 @@ class UpsertManyTests(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
 
         # Check results are what we expect
         res = self.get_success(
-            self.storage.simple_select_list(
+            self.storage.db.simple_select_list(
                 self.table_name, None, ["id, username, value"]
             )
         )
diff --git a/tests/storage/test_background_update.py b/tests/storage/test_background_update.py
index 9fabe3fbc0..aec76f4ab1 100644
--- a/tests/storage/test_background_update.py
+++ b/tests/storage/test_background_update.py
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ class BackgroundUpdateTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
 
         self.update_handler = Mock()
 
-        yield self.store.register_background_update_handler(
+        yield self.store.db.updates.register_background_update_handler(
             "test_update", self.update_handler
         )
 
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ class BackgroundUpdateTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
         # (perhaps we should run them as part of the test HS setup, since we
         # run all of the other schema setup stuff there?)
         while True:
-            res = yield self.store.do_next_background_update(1000)
+            res = yield self.store.db.updates.do_next_background_update(1000)
             if res is None:
                 break
 
@@ -37,9 +37,9 @@ class BackgroundUpdateTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
         def update(progress, count):
             self.clock.advance_time_msec(count * duration_ms)
             progress = {"my_key": progress["my_key"] + 1}
-            yield self.store.runInteraction(
+            yield self.store.db.runInteraction(
                 "update_progress",
-                self.store._background_update_progress_txn,
+                self.store.db.updates._background_update_progress_txn,
                 "test_update",
                 progress,
             )
@@ -47,29 +47,37 @@ class BackgroundUpdateTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
 
         self.update_handler.side_effect = update
 
-        yield self.store.start_background_update("test_update", {"my_key": 1})
+        yield self.store.db.updates.start_background_update(
+            "test_update", {"my_key": 1}
+        )
 
         self.update_handler.reset_mock()
-        result = yield self.store.do_next_background_update(duration_ms * desired_count)
+        result = yield self.store.db.updates.do_next_background_update(
+            duration_ms * desired_count
+        )
         self.assertIsNotNone(result)
         self.update_handler.assert_called_once_with(
-            {"my_key": 1}, self.store.DEFAULT_BACKGROUND_BATCH_SIZE
+            {"my_key": 1}, self.store.db.updates.DEFAULT_BACKGROUND_BATCH_SIZE
         )
 
         # second step: complete the update
         @defer.inlineCallbacks
         def update(progress, count):
-            yield self.store._end_background_update("test_update")
+            yield self.store.db.updates._end_background_update("test_update")
             return count
 
         self.update_handler.side_effect = update
         self.update_handler.reset_mock()
-        result = yield self.store.do_next_background_update(duration_ms * desired_count)
+        result = yield self.store.db.updates.do_next_background_update(
+            duration_ms * desired_count
+        )
         self.assertIsNotNone(result)
         self.update_handler.assert_called_once_with({"my_key": 2}, desired_count)
 
         # third step: we don't expect to be called any more
         self.update_handler.reset_mock()
-        result = yield self.store.do_next_background_update(duration_ms * desired_count)
+        result = yield self.store.db.updates.do_next_background_update(
+            duration_ms * desired_count
+        )
         self.assertIsNone(result)
         self.assertFalse(self.update_handler.called)
diff --git a/tests/storage/test_base.py b/tests/storage/test_base.py
index de5e4a5fce..7915d48a9e 100644
--- a/tests/storage/test_base.py
+++ b/tests/storage/test_base.py
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ class SQLBaseStoreTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
     def test_insert_1col(self):
         self.mock_txn.rowcount = 1
 
-        yield self.datastore.simple_insert(
+        yield self.datastore.db.simple_insert(
             table="tablename", values={"columname": "Value"}
         )
 
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ class SQLBaseStoreTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
     def test_insert_3cols(self):
         self.mock_txn.rowcount = 1
 
-        yield self.datastore.simple_insert(
+        yield self.datastore.db.simple_insert(
             table="tablename",
             # Use OrderedDict() so we can assert on the SQL generated
             values=OrderedDict([("colA", 1), ("colB", 2), ("colC", 3)]),
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ class SQLBaseStoreTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
         self.mock_txn.rowcount = 1
         self.mock_txn.__iter__ = Mock(return_value=iter([("Value",)]))
 
-        value = yield self.datastore.simple_select_one_onecol(
+        value = yield self.datastore.db.simple_select_one_onecol(
             table="tablename", keyvalues={"keycol": "TheKey"}, retcol="retcol"
         )
 
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ class SQLBaseStoreTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
         self.mock_txn.rowcount = 1
         self.mock_txn.fetchone.return_value = (1, 2, 3)
 
-        ret = yield self.datastore.simple_select_one(
+        ret = yield self.datastore.db.simple_select_one(
             table="tablename",
             keyvalues={"keycol": "TheKey"},
             retcols=["colA", "colB", "colC"],
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ class SQLBaseStoreTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
         self.mock_txn.rowcount = 0
         self.mock_txn.fetchone.return_value = None
 
-        ret = yield self.datastore.simple_select_one(
+        ret = yield self.datastore.db.simple_select_one(
             table="tablename",
             keyvalues={"keycol": "Not here"},
             retcols=["colA"],
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ class SQLBaseStoreTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
         self.mock_txn.__iter__ = Mock(return_value=iter([(1,), (2,), (3,)]))
         self.mock_txn.description = (("colA", None, None, None, None, None, None),)
 
-        ret = yield self.datastore.simple_select_list(
+        ret = yield self.datastore.db.simple_select_list(
             table="tablename", keyvalues={"keycol": "A set"}, retcols=["colA"]
         )
 
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ class SQLBaseStoreTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
     def test_update_one_1col(self):
         self.mock_txn.rowcount = 1
 
-        yield self.datastore.simple_update_one(
+        yield self.datastore.db.simple_update_one(
             table="tablename",
             keyvalues={"keycol": "TheKey"},
             updatevalues={"columnname": "New Value"},
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ class SQLBaseStoreTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
     def test_update_one_4cols(self):
         self.mock_txn.rowcount = 1
 
-        yield self.datastore.simple_update_one(
+        yield self.datastore.db.simple_update_one(
             table="tablename",
             keyvalues=OrderedDict([("colA", 1), ("colB", 2)]),
             updatevalues=OrderedDict([("colC", 3), ("colD", 4)]),
@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ class SQLBaseStoreTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
     def test_delete_one(self):
         self.mock_txn.rowcount = 1
 
-        yield self.datastore.simple_delete_one(
+        yield self.datastore.db.simple_delete_one(
             table="tablename", keyvalues={"keycol": "Go away"}
         )
 
diff --git a/tests/storage/test_cleanup_extrems.py b/tests/storage/test_cleanup_extrems.py
index 69dcaa63d5..029ac26454 100644
--- a/tests/storage/test_cleanup_extrems.py
+++ b/tests/storage/test_cleanup_extrems.py
@@ -46,7 +46,9 @@ class CleanupExtremBackgroundUpdateStoreTestCase(HomeserverTestCase):
         """Re run the background update to clean up the extremities.
         """
         # Make sure we don't clash with in progress updates.
-        self.assertTrue(self.store._all_done, "Background updates are still ongoing")
+        self.assertTrue(
+            self.store.db.updates._all_done, "Background updates are still ongoing"
+        )
 
         schema_path = os.path.join(
             prepare_database.dir_path,
@@ -62,14 +64,20 @@ class CleanupExtremBackgroundUpdateStoreTestCase(HomeserverTestCase):
             prepare_database.executescript(txn, schema_path)
 
         self.get_success(
-            self.store.runInteraction("test_delete_forward_extremities", run_delta_file)
+            self.store.db.runInteraction(
+                "test_delete_forward_extremities", run_delta_file
+            )
         )
 
         # Ugh, have to reset this flag
-        self.store._all_done = False
+        self.store.db.updates._all_done = False
 
-        while not self.get_success(self.store.has_completed_background_updates()):
-            self.get_success(self.store.do_next_background_update(100), by=0.1)
+        while not self.get_success(
+            self.store.db.updates.has_completed_background_updates()
+        ):
+            self.get_success(
+                self.store.db.updates.do_next_background_update(100), by=0.1
+            )
 
     def test_soft_failed_extremities_handled_correctly(self):
         """Test that extremities are correctly calculated in the presence of
diff --git a/tests/storage/test_client_ips.py b/tests/storage/test_client_ips.py
index 25bdd2c163..fc279340d4 100644
--- a/tests/storage/test_client_ips.py
+++ b/tests/storage/test_client_ips.py
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ class ClientIpStoreTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         self.pump(0)
 
         result = self.get_success(
-            self.store.simple_select_list(
+            self.store.db.simple_select_list(
                 table="user_ips",
                 keyvalues={"user_id": user_id},
                 retcols=["access_token", "ip", "user_agent", "device_id", "last_seen"],
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ class ClientIpStoreTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         self.pump(0)
 
         result = self.get_success(
-            self.store.simple_select_list(
+            self.store.db.simple_select_list(
                 table="user_ips",
                 keyvalues={"user_id": user_id},
                 retcols=["access_token", "ip", "user_agent", "device_id", "last_seen"],
@@ -202,8 +202,12 @@ class ClientIpStoreTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
 
     def test_devices_last_seen_bg_update(self):
         # First make sure we have completed all updates.
-        while not self.get_success(self.store.has_completed_background_updates()):
-            self.get_success(self.store.do_next_background_update(100), by=0.1)
+        while not self.get_success(
+            self.store.db.updates.has_completed_background_updates()
+        ):
+            self.get_success(
+                self.store.db.updates.do_next_background_update(100), by=0.1
+            )
 
         # Insert a user IP
         user_id = "@user:id"
@@ -218,7 +222,7 @@ class ClientIpStoreTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
 
         # But clear the associated entry in devices table
         self.get_success(
-            self.store.simple_update(
+            self.store.db.simple_update(
                 table="devices",
                 keyvalues={"user_id": user_id, "device_id": "device_id"},
                 updatevalues={"last_seen": None, "ip": None, "user_agent": None},
@@ -245,7 +249,7 @@ class ClientIpStoreTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
 
         # Register the background update to run again.
         self.get_success(
-            self.store.simple_insert(
+            self.store.db.simple_insert(
                 table="background_updates",
                 values={
                     "update_name": "devices_last_seen",
@@ -256,11 +260,15 @@ class ClientIpStoreTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         )
 
         # ... and tell the DataStore that it hasn't finished all updates yet
-        self.store._all_done = False
+        self.store.db.updates._all_done = False
 
         # Now let's actually drive the updates to completion
-        while not self.get_success(self.store.has_completed_background_updates()):
-            self.get_success(self.store.do_next_background_update(100), by=0.1)
+        while not self.get_success(
+            self.store.db.updates.has_completed_background_updates()
+        ):
+            self.get_success(
+                self.store.db.updates.do_next_background_update(100), by=0.1
+            )
 
         # We should now get the correct result again
         result = self.get_success(
@@ -281,8 +289,12 @@ class ClientIpStoreTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
 
     def test_old_user_ips_pruned(self):
         # First make sure we have completed all updates.
-        while not self.get_success(self.store.has_completed_background_updates()):
-            self.get_success(self.store.do_next_background_update(100), by=0.1)
+        while not self.get_success(
+            self.store.db.updates.has_completed_background_updates()
+        ):
+            self.get_success(
+                self.store.db.updates.do_next_background_update(100), by=0.1
+            )
 
         # Insert a user IP
         user_id = "@user:id"
@@ -297,7 +309,7 @@ class ClientIpStoreTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
 
         # We should see that in the DB
         result = self.get_success(
-            self.store.simple_select_list(
+            self.store.db.simple_select_list(
                 table="user_ips",
                 keyvalues={"user_id": user_id},
                 retcols=["access_token", "ip", "user_agent", "device_id", "last_seen"],
@@ -323,7 +335,7 @@ class ClientIpStoreTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
 
         # We should get no results.
         result = self.get_success(
-            self.store.simple_select_list(
+            self.store.db.simple_select_list(
                 table="user_ips",
                 keyvalues={"user_id": user_id},
                 retcols=["access_token", "ip", "user_agent", "device_id", "last_seen"],
diff --git a/tests/storage/test_event_federation.py b/tests/storage/test_event_federation.py
index 2fe50377f8..eadfb90a22 100644
--- a/tests/storage/test_event_federation.py
+++ b/tests/storage/test_event_federation.py
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ class EventFederationWorkerStoreTestCase(tests.unittest.TestCase):
             )
 
         for i in range(0, 11):
-            yield self.store.runInteraction("insert", insert_event, i)
+            yield self.store.db.runInteraction("insert", insert_event, i)
 
         # this should get the last five and five others
         r = yield self.store.get_prev_events_for_room(room_id)
@@ -93,9 +93,9 @@ class EventFederationWorkerStoreTestCase(tests.unittest.TestCase):
             )
 
         for i in range(0, 20):
-            yield self.store.runInteraction("insert", insert_event, i, room1)
-            yield self.store.runInteraction("insert", insert_event, i, room2)
-            yield self.store.runInteraction("insert", insert_event, i, room3)
+            yield self.store.db.runInteraction("insert", insert_event, i, room1)
+            yield self.store.db.runInteraction("insert", insert_event, i, room2)
+            yield self.store.db.runInteraction("insert", insert_event, i, room3)
 
         # Test simple case
         r = yield self.store.get_rooms_with_many_extremities(5, 5, [])
diff --git a/tests/storage/test_event_push_actions.py b/tests/storage/test_event_push_actions.py
index 2337a1ae46..d4bcf1821e 100644
--- a/tests/storage/test_event_push_actions.py
+++ b/tests/storage/test_event_push_actions.py
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ class EventPushActionsStoreTestCase(tests.unittest.TestCase):
 
         @defer.inlineCallbacks
         def _assert_counts(noitf_count, highlight_count):
-            counts = yield self.store.runInteraction(
+            counts = yield self.store.db.runInteraction(
                 "", self.store._get_unread_counts_by_pos_txn, room_id, user_id, 0
             )
             self.assertEquals(
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ class EventPushActionsStoreTestCase(tests.unittest.TestCase):
             yield self.store.add_push_actions_to_staging(
                 event.event_id, {user_id: action}
             )
-            yield self.store.runInteraction(
+            yield self.store.db.runInteraction(
                 "",
                 self.store._set_push_actions_for_event_and_users_txn,
                 [(event, None)],
@@ -82,12 +82,12 @@ class EventPushActionsStoreTestCase(tests.unittest.TestCase):
             )
 
         def _rotate(stream):
-            return self.store.runInteraction(
+            return self.store.db.runInteraction(
                 "", self.store._rotate_notifs_before_txn, stream
             )
 
         def _mark_read(stream, depth):
-            return self.store.runInteraction(
+            return self.store.db.runInteraction(
                 "",
                 self.store._remove_old_push_actions_before_txn,
                 room_id,
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ class EventPushActionsStoreTestCase(tests.unittest.TestCase):
         yield _inject_actions(6, PlAIN_NOTIF)
         yield _rotate(7)
 
-        yield self.store.simple_delete(
+        yield self.store.db.simple_delete(
             table="event_push_actions", keyvalues={"1": 1}, desc=""
         )
 
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ class EventPushActionsStoreTestCase(tests.unittest.TestCase):
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def test_find_first_stream_ordering_after_ts(self):
         def add_event(so, ts):
-            return self.store.simple_insert(
+            return self.store.db.simple_insert(
                 "events",
                 {
                     "stream_ordering": so,
diff --git a/tests/storage/test_monthly_active_users.py b/tests/storage/test_monthly_active_users.py
index 90a63dc477..3c78faab45 100644
--- a/tests/storage/test_monthly_active_users.py
+++ b/tests/storage/test_monthly_active_users.py
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ class MonthlyActiveUsersTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         self.store.user_add_threepid(user1, "email", user1_email, now, now)
         self.store.user_add_threepid(user2, "email", user2_email, now, now)
 
-        self.store.runInteraction(
+        self.store.db.runInteraction(
             "initialise", self.store._initialise_reserved_users, threepids
         )
         self.pump()
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@ class MonthlyActiveUsersTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
                 )
 
         self.hs.config.mau_limits_reserved_threepids = threepids
-        self.store.runInteraction(
+        self.store.db.runInteraction(
             "initialise", self.store._initialise_reserved_users, threepids
         )
         count = self.store.get_monthly_active_count()
@@ -244,7 +244,7 @@ class MonthlyActiveUsersTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
             {"medium": "email", "address": user2_email},
         ]
         self.hs.config.mau_limits_reserved_threepids = threepids
-        self.store.runInteraction(
+        self.store.db.runInteraction(
             "initialise", self.store._initialise_reserved_users, threepids
         )
 
diff --git a/tests/storage/test_redaction.py b/tests/storage/test_redaction.py
index 4930b6777e..dc45173355 100644
--- a/tests/storage/test_redaction.py
+++ b/tests/storage/test_redaction.py
@@ -338,7 +338,7 @@ class RedactionTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         )
 
         event_json = self.get_success(
-            self.store.simple_select_one_onecol(
+            self.store.db.simple_select_one_onecol(
                 table="event_json",
                 keyvalues={"event_id": msg_event.event_id},
                 retcol="json",
@@ -356,7 +356,7 @@ class RedactionTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         self.reactor.advance(60 * 60 * 2)
 
         event_json = self.get_success(
-            self.store.simple_select_one_onecol(
+            self.store.db.simple_select_one_onecol(
                 table="event_json",
                 keyvalues={"event_id": msg_event.event_id},
                 retcol="json",
diff --git a/tests/storage/test_roommember.py b/tests/storage/test_roommember.py
index d389cf578f..7840f63fe3 100644
--- a/tests/storage/test_roommember.py
+++ b/tests/storage/test_roommember.py
@@ -122,8 +122,12 @@ class CurrentStateMembershipUpdateTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
 
     def test_can_rerun_update(self):
         # First make sure we have completed all updates.
-        while not self.get_success(self.store.has_completed_background_updates()):
-            self.get_success(self.store.do_next_background_update(100), by=0.1)
+        while not self.get_success(
+            self.store.db.updates.has_completed_background_updates()
+        ):
+            self.get_success(
+                self.store.db.updates.do_next_background_update(100), by=0.1
+            )
 
         # Now let's create a room, which will insert a membership
         user = UserID("alice", "test")
@@ -132,7 +136,7 @@ class CurrentStateMembershipUpdateTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
 
         # Register the background update to run again.
         self.get_success(
-            self.store.simple_insert(
+            self.store.db.simple_insert(
                 table="background_updates",
                 values={
                     "update_name": "current_state_events_membership",
@@ -143,8 +147,12 @@ class CurrentStateMembershipUpdateTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         )
 
         # ... and tell the DataStore that it hasn't finished all updates yet
-        self.store._all_done = False
+        self.store.db.updates._all_done = False
 
         # Now let's actually drive the updates to completion
-        while not self.get_success(self.store.has_completed_background_updates()):
-            self.get_success(self.store.do_next_background_update(100), by=0.1)
+        while not self.get_success(
+            self.store.db.updates.has_completed_background_updates()
+        ):
+            self.get_success(
+                self.store.db.updates.do_next_background_update(100), by=0.1
+            )
diff --git a/tests/unittest.py b/tests/unittest.py
index 295573bc46..68d245ec9f 100644
--- a/tests/unittest.py
+++ b/tests/unittest.py
@@ -401,10 +401,12 @@ class HomeserverTestCase(TestCase):
         hs = setup_test_homeserver(self.addCleanup, *args, **kwargs)
         stor = hs.get_datastore()
 
-        # Run the database background updates.
-        if hasattr(stor, "do_next_background_update"):
-            while not self.get_success(stor.has_completed_background_updates()):
-                self.get_success(stor.do_next_background_update(1))
+        # Run the database background updates, when running against "master".
+        if hs.__class__.__name__ == "TestHomeServer":
+            while not self.get_success(
+                stor.db.updates.has_completed_background_updates()
+            ):
+                self.get_success(stor.db.updates.do_next_background_update(1))
 
         return hs
 
@@ -544,7 +546,7 @@ class HomeserverTestCase(TestCase):
         Add the given event as an extremity to the room.
         """
         self.get_success(
-            self.hs.get_datastore().simple_insert(
+            self.hs.get_datastore().db.simple_insert(
                 table="event_forward_extremities",
                 values={"room_id": room_id, "event_id": event_id},
                 desc="test_add_extremity",