Clear the Lobby: What laws are MPs voting on this week? – w/c 22nd July

Welcome to our weekly feature courtesy of Sebastian Salek, the brains behind Clear the Lobby, working to bring you all the laws MPs are voting on this week, and explained in plain English!

It’s been a long and winding road, but here we are: the last week before MPs break for summer recess, and the final days of Theresa May’s premiership.

Her successor will be announced late morning on Tuesday. She’ll resign after PMQs on Wednesday. Then Brexit becomes someone else’s problem.

And that’s where the fun begins:

What sort of deal will the next PM put to Parliament? Brussels has said it won’t renegotiate the Withdrawal Agreement.

Could they shut down Parliament to push a deal through? MPs have voted to make that more difficult.

Would they let no deal happen? Both candidates have threatened it, but there’s strong opposition in the Commons.

Will Labour bring a vote of no confidence? Corbyn is expected to, but are there enough Tories willing to allow the collapse of their government with Brexit looming?

Could Corbyn’s position be in danger, too? Labour Lords have considered a confidence vote over antisemitism. Last time he was challenged he won comfortably, but this time the allegations are more serious. Johnson will want him to stick around until after he’s delivered Brexit because he reckons he can beat him in a general election.

One thing is clear: wherever you stand on Brexit, it’s going to be a fascinating few months ahead.

MONDAY 22 JULY

Non-Domestic Rating (Lists) Bill – report stage and 3rd reading
Applies to: England, Wales
Reduces how often business rates (a tax on property used for commercial purposes) are revalued to every three years, from every five years. Brings forward the next date for revaluation by one year to 1 April 2021. Business rates are calculated based on the property’s rental value, so by measuring it more often this law aims to make the tax more up-to-date.
Draft bill / Commons library briefing

TUESDAY 23 JULY

Tibet (Reciprocal Access) Bill
Requires the government to report annually on restrictions stopping UK nationals visiting Tibet. Allows those involved with the restrictions to be denied entry to the UK. Ten minute rule motion presented by Tim Loughton.

WEDNESDAY 24 JULY

Dockless Bicycles (Regulation) Bill
Allows local authorities to regulate dockless bicycle-sharing schemes. Ten minute rule motion presented by Daniel Zeichner.

THURSDAY 25 JULY

No votes scheduled

FRIDAY 26 JULY

No votes scheduled

LAST WEEK’S VOTES

Passed

• High Speed Rail (West Midlands – Crewe) Bill – goes to Lords second reading
• Flexible Working Bill – goes to second reading
• Courts and Tribunals (Online Procedure) Bill – goes to committee stage
• Reservoirs (Flood Risk) Bill – goes to second reading
• Census (Return Particulars and Removal of Penalties) Bill – goes to committee stage

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