Clear the Lobby: What laws are MPs voting on this week (w/c 23rd March)?

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!

Hey team.

This is the week the government’s coronavirus pledges get written into law.

Debate begins on the Coronavirus Bill on Monday. It’ll get fast-tracked through the Commons, heading to the Lords on Tuesday. MPs should sign it off later this week.

The bill gives the government a lot of power.

For example, it’ll allow the police to detain people suspected of having coronavirus and take them to be screened. Because of the unusually high level of powers, the legislation is set to expire after two years. But Harriet Harman has an amendment down to cut that to six months.

The breakneck timetable raises questions about scrutiny.

MPs won’t really have time to analyse everything in detail. But remember a lot goes on behind the scenes to make sure the government and opposition are both happy enough with the contents to push the bill through quickly.

Have a great week, and in the meantime feel free to tweet me, or just reply to this email.

Sebastian (@sebastiansalek)

MONDAY 23 MARCH

Coronavirus Bill – all stages
Applies to: England (part), Wales (part), Scotland (part), Northern Ireland (part)
Gives the government wide-ranging powers to respond to the coronavirus outbreak. Cuts red tape to increase the available number of health workers. Reduces the amount of admin for key workers to ease the burden on frontline staff. Allows the government to restrict or ban events and gatherings, detain people who may be infectious, close schools, and delay elections. Streamlines the process of registering deaths. Allows people in self-isolation to receive sick pay from their first day off work.
Draft bill / Government guidance

TUESDAY 24 MARCH

Wellbeing of Future Generations Bill
Requires public bodies to act in pursuit of the UK’s environmental, social, economic and cultural wellbeing. Establishes the role of Commissioner for Future Generations and a Joint Parliamentary Committee on Future Generations. Requires companies to consider the impact of their activities on the UK’s wellbeing. Ten minute rule motion presented by Caroline Lucas.

Windrush Compensation Scheme (Expenditure) Bill – committee stage, report stage, 3rd reading
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland
Allows the Home Office to make payouts via the Windrush Compensation Scheme, which was set up for immigrants who have suffered losses as a result of not being able to prove their lawful right to live in Britain.
Draft bill / Commons library briefing

WEDNESDAY 25 MARCH

Prime Minister (Nomination) and Cabinet (Appointment) Bill
Allows the House of Commons to nominate the prime minister and approve appointments to the Cabinet. Established the office of acting prime minister. Ten minute rule motion presented by Pete Wishart.

THURSDAY 26 MARCH

No votes scheduled

FRIDAY 27 MARCH

No votes scheduled

Want more?
Check your MP’s voting record and read the day’s debates at TheyWorkForYou.

LAST WEEK’S VOTES

Passed

• Assaults on Retail Workers (Offences) Bill – goes to second reading
• Company Transparency (Carbon in Supply Chains) Bill – goes to second reading
• Children (Access to Treatment) Bill – goes to second reading

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