Clear the Lobby: What laws are MPs voting on this week (w/c 8th February)

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.

It’s the last week before recess.

There’s lots of admin to get through, like renewing the legal basis for the armed forces, approving the increase in state pensions, and signing off on the annual funding to councils and police authorities in England.

Then the Trade Bill ping pongs back from the Lords.

One amendment added in the upper house would block the UK from doing trade deals with countries accused of genocide. The subtext here is China’s alleged abuse of the Uighur community.

Another amendment is about scrutiny, requiring governments to publish their negotiating objectives for future trade deals in advance, and have them endorsed by both houses of Parliament.

Watch out for a possible compromise amendment in the Commons. After all, these issues are controversial with Tory backbenchers as well.

And on Thursday a parliamentary first.

The bill on maternity allowance was prompted by Attorney General Suella Braverman’s impending maternity leave. As things stand, Parliament’s archaic laws mean senior ministers have to resign if they want to take paid time off. This would allow them to become a “minister on leave”, and resume their post when they return.

Until next week. In the meantime, feel free to tweet me, or just reply to this email.

Sebastian (@sebastiansalek)

MONDAY 8 FEBRUARY

Armed Forces Bill – 2nd reading
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland (part), Northern Ireland (part), Isle of Man (part), British overseas territories except Gibraltar (part)
Renews the Armed Forces Act 2006, which provides the legal basis for the existence of the Armed Forces, and expires at the end of this year. Makes some changes to the service justice system (the Army’s disciplinary code). Creates a new independent body to oversee complaints about the Service Police. Further incorporates the Armed Forces Covenant (an understanding that those serving will be treated fairly) into law.
Draft bill (PDF) / Commons Library briefing

TUESDAY 9 FEBRUARY

Victims Of Crime And Anti-Social Behaviour, Etc (Rights, Entitlements And Related Matters) Bill
A bill about the rights of victims of persistent anti-social behaviour. Ten minute rule motion presented by Peter Kyle.

Trade Bill – consideration of Lords amendments
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland
Creates the framework for post-Brexit trade policy. Allows the UK to be part of the WTO’s Agreement on Government Procurement in its own right, rather than as a member of the EU. (This means British businesses are still able to bid for overseas government procurement opportunities covered by the GPA after the end of the transition period.)Establishes a new body, the Trade Remedies Authority, to combat unfair trading practices. Implements the trade deals with countries like South Korea that the UK had as a member of the EU but wants to keep.
Draft bill / Commons Library briefing

WEDNESDAY 10 FEBRUARY

Essay Mills (Prohibition) Bill
Bans the operation and advertising of essay mills (businesses that write essays on behalf of students). Ten minute rule motion presented by Chris Skidmore.

THURSDAY 11 FEBRUARY

Ministerial and Other Maternity Allowances Bill – all stages
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland
Allows the prime minister to appoint current ministers as “minister on leave” for six months, to allow them to go on paid maternity leave. Currently their only option is to resign if they want to take time off.
Draft bill (PDF) / Commons Library briefing

FRIDAY 12 FEBRUARY

No votes scheduled

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

LAST WEEK’S VOTES

Passed

• Local Welfare Assistance Provision (Review) Bill – goes to 2nd reading
• Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Bill – goes to committee stage
• Air Quality Bill – goes to 2nd reading

Click here to read details of the bills in last week’s newsletter.