Clear the Lobby: What Laws are MPs voting on this week? W/C 7th March 2022

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!

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Hey team.

As you might expect, Ukraine will dominate the agenda this week.

The government has brought forward the Economic Crime Bill, which will be pushed through in one sitting on Monday. The aim is to make it easier to sanction oligarchs, and prevent them from buying up UK property anonymously.

But time is becoming an issue.

As I’ve mentioned over the past weeks, the parliamentary session is due to end next month. The Lords keep voting down amendments in big government bills, and the addition of the Economic Crime Bill only makes things harder. The result? Probably lots of late-night sittings to get through everything.

And Wednesday is an Estimates Day.

This is a chance for MPs to vote on departmental spending. Departments under the spotlight this time are Education and Defence.

Here’s a good explainer of the estimates process if you’re interested.

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

Sebastian (@sebastiansalek)

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MONDAY 7 MARCH

Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Bill – all stages
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland
Creates a public register listing foreign owners of UK property. Reforms unexplained wealth orders (requirements for certain people to explain the origin of their assets) with the aim of ensuring law enforcement can take more effective action against criminals who launder money in the UK. Strengthens sanctions legislation with the aim of deterring and preventing breaches of financial sanctions.
Draft bill (PDF) / Commons Library briefing

TUESDAY 8 MARCH

Institutes of Technology (Royal Charter) Bill
Allows institutes of technology to apply to receive a royal charter. The aim is to boost their prestige, attracting talent and helping to position them as an attractive alternative to university. Ten minute rule motion presented by Robert Buckland.

WEDNESDAY 9 MARCH

Pets (Microchips) Bill
Requires local authorities to scan a deceased cat’s microchip and try to return it to its owner before disposing of it. Requires vets to confirm the person presenting a healthy animal to be euthanised is its registered owner. They must also check the microchip for details of previous owners and offer the animal to them before proceeding. Also known as Gizmo’s law and Tuk’s law. Ten minute rule motion presented by James Daly.

THURSDAY 10 MARCH

Supply and Appropriation (Anticipation and Adjustments) Bill – all stages
Wraps up Wednesday’s Estimates Day debates.

FRIDAY 11 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

• Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill – goes back to Lords
• Marine Protected Areas (Bottom Trawling) Bill – goes to second reading
• Professional Qualifications Bill – goes to report stage
• National Insurance Contributions Bill – goes back to Lords
• Firearms and Hate Crime Bill – goes to second reading

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