Clear the Lobby: What Laws are MPs voting on this week? W/C 20th March 2023

Conversion Therapy and the Governmental Relationship

March 20, 2023

Plagiarism: What every law student should know

March 22, 2023

Published by Camilla Uppal at March 20, 2023

MONDAY 20 MARCH

Immigration and Nationality Fees (Exemption for NHS Clinical Staff) Bill
Exempts NHS clinical staff from paying fees related to immigration, such as applying for indefinite leave to remain. Ten minute rule motion presented by Rob Roberts.

TUESDAY 21 MARCH

Same Sex Marriage (Church of England) Bill
Allows Church of England ministers to conduct same-sex marriages on Church of England premises in certain circumstances. Ten minute rule motion presented by Ben Bradshaw.

WEDNESDAY 22 MARCH

Employment Equality (Insurance etc) Bill
Stops employers from taking away vital workplace benefits such as healthcare insurance and death in service benefits from workers who carry on working past retirement age. Ten minute rule motion presented by Natalie Elphicke. More information here.

Public Order Bill – consideration of Lords amendments
Applies to: England, Wales
Creates a range of new criminal offences to crack down on groups like Extinction Rebellion and Insulate Britain. The offences include “locking on” (causing disruption by chaining or gluing yourself to something), which is punishable by up to six months in prison. Also extends police stop and search powers, and introduces a court order to ban repeat offenders from going to certain places, meeting certain people, or doing certain things.
Draft bill (PDF) / Commons Library briefing

Trade (Australia and New Zealand) Bill – consideration of Lords amendments
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland
Writes the post-Brexit trade deals with Australia and New Zealand into law.
Draft bill (PDF) / Commons Library briefing

UK Infrastructure Bank Bill – consideration of Lords amendments
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland
Completes the setup of the UK Infrastructure Bank, a state-owned but operationally independent bank that invests in projects to tackle climate change and support regional economic growth. Gives the bank the power to lend directly to local authorities and the Northern Ireland Executive. Started in the Lords.
Draft bill (PDF) / Lords Library briefing

THURSDAY 23 MARCH

No votes scheduled

FRIDAY 24 MARCH

Protection from Sex-based Harassment in Public Bill – report stand and 3rd reading
Creates a new criminal offence of harassing women and girls in public, such as deliberately following and intimidating them or making abusive comments. Private members’ bill presented by Greg Clark.

Ballot Secrecy Bill – report stand and 3rd reading
Creates a new offence for people who accompany voters to a polling booth with the intention of influencing them. Private members’ bill presented by Paul Bristow. Started in Lords.

Workers (Predictable Terms and Conditions) Bill – report stand and 3rd reading
Gives workers and agency workers the right to request more predictable terms and conditions of work. Private members’ bill presented by Scott Benton.

Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committees Bill – report stand and 3rd reading
Reforms Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committees (VAPCs) – MOD-sponsored bodies that raise awareness of war pension and Armed Forces compensation schemes among other things. Private members’ bill presented by Robin Millar.

Firearms Bill – report stand and 3rd reading
Regulates certain rifle ranges and shooting galleries. Creates an offence of possessing of component parts of ammunition. Private members’ bill presented by Shaun Bailey.

Minimum Energy Performance of Buildings Bill – 2nd reading
Increases the minimum energy performance of buildings. Requires all homes to have an EPC rating of at least C by 2035 where practical, among other things. Private members’ bill presented by Sarah Olney.

Public Bodies (Representation from Devolved Nations) Bill – 2nd reading
Requires boards of public bodies to include at least one person with relevant experience of Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. Private members’ bill presented by Wendy Chamberlain.

Regulatory Impact Assessments Bill – 2nd reading
Requires a Regulatory Impact Assessment (a specific method for analysing policy) to be published for all primary and secondary legislation introduced by the government. Private members’ bill presented by Christopher Chope.

Participation in Court Proceedings (Live Links) Bill – 2nd reading
Concerns participating in certain court proceedings through live link. Private members’ bill presented by Robbie Moore. More information not yet available.

Recognition of Armenian Genocide Bill – 2nd reading
Requires the government formally to recognise the Armenian genocide of 1915-23. Private members’ bill presented by Tim Loughton.

Lithium-Ion Battery Storage (Fire Safety and Environmental Permits) Bill – 2nd reading
Requires planning authorities to consult local fire services before allowing industrial lithium-ion battery storage facilities to be built, among other things. Follows a series of fires in these factories around the world. Private members’ bill presented by Maria Miller. More information here.

Automated External Defibrillators (Public Access) Bill – 2nd reading
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland
Requires the installation of automated external defibrillators in public buildings, sports facilities, schools, higher education establishments, and facilities that provide care to vulnerable people. Private members’ bill presented by Jim Shannon.
Draft bill (PDF)

Benefit Cap (Report on Abolition) Bill – 2nd reading
Requires the government to report on the likely effects of abolishing the benefit cap (a limit on the total amount of benefits you can get). Private members’ bill presented by David Linden.

Elected Representative (Prohibition of Deception) Bill – 2nd reading
Makes lying a criminal offence for full-time elected politicians. Private member’s bill presented by Liz Saville Roberts.

Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (Amendment) Bill – 2nd reading
Applies to: England, Wales
Extends the right of public access to the countryside, including to woodlands, the Green Belt, waters, and more grasslands. Private members’ bill presented by Caroline Lucas.
Draft bill (PDF)

Telecommunications Infrastructure (Consultation) Bill – 2nd reading
Introduces mandatory local consultation when installing telecoms infrastructure in residential areas. Private members’ bill presented by Diana Johnson

Tax Reform Commission Bill – 2nd reading
Establishes a commission to assess how the tax system impacts different groups of people and make recommendations for how the system could be improved. Private members’ bill presented by Liz Saville Roberts.

Planning Application Fees Bill – 2nd reading
Allows local councils in England to decide fees for planning applications. Requires councils to ensure the costs of determining applications can be covered in full by application fees. Private members’ bill presented by Daisy Cooper.

Ministerial and other Pensions and Salaries (Amendment) Bill – 2nd reading
Stipulates that only former ministers that have been in post for at least two years are entitled to an allowance or payout. Private members’ bill presented by David Linden.

Miscarriage Leave Bill – 2nd reading
Gives paid leave to people who have experienced a miscarriage. Private members’ bill presented by Angela Crawley.

Terminal Illness (Support and Rights) Bill – 2nd reading
Requires utility companies to provide financial support to customers with a terminal illness. Private members’ bill presented by Alex Cunningham.

Short-Term and Holiday-Let Accommodation (Licensing) Bill – 2nd reading
Requires people to have a licence to turn domestic properties into short-term holiday lets, such as Airbnbs. Private members’ bill presented by Rachael Maskell.

Removal of Titles Bill – 2nd reading
Gives the King the power to strip people of their titles. Decisions can either be made by the King himself, or by recommendation of a parliamentary committee. Private members’ bill presented by Rachael Maskell.

Former Ministers and Prime Ministers (Abolition of Payments) Bill – 2nd reading
Prevents ministers claiming a quarter of their ministerial salary when leaving office. Private members’ bill presented by Rachael Maskell.

Elections (Proportional Representation) Bill – 2nd reading
Introduces proportional representation for parliamentary elections and the election of directly-elected mayors in England, councillors in England, and police and crime commissioners in England and Wales. Private members’ bill presented by Cat Smith.

Internet Access (Children Eligible for Free School Meals) Bill – 2nd reading
Requires the government to ensure that all children eligible for free school meals have a broadband connection and facilities to access the internet at home. Private members’ bill presented by Siobhain McDonagh.

Roadworks (Regulation) Bill – 2nd reading
Gives local highways authorities the power to turn down requests to dig up roads. Private members’ bill presented by Mark Francois.

Local Electricity Bill – 2nd reading
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland
Allows electricity generators to sell their energy to local people. Private members’ bill presented by David Johnston.
Draft bill (PDF)

Shared Parental Leave and Pay (Bereavement) Bill – 2nd reading
Entitles parents to shared parental leave if the other parent dies. Private members’ bill presented by Darren Henry. More information here.

House of Lords (Elected Senate) Bill – 2nd reading
Replaces the House of Lords with an elected senate. Private members’ bill presented by Paul Maynard.

Parliamentary Elections (Optional Preferential Vote) Bill – 2nd reading
Introduces the optional preferential voting system for parliamentary elections. Private members’ bill presented by Paul Maynard.

Ministerial Competence (External Review) Bill – 2nd reading
Introduces an annual appraisal of the performance of individual ministers, to inform the prime minister when making ministerial appointments. Private members’ bill presented by Paul Maynard.

Online Sale of Goods (Safety) Bill – 2nd reading
Regulates the sale of goods online. Private members’ bill presented by Ian Mearns. More information not yet available.

Hereditary Titles (Female Succession) Bill – 2nd reading
Allows female heirs to inherit hereditary titles. Currently fewer than 90 peerages can be inherited by a female heir. Private members’ bill presented by Harriett Baldwin.

Plastics (Wet Wipes) Bill – 2nd reading
Bans the manufacture and sale of wet wipes containing plastic. Private members’ bill presented by Fleur Anderson.

Teenagers (Safety and Wellbeing) Bill – 2nd reading
Requires the government to take steps to promote the safety and wellbeing of teenagers. Private members’ bill presented by Alex Norris. More information not yet available.

Disposable Barbecues Bill – 2nd reading
Bans the use of disposable barbecues on open moorland, on beaches, in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and in certain other areas designated for environmental protection. Gives local authorities the power to ban the sale of disposable barbecues in their area. Private members’ bill presented by Selaine Saxby.

British Goods (Public Sector Purchasing Duty) Bill – 2nd reading
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland
Requires public bodies to have a presumption in favour of buying British goods. Private members’ bill presented by John Spellar.
Draft bill (PDF)

Consumer Pricing Bill – 2nd reading
Bans companies from offering better prices to new customers compared to existing customers. Private members’ bill presented by John Spellar.

Broadcasting (Listed Sporting Events) Bill – 2nd reading
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland
Expands the list of sporting events that must be made available for broadcast by free-to-air television channels. Private members’ bill presented by John Spellar.
Draft bill (PDF)

Employment (Application Requirements) Bill – 2nd reading
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland
Regulates the use of minimum qualification or experience requirements in job applications. Private members’ bill presented by John Spellar.
Draft bill (PDF)

Puppy Import (Prohibition) Bill – 2nd reading
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland
Bans the import of young puppies. Private members’ bill presented by John Spellar.
Draft bill (PDF)

Public Sector Website Impersonation Bill – 2nd reading
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland
Makes it an offence to impersonate a public-sector website for the purpose of collecting payment or personal data. Private members’ bill presented by John Spellar.
Draft bill (PDF)

Hunting Trophies Import (Prohibition) (No 2) Bill – 2nd reading
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland
Bans the import of wild animals killed through trophy hunting. Private members’ bill presented by John Spellar.
Draft bill (PDF)

Armenian Genocide (Recognition) Bill – 2nd reading
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland
Requires the government to recognise formally the Armenian genocide of 1915-16. Private members’ bill presented by John Spellar.
Draft bill (PDF)

House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) (Abolition of By-Elections) Bill – 2nd reading
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland
Abolishes the system of by-elections for hereditary peers. There can currently be 90 hereditary peers in the Lords at a time. This bill would gradually reduce that amount by not electing replacements. Private members’ bill presented by John Spellar.
Draft bill (PDF)

Free School Meals (Primary Schools) Bill – 2nd reading
Entitles all children in state primary schools to free school meals. Currently children have to be in reception, year 1, year 2, or eligible for certain benefits. Private members’ bill presented by Zarah Sultana.

Climate Education Bill – 2nd reading
Requires climate change and sustainability issues to be included throughout the curriculum in primary and secondary schools, and on vocational training courses. Private members’ bill presented by Nadia Whittome.

Defamation, Privacy, Freedom of Expression, Data Protection, Legal Services and Private Investigators Bill – 2nd reading
A bill about limiting strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) – bringing lawsuits for the purpose of harassing, intimidating, and financially and psychologically exhausting an opponent. Private members’ bill presented by Bob Seely. More information not yet available.

National Parks (Camping) Bill – 2nd reading
Provides for a right to camp in National Parks. Private members’ bill presented by Richard Foord.

Independent Anti-slavery Commissioner (Appointment by Parliament) Bill – 2nd reading
Allows Parliament to appoint an Independent Anti-slavery Commissioner if the post is vacant for three months or more. The role has currently been unfilled by the government since April 2022. Private members’ bill presented by Alistair Carmichael.

Plastics (Recycling, Sustainability and Pollution Reduction) Bill – 2nd reading
Requires the government to publish a strategy for promoting a circular economy for plastics, and set targets for eliminating single-use plastics. Private members’ bill presented by Geraint Davies.

Paternity (Leave and Pay) Bill – 2nd reading
Expands the people who are eligible for paternity pay and provides more flexibility around timing and notice periods for taking paternity leave. Private members’ bill presented by Gareth Davies.

Clean Air Bill – 2nd reading
Establishes the right to breathe clean air and requires the government to publish a strategy for reducing air pollution, among other things. Private members’ bill presented by Geraint Davies.

Marine Activities (Licensing) Bill – 2nd reading
Transfers responsibility for marine licensing from the Marine Management Organisation to local authorities. Marine licenses are required for all sorts of activities, including laying cables in the sea, dredging, and using explosives. Private members’ bill presented by Giles Watling. Follows a delay in licensing in his constituency.

Scotland (Self-Determination) Bill – 2nd reading
Gives the Scottish Parliament the power to legislate for a Scottish independence referendum. Stipulates that this can only be done when the Scottish public has demonstrated its support for a referendum. Prevents future Scottish independent referendums from being held less than seven years after the last one. Private members’ bill presented by Neal Hanvey.

Elected Representatives (Code of Conduct) Bill – 2nd reading
Creates a statutory code of conduct for ministers, MPs, Lords, and councillors in England. Private members’ bill presented by Debbie Abrahams.

Firearms and Hate Crime Bill – 2nd reading
Bans people from keeping pump action guns in their homes, with exemptions for professional pest controllers and farmers. Changes the law around checking medical records and disclosing mental health concerns for firearms certificates. Makes misogyny a hate crime. Private members’ bill presented by Luke Pollard. Responds to the shooting in his constituency in 2021.

Disposable Electronic Cigarettes (Prohibition of Sale) Bill – 2nd reading
Bans the sale of disposable e-cigarettes. Private members’ bill presented by Caroline Johnson.

Sale of Tobacco (Licensing) Bill – 2nd reading
Raises the age of sale for tobacco from 18 to 21. Private members’ bill presented by Bob Blackman.

Sun Protection Products (Value Added Tax) Bill – 2nd reading
Exempts sun cream and other sun protection products from VAT. Private members’ bill presented by Amy Callaghan.

Employment Bill – 2nd reading
Creates a single employment status for workers and employees for the purpose of employment rights, among other things. Private members’ bill presented by Martin Docherty-Hughes.
Draft bill (PDF)

NHS Prescriptions (Drug Tariff Labelling) Bill – 2nd reading
Requires community pharmacies and other providers of NHS-funded prescriptions to put Drug Tariff values on labels (the amount the NHS repays pharmacies for generic prescriptions). Private members’ bill presented by Craig Mackinlay.

Clean Air (Human Rights) Bill – 2nd reading
Establishes the right to breathe clean air and requires the government to maintain clean air in England and Wales, among other things. Private members’ bill presented by Caroline Lucas. Started in the Lords.

Relocation of the House of Lords (Report to Parliament) Bill
Requires the government to report to Parliament on the merits of the House of Lords meeting in a large ballroom in Blackpool. Private members’ bill presented by Paul Maynard.

Pre-payment Meters (Self-Disconnection) Bill – 2nd reading
Requires energy companies to allow a grace period before disconnecting customers with pre-payment meters who have run out of credit. Requires energy companies to offer debt management support to all customers. Private members’ bill presented by Paul Maynard.

Air Pollution (Local Authority Audits) Bill – 2nd reading
Requires local councils to do annual audits of air pollution in their area and requires the government to report annually to Parliament on them. Private members’ bill presented by Barry Sheerman.

Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (Status) Bill
Gives the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association corporate status and certain other privileges and immunities. Private members’ bill presented by Maria Miller.

Zoological Society of London (Leases) Bill – 2nd reading
increases the maximum term of the lease that may be granted to the Zoological Society of London (which runs London Zoo) in respect of land in Regent’s Park. Private members’ bill presented by Harrow East. More information here.

Pets (Microchips) Bill – 2nd reading
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. Private members’ bill presented by James Daly.

Trade (Australia and New Zealand) (Parliamentary Approval) Bill – 2nd reading
Requires the Commons and the Lords to approve the Australia and New Zealand trade deals before they can be implemented. Private members’ bill presented by Sarah Green.

Bowel Conditions (Assessment) Bill – 2nd reading
Requires the government to publish an assessment of incidences of bowel conditions and diseases, including geographical and socioeconomic trends. Private member’s bill presented by Chi Onwurah. She’s previously talked about a “hidden epidemic of bowel disease” in the North East.

Pension Contributions Bill – 2nd reading
Requires employers to pay pension contributions into a pension scheme of the employee’s choosing. Private members’ bill presented by Anthony Browne.

Planning (Quarries) Bill – 2nd reading
Introduces a presumption against approving quarry developments near settlements. Requires environmental and public health risks of proposed quarries to be assessed as part of the planning process. Provides that only the government can decide on planning applications for quarries. Private members’ bill presented by Paul Holmes.

Evictions (Universal Credit) Bill – 2nd reading
Requires the government to prevent the evictions of Universal Credit claimants who are behind on rent. Private members’ bill presented by Chris Stephens.

Benefit Sanctions (Warnings) Bill – 2nd reading
Requires benefit claimants to be given warnings before they are sanctioned. Private members’ bill presented by Chris Stephens.

Universal Credit Sanctions (Zero Hours Contracts) Bill – 2nd reading
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland
Prevents a Universal Credit claimant from being sanctioned for refusing work on a zero-hours contract. Private members’ bill presented by Chris Stephens.
Draft bill

Devolution (Employment) (Scotland) Bill – 2nd reading
Applies to: Scotland
Devolves employment matters in Scotland. Private members’ bill presented by Chris Stephens.
Draft bill (PDF)

Health and Safety at Work Bill – 2nd reading
Amend the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 to make provision about civil liability for breaches of health and safety duties. More information not yet available. Private members’ bill presented by Chris Stephens.

Workers (Rights and Definition) Bill – 2nd reading
Establishes a legal definition of employment, which includes zero-hours contracts and agency workers. The aim is to prevent abuse of people working under these arrangements. Private members’ bill presented by Chris Stephens.

Full Employment Bill – 2nd reading
Requires the chancellor to pursue a policy of full employment (one definition is when there are more vacancies than people seeking jobs). Creates an employment guarantee scheme for benefit claimants who have been unemployed and looking for work for longer than six months. Private members’ bill presented by Chris Stephens.

Asylum Seekers (Accommodation Eviction Procedures) Bill – 2nd reading
Allows asylum seekers to challenge a proposed eviction in an independent court or tribunal. Establishes asylum seeker accommodation eviction procedures for public authorities. Private members’ bill presented by Chris Stephens.

Disability Benefit Assessments (Recording) Bill – 2nd reading
Requires the government to allow Disability Benefit applicants to have their eligibility assessment recorded on audio. Private members’ bill presented by Chris Stephens.

Under-Occupancy Penalty (Report) Bill – 2nd reading
Requires the government to report on the merits of repealing the so-called “bedroom tax” (a cut in benefits for those living in a council or housing association property deemed to have one or more spare bedrooms). Private members’ bill presented by Chris Stephens.

Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (Powers) Bill – 2nd reading
Allows the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman to identify and investigate systemic problems in the benefits system and make relevant recommendations to the government. Private members’ bill presented by Chris Stephens.

Social Security Benefits (Healthy Eating) Bill – 2nd reading
Requires the government to publish annual calculations of the benefit and tax credit rates needed for a representative household to afford to buy meals in accordance with the Eatwell Guide to eating healthily. Private members’ bill presented by Chris Stephens.

Corporate Homicide Bill – 2nd reading
Makes changes to the criminal offence of corporate homicide. More information not yet published. Private members’ bill presented by Chris Stephens.

Asylum Seekers (Permission to Work) Bill – 2nd reading
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland
Grants asylum seekers permission to work if they have waited six months for a decision on their asylum application. Private members’ bill presented by Chris Stephens.
Draft bill (PDF)

Housing Standards (Refugees and Asylum Seekers) Bill – 2nd reading
Introduces national minimum standards in accommodation offered to refugees and asylum seekers. Private members’ bill presented by Chris Stephens.

War Pension Scheme and Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (Public Inquiry) Bill – 2nd reading
Establishes an independent public inquiry into the administration of the War Pension Scheme and the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme by Veterans UK. Private members’ bill presented by Owen Thompson.

Ministerial Code (Enforcement) Bill – 2nd reading
Makes the Ministerial Code legally enforceable. Private members’ bill presented by Owen Thompson.

Ministerial Interests (Public Appointments) Bill – 2nd reading
Requires ministers to make an oral statement to Parliament if they appoint someone to a paid position and they have a personal, political or financial interest in that person. Private members’ bill presented by Owen Thompson.

Dyslexia Screening and Teacher Training Bill – 2nd reading
Introduces dyslexia screening in schools and teacher training around neurodivergent conditions. Private members’ bill presented by Matt Hancock.

LAST WEEK’S VOTES

Passed

Illegal Migration Bill – goes to committee stage
Planning (Quarries) Bill – goes to second reading
Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill – goes to Lords
Child Support (Enforcement) Bill – goes to Lords
Powers of Attorney Bill – goes to Lords
Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Bill – goes to Lords

Postponed

All other private members’ bills

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

Camilla Uppal

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