Clear the Lobby: What laws are MPs voting on this week (w/c 20th 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!

Hey team.

Time flies when you’re stuck at home.

It’s the last week before recess.

MPs pack up their stuff on Wednesday and head back to their constituencies for the summer.

But still plenty to do, with the government hoping to get both its crucial Trade Bill and reforms to terror sentencing through the Commons.

There’s even a ten minute rule motion from Theresa May, who makes her pitch for harsher punishments for causing death by dangerous driving.

MPs will be working late on Monday debating the Trade Bill.

It’s set to go on until 10pm, with plenty of amendments put down.

Labour’s submissions include a commitment to protect the NHS from outside control (which has been a concern for a US trade deal) and a review every five years of each new agreement the UK signs up to.

And watch out for that Russia report.

Last week the Intelligence and Security Committee voted unanimously to publish it before recess, so we may finally find out if the security services think Moscow meddled in the Brexit vote and 2017 election.

Seculation is rife that the contents aren’t going to cover the Conservatives in glory, so brace yourself for a possible world of drama that’ll be all the more intense if the report drops before PMQs…

That’s it from me for a few weeks, so enjoy your summer, stay safe, and see you in September. As always, feel free to tweet me in the meantime, or just reply to this email.

Sebastian (@sebastiansalek)

MONDAY 20 JULY

Trade Bill – report stage and 3rd reading
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

TUESDAY 21 JULY

Death by Dangerous Driving (Sentencing) Bill
Increases the maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving to life imprisonment (it’s currently 14 years). Ten minute rule motion presented by Theresa May.

Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Bill – report stage and 3rd reading
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland
A wide-ranging law that strengthens the approach taken to terrorists. Introduces the Serious Terrorism Sentence for the most dangerous offenders, which carries a minimum of 14 years in custody with an extended licence period of up to 25 years. Removes the possibility of early release from custody for serious offenders who receive an extended sentence.
Draft bill (PDF) // Commons Library briefing

WEDNESDAY 22 JULY

Welfare (Terminal Illness) Bill
Makes it easier for terminally ill people to access benefits. Ten minute rule motion presented by Jessica Morden.

THURSDAY 23 JULY

No votes scheduled

FRIDAY 24 JULY

No votes scheduled

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

LAST WEEK’S VOTES

Passed

• Supply and Appropriation (Main Estimates) Bill – goes for royal assent
• Stamp Duty Land Tax (Temporary Relief) Bill – goes for royal assent
• Disabled Facilities Grants (Review) Bill – goes to second reading
• Parliamentary Constituencies Bill – goes to Lords
• Tree-Lined Streets Bill – goes to second reading
• Non-Domestic Rating (Public Lavatories) Bill – goes to committee stage

Click here for details of these bills in last week’s newsletter.

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