I receive a weekly email from ClearTheLobby that provides details about what's on the agenda in parliament this week. I thought it might be interesting to post the contents here.
This week's government bill takes an interesting turn.
MPs are set to vote on an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill which would decriminalise abortion. It's a free vote, so MPs aren't bound by party positions.
Expect the Israel-Iran conflict to feature.
We'll probably get an emergency statement from the foreign secretary or one of his colleagues.
MONDAY 16 JUNE
No votes scheduled
TUESDAY 17 JUNE
Registration of Births (Inclusion of Deceased Parents) Bill
Allows a parent who died before their child was born to be named on the child’s birth certificate. Currently, if the parents weren’t married, the deceased parent can only be named if a court confirms they’re the child’s parent. Ten minute rule motion presented by Jen Craft.
Crime and Policing Bill – report stage and 3rd reading
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland (part), Northern Ireland (part)
A wide-ranging bill that aims to tackle antisocial behaviour, knife crime, assaults on shop workers, and violence against women and girls, among other things. Changes include giving the police powers to tackle antisocial behaviour by introducing respect orders, creating a power to seize blades found on private property, introducing a new offence of assaulting a retail worker, and banning AI models optimised to produce child sexual abuse material.
Draft bill (PDF) / Commons Library briefing
WEDNESDAY 18 JUNE
Right to Manage and Leasehold Bill
Makes more leaseholders eligible to join a Right to Manage (RTM) claim and reduces the number of leaseholders needed to start a claim, among other things. RTM is a legal right which lets leaseholders take control of managing their building without buying the freehold. Ten minute rule motion presented by Rachel Blake.
Crime and Policing Bill – report stage and 3rd reading
Continued from Tuesday.
THURSDAY 19 JUNE
No votes scheduled
FRIDAY 20 JUNE
Short-term Let Accommodation Bill – 2nd reading
Licenses holiday lets, with the aim of reducing the number of homes being turned into holiday lets. Private members' bill presented by Rachael Maskell.
Bill not yet published
Bullying and Respect at Work Bill – 2nd reading
Creates a legal definition of workplace bullying. Enables employment tribunals to consider workplace bullying claims. Creates a Respect at Work Code to set minimum standards for positive and respectful work environments. Allows the Equalities and Human Rights Commission to investigate workplaces where there is evidence of a culture of bullying. Private members' bill presented by Rachael Maskell.
Bill not yet published
Health Insurance (Exemption from Insurance Premium Tax) Bill – 2nd reading Exempts health insurance from insurance premium tax. Private members' bill presented by Christopher Chope.
Bill not yet published
Green Belt (Protection) Bill – 2nd reading
Applies to: England and Wales
Establishes a national register of green belt land in England. Restricts the ability of local authorities to de-designate green belt land. Private members' bill presented by Christopher Chope.
Domestic Abuse (Safe Leave) Bill – 2nd reading
Allows victims of domestic violence up to 10 days paid leave for time off related to their abuse. Private members' bill presented by Alex McIntyre.
Bill not yet published
Powers of Attorney Bill – 2nd reading
Applies to: England and Wales
Reforms Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) arrangements, which allow people to manage finances and medical decisions on behalf of others. Aims to tackle abuse towards elderly or vulnerable people by introducing mandatory training for government staff who issue them, closing legal loopholes that could lead to exploitation, and preventing immediate access to finances without a medical assessment. Private members' bill presented by Fabian Hamilton.
Palestine Statehood (Recognition) (No. 2) Bill – 2nd reading
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland
Recognises the state of Palestine. Private members' bill presented by Shockat Adam.
Water Safety Bill – 2nd reading
Creates an offence of damaging or destroying safety equipment near bodies of water, among other things. Private members' bill presented by Lee Pitcher.
Bill not yet published
Women, Peace and Security Bill – 2nd reading
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland
Requires the government to consider the national action plan on women, peace and security (NAP) when making decisions about foreign affairs, defence, or similar issues. Private members' bill presented by Sarah Champion. Started in the Lords.
Draft bill (PDF) / Lords Library briefing
Public Procurement (British Goods and Services) Bill – 2nd reading
Applies to: England and Wales
Requires public sector organisations to prioritise British goods and services in their procurement. Private members' bill presented by Sarah Champion.
Microplastic Filters (Washing Machines) Bill
Requires manufacturers to fit microplastic-catching filters to new domestic and commercial washing machines, among other things. Private members' bill presented by Alberto Costa.
Bill not yet published
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (Amendment) Bill – 2nd reading
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland
Requires employers to take proactive measures to prevent violence and harassment in the workplace. Requires the Health and Safety Executive to publish a framework on violence and harassment in the workplace, including violence against women and girls. Private members' bill presented by Liz Saville Roberts.
Green Spaces Bill – 2nd reading
Applies to: England and Wales
Creates a legal definition of 'green spaces' that includes urban parks, neighbourhood areas, and significant natural landscapes. Establishes a Government Office for Green Spaces to advise the government on the preservation, enhancement, and accessibility of green spaces. Private members' bill presented by Caroline Voaden.
Freight Crime Bill – 2nd reading
Introduces a coordinated national strategy to combat freight crime, such as theft from lorries, tampering with shipments, and organised attacks on vehicles or facilities. Private members' bill presented by Rachel Taylor.
Bill not yet published
Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief Bill – 2nd reading
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland
Requires the government to appoint a Special Envoy for International Freedom of Religion or Belief. Private members' bill presented by Jim Shannon.
Cornish Language and Heritage (Education and Recognition) Bill – 2nd reading
Relates to the teaching and promotion of Cornish in schools, and the recognition of Cornish language and Cornish heritage. Private members' bill presented by Anna Geldard. More information not yet available.
Bill not yet published
Fireworks Bill – 2nd reading
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland
Restricts the sale of fireworks classified as Category F2 or higher to the general public. Caps their noise level at 90db. Limits their sale to specialised and licensed shops. Private members' bill presented by Sarah Owen.
Agricultural Land (Planning) Bill – 2nd reading
Prevents planning permission from being granted for Grade 1 agricultural land – the highest quality farmland – so it can't be developed. Private members' bill presented by Helen Whately.
Bill not yet published
Football (Gender Inequality) Bill – 2nd reading
Applies to: England and Wales
Requires the government to publish proposals for measures to address gender inequality in football. Private members' bill presented by James MacCleary.
Heritage Public Houses Bill – 2nd reading
Applies to: England and Wales
Requires local authorities to keep a register of historic pubs in their area. Places restrictions on the sale of heritage pubs. Private members' bill presented by Mike Wood.
Chalk Streams (Protection) Bill - 2nd reading
Applies to: England and Wales
Gives chalk streams an enhanced status to protect them from pollution and environmental damage. Private members' bill presented by Sarah Green.
Royal Fleet Auxiliary (Report on Commissioner) Bill – 2nd reading
Requires the government to report on whether to appoint a commissioner to look into welfare issues faced by Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel and their families. Private members' bill presented by Jayne Kirkham.
Firearms (3D Printing) Bill – 2nd reading
Creates two criminal offences: possessing a blueprint for 3D printing a firearm, and possessing part of a 3D-printed firearm. Private members' bill presented by Preet Kaur Gill.
Bill not yet published
Public Body Ethnicity Data (Inclusion of Jewish and Sikh Categories) Bill – 2nd reading
Requires public bodies to include 'Sikh' and 'Jewish' as categories when collecting ethnicity data for the purpose of delivering public services. Private members' bill presented by Preet Kaur Gill. More information here.
Bill not yet published
Registration of Death (Religion) Bill – 2nd reading
Enables religious data to be collected as part of the death registration process. Private members' bill presented by Preet Kaur Gill.
Bill not yet published
Animal Shelters (Licensing) Bill – 2nd reading
Licenses animal shelters and rescue centres. Private members' bill presented by Richard Holden. Comes after the bodies of 37 dogs were found at an address in his constituency. More information here.
Bill not yet published
Child Criminal Exploitation (No. 2) Bill – 2nd reading
Applies to: England and Wales
Makes it an offence to attempt to recruit any under-18 into criminal activity, regardless of whether the child commits the crime. The aim is to stop children working in county lines drug dealing and carrying weapons for adults. Private members' bill presented by Victoria Atkins. More information here.
Last weeks votes
Passed
- Planning and Infrastructure Bill – goes to Lords
- Freedom of Expression (Religion or Belief System) Bill – goes to second reading
- Data (Use and Access) Bill – became law
- Letter Boxes (Positioning) Bill – goes to second reading
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel Bill – goes to committee
- Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill – amendments passed, final vote upcoming
Postponed
- All other private members' bills