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B032 - Railways (Modernisation) Bill - Final Division
B032 - Railways (Modernisation) Bill - Final Division
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make provision for the electrification of the entirety of England’s railways; introduce new signalling systems; enable level boarding at national rail stations; create a UK ticketing commission to rework current rates; and for connected purposes.
BE IT ENACTED by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
Chapter 1: Planning Reforms
Section 1 — Right to improve existing rights of way
(1) The British Railways Board may, by right, make certain improvements to existing rail rights of way in the England, including but not limited to—
(a) railway electrification, including putting up wires and the establishment of sufficient substations as negotiated with National Grid plc;
(b) renewing or upgrading signalling systems;
(c) redesigning stations to allow for level boarding, renewed ticketing systems, or any other such purpose as the British Railways Board sees fit;
(d) redesigning railway structures to allow for improvements to service, including level crossings, bridges over or tunnels under the railway, in negotiation with the relevant local authorities;
(e) establishing bicycle parking facilities; and
(f) constructing new parallel tracks, platforms, and structures to enable improved capacity within fifty metres of the right of way, above it or under it.
(2) Subsection (1) shall only apply where any company under the British Railway Board is owner of land being used, unless—
(a) the usage of land is temporary for construction purposes, and arrangements have been made with the relevant owners, or—
(b) a compulsory purchase order has been approved by the Secretary of State.
(3) The powers under subsection (1) may only be used in such a case that an environmental impact assessment has been performed by the British Railways Board, or any entity hired by the British Railways Board for such purposes, and—
(a) The plan has been put to public consultation for a period of no less than thirty days;
(b) A mitigation plan is drafted and put into practice by the British Railways Board; and
(c) any independent environmental impact assessment has been responded to, and if necessary mitigated, as long as they are put forward in the thirty day period.
(4) The British Railways Board must allow for a thirty day period for the making of objections to projects under subsection (1), and are required to respond to every such objection, as far as they can be practicably mitigated, unless—
(a) the objections appears to the British Railways Board to be trivial, frivolous; or
(b) to relate to matters which fall to be determined by a tribunal concerned with the assessment of compensation.
(5) A project that has commenced following the procedures laid out in subsections (3) may not be halted, unless there has been a gross dereliction of duty in mitigating the effects of the construction.
Chapter 2: Modernisation Works
Section 2 — Electrification
(1) All existing railway rights of way in the England are to be converted to 25kV Alternating Current overhead wire electrification at a frequency of 50Hz, unless—
(a) They are part of the London Underground, Glasgow Subway or the underground rights of way of the Wirral and Northern Lines of Merseyrail.
(2) This electrification shall, as far as is reasonably practicable, proceed according to the timetable included with this legislation.
Section 3 — Resignalling
(1) All existing railway rights of way in the England are to be converted to using the European Train Control System Level 2, unless—
(a) They are part of the London Underground or the Glasgow Subway.
(2) This resignalling shall, as far as is reasonably practicable, be carried out alongside electrification under section (2) of this act.
(3) For those railway lines which are already electrified, but which will not be converted to a different voltage, the British Railways Board shall create a reasonable timetable which achieves a full network-wide rollout by 2040.
Section 4 — Loading Gauge
(1) All existing railway rights of way in the England are to be converted to UIC GB+ loading gauge, unless—
(a) There is no reasonable expectation of freight use on the line, and the line has already been electrified; or
(b) They are part of the London Underground, Glasgow Subway or the underground rights of way of the Wirral and Northern Lines of Merseyrail.
(2) These adjustments to loading gauge shall, as far as is reasonably practicable, be carried out alongside electrification under section (2) of this act, or alongside resignalling under section (3) of this act.
Section 5 — Level Boarding
(1) All existing station on railway rights of way in the England are to be converted to correspond to existing level boarding standards, unless—
(a) They are part of the London Underground or the Glasgow Subway.
(2) These adjustments to enable level boarding shall, as far as is reasonably practicable, be carried out alongside electrification under section (2) of this act, or alongside resignalling under section (3) of this act.
Section 6 — Ticketing
(1) The British Railways Board is tasked with creating a new ticketing system for use on its services, based on the following principles—
(a) ending the use of seat reservations, except on exceptionally busy lines;
(b) flexible tickets, with all tickets usable on any service on the same line;
(c) flat fares based on distance travelled, as well as an optional base fare per trip of no more than £1;
(d) Pay As You Go ticketing on all services; and
(e) reasonably priced season tickets at local, regional and national levels.
(2) This new ticketing system is to be implemented no later than 1 January 2029.
Section 7 — Commencement, full extent and title
(1) This Act extends to England.
(2) This Act shall come into force immediately upon Royal Assent.
(3) This Act may be cited as the Railways (Modernisation) Act.
This Bill was introduced by the Prime Minister, /u/Inadorable, on behalf of his Majesty’s Government.
Explanatory Note:
This legislation has been costed at £37 billion pounds over the next 16 financial years.
Electrification Schedule for MHOC 2.0
Opening Speech:
Deputy Speaker,
Today I introduce to this house an intensive bill to bring about significant modernisations on Britain’s railway network, ones that have been long overdue. I don’t think it is a secret, after all, that our trains have been ageing, ailing and suffering for many years now, with reliability taking a nosedive, ticket prices continuing to spiral out of control and vital maintenance and modernisation works being delayed where they should have been brought forward and given a much clearer path towards approval. This bill does exactly that.
In Section 1 of this bill, we lay out an adjusted approval process for certain improvements to existing rights of way in our country. Because where people have tried to eliminate bureaucracy for many things in our country before, one of those places where this hasn’t happened is planning law. Making changes, even reasonable ones, to existing structures has become a legal and political quagmire where these changes really ought to be able to be done by right, without the involvement of a Secretary of State directly. This bill makes it so that many improvements can be made by right through a process initiated by the British Railways Board, preserving public involvement but limiting the period of time it has to be set up and shrinking the immense planning and administrative costs associated with our planning system as it stands today.
Section 2 sets out a plan to convert all of England’s railways to be electrified under 25kV AC overhead wire electrification. This is the current standard under British law, and a global standard for railways as well. It allows for a perfect balance between efficiency and the power that an engine can draw upon, and allows for fast, rapidly-accelerating and high capacity electric service between all of Britain’s towns, cities and villages.
As explained within the electrification schedule attached with the bill, this electrification will carry on through the South of England, even where current third rail systems are established. We are doing this for two reasons. The first is to improve line speeds on these tracks. The current trains, such as those used by Thameslink, are limited in speed on the third rail sections south of City Thameslink station by the choice of traction. Switching to the more modern and powerful 25kV standard allows these trains to operate at 100 mph speeds for more of the network. Secondly, by standardising our systems, we allow for easier (and thus cheaper) procurement of new rolling stock, can limit the amount of classes of train that are in operation at each moment, and can simplify maintenance of our fleet in the future.
Section 3 makes provision for the implementation of a new signalling system, that being the EU’s standard ETCS Level 2 Train Control system. This is a rather technical discussion, but it essentially means that we will be finishing the shift from lineside equipment to in-cab equipment where it comes to signalling. This limits the scope for human error, allows for trains to operate more closely together, reduces the risks offered by particularly bad mist and other weather events, and allows us to significantly reduce operational expenditures maintaining a complex and vulnerable signalling system across tens of thousands of miles, as we do now.
Section 4 mandates a significant step forward in gauge clearance across the United Kingdom’s railway network. The massive programme of railway electrification already means we will be reworking thousands of structures across our railway, from tunnels to bridges to underpasses, and what implementing a new standard for gauge clearance allows us to do is significantly expand our ability to ship freight by rail across this country, opening up new routes and destinations across the country.
Section 5 is about accessibility on our railway network. As things stand right now, the vast majority of stations in the United Kingdom do not follow existing level boarding standards. This means that the ability to access the railway without assistance for the disabled people who need this ability is significantly limited, and that our railways arguably find themselves falling foul of existing equalities legislation. Indeed, the lack of level boarding is currently the leading cause of unintentional death on the railways, with around six people dying each and every year because of falls caused during the boarding and unboarding process. We have to make great progress, and this bill will ensure that progress will be made over the coming years.
Finally, Section 6 sets out the ground rules for a reform to ticketing that the British Railways Board will be requested to implement. The current British ticketing system is byzantine; we’ve all heard stories of unclear rules for railcards or had to deal with ticket splitting, having to buy a ticket last minute for ridiculous prices, or just the pain of needing multiple tickets to get around. This bill will allow for a major change to happen by the end of the decade, where the entire country will switch to a Pay As You Go system for almost all trains across the country. This means people will always pay the best possible price for their trip at the specific moment they make it, and can also be certain that the price they pay is the same as everyone around them: indeed, that they didn’t get a bad deal as there would no longer be such a thing.
The combination of these changes will lead to a revolutionised British railway network, focused on giving passengers the most consistent, comfortable and useful service we can offer them. I hope this House will pass this bill with due haste.
This division ends on Tuesday 5 November 2024 at 10PM GMT.
19:10 UTC
B017 - National Bank Holidays (England & Wales) Bill - Final Division
B017 - National Bank Holidays (England & Wales) Bill - Final Division
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amend Schedule 1 of the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 to make Saint David’s Day, March 1st, and Saint George’s Day, 23rd April, bank holidays in England and Wales respectively.
BE IT ENACTED by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
Section 1 — Bank Holidays in England and Wales
(1) The Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 is amended as follows.
(2) For paragraph 1 (bank holidays in England and Wales) of Schedule 1, substitute—
“1 The following are to be bank holidays in England:—
23rd of April, unless that date falls between Palm Sunday and the second Sunday of Easter inclusive, when the bank holiday is to be the Monday following that second Easter Sunday.
Easter Monday.
The last Monday in May.
The last Monday in August.
26th December, if it be not a Sunday.
27th December in a year in which 25th or 26th December is a Sunday.”.
(3) After paragraph 3 of Schedule 1, insert—
“4 The following are to be bank holidays in Wales:—
1st March.
Easter Monday.
The last Monday in May.
The last Monday in August.
26th December, if it be not a Sunday.
27th December in a year in which 25th or 26th December is a Sunday.”.
Section 2 — Commencement
This Act comes into force on the day on which it is passed.
Section 3 — Extent
Any amendment made by this Act has the same extent as the provision amended or repealed.
Section 4 — Short title
This Act may be cited as the National Bank Holidays (England & Wales) Act 2024.
This bill was submitted by /u/Dyn-Cymru/ on behalf of Plaid Cymru
Opening Speech:
Speaker,
National holidays are something the entire country can enjoy, it is a day of pride. In Scotland and Northern Ireland their citizens can enjoy the national holiday of their saint, may it be Saint Patrick or Saint Andrew. In England and Wales however, neither Saint David’s Day or Saint George’s Day are bank holidays, whereas their Scottish and Irish counterparts are.
Every 1st of March people across Wales celebrate being Welsh, through wearing traditional Welsh clothing to schools or parading the daffodil across Cardiff. Yet according to the law, this day is no more special than the 4th of January, despite the fact to many across Wales it is. Bank holidays allow people the chance to enjoy the festivities. I went to Cardiff last Saint David’s Day and saw a beautiful choir in the M&S, singing Welsh songs. I continued my day further down the shopping centre to see yet another choir singing the national anthem, hen wlad fy nhadau. For many this day is important because it gives us pride and honour of who they are, and we should acknowledge that. Being able to acknowledge that the day is significant to the country and declaring it a holiday would allow more to enjoy and celebrate.
Now I may be a Plaid MP however I do believe in fairness. That is why I have included England’s Saint George’s Day is also given status in this bill too. My English neighbours should also have the same opportunities as their Scottish and Northern Irish counterparts. All parts of the United Kingdom should be able to celebrate their nation’s day.
This is not just about sentiments either, for these bank holidays also allow for more economic activity for sectors that need it. As I said previously I went to Cardiff on Saint David’s Day to celebrate, of which many others joined me. It boosts the profits of the shops, not just in Cardiff but across all of the commercial sector in places like our struggling high streets. This is an opportunity to boost activity in these areas since many take a bank holiday to do their shop while they have the day off. Ultimately however this bill is about allowing all parts of the United Kingdom to celebrate their day, whether they are from Scotland, Northern Ireland, England or Wales. We are all proud of our identities and we should allow all parts of the United Kingdom to celebrate it equally. Therefore I commend this bill to the house!
This division ends on Tuesday 5 November 2024 at 10PM GMT.
19:05 UTC
B0031 - Energy Bill - Final Division
Order!
The question is that the Bill be now read a third time and passed.
Members are to vote 'aye,' 'no,' or 'abstain' only.
B0031 - Energy Bill - Final Division
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BILL
TO
make provision about Great British Energy, to make provision prohibiting hydraulic fracturing, venting and flaring in England, to make provision about nationally significant infrastructure, and for connected purposes.
BE IT ENACTED by the King’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
PART 1
GREAT BRITISH ENERGY
Constitution of Great British Energy
Section 1 - Establishment of Great British Energy
(1) There shall be a body corporate to be known as Great British Energy (“GB Energy”).
(2) GB Energy is not to be treated—
(a) except so far as necessary for the purposes of its functions, as performing any duty or exercising any power on behalf of the Crown; or
(b) as enjoying any status, immunity or privilege of the Crown;
and GB Energy’s property is not to be regarded as property of the Crown, or as held on behalf of the Crown.
Section 2 - Membership of Great British Energy
(1) GB Energy is to consist of—
(a) a member appointed by the Secretary of State to chair GB Energy,
(b) up to six other members appointed by the Secretary of State,
(c) a member appointed by the Committee on Climate Change,
(d) two members elected by the staff of GB Energy (see Schedule 1), and
(e) the directors of the divisions of GB Energy (see section 4).
(2) Members of GB Energy appointed by the Secretary of State are appointed for such period as the Secretary of State may determine.
(3) Members of GB Energy elected by the staff of GB Energy are elected for a period determined by GB Energy not greater than two years.
(4) A member may not be a member if subsection (5) applies to them.
(5) This subsection applies to a person who is or has been—
(a) insolvent,
(b) disqualified as a company director under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986,
(c) disqualified as a charity trustee under the Charities Act 2011,
(d) disqualified under a disqualification provision analogous to either of those mentioned in paragraphs (b) and (c) anywhere in the world.
(6) For the purpose of subsection (5)(a), a person is or has been insolvent if—
(a) the person’s estate is or has been sequestrated,
(b) the person has granted a trust deed for creditors or has made a composition or arrangement with creditors,
(c) the person is or has been the subject of any other kind of arrangement analogous to either of those mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b) anywhere in the world.
(7) The Secretary of State may determine other terms and conditions of membership in relation to matters not covered by this Act.
(8) GB Energy may elect one of its members as the vice-chair.
(9) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Secretary of State may determine the governance of GB Energy.
Section 3 - Early termination of membership
(1) A person’s membership of GB Energy ends if—
(a) the person gives notice in writing to the chair of GB Energy that the person resigns,
(b) the person becomes disqualified from being a member,
(c) the Secretary of State give the person notice in writing that the person is removed from being a member, if the person was appointed by the Secretary of State,
(d) if there is a new election of members to GB Energy and the person is not elected, if the person was elected to GB Energy by the staff of GB Energy,
(e) the person is no longer the director of a division of GB Energy, if the person was a member due to being the director of a division of GB Energy.
(2) For the purpose of subsection (1)(b), a person becomes disqualified from being a member if section 2(5) applies to the person.
(3) If a person was elected to be a member of GB Energy by the staff of GB Energy but resigns before the next election, GB Energy is to hold an extraordinary election for the position in accordance to Schedule 1.
(4) If the next regular election is scheduled to be held less than 4 weeks before the member’s resignation, GB Energy may choose to not hold an extraordinary election for the position.
(5) A person ceases to be the director of a division of GB Energy if the Secretary of State gives the person notice in writing that the person is removed from being a director of the division of GB Energy.
Section 4 - Divisions of GB Energy
(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations made by statutory instrument divide GB Energy into divisions.
(2) Regulations under this section creating a division of GB Energy must specify the functions of that division.
(3) Regulations under this section are subject to section 6 of this Act.
(4) A statutory instrument containing regulations under this section is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
Functions and powers of Great British Energy
Section 5 - General powers of GB Energy
(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, GB Energy may do anything which appears to it—
(a) to be necessary or expedient for the purposes of, or in connection with, the performance of its functions, or
(b) to be otherwise conducive to the performance of its functions.
(2) GB Energy may authorise any member of its staff to perform such of its functions (and to such extent) as it may determine.
(3) The validity of anything done by GB Energy is not affected by—
(a) a vacancy in membership,
(b) a defect in the appointment of a member,
(c) the disqualification of a person from being a member after appointment.
(4) But GB Energy may not exercise its powers within—
(a) Scotland if that power relates to a matter which is in the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament without the authorisation of the Scottish Ministers;
(b) Wales if that power relates to a matter which is in the legislative competence of the Senedd Cymru without the authorisation of the Welsh Ministers.
(5) For the purposes of this section—
whether a matter is within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament is defined by section 29 of the Scotland Act 1998;
whether a matter is within the legislative competence of the Senedd Cymru is defined by section 108A of the Government of Wales Act 2006.
Section 6 - Functions of GB Energy
GB Energy’s functions are to facilitate, encourage and participate in—
(a) the generation of electricity from a source of clean energy,
(b) the production of clean heating fuel,
(c) the transmission of electricity,
(d) the transmission of heating fuels,
(e) the import and export of electricity,
(f) the import and export of clean heating fuels,
(g) the storage of electricity in electricity storage facilities,
(h) the storage of clean heating fuels in clean heating fuel storage facilities;
(i) the distribution of electricity,
(j) the distribution of heating fuels,
(k) the supply of electricity,
(l) the supply of clean heating fuels,
(m) the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from energy produced from fossil fuels,
(n) improvements in energy efficiency, and
(o) measures for ensuring the security of the supply of energy.
Section 7 - Strategic priorities and plans
(1) The Secretary of State must prepare a statement of strategic priorities for Great British Energy.
(2) The Secretary of State may revise or replace the statement.
(3) Before preparing (or revising or replacing) a statement under subsection (1), the Secretary of State must consult—
(a) GB Energy,
(b) the Scottish Ministers,
(c) the Welsh Ministers,
(d) the Committee on Climate Change, and
(e) such other persons as the Secretary of State thinks fit.
(4) The Secretary of State must lay a copy of the statement, and of any revised or replacement statement, before Parliament.
Section 8 - Directions
(1) The Secretary of State may give specific or general directions to Great British Energy.
(2) Great British Energy must comply with the directions.
(3) Before giving a direction the Secretary of State must consult—
(a) GB Energy,
(b) the Committee on Climate Change, and
(c) such other persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.
(4) The Secretary of State must publish and lay before Parliament any directions given to GB Energy under this section.
Section 9 - Financial provisions
(1)The Secretary of State may—
(a) make to GB Energy out of money provided by Parliament grants of such amounts as the Secretary of State thinks fit;
(b) give GB Energy a direction providing that the whole or part of a grant made in pursuance of the preceding paragraph is not to be used by GB Energy otherwise than for the purposes of such of GB Energy's functions as are specified in the direction.
(2) Any excess of GB Energy’s revenues for any financial year over the sums required by them for that year for meeting their obligations and carrying out their functions shall be applied by GB Energy in such manner as the Secretary of State, after consultation with GB Energy, may direct.
(3) A direction under subsection (2) may require the whole or any part of any such excess to be paid to the Secretary of State.
(4) The Secretary of State shall pay any sums received by him under subsection (3) into the Consolidated Fund.
Part 2
Other and general provisions
Amendments to definition of nationally significant infrastructure
Section 10 - Amendments to definition of nationally significant infrastructure
(1) Section 15 of the Planning Act 2008 is amended as follows.
(2) In subsection (2)(c), for “50” substitute “150”.
(3) After subsection (2), insert—
“(2A) A generating station is within this subsection if—
(a) it is in England,
(b) it generates electricity from wind,
(c) it is not an offshore generating station, and
(d) its capacity is more than 100 megawatts.”.
Prohibitions relating to the oil and gas industry
Section 11 - Prohibition of hydraulic fracturing in England
(1) For section 4A(1) of the Petroleum Act 1998, substitute—
“(1ZA) The OGA must not issue a well consent for a well situated in the English onshore area that is required by an onshore licence for England or Wales unless the well consent imposes a condition which prohibits associated hydraulic fracturing from taking place.”.
(2) Schedule 2 makes consequential repeals.
Section 12 - Prohibition of flaring and venting
(1) The Energy Act 1976 is amended as follows.
(2) In section 12, after subsection (5), insert—
“(6) The Secretary of State may not grant consent under this section after 1 January 2026; and any consent granted under this section ceases to have effect from 1 January 2026.
(7) Paragraph (3)(a) of this section ceases to have effect from 1 January 2026.”.
(3) In section 12A, after subsection (5), insert—
“(6) The OGA may not grant consent under this section after 1 January 2026; and any consent granted under this section ceases to have effect from 1 January 2026.”.
Final provisions
Section 13 - Interpretation
In this Act—
“GB Energy” has the meaning given by section 1 of this Act;
“generate”, in relation to electricity, has the meaning given by section 4(4) of the Electricity Act 1989, and cognate expressions shall be construed accordingly;
“clean energy” means—
(a) biomass,
(b) biofuels,
(c) fuel cells;
(d) photovoltaics;
(e) water (including waves and tides);
(f) wind;
(g) solar power;
(h) geothermal sources;
(i) nuclear installations;
(j) other sources of energy and technologies for the generation of electricity or the production of heat, the use of which would, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, cut emissions of greenhouse gases in Great Britain;
“nuclear installation” has the same meaning as in section 26 of the Nuclear Installations Act 1965;
“clean heating fuel” means a fuel used for generating heat from a source of clean energy;
“transmission of electricity” has the same meaning as “transmission system” in Part 1 of the Electricity Act 1986;
“heating fuel” means fuel used for generating heat;
“transmission of heating fuel” means the transport of heating fuel not in the context of supply or in the context of local distribution of heating fuel with a view to its delivery to customers;
“electricity storage facility” means a facility which generates electricity from energy that—
(a) was converted from electricity by that facility, and
(b) is stored within that facility for the purpose of its future reconversion into electricity;
“renewable heating fuel storage facility” means a facility used for the storage of—
(a) a renewable heating fuel, or
(b) a substance which is stored within that facility for the purpose of its future conversion into a renewable heating fuel by the facility;
“distribution of electricity” has the same meaning as “distribution system” in Part 1 of the Electricity Act 1986;
“distribution of heating fuel” means the transport of heating fuel with a view to its delivery to customers, but not including supply;
“supply” means the sale or resale of electricity or heating fuel or renewable heating fuel to a customer, as the case may be;
“customer” means a person purchasing electricity or heating fuel or renewable heating fuel, as the case may be;
“fossil fuel” has the same meaning as in Part 2 Chapter 8 of the Energy Act 2013;
“greenhouse gas” has the same meaning as in the Climate Change Act
2008 (see section 92 of that Act).
Section 14 - Extent
(1) This Act extends to England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, subject as follows.
(2) Part 1 of this Act extends to England and Wales and Scotland only.
(3) Section 10 of this Act extends to England and Wales only.
Section 15 - Commencement
(1) Part 1 of this Act comes into force at the end of the period of three months beginning with the day on which this Act is passed.
(2) Part 2 of this Act comes into force on the day on which this Act is passed.
Section 16 - Short title
This Act may be cited as the Energy Act 2024.
SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE 1
ELECTIONS TO GREAT BRITISH ENERGY
Eligibility to vote and stand for election
1 (1) Any staff of GB Energy who is not a member of GB Energy is eligible to vote in the election of members to GB Energy.
(2) Any staff of GB Energy who is not a member of GB Energy (other than by virtue of section 2(1)(d) of this Act) is eligible to run in the election of members to Great British Energy.
(3) The ballot should include all candidates who are eligible to run and an option to re-open nominations.
Procedure of vote
2 Subject to this Schedule, GB Energy may regulate the procedure of the election.
Amendment of schedule
3 (1) The Secretary of State may, by regulations made by statutory instrument, amend this Schedule.
(2) A statutory instrument containing regulations under this paragraph is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
Schedule 2
Consequential repeals relating to hydraulic fracturing
The provisions of the Petroleum Act 1998 given in the following table are repealed.
| Provision | Extent of repeal |
|---|---|
| Section 4A | The entirety of subsection (3).<br>The words "the Secretary of State or " are omitted in subsections (4), (5) and (7). |
| Section 4B | The entirety of subsections (4) to (7) and (9) to (11). |
| Section 4B(8) | In the definition of "local planning authority", both mentions of "Secretary of State or " are omitted.<br>In the definition of "relevant environmental regulator", paragraph (a) is omitted.<br>In the definition of "well consent", the words "the OGA or " are omitted. |
EUROPEAN CONVENTION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
Secretary LightningMinion has made the following statement under section 19(1)(a) of the Human Rights Act 1998:
In my view the provisions of the Energy Bill are compatible with the Convention rights.
ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENTS
Secretary LightningMinion has made the following statements under section 20(2)(a) and (3) of the Environment Act 2021:
In my view—
(a) the Energy Bill contains provision which, if enacted, would be environmental law, and
(b) the Bill will not have the effect of reducing the level of environmental protection provided for by any existing environmental law.
NORTHERN IRELAND-GREAT BRITAIN TRADE STATEMENT
Secretary LightningMinion has made the following statement under section 13C(2)(a) of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018:
In my view the Energy Bill does not contain provision which, if enacted, would have a significant adverse effect on trade between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom.
This bill was written by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero The Rt. Hon. LightningMinion OAP PC MP (also formerly KT OM OM CT CT CBE, Marquess Ely), MP for Cambridge, of the Labour Party, and is submitted on behalf of His Majesty’s 1st Government.
Explanatory notes for the bill, which include a note about the formatting of Schedule 12 and a description of what inspired this bill, may be found here
Opening speech:
Mr Speaker,
The climate crisis is real and is affecting our lives today, and avoiding the worst effects of the climate crisis requires taking ambitious action to rapidly decarbonise Britain. In particular, this government has committed to generating 100% of our electricity from low carbon sources by 2030. Additionally, as the UK increasingly electrifies heating, transport and other technologies, demand for electricity will grow. The large scale of the transformation of the power grid this requires means that significant investment in clean energy will be needed. This is why this government has committed to creating a new state-owned clean energy company, GB Energy, to help make those investments. GB Energy’s primary aim will be to invest in building renewable energy generation, such as wind and solar farms, including by building generation that GB Energy will own and operate, by working with local communities to build community-owned green energy projects, and by working with the private sector to unlock investment. One side effect of these investments by GB Energy will be that it will crowd in private investment, meaning that the private sector will also increase its investment in renewable energy. In addition, GB Energy also has the remit to invest in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels, to protect Britain’s energy security, and to invest in clean alternatives to natural gas, such as hydrogen and biofuels, for use in homes and buildings for heating, cooking and similar purposes.
This government’s intent is for GB Energy to become an energy giant over the medium term, comparable to France’s EDF, Denmark’s Ørsted and Sweden’s Vattenfall. This government intends for GB Energy to initially focus on the generation of energy and operate as an energy generation company, but this bill also allows it to operate as an energy transmission company, as an energy distribution company, and as an energy supply company.
Through GB Energy, we will not only cut greenhouse gas emissions, but, by transitioning from costly natural gas which is subject to the volatile international gas market to cheap, plentiful, homegrown renewable power, we will also cut bills for households and businesses across Britain as well as ensuring that foreign powers and dictators of oil-based economies are no longer able to hold us to ransom by ending our reliance on their fossil fuels, thus improving our energy security.
This bill also makes some other changes to boost renewable energy. On [date] I announced to Parliament planned changes to planning law regarding renewable energy - this bill makes those changes.
In addition, this bill also prohibits certain practices within the oil and gas industry. The first of these is fracking. Before a company can begin fracking operations, it needs to obtain multiple licenses and permissions, including a Hydraulic Fracturing Consent which is issued by the government. On the 2nd of November 2019, the government announced it will take a presumption against issuing any further Hydraulic Fracturing Consents until compelling new evidence is provided which addresses the concerns around the prediction and management of induced seismicity. This moratorium on fracking was briefly lifted under Liz Truss before it was reinstated under Rishi Sunak. Now, this bill will convert the current moratorium into a legislative prohibition, banning fracking for shale gas for good. Fracking pollutes the environment, produces more fossil fuels, increases greenhouse gas emissions, does not reduce energy prices, and creates seismic tremors. Fracking is simply an unnecessary and dangerous practice, so this government is banning it for good.
The second prohibition relates to the flaring and venting of natural gas. Sometimes, an offshore oil rig is built to extract just oil but not natural gas, but the well will usually also produce natural gas. But, if the oil rig is built to deal with oil only, then the gas is disposed of by either being burnt on site (which is flaring), or by being released directly into the atmosphere without being burnt (which is venting). Both options release potent greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, and there exist multiple feasible alternatives to flaring and venting, meaning its use is unnecessary and polluting. The committee on climate change has recommended that the flaring and venting of natural gas should be banned past 2025, which this bill does. This prohibition does not extend to cases where flaring or venting is necessary due to safety, start up, shut down or legal reasons, and it also does not extend to onshore oil refineries.
Mr Speaker, this Bill invests in clean, cheap, green renewable energy, lowers energy bills for households and businesses, secures our energy security, reduces the greenhouse gas emissions of the fossil fuel industry, and helps put Britain on the path to net zero and on the path to clean energy by the end of the decade. I commend this bill to the House.
Voting will end with the close of business at 10pm GMT on the 1st of November.
11:43 UTC
B022 - Conversion Therapy (Prohibition) Bill - Final Division
Order!
The question is that the Bill be now read a third time and passed.
Members are to vote 'aye,' 'no,' or 'abstain' only.
B022 - Conversion Therapy (Prohibition) Bill - 3rd Reading
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ban sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, place corresponding restrictions on the issuance of foreign aid, and for related purposes.
BE IT ENACTED by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
Section 1 - Prohibition of Conversion Therapy
After section 15 of the International Development Act 2002, insert a new section 15A as follows:
(2) The administration of sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts is prohibited.
(a) Persons who perform sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts in contravention of this provision shall be subject to a fine equal to a level five on the standard scale, and a term of imprisonment of a duration between one (1) to three (3) years.
(b) The performance of sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts by a medical practitioner is an aggravated offence, and permanent loss of licensure is to be imposed upon conviction in addition to the penalties as defined in Section 28(1)(a).
(c) The performance of sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts upon any person under the age of eighteen (18) is an aggravated offence, and any person convicted of having done such shall be subject to a fine equal to a level five on the standard scale, and a term of imprisonment of a duration between five (5) to seven (7) years.
(3) The Equality Act 2019 is amended as follows:
“28A Prohibition of conversion practices
(1) An offence is committed if a person—
(a) offers, undertakes or takes payment for conversion practices, or
(c) advertises, or takes payment for advertising, conversion practices.
(2) No offence is committed under this section where—
(d) a person is assisting another person who is undergoing a regulated course of treatment,
28B Offence of assisting a non-UK person to conduct conversion practice
(a) it is done in relation to a United Kingdom national or United Kingdom resident, and
(b) it would, if done by such a person, constitute an offence under section 1.
(1) A person guilty of an offence under section 28A or 28B of this Act is liable on—
(2) In section 178(1) of the Charities Act 2011, after Case K insert—
P has been found guilty of an offence under section 28A or 28B of the Equality Act 2010.”.
28D Interpretation of Part 2 Chaper 2
“transgender identity” refers to the gender identity of persons who are transgender.".
Section 2 - Corresponding Restrictions on Foreign Aid
[After section 15 of the International Development Act 2002, insert—](https://www.reddit.com/r/MHOCMP/comments/1g1bqe3/b022_conversion_therapy_prohibition_bill_report/)
15A Prohibition of assistance for conversion practices
Section 3 - Definitions
(1) For the purposes of this Act, “sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts” are defined as the practice of attempting to modify a person’s sexuality or gender identity to conform with societal norms, or to otherwise treat sexual orientation or gender identity as an ailment in need of a cure.
(2) For the purposes of this Act, the term “medical practitioner” is defined as a doctor, nurse, or any other individual with clinical credentials or responsibilities.
Section 4 - Extent, Commencement and Short Title
(2) This Act comes into force on the day on which it is passed.
(3) This Act may be cited as the Conversion Therapy Prohibition Act 2024.
This Bill was authored by /u/Zanytheus OAP MP, Unofficial Opposition Spokesperson for Health and Social Care, on behalf of the Liberal Democrats.
Opening Speech:
Mr. Speaker,
Conversion therapy is a particularly egregious act of barbarity which seeks to coerce our LGBTQ+ population into repressing their identities. It is a relic of a bygone era in which our knowledge of sexuality, gender, and psychology were comparatively primitive, and it is a stain on past governments that they have repeatedly dropped the ball on their promises to address the issue. Ending this absurdity once and for all is a very popular idea among Britons, and they deserve to have their voices heard on this issue. I proudly commend this bill to the House with great optimism that it will become law in short order.
Voting will end with the close of business at 10pm GMT on the 1st of November.
11:39 UTC
B029 - Loot Box Regulation Bill - Amendment Division
B029 - Loot Box Regulation Bill - Amendment Division
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regulate the practice of loot boxes in video games.
BE IT ENACTED by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
Section 1 - Definitions
(1) Microtransactions are defined as:
(a) A business model where users can purchase virtual goods in video games with real-world funds
(2) Loot boxes are defined as:
(a) A form of microtransaction whereby a consumable virtual item is sold to the player which can be redeemed to receive a randomised selection of further virtual items which could or could not have real world value themselves
(3) Surprise Mechanics are defined as
(a) “A microtransaction that does not guarantee the outcome promised by the microtransaction provider”
Section 2 - Regulations
(1) In the Gambling Act 2005 a new section shall inserted under the heading of “gaming” titled “Loot Boxes”
(2) The sale of loot boxes in video games shall hereby be deemed a form of gambling
(3) A new type of gambling licence shall be created under the name “Loot Box Software License” under the gambling commission.
(a) The licence shall require that the age rating for any video game that is already published or will be published containing loot boxes to be ‘18+’
(b) Any game publisher that currently sells or seeks to sell loot boxes in their video games is required to be in possession of a Loot Box Software licence in order to publish any video game containing loot boxes in Great Britain
(4) This regulation shall take into account:
(a) Purchases of in-game currency which in-turn may be used to buy loot boxes and
(b) Microtransactions which contain loot boxes as a ‘free addition’ to the item bought
(5) In the event a microtransaction has been made where an adult has unknowingly provided money for a person under the age of 18 to gamble on loot boxes the company responsible for the provision of the microtransaction shall have a statutory duty to have
(a) an appeal process to allow the adult to recover the money lost from the microtransaction
(b) provide detail of the microtransaction to the adult in a simple manner upon request of an appeal
(6) In the event the company responsible for microtransactions does not allow an appeal in accordance with this legislation HMRC shall have the power to open an investigation into “Concealment of Money Laundering” by the company in accordance with the proceeds of crime act 2002
(7) “The particular offence to be investigated by HMRC of Concealment of Money Laundering” is
(a) ‘Concealing Criminal Property’ under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 Part 7: regulation 327
(8) The act of knowingly taking money from a minor where the adult has unknowingly provided it for the purpose of gambling on loot boxes shall fall within the remit of ‘Concealing Criminal Property’ under the section 2(a) of this legislation upon the passage of the Bill.
Section 3 - : Restriction of manipulative practices
(1) Under part 4 of the Gambling Act 2005 a new section shall be inserted titled 51 - restricting manipulative practices of Loot Boxes.
(2) Any game containing loot boxes must disclose the probability of obtaining every item contained in each loot box.
(a) These figures must be accurate and presented to players prior to any loot box purchase
(b) Companies must submit an annual report to the Video Standards Report Council on how they model their loot boxes to ensure transparency and note any changes they may undertake with it throughout the financial year.
Section 4 - offences
(1) In the Gambling Act 2005 a new section shall be inserted titled 42 - Loot Boxes under the heading ‘Miscellaneous offences’.
(2) Any video game publisher found distributing a video game containing loot boxes without having a Loot Box Software License in their possession shall be subject to a maximum fine of £700,000 and up to 5 years in prison.
(3) Any video game publisher who breaks the terms found within section 4 shall be given two weeks to conform with the terms found in this section, if by this time they have not conformed with the terms of section 4, the developer shall have their Loot Box Software License revoked.
(4) The use of the term ‘surprise mechanics’ in reference to loot boxes shall be deemed illegal and shall be subject to investigation by the Video Standards Rating Council Board and the Gambling Commission
(a) ‘surprise mechanic’ shall be defined as “A microtransaction that does not guarantee the outcome promised by the microtransaction provider”.
(5) It shall be considered an offence for an Adult to provide money knowingly for someone under the age of 18 to gamble the money on Loot Boxes, if found guilty of knowingly providing Money the Adult shall be subject to:
(a) 15 years imprisonment
Section 5 - Extent, Commencement and Short Title
(1) This Act extends to England and Wales only.
(2) This Act comes into force on the day on which this Act is passed.
(3) This Act may be cited as the Loot Box Regulations Act 2024.
This Bill was written by u/AdSea260 MP as a Private Members Bill.
Opening Speech:
Mr Speaker,
I like many of my generation remember growing up and playing video games on my PlayStation 2. I remember these games being of good quality, where you can explore the worlds for hours without having to be worrying if I am going to spend money to level up my characters, or spending it on simple things that should already be available to unlock in the game, the problem now Mr Speaker is that AAA game developers have become greedy because they know that hardcore player's will spend thousands of pounds on a franchise they love.
However for the casual player like myself this just makes me lose interest in the franchise, now I can give an example of this and that is Assassin's Creed, I remember the Ezio trilogy which was a genuine masterpiece of storytelling I cried when I played the last game of that trilogy, it was genuinely one of the most impactful gaming experiences in my life, however if we flash forward nearly a decade later to Assassin's Creed Odyssey you can't even leave the first island without having to either grind for experience points or pay between £30-50 just to level up your character to be able to play the next segment of the game.
Mr Speaker this is morally wrong and disgusting. Gamers as a community need to be respected and not taken advantage by game developers and their investors, we have also seen in recent times scourges of genuine gaming like fortnight and Roblox that prey on young children and lure them into gambling away either their own or their parents money, I have seen it too many times and even one of my own constituents who I spoke to during the by-election said that close to Christmas time last year their child spent up to £1000 in microtransactions with no chance of getting the money back of the company because there is no legal duty for an appeals process for these companies to adhere to.
Mr Speaker this simply needs to be stopped and this is why this bill will go a long way to assuring this, I commend this bill to the house.
Sources:
Loot boxes in video games - House of Commons Library (parliament.uk)
Review of the Gambling Act 2005 Terms of Reference and Call for Evidence - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
AMENDMENTS
Replace subsection 2 of section 1 with the following:
a game mechanic whereby a currency directly or indirectly obtainable with real-world money is exchanged for a randomized reward,
Explanatory note: Various games that should reasonably be classified as containing lootboxes do not under the current definition. This changes the definition to refer to the box, not the shape of its coin slot.
This Amendment was submitted by /u/model-alice.
Remove subsections 6 and 7 of section 2.
Explanatory note: This isn't money laundering.
This Amendment was submitted by /u/model-alice.
Remove subsection 5 of section 4.
Explanatory note: Presumably, allowing your child to access games rated 18+ is already an offense. It's also a bit silly to go to prison for 15 years over it.
This Amendment was submitted by /u/model-alice.
Amend Section 4 (5) to:
(5) It shall be considered an offence for an Adult to provide money knowingly for someone under the age of 18 to gamble the money on Loot Boxes, if found guilty of knowingly providing Money the Adult shall be subject to:
a) A fine of £5,000, or
b) The amount of money provided to said minor, whichever is higher, or
c) Up to 30 months in prison
This amendment was submitted by /u/model-finn.
For clause 1 substitute:
Section One - Lootboxes in games: definitions
(1) The Gambling Act 2005 is amended as follows.
(2) After section 6, insert—
“6A Loot boxes in video games
(1) In this Act, a “loot box” is an item which can be purchased or obtained in a video game which contains randomised items such that the player who obtains a loot box does not know exactly what item they will obtain from the loot box.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1)—
(a) an item is not a loot box if the player—
(i) obtained it through gameplay,
(ii) purchased it using a virtual currency which can not be purchased using real-world money,
(iii) obtained it for free, or
(iv) otherwise obtained it in such a way that they did not directly or indirectly obtain it using real-world money, but
(b) an item is a loot box regardless of—
(i) whether the loot box was purchased directly or indirectly with real-world money, and
(ii) whether certain items have a greater likelihood of appearing in a loot box than others.
(3) In subsection (2)(a)(i), "virtual currency" means any item obtainable in the game which can be exchanged for other items in the game.”.
(3) In section 3—
(a) at the end of paragraph (c), for “.” substitute “and”,
(b) after paragraph (c), insert—
“(d) loot boxes (within the meaning of section 6A).”.
This amendment was submitted by /u/LightningMinion.
Delete clause 3. For clause 2 substitute:
Section 2 - Licences
(1) The Gambling Act 2005 is amended as follows.
(2) In section 65(2)—
(a) at the end of paragraph (j), for “.” substitute “,”,
(b) after paragraph (j), insert—
“(k) to provide loot boxes (a “loot box software licence”).”.
(3) After section 99, insert—
“99A Loot box software licence
(1) This section applies to loot box software licences.
(2) The licence authorises the holder to make loot boxes obtainable in any video game the holder of the licence publishes.
(3) The licence shall require that a video game which allows players to obtain loot boxes may not be played by anyone under eighteen years of age.
(4) The licence shall require that a video game which allows players to obtain loot boxes must disclose to the player the probability of obtaining every item contained in each loot box before a player obtains a loot box.
(5) The licence shall require that the developer of a video game which allows players to obtain loot boxes must submit a report to the Video Standards Report Council on how they model their loot boxes during each year.
(4) The licence shall require that a video game which allows players to obtain loot boxes has an process which allows someone of eighteen or more years of age who has unknowingly provided money or the means for a person under eighteen years of age to obtain a loot box to—
(a) recover any such money, and
(b) to be provided the details of this case the holder of the licence deems relevant.”.
This amendment was submitted by /u/LightningMinion.
For clause 4, substitute:
Section 4 - Offences
After section 44 of the Gambling Act 2005, insert—
“44A Offences relating to loot boxes
(1) A person who does not have a loot box software licence and distributes a video game which allows players to obtain loot boxes commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 51 weeks, or both.
(2) A person who distributes a video game which allows players to obtain loot boxes and those loot boxes are subject to surprise mechanics commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.
(3) For the purposes of this section, a loot box is subject to “surprise mechanics” if the probability of obtaining an item is not that specified by the video game.
(4) Someone who is eighteen or more years of age and knowingly provides someone who is less than eighteen years of age money or the means to obtain a loot box commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 51 weeks, to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, or both.”.
This amendment was submitted by /u/LightningMinion.
As many that are of that opinion say 'Aye', of the contrary 'No', and those who choose not to place a vote may 'Abstain'.
Members can vote in this division until Wednesday 30th October at 10pm GMT.
18:43 UTC
B018 — Education (British Values) Bill - 3rd Reading — Final Division
Order, order!
B018 - Education (British Values) Bill - Final Division
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promote British values in education and schools, and for connected purposes.
BE IT ENACTED by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
Section 1 — Definitions
For the purpose of this Act, the following terms apply unless specified otherwise —
(1) ‘Schools’ include —
(a) independent schools,
(b) academies;
(c) free schools; and
(d) other institutions providing education to children
(2) ‘freedom’ includes—
(a) freedom of thought, conscience and religion,
(b) freedom of expression, and
(c) freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
(3) ‘respect for society’ means taking into account the systemic effect of human actions on communities, the most vulnerable in society, and the health and sustainability of the environment both within the United Kingdom and the planet as a whole, for present and future generations.
Section 2 — Educational Materials and Curriculum Relating to British Values
(1) In any statement and materials relating to British values for education purposes in England and Wales, the Secretary of State, OFSTED and any other public authority must include—
(a) democracy,
(b) the rule of law,
(c) freedom and individual liberty,
(d) tolerance; and
(e) respect for society. (f) historical failings of British government and society to uphold British values, including in the context of colonialism.
(2) Educational institutions in England shall integrate British values, wherever feasible to their discretion and relevant, into but not limited to the following curriculum in —
(a) Citizenship education;
(b) History lessons;(b) Social, political and cultural studies; and
(c) other relevant subjects
Section 3 — Guidance to Promoting British Values
(1) The Secretary of State shall issue revised guidance within 12 months of the passing of this Act to support schools in England in promoting and implementing curriculum surrounding British values as outlined in Section 1.
(2) Guidance issued by the Secretary of State under subsection (1) shall include, but not be limited to —
(a) in suitable parts of the curriculum - as appropriate for the age of pupils - material on the strengths, advantages and disadvantages of democracy, and how democracy and the law works in Britain, in contrast to other forms of government in other countries;
(b) ensuring all pupils within the school have a voice that is listened to, and demonstrate how democracy works by actively promoting democratic processes such as a school council whose members are voted for by the pupils;
(c) using opportunities such as general or local elections to hold mock elections to promote fundamental British values and provide pupils with the opportunity to learn how to argue and defend points of view; and
(d) consider the role of extra-curricular activity, including any run directly by pupils, in promoting fundamental British values. (e) and ensuring that the historical failures of British government and society in upholding British values is presented in an age-appropriate manner.
Section 4 — School Practices, Oversight and Compliance
(1) Schools in England must demonstrate how they promote British values through the guidance issued under Section 3(2)
(2) In supporting efforts to promote British values, schools in England must ensure that staff are trained to —
(a) understand and promote British values;
(b) address any form of extremism, hate or intolerance
(3) Schools in England must publish an annual report detailing their efforts to promote British values, including —
(a) curriculum initiatives;
(b) staff training programs;
(c) outcomes and impact assessments; and
(d) Best practice case studies
(4) Ofsted and other equivalent bodies shall include within regular inspections, an inspection and report on the promotion of British values in educational institutions in England.
(5) Inspection criteria shall include, but not be limited to, —
(a) effectiveness of curriculum delivery;
(b) school policies promoting British values;
(c) Impact on student behaviour and attitudes
Section 5 — Extent, commencement and short title
(1) This Act extends to England and Wales.
(2) This Act comes into force on September 1st 2025.
(3) This Act may be cited as the ‘Education (British Values) Act 2024’.
SCHEDULE 1: Transitional Provisions
(1) Schools in England shall have until the 1st of September 2025 to fully comply with the provisions of this Act.
(2) The Secretary of State shall issue interim guidance within the time frame of subsection (1) to assist schools in England in preparing for the requirements of this Act.
This Bill was submitted by the Right Honourable u/Blue-EG OAP MP, Leader of the Opposition, on behalf of His Majesty’s Official Opposition.
Opening Speech
The character that people become is nurtured. To quote former President Barrack Obama who paraphrased Nelson Mandela “if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love”. This is a very poignant statement and it hits at the heart of what our education strategy should be at its core. Just as much as hate, intolerance and violence is learned, compassion, understanding and respect can just as much, and should be taught and instilled. It is through these vulnerable and exploratory early years for young people that they are often able to be subject to rampant campaigns of disinformation, hatred and radicalisation. All which breeds into the violence, destruction and arrested development we see in people today. Especially in such an interconnected world where access to resources and the free seas of the internet and voices of anyone and everyone can both help and hinder this.
Fundamentally, the notions of hatred, intolerance and violence are simply not British values. British values stands for it’s fundamental rights and principles rooted in the belief in democracy, the rule of law, freedom, individuality and respect for society. These are the values our country has always championed and must continue to. Whilst an attempt was made over a decade ago that introduced guidance to promote British values then, the standards have since slipped and the world now is much more different. It is clear that we need a revised and renewed campaign to truly push and promote these values. A key part of our plan for education is to ensure children become valuable and fully rounded members of society who treat others with respect and tolerance, regardless of background. We strive for a vision where every school promotes the basic British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance for those of different faiths and beliefs. These are the fundamental values of our society, which make us the free and great nation we strive to be. As this ensures young people understand the importance of respect and leave school fully prepared for life in not just modern Britain, but as well-rounded people.
This division ends at 10PM GMT on Monday 28 October 2024.
18:31 UTC
B0030 - Marriage (First Cousins) Bill - Amendment Division
B0030 - Marriage (First Cousins) Bill - Amendment Division
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disallow marriages between first cousins
BE IT ENACTED by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows —
Section 1 - Marriages between first cousins
(1) Any marriage or civil partnership hereafter contracted between first cousins shall be void.
Section 2 - Short Title, Extent and Commencement
(1) This Act can be cited as the Marriage (First Cousins) Act.
(2) This Act shall extend to England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
(3) This Act shall commence immediately upon Royal Assent.
This Bill was submitted by on behalf of Reform UK.
Opening Speech:
Mister Speaker,
With our modern understanding of how disabilities can be caused by marriage between blood relations, it is inexplicable that marriages between cousins (with all the complications that can produce) is permitted within the United Kingdom. Until recently this was extremely rare, but now there are certain subsections of society within the United Kingdom for whom marriage between cousins is seen as a beneficial to extended families, despite the harmful impacts on those pressured or persuaded into such marriages, and any children who have to live with the disabilities caused.
We need to be clear that this practice is not acceptable. This is a simple bill that will save many innocent children from disabilities that would limit their potential and their quality of life.
I commend this bill to the House.
AMENDMENTS
Replace the bill with:
Section 1 - Prohibition of marriage to first cousin
(1) Schedule 1 of the Marriage Act 1949 is amended as follows.
(2) At the end of the list in paragraph 1(1), append "First cousin".
(3) After paragraph 1(2), insert—
"(3) In the list "first cousin" means the child of the sibling of a parent.".
Section 2 - Commencement, extent and short title
(1) This Act comes into force on the day on which it is passed.
(2) This Act extends to England and Wales.
(3) This Act may be cited as the Marriage (First Cousins) Act.
Explanatory note: amends existing marriage legislation to ban first cousin marriage that way, cleans up the bill, and changes its extent to England and Wales as marriage is devolved to Scotland and Northern Ireland.
This amendment was submitted by u/LightningMinion.
Insert a new section (if my other amendment passes, it would be section 2) entitled "Prohibition of civil partnership to first cousin" with the following provisions:
(1) Schedule 1 of the Civil Partnership Act 2004 is amended as follows.
(2) At the end of the list in paragraph 1(1), append "First cousin".
(3) After paragraph 1(2), insert—
"(3) In the list "first cousin" means the child of the sibling of a parent.".
Explanatory note: also extend the proposed ban to civil partnerships.
This amendment was submitted by u/LightningMinion.
As many that are of that opinion say 'Aye', of the contrary 'No', and those who choose not to place a vote may 'Abstain'.
Members can vote in this division until Saturday 26th October at 10pm BST.
08:57 UTC
M006 - Just Stop Oil Motion - Final Division
M006 - Just Stop Oil Motion - Final Division
This House Recognises:
(1) That the Just Stop Oil’s action’s are damaging to the international reputation of the United Kingdom
(2) That Just Stop Oil’s Member’s would be willing to take a violent options if they had the choice
(3) That the government should consider recognising just stop oil as a terrorist organisation
This House Urges:
(1) That the Home Secretary recognises Stop Oil as a domestic terrorist organisation and apply the full force of the law upon the organisation and its members
This Motion was written by u/Adsea260 MP.
Opening Speech:
Mr Speaker,
For far too long Just Stop Oil have been a plague upon British Culture, here it’s damaging timeless items of western culture or causing more gas emissions whilst blocking cars on the motorways, we also know that prominent members would be willing to go much further in their actions and therefore I am asking that the Home Secretary declares Just Stop Oil a terrorist organisation.
As many that are of that opinion say 'Aye', of the contrary 'No', and those who choose not to place a vote may 'Abstain'.
Members can vote in this division until Tuesday 22nd October at 10pm BST.
08:48 UTC
B017 - National Bank Holidays (England & Wales) Bill - Report Stage Run-off
Order!
Due to amendments A01 and A02 both passing, we will now conduct a run-off between the two.
You may vote AYE a maximum of ONCE. Two AYE votes will be considered an abstention on both amendments. You may vote NO to one or both of the amendments, or you may also ABSTAIN.
National Bank Holidays (England & Wales) Bill
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BILL
TO
Amend Schedule 1 of the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 to make Saint David’s Day, March 1st, and Saint George’s Day, 23rd April, bank holidays in England and Wales respectively. BE IT ENACTED by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:— Section 1 - Definitions
(1) The “Act” is relating to the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971
Section 2 - Amendments
(1) Schedule 1, section 1 of the act shall read:
The following are to be bank holidays in England:—
Easter Monday.
The last Monday in May.
23rd of April
The last Monday in August.
26th December, if it be not a Sunday.
27th December in a year in which 25th or 26th December is a Sunday.
(2) Add in Section 4 within Schedule 1 which reads as:
The following are to be bank holidays in Wales:—
1st of March
Easter Monday.
The last Monday in May.
The last Monday in August.
26th December, if it be not a Sunday.
27th December in a year in which 25th or 26th December is a Sunday.
(3) Sections 2 and 3 in Schedule 1 remain unchanged.
Section 3 - Extent, commencement and short title (1) This Act shall extend to the United Kingdom. (2) This Act shall come into force immediately upon receiving Royal Assent. (3) This Act shall be known as the National Bank Holidays (England & Wales) Bill.
This bill was submitted by /u/Dyn-Cymru on behalf of Plaid Cymru
Amendments
A01 (u/Yimir_, Independent):
Change Section (2) (1) to read “Schedule 1, section 1 of the act shall read:
The following are to be bank holidays in England:—
Easter Monday.
The last Monday in May.
23rd of April, unless that date falls between Palm Sunday and the second Sunday of Easter inclusive, when the Bank Holiday is to be the Monday following that second Easter Sunday.
The last Monday in August.
26th December, if it be not a Sunday.
27th December in a year in which 25th or 26th December is a Sunday.
EN: Changes St George's day bank holiday to follow actual established dates and changes for when April 23rd falls during Easter week.
A02 (/u/LightningMinion MP, Labour):
Change the bill to read:
Section 1 Bank Holidays in England and Wales
(1) The Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 is amended as follows.
(2) For paragraph 1 (bank holidays in England and Wales) of Schedule 1, substitute—
“1 The following are to be bank holidays in England:—
23rd of April, unless that date falls between Palm Sunday and the second Sunday of Easter inclusive, when the bank holiday is to be the Monday following that second Easter Sunday.
Easter Monday.
The last Monday in May.
The last Monday in August.
26th December, if it be not a Sunday.
27th December in a year in which 25th or 26th December is a Sunday.”.
(3) After paragraph 3 of Schedule 1, insert—
“4 The following are to be bank holidays in Wales:—
1st March.
Easter Monday.
The last Monday in May.
The last Monday in August.
26th December, if it be not a Sunday.
27th December in a year in which 25th or 26th December is a Sunday.”.
Section 2 Commencement
This Act comes into force on the day on which it is passed.
Section 3 Extent
Any amendment made by this Act has the same extent as the provision amended or repealed.
Section 4 Short title
This Act may be cited as the National Bank Holidays (England & Wales) Act 2024.
Explanatory note: better wording for the Bill, also incorporating Yimir's amendment
Division on this bill will end with the close of business at 10pm BST on Sunday, the 20th of October.
14:13 UTC
B023 - Right to a Peaceful Death (England & Wales) Bill - 3rd Reading Division
The question is that the bill be now read a third time.
Division! Clear the lobby.
Right to a Peaceful Death (England & Wales) Bill
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*enable adults who are terminally ill to be provided at their own request with specified assistance to to end their own life for connected purposes.
BE IT ENACTED by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
#####Section 1 - legalisation
(1) Subject to the consent of the High Court (Family Division) an individual with a terminal illness may request lawfully be provided with assistance to end their own life.
Subsection (1) only applies if the High Court (Family Division) by order confirms that -
(a) Has clearly made a voluntary, clear and informed wish to end their own life (b) Is aged 18 and above (c) Has the capacity to make the decision to end their own life (d) is under the age of 18 and has the consent of parents or legal guardians according to law in accordance with section (2) (a) of this bill (e) Has been a resident of England and Wales for more than a year (or otherwise stated in compliance with the hague convention of civil aspects of international Child Abduction or Brussels II Regulation (EC) No 2201/2003)
Section 2 - Terminal Illness
(1) For the purpose of this bill, a terminal illness shall be defined as
(a) Has been diagnosed with a registered medical practitioner as having an irreversible (b) progressive condition (Terminal Illness) (c) As a consequence of the illness is expected to die within 6 months
(2) Treatment which only relieves the symptoms of the progressive condition is no longer regarded as curing the condition
#####Section 3 - Declaration
(1) An application may only be made to the High Court (Family Division) under section 1(2) only if
(a) The person has signed a declaration that they voluntary, clearly and informed wish to end their own life as defined by the schedule in the presence of a witness who is not a family member or directly involved in the person's immediate care (b) This declaration can be countersigned by
a qualified registered medical practitioner whom the person has requested to end their life (ex, Attending Doctor)
(c) another suitable medical practitioner who is not a relative, partner or colleague of the person who has requested to end their own life (Independent Doctor) who is not a relative, partner or colleague of the attending doctor
(2) Before countersigning a person's declaration the attending doctor and the independent doctor having separately examined the person and their medical record and acting independently of each other must be satisfied that the person is
(a) Terminally Ill (b)Has the capacity to end their own life A declaration under this section is valid and takes effect on such date as the High Court (Family Division) may ordeHas a clear >(c) settled intention to end their own life which had been reached voluntary and on informed basis without coercion or duress
(3) In deciding whether to countersign a declaration under subsection (3), the attending doctor and the independent doctor must be satisfied that the person making it has been fully informed of the palliative, hospice and other care which is available to that person
(4) If the attending doctor or independent doctor has doubt as to a person’s capacity to make a decision under subsection before deciding whether to countersign a declaration made by that person the doctor must
(a) refer the person for assessment by an appropriate specialist; and (b) take account of any opinion provided by the appropriate specialist in respect of that person.
(5) A declaration under this section is valid and takes effect on such a date as the High Court (Family Division) may order
(6) A person who has made a declaration under this section may revoke it at any time and revocation need not be in writing
(7) For the purpose of subsection (1) (b) (ii) , an attending or independent doctor is suitably qualified if that doctor holds such qualification or has such experience, including in respect of the diagnosis and management of terminal illness, as the Secretary of State may specify in regulations (which may make different provision for different purposes).
(8) In this section, “appropriate specialist” means a registered practitioner (other than the attending doctor or independent doctor) who is registered in the specialty of psychiatry and is in the special kept register by the General Medical Council
#####Section 4 - Assistance in Dying
(1) The attending doctor of a person who has made a valid declaration may prescribe medicines for that person to enable that person to end their own life
(2) Any medicines prescribed under subsection (1) may only be delivered to the person for whom they are prescribed—
(a) another registered medical practitioner; or (b) registered nurse; who has been authorised to do so by the attending doctor (c) after the assisting health professional has confirmed that the person has not revoked and does not wish to revoke their declaration; and (d) after a period of not less than 14 days has elapsed since the day on which the person’s declaration took effect.
(3) If the attending doctor and the independent doctor agree that a person’s death from terminal illness is reasonably expected to occur within one month of the day on which a declaration takes effect, the period specified in subsection is reduced to six days.
(4) In respect of a medicine which has been prescribed for a person under subsection an assisting health professional may
(a) prepare that medicine for self-administration by that person;
prepare a medical device which will enable that person to self-administer the medicine;
(b) assist that person to ingest or otherwise self-administer the medicine;
(5) Subsection 4 does not authorise an assisting health professional to administer a medicine to another person with the intention of causing that person’s death.
(6) The assisting health professional must remain with the person until the person has
(a) self-administered the medicine and died; or (b) decided not to self-administer the medicine; and for the purpose of this subsection the assisting health professional is to be regarded as remaining with the person if the assisting health professional is in close proximity to, but not in the same room as, the person.
(7) The Secretary of State may by regulations specify
(a) the medicines which may be prescribed under this section; the form and manner in which such prescriptions are to be issued; and (H) the manner and conditions under which such medicines are to be dispensed, stored, transported, used and destroyed.
(8) Regulations under subsection (7)(c) must provide that an assisting health 10 professional
(a) must only deliver any medicines prescribed under this section to the person for whom they have been prescribed immediately before their intended use; and (b) in the event that the person decides not to self-administer the medicine, must immediately remove it from that person and, as soon as reasonably practicable, return it to the pharmacy from which it was dispensed.
(9) Regulations under subsection (7) may
(a) make different provision for different purposes; and (b) include consequential, incidental, supplementary or transitional provisions.
(10) In this section, “assisting health professional” means the attending doctor or a person authorised by the attending doctor in accordance with subsection (2)(b)
#####Section 5 - Conscientious Objection
(1) A person is not under any duty (whether by contract or arising from any statutory or other legal requirement) to participate in anything authorised by this Act to which that person has a conscientious objection.
#####Section 6 - Criminal Liability
(1) A person who provides any assistance in accordance with this Act is not guilty of an offence.
(2) In the Suicide Act 1961 after section 2B (Course of conduct) insert - “2C Right to a Peacful Death
(3) sections 2, 2A and 2B do not apply respect of provision of assistance to another person in accordance with the Right of a Peaceful Death England & Wales Act 2024
#####Section 7 - Investigations, Death Certificates etc
(1) A person is not regarded as having died in circumstances to which section 1(2) (a) or (b) of the coroners and justice act 2009 (duty to investigate certain deaths) applies only because the person has died as a consequence of the provision in accordance with the Act.
(2) In the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953 after section 39A (regulations made by the minister: further provisions) insert -
“39B Regulations: Right to a Peaceful Death
(1) The Secretary of State may make regulations
(a) providing for the provision of this act relating to the registration of deaths to apply to in respect of deaths which arise from provision of assistance in according with the Right of a Peaceful Death England & Wales Act 2024
with such modifications may be proscribed in respect of
(i) the information of which is to be provided of such deaths (ii) the form and manner which the cause of deaths is to be certified (iiii) The form and manner of which such deaths are to be registered
(2) Requiring the Register General to prepare at least one report a year to provide statistical analysis of deaths which have arisen accordance with the the Right of a Peaceful Death England & Wales Act 2024
(3) Containing such incidental, supplemental and transitional provisions as the Secretary of State considered appropriate
#####Section 8 - Codes of Practice
(1) The Secretary of State may issue one or more codes of practice in connection with
(a) The assessment of whether a person has a clear settled intention of taking their own life (b) if the person has the capacity to make such a decision (c) recognising and taking into account the effects of a person's psychology and state of mind that may impair their decision making
(2) The information on which is made available on treatment and end of life options and the consequences of the person's decision to end their life
(3) The counselling and guidance which should be made available to a person seeking to end their life
(4) The arrangements for the delivery of medicine to the person they have been prescribed to under section 4 and the assistance of which may be given to them
(5) Other such matters the secretary of state deems fit under the Right of a Peaceful Death England & Wales Act 2024
#####Section 9 - Monitoring
(1) The relevant Chief Medical Officer must
(a) Monitor the operation of this Act including compliance and regulations with it’s provisions and any regulations or code of practices
(b) Inspect and report to the relevant national authority on any matter with the connected purposes of this act (c) Submit an annual report to the relevant national authority
(2) The Chief Medical Officers may combine their annual reports into a single document (“A Combined Report) in such a manner they deem appropriate
(3) The relevant national authority must publish each annual report (or combined) it receives under this section and
(a) the Secretary of State must lay a copy before the house of Parliament (b) The Welsh Ministers must lay a copy before the Sennedd
(4) In this section “relevant Chief Medical Officer means”
(a) In England, the Chief Medical Officer to the Department of Health and Social Care (b) In Wales, The Chief Medical Officer of the Welsh Government
(5) Relevant National Authority means
(a) In England, the Secretary of State (b) In Wales, the Welsh ministers
#####Section 10 - Offences
(1) A person commits an offence if
(a) Makes or Knowingly uses a false instrument which purports a declaration under section 3 by another person (b) Willfully conceals or destroys said declaration under section 3 made by another person
(2) A person commits an offence when if in relation to another person who is seeking or to make or has made a declaration under section 3, Knowingly and recklessly provided a medical or other professional opinion which is false or misleading
(3) A person commits an offence if the person dishonestly or by coercion induced another person to make, revoke, request assistance to die
(4) A person commits an offence when if a person dishonestly or by coercion includes another person to self administer end of life medication
(5) A person guilty under subsection (1), (3), and (4) which was committed with intention of causing the death of another person is liable upon conviction on indictment to imprisonment for life, a fine or both
(6) Unless subsection (5) applies a person convicted of an offence under this section is liable to
(a) On summary of conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or both (b) On conviction of indictment to imprisonment for a period not exceeding 5 years or a fine, or both.
Section 11 - Regulations
(1) Any power the Secretary of State under this act to make regulations is exercisable by statutory instrument
(2) A statutory instrument containing to regulations under this act is subject to annulment in pursuance of resolution in either houses of parliament
Section 12 - Interpretation
(1) In this act “attending doctor” has been given the meaning in section 3; “Capacity” shall be construed in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005
(2) “Independent Doctor” has the meaning given in section 3 of this act
(3) Relative in relation to any person shall mean
(a) the spouse or civil partner of someone (b) any lineal ancestor or lineal descendent of that person or person’s spouse or civil partner
(4) Parent as defined under Section 3 (Parental Responsibility) of the Children Act 1989
(5) Legal Guardian as defined under Section 5 (Appointment of Guardians) of the Children Act 1989
(6) “Terminal Illness” has been given meaning in section (2)(1)(a)
Section 13 - Extent, Commencement and Short Title
(1) This Act extends to England and Wales only.
(2) This Act comes into force on the day on which it is passed.
(3) This Act may be cited as the Right to a Peaceful Death (England & Wales) Act.
This Bill was written by u/AdSea260 as a Private Members Bill and was sponsored by u/Unlucky_Kale_5342.
This division ends Sunday, 20 October 2024 at 10pm BST.
Vote Aye, No, or Abstain.
14:05 UTC
B029 - Loot Box Regulation Bill - 2nd Reading Division
The question is that the bill be now read a second time.
Division! Clear the lobby.
Loot Box Regulation Bill
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regulate the practice of loot boxes in video games.
BE IT ENACTED by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
Section 1 - Definitions
(1) Microtransactions are defined as:
(a) A business model where users can purchase virtual goods in video games with real-world funds
(2) Loot boxes are defined as:
(a) A form of microtransaction whereby a consumable virtual item is sold to the player which can be redeemed to receive a randomised selection of further virtual items which could or could not have real world value themselves
(3) Surprise Mechanics are defined as
(a) “A microtransaction that does not guarantee the outcome promised by the microtransaction provider”
Section 2 - Regulations
(1) In the Gambling Act 2005 a new section shall inserted under the heading of “gaming” titled “Loot Boxes”
(2) The sale of loot boxes in video games shall hereby be deemed a form of gambling
(3) A new type of gambling licence shall be created under the name “Loot Box Software License” under the gambling commission.
(a) The licence shall require that the age rating for any video game that is already published or will be published containing loot boxes to be ‘18+’
(b) Any game publisher that currently sells or seeks to sell loot boxes in their video games is required to be in possession of a Loot Box Software licence in order to publish any video game containing loot boxes in Great Britain
(4) This regulation shall take into account:
(a) Purchases of in-game currency which in-turn may be used to buy loot boxes and
(b) Microtransactions which contain loot boxes as a ‘free addition’ to the item bought
(5) In the event a microtransaction has been made where an adult has unknowingly provided money for a person under the age of 18 to gamble on loot boxes the company responsible for the provision of the microtransaction shall have a statutory duty to have
(a) an appeal process to allow the adult to recover the money lost from the microtransaction
(b) provide detail of the microtransaction to the adult in a simple manner upon request of an appeal
(6) In the event the company responsible for microtransactions does not allow an appeal in accordance with this legislation HMRC shall have the power to open an investigation into “Concealment of Money Laundering” by the company in accordance with the proceeds of crime act 2002
(7) “The particular offence to be investigated by HMRC of Concealment of Money Laundering” is
(a) ‘Concealing Criminal Property’ under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 Part 7: regulation 327
(8) The act of knowingly taking money from a minor where the adult has unknowingly provided it for the purpose of gambling on loot boxes shall fall within the remit of ‘Concealing Criminal Property’ under the section 2(a) of this legislation upon the passage of the Bill.
Section 3 - : Restriction of manipulative practices
(1) Under part 4 of the Gambling Act 2005 a new section shall be inserted titled 51 - restricting manipulative practices of Loot Boxes.
(2) Any game containing loot boxes must disclose the probability of obtaining every item contained in each loot box.
(a) These figures must be accurate and presented to players prior to any loot box purchase
(b) Companies must submit an annual report to the Video Standards Report Council on how they model their loot boxes to ensure transparency and note any changes they may undertake with it throughout the financial year.
Section 4 - offences
(1) In the Gambling Act 2005 a new section shall be inserted titled 42 - Loot Boxes under the heading ‘Miscellaneous offences’.
(2) Any video game publisher found distributing a video game containing loot boxes without having a Loot Box Software License in their possession shall be subject to a maximum fine of £700,000 and up to 5 years in prison.
(3) Any video game publisher who breaks the terms found within section 4 shall be given two weeks to conform with the terms found in this section, if by this time they have not conformed with the terms of section 4, the developer shall have their Loot Box Software License revoked.
(4) The use of the term ‘surprise mechanics’ in reference to loot boxes shall be deemed illegal and shall be subject to investigation by the Video Standards Rating Council Board and the Gambling Commission
(a) ‘surprise mechanic’ shall be defined as “A microtransaction that does not guarantee the outcome promised by the microtransaction provider”.
(5) It shall be considered an offence for an Adult to provide money knowingly for someone under the age of 18 to gamble the money on Loot Boxes, if found guilty of knowingly providing Money the Adult shall be subject to:
(a) 15 years imprisonment
Section 5 - Extent, Commencement and Short Title
(1) This Act extends to England and Wales only.
(2) This Act comes into force on the day on which this Act is passed.
(3) This Act may be cited as the Loot Box Regulations Act 2024.
This Bill was written by u/AdSea260 MP as a Private Members Bill.
Opening Speech:
Mr Speaker,
I like many of my generation remember growing up and playing video games on my PlayStation 2. I remember these games being of good quality, where you can explore the worlds for hours without having to be worrying if I am going to spend money to level up my characters, or spending it on simple things that should already be available to unlock in the game, the problem now Mr Speaker is that AAA game developers have become greedy because they know that hardcore player's will spend thousands of pounds on a franchise they love.
However for the casual player like myself this just makes me lose interest in the franchise, now I can give an example of this and that is Assassin's Creed, I remember the Ezio trilogy which was a genuine masterpiece of storytelling I cried when I played the last game of that trilogy, it was genuinely one of the most impactful gaming experiences in my life, however if we flash forward nearly a decade later to Assassin's Creed Odyssey you can't even leave the first island without having to either grind for experience points or pay between £30-50 just to level up your character to be able to play the next segment of the game.
Mr Speaker this is morally wrong and disgusting. Gamers as a community need to be respected and not taken advantage by game developers and their investors, we have also seen in recent times scourges of genuine gaming like fortnight and Roblox that prey on young children and lure them into gambling away either their own or their parents money, I have seen it too many times and even one of my own constituents who I spoke to during the by-election said that close to Christmas time last year their child spent up to £1000 in microtransactions with no chance of getting the money back of the company because there is no legal duty for an appeals process for these companies to adhere to.
Mr Speaker this simply needs to be stopped and this is why this bill will go a long way to assuring this, I commend this bill to the house.
Sources:
Loot boxes in video games - House of Commons Library (parliament.uk)
Review of the Gambling Act 2005 Terms of Reference and Call for Evidence - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
This division ends Sunday, 20 October 2024 at 10pm BST.
Vote Aye, No, or Abstain.
13:53 UTC
M005 - Motion to Rejoin the European Union - Final Division
Motion to Rejoin the European Union
To move–
That the House of Commons recognises
(1) That the United Kingdom while in the European Union received over £10,000,000,000 in funding from 2014 until we left;
(2) That investment in the United Kingdom supported a variety of programmes including a large back-to-work programme that supported poorer areas of Britain.
(3) This funding is no longer possible because of campaigns built on deceit;
(4) That continued funding from the Government cannot make up for the shortfall in additional funds which came from the European Union.
Therefore–
the House of Commons calls upon the Government to
(1) Advocate for a return of the United Kingdom to either–
(a) the European Union;
(b) the European Economic Area:
(c) or the Single Market.
(2) Call upon the Government to enter into negotiations to re-join the European Union;
(3) Further dialogue with European Union partners to facilitate the continued development of the United Kingdom.
This motion was authored by Mr. u/model-kyosanto OAP as a Private Members Motion.
Opening Speech:
Speaker,
We are standing at a crossroads in Britain, without any benefits materialising from Brexit, the public has become more aware of the benefits of returning to the European Union. Yet, this Parliament has done little to act upon the public sentiment, and therefore it has become necessary for this Motion to be submitted, so that we may continue to bring this issue to the forefront of debate. So, it is beyond time we recognise that it was an absolute mistake and travesty that we left the European Union, we are still reeling financially from what has been a disaster that has left millions of British residents worse off, it stifled investment into our country, and has led to a severe reduction in our ability to better the nation.
When you travel around the nation you see signs plastered with “Project Financed by the European Union”. From motorways to universities, from villages to cities, these monuments to the enormous financial benefit that being in the European Union gave to us remain, but the money does not.
This also does not even begin to mention the immense negative impacts our exit with the European Union has had on our local businesses, on our farms, we are now faced with mounting costs exacerbated by the rising cost of living which is driving hard working people and their families out of business, and will continue to send people into poverty.
We now know how things have turned out, we are worse off for being out of the European Union, we face high tariffs, border controls, low levels of investment, and our economy is suffering at a greater rate than the rest of the world. It is clear that our experiment has failed and it is time to finally recognise that.
This motion seeks to demonstrate that the democratically elected representatives of the United Kingdom want us to be back in the Union, want investment in our nation, want investment in our research, and want the cooperation and trade we had with the continent back. We cannot be insular, we are a globalised economy that is ever increasingly reliant on trade and freedom of movement with more and more nations. We shunned this half a decade ago, and we are suffering for it.
Speaker,
I understand the apprehension many may have with supporting this Motion, but we can all see that we are better than empty rhetoric, we know the facts and we know the figures. We were better off in the European Union, and we would not be facing the same economic pressures we are now if we were still in the Union. Let us say once and for all that we endorse a plan to bring us back to the European community.
Division will close on 16th October at 10pm BST
09:11 UTC
M006 - Just Stop Oil Motion - Amendment Division
M006 - Just Stop Oil Motion - Amendment Division
This House Recognises:
(1) That the Just Stop Oil’s action’s are damaging to the international reputation of the United Kingdom
(2) That Just Stop Oil’s Member’s would be willing to take a violent options if they had the choice
(3) That the government should consider recognising just stop oil as a terrorist organisation
This House Urges:
(1) That the Home Secretary recognises Stop Oil as a domestic terrorist organisation and apply the full force of the law upon the organisation and its members
This Motion was written by u/Adsea260 MP.
Opening Speech:
Mr Speaker,
For far too long Just Stop Oil have been a plague upon British Culture, here it’s damaging timeless items of western culture or causing more gas emissions whilst blocking cars on the motorways, we also know that prominent members would be willing to go much further in their actions and therefore I am asking that the Home Secretary declares Just Stop Oil a terrorist organisation.
In the first clause, substitute the following for point (3):
(3) That decisive action is indeed needed to end the climate crisis
In the second clause, substitute the following for point (1):
(1) That the Government should issue a statement commending Just Stop Oil for their commitment to ecology and the environment
EN: the motion as it is gives the wrong response to such a noble action; this amendment fixes that.
Amendment was submitted by u/model-faelif
Members may vote on this amendment division the 16th of October at 10PM BST.
Link to debate can be found here
08:31 UTC
B028 - Tree Planting Scheme Regulations Bill - Division
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require tree-planting schemes, excluding those exclusively for harvesting timber, not be used for timber within 100 years of planting, and for connected purposes.
BE IT ENACTED by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
Section 1 - Definitions
(1) A "tree-planting scheme" shall refer to any scheme that primarily plants any number of trees, both within the United Kingdom and without, except in cases where the planting is strictly for harvesting timber or other raw materials.
(a) this shall also include other renaturing schemes where planting trees is a component.
(2) A "timber-farming scheme" shall refer to any scheme where trees are planted, with the intent of being harvested for timber or other raw materials.
Section 2 - Restrictions
(1) It shall be an offence for any tree-planting scheme to fell trees for timber within 100 years of planting.
(2) It shall be an offence for any timber-farming scheme to be advertised as a tree-planting scheme.
(3) It shall be an offence for any timber-farming scheme to be advertised as carbon-reducing or carbon-neutral.
(4) All tree-planting schemes shall be required to use an ecologically viable range of trees, appropriate to the local area.
(5) All tree-planting schemes shall be required to introduce other types of ecologically appropriate flora and fauna, at appropriate points in time, such that reforestation can occur over a period of time.
Section 3 - Penalties
(1) Any business in violation of restrictions 2(1), 2(2) or 2(3) shall be liable to pay a penalty.
(2) The owner of any business in violation of restrictions 2(1), 2(2) or 2(3) shall be considered to have committed an offence, and liable for a penalty including an appropriate custodial term.
Section 4 - Extent, commencement and short title
(1) This Act extends to England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
(2) This Act comes into force three months after the passing of this Act.
(3) This Act may be cited as the Tree Planting Scheme Regulations Act 2024.
This Bill was submitted by u/DF44 , Independent, as a Private Members Bill.
Opening Speech:
Mr. Speaker,
We have, I believe, all seen companies claiming to plant trees as part of efforts to capture carbon outputs that those companies are responsible for. I'm fairly sure some of us will have taken that at face value, whilst others will have considered it greenwashing - but perhaps with at least positive outcomes.
The reality, Mr Speaker, is that the vast majority of these quote-unquote schemes are just tree farms - planting rows and rows of trees creating a dead forest, before chopping them down and processing them in actions which not only release the captured carbon, but add additional greenhouse gasses into our atmosphere!
We wouldn't accept a fish farm claiming to "increase aquatic life" by simply completing their regular activities of hatching fish (which are later caught to be eaten), and yet when it comes to tree farms - and their greenwashing for themselves and companies - we have taken this hook, line, and sinker!
This legislation means that we lose the greenwashing, plain and simple. Reforestation and rewilding won't get affected by this legislation, as they aren't going to be clearing their trees for timber. However, this will prevent tree farms from rebranding as ecologically beneficial - a simple change, and yet one that prevents a facade of ecology from being claimed as an innovation.
I present this legislation to the house!
This division shall end on the 16th October at 10pm BST
Link to debate can be found here
08:25 UTC
M004 - Music Gig Prices Motion - Final Division
M004 - Music Gig Prices Motion - Final Division
This House Recognises:
- That the recent dynamic pricing for the Oasis tour has resulted in people paying hundreds of pounds for a ticket.
- Working people shouldn’t be priced out of music gigs and festivals.
- Tickets are often bought by bots in order to re-sell at prices much higher than their face value.
This House Urges:
- The Government to open up dialog with artists and record labels to seek how to make ticket prices fair for all.
- The Government to clamp down on bots buying tickets
- The Government to investigate the reselling of tickets above face value.
This Motion was written by the Leader of the Liberal Democrats, /u/model-ceasar OAP.
Opening Speech:
Deputy Speaker,
The decision by Oasis to implement dynamic prices for their tickets has meant that many people who were waiting in line to pay for a ticket to see them ended up being faced with ticket prices several times higher than the advertised price. This is not the first occurrence of this, and neither will it be the last if the Government doesn’t act.
Artists need to make money from their gigs and music, and record labels need to take their cut too. Therefore, the Government should sit down with the respective parties to ensure that prices are fair. Fair for the working people that pay to go see their favourite music. And fair for the artists who are making their music. As it stands prices are not fair for the working people and they either pay with money they can’t afford or are being priced out completely.
While the Government is in discussions with these parties they should also discuss the reselling of tickets. These are often being sold at well above their face value, and I urge the Government to work with the industry to clamp down and restrict these resales so that no ticket is resold at a higher value than it was bought.
As many that are of that opinion say 'Aye', of the contrary 'No', and those who choose not to place a vote may 'Abstain'.
Members can vote in this division until Monday 14th October at 10pm BST.
14:57 UTC
B016 - Coal Industry (Prohibition of New Licences) Bill - 3rd Reading Division
B016 - Coal Industry (Prohibition of New Licences) Bill - 3rd Reading Division
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ban new coal mines.
BE IT ENACTED by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
Section 1 Prohibition on new coal mine licences
For sections 26 to 26A of the Coal Industry Act 1994, substitute—
“26AA Prohibition on new coal mining licences
(1) Subject to subsection (2), the Authority may not grant a licence under this Part.
(2) This section does not affect licences under this Part granted before the Coal Industry (Prohibition of New Licences) Act 2024 came into force.
(3) The Authority may not extend a licence under this Part which was granted before the Coal Industry (Prohibition of New Licences) Act 2024 came into force.”.
Section 2 Extent
(1) This Act extends to England and Wales and Scotland.
Section 3 Commencement
(1) This Act comes into force at the end of the period of one month beginning with the day on which this Act is passed.
Section 4 Short title
(1) This Act may be cited as the Coal Industry (Prohibition of New Licences) Act 2024.
This Bill was written by the leader of the Liberal Democrats, /u/model-ceasar OAP.
Opening Speech:
Deputy Speaker,
I am delighted to bring this bill to the House today. This bill will bring a halt to the granting of coal mining licenses. Our country is no longer reliant on coal to heat our homes and power our electricity. In the past decade we have made great strides to move our energy production away from coal.
However, we are still mining coal. And still opening new coal mines. This needs to stop. Not only are coal mines a scar on our beautiful countryside, but they are producing more and more coal to be burnt when it doesn’t need to be. It is our job, as parliamentarians, to make today better and to make tomorrow better. This bill will help make tomorrow better. It is time to start the process of winding down our coal mines, and preparing for a greener and cleaner tomorrow.
As many that are of that opinion say 'Aye', of the contrary 'No', and those who choose not to place a vote may 'Abstain'.
Members can vote in this division until Monday 14th October at 10pm BST.
14:57 UTC
B022 - Conversion Therapy (Prohibition) Bill - Report Stage Division
B022 - Conversion Therapy (Prohibition) Bill - Report Stage Division
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ban sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, place corresponding restrictions on the issuance of foreign aid, and for related purposes.
BE IT ENACTED by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
Section 1 - Prohibition of Conversion Therapy
(1) Add a Section 28 under the “Other prohibited conduct” subheading of the Equality Act 2010 which reads as follows, and renumber other sections as necessary:
(28) Sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts (SOGICE)
(1) The administration of sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts is prohibited.
(a) Persons who perform sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts in contravention of this provision shall be subject to a fine equal to a level five on the standard scale, and a term of imprisonment of a duration between one (1) to three (3) years.
(b) The performance of sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts by a medical practitioner is an aggravated offence, and permanent loss of licensure is to be imposed upon conviction in addition to the penalties as defined in Section 28(1)(a).
(c) The performance of sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts upon any person under the age of eighteen (18) is an aggravated offence, and any person convicted of having done such shall be subject to a fine equal to a level five on the standard scale, and a term of imprisonment of a duration between five (5) to seven (7) years.
Section 2 - Corresponding Restrictions on Foreign Aid
(1) Add a new Section 16 to the International Development Act 2002 that reads as follows, and renumber other sections as necessary:
(16) No aid authorised under this Act may be provided to build, repair, or otherwise assist a facility in which the Secretary reasonably anticipates that sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts will occur therein after such aid would have been rendered.
Section 3 - Definitions
(1) For the purposes of this Act, “sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts” are defined as the practice of attempting to modify a person’s sexuality or gender identity to conform with societal norms, or to otherwise treat sexual orientation or gender identity as an ailment in need of a cure.
(2) For the purposes of this Act, the term “medical practitioner” is defined as a doctor, nurse, or any other individual with clinical credentials or responsibilities.
Section 4 - Extent, Commencement and Short Title
(1) This Act extends to England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
(2) This Act comes into force on the day on which it is passed.
(3) This Act may be cited as the Conversion Therapy Prohibition Act 2024.
This Bill was authored by /u/Zanytheus OAP MP, Unofficial Opposition Spokesperson for Health and Social Care, on behalf of the Liberal Democrats.
Opening Speech:
Mr. Speaker,
Conversion therapy is a particularly egregious act of barbarity which seeks to coerce our LGBTQ+ population into repressing their identities. It is a relic of a bygone era in which our knowledge of sexuality, gender, and psychology were comparatively primitive, and it is a stain on past governments that they have repeatedly dropped the ball on their promises to address the issue. Ending this absurdity once and for all is a very popular idea among Britons, and they deserve to have their voices heard on this issue. I proudly commend this bill to the House with great optimism that it will become law in short order.
AMENDMENTS:
Replace "Add a Section 28 under the “Other prohibited conduct” subheading of the Equality Act 2010 which reads as follows, and renumber other sections as necessary:" with:
After section 27 of the Equality Act 2010, under the italic cross-heading "Other prohibited content", insert a new section 27A as follows:
Replace "(28)" with "(27A)"
Replace "Add a new Section 16 to the International Development Act 2002 that reads as follows, and renumber other sections as necessary:" with:
After section 15 of the International Development Act 2002, insert a new section 15A as follows:
Replace "(16)" with "(15A)"
This amendment was submitted by u/model-av.
Add new subclause (2) to clause 1:
In section 217 (extent) of the same Act, after "section 190 (improvements to let dwelling houses)", insert "section 28 [27A] (sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts (SOGICE))"
NB: use 27A if the SPaG amendment is adopted
Replace clause 4(1) with:
(1) Section 1 of this Act applies to England and Wales only.
(2) The rest of this Act applies to England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Renumber other subclauses
NB: criminal law (which this is a part of) is devolved to Scotland and NI, see section 4 of https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-9972/CBP-9972.pdf
This amendment was submitted by u/model-av.
Delete clause 3, and replace the provisions of clause 1 with:
(1) The Equality Act 2019 is amended as follows.
(2) After section 28, insert—
“28A Prohibition of conversion practices
(1) An offence is committed if a person—
(a) offers, undertakes or takes payment for conversion practices, or
(b) offers, provides or takes payments for materials, advice or guides to conduct conversion practices, or
(c) advertises, or takes payment for advertising, conversion practices.
(2) No offence is committed under this section where—
(a) a person expresses a religious or other belief, provided that it is not directed to an individual as part of a conversion practice,
(b) a person expresses to an individual their disapproval of, or acceptance of, that person’s sexual orientation or transgender identity or lack thereof, except as part of a conversion practice,
(c) a health practitioner takes an action in the course of providing a health service, provided that—
(i) the health practitioner complies with regulatory and professional standards and considers in their reasonable professional judgement that it is appropriate to take that action, and
(ii) there was no predetermined outcome in terms of sexual orientation or transgender identity or lack of it at the start of any course of treatment,
(d) a person is assisting another person who is undergoing a regulated course of treatment,
(e) a person is, other than as part of a conversion practice, facilitating or offering support to a person who is exploring or questioning their sexual orientation or transgender identity or lack thereof.
(3) The Secretary of State may by regulations made by statutory instrument amend subsection (2) to remove, vary or add circumstances where a person does not commit an offence under this section.
(4) A statutory instrument containing regulations under this section may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.
28B Offence of assisting a non-UK person to conduct conversion practice
(1) An offence is committed if a person aids, abets, counsels, or procures another person who is not in the United Kingdom to offer, undertake or take payment for a conversion practice outside the United Kingdom and—
(a) it is done in relation to a United Kingdom national or United Kingdom resident, and
(b) it would, if done by such a person, constitute an offence under section 1.
(2) Proceedings for an offence committed under this section may be taken, and the offence may for incidental purposes be treated as having been committed, at any place in England and Wales.
28C Penalties
(1) A person guilty of an offence under section 28A or 28B of this Act is liable on—
(a) summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, or both;
(b) conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years, or a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, or both.
(2) In section 178(1) of the Charities Act 2011, after Case K insert—
“Case L
P has been found guilty of an offence under section 28A or 28B of the Equality Act 2010.”.
28D Interpretation of Part 2 Chaper 2
In this Chapter—
“conversion practice” means a course of conduct or activity, the predetermined purpose and intent of which is to change someone’s sexual orientation or to change a person to or from being transgender, including to suppress a sexual orientation or transgender identity so that the orientation or identity no longer exists in full or in part;
“health practitioner” means a person who is a member of a body overseen or accredited by the Professional Standards Body for Health and Social Care; “sexual orientation” means the protected characteristic of sexual orientation;
“transgender” refers to persons whose gender identity (or lack thereof) is different to their sex assigned at birth;
“transgender identity” refers to the gender identity of persons who are transgender.".
(2) In section 217 (extent), after "section 190 (improvements to let dwelling houses)", insert ", sections 28A to 28D,".
Explanatory note: based on the real life Conversion Practices (Prohibition) Bill
This amendment was submitted by u/LightningMinion.
Replace the provisions of clause 2 with:
After section 15 of the International Development Act 2002, insert—
15A Prohibition of assistance for conversion practices
(1) The minister may not provide assistance for a facility if the Minister believes that there is a reasonable risk that the facility may be used for conversion practices due to that facility being given assistance.
(2) In this section, “conversion practice” has the same meaning as in Part 2 Chapter 2 of the Equality Act 2010.”.
This amendment was submitted by u/LightningMinion.
Replace clause 4(1) with:
(1) This Act extends to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, subject as follows.
(2) Section 1(2) extends to England and Wales only.
Renumber other subclauses.
EN: based on av's amendment, should be compatible with my other amendments.
This amendment was submitted by u/LightningMinion.
As many that are of that opinion say 'Aye', of the contrary 'No', and those who choose not to place a vote may 'Abstain'.
Members can vote in this division until Monday 14th October at 10pm BST.
14:56 UTC
M005 - Motion to Rejoin the European Union - Amendment Division
To move–
that the House of Commons recognises
(1) That the United Kingdom while in the European Union received over £10,000,000,000 in funding from 2014 until we left;
(2) That investment in the United Kingdom supported a variety of programmes including a large back-to-work programme that supported poorer areas of Britain.
(3) This funding is no longer possible because of campaigns built on deceit;
(4) That continued funding from the Government cannot make up for the shortfall in additional funds which came from the European Union.
Therefore–
the House of Commons calls upon the Government to
(1) Advocate for a return of the United Kingdom to either–
(a) the European Union;
(b) the European Economic Area:
(c) or the Single Market.
(2) Call upon the Government to enter into negotiations to re-join the European Union;
(3) Further dialogue with European Union partners to facilitate the continued development of the United Kingdom.
This motion was authored by Mr. u/model-kyosanto OAP as a Private Members Motion.
Opening Speech:
Speaker,
We are standing at a crossroads in Britain, without any benefits materialising from Brexit, the public has become more aware of the benefits of returning to the European Union. Yet, this Parliament has done little to act upon the public sentiment, and therefore it has become necessary for this Motion to be submitted, so that we may continue to bring this issue to the forefront of debate. So, it is beyond time we recognise that it was an absolute mistake and travesty that we left the European Union, we are still reeling financially from what has been a disaster that has left millions of British residents worse off, it stifled investment into our country, and has led to a severe reduction in our ability to better the nation.
When you travel around the nation you see signs plastered with “Project Financed by the European Union”. From motorways to universities, from villages to cities, these monuments to the enormous financial benefit that being in the European Union gave to us remain, but the money does not.
This also does not even begin to mention the immense negative impacts our exit with the European Union has had on our local businesses, on our farms, we are now faced with mounting costs exacerbated by the rising cost of living which is driving hard working people and their families out of business, and will continue to send people into poverty.
We now know how things have turned out, we are worse off for being out of the European Union, we face high tariffs, border controls, low levels of investment, and our economy is suffering at a greater rate than the rest of the world. It is clear that our experiment has failed and it is time to finally recognise that.
This motion seeks to demonstrate that the democratically elected representatives of the United Kingdom want us to be back in the Union, want investment in our nation, want investment in our research, and want the cooperation and trade we had with the continent back. We cannot be insular, we are a globalised economy that is ever increasingly reliant on trade and freedom of movement with more and more nations. We shunned this half a decade ago, and we are suffering for it.
Speaker,
I understand the apprehension many may have with supporting this Motion, but we can all see that we are better than empty rhetoric, we know the facts and we know the figures. We were better off in the European Union, and we would not be facing the same economic pressures we are now if we were still in the Union. Let us say once and for all that we endorse a plan to bring us back to the European community.
***
Insert at end:
(4) But only in the event that the change in relations with the European Union is voted in favour of, in a public referendum.
This amendment was submitted by .
***
This vote will end at 10pm BST on 12th Saturday 2024.
17:26 UTC
B027 - Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill - 2nd Reading Division
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remove the limit on the number of children or qualifying young persons included in the calculation of an award of Universal Credit.
BE IT ENACTED by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
1 Universal credit: removal of two child limit
(1) In section 10 of the Welfare Reform Act 2012 (responsibility for children and young persons)—
(a) omit subsection (1A) (which imposes a limit of two on the number of children or qualifying young persons included in the calculation of an award of universal credit)
(b) in subsection (2), for “for each” substitute “if such a”,
(c) in that subsection, omit “for whom a claimant is responsible who”, and
(d) in subsection (4), omit “or (1A)”.
(2) In regulation 24 of the Universal Credit Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/376) (the child element), in paragraph (1), omit “and in respect of whom an amount may be included under section 10”.
(3) In regulation 36 of those Regulations (table showing amount of elements), in the table, for the row under “Child element” substitute—
"First child or qualifying young person – £290
second and each subsequent child or qualifying young person – £244.58”
(4) The amendment made by subsection (3) does not affect the power to make further regulations amending or revoking the provision made by that amendment.
(5) In the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016, omit section 14.
(6) The Secretary of State may by regulations made by statutory instrument make transitional, transitory or saving provision in connection with the commencement of this section.
(7) A statutory instrument containing regulations under subsection (6) is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
2 Short title, commencement and extent
(1) This Act extends to England and Wales and Scotland.
(2) This Act comes into force on the 1st of January 2025.
(3) This Act may be cited as the Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Act 2024.
This Bill was introduced by the Prime Minister, u/Inadorable, on behalf of his Majesty’s Government. It is based on the Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill 2022, authored by The Lord Bishop of Durham.
***
Explanatory Note:
The contents of this legislation have been costed as follows:
2024/2025: £0.55* billion.
2025/2026: £2.4 billion.
2026/2027: £2.6 billion.
2027/2028: £2.8 billion.
2028/2029: £3.0 billion.
*Applied from the 1st of January 2025; only three months of the fiscal year are affected.
***
Deputy Speaker,
This is the second piece of legislation in the government's reforms to Universal Credit, described in more detail here. In this bill, we scrap the two-child benefit cap both from the current regulatory framework and as a legal possibility for the Secretary of State to re-implement through statutory instruments in the future, instead requiring primary legislation.
The two-child benefit cap is one of the most important contributors to child poverty in the United Kingdom today. It is one of the main reasons why some kids go hungry; why they do not get to have the same basic life experiences we would want every child to have. It’s a cruel, needless cause of human, specifically child suffering: and we must get rid of it. Moving on from fourteen years of conservative failure means getting rid of their cruel cap as well.
***
This division shall end on Saturday 12th October at 10pm BST.
17:05 UTC
TD02 - Debate on the UK Constitution - Division
Debate on the UK Constitution
Members will now vote on the Topic Debate that was put before the House on the 3rd of October.
The Question is “That this House has considered the Constitution of the United Kingdom.”
As many that are of that opinion say 'Aye', of the contrary 'No', and those who choose not to place a vote may 'Abstain'.
Members can vote in this division until Thursday 10th October at 10pm BST.
08:07 UTC
B018 - Education (British Values) Bill - Report Stage Division
B018 - Education (British Values) Bill - Report Stage Division
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promote British values in education and schools, and for connected purposes.
BE IT ENACTED by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
Section 1 — Definitions:
For the purpose of this Act, the following terms apply unless specified otherwise —
(1) ‘Schools’ include —
(a) independent schools,
(b) academies;
(c) free schools; and
(d) other institutions providing education to children
(2) ‘freedom’ includes—
(a) freedom of thought, conscience and religion,
(b) freedom of expression, and
(c) freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
(3) ‘respect for society’ means taking into account the systemic effect of human actions on communities, the most vulnerable in society, and the health and sustainability of the environment both within the United Kingdom and the planet as a whole, for present and future generations.
Section 2 — Educational Materials and Curriculum Relating to British Values
(1) In any statement and materials relating to British values for education purposes in England and Wales, the Secretary of State, OFSTED and any other public authority must include—
(a) democracy,
(b) the rule of law,
(c) freedom and individual liberty,
(d) tolerance; and
(e) respect for society.
(2) Educational institutions shall integrate British values, wherever feasible to their discretion and relevant, into but not limited to the following curriculum in —
(a) Citizenship education;
(b) History lessons;
(c) Social, political and cultural studies; and
(d) other relevant subjects
Section 3 — Guidance to Promoting British Values
(1) The Secretary of State shall issue revised guidance within 12 months of the passing of this Act to support schools in promoting and implementing curriculum surrounding British values as outlined in Section 1.
(2) Guidance issued by the Secretary of State shall include, but not be limited to —
(a) in suitable parts of the curriculum - as appropriate for the age of pupils - material on the strengths, advantages and disadvantages of democracy, and how democracy and the law works in Britain, in contrast to other forms of government in other countries;
(b) ensuring all pupils within the school have a voice that is listened to, and demonstrate how democracy works by actively promoting democratic processes such as a school council whose members are voted for by the pupils;
(c) using opportunities such as general or local elections to hold mock elections to promote fundamental British values and provide pupils with the opportunity to learn how to argue and defend points of view; and
(d) consider the role of extra-curricular activity, including any run directly by pupils, in promoting fundamental British values.
Section 4 — School Practices, Oversight and Compliance
(1) Schools must demonstrate how they promote British values through the guidance issued under Section 3(2)
(2) In supporting efforts to promote British values, schools must ensure that staff are trained to —
(a) understand and promote British values;
(b) address any form of extremism, hate or intolerance
(3) Schools must publish an annual report detailing their efforts to promote British values, including —
(a) curriculum initiatives;
(b) staff training programs;
(c) outcomes and impact assessments; and
(d) Best practice case studies
(4) Ofsted and other equivalent bodies shall include within regular inspections, an inspection and report on the promotion of British values in educational institutions.
(5) Inspection criteria shall include, but not be limited to, —
(a) effectiveness of curriculum delivery;
(b) school policies promoting British values;
(c) Impact on student behaviour and attitudes
Section 5 — Extent, commencement and short title
(1) This Act extends to England and Wales.
(2) This Act comes into force on September 1st 2024.
(3) This Act may be cited as the ‘Education (British Values) Act 2024’.
SCHEDULE 1: Transitional Provisions
(1) Schools shall have until the 1st of September 2025 to fully comply with the provisions of this Act.
(2) The Secretary of State shall issue interim guidance within the time frame of subsection (1) to assist schools in preparing for the requirements of this Act.
This Bill was submitted by the Right Honourable u/Blue-EG OAP MP, Leader of the Opposition, on behalf of His Majesty’s Official Opposition.
Opening Speech:
The character that people become is nurtured. To quote former President Barrack Obama who paraphrased Nelson Mandela “if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love”. This is a very poignant statement and it hits at the heart of what our education strategy should be at its core. Just as much as hate, intolerance and violence is learned, compassion, understanding and respect can just as much, and should be taught and instilled. It is through these vulnerable and exploratory early years for young people that they are often able to be subject to rampant campaigns of disinformation, hatred and radicalisation. All which breeds into the violence, destruction and arrested development we see in people today. Especially in such an interconnected world where access to resources and the free seas of the internet and voices of anyone and everyone can both help and hinder this.
Fundamentally, the notions of hatred, intolerance and violence are simply not British values. British values stands for it’s fundamental rights and principles rooted in the belief in democracy, the rule of law, freedom, individuality and respect for society. These are the values our country has always championed and must continue to. Whilst an attempt was made over a decade ago that introduced guidance to promote British values then, the standards have since slipped and the world now is much more different. It is clear that we need a revised and renewed campaign to truly push and promote these values. A key part of our plan for education is to ensure children become valuable and fully rounded members of society who treat others with respect and tolerance, regardless of background. We strive for a vision where every school promotes the basic British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance for those of different faiths and beliefs. These are the fundamental values of our society, which make us the free and great nation we strive to be. As this ensures young people understand the importance of respect and leave school fully prepared for life in not just modern Britain, but as well-rounded people.
AMENDMENTS:
Amend Section 2, subsection 1 by adding a subsubsection (f):
(f) historical failings of British government and society to uphold British values, including in the context of colonialism.
This amendment was submitted by u/model-alice.
Amend Section 3, subsection 2 by adding a subsubsection (e):
(e) and ensuring that the historical failures of British government and society in upholding British values is presented in an age-appropriate manner.
This amendment was submitted by u/model-alice.
Change clause 5(2) to:
(2) This Act comes into force on September 1st 2025.
Explanatory note: Sep 1st 2024 is in the past. This legislation does not need to be, and should not be, retroactive. Setting the commencement to Sep 1st 2025 will mean this bill comes into force in the future around the start of the next school year.
This amendment was submitted by u/LightningMinion.
Insert after section 1(3):
(4) In this Act, "public authority" does not include a "devolved Welsh authority" within the meaning given in section 157A of the Government of Wales Act 2006 or a principle council in Wales constituted under section 21 of the Local Government Act 1972.
In section 2(1), omit "and Wales".
In section 2(2), after the expression "educational institutions", insert "in England".
In section 3(1), after the expression "support schools", insert "in England", and after the expression "Secretary of State" in subsection (2), insert "under subsection (1)".
After all mentions of the word "schools" or "educational institutions" in section 4 or Schedule 1, insert "in England".
EN: education is devolved, but you can't split the jurisdiction of England and Wales currently.
This amendment was submitted by u/model-av.
Scrap subsection 2(2)(b) [History Lessons]
This amendment was submitted by u/Inadorable.
As many that are of that opinion say 'Aye', of the contrary 'No', and those who choose not to place a vote may 'Abstain'.
Members can vote in this division until Thursday 10th October at 10pm BST.
08:07 UTC
B026 - Telecommunications Infrastructure Nationalisation (Establishment of the NBN) Bill - 2nd Reading Division
B026 - Telecommunications Infrastructure Nationalisation (Establishment of the NBN) Bill - 2nd Reading Division
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increase access to high speed broadband, increase competition and ensure accessibility in telecommunications by nationalising Openreach Limited and the VMED O2 UK Limited fibre optic cable network operating within the United Kingdom.
BE IT ENACTED by the King’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same as follows:--
#Part One – Establishment of the National Broadband Network
1 The Body Corporate of the National Broadband Network
(1) There shall be a body corporate to be known as the National Broadband Network,
(2) The membership of the National Broadband Network shall comprise of—
(a) A chairman appointed by the Secretary of State on the advice of Ofcom;
(b) A member appointed by the Scottish Ministers;
(c) A member appointed by the Welsh Ministers;
(d) A member appointed by the Northern Ireland Executive; and
(e) Other members as the Secretary of State or Ofcom may from time to time appoint.
(3) Before a member is appointed under subsection (2), the Secretary of State must be consulted by—
(a) The Scottish Ministers, in exercise of paragraph (b);
(b) The Welsh Ministers, in exercise of paragraph (c); or
(c) The Northern Ireland Executive, in exercise of paragraph (d).
(4) An appointment made by the Secretary of State under subsection (2)(a) or (2)(e) may be terminated by the Secretary of State.
(5) An appointment made by the Scottish Ministers, Welsh Ministers, or Northern Ireland Executive may be terminated by the Scottish Ministers, Welsh Ministers, or Northern Ireland Executive, as the case may be.
(6) The Schedule (which makes further provision as to the National Broadband Network) has effect.
2 Powers of the Corporation
(1) The Corporation may do anything which appears to them to be incidental or conducive to the carrying out of their functions.
(2) The powers of the Corporation include power, to the extent that it appears to them incidental or conducive to the carrying out of their functions to do so—
(a) to borrow money;
(b) to carry on activities that otherwise are not precluded by this legislation through the company; and
(c) to participate with others in the carrying on of any such activities.
3 Duties of the Corporation
(1)The Corporation shall keep proper accounts and proper records in relation to the accounts, and shall prepare in respect of each financial year a statement of accounts in such form as the Secretary of State may direct with the approval of the Treasury.
(2)The accounts of the Corporation shall be audited by auditors to be appointed by the Corporation with the approval of the Secretary of State.
(3) A person shall not be qualified to be appointed as an auditor in pursuance of sub-paragraph (2) unless he is eligible for appointment as a statutory auditor under Part 42 of the Companies Act 2006.
(4) The Corporation shall at all reasonable times upon demand made by the Secretary of State or by any persons authorised by him in that behalf—
(a) afford to him or them full liberty to examine the accounts of the Corporation; and
(b) furnish him or them with all forecasts, estimates, information and documents which he or they may require with respect to the financial transactions and commitments of the Corporation.
(5) As soon as possible after the end of every financial year, the Corporation shall prepare a general report of their proceedings during that year, and transmit it to the Secretary of State who shall lay copies of it before each House of Parliament.
(6) The report shall have attached to it the statement of accounts for the year and a copy of any report made by the auditors on that statement, and shall include such information (including information relating to the financial position of the Corporation) as the Secretary of State may from time to time direct.
4 Supply of Services Provided by the National Broadband Network
(1) The intent of the National Broadband Network is to be a wholesaler to internet service providers upon the infrastructure owned and operated by the Company. Therefore;
(a) the Company must not supply a service to another person unless the other person is:
(i) a carrier; or
(ii) a service provider.
(2) The provisions under 1(a) do not apply if the service is being provided to another statutory body or for the wider public benefit as determined by the Secretary of State.
(3) The Company must not supply any of the following;
(a) a content service
(b) non-communications service
(ii) except in cases under which the Company is contracted to provide services related to the installation, construction, or maintenance of the owned infrastructure.
(4) The Secretary of State may by order allow the Company to provide a content service or non-communications service if it is for the perceived public benefit.
5 Secretary of State empowered to make purchase
(1) The Secretary of State may by order—
(a) Acquire Openreach and the VMED O2 UK fibre-optic cable network; and
(b) Provide appropriate compensation to Openreach Limited and Virgin Media for the acquisition.
(2) If the Secretary of State makes an Order under subsection (1), they must carry out the functions in both paragraph (a) and paragraph (b).
(3) The Secretary of State must make an order under subsection (1) within three months after the day this Act comes into force.
6 Corporate Functions of the Company
(1) For all intents and purposes, the corporate structure, systems, arrangements, employment and software etc. in place within Openreach Limited will remain in place following their acquisition and merger into the National Broadband Network.
(a) this does not however limit the ability of the Company to make changes as they see fit and proper to do.
#Part Two – Ownership of the National Broadband Network
1 Ownership
(1) The Crown must not transfer any of its shares in the Company if it does any of the following;
(a) the Crown no longer holds the entire voting rights for the Company; or
(b) the Crown no longer holds all the paid up shares for the Company.
(2) The Company must take all reasonable steps to ensure a situation as outlined in 1(2) does not occur.
2 Transfer and Sale of Ownership
(1) The transfer and/or sale of any of the Crown’s shares may be undertaken if all of the following conditions are met;
(a) the Secretary of State believes that the necessary conditions are suitable for the sale or transfer of shares in the Company, and as such releases a Statement to the House to that extent.
(b) the House passes a Motion in which a simple majority are in support of the sale or transfer of shares.
(c) a suitable buyer or buyers has been found through a competitive and fair tender process.
(2) The House may not pass a Motion related to the sale or transfer of shares unless it is within ninety days of the Secretary of State making a Statement as outlined in 1(a).
#Part Three – Initial Objectives of the National Broadband Network
1 Infrastructure Objectives
(1) The National Broadband Network will have the following primary infrastructure objectives as a Company which are to be undertaken within the 10 years following the implementation of this Act.
(a) to provide Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) technology capable of speeds up to or exceeding 1000 Mbps to as many premises within the United Kingdom as is practical and physically possible.
(b) to provide 100% of premises within the United Kingdom with broadband internet capable of speeds up to or exceeding 100 Mbps.
2 Market Objectives
(1) The National Broadband Network will have the following primary market objectives as a Company which are to be undertaken within the 5 years following the implementation of this Act.
(a) to create a fair and competitive marketplace for internet service providers to compete on their merits to all consumers in Britain.
(b) to facilitate the affordable and economical provision of wholesale broadband access across a variety of use-case scenarios to wholesale customers.
(c) to ensure that any non competitive practices are dealt with through existing means afforded for by law.
(d) to ensure that all broadband internet customers in the United Kingdom have access to affordable broadband internet that meets their needs as they see fit.
#Part Four – Miscellaneous
1 Definitions
In this Act—
(1) “Openreach Limited” means the private company limited by shares with company number 10690039.
(2) “BT” means the private company limited by shares with company number 02216369.
(2) “Openreach” means—
(a) Openreach Limited; and
(b) The assets of BT necessary for carrying on the operation of the telecommunications network, including—
(i) Fibre optic cables;
(ii) The copper network inclusive of the asymmetric digital subscriber line (ASDL) and telephone networks; and
(iii) The associated cabinets, exchanges, and components of the network necessary for its operation.
(3) “Virgin Media” means the private company limited by shares with company number 02591237.
(4) “VMED O2 UK fibre-optic cable network” means the physical fixed line infrastructure of Virgin Media, including associated cabinets, exchanges and other necessary components for operation.
2 Short title, commencement, and extent
(1) This Act may be cited as the Telecommunications Infrastructure Nationalisation (Establishment of the NBN) Act 2024.
(2) This Act comes into force six months after it receives Royal Assent.
(a) excluding Part One Section 5, which comes into force immediately after Royal Assent.
(3) This Act extends to the United Kingdom.
SCHEDULE
1 Employees of the National Broadband Network
(1) The employees of the National Broadband Network who are not members shall be appointed to and hold their employment on such terms and conditions, including terms and conditions as to remuneration, as the National Broadband Network may determine.
(2) If the National Broadband Network so determine in the case of any of the employees of the National Broadband Network who are not executive members, the National Broadband Network shall—
(a) pay to or in respect of those employees such pensions, allowances or gratuities, or
(b) provide and maintain for them such pension schemes (whether contributory or not), as the National Broadband Network may determine.
2 Finances of the National Broadband Network
(1) It is the duty of the National Broadband Network to keep proper accounts and proper records in relation to the accounts.
(2) The Secretary of State may, with the consent of the Treasury, make grants to the National Broadband Network, which shall be paid out of money provided by Parliament.
(3) Any excess of the National Broadband Network’s revenues for any financial year over the sums required by them for that year for meeting their obligations and carrying out their functions shall be payable into the Consolidated Fund.
3 Secretary of State’s authority to make directions
The Secretary of State may make such directions, determinations, or objectives as relates to the operation of the National Broadband Network that are necessary or expedient for its internal structure, operation, and provision of services.
This Bill was authored by Mr. /u/Model-Kyosanto OAP as a Private Members Bill.
Portions of this bill are inspired by–
Opening Speech:
Deputy Speaker,
The nationalisation of a telecommunication network, such as what is occurring in this Bill is something I have always sought to achieve. It is something that should be a nationalised monopoly, and should have never been privatised. We have seen many nations seek to re-nationalise their fixed line telecommunications infrastructure, Australia being the primary example of such with their ‘national broadband network’, which opened up the opportunity for widespread access to fast internet, and gave many people access to the internet for the first time.
Beyond the simple argument that some things should be controlled by the Government and operated for the public benefit, which I am sure many don’t need convincing of, there are many other aspects of this Bill which may be appealing to more conservative aspects of society, much in a similar way the Australian scheme found itself receiving bipartisan support and continued investment even after the Labor Government was removed from office.
Firstly, this would allow us to charge fees for use, and would give operators the ability to only pay to access smaller sections of the network so they can offer more direct competition and cater especially to certain demographics. This would also generate further revenue for the government through fees, as well as reducing the current emissions created through doubling up on high energy use infrastructure. This would also increase private competition, as more companies would be able to access the overall network.
Secondly, this also allows the Government to achieve the goal of Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) at every premises in the United Kingdom, allowing for 1000mbps internet speeds beyond the current capacity offered by Fibre to the Cabinet/Node (FTTC/N) which caps out at 80-100mbps.
A national fibre network that is leased out is also a plan that can work when done functionally, as experienced in Australia through the NBN when done correctly, and it would also allow us to use this fibre for mobile service, delivering better speeds in regional and rural areas, if we deliver fibre to every home, we would not have to rely on the current system that Mobile Network Operators use to supply spectrum to their towers which can be through private fibre, or microwave dish technology which is used in rural and regional areas.
It is clear that Universal Service Obligations are a failure, and that we should not simply maintain the status quo of private monopolies which are unable to properly maintain their networks because of profit incentives. This Bill is one which not only creates positive change and investment, but allows the private market to flourish with competition, with equal access to a nationwide network, consumers will have greater choice, as well as faster speeds as we move into an era of work from home and online schooling as opportunities, which should be available to all British people no matter where they live, at an affordable price.
I urge all to support.
As many that are of that opinion say 'Aye', of the contrary 'No', and those who choose not to place a vote may 'Abstain'.
Members can vote in this division until Thursday 10th October at 10pm BST.
08:07 UTC
B015 - National Health Service (Regional Health Authorities) Bill - Third Reading Division
B015 - National Health Service (Regional Health Authorities) Bill - Third Reading Division
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consolidate NHS trusts with Integrated Care Boards to create a unified approach for healthcare provision, further decentralise primary care services, and for connected purposes.
BE IT ENACTED by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
Part 1: Formation of Regional Health Authorities
Section 1 — Definitions
(1) For the purposes of this Act -
(b) “ICSs” refer to Integrated Care Systems, as established under Health and Care Act 2022.
Section 1 — Integration of NHS Trusts and Integrated Care Systems
(1) Integrated Care Systems (ICSs), as outlined in the Health and Care Act 2022, and NHS Trusts, as established in National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990, shall be consolidated to form Regional Health Authorities (RHAs).
(2) Each RHA shall operate as a single legal NHS entity responsible for the provision of healthcare services within its geographic area previously established by its Integrated Care Board.
(3) All Statutory Instruments made under section 126(3) of the National Health Service Act 1977(1) and section 5(1) of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990(2) pertaining to the creation of NHS Trusts are hereby repealed.
Section 2 — Abolition of Integrated Care Boards and Partnerships
(1) Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and Integrated Care Partnerships (ICPs), as established in Section 19 and 26 respectively of the Health and Care Act 2022 are abolished.
(2) NHS England must transfer all functions previously held by ICBs in relation to the following to Regional Health Boards:
(a) hospital and other health services as directed in Section 9(1) of this Act.
(b) primary care services as directed in Section 9(2) of this Act.
(3) NHS England must ensure that on the abolition of an Integrated Care Board, all of the group’s property, rights, executive directors and liabilities are transferred to the respective new Regional Health Board as established in Section 10 of this Act.
Section 3 — Transfer of NHS Trust powers and functions
(1) NHS England may, by order, transfer all property, rights, and liabilities previously held by NHS Trusts, to their respective Regional Health Authority by a specific date and must -
(a) provide a certificate as conclusive evidence of the transfer,
(b) include provisions in the order for the apportionment of assets and resolving disputes through arbitration.
(2) NHS England must, by order, transfer all powers, responsibilities and functions previously held by NHS Trusts and their boards, as outlined in Schedule 2 of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990, to their respective Regional Health Body.
Section 4 — Financial provisions and responsibilities relating to Regional Health Authorities
(1) Each Regional Health Authority (RHA) will be allocated an originating capital, as specified by the Secretary of State, representing the difference between the valuation of transferred assets and liabilities from the dissolved NHS trusts and ICSs.
(2) The originating capital for each RHA will be treated as public dividend capital, funded by Parliament and recognised as an asset of the Consolidated Fund.
(3) Each RHA must ensure that its revenue is adequate to cover all of its revenue-related expenses.
(4) Regional Health Boards, as established in Part 2 of this Act, may appoint trustees for each RHA to hold and manage property for an RHA’s specific purposes.
(5) NHS England, by recommendation of a Regional Health Board, may order the transfer of property from the RHA to the appointed trustees, as necessary.
(6) NHS England shall have the power to specify in relation to trustees, by order, any -
(a) appointment process or conditions, and
(b) terms of removal.
Section 5 — Transfer of trust staff
(1) Individuals employed by NHS Trusts who work at or for facilities that will become part of a Regional Health Authority shall have their employment contracts transferred to the Regional Health Authority from its operational date.
(2) NHS England must ensure that all rights, powers, duties, and liabilities related to staff contracts are transferred to the RHA.
(3) Any actions taken before the operational date by the original employer in relation to the staff or their contracts are considered actions by the RHA.
(4) Employees shall retain the right to terminate their contracts if there is a significant detrimental change in working conditions, but this right does not arise solely because of the change in employer.
(5) NHS England must ensure that, in the transfer of contracts, the employee is protected under the TUPE Regulations as established by the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations Act 2006.
Section 6 — Dissolution and creation of Regional Health Authorities
(1) The relevant Secretary of State may by order made by statutory instrument dissolve a Regional Health Authority if -
(a) it is deemed to be in the interests of the National Health Service, or
(b) the board of the RHA concerned makes an application to the Secretary of State to do so.
(2) If a Regional Health Authority is dissolved under this section, the property, rights and liabilities of the RHA may by order be transferred to either -
(a) another Regional Health Authority, or
(b) an NHS Foundation Trust.
Section 7 — Duties, Powers and Status of Regional Health Authorities
(1) Parts 2 and 3 of Schedule 2, and Schedule 3 of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990, as repealed by Schedule 4 of the National Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006, is hereby reinstated and shall have effect as if it had not been repealed.
(2) In Parts 2 and 3 of Schedule 2, and Schedule 3 of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990, substitute all instances of “NHS Trust” with “Regional Health Authority”.
Section 8 — Amendments
(1) In each of the following sections, substitute all instances of “Integrated Care Board” with “Regional Health Board”:
(a) Sections 3, 3A, 12ZA, and 14Z32 to 14Z64 of the National Health Service Act 2006,
(b) Sections 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 of the Health and Care Act 2022,
(2) In Schedule 3 of the Health and Care Act 2022, substitute all instances of “Integrated Care Board” with “Regional Health Board”.
(3) Sections 18, 19, 20 and 26 of the Health and Care Act 2022 are hereby repealed.
Part 2: Regional Health Boards
Section 9 — Formation of Regional Health Boards
(1) A Regional Health Board (RHB) is responsible for overseeing and coordinating healthcare services in its respective Regional Health Authority area as required by this Act.
(2) The National Health Service Act 2006 is amended as follows -
(a) Part 2, Chapter A3 is hereby repealed in its entirety except for sections 14Z32 to 14Z64 which shall remain in force and renumbered accordingly, and
(b) In Part 2, after Chapter A2 insert -
“Chapter A3, Regional Health Boards
Section 14Z25: Establishment of Regional Health Boards
(1) NHS England must, by order, establish bodies called Regional Health Boards and their respective constitutions to cover the geographic areas previously administered by Integrated Care Boards.
(2) NHS England must ensure that the areas administered by Regional Health Boards cover the whole of England and do not overlap.
(3) NHS England may, in connection with the establishment of a Regional Health Board (RHB), establish a scheme for the transfer of property, rights, or liabilities to the RHB from any of the following entities -
(a) NHS England,
(b) an NHS trust, or
(c) an NHS foundation trust.
(4) NHS England may, in connection with the constitutional reform or abolition of a Regional Health Board, establish a scheme for the transfer of property, rights, or liabilities from an RHB to NHS England or another RHB.
(5) The group of people for whom a Regional Health Board has core responsibility are to the people who usually reside in its area.”
(2) The National Health Service Act 2006 is amended as follows -
(a) Part 2, Chapter A3 is hereby repealed in its entirety except for sections 14Z32 to 14Z64 which shall remain in force and renumbered accordingly, and
(b) In Part 2, after Chapter A2 insert -
Section 10 — Abolition of NHS Trust leadership
(1) With their consolidation, the boards of directors, committees, and any sub-committees of all NHS Trusts shall be dissolved.
(2) All powers, rights, and responsibilities of NHS Trust boards shall be transferred, by order of NHS England, to their respective Regional Health Authorities as established by this Act.
(3) NHS England must exercise the powers granted in Section 6 of this Act to transfer all members of each Board of Directors previously employed within NHS Trusts to Regional Health Authorities.
Section 11 — Appointments to Regional Health Boards
(1) Every Regional Health Board shall be a body corporate consisting of -
(a) a chairman appointed by the relevant Secretary of State, and
(b) subject to paragraph 5(2) of Schedule 2 of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990, executive and non-executive directors.
(2) The relevant Secretary of State may by regulations make general provision with respect to -
(a) the qualifications and conditions for appointment of a chairman and directors, including a fit and proper person test framework,
(b) the tenure of the chairman and directors,
(c) the circumstances in which a chairman or director may be removed from office, and
(d) the creation of and appointment to committees and subcommittees, and their respective constitutions.
(3) Individuals appointed to Regional Health Boards shall assume the duties, powers and functions formerly administered by Integrated Care Boards and Boards of Directors of NHS Trusts, as transferred in this Act.
(4) As outlined in Section 3(3) of this Act, executive directors who were employed by Integrated Care Boards shall have their employment contracts transferred to their respective new Regional Health Board from its operational date where the relevant Secretary of State must offer them the position of chairman.
(5) The Secretary of State must then, in the case of appointing directors to the RHB, give priority to individuals previously employed as directors by NHS Trusts.
(6) NHS England must, in relation to subsection (4) and (5) of this Section, ensure that Sections 6(4) and 6(5) of this Act are upheld.
Part 3: Decentralisation of Healthcare Services
Section 12 — Healthcare Services covered by Regional Health Authorities
(1) In accordance with the transfer of responsibilities and powers in this Act, the responsibility for the commissioning, management, and oversight of all primary care services, as defined in this Section, shall be transferred from NHS England and any other dissolved commissioning bodies to the Regional Health Authorities.
(2) NHS Foundation Trusts are exempt from this Section, and can operate with independence from any transitional or budgetary provisions within this Act.
(3) The Regional Health Boards in each Regional Health Authority shall have have direct oversight and management responsibility for the following primary care services -
(a) General Practice services,
(b) NHS dental services,
(c) Ophthalmological services,
(d) Pharmaceutical services,
(e) Community and public health services,
(f) Minor urgent care services, not including the provision of specialised treatment,
(g) Primary and community mental health services,
(h) Maternity and child health services,
(i) Social prescribing services, and
(j) Any services deemed primary care services by NHS England with respect to subsection (4) of this section.
(4) NHS England may issue guidelines to further the definition or scope of primary care services under a new category or each one listed in subsection (3).
(5) All existing contracts and employee arrangements for the listed primary care services and any secondary care services shall be transferred to the relevant Regional Health Authority by order of NHS England under Section 6 of this Act.
(6) With its consolidation, secondary health services as previously administered by NHS Trusts, are transferred to Regional Health Authorities with respect to Section 4 of this Act who will have responsibility for -
(a) General surgical services,
(b) Diagnostic services,
(c) Urgent and emergency care services, not including the provision of specialised treatment,
(d) Consultant-led outpatient services,
(e) General rehabilitation services,
(g) General mental health services, and
(h) Any services deemed secondary care services by NHS England with respect to subsection (7) of this section.
(7) NHS England may issue guidelines to further the definition or scope of secondary care services under a new category or each one listed in subsection (6) where they do not overlap with specialised services as defined in Section 15 of this Act.
(8) NHS England shall have the powers to transfer the commissioning, oversight and responsibilities of any primary or secondary care services nationwide to Regional Health Boards subject to -
(a) a consultation with any key stakeholders involved and the relevant bodies,
(b) notification to the relevant Secretary of State,
(c) an assessment of the financial implications to be presented to the relevant Secretary of State.
(9) In the case of NHS England exercising its powers as granted by subsection (7) of this section, NHS England must by order transfer all property, rights, and liabilities previously held by any previous body, to their respective Regional Health Authority and must -
(a) provide a certificate as conclusive evidence of the transfer,
(b) include provisions in the order for the apportionment of assets and resolving disputes through arbitration, and
(c) provide a transfer date, after consultation with the relevant Regional Health Board, with a minimum period of 12 months.
(10) In the case of NHS England exercising its powers as granted by subsection (8) of this section, NHS England must ensure full compliance with Section 6 of this Act with regards to staff-related contractual agreements.
Section 13 — Notional budgets
(1) With the transfer of Integrated Care Board budgetary powers, the relevant Secretary of State shall, in consultation with the Treasury, allocate a notional budget to each Regional Health Authority for the commissioning and provision of all primary and secondary care services within their respective regions, taking into consideration the geographic area’s -
(a) population,
(b) health inequalities, and
(c) regional needs.
(2) Each Regional Health Board shall be responsible for the management, oversight, and expenditure of the allocated notional budget, whilst adhering to their financial duties as outlined in Section 5 of this Act.
(3) Regional Health Boards must submit an annual financial plan to the relevant Secretary of State, detailing their expenditures.
(4) The relevant Secretary of State may, by judging on financial performance, issue formal directions to Regional Health Boards in regards to consistent underperformance including -
(a) appointing or replacing board members or financial officers,
(b) adjust budgets, including increased or withheld resource allocation, and
(c) merge RHA services and operations with counterparts.
(5) In the event that NHS England, under subsections 13(4) and 13(7) of this Act, issues guidelines modifying the scope of care services, the relevant Secretary of State may, in consultation with the Treasury and NHS England, amend the notional budget allocated to each Regional Health Authority to account for the inclusion of additional services.
(6) The relevant Secretary of State may, by order and with consultation with the Treasury, amend the NHS budget allocated to NHS England to account for the transfer or expansion in scope of any specialised care services as outlined in Section 15 of this Act.
Section 14 — Specialised care and treatment services
(1) For the purposes of this section, “specialised services” shall refer to -
(a) the treatment of rare or complex medical and surgical conditions, or
(b) services requiring specialised teams.
(2) For the following, “specialised” shall refer to the definition given in subsection 1(b) of this section.
(3) The definition and scope of specialised services may be further clarified by NHS England through the issuance of official guidelines, and include but are not limited to -
(a) diagnostics and treatment of rare diseases and genetic disorders,
(b) advanced cancer treatments,
(c) transplant services and other complex surgeries,
(d) specialised mental health services,
(e) specialised neurological services,
(f) cardiac services,
(g) neonatal and paediatric intensive care,
(h) specialised renal services,
(i) any service deemed specialised by NHS England under the powers granted by this subsection.
(4) NHS England shall retain responsibility fully and solely for the commissioning and management of specialised care and treatment services as listed above.
(5) The commissioning of specialised services by Integrated Care Boards and NHS Foundation Trusts shall be transferred by order to NHS England, including the reallocation of relevant budgets, and transfer of contractual agreements following the guidelines set out by Section 6 of this Act.
(6) Regional Health Boards shall have a duty to coordinate with NHS England and Foundation Trusts to ensure the coordination of specialised services with primary care, and report back to the relevant Secretary of State in regards to integration and performance where appropriate.
(7) NHS England shall have the powers to transfer the commissioning, oversight and responsibilities of any specialised care services listed above or further defined by NHS England guidelines, from any body to NHS England, subject to the conditions outlined in subsections (8)(a), (8)(b) and (8)(c) of Section 13 of this Act being met.
(8) In the case of NHS England exercising the power granted to it within subsection (7) of this section, they must by order transfer all property, rights, and liabilities previously held by any previous body to NHS England, and must -
(a) comply with subsections (9)(a) and (9)(b) of Section 13 of this Act, and
(b) provide a transfer date, after consultation with both the relevant body and Secretary of State, with a minimum period of 12 months.
(9) In the case of NHS England exercising its powers as granted by subsection (7) of this section, NHS England must ensure full compliance with Section 6 of this Act with regards to staff-related contractual agreements.
Section 15 — Care Quality Commission oversight
(1) The Care Quality Commission (CQC) shall have the authority to oversee and inspect Regional Health Authorities to ensure compliance with standards under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.
(2) Each Regional Health Authority will be subject to regular inspections by the Care Quality Commission and shall be legally required to keep all data and records on a digital repository that can be made accessible to the CQC.
(3) The Care Quality Commission shall report their findings to NHS England and the relevant Secretary of State.
(4) For the purposes of an inspection, the CQC may -
(a) issue recommendations to an RHA based on its findings,
(b) require action plans and monitor any corresponding progress, and
(c) issue financial penalties or legal action in the case of consistent underperformance.
Part 3 4: Transitional provisions, extent, commencement, and short title
Section 16 — Transitionary period
(1) A transitionary period of 12 months from the passing of this Act shall be enacted for the implementation of Regional Health Authorities in which, at its completion, all assets, responsibilities, functions, contractual agreements and powers shall be transferred to Regional Health Boards in accordance with this Act.
(2) The relevant Secretary of State shall, in partnership with NHS England, make provision for facilitating the transition, to which NHS Trusts and ICBs must cooperate fully.
(3) Any employment offered by Regional Health Authorities before the transfer date shall have the same transfer provisions apply as if the employment had started on the RHA’s operational date.
(4) The relevant Secretary of State may make provision to allow for NHS Trust leadership to continue to operate in a caretaker capacity until the RHBs are fully operational.
Section 17 - Definitions
“NHS England” means the body established under section 1H of the National Health Service Act 2006;
“ICSs” refers to Integrated Care Systems established under Health and Care Act 2022;
“Foundation Trusts” has the meaning given by section 30 of the National Health Service Act 2006.
Section 18 — Extent, commencement and short title
(1) This Act extends to England.
(2) This Act comes into force on the day in which it is passed.
(3) This Act may be cited as the ‘National Health Service (Regional Health Authorities) Act 2024’.
(2) Part 4 of this Act comes into force on the day on which this Act is passed.
(4) This Act may be cited as the National Health Service (Regional Health Authorities) Act 2024.
Referenced legislation
Health and Social Care Act 2012
National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990
Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003
National Health Service Act 1977
Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations Act 2006
National Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006
National Health Service Act 2006
This Bill was submitted by the Right Honourable OAP MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, on behalf of His Majesty’s Official Opposition.
Opening Speech:
Deputy Speaker,
Integration has always been at the forefront of NHS policy, with primary care bodies constantly under reform to try and achieve this - most notably with the more recent formation of ICSs from CCGs, the then PCTs. Despite this constant restructuring, fragmentation still remains and NHS bodies continue to operate in silos, with the responsibilities of trusts, ICSs and NHS England not fully defined. In order to plug the gaps in provision and inefficiencies which burden our health system, the NHS needs an established and unified body that can be held clearly accountable for primary care across the United Kingdom.
This Bill addresses these shortcomings by consolidating the responsibilities of administering primary care services into one authority, whilst ensuring that specialised care decentralisation is no longer dignified - defining responsibilities in a way which patient transfer between primary and secondary care can be smoothly and efficiently overseen. A unified approach to healthcare delivery will ensure once and for all better resource coordination, allocation and maximisation, and fundamentally allow the nation to experience the true potential of healthcare integration through statistically and practically proven improved outcomes.
This is also about granting the ability to provide everyone, no matter where they live, seamless and world-beating care. Instead of the more centralised status quo, regions should have greater say and authority over the funding required and provision of such, and this is something that the relevant secretary would be duty-bound to take on board. It’s time to eliminate the barriers to full integration and ensure the NHS can meet its promise of universal healthcare, and I hope all across the house can support these measures.
As many that are of that opinion say 'Aye', of the contrary 'No', and those who choose not to place a vote may 'Abstain'.
Members can vote in this division until Tuesday 8th October at 10pm BST.
19:49 UTC
B017 - National Bank Holidays (England & Wales) Bill - Report Stage Division
B017 - National Bank Holidays (England & Wales) Bill - Report Stage Division
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amend Schedule 1 of the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 to make Saint David’s Day, March 1st, and Saint George’s Day, 23rd April, bank holidays in England and Wales respectively. BE IT ENACTED by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
Section 1 - Definitions
(1) The “Act” is relating to the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971
Section 2 - Amendments
(1) Schedule 1, section 1 of the act shall read:
The following are to be bank holidays in England:—
Easter Monday
The last Monday in May
23rd of April
The last Monday in August
26th December, if it be not a Sunday
27th December in a year in which 25th or 26th December is a Sunday
(2) Add in Section 4 within Schedule 1 which reads as:
The following are to be bank holidays in Wales:—
1st of March
Easter Monday
The last Monday in May
The last Monday in August
26th December, if it be not a Sunday.
27th December in a year in which 25th or 26th December is a Sunday.
(3) Sections 2 and 3 in Schedule 1 remain unchanged.
Section 3 - Extent, commencement and short title
(1) This Act shall extend to the United Kingdom.
(2) This Act shall come into force immediately upon receiving Royal Assent.
(3) This Act shall be known as the National Bank Holidays (England & Wales) Bill.
This Bill was submitted by on behalf of Plaid Cymru.
Opening Speech:
Speaker,
National holidays are something the entire country can enjoy, it is a day of pride. In Scotland and Northern Ireland their citizens can enjoy the national holiday of their saint, may it be Saint Patrick or Saint Andrew. In England and Wales however, neither Saint David’s Day or Saint George’s Day are bank holidays, whereas their Scottish and Irish counterparts are.
Every 1st of March people across Wales celebrate being Welsh, through wearing traditional Welsh clothing to schools or parading the daffodil across Cardiff. Yet according to the law, this day is no more special than the 4th of January, despite the fact to many across Wales it is. Bank holidays allow people the chance to enjoy the festivities. I went to Cardiff last Saint David’s Day and saw a beautiful choir in the M&S, singing Welsh songs. I continued my day further down the shopping centre to see yet another choir singing the national anthem, hen wlad fy nhadau. For many this day is important because it gives us pride and honour of who they are, and we should acknowledge that. Being able to acknowledge that the day is significant to the country and declaring it a holiday would allow more to enjoy and celebrate.
Now I may be a Plaid MP however I do believe in fairness. That is why I have included England’s Saint George’s Day is also given status in this bill too. My English neighbours should also have the same opportunities as their Scottish and Northern Irish counterparts. All parts of the United Kingdom should be able to celebrate their nation’s day.
This is not just about sentiments either, for these bank holidays also allow for more economic activity for sectors that need it. As I said previously I went to Cardiff on Saint David’s Day to celebrate, of which many others joined me. It boosts the profits of the shops, not just in Cardiff but across all of the commercial sector in places like our struggling high streets. This is an opportunity to boost activity in these areas since many take a bank holiday to do their shop while they have the day off. Ultimately however this bill is about allowing all parts of the United Kingdom to celebrate their day, whether they are from Scotland, Northern Ireland, England or Wales. We are all proud of our identities and we should allow all parts of the United Kingdom to celebrate it equally. Therefore I commend this bill to the house!
AMENDMENTS
A01 (u/Yimir_, Independent):
Change Section (2) (1) to read “Schedule 1, section 1 of the act shall read:
The following are to be bank holidays in England:—
Easter Monday.
The last Monday in May.
23rd of April, unless that date falls between Palm Sunday and the second Sunday of Easter inclusive, when the Bank Holiday is to be the Monday following that second Easter Sunday.
The last Monday in August.
26th December, if it be not a Sunday.
27th December in a year in which 25th or 26th December is a Sunday.
EN: Changes St George's day bank holiday to follow actual established dates and changes for when April 23rd falls during Easter week.
A02 ( MP, Labour):
Change the bill to read:
Section 1 Bank Holidays in England and Wales
(1) The Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 is amended as follows.
(2) For paragraph 1 (bank holidays in England and Wales) of Schedule 1, substitute—
“1 The following are to be bank holidays in England:—
23rd of April, unless that date falls between Palm Sunday and the second Sunday of Easter inclusive, when the bank holiday is to be the Monday following that second Easter Sunday.
Easter Monday.
The last Monday in May.
The last Monday in August.
26th December, if it be not a Sunday.
27th December in a year in which 25th or 26th December is a Sunday.”.
(3) After paragraph 3 of Schedule 1, insert—
“4 The following are to be bank holidays in Wales:—
1st March.
Easter Monday.
The last Monday in May.
The last Monday in August.
26th December, if it be not a Sunday.
27th December in a year in which 25th or 26th December is a Sunday.”.
Section 2 Commencement
This Act comes into force on the day on which it is passed.
Section 3 Extent
Any amendment made by this Act has the same extent as the provision amended or repealed.
Section 4 Short title
This Act may be cited as the National Bank Holidays (England & Wales) Act 2024.
Explanatory note: better wording for the Bill, also incorporating Yimir's amendment
As many that are of that opinion say 'Aye', of the contrary 'No', and those who choose not to place a vote may 'Abstain'.
Members can vote in this division until Tuesday 8th October at 10pm BST.
19:31 UTC
B013 - Police Reorganisation and Standards Bill - 3rd Reading Division
B013 - Police Reorganisation and Standards Bill - 3rd Reading Division
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restructure and reform law enforcement and policing through consolidating specialist forces under the NCA, emboldening Metro Mayors and codifying statutory policing principles and ethics.
BE IT ENACTED by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
Part 1: Police and Law Enforcement Restructuring
Chapter 1: Specialised Law Enforcement Reform
Section 1 — Definitions and Interpretations
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms apply—
(1) "Metropolitan Police" means the Metropolitan Police Service.
(2) “Specialist Operations" refers to the units within the Metropolitan Police that handle counter-terrorism, protective security, and other specialised functions.
(3) “Regional Organised Crime Units" (ROCUs) refer to collaborative units across police forces addressing serious and organised crime.
(4) "Serious Fraud Office" (SFO) is the agency responsible for investigating and prosecuting serious or complex fraud and corruption.
(5) "National Crime Agency" (NCA) refers to the agency established under the Crime and Courts Act 2013.
(6) "Secretary of State" refers to the Secretary of State for Home Affairs and any other relevant Government Minister.
Section 2 — Abolition and Transfer of Specialist Operations
(1) The Specialist Operations units within the Metropolitan Police shall be transferred to the National Crime Agency (NCA) upon the commencement of this Act.
(2) The functions, powers, and responsibilities of these units shall be assumed by the NCA.
(3) The transfer date for the purposes of this Act shall be a date as the Secretary of State may designate by regulations, being a date not later than 31 December 2028.
(4) All personnel employed by the Specialist Operations units of the Metropolitan Police shall transfer to the NCA on terms no less favourable than those they held immediately before the transfer.
(5) All property, rights, and liabilities of the Specialist Operations units of the Metropolitan Police shall transfer to the NCA.
Section 3 — Leadership and Operations of Regional Organised Crime Units
(1) Leadership and coordination of the Regional Organised Crime Units (ROCUs) shall be transferred to the NCA.
(2) The NCA shall assume all responsibilities for the strategic direction, resource allocation, and operational oversight of ROCUs.
(3) All existing operational agreements, joint task forces, and collaborative efforts under ROCUs shall continue under the leadership of the NCA.
(4) The NCA shall ensure the integration and continuity of operations to avoid disruption.
Section 4 — Abolition and Transfer of the Serious Fraud Office
(1) The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) shall hereby be abolished.
(2) All functions, powers, and responsibilities of the SFO shall be transferred to the NCA.
(3) All personnel employed by the SFO shall transfer to the NCA on terms no less favourable than those they held immediately before the transfer.
(4) All property, rights, and liabilities of the SFO shall transfer to the NCA.
Section 5 — Amendments to Existing Legislation and Transitional Arrangements
(1) The Crime and Courts Act 2013 and other relevant legislation shall be amended and repealed where necessary to comply with this Act.
(2) References to the Specialist Operations, ROCUs, and the SFO in any other enactment, instrument, or document shall be construed as references to the NCA as the context requires.
(3) The Secretary of State may by regulations make such transitional, transitory, or saving provisions as the Secretary of State considers appropriate in connection with the coming into force of any provision of this Act.
(4) Regulations under this section may, in particular, make provision for the continuity of functions between the transferring bodies and the NCA.
Chapter 2: Police and Crime Commissioners Reform
Section 6 — Definitions and Interpretations
In this Section, unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms apply—
(1) "PCC" means Police and Crime Commissioner.
(4) "Secretary of State" means the Secretary of State for the Home Department.
Section 7 — Abolition and Transfer of Police and Crime Commissioners
(4) Different dates may be appointed for different Combined Authority areas.
Section 8 — Transfer of Functions, Staff and Resources to Metro Mayors
(a) Developing and issuing police and crime plans;
(b) Appointing Chief Constables;
(c) Holding Chief Constables to account;
(d) Setting police budgets and precepts; and
(e) Commissioning victim support services.
Section 9 — Amendments to Existing Legislation and Transitional Arrangements
Part 2: Policing Standards Reform
Chapter 1: The Principles of Policing
Section 10 — Regulations on setting Principles and Ethics
(1) The Secretary of State within 12 months of the commencement of this Act shall introduce updated, translated and standardised statutory regulations rooted in current guidance for setting the core principles and ethics of policing and law enforcement.
(2) The Secretary of State must draft regulations introduced under this section with the relevant input and consultation, including but not limited to—
(a) College of Policing;
(b) Police Federation;
(c) Territorial and National Law Enforcement Agencies; and
(d) any other law enforcement and investigative designated agencies by the Secretary of State.
(3) Regulations set by the Secretary of State must include but not be limited to the Principles and Ethics set out in Schedule 1.
Section 11 — Duties and Responsibilities
(1) All law enforcement officers and police forces in the United Kingdom are required to—
(a) Uphold and adhere to guidance issued by the Secretary of State based on standards and ethics set out in Schedule 1 in the performance of their duties to the furthest extent possible;
(b) Undergo training and continuous professional development to ensure understanding and application of these regulations; and
(c) Ensure transparency and accountability in their actions in accordance with the regulations.
(2) The Secretary of State shall set regulations to ensure compliance and enforcement of regulations set under this Chapter.
Section 12 — Extent, Commencement and Short Title
(1) This Act extends to England and Wales only.
(2) This Act comes into force on the day on which this Act is passed.
(3) This Act may be cited as the Policing Reorganisation and Standards Act 2024.
Schedule 1: Principles, Standards and Ethics of Policing
(1) The following principles, also known as the ‘Peelian Principles’, are hereby enshrined as law in which the aspiration of all law enforcement officials in the United Kingdom shall be —
(a) To prevent crime and disorder, as an alternative to their repression by military force and severity of legal punishment;
(b) To always recognise that the power of the police to fulfil their functions and duties is dependent on public approval of their existence, actions, and behaviour and on their ability to secure and maintain public respect;
(c) To recognise always that to secure and maintain the respect and approval of the public means also securing the willing co-operation of the public in the task of securing observance of laws;
(d) To recognise always that the extent to which the cooperation of the public can be secured diminishes proportionately to the necessity of the use of physical force and compulsion for achieving police objectives;
(e) To seek and preserve public favour, not by pandering to public opinion, but by constantly demonstrating absolutely impartial service to law, in complete independence of policy, and without regard to the justice or injustice of the substance of individual laws; by ready offering of individual service and friendship to all members of the public without regard to their wealth or social standing; by ready exercise of courtesy and friendly good humour; and by ready offering of individual sacrifice in protecting and preserving life;
(f) To use physical force only when the exercise of persuasion, advice, and warning is found to be insufficient to obtain public co-operation to an extent necessary to secure observance of law or to restore order, and to use only the minimum degree of physical force which is necessary on any particular occasion for achieving a police objective;
(g) To maintain at all times a relationship with the public that gives reality to the historic tradition that the police are the public and the public are the police; the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full-time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence;
(h) To recognise always the need for strict adherence to police-executive functions, and to refrain from even seeming to usurp the powers of the judiciary of avenging individuals or the State, and of authoritatively judging guilt and punishing the guilty.
(i) To recognise always that the test of police efficiency is the absence of crime and disorder, and not the visible evidence of police action in dealing with them.
This Bill was submitted by the Right Honourable u/BlueEarlGrey OAP MP, Leader of the Opposition, on behalf of His Majesty’s Official Opposition with contributions from the Honourable u/Blocoff, Shadow Home Secretary.
Opening Speech:
Mr Speaker,
In Chapter 1, our bill provides for the consolidation of key law enforcement functions and restoring the local community level policing that London deserves. Our proposal transfers the Metropolitan Police’s Specialist Operations, leadership of Regional Organised Crime Units, and the Serious Fraud Office to the National Crime Agency (NCA). Our bill sets out the framework for the abolition of these units and agencies, the transfer of their responsibilities to the NCA, and the necessary amendments to existing legislation. Whilst intending to ensure a seamless transition of functions, staff, and resources to maintain and enhance the effectiveness of national law enforcement efforts.
Fundamentally London is not, or at least should not be the be all and end all of the United Kingdom. Whilst it is our largest city and with unequal economic and political capital, we need to move away from this imbalance. London alone should not be running national law enforcement, our specialist national agency dedicated to this should be. So this is why we are transferring such powers of specialist operations to the NCA. Empowering this body to be the national agency that it is meant to be whilst restoring the Metropolitan police to truly be the local community police force for London and it’s metropolitan areas that it should be. With greater focus by the Met on the issues and dangers that affect local communities which have gone neglected is highly important. People do not have confidence in our police force where they struggle and neglect matters deemed “small” such as burglaries, vandalism, assaults and much more. Allowing the NCA to take up its duty in dealing with specialist operations such as terrorism, drug trafficking and much more.
Furthermore in Chapter 2, we propose the phasing out of Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) and the transfer of their functions to Metro Mayors. Setting out the framework for the abolition of PCC offices, and the transfer of responsibilities to Metro Mayors. Our bill also aims to ensure a seamless transition of functions, staff, and resources to maintain effective policing and crime management within Combined Authority areas.
Regarding the second half, the Conservative Party absolutely recognises that policing standards have slipped in recent times. Where the public do not have safety, assurance and confidence in the capabilities, character and conduct of our law enforcement. As the founder of the worldwide policing standards that have guided and led successful models, we pride ourselves on our belief in the enduring ‘Peelian Principles’ of policing. These principles serve as a timeless guide for law enforcement officials, emphasising crime prevention, public cooperation, impartial service, and the judicious use of force. They remind us that the effectiveness of our police is measured not by the visible evidence of their actions, but by the absence of crime and disorder.
As part of our reform proposals, it is imperative that work is done to renew the police and its standards to its core values. We are acutely aware of the significant responsibility that rests on our shoulders. This is why we are proposing to ensure that our law enforcement not only upholds the law but also embodies the highest principles of justice, fairness, and public service. Every officer, from the highest ranks to the newest recruits, must uphold these standards to the fullest extent possible. Through continuous professional development and a commitment to transparency and accountability, we aim to build a policing system that not only enforces the law but does so with integrity and respect for all individuals. Chapter 3 is critical in setting the tone for how we perceive, evaluate, and improve the practices of those who protect and serve our communities. This underscores the need for updated, standardised regulations that resonate with current societal values and expectations. These regulations will be rooted in current guidance, drawing from the insights of respected bodies such as the College of Policing, the Police Federation, and various law enforcement agencies. This inclusive approach ensures that the principles and ethics we set forth are comprehensive, practical, and reflective of the collective wisdom of our law enforcement community.
As many that are of that opinion say 'Aye', of the contrary 'No', and those who choose not to place a vote may 'Abstain'.
Members can vote in this division until Sunday 6th October at 10pm BST.
08:34 UTC
B024 - Woodhouse Colliery (Planning Permission) Bill - 2nd Reading Division
B024 - Woodhouse Colliery (Planning Permission) Bill - 2nd Reading Division
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approve Planning Permission for the Woodhouse Colliery.
BE IT ENACTED by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows —
Section 1 - Planning Approval
(1) The planning application for Woodhouse Colliery near Whitehaven in Cumbria shall be considered approved
Section 2 - Short Title, Extent and Commencement
(1) This Act can be cited as the Woodhouse Colliery (Planning Permission) Act
(2) This Act shall extend to England.
(3) This Act shall commence immediately upon Royal Assent.
This Bill was submitted by u/mrsusandothechoosin on behalf of Reform UK.
Opening Speech:
Mister speaker,
The House has in recent days made its' view on the use of coal for energy known - reasonably stating that coal should not be used for powering the national grid. In this modern age, that is very reasonable.
But what this House has not yet done, is give certainty to our manufacturing centre on whether we can continue to domestically produce steel, or source metallurgical coal within this country.
Very recently, the Woodhouse colliery has been dealt another blow. Despite first being proposed in 2014, a legal challenge has blocked the development on a technicality. A development that would bring jobs, in an environmentally responsible way.
Mister Speaker, any coal or steel that is not sourced from our own industry, is inevitably going to be sourced from abroad. It may feel good for campaigners to block development in the UK, but frankly it is irresponsible virtue signalling. It is indulgent, because not only will the carbon cost actually be greater as a result, it will also harm our economy. It is the very worst kind of NIMBYism.
With this small private bill, we have the opportunity to cut through the Gordian knot of our not-fit-for-purpose planning system, and demonstrate that while coal as an energy source is in the past, we still support our manufacturing sector in this limited way. We shouldn't outsource our responsibilities, but should take care of them ourselves.
I commend this bill to the House.
As many that are of that opinion say 'Aye', of the contrary 'No', and those who choose not to place a vote may 'Abstain'.
Members can vote in this division until Sunday 6th October at 10pm BST.
08:33 UTC
M004 - Music Gig Prices Motion - Amendment Division
Order!
The question is that the amendment be made.
Division! Clear the lobby.
M004 - Music Gig Prices Motion - Reading
This House Recognises:
That the recent dynamic pricing for the Oasis tour has resulted in people paying hundreds of pounds for a ticket.
Working people shouldn’t be priced out of music gigs and festivals.
Tickets are often bought by bots in order to resel at prices much higher than their face value.
This House Urges:
The Government to open up dialog with artists and record labels to seek how to make ticket prices fair for all.
The Government to clamp down on bots buying tickets
The Government to investigate the reselling of tickets above face value.
This Motion was written by the leader of the Liberal Democrats, /u/model-ceasar OAP.
Opening Speech:
Deputy Speaker,
The decision by Oasis to implement dynamic prices for their tickets has meant that many people who were waiting in line to pay for a ticket to see them ended up being faced with ticket prices several times higher than the advertised price. This is not the first occurrence of this, and neither will it be the last if the Government doesn’t act.
Artists need to make money from their gigs and music, and record labels need to take their cut too. Therefore, the Government should sit down with the respective parties to ensure that prices are fair. Fair for the working people that pay to go see their favourite music. And fair for the artists who are making their music. As it stands prices are not fair for the working people and they either pay with money they can’t afford or are being priced out completely.
While the Government is in discussions with these parties they should also discuss the reselling of tickets. These are often being sold at well above their face value, and I urge the Government to work with the industry to clamp down and restrict these resales so that no ticket is resold at a higher value than it was bought.
Amendment (/u/mrsusandthechoosin, Reform UK)
Insert at end:
That those who were adults at the time a band was formed / artists began their career, are given priority to access tickets.
Members are to vote aye, no, or abstain to the amendment.
Voting will conclude with the close of business at 10pm BST on the 4th of October.
14:35 UTC
B020 - Sovereign Grant (Expiry) Bill - 2nd Reading Division
Order!
The question is that the Bill be now read a second time.
Division! Clear the lobby.
B020 - Sovereign Grant (Expiry) Bill - 2nd Reading
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expire the Sovereign Grant Act 2011 before the next financial year.
BE IT ENACTED by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
Section 1 — Amendments
(1) The Sovereign Grant Act 2011 is amended in accordance with subsections (2) and (3).
(2) For section 16(1) substitute—
"(1A) The Sovereign Grant provisions cease to have effect on 31st March 2025."
(3) Section 16(3) is repealed.
(4) The Sovereign Grant Act 2011 (Duration of Sovereign Grant Provisions) Order 2022 is repealed.
Section 2 — Civil List
(1) A Civil List is to be paid by the Treasury to His Majesty for each financial year.
(2) The purpose of the Civil List for a financial year is to provide resources for use for that year by the Royal Household in support of its expenses.
(3) The amount of the Civil List that is used to support His Majesty may be no greater than three-quarters the annual salary of the Lady Chief Justice.
(4) The amount of the Civil List that is used to support any given member of the Royal Family other than His Majesty may be no greater than one-half the annual salary of the Lady Chief Justice.
(5) The Civil List is to be paid out of money provided by Parliament.
(6) The Civil List is to be fixed at ten million pounds per year.
(7) In this section, any reference to the expenses of the Royal Household includes the expenses of its employees and the maintenance of Royal Palaces and related land.
Section 3 — Extent, Commencement and Short Title
(1) This Act extends to England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
(2) This Act comes into force on the day on which this Act is passed.
(3) This Act may be cited as the Sovereign Grant (Expiry) Act 2024.
This Bill was written and submitted by /u/model-faelif and /u/model-av as a Private Member's Bill on behalf of the Transition to a Republic APPG.
Sources:
Opening Speech:
Deputy Speaker,
In 2011, the Coalition government replaced the existing system of royal financing, in which the profit of the Crown Estate went to the Exchequer and the Royal Household received a fixed payment to support its costs, with a proportion of the Crown Estate income that could be set at whatever rate was desired. This means that since those changes, the payment afforded to the Royal Household has ballooned from just under eight million pounds — in 2022, a payment more than ten times that of eighty-six millon was made to the Sovereign. Despite the fact that this increase was originally set to expire on the death of Her Majesty, the provisions were extended to cover Charles' reign, too.
All this, Deputy Speaker, without justification and while the people of this country suffer an increasing cost of living and rising poverty. It is simply not acceptable that we provide ever-increasing sums of money to an unelected head of state, all the while sacrificing income from the Crown Estate and reducing the amount available for the people. This bill would restore the Civil List at its previous value, increased slightly due to inflation, and would end the pegging to the Crown Estate, freeing up valuable funds for us to provide for the people of the country.
Members are to vote aye, no, or abstain only.
Voting will conclude with the close of business at 10pm BST on the 4th of October.
07:02 UTC
B023 - Right to a Peaceful Death (England & Wales) Bill - 2nd Reading Division
B023 - Right to a Peaceful Death (England & Wales) Bill - 2nd Reading
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enable adults who are terminally ill to be provided at their own request with specified assistance to to end their own life for connected purposes.
BE IT ENACTED by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
#####Section 1 - legalisation
(1) Subject to the consent of the High Court (Family Division) an individual with a terminal illness may request lawfully be provided with assistance to end their own life.
Subsection (1) only applies if the High Court (Family Division) by order confirms that -
(a) Has clearly made a voluntary, clear and informed wish to end their own life
(b) Is aged 18 and above
(c) Has the capacity to make the decision to end their own life
(d) is under the age of 18 and has the consent of parents or legal guardians according to law in accordance with section (2) (a) of this bill
(e) Has been a resident of England and Wales for more than a year (or otherwise stated in compliance with the hague convention of civil aspects of international Child Abduction or Brussels II Regulation (EC) No 2201/2003)
Section 2 - Terminal Illness
(1) For the purpose of this bill, a terminal illness shall be defined as
(a) Has been diagnosed with a registered medical practitioner as having an irreversible
(b) progressive condition (Terminal Illness)
(c) As a consequence of the illness is expected to die within 6 months
(2) Treatment which only relieves the symptoms of the progressive condition is no longer regarded as curing the condition
#####Section 3 - Declaration
(1) An application may only be made to the High Court (Family Division) under section 1(2) only if
(a) The person has signed a declaration that they voluntary, clearly and informed wish to end their own life as defined by the schedule in the presence of a witness who is not a family member or directly involved in the person's immediate care
(b) This declaration can be countersigned by a qualified registered medical practitioner whom the person has requested to end their life (ex, Attending Doctor)
(c) another suitable medical practitioner who is not a relative, partner or colleague of the person who has requested to end their own life (Independent Doctor) who is not a relative, partner or colleague of the attending doctor
(2) Before countersigning a person's declaration the attending doctor and the independent doctor having separately examined the person and their medical record and acting independently of each other must be satisfied that the person is
(a) Terminally Ill
(b)Has the capacity to end their own life A declaration under this section is valid and takes effect on such date as the High Court (Family Division) may ordeHas a clear >(c) settled intention to end their own life which had been reached voluntary and on informed basis without coercion or duress
(3) In deciding whether to countersign a declaration under subsection (3), the attending doctor and the independent doctor must be satisfied that the person making it has been fully informed of the palliative, hospice and other care which is available to that person
(4) If the attending doctor or independent doctor has doubt as to a person’s capacity to make a decision under subsection before deciding whether to countersign a declaration made by that person the doctor must
(a) refer the person for assessment by an appropriate specialist; and
(b) take account of any opinion provided by the appropriate specialist in respect of that person.
(5) A declaration under this section is valid and takes effect on such a date as the High Court (Family Division) may order
(6) A person who has made a declaration under this section may revoke it at any time and revocation need not be in writing
(7) For the purpose of subsection (1) (b) (ii) , an attending or independent doctor is suitably qualified if that doctor holds such qualification or has such experience, including in respect of the diagnosis and management of terminal illness, as the Secretary of State may specify in regulations (which may make different provision for different purposes).
(8) In this section, “appropriate specialist” means a registered practitioner (other than the attending doctor or independent doctor) who is registered in the specialty of psychiatry and is in the special kept register by the General Medical Council
#####Section 4 - Assistance in Dying
(1) The attending doctor of a person who has made a valid declaration may prescribe medicines for that person to enable that person to end their own life
(2) Any medicines prescribed under subsection (1) may only be delivered to the person for whom they are prescribed—
(a) another registered medical practitioner; or
(b) registered nurse; who has been authorised to do so by the attending doctor
(c) after the assisting health professional has confirmed that the person has not revoked and does not wish to revoke their declaration; and
(d) after a period of not less than 14 days has elapsed since the day on which the person’s declaration took effect.
(3) If the attending doctor and the independent doctor agree that a person’s death from terminal illness is reasonably expected to occur within one month of the day on which a declaration takes effect, the period specified in subsection is reduced to six days.
(4) In respect of a medicine which has been prescribed for a person under subsection an assisting health professional may
(a) prepare that medicine for self-administration by that person;
prepare a medical device which will enable that person to self-administer the medicine;
(b) assist that person to ingest or otherwise self-administer the medicine;
(5) Subsection 4 does not authorise an assisting health professional to administer a medicine to another person with the intention of causing that person’s death.
(6) The assisting health professional must remain with the person until the person has
(a) self-administered the medicine and died; or
(b) decided not to self-administer the medicine; and for the purpose of this subsection the assisting health professional is to be regarded as remaining with the person if the assisting health professional is in close proximity to, but not in the same room as, the person.
(7) The Secretary of State may by regulations specify
(a) the medicines which may be prescribed under this section; the form and manner in which such prescriptions are to be issued; and (H) the manner and conditions under which such medicines are to be dispensed, stored, transported, used and destroyed.
(8) Regulations under subsection (7)(c) must provide that an assisting health 10 professional
(a) must only deliver any medicines prescribed under this section to the person for whom they have been prescribed immediately before their intended use; and
(b) in the event that the person decides not to self-administer the medicine, must immediately remove it from that person and, as soon as reasonably practicable, return it to the pharmacy from which it was dispensed.
(9) Regulations under subsection (7) may
(a) make different provision for different purposes; and
(b) include consequential, incidental, supplementary or transitional provisions.
(10) In this section, “assisting health professional” means the attending doctor or a person authorised by the attending doctor in accordance with subsection (2)(b)
#####Section 5 - Conscientious Objection
(1) A person is not under any duty (whether by contract or arising from any statutory or other legal requirement) to participate in anything authorised by this Act to which that person has a conscientious objection.
#####Section 6 - Criminal Liability
(1) A person who provides any assistance in accordance with this Act is not guilty of an offence.
(2) In the Suicide Act 1961 after section 2B (Course of conduct) insert - “2C Right to a Peacful Death
(3) sections 2, 2A and 2B do not apply respect of provision of assistance to another person in accordance with the Right of a Peaceful Death England & Wales Act 2024
#####Section 7 - Investigations, Death Certificates etc
(1) A person is not regarded as having died in circumstances to which section 1(2)(a) or (b) of the coroners and justice act 2009 (duty to investigate certain deaths) applies only because the person has died as a consequence of the provision in accordance with the Act.
(2) In the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953 after section 39A (regulations made by the minister: further provisions) insert -
“39B Regulations: Right to a Peaceful Death
(1) The Secretary of State may make regulations
(a) providing for the provision of this act relating to the registration of deaths to apply to in respect of deaths which arise from provision of assistance in according with the Right of a Peaceful Death England & Wales Act 2024
with such modifications may be proscribed in respect of
(i) the information of which is to be provided of such deaths (ii) the form and manner which the cause of deaths is to be certified (iiii) The form and manner of which such deaths are to be registered
(2) Requiring the Register General to prepare at least one report a year to provide statistical analysis of deaths which have arisen accordance with the the Right of a Peaceful Death England & Wales Act 2024
(3) Containing such incidental, supplemental and transitional provisions as the Secretary of State considered appropriate
#####Section 8 - Codes of Practice
(1) The Secretary of State may issue one or more codes of practice in connection with
(a) The assessment of whether a person has a clear settled intention of taking their own life
(b) if the person has the capacity to make such a decision
(c) recognising and taking into account the effects of a person's psychology and state of mind that may impair their decision making
(2) The information on which is made available on treatment and end of life options and the consequences of the person's decision to end their life
(3) The counselling and guidance which should be made available to a person seeking to end their life
(4) The arrangements for the delivery of medicine to the person they have been prescribed to under section 4 and the assistance of which may be given to them
(5) Other such matters the secretary of state deems fit under the Right of a Peaceful Death England & Wales Act 2024
#####Section 9 - Monitoring
(1) The relevant Chief Medical Officer must
(a) Monitor the operation of this Act including compliance and regulations with it’s provisions and any regulations or code of practices
(b) Inspect and report to the relevant national authority on any matter with the connected purposes of this act
(c) Submit an annual report to the relevant national authority
(2) The Chief Medical Officers may combine their annual reports into a single document (“A Combined Report) in such a manner they deem appropriate
(3) The relevant national authority must publish each annual report (or combined) it receives under this section and
(a) the Secretary of State must lay a copy before the house of Parliament
(b) The Welsh Ministers must lay a copy before the Sennedd
(4) In this section “relevant Chief Medical Officer means”
(a) In England, the Chief Medical Officer to the Department of Health and Social Care
(b) In Wales, The Chief Medical Officer of the Welsh Government
(5) Relevant National Authority means
(a) In England, the Secretary of State
(b) In Wales, the Welsh ministers
#####Section 10 - Offences
(1) A person commits an offence if
(a) Makes or Knowingly uses a false instrument which purports a declaration under section 3 by another person
(b) Willfully conceals or destroys said declaration under section 3 made by another person
(2) A person commits an offence when if in relation to another person who is seeking or to make or has made a declaration under section 3, Knowingly and recklessly provided a medical or other professional opinion which is false or misleading
(3) A person commits an offence if the person dishonestly or by coercion induced another person to make, revoke, request assistance to die
(4) A person commits an offence when if a person dishonestly or by coercion includes another person to self administer end of life medication
(5) A person guilty under subsection (1), (3), and (4) which was committed with intention of causing the death of another person is liable upon conviction on indictment to imprisonment for life, a fine or both
(6) Unless subsection (5) applies a person convicted of an offence under this section is liable to
(a) On summary of conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or both
(b) On conviction of indictment to imprisonment for a period not exceeding 5 years or a fine, or both.
Section 11 - Regulations
(1) Any power the Secretary of State under this act to make regulations is exercisable by statutory instrument
(2) A statutory instrument containing to regulations under this act is subject to annulment in pursuance of resolution in either houses of parliament
Section 12 - Interpretation
(1) In this act “attending doctor” has been given the meaning in section 3; “Capacity” shall be construed in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005
(2) “Independent Doctor” has the meaning given in section 3 of this act
(3) Relative in relation to any person shall mean
(a) the spouse or civil partner of someone
(b) any lineal ancestor or lineal descendent of that person or person’s spouse or civil partner
(4) Parent as defined under Section 3 (Parental Responsibility) of the Children Act 1989
(5) Legal Guardian as defined under Section 5 (Appointment of Guardians) of the Children Act 1989
(6) “Terminal Illness” has been given meaning in section (2)(1)(a)
Section 13 - Extent, Commencement and Short Title
(1) This Act extends to England and Wales only.
(2) This Act comes into force on the day on which it is passed.
(3) This Act may be cited as the Right to a Peaceful Death (England & Wales) Act.
This Bill was written by u/AdSea260 as a Private Members Bill and was sponsored by u/Unlucky_Kale_5342.
Opening Speech:
Mr. Speaker,
For far too long we have neglected the rights of those with terminal illness in this country and it is high time we change that.
It is time we allowed those with terminal illness to have the right to a peaceful death so they and their relatives can have peace of mind.
I commend this bill to the House.
Sources:
(1) Assisted Dying Bill: MPs reject 'right to die' law - BBC News
(2) The law - Dignity in Dying
(3) Sir Keir Starmer supports assisted dying law change - BBC News
(4) UK: Assisted dying bill introduced in House of Lords | CNN
This division ends Saturday, 2nd October 2024 at 10pm BST.
Link to debate can be found here
08:17 UTC
B016 - Coal Mines Bill - Report Stage Amendment Run-Off Division
B016 - Coal Mines Bill - Report Stage Division
A
B I L L
T O
ban new coal mines.
BE IT ENACTED by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
Section 1 — Interpretation
(1) In this Act, “coal” means bituminous coal, cannel coal and anthracite.
(2) In this Act, “coal mine” includes:
(a) any space excavated underground for the purposes of coal-mining operations and any shaft or adit made for those purposes,
(b) any space occupied by unworked coal, and
(c) a coal quarry and opencast workings of coal.
(3) In this Act, “current coal mine” means a coal mine that has been granted a license for the extraction of coal.
(4) In this Act, “new coal mine” means a coal mine that has not been granted a license for the extraction of coal.
Section 2 — New licenses
(1) Under this Act, no new licenses for coal mines will be granted.
(2) Under this Act, no new extensions for coal mine licenses will be granted.
(3) The Coal Industry Act 1994 shall be amended by the following:
(a) Section 26 shall be replaced with:
Section 26 — Grant of Licenses
(1) The Authority will not have the power to grant new licenses.”
(b) Sections 26A - 36 shall be repealed.
Section 3 — New applications
(1) Under this Act, no new applications for a license of a new coal mine will be accepted.
(2) Under this Act, no new applications for an extension of a license will be accepted.
Section 4 — Extent, commencement and short title
(1) This Act extends to the whole of the United Kingdom.
(2) Sections (1) and (3) of this act comes into force one month after this act has received Royal Assent.
(3) Section (2) of this act comes into force one year after this act has received Royal Assent.
(4) This Act may be cited as the Coal Mines Act 2024.
This Bill was written by the leader of the Liberal Democrats, /u/model-ceasar OAP.
Opening Speech:
Deputy Speaker,
I am delighted to bring this bill to the House today. This bill will bring a halt to the granting of coal mining licenses. Our country is no longer reliant on coal to heat our homes and power our electricity. In the past decade we have made great strides to move our energy production away from coal.
However, we are still mining coal. And still opening new coal mines. This needs to stop. Not only are coal mines a scar on our beautiful countryside, but they are producing more and more coal to be burnt when it doesn’t need to be. It is our job, as parliamentarians, to make today better and to make tomorrow better. This bill will help make tomorrow better. It is time to start the process of winding down our coal mines, and preparing for a greener and cleaner tomorrow.
AMENDMENTS PROPOSED
Rename the bill to “Coal Industry (Prohibition of New Licences) Bill”.
Replace the whole bill with:
Section 1 Prohibition on new coal mine licences
For sections 26 to 26A of the Coal Industry Act 1994, substitute—
“26AA Prohibition on new coal mining licences
(1) Subject to subsection (2), the Authority may not grant a licence under this Part.
(2) This section does not affect licences under this Part granted before the Coal Industry (Prohibition of New Licences) Act 2024 came into force.
(3) The Authority may not extend a licence under this Part which was granted before the Coal Industry (Prohibition of New Licences) Act 2024 came into force.”.
Section 2 Extent
This Act extends to England and Wales and Scotland.
Section 3 Commencement
This Act comes into force at the end of the period of one month beginning with the day on which this Act is passed.
Section 4 Short title
This Act may be cited as the Coal Industry (Prohibition of New Licences) Act 2024.
Explanatory note: better wording for the bill
This amendment was submitted by u/LightningMinion.
Rename the bill to “Coal Industry (Prohibition of New Licences) Bill”.
Replace the whole bill with:
Section 1 Prohibition on new coal mine licences
For sections 26 to 26A of the Coal Industry Act 1994, substitute—
“26AA Prohibition on new coal mining licences
(1) Subject to subsection (2), the Authority may not grant a licence under this Part.
(2) This section does not affect licences under this Part granted before the Coal Industry (Prohibition of New Licences) Act 2024 came into force.
(3) The Authority may not extend a licence under this Part which was granted before the Coal Industry (Prohibition of New Licences) Act 2024 came into force.”.
Section 2 Extent
This Act extends to England and Wales and Scotland.
Section 3 Commencement
This Act comes into force at the end of the period of twelve months beginning with the day on which this Act is passed.
Section 4 Short title
This Act may be cited as the Coal Industry (Prohibition of New Licences) Act 2024.
Explanatory note: copy of my other amendment but with a one year period before the act comes into force instead of one month
This amendment was submitted by u/LightningMinion.
As this is a runoff vote MPs may only vote AYE a maximum of once. An AYE vote for both amendments will be recorded as ABS on both
Members can vote in this division until Thursday 26th September at 10pm BST.
08:09 UTC