ORDER! ORDER!

B030 - Marriage (First Cousins) Bill - Motion to Recommit Division

The Ayes to the Right: 0

The Noes to the Left: 11

The Noes have it! The Noes have it! The Bill shall proceed to Final Division as scheduled!

Abstentions: 7

Did not vote: 15

Turnout: 54.55%

UNLOCK!

B033 - NHS Digital Infrastructure and Patient Access Bill - 2nd Reading

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make provision for NHS digital infrastructure, cloud-based medical records, patient access systems, and healthcare information security standards; to amend the Health and Social Care Act 2012, the National Health Service Act 2006, and the National Health Service (Regional Health Authorities) Act 2024; 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: Digital Infrastructure and Standards

Section 1 – Interpretation

(1) For the purposes of this Act, the following definitions apply—

(a) "NHS England" means a body corporate established under section 1H of the National Health Service Act 2006 (as amended);

(b) "relevant NHS body" means—

(i) a Regional Health Authority established under section 1 of the National Health Service (Regional Health Authorities) Act 2024;

(ii) a Regional Health Board established under section 9 of the National Health Service (Regional Health Authorities) Act 2024;

(iii) an NHS foundation trust within the meaning of section 30 of the National Health Service Act 2006;

(c) "digital infrastructure" means—

(i) information technology systems as prescribed;

(ii) computer hardware meeting such requirements as may be specified in regulations;

(iii) computer software meeting such requirements as may be specified in regulations;

(iv) network infrastructure meeting such requirements as may be specified in regulations;

(d) "cloud-based system" means a system whereby computing services are delivered via the Internet in such manner as may be prescribed.

Section 2 – Amendments to information standards

(1) Section 250 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 (information standards) is amended in accordance with subsections (2) to (5).

(2) After subsection (2B), insert—

"(2C) Information standards must specify requirements for digital infrastructure including—

(i) technical specifications for cloud-based medical records systems;

(ii) requirements for hardware and software systems;

(iii) specifications for network infrastructure;

(iv) such requirements for disaster recovery as may be prescribed;

(v) standards for interoperability between Regional Health Authorities as specified in Schedule 1."

(3) After subsection (2C), insert—

"(2D) Information standards relating to data security shall include—

(i) specifications for encryption of data at rest and in transit;

(ii) requirements for access control mechanisms;

(iii) specifications for audit logging;

(iv) such other security requirements as may be prescribed."

Section 3 – General duties in respect of digital infrastructure

(1) Subject to subsection (2), NHS England shall establish and maintain—

(a) technical standards for—

(i) cloud-based medical records systems;

(ii) patient access interfaces;

(iii) data security systems;

(b) such other standards as may be prescribed.

(2) The technical standards established under subsection (1) must ensure—

(a) compatibility between Regional Health Authorities;

(b) compliance with—

(i) data protection legislation;

(ii) such other legislation as may be prescribed;

(c) system resilience as specified in Schedule 1;

(d) disaster recovery capabilities meeting such requirements as may be prescribed.

Section 4 – Requirements for records systems

(1) For the purposes of this Act, a cloud-based medical records system established under section 3(1) must—

(a) maintain patient records in such format as may be prescribed;

(b) enable access by authorised healthcare professionals within Regional Health Authorities in accordance with—

(i) such security protocols as may be specified in regulations;

(ii) such other requirements as may be prescribed;

(c) facilitate information sharing between Regional Health Authorities subject to—

(i) data protection requirements;

(ii) patient consent protocols as specified in Schedule 2;

(d) maintain audit trails of all access and modifications in such manner as may be prescribed.

(2) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision about—

(a) the manner in which patient records are to be maintained;

(b) authorisation protocols for healthcare professionals;

(c) information sharing requirements between Regional Health Authorities;

(d) such other matters as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

Part 2: Implementation and NHS England's Duties

Section 5 – Implementation duties

(1) NHS England shall—

(a) establish a programme for implementing the digital infrastructure system;

(b) publish an implementation timetable within such period as may be prescribed;

(c) ensure the implementation programme includes such matters as are specified in Schedule 3.

(2) The implementation programme shall be completed—

(a) by Regional Health Authorities by such date as may be prescribed;

(b) by NHS foundation trusts by such date as may be prescribed;

(c) subject to such conditions as may be specified in regulations.

Section 6 – General duties of NHS England

(1) NHS England shall—

(a) establish and maintain the digital infrastructure system in accordance with—

(i) such requirements as may be prescribed;

(ii) such standards as are specified in Schedule 1;

(b) provide technical support to Regional Health Authorities in such manner as may be prescribed;

(c) monitor system performance and compliance in accordance with such requirements as may be specified in regulations;

(d) ensure security measures are maintained in accordance with Schedule 2.

(2) NHS England shall publish—

(a) such reports during implementation as may be prescribed;

(b) annual performance reports containing such information as may be specified in regulations;

(c) such other information as the Secretary of State may by direction require.

Section 7 – Regional implementation and operational requirements

(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), each Regional Health Authority shall—

(a) implement and maintain digital infrastructure systems in accordance with standards specified by NHS England;

(b) ensure systems operate continuously, save for—

(i) such planned maintenance as may be prescribed;

(ii) such other circumstances as may be specified in regulations;

(c) maintain such level of availability as may be prescribed;

(d) implement backup systems meeting such requirements as may be specified in regulations;

(e) provide disaster recovery capabilities in accordance with Schedule 1.

(2) Regional Health Authorities shall make such arrangements as they consider appropriate to ensure compliance with subsection (1).

(3) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision about—

(a) minimum operational standards for Regional Health Authorities;

(b) maintenance requirements;

(c) backup procedures;

(d) such other matters as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

Part 3: Patient Access and Data Protection

Section 8 – Digital access requirements

(1) NHS England shall establish and maintain a unified patient access system that—

(a) provides secure online access to personal health records across all Regional Health Authorities in accordance with—

(i) such security requirements as may be prescribed;

(ii) such other requirements as may be specified in regulations;

(b) enables patients to—

(i) make appointments within their Regional Health Authority in such manner as may be prescribed;

(ii) request prescriptions subject to such conditions as may be specified;

(iii) access test results from any Regional Health Authority in accordance with such protocols as may be prescribed;

(iv) view vaccination records subject to such conditions as may be specified;

(v) update personal information in such manner as may be prescribed.

(2) The patient access system shall—

(a) be accessible via such platforms as may be specified in regulations;

(b) comply with—

(i) accessibility regulations made under section 14 of the Equality Act 2010;

(ii) such other requirements as may be prescribed;

(c) provide alternative access arrangements for patients unable to use digital services in such manner as may be specified in regulations;

(d) enable cross-regional access to patient records when care is provided by different Regional Health Authorities.

Section 9 – Identity verification and regional access

(1) Subject to subsection (2), NHS England shall establish a unified identity verification system that—

(a) confirms the identity of persons seeking access to the system across all Regional Health Authorities in accordance with such requirements as may be prescribed;

(b) implements multi-factor authentication meeting such standards as may be specified in regulations;

(c) maintains security standards in accordance with Schedule 2;

(d) enables secure access to patient records across Regional Health Authority boundaries.

Section 10 – Data protection requirements

(1) All processing of personal data under this Act shall—

(a) comply with—

(i) the UK General Data Protection Regulation;

(ii) the Data Protection Act 2018;

(iii) such other enactments relating to data protection as may be prescribed;

(b) conform to NHS data security standards as specified in Schedule 2;

(c) maintain patient confidentiality in accordance with—

(i) the common law duty of confidentiality;

(ii) such other requirements as may be prescribed.

(2) NHS England shall ensure—

(a) encryption of patient data in accordance with—

(i) such standards as may be specified in regulations;

(ii) such other requirements as may be prescribed;

(b) secure storage of all system data meeting such requirements as may be specified;

(c) implementation of access controls across Regional Health Authorities in accordance with Schedule 2;

(d) maintenance of comprehensive audit trails containing such information as may be prescribed;

(e) secure mechanisms for cross-regional data sharing.

Section 11 – Data breach notification and regional responsibilities

(1) In the event of a personal data breach, the relevant Regional Health Authority and NHS England shall—

(a) notify—

(i) the Information Commissioner;

(ii) affected data subjects;

(iii) any other affected Regional Health Authorities;

(iv) such other persons as may be prescribed;

(b) do so within such period as may be specified in regulations.

(2) A notification under subsection (1) shall contain—

(a) such information about the breach as may be prescribed;

(b) details of any cross-regional impact;

(c) such other information as may be specified in regulations.

Part 4: Funding and Resource Allocation

Section 12 – Funding requirements

(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), the Secretary of State shall make such provision as the Secretary of State considers appropriate—

(a) for the development and implementation of the unified digital infrastructure system;

(b) for the maintenance and support of such system across Regional Health Authorities;

(c) for such training programmes as may be prescribed;

(d) for such other purposes as may be specified in regulations.

(2) NHS England shall—

(a) publish annual budgetary requirements for the national digital infrastructure containing—

(i) such information as may be prescribed;

(ii) allocation frameworks for Regional Health Authorities;

(iii) such other matters as may be specified in regulations;

(b) maintain financial records in accordance with—

(i) such requirements as may be prescribed;

(ii) such accounting standards as may be specified;

(c) ensure value for money in procurement in accordance with such requirements as may be prescribed;

(d) report annually on expenditure in such manner as may be specified in regulations.

(3) Each Regional Health Authority shall—

(a) maintain specific digital infrastructure budgets;

(b) report on expenditure to NHS England;

(c) comply with such financial controls as may be prescribed.

Section 13 – Resource allocation to Regional Health Authorities

(1) NHS England shall allocate digital infrastructure resources to Regional Health Authorities for—

(a) such regional infrastructure requirements as may be prescribed;

(b) such staff training within each region as may be specified in regulations;

(c) such technical support services as may be prescribed;

(d) such other purposes as may be specified in regulations.

(2) Resources allocated under subsection (1) shall be—

(a) distributed according to regional population size and needs;

(b) provided in such manner as may be prescribed;

(c) subject to such conditions as may be specified in regulations.

Section 14 – Procurement requirements

(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), NHS England shall ensure that procurement of digital infrastructure—

(a) complies with—

(i) the Public Contracts Regulations 2015;

(ii) such other procurement legislation as may be prescribed;

(b) maintains competitive tendering processes in accordance with such requirements as may be specified in regulations;

(c) includes service level agreements containing—

(i) provisions for Regional Health Authority access and support;

(ii) such other requirements as may be specified;

(d) enables economies of scale through national procurement where appropriate.

Section 15 – Contract management

(1) NHS England shall—

(a) maintain a central register of contracts containing—

(i) national infrastructure contracts;

(ii) Regional Health Authority-specific arrangements;

(iii) such other information as may be prescribed;

(b) monitor contract performance across Regional Health Authorities in accordance with such requirements as may be specified;

(c) ensure compliance with service level agreements in such manner as may be prescribed;

(d) coordinate procurement activities between Regional Health Authorities where appropriate.

(2) Regional Health Authorities shall—

(a) comply with national procurement frameworks;

(b) maintain regional contract registers;

(c) report contract performance to NHS England in such manner as may be prescribed.

(3) Where a contractor fails to meet requirements specified under subsection (1), NHS England shall—

(a) take such steps as may be prescribed;

(b) impose such penalties as may be specified in regulations;

(c) make such other arrangements as may be appropriate;

(d) ensure continuity of service across affected Regional Health Authorities.

Part 5: Oversight and Enforcement

Section 16 – Regional oversight framework

(1) NHS England shall establish an oversight framework including—

(a) performance metrics for digital infrastructure across Regional Health Authorities as specified in Schedule 1;

(b) compliance monitoring systems meeting such requirements as may be prescribed;

(c) audit requirements applicable to each Regional Health Authority in accordance with such standards as may be specified;

(d) reporting mechanisms containing such provisions as may be prescribed;

(e) mechanisms for cross-regional performance assessment.

(2) The oversight framework shall include monitoring of—

(a) system availability and performance in each Regional Health Authority in accordance with—

(i) such metrics as may be prescribed;

(ii) such other requirements as may be specified;

(b) security incidents subject to such reporting requirements as may be prescribed;

(c) data breaches in accordance with section 11;

(d) cross-regional system integration;

(e) such other matters as may be specified in regulations.

Section 17 – Regional reporting requirements

(1) Each Regional Health Authority shall submit to NHS England—

(a) quarterly performance reports containing—

(i) such information as may be prescribed;

(ii) details of regional system performance;

(iii) such other matters as may be specified;

(b) annual comprehensive reviews in such form as may be prescribed;

(c) immediate notifications of significant incidents in accordance with such requirements as may be specified.

Section 18 – Enforcement powers

(1) Where a Regional Health Authority fails to comply with any provision of this Act, NHS England may—

(a) issue an enforcement notice requiring such steps to be taken as may be specified in the notice;

(b) direct the relevant Regional Health Board to take such remedial action as may be prescribed;

(c) implement such direct support measures as may be specified in regulations;

(d) take such other action as may be specified in regulations.

(2) An enforcement notice under subsection (1)(a) shall—

(a) specify the breach in such manner as may be prescribed;

(b) set out—

(i) required remedial action;

(ii) timeframes for compliance;

(iii) implications for cross-regional services;

(iv) such other matters as may be specified in regulations;

(c) state the consequences of non-compliance.

(3) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision about—

(a) the procedure to be followed in relation to enforcement notices;

(b) appeals against enforcement notices by Regional Health Authorities;

(c) coordination of enforcement actions across regions;

(d) such other matters relating to enforcement as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

Section 19 – Regional penalties

(1) Where a Regional Health Authority fails to comply with an enforcement notice issued under section 18, NHS England may—

(a) impose a monetary penalty of such amount as may be prescribed;

(b) recommend to the Secretary of State such changes to the Regional Health Board as may be appropriate;

(c) take such other enforcement action as may be specified in regulations.

Part 6: Transitional Provisions

Section 20 – Transitional arrangements for Regional Health Authorities

(1) For the purposes of this Act, the transition period is—

(a) for Regional Health Authorities, the period of 36 months beginning with the day on which this section comes into force;

(b) for NHS foundation trusts, the period of 48 months beginning with the day on which this section comes into force;

(c) such other period as may be prescribed.

(2) During the transition period, Regional Health Authorities shall—

(a) maintain existing digital systems until such time as may be specified in regulations;

(b) ensure continuity of service across their regions in accordance with such requirements as may be prescribed;

(c) implement data migration plans meeting such standards as may be specified;

(d) complete such staff training programmes as may be prescribed;

(e) ensure cross-regional system compatibility.

Section 21 – Legacy systems within Regional Health Authorities

(1) NHS England shall—

(a) publish guidance about—

(i) the management of legacy systems within Regional Health Authorities;

(ii) regional data migration procedures;

(iii) system decommissioning requirements;

(iv) preservation of regional service continuity;

(b) do so within such period as may be prescribed.

Section 22 – Regulations and orders

(1) Any power of the Secretary of State to make regulations under this Act shall be exercisable by statutory instrument.

(2) A statutory instrument containing regulations under this Act shall not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.

(3) Regulations under this Act may—

(a) make different provision for different Regional Health Authorities;

(b) make transitional, transitory or saving provision;

(c) make incidental, supplementary or consequential provision;

(d) apply, with or without modification, any enactment.

Section 23 – Directions

(1) The Secretary of State may give directions to NHS England and Regional Health Authorities about the exercise of any of their functions under this Act.

(2) NHS England and Regional Health Authorities shall comply with any directions given under subsection (1).

(3) Directions under this section shall be—

(a) given in writing;

(b) published in such manner as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

Section 24 – Extent, commencement and short title

(1) This Act extends to England.

(2) This Act comes into force on such day as the Secretary of State may by regulations appoint.

(3) Different days may be appointed for different purposes.

(4) This Act may be cited as the NHS Digital Infrastructure and Patient Access Act 2024.

Schedules

Schedule 1: Technical Standards and System Requirements

Part 1 – Core Technical Standards

(1) The digital infrastructure system must meet the following technical standards—

(a) system availability of 99.9% measured monthly, excluding planned maintenance;

(b) maximum response time of 3 seconds for routine operations;

(c) data backup frequency of not less than every 24 hours;

(d) recovery time objective of 4 hours for critical systems.

(2) The system must implement the following security measures—

(a) encryption of data in transit using TLS 1.3 or higher;

(b) encryption of data at rest using AES-256 or equivalent;

(c) multi-factor authentication for all system access;

(d) role-based access control.

Part 2 – Interoperability Requirements

(3) Systems must support the following interoperability standards—

(a) HL7 FHIR Release 4 or higher for clinical data exchange;

(b) SNOMED CT for clinical terminology;

(c) DICOM for medical imaging;

(d) such other standards as may be specified by NHS England.

Schedule 2: Security and Data Protection Requirements

Part 1 – Security Standards

(1) The following security controls must be implemented—

(a) identity and access management systems;

(b) intrusion detection and prevention systems;

(c) security information and event management (SIEM) systems;

(d) vulnerability management processes.

Schedule 3: Implementation Requirements

Part 1 - Implementation Planning

(1) Each Regional Health Authority must prepare an implementation plan including—

(a) detailed project timeline;

(b) resource allocation;

(c) risk assessment and mitigation strategies;

(d) staff training programme;

(e) system testing procedures.

(2) The implementation plan must address—

(a) data migration from legacy systems;

(b) maintenance of service continuity;

(c) staff training and support;

(d) patient communication and engagement.

Part 2 – Testing Requirements

(3) Before deployment, systems must undergo—

(a) security testing, including—

(i) penetration testing;

(ii) vulnerability assessment;

(iii) security control validation;

(b) performance testing, including—

(i) load testing;

(ii) stress testing;

(iii) failover testing;

(c) user acceptance testing;

(d) integration testing.

Part 3 – Training Requirements

(4) Staff training must include—

(a) system operation and functionality;

(b) security awareness and procedures;

(c) data protection requirements;

(d) incident reporting and handling.

(5) Training must be—

(a) role-specific;

(b) regularly updated;

(c) mandatory for all users;

(d) documented and tracked.

Schedule 4: Performance Monitoring and Reporting

Part 1 – System Performance Metrics

(1) The following metrics must be monitored and reported—

(a) system availability;

(b) response times;

(c) error rates;

(d) user satisfaction;

(e) security incidents;

(f) data breaches.

(2) Performance reports must include—

(a) monthly system performance statistics;

(b) quarterly trend analysis;

(c) annual comprehensive review;

(d) incident reports and resolutions.

Part 2 – Audit Requirements

(3) Regular audits must examine—

(a) system security controls;

(b) access controls and authentication;

(c) data protection compliance;

(d) backup and recovery procedures.

(4) Audit reports must—

(a) identify any deficiencies;

(b) recommend corrective actions;

(c) track resolution of previous findings;

(d) be submitted to NHS England.

Schedule 5: Transitional Arrangements

Part 1 – Legacy System Management

(1) During the transition period, Regional Health Authorities must—

(a) maintain existing systems until migration is complete;

(b) ensure data consistency between systems;

(c) provide parallel access where necessary;

(d) maintain security controls on all systems.

(2) Data migration must—

(a) preserve data integrity;

(b) maintain audit trails;

(c) validate migrated data;

(d) comply with data protection requirements.

Schedule 6: Procurement and Contract Requirements

Part 1 – Procurement Standards

(1) Procurement processes must—

(a) comply with public procurement regulations;

(b) ensure fair competition;

(c) demonstrate value for money;

(d) include security and performance requirements.

(2) Technical requirements must specify—

(a) system functionality;

(b) performance standards;

(c) security requirements;

(d) interoperability standards;

(e) support and maintenance requirements.

Part 2 – Service Level Agreements

(3) Service level agreements must include—

(a) system availability requirements;

(b) performance standards;

(c) support response times;

(d) maintenance windows;

(e) penalty provisions.

(4) Contractors must provide—

(a) regular performance reports;

(b) incident notifications;

(c) security updates;

(d) technical support.

Schedule 7: Information Governance Requirements

Part 1 - Data Management Standards

(1) Information governance policies must address—

(a) data classification;

(b) data retention;

(c) data disposal;

(d) access control;

(e) privacy protection.

(2) Data sharing agreements must specify—

(a) purpose of sharing;

(b) data to be shared;

(c) security requirements;

(d) recipient responsibilities;

(e) compliance obligations.

Part 2 – Privacy Requirements

(3) Privacy impact assessments must be conducted—

(a) before implementing new functionality;

(b) when changing data processing methods;

(c) when sharing data with new parties;

(d) at regular intervals for existing systems.

(4) Patient privacy rights must include—

(a) access to records;

(b) correction of errors;

(c) data portability;

(d) restriction of processing;

(e) objection to processing.

Schedule 8: System Recovery and Business Continuity

Part 1 – Disaster Recovery Requirements

(1) Disaster recovery plans must include—

(a) recovery time objectives;

(b) recovery point objectives;

(c) backup procedures;

(d) restoration procedures;

(e) testing requirements.

(2) Business continuity measures must address—

(a) system failures;

(b) cyber attacks;

(c) natural disasters;

(d) pandemic scenarios;

(e) staff unavailability.

Part 2 – Incident Response

(3) Incident response procedures must specify—

(a) incident classification;

(b) notification requirements;

(c) response priorities;

(d) escalation procedures;

(e) recovery processes.

(4) Post-incident activities must include—

(a) root cause analysis;

(b) impact assessment;

(c) corrective actions;

(d) preventive measures;

(e) lesson learned documentation.

Schedule 9: Enforcement and Penalties

Part 1 – Enforcement Framework

(1) Enforcement actions may include—

(a) warning notices;

(b) improvement notices;

(c) monetary penalties;

(d) mandatory improvements;

(e) special measures.

(2) Monetary penalties shall be—

(a) proportionate to the breach;

(b) consider mitigating factors;

(c) take account of corrective actions;

(d) reflect repeat violations.

Part 2 – Appeals Process

(3) Appeals may be made against—

(a) enforcement notices;

(b) monetary penalties;

(c) mandatory requirements;

(d) special measures.

(4) Appeal procedures must—

(a) specify grounds for appeal;

(b) set time limits;

(c) establish review process;

(d) provide for final determination.

This Bill was jointly researched by Safeguard UK and u/Oracle_of_Mercia MP, drafted under the direction of u/model-mob, and presented to Parliament by the Right Honourable u/Oracle_of_Mercia as a Private Member's Bill.

Opening Speech:

Mr. Speaker,

The House finds itself today considering legislation of the utmost importance to our National Health Service and the millions who depend upon it. The NHS Digital Infrastructure and Patient Access Bill before us today represents a vital step towards modernising our health service whilst ensuring it remains true to its founding principles of universal care, free at the point of use.

Right Honourable and Honourable Members will be acutely aware of the pressing challenges facing our NHS's digital capabilities. Indeed, we need only look to recent events where one of our largest NHS trusts suffered a catastrophic IT failure lasting ten days. Such occurrences, I regret to inform the House, are not mere isolated incidents but symptomatic of chronic underinvestment and fragmentation in NHS digital infrastructure. The Bill before us today, Mr Deputy Speaker, sets forth three principal measures to address these challenges.

Firstly, it establishes a unified digital infrastructure system under NHS England's leadership. At present, whilst our GP surgeries have largely embraced digital transformation, our secondary care services woefully lag behind. This cannot continue. The Bill mandates proper integration and interoperability across all Regional Health Authorities.

Secondly, Mr Deputy Speaker, the Bill places our patients at the heart of digital transformation. It requires the establishment of a comprehensive patient access system enabling constituents across our nations to book appointments, manage prescriptions, and access their health records through secure digital means.

Thirdly, and crucially, it establishes stringent data protection and security standards. The House will note that this comes at a time when cyber security in our health service has never been more critical.

The British Medical Association's findings that over a quarter of NHS clinicians lose more than four hours weekly due to inefficient IT systems should alarm every Member of this House. This represents countless hours that could be spent treating patients, reducing waiting lists, and improving care.

Mr Deputy Speaker, I anticipate that some Honourable Members may raise concerns about previous attempts at NHS digitalisation. They would be right to do so. However, this Bill learns from past mistakes. Unlike the National Programme for IT under the previous Labour government in 2011, this legislation emphasises local engagement whilst maintaining national standards. It provides realistic implementation timelines and, crucially, ensures proper training and support for our healthcare professionals.

The Bill makes provision for proper funding and resource allocation, ensuring that NHS trusts and Regional Health Authorities have the means to implement these vital changes. It establishes robust procurement frameworks and contract management provisions to ensure value for money for British taxpayers.

We have seen both the potential and necessity of digital healthcare delivery. This Bill provides the framework to realise that potential fully and safely.

Members may debate and submit amendments to the Bill until Wednesday the 13th of November at 10PM GMT.

B029 - Loot Box Regulation Bill - 3rd Reading

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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 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).”.

Section Two - 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.”.

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)
• Loot boxes within video games (gamblingcommission.gov.uk)
• Immersive and addictive technologies (parliament.uk)
• Review of the Gambling Act 2005 Terms of Reference and Call for Evidence - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
• Video Games Research Framework - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Members may debate the Bill until Wednesday the 13th of November at 10PM GMT.

Urgent Question - Prime Minister - Trade with the United States

Order, Order!

u/Oracle_of_Mercia has submitted the following question:

Will the Prime Minister please inform the house of their strategy on trade with the United States due to the high likelihood that the UK will no longer enjoy the benefits we currently enjoy due to the possible future implementation of Tariffs as currently the United States is our largest trading partner due to the election of Donald J Trump as President of the United States of America?

The Prime Minister, u/Inadorable has been called to answer.

The Prime Minister may deliver a statement in response to the question here. Alternatively, they can submit a statement to the speakership and it will be placed before the House as soon as possible.

Standard MQ rules apply:

As Leader of the Opposition, u/Blue-EG may ask 6 initial questions

As the leader of an Unofficial Opposition party, u/model-ceasar may ask 3 initial questions.

Everyone else may ask 2 initial questions and are allowed to ask another question to each answer they receive (4 in total).

Questions must revolve around 1 topic and not be made up of multiple questions.

In the first instance, only the Prime Minister may respond to questions asked to them. 'Hear, hear.' and 'Rubbish!' (or similar), are permitted.

This session shall end on Wednesday 13th November 2024 at 10pm GMT, with no initial questions after Tuesday 12th November 2024 at 10pm GMT.

ORDER! ORDER!

B017 - National Bank Holidays (England & Wales) Bill - Final Division

The Ayes to the Right: 17

The Noes to the Left: 0

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! The Bill shall be sent for Royal Assent!

Abstentions: 1

Did not vote: 19

Turnout: 48.65%

B032 - Railways (Modernisation) Bill - Final Division

The Ayes to the Right: 16

The Noes to the Left: 1

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! The Bill shall be sent for Royal Assent!

Abstentions: 1

Did not vote: 19

Turnout: 48.65%

B029 - Loot Box Regulation Bill - Run-off Amendment Division

AMENDMENT ONE - u/model-alice

The Ayes to the Right: 0

The Noes to the Left: 6

The Noes have it! The Noes have it! The Amendment shall be thrown out!

Abstentions: 2

Did not vote: 28

Turnout: 22.22%

AMENDMENT TWO - u/model-alice

The Ayes to the Right: 3

The Noes to the Left: 3

It is a tie! But as conflicting Amendment 6 has more votes, this Amendment shall be thrown out!

Abstentions: 2

Did not vote: 28

Turnout: 22.22%

AMENDMENT THREE - u/model-alice

The Ayes to the Right: 4

The Noes to the Left: 3

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! The Amendment shall be applied to the Bill!

Abstentions: 1

Did not vote: 28

Turnout: 22.22%

AMENDMENT FOUR - u/model-finn

The Ayes to the Right: 0

The Noes to the Left: 7

The Noes have it! The Noes have it! The Amendment shall be thrown out!

Abstentions: 1

Did not vote: 28

Turnout: 22.22%

AMENDMENT FIVE - u/LightningMinion

The Ayes to the Right: 6

The Noes to the Left: 1

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! The Amendment shall be applied to the Bill!

Abstentions: 1

Did not vote: 28

Turnout: 22.22%

AMENDMENT SIX - u/LightningMinion

The Ayes to the Right: 4

The Noes to the Left: 3

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! The Amendment shall be applied to the Bill!

Abstentions: 1

Did not vote: 28

Turnout: 22.22%

AMENDMENT SEVEN - u/LightningMinion

The Ayes to the Right: 3

The Noes to the Left: 4

The Noes have it! The Noes have it! The Amendment shall be thrown out!

Abstentions: 1

Did not vote: 28

Turnout: 22.22%

UNLOCK!

Motion to Strengthen Sex-Based Safeguarding Protections

This House Recognises:

(1) Clear biological definitions are fundamental to maintaining effective safeguarding frameworks across British institutions.

(2) Distinguished medical professionals, including youth psychiatrists, have raised significant concerns about the impact of self-identification policies on vulnerable young people, particularly adolescent girls.

(3) Single-sex provisions play a vital role in protecting vulnerable individuals in institutional settings including prisons, shelters, changing facilities and healthcare environments.

(4) Existing legislation and protections for single-sex spaces must be maintained to ensure proper safeguarding standards.

(5) Healthcare and education professionals require unambiguous frameworks to fulfil their safeguarding duties.

(6) The collection of accurate biological sex-based data remains essential for effective policy development and service provision.

(7) Current proposals risk compromising established safeguarding practices without sufficient evidence of benefit.

This House Urges:

(1) The Government to maintain and strengthen existing sex-based protections within the Equality Act 2010.

(2) The development of clear statutory guidance affirming the legitimacy of single-sex provisions where necessary for safeguarding.

(3) The establishment of robust professional frameworks that support evidence-based safeguarding practices in healthcare and education.

(4) The protection of proper data collection based on biological sex for policy development purposes.

(5) The Home Office and Ministry of Justice to ensure that sex-based provisions in prisons, shelters and other controlled environments are maintained where necessary for safeguarding.

(6) The Department for Education to develop clear safeguarding guidance for schools that prioritises child protection.

This motion was submitted by /u/model-mob.

This debate ends on Monday 11 November 2024 at 10PM GMT.

#Coinage (Shillings) Motion

The House recognises that:

(1) The Shilling as a unit of coinage has a centuries long history, and continued legacy in many countries.

(2) Many historical contracts refer to Shillings as the primary method of payment.

(3) The Shilling is an important symbol of culture for many Britons.

The House urges that:

(4) The 5 pence coin now also be minted to read "One Shilling".

(5) The 10 pence coin now also be minted to read "Two Shillings".

(6) The 20 pence coin now also be minted to read "Four Shillings".

(7) The 50 pence coin now also be minted to read "Ten Shillings".

(8) That His Majesty's Government support references to Shillings in public life.

No opening speech was provided; the author may choose to make one by modmailling one to /r/MHoC modmail.

Submitted by /u/mrsusandothechoosin on behalf of Reform UK

Debate on this motion ends with the close of business at 10pm GMT on the 7th of November.

Order, order!

Chancellor's Questions are now in order!

The Chancellor, /u/Phonexia2, will be taking questions from the House.

The Shadow Chancellor, /u/Hobnob88, may ask 6 initial questions.

The Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson, /u/CountBrandenburg, may ask 4 initial questions.

Everyone else may ask 2 questions; and are allowed to ask another question in response to each answer they receive. (4 in total)

Questions must revolve around 1 topic and not be made up of multiple questions.

In the first instance, only the Chancellor may respond to questions asked to them. 'Hear, hear.' and 'Rubbish!' (or similar), are permitted.

This session shall conclude on the 8th of November, 2024 at 10 pm GMT. No further initial questions may be put after the 7th of November, 2024 at 10 pm GMT.

ORDER! ORDER!

B029 - Loot Box Regulation Bill - Amendment Division

AMENDMENT ONE - u/model-alice

The Ayes to the Right: 17

The Noes to the Left: 0

Abstentions: 3

Did not vote: 17

Turnout: 54.05%

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! This amendment shall be applied to the Bill at 3rd Reading.

AMENDMENT TWO - u/model-alice

The Ayes to the Right: 17

The Noes to the Left: 0

Abstentions: 3

Did not vote: 17

Turnout: 54.05%

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! This amendment shall be applied to the Bill at 3rd Reading.

AMENDMENT THREE- u/model-alice

The Ayes to the Right: 17

The Noes to the Left: 0

Abstentions: 3

Did not vote: 17

Turnout: 54.05%

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! This amendment shall be applied to the Bill at 3rd Reading.

AMENDMENT FOUR- u/model-finn

The Ayes to the Right: 17

The Noes to the Left: 0

Abstentions: 3

Did not vote: 17

Turnout: 54.05%

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! This amendment shall be applied to the Bill at 3rd Reading.

AMENDMENT FIVE - u/LightningMinion

The Ayes to the Right: 17

The Noes to the Left: 0

Abstentions: 3

Did not vote: 17

Turnout: 54.05%

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! This amendment shall be applied to the Bill at 3rd Reading.

AMENDMENT SIX- u/LightningMinion

The Ayes to the Right: 17

The Noes to the Left: 0

Abstentions: 3

Did not vote: 17

Turnout: 54.05%

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! This amendment shall be applied to the Bill at 3rd Reading.

AMENDMENT SEVEN - u/LightningMinion

The Ayes to the Right: 17

The Noes to the Left: 0

Abstentions: 3

Did not vote: 17

Turnout: 54.05%

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! This amendment shall be applied to the Bill at 3rd Reading.

B022 - Conversion Therapy (Prohibition) Bill - Final Division

The Ayes to the Right: 19

The Noes to the Left: 1

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! The Bill shall be sent for Royal Assent!

Abstentions: 1

Did not vote: 16

Turnout: 56.76%

B031 - Energy Bill - Final Division

The Ayes to the Right: 19

The Noes to the Left: 1

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! The Bill shall be sent for Royal Assent!

Abstentions: 0

Did not vote: 18

Turnout: 52.63%

UNLOCK!

Order, Order!

/u/model-avtron has submitted the following question:

“To ask the Prime Minister to make a statement outlining HM Government's plans to implement the entirety of motion 005 (Motion to Rejoin the European Union), passed by Parliament.”

The Prime Minister, u/Inadorable has been called to answer.

The Foreign Secretary may deliver a statement in response to the question here. Alternatively, they can submit a statement to the speakership and it will be placed before the House as soon as possible.

Standard MQ rules apply:

As Leader of the Opposition, u/Blue-EG may ask 6 initial questions

As the leader of an Unofficial Opposition party, /u/model-ceasar may ask 3 initial questions.

Everyone else may ask 2 initial questions and are allowed to ask another question to each answer they receive (4 in total).

Questions must revolve around 1 topic and not be made up of multiple questions.

In the first instance, only the Prime Minister may respond to questions asked to them. 'Hear, hear.' and 'Rubbish!' (or similar), are permitted.

This session shall end on Tuesday 5 November 2024 at 10pm GMT, with no initial questions after Monday 4 November 2024 at 10pm GMT.

Order, Order!

Housing, Communities and Local Government Questions are now in order!

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, u/Dyn-Cymru, will be taking questions from the House.

The Shadow Secretary, u/BasedChurchill, may ask 6 initial questions.

The Unofficial Opposition Spokesperson, u/Zanytheus, may ask 4 initial questions.

Everyone else may ask 2 questions; and are allowed to ask another question in response to each answer they receive. (4 in total)

Questions must revolve around 1 topic and not be made up of multiple questions.

In the first instance, only the Secretary of State may respond to questions asked to them. 'Hear, hear.' and 'Rubbish!' (or similar), are permitted.

This session shall conclude on 3rd November 2024 at 10pm GMT. No further initial questions may be put after 2nd November 2024 at 10pm GMT.

B030 - Marriage (First Cousins) Bill - 3rd Reading

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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 - 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 - Prohibition of civil partnership to first cousin

(1) Schedule 1 of the Civil Partnership Act 2004 is amended as follows:

(a) At the end of the list in paragraph 1(1), append "First cousin".

(b) After paragraph 1(2), insert—

"(3) In the list "first cousin" means the child of the sibling of a parent.".

Section 3 - 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.

This Bill was written by u/mrsusandothechoosin on behalf of Reform UK.

Opening Speech:

Mister Speaker,

With our modern understanding of how diabilities 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.

Members may debate the Bill until Sunday the 3rd of November at 10PM GMT.

ORDER! ORDER!

B0030 - Marriage (First Cousins) Bill - Amendment Division

AMENDMENT ONE - u/LightningMinion

The Ayes to the Right: 22

The Noes to the Left: 0

Abstentions: 0

Did not vote: 15

Turnout: 59.46%

AMENDMENT TWO - u/LightningMinion

The Ayes to the Right: 22

The Noes to the Left: 0

Abstentions: 0

Did not vote: 15

Turnout: 59.46%

Both Amendments pass, and shall be applied to the Bill at its 3rd Reading!

B018 - Education (British Values) Bill - Final Division

The Ayes to the Right: 11

The Noes to the Left: 9

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! The Bill shall be sent for Royal Assent!

Abstentions: 3

Did not vote: 14

Turnout: 62.16%

UNLOCK!

Order!

The Secretary of State for Transport!

Draft Order in Council laid before Parliament, the Scottish Parliament and Senedd Cymru, under paragraph 11 of Schedule 3 to the Climate Change Act 2008, for approval by resolution of each House of Parliament, the Scottish Parliament and Senedd Cymru.

D R A F T S T A T U T O R Y I N S T R U M E N T S

2024 No. 786

CLIMATE CHANGE

ROAD TRAFFIC

The Vehicle Emissions Trading Schemes (Amendment) Order 2024

Made

Coming into force in accordance with article 1

At the Court at Buckingham Palace, the 26th day of October Present,

The King’s Most Excellent Majesty in Council

This Order is made in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 44, 46(3), 54 and 90(3) of, and Parts 1 and 3 of Schedule 2 and paragraph 9 of Schedule 3 to, the Climate Change Act 2008.

In accordance with paragraph 10 of Schedule 3 to that Act, before the recommendation to His Majesty in Council to make this Order was made— (a) the advice of the Committee on Climate Change, including on the amount of the limit referred to in section 48(2) of that Act, was obtained and taken into account; and

(b) such persons likely to be affected by the Order as the Secretary of State, the Scottish Ministers and the Welsh Ministers considered appropriate were consulted.

In accordance with paragraph 11 of that Schedule, a draft of the instrument containing this Order was laid before Parliament, the Scottish Parliament and Senedd Cymru and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament, the Scottish Parliament and Senedd Cymru.

Accordingly, His Majesty, by and with the advice of His Privy Council, makes the following Order:

Citation, commencement and extent

1.— (1) This Order may be cited as the Vehicle Emissions Trading Schemes (Amendment) Order 2024.

(2) This Order comes into force on 1st January 2025.

(3) This Order extends to England and Wales and Scotland.

Amendment to Vehicle Emissions Trading Schemes Order 2023

2. For Schedule 6 of the Vehicle Emissions Trading Scheme Order 2023, substitute—

Part 1

Percentage of total car registrations for the purpose of calculating CRTS allowances

Part 2

Percentage of total van registrations for the purpose of calculating CRTS allowances

Richard Tilbrook Clerk of the Privy Council

This Statutory Instrument was written by Rt Hon u/Model-Finn MP OAP, Secretary of State for Transport and Science, and Rt Hon u/LightningMinion MP OAP, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, on behalf of His Majesty’s Government

Opening Speech:

Deputy Speaker,

The government brings this Order in Council before the House and the devolved parliaments before its approval by His Majesty the King. With this instrument, the government lays a new foundation for our aim of achieving Net Zero by the end of the decade and fixing the errors of the previous Tory government in watering down our Net Zero commitments and using them as a tool for their culture war. Climate change is not a disputed issue. It is happening and it is having dramatic effects. It is the duty of this government and all that follow it to commit themselves to tackling the climate crisis and achieving Net Zero. This cannot be accomplished without dramatic changes to our transport infrastructure. Road vehicles account for roughly 20% of all greenhouse gas emissions. It is clear we need to make the switch now if we are to prevent the worst the changing climate can offer. Under this new Order, vehicle manufacturers will no longer be allowed to sell combustion engine cars and vans by 2030. Along with investments in our EV infrastructure and investment in the railways to allow for more freight operations, we aim to dramatically decrease the levels of emissions and pollution from road vehicles by the 2030s. This is a necessary step, Deputy Speaker, and I commend this Order to the House.

B017 - National Bank Holidays (England & Wales) Bill - 3rd Reading

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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  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!

Members may debate the Bill until Wednesday the 30th of October at 10PM GMT.

B032 - Railways (Modernisation) Bill - 2nd Reading

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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

#####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

#####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.

#####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.

#####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.

#####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.

#####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.

#####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.

Members may debate and submit amendments to the Bill until Wednesday the 30th of October at 10PM GMT.

Order, Order!

Housing, Communities and Local Government Questions are now in order!

The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, u/JellyCow99, will be taking questions from the House.

The Shadow Secretary, u/Buzz33lz, may ask 6 initial questions.

The Unofficial Opposition Spokesperson, u/Zanytheus, may ask 4 initial questions.

Everyone else may ask 2 questions; and are allowed to ask another question in response to each answer they receive. (4 in total)

Questions must revolve around 1 topic and not be made up of multiple questions.

In the first instance, only the Secretary of State may respond to questions asked to them. 'Hear, hear.' and 'Rubbish!' (or similar), are permitted.

This session shall conclude on 30th October 2024 at 10pm GMT. No further initial questions may be put after 29th October 2024 at 10pm GMT.

ORDER! ORDER!

B029 - Loot Box Regulation Bill - 2nd Reading Division

The Ayes to the Right: 19

The Noes to the Left: 4

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! The amendments to the Bill will now be sent for a division!

Abstentions: 0

Did not vote: 14

Turnout: 62.16%

B023 - Right to a Peaceful Death (England & Wales) Bill - 3rd Reading Division

The Ayes to the Right: 19

The Noes to the Left: 4

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! The Bill shall be sent for Royal Assent!

Abstentions: 2

Did not vote: 12

Turnout: 67.57%

B017 - National Bank Holidays (England & Wales) Bill - Report Stage Run-off

AMENDMENT ONE - u/Yimir_

The Ayes to the Right: 2

The Noes to the Left: 22

Abstentions: 0

Did not vote: 13

Turnout: 64.86%

AMENDMENT TWO - u/LightningMinion

The Ayes to the Right: 23

The Noes to the Left: 1

Abstentions: 0

Did not vote: 13

Turnout: 64.86%

Amendment TWO passes and shall be applied to the Bill at Third Reading!

M006 - Just Stop Oil Motion - Final Division

The Ayes to the Right: 5

The Noes to the Left: 19

The Noes have it! The Noes have it! The Motion shall be thrown out!

Abstentions: 2

Did not vote: 8

Turnout: 76.47%

UNLOCK!

What is MHoC?

The Model House of Commons, or MHoC, is an online Reddit-based roleplay simulation of the Houses of Parliament. We simulate a wide range of British politics, from the House of Commons, to the press, and even elections. We utilise Discord to bolster our community and improve communication, so feel free to join the Main discord to ask a few questions!

How do I join MHoC?

The “Join a Party” thread pinned on the r/MHoC subreddit is the place to officially become a member of MHoC. On that thread, you will see the major and minor parties and you should comment which party you would like to join or designate as an Independent. New members are highly encouraged to join a party, rather than designating as an independent, as parties are a great resource for learning and participating in the game. When you comment a party’s name, the party leadership is automatically notified and you will be sent a link to the party's Discord server! They will let you know if you’ve been accepted to the party.

Who can I contact if I have a question?

We have created a community culture of helping others understand how the game works, but sometimes sending a question in the main Discord server or a party Discord server can be a little daunting. Here’s a quick list of people you can message to get help:

• Party leadership - the leader and deputies of the party you have joined.
• Quadrumvirate - the admins of MHoC, we are always happy to help whenever we can!
• Anyone - MHoC has a vibrant community, and the best way to get stuck in is to strike up a conversation with someone - even if it’s just to ask a question.

What can I do as a New Player?

Despite being a Model House of Commons, you can do just about everything in the game from the moment you join! The only thing you’re unable to do is vote on legislation - but you can still debate the merits of any motion or bill posted to r/MHoC. Members can participate in practically any part of the game, such as:

• Debate - the core essence of the Model House of Commons is debate. Legislation is open for three days and can be debated anytime during that period. Debating is the best way to build up your own personal polling, which has an effect on elections!
• Press - we have built up a full system of press within the Model House of Commons that contains its own feedback loop. You can write party press, or create your own press persona and join an Independent Press Organisation which gets polled on readership figures and credibility.
• Legislate - every member of the community can write bills - to change specific aspects of the law/country - and motions - to call on the government to do something. Legislation writing can be daunting, but there are people who love to help write them! We also have a legislation guide.
• Get involved in the community - whilst at the core we are a community built around the Model House of Commons, we aren’t solely dedicated to it. We have a great variety of members with different interests, so finding someone who is interested in your niche area of expertise might be more likely than you think!

After some time and activity within the game, you will naturally move up in the ranks - there are always many opportunities within parties and outside of them!

• Become a government/opposition spokesperson - you can be appointed by party leadership to be your parties spokesperson, be it the government cabinet, official oppositions shadow cabinet, or the unofficial oppositions spokesperson team. This grants you additional questions to ask, and can be a very useful position to be in to push policy you are interested in!
• Stand in an election - elections occur every four months, and are a time where parties get together to push for their parties to win more seats.
• Be an MP - should you win an election then you get to be an MP! Not only this, but you also own your seat until you either lose it in a general election or resign. As an MP you get to vote on legislation, potentially being the vote that changes the outcome!

Where can I learn about the history of the Model House of Commons?

Understanding a bit of our history can go a long way to knowing what sort of legislation you could focus on. We have a few resources to help you with this.

• The Master Spreadsheet - whilst a little daunting at first, the spreadsheet has every single piece of legislation, history of party leadership, all of the governments, frontbenches, etc.,. It is an extremely useful tool, so feel free to message someone to ask where to find something!
• The Reddit Wiki - linked on the r/MHOC community bookmarks in the sidebar, the Wiki contains all pieces of legislation that go through the Model House of Commons, and includes other important information such as the Parliamentary Process and election results.
• Ask a member - we love talking about the history of the community, and would love to include you in the conversation!

B022 - Conversion Therapy (Prohibition) Bill - 3rd Reading

A

B I L L

T O

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) 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)"

(2) In section 217 (extent) of the same Act, after "section 190 (improvements to let dwelling houses)", insert "section 27A (sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts (SOGICE))"

(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:

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.".

(4) In section 217 (extent), after "section 190 (improvements to let dwelling houses)", insert ", sections 28A to 28D,".

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

(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.”.

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) Section 1 of this Act applies to England and Wales only, the rest of this Act applies 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.

Members may debate the amendments to the Bill until Saturday the 26th of October at 10PM BST.

B0031 - Energy Bill - 2nd Reading

A

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.

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.

Members may debate and submit amendments to the Bill until Saturday the 26th of October at 10PM BST.

B018 - Education (British Values) Bill - 3rd Reading

A

B I L L

T O

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.

(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.

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.

Members may debate the amendments to the Bill until Tuesday the 22nd of October at 10PM BST.

Order, order!

Prime Minister's Questions are now in order!

The Prime Minister, u/Inadorable, will be taking questions from the House.

The Leader of the Opposition, u/Blue-EG, may ask 6 initial questions.

Leaders of other opposition parties, u/model-ceasar and u/XVillan, may ask 4 initial questions.

Everyone else may ask 2 questions; and are allowed to ask another question in response to each answer they receive. (4 in total)

Questions must revolve around 1 topic and not be made up of multiple questions.

In the first instance, only the Prime Minister may respond to questions asked to them. 'Hear, hear.' and 'Rubbish!' (or similar), are permitted.

This session shall conclude on 21st October 2024 at 10pm BST. No further initial questions may be put after 20th October 2024 at 10pm BST.

ORDER! ORDER!

B022 - Conversion Therapy (Prohibition) Bill - Report Stage Division

AMENDMENT ONE - u/model-av

The Ayes to the Right: 17

The Noes to the Left: 3

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! The amendment shall now be applied to the Bill at Third Reading.

Abstentions: 3

Did not vote: 14

Turnout: 62.16%

AMENDMENT TWO - u/model-av

The Ayes to the Right: 14

The Noes to the Left: 8

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! The amendment shall now be applied to the Bill at Third Reading.

Abstentions: 1

Did not vote: 14

Turnout: 62.16%

AMENDMENT THREE - u/LightningMinion

The Ayes to the Right: 22

The Noes to the Left: 0

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! The amendment shall now be applied to the Bill at Third Reading.

Abstentions: 1

Did not vote: 14

Turnout: 62.16%

AMENDMENT FOUR - u/LightningMinion

The Ayes to the Right: 22

The Noes to the Left: 0

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! The amendment shall now be applied to the Bill at Third Reading.

Abstentions: 1

Did not vote: 14

Turnout: 62.16%

AMENDMENT FIVE - u/LightningMinion

The Ayes to the Right: 13

The Noes to the Left: 9

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! The amendment shall now be applied to the Bill at Third Reading.

Abstentions: 1

Did not vote: 14

Turnout: 62.16%

B016 - Coal Industry (Prohibition of New Licences) Bill - 3rd Reading Division

The Ayes to the Right: 22

The Noes to the Left: 3

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! The Bill shall be sent for Royal Assent!

Abstentions: 0

Did not vote: 11

Turnout: 69.44%

M004 - Music Gig Prices Motion - Final Division

The Ayes to the Right: 19

The Noes to the Left: 3

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! The Motion as passed shall be sent to the Government!

Abstentions: 3

Did not vote: 15

Turnout: 62.50%

B028 - Tree Planting Scheme Regulations Bill - 2nd Reading Division

The Ayes to the Right: 19

The Noes to the Left: 2

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! As no amendments were submitted, this Bill shall now move to its Third Reading!

Abstentions: 3

Did not vote: 13

Turnout: 64.86%

M006 - Just Stop Oil Motion - Amendment Division

AMENDMENT ONE - u/model-faelif

The Ayes to the Right: 5

The Noes to the Left: 15

The Noes have it! The Noes have it! The amendment shall be discarded, and the Motion shall move to its Final Division in the House!

Abstentions: 3

Did not vote: 14

Turnout: 62.16%

M005 - Motion to Rejoin the European Union - Final Division

The Ayes to the Right: 17

The Noes to the Left: 2

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! The Motion as passed shall be sent to the Government!

Abstentions: 5

Did not vote: 13

Turnout: 64.86%

UNLOCK!

Order, order!

Telecommunications Infrastructure Nationalisation (Establishment of the NBN) Bill

A

B I L L

T O

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–

• the Office of Communications Act 2002.

• the National Broadband Network Companies Act 2011

Amendments

A01 (/u/model-av, Scottish National Party)

Strike section 4 (Supply of Services Provided by the National Broadband Network).

The House shall divide on the amendments on Sunday, 20 October 2024 at 10pm BST.

Order, order!

Marriage (First Cousins) Bill

AN ACT TO 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 —

(1) Any marriage or civil partnership hereafter contracted between first cousins shall be void.

(2) Short Title, Extent and Commencement

(a) This Act can be cited as the Marriage (First Cousins) Act.

(b) This Act shall extend to England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

(c) This Act shall commence immediately upon Royal Assent.

Submitted by /u/mrsusandothechoosin on behalf of Reform UK

Mister Speaker,

With our modern understanding of how diabilities 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.

This reading ends Sunday, 20 October 2024 at 10pm BST.

ORDER! ORDER!

B017 - National Bank Holidays (England & Wales) Bill - Report Stage Division

AMENDMENT ONE - u/Yimir_

The Ayes to the Right: 23

The Noes to the Left: 2

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! The amendment shall now be applied to the Bill at Third Reading.

Abstentions: 1

Did not vote: 11

Turnout: 70.27%

AMENDMENT TWO - u/LightningMinion

The Ayes to the Right: 22

The Noes to the Left: 3

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! The amendment shall now be applied to the Bill at Third Reading.

Abstentions: 1

Did not vote: 11

Turnout: 70.27%

B015 - National Health Service (Regional Health Authorities) Bill - Third Reading Division

The Ayes to the Right: 24

The Noes to the Left: 0

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! The Bill shall be sent for Royal Assent!

Abstentions: 2

Did not vote: 10

Turnout: 72.22%

B026 - Telecommunications Infrastructure Nationalisation (Establishment of the NBN) Bill - 2nd Reading Division

The Ayes to the Right: 19

The Noes to the Left: 5

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! The amendment submitted will now be considered by the whole House in the report stage.

Abstentions: 1

Did not vote: 12

Turnout: 67.57%

B018 - Education (British Values) Bill - Report Stage Division

AMENDMENT ONE - u/model-alice

The Ayes to the Right: 13

The Noes to the Left: 11

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! The amendment shall now be applied to the Bill at Third Reading.

Abstentions: 0

Did not vote: 13

Turnout: 64.86%

AMENDMENT TWO - u/model-alice

The Ayes to the Right: 12

The Noes to the Left: 12

The votes are tied! The Speaker votes against the amendment to maintain the status quo.

Abstentions: 0

Did not vote: 13

Turnout: 64.86%

AMENDMENT THREE - u/LightningMinion

The Ayes to the Right: 24

The Noes to the Left: 0

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! The amendment shall now be applied to the Bill at Third Reading.

Abstentions: 0

Did not vote: 13

Turnout: 64.86%

AMENDMENT FOUR - u/model-av

The Ayes to the Right: 18

The Noes to the Left: 5

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! The amendment shall now be applied to the Bill at Third Reading.

Abstentions: 1

Did not vote: 13

Turnout: 64.86%

AMENDMENT FIVE - u/Inadorable

The Ayes to the Right: 19

The Noes to the Left: 3

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! The amendment shall now be applied to the Bill at Third Reading.

Abstentions: 2

Did not vote: 13

Turnout: 64.86%

TD02 - Debate on the UK Constitution - Division

The Ayes to the Right: 12

The Noes to the Left: 3

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! The Question is agreed and the Topic Debate settled.

Abstentions: 9

Did not vote: 13

Turnout: 64.86%

B027 - Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill - 2nd Reading Division

The Ayes to the Right: 22

The Noes to the Left: 1

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! As no amendments were submitted, this Bill shall now move to its Third Reading in the House.

Abstentions: 1

Did not vote: 13

Turnout: 64.86%

M005 - Motion to Rejoin the European Union - Amendment Division

AMENDMENT ONE - u/mrsusandothechoosin

The Ayes to the Right: 24

The Noes to the Left: 0

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! The amendments submitted will now be considered by the whole House in the report stage.

Abstentions: 0

Did not vote: 12

Turnout: 66.67%

UNLOCK!

B023 - Right to a Peaceful Death (England & Wales) Bill - 3rd 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.

(2) 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 order

(c) Has clear 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 Peaceful 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 Senedd

(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) Wilfully 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  as a Private Members Bill and was sponsored by .

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

Members may debate the amendments to the Bill until Monday the 14th of October at 10PM BST.

B029 - Loot Box Regulation Bill - 2nd Reading

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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)

• Loot boxes within video games (gamblingcommission.gov.uk)

• Immersive and addictive technologies (parliament.uk)

• Review of the Gambling Act 2005 Terms of Reference and Call for Evidence - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

• Video Games Research Framework - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Members may debate and submit amendments to the Bill until Monday the 14th of October at 10PM BST.

Hey everyone,

This is obviously not the statement I wanted to be writing, especially so soon after my election, but sometimes things just don’t shake out how you expect. I simultaneously severely overestimated the amount of free time I’d have, and greatly underestimated the workload MHoC generates even with a deputy. Between starting third year at uni, my job and personal responsibilities, it feels as if I barely have the time to look at Reddit let alone dedicate hours to combing through the week's activity and giving it the attention it deserves. No-one benefits from a situation where a Quad member is unable to effectively fulfil their duties due to other obligations - neither the community that ends up neglected or the Quad that gets stressed out attempting to do so regardless.

I’m still proud of some of the things we managed to get done. Establishing the internal infrastructure to account for narratives was difficult and time-consuming, but there is now a basis for how MHoC 2.0’s polling can operate when previously there was none. The reforms implemented continue to show how much potential the game has when it works well, and I am eager to see what can be done in future.

Given the short-time frame between my resignation and the General Election, Ray and I have agreed that Legs will take over as acting Electoral Commissioner indefinitely (with a full Quad election to be held post-GE) in order to minimise disruption to what is already a daunting task for all involved.

I’d like to close by giving some thanks to people who provided absolutely invaluable support to me during my tenure (with pre-emptive apologies to anyone I’ve missed): Lily, Willem, Akko, Karl, Aya, Seph, Ray, my trusted (former) deputy Legs and you, the community, for all the good times over the years. It’s been a lot of fun, and I’ll treasure the memories I made here.

So long, and thanks for all the fish.

Mili