In a week that saw one of the most important by-elections in UK political history, here are some legislative developments you might have missed while the rest of the bubble was focusing on Makerfield.
Cyber Bill moves to Lords, despite sovereignty concerns
The Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill completed its Commons journey this week, in a debate dominated by concerns over tech sovereignty.
Multiple MPs from opposition parties and the Labour backbenches raised concerns about whether the legislation did enough to protect digital sovereignty.
For example, Labour MP and Science Committee Chair Dame Chi Onwurah described the UK’s reliance on Amazon and Microsoft’s cloud services as a “structural risk to national resilience.”
Despite this, the Bill passes to the Lords broadly unchanged. However, the Upper House has form when it comes to scrutinising tech legislation, and the Government should expect a sharper battle on sovereignty, Secretary of State powers, and the Bill’s scope.
Government accused of rushing through national security legislation
The National Security (State Threats) Bill passed through the Commons on Wednesday, as the Government faced accusations it was rushing the legislation through.
The Bill would allow for a ban on Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and aims to make it easier for the UK to combat threats from state-linked organisations.
However, Shadow Home Office Minister Alicia Kearns criticised the Government for only allocating one day for the Bill to be debated, arguing MPs should be allowed to test the legislation and identify potential weaknesses.
A Conservative vote on the allocation of time for the legislation was easily defeated and the Bill completed its Second Reading and remaining stages, meaning it will now proceed to the Lords.
Right to Buy reforms dominate Social Housing Bill Committee Stage
The Social Housing Bill Committee Stage began this week, with the first session being dominated by reforms to Right to Buy.
Government amendments which acted on commitments to prevent existing property owners from benefitting from the scheme were accepted.
With the Government accepting the legal complexity of this area, it is likely to be raised at Report Stage, with Shadow Housing Minister Lord Jamieson indicating this will be the case.
Assisted dying resurrected
This week saw confirmation that assisted dying will, once again, be a major legislative issue in Parliament.
Labour MP Lauren Edwards, who was picked second in the Private Members’ Bill ballot, chose to introduce a Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which will have its Second Reading on 11 September.
The reintroduction of last session’s controversial legislation risks reopening old wounds, but proponents of assisted dying will argue that the House of Lords should complete its scrutiny of the bill and allow the will of the Commons to be seen through.
Other legislation presented as a result of the ballot includes an Infants, Parents and Carers Bill, a Heritage Public Houses Bill, and a Homes and Planning Bill.
Movement for SLAPPs reform gains momentum
Proponents of anti-SLAPPs regulation have welcomed the introduction of Private Members’ Bills in both the Commons and the Lords.
In a coordinated effort to secure action against “lawfare”, Conservative MP Sir John Whittingdale and Conservative peer Baroness Stowell of Beeston have both brought forward legislation on strategic lawsuits against public participation.
These “abusive legal threats”, the UK Anti-SLAPP Coalition explains, are intended “to silence, intimidate or financially exhaust those speaking out in the public interest” – whether journalists, local campaigners, whistleblowers, or victims of crime.
Whittingdale, who was drawn sixth in the ballot, has been granted a Second Reading for his SLAPPs Bill on 27 November. He told The Guardian he’d received support from “across Parliament” and “all sections of the media” for his efforts.
Former BBC communications chief Baroness Stowell added that “the attack on free speech represented by SLAPPs is a stain on our legal system and a threat to a functioning democracy.”
According to News Media Association General Counsel Sayra Tekin, the two Bills take a “practical and effective approach” to the problem. As well as protecting freedom of expression, Tekin says, they safeguard access to justice by allowing “legitimate cases” to proceed
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