Clear the Lobby
by Sebastian Salek
 
 

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Hey team.

That was quite a week.

The question for us is: what does it all mean for lawmaking?

Formally, business continues as usual. Parliament is still in session and there's a string of bills to get through.

But this is now happening with a different cast list of ministers, a prime minister who's running down the clock, and a leadership race of candidates who might decide to stick their oar in. So things could still get interesting.

The headline bill this week is the tax on oil and gas profits.

That goes through all stages on Monday.

MPs are queueing up to suggest amendments. The Liberal Democrats want the levy backdated to October 24 2021. Green MP Caroline Lucas wants the rate set at 30% instead of 25%, with Labour's Dan Carden pushing for 55%.

And private members' bills make a comeback.

The usual caveat applies: there'll probably only be time for the first couple. We start with Stuart McDonald's bid to extend paid leave for parents of premature and sick babies.

Until next week. In the meantime, feel free to tweet me, or just reply to this email.

Sebastian (@sebastiansalek)

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MONDAY 11 JULY

Energy (Oil and Gas) Profits Levy Bill - all stages
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland
Imposes a one-off tax on the profits of North Sea oil and gas companies. The money will help fund support measures for people facing higher living costs.
Draft bill (PDF) / Lords Library briefing

TUESDAY 12 JULY

Pets (Microchips) Bill
Requires local authorities to scan a deceased cat's microchip and try to return it to its owner before disposing of it. Requires vets to confirm the person presenting a healthy animal to be euthanised is its registered owner. They must also check the microchip for details of previous owners and offer the animal to them before proceeding. Also known as Gizmo's law and Tuk's law. Ten minute rule motion presented by James Daly.

Online Safety Bill - report stage and 3rd reading
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland
Puts a duty of care on companies hosting user-generated content (e.g. social media sites) and search engines to illegal content, content that's harmful to children, and content that's legal but harmful to adults. Gives Ofcom powers to fine companies up to 10% of annual global revenues if they don't comply, force them to improve their practices, or block them completely.
Draft bill (PDF) / Commons Library briefing

WEDNESDAY 13 JULY

Fashion Supply Chain (Code and Adjudicator) Bill
Creates a code of practice to oversee the relationship between clothing retailers and their suppliers. Introduces an adjudicator to enfore the code. Ten minute rule motion presented by Liz Twist.

Northern Ireland Protocol Bill - committee stage
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland
Gives the government the power to override parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol, which lays out the post-Brexit trading agreements for Northern Ireland. At the moment, there's effectively a hard border in the Irish Sea, which means checks on certain goods moving between Britain and Northern Ireland. The government wants to make it easier for those goods to flow, but the EU argues that going back on the Northern Ireland Protocol is against international law.
Draft bill (PDF) / Commons Library briefing

THURSDAY 14 JULY

No votes scheduled

FRIDAY 15 JULY

Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Bill - 2nd reading
Extends paid leave for parents of premature and sick babies, giving parents and carers longer paid time off if their baby has to spend seven or more consecutive days in hospital in the first four weeks of their life. Private members' bill presented by Stuart McDonald.

Employment (Allocation of Tips) Bill - 2nd reading
Requires employers to pass on all tips, gratuities, and service charges to their staff. Private members' bill presented by Dean Russell.

Shark Fins Bill - 2nd reading
Bans the import and export of shark fins. Private members' bill presented by Christina Rees.

Pensions Dashboards (Prohibition of Indemnification) Bill - 2nd reading
Applies to:
Bans the trustees and managers of pension schemes from being indemnified if they are hit by any penalties imposed under pensions dashboards regulations. Private members' bill presented by Mary Robinson.

Public Advocate (No. 2) Bill - 2nd reading
Applies to: England, Wales
Creates the role of public advocate to give advice to families of people killed in major incidents. Seeks to avoid a repeat of the lengthy process after the Hillsborough disaster. Private members' bill presented by Maria Eagle. More information here.
Draft bill (PDF)

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

LAST WEEK'S VOTES

Passed

  • Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill - goes to Lords
  • Kinship Care Bill - goes to second reading
  • Miscarriage Leave Bill - goes to second reading
  • Supply and Appropriation (Main Estimates) Bill - becomes law

Click here to read details of the bills in last week's newsletter.

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