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For more information on DeHavilland and how we can help with political monitoring, custom research and consultancy, contact: +44 (0)20 3033 3870 [email protected] www.dehavilland.co.uk With that spirit in mind, DeHavilland brings you an update on a selection of Private Members’ Bills drawn in the 2017 Ballot. As we reach the halfway point in the bumper two-year session of Parliament, those MPs lucky enough to have their Bills chosen last year have found that fortune can be a tricky business. Some Bills such as Kevin Hollinrake’s Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Bill have had a smooth journey through Parliament, whereas others such as Angus Brendan MacNeil’s Refugees (Family Reunion) (No. 2) Bill have had a rockier time. The following briefing provides a list of those Bills which may, if passed into law, significantly impact their relevant sectors. The Bills have also been narrowed down to those which have gained or have the potential to gain momentum in Parliament. We have provided a succinct description of both the sponsor and content of each Bill alongside analysis of its Parliamentary support and the next steps in the legislative process. The listing of Bills in this briefing begin with those furthest through the process to become law, gradually moving to those that are further away. For more information on each MP in this document, simply click their name to be transferred to DeHavilland PeoplePoint, where there is further insight and contact information. DeHavilland Information Services Ltd 2018 www.dehavilland.co.uk 1 Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Bill .................................................................................... 2 Mental Health Units (Use of Force) Bill .......................................................................................... 4 Prisons (Interference with Wireless Telegraphy) Bill .................................................................. 4 Parliamentary Constituencies (Amendment) Bill ......................................................................... 6 Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation and Liability for Housing Standards) Bill ............... 8 Stalking Protections Bill .................................................................................................................... 9 Refugees (Family Reunion) (No. 2) Bill .......................................................................................... 9 Organ Donation (Deemed Consent) Bill ...................................................................................... 11 Civil Partnerships, Marriages and Deaths (Registration Etc) Bill ........................................... 12 DeHavilland Information Services Ltd 2018 www.dehavilland.co.uk 2 The Sponsor Conservative MP Kevin Hollinrake is a property entrepreneur, who has expressed political interest in policy areas such as the Northern Powerhouse, devolution, the rural economy and fracking. Mr Hollinrake was appointed Principle Private Secretary (PPS) to Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary Michael Gove in 2017 and also stands on the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee. What the Bill does The Parental Bereavement Bill seeks to create statutory entitlements to ‘parental bereavement leave and pay’ for when employees’ children have died. The entitlements, at the Bill’s current stage, only apply to those parents whose children have died under the age of 18. The Bill makes numerous amendments to previous Acts such as the Employment Rights Act 1996 and Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992. Parliamentary Support Mr Hollinrake’s Bill has support from Government, with comments from the Digital and Creative Industries Minister Margot James describing the Bill as going “significantly further than most other countries in providing this kind of workplace right for employees”. In the most recent debate of the Bill, its Third Reading, Energy and Industry Minister Richard Harrington reaffirmed the Governments full support. Additionally, Mr Hollinrake’s Bill has received the ‘Money Resolution’ from Government, providing the funding for any costs incurred by the proposed legislation. It is highly likely the Bill will become law. Next Steps • The Bill has passed all stages of the Commons and passed its First Reading at the House of Lords on 14 May 2018. • It awaits its Second Reading where the Bill will be debated by the Lords, the date of which is yet to be announced. A copy of the Bill can be found here – accurate as of the briefing’s publication date. DeHavilland Information Services Ltd 2018 www.dehavilland.co.uk 3 The Sponsor Shadow Civil Society Minister Steve Reed’s main areas of political interest include home affairs, local government, education, health and crime and justice. Mr Reed was appointed Shadow Minister for Local Government after the 2015 General Election. However, he resigned from the Labour frontbench following the EU Referendum result in June 2016. Mr Reed returned in October 2016 as Shadow Civil Society Minister as has remained in post since. What the Bill does The Mental Health Units (Use of Force) Bill seeks to make provision about the oversight and management of the appropriate use of force in relation to people in mental health institutions. The Bill also seeks to make provision for the wearing of body cameras by police officers in their dealings with people in mental health institutions. Parliamentary Support Mental Health and Inequalities Minister Jackie Doyle-Price highlighted Government support for the Bill as it was an “important ingredient in our broader agenda to improve the treatment of people with mental health problems and illnesses”. The Bill has received its relevant Money Resolution, albeit with some delay. The Money Resolution provides the funding for any costs incurred by the Bill, so it is likely the Bill will pass into law. Mr Reed’s Bill also received very wide support from across the House of Commons during its Second Reading. Next Steps • Mr Reed’s Bill will enter Report Stage in the House of Commons on 15 June 2018, which will be the final chance for amendments to be made to it by the Commons. • Very soon after, the Bill will enter its Third Reading, where MPs will debate and vote on the contents of the Bill. A copy of the Bill can be found here – accurate as of the briefing’s publication date. DeHavilland Information Services Ltd 2018 www.dehavilland.co.uk 4 The Sponsor This Bill was initially sponsored by Conservative MP Esther McVey, but the sponsorship changed following Ms McVey’s appointment as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to Conservative MP Maria Caulfield. Speaking to DeHavilland about her candidacy at the 2015 General Election, Ms Caulfield highlighted her experience of working in the health sector. Having pursued a lengthy career in the health service, her main areas of policy interest include health, housing and rural issues, and she has a strong affinity with efforts to improve the lot of breast cancer sufferers after having lost her mother. What the Bill does The Bill would create a new power for the Secretary of State to authorise public communications providers (for example mobile phone network operators) to interfere with wireless telegraphy to disrupt unlawful mobile phone use in prisons. The Bill however does not apply to Prisons in Scotland. Parliamentary Support The Bill has a wide range of support from across the House of Commons including both the Government and the Labour Party. Further, those MPs which explicitly stated support for the Bill include Members from Wales, which Ms Caulfield welcomed as support from across the United Kingdom. The Bill passed committee stage after only one sitting and without amendment on 9 May 2018. Given its cross-party support and the speed at which the Bill is passing through the House of Commons, it is highly likely the Bill will pass into law. Next Steps • The Bill is to enter Report Stage and Third Reading on 6 July 2018 after which it shall enter the House of Lords for further scrutiny. A copy of the Bill can be found here – accurate as of the briefing’s publication date. DeHavilland Information Services Ltd 2018 www.dehavilland.co.uk 5 The Sponsor At the time of his selection, Labour MP Afzal Khan was an MEP in the European Parliament, first elected in 2014. He was a Substitute for the Committee on Budgets, a Member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Vice-Chair of the Subcommittee on Security and Defence. Mr Khan’s primary policy interests are in financial affairs and social issues concerning racism. Mr Khan discussed issues of race and discrimination in his maiden speech to the House of Commons in July 2017, saying “in the House, I will always be a champion of equality”. He currently sits as Shadow Immigration Minister. What the Bill does The Bill essentially challenges the Government’s boundary review, which would see the number of Parliamentary constituencies across the UK go from 650 down to 600. It specifies that the number of seats should stay at the current level of 650, even after the boundary review. Parliamentary support Mr Khan’s Bill is currently at Committee Stage, with the Committee having met four times previous. The Committee last met on 23 May and plans to meet every Wednesday. However, it is currently waiting on a Money Resolution from the Government and cannot progress further with the Bill without. DeHavilland Information Services Ltd 2018 www.dehavilland.co.uk 6 The Committee members are as follows: Click on a name to see their DeHavilland PeoplePoint