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15 May History

The Slow Death of Parliamentary Scrutiny

One of Parliament’s core roles is to scrutinise policy and legislation. Dr Alice Lilly from the Institute for Government finds that with a Commons that has limited time to look at bills in detail, and an overworked second chamber, it is struggling to do its job properly. Illustrations by Tracy Worrall

10 May Home affairs

Former Home Secretary Accuses Government Of Setting "Elephant Traps" In Illegal Migration Bill

Former home secretary Lord David Blunkett has accused the government of setting “elephant traps” with the Illegal Migration Bill, as peers begin intense scrutiny of the Bill in the House of Lords.

19 Apr Technology

Everything you need to know about the Online Safety Bill

The Online Safety Bill has had a long route through Parliament, now entering the committee stage in the House of Lords with amendments that span across more than 100 pages to be debated.

19 Mar Parliament

Private Members' Bills: The flawed and occasionally successful route to change

Most Private Members’ Bills fail, and those that succeed take months or even years of dogged negotiation and campaigning against the odds. Yet MPs’ names fill the ballot bowl to get the chance to table a bill each session, and some go to extraordinary, unorthodox lengths to see their legislation through to royal assent. Benedict Cooper takes a closer look at one of the most eccentric aspects of the parliamentary process

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20 Feb Transport

Remote driving: robust regulation needed before technology is seen on UK roads, concludes Government-commissioned review

The Law Commission of England and Wales has today [Monday 20 February 2023] published advice to Government on how to regulate remote driving on UK roads.

08 Dec 2022 Parliament

We need reform of the legislative process to empower Parliament

Parliamentary sovereignty is the United Kingdom’s central constitutional principle; in theory, Parliament holds all the power, but in practice the government wields much of it.

Electronic Trade Documents Bill introduced to Parliament

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13 Oct 2022 Home affairs

Electronic Trade Documents Bill introduced to Parliament

On Wednesday 12th October, an Electronic Trade Documents Bill was presented before Parliament.

28 Jun 2022 Parliament

We must reset the balance of power between Parliament and the government

In November 2021, the Lords Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee (DPRRC) and the Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee (SLSC), working in close collaboration, issued a stark warning – that, for years now, power has been shifting away from Parliament towards the executive and it is now a matter of urgency that the shift should stop and the balance be re-set.

29 May 2022 Parliament

Ping Pong: Has the House of Lords become a House of opposition?

The House of Lords inflicted a record number of defeats on the government in the last parliamentary year. As a new session begins, Sienna Rodgers looks at why the relationship between the two chambers has become so tense

25 May 2022 Parliament

It will take political will to make Parliament better at its most important job – scrutinising legislation

Parliament is a core institution of the state because its assent is necessary for a measure of public policy to be the law. It is its capacity to say no that renders it a powerful body.

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10 May 2022 Home affairs

The Bar Council's reaction to the Queen's speech

Responding to the wide range of legislation announced in today’s Queen’s Speech, Mark Fenhalls QC, chair of the Bar Council, said:

Keeping building society legislation relevant for the 21st Century

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22 Mar 2022 Economy

Keeping building society legislation relevant for the 21st Century

It's time to update the legal framework surrounding building societies so that they reflect the needs of modern society.

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30 Nov 2021 Home affairs

Law Commission to review the Arbitration Act 1996

The Law Commission has today, 30 November 2021, announced that it will conduct a review of the Arbitration Act 1996, the principal legislation governing arbitrations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

10 Dec 2020 Political parties

The argument for giving Parliament greater legislative scrutiny

Governments should not be afraid of greater legislative scrutiny. By doing this we will get better government, a better Parliament – and most importantly, better policy.

31 Jul 2020 Home affairs

An Office of the Whistleblower is needed to ensure people who speak up are protected

Whilst there are laws in place to protect whistleblowers, the overwhelming evidence is that they have failed to address the principal issues they face.

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27 Jul 2020 Economy

Consultation to update Victorian-era transfer of ownership rules

The Law Commission has today launched a consultation on draft legislation to reform Victorian-era which still apply to consumers today.

Vegan law is the most effective way to save lives, prevent future pandemics and mitigate global warming

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20 Apr 2020 Coronavirus

Vegan law is the most effective way to save lives, prevent future pandemics and mitigate global warming

Vegan Law means banning all animal related industries and divert all subsidies to plant-based agriculture & the manufacturing of plant-based food, and educate everybody on WHY it’s essential. We truly appreciate your valuable time in reading this urgent message from Supreme Master Ching Hai.

27 Mar 2020 Coronavirus

Ministers must remain answerable for their actions during the Coronavirus crisis

Throughout this crisis, it is more important than ever that Parliament maintains its role of scrutinising legislation and holding the government to account in its response.

26 Mar 2020 Coronavirus

Federation fights for toughened laws with COVID-19 being used as weapon

National Chair John Apter responds to CPS crackdown amid coronavirus threats to emergency service workers

21 Mar 2020 Coronavirus

Boris Johnson faces Commons rebellion over coronavirus emergency powers bill

Boris Johnson is facing a House of Commons rebellion over a bill giving the Government emergency powers to tackle the coronavirus.

18 Mar 2020 Coronavirus

Some powers in the Coronavirus Bill are draconian and impinge on people’s liberty

These powers will remain in place for two years. Any measure that restricts liberty should be subject to a renewal clause, so that at the very least Parliament has a say on whether they are still needed.