The prime minister addresses MPs on Mandelson on Monday.
He's expected to lay out what was known about the former US ambassador's vetting. The former head of the Foreign Office, Olly Robbins, has also been invited to testify to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee on Tuesday.
It's another week of last-stage bills.
Plenty for MPs to pass before the King's Speech on 13 May, which kicks off the new parliamentary session.
And we have a couple of ten minute rule motions.
One is on quieter road surfaces, the other on juries in criminal proceedings.
MONDAY 20 APRIL
Victims and Courts Bill – consideration of Lords message
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland
A broad set of measures that aim to restore faith in the justice system. Allows judges to require offenders to attend sentencing, restricts parental rights for child abusers, and expands access to the Victim Contact Scheme so more victims can stay updated about offenders’ cases, among other things.
Draft bill (PDF) / Commons Library briefing
Crime and Policing Bill – consideration of Lords message
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland (part), Northern Ireland (part)
A wide-ranging bill that aims to tackle antisocial behaviour, knife crime, assaults on shop workers, and violence against women and girls, among other things. Changes include giving the police powers to tackle antisocial behaviour by introducing respect orders, creating a power to seize blades found on private property, introducing a new offence of assaulting a retail worker, and banning AI models optimised to produce child sexual abuse material.
Draft bill (PDF) / Commons Library briefing
TUESDAY 21 APRIL
Road Surfaces (Maximum Noise Levels) Bill
Bans road surfacing materials that generate in-vehicle noise above a certain level. Requires roads that already exceed that threshold to be resurfaced. Ten minute rule motion presented by Melanie Onn.
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill – consideration of Lords amendments
Applies to: England and Wales
A wide-ranging bill introducing more devolution in England. Introduces the concept of strategic authorities – a new, larger tier of local authorities areas – and gives them more decision-making powers. Returns mayoral elections to the supplementary vote system, reversing the move to first past the post under the previous government. Bans mayors from also being MPs. Introduces a Community Right to Buy, giving local residents the first chance to bid for community assets that come up for sale before developers can buy them, among other things.
Draft bill (PDF) / Commons Library briefing
WEDNESDAY 22 APRIL
Criminal Proceedings (Juror Absence) Bill
Allows criminal trials to continue where a juror is absent or discharged, as long as the jury doesn't fall below nine members. Under current rules, trials can be adjourned when juror numbers fall, which causes delays and increases costs. Ten minute rule motion presented by Sally Jameson.
Pension Schemes Bill – consideration of Lords message
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland
A wide-ranging bill reforming the pensions system. Requires defined contribution schemes to prove they’re value for money so savers don’t get stuck in underperforming schemes. Merges small pension pots worth £1,000 or less into one pension scheme. Creates multi-employer ‘megafunds’ in an aim to drive down costs, among other things.
Draft bill (PDF) / Commons Library briefing
Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill – consideration of Lords message
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland (part), Northern Ireland (part)
Aims to remove barriers to opportunity in schools and make the education system more consistent for children. Measures include free breakfast clubs for primary schools in England, a limit on branded school uniform items, and strengthening regulation around social care.
Draft bill (PDF) / Commons Library briefing
THURSDAY 23 APRIL
No votes scheduled
FRIDAY 24 APRIL
No votes scheduled
PREVIOUS WEEK'S VOTES
Passed
- Type 1 Diabetes Screening (Children) Bill – goes to second reading
- Crime and Policing Bill – goes back to the Lords
- Creative Arts and Culture (Broadcasting Requirements) Bill – goes to second reading
- Pension Schemes Bill – goes back to the Lords
- Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill – goes back to the Lords
Click here to read details of the bills in last week's newsletter.
