Clear the Lobby: What Laws are MPs voting on this week? W/C 21st March 2022

Welcome to our weekly feature courtesy of Sebastian Salek, the brains behind Clear the Lobby, working to bring you all the laws MPs are voting on this week, and explained in plain English!

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Hey team,

The chancellor delivers his Spring Statement on Wednesday.

This “mini budget” is set to be a delicate balancing act given the cost of living crisis and situation in Ukraine, with competing pressures to cut taxes and increase defence spending.

Monday is an Opposition Day.

Labour will set the agenda, with a debate on a topic of their choosing, but they’re yet to say what they want that to be.

Meanwhile big bills get signed off.

The Economic Crime Bill has now become law. This week, the Commons turn to the Nationality and Borders Bill and Commercial Rent (Coronavirus) Bill, while the Lords considers the Elections Bill among others.

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

Sebastian (@sebastiansalek)

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MONDAY 21 MARCH

No votes scheduled

TUESDAY 22 MARCH

Shared Prosperity Fund (Wales) Bill
Requires the government to report on the merits of letting the Welsh government manage the money allocated to Wales from the Shared Prosperity Fund (the pot that replaces the EU funding the UK used to get). Ten minute rule motion presented by Ben Lake.

Nationality and Borders Bill – consideration of Lords amendments
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland
A wide-ranging bill reforming UK immigration laws after Brexit. Among other things: overhauls the system for asylum seekers, creating a new Temporary Protection Status for people who enter the UK illegally. (This will restrict family reunion rights and holders would have no recourse to public funds unless destitute.) Allows asylum seekers to be removed to a safe third country before their application for asylum is considered. Lowers the threshold for deportation for committing a criminal offence.
Draft bill (PDF) / Commons Library briefing

WEDNESDAY 23 MARCH

Short and Holiday-Let (Registration) Bill
Establishes a national register of Airbnb-style holiday lets. Ten minute rule motion presented by Karen Buck. More information here.

Spring Statement

Commercial Rent (Coronavirus) Bill – consideration of Lords amendments
Applies to: England (part), Wales (part), Scotland (part), Northern Ireland (part)
Enables arbitration to be used to resolve rent disputes between landlords and commercial tenants. Aims to ensure that rent debt that built up because of pandemic closures doesn’t force an otherwise viable business to fold.
Draft bill (PDF)

THURSDAY 24 MARCH

No votes scheduled

FRIDAY 25 MARCH

No votes scheduled

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

LAST WEEK’S VOTES

Passed

• Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Bill – goes back to Lords
• Professional Qualifications Bill – goes back to Lords
• Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill – goes back to Lords
• Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Bill – became law
• Quad Bikes Bill – goes to second reading
• Healthcare (Delayed Discharges) Bill – goes to second reading
• Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Disabled Persons) Bill – goes to Lords
• British Sign Language Bill – goes to Lords

Postponed

• All other private members’ bills

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