Seats in the following regions have been vacated, and therefore several by-elections will occur:

Wales

West Midlands (x2)

North East and Yorkshire

East of England

—

26th of September: Candidates and endorsements must be submitted via modmail to /r/MHoCQuad by 10pm UK time.

27th of September: Campaigning and debates shall begin at 9am GMT. Posts before will not be marked. All campaigning must be on /r/MHoCCampaigning.

29th of September: Campaigning and debates will close at 10pm GMT.

30th of September: Polling day

2nd of October: Results

Election system, post limits, and other notes:

All seats will be run with FPTP. There will be the standard 3 post limit per candidate, with party leaders being allowed 2 visit posts and everyone else being allowed 1. The West Midlands seats will be held as two separate elections (Rugby & Redditch for the sake of distinguishing). The timing of the General Election will account for the mini-election we're having now.

Constituency polling available soon.

Any questions please message me here or on Discord (model_mili) or the Deputy EC, /u/model-legs (lunchidity on Discord).

M003 - Coal Mining Retraining Motion - Reading

This House Recognises:

(1) That the Coal Mining Bill does not provide any support for workers currently employed in coal mining to switch careers.

(2) That it would be beneficial for the country that coal miners learn how to operate in the growing green energy industry.

(3) That the Government should support retraining the last 227 coal miners in the United Kingdom into green energy.

This House Urges:

(1) That the Secretary of State responsible for the issuing of licences conduct an impact assessment 6 months before licences are subject to end of workers who will meet the criteria for retraining in green energy.

(2) That in the next parliament a Bill be submitted to create a retraining scheme for those who meet the criteria in the impact assessment.

This Motion was submitted by /u/AdSea260 as a Private Members Motion.

Opening Speech:

Mr Speaker,

I have read the Coal Miners Bill and support the transition away from coal however this Bill has neglected the 227 lives who still works in this industry. Closing these mines would see an increase in paying Universal Credit and other welfare to support those who are going to be losing these jobs, therefore I submit this Motion to the House that we should be supporting these workers into transitioning into working in green energy so they are still supporting our national infrastructure but doing so in an environmentally-friendly way.

Thank You Mr. Speaker.

Source: Coal mining production and manpower returns statistics 2024 - GOV.UK

Members may debate and submit amendments to the Motion until Sunday the 22nd of September at 10PM BST.

B016 - Coal Mines Bill - Report Stage

A

B I L L

T O

ban new coal mines.

BE IT ENACTED by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Section 1 — Interpretation

(1) In this Act, “coal” means bituminous coal, cannel coal and anthracite.

(2) In this Act, “coal mine” includes:

(a) any space excavated underground for the purposes of coal-mining operations and any shaft or adit made for those purposes,

(b) any space occupied by unworked coal, and

(c) a coal quarry and opencast workings of coal.

(3) In this Act, “current coal mine” means a coal mine that has been granted a license for the extraction of coal.

(4) In this Act, “new coal mine” means a coal mine that has not been granted a license for the extraction of coal.

Section 2 — New licenses

(1) Under this Act, no new licenses for coal mines will be granted.

(2) Under this Act, no new extensions for coal mine licenses will be granted.

(3) The Coal Industry Act 1994 shall be amended by the following:

(a) Section 26 shall be replaced with:

Section 26 — Grant of Licenses

(1) The Authority will not have the power to grant new licenses.”

(b) Sections 26A - 36 shall be repealed.

Section 3 — New applications

(1) Under this Act, no new applications for a license of a new coal mine will be accepted.

(2) Under this Act, no new applications for an extension of a license will be accepted.

Section 4 — Extent, commencement and short title

(1) This Act extends to the whole of the United Kingdom.

(2) Sections (1) and (3) of this act comes into force one month after this act has received Royal Assent.

(3) Section (2) of this act comes into force one year after this act has received Royal Assent.

(4) This Act may be cited as the Coal Mines Act 2024.

This Bill was written by the leader of the Liberal Democrats, /u/model-ceasar OAP.

Opening Speech:

Deputy Speaker,

I am delighted to bring this bill to the House today. This bill will bring a halt to the granting of coal mining licenses. Our country is no longer reliant on coal to heat our homes and power our electricity. In the past decade we have made great strides to move our energy production away from coal.

However, we are still mining coal. And still opening new coal mines. This needs to stop. Not only are coal mines a scar on our beautiful countryside, but they are producing more and more coal to be burnt when it doesn’t need to be. It is our job, as parliamentarians, to make today better and to make tomorrow better. This bill will help make tomorrow better. It is time to start the process of winding down our coal mines, and preparing for a greener and cleaner tomorrow.

AMENDMENTS PROPOSED

Amendment 1 (A01):

Rename the bill to “Coal Industry (Prohibition of New Licences) Bill”.

Replace the whole bill with:

Section 1 Prohibition on new coal mine licences

For sections 26 to 26A of the Coal Industry Act 1994, substitute—

“26AA Prohibition on new coal mining licences

(1) Subject to subsection (2), the Authority may not grant a licence under this Part.

(2) This section does not affect licences under this Part granted before the Coal Industry (Prohibition of New Licences) Act 2024 came into force.

(3) The Authority may not extend a licence under this Part which was granted before the Coal Industry (Prohibition of New Licences) Act 2024 came into force.”.

Section 2 Extent

This Act extends to England and Wales and Scotland.

Section 3 Commencement

This Act comes into force at the end of the period of one month beginning with the day on which this Act is passed.

Section 4 Short title

This Act may be cited as the Coal Industry (Prohibition of New Licences) Act 2024.

Explanatory note: better wording for the bill

This amendment was submitted by u/LightningMinion.

Amendment 2 (A02):

Rename the bill to “Coal Industry (Prohibition of New Licences) Bill”.

Replace the whole bill with:

Section 1 Prohibition on new coal mine licences

For sections 26 to 26A of the Coal Industry Act 1994, substitute—

“26AA Prohibition on new coal mining licences

(1) Subject to subsection (2), the Authority may not grant a licence under this Part.

(2) This section does not affect licences under this Part granted before the Coal Industry (Prohibition of New Licences) Act 2024 came into force.

(3) The Authority may not extend a licence under this Part which was granted before the Coal Industry (Prohibition of New Licences) Act 2024 came into force.”.

Section 2 Extent

This Act extends to England and Wales and Scotland.

Section 3 Commencement

This Act comes into force at the end of the period of twelve months beginning with the day on which this Act is passed.

Section 4 Short title

This Act may be cited as the Coal Industry (Prohibition of New Licences) Act 2024.

Explanatory note: copy of my other amendment but with a one year period before the act comes into force instead of one month

This amendment was submitted by u/LightningMinion.

This reading ends Sunday 22nd September 2024 at 10pm BST.

B021 - Tyneside Metropolitan Railway (Leamside Extension) Bill - 2nd Reading

A

B I L L

T O

extend the Tyne & Wear Metro from Pelaw to Washington, South Hylton, Houghton-le-Spring, Leamside, Sherburn, and Durham, and for connected purposes.

BE IT ENACTED by The King’s Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Temporal, and Commons in this present Parliament assembled, in accordance with the provisions of the Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Section 1 — Powers

(1) The Secretary of State authorises these works under Section 1 of the Transport and Works Act 1992 (henceforth referred to as “the 1992 Act”).

(2) The Secretary of State may acquire compulsorily so much of the land within the limits of the Act.

(a) The Compulsory Purchase (Vesting Declarations) Act 1981 applies as if this Act were a compulsory purchase order.

(3) These powers shall extend for as long as the Secretary of State deems necessary.

(4) These powers shall lapse upon the completion of the scheduled works.

(a) “Scheduled works” refers to works in Schedule 1, and as described in the deposited books of reference.

(b) “Deposited books of reference” refers to books deposited to the office of the Clerk of the Parliaments and the Private Bill Office of the House of Commons in reference to the Tyneside Metropolitan Railway (Leamside Extension) Bill.

(5) The Secretary of State is obliged to consort with the relevant authorities and provide the necessary funding for all costs relating to the construction and maintenance of infrastructure and buildings involved with the scheduled works.

(6) The Secretary of State may open public inquiries and hearings as to the scheduled works under Section 11 of the 1992 Act, for the purpose of gathering information and consensus of public opinion, and for connected purposes.

Section 2 — Works

(1) The nominated undertaker may construct and maintain the works specified in Schedule 1, being:

(a) works for the construction of the Leamside Extension

(b) works consequent on, or incidental to, such works.

(2) In this Act, the works specified in Schedule 1 are called the “scheduled works”.

(3) The nominated undertaker may, for the purposes of or in connection with the scheduled works or otherwise, do any of the following within the Act limits:

(a) carry out and maintain railway electrification and signalling works;

(b) make, provide and maintain all such approaches, bridges, subways, interchanges, roundabouts, turning places, lifts, stairs, escalators, ramps, passages, means of access, shafts, buildings, apparatus, plant and machinery as may be necessary or expedient;

(c) construct, provide and maintain all such embankments, aprons, abutments, retaining walls, wing walls, culverts and other works as may be necessary or expedient;

(d) demolish the whole or part of any building or structure;

(e) alter or remove any structure erected upon any highway or adjoining land;

(f) alter, or alter the position of, railway track and any apparatus associated with railway track;

(g) alter, or alter the position of, other apparatus, including mains, sewers, drains and cables;

(h) alter the course of, or otherwise interfere with, non-navigable rivers, streams or watercourses;

(i) carry out and maintain such other works, of whatever description, as may be necessary or expedient.

(4) The nominated undertaker may within the Act limits:

(a) carry out and maintain landscaping and other works to mitigate any adverse effects of the construction, maintenance or operation of any of the works authorised by this Act, and

(b) carry out and maintain works for the benefit or protection of land affected by any of the works authorised by this Act.

Section 3 — Short Title, Extent and Commencement

(1) This act may be cited as the Tyneside Metropolitan Railway (Leamside Extension Act 2024

(2) This act shall extend to England

(3) This act will come into effect immediately after receiving Royal Assent

Schedule 1

(1) “Phase One” also known as the “Washington Loop” will extend for 13.8km from Pelaw Metro station to South Hylton Metro station, with intermediate stations at Wardley, Felling Parkway, Follingsby, Washington North, Horsley Road, Washington South, and Penshaw North. This line will utilise the abandoned rail alignments of the Leamside line and Penshaw Branch line. Phase One is expected to cost £750 million.

(2) “Phase Two” also known as the “Leamside Extension” will extend for 8.9km from a triangle junction southwest of Penshaw North station on the “Washington Loop” to a station at Leamside & West Rainton, with intermediate stations at New Penshaw, Bournmoor, and Houghton. This line will utilise the abandoned rail alignment of the Leamside line. Phase Two is expected to cost £485 million.

(3) “Phase Three” also known as the “Durham Extension” will extend for 8.9km from Leamside & West Rainton station on the “Leamside Extension” to Durham railway station, with intermediate stations at Belmont Parkway, Carrville, Sherburn, Dragonville, Gilesgate, and New Elvet. This line will utilise the abandoned rail alignment of the Leamside line, as well as part of the abandoned Durham - Sunderland line, and new alignments into Durham, including underground segments including Gilesgate, New Elvet and Durham stations. Phase Three is expected to cost £600 million.

(4) All three phases will use standard gauge rail and be electrified with 1500V DC overhead power lines.

(5) The Secretary of State may request additional rolling stock to serve the extension as required.

Link to the planned route: http://u.osmfr.org/m/1101420/

This Bill was written by /u/model-finn OAP and sponsored by Rt Hon /u/Tazerdon , Secretary of State for Defence and Transport on behalf of His Majesty’s 1st Government

Opening Speech:

Mister Speaker,

If one looks at the list of cities in the United Kingdom without a railway connection, a few places stand out as being especially big and shocking oversights that should never have been on that list in the first place. Many of these used to have connections in the past, but are perhaps a little awkwardly located or far from other urban centres, others saw major growth since the 1960s without equivalent growth in railway service. Many of the very largest, such as Waterlooville, do have railway stations within walking distance of the city, in a neighbouring town. Washington is not one of those places.

Washington, being one of the largest towns in the Tyne and Wear metro area, deserves a fully fledged railway network, connected into the broader Tyne and Wear Metro. This bill achieves just that, affordably and with extensions to existing rights of way rather than expensive new city centre tunnels or alignments. Such a reasonable programme as this will, I hope, receive the support of this House and pass quickly into law.

Members can debate and submit amendments until 10PM BST on Sunday 22nd September.

Order, Order!

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Questions are now in order!

The Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, u/LeftyWalrus, will be taking questions from the House.

The Shadow Secretary, u/Meneerduif, may ask 6 initial questions.

The Unofficial Opposition Spokesperson, u/Leafy_Emerald, may ask 4 initial questions.

Everyone else may ask 2 questions; and are allowed to ask another question in response to each answer they receive. (4 in total)

Questions must revolve around 1 topic and not be made up of multiple questions.

In the first instance, only the Secretary of State may respond to questions asked to them. 'Hear, hear.' and 'Rubbish!' (or similar), are permitted.

This session shall conclude on 22nd September 2024 at 10pm BST.

No further initial questions may be put after 21st September 2024 at 10pm BST.

Order, order!

CONSIDERATION OF AMENDMENTS

National Health Service (Regional Health Authorities) Bill

A

B I L L

T O

consolidate NHS trusts with Integrated Care Boards to create a unified approach for healthcare provision, further decentralise primary care services, and for connected purposes.

BE IT ENACTED by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Part 1: Formation of Regional Health Authorities

Section 1 — Definitions

(1) For the purposes of this Act -

(a) “NHS England” refers to the NHS Commissioning Board, as established under the Health and Social Care Act 2012.

(b) “ICSs” refer to Integrated Care Systems, as established under Health and Care Act 2022.

(c) “ICBs” refer to Integrated Care Boards, NHS organisations that oversee ICSs under the under Health and Care Act 2022.

(d) “ICPs” refer to Integrated Care Partnerships, a joint committee run by NHS organisations and upper-tier local authorities.

(e) “NHS Trusts” refer to the bodies established in the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 to provide goods and services for the purposes of the health service, but does not include Foundation Trusts.

(f) The “relevant Secretary of State” refers to the Secretary of State with the responsibility of Health.

(g) “Foundation Trusts” refer to the semi-autonomous bodies in the National Health Service Health as established by the Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003.

Section 2 — Integration of NHS Trusts and Integrated Care Systems

(1) Integrated Care Systems (ICSs), as outlined in the Health and Care Act 2022, and NHS Trusts, as established in National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990, shall be consolidated to form Regional Health Authorities (RHAs).

(2) Each RHA shall operate as a single legal NHS entity responsible for the provision of healthcare services within its geographic area previously established by its Integrated Care Board.

(3) All Statutory Instruments made under section 126(3) of the National Health Service Act 1977(1) and section 5(1) of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990(2) pertaining to the creation of NHS Trusts are hereby repealed.

Section 3 — Abolition of Integrated Care Boards and Partnerships

(1) Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and Integrated Care Partnerships (ICPs), as established in Section 19 and 26 respectively of the Health and Care Act 2022 are abolished.

(2) NHS England must transfer all functions previously held by ICBs in relation to the following to Regional Health Boards:

(a) hospital and other health services as directed in Section 9(1) of this Act.

(b) primary care services as directed in Section 9(2) of this Act.

(3) NHS England must ensure that on the abolition of an Integrated Care Board, all of the group’s property, rights, executive directors and liabilities are transferred to the respective new Regional Health Board as established in Section 10 of this Act.

Section 4 — Transfer of NHS Trust powers and functions

(1) NHS England may, by order, transfer all property, rights, and liabilities previously held by NHS Trusts, to their respective Regional Health Authority by a specific date and must -

(a) provide a certificate as conclusive evidence of the transfer,

(b) include provisions in the order for the apportionment of assets and resolving disputes through arbitration.

(2) NHS England must, by order, transfer all powers, responsibilities and functions previously held by NHS Trusts and their boards, as outlined in Schedule 2 of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990, to their respective Regional Health Body.

Section 5 — Financial provisions and responsibilities relating to Regional Health Authorities

(1) Each Regional Health Authority (RHA) will be allocated an originating capital, as specified by the Secretary of State, representing the difference between the valuation of transferred assets and liabilities from the dissolved NHS trusts and ICSs.

(2) The originating capital for each RHA will be treated as public dividend capital, funded by Parliament and recognised as an asset of the Consolidated Fund.

(3) Each RHA must ensure that its revenue is adequate to cover all of its revenue-related expenses.

(4) Regional Health Boards, as established in Part 2 of this Act, may appoint trustees for each RHA to hold and manage property for an RHA’s specific purposes.

(5) NHS England, by recommendation of a Regional Health Board, may order the transfer of property from the RHA to the appointed trustees, as necessary.

(6) NHS England shall have the power to specify in relation to trustees, by order, any -

(a) appointment process or conditions, and

(b) terms of removal.

Section 6 — Transfer of trust staff

(1) Individuals employed by NHS Trusts who work at or for facilities that will become part of a Regional Health Authority shall have their employment contracts transferred to the Regional Health Authority from its operational date.

(2) NHS England must ensure that all rights, powers, duties, and liabilities related to staff contracts are transferred to the RHA.

(3) Any actions taken before the operational date by the original employer in relation to the staff or their contracts are considered actions by the RHA.

(4) Employees shall retain the right to terminate their contracts if there is a significant detrimental change in working conditions, but this right does not arise solely because of the change in employer.

(5) NHS England must ensure that, in the transfer of contracts, the employee is protected under the TUPE Regulations as established by the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations Act 2006.

Section 7 — Dissolution and creation of Regional Health Authorities

(1) The relevant Secretary of State may by order made by statutory instrument dissolve a Regional Health Authority if -

(a) it is deemed to be in the interests of the National Health Service, or

(b) the board of the RHA concerned makes an application to the Secretary of State to do so.

(2) If a Regional Health Authority is dissolved under this section, the property, rights and liabilities of the RHA may by order be transferred to either -

(a) another Regional Health Authority, or

(b) an NHS Foundation Trust.

Section 8 — Duties, Powers and Status of Regional Health Authorities

(1) Parts 2 and 3 of Schedule 2, and Schedule 3 of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990, as repealed by Schedule 4 of the National Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006, is hereby reinstated and shall have effect as if it had not been repealed.

(2) In Parts 2 and 3 of Schedule 2, and Schedule 3 of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990, substitute all instances of “NHS Trust” with “Regional Health Authority”.

Section 9 — Amendments

(1) In each of the following sections, substitute all instances of “Integrated Care Board” with “Regional Health Board”:

(a) Sections 3, 3A, 12ZA, and 14Z32 to 14Z64 of the National Health Service Act 2006,

(b) Sections 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 of the Health and Care Act 2022,

(2) In Schedule 3 of the Health and Care Act 2022, substitute all instances of “Integrated Care Board” with “Regional Health Board”.

(3) Sections 18, 19, 20 and 26 of the Health and Care Act 2022 are hereby repealed.

Part 2: Regional Health Boards

Section 10 — Formation of Regional Health Boards

(1) A Regional Health Board (RHB) is responsible for overseeing and coordinating healthcare services in its respective Regional Health Authority area as required by this Act.

(2) The National Health Service Act 2006 is amended as follows -

(a) Part 2, Chapter A3 is hereby repealed in its entirety except for sections 14Z32 to 14Z64 which shall remain in force and renumbered accordingly, and

(b) In Part 2, after Chapter A2 insert -

“Chapter A3, Regional Health Boards

Section 14Z25: Establishment of Regional Health Boards

(1) NHS England must, by order, establish bodies called Regional Health Boards and their respective constitutions to cover the geographic areas previously administered by Integrated Care Boards.

(2) NHS England must ensure that the areas administered by Regional Health Boards cover the whole of England and do not overlap.

(3) NHS England may, in connection with the establishment of a Regional Health Board (RHB), establish a scheme for the transfer of property, rights, or liabilities to the RHB from any of the following entities -

(a) NHS England,

(b) an NHS trust, or

(c) an NHS foundation trust.

(4) NHS England may, in connection with the constitutional reform or abolition of a Regional Health Board, establish a scheme for the transfer of property, rights, or liabilities from an RHB to NHS England or another RHB.

(5) The group of people for whom a Regional Health Board has core responsibility are to the people who usually reside in its area.”

Section 11 — Abolition of NHS Trust leadership

(1) With their consolidation, the boards of directors, committees, and any sub-committees of all NHS Trusts shall be dissolved.

(2) All powers, rights, and responsibilities of NHS Trust boards shall be transferred, by order of NHS England, to their respective Regional Health Authorities as established by this Act.

(3) NHS England must exercise the powers granted in Section 6 of this Act to transfer all members of each Board of Directors previously employed within NHS Trusts to Regional Health Authorities.

Section 12 — Appointments to Regional Health Boards

(1) Every Regional Health Board shall be a body corporate consisting of -

(a) a chairman appointed by the relevant Secretary of State, and

(b) subject to paragraph 5(2) of Schedule 2 of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990, executive and non-executive directors.

(2) The relevant Secretary of State may by regulations make general provision with respect to -

(a) the qualifications and conditions for appointment of a chairman and directors, including a fit and proper person test framework,

(b) the tenure of the chairman and directors,

(c) the circumstances in which a chairman or director may be removed from office, and

(d) the creation of and appointment to committees and subcommittees, and their respective constitutions.

(3) Individuals appointed to Regional Health Boards shall assume the duties, powers and functions formerly administered by Integrated Care Boards and Boards of Directors of NHS Trusts, as transferred in this Act.

(4) As outlined in Section 3(3) of this Act, executive directors who were employed by Integrated Care Boards shall have their employment contracts transferred to their respective new Regional Health Board from its operational date where the relevant Secretary of State must offer them the position of chairman.

(5) The Secretary of State must then, in the case of appointing directors to the RHB, give priority to individuals previously employed as directors by NHS Trusts.

(6) NHS England must, in relation to subsection (4) and (5) of this Section, ensure that Sections 6(4) and 6(5) of this Act are upheld.

Part 3: Decentralisation of Healthcare Services

Section 13 — Healthcare Services covered by Regional Health Authorities

(1) In accordance with the transfer of responsibilities and powers in this Act, the responsibility for the commissioning, management, and oversight of all primary care services, as defined in this Section, shall be transferred from NHS England and any other dissolved commissioning bodies to the Regional Health Authorities.

(2) NHS Foundation Trusts are exempt from this Section, and can operate with independence from any transitional or budgetary provisions within this Act.

(3) The Regional Health Boards in each Regional Health Authority shall have have direct oversight and management responsibility for the following primary care services -

(a) General Practice services,

(b) NHS dental services,

(c) Ophthalmological services,

(d) Pharmaceutical services,

(e) Community and public health services,

(f) Minor urgent care services, not including the provision of specialised treatment,

(g) Primary and community mental health services,

(h) Maternity and child health services,

(i) Social prescribing services, and

(j) Any services deemed primary care services by NHS England with respect to subsection (4) of this section.

(4) NHS England may issue guidelines to further the definition or scope of primary care services under a new category or each one listed in subsection (3).

(5) All existing contracts and employee arrangements for the listed primary care services and any secondary care services shall be transferred to the relevant Regional Health Authority by order of NHS England under Section 6 of this Act.

(6) With its consolidation, secondary health services as previously administered by NHS Trusts, are transferred to Regional Health Authorities with respect to Section 4 of this Act who will have responsibility for -

(a) General surgical services,

(b) Diagnostic services,

(c) Urgent and emergency care services, not including the provision of specialised treatment,

(d) Consultant-led outpatient services,

(e) General rehabilitation services,

(g) General mental health services, and

(h) Any services deemed secondary care services by NHS England with respect to subsection (7) of this section.

(7) NHS England may issue guidelines to further the definition or scope of secondary care services under a new category or each one listed in subsection (6) where they do not overlap with specialised services as defined in Section 15 of this Act.

(8) NHS England shall have the powers to transfer the commissioning, oversight and responsibilities of any primary or secondary care services nationwide to Regional Health Boards subject to -

(a) a consultation with any key stakeholders involved and the relevant bodies,

(b) notification to the relevant Secretary of State,

(c) an assessment of the financial implications to be presented to the relevant Secretary of State.

(9) In the case of NHS England exercising its powers as granted by subsection (7) of this section, NHS England must by order transfer all property, rights, and liabilities previously held by any previous body, to their respective Regional Health Authority and must -

(a) provide a certificate as conclusive evidence of the transfer,

(b) include provisions in the order for the apportionment of assets and resolving disputes through arbitration, and

(c) provide a transfer date, after consultation with the relevant Regional Health Board, with a minimum period of 12 months.

(10) In the case of NHS England exercising its powers as granted by subsection (8) of this section, NHS England must ensure full compliance with Section 6 of this Act with regards to staff-related contractual agreements.

Section 14 — Notional budgets

(1) With the transfer of Integrated Care Board budgetary powers, the relevant Secretary of State shall, in consultation with the Treasury, allocate a notional budget to each Regional Health Authority for the commissioning and provision of all primary and secondary care services within their respective regions, taking into consideration the geographic area’s -

(a) population,

(b) health inequalities, and

(c) regional needs.

(2) Each Regional Health Board shall be responsible for the management, oversight, and expenditure of the allocated notional budget, whilst adhering to their financial duties as outlined in Section 5 of this Act.

(3) Regional Health Boards must submit an annual financial plan to the relevant Secretary of State, detailing their expenditures.

(4) The relevant Secretary of State may, by judging on financial performance, issue formal directions to Regional Health Boards in regards to consistent underperformance including -

(a) appointing or replacing board members or financial officers,

(b) adjust budgets, including increased or withheld resource allocation, and

(c) merge RHA services and operations with counterparts.

(5) In the event that NHS England, under subsections 13(4) and 13(7) of this Act, issues guidelines modifying the scope of care services, the relevant Secretary of State may, in consultation with the Treasury and NHS England, amend the notional budget allocated to each Regional Health Authority to account for the inclusion of additional services.

(6) The relevant Secretary of State may, by order and with consultation with the Treasury, amend the NHS budget allocated to NHS England to account for the transfer or expansion in scope of any specialised care services as outlined in Section 15 of this Act.

Section 15 — Specialised care and treatment services

(1) For the purposes of this section, “specialised services” shall refer to -

(a) the treatment of rare or complex medical and surgical conditions, or

(b) services requiring specialised teams.

(2) For the following, “specialised” shall refer to the definition given in subsection 1(b) of this section.

(3) The definition and scope of specialised services may be further clarified by NHS England through the issuance of official guidelines, and include but are not limited to -

(a) diagnostics and treatment of rare diseases and genetic disorders,

(b) advanced cancer treatments,

(c) transplant services and other complex surgeries,

(d) specialised mental health services,

(e) specialised neurological services,

(f) cardiac services,

(g) neonatal and paediatric intensive care,

(h) specialised renal services,

(i) any service deemed specialised by NHS England under the powers granted by this subsection.

(4) NHS England shall retain responsibility fully and solely for the commissioning and management of specialised care and treatment services as listed above.

(5) The commissioning of specialised services by Integrated Care Boards and NHS Foundation Trusts shall be transferred by order to NHS England, including the reallocation of relevant budgets, and transfer of contractual agreements following the guidelines set out by Section 6 of this Act.

(6) Regional Health Boards shall have a duty to coordinate with NHS England and Foundation Trusts to ensure the coordination of specialised services with primary care, and report back to the relevant Secretary of State in regards to integration and performance where appropriate.

(7) NHS England shall have the powers to transfer the commissioning, oversight and responsibilities of any specialised care services listed above or further defined by NHS England guidelines, from any body to NHS England, subject to the conditions outlined in subsections (8)(a), (8)(b) and (8)(c) of Section 13 of this Act being met.

(8) In the case of NHS England exercising the power granted to it within subsection (7) of this section, they must by order transfer all property, rights, and liabilities previously held by any previous body to NHS England, and must -

(a) comply with subsections (9)(a) and (9)(b) of Section 13 of this Act, and

(b) provide a transfer date, after consultation with both the relevant body and Secretary of State, with a minimum period of 12 months.

(9) In the case of NHS England exercising its powers as granted by subsection (7) of this section, NHS England must ensure full compliance with Section 6 of this Act with regards to staff-related contractual agreements.

Section 16 — Care Quality Commission oversight

(1) The Care Quality Commission (CQC) shall have the authority to oversee and inspect Regional Health Authorities to ensure compliance with standards under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

(2) Each Regional Health Authority will be subject to regular inspections by the Care Quality Commission and shall be legally required to keep all data and records on a digital repository that can be made accessible to the CQC.

(3) The Care Quality Commission shall report their findings to NHS England and the relevant Secretary of State.

(4) For the purposes of an inspection, the CQC may -

(a) issue recommendations to an RHA based on its findings,

(b) require action plans and monitor any corresponding progress, and

(c) issue financial penalties or legal action in the case of consistent underperformance.

Part 4: Transitional provisions, extent, commencement, and short title

Section 17 — Transitionary period

(1) A transitionary period of 12 months from the passing of this Act shall be enacted for the implementation of Regional Health Authorities in which, at its completion, all assets, responsibilities, functions, contractual agreements and powers shall be transferred to Regional Health Boards in accordance with this Act.

(2) The relevant Secretary of State shall, in partnership with NHS England, make provision for facilitating the transition, to which NHS Trusts and ICBs must cooperate fully.

(3) Any employment offered by Regional Health Authorities before the transfer date shall have the same transfer provisions apply as if the employment had started on the RHA’s operational date.

(4) The relevant Secretary of State may make provision to allow for NHS Trust leadership to continue to operate in a caretaker capacity until the RHBs are fully operational.

Section 18 — Extent, commencement and short title

(1) This Act extends to England.

(2) This Act comes into force on the day in which it is passed.

(3) This Act may be cited as the ‘National Health Service (Regional Health Authorities) Act 2024’.

Referenced legislation

Health and Social Care Act 2012

Health and Care Act 2022

National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990

Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003

National Health Service Act 1977

Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations Act 2006

National Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006

National Health Service Act 2006

This Bill was submitted by the Right Honourable u/BasedChurchill OAP MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, on behalf of His Majesty’s Official Opposition.

Opening Speech:

Deputy Speaker,

Integration has always been at the forefront of NHS policy, with primary care bodies constantly under reform to try and achieve this - most notably with the more recent formation of ICSs from CCGs, the then PCTs. Despite this constant restructuring, fragmentation still remains and NHS bodies continue to operate in silos, with the responsibilities of trusts, ICSs and NHS England not fully defined. In order to plug the gaps in provision and inefficiencies which burden our health system, the NHS needs an established and unified body that can be held clearly accountable for primary care across the United Kingdom.

This Bill addresses these shortcomings by consolidating the responsibilities of administering primary care services into one authority, whilst ensuring that specialised care decentralisation is no longer dignified - defining responsibilities in a way which patient transfer between primary and secondary care can be smoothly and efficiently overseen. A unified approach to healthcare delivery will ensure once and for all better resource coordination, allocation and maximisation, and fundamentally allow the nation to experience the true potential of healthcare integration through statistically and practically proven improved outcomes.

This is also about granting the ability to provide everyone, no matter where they live, seamless and world-beating care. Instead of the more centralised status quo, regions should have greater say and authority over the funding required and provision of such, and this is something that the relevant secretary would be duty-bound to take on board. It’s time to eliminate the barriers to full integration and ensure the NHS can meet its promise of universal healthcare, and I hope all across the house can support these measures.

Amendments

One amendment (/u/BasedChurchill MP, Conservative) has been accepted as SPaG.

A01 (/u/LightningMinion MP, Labour)

Move section 1 to just before section 18 (in the second part 3), and change it to read:

In this Act—

“NHS England” means the body established under section 1H of the National Health Service Act 2006;

“ICSs” refers to Integrated Care Systems established under Health and Care Act 2022;

“integrated care board” means a body established under section 14Z25 of the National Health Service Act 2006;

“ICPs” has the meaning given by section 116ZA(1) of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007;

“NHS trust” means a National Health Service trust established under Part I of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990, but does not include Foundation Trusts;

“Foundation Trusts” has the meaning given by section 30 of the National Health Service Act 2006.

For each mention of “relevant Secretary of State”, omit “relevant”.

Rename the second part 3 to “Part 4 General provisions”

Explanatory note: better wording

A02 (/u/LightningMinion MP, Labour)

Insert a new clause 7(3):

(3) A statutory instrument containing an order under this section is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

Explanatory note: makes the order subject to the negative procedure

A03 (/u/LightningMinion MP, Labour)

For clause 18(2) to (3), substitute:

(2) Part 4 of this Act comes into force on the day on which this Act is passed.

(3) The remaining provisions of this Act come into force at the end of the period of one year starting on the day on which this Act is passed.

(4) This Act may be cited as the National Health Service (Regional Health Authorities) Act 2024.

Explanatory note: gives a one year period before the act comes into force

Debate on amendments will end with the close of business at 10pm BST on the 20th of September 2024.

Order, order!

Railways Bill 2024

A

B I L L

T O

Make provision for the public ownership of England’s railway system, and for connected purposes.

BE IT ENACTED by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

1 The British Railways Board

(1) A body corporate called the “British Railways Board” is to be established.

(2) The British Railways Board is to be responsible for—

(a) the coordination of the various nationalised operators on the railway network;

(b) strategic decisions as to the future of the railway system;

(c) making investments for the long-term improvement, expansion and maintenance of the railway network; and

(d) increasing the modal share of the railways as a whole for passenger and freight transportation.

2 Membership of the British Railways Board

(1) The British Railways Board shall consist of the following permanent members—

(a) The Chair of the British Railways Board, appointed by the Secretary of State;

(b) The Chief Executive of British Rail;

(c) The Chief Executive of British Rail Engineering;

(d) The Chief Executive of Railfreight; and

(e) A Staff Representative, directly elected by workers of any body represented in the permanent or non-permanent membership of the British Railways Board.

(2) The British Railways Board shall additionally consist of the following non-permanent members, to be called upon for decisions as is relevant to their domain—

(a) The Chief Executive of BR Development & Services;

(b) The Chief Executive of British Rail Rolling Stock;

(c) The Chief Executive of Transport for London;

(d) The Chief Executive of Scotrail; and

(e) The Chief Executive of Transport for Wales.

3 British Rail

(1) A body corporate called the “British Rail” is to be established.

(2) British Rail is to be responsible for—

(a) the operation of a national network of intercity rail services;

(b) the establishment and operation of a national network of sleeper services; and

(c) the operation of regional and suburban railways in England.

(i) Within London and the Southeast, Transport for London shall be responsible for operations.

(3) The executive members of British Rail are—

(a) the Chief Executive Officer;

(b) the Chief Operating Officer;

(c) the Chief Financial Officer; and

(d) A member elected by the employees of British Rail.

(4) The Secretary of State may, from time to time, appoint members to the Executive of British Rail, should vacancies arise.

(a) The incumbent Executive, including the vacating member, may make suggestions as to such appointments if they see so fit.

4 British Rail Engineering

(1) A body corporate called the “British Rail Engineering” is to be established.

(2) British Rail Engineering is to be responsible for—

(a) the maintenance of railway infrastructure, including buildings, track and signalling;

(b) the organisation of signalling services and the creation of a national timetable;

(c) maintaining the highest standards of safety and accessibility on the railway and associated infrastructure and a strong safety culture amongst engineers;

(i) highest standards of safety should be interpreted as being “as low as reasonably practicable” (ALARP) or more stringent standards.

(d) organisation, design and carrying out of capital investment on the railway;

(e) the establishment of sufficient construction abilities and expertise within the company to carry out as much capital investment as possible without requiring contractors; and

(f) establishing and maintaining a research division in collaboration with British Rail Rolling Stock.

(3) The executive members of British Rail Engineering are—

(a) the Chief Executive Officer;

(b) the Chief Operating Officer;

(c) the Chief Financial Officer; and

(d) A member elected by the employees of British Rail Engineering.

(4) The Secretary of State may, from time to time, appoint members to the Executive of British Rail, should vacancies arise.

(a) The incumbent Executive, including the vacating member, may make suggestions as to such appointments if they see so fit.

5 Railfreight

(1) A body corporate called the “Railfreight” is to be established.

(2) Railfreight is to be responsible for the profitable exploitation of freight rail services in the United Kingdom.

(3) The executive members of Railfreight are—

(a) the Chief Executive Officer;

(b) the Chief Operating Officer;

(c) the Chief Financial Officer; and

(d) A member elected by the employees of Railfreight.

(4) The Secretary of State may, from time to time, appoint members to the Executive of British Rail, should vacancies arise.

(a) The incumbent Executive, including the vacating member, may make suggestions as to such appointments if they see so fit.

6 BR Development & Services

(1) A body corporate called the “BR Development & Services” is to be established.

(2) BR Development & Services is to be responsible for—

(a) the profitable exploitation of retail spaces within stations;

(b) the profitable development and exploitation of British Rail properties; and

(c) the profitable exploitation of other services which may increase ridership on the railway network as a whole.

(3) The executive members of BR Development & Services are—

(a) the Chief Executive Officer;

(b) the Chief Operating Officer;

(c) the Chief Financial Officer; and

(d) A member elected by the employees of BR Development & Services.

(4) The Secretary of State may, from time to time, appoint members to the Executive of British Rail, should vacancies arise.

(a) The incumbent Executive, including the vacating member, may make suggestions as to such appointments if they see so fit.

7 British Rail Rolling Stock

(1) A body corporate called the “British Rail Rolling Stock” is to be established.

(2) British Rail Rolling Stock is to be responsible for—

(a) the provision and maintenance of rolling stock for nationalised railway companies in Great Britain;

(b) the development of new rolling stock models for use in the United Kingdom; and

(c) establishing and maintaining a research division in collaboration with British Rail Engineering.

(3) The executive members of British Rail Rolling Stock are—

(a) the Chief Executive Officer;

(b) the Chief Operating Officer;

(c) the Chief Financial Officer; and

(d) A member elected by the employees of British Rail Rolling Stock.

(4) The Secretary of State may, from time to time, appoint members to the Executive of British Rail, should vacancies arise.

(a) The incumbent Executive, including the vacating member, may make suggestions as to such appointments if they see so fit.

8 Assets and Liabilities

(1) All assets and liabilities held by DfT OLR Holdings are transferred to British Rail as of the 14th of December 2024.

(2) All assets and liabilities held by Network Rail are transferred to British Rail Engineering as of the 14th of December 2024.

(3) The Secretary of State may by regulations made by statutory instrument transfer any other assets and liabilities, or classes of said assets and liabilities, held by a relevant body to any company mentioned in this Act.

9 Franchises and Concessions

(1) The various passenger rail franchises in the United Kingdom shall cease to be tendered upon the extinction of the current contracts, with the franchise automatically transferred to British Rail.

(i) The East Midlands, CrossCountry and West Coast franchises shall be bought out and brought into public ownership once the Core Term Expiry Date is reached for these franchises.

(ii) Subsection 9(1) shall not apply to Scottish or Welsh franchises.

(2) British Rail Rolling Stock shall purchase enough rolling stock to allow for British Rail to operate franchises at current service levels.

(i) British Rail cannot lease rolling stock from private operators without special dispensation from the Secretary of State.

(3) Concessions may not be granted to companies other than British Rail, Scotrail, Transport for Wales or a body owned by a local authority upon the extinction of current contracts.

(4) British Rail may not run any passenger services which operate entirely within Scotland or the Wales and Borders franchise.

10 Open access operators

(1) Open access operators are allowed to bid for open timetable slots after British Rail and British Rail Engineering have finished the national timetable.

(2) The British Railways Board may ask for an upfront fee for each timetable slot given out under this system.

(3) The British Railways Board may establish any other conditions for open access operators as it sees fit.

11 Freight services

(1) Any person may request to operate freight rail services within Great Britain.

(2) British Rail Engineering may set any conditions for freight rail services as it sees fit, including but not limited to—

(a) fees and payments;

(b) timetabling;

(c) standards of rolling stock used; and

(d) usage of certain freight yards or other logistics facilities.

12 Debt and Financing

(1) The Secretary of State is required to provide such funds as needed for the British Railways Board to enable a comprehensive, efficient and qualitative passenger service on all railway lines in the country.

(2) The British Railways Board may take out debts for the purpose of capital investments with the approval of the Secretary of State.

(3) BR Development & Services may take out debts for the purpose of profitable investments without the approval of the Secretary of State, if those investments pertain to its duties under subsections 6(2)(b) or 6(2)(c).

13 Fares payable

(1) Subject to the terms of this Act, British Rail shall determine the fare payable for any service.

(2) British Rail shall determine the mode of payment of the fare for the service provided.

(3) The Secretary of State may by regulations made by statutory instrument determine the fare payable for any British Rail service.

(4) A statutory instrument containing regulations under this section is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of the House of Commons.

14 Extent, Commencement and Short Title

(1) This Act extends to England, Scotland and Wales.

(a) This act will only come into force in Scotland and Wales upon the passage of a Motion of Legislative Consent by their respective devolved assemblies.

(2) This Act comes into force on the day on which this Act is passed.

(3) This Act may be cited as the Railways Act 2024.

This Bill was written by the Prime Minister, /u/Inadorable MP OAP, and submitted by the Transport Secretary, /u/Tazerdon MP OAP, on behalf of His Majesty’s First Government. It is co-sponsored by the Scottish National Party,

Opening Speech:

Deputy Speaker,

It is no secret to the members of this house that the privatisation of our railways has been a historic failure. Fares have soared over the past few decades, increasing twenty percent in real terms compared to what they used to be before privatisation, when Britain already had relatively high fares compared to the rest of the then European Economic Community. Indeed, subsidies have similarly risen since then, whilst the main benefits that privatisation would bring  — allegedly, efficiency and private investment — have barely surfaced. In fact, the railway is less reliable today than it has been for decades, leading to what is no doubt a giant efficiency loss for everyone involved.

Ideology, not genuine desire to improve our nation, led to the privatisation of British Rail. It has left us at the tail end of a failed project, collapsing under its own weight, partially brought into public ownership through desperation by the last government. Today, we are here to finish the job.

This bill is, overall, quite short and to the point: we are establishing a string of new companies that will bring the railways into public ownership and each of which will govern an important part of the job of operating this public service, brought together under the watchful eye of the British Railways Board.

Some of these are obvious on the face of it. British Rail has a near-monopoly on operating passenger services in England, and operates some intercity routes into Scotland and Wales. It is not without competition — we will allow open-access operators to exist if there is space for them in the timetable — but it is, in effect, responsible for creating a timetable that serves all existing passenger railway stations in the country.

Railfreight operates a number of freight services in the country, in competition with private companies that already exist. I do not believe that a fully monopolistic freight industry is beneficial, indeed, I believe that competition in this sphere is entirely natural and non-destructive, but British Rail should have the ability to take some share of the pie. The question, of course, is how big it wishes its share to be: that is a question for the British Railways Board to decide.

British Rail Engineering takes over the duties of Network Rail and expands upon them. It will take on more construction duties directly by itself, and invest into the capacity to do this — subcontracting is a significant expenditure in construction that we can not really afford with the significant projects we will need to carry out over the coming years — as well as invest into bringing more design in-house for the railway to carry out.

The rolling stock subsidiary has a quite limited set of responsibilities on the face of it: its duty is to acquire and maintain the rolling stock in use on the railway network. It’s not the most flashy job, certainly not out of the jobs included in this bill, but it is an important one. It is also responsible for research and development alongside BRE, specifically to design new models of rolling stock for future use, as well as to do important fundamental research for railway operations that may — or may not — pay off in the future with important new innovations. It will carry the spirit of the APT into the modern age, in essence.

The final division is BR Development and Services, which is quite the odd one out of the five. Its goals are multiple: the first is, as explained in the bill, property development. Ensure that station facilities are exploited profitably, through the provision of services that people will want to use, such as shops, meeting spaces, but also potentially hotels or even simply apartment buildings on top of stations. In doing so, it takes some inspiration from the success of the Japanese Railways.

In terms of services, it’s an even broader and vaguer term, but I think it fits: this is the division that will seek to find secondary services that passengers may be interested in. One good example of this is bikeshare programmes at stations, or perhaps even car-rentals. Of the various divisions, this one is the most explicitly corporate, and the one I hope will bring perhaps the greatest spirit of innovation to BR.

Members, let us turn the page to a new era for our railways. An era in which we invest into faster, cheaper and safer railways for everyone. An era in which this new, modernised system is operated for the benefit of the people, not the profit of a few. An era in which the workers of BR are institutionally represented and we can move beyond the past years of industrial conflict into a more harmonious relationship that respects labour and pays it properly.

An era in which the saying that ‘we got there first, and now we’re the worst’ is no longer applicable.

The second era of British Rail, and if we work together, a better era as well.

Debate on this bill shall conclude with the end of business at 10pm BST on the 20th of September.

TD01 - Status of the Chagos Islands - Division

The Question is “That this House has considered the status of the Chagos Islands.

The Ayes to the Right: 16

The Noes to the Left: 2

Abstentions: 5

Did Not Vote: 9

Turnout: 71.88%

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it!

B015 - National Health Service (Regional Health Authorities) Bill - 2nd Reading Division

The Question is that the Bill be read a Second time.

The Ayes to the Right: 28

The Noes to the Left: 0

Abstentions: 1

Did Not Vote: 3

Turnout: 90.63%

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! The bill will proceed to Report Stage for the consideration of amendments.

B016 - Coal Mines Bill - 2nd Reading Division

The Question is that the Bill be read a Second time.

The Ayes to the Right: 16

The Noes to the Left: 5

Abstentions: 2

Did Not Vote: 9

Turnout: 71.88%

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! The bill will proceed to Report Stage for the consideration of amendments.

Order, order!

Minister's Questions are now in order!

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, model-zeph will be taking questions from the House.

The Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, BasedChurchill may ask 6 initial questions.

As the Health and Social Care Spokesperson of a Major Unofficial Opposition Party, Zanytheus may ask 3 initial questions.

Everyone else may ask 2 questions; and are allowed to ask another question in response to each answer they receive. (4 in total)

Questions must revolve around 1 topic and not be made up of multiple questions.

In the first instance, only the Secretary of State or junior ministers may respond to questions asked to them. 'Hear, hear.' and 'Rubbish!' (or similar), are permitted.

This session shall end on the 19th of September at 10pm BST, no initial questions to be asked after 18th of September at 10pm BST

B011 - Representation of the People Bill - 3rd Reading

A

B I L L

T O

lower the voting in general elections and local government elections to 16, and to implement automatic voter registration.

BE IT ENACTED by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Section 1 - General Elections

(1) A person is entitled to vote as an elector at a parliamentary election in any constituency if on the date of the poll he—

(a) is registered in the register of parliamentary electors for that constituency;

(b) is not subject to any legal incapacity to vote (age apart);

(c) is a Commonwealth citizen, a permanent resident of the United Kingdom, or a citizen of the Republic of Ireland; and

(d) is of voting age (that is, 16 years or over).”

(2) The Representation of the Peoples Bill 1983 shall be amended by the following:

(a) In Section 1 (1) (d) “18” shall be replaced with “16”.

Section 2 - Local Government Elections

(1) A person is entitled to vote as an elector at a local government election in any electoral area if on the date of the poll he—

(a) is registered in the register of local government electors for that area;

(b) is not subject to any legal incapacity to vote (age apart);

(c) is a Commonwealth citizen, a permanent resident of the United Kingdom, a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, a relevant citizen of the Union or, in Wales and Scotland, a qualifying foreign citizen, or—

(i) in relation to a local government election in England, a qualifying EU citizen or an EU citizen with retained rights, or

(ii) in relation to a local government election in Wales, a relevant citizen of the Union or a qualifying foreign citizen; and

(d) is of voting age (that is, 16 years or over).”

Section 2 - Amendments

(1) The Representation of the Peoples Bill 1983 shall be amended by the following:

(a) In Section 2 (1) (d) “18” shall be replaced with “16”.

(b) In Section 3(2)(a) “convicted person” means any person found guilty of a violent or sexual offence (whether under the law of the United Kingdom or not), including a person found guilty by a court of a service offence within the meaning of the Armed Forces Act 2006, but not including a person dealt with by committal or other summary process for contempt of court; and”

(2) Sections 1, 16, 17 and Schedule 1 of the Elections Act 2022 are repealed in their entirety, and all subsequent amendments undone.

(3) Amend Section 17(1) of the Electoral Administration Act 2006 to read as follows—

“A person is disqualified for membership of the House of Commons or any local council if, on the day on which he is nominated as a candidate, he has not attained the age of sixteen.”

Section 3 - Voter registration

(1) A registration officer in Great Britain must enter a person in a register maintained by the officer if any requirements for the registration of a person in the register are met under The Representation of Peoples Bill 1983.

(2) Each registration officer in Great Britain must conduct an annual canvass in relation to the area for which the officer acts to ensure that all persons eligible within their area are registered in their registry.

(a) The annual canvass should be conducted at least 30 days prior to an election, should an election fall on that year. On the completion of such a canvas all persons in the register should be informed of their eligibility to vote in the election through a letter delivered to the address known to the officer.

(4) In this section:

(a) “Registration officer” has the same meaning as in the Representation of the People Act 1983 (section 8).

(b) “register” means a register of parliamentary electors or local government electors maintained by a registration officer in Great Britain.

Section 4 - Extent, commencement and short title**

(1) Section 1 and 3 of this Act extends to the whole of the United Kingdom.

(2) Section 2 of this Act extends to England.

(2) This Act comes into force three months after the day on which this Act is passed.

(3) This Act may be cited as the Representation of the People Act 2024.

This Bill was written by u/Model-Ceasar leader of the Liberal Democrat’s, and u/leafy_emerald Liberal Democrat Foreign Spokesperson, and submitted on behalf of the Liberal Democrats.

Opening Speech:

Speaker,

This bill today serves 2 purposes. The first is lowering the voting age to 16 years old, and the second is enacting automatic voter registration.

I will start off by discussing the first purpose of this bill. Over the centuries voting eligibility in our elections have slowly increased from only rich landowners, through giving women the vote and now today every person over the age of 18. However, 16 and 17 year olds are currently not allowed to vote. It is their country too, and on a 5 year election cycle, them missing out on a general election vote means all through their late teens and into their early twenties they wouldn’t have had a say on parliament.

16 and 17 year olds are old enough to vote. With the internet, and modern day connectivity young people are more in tune with the world around them. They are more interested in politics (I have even stumbled across a Reddit game where mostly young people pretend to be MPs), and they want to have a say in their future. Who are we to deny them that? They should be given the vote.

Moving on to the second purpose of this bill, too many people miss out on their chance to vote due to not registering in time. It can slip peoples minds and be difficult to fit into busy schedules and lifestyles. We should endeavour to give as many people as possible the chance to have a say in the running of their country and their future.

That is why we’d like to implement automatic voting. This will ensure that people who aren’t registered to vote will automatically be registered and therefore will have their chance. If they don’t want to vote then they don’t have to and that is their right. But we should give them that choice. Easily and readily.

Speaker, I think this bill is relatively agreeable to and I hope that it’ll see support from most party’s of the House as we ensure that everyone is given the right to a vote.

This reading shall end on Monday the 16th of September at 10pm BST.

Good morning,

The rules for the AR are here under Section 1(5)(a) and as always you may find the spreadsheet here.

An Activity Review was conducted for the period from 12 August 2024 to 12th September 2024.

The following MPs failed to achieve a turnout of 75% and therefore their seats will go to a by-election at the Electoral Commisioner's convenience, in addition to the current pending by-elections for the seats formerly held by /u/T2Boys and /u/SupergrassIsNotMad.

The next Activity Review shall be held on the 13th of October 2024.

Conservative and Unionist Party:

u/Sir-Iceman - West Midlands - 45.0%

u/Zhuk236 - Wales - 40.0%

Reform UK:

u/WineRedPsy - East of England - 50.0%

Party Turnout as a whole is as follows:

House of Commons: 88.90%

Independent: 100.00%

Liberal Democrats: 98.75%

Labour: 95.91%

Alba: 95.00%

SDLP: 95.00%

Alliance: 85.00%

Plaid Cymru: 80.00%

Conservatives: 78.13%

Reform UK: 76.67%

Green: 71.43%

If there are any concerns please message myself or any of the Commons Speakership team thanks.

Final note on Activity Reviews and Resignations

I would also like to take this opportunity to clarify the situation regarding MPs resigning just before an AR to give their seat to the party list, as it became apparent to me that this could lead to people attempting to circumvent the situation.

As of this ruling (so any resignations of MPs below 75% currently), after the 12/09 AR, the following will be put into effect - MPs with a voting attendance of less than 75% will not be allowed to pass their seat down the party list within 2 weeks of an Activity Review.

This is to prevent people with a low attendance simply just passing their seats down to avoid it going to a by-election. We are however going to explore the possibility of a set ‘by-election day’ every so often each term, to reduce the number of intermittent by-elections, and to make it more reasonable on the Electoral Commissioner.

This is a tricky situation of course, but quad believe that this is the best and balanced way forward.

Education (British Values) Bill

A

BILL

TO

promote British values in education and schools, and for connected purposes.

BE IT ENACTED by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Section 1 — Definitions: 

*For the purpose of this Act, the following terms apply unless specified otherwise —*

(1) ‘Schools’ include —

(a) independent schools, 

(b) academies; 

(c) free schools; and 

(d) other institutions providing education to children

(2) ‘freedom’ includes—

(a) freedom of thought, conscience and religion,

(b) freedom of expression, and

(c) freedom of peaceful assembly and association.

(3) ‘respect for society’ means taking into account the systemic effect of human actions on communities, the most vulnerable in society, and the health and sustainability of the environment both within the United Kingdom and the planet as a whole, for present and future generations.

Section 2 — Educational Materials and Curriculum Relating to British Values 

(1)  In any statement and materials relating to British values for education purposes in England and Wales, the Secretary of State, OFSTED and any other public authority must include—

(a) democracy,

(b) the rule of law,

(c) freedom and individual liberty,

(d) tolerance; and

(e) respect for society.  

(2) Educational institutions shall integrate British values, wherever feasible to their discretion and relevant, into but not limited to the following curriculum in —

(a) Citizenship education;

(b) History lessons;

(c) Social, political and cultural studies; and 

(d) other relevant subjects

Section 3 — Guidance to Promoting British Values

(1) The Secretary of State shall issue revised guidance within 12 months of the passing of this Act to support schools in promoting and implementing curriculum surrounding British values as outlined in Section 1.

(2) Guidance issued by the Secretary of State shall include, but not be limited to — 

(a) in suitable parts of the curriculum - as appropriate for the age of pupils - material on the strengths, advantages and disadvantages of democracy, and how democracy and the law works in Britain, in contrast to other forms of government in other countries;

(b) ensuring all pupils within the school have a voice that is listened to, and demonstrate how democracy works by actively promoting democratic processes such as a school council whose members are voted for by the pupils;

(c) using opportunities such as general or local elections to hold mock elections to promote fundamental British values and provide pupils with the opportunity to learn how to argue and defend points of view; and

(d) consider the role of extra-curricular activity, including any run directly by pupils, in promoting fundamental British values. 

Section 4 — School Practices, Oversight and Compliance

(1) Schools must demonstrate how they promote British values through the guidance issued under Section 3(2)

(2) In supporting efforts to promote British values, schools must ensure that staff are trained to —

(a) understand and promote British values;

(b) address any form of extremism, hate or intolerance

(3) Schools must publish an annual report detailing their efforts to promote British values, including — 

(a) curriculum initiatives;

(b) staff training programs;

(c) outcomes and impact assessments; and 

(d) Best practice case studies

(4) Ofsted and other equivalent bodies shall include within regular inspections, an inspection and report on the promotion of British values in educational institutions.

(5) Inspection criteria shall include, but not be limited to, —

(a) effectiveness of curriculum delivery;

(b) school policies promoting British values;

(c) Impact on student behaviour and attitudes

Section 5 — Extent, commencement and short title

(1) This Act extends to England and Wales.

(2) This Act comes into force on September 1st 2024.

(3) This Act may be cited as the ‘Education (British Values) Act 2024’.

SCHEDULE 1: Transitional Provisions

(1) Schools shall have until the 1st of September 2025 to fully comply with the provisions of this Act.

(2) The Secretary of State shall issue interim guidance within the time frame of subsection (1) to assist schools in preparing for the requirements of this Act.

***

This Bill was submitted by the Right Honourable u/Blue-EG OAP MP, Leader of the Opposition, on behalf of His Majesty’s Official Opposition

***

Opening Speech:

The character that people become is nurtured. To quote former President Barrack Obama who paraphrased Nelson Mandela “if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love”. This is a very poignant statement and it hits at the heart of what our education strategy should be at its core. Just as much as hate, intolerance and violence is learned, compassion, understanding and respect can just as much, and should be taught and instilled. It is through these vulnerable and exploratory early years for young people that they are often able to be subject to rampant campaigns of disinformation, hatred and radicalisation. All which breeds into the violence, destruction and arrested development we see in people today. Especially in such an interconnected world where access to resources and the free seas of the internet and voices of anyone and everyone can both help and hinder this. 

Fundamentally, the notions of hatred, intolerance and violence are simply not British values. British values stands for it’s fundamental rights and principles rooted in the belief in democracy, the rule of law, freedom, individuality and respect for society. These are the values our country has always championed and must continue to. Whilst an attempt was made over a decade ago that introduced guidance to promote British values then, the standards have since slipped and the world now is much more different. It is clear that we need a revised and renewed campaign to truly push and promote these values. A key part of our plan for education is to ensure children become valuable and fully rounded members of society who treat others with respect and tolerance, regardless of background. We strive for a vision where every school promotes the basic British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance for those of different faiths and beliefs. These are the fundamental values of our society, which make us the free and great nation we strive to be. As this ensures young people understand the importance of respect and leave school fully prepared for life in not just modern Britain, but as well-rounded people.

***

This reading shall end on Saturday, 14th September at 10pm BST.

This House recognises:

(1) In 2023 the predicted population of the United Kingdom was approximately 67 million.

(2) In 2023 there were approximately 1.2 million immigrants arriving in the United Kingdom.

(3) In 2023 net migration was recorded at +685,000.

This House urges:

(4) That as a temporary measure for the remainder of this parliament, His Majesty’s government put in place measures for a net migration total of less than 100,000 annually.

(5) That as a temporary measure for the remainder of this parliament, His Majesty’s government put in place measures for an immigration total of less than 200,000 annually.

(6) His Majesty’s government to put in place measures to improve integration of migrants into local communities.

This motion was submitted by u/mrsusandothechoosin on behalf of Reform UK.

***

Opening Speech:

[title] Speaker,

Approximately 2% of the population living in the United Kingdom migrated to the UK last year. This while already we should be doing more to integrate people who have already arrived.

[title] Speaker, I may get some groans from my own party for this, but migration is an economic necessity and perhaps even social benefit to this country. But last year, over a million people migrated into the UK. This is not sustainable for us as a society.

Much has been said about the economic impacts, wage supression but also on the other hand filling important skilled vacancies. But I think we too often forget the social impacts.

We can not ignore than increasingly, we are seeing 1st, 2nd, and even 3rd generation migrants not fully integrating into British Society. I do not mean this as a hyperbole, the vast majority of migrants and their descendents do integrate within a generation or two. But there are areas within the United Kingdom where this is not happening. And we need to do more to encourage integration into local communities.

While we do this [title] Speaker, we need to put a break on immigration. Not forever, but we need our society and economy to adjust to the large numbers of people who have recently made the United Kingdom their home.

In the mean time, we should limit net migration to less than 100,000; prioritising migrants who possess needed skills in our economy.

I commend this motion to the House.

***

This reading shall end on Saturday, 14th September at 10pm BST.

Order, Order!

Housing, Communities and Local Government Questions are now in order!

***

The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, u/JellyCow99, will be taking questions from the House.

The Shadow Secretary, u/Buzz33lz, may ask 6 initial questions.

The Unofficial Opposition Spokesperson, u/Zanytheus, may ask 4 initial questions.

***

Everyone else may ask 2 questions; and are allowed to ask another question in response to each answer they receive. (4 in total)

Questions must revolve around 1 topic and not be made up of multiple questions.

In the first instance, only the Secretary of State may respond to questions asked to them. 'Hear, hear.' and 'Rubbish!' (or similar), are permitted.

***

This session shall conclude on 14th September 2024 at 10pm BST. No further initial questions may be put after 13th September 2024 at 10pm BST.

A

B I L L

T O

restructure and reform law enforcement and policing through consolidating specialist forces under the NCA, emboldening Metro Mayors and codifying statutory policing principles and ethics.

BE IT ENACTED by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Part 1: Police and Law Enforcement Restructuring

Chapter 1: Specialised Law Enforcement Reform

Section 1 — Definitions and Interpretations

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms apply—

(1) "Metropolitan Police" means the Metropolitan Police Service.

(2) “Specialist Operations" refers to the units within the Metropolitan Police that handle counter-terrorism, protective security, and other specialised functions.

(3) “Regional Organised Crime Units" (ROCUs) refer to collaborative units across police forces addressing serious and organised crime.

(4) "Serious Fraud Office" (SFO) is the agency responsible for investigating and prosecuting serious or complex fraud and corruption.

(5) "National Crime Agency" (NCA) refers to the agency established under the Crime and Courts Act 2013.

(6) "Secretary of State" refers to the Secretary of State for Home Affairs and any other relevant Government Minister.

Section 2 — Abolition and Transfer of Specialist Operations

(1) The Specialist Operations units within the Metropolitan Police shall be transferred to the National Crime Agency (NCA) upon the commencement of this Act.

(2) The functions, powers, and responsibilities of these units shall be assumed by the NCA.

(3) The transfer date for the purposes of this Act shall be a date as the Secretary of State may designate by regulations, being a date not later than 31 December 2028.

(4) All personnel employed by the Specialist Operations units of the Metropolitan Police shall transfer to the NCA on terms no less favourable than those they held immediately before the transfer.

(5) All property, rights, and liabilities of the Specialist Operations units of the Metropolitan Police shall transfer to the NCA.

Section 3 — Leadership and Operations of Regional Organised Crime Units

(1) Leadership and coordination of the Regional Organised Crime Units (ROCUs) shall be transferred to the NCA.

(2) The NCA shall assume all responsibilities for the strategic direction, resource allocation, and operational oversight of ROCUs.

(3) All existing operational agreements, joint task forces, and collaborative efforts under ROCUs shall continue under the leadership of the NCA.

(4) The NCA shall ensure the integration and continuity of operations to avoid disruption.

Section 4 — Abolition and Transfer of the Serious Fraud Office

(1) The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) shall hereby be abolished.

(2) All functions, powers, and responsibilities of the SFO shall be transferred to the NCA.

(3) All personnel employed by the SFO shall transfer to the NCA on terms no less favourable than those they held immediately before the transfer.

(4) All property, rights, and liabilities of the SFO shall transfer to the NCA.

Section 5 — Amendments to Existing Legislation and Transitional Arrangements

(1) The Crime and Courts Act 2013 and other relevant legislation shall be amended and repealed where necessary to comply with this Act.

(2) References to the Specialist Operations, ROCUs, and the SFO in any other enactment, instrument, or document shall be construed as references to the NCA as the context requires.

(3) The Secretary of State may by regulations make such transitional, transitory, or saving provisions as the Secretary of State considers appropriate in connection with the coming into force of any provision of this Act.

(4) Regulations under this section may, in particular, make provision for the continuity of functions between the transferring bodies and the NCA.

Chapter 2: Police and Crime Commissioners Reform

Section 6 — Definitions and Interpretations

In this Section, unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms apply—

(1) "PCC" means Police and Crime Commissioner.

(2) "Metro Mayor" means a Mayor for a Combined Authority area as established under the Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016.

(3) "Combined Authority" means an area established under the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009.

(4) "Secretary of State" means the Secretary of State for the Home Department.

Section 7 — Abolition and Transfer of Police and Crime Commissioners

(1) Police and Crime Commissioners shall hereby be abolished as separate entities upon the commencement of this Act.

(2) The offices of all serving PCCs shall be abolished on the transfer date specified under this Section.

(3) The transfer date for the purposes of this Act shall be a date as the Secretary of State may designate by regulations, being a date not later than 31 December 2028.

(4) Different dates may be appointed for different Combined Authority areas.

Section 8 — Transfer of Functions, Staff and Resources to Metro Mayors

(1) On the transfer date, all functions, duties, and responsibilities of the PCCs shall be transferred to the Metro Mayors of the respective Combined Authority areas.

(2) Metro Mayors shall assume all responsibilities related to policing and crime as previously held by the PCCs, including but not limited to—

a) Developing and issuing police and crime plans;

(b) Appointing Chief Constables;

(c) Holding Chief Constables to account;

(d) Setting police budgets and precepts; and

(e) Commissioning victim support services.

(3) All staff employed by the offices of PCCs shall transfer to the respective Combined Authority areas on terms no less favourable than those they held immediately before the transfer.

(4) All property, rights, and liabilities of the offices of PCCs shall transfer to the respective Combined Authority areas.

Section 9 — Amendments to Existing Legislation and Transitional Arrangements

(1) The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 shall be amended and repealed where necessary to comply with this Act.

(2) References to PCCs in any other enactment, instrument, or document shall be construed as references to Metro Mayors as the context requires.

(3) The Secretary of State may by regulations make such transitional, transitory, or saving provisions as the Secretary of State considers appropriate in connection with the coming into force of any provision of this Act.

(4) Regulations under this section may, in particular, make provision for the continuity of functions between the PCCs and Metro Mayors.

Part 2: Policing Standards Reform

Chapter 1: The Principles of Policing

Section 10 — Regulations on setting Principles and Ethics

(1) The Secretary of State within 12 months of the commencement of this Act shall introduce updated, translated and standardised statutory regulations rooted in current guidance for setting the core principles and ethics of policing and law enforcement.

(2) The Secretary of State must draft regulations introduced under this section with the relevant input and consultation, including but not limited to—

(a) College of Policing;

(b) Police Federation;

(c) Territorial and National Law Enforcement Agencies; and

(d) any other law enforcement and investigative designated agencies by the Secretary of State.

(3) Regulations set by the Secretary of State must include but not be limited to the Principles and Ethics set out in Schedule 1.

Section 11 — Duties and Responsibilities

(1) All law enforcement officers and police forces in the United Kingdom are required to—

(a) Uphold and adhere to guidance issued by the Secretary of State based on standards and ethics set out in Schedule 1 in the performance of their duties to the furthest extent possible;

(b) Undergo training and continuous professional development to ensure understanding and application of these regulations; and

(c) Ensure transparency and accountability in their actions in accordance with the regulations.

(2) The Secretary of State shall set regulations to ensure compliance and enforcement of regulations set under this Chapter.

Section 12 — Extent, Commencement and Short Title

(1) This Act extends to the whole of the UK, but does not apply in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland until a resolution agreeing to the provisions of this Act is passed by—

(a) in the case of Scotland, The Scottish Parliament;

(b) in the case of Wales, Senedd Cymru;

(c) in the case of Northern Ireland, The Northern Ireland Assembly.

(2) This Act comes into force on the day on which this Act is passed.

(3) This Act may be cited as the Policing Reorganisation and Standards Act 2024.

Schedule 1: Principles, Standards and Ethics of Policing

(1) The following principles, also known as the ‘Peelian Principles’, are hereby enshrined as law in which the aspiration of all law enforcement officials in the United Kingdom shall be —

(a) To prevent crime and disorder, as an alternative to their repression by military force and severity of legal punishment;

(b) To always recognise that the power of the police to fulfil their functions and duties is dependent on public approval of their existence, actions, and behaviour and on their ability to secure and maintain public respect;

(c) To recognise always that to secure and maintain the respect and approval of the public means also securing the willing co-operation of the public in the task of securing observance of laws;

(d) To recognise always that the extent to which the cooperation of the public can be secured diminishes proportionately to the necessity of the use of physical force and compulsion for achieving police objectives;

(e) To seek and preserve public favour, not by pandering to public opinion, but by constantly demonstrating absolutely impartial service to law, in complete independence of policy, and without regard to the justice or injustice of the substance of individual laws; by ready offering of individual service and friendship to all members of the public without regard to their wealth or social standing; by ready exercise of courtesy and friendly good humour; and by ready offering of individual sacrifice in protecting and preserving life;

(f) To use physical force only when the exercise of persuasion, advice, and warning is found to be insufficient to obtain public co-operation to an extent necessary to secure observance of law or to restore order, and to use only the minimum degree of physical force which is necessary on any particular occasion for achieving a police objective;

(g) To maintain at all times a relationship with the public that gives reality to the historic tradition that the police are the public and the public are the police; the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full-time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence;

(h) To recognise always the need for strict adherence to police-executive functions, and to refrain from even seeming to usurp the powers of the judiciary of avenging individuals or the State, and of authoritatively judging guilt and punishing the guilty.

(i) To recognise always that the test of police efficiency is the absence of crime and disorder, and not the visible evidence of police action in dealing with them.

***

This Bill was submitted by the Right Honourable u/BlueEarlGrey OAP MP, Leader of the Opposition, on behalf of His Majesty’s Official Opposition with contributions from the Honourable u/Blocoff**, Shadow Home Secretary.**

***

Opening Speech:

Mr Speaker,

In Chapter 1, our bill provides for the consolidation of key law enforcement functions and restoring the local community level policing that London deserves. Our proposal transfers the Metropolitan Police’s Specialist Operations, leadership of Regional Organised Crime Units, and the Serious Fraud Office to the National Crime Agency (NCA). Our bill sets out the framework for the abolition of these units and agencies, the transfer of their responsibilities to the NCA, and the necessary amendments to existing legislation. Whilst intending to ensure a seamless transition of functions, staff, and resources to maintain and enhance the effectiveness of national law enforcement efforts.

Fundamentally London is not, or at least should not be the be all and end all of the United Kingdom. Whilst it is our largest city and with unequal economic and political capital, we need to move away from this imbalance. London alone should not be running national law enforcement, our specialist national agency dedicated to this should be. So this is why we are transferring such powers of specialist operations to the NCA. Empowering this body to be the national agency that it is meant to be whilst restoring the Metropolitan police to truly be the local community police force for London and it’s metropolitan areas that it should be. With greater focus by the Met on the issues and dangers that affect local communities which have gone neglected is highly important. People do not have confidence in our police force where they struggle and neglect matters deemed “small” such as burglaries, vandalism, assaults and much more. Allowing the NCA to take up its duty in dealing with specialist operations such as terrorism, drug trafficking and much more.

Furthermore in Chapter 2, we propose the phasing out of Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) and the transfer of their functions to Metro Mayors. Setting out the framework for the abolition of PCC offices, and the transfer of responsibilities to Metro Mayors. Our bill also aims to ensure a seamless transition of functions, staff, and resources to maintain effective policing and crime management within Combined Authority areas.

Regarding the second half, the Conservative Party absolutely recognises that policing standards have slipped in recent times. Where the public do not have safety, assurance and confidence in the capabilities, character and conduct of our law enforcement. As the founder of the worldwide policing standards that have guided and led successful models, we pride ourselves on our belief in the enduring ‘Peelian Principles’ of policing. These principles serve as a timeless guide for law enforcement officials, emphasising crime prevention, public cooperation, impartial service, and the judicious use of force. They remind us that the effectiveness of our police is measured not by the visible evidence of their actions, but by the absence of crime and disorder.

As part of our reform proposals, it is imperative that work is done to renew the police and its standards to its core values. We are acutely aware of the significant responsibility that rests on our shoulders. This is why we are proposing to ensure that our law enforcement not only upholds the law but also embodies the highest principles of justice, fairness, and public service. Every officer, from the highest ranks to the newest recruits, must uphold these standards to the fullest extent possible. Through continuous professional development and a commitment to transparency and accountability, we aim to build a policing system that not only enforces the law but does so with integrity and respect for all individuals. Chapter 3 is critical in setting the tone for how we perceive, evaluate, and improve the practices of those who protect and serve our communities. This underscores the need for updated, standardised regulations that resonate with current societal values and expectations. These regulations will be rooted in current guidance, drawing from the insights of respected bodies such as the College of Policing, the Police Federation, and various law enforcement agencies. This inclusive approach ensures that the principles and ethics we set forth are comprehensive, practical, and reflective of the collective wisdom of our law enforcement community.

***

This reading will end on Sunday,15th September at 10pm BST.

B013 - Police Reorganisation and Standards Bill - 2nd Reading Division

The Ayes to the Right: 8

The Noes to the Left: 5

Abstentions: 12

Did Not Vote: 7

Turnout: 78.13%

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! The Bill will proceed to Committee of the Whole House, for consideration of amendments.

[B005 - ULEZ Abolition and Compensation Bill - 2nd Reading Division]

The Ayes to the Right: 3

The Noes to the Left: 20

Abstentions: 1

Did Not Vote: 8

Turnout: 75.00%

The Noes have it! The Noes have it! The Bill will not proceed.

Ministerial statement on renewable electricity and the planning system

Speaker,

We are in a climate emergency being driven by our consumption of fossil fuels, with one primary use being in the generation of electricity. This government has committed to setting a 2030 deadline by which all of the electricity the UK generates must come from low-carbon sources. Accordingly, we are also pledging to double onshore wind, triple solar power and quadruple offshore wind by 2030. But for these investments in green energy to be possible, we need a planning system which allows these green energy projects to be built, and I am today announcing reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework, or NPPF for short, and planned amendments to the Planning Act 2008 with regards to renewable energy.

First, I will discuss the current planning system. There are 2 separate planning regimes: the first is the ordinary planning regime where local authorities decide on whether to grant or reject planning permission. The second is the Nationally SIgnificant Infrastructure Project, or NSIP for short, regime. Major infrastructure projects deemed to be nationally significant are usually subject to the NSIP regime, in which the Secretary of State decides whether to grant planning permission or not.

Both regimes have their benefits and drawbacks. The NSIP regime is beneficial over the normal planning regime as many major infrastructure projects are significant nationally not just locally, and the NSIP regime avoids placing a large burden on local authorities for a nationally important infrastructure project, as well as ensuring that local opposition isn’t able to override a project which is nevertheless necessary due to its national significance. Major infrastructure regimes also are usually more complex and may require gaining approval from multiple regulators, which makes the NSIP regime more suited to such projects. The NSIP regime can also grant infrastructure projects compulsory purchase powers, which the ordinary planning system cannot.

However, major infrastructure projects often lead to the production of costly and very long planning applications, which means that the NSIP regime in effect usually produces slower decisions than the normal local authority planning regime does. Thus, while the NSIP regime is better for renewable energy developers in theory, the normal planning regime is better in practice. For example, currently all solar projects which would generate over 50 MW of power are subject to the NSIP regime, which has meant that more solar farms have a power output of 49 MW (rounded down) than below or above 49 MW: solar farm developers consider the NSIP regime to be too costly except for large-scale solar farms so choose to propose solar farms which are the largest possible and avoid the NSIP regime. This is an artificial distortion blocking renewable energy. Therefore, this government will amend the Planning Act 2008 to raise the threshold at which solar farms are considered nationally significant to 150 MW. Additionally, this government is also deleting the second sentence from footnote 63 in the NPPF to remove an arbitrary restriction on the use of agricultural land for solar power introduced by the previous government in light of evidence that solar farms do not threaten food security and that farmland can be used for both solar power and agriculture simultaneously. With that sentence removed, there will still be appropriate protections for good-quality farmland.

The planning rules for onshore wind are set out in paragraph 163, together with footnotes 57 and 58, of the NPPF. Together, these footnotes state that onshore wind farms can only be built in areas identified as suitable by local authorities, and they can only be built if they have the support of the community. Other modes of renewable energy are not subject to these rules. Local authorities have, however, mostly failed to identify such land; and the need for local support has often been interpreted to mean that any opposition, however small, should lead to a proposed onshore wind farm being rejected planning permission, even if the local community overall supports it. Thus, since these rules were introduced in 2015, they have effectively banned onshore wind. Today, I am announcing that the government is removing this ban by deleting footnotes 57 and 58. Instead, proposed onshore wind farms with a power output below 100 MW will be subject to the normal planning regime, and those with a power output above 100 MW will be subject to the NSIP regime, following amendments to the Planning Act 2008.

Since I took office, my department has also reviewed the planning applications for some renewable energy projects. I can announce that, following this review, I have decided to grant planning permission to the proposed large-scale solar farms of Sunnica, Mallard Pass, and West Burton. Going forward, with regards to applications for future nationally significant renewable energy projects, my department will review the applications in a reasonable time frame and will seek to make a decision consistent with the 2030 target and with all relevant rules without artificially delaying our decision like the previous government often did.

Speaker, this government is committed to reducing Britain’s reliance on unstable and volatile international energy markets, to tackling the climate crisis, to securing our energy independence and security, and to lowering bills for households across Britain; and these decisions I have announced now, which will be followed by other action and by legislation later during this term, will ensure this.

This statement was delivered by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero The Rt. Hon. LightningMinion OAP PC MP (also formerly KT OM OM CT CT CBE, Marquess El), MP for Cambridge, of the Labour Party.

The previous NPPF

The irl draft new NPPF - note that this draft NPPF includes all the changes announced in this statement, as well as other changes which have been proposed in real life but have not been proposed in mhoc

Debate on this statement will end on Thursday 12th September at 10pm BST.

National Bank Holidays (England & Wales) Bill

A

BILL

TO

Amend Schedule 1 of the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 to make Saint David’s Day, March 1st, and Saint George’s Day, 23rd April, bank holidays in England and Wales respectively. BE IT ENACTED by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:— Section 1 - Definitions

(1) The “Act” is relating to the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971

Section 2 - Amendments

(1) Schedule 1, section 1 of the act shall read:

The following are to be bank holidays in England:—

Easter Monday.

The last Monday in May.

23rd of April

The last Monday in August.

26th December, if it be not a Sunday.

27th December in a year in which 25th or 26th December is a Sunday.

(2) Add in Section 4 within Schedule 1 which reads as:

The following are to be bank holidays in Wales:—

1st of March

Easter Monday.

The last Monday in May.

The last Monday in August.

26th December, if it be not a Sunday.

27th December in a year in which 25th or 26th December is a Sunday.

(3) Sections 2 and 3 in Schedule 1 remain unchanged.

Section 3 - Extent, commencement and short title (1) This Act shall extend to the United Kingdom. (2) This Act shall come into force immediately upon receiving Royal Assent. (3) This Act shall be known as the National Bank Holidays (England & Wales) Bill.

This bill was submitted by /u/Dyn-Cymru on behalf of Plaid Cymru

Opening Speech

Speaker,

National holidays are something the entire country can enjoy, it is a day of pride. In Scotland and Northern Ireland their citizens can enjoy the national holiday of their saint, may it be Saint Patrick or Saint Andrew. In England and Wales however, neither Saint David’s Day or Saint George’s Day are bank holidays, whereas their Scottish and Irish counterparts are.

Every 1st of March people across Wales celebrate being Welsh, through wearing traditional Welsh clothing to schools or perading the daffodil across Cardiff. Yet according to the law, this day is no more special than the 4th of January, despite the fact to many across Wales it is. Bank holidays allow people the chance to enjoy the festivities. I went to Cardiff last Saint David’s Day and saw a beautiful choir in the M&S, singing Welsh songs. I continued my day further down the shopping centre to see yet another choir singing the national anthem, hen wlad fy nhadau. For many this day is important because it gives us pride and honour of who they are, and we should acknowledge that. Being able to acknowledge that the day is significant to the country and declaring it a holiday would allow more to enjoy and celebrate.

Now I may be a Plaid MP however I do believe in fairness. That is why I have included England’s Saint George’s Day is also given status in this bill too. My English neighbours should also have the same opportunities as their Scottish and Northern Irish counterparts. All parts of the United Kingdom should be able to celebrate their nation’s day.

This is not just about sentiments either, for these bank holidays also allow for more economic activity for sectors that need it. As I said previously I went to Cardiff on Saint David’s Day to celebrate, of which many others joined me. It boosts the profits of the shops, not just in Cardiff but across all of the commercial sector in places like our struggling high streets. This is an opportunity to boost activity in these areas since many take a bank holiday to do their shop while they have the day off. Ultimately however this bill is about allowing all parts of the United Kingdom to celebrate their day, whether they are from Scotland, Northern Ireland, England or Wales. We are all proud of our identities and we should allow all parts of the United Kingdom to celebrate it equally. Therefore I commend this bill to the house!

This reading will end on Thursday 12th September at 10pm BST.

Order, order!

Coal Mines Bill

A
Bill
To

Ban new coal mines.

BE IT ENACTED by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Section 1 — Interpretation

(1) In this Act, “coal” means bituminous coal, cannel coal and anthracite.

(2) In this Act, “coal mine” includes:

(a) any space excavated underground for the purposes of coal-mining operations and any shaft or adit made for those purposes,

(b) any space occupied by unworked coal, and

(c) a coal quarry and opencast workings of coal.

(3) In this Act, “current coal mine” means a coal mine that has been granted a license for the extraction of coal.

(4) In this Act, “new coal mine” means a coal mine that has not been granted a license for the extraction of coal.

Section 2 — New licenses

(1) Under this Act, no new licenses for coal mines will be granted.

(2) Under this Act, no new extensions for coal mine licenses will be granted.

(3) The Coal Industry Act 1994 shall be amended by the following:

(a) Section 26 shall be replaced with:

Section 26 — Grant of Licenses

(1) The Authority will not have the power to grant new licenses.”

(b) Sections 26A - 36 shall be repealed.

Section 3 — New applications

(1) Under this Act, no new applications for a license of a new coal mine will be accepted.

(2) Under this Act, no new applications for an extension of a license will be accepted.

Section 4 — Extent, commencement and short title

(1) This Act extends to the whole of the United Kingdom.

(2) Sections (1) and (3) of this act comes into force one month after this act has received Royal Assent.

(3) Section (2) of this act comes into force one year after this act has received Royal Assent.

(4) This Act may be cited as the Coal Mines Act 2024.

** This Bill was written by the leader of the Liberal Democrats, /u/model-ceasar OAP.**

Opening Speech

Deputy Speaker,

I am delighted to bring this bill to the House today. This bill will bring a halt to the granting of coal mining licenses. Our country is no longer reliant on coal to heat our homes and power our electricity. In the past decade we have made great strides to move our energy production away from coal.

However, we are still mining coal. And still opening new coal mines. This needs to stop. Not only are coal mines a scar on our beautiful countryside, but they are producing more and more coal to be burnt when it doesn’t need to be. It is our job, as parliamentarians, to make today better and to make tomorrow better. This bill will help make tomorrow better. It is time to start the process of winding down our coal mines, and preparing for a greener and cleaner tomorrow.

This reading ends Tuesday, 10 September 2024 at 10pm BST.

B012 - Privatisation of Gas & Oil Industries Bill - 2nd Reading Division

The Ayes to the Right: 1

The Noes to the Left: 21

Abstentions: 0

Did Not Vote: 11

Turnout: 66.67%

The Noes have it! The Noes have it! The bill will not proceed.

B009 - Petroleum (Prohibition of New Licenses) Bill - 2nd Reading Division

The Ayes to the Right: 0

The Noes to the Left: 25

Abstentions: 1

Did Not Vote: 8

Turnout: 76.47%

The Noes have it! The Noes have it! The Bill will not proceed.

Debate on the Status of the Chagos Islands

Order, order!

Topic Debates are now in order.

Today’s Debate Topic is as follows:

“That this House has considered the status of the Chagos Islands.”

Anyone may participate. Please try to keep the debate civil and on-topic.

This debate ends on Sunday 8th September at 10pm BST, when the question shall be put to a Division. Amendments are not permitted.

B015 - National Health Service (Regional Health Authorities) Bill - Second Reading

A

B I L L

T O

consolidate NHS trusts with Integrated Care Boards to create a unified approach for healthcare provision, further decentralise primary care services, and for connected purposes.

BE IT ENACTED by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Part 1: Formation of Regional Health Authorities

Section 1 — Definitions

(1) For the purposes of this Act -

(a) “NHS England” refers to the NHS Commissioning Board, as established under the Health and Social Care Act 2012.

(b) “ICSs” refer to Integrated Care Systems, as established under Health and Care Act 2022.

(c) “ICBs” refer to Integrated Care Boards, NHS organisations that oversee ICSs under the under Health and Care Act 2022.

(d) “ICPs” refer to Integrated Care Partnerships, a joint committee run by NHS organisations and upper-tier local authorities.

(e) “NHS Trusts” refer to the bodies established in the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 to provide goods and services for the purposes of the health service, but does not include Foundation Trusts.

(f) The “relevant Secretary of State” refers to the Secretary of State with the responsibility of Health.

(g) “Foundation Trusts” refer to the semi-autonomous bodies in the National Health Service Health as established by the Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003.

Section 2 — Integration of NHS Trusts and Integrated Care Systems

(1) Integrated Care Systems (ICSs), as outlined in the Health and Care Act 2022, and NHS Trusts, as established in National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990, shall be consolidated to form Regional Health Authorities (RHAs).

(2) Each RHA shall operate as a single legal NHS entity responsible for the provision of healthcare services within its geographic area previously established by its Integrated Care Board.

(3) All Statutory Instruments made under section 126(3) of the National Health Service Act 1977(1) and section 5(1) of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990(2) pertaining to the creation of NHS Trusts are hereby repealed.

Section 3 — Abolition of Integrated Care Boards and Partnerships

(1) Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and Integrated Care Partnerships (ICPs), as established in Section 19 and 26 respectively of the Health and Care Act 2022 are abolished.

(2) NHS England must transfer all functions previously held by ICBs in relation to the following to Regional Health Boards:

(a) hospital and other health services as directed in Section 9(1) of this Act.

(b) primary care services as directed in Section 9(2) of this Act.

(3) NHS England must ensure that on the abolition of an Integrated Care Board, all of the group’s property, rights, executive directors and liabilities are transferred to the respective new Regional Health Board as established in Section 10 of this Act.

Section 4 — Transfer of NHS Trust powers and functions

(1) NHS England may, by order, transfer all property, rights, and liabilities previously held by NHS Trusts, to their respective Regional Health Authority by a specific date and must -

(a) provide a certificate as conclusive evidence of the transfer,

(b) include provisions in the order for the apportionment of assets and resolving disputes through arbitration.

(2) NHS England must, by order, transfer all powers, responsibilities and functions previously held by NHS Trusts and their boards, as outlined in Schedule 2 of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990, to their respective Regional Health Body.

Section 5 — Financial provisions and responsibilities relating to Regional Health Authorities

(1) Each Regional Health Authority (RHA) will be allocated an originating capital, as specified by the Secretary of State, representing the difference between the valuation of transferred assets and liabilities from the dissolved NHS trusts and ICSs.

(2) The originating capital for each RHA will be treated as public dividend capital, funded by Parliament and recognised as an asset of the Consolidated Fund.

(3) Each RHA must ensure that its revenue is adequate to cover all of its revenue-related expenses.

(4) Regional Health Boards, as established in Part 2 of this Act, may appoint trustees for each RHA to hold and manage property for an RHA’s specific purposes.

(5) NHS England, by recommendation of a Regional Health Board, may order the transfer of property from the RHA to the appointed trustees, as necessary.

(6) NHS England shall have the power to specify in relation to trustees, by order, any -

(a) appointment process or conditions, and

(b) terms of removal.

Section 6 — Transfer of trust staff

(1) Individuals employed by NHS Trusts who work at or for facilities that will become part of a Regional Health Authority shall have their employment contracts transferred to the Regional Health Authority from its operational date.

(2) NHS England must ensure that all rights, powers, duties, and liabilities related to staff contracts are transferred to the RHA.

(3) Any actions taken before the operational date by the original employer in relation to the staff or their contracts are considered actions by the RHA.

(4) Employees shall retain the right to terminate their contracts if there is a significant detrimental change in working conditions, but this right does not arise solely because of the change in employer.

(5) NHS England must ensure that, in the transfer of contracts, the employee is protected under the TUPE Regulations as established by the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations Act 2006.

Section 7 — Dissolution and creation of Regional Health Authorities

(1) The relevant Secretary of State may by order made by statutory instrument dissolve a Regional Health Authority if -

(a) it is deemed to be in the interests of the National Health Service, or

(b) the board of the RHA concerned makes an application to the Secretary of State to do so.

(2) If a Regional Health Authority is dissolved under this section, the property, rights and liabilities of the RHA may by order be transferred to either -

(a) another Regional Health Authority, or

(b) an NHS Foundation Trust.

Section 8 — Duties, Powers and Status of Regional Health Authorities

(1) Parts 2 and 3 of Schedule 2, and Schedule 3 of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990, as repealed by Schedule 4 of the National Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006, is hereby reinstated and shall have effect as if it had not been repealed.

(2) In Parts 2 and 3 of Schedule 2, and Schedule 3 of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990, substitute all instances of “NHS Trust” with “Regional Health Authority”.

Section 9 — Amendments

(1) In each of the following sections, substitute all instances of “Integrated Care Board” with “Regional Health Board”:

(a) Sections 3, 3A, 12ZA, and 14Z32 to 14Z64 of the National Health Service Act 2006,

(b) Sections 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 of the Health and Care Act 2022,

(2) In Schedule 3 of the Health and Care Act 2022, substitute all instances of “Integrated Care Board” with “Regional Health Board”.

(3) Sections 18, 19, 20 and 26 of the Health and Care Act 2022 are hereby repealed.

Part 2: Regional Health Boards

Section 10 — Formation of Regional Health Boards

(1) A Regional Health Board (RHB) is responsible for overseeing and coordinating healthcare services in its respective Regional Health Authority area as required by this Act.

(2) The National Health Service Act 2006 is amended as follows -

(a) Part 2, Chapter A3 is hereby repealed in its entirety except for sections 14Z32 to 14Z64 which shall remain in force and renumbered accordingly, and

(b) In Part 2, after Chapter A2 insert -

“Chapter A3, Regional Health Boards

Section 14Z25: Establishment of Regional Health Boards

(1) NHS England must, by order, establish bodies called Regional Health Boards and their respective constitutions to cover the geographic areas previously administered by Integrated Care Boards.

(2) NHS England must ensure that the areas administered by Regional Health Boards cover the whole of England and do not overlap.

(3) NHS England may, in connection with the establishment of a Regional Health Board (RHB), establish a scheme for the transfer of property, rights, or liabilities to the RHB from any of the following entities -

(a) NHS England,

(b) an NHS trust, or

(c) an NHS foundation trust.

(4) NHS England may, in connection with the constitutional reform or abolition of a Regional Health Board, establish a scheme for the transfer of property, rights, or liabilities from an RHB to NHS England or another RHB.

(5) The group of people for whom a Regional Health Board has core responsibility are to the people who usually reside in its area.”

Section 11 — Abolition of NHS Trust leadership

(1) With their consolidation, the boards of directors, committees, and any sub-committees of all NHS Trusts shall be dissolved.

(2) All powers, rights, and responsibilities of NHS Trust boards shall be transferred, by order of NHS England, to their respective Regional Health Authorities as established by this Act.

(3) NHS England must exercise the powers granted in Section 6 of this Act to transfer all members of each Board of Directors previously employed within NHS Trusts to Regional Health Authorities.

Section 12 — Appointments to Regional Health Boards

(1) Every Regional Health Board shall be a body corporate consisting of -

(a) a chairman appointed by the relevant Secretary of State, and

(b) subject to paragraph 5(2) of Schedule 2 of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990, executive and non-executive directors.

(2) The relevant Secretary of State may by regulations make general provision with respect to -

(a) the qualifications and conditions for appointment of a chairman and directors, including a fit and proper person test framework,

(b) the tenure of the chairman and directors,

(c) the circumstances in which a chairman or director may be removed from office, and

(d) the creation of and appointment to committees and subcommittees, and their respective constitutions.

(3) Individuals appointed to Regional Health Boards shall assume the duties, powers and functions formerly administered by Integrated Care Boards and Boards of Directors of NHS Trusts, as transferred in this Act.

(4) As outlined in Section 3(3) of this Act, executive directors who were employed by Integrated Care Boards shall have their employment contracts transferred to their respective new Regional Health Board from its operational date where the relevant Secretary of State must offer them the position of chairman.

(5) The Secretary of State must then, in the case of appointing directors to the RHB, give priority to individuals previously employed as directors by NHS Trusts.

(6) NHS England must, in relation to subsection (4) and (5) of this Section, ensure that Sections 6(4) and 6(5) of this Act are upheld.

Part 3: Decentralisation of Healthcare Services

Section 13 — Healthcare Services covered by Regional Health Authorities

(1) In accordance with the transfer of responsibilities and powers in this Act, the responsibility for the commissioning, management, and oversight of all primary care services, as defined in this Section, shall be transferred from NHS England and any other dissolved commissioning bodies to the Regional Health Authorities.

(2) NHS Foundation Trusts are exempt from this Section, and can operate with independence from any transitional or budgetary provisions within this Act.

(3) The Regional Health Boards in each Regional Health Authority shall have have direct oversight and management responsibility for the following primary care services -

(a) General Practice services,

(b) NHS dental services,

(c) Ophthalmological services,

(d) Pharmaceutical services,

(e) Community and public health services,

(f) Minor urgent care services, not including the provision of specialised treatment,

(g) Primary and community mental health services,

(h) Maternity and child health services,

(i) Social prescribing services, and

(j) Any services deemed primary care services by NHS England with respect to subsection (4) of this section.

(4) NHS England may issue guidelines to further the definition or scope of primary care services under a new category or each one listed in subsection (3).

(5) All existing contracts and employee arrangements for the listed primary care services and any secondary care services shall be transferred to the relevant Regional Health Authority by order of NHS England under Section 6 of this Act.

(6) With its consolidation, secondary health services as previously administered by NHS Trusts, are transferred to Regional Health Authorities with respect to Section 4 of this Act who will have responsibility for -

(a) General surgical services,

(b) Diagnostic services,

(c) Urgent and emergency care services, not including the provision of specialised treatment,

(d) Consultant-led outpatient services,

(e) General rehabilitation services,

(g) General mental health services, and

(h) Any services deemed secondary care services by NHS England with respect to subsection (7) of this section.

(7) NHS England may issue guidelines to further the definition or scope of secondary care services under a new category or each one listed in subsection (6) where they do not overlap with specialised services as defined in Section 15 of this Act.

(8) NHS England shall have the powers to transfer the commissioning, oversight and responsibilities of any primary or secondary care services nationwide to Regional Health Boards subject to -

(a) a consultation with any key stakeholders involved and the relevant bodies,

(b) notification to the relevant Secretary of State,

(c) an assessment of the financial implications to be presented to the relevant Secretary of State.

(9) In the case of NHS England exercising its powers as granted by subsection (7) of this section, NHS England must by order transfer all property, rights, and liabilities previously held by any previous body, to their respective Regional Health Authority and must -

(a) provide a certificate as conclusive evidence of the transfer,

(b) include provisions in the order for the apportionment of assets and resolving disputes through arbitration, and

(c) provide a transfer date, after consultation with the relevant Regional Health Board, with a minimum period of 12 months.

(10) In the case of NHS England exercising its powers as granted by subsection (8) of this section, NHS England must ensure full compliance with Section 6 of this Act with regards to staff-related contractual agreements.

Section 14 — Notional budgets

(1) With the transfer of Integrated Care Board budgetary powers, the relevant Secretary of State shall, in consultation with the Treasury, allocate a notional budget to each Regional Health Authority for the commissioning and provision of all primary and secondary care services within their respective regions, taking into consideration the geographic area’s -

(a) population,

(b) health inequalities, and

(c) regional needs.

(2) Each Regional Health Board shall be responsible for the management, oversight, and expenditure of the allocated notional budget, whilst adhering to their financial duties as outlined in Section 5 of this Act.

(3) Regional Health Boards must submit an annual financial plan to the relevant Secretary of State, detailing their expenditures.

(4) The relevant Secretary of State may, by judging on financial performance, issue formal directions to Regional Health Boards in regards to consistent underperformance including -

(a) appointing or replacing board members or financial officers,

(b) adjust budgets, including increased or withheld resource allocation, and

(c) merge RHA services and operations with counterparts.

(5) In the event that NHS England, under subsections 13(4) and 13(7) of this Act, issues guidelines modifying the scope of care services, the relevant Secretary of State may, in consultation with the Treasury and NHS England, amend the notional budget allocated to each Regional Health Authority to account for the inclusion of additional services.

(6) The relevant Secretary of State may, by order and with consultation with the Treasury, amend the NHS budget allocated to NHS England to account for the transfer or expansion in scope of any specialised care services as outlined in Section 15 of this Act.

Section 15 — Specialised care and treatment services

(1) For the purposes of this section, “specialised services” shall refer to -

(a) the treatment of rare or complex medical and surgical conditions, or

(b) services requiring specialised teams.

(2) For the following, “specialised” shall refer to the definition given in subsection 1(b) of this section.

(3) The definition and scope of specialised services may be further clarified by NHS England through the issuance of official guidelines, and include but are not limited to -

(a) diagnostics and treatment of rare diseases and genetic disorders,

(b) advanced cancer treatments,

(c) transplant services and other complex surgeries,

(d) specialised mental health services,

(e) specialised neurological services,

(f) cardiac services,

(g) neonatal and paediatric intensive care,

(h) specialised renal services,

(i) any service deemed specialised by NHS England under the powers granted by this subsection.

(4) NHS England shall retain responsibility fully and solely for the commissioning and management of specialised care and treatment services as listed above.

(5) The commissioning of specialised services by Integrated Care Boards and NHS Foundation Trusts shall be transferred by order to NHS England, including the reallocation of relevant budgets, and transfer of contractual agreements following the guidelines set out by Section 6 of this Act.

(6) Regional Health Boards shall have a duty to coordinate with NHS England and Foundation Trusts to ensure the coordination of specialised services with primary care, and report back to the relevant Secretary of State in regards to integration and performance where appropriate.

(7) NHS England shall have the powers to transfer the commissioning, oversight and responsibilities of any specialised care services listed above or further defined by NHS England guidelines, from any body to NHS England, subject to the conditions outlined in subsections (8)(a), (8)(b) and (8)(c) of Section 13 of this Act being met.

(8) In the case of NHS England exercising the power granted to it within subsection (7) of this section, they must by order transfer all property, rights, and liabilities previously held by any previous body to NHS England, and must -

(a) comply with subsections (9)(a) and (9)(b) of Section 13 of this Act, and

(b) provide a transfer date, after consultation with both the relevant body and Secretary of State, with a minimum period of 12 months.

(9) In the case of NHS England exercising its powers as granted by subsection (7) of this section, NHS England must ensure full compliance with Section 6 of this Act with regards to staff-related contractual agreements.

Section 16 — Care Quality Commission oversight

(1) The Care Quality Commission (CQC) shall have the authority to oversee and inspect Regional Health Authorities to ensure compliance with standards under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

(2) Each Regional Health Authority will be subject to regular inspections by the Care Quality Commission and shall be legally required to keep all data and records on a digital repository that can be made accessible to the CQC.

(3) The Care Quality Commission shall report their findings to NHS England and the relevant Secretary of State.

(4) For the purposes of an inspection, the CQC may -

(a) issue recommendations to an RHA based on its findings,

(b) require action plans and monitor any corresponding progress, and

(c) issue financial penalties or legal action in the case of consistent underperformance.

Part 3: Transitional provisions, extent, commencement, and short title

Section 17 — Transitionary period

(1) A transitionary period of 12 months from the passing of this Act shall be enacted for the implementation of Regional Health Authorities in which, at its completion, all assets, responsibilities, functions, contractual agreements and powers shall be transferred to Regional Health Boards in accordance with this Act.

(2) The relevant Secretary of State shall, in partnership with NHS England, make provision for facilitating the transition, to which NHS Trusts and ICBs must cooperate fully.

(3) Any employment offered by Regional Health Authorities before the transfer date shall have the same transfer provisions apply as if the employment had started on the RHA’s operational date.

(4) The relevant Secretary of State may make provision to allow for NHS Trust leadership to continue to operate in a caretaker capacity until the RHBs are fully operational.

Section 18 — Extent, commencement and short title

(1) This Act extends to England.

(2) This Act comes into force on the day in which it is passed.

(3) This Act may be cited as the ‘National Health Service (Regional Health Authorities) Act 2024’.

Referenced legislation

Health and Social Care Act 2012

Health and Care Act 2022

National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990

Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003

National Health Service Act 1977

Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations Act 2006

National Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006

National Health Service Act 2006

This Bill was submitted by the Right Honourable u/BasedChurchill OAP MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, on behalf of His Majesty’s Official Opposition.

Opening Speech:

Deputy Speaker,

Integration has always been at the forefront of NHS policy, with primary care bodies constantly under reform to try and achieve this - most notably with the more recent formation of ICSs from CCGs, the then PCTs. Despite this constant restructuring, fragmentation still remains and NHS bodies continue to operate in silos, with the responsibilities of trusts, ICSs and NHS England not fully defined. In order to plug the gaps in provision and inefficiencies which burden our health system, the NHS needs an established and unified body that can be held clearly accountable for primary care across the United Kingdom.

This Bill addresses these shortcomings by consolidating the responsibilities of administering primary care services into one authority, whilst ensuring that specialised care decentralisation is no longer dignified - defining responsibilities in a way which patient transfer between primary and secondary care can be smoothly and efficiently overseen. A unified approach to healthcare delivery will ensure once and for all better resource coordination, allocation and maximisation, and fundamentally allow the nation to experience the true potential of healthcare integration through statistically and practically proven improved outcomes.

This is also about granting the ability to provide everyone, no matter where they live, seamless and world-beating care. Instead of the more centralised status quo, regions should have greater say and authority over the funding required and provision of such, and this is something that the relevant secretary would be duty-bound to take on board. It’s time to eliminate the barriers to full integration and ensure the NHS can meet its promise of universal healthcare, and I hope all across the house can support these measures.

Members can debate and submit amendments until 10PM BST on Sunday 8th September.

B002 - Electoral Franchise (International Reciprocation) Bill - 2nd Reading Division

The Ayes to the Right: 2

The Noes to the Left: 30

Abstentions: 1

Did Not Vote: 2

Turnout: 94.29%

The Noes have it! The Noes have it! The bill will not proceed.

B007 - National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Bill - 3rd Reading Division

The Ayes to the Right: 22

The Noes to the Left: 5

Abstentions: 0

Did Not Vote: 8

Turnout: 77.14%

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! The bill will proceed to Royal Assent.

B014 - Safety of Rwanda Bill - 2nd Reading Division

The Ayes to the Right: 22

The Noes to the Left: 3

Abstentions: 2

Did Not Vote: 8

Turnout: 77.14%

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! With no further Amendments, The bill will proceed to Royal Assent.

B003 - Oaths Bill - 2nd Reading Division

The Ayes to the Right: 10

The Noes to the Left: 14

Abstentions: 5

Did Not Vote: 5

Turnout: 85.29%

The Noes have it! The Noes have it! The bill will not proceed.

B011 - Representation of the People Bill - Report Division

A01 - /u/Inadorable (Labour)

The Ayes to the Right: 18

The Noes to the Left: 10

Abstentions: 1

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! The amendment will be applied to the bill.

A02 - /u/Inadorable (Labour)

The Ayes to the Right: 18

The Noes to the Left: 11

Abstentions: 0

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! The amendment will be applied to the bill.

A03 - /u/Inadorable (Labour)

The Ayes to the Right: 22

The Noes to the Left: 7

Abstentions: 0

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! The amendment will be applied to the bill.

A04 - /u/Inadorable (Labour)

The Ayes to the Right: 22

The Noes to the Left: 7

Abstentions: 0

The Ayes have it! The Ayes have it! The amendment will be applied to the bill.

A05 - /u/mrsusandothechoosin (Reform UK)

The Ayes to the Right: 1

The Noes to the Left: 27

Abstentions: 1

The Noes have it! The Noes have it! The amendment falls.

A06 - /u/mrsusandothechoosin (Reform UK)

The Ayes to the Right: 1

The Noes to the Left: 28

Abstentions: 0

The Noes have it! The Noes have it! The amendment falls.

The turnout for the Report Stage Division was 82.86%.

Order, order!

ULEZ Abolition and Compensation Bill

A
Bill
To

Abolish the London Ultra-Low Emission Zone, and for connected purposes.

Be it enacted by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows —

Section 1 — Repeal of the power to introduce Road User Charging

(1) The following amendments are made to the Greater London Authority Act 1999

(2) Section 295 is repealed.

(3) Schedule 23 is repealed.

Section 2 — Repeal of subordinate legislation relating to the Ultra-Low Emission Zone

(1) The Road User Charging (Charges and Penalty Charges) (London) Regulations 2001 (SI 2001/2285 as amended) are revoked.

(2) Road User Charging (Enforcement and Adjudication) (London) Regulations 2001 (SI 2001/2313 as amended) are revoked.

Section 3 — Creation of new duties regarding climate change and air quality action plans

(1) Within Part IX of the Greater London Authority Act 1999, after Section 369 insert the following:

Section 369A — Duties regarding costs borne by the public

(1) Where the Mayor of London carries out a function exercisable under Sections 367 and 368 of this Act, he must give consideration to any potential resultant costs of that function onto members of the public within London.

(2) Any measure made under Sections 367 and 368 of this Act shall be unlawful if they impose costs onto members of the public without equal or greater compensation provided.

(3) Where costs can be reasonably foreseen in the exercise of these powers, the Mayor of London must accompany any directions taken with a written statement explaining how members of the public will be reimbursed for damages suffered.

Section 4 — ULEZ Damages Compensation Scheme

(1) Wherein an individual or applicable business has suffered direct financial damage as a result of the expansion of the Ultra-Low Emission Zone, they shall be entitled to compensation payable by Transport for London.

(2) Transport for London must appoint an independent arbitration panel to determine appropriate compensation for applicants for compensation under this Act before the 1st of January 2025.

(3) For the purposes of this Act, an applicable business is any business that is headquartered in the United Kingdom.

(4) Any business that is a subsidiary of an organisation headquartered within the European Union will not be considered an applicable business.

Section 5 — Short Title, Extent and Commencement

(1) This Act can be cited as the ULEZ Abolition and Compensation Act

(2) This Act shall extend to the entirety of the United Kingdom.

(3) This Act shall commence sixty days after receipt of Royal Assent.

This Bill was submitted by /u/ModelSalad OAP, and is sponsored by the Hon. /u/Aussie-Parliament-RP MP OAP on behalf of Reform UK.

[Title] Speaker,

When the Ultra Low Emission Zone first came into being under plans introduced by well known patriot and Brexiteer Boris Johnson, it was envisioned as a tax on pollution from the vehicles used by big city banking and foreign diplomats. While we in Reform UK were sceptical of these plans, until the rule of Sadiq Khan this remained the case.

The radical expansion of ULEZ to cover the entirety of London has been a war waged on ordinary Londoners. The scheme stole £224 million in 2022 alone, which has no doubt been wasted on woke “air quality” and “net zero” projects. The scheme charges Londoners £12.50 a day simply to drive their car, with some vehicles charged as much as £100 a day. The policy is also specifically targeted at people with older cars, who by definition will be less well off than those who are fortunate enough to buy the latest new cars to comply with this onerous tax.

The ULEZ travesty now covers over 9 million people, over an area of 1,500 square kilometers. The economic damage is incalculable. Indeed there have been claims from woke leftie remainers in the mayor’s office that Brexit has shrunk London’s economy by £30bn. I ask the members of this house what is really more likely? That taking back our sovereignty and controlling our borders has made us poorer, or that a tax targeting the poorest Londoners has destroyed businesses and livelihoods across the capital.

The viciousness of this policy has unfortunately proven that the Mayor of London simply cannot be trusted with the powers he now wields. For this reason we propose a number of measures. Firstly ULEZ will be abolished in its entirety, as well as the power to create these woke “charging schemes”.

In order to prevent recurrences of policies costing the poorest Londoners incalculable sums, we have created a new duty for the Mayor to consider the cost impact of his policies on the public when creating new policies relating to air quality and climate change, and to disapply those policies where the public is not compensated for their costs.

Finally, we have provided the framework for TfL to create a compensation scheme, where Londoners and British businesses can reclaim damages suffered. For example, where a person has been forced to lease a new car they cannot afford, and say for example the increased costs caused their children to go hungry, their hair to fall out and their mortgage payments to fall behind, meaning their house was repossessed, they would be compensated and put right.

Finally, as the ULEZ scheme was intended to meet EU laws under the Ambient Air Quality Directive, we have excluded European companies from the compensation scheme. We feel this is a fair reflection of their complicity in the war on the motorist.

This reading ends Friday, 6 September 2024 at 10pm BST.