A recent investigation has documented an increase in reports of antisemitic incidents at universities in the UK. The Community Security Trust’s December 2020 report also made a number of recommendations to UK universities about how they should respond to reports of antisemitism. The House of Lords is due to debate the report on 21 January 2021.
On 24 December 2020, the UK and the EU reached agreement on a Trade and Cooperation Agreement (the TCA) setting out their future relationship. The UK Parliament passed the European Union (Future Relationship) Act 2020 in one day on 30 December 2020. The TCA has been provisionally applied by both parties from 1 January 2021. The House of Lords is due to debate the TCA on 8 January 2021.
At the time of publication, the UK and the EU are continuing to negotiate their future relationship. Should a deal be reached, the Government has indicated Parliament would have to pass legislation to implement it. The requirements of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 would also need to be met before the UK Government could ratify a treaty. This article looks at the role of the House of Lords in this process.
In Focus
The Government has announced that the England-wide Covid-19 restrictions commonly referred to as ‘lockdown 2’ will not be renewed past 2 December 2020. The restrictions are to be replaced with a revised tier structure for England similar to the one in place before the second lockdown. The revised tiers form part of the Government’s Winter Plan, which was announced on 23 November 2020.
In Focus
The Legislative Reform (Renewal of Radio Licences) Order 2020 is a specific kind of statutory instrument called a legislative reform order (LRO). Such orders are designed to reduce certain burdens caused by legislation. These particular orders would extend analogue radio licences due to expire from 2022 for a further ten-year period on the condition that they also provide a service on an appropriate digital radio multiplex.
In Focus
The House of Lords is due to consider two related statutory instruments on 26 November 2020. Along with a third order, the instruments amend orders from 2019 which made provision for ‘Operation Brock’. This is a planned system to manage heavy commercial vehicle (HCV) traffic in Kent when there are delays in exporting goods from Great Britain (GB) to the EU after the transition period. This article examines what the 2020 orders do and why they are being made.
Research Briefing
The United Kingdom Internal Market Bill is a government bill that would make provision for the continuation of the UK’s single market when the transition period ends on 31 December 2020. As part of this it would provide for the ‘market access principles’ of mutual recognition and non-discrimination to apply to the sale of goods and the provision of services within the UK. It also seeks to provide unfettered access for qualifying Northern Ireland goods to the market in Great Britain. It contains provisions that seek to give ministers the power to unilaterally interpret, modify the application of or disapply parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol, notwithstanding their obligations under relevant international and domestic law.
Research Briefing
This government bill would introduce measures to support the UK in implementing an independent trade policy, having left the European Union.
Research Briefing
Amongst its provisions, the Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill would give effect to the Government’s policy of ending freedom of movement once the transition phase ends at the end of December 2020. It would also confirm the continued right of Irish citizens to come to and work in the UK after the ending of freedom of movement and it would provide a power to amend, via regulations, retained EU law governing social security coordination.
In Focus
Xylella fastidiosa is a bacteria that can cause severe disease and death in certain plants. This article explains what the disease is and discusses recent restrictions on plant imports that the UK Government has imposed to reduce the risk of it being introduced to the UK. Xylella is due to be the subject of an oral question in the House of Lords on 8 July 2020.
Research Briefing
The Government has proposed setting up a constitution, democracy and rights commission to consider broad aspects of the UK’s constitution. This would look at issues including the relationship between the government, parliament, and the courts; the functioning of the royal prerogative; the role of the House of Lords; and access to justice.
Research Briefing
This House of Lords Library briefing provides information ahead of the House of Lords debate on the threats posed by pests and diseases to native trees in the United Kingdom.
Research Briefing
This House of Lords Library Briefing has been prepared in advance of the second reading on the Sentencing (Pre-consolidation Amendments) Bill [HL] of session 2019-21 on 11 February 2020.
Research Briefing
This House of Lords Library Briefing has been published ahead of the scheduled second reading of the Extradition (Provisional Arrest) Bill [HL] on 4 February 2020.
Research Briefing
This House of Lords Library Briefing has been prepared in advance of the second reading of the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill on 13 January 2020. Committee stage is due to take place on 14, 15 and 16 January 2020, with report and third reading scheduled for 20 and 21 January 2020.
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