This In Focus briefing provides background information in advance of the second reading in the House of Lords of the Accessible Sports Grounds Bill [HL] on 17 July 2015.
Accessible Sports Grounds Bill [HL] (129 KB , PDF)
The Accessible Sports Grounds Bill [HL] was introduced by Lord Faulkner of Worcester (Labour) on 28 May 2015. It is scheduled for second reading in the House of Lords on 17 July 2015. The Bill contains three clauses:
• Clause 1 would amend the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975 to provide local authorities with the power to refuse to issue a safety certificate to a large sports stadium where it considers, or it has been advised by the Sports Grounds Safety Authority, that the stadium does not comply with the Sports Grounds Safety Authority’s Accessible Stadia guidelines. Section 1 of the 1975 Act defines a large sports stadium as one able to accommodate more than 10,000 spectators.
• Clause 2 would ensure that compliance with the guidance became a condition of the issuing of a safety certificate.
• Clause 3 sets out that the Bill would apply to England, Wales and Scotland.
Lord Faulkner has said that legislation is now required to ensure compliance with the guidance because the “voluntary approach has not worked and compulsion is necessary”.
Accessible Sports Grounds Bill [HL] (129 KB , PDF)
The government has published an updated plan for music education. It emphasises aspects such as early years music; cooperation between schools and other organisations, for example music hubs; and providing a variety of ways to progress in music. Commentators have welcomed the plan but called for more funding. Some observers have also argued that the structure of testing in schools from age 14 skews the curriculum against music.
The Health Promotion Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Lord Addington (Liberal Democrat) seeking to amend the name and focus of the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. For example, it would require the newly defined office to work collaboratively with other departments on a national plan for sport. This follows recommendations from the National Plan for Sport and Recreation Committee intended to improve levels of physical activity in the country.
![Health Promotion Bill [HL]: HL Bill 24 of 2022–23](https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/content/uploads/sites/2/2020/09/Culture-media-and-sport-1232x924.png)
The Protection for Whistleblowing Bill [HL] would introduce several protections for whistleblowers, including the establishment of an independent Office of the Whistleblower. The bill would also create offences relating to the treatment of whistleblowers and the handling of whistleblowing cases. It would also repeal the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998.
![Protection for Whistleblowing Bill [HL]: HL Bill 27 of 2022–23](https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/content/uploads/sites/2/2020/01/Business-VIGs-1232x924.jpg)