This House of Lords Library Briefing has been prepared in advance of the second reading in the House of Lords of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games Bill [HL], scheduled to take place on 25 June 2019.
Birmingham Commonwealth Games Bill [HL]: Briefing for Lords Stages (273 KB , PDF)
The next Commonwealth Games are set to take place in Birmingham between 27 July and 7 August 2022. The Birmingham Commonwealth Games Bill [HL] is a government bill that would provide the legal basis for certain time-limited measures in support of the games. It had its first reading on 5 June 2019. It is scheduled to receive its second reading on 25 June 2019.
The bill would provide the legal basis for certain time-limited measures in support of the games. These are grouped in four main areas:
The provisions have precedence in legislation for previous sporting events, such as the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games and the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
The bill has been welcomed by individuals including John Crabtree, chair of the Birmingham 2022 organising committee; Ian Ward, Labour leader of Birmingham City Council; Andy Street, Conservative mayor of the West Midlands; and David Grevemberg, chief executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation.
Birmingham Commonwealth Games Bill [HL]: Briefing for Lords Stages (273 KB , PDF)
Educational and cultural exchange programmes have existed for many years. They provide individuals, such as students, with the opportunity to learn and experience cultures outside of their home country. This article discusses exchange programmes such as the Government’s new Turing Scheme and the impact that programmes can have on participants.
The UK’s tourism industry has been particularly hard-hit by the coronavirus pandemic. Ahead of a House of Lords debate on 24 June 2021 to take note of the need to promote tourism in the UK, this article looks at how the sector has been affected, and the Government’s response, including its recently published Tourism Recovery Plan.
The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development etc.) (England) (Amendment) Order 2021 introduces several changes to the local planning framework. It makes it easier to convert a wider range of commercial buildings to residential use; allows further development of schools, colleges, universities, hospitals, prisons and ports; and implements a ‘retain and explain’ policy for certain statues, memorials and monuments. The House of Lords is set to debate motions to reject or ‘regret’ the changes.
