August 12, 2024
King’s Speech – Martyn’s Law, retail violence and employment rights
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King Charles outlined the new Labour government’s legislative plans in a speech to Parliament.
Outlining more than 35 bills that ministers want to pass over the next parliamentary session, some include bills originally tabled by the previous government but were not passed before the election took place.
Some of the main points are summarised below:
Martyn’s Law
Legislation will be introduced to improve the safety and security of public venues to “keep the British public safe from terrorism”. This is a reference to ‘Martyn’s Law’ (the Terrorism (Protection of premises) Draft Bill), which was put forward in draft by the previous government.
Crime and Policing Bill
This will give police new powers to tackle antisocial behaviour and make assaulting shopworkers a specific crime.
Employment Rights Bill
‘Exploitative’ zero-hours contracts will be banned through a new Employment Rights Bill. Through this Bill, the government would ‘legislate to introduce a new deal for working people to ban exploitative practices and enhance employment rights.’ The Bill, the details of which have yet to be issued, is likely to cover several of the workers’ rights pledges that were contained in Labour’s pre-election manifesto. For example: making flexible working a default right from day one, and giving greater protection to whistleblowers.
Other highlights
Other highlights include:
- A Renters’ Rights Bill which will ban so-called no fault evictions and extend a series of building safety rules for social tenants, known as Awaab’s Law, to private renters.
- Legislation to streamline the process for approving critical infrastructure, and overhaul rules on the compulsory purchase of land.
- Reintroduction of plans already set out relating to tobacco and vaping, meaning anyone who turns 15 or younger in 2024 will never legally be sold tobacco products. On vaping, it will give ministers the power to restrict the flavours, packaging and product presentation of vaping products.
- Legislation on mental health will lead to a wide-ranging reform of the 1983 Mental Health Act.
- A Race Equality Bill will extend the right to make equal pay claims under the Equality Act to ethnic minority workers and disabled people, and bring in new pay reporting requirements for bigger firms.
- Legislation to deliver a pledge for a ‘Hillsborough Law’, placing a legal duty of candour on public servants.
- A Digital Information and Smart Data Bill will allow people to use digital ID to buy age-restricted products and for things like pre-employment checks.
- The establishment of publicly-owned Great British Energy to invest in renewable energy.
- Train operators will be brought into public ownership, and local leaders will be allowed to “take control” of local bus services.
The House of Lords debate the different subject areas over the six days following the speech. The final day of debate takes place on 25 July.
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July 2024
