This week in Parliament, several significant bills and debates are set to take place, ranging from social security to genetic technology and public order. Below is a summary of the major bills and debates to be discussed.
Today (Monday 6th March), the Social Security (Additional Payments) (No.2) Bill will go through the committee stage, report stage, and third reading. This bill applies to all four UK nations and authorises two cost of living payments to people on benefits that were announced in the November 2022 Autumn Statement.
Also today, the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill will be discussed regarding Lords amendments. This bill applies to England and Wales, and it aims to allow the sale of gene-edited food.
This technology has the potential to create crops that are more drought-resistant or resistant to diseases, among other things. Gene editing is different from genetically modifying in that it involves a small, controlled tweak to a living organism’s existing DNA, rather than the introduction of a new, foreign gene. It's worth noting that both gene editing and genetically modifying are currently banned in the European Union, so this bill is a significant post-Brexit divergence from EU law.
On Tuesday 7 March, the Pension Contributions Bill will be presented, which requires employers to pay pension contributions into a pension scheme of the employee’s choosing. This bill aims to help employees have more control over their pension savings.
Also on Tuesday, the Public Order Bill will be discussed regarding Lords amendments.
This bill applies to England and Wales and creates a range of new criminal offences to crack down on groups like Extinction Rebellion and Insulate Britain. Some of the offences include "locking on," which is causing disruption by chaining or gluing oneself to something, and it is punishable by up to six months in prison.
Additionally, this bill extends police stop and search powers and introduces a court order to ban repeat offenders from going to certain places, meeting certain people, or doing certain things.
On Wednesday 8 March, the National Minimum Wage Bill will be presented, which ensures that home care workers are paid for travel time, among other things. This bill aims to help ensure that home care workers are paid fairly for their time.
Finally, on Thursday 9 March, the Supply and Appropriation (Anticipation And Adjustments) Bill will go through all stages, which wraps up Wednesday's Estimates Day debates. This bill is a routine financial bill that aims to adjust spending and revenue estimates.
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