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This week in the Commons: Friday 25 January 2019

25 January 2019 (updated on 25 January 2019)

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Following an unprecedented defeat, the Government this week outlined their next steps in the Brexit process. Two bills completed their passage through the House of Commons and now await Royal Assent.

Legislation

Healthcare (International Arrangements) Bill

The House of Commons considered the remaining stages of the Healthcare (International Arrangements) Bill on 21 January 2019.

The Bill passed its third reading unamended and will now proceed to the House of  Lords.

  • Parliament News: Healthcare (International Arrangements) Bill
  • Passage of the Healthcare (International Arrangements) Bill

    • Summary of the Bill

    After Brexit, regardless of the deal reached, the government will need to renegotiate reciprocal healthcare arrangements with the EU, or with individual states. This Bill aims to enable the government to respond to a wide range of options, by giving the Secretary of State new powers.

    Broadly speaking these would allow the Secretary of State;

    • To fund and arrange healthcare outside the UK,
    • To give effect to healthcare agreements between the UK and other countries, territories or international organisations, such as the European Union (EU),
    • To make provision in relation to data processing, which is necessary to underpin these arrangements and agreements.

    Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Bill

    The House of Commons approved Lords amendments to the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Bill on 22 January 2019. The Bill now awaits Royal Assent.

    Summary of the Bill

    The Bill follows the Government's reviews of its counter-terrorism strategy and of counter terrorism legislation. Part 1 of the Bill would bring in the legislative changes arising from those reviews. Part 2 of the Bill is in response to the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal in Salisbury on 4 March 2018 with a nerve agent. Clause 20 and schedule 3 would bring in powers to stop, question, search and detain people at ports and borders to determine whether they appear to be (or have been) engaged in hostile activity.

    Tenant Fees Bill

    The House of Commons approved Lords amendments to the Tenant Fees Bill on 23 January 2019. The Bill now awaits Royal Assent.

    Summary of  the Bill

    There is currently no cap on the level of fees that letting agents can charge in England, although since 27 May 2015 agents have been required to display a tariff of fees. The Tenant Fees Bill:

    • Ensures that tenants are only required to pay their rent and deposit when securing a property in the private rented sector.
    • Abolishes most upfront fees
    • Caps security deposits at the equivalent of six weeks' rent.

    Legislation: Private Members' Bills

    Two Private Members' Bills were brought to the House via Ten Minute Rule Motions. 

    Urgent questions and ministerial statements

    This week in the Commons there were three ministerial statements and four urgent questions.

    Statements

    Urgent questions

    Prime Minister's Questions

    On Wednesday 23 January, Prime Minister Theresa May answered MPs' questions on the Government's Brexit deal, public sector funding and the Government's 'red lines' on Brexit.

    Watch PMQs from this week:

    Backbench Business debates

    Westminster Hall debates

    Debates on a variety of different subjects also took place in Westminster Hall on Monday 21, Tuesday 22, Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 January. See the Parliamentary calendar to find out what subjects were debated.

    Select Committees

    News from Parliamentary Select Committees, including the publication of reports and details of inquiries and evidence sessions are also available online.

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