This In Focus briefing provides background information in advance of the second reading in the House of Lords of the Airports Act 1986 (Amendment) Bill [HL] on 19 June 2015.
Airports Act 1986 (Amendment) Bill [HL] (131KB PDF)
The Airports Act 1986 (Amendment) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Lord Empey (Ulster Unionist Party). The Bill would amend the Airports Act 1986 to:
Concerns have been raised that airlines might re-allocate slots at Heathrow currently used for flights to and from regional airports such as Belfast to more profitable international routes, particularly if a proposed takeover of Aer Lingus by IAG goes ahead, or if a decision were taken not to expand Heathrow.
Lord Empey introduced similar bills in the 2011–12 and 2012–13 parliamentary sessions. On both occasions, the Government commended the aims of the bill but said they could not support it as it would be incompatible with EU law. EU legislation governing the allocation of slots at airports only permits government intervention in specific circumstances. Moves to amend this legislation as part of the European Commission’s ‘Better Aiports’ package stalled in late 2012.
Airports Act 1986 (Amendment) Bill [HL] (131KB PDF)
The Sovereign Grant Bill is a government bill which would amend how the sovereign grant is set. This is a grant paid to the King to support the work of the sovereign. The bill would enable the size of the sovereign grant to be reduced following the completion of a 10-year works project on Buckingham Palace. The bill received cross-party support and was not amended in the House of Commons.
The Financial Services and Markets Bill [HL] is a wide-ranging bill that aims to reform the way the UK financial services sector is regulated. This briefing provides a summary of the bill’s second reading and committee stage in the House of Lords ahead of its further consideration at report.
![Financial Services and Markets Bill [HL]: Progress in the Lords](https://lordslibrary-parliament.studio24.dev/content/uploads/sites/2/2020/09/Economy-568x426.png)
The Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill is a money bill that would implement three tax measures as part of the government’s package of support to tackle increased energy prices. The bill would increase the electricity generator levy, increase the rate of tax-free mileage allowance for employees, and provide a 12-month vehicle excise duty exemption for HGVs.
