Pensions (Extension of Automatic Enrolment) (No. 2) Bill: HL Bill 128 of 2022–23

The Pensions (Extension of Automatic Enrolment) (No. 2) Bill is a private member’s bill that would allow ministers to lower to 18 the age threshold at which qualifying workers are automatically enrolled into workplace pensions. It would also allow ministers to amend qualifying earnings limits so that pension contributions are calculated from the first pound earned. Ministers would have to obtain Parliament’s approval for any changes after first consulting on any proposals and reporting to Parliament on the consultations held.

Pensions (Extension of Automatic Enrolment) (No. 2) Bill: HL Bill 128 of 2022–23

Non-Domestic Rating Bill: HL Bill 140 of 2022–23

The Non-Domestic Rating Bill is a government bill that would make changes to business rates. It would reduce the time between property revaluations, impose a duty on businesses to notify the Valuation Office Agency of changes that could affect a property’s rateable value, and introduce rates reliefs for improvements to property and heat networks. It was introduced in the House of Commons on 29 March 2023 and its second reading in the House of Lords is scheduled to take place on 19 June 2023.

Non-Domestic Rating Bill: HL Bill 140 of 2022–23

Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill: HL Bill 89 of 2022–23

The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill is due to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 6 February 2023. The bill would automatically revoke, or ‘sunset’, most retained EU law at the end of 2023. However it would also give ministers powers to exempt some retained EU law from the sunset and to restate, reproduce, replace or update retained EU law by statutory instrument.

Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill: HL Bill 89 of 2022–23

  • Research Briefing

    Online Safety Bill: HL Bill 87 of 2022–23

    The Online Safety Bill is a government bill that would establish a regulatory framework for certain online service providers. It would also create several new offences relating to online harms including offences of false communications, threatening communications, sending or showing flashing images electronically (‘epilepsy trolling’) and sending photographs or films of genitals (‘cyberflashing’). The government has said it will bring forward several amendments to the bill in the House of Lords including new offences relating to intimate images and promoting self-harm, criminal sanctions for senior managers of non-compliant providers, and promotion of small boat crossings.

  • In Focus

    Arts Council England: Funding and regional distribution

    The government announced plans in February 2022 to redistribute Arts Council England (ACE) funding across regions in England to “level up” access to the arts. ACE published its latest funding allocations for 2023–26 in November 2022. It said 21.8% more investment would be given to regions outside of London when compared to 2018/19. Some arts organisations and parliamentarians have raised concerns about ACE’s funding distribution and the impact on leading cultural institutions.

  • Research Briefing

    Protection for Whistleblowing Bill [HL]: HL Bill 27 of 2022–23

    The Protection for Whistleblowing Bill [HL] would introduce several protections for whistleblowers, including the establishment of an independent Office of the Whistleblower. The bill would also create offences relating to the treatment of whistleblowers and the handling of whistleblowing cases. It would also repeal the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998.

  • In Focus

    Battery strategy: Science and Technology Committee report

    The House of Lords is scheduled to debate the Science and Technology Committee’s report ‘Battery strategy goes flat: Net zero target at risk’ on 23 November 2022. This article provides an overview of the committee’s recommendations and the government’s response. It also summarises recent statements from the government on supporting battery production and development and the expansion of low-carbon technologies.

  • In Focus

    Loot boxes in computer games: Are they a form of gambling?

    Loot boxes are rewards within computer games that can be bought with virtual currencies or real-world money. Concerns have been raised about whether they encourage gambling-like behaviours, particularly among children. In July 2022, Boris Johnson’s government published its response to a consultation on loot boxes. It decided not to legislate to bring loot boxes within the scope of the Gambling Act 2005.

  • In Focus

    Regulation and practices of private equity

    Private equity takeovers play a significant role in the UK economy. Some have argued that businesses that have been bought by private equity funds have suffered, and that there have been negative impacts on employment and pension schemes. The tax treatment of some elements of private equity has also been criticised. This article provides an overview of private equity, its regulation, and evidence of its impacts.

  • In Focus

    Energy (Oil and Gas) Profits Levy Bill

    The Energy (Oil and Gas) Profits Levy Bill would introduce a new temporary levy on North Sea oil and gas production. It follows a government announcement in late May 2022 that ministers would seek to impose a levy on companies operating in the North Sea to help fund support measures for households facing higher living costs. The House of Lords is expected to consider the bill at second reading and all remaining stages on 13 July 2022.

  • In Focus

    Travel disruption: Airports and ferry ports

    UK airports and ferry ports have faced widespread disruption in recent months, including mass cancellations of flights and long delays. Airline operators, unions and the government have spoken of various causes for this travel disruption. This article looks at recent examples of disruption and what has been said about the potential reasons behind it.

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