Written Statements

Thursday 19th March 2020 Written Statements

Thursday 19 March 2020

Electoral Events: Postponement

Thursday 19th March 2020 Written Statements

[The Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Chloe Smith)]

On Friday 13 March, the Prime Minister announced that the scheduled elections in May this year would be postponed by 12 months. The decision to postpone was taken following advice from the Government’s medical experts in relation to the response to the covid-19 virus. Additional risks include to polling station safety, the possible demands on local authority electoral staff to support other key services, and the impracticality or potential impossibility of campaigning activity.

We will shortly be bringing forward measures within the Coronavirus Bill to postpone the scheduled local and mayoral elections due to take place in England and the scheduled police and crime commissioner elections due to take place in England and Wales on 7 May this year until the next ordinary day of election on 6 May 2021. Provisions will also be made to enable the postponement of other electoral events over the course of the year (such as by-elections) and to make necessary consequential amendments associated with the postponement of polls which may, for example, include measures relating to incumbent office holders, the nomination of candidates and election expenses. This includes the particular circumstances of new unitary councils in Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire to ensure the new Buckinghamshire council goes live on 1 April 2020 and that the shadow unitary councils in Northamptonshire are established in May 2020. We understand the Warwick council tax referendum (and the proposed above-threshold tax increase) is not now taking place.

Where the May 2020 scheduled elections have been postponed, the term of current elected representatives will be extended to May 2021. For those elected in 2021 as a result of the postponement their term of office will be three years ending in 2024 rather than four years.

For recall petitions, the timing of a recall poll is prescribed in legislation and any alteration to enable postponement will require the measures being brought forward. The timing of parliamentary by-elections are within the discretion of the political parties and Speaker and do not require a legislative remedy for postponement.

The Bill will be introduced in Parliament today, however we recognise that there will be a small number of polls between now and the date of Royal Assent which will not be covered by these provisions. We appreciate that this presents difficult and challenging circumstances for returning officers and others running polls, who are rightly statutorily independent and responsible for delivering polls. Running a poll in present times is likely to come with significant concerns about the wellbeing of those involved, which may be unfair to both staff and the public. As such it would be both reasonable and consistent with the national position to suspend any poll scheduled within this period, including those due to take place today, Thursday 19 March.

The Government will give their full support to returning officers and others running polls who make the decision to suspend their polls. We have consulted with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which has assured me that prosecution in these circumstances is highly unlikely.

Ensuring the health and safety of the public is our No.1 priority and I am grateful for the support of the electoral community in helping this effort. We appreciate all of the hard work of returning officers and others during these difficult and challenging circumstances.

[HCWS174]

European (Withdrawal) Act and Common Frameworks

Thursday 19th March 2020 Written Statements

[The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Michael Gove)]

I am today laying before Parliament a report, “The European Union (Withdrawal) Act and Common Frameworks: 26 September 2019 to 25 December 2019”. I am laying this report because it is a legal requirement under the EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018 for quarterly reports to be made to Parliament on the progress of the work to develop common frameworks. The report is available on gov.uk and details the progress made between the UK Government and devolved Administrations regarding the development of common frameworks. This report details progress made during the sixth three-month reporting period, and sets out that no “freezing” regulations have been brought forward under section 12 of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act. A copy of the “The European Union (Withdrawal) Act and Common Frameworks: 26 September 2019 to 25 December 2019” report has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The publication of the report reflects the Government’s continued commitment to transparency.

[HCWS171]

Armed Forces Reservists: Covid-19

Thursday 19th March 2020 Written Statements

[The Minister for the Armed Forces (James Heappey)]

A new order has been made under section 56(1 B) of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 to enable reservists to be called into permanent service to support HM Forces in connection to the UK’s response to the outbreak of the covid-19 coronavirus.

Defence is committed to assisting HMG by ensuring that there are effective and proportionate contingency plans in place to mitigate the potential impacts that the covid-19 coronavirus outbreak might have on the welfare, health and security of UK citizens and economic stability of the UK. Defence is taking prudent steps to ensure that we can provide support to other Government Departments when requested.

As part of this support, reserve forces will be on standby to deliver a range of defence outputs such as (but not limited to): the reinforcement of regular sub-units, liaison officer roles and the provision of specialist skills. A particularly important role may be the planned reinforcement of regional points of command, to enable their 24/7 operation and resilience. We would also expect reserves to be drawn upon to support the implementation of contingency plans developed by other Government Departments.

The order shall take effect from the day on which it is made and shall cease to have effect 12 months from the date on which it is made.

[HCWS170]

HM Government Transparency Report: Disruptive Powers 2018-19

Thursday 19th March 2020 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Priti Patel)]

I have today laid before the House the fourth iteration of the Government transparency report on the use of disruptive powers (CP 212). Copies of the report will be made available in the Vote Office and online on gov.uk.

This Government remain committed to increasing the transparency of the work of our security and intelligence and law enforcement agencies, and this next iteration of the transparency report is a key part of that commitment.

Publishing this report ensures that the public are able to access, in one place, a guide to the range of powers used to combat threats to the security of the United Kingdom, the extent of their use and the safeguards and oversight in place to ensure they are used properly.

[HCWS172]

Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation Report: Operation in 2018 of the Terrorism Acts

Thursday 19th March 2020 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Priti Patel)]

Jonathan Hall QC, the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, has prepared a report on the operation in 2018 of the Terrorism Acts.

In accordance with section 36(5) of the Terrorism Act 2006, I am today laying this report before the House and copies will be available in the Vote Office. It will also be published on gov.uk.

I am grateful to Mr Hall for his report. I will carefully consider its contents and the recommendations he makes and will respond formally in due course.

[HCWS173]