Legislative Programme

Alister Jack Excerpts

Tuesday 15th October 2019 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr Alister Jack)]

The legislative programme for the second Session was outlined by Her Majesty on Monday 14 October. This statement provides a summary of the programme and its application to Scotland. It does not include draft Bills, Law Commission Bills or Finance Bills.

The legislative programme will deliver important reform to domestic issues and deliver benefits across the whole of the United Kingdom. The programme includes a series of ambitious reforms and brings forward measures to support citizens across all the nations of the United Kingdom. The Government believe strongly in upholding the constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom—our Union is at its strongest when all four nations work together.

The Government’s domestic programme will, for example, include the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Bill which will ensure consumers can be confident in the knowledge that their tips are going to the staff as they intended across the UK. The Environment Bill will also put environmental ambition and accountability at the very heart of Government.

The Government have taken the necessary steps to ensure the UK leaves the EU with certainty, continuity and control by working to deliver an unprecedented programme of legislation to date, preparing for all scenarios. The second Session legislative programme will build on this by seizing the opportunities EU exit brings. This includes the Fisheries Bill which will provide the powers to build a sustainable and profitable fishing industry, which is in the best interests of the whole of the UK and future generations.

The Government expect that the return of powers from the EU will lead to a significant increase in the decision-making powers for the devolved Administrations. It will mean that decisions and powers sit in the right place and closer to people than ever before.

The following bills would apply to Scotland (either in full or in part).

Agriculture Bill

Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Bill

Birmingham Commonwealth Games Bill

Domestic Abuse Bill

Employment (Allocation of Tips) Bill

Environment Bill

European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill

Extradition (Provisional Arrest) Bill

Financial Services Bill

Fisheries Bill

Foreign National Offenders Bill

Health Service Safety Investigations Bill

High Speed Rail 2 (West Midlands - Crewe) Bill

Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill

Medicines and Medical Devices Bill

Pension Schemes Bill

Police Protections Bill

Private International Law (Implementation of Agreements) Bill

Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Bill

Trade Bill

Windrush Compensation Scheme (Expenditure) Bill

In line with the Sewel convention, the Government will continue to work constructively with the Scottish Government to secure the legislative consent of the Scottish Parliament where appropriate.

[HCWS7]