The government announced its legislative plans for the coming
parliamentary year on Wednesday. Among the measures announced by
the Queen were a long-awaited Defamation Bill, a Crime and Courts
Bill and a Children and Families Bill.
The government set out a slimmer than usual legislative
programme that contained just 15 bills and four draft bills. In
addition to centrepiece bills on House of Lords reform and
regulation of the banking sector, key pieces of legislation
announced include:
- Crime and Courts Bill: moving towards
televised court proceedings; reforming the judicial appointments
process; and establishing a National Crime Agency.
- Defamation Bill: legislation to reform
defamation law in order to protect freedom of speech and protect
reputation.
- Justice and Security Bill: to include measures
to hear evidence in cases involving national security in
secret
- Children and Families Bill: measures to reform
family courts; alter access arrangements for divorced fathers; and
reform the adoption system.
- Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill: to
contain provisions overhauling employment tribunals; reforming
competition law; and giving extra powers to shareholders to
influence executive pay.
Four draft bills, which will be subject to pre-legislative
consultations during this session of parliament, were also
announced including:
- Draft Communication Data Bill: the draft bill
will include measures to allow police and security agencies to
access communications under 'strict safeguards'; establish a
12-month time limit on data storage by communications service
providers; and provide for independent oversight, including the
extension of the role of the Interception Communications
Commissioner.