Significant Legislation – Parliament in 2024

One of the most significant pieces of legislation passed by Parliament in England and Wales in 2024 is the:

Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024:

Enacted with Royal Assent on 24 May 2024, this legislation implements significant modifications to housing law. It bans the issuance of certain new long-term residential leases of houses, revises tenants’ rights to purchase freeholds, and governs the interaction between residential landlords and tenants. Additionally, the act deals with the rectification of building defects and the insolvency of individuals accountable for repairing specific buildings.

Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Bill:

This bill annuls the convictions of sub-postmasters implicated in the Horizon scandal across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Individuals who have had their convictions overturned will be entitled to compensation.

The bill was brought forward following widespread public outrage incited by the ITV drama, Mr Bates vs the Post Office, which highlighted the plight of wrongfully convicted sub-postmasters.

While some legal professionals have voiced apprehensions about parliamentary intervention in the judicial process, the government contends that the extraordinary nature and scope of these cases warrant such action and that this bill will not establish a legal precedent.

Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Act 2024

This Act is designed to enhance air quality and regulate soundscapes in Wales. This Act modifies the Clean Air Act 1993 to encompass provisions for both England and Wales.

Victims and Prisoners Bill

This legislation creates a compensation authority for victims of the infected blood scandal, which resulted in 30,000 people contracting HIV and hepatitis C. The overall compensation costs could amount to approximately £10 billion. In his inquiry into the scandal, Sir Brian Langstaff stated that the NHS and successive governments had “repeatedly” let the victims down.

Biodiversity Gain Requirements (Irreplaceable Habitat) Regulations 2024

This Act was established to guarantee that development projects lead to a net increase in biodiversity, with particular emphasis on safeguarding irreplaceable habitats.

These regulations underscore a notable emphasis on housing reform, environmental protection, and biodiversity within the legislative agenda for 2024.

Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill

The bill, introduced in the King’s Speech, seeks to enhance online consumer rights and address the issue of fake reviews.

It prohibits “drip pricing” in online shopping, a practice where extra fees are only revealed at the checkout stage.

Additionally, the new law includes a ban on foreign governments owning UK newspapers, a measure introduced following concerns that the Daily Telegraph might be acquired by a UAE-backed investment firm.

Other bills that were enacted include:

Finance Bill:

This Bill enforces the measures announced in the spring Budget.

Media Bill:

This Bill abolishes a never-implemented rule requiring media companies to cover the legal costs of individuals who sue them, even if they are successful.

Pet Abduction Bill:

This Bill imposes higher prison sentences for those who steal cats and dogs.

Paternity Leave (Bereavement) Bill:

This Bill addresses a loophole to ensure that working fathers who lose their partner in childbirth are entitled to “day one” paternity leave.

British Nationality (Irish Citizens) Bill:

This Bill simplifies the process for Irish nationals to obtain British citizenship.

The bills that were discarded:

Tobacco and Vapes Bill

This bill aimed to implement one of the prime minister’s key policies.

During his party’s conference in September, Mr Sunak declared his intention to create a smoke-free generation.

The proposed legislation would have prohibited anyone born after 2009 from purchasing cigarettes.

However, the bill had not even finished its journey through the House of Commons, much less the House of Lords. It also raised concerns among some Conservatives who viewed it as an infringement on personal choice.

These factors contributed to the difficulty of expediting the bill through Parliament.

Labour, which supported the proposals, could reintroduce the bill if it wins the election.

Renters (Reform) Bill

In their 2019 election manifesto, the Conservatives committed to banning no-fault evictions.

However, enacting a bill to fulfil that promise has been challenging, with several government backbenchers seeking greater protections for landlords.

Labour sources have indicated that, despite hoping for amendments, the party would have allowed the bill to pass.

Nevertheless, a government source suggested that amendments from crossbench or independent peers in the House of Lords meant there was insufficient time to pass the legislation.

See Robert Taylors Blog on this Act.

Football Governance Bill

In response to the collapse of Bury Football Club and a failed attempt to establish a European Super League, the government initiated an external review of football governance.

A key recommendation from this review was to create an independent regulator with the authority to sanction clubs that violate financial regulations.

This bill aimed to establish the new regulator but has now been abandoned.

Criminal Justice Bill

This comprehensive piece of legislation addressed various issues, including granting police the authority to move rough sleepers, establishing an offence for causing death by dangerous cycling, and prohibiting sex offenders from changing their names.

However, it had not yet completed its passage through the Commons. Debating the 130 pages of amendments would have made it challenging to pass the bill within the limited time available.

Other bills that fell include:

Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill:

This bill sought to award licenses for oil and gas projects in the North Sea on an annual basis.

Data Protection and Digital Information Bill:

This legislation aimed to replace the EU data protection regime inherited after Brexit. Consequently, it sought to establish a new, independent framework.

Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill:

This bill sought to prohibit public bodies from boycotting Israel.

Arbitration Bill:

This proposed legislation would have established new rules for individuals and businesses to resolve disputes without resorting to court.

Sentencing Bill:

This bill would have mandated whole-life sentences for the most heinous murders.