A Draft Online Safety Bill was announced, with the Queen saying the Government will "lead the way on internet safety for all, especially children, whilst harnessing the benefits of a free, open and secure internet." The Bill will introduce a new regulatory framework to establish a duty of care on companies to improve the safety of online users, requiring platforms to prevent the spread of illegal content and activity, and protecting children from legal but harmful content.
The Government had previously confirmed that Ofcom will be the regulatory body for Online Harms. Minister for Media and Data John Whittingdale recently told the PPA’s Leadership Summit that publishers’ content on their own websites and comments on such content will not be in scope of the legislation. The Minister stated that “robust protections” would shield journalistic content shared on in scope services. He also confirmed that there would be positive obligations for platforms to have “additional safeguards” for journalistic content, as well as “swift avenues” for journalists to appeal the removal of content.
Additional funding for the NHS was announced, along with legislation allowing the NHS to innovate and utilise technology in the Health and Care Bill. The Bill will introduce a 9pm watershed and a total online ban on HFSS advertising. Patients will be able to receive tailored and preventative care closer to home, and the Government stated that proposals on social care reform will be “brought forward,” with no specific plan for legislation. Mental health, obesity and cancer were all mentioned as areas the Government will work on.
Intending to boost its ‘levelling up’ agenda, the Government will “strengthen economic ties across the union,” with investment in transport infrastructure and the extension of 5G mobile broadband, with new safety standards for digital services. The relevant pieces of legislation are the High Speed Rail (Crewe-Manchester) Bill, which will authorise the next HS2 phase, and the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Bill. A lifetime skills guarantee was announced, which will be created through the Skills and Post-16 Education Bill. The Bill will overhaul the adult education system with flexible training loans for the equivalent of up to four years’ study. Furthermore, an advanced research agency will be established.
Also linked to the drive to ‘level up’ were several announcements concerning business: a National Insurance Contributions Bill will create tax breaks for employers in the eight new freeports to be set up later in 2021. Meanwhile, a Subsidy Control Bill will set out a new framework for state aid now that the EU’s rules no longer apply, whilst a Procurement Bill will replace EU rules on Government purchases from the private sector.
Carried over from the previous parliamentary session, the Environment Bill will give Ministers a duty of care to consider environmental issues when developing policies, as well as setting legally binding targets and producing a long-term plan. The Bill will move the UK towards a circular economy with measures such as extended producer responsibility and a consistent approach to recycling. An independent Office for Environmental Protection will also be established.
A renewed pledge was made for plans to introduce mandatory ID checks for voters in elections to combat voter fraud, which will be introduced through an Electoral Integrity Bill. Also relating to the democratic process, a Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Bill will be introduced to replace the Fixed-Term Parliaments Act, which brought in a fixed five-year intervening period between elections – the new legislation will return the power to call elections to the Prime Minister. A Judicial Review Bill intends to prevent the judiciary from being drawn on political questions by changing how Government decisions are challenged in the courts.
The Speech referred to laws to modernise the planning system – it had previously been outlined that the current case-by-case assessment will be replaced with a zoning system. This is intended to accelerate the planning process and boost councils’ ability to hit house-building targets. A new Building Safety Regulator was announced to “ensure the tragedies of the past are never repeated,” alluding to the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
The Government’s commitment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, introduced in the last session of parliament, was reiterated – the Bill will effectively make it easier for the police to prevent public demonstrations. A new plan for immigration law will aim to deter migrants from travelling to the UK by overhauling the asylum system.
The Government also pledged to outlaw gay conversion therapy, although it is reported that a consultation will take place prior to legislation being introduced. Measures will also be introduced to address racial and ethnic inequalities.
In response, Leader of the Opposition Sir Keir Starmer stated the Speech “papered over the cracks” with “distant promises” and emphasised the need to address unemployment, noting apprenticeship numbers have fallen. Sir Keir added the Speech was a “chance that has been squandered”.
Other legislative announcements included:
– A Leasehold reform (Ground Rent) Bill will end the practice of ground rents for new leasehold properties.
– A Dormant Assets Bill is expected to unlock around £800m for social and environmental initiatives.
– A Charities Bill will reduce bureaucracy to boost the voluntary sector.
– An Animal (Sentience) Bill will recognise animal sentience.
– A Kept Animals Bill intends to prevent cruelty to animals, improve standards in zoos and end the keeping of primates as pets.
– An Animals Abroad Bill aims to ban the import of hunting trophies from endangered species.
– A Northern Ireland (Ministers, Elections, and Petitions of concerns) Bill will implement the New Decade, New Approach agreement.
– A Draft Victims Bill intends to put in law the rights set out in the victims’ code.
– A Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Bill aims to guarantee equal treatment for all within the major public service pension schemes.
– A Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill will address the issue of freedom of speech on university campuses and academic freedom.
– A Professional Qualifications Bill will empower UK regulators to make agreements with foreign regulators to recognise qualifications.
– An Armed Forces Bill put the Armed Forces Covenant into law, whilst legacy legislation will restrict future prosecution of veterans of The Troubles in Northern Ireland.
– A Draft Downstream Oil Resilience Bill will address threats to the security of fuel supply.
– A Counter-State Threats Bill will give the society services and law enforcement greater powers to combat hostile activity.
– A Telecommunications (Security) Bill aims to place controls on the services and equipment of high-risk communications vendors.
