The Queen has outlined the forthcoming legislative agenda for the Government in her speech to Parliament today. The Government has previously announced that there will be no Queen’s Speech in 2018 in order for the necessary legislation for the process of Brexit to be debated in full. The full text of the speech and background briefs on each of the Bills proposed for the 2017-19 session, are now available online.

The Bills most likely to be relevant to CTG members include:

Repeal Bill

This Bill will allow for a smooth and orderly transition as the UK leaves the EU, ensuring that, wherever practical, the same rules and laws apply after exit and therefore maximising certainty for individuals and businesses. The Bill does not put any constraints on the withdrawal agreement to be made with the EU and further legislation will be introduced to support such an agreement if and when required. In particular, the Bill will:

• repeal the European Communities Act 1972 and convert EU law into UK law
• create temporary powers for Parliament to make secondary legislation, enabling corrections to be made to the laws that do not operate appropriately once we have left the EU. It will also allow changes to be made to domestic law to reflect the content of any withdrawal agreement under Article 50
• replicate the common UK frameworks created by EU law in UK law, and maintain the scope of devolved decision-making powers immediately after exit. This will be a transitional arrangement to provide certainty after exit and allow intensive discussion and consultation with the devolved administrations on where lasting common frameworks are needed.

Customs Bill

As it stands, the EU customs code applies directly in the UK. This Bill will therefore ensure:

• that the UK has a standalone UK customs regime on exit
• flexibility to accommodate future trade agreements with the EU and others
• that changes can be made to the UK’s VAT and excise regimes to ensure that the UK has standalone regimes on EU-exit

National Insurance Contributions Bill

The Bill will legislate for the National Insurance contributions (NICs) changes announced during the 2016 Budget and Autumn Statement.

Draft Tenants’ Fees Bill

Tackling unfair fees on tenants will make the private rental market more affordable and competitive. The Bill will bring forward proposals to:

• ban landlords and agents from requiring tenants to make any payments as a condition of their tenancy with the exception of the rent, a capped refundable security deposit, a capped refundable holding deposit and tenant default fees
• cap holding deposits at no more than one week’s rent and security deposits at no more than one month’s rent

Data Protection Bill

The Bill will fulfil the Government’s manifesto commitment to ensure the UK has a data protection regime that is fit for the 21st century. The Bill will:

• ensure that the UK’s data protection framework is suitable for the new digital age, and cement the UK’s position at the forefront of technological innovation, international data sharing and protection of personal data
• strengthen rights and empower individuals to have more control over their personal data including a right to be forgotten when individuals no longer want their data to be processed, provided that there are no legitimate grounds for retaining it
• establish a new data protection regime for non-law enforcement data processing, replacing the Data Protection Act 1998
• modernise and update the regime for data processing by law enforcement agencies

Courts Bill

This Bill will reform the courts system in England and Wales to ensure it is more efficient and accessible, and in doing so utilise more modern technology. The Bill will:

• end direct cross examination of domestic violence victims by their alleged perpetrators in the family courts and allow more victims to participate in trials without having to meet their alleged assailant face-to-face
• introduce digital services which will allow businesses to pursue their cases quickly, enabling them to recover debts more easily
• provide a better working environment for judges, allowing more leadership positions in the judiciary to be offered on a fixed term basis, and enabling judges to be deployed more flexibly

Other Bills

• Brexit Agriculture Bill
• Brexit Immigration Bill

Non-legislative measures

The 2017-19 programme will also include three Finance Bills to implement budget decisions. Summer Finance Bill 2017 will include a range of tax measures including those to tackle avoidance. The programme will also include a technical Bill to ratify several minor EU agreements and further Bills, which will be announced in due course, to effect the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. The Government will also be taking forward a range of other measures which may not require primary legislation.

• Digital Charter – The Government will work with technology companies, charities, communities and international partners to develop a Digital Charter, making sure it is underpinned by an effective regulatory framework
• Armed Forces Covenant – The Government has stressed that, along with local authorities, the wider public sector, charities, commercial organisations and civil society they all have a role in supporting the Armed Forces community. This includes support to veterans in the areas of employment, healthcare, housing, education, and financial advice.