Hard Brexit given force of law as May commits to end of free movement
A future outside Europe dominates legislation in the making as PM adamant she will get the job done
THE Prime Minister has enshrined her commitment to a hard Brexit in law as she used the Queen’s Speech to unveil legislation that will end free movement and enable the UK to strike new trade deals.
Theresa May announced plans for nine new laws on Brexit – equivalent to a third of the legislation in the Queen’s Speech – as she staked her future in Downing Street on successfully negotiating Britain’s departure from the European Union.
She unveiled relatively little domestic legislation after being forced to abandon unpopular policies in a bid to ensure that the Queen’s Speech passes into law and she can form a minority Government.
Mrs May said: “We need to get Brexit right. That means getting a deal which delivers the result of last year’s referendum and does so in a way that commands maximum public support.
“While we will be a Government that consults and listens, we are clear that we are going to see Brexit through, working with Parliament, business, the devolved administrations and others to ensure a smooth and orderly withdrawal.”
Repeal Bill
In one of the biggest legislative exercises in history, the Government will formally revoke the European Communities Act of 1972 on the day that Britain leaves the European Union.
The Government will transfer up to 19,000 European laws and regulations into British law in one of the biggest shake-ups of Britain’s statute books in history.
The Bill creates powers for Parliament to make what are expected to be a huge number of technical amendments to EU rules and regulations to ensure they are appropriate.
It will pave the way for Parliament to repeal or amend unwanted EU laws after Brexit, with Tory MPS calling for a reduction of EU red tape.
The legislation was previously referred to as the Great Repeal Bill but the prefix has been dropped, apparently on the orders of parliamentary draftsmen. Erskine May, the bible on parliamentary procedure, says a Government bill must not use an “argumentative title or slogan”.
Customs and trade
In a significant win for senior Eurosceptics in the Government, Mrs May announced two new laws that will enable Britain to strike new trade deals after it leaves the European Union.
A Customs Bill will enable the UK to create its own “standalone” customs regime – meaning that it will be able to set its own taxes on imported goods and have greater controls over its borders.
It will enable Britain to leave the EU’S customs union and develop its own trade policy.
Mrs May said that the Bill would help “create a country that is stronger, fairer, more united and more outwardlooking than ever before”.
The end of free movement
The Prime Minister unveiled plans for a new Immigration Bill that will formally bring an end to the free movement of EU nationals – one of the key demands of those who voted for Brexit.
While pledging to ensure that Britain can still attract the “brightest and the best”, the legislation will make “EU nationals and their family members subject to the relevant UK law once the UK has left the EU”.
The Government is expected to introduce a quota system for low-skilled workers while allowing the continued free movement of high-skilled workers. Downing Street said that the Government still remains “absolutely” committed to reducing net migration to less than 100,000, although the pledge was not included in the speech.
Farming and fisheries
Farmers are increasingly concerned that they will lose billions of pounds’ worth of EU subsidies after Brexit. Ministers have committed to an Agriculture Bill which will help support “a thriving and more self-reliant farming sector that is more competitive, proeventually ductive and profitable”. The Government has pledged to match agricultural subsidies until 2022 – what happens afterwards is one of the most contentious aspects of Brexit.
A new Fisheries Bill will enable Britain to control access to its waters and set fishing quotas, likely to become a key aspect of Brexit negotiations.
Other Brexit legislation
Ministers have also announced a Nuclear Safeguards Bill that will ensure Britain meets international obligations after leaving the EU. An international sanctions law will be introduced to ensure that Britain can impose sanctions on Russia and other nations.
Grenfell
In the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster, a new Independent Public Advocate will be appointed to represent victims and their families.
Ministers will also consider plans for a new Civil Disaster Reaction Taskforce to help at times of emergency following criticism of the lack of support given to victims of the fire last week.
Transport
Ministers have announced a package of policies that will help Britain become a “global leader” in driverless and electric cars. Motorway services and petrol stations will be forced to install electric charging points under the Automated and Electric Charges Bill, while car insurance will be extended to self-driving cars.
The Government also unveiled new powers that will license a new generation of space flights from the UK, including vertically launched rockets and satellites. The legislation will also pave the way for Britain’s first spaceport.
The new High Speed Rail Bill will enable the development of the next phase of the line from the West Midlands to Crewe. The line is expected to open in 2027 and the new law will enable the compulsory purchase of land.
Holidaymakers who book online will also be given greater protections under the Atol scheme, which was devised before the explosion of travel websites.
Law and order
Victims of domestic violence will no longer face direct cross-examination by their alleged abusers in family courts. Under the Courts Bill they will also be allowed to give evidence by video so they do not have to meet their attackers face to face.
Ministers have also announced plans to relieve pressure on courts by allowing those charged with less serious criminal offences to opt to plead guilty and pay a fixed penalty fine online.
The Government has also announced plans for a new Domestic and Violence Abuse Commissioner to “stand up for victims and survivors” and raise public awareness.
There will also be a crackdown on whiplash claims under the Civil Liability Bill, which will stop claims being settled by insurers without medical evidence.
Armed Forces
The Government will try to address the Armed Forces’ current recruitment crisis with a series of policies designed to improve their appeal to those with young families. The legislation will enable servicemen and women to work part-time and to avoid being deployed far from home unless there are significant operational reasons. Mothers returning from maternity leave will also be given more support to help them return to work.
Mental health
A new Mental Health Act will ensure those suffering from mental illness are treated fairly and protected from discrimination. It is expected to consider whether too many people are being detained on mental health grounds, especially black and ethnic minorities.
Right to be forgotten
A new Data Protection Bill will give people a “right to be forgotten”, giving Facebook users a new legal right to wipe clean all photos, messages and information that they put online before turning 18. There are concerns that people’s career prospects are being damaged by comments they made as teenagers.
Tenants’ Fees Bill
Landlords and estate agents will be barred from charging their tenants letting fees amid concerns that millions of people who rent are being ripped off. However landlords have warned that they are prepared to increase rents.
Patient safety
Amid mounting concerns about the scale of claims against the NHS, thegovernment has announced a new Health Service Safety Investigation Body to carry out independent investigations into patient risks. It will also ban the disclosure of information held by the new body, “enabling participants to be as candid as possible”.