Displaying items by tag: new legislation

Momentum is growing in parliament for a ban on under-16s using social media, after the House of Lords backed a key amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. The proposal would require social media platforms to implement highly effective age-verification systems within a year of the law passing. While the Government initially resisted an outright ban, pressure from opposition parties, bereaved parents, charities, and Labour backbenchers has softened its stance. Many peers cited evidence of harm to children’s mental health, wellbeing, and development, sharing personal testimonies and research on the risks of excessive screen use. With similar restrictions already introduced in Australia, ministers are now consulting on how a UK ban might work in practice. The amendment now returns to the House of Commons, where overturning it could prove politically difficult. Government statements suggest action is increasingly likely, with a focus on helping children develop healthier relationships via phones and social media, while balancing evidence, parental concerns, and expert advice. A ban in some form now appears almost inevitable.

MPs are debating plans to remove the immunity provision from legislation addressing unresolved crimes from the Northern Ireland Troubles. The Government is seeking approval for an order to overturn elements of the previous Legacy Act, including a scheme that would have granted immunity from prosecution to individuals involved in Troubles-related offences in exchange for cooperation with a truth recovery body. That scheme was ruled unlawful and never implemented. Northern Ireland secretary Hilary Benn said the changes are necessary to restore trust among victims’ families and communities who strongly oppose immunity for those responsible for violence and murder. The order would also lift restrictions on bringing new civil claims, reinstating the right of families to seek justice through the courts. In response to concerns among veterans’ groups that this could expose former members of the armed forces to repeated or unfair legal action, the Government intends to introduce safeguards for veterans, including limits on reinvestigation, health protections, anonymity provisions, and alternative ways of giving evidence.

Emergency laws will very soon be enacted to exonerate and compensate hundreds wrongfully convicted in the Post Office scandal. Post Office minister Kevin Hollinrake called their suffering a 'brutal and arbitrary exercise of power' and allocated £1 billion for compensation. Among over 900 convictions spanning 16 years, only 93 have been overturned so far. The scandal stemmed from errors in the Horizon computer system, leading to false accusations against sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses. While former sub-postmaster Alan Bates, who inspired the ITV drama 'Mr. Bates vs the Post Office’, cautiously welcomed the new law, he awaited further details. Rishi Sunak confirmed that those previously convicted in England and Wales would be cleared and compensated under this law. Similar plans are in place for convictions in Scotland, managed under its separate legal system. The Government aims to complete the process of overturning convictions by the end of 2024. However, concerns have been raised regarding the decision to use an act of parliament to overturn convictions, as it raises questions about the independence of the courts.

Turkish prosecutors have issued arrest warrants for over 200 people accused of links to an outlawed group the government blames for the 2016 failed coup. Security forces are searching for 191 people, 181 of whom were active members of the air forces. Prosecutors also named suspects found on the messaging app ByLock which was used by followers of cleric Fethullah Gulen. Erdogan blames Gulen for the 2016 coup attempt that left 250+ dead and 2,000+ injured. Gulen, who lives in self-imposed American exile, denies involvement in attempting to unseat Erdogan. The latest arrests are part of a renewed push to suppress the group as parliament resumes debating a controversial bill boosting the powers of a neighbourhood watch force - Erdogan’s latest effort to tighten his grip on the country. The legislation would allow 28,000 watchmen to frisk citizens, demand identification, search their cars, and use weapons if needed.