Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee

The House of Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee has published a critical Report on the Ministry of Justice’s legislation to reappoint Serco and G4S to provide electronic monitoring services in England and Wales. (That is the provision of electronic “tags” for prisoners released under licence and the monitoring of them).

In its 20th Report of Session 2023–24, the cross-party House of Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee has highlighted concerns about the Government’s plans to increase the income required for British citizens and settled residents to bring a partner to the UK, known as the Minimum Income Requirement (MIR). The report comes after the Committee considered the Home Office’s latest Statement of changes in Immigration Rules (HC 590).

In its 16th Report of Session 23-24, the cross-party House of Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee has highlighted concerns in the care sector about the Government’s plans to restrict health and social care visas under changes to immigration rules. The Committee has called on the Government to provide more information about the effect of these changes which took effect in February 2024. The report comes after the Committee considered the Home Office’s latest Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules (HC 556) (the Statement).

The cross-party House of Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee has in its 15th Report, drawn attention to the way the Home Office has handled two Orders that plan to transfer the responsibilities of the Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) of the West Midlands and South Yorkshire to the respective Mayors for each area.

The cross-party House of Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee has raised concerns about the Government’s proposals to ban ‘zombie-style’ knives. The Committee flags its concerns about the Draft Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons) (Amendment, Surrender and Compensation) Order 2024 in its latest report, questioning the policy’s likely effectiveness in removing weapons from the streets and reducing crime, as well as its value for money.

In its 4th Report of Session 2023–24, the cross-party House of Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee considered the draft Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 (Amendment of List of Safe States) Regulations 2024 and raised concerns about the lack of key information on a policy intended to tackle unfounded protection and human rights claims.

In its 54th Report of Session 2022-23, the cross-party House of Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee considered the draft Criminal Justice Act 2003 (Removal of Prisoners for Deportation) Order 2023 and has raised concerns about the lack of information provided to support a policy intended to deal with the pressure on prison places.

In its 51st Report of Session 22-23, the cross-party House of Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee considered the Draft Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Amendment) Order 2023 (the Draft Order) and has criticised the Home Office for the process it followed before laying the order.

In response to repeated criticism by the cross-party House of Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee (SLSC), the Government have undertaken to bring together relevant ministers to ensure they understand that providing timely and good quality explanatory documents with its legislation “are vital in facilitating parliamentary scrutiny”.

In response to repeated criticism by the cross-party House of Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee (SLSC), the Government have undertaken to bring together relevant ministers to ensure they understand that providing timely and good quality explanatory documents with its legislation “are vital in facilitating parliamentary scrutiny”.

The Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee comments on changes made by the Administration of Estates Act 1925 (Fixed Net Sum) Order 2023 (SI 2023/758).

Committee publish report criticising lack of public consultation on relationships and sexuality education policy in Northern Ireland

The Committee will be considering statutory instruments laid to tackle coronavirus pandemic

House of Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee considers the Draft Public Order Act 1986 (Serious Disruption to the Life of the Community) Regulations 2023

Lords Committee raises concern about lack of data on landlords who passed on costs to leaseholders due to legislative error

Lords Committee raises concerns about student loans not keeping pace with inflation