Inside Westminster
Parliamentary activity of shipping interest
Climate Change Bill
The Climate Change Bill will give statutory force to the Government's targets for cutting emissions by 60 per cent by 2050 and 26-32 per cent by 2020, against a 1990 baseline. The Bill will introduce five-year carbon budgets, which will require the Government to set, in secondary legislation, binding limits on carbon dioxide emissions during five year budget periods, beginning with the period 2008-12. Emission reductions purchased overseas may be counted towards the UK's targets, consistent with the UK's international obligations. However, Ministers rejected Conservative calls for mandatory annual reductions, branding them inflexible. The Bill will also allow for the establishment of a carbon committee to work with the Government to reduce emissions overtime and set out improved monitoring and reporting arrangements. It will advise on the level of carbon budgets, reduction effort needed by sectors of the economy covered by trading schemes, and on the appropriate balance between domestic action and international trading in carbon allowances. Every five years, the Committee's report will contain an explicit review of the UK's performance over the last budget period, and the implications of this for meeting future targets and budgets.
Parliamentary Progress
This Bill is undergoing Committee stage consideration in the Lord
Introduced to the Lords by Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Minister Lord Rooker on 14 November 2007
Second Reading - 27 November 2007 (occurred)
Third Reading - 31 March 2008 (occurred)
Committee of the Whole House - 11, 17 December 2007, 8, 9, 14 January (occurred), 23 January 2008 (scheduled)
Pre-Legislative Scrutiny
Published in draft form - 13 March 2007
Consideration by Joint Committee - 16 May 2007 (occurred)
Consultation closes - 12 June 2007 (occurred - click here to download consultation document)
Joint Parliamentary Committee to report on Bill - 3 August 2007 (occurred) (Click here to open report)
This Bill was announced in the Queen's Speech statement on 6 November 2007
Draft Marine and Coastal Access Bill
Synopsis
The Marine Bill seeks to address the use and protection of marine resources in the United Kingdom
The Bill would see new marine conservation legislation and create a number of protected national parks.
It would also set out changes in fisheries and marine management to prevent exploitation of the marine environment.
Changes to the marine planning and consents regime would see new guidance and environmental standards for the development of marine resources and efforts to streamline marine licensing arrangements for marine developments.
The result of such changes would be to make it easier to build and operate offshore wind farms, develop wave power technology, and go forward with plans for Carbon Capture and Storage.
Parliamentary Progress
This Bill was announced in the Queen's Speech statement on 6 November 2007
Draft Marine Navigation Bill
Synopsis
The Bill aims to increase safety standards in British waters and ports.
It would see changes to the rules for marine pilots and an updating of the statutory framework for harbour authorities; provide general lighthouse authorities with new powers; and see the UK ratify the International Wreck Removal Convention.
Parliamentary Progress
This Bill was announced in the Queen's Speech statement on 6 November 2007
Planning Bill
A Bill to 'stablish the Infrastructure Planning Commission and make provision about its functions; to make provision about, and about matters ancillary to, the authorisation of projects for the development of nationally significant infrastructure; to make provision about town and country planning; to make provision about the imposition of a Community Infrastructure Levy; and for connected purposes'.
Synopsis
The Planning Reform Bill will create an Independent Infrastructure Planning Commission to oversee major projects and speed up the planning process. It will require developers of major projects to consult affected people and communities before submitting planning applications.
The Bill intends to produce more timely and predictable decisions on infrastructure projects which are important for economic growth, energy security, climate change and other key issues. More decisions will be devolved to local authorities, and there will be a more efficient appeals process.
It will encourage Ministerial involvement in infrastructure planning at the strategic stage rather than in individual decisions, with statutory requirements on content and consultation on national infrastrucuture projects. It intends to establish a single consents regime for nationally significant infrastructure and a streamlined process for considering planning applications.
Following the opposition to the planning gain supplement bill, the Government agreed, during the pre-budget report, to include proposals to "legislate in the Planning Reform Bill to empower Local Planning Authorities in England to apply new planning charges to new development, alongside negotiated contributions for site-specific matters".
Parliamentary Progress
This Bill is awaiting Report stage consideration in the Commons
Introduced to the Commons by Communities and Local Government Secretary Hazel Blears on 27 November 2007
Second Reading - 10 December 2007 (occurred)
Public Bill Committee - 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29, 31 January, 5 February 2008 (occurred)