Following the announcement of a surprise July 4 general election by a rain-soaked Rishi Sunak on Wednesday, both Houses of Parliament have been in a feverish rush to pass the most pressing pieces of legislation before MPs leave Westminster to hit the campaign trail. But this also means that the government will be abandoning a raft of laws that would have changed the lives of millions of people.
While it appears that compensation for the victims of the infected blood scandal and a bill quashing sub-postmaster convictions will be rushed through their final stages to prevent further delays, new legislation that would have banned no fault evictions, slashed leasehold charges, and created a smoke-free future, look to have all been dropped in favour of calling a general election.
Known as the “wash-up” period, the government has just today and tomorrow to finish any parliamentary business before Parliament is prorogued on Friday, May 24, and MPs sent to their constituencies, though there is no guarantee that even these bills will pass – with the Lords already voting down a smaller bill to quash 13 sub-postmaster convictions that were not seen as of the same severity as the wider scandal.
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But, with no mention of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which would have banned smoking for those born after 2009 and was pitched as part of Mr Sunak’s legacy; or the Renters Reform Bill, which would have out an end to no-fault evictions and was held up by backbench Conservatives; or even the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill, which would have saved leaseholders from crushing charges – plenty of large pieces of legislation are now quietly being scrapped.
Leader of the House, Penny Mordaunt, did not mention any of these bills in the House of Commons today when she laid out the parliamentary schedule, and with some still needing to appear before a committee before going to the Lords, it would appear the only chance they have of making it onto the statute book is either if, in the event of a Labour victory, Sir Keir Starmer makes the unlikely decision of passing Conservative laws – or if there is a victory for Mr Sunak, which the polls indicate is currently unlikely.
Ms Mordaunt also failed to mention the Football Governance Bill, which would establish an independent regulator. After providing reassurance to the victims of the Horizon scandal and the infected blood scandal that MPs would not leave until their compensation was secured, she added: “Other bills are going through discussions about remaining business which will be done on a cross-party basis, and it is common practice during wash-up that negotiations will be ongoing and we will hope to update the house on further business.”
‘Incredibly frustrating’
Managing director at mortgage lender Glenhawk, Jamie Pritchard, has said this last-minute abandoning of important laws has been “incredibly frustrating for everyone involved – from landlords and property managers to tenants who are hoping for better security and standards.”
Speaking on the loss of reform for renters, he said: “This Bill, discussed since 2019, proposes important changes like abolishing Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions, ending fixed term tenancies, and introducing mandatory ombudsman and landlord portal schemes. These changes aim to provide more security for tenants while ensuring landlords can still regain possession of their properties when necessary.”
But for millions of young people born after January 1 2009, they might not get the smoke-free future that was promised by a cross-party vote earlier this year. Cancer Research UK chief Executive Michelle Mitchell called the lack of commitment “disheartening”.
She said: “If the UK Government confirm the Tobacco and Vapes Bill will not become a new law, this will be a disheartening day for people affected by cancer, health professionals and campaigners who have worked tirelessly to save lives.
“It is vital that all parties commit to introducing the Age of Sale Bill in the first King’s Speech after the General Election. Let’s help cancers caused by smoking become a thing of the past.”
There are currently 14 Government Bills making their way through Parliament, with five carried over from the previous Parliamentary session and the remainder included for the first time in the King’s Speech last year.
Shadow Commons leader Lucy Powell said of Mr Sunak: “His abrupt dissolution of Parliament means he will start the campaign leaving many Government commitments and Bills up in the air or in the bin. His pledge on a smoke-free generation, plan for a football regulator, promises to renters and leaseholders and protections for our broadcasters now all at risk.