Legislation around anti-terrorism legislation, housing reform and workers rights included in Labour’s forthcoming plans.
CREDIT: JOHN KELLERMAN/Alamy Stock Photo
In the traditional state opening of Parliament today (17 July), King Charles delivered his speech to the House of Lords’ outlining Labour’s legislative programme including the implementation of Martyn’s Law.
The Martyn’s Law Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill means venues and local authorities now have a legal duty to produce preventative plans against terror attacks.
It ends a tireless campaign spearheaded by Figen Murray, whose son Martyn Hett was killed by a terrorist bomb at the Manchester Arena while attending a concert in May 2017. Ms Murray commented on the announcement saying it is a “huge relief”.
Originally supported by the previous Government, the pandemic and changes in the Tory’s leadership, held up its progress despite the legislation sitting in draft form.
In 2019, a consultation on a Bill for the Law closed, and, until today had not moved forward. However, today’s announcement means the regulation is implemented in the coming months.
Analysing the announcement and what it means, Alice Babington at Osborne Clarke, advised: “The King’s Speech has confirmed that the intention behind the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill is for certain premises and events to take steps to mitigate the impact of a terrorist attack and reduce harm in the event of a terrorist attack occurring, rather than imposing a duty to prevent terror attacks from occurring altogether.
“Measures for smaller premises in the “standard tier” will be focused on simple, low-cost activities surrounding policies and procedures. The standard tier consultation closed earlier this year, and we await the outcome of that consultation which may reconsider the criteria to define “standard tier” premises (currently, it is those with a capacity of 100 people or more).
“Those responsible for larger ‘enhanced tier’ premises and certain public event (with a capacity of 800 people or more) will be required to put in place counter terrorism measures that could be expected to reduce, so far as reasonably practicable, both the risk from an attack occurring at the premises or event as well as the risk of physical harm being caused if an attack was to occur. Those measures may include terrorism protection training, appointing a designated Senior Officer, conducting an enhanced terrorism risk assessment, and the implementation of a security plan.”
Elsewhere in his speech, the King confirmed the much-discussed planning reform for the UK housing sector. He said Labour hope to “get Britain building” in the delivery of “high-quality infrastructure and housing”.
The Government has said it will make significant changes to the current system to help built 1.5 million new homes over the next five years, which was a key component of its manifesto.
This had been met with some concern from safety and building associations who think the speed at which the build can take place could but pressure on a construction sector already struggling with a skills gap.
However, the King said the reform would have a foundation of “sustainable growth by encouraging investment in industry, skills and new technologies”.
On workers’ rights the King said the new government is “committed to making work pay” and wants to implement a “new deal for working people to ban exploitative practices and enhance employment rights”.
The new Employments Rights Bill will see the banning of zero-hour contracts and means parental leave, sick pay and protection from unfair dismissal available to all workers from day one of employment. Flexible working for employees will also be as standard for employees as soon as they take up a new post
Ruth Wilkinson, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at IOSH welcomed the Bill. “A ban on zero-hours contracts is long overdue. Such contracts make workers increasingly vulnerable in terms of their physical and mental health, as they add a huge degree of uncertainty around the duration of employment and unpredictable working hours.”
The announced Draft Equality Bill, meanwhile, makes it mandatory for firms with 250 employees or more to report their pay gaps. This already takes place for gender pay reporting but this new legislation will mean the pay gap for disabled workers will have to follow the same suit.
