2022 March 28

On Monday 28 March 2022 the House received a message from the Lords regarding the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill. Motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 72B, and to propose amendments (a) and (b) in lieu. Lords Amendment 72B would make it an offence to harass or intimidate a person based on hostility to their sex or gender and require the Secretary of State to pass regulations within six months requiring police forces to record data on offences which fall under this section or which the victim reports as being motivated by misogyny. These measures would increase public awareness, improve victims’ confidence in reporting, and enhance the way the police respond to violence against women. The Government’s amendments proposed to replace the Lords Amendment would give the Government 12 months to respond to the Law Commission’s report, which raised concerns about that recognising misogyny in this way may complicate the prosecution of rape and sexual assault. However, the Lords Amendment has already been altered in recognition of those concerns. I voted against the motion, which passed, Ayes:243 and Noes:148.

The Skills and Post-16 Education Bill seeks to reform these areas of education. This includes the replacement of existing Level 3 vocational qualifications such as BTECs with new T-Levels. The Government had initially planned to withdraw BTECs as soon as possible, but has since delayed these plans by a year. On Monday 28 March 2022, the Commons received a message from the Lords regarding the Bill. The Government motion was to disagree with the Lords Amendment in question. As such, an ‘Aye’ vote is to remove the amendment, and a ‘No’ vote is to retain the amendment. Lords Amendment 15B would require BTECs and other Level 3 vocational qualifications to remain available for three years, and one further year unless public consultation has been undertaken and employer representative bodies have consented. The Government do not appear to fully recognise the value of existing qualifications, and the detriment to young people which may result from an inadequate transition period. I voted against the motion, which passed, Ayes: 280 and Noes: 152.