Workers, football fans, rail commuters, and local communities will all benefit from new laws that have come into force, and laws currently going through the UK Parliament, since Labour took office only just over a year ago.
We have introduced a new Bill every 4 Parliamentary sitting days, delivering the change we promised in the form of new laws and rights.
Already, tangible change has been achieved.
For example, Great British Energy, established in the Great British Energy Act, is investing millions in funding for new rooftop solar power and renewable energy schemes for schools, hospitals and communities – as part of work for the UK to become a clean energy superpower.
Two railway operating companies (South Western & C2C) have already been taken back into public ownership using powers in the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Act – putting passengers not profit first and water bosses at six companies have been banned from getting bonuses, thanks to the Water (Special Measures) Act.
However, there is still a lot more to be done and at this moment, there are currently 24 Bills still progressing through Parliament aimed at improving the lives of hardworking people and families.
Differences that will be made by the new legislation being considered include:
• Workers will soon have more job security, through the Employment Rights Bill tackling low pay and poor working conditions, banning exploitative zero hours contracts, ending fire and rehire, strengthening sick pay and flexible working, introducing a right to bereavement leave and improving protections for whistleblowers.
• The public will be better protected through our Crime and Policing Bill, giving police more powers to tackle anti-social behaviour, seize and crush nuisance bikes terrorising communities, and strengthen laws on the online sale of knives.
• Border Security Command will be given counter-terrorism powers, through the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill to smash the vile people smuggling trade, securing our borders and tackling small boat crossings.
• Fans will be put first, through the Football Governance Bill which will establish a new Independent Football Regulator, to improve the financial resilience of clubs, and keep them at the heart of their communities.
Important legislation has also been passed in the UK Labour Government’s first year in office to, amongst other things, increase the National Minimum Wage, extend the fuel duty cut, implement the Online Safety Act including protections for children, strengthen police vetting procedures, ban disposable vapes, ban ninja swords and introduce the gambling levy.
MPs passing new rules and laws in Parliament doesn’t always make the front pages or hit the headlines but it can still have a huge impact and influence on everyday life, the amount of money in people’s pockets and much else besides.