Update: Second reading of the Bill of Rights

Date: 9th November 2022
Category: General measures of implementation, Incorporation

"Back to Work" post-it

New Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, has re-appointed Dominic Raab as Justice Secretary, meaning a revival of his Bill of Rights (or more appropriately “Rights Removal Bill”). Catch up on the latest updates here!

This Bill is due to have its second reading in Westminster in the coming weeks although a date has not yet been confirmed. Ahead of this, the Joint Committee on Human Rights has written a letter to Raab, asking for clarification of the new Cabinet’s position on the Bill after it had been shelved for redrafting by his predecessor just weeks ago. Together is working with the Children’s Rights Alliance for England (CRAE), Children in Wales and Children’s Law Centre in Northern Ireland on a joint briefing ahead of the second reading.

A recent report published by the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland reveals how the Bill of Rights would undermine children’s rights in Scotland if passed. The Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland has recently published a report outlining how a repeal of the Human Rights Act (HRA) would undermine children and young people’s rights in Scotland and the importance of the current HRA and its incorporation of the European Convention on Human Rights. The CYPCS draws attention to the current need of a human rights approach during the current cost of living crisis.