Good afternoon,
With the Brexit deal agreed what will come next? The FT reported this week that plans are already underway to regress on workers’ rights and some Brexit Bills are still making their way through parliament. We also have a guest piece from Kathryn Sturgeon about our new report “Seizing the Opportunity: the case for embracing civil society’s role in democracy.” As usual we have recommended reading for your Friday.
Enjoy,
Jacob
In Politics
What Next?
Some key Brexit Bills still to pass
Workers’ rights potentially at risk
With the new Brexit deal having passed Parliament and now in force, news on the Brexit front has died down a bit however, there is the key question of what comes next?
There is still progress to be made when it comes to legislating for Brexit, with two pieces of legislation still being debated in Parliament.
First is the Environment Bill 2019-21, which will establish the Office for Environmental Protection. This body will be the new regulator for the environment. Some progress has happened with a Chair, Dame Glenys Stacey, appointed just before Christmas but the Bill is still progressing through the Commons. It is due to have its report stage and third reading on Tuesday 26th January.
Second is the Trade Bill 2019-21, which enables the roll over of international trade agreements from the EU to the UK but with limited scrutiny. The Trade Justice Movement has a good briefing about the constitutional impacts of the Bill here. Next week the Bill will receive its Third reading in the House of Lords with the Commons to consider any amendments by the Lords the next day.
There is also the question of what happens to rights and standards going forward. This week Peter Foster, Public Policy Editor at the FT, reports that UK workers’ rights are at risk. He reports that protections such as the 48 hour work week and calculations about holiday pay are potentially in the line to be removed as the Government explores regulations post-Brexit.
As we said last week protections for rights and standards in the agreed deal are limited. If the UK Government does reduce workers’ rights the dispute mechanism in the agreement will only be triggered if a high bar of “affecting trade or investment” is met.
The new Business Secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng, has denied that the Government will lower standards “we are not going to lower the standards of workers’ rights”. Though this question about the future of workers’ rights does raise the question of what does the Government want to do with its new regulatory freedom post-Brexit? Ministers have frequently stated they want to keep our high standards and that ours are higher than the minimums demanded by EU legislation but legislative action to protect them has suggested otherwise.
In Policy
Seizing the Opportunity: The case for embracing civil society’s role in democracy
Guest piece by Kathryn Sturgeon
Join the report launch on 21/01/21 here
The Brexit Civil Society Alliance have spent the last few years drawing together civil society organisations (CSOs) to respond to the policy challenges posed by leaving the European Union. From this work, we have seen the importance of CSOs in bridging the gap between citizens and the state, the vital evidence and expertise that they bring to the table, and their importance in holding decision-makers to account. As we look to the future - at policies for a post-Brexit, post-pandemic UK - we see this as a key moment for governments to fully embrace this role of CSOs. Our new report Seizing the Opportunity: the case for embracing civil society’s role in democracy sets our vision and how this can be achieved.
The report is split into four parts, looking at:
the role of CSOs in democratic practices and how organisations currently interact with policy formation and decision making across the UK;
the systemic barriers faced by CSOs
how engagement with CSOs fits in the broader context of current democratic innovations and what reforms have been proposed previously
Recommendations for best practice and what tangible changes need to be implemented by governments.
One of the most valuable experiences whilst doing research for the report was speaking to CSOs and discussing the different barriers they face. What became apparent was that across all different forms of interaction with government - whether at a local level or in high level meetings at Westminster - a lack of collaborative culture was the biggest barrier to meaningful engagement. Tackling embedded views on the role of the third sector is certainly one of the biggest steps that needs to be taken, and will need sustained effort on all sides.
Our report also looks at the work of CSOs outside of direct engagement with decision-makers - the vital work done in the public sphere through advocacy, protest, and bringing attention to issues. The latest research by the Sheila McKechnie Foundation shows that 9 out of 10 campaigners feel that these rights are under threat - a shrinking of civic space is also highlighted in our report. Democracy needs clear and enforceable rights in order to flourish, and our report joins many others in calling for an end to this hostility by politicians.
Our vision is for a vibrant civil society in which civil society organisations can engage in democratic processes inside and outside of the formal policy sphere. Ours is not the only voice calling for civil society to be better embraced by decision-makers: come to our launch to learn more about our recommendations and to hear from our speakers, Sue Tibballs, CEO of Sheila McKechnie Foundation, and Ruth Ibegbuna, founder of RECLAIM project, The Roots Programme, and Rekindle School, and a Commissioner on the Commission on Civil Society.
In Parliament
Watch Commons and Lords debates and Committee sessions free on parliamentlive.tv
House of Commons
Tuesday 19th
Consideration of Lords amendments - The Trade Bill
House of Lords
Monday 18th
Legislation - Trade Bill - third reading
Wednesday 20th
EU Environment Sub-Committee - Oral evidence - Future UK-EU relations: energy, environment and health (9:30am to 12:30pm) Location: Virtual meeting
EU International Agreements Sub-Committee - Oral evidence - Environment, climate and international trade (3:40pm to 6:00pm) Location: Virtual meeting
In Events
Speakers announced - Brexit Civil Society Alliance Report Launch
Seizing the Opportunity: The case for embracing civil society’s role in democracy
Thursday 21st January 2021
11:00 to 12:30
For too long decision making has lacked transparency, been too centralised, and failed to recognise and represent those on the receiving end of Government policy. Our report comes out at a time when it is vital for those in power to hear from those they are elected to serve.
Join us at our launch event to hear from the report author, Kathryn Sturgeon, about the report which aims to provide a way forward setting out the structural and cultural shifts that are required to truly include the voices of civil society organisations in democratic and policy-making processes.
Programme
Introduction to the report: Malene Bratlie, Brexit Civil Society Alliance Coordinator, and Kathryn Sturgeon, report author, on Seizing the Opportunity: The case for embracing civil society’s role in democracy
Opening keynote speaker: Sue Tibballs, CEO of Sheila McKechnie Foundation, will speak about the need for civil society to be engaged with properly
Question and Answers
Join one of three interactive group sessions:
What does meaningful engagement look like and how do we collectively advocate for it?
Led by Jane Thomas the former Coordinator of the Brexit Civil Society AllianceHow does civil society respond to the shrinking of civic space?
Led by Kristiana Wrixon Head of Policy at ACEVOLessons from Wales: how do we improve engagement with Westminster
Led by Anna Nicholl Director of Strategy & Sector Development at WCVA
Panel featuring session leads to share experiences from the breakout groups
Closing keynote: Ruth Ibegbuna, Founder of RECLAIM, The Roots Programme, Rekindle School, and a Commissioner in the new Commission on Civil Society will speak about her experience and what needs to be done to get civil society heard in the policy process.
Sign up for your free ticket today!
TICKETS
Recommended Reading
Briefing by Here For Good with Bindmans and Public Law Centre clarifying the new immigration rules and access to services for EU citizens during the ‘Grace Period’ download here
“Brexit leaves Spain’s Costa Brits facing dilemmas” on the BBC
Faisal Islam, Economics Editor BBC, reports that moving house from GB to NI might require customs declarations.