Legislative Consent: Victims and Prisoners Bill

The Victims and Prisoners Bill (the Bill) was introduced in the House of Commons on 29 March 2023.

The long title to the Bill notes that it is a Bill “to Make provision about victims of criminal conduct and others affected by criminal conduct; about the appointment and functions of individuals to act as independent public advocates for victims of major incidents; about the release of prisoners; about the membership and functions of the Parole Board; to prohibit certain prisoners from forming a marriage or civil partnership; and for connected purposes.”

The Bill is subject to the legislative consent process under Standing Order 29. This is when the consent of the Welsh Parliament is sought by the UK Government to legislate on an issue which falls within the competence of the Senedd.

A vote was taken in Plenary on 7 May 2024 in relation to: clause 16 about restricting parental responsibility where one parent kills the other; clause 17 about domestic abuse related death reviews; and Part 3 and the associated Schedule relating to compensation for victims of the infected blood scandal. The motion was agreed.

A vote was taken in Plenary on 7 May 2024 in relation to: clauses 1 to 4, 11, 26 and 27 about victims of criminal conduct and a Victims code; clause 15 about guidance about specified victim support roles; and clauses 28 to 33 and 35 to 39 about victims of major incidents. The motion was not agreed.

On 22 May 2024 it was announced that a UK General Election would take place on 4 July 2024. The remaining UK parliamentary stages for the Victims and Prisoners Bill took place during the wash-up period and the Bill was passed on 24 May 2024, before the prorogue of Parliament on the same day and its dissolution on 30 May 2024. This means the Senedd’s consent process is no longer engaged.

The Victims and Prisoners Bill became an Act on 24 May 2024.

Supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum – April 2024

The Welsh Government laid a Supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum (PDF 192KB) on the Bill before the Senedd on 30 April 2024.

Supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum – April 2024

The Welsh Government laid a Supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum (PDF 235KB) on the Bill before the Senedd on 15 April 2024.

The Business Committee referred the SLCM to the Equality and Social Justice Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee, with a reporting deadline of 29 April 2024 (PDF 38KB).

The Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee laid its report (195KB) on 29 April 2024. The Welsh Government responded (PDF 203KB) to the report on 25 June 2024.

The Equality and Social Justice Committee laid its report (147KB) on 30 April 2024.

Legislative Consent Memorandum – May 2023

The Welsh Government laid a Legislative Consent Memorandum (PDF 183KB) on the Bill before the Senedd on 19 May 2023.

The Business Committee referred the LCM to the Equality and Social Justice Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee, with a reporting deadline of 14 July 2023 (PDF 38.3KB).

The Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee laid its report (152KB) on the Victims and Prisoners Bill Legislative Consent Memorandum on 3 July 2023. The Welsh Government responded (PDF 190KB) to the report on 11 August 2023.

The Equality and Social Justice Committee laid its report on the Victims and Prisoners Bill Legislative Consent Memorandum on 13 July 2023.