Alan Lodge's Blog

Dear Alan Lodge,

You recently signed the petition “Don’t criminalise trespass”:
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/300139

MPs will debate the Police, Crime, Courts and Sentencing Bill on Monday 15 and Tuesday 16 March in the main House of Commons chamber.

This is a Second Reading debate, where Members debate the general principles of the Bill. At the end of the debate, the Commons decides whether the Bill should be given its second reading, meaning it can proceed to the next stage.

The Government has said that this Bill will create a criminal offence of residing in a vehicle on land without permission, but that the new offence has been framed in such a way as to ensure that the rights of ramblers and others to enjoy the countryside are not impacted. The Government has said that the Bill will also give the police the power to seize vehicles, and strengthen existing powers.

You can read the Government’s factsheet about this Bill’s provisions on unauthorised encampments here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/police-crime-sentencing-and-courts-bill-2021-factsheets/police-crime-sentencing-and-courts-bill-2021-unauthorised-encampments-factsheet

Watch the debate, which should start at approximately 3.30pm on Monday and 12.30pm on Tuesday, here:

Monday 15 March: https://www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/b1c475ce-a63f-4769-9070-566963040718

Tuesday 16 March: https://www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/67a700ab-4500-4fdb-802b-f2e06854f6e1

You’ll be able to read a transcript of the debates a few hours after they happen: https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons

Find out more about Second Readings here: https://www.parliament.uk/about/how/laws/passage-bill/lords/lrds-commons-second-reading/

This debate is in addition to any debate the Petitions Committee schedules on this petition. We’ll message you to let you know as soon as the Committee schedules a debate on this petition.

Thanks,
The Petitions team
UK Government and Parliament