Legislation / Legal
WAG: Draft legislation that could give the National Assembly for Wales new powers to create its own environment laws has been presented to Assembly Members (AMs) and Parliament. If approved, the revised Environment Legislative Competence Order (LCO) will provide the Assembly with legislative competence to make Welsh laws, called Measures, on the Environment in relation to three specific areas: waste, pollution and nuisances.
Ofgem: Ofgem has welcomed the Competition Appeal Tribunal’s (CAT) decision to uphold Ofgem’s finding that National Grid was in breach of competition law, restricting the development of competition in the domestic gas meter market.
In its decision the CAT has ruled that National Grid should face a £30m financial penalty – although lower than the £41.6 million fine imposed by Ofgem it is the highest penalty for abuse of dominance imposed to date in the UK. In its judgment the CAT has also upheld Ofgem’s directions which require National Grid to bring these multi-million pound contracts into compliance with competition law.
ScotGov: Scotland's first Marine Bill has been introduced to the Scottish Parliament. Key measures include a new marine planning framework so that increasing use of the seas for energy, fishing, aquaculture, recreation and other purposes is well managed. In addition improved marine nature & historic conservation will safeguard & protect Scotland's unique habitats, wildlife and marine archaeology & wrecks
Scotland's seas generate more than £2.2bn of marine-industry (excluding oil & gas) and provide 50,000 jobs in Scotland. They support approximately 6,500 species of plants & animals (44,000 if microbial species are included). Scotland has 18,862 km of coastline (59% of the UK total) and 470,000 km² of seas (60% of total).
Press release ~ ScotGov – Marine Bill ~ Marine Bill Consultation document ~ Analysis of responses to the Scottish Government's consultation on proposals for a Scottish Marine Bill
GEO: Harriet Harman has published the Equality Bill which will simplify the law which, over the last four decades, has become complex & difficult to navigate. Nine major pieces of legislation and around 100 other measures will be replaced by a single Act written in plain English intended to make it easier for individuals and employers to understand their legal rights and obligations. The Bill is expected to come in to force from autumn 2010 – See ‘In the News’ section for more information.
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