Government confirms that it has decided not to proceed with Bill of Rights Bill

However, Justice Secretary tells MPs that government remains committed to human rights framework that is ‘up to date, fit for purpose and works for the British people’

The government has confirmed that it has decided not to proceed with the the Bill of Rights Bill which would revoke and replace the Human Rights Act 1998.

NB – the second reading of the Bill, which was due to take place on 12 September 2022, was postponed amid reports that it was unlikely to progress in its current form.

Responding yesterday to an oral question in the House of Commons on whether it remains the government’s intention to update and modernise human rights law while remaining in adherence to the European Convention on Human Rights, Justice Secretary Alex Chalk said –

'Yes, that is correct. Having carefully considered the government’s legislative programme in the round, I can inform the House that we have decided not to proceed with the Bill of Rights, but the government remain committed to a human rights framework that is up to date, fit for purpose and works for the British people.'

Mr Chalk added that –

'We have taken and are taking action to address specific issues with the Human Rights Act 1998 and the European convention, including through the Illegal Migration Bill, the Victims and Prisoners Bill, the Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Act 2021 and the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill, the last of which addressed vexatious claims against veterans and the armed forces. It is right that we recalibrate and rebalance our constitution over time, and that process continues.'

Mr Chalk's oral answer in Parliament is available from Hansard.