Well, we’re all eagerly waiting to see who’s left working in Downing Street by the end of the day. I’ve heard whispers that the dog and the two babies are planning a joint resignation. Be that as it may, we can’t be watching the famous door all the time- there’s things happening elsewhere (albeit this week, as it happens, not too much of interest for us). But what there is, we’ve got here.

Westminster

Not much in Westminster this week, a few scattered mentions of the Binder v SoS for Work and Pensions case (now available in audio form for members- check the case law section of the Member’s Area!). Perhaps the most interesting debate was in the Lords, where Peers discussed an amendment demanding that the SoS consult on new regulations requiring staircases in all new-build properties to comply with the latest industry standards. This is part of the continuing post-Grenfell efforts to improve building safety, the continuing need for which has been highlighted recently by abortive efforts to build a new tower block in Tower Hamlets which would only have had one staircase. We’re also still waiting to see the results of the Government’s consultation on personal evacuation plans which the Minister was pressed on, but gave no comment on.

Scotland

Scotland does give us a lot of interesting transport cases. A combination of challenging geography and often sub-par weather means that much of the transport infrastructure is both essential and difficult to manage. Abellio ScotRail the rail franchise in Scotland which will shortly be replaced by a nationalised service, has come under fire this week in the Scottish Parliamentarians for their decision to undertake a timetabling consultation during the pandemic when most people have not been travelling. It’s not the first time they’ve been criticised recently with further criticism coming over their recent ticket office closure consultation, the first for almost 30 years. It’s only about 60 days until the franchise is lost, so it’s probably too late for them to make any changes- but it should be interesting to see how the new body will handle the fallout from the timetabling consultation…

Northern Ireland

Possibly one of the most extensive lists of consultation related amendments I’ve ever seen was in the Northern Ireland Assembly this week being considered with the Climate Change (No. 2) Bill- I don’t propose to take you through them all, as I’d quite like to go on holiday at some point this year- mostly they were introductions of statutory requirements to consult on carbon budgets, land use strategies and various other climate change measures. If nothing else it demonstrates how well accepted the idea of consultation on climate change has become- much as it should have done. With many of the amendments being accepted- it could well be a very busy time for the Executive as they work their way through their new consultation obligations, assuming they don’t get taken out again at a later stage…

Wales

I’m increasingly worried about Wales, can someone drop in and check on them? I think this is the longest period we’ve ever gone from one of the legislatures to have nothing to discuss.