Reforming the Mental Health Act: Independent review to draft bill
A timeline of reforming the Mental Health Act up to the draft Mental Health Bill, including the independent review, white paper, and pre-legislative scrutiny.

This Library briefing paper provides analysis of Parts 3 and 4 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (the Bill). Parts 3 and 4 would amend various pieces of public order law to change to how protests and unauthorised encampments (Gypsy and Traveller sites associated with trespass) are policed.
Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill 2019-21: Part 3 and 4- Public order and unauthorised encampments (898 KB , PDF)
Part 3 (clauses 54 to 60), of the Bill would make major changes to the way protests are policed in England and Wales:
The Bill’s Explanatory Notes say the measures are necessary because recent
Part 4 (clauses 61 to 63) of the Bill would amend the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (CJPOA) to:
Parts 3 and 4 are amongst the most controversial provisions in the Bill.
Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire & Rescue Services has given their “qualified support for…. Home Office proposals for changes in the law”. They say they “would improve the effectiveness of protest policing, as long as they are applied proportionately and in line with human rights law”. Human rights advocates have not agreed. Gracie Bradley (the Director of Liberty) says the provisions concerning protest will “undermine protest, which is the lifeblood of a healthy democracy”.
The Government’s pre-legislative consultation regarding unauthorised encampments generated a number of organised campaigns in opposition including an e-petition which garnered 134,932 signatures. The petition called the Government’s proposed criminal offence “extreme, illiberal and unnecessary”.
The Government says there is an “appetite to extend powers available to the police when dealing with unauthorised encampments” particularly from local authorities. It says it the new offence, in combination with its proposed amendments to the CJPOA will
It says the new offence will not affect ramblers and that its intention is to “deter trespassers from setting up or residing on an unauthorised encampment.”
Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill 2019-21: Part 3 and 4- Public order and unauthorised encampments (898 KB , PDF)
A timeline of reforming the Mental Health Act up to the draft Mental Health Bill, including the independent review, white paper, and pre-legislative scrutiny.
A Westminster Hall debate on returning forcibly deported children to Ukraine is scheduled for Wednesday 21 May 2025, from 2.30pm to 4.00pm. The debate will be led by Johanna Baxter MP.
An e-petition on transgender people self-identifying their legal gender (e-petition 701159) is being debated in Westminster Hall on 19 May 2025. The debate will be opened by Dr Roz Savage MP.