Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Bill: Progress of the Bill

This is a note on the progress through both Houses of Parliament of the Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Bill (the Bill). It complements Library Research Paper 14/38 prepared for the Commons Second Reading.

The Coalition Agreement included a commitment to encourage volunteering and involvement in social action. The Government intends that the Bill will help to fulfil this commitment by reassuring volunteers (and others) that the courts will consider the context of their actions in the event that they are sued for negligence or breach of statutory duty. The Bill is one of a number of initiatives being pursued by the Government to tackle the perception of a “compensation culture” which, among other things, may deter people from volunteering or getting involved in activities of benefit to the community.

The Bill was not amended in the House of Commons. Two Government amendments, one to Clause 3 and the other to Clause 4, were agreed in the House of Lords. The House of Commons is due to consider Lords amendments on 2 February 2015.