Government & Legislation

Oct- 2020 -

19 October

MPs set to debate pet theft petitions

MPs are preparing to debate the growing issue of pet theft later today (19 October), after the success of three national petitions. The debate will be led by Tom Hunt MP, member of the Petitions Committee, and MPs from all parties are set to take part. In September, a petition…

Sep- 2020 -

17 September

Government extends commercial eviction ban until end of year

The government has decided to extend its commercial property eviction ban until the end of 2020. Businesses have been shielded from eviction over the last six months through the lease forfeiture and debt enforcement moratoria, which was originally set to end on 1 October. Retail and hospitality trade associations, including…

Jul- 2020 -

31 July

MPs ‘disappointed’ by lack of action over pet theft

MPs have expressed disappointment at the government’s response to their call to make pet theft a specific criminal offence. Last month, following a string of petitions with more than 250,000 signatures, the Petitions Committee supported calls for the government to ensure the value of pets is fully recognised in the…

23 July

Vets and celebrities campaign against ‘petfishing’

Vets, charities and celebrities have come together with a newly-launched government campaign to warn prospective pet owners  against unknowingly buying pets from “unscrupulous” sellers following a rise in pet demand. An open letter signed by celebrities including  Kirsty Gallacher, Paul O’Grady and Amanda Holden, and  supported by charities including Battersea Dogs and Cats Home,…

9 July

West Midlands man arrested on suspicion of £495,000 furlough fraud

A West Midlands man has been arrested as part of an HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) investigation into a suspected £495,000 Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) fraud. HMRC officers executed a search warrant yesterday (8 July 2020) in the Solihull area and arrested the 57-year-old. This is the first arrest…

8 July

Government to crack down on violence against shopworkers

The government has vowed to crack down on violence and abuse against shopworkers. In a statement, yesterday the Home Office said it will work with National Retail Crime Steering Group (NRCSG) on a best practice guide to support staff in reporting these crimes, strengthening and making full use of existing…

Apr- 2020 -

6 April

Kennel Club welcomes puppy farm legislation

The Kennel Club has welcomed the arrival of Lucy’s Law as a “long-awaited and crucial step” in efforts to curb puppy farming. The law came into place today (6 April), and will mean that puppies and kittens can no longer be sold in England by a third party seller unless…

Mar- 2020 -

30 March

The minimum wage increase is about to hit – and it beggars belief

As if to bang the final nail into the coffin himself, we can only assume the Treasury’s top man, chancellor Rishi Sunak, refuses to give ground on the next wave to crash over the retail and hospitality industries. I am talking of course about the increase in the National Minimum…

16 March

County Durham sees fall in dog issues

Work in Durham to encourage dog owners to be more responsible has seen a “welcome fall” in the amount of dog fouling and stray dogs, Durham County Council has said. The council first launched a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) in 2017 to tackle both issues, making it an offence…

13 March

Animal welfare bill supported by Scottish Parliament

The Animal and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Bill has been passed unanimously by Scottish Parliament at stage one. The new legislation, which was debated yesterday (12 March), will increase penalties for the “most serious” animal welfare offences, and provide for fixed penalties in relation to animal welfare offences…