1. Participation in legislation An English Perspective

2. My background Worked for Member of Parliament 1997- 98 Worked as Parliamentary Officer for childcare organisation and NCVO Now work on the Compact

3. What is needed for better legislation Better policy development before legislation Better legislative process (including scrutiny of legislation) Civil society working together to improve its effectiveness to influence policy and legislation

4. Policy development before legislation Government needs to: Be more open Provide information proposals and policy development, and how to take part Carry out effective consultation, not just written but actively engage those affected

5. Policy development before legislation Civil society needs to: Work together to enable effective responses and to develop skills, and to spread information Work with others (eg coalitions) to make their voice heard Be clear about how organisations came to their views in response to consultations

6. Traditional legislative process Legislative process in England is poor: Executive too powerful Legislation often rushed (one year) Lack of resources for scrutiny Commons too politicised Lack of opportunity for NGOs to be involved Parliament doesn’t like outsiders

7. But some improvements… Draft legislation More openness Opportunities for using new technology But still more to do – most bills aren’t draft and MPs still lack resources

8. Civil society and legislation Disseminate information about legislation Help build skills of civil society Persuade Parliament to improve engagement with civil society Build coalitions to influence process

9. Good legislation / bad legislation Charities Bill: –Strategy Unit review –Home Office consultation –Draft bill Criminal Records Bureau: –Rushed before the election –Doesn’t work

10. European Union 60-80% of UK legislation starts in EU EU institutions need to improve their dialogue with civil society EU constitution and “Euro Compact” European civil society working together – Eurogroup in England, CEDAG in Europe

11. …For further information about the Compact See www.thecompact.org.ukwww.thecompact.org.uk Email: compact@ncvo-vol.org.ukcompact@ncvo-vol.org.uk