That this House is gravely concerned by the provisional recommendations in the Law Commission's review of the Official Secrets Act and other legislation; notes the ability of whistleblowers to make disclosures in the public interest is vital for democracy, press freedom and the well-being of the public; is shocked by the proposal to extend the maximum criminal sentence for unlawful disclosures from two years to 14 years, and to make unlawful the mere acquisition and possession of confidential material; invites the Law Commission fully to consult with relevant bodies, and especially to consult the National Union of Journalists over a matter which will inevitably impact on legitimate media investigations and public interest journalism; welcomes the fact that the Government has put on record that it does not want to curtail freedom of speech or the legal rights of whistleblowers to make protected disclosures and has brought forward amendments to the Digital Economy Bill in this respect; and calls on the Government to rule out any such interference with essential liberties and freedoms including draconian jail sentences for journalists.

That this House is gravely concerned by the provisional recommendations in the Law Commission's review of the Official Secrets Act and other legislation; notes the ability of whistleblowers to make disclosures in the public interest is vital for democracy, press freedom and the well-being of the public; is shocked by...

That this House notes that the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (PIDA) does not cover foster carers; further notes that such carers are therefore in a vulnerable position if they choose to speak out about alleged wrongdoing or poor practice; expresses concern that this may act as a disincentive to foster carers exposing wrongdoing or poor practice, thereby potentially putting vulnerable children at continued risk; notes that the Whistleblowing Commission chaired by the right hon. Sir Anthony Hooper recommended that the Government uses the powers set out in section 20 of the Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act 2013 to extend PIDA to cover foster carers; and therefore calls on the Government to bring forward proposals to extend the scope of that Act accordingly.

That this House notes that the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (PIDA) does not cover foster carers; further notes that such carers are therefore in a vulnerable position if they choose to speak out about alleged wrongdoing or poor practice; expresses concern that this may act as a disincentive to...