Health Protection Agency Bill (HL)

The government has also introduced a bill to establish the Health Protection Agency as a UK-wide non-departmental public body. The agency will be able to undertake both health and radiation protection functions (including those currently carried out by the National Radiological Protection Board, which is to be wound up).

The arrangements are intended to improve the UK's ability to tackle the problems posed by infectious disease and other hazards, such as chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) terrorism.

Draft Disability Discrimination Bill

The government has also published a draft bill which outlines the government's intentions to "extend the rights and opportunities of disabled people".

Changes to existing legislation could mean those suffering from HIV, cancer and multiple sclerosis count as disabled from the point of diagnosis, and blind and partially sighted people may find it easier to provide proof of disability.