Online Safety Bill

Debate between Wera Hobhouse and Lucy Powell

2nd reading
Tuesday 19th April 2022 Commons Chamber

[Lucy Powell]

I very much agree with my hon. Friend, and I will come on to talk about that shortly.

The Online Safety Bill is an important step towards strong, independent regulation. We welcome the Bill’s overall aim: the duty of care framework based on the work of the Carnegie Trust. I agree with the Secretary of State that the safety of children should be at the heart of this regulation. The Government have rightly now included fraud, online pornography and cyber-flashing in the new draft of the Bill, although they should have been in scope all along.

[Wera Hobhouse (Bath) (LD)]

Will the hon. Lady give way?

[Lucy Powell]

I am not going to give way, sorry.

Before I get onto the specifics, I will address the main area of contention: the balance between free speech and regulation, most notably expressed via the “legal but harmful” clauses.

Early Years Family Support

Debate between Wera Hobhouse and Lucy Powell

Tuesday 16th July 2019 Commons Chamber

[Wera Hobhouse]

rose—

[Lucy Powell]

rose—

[Tim Loughton]

Hold on a minute. I will give way first to the hon. Member for Bath (Wera Hobhouse) and then to the hon. Member for Manchester Central.