Commons Sense

Hansard-based summaries and metrics

<-- Back to proposed bills

Registers of Births and Deaths Bill - Sitting 1

27 January 2021

Proposing MP
Esther McVey Con
Tatton
Type
Public Bill Committee

At a Glance

Issue Summary

The statement addresses the form in which registers of births and deaths are kept, including clauses 1 through 7. The statement discusses the Registers of Births and Deaths Bill aimed at moving birth and death registrations from paper-based to electronic systems. The statement discusses the Registers of Births and Deaths Bill, focusing on the transition from paper to electronic registration systems. The statement discusses the Registers of Births and Deaths Bill which aims to modernize birth and death registration by moving from paper records to digital methods.

Action Requested

No specific action is requested as this is a discussion on the form of the Bill's clauses without proposing new policy or amendments.

Key Facts

  • Clauses 1 to 7 stand part for discussion.
  • No amendments have been tabled.
  • The Registers of Births and Deaths Bill was conceived due to a registry office closure in the Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield in 2014.
  • The bill aims to eliminate paper-based systems and implement electronic registration, reducing administrative burdens for registrars.
  • Implementation will save the taxpayer £200 million over ten years.
  • Section 28 of the Act requires registrars to keep safely all registers of live births, stillbirths and deaths in their custody.
  • Registrations of births and deaths have been held in both paper and electronic format since July 1, 2009.
  • Clause 4(5) specifies how copies of birth and death records held in formats other than hard copy paper form are to be treated after the Bill comes into force.
  • The bill includes amendments to primary legislation as a consequence of moving from paper registers to electronic registration.
  • Current law requires personal attendance at a register office for birth and death registrations.
  • The Bill proposes moving to a single electronic register, removing the need for paper records since 2009.
  • Online registration will provide more choice and convenience, especially during difficult times like registering a death.
▸ Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy