Straw to present rights bill to parliament

Monday, 23 March 2009 12:00 AM

By politics.co.uk staff

Justice secretary Jack Straw is set to present his bill of rights and responsibilities green paper to the Commons today after a tortured birth process.

The green paper comes much later than anticipated, but after more than a year spent in planning Mr Straw is still unable to specify whether the rights and responsibilities within the green paper would be enforceable by a court.

The paper will probably put healthcare, education and welfare payments as rights alongside trial by jury and free speech.

Responsibilities would include looking for work while receiving benefits and looking after your children.

Shadow justice spokesman Dominic Grieve has already expressed irritation with the green paper, saying it is "no more than a piece of presentational spin".

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