Space Industry (Indemnities) Bill

Key Points

• The licence for spaceflight activities must specify the indemnity limit.
• Operators must disclose their indemnity/insurance coverage when licensed.
• The bill targets liability arrangements within the spaceflight sector.
• It has cleared Commons stages and is now in the Lords, starting with a first reading.

Progress

The bill has progressed from the Commons and is currently in the Lords at the first reading stage (May 2024). The next steps would involve further Lords scrutiny and readings.

Voting

In two 2018 votes on amendments, the Ayes were 33 and the Noes were 282 and 277 respectively, indicating strong opposition to the amendments. Party breakdown showed Liberal Democrats, SNP and Plaid Cymru voting in favour, with Conservatives, Reform UK and DUP voting against; other groups had mixed positions.