Oxford City Council has opposed the Government's Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill, dubbed the 'Anti-Boycott Bill'.

Council leader Susan Brown wrote to the Secretary of State for the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove MP, to oppose the bill.

The Council says the bill aims to restrain the actions of elected councillors in determining procurement policies,

It passed on its third reading in the House of Commons on January 10 and is now making its way through the House of Lords.

The Council adds it "specifically targets" the international Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement and seeks to prevent public bodies from making decisions regarding investment and procurement that do not align with UK's foreign or economic trade policies.

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More than 60 charities, campaign groups, trade unions and civil society organisations have publicly voiced their opposition to the proposed law.

Ms Brown said: "We are proud of our local procurement policies that advocate for the preservation of human rights, investment in local businesses and ethical principles.

“The Council firmly believes that the Anti-Boycott Bill is an anti-democratic measure that restricts the ability of public bodies to consider ethics and human rights in their decision-making processes.

"It also undermines the historic role of ethical boycotts, which have played a pivotal role in campaigns for justice, notably in the struggle against the Apartheid regime in South Africa."