Are the devolved legislatures being denied control over regulations on devolved matters that are made by Ministers in Whitehall? In this webinar, parliamentarians and legal experts from across the UK discussed the role of devolved institutions in the development and approval of UK regulations made by Statutory Instrument (SIs).
Online webinar [CLOSED] 1:00pm, 29 September 2022
There are a growing number of powers on the statute book that allow UK Government Ministers to make regulations in areas of devolved competence, such as healthcare and education. Are the devolved legislatures being denied control over regulations on devolved matters that are made in Whitehall? Is there a risk of a widening ‘democratic deficit’? Or are these powers simply required for more effective and efficient government?
Brexit and contested views over the role of Legislative Consent Motions (LCMs) - the mechanism by which the UK's devolved administrations consent to law created by the Westminster Parliament on matters that are normally devolved - have brought to the fore the question of how the various executives and legislatures across the UK can better co-ordinate and co-operate. It is crucial that mechanisms to involve the devolved institutions in UK delegated law-making within their areas are fit for purpose.
At this event, parliamentarians and legal experts from across the UK discussed the role devolved institutions play in the development and approval of UK Statutory Instruments within their areas of devolved policy.
Are the devolved administrations being denied control over regulations on devolved matters that are made by Ministers in Whitehall?
When is it appropriate for devolved executives to rely on UK Government regulations and SIs?
What function do the devolved legislatures play in the approval of UK SIs that engage their competences?
What changes would help ensure that devolved legislatures have the appropriate degree of information about and control over relevant UK Statutory Instruments?
Michael P Clancy OBE, WS Director of Law Reform, Law Society of Scotland
Huw Irranca-Davies MS / @huw4ogmore Chair of the Senedd Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee and formerly MP for Ogmore
Stephen Farry MP / @StephenFarryMP Deputy Leader of the Alliance Party and formerly MLA for North Down
Chair: Dr Ruth Fox Director of the Hansard Society
This work is supported by the Legal Education Foundation as part of the Hansard Society's Delegated Legislation Review.
The UK Spending Review outlines how Government funds will be allocated over several years. Unlike the Budget, which raises revenue, the Review decides how it is spent. But how is it approved? What role does Parliament play if it doesn’t vote on the Review itself? This blog explores how the Spending Review works, how it differs from the Budget, and how Parliament holds the Government to account through the Estimates process.
On Friday 13 June, the House of Commons will once again debate the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which would legalise assisted dying in England and Wales. Specifically, it will hold a second day of Report Stage, during which the whole House will debate and vote on amendments. This briefing explains the structure of Report Stage, what happened on the first day of Report Stage, how amendments are selected and grouped, on which amendments a decision can still be taken, and the likely sequence of events this Friday, including whether a final vote will take place.
The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves MP, will deliver a statement on the Spending Review. MPs will resume Report Stage of the assisted dying bill and debate key legislation on football governance, mental health, and planning and infrastructure. Peers and MPs are expected to resolve their standoff over AI and copyright in the Data (Use and Access) Bill. The Commons Defence Committee will hear from the lead reviewers of the Strategic Defence Review, while a Lords Committee will examine the Chagos Archipelago sovereignty issue. The Hansard Society’s Director will give evidence to the Modernisation Committee about access to the House of Commons and its procedures.
In this episode, we explore why ministers keep bypassing Parliament to make major announcements to the media — and whether returning to the Despatch Box might help clarify their message. We unpack the Lords' uphill battle to protect creators’ rights in the Data Use and Access Bill, challenge claims that the Assisted Dying Bill lacks scrutiny, and examine early findings from a Speaker’s Conference on improving security for MPs, as threats and intimidation against politicians continue to rise. Please help us by completing our Listener Survey. It will only take a few minutes.
Our evidence on treaty scrutiny has been published by the House of Lords International Agreements Committee. Our submission outlines the problems with the existing framework for treaty scrutiny and why legislative and cultural change are needed to improve Parliament's scrutiny role. Our evidence joins calls for a parliamentary consent vote for the most significant agreements, a stronger role for Parliament in shaping negotiating mandates and monitoring progress, and a sifting committee tasked with determining which agreements warrant the greatest scrutiny.
