Events / Workshops

The ‘Retained EU Law’ Act: Practitioners’ Workshop

30 Jun 2023
EU and UK flags superimposed on Big Ben, UK Parliament, Westminster. CC-BY-ND

Gain a competitive edge in today’s evolving legislative landscape. Join our exclusive training webinar on the parliamentary process for implementation of changes to Retained EU Law (REUL). Equip you and your team with invaluable insights to navigate this complex legislation seamlessly. Understand its implications, anticipate the challenges and harness the opportunities. Don’t miss this chance to say ahead of the game and maximise your influence.

[CLOSED] 30 June, 12:30pm-2:00pm Online (Zoom)

The controversial Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill has secured Royal Assent and is now an Act of Parliament. Our online training workshop on the parliamentary process for implementation of changes to REUL is designed to equip campaign, legal and public affairs professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate this legislation successfully.

The workshop will cover:

  • how the legislative changes to REUL will be delivered in both Houses of Parliament, including the sifting and scrutiny process for Statutory Instruments;

  • timing issues: what must happen before the end of October 2023, what may happen afterwards and why this matters;

  • Legislative Reform Orders (LROs): what they are and how they work;

  • the opportunities to engage with and influence the parliamentary process; and

  • how to monitor the progress of REUL reform in your sector.

This is an interactive online workshop hosted on Zoom. It will be based around a presentation on the core themes highlighted above. There will be an opportunity for questions throughout.

Understanding the parliamentary process in the UK is crucial for effective engagement with policy makers. By comprehending the intricacies of legislative procedures, you can:

  • navigate the legislative process with confidence;

  • identify opportunities for intervention;

  • strategically position your organisation to shape policy outcomes in the best interests of your stakeholders;

  • engage at the right time in proactive advocacy, ensuring your organisation’s concerns are safeguarded and advanced effectively; and

  • anticipate and respond to potential challenges and obstacles.

Staying abreast of the parliamentary process also enhances your professional credibility and positions you as a trusted adviser within your own organisation. It demonstrates a commitment to excellence and ensures your organisation is well prepared to adapt to legislative changes and seize opportunities.

Training like this is also a great way to support your staff’s personal development programme. Investing in a culture of learning by enhancing your team’s knowledge and skills is a key factor in staff retention.

The Hansard Society is the leading authority on Parliament. For over a decade our experts have spearheaded new research into the complex system of delegated legislation that underpins most of the law and regulations made in the UK.

In 2014 we published the first major study of the topic in decades. That study is now used in the induction of new staff working on delegated legislation at Westminster and in some of the devolved legislatures. We currently have a cross-party Delegated Legislation Review working to propose reforms to address the complex constitutional and procedural challenges associated with this form of legislation.

“Last Thursday, I tuned in to a Zoom call organised by the noble Lord, Lord Anderson, and listened to Ruth Fox of the Hansard Society. Her verdict in a nutshell was that the powers in the Bill transfer future democratic oversight of any changes to REUL away from Parliament.” — Lord Young of Cookham, 6 February 2023

“Our report draws on ideas raised in a helpful webinar hosted on 12 October 2022 by the Hansard Society and featuring Lord Anderson of Ipswich KBE KC, Dr Ruth Fox and Sir Jonathan Jones KCB KC.” — House of Lords Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee, 25th Report, Retained EU law (Revocation and Reform) Bill, 2 February 2023

“Given that Brexit was all about this place taking back control, why are the Government using so many Henry VIII clauses and awarding themselves other delegated powers in the Brexit legislation that they are passing? Is it not about time that we had a proper review of how delegated legislation works, along the lines recently proposed by the Hansard Society?” — Patrick Grady MP (SNP), 16 March 2023

Photo of Hansard Society Director, Dr Ruth Fox

Dr Ruth Fox

Ruth is the Director of the Hansard Society. Her research focuses on parliamentary strengthening and constitutional reform. She is the co-author of ‘The Devil is in the Detail: Parliament and Delegated Legislation’, the first detailed study of the parliamentary scrutiny of delegated legislation for decades. In 2019-20 she was the co-commentator, alongside the BBC's Parliamentary Correspondent Mark D'Arcy, throughout BBC Parliament's coverage of the major Brexit votes and the prorogation of Parliament. She regularly gives evidence to parliamentary select committees and inquiries, and contributes to a wide range of current affairs programmes on radio and television, commentating on the parliamentary process and political reform.

Since a recording of this workshop will be made available for participants for one month after the event, refunds for cancellations will not be available for this event.

News / Parliament Matters Bulletin: What’s coming up in Parliament this week? 30 June - 4 July 2025

MPs will vote on the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill. Motions objecting to ratification of the UK–Mauritius Agreement on the Chagos Archipelago will be debated by Peers. MPs will debate the proscription of Palestine Action. Chancellor Rachel Reeves faces MPs’ oral questions and the Defence Secretary John Healey MP faces select committee scrutiny. MPs will formally approve the continued existence of the armed forces for the next 12 months, as required annually. Consideration of the Bill to create an Armed Forces Commissioner may also be completed this week. The House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill returns to the Lords for Report Stage while Peers will also scrutinise the Renters’ Rights and the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.

29 Jun 2025
Read more

News / What Westminster gets wrong about the NHS - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 98

We are joined this week by two guests who bring invaluable insight into the intersection of health policy and parliamentary life. Dr. Sarah Wollaston and Steve Brine – both former MPs, health policy experts, and co-hosts of the podcast Prevention is the New Cure – share their experiences of how the House of Commons handles health and social care. Please help us by completing our Listener Survey. It will only take a few minutes.

27 Jun 2025
Read more

News / Assisted dying bill: Special series #14 - MPs back assisted dying bill in historic vote - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 97

This week, we reflect on a landmark moment in UK parliamentary history: the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill has passed its Third Reading in the House of Commons, moving one step closer to legalising assisted dying in England and Wales. We are joined once again by former House of Commons Clerk Paul Evans to examine how this Private Member’s Bill navigated the political and procedural obstacles in its path and to explore what lies ahead in the House of Lords. Please help us by completing our Listener Survey. It will only take a few minutes.

21 Jun 2025
Read more

Guides / How does Parliament approve Government spending? A procedural guide to the Estimates process

In order to incur expenditure the Government needs to obtain approval from Parliament for its departmental spending plans. The annual Estimates cycle is the means by which the House of Commons controls the Government’s plans for the spending of money raised through taxation.

16 Jan 2023
Read more

Blog / What role does Parliament play in the Spending 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.

09 Jun 2025
Read more