On 13 June 2022, the European Scrutiny Committee launched an inquiry into ‘Regulating after Brexit’. The inquiry will look at the opportunities for, and the challenges of, policy and law-making after the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.
The Government has made post-Brexit regulatory reform a priority and has stated that the UK’s EU exit creates a “unique opportunity” to regulate differently to support “the best interests” of UK businesses and citizens. To date, however, little attention has been paid to the regulatory environment against which the Government intends to pursue policy reforms and legislate. The UK’s post-Brexit statute book includes ‘retained EU law’ (EU law kept after the UK’s EU withdrawal), the Internal Market Act 2020 and various provisions relating to the devolution settlements. Commitments under the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement, the Northern Ireland Protocol, and the UK/EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement also overlay this complex legal and policy landscape. At the same time, the policy areas hinted at by the Government for reform are critical to the success of the UK economy, and therefore its plans demand close scrutiny and careful consideration.
Read the call for evidence for more details on the inquiry.