MSPs invited to withhold consent for Retained EU Law Bill

The Scottish Government has lodged a Legislative Consent Memorandum recommending that the Scottish Parliament withholds its consent for the UK Government’s Retained EU Law (Reform and Revocation) Bill.

The Bill seeks to revoke over 2,400 pieces of EU legislation that were included in the UK statute book at the end of the Brexit transition period.

In a letter to Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Grant Shapps, Constitution Secretary Angus Robertson has set out the Scottish Government’s rationale for recommending Parliament withholds its consent.

The letter reiterates the concern and the fundamental opposition of Scottish Ministers to the legislation and highlights the concerns of some bodies, such as RSPB Scotland and Greener UK, who say the Bill will ‘derail urgent action to tackle the nature and climate crisis’ and ‘rip up our most important nature protections in Scotland’.

The letter can be read in full online.  

Background 

The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill seeks to revoke over 2,400 pieces of EU legislation that were included in the UK statute book at the end of the Brexit transition period. Scottish Ministers have repeatedly highlighted their concerns that the Bill puts standards at risk, including regulations protecting rights for pregnant women at work and requirements to label food for allergens.

Scottish Ministers are committed to aligning regulation in Scotland with EU regulation and have asked the UK Government to reconsider the Bill and its implications for the Devolved Governments.

EU Law reform

Deep concern at Retained EU Law Bill