Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform Bill: Evidence to Public Bill Committee

The Public Bill Committee met for the first time on 8 November 2022 to hear oral evidence on all aspects of the Bill. The Civil Society Alliance has submitted written evidence, which reflects many of the concerns raised about the Bill in that session. These include the risk of:

• significant legal and regulatory uncertainty;

• further destabilisation of the devolution arrangements;

• undermining the UK’s democracy and constitution and the role of devolved and central parliaments.

  missing out on the promised Brexit Benefit opportunities by removing or weakening, rather than raising rights and regulatory standards;

• distorting the level playing field in the TCA between the UK and EU to safeguard fair competition and protect workers, businesses and citizens.

• frustrating efforts to reach a constructive solution with the EU around the Northern Ireland Protocol.

The Committee will begin line by line scrutiny of the Bill on 22 November, with further sessions planned for 24 and 29 November, when the proceedings will conclude.

Please let us have your thoughts and suggestions for amendments you would like us to pursue. You can contact us by email at info@civilsocietyalliance.uk

Retained EU Law (Revocation & Reform) Bill - Rapid Response Webinar

The Retained EU Law (Revocation & Reform) Bill, (“Brexit Freedoms Bill”), was introduced in Parliament on 22 September 2022. This Framework Bill ends the special status of all retained EU law by 31 December 2023. It is anticipated that the Second Reading of the Bill will take place in the week commencing 24 October 2022.

On Wednesday 10 October 2022, the Civil Society Alliance hosted a webinar for civil society organisations and the general public to explore the implications of the Bill for existing rights and standards. There are serious concerns around the extensive powers the Bill, with limited consultation and Parliamentary scrutiny.

Our panel of experts shared their initial reactions and analysis of the Bill and you can watch the recording here.

Professor David Phinnemore, Queens University Belfast, explained the complexities of the Bill; the challenge to identify the EU legislation subject to its provisions; the arbitrary deadlines for sunset; the administrative burdens on Government departments; and the legal loopholes that are likely to ensue.
Ruth Chambers, Green Alliance highlighted the environmental protections at threat including around radioactivity in waste, pesticides in food, harm to wildlife, food and water supply.
Marley Morris, Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) addressed the potential impact of the Bill on workers’ rights and what that might mean for the non-regression clauses in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA).
Sam Willis, Public Law Project went through the detail of the Bill, highlighting examples of particular concern and exploring options for amendments.

Next steps
The Civil Society Alliance is working in partnership with our members and representatives from across civic society.
We would like to continue to provide regular updates on the progress of the Bill and welcome offers from speakers who would like to share their knowledge and expertise with our members. Please get in touch if you are able to help info@civilsocietyalliance.uk.

Impact of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland

Following the recent invitation to submit evidence to the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland Sub-Committee, Civil Society Alliance members were keen to highlight the importance of gathering civil society views on the socio-economic and political impacts of the Protocol.  In particular, members expressed the need to highlight the potential effects of any actions taken in relation to the Protocol, including the links between Westminster and Northern Ireland institutions, especially if the Assembly is prevented from sitting longer term.

In our submission to the Committee, we called for engagement to be opened up to a broader forum,  ensuring that a wider range of civil society groups have ample opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way. We also stressed the necessity for the Government’s current review of EU retained law to take account of the impact on Northern Ireland.

On 11 August 2022, the Committee published their follow up report highlighting the “urgent imperative for all sides to make concerted efforts to build trust by recommitting themselves to that process of dialogue, repairing the damage caused to relations across these islands during the past five years, in the interests, as the Protocol rightly acknowledges, of communities in both Ireland and Northern Ireland.” (Paragraph 299).

Impact of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland

Following the recent invitation to submit evidence to the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland Sub-Committee, Civil Society Alliance members were keen to highlight the importance of gathering civil society views on the socio-economic and political impacts of the Protocol.  In particular, members expressed the need to highlight the potential effects of any actions taken in relation to the Protocol, including the links between Westminster and Northern Ireland institutions, especially if the Assembly is prevented from sitting longer term.

In our submission to the Committee, (here) we called for engagement to be opened up to a broader forum,  ensuring that a wider range of civil society groups have ample opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way. We also stressed the necessity for the Government’s current review of EU retained law to take account of the impact on Northern Ireland.

On 11 August 2022, the Committee published their follow up report highlighting the “urgent imperative for all sides to make concerted efforts to build trust by recommitting themselves to that process of dialogue, repairing the damage caused to relations across these islands during the past five years, in the interests, as the Protocol rightly acknowledges, of communities in both Ireland and Northern Ireland.” (Paragraph 299).

The Queen’s Speech & Protecting Rights

UK Government plans - as set out in the Queen's Speech - will impact rights.

Join this expert webinar on Wednesday 25th of May from 13:15 – 14:00 to find out more.

This webinar is aimed at giving you short, insightful reflections on some of the BIG UK Government plans to keep an eye on.

Whether it's the upcoming 'Bill of Rights', or new law on data, or law on procurement, or the Brexit Freedoms Bill or....

Join this panel webinar (while you eat your lunch?) to find out about the key issues that are ahead for your organisation to be informed about, & to get involved in.

The webinar will be chaired by Mhairi Snowden, Director of Human Rights Consortium Scotland, and speakers will include:

• Catherine Barnard, Deputy Director of UK in a Changing Europe

• Charlie Whelton, Policy and Campaigns Officer, Liberty

• Kevin Hanratty, Director, Human Rights Consortium in Northern Ireland

• Rosalind Stevens, Project Manager, Civil Society Alliance

Welcome to the Civil Society Alliance

On Wednesday 16 March 2022, the Civil Society Alliance hosted an online event for potential members and stakeholders.

Charles Whitmore, Wales Civil Society Forum on Brexit,  mapped out the history of the project, building on the work of the Brexit Civil Society Alliance. He emphasised the shift from working on a single piece of legislation - the EU Withdrawal Bill - towards wider but very clearly articulated challenges and now towards a much less clear agenda for change. 

To help map out that agenda, Marley Morris of the Institute for Public Policy Research, considered what was needed to uphold  high standards for the UK and globally, including within the context of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement and the current reviews of EU retained laws.

Tom West from the Hansard Society  explained the importance of proper oversight and scrutiny of delegated legislation, outlining the objectives of the Hansard Society’s current review, to include proposals for root and branch reform. 

A full report of the event, including the speakers’ presentations, is available in the members area of the website.