Editor’s Note: One of the benefits of transatlantic regulatory compatibility discussions is that they provide regulators on all sides to learn from each other. Of particular note in the Draft Deregulation Bill is the following objective:
“putting a deregulatory ‘growth duty’ on non-economic regulators, bringing the huge resource of 50 regulators with a budget of £4bn to bear on the crucial task of promoting growth and stopping pointless red tape….”
From: Joint Select Committee; House of Commons and House of Lords
The new Parliamentary Joint Committee on the Draft Deregulation Bill has published its Call for Evidence.
- Call for Evidence: Joint Committee on the Draft Deregulation Bill (PDF 61 KB)
- Submit written evidence: Joint Committee on the Draft Deregulation Bill
- Draft Deregulation Bill (external website – PDF 1.9MB)
- Joint Committee on the Draft Deregulation Bill
The Committee, comprised of Members of the House of Commons and House of Lords, has been formed to scrutinise the Government’s draft Deregulation Bill and make recommendations for its improvement.
The draft Bill proposes new powers for Ministers to abolish regulation “no longer of practical use” and a requirement for regulators to have regard to the impact on economic growth when proposing new regulation.
Questions
The Committee is inviting evidence on the Bill, which is intended to reduce the burden of regulation on business, civil society and individuals. Questions on which the Committee seeks evidence include:
- The draft Bill covers a broad range of legislation. Could the same results have been achieved using existing secondary legislation?
- Are the changes in the draft Bill evidence-based and have any associated risks been properly taken into account?
- Does the draft Bill achieve its objectives effectively and fairly?
- To what extent does the draft Bill benefit consumers as well as businesses?
- Are safeguards regarding the use of the “no longer of practical use” power adequate and appropriate?
- Are there other changes to deregulatory powers, procedures and parliamentary oversight which should be included in the draft Bill and if so, why?
- Will the duty to have regard to promoting economic growth compromise the independence of regulators?