UK: MPs to assess future of retained EU laws

UK: MPs to assess future of retained EU laws

The House of Commons’ European scrutiny committee has begun an inquiry into the future of EU law that was copied into the UK statute book to avoid a legal cliff-edge when the country left the block.

The move comes after the UK government confirmed it will bring forward a ‘Brexit Freedoms’ Bill which looks to “end the special status of EU law”.

Rules held-over cover employment rights, consumer protections, health and safety and data protection among others

Committee chairman Sir William Cash said: “The transposing of swathes of EU law into UK law following Brexit was never meant to be a permanent solution. It is a stopgap that was ultimately intended to be replaced.

“Retained EU law is a unique concept. It creates a complex legal system, over part of which the European Court’s writ remains influential. We’ll examine the fitness of such laws in the UK post-Brexit.

“The matter is of great constitutional importance governing swathes of legislation passed over 40 years of membership with the EU. What happens next will determine who should be responsible for the interpretation of legislation in the UK, and how law is reshaped post-Brexit, issues our inquiry will take a great interest in.”

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