Commons Sense

House of Commons · Adjournment Debate

Regulatory Impact Assessments (Legislative Scrutiny)

02 September 2020 · 2 other contributors

Opened by Christopher Chope Con Christchurch

EconomyBusiness ComplianceParliamentary Procedure

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Christopher Chope raised concerns about regulatory impact assessments (legislative scrutiny) in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • The MP stressed the importance of regulatory impact assessments in ensuring transparency and effective policy-making.
  • The MP criticised the lack of RIAs during the initial coronavirus response, citing inconsistent regulations.
  • The Minister acknowledged the importance of RIAs but argued for flexibility in emergencies.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Christopher Chope Con Christchurch

The MP emphasised the critical role of regulatory impact assessments (RIAs) in ensuring transparency, public accountability, and effective policy-making. He criticised the lack of RIAs during the initial stages of the coronavirus response, citing inconsistent regulations and mission creep. Chope argued for a full post-implementation review of the Coronavirus Act 2020 to assess its effectiveness and called on the government to restore public confidence in decision making by adopting rigorous regulatory impact assessments.

Other contributors (2)
  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Agreed that RIAs form a critical element of better regulation, ensuring legislative scrutiny is effective.

  • Bob Stewart Con Beckenham

    Highlighted the lack of an impact assessment for extending the period during which landlords cannot recover possession from tenants due to coronavirus.

Government Response

Paul Scully

The Minister acknowledged the importance of regulatory impact assessments but noted that responding to emergencies requires rapid legislative measures. He explained that formal RIAs are not required during emergencies and flexibility is needed in urgent situations. The Government has engaged extensively with businesses and stakeholders, and will continue to do so while balancing economic recovery with public health considerations. Paul Scully emphasised the need for better planning for monitoring and evaluating regulatory changes to ensure they have the intended impact without stifling innovation. He concluded by praising the UK’s world-leading reputation in regulatory policy and its commitment to continuous improvement.

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