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Regulatory Impact Assessments (Legislative Scrutiny)
02 September 2020
Lead MP
Christopher Chope
Debate Type
Adjournment Debate
Tags
EconomyTaxationStandards & Ethics
Other Contributors: 2
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.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
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.
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
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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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
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