House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement
Update on the EU (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill
23 January 2020 · Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
Proposed by Michael Gove Con Surrey Heath
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
At a glance
Key points
- UK Government seeks legislative consent for the EU (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill from devolved legislatures of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
- Devolved administrations refuse to agree a legislative consent motion for the bill.
- Government will proceed with the bill in line with the Sewel Convention due to the unique circumstances of leaving the EU following the 2016 referendum.
Issue summary
The UK Government is seeking legislative consent for the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill from the devolved legislatures of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland despite their refusal to agree a legislative consent motion.
Action requested
The Government will proceed with the bill in line with the Sewel Convention due to the unique circumstances of leaving the EU following the 2016 referendum. It remains committed to respecting and upholding the devolution settlements and continuing engagement with the devolved administrations.
Key facts
- The UK is set to leave the European Union on January 31, 2020.
- The Government seeks legislative consent for the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill from Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
- Despite their refusal, the UK Government will take the bill to Royal Assent without devolved consent due to unique circumstances of leaving the EU post-referendum.