REGULATORY REFORM BILL

• Enable a greater number of reforms to be delivered by Regulatory Reform Order (RRO), by removing some of the restrictions and constraints in the Regulatory Reform Act 2001. Proposals for achieving this include:
  - removing the current restriction on using an RRO to amend legislation less than 2 years' old, or provisions which have been amended in the previous 2 years.
  - providing a power to sub-delegate, ie provide for rule-making powers in an RRO.
  - enabling an RRO to be used to remove or reduce burdens on a Minister or government department to facilitate public sector reform and modernisation.
  - extending the definition of "burden"
  - allowing the reform of common law
• Extend the scope of RRO powers to deliver non-controversial proposals for simplification and modernisation.
• Enable the implementation of uncontroversial law reform proposals
• Implement or enable the implementation of some of the Hampton proposals to merge private sector regulators.

TERRITORIAL EXTENT

The current Regulatory Reform Act 2001 is a UK Act which makes different provisions for the various parts of the UK to reflect the devolution settlements. Amendments to the Act will maintain this position and the devolved administrations will be fully consulted.

COMMENTS

If you have any comments on the proposals you can email them to:

regulation@cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

We plan to publish a review of the functioning of the current legislation (Regulatory Reform Act 2001) and a consultation document in the summer.