Overview

This bill, the European Union (Withdrawal) Act, aims to repeal the European Communities Act 1972, removing the legal basis for the UK's membership in the European Union. It also grants the Secretary of State the power to repeal any subsequent legislation stemming from the 1972 Act and to initiate the UK's withdrawal from EU treaties.

Description

The bill's core function is to revoke the European Communities Act 1972. This act, passed in 1972, integrated UK law with EU law. The bill ensures that secondary legislation (regulations made under the 1972 Act) will remain in effect unless amended or repealed via parliamentary procedure. The Secretary of State will be authorized to repeal any other legislation deemed obsolete as a result of the repeal of the 1972 Act. This requires parliamentary approval for any proposed repeals. Finally, the bill mandates the initiation of the UK's withdrawal from or denunciation of treaties listed in section 1 of the European Communities Act 1972, within one month of the act coming into force.

Government Spending

The bill itself doesn't directly specify government spending. However, the repeal of the European Communities Act 1972 and subsequent legislative changes could potentially lead to both increases and decreases in spending depending on the government's approach to post-withdrawal policy.

Groups Affected

• UK Government: Significant changes to policy and legislation will be required. The government will take on responsibilities previously handled by EU institutions.
• Businesses: Businesses that interact with the EU market will experience changes, potentially requiring adjustments to comply with new regulations and trade deals.
• Citizens: Changes to regulations and laws related to employment, consumer protection, and other areas could affect all citizens.
• Parliament: Parliament will have a significant role in approving any repeals of legislation arising from this bill.

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