Overview

This bill, the European Communities (Finance) Act 2008, updates the definition of "the Treaties" and "the Community Treaties" within the European Communities Act 1972. The key change is the inclusion of a specific Council decision from June 7, 2007, concerning the European Union's system of own resources (how it funds itself).

Description

The bill amends section 1(2) of the European Communities Act 1972. This section defines "the Treaties" and "the Community Treaties," which are legal agreements forming the basis of the EU's operation. The amendment replaces an existing paragraph (e) in the definition. The old paragraph (e) referred to Council decisions on the EU's system of own resources. The new paragraph (e) updates this to include five specific Council decisions: those of 7th May 1985, 24th June 1988, 31st October 1994, 29th September 2000 and 7th June 2007. This ensures the legal framework accurately reflects the current methods by which the EU finances itself.

The bill also repeals the European Communities (Finance) Act 2001, as this is superseded by the new legislation.

Government Spending

The bill is unlikely to have a significant direct impact on UK government spending. It is primarily a technical amendment to align UK law with EU decisions on the EU's funding mechanisms, not a change to the UK's own budgetary processes. No specific figures on spending changes are provided in the bill itself.

Groups Affected

The main groups affected are:

• UK Government Departments: Departments dealing with EU affairs and finances will need to ensure their processes reflect the updated legal framework.
• Legal Professionals: Lawyers and legal scholars will need to take note of the amended definition when interpreting EU-related legislation.
• Businesses with EU dealings: While not directly impacting their operations, businesses that interact with EU institutions may need to consider this updated legal basis.

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