Overview

This bill, the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill, primarily concerns the UK's formal notification of its intention to leave the European Union under Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union. The House of Lords proposed amendments to ensure parliamentary oversight of the process and the protection of EU citizens' rights. However, the House of Commons rejected these amendments.

Description

The main purpose of the bill is to grant the Prime Minister the power to trigger Article 50, beginning the formal process of leaving the EU. Two key amendments proposed by the House of Lords were rejected by the Commons.

Rejected Amendment 1

This amendment sought to mandate the government to present proposals within three months of triggering Article 50 to protect the rights of EU citizens residing in the UK, ensuring they would continue to be treated the same regarding EU-derived rights.

Rejected Amendment 2

This amendment required both Houses of Parliament to approve any agreement reached with the EU on the terms of the UK's withdrawal and future relationship, as well as any decision to leave without an agreement. The Commons rejected this, maintaining the government's right to negotiate and implement the withdrawal without prior parliamentary approval of specific terms.

Government Spending

The bill itself doesn't directly allocate new funds. However, the process of leaving the EU and negotiating new trade deals and other agreements will have significant financial implications, though the exact cost remains uncertain and subject to ongoing negotiations.

Groups Affected

The bill will affect numerous groups:

• UK Citizens: Will experience changes to their relationship with the EU, potentially impacting travel, work, and trade.
• EU Citizens in the UK: Their rights and residency status are a significant point of contention, though the bill as passed doesn't guarantee continued rights.
• Businesses: Face uncertainty around trade, regulations, and access to the single market.
• The UK Government: Responsible for negotiating the UK's withdrawal and future relationship with the EU, facing significant political and logistical challenges.

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