Overview

The Act of Union Bill proposes significant constitutional changes for the United Kingdom, redefining the relationship between the UK government and the devolved administrations in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The bill includes options for establishing a directly elected English Parliament or a system of regional devolution in England, while granting greater autonomy to the other devolved administrations. Crucially, the bill's implementation is contingent on a nationwide referendum.

Description

The bill aims to create a renewed constitutional framework for the UK. Key features include:

Devolution

The bill offers two options for England: establishing a directly-elected English Parliament or implementing regional devolution through city deals and regional bodies. For Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the bill aims to remove the UK government's power to intervene in their internal affairs and enhance their legislative and financial autonomy. This includes removing controls on borrowing and spending.

Central Policy Areas

The bill outlines a list of "central policy areas" (e.g., defence, foreign affairs, taxation) where only the UK Parliament can legislate. However, devolved legislatures can make incidental provisions with the prior consent of the UK Parliament.

Parliamentary Reform

The bill presents two options for reforming the House of Lords: abolition or restructuring. The abolition option would create a unicameral UK Parliament with a scrutiny committee made up of delegates from the devolved parliaments. The restructuring option would reduce the House of Lords to a smaller body with both elected and appointed members.

Public Finance

The bill sets out principles for public finance, including revenue sharing between central and devolved governments, aiming to balance equitable distribution with local accountability. It proposes a UK Funding Committee to oversee this process.

Referendum

The bill mandates a referendum on its implementation, requiring a 65% majority UK-wide, and a majority in each of the four nations. Voters would decide on the bill's overall adoption, the preferred House of Lords reform option (abolition or restructuring), and, in England, the choice between an English Parliament or regional devolution.

Government Spending

The bill's financial impact is difficult to precisely quantify without further legislative details regarding revenue sharing and spending allocations under the new framework. However, it could lead to significant shifts in government spending between central and devolved administrations, potentially increasing devolved budgets but requiring detailed cost-benefit analyses for each proposal and policy implemented.

Groups Affected

• UK Parliament: Significant changes to its structure and powers, depending on the referendum outcome.
• Devolved Parliaments (Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland): Increased autonomy and legislative powers.
• English Parliament (potential): Newly established with substantial legislative authority in England.
• English Regions (potential): Greater devolution of powers and resources.
• House of Lords: Abolition or significant restructuring.
• UK Government: Reduced direct control over devolved areas.
• Civil Service: Changes to structure and working practices to reflect new constitutional arrangements.
• Citizens: Potential changes to the level and nature of public services.

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