Overview

This bill, the European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 4) Bill, sets out procedures for the UK government to follow regarding the Brexit negotiations. It dictates the Prime Minister's actions depending on whether Parliament approves a withdrawal agreement or not, ultimately aiming to prevent a no-deal Brexit and potentially extending Article 50.

Description

The bill focuses on the period for negotiating the UK's withdrawal from the European Union. It outlines two key scenarios:

Scenario 1: Withdrawal Agreement Approved

If the House of Commons approves a negotiated withdrawal agreement before a specified trigger date (March 13th 2019 or the day after the bill's passage, whichever is later), section 2 of the bill becomes ineffective.

Scenario 2: Withdrawal Agreement Not Approved

If the House of Commons does not approve a withdrawal agreement by the trigger date, the Prime Minister must put forward a motion to the House. This motion either proposes leaving the EU without a deal, or requests an extension to Article 50. If the no-deal motion fails, the Prime Minister is then required to propose an Article 50 extension. The proposed extension date can be amended by Parliament. Even with the procedure outlined above, the bill doesn't prevent the Prime Minister from seeking an extension outside of this process.

Government Spending

This bill doesn't directly allocate or change government spending. However, depending on whether a withdrawal agreement is approved, or an Article 50 extension is granted, it will indirectly affect government spending significantly, potentially leading to increased costs in preparing for different Brexit scenarios or extending the timeline for preparation and incurring further expenses.

Groups Affected

This bill affects numerous groups:

• UK Parliament: The bill significantly impacts Parliament's role in the Brexit process, giving it a more decisive role in determining the course of action.
• The Prime Minister: The bill places specific obligations and responsibilities on the Prime Minister in relation to the timing of Brexit and whether or not an extension to Article 50 should be sought.
• Businesses: The outcome of the bill will directly impact businesses; an extension could provide further time to adjust to changes brought on by Brexit while a no-deal scenario could have severe financial implications.
• UK Citizens: The bill ultimately affects all UK citizens as it shapes the terms of the UK's exit from the EU, influencing citizens' rights, trade, travel, and the overall economy.
• EU Institutions: The bill's outcome directly affects the EU's process of negotiations with the UK.

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