Overview

This bill aims to control how much regulatory authorities in England can charge for their services. It limits fee increases to the rate of inflation and requires parliamentary approval for the introduction of new charges for previously free services.

Description

The Regulatory Authorities (Level of Charges) Bill restricts the ability of regulatory authorities in England to increase fees. Key aspects include:

• Fee Increases: Authorities cannot raise fees by more than the annual rate of inflation (measured by the Consumer Prices Index).
• New Charges: Introducing charges for services previously offered free requires a report to Parliament, followed by approval from both Houses.
• Government Grants: The bill prevents the government from increasing grants to authorities to offset these restrictions.
• Definition of "Regulatory Authority": This includes any body regulating businesses, activities, or professions.
• Secretary of State Powers: The Secretary of State can create regulations for transitional arrangements.
• Geographic Scope: The bill applies to England and Wales only.

Government Spending

The bill is not expected to directly increase or decrease government spending. Clause 3 explicitly prevents the government from increasing grants to regulatory authorities to compensate for the fee limitations. The overall impact on government finances is therefore likely to be minimal, although the long-term effects on regulatory authorities' budgets could indirectly influence government outlays.

Groups Affected

• Regulatory Authorities: These bodies will face limitations on their revenue generation, potentially affecting their operational capacity and ability to provide services.
• Businesses and Individuals: Those regulated by these authorities might experience lower or stable fees, depending on how authorities respond to the limitations. However, some services might see reduced availability if authorities face funding difficulties.
• Parliament: Parliament will have a greater role in overseeing the introduction of new charges by regulatory authorities.

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