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 before new charges for previously free services can be introduced.

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 inflation rate (as measured by the Consumer Prices Index).
• New Charges: Introducing charges for services currently offered for free requires a report to Parliament, followed by approval from both Houses.
• Government Grants: The bill prevents the government from increasing grants to regulatory authorities to offset the impact of these restrictions.
• Definition of "Regulatory Authority": This broadly includes any body regulating businesses, activities, or professions.
• Secretary of State Powers: The Secretary of State can create regulations for implementation, which are subject to parliamentary annulment.
• Geographic Scope: The bill applies to England and Wales only.

Government Spending

The bill is expected to result in reduced government spending, as it prevents increases in government grants to regulatory authorities to compensate for restricted income through charges. Exact figures are not provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

The bill will affect:

• Regulatory Authorities: These bodies will face limits on their ability to increase fees and introduce new charges, potentially impacting their budgets and operations.
• Businesses and Individuals: Those regulated by these authorities may see smaller fee increases than otherwise might have occurred.
• Parliament: Parliament will have a greater role in approving new charges for services.

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