Amendment 4 to Clause 37 of the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill: What You Need to Know
The European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill has been a hot topic in the UK for quite some time now. On January 9, 2020, the House of Commons voted to approve the bill, which sets out the terms of the UK`s withdrawal from the European Union.
One of the key debates surrounding the bill has been around Amendment 4 to Clause 37. This amendment was proposed by a group of MPs who were concerned that the bill gave too much power to the government to make changes to environmental, health, and safety regulations without proper parliamentary scrutiny.
So, what exactly does Amendment 4 to Clause 37 of the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill say?
Firstly, it proposes that any regulations made under Clause 26 of the bill (which grants ministers powers to modify retained EU law) must be subject to parliamentary scrutiny. This means that any changes to regulations relating to environmental protection, workers` rights, or public health must be approved by Parliament before they can be implemented.
Secondly, the amendment also proposes that any regulations made under Clause 26 must be in line with the objectives of the EU treaties. This is important because it ensures that the UK maintains a consistent level of environmental, health, and safety protections as the rest of the EU.
Why is this amendment so important?
There are concerns among some MPs and environmental groups that the government may seek to weaken or water down regulations relating to environmental protection, workers` rights, and public health in order to boost trade deals with other countries. Amendment 4 to Clause 37 would provide a safeguard against such actions and ensure that any changes to these regulations are subject to proper parliamentary scrutiny.
Opponents of the amendment argue that it could slow down the legislative process and make it more difficult for the government to make necessary changes to regulations in a timely manner. However, supporters of the amendment say that it is a necessary protection against the erosion of important environmental and health protections.
In conclusion, Amendment 4 to Clause 37 of the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill is an important safeguard against any potential erosion of environmental, health, and safety protections in the UK. It ensures that any changes made to regulations in these areas are subject to parliamentary scrutiny and are in line with the objectives of the EU treaties. As the UK moves towards its exit from the European Union, it is crucial that we maintain high standards in these areas in order to protect the public and our environment.