Making better law

The process for making and scrutinising legislation at Westminster is often unsatisfactory and poorly understood. How does the process work? Who influences it? And how could it be improved?

Latest

blog / 15.03.22

What role does the UK Parliament play in sanctioning an individual? [Video]

Sanctions are imposed on an individual in two stages - by Ministers first making regulations and secondly designating the individual, using a power in those regulations. Parliament has a role in the first stage, but not the second.

What role does the UK Parliament play in sanctioning an individual? [Video]

publications / submissions / 2022

Written evidence to the House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee: Retained EU Law: Where next?

Our submission to the House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee inquiry into retained EU law (REUL) placed the issuein the context of our Delegated Legislation Review. It discussed REUL’s diversity and amendment; the people and organisations to whom REUL amendment may matter; and parliamentary scrutiny of delegated legislation arising from amending REUL.

Written evidence to the House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee: Retained EU Law: Where next?

publications / briefings / 2022

The Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Bill: four delegated powers that should be amended to improve future accountability to Parliament

The Bill seeks to crack down on ‘dirty money’ and corrupt elites in the UK and is being expedited through Parliament following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This briefing identifies four delegated powers in the Bill that should be amended to ensure future accountability to Parliament.

The Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Bill: four delegated powers that should be amended to improve future accountability to Parliament

events / 19.01.22

Parliamentary Scrutiny, Evidence and the Rule of Law: Lessons from the pandemicand beyond

What information and evidence does Parliament need to enable it to oversee government law-making? Is Parliament currently provided with sufficient information and, if not, how can this be improved?

Parliamentary Scrutiny, Evidence and the Rule of Law: Lessons from the pandemic and beyond

blog / 09.11.21

Launching our Delegated Legislation Review: powers, procedures, politics and time

The launch event for our Delegated Legislation Review raised a number of challenging constitutional and practical issues to be explored further during the Review process. The vivid discussions also confirmed the existence of both heightened interest in delegated legislation and a large degree of cross-party consensus on the need for reform.

Launching our Delegated Legislation Review: powers, procedures, politics and time

events / 02.11.21

Launch of the Hansard Society Delegated Legislation Review

On 2 November, the Society launched its Delegated Legislation Review to an audience of MPs, Peers and constitutional experts. The event – which included two panel discussions with Members from across the political spectrum and a keynote address by Steve Baker MP – unpacked the problems with the delegated legislation system and explored avenues for reform.

Launch of the Hansard Society Delegated Legislation Review