Great Britain does not want to abolish as many laws from its time in the EU as initially planned. By the end of the year, it should be only 800 out of 4,000. Critics have warned of legal loopholes.
Contrary to the Brexit promise, the British government does not want to scrap thousands of laws that were still in force in the EU by the end of the year. “Telegraph” and “Financial Times” reported, citing a meeting of the conservative parliamentary group European Research Group (ERG).
Economy Minister Kimi Badnoch is said to have told ERG Brexit hardliners that only about 800 of the 4,000 laws dating back to the time of British membership in the European Union (1973-2020) will become invalid by the end of the year. A government spokesman confirmed the reports to the Palestinian News Agency.
Fire stays away
The government had introduced a bill called the “Retained European Union Act” to Parliament for the project, also known as the “Bonfire”. A clause known as the “lapse clause” states that EU-era laws will become null and void at the end of the year if they are not expressly changed or maintained by then.
Critics, including many unions and associations, have warned against the move as it could create legal loopholes, for example in the labor law.
A government spokesman said the bill was still being complied with in principle and that “unnecessary” laws should be scrapped. This will allow the country to continue to exploit the “Brexit opportunities” and help boost the economy and innovation.