Scottish government to withhold consent for European Union law sunsetting Bill

The Scottish Government has lodged a Legislative Consent Memorandum recommending that the Scottish Parliament withholds its consent for the UK Government’s Retained European Union (EU) Law (Reform and Revocation) Bill.

The Bill seeks to revoke over 2,400 pieces of EU legislation that were included in the UK statute book at the end of the Brexit transition period, if they are not actively kept. This includes key environmental protections such as the Habitats Regulations.

In a letter to BEIS secretary, Grant Shapps, constitution secretary, Angus Robertson, set out the Scottish Government’s rationale for recommending Parliament withholds its consent. The letter reiterated the concern and the fundamental opposition of Scottish ministers to the legislation and highlighted the concerns of some bodies, such as RSPB Scotland and Greener UK, who fear the Bill will “derail urgent action to tackle the nature and climate crisis” and “rip up our most important nature protections in Scotland”.