Select committee: Constitution Committee

12th Report - Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill

Published 25 January 2023

Constitution Committee Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill Report on parliament.uk ↗

At a glance3 recommendations · Government response published 13 July 2023

The government's response

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The government agrees that overly large bills can impede scrutiny but considers that this Bill "strikes an appropriate balance between scale and manageability", and it explains its position on devolution, delegated powers and other matters raised by the Committee.

On size, the government agrees that "overly large bills can impede proper scrutiny" but would be "wary of suggesting" there can usefully be an "upper limit", and does not feel it "entirely fair" to call the Bill a 'Christmas Tree' Bill.
On devolution in England, it "wholeheartedly" agrees there must be a careful balance between local variation and added complexity, and considers the Bill's framework provides "a common architecture for devolution deals".
On the Sewel Convention, it does "not consider the legislative consent process to be engaged" for Part 1. It has tabled amendments for Report stage on consulting devolved authorities (Part 1) and giving devolved administrations concurrent powers (Part 6).
On common frameworks, it "disagrees with the view of the Committee" that Part 6 could undermine consensus-seeking and joint working. On planning law, it has set out amendments limiting the power's use and capping relief at "a maximum of one year".

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error

What the committee recommended 3

5
We reiterate our firm conclusion that the size and complexity of omnibus bills impede proper... Recommendation
19
We reiterate our recommendation that when the Government considers the legislative consent process is not... Recommendation
113
We recommend that clause 113 is amended to ensure that the power is limited to... Recommendation

Sources

12th Report - Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill ↗The committee's report, parliament.uk
Government response to the Committee's report on the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill (10 July 2023) ↗The government's response, 13 July 2023, parliament.uk

Recommendations and conclusions 3

5
We reiterate our firm conclusion that the size and complexity of omnibus bills impede proper... Recommendation Recommendation (the committee's words)
We reiterate our firm conclusion that the size and complexity of omnibus bills impede proper legislative scrutiny in Parliament and welcome the Leader of the House’s recent comments on the matter. Local democracy and greater decentralisation in England
19
We reiterate our recommendation that when the Government considers the legislative consent process is not... Recommendation Recommendation (the committee's words)
We reiterate our recommendation that when the Government considers the legislative consent process is not engaged and this assessment is disputed by a devolved authority, it should justify its approach to the House at the beginning of a bill’s consideration. Delegated legislation on devolved matters
113
We recommend that clause 113 is amended to ensure that the power is limited to... Recommendation Recommendation (the committee's words)
We recommend that clause 113 is amended to ensure that the power is limited to emergency periods or other forms of serious disruption, as set out in the Explanatory Notes. Development corporations