Source · National Audit Office

Regulating after EU Exit

Published: 18 May 2022 Recommendations: 10 Type: Value for Money NAO confirmed: 10 Department: Unknown (355)

This report assesses how UK regulators have managed taking on new responsibilities following EU Exit.

Dept: Unknown (355) Topics: BrexitBusiness and industryInternationalRegulation nao.org.uk →

Recommendations

10 items
10 accepted 10 implemented
Rec Recommendation Addressee Acceptance Implementation
1
While government as a whole is still working on its future direction for regulation, regulators need to develop, with policy-makers, their long-term strategies and objectives. In line with our principles of effective regulation, these should articulate a clear line of sight linking high-level and statutory objectives to detailed operational objectives, plans and priorities. This will enable them to build their capacity and processes and prioritise their workload to ensure their detailed objectives support overall desired policy outcomes.
Ref Page 11, paragraph 22, point a · Implemented Q4 2022-23
Competition and Markets Authority Accepted Implemented ✓ NAO
10
Regulators should ensure that, as soon as they are able, they provide clarity to stakeholders on their direction of travel and the timelines for any planned changes. As set out in good practice guidance, this is important to allow stakeholders to plan and to hold regulators to account.
Ref Page 11, paragraph 22, point c · Implemented Q4 2022-23
Food Standards Agency Accepted Implemented ✓ NAO
2
Now there is more clarity on demand for new regulatory functions, regulators should review the plans they developed before EU Exit in the light of what they now know about their capacity and their workload. They should test the realism of their current plans and take any necessary steps to ensure their operational effectiveness is maximised as well as looking for efficiencies in delivery. These reviews should consider what scope and need the regulator has to: ? build capacity and skills; ? flex deadlines or work programmes to match workload to resources; ? use other international channels to cooperate and influence regulatory changes; and ? build new tools for risk identification.
Ref Page 11, paragraph 22, point b · Implemented Q4 2022-23
Competition and Markets Authority Accepted Implemented ✓ NAO
3
Regulators should ensure that, as soon as they are able, they provide clarity to stakeholders on their direction of travel and the timelines for any planned changes. As set out in good practice guidance, this is important to allow stakeholders to plan and to hold regulators to account.
Ref Page 11, paragraph 22, point c · Implemented Q4 2022-23
Competition and Markets Authority Accepted Implemented ✓ NAO
4
The challenges faced by the three regulators we have examined in detail may be similar to those faced by others across government as they develop their post-EU Exit plans. We therefore recommend that government draws on the findings in this report as it considers the future of regulation after EU Exit more widely ? for example, in its work in response to the consultation on the framework for better regulation.
Ref Page 12, paragraph 22, point d · Implemented Q2 2023-24
Department for Business and Trade Accepted Implemented ✓ NAO
5
While government as a whole is still working on its future direction for regulation, regulators need to develop, with policy-makers, their long-term strategies and objectives. In line with our principles of effective regulation, these should articulate a clear line of sight linking high-level and statutory objectives to detailed operational objectives, plans and priorities. This will enable them to build their capacity and processes and prioritise their workload to ensure their detailed objectives support overall desired policy outcomes.
Ref Page 11, paragraph 22, point a · Implemented Q4 2023-24
Health and Safety Executive Accepted Implemented ✓ NAO
6
Now there is more clarity on demand for new regulatory functions, regulators should review the plans they developed before EU Exit in the light of what they now know about their capacity and their workload. They should test the realism of their current plans and take any necessary steps to ensure their operational effectiveness is maximised as well as looking for efficiencies in delivery. These reviews should consider what scope and need the regulator has to: ? build capacity and skills; ? flex deadlines or work programmes to match workload to resources; ? use other international channels to cooperate and influence regulatory changes; and ? build new tools for risk identification.
Ref Page 11, paragraph 22, point b · Implemented Q4 2023-24
Health and Safety Executive Accepted Implemented ✓ NAO
7
Regulators should ensure that, as soon as they are able, they provide clarity to stakeholders on their direction of travel and the timelines for any planned changes. As set out in good practice guidance, this is important to allow stakeholders to plan and to hold regulators to account.
Ref Page 11, paragraph 22, point c · Implemented Q4 2023-24
Health and Safety Executive Accepted Implemented ✓ NAO
8
While government as a whole is still working on its future direction for regulation, regulators need to develop, with policy-makers, their long-term strategies and objectives. In line with our principles of effective regulation, these should articulate a clear line of sight linking high-level and statutory objectives to detailed operational objectives, plans and priorities. This will enable them to build their capacity and processes and prioritise their workload to ensure their detailed objectives support overall desired policy outcomes.
Ref Page 11, paragraph 22, point a · Implemented Q4 2022-23
Food Standards Agency Accepted Implemented ✓ NAO
9
Now there is more clarity on demand for new regulatory functions, regulators should review the plans they developed before EU Exit in the light of what they now know about their capacity and their workload. They should test the realism of their current plans and take any necessary steps to ensure their operational effectiveness is maximised as well as looking for efficiencies in delivery. These reviews should consider what scope and need the regulator has to: ? build capacity and skills; ? flex deadlines or work programmes to match workload to resources; ? use other international channels to cooperate and influence regulatory changes; and ? build new tools for risk identification.
Ref Page 11, paragraph 22, point b · Implemented Q4 2022-23
Food Standards Agency Accepted Implemented ✓ NAO