MSPs in "time critical" appeal for views on Market Bill

Holyrood’s Finance & Constitution Committee has launched a call for views on the UK Government’s UK Internal Market Bill, which triggers the need for legislative consent from the Scottish Parliament.

The contentious measure, which the UK Government has admitted breaches international law in purporting to override parts of the EU Withdrawal Agreement, was given a second reading in the House of Commons last night by a majority of 77. However the UK Government remains under threat of a backbench rebellion to attempt to mitigate its effects, and there is speculation as to whether it will pass the House of Lords.

The Scottish Government has indicated it will not recommend that consent be given, and the Finance & Constitution Committee is therefore seeking views from all interested organisations and individuals to help inform its scrutiny and of the Scottish Government’s legislative consent memorandum.

Views are invited especially in the following areas:

• impact on the devolution settlement;
• operation of the internal market;
• enforcement, governance and decision taking;
• funding;
• secondary legislation and parliamentary scrutiny.

Convener Bruce Crawford MSP commented: "The creation of a UK internal market and how it operates will impact on a wide range of Scottish organisations, including Scottish businesses – especially food production and agriculture, environmental and consumer organisations, as well as the third and voluntary sector and the wider public.

"It is vital therefore that we hear from people who are going to be affected by this bill, but we only have until 24 September to do so. This is time critical."

Click here to see the call for views. The deadline for submissions is 24 September 2020.