A senior Tory MP has accused Rishi Sunak of only getting rid of “trivial” and “obsolete” EU-era laws after the Government watered-down its post-Brexit “bonfire” of regulations.
Sir William Cash, a leading Conservative Brexiteer and the chairman of the European Scrutiny Committee, has written a letter to the Prime Minister criticising the decision to scale back the plans to scrap the laws.
The Government had pledged to complete the axing of 4,000 regulations by the end of the year but under a new approach just 600 laws will now be revoked, sparking a Brexiteer backlash.
Sir William told Mr Sunak that “almost without exception” the 600 laws which are now being targeted for removal relate to “matters that are trivial, obsolete and are not legally and/or politically important”.
He said that therefore the Government’s new plans “cannot be construed as lightening the regulatory burden for businesses or spurring economic growth”.
Sir William’s letter sets out examples of the “trivial” laws which he said are being revoked, including one which related to “the setting of fishing opportunities for anchovy in the Bay of Biscay for the 2011/2012 fishing season”.
The Government has insisted its new approach to scrapping EU-era laws was “pragmatic and balanced”.
You can follow the latest updates below.
08:23 AMChancellor: Unemployment rate ‘remains historically low’
Jeremy Hunt said the UK unemployment rate “remains historically low” but staff shortages and rising prices are still a “worry” for families and businesses as he responded to the figures from the Office for National Statistics (see the post below at 08.20).
The Chancellor said: “It’s encouraging that the unemployment rate remains historically low but difficulty in finding staff and rising prices are a worry for many families and businesses.
“That’s why we must stick to our plan to halve inflation and help families with the cost of living, while delivering our childcare reforms and supporting older people and disabled people who want to work.”
Story continues08:20 AMUnemployment rate rises while job vacancies fall
Britain’s unemployment rate has risen again unexpectedly while vacancies have fallen to the lowest level for 18 months as economic uncertainty weighs on the UK’s jobs market, according to official figures published this morning.
The rate of UK unemployment rose to 3.9 per cent in the three months to March, up from 3.8 per cent in the previous quarter and the highest level since the three months to January 2022, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.
Most economists had expected the rate to remain unchanged at 3.8 per cent. Meanwhile, the number of vacancies fell by 55,000 quarter on quarter to 1.08 million in the three months to April, marking the 10th fall in a row.
08:16 AMSenior Tory MP sets out examples of ‘trivial’ EU laws being scrapped by Government
Sir William Cash’s letter to Rishi Sunak criticising the decision to water down the post-Brexit “bonfire” of EU-era laws (see the post below at 08.07) included examples of the “trivial” regulations which he said the Government is planning to get rid of.
Sir William’s examples, which are likely to further fuel anger among Tory Eurosceptic MPs over the Government’s new approach, included laws which relate to:
“Temporary exemptions to repealed EU rules on limits to working hours for drivers during the 2001 foot-and-mouth outbreak”.
“Quota rules for the import of 8,000 tonnes of wheat bran originating in the ACP States into the French overseas territory of Réunion; •
“Rules on the allocation of fishing opportunities for the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe”.
“The setting of fishing opportunities for anchovy in the Bay of Biscay for the 2011/2012 fishing season (it is worth noting that in excess of 150 instances of REUL included in the Schedule relate to fishing).”
This content is not available due to your privacy preferences.Update your settings here to see it.08:07 AMBrexit red tape ‘bonfire’ only includes ‘trivial’ EU laws, senior Tory MP claims
A senior Tory MP has accused Rishi Sunak of only getting rid of “trivial” and “obsolete” EU-era laws after the Government watered-down its post-Brexit “bonfire” of regulations.
Sir William Cash, a leading Conservative Brexiteer and the chairman of the European Scrutiny Committee, has written a letter to the Prime Minister criticising the decision to scale back the plans to scrap the laws.
The Government had pledged to complete the axing of 4,000 regulations by the end of the year but under a new approach just 600 laws will now be revoked, sparking a Brexiteer backlash.
Sir William told Mr Sunak that “almost without exception” the 600 laws which are now being targeted for removal relate to “matters that are trivial, obsolete and are not legally and/or politically important”.
He said that therefore the Government’s new plans “cannot be construed as lightening the regulatory burden for businesses or spurring economic growth”.
Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer.