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Online event

The UK Internal Market Bill in the House of Lords

As the bill enters the Lords, peers look poised to make amendments. This event explored issues in the bill and the likely amendments.

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The UK Internal Market Bill has sparked controversy on multiple fronts. It has wide-ranging implications for devolution, placing constraints on the exercise of devolved policy powers. The UK government argues it is simply replacing frameworks that existed in EU law, while the Scottish and Welsh government have argued that the bill is a “power grab” by Westminster. And by the government’s own admission, some provisions, if triggered, would empower ministers to break international law and override elements of the Northern Ireland protocol.

As the bill enters the Lords, peers look poised to make amendments. This event explored issues in the bill, the likely amendments and what this will all mean for the Union.

Panellists:

  • Rt Hon the Baroness Smith of Basildon, Shadow Leader of the House of Lords
  • Rt Hon the Lord Bruce of Bennachie, Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson on Scotland
  • Rt Hon the Lord Dunlop, former Minister for Scotland and Northern Ireland
  • Jess Sargeant, Senior Researcher, Institute for Government

The event was chaired by Maddy Thimont Jack, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government.

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