A bill announced in September 2022 to reform or replace all retained EU law by the end of 2023 recently passed its third reading in The House of Commons, moving it closer to becoming law.

The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill could have huge implications for employers as it will automatically repeal any retained EU law on December 31st 2023, unless new legislation is introduced to keep it. 

Up for reform, replacement or elimination by the end of 2023 are a wide range of areas and subjects, including:

  • The Part-time Workers Regulations
  • TUPE
  • The right to paid annual leave
  • Working Time Regulations
  • The Fixed term Employees Regulations
  • Various Health & Safety regulations

There has been concern both in and outside of Parliament that such a tight deadline to review thousands of retained EU laws is not only impractical, but could also result in workers’ rights being weakened – perhaps accidentally.

An amendment to the bill to push the review deadline back from 2023 to 2026 was recently defeated in a vote. The bill has now moved onto the House of Lords as its journey through Parliament continues.