Britain to keep EU laws during #Brexit transition

It issued a policy document on legislation it says is needed to implement the terms of any final exit deal negotiated between London and Brussels, once it has been approved in principle by parliament.

The document is the most clear presentation yet of how the government intends the relationship between Britain and the EU to be little changed during the so-called implementation period until December 2020.

It sets out a continuing role for the ECJ throughout the transition and for EU laws still to apply.

“As part of delivering a smooth and orderly exit, the UK and EU have agreed that during the implementation period the existing EU mechanisms for supervision and enforcement will continue to apply to the UK,” the Brexit department document said.

Brexit secretary Dominic Raab said keeping EU laws was necessary to provide certainty during the exit process.

“Our view is that repealing and saving the effect of the ECA (European Communities Act), for the time-limited duration of the implementation period, is the most effective way to provide continuity and certainty to businesses and individuals,” the document said.

The plan is to start debating the new bill once a withdrawal agreement has been agreed with the EU and approved by way of a vote in parliament.

The bill is expected to cover issues such as any agreement on citizens’ rights and a financial settlement, and the details of an implementation period agreed between both sides.

However, the extent to which the bill goes into detail on these policies, and the scope it will give MPs to actually change policy remain uncertain.

Details of the document can be accessed here.