UK and the Internal Market, Devolution and the Union

This briefing paper explores the impact of the UK Internal Market Bill for the future of devolution and the relations between the governments and territories of the United Kingdom. It focuses in particular on the market access principles established by the Bill, with consideration also given to the powers the Bill confers upon the UK Government to spend on devolved matters. We answer ten key questions raised by the Internal Market Bill:

1. What are market access principles?
2. How will Internal Market principles be enforced?
3. Does the Bill simply replicate EU law?
4. Does the Bill weaken devolution?
5. How do the Principles in the Bill relate to Common Frameworks?
6. Will the Bill ensure high regulatory standards?
7. Are the financial assistance powers necessary to uphold the UK Internal Market?
8. Will the Bill promote cooperation and trust between governments?
9. Is the Bill necessary to enable businesses to trade freely across the UK?
10. Can the Bill be improved?

Katy Hayward is Professor of Political Sociology at Queen’s University Belfast and a Senior Fellow of the UK in a Changing Europe initiative.

Jo Hunt is Professor of Law at the Wales Governance Centre, School of Law and Politics, Cardiff University.

Nicola McEwen is Professor of Territorial Politics at the University of Edinburgh, Co-Director of the Centre on Constitutional Change and a Senior Fellow of the UK in a Changing Europe initiative.

Aileen McHarg is Professor of Public Law and Human Rights at Durham Law School, Durham University.

Daniel Wincott is Blackwell Professor of Law and Society at the Wales Governance Centre, School of Law and Politics, Cardiff University and Director of the Economic and Social Research Council’s Governance after Brexit Research Programme.