UK Internal Market Act 2020: review and consultation relating to Parts 1, 2, 3 and 4

Question 1

Ministerial foreword

Accepted Answer

Since the formation of the United Kingdom, there has always been an internal market. Businesses and consumers across the land have long enjoyed the rewards from being able to sell and buy products and services in every part of the UK. This trade between the UK’s 4 nations is worth around £129 billion, and is particularly important to the economies of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

This government’s top priority is economic growth, and we believe that growth and prosperity is supported by devolution – with all levels of government making decisions that support the economic success of our places and communities.

Maximising economic growth while protecting the significant value of the internal market therefore means finding the right balance between devolved decision-making on regulation and ensuring that unnecessary costs and barriers to trade between the 4 nations do not arise in instances of regulatory divergence.

This management of the internal market is best achieved through discussions between all 4 nations – maximising opportunities for alignment where in the nations’ mutual interest and managing divergence in ways that might promote long-term growth, rather than harm it, across the UK.

When that collaboration is working well, the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020 (the UK Internal Market Act) sits in the background as a tool for all governments within the UK to manage instances of divergence which might cause unnecessary cost and trade barriers – enabling free movement of goods and services and supporting people to work and do business.

The new UK government recognises the strongly held views of some around the way that the UK Internal Market Act was previously managed and that businesses have been left with little time to adapt to new policies and changes. That is why we are seizing the opportunity to conduct this review early. We want to hear views about what is and what is not working well about the UK Internal Market Act, so that we can quickly decide on next steps to make processes work better.

Our aim is for the 4 governments of the UK to collaborate and deliver our shared ambition to support businesses and drive economic growth. As an early demonstration of this commitment, the UK government has already stated^{[footnote 1]} our:

commitment to use Common Frameworks^{[footnote 2]} as the main fora for the 4 governments of the UK to discuss and collaborate on new ideas and policies in the areas they cover, and to consider the impact these may have on the internal market
aim to ensure that the programme to establish Common Frameworks is complete by Easter 2025
desire to encourage greater sharing of policy programmes between the UK government and devolved governments, so that we are working together in a more collaborative and transparent way
agreement to the Scottish Government’s previous proposal to exclude legislation that prohibits the sale of rodent glue traps, so that it would no longer be subject to the free movement of goods provisions in the UK Internal Market Act, on the basis that it has a minimal economic impact on business

This initial package of commitments demonstrates that we are ready to manage the UK internal market in a collaborative and open way. We are pleased the devolved governments have welcomed these measures and look forward to building on this throughout the course of the review.

The Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP
Minister of State for Trade Policy and Economic Security

General information

Consultation details

Issued: 23 January 2025

Respond by: 3 April 2025

Enquiries to: UKIMReview@businessandtrade.gov.uk

Audience

This government seeks views from those affected by or with an interest in the operation of the UK Internal Market Act’s provisions, including but not limited to:

businesses and their representative organisations
specialist interest groups
academia
the devolved governments

Territorial extent

United Kingdom

Quality assurance

This consultation has been carried out in accordance with the government’s consultation principles.

Confidentiality and data protection

Information you provide in response to this consultation, including personal information, may be disclosed in accordance with UK legislation (the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, and the Data Protection Act 2018).

If you want the information that you provide to be treated as confidential, please tell us but be aware that we cannot guarantee confidentiality in all circumstances. An automatic confidentiality disclaimer generated by your IT system will not be regarded by us as a confidentiality request.

See our personal information charter and our public consultations privacy notice.

Question 2

Background to the UK internal market

Accepted Answer

The value of the UK internal market

1․ The UK internal market is the trading space which exists between the 4 nations of the UK. It has existed for hundreds of years. Statistics have consistently demonstrated the importance of trade across the UK’s internal borders for our shared growth and prosperity, and that this trade is particularly important to the economies of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Data shows that trade between the UK’s 4 nations was valued at around £129 billion in 2019. The data also shows that trading with other UK nations represented 20% or more of the total economies of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. ^{[footnote 3]}.

2․ Trade between the UK’s nations is particularly important for small businesses, which are less likely to trade internationally ^{[footnote 4]}.

How the UK internal market has developed

3․ For nearly 50 years, during the UK’s membership of the EU’s single market and its predecessors, large amounts of intra-UK trade took place under harmonised EU-wide regulatory frameworks, which prevented any significant regulatory divergence within the UK internal market.

4․ The previous UK Labour government always championed devolution and, in 1998, delivered devolution in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This transferred decision making in a set of policy areas to the Scottish Government, Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive for which they were accountable to devolved legislatures. Since then, more control has been passed to devolved authorities under individual devolution settlements.

5․ When the UK left the EU in 2020, all of those powers previously held at EU level were returned to the UK. As devolution had occurred since the UK had joined the EU, only those powers which had not been devolved (such as on international relations and security matters) were returned to the UK Parliament in Westminster, and those powers in policy areas which had since been devolved were now returned to the parliaments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, according to the individual devolution settlements.

6․ This created more potential than before for each of the 4 nations to take tailored approaches in critical areas, and therefore for more divergent regulatory approaches to emerge in different parts of the UK and in economically significant parts of the UK’s internal market.

7․ Devolved powers promote an environment in which new, innovative approaches can be taken in one part of the UK and, if they are successful, these might be then adopted and rolled out in the rest of the UK. For example, in October 2011, the Welsh Government introduced a charge for single-use carrier bags which was so successful that it was subsequently adopted and rolled out across the rest of the UK. With more devolved powers post-EU exit, there is more potential for this kind of local policy innovation.

8․ This also requires all governments to work together to carefully manage these new powers to maximise their benefits and mitigate against potential costs to businesses and consumers. Trading between the nations of the UK is a crucial part of our economy, and it is vital that the operation of our internal market remains effective. People and businesses travel, conduct business, and buy and sell goods and services across the whole of the UK. Under some circumstances, businesses could find it more complicated and costly to sell their products and services in other nations within the UK if different rules apply in different places.

9․ To help manage this, the previous UK government introduced Common Frameworks jointly with the devolved governments in 2017 and the UK Internal Market Act in 2020 to provide a structure to manage the balance between the benefits of devolution and innovation and the potential impact of additional costs on the economy.

Question 3

Management of the UK internal market

Accepted Answer

Common Frameworks

10․ Common Frameworks are agreements between the UK government and the devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. They establish structures for regular engagement to discuss, make decisions, and resolve disputes about developments in policy areas that are within devolved competence. They provide ways to work in areas where continuing a high level of coordination makes sense, despite powers being devolved, and to ensure any changes to policy in these areas are well-managed UK-wide.

11․ Common Frameworks are therefore the most important tool for the UK government and devolved governments to find shared approaches or agree on how to manage where one or more parties wish to take a different approach in the areas they cover. In this way, they can help protect the effective functioning of the UK internal market by supporting market cohesion. They can also help all parties to understand early where different approaches might be taken, so that discussions can focus on whether that divergence has economic impact and, if so, how best to manage that impact.

12․ The Common Frameworks programme was established jointly between the UK government and devolved governments in 2017. It covers a range of policy areas, from storing radioactive substances to food waste.

13․ As of January 2025, of the 32 Common Frameworks agreed between the UK government and devolved governments^{[footnote 5]}, 28 are operational with full or provisional clearance. The UK government and devolved governments are fully committed to Common Frameworks^{[footnote 6]}, and working closely together to fulfil their potential to help manage the UK internal market.

The UK Internal Market Act

14․ The UK Internal Market Act is the legislative tool which can be used to help manage the impact of trade barriers when regulatory divergence occurs in the UK internal market.

15․ The Act introduced principles (called ‘market access principles’) which mean that:

a) complying with regulations permitting the sale of goods or provision of services in one part of the UK will be considered as compliant with requirements across the UK. In other words, these principles mean that businesses only need to comply with a single set of regulations in order to trade freely across the whole of the UK.

b) regulations permitting the sale of goods or provision of services in one part of the UK cannot discriminate against goods and services from another part of the UK.

c) where individuals hold professional qualifications, the Act ensures that they may, by default, practice in other parts of the UK (exclusions and alternatives apply)

16․ With respect to goods, if for example a local requirement is introduced in one or more part (but not the whole) of the UK, the market access principles could mean that the local requirement will not apply to and cannot be enforced against those goods which are made in and imported from other parts of the UK. With respect to services, if a local requirement is introduced or substantively amended in a sector that is regulated in more than one part of the UK, the market access principles could apply and prevent the requirement from being enforced against providers from other parts.

17․ The market access principles could, of course, make it more difficult for a new local rule to have its intended effect. Therefore, the UK Internal Market Act contains provisions allowing the principles to be switched off for particular regulations or policy areas – these are known as ‘exclusions’. The UK government or any of the devolved governments can propose a new exclusion from the market access principles and, if the exclusion is agreed, businesses need to comply with the new rule’s application in the relevant nation when trading into it from another part of the UK.

18․ A number of areas were excluded when the UK Internal Market Act originally came into force (such as healthcare services) and regulations in existence before the Act came into force are outside of its scope until such time as they are substantively amended.

Case study: single-use plastics

In 2022, the Scottish Government implemented a ban on many single-use plastics, making it an offence for businesses in Scotland to provide the items – which include plastic cutlery, plates and stirrers.

At this time, there was shared policy ambition across the UK to ban single-use plastics. The Scottish Government were proceeding faster in implementing this than other parts of the UK, and were therefore concerned that the UK Internal Market Act’s market access principles might allow businesses in other parts of the UK to continue to sell single-use plastic articles into Scotland, thus undermining the environmental objectives of their ban, before bans in the rest of the UK had come into effect.

Due to this concern, following discussions between the UK government and the devolved governments about their plans for single-use plastics in the Resources and Waste Common Framework, the Scottish Government proposed an exclusion from the market access principles for single-use plastic products.

This exclusion was agreed and, shortly after the Scottish ban came into effect, the UK government implemented the exclusion for certain single-use plastic products. This meant that businesses in other parts of the UK would not be able to rely on the market access principles to sell single-use plastics into Scotland. The result was that the Scottish Government were able to implement their ban effectively ahead of the other governments of the UK, with little expected adverse effect on business.

19․ In practice, if divergence in the UK internal market occurs, businesses may not seek to rely on the market access principles. A recent study^{[footnote 7]} has shown that businesses tend to respond to regulatory divergence not by relying on the market access principles but by either adopting a single high standard that is compliant across all nations (in effect gold plating their compliance), or by establishing 2 supply chains (perhaps reducing the number of their product lines to manage the costs of this), or even by considering withdrawing from selling products in a particular nation. This indicates that having different regulations applying in different parts of the UK could have potentially significant impact for the UK internal market, including on consumer choice and costs for businesses.

20․ That same study found that divergent regulations which produce effects earlier in the supply chain appear to be more challenging for businesses to address than divergent regulations which have their effects later in the supply chain. This suggests that, if some flexibility can be applied by policy makers in how they intend to achieve a particular policy goal, some regulatory differences may have a much lower impact on businesses than others, even if the policy goals are broadly similar.

The process for exclusions from market access principles

21․ Each of the governments of the UK’s 4 nations can propose an exclusion from the market access principles if it wants to enforce its new local rule against businesses trading into it from another part of the UK. The UK Internal Market Act specifies that only the UK government can implement an exclusion, by legislating in the UK Parliament.

22․ To date, only one additional exclusion^{[footnote 8]} has been implemented for goods – to enable governments to ban the sale of certain single-use plastic items. In relation to services, a number of changes to areas excluded were made following public consultation.^{[footnote 9]} Further details can be found in paragraphs 43 to 45.

23․ A process for managing exclusions from the UK Internal Market Act in Common Framework areas was jointly developed by all governments and introduced in December 2021 (see the process for considering UK Internal Market Act exclusions in Common Framework areas).

24․ However, the new UK government has heard criticism about the way the exclusions process has operated. To demonstrate this government’s desire to make improvements to ways of working with the devolved governments for the benefit of businesses and people across the UK, the UK government has already committed to:

a) the principles for Common Frameworks^{[footnote 10]} agreed at the Joint Ministerial Committee (EU Negotiations) in October 2017 between the previous UK government and devolved governments. This recommitment includes:

i. developing closer working relationships and increased transparency between the government and the devolved governments on UK internal market matters that impact significantly on devolved responsibilities within Common Frameworks

ii. acknowledging the benefits of policy innovation and shared learning on policy development and implementation, while enabling the smooth functioning of the UK internal market

b) aiming to finalise the Common Frameworks programme by Easter 2025, ensuring the necessary structures exist for joined up inter-governmental discussions around regulatory divergence and implications for the performance of the UK internal market

c) making a UK Internal Market Act exclusion for legislation in response to the Scottish Government’s previous proposal that prohibits the sale of rodent glue traps, so that they would no longer be subject to the market access principles in the Act which provide for the free movement of goods provisions ^{[footnote 11]}. This government recognises this proposal has a minimal economic impact on trade within the UK.

25․ In addition, in undertaking this review, the UK government wants to understand how to make the processes that provide the important protections flowing from the market access principles work better for businesses whilst securing the benefits of local innovation.

Question 4

The review

Accepted Answer

What the review covers

26․ The UK Internal Market Act requires the government to carry out a review of certain aspects of Parts 1, 2 and 4 of the Act by December 2025. Details of these legal requirements are set out in the Annex to this document. We are also seeking views on other, additional aspects of the Act, such as the process for considering exclusions from the market access principles, to help determine how the processes can be improved.

What the review does not cover

27․ The UK Internal Market Act provides important protections that can, when necessary, facilitate the free movement and trade in goods, provision of services and practice of professions across the UK. It also contains important protections for Northern Ireland’s place in the UK internal market and customs union. This review will therefore not consider whether to repeal the UK Internal Market Act or any part of it.

28․ Similarly, this review will also not consider the following parts of the UK Internal Market Act:

Part 5 – Northern Ireland and the Windsor Framework, as this government is committed to protecting Northern Ireland’s place in the UK internal market
Part 6 – Financial Assistance Power, as this remains an important mechanism which enables the UK government to deliver for people across the UK and on shared priorities with the devolved governments
Part 7 – Subsidy control, as this is a matter that is reserved to the UK Parliament
Part 8 – Final provisions

29․ The UK Internal Market Act’s protections that facilitate the free movement of goods, provision of services, and recognition of professional qualifications can deliver benefits across the whole of the UK. So, while we are of course ready to listen to all views on the market access principles, our starting point is that we do not believe the protections that flow from the principles should be weakened, but we do want to ensure that the processes around their application are appropriate and transparent.

Our approach to evidence gathering

30․ The following sections set out more information on the features of the UK Internal Market Act and its operation which we expect respondents to be most interested in: the market access principles for goods, services and professional qualifications, the role of the Office for the Internal Market (OIM), and the process for exclusions from the market access principles. Each section contains specific questions on the relevant feature. Respondents should feel free to answer as many or as few of the specific questions as they choose. Indeed, respondents may decide to answer only question 20, which invites general comments on any aspect of the operation of the UK Internal Market Act.

The market access principles for goods

31․ If a business sells goods across the UK, the UK Internal Market Act ensures that they can continue to do so, even if there are different regulations in different parts of the UK. Complying with regulations relating to their sale in the part of the UK the goods are produced or imported into, means the goods can be sold in the other parts of the UK, free from any regulations that would otherwise apply to their sale there. Regulatory requirements that discriminate against the sale of goods which have a relevant connection with another part of the UK, have no effect^{[footnote 12]}.

32․ Upon introduction, the UK Internal Market Act included a schedule detailing specific circumstances in which goods are excluded from the scope of these principles, meaning business must always follow the local legislation under those circumstances. These exclusions cover:

a. Threats to human, animal or plant health
b. Taxation
c. Chemicals
d. Fertilisers and Pesticides

33․ Since the UK Internal Market Act was introduced, further decisions have been taken concerning proposals to exclude legislation relating to certain goods from the Act’s market access principles.

34․ In 2022, the UK government agreed to provide an exclusion from the market access principles for regulations prohibiting the sale of certain single-use plastics products (such as plastic cutlery and packaging including those used by cafes and takeaways, plastic straws and single-use coffee cups). This amendment to the list of exclusions from the market access principles for goods came into force in August 2022.

35․ The government considers that this is a good example of the devolved governments and UK government working together, respecting devolved competence and the ability to make local legislation whilst minimising any potential detrimental effect on trade. It is also an example of regulations being developed that have effect later in the supply chain, which may have contributed to a lower impact on businesses^{[footnote 13]}.

36․ The OIM is currently undertaking a study into the impact of current and future regulatory restrictions on single-use plastic products. The results are expected shortly and will inform this review.

37․ In 2023, the UK government agreed to offer a temporary exclusion for the Scottish Government to implement a deposit return scheme (DRS) for drinks containers, ahead of the introduction of DRS schemes for metal and plastic containers across the rest of the UK. A DRS is a system for charging the consumer a deposit in respect of a container which is then refunded when the consumer returns the container, for example through a reverse vending machine.

38․ However, the previous UK government decided not to agree that the DRS exclusion proposed by the Scottish Government should also include glass bottles (beyond just plastic and metal containers). This was because a scheme including glass would have created a level of divergence between proposed DRS schemes within the UK, without safeguards that interoperable schemes provide, which would have been a very significant step for businesses and consumers. The previous government considered that there was insufficient evidence to justify such an approach.

39․ In 2024, the previous UK government decided not to agree an exclusion proposed by the Scottish Government in respect of the sale of rodent glue traps, on the basis that it was unnecessary because the use and possession of rodent glue traps (outside of licensed pest controllers) were already banned.

40․ This government has now stated that it will agree to the sale of rodent glue traps exclusion. The rationale is that the exclusion would have minimal economic impact.

Question 1: What are your views on how the UK internal market for goods is best supported using the UK Internal Market Act?

Question 2: What are your views on whether differing regulations that have effect later in the supply process are more straightforward for businesses to address?

Question 3: What is the right balance between the potential for local regulatory innovations in sectors and UK-wide alignment?

Question 4: What are your views on the operation of the market access principles for goods to date?

Question 5: What are your views on the use that has been made of the Part 1 amendment powers – for example the exclusion for single-use plastics? In particular, we would welcome views on whether the changes have had or will have a positive or negative impact and whether they have been effective. (An explanation of what the Part 1 amendment powers are and what use has been made of them can be found in the Annex).

The market access principles for services

41․ If a business is authorised to provide services in one part of the UK, the UK Internal Market Act ensures that they can provide the services across the UK, even if there are different regulations in different parts of the UK. Requirements that are discriminatory have no effect in relation to a service provider from another part of the UK.

42․ The UK Internal Market Act includes a list of services which are excluded from the scope of these principles. For these excluded service sectors, devolved regulators can set different requirements in their jurisdictions without automatically giving access to service providers from other parts of the UK.

43․ A schedule listing which services are excluded was set out in the UK Internal Market Act when it was enacted. The list was further developed, following public consultation in February 2021, through a statutory instrument^{[footnote 14]} made in November 2023. As a result, the following sectors are now excluded:

a. Audiovisual services
b. Debt collection services
c. Gambling services
d. Healthcare services
e. Legal services (mutual recognition only)
f. Notarial services
g. Private security services
h. Heat networks (mutual recognition only)
i. Gas and electricity services
j. Water and sewerage services
k. Transport services
l. Functions of a public nature
m. Award or authentication of academic or vocational qualifications services
n. Social services (relating to social housing, childcare, adult social care and support of families and persons permanently or temporarily in need)
o. Waste services
p. Taxation

44․ The following services are now included in the protections provided by the market access principles, having initially been excluded when the UK Internal Market Act was enacted:

a. Electronic communication services
b. Financial services
c. Postal service
d. Services of temporary work agencies
e. Services of a statutory auditor

45․ Since then, there have been no proposals for further exclusions from the market access principles that relate to services.

Question 6: What are your views on how the UK internal market for services is best supported using the UK Internal Market Act?

Question 7: What is the right balance between the potential for local regulatory innovations in services and UK-wide alignment?

Question 8: What are your views on the operation of the market access principles for services to date?

Question 9: What are your views on the use that has been made of the Part 2 amendment powers – for example, removing exclusions for certain services? In particular, we would welcome views on whether the changes have had or will have a positive or negative impact and whether they have been effective. (An explanation of what the Part 2 amendment powers are and what use has been made of them can be found in the Annex).

The recognition of professional qualifications

46․ Part 3 of the UK Internal Market Act provides similar protections for professional qualifications to the market access principles for goods and services: if a person qualifies in one part of the UK, those professional qualifications are automatically recognised in all other parts of the UK – without the need, for example, to sit additional exams. Automatic recognition does not apply where there is an alternative process for recognition that complies with specific principles. Equal treatment is ensured so that professionals cannot be required to comply with higher ongoing practice requirements than locally qualified professionals unless justified.

47․ The Act only covers access to professions that are regulated by law. Certain professions, like education and legal services, were excluded from this system when the UK Internal Market Act was enacted. To date, there have been no further exclusions from the system of recognition of professional qualifications.

Question 10: What are your views on how the UK internal market for professions is best supported using the UK Internal Market Act?

Question 11: What is the right balance between the potential for local regulatory innovations in professions and UK-wide alignment?

Question 12: What are your views on the operation of the system for recognising professional qualifications to date?

Independent advice on and monitoring of the UK internal market and the role of the Office for the Internal Market

48․ Part 4 of the UK Internal Market Act sets out the arrangements for the provision of independent advice on, and monitoring of, the UK internal market. This involves conferring a range of functions on the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) which it performs through the OIM. The OIM’s objective is to support and report on the effective operation of the UK internal market, making assessments and providing expert and independent advice to the UK government and devolved governments on how specific legislation, rules and regulations impact the UK internal market.

49․ The OIM is an independent body overseen by a Chair (Murdoch MacLennan) and a 7-member appointed panel. The OIM has dedicated staffing within the CMA, as well as access to the CMA’s advisory professions, such as economists, legal, business and financial analysts. The OIM can form task groups comprising OIM panel members to carry out the functions conferred on the CMA under Part 4, such as providing advice on a particular matter. A summary of the CMA’s functions under Part 4 can be found in the Annex.

50․ From the time it became operational in September 2021, the OIM has become a well-regarded independent and expert body within the UK. The OIM has produced 2 annual reports on the condition of the UK internal market and will be publishing its third in early 2025. It has published a periodic report in 2024 assessing the effectiveness of Parts 1 to 3 of the UK Internal Market Act and conducted detailed research into issues concerning the UK internal market, particularly regulations concerning single-use plastics and the sale of horticultural peat. It has also carried out data strategy work to advocate for better quality data on trade within the UK (the Data Strategy Roadmap was published in 2023 and updated in May 2024). The OIM also has a reporting function where anyone can report a difficulty concerning trade within the UK internal market. More information about the OIM and its work (including its published reports) can be found at the OIM website.

Question 13: How can the Office for the Internal Market best support the UK internal market through its role in providing independent monitoring and advice?

Question 14: What are your views on whether the current arrangements in Part 4 relating to the use of the Office for the Internal Market task groups are appropriate for securing the most effective and efficient performance of the CMA’s Part 4 functions? We would welcome views in particular on any advantages or disadvantages of continuing with the current arrangements as compared with other possible ways of carrying out the Part 4 functions. (A full list of functions is set out in the Annex).

Questions on the management of the UK internal market and operation of the UK Internal Market Act

51․ As we have heard criticism about the way in which the exclusions process has been managed in the past, and therefore the circumstances in which the market access principles applied, we are keen to understand how these processes can be improved for the benefit of people and businesses across the UK. We are therefore particularly interested in hearing views in response to the following questions.

Question 15: What improvements could be introduced to facilitate more pragmatic management of the UK Internal Market Act’s exclusions process?

Question 16: How should we ensure proportionate engagement with interested parties in relation to potential exclusions?

Question 17: What evidence should be provided in support of an exclusion proposal by the proposing government, so the proposal can be fully considered (for example, information on potential impacts on businesses’ ability to trade within the UK and the policy implications of not having an exclusion)?

Question 18: Should there be a different process to consider exclusions proposals which could lead to potentially significant economic impact, compared to those likely to lead to smaller economic impact?

Question 19: What do you think constitutes a potentially significant economic impact?

Question 20: Is there anything else you want to tell us about the operation of the UK Internal Market Act?

Question 5

Responding to this review and next steps

Accepted Answer

52․ The full list of questions can be found in this document. Please send your views, and details of which organisation you represent in making these views, to UKIMReview@businessandtrade.gov.uk. Hard copies should be sent to UK Internal Market Review, c/o Old Admiralty Building, Admiralty Place, London SW1A 2DY. The deadline for responses is 3 April 2025.

53․ Following the consultation period, the UK government will consider all responses received.

54․ As required by the UK Internal Market Act, the UK government will share a draft report on the matters it is required to review under Part 4 with devolved governments.

55․ Upon the review’s conclusion, the UK government will publish a final report, covering all matters, which will be laid before the UK Parliament, Scottish Parliament, Senedd Cymru, and Northern Ireland Assembly.

Question 6

Summary of questions

Accepted Answer