Review of the Balance of Competences
The Review of the Balance of Competences will be an audit of what the EU does and how it affects the UK.
In July 2012, the Foreign Secretary launched the Review of the Balance of Competences, a Government audit of what the EU does and how it affects the UK. It is important that Britain has a clear sense of how our national interests interact with the EU’s roles, particularly at a time of great change for the EU.
Government departments will consult Parliament and its committees, businesses, the devolved administrations and civil society to look in depth at how the EU’s competences (the power to act in particular areas conferred on it by the EU Treaties) work in practice.
Our European partners and the EU institutions will also contribute evidence to the review, and it will examine issues that are of interest across the EU, seeking to improve understanding and engagement.
Government departments will then report on areas of competence and their findings will be published during the course of the review.
This short guide and glossary to EU law explains some terms and concepts commonly used in reference to EU law.