British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is preparing legislation that would allow the UK to adopt new EU laws without full parliamentary votes, aiming to speed alignment with European rules in key areas such as trade, energy and food standards.
The proposed legislation would create a fast-track system enabling ministers to introduce new rules as secondary legislation, reducing scrutiny by MPs and peers.
The government argues the move would make it easier for the UK to “dynamically” align with evolving European standards, particularly in sectors linked to future agreements with the EU, including food regulation, carbon pricing and electricity trading.
Under the plan, Parliament would still have “a role” in examining new measures but its ability to amend or block them would be more limited than under full legislative votes.
Ministers say closer alignment with EU rules is necessary to reduce trade barriers and support economic stability, especially amid ongoing global uncertainty.
Speaking in Parliament, Keir Starmer said the economic and security benefits of rebuilding ties with Europe were “too big to ignore”, pointing to recent global shocks including Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.
He also cited instability in international relations, including the policies of Donald Trump, as a reason for strengthening cooperation with European partners.
However, the proposals have drawn strong criticism from opposition parties, including the Conservatives and Reform UK, who argue the changes could weaken parliamentary sovereignty by shifting more power to ministers.
Concerns have also been raised over scrutiny, particularly after Labour abolished the Commons committee that previously examined new EU legislation.
The approach would mirror processes used before Brexit, when the UK regularly adopted EU laws to meet its obligations as a member state, but without having a vote in shaping those rules.
The legislation is expected to be introduced later this year, setting up a renewed political debate over the UK’s post-Brexit relationship with the European Union.
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The UK is moving to join a €90 billion European Union loan scheme for Ukraine, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer saying the benefits outweigh the costs, as he pushes for closer ties with Europe at a summit in Armenia this week.
Armenia is host to the 8th meeting of the European Political Community which opened in Yerevan on Monday (4 May). Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan welcomed European Union leaders and heads of international organisations, including NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla commemorated victims of the 11 September, 2001, an al Qaeda attack on New York City on Wednesday, laying a floral bouquet at the memorial where the World Trade Centre's twin towers once stood.
Nearly one million young people in the UK are not in education, employment or training (NEET), a new report warns, placing Britain among the worst-performing wealthy European nations.
A 77-year-old man and a 63-year-old woman were killed on Monday (4 May), after a man drove a car into a crowd on a pedestrianised street in the the eastern German city of Leipzig, authorities said.
Iran warned Armerican forces on Monday (4 May) not to enter the Strait of Hormuz, after the U.S. said it had launched a mission to try and reopen the sea passage. Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister said there was no military solution to the Middle East conflict.
The United Arab Emirate said it was dealing with missile and drone attacks from Iran for the second day in a row on Tuesday (5 May), despite denials from authorities in Tehran who threatened a "crushing response" if the UAE retaliated.
President Donald Trump cited "great progress" toward a comprehensive agreement with Iran as he announced he would briefly pause the operation to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urges China to pressure Tehran over its actions in the Hormuz.
All remaining passengers aboard a luxury cruise ship hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak are asymptomatic, Spain’s Health Minister Mónica García said on Wednesday.
The Australian government will spend billions to boost national fuel stockpiles and create a permanent, state-owned strategic reserve, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced.
ITA Airways is preparing to raise ticket prices by between 5% and 10% this year as soaring fuel costs linked to the conflict involving Iran, Israel and the U.S. continue to pressure airlines worldwide.
Ukraine has accused Russia of violating a ceasefire proposed by Kyiv that came into effect at midnight on 6 May, reporting continued strikes that left at least one person dead and several others injured across frontline regions.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to discuss Cuba and global religious freedom with Pope Leo during a visit to the Vatican on Thursday (7 May), following recent criticism from President Donald Trump over the pope’s comments on the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran.
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