The government paused the bill after it received its second reading in the House of Commons last month because MPs demanded more time for scrutiny. In its interim report, published this week, the House of Lords Constitution Committee, which examines public bills for constitutional implications, looks at the bill on a clause-by-clause basis, covering citizens’ rights and workers’ rights, several broad secondary law-making powers, parliamentary sovereignty, and the relationship with EU law up to the end of the implementation period and beyond.
The report highlights numerous instances of Henry VIII powers relating to, for example, citizens’ rights and immigration, but does not pass judgment on policy.
Although Parliament has now dissolved, the committee will report on any similar bill introduced in the next parliament.