Government backtracks on "Henry VIII" powers in reform of public bodies

The government has ditched that part of its plans for so-called “Henry VIII” powers in the Public Bodies Bill that would have given it the ability to add to the list of quangos that could be abolished or modified without further parliamentary approval.

Lord Taylor of Holbeach announced earlier this week – at the start of the resumed Committee proceedings on the Bill – that the government would agree to the deletion of clause 11 and Schedule 7, the relevant provisions.

Bircham Dyson Bell partner Paul Thompson, who has been blogging on the passage of the Bill, described the government’s move as “a remarkable turnaround”.

He said: “Together with the prospective deletion of the forestry clauses from the Bill, which the government formally confirmed its agreement to during the debate, the Bill is now set to become a shadow of its former self, with the more extreme elements of its "Henry VIII" style powers effectively removed.”

Thompson also highlighted an interesting assurance made by Lord Taylor of Holbeach earlier on in the debate respecting charities.

The Conservative Whip said: "I make it absolutely clear that the government have not considered, nor would they ever consider, using the Bill to transfer functions to charities without their consent or make consequential changes to their consitution without such consent".

To read Paul Thompson’s blog, click here.