Legislative Consent: Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill

The Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (the Bill) was introduced in the House of Commons on 19 June 2023.

The long title to the Bill notes that it is a Bill “to make provision to prevent public bodies from being influenced by political or moral disapproval of foreign states when taking certain economic decisions, subject to certain exceptions; and for connected purposes.”

The Bill is subject to the legislative consent process under Standing Order 29. This is when the consent of the Welsh Parliament is sought by the UK Government to legislate on an issue which falls within the competence of the Senedd.

The Legislative Consent Motion for the Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill was not agreed in Plenary on 27 February 2024.

On 22 May 2024 it was announced that a UK General Election would take place on 4 July 2024. The Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill failed to complete its passage through UK Parliament before the prorogue of Parliament on 24 May 2024 and its dissolution on 30 May 2024. This means the Bill will make no further progress and the Senedd’s consent process is no longer engaged.

Legislative Consent Memorandum – September 2023

The Welsh Government laid a Legislative Consent Memorandum (LCM) (PDF 167KB) on the Bill before the Senedd on 8 September 2023.

The Business Committee agreed (PDF 37KB) that the Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill will be considered and reported on, to the Senedd, by 24 November 2023.

The Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee laid its report (PDF 187KB) on 22 November 2023. The Welsh Government responded to the report on 2 January 2024.