Publications / Reports

Delegated legislation: the problems with the process

2 Nov 2021
Parliament at dusk

There are problems with both the delegation of powers to make delegated legislation and the scrutiny of the Statutory Instruments (SIs) that arise from those powers. This report sets out some of the central problems that need to be resolved with respect to each of these two aspects of the system.

A number of case studies included in the report evidence the problems and provide practical illustrations of why reform is needed. This report was produced in November 2021 for the public launch of our Delegated Legislation Review, to help ground our case for change. Through our Review, we aim to harness the increased awareness and dissatisfaction that now exists about SIs in order to galvanise reform.

Hansard Society (2021), Delegated legislation: the problems with the process (Hansard Society: London)

Who funds this work?

This work is supported by the Legal Education Foundation as part of the Hansard Society's Delegated Legislation Review.

News / Should MPs Who Switch Parties Be Forced to Face a By-Election? - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 127

In this episode, we ask whether MPs who switch parties should be forced to face a by-election – and what this month’s spate of defections says about representation, party power and voter consent. We also unpick a dizzying week in British and global politics as “hurricane Trump” batters the post-war order, testing the UK-US alliance and raising awkward questions about NATO, defence spending and procurement. Plus: the Lords’ push for an under-16s social media ban, Chagos ping-pong, and stalled bills in Westminster. Listen and subscribe: Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Acast · YouTube · Other apps · RSS

23 Jan 2026
Read more

News / Who really sets MPs’ pay – And why you might be wrong about it. A conversation with Richard Lloyd, chair of IPSA - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 126

What are MPs actually paid and what does the public fund to help them do their job? In this conversation with Richard Lloyd, chair of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) we explore the delicate balance between supporting MPs to do their jobs effectively and enforcing strict standards on the use of public money. We discuss how IPSA has shifted from a rule-heavy “traffic cop” to a principles-based regulator, why compliance is now very high, and the security risks and pressures facing MPs‘ offices as workloads rise and abuse becomes more common. Listen and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | ACAST | YouTube | Other apps | RSS

21 Jan 2026
Read more

News / Parliament Matters Bulletin: What’s coming up in Parliament this week? 19-23 January 2026

Labour MPs may stage a backbench rebellion in the Commons over amendments to the Hillsborough Law (the Public Office (Accountability) Bill). MPs will also debate changes to four other bills. The Foreign Secretary faces departmental questions, including on Iran and Greenland, while Cabinet Office Ministers will be quizzed on digital ID and relations with the EU. In the Lords, six new Peers will be introduced, including former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies and Iceland boss Richard Walker. Peers will examine seven bills and spend a seventh Friday in Committee on the assisted dying bill. Select Committees will hear from former Defence Secretaries Sir Ben Wallace and Sir Grant Shapps, Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey, the German Ambassador, Attorney General Lord Hermer KC, and former head of the National Farmers’ Union Baroness (Minette) Batters.

18 Jan 2026
Read more

News / Kemi’s pre-emptive strike on Robert Jenrick - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 125

In a dramatic day at Westminster Kemi Badenoch sacked Robert Jenrick and suspended him from the Conservative Whip before his defection to Reform UK. We explore what it says about Conservative discipline, Reform’s recruitment drive, and whether others may follow. We then examine rows over the Hillsborough Law and proposed national security exemptions, plus procedural drama in the House of Lords over the Chagos deal. Bob Blackman MP also joins us to discuss Backbench Business Committee reforms, before we assess whether the assisted dying bill is being talked out.

16 Jan 2026
Read more

News / Growing the Greens: Ellie Chowns MP on Parliament, polling and Zack Polanski - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 124

What is it like to be part of a small but growing parliamentary party? We talk with the leader of the Green Party group at Westminster, Ellie Chowns, about the challenges of operating with limited numbers, the practical realities of parliamentary life, and how institutional structures shape the influence of smaller parties. We discuss our political culture, the Greens’ approach to leadership, internal decision-making, and the party’s longer-term ambitions for electoral and parliamentary reform and a more representative system.

14 Jan 2026
Read more