UK could adopt EU single market rules under new legislation

UK could adopt EU single market rules under new legislation12 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleJoe Pike,Politics investigations correspondentandHarry SekulichBloomberg via Getty ImagesNew legislation could see the UK sign up to some EU trade regulationsSir Keir Starmer is planning a law which will mean that the UK government can adopt EU single market rules, without them being voted on in Parliament.The measure is part of a bill aiming to align the UK with new European regulations in areas such as food standards.A Labour source told the BBC: "It will lower costs for businesses and get rid of the Brexit paperwork tax that adds to the cost of the weekly shop."The plans provoked strong opposition from the Conservatives and Reform UK. The EU single market is an agreement which enables goods, service and people to move freely between members states, with countries applying many common rules and standards.The UK and the EU are currently negotiating various deals, including one concerning food safety and standards for animal and plant health.The parliamentary legislation to accompany some of them is expected later this year, and will include new powers allowing so-called "dynamic alignment" with Europe in areas where deals have already been signed.This means that whenever Brussels approves a new rule MPs would only have limited opportunities to scrutinise them.They would be put through using secondary legislation - which normally can't be amended, and is usually rubber stamped without a vote.A government spokesperson said: "The bill will go through parliament in the normal way. Any new treaties or deals with the EU will also face parliamentary scrutiny, and Parliament will have a role in approving new EU laws required under those deals via secondary legislation.""This will allow us to deliver a 'food & drink' trade deal worth £5.1bn a year, backing British jobs and slashing costly red tape for our farmers,...