The government argues the move would cut red tape and costs for business and boost trade, while stopping short of rejoining the customs union, single market, or freedom of movement.

The bill would enable rapid implementation of evolving EU rules in areas covered by existing deals—such as food and drink, emissions trading, and potentially automotive and farming standards—through Henry VIII powers.

Opposition parties are likely to resist, prompting debates in Parliament and possible obstruction in the Lords, while the government argues Parliament will still scrutinise new deals and EU laws that apply under those deals.

Britain is weighing a new EU-UK reset bill that could let the government dynamically align with EU rules, potentially adopting single-market standards through secondary legislation without full parliamentary votes.

The bill is expected to be unveiled before summer, with the aim of delivering a food and drink trade deal worth around £5.1 billion a year and cutting border-related costs for producers and businesses.

Critics warn the measure risks an “integration with the EU by stealth” and could erode parliamentary sovereignty, allowing rules to bind the UK to EU standards without a vote.

The proposal comes as part of broader efforts to reset UK-EU relations after Brexit, amid geopolitical tensions with Iran and shifts in the UK-US relationship, with the EU remaining the UK’s largest trading partner.

Parliament would only be able to approve or reject secondary legislation, not amend it, raising concerns MPs could rubber-stamp new rules and face clashes with the EU if blocked.