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Civil Contingencies Bill gets Royal Assent

18 November 2004
CAB 054/04

The Civil Contingencies Bill – an important element of the Government's work to enhance and update the resilience of the United Kingdom to disruptive challenges of the 21st Century - today received Royal Assent.

The legislation and accompanying non-statutory measures will deliver a single framework for civil protection in the UK. This will improve the UK's ability to deal with the consequences of major disruptive incidents by improving the planning process at a local level, building better contacts between agencies and improving the link between local areas and central government.

The Act sets out the roles and responsibilities of local responders, ensuring consistency in civil protection activity and enhancing performance. These clear expectations and responsibilities will help ensure that the front line can deal with the full range of emergencies, from localised major incidents through to catastrophic emergencies. A consultation on the underpinning Regulations and Guidance package will begin shortly.

The Civil Contingencies Act (2004) also modernises the legislative tools available to government in order to provide an effective response to the most serious emergencies. The Act will also ensure that these powers are used in a proportionate manner and in accordance with the Human Rights Act and within the established constitutional framework.

Ruth Kelly, Minister for the Cabinet Office, said:

‘The Bill's consultation and the Joint Committee stage provided the opportunity to work with key stakeholders such as local government, emergency services and the voluntary sector to get the Bill right. The Act has benefited significantly from their support and the successful co-operation between stakeholders.

‘This Act is a crucial element of the Government's sustained efforts to deliver a marked improvement in the UK's resilience to emergencies. Throughout the Parliamentary passage we have worked closely with the political parties, particularly in debating amendments to improve the Bill. The Bill has undergone intense scrutiny by both Houses and the contributions by all parties involved have proved invaluable. Through their co-operation the Government is now in a position to produce an Act that provides the best possible civil contingency framework in the UK.’

Notes to editors:

  1. The Government announced a review of emergency planning in December 2000 following the major flooding of that year. As part of this review, a discussion document was produced in 2001, which envisaged the introduction of new legislation about Emergency Planning. A public consultation was held in the second half of 2001 following which the Government announced its intention to bring forward a Civil Contingencies Bill.
  2. The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 repeals outdated legislation including the Emergency Powers Act 1920 and the Civil Defence Act 1948. The Bill was published in draft on 19 June 2003 , and was the subject of a 12-week public consultation. The original consultation material including the draft Bill can be found at http://www.ukresilience.info/ccbill/index.htm.
  3. The Bill was subject to pre-legislative scrutiny by a Joint Committee of both Houses. The Committee took evidence from a wide range of local and national organisations, and reported on 28 November 2003 . Its report can be found at http://www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/jcdccb.cfm
  4. For further information, please refer to the UK Resilience website at the following address: http://www.ukresilience.info/ccbill/index.htm.
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