When former Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg introduced the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill last year, around 4000 EU-derived laws were in danger of being scrapped by default at the end of this year. Among the threatened laws were several items of weights and measures legislation, which this blog covered in the Rees-Mogg’s legislation time bomb article. Several amendments to the Bill were accepted and most of the laws have been saved from the axe. The Bill received royal assert at the end of June 2023 and is now the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act.
Continue reading “Victory for UKMA as W&M legislation is saved from bonfire of EU laws”Category: Law
CMA investigates unit pricing practices in the groceries sector
Today, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) published its review of unit pricing in the groceries sector. The CMA has identified several problems with current unit pricing practices, which may affect shoppers’ abilities to make comparisons. This is a big cause for concern when prices are rising. The review mainly covers the unit pricing practices of eleven nationwide supermarkets. It also covers the unit pricing practices of seven nationwide variety store retailers that sell general merchandise alongside a relatively small selection of groceries.
Continue reading “CMA investigates unit pricing practices in the groceries sector”The conflict between measurement choice and accuracy
When the Government launched its “Choice on units of measurement: markings and sales” consultation, it stated that it is committed to reviewing the current law to identify how more choice can be given to businesses and consumers over the units of measurement they use for trade, while ensuring that measurement information remains accurate. These two objectives are in direct conflict. If you want to know how they conflict, read on.
Continue reading “The conflict between measurement choice and accuracy”Amended REUL Bill is a big improvement over the original Bill
When former Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg introduced the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill, around 4000 laws were due to be scrapped at the end of this year. He and his pro-Brexit supporters had no idea which ones will disappear, what, if anything, will replace them and which ones will be kept. This has been replaced with a list of almost 600 laws that will be revoked or sunset by the end of this year. Each law on the list is shown with its associated government department, its purpose and the reason for revocation.
Continue reading “Amended REUL Bill is a big improvement over the original Bill”Pippa Musgrave’s messages to Boris Johnson are still relevant to the imperialists in power
Pippa Musgrave is a fully qualified Inspector of Weights and Measures, Food Standards Officer and Trading Standards Officer with over 20 years of experience. When Boris Johnson was prime minister, Pippa wrote some critical messages addressed to him on Twitter about his policy to reintroduce imperial units in the marketplace. Despite the fact that these messages were written in September 2021, they are still relevant to the imperialist politicians who want us to go back to imperial units.
Continue reading “Pippa Musgrave’s messages to Boris Johnson are still relevant to the imperialists in power”PHSO whitewashes my BEIS complaint about imperial units consultation
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) has investigated my complaint against the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and told me that they found nothing wrong with their consultation document or survey. BEIS has been widely criticised for its biased consultation and limited options for respondents, but these flaws were ignored by PHSO.
Continue reading “PHSO whitewashes my BEIS complaint about imperial units consultation”Beer glass sizes in Australia
Following the last article about the Australian system for beer glasses, we look at the Australian system for serving draught beer. In Australia, all beer glass sizes are defined in millilitres.
Continue reading “Beer glass sizes in Australia”Third of a pint, anyone?
Some goods must be sold in fixed sizes. These sizes are known as specified quantities. Draught beer and cider are the only products with specified quantities in non-metric units. If you want to order a glass of draught beer or cider, how many sizes up to (and including) one pint can a publican legally serve you? You will probably be surprised to hear the answer.
Continue reading “Third of a pint, anyone?”Government retreats on REUL Bill
The Retained EU Law Bill (REUL) Bill was scheduled for its Report Stage on Wednesday 19 April 2023. The Government has delayed the return of the REUL Bill. No new date has been set for the Report Stage. The Bill could be postponed for a long time, possibly beyond the next general election. After facing cross-party opposition from peers in the House of Lords, the Government is now considering what concessions to make on this Bill.
Continue reading “Government retreats on REUL Bill”Recent YouGov survey on attitudes to metrication of road transport
On 4 April 2023, YouGov carried out a survey of 4808 British adults about changing the rules around speed and distance in the UK from miles to kilometres. It revealed insights on different attributes based on region, politics, and age.
Continue reading “Recent YouGov survey on attitudes to metrication of road transport”
