United Kingdom common framework policies
The United Kingdom Common Frameworks are rules and processes meant to run the UK as one internal market after Brexit. Some rules are under devolved governments (Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) and others stay with the central government. To create a UK-wide policy area, the government uses memorandums of understanding and designates certain matters as reserved.
After Brexit, most EU laws no longer apply in the UK and must be replaced by UK common framework policies. Some policies are shaped by the Northern Ireland Protocol.
In 2018 the government listed common framework policies that were being shared with the EU and would need to be reassigned after Brexit. In Scotland, a Continuity Bill was introduced in 2017, but the UK Supreme Court ruled parts of it went beyond the devolved powers in 2018, and the bill was abandoned. The European Withdrawal Bill received Royal Assent in 2019, paving the way for the new frameworks.
The plan to implement common frameworks follows five phases, including agreeing framework principles, detailed reviews, developing the necessary legislation, engaging with stakeholders, and evaluating progress before finalizing the frameworks. Negotiations happen between the UK Government and the devolved governments, and the completed frameworks are then reviewed and approved by the Joint Ministerial Committee.
The government says there will be 24 policy areas with common framework policies created by legislation, and 79 policy areas that will need secondary legislation.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 06:28 (CET).