The terms of the UK's withdrawal from the EU meant that most EU-derived laws in place on or before 31st December 2020 were retained and preserved.
However, the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill, introduced to parliament on 22nd September 2022, provides that all retained EU-derived secondary legislation and retained direct EU legislation will expire by a "sunset date" of 31st December 2023 unless an express decision is made before then to preserve it.
There have yet to be any hints from the government as to what may change, and it's unclear if anything will change. However, this could impact numerous EU-derived employment rights and obligations, including working time rights, TUPE transfers, agency worker rights and the rights of part-time and fixed-term employees.
Key dates: This bill will have its report stage on 18th January 2023.