Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994

Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994

Act of Parliament
Long title	An Act to amend, and make provision for the amendment of, statutory provisions and rules of law in order to remove or reduce certain burdens affecting persons in the carrying on of trades, businesses or professions or otherwise, and for other deregulatory purposes; to make further provision in connection with the licensing of operators of goods vehicles; to make provision for and in connection with the contracting out of certain functions vested in Ministers of the Crown, local authorities, certain governmental bodies and the holders of certain offices; and for purposes connected therewith.
Citation	1994 c. 40
Dates
Royal assent	3 November 1994
Other legislation
Relates to	Regulatory Reform Act 2001
Status: Amended
Text of statute as originally enacted
Text of the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk.

The Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994^[1] (c. 40) is an Act of Parliament. It introduced wide-ranging measures with aims including reducing burdens on people in trade created by previous acts such as the Shops Act 1950, changes in transport legislation, changes in utility legislation, and changes in financial services, among others.

It also contained so called Henry VIII clauses, which meant ministers could amend previous primary legislation through order (i.e. drafted by the Secretary of State without a vote in Parliament).

The Act was largely repealed and replaced by the Regulatory Reform Act 2001. Part II of the Act, which as of July 2023^[update] remains in force, includes a general power to outsource "any function of a Minister or office-holder" if the minister "by order so provides".^[2]