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Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994

1994 c. 40 · Enacted 3 November 1994 · Extends to United Kingdom

Not fully up to date. 8 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 5 October 2026.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
s. 79B(e)omittedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 297
s. 71(3)word omittedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 295(a)
s. 71(3)(j) and wordinsertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 295(b)
s. 79(1)words substitutedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 296
s. 70repealed in partGreater London Authority Act 1999 Sch. 34 Pt. 9
s. 79(2)repealedLocal Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 Sch. 18 Pt. 19
s. 71(3)(h)word omittedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 Sch. 12 para. 4
s. 71(3)(ha)insertedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 Sch. 12 para. 4

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.

[3rd November 1994]

Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—C1

Annotations to the whole text

Modifications

C1

Act transitional provisions for effects of SI 2002/3150 (N.I.) (5.9.2003) by The Company Directors Disqualification (2002 Order) (Transitional Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2003 (S.R. 2003/346), arts. 3-6

Contents

  1. Part I: Deregulation
  2. Chapter I: General
  3. Removal or reduction of burdens
  4. 1Power to remove or reduce certain statutory burdens on businesses, individuals etc.
  5. 2Limitations on the power under section 1.
  6. 3Preliminary consultation.
  7. 4Parliamentary consideration of proposals.
  8. Enforcement procedures and appeals
  9. 5Powers to improve enforcement procedures.
  10. 6Model provisions with respect to appeals.
  11. Chapter II: Miscellaneous Deregulatory Provisions
  12. 7Undertakings as alternative to monopoly reference by Director General of Fair Trading. Repealed
  13. 8Newspaper mergers: meaning of “newspaper proprietor” etc. Repealed
  14. 9Undertakings as alternative to merger reference: non-divestment matters. Repealed
  15. 10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  16. 11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  17. 12Anti-competitive practices: competition references.
  18. 13Striking off of non-trading private companies.
  19. 14Repeal of section 43 of the Weights and Measures Act 1985. Repealed
  20. 15Building societies: issue of deferred shares at a premium.
  21. 16. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  22. 17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  23. 18Licensed premises at international ports: permitted hours.
  24. 19Bars in licensed premises in England and Wales: children’s certificates. Repealed
  25. 20Betting on Sundays. Repealed
  26. 21Sporting events and activities on Sundays. Repealed
  27. 22Sunday opening of certain licensed premises in Scotland. Repealed
  28. 23Repeal of Part I of the Shops Act 1950. Repealed
  29. 24Repeal of remainder of the Shops Act 1950. Repealed
  30. 25Controls on fund-raising for charitable institutions: exclusion of connected companies.
  31. 26Offences under section 63 of the Charities Act 1992: creation of statutory defence.
  32. 27Applications for permits to conduct public charitable collections: time-limits.
  33. 28Annual audit or examination of charity accounts. Repealed
  34. 29Annual reports of charities.
  35. 30Annual returns by charities. Repealed
  36. 31Slaughterhouses and knackers’ yards: uniting of enforcement functions.
  37. 32Building regulations: power to repeal or modify provisions of local Acts.
  38. 33Amendment of duty of care etc. as respects waste.
  39. 34Controls on London lorries: replacement of discretionary exceptions.
  40. 35Employment agencies etc.: replacement of licensing.
  41. 36Unfair dismissal: selection for redundancy.
  42. 37Power to repeal certain health and safety provisions.
  43. 38Inspection of independent schools.
  44. 39Chapter II: consequential amendments.
  45. 40Extent of Chapter II.
  46. Chapter III
  47. 41The 1968 Act.
  48. 42Use of vehicles under licences.
  49. 43Objections to grant or variation of licences.
  50. 44Determination of applications for licences.
  51. 45Conditions for securing road safety.
  52. 46Duration of licences and grant of interim licences.
  53. 47Variation of licences.
  54. 48Revocation, suspension and curtailment of licences.
  55. 49Publication of applications.
  56. 50Review and transfer of operating centres.
  57. 51Assessors.
  58. 52Review of decisions.
  59. 53Appeals.
  60. 54Partnerships.
  61. 55Operators’ licences not to be transferable etc.
  62. 56Fees.
  63. 57Chapter III: minor and consequential amendments.
  64. Chapter IV: Public Service Vehicle Operator Licensing etc.
  65. 58The 1981 Act.
  66. 59Undertakings given on applications.
  67. 60Objections to applications for licences.
  68. 61Duration of licences.
  69. 62Suspension of licences.
  70. 63Operators’ discs.
  71. 64Repeal of section 27 of the 1981 Act. Repealed
  72. 65Review of decisions and correction of errors.
  73. 66Fees.
  74. 67Disqualification of PSV operators.
  75. 68Chapter IV: minor and consequential amendments.
  76. Part II: Contracting Out
  77. Contracting out of functions
  78. 69Functions of Ministers and office-holders.
  79. 70Functions of local authorities.
  80. 71Functions excluded from sections 69 and 70.
  81. 72Effect of contracting out.
  82. 73Termination of contracting out.
  83. Provisions for facilitating contracting out
  84. 74Powers of certain office-holders.
  85. 75Restrictions on disclosure of information.
  86. 76Amendments of enactments etc.
  87. Supplemental
  88. 77Provisions with respect to orders.
  89. 78Extent of Part II.
  90. 79Interpretation of Part II.
  91. 79A“Local authority”: England
  92. 79B“Local authority”: Wales
  93. 79CRegulations for the purposes of section 79A and 79B
  94. Part III: Supplementary
  95. 80Financial provisions.
  96. 81Repeals.
  97. 82Short title, commencement and extent.
  98. Schedule 1: Powers to Improve Enforcement Procedures
  99. Explanation of suggested remedial action Repealed
  100. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  101. Explanation of immediate enforcement action et ceteralaetc. Repealed
  102. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  103. Right to make representations Repealed
  104. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  105. Explanation of right of appeal Repealed
  106. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  107. Application of provisions to other interested persons Repealed
  108. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  109. Schedule 2: Section 7: Sectoral Regulators
  110. Telecommunications Repealed
  111. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  112. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  113. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  114. Electricity Repealed
  115. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  116. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  117. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  118. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  119. Water Repealed
  120. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  121. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  122. 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
  123. Railways Repealed
  124. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  125. 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
  126. 13Paragraph 13 Repealed
  127. 14Paragraph 14 Repealed
  128. Interpretation Repealed
  129. 15Paragraph 15 Repealed
  130. Schedule 3: Non-notifiable Agreements: Modifications of the Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1976
  131. 1Paragraph 1
  132. 2Paragraph 2
  133. 3Paragraph 3
  134. 4Paragraph 4
  135. 5Paragraph 5
  136. 6Paragraph 6
  137. 7Paragraph 7
  138. Schedule 4: Section 12: Sectoral Regulators and Transition
  139. Sectoral regulators
  140. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  141. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  142. 3Paragraph 3
  143. 4Paragraph 4
  144. Transition
  145. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  146. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  147. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  148. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  149. Schedule 5: Striking off of Non-trading Private Companies: Great Britain
  150. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  151. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  152. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  153. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  154. Schedule 6: Striking Off of Non-trading Private Companies: Northern Ireland
  155. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  156. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  157. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  158. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  159. Schedule 7Children’s Certificates: Supplementary Provisions
  160. Schedule 8Schedule 8
  161. Schedule 9: Slaughterhouses and Knackers’ Yards: Uniting of Enforcement Functions
  162. Powers to transfer enforcement functions to agriculture Ministers
  163. 1Paragraph 1
  164. 2Paragraph 2
  165. 3Paragraph 3
  166. 4Paragraph 4
  167. 5Paragraph 5
  168. Territorial division of enforcement functions under the Food Safety Act 1990
  169. 6Paragraph 6
  170. Schedule 10: Employment Agencies etc.: Replacement of Licensing
  171. Part I: General
  172. Great Britain
  173. 1Paragraph 1
  174. Northern Ireland
  175. 2Paragraph 2
  176. Part II: Seamen
  177. United Kingdom
  178. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  179. Great Britain
  180. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  181. Northern Ireland
  182. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  183. Schedule 11: Miscellaneous Deregulatory Provisions: Consequential Amendments
  184. Licensing Act 1964 (c. 26)
  185. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  186. Fair Trading Act 1973 (c. 41)
  187. 2Paragraph 2
  188. Energy Act 1976 (c. 76)
  189. 3Paragraph 3
  190. Competition Act 1980 (c. 21)
  191. 4Paragraph 4
  192. Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (c. 27)
  193. 5Paragraph 5
  194. Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 (c. 46)
  195. 6Paragraph 6
  196. Building Societies Act 1986 (c. 53)
  197. 7Paragraph 7
  198. Financial Services Act 1986 (c. 60)
  199. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  200. Companies Act 1989 (c. 40)
  201. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  202. Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (N.I. 18)
  203. 10Paragraph 10
  204. Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1990 (N.I. 5)
  205. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  206. Charities Act 1993 (c. 10)
  207. 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
  208. Schedule 12. . .
  209. Schedule 13
  210. Part I: Amendment of the Transport Act 1968 (1968 c. 73)
  211. 1Paragraph 1
  212. 2Paragraph 2
  213. 3Paragraph 3
  214. 4Paragraph 4
  215. 5Paragraph 5
  216. 6Paragraph 6
  217. 7Paragraph 7
  218. 8Paragraph 8
  219. 9Paragraph 9
  220. 10Paragraph 10
  221. 11Paragraph 11
  222. 12Paragraph 12
  223. 13Paragraph 13
  224. 14Paragraph 14
  225. 15Paragraph 15
  226. Part II: Amendment of other Enactments
  227. 16Paragraph 16
  228. 17Paragraph 17
  229. 18Paragraph 18
  230. Schedule 14: PSV Operator Licensing etc: Minor and Consequential Amendments
  231. 1Paragraph 1
  232. 2Paragraph 2
  233. 3Paragraph 3
  234. 4Paragraph 4
  235. 5Paragraph 5
  236. 6Paragraph 6
  237. 7Paragraph 7
  238. 8Paragraph 8
  239. Schedule 15: Restrictions on Disclosure of Information
  240. Preliminary
  241. 1Paragraph 1
  242. Disclosures between contracting parties etc.
  243. 2Paragraph 2
  244. Disclosures by contracting parties to contractor B
  245. 3Paragraph 3
  246. Disclosures by contracting parties to contractor C
  247. 4Paragraph 4
  248. Disclosures by contractor A to authority D
  249. 5Paragraph 5
  250. Disclosures to contractor A by authority E
  251. 6Paragraph 6
  252. Disclosures for audit purposes
  253. 7Paragraph 7
  254. Implied term of contractor A’s contract
  255. 8Paragraph 8
  256. Unauthorised disclosures
  257. 9Paragraph 9
  258. Interpretation: general
  259. 10Paragraph 10
  260. Schedule 16: Amendments etc. for Facilitating Contracting Out
  261. Newspaper Libel and Registration Act 1881 (c.60) and Limited Partnerships Act 1907 (c.24)
  262. 1Paragraph 1
  263. Courts Act 1971 (c.23)
  264. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  265. Local Government Act 1972 (c.70)
  266. 3Paragraph 3
  267. Patents Act 1977 (c.37)
  268. 4Paragraph 4
  269. Rent (Scotland) Act 1984 (c.58)
  270. 5Paragraph 5
  271. 6Paragraph 6
  272. 7Paragraph 7
  273. Companies Act 1985 (c.6)
  274. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  275. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  276. 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
  277. Gas Act 1986 (c.44)
  278. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  279. 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
  280. 13Paragraph 13 Repealed
  281. Agriculture Act 1986 (c.49)
  282. 14Paragraph 14
  283. European Economic Interest Grouping Regulations 1989
  284. 15Paragraph 15
  285. Food Safety Act 1990 (c.16)
  286. 16Paragraph 16
  287. 17Paragraph 17
  288. 18Paragraph 18
  289. 19Paragraph 19
  290. Social Security Administration Act 1992 (c.5)
  291. 20Paragraph 20
  292. 21Paragraph 21
  293. 22Paragraph 22 Repealed
  294. 23Paragraph 23 Repealed
  295. Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (c.8)
  296. 24Paragraph 24
  297. 25Paragraph 25
  298. Schedule 17Repeals