Civil Contingencies Act Review
The UK government should undertake a review of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 to assess its potential role in managing future civil emergencies, including pandemics, and whether it could be employed as an interim emergency framework until more specific legislation with appropriate parliamentary safeguards is passed.
- The next Post Implementation Review of the CCA 2004 Regulations is due to be laid in Parliament by March 2027.
- The government stated it will use this review to explore the applicability of Part 2 emergency powers to pandemics, including potential adjustments to safeguards such as the triple lock test.
- The review has not yet been completed or published.
How was this evidence gathered?
Response
Accepted
Response
AcceptedThe government agrees with the Inquiry that the Civil Contingencies Act (CCA) 2004 should be reviewed to ensure that it continues to provide an appropriate legislative framework for the UK's preparedness to future emergencies.
Under Regulation 59 of the CCA 2004 (Contingency Planning) Regulations 2005, the government has a legal obligation to review the Regulations every five years with the next Post Implementation Review due to be laid in Parliament by March 2027. For this Post Implementation Review 2027, the government will take the opportunity to review the Act to ensure it continues to deliver its objectives and to make recommendations to strengthen the fulfilment of the Act's objectives and to support the UK's resilience to an increasingly volatile global risk picture.
As part of this review, the government will explore the areas set out by the Inquiry in relation to the applicability of Part 2 of the CCA 2004 (emergency powers) in regards to pandemics and other whole-of-system crises. This will include considering whether any adjustments should be made to the robust safeguards associated with the use of emergency powers. To ensure the Review considers the whole picture of UK resilience, we will work with devolved governments and stakeholders across the resilience system. Based on the findings of this review, the government will ensure that existing guidance on Part 2 powers is reviewed to increase the understanding of how emergency powers could be applied in major emergencies.
The government agrees with the Inquiry that the Civil Contingencies Act (CCA) 2004 should be reviewed to ensure that it continues to provide an appropriate legislative framework for the UK's preparedness to future emergencies.
Under Regulation 59 of the CCA 2004 (Contingency Planning) Regulations 2005, the government has a legal obligation to review the Regulations every five years with the next Post Implementation Review due to be laid in Parliament by March 2027. For this Post Implementation Review 2027, the government will take the opportunity to review the Act to ensure it continues to deliver its objectives and to make recommendations to strengthen the fulfilment of the Act's objectives and to support the UK's resilience to an increasingly volatile global risk picture.
As part of this review, the government will explore the areas set out by the Inquiry in relation to the applicability of Part 2 of the CCA 2004 (emergency powers) in regards to pandemics and other whole-of-system crises. This will include considering whether any adjustments should be made to the robust safeguards associated with the use of emergency powers. To ensure the Review considers the whole picture of UK resilience, we will work with devolved governments and stakeholders across the resilience system. Based on the findings of this review, the government will ensure that existing guidance on Part 2 powers is reviewed to increase the understanding of how emergency powers could be applied in major emergencies.
Progress Timeline
Status: Pending. No government response yet received. Module 2 report published 20 November 2025.