Following the fuel crisis and the severe flooding in the autumn and winter of 2000, the Deputy Prime Minister announced a review of emergency planning arrangements. At the time of the review there were further events, which reinforced a need for new legislation. These included the foot and mouth outbreak in early 2001, and 9/11 in America in 2001, which changed everyone's expectations of response organisations.
After extensive public consultation, the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 received Royal Assent on 18 November 2004. The Act is an important element of the Governments' work to enhance and update the resilience of the United Kingdom in the 21st Century.
The legislation and accompanying non-statutory measures provide a single framework for civil protection in the UK. This improves our ability to deal with the consequences of major incidents by improving the planning process at a local level, building better relationships between agencies and improving the links between local responders and central government.
View image above as PDF (PDF 69kb)
The Civil Contingencies Act in Wales
Under Part 1 of the Act the National Assembly for Wales' consent must be sought, before Regulations are made that apply to responders, that fall under devolved competence in Wales. The National Assembly for Wales is therefore involved in the process of making Regulations, which impact upon responders in Wales, and is consulted in all other cases.
Further information on the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, a Short Guide to the Civil Contingencies Act and Guidance on the Civil Contingencies Act can be found on the UK Resilience website.