A promised “bonfire” of 4,000 EU-era laws promised by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak looks set to fail after Tory Brexiteers were told only one in five is likely to be taken off the statute book this year.
The government will only be able to remove 800 of the retained laws before the end of 2023, Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch told a meeting of the European Research Group on Thursday.
Following reports on the issue in The Daily Telegraph and The Financial Times, sources close to Ms Badenoch declined to deny the remarks.
In January, the Prime Minister backed the Retained EU Law Bill, which would put a “sunset” clause on the remaining legislation as a means to boost growth.
But Brexiteers have been concerned that the proposed law, which has worried businesses and trade unions, was being delayed during its passage through the parliament.
Rishi Sunak's first 100 days as Prime Minister — in pictures
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Rishi Sunak has been British Prime Minister for 100 days. Here The National looks back at his time in No 10 Downing Street. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak after being announced as winner of the Conservative Party leadership contest on October 24. Getty Images -
King Charles III welcomes Mr Sunak to Buckingham Palace where he invited him to become Prime Minister and form a new government. Getty Images -
The new Prime Minister makes a speech outside No 10. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak arrives at No 10 for the first time as Prime Minister. Photo: Simon Walker/ No 10 Downing Street -
Mr Sunak holds his first cabinet meeting. Getty Images -
Hosting a reception to celebrate Diwali at No 10. Photo: Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street -
A visit to Croydon University Hospital, south London. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty wearing poppies, with a special poppy collar for their pet Labrador Nova. Photo: Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street -
The Prime Minister with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt in the Cabinet Room at No 10. Photo: Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street -
King Charles, Mr Sunak, fashion designer Stella McCartney and US climate envoy John Kerry at Buckingham Palace before Cop27. Getty Images -
French President Emmanuel Macron and Mr Sunak at Cop27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak during a call to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy from his office. Photo: Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street -
On Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph in London. Photo: Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street -
Mr Sunak with journalists on a flight to Bali and the G20 meeting. Photo: Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street -
With Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a meeting at the G20 in Nusa Dua, Indonesia. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak with US President Joe Biden at the G20 summit. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak meets rescue teams during his visit to Ukraine. Photo: No 10 Downing Street -
Mr Sunak and his wife outside No 10 as the Christmas lights are turned on. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak joins youth footballers from Wales and England to watch the World Cup match between the two nations. Photo: Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street -
The Prime Minister reading congratulations cards from members of the public after being appointed. Photo: Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street -
On a visit to RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire after the announcement that Britain will develop next-generation fighter jets with Italy and Japan. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak and Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas on a plane to Tallinn. Getty Images -
The Prime Minister with troops at the Tapa military base, Estonia. Getty Images -
The photo on Mr Sunak's official Christmas card. Photo: Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street -
Mr Sunak prepares and serves breakfast on a visit to The Passage homeless shelter in London just before Christmas. Photo: Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street -
Making his first major domestic speech of the year. Getty Images -
On a visit to Harris Academy in Battersea, London. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak and Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrive at the Tower of London for a meeting. Getty Images -
Toasting marshmallows on a visit to the Sea Scouts community group in Muirtown near Inverness. Getty Images -
A Q&A session at The Platform in Morecambe, Lancashire, after a community visit to the Eden Project North. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak and Mr Hunt at Accrington Market Hall with local MP Sara Britcliffe to announce projects under the levelling-up fund. Getty Images
A government spokesman said ministers continue to support to the bill and removing “unnecessary” EU laws but would not recommit to completing the cull by the end of the year.
“We remain committed to ensuring the Retained EU Law (Reul) Bill receives royal assent and that the supremacy of EU law ends with unnecessary and burdensome EU laws removed by the end of this year,” he said in a statement.
“Once passed, the bill will enable the country to further seize the opportunities of Brexit by ensuring regulations fit the needs of the UK, helping to grow our economy and drive innovation.”
