Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994

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{{Infobox UK legislation

|short_title = Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994

|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

|royal_assent = 3 November 1994

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|amendments =

|related_legislation = Regulatory Reform Act 2001

|status = Amended

|type = Act

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|year = 1994

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|original_text = http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1994/40/contents/enacted

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|use_new_UK-LEG = yes

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The Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994{{Cite web|title=Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994|url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1994/40/contents|url-status=live|website=legislation.gov.uk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100809041912/http://www.legislation.gov.uk:80/ukpga/1994/40/contents |archive-date=2010-08-09 }} (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The Act was largely repealed and replaced by the Regulatory Reform Act 2001.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|2023|July|lc=y}} remains in force, includes a general power to outsource "any function of a Minister or office-holder" if the minister "by order so provides".{{UK-LEG|title=Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994|type=ukpga|path=ukpga/1994/40}}