The Meteorological Office Trading Fund (Maximum Borrowing) (Revocation and Saving) Order 2025 revokes the 2024 Order that increased the Meteorological Office's borrowing limit to £400,000,000.
However, this revocation includes a saving provision that maintains the £400,000,000 limit.
The 2024 Order was laid before both Houses of Parliament, despite only needing House of Commons approval; this Order corrects that procedural error while preventing any reduction in the borrowing ceiling.
Arguments For
Correcting a procedural error: The 2024 Order was laid before both Houses of Parliament, despite only requiring approval from the House of Commons. Revoking and replacing it corrects this procedural irregularity.
Maintaining existing borrowing limit: The revocation preserves the increased borrowing limit of £400,000,000, ensuring the Meteorological Office can continue its operations without disruption.
Enhancing legislative clarity: This Order clarifies the legal basis and process for setting the Meteorological Office Trading Fund's borrowing limit.
Adherence to Government Trading Funds Act 1973: The Order's actions are consistent with the provisions of Section 6(3) of the Government Trading Funds Act 1973, which allows for annulment only by the House of Commons, thereby maintaining legislative consistency.
Arguments Against
Unnecessary administrative burden: Revoking and reissuing an Order, despite the minor procedural error, requires additional administrative work, and may create slight confusion for those already familiar with the previous Order.
Potential for unintended consequences: Although a saving provision is included, there's a small risk of unintended effects not fully addressed by the Order's current format, requiring additional consideration.
Alternative approaches: The Order could have potentially rectified the procedural error through a different legislative instrument rather than full revocation and replacement, reducing unnecessary paperwork.
Citation, commencement and extent 1.
(1)
This Order may be cited as the Meteorological Office Trading Fund (Maximum Borrowing) (Revocation and Saving) Order 2025 and comes into force on 4th August 2025.
(2)
This Order extends to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
This section details the Order's name, effective date (August 4th, 2025), and geographical scope (all of the UK).
Revocation 2.
The Meteorological Office Trading Fund (Maximum Borrowing) (Amendment) Order 20242 is revoked.
This section revokes the Meteorological Office Trading Fund (Maximum Borrowing) (Amendment) Order 2024.
This effectively cancels the previous Order.
Saving 3.
Article 2 (revocation) does not affect the amendment made by the Meteorological Office Trading Fund (Maximum Borrowing) (Amendment) Order 2024 to article 5 of the Meteorological Office Trading Fund Order 19963 (maximum borrowing etc).
This 'saving' clause ensures that despite the revocation of the 2024 Order, the increased borrowing limit (£400,000,000) remains in effect.
The amendment to the 1996 Order, which raised the limit, is not affected.
The Secretary of State, with the concurrence of the Treasury, makes this Order in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 1, 2C(1) and 6(1) of the Government Trading Funds Act 19731.
This introductory statement specifies the legal authority under which this Order is made: Sections 1, 2C(1), and 6(1) of the Government Trading Funds Act 1973.
It also indicates that the Secretary of State, with agreement from the Treasury, created this Order.
Explanatory Note (This note is not part of the Order)
The Meteorological Office Trading Fund was established by the Meteorological Office Trading Fund Order 1996 (S.I. 1996/774) on 1st April 1996.
The Meteorological Office Trading Fund (Maximum Borrowing) Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/927) increased the maximum that the Meteorological Office Trading Fund may borrow from £200,000,000 to £300,000,000. The maximum was further increased from £300,000,000 to £400,000,000 by the Meteorological Office Trading Fund (Maximum Borrowing) (Amendment) Order 2024 (S.I. 2024/1170).
S.I. 2024/1170 was laid before both Houses of Parliament despite the provision in section 6(3) of the Government Trading Funds Act 1973 (c. 63) that an instrument made under that power is subject to annulment by the House of Commons only. Article 2 of this instrument revokes S.I. 2024/1170, with a saving in article 3 for the amendment made by S.I. 2024/1170 to article 5 of S.I. 1996/774 to ensure that the maximum amount that the Meteorological Office Trading Fund may borrow remains at £400,000,000.
A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sector is foreseen.
The explanatory note provides background information.
It explains the history of the Meteorological Office Trading Fund's borrowing limit, the reason for the Order (to correct a procedural error in the 2024 Order), and its impact (no significant effects foreseen).
It also highlights that the £400,000,000 limit remains unchanged, and that a full impact assessment wasn't deemed necessary