Enabling Power

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A provision in an Act giving ministers or another body authority to make delegated legislation or take other legal action.

Category: Parliamentary procedure

Also used as: enabling powers

Source / explainer: Read the Commons Library briefing on delegated powers

Last reviewed: 3 August 2026

An enabling power is a provision in an Act of Parliament that gives ministers or another authorised body legal authority to make delegated legislation or take other action under the Act. The scope of an enabling power matters because it determines how much can later be done without passing a new Act through Parliament.

Related terms

Act of ParliamentA law that has completed the parliamentary process and received Royal Assent.Delegated PowerA power given by Parliament allowing ministers or another body to make detailed legal rules or take related action later.Statutory InstrumentA form of secondary legislation made under powers granted by an Act of Parliament.
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