Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994

The Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994 (c. 40) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It introduced wide ranging measures aiming to cut government expenditure and bureaucracy. An example is the abolition of the licensing system for employment agencies under the Employment Agencies Act 1973.

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The Act was largely repealed and replaced by the Regulatory Reform Act 2001.