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No 10 pointed to the fact the mechanism the government chose to make this change, known as a statutory instrument, only requires an impact assessment if the cost of the legislation is greater than £10m – which it is not in this case.

He said: "I could not in good conscience represent parents and at the same time ignore the conclusion of the House of Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee that more time was needed to consult with parents in NI before enacting this Statutory Instrument."

Speaking on a visit to a garden centre outside Belfast, he said: "We will publish a statutory instrument in the next couple of weeks that will demonstrate that what we say it is going to do it will do."

Conservative MP William Wragg said he was "in despair", adding: "The government is treating this House with utter contempt. Ninety minutes on a statutory instrument to fundamentally change the balance of human rights in this country is nothing short of a disgrace."

Areas affected by the law change - brought about through a statutory instrument - include Cheshire, Lincolnshire, Liverpool, Devon, East Sussex.