Recommendation 2

HM Government Acknowledged

The UK Government remains committed to concluding the Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) review, working closely with the DAs to agree a finalised product. In August and September, Ministers from all administrations met to discuss an interim proposal for dispute avoidance and resolution, options for machinery, including a three-tiered structure for engagement across all levels of government. This will replace and build upon the existing Joint Ministerial Committee structures, secretariat arrangements and improve accountability and transparency of IGR. All Ministers endorsed the direction of travel and the ambition to conclude the review at the earliest opportunity, to facilitate better operational join-up between the UK Government and the DAs and to improve policy outcomes for citizens and businesses across the UK. Officials are currently exploring options to finalise a package of reforms, aiming to complete the review as soon as possible. CDL underlined this aim again at the most recent Joint Ministerial Committee (EU Negotiations) meeting on 3 December, and all administrations agreed to continue this work at pace. 4 Second Special Report of Session 2019–21 The UK Government has also recently announced a number of measures by Written Ministerial Statement in both Houses of Parliament to support transparency, reporting and parliamentary engagement on IGR. This includes the creation of a new GOV.UK page to improve the public accessibility of key documents, including records of formal intergovernmental meetings, the Memorandum of Understanding on Devolution between the UK Government and the devolved administrations, and quarterly reports on all IGR activity. The first report will be published in 2021. This increased transparency will be complemented by regular statements in the UK Parliament by UK Government Ministers on IGR, appropriate appearances before select committees, and a report on IGR activity to be laid annually. This is consistent with the Welsh and Scottish Governments’ commitments to their legislatures. This does not preclude any joint reporting that might be agreed as an outcome of the review.