Recommendation 4

Looking to the future, Ministers must outline, in response to this report, their plans for the coronavirus Cabinet Committees, [Covid-19 Operations Committee and COVID-19 Strategy Committee] and how those Committees will incorporate the priorities of the devolved nations. In view of the previous Scottish Affairs Committee’s report on intergovernmental relations, the Government must now commit to the following: (Paragraph 61) • That key decision-makers in devolved nations hold permanent seats on the COVID-19 Cabinet Committees; (Paragraph 61.i)) • That the COVID-19 Committees be staffed by officials with a deep understanding of all four nations of the UK. In particular, the secretariat must include officials from the Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland, the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales and the Northern Ireland Office, as well as representatives of the Scottish Government (and other nations including Wales and Northern Ireland); and (Paragraph 61.ii)) • That formal mechanisms will exist to guarantee intergovernmental communications, including formal meetings between Ministers in devolved nations; officials in devolved nations; advisory services in devolved nations. (Paragraph 61.iii)) Coronavirus and Scotland: Interim Report on Intergovernmental Working 33