7th Special Report - The relationship between the UK and Scottish Governments: Government Response to the Committee's Eighth Report

This is the government's response, published 10 July 2019.

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The Government says it is "fully committed" to the joint review of intergovernmental relations and will discuss and consider the Committee's recommendations as part of it, rather than responding to each in turn.

• On JMC reform and dispute resolution, officials will discuss the recommendations with devolved counterparts and "consider them as part of the review of intergovernmental relations". It notes that agendas are "often not possible" to confirm in advance and wants to retain a level of "safe space".
• On a JMC sub-committee on common frameworks, it agrees that "all frameworks should be jointly agreed", but only "notes" the sub-committee suggestion and says it "will consider" it.
• On devolution impact assessments, it says it is assessing internal procedures but "would want to carefully consider the added value of any further requirements on departments". It does not state that it will publish such assessments.
• On Devolution Guidance Notes, it "will look to undertake a factual review" with devolved officials, and will "reconsider a wider review" once the intergovernmental relations review has concluded.

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error