Source · Select Committees · Welsh Affairs Committee
Recommendation 16
16
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 116
We welcome the extent of joint working between ministers throughout the pandemic, including meetings between...
Conclusion
We welcome the extent of joint working between ministers throughout the pandemic, including meetings between the Secretary of State for Wales and the First Minister and other Welsh Government Ministers, as well as multilateral meetings chaired by various UK Ministers. This reflected not only the gravity of the situation but also the value of regular meetings at ministerial level. However, we would welcome information from the Wales Office about how it intends to facilitate the working relationship between the DWP and the Welsh Government going forward.
Government response summary AI-generated
The UK Government will not devolve social security to the Welsh Government, citing the advantages of the current system and the varied attitudes to the idea.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
116
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government · verbatim extract
Acknowledged
The Office of the Secretary of State for Wales is committed to continually improving its working relationships across Government with the aim of supporting the people of Wales in their day to day lives. The Office of the Secretary of State for Wales will continue to advise and support the Department for Work and Pensions on matters impacting Wales, including ensuring that UK Government is delivering UK policy in Wales effectively, communicating policy decisions across Wales and providing advice on Welsh related matters. The Office of the Secretary of State for Wales works hard to ensure that UK Government policy across all departments benefits those living in Wales and that Welsh interests are considered in equivalence with other regions and nations across the UK. We want to ensure the effective and smooth working of relationships between UK Government and Welsh Government to facilitate positive outcomes for people across Wales. We recognise the importance of a good working relationship in delivering for the people of Wales and support continued collaboration between the Department for Work and Pensions and Welsh Government counterparts. The Office of the Secretary of State for Wales will continue to support UK Government policy development for the benefit of Wales, including the continuation of the close working relationship the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales shares with the Department for Work and Pensions and other UK Government Departments. The Office of the Secretary of State for Wales is happy to work with all UK Government departments to facilitate and support conversations Welsh Government to advise on reserved matters. We will also continue the good collaborative work between the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales and Welsh Government counterparts.
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