Leadership Succession Arrangements

The Government accepts the recommendation and the Prime Minister will put in place the appropriate arrangements.

Accepted

The NI Executive recognises the importance of ensuring clarity regarding leadership, not only during a whole-system emergency, but at all times.

As referenced in the Module 2 report at para 11.113, statutory provision for contingency arrangements for key individuals here already exists in Section 16A (11) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 and can be activated as required. This allows the designation of another Minister to exercise First Minister or deputy First Minister functions for a maximum of six weeks.

Under this provision, the holder of the office of First Minister or deputy First Minister may, by notice in writing to the Presiding Officer, designate a Northern Ireland Minister to exercise the functions of that office: –

• During any absence or incapacity of the holder, or

• During any vacancy in that office arising otherwise than under section 16B(2)

The designation does not involve any other Assembly procedure and can, therefore, be effected quickly. The only apparent enhancement possible would be for the designated

Northern Ireland Minister to be identified and made known to officials in advance and on a standing basis.

While the statutory framework for designation therefore exists, the decision to establish pre-agreed succession arrangements is complex and remains under consideration.

The Scottish Government accepts this recommendation.

Statutory provisions in the Scotland Act 1998 set out what happens if the First Minister leaves office or cannot carry out their duties. However, the Scottish Government recognises any change in leadership during a whole-system civil emergency would need to be effected seamlessly, without ambiguity and without delay.

3.4. The Welsh Government agrees and welcomes recommendation 11 and can confirm that succession measures are already in place.

3.5. There are established constitutional provisions to guarantee leadership continuity in severe scenarios. Under the Government of Wales Act 2006, as an interim measure, if the First Minister is for any reason unable to act (through illness or other cause), the functions of the First Minister are exercisable by a person designated by the Presiding Officer of the Senedd. If the First Minister were to become permanently unable to hold office (through death, permanent absence, serious illness or other cause), the law requires the Senedd to nominate a new First Minister within 28 days. These statutory mechanisms provide a formal underpinning to our succession planning by ensuring that even in extreme circumstances there is a clear, democratic process for appointing new leadership.

3.6. Currently by virtue of the Deputy First Minister’s role, which explicitly includes deputising for the First Minister, we maintain continuity of leadership during emergencies. If the First Minister is unavailable or incapacitated, the Deputy First Minister stands ready to assume the First Minister’s duties, ensuring that Cabinet, government and critical decision-making can continue without interruption. We also have formal protocols in place to support this continuity – for example, long-established practices dictate that if the First Minister cannot chair a Cabinet or emergency session, the Deputy First Minister (or another senior Minister as appropriate) will chair on their behalf. These arrangements were effectively demonstrated during 2020-21, and they remain a cornerstone of our continuity of government arrangements and resilience.

3.7. Together, the immediate deputising role of the Deputy First Minister and the legal framework for temporary and permanent replacement of a First Minister represent a comprehensive contingency arrangement covering all timescales – from sudden short-term incapacity to more sustained disruption.

3.8. Looking ahead, this matter will be considered by the First Minister and Cabinet following the 2026 Senedd election in the light of the new Ministerial portfolios which will be created. The Welsh Government’s aim is to ensure that, whatever the circumstance, there is no doubt about how leadership responsibilities will be covered during a whole-system emergency.

The list of the Cabinet on GOV.UK provides the current order of precedence of Cabinet ministers.