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Published by The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body
Transparency of intergovernmental activity and its implications for parliamentary scrutiny
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Published: Tuesday 17 Mar 2026 (CEEACS062026R03)
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Overview
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Overview
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Introduction
Background
Review of Inter-Governmental Relations
Transparency and Parliamentary Accountability
A Standing IGR Secretariat
Informal Intergovernmental Activity
UK Government’s commitment to resetting relations with the devolved governments since the UK General Election in July 2024
Whitehall and Devolution
Engagement with UK Ministers
Interparliamentary Relations
Ongoing Challenges to Resetting Relations since the UK General Election in July 2024
Sewel Convention
UKIMA and Common Frameworks
Common Frameworks Programme
Transparency and Stakeholder Engagement
UK/EU Relations
Dynamic Regulatory Alignment
Annexe A - Note of Meetings with UK Government, London, 17th November 2025
Annexe B - extracts from meeting minutes
Sources
Image: Review of Inter-Governmental Relations
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The Smith Commission. (2014). Report. Retrieved from
https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20151202171059/http://www.smith-commission.scot/smith-commission-report/
UK Government. (2021). The Dunlop Review into UK Government Union capability. Retrieved from
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-dunlop-review-into-uk-government-union-capability
PolicyWISE and the Bennet Institute for Public Policy. (2025). A more collaborative way of governing? Why the UK’s Council of the Nations and Regions matters. Retrieved from
https://www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/publications/council-of-the-nations-and-regions/
UK Government. (2022). Review of intergovernmental relations. Retrieved from
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-review-of-intergovernmental-relations
Professor Nicola McEwan. (2025). Written submission. Retrieved from
https://yourviews.parliament.scot/session-6/transparency-of-intergovernmental-activity-and-its/consultation/view_respondent?uuId=151731984
Scottish Parliament. (2025). Official Report, Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee meeting, 2 October 2025. Retrieved from
https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament/CEEAC-02-10-2025?meeting=16619
Professor Horsley. (2025). Written submission. Retrieved from
https://yourviews.parliament.scot/session-6/transparency-of-intergovernmental-activity-and-its/consultation/view_respondent?show_all_questions=0&sort=submitted&order=ascending&_q__text=horsley&uuId=296361946
Professor Nicola McEwen and Dr Coree Brown Swan. (2024). The Scottish Government-Scottish Parliament Written Agreement on Intergovernmental Relations: Still Fit for Purpose?. Retrieved from
https://www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/publicpolicy/outputs/headline_1142729_en.html
Scottish Government. (2025). Written submission. Retrieved from
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.parliament.scot/-/media/files/committees/constitution-europe-external-affairs-and-culture-committee/correspondence/2025/igr--scottish-government.pdf
Dr Paul Anderson. (2025). Written submission. Retrieved from
https://yourviews.parliament.scot/session-6/transparency-of-intergovernmental-activity-and-its/consultation/view_respondent?uuId=1044022869
Constitution Committee of the House of Lords. (2025). Written submission. Retrieved from
https://yourviews.parliament.scot/session-6/transparency-of-intergovernmental-activity-and-its/consultation/view_respondent?uuId=710875590
Law Society of Scotland. (2025). Written submission. Retrieved from
https://yourviews.parliament.scot/session-6/transparency-of-intergovernmental-activity-and-its/consultation/view_respondent?show_all_questions=0&sort=submitted&order=ascending&_q__text=law+society&uuId=685435537
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https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-intergovernmental-relations-secretariat/the-intergovernmental-relations-secretariat-function-and-role
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https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/intergovernmental-relations-secretariat-annual-reporting/igr-secretariat-annual-report-2023-24-html#purpose-and-structure
Dr Coree Brown Swan. (2025). Written submission. Retrieved from
https://yourviews.parliament.scot/session-6/transparency-of-intergovernmental-activity-and-its/consultation/view_respondent?show_all_questions=0&sort=submitted&order=ascending&_q__text=brown+swan&uuId=474523600
UK Government. (2025). Written submission. Retrieved from
https://www.parliament.scot/-/media/files/committees/constitution-europe-external-affairs-and-culture-committee/uk-governments-response-to-the-inquiry-into-transparency-of-intergovernmental-activity-and-its-impli.pdf
Scottish Parliament. (2025). Official Report, Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee meetin 18 December 2025. Retrieved from
https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament/CEEAC-18-12-2025?meeting=16774
UK Government. (2025). IGR dashboard. Retrieved from
https://intergovernmental-relations.grid.civilservice.gov.uk/app/igr-dashboard
Scottish Parliament. (2025). Official Report, Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee meeting 20 November 2025 . Retrieved from
https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament/CEEAC-20-11-2025?meeting=16705
Scottish Government. (2016). Inter-governmental relations written agreement between the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government. Retrieved from
https://www.gov.scot/publications/igr-agr-scotparl-scotgov/
Scottish Parliament. (2023). Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee 'How Devolution is Changing Post-EU'. Retrieved from
https://digitalpublications.parliament.scot/Committees/Report/CEEAC/2023/10/24/6692fb8e-0bf0-47cd-a1ba-cff461d9395d
Welsh Parliament. (2026). Plenary, 10 March 2026. Retrieved from
https://record.assembly.wales/Plenary/15793#C757379
UK Government. (2025). Seventh meeting of the Interparliamentary Forum. Retrieved from
https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/327/public-administration-and-constitutional-affairs-committee/news/207539/seventh-meeting-of-the-interparliamentary-forum/
UK Government. (2011). Devolution Guidance Note 12. Retrieved from
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/devolution-guidance-notes
Northern Ireland Assembly. (2024). Interparliamentary Forum - 15 November 2024. Retrieved from
https://www.niassembly.gov.uk/assembly-business/brexit-and-beyond/interparliamentary-relations/ipf-meeting---15-november-2024/
UK Government. (2024). Resetting the UK Governments Relationship with the Devolved Governments - UK Government response. Retrieved from
https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/committees/current-and-previous-committees/session-6-constitution-europe-external-affairs-and-culture-committee/correspondence/2024/resetting-the-uk-governments-relationship-with-the-devolved-governments-uk-government-response
Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee. (2025). Response to UK Government's UKIMA review and consultation. Retrieved from
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.parliament.scot/-/media/files/committees/constitution-europe-external-affairs-and-culture-committee/ukima-submission.pdf
UK Government. (2025). UK Internal Market Act 2020: review and consultation relating to Parts 1, 2, 3 and 4. Retrieved from
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/uk-internal-market-act-2020-review-and-consultation/uk-internal-market-act-2020-review-and-consultation-relating-to-parts-1-2-3-and-4#ministerial-foreword
UK Government. (2025). UK Internal Market Act 2020: review and consultation. Retrieved from
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/uk-internal-market-act-2020-review-and-consultation
UK Government. (2025). Common Frameworks Evaluation. Retrieved from
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/common-frameworks-evaluation/common-frameworks-evaluation-html#executive-summary
Welsh Government. (2025). Written Statement: Outcome of the UK Government review of the Internal Market Act 2020. Retrieved from
https://www.gov.wales/written-statement-outcome-uk-government-review-internal-market-act-2020
Scottish Government. (2026). Letter from Angus Robertson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture providing the Scottish Government’s approach to the finalisation of Common Frameworks. Retrieved from
https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/committees/current-and-previous-committees/session-6-constitution-europe-external-affairs-and-culture-committee/correspondence/2026/finalisation-of-common-frameworks
UK Government. (2026). Letter from Chris Ward MP, Parliamentary Secretary providing an update on the status of Common Frameworks. Retrieved from
https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/committees/current-and-previous-committees/session-6-constitution-europe-external-affairs-and-culture-committee/correspondence/2026/common-frameworks-programme
UK Government. (2010). Memorandum of understanding between the UK Government, Scottish Ministers, the Welsh Ministers and the Northern Ireland Executive Committee. Retrieved from
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/memorandum-of-understanding-between-the-uk-government-scottish-ministers-the-welsh-ministers-and-the-northern-ireland-executive-committee
Scottish Parliament. (2025). 5th EU Law Tracker Report. Retrieved from
https://www.parliament.scot/-/media/files/committees/constitution-europe-external-affairs-and-culture-committee/eu-law-tracker-number-5--final.pdf
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