Intergovernmental relations

Author: Annie Bosse

PDF Published: Wednesday 08 Jun 2022 (SB 22-31)

Expand
Overview
Report

Hide

Hide

Overview
Report
- Summary
  - Intergovernmental relations
- Intergovernmental relations since 1999
  - The JMC EU Negotiations
  - Case Study: Intergovernmental work during the pandemic
- The IGR review and new structure
  - Responses by the governments
  - Implementation
- Discussion
  - Statutory basis
    
    Statutory basis in the new structure
  - Decision-making
    
    Decision-making in the new structure
    
    Common frameworks
  - Dispute resolution
    
    Dispute resolution in the new structure
  - Transparency
    
    Transparency in the new structure
  - Representation of England
    
    Representation of England in the new structure
  - Culture
- Conclusion
Sources

Image showing three tiers. At the top tier is 'The Council', which consist of the Prime Minister and heads of devolved governments. At the middle tier, there are two standing committees and potentially additional time-limited committees if required. The two standing committees are the 'Interministerial Standing Committee' (IMSC) and the 'Finance Interministerial Standing Committee' (F:ISC). Those committees will be attended by Ministers responsible for IGR (in the case of the IMSC) and Finance Ministers (in the case of F:ISC). At the lowest tier, a number of interministerial groups (IMGs) will, or have already been formed for specific policy areas, such as transport, Net Zero, and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the EU.

Image: The IGR review and new structure

The image shows a diagram that represents the structure of arguments that will be discussed in the discussion section of this briefing. Central text that says 'old IGR system needed reform' signifies the hypothesis. Underneath it are seven text blocks which are connected by purple or yellow lines. Six text blocks connected by yellow lines, labelled 'because', signify reasons for the hypothesis. One text block connected by a purple line, labelled 'but', signifies a counter-point. The text blocks containing reasons correspond to each of the headings in the next section and the text block containing a counter-point says 'effective recent intergovernmental working during pandemic'.

Image: Representation of England

The image shows the same diagram as before but only the line to the text block that says 'obstructive culture' is in colour.

Cabinet Office and Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. (2022, January 13). The Review of Intergovernmental Relations. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-review-of-intergovernmental-relations [accessed 24 May 2022]

The United Kingdom Government, the Scottish Ministers, the Welsh Ministers, and the Northern Ireland Executive Committee. (2013, October). Memorandum of Understanding and Supplementary Agreements. Retrieved from https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/316157/MoU_between_the_UK_and_the_Devolved_Administrations.pdf [accessed 24 May 2022]

Institute for Government. (2020, July 1). Devolution: Joint Ministerial Committee. Retrieved from https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainers/devolution-joint-ministerial-committee [accessed 25 May 2022]

Paun, A., & Munro, R. (2015, February 19). Governing in an Ever Looser Union How the four governments of the UK co-operate, negotiate and compete. Retrieved from https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publications/governing-ever-looser-union [accessed 24 May 2022]

House of Commons Justice Committee. (2009, May 12). Fifth Report Devolution: A Decade on. Retrieved from https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmselect/cmjust/529/52906.htm#note191 [accessed 24 May 2022]

Cabinet Office and Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. (2022, March 31). Intergovernmental relations. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/intergovernmental-relations#the-joint-ministerial-committee [accessed 24 May 2022]

Uk Government. (2016, October 24). JOINT MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE COMMUNIQUÉ. Retrieved from https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/562364/joint-ministerial-committee-communique-24-october-2016.pdf [accessed 24 May 2022]

Select Committee on the European Union. (2017, March 15). Corrected oral evidence: Brexit: devolution. Retrieved from http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/european-union-committee/brexit-devolution/oral/48984.html [accessed 24 May 2022]

European Union Committee Brexit: devolution. (2019, July 19). 4th Report of Session 2017-19. Retrieved from https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201719/ldselect/ldeucom/9/902.htm [accessed 24 May 2022]

House of Commons Scottish Affairs Committee. (2020). Coronavirus and Scotland: Interim Report on Intergovernmental Working. Retrieved from https://www.centreonconstitutionalchange.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2020-07/Coronavirus%20and%20Scotland.pdf [accessed 24 2022]

Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities, Cabinet Office. (2022). Intergovernmental relations quarterly report: Quarter 2 2021. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/quarterly-reports-on-intergovernmental-relations/intergovernmental-relations-quarterly-report-quarter-2-2021 [accessed 24 2022]

Institute for Government. (2020, May 6). A four-nation exit strategy . Retrieved from https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/sites/default/files/publications/four-nation-exit-strategy-coronavirus.pd [accessed 24 May 2022]

House of Commons Scottish Affairs Committee. (2020, June 18). Oral evidence: Coronavirus and Scotland, HC 314. Retrieved from https://committees.parliament.uk/oralevidence/548/default/ [accessed 30 May 2022]

House of Lords Select Committee on the Constitution. (2015, March 27). Inter-governmental relations in the United Kingdom. Retrieved from https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201415/ldselect/ldconst/146/146.pdf [accessed 24 May 2022]

Scottish Parliament Devolution (Further Powers) Committee. (2015, October 6). Changing Relationships: Parliamentary Scrutiny of Intergovernmental Relations. Retrieved from https://archive2021.parliament.scot/S4_ScotlandBillCommittee/Reports/DFPS042015R08.pdf [accessed 24 May 2022]

House of Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee . (2016, December 8). The Future of the Union, part two: Inter-institutional relations in the UK. Retrieved from https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201617/cmselect/cmpubadm/839/839.pdf [accessed 24 May 2022]

National Assembly for Wales Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee. (2018, February). UK governance post-Brexit. Retrieved from https://senedd.wales/laid%20documents/cr-ld11405/cr-ld11405-e.pdf [accessed 24 February 2022]

House of Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee. (2018, July 31). Devolution and Exiting the EU: reconciling differences and building strong relationships. Retrieved from https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmpubadm/1485/1485.pdf [accessed 25 May 2022]

McEwen, N., Kenny, M., Sheldon, J., & Brown Swan, C. (2020, June 14). Intergovernmental Relations in the UK: Time for a Radical Overhaul?. Retrieved from https://www.centreonconstitutionalchange.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2020-06/IGR%20in%20the%20UK%20Time%20for%20a%20Radical%20Overhaul.pdf [accessed 24 May 2022]

McEwen, N., Kenny , M., Sheldon , J., & Brown Swan, C. (2018, December 19). Reforming Intergovernmental Relations in the United Kingdom. Retrieved from https://www.centreonconstitutionalchange.ac.uk/sites/default/files/migrated/papers/Reforming%20Intergovernmental%20Relations%20in%20the%20United%20Kingdom_nov18.pdf [accessed 24 May 2022]

Lord Dunlop. (2019, November). Review of UK Government Union Capability. Retrieved from https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/972987/Lord_Dunlop_s_review_into_UK_Government_Union_Capability.pdf [accessed 17 May 2022]

The Commission on Scottish Devolution. (2009, June). Serving Scotland better: Scotland and the United Kingdom in the 21st century: final report. Retrieved from http://www.commissiononscottishdevolution.org.uk/uploads/2009-06-12-csd-final-report-2009fbookmarked.pdf [accessed 24 May 2022]

The Commission on Devolution in Wales . (2014, March). The Commission on Devolution in Wales . Retrieved from https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20140605075122/http://commissionondevolutioninwales.independent.gov.uk/ [accessed 24 May 2022]

The Smith Commission. (2014, November 27). Report of the Smith Commission for further devolution of powers to the Scottish Parliament. Retrieved from https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20151202171017/https://www.smith-commission.scot//wp-content/uploads/2014/11/The_Smith_Commission_Report-1.pdf [accessed 24 May 2022]

JOINT MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE (PLENARY). (2018, March 14). JMC(P) Communique. Retrieved from https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/690527/Joint_Ministerial_Committee_communique%CC%81-_14_March_2018.pdf [accessed 24 May 2022]

Cabinet Office and The Rt Hon David Lidington CBE. (2019, July 3). Draft principles for intergovernmental relations. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/draft-principles-for-intergovernmental-relations [accessed 25 May 2022]

Prime Minister's Office. (2019, July 4). PM speech on the Union: 4 July 2019. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-speech-on-the-union-4-july-2019 [accessed 6 June 2022]

Gove, M. (2021, March 24). Letter from the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to Lord Dunlop on the government response. Retrieved from https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/973001/L_Dunlop_Letter.pdf [accessed 25 May 2022]

Cabinet Office. (2021, March 24). Progress update on the review of intergovernmental relations. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/progress-update-on-the-review-of-intergovernmental-relations [accessed May 2022]

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and Cabinet Office. (2022, January 13). Press release: Prime Minister to chair new council with devolved governments. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/news/prime-minister-to-chair-new-council-with-devolved-governments [accessed 24 May 2022]

Welsh Government. (2022, January 13). Written Statement: Review of Intergovernmental Relations. Retrieved from https://gov.wales/written-statement-review-intergovernmental-relations-0 [accessed 24 May 2022]

BBC. (2022, January 13). New forum for talks between leaders from across UK. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-59981982 [accessed 24 May 2022]

The Irish News. (2022, January 15). Stormont minister Nichola Mallon voices scepticism over new structures designed to improve relations between central government and devolved administrations. Retrieved from https://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2022/01/15/news/stormont-minister-nichola-mallon-voices-scepticism-over-new-structures-designed-to-improve-relations-between-central-governm-2560818/ [accessed 24 May 2022]

Cabinet Office, UK Government. (2022, January). Common Framework for Public Procurement. Retrieved from https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1049436/common-framework-public-procurement-jan-2022.pdf [accessed 22 February 2022]

Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. (2022, February 17). Fisheries management and support: provisional common framework. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fisheries-management-and-support-provisional-common-framework [accessed 24 May 2022]

Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. (2022, February 3). Animal health and welfare: provisional common framework. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/animal-health-and-welfare-provisional-common-framework [accessed 24 May 2022]

Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. (2022, February 3). Provisional UK Common Framework on Plant Varieties and Seeds. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/plant-varieties-and-seeds-provisional-common-framework [accessed 24 May 2022]

Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. (2022, February 3). Integrated pollution prevention and control: developing and setting of Best Available Techniques (BAT) provisional common framework. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/integrated-pollution-prevention-and-control-developing-and-setting-of-best-available-techniques-bat-provisional-common-framework [accessed 24 May 2022]

Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. (2022, February 3). Fertilisers: provisional common framework. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fertilisers-provisional-common-framework [accessed 24 May 2022]

Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. (2022, February 3). Plant health: provisional common framework. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/plant-health-provisional-common-framework [accessed 24 May 2022]

Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. (2022, February 3). Organics: provisional common framework. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/organics-provisional-common-framework [accessed 24 May 2022]

Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. (2022, February 3). Chemicals and pesticides: provisional framework. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/chemicals-and-pesticides-provisional-framework [accessed 24 May 2022]

Department of Health and Social Care. (2021, March 23). The Blood Safety and Quality Provisional Common Framework. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-blood-safety-and-quality-provisional-common-framework-command-paper#:~:text=The%20Blood%20Safety%20and%20Quality%20Provisional%20Common%20Framework%20supports%20the,for%20blood%20and%20blood%20components. [accessed 26 May 2022]

Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. (2022, February 3). Air quality: provisional common framework. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/air-quality-provisional-common-framework [accessed 6 June 2022]

Department of Health and Social Care . (2021, March 23). The Organs, Tissues and Cells (apart from embryos and gametes) Provisional Common Framework. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-organs-tissues-and-cells-apart-from-embryos-and-gametes-provisional-common-framework-command-paper#:~:text=Details,non%2Dreproductive%20tissues%20and%20cells. [accessed 6 June 2022]

Cabinet Office. (2022, March 24). Interministerial Standing Committee Communiqué: 23 March 2022. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/communiques-from-the-interministerial-standing-committee/interministerial-standing-committee-communique-23-march-2022 [accessed 24 May 2022]

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee . (2017, October 31). Oral evidence: Devolution and Exiting the EU, HC 484, Q56. Retrieved from http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/public-administration-and-constitutional-affairs-committee/devolution-and-exiting-the-eu/oral/72672.html

Welsh Parliament Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee. (2022, March 2). Letter from Mick Antoniw AS/MS Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution. Retrieved from https://business.senedd.wales/documents/s123384/Letter%20from%20the%20Counsel%20General%20and%20Minister%20for%20the%20Constitution%20to%20the%20Chair%20of%20the%20Legislation%20J.pdf [accessed 24 May 2022]

Welsh Government. (2017, June). Brexit and Devolution. Retrieved from https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/2017-06/170615-brexit%20and%20devolution%20(en).pdf [accessed 24 May 2022]

House of Lords Select Committee on the Constitution. (2015, February 11). Inquiry on Inter-governmental Relations in the UK Evidence Session No. 6. Retrieved from http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/constitution-committee/intergovernmental-relations-in-the-uk/oral/18142.html [accessed 19 April 2022]

House of Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee . (2018, April 30). Oral evidence: Devolution and Exiting the EU, HC 484. Retrieved from http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/public-administration-and-constitutional-affairs-committee/devolution-and-exiting-the-eu/oral/82307.html [accessed 24 May 2022]

Kenny, M., & Sheldon, J. (2022, January 20). Green shoots for the Union? The joint review of intergovernmental relations. Retrieved from https://www.bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk/blog/union-joint-review/ [accessed 24 May 2022]

UK Government Cabinet Office. (2021, May). The European Union (Withdrawal) Act and Common Frameworks. Retrieved from https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/986797/The_European_Union__Withdrawal__Act_and_Common_Frameworks_report-_26_December_2020_to_25_March_2021.pdf [accessed 24 May 2022]

Cabinet Office and Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities. (2021, December 9). The European Union (Withdrawal) Act and Common Frameworks: 26 June to 25 September 2021. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-european-union-withdrawal-act-and-common-frameworks-26-june-to-25-september-2021/the-european-union-withdrawal-act-and-common-frameworks-26-june-to-25-september-2021 [accessed 26 May 2022]

Guderjan, M. (2020, February 28). The (dis-)integration of intergovernmental relations. Retrieved from https://ukandeu.ac.uk/the-dis-integration-of-intergovernmental-relations/ [accessed 24 May 2022]

Nicola, M.E. (2022, January 14). Worth the wait? Reforming Intergovernmental Relations. Retrieved from https://www.centreonconstitutionalchange.ac.uk/news-and-opinion/worth-wait-reforming-intergovernmental-relations [accessed 24 May 2022]

Torrance, D. (2022, January 21). Intergovernmental relations in the United Kingdom. Retrieved from https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-8371/CBP-8371.pdf [accessed 24 May 2022]

Anderson, P., & Schnabel, J. (2022, January 21). Review of intergovernmental relations: the new interministerial structures are a step in the right direction. Retrieved from https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/intergovernmental-relations-review/ [accessed 24 May 2022]

Scottish Parliament DEVOLUTION (FURTHER POWERS) COMMITTEE. (2015, March 19). MINUTES 9th Meeting, 2015 (Session 4). Retrieved from http://archive2021.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=9869 [accessed 4 February 2022]

The Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government. (2016, December 8). Inter-Governmental Relations: Agreement between the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government. Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/publications/igr-agr-scotparl-scotgov/ [accessed 24 May 2022]

Senedd Cymru and Welsh Government. (2021, November). Inter-Institutional Relations Agreement. Retrieved from https://senedd.wales/media/ifdavfn2/cr-ld14674-e.pdf [accessed 24 May 2022]

Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee. (2022, February 22). UK Internal Market Inquiry, 1st Report, 2022 (Session 6). Retrieved from https://bprcdn.parliament.scot/published/CEEAC/2022/2/22/73682bfb-fb43-47e5-b206-b79ec5e28262-2/CEEACS052022R1.pdf#page=7 [accessed 12 May 2022]

McEwen, N., Petersohn, B., & Brown Swan, C. (2015, September). Intergovernmental Relations & Parliamentary Scrutiny. Retrieved from https://www.centreonconstitutionalchange.ac.uk/sites/default/files/migrated/papers/2015.09.30_IGR_External_Research_Report_FINAL.pdf [accessed 24 May 2022]

Johnson, B. (2020, May 10). Prime Minister's statement on coronavirus (COVID-19):. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-address-to-the-nation-on-coronavirus-10-may-2020 [accessed 26 May 2022]

National Assembly for Wales Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee. (2017, March 13). The Record of Proceedings. Retrieved from https://business.senedd.wales/documents/s500003564/13%20March%202017.html?CT=2 [accessed 20 April 2022]

House of Lords Constitution Committee. (2021, July 13). Evidence session: Future governance of the UK. Retrieved from https://committees.parliament.uk/oralevidence/2564/html/ [accessed 20 April 2022]

House of Lords Select Committee on the Constitution. (2021, July 20). Corrected oral evidence: Future governance of the UK. Retrieved from https://committees.parliament.uk/oralevidence/2617/html/ [accessed 20 April 2022]

Wincott, D. (2022, January 19). UK intergovernmental relations (IGR): machinery and culture changes. Retrieved from https://ukandeu.ac.uk/machinery-and-culture-of-uk-igr/ [accessed 24 May 2022]

The National. (2022, January 31). 'Brexit Freedom' Bill poses 'direct threat' to Scottish Parliament. Retrieved from https://www.thenational.scot/news/19886373.brexit-freedom-bill-poses-direct-threat-scottish-parliament/ [accessed 24 May 2022]

Last Updated: 3/1 5:05am

Image: The IGR review and new structure

Image: Argument Map

Image: Statutory basis

Image: Decision-making

Image: Dispute resolution

Image: Transparency

Image: Representation of England

Image: Culture

An error occured while loading, please try again in a few minutes.