Select Committee on the Constitution
The Governance of the Union: Consultation, Co-operation and Legislative consent
1st Report of Session 2024-25 - published 27 September 2024 - HL Paper13
Contents
The evolution of intergovernmental relations
Intergovernmental relations structures introduced in January 2022
Figure 1: Intergovernmental relations structures
Key changes to the intergovernmental relations process
Intergovernmental relations and the Sewel convention during Brexit and COVID-19
Chapter 2: Are the new intergovernmental relations structures working?
The effectiveness of the new intergovernmental relations structures
Scrutiny of intergovernmental relations
Goodwill, attitudes and culture
The dispute resolution process
Box 1: The dispute resolution escalation process
Figure 2: Flowchart of dispute resolution process
The restoration of Northern Ireland institutions
Chapter 3: How can intergovernmental relations be improved?
The role of the territorial offices
Engagement with the devolved administrations
Placing intergovernmental relations on a statutory basis
A principle of positive engagement
Chapter 4: Observance of the Sewel convention
Commitment to the Sewel convention
Legislation passed without the consent of the devolved legislatures
Legislation passed without the consent of the Scottish Parliament
Legislation passed without the consent of the Senedd
Legislation passed without the consent of the Northern Ireland Assembly
Legislation amended to address the concerns of the devolved institutions
Chapter 5: Strengthening the Sewel convention
Replacing the Sewel convention with a legally binding rule
Updating the Devolution Guidance Notes
A principle of positive engagement on legislation
The devolved legislatures’ scrutiny function
The role of the House of Lords
Chapter 6: Secondary legislation and Henry VIII powers
Summary of conclusions and recommendations
Appendix 1: List of Members and declarations of interest
Evidence is published online at https://committees.parliament.uk/work/8250/the-governance-of-the-union-consultation-cooperation-and-legislative-consent/publications/ and available for inspection at the Parliamentary Archives (020 7219 3074).
Q in footnotes refers to a question in oral evidence.