1-20 of 408 results for subject:Devolution
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To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions, if any, they have had with the Welsh Government since 7 May regarding (1) proposals to abolish Police and Crime Commissioners, and (2) any possibility of the Senedd Cymru taking over responsibility for some or all of Police and Commissioners' responsibilities in Wales.
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions, if any, they have had with the Welsh Government since 7 May regarding (1) proposals to abolish Police and Crime Commissioners, and (2) any possibility of the Senedd Cymru taking over responsibility for some or all of Police and Commissioners' responsibilities in Wales.
Since 7 May, UK Government Ministers and officials have continued to engage with the Welsh Government on police reform and future governance arrangements in Wales, including discussions between the Minister for Policing and Crime and Welsh Government Ministers on 7 July, and through established forums such as the Policing Partnership Board for Wales. These discussions have focused on future governance arrangements and the interaction between policing reform and devolved services.
It remains the view of the UK Government that policing in Wales should operate within an integrated England and Wales framework, supporting consistency, interoperability and resilience across both nations. The UK Government’s priority is delivering safer communities and stronger cross-border cooperation within the existing constitutional framework.
We will continue to work closely with the new Welsh Government, Welsh Policing and others to ensure that a new model for police governance works for Wales.
My Lords, I too congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Wilson, on his valedictory speech and wish him a very happy and long retirement.
This Bill has had a long gestation period but, if anything, that has made such legislation—or at least parts of it—all the more necessary. As far as Plaid...
My Lords, I too congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Wilson, on his valedictory speech and wish him a very happy and long retirement.
This Bill has had a long gestation period but, if anything, that has made such legislation—or at least parts of it—all the more necessary. As far as Plaid...
To ask His Majesty's Government, in light of the outcomes of the recent elections in the devolved nations, what steps they plan to take to improve their capacity to "work closely with the devolved governments" as stated in the King's Speech made on 13 May.
To ask His Majesty's Government, in light of the outcomes of the recent elections in the devolved nations, what steps they plan to take to improve their capacity to "work closely with the devolved governments" as stated in the King's Speech made on 13 May.
This government has been clear since day one that rebuilding the country requires UK-wide delivery, working effectively with all levels of government. Good intergovernmental relations remain a priority.
The Prime Minister has spoken to the First Ministers of Scotland and Wales following the recent elections and noted his desire for continued positive engagement between the governments in the interests of citizens across the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister and the Minister for Intergovernmental Relations will continue to engage with the heads of the devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and their deputies on shared interests. This is in addition to ongoing regular intergovernmental engagement between ministers at departmental level.
To ask His Majesty’s Government what discussions they have held with the newly elected Government of Wales regarding the funding of devolved public services.
To ask His Majesty’s Government what discussions they have held with the newly elected Government of Wales regarding the funding of devolved public services.
My Lords, on 18 May the Secretary of State for Wales held her first call with the new First Minister of Wales. The Secretary of State made clear the benefit of the UK and Welsh Governments working together on
shared priorities around public services and economic growth. That follows on from a call held between the Prime Minister and the new First Minister, during which the Prime Minister offered to meet in person in June to discuss shared issues and priorities.
My Lords, is the Minister aware of the huge controversy in Wales arising from the UK Government’s refusal to provide Barnett consequentials for capital rail projects such as HS2 and the Oxford to Cambridge rail link, on the spurious pretext that such south-east of England schemes are of direct benefit to Wales? To open a new chapter on major project funding, will the Government please consider co-funding two urgent capital road projects of direct benefit to both Wales and England: namely, the tackling of the M4 bottleneck at Newport, which affects the strategic road link between London, southern Wales and Ireland; and secondly, the need for a new road bridge across the Menai Straits to cope with the additional traffic associated with the Wylfa nuclear project? Will the Government be open to discussing those matters?
My Lords, is the Minister aware of the huge controversy in Wales arising from the UK Government’s refusal to provide Barnett consequentials for capital rail projects such as HS2 and the Oxford to Cambridge rail link, on the spurious pretext that such south-east of England schemes are of direct benefit to Wales? To open a new chapter on major project funding, will the Government please consider co-funding two urgent capital road projects of direct benefit to both Wales and England: namely, the tackling of the M4 bottleneck at Newport, which affects the strategic road link between London, southern Wales and Ireland; and secondly, the need for a new road bridge across the Menai Straits to cope with the additional traffic associated with the Wylfa nuclear project? Will the Government be open to discussing those matters?
Of course, the Government are always open to having constructive dialogue with the Welsh Government about new projects—and, indeed, to considering any requests from the Welsh Government. The noble Lord’s question ignores the fact that the UK Government recently agreed a £14 billion plan for the future of Welsh rail, which is far more than the Welsh Government would have received had HS2 or any heavy rail project been developed. I should point out that work is already under way, with nearly half a billion pounds having been secured in the year’s spending review, which will deliver new stations for the Welsh railway network and faster journeys and better services for passengers, connecting people to jobs and unlocking 12,000 jobs in Wales. However, we will of course continue to discuss future capital projects with Welsh Government.
To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have they to the desire expressed by the Welsh Local Government Association for the devolution of the Crown Estates to Senedd Cymru.
To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have they to the desire expressed by the Welsh Local Government Association for the devolution of the Crown Estates to Senedd Cymru.
I am following what the Minister is saying with great interest because it responds to the numerous points that have been made about the reorganisation that is needed to make sure there is no vacuum. The point I would press is that we have an election for the Senedd coming...
I am following what the Minister is saying with great interest because it responds to the numerous points that have been made about the reorganisation that is needed to make sure there is no vacuum. The point I would press is that we have an election for the Senedd coming...
To ask His Majesty's Government, with regard to the speech by the First Minister of Wales on 22 January about devolution, what consideration they have given to introducing a constitutional reform bill to define the responsibilities of the Welsh Government in law.
To ask His Majesty's Government, with regard to the speech by the First Minister of Wales on 22 January about devolution, what consideration they have given to introducing a constitutional reform bill to define the responsibilities of the Welsh Government in law.
The UK Government has regular discussions with the Welsh Government on a range of issues, including the Welsh devolution settlement. It is in our shared interests that the settlement clearly defines the responsibilities of our respective governments and that it delivers for the people of Wales.
To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have received from the Welsh Government about the devolution of responsibility for the police service in Wales to Senedd Cymru; and on what dates they received those representations.
To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have received from the Welsh Government about the devolution of responsibility for the police service in Wales to Senedd Cymru; and on what dates they received those representations.
The Secretary of State for Wales and her Cabinet colleagues engage with Welsh Ministers frequently on a wide range of issues, including the future of devolution in key policy areas. Established intergovernmental mechanisms also provide ongoing opportunities for the UK and Welsh Governments to engage on matters relating to policing, and to ensure that Welsh priorities are fully considered within the existing devolution settlement.
To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have received from the government of Wales about devolving responsibility for the Crown Estate's activities in Wales to Senedd Cymru.
To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have received from the government of Wales about devolving responsibility for the Crown Estate's activities in Wales to Senedd Cymru.
The UK Government has regular discussions with the Welsh Government at official and ministerial level on a range of issues. This has included a request from the Welsh Government that the UK Government considers devolution of the management of The Crown Estate in Wales.
King's consent signified. Lords third reading. Bill passed and sent to the Commons.
King's consent signified. Lords third reading. Bill passed and sent to the Commons.
Moved by
Lord Wigley
Moved by
Lord Wigley
My Lords, I thank Members on both sides of the Chamber who participated in our earlier debates, and I particularly thank all 22 county councils in Wales, which have each formally resolved to support the objectives of the Bill. Indeed, the Welsh Government have also called for the Crown Estate...
My Lords, I thank Members on both sides of the Chamber who participated in our earlier debates, and I particularly thank all 22 county councils in Wales, which have each formally resolved to support the objectives of the Bill. Indeed, the Welsh Government have also called for the Crown Estate...
My Lords, I am grateful to the two noble Lords for contributing and making the points that they have. I believe that these principles could well apply further afield in due course, though perhaps not immediately. I noted well the points made by the Minister; I only hope that the...
My Lords, I am grateful to the two noble Lords for contributing and making the points that they have. I believe that these principles could well apply further afield in due course, though perhaps not immediately. I noted well the points made by the Minister; I only hope that the...
To ask His Majesty's Government which of the "lower business rates multipliers" for retail, hospitality and leisure properties with a rateable value of less than £500,000 will be applied in (1) Wales, (2) Scotland, and (3) Northern Ireland; and what discussions they have held with devolved administrations on this matter.
To ask His Majesty's Government which of the "lower business rates multipliers" for retail, hospitality and leisure properties with a rateable value of less than £500,000 will be applied in (1) Wales, (2) Scotland, and (3) Northern Ireland; and what discussions they have held with devolved administrations on this matter.
Business rates is a devolved policy area. Therefore, the new retail hospitality and leisure multipliers will apply in England only.
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will allow representatives of political parties from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to discuss their legislative programmes with UK civil servants in the event that there is a realistic prospect of those parties entering government in their respective devolved administrations.
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will allow representatives of political parties from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to discuss their legislative programmes with UK civil servants in the event that there is a realistic prospect of those parties entering government in their respective devolved administrations.
The approach to any discussions between opposition parties and officials of the devolved governments of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is a matter for those governments. The Cabinet Manual sets out that it is for the Prime Minister to authorise contact between UK Government civil servants and opposition parties ahead of a general election.
To ask His Majesty's Government what is their most recent estimate of the total number of positions in the home civil service; and how many of these posts fall under the UK Government, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government, and the Northern Ireland executive respectively.
To ask His Majesty's Government what is their most recent estimate of the total number of positions in the home civil service; and how many of these posts fall under the UK Government, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government, and the Northern Ireland executive respectively.
The table below shows the number of home civil servants on a headcount and FTE basis as at 30 June 2025 by UK central government departments, Scottish Government and Welsh Government. The Northern Ireland Executive is supported by the Northern Ireland Civil Service which is not part of the home civil service.
| Headcount | Full-time equivalent (FTE) |
UK Central Government Departments | 516,005 | 483,980 |
Scottish Government | 28,730 | 27,325 |
Welsh Government | 5,995 | 5,660 |
Home Civil Service Total | 550,730 | 516,950 |
Source: Public Sector Employment Statistics, ONS
Notes:
Numbers may not sum to total due to rounding
Figures include Diplomatic Service.
There is a strong possibility that, following next May’s elections, Plaid Cymru will be the largest single party in Senedd Cymru. Will the UK Government ensure that Plaid Cymru has access to civil servants dealing with devolved or potentially devolved portfolios, as is the practice for incoming Governments at Westminster?
There is a strong possibility that, following next May’s elections, Plaid Cymru will be the largest single party in Senedd Cymru. Will the UK Government ensure that Plaid Cymru has access to civil servants dealing with devolved or potentially devolved portfolios, as is the practice for incoming Governments at Westminster?
The noble Lord raises an interesting point. There are still six months until the elections, and I would expect to see another Labour Administration elected next year. We will be working hard to deliver, as we do every day for the people of Wales and for the people of the United Kingdom. With regard to the substance of his
point, that is the first time that it has been raised with me. I will speak to officials, and I would ask him to come forward if there are any problems or challenges.
To ask His Majesty's Government in which UK embassies overseas staff are appointed at the request of (1) the Scottish government, (2) the Welsh government, and (3) the Northern Ireland Executive.
To ask His Majesty's Government in which UK embassies overseas staff are appointed at the request of (1) the Scottish government, (2) the Welsh government, and (3) the Northern Ireland Executive.
Officials from the Devolved Governments are based in various locations. They are commonly - but not always - based within the UK mission.
There are officials from all three Devolved Governments in Washington, Brussels and Beijing.
Scottish Government officials are also based in Berlin, Copenhagen, Dubin, Paris and Ottawa. Welsh Government officials are in Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Montreal, Bangalore, New Delhi, Mumbai, Chonqing, Shanghai, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Dubai, Dublin, Doha, Paris and Tokyo.
Staff employed by devolved trade and investment promotion agencies - Invest Northern Ireland, and Scottish Development International - are located in over 20 and 30 locations respectively. Again, these are often based within the UK mission.
Officials are appointed by the sponsoring Devolved Government, or relevant agency.
To ask His Majesty's Government how much of the funds allocated to the devolved administrations they have been compelled by the Treasury to return on the basis of underspending as of 5 April.
To ask His Majesty's Government how much of the funds allocated to the devolved administrations they have been compelled by the Treasury to return on the basis of underspending as of 5 April.
Each devolved government is able to carry forward funding into future financial years. The Scottish and Welsh Governments each have a Reserve, and the Northern Ireland Executive has access to Budget Exchange. Details of these arrangements are outlined in the Statement of Funding Policy.
Outside of these arrangements, and for ringfenced non-Barnett funding, the devolved governments are required to return underspends to the UK Consolidated Fund at the end of the financial year, as with UK Government departments. This is the normal operation of the public spending framework, as set out in the Consolidated Budgeting Guidance.
Historical outturn data for the devolved governments up to the 2023-24 financial year is published in the most recent HMT Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses (PESA) publication from July 2024. [1] This publication will be updated later this year with Provisional Outturn for 2024-25.
[1] You can access this publication via this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/public-expenditure-statistical-analyses-pesa.