I chaired and represented the Welsh Government at the third meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Standing Committee (IMSC) on February 1. Afterward, a joint communique providing full details of other attendees was published.
Among the agenda items discussed were the cost-of-living crisis, the Sewel Convention, the Retained EU Law Bill, the broader UK Parliament legislative program, Common Frameworks, and the progress on establishing Interministerial Groups (IMGs).
As mentioned in the communique, the Committee has formed a Cost of Living working group comprising officials to coordinate efforts and determine the next steps and ministerial involvement.
Inter-Ministerial Standing Committee (Credits: Breaking.UK)
Regarding the Sewel Convention, I expressed deep concern about the increasing disregard by the UK Government for the Senedd’s refusal to consent to UK Legislation since 2019. We emphasized the Sewel Convention’s importance and the necessity for enhanced inter-governmental collaboration and transparency regarding UK Government Bills.
On the Retained EU Law Bill, I reiterated our concerns about the UK Government’s approach, including the concurrent powers within the Bill, enabling the UK Government to legislate in devolved areas without the consent of Welsh Ministers or the Senedd, and the sunset date.
Intergovernmental relations (Credits: Wikipedia)
I raised reasonable concerns regarding the potential reintroduction of the Bill of Rights by the UK Government and problems related to the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill and the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill.
Ministers agreed on the importance of reporting to the IMSC and legislatures on implementing Common Frameworks once fully implemented. Officials will conduct an assessment, including the impact of emerging issues on the program.
Ministers acknowledged the progress made in establishing IMGs thus far. The next IMSC meeting, scheduled for March, will be chaired by the UK Government, following the rotating chair arrangements.
