Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change
and Rural Affairs, MS: I represented the Welsh Government at the
eighth meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Standing Committee on 27
February 2025.
The meeting was co-chaired by the Northern Ireland Executive
First Minister MLA and deputy First
Minister MLA. A
joint communique was
published following the meeting, which contains full details of
other attendees. The agenda enabled discussion of a range of
issues including the ongoing review of the UK Internal
Market Act, the Sewel Convention and UK legislation, the need for
the UK and Devolved Governments to work together to safeguard
assets of national importance, and continued engagement on the
potential impact of global developments on the economy.
In relation to the discussion on the review of the UK Internal
Market Act, I highlighted that I was encouraged by the signalled
intent to make common frameworks the primary mechanism for
collaborative consideration of policy differences. I am keen to
work with UK Government and the other Devolved Governments in
this context to reframe the UK internal market in a way which
addresses our concerns with the UK Internal Market Act. In
addition, whilst recognising it was not in the scope of the
current review, I raised the importance of continued discussions
at both ministerial and official level on the financial
assistance powers contained within the Act.
As part of the discussion relating to the Sewel Convention and UK
legislation, I welcomed the UK Government's manifesto commitment
to strengthen the Sewel Convention with the development of a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). I reiterated that early,
detailed, engagement would be important to ensure the renewed MoU
takes a form that all governments are content with, and the Welsh
Government stands ready to assist with this work. I took the
opportunity to recognise the recent improved engagement and
communication on the UK Legislation Programme.
In the discussion on the use of technology in public sector
reform, I encouraged deeper engagement at official level on the
use of digital and technology in public service reform.
Inter-operability should be considered during the design phase to
allow, for example, health records and access to NHS apps to be
available if people move within the UK. The Centre for Digital
Public Services is an important delivery agent for the Welsh
Government's digital strategy and an innovation fund exists to
promote new approaches to service delivery. The Welsh Government
is interested in the incorporation of Artificial Intelligence
into public services, including as a mechanism for ensuring
health and social care services are equally accessible to rural
communities. Artificial Intelligence is also an important
part of our work on Welsh language technology. I raised the
importance of continued work across governments, technology
companies and wider partners to improve Artificial Intelligence
and other emerging technologies being available
bilingually.
Finally, the Committee recommended that officials across all
governments consider portfolio level working arrangements, with a
view to ensuring that interministerial engagement is operating
efficiently and effectively within the appropriate structures.
Findings and recommendations will be presented to the Committee
for agreement at a future meeting.
The Scottish Government is due to chair the next
Inter-Ministerial Standing Committee, which is expected to take
place in May 2025.
This statement is being issued during recess to keep Members
informed. Should Members wish me to make a further statement or
to answer questions on this when the Senedd returns I would be
happy to do so.
