Minister for constitution to give evidence on governance of the Union

Tuesday, 2 June 2026 11:48

The House of Lords Constitution Committee will tomorrow be holding a one-off evidence session as a follow-up to its report on the governance of the Union, published in 2024. The session will focus on intergovernmental relations, the Sewel convention, the Council of the Nations and Regions, common frameworks, and the Cabinet Manual. Giving evidence will be: Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds...Request free trial

The House of Lords Constitution Committee will tomorrow be holding a one-off evidence session as a follow-up to its report on the governance of the Union, published in 2024.

The session will focus on intergovernmental relations, the Sewel convention, the Council of the Nations and Regions, common frameworks, and the Cabinet Manual.

Giving evidence will be:

Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Minister for the Constitution and European Union Relations)

Kirsty McNeill MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland

Chris Flatt, Director of the Union and Devolution Directorate, Cabinet Office

Questions the committee is likely to ask include:

What is the assessment of the current state of the Union and of intergovernmental relations?

Do the intergovernmental relations structures introduced in 2022 remain fit for purpose?

To what extent has the UK Government successfully delivered a ‘reset' in intergovernmental relations with the devolved governments? How has it been impacted by the recent elections in Wales and Scotland?

How is work on the memorandum of understanding on legislative consent progressing? When will this be agreed and published?

What steps is the Government taking to improve transparency around engagement with the devolved governments on legislation?

Has the Government developed any formal guidance to govern regulation making on devolved matters?

Is the Council of the Nations and Regions still an active intergovernmental relations forum? When is it next expected to meet?

How effective have common frameworks been as a tool for managing intergovernmental cooperation post-Brexit? What are their weaknesses?

In the Government's view, what is the purpose of the Cabinet Manual, and how useful is it?

Does the Government have any plans to update the Cabinet Manual? If not, why not?

The session will take place on Wednesday 3 June at 10:15 and can be followed live on Parliament TV.