Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Devolved Governments: Co-operation

Thursday 10 July 2025 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Andrew Ranger welcomed the Labour Government's partnership approach with Wales, highlighting record funding for railways, coal tip protection, and economic and public service improvements.
  • The Minister committed to updating the funding framework in partnership with the Welsh Government to ensure value for money.
  • David Mundell inquired about the Government's commitment to a unified civil service across the UK and the opportunities for civil servants to work within devolved administrations.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Ranger Lab Wrexham
Economy Wales
Context

One year after Labour's recognition that the Welsh fiscal framework is outdated, questions arise about progress in updating it.

Question

This Labour Government understands the importance of partnership. One year on, I welcome that this partnership has delivered record funding for Wales to improve our railways, protect coal tips, and boost our economy and public services. At the general election, we rightly recognised that the Welsh fiscal framework is outdated. Please could the Minister provide an update on the progress being made to address this?

Answer from Douglas Alexander (Minister of State, Cabinet Office)

I can give my hon. Friend the undertaking he seeks. We are committed to working in partnership with the Welsh Government to ensure that the framework is brought up to date and delivers value for money. My officials are supporting His Majesty's Treasury on how the framework can be updated, and that work is ongoing.

Partly answered
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Q2 David Mundell Con Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale
Northern Ireland Scotland Wales Parliamentary Procedure Local Government
Context

There is a question about the commitment to maintaining one civil service across the United Kingdom and facilitating career development between the UK Government and devolved Administrations.

Question

Are the Government still committed to one civil service across the United Kingdom? If so, what are they proactively doing to ensure that as part of their career development, UK Government civil servants can work within the devolved Administrations and that those within the devolved Administrations can have roles within the UK Government?

Answer from Douglas Alexander (Minister of State, Cabinet Office)

I pay tribute to the work of the civil service, not just for the UK Government but across the United Kingdom. Civil servants do tireless work on behalf of the public each and every day and are a critical part of this Government’s determination to deliver significant change for the country and drive forward the missions we have defined. To the right hon. Member’s question, in the early years of devolution there was a lot more interchange between the home civil service here in London and the civil service in offices such as those in Edinburgh, Belfast and Cardiff. I know that thought is being given to how we ensure that there is the right expertise in the right parts of the country, and there is an information exchange on how to get this right.

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