Devolution Archives

Current Affairs Digest

Current Affairs Digest: Constitution (March 2023)

Tuesday, 07 March, 2023

In December 2022, the Labour Party published the final report of the Commission on the UK’s Future, also known as the Brown Commission, chaired by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The report proposed several constitutional changes, including the replacement of the House of Lords with an elected second chamber called the Assembly of the Nations and Regions. This article considers the proposals for the second chamber and sets out reaction to them from both inside and outside Westminster.
In Focus

The Barnett formula: How it operates and proposals for change

Monday, 06 March, 2023

The Barnett formula calculates the yearly change to the block grant; this is the largest of the grants provided to the devolved administrations by the UK government. The formula aims to give each nation the same pounds-per-person change in funding each year. However, criticisms about equity have been made regarding how the formula is calculated. Calls for reform have mainly focused on proposals to introduce a universal needs-based factor to the formula.
Research Briefing

Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Organ and Tissue Donation) Bill: HL Bill 105 of 2022–23

Friday, 24 February, 2023

The Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Organ and Tissue Donation) Bill would extend the deadline for forming a Northern Ireland executive to 18 January 2024. It would also allow the secretary of state to set an Assembly election date earlier than this if no executive had been formed. It would also allow regulations to be made about the rule for organ donation in Northern Ireland in the absence of a functioning Assembly.
In Focus

Implementing the Dunlop review into the UK’s union capability

Monday, 20 February, 2023

The Dunlop review examined whether UK government structures were set up to “realise fully all the benefits of being a United Kingdom”. Its report, published in March 2021, made recommendations on reforms the UK government should make to the machinery of government and the civil service to strengthen the working of the union. This article looks at how its recommendations have been taken forward.
In Focus

‘Common frameworks: An unfulfilled opportunity?’: Common Frameworks Scrutiny Committee report

Wednesday, 01 February, 2023

In its second report, the House of Lords Commons Frameworks Scrutiny Committee considered the progress made on the UK common frameworks programme. Common frameworks are non-binding agreements between the UK and devolved governments that set out ways of working on a range of policy areas. They are required for some devolved policy areas that have been affected by Brexit. The committee raised concerns that the programme was at risk of becoming a “missed opportunity”. It made a number of recommendations, the majority of which the government has accepted.
Research Briefing

Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill: HL Bill 89 of 2022–23

Friday, 27 January, 2023

The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill is due to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 6 February 2023. The bill would automatically revoke, or ‘sunset’, most retained EU law at the end of 2023. However it would also give ministers powers to exempt some retained EU law from the sunset and to restate, reproduce, replace or update retained EU law by statutory instrument.
Research Briefing

Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill: HL Bill 84 of 2022-23

Tuesday, 10 January, 2023

The Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill would give effect to aspects of the government’s levelling up agenda to reduce economic, social and environmental disparities between and within different parts of the UK. It would provide for the government to set statutory levelling up missions amongst other measures, including significant proposals concerning planning in England. A number of clauses were added to the bill during the bill’s passage through the House of Commons.
In Focus

Building a stronger union: House of Lords Constitution Committee

Monday, 09 January, 2023

In January 2022, the House of Lords Constitution Committee published a report calling for the UK government to set out a “clearer vision” for the future of the UK’s union. Although it welcomed the government’s commitment to the union, it argued that a more modern style of governance was needed, and that it was “imperative” that all executives and legislatures worked “constructively and in partnership”. The government has welcomed the report and said it would consider several of its recommendations.
Research Briefing

Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Bill: HL Bill 74 of 2022-23

Thursday, 01 December, 2022

The Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Bill would extend the deadline for forming a Northern Ireland executive to 8 December 2022. It could be extended for another six weeks to 19 January 2023. The bill is due to complete all its stages in the House of Lords on 5 December 2022.
In Focus

British passports, citizenship, and barriers for people born in the Republic of Ireland

Thursday, 20 October, 2022

A person is eligible to apply for a British passport if they have British nationality. This includes a person who has British citizenship. Discussions have increased recently about how Irish citizens who were not born in Northern Ireland, but who are now resident there, can obtain British passports without cost. This article considers the eligibility criteria for a British passport, the citizenship process, and recent parliamentary scrutiny of the issue.
Research Briefing

Northern Ireland Protocol Bill: HL Bill 52 of 2022–23

Wednesday, 05 October, 2022

The Northern Ireland Protocol Bill is due to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 11 October 2022. It would exclude some provisions of the Northern Ireland Protocol from applying in domestic law. The government says this is justified by necessity and consistent with international law, but others have disagreed. The bill’s wide use of delegated powers has also been criticised.
Research Briefing

Government of Wales (Devolved Powers) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 17 of 2022-23

Wednesday, 17 August, 2022

This private member’s bill would provide that powers devolved to Senedd Cymru must not be amended or withdrawn without a super-majority vote of its elected members.
Research Briefing

Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill: HL Bill 37 of 2022-23

Thursday, 14 July, 2022

The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill 2022–23 is intended to address the legacy of the Northern Ireland Troubles by establishing a new independent commission for reconciliation and information recovery, limiting criminal investigations and legal proceedings, and providing for a new oral history initiative and memorialisation strategy.
In Focus

UK Constitution: Proposals and ministerial responsibility

Monday, 04 July, 2022

The UK’s constitution comprises a host of diverse laws, practices and conventions that have evolved over time. Responsibility for the UK’s constitution lies with the Cabinet Office. In 2021, the Dunlop review recommended the creation of a secretary of state for intergovernmental and constitutional affairs; to date the government has not implemented this recommendation.
In Focus

Union of the United Kingdom: Under stress?

Thursday, 16 June, 2022

The UK’s union continues to evolve. Recent developments include the repatriation of powers from the EU post-Brexit and reviews of intergovernmental relations between central government and the devolved administrations, but there are also calls for further constitutional review and reform. The Scottish government’s plans for a second independence referendum and disagreements about the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol are particular issues that highlight current stresses on the union.

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