Devolution Archives

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.
Research Briefing

Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 11 of 2022-23

Wednesday, 01 June, 2022

The Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Bill [HL] would make provision for the use, promotion and development of the Irish language and the Ulster Scots language and culture in Northern Ireland. This would include the introduction of two dedicated commissioners and an Office of Identity and Cultural Expression.
In Focus

Calls for a UK-wide constitutional commission

Thursday, 26 May, 2022

Since devolution in the UK in the late 1990s, intergovernmental relations (IGR) have been necessary for joint decision-making on areas of shared responsibility and for dispute resolution. The political and institutional structures that support IGR have been evolving since this time. However, there have been calls for a UK-wide constitutional commission to examine the relationships and arrangements between the four nations of the UK.
In Focus

Queen’s Speech 2022: Brexit—Retained EU law and the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland

Thursday, 05 May, 2022

The Government is planning to make significant changes to the legal status of retained EU law and the post-Brexit regulatory landscape. This would be through a ‘Brexit Freedoms Bill’ and standalone legislation in areas such as procurement and data protection. There is also speculation the Government may introduce a bill to override parts of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland.
In Focus

Queen’s Speech 2022: Devolved affairs

Thursday, 05 May, 2022

The Government has argued that devolution has “empowered communities” and provided “huge benefits across the United Kingdom”. Its stated aim is to continue to collaborate with the devolved administrations, “work[ing] together to deliver for the British people”. This article discusses some of the key issues in devolved affairs that may be addressed in the forthcoming parliamentary session.

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