Calendar An icon of a desk calendar. Cancel An icon of a circle with a diagonal line across. Caret An icon of a block arrow pointing to the right. Email An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of the Facebook "f" mark. Google An icon of the Google "G" mark. Linked In An icon of the Linked In "in" mark. Logout An icon representing logout. Profile An icon that resembles human head and shoulders. Telephone An icon of a traditional telephone receiver. Tick An icon of a tick mark. Is Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes. Is Not Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes with a diagonal line through it. Pause Icon A two-lined pause icon for stopping interactions. Quote Mark A opening quote mark. Quote Mark A closing quote mark. Arrow An icon of an arrow. Folder An icon of a paper folder. Breaking An icon of an exclamation mark on a circular background. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Caret An icon of a caret arrow. Clock An icon of a clock face. Close An icon of the an X shape. Close Icon An icon used to represent where to interact to collapse or dismiss a component Comment An icon of a speech bubble. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Ellipsis An icon of 3 horizontal dots. Envelope An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Home An icon of a house. Instagram An icon of the Instagram logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. Magnifying Glass An icon of a magnifying glass. Search Icon A magnifying glass icon that is used to represent the function of searching. Menu An icon of 3 horizontal lines. Hamburger Menu Icon An icon used to represent a collapsed menu. Next An icon of an arrow pointing to the right. Notice An explanation mark centred inside a circle. Previous An icon of an arrow pointing to the left. Rating An icon of a star. Tag An icon of a tag. Twitter An icon of the Twitter logo. Video Camera An icon of a video camera shape. Speech Bubble Icon A icon displaying a speech bubble WhatsApp An icon of the WhatsApp logo. Information An icon of an information logo. Plus A mathematical 'plus' symbol. Duration An icon indicating Time. Success Tick An icon of a green tick. Success Tick Timeout An icon of a greyed out success tick. Loading Spinner An icon of a loading spinner. Facebook Messenger An icon of the facebook messenger app logo. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Facebook Messenger An icon of the Twitter app logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. WhatsApp Messenger An icon of the Whatsapp messenger app logo. Email An icon of an mail envelope. Copy link A decentered black square over a white square.

‘I’d almost forgotten it existed’: UK devolution review findings not shared a year after launch

Michael Russell says "the JMC is bust".
Michael Russell says "the JMC is bust".

Findings of a UK Government devolution review are still to be shared with the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish administrations almost a year after it launched and six months after it was due to complete.

The Dunlop review, which was set up by Theresa May last July, was tasked with investigating how the Union could be strengthened after MPs concluded relations had “broken down” between the UK and Scottish Government.

More than 11 months on from the review’s launch, devolved leaders told MPs that they were none the wiser about its recommendations or publication date.

“I’d almost forgotten it existed,” constitution secretary Mike Russell told a House of Commons committee.

I don’t think there’s been a single academic report that has found it fit for purpose; the JMC is bust.”

Michael Russell

Mr Russell said the current forum for debate and decision making between the UK and devolved governments – the joint ministerial committee (JMC) – was “bust” and needed reform.

“The JMC has not functioned properly almost since it was established,” he said.

“I don’t think there’s been a single academic report that has found it fit for purpose; the JMC is bust.

“In these circumstances, we need something new. There is a crying need for a change in inter-governmental structures, but nothing has happened from the UK Government at all, we’ve seen nothing.”

The minister said the JMC was “wisely” dropped to handle the Covid-19 crisis.

“I think it was sensible and telling that all governments came to look for new structures to work in.”

I think we’re probably in a bit of a limbo at the present moment.”

Michael Russell

Mr Russell, along with his colleagues from the Welsh and Northern Irish governments, told MPs that he “regretted” the UK Government decision to ditch the JMC’s replacement – the ministerial implementation group (MIG) – earlier this month.

“I think we’re probably in a bit of a limbo at the present moment.

“I was sorry the MIGs have been disbanded, but that’s also one of the problems, there should be co-ownership of these structures if they’re going to be effective.

“It appears they can be lifted and laid by the UK Government without any further consultation. I regret that.”

Asked if devolved ministers have much impact on UK Government policy at these meetings, Mr Russell said: “It depends on the meeting, it depends on the circumstances.”

He went on to say that the “more important and vital the issue, the more likely it is people will be sensible” but said in some areas engagement had been “pretty appalling”.

A UK Government spokesperson said: “The government is grateful for the work that Lord Dunlop has undertaken and is carefully considering his report.”