[UK] Part of the Union

Successive governments have devolved powers from Westminster to the administrations in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.  This means that employers not only have to look at what comes from voices in London but also what comes out of Cardiff Bay, Belfast and Edinburgh.

As 2019 marks the 20^th anniversary of devolution settlements, the outgoing Prime Minister Theresa May gave a speech in Stirling on the 4^th of July 2019.  In this, she recognised the importance of devolution and the growing support for political parties that support nationalism (the SNP, Plaid Cymru and Sein Fein).  But at the same time she also stressed the importance of the union of the four countries as a United Kingdom.

As part of her legacy to maintain a United Kingdom, Mrs May has launched an independent review of “UK Government Capability” with the following remit:

To consider whether UK Government structures are configured in such a way as to strengthen the working of the Union, and to recommend changes where appropriate.

This short review will be headed by Lord Andrew Dunlop who has previously been under-secretary of states for both Scotland and Northern Ireland.  This will start in July 2019 and report to the new Prime Minister in the autumn.  The terms of reference were published on the 4^th of July 2019 and state that the following will be taken into account:

• The need to respect and support the current devolution settlements, including the Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland Acts, as well as the Belfast agreement and its successors
• The importance of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland retaining their own Secretaries of State who are members of Cabinet and Territorial Offices that represent the interests of the devolved nations in Westminster; and

The Barnett Formula and the Scottish and Welsh Governments’ fiscal frameworks are not in the scope of the review that Lord Dunlop will carry out.

Global Payroll Association Comment

It is right that this issue is examined though we are disappointed that the terms of reference say that the report will be based on “evidence but there will be no formal written consultation”.  Perhaps the final report will make recommendations that will lead to a formal consultation, as all employers are increasingly impacted because of the way that we are one UK but with three devolved nations that impact what we do in our working lives.

Successive governments have devolved powers from Westminster to the administrations in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.  This means that employers not only have to look at what comes from voices in London but also what comes out of Cardiff Bay, Belfast and Edinburgh.

As 2019 marks the 20^th anniversary of devolution settlements, the outgoing Prime Minister Theresa May gave a speech in Stirling on the 4^th of July 2019.  In this, she recognised the importance of devolution and the growing support for political parties that support nationalism (the SNP, Plaid Cymru and Sein Fein).  But at the same time she also stressed the importance of the union of the four countries as a United Kingdom.

As part of her legacy to maintain a United Kingdom, Mrs May has launched an independent review of “UK Government Capability” with the following remit:

To consider whether UK Government structures are configured in such a way as to strengthen the working of the Union, and to recommend changes where appropriate.

This short review will be headed by Lord Andrew Dunlop who has previously been under-secretary of states for both Scotland and Northern Ireland.  This will start in July 2019 and report to the new Prime Minister in the autumn.  The terms of reference were published on the 4^th of July 2019 and state that the following will be taken into account:

• The need to respect and support the current devolution settlements, including the Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland Acts, as well as the Belfast agreement and its successors
• The importance of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland retaining their own Secretaries of State who are members of Cabinet and Territorial Offices that represent the interests of the devolved nations in Westminster; and

The Barnett Formula and the Scottish and Welsh Governments’ fiscal frameworks are not in the scope of the review that Lord Dunlop will carry out.

Global Payroll Association Comment

It is right that this issue is examined though we are disappointed that the terms of reference say that the report will be based on “evidence but there will be no formal written consultation”.  Perhaps the final report will make recommendations that will lead to a formal consultation, as all employers are increasingly impacted because of the way that we are one UK but with three devolved nations that impact what we do in our working lives.