PROPOSALS for revamping relations between the UK Government and devolved administrations are due to be published by the end of the year.
Speaking before the Scottish Affairs Committee at Westminster for the first time yesterday, Scottish Secretary Alister Jack revealed a “package of proposals” aimed at boosting relations between Westminster and the governments in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, would be announced.
The committee produced a report in July into the relations between the Scottish and UK governments, where a number of proposals were made.
Jack praised the current state of relations he has with devolved administration officials, saying statements in the media may not reflect the private relationship
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Responding to a question from SNP MP Tommy Sheppard, Jack said a number of meetings had been undertaken and work was ongoing.
He said: “I had a meeting with the four nations and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster very recently and we discussed progress on that. I think substantive progress has been made on that, particularly at official level.
“We have discussed it twice at Joint Ministerial Committees and the Chancellor and the Prime Minister have confirmed they would like to bring forward a package of proposals by the end of this year.
“My understanding is these reforms will be brought back to all administrations before the end of this year.”
One of the recommendations was for a third-party mediator to resolve any disputes between the administrations.
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