Working to make government more effective

Report

Devolution after Brexit : Managing the environment, agriculture and fisheries

All four governments of the UK – Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Westminster – must go back to the drawing board to redefine their relationships

The report says that the devolution arrangements of the late 1990s were designed to function within membership of the EU. Outside of the EU, they are no longer fit for purpose. The report makes recommendations for how the four governments can work together now and after Brexit.

Brexit means all four governments of the UK – Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Westminster – must go back to the drawing board to redefine their relationships, argues a new report. 

The report says that the devolution arrangements of the late 1990s were designed to function within membership of the EU. Outside of the EU, they are no longer fit for purpose.

It looks at the environment, agriculture and fisheries – areas where new UK-wide agreements are most urgently needed.

The four governments have made progress in addressing these issues but the imperative to act is growing, as agreement on key legislation – such as the EU Withdrawal Bill – is required to prevent further delays.

The report makes recommendations for how the four governments can work together now and after Brexit.

 

Related content

08 FEB 2024 Insight paper

The Union and the state

Whether the UK survives in its current form or what it will look like if it doesn’t stay together, will hinge on which vision prevails.