Guidance
Devolution guidance notes
The devolution guidance notes (DGNs) set out advice on working arrangements between the UK government and the devolved administrations.
Documents
Details
These devolution guidance notes set out advice on working arrangements between the UK government and the devolved administrations. They are an introduction to the main principles involved in the managing of the devolution settlements, bilateral relations, correspondence, parliamentary business, legislation and concordats.
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Common working arrangements
Advice on common working arrangements between the UK government and the devolved administrations. This note introduces the main principles involved in the managing of the devolution settlements and looks in more depth at bilateral relations, correspondence, parliamentary business, legislation and concordats. -
Handling correspondence under devolution
General principles for the handling by UK government departments of correspondence from members of the devolved legislatures. Guidance on the handling of inter-ministerial and inter-departmental correspondence is available in devolution guidance note 6 (see below). -
Role of the Secretary of State for Scotland
Functions and role of the Secretary of State for Scotland following devolution. -
Role of the Secretary of State for Wales
Functions and the role of the Secretary of State for Wales following devolution. -
Role of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Functions and role of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (SOSNI) following the restoration of devolution in Northern Ireland. It makes clear that SOSNI retains responsibility for policing, criminal justice and constitutional matters affecting NI. -
Circulation of inter-ministerial and inter-departmental correspondence
Conventions to be followed by UK government departments when they are involving devolved administrations in matters which are the subject of correspondence between UK ministers, or otherwise writing to ministers of devolved administrations. -
Post-devolution primary legislation affecting Northern Ireland
Guidance on handling legislation that affects Northern Ireland. It sets out what should be done if you wish to include in a Bill provisions that apply to Northern Ireland and deal with transferred (ie devolved) matters. -
Post-devolution primary legislation affecting Scotland
Guidance for UK government departments on handling legislation affecting Scotland. It sets out how the LP Committee expects departments to handle primary legislation affecting Scotland, while ensuring the smooth management of the government’s legislative programme. -
Ministerial accountability after devolution
General advice on matters which remain the responsibility of UK ministers, and for which they are accountable to the UK Parliament. -
Attendance of UK ministers and officials at committees of the devolved legislatures
Advice for UK ministers and civil servants on how to deal with invitations to attend committees of devolved legislatures. It does not provide guidance on the giving of evidence to these committees. -
Handling of parliamentary business in the House of Lords
General principles to be put in practice in business before the House of Lords. This comprises 2 separate sections on Bills, and on parliamentary questions and debates. -
Scotland Act Section 309(2) Orders: alterations to legislative competence
How Section 30(2) Orders are used to amend the list of reservations in the Scotland Act – either increasing or reducing the scope of reserved matters. -
Scottish legislative proposals giving devolved powers and functions to UK bodies
Acts of the Scottish Parliament can, in certain circumstances, include provisions giving powers or functions to UK government ministers, UK departments or other UK bodies. The Scottish government and the UK government have agreed a protocol setting out the procedures which will apply if considering the possibility of legislating in this way. -
Parliamentary and Assembly Primary Legislation Affecting Wales
This note explains the legislative competence of the National Assembly for Wales (“the Assembly”) and the executive competence of Welsh Ministers, as well as the effects of the Welsh devolution settlement on UK government policy development and legislation in the UK Parliament.
Updates to this page
Published 23 August 2011
Last updated 14 March 2019 + show all updates
Last updated 14 March 2019 + show all updates
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Updated 'Details' section on page to include a description of each attachment and its purpose.
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Attachment Parliamentary and Assembly Primary Legislation Affecting Wales updated
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Updated several guidance notes
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First published.