UK Government to ‘embed Union at heart of decision making’
The UK Government published a review last night aimed at strengthening the Union and its capabilities.
Moments after the 52-page document was published, the Scottish Cabinet secretary for the constitution Michael Russell claimed it showed a lack of respect for Holyrood.
The review calls for the UK Government to "embed the Union at the heart of policy development and decision making".
It calls for a new Great Office of State in the Cabinet, a new structure supporting the devolved secretaries, as well as a new fund for Uk-wide projects, including joint projects with the devolved governments.
In addition, it calls for a new Cabinet sub-committee to oversee the delivery and implementation of a set of strategic priorities and departments’ plans to support the UK Government’s Union agenda.
In a written statement to MPS, senior Tory minister Michael Gove said: “For our family of nations to thrive – for the Union of the UK to prosper –theukgovernmentwillcontinue to work smarter for people in every part of the country, building back better and stronger from Covid-19 and able, outside the European Union, to target money where it is most needed.”
But Mr Russell described the publication as “further proof that they intend to go on undermining devolution and turning back the clock on democratic progress in these islands”.
He said: “It is difficult to see in practice the UK Government’s commitment to the principles of joint working when Scotland’s views on a reckless and damaging Brexit have been ignored, and the UK Government and Parliament now regularly legislate in devolved areas without the consent of the Scottish Parliament.”
Meanwhile separate guidance has set out that the Union flag is to be flown on UK Government buildings every day in a bid to unite the nation. At present, Union flags are only required to be flown on UK Government buildings on designated days, but the new guidance from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport will ask for it to be flown all the time in England, Scotland and Wales. Government ministers said the changes would be a "proud reminder of our history and the ties that bind us". The move will also allow dual flagging - where two flags can be flown on one pole.