The Cardiff Agreement – Cytundeb Caerdydd between the Welsh Government and the Scottish Government

For the first time since the advent of devolution, Scotland and Wales are led by governments who believe in the potential we have to thrive as independent nations.

Whilst Scotland and Wales are on different constitutional journeys, we are bound by a trust in our people’s ability to decide their future for themselves.

In that spirit, this new framework sets out areas of shared interest on which we as First Ministers and our respective governments will collaborate in the coming years to strengthen democracy and improve outcomes for those we represent.

These common endeavours are rooted in the belief that the relationship between all governments of the United Kingdom should be underpinned by trust and mutual respect.

The United Kingdom in its current form is unjust and unsustainable. We will use every opportunity available to us to press the case for greater fairness for Wales and Scotland in areas such as the operation of the UK funding arrangements and powers over our constitutional future.

We will continue to work towards our common goal of tackling child poverty and supporting households with the cost-of-living. Shared best practice is already in motion with Wales replicating the transformational Scottish Child Payment with a pilot of its own – Cynnal – to support children in low-income households.

Our shared commitment to create high-skilled well-paid jobs by attracting long-term investment will include promoting Wales and Scotland on the world stage, exploring economic opportunities and fostering closer ties with the European Union and international partners.

As governments we recognise our duty to play our part in tackling climate change. This agreement identifies sustainability and renewables as areas of potential for shared learning and cooperation, enabling us to harness our nations’ abundance of natural wealth and ensuring that it directly benefits our citizens.

We are proud to endorse this framework and look forward to seizing the opportunities presented by this new partnership which has the interests of the people of Wales and Scotland at its heart.

The agreement sets out a flexible, strategic framework for collaboration, dialogue and joint learning on matters of shared interest between our governments, while respecting the distinct democratic mandates, priorities and accountabilities to our respective legislatures.

We share a commitment to improving outcomes for the people of Wales and Scotland, strengthening democracy, respecting the right of our citizens to determine their constitutional futures through democratic means, and addressing common challenges through working together in partnership.

Through this agreement, our governments seek to improve social, economic and environmental outcomes for our citizens by strengthening cooperation between our respective ministers and officials, and by:

• sharing learning and best practice
• making joint calls for action on shared challenges and opportunities
• supporting democratic engagement and public participation on key policy and constitutional matters of common interest.

While the agreement is not legally binding and does not affect the statutory powers or responsibilities of either government, it represents a foundational commitment to strategic partnership and the pursuit of common goals.

Our governments will work together across a range of shared policy priorities, including but not limited to:

• tackling child poverty and improving outcomes for children and families
• addressing cost of living pressures, improving living standards, and supporting households and communities to thrive
• promoting sustainable and inclusive economic growth and prosperity
• considering fiscal arrangements which support effective government, provide transparency and accountability, and enable our governments to deliver for the people we serve.
• tackling climate change and strengthening resilience, supporting the long-term sustainability of communities and economies
• ensuring that our governments are outward looking, collaborative and ambitious in our international activity demonstrating good global citizenship, maximising economic opportunities and addressing shared demographic and societal challenges, including maximising the opportunities and benefits of our relationships with the European Union and other international partners
• recognising the importance of language, culture, media and sport in expressing national identity, supporting communities and enhancing wellbeing

These areas of cooperation can be reviewed and updated by mutual agreement to reflect emerging priorities and changing circumstances.

Our governments also share an interest in effective constitutional and governance arrangements which support democratic accountability, strong intergovernmental relationships and the protection and extension of self-government in Scotland and Wales.

We will work together to:

• share evidence, expertise and learning on constitutional developments and reform
• consider issues affecting the operation and development of the devolution settlements in Wales and Scotland, including the UK Internal Market Act and the Sewel Convention
• collaborate on the operation of legislative consent processes for UK legislation
• promote democratic participation, institutional resilience and good governance, including through shared learning on public participation, deliberative approaches and measures to strengthen public trust in democratic institutions
• support opportunities to strengthen the role of devolved governments within UK governance arrangements

We agree to:

• work together in a spirit of partnership, trust and openness
• collaborate more broadly with other governments on common interests, including engagement with the UK government and the Northern Ireland Executive where appropriate
• share evidence, research, expertise and best practice, including collaboration on joint research, stakeholder engagement and policy development where appropriate
• seek opportunities to develop common approaches where interests align
• exchange information on emerging policy developments and legislative proposals
• support regular contact and collaboration between the Welsh Government and Scottish Government at ministerial and official level

Our governments recognise that collaboration does not necessitate specific policy alignment. We remain free to pursue different approaches where this reflects our respective democratic mandates, local circumstances, policy objectives or the interests of the people we serve.

Nothing in this agreement is intended to affect the legislative requirements and non-legislative commitments of our governments in relation to policy development and delivery, and in respect of accountability to our legislatures. Our governments recognise the important scrutiny role of Senedd Cymru and the Scottish Parliament, and activity undertaken as part of this agreement will be subject to existing accountability and scrutiny arrangements.

First Ministers' meeting

The First Minister of Wales and the First Minister of Scotland will meet at least annually to:

• review progress under this agreement. They may revise its scope, priorities or governance arrangements as required by mutual agreement
• consider emerging opportunities for collaboration and agree future priorities

Ministerial and official-level engagement

Relevant ministers and officials will meet regularly, as appropriate, to advance cooperation across agreed policy areas.