Written Statement: Update on Inter-Governmental Meetings – 30 October 2026

I attended a series of intergovernmental meetings in Glasgow on 30 October 2026, and I am providing this statement to the Senedd in line with the requirements under the Inter-Institutional Relations Agreement (IIRA).

I attended a meeting of the Prime Minister and Heads of Devolved Governments Council with the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Andy Burnham MP; the First Minister of Scotland, the Rt Hon John Swinney MSP and Minister of State (Minister for Intergovernmental Relations and European Relations), the Rt Hon Hamish Falconer MP. 

This meeting gave an important opportunity for collective discussion of significant global developments such as the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East and their impact on the UK.  There were updates on UK trade and the wider UK-EU relationship. In addition, domestic priorities including the cost of living and responses to wildfires and extreme weather events were on the agenda and the need to continue to strengthen national resilience.

I welcomed the benefits of trade for Wales and pressed the UK Government to pursue membership of the EU Customs Union and Single Market and to reduce barriers to trade and support economic growth. I strongly supported efforts to reset and strengthen the UK-EU relationship, and closer alignment where this supports Welsh economic, social and environmental interests. I reiterated the importance of ensuring Welsh interests and devolved responsibilities are reflected through early engagement as the UK-EU relationship and UK trade policy develop. I asked for a review of the steel trade measures earlier than the planned 12-month review July next year, taking account of Wales’s distinctive position and the impact on Welsh steel producers. In addition, I reflected on the severe outbreaks of wildfires we experienced last summer, acknowledging the need for governments to work at a in a co-ordinated way. 

A communiqué for this meeting is expected to be published on the UK Government’s website shortly.

I also attended the National Economic Council on Good Growth Across the UK along with the Rt Hon Elin Jones MS, Cabinet Minister for Finance. The meeting was chaired by the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Andy Burnham MP.  

Also in attendance at Ministerial level : Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt Hon John Healey MP, First Secretary of State, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and Minister for the Cabinet Office, the Rt Hon Louise Haigh MP, Cabinet Secretary, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, the Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, Minister of State (Minister for Energy), Michael Shanks MP, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Rt Hon Angela Rayner MP, Secretary of State for Scotland, the Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, Secretary of State for Wales, the Rt Hon Stephen Kinnock MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and Captain of The King’s Bodyguard of the Yeoman of the Guard, Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent and Minister for Intergovernmental Relations and European Relations, the Rt Hon Hamish Falconer MP, and the First Minister of Scotland.

The discussion focused on economic priorities across the UK.  I reiterated the case for a Welsh Government / UK Government partnership for growth, aimed at aligning investment in support of our productivity mission, good jobs and industrial renewal. The discussion also enabled me to set out the need for the streamlining of UK Government funding programmes, to reducing duplication and aligning UK investment with the work of the National Economic Development Agency. Alongside this, I reaffirmed that there should be respect for devolved decision-making, to ensure UK investment and reserved policy levers complement rather than bypass the Welsh Government and the Senedd. And finally, I pressed for greater fiscal flexibility, asking for increased borrowing powers and removal of Wales Reserve restrictions to equip Wales to respond more effectively to opportunities and pressures. 

I also had separate bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister focussing on key priorities for Wales. I reiterated the need to urgently agree a way forward on policing devolution, using the current reform programme and forthcoming Police Reform Bill, alongside consideration of wider devolution of justice. In addition, I highlighted the need for the UK Government to work collaboratively with us to consider devolution of the Crown Estate. I stated our need to progress full devolution of rail infrastructure with a fair funding settlement, including addressing the HS2 funding classification, and emphasised the case for greater fiscal flexibility with increased borrowing powers, removal of Wales Reserve restrictions and a review of the Fiscal Framework to equip Wales to respond more effectively to opportunities and pressures.  Given the ongoing cost of living pressures faced by many families in Wales, I reaffirmed the need to secure an urgent resolution on Cynnal payment tax exemption and being disregarded for benefit calculations. I also stated the need to urgently progress on the Vacant Land Tax consultation. 

I was encouraged by the nature of the discussion, the Prime Minister’s commitment to delivering greater fiscal flexibility and realising the pledge on rail infrastructure.