Inter-institutional relations agreement between the Senedd and the Welsh Government: report on intergovernmental relations 2024-2026

This Intergovernmental relations overview report covers the period from July 2024 to March 2026, and is published in the context of the inter-institutional relations agreement between the Senedd and the Welsh Government of 2021. It is the third report published pursuant to that agreement. Previous reports are available here.

This report is provided alongside the regular Welsh Government updates to the Senedd in plenary and committee, and via statements and correspondence, which are available on the Senedd website. Communiques relating to engagement undertaken as part of Inter-Governmental Relations (IGR) Review structures are available here.

Constitution and devolution

This is the first overview report since the July 2024 UK General Election. During this reporting period, we have seen a stronger overall pattern and rhythm to the formal machinery set out in the IGR review, reflecting an improvement in intergovernmental working since July 2024. However, this progress has not been consistent in all areas, and there continue to be instances where engagement has been limited or uneven. Since July 2024 engagement has occurred across the formal IGR machinery as well as through ongoing bilateral ministerial discussions.

Normally, following each meeting, a short joint communiqué is published, and Welsh Ministers have worked to provide more information through written statements or detailed letters to Senedd committees in accordance with the Inter-Institutional Relations Agreement with the Senedd.

Top Tier: Prime Minister and Heads of Devolved Governments Council

The Prime Minister and Heads of Devolved Governments Council met twice during this reporting period (11 October 2024; and 23 May 2025). Discussions covered a range of areas including intergovernmental relations; economy and growth; shared priority on clean energy; global developments, including Russia/Ukraine and Israel/Gaza; UK trade announcements and the UK government Spending Review.

Middle Tier: Inter-Ministerial Standing Committee (IMSC)

The IMSC is a valuable element of the IGR structures, providing a forum for consideration of cross-cutting issues. The IMSC met 5 times during this reporting period (3 December 2024; 27 February 2025; 26 June 2025, 11 November 2025 and 17 February 2026). Discussions covered areas such as the Sewel Convention and UK Legislation Programme; the UK Internal Market Act (2020) and Common Frameworks; resilience and UK Covid-19 Inquiry; the use of technology in public sector reform; industrial strategies; election security and current affairs.

Middle Tier: Finance Inter-ministerial Standing Committee (F:ISC)

The F:ISC has met 6 times during the reporting period (3 October 2024; 27 February 2025,26 June; 17 October 2025; and 19 March 2026). Discussions focused on the economic and fiscal context, including devolved government priorities ahead of UK fiscal events and potential implications of UK spending and taxation decisions including, changes to employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs); the impact of previous UK government austerity measures on public service productivity; opportunities to boost productivity through digital initiatives; and public sector pay. Officials explored additional budgetary flexibilities for devolved governments; improvements to the operation of the Barnett formula; the implications of UK government policies such as the UK Internal Market Act (2020) financial assistance powers; and the need for improved communication on devolved funding settlements. Engagement also covered the role of Public Financial Institutions and their interaction with devolved governments, infrastructure investment, and the role of the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA).

A meeting was also held of the UK Finance Ministers in April 2025, with representatives from the Office of the Nations in attendance. The meeting was an opportunity to discuss devolved government priorities ahead of the UK Spending Review.

Portfolio level: Inter-Ministerial Groups (IMGs)

Further details on the specific IMGs are provided under the relevant sections of this report.

Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat

The impartial Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat, established from the review, is fully operational and accountable to the council. It serves all governments equally in accordance with the review. However, the governments themselves remain accountable for intergovernmental relations.

British-Irish Council

Three British-Irish Council Summits were held during this reporting period:

Scotland Summit (6 December 2024)

Focused on Financing a Just Transition, including the importance of working in collaboration with the private sector to encourage inward investment and increase employment opportunities within the renewable energy industry to stimulate economic growth and prosperity across these islands.

Northern Ireland Summit (13 June 2025)

Focused on the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in reform and transformation, including approaches to harnessing AI technologies for public sector reform and transformation in the provision of public services across these islands.

Wales Summit (5 December 2025)

Focused on the Creative Industries. The Summit plenary highlighted the importance of the Screen sector to the Creative Industries, both culturally and economically, as well as the opportunities and challenges facing the sector, and efforts by administrations to support the industry and those working within it.

The Council of the Nations and Regions (CNR)

The CNR complements, but does not replace, existing IGR structures and the ongoing need for discussions between the devolved governments and the UK government, reflecting the constitutional roles of the devolved governments and legislatures.

The CNR has met twice during this reporting period (11 October 2024; and 23 May 2025). This forum enabled useful dialogue between the UK government, Scottish Government, Welsh Government, Northern Ireland Executive and a wider set of public sector leaders across the UK through the involvement of Mayors of English Regions. Discussions covered growth and inward investment, industrial strategies, international investment, trade and tariffs, and artificial intelligence.

UK Legislation Programme and the Sewel Convention

This reporting period covers the first session of the UK government’s legislative programme. There were 40 bills originally announced in the King’s Speech on 17 July 2024. We have seen generally positive engagement this session both in relation to engagement prior to introduction and on Bills as they develop. This has assisted the Welsh Government to consider the detail of the relevant Bills and make a recommendation to the Senedd on whether the Welsh Government recommends it consents to them.

There was good engagement with the UK government across a range of Bills and secondary legislation, with Welsh Government officials involved throughout policy development and drafting processes. This engagement has supported early consideration of Welsh interests and ensured effective collaboration on matters with devolved implications.

Where appropriate, the Welsh Government has been able to negotiate changes to certain Bills (for example, the Energy Bill) to secure meaningful roles for the Welsh Ministers or the Senedd within those Bills.

So far in this session, 15 UK Bills received Royal Assent containing provisions regarding devolved matters with the Senedd’s consent. There have been no breaches of the Sewel Convention since the 2024 UK general election.

Common frameworks

Common frameworks are operational intergovernmental agreements managing areas of policy previously governed by the EU. During this reporting period, further progress was made towards the ministerial sign-off of provisionally operating frameworks, amidst the context of the UK government’s review of the UK Internal Market Act (as set out below). It is anticipated that a number of common frameworks will be agreed ahead of the Senedd election.

Finance

In addition to discussions at the F:ISC, bilateral meetings with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury focused on investment in coal tip safety and rail, Barnett reform and funding for changes made to employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs). Discussions also covered the need for additional budget flexibilities, use of the UK Internal Market Act financial assistance powers, and funding for post-Brexit Border Control Posts.

There were also bilateral discussions with both the Exchequer Secretary (XST) to the Treasury and the Financial Secretary to the Treasury (FST). Meetings with the XST focused on tax issues, including designation of tax sites in relation to Freeports, non-domestic rates, tax treatment of Welsh Government welfare schemes, the Emissions Trading Scheme and Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism as well as devolution of new taxes including proposals for a Vacant Land Tax. Whilst the meeting with the FST focused on economic growth, the UK Industrial Strategy and devolution of the Crown Estate.

The First Minister also met regularly during this reporting period with the Chancellor and discussed opportunities to maximise UK investment in Wales to support economic growth such as AI Growth Zones and rail and coal tips investment alongside discussions on the need for additional budgetary flexibilities for Wales. Discussions also touched on employer NICs, devolution of the Crown Estate, and welfare reform.

Statistics and analysis

The Concordat on Statistics has continued to operate well, with intergovernmental relations largely coordinated at official level. Significant engagement has continued with the Office for National Statistics on population and census statistics, and the ongoing quality challenges identified in the labour market statistics.

The first Statistical Assembly took place in January 2025 bringing together a wide range of users and producers of official statistics across the UK to discuss priorities, opportunities and challenges facing the statistical system. Activities continue to be taken forward in relation to the coherence of statistics across the UK, ahead of a formal review of the Concordat on Statistics later in 2026.

Digital policy

Engagement with UK government Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) officials, originally around the development of the new UK Digital Inclusion Action Plan, which was published February 2025, has continued on a regular basis.

The UK government’s Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund (DIIF) has now been launched with consequential funding received by Welsh Government. Welsh Government is using this funding to deliver further digital inclusion and Minimum Digital Living Standard activity in Wales.

There is ongoing engagement with the UK government on expanding the use cases for Digital Identity credentials, including liaison on a forthcoming consultation on the proposed new government issued digital identity credential.

The Welsh Government has also worked with DSIT and Cabinet Office on a more coordinated approach to engagement on the UK National Cyber Action Plan which is due to be published in April 2026.

Science, Innovation and Technology

Chief Scientific Advisers (CSAs) in UK government departments and agencies, along with the CSAs of Welsh government and Scottish Government and the Chief Scientific & Technology Adviser for Northern Ireland continued to meet regularly during this reporting period.

The inaugural meeting of the Science, Innovation, Technology and Digital Inclusion IMG was due to take place on 24 September 2025. However, this meeting was subsequently cancelled at short notice due to the UK government reshuffle. It is now anticipated the inaugural meeting will take place following the Welsh and Scottish elections.

Procurement

The Common Framework for Public Procurement continues to facilitate the sharing of information about policy issues. We have maintained our commitment to this information exchange, despite it being non-legislative, with meetings held monthly and bi-annually.

Constructive engagement continued following the Procurement Act 2023 coming into force in February 2025. Collaboration also continued to secure improvements to the UK Government digital offering and its interaction with the Welsh Digital Platform as well as to parts of the Act yet to commence. In addition, there was engagement about a proposed new UK government Procurement Bill. However, limited information sharing delayed the Welsh Government's policy review and timely recommendation for Senedd consent.

Intergovernmental policy meetings continue, providing a forum to discuss procurement chapters within draft Free Trade Agreements. In parallel, we maintain regular liaison with UK government policy teams regarding the laying of Statutory Instruments (SIs) to update trade agreements under the Procurement Act, ensuring ongoing alignment.

Elections

The Elections and Registration IMG met 4 times during this reporting period (12 February 2025; 30 June 2025; 30 October 2025; and 11 February 2026). Discussions over the reporting period have included the UK government’s plans on electoral reform, the Online Absent Voting Application system, democratic engagement, Automatic Voting Registration, and preparation for the 2026 elections. Ministers agreed to continue collaborative working including work on the security of elections and electoral reform. Regular official-level meetings were held between governments to share information and best practice.

International relations

EU reset

Ministerial engagement on the relationship between the UK and the EU has taken place through the UK-EU Relations IMG. The IMG has met 3 times during this reporting period (3 December 2024, 12 May 2025 and 21 January 2026). Discussions have focused on the 4 governments’ priorities for the broader work taking place to reset the UK’s relationship with the EU. The meeting in May took place in the week leading up to the UK-EU Summit.

At an official level, engagement with the central team leading on the UK’s relationship with the EU has been generally positive. Discussions with other UK government departments involved in the EU reset agenda can vary depending on the policy area.

Trade policy

Ministerial engagement on the wider free trade agreement programme and trade policy generally occurred through the Trade IMG, which has met three times in this reporting period (22 January 2025, 2 June 2025 and 8 January 2026). Engagement on Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) has been positive, with negotiations on the UK-India FTA being a particularly good example of intergovernmental work. Engagement on different trade policy issues, where clear engagement processes are not in place has varied. Engagement on the UK government’s Trade Strategy and on recent UK-US negotiations, such as the UK-US Pharmaceutical deal have not been in line with expectations.

Economy

Business and Industry IMG

The Business and Industry IMG met 3 times during this reporting period (21 January 2025, 6 May 2025; and 3 February 2026). Discussions focussed on the Industrial Strategy and Sector Plans, and the importance of continued cross-government engagement on several complementary strategies - including published UK government strategies on steel, infrastructure, SMEs and trade - to identify opportunities for alignment. Discussions also highlighted the need to increase the frequency of Senior Official Group meetings during the election period to maintain strong dialogue and momentum.

Industrial strategy

The 3 February 2026 Business and Industry IMG focussed on progress across the Industrial Strategy. Engagement has continued to be positive, with discussions with the Secretary of State for Wales and ministers at the Department for Business and Trade, demonstrating a shared commitment to boosting economic growth. This ministerial engagement has helped set a constructive tone for ongoing collaboration.

Throughout the development of the strategy and its supporting sector plans, engagement with UK government officials has generally been strong and constructive. While the quality and depth of engagement have varied between departments, most interactions have included policy‑level discussions and joint workshops. For example, there has been productive engagement between the independent Industrial Strategy Advisory Council and Welsh Government officials.

Economic legislation

The UK government engaged the Welsh Government with respect to the Product Regulation and Metrology (PRAM) Bill shortly before it was introduced in the UK Parliament. This Bill makes provision about the marketing or use of products in the United Kingdom and the units of measurement and the quantities in which goods are marketed in the United Kingdom. Both the UK government and Welsh Government agreed that it encompassed areas of devolved competence and a Legislative Consent Memorandum (LCM) in respect of the Bill was laid before the Senedd on 20 September and further Supplementary LCMs on the 24 March 2025 and 12 May 2025. Following the incorporation of a consent mechanism which provided Welsh Ministers a role in the decision-making process, the Senedd provided consent to the Bill on the 4 June 2025, and the Bill received Royal assent on the 12 July 2025.

Throughout the Bill’s passage, Welsh Ministers raised concerns with the UK government, particularly in relation to the role of Welsh Ministers and the Senedd in decision‑making. While subsequent amendments partially addressed these concerns by providing a limited role for Welsh Ministers in devolved areas, they did not meet the Welsh Government’s request for regulation‑making powers.

By contrast, engagement on a number of other legislative proposals has been more positive. UK government officials ensured Welsh Government officials were updated on the implementation of the Digital Markets and Competition and Consumer Act and the passage of the Data (Use and Access) Act. This included provisions which would facilitate the future use of ‘Smart Data’ and the Open Fuel Scheme.

There has been more effective engagement at official and ministerial level with the publication of a consultation 'Late Payments: Tackling poor payment practices', regarding potential new legislation to promote prompt payments. There has also been good engagement with officials leading up to publication of England and Wales Regulations to revise the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES).

Freeports and Investment Zones

Freeports and Investment Zones are joint programmes between the UK government and Welsh Government, built around a partnership of equals and a joint decision-making process. Officials from the Welsh Government and the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) in the UK government have jointly worked on the:

• Development of business cases and future funding of the Anglesey and Celtic Freeports. Legislation to commence tax sites for both Freeports was passed in both governments in 2024 and full business cases have been approved.
• Development of proposals for the Flintshire-Wrexham Investment Zone and the Cardiff-Newport Investment Zone.
• Production of a joint Industrial Strategy Zones Action Plan which sets out UK government and Welsh Government actions to support Welsh Freeports and Investment Zones beyond the agreement of business cases.

All key government decisions on the Welsh Freeport and Investment Zone programmes are informed by a joint Welsh Government and UK government Programme Board comprising senior officials from both governments.

During this reporting period there have been meetings and correspondence between Ministers of both governments at key stages in the development of Welsh Freeports and Investment Zones. Ministers from each government are provided advice and reach final decisions in parallel.

UK Shared Prosperity Fund / UK Local Growth Fund

The legacy Shared Prosperity Fund, the replacement to EU Structural Funds, is in its transition year. The focus of engagement between the Welsh Government and UK government has been on arrangements for post-2026 funding. This has involved meetings and correspondence between Minsters in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning.

A joint announcement with the UK government on a £547 million Local Growth Fund for Wales - confirming the return of decision-making on money that previously came from the EU to the Welsh Government in line with our devolution settlement - was made on 13 October 2025. Following this, the Welsh Government launched on 7 November 2025 a public consultation on its proposals for this fund to help raise productivity and tackle economic inequalities across Wales. The consultation responses have helped to inform an Investment Plan for agreement by the UK government, expected by mid-March 2026. In parallel, we have also been working with the UK government to finalise a Memorandum of Understanding that sets out the principles for the use and management of the fund.

Economic regulation

The UK Internal Market Act (2020) was imposed by the previous UK government without the consent of the devolved governments and legislatures. The current UK government engaged with devolved governments on the issues arising from the Act via intergovernmental routes, such as the IMSC, and bilaterally. As a result, in January 2025, the UK government brought forward their review of the Act and widened its scope to cover more than was statutorily required. Constructive engagement took place during the review, within which the Welsh Government contributed at both official and ministerial levels.

The Welsh Government welcomed the changes arising from the review as a step in the right direction to begin to address the significant concerns we have with the Act. The principal change to automatically enact decisions made in common frameworks is a welcome step to meet the Welsh Government’s long-held position common frameworks should be the primary mechanism for managing devolution within the UK internal market. Dialogue has continued at official level on the detail behind the commitments.

Energy and Climate Change

The Net Zero, Energy, and Climate Change IMG met 5 times during the reporting period (17 October 2024; 6 March 2025; 6 May 2025; 21 October 2025; and 26 January 2026).

Discussion topics included:

• decarbonising the power sector
• biomethane
• local energy initiatives and their benefits to communities
• the UK’s 7th carbon budget
• the future direction of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme, including the UK government’s engagement with the EU, and
• the UK government’s Warm Homes Plan and proposed Warm Homes Agency.

The Welsh Government worked closely with the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), Scottish Government and Northern Ireland Executive on Climate Change Committee (CCC) appointments, including the new Chair and CEO and members of the Adaptation Committee. Welsh Government contributed to the UK’s first Biennial Transparency Report as required by the Paris Agreement and provided views on the carbon credit limit for UK Carbon Budget 5 (2028-2032). We also contributed to the UK government’s response to the CCC’s annual reports on cutting greenhouse gas emissions and to the UK government’s plans for meeting Carbon Budget 6. During this reporting period regular engagement with DESNZ, Scottish Government and Northern Ireland as part of the 4-nation UK Emissions Trading Scheme Authority continued.

Employability

In November 2024 the UK government’s “Get Britain Working” White Paper made a:

new commitment to devolve non-Jobcentre Plus employment support funding to the Welsh Government.

Progress on the commitment has been disappointingly slow and differences remain between the Welsh Government and UK government on how funding is devolved to the Welsh Government.

Education

The UK Education Ministers Council IMG met twice during the reporting period (20 November 2024 and 13 November 2025). Discussions during the 2024 meeting focused on Teacher Professional Learning and the recruitment and retention of teachers, best practice in professional learning and the shared challenges faced, the valuable role of international students in the UK, and early childcare initiatives. Discussions during the 2025 meeting were centred around curriculum, AI use in Schools and pupil behaviour.

Environment, agriculture, food

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs IMG met 6 times during this reporting period (19 September 2024; 11 November 2024; 27 January 2025; 23 June 2025; 24 November 2025; and 5 February 2026). The IMG discussions included deep dives on environmental land management and the circular economy. During this period three meetings were cancelled at short notice by the former Secretary of State. This resulted in last-minute policy decisions and stalled progress in priority areas. Following this, the group agreed the importance of regular meetings and engagement between governments. Despite these issues, cross-government working has continued, and one example of this is the agreement of the Marketing of Retail Goods Regulations 2025. Provisional Common Frameworks continued to be used to assist in cross-government working and managing divergence.

Border controls

The Welsh Government has worked closely with ministerial colleagues from UK government, Scottish Government and Northern Ireland Executive on Border controls, especially in considering the GB-wide policy and delivery implications for the Border Target Operating Model of the UK government’s decision to seek an agreement with the EU on sanitary and phytosanitary goods.

During this reporting period there have been meetings and correspondence between Welsh Government and UK government ministers and officials relating to the construction of the Holyhead Border Control Post funded by the UK government, the completion of which is now paused in expectation of the UK and EU reaching a Reset Agreement.

Health

During this reporting period productive relationships have continued at official level across all the 4 nations. These discussions have supported IMG agendas to be developed and resulted in ministerial discussions on areas of common interest and opportunities to consider future areas for joint working. The work during this period has also helped facilitate discussions and learning between the 4 nation governments on subject matters including mental health and health strategy.  

This period has included 4 meetings of the Health and Social Services IMG (12 December 2024; 30 April 2025; 25 September 2025; and 11 December 2025). Discussions focused on how adoption of new technologies could improve patient outcomes for our health and care systems in the UK; respective government approaches to mental health; patient safety; health inequalities; prevention strategies; elective care and waiting list reduction; and pandemic preparedness.

Social Services

Welsh Government engagement on social services has focused on safeguarding, care reform and cross border learning. The Single Unified Safeguarding Review (SUSR) team has worked closely with the Home Office to implement the Offensive Weapons Homicide Review pilot and domestic abuse homicide arrangements, supported by ministerial level engagement and ongoing official collaboration. This has included a tri lateral ministerial meeting in November 2024, and agreement for a quality assurance pilot for Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs) in Wales. The Home Office have encouraged and welcomed the Welsh Government’s participation in a new Quality Assurance Board for DHRs and worked closely to seek contributions on revisions to their DHR statutory guidance which will shortly be published.

Across adult social care, officials have established 4 nations groups to address residential care, unpaid carers, domiciliary care and reablement, alongside wider engagement through the National Office for Care and Support on issues such as paying for care, commissioning, and cross border impacts. This work supports the development of a National Care and Support Service for Wales and includes engagement with Baroness Casey’s Commission on the UK government’s National Care Service proposals.

In children’s social services, Welsh Government officials are actively engaged in UK wide and devolved forums on unaccompanied asylum seeking children, fostering, kinship care, adoption, accommodation for children with complex needs, and family justice. This includes participation in UK taskforces and steering groups, formal four nations policy forums, joint working with DfE and the Law Commission, and collaboration with the Ministry of Justice on family justice reform. Welsh Government officials have worked with the UK government to ensure Welsh legislation has been reflected in adoption related statutory instruments such as the introduction of neonatal leave, and the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. Ministerial engagement has ensured that Welsh interests are reflected in UK-wide initiatives, including family justice strategy development, and international commitments such as the Global Charter on Children’s Care Reform.

Justice and community safety

The Justice IMG met twice during this reporting period (3 July 2025; and 11 December 2025). Discussions focused on areas such as prison capacity, court caseloads and legal aid, digital innovation in justice, Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), court caseloads, responses to the Independent Review of Criminal Courts, prison capacity and legal aid.

In addition, numerous bilateral meetings with the UK government took place during this reporting period to discuss justice matters, policing and community safety. Topics discussed have included the independent review of sentencing, plans for early prison releases, the courts estate in Wales, the proposed residential women’s centre, supporting the legal professions in Wales, revising governance arrangements for policing and disaggregated justice data.

During 2025 and early 2026, the Welsh Ministers and officials engaged extensively with the UK government counterparts on the devolution of youth justice and probation, including discussions on sentencing, youth justice policy, and related financial and operational issues.

Safety, security and migration

The Welsh Government has continued to work with the UK government and devolved government counterparts on migration issues. The Safety, Security, and Migration IMG met 3 times during 2025 (25 January 2025; 21 May 2025 and 12 November 2025) and an additional meeting is anticipated to take place before the end of March 2026. In January 2025, ministers engaged in dialogue across the core themes of the group, including plans to link migration to labour market and skills policies (regular migration), the Border Security Command and the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (irregular migration), the Safer Streets Mission and the Crime and Policing Bill (safety), and the Fraud Strategy (security).

At the meeting that was convened on 21 May 2025, ministers engaged in a dialogue across regular and irregular migration matters, including the Immigration White Paper and associated Labour Market Evidence Group, as well as asylum and resettlement accommodation across the UK.

The meeting on 12 November 2025 focussed wholly on public safety priorities. The Welsh Government raised concerns about the Sentencing Act and its potential impact on victims, particularly survivors of Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence, in the context of early release schemes. Concerns were also noted regarding the potential strain on probation and policing in Wales, as these services would be required to manage offenders in the community who would otherwise have been in custody.

At all meetings, ministers agreed the importance of working closely together on topics regarding regular and irregular migration to ensure successful delivery for citizens across the whole of the UK.

Armed Forces and veterans

The Cabinet Secretary for North Wales and Transport has maintained regular contact with ministers in the Ministry of Defence on matters affecting the Armed Forces Community in Wales. This engagement has included 4 meetings with the Minister for Veterans and People, 2 of which were bi-lateral and two of which also included the Scottish Government. This has allowed discussion and early notice of the UK government’s plans for broadening the Armed Forces Covenant, the introduction of an Armed Forces Commissioner for England and Wales, endorsement of a UK-wide Veterans Strategy and plans for extending support to veterans through the Office for Veterans Affairs’ VALOUR programme.

Officials liaise regularly with teams in the Ministry of Defence in relation to the Armed Forces Covenant, support for Veterans and matters concerning the Armed Forces footprint in Wales.

There is also regular ongoing contact by ministers and officials with the Veterans Commissioner for Wales who is appointed by the UK government but whose advocacy for veterans in Wales covers several devolved areas including health, housing and education.

Housing and local government

The Housing, Communities and Local Government IMG met twice during this reporting period (4 June 2025 and 4 February 2026). Discussions during the June 2025 meeting focused on Grenfell Phase 2 response and future plans, workforce issues in the construction sector, construction product reform and regulation, and ways of working between devolved governments. The February 2026 meeting centred around place making housing policy and housing supply.

In addition to the formal IMG meetings, a 4-nation ministerial meeting took place on 25 November 2025 to discuss homelessness and rough sleeping. This meeting provided an opportunity for UK government and devolved government ministers to share perspectives and best practice but was held outside the agreed IMG structure and did not form part of the formal intergovernmental machinery

There has been positive engagement on primary legislation relating to pensions including on proposals in relation to the local government pension scheme and on local government audit and accounting frameworks.

There continues to be regular constructive official-level engagement on local tax policy, covering key issues such as the delivery of the 2026 non-domestic rates revaluation, addressing fraud and avoidance, and council tax matters.

Social Welfare/Cost of Living

The Work and Pensions IMG met twice during this reporting period (26 June 2025 and 19 February 2026). The inaugural meeting provided an opportunity discuss matters of mutual interest in the fields of employment support, disability, social security, child maintenance and pensions, the UK government’s Green Paper Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working, the UK government’s Get Britain Working white paper, and changes to Winter Fuel Payments in England and Wales from 2025 to 2026.

During the second meeting, ministers discussed matters of mutual interest regarding employability support for disabled people and for young people.

The Four Nations Ministerial group on the UK government Child Poverty Strategy met 3 times (13 November 2024; 11 December 2024; 19 March 2025). Members of the Ministerial Group also met with the UK Government Child Poverty Taskforce on 13 May 25. During this reporting period, officials also met regularly to discuss the strategy and wider issue on tackling child poverty.

Unclaimed Child Trust Funds

Welsh Government and His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs officials have developed joint communication activity to maximise the impact of the 2025/2026 campaign to ensure young people are made aware of their unclaimed Child Trust Funds.

Transport

The Transport Matters IMG met four times during this reporting period (19 November 2024; 5 March 2025; 5 November 2025; and 16 March 2026). Discussions included bus reform, innovation and digitisation of services, smart ticketing, accessibility and safety, motor insurance taskforce, port resilience, e-scooters, road safety, Heavy Duty Vehicle (HDV) and Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) decarbonisation and the Vehicle Emissions Trading Schemes (VETS).

Officials’ links with transport departments across all governments remained positive, with regular and meaningful engagement.

Culture and Creative Industries

The Culture and Creative Industries IMG met once during this reporting period (16 July 2025) alongside ongoing discussion at official level. While Creative Wales has engaged with the UK government, Scottish Government, and Northern Ireland Executive on broadcasting and creative matters, including the Industrial Strategy Creative Industries Sector Plan and BBC Charter Renewal and the Future of TV Distribution, discussions are underway with a view to improving joint-working arrangements, including through maintaining links to the Creative Industries Council.

At official level, the Welsh Government and the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) have had positive engagement on a range of issues, including the UK Government’s review of quangos, intangible cultural heritage and the UK City and Town of Culture 2029 competitions. Officials have also engaged with UK government, Scottish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive and relevant organisations, on cultural diplomacy and soft power, the range of non-devolved cultural property schemes, the Government Indemnity Scheme, relevant legislation affecting libraries, archives and museums and Museum and Archive Accreditation.

Arts

The Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership met with the UK government Minister of State for Creative Industries, Arts and Tourism and representatives from the Wales Office to discuss the funding situation at the Welsh National Opera (WNO) in 2024. Ministers collectively recognised the value of the WNO and its work and agreed they wanted to see a positive long-term future for the organisation. There is no IMG for the arts and no other discussions at Ministerial level have taken place in relation to the arts, but discussions take place between officials when matters of mutual interest arise.

Sport

The Sport IMG last met in March 2025. Officials of all 4 nations meet regularly to discuss matters of interest, with several meetings recently taking place between DCMS officials and devolved government counterparts to discuss the UK government’s Multi-sport Grassroots Facilities Fund using UK Internal Market Act powers. Ministers have also met informally during this period, including at the Euro 2025 tournament in Switzerland. Discussions are underway with a view to improving joint-working arrangements, including a further Sport IMG meeting later this year.

Tourism

The Tourism IMG met once during this reporting period (22 July 2025). This was the first meeting of this group since the publication of the review of Intergovernmental Relations in January 2022. The main topics of discussion were the various national approaches to self-catering, short term holiday lets, business events as a catalyst for tourism, and the potential for sharing resources at the next World Travel event.

Welsh Government officials also met UK government and devolved government counterparts on 8 July 2025, 14 October 2025 and 27 January 2026 to share updates on short-term lets and second homes. This included an update on the proposed licensing scheme for visitor accommodation in Wales.