Asked by: Baroness Bryan of Partick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they are having with devolved authorities about the proposed increase in defence spending.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Government recently committed to increase defence spending to 2.5% by 2027. The Strategic Defence Review and the Defence Industrial Strategy will inform the Government on how this will be spent. We are engaging with devolved authorities across the UK on a routine basis, including in relation to defence spending. The consultation process for the Government’s Defence Industrial Strategy has included detailed engagement with Mayoral Strategic Authorities across England. There has also been engagement with the Devolved Governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and with officials from the Offices for the Nations.
Asked by: Baroness Bryan of Partick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they are having with devolved authorities about the proposed reductions in welfare spending.
Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The department works closely with all of the Devolved Governments on a range of policy matters.
We have developed proposals for reform to the system of health and disability benefits, set out in the Pathways to Work Green Paper published on 18th March 2025, which is now subject to a live consultation.
The reform package is expected to save several billion. The government will publish the OBR-certified costings of individual measures on the day of the Spring Statement on 26 March. We have announced the first permanent above-inflation rise in the UC Standard Allowance benefitting millions of people.
We are working closely with the Devolved Governments on the interactions between reserved and devolved areas of responsibility as a result of these proposals.
Asked by: Baroness Bryan of Partick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether The Dunlop Review into UK Government Union capability, announced on 4 July 2019, took evidence from the devolved administrations.
Answered by Lord True - Shadow Leader of the House of Lords
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office gave evidence to the House of Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee on 10 September setting out the Government’s intention to publish the Dunlop Review before the end of the year.
We are already in the process of implementing many of Lord Dunlop’s recommendations and we will set out more details on this alongside the publication of the report.
Whilst undertaking his Review, Lord Dunlop consulted widely before making his recommendations. This included meeting with politicians, civil servants, academics and others from all the nations of the United Kingdom.
Asked by: Baroness Bryan of Partick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they estimate that they will conclude their consideration of the recommendations of The Dunlop Review into UK Government Union capability, first announced on 4 July 2019; and when they plan to publish (1) that review, and (2) their conclusions.
Answered by Lord True - Shadow Leader of the House of Lords
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office gave evidence to the House of Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee on 10 September setting out the Government’s intention to publish the Dunlop Review before the end of the year.
We are already in the process of implementing many of Lord Dunlop’s recommendations and we will set out more details on this alongside the publication of the report.
Whilst undertaking his Review, Lord Dunlop consulted widely before making his recommendations. This included meeting with politicians, civil servants, academics and others from all the nations of the United Kingdom.