Oral Answers to Questions

Will Forster Excerpts

Thursday 24th October 2024 Commons Chamber

[Ellie Reeves]

Anything in relation to the former chief of staff will be announced in due course. It is not right for me to comment on the terms and conditions of any individual.

[Mr Will Forster (Woking) (LD)]

10. What steps he plans to take to strengthen the Union.

[Graeme Downie (Dunfermline and Dollar) (Lab)]

11. What progress he has made on resetting relations with the devolved Administrations.

[The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Pat McFadden)]

This Government were elected to deliver for people throughout the United Kingdom, and whatever political differences we have in different parts of the UK, the public expect us to work together for the common good. That is why we held the Council of the Nations and Regions recently in Edinburgh, which was focused on investment and good jobs across the country.

[Mr Forster]

I am sure we all agree that local communities know what is best for their own affairs. Will the Minister formalise the council of Ministers so that the Governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, along with regional leaders in England, can meet regularly to shape their communities?

[Pat McFadden]

The idea is that the Council of the Nations and Regions, which met in Edinburgh the other week, will meet twice a year. However, I believe that these relationships are about more than formal meetings. It is important, underneath the formalities, to establish as good and as normal a working relationship as we possibly can.