Civil Servants: Devolution

(asked on 25th November 2025) - View Source

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will allow representatives of political parties from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to discuss their legislative programmes with UK civil servants in the event that there is a realistic prospect of those parties entering government in their respective devolved administrations.


Answered by
Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent Portrait
Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
This question was answered on 9th December 2025

The approach to any discussions between opposition parties and officials of the devolved governments of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is a matter for those governments. The Cabinet Manual sets out that it is for the Prime Minister to authorise contact between UK Government civil servants and opposition parties ahead of a general election.

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