Wales: Constitutional and Policy Divergence

Debate between Baroness Wilcox of Newport and Lord Katz

Wednesday 4th November 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Wilcox of Newport]

To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of constitutional and policy divergence in Wales on the integrity of the United Kingdom.

[Lord in Waiting/Government Whip (Lord Katz) (Lab)]

My Lords, devolution allows Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to take different approaches which reflect particular circumstances, while continuing to benefit from the pooling of resources, the sharing of opportunities and the collective strength that comes from being part of the United Kingdom. The integrity of the United Kingdom is best protected when our four Governments work constructively and effectively together on shared challenges. That is what the Prime Minister is committed to, as he made clear to the Heads of the devolved Governments in the National Economic Council meeting last week.

[Baroness Wilcox of Newport (Lab)]

I thank the Minister for his reply. Does he agree with me that the true measure of successful devolution is not the accumulation of constitutional difference but whether it delivers better outcomes for the people of Wales while strengthening their place within the United Kingdom?

[Lord Katz (Lab)]

My noble friend is right; what matters is what works. The guiding principle for our engagement with the Welsh Government is how to deliver better outcomes on the issues that matter for people in Wales. That is why we are supporting people in Wales with the cost of living and by driving good growth and creating thousands of jobs in the process. We were pleased to discuss our ambitions for industrialisation and good growth with the Welsh Government at the National Economic Council and look forward to building on this in the coming months. I agree with my noble friend that this is also about strengthening and championing the contribution that Wales makes to the UK’s collective security and prosperity in bolstering the UK’s defence, producing our steel and leading the way in industries such as compound semiconductors and life sciences—our union is stronger from having Wales in it.