Public Service Delivery: Devolved Governments

Baroness Smith of Llanfaes Excerpts

Tuesday 27th October 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

The UK Budget is being held tomorrow. In relation to the Northern Ireland budget, the Government have in difficult financial circumstances offered a generous package of over £1.5 billion to help manage pressures there and provide stability to public services. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has been personally involved in the negotiations and has made it clear that if the Executive continue to fail to agree a budget, he will consider all options to ensure that public services get the clarity and certainty that they need.

[Baroness Smith of Llanfaes (PC)]

My Lords, Robert Jones from Cardiff University has published this morning a report on the state of the Prison Service in Wales. It cites, in terms of the justice system, the complications of social policy and public services being devolved but the Prison and Probation Service being reserved. What is the Government’s response to this report?

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

I have not had the opportunity to read the report that the noble Baroness references. When it comes to devolution, the UK Government are committed to delivering change, and if there is a strong case for looking at doing things differently, we will of course give it careful consideration.