Oral Answers to Questions Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate
Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Douglas Alexander Excerpts
Thursday 10th July 2025

(1 day, 13 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Watch Debate Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Andrew Ranger Portrait Andrew Ranger (Wrexham) (Lab)
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

12. What steps he is taking to improve co-operation with devolved Governments.

Douglas Alexander Portrait The Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Mr Douglas Alexander)
- View Speech - Hansard - -

The Government are committed to working with all levels of government to deliver for people across the whole United Kingdom. In the last few weeks, I attended the Interparliamentary Forum to speak with colleagues from across the four legislatures, and I have held productive discussions with devolved Government colleagues on our trade strategy.

Andrew Ranger Portrait Andrew Ranger
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

This Labour Government understand the importance of partnership in power. One year on, I welcome that this partnership has delivered record funding for Wales to improve our railways, protect coal tips, and boost our economy and our public services. At the general election, we rightly recognised that the Welsh fiscal framework is outdated. Please could the Minister provide an update on the progress being made to address this?

Douglas Alexander Portrait Mr Alexander
- View Speech - Hansard - -

I can give my hon. Friend the undertaking he seeks. We are committed to working in partnership with the Welsh Government to ensure that the framework is brought up to date and delivers value for money. My officials are supporting His Majesty’s Treasury on how the framework can be updated, and that work is ongoing.

David Mundell Portrait David Mundell (Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale) (Con)
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

Are the Government still committed to one civil service across the United Kingdom? If so, what are they proactively doing to ensure that as part of their career development, UK Government civil servants can work within the devolved Administrations and that those within the devolved Administrations can have roles within the UK Government?

Douglas Alexander Portrait Mr Alexander
- View Speech - Hansard - -

I pay tribute to the work of the civil service, not just for the UK Government but across the United Kingdom. Civil servants do tireless work on behalf of the public each and every day and are a critical part of this Government’s determination to deliver significant change for the country and drive forward the missions we have defined. To the right hon. Member’s question, in the early years of devolution there was a lot more interchange between the home civil service here in London and the civil service in offices such as those in Edinburgh, Belfast and Cardiff. I know that thought is being given to how we ensure that there is the right expertise in the right parts of the country, and there is an information exchange on how to get this right.

Alex McIntyre Portrait Alex McIntyre (Gloucester) (Lab)
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

13. What recent progress his Department has made on strengthening national security.