UK’s constitutional settlement ‘no longer fit for purpose’ say experts advocating for change

In a report published today, the Institute for Government (IFG) said that the UK’s four nations must “go back to the drawing board” and rethink their constitutional settlement.

It sets out eight key challenges that need to be addressed if the UK and its constituent nations are to co-operate successfully once the UK leaves the EU and makes recommendations about how the four governments should approach these challenges.

The paper considers what mechanisms and institutions will be necessary to support new agreements and broader relationships between the governments after Brexit.

Its focus is primarily on the environment, agriculture and fisheries; three key policy domains which together make up 41 of the 153 areas in which powers returning from the EU are devolved.

Among other things, it calls for clearer legislative accountability and a formal role for each legislature in scrutinising agreements between the UK’s nations.

The four legislatures, it states, should work together to improve their relations with each other to help support the scrutiny of new agreements, including via joint evidence sessions, and inquiries and interparliamentary forums.