Relations between Whitehall and the three devolved administrations are based on extra-statutory principles and arrangements.
The key elements are set out in a Memorandum of Understanding (‘the MoU’) between the UK Government and the devolved administrations. The MoU lays emphasis on the principles of good communication, consultation and co-operation.
Concordats between the Government and the devolved administrations recognised the interest of the latter in aspects of international and EU relations, matters which remained the responsibility of Whitehall, and set out working arrangements to deal with them. A large number of further concordats were agreed between UK departments and the devolved administrations.
There is further provision about working practices in Devolution Guidance Notes for officials, and in the guidance on working with the Devolved Administrations, issued by the Cabinet Secretary in July 2008.
Most contact between administrations would be on a bilateral or multilateral basis, but to provide central coordination of the overall relationship a Joint Ministerial Committee was established by the Memorandum of Understanding.
Much the greater part of the finance for the devolved administrations is provided by the UK Parliament, which is however in the form of a block grant which the administrations are free to spend as they wish. The Statement of Funding Policy published by HM Treasury sets out how these arrangements operate.
