A SCOTTISH Parliament committee has called for a new memorandum of understanding between the UK Government and devolved administrations following Brexit.
A report from the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee at Holyrood, released on Tuesday said there had been a material change in how devolution looks following Brexit, with it being “very different” following the UK’s departure from the EU.
In 1999 and again in 2013, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the administrations, laying out key parts of the devolution settlement not codified in law, which included issues like international relations.
Convener Clare Adamson said: “Our recommendations for a new memorandum of understanding between the UK and devolved governments should be one of the first steps in the journey towards addressing the impact of the changes in devolution following our departure from the EU.
“As we navigate the path of regulatory divergence, it is critical that any new agreements acknowledge the fundamental principle that the Scottish Parliament must have the ability to effectively oversee all the powers within its competence.
“The evolving regulatory environment resembles a shifting landscape with its twists and turns, which has led to disagreements between devolved institutions and the UK Government.
“These dynamics present challenges to the Scottish Parliament’s core functions and its oversight of ministers that must be resolved to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead.”
The committee has also called for the creation of agreements on common frameworks and the use of powers by UK ministers in devolved areas.
It comes after numerous instances of the UK Government intervening to block legislation passed in the Scottish Parliament, such as gender reform and the Deposit Return Scheme.
