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Last updated: 16 September 2009
The meeting was chaired by the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, on behalf of the Prime Minister. The participants were the First Minister of Scotland, the Scottish Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution; the First Minister and Deputy First Minister for Wales; the First Minister and deputy First Minister for Northern Ireland and the Secretaries of State for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Chief Secretary to the Treasury attended for part of the meeting to lead a discussion on the economy and the Economic Secretary attended for the remainder of the meeting.
Ministers discussed issues of common interest, most notably the economy and inter administration relations in an open and constructive exchange.
All participants committed to regular engagement between administrations, and the need to maintain and build on successful co-operation in tackling the challenges of economic recovery and pandemic flu. Ministers from HM Government and the Devolved Administrations will continue to work together in decision-making regarding contingency planning.
The discussion on the economy re-emphasised the need for continued co-operation and the sharing of economic information as recovery from the economic crisis gains pace. It was agreed that the cooperation between the HM Government and the Devolved Administrations on tackling the recession and preparing for the economic recovery together, including through the JMC, and economic summits in Wales and Scotland, had worked well and would continue. A number of issues relating to finance were raised including further public sector capital acceleration, difficulties over bank lending and funding for the swine flu vaccine, and will be discussed further over the coming weeks and at the next meeting of the Finance Ministers’ Quadrilateral, which will be held in December.
In the discussion of the state of relations, the Committee noted the positive developments since the last plenary session, particularly in the development of a new sub-committee to deal with domestic matters. This sub-committee has held two successful meetings to date and will meet again imminently.
Recent recommendations on inter-administration relations from independent reports on the workings of devolution were raised and it was agreed that a more detailed discussion to agree any improvements will be held imminently. It was noted that the Secretary of State for Scotland stated that HM Government would publish a formal response to the Calman Commission report before the end of 2009.
The Prime Minister attended for the last part of the meeting and opened a discussion on preparations for the G20 meeting to be held on 24-25th September in Pittsburgh. He spoke of progress since April in implementing the London G20 conclusions and of the continuing need to ensure sustained international co-operation as the world economy moved to the next phases.
Cabinet Office Press Office
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Email: robert.honey@cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk