Sue Gray to give evidence on Common Frameworks Programme

During the session, the committee will explore matters to do with ensuring a cooperative Union, and Intergovernmental Relations. Other topics will include the role and status of the Common Frameworks programme in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), improving intergovernmental working, transparency and bureaucracy in common frameworks, and the interaction of common frameworks with various pieces of legislation, such as the UK Internal Market Act, the Subsidy Control Bill, and the proposed Brexit Freedoms Bill.

The session will take place virtually on Tuesday 29 March at 10:30am and can be followed on Parliament TV.

Questions the Committee is likely to ask include:

• In light of the Common Frameworks Programme moving to DLUHC, what steps will be taken to ensure the Common Frameworks Programme will maintain its profile and significance as part of building a cooperative Union; and what will be done to ensure cohesive leadership of the Programme going forwards?
• As different departments gain increased ownership of common frameworks, will a smaller central team in the Cabinet Office have the capacity to maintain sufficient oversight and coordination of the Programme?
• As recommended in the Dunlop review, what steps are being taken to ensure that the Union, and respect for the devolution settlements, are embedded in UK Government policy development and decision-making?
• What discussions have taken place with officials in the Scottish and Welsh governments on including the UK Internal Market Act’s exclusions process within the text of common frameworks?
• Is the UK Government or Northern Ireland Executive responsible for engaging with the Irish Government on common frameworks with a cross-border element on the island of Ireland?