About the Inquiry
Common frameworks are being produced by the UK and devolved governments to seek to deal with any issues around policy divergence following the UK's departure from the EU.
The UK Government has identified 153 areas of EU law that
intersect with devolved competence; 150 in Northern Ireland; 107 in Scotland
and 64 in Wales. Of these areas the UK Government has identified 82 where a UK
common approach on a non-legislative basis is potentially needed. A further 24
areas have been identified where frameworks are likely to require legislative
elements either in part or wholly.
The Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee gathered information about the common frameworks within its remit.
Late Payments (commercial transactions) Common Framework
Public Procurement Common Framework
The Committee did not consider these common frameworks in session 5 and it is expected that they will be referred to its successor committee early in session 6.
Evidence
The Committee took evidence from Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy and Fair Work on common frameworks and the Committee's scrutiny role after EU Exit.
Correspondence
On 4 April 2019, the Committee wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy and Fair Work to seek an update on what work was being done on common frameworks within the Cabinet Secretary's portfolio and the energy portfolio. The Cabinet Secretary responded on 17 April 2019.
On 26 June 2019, the Committee wrote to the Cabinet Secretary and the Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands asking for an indication of timescales for the frameworks.
The Cabinet Secretary responded on 2 August 2019. The Minister responded on 4 September 2019.
The Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, Europe and External Affairs updated the Finance and Constitution Committee on progress with common frameworks on 8 February 2021, which was copied to the Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee: