A COMMITTEE of MPs has opened a probe into the increasingly strained state of relations between the Scottish and UK governments.
The Scottish Affairs Committee will look into how intergovernmental relations have developed since devolution in 1998.
Last year, a new framework for relations between London and Edinburgh was established which aimed to smooth working between the two governments.
But newly-formed committees have met less frequently than was intended and new battlegrounds have opened up between the two governments.
The UK Government has repeatedly faced criticism in recent months, with the Scottish government in Edinburgh accusing their London counterparts of overruling the democratic will of the Holyrood Parliament.
Humza Yousaf’s government has said it will launch a legal challenge after Scottish Secretary Alister Jack took the unprecedented step to block controversial transgender law reforms.
The Scottish Government says this and other actions show that Westminster is undermining devolution in the post-Brexit era.
Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove, who introduced the new framework, said last month that day-to-day relations between the two Governments are “very cordial”.
He blamed the Scottish Greens for the disputes and said the party had an aversion to economic growth which opened up splits between the two administrations.
Pete Wishart, who chairs the cross-party committee, said: “This November, we will celebrate 25 years of the Scotland Act, legislation that established the Scottish Parliament and a devolved government.
“Today, the Scottish Affairs Committee launches a new inquiry to mark this defining moment in Scotland’s political history.
“In the inquiry, we will trace how intergovernmental relations have developed since the Act was passed, asking key individuals involved in the changes on how effectively Holyrood and Westminster have worked together on policy challenges during this period.
“We will be taking a closer look at recent changes to intergovernmental processes, including how the UK’s four governments work together post-Brexit to manage policy development and divergence.
“As governments look to accommodate this constitutional change, we will question whether the tools for effective cooperation between Scotland and Westminster operate as best they can.”
