UK Common Frameworks
UK government publications relating to the UK Common Frameworks programme.
Overview
Common Frameworks were agreed with the devolved governments during the EU exit negotiations to manage potential intra-UK divergence in devolved policy areas which were once governed by the EU. Each Framework sets out intergovernmental working arrangements in a defined policy area, including meeting structures and processes for decision making, dispute resolution, information sharing and review. Common Frameworks cover a diverse range of policy areas and are underpinned by principles jointly agreed with the devolved governments in 2018, which include ensuring the functioning of the UK’s internal market and respect for devolution.
From the 152 originally defined areas, there are 30 agreed Common Frameworks, 5 of which are bi-lateral between the UK government and the Northern Ireland Executive. A UK Common Framework is developed jointly between the UK and devolved governments. The provisional Framework is scrutinised by committees in the UK Parliament and the devolved legislatures. The four governments jointly review and update the Common Framework and it is then fully implemented.
In addition to the Common Frameworks programme, in 2020 the UK Internal Market Act was passed. The subsequent UK government review (in 2025) of the UK Internal Market Act foregrounded Common Frameworks and the UK government committed to using Frameworks as the key fora to manage the UK internal market.
Whilst a number of the Common Frameworks remain provisional, they are all being used to facilitate close working between the governments of the United Kingdom.
UK Common Frameworks (fully implemented)
The list below includes all Common Frameworks that have been approved and fully implemented by the UK and devolved governments. They have been scrutinised by the UK Parliament and devolved legislatures and will be routinely jointly reviewed and updated by the UK and devolved governments.
(This collections page has links to the latest versions of the Common Frameworks, provisally published versions can be found via the relevant departmental page).
Department for Transport (DfT)
Department for Business and Trade (DBT)
Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC)
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)
UK Common Frameworks (Provisional)
The Common Frameworks listed below have been provisionally approved by the UK government and the devolved governments. All of these frameworks are provisionally operational and will have completed or are undergoing scrutiny by the UK Parliament and the devolved legislatures.
Cabinet Office
Department for Business and Trade
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Department for Health and Social Care
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Food Standards Agency
Common Frameworks Evaluation
This process evaluation of Common Frameworks was undertaken to assess how they are working in practice.
Framework analysis and updates
This final Framework analysis considered each of the 152 areas of EU law that intersect with devolved competence in one or more devolved administrations, setting out the latest policy positions on whether a policy area requires a Framework or not.