Policy paper

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and First Ministers Call: 25 February 2021

Updated 22 December 2021

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Communiqué: 25 February 2021

This communiqué summarises the meeting chaired by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 24 February 2021.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster chaired a meeting with the First Ministers of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to discuss the ongoing COVID-19 response on 24 February. The meeting took place via video conference.

The attending Ministers were:

For the UK Government:

  • The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Rt Hon Michael Gove MP
  • The Secretary of State for Scotland, Rt Hon Alister Jack MP
  • The Secretary of State for Wales, Rt Hon Simon Hart MP
  • Minister of State for Northern Ireland, Robin Walker MP

For the Scottish Government:

  • First Minister, Rt Hon Nicola Sturgeon MSP

For the Welsh Government:

  • First Minister, Rt Hon Mark Drakeford MS

For the Northern Ireland Executive:

  • First Minister, Rt Hon Arlene Foster MLA
  • Minister of Health, Robin Swann MLA
  • Junior Minister, Declan Kearney MLA
  • Junior Minister, Gary Middleton MLA

The group discussed the COVID-19 response including respective strategies, international travel, electoral campaigning and vaccine prioritsation, including opportunities for future collaboration.

The attendees agreed that the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster will continue to chair regular engagement via videoconference with the First Ministers of Scotland and Wales and the First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland.

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