Interministerial Group for Safety, Security and Migration: terms of reference
Published 5 June 2025
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Purpose and scope
To ensure formal and regular interaction between the Home Office and devolved governments of the UK on matters relating to safety, security, and migration [footnote 1]. This should be alongside and not in place of bilateral discussions, complementing existing channels of communication and acting as a catalyst for more effective working at all levels.
The IMG will provide an outcome focussed platform for ministers from the UK Government, Scottish Government, Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive with safety, security and / or migration matters in their portfolios to address areas of shared interest, in particular to ensure:
(i) there is a coherent and effective approach to security and law enforcement across the UK; and
(ii) immigration policy and delivery takes into account considerations from the devolved governments and delivers necessary economic growth and supports public services across the UK.
The IMG will consider emerging challenges to the work of the Home Office and the devolved governments; discuss specific issues; identify potential opportunities for collaboration and sharing good practice; ensure an understanding of emerging policy and forthcoming legislative changes, and manage shared risks across the UK.
Nothing in this terms of reference, or the arrangements for the IMG itself, will alter the devolution settlements in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Ways of working
The IMG will be a common endeavour between the Home Office and devolved governments, all of whom will be jointly responsible for its success. The governments have committed to contributing to papers, discussion, shared learning and driving forward actions as well as respect the devolution settlements of Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, as well as the joint Review of Intergovernmental Relations in 2022. [footnote 2]
The IMG for Safety, Security and Migration will be supported by a Joint Secretariat consisting of officials from the Home Office and from each of the devolved governments. The role of the Secretariat is to ensure the smooth functioning of the IMG, including the senior officials’ group (IMG (O)), in accordance with the agreed approach in the supplementary ‘ways of working’ document provided as an annex to this terms of reference.
Operation of the IMG
Frequency
The IMG will meet three times a year.
Duration
60-90 minutes
Attendance
The Home Secretary and Lords Minister representing the UK Government, and relevant ministers for the devolved governments. Ministerial representation may vary at each meeting and will be informed by the agenda. Other ministers may be invited on an ad hoc basis depending on the topic of discussion.
The Secretariat should be notified of any absence at the earliest opportunity, and in such cases, members will be expected to nominate a suitable delegate to attend in their place.
Location
Meetings may be virtual or in person. Where they are in-person, location will be agreed in advance and rotate around the UK across the full UK Government or devolved government estate. A hybrid approach is also encouraged.
The Home Office will lead on the logistics.
Chairing arrangements
Recognising the divergence of views across the four governments in relation to the concept of a rotating Chair for this IMG, we will consider chairing arrangements for each meeting on a case-by-case basis and will commit to formally review our collective positions on this in line with the wider commitment to review the terms of reference on an annual basis.
Agenda and papers
Officials from the Home Office and the devolved governments will have input into the agenda. Both can propose items for consideration through the IMG Secretariat and will be agreed at the Senior Officials Group meeting. This will also be shared with the Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland Offices for sight.
A forward annual outlook of the core agenda will be agreed in advance to ensure all interests are recognised, with scope to add topics based on ongoing suggestions from the Home Office and devolved governments and informed by discussions at the senior official level meeting.
Papers may be provided by the Home Office or any of the devolved governments. Where papers relate to reserved areas such as Immigration and National Security, the devolved governments may wish to provide an additional paper.
The final agenda and papers should be agreed in advance and circulated as far ahead of the meeting as practicable, ideally five working days ahead of the scheduled meeting, unless agreed otherwise.
The Secretariat will circulate draft minutes, action log and a communiqué within one week of the scheduled meeting for comment and agreement. Once agreed, the minutes will also be shared with the Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland Offices for sight.
Minutes and reporting
Discussions will take place in a confidential setting and be minuted by the Secretariat who will circulate to all attendees for comment and agreement. These should be agreed as soon as practicably possible, and in advance of the next scheduled IMG. No information relating to discussions beyond what is agreed in the summary communiqué will be shared with third parties or published unless agreed jointly. An agreed communiqué will be published on gov.uk.
The devolved governments may also choose to publish the agreed communiqué through their respective channels.
Review
The terms of reference for the IMG for Safety, Security and Migration complies with the best practice as detailed in the Review of Intergovernmental Relations.
They will be kept under continuous review and assessed for effectiveness on an annual basis, with any changes agreed jointly by consensus.
Senior Officials Group – IMG(O)
The IMG for Safety, Security and Migration will be supported by a senior level officials group referred to as IMG(O). This will be attended by the most appropriate officials, deputy director/ director level and above from the Home Office and the devolved governments. Senior officials can be supported by other departmental officials if required. The group will meet at least three times a year to support the IMG, and, where possible, at least two weeks before the scheduled IMG meeting.
The purpose of the IMG(O) is to drive IMG activity forward. The group will review action points and progress from previous meetings, clear pre-commissioned background papers in support of the IMG, and finalise comments on the proposed IMG agenda. The group may also escalate relevant policy issues for ministerial discussions where it is appropriate to do so. Official level representation will be informed by the agenda and thus may vary at each meeting.
Annex A: Ways of working
This ways of working document outlines how the Secretariat for the IMG for Safety, Security and Migration will function. It sets out the roles and responsibility of the Secretariat which will service both the Interministerial Group (IMG) and associated Senior Officials’ Group meetings. This document should be read in conjunction with the terms of reference document for the Home Office IMG for Safety, Security and Migration.
The secretariat function consists of officials from the Home Office, and from each of the devolved governments. The nominated individuals which form the Joint Secretariat will work collaboratively with each other, and colleagues across their own governments to ensure smooth coordination from various parts of the business and that there is a fair and transparent approach to the undertakings of the proposed IMGs.
The responsibilities in this document are not exhaustive but lists key activity as agreed at working level.
Functions of the Joint Secretariat Group
The IMG Secretariat Group will be responsible for coordinating and agreeing a proposed agenda for consideration by senior officials, including a forward outlook.
The IMG Secretariat Group will liaise with relevant Private Offices to propose dates and agree the proposed schedule of meetings including location and chairing schedule where appropriate.
The IMG Secretariat Group will ensure there is a clear and fair agenda covering a range of Home Office and devolved governments’ interests across the scheduled IMGs.
The IMG Secretariat Group will be responsible for ensuring an accurate note is taken of the IMG discussion, with minutes and action log circulated within a week of the meeting and working with other members of the Secretariat Group to produce a high-level communiqué to be agreed and published in line with transparency commitments.
The agreed published communiqué should set out the date, location, chair, list of participants and a summary of discussion points.
The IMG Secretariat Group will be responsible for ensuring actions are followed up.
Each member of the Secretariat Group will be responsible for ensuring the relevant clearances within their own governments have been sought in order to meet these timelines.