Policy paper

Terms of reference for the Interministerial Group for Work and Pensions

Published 12 September 2025

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/interministerial-group-for-work-and-pensions/terms-of-reference-for-the-interministerial-group-for-work-and-pensions

Purpose and Scope  

1. The Interministerial Group for Work and Pensions (the ‘Group’) provides a forum for the UK Government, Scottish Government, Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive to discuss matters of mutual interest in the fields of employment support, disability, social security, child maintenance and pensions. It operates within the context of the existing devolution settlement between the UK Government and the Devolved Governments.  

2. This Interministerial group has been established as part of the Intergovernmental relations machinery as set out in the Review of intergovernmental relations.  

Membership  

3. The members of the Group are: 

  • Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, UK Government 

  • Minister for Transformation, UK Government 

  • Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Scottish Government 

  • Minister for Business and Employment, Scottish Government 

  • Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip, Welsh Government 

  • Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Welsh Government 

  • Minister for Communities, Northern Ireland Executive 

4. Other relevant ministers may be invited on an ad hoc basis, depending on the agenda. 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 (preferably a senior official) to attend in their place.  

Hosting and Frequency  

5. Meetings of the Group will be biannual, with the option to meet more or less frequently if required.   

6. Meetings will be held virtually by videoconference and organised by the chairing government. Where desirable and beneficial, the Group may hold meetings in person.  

7. Meetings will be organised and supported by a secretariat formed of officials from all governments in consultation with relevant Private Offices.  

Chairing and Secretariat  

8. UK Government will chair the first meeting of the Group and chairing will rotate between the governments thereafter.  

9. Each government will designate a nominated official to act as a member of the secretariat. The nominated official will be responsible for:   

  • leading the logistics work when that member is hosting a meeting of the Group  

  • liaising with nominated officials from other members on all matters   

  • coordinating the drafting and clearance of the agenda and supporting papers  

  • hosting an official-level meeting ahead of the Group meeting to discuss and agree the agenda and other matters  

  • issuing the agenda and papers three to five days prior to the meeting, unless agreed otherwise.  

10. The agenda will be determined by the Secretariat. Any government would have the right to submit an item to the Secretariat for consideration.  

11. The chairing government will be responsible for circulating draft communiques following the meeting, ahead of final sign off by all governments prior to publication.   

12. DWP will be responsible for publishing communiques on GOV.UK in line with the Review of Intergovernmental Relations 2022.  Each government are responsible for publishing the communique on their websites whilst adhering to their own requirements for informing their respective legislatures.  

Information Handling 

13. Discussions will take place in a confidential setting but will be noted and a jointly agreed communique published following the meeting.  

14.  Paragraph 14 of the Review of Intergovernmental Relations 2022 sets out the principles that govern the duty of confidence between the governments. In line with those principles, all parties to respect the confidentiality of information. 

Resolution process  

15. The UK Government, Scottish Government, Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive will seek to maintain positive and constructive relations, based on mutual respect for the responsibilities and their shared role in the governance of the UK. 

16. All governments are committed to promoting collaboration and the avoidance of disagreements and will seek to resolve any potential disputes at portfolio level. However, as a last resort, and if necessary, the Group will adhere to the processes set out in paragraph 21 of the Review of intergovernmental relations.   

Review Requirements  

17. The terms of reference for the Group will be amended as appropriate to reflect any changes to the role and functions of the Group, subject to agreement from all governments.  

18. The terms of reference represent an agreement between the Devolved and UK Governments and will remain in place unless and until the group agrees any changes. The terms of reference will be kept continuously under review and assessed for effectiveness on an annual basis. Any changes will be agreed by consensus.

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