Memorandum of Understanding

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreed between the UK Government, the Welsh Government and the other devolved administrations in Northern Ireland and Scotland sets out the broad terms for how the four governments will work together on matters of mutual interest.

The MoU, which is not legally binding, establishes the Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) as a forum for consultation, discussion and dealing with disputes. It contains a Protocol which sets out procedures for avoiding and resolving inter-governmental disputes and contains overarching concordats on:

• Co-ordination of European Union Policy Issues
• Financial Assistance To Industry
• International Relations

The MoU applies on the same terms to the UK Government and the three devolved administrations.  It is supplemented by a series of bilateral Concordats between each of the devolved administrations and individual UK Government Departments.