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Windsor Framework Implementation

The Windsor Framework, implemented across multiple government departments including the Cabinet Office and FCDO, governs UK-EU relations and Northern Ireland's post-Brexit arrangements, including dynamic alignment with EU legislation. Current parliamentary scrutiny focuses on the proposed Dynamic Alignment Bill, the Stormont Brake mechanism, Border Target Operating Model implementation, and compensation for stranded border infrastructure investments.

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Family: Scrutiny and evidence
4 Mar 2026 | Committee report linked

We agree that faithful implementation of the existing agreements with the EU is key to the stability of the overall UK-EU relationship, as well as to the prospects of any substantive improvements to it. Regrettably, Brexit itself and the subsequent Windsor Framework arrangements for Northern Ireland have repeatedly been a source of friction. We understand the need for the Government to implement the Windsor Framework in good faith, while also working closely with the Executive, Assembly and s...

We agree that faithful implementation of the existing agreements with the EU is key to the stability of the overall UK-EU relationship, as well as to the prospects of any substantive improvements to it. Regrettably, Brexit itself and the subsequent …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
4 Mar 2026 | Committee report linked

It would have been preferable for the Government to publish its Dynamic Alignment Bill for implementation of the relevant new EU agreements in draft for pre-legislative scrutiny at an earlier opportunity so that the detail of this proposed mechanism could have been scrutinised before Parliament is asked to outsource part of its legislative authority to the EU. To ensure the fullest possible scrutiny despite these constraints, we ask the Government to confirm that Parliament will not be asked ...

It would have been preferable for the Government to publish its Dynamic Alignment Bill for implementation of the relevant new EU agreements in draft for pre-legislative scrutiny at an earlier opportunity so that the detail of this proposed mechanism could …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
4 Mar 2026 | Committee report linked

We also ask the Government to explain if it intends to make sure that the new agreements with the EU based on dynamic alignment will include a mechanism, for example modelled on the Stormont Brake, that would enable the UK to reject having to implement a new piece of EU legislation that would otherwise be subject to the requirement to align; and what role it envisages for Parliament, and the House of Commons in particular, in the triggering of such a mechanism. (Recommendation, Paragraph 229)

We also ask the Government to explain if it intends to make sure that the new agreements with the EU based on dynamic alignment will include a mechanism, for example modelled on the Stormont Brake, that would enable the UK …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
5 Feb 2026 | Committee report linked

The Government should set out how it will learn lessons from the implementation of the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), including the handling of costs for unused or under used border infrastructure. It should publish its position on compensation for local authorities and businesses and state how it will ensure future border policy changes avoid generating unnecessary or stranded investments. (Recommendation, Paragraph 88)

The Government should set out how it will learn lessons from the implementation of the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), including the handling of costs for unused or under used border infrastructure. It should publish its position on compensation for …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
29 Jan 2024 | Committee report linked

The UK is a dualist state, meaning that, in order for obligations entered into through treaties to have effect in UK law, domestic implementation is required. This is an important feature of the UK’s constitutional system, ensuring that any changes to domestic law needed to implement treaties must be considered by Parliament. While treaties bind the UK as a matter of international law, they do not automatically have effect as a matter of domestic law. Often, provisions do not require new prim...

The UK is a dualist state, meaning that, in order for obligations entered into through treaties to have effect in UK law, domestic implementation is required. This is an important feature of the UK’s constitutional system, ensuring that any changes …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
29 Jan 2024 | Committee report linked

We found the arguments that implementing legislation provides an appropriate opportunity for scrutinising and considering treaties in their entirety to be wholly unconvincing. As such, the current arrangements do not deliver a constitutionally sufficient level of scrutiny; nor do they provide an opportunity for Parliament to approve important policies which can have a significant impact on domestic affairs. Parliament’s opportunity to debate and approve or reject implementing legislation is n...

We found the arguments that implementing legislation provides an appropriate opportunity for scrutinising and considering treaties in their entirety to be wholly unconvincing. As such, the current arrangements do not deliver a constitutionally sufficient level of scrutiny; nor do they …

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4 Dec 2023 | Committee report linked

Given the limited further evidence we received on the specific issue of ascribing legal and democratic legitimacy to any substantive reforms made to the institutions, we recommend that expert consultation on this issue should also form part of the Review. We also emphasise that the prospect of review and reform should not include any possibility of reversion to a time before the Agreement. With overwhelming legal and democratic legitimacy, it remains the only viable basis for government in No...

Given the limited further evidence we received on the specific issue of ascribing legal and democratic legitimacy to any substantive reforms made to the institutions, we recommend that expert consultation on this issue should also form part of the Review. …

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9 Feb 2022 | Committee report linked

Although government told us about the good progress that it has made in putting in place the systems, infrastructure and staff required for the introduction of import controls, we note that government still needs to deliver further changes.43 For example, Defra still needs to ensure that the Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed System (IPAFFS), which is used by traders to notify Defra of the movement of SPS goods into Great Britain from the EU, can speak to HMRC’s Goods Vehicle Movement...

Although government told us about the good progress that it has made in putting in place the systems, infrastructure and staff required for the introduction of import controls, we note that government still needs to deliver further changes.43 For example, …

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28 Apr 2021 | Committee report linked

The PSNI and the Gardaí have developed bilateral mechanisms for sharing operational policing information. The Trade and Co-operation Agreement does not appear to impede the continuing exchange of operational information between UK and Irish law enforcement agencies, but both countries should be ambitious and build on the arrangements already in place. The Government must set out how it plans to support the development of existing bilateral mechanisms for the exchange of operational policing i...

The PSNI and the Gardaí have developed bilateral mechanisms for sharing operational policing information. The Trade and Co-operation Agreement does not appear to impede the continuing exchange of operational information between UK and Irish law enforcement agencies, but both countries …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
2 Dec 2020 | Committee report linked

Government spent £4.4 billion on preparations for EU Exit between the referendum and January 2020.34 The Treasury admitted that it had not itself asked departments to provide information on their expenditure on EU Exit which it could consolidate to get an overall picture of spending for any period prior to 2019–20. In 2019–20 it had asked departments to publish information on EU Exit spending in their 2019–20 Annual Reports, but these have been delayed due to Covid-19 and the Treasury has ide...

Government spent £4.4 billion on preparations for EU Exit between the referendum and January 2020.34 The Treasury admitted that it had not itself asked departments to provide information on their expenditure on EU Exit which it could consolidate to get …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
2 Dec 2020 | Committee report linked

The Treasury has relied on existing departmental processes within the system of Accounting Officer accountability to ensure money on EU Exit has been used as expected.37 We do not believe that this is sufficient, given the weaknesses identified by the NAO in the information departments hold, particularly in regards to the tracking of staff time.38

The Treasury has relied on existing departmental processes within the system of Accounting Officer accountability to ensure money on EU Exit has been used as expected.37 We do not believe that this is sufficient, given the weaknesses identified by the …

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26 Oct 2020 | Committee report linked

We expect the Government to abide by its obligations under the ECHR to ensure that investigations conducted by the new legacy body are Article 2 compliant. Victims and families will be failed by a process that results in legal challenge and further delay. This will cause frustration to those who have already waited too long to find out what happened to their loved ones. In setting up any legacy institution, the Government must publish guidelines setting out the steps the body and its staff wi...

We expect the Government to abide by its obligations under the ECHR to ensure that investigations conducted by the new legacy body are Article 2 compliant. Victims and families will be failed by a process that results in legal challenge …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
15 Sep 2020 | Committee report linked

The Committee welcomes the Government’s commitment not to rush through replacement legislation and to provide adequate time for full scrutiny. We also appreciate the Minister’s commitment to forging cross-party support for whatever replaces the Fixed-term Parliaments Act. The first step, as the Minister 32 The Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 recognised, is for the review committee to be set up. It is important that the review committee is given time to carry out its work to its full satisfact...

The Committee welcomes the Government’s commitment not to rush through replacement legislation and to provide adequate time for full scrutiny. We also appreciate the Minister’s commitment to forging cross-party support for whatever replaces the Fixed-term Parliaments Act. The first step, …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK