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Chart update! The 2nd ever ministerial direction citing all four possible grounds was issued at Defra in December 2020, concerning the Movement Assistance Scheme for NI agri-food traders after #Brexit
Our explainer on ministerial directions:
https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainers/ministerial-directions
Our explainer on ministerial directions:
https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainers/ministerial-directions
The Movement Assistance Scheme was set up to help traders moving agri-food products from GB to NI with new paperwork required under the NI protocol (covering 'reasonable costs', around £150 per certificate).
Our NI protocol explainer has more info: https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainers/northern-ireland-protocol-joint-committee
Our NI protocol explainer has more info: https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainers/northern-ireland-protocol-joint-committee
Defra Perm Sec Tamara Finkelstein sought direction from SoS George Eustice, citing concerns around the value for money, feasibility, propriety and regularity of MAS
This is only the 2nd time all 4 grounds have been cited (1st was at BEIS in early 2020) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/movement-assistance-scheme-ministerial-direction
This is only the 2nd time all 4 grounds have been cited (1st was at BEIS in early 2020) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/movement-assistance-scheme-ministerial-direction
The 3mo. grace period on agri-paperwork means the scheme has not been used much yet. But the costs are potentially huge
Finkelstein cites short & long-term value for money concerns: 'a risk of creating a dependency on this scheme for traders, meaning it may be difficult to exit'
Finkelstein cites short & long-term value for money concerns: 'a risk of creating a dependency on this scheme for traders, meaning it may be difficult to exit'
Eustice formally directed Finkelstein to establish the schemeon 9 December 2020, 6 days later (which is unsual, ministerial directions tend to be issued within a day).
He cites the need for clarity for traders moving goods from GB to NI.
He cites the need for clarity for traders moving goods from GB to NI.
One of our findings in Whitehall Monitor 2021 was that the number of ministerial directions has grown since the Brexit vote, and increased rapidly during the pandemic
#IFGWM2021 https://www.civilserviceworld.com/news/article/ministerial-directions-shot-up-amid-pandemic-analysis-finds
#IFGWM2021 https://www.civilserviceworld.com/news/article/ministerial-directions-shot-up-amid-pandemic-analysis-finds
(the reason this direction didn't make it into #IFGWM21 is that it was not released until publication day. But the analysis still holds) https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/whitehall-monitor-2021/ministers
As @timd_IFG recently wrote, ministerial directions should not become a habit. Among other concerns, it risks reducing scrutiny https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/blog/increase-ministerial-directions-should-not-become-habit
Made it this far down a thread on ministerial directions?
As a reward, please enjoy the sight of
1. Bánh Xèo, Vietnamese rice flour, coconut milk and turmeric pancake (easy to make)
2. Baghrir, Moroccan (hand-made!) spongy pancake. Crumpet-like, very delicious.
#PancakeDay
As a reward, please enjoy the sight of
1. Bánh Xèo, Vietnamese rice flour, coconut milk and turmeric pancake (easy to make)
2. Baghrir, Moroccan (hand-made!) spongy pancake. Crumpet-like, very delicious.
#PancakeDay
