Devolved Nations COBR Attendance
The UK government should invite the devolved administrations, as a matter of standard practice, to nominate relevant ministers and officials to attend COBR meetings in the event of relevant whole-system civil emergencies that have the potential to have UK-wide effects.
- The Amber Book, updated April 2025, states devolved government ministers and officials are invited to relevant meetings including COBR (Managing Crisis in Central Government, Cabinet Office, April 2025).
- The response states invitations remain on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Chair, rather than as a matter of standard practice as the Inquiry recommended.
How was this evidence gathered?
Response
Accepted
Response
AcceptedThe government agrees that representatives from devolved governments should be invited to COBR meetings and associated Taskforce meetings where relevant.
The government is committed to ensuring a coordinated response to national crises. As set out in the Amber Book, devolved government ministers and officials are invited to relevant meetings, including COBR, whenever appropriate. This would typically occur when a crisis impacts, or has the potential to impact, the devolved governments. Devolved governments' response structures exist alongside this.
All decisions regarding the invitation and participation of external representatives outside of the UK government, including those from the devolved governments, are made on a case-by-case basis. This decision rests with the Chair of the respective meeting, whether that be the Chair of COBR or the Taskforce. This approach ensures that participation is tailored to the specific nature and impact of the crisis.
The government agrees that representatives from devolved governments should be invited to COBR meetings and associated Taskforce meetings where relevant.
The government is committed to ensuring a coordinated response to national crises. As set out in the Amber Book, devolved government ministers and officials are invited to relevant meetings, including COBR, whenever appropriate. This would typically occur when a crisis impacts, or has the potential to impact, the devolved governments. Devolved governments' response structures exist alongside this.
All decisions regarding the invitation and participation of external representatives outside of the UK government, including those from the devolved governments, are made on a case-by-case basis. This decision rests with the Chair of the respective meeting, whether that be the Chair of COBR or the Taskforce. This approach ensures that participation is tailored to the specific nature and impact of the crisis.
Progress Timeline
Status: Pending. No government response yet received. Module 2 report published 20 November 2025.