BORIS Johnson’s self-appointed “Minister for the Union” title comes with no responsibilities attached, according to the UK Government’s own website.

The Prime Minister gave himself the role when he was elected Tory leader last summer, but more than 12 months on the Government has still not listed a single responsibility in his brief on its website.

On the gov.uk site all Cabinet positions are listed, along with a description of the person in the role and the responsibilities they hold. On the Minister for the Union page, the responsibilities section has nothing listed at all.

The National:

Under the “announcements” section, which typically features all press releases a minister is involved in, there is one single story listed. It related to the Prime Minister’s July trip to Orkney and Moray.

SNP MSP George Adam was not shocked by the revelation.

"Hardly surprising when you consider that Boris Johnson shirks responsibility at every given opportunity," he told The National. 

According to a 2019 breakdown of UK Government departmental spending, £10 million has been put towards “supporting the work of the Prime Minister as the Minister for the Union” – but it is still not clear what this "work" involves.

Part of the Cabinet Office’s remit involves maintaining the integrity of the Union, something which minister Michael Gove has pursued more visibly in recent months.

READ MORE: Johnson 'told minister for the Union title is not enough' in devolution review

Back in July, the Dunlop Review was leaked. The review was launched by former PM Theresa May before she left office and aimed to “strengthen the working of the Union”.

It has yet to be published officially, but it was reported that the review included more than 40 recommendations aimed at improving relations between the four nations.

A Westminster source said that the Prime Minister’s self-appointed Minister for the Union title is not sufficient, and the report calls for an “operational arm” to oversee Union relations.

Lord Dunlop would not comment on Johnson’s lack of responsibilities as Minister for the Union as the document has not yet been published.

Downing Street has been contacted for comment.