Jeremy Miles: We are deeply concerned at how little time remains, with the deadline of 29 March looming very large on the horizon. There is an assumption with Westminster that we can get very close to the wire and then demand an extension to article 50. This is a dangerous assumption. The longer we wait to ask for an extension, the weaker the negotiating position of the Government. The closer we get to 29...
Jeremy Miles: Llywydd, despite those encouraging words following her defeat two weeks ago, it's now quite clear that the Prime Minister is going round in circles in her cul-de-sac, reiterating red-line positions, failing to see the urgent need to extend article 50 and failing to rule out 'no deal'—in short, a continuation on the road to nowhere. Can anything be more ludicrous than the Prime Minister...
Jeremy Miles: Diolch, Llywydd. May I start by thanking the Member for Bridgend for reminding us of the powerful impact in the daily lives of people of judgments that are made in relation to Brexit, and how getting those judgments wrong can have catastrophic consequences in real lives? There were a range of contributions from Assembly Members in this debate. The vast majority I welcomed. Some, I'm afraid, I...
Jeremy Miles: I said at the start—. Yes.
Jeremy Miles: Well, I was puzzled by that bit of it, and she made lots of great sounds about free trade agreements in defence of an amendment that advocated for 'no deal'. But, as I said in my opening remarks, the Prime Minister needs to find lasting support for her approach to Brexit. I listened to Darren Millar's contribution and I have to say I think his ad hominem attacks on Jeremy Corbyn just failed...
Jeremy Miles: We set out in 'Brexit and Fair Movement of People' an evidence-based approach to migration, which reflects the needs of our economy and the importance of achieving full and unfettered access to the EU single market, while addressing the concerns of many voters by linking migration more closely to employment.
Jeremy Miles: I am in frequent contact with the UK Government on a range of 'no deal' issues. This includes frequent senior engagement with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on business and sector specific issues. We continue to press the UK Government to rule out a 'no deal' outcome whilst providing advice on mitigating actions.
Jeremy Miles: In our White Paper, 'Securing Wales’ Future', we set out the position very clearly for continued full and unfettered access to the single market. Dynamic alignment on EU state-aid rules will be one of the requirements of this approach.
Jeremy Miles: I continue to press the UK Government to ensure that Wales does not lose out on funding as a result of Brexit, including for the further education sector. I have written and spoken to the Secretary of State for Wales and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster about this.
Jeremy Miles: The Minister for International Relations and the Welsh Language leads on trade policy for the Welsh Government and she will ensure Wales makes the most of any future post-Brexit trade agreements.
Jeremy Miles: Welsh Ministers continue to have frequent discussions with UK Ministers to secure the least damaging form of Brexit and one that protects the rights of citizens in Wales. As set out in 'Brexit and Fair Movement of People', this should include youth mobility as part of a wider approach to fair movement.
Jeremy Miles: Local government provides essential public services, including to our most vulnerable citizens, and the impacts of Brexit on local government will be wide-ranging and serious, particularly in a 'no deal' situation. Welsh Government has strong engagement with local government to develop preparedness, including readiness for 'no deal'.
Jeremy Miles: The Welsh Government has been considering the implications of Brexit across Wales, and acting to plan and prepare for all eventualities.
Jeremy Miles: Quite a bit of work has been taking place as regards the risk to ports in Wales generally and in the Member's constituency, as well as in Holyhead and in the north. We’ve been working with the United Kingdom Government and local government and the port operators to ensure that we model the risks to ports generally. And, generally, the ports in Fishguard and Pembroke Dock are likely to have...
Jeremy Miles: Yes, certainly. Of course, there have been discussions with the health boards. The health Minister is in continuous discussions, really, with NHS bodies to ensure that they have preparedness plans in place and to test some of those assumptions. The question that the Member asks relates to the provision of medical devices in particular. As she may know, there's been a specific piece of work...
Jeremy Miles: In his oral statement of 22 January, the Minister for Economy and Transport detailed our contingency plans for heavy goods vehicles delayed in Holyhead. Welsh Government officials have identified more than one option, and are in discussions with the Roadking truck stop facility, which we are confident will have a positive outcome.
Jeremy Miles: Well, there are very well established discussions with the port operators and with HMRC, the UK Government and local government, in particular. The Welsh Government recognises the risks around delays to the port in Holyhead. Regardless of the decisions that the UK Government is taking, the Irish Government, as part of the EU, will be imposing the full suite of EU law on traffic through the...
Jeremy Miles: A response has gone to the Secretary of State for Wales, indicating that most of the issues on which an invitation has been extended to the Welsh Government relate to where matters have been devolved to Wales. Obviously, there isn't an equivalent in terms of the work we do here, because we don't deal with reserved matters here, but I know the First Minister has also indicated that he has...
Jeremy Miles: Well, the Member emphasises a very important element, namely that whatever can be done in a 'no deal' situation, the problems in that context would mean that—. We don’t have the relevant actions available to ensure that doesn't happen. Discussions are taking place, as I say, with the UK Government and HMRC on this, based on the modelling of various scenarios and ensuring that steps are...
Jeremy Miles: The Welsh Government's position is very clear on this.
