Jeremy Miles: I have made the Welsh Government's views clear to the UK Government, most recently at last week's meeting of the JMC on EU negotiations. The UK Government must seek an extension to article 50 immediately to put an end to the threats of the UK crashing out of the EU without a deal in only seven weeks' time.
Jeremy Miles: I thank the Member for that supplementary question. I referred to a report by the Institute for Government a few weeks ago that describes the challenge in implementing or bringing into law the Bill that is currently in front of the House of Commons in the event that there's no extension sought to the article 50 process. Whatever your view on Brexit, the practical challenges of doing that are...
Jeremy Miles: I hesitate to say this but—[Interruption.]
Jeremy Miles: I hesitate to say this: I didn't catch what the Member asked. So, could you repeat that?
Jeremy Miles: No, it is not the case. I can't be clearer than I have been today. We have been absolutely categorical about the kind of post-Brexit relationship with the European Union the Welsh Government thinks would be in the interests of Wales. I was invited by Darren Millar to take the view that a referendum was preferable to that, and I hope that I was clear then. If the sort of deal can emerge from...
Jeremy Miles: The inter-governmental agreement has made the EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018 more effective in respecting devolution. Importantly, thus far there have been no clause 12 regulations to restrict devolved competence. In terms of correcting legislation, both the Welsh Government and the UK Government have worked within the spirit of the agreement.
Jeremy Miles: Well, when it was agreed in the first place, there was a great deal of criticism in this Chamber that the Government had agreed, in principle, to secure this kind of agreement, but the agreement has succeeded. I do not doubt for a moment that there have been examples where we would have wished for greater collaboration. That is evidently clear. Things have improved over the latest period, but...
Jeremy Miles: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I welcome this Bill, which is another important milestone in the journey of devolution. The Welsh Government is very supportive of the three main aims of the Bill, as we see them. First of all, giving the Senedd a name that reflects its status as a legislature, secondly, giving young people an opportunity to vote, and thirdly, providing greater clarity for...
Jeremy Miles: We believe it is important that the Assembly's financing and accountability relationship with the Electoral Commission is placed on a formal footing, and we stand ready to work with the Llywydd, the Electoral Commission and the Treasury in light of Stage 1 scrutiny, to explore whether we could take this further than the Bill currently provides for. The Welsh Government also supports the clear...
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 engages regularly with the Lord Chief Justice’s office to inform them of matters of policy and legislation affecting the judiciary. These include any proposals that affect the administration of the courts, the criminal law, or the operation of the judicial system.
Jeremy Miles: Well, the Member identifies a very serious question and it is a challenge that arises by having primary law-making powers but not a separate jurisdiction and not having the justice system devolved to Wales. The Government has agreed a protocol with the Lord Chief Justice's office, which involves providing early notice of the content of legislation and the anticipated date of it entering into...
Jeremy Miles: The Legislation (Wales) Bill commits future Governments to keep the accessibility of the law under review and to take action to make it more accessible to all. We intend to develop consolidated codes of Welsh law as well as improving the way that legislation is published.
Jeremy Miles: Well, I thank the Member for that supplementary. I hope I can count on her support for each stage of the Legislation (Wales) Bill as it passes through the Assembly because it's partly intended to tackle the sorts of issues—the important issues—that she has highlighted in her supplementary question. Our devolution settlement is complex. It has a particular impact on how we legislate as a...
