5. Will the Leader of the House provide an update on Welsh Government support for migrant workers in Wales in preparation for Brexit? OAQ51408

Workers from overseas contribute hugely to Wales's economy and society. Our paper, 'Brexit and Fair Movement of People', outlines a framework for future migration that meets Wales's needs and supports vigorous enforcement of non-devolved employment legislation. This approach is underpinned by our anti-exploitation code of practice for ethical employment in the supply chain. 

Can I thank the leader of the house for that answer? Irrespective of our views on the merits of Brexit, there are thousands of migrant workers in Wales, including in my own constituency, who do important work and deserve total clarity as we negotiate our future arrangements with the EU. Would the leader of the house agree that while the UK Government has published a technical document for those EU citizens applying for settled status, which is suggesting a grace period of two years following Brexit, there remains a lack of clarity, particularly in relation to families, which is a worry for those people from Wales who work in the EU, as well as EU citizens working in the UK? Would you further agree that this is an unnecessary economic risk to the well-being of our country? 

Indeed. I think the ongoing uncertainty is completely unnecessary. Welsh Government has been calling for confirmation of EU citizens' rights ever since the referendum. We're very aware that Brexit arrangements are causing many migrant communities anxiety across Wales and we're attempting to contact as many of the migrant community groups, social organisations and other support mechanisms in order to make sure that we can actively engage with communities to make sure they feel as settled as possible. Of course, we continue to engage with the UK Government to ensure the process for applying for settled status for EU citizens in the UK, as well as citizens from Wales who work in the EU, will be fair and proportionate. It's having a disproportionate effect in some other areas of real importance to the economic stability of Wales as well, including very important and world-class research, which I'm very concerned is being impacted by the lack of settled status for EU migrants.

Can the leader of the house inform me whether discussions have taken place between the Welsh Government and the UK Government with regard to seasonal working permits following Brexit, and, of course, in looking at future arrangements?   

Yes, that's one of the things that we've been discussing in our Brexit preparedness arrangements, and our papers, I'm sure the Member knows, all reference the issue around seasonal migrant workers and other, very important elements of our society. We don't agree with quota arrangements, but if such an arrangement were put in place, then we would, of course, be pressing to have the very best quota arrangements for Wales to ensure that all of the communities that rely on very important migrant workers are actually able to continue to provide the valuable services across the Welsh economy that we know they provide.