Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:38 pm on 26 June 2018.
Can I thank you, Cabinet Secretary, for this statement setting out clearly the potential risks to the NHS in Wales that Brexit presents? I have to say, I don't agree with Angela Burns that this is about scaring people. I think it is about facing the reality and preparing people for it, and I think not to do so would be irresponsible. I certainly don't want our Government to be as complacent about this issue as, clearly, the UK Government, the Conservatives and UKIP are.
Rhun is absolutely right: there is a long list of issues that we've got to face here, and he mentioned one in particular that I think carries one of the most significant risks from the uncertainties surrounding Brexit, and that is the UK's participation in the hugely important, European-wide clinical trials, the science and research, and the potential impact that that's going to have on the growing life sciences sector in Wales. I know that you did touch on that in your reply to Rhun, but I think it's worth noting that this has also been highlighted by a number of organisations, not least of which is the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, who identified that the UK received something in the region of €8.8 billion in EU research funding between 2007 and 2013, despite only contributing €5.4 billion ourselves. So, the UK research funding was a net beneficiary to the tune of €3.5 billion, and €40 million of that alone went into cancer research.
So, given that continued access to EU research and development networks must be a key outcome of the Brexit negotiations, can you say a bit more about the steps that Welsh Government is taking to ensure that the UK Government includes that specifically in the final Brexit deal? If that is not achieved again, how specifically are you planning to militate against this, particularly given your indications that officials are engaged in discussions around the potentials of a 'no deal' scenario?