Questions to the Counsel General and Brexit Minister

QNR – in the Senedd on 16 January 2019.

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Photo of Leanne Wood Leanne Wood Plaid Cymru

(Translated) Will the Counsel General make a statement on the replacement of EU structural funds in the Rhondda?

Photo of Jeremy Miles Jeremy Miles Labour

Our position is set out in our paper 'Regional Investment in Wales after Brexit'. We are actively planning successor arrangements and pressing the UK Government to honour promises made that funding for Wales would be fully replaced in the event of leaving the EU and that devolution will be strengthened.

Photo of Rhun ap Iorwerth Rhun ap Iorwerth Plaid Cymru

(Translated) What discussions has the Counsel General had with the Minister for Economy and Transport about safeguarding Holyhead port given the possibility of a no-deal Brexit?

Photo of Jeremy Miles Jeremy Miles Labour

(Translated)

Brexit preparations are a high priority for the whole of the Welsh Government. 

We discussed ‘no deal’ preparedness work related to Welsh ports, in particular Holyhead, at our Cabinet meeting on Monday.

Photo of Siân Gwenllian Siân Gwenllian Plaid Cymru

(Translated) Will the Counsel General provide an update on plans to protect the rights of the people of Wales in leaving the European Union?

Photo of Jeremy Miles Jeremy Miles Labour

(Translated)

We are clear that leaving the EU should not result in a deterioration in the rights of people. We continue to press the UK Government to commit to dynamic alignment for areas within their competence, including workers' rights, and we are considering how we can safeguard and enhance protections in areas within our competence.

Photo of Bethan Sayed Bethan Sayed Plaid Cymru

(Translated) What assessment has the Counsel General made of how proposed changes to immigration rules outlined in the UK Government's proposed EU withdrawal agreement will impact Wales?

Photo of Jeremy Miles Jeremy Miles Labour

The UK Government proposals in the immigration White Paper means nurses, junior doctors, and a range of workers that we need for our public services and industry may no longer be allowed to come to Wales. Our future immigration system should help our economy and people and not stifle it.

Photo of Adam Price Adam Price Plaid Cymru

(Translated) What assessment has the Counsel General made of the impact of Brexit on the Welsh economy?

Photo of Jeremy Miles Jeremy Miles Labour

(Translated)

The UK Government’s own analysis in addition to that from independent bodies and the Welsh Government demonstrates that Brexit will damage the economy. The Prime Minister must commit to negotiate an EU exit as outlined in 'Securing Wales’ Future', which remains the least damaging form of Brexit. 

Photo of Jack Sargeant Jack Sargeant Labour

(Translated) What discussions has the Counsel General had with the Minister for Economy and Transport regarding support for businesses in north Wales post-Brexit?

Photo of Jeremy Miles Jeremy Miles Labour

The whole Cabinet is committed to supporting Welsh businesses through Brexit. I attended the Cabinet sub-committee on EU transition in December, where the Minister for Economy and Transport presented a detailed paper on preparing business for Brexit. We continue to engage closely with businesses across Wales.

Photo of Bethan Sayed Bethan Sayed Plaid Cymru

(Translated) What discussions has the Counsel General had with the UK Government on the impact that Brexit will have on current state aid rules?

Photo of Jeremy Miles Jeremy Miles Labour

Since the Prime Minister committed to the UK’s ‘remaining in step’ with the EU on state aid in her March 2018 Mansion House speech, we have engaged with the UK Government to ensure regulatory continuity for Welsh businesses and press for Welsh input into any future changes.

Photo of Janet Finch-Saunders Janet Finch-Saunders Conservative

(Translated) Will the Counsel General make a statement on the work the Welsh Government is undertaking to improve accessibility of devolved legislation to the public?

Photo of Jeremy Miles Jeremy Miles Labour

The recently introduced 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 legislation is published.

Photo of Helen Mary Jones Helen Mary Jones Plaid Cymru

(Translated) What discussions have the Welsh Government had with the UK Government with regard to the fees charged to EU citizens applying to the EU settlement scheme to register for settled and pre-settled status?

Photo of Jeremy Miles Jeremy Miles Labour

We have consistently argued with the UK Government that EU citizens who have contributed to our public services and economy should not have to pay settled status fees to remain in the UK. As the UK Government insists, then it should at least waive the cost of children’s fees.