Minister, thank you for your statement today on how the Welsh Government is working closely with local government and partners in public agencies to maximise the preparations for civil security contingencies planning in the event of a 'no deal' Brexit. A 'no deal' Brexit should just be called a hard Brexit, because that's what it is; it is the worst possible economic slap in the face for the Welsh people and it will impact on the most vulnerable users of our public services disproportionately, as they use our public sector most. I do believe that you as the Minister, along with the Counsel General, have been meeting local government leaders to discuss the prospect of a 'no deal' Brexit.

So, a hard Brexit or cliff-edge exit means a lot for our public agencies, as they are already, as has been said, under huge stress from austerity and cuts to Wales. So, every lever possible must be utilised to counter any 'no deal' potential impacts—on jobs, whether it's food price rises, homelessness, medicine availability, overseas travel insurance, our citizens living abroad and their health reciprocality, and also national security data sharing. Like Mark Isherwood, I could go on, but I won't.

The extraordinary meeting of the local government partnership council saw representatives of local government, community and town councils, the Welsh Local Government Association, police and fire authorities and national park authorities get around the table, so it's right that this intensive collaboration and face-to-face partnership working across Wales can attempt in part to prepare for the impacts of a 'no deal' hard Brexit, which seems increasingly, now, ever more likely. Here in Wales we know that the First Minister has consistently outlined how leaving the EU with a 'no deal' Brexit would be catastrophic. The First Minister stated:

'It could cause significant disruption and damage to our economy, jobs, trade and public services.... All public sectors in Wales should now be well involved in contingency planning for a no deal scenario.'

Minister, what further plans, then, are there for the local government partnership council to meet, and how can Welsh Government support and aid its work in this environment of a fast-moving political maelstrom, and what reassurances are there that you can possibly give to the people of Islwyn that Wales and her public services are in a state of readiness and preparedness for the damaging and harmful consequences of any 'no deal' hard Brexit?