The Reallocation of any Money from or to the European Union

Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Finance and Trefnydd – in the Senedd at 2:05 pm on 30 January 2019.

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Photo of Huw Irranca-Davies Huw Irranca-Davies Labour 2:05, 30 January 2019

I draw Members' attention to my register of interests, as chair of the programme monitoring committee dealing with European funding. Could I concur with the comments that have been made by David Rees, my neighbour in the Aberavon constituency and also Chair of the External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee, on the red lines that the Government have drawn, both in terms of the whole funding, which we understand could, actually, be greater, based on the current EU calculations, than the current £680 million that should come to Wales, but also the levers in order to make the decisions on how we allocate and distribute that funding, perhaps in a different way, post Brexit as well? It seems all the more urgent after last night's vote, once again.

The Treasury typically tends to be—at the moment, certainly—fiscally conservative, but with a small 'c' conservative in their approach as well towards devolution. So, could I re-emphasise the point that David made, which is: what discussions is she and her officials having with Treasury officials, who, ultimately, will be the ones sitting around the Cabinet table, that not only help influence but will make the determination on whether the Welsh Government's red lines are respected, and that the money is passed back to Wales and also the levers of power to do as we want with it?